Microsoft has begun rolling out a major update for its Xbox app on PC and handheld devices, aiming to address the issue of “too many launchers” on a device. The new version introduces an aggregated gaming library, which automatically detects and displays your installed games from multiple storefronts in one convenient place.

According to the announcement, when you install a game from a compatible PC retailer, such as Battle.net, it will now automatically appear in your “My Library” section and your “Most Recent” list within the Xbox app. This allows you to launch all your games from a single interface, regardless of where you bought them. For those who prefer a cleaner look, you can also head into the settings and toggle which storefronts you want the app to display in your library.

Later this month, Microsoft will introduce another significant quality-of-life feature: cross-device play history. A new “Jump back in” list will sync across your console, PC, and handheld devices, letting you quickly resume your last played game, no matter where you left off. The library will also be getting a new “cloud playable” filter to make it easier to see which of your owned games can be streamed on the go.

This is a significant step in Microsoft's goal of making the Xbox app the central hub for PC gaming. Combined with the recently tested “My apps” feature for launching third-party programs, it appears that Microsoft wants its app to be the primary interface you use, especially on controller-driven handheld devices, where navigating multiple apps can be cumbersome.

KitGuru says: Have you already tried the new features on the Xbox PC App?

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Sharkoon has launched a new series of PC cases with a unique design touch aimed at builders who want a more elegant and distinctive look for their setup. The new AK7 ARGB and its smaller sibling, the MK7 ARGB, feature a combination of tempered glass and a stylish fabric covering.

The new cases feature a fabric covering on the exterior, which is positioned below the tempered glass front and side panels. Thermals might be affected, but on the other hand, you get a distinct aesthetic to the typically all-metal interiors. Both the ATX and microATX versions are available in black or white finishes.

The ATX-sized AK7 ARGB comes well-equipped for cooling right out of the box. It includes four 120mm ARGB PWM fans, and in a thoughtful touch for such a case, three of these are reverse-blade models designed for the side intake, ensuring a clean look without the fan's motor hub being visible. For liquid cooling, the case can support up to a 360 mm radiator, with room for a secondary 280 mm radiator as well. As for drives, there's space for two 3.5″ HDDs or four 2.5″ SSDs.

Internally, the AK7 has plenty of room for high-end hardware, with clearance for GPUs up to 410 mm long (a rubberised support bracket is included), PSUs up to 235 mm long, and CPU air coolers up to 170 mm tall. The case also offers full support for back-connect (BTF) motherboards from manufacturers like Asus and MSI, which is a perfect match for its clean, showcase-orientated design.

For those looking to build a more compact system, Sharkoon is also launching the MK7 ARGB, a microATX version that comes with three pre-installed ARGB fans (two are reverse-blade models) and space for three 2.5″ SSDs instead of four. Both the AK7 ARGB and the MK7 ARGB are now available for purchase, priced at €89.90 and €84.90, respectively.

KitGuru says: Do you have a preference for any of the models of the AK7 ARGB and MK7 ARGB case series?

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Philips has unveiled the Evnia 27M2N5901A, a new gaming monitor that aims to solve the age-old dilemma of choosing between high resolution and high refresh rate, but without breaking the bank. The new 27-inch display features “Dual Mode” technology, allowing users to switch between a native 4K at 160 Hz mode and a native 1080p at 320 Hz mode, all within the same panel.

The 27-inch 27M2N5901A Fast IPS monitor can be adjusted to change how it operates. For immersive, single-player games or productivity tasks where visual detail might be more important, users can select the UHD (3840×2160) mode, which runs at 160Hz. For competitive esports titles where every frame counts, the monitor can be switched to FHD (1920×1080) mode to deliver a 320 Hz refresh rate, backed by a response time of up to 1 ms GtG.

The monitor is packed with other premium features, including an “AI-enhanced” version of Philips' Ambiglow ambient lighting, which analyses the on-screen image to create a more immersive effect. It also functions as a workstation hub, featuring an integrated KVM switch for controlling two PCs with a single set of peripherals, a USB-C port with 65W power delivery, and a built-in USB hub. Software features are handled by the Philips Evnia Precision Center, which includes gamer-focused tools such as a smart crosshair that changes colour against different backgrounds and a shadow boost function.

Even with all of this, the new Evnia monitor is coming to market at a surprisingly aggressive price point. The Philips Evnia 27M2N5901A is set to be available in early October with a suggested retail price of just £329.00.

KitGuru says: Offering two distinct modes in a single, affordable package, the new Evnia monitor appears to be an incredibly versatile and high-value option for users who play a bit of everything on their PC.

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XPG has announced a significant expansion of its component lineup, headlined by the company's first-ever CPU air cooler, the Maestro Plus series. The new cooler is launching alongside a new flagship mid-tower chassis, the Valor Air Pro, with the two products being marketed as an ideal “case x cooling” combo for PC builders.

The Valor Air Pro is the latest addition to XPG's Valor case series. It's a spacious mid-tower with support for up to E-ATX motherboards, graphics cards up to 400 mm long, and top-mounted 360 mm radiators. Available in black and white, the case retains the Air series' signature diagonal mesh front panel for high airflow and comes with four 120mm ARGB fans pre-installed.

Image credit: TechPowerUp

Making its debut in the air cooling scene, Adata XPG has launched the Maestro Plus air cooler series. XPG is entering the crowded air cooler market with the 42SA and the 62DA. Both coolers come with a digital display panel integrated into the top of the tower, providing real-time CPU temperature and usage statistics at a glance. More detailed performance graphs are available via the XPG Prime software.

