Starting with the Lenovo Legion Go USB-C dock, it serves as a base station for the Lenovo Legion Go, providing a range of connectivity options, including a 1 Gb RJ45 connection, a USB-C port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and an HDMI 2.0 port supporting up to 4K at 60 Hz resolution. The Lenovo Legion Go USB-C Dock is now for €64.99.

Moving on to the Lenovo Legion Go charging connector, it combines the separate TrueStrike controllers into a single, rechargeable unit that you can play with while charging the pads. With a full charge (chargeable via USB-C), the inbuilt battery powers both the left and right TrueStrike controllers. To further enhance your gaming experience with the Legion Go, Lenovo is also launching the Lenovo Legion Go joystick and joystick caps. The textured material improves grip and comfort, preventing your hand from slipping in intense moments. All these accessories will be available beginning in October 2024, with the charging connector costing €59.99 and the pads €9.99.

For gamers on the go, the hard shell, dual-zip Lenovo Legion Go carry case protects the device, with additional space for accessories such as a power adapter, FPS Mode controller puck, and other peripherals. Including a clapboard to protect the screen and an interior zip pocket adds practicality to this carrying solution. The Lenovo Legion Go carry case is coming out in January 2025 for €29.99.

Moreover, the Lenovo Multi-Device Bluetooth mini keyboard complements the Lenovo Legion Go with its compact design and multi-device functionality. The keyboard is compatible with Windows, Android, and iPadOS so that you can use it with other devices you may own. The Lenovo Multi-Device Bluetooth Mini Keyboard is planned to be released in November 2024, priced at €39.99.

Expanding the display options for gamers, Lenovo introduces the 27-inch Lenovo Legion R27qc-30, and the 31.5-inch Lenovo Legion R32qc-30 monitors. Both monitors feature 1500R curved panels with refresh rates of up to 180 Hz and response times of 0.5 ms (MPRT). The 27-inch model covers 120% sRGB and 90% DCI-P3, while the 31.5-inch model offers 112% sRGB. Both monitors have two HDMI 2.1 ports, a DisplayPort 1.4, a 3.5-mm audio out, and two 3 W speakers. The Lenovo Legion R27qc-30 and R32qc-30 monitors are expected to be available starting October 2024 for €259 and £349, respectively.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Do you own a Lenovo Legion Go? Planning on getting any of these new accessories for your handheld?

First, we have the Acer Chromebook 314 CB314-2H, now available for just £149, down from £249. This Chromebook is perfect for everyday work and online studies. If you need more power, the Acer Chromebook Plus 515 CB515-2H is £100 off. Equipped with an Intel Core i3 CPU and a 15.6-inch Full HD display, it could be worth getting a bit more performance for users.

For gamers, the Acer Nitro 5 AN515-58 is now £170 off. Packed with a 12th-generation Intel Core i5 CPU, an Nvidia RTX 3050 Laptop GPU, and a 144 Hz display, it's a good choice for an entry-level gaming laptop. Are you looking for something more high-end? The Acer Predator Helios 16 PH16-72 is currently discounted by a whopping £500. Powered by a 14th-generation Intel Core i9 CPU, an RTX 4080 Laptop GPU, and a 16-inch MiniLED display, this gaming laptop is now more accessible for anyone looking for a portable high-end gaming machine.

If a laptop for daily tasks is what you need, the Acer Aspire 3 A315-44P is now £200 off. Boasting an AMD Ryzen 7 processor, 16 GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD, it offers ample power and storage for your everyday needs. Lastly, the Acer Aspire Vero AV14-52P bundle (includes a mouse, mousemat and sleeve) is now available for eco-conscious folk with a £100 discount. The laptop has an Intel Core i7 CPU, 16 GB of RAM, and a 1 TB SSD.

You can find all of Acer's deals on Amazon, HERE.

KitGuru says: Will you take advantage of any deals on Acer Amazon Week?

Making the announcement on their blog, the team at Epic Games shared the following: “Today the Epic Games Store is available for download on iPhones in the European Union and on Android devices worldwide. The store is launching with Fortnite, Rocket League Sideswipe and the all-new Fall Guys for mobile, and we are working to enable all developers to launch their games and apps through the Epic Games Store in the future. We are also bringing our games to independent mobile stores including AltStore PAL today.”

Explaining why only EU iOS users will be able to access the store, Epic continued, “We’re launching on iOS devices in the European Union thanks to the Digital Markets Act, but Apple is still blocking all other iOS users outside of Europe from accessing Fortnite and Epic Games Store for iOS.”

Unsurprisingly, the Epic Games Store app is not available on the default mobile app stores, with Epic explaining that “For now, the process of installing the Epic Games Store on iOS and Android is lengthy due to Apple and Google introducing intentionally poor-quality install experiences laden by multiple steps, confusing device settings, and scare screens. We are continuing to fight in courts and work with regulators around the globe to eliminate the anticompetitive terms that Apple and Google impose on developers and consumers, so we can build a better store for everyone.”

