Connect with us
https://yoursportsnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/call-to-1.png

Technology

The Backbone Pro is almost the perfect controller for all your gaming

Published

8 months ago

on


Hi, friends! Welcome to Installer No. 82, your guide to the best and Verge-iest stuff in the world. (If you’re new here, welcome, hope you’re caught up on Andor, and also you can read all the old editions at the Installer homepage.)

This week, I’ve been reading about AI prophets and ChatGPT cheaters and the lives of NFL prospects, watching the new season of Taskmaster and a whole bunch of Mulan, playing PGA Tour Pro Golf on my iPhone and the original Mario Golf on my Switch, finally getting into Barbarians at the Gate, and doing a lot of eBay shopping for vintage gadgets. For work, I swear.

I also have for you a great new gaming controller, a podcast about emojis, a new super-high-end fitness tracker, a whole bunch of GTA VI content, and much more. Fun, gadgety week this week! Let’s get into it.

(As always, the best part of Installer is your ideas and tips. What are you watching / reading / playing / listening to / learning on the harpsichord this week? What should everyone else be into right now, too? Tell me everything: installer@theverge.com. And if you know someone else who might enjoy Installer, forward it to them and tell them to subscribe here.)

  • The Backbone Pro. I’ve had and loved a Backbone controller for a while — it’s a terrific gaming accessory for your phone. The new model is even more ambitious; in addition to your phone, it can also connect wirelessly to iPads, Steam Decks, smart TVs, and more. No Switch or Xbox or PS5, for annoying reasons, but still a great cross-device idea.
  • “Emoji Law.” An instant classic of a 99 Percent Invisible episode, about how a thumbs-up emoji in response to a contract proposal turned into a huge lawsuit over what a thumbs-up emoji actually means. A wonky story in the absolute best way, and a great listen.
  • The Microsoft Surface Pro 12. I remain slightly skeptical that any Windows on ARM device can be truly great, but it looks like Microsoft got the spec sheet right with this one. The Pro is thin and light, powerful enough, with good battery life, and starts at $800… I have high hopes for this one.
  • Poker Face season two. This show never quite got its due, I assume mostly because it’s on Peacock and nobody really cares about Peacock. (Disclosure: Comcast, which owns Peacock, is a minority investor in Vox Media.) But it’s a terrific mystery show, and the second season is just as surprising and bizarre as the first.
  • Amazon Kindle for iOS. This is mostly a PSA: thanks to the recent ruling against Apple, developers like Amazon can now include links to buy stuff on the web. Amazon’s one of the first I’ve seen to take advantage — you can just click to buy a book! What a world! Delta and other apps are also already changing how you pay for stuff, and there’s surely more to come soon.
  • “Handhelds (and Games) I’m Playing Right Now.” A fun Retro Games Corp tour of a bunch of interesting and fun handheld consoles — including a couple I didn’t know about before — and some fun games to play on them. I have trouble keeping all the retro handheld stuff straight, and this video was super helpful.
  • Whoop 5.0. Whoop has always been a little too much for me. It’s a great fitness tracker for, like, pro athletes, but it’s more than most people need. The new one, though, is smaller and longer-lasting and more focused on overall health tracking. It’s still a lot of metrics, though, and you’ll pay up to $359 a year to get all of them.
  • “GTA 6 TRAILER 2 REACTION & BREAKDOWN.” Two full hours of frame-by-frame review of a two-minute trailer for a game that’s not coming out for a year, from a big name in GTA streaming, who spends half the stream just being blown away by the graphics? Yes, please. I watched the whole thing without even meaning to.

I’ve mentioned this before here, but I have a real weakness for notebooks. On some level this makes no sense: I type all day, I write by hand hardly ever, and my handwriting is horrific. And yet there’s nothing I love more than the look and feel of a really nice notebook. I’ve been a fan of the Sidekick Notepad from Cortex for a while, and was very excited to see the launch of the Sidekick Pocket this week. There are three flavors of the new mini notebook: one with lined paper, one with a dot grid, and one just for writing checklists. The correct answer is all three.

One half of the Cortex team is Myke Hurley, who you might also know as the cofounder of the Relay podcast network and the host of tech-focused shows like Connected and Upgrade. I’ve been a fan of Myke for a long time, and wanted to see how a guy who makes lovely notebooks thinks about his phone.

Here’s Myke’s homescreen, plus some info on the apps he uses and why:

Three screenshots of an iOS homescreen.

The phone: iPhone 16 Pro in Desert Titanium. I am in the No Case Club with my iPhone (although I love my MagSafe Popsocket to help with grip), so I like to have a phone with as much color as Apple will give me.

The wallpaper: This is a photo of the wallpaper in The Beverly Hills Hotel, which I took while on holiday in LA last year. This wallpaper gives me joy, even though my friends REPEATEDLY tell me that it makes my homescreen too busy. But it’s my phone!

The apps: Apple Notes, ChatGPT, Citymapper, Mango Baby, Photos, Instagram, Messages, Readwise Reader, Todoist, Notion, Safari, Overcast, GameTrack, Owlet Dream, Kindle.

As you can see, I love widgets on my homescreen, and I use stacks quite a bit. So you see Carrot and Due there, for instance, but they are hiding widgets for Fantastical and Reminders, respectively.

I find myself using ChatGPT more and more to replace Google Search. Being able to ask follow-up questions about what I’m searching for is very powerful, and often helps me find what I want.

My wife and I recently had our first child, and we have been using Mango Baby to track all the important things you need to track for baby health. It’s made by a single developer, it looks great, and it supports all the new Apple technologies like interactive widgets and live activities.

I have recently taken all text-based social media off my phone, and am trying to do these things on work devices only, in an effort to be less distracted. So I have started saving articles to Readwise Reader. I really like the way the app looks and works — but I especially like its highlighting features.

I really love Widgetsmith’s photo widgets. The built-in widget from Apple is good, but you never know what it’s going to show you.

