Technology

• Xreal launches One Pro AR smart glasses at CES 2025
• It also announced a camera module for its One and One Pro glasses
• The glasses are launching in March for $599 / £549

I’m a big fan of Xreal’s AR smart glasses – that’s why they feature on TechRadar’s picks of the best smart glasses overall – thanks to their ability to give you a wearable home cinema experience using just the specs and a compatible USB-C device. And now that experience is about to get even better thanks to two new innovations the company has showcased at CES 2025.

The first is new AR glasses in the form of the Xreal One Pro. A follow-up to the Xreal One, these smart glasses pack a 57-degree field-of-view, 700 nits of brightness, Bose sound, adjustable interpupillary distance, a vibrant Full-HD picture, and Xreal’s own X1 spatial computing chip. All in a package that weighs just 87g

They're impressive-looking glasses based on my hands-on experience with them so far – so impressive that we’ve awarded them a best of CES 2025 award – and we’re excited to test them out further ahead of their March launch. The Xreal One Pro are up for preorder now at $599 / £549.

Let there be sight

I also tried Xreal's Air 2 Ultra glasses. (Image credit: Future)

Even more impressive than the glasses themselves, however, is the new 12MP camera module that Xreal is launching for both the Xreal One and new One Pro: the Xreal Eye.

This optional attachment gives Xreal’s specs vision capabilities that right now allow for first-person photo and video capture. “Later this year” though, the camera will also offer image-based multimodal AI capabilities – which should be similar to the AI features we’ve seen in the popular Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, including its 'Look and ask' feature.

The Xreal Eye is up for preorder at $99 / £99, and it looks like a solid update to Xreal’s existing specs, and offers a future-forward modular approach which is something I’ve been a fan of in XR for a while, as it gives users the freedom to construct the headset or glasses that best suits their needs and wants.

We’ll have to wait and see how the Eye perform in our full-review when they're released, as while I was able to wear specs with the camera module attached, I wasn’t able to snap a picture with them or see the AI in action during my hands-on time.

We’re covering all of the latest CES news from the show as it happens. Stick with us for the big stories on everything from 8K TVs and foldable displays to new phones, laptops, smart home gadgets, and the latest in AI.

And don’t forget to follow us on TikTok for the latest from the CES show floor!

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As the adoption of AI tools continues to grow, so does the possibility of making major leaps in healthcare delivery. Artificial intelligence is already having significant clinical impacts, notably in cancer detection, and we are just beginning to tap its transformative potential.

The current landscape is marked by an overwhelming array of disconnected AI-enabled point solutions that operate within silos. In radiology, for instance, imaging systems are separated from the radiologist informatics layer, and each have their own separate workflows. Lack of integration limits the potential for data utilization and creates interoperability challenges, which lead to operational inefficiencies and added pressure on care teams.

Better integration is needed, not only to address workflow and data challenges, but also to drive adoption and harness new care delivery opportunities. To realize this vision requires both an end-to-end approach that embeds AI throughout the entire care journey and cloud-native solutions that integrate AI deep with the modality. The way to do this is through connected AI-powered informatics and smart technologies.

Integrated AI-powered informatics to connect care teams

An integrated, cloud-native informatics layer across the care continuum is step one. In radiology, this unifying layer would connect the entire clinical and operational workflow – from patient registration through image acquisition to reporting, including collaboration with other physicians. End-to-end AI-powered informatics ensure ‘right place, right user, right time.

First, the ‘right place’ means deeply embedded within the technologies and settings where most needed. The ‘right users’ means customized workspaces for everyone in the workflow, with targeted views to support them in their individual roles and a single patient view – accessible to all in a connected and secure environment. Lastly, ‘at the right time’ means bringing AI in to help when needed – for example, with workflow automation or clinical assistance.

Smart technologies to enhance clinical and operational efficiency

Embedding AI-powered informatics across workflows and with modalities like mammography or MRI systems gives both patients and care teams better experiences. This is the definition of smart technologies.