Bringing Fortnite back to iOS is certainly a big deal, but with just 3 games currently available on the app, Epic needs to do quite a bit more to become a legit competitive app store on mobile.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of the announcement? Will you download the storefront? What type of games would you like to see added to the EGS on mobile? Let us know down below.

Cooler Master is set to offer two main packages for the MasterHUB: the Starter Kit, which includes the FlexBase, a 15-key IPS display, a five-slider module, and a two-roller module; and the Pro Kit, which builds on the Starter Kit by adding a three-knob module and a rotary encoder with a 1.3-inch IPS display. Cooler Master has also hinted at future module releases, such as an 8-inch touchscreen and smaller panels, although specific timelines for these additions are currently unknown.

Backers who secure their spot with a fully refundable $40 deposit stand to save about 25% off the retail price of the MasterHUB. This ensures priority access to the initial batch of deliveries. The starter kit will go for $299, and the pro kit will go for $399. Seeing these prices, acquiring a MasterHUB may seem like a significant investment, even more so considering the more affordable 15-key Elgato Stream Deck, which is about half the price. While the price difference is substantial, MasterHUB's inclusion of sliders and rollers offers enhanced functionality and flexibility.

Another advantage of the MasterHUB is its modularity, which means users can easily expand and customise their setup without purchasing an entirely new device. This differentiates it from alternatives such as the Stream Deck+ or the Loupedeck Live S, which necessitate a complete replacement for added keys and functionalities.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Would you consider getting one of these control panels for your setup? Would you prefer the Cooler Master MasterHUB over its cheaper alternatives?

Timestamps

Specification

• Processor – AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 Processor 2.0GHz (36MB Cache, up to 5.1GHz, 12 cores, 24 Threads); AMD Ryzen AI up to 81 TOPs
• Graphics – AMD Radeon 890M Graphics
• Neural Processor – XDNA up to 50TOPs
• Display – 16.0-inch, 3K (2880 x 1800) OLED 16:10 aspect ratio, 0.2ms response time, 120Hz refresh rate
• Memory – 32GB LPDDR5X on board
• Storage – Micron 2400 1TB M.2 NVMe PCIe® 4.0 SSD
• I/O
  • 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A
  • 2x USB 4.0 Gen 3 Type-C support display / power delivery
  • 1x HDMI 2.1 TMDS
  • 1x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack
  • SD 4.0 card reader
• Keyboard and Trackpad – Chiclet Keyboard, 1.1mm Key-travel, Precision touchpad, With Copilot key
• Camera – FHD camera with IR function to support Windows Hello
• Networking – Wi-Fi 7(802.11be) (Tri-band)2*2 + Bluetooth® 5.4 Wireless Card
• Battery – 78WHrs, 2S2P, 4-cell Li-ion

The core specs can be confirmed with the following CPUZ and GPUZ screenshots

The system ships with the fan configured in the balanced profile within the MyAsus software. Asus recommend changing this setting to the performance profile to ensure optimal performance from the CPU. This can be confirmed in the following Cinebench R23 multicore results, obtained from an average score from a set of 3 sustained 10 minute benchmark tests.

The laptop and specifically the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 CPU impressed us in regards to efficiency. Achieving good results during Cinebench R23 multicore tests while using just 28w over a sustained test.

Finally, the overall system performance when measured with PC Mark 10 did fall short of some comparison systems and processors, namely the AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS found in the Geekom A7 Mini PC we reviewed on the channel a while ago.

However, this may be due to the new AMD architecture still being very fresh to the market and we may see scores improve as testing software is tweaked to account for these changes.

Overall the Zenbook S 16 OLED impressed us. It's an efficient laptop that can deliver great performance while using very conservative amounts of power. For full details and a much more in-depth set of testing and benchmark results watch our full video review over on YouTube.

The ‘Cerluminum' finish on the top case is gorgeous and feels robust and very good quality. The 3K OLED Asus Lumina screen is sharp, vibrant and punchy and leave little to be desired. The laptop is slightly let down by an average keyboard and trackpad.

You can purchase the Asus Zenbook S 16 OLED from most major UK tech retailers, starting at £1599.99.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

Pros:

• Exceptional battery life.
• Vibrant, 3K OLED Screen.
• Premium ceramic and aluminium finish on the top lid.
• Good performance.
• On device AI processing.

Cons:

• Poor quality trackpad.
• Only average keyboard.
• Chassis flexes too much.

KitGuru says: The Zenbook S 16 OLED is an efficient and powerful laptop, with great battery life, gorgeous 3K OLED screen and a stunning design. 

In recent months, The Information has been reporting that Apple is refining its foldable iPhone design. In a recent update, it is now believed that the device has moved beyond the ‘concept' phase and into proper development with supply chain partners. If true, we may well see leaks in the next few months.

