I’m not ashamed to admit that I had fun with Civilization VII. Despite spanning seven generations already, the 4X game series is now going through a rough patch with the current entry, riddled as it is with lackluster reviews. Again, I had fun with it, but I can see that it’s still lacking in some respects. Next year, Civilization VII is finally plugging in some of those gaps with a free update and a paid expansion.

Coming in 2027, the upcoming “Arc of Tomorrow” will introduce something that every fan is wishing for: a fourth Age. Currently, the game has three playable Ages: Antiquity, Exploration, and Modern, spanning from ancient prehistory to the 1950s. Now, the Atomic Age will span from the 1950s to the 2050s.

As the name implies, the Atomic Age will introduce the nuclear arms race, pitting nations against each other in a race to disarm or escalate the accumulation of nuclear warheads. The update also teases a “fun twist on mutually assured destruction.” Likewise, new Civs, leaders, and units are coming. Oh, and series favorite Gandhi is coming back with the nukes.

Then, adding a bit more mystery into the future of the series, the upcoming paid expansion, Earthrise, will introduce astronomy and spacefaring as mechanics. Starting from the early Ages, players can ponder the stars and discover space-themed mechanics to help conquer the world. The Modern Age will then have the standard operations to the Moon. Finally, the Atomic Age will have players engage in interplanetary missions to get new resources and help life back on Earth.

Love the game or not, Civilization VII is proving that it is a dynamic game still pushing for perfection. There’s hope that this upcoming update will be a state of completion that everyone is happy with.

Select ASUS and ROG laptops now come with three months of Google AI Pro or Google AI Plus at no extra cost. The offer starts September 7 and covers eligible models from the 2025, 2026, and upcoming 2027 lineups.

Google AI Pro includes 5TB of cloud storage, while Google AI Plus comes with 400GB. Both plans also provide access to a range of Google’s AI-powered tools and features.

More Google AI on ASUS laptops

Eligible customers can use the Google Gemini app, Deep Research, Google Flow, Gemini in Google apps, and Gemini Notebook, among other features. Availability varies depending on the Google AI plan and supported features.

Google AI Pro offers higher usage limits and expanded access to Google’s more capable Gemini models. It also includes additional developer and agentic tools such as Google Antigravity, Jules, and AI Studio, subject to availability and plan terms.

Google AI Plus provides elevated access to Google’s AI tools alongside features for creative generation and productivity.

The offer covers more than just AI features. Google AI Pro’s 5TB of cloud storage and Google AI Plus’ 400GB give users additional space for documents, photos, videos, research, and other projects.

Available across select ASUS models

The one-year program starts September 7 and applies to selected ASUS and ROG laptops in supported markets. Eligible models span the ROG, TUF Gaming, ProArt, Zenbook, and Vivobook families, including select 2025 and 2026 models and upcoming 2027 devices.

Customers can redeem the offer exclusively through the MyASUS app. ASUS has published the full list of eligible models and the offer’s terms and conditions on its website.

Check the full list of eligible ASUS laptops

ASUS is also running its No. 1 Quality, School-Ready Deals promotion until September 15, 2026. The promo offers additional deals for students, gamers, and professionals buying select ASUS and ROG devices.

The company’s No. 1 Quality and Service package also includes up to three years of international and local warranty, service access across more than 90 countries, and over 100 ASUS Service Centers and Drop-Off Points in the Philippines. Eligible laptops also come with one year of Local Accidental Damage Protection and up to six free device cleaning claims.

EcoFlow is expanding its portable and professional power lineup with two new power stations at IFA 2026. The RIVER Gen4 series targets everyday portability, while the PowerRock 4000 brings higher-capacity power to professional jobsites.

The company unveiled both products in Berlin on September 4. They are on display at Hall 2.2, Booth 166, alongside the OCEAN 2 three-phase home storage system and STREAM home battery series.

EcoFlow is showcasing the products under the theme “Breaking Boundaries. The Future of Smart Energy Starts Now.”

“For most people, energy is still something you go to,” said Bruce Wang, Founder and CEO of EcoFlow. “We think it should work the other way round.”

RIVER Gen4 focuses on portability

The RIVER Gen4 series comes in two models: the RIVER 260 Gen4 and RIVER 520 Gen4.

The RIVER 260 Gen4 packs a 256Wh battery and delivers 300W of AC output. Its X-Boost mode can provide up to 600W for selected devices. It weighs approximately 3kg.

