Assassin's Creed Shadows is seemingly not out of hot water with gamers just yet, although this time, the flak seems to have been mostly unwarranted. Earlier this week, rumors popped up on Reddit claiming to reveal the Assassin's Creed Shadows Animus Hub, which was supposedly the upcoming RPG's dedicated launcher, and a host of in-game season passes and rewards. The leak purports to detail the first free battle pass, which is referred to as "Eye in the Dark" and will consist of 20 reward tiers. Completing the battle pass allegedly rewards 9,050 Isu coins, which can be used to purchase various cosmetics in the form of character, weapon, and mount customization options. Somewhat comically, there appear to be in-game collaborations with the likes of VISA, Red Bull, Intel, BAPE Clothing and Sprecher, although how these will play out in the game is a mystery. This news made quite a stir when it was first announced, since Ubisoft was very clear when it confirmed the game's delay last month that there would be no season passes in Assassin's Creed Shadows.

As it turns out, though, the rumors were kicking up enough speculation about the return of paid subscriptions, battle passes, and season passes that Ubisoft took to its official Discord server to address the rumors directly. Although Ubisoft confirmed that the Animus Hub is a piece of software it has been working on, all the content and rewards offered in the Animus Hub will be free content. Ubisoft was, however, careful with its words, not denying the existence of season passes and battle passes, instead only commenting that those passes will not be paid. Additionally, Ubisoft confirmed that there will be additional in-game content available for free in the Animus Hub.

Most Raspberry Pi single-board computers, with the exception of the Raspberry Pi Zero and A+ form factors, incorporate an on-board USB hub to fan out a single USB connection from the core silicon, and provide multiple downstream USB Type-A ports. But no matter how many ports we provide, sometimes you just need more peripherals than we have ports. And with that in mind, today we're launching the official Raspberry Pi USB 3 Hub, a high-quality four-way USB 3.0 hub for use with your Raspberry Pi or other, lesser, computer.

Key features include:

• A single upstream USB 3.0 Type-A connector on an 8 cm captive cable
• Four downstream USB 3.0 Type-A ports
• Aggregate data transfer speeds up to 5 Gbps
• USB-C socket for optional external 3 A power supply (sold separately)

Corsair (is excited to announce the launch of the iCUE LINK RX MAX series fans. These fans are 30 mm thick - 20% thicker than standard 25 mm fans. This increased thickness allows for superior airflow and static pressure, enabling the fans to move more air while running slower and quieter for optimal cooling performance. The RX120 MAX PWM fans feature a speed range of 400 to 2,000 RPM and an impressive 4.2 mm-H2O static pressure, making them ideal for pushing air through dense radiators. Similarly, the RX140 MAX fans operate between 300 and 1,600 RPM with a static pressure of 2.4 mm-H2O, providing powerful cooling for a wide range of high-performance components.

Corsair AirGuide Technology focuses airflow precisely where it is needed most, enhancing cooling efficiency and performance. The fans also feature a Magnetic Dome bearing for long-lasting performance and quiet operation, offering a balance between durability and reduced noise levels. Non-RGB fans are equipped with built-in temperature sensors, allowing users to fine-tune fan curves through iCUE software and customize their cooling profiles for peak performance.

MSI unveils the X870E and X870 motherboards, designed to harness the full power of AMD's Ryzen 9000 Series desktop processors. The lineup includes four models: MEG X870E GODLIKE, MPG X870E CARBON WIFI, MAG X870 TOMAHAWK WIFI, and PRO X870-P WIFI. These motherboards deliver exceptional value and performance with cutting-edge features and exclusive MSI innovations. Offering top components, innovative features, and easy DIY options, MSI's X870E and X870 motherboards make building and using your PC seamless.

Introducing MSI's Ultra Connect feature in the X870E and X870 motherboards, offering next-gen networking, storage, and expansion. With built-in 5G LAN and Wi-Fi 7, users can enjoy lightning-fast speeds, reaching up to 5.8 Gbps. As well as TriLink Connectivity, Expansion is made to future-proof with PCIe Gen 5.0 for next-gen graphics cards and SSDs. The USB4 ports, which are Thunderbolt compatible, enable fast data transfers and support a wide range of next-gen devices, including display output through USB-C.

UGREEN, a leading innovator in consumer electronics, is set to showcase its latest Ugreen Uno Series at IFA 2024 in Berlin, Germany, from September 6-10, highlighting a lineup of innovative fast-charging products designed to deliver a fun and fast charging experience for iPhone users under the theme "Activate You".