Apparently, one of Apple's main design goals is to flatten out the crease that appears as the display is bending. This is something that has been criticised on the Galaxy Z Flip, although when you are looking at the device straight on, it doesn't stand out very much.

It is also claimed that Apple may have multiple foldable devices in the works, including a new MacBook-style device.

KitGuru Says: The foldable phone trend hasn't exactly taken over the market. If Apple does offer a foldable iPhone, it will have to be in addition to a more traditional model. 

Making the announcement on their website, the team revealed the limited ‘Analogue Pocket: Aluminium Edition’ which is said to be “precision cnc'd entirely in aluminium. With uncompromising attitude to quality. There has never been a handheld video game system like it.”

The Analogue Pocket was already a pretty pricey portable upon its release, costing $219.99. That said, this pales in comparison to the new limited editions, which will set you back an entire $499.99.

That said, there is no denying that the new aluminium Analogue Pocket will likely be at the upper echelon of premium portables – just as the regular Pocket was upon its release.

Those interested in this highly limited edition will be able to pre-order the aluminium Analogue Pocket in 4 different colours from the 15th of July – with the devices shipping just a few days later.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of the original Analogue Pocket? Is the FPGA chip worth the premium price? Will the aluminium Pocket be too heavy? Let us know your thoughts down below.

Available in black or white and retailing for £99.99, the SCUF NOMAD is a Bluetooth 5.0 powered iPhone controller which is said to bring “your favourite features to a fully mobile experience.”

Such features include customisable rear paddles; improved ergonomics with full-sized grips; hall effect thumbsticks for reduced drift; and a bespoke SCUF app for increased customisation.

Beyond this, the Bluetooth-enabled controller is said to have a 16 hour battery life on full charge as well as a design which allows for maximum phone case compatibility.

Despite being a Bluetooth controller, the SCUF NOMAD is currently only compatible with iPhones running iOS 16 and later. That said, it wouldn’t be surprising to see an Android version announced sooner rather than later.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of this controller? How does it compare to other mobile offerings? Is the lack of a direct USB/lightning connection a dealbreaker? Let us know down below.

As reported by mobilegamer.biz, in using calculations from the publications AppFigures and AppMagic, it appears as though all of the major console games which have been ported to iOS have been less-than-stellar sales-wise, with the estimates being as follows:

• Assassin’s Creed Mirage: 3000-5750 copies sold
• Resident Evil 4: 7000-15000 copies sold
• Resident Evil Village: 5750-34000 copies sold
• Death Stranding: 10600-23000 copies sold

Of course, as mentioned these games are only available to play on the iPhone 15 series alongside some select high-end iPads, and so expectations should have been kept in check.

Still, it seems so far as though these iOS ports serve more as a showpiece for what Apple’s devices are capable of – more so than being used as actual console replacements. It’ll be interesting to see how the games perform in the long term.

KitGuru says: What do you think of this new initiative? Do you welcome more iOS ports? What game would you buy on mobile if it were available? Let us know down below.

As reported by mobilegamer.biz using data from Appmagic, since the addition of the Grand Theft Auto Trilogy back on the 14th of December, these three iconic classics have garnered over 30 million downloads across both iOS and Android in total.

The impact of these additions was already felt upon their initial release, with mobile game downloads through Netflix tripling in December 2023 – nearly 2/3rds of which were attributed to the trilogy (18 million).

With over 30 million downloads now, GTA is unsurprisingly the biggest game series on Netflix’s service. Interestingly, GTA San Andreas is by far the most popular of the three, representing 20.5 million of their 30 million downloads – with Vice City next at 6.5 million and GTA 3 bringing up the rear with 3.3 million.

Over time, Netflix has amassed a solid collection of games. If nothing else, the impact of the GTA Trilogy will likely bring more eyes to the service’s many other gaming offerings.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of Netflix’s gaming ambitions? Have you tried the service? Let us know down below.

In an interview conducted by HipHopGamer, Phil Spencer was asked “what’s your vision in terms of Xbox Game Pass, Samsung [cloud gaming], and beyond?” to which Spencer replied: “Cloud gaming for us is growing 50% year over year.”

Of course, it is worth noting that while a 50% increase is pretty major, we do not have precise figures for what this growth means in context. Is it an increase from 2% to 3%, or from 30% to 45%? We don’t know.

Still, it seems as though there is a market for cloud gaming – even if it seemingly doesn’t resonate with core console/PC players.

KitGuru says: What do you think of cloud gaming? Could you ever see yourself using the tech? Let us know down below.

Making the announcement via Twitter, the official Resident Evil page shared the following:

“Welcome to the family, son! Resident Evil 7 biohazard joins Apple’s family on July 2nd, coming to iPhone 15 Pro models and every iPad and Mac with the M1 chip or later!”

