Best known for its line of innovative smart locks, Lockly is showing off its first home security camera at CES in Las Vegas. The battery-powered OwlGuard IPC100 marks a step beyond the company’s core smart lock lineup, entering a competitive category with a few notable design choices. The camera records in 2K resolution with a wide field of view and supports both Starlight color and infrared night vision for low-light environments. It also includes AI-based detection designed to distinguish between people, pets, and vehicles. One of the camera’s most notable features is the 1.54-inch IPS color display located on the front, to the right of its lens. Unlike most security cameras, which keep system status inside an app, the OwlGuard displays battery life, recording activity, and security indicators right on the device. That could offer added reassurance in entryways or shared spaces without requiring users to check a phone. The OwlGuard IPC100 is Lockly’s first standalone home security camera.Lockly The camera runs on a 10,000mAh rechargeable battery that Lockly says should last six months on a full charge; owners will use a USB-C cable to recharge it. The cameras is rated IP65 for protection from the elements. It pairs via Bluetooth and connects over Wi-Fi, and Lockly includes automatic image orientation so video appears upright regardless of how the device is mounted. Local video storage is supported via a microSD card slot that supports capacities up to 128GB; a 32GB card is included. Lockly says cloud storage is optional and isn’t required for basic functionality. Support for Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant is planned but not yet certified. The OwlGuard also ties into Lockly’s existing smart lock ecosystem. On certain models, users can view live camera feeds directly on the lock’s screen, allowing for integrated access and monitoring. The camera is expected to launch in Q2 2026 with a list price of $99. Lockly also plans to offer optional accessories, including a solar charger, privacy cover, magnifying lens, sunshade (as shown up top), and silicone cases. If you’re attending CES in person, Lockly is exhibiting its wares at Venetian Suite 29-318, where the manufacturer is also showing its new Affirm Smart Lock series, Smart Safe XL, and TapCon access-control system for short-term rentals. This story is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of the best home security cameras. Read...

TL;DR: Windows 10 is without support and officially a security risk. Upgrade to Windows 11 Pro for $9.97 (MSRP $199) while licenses are still available. With Windows 10 now out of support, any PC still using it is missing ongoing security patches. That doesn’t mean disaster is imminent, but it does mean risks increase the longer you wait (especially when hackers with bad intentions also know you’re unprotected). Upgrading to Windows 11 Pro helps close those gaps with built-in security features designed for today’s threat landscape. BitLocker helps keep your files safe, Smart App Control blocks sketchy downloads, and biometric login options add an extra layer of protection. If you’re a power user, you’ll also get access to tools like Hyper-V for running virtual machines and Windows Sandbox for safely testing apps. What else is inside Windows 11 Pro? Windows 11 Pro also comes with a handful of upgrades that make everyday use smoother. The interface is cleaner and easier to navigate, and tools like Snap Layouts and virtual desktops help you keep things organized without much effort. Whether you’re juggling work, streaming, or just browsing with way too many tabs open, it keeps things running efficiently. Gamers also get a few perks. With support for DirectX 12 Ultimate, games can load faster, look better, and run more smoothly. Combine that with a generally more efficient system, and you’re getting better performance overall. Windows 11 Pro license keys are selling out fast at $9.97—get yours ASAP (MSRP $199)! No coupon is needed. Microsoft Windows 11 ProSee Deal StackSocial prices subject to change. Read...

While the image up top is LG’s older, discontinued W9 Wallpaper OLED TV, the news is that LG is bringing its uber-thin smart TV back, this time in the form of the Evo W6 Wireless Wallpaper TV. The big difference? The Wallpaper Design is now endowed with truly wireless connectivity; yes, the thin cable shown in these images is history. The LG Evo W6 also sports Hyper Radiant Color Technology, which is said to improve blacks (really? LG OLEDs are already famous for their blacks), color, and brightness–up to 3.9 times brighter than conventional OLEDs. We’re assuming “conventional” includes LG’s own sets; maybe not. LG also touts an improved screen coating said to preserve those hard-won picture improvements in a wider array of ambient lighting conditions. LG’s third-generation Alpha 11 AI processor powers the Evo W6, as well as all its AI video and audio features, promising a five-fold improvement in neural processing according to the company. It’s said to be capable of running two separate algorithms simultaneously, with each correcting and optimizing the results from the other. Theoretically this should produce better results with fewer artifacts. The LG Evo W6 Wallpaper TV can access the same library of art as LG’s Gallery TV, with a Gallery mode that promises to optimize color and brightness to best reproduce the visual texture of physical art. LG’s WebOS smart TV software is also onboard, with Voice ID technology that can recognize a user’s voice and present their personalized home screen on demand. If you’re into gaming on your TV, it delivers 4K UHD resolution with a 165Hz refresh rate. There’s also support both Nvidia’s G-Sync and AMD’s Free Premium technologies to prevent image tearing. Whatever the end result of the hype, the Evo W6 promises to blend into its surroundings far better than the average OLED–at a hefty price no doubt. We’re guessing in the 10s of thousands of dollars. Read...

