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Microsoft Exec Confirms Game Pass Profitability, Emphasizes Flexibilit
There have been a number of concerns around game subscription services, like Xbox Game Pass, not the least of them sustainability, but it seems as though those concerns have been misplaced. According to Xbox president, Sara Bond, in a recent interview with Game Watch at the Tokyo Game Show, Xbox Game Pass is profitable. A translation of a quote from the interview reads: "It's a profitable business, and more creators are participating in Xbox Game Pass," with Bond going on to say that the payments to creators—presumably developers—are increasing, suggesting that it is profitable for developers as well. She also mentions that the previous fiscal year saw Xbox Game Pass hit a record high sales figure of $5 billion.
These statements come not too long after concerns voiced by Shuhei Yoshida, former Sony Gaming head, who said that these subscription services could become risky for developers. The reasoning was that these services could have a stifling impact on innovation in gaming if gamers became too used to being able to play the latest AAA titles at launch for a low monthly price instead of taking risks and buying games outright. Bond, on the other hand, argues that Game Pass is one of the tools Microsoft and Xbox are leaning into, alongside both Xbox Cloud Game Streaming and the recent launch of the ASUS ROG Xbox Ally, in order to maintain a flexibility.
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(PR) Wacom Introduces MovinkPad Pro 14 Portable Creative Pad
Today Wacom announced the Wacom MovinkPad Pro 14, the next step in its Portable Creative Pad lineup, offering enhanced power, flexibility, and an immersive experience in an all-in-one creative device. The MovinkPad Pro 14 is tailored for creators who want to push their craft further—whether aspiring to become professionals or already working at that level.
Immersive display and pen performance
The 14-inch OLED screen with 2880 × 1800 resolution, 100% coverage of both DCI-P3 (CIE1931) (typ) and sRGB (CIE1931) (typ), and up to 120 Hz refresh rate delivers rich detail and fluid motion for illustration and design. With Wacom's Premium Textured Glass—its unique anti-glare, anti-reflection, and anti-fingerprint surface treatment—the display minimizes distractions, while direct bonding reduces parallax for a pen-on-paper feel. The MovinkPad Pro 14 comes with the battery-free Wacom Pro Pen 3, trusted for its precision and natural drawing feel.
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This Upgrade for PC Gamers Used to Cost $199, but Now it's Only $10
Microsoft is ending support for Windows 10 in October, which means updates and security patches will stop arriving. Upgrading to Windows 11 Pro now is one of the easiest ways to keep your PC safe and current without paying a subscription. A lifetime license lets you install the operating system once and use it indefinitely, and it's only $9.97 (reg. $199).
Security is a major upgrade over Windows 10, and because this license is perpetual, you pay once and receive lifetime updates without worrying about future renewals.
Right now, you can get Windows 11 Pro for $9.97.
Sale ends October 12 at 11:59 p.m. PT.
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Intel Updates NPU Driver to Support Android for PC Project
Intel has today pushed an update to its NPU driver for Linux, impacting Core Ultra "Meteor Lake", "Arrow Lake," and "Lunar Lake" processors. However, among the list of changes spotted by X user @SquashBionic is an interesting support for the Android platform, likely hinting at the Android for PC project. At Qualcomm's 10th annual Snapdragon Summit, Google teased its Android for PC project, and Qualcomm's CEO described it as very impressive. Google plans to merge its ChromeOS and Android for PC projects into a single branch, which will be Android for PC. That will include all of Google's best AI technologies from Gemini, now running on a more powerful mobile design. Some of these designs could be very well powered by Intel.
While preliminary details about Android for PC are unknown, the project will be aiming to compete with Windows in everyday tasks. Google could end up sourcing SoCs from Snapdragon for Arm-based designs, and Intel/AMD for x86-based laptops. With now added support for Intel NPU support for Linux driver—Android, a Linux-based OS—could become an optimization target for various non-mobile SoCs from Intel and AMD. Google plans to re-enter the PC ecosystem with the plan to converge mobile and desktop experiences, and Android for PC could allow designs that feature good battery life, portability, and satisfactory performance targets.