They continued, “Resident Evil 2 is also in development for iPhone, iPad, and Mac” though no release window was provided.

The release of RE Village and RE4 were not without their issues, in particular when it came to the abundance of tweakable graphical options.

That said, as Capcom gets more and more familiar with the iPhone’s hardware, it’ll be interesting to see how these porting projects progress.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of the announcement? Can your phone support these titles? What Capcom game would you like to see come to mobile? Let us know down below.

The big launches here this week are the new Stealth and Creator AI laptops, powered by AMD Ryzen AI 300 processors, and the next-gen Prestige and Summit laptops featuring Intel Lunar Lake processors. MSI also has a new Claw handheld on the way powered by Intel's latest generation of mobile chips.

The new MSI Stealth A16 AI and Creator A16 AI are both lightweight 16-inch laptops, boasting Ryzen AI 300 (Zen 5) processors under the hood. These new chips are equipped with AMD's ZDNA 2 architecture to boost performance with AI tasks. Gamers will be pleased to find integrated Radeon 800M graphics too, although versions of both laptops with RTX 40 series graphics will also be available.

The new Prestige and Summit laptops are powered by Intel's next generation Core Ultra processors, codenamed “Lunar Lake”. These chips will replace Meteor Lake later this year, offering greatly improved AI performance through its new NPU, and other performance/efficiency improvements thanks to various architectural changes. With a new Xe2 iGPU in place, Lunar Lake processors should also be a decent choice for games. The next-gen MSI Claw will also be powered by a Lunar Lake chip.

The Prestige series laptops come in three sizes: 13, 14, and 16 inches. In addition to the latest processors, the entire Prestige series features ultra-light bodies, large batteries, and long battery life. For example, the Prestige 13 AI Evo weighs only 990 grams and includes a 75Wh battery. The Summit 13 AI Evo, also part of the business and productivity series, now features the new Lunar Lake processors, a lightweight body, comprehensive security, and the MSI Pen 2 stylus too.

New MSI Modern series laptops will be available this year in 13-inch, 14-inch and 15-inch sizes too. These are aimed at a mainstream audience, with the latest generation making improvements to network connectivity. Finally, MSI is also building on its recent partnership with Mercedes-AMG. Last year, MSI became the official partner of the luxury car brand for new co-branded laptops. As part of the one-year anniversary, a new MSI Stealth 18 Mercedes-AMG laptop and a Stealth 16 version are launching with upgraded internals, including an Intel Core Ultra 9 185H processor and RTX 4080 graphics.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: What do you all think of MSI's new laptops? 

Available in silver and dark blue, the Epoch 14 sports an all-metal chassis that is 17.9 mm thick and weighs about 1.5 kg. With an eye-catching CNC-machined aluminium unibody chassis, the Epoch 14 laptop is built to last while exuding a premium aesthetic. A tempered glass touchpad and a white LED-lit keyboard with adjustable brightness further enhance the device's aesthetics.

Tailored for demanding tasks, the Epoch 14 boasts formidable hardware, including an Intel 13th Gen Core i9-13900H processor and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPU. This powerful combination provides robust AI capabilities, delivering up to 686 AI TOPS and leveraging Tensor Cores for accelerated performance with TensorRT software. Moreover, there's 16/32 GB of LPDDR5-6400 memory and a 1 TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD.

The laptop's 14-inch display has a 2560×1440 resolution, 165 Hz refresh rate, 500 nits of peak brightness and covers 100% of the DCI-P3 100% gamut. An OLED screen model is coming at a later date. The Epoch 14 offers plenty of connectivity options, featuring an HDMI 2.1 output and a high-speed USB-C connector with 100W PD fast charging, 2x USB-A ports (one is 3.2 Gen2) support for WiFi 6E and BT 5.2, and an audio jack. The system comes with Windows 11 pre-installed and has an MSRP of $1,359.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: With the 14th Gen available for some time, one could wonder why Colourful decided to go with the i9-13900H. However, the CPU choice could be one reason why the MSRP is relatively low for what you get.

Timestamps

00:00 Start
00:36 Pricing and Details
03:37 SSD confusion & performance
04:27 Full metal chassis, weight & build quality
05:24 RGB, keyboard & trackpad
06:32 Speakers & sound quality
07:32 Ports and connectivity
09:00 Power profiles and Benchmark results
13:05 Thermals, Power and Noise Analysis
16:08 Battery Life
16:33 Gaming Tests
21:31 Closing thoughts

