Apple launches the MacBook Neo — and it starts at only $599

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• Apple's finally made its more affordable MacBook official
• It's powered by Apple's A18 Pro chip
• This new MacBook starts at $599 / £599

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After countless rumors, Apple has finally made its new entry-level MacBook Neo official. The iPhone 17e and iPad Air with M4 might have kicked off Apple's week of launches, but this new $599 / £599 MacBook will likely be the one that gets folks talking.

As expected, this MacBook doesn’t feature an M-series chip from Apple but is instead powered by an A18 Pro chip. Yes, Apple-made silicon that first debuted in an iPhone is now inside a Mac and running macOS.

It most closely resembles Apple’s classic wedge-design MacBook Air — a look I’m still pretty fond of — and this laptop comes in a range of four sweet colors (blush, indigo, silver, and a "fresh new citrus"). The invites for the March 4, 2026, Apple Experience were likely hinting at these colors.

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The MacBook Neo comes with two USB-C ports, a 1080p FaceTime HD camera and a headphone jack. The screen is a 13-inch Liquid Retina display with 500 nits of brightness and Apple is claiming a 16-hour battery life, only two less than the new MacBook Air. The MacBook Neo also has a Multi-Touch Trackpad and the Magic Keyboard, although unlike the MacBook Air this one isn't backlit.

The $599 / £599 / AU$899 version comes with 256GB storage and 8GB RAM and no Touch ID (with a lock button instead), while the $699 / £699 / AU$1,099 version has 512GB storage with 8GB RAM and Touch ID.

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So what's missing?

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Future

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The MacBook Neo packs in a lot for its $599 / £599 / AU$899 base price tag, so what corners has Apple had to cut?

Firstly, that cheaper model has no Touch ID on the keyboard — that only comes with the $699 / £699 / AU$1,099 512GB version. There also aren't any 1TB or higher storage options, just the 256GB and 512GB options.

The absence of a backlit keyboard could be one of the bigger practical limitations, making it harder for students (its main target market) to type away late in the evenings. There's also no MagSafe charging and no Apple N1 chip (which is now standard on Apple's latest MacBooks), which means you only get Wi-Fi 6E.

Elsewhere, the 1080p FaceTime camera doesn't have Center Stage, so it can't pan around to follow you as you move, and in the UK and Europe the laptop also won't ship with a charger or cable.

Still, while these are all nice-to-haves, the MacBook Neo certainly has its charms, particularly in those bright colors, and it's likely to a strong Chromebook rival at that $599 / £599 / AU$899 starting price. Considering it starts at $499 for education, we can see this being a popular laptop in 2026.

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Windows 12 could arrive this year with rumored heavy AI focus — and the hate is strong already

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• Windows 12 could debut later in 2026, PC World suggests
• That's based on leaks and statements from hardware partners, we're told
• The site rounds up a bunch of further rumors about a heavy AI focus, and subscription elements therein — which has provoked a very negative reaction

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Windows 12 could be here later this year, and Microsoft might focus heavily on AI — and specifically subscription elements therein — with the next-gen OS, where an NPU is likely to be an even more crucial element.

PC World has furnished us with what's essentially a roundup of existing rumors about Windows 12 — if indeed that is the name of the OS, and we're far from sure of that — sprinkled with a few nuggets of new info.

In terms of the latter, the main contention is that a "broad release in the course of 2026" is expected for Windows 12, based on leaks, project references within Microsoft, and statements from hardware partners, we're told.

It's a nebulous assertion, yes, but not one that can be ruled out as such, because there is a window (or should that be Windows?) of opportunity, PC World argues: October 2026. That's when extended support for Windows 10 runs out, and so with that operating system 'out of the way' (at least officially), there could theoretically be room for another launch.

As noted, PC World has mostly compiled a host of old rumors here. These include the idea that Windows 12 will be a modular operating system, meaning it'll be broken up into chunks, and specific versions could drop certain pieces.

This is called the CorePC project, and speculation has been kicking around about it for a few years now. In theory, it could lead to a highly streamlined OS given the right configuration.

If you were hoping AI might be one of the modular sections that you can toss aside with Windows 12, think again, because PC World reminds us that it's likely to be baked into the beating heart of the next-gen OS. It'd be a surprise if that wasn't the case at this point, frankly.

On top of that comes a suggestion that a powerful NPU — meaning 40 TOPS or more, the qualification for a Copilot+ (AI) PC — could be a more important aspect, and a requirement for more AI-based features. Again, that wouldn't be a surprise.

For the interface, a previous leak around a floating taskbar is mentioned, as well as transparent glass elements for the UI.

