pixels Archives

AppWizard

June 16, 2026

Commodore announces Linux-based flip phone with ‘no social media, no browser’ — the Callback 8020 will be available in five retro colorways starting at $499, runs 99% of Android apps

Commodore has introduced the Callback 8020, a retro-inspired flip phone designed to promote a digital detox by eliminating distractions found in modern smartphones. It operates on a customized version of the Jolla Sailfish OS, allowing compatibility with Android apps while restricting browsers and social media. The device features high-quality audio capabilities, a minimal closed clamshell display, a 3.25-inch IPS screen, a selfie camera, a 48MP Sony camera, and Dual-SIM functionality. Accessories such as Snapback packs and Hardback cases will be available. The Callback 8020 includes classic and modern Commodore 64 games and will be offered in five colorways, priced at , with pre-orders starting at the end of the month.

BetaBeacon

June 10, 2026

DLSS for Android? I got an early look at Arm’s neural graphics tech, and I’m excited

Arm's Neural Technology is set to revolutionize mobile gaming, allowing for advanced features like ray-traced shadows and realistic lighting effects. The technology will debut with the game Neural Dawn, developed in partnership with Sumo Digital and scheduled for release in Q4 2026. The limitation of these features being exclusive to Mali GPUs may pose a challenge for devices using different GPU technologies, narrowing down the scope to phones powered by MediaTek hardware.

Winsage

June 6, 2026

Nearly 70% of Steam users now run Windows 11

Windows 11 powers nearly 70% of surveyed PCs, with a market share of 69.76%, an increase of 2.02 points since the previous month. Windows 10 accounts for 23.99% of users, a drop of 1.64 points. Windows 7 is used by approximately 0.07% of participants. Overall, 93.85% of users run Windows, while Linux has a share of 3.99% (down 0.53 points) and macOS has 2.16% (up 0.15 points). Intel processors dominate with 53.94% market share compared to AMD's 46.06%. Six-core processors represent 28.02% of the total, and 41.14% of users favor 16 GB of memory. NVIDIA leads the graphics card market at 72.42%, with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 being the most popular at 3.85%. The average VRAM is 8GB, used by 25.89% of users, and 1920x1080 pixels is the most common display resolution at 51.89%.

BetaBeacon

June 1, 2026

Can the Android-powered mini gaming device ‘AYANEO Pocket S Mini’ play demanding games? A review after trying Fortnite and NTE.

The AYANEO Pocket S Mini is a gaming device that hit the Japanese market on March 26, 2026. It is powered by a Snapdragon G3x Gen 2 SoC and allows users to enjoy Android game apps with a physical controller. The device scored 144464 on the AnTuTu Benchmark app, surpassing the performance of 35% of users. It features a quick menu called 'AYAWindow' and comes in two models with different RAM and storage options.

Winsage

June 1, 2026

Introducing Surface Laptop Ultra: Made for world makers

The Surface Laptop Ultra is designed for creators and innovators, engineered in collaboration with NVIDIA. It features a powerful NVIDIA Blackwell RTX GPU, up to 128GB of unified memory, and delivers 1 petaflop of AI compute capability. The device is optimized for RTX Spark and built on the Windows platform, catering to demanding workflows. It includes a 15-inch mini-LED PixelSense Ultra touchscreen with a peak HDR brightness of up to 2,000 nits and high-precision color accuracy. The haptic touchpad is the largest on a Surface device, and it includes essential ports: HDMI, USB-C, USB-A, SD card, and headphone. The Surface Laptop Ultra is designed for high performance, quiet operation, and all-day battery life, and it will be available later this year.

