(PR) Nice Day for Fishing Out Now on PC, PlayStation & Switch
Fri, 30 May 2025
Hello adventurers! 👋 We're thrilled to announce that...Nice Day for Fishing is OUT NOW on Steam! Jump into Viva La Dirt League's Epic NPC Man world as Baelin the NPC Fisherman, exploring the waters of Azerim! When all adventurers in the town mysteriously vanish, you'll need to save Honeywood from something lurking in the deep...
Nice Day for Fishing - Key Features:
Nice Day for Fishing - Key Features:
- Explore the Epic NPC Man world like never before: Explore the enchanting lands of Azerim above land and beneath the waves. Adventure through Honeywood Forest to the Azerim coast, where you'll encounter new quests, people to save and new fish to catch.
Xiaomi XRING 01 SoC Die Shot Analyzed by Chinese Tech YouTuber
Fri, 30 May 2025
Three weeks ago, Kurnal and Geekerwan dived deep into Nintendo's alleged Switch 2 chipset. The very brave Chinese leakers are notorious for their acquiring of pre-release and early silicon samples. Last week, their collective attention turned to a brand-new Xiaomi mobile chip: the XRING 01. After months of insider murmurs and official teasers, the smartphone giant recently unveiled its proprietary flagship SoC. According to industry moles, Xiaomi has invested a lot of manpower into a special chip design entity—leadership likely wants to avoid a repeat of prior first-party developed disappointments. Despite rumors of disappointing prototype performance figures, mid-May Geekbench results pointed to the emergent XRING 01 mobile chip being up there with Qualcomm's dominant Snapdragon 8 Elite platform. Die shot analysis has confirmed Xiaomi's selection of a TSMC 3 nm "N3E" node process; also utilized by the latest Apple, Qualcomm and MediaTek flagships. Overall die size is 114.48 mm² (10.8 x 10.6 mm), with 109.5 mm² of used area; comparable to Apple's A18 Pro SoC footprint (refer to Geekerwan's comparison shot, below).
Unlike nearby rivals, the XRING 01 seems to not sport an integrated 5G modem. Notebookcheck surmised: "it is rumored to use an external radio from MediaTek. It isn't located on the actual die itself, and likely a contributing factor to why its size is so small." Annotations indicate the presence of off-the-shelf/licensed Arm CPU cores (ten in total): two Cortex-X925 units, four Cortex-A725 units, two Cortex-A725 units, and two Cortex-A520 units. Additionally, an Arm Immortalis-G925 MP16 iGPU was identified. A 6-core NPU—with 16 MB of cache—was highlighted, but it is not clear whether this is a proprietary effort or something bought in. Observers have noted the absence of SLC cache. GSMArena posited: "the Geekerwan team speculates that (Xiaomi's) omission of the SLC has hurt GPU efficiency—it's pretty fast, but it uses more power than the Dimensity GPU at peak performance. The more efficient CPU combined with the fact that the GPU rarely runs at full tilt makes for pretty good overall efficiency in real-life gaming tests." The XRING department's debut product is impressive, but industry watchdogs are looking forward to refined variants or full-fledged successors.
Unlike nearby rivals, the XRING 01 seems to not sport an integrated 5G modem. Notebookcheck surmised: "it is rumored to use an external radio from MediaTek. It isn't located on the actual die itself, and likely a contributing factor to why its size is so small." Annotations indicate the presence of off-the-shelf/licensed Arm CPU cores (ten in total): two Cortex-X925 units, four Cortex-A725 units, two Cortex-A725 units, and two Cortex-A520 units. Additionally, an Arm Immortalis-G925 MP16 iGPU was identified. A 6-core NPU—with 16 MB of cache—was highlighted, but it is not clear whether this is a proprietary effort or something bought in. Observers have noted the absence of SLC cache. GSMArena posited: "the Geekerwan team speculates that (Xiaomi's) omission of the SLC has hurt GPU efficiency—it's pretty fast, but it uses more power than the Dimensity GPU at peak performance. The more efficient CPU combined with the fact that the GPU rarely runs at full tilt makes for pretty good overall efficiency in real-life gaming tests." The XRING department's debut product is impressive, but industry watchdogs are looking forward to refined variants or full-fledged successors.