Smart home brand Xthings is rolling out an ambitious lineup of new Ultraloq smart locks at CES, ranging from locks with cutting-edge biometric access to models designed for professional Z-Wave installations. The company says the new products are built to support both homeowners looking for advanced convenience and service providers managing connected security systems. Presence-based unlocking with Ultra-wideband (UWB) Leading the pack is the Ultraloq Bolt Mission, a Matter-certified smart lock that uses Ultra-wideband (UWB) technology to detect a user’s precise location and automatically unlock when the user is physically at the door—not just nearby with their phone in a pocket or bag. According to Xthings, this approach avoids the risk of unintended unlocks common with simpler proximity-based systems, while providing better security against relay attacks, a tactic in which thieves trick a smart lock into unlocking by relaying signals from a nearby authorized device, such as a smartphone or key fob, even when it’s not actually at the door. The Ultraloq Bolt Mission is a Matter-certified smart lock that uses Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology to unlock only when you’re physically at the door, helping prevent accidental unlocks and relay attacks.Xthings In addition to UWB, the Bolt Mission supports NFC tap-to-unlock, via a smartwatch; PIN codes; mobile app; and physical key access. The company claims a typical installation time of five minutes and a battery life of up to 12 months. Biometric access with palm and face unlock Also new is the Ultraloq Bolt Sense, which features both palm and facial recognition, plus support for PINs, app control, and auto-unlock. It includes built-in Wi-Fi 6 and planned support for Matter, Apple Home, Google Home, Alexa, SmartThings, and Home Assistant. The device is powered by a rechargeable 10,000mAh battery and boasts 0.5-second recognition with 99.9 percent accuracy, according to the company. The Bolt Pro targets users seeking a combination of fingerprint access and NFC support, with Wi-Fi 6 integration today and Matter certification down the road. It supports more than 100 fingerprints, remote access and app-based controls, and biometric recognition time of just 0.3 seconds. Xthings stands by Z-Wave For homes and systems that rely on Z-Wave connectivity, Xthings is introducing several locks based on the Z-Wave 800 platform. These include the Ultraloq Bolt Z-Wave and Bolt Z-Wave with Fingerprint, both of which boast long-range wireless coverage up to 1,300 feet, one-year battery life, and support for up to 250 user codes. The Ultraloq Bolt Z-Wave provides long-range wireless coverage up to 1,300 feet, one-year battery life, and support for up to 250 user codes. Xthings While Z-Wave is not part of the Matter standard, its extended range and energy efficiency (leading to very long battery life) have made it a favorite among professional installers and savvy DIYers alike. Xthings appears to be doubling down on this strategy, with support for platforms such as Alarm.com, Home Assistant, and Samsung SmartThings across its Z-Wave line. The Bolt Z-Wave with Fingerprint adds biometric access to the mix, combining fingerprint authentication with full Z-Wave hub integration. Both models support key-based entry, PIN codes, and mobile app control. With this lineup, Xthings is clearly trying to cover a wide swath of the smart lock market—from high-tech early adopters to professionals who rely on proven standards like Z-Wave. Pricing and availability for the full range are expected to be announced during CES. If you’re attending CES in person, Xthings is exhibiting its wares at the Venetian Expo booth #52317. This story is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of the best smart locks. Read...

