Considering almost everything PC related seems to be going up in price this year, Dell has surprised with a pair of very affordable 240 Hz gaming monitors. The two models are the SE2726HG and SE2726HGS, both sporting 27-inch IPS panels. The not so good part is that both monitors only have 1080p panels, which might appeal to some gamers, but it's not that great for a multipurpose monitor. The only difference between the two models is that the SE2726HGS comes with a height adjustable stand.

The IPS panel delivers 300 nits of brightness, a 1000:1 contrast ratio and is said to deliver 99 percent of the sRGB colour gamut. The standard response time is 5 ms, but this can be tweaked in the menu settings down to 0.5 by switching to the extreme mode. AMD FreeSync Premium is also part of the package. Connectivity is quite sparse, with two HDMI ports with VRR support as well as a single DP 1.4 port. Dell lists a standard power draw of 19.7 W, with a maximum power draw of 40 W, suggesting that these are pretty power efficient displays. The SE2726HG comes in at US$130, with the height adjustable stand of the SE2726HGS adding an extra US$40 for a price tag of US$170.

Electronic Arts Inc. and Battlefield Studios today launched Season 2 across Battlefield 6 and REDSEC. Season 2 sends the fight to Europe with two new maps, limited-time modes, and much more, rolling out across three seasonal phases beginning today.

Launching across Battlefield 6 and Battlefield REDSEC, Season 2 introduces two all-new maps, Contaminated, a large-scale map set in a once-vibrant forest now scarred by experimental weapons and heavy shelling, alongside Hagental Base, a military facility that becomes the stage for intense close-quarters combat and stealth-focused gameplay later in the season.

Virtuix Inc., a leading developer of full-body virtual reality systems, today announced that it has joined the Made for Meta program of Meta Platforms, Inc. Through the program, Virtuix plans to make its "Omni One" 360-degree treadmill compatible with Meta Quest headsets and games, broadening Omni One's reach to the world's largest XR user base.

"Joining the Made for Meta program expands our addressable market to millions of active Quest users who already own and love their VR headset and games library," said Jan Goetgeluk, CEO of Virtuix. "We look forward to collaborating with Meta as we continue to scale our consumer business and bring our immersive, full-body gaming experience to a mass audience."

As the traditional projector market continues to decline, BenQ is accelerating growth in the industry's most dynamic segment: short throw projectors designed for immersive, simulation-driven, and non-traditional applications. Today, BenQ announced the expansion of its projector lineup with four purpose-built models - LU895UST, LH860ST, LK830ST, and LW830ST - designed specifically for simulation, experiential environments.

From golf and sports simulators to projection mapping, immersive rooms, and advanced training environments, these applications demand precise geometry, flexible aspect ratios, color accuracy, and simplified installation. BenQ's latest short throw and ultra short throw projectors are engineered for immersive, simulation-driven environments and powered by BenQ Screen Fill technology, purpose-built for non-standard screens, flexible aspect ratios, and immersive layouts.

Classiq, the leading quantum computing software company, Comcast and AMD today announced the completion of a groundbreaking trial aimed at improving Internet delivery by leveraging quantum algorithms to supercharge network routing resilience.

"What our customers want is simple: fast, secure and reliable connectivity, but when you operate a network as large and dynamic as ours, delivering on that promise is complex, especially in the face of growing network demand," said Elad Nafshi, Chief Network Officer, Comcast Connectivity and Platforms. "We launched these trials with Classiq last year with the goal of understanding how quantum software and technology could tackle real network challenges. Our results have shown that quantum computing for network optimization isn't theoretical - it's practical, scalable, and grounded in the needs of our customers."

Engineered for gamers who demand both extreme performance and portability, the HE30 one-handed keyboard embodies the "ready-to-fight-on-the-go" philosophy, packing professional-grade esports capabilities into a lightweight body. Featuring a compact 30% layout, it also boasts advanced features like 0.01 mm adjustable Hall effect triggers and DKS/SOCD support, all aimed at helping players break records and set new benchmarks in mobile esports.

Ultimate Portability Design
The HE30 is crafted with a lightweight body and a detachable wrist strap for ultimate portability. Its 36-key ultra-compressed layout retains the F-key row while expanding the TGB key area, accurately covering the control needs of FPS, MOBA, and other mainstream esports games. The compact 30% layout leaves ample space for low-sensitivity mouse movements, especially suited for high-paced games like FPS. The innovative removable wrist strap design ensures the keyboard can be easily attached to a gear bag, making it highly portable for travel, tournaments, or casual gaming sessions.

