TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — A federal judge on Wednesday rejected arguments made by an artificial intelligence company that its chatbots are protected by the First Amendment — at least for now. The developers behind Character.AI are seeking to dismiss a lawsuit alleging the company’s chatbots pushed a teenage boy to kill himself.
The judge’s order will allow the wrongful death lawsuit to proceed, in what legal experts say is among the latest constitutional tests of artificial intelligence.
The suit was filed by a mother from Florida, Megan Garcia, who alleges that her 14-year-old son Sewell Setzer III fell victim to a Character.AI chatbot that pulled him into what she described as an emotionally and sexually abusive relationship that led to his suicide.
Meetali Jain of the Tech Justice Law Project, one of the attorneys for Garcia, said the judge’s order sends a message that Silicon Valley “needs to stop and think and impose guardrails before it launches products to market.”
The suit against Character Technologies, the company behind Character.AI, also names individual developers and Google as defendants. It has drawn the attention of legal experts and AI watchers in the U.S. and beyond, as the technology rapidly reshapes workplaces, marketplaces and relationships despite what experts warn are potentially existential risks.
“The order certainly sets it up as a potential test case for some broader issues involving AI,” said Lyrissa Barnett Lidsky, a law professor at the University of Florida with a focus on the First Amendment and artificial intelligence.
The lawsuit alleges that in the final months of his life, Setzer became increasingly isolated from reality as he engaged in sexualized conversations with the bot, which was patterned after a fictional character from the television show “Game of Thrones.” In his final moments, the bot told Setzer it loved him and urged the teen to “come home to me as soon as possible,” according to screenshots of the exchanges. Moments after receiving the message, Setzer shot himself, according to legal filings.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Character.AI pointed to a number of safety features the company has implemented, including guardrails for children and suicide prevention resources that were announced the day the lawsuit was filed.
“We care deeply about the safety of our users and our goal is to provide a space that is engaging and safe,” the statement said.
Attorneys for the developers want the case dismissed because they say chatbots deserve First Amendment protections, and ruling otherwise could have a “chilling effect” on the AI industry.
In her order Wednesday, U.S. Senior District Judge Anne Conway rejected some of the defendants’ free speech claims, saying she’s “not prepared” to hold that the chatbots’ output constitutes speech “at this stage.”
Conway did find that Character Technologies can assert the First Amendment rights of its users, who she found have a right to receive the “speech” of the chatbots. She also determined Garcia can move forward with claims that Google can be held liable for its alleged role in helping develop Character.AI. Some of the founders of the platform had previously worked on building AI at Google, and the suit says the tech giant was “aware of the risks” of the technology.
“We strongly disagree with this decision,” said Google spokesperson José Castañeda. “Google and Character AI are entirely separate, and Google did not create, design, or manage Character AI’s app or any component part of it.”
No matter how the lawsuit plays out, Lidsky says the case is a warning of “the dangers of entrusting our emotional and mental health to AI companies.”
“It’s a warning to parents that social media and generative AI devices are not always harmless,” she said.
Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Keanu Reeves — Voice/character roles in major titles
Norman Reedus — Gaming collaborations
Troy Baker — Voice acting legends
Ashley Johnson — Iconic game performances
Ellen Page (Elliot Page) — Role in story‑driven titles
Vin Diesel — Licensed character ventures
Michael B. Jordan — Game ambassador & fan engagement
Monetization systems, in‑game payments, and digital transactions are pivotal in gaming economics and require expert testimony on compliance, risk, and consumer behavior.
Dan Schulman — Payments revolution
Max Levchin — Digital finance & credit
Chris Britt — Banking innovation insights
Ajay Banga — Global payment platforms
Jane Fraser — Regulatory compliance
Jamie Dimon — Financial ecosystem strategy
Thasunda Brown Duckett — Consumer finance
Adena Friedman — Exchange & digital assets
Cathy Bessant — Tech & finance convergence
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.
Demis Hassabis — AI applications in play
Fei‑Fei Li — Vision systems & human interaction
Jensen Huang — GPU architecture innovation
Andrew Ng — Machine learning applications
Satya Nadella — Cloud & AI integration
Sundar Pichai — Search & platform experience
Tim Cook — Mobile gaming adoption
Susan Wojcicki — Video distribution expertise
Mark Zuckerberg — Social interaction & VR
Kevin Systrom — Mobile interface design
Health, Behavior & Human Interaction Experts
Gaming intersects with cognition, behavior, addiction concerns, and educational applications.
Aric Dromi Jankov — Game psychology & resilience
David Thomas — Learning through play
Jesper Juul — Game studies & player experience
Mark Pincus — Social game design
Tim Rosato — Game‑based learning
Adam Grant — Game theory & interaction
Chris Taylor — Design in games
Richard Bartle — MUD & player types
Trip Hawkins — Game entrepreneurship
Chris Crawford — Virtual economies
Game Culture & Industry Thought Leaders
Ernest Cline — Author on gaming culture
Cory Doctorow — Digital rights & gaming
Chris Zimmerman — Game criticism & culture
Pokimane — Industry broadcasting
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.
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
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
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
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