Minix Summer Splash Offer: Upgrade Your Tech for Less
Fri, 30 May 2025
Minix is launching new Mini PCs in May, designed to simplify digital life. To show our appreciation for customers' support, Minix offers exclusive discounts on popular products, including Wireless Display Series, GaN PD Charger Series, CarPlay Adapters, Mini PCs, and Portable Monitors. These offers will be available until June 3rd.
In addition, use the discount code MINIX0520 to get an extra $10 off selected products on official webiste - CP89-HD, NEO Z97, Z150-0dB, Z150 Aero, NGC N512 (512G), NGC NR660, SF15 FOLD Monitor. Don't miss this golden opportunity!
Please use the coupon code MINIX0520 on the following items to avail the prices you see here.
Buy Minix NEO Z97 at $179.99 | Buy Minix Z150-0db at $239.99 | Buy Minix SF15 FOLD at $269.99 | Buy Minix CP89-HD at $159.99NEO Z97: The World's Smallest Mini PC that Supports 4K Triple Display
The NEO Z97 is powered by an Intel N97 processor with 4 cores, a turbo frequency of 3.60 GHz, and a TDP of 12 W. This CPU is paired with integrated Intel UHD Graphics, 12 GB of LPDDR5X RAM (4,800 MT/s), and 512 GB of NVMe PCIe 3.0 SSD storage (capacity is 512 GB). For context, this CPU performs similarly to an Intel Core i3-10110U or AMD Ryzen 5 7520U, as well as other very low-power CPUs.The Minix NEO Z97 comes pre-installed with Windows 11 Pro, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, and 3 video outputs (1 DisplayPort 1.4 + 2 HDMI 2.1). It features an active cooling design paired with a high-performance processor, making it ideal for productivity, entertainment, or multiscreen workflows. It delivers seamless multitasking and data-intensive application performance, making it a perfect choice for professionals who value portability. The price of this Mini-PC is already very stable at $199, but after using the discount code MINIX0520, the price will be reduced to $179.99.
Z150-0dB: Fanless Mini PC
The Minix Z150-0dB is a PC that generates zero noise. The reason for this is that it's passively cooled, making it an ideal choice for offices, libraries, or studios. This mini-PC houses a quad-core 3.60 GHz Intel N150 Processor. With a TDP of 6 W, this CPU performs like an AMD Ryzen 7 3750H (35 W).The CPU is accompanied by 8 GB or 16 GB of DDR4 RAM at 3,200 MT/s, and you can choose between 256 GB or 512 GB of NVMe PCIe 3.0 SSD storage. In terms of connectivity, it's identical to the previously reviewed model and also comes with Windows 11 Pro pre-installed. As for the price, it can be reduced to $239.99 with the discount coupon MINIX0520.
SF15 FOLD: 15.6-inch Foldable Dual-Screen Portable Monitor
The Minix SF15 FOLD is ideal for traveling with your Mini-PC or laptop. It features two 15.6-inch displays with a resolution of 1,920 x 1,080 pixels at 60 Hz. It uses a foldable design, so the two monitors are transported as a single unit to prevent damage during transport.This monitor uses two IPS panels with adjustable brightness between 20 and 300 nits. It also includes a pair of 1 W speakers. The Minix SF15 FOLD has a USB-C port for power, another USB-C port for displaying images on a device, and even has two HDMI ports, so you can connect each monitor to a different video source. In terms of dimensions, both monitors when folded measure 356 x 215 x 22.6 mm thick. It's almost like a gaming laptop. The price of SF15 Fold drops to $269.99 with the discount code MINIX0520.
Minix CP89-HD Portable Wireless CarPlay
If you want to add technology to your vehicle, check out the Minix CP89-HD, which is compatible with CarPlay and Android Auto on 99% of vehicles worldwide. For easy installation, it features a secure, high-strength magnetic system to prevent it from becoming detached when the car or motorcycle moves. This device is built around an 8.9-inch IPS panel with a 1,920 x 720 pixel resolution at 60 Hz, capable of reaching a brightness of up to 700 nits for perfect viewing even in bright sunlight.It's powered by a low-power dual-core CPU along with 256 MB of RAM and 8 GB of internal storage. It includes Wi-Fi 6 connectivity, dual Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity, a 1 W speaker, FM radio, a 3.5 mm jack, and a USB-C port for power. The operating system uses Linux 5.4, with an interface that makes it easy to use. You can also connect it to a rearview camera in your car to show you what's behind you when you're reversing. The Minix CP89-HD has a recommended price of $249.9, which will be reduced to $159.99 with the discount code MINIX0520.