I also asked Myke to share a few things he’s into right now. Here’s what he sent back:

  • The Studio on Apple TV Plus is my absolute favorite show right now. It’s an incredibly fun and entertaining show that’s also a technical masterpiece. Everything I see about how this show is made just makes me love and respect it more.
  • Kinda Funny Games is a gaming-focused YouTube channel / podcast network that brings me so much joy. It’s an 11-person company based in San Francisco, and they produce multiple shows every day. The gang has such great camaraderie I feel like I am hanging out with friends when I tune in.
  • If you’re not listening to The Rest is History, you should change that. It’s an incredible history podcast hosted by Tom Holland (not that one) and Dominic Sandbrook. They have a way of bringing history to life that I find so compelling. There are so many amazing series of episodes to go through, but I recommend the episodes on the Assassination of JFK as a good place to start.

Here’s what the Installer community is into this week. I want to know what you’re into right now as well! Email installer@theverge.com or message me on Signal — @davidpierce.11 — with your recommendations for anything and everything, and we’ll feature some of our favorites here every week. For even more great recommendations, check out the replies to this post on Threads and this post on Bluesky.

“I’ve started playing another daily word game called Raddle. It’s a word ladder where you have to get from one word (or phrase) to another, but instead of just changing one letter like in a traditional word ladder there are a series of clues like ‘replace the middle letter with a double letter to get a time of day.’ The catch is that the clues are in a random order so you need to figure out which clue applies right now.” — Kyle

“The Seat on Netflix, despite the very cringe WhatsApp sponsoring, is a fascinating watch of a prodigy kid still living with his parents who’s about to join one of the top F1 teams. What Drive to Survive could have been.” — Greg

“Just got done with Nexus: A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI, and enjoyed it.” — Hobie

“Pocket Casts launched transcripts finally! Only for Plus and Patron members, it looks like, but if I wasn’t already a Plus member, this would’ve instantly made me one. This will help my constant struggle of wanting to switch to Apple Podcasts significantly.” — Omesh

“After Omnivore shut down, I got stressed and started looking into self hosting. Struggled until I set up YunoHost to self host Wallabag and Miniflux on a Raspberry Pi.” — Ronin

“I’ve been playing Kero Kero Cowboy for Game Boy, which just got released after a successful Kickstarter. It has strong Kirby vibes and has been a blast so far.” — Justin

“I’m looking at the Alfred Field Guide from MacSparky, and trying to see if I can fit it into my budget this month. Been a Powerpack user for years, but I’ve never learned the ins and outs.” — Ben

“The Pitt on Max is the best new show I’ve seen this year.” — Yury

“I’ve basically sunk my week into Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. I don’t want to sound overly dramatic, but I think it’s the biggest jump in mature video game storytelling since The Witcher 3. Cyberpunk 2077 and Baldur’s Gate 3 improved on The Witcher, but CO feels like something entirely new.” — Laszlo

I’ve gotten a couple of emails in the last few weeks that all say basically the same thing: dude, you need to jailbreak your Kindle. The pitch makes a lot of sense! The Kindle is a lovely piece of hardware that is annoyingly tied to all of Amazon’s weird ideas about software and books.

I’ve spent some time this week on YouTube watching people jailbreak their e-readers — Dammit Jeff has a great explainer, as does Simon Feilder — and they all show that the Kindle can be a much more interesting and versatile device. Also, people really like KOReader. Amazon, of course, does not want you to do any of this; it already patched some of the jailbreak exploits, and I assume this cat-and-mouse game will continue forever. But I will be jailbreaking my Paperwhite as soon as I can, and I will report back.



Link

9
Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Technology

performance-driven gaming monitors : gaming monitor

Published

2 hours ago

on

January 7, 2026

By


Acer has announced a new lineup of displays and a projector, headlined by the Predator XB273U F6 gaming monitor. This innovation is distinguished by its capability to achieve an exceptionally high refresh rate.

The Predator XB273U F6 is, thus, primarily targeted at professional and aspiring esports athletes for whom the minuscule reduction in motion blur and input lag provided by a 1000 Hz refresh rate could confer a tangible competitive edge in fast-paced titles.

The Predator XB273U F6 gaming monitor, along with the other introduced models — the Predator X34 F3 with QD-OLED technology, the Nitro XV270X P with 5K resolution, the ProDesigner PE320QX 6K monitor for creators, and the Vero HL1820 4K laser projector — represent a broad expansion of the company’s visual technology portfolio. With it, Acer targets both competitive gaming and professional content creation.



Link

4
Continue Reading

Technology

REDMAGIC Astra Gaming Tablet Arrives in Korea with Snapdragon 8 Elite and 165Hz OLED

Published

3 hours ago

on

January 7, 2026

By


SHENZHEN, China, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — REDMAGIC, a global leader in gaming technology, today announces the arrival of the REDMAGIC Astra Gaming Tablet in South Korea as part of its global rollout. Built for competitive mobile gamers and creators who want flagship performance in a compact form factor, Astra combines a Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset with a 9.06-inch 2.4K (2400×1504) 165Hz OLED display, ICE-X cooling, and an 8,200mAh battery.

REDMAGIC Astra Gaming Tablet
REDMAGIC Astra Gaming Tablet

Compact by Design, Premium in Hand

Powered by Snapdragon 8 Elite with LPDDR5T RAM and UFS 4.1 Pro storage, Astra is tuned for high frame rates, fast app launches, and stable multitasking. The dedicated RedCore R3 Pro gaming co-processor helps optimize rendering, thermal control, battery behavior, and system tuning—supporting consistent performance during extended gameplay. Astra is available in multiple configurations, offering up to 24GB RAM and up to 1TB storage (varies by model).

OLED Clarity, Ultra-Responsive Touch

The 9.06-inch OLED display delivers vivid color, deep blacks, and smooth motion with a 165Hz refresh rate and peak brightness up to 1,600 nits. Co-developed with Synaptics, Astra features next-generation touch technology with up to a 2,000Hz instant touch sampling rate for fast, accurate input—even with sweaty hands. SGS Low Blue Light and Flicker-Free certifications help support eye comfort.

ICE-X Cooling for Sustained Gameplay

Astra integrates a 13-layer ICE-X thermal system featuring Liquid Metal 2.0, dual vapor chambers, and REDMAGIC’s high-speed turbofan (up to 20,000 RPM) to improve heat dissipation and reduce throttling under heavy loads.