Specification

• Chassis & Display – Ionico Series: 15.3″ Matte QHD 240Hz sRGB 100% LED Widescreen (2560×1600)
• Processor (CPU) – Intel® Core i9 24 Core Processor 14900HX (5.8GHz Turbo)
• Memory (RAM) – 32GB Corsair 5600MHz SODIMM DDR5 (2 x 16GB)
• Graphics Card – NVIDIA® GeForce® RTX 4070 – 8.0GB GDDR6 Video RAM – DirectX® 12.1
• 1st M.2 SSD Drive – 2TB Solidigm P41+ Gen 4 M.2 NVMe PCIe SSD (up to 4125MB/sR, 3325MB/sW)**
• Memory Card Reader – Integrated Micro-SD Memory Card Reader
• AC Adaptor – 1 x 280W AC Adaptor
• Power Cable – 1 x 1.5 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
• Battery – Ionico Battery 99WH
• Sound Card – 2 Channel High Definition Audio + MIC/Headphone Jack
• Bluetooth & Wireless – GIGABIT LAN & WIRELESS INTEL® Wi-Fi 6E AX211 (2.4 Gbps) + BT 5.3
• USB/Thunderbolt Options – 1 x THUNDERBOLT 4 + 1 x USB 3.2 (TYPE C) + 3 x USB 3.2
• Keyboard Language – IONICO 15 SERIES RGB BACKLIT UK KEYBOARD
• Operating System – Windows 11 Home 64 Bit – inc. Single Licence
• Notebook Mouse – INTEGRATED 2 BUTTON TOUCHPAD MOUSE
• Webcam – INTEGRATED IR+FHD Hybrid Webcam Windows Hello 4.0
• Warranty – 3 Year Standard Warranty (6 Month Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)

**The original specification sent over to us by PCSpecialist is listed above and showed the SSD as being a Solidigm P41+ 2TB M.2 NVMe SSD. When the laptop arrived with us, it actually contained a 2TB SAMSUNG 990 PRO M.2, PCIe 4.0 NVMe (up to 7450MB/R, 6900MB/W). We are awaiting confirmation of the SSD model in retail units from PCSpecialist and will update the page when we have this information.

The core specs are confirmed with the following CPU-Z and GPU-Z screenshots:

Geekerwan (via Tom's Hardware) benchmarked the M4 in its 3+6 core configuration (3 performance cores + 6 efficiency cores) but has already acquired the 4+6 model for further testing. Geekerwan inserted a Kingpin Cooling T-Rex Rev 4 CPU LN2 pot at the rear of the iPad Pro, most likely where the M4 processor is housed, and filled it with liquid nitrogen to keep the chip cool while running at 4.41 GHz.

Image credit: Geekerwan 

The LN2-cooled M4 iPad Pro scored 4,001 points in Geekbench 6's single-core test, 28% quicker than the M3 Max in the 16-inch MacBook Pro in the same test. In addition, the M4 outperformed the Mac Studio's M2 Ultra by 44%. Even though it lacks active cooling, the M4 iPad Pro receives a perfect grade. Even in its regular condition, the M4's single-core performance is high, surpassing the 3,000 mark. For the final few yards, the liquid nitrogen assisted the M4 in reaching the finish line.

However, the M4's multi-core performance fell short of expectations. It performed 54% slower than the M3 Max and 57% slower than the M2 Ultra. Geekerwan provided many Geekbench 6 entries, with the highest multi-core score of 14,785 points.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: The lower multi-core score is only expected since the M4 has considerably fewer cores than the M3 Max and M2 Ultra. However, we expect Apple to launch a higher-core count M4 SoC, which should put the M4 chips closer in multi-core performance to the previous generations.

Making the announcement on Twitter, Netflix revealed that “Sonic Mania Plus is now on Netflix Games! Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles await. Download and play now on mobile.”

First released back in 2017, Sonic Mania Plus is a throwback to the Sonic games of old, existing both as a nostalgic trip for the Sega Mega Drive trilogy while also introducing its own unique levels and mechanics – making for one of the best 2D Sonic experiences possibly ever.

Sonic Mania Plus joins the line-up of almost 100 games available to Netflix subscribers across both iOS and Android – including the likes of the GTA trilogy; Death’s Door; Dead Cells; World of Goo Remastered; TMNT Shredder’s Revenge and the universally praised Hades (though the latter is only on iOS).

If nothing else, it is exciting to see Netflix funding the porting of a bunch of console titles to mobile devices. Hopefully the initiative continues.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of this latest addition? Have you tried Netflix Games? What do you think of the service as a value-add to your subscription? Let us know down below.

During a recent interview with Bloomberg, Xbox President Sarah Bond revealed that Microsoft currently have a mobile web app in the works, stating:

“In July, we’re going to be launching our mobile store experience. We’re going to start actually by bringing our own first-party portfolio to that. So you’re going to see games like Candy Crush show up in that experience, games like Minecraft.”

Bond continued, “And then we’re going to extend that capability to partners so that they can also take advantage of it and have a true cross-platform gaming centric mobile experience,” – presumably with a cut going to Microsoft.

