Microsoft signs another Call of Duty deal in bid to impress regulators
Microsoft announced Tuesday that it has signed a 10-year deal to bring its Xbox PC games to little-known Ukraine-based streaming platform Boosteroid.The move is being positioned in part to "mak[e] even more clear to regulators that our acquisition of Activision Blizzard will make Call of Duty available on far more devices than before," as Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith said in a statement.
Turtle Beach Atom Controller's ingenious split two-piece design takes mobile gaming on Android to new level - Yanko Design
There is a reason why Backbone controller rides at the pinnacle of the mobile gaming industry.It is not just the ability to turn a phone into a PlayStation portable to play compatible titles.
Steam Deck Review: A Game Console for the Quintessential Gamer
It's the $400 Steam Deck, a console as utilitarian as it sounds.The hand-held device, a slab of bulky black plastic with a built-in game controller, has the guts of a supercomputer and a touch screen.
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As someone who grew up with consoles all the way back to the Atari, I decided to give the Steam Deck a try.The verdict: This is the console I recommend for serious gamers who don't mind doing some tinkering to enjoy games new and old.
Sony's Revamped PlayStation Plus Is Shaping Up, But Does It Have To Be This Confusing?
This morning, PlayStation revealed a new look at the PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, and classic games lineup and it has me quite excited.
Samsung's cloud gaming hub is now available on some of its older TVs
Samsung smart TVs can now run cloud gaming apps like Xbox Game Pass and GeForce Now, allowing users to play modern games without a console.
Samsung's Gaming Hub includes popular cloud gaming services such as Xbox Game Pass, GeForce Now, and Amazon's Luna, as well as smaller services like Utomik, Antstream Arcade, and Blacknut Cloud Gaming.
The addition of Boosteroid to Samsung's Gaming Hub allows users to run games they own from other platforms like Steam and Epic Games Store on a remote high-end PC.
GameSir X2 Pro review: mobile game controller is (mostly) a winner
The GameSir X2 Pro aims to fix the one major complaint I (and no doubt countless others) have had with mobile gaming for a long, long, long time: those goshdarn fingers are always in the way.Clamping onto the outside of a phone, connected via USB-C, the X2 Pro becomes a little like a Switch controller, and a little like an instant-mix Steam Deck.
A Big Windows 11 Update Puts ChatGPT-Powered Bing Front and Center
Microsoft isn't done riding the ChatGPT wave.In a significant Windows 11 update, Microsoft took the wraps off several new tweaks, including a deeper integration of its next-gen Bing and the ChatGPT-powered features it's made a splash with.There's quite a bit to cover, but here are the highlights you won't want to miss.
Microsoft brings its new AI-powered Bing to the Windows 11 taskbar
Microsoft is releasing a big update to Windows 11 today that adds the company's new AI-powered Bing search to the taskbar.The new Windows 11 update will offer quick access to the new Bing chat feature alongside a bunch of new features.Windows 11 is also getting improvements to widgets, a better touch mode, a screen recording feature, tabs inside Notepad, and more.
Razer Edge is an Android tablet that is taking the Nintendo Switch head-on - Yanko Design
Gaming accessory giant Razer has finally taken off the veils from its newest device, which borrows its name from an ill-fated gaming handheld launched almost a decade ago.
Steam Deck Review: A Game Console for the Quintessential Gamer
It's the $400 Steam Deck, a console as utilitarian as it sounds.The hand-held device, a slab of bulky black plastic with a built-in game controller, has the guts of a supercomputer and a touch screen.
...
As someone who grew up with consoles all the way back to the Atari, I decided to give the Steam Deck a try.The verdict: This is the console I recommend for serious gamers who don't mind doing some tinkering to enjoy games new and old.
The Sony PlayStation 'Project Q' Controller Already has a Potent Xbox Rival That Plugs to you Smartphone - Yanko Design
Although Sony just debuted their first handheld gaming console ever since the PSP Street in 2011, the device, codenamed Project Q, received a lot of negative attention for how limited it was.The handheld console would, according to Sony, only work with the PS5, streaming games over a local WiFi connection.
