Hardware - Softonic English

Valve will stop producing one of its most popular models of Steam Deck

Valve has made a significant decision in the hardware sector by suspending the production of the most affordable model of the Steam Deck, which featured a 256 GB LCD screen. This action was taken quietly and is already reflected in the Steam store, where it has been indicated that the available units correspond to a final stock. Once they are sold out, this model will completely disappear from the company’s catalog. Only the version with the OLED screen will remain. Valve’s immediate focus is now on the new OLED version of the Steam […]

Valve has made a significant decision in the hardware realm by suspending the production of the most affordable model of the Steam Deck, which featured a 256 GB LCD screen. This action was taken quietly and is already reflected in the Steam store, where it has been indicated that the available units correspond to a final stock. Once they are sold out, this model will completely disappear from the company’s catalog.

There will only be the version with OLED screen

Valve’s immediate focus is now on the new OLED version of the Steam Deck, which is priced higher, starting at 569 euros for the 512 GB variant. This financial leap from the LCD model, which was offered at 419 euros, means that players looking for a more affordable option to enter Valve’s ecosystem will be immediately excluded.

Despite the price increase, the OLED model offers several notable improvements: a higher quality and larger screen, better connectivity, and a longer battery life. These improvements are especially relevant at a time when gaming hardware continues to face production challenges due to the semiconductor shortage.

However, many players hoped that Valve would consider more aggressive discounts to clear the remaining inventory of the LCD model, especially during the Steam Winter Sale, a period traditionally associated with deals on both games and hardware.

With the elimination of the LCD model, Valve seems to be planning its next significant move: the introduction of new Steam Machines, scheduled for 2026, as well as new models of Steam Deck in the future. However, a clear pricing strategy has not yet been defined, unlike the one used by Nintendo, leaving fans with questions about the future accessibility of Valve’s hardware.

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A major chain removes the Xbox section from its stores, raising concerns about the future of the brand

The distribution of hardware and video games is going through a critical moment, characterized by constant price increases and changes in consumption habits that affect both online wholesalers and physical stores. A recent example of this situation is Costco’s decision to remove the Xbox section from its websites in the United States and the United Kingdom, leaving users without access to consoles, accessories, and games from Microsoft Gaming. In contrast, the pages dedicated to PlayStation and Nintendo remain active, which some analysts interpret as an indication of the weakening of the Xbox brand in […]

The distribution of hardware and video games is going through a critical moment, characterized by constant price increases and changes in consumption habits that affect both online wholesalers and physical stores. A recent example of this situation is Costco’s decision to remove the Xbox section from its websites in the United States and the United Kingdom, leaving users without access to Microsoft Gaming consoles, accessories, and games. In contrast, the pages dedicated to PlayStation and Nintendo remain active, which some analysts interpret as an indication of the weakening of the Xbox brand in the market.

Xbox, a brand without a future?

The withdrawal of Xbox could be related to Microsoft’s strategy to focus on digitalization, launching versions of consoles without a disc drive. However, the lack of an official explanation from both Costco and Microsoft leaves open the possibility that we are facing a system error that does not correctly detect related searches. Nevertheless, the situation does not surprise many, especially considering that some European stores have already begun to stop selling Xbox games.

In addition to this, Microsoft has announced a price increase for the Xbox Series in the United States starting October 3rd. According to the company, this adjustment is due to “changes in the macroeconomic environment” related to tariffs imposed in the past. With this new pricing structure, the Xbox Series S (512 GB) will cost $400, while other versions will see even greater increases, reaching $799 for the Xbox Series X Galaxy Black with 2 TB. These decisions have raised concerns among consumers and industry analysts about the future of the console in an increasingly competitive market.

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One of the founders of Xbox lashes out at the company: "Xbox no longer wants —or cannot— to launch its own hardware"

Microsoft has strengthened its vision of “play anywhere,” but Xbox’s cross-platform strategy has reignited a debate about the future of the brand, especially among former members of the original team. Laura Fryer, one of the founders of Xbox and producer of iconic titles like Gears of War, has expressed serious concerns about the company’s direction. In a recent video on her YouTube channel, Fryer questioned the role of the ROG Xbox Ally device, created in collaboration with ASUS, which allows users to play games from external platforms like Steam. She does not understand the current […]

Microsoft has strengthened its vision of “play anywhere,” but Xbox’s cross-platform strategy has reignited a debate about the future of the brand, especially among former members of the original team. Laura Fryer, one of the founders of Xbox and producer of iconic titles like Gears of War, has expressed serious concerns about the company’s direction. In a recent video on her YouTube channel, Fryer questioned the role of the ROG Xbox Ally device, created in collaboration with ASUS, which allows users to play games from external platforms like Steam.