Xthings is expanding its Ulticam smart camera series with a fresh slate of models designed to boost security coverage and cut down on noisy low-value alerts. Among the highlights are a long-range camera system built on Wi-Fi HaLow, a powerful floodlight camera, a wire-free model with always-on video, and an upgraded flagship indoor/outdoor camera that integrates both on-device and cloud AI. The company says its new cameras are built around what it calls Intelligent Vision, a blend of object detection on the device (powered by onboard AI) at the edge of a user’s network, and cloud-based contextual and threat analysis powered by Google Gemini. These systems are designed to not just capture motion, but to understand it, delivering alerts that describe what happened rather than just showing footage. Xthings says each of its new cameras will be compatible with the new Matter standard for home security cameras that was announced in November 2025. Ulticam IQ Floodlight: Security with deterrence Xthings The new IQ Floodlight brings edge AI and Gemini-based contextual understanding to the outdoors, with the added benefit of a 1,600-lumen floodlight. It features 2K HDR resolution (2560 x 1440 pixels), color night vision, weather resistance (Xthings hasn’t published an IP code rating), and a 180-degree diagonal field of view, making it ideal for driveways, yards, and high-traffic entry points. With smart zone-based detection, the camera focuses alerts on specific areas and events, helping reduce false notifications. The camera has a microSD card slot that can accommodate memory cards with up to 128GB of capacity (card not included), but it also comes with seven days of video storage in the cloud for free. As with most floodlight cameras, the Ulticam IQ Floodlight must be hardwired to power. It’s expected to sell for $199 when it ships in the second quarter of 2026. Ulticam Flex: Wire-free convenience, always-on awareness The Ulticam Flex records in 2K HDR, supports two-way audio, and is built for simple, no-subscription use Xthings The Ulticam Flex, pictured here and at the top of the story with its onboard spotlight activated, offers a truly wire-free setup and is powered by a 10,000 mAh rechargeable battery rated for up to three months of use between charges. It records in 2K HDR (2560 x 1440 pixels), supports two-way audio, and is built for simple, no-subscription use. It also uses Edge AI detection and cloud intelligence to identify people, vehicles, pets, packages, and even fire. The Ulticam Flex includes an “Always-On Video” (AOV) feature that aims to balance power savings with real-time awareness. Like the rest of the Ulticam family, it supports Matter and all the major smart home platforms. Ulticam HaLow: Long-range security for big properties Perhaps the most distinctive new product in the lineup is the Ulticam HaLow, one of the first consumer security cameras built on the Wi-Fi HaLow (802.11ah) standard. Unlike traditional Wi-Fi, HaLow operates in the sub-GHz spectrum, allowing it to penetrate walls and reach distances up to 1.5 miles, making it suitable for large properties with remote driveways, barns, and other outbuildings. Sold as a complete hub-and-camera system, the Ulticam HaLow supports up to four cameras per hub and brings the same edge AI and cloud-based Gemini integration to remote areas without the need for trenching or extenders. (Xthings had not released a photo of the Ulticam HaLow at press time.) Ulticam IQ V2: Flagship with Gemini-powered summaries Xthings The Xthings IQ V2 is the company’s new flagship camera and was previously announced in November 2025. It records in 4K HDR resolution (3840 x 2160 pixels) with a 160-degree field of view and can be powered by either an AC adapter or Power over Ethernet (PoE). The camera also supports 2.4GHz Wi-Fi connections. It combines real-time on-device AI detection—capable of distinguishing people, vehicles, pets, packages, and even fire—with cloud-based Gemini AI for human-like summaries and threat descriptions. The IQ V2 is designed for privacy and performance: AI processing happens locally first to reduce latency and limit cloud dependence. In addition to planned Matter certification, the camera supports Apple HomeKit, Google Home, Alexa, SmartThings, and ONVIF-compatible systems. If you’re attending CES in person, Xthings is exhibiting its wares at Venetian Expo booth #52317. This story is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of the best home security cameras. Read...

Maytronics is showing an expanded line of Dolphin robotic pool cleaners at CES this week. The Dolphin Eon series promises to work in shallow water—areas with as little as 8 inches of coverage—making them usable on steps, shelves, ledges, and zero-entry slopes (at least up to a point). More typical pool robots must be completely submerged in order to properly operate, limiting some larger robots to cleaning pool surfaces with a minimum water depth of 14 inches, leaving shallower areas for you to scrub. The Eon line includes two models, both of which feature treads connecting two large front wheels and two smaller rear wheels, part of the design that allows for their shallow water operation. Maytronics’ JetIQ technology also allows the robots to traverse steps and walls vertically, providing for wall and waterline scrubbing. The battery-powered robots have a maximum runtime of up to 4.5 hours, depending on the model. The Eon robots also provide for app-based control, so you can troubleshoot problems, configure settings, and schedule runs without needing to step outside. The entry-level Dolphin Eon 100 includes all the features above, while the Dolphin Eon 120d adds one additional feature called DebrisLock. This is a backwash filtration system designed to clean the unit’s filters while it’s in the pool, preventing trapped dirt particles and leaves from escaping once they are captured. The Maytronics Dolphin Eon 120D promises to work in shallower areas than most robotic pool cleaners can, including stairs and sloped-entry (aka walk-in) pools.Maytronics DebrisLock sequesters these materials in a sealed compartment that Maytronics says is effective at collecting even the smallest of particles and includes sensors that can detect if a filter is clogged, triggering an automatic cleaning cycle. Not only is the system designed to provide clearer, cleaner water, it can also reduce time spent on maintenance; namely, cleaning the filter baskets, which needn’t be cleaned out after each run). Later this year, Maytronics plans to introduce a hybrid power design option to the Eon line, allowing users to operate the robot either via battery power or while connected via a cable plugged into a power outlet. MSRP for the Dolphin Eon 100 is set at $899, while the Dolphin Eon 120d has a price tag of $1,199. Both models are available for purchase today, with shipping at the end of January. You’ll also find them in dealers’ inventories beginning in February. All units are covered by a three-year warranty. This news story is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of the best robotic pool cleaners. Read...

