Welcome to week 20, which kicks off with a game about the camper van life as this week's major release. This is followed by some galactic space battles, some space alien horror, another mobile home came, but with beasts, an underwater sequel and finally some post-apocalyptic cyberpunk survival. As most of the time, don't forget to check out the other releases that are launching this week as well.

Outbound / This week's major release / Monday 11 May
Outbound is a cozy open-world exploration game set in a utopian near future. Start with an empty camper van and turn it into the home of your dreams - alone or together with your friends. Build and explore at your own pace. Collect materials, craft, and build in and on top of your vehicle with modular parts. Advance in technology and efficiently use energy to power your home. Steam link

Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd., a leading manufacturer of premium gaming hardware, is proud to announce the availability of its all-new AORUS INFINITY series graphics card, the AORUS GeForce RTX 5090 INFINITY 32G. This product has been honored with the 2026 Red Dot Design Award in Product Design, one of the most prestigious international distinctions for design excellence. This recognition underscores the product's exceptional integration of performance and design, reflecting a significant advancement in both technological innovation and user experience. The AORUS INFINITY series marks a major step forward for AORUS in the high-end gaming segment, setting a new benchmark for next-generation flagship graphics cards.

The AORUS INFINITY series is engineered for gamers and power users, delivering a premium solution that seamlessly combines cutting-edge thermal innovation with top-tier computing performance. It introduces the revolutionary WINDFORCE Hyperburst cooling system, featuring a breakthrough Double Flow Through design that creates an unobstructed airflow path and significantly boosts thermal efficiency. Building on this, a hidden Overdrive fan at the center of the card operates on a dedicated fan curve and automatically activates during peak GPU loads, providing extra cool air to ensure optimal performance under extreme conditions.

ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) today announced two new additions to its monitor lineup: the ROG Strix OLED XG34WCDMS and the ROG Strix XG129C. With gamers increasingly demanding both breathtaking visuals and streamlined multitasking capabilities, ROG is offering a two-pronged solution to elevate the modern gaming station. The Strix OLED XG34WCDMS is a 34-inch RGB Tandem QD-OLED with 280 Hz refresh rate and brings flagship-tier panel technologies to a broader audience of enthusiast gamers. This latest trend-setting model is a sibling to the premium 360 Hz ROG Swift OLED PG34WCDN announced at CES 2026—expanding the range across performance tiers, form factors, and use cases. In addition, the all-new Strix XG129C serves as the ultimate secondary display and desktop command center, combining an ideal 24:9 aspect ratio, intuitive 10-point touch controls, and AIDA64 Extreme support to act as an indispensable sidekick for streaming, system monitoring, and everyday productivity.

ROG Strix OLED XG34WCDMS
This new monitor features 34-inch WQHD (3440 x 1440) 1800R curved RGB Tandem QD-OLED panel with 280 Hz refresh rate and 0.03 ms gray-to-gray (GTG) response time. It retains the coveted RGB Stripe Pixel arrangement that guarantees clear, supersharp text and highly accurate color reproduction. Plus, integrated BlackShield Film increases the panel's hardness for 2.5X better scratch resistance and boosts perceived black levels by up to 40% versus previous-generation QD-OLED monitors.

ASUS, global technology leader that provides the world's most innovative and intuitive devices, today announced their ASUS ExpertBook Ultra (B9406CAA), the new flagship and pinnacle of the ExpertBook portfolio, is now available for purchase on the ASUS Store. Engineered to define the future of mobile computing in the era of AI and designed for next-generation professionals and business leaders, the ExpertBook Ultra combines refined craftsmanship, powerful AI-accelerated performance, and enterprise-grade security in an ultralight form factor.

"As the most advanced ExpertBook to date, the ExpertBook Ultra is built to empower professionals who demand elegance without compromise," says Shawn Chang, General Manager, System Business Group, ASUS North America. "The device delivers mobility, intelligence, and reliability for modern, high-performance workflows."

The global tablet market remained flat in Q1 2026, with shipments rising just 0.1% year on year to reach 37 million units, according to the latest research from Omdia. While tablet shipments declined sequentially, in line with typical seasonal patterns, regional performance was led by Latin America, followed by the Middle East and Africa. However, this growth was largely driven by inventory build-up rather than underlying end-user demand, pointing to a weaker demand outlook.

"Heading into 2026, tablets have been relegated in importance for vendors across margins, volume, and overall value," said Himani Mukka, Research Manager at Omdia. "In this supply-constrained environment, consumers and vendors alike are being more deliberate about which devices to prioritize. PC vendors are focusing on notebooks and desktops, while those operating across both smartphones and tablets are gravitating toward smartphones due to their outsized contribution to overall business."

MSI today announces the launch of the DATAMAG LITE 40Gbps, a magnetic portable SSD that combines high-speed performance with everyday convenience. Available in 1 TB, 2 TB, and 4 TB capacities, the DATAMAG LITE leverages the USB4 40 Gbps interface to deliver transfer rates of up to 4000 MB/s read and 3600 MB/s write, making it an ideal portable storage solution for users who need fast and flexible storage on the go. Complementing the hardware, the dedicated DATAMAG App provides users with an intuitive way to check remaining capacity, back up and restore photos and videos, and keep important data safe and accessible at all times.