Does not understand the current drift of the company

Fryer believes that this initiative is a sign of Xbox’s disinterest in launching new hardware. “From my point of view, it seems that Xbox no longer wants —or cannot— launch its own hardware,” said Fryer, who criticized the “Xbox Anywhere” campaign as an empty strategy, focused more on perception than on tangible results. He also expressed concern about how the legacy of the brand built over decades is fading, questioning the future of Xbox: “What is the long-term plan? Where are the new successes?” he added.

In response to criticisms like those from Fryer, Sarah Bond, president of Xbox, has defended the company’s strategy on multiple occasions. Bond stated that they are investing in the next generation of hardware, both in consoles and portable devices and cloud services, reaffirming their commitment to allow players to enjoy their favorite titles without restrictions. However, Fryer continues to express skepticism about the clarity of Xbox’s creative direction, especially with the rise of multiplatform titles that were previously exclusive.

The celebration of Xbox’s 25th anniversary in 2026 could be a crucial moment to dispel doubts. Fryer concluded his reflection by conveying a mix of nostalgia and skepticism: “Maybe next year is when everything will make sense. But for now, we can only wait and see what remains of the original spirit of Xbox.”

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The team behind MindsEye acknowledges the disaster of its launch and claims to be working on it

The launch of the game MindsEye by Build a Rocket Boy has been marked by a series of adverse reviews, reflected in its “mostly negative” rating on Steam. Since its debut, the title’s rating has fluctuated, briefly moving to “mixed” before falling back to its original rating. Players have expressed their frustration, particularly regarding the high hardware requirements that have limited the experience for many. In response, the studio has acknowledged these issues, emphasizing that they are working “tirelessly” on performance improvements. A game that has been released in a suboptimal state Build a Rocket […]

The launch of the game MindsEye by Build a Rocket Boy has been marked by a series of adverse reviews, reflected in its “mostly negative” rating on Steam. Since its debut, the title’s rating has fluctuated, briefly moving to “mixed” before falling back to its original rating. Players have expressed their frustration, particularly regarding the high hardware requirements that have limited the experience for many. In response, the studio has acknowledged these issues, emphasizing that they are working “tirelessly” on performance improvements.

A game that has been released in a suboptimal state

Build a Rocket Boy has announced that an initial patch is expected to be released later this week, in order to address performance deficiencies on both conventional hardware and consoles. In their latest update, the studio emphasized that their top priority is to improve gameplay across all devices, apologizing for the inconveniences caused to players by the high system requirements.

In addition, they have confirmed that their content creation platform Build.MindsEye is now fully accessible, and they are working to resolve issues related to missing DLC, which will be added to the accounts of owners as soon as possible. However, despite their good intentions and technical efforts, the general consensus indicates that the game has not been well received and has received negative reviews for its overall quality.

In an attempt to address players’ concerns, Build a Rocket Boy has urged the community to send their feedback through multiple channels, including Discord, Reddit, and social media, promising to read all messages, even the most difficult ones. However, it is important to note that while technical issues are a reality, the deeper criticism suggests that the game has failed to meet quality expectations.

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Now it is possible for them to hijack your computer at the CPU level

Ransomware, a malicious software designed to take control of computers and data and extort victims, continues to evolve alarmingly. Recently, researcher Christiaan Beek has shared his concern about new vulnerabilities arising in the microcode of processors, a code that sits just above the hardware and regulates its operation. There is no way to defend oneself completely. Beek has developed a method capable of hijacking microcode updates and installing ransomware directly on the processor. This new form of attack adds to those that have already been […]

Ransomware, a malicious software designed to take control of computers and data and extort victims, continues to evolve alarmingly. Recently, researcher Christiaan Beek has shared his concern about new vulnerabilities arising in the microcode of processors, a code that sits just above the hardware and regulates its operation.

There is no way to defend oneself completely

Beek has developed a method capable of hijacking microcode updates and installing ransomware directly on the processor. This new form of attack adds to those that have already been revealed, such as an exploit in the BIOS that allows modification of microcode in some AMD processors. “From my experience in firmware security, I thought: ‘I can write ransomware for CPUs,'” Beek told the media. Although there are no plans to publicly disclose the tool, it has been confirmed that the researcher has managed to create ransomware that hides in the microcode of processors.

The importance of this innovation lies in the fact that ransomware operating at the CPU level could bypass almost all established security measures. Becker warned that if there is direct access to the machine, the impact of these attacks is even more severe. However, the researcher also emphasized that the fight against ransomware cannot be relegated to technology, highlighting a serious lack of cyber hygiene among users. “Most problems are due to user errors or their lack of action,” he stated.

The current situation reflects a standstill in the battle against ransomware. Beek noted that by 2025 we should not be talking about these types of problems, lamenting that more than a decade after the first major attacks, the foundations of cybersecurity are still not well established. With the constant technological evolution and the arrival of new trends such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, there is still a long way to go in protecting against these threats.

