Events

Apple iPhone 7: live blog

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Excitement will be at fever pitch tomorrow as Apple announces a new iPhone during its annual keynote address in San Francisco on Wednesday, September 7.

We’ll live blog the whole affair here and provide you with real-time updates and commentary as the event gets underway at 10 a.m. local time in San Francisco (that’s 10 a.m. PT). Be sure to tune in to our coverage and join the conversation.

How to watch the keynote live

As usual, Apple will be streaming the announcement. Refresh this page on Wednesday for the live stream. An iOS device with Safari on iOS 7.0 or later, or a Mac with Safari on OS X v10.8.5 or later, or a Windows 10 PC with Microsoft Edge is required. Similarly, Apple TVs need to be a second-gen device or greater to stream the show.

What to expect

Slated to take the stage are the long-rumored iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, as well as the next iteration of Apple’s smartwatch, presumably called the Watch 2. Besides finding out what’s new and what’s still the same, Tim Cook and co. will also confirm whether Apple is indeed declaring war on the headphone jack, as heavily reported.

Image credit: Apple Arab

CES 2026

GIGABYTE: New AI gaming laptops, motherboards, refreshed GiMATE, more

AI-focused innovations at CES 2026

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GIGABYTE has unveiled its expanded AI PC vision at CES 2026, through the release of new AI gaming laptops and a refreshed GiMATE interface.

The company also introduced new motherboards, graphics cards, and monitors, all tailored for this era of computing.

Bannering the new laptops is the flagship powerhouse, AORUS MASTER 16. This offering pairs an AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D processor with up to a NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 GPU.

The NVIDIA Blackwell-powered graphics bring game-changing capabilities to both gamers and creators.

Together with NVIDIA DLSS 4 and NVIDIA Studio, users can expect image generation at unprecedented speeds.

For its cooling, the WINDFORCE Infinity EX design combines vapor chamber cooling and an asymmetric Frost Fan.

This monster of a gaming laptop also comes with up to 64GB of DDR5 memory and up to 4TB of SSD storage.

In front is a 16-inch OLED panel with up to 240Hz refresh rate, 100% DCI-P3, and 1,000,000:1 contrast.

Features include an MUX Switch, AMD FreeSync, Dolby Vision, and more. This display is complemented by Dolby Atmos quad speakers.

Moreover, there is also an assortment of I/O ports for peripherals and an FHD webcam for streaming and other purposes. For connectivity, the AORUS MASTER 16 supports Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4.

Other gaming laptop offerings include the GIGABYTE AERO X16, which comes with Ryzen AI 400 Series processors.

There’s also the GIGABYTE GAMING A18 PRO with up to RTX 5080 GPUs, delivering stable performance for gamers, creators, and more users who need ample AI laptop performance.

AORUS gaming motherboards, X3D Turbo Mode 2.0

GIGABYTE is also unlocking the potential of the AMD Ryzen 9000 Series processors with AMD 3D V-Cache technology.

That’s through its exclusive, AI-powered X3D Turbo Mode 2.0, which is optimized and ready for the processors.

This enables GIGABYTE to deliver real-time adaptive performance that pushes X3D CPUs beyond traditional limits.

Highlighting the breakthrough is the flagship X870E AORUS XTREME X3D AI TOP. This motherboard is engineered for users seeking uncompromised performance.

It supports DDR5 speeds of up to 9000+ MT/s, enabling exceptional memory bandwidth and stability.

Its advanced thermal architecture includes the CPU Thermal Matrix. DDR Wind Blade XTREME lowers module temperatures by up to 9°C as well.

Plus, the M.2 Thermal Guard XTREME reduces SSD temperatures by up to 22°C for sustained speed and performance.

For more options, there’s the X870E AERO X3D WOOD model, plus sleek black additions to the PROJECT STEALTH series, including the X870 and B850 AORUS STEALTH motherboards.

Updated GiMATE

Built for clearer navigation and faster decision-making, the updated GiMATE AI agent brings real-time system insights and intuitive, voice-driven control into one streamlined hub.

The newly introduced AI Power Gear III enhances efficiency and flexibility with direct MUX switching between Discreet and MSHybrid modes.

A new Auto Mode also disables the GPU on battery to maximize runtime, while Optimus Mode delivers a smoother and balanced performance. Moreover, Eco Mode provides extreme power saving on AC power and battery.

For creators and builders, GiMATE Creator expands its generative capabilities with the addition of Qwen-Image. This supports both English and Chinese prompts to bring powerful visual AI to users.

In addition, GiMATE Coder lowers the barrier to development by enabling natural-language code generation, correction, and optimization. This makes coding more accessible even for beginners while accelerating it for experienced users.

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CES 2026

The HP EliteBoard G1a is a full AI PC in a keyboard form factor

More innovations unveiled at CES 2026

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At CES 2026, HP showcased its latest PCs, laptops, and services, headlined by the HP EliteBoard G1a.

Reimagining traditional desktops, the EliteBoard G1a is a full AI PC built into a keyboard, making it the company’s the smallest and lightest AI PC.

This CES 2026 Innovation Award honoree powers the future of work with a design that moves, connects, and adapts to any workspace.