Finally, references to a 'subscription status' (from a long way back) are touched on again, with PC World clarifying that this doesn't mean Microsoft is planning to charge a monthly fee to use Windows 12. Rather, this could be exclusive (optional) AI features that you need to pay a subscription to use (perhaps including cloud-based AI functionality, as well as on-device tricks).

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Analysis: Windows AI

(Image credit: fizkes / Shutterstock)

Personally, I think the most telling aspect here is the reaction to PC World's rumor roundup. There's been quite the vitriolic outpouring on Reddit, as you might guess.

One of my favorites is a simple and cutting statement: "It's going to be a good year for Linux."

Then there's also this hugely upvoted comment: "Man, that's a lot of things I don't want at all packed into one operating system."

Or how about: "I've been using Windows since 3.1 and if this happens I am finally OUT."

You'll find variations of these scattered around Reddit. What you'll struggle to find is anything like a positive comment. And yes, granted, complainers are quick to be vocal, and content users may stay happily quiet more often than not, but the tumbleweeds regarding any element of positivity are notable. And when it is present, positive commentary is often tongue-in-cheek — such as praising the idea of a two-tier Windows 12, with a subscription locking away the AI features behind a paywall.

As one Redditor puts it: "I like the part about AI features being hidden behind a subscription wall — perfect place for it to rot."

It's a fair point, though, that if Microsoft is going to tread the subscription path in a partial manner like this, a lot of folks wouldn't bat an eyelid about AI powers getting walled off.

As to PC World's assertion that the launch of Windows 12 could be set for late in 2026, I'm very skeptical about that. Remember, Microsoft has vowed to fix Windows 11 this year, in a major campaign to smooth over bugs and resolve fundamental issues with the operating system.

Now, I'm guessing that's going to be a pretty resource-intensive operation for Microsoft's software engineers and other staff — so is 2026 really the best time to launch an entirely new incarnation of Windows? No, it isn't. And if it does happen, and Windows 12 debuts in or after October this year, I'm going to call it that Microsoft isn't taking the campaign to 'fix Windows 11' seriously enough, and I won't be the only one. The software giant surely knows this.

That's one major reason for Windows 12 not to arrive in 2026, and there's another — I don't think it will be Windows 12, but rather Windows AI, or Windows Copilot, or some other different name to reflect what will surely be a heavier focus on AI in many ways. This is going to be a big moment for Microsoft's AI ambitions, and I think it's going to take time to properly establish AI agents — the next big piece of the puzzle — before they can be the showcase centerpiece for next-gen Windows.

Because that's surely Microsoft's plan here — and likely, as indicated, a subscription element, perhaps even having AI agents as separate add-ons that can be bought for a small monthly fee (plus bundle plans with price reductions, naturally).

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Forget the Apple Studio Display — here are 3 better-value monitors for Macs with similar visual quality

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• Apple launched a new Studio Display monitor earlier this week
• It has plenty of improvements but misses out on some features
• You can get similar features at lower prices with these alternative screens

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Apple released a suite of new monitors this week, and that includes a Studio Display that gets its first updates since 2022. But despite its new features and improvements, it falls short in a few areas. That means it might not be the right choice for you.

Thankfully, there are plenty of other options out there. Here, we’ve found three monitors that make great alternatives to Apple’s Studio Display.

1. BenQ MA270S

(Image credit: TechPowerUp)

BenQ is well-known for making some of the best monitors around, and its new MA270S continues that trends with a range of features that match (and often exceed) what you get from Apple.

For instance, it packs in the same 5K resolution, 27-inch frame and IPS LED backlighting. Its 70Hz refresh rate is faster than the Studio Display’s 60Hz and it supports HDR10, which Apple’s offering does not. There’s a Nano Gloss texture option, which is similar to Apple’s “nano-texture glass” and cuts out glare and reflections. And BenQ’s MA270S clocks in at $1,000 / £899 – a full $600 / £600 less than Apple’s Studio Display.

That said, there are some drawbacks. The MA270S’s 450 nits of maximum brightness falls short of the Studio Display’s 600 nits, for instance. It also lacks Apple-specific features like True Tone, which dynamically adjusts the screen temperature based on your ambient lighting.

The Studio Display offers Thunderbolt 5 connectivity (BenQ’s MA270S is limited to Thunderbolt 4) and a 12MP camera with Center Stage and Desk View built in. Finally, you’re unlikely to get anywhere near the audio experience as you’ll find on the six-speaker Studio Display, as the MA270S has only half the number of speakers.

Still, for $600 / £600 less, you might not mind those limitations. Considering the savings, it’s a strong option.

2. Asus ProArt Display PA27JCV

(Image credit: Asus)

Asus is mostly known for its gaming products, but it also has a ProArt line that is targeted towards the same creatives who might be interested in what Apple has to offer. The ProArt Display PA27JCV, then, makes for an interesting alternative to the Studio Display.