Besides the official webiste, you also can find more Minix products on
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In addition, use the discount code MINIX0520 to get an extra $10 off selected products on official webiste - CP89-HD, NEO Z97, Z150-0dB, Z150 Aero, NGC N512 (512G), NGC NR660, SF15 FOLD Monitor. Don't miss this golden opportunity!
Please use the coupon code MINIX0520 on the following items to avail the prices you see here.
Buy Minix NEO Z97 at $179.99 | Buy Minix Z150-0db at $239.99 | Buy Minix SF15 FOLD at $269.99 | Buy Minix CP89-HD at $159.99NEO Z97: The World's Smallest Mini PC that Supports 4K Triple Display
The NEO Z97 is powered by an Intel N97 processor with 4 cores, a turbo frequency of 3.60 GHz, and a TDP of 12 W. This CPU is paired with integrated Intel UHD Graphics, 12 GB of LPDDR5X RAM (4,800 MT/s), and 512 GB of NVMe PCIe 3.0 SSD storage (capacity is 512 GB). For context, this CPU performs similarly to an Intel Core i3-10110U or AMD Ryzen 5 7520U, as well as other very low-power CPUs.The Minix NEO Z97 comes pre-installed with Windows 11 Pro, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, and 3 video outputs (1 DisplayPort 1.4 + 2 HDMI 2.1). It features an active cooling design paired with a high-performance processor, making it ideal for productivity, entertainment, or multiscreen workflows. It delivers seamless multitasking and data-intensive application performance, making it a perfect choice for professionals who value portability. The price of this Mini-PC is already very stable at $199, but after using the discount code MINIX0520, the price will be reduced to $179.99.
Z150-0dB: Fanless Mini PC
The Minix Z150-0dB is a PC that generates zero noise. The reason for this is that it's passively cooled, making it an ideal choice for offices, libraries, or studios. This mini-PC houses a quad-core 3.60 GHz Intel N150 Processor. With a TDP of 6 W, this CPU performs like an AMD Ryzen 7 3750H (35 W).The CPU is accompanied by 8 GB or 16 GB of DDR4 RAM at 3,200 MT/s, and you can choose between 256 GB or 512 GB of NVMe PCIe 3.0 SSD storage. In terms of connectivity, it's identical to the previously reviewed model and also comes with Windows 11 Pro pre-installed. As for the price, it can be reduced to $239.99 with the discount coupon MINIX0520.
SF15 FOLD: 15.6-inch Foldable Dual-Screen Portable Monitor
The Minix SF15 FOLD is ideal for traveling with your Mini-PC or laptop. It features two 15.6-inch displays with a resolution of 1,920 x 1,080 pixels at 60 Hz. It uses a foldable design, so the two monitors are transported as a single unit to prevent damage during transport.This monitor uses two IPS panels with adjustable brightness between 20 and 300 nits. It also includes a pair of 1 W speakers. The Minix SF15 FOLD has a USB-C port for power, another USB-C port for displaying images on a device, and even has two HDMI ports, so you can connect each monitor to a different video source. In terms of dimensions, both monitors when folded measure 356 x 215 x 22.6 mm thick. It's almost like a gaming laptop. The price of SF15 Fold drops to $269.99 with the discount code MINIX0520.
Minix CP89-HD Portable Wireless CarPlay
If you want to add technology to your vehicle, check out the Minix CP89-HD, which is compatible with CarPlay and Android Auto on 99% of vehicles worldwide. For easy installation, it features a secure, high-strength magnetic system to prevent it from becoming detached when the car or motorcycle moves. This device is built around an 8.9-inch IPS panel with a 1,920 x 720 pixel resolution at 60 Hz, capable of reaching a brightness of up to 700 nits for perfect viewing even in bright sunlight.It's powered by a low-power dual-core CPU along with 256 MB of RAM and 8 GB of internal storage. It includes Wi-Fi 6 connectivity, dual Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity, a 1 W speaker, FM radio, a 3.5 mm jack, and a USB-C port for power. The operating system uses Linux 5.4, with an interface that makes it easy to use. You can also connect it to a rearview camera in your car to show you what's behind you when you're reversing. The Minix CP89-HD has a recommended price of $249.9, which will be reduced to $159.99 with the discount code MINIX0520.