The UGREEN Uno series offers fast and fun accessories designed specifically for iPhone users, including wired PD chargers that provide high-wattage fast charging, as well as the latest Qi2 magnetic wireless charging devices compatible with Apple's MagSafe, along with hubs and cables. The Ugreen Uno Series flagship products include the UGREEN Uno Charger 100 W, UGREEN Uno Magnetic Wireless Power Bank 10000mAh 15 W, and UGREEN Uno 2-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charger 15 W. These innovative chargers and power banks are designed with "Fast and Fun Charging" in mind. The Groovy, unique robot appearance can be cool and cute. During the charging process, the TFT Screen could support the display of more cute emojis, offering a more interesting experience to the users.

Elgato, a brand of CORSAIR, today introduced two new hardware extensions for their Stream Deck + controller. XLR Dock, a mic interface, helps creators manage all their audio needs from a single device. Meanwhile, USB Hub offers additional ports and power delivery to support a growing setup. Both extensions slot directly into the back of Stream Deck +, tucked away to reduce desk clutter. For creators like streamers and podcasters, it's an opportunity to further streamline their workspace, with Stream Deck + at its heart.

Stream Deck + owners can order XLR Dock and USB Hub today on Elgato's webstore, with shipping expected to begin next week. Starting August 25, both products will also be available at authorized retailers in CORSAIR's global network.

The Sabrent USB Type-C 3-Port Gaming Hub is a form-fitted, easy-to-use USB hub designed for your Steam Deck and Steam Deck OLED portable gaming systems. It fits easily into place and will go with your Deck wherever you go. It's sleek and small but has all the essentials to make play simple and robust. The hub, through its 5 Gbps (USB 3.2 Gen 1x1) USB Type-C upstream port, extends the deck with dual USB-A downstream ports. There's also a Type-C port that can be used to power and charge the Deck (PD3.0).

We've listened to your feedback: the Type-C downstream port, a popular feature from our Steam Deck Dock (DS-SD6P), is included in this Gaming Hub as well. This port can act as a downstream port for other devices, offering versatility. Regardless of how you use it, though, the Hub will work with various operating systems - for multi-boot, for a non-stock OS, or even for other non-Deck devices - and is plug-and-play. This is an essential companion for your Deck that doesn't take up a lot of space or have unnecessary ports or features. Plug and go.

Corsair today launched the LX RGB Series of cooling fans, the latest addition to the acclaimed iCUE LINK ecosystem. Proving that amazing lighting and high-performance cooling are not mutually exclusive, the LX RGB Series redefines the expectations of PC enthusiasts - and thanks to iCUE LINK, makes building and connecting your masterpiece easy and convenient.

Available in 120 mm and 140 mm sizes, in your choice of black or white to match the aesthetic of your build, each LX RGB fan features 18 individually addressable RGB LEDs spread across an inner and outer light loop, creating spectacular, fully customizable lighting effects - including the iCUE LINK-exclusive Time Warp mode that creates mesmerizing optical illusions. All of this is made possible by the new and improved iCUE 5 software, making it easier than ever before to customize and switch between lighting effects or synchronize them with your games.

Introducing game hubs. Earlier this month, we started rolling out game hubs to Xbox Insiders on PC and a subset of Xbox App on PC players worldwide. Game hubs were built on your feedback around depth, progression, and more ways to connect with your games. With game hubs, you'll be able to track your progress over time, discover the latest content and add-ons, connect or compete with your friends, get the latest news from developers, and more. This version of game hubs is just the beginning. We have another wave of updates coming soon, including ways to view your local game captures and browse other games from the same publisher.
We can't wait to hear your feedback on what's there now and what you'd like to see in future updates. You can access game hubs from the Xbox App on PC—just click on the game in your library or the left sidebar. Now, let's run through some of the exciting content you will find here:

The essentials. At the top of the page, you'll see the essentials like game info alongside options to play, install, or update the game. You'll also see a quick link back to the details page, where you can purchase the game to own, see reviews, or add it to your wish list. Lastly, you'll find information like when you last played, your total playtime, an achievement summary, and friend overviews. This area will also be used for important notifications like letting you know when a game is leaving Game Pass so that you can use your discount before it's gone.

Phoronix head honcho, Michael Larabel, has noticed another set of interesting updates for AMD Graphics on Linux—albeit in preparation for next generation solutions: "engineers on Monday (February 5) posted a few new patch series for enabling some updated IP (intellectual property) blocks within their open-source AMDGPU Linux kernel graphics driver. This new IP is presumably part of the ongoing hardware enablement work for their next-gen RDNA 4 graphics." Team Red GitHub patches for "GFX12" targets appeared online last November, again highlighted by Larabel's investigative work—AMD engineers appear to be quite determined with their open-source software endeavors, as seen in LLVM-Project notes regarding GFX1200's enablement.