It is ultra-thin at 12mm and weighs just about 750 grams, allowing for a minimalist and clutter-free setup. Dual mics and speakers are likewise packaged onto its sleek design.

And yet, the HP EliteBoard G1a is capable of up to 50 TOPS NPU to power next-gen workloads. At its heart is an AMD Ryzen AI 300 Series processor.

Other features include HP Smart Sense, AMD’s Auto State Management (ASM), and HP Wolf Security for Business.

To complement the device, users can pair it with the HP Series 7 Pro 4K Monitor. This 4K Neo:LED visual hub features cutting-edge IPS black performance and a professional-grade factory calibrated color accuracy.

It comes with a 140W Thunderbolt 4 port for high-speed data and video processing.

For the future of work

HP also introduced further next-generation premium business laptops built for the AI era, including the HP EliteBook X G2 Series.

The new HP OmniBook Ultra 14 and HP OmniStudio X also beef up the company’s OmniBook consumer portfolio.

The OmniBook Ultra 14 is 52% lighter than the previous generation, and is thinner than a 2025 MacBook Air 13 (M4). It is powered by a Snapdragon X2 Elite processor for up to 85 TOPS NPU. In front is a 3K OLED display.

In addition, the laptop has been proven tough with 20 MIL-STD-810 tests. These include drops, shocks, temperature extremes, and more.

Meanwhile, the OmniStudio X 27 AIO delivers professional-grade viewing with Neo:LED and dual 100% color coverage.

It has next-gen Intel Core Ultra 7 processors with Intel AI Boost and an optional NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 GPU.

Users can also connect it with a laptop via Thunderbolt Share, where they can control the AIO and laptop with one keyboard and mouse.

Moreover, HP has unified its OMEN and Hyper X brands into one master gaming brand — HyperX.

Along with this update, HP has unveiled the HyperX OMEN MAX 16, a powerful gaming laptop with fully internal cooling.

New models under the HP EliteBook X G2 Series have likewise been introduced.

For peripherals, HP has likewise introduced the following tools:

  • HP Tilt Ergonomic Mouse 720M
  • USB-C HP 65W GaN Wall Charger
  • HP Protective Series laptop sleeves and more

Copilot integration into HP printers

Furthermore, HP announced HP for Microsoft 365 Copilot, a new Workpath app that brings Copilot’s generative AI capabilities directly to HP’s multifunction printers.

The integration unlocks powerful capabilities right from the printer panel:

  • AI-generated summaries of scanned documents or files in OneDrive and SharePoint
  • smart file naming and storge suggestions
  • on-device translation powered by Copilot

HP for Microsoft 365 Copilot accelerates productivity with direct scans, secure and automated file handling, and enterprise-grade security.

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CES 2026

This Razer AI companion can tell you how much of a noob you are

The brand also unveiled an AI headset and an immersive gaming chair.

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Whenever you’re playing a single-player game, do you miss the toxic banter of teammates telling you how bad you are? Sometimes, it feels impossible to play without another voice in your ear. For those moments, Razer reintroduced Project AVA, an AI desk companion designed to keep you company while gaming and for more.

Project AVA

Technically, Razer already introduced the AI companion during last year’s CES 2025. This year, however, the brand has added more functionalities to the upcoming product, turning the device from a mere esports coach into an actual companion.

Previously, the assistant can use your camera, eye-tracking, audio input, and the screen to tell you how to get better in your chosen game. Now, Razer has added the ability to help you with everyday tasks like organizing schedules and suggesting fits.

Additionally, users can choose between a variety of 5-inch animated holograms as avatars, such as Kira, Zane, and even Japan’s favorite salary woman SAO. Users can also pick personalities for them from sassy to friendly.

Since it’s still a concept, there’s no word on when Project AVA will be available as a finished product.

Project Motoko

Last month, we reviewed the BlackShark V3 Pro, one of the most comfortable gaming headsets we’ve tried. Not content with prioritizing comfort, Razer has now added AI to a headset.

Project Motoko showcases a headset that uses AI technology to anticipate your needs. Besides a flurry of microphones, the headset uses two cameras positioned at eye level to analyze your surroundings. Razer says it can even track how many reps you’ve done at the gym and summarize a document you’re looking at.

Because the software is specifically designed to detect your surroundings, it can reportedly heighten your senses and find things you might have missed from your peripheral vision. Additionally, it can heighten your hearing and amplify conversations and sounds you might find important.

Project Madison

To cap it all off, Razer also unveiled an immersive gaming chair. Project Madison is a chair that uses lighting, audio, and haptic feedback to deliver an immersive gaming experience.

First of all, the chair uses Razer’s iconic Chroma RGB to simulate your surroundings while playing a game. With 16.8 million colors, it makes you feel visually immersed in your game.

Secondly, the chair has THX Spatial Audio. On its own, the chair’s speakers can provide audio immersion. Further, if you pair it with front speakers, you can upgrade this to a 7.1 surround sound system.

Thirdly, Project Madison features Razer Sensa HD Haptics to deliver a tactile sensation that makes you feel every impact and explosion.

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