Craving a set of headphones that actually feels premium the moment you hit play? The Bowers & Wilkins’ Px8 S2 delivers the clarity, comfort, and polish their reputation promises along with some serious upgrades. There’s a few things that definitely surprised me but check out in our video review whether they’ve earned a permanent spot in my bag.
Battlefield 6 review: The big, messy war sandbox I wanted with DLSS 4
Battlefield 6 is the first time in a while I loaded into a match, heard the whistle of incoming mortar fire, and felt that old Battlefield itch kick back in. The multiplayer is big and loud in all the right ways, the gunplay finally feels tuned for chaos without throwing balance out the window, and the maps sell the fantasy of a battlefield that evolves minute to minute. The single player campaign on the other hand is painfully forgettable, a quick tour of set pieces that never finds a groove. That split is the story here, and if you play Battlefield for multiplayer like most of us do, you will still have a great time.
The campaign tries to be gritty and global, but it ends up feeling like a checklist. Short missions, thin characters, lots of noise with not much to say. There are flashes of fun, including moments where you can smash through interiors and change the flow of a fight, but those ideas do not build into anything memorable. If you skip the story and jump straight into online modes, you are not missing the secret sauce. That sauce lives in multiplayer.
Multiplayer is where Battlefield 6 sings. Fights stretch from rooftop skirmishes to vehicle columns slugging it out in the open, and you get that classic rhythm of pushing a flag, getting slammed back, and regrouping for a better angle. Launch content is generous, with a healthy spread of modes and a map lineup that already feels better paced and better carved up than 2042 at release. Operation Firestorm returns, new arenas keep infantry and armor in interesting tension, and the overall flow shows real attention to spawn logic and sightlines.
Gunplay is sharper, with recoil patterns and time to kill that reward control without punishing casual players. Audio design is excellent, from the crack of a DMR to the thump of nearby armor. Destruction is not completely over the top, but it matters. Walls crumble, streets evolve, and maps look battle worn by the end of a match, which adds to that signature Battlefield drama without turning everything into rubble soup.
Not everything in the sandbox landed for me. Progression leans grindy and some attachment trees feel too safe. The biggest miss is Conquest now running on a match timer. Battlefield has always been great at those long, tense ticket tug-of-wars, and the timer cuts some of that potential off at the knees. The studio reduced ticket counts to fit the timer, which only makes rounds shorter instead of solving what players are actually asking for. The mode is still fun, but the change feels like a step away from what makes Conquest special.
On the technical side, dropping PS4 and Xbox One pays off. The game targets performance first, and the decision to skip ray tracing at launch makes sense in a competitive shooter where stability and high frame rates matter more than a few reflective puddles. It is a clear signal that DICE wanted consistent performance across the board, and that call benefits both consoles and PC.
Now for the PC crowd, Battlefield 6 is an NVIDIA sandbox. We tested it with a Razer Blade 16 with a 5090 GPU, Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 and 32GB DDR using DLSS 4 with Multi Frame Generation plus Reflex is supported out of the box, and it is a tangible upgrade. NVIDIA’s numbers show that at 4K Ultra on the RTX 50 series, DLSS 4 with MFG and Super Resolution can push frame rates to roughly 3.8 times higher, with the 5090 blasting past the 400 fps mark in their testing. Even at 1080p, the combo can nearly triple frame rates, which is exactly what you want when you are chasing a high refresh display and low latency aiming. Reflex smooths input response during heavy firefights, and together these features make the game feel snappier without the blurry artifacts we used to associate with early upscalers. If you have the hardware, turn it on and do not look back.
Performance in general is strong. I saw solid stability reports and better optimization than 2042 at launch, which tracks with the shift in priorities. The upside is simple, more players will be able to lock to their monitor’s refresh, and that makes everything from recoil control to vehicle handling feel better. The absence of ray tracing is not a loss when the trade is smooth frames in the middle of a 64 player flag brawl.
If Portal style tools are your thing, the new creator suite looks promising. Discovery and curation will decide whether it explodes or fizzles, but the foundation is there and the core sandbox can support some wild ideas. I want to see DICE lean hard into letting the community build modes that keep Battlefield weird in the best way.
Battlefield 6 brings the series back to what it does best, big battles, better maps, better feel. The campaign is a skip, Conquest needs a rethink on the timer, and progression could use a tune up. But the moment you squad up, grab a transport, and watch a flank unfold across half a city block, the old Battlefield magic is back. For fans like me, that counts more than anything.