Besides the official webiste, you also can find more Minix products on
Read more (Opens in new window)
(PR) Atomfall: The Wicked Isle Story Expansion Arriving Next Week
Fri, 30 May 2025
For those of you who are new to the game, Atomfall is an action-survival mystery set in the UK. The story takes place five years after the real-life events of the 1957 Windscale Disaster in the North of England. In the world of Atomfall, a quarantine zone has been established around the Atom Plant and no one has been allowed in or out for five years. Life and society have changed and adapted under these trying circumstances and gangs of strange folk now wander the countryside.
You wake up in a bunker with no idea who you are or how you got there. Given the circumstances you have little choice but to set out on a journey to discover what really happened at Windscale and maybe try to find out who you are in the process. The Wicked Isle expansion adds a whole new location, with its own set of characters and enemies as well as additional leads, weapons, skills, items and multiple new endings for the main game.
You wake up in a bunker with no idea who you are or how you got there. Given the circumstances you have little choice but to set out on a journey to discover what really happened at Windscale and maybe try to find out who you are in the process. The Wicked Isle expansion adds a whole new location, with its own set of characters and enemies as well as additional leads, weapons, skills, items and multiple new endings for the main game.
Last week, AMD introduced its Radeon AI PRO R9700 32 GB professional graphics card—representing the RDNA 4 generation's entry into non-gaming territories. The TechPowerUp team encountered board partner variants on the showroom floor, with GIGABYTE and ASRock exhibiting samples with blower-style cooling solutions. At the time, Team Red's reference design was only visible in promotional/artistic renders. According to the company's official product page, this particular model is "not available for purchase." AMD made similar claims during the early days of—related Navi 48 GPU-based—Radeon RX 9070 XT and RX 9070 cards. Months later, Chinese hardware enthusiasts picked up physical "Made-By-AMD" (MBA) examples via murky second hand market channels.
At some point this week, PowerColor's web presences were updated with a semi-familiar sight: an almost direct interpretation of the AMD Radeon AI PRO R9700 reference card. The Taiwanese AIB has removed "AI" and "PRO R9700" text from their variant's shroud design, and applied a customary "PowerColor" logo and symbol sticker onto the lone blower fan's face. VideoCardz believes that pre-announcement renders and specification leaks had caused confusion across insider networks—hence the emergence of "Radeon RX 9070 XT(X) 32 GB" rumors, within the first quarter of 2025. PowerColor did not showcase its pro-grade at the recently concluded Computex trade event—instead, company representatives were tasked with hyping up incoming custom Radeon RX 9060 XT gaming cards, and a mysterious "REVA" prototype. At the time of writing, PowerColor has not issued any Radeon AI PRO R9700-related press material. AMD and manufacturing partners are expected to launch finalized products in July.
At some point this week, PowerColor's web presences were updated with a semi-familiar sight: an almost direct interpretation of the AMD Radeon AI PRO R9700 reference card. The Taiwanese AIB has removed "AI" and "PRO R9700" text from their variant's shroud design, and applied a customary "PowerColor" logo and symbol sticker onto the lone blower fan's face. VideoCardz believes that pre-announcement renders and specification leaks had caused confusion across insider networks—hence the emergence of "Radeon RX 9070 XT(X) 32 GB" rumors, within the first quarter of 2025. PowerColor did not showcase its pro-grade at the recently concluded Computex trade event—instead, company representatives were tasked with hyping up incoming custom Radeon RX 9060 XT gaming cards, and a mysterious "REVA" prototype. At the time of writing, PowerColor has not issued any Radeon AI PRO R9700-related press material. AMD and manufacturing partners are expected to launch finalized products in July.
LIAN LI Industrial Co. Ltd., a leading manufacturer of chassis and PC accessories, expands the UNI FAN series with the new UNI FAN SL-INFINITY Wireless. Designed for ultimate customization, the new fans feature three independently controlled lighting zones and two sides of unique styles, thanks to different dual-layered infinity mirror designs on each side. The flexible receiver can connect to either side for easy installation. An upgraded 4-pin cable ensures that the fans are instantly recognized as PWM devices in the BIOS, with a built-in tail PWM cable delivering extra power when needed. Reducing the clutter even further, L-Wireless SYNC 2.4 GHz technology enables full wireless control of ARGB lighting and fan speeds.
