Tag Archives: Gaming

Sony PlayStation 5 Pro: A Sleeker Beast with 30 Teraflops of Power for 4K Gaming

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Sony’s freshly announced PlayStation 5 Pro is a power-packed upgrade designed for those who want the most visually striking gaming experience possible. Building on the already solid foundation of the PS5, this souped-up version aims to enhance everything from resolution and frame rate to ray tracing, while staying cool and quiet under pressure—literally. It’s set to hit shelves in November 2024, and with a starting price of $599, it’s clear Sony is positioning the PS5 Pro as the ultimate way to play for those who demand more from their console.

Designer: Sony

The PlayStation 5 Pro maintains the futuristic aesthetic of its predecessor, but with subtle refinements that make it stand out as a premium device. Its sleek curves and striking black-and-white color scheme are still present, but Sony has gone the extra mile to give the Pro a more streamlined silhouette. The PS5 Pro is slightly slimmer and more compact than the original, addressing one of the biggest complaints about the base PS5’s bulky design. The matte finish on the Pro model adds a touch of sophistication, and the improved vent placement ensures better airflow without compromising the console’s overall elegance. Whether it’s sitting vertically on your media stand or tucked horizontally under your TV, the PS5 Pro feels more like a deliberate piece of decor than a tech box, blending form with function seamlessly. Even the revamped LED lighting—now offering customizable colors—adds an extra layer of personalization for gamers who care about their setup’s vibe.

Under that gorgeous sleek white shell lies a custom RDNA 3.5 GPU, boasting a whopping 30 teraflops of graphical power. That’s nearly triple what the base PS5 offers. Translation? Games will look and run better—significantly so. The PS5 Pro is built to handle true 4K gaming at 60 frames per second without breaking a sweat, and it even flirts with 8K resolution for those fortunate enough to own one of those displays. It’s a level of visual fidelity that makes even the most graphically demanding games, like Spider-Man 2 and Final Fantasy XVI, feel like butter.

The CPU also gets a significant upgrade, featuring an 8-core AMD Zen 4 processor clocked at 4 GHz. The result? Faster load times, smoother performance, and an all-around snappier experience, especially in open-world games or titles with heavy physics and particle effects. If you’re tired of waiting in menus or watching progress bars crawl across the screen, the Pro has your back.

Remember the term ‘ray tracing’ everyone threw around when the PS5 first launched? While the base PS5 gave us a taste of what real-time lighting and reflections could do, the PS5 Pro is fully leaning into advanced ray tracing. Ray tracing is now 2.5 times more efficient, which means better lighting, reflections, and overall realism in games that support it. Picture walking through neon-soaked streets in Cyberpunk 2077 or exploring the vast wilderness of Horizon Forbidden West—but with reflections so sharp you could almost swear you’re looking in a mirror. Sony hasn’t left the frame-rate-focused players out in the cold either. The PS5 Pro introduces new gameplay modes to suit different preferences. If you’re all about visuals, the Fidelity Mode lets you enjoy games at 4K with maxed-out ray tracing, running at 30 fps. On the other hand, if you’re more of a competitive gamer looking for the smoothest experience, the Performance+ Mode delivers up to 120 fps at a slightly lower resolution. Fast-paced shooters like Fortnite and Call of Duty will feel incredibly responsive and fluid.

It’s a nice touch from Sony, acknowledging that not every gamer wants the same thing out of their console. Some of us want eye-popping visuals, while others want the fastest response times—and the PS5 Pro is prepared to juggle both with ease.

A common complaint about the original PS5 was its relatively limited storage, with the standard 825GB SSD filling up faster than expected, especially given the size of modern AAA games. Thankfully, the PS5 Pro steps things up with a 2TB SSD. That’s double the storage, meaning you won’t have to keep deleting games every time you want to install something new—unless, of course, you’re really into downloading entire game libraries. On the thermal front, Sony has reworked the cooling system, implementing more advanced liquid metal tech to ensure the Pro stays cool during marathon gaming sessions. Gone are the days of worrying about your console sounding like a jet engine taking off mid-boss battle.

Here’s the best part – your PS5 Pro is designed with backward compatibility in mind. Existing PS5 games won’t just work—they’ll run better. Thanks to the Pro’s additional power, many older titles will see improvements in frame rates, load times, and overall performance. Some developers are even offering patches that optimize their games specifically for the PS5 Pro, allowing fans to experience their favorite titles with upgraded visuals and smoother gameplay. Future titles, like the hotly anticipated Ghost of Tsushima 2 and The Last of Us Part III, will be optimized from the ground up for the PS5 Pro. Expect them to take full advantage of the new hardware, delivering worlds that are richer, denser, and more immersive than anything we’ve seen on a PlayStation console before.

At $599, the PS5 Pro is priced higher than the base PS5, which currently sits at $499. But for that extra hundred bucks, you’re getting significant upgrades that future-proof your gaming setup for years to come. Preorders begin in October, and you can expect the PS5 Pro to officially drop in November—just in time for holiday gaming marathons or, you know, to start that inevitable Elden Ring replay with maxed-out graphics. You’ve finally got a great excuse to splurge on that 4K TV you’ve been eyeing.