The app will first launch as a web-only experience likely due to the fact that the EU’s Digital Markets Act has yet to be fully implemented across the board – though Bond claims the reason for going the web-app route is to “allow us to have it be an experience that’s accessible across all devices, all countries, no matter what independent of the policies of, you know, closed ecosystem stores.”

With the purchase of Activision Blizzard King, Microsoft do have a strong selection of mobile titles under their wing. That said, it will be interesting to see whether this web-store finds a wide enough adoption following its launch in a few months.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of this latest move? Would you use the app if it meant you’d get a discount on COD points? Let us know down below.

The Apple M4 processor at the heart of the new iPad Pro is the first in Apple's line-up to really focus on AI acceleration. A bit part of the sales pitch for the M4 over its predecessors is the improved NPU, which Apple claims will allow the M4 to compete with chips from Intel, AMD and Qualcomm.

The new and improved processor means you should also be able to run iOS-ported games like Resident Evil Village, No Man's Sky and Death Stranding at better visual settings and frame rates too. Given the iPad's new OLED display, it could end up being an impressive little gaming device, for both native and cloud gaming.

It wouldn't be an Apple event without some bragging about design and making things thinner. Another key change Apple is boasting with the new 11-inch and 14-inch iPad Pro is a new ultra-thin design that makes the iPad Pro the thinnest product in Apple's history, beating out the iPod Nano.

As usual, this new design also means new accessories, including a new magic keyboard and a new Apple Pencil. Prices for the iPad Pro will also continue to start at £999 for the 11-inch model and £1,299 for the 13-inch model.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: My 2018 iPad Pro isn't showing any signs of age yet, but with OLED finally here, it might be time for me to upgrade. Are any of you thinking about picking up this year's iPad Pro? 

The Apple Vision Pro was never going to be a mass-market product thanks to its $3,500 price tag, but demand has dipped more than Apple seemingly anticipated. According to Apple analyst, Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple has recently cut production orders for the Vision Pro, dropping by as much as half, based on estimates.

Additionally, Apple is also reported to be reviewing its Vision Pro roadmap, ditching plans for a ‘cheaper' model in 2025. Augmented Reality is tech that Apple CEO, Tim Cook, was very enthusiastic about for a time, but has been less outspoken on since the Vision Pro launch.

There is no denying that Apple created an impressive piece of hardware and tackled many software problems too, creating one of the most user-friendly AR headsets around. However, at $3,500, the majority of consumers are priced out and it would seem developers aren't making content fast enough to keep current owners engaged with the ecosystem.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: I'm sure Apple will continue working on this technology, but plans for new Vision Pro headsets in the immediate future may no longer come to fruition. 

The Snapdragon X Elite features a 4nm 12-core Qualcomm Oryon CPU, clocked at up to 3.8GHz with up to 4.3GHz dual-core boost speeds. It also features the new Qualcomm Adreno GPU, offering up to 4.6TFLOPS of graphics performance and support for 4K/120Hz displays, multiple 4K or 5K displays, HDR and upgradeable drivers. To drive AI use and development, this chip is also equipped with a powerful NPU, based on the Qualcomm Hexagon platform.

The Snapdragon X Elite won't be the only processor in Qualcomm's arsenal though. The company has also announced the Snapdragon X Plus, a 10-core version of this processor, complete with a 3.8TFLOPs Adreno GPU, and an NPU capable of 45 TOPS to power AI applications. Qualcomm says that the Snapdragon X Plus will offer best-in-class performance with its 10-core Oryon CPU, all while remaining efficient for extra-long battery life.

During this preview event, we got to benchmark several reference grade Snapdragon laptops. The 10-core Snapdragon X Plus scores up to 2,425 points in the Geekbench 6.2 single-thread test, and up to 13,000 points in the multi-thread test. In Cinebench 2024, these numbers come out at 109 points in single-thread and up to 845 points in multi-thread.

The UL Procyon AI inference benchmark sees the processor topping out at 1,800 points, while the Office Productivity UL Procyon benchmark produces scores up to 5,900 points. For graphics, the 3DMark Wild Life Extreme benchmark was available, which saw performance topping out at over 38 frames per second.

The 12-core Snapdragon X Elite naturally scores higher in most of these tests. In Cinebench 6.2, we see scores rise to 2,800 points in single-thread and over 14,000 points in multi-thread. In Cinebench 2024, we see scores of 123 points in single-thread and 980 points in multi-thread. It also scores a higher 6500 point mark in the UL Procyon office benchmark.

However, the UL Procyon AI inference and 3DMark Wild Life Extreme benchmarks did see similar scores between the Snapdragon X Plus and the Snapdragon X Elite. In AI inference, scores top out at 1800 points again, while in 3DMark, we once again see a score of just over 38 frames per second.

Of course, this is just a small selection of benchmarks, we'll have to wait for the first wave of laptops and independent benchmarking to really dive in to the differences between these two processors. For now though, it does appear that they are closely matched in NPU and GPU, while the 12-core CPU of the Snapdragon X Elite takes a lead.