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Microsoft is going to force millions of people to switch to Windows 11 and that is going to be a huge problem

On October 10, 2023, official support for Windows 10 will end, raising alarms about the security of millions of devices that will not be able to upgrade to Windows 11. Since its launch in 2021, Microsoft has restricted the upgrade to its latest operating system to machines that meet strict hardware requirements, specifically the need for a TPM 2.0 chip and compatible processors. This decision, presented as an effort to improve security, has resulted in around 400 million devices being left out of this transition. Many computers will not be able to do the […]

On October 10, 2023, official support for Windows 10 will end, raising alarms about the security of millions of devices that will not be able to upgrade to Windows 11. Since its launch in 2021, Microsoft has restricted the upgrade of its latest operating system to devices that meet strict hardware requirements, specifically the need for a TPM 2.0 chip and compatible processors. This decision, presented as an effort to improve security, has resulted in around 400 million devices being left out of this transition.

Many computers will not be able to make the transition and that is a problem

The Trusted Platform Module’s main function is to protect sensitive data and ensure that only trusted software is executed, but its implementation has generated a compatibility crisis. Older equipment, including those with processors prior to Intel’s eighth-generation Core or first-generation AMD Ryzen, will be especially affected. By the end of this month, those who fail to perform the update will be left without security update coverage, making them potential targets for cyberattacks.

The situation is critical not only for individual users but also for educational institutions, small businesses, and governments that rely on updated and secure technology. Microsoft’s reluctance to offer flexible solutions poses a dilemma: forcing the replacement of fully functional hardware instead of finding alternative paths that promote sustainability and reduce the environmental impact of electronic waste.

On the other hand, this measure could further widen the digital divide, especially in developing countries where many people and schools rely on equipment that will not meet the new requirements. It seems that Microsoft’s initiative, which was supposed to strengthen the global security of the Windows ecosystem, could result in an increase in vulnerable devices and in the grievance for entire sectors of the population. Although some suggest that Microsoft could consider more inclusive options, no alternative strategy has been announced so far.

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Nintendo sues an accessory company for leaking the design of the Switch 2

The official presentation of the Nintendo Switch 2 has been marked by controversy, especially after the release of a first trailer in January 2025. During CES 2025, several accessory manufacturers, including the company Genki, showcased models that presumably were based on the actual design of the new console. This sparked a wave of speculation that forced Nintendo to take measures to protect its next-generation product. A disastrous situation for Nintendo Recently, Nintendo has decided to take legal action against Genki, claiming that the company has capitalized on public interest in the Switch 2 […]

The official presentation of the Nintendo Switch 2 has been marked by controversy, especially after the release of a first trailer in January 2025. During CES 2025, several accessory manufacturers, including the company Genki, showcased models that presumably were based on the actual design of the new console. This sparked a wave of speculation that forced Nintendo to take measures to protect its next-generation product.

A disastrous situation for Nintendo

Recently, Nintendo has decided to take legal action against Genki, alleging that the company has capitalized on public interest in the Switch 2 without authorization. According to court documents, Nintendo claims that Genki used “online leaks” to create mock-ups that, according to the company, misled consumers regarding their access to the actual design of the console. This situation escalated when legal representatives from Nintendo visited Genki’s booth during the event, where it was indicated that the company’s statements about the origin of its mock-ups were “contradictory and inconsistent”.

The videos of these models went viral, causing confusion among attendees at CES and specialized media. In response to the demand, Genki has issued a statement saying that it is “taking the accusations seriously” and working with legal advisors to provide an appropriate response. Despite the situation, the company reaffirms its commitment to innovation in gaming accessories and intends to continue with its production plans.

As events unfold, the gaming community is paying attention to the legal implications that this dispute may have on the industry, and is questioning to what extent the embarrassing interest in the new console could be affected. The controversy surrounding Genki suggests a small fracture in the relationship between hardware developers and accessory manufacturers, which could have long-term repercussions.

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NVIDIA card updates continue to cause serious problems for its users

NVIDIA, a company that has historically earned a solid reputation for its user support and the stability of its drivers, is going through one of its most critical phases following the launch of the RTX 5000 series. Since January, users have reported severe issues, including black screens and unexpected crashes, which have caused discontent in the gaming community. A launch that has not stopped failing Despite the company releasing multiple patches to address these issues, such as version 576.15, many users continue to experience failures. The situation has forced some of them […]

A launch that has not stopped failing

Despite the company releasing multiple patches to address these issues, such as version 576.15, many users continue to experience failures. The situation has forced some of them to revert to earlier driver versions, specifically 566.36, which are not compatible with the new RTX 5000 GPUs. This leaves owners of these cards with no viable options to improve the stability of their hardware.