Magnetic Portable SSD
Built for users who need fast and convenient storage on the move, the DATAMAG LITE 40Gbps features a practical magnetic attachment design. Using the included metal ring, the drive can attach securely to compatible devices for easier access and greater portability. A hanging ring adds further convenience, keeping the SSD within reach wherever everyday life or work takes you.

ASUS today announced the latest version of the ASUS Chromebook CM14 (CM1406), a powerful yet budget-friendly 14-inch laptop featuring a stylish and premium design. This laptop is built for everyday productivity, with support for up to 8 GB of LPDDR5x-6400 MT/s RAM and 128 GB of eMMC storage. The FHD display with a wide viewing angle and 86% screen-to-body ratio enhances the viewing experience There's also full connectivity via an HDMI port and two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C full-function ports.

The series features an exciting range of three colors—Platinum Silver, Forest Blue, and Blue Aura. The keyboard matches the chassis for a cohesive look, while the polished diamond-cut finish gives the device an elegant and premium appearance. Effortless power is delivered by the MediaTek Kompanio 540 processor—using an efficient Arm-based architecture—and easy portability is assured with a starting weight of just 1.32 kg. A 180° lay-flat hinge allows the expansive FHD display to be easily shared, and HDMI support—a rare feature for this price point—enables enhanced learning, entertainment, and work experiences. Up to 23 hours of battery life ensures maximum on-the-go convenience.

When Firaxis first conceived of Civilization VII, the ambition was to boldly re-approach the series' classic structure with new mechanics rooted in a more nuanced historical perspective, while honoring and building upon the time-tested strategic gameplay that players love. Since our February 2025 launch, those same players have only helped us better achieve that initial, ambitious vision.

Today, we're thrilled to officially announce the release date for the Test of Time update for Civilization VII, free for all players when it releases on May 19.* This is much more than just another update; it's a direct result of your passion, feedback, and patience. It also wouldn't have been possible without our dedicated and invaluable Firaxis Feature Workshop participants, who were essential to shaping Test of Time's features by putting them through their paces over the past months.

Synology today announced the availability of the new FS6420 and FS3420, two all-flash block and file storage systems built for latency-sensitive enterprise workloads. The new systems offer significant improvements in IOPS and throughput performance for on-premises virtualization, databases, and enterprise applications.

"More organizations than ever are running demanding on-premises workloads and need storage that can accommodate them." says Jeffrey Huang, Product Manager at Synology. "The FS6420 and FS3420 deliver substantial IOPS improvements over their predecessors, boosting performance for latency-sensitive workloads. They're strong options for a wide range of mid-size and large enterprises and colocation environments looking to implement enterprise applications and virtualization workloads."

Mionix today announces AVIOR AIR CARBON FIBER, a limited-edition wireless gaming mouse and the first wireless gaming mouse from Mionix. Developed over more than two years, AVIOR AIR CARBON FIBER marks the comeback of Mionix with a completely new AVIOR body, handmade carbon fiber shell, and a new wireless platform built around Nordic Semiconductor's nRF54H20 chipset.

Designed as a flagship ultralight wireless FPS mouse, AVIOR AIR CARBON FIBER introduces a new rear-placed hump, back-loaded body shape optimized for claw, fingertip, and hybrid grip players. The new body replaces the previous AVIOR design, moving away from its balanced-placed hump profile to create a more specialized shape for FPS gamers who want precision, control, and fast repositioning.

Micron Technology, Inc., today announced it is now shipping the 245 TB capacity Micron 6600 ION SSD, the world's highest capacity commercially available SSD. The drive marks a major step forward in rack-scale storage density for data centers and is designed to support AI, cloud, enterprise and hyperscale workloads, including next-generation AI data lakes and cloud-scale file and object storage. The 245 TB Micron 6600 ION E3.L requires 82% fewer racks to achieve equivalent raw storage capacity compared to HDD-based deployments. Built with Micron G9 QLC NAND that is at least one generation ahead of any competing QLC used in data center SSDs, the 245 TB Micron 6600 ION redefines high-capacity data center storage. Customers can now store and process significantly more data in far less space, while reducing power and cooling demands without sacrificing the performance required for large-scale, data-intensive workloads.

"AI workloads are driving massive growth in shared data, continuing the shift of data center storage share from HDDs toward SSDs. With 245 TB in a single SSD, the Micron 6600 ION makes solid state storage the clear choice for modern data centers," said Jeremy Werner, senior vice president and general manager of Micron's Core Data Center Business Unit. "This breakthrough capacity gives data center operators a critical new lever to improve rack-level total cost of ownership, especially as power availability becomes a defining constraint for AI infrastructure scale."

As hybrid work continues to blur the line between productivity and entertainment, Lenovo is betting that better audio, not just better video, can make digital experiences feel more natural across the board. Ceva, Inc., today announced that Lenovo has selected its RealSpace spatial audio software for its new ThinkPad Dual-Mode Wireless ANC Foldable Headset 8550 (Aura Edition).