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AMD Gains CPU Share as Intel Hits Record Low on Steam September Hardwa
A new month has started, meaning that the Steam Hardware and Software Survey has just finished collecting data for September 2025. And there was a subtle, yet clear message about the CPU market: Intel has slipped to its lowest share on record among Steam users, while AMD continues to close the gap. Valve's monthly snapshot shows Intel at about 58.61% and AMD around 41.31%. That shift is the main story this month and suggests a significant change in gamer preferences that warrants a closer examination. The recent movements are not massive, but they are consistent from one month to the next. AMD added roughly 2% points since June, continuing a pattern that started last year, while Intel has been losing ground month after month. A significant part of AMD's momentum stems from its gaming-focused X3D chips and the strong reception they have received in benchmark and real-world tests.
Pricing and aggressive promotions for AMD-based systems have also helped. Intel's share is falling even though it remains the largest single vendor, and recent CPU launches have failed to halt the downward trend among Steam users. If both companies continue at their current rates, AMD could become the more common choice among Steam players within a year, marking the first time this has happened in the survey's history. What this means in practice is important for gamers, builders, and the wider PC supply chain. Hardware makers and retailers may shift their inventory and marketing strategies to meet the rising demand for AMD. Game developers are also taking notice. For Intel, the path back will require more compelling launches, clearer messaging, and competitive pricing. The company recently advertised gaming parity with top AMD SKUs and offered better content creation results. For AMD, the challenge will be to turn momentum into sustained leadership without sacrificing margins or running into supply constraints. Either way, the CPU rivalry is no longer a background story. It is directly "streamed" on Steam.
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AMD Sneaks Out Fast Motion Response Feature for AFMF 2 in PyTorch Prev
AMD on September 23 released AMD Software PyTorch on Windows Preview Edition 25.20.01.14, which most gamers on the regular WHQL or Beta trunks skipped. Those that did grab the driver and started poking around in the AMD Software application, discovered a feature not found in the gamer-focused regular releases—Fast Motion Response. This feature is a subset of AMD Fluid Motion Frames 2 (AFMF 2), the company's frame generation feature.
In the regular AMD Software driver, such as the latest Adrenalin 25.9.2, AFMF 2 offers two toggles, Search and Performance. The Search toggle prioritizes image-quality and smoothness for high-res displays (1440p and above), while the Performance toggle reduces the software overhead of AFMF on lower-spec hardware, such as mainstream GPUs and iGPUs. The PyTorch Preview driver adds the Fast Motion Response toggle with two options, Repeat Frame mode, and Blended Frame mode. In Repeat Frame mode, there is a brute interpolation of the output by simply repeating the previous frame. In Blended Frame mode, the GPU blends reconstructed frames to the output, which looks fluid in low- to mid-level action scenes, but could cause blur or ghosting in fast action scenes. Grab the PyTorch Preview Driver from here.
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ASUS Intros ROG Harpe Mini Core Lightweight Wired Mouse
ASUS rolled out the ROG Harpe Mini Core, a lightweight wired gaming mouse for claw grip use styles, and mainly FPS-focused gamers. This is a value variant of the ROG Harpe Mini that ASUS launched last year. While the mouse is ambidextrous, it has side buttons that favor right-handed use. The mouse measures 63 mm x 117 mm x 37 mm (WxDxH), weighing under 49 g.
Under the hood, the ROG Harpe Mini Core comes with a 12,000 dpi sensor, and detachable ROG Micro Switch II for the main buttons. Its electronics offer 300 IPS speed, with 35G acceleration, which are significantly different specs from the 42,000 dpi and 750 IPS of the Harpe Ace Mini. The ROG logo on top is illuminated red, while the scrollwheel has RGB illumination. The dpi switch is located under the mouse. The mouse comes with a USB 2.0 interface, while the cable is braided, it isn't detachable. The company didn't reveal pricing.
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(PR) SCUF Gaming Introduces Valor Pro Wireless Controller for Xbox and
SCUF Gaming, creator of the high-performance gaming controller category and part of the Corsair family of brands, today announced the SCUF Valor Pro Wireless Performance Controller for Xbox and PC, available now starting at $189.99. The SCUF Valor Pro Wireless continues to build on SCUF's legacy of innovation and customization with key input from creators and international esports pros. Built for pure speed, the signature SCUF design is taken to the next level with key features built and refined for ultimate performance. PC and Xbox gamers will be armed with unmatched precision and control as they dominate the competition with this latest SCUF pro controller.
