All posts tagged: console

ASUS ROG XREAL R1 : 240Hz AR Glasses for PC and Console

ASUS ROG XREAL R1 : 240Hz AR Glasses for PC and Console

Published by skeptic

The ASUS ROG XREAL R1 AR Gaming Glasses combine augmented reality with practical features designed for gaming and media consumption. As noted by Erik Hartley, the glasses include a 240 Hz refresh rate, delivering smooth visuals suited for fast-paced gameplay. They also feature electrochromic lens technology, which adjusts tint levels to match lighting conditions, helping to reduce eye strain during extended sessions. With a virtual display capable of expanding up to 171 inches, the device offers a large-scale viewing experience for users. Explore this feature to understand the ROG XREAL R1’s USB-C connectivity, which allows compatibility with devices like PCs, gaming consoles and the ROG Ally. Learn about the Anchor Mode, which stabilizes the virtual display for consistent viewing and examine its spatial sound integration for enhanced audio immersion. This overview provides a detailed look at the glasses’ functionality and practical applications. Immersive Virtual Display: Expansive and Cinematic TL;DR Key Takeaways : The ASUS ROG XREAL R1 AR Gaming Glasses feature a 240 Hz refresh rate, offering ultra-smooth visuals with reduced motion blur and latency …

Sony’s PS5 Price Hikes Prove This Console Generation Is Far From Over. Good.

Sony’s PS5 Price Hikes Prove This Console Generation Is Far From Over. Good.

Published by skeptic

If you’ve been holding off on picking up a PlayStation 5 in hopes of a price cut, bad news: the cost of every model of Sony’s all-conquering console has instead just gone up considerably. It’s a move that breaks with decades of tradition (or at least consumer expectations) and is undoubtedly a blow for anyone hoping for a discount, five years into the current console generation. However, it’s also a sign that the current generation is likely to stick around for a while yet—and that may be a good thing, for the industry and players alike. Historically, at this point in a console generation, incumbent hardware sees steep discounts. For example, the PS4, which launched for $400 in 2013, was retailing for $300 by 2018, a 25 percent decrease. Even if hardware is loss-leading, it’s a pricing trajectory that’s usually win-win for manufacturers and customers alike. Production and component costs will typically have dropped over that half-decade, allowing companies to drop the retail price, often alongside slimmed-down hardware revisions. At the same time, players who …

PS6 vs Xbox Helix : Which Next-Gen Console Will Cost More?

PS6 vs Xbox Helix : Which Next-Gen Console Will Cost More?

Published by skeptic

The upcoming release of the Xbox Helix and PlayStation 6 (PS6) marks a pivotal moment in the gaming industry, with both consoles offering distinct approaches to next-generation gaming. According to colteastwood, Microsoft is positioning the Xbox Helix as a high-performance device, featuring advanced hardware like a larger die size and enhanced GPU, with an estimated price range of $1,000 to $1,200. Meanwhile, Sony’s PS6 aims to balance performance and cost efficiency through a streamlined monolithic design, targeting a more accessible price range of $700 to $900. These contrasting strategies highlight a clear divide between affordability and premium performance in the market. Dive into this overview to explore how these differences in pricing and hardware could shape the gaming landscape. Gain insight into the technical specifications driving each console’s design, from the Xbox Helix’s increased RAM to the PS6’s cost-efficient architecture. Understand how these factors, along with broader trends like rising production costs, might influence consumer decisions and adoption rates. Whether you’re a performance enthusiast or a value-focused gamer, this breakdown offers a detailed look at …

Xbox officially reveals the first details of its next console

Xbox officially reveals the first details of its next console

Published by Daniella Wilson

Xbox has revealed the codename of its next console, with a short social media teaser setting the internet ablaze (figuratively speaking). The current range of Xbox home console hardware, the Xbox Series and the Xbox Series S, launched back in 2020, so it does feel like the right sort of time to be dropping a new range (component shortages be damned). Equally, this makes sense as a time for Xbox to make a big announcement. It was recently announced that Xbox has a new CEO, with Asha Sharma taking the reins from Phil Spencer and vowing to bring about the “return of Xbox”. Clearly, she’s not wasting any time forging ahead with these plans! So, let’s get to the teaser that has dropped on the official Xbox social media channels. You can take a look yourself at the post on X (formerly known as Twitter). Want to see this content? This page contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as Twitter may use cookies and other technologies. To …

Is it the best games console you can buy in 2026

Is it the best games console you can buy in 2026

Published by Sam Flores

What is the PlayStation 5 Slim? The PS5 celebrated its fifth anniversary at the end of 2025, which makes now the perfect time to reflect on the console generation to date, and whether it’s still worth buying a PS5 in 2026. The original interaction was redesigned as the PS5 Slim in 2023. Functionally the two consoles are largely identical, but the latter (now the default PS5) isn’t quite as big as its predecessor. There are a few niggling issues that I’ll get into in this review, but the PS5 is a fantastic console. It’s capable of pumping out stunning 4K HDR visuals and silky smooth frame rates, and has a controller that immerses you in your games. The PS5 is also easy to use, putting games at the forefront of its elegantly designed user interface. JUMP TO: I have been reviewing gaming hardware for many years and have been using the PS5 since the day it launched in 2020. I have also recently reviewed the newer PlayStation 5 Pro, so I know all about the …