The new "IP block" updates included patches for the enabling ATHUB 4.1, LSDMA 7.0, IH 7.0, and HDP 7.0—presumably for next generation Radeon graphics solutions. Larabel provided a quick breakdown of these components: "ATHUB 4.1 is needed for clock-gating / power management features, LSDMA 7.0 is the latest IP for Light SDMA for general purpose System DMA (SDMA) on the GPU, IH 7.0 for the Interrupt Handler on the GPU, and HDP 7.0 for the Host Data Path support for CPU accessing the GPU device memory via the PCI BAR. As far as code changes, the big chunks of the work are from the auto-generated header files." He believes that AMD's engineers have largely moved on from current generation tasks: "The big version bumps for these IP blocks all the more are likely indicative of these bits being for next-gen RDNA 4 as opposed to further iterating on RDNA3 or similar." The patches could be merged into the upcoming Linux 6.9 release, possibly coinciding with a Radeon RX 8000 series rollout.

An Open Image Denoise 2.2 release candidate was released earlier today—as discovered by Phoronix's founder and principal writer; Michael Larabel. Intel's dedicated website has not been updated with any new documentation or changelogs (at the time of writing), but a GitHub release page shows all of the crucial information. Team Blue's open-source oneAPI has been kept up-to-date with the latest technologies—not only limited to Intel's stable of Xe-LP, Xe-HPG and Xe-HPC components—the Phonorix article highlights updated support on competing platforms. The v2.2 preview adds support for Meteor Lake's integrated Arc graphics solution, and additional "denoising quality enhancements and other improvements."

Non-Intel platform improvements include updates for Apple's M-series chipsets, AArch64 processors, and NVIDIA CUDA. OIDn 2.2-rc: "adds Metal device support for Apple Silicon GPUs on recent versions of macOS. OIDn has already been supporting ARM64/AArch64 for Apple Silicon CPUs while now Open Image Denoise has extended that AArch64 support to work on Windows and Linux too. There is better performance in general for Open Image Denoise on CPUs with this forthcoming release." The changelog also highlights a general improvement performance across processors, and a fix that resolves a crash incident: "when releasing a buffer after releasing the device."

Samsung Electronics has announced details of the "Designed for Samsung Gaming Hub" program that will be showcased at CES 2024. The objective of the program is to work with leading gaming accessory companies to drive the next generation of best-in-class partner products for the Samsung Gaming Hub, Samsung's game streaming platform. In addition, the company announced its partnership with gaming accessory provider PDP (Performance Designed Products LLC), the first "Designed for Samsung Gaming Hub" controller.

"Samsung recognizes the indispensable role of accessories in elevating gaming experiences," said Jiho Ha, Head of Service Partnerships Group at Samsung Electronics. "Building on our already-high level of compatibility, the 'Designed for Samsung Gaming Hub' program will see us collaborating with trusted partners to craft accessories that further enhance the premier experience of the Samsung Gaming Hub."

VIA Labs, Inc. (VLI), a leading supplier of USB4, USB 3.2, and USB Power Delivery Controllers, today announced that the VL832 USB4 Endpoint Device Controller achieved USB4 certification from the USB Implementor's Forum (USB-IF). VIA Lab's VL832 supports USB 40 Gbps operation and is now listed on the USB-IF Integrator's List under TID: 10033.

VIA Lab VL832's USB-IF Certification represents a key milestone in the USB4 ecosystem. The certified USB4 device controller with an integrated USB 3.2 USB 10 Gbps Hub, USB 2.0 Hub, and DisplayPort output, provides essential connectivity for peripheral devices such as multi-function adapters and docking stations. In USB4 40 Gbps mode, VL832 supports full DisplayPort HBR3 bandwidth (32.4 Gbps), and the USB 20 Gbps hub can enable multiple USB 10 Gbps devices to operate at full performance on supported host platforms. Both metrics are double what was previously possible using DisplayPort Alternate Mode, which is limited to 2-lanes of DisplayPort when supporting USB 3.2 functionality.

Cooler Master, a leading provider of PC components, gaming peripherals, and tech lifestyle solutions, has today announced its strategic partnership with HubAuto Racing at the celebrated 70th Macau Grand Prix for the FIA GT World Cup. This collaboration melds the thrill of GT3 racing with the immersive world of SIM racing, spotlighting Cooler Master's innovative Dyn X racing simulator system.

