Tech & Hardware 24 Hours

Last updated: July 22, 2026, 5:30 AM ET

Windows & Software Updates

Microsoft is modernizing the Windows 11 File Explorer by updating decades-old UI elements to align with the system's current design language. For users seeking a one-time purchase, Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2024 is available for a lifetime license at a new low price of $55. Meanwhile, a new offer bundles AI models like Chat GPT, Gemini, and Claude for life at $80, a significant discount from individual monthly subscriptions totaling $60.

Hardware & Peripherals

Apple is reportedly preparing to launch a new leasing and upgrade program for Macs, iPhones, and iPads on July 28th, aiming to stimulate sales. Silver Stone has quietly listed its CS240 Mini-ITX NAS case, featuring four hot-swappable 2.5-inch U.2 bays, a design previously showcased at Computex. The Razer Seiren V3 Chroma, a premium USB microphone with 32-bit DSP and Chroma lighting, has been announced for creators. Toben ONE has introduced the UDS060 docking station, equipped with programmable shortcut keys and a volume knob for enhanced productivity. Yubico announced the general availability of Yubi Key 5.8, expanding passkey features for enhanced security. Intel and Fortinet are collaborating to advance cybersecurity with the development of Fortinet Security Processor 6 (SP6) collaborating on cybersecurity. xMEMS Labs has launched the XMC-1200, the world's smallest active micro fan designed to improve thermal management in smart glasses and AR/XR devices. Philips has introduced the Evnia 32M2N6901A QD-OLED gaming monitor, boasting 4K resolution, a 165Hz refresh rate, and impressive HDR visuals. Glorious announced the GHS Wireless Infinite Play gaming headset, featuring swappable battery packs that offer over 85 hours of playtime. Seasonic's Prime TX-1600W Noctua Edition power supply, updated to ATX 3.1 and featuring a Noctua cooling solution, promises robust performance with its 1600W capacity. ASRock Industrial is integrating Axelera AI's Metis AIPU cards into its edge AI platforms to deliver efficient AI inference solutions.

Gaming & Entertainment

Valve's Steam Deck sales have significantly declined, reportedly by 80 percent, following price hikes implemented in May. Palworld continues its impressive performance, reaching nearly 1 million concurrent players just 10 days after its 1.0 launch, underscoring its massive popularity. A new studio, When Tides Turn, founded by former Burnout and Need for Speed talent, is developing Wreckreation, a sequel to the open-world driving game. The Battlefield 6 Season 4 update, released on July 21st, has reportedly caused crashes with NVIDIA RTX 50-series drivers, with a fix reportedly in development. GNOME has shown a slight edge over KDE in recent gaming benchmark comparisons, with Xfce running on X11 performing the slowest. Nintendo maintains that Switch users voluntarily paid higher prices and are not entitled to tariff refunds, urging a court to dismiss a lawsuit. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt will receive its final expansion, "Songs of the Past," which is slated to debut at Gamescom. Forza Horizon 5's creative director defended the Xbox Game Pass model, calling it a "good idea".

AI & Future Tech

NVIDIA has provided further details on its "Rubin" GPU architecture, emphasizing its role in scaling computing across data centers and its focus on "agentic AI". The company also revealed more about its "Vera" CPU, an Armv9.2 design with 88 cores, 176 threads, and support for up to 1.5 TB of LPDDR5X memory, designed for rackscale systems. Anthropic's $1.5 billion copyright settlement has been approved, with only 350 authors opting out, preventing further author exclusions at the last minute approving a settlement.

Automotive & Other Tech News

Range Rover is preparing to launch the GT, an EV model with a hybrid variant to follow, which deviates from its traditional SUV form factor. Automakers' connected vehicle support is not indefinite, raising questions about long-term cloud integration and vehicle longevity. The 2027 Kia Seltos, starting at under $25,000, offers substantial value, though the hybrid version is not expected until next year. A report suggests that NAND Flash shortages, which have plagued the semiconductor industry, are expected to finally end in 2027. Acer and Intel have showcased the Predator Atlas 8 gaming handheld, powered by Intel Arc G3 APUs, with a planned autumn release and a starting price of over $1,000. Tree Size is shifting its business model, stating that perpetual license support will not be renewed unless users subscribe to their services due to "current economic conditions".