Mammotion is expanding its robotic lawn mower lineup for 2026, introducing three new models at CES that aim to simplify autonomous yard care for a broader range of homeowners. The company unveiled a new flagship model, the Luba 3 AWD, alongside smaller offerings in the Luba Mini 2 AWD and the Yuka Mini 2 series. Mammotion Luba 3 AWD The standout among them is the Luba 3 AWD, a high-end mower designed for large and complex lawns. It debuts a next-generation version of Mammotion’s Tri-Fusion Navigation System that combines LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) for 3D mapping, RTK (Real-Time Kinematic) satellite correction for centimeter-level positioning, and AI-powered vision for real-time object recognition and obstacle avoidance. Unlike many older robotic mowers that rely on perimeter wires or basic camera systems, the Luba 3 AWD operates without any external equipment. The result is a mower designed to navigate open terrain, tree-lined lawns, and sloped landscapes with minimal setup. According to Mammotion, the Luba 3 AWD scans its environment in 360 degrees using horizontal and vertical LiDAR, identifies obstacles using dual 1080p cameras, and uses satellite correction data via NetRTK to stay precisely on course, even in challenging GPS environments. The Luba 3 AWD is designed to navigate open terrain, tree-lined lawns, and sloped landscapes. Mammotion The Luba 3 AWD is available in four configurations, covering properties from 0.37 to 2.5 acres. The top model can handle slopes up to 80 percent (38.6-degree inclines), navigate up to100 zones, and mow up to 7,000 square feet per hour. It also features all-wheel drive, dual cutting discs, a 15.8-inch cutting width, and an adaptive suspension system that can climb over 3-inch curbs. Pricing starts at $2,299, with availability beginning January 5 in the U.S., E.U., and U.K. Mammotion Luba Mini 2 AWD For homeowners with smaller yards–or tighter budgets–Mammotion is introducing the Luba Mini 2 AWD, which borrows several features from the flagship, including all-wheel drive, slope handling, and obstacle detection. It uses a tri-camera AI system and NetRTK, skipping LiDAR in favor of a simpler, compact design. This model covers up to 10,760 square feet (about 0.25 acres), supports multi-zone mapping, and includes a new side-mounted edge-cutting disc to trim closer to walls and fences, trimming within one inch of edges. The Luba Mini 2 AWD can trim within one inch of lawn edges. Mammotion Mammotion Yuka Mini 2 Also announced is the Yuka Mini 2 series, a more affordable robot mower with variants tailored to different yard conditions. Some Yuka models include full 360-degree LiDAR and vision navigation, while others stick with tri-camera vision alone. Most models include the same AI chip used across the lineup, offering object detection for pets, toys, and lawn furniture; plus, automated mapping through a smartphone app. Pricing for the Luba Mini 2 starts at 1,499 Euros, with U.S. and U.K. pricing to be announced later. Select models will be available immediately in the U.K. and the E.U., with others opening for preorder in North America from January 5. The Yuka Mini 2 series features variants tailored to different yard conditions. Mammotion Mammotion’s announcement comes as robotic mowers continue to evolve beyond their early limitations, with manufacturers adopting technologies once reserved for self-driving cars and high-end robot vacuums. While camera-based navigation has been standard in earlier models, new systems incorporating LiDAR and RTK offer higher precision, especially in environments with trees, fences, or subject to inconsistent GPS satellite signals. If you’re attending CES in person, Mammotion is exhibiting its wares at Venetian Expo booth #51632. This story is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of the best robot lawn mowers. Read...