With an unprecedented level of speed and control, the SCUF Valor Pro Wireless gives Xbox and PC gamers a decisive competitive advantage, with every aspect of the controller refined and built to the highest SCUF standards. With four Customizable Paddles, an ultra-fast 1000 Hz Polling Rate (PC only), Adjustable Instant Triggers, Companion App, and more game-changing features including precise Endurance TMR Thumbsticks, the SCUF Valor Pro Wireless will improve any hardcore gamers performance.
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ASUS Rolls Out ProArt PA401 Wood Edition Beige Cases
ASUS today rolled out the ProArt PA401 Wood Edition Beige line of cases for creator desktops. These are beige color variants of the PA401 Wood Edition that was originally launched in December 2024. These come in three variants based on side panels—tempered glass, mesh, and solid metal. These cases are compact mid-towers characterized by beige wood slats along the front panel that give it a Scandinavian look. The rest of the chassis is made of beige powder-coated SECC steel, and the included pair of two 160 mm intake fans, and a 120 mm rear exhaust, each come in a beige frame+impeller color scheme.
Inside, the PA401 Wood Edition offers room for graphics cards up to 31.5 cm in length (with the intake fans in place), and CPU coolers up to 16 cm in height. Storage options include two 3.5-inch trays and two 2.5-inch mounts behind the motherboard tray. Velcro straps help with cable management. The PSU tray is detachable from the outside. Front-panel I/O includes a 20 Gbps-capable USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 type-C port, two USB 3.2 Gen 1 type-A ports, a headset jack, a side-panel lock, and fan control. The company didn't reveal pricing.
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Lian Li Intros SP V2 Line of Modular SFX Power Supplies
Lian Li today introduced the SP V2 line of fully modular power supplies in the SFX form-factor. These meet SFX12V 4.0 (analogous to ATX 3.1) specification, and offer newer 12V-2x6 power connectors, compared to the older SP series, which met ATX 3.0 and offered 12VHPWR. The series consists of two Wattage variants—SP750 V2 and SP850 V2, and the two come in black and white body+fan color options. The 12V-2x6 connectors are color-coded blue. Both the 750 W and 850 W models offer 12V-2x6 connectors capable only up to 450 W continuous, unlike 850 W ATX 3.1 PSUs in the market that tend to offer 600 W-capable 12V-2x6.
Both Wattage models offer a 24-pin ATX, two 8-pin EPS, two 6+2 pin PCIe power, a 450 W-capable 12V-2x6, seven SATA power, and a Molex. These PSUs offer 80 Plus Gold switching efficiency, active PFC, DC to DC switching, full Japanese capacitors, and most common electrical and thermal protections. In charge of cooling are 92 mm fluid dynamic bearing fans. Lian Li didn't unveil pricing, but is backing these PSUs with 10-year warranties.
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NAND Flash Shortages May Last 10 Years, Phison CEO Warns
The massive AI infrastructure buildout is placing a significant strain on the entire semiconductor supply chain, with one often overlooked component being NAND-based storage. According to Phison Electronics CEO Pua Khein-Seng, the NAND flash shortage could last an entire decade. CEO Pua warned that an upcoming NAND flash shortage is estimated to begin in 2026 and could stretch across the next decade. This claim is much higher than anything we have seen, where these shortages last only a year or two. Speaking in a recent interview, Pua said that the combination of surging AI-driven storage demand and limited recent investment in flash capacity has placed the memory market on a collision course with extended turnaround times.
Pua Khein-Seng put much of the blame on an earlier investment hangover. He argued that after prior cycles where heavy spending led to price collapses, many flash makers pulled back, slowing expansion. He noted that starting around 2023, a significant share of capital was redirected into high-bandwidth memory used for model training, as the margins there were more attractive. As a result, NAND received less focus just when demand began rising again. He also emphasized a shift inside cloud operations from training to inference, adding that inference workloads and model storage create large and persistent requirements for NAND flash. As one of the major controller designers for SSDs, the Phison CEO knows precisely where the demand is headed, many quarters ahead of the public.
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