You get a 27-inch screen, 60Hz refresh rate, 5K resolution and an IPS LED backlit panel, just like the Studio Display. Asus’s monitor offers marginally less brightness (500 nits versus the Studio Display’s 600 nits) but supports HDR10 and is compatible with both the DCI-P3 and Adobe RGB color spaces — the Studio Display only works with the former, while you’ll have to shell out for the $3,299 / £2,999 Studio Display XDR if you want Adobe RGB support from Apple.

Like the BenQ MA270S, Asus’s screen has its share of downsides. There’s no front-facing camera, no True Tone equivalent and no Thunderbolt 5 (there’s no Thunderbolt support at all, in fact). Then again, it costs $799 / £649 (currently down from its usual £749), which is half the Studio Display’s asking price. That’s nothing to sniff at.

3. INNOCN 40C1U

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

At first look, you might think the INNOCN 40C1U is too good to be true. After all, it exceeds the Studio Display in a number of ways – its 40-inch ultrawide screen and 100Hz refresh rate are far beyond what you get from Apple – yet it costs just $750 / £795, less than half of what Apple wants for the Studio Display.

The benefits don’t end there. In exchange for your money, you get a 5K resolution, Adobe RGB compatibility and much more ergonomic freedom (including height, tilt and swivel adjustments) than the Studio Display. It also offers AMD’s FreeSync Premium in case you want to dabble in a little gaming. All that led us to score it 4.5 stars in our review.

Of course, INNOCN has to make sacrifices somewhere. For one thing, the 40C1U doesn’t look anywhere near as nice as the Studio Display. For another, there’s no support for Thunderbolt or 10-bit colors and it lacks any kind of webcam. The maximum brightness of 400 nits is outdone by Apple’s 600 nits and its two speakers will be blown away by the six-speaker system in the Studio Display. But for $750 / £795 (note that INNOCN doesn't ship directly to the UK), it still brings plenty to the table.

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'Thank you for bringing back Blackout' — Call of Duty fans react to the new Black Ops Royale mode

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• Call of Duty: Warzone is getting a new battle royale mode
• Titled Black Ops Royale, it was inspired by Black Ops 4's Blackout
• It doesn't feature loadout drops or the gulag

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A new battle royale mode is coming to Call of Duty: Warzone, and it was inspired by the fan-favorite Blackout of Black Ops 4.

Titled Black Ops Royale, the mode will be free for all players when it launches next week. It brings back the series' original battle royale experience, with a focus on scavenging for gear in 100-player matches.

Black Ops Royale doesn't have loadout drops or buy stations, forcing you to rely on what you can find lying around in the massive Avalon map.

Weapons that you obtain have a range of possible rarity levels, with higher ones increasing the number of available attachments in addition to bullet velocity and range. New attachment kits let you upgrade the gear that you have on hand through a predefined progression path based on each weapon class.

Unique perks are also available and can be found on the ground or in supply boxes. You can get them alongside other rewards for completing the various activities or missions littered around the world, too.

The mode doesn't have Warzone's gulag, so your team will need to redeploy towers if you die in the field. You can find valuable redeploy tokens, though, which let you jump back in right away.

Many of these mechanics feel reminiscent of those in the old Blackout mode from Black Ops 4, and plenty of fans are loving the similarities.

"Thank you for bringing back Blackout," wrote one player in the comments of a recent developer briefing video. "Loved blackout, can’t wait to try this out," chimed in another.

A thread about the new mode on the community-run r/Warzone subreddit was also filled with similar sentiments. "I am unbelievably stoked about this. Blackout is by far my most played game mode in any game," one user said.

Others were less impressed, though, with some saying that they would rather play the existing Warzone modes. "Willing to give it a shot but not expecting to enjoy it," one commenter revealed, listing the lack of loadout drops as one of the reasons why.

"Are we back? No, but a new mode is interesting," another posted.

You'll be able to dive into Black Ops Royale when it launches Thursday, March 12 at 9pm PT (that's Friday, March 13 at 12am ET for those on the East Coast).

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Leon S. Kennedy is hiding a huge secret in Resident Evil Requiem, but you'll need to beat the game first to figure it out

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• Leon S. Kennedy is hiding a huge secret about himself in Resident Evil Requiem
• The secret can only be discovered after you beat the game
• Concept art also seems to confirm player's theories

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This article contains spoilers for Resident Evil Requiem.

Capcom has hidden a pretty huge secret about Leon S. Kennedy in Resident Evil Requiem that can only discovered when players reach the end of the game.

The latest entry in the Resident Evil franchise launched last week, and already, players are beating the game with some even on their second or third playthroughs.

But there's one specific moment in the final cutscene that has fans going wild with theories (as reported by IGN).