Recently, NVIDIA introduced the RTX 5060 Ti, generating expectations about a possible improvement in performance and stability. However, some gamers are skeptical, arguing that this rapid release of new products could compromise the quality NVIDIA was once known for. With more than four patches released in recent months, the company’s reputation is under fire, especially when compared to competitors like AMD and Intel, who have shown more consistent performance regarding their drivers.

The community hopes that the situation will stabilize with the upcoming arrival of the RTX 5060, scheduled to launch in May, featuring 8 GB of GDDR7 VRAM at a starting price of 330 euros. Meanwhile, many are wondering if NVIDIA will be able to regain its status in the realm of GPU drivers or if this crisis will mark a permanent change in its relationship with users.

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This non-proprietary upscaling technology is experiencing an unexpected boom among users

The performance of video games on PC has historically been linked to the power of the hardware. However, with the advancement of new software techniques, players can now enhance the smoothness and visual quality of their games without the need to upgrade their equipment. One of the most interesting tools in this area is Lossless Scaling, developed by THS. This application has gained popularity for its ability to optimize performance on almost any hardware configuration. A tool for upscaling without the need for any proprietary technology Since its launch in 2018, Lossless Scaling has evolved, allowing […]

The performance of video games on PC has historically been linked to the power of the hardware. However, with the advancement of new software techniques, players can now enhance the smoothness and visual quality of their games without the need to upgrade their equipment. One of the most interesting tools in this area is Lossless Scaling, developed by THS. This application has gained popularity for its ability to optimize performance on almost any hardware configuration.

A tool for resizing without the need for any proprietary technology

Since its launch in 2018, Lossless Scaling has evolved, allowing users to improve frame rates without relying on proprietary technologies such as NVIDIA DLSS or AMD FSR. Compatible with any graphics card, it offers customizable scaling options, including its own LS1 technology, as well as AMD FSR and NVIDIA Image Scaling. This ensures that users can choose the option that best fits their system.

One of the most striking features of Lossless Scaling is its ability to generate up to 20 additional frames for every one that is rendered. However, if configured incorrectly, this can result in visual artifacts and a loss of quality. Some users have reported that certain elements may appear blurrier, although many believe that the increase in performance outweighs this drawback.

The growth of Lossless Scaling has been remarkable, increasing from 4,000 to over 20,000 users in just one month, highlighting its growing popularity in the gaming community. With an affordable cost of 6.89 euros, the application has become an essential tool for those looking to maximize their gaming experience without making a large investment in hardware.

While it is not a perfect solution and may involve a slight loss of visual quality, Lossless Scaling stands out as a valuable alternative for gamers looking to improve their performance, especially on older machines.

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SteamOS can now be used on devices that are not from Valve

Valve recently announced during CES in Las Vegas its intention to expand SteamOS beyond the Steam Deck, starting with the Lenovo Legion Go S handheld console. Version 3.7.0 of SteamOS marks a significant milestone, as it initiates support for handheld devices that are not Steam Deck, although not all current machines are eligible for this update. A huge advancement for Valve’s operating system This development is part of Valve’s strategy to compete in the growing market of handheld consoles, where industry giants like Sony and Nintendo also feature

Valve recently announced during CES in Las Vegas its intention to expand SteamOS beyond the Steam Deck, starting with the Lenovo Legion Go S handheld console. Version 3.7.0 of SteamOS marks a significant milestone, as it initiates support for handheld devices that are not Steam Deck, although not all current machines are eligible for this update.

A huge breakthrough for Valve’s operating system

This development is part of Valve’s strategy to compete in the growing market of portable consoles, where industry giants like Sony, Nintendo, and Microsoft also feature. Gabe Newell’s company has acknowledged that other manufacturers have shown a clear interest in this hardware segment, leading to the need to expand its ecosystem. In this regard, Lenovo and Asus have emerged as the main collaborators in the evolution of these devices, being the two brands that have most promoted the handheld PCs category in the last two years.

Although the full implementation of support for non-Steam Deck devices is expected in May, coinciding with the launch of the Lenovo Legion Go S, the groundwork has already begun with the recent SteamOS update. This new version suggests that compatibility adjustments have been made for various models, although users of devices like the Asus ROG Ally will not be able to use this version to install the operating system yet. However, Valve has already started to integrate support for functionalities of these devices, as previously mentioned with the extra buttons of the ROG Ally.

In addition, until this support is finalized, players have an alternative in Bazzite, a solution that offers a similar experience to the Steam Deck without the need for Windows 11. With this expansion, Valve aims not only to diversify its hardware but also to emulate the success of the Steam Deck in the competitive world of portable consoles. And perhaps, reach desktop computers.

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