From what we understand, there may be other versions of these processors, with potentially as many as four SKUs each for the Snapdragon X Elite and the Plus. We did ask Qualcomm about this but they are not ready to comment at this time.

We still don't have a launch date for the first Snapdragon X Elite or Snapdragon X Plus laptops. However, with Computex just around the corner, we do expect to hear more on that front soon. Additionally, Microsoft Build is coming up in late May, so we may hear more about the latest improvements for Windows on ARM.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru Says: We've been slowly learning more about these processors over the last six months. Hopefully once Computex rolls around, the launch plan will be made clear.

The next ‘special event' from Apple is taking place on the 7th of May at 7AM PT. Press invites have started going out to members of the media and the invitation image clearly shows the Apple Pencil being used and from the looks of it, it may have been produced on an iPad with an Apple Pencil. This lines up with recent rumours of new iPads coming up.

Recent reports have claimed that a new generation of iPad Pros will finally feature OLED displays, an upgrade that many have been waiting for. By comparison, the iPhone made the jump to OLED back in 2018.

As The Verge points out, we may also see other hardware upgrades, such as an M3 processor option. This would allow new iPads to run new AAA games like Death Stranding and Resident Evil Village even better. We'll no doubt see some newly upgraded accessories too, like a new Magic Keyboard and perhaps an improved Apple Pencil.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Do you currently use an iPad regularly? Would you be looking to upgrade to an OLED model? 

Described as “THE GOD-TIER OF MOBILE GAMING” and costing a hefty £149.99, the Razer Kishi Ultra takes much of its hardware from the Kishi V2  but alters it for greater adaptability.

As is in the name itself, the Kishi Ultra is able to support a much wider range of screen sizes. While it will still work on your regular smartphone, the Kishi Ultra also offers enough stretch to fit up to 8-inch tablet devices.

Alongside this, the Ultra also adds a few new extras in the form of Razer Sensa HD Haptics for added immersion – as well as the expected suite of customisable RGB lighting.

As mentioned, the controller connects through USB-C for minimal latency, alongside passthrough charging and external data connection – meaning it can be used as a standalone controller (even if it would look a bit odd doing so).

Costing twice as much as a PS5 DualSense controller, the Razer Kishi Ultra won’t be for everyone. That said, for those who enjoy mobile gaming in all forms, the Kishi Ultra might be exactly what you were looking for.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of the Kishi Ultra? Is the price too steep? What type of gaming do you do on mobile? Let us know down below.

As reported by Digital Trends, Sonic Dream Team is set to get an update tomorrow which will bring with it quite a bit of new content.

Firstly, the team is adding a whole new zone in the form of ‘Sweet Dreams Zone’ – which will be further enhanced by the game’s new ranking system, allowing players to achieve the iconic S-Rank across all levels. Finally, the update will also introduce new collectibles for you to find and acquire.

When asked whether the popular anti-hero Shadow the Hedgehog would be added in a future update, the team stated that they would “love to” but did not confirm whether this would indeed be happening at some point.

Sonic Dream Team was received positively from fans of the series, with many praising the game’s structure and level design. Hopefully, once all the free updates have been released, SEGA is able to bring Sonic Dream Team to more platforms. We will have to wait and see.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of Sonic Dream Team? Are you excited for the update? Do you think the game will come to more platforms? Let us know down below.

Making the announcement on its developer website, Apple officially unveiled its latest App Store policy changes, with section 4.7 stating: “Apps may offer certain software that is not embedded in the binary, specifically HTML5 mini apps and mini games, streaming games, chatbots, and plug-ins. Additionally, retro game console emulator apps can offer to download games.”

As with all emulators, players will have to source their own game files – by ripping your legitimate copies of retro titles of course.

This change comes at an interesting inflection point for game emulation, with Nintendo recently suing Switch emulator ‘Yuzu’ to the tune of $2.4 million; scaring many others into hiding as a result.

With Apple now allowing emulators onto their App Store, hopefully it lends further credibility to the emulation industry.

KitGuru says: Are you excited for this change? What recent policy update are you most pleased to see? What does Apple need to change/improve next in this area? Let us know down below.

Features

• Power to game, power to create
  More power, enhanced speed, superior cooling, massive storage. More of everything you need to play and create at full throttle is built into the OMEN Transcend 14.
• Go anywhere, do anything
  Unlock the performance you need for powerful play and unlimited creativity with up to an AI-enhanced Intel Core Ultra 9 Processor and lightning speeds of Wi-Fi 7.
• Shades of performance
  Available in your choice of sleek Shadow Black or pristine Ceramic White, the Transcend 14 turns heads before you turn it on.
• Stay at your coolest anywhere
  Whether it’s the heat of a gaming battle or an intense video editing session, Tempest Cooling Go makes the Transcend 14 the coolest laptop on earth. Intel hyperbaric cooling technology creates a pressurized zone for high-efficiency heat exchange and unparalleled cooling performance.
• Versatile, portable, powerful
  It’s not just one of the world's lightest 14-inch gaming laptops, it’s also the most versatile. Charge faster, play longer, and create anywhere.