TechHive Editors Choice At a glanceExpert`s Rating Pros Built-in solar panel keeps the battery topped off with minimal sunlight AI person tracking doesn’t require a subscription Fully wire-free installation with flexible mounting options Cons Continuous 24/7 recording requires an optional AC power adapter Solar performance depends heavily on placement and sunlight Advanced alerts and cloud storage require a subscription Our Verdict Wyze’s first solar-powered pan-tilt camera delivers broad coverage and low-maintenance operation for far less than most competitors. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Best Prices Today: Wyze Solar Cam Pan Retailer Price $79.98 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Best Prices Today: Check today’s prices Wyze has been cranking out budget security cameras cameras at a steady pace, filling every niche from doorbells to floodlights. The Solar Cam Pan is the company’s first real swing at solar power, though, and it connects solidly. You get 2K video resolution, color night vision, a motion-activated spotlight, and AI person tracking without a subscription for much less than $100. That’s an attractive offer if you’re looking for a low maintenance camera to monitor your yard or driveway. Design and features The Solar Cam Pan has the familiar Wyze look: a clean, matte-white shell made of polycarbonate, sized small enough to tuck under an eave without drawing too much attention. It’s built for the outdoors with an IP65 rating, which our guide to IP codes tells us makes it dustproof and protected against jets of water. Wyze folds the solar hardware right into the design—a detachable 1.8W panel that clicks onto the top of the camera. An included 10-foot cable gives you the option of mounting the solar panel in a alternate location that might benefit from more exposure to the sun. The camera is otherwise wire-free thanks to a 6400mAh battery that will hopefully will be kept topped off by that solar panel. Wyze says the camera should require just one hour of direct sunlight each day to accomplish that. The other headlining hardware feature is, of course, the pan-tilt motor. The camera can rotate a full 360 degrees and tilt over a 70-degree arc, which gives it true wraparound visibility. Pair that with a 130-degree field of view and 2K resolution, and you get a wide, detailed look at whatever’s happening around your homestead. Wyze backs that up with solid imaging specs. The 2K sensor delivers sharper footage than the 1080p resolution usually found on budget cams, and wide dynamic range helps keep bright skies and darker corners from blowing out. At night, you can switch between color night vision when there’s a hint of ambient light, and there’s enhanced infrared for pitch-black conditions and you elect not to use the onboard motion-activated floodlight. The Solar Cam Pan hardware allows for flexible mounting options. Michael Ansaldo/Foundry On the software side, the camera includes features that usually cost extra. AI person tracking is included in the purchase price, not locked behind a subscription. When enabled, the camera detects a person, centers them in the camera’s field of view, and then follows them as they move. That motion-activated spotlight, and a 105dB siren, should deter interlopers. For smart-home users, the usual Wyze lineup of integrations are supported: Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT, and Wyze’s own automation and home security systems. For storage, you can drop in a microSD card (capacities up to 512GB are supported, read our guide on picking the right microSD card for your security camera) and keep your video clips local. The camera records motion events on battery power and can switch to full 24/7 recording if you plug it into an optional Wyze AC power adapter. If you want cloud backup, Wyze sells it in three tiers: The entry-level Cam Plus plan adds 14 days of event recording and smarter motion alerts—person, vehicle, package, and pet—for $2.99 a month or $19.99 a year. Cam Unlimited extends those features to your entire camera fleet for $9.99 a month or $129.99 a year. Heavy users can move up to Cam Unlimited Pro, which bumps event history to 60 days and adds AI video search and emergency dispatch for $19.99 a month or $259.99 a year.  Setup and performance Wyze gives you two ways to install the camera. If you want everything in one piece, you can mount the solar panel right on top of the camera using the included bracket and flat-head screws. Once it’s secured, the 10-foot cable plugs into the port on the back of the camera, and the extra slack wraps neatly around a built-in cable organizer. If you’d rather place the panel where it gets better sun, you can mount the camera and panel separately. The camera attaches to a small bracket that screws into a wall or the underside of an eave, and you mount the solar panel’s bracket a few feet away. The kit includes anchors for brick or concrete, plus drilling guides for both pieces, so you’re not guessing at hole placement. Setup in the Wyze app is straightforward and quick; just select the camera from the product list and follow the prompts. Once its connected to your Wi-Fi, the camera will perform a quick calibration of the pan-and-tilt function, which takes just a few seconds. You can mount the solar panel directly on top of the camera or a few feet away for better sunlight exposure. Michael Ansaldo/Foundry The 2K video stream is sharp enough to read small details and avoids the barrel distortion some budget wide-angle cams suffer from. Low light performance is solid as well, whether there’s a bit of ambient light or total darkness. Person tracking works as advertised. When someone walks into view, the camera rotates toward them and follows as they move, framing them in a green box. You can also manually pan and tilt the camera using a joystick-style control in the app. Motion detection was accurate in my testing. You can adjust both motion sensitivity and detection range in the app to manage how frequently you’re alerted to activity. Detection zones are supported as well. Notifications arrived almost instantaneously during my daily use. You can easily manage detection and pan-tilt from Wyze app. Michael Ansaldo/Foundry The solar setup is obviously the biggest selling point here, and Wyze keeps the expectations realistic. With an hour of direct sunlight a day, the panel should supply enough charge to keep the camera running indefinitely. More sun means more buffer. Less sun—say, a run of overcast days like I experienced during my testing period—means the battery level will slowly drop. Activity level matters, too; if the camera is constantly tracking pets, people, and passing cars, it will burn through power faster than one watching a quiet yard. Helpfully, the Wyze app includes a power manager among its plethora of settings that tracks battery level, solar energy charging, and sustainability impact, as well as stats for the number of working days, detected events, and recorded events. The battery data is updated daily and is invaluable for understanding the camera’s energy performance and ensuring it works optimally. Should you buy the Wyze Solar Cam Pan? At $79.98, the Wyze Solar Cam Pan is one of the most affordable outdoor pan-tilt cameras available. If your yard gets a reasonable amount of daylight, the camera gives you wide coverage, simple installation, and near-zero maintenance at a price that’s hard to beat in this category. For most people looking to add outdoor surveillance without adding ongoing chores, it’s an easy yes. This review is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of the best home security cameras. Read...