Steam Machine vs Console: Valve’s Plan Meets Supply Shortages

Steam Machine vs Console: Valve’s Plan Meets Supply Shortages

Published by skeptic

Valve’s Steam Machine, originally envisioned as a hybrid device combining the flexibility of PC gaming with the accessibility of consoles, is facing significant hurdles. As outlined by RGT 85, the project has been plagued by global component shortages, rising production costs, and delays in manufacturing, all of which threaten its ability to meet expectations. With no confirmed release date or pricing as of February 2026, the Steam Machine’s future remains uncertain, casting doubt on whether it can compete with established consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. In this overview, you’ll learn about the specific challenges Valve faces, including the impact of supply chain disruptions on production timelines and the difficult trade-offs between pricing and performance. You’ll also explore how market competition and Valve’s mixed track record with hardware complicate the Steam Machine’s prospects. By understanding these factors, you can better assess whether this ambitious device has the potential to deliver on its promise or if it risks becoming another unrealized concept in gaming hardware. Steam Machine Faces Uncertainty TL;DR Key Takeaways : …

I built a RetroPie console on a Raspberry Pi 3B — and avoided the usual mistakes

I built a RetroPie console on a Raspberry Pi 3B — and avoided the usual mistakes

Published by skeptic

I grew up when retro gaming wasn’t retro. It was just … well, gaming. My first computer was a first-release Commodore 64, which sounded like it was thinking very hard all the time. Games took ages to load. If something didn’t work, you didn’t assume the system was broken. You assumed you’d done something wrong. That mindset has stuck with me, and is probably one of the reasons I flirt so much with Linux. I’ve installed RetroPie on a Raspberry Pi 3B more times than I should ever admit. Sometimes because I wanted to, and sometimes because I had to, after breaking it in a completely avoidable way. I’ve flashed the wrong image. I’ve used a power supply that was “close enough.” I’ve yanked the cable instead of shutting down properly. Every time I thought, “RetroPie is unstable,” but turns out it’s just me that’s unstable. The Pi 3B is one of the most dependable little machines you can build. But it’s dependable in the same way old hardware was dependable. Treat it right and …

Man builds Tetris console inside cardboard box

Man builds Tetris console inside cardboard box

Published by Jenni Sidey

Get the Popular Science daily newsletter💡 Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent six days a week. There was a time when you had to travel to your nearest arcade or beg your parents for a Game Boy if you wanted to play Tetris. Today, the iconic, addictive puzzler is available online for free and in countless forms across nearly every gaming platform imaginable—even a PDF. Part of the inherent appeal for many people is the game’s mounting difficulty, but more crafty fans can take things up a notch by building their own Tetris-playing machine. And as software writer and hobbyist William Gaspar recently proved, you don’t need a plastic case to protect it. A tiny cardboard box will do just fine. Gaspar’s creation looks endearingly wonky, but manages to play Tetris (not to mention Snake) as well as any premium device. All of the code information and construction steps are available for free on GitHub, too. The key to its size and affordability is an Arduino computer paired with an ATmega328P single-chip microcontroller, as well …

Nintendo: The Switch is our highest-selling console ever

Nintendo: The Switch is our highest-selling console ever

Published by skeptic

Nintendo officially has a new MVP in its hardware portfolio. The venerable video game maker announced in its latest earnings report (via IGN) that the first Nintendo Switch is officially the best-selling piece of gaming hardware in Nintendo history. You can actually see the overall leaderboard on Nintendo’s website, which confirms that the Switch has now sold 155 million units, putting it just ahead of the Nintendo DS, which previously led the pack with 154 million units sold. SEE ALSO: I got to play the new Nintendo Switch Virtual Boy. It has the same problem it did in 1995. To be clear, that does not make the Switch the best-selling piece of gaming hardware, period. That title still belongs to the PlayStation 2, which sits at around 160 million units sold. The Switch could potentially catch up to and even surpass the PS2 if given enough time, but the existence of the Switch 2 might throw a wrench in any future success for the older console. Mashable Light Speed As an aside, Nintendo also confirmed …

Ordering takeaway is most popular way Brits console themselves after a tough day, study finds

Ordering takeaway is most popular way Brits console themselves after a tough day, study finds

Published by Daniella Wilson

Sign up to our free Living Well email for advice on living a happier, healthier and longer life Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter Ordering a takeaway has emerged as one of the most popular ways for people to both console themselves after a challenging day at work and celebrate a successful one, according to new research. The study highlights the unique role of delivered meals as a go-to indulgence for a range of emotional states. Published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology, the investigation by experts at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) set out to assess people’s options for both self-reward and self-consolation. Researchers examined the preferences of 281 individuals from across the UK, presenting them with scenarios of a good, bad, or average workday. Participants were then asked to report their likelihood of engaging in various “self-gifting behaviours,” such as having an alcoholic drink, a takeaway, a chocolate bar, an online shopping spree, or …