All-Day Battery and Fast Charging

The 8,200mAh battery is built for long gaming and entertainment sessions. Astra supports fast charging and charge separation technology to reduce heat while plugged in and help protect long-term battery health.

Productivity and Connectivity

With USB-C (USB 3.2 Gen 2) for up to 10Gbps data transfer, OTG support, and DisplayPort video output, Astra connects easily to external displays, controllers, keyboards, and SSDs. Running REDMAGIC OS 10.5 based on Android 15, it also integrates Google Gemini features for everyday productivity.

Pricing and Availability (Korea)

Astra will be available on the official REDMAGIC online store and Coupang.

  • Open Sales: January 6, 2026 (21:00 KST)

Official Store MSRP (Korea)

  • 12GB+256GB: ₩799,000
  • 16GB+512GB: ₩999,000
  • Golden Saga model: ₩1,399,000

Launch Promotion (Jan 6–13, 2026, official store)

  • ₩50,000 off all models: ₩749,000 / ₩949,000 / ₩1,349,000
  • Free 80W charger (approx. ₩50,000 value)

Online Stores

About REDMAGIC
We established REDMAGIC in 2018 with the dream of making it the world’s brand of choice for mobile gaming. Our motto, Win More Games, is brought to life by our collection of gaming gear that includes gaming phones and accessories, as well as PC equipment and devices to keep you connected to the internet. REDMAGIC has built a solid reputation with gamers worldwide for its performance, and we’ve amassed a global reach of 30 countries and regions to make us one of the best gaming smartphone manufacturers in the market. In Korea, REDMAGIC aims to offer an alternative for gamers who want a device built purely for performance, beyond the mainstream smartphone and tablet brands.



Link

4
Continue Reading

Technology

performance-driven gaming monitors : gaming monitor

Published

7 hours ago

on

January 6, 2026

By


Acer has announced a new lineup of displays and a projector, headlined by the Predator XB273U F6 gaming monitor. This innovation is distinguished by its capability to achieve an exceptionally high refresh rate.

The Predator XB273U F6 is, thus, primarily targeted at professional and aspiring esports athletes for whom the minuscule reduction in motion blur and input lag provided by a 1000 Hz refresh rate could confer a tangible competitive edge in fast-paced titles.

The Predator XB273U F6 gaming monitor, along with the other introduced models — the Predator X34 F3 with QD-OLED technology, the Nitro XV270X P with 5K resolution, the ProDesigner PE320QX 6K monitor for creators, and the Vero HL1820 4K laser projector — represent a broad expansion of the company’s visual technology portfolio. With it, Acer targets both competitive gaming and professional content creation.

Image Credit: Acer



Link

6
Continue Reading

Technology

Top 100 Video Games Expert Witnesses: Hire #1 Scott Steinberg

Published

10 hours ago

on

January 6, 2026

By


Top 100 video games expert witnesses and gaming testimony consultants advise that the industry is one of the fastest‑growing entertainment sectors in the world, generating billions in revenue each year across consoles, PCs, and mobile platforms. From intellectual property disputes to esports governance, matters Top 100 video games expert witnesses list choices cover also include monetization practices, age ratings, user experience, algorithmic design, and platform competition. Legal cases increasingly require SMEs, KOLs and consulting advisors who understand not only games themselves, but also their social, economic, and technological implications.

A typical sight on any such Top 100 video games expert witnesses lineup is Scott Steinberg, a management consultant, media strategist, and gaming industry analyst that’s been a consultant for over 3000+ brands including leading developers, publishers and distributors. The advisor’s broad understanding of digital ecosystems, consumer behavior, platform economics, and interactive experiences makes him a compelling thought leader in gaming litigation and advisory roles.

Also a skim of global Top 100 video games expert witnesses reveals celebrity actors, musicians, authors, athletes, game designers, and founders/CEOs from video game, retail, eCommerce, technology, and AI companies. Each has influenced, been involved with, or advised on varying aspects of gaming culture, technology, monetization, or consumption. And of course Top 100 video games expert witnesses perspectives span creative development, platform leadership, esports, brand collaborations, and consumer engagement.

  1. Scott Steinberg — Gaming Analyst, Business Consultant & Digital Strategy Expert for 3000 Brands

The bestselling author and 21st Century Icon Award-winner analyzes gaming trends, platform dynamics, user engagement, and emerging technologies, providing nuanced expert testimony on topics such as interactive experiences, game design, monetization strategy, and digital community behavior.

Celebrity & Cultural Video Game Authorities (Actors, Musicians, Authors & Athletes)

Public figures have engaged with gaming culture, lent their likeness or voice to titles, invested in gaming companies, or influenced gaming communities — offering valuable insights into cultural impact, branding, and user engagement.

  1. Keanu Reeves — Voice/character roles in major titles
  2. Norman Reedus — Gaming collaborations
  3. Troy Baker — Voice acting legends
  4. Ashley Johnson — Iconic game performances
  5. Ellen Page (Elliot Page) — Role in story‑driven titles
  6. Vin Diesel — Licensed character ventures
  7. Michael B. Jordan — Game ambassador & fan engagement
  8. Jack Black — Gaming culture presence
  9. Drake — Fortnite appearance & esports affiliations
  10. Snoop Dogg — Gaming collaborations & streaming
  11. Post Malone — Game soundtrack features
  12. Travis Scott — In‑game events and music
  13. Eminem — Music licensing & gaming culture
  14. Bill Murray — Special game projects
  15. Rosario Dawson — Game voice performances
  16. Pedro Pascal — Gaming roles & influence
  17. Jason Momoa — Brand & game partnerships
  18. Henry Cavill — Witcher series visibility
  19. Brie Larson — Gaming advocacy & storytelling
  20. Gal Gadot — Interactive narrative insight
  21. Zendaya — Cultural resonance in gaming
  22. Keegan‑Michael Key — Voice acting & comedy in games
  23. Kumail Nanjiani — Gamer culture advocate
  24. Maisie Williams — Esports ambassador roles

Game Designers & Creators

Have impacted foundational titles, built influential studios, and helped define game development practices.