At a glanceExpert`s Rating Pros Rapid response times and customizable trigger paths Clear, flexible software 8.000 Hz polling rate for minimal latency. Smooth, pre-lubricated switches, and good housing insulation Hot-swappable PCB Housing made from 65 percent recycled plastic Cons High price Mediocre casing finish in places Rattling space bar Silicone feet are inflexible and prone to dust Our Verdict The Wooting 80HE, with its analogue keys, Rapid Trigger, and 8,000 Hz polling rate, is a high-end mechanical gaming keyboard designed for FPS gamers who love to tinker. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Best Prices Today: Wooting 80HE Retailer Price Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Best Prices Today: Check today’s prices When a keyboard is hailed as the holy grail of competitive gaming, it deserves a closer look. The Wooting 80HE’s reputation precedes it. More than just an input device, its state-of-the-art technology gives you a real advantage in shooters like Counter-Strike 2 or Valorant. We put the highly coveted 80 percent gaming keyboard through its paces. Along the way, we examine whether its innovative analogue technology justifies the steep price tag of around $199.99, and if its recycled plastic housing lives up to the standards of a premium product. Wooting 80HE: Design and construction Even unpacking the Wooting 80HE is fundamentally different from dealing with conventional manufacturers. The company consistently focuses on modularity and sustainability, which means that you can build it yourself. The keyboard base and keycaps are supplied separately in some cases, so you first have to fit the high-quality PBT keycaps to the switches yourself. Although this takes a few minutes, it immediately gives you a deep understanding of the device and emphasizes the “DIY charm” of the brand. Friedrich Stiemer Our test model comes in a black casing made of PCR plastic. PCR stands for “Post-Consumer Recycled,” meaning the chassis is largely made of recycled plastic. This is good for the environment, but it does have some disadvantages in terms of feel. The Wooting 80HE appears robust at first glance, but the plastic housing does show a certain amount of give under heavy pressure, especially above the space bar. The material can be noticeably pressed in and occasionally responds with a quiet creaking noise. Anyone expecting the absolute rigidity of an aluminum block will either have to adjust their expectations or dig deep into their pockets and purchase the optional metal casing. Friedrich Stiemer The manufacturer also goes its own way when it comes to ergonomics. Instead of relying on classic folding feet for height adjustment, the keyboard comes with various silicone pads. These pads are attached to the underside without tools to adjust the angle of inclination to 2.8, 6, or 10 degrees. Although this solution ensures a non-slip stand, it’s impractical in everyday use. The rubber feet attract dust almost magically and can come loose if you frequently move the keyboard around on your desk. Friedrich Stiemer Wooting 80HE: Technology and features The real highlight of the Wooting 80HE lies hidden under the keycaps. No classic mechanical contacts are used here, which only have an “on” or “off” function. Instead, Wooting uses Lekker V2 magnetic Hall-effect switches. This allows the keyboard to measure exactly how deep a key is pressed, which is anywhere from 0.1 to 4.0 millimeters. Friedrich Stiemer This analogue recording enables functions that make conventional gaming keyboards feel outdated. The most important feature for gamers is undoubtedly “Rapid Trigger.” Unlike normal switches, which first have to pass a fixed point before resetting, the Wooting 80HE’s reset point adapts dynamically. As soon as you lift your finger, the signal is interrupted. If you press it down again, it’s immediately triggered again. The result is an extremely fast reaction time, which can offer a noticeable advantage in terms of precision, especially during fast sideways movements in shooters (known as strafing). Friedrich Stiemer In addition to top-tier performance, the analogue technology also allows controller-like control. In racing games, for example, you can fine-tune the throttle and steering depending on how deeply you press the buttons. This technology is supported by an extremely high polling rate of 8,000 Hz. This means that the Wooting 80HE reports its status back to the PC 8,000 times per second. Even if this difference to conventional 1,000 Hz keyboards is barely perceptible to the average gamer, it gives professionals the reassuring feeling that the hardware isn’t a technical bottleneck. Keep in mind, however, that a cable connection is absolutely necessary for this speed. You’ll have to do without wireless features such as Bluetooth or 2.4 GHz radio. Friedrich Stiemer Wooting 80HE: Software Wooting’s “Wootility” software manages all these complex features in an exemplary