Smart technologies are ‘disruptive’ only in the sense that they make major care breakthroughs possible. Because smart technologies integrate seamlessly with existing workflows and healthcare IT systems, they are not disruptive for the people delivering care. Rather, they relieve pressure by enabling more streamlined and efficient workflows.

There are no extra clicks or added complexity for radiologists and care teams. Instead, integrated smart technologies would help create a more seamless clinical and operational environment, with AI assisting along the way to enable a better experience for everyone – those delivering care and those receiving it.

Better care experiences for patients

Patients can expect better care experiences with smart technologies. In radiology, by integrating the acquisition workflow – the imaging – with the interpretation workflow, patients would receive a faster readout and potentially a same-day diagnosis. Acquisition time is shortened because the informatics layer postprocesses the imaging in real time, rather than having to postprocess later.

Take breast cancer detection, for example. Integrating AI deeply with the mammography system can not only speed up and improve the process but create new possibilities. This represents a huge leap forward in cancer detection. Imagine getting a complete AI-powered readout from a breast exam in minutes. Patients would no longer have to deal with the stress of waiting for results. Those with no diagnostic findings could leave their appointment with peace of mind, knowing they are cancer-free. And for patients with screening findings, they could know right away and could begin their diagnosis and treatment journey.

Partnering to leverage smart technologies

By embedding AI with medical devices and the equipment used in clinical settings, smart technologies remove the need for care providers to struggle with integration. This accelerates AI adoption and presents great potential to transform healthcare. However, it requires strategic collaboration between health technology companies and medical device manufacturers that focus on integrating AI deep into modalities. These collaborations can unlock the full potential of AI, transforming traditional medical technology into intelligent tools that enhance patient outcomes and improve care delivery. Moreover, as these partnerships evolve, they pave the way for a future where AI-driven innovations become the standard of care in the medical field.

The future of smart technologies is now

Smart technologies show great promise in bringing AI-powered clinical imaging support to breast cancer screening by embedding imaging informatics into advanced mammography systems. But what if we bring the AI-powered informatics layer closer in ultrasound? Or in x-ray, where smart technologies open the possibility of autonomous x-ray.

We already see the incredible potential of AI in real-world clinical settings. To make good on this promise will mean doubling down and partnering on AI-powered informatics and smart technologies to drive industry-wide adoption and, ultimately, revolutionize healthcare.

We've compiled a list of the best medical practice management software.

This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

Refinance rates were mixed, but one key rate climbed higher.

• A new AI model can mimic human personalities after a 2-hour chat
• It was 85% accurate at simulating human behavior
• The AI may transform how behavior and opinions are modeled

Stanford University and Google's DeepMind have released a new research paper showing how they taught an AI model to imitate how people behave. The Generative Agent Simulations of 1,000 People research created digital replicas of real people that can imitate their personalities with 85% accuracy after just a two-hour interview. A couple of hours of chat with an AI, and it’ll learn to simulate your reactions well enough to seem like it's thinking like you.

The slightly more than a thousand participants in the study started by reading the opening lines of The Great Gatsby to the AI. Apparently, this was the AI equivalent of stretching before a workout. After that, a 2D character asked them questions about their lives, beliefs, jobs, families, and more. With about two hours and an average of 6,491 words, the AI had all it needed to build a digital clone.

The clones seemed to know what they were doing, too. When asked to answer questions from personality tests or general surveys, the AI agents gave answers that matched their real-world counterparts about 85% of the time. Close enough to order for you at a restaurant, with maybe the wrong side dish.

The researchers put these AI clones to the test with economic games like the Prisoner’s Dilemma and the Dictator Game, where participants make choices about cooperation, trust, and sharing resources. While the AI only matched the real person's decisions around 60% of the time, that's still more than could be attributed to chance.

The AI might not fool your spouse or closest friend, but from just that short interview, it's pretty impressive. The AI could imitate decision-making patterns, opinions, and even personality quirks. Think about it: you spend years figuring out who you are, and this AI figures it out in an afternoon. It’s astounding and just a little bit creepy, like all good AI demonstrations.