At the end of the game, Leon can be seen walking away from Grace and slipping off his black gloves. Then, if you look closely, you can see him reaching into his back pocket and then putting something that looks like a ring on his finger.

It's difficult to see because it's quite dark, but fans have zoomed in on the scene, and there is a glint when he slides it on his left ring finger, suggesting that Leon S. Kennedy is a married man! Sorry, everyone, we were keeping it a secret.

In all seriousness though, after beating the game for the first time, players can also head to the main menu to check out extra features, including concept art. It's there that players can unlock Leon's character sheet, which shows his overall design, as well as his hands, the right with the black infection and the left showing the gold wedding band on his ring finger.

It's a secret held until the last moment in the game, as Leon seemingly heads back to his regular life after another near-death experience.

So who is the mysterious spouse he'll be returning home to? Someone fans already know, or a completely original character we haven't been introduced to yet?

Many fans believe it to be Claire Redfield, his Resident Evil 2 co-star and Chris Redfield's sister, the latter of whom has a namedrop in the endgame.

Others think Leon could be married to Ada Wong, who shared the screen in Resident Evil 2, Resident Evil 4, and Resident Evil 6. Ada is also playable in the Separate Ways, a downloadable content (DLC) for Resident Evil 4.

"He may not be married in the traditional sense with a dog and picket fence, but I think he’s symbolically off the market," said user 'UnusualShopping' on Reddit.

"Romance has been a conflict in his life. Part of his particular arc moving forward, is his lover boy persona being moved on from. I expect him and Ada, some time off screen, have come to a more official understanding. He has other options that would all make good partners, but narratively, if it’s not Ada all of that build up was for… what?"

Either way, the pair share a lot of history, but could their chemistry have finally culminated in a marriage?

Capcom traditionally releases new DLC after every Resident Evil game, so I'm hoping that the expansion may offer some more clues as to Leon's mystery partner. Maybe we'll even get to play as them.

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This week's Capcom Spotlight goes big with new Pragmata, Mega Man, and Monster Hunter Stories 3 details — but one of its most anticipated 2026 games is completely MIA

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• Capcom Spotlight is back this week, taking place on March 5
• There will be updates for titles like Pragmata and Monster Hunter Stories 3
• One big game, Onimusha: Way of the Sword, appears to be missing

Big news, Capcom-heads. The company's Capcom Spotlight showcase is returning this week with updates for upcoming games, as well as titles that have already released.

Announced via the developer's official website, Capcom Spotlight takes place on March 5, 2026 at 2pm PST / 5pm EST / 10pm GMT / 11pm CEST. The showcase will last for "approximately 30 minutes."

Capcom has already outlined the games that will feature during the event: Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection, Pragmata, Mega Man: Dual Override, Mega Man Star Force Legacy Collection, and Street Fighter 6.

Those first two are releasing imminently, on March 13 and April 24, respectively, so a few more concrete details for each would be welcome. As for Mega Man Star Force Legacy Collection, launching on March 27, Capcom says it will delve into the collection's online features. As for Mega Man: Dual Override, it will announce the winners of the Robot Master Design Contest.

That leaves Street Fighter 6. The next Season 3 character, Alex, is due to arrive on March 17. However, there may also be a tease for the final Season 3 character, Ingrid, though she's likely to be a good few months out yet.

Curiously, Capcom has made no mention of Onimusha: Way of the Sword, details of which have been scant since its appearance at Gamescom 2025. The game is still due out sometime in 2026. And yes, it's only March, so we're early doors, but it is starting to seem like the upcoming action game won't arrive until much later in the year.

Of course, Resident Evil Requiem has just come out, and fans are no doubt wondering if and when the series' staple Mercenaries mode (or additional story DLC) will be added to the game. I don't expect any info here so close to the game's launch. But hopefully we won't be left out in the cold for too long on that front.

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California's age verification law is proving controversial — here's what you need to know, and why some Linux distros are in the firing line

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• California's Digital Age Assurance Act comes into effect on January 1, 2027
• The legislation means any OS will need to collect age data at setup
• This will be a self-reported age declaration with no verification, but it could prove problematic in some ways — particularly for some Linux distros

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California has new legislation, which means that any provider of an operating system must ascertain the age of the user setting up the OS.

As Tom's Hardware reports, this is California's Digital Age Assurance Act (AB 1043), and it comes into effect on January 1, 2027.

As of next year, any operating system will need to not only collect age data at setup, but also transmit that data to developers of any apps running on the OS via a real-time API.

That's to facilitate software developers being able to verify any age requirements when their apps are downloaded or run. Under the legislation, OS users will be categorized into four age brackets: under 13, 13 to 15, 16 to 17, and 18 or older.

