news and current affairs.
Nioh 3 ups the pain, adds open fields
The upcoming Nioh 3 represents a significant evolution for Team NINJA's action role-playing series, moving from self-contained missions to larger open-field maps that encourage exploration. These expansive areas, set during the Bakumatsu period, integrate main missions and new side activities. Players can increase a region's Exploration Level by completing tasks, which in turn grants permanent stat boosts and reveals collectibles on the map. While not a full open-world game, this new structure aims to deliver a more immersive experience. Combat is also undergoing a major overhaul with the introduction of two distinct fighting styles. The Samurai style focuses on powerful, heavy weapons, while the new Ninja style emphasizes agility and...
Samsung splits top job, bets on brainy chips
Samsung is reinstating a dual leadership model, appointing Roh Tae-moon and Jun Young-hyun as co-chief executive officers. This structural change is part of a broader executive reshuffle designed to increase the company's operational agility. Roh Tae-moon will lead the Device eXperience division, which oversees smartphones, while Jun Young-hyun will continue to head the Device Solutions division, responsible for memory chips. The reorganization also involves leadership changes at the company's Advanced Institute of Technology. Park Hong-kun, a professor from Harvard University, will assume control of the institute. He is expected to direct Samsung's research and development initiatives, with a specific focus on advancing neuromorphic...
Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 almost keeps up, stays cool
Qualcomm is preparing to announce its Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 processor, which utilizes the same 3nm N3P technology as the more expensive Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. Recent AnTuTu benchmark results for the chipset indicate a performance level approximately 14 percent lower than its elite counterpart. The tested device, believed to be a OnePlus Ace 6T, achieved a score of 3.56 million points. The new chip features the same two plus six core configuration as the elite version, but runs at reduced clock speeds of 3.80GHz and 3.32GHz. This design potentially offers a more affordable option for manufacturers seeking high-end features without the premium cost. The lower operating frequencies may also help the chip avoid the overheating issues some...
Apple’s cheap MacBook is ready to crash the party
Analyst Jeff Pu of GF Securities reports that Apple plans to introduce a new low-cost MacBook in the spring of 2026. This launch is expected to occur alongside the iPhone 17e and a twelfth-generation iPad. The device is reportedly intended for students and casual users, representing a strategic move into a more affordable market segment. The budget-conscious laptop is anticipated to feature a 13.6-inch LCD and be powered by an A18 Pro system-on-a-chip. Its specifications are expected to include 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. Other features may encompass a haptic trackpad and an aluminum chassis, though it will likely lack a backlit keyboard and Thunderbolt controllers. Apple is targeting a price point between 599 and 899 dollars...
ASUS 800W BIOS turns RTX 5090 into a power hog
A specialized 800-watt overclocking BIOS, originally developed for ASUS' ROG Matrix RTX 5090, is being successfully installed on competing graphics cards. Users on an online forum have reported flashing this firmware onto RTX 5090 models from manufacturers including Gigabyte, PNY, and MSI. The modification enables these cards to operate with a significantly higher power limit, resulting in clock speed increases of 100 to 200 MHz. This BIOS flash is not universally compatible, however. The procedure appears to work only on cards with a triple fan-header configuration, matching the ROG Matrix's design. Models like the ASUS Astral Air and ASUS TUF, which feature only two fan headers, have not accepted the firmware successfully. The higher...
iPhone 17e recycles chips, battery wins
According to analyst Jeff Pu of GF Securities, Apple's forthcoming budget iPhone 17e will reuse the C1 5G modem from the current iPhone 16e instead of incorporating newer modem technology. This cost-saving measure means the device will not feature the more advanced C1X or upcoming C2 modems. The iPhone 17e is, however, anticipated to include the same A19 chipset as the standard iPhone 17 models and an upgraded 18MP Center Stage camera. The new model is also expected to gain the N1 wireless chip, which should provide improved power efficiency and faster peer-to-peer data transfers. This component, combined with the more efficient A19 processor, could result in slightly better battery performance than the iPhone 16e. Apple will likely...
Black Flag remake set to sail by March
A remake of Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag is reportedly scheduled for release in a few months. According to a new rumor, the game will launch near the end of March, aligning with a slot in Ubisoft's fiscal calendar for an unannounced title. The project, which has been the subject of speculation for years, was indirectly confirmed by Ubisoft's chief executive when he mentioned upcoming series remakes. A report from a French publication suggests the remake will remove the original's modern-day segments, replacing them with additional content focused on the protagonist, Edward Kenway. The game is also expected to integrate role-playing game mechanics from more recent franchise entries. An official reveal is anticipated at an upcoming...
Tencent takes stake in Ubisoft’s Vantage Studios
Ubisoft has formed a strategic partnership with Tencent, which will become a minority stakeholder in the newly formed Vantage Studios subsidiary. The agreement provides Ubisoft with a cash infusion of 1.16 billion euros to strengthen its financial position. Chief Executive Officer Yves Guillemot stated the deal would empower the subsidiary to accelerate growth for its three flagship franchises: Assassin's Creed, Rainbow Six, and Far Cry. The publisher reported strong financial results for the quarter, with net bookings reaching 491 million euros, a thirty-nine percent year-over-year increase. This performance was attributed to successful partnerships and its live television and animated series divisions. The Assassin's Creed franchise...
Maxsun unveils Arc Pro B60 Dual with 48 GB VRAM
Maxsun has introduced several versions of its Intel Arc Pro B60 Dual graphics card, all featuring dual Battlemage GPUs and 48 gigabytes of memory. The lineup includes a liquid-cooled model with a single-slot design, which the company states maintains temperatures of 61 degrees Celsius under load. This configuration allows up to seven cards to be installed in a single system, providing a potential total of 336 gigabytes of VRAM for large language model workstations. A separate fanless variant utilizes a substantial heatsink within a dual-slot form factor to manage its thermal output without active cooling. The company had previously revealed a standard air-cooled model. Intel is anticipated to reveal more about its Arc Pro series in the...
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