Deco BE68 Review: Wi-Fi 7 Mesh that lives up to the hype
The Deco BE68 is the kind of upgrade you feel right away. I dropped a two pack into a tricky townhome where thick walls and a far garage office usually eat signals. After a short learning curve in the app, the system locked in like a grid. Rooms that were dead zones now stream 4K, the office link finally stays stable, and roaming from one end of the house to the other feels seamless.
Setup is mobile only, which I usually side-eye, but TP-Link’s Deco app keeps the steps clear. Power on the first node, scan the QR, name the network, then add the second node. I did run into two small hiccups where a camera and a smart display refused to join on first try. A quick reboot of those devices plus moving the second node closer solved it. Once the mesh mapped itself, handoffs between nodes felt invisible and the problem never returned.
This is a tri-band Wi-Fi 7 kit with 2.4, 5, and 6 GHz radios, rated BE14000. You get the headline Wi-Fi 7 tricks that actually matter in a mesh. The 6 GHz band can act like a clean fast lane for backhaul or high end clients. 320 MHz channel support opens up huge lanes for compatible devices. 4K-QAM pushes a bit more throughput when signal is strong. Multi-Link Operation lets a device use 5 and 6 GHz at the same time so traffic stays snappy even if one band gets busy. In practice that meant my laptop kept top speed while a console and a TV were downloading in the next room.
Each node gives you multiple Ethernet ports, including a 10G capable port for a wired uplink or a NAS. That makes this kit feel more “prosumer” than most living room mesh gear and gives you a clean path if you have multi-gig internet. The system is specced to cover large homes when you go with a three pack, but even two nodes handled my layout easily once I dialed in placement.
Speed tests are one thing, but living with the network for a week tells the story. Phones roamed between nodes without drops, the gaming PC stayed low latency, and the upstairs Apple TV finally stopped buffering during sports. The bigger win was range. I was still getting solid throughput halfway down the block while taking photos, which never happened with my previous mesh. When I added a third node for a day, the system redistributed loads on its own and everything felt even snappier.
It takes a few steps to really get the most out of this kit. The app lets you turn on Multi-Link Operation for clients that support it. You can also dedicate the 6 GHz band to backhaul if you want the mesh links to stay clean, or free it up for devices in rooms that need the extra capacity. TP-Link’s AI-driven mesh features do a decent job on their own, but a little manual placement and one or two toggles in the app made a big difference here.
Older 2.4 GHz devices can be picky on first join with modern tri-band systems. I had two devices that would not connect at first and looked incompatible. Once the mesh fully came online and I nudged those devices to retry, they paired and have been stable since. If you have a lot of legacy gear, consider creating a quick temporary 2.4 GHz-only SSID during setup, then merge back after everything is paired.
Parental controls and network security live in TP-Link’s HomeShield. The basics are free, while advanced filtering and deeper reports require a subscription. The app also exposes simple per-device QoS and a clean client view so you can see what is pulling bandwidth at any time. If you like a full browser dashboard, you will miss it here, but the phone app covers the essentials well. PC Gamer
The nodes are understated cylinders that blend into a media shelf or side table. No fan noise, no light show, and nothing that screams “network gear” in the living room. You will want to give each unit some breathing room, since tucking a node into a cabinet will cut performance.
The Deco BE68 does what a modern mesh should do. It brings Wi-Fi 7 features that matter, keeps the app simple, and gives you multi-gig headroom with the 10G port. Once I took a few minutes to position nodes and tweak a setting or two, it delivered a stable, fast network from corner to corner, even out to the garage office. If you are ready to move to Wi-Fi 7 and want a mesh that can grow with your internet speed and your device list, this one belongs on the shortlist.
Elgato Key Light Neo Review: Compact, capable, and a perfect accent light
Lighting is crucial in so many parts of life, and streaming is no exception. If you’re planning to stream or record video, lighting can make or break your visual quality. It’s not just about being visible — it’s about letting viewers see your facial expressions, your setup, and even your personality through the lens.
In most cases, your camera doesn’t come with built-in lighting, which makes a key light an essential addition. While many people turn to a ring light or a simple desk lamp, today we’re focusing on a name synonymous with streaming gear: Elgato. Known for its capture cards and the ever-popular Stream Deck, Elgato has built a strong reputation among creators. This time, I tested their Key Light Neo — a small, compact, and discreet option designed to fit into just about any setup and did I mention budget friendly?