The 8550 headset is designed to recreate the sensation of being physically present, whether listening to music, watching a movie, or playing a game. Instead of a traditional stereo experience, audio is rendered in a virtual 3D space that remains anchored in place. As users turn their head, sound stays fixed in the environment, just as it would in the real world, creating a more natural and immersive listening experience.

Today, Bose unveils the Lifestyle Collection, a reimagined approach to home audio designed to elevate the listening experience without sacrificing convenience. The lineup includes a wireless smart speaker, an immersive soundbar, and a powerful subwoofer, all built with Bose's most advanced proprietary audio technologies and engineered to work together across flexible configurations—from a single space to multiple rooms—to deliver high-quality sound. Using Google Cast or Apple AirPlay, stream audio directly from any platform and group speakers seamlessly—including those from other manufacturers. Crafted with premium materials, the new collection comes in three timeless finishes to complement any space, and an updated Bose app enables one of the simplest setup experiences in home audio.

The Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker ($299), the Bose Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar ($1,099), and the Bose Lifestyle Ultra Subwoofer ($899) will be available starting May 15th and can be preordered today at Bose.com. The Lifestyle Collection comes in Black or White Smoke, and the Lifestyle Ultra Speaker is also available in limited-edition Driftwood Sand ($349), a soft beige reminiscent of fine upholstery, featuring a solid white oak base that's destined to age beautifully over time.

LG Display, the world's leading innovator of display technologies, announced today that it is unveiling its next-generation OLED technologies at SID Display Week 2026, further strengthening its OLED leadership.

During the exhibition, held at the Los Angeles Convention Center from May 5 to 7, LG Display will present OLED display solutions optimized for the AI era under the theme, "OLED Evolution for the AI Era." SID Display Week is the world's largest display event, where global companies and researchers gather to present research papers and showcase mid- to long-term future technologies and new products.

Last week, news broke that Lenovo had bought Phoenix Technologies' firmware (BIOS) technology business and now it looks like AMI—also known as American Megatrends Inc—is about to get a new owner, namely Lattice Semiconductor. That leaves Taiwanese Insyde Software as the only independent UEFI/BIOS developer in a market that at least on the desktop side has been largely ruled by AMI and is likely to continue to be so, even with AMI now being a subsidiary to Lattice Semiconductor.

Lattice is offering US$1.65 billion in cash and stock for AMI, which is a privately held company today. For those unfamiliar with Lattice, the company makes a range of FPGA solutions for a wide range of markets and is a competitor with AMD's Xilinx subsidiary and Altera, which is part owned by Intel. It's not entirely clear what the synergy is between Lattice and AMI, but a statement by Lattice CEO Ford Tamer suggests that the company thinks it might help its customers "deploy complex systems faster and with greater confidence" under Lattice's "everywhere companion chip strategy". Time will tell if this will lead to changes to AMI's current customers or not, since as the biggest UEFI/BIOS vendor out there—used by almost all mainstream motherboard makers and many other x86/x64 hardware makers—they have something of a unique position in the market.

Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd., a global leader in high-performance computer hardware, is excited to announce the official launch of its Z890 PLUS series motherboards. Engineered to maximize the value and power of the new Intel Core Ultra 200S Plus series processors, this lineup, led by the high-value Z890 AORUS ELITE PLUS, delivers a significant leap in gaming performance without the premium price tag.

High-Value Performance for Every Gamer
The Z890 PLUS series is specifically designed for enthusiasts who prioritize performance-per-dollar. By focusing on models like the Z890 AORUS ELITE WIFI7 PLUS, Gigabyte provides a feature-rich platform that supports the latest high-performance processors. Internal testing against Intel 14th Gen CPUs reveals that these new processors offer up to 28% better gaming performance. In separate internal benchmarks, the series also demonstrates up to 35% better productivity performance compared to the previous generation. These distinct improvements make the PLUS series the ideal choice for both modern competitive gaming and intensive creative workloads.

Asustor Inc. today is announcing that it will unveil a range of new products at Computex 2026 in Taipei, to showcase its superior network storage prowress with numerous models in addition to its award winning lineup of network storage solutions.

Flashstor Gen3 Series - Flagship Flash NAS for Creators with Optional AI
The all-flash NAS, highly praised by professional photographers and video creators, is receiving a significant upgrade. The new Flashstor Gen3 series is equipped with an AMD Ryzen 5 Pro 8640U Six-Core processor, providing 16 TOPs of AI computing power.

Welcome to May and this month kicks off with several new games from independent developers. This week's major release is all about navigating the great white north, in more ways than one. The week kicks off with a different take on the tower defence genre, followed by a game that combines disco and beat 'em up. Next up we have an online co-op action RPG which is followed by one that isn't online and finally we round the week off with some crab evolution. Don't forget to check out some of the other games also launching this week.

WILL: Follow The Light / This week's major release / Thursday 7 May
WILL: Follow The Light is a story-driven, first-person adventure puzzle game about a perilous personal journey through the harsh northern latitudes. To find peace and reunite with his family, Will must sail across endless waters, face numerous challenges, and ultimately discover himself. Steam link