AppWizard

May 31, 2026

Acer Nitro Blaze Link Streams PC Games Straight to a Dedicated Handheld

Acer has introduced the Nitro Blaze Link, a handheld gaming device designed to stream games from a nearby computer. It features ergonomic grips, standard controls, and a seven-inch touchscreen with a resolution of 1920 by 1200 pixels. The device weighs 464 grams, measures approximately 287 millimeters in width, and has a maximum thickness of 33.5 millimeters. It is powered by an 18-watt-hour battery and includes a USB-C port for charging (up to 15 watts) but does not support data transfer. The Nitro Blaze Link runs on Debian Linux, uses Moonlight for video streaming, and requires Sunshine installed on the host computer. It has 1GB of LPDDR4 RAM and 8GB of integrated flash storage, supports WiFi 6, and is designed to work with Acer's Predator Helios and Nitro laptops. The device cannot run games locally, has limited storage and RAM, and relies on a stable wireless connection for performance. It is expected to be available in the U.S. market in the fourth quarter of 2026, with no pricing information disclosed.

AppWizard

May 31, 2026

I found an app that’s basically Good Lock for my Pixel — and I can’t live without it

Essentials is an open-source application designed for Google Pixel and other Android devices, aiming to provide customization options similar to Samsung's Good Lock. It consolidates various tools, mods, and workarounds into a single app, making it user-friendly. Key features include Dynamic Night Light, which allows customization of Night Light settings for individual apps; Notification Lighting, offering customizable visual alerts for notifications; and options for fine-tuning display frame rates, scaling, and animations. Essentials also includes Quick Settings tiles for easier access to functionalities and an Automations section for creating custom routines. However, it requires various permissions and may depend on additional tools like Shizuku for certain features. While it enhances the Pixel experience, it does not fully replicate Good Lock's capabilities.

Winsage

May 29, 2026

IBM ThinkPad T43 enthusiast installs ‘almost’ every version of Windows on the single-core laptop without using virtual machine — 26 years of Windows running bare metal, from 1996 Windows NT 4.0 to Windows 10 22H2 working on legendary hardware

An enthusiastic user of the IBM ThinkPad T43 has successfully installed nearly all versions of Windows from NT 4 to 10 22H2 on the device, complete with driver support, without using virtual machines. The ThinkPad T43, released in 2005, was IBM's last laptop model before the company was acquired by Lenovo. The user documented their process on Reddit, showcasing a gallery of screenshots of various Windows versions. The T43 originally came with Windows XP and has key components including an Intel Pentium M processor, ATi Mobility Radeon X300 or X300SE graphics, a 14.1-inch screen, support for up to 2GB of DDR2 RAM, and storage options from 40GB to 100GB HDD. It also features connectivity options such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Ethernet, and various ports. The laptop is noted for its robust build quality and exceptional keyboard, weighing approximately 2.3 kg (5.1 pounds).

AppWizard

May 27, 2026

How this 20-year-old went from building worlds in Minecraft to making Hollywood movies

Kane Parsons, a 20-year-old filmmaker, began creating intricate worlds at age 10 and is set to release his debut feature film, Backrooms, on May 28. The film follows an architect-turned-furniture store owner who discovers a hidden portal leading to a maze of unsettling rooms, prompting his therapist to rescue him. Parsons was inspired by an internet image related to the "Backrooms" concept, which he initially interpreted using 3D graphics software, leading to a viral YouTube video with over 78 million views. He signed a deal with indie studio A24 and collaborated with notable industry figures, including horror producer James Wan and director Osgood Perkins. The film features actors Chiwetel Ejiofor and Renate Reinsve and represents Parsons' vision of a haunting journey through a labyrinthine reality.

AppWizard

May 20, 2026

Save 2% on Pimax Crystal VR headsets and get $150 of accessories for free, thanks to PCGamesN

Pimax is offering a 2% discount on its Crystal Light and Crystal Super VR headsets, along with a complimentary accessory bundle valued at 0. The Crystal Super has a resolution of 3,840 x 3,840 pixels per eye, while the Crystal Light has a resolution of 2,880 x 2,880 pixels per eye. The Crystal Super is priced at 9 (down from 9), and the Crystal Light is available for 9, with both discounts applicable using the code "pcgamesn." The offer is valid until the end of May and is available globally.