  1. Shigeru Miyamoto — Nintendo legend
  2. Hideo Kojima — Creator, Metal Gear & narrative innovation
  3. Gabe Newell — Co‑founder, Valve
  4. Todd Howard — Bethesda Game Studios
  5. Neil Druckmann — Narrative excellence
  6. Cory Barlog — Narrative & action design
  7. Todd McFarlane — Creator & game collaborator
  8. Tim Schafer — Comedy & creative design
  9. Amy Hennig — Story‑driven game design
  10. Cliff Bleszinski — Competitive shooter design
  11. Markus “Notch” Persson — Minecraft architect
  12. Jenova Chen — Emotional game design
  13. Masahiro Sakurai — Competitive balance expertise
  14. Kazunori Yamauchi — Racing game systems
  15. Warren Spector — Systemic design pioneer

Founders & CEOs — Video Game, Tech & Platforms

Helped build platforms, ecosystems, and distribution models critical to how games are sold, shared, and monetized.

  1. Phil Spencer — Head of Xbox
  2. Andrew Wilson — Former CEO, EA
  3. Bobby Kotick — Former CEO, Activision Blizzard
  4. Strauss Zelnick — CEO, Take‑Two Interactive
  5. Yves Guillemot — CEO, Ubisoft
  6. Hideki Yasuda — CEO, Sega
  7. Daigo Umehara — Esports icon & competitive insight
  8. Min‑Liang Tan — CEO, Razer
  9. Shigeru Miyamoto — Creator, Super Mario Bros.
  10. Jeff Kaplan — Game direction expert
  11. Bonnie Ross — Halo franchise leadership
  12. Jen Taylor — Voice & casting expert
  13. Satya Nadella — Cloud gaming influence
  14. Sundar Pichai — Web game platforms
  15. Tim Sweeney — Epic Games & Unreal Engine

Retail & eCommerce Gaming Experts

Guide how games are sold, marketed, and discovered in digital marketplaces and retail channels.

  1. Jeff Bezos — Amazon & digital distribution
  2. Andy Jassy — Cloud gaming infrastructure
  3. Doug McMillon — Retail strategy & digital sales
  4. Brian Cornell — Target’s digital entertainment strategy
  5. Rosalind Brewer — Retail entertainment initiatives
  6. Katrina Lake — Fashion & lifestyle gaming crossovers
  7. Andrea Weiss — Digital retail experience
  8. Keith Weed — Brand & game marketing
  9. Marc Pritchard — Consumer behavior insights
  10. Antonio Lucio — Brand strategy in digital retail

Banking, Payments & Monetization Technology Leaders

Monetization systems, in‑game payments, and digital transactions are pivotal in gaming economics and require expert testimony on compliance, risk, and consumer behavior.

  1. Dan Schulman — Payments revolution
  2. Max Levchin — Digital finance & credit
  3. Chris Britt — Banking innovation insights
  4. Ajay Banga — Global payment platforms
  5. Jane Fraser — Regulatory compliance
  6. Jamie Dimon — Financial ecosystem strategy
  7. Thasunda Brown Duckett — Consumer finance
  8. Adena Friedman — Exchange & digital assets
  9. Cathy Bessant — Tech & finance convergence
  10. Richard Branson — Gaming and wagering pioneer

AI & Technology Innovators — Gaming & Platforms

Artificial intelligence, procedural generation, analytics, and streaming technologies are becoming central to how games evolve.

  1. Demis Hassabis — AI applications in play
  2. Fei‑Fei Li — Vision systems & human interaction
  3. Jensen Huang — GPU architecture innovation
  4. Andrew Ng — Machine learning applications
  5. Satya Nadella — Cloud & AI integration
  6. Sundar Pichai — Search & platform experience
  7. Tim Cook — Mobile gaming adoption
  8. Susan Wojcicki — Video distribution expertise
  9. Mark Zuckerberg — Social interaction & VR
  10. Kevin Systrom — Mobile interface design

Health, Behavior & Human Interaction Experts

Gaming intersects with cognition, behavior, addiction concerns, and educational applications.

  1. Aric Dromi Jankov — Game psychology & resilience
  2. David Thomas — Learning through play
  3. Jesper Juul — Game studies & player experience
  4. Mark Pincus — Social game design
  5. Tim Rosato — Game‑based learning
  6. Adam Grant — Game theory & interaction
  7. Chris Taylor — Design in games
  8. Richard Bartle — MUD & player types
  9. Trip Hawkins — Game entrepreneurship
  10. Chris Crawford — Virtual economies

Game Culture & Industry Thought Leaders

  1. Ernest Cline — Author on gaming culture
  2. Cory Doctorow — Digital rights & gaming
  3. Chris Zimmerman — Game criticism & culture
  4. Pokimane — Industry broadcasting
  5. Mr. Beast — Gaming community evangelist

Testifying Consulting Pros for Law Firms

Top 100 video games expert witnesses turn complexity, user experience, monetization strategies, platform dynamics, and cultural impact into clear, credible testimony. Regardless of if addressing disputes over copyright, platform governance, monetization compliance, esports regulation, user safety, age ratings, or digital distribution, testifying consultants pair legal standards with real industry practice.



Link

5
Continue Reading

Technology

ASUS Republic of Gamers Presents Next-Gen Gaming Innovations, Commemorates 20 Years of Gaming Excellence at CES 2026

Published

14 hours ago

on

January 6, 2026

By


ASUS Computer International
ASUS Computer International

ROG showcases world-first technologies, next-generation gaming systems, and visionary collaborations that redefine gaming experiences

KEY POINTS

  • Two decades of gaming leadership: At its Dare to Innovate virtual event, ROG celebrates 20 years of fearless experimentation and bold innovation

  • Cross-domain collaborations: ROG and Kojima Productions sign a signature ROG Flow Z13-KJP special edition device and peripherals

  • World’s first dual 16″ screen gaming laptop: ROG raises the bar of innovation to a whole new level with the pioneering Zephyrus Duo 

ASUS Republic of Gamers Presents Next-Gen Gaming Innovations, Commemorates 20 Years of Gaming Excellence at CES 2026
ASUS Republic of Gamers Presents Next-Gen Gaming Innovations, Commemorates 20 Years of Gaming Excellence at CES 2026

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) today announced its Dare to Innovate virtual event at CES 2026, unveiling the next chapter of its vision for gaming performance, design, and culture. The showcase celebrates 20 years of fearless innovation, highlighting breakthrough technologies that empower gamers and creators, while reinforcing ROG’s commitment to redefining gameplay, creation, and competitive performance worldwide.