Human behavior

Stanford and DeepMind see this AI as a way to advance human behavior studies. It’s also a glimpse into how AI can simulate collective human behavior. Want to know how a community might react to a new health policy? Spin up some generative agents. Curious how customers might respond to a bold product redesign? Ask the AI clones. Essentially, it could be an eternal focus group.

Of course, if an AI can learn to mimic you this well after a single interview, what happens when it has access to years’ worth of data? Social media posts, online shopping habits, and even your Spotify playlists could all help teach the AI to be you or at least cater to your preferences, even the ones you didn't know you had.

There's plenty of potnetila for misuse by scammers and other malicious actors, but for now, this technology is in the hands of researchers, and the focus is on learning how to make it useful for fields like sociology, psychology, and economics. And it is somewhat inevitable that the technology would move in this direction. There's nothing more human than creating something that tries so hard to be just like us.

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Once seen as energy-hungry liabilities, data centers are now emerging as critical assets in addressing urban energy challenges.

As the energy crisis deepens and cities grow, these facilities have the potential to transform from passive consumers to active contributors within their communities. The challenge of reusing waste heat from data centers has been examined for years. While low-grade heat is produced by these facilities, which are typically built in industrial estates, new solutions are being developed as locations move closer to residential areas.

Progress is steadily being made across the sector; waste heat is already being repurposed to warm public swimming pools and support district heating networks for housing developments, demonstrating how IT infrastructure can be woven into community energy strategies.

From digital waste to community resource

The potential of data center heat reuse is already being realized through innovative projects across Europe. For instance, local swimming pools in England are benefiting from arrangements where waste heat is provided at no cost. Data center operators deliver IT services, while the pools receive free heating, significantly reducing operational costs—a crucial advantage during the ongoing energy crisis.

In the Nordics, excess heat is being channeled into industrial processes such as wood drying, a vital service for local industries. Other facilities are using waste heat to power greenhouses, fostering sustainable food production for nearby communities.

The main technical hurdle lies in the quality of heat produced by data centers. Low-grade heat must first be upgraded using heat pump systems to make it suitable for district heating networks. This challenge is being addressed through strategic design, such as in Manchester, where a new data center includes connection points for a future district heating network to support a nearby housing estate. These initiatives show how data centers are being moved closer to residential areas, enabling their waste heat to serve local community needs rather than being limited to industrial estates.

The investment case for integration

Investment in data center heat reuse is increasingly driven by funds with green and sustainability mandates, requiring new approaches to reduce carbon intensity and enhance efficiency.

While integrating heat reuse systems raises upfront costs, support schemes like UK tax incentives for energy-efficient infrastructure can help offset these expenses. The business model is also evolving, with operators exploring diverse revenue streams. For instance, in the swimming pool example, free heat is supplied in exchange for revenue from IT services.

In district heating projects, roles are clearly defined between data center operators, heat network managers, and end users to ensure smooth operations. Future-proofing is becoming standard, with new developments incorporating infrastructure for potential heat network connections. However, long-term heat supply reliability remains a critical factor in planning.

Measuring environmental impact through heat reuse

Environmental considerations are influencing design from the outset. Embodied carbon in construction materials, renewable energy integration, and total carbon reduction are being prioritized. For example, previously unused roof spaces are now equipped with PV panels, generating renewable energy for on-site operations.

The environmental benefits of data center heat reuse are becoming a key focus, building on the shift from isolated facilities to integrated community assets. Metrics like the Energy Reuse Factor and Energy Reuse Effectiveness now quantify how much of a facility’s energy consumption is repurposed for productive use.

These efforts are aligning with urban planning priorities, as local authorities assess data center proposals through the lens of community sustainability. Beyond energy efficiency, there is growing emphasis on how these facilities can support regeneration projects, contributing to local heating and power solutions while minimizing their overall environmental impact.

Creating successful partnerships

Ultimately, the successful implementation of data center heat reuse projects hinges on stakeholder collaboration. Clear operational boundaries are essential: data center operators provide waste heat via heat exchangers, while other parties manage heat pumps, network infrastructure, and end-user services. This clear division of responsibilities ensures long-term reliability and efficiency.