The idea is that developers are then responsible for applying verification based on the provided age. If the content of the app isn't age-appropriate, the onus is on the developer to ensure the person cannot use the software, or the dev is liable and will be penalized to the tune of up to $2,500 per affected child (for negligent violations — intentional violations run up to a fine of $7,500 in each instance).

However, it's a simple self-reported age check; there's no photo ID verification or similar process (as is the case in other US states with this kind of regulation).

As Tom's Hardware points out, there's a broad definition of an operating system provider, which is any organization that "develops, licenses, or controls the operating system software on a computer, mobile device, or any other general purpose computing device".

Any OS platform — be it mobile or desktop — is subject to AB 1043, whether that's the giants like Android and iOS, Windows 11, or smaller desktop fry like macOS and Linux. The latter is a wide net, of course, and includes the likes of handhelds running SteamOS.

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Analysis: complications around trust

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Of course, a trust-based age-verification system is problematic because a child can simply lie about their age to get around it, and no one will be the wiser.

However, that obvious flaw aside, there are a lot of people who are relieved to see that this won't be based on demanding a photo ID of some kind for proof of who you are. As we've seen with the Discord controversy of late, there are trust (and privacy) issues around supplying sensitive data like IDs to third parties (especially if those firms then end up suffering a data breach).

Another issue that's causing controversy here, though, is that some believe this is an initial implementation designed to get the door open in order to bring through stricter legislation (that does use ID verification) at a later date.

You can see why there's a fair bit of skepticism floating around, one way or another, about AB 1043, and there's another problem for some operating system developers, too. If you look at the more niche Linux distros, they're run by small teams of enthusiasts who simply don't have the resources to tackle implementing the necessary systems and real-time API — it's just not going to happen. In those cases, as Tom's Hardware notes, their approach is likely to be labelling the OS as not intended for use in California.

There are further nuances around what an 'account' is with an operating system, too. What about OS installations with multiple user accounts, with various family members sharing a PC – how exactly will that work under the new regulations? There are already folks pushing for clarity and amendments on that particular issue.

It's a rather muddy law, then, in more than a few respects, yet there's no shortage of folks welcoming it as a better outcome for California than what could have been (meaning full ID checks).

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I love my foldable phone and PC handhelds, but I don’t see the appeal of this goofy Lenovo concept

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• The Lenovo Legion Go Fold is a new handheld concept from MWC
• It can unfold into an iPad-sized screen
• You can use it like a handheld or a laptop

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I’ve been loving the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X PC handheld, but the screen isn’t the largest, and it doesn’t have the versatility of my Nintendo Switch 2 — so perhaps I need the newly unveiled Lenovo prototype handheld with a massive unfolding display, even if it does look a bit silly.

Showcased at MWC, the Lenovo Legion Go Fold Concept can transform between a more standard 7.7-inch display size and an 11.6-inch size in a 16:10 aspect ratio. Strapped between the controllers in handheld mode this iPad-sized screen looks absurd when in portrait orientation, but it can be turned landscape for a more sensible gaming experience (though it doesn’t look like it’d be very comfortable).

Best of all, you can remove the screen entirely. You could then use the screen as a laptop with a portable keyboard, or keep on gaming using the Joy-Con-like Lenovo controllers.

A pricey upgrade, probably

In addition to its flexible screen, this Lenovo handheld is outfitted with 32GB of RAM, an Intel Core Ultra 7 258V Lunar Lake processor, and 1TB of storage. Plus, if one extra-large display wasn’t enough, the controller has a built-in circular touchscreen that can be used to swipe through some UI elements, or provide some extra fun and utility as a clock or to play an animation.

(Image credit: Lenovo)

As this is a prototype, Lenovo hasn’t outlined a price (nor a release date) for the Legion Go Fold, but if this were to launch, don’t expect it to be cheap. A regular Lenovo Legion Go 2 would set you back $1,049 / £1,000 / AU$1,609, and after you consider the premium that comes with foldable displays (just look at the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 which is around twice the price of the Samsung Galaxy S26 for an idea) it wouldn’t be absurd to see the Legion Go Fold come in at close to or over $2,000.

That’s not even speaking of the RAM crisis of it all. The ongoing component shortage and resulting price spike are causing our favorite tech to surge in price, and 32GB of RAM won’t come cheap in today’s climate.

What I’m saying is, while many concepts do eventually see the light of day, I’m not expecting Lenovo’s foldable PC handheld to launch anytime soon — if at all. I’m a foldables convert, and I adore my gaming handhelds, so this should be a slam dunk product for me, but I couldn’t conceive of dropping close to $2,000 on this thing — at that point, I could get a very solid gaming laptop instead, which seems like a way better value for money.