Limitless Lighting and Dual-Sided Design
The UNI FAN SL-INFINITY Wireless introduces three independently controlled lighting zones, allowing users to unlock new levels of customization when designing their build. Each side of the fan features a distinct double infinity mirror design, enabling users to showcase two different visual styles based on orientation. Whether facing one side or the other, the SL-INFINITY Wireless ensures stunning visuals from every angle. Lighting effects are fully customizable via the updated L-Connect 3 software.
Limitless Lighting and Dual-Sided Design
The UNI FAN SL-INFINITY Wireless introduces three independently controlled lighting zones, allowing users to unlock new levels of customization when designing their build. Each side of the fan features a distinct double infinity mirror design, enabling users to showcase two different visual styles based on orientation. Whether facing one side or the other, the SL-INFINITY Wireless ensures stunning visuals from every angle. Lighting effects are fully customizable via the updated L-Connect 3 software.
Ready for a front-row seat to the next scientific revolution? That's the idea behind Doudna—a groundbreaking supercomputer announced today at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in Berkeley, California. The system represents a major national investment in advancing U.S. high-performance computing (HPC) leadership, ensuring U.S. researchers have access to cutting-edge tools to address global challenges. "It will advance scientific discovery from chemistry to physics to biology and all powered by—unleashing this power—of artificial intelligence," U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright (pictured above) said at today's event.
Also known as NERSC-10, Doudna is named for Nobel laureate and CRISPR pioneer Jennifer Doudna. The next-generation system announced today is designed not just for speed but for impact. Powered by Dell Technologies infrastructure with the NVIDIA Vera Rubin architecture, and set to launch in 2026, Doudna is tailored for real-time discovery across the U.S. Department of Energy's most urgent scientific missions. It's poised to catapult American researchers to the forefront of critical scientific breakthroughs, fostering innovation and securing the nation's competitive edge in key technological fields.
Also known as NERSC-10, Doudna is named for Nobel laureate and CRISPR pioneer Jennifer Doudna. The next-generation system announced today is designed not just for speed but for impact. Powered by Dell Technologies infrastructure with the NVIDIA Vera Rubin architecture, and set to launch in 2026, Doudna is tailored for real-time discovery across the U.S. Department of Energy's most urgent scientific missions. It's poised to catapult American researchers to the forefront of critical scientific breakthroughs, fostering innovation and securing the nation's competitive edge in key technological fields.
According to the latest rumor mill, AMD is preparing Radeon AI PRO R9700, a new GPU designed specifically for the Chinese market. The new Radeon AI PRO R9700 GPU will feature deliberately handicapped performance parameters that comply with the most recent US export regulations while still supporting the local industry's needs for tasks such as on-device inference and model fine-tuning. To adhere to Washington's restrictions, AMD has reduced the chip's compute throughput to remain below the critical threshold for controlled exports, yet it retains 32 GB of high-bandwidth frame buffer memory and full PCIe Gen 5 connectivity. These specifications are intended to ensure efficient data transfer, and when multiple R9700 cards are deployed together, they can deliver substantial processing capability despite the lower power per card.
This China-specific strategy follows a challenging period for AMD in that region, including an $800 million charge related to its MI308 accelerator after it was blocked under earlier rules. NVIDIA has also suffered, losing an estimated $5.5 billion in revenue when its H20 series was barred, and seeing its Chinese market share drop from roughly 90 percent in 2021 to about 50 percent today. These developments have created an opening for AMD to compete on both price and supply reliability. AMD's approach mirrors NVIDIA's release of a restricted-performance version of its Blackwell-architecture B20 GPU for China. Priced more competitively than previous China-compliant offerings, the Radeon AI PRO R9700 will arrive in the third quarter of 2025 alongside NVIDIA's B20. AMD intends to present its full AI silicon roadmap at the Advancing AI Summit on June 12, positioning the R9700 as a targeted solution for enterprises and research institutions rather than for hyperscale cloud environments.