The RIVER 520 Gen4 doubles the capacity to 512Wh. It provides 500W of AC output and up to 1,000W with X-Boost. Despite the larger battery, it weighs approximately 4.6kg.

Both models support UPS functionality with a switchover time of under 10ms. EcoFlow says this can help keep essential devices running during unexpected outages.

The company also redesigned the internal architecture to reduce the size and weight of both units. Compared with the RIVER 3, the RIVER 260 Gen4 is approximately 29.7 percent smaller and 16.9 percent lighter. The RIVER 520 Gen4 is approximately 59.1 percent smaller and 23.5 percent lighter than the RIVER 2 Max.

EcoFlow also claims approximately 30 percent lower active idle power than the industry average. The system optimizes power delivery for devices drawing under 100W, while low idle drain and automatic shutdown help reduce wasted energy.

An Emergency Power Mode can extend usable discharge even when the display reaches 0 percent. EcoFlow says this can help keep essential functions such as calls, messages and navigation available.

The company also says a fully charged unit can retain approximately 99 percent state of charge after one year under controlled storage conditions.

Fast charging and flexible outputs

RIVER Gen4 uses EcoFlow’s X-Stream 4.0 charging system with active thermal management.

The RIVER 260 Gen4 can reach 80 percent charge in 42 minutes. The RIVER 520 Gen4 takes 50 minutes to reach the same level.

Both models also feature a 140W bidirectional USB-C port. Compatible adapters can support DC wall, solar and car charging through the port.

Paired with EcoFlow’s 60W Lightweight Portable Solar Panel, the RIVER Gen4 series can form a compact solar generator setup.

The RIVER 260 Gen4 has five outputs, while the RIVER 520 Gen4 has six. All USB-C ports support fast charging.

Other features include Refrigerator Runtime Mode, which adjusts power delivery to refrigerator loads during outages. Operating noise remains below 30dB under a 200W load.

Both models use LFP battery cells and more than 40 battery management system protection features.

PowerRock 4000 targets professional jobsites

While the RIVER Gen4 focuses on portability, the PowerRock 4000 takes EcoFlow’s power stations into professional applications.

The industrial portable power station is designed for construction, events, film production and emergency response. It delivers 4kW continuously and up to 7.2kW for as long as 100 seconds from its 3kWh battery.

EcoFlow positions the PowerRock 4000 as an alternative to temporary site power and combustion generators. It does not require a separate electrician or temporary grid connection, while its battery-powered operation makes it suitable for locations where combustion generators are restricted or impractical.

The unit features what EcoFlow describes as an industry-first built-in residual current device. It detects leakage at 30mA and can cut off power in under 300ms.

Its metal housing carries an IP65 rating and sits inside a reinforced roll cage. The PowerRock 4000 can also survive a 1m drop and weighs 38kg.

AC charging takes 48 minutes to reach 80 percent and 60 minutes for a full charge. An alternator can also top up the battery while the unit is being transported between jobs.

The PowerRock 4000 officially launched across Europe on September 4, 2026. EcoFlow plans to expand distribution through professional electrical, hardware, building materials and tool distributors from November.

EcoFlow also highlights home energy systems

EcoFlow is also showcasing its OCEAN 2 three-phase home storage system at IFA.

The system launched across Europe in March 2026. It combines solar generation, battery storage, whole-home backup and energy management. It remains compatible with the previous EcoFlow generation, allowing existing users to expand their systems.

OCEAN 2 is available in five power classes from 6kW to 15kW. Its three independent MPP trackers support up to 24kW of PV input.

The system can provide whole-home backup at up to 63A, with a claimed 0ms switchover under defined conditions. It can also work with ATS-capable generators and third-party inverters.

Battery capacity can scale to 12 modules per inverter. The modules come in 5kWh and 8kWh capacities, with the 8kWh version on display at IFA.

EcoFlow’s OASIS 3.0 energy management platform handles energy storage and consumption. The company says it works with more than 1,000 energy providers across Europe and can use solar forecasts with up to 90 percent accuracy.

EcoFlow claims OASIS 3.0 and solar storage can reduce household electricity costs by up to 77.6 percent. Actual savings will vary based on factors such as consumption, system configuration and electricity tariffs.

The STREAM home battery series is also on display. Launched across Europe in June, the series includes the STREAM AC 5000, which is designed to retrofit storage onto existing solar installations.

EcoFlow says Local Mode will arrive for the STREAM series in October. The feature allows systems to continue operating and remain controllable through the app when the internet connection goes down, without relying on the cloud.