Both coolers have a single-tower design and feature ARGB lighting to complement the case fans. However, the 42SA is considerably more compact than the 62DA. This difference in size is also reflected in the number of heatpipes, with the 42SA having four heat pipes and the 62DA having six.

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KitGuru says: Are you interested in any of Adata XPG's new PC components?

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It appears that checking your internet speed is about to become a little easier for Windows 11 users. A new, hidden feature has been discovered in the latest Insider Preview builds that adds a network speed test option directly into the Taskbar's system tray, eliminating the need for third-party websites or apps for a quick diagnosis.

Spotted by user @phantomofearth (via Tom's Hardware), the new feature adds a “Speed Test” option to the right-click context menu of the network icon, as well as in the Wi-Fi quick settings panel. When clicked, it launches Bing's built-in network speed test tool in your default web browser. While it's not a fully native, integrated application, it's a very convenient shortcut that saves you from having to navigate to a third-party website to check if you're getting the speeds you're paying for.

Image credit: @phantomofearth

This is one of several new quality-of-life features that Microsoft is currently testing for future Windows 11 updates, alongside a more customisable Start menu and a dedicated handheld gaming mode for devices like the ROG Ally. Interestingly, these features are being developed independently of the major biannual updates, like the upcoming version 25H2, and will likely be rolled out to users when they are ready.

The new speed test functionality is currently hidden in the latest builds available to Windows Insiders in the Dev and Beta Channels and has not yet been officially announced by Microsoft. We'll likely see it roll out to all Windows 11 users in a cumulative update in the coming months.

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KitGuru says: What other features would you like to see being implemented on Windows 11?

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The Early Access model has become a staple of PC gaming, but a new report from industry analyst firm NewZoo suggests there's a fine line between a successful development period and staying in the oven for too long. According to its 2025 Global Games Market Report, there is a clear “sweet spot” for how long a game should be in Early Access to maximise its 1.0 launch success.

By analysing the correlation between a game's time in Early Access and its player retention in the first three months after full release, NewZoo (via Insider Gaming) found that the less time the game is in early access, the higher the average number of players.

Image credit: NewZoo (via Insider Gaming)

The study reveals that the average number of players reaches its peak during the early access period, which lasts for the first six months, then drops slightly between seven and nine months, and continues to decrease as the time in early access increases. For many long-running Early Access titles, the hype has already peaked during the beta phase, and the full release ends up being a non-event with little to no increase in the player base.

The report acknowledges some notable exceptions to this rule. The spike in performance seen for games in the 22-24 month bracket was driven almost entirely by the massive success of V Rising and Ready or Not. Similarly, Dave the Diver managed to explode in popularity after an eight-month Early Access period. However, NewZoo emphasises that these are outliers, and the general trend for most games is clear.

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KitGuru says: While Early Access has been a huge benefit for many games, including massive AAA hits like Baldur’s Gate 3, this data suggests that a shorter period might be the best strategy for most cases.

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Keychron is pushing the boundaries of keyboard materials with its latest announcement, teasing the new Keychron Q16 HE 8K. The upcoming 65% keyboard is claimed to be the world's first to feature a full ceramic construction, including the chassis and keycaps, and it's packed with high-end gaming features.

While we've seen ceramic keycap sets from third-party brands before, this is the first time a major manufacturer is offering a complete keyboard made from this material. According to Keychron, the full ceramic build provides a uniquely smooth typing experience, a desirable “thocky” sound profile, and a surface that remains cool to the touch. The keycaps themselves are a Cherry profile design, made to work well with the board's north-facing RGB lighting.

This keyboard is also loaded with top-tier gaming technology, including Keychron's “Ultra-fast Lime” Hall Effect magnetic switches, which allow for a customisable actuation point (down to 0.1 mm) and support features like Rapid Trigger, Dynamic Keystrokes, and Snap Click (Keychron's version of Razer's Snap Tap) for precise movement control. This is all backed by an 8,000 Hz polling rate for ultra-low latency input.

The Keychron Q16 HE 8K is set to launch via Kickstarter sometime in October, with both black and white colour options available. The company has not yet announced final pricing, but has a pre-launch page live for those who want to sign up for alerts.

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KitGuru says: Have you ever typed on a keyboard with ceramic keycaps? Would you like to try a full ceramic keyboard?

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The first major content update for last year's breakout indie hit, Balatro, has been delayed. The game's solo developer, who goes by ‘Localthunk', has announced that the 1.1 update will no longer be released in 2025 and has been pushed back to an indefinite date to allow for a healthier development pace.

In a blog post titled “I'm Slow”, Localthunk explained that the update had to be delayed because he needed more time and wanted to avoid the intense crunch that led to him being “well and truly burned out” after the game's hugely successful launch. “I'm a hobbyist developer at heart and I love to tinker”, he said, explaining that he has now “chosen to only work on the game like I did when the project began”, which is a much slower pace than the 12-hour days he was working previously.

As a result, the new official timeline for the 1.1 update is “it's done when it's done”. While apologising to fans for the delay and admitting he probably shouldn't have announced any date for the update, the developer reiterated that it's still coming out. He also confirmed that when it does arrive, it will be free.

Balatro was a surprise indie smash hit, a poker-themed roguelike that garnered millions with its addictive deck-building gameplay. While the delay of its first major update might be disappointing, the developer's transparency will likely earn a great deal of respect from the community. It's a welcome reminder that a healthier development process almost always leads to a better game in the end.

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KitGuru says: Have you played Balatro? What are you expecting from the game's update 1.1?

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