Kevin Estre and Thomas Preining, renowned for their achievements in the motorsport world, will commandeer two Porsche 992 GT3R cars under the Cooler Master and HubAuto Racing banner. This venture not only amplifies Cooler Master's footprint in the racing arena but also offers a prime stage to demonstrate the exceptional capabilities of the Dyn X racing simulator system.

Elgato, a brand of CORSAIR, is proud to announce Marketplace, a first-of-its-kind virtual platform for content creators. On the Elgato Marketplace, creators can discover digital assets of all kinds, all in one convenient website. From plugins to graphics to voice effects, Marketplace offers creators new ways to personalize their favorite Elgato devices, like Stream Deck. It works with popular apps such as Wave Link and OBS Studio, making assets easy to install and customize. In a world of virtual landscapes, Marketplace empowers creators to express themselves and shape their identities.

With thousands of free and premium products, there's a digital asset for almost anyone on Marketplace. For those with a Stream Deck, there are hundreds of plugins to control apps like Discord and Microsoft Teams. Streamers can build their brand with graphics from top designers like Nerd or Die and OWN3D. Meanwhile, podcasters can pull from a library of voice effects and sounds to tune their audio. There's even a collection of video templates and transitions for YouTube editors to produce incredible content. That said, Elgato plans to grow the ecosystem even further in the future, adding new product types like video filters, voice changers, and AR effects in the future.

Amazon today introduced a range of new Echo devices designed for even more personalized, proactive, and intuitive Alexa experiences at home and on-the-go—the next-generation Echo Show 8, all-new Echo Hub, and new Echo Frames. In addition, Amazon collaborated with Safilo, one of the world's leading eyewear manufacturers, to blend the power of Alexa with iconic Carrera designs.

"Engagement with Echo devices is at an all-time high," said Daniel Rausch, vice president of Alexa and Fire TV. "Customers rely on Alexa for so much, including managing their smart homes, keeping up with the latest news, setting birthday reminders, and keeping their homes stocked with essentials. These new Echo devices give customers more ways to experience the world's best personal AI—and the growing generative AI capabilities that will be coming to Alexa soon—at home and on the go."

Belkin, a leading consumer electronics brand for 40 years, today announced 8 new products across its power, audio and connectivity categories, underscoring Belkin innovation, quality and its commitment to building products more responsibly. Belkin International can be found on the IFA show floor, Exhibit Hall 3.2, booth #119.

Wireless Charging

BoostCharge Pro Universal Easy Align Wireless Charging Pad 15 W
Delivers a fast and seamless charge for Qi-enabled devices at up to 15 W. The large charging surface provides easy alignment, and its non-slip grip material keeps it in place if jostled or vibrates from an incoming call. It's designed with two separate thermal protection systems to control temperatures and prevent overheating of the charger and connected devices.

Synology today announced the release of BeeDrive, a compact data hub that backs up personal files and photos from your computer, phone, and tablet simultaneously. In less than three minutes of setup, any PC user can start protecting their files with BeeDrive at fast local transfer speeds, while ensuring complete data privacy and ownership. "Every one of us is generating an unprecedented amount of data on various personal devices today. Better cameras and new photo or video formats, in particular, are eating up our phone or cloud storage space faster than ever," said David Hu, product manager at Synology Inc.

"Internet upload speeds never caught up with the explosive growth in personal data, making it increasingly slower and more costly to store all our files in the cloud, especially if we just want to back up or archive old files elsewhere or exchange files between our personal devices," Hu said. "This is why we want to offer a local, private alternative."

Game streaming hardware brand Streamplify showcased its latest gear at the 2023 Computex. The booth begins with an example setup of a typical stream rig, with a height adjustable desktop, two Streamplify Glow Light 14 units, and a Mount Arm, which can hold onto a Streamplify Mic Pro. This mic features Ø16 mm condenser capsules, and upgraded 24-bit/192 kHz digital sampling rate.

Right behind the monitors are Streamplify's new generation >20 dB Acoustic Panels. The booth also featured Streamplify's new generation Cam Pro. The original Cam is full HD, and uses a manual telescopic concealment mechanism. With the new Cam Pro, you just turn a silver shroud to cover the camera lens and its in-built mic. The biggest feature upgrade is the resolution, as the Cam Pro is capable of 4K @ 30 FPS or 1080p @ 60 FPS. Streamplify is planning to sell this at just $99.99 a pop. The company also showed us their upcoming HDMI-based video capture card that the company claims will be an affordable solution for beginners. Lastly, there's a next-generation Hub Ctrl product with OLED screen buttons.