As we enter the third week of February, things are slowing down a bit again, but it doesn't mean we don't have a bunch of new games for you. The week kicks off with a bunch of vikings doing viking stuff, just a bit slower than your typical viking game, as everyone has to wait for their turn. The rest of this week's games start with you being an alien that crash lands on Earth when Neanderthals were still a thing, followed by you uniting five tribes of sentient forgotten objects. Next up you get to take command of a famous spaceship, at least if you're into the Star-whatever shows. If that's not for you, then you have the chance to play a goblin assassin in the fourth game in a series and we round off the week with an action RPG that supposedly takes place in the Nordics.

Norse: Oath of Blood / This week's major release / Tuesday 17 February
A Turn-Based Tactics game set in Viking-Age Norway. Build a settlement, forge alliances, and fight strategic battles. Manage a community of craftspeople, farmers, and warriors, as you grow strong on your path to vengeance in this story-rich saga. Steam link

Netmarble, a leading developer and publisher of high-quality games, announced today the official launch schedule for its new open world RPG The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin. Players on PlayStation 5 and Steam will be granted to play earlier beginning March 16, 2026. The game's grand launch follows on March 23, expanding to mobile so more players can experience The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin across platforms.

This staged rollout reflects a platform-first approach designed to support stable service and an optimized play experience. Based on Closed Beta Test feedback, the game is applying upgrades to controls, combat pacing, and overall UI/UX, with a more polished version set to roll out across all platforms at the March 23 grand launch.

Euro-Q-Exa, the first EuroHPC Joint Undertaking quantum computer deployed in Germany, has been unveiled at the Leibniz Supercomputing Centre (LRZ) in Garching, Munich. The deployment marks a significant step in Europe's effort to build long-term quantum capability as part of its sovereign digital infrastructure, alongside world-leading high-performance computing (HPC).

Installed, hosted, and operated at LRZ, Euro-Q-Exa is designed not merely to provide access to quantum computing, but to enable European researchers to build, operate, and scale quantum capabilities locally. By embedding the system within an established HPC environment, the system supports the development of hands-on expertise, operational know-how, and sustainable research capacity within Europe.

TrendForce's latest analysis of the HBM industry reveals that as the ongoing expansion of AI infrastructure continues to fuel GPU demand, NVIDIA's upcoming Rubin platform is expected to become a major catalyst for HBM4 adoption once mass production begins. The three leading memory suppliers—Samsung, SK hynix, and Micron—are now in the final stages of HBM4 validation, with completion anticipated by 2Q26.

Samsung, supported by its strong product stability, is projected to secure certification first. SK hynix and Micron are expected to follow shortly thereafter, forming a three-supplier ecosystem for NVIDIA's HBM4.

Corsair Gaming, Inc. (Nasdaq: CRSR) ("Corsair" or the "Company"), a leading global provider and innovator of high-performance products for gamers, streamers, content-creators, gaming PC builders, and sim racing enthusiasts, today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2025, as well as guidance for the first quarter and full year 2026.

The Company also announced that its Board of Directors authorized the Company to repurchase up to $50 million of its outstanding common stock. This represents Corsair's first repurchase authorization. The repurchase program is effective immediately, does not have an expiration date and is subject to market conditions, applicable laws and regulatory guidelines.

EnGenius Technologies Inc., a global leader in advanced connectivity and cloud-managed networking solutions, today announces the ECW515 Wi-Fi 7 dual-band 2x2:2 wall-plate access point, designed to deliver seamless in-room wireless and wired connectivity in multifamily units, student housing, senior living, hotels, and resorts.

Wi-Fi 7 In-Room Connectivity for MDU and Hospitality
The EnGenius ECW515 Wi-Fi 7 wall-plate access point delivers enterprise-grade wireless and wired connectivity directly inside the room, enabling fast, reliable in-room communication for streaming, voice, IoT, and productivity devices—while supporting VLAN-based per-user traffic segmentation to help maintain privacy and network control.

LG Electronics (LG) and nine-time Grammy winner will.i.am have reunited to launch the latest edition of the xboom Buds lineup with the introduction of Buds Plus and Buds Lite. The LG xboom Buds Plus, the line's most advanced earbuds with superior sound and easy usability, are now available on LG.com for $179.99. The LG xboom Buds Lite, with long-lasting battery life, are also available now for $69.99. LG xboom Buds Lite and Buds Plus are now available at LG.com and at LG authorized retailers nationwide.