On this 20-year milestone, ROG reflects on a legacy defined by bold concepts, pioneering engineering, and an unwavering dedication to its global community. ROG also extends its influence beyond technology into culture through global co-branding partnerships that merge gaming with music, fashion, art, and entertainment. Collaborations with creators and iconic franchises, including Kojima Productions, empower players to co-create within a growing, cross-domain ecosystem, reinforcing ROG’s role in shaping gaming identity and community worldwide.

ROG remains committed to pioneering the future of gaming, transforming daring visions into experiences that inspire every player to push beyond boundaries. Attendees at CES 2026 in Las Vegas can explore the latest ROG creations firsthand at The Venetian Expo, Level 3, San Polo #3403, from January 5 to 8, 2026 with a lot more announcements, including motherboards, displays, coolers, peripherals and more.

ROG Zephyrus laptops: immersive, AI-powered, and ultraportable

Designed for those who need performance on the go, the Zephyrus line-up delivers all-day power and stunning visuals in a sleek, ultraportable chassis. With smart AI features and efficient cooling, it keeps creators and gamers productive and immersed wherever they are.

ROG Zephyrus G14 and G16

This generation’s ROG Zephyrus G14 (GU405/GA403) and ROG Zephyrus G16 (GU606) redefine what compact performance can deliver, featuring next-gen processing power and a new HDR-class display that delivers higher brightness and visual depth for gamers who want more capabilities in the same sleek footprint.

The Zephyrus G14 (GU405) and G16 (GU606) feature Intel® Core™ Ultra Series 3 processors, delivering flexible performance and up to 50 TOPS of NPU power for local AI tasks and in-game AI workflows. The G14 GU405 supports up to an NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 5080 Laptop GPU, and the G16 GU606 up to GeForce RTX 5090, with NVIDIA Blackwell architecture, DLSS 4, and Frame Generation.

For more performance, the max GPU TGP has been increased by up to 23% in manual mode, from 120W to 130W on the G14 and 130W to 160W on the G16. The G14 (GA403) is also available with up to an AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 470 processor, offering Copilot+ certification and local AI execution.

With 50 TOPS of NPU performance and Copilot+, these laptops bring AI-powered acceleration directly to the device for gaming, creating, and multitasking — without relying on the cloud. ROG Intelligent Cooling keeps both models quiet and efficient under load, with a redesigned bottom panel, optimized exhaust vents, and liquid metal on the CPU.

In terms of display, they now feature a new 1100-nit Nebula HDR display with Nebula HDR engine tuning, delivering richer highlights, deeper contrast, and more lifelike HDR visuals, while providing 100% DCI-P3 coverage and Delta E < 1 color accuracy for cinema-grade quality. Extended battery life ensures productivity throughout the day. The laptop also adds a full-size SD card reader for easy media transfer. Powerful as it is, the G14 features a CNC-milled aluminum chassis with a redesigned Slash lighting and glass-mirror finish, combining performance, portability, and style.

ROG Zephyrus Duo

The dual-screen ROG Zephyrus Duo (GX651) takes versatility to the next level. Its dual 3K ROG Nebula HDR OLED touchscreens run at 120Hz with a 0.2ms response time, providing smooth, tear-free visuals while supporting multitasking for gaming, streaming, or creative workflows, and the main panel supports NVIDIA G-SYNC®. Powered by the latest Intel processor and up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU, it handles demanding games, content creation, and AI workloads with ease. ROG Zephyrus Duo enables five operating modes to suit any scenario, while ROG Intelligent Cooling — featuring a vapor chamber, dual fans, and a dedicated graphite sheet — all combine together to provide the best possible performance, providing ultimate flexibility for work, play, and creation.

ROG x Kojima Productions: a visionary gaming collaboration

ROG has partnered with Kojima Productions to merge high-performance gaming technology with visionary storytelling and artistry. The collaboration celebrates creativity, exploration, and immersive experiences, bringing gamers, creators, and dreamers a collection of devices and peripherals that are as functional as they are collectible.

The ROG Flow Z13-KJP stands at the center of this collaboration, merging two decades of ROG’s gaming innovation with Kojima Productions’ visionary storytelling. Designed to reflect and reimagine the studio’s core values, the device draws deep inspiration from its iconic mascot, Ludens. It is a flexible 2-in-1 powerhouse that transforms into a gaming console, a creator tablet, a workstation, or an ultraportable laptop. Powered by the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 processor with Radeon™ 8060S graphics and a 50 TOPS NPU, it delivers desktop-class performance and on-device AI acceleration in a tablet-sized form factor. Its 13.4-inch 2.5K Nebula HDR touchscreen with a 180Hz refresh rate and a 100% DCI-P3 color gamut offers cinematic visuals and ultra-responsive motion, while the detachable keyboard and slim chassis make play and creation possible anywhere. Designed by Yoji Shinkawa, the chassis blends art and engineering into a collectible piece, enhanced with exclusive Kojima Productions packaging, custom Armoury Crate themes, and Ludens-inspired wallpapers.

Complementing the Flow Z13-KJP are specially crafted peripherals. The ROG Delta II-KJP headset delivers lifelike audio with 50mm titanium-plated drivers, clear communication with a 10mm super-wideband microphone, DualFlow Audio for seamless dual-device connectivity, ROG SpeedNova wireless technology and up to 100 hours of battery life. The ROG Keris II Origin-KJP mouse offers lightweight 63-gram ergonomics, three-zone RGB lighting, a 42,000dpi ROG AimPoint Pro optical sensor, and SpeedNova wireless technology for precise, lag-free gameplay. Finally, the ROG Scabbard II XXL-KJP mouse pad, featuring a hand-drawn Ludens motif by Yoji Shinkawa, combines collector-worthy design with water-, oil-, and dust-repellent durability.