If you are that desperate for a larger portable screen for your handheld, a much more affordable option would be a pair of XR smart glasses from the likes of RayNeo or Xreal.

We’re tracking all the news from MWC — including more tangible upgrades that aren’t simply concepts, plus some big Apple launches — so be sure to follow us for updates.

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GTA 6 pre-orders could drop in the coming weeks as marketing ramps up — 'we don't spend money on marketing until we're pretty close to release'

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• Grand Theft Auto 6 marketing is going to ramp up in summer
• A recent leak indicates that title IDs have been added to the PlayStation Store
• This hints that preorders may begin soon

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Could pre-orders for Grand Theft Auto 6 go live in the coming weeks? It's certainly possible with marketing set to ramp up a summer nears.

Speaking with CNBC's Jim Cramer back in February, Strauss Zelnick, CEO of Rockstar Games parent company Take-Two Interactive, confirmed that there are "marketing beats coming this summer," as efforts to promote GTA 6 kick into gear.

"We don't spend money on marketing until we're pretty close to release," he added.

Now PlayStation Store dataminer 'PlayStation Game Size' claims that title IDs, unique codes that identify different variants of PlayStation software, have been added to the digital storefront. Although far from a guarantee that there will be any movement soon, this is often done in preparation for a game going up for preorder or general sale.

They went on to reveal that the title IDs are 'PPSA01547_00' and 'PPSA29660_00'. It's a natural assumption that this would imply that there will be two editions of the game (presumably your usual 'Standard' edition and a more expensive version with some DLC thrown in) but that is not likely to be the case.

Rather than denoting distinct editions, title IDs are generally used to differentiate distinct regional versions of games or to sperate physical and digital copies.

With summer just around the corner, we could have a new trailer and a pre-order announcement any day now as we begin to near the November 19, 2026 release date.

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A God of War spinoff franchise could be on the way

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• The LinkedIn page of a former Sony Santa Monica employee may have leaked a new God of War spinoff project
• It is described as "new franchise within the God of War universe"
• This comes as a wider attempt by Sony to grow the franchise

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The now deleted LinkedIn page of former Sony Santa Monica senior writer Lauren Signorino may have inadvertently revealed a new God of War project in the works.

As captured by users on gaming forum ResetEra, the section on the writer's profile that detailed their time at the studio stated that they "helped shape narrative vision and creative direction" of a "new franchise within the God of War universe."

Their work involved "developing characters, storylines, and original lore" with the aim of expanding "the acclaimed IP." There are few detailed beyond this, though it is rumored that this is being directed by franchise veteran Cory Barlog and that it could be revealed in the next couple of months.

This lines up with recent claims in Bloomberg's Game On newsletter that Sony is working in "several sequels and spinoffs" in an attempt to expand the franchise. According to the report the live-service God of War title in development at the now shuttered Bluepoint Games was intended to support this effort.

Sony clearly has big ambitions for the series and recently announced a remake of the original God of War trilogy, which it says is "still very early in development." Last month also marked the surprise release of God of War Sons of Sparta, a 2D metroidvania prequel set before the events of the original God of War games.

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'Faster speeds, higher reliability, longer range, and powerful AI': Qualcomm introduces Wi-Fi 8 chips with a startling speed boost at MWC 2026

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• Qualcomm has introduced its portfolio of Wi-Fi 8 products
• The new FastConnect 8800 chips pack (up to) twice the performance of their predecessors
• New Dragonwing networking platforms for consumers will bring the many benefits of Wi-Fi 8 to home routers and mesh network systems

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While Wi-Fi 8 is still quite a long way off, at least in terms of having it on your laptop or phone, there have been a bunch of announcements around the tech already – and now, over at MWC 2026, Qualcomm has revealed its portfolio of offerings around the next-gen wireless standard.

Qualcomm has announced its FastConnect 8800 chips for providing Wi-Fi 8 to laptops (and of course tablets and phones), as well as Bluetooth 7.0.

The company notes that the FastConnect 8800 is the first mobile solution that has a 4x4 Wi-Fi radio configuration, and that this facilitates new heights in terms of wireless speeds. Indeed, compared to Qualcomm's previous-gen FastConnect chip on Wi-Fi 7, the 8800 is going pack (up to) twice the performance.

That means potential peak speeds of up to 11.6Gbps, as tested in Qualcomm's labs, versus up to 5.8Gbps as seen in the FastConnect 7800 (with a 2x2 radio configuration). The new 8800 chip will also provide three times the Gigabit wireless range.

Qualcomm further notes that Bluetooth speeds are getting a huge boost from 2Mbps to 7.5Mbps with this new chip compared to the previous FastConnect 7800 (thanks to Bluetooth High Data Throughput or HDT).

The new FastConnect chip also boasts Proximity AI and Ultra Wideband 802.15.4ab for pinpointing the location of other devices (or pairing with them automatically).