The Elgato Key Light Neo measures 1.49 x 5.9 x 5.9 inches, and it definitely delivers on compactness. During my testing, I almost forgot it was even there. It’s available in black or white, both of which blend easily with most desk aesthetics.
Mounting is flexible — it includes a mount that can attach to your TV, monitor, or tripod, much like a traditional ring light setup. Weighing just over half a pound, it’s incredibly lightweight and easy to reposition on the fly.
A nice touch is the cable management feature on the back, allowing you to wrap the cord neatly and prevent tangles. Elgato also includes an extension cable for added reach, which is a thoughtful inclusion.
Lighting power depends on the type of power source you use. With a USB-A, USB-C, or 3A power supply, brightness ranges from 400 to 1000 lumens. The Key Light Neo includes a hard/soft light toggle, a dimmer, and Wi-Fi control — all controllable through the Elgato Control Center app.
You also get two customizable lighting presets, letting you quickly switch between your preferred brightness and color temperature settings. It’s ideal for creators who want consistency across different recording sessions.
I tested the Key Light Neo over a week of streaming and general use to see how it performed in different lighting scenarios.
Design-wise, Elgato nailed the execution. It’s compact, versatile, and feels well built. The combination of physical adjustability and wireless control makes it easy to integrate into any workspace.
When it comes to lighting quality, results were mixed. The Key Light Neo performs well when used alongside ambient light — for example, an overhead room light or natural window lighting. However, in complete darkness, it struggled to properly illuminate my face. My camera tended to render skin tones with a noticeable red tint, and no matter how I repositioned the light, it couldn’t serve as a standalone source.
That said, once I introduced an additional light source, the Key Light Neo provided great fill lighting that softened shadows and improved overall clarity.
Here’s where things get a bit tough. On Elgato’s official site, the Key Light Neo retails for $89.99 with the mount or $79.99 without it. While it’s a well-designed and feature-packed device, I find you should be using this with another light.
If you’re new to streaming and need your first key light, there are more affordable options that might serve you better. However, if you already own other Elgato products or need a secondary light for travel or side fill lighting, the Neo makes sense. It’s targeted toward creators who value convenience and brand integration rather than raw lighting power.
The Elgato Key Light Neo is sleek, portable, and easy to use — a great addition to an existing setup, but not ideal as your only light source. It excels in versatility and user experience but falls short in overall brightness and color accuracy when used alone in dark environments.
If you already have some ambient lighting and appreciate Elgato’s ecosystem, this little key light could be the perfect sidekick for your streaming rig. And for newcomers, the price-to-performance ratio is something you’ll need to see if you want to get into the Elgato ecosystem.
Plaud NotePin Video Review: The AI Recorder That Keeps Up With Real Life
The Plaud NotePin looks like a small clip-on mic, but it’s actually a compact AI recorder designed to make your day run smoother, whether you’re running a business, treating clients, or even gaming with your crew.
This wearable device packs 64GB of storage and about 20 hours of battery life, automatically transcribing, summarizing, and organizing your recordings through the Plaud app. It’s perfect for one-on-one conversations, client intakes, and team meetings. Just remember, it works best when one person talks at a time. If everyone’s overlapping, the AI has trouble keeping up.
I’ve been using it for medical sessions, Zoom meetings, and podcasts, and it’s been a time saver. I can record a client session and have a full transcript ready for SOAP notes or a strategy meeting summarized before the next one starts.
And surprisingly, it’s got a use for gamers and content creators too. You can record practice sessions, post-match breakdowns, or brainstorms, and get them converted into usable notes or scripts, perfect for building out content or reviewing match strategies.
For casual users, the free tier gets the job done, but the Pro plan is where it really shines, unlocking 1,200 minutes of transcription, thousands of templates, an Ask AI search feature, and unlimited cloud storage.
The Plaud NotePin is an assistant that keeps your conversations, meetings, and ideas organized , no matter what world you operate in. Its packed with features on the app which is where things really shine and as of today they keep pushing new features in which makes this even more powerful in the long run.
Vibe by XGIMI debuts with Vibe One, a fun first projector that actually feels premium
If you have ever tried a bargain projector and walked away disappointed, XGIMI just made a better first chapter. The company launched Vibe by XGIMI, a new sub-brand that keeps the design chops and smarts XGIMI is known for, then packages it for people who want big-screen fun without a big setup. The first model is Vibe One, a compact, lifestyle-ready projector that turns a bedroom, living room or pop-up hangout into a cozy theater or chill zone in seconds.
