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Best Buy is selling the Asus ROG Strix G18, an 18-inch gaming laptop with an Nvidia RTX 5080 GPU, Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor, 32GB of DDR5 RAM and a 2TB SSD, for $2,699.99, down $600 from its $3,299.99 list price. The machine features a 240Hz IPS display, RGB lighting, tool-less access for upgrades, and Thunderbolt 5 connectivity.
Microsoft is holding a San Francisco event on October 7 focused on local AI's role in future PCs, with Satya Nadella, NVIDIA's Jensen Huang, and Windows chief Pavan Davuluri all attending. The event is expected to reveal more about the Surface Laptop Ultra, a device powered by NVIDIA's new RTX Spark chip that was announced in June without pricing or release details.
IMAX has extended its brand beyond cinemas with an 'IMAX Enhanced' label now appearing on a growing number of titles on services like Disney+. Despite the name, this designation doesn't guarantee top-tier picture or audio quality, since streaming bitrates remain capped to avoid buffering, meaning 4K Blu-ray discs can still surpass IMAX Enhanced streams in fidelity.
Microsoft has scheduled an event in San Francisco on October 7th to discuss how local AI will influence the next generation of PCs. CEO Satya Nadella and Windows/Surface chief Pavan Davuluri will attend, alongside Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, hinting at a focus on RTX Spark PCs and possibly Surface Laptop Ultra pricing details.
Apple's AirPods 5, Apple Watch Series 12, and Apple Watch Ultra 4 are now available for pre-order on Amazon ahead of their September 18 release, with some models already discounted. The AirPods 5 base model is listed at $125 instead of $129, while a version with a wireless charging case runs $149; new Apple Watch bands are also up for $99 each.
Apple has introduced a Readiness app exclusive to the Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4, powered by an upgraded Health Sensing System with new optical and electrical sensors. The app assigns a 0-10 score categorized into four tiers—Recover, Pace Yourself, Ready, and Go For It—based on activity, sleep, and vitals data. The feature will not be available on older Apple Watch models, including Series 11 and Ultra 3, even after updating to watchOS 27.
Apple has launched its first foldable phone as the iPhone Duo rather than the rumored iPhone Ultra, positioning it as a premium but not top-tier device that lacks a telephoto camera and has a smaller battery than the iPhone 18 Pro Max. The compact, palm-size Duo starts at $1,999 and will be available October 23, competing more closely with Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8 than its flagship Z Fold 8 Ultra, which starts at $2,100 and is already on sale with Samsung's best camera and battery specs.
A newly leaked specifications sheet, sourced from MacObserver, details Lenovo's upcoming Googlebook 15, revealing it as a high-end machine rather than a budget Chromebook. The leak points to an Intel Core Ultra 5 325 chip, up to 32GB of RAM, a 15.3-inch 120Hz OLED touchscreen, and a lightweight 2.84-pound chassis, though pricing and launch timing remain unconfirmed.
A new leak reported by MacObserver reveals specifications for the Lenovo Googlebook 15, one of the first Android-based laptops arriving under Google's upcoming Googlebook platform. The device reportedly includes a 15.3-inch 120Hz OLED screen with 2,880 x 1,800 resolution, an Intel Core Ultra 5 processor, up to 32GB of RAM, and up to 512GB of storage. It also carries a distinctive LED accent called a 'glowbar' and support for Gemini AI features like Magic Cursor.
Apple's marketing materials for the Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 reveal that the small circular Heart Rate complication, previously just an app-launcher icon, will now display an actual live heart rate number. This upgrade is enabled by the new Health Sensing System, which measures heart rate every five seconds—60 times more often than earlier Apple Watch models. The feature does not appear on watchOS 27's release candidate for the older Series 11 and Ultra 3, suggesting it's tied to new hardware.
Amazon is currently selling Samsung's new Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 for $699.99, and buyers who purchase it now receive a complimentary $100 Amazon gift card. The promotion effectively lowers the cost of acquiring the rugged smartwatch through the retailer.
Vivo's X Fold 6 foldable is expected to expand beyond its home market into Europe, positioning it as a direct competitor to Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra. Reports suggest the device could ship with double the storage of Samsung's flagship while matching its price point.