Sony Middle East and Africa (MEA) has clocked up tremendous growth up until Q3 FY2023, across key product categories. Globally forecasted consolidated sales and operating revenue of Sony Corporation for FY’23 is approximately 86.6 billion with an operating profit of USD 8.3 billion. Whereas specific to Consumer Electronic business (part of ET&S) forecasted sales and operating revenue is 17 billion and 1.2 billion respectively.

Building on this success, Sony MEA has unveiled a groundbreaking lineup of new and innovative products across television and audio for 2024, setting the stage for immersive home entertainment experiences and strengthening its market leadership. This year’s lineup will expand Sony MEA’s regional consumer base, catering to various age groups and consumer preferences.

Sony MEA’s latest range of new BRAVIA TVs and BRAVIA home audio devices reimagine the cinematic experience at home. The newly announced TV models feature greatly improved picture quality with high brightness, colour volume, clear shadow details in dark scenes, and sound coming directly from the screen reflecting creators’ true intent. In addition, the latest BRAVIA home audio devices include an array of soundbars, a home theatre system, and a neckband speaker, which together offer multiple options to enjoy immersive cinematic sound and go perfectly with the new BRAVIA TVs.

In the premium audio segment, Sony has unveiled the ULT POWER SOUND series, which is built for music lovers who enjoy powerful, deep sound. The lineup features three wireless speakers – the ULT TOWER 10, ULT FIELD 7 and ULT FIELD 1 – as well as wireless headphones ULT WEAR, so that customers can experience elevated sound pressure and deep bass. The series is aimed at young people, including Gen Z, who want to feel the powerful sound of being in the front row of an arena at parties with friends and family, at music events, and wherever they are.

Jobin Joejoe, Managing Director of Sony Middle East and Africa, said, “The Middle East & Africa region is one of the fastest growing markets for our large-screen TVs, particularly in the 75” and 85” screen segment, with the largest market share in the GCC. We are thrilled to bring the latest premium entertainment experiences to our customers in the region to support the growing appetite for OTT platforms and inspire more people to invest in an elevated home entertainment experience. We believe technology is a tool to add more value and opportunity for a richer and more emotional life, and therefore, we have made it easier for consumers to choose and combine the complete home entertainment package.”

Sony is actively involved in supporting content creators and nurturing their growth by developing regional mentorship programs, bringing industry experts, like-minded brands and creators under one roof through events such as the Sony Creators Convention, Alpha Festivals, Sony Cinema Line Event, and workshops in the region. In addition to the upcoming product launches, Sony Group has also become the founding partner of Esports World Cup to unite the global and esports gaming communities, broadening the appeal of gaming and esports and nurturing promising creators and talent in the region.

CORSAIR today announced the launch of the CORSAIR ONE i500 PC, a compact powerhouse packed with cutting-edge components and boasting high-end performance for content creators, AI-savvy professionals, and gamers. The sleek, space-saving design houses up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 graphics card and Intel Core i9-14900K processor—both liquid cooled. Combined with next-gen DDR5 memory and 2TB of NVMe SSD storage, the CORSAIR ONE i500 delivers the speed, storage, and reliability you’d expect from a high-end PC.

The CORSAIR ONE i500 PC is 30% smaller than a full-sized desktop PC but doesn’t compromise on power. Modern liquid cooling delivers top-tier thermal efficiency, minimizing CPU and GPU temperatures while achieving faster performance, all while being noticeably quieter than traditional cooling. NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 and 4080 SUPER graphics cards power a quantum leap in framerates and AI-powered graphics, while Intel 14th Gen CPU architecture makes sure you game and multitask without compromise.

The sleek, aluminium case with FSC-certified real wood panels—each with one-of-one natural grain—fits beautifully into any modern workspace or gaming setup. Future upgradability is possible with the CORSAIR ONE i500 PC using industry-standard PCIe, RAM, and SSD slots, allowing you to craft a system as unique as your ambitions. The CORSAIR ONE ORIGIN Edition can be customized with up to 192GB of DDR5 memory and 24TB of storage to elevate creative, multitasking, and gaming experiences. The configurator also offers options to add capture cards, network cards, audio cards, USB expansion cards, and more.

Featuring customizable underglow and front-panel lighting, the CORSAIR ONE i500 gives you the power to personalize your setup in seconds. A touch-sensor spotlight for the rear I/O will help you find a wide array of high-performance connectivity options. When the first generation of CORSAIR ONE PC was launched, we set a new standard in the world of compact, performance PCs. This new generation raises the bar even higher, with incredible raw speed and efficiency in a sleek and modern look. We are also offering the choice of two colours available from the Corsair webstore and select retailers: Wood Dark and Wood Bright.

The CORSAIR ONE i500 PC is packed with uncompromising performance in a compact case that powers through today’s most demanding games and applications with ease, supported by ample memory and storage for all your needs. The CORSAIR ONE i500 PC is available immediately from the CORSAIR Webstore and Corsair authorized resellers and distributors. CORSAIR ONE i500 PC is backed by a two-year warranty, alongside the CORSAIR worldwide customer service and technical support network.

