Tech & Hardware 24 Hours

Last updated: May 23, 2026, 5:32 PM ET

Space Technology

Two astronauts inducted into the Astronaut Hall of Fame have been honored for their "excellence, leadership, and service" during the space shuttle era, while in a more concerning development, four Russian satellites have positioned themselves within striking distance of an ICEYE radarsat, a capability described as "not common for satellites conducting typical missions."

Gaming Performance

Racing game Forza Horizon 6 has approached 5 million sales since its May 19 launch on PC and Xbox Series consoles, with 42% of purchases occurring on Xbox platforms. Meanwhile, survival game Subnautica 2 has crossed 4 million units sold, continuing its impressive performance despite its "No Violence" policy and EULA restrictions.

Gaming Hardware

Valve's Steam Controller has received HID Remapper support for third-party compatibility through an open-source, hardware-agnostic project that uses a USB adapter to convert inputs between devices. However, the new peripheral faces safety concerns after a user reportedly nearly started a fire when a charging puck short-circuited, less than a month after its May 4 debut at $99.

Platform Strategy

Microsoft's upcoming title Fable will launch cross-platform despite Xbox Gaming's recent strategy reevaluation of exclusive games and Game Pass content, as the company responds to "player frustration" with its current approach to exclusivity.

Software Business Models

Microsoft is offering a one-time purchase option for its Office suite at $130, addressing subscription fatigue that currently costs users $69.99 to $99.99 annually, potentially requiring $200-$400 over several years of continuous use.

Consumer Electronics

Google addressed a bug causing first-generation Chromecast devices to suddenly fail, leaving users stressed by the unexpected hardware malfunctions in the discontinued streaming hardware.