Expertly tuned, tested and approved by one of pop culture's most tech-savvy musical acts, the xboom Buds series delivers unique sound, characterized by will.i.am's signature use of balanced warm tones. Guided by his belief that sound enriches experiences, will.i.am hosted the recent FYI Visionaries event to debut the new xboom lineup, which he developed as the "experiential architect" of the company's "xboom by will.i.am" brand.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., a global leader in advanced memory technology, today announced that it has begun mass production of its industry-leading HBM4 and has shipped commercial products to customers. This achievement marks a first in the industry, securing an early leadership position in the HBM4 market. By proactively leveraging its most advanced 6th-generation 10 nanometer (nm)-class DRAM process (1c), the company achieved stable yields and industry-leading performance from the outset of mass production—all accomplished seamlessly and without any additional redesigns.

"Instead of taking the conventional path of utilizing existing proven designs, Samsung took the leap and adopted the most advanced nodes like the 1c DRAM and 4 nm logic process for HBM4," said Sang Joon Hwang, Executive Vice President and Head of Memory Development at Samsung Electronics. "By leveraging our process competitiveness and design optimization, we are able to secure substantial performance headroom, enabling us to satisfy our customers' escalating demands for higher performance, when they need them."

Back at CES this year, ASUS ROG announced the Strix OLED XG34WCDMS with an RGB QD-OLED panel and now the company has announced a variant of that same monitor, called the Strix OLED XG34WCDMTG, which oddly enough seems to be available ahead of the model announced at CES. The TG appears to stand for TV Google or something along those lines, as the XG34WCDMTG is ASUS's first gaming monitor with built-in Google TV support. We've already seen several monitors from both LG and Samsung that integrate TV functionality, but this appears to be one of the first, if not the first gaming monitor with Google TV support. The XG34WCDMTG comes with a version of Google TV based on Android 14 and comes with GeForce NOW as a pre-installed app, although we're unsure who would buy this to use the game streaming service over their PC.

Other Google TV specific features include Wi-Fi 6 support, a remote control, voice control and wireless projection. As far as the monitor specifications are concerned, the XG34WCDMTG sports a 34-inch, 3440 x 1440 RGB QD-OLED panel with an 1800R curvature with a typical brightness of 250 nits, but it can peak at 1000 nits in HDR mode. The panel has a maximum refresh rate of 240 Hz and it has a 0.03 grey to grey response time. The port selection consists of two HDMI 2.1 ports with FRL support, one DP 1.4, one USB Type-C with DP Alt mode and 90 W USB PD support, a pair of USB 2.0 ports and a headphone jack. The stand supports tilt, swivel and height adjustment. The XG34WCDMTG is currently sold on Amazon in the US for US$1,199, which according to Notebook Check is a US$200 premium over the XG34WCDMS.

BenQ, global innovator of visual display technology and digital lifestyle devices, today premiered MA270S and MA320UG, new MA Series flagships that redefine what a Mac display can be, bringing a sense of ease, clarity, and thoughtful design to modern Mac lifestyles. Designed for those who expect more than what's built in, the 2026 BenQ MA Series delivers the effortless simplicity Mac users love, now with BenQ's decades-long display expertise. With Mac-tuned colour, smoother motion, and design language that feels native to the Apple ecosystem, the MA Series expands creative freedom and everyday efficiency beyond familiar limits.

"We designed the new MA Series with Mac users in mind - something that doesn't just connect, but enhances," said Peter Huang, President of BenQ Corporation. "These monitors bring true Mac colours to life with smoother motion and smarter workflows, helping users work and create with greater freedom than ever before."

TrendForce's latest smartphone industry research predicts that soaring memory prices are set to weigh heavily on global smartphone production in 2026. Total output is forecast to decline 10% YoY to approximately 1.135 billion units. With memory prices showing no clear signs of easing, the growing gap between higher retail prices and consumer price tolerance is expected to further dampen end demand.

Under a bear-case scenario, TrendForce warns that the annual contraction in global smartphone production could widen to 15% or more. The extent of the impact, however, will vary by brand, depending on differences in product mix and regional exposure.

Optoma, the No. 1 DLP laser home projector brand in the Americas, today expands its line of award-winning 4K resolution projectors with the introduction of Optoma's UHZ36, a true 4K UHD laser projector for big-screen entertainment. With 3,500 lumens, HDR support, PureEngine technology, FILMMAKER MODE and a long-lasting laser, the UHZ36 delivers vibrant color and smooth performance in a compact, easy-to-set-up design.