Together, the Flow Z13-KJP and Kojima Productions peripherals deliver a fully integrated gaming ecosystem that merges performance, creativity, and artistry — turning every gaming session into an immersive, co-creative experience.

ROG G1000: a gaming desktop with holographic innovation

The ROG G1000 redefines what a gaming desktop can be, combining extreme performance with show-stopping innovation. At its core, the built-in AniMe Holo fan is the world’s first holographic fan system in a prebuilt gaming PC that can project customizable holographic visuals, transforming the environment into a medium of personal expression. The AniMe Holo module is housed in an independent chamber that incorporates the hinge-door design, ensuring airflow does not interfere with the main components’ thermal path and helping reduce overall system noise by limiting vibration from the Holo system. The ROG Thermal Atrium, dedicated for CPU cooling, channels fresh air through 420 mm AIO liquid cooler with three fans and isolated airflow paths, ensuring critical components remain cool and stable during extended gaming sessions. Equipped with ROG Astral GeForce RTX 5090 / 5080, ROG Strix GeForce RTX 5070 Ti, or AMD Radeon 9070XT GPUs, up to 128GB DDR5 memory, and up to a 4TB PCIe® 5.0 SSD, the G1000 is tuned and ready for peak performance from day one. The 104L ATX ultra tower chassis enhances airflow, accommodates larger cooling hardware, and supports easy maintenance, while the Fan Key provides instant one-touch thermal boost. Customization is extensive with Armoury Crate and Aura Sync, letting users control RGB lighting across GPU, cooling fans, water-cooling blocks, and the AniMe Holo, delivering a system that is as visually striking as it is powerful. With every unit validated for stability and backed by comprehensive ROG service, the G1000 gives gamers and creators the confidence to push limits without compromise.

ROG XREAL R1 Gaming Glasses: super-size your victory

The ROG XREAL R1 Gaming Glasses bring gaming into a whole new dimension with the world’s first 240Hz micro-OLED FHD AR glasses1 with ROG Control Dock. ROG has partnered with XREAL, a leader in AR glasses technology, to lead the next evolution of spatial gaming displays by combining cutting-edge engineering with ROG DNA.

The ROG XREAL R1 integrates seamlessly into the ROG ecosystem, offering extensive multidevice connectivity via the ROG Control Dock. including PC, console, and connects to ROG Ally for zero-setup, giant-screen experiences. The 1920 x 1080 resolution, 240Hz refresh rate, and ultra-low 3ms motion-to-photon latency deliver immersive visuals. The user can enjoy a 171-inch virtual screen at 4 meters with up to 57° wider field of view, while multiple aspect ratio options create an expansive, immersive gaming experience. All rendering and tracking are handled by the glasses, enabling native 3DoF Anchor mode that pins the screen alignment around the user with no input needed from a PC. Electrochromic lens technology enables the ROG XREAL R1 to automatically adjust lens transparency to adapt to different lighting conditions, while Sound by Bose provides deep immersion with precision-tuned spatial sound that creates a rich three-dimensional soundstage for incredible spatial awareness that helps players react faster to in-game events. The DisplayWidget Center software ensures intuitive control, making the ROG XREAL R1 Gaming Glasses a fully integrated, ergonomic solution for immersive gaming.

For more information, please visit https://www.asus.com/ca-en/ or contact your local ASUS representative.

NOTES TO EDITORS

ASUS CES 2026 Event: https://www.asus.com/event/ces/

ROG CES 2026 Event: https://rog.asus.com/event/ces/

ASUS Homepage: https://www.asus.com/ca-en/

ROG Homepage: https://rog.asus.com/ca-en/

ASUS Pressroom: http://press.asus.com

ASUS Canada Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/asuscanada/

ASUS Canada Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asus_ca

ASUS Canada YouTube: https://ca.asus.click/youtube

ASUS Global X (Twitter): https://www.x.com/asus

About ROG

Republic of Gamers (ROG) is an ASUS sub-brand dedicated to creating the world’s best gaming hardware and software. Formed in 2006, ROG offers a complete line of innovative products known for performance and quality, including motherboards, graphics cards, system components, laptops, desktops, monitors, smartphones, audio equipment, routers, peripherals, and accessories. ROG participates in and sponsors major international gaming events. ROG gear has been used to set hundreds of overclocking records and it continues to be the preferred choice of gamers and enthusiasts around the world. To become one of those who dare, learn more about ROG at http://rog.asus.com.

1 Based on a comparison of available AR gaming glasses as of January 2026, with refresh rate up to 240Hz

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/830505f5-8733-48fa-a05c-f861e58c218f

CONTACT: PRESS CONTACTS Media Relations ASUS Canada media.ca@asus.com Redoine Taoussi Senior Public Relations Manager Redoine_Taoussi@asus.com





Link

5
Continue Reading

Technology

ASUS Republic of Gamers Presents Next-Gen Gaming Innovations, Commemorates 20 Years of Gaming Excellence at CES 2026

Published

14 hours ago

on

January 6, 2026

By


KEY POINTS

  • Two decades of gaming leadership: At its Dare to Innovate virtual event, ROG celebrates 20 years of fearless experimentation and bold innovation
  • Cross-domain collaborations: ROG and Kojima Productions sign a signature ROG Flow Z13-KJP special edition device and peripherals
  • World’s first dual 16″ screen gaming laptop: ROG raises the bar of innovation to a whole new level with the pioneering Zephyrus Duo 

ASUS Republic of Gamers Presents Next-Gen Gaming Innovations, Commemorates 20 Years of Gaming Excellence at CES 2026

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) today announced its Dare to Innovate virtual event at CES 2026, unveiling the next chapter of its vision for gaming performance, design, and culture. The showcase celebrates 20 years of fearless innovation, highlighting breakthrough technologies that empower gamers and creators, while reinforcing ROG’s commitment to redefining gameplay, creation, and competitive performance worldwide.