This China-specific strategy follows a challenging period for AMD in that region, including an $800 million charge related to its MI308 accelerator after it was blocked under earlier rules. NVIDIA has also suffered, losing an estimated $5.5 billion in revenue when its H20 series was barred, and seeing its Chinese market share drop from roughly 90 percent in 2021 to about 50 percent today. These developments have created an opening for AMD to compete on both price and supply reliability. AMD's approach mirrors NVIDIA's release of a restricted-performance version of its Blackwell-architecture B20 GPU for China. Priced more competitively than previous China-compliant offerings, the Radeon AI PRO R9700 will arrive in the third quarter of 2025 alongside NVIDIA's B20. AMD intends to present its full AI silicon roadmap at the Advancing AI Summit on June 12, positioning the R9700 as a targeted solution for enterprises and research institutions rather than for hyperscale cloud environments.
Lisuan Technology announced this week on its official WeChat channel that it has successfully powered on its prototype G100 graphics card. The company describes the G100 as China's first domestically designed 6 nm GPU, marking a significant milestone in its effort to challenge established industry players. With the first silicon now operational, Lisuan is moving into driver development, software validation, and broader system integration testing. Although Lisuan has provided few formal specifications, rumors indicate that SMIC is fabbing the G100 die, currently the only Chinese foundry capable of producing a 6 nm node under US export restrictions. Rumors describe the performance as being on par with NVIDIA's GeForce RTX 4060 in mid-range gaming tests, alongside generous onboard memory, efficient power consumption, and support for DirectX 12, Vulkan 1.3, and OpenGL 4.6. If accurate, these features could position the G100 for both gaming and general-purpose GPU workloads.
Founded in late 2021 by a team of former Silicon Valley engineers with more than 25 years of collective chip-design experience, Lisuan Technology is among the youngest entrants in China's graphics-chip sector. It follows Biren Technology (established in 2019) and Moore Threads (established in 2020) in their pursuit of a homegrown alternative to foreign GPU offerings. Beijing's push for semiconductor self-sufficiency has encouraged such ventures, and Lisuan insists its TrueGPU architecture is fully developed in-house rather than licensed from outside sources. The G100 was initially slated for a 2023 launch but encountered financial headwinds that nearly forced Lisuan into bankruptcy in 2024. A $27.7 million capital injection from the parent company, Dongxin Semiconductor, kept development on track through tape-out and early risk-production trials. Lisuan now plans to ship small volumes of G100 cards in the third quarter of 2025, with mass availability more likely in 2026.
Founded in late 2021 by a team of former Silicon Valley engineers with more than 25 years of collective chip-design experience, Lisuan Technology is among the youngest entrants in China's graphics-chip sector. It follows Biren Technology (established in 2019) and Moore Threads (established in 2020) in their pursuit of a homegrown alternative to foreign GPU offerings. Beijing's push for semiconductor self-sufficiency has encouraged such ventures, and Lisuan insists its TrueGPU architecture is fully developed in-house rather than licensed from outside sources. The G100 was initially slated for a 2023 launch but encountered financial headwinds that nearly forced Lisuan into bankruptcy in 2024. A $27.7 million capital injection from the parent company, Dongxin Semiconductor, kept development on track through tape-out and early risk-production trials. Lisuan now plans to ship small volumes of G100 cards in the third quarter of 2025, with mass availability more likely in 2026.
Microsoft Shifts Xbox Gaming Handheld Ambitions to Third-Party Windows Handhelds, Postpones 2027 Launch Plans
Fri, 30 May 2025
We've reported on Microsoft's development of a custom Xbox gaming handheld a number of times, with Microsoft Gaming head, Phil Spencer, recently confirming a foray into hardware was in the works. Now, though, it seems as though Microsoft has shelved the idea for the meantime, instead putting its weight behind developing and optimizing Windows for third-party gaming handhelds, like the ASUS ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go. According to Windows Central, Microsoft is still planning on developing its own Xbox gaming handheld, but that product will no longer launch alongside the Xbox Series X|S as previously planned.