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GameBaby is a protective case that transforms iPhones into retro gaming handhelds

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Video gaming is still a thriving and lucrative industry, and you don’t even need to own an expensive and heavy handheld PC to enjoy it. With Apple now allowing emulators into the App Store, there is a vast new source of titles to play, some of which aren’t exactly conducive to tapping on a flat screen. Game controllers for iPhones aren’t always the best solution, especially if it means carrying an extra accessory in your pocket. But what if you never had to remove that controller in the first place? That’s the idea behind this genius iPhone accessory that’s a GameBoy-like controller when you need it and a quirky protective case when you don’t.

Designer: Bitmo Lab

There are iPhone-compatible game controllers that attach to the smartphone but only makes sense if you hold it sideways like a Nintendo Switch. You can’t leave these permanently on the phone, of course, which means you’ll have to make sure you always bring it with you when the craving to play strikes. That could be a fleeting moment, however, that quickly evaporates while you try to strap the controller, turn it on, and pair it with the phone. Plus, the landscape orientation really only works for modern mobile games, not the ones from decades past.

GameBaby is an innovative design that solves that problem while also paying homage to some of video gaming history’s greatest hits. It’s technically a two-part case for the phone that slides onto the top and bottom of the phone. The critical difference is that you can flip the bottom half around, revealing actual working buttons in the familiar layout of many old-school handheld consoles, particularly the GameBoy which served as this accessory’s inspiration.

Since the buttons go over the lower half of the iPhone screen, it offers direct input without the lag of Bluetooth or even USB connections. It also means there are no batteries to be worried about either. It’s really simply just a layer of buttons that give you a more tactile feeling than mashing your finger against the glass. And when you’re done playing, simply slide the case off, flip it again, and go on with your regular life.

The catch to this simple yet useful design is that it really only works with emulators that play retro games made for old consoles like NES, GameBoy, and similar. It works best with the Delta emulator now available on iOS, and Bitmo Lab has custom emulator skins designed specifically to match the layout of the physical buttons. The even bigger catch, however, is that GameBaby is only available for the iPhone 15 Pro Max and the upcoming iPhone 16 Pro Max, and only in a banana yellow and white color theme.

The post GameBaby is a protective case that transforms iPhones into retro gaming handhelds first appeared on Yanko Design.

Perfect for SteamVR and VRChat: Experience Next-Gen VR with UDCAP Glove

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Tired of interacting in virtual reality with joysticks and buttons? A glove could be a good alternative to a controller. However, not many effective solutions have emerged, partly because playing with gloves can be challenging due to sweat and the limited number of games designed for wearable peripherals. The UDCAP VR Glove for SteamVR aims to change that when it exits its crowdfunding campaign and becomes widely available.

The UDCAP VR Glove by Udexreal from China isn’t just another wearable controller; it’s touted as the next-generation VR input device that allows users to interact with natural hand gestures. This claim, along with the glove’s compatibility with all current and future SteamVR games and its ability to pair effortlessly with VRChat avatars right out of the box, could pose a threat to traditional VR controllers.

Designer: UdexReal

Click Here to Buy Now: $499 $699 (29% off). Raised over $248,000. Hurry, backed by 309 backers already!

Whether you’re feeling the intensity of a game on SteamVR or expressing yourself in VRChat with hand gestures, the UDCAP glove offers complete precision and limitless flexibility. Traditional VR controllers limit natural interaction, but these VR gloves provide a natural way to interact in the virtual environment with data transmission speeds of up to 120Hz. According to the company, a pair of gloves work on a 2.4G wireless connection with a dongle for data transmission, which has under 10ms latency within a 10-meter radius.

Crafted from lycra, the 45g VR gloves are embedded with sensors made from a patented polymer material that helps collect and transmit data simultaneously. They combine precision motion capture with integrated control modules that detect and relay the subtlest hand movements. Each UDCAP VR glove is embedded with 11 sensors capable of tracking 15 different finger joints and 21 joint angles to record the most precise hand movements, relaying smooth and stable gestures in VR.

The glove controls are fully customizable, allowing users to fine-tune their experiences to match any avatar. In-game movements are controlled by thumb-controllable joysticks and AB buttons on the index finger. Their positions are adjustable and topped with rubber cushioning for long-term use. The flexibility is combined with real-time tactile feedback to enhance gameplay. As mentioned, playing or interacting in VR with gloves can get sweaty and uncomfortable.

Udexreal has addressed this problem by making the gloves breathable and comfortable. Users can easily lift a glass, type, or use a smartphone while wearing the UDCAP gloves. The electronic components can be detached and the gloves can be washed by hand in lukewarm water. If you’re convinced this can be your next VR controller, the gloves are available for crowdfunding on Kickstarter. A super early bird rebate can get you a pair for just $499.

Click Here to Buy Now: $499 $699 (29% off). Raised over $248,000. Hurry, backed by 309 backers already!