On this 20-year milestone, ROG reflects on a legacy defined by bold concepts, pioneering engineering, and an unwavering dedication to its global community. ROG also extends its influence beyond technology into culture through global co-branding partnerships that merge gaming with music, fashion, art, and entertainment. Collaborations with creators and iconic franchises, including Kojima Productions, empower players to co-create within a growing, cross-domain ecosystem, reinforcing ROG’s role in shaping gaming identity and community worldwide.

ROG remains committed to pioneering the future of gaming, transforming daring visions into experiences that inspire every player to push beyond boundaries. Attendees at CES 2026 in Las Vegas can explore the latest ROG creations firsthand at The Venetian Expo, Level 3, San Polo #3403, from January 5 to 8, 2026 with a lot more announcements, including motherboards, displays, coolers, peripherals and more.

ROG Zephyrus laptops: immersive, AI-powered, and ultraportable

Designed for those who need performance on the go, the Zephyrus line-up delivers all-day power and stunning visuals in a sleek, ultraportable chassis. With smart AI features and efficient cooling, it keeps creators and gamers productive and immersed wherever they are.

ROG Zephyrus G14 and G16

This generation’s ROG Zephyrus G14 (GU405/GA403) and ROG Zephyrus G16 (GU606) redefine what compact performance can deliver, featuring next-gen processing power and a new HDR-class display that delivers higher brightness and visual depth for gamers who want more capabilities in the same sleek footprint.

The Zephyrus G14 (GU405) and G16 (GU606) feature Intel® Core™ Ultra Series 3 processors, delivering flexible performance and up to 50 TOPS of NPU power for local AI tasks and in-game AI workflows. The G14 GU405 supports up to an NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 5080 Laptop GPU, and the G16 GU606 up to GeForce RTX 5090, with NVIDIA Blackwell architecture, DLSS 4, and Frame Generation.

For more performance, the max GPU TGP has been increased by up to 23% in manual mode, from 120W to 130W on the G14 and 130W to 160W on the G16. The G14 (GA403) is also available with up to an AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 470 processor, offering Copilot+ certification and local AI execution.

With 50 TOPS of NPU performance and Copilot+, these laptops bring AI-powered acceleration directly to the device for gaming, creating, and multitasking — without relying on the cloud. ROG Intelligent Cooling keeps both models quiet and efficient under load, with a redesigned bottom panel, optimized exhaust vents, and liquid metal on the CPU.

In terms of display, they now feature a new 1100-nit Nebula HDR display with Nebula HDR engine tuning, delivering richer highlights, deeper contrast, and more lifelike HDR visuals, while providing 100% DCI-P3 coverage and Delta E < 1 color accuracy for cinema-grade quality. Extended battery life ensures productivity throughout the day. The laptop also adds a full-size SD card reader for easy media transfer. Powerful as it is, the G14 features a CNC-milled aluminum chassis with a redesigned Slash lighting and glass-mirror finish, combining performance, portability, and style.

ROG Zephyrus Duo

The dual-screen ROG Zephyrus Duo (GX651) takes versatility to the next level. Its dual 3K ROG Nebula HDR OLED touchscreens run at 120Hz with a 0.2ms response time, providing smooth, tear-free visuals while supporting multitasking for gaming, streaming, or creative workflows, and the main panel supports NVIDIA G-SYNC®. Powered by the latest Intel processor and up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU, it handles demanding games, content creation, and AI workloads with ease. ROG Zephyrus Duo enables five operating modes to suit any scenario, while ROG Intelligent Cooling — featuring a vapor chamber, dual fans, and a dedicated graphite sheet — all combine together to provide the best possible performance, providing ultimate flexibility for work, play, and creation.

ROG x Kojima Productions: a visionary gaming collaboration

ROG has partnered with Kojima Productions to merge high-performance gaming technology with visionary storytelling and artistry. The collaboration celebrates creativity, exploration, and immersive experiences, bringing gamers, creators, and dreamers a collection of devices and peripherals that are as functional as they are collectible.

The ROG Flow Z13-KJP stands at the center of this collaboration, merging two decades of ROG’s gaming innovation with Kojima Productions’ visionary storytelling. Designed to reflect and reimagine the studio’s core values, the device draws deep inspiration from its iconic mascot, Ludens. It is a flexible 2-in-1 powerhouse that transforms into a gaming console, a creator tablet, a workstation, or an ultraportable laptop. Powered by the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 processor with Radeon™ 8060S graphics and a 50 TOPS NPU, it delivers desktop-class performance and on-device AI acceleration in a tablet-sized form factor. Its 13.4-inch 2.5K Nebula HDR touchscreen with a 180Hz refresh rate and a 100% DCI-P3 color gamut offers cinematic visuals and ultra-responsive motion, while the detachable keyboard and slim chassis make play and creation possible anywhere. Designed by Yoji Shinkawa, the chassis blends art and engineering into a collectible piece, enhanced with exclusive Kojima Productions packaging, custom Armoury Crate themes, and Ludens-inspired wallpapers.

Complementing the Flow Z13-KJP are specially crafted peripherals. The ROG Delta II-KJP headset delivers lifelike audio with 50mm titanium-plated drivers, clear communication with a 10mm super-wideband microphone, DualFlow Audio for seamless dual-device connectivity, ROG SpeedNova wireless technology and up to 100 hours of battery life. The ROG Keris II Origin-KJP mouse offers lightweight 63-gram ergonomics, three-zone RGB lighting, a 42,000dpi ROG AimPoint Pro optical sensor, and SpeedNova wireless technology for precise, lag-free gameplay. Finally, the ROG Scabbard II XXL-KJP mouse pad, featuring a hand-drawn Ludens motif by Yoji Shinkawa, combines collector-worthy design with water-, oil-, and dust-repellent durability.

Together, the Flow Z13-KJP and Kojima Productions peripherals deliver a fully integrated gaming ecosystem that merges performance, creativity, and artistry — turning every gaming session into an immersive, co-creative experience.