manner. A big advantage here is that you don’t have to download an installation file if you don’t want to. The tool runs entirely as a web app directly in the browser and is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux across platforms. Friedrich Stiemer You can configure the trigger point for each individual button on the Wooting 80HE through its clearly organized interface. Whether you want the WASD keys to react the instant you touch them or the space bar to trigger only when fully pressed, the choice is entirely yours. RGB lighting and key assignments are also controlled here, stored directly in one of the keyboard’s four internal memory profiles. Although Wooting offers advanced scripting functions for perfect “counter-punishing” (known as “Snappy Tappy” or SOCD), you should exercise caution here. Game developers such as Valve have begun to block such automated input aids in titles like Counter-Strike 2. However, the core functions like rapid trigger and analogue triggering remain unaffected and continue to be legal competitive advantages. Friedrich Stiemer Wooting 80HE: Typing feel and gaming performance In everyday use, the Wooting 80HE shows two faces. When simply typing, it surprises with a very pleasant feel. The Lekker switches are well lubricated, gliding smoothly without scratchy feedback. Thanks to several layers of insulation in the casing, the acoustics are rich and comparatively quiet, which makes it perfectly suitable for office use. However, there is one acoustic outlier: the space bar. Compared to the other keys, it sounds much hollow, loud, and can rattle. Given the price, this is annoying, although experienced users can improve this themselves with a little grease on the stabilizers. Friedrich Stiemer When you switch from a word processing program to a game, the keyboard really comes into its own. In our gaming test, controlling the game character felt incredibly direct and instantaneous. Stopping and shooting happens at the exact moment the thought reaches your finger. It’s difficult to describe, but anyone who has experienced Rapid Trigger on the Wooting 80HE often finds conventional mechanical keyboards sluggish in comparison. The keyboard almost gives the feeling of artificially shortening your own reaction time. For competitive players who want to get the most out of their gaming, this feedback is worth its weight in gold. Friedrich Stiemer Read...

Each new CES is an opportunity for a glimpse at the processors and platforms coming for the new year, even if they have been previously announced. This year is no different. Two of the three major arrivals have already been disclosed, both for notebooks. Intel has revealed its next-generation Core Ultra platform, “Panther Lake,” and Qualcomm has announced that its next-generation mobile Windows on Arm processor will be the Snapdragon Elite X2. Only AMD has yet to reveal what its upcoming chip for laptops will be, though its customers published a projected roadmap some months ago. But what’s happening with desktop PCs? And could Nvidia have something up its sleeves for the big show? Right now, it’s impossible to know what PC makers are going to announce at CES 2026. Still, we can make some guesses. Here’s what we expect may be revealed by Intel, Qualcomm, AMD, and Nvidia. Intel: It’s all about Panther Lake Clearly, Intel will launch its Panther Lake (Core Ultra 300) processors at CES 2026. Intel has already revealed some of the deep-dive details of the Panther Lake architecture: a return to the efficiency and low-power efficiency cores as well as the performance cores alongside the Xe3 graphics core and an upgraded NPU. Normally, we stop there and begin wondering about clock speeds and pricing. But wait! Intel really has three designs to think about: an 8-core and a 16-core chip, and than a version of the 16-core chip with 12 Xe3 graphics cores inside it. Naturally, we’d assume the 12-Xe version would be the premium offering, but will PC vendors consider this version as a challenger to the AMD Ryzen Max? I tend to doubt it, but it’s possible. Intel Intel still has a stranglehold on the laptop market. Its previous chip, the Core Ultra 200, was excellent, offering a potent mix of long battery life and decent computing power. Typically Intel gives us a chance to do a little benchmarking at the show, then allows journalists to test the platform shortly thereafter. I think that will probably continue to be the case. In recent years, Intel has also showcased a few applications that take advantage of local AI. My guess is that we’ll see something in this regard, as well, possibly focusing on agentic AI. An Intel “Panther Lake” Core Ultra 300 chip.Intel It’s likely that Intel will also set the stage for “Nova Lake,” its next desktop processor platform that the company has already disclosed for 2026. Before that, however, the so-called “Arrow Lake Refresh” chips are expected to debut, with minor tweaks to the clock speeds and a