Born in the 1980s, my gaming journey began with the iconic Atari 2600, which was originally launched in 1977 as the Atari VCS (Video Computer System). This gaming system holds a special place in my heart. Recently, Monster Middle East sent me the new Atari My Arcade Gamestation Pro for a test drive, which reignited my passion for retro gaming.

The Legacy of Atari
The Atari Gamestation Pro pays homage to the legacy of Atari, bundling over 200 licensed titles from the Atari 2600 VCS, Atari 5200 SuperSystem, Atari 7800 ProSystem, and arcade classics. This comprehensive library includes beloved titles such as Adventure, Asteroids, Missile Command, Tempest, Centipede, and Combat, offering a nostalgic trip back to the golden age of gaming.

Here’s what you get:

1. Atari 2600 VCS Classics: A whopping 82 games from the 2600 era.
2. Atari 5200 SuperSystem Gems: Seven titles that evoke memories of the ’80s.
3. Atari 7800 ProSystem Selection: Ten games that bridge the gap between old and new.
4. Arcade Hits: A collection of 39 arcade games—nostalgia served in pixels.
5. Bonus Titles: These 8- and 16-bit arcade gems (63 in total) add extra flavour to the mix.

Despite the absence of certain iconic titles like Pac-Man and Space Invaders, the Atari Gamestation Pro delivers a diverse gaming experience. From arcade classics to Atari favourites, there’s something for every enthusiast. The inclusion of bonus titles adds further depth to the gaming library, ensuring hours of entertainment.

Unboxing and Setup
Setting up the Atari Gamestation Pro is a breeze, with all necessary components provided in the box, which include the game box, HDMI cable, USB-C to USB cable, and eight AA batteries. The Atari Gamestation Pro also ships with two wireless controllers, each operating at a zippy 2.4 GHz. Inspired by the original Atari joysticks, these controllers come with a few modern tricks up their sleeves.

The Original button is located in the upper-left corner, while the B button is mounted atop the stick. A C-Trigger button is front-mounted on the stick, while three other small buttons handle the Home, Select, and Start functions. There is also an upper-right control knob, which is perfect for paddle games such as Breakout and Pong. And on the front, you get an on/off slider, a Menu button, and a USB-C connection for one of the front chassis ports, which helps minimise controller latency.

The console’s compact design and intuitive interface make it accessible to users of all ages. Upon powering it on, a vibrant rainbow ring of LED lights illuminates the controller, setting the stage for an immersive gaming experience.

User Interface
Navigating the Atari Gamestation Pro’s interface is a seamless experience, with intuitive menus and options. From selecting featured games to adjusting settings, the interface caters to both seasoned gamers and newcomers alike. The inclusion of original box art and game screenshots adds a nostalgic touch, enhancing the overall experience.

Controller Performance
While the controllers are inspired by the original Atari joysticks, they come with some added features that may take some getting used to. While suitable for basic games, the layout can feel awkward for titles requiring multiple button inputs.

Gaming Performance
Jumping into classic titles such as Combat and Asteroids evokes fond memories of simpler gaming pleasures. Despite the dated graphics, the sheer fun of gameplay shines through, especially when shared with loved ones. Whether battling tanks in Combat or racing down virtual slopes in the Snow Board Championship, the Atari Gamestation Pro delivers on the promise of nostalgic gaming.

The main screen loads in a 16:9 aspect ratio, offering Featured Games (all Atari titles), Bonus Games, and Settings. The on-screen guide clarifies button functions: A for selection, B for back, and C for toggling music. Within Settings, you can adjust the aspect ratio (keep it original with 4:3 for the true Atari experience), select bezel art to fill empty screen space, add scan lines for a retro CRT aesthetic, access controller information, and explore the About section with a QR code leading to My Arcade’s website.

Featured games can be browsed by category: All, 2600, 5200, 7800, Arcade, Paddle, Multiplayer, and Recent. Selecting a title reveals the original box art, a game screenshot, a brief synopsis, and a graphic depicting the required buttons. With some games boasting numerous variations (Asteroids has a whopping 66), check out the original user manuals, which can easily be found online at archive.org.

The chassis features two top-mounted buttons: one for power and another for home navigation. On the left side, you will find a slot that takes in Micro SD memory cards. As mentioned before, when you power up the Gamestation Pro, a mesmerising rainbow ring of LED light encircles the buttons and base of the controller. While you can’t turn off this dazzling display, holding the Menu button lets you cycle through various light options.

Verdict
The Atari My Arcade Gamestation Pro offers a nostalgic journey back to the golden age of gaming, wrapped in modern convenience. While it may have its quirks and limitations, its ability to evoke cherished memories and provide hours of entertainment makes it a worthwhile investment for retro gaming enthusiasts. Highly recommended for those seeking a nostalgic escape from the complexities of modern gaming.

Price: AED 575

Photography by Ryan Chris