Replace your TV and expand your entertainment experience by projecting anywhere from a compact 50" screen to a massive 300" display. Whether it's a casual night in or a full-blown movie marathon, scale your experience to fit the vibe—no wall too small, no screen too big. The UHZ36 provides unparalleled, lifelike imagery for enjoying your favorite movies and TV shows to viewing live sports with a 1,500,000:1 contrast ratio and for greater visual detail and depth, and HDR support enhances content for improved dynamic range and color precision.

Grasshopper Manufacture Inc. (GhM) has today unleashed bloody action adventure ROMEO IS A DEAD MAN for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam, alongside a funky launch trailer which includes music from legendary Japanese rap group Scha Dara Parr, whose music can also be heard throughout ROMEO IS A DEAD MAN.

ROMEO IS A DEAD MAN is the first self-published title by GhM, and the first brand-new IP from the studio and Goichi Suda, AKA SUDA51 (No More Heroes trilogy, The Silver Case, Shadows of the Damned) in more than five years. The game blends the iconic ultra-violent action gameplay for which the studio is acclaimed, with an original story, of love, loss, and lots (and lots) of the gushing red stuff.

Gigabyte, the world's leading computer brand, collaborates with NVIDIA for the Resident Evil Requiem game bundle across eligible graphics cards, desktops, and laptops powered by NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 or above GPUs or Laptop GPUs. Powered by NVIDIA Blackwell architecture, the GeForce RTX 50 Series GPUs bring game-changing capabilities to gamers and creators. Equipped with a massive level of AI horsepower, the RTX 50 Series enables new experiences and next-level graphics fidelity. Combined with Gigabyte's cutting-edge cooling designs, the bundle aims to unleash smoother gameplay and a more immersive Resident Evil Requiem gaming experience.

The GeForce RTX 50 Series GPUs leverage a trio of key technologies to elevate gameplay. Path tracing simulates the physical behavior of light to deliver photorealistic and real-time 3D graphics. Alongside NVIDIA's suite of neural rendering technologies, DLSS 4 leverages AI technologies to boost FPS, reduce latency, and enhance image quality, while NVIDIA Reflex further reduces system latency for more responsive control.

Gigabyte, the world's leading computer brand, partners with AMD to announce the Crimson Desert game bundle to enhance game value across a wide range of components and consumer products. Spanning graphics cards, select AMD Ryzen 9000X3D processors are paired with recommended Gigabyte motherboards, as well as laptops and desktops. Together, Gigabyte and AMD deliver a richer and more immersive gaming experience through cutting-edge hardware innovation.

Gigabyte Radeon RX 9070 Series graphics cards are powered by the AMD RDNA 4 architecture with enhanced ray tracing capabilities and AMD FSR "Redstone" technology, which boosts frame rates and reduces system latency delivering the horsepower needed for demanding gaming. Equipped with Gigabyte's WINDFORCE cooling system, including the Hawk fan design and server-grade thermal conductive gel, these GPUs maintain exceptional thermal efficiency for consistently optimized gameplay.

AppControl, a user-friendly Windows system monitoring utility, today unveiled its industry-first application designed to make understanding your PC simple, visual, and stress-free. Built for everyday Windows users, AppControl shows exactly how your computer behaves so you can finally understand what's slowing it down, heating it up, or running in the background without your knowledge. AppControl is a certified member of the Intel Partner Alliance; the AppControl app requires no registration and is available as a free download directly from the AppControl website or via Softpedia.

Unlike traditional system tools that only show what's happening in the moment, AppControl delivers an easy-to-navigate historical timeline of CPU, GPU, memory, disk usage, and temperature. Users can scroll back in time to see what apps were running, what changed, when it changed, and why their PC behaved the way it did, turning confusing performance issues into clear, explainable events. AppControl also provides insights into privacy-relevant behavior, such as apps accessing the webcam, the microphone, or the user's location.

The current AI surge is anticipated to boost both the memory and wafer foundry sectors to record-breaking revenues by 2026, based on TrendForce's recent data. Limited supply and rapidly increasing prices are likely to grow the memory market's total worth to $551.6 billion. Meanwhile, the global foundry market is also expected to reach a new peak of $218.7 billion, but the memory industry's scale will have more than doubled that of wafer foundries.