Samsung Electronics today announced the global launch of its full 2023 Smart Monitor lineup. The new M8, M7 and M5 Smart Monitors (Model Name: M80C, M70C, M50C) from Samsung enable users to tailor their monitors to their unique styles and needs, as they watch, play and work.

"We are raising the bar for Smart Monitors globally with our new lineup and especially our enhanced M8 model," said Hoon Chung, Executive Vice President of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. "Within a single monitor, users can enjoy the best of entertainment and gaming, productivity, design and personalized convenience and comfort."

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. announced the new Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 Mobile Platform—delivering premium experiences brand new to the Snapdragon 7-series. Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 provides exceptional CPU and GPU performance fueling swift, nonstop gaming, dynamic low-light photography and 4K HDR videography, AI-enhanced experiences and high-speed 5G and Wi-Fi connectivity.

"Snapdragon is synonymous with premium mobile experiences. Today's launch of the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 illustrates our ability to bring some of the most in-demand flagship features to our Snapdragon-7 series—making them accessible to more people," said Christopher Patrick, senior vice president and general manager of mobile handsets, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. "We are committed to delivering the most innovative solutions to meet the needs of consumers, our customers, and the industry at large."

Amazon today introduced the next generation of Echo Dot and Echo Auto, giving you more ways to bring the convenience of Alexa to every room of your home and into your car. In addition, Amazon announced a new generation of Echo Dot Kids with new designs, significant audio improvements to Echo Studio, and a host of new features for Alexa—including a new Fire TV experience on Echo Show 15.

"A true ambient experience is there to simplify your day-to-day life when you need it and fades into the background when you don't. This generation of Echo devices are designed with this vision in mind," said Nedim Fresko, vice president of Amazon Alexa Devices. "With the upgraded audio and compact form factors, each of these new devices give customers more ways to make Alexa a seamless part of their day. And, with the new sensors and technology built in to Echo Dot and Echo Dot with Clock, customers can have Alexa do even more on their behalf."

GIGABYTE TECHNOLOGY Co. Ltd, the world's top leading brand of personal computers, now proudly presents the AERO Creator Laptop Series with the 12th Generation Intel Core Processors: AERO 16, AERO 17, and AERO 5. As the concept of the Metaverse blossoms, immersive content has been regarded as a crucial element for Metaverse development, and the Creator Laptops are expected to become extremely popular with their unique positioning: high performance with premium visual experiences. Targeting the Generation-Z creators and in response to the wishes of the massive user base, the GIGABYTE AERO Series product aspires to be a visionary masterpiece that breaks through the new epoch of 16" Creator Laptop as 16:10 4K+ OLED and AmLED display technologies are introduced to the series for the first time, along with the evolution of product designs. Rooted in humanity and heading back to nature, its appearance consists of the pure aesthetics from the integrally formed chassis crafted through CNC technology, and the core tenets are driven by the powerful core performance accompanied by minimalist designs, granting endless splendid wonders to the creators while intensifying the immersion of their creative journey. A trend of laptop replacement is to be expected.

Cooler Master earlier this week rolled out the MasterFan ARGB + PWM Hub (model: MFX-ZHHN-1NNN6-R1), a handy accessory to simplify both fan speed and lighting management. The device, which is slim enough to be tucked away in the crawlspace behind the motherboard tray, puts out six each of 4-pin PWM and 3-pin addressable-RGB connections. It draws power from a SATA power connector, and takes input from one each of 4-pin PWM and 3-pin ARGB connections from your motherboard. Among the six downstream PWM headers is a high-powered header marked in red, meant for multi-fan units. The hub comes in a metal body with a transparent plastic top, it measures 103 mm x 65 mm x 16 mm (WxDxH). The company didn't reveal pricing.

Update May 29th: Cooler Master informed us that this product is only officially available in the Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, and China regions, although you may find it from 3rd party sellers in other areas of the world.

The way we work, connect and learn continues to change right in front of us. Our devices have become our window to the world - our office, our school and our social space. To help navigate the current environment people are turning to Windows PCs more than ever. In fact, over 4 trillion minutes are being spent on Windows 10 a month, a 75% increase year on year. It's not just the pull of the larger screen and better keyboard, but the versatility of a device that runs the software we need and games and entertainment we love, with cameras and mics built in to connect us to the people who matter most. This is what Windows PCs were built to do. This is what we design Surface for.

The new Surface Go 2, Surface Book 3, Surface Headphones 2, Surface Earbuds and accessories are designed to help you do what you need, from anywhere - a concept that has taken on new weight since we first started working on these products. Instead of planes, coffee shops and offices, we're moving from home office to kitchen table to couch, but our need for devices that keep us productive and connected has never been greater.