XGIMI has been on a tear lately. After showing serious pro-grade tech at IFA Berlin 2025 and growing a global community in the millions, the brand is taking what it learned about optics, software and industrial design and bringing it to first-time buyers. Vibe One is the entry point. Small, playful, and surprisingly capable.
- Eight ambient light colors to set the mood before the opening credits.
- Sound by JBL with dual 3 watt speakers, so it doubles as a Bluetooth speaker when you are not watching.
- Google TV with licensed Netflix for real, one-tap streaming.
- Auto focus and auto keystone so the picture snaps into place quickly.
- Built-in 160 degree stand and carry handle for wall or ceiling projection without a pile of tripods.
- Optional battery model that delivers up to 1.2 hours of video or up to 4 hours of music.
- Clean color-blocked design in Cloud Ash or Blue Spark that actually looks good on a shelf.
Price and availability
- Europe and UK: available now at €249 or £219.
- United States: $199 early bird preorder on XGIMI.com, regular price $269.
- Open sales begin November 5.
If you have been waiting for a simple projector that fits your space and your budget, this is the one to watch. We are lining up time with Vibe One soon, so hit us with questions you want answered and what scenes we should throw at it first.
ROG Xbox Ally Review – Good Entry to Handheld PC
The new Xbox-ish handheld is here and I run through the Xbox-style experience changes setup, performance, and day-to-day play across different launchers. This might be the thing you’ve been waiting for to take your Xbox gaming on the go, or you might want to take it a step further? Check out the video review and let us know your thoughts on how the ROG Xbox Ally stacks up!
Razer Thunderbolt 5 Dock Review – Has A Game Changing Feature You Have to Checkout
So while Thunderbolt 5 docks are a bit groundbreaking in their own respect, with this one packing top-tier features including Thunderbolt 5 sharing where I’m able to link two Thunderbolt machines for file transfers and more, there’s one addition that really changed my perspective on the Razer Thunderbolt 5 Dock. I paired it with the Kingston Fury Renegade 2TB M.2 SSD, and it felt like a premium upgrade to my machine without much of a hassle. With read speeds up to 7,300 MB/s, it pushed the Thunderbolt 5 above my expectations, letting me move massive project files and game libraries without a hitch. It’s the kind of pairing that makes this whole setup feel next-gen in every sense.
In our latest video, I check out Razer’s Thunderbolt 5 Dock with these features — and honestly, I can’t go back. Check out the video review and let us know if you’ve made the Thunderbolt 5 jump.
EVO France blazes through with record attendees
EVO’s always been that stage where legends are made, the tournament everyone chases. For years, EVO Vegas and EVO Japan were untouchable, flagship stops where the energy, the hype, and the stakes just felt right. So when EVO expanded into France in 2025, people watched closely. Was it a power move, or spreading itself too thin? Add in the fact that Sony now owns the brand, and the FGC had reason to wonder: Is the soul of EVO slipping?
Then there’s the roster. Big names like MenaRD, AngryBird, Big Bird, names you expect to see lighting up the bracket, were missing. That kind of absence shakes event expectations. But EVO France didn’t just survive, it delivered. The crowd was electric, matches were extremely high level. Which then made the doubts fade fast.
In the finals, we had Leshar vs. Blaz, and it was everything you hoped for. Blaz, just 15, coming in from Chile, fighting from losers, was able to reset the bracket with his solid Ryu. But Leshar? He held firm, adapted round by round, and closed it out under pressure. The kind of grit you don’t teach, you earn. I truly hope he gets nominated for player of the year after winning Combo Breaker, CEO, and now EVO France in his 2025 run.
Yet the story of the weekend belonged to Mister Crimson. The French crowd was all in, chants, roars, every hit met with energy that felt like a power-up. He ran deep, inspiring people in a way I’ve never seen at a fighting game event. Even when his run ended at the hands of Blaz in losers finals, his impact had already been made.
By the time EVO France wrapped, the message was loud and clear. EVO isn’t going anywhere. France didn’t just host a tournament, it made made it known to be a new home for biggest fighting game tournaments.The heart of the FGC showed up, loud as ever, and proved that no matter the place or the branding, fighting games still live in moments like these. With this event setting a high mark, we truly look forward to seeing what comes to these new EVO events!
Razer BlackShark V3 Pro Review: Gaming Cheat Code?
Chasing a headset that actually changes how you play? I put the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro through real gaming sessions to see if it delivers on clarity, isolation, and response when it matters most. Hit play to find out what surprised me, where it shines, and whether it earned a permanent spot on my desk.