A new memory supercycle: Demand resilience and pricing power far stronger than in 2017
The previous memory supercycle from 2017 to 2019 was primarily driven by cloud data center expansions and resulted in a significant gap between memory and foundry revenues.

Detective Jack Foster rejoins the police department after a traumatic incident to take over the investigation of what appears to be mere political blackmail. Soon, however, he's faced with the discovery of a gruesome ritual murder that took place in a sealed room, from which no one could have gotten in or out without being seen. Along with his new partner, Harvey Whitman, an expert on cults, Foster dives deep into the shadows of the city of Arkham.

The case will get even darker when they find out it is related to three witches that escaped the Salem trials in 1693, and a conspiracy that could put an end to the world as we know it.

Are you ready for another round? Iceberg Interactive and Luminous are thrilled to circle back to their favourite ring-shaped RTS franchise with Circle Empires 2 - now available on Steam with a 15% launch discount! Conquer a world of interconnected circles, with vicious foes (or your friends) to conquer and precious loot to plunder! Strengthen your armies, vanquish enemy bosses, and adapt to ever-changing circular worlds that make each playthrough feel unique.

In Circle Empires 2, Estonian developers Luminous grabbed the strongest elements from the previous games in the series and added new core mechanics for unit customization, town layout planning, a mount system, improved unit physics and much, much more! Whether you're a seasoned veteran of circular carnage or it's your first time around, Circle Empires 2 will keep you coming back for round after round after round.

InHand Networks, a global provider of industrial and enterprise networking solutions, today announced the unveiling of the CR602 5G Wi-Fi 7 Router, a next-generation connectivity solution designed to deliver high-speed, reliable, and flexible network access for modern business environments.

As businesses increasingly rely on cloud services, video collaboration, digital payments, and connected devices, the demand for stable, high-performance networking has never been greater. The CR602 addresses these challenges by combining ultra-fast 5G cellular connectivity with next-generation Wi-Fi 7 technology, enabling seamless communication across diverse professional scenarios.

HiBy has officially announced the latest member of W Series, the HiBy W4. It is a brand-new DAC/AMP with portable and fashionable design, like an all-around swingman with dual modes, playing back Hi-res music in wired & wireless. With W4's release, HiBy aims to merge the convenience in wireless and high-fidelity in wire together.

To cover the scenarios, HiBy W4 features a flexible design with clip-on and magnetic attachment. Clip it anywhere for on-the-go. And the magnetic design fits to some smartphones or phone cases, used as a "MagSafe" accessory. The Uncharge Mode which is implemented in HiBy Digital Audio Player, isolates power supply from the smartphone, prevents draining phone's battery, and reduces interference. It builds in a 1500mAh battery to ensure a longer playing time.

A pair of lawmakers in New York wants to put a pause on new data centres in the state for the next three years and ninety days, for the state to be able to assess the impact on water, electricity and gas usage. New York would follow in the footsteps of Georgia, Maryland, Oklahoma, Vermont and Virginia—according to Wired—with Florida also considering legislation.

New York state has at least 133 data centres, with most being located in New York City and Buffalo, followed by Albany and Long Island, which according to National Grid New York President Sally Librera will see the electricity demand jump to 10 GW over the next five years. Common among all the states is that the cost of electricity and other utilities have increased, with electricity prices by around 13 percent in 2025. Some of the states want the data centres to "pay their own way", although considering the time it takes to build the infrastructure needed, this might end up being a problem with the current growth rate of new datacentres. With an increasing number of US states considering moratoriums for new datacentres, the current AI boom might have hit a snag that none of the companies involved can get around.

Welcome to the second week of February and another packed week of new releases, even though none of them are AAA titles. The major release this week comes from the creators of Little Nightmares and to no surprise, we're talking a co-op horror adventure. The week kicks off with a bad bout of the Monday's, followed by some artifact hunting and a trip to Japan. Next up we have some motorcycle racing, followed by a sequel of a rather crazy game on alien planets. On top of all of that, we have a few extra games that didn't quite make the list, but that we reckon some of you might be interested in.

Reanimal / This week's major release / Friday 13 February
The original creators of Little Nightmares & Little Nightmares II have returned to take you on a more terrifying journey than ever before. In this co-op horror adventure game, you play as a brother & sister who go through hell to rescue their missing friends. Exploring by boat and on land, you must use your wits to survive, work together to escape the hellish island, and the dark secret that haunts you. Steam link