Tech & Hardware 3 Days

Last updated: July 11, 2026, 5:30 AM ET

Gaming & Hardware

Keychron launched the K5 Ultra 8K, a low-profile wireless mechanical keyboard with a full 100% layout and wood accents, following its K4 and K10 Ultra models. Thermaltake unveiled the CAPO X, a dual-system full-tower chassis that can house two Mini-ATX systems, noted for its unusual design at Computex. Jsaux previewed its Steam Machine display faceplates, offering decorative options for the handheld gaming device. ASUS's ROG Strix Z890-E Gaming Wi-Fi motherboard received a review for its extensive features, including seven M.2 ports with three PCIe Gen 5 slots, and strong cooling performance. Palworld exited Early Access with a significant update, introducing 72 new Pals and extensive patch notes for its 1.0 launch on Steam. PlayStation's decision to cease physical game media production by January 2028 is pushing gamers toward PC gaming. Valve rolled out its Steam Machine verification system, though dozens of titles too demanding for the Steam Deck remain unrated for the new hardware. Philips issued for Hue Bridge Pro devices that were rendered unusable by a firmware update, requiring users to reconfigure their smart lighting setups. NVIDIA is reportedly preparing the GeForce RTX 5090 SE graphics card, a model intended to bridge the performance gap between the current RTX 5080 and the flagship RTX 5090. GIGABYTE demonstrated its AI TOP ATOM four-node clustering for scientific computing, designed to scale local AI workloads. ASUS Republic of Gamers announced the ROG Gjallar, a premium gaming soundbar for cinematic surround sound and clear in-game communication, along with the ROG Raikiri II Pro PC controller, featuring an 8K polling rate and hot-swappable joysticks. MOZA expanded its flight simulation ecosystem with new flight displays, panels, and cockpit systems. XMG's APEX is now available with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 featuring 12 GB of VRAM, an upgrade from the previous 8 GB. The global PC market experienced a 3.6% year-over-year decline in 2Q26, shipping 65.7 million units amid supply pressures. In Win introduced the L50 BREEZE PC case, featuring reeded glass and AWWA Pure Tone lighting, moving away from aggressive RGB aesthetics. Razer launched the Hammerhead V3 X Hyper Speed wireless gaming earbuds for both Xbox and PlayStation.

Industry & Policy

Unionized Bethesda are planning a strike following mass layoffs at Xbox, which are part of a wider "reset" strategy. These layoffs, impacting 3,200 employees, are also expected to affect future projects like The Elder Scrolls. In a concerning development, a ransomware negotiator hired to represent victims was reportedly working for the attackers, leading to a six-year prison sentence for the individual. Micron Technology is accelerating its U.S. investments, planning to spend over $250 billion by 2035, with the first concrete poured at its new New York fabrication plant. Broadcom is accusing Allstate of dodging VMware and CA audits, while Allstate counters that Broadcom is auditing them because they quit those services. Elon Musk's settlement with the SEC over Twitter stock violations was reluctantly approved by a judge, though the court could not block it. OpenAI may face sanctions for allegedly hiding and deleting Chat GPT logs in its copyright dispute with The New York Times. A lawsuit alleges that a man used Grok to create child sexual abuse material of his stepdaughter before dying by suicide, with X facing accusations of shielding predators. A judge rejected Kalshi's attempt to override New York state gambling laws on its prediction market. The Australian government has instructed volunteers to discard thousands of functioning test routers, despite claims that the devices could be easily reflashed. The U.S. military is seeking cheaper hunter-killer drones after Iran destroyed approximately $1 billion worth of Reaper drones, spurring a Pentagon call for more cost-effective replacements.

Technology & Innovation

Quantum error correction methods can now constantly recalibrate processors using reinforcement learning to adjust control algorithms based on error information as detailed by Ars Technica. Increased drone surveillance to deter illegal fireworks resulted in a $100,000 fine for offenders. The Quest shipwreck has transformed into a marine ecosystem, despite being in worse condition than initially assessed. Philips issued free replacements for Hue Bridge Pro devices that were bricked by a firmware update, requiring users to reconfigure their smart lighting setups. orbiting disco provided the most precise test yet of Einstein's theory of relativity, showing how the Earth distorts space-time. NASA is reportedly increasing its demands on private space stations, with industry now aware of the agency's expectations. The ECU tuning landscape is described as an "arms race" between original equipment manufacturers locking down chips and tuners attempting to bypass them. AMD has confirmed that its first Zen 6 server CPU, codenamed "Venice," will be launched on July 22-23 at its Advancing AI event. Further details on Intel's Nova Lake-S CPUs suggest they will feature 12-core Arc Xe3P integrated graphics processors. AMD has also quietly expanded its processor lineup with 11 new "Hawk Point" APUs, including seven SKUs for the Ryzen 200 series and four for the Ryzen 100 series. A 10-core AMD "Medusa Point" Zen 6 APU has reappeared in Geekbench, indicating improved performance on the Plum-MDS1 FP10 platform. Rambus announced its DDR5 9600 Server RDIMM Chipset for high-performance memory modules. VESA announced Display HDR True Black 1400, a new certification tier for next-generation OLED displays. Cooler Master launched the V8 ACE 3DHP, a flagship single-tower CPU air cooler using patented 3D Heat Pipe technology.

AI & Software

A study by Ars Technica indicates that RFK Jr.'s proposed changes to the measles vaccine could be detrimental to U.S. toddlers, particularly those receiving combination shots. A professor at an Ivy League university reportedly ordered in-person final exams after suspecting AI cheating, leading to a 50% drop in scores, with the professor stating AI cheating results in "a failed society." Google updated Android Bench with new large language models, though Gemini reportedly still lags behind competitors. OpenAI may face sanctions for allegedly hiding and deleting Chat GPT logs in its copyright dispute with The New York Times. A lawsuit alleges that a man used Grok to create child sexual abuse material of his stepdaughter before dying by suicide, with X facing accusations of shielding predators. TikTok users may have less control over their For You Pages than they believe, as the "not interested" feature requires intentional and continuous curation.

Space & Science

The Quest shipwreck has become a thriving marine ecosystem despite its deteriorated condition. NASA is increasing its demands on private space stations, with industry now aware of the agency's expectations. orbiting disco provided the most precise test yet of Einstein's theory of relativity, confirming the distortion of space-time by mass. The launch competition for the military has a new entrant that is not technically a launch company, a development that surprised participants. SpaceX's Starship is demonstrating "smart industrial design and scale" with its Pez dispenser-like payload system, signaling a shift in how payloads dictate launch terms. Miami-based City Labs achieved a significant milestone for commercial nuclear power in space with its BOHR mission, serving as a pathfinder for future nuclear-powered spacecraft. The Earth's crust expands at mid-ocean rifts, and recent observations suggest this spreading occurs in sudden bursts.