News
SpaceX’s Starlink Internet Service to Leave Beta in October 2021

SpaceX’s CEO Elon Musk tweeted on Friday that the company’s Starlink satellite internet network would come out of its open beta phase next month. That’s two months later than the August date Musk gave at Mobile World Congress, when he also said he expected the service to have “possibly over 500,000 users within 12 months.”
The Starlink system calls for a constellation of nearly 12,000 satellites in low-Earth orbits that will beam continuous broadband internet service. A terminal costs $499 and there’s a $99 monthly fee for service. It opened its public beta test in October 2020, and Musk said in August that SpaceX had shipped 100,000 Starlink terminals, which includes a satellite dish and a Wi-Fi router, to users in 14 countries.
As the beta ends and more countries are able to get access to Starlink, that 100,000 number is likely to grow, although it’s hard to tell when it might reach the half-million mark that Musk predicted. Starlink’s internet service is planned to be sold directly to consumers in rural areas around the world, among other customers, and it’s touting 100Mbps download and 20Mbps upload speeds.

Gadgets
ASUS ROG Elevates Handheld Gaming with New ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X Models

ASUS Republic of Gamers has partnered with Xbox to introduce the next generation of portable gaming: the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X. These premium handheld devices merge console-quality performance with PC versatility in an ergonomic design, setting a new standard for gaming on the go.
The new series features a completely reimagined chassis designed for extended play sessions, with comfort-focused ergonomics inspired by Xbox controllers. The flagship Ally X model takes immersion to the next level with advanced impulse triggers that deliver precise haptic feedback, mirroring the premium console gaming experience.
Powering these devices are cutting-edge AMD processors tailored for handheld gaming. The standard Ally model features the AMD Ryzen Z2 A Processor, while the high-end Ally X boasts the more powerful Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme Processor. Both chipsets are engineered to balance performance and efficiency, enabling smooth gameplay across all genres while optimising battery life.
Running on Windows 11 with a customised Xbox interface, the devices offer the best of both worlds: seamless access to Xbox Game Pass alongside the full flexibility of a Windows PC. The optimised software environment provides quick access to games and settings, creating a console-like experience while maintaining the open ecosystem PC gamers expect.
The ROG Xbox Ally series represents a significant evolution in portable gaming technology, combining Xbox’s gaming expertise with ASUS ROG’s hardware innovation. Gamers in the UAE can look forward to the devices launching later this year, with regional pricing and availability details to be announced in the coming months.
This collaboration marks a major milestone for handheld gaming, offering players unprecedented freedom to enjoy their favorite games anywhere without compromising on performance, comfort, or game library access. The ROG Xbox Ally series demonstrates ASUS’s continued commitment to pushing the boundaries of gaming technology in the Middle East and worldwide.
Components
Acer Launches New Nitro GPUs Offering Both AMD and Intel Variants

Acer has unveiled an expansion of its graphics card lineup with the introduction of new Acer Nitro Intel Arc A and B Series models alongside high-performance Acer Nitro Radeon RX 9060 XT OC graphics cards. Designed specifically for gamers and creators building custom PCs, these new offerings deliver exceptional gameplay performance, seamless content creation capabilities, and stunning visual fidelity to help enthusiasts maximize their systems.
The new Nitro graphics cards combine durability and smart features in their design. All models feature sturdy aluminum backplates and rigid construction to withstand intensive use. They incorporate Acer Intelligence Space, an AI-powered hub that automatically detects system hardware, recommends optimization tools, and suggests compatible applications. For gamers, Acer Game Assistance provides competitive advantages through adaptive aim technology, while Acer ProCam automatically captures and saves gameplay highlights.
The product lineup includes two Intel Arc-based models. The Acer Nitro Intel Arc B580 OC 12GB, now available in both white and black variants, boasts clock speeds up to 2,740 MHz and supports high-FPS 1440p gaming up to 8K resolution. Its Intel Xe2 architecture with DirectX 12 Ultimate enables advanced features like ray tracing, mesh shaders, and variable rate shading. The card also incorporates Intel XeSS Frame Generation for higher framerates and Xe Low Latency technology to reduce input lag. Cooling is handled by the efficient FrostBlade system which operates 8% quieter than conventional plastic fans.
For compact builds, the Acer Nitro Intel Arc A380 LP 6GB offers a game clock up to 2,000 MHz in a low-profile design. It features the same Xe-core architecture with AI acceleration capabilities, supporting demanding workloads including 8K HDR video processing and AV1 encoding. The blower-style cooling system ensures effective thermal management in smaller cases.
The AMD-powered options include two Acer Nitro Radeon RX 9060 XT OC models launching in June – a 16GB version and an 8GB variant. Both deliver boost clocks up to 3,320 MHz and game clocks up to 2,780 MHz using AMD’s RDNA 4 architecture with dedicated ray tracing and AI accelerators. These cards support 8K gaming and content creation, featuring AMD HYPR-RX for reduced latency and FidelityFX Super Resolution 4 for enhanced image quality and framerates. The dual axial fan cooling system maintains optimal temperatures during intensive sessions.
Pricing starts at $329 for the Acer Nitro Intel Arc B580 OC 12GB, currently available in EMEA markets. The Acer Nitro Radeon RX 9060 XT OC 16GB will debut at $649.99, with the 8GB model priced at $599.99, both arriving in June 2025.
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