slight upgrade to the core count (8 performance cores, 12 efficiency cores), especially in the lower tiers. But with Arrow Lake’s reception being just lukewarm and with small gains attached to the refreshed parts, I wouldn’t expect that Intel pays this a lot of lip service. Qualcomm: Selling Windows on Arm Qualcomm hopes laptop makers and all-in-ones will sign on to use its Snapdragon X2 Elite chips.Mark Hachman / Foundry No real surprises here, either. Qualcomm has already announced its Snapdragon X2 Elite platform with a variety of internal processor cores that together push towards 5GHz and an industry-leading 80 TOPS. Nobody really expects Snapdragon PCs to be gaming machines…and yet Qualcomm can never quite exclude gaming from the conversation, either. Qualcomm says the X2 Elite’s gaming performance has doubled, so expect to see more games being played on Snapdragon laptops. The big mystery, though, is how many laptops OEMs will design around the Snapdragon X2 Elite chips. the uptake of Snapdragon X Elite laptops wasn’t outstanding. But Microsoft and Qualcomm are determined to make Windows on Arm happen. Mark Hachman / Foundry Will we see desktop announcements from Qualcomm? Almost certainly not as a separate chip, but the company has teased a radically small mini PC reference design as part of the Snapdragon XE2 reveal, as well as an all-in-one desktop with a XE2 system built into the base of the monitor stand, so anything is possible. AMD: the one gamers want to buy For gamers and enthusiasts, AMD clearly won 2025, at least from a CPU perspective. Sure, you can focus upon the Ryzen 9000X and its initial performance hiccups. But AMD instead won big with its Ryzen 9000X3D parts, specifically the Ryzen 9 9950X3D: gobs of V-cache equated to gobs of performance, too. Remember when Threadripper was the chip AMD fans couldn’t stop talking about? What impressed me, however was how good AMDs mobile Ryzens were. AMD’s mobile processors were crap for years (good riddance, A-series) but the Ryzen AI 300 checked the NPU box while delivering leading performance with good battery life, too. Now AMD is ready to pass the torch from “Strix Point” to the Zen 5 “Gorgon Point” processor: the Ryzen AI 9 HX 470 has already leaked via Geekbench, running at 3.1GHz with a total of 12 cores. That’s a very good start, though I’m just as interested seeing how this chip handles the challenges of maintaining performance as well as long battery life. TechPowerUp noted that there’s an AI 5 430 floating out there, too. AMD The wild card? The Ryzen AI Max and Max+, which also uses gobs of cache, a wide, fast memory bus, a super-sized integrated Radeon GPU, and addressable memory of up 96GB. “Strix Halo” combines all three to allow the chip to serve as both a moderately powerful gaming processor as a vehicle for running local LLMs. I tested the Framework Desktop PC with a Ryzen AI Max+ chip inside, and loved it. The Framework Desktop: fun, lovely, powerful.Alex Esteves / Foundry If AMD is just now debuting Gorgon Point (and no other processor) I wouldn’t expect an upgraded AI Max chip quite yet, though I would look to the Gorgon Point chip for hints in that eventual direction. AMD has been making a lot of noise upgrading its associated ROCm software, which can boost the performance of applications through software improvements alone. This is an easy win, and a hand AMD will keep betting on for months to come. Swinging back to the desktop front, rumors suggest we’ll see AMD reveal a new Ryzen 7 9850X3D chip with 400MHz faster clock speeds than the baseline 9800X3D, as well as a new generation of APUs with beefy integrated graphics, dubbed the Ryzen 9000G series. These would bring the excellent “Strix Point” technology found in current AMD laptops to home PCs. We’ve also heard whispers of a new high-end Ryzen 9 X3D chip, which may happen, but feels much less certain. Nvidia: Don’t expect new consumer GPUs Adam Patrick Murray / Foundry The chip company with the murkiest outlook is Nvidia, hands-down. Earlier this year, rumors of an “RTX 50-series Super refresh” with more memory and other tweaks swirled before dying down a couple months back. The recent extreme RAM crunch probably put an end to those ambitions, and we don’t expect Nvidia to announce any new desktop or laptop GPUs at CES — especially considering the entire RTX 50-series launched just last year. Nvidia often brings flashy new technology and features to CES that have nothing to do with chip launches, like ACE AI companions for video game NPCs, Half-Life 2 RTX Remix, and yesteryear’s “BFD” monitor push, so there may be relevant news from Team Green. Surprises happen on the Las Vegas strip daily. We’ve heard scuttlebutt that Nvidia may have something up its sleeve surrounding monitor technology this year. As CES 2026 nears the opening week of January, PCWorld will be there. Stay tuned: the curtain is rising on 2026. Brad Chacos helped contribute to this report. Read...