ROG G1000: a gaming desktop with holographic innovation

The ROG G1000 redefines what a gaming desktop can be, combining extreme performance with show-stopping innovation. At its core, the built-in AniMe Holo fan is the world’s first holographic fan system in a prebuilt gaming PC that can project customizable holographic visuals, transforming the environment into a medium of personal expression. The AniMe Holo module is housed in an independent chamber that incorporates the hinge-door design, ensuring airflow does not interfere with the main components’ thermal path and helping reduce overall system noise by limiting vibration from the Holo system. The ROG Thermal Atrium, dedicated for CPU cooling, channels fresh air through 420 mm AIO liquid cooler with three fans and isolated airflow paths, ensuring critical components remain cool and stable during extended gaming sessions. Equipped with ROG Astral GeForce RTX 5090 / 5080, ROG Strix GeForce RTX 5070 Ti, or AMD Radeon 9070XT GPUs, up to 128GB DDR5 memory, and up to a 4TB PCIe® 5.0 SSD, the G1000 is tuned and ready for peak performance from day one. The 104L ATX ultra tower chassis enhances airflow, accommodates larger cooling hardware, and supports easy maintenance, while the Fan Key provides instant one-touch thermal boost. Customization is extensive with Armoury Crate and Aura Sync, letting users control RGB lighting across GPU, cooling fans, water-cooling blocks, and the AniMe Holo, delivering a system that is as visually striking as it is powerful. With every unit validated for stability and backed by comprehensive ROG service, the G1000 gives gamers and creators the confidence to push limits without compromise.

ROG XREAL R1 Gaming Glasses: super-size your victory

The ROG XREAL R1 Gaming Glasses bring gaming into a whole new dimension with the world’s first 240Hz micro-OLED FHD AR glasses1 with ROG Control Dock. ROG has partnered with XREAL, a leader in AR glasses technology, to lead the next evolution of spatial gaming displays by combining cutting-edge engineering with ROG DNA.

The ROG XREAL R1 integrates seamlessly into the ROG ecosystem, offering extensive multidevice connectivity via the ROG Control Dock. including PC, console, and connects to ROG Ally for zero-setup, giant-screen experiences. The 1920 x 1080 resolution, 240Hz refresh rate, and ultra-low 3ms motion-to-photon latency deliver immersive visuals. The user can enjoy a 171-inch virtual screen at 4 meters with up to 57° wider field of view, while multiple aspect ratio options create an expansive, immersive gaming experience. All rendering and tracking are handled by the glasses, enabling native 3DoF Anchor mode that pins the screen alignment around the user with no input needed from a PC. Electrochromic lens technology enables the ROG XREAL R1 to automatically adjust lens transparency to adapt to different lighting conditions, while Sound by Bose provides deep immersion with precision-tuned spatial sound that creates a rich three-dimensional soundstage for incredible spatial awareness that helps players react faster to in-game events. The DisplayWidget Center software ensures intuitive control, making the ROG XREAL R1 Gaming Glasses a fully integrated, ergonomic solution for immersive gaming.

For more information, please visit https://www.asus.com/ca-en/ or contact your local ASUS representative.

NOTES TO EDITORS

ASUS CES 2026 Event: https://www.asus.com/event/ces/

ROG CES 2026 Event: https://rog.asus.com/event/ces/

ASUS Homepage: https://www.asus.com/ca-en/

ROG Homepage: https://rog.asus.com/ca-en/

ASUS Pressroom: https://press.asus.com

ASUS Canada Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/asuscanada/

ASUS Canada Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asus_ca

ASUS Canada YouTube: https://ca.asus.click/youtube

ASUS Global X (Twitter): https://www.x.com/asus

About ROG

Republic of Gamers (ROG) is an ASUS sub-brand dedicated to creating the world’s best gaming hardware and software. Formed in 2006, ROG offers a complete line of innovative products known for performance and quality, including motherboards, graphics cards, system components, laptops, desktops, monitors, smartphones, audio equipment, routers, peripherals, and accessories. ROG participates in and sponsors major international gaming events. ROG gear has been used to set hundreds of overclocking records and it continues to be the preferred choice of gamers and enthusiasts around the world. To become one of those who dare, learn more about ROG at https://rog.asus.com.

1 Based on a comparison of available AR gaming glasses as of January 2026, with refresh rate up to 240Hz

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/830505f5-8733-48fa-a05c-f861e58c218f

Primary Logo





Link

6
Continue Reading
Motorsports4 weeks ago

SoundGear Named Entitlement Sponsor of Spears CARS Tour Southwest Opener
Motorsports4 weeks ago

Donny Schatz finds new home for 2026, inks full-time deal with CJB Motorsports – InForum
Rec Sports4 weeks ago

David Blitzer, Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment
NIL4 weeks ago

DeSantis Talks College Football, Calls for Reforms to NIL and Transfer Portal · The Floridian
Sports4 weeks ago

#11 Volleyball Practices, Then Meets Media Prior to #2 Kentucky Match
Motorsports4 weeks ago

Rick Ware Racing switching to Chevrolet for 2026
Sports4 weeks ago

Maine wraps up Fall Semester with a win in Black Bear Invitational
Motorsports4 weeks ago

Nascar legal saga ends as 23XI, Front Row secure settlement
Motorsports3 weeks ago

Ross Brawn to receive Autosport Gold Medal Award at 2026 Autosport Awards, Honouring a Lifetime Shaping Modern F1
Rec Sports3 weeks ago

Stempien to seek opening for Branch County Circuit Court Judge | WTVB | 1590 AM · 95.5 FM
Motorsports4 weeks ago

Sunoco to sponsor No. 8 Ganassi Honda IndyCar in multi-year deal
Rec Sports3 weeks ago

Princeton Area Community Foundation awards more than $1.3 million to 40 local nonprofits ⋆ Princeton, NJ local news %
NIL3 weeks ago

Downtown Athletic Club of Hawaiʻi gives $300K to Boost the ’Bows NIL fund
Rec Sports4 weeks ago

WNBA’s Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers in NC, making debut for national team at USA camp at Duke
Motorsports4 weeks ago

North Florida Motorsports Park led by Indy 500 Champion and motorsports legend Bobby Rahal Nassau County, FL

Most Viewed Posts

Trending