The post Perfect for SteamVR and VRChat: Experience Next-Gen VR with UDCAP Glove first appeared on Yanko Design.

Acer Project DualPlay Laptop Concept puts a unique twist to gaming on the go

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PC gaming has experienced a huge boost thanks to the advent of handheld gaming PCs like the Steam Deck, the ASUS ROG Ally, and the Lenovo Legion Go. But while these offer a more mobile gaming experience, they still pale in comparison to dedicated gaming laptops when it comes to performance, battery life, and heat management. Gaming laptops have been around for years, of course, but they, too, are experiencing a renaissance, whether they’re becoming slimmer and sleeker or, in this case, taking on a completely different design. Rather than completely overhauling the laptop or even doing away with it, the Acer Project DualPlay concept instead transforms this familiar design into something that adapts to the latest gaming trends, including playing the same game with a friend who’s right beside you.

Designer: Acer

The days when PC and console gaming camps were divided across keyboard or controller lines are long gone. Those on PS5 and Xbox now feel the need to grab a keyboard to communicate with friends, while some PC gamers now swear by gamepads, especially those playing on handheld PCs. The trends may have changed, but the design of gaming laptops has not caught up to this shift, which is why the Acer Project DualPlay concept changes the formula a wee bit by embracing both playing styles in the same device.

When you press a certain “release” button on top of the keyboard with two fingers, the laptop’s extra-large touchpad pops out and becomes a wireless controller, not unlike those you’d usually connect and bring with you in a separate case or pouch. This dual system lets gamers quickly switch between keyboard and controller without missing a beat and without having to worry about forgetting to bring the controller or having no space for it in the bag.

“DualPlay,” however, has dual meanings here. That detachable controller can actually be separated into two joysticks, not unlike the concept of the Nintendo Switch Joy-con, allowing two people to compete or cooperate in the same game without having to fight over the controls. It brings back the social feeling of playing with someone beside you that home consoles offered, except you’re no longer limited to doing that at home.

The Acer Project DualPlay gaming laptop concept has other surprising features that really take gaming to the next level. Releasing the controller also pops out two high-fidelity 5W speakers from the sides, delivering audio that’s not impeded by desks or other obstacles. There’s also an overabundance of dynamic RGB lighting not only around the keyboard but also around the screen, flanking the detachable controllers, the infinity mirror lighting bar on the back, and even the controller’s joysticks. It definitely looks like a gaming laptop from the future, though it remains to be seen if it is far too ahead of its time as well.

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Acer Nitro Blaze 7 jumps into handheld gaming PC arena with Ryzen AI chops

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You know that handheld gaming PCs have made it big when major PC manufacturers join the fray. At this point, almost every major brand has put out its own take on mobile gaming, not to mention the smaller names that really pushed this niche market long before it became mainstream. Acer was noticeably the only one that was falling behind, but that all changes today at IFA 2024. With the Nitro Blaze 7, not only is it coming out with its first-ever handheld gaming PC, it’s arriving guns blazing (pun intended) with the latest AMD Ryzen chip boasting powerful AI capabilities to take your experience beyond just gaming.

Designer: Acer

If there’s one area that Intel has pretty much been left behind, it would be the nascent handheld gaming PC race where AMD’s Ryzen has become the chip of choice since the Valve Steam Deck. Conversely, Intel has been ramping up its new AI-powered processors, and AMD is now pushing its Ryzen AI generation to new PCs in every form. Being a bit late does have its share of benefits, and Acer’s first stab at a handheld gaming PC is able to immediately gain the lead in this area, with the new AMD Ryzen 8040 series and Ryzen AI giving the portable computer a needed boost.

The AMD Ryzen 7 8840HS inside the Acer Nitro Blaze 7 boasts 39 AI TOPS (tera or trillion operations per second), putting it in the same league as many AI-powered laptops. Teamed up with the AMD Radeon 780M and 16GB of RAM, you’ve got the makings of a powerful gaming beast that can fit into a small bag. Then there’s the 7-inch 1920×1080 144Hz IPS touch display with 100% sRGB color gamut support, delivering vibrant and bright visuals, even for the darkest of horror games.

What really sets a gaming handheld apart, however, are its controls, which often translate to joysticks and buttons that you’d also see on gamepads. The Acer Nitro Blaze 7 also features touchscreen support for more direct interaction with UI elements on the screen, while the traditional joysticks and d-pad offer more precise control. There’s also a dedicated hotkey that brings players to their game libraries without having to fumble with half a dozen menus and screens. This customized Acer Game Space feature fixes one of the biggest pain points of Windows gaming: managing titles from different platforms and sources.

The Acer Nitro Blaze 7’s straightforward and simple design eschews complicated and extraneous details that only get in the way of you and your favorite games. With its arrival, the roster of major handheld gaming PC brands is more or less now complete, heating up the competition for the market’s most powerful gaming machine in the smallest form factor. Availability details for the Acer Nitro Blaze 7 handheld gaming PC will vary by market and have yet to be confirmed.

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