Specification

• CPU: Intel Core Ultra 7 155H (6P + 8E + 2LP cores/22 Threads) 45W TDP
• Screen 14.0-inch 2.8K (2,880 x 1,800) 120Hz OLED, 400 nits, variable refresh
• Graphics: Nvidia RTX 4060 Laptop 8GB and Intel Arc Graphics
• Memory: 32GB LPDDR5X-7467 dual channel
• Storage: 1TB WD SN810 Gen 4.0
• Networking: Intel Wi-Fi 7 BE200, BT 5.4, no Ethernet
• I/O ports:
  • 1x Thunderbolt 4 Type-C 40Gbps and combo audio jack on left hand side
  • 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A 10Gbps on right hand side
  • 1x USB Type-C 10Gbps up to 140W charging and HDMI 2.1 on rear
• Battery: 6-cell, 5,830mAh, 71Wh Li-Ion
• Dimensions 313mm x 233.5mm x 17.99mm
• Weight 1.64kg plus 500g for 140W USB-C power supply
• Windows 11 Home

For context, Call of Duty released a bespoke mobile title known as COD Mobile back in 2019. Developed outside of Activision, the free-to-play title launched to massive success – becoming one of the largest mobile game launches ever.

Warzone Mobile on the other hand is a more direct port of the current console Warzone experience, with the game built using the IW Engine and allowing for cross-progression with MWIII and Warzone proper.

Despite amassing over 50 million pre-registrations and in many ways being objectively superior to the old COD Mobile, Warzone Mobile has failed to live up to expectations so far.

As reported by Pocket Gamer, in its first 4 days on the market, COD Warzone: Mobile generated $1.4 million. While certainly nothing to sniff at, the figure pales in comparison to the OG COD Mobile, which generated $4.2 million in its first 4 days.

That said, with Warzone Mobile presumably having over 50 million downloads (alongside cross-progression), it will be interesting to see whether the game will eventually surpass its predecessor.

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KitGuru says: Have you played Warzone Mobile? What do you think? How does it compare to the original COD Mobile? Let us know down below.

Making the announcement on their blog, Call of Duty’s Valerie Lee said “It’s here! Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile has arrived worldwide and is available now to download for free to play on iOS and Android.”

For the uninitiated, Warzone Mobile is a separate release to the already-existing COD Mobile. Built on the IW engine used to power the modern COD titles, Warzone Mobile is much closer to a full blown console-like experience.

This is even more so the case thanks to cross-progression for all aspects of the game with both Warzone proper and Modern Warfare III – meaning you can now XP grind on the toilet.

Despite its name, Warzone Mobile includes much more than just the Battle Royale mode, with a “selection of classic Multiplayer maps and modes” including Shipment, Shoot House and Scrapyard being thrown in for added measure.

It’s been a long time coming, but Call of Duty Warzone Mobile is finally here.

KitGuru says: Will you give the game a shot? Did you play the previous COD Mobile? How do the two compare? Let us know down below.

ITHome (via Wccftech) brought the release date of the protective cases to our attention. While it is exciting to hear about the potential release of the M3 iPad Pro, we should take the rumoured date of March 26th with a grain of salt, as there isn't any concrete evidence to support it.

The M3 iPad Pro is expected to be announced via a simple press release, similar to the M3 MacBook Air. Besides packing the new M3 chip, the upcoming iPad Pro tablets are expected to use OLED instead of mini-LED panels, theoretically allowing Apple to make the new devices thinner than their predecessors.

Other possible changes would include the inclusion of MagSafe wireless charging and small design modifications. Additionally, Apple might announce a new Magic Keyboard attachment featuring a larger trackpad and an aluminium deck, giving the iPad Pro a similar look and feel to a MacBook keyboard.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: The iPad Pro has been due an OLED upgrade for quite some time. It has been rumoured time and again, but perhaps 2024 will finally be the year. With the new M3 chip, it will also be interesting to go back and see how games like Death Stranding and Resident Evil Village perform. 

Announced during GDC and via Twitter, Epic revealed to fans that “We’re coming to iOS and Android! Same fair terms, available to all developers, on a true multi-platform store –  with amazing games for everyone.”

The app will arrive at some point before the end of the year; its release coinciding with the official relaunch of Fortnite on iOS.

Epic Games have been fighting to have their own store front in the mobile space for quite some time now. It will be interesting to see how Epic proceeds, and whether it will all have been worth it for them.

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KitGuru says: What do you think of this announcement? How big of a deal is this? Let us know your thoughts down below.