Qualcomm further announced new Dragonwing networking platforms, for enterprises and consumers. The mainstream tiers in the latter respect are the Dragonwing N8 and F8, which are platforms that are designed to bring Wi-Fi 8 to home routers and mesh network systems.

Qualcomm says it's sampling all these products with customers now, and anticipates they'll be commercially available late in 2026.

Gautam Sheoran, who is SVP & GM of Connectivity, Broadband and Networking at Qualcomm, stated that: "Next-gen networks and devices not only need to be AI-native, but they need a new breed of intelligent, high-performance connectivity. Qualcomm Technologies' Wi-Fi 8 generation of products is the whole package: faster speeds, higher reliability, longer range, and powerful AI."

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Analysis: Wi-Fi 8 strengths

(Image credit: Qualcomm)

This next-gen wireless standard isn't about speed. In fact, Wi-Fi 8 doesn't carry any speed boost over Wi-Fi 7 at all – although the FastConnect 8800 chip is much speedier than its predecessor, but that's because it has a beefier Wi-Fi radio configuration, as noted. It isn't because the next-gen standard is actually any faster.

What Wi-Fi 8 is designed to do is improve the reliability of your Wi-Fi connection, notably in signal-dense environments where it'll intelligently hop around to avoid getting bogged down by interference.

You'll also get better range with Wi-Fi 8, and better handling for mesh networks in terms of avoiding speed drop-offs when moving around the house (when transitioning from one node – router or satellite – to another can cause glitchy speed hiccups). Performance at the edge of the signal (where it's weakest) will be bolstered, too. On top of that, Wi-Fi 8 offers considerably lower latency than Wi-Fi 7.

There's a whole lot to look forward to, then, as well as the Dragonwing platform having a 'Network AI Engine' for "real-time QoE optimization", meaning fine-tuning everything with AI to ensure you're getting the best and most stable performance – QoE meaning Quality of Experience – from your Wi-Fi 8 router and devices. That's aimed to be of particular benefit for more intense Wi-Fi usage, such as online gaming or streaming, or using VR headsets for example.

However, before you get too excited hearing all this, as I mentioned at the outset, Wi-Fi 8 is still a long way off. While Qualcomm is talking about these Wi-Fi 8 chips being in devices late this year, the reality is that it won't be a mainstream force in many routers plus laptops, tablets and phones until much nearer the end of the decade.

We apparently have a lot to look forward to in terms of wireless performance as the 2020s roll onwards, though.

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TechRadar is on the show floor for this year’s MWC (Mobile World Congress) in Barcelona, Spain, and we’ll be covering the latest news from some of the biggest names in mobile, computing, fitness and more.

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NYT Connections hints and answers for Monday, March 2 (game #995)

Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Connections puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Sunday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Sunday, March 1 (game #994).

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #995) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• SPRING
• RANK
• RUBBER
• BALL
• VAULT
• SAFE
• FUNKY
• FOUL
• STATION
• STRIKE
• POPCORN
• BEAM
• HORSE
• STANDING
• RINGS
• POSITION

NYT Connections today (game #995) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: Simone Biles’ equipment
• GREEN: Your rating
• BLUE: Umpire rulings
• PURPLE: Add a fowl word

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #995) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: GYMNASTICS APPARATUS
• GREEN: STATUS
• BLUE: BASEBALL CALLS
• PURPLE: ______CHICKEN

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #995) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #995, are…

• YELLOW: GYMNASTICS APPARATUS BEAM, HORSE, RINGS, VAULT
• GREEN: STATUS POSITION, RANK, STANDING, STATION
• BLUE: BASEBALL CALLS BALL, FOUL, SAFE, STRIKE
• PURPLE: ______CHICKEN FUNKY, POPCORN, RUBBER, SPRING

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• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

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This was only the 27th time I’ve got purple first in the past year, not the best of stats — but because I achieve it so rarely it’s always a thrill.

Today I connected FUNKY, POPCORN, RUBBER and SPRING with little confidence — is funky chicken a thing, I wondered to myself, isn’t it gibbon? Or pigeon?

YELLOW came next, although I did come close to a mistake, by initially including BALL instead of HORSE, but then I remembered that HORSE is a piece of gymnastics equipment and it all clicked into place.

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Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Sunday, March 1, game #994)

• YELLOW: LITTLE BITE CANAPÉ, FINGER FOOD, HORS D'OEUVRE, TAPA
• GREEN: CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT HARD HAT, LADDER, NAIL GUN, TOOL BELT
• BLUE: VACATION EMOJI AIRPLANE, LUGGAGE, PALM TREE, SMILING FACE WITH SUNGLASSES
• PURPLE: THINGS YOU DON'T EAT THAT END IN FOODS COPYPASTA, JOHANNESBURGER, KNUCKLE SANDWICH, LICORICE PIZZA

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What is NYT Connections?