Razer Kishi V2 tries to make gaming on Android more enjoyable - Yanko Design
There is no shortage of mobile games that push our phones' hardware to the limits, and all of them are designed primarily to be controlled through the touch screen.
Asus ROG Ally detailed specs and pricing officially confirmed
Asus finally revealed the full specs list and pricing details for its ROG Ally handheld gaming PC.The AMD Zen4 platform device comes as a direct challenger to Valve's Steam Deck offering an impressive package for gaming on the go.ROG Ally brings a 7-inch IPS LCD display with FHD resolution, a 16:9 aspect ratio and a 120Hz refresh rate.
Acer Chromebook Vero 514 review: an eco-friendly and very stylish laptop
The Acer Chromebook Vero 514 looks and feels like no other ChromeOS laptop around at the moment.Made from PCR (post-consumer recycled) and embedded with flecks of bright yellow and a tactile canvas-like textured finish this is a Chromebook that catches the eye and demands to be handled; everyone I showed this to in the Creative Bloq office ran their palms over it and cooed.
Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 review: updated but this laptop lacks value
The new Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 showcases why Microsoft remains an excellent software developer but still struggles to create its own hardware.This is an update to the decent predecessor, the Surface Laptop 4, but with a boost from new chips, colours and builds.The question is, is it enough?The quick answer is, yes, but just about.
Surface Pro 9 early review: a great 2-in-1, for a price
The Microsoft Surface Pro 9 is the latest all-rounder that sets out to challenge the iPad Pro for the crown of the best high-end tablet.There's always been a bit of a marketing fudge around the Surface brand; for example, Apple clearly believes the iPad Pro is a tablet first while Surface Pro is a laptop-and-tablet.
HP Chromebook x2 11 review: Chrome OS's iPad Air competitor impresses
The HP Chromebook x2 11 offers a high-end feel and approach in an affordable little package.As budgets tighten and cloud computing becomes more standardised Chromebooks have grown in popularity.
Acer Chromebook 516 GE review: AAA gaming on ChromeOS is a reality
The Acer Chromebook 516 GE feels like it was green-lit back when Google Stadia was the future of gaming.As someone who lacks a high-spec gaming PC (but has a PS5 and Xbox Series X) the idea of cloud gaming and having access to high-end PC games anywhere is an enticing third-way for gaming.Stadia may have gone but Nvidia GeForce Now, Game Pass, Amazon Luna+ and more platforms exist.
Get the latest Amazon Echo smart speaker for half-off
/ The best price on this smart speaker that now doubles as an Eero mesh Wi-Fi extender.Plus, more all-time low prices on the Google Pixel 6A and second-gen Apple Pencil.Spooky season may soon be coming to a close, but deals season is still in full swing.First off, you can buy the latest version of the Amazon Echo smart speaker for just $49.99 at Amazon, Best Buy, or Target.
As Microsoft-Activision merger nears, a classic FPS license reappears-for free
While we at Ars Technica don't necessarily cheer the moments when giant gaming conglomerates swallow up other giant gaming conglomerates, we also have a faction that champions efforts to preserve and re-release classic video games.
You need to play the most delightful management simulator on Xbox Game Pass ASAP
Management sims are typically known as complex experiences that require a lot of learning and strategic planning, but Two Point Campus challenges that idea with gusto.
Microsoft suspends "all new sales of products and services in Russia"
Microsoft President and Vice Chair Brad Smith announced today via blog post that Microsoft would be suspending "all new sales of Microsoft products and services in Russia" following the country's "unjustified, unprovoked, and unlawful" invasion of Ukraine.
Review | 'Trek to Yomi' is a decent samurai descendant of 'Prince of Persia'
Starting "Trek to Yomi" means managing your expectations.Don't expect a meaty action game; instead, stick around and indulge in a game that's as beautiful as it seems in screenshots and trailers.
ID@Xbox focuses on indies and other titles.If you missed today's event or are looking for a recap of everything highlighted during it, we have you covered.
RIP Bethesda Launcher: Here's how its nearly full transfer to Steam will work
In a welcome change of pace, a video game maker has announced the retirement of a "launcher" app for PCs, as opposed to announcing and releasing yet another one to a crowded market.