According to the report, a recent internal announcement at Microsoft indicated that Microsoft will be shifting its development teams to focus on its partner devices. One such device is the rumored Xbox-branded ASUS ROG Ally handheld, which is supposedly targeting a late 2025 launch. It seems as though Microsoft's renewed efforts would have it optimizing both the Windows base layer and the Xbox software components that are to be used on current and future gaming handheld hardware. It's almost certain that Microsoft has an uphill battle, now that Valve has officially released SteamOS for third-party gaming handhelds, and there is speculation that the sizeable performance and efficiency gap between Windows and SteamOS may be to blame for Microsoft's sudden shift in strategy. Now, it seems as though Microsoft's Xbox Series X|S successor is still planned to launch in 2027, but the Xbox handheld will likely launch after that.
According to the report, a recent internal announcement at Microsoft indicated that Microsoft will be shifting its development teams to focus on its partner devices. One such device is the rumored Xbox-branded ASUS ROG Ally handheld, which is supposedly targeting a late 2025 launch. It seems as though Microsoft's renewed efforts would have it optimizing both the Windows base layer and the Xbox software components that are to be used on current and future gaming handheld hardware. It's almost certain that Microsoft has an uphill battle, now that Valve has officially released SteamOS for third-party gaming handhelds, and there is speculation that the sizeable performance and efficiency gap between Windows and SteamOS may be to blame for Microsoft's sudden shift in strategy. Now, it seems as though Microsoft's Xbox Series X|S successor is still planned to launch in 2027, but the Xbox handheld will likely launch after that.


Nintendo Seemingly Blocks Video Streaming Apps On Switch 2
Thu, 29 May 2025
It looks as though the uphill battle that is the Nintendo Switch 2 launch is not over yet. While backwards compatibility with the original Switch game library, consisting of 122 first-party games and over 15,000 third-party games, was a major highlight for those eager for a Switch 2, it seems as though it isn't as cut-and-dry as simply loading the games onto the Switch 2. Nintendo has been testing the entire game library in order to inform Switch 2 buyers what they'll be able to play at launch. According to a recently updated Nintendo support article, the Switch 2 will ditch support for video streaming sites Crunchyroll, Hulu, Niconico, and Abema, as well as manga and comic reader, InkyPen, and the Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 04 VR Kit.
While a number of other titles Nintendo tested seemingly won't work immediately like Fortnite, for which there is a Switch 2 version planned, Nintendo is drawing a line between apps that won't work at launch but will be fixed at a later date, and apps that will not work on the Switch 2. As for the aforementioned video streaming apps, Nintendo says that they "Cannot be used on Nintendo Switch 2," while the Labo VR Kit will likely need a physical design revision for the Switch 2, since the original kit was designed for hardware compatibility with the first-gen Switch. It's unclear if video streaming and other media consumption apps, like Crunchyroll and Hulu, will be blocked from the Switch 2 entirely, or if the developers and publishers could work around the new Switch 2 hardware to publish updated versions. The hybrid console form factor of the Switch and Switch 2 theoretically make Nintendo's consoles uniquely suited to video streaming, since they can be docked, and consoles like the Sony PS5 and Xbox Series X|S are both capable of operating as standalone home theater systems. It only makes sense for Nintendo to compete in the same regard, but without the apps to support such use cases, the Switch 2 cannot do that. Currently, the Switch 2 is slated to become widely available on June 5, with pre-orders already available—and largely sold out—in some regions.
While a number of other titles Nintendo tested seemingly won't work immediately like Fortnite, for which there is a Switch 2 version planned, Nintendo is drawing a line between apps that won't work at launch but will be fixed at a later date, and apps that will not work on the Switch 2. As for the aforementioned video streaming apps, Nintendo says that they "Cannot be used on Nintendo Switch 2," while the Labo VR Kit will likely need a physical design revision for the Switch 2, since the original kit was designed for hardware compatibility with the first-gen Switch. It's unclear if video streaming and other media consumption apps, like Crunchyroll and Hulu, will be blocked from the Switch 2 entirely, or if the developers and publishers could work around the new Switch 2 hardware to publish updated versions. The hybrid console form factor of the Switch and Switch 2 theoretically make Nintendo's consoles uniquely suited to video streaming, since they can be docked, and consoles like the Sony PS5 and Xbox Series X|S are both capable of operating as standalone home theater systems. It only makes sense for Nintendo to compete in the same regard, but without the apps to support such use cases, the Switch 2 cannot do that. Currently, the Switch 2 is slated to become widely available on June 5, with pre-orders already available—and largely sold out—in some regions.