NYT Connections is one of several increasingly popular word games made by the New York Times. It challenges you to find groups of four items that share something in common, and each group has a different difficulty level: green is easy, yellow a little harder, blue often quite tough and purple usually very difficult.

On the plus side, you don't technically need to solve the final one, as you'll be able to answer that one by a process of elimination. What's more, you can make up to four mistakes, which gives you a little bit of breathing room.

It's a little more involved than something like Wordle, however, and there are plenty of opportunities for the game to trip you up with tricks. For instance, watch out for homophones and other word games that could disguise the answers.

It's playable for free via the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

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Quordle hints and answers for Monday, March 2 (game #1498)

Looking for a different day?

A new Quordle puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Sunday's puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Sunday, March 1 (game #1497).

Quordle was one of the original Wordle alternatives and is still going strong now more than 1,400 games later. It offers a genuine challenge, though, so read on if you need some Quordle hints today – or scroll down further for the answers.

Enjoy playing word games? You can also check out my NYT Connections today and NYT Strands today pages for hints and answers for those puzzles, while Marc's Wordle today column covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about Quordle today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

Quordle today (game #1498) - hint #1 - Vowels

How many different vowels are in Quordle today?

• The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 4*.

* Note that by vowel we mean the five standard vowels (A, E, I, O, U), not Y (which is sometimes counted as a vowel too).

Quordle today (game #1498) - hint #2 - repeated letters

Do any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?

• The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 1.

Quordle today (game #1498) - hint #3 - uncommon letters

Do the letters Q, Z, X or J appear in Quordle today?

• No. None of Q, Z, X or J appear among today's Quordle answers.

Quordle today (game #1498) - hint #4 - starting letters (1)

Do any of today's Quordle puzzles start with the same letter?

• The number of today's Quordle answers starting with the same letter is 0.

If you just want to know the answers at this stage, simply scroll down. If you're not ready yet then here's one more clue to make things a lot easier:

Quordle today (game #1498) - hint #5 - starting letters (2)

What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• S

• C

• R

• E

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

Quordle today (game #1498) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1498, are…

• SAUNA
• CLASP
• RIVAL
• EARLY

My wrong guess today was an unlucky one — “viral” instead of RIVAL — but it didn’t prove costly.

SAUNA is not the most obvious of five-letter words, especially with the 2 As, and it took me a while to realize this was the only possible answer.

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Daily Sequence today (game #1498) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1499, are…

• EPOCH
• STAVE
• FEMME
• SENSE

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Quordle answers: The past 20

• Quordle #1497, Sunday, 1 March: NERDY, ADEPT, PRIMO, HUMID
• Quordle #1496, Saturday, 28 February: BERTH, SNARE, QUILT, CRONE
• Quordle #1495, Friday, 27 February: STIFF, SINCE, PATSY, METAL
• Quordle #1494, Thursday, 26 February: ACTOR, ENEMY, GONER, SCENE
• Quordle #1493, Wednesday, 25 February: SPOOL, INDEX, BLUER, FELON
• Quordle #1492, Tuesday, 24 February: UDDER, BURNT, PLUSH, VAPOR
• Quordle #1491, Monday, 23 February: SLINK, SUMAC, FORAY, PRAWN
• Quordle #1490, Sunday, 22 February: SIXTH, FRAUD, YACHT, LEMUR
• Quordle #1489, Saturday, 21 February: DRUNK, WITTY, FROWN, REACH
• Quordle #1488, Friday, 20 February: CARGO, DIRTY, CHILI, TRIAD
• Quordle #1487, Thursday, 19 February: MODEL, LOAMY, GUMMY, SLEET
• Quordle #1486, Wednesday, 18 February: SNARL, SOAPY, RUSTY, SERUM
• Quordle #1485, Tuesday, 17 February: MUSTY, FICUS, BINGE, FROND
• Quordle #1484, Monday, 16 February: CANAL, JELLY, FALSE, NAVAL
• Quordle #1483, Sunday, 15 February: VOILA, SHAKY, WHEAT, GUMBO
• Quordle #1482, Saturday, 14 February: TABOO, BASIC, SLOOP, VOICE
• Quordle #1481, Friday, 13 February: ALLOT, LEERY, SCALD, STEED
• Quordle #1480, Thursday, 12 February: POLYP, GUIDE, MILKY, MINER
• Quordle #1479, Wednesday, 11 February: TRYST, LIEGE, ANGER, HUTCH
• Quordle #1478, Tuesday, 10 February: DRAPE, RAMEN, TITAN, IMPLY

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