Key factors include maintaining a consistent heat supply, integrating with existing infrastructure and engaging diverse stakeholders such as property developers and local businesses. However, with heat reuse still in its early stages, these ecosystems often need to be built from the ground up, requiring meticulous coordination and planning.

As the sector shifts its focus towards reducing carbon intensity, collaboration remains critical. While challenges remain in aligning interests and operations, the drive to create sustainable energy ecosystems is accelerating innovation, redefining the role of data centers in urban environments.

We've compiled a list of the best green web hosting services.

This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

Those with T-Mobile service in the Los Angeles area will be able to stay connected through SpaceX's Starlink satellite service.

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for Jan. 10.

Here are some hints -- and the answers -- for the Jan. 10 Strands puzzle, No. 313.

Here are some hints — and the answers — for Connections: Sports Edition No. 109 for Jan. 10.

While the destructive Los Angeles fires rage, all eyes have turned to the app that lets you track them. WIRED spoke with Watch Duty founder John Mills about how the platform has met the moment.

Here are some hints — and the answers — for Connections No. 579 for Friday, Jan. 10.

With wind speeds falling, firefighting reinforcements arriving from out of state, and more water sources online, authorities now have a critical window to take control of the situation.

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need clues.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #579) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• SUGAR
• GOAT
• RELAX
• ORANGE
• HOST
• REST
• DOOR
• HINGE
• EASY
• RYE
• DEPEND
• CAR
• RELY
• CHILL
• ENOUGH
• BITTERS

NYT Connections today (game #579) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: Stand by me
• GREEN: Take the pressure off 
• BLUE: Classic cocktail
• PURPLE: Game show brain teaser

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #579) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: BE CONTINGENT (ON) 
• GREEN: "CALM DOWN" 
• BLUE: INGREDIENTS IN AN OLD FASHIONED 
• PURPLE: FEATURED IN THE MONTY HALL PROBLEM

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #579) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #579, are…

• YELLOW: BE CONTINGENT (ON) DEPEND, HINGE, RELY, REST
• GREEN: "CALM DOWN" CHILL, EASY, ENOUGH, RELAX
• BLUE: INGREDIENTS IN AN OLD FASHIONED BITTERS, ORANGE, RYE, SUGAR
• PURPLE: FEATURED IN THE MONTY HALL PROBLEM CAR, DOOR, GOAT, HOST

• My rating: Hard
• My score: 2 mistakes

I was completely unaware of the “Monty Hall problem” and even after reading its Wikipedia page (views of which will reach a record high today) – much like Schrödinger's cat – I still don’t get it. I’d stick with my initial guess, or pick the GOAT. Thankfully, my job here is revealing the answers to Connections, not explaining Connections categories.

The other colors were much easier, especially INGREDIENTS IN AN OLD FASHIONED, as BITTERS are not used for much else. I did waste a mistake on “CALM DOWN”, picking REST instead of ENOUGH before switching focus to the list of dependables.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Thursday, 9 January, game #578)

• YELLOW: VENDOR'S SPOT AT A MARKET BOOTH, STALL, STAND, TABLE
• GREEN: DOG COMMANDS COME, HEEL, SIT, STAY
• BLUE: CORPORATE DEPARTMENTS FINANCE, IT, LEGAL, SALES
• PURPLE: LAST WORDS IN "AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL" FROM, SEA, SHINING, TO

What is NYT Connections?

NYT Connections is one of several increasingly popular word games made by the New York Times. It challenges you to find groups of four items that share something in common, and each group has a different difficulty level: green is easy, yellow a little harder, blue often quite tough and purple usually very difficult.

On the plus side, you don't technically need to solve the final one, as you'll be able to answer that one by a process of elimination. What's more, you can make up to four mistakes, which gives you a little bit of breathing room.

It's a little more involved than something like Wordle, however, and there are plenty of opportunities for the game to trip you up with tricks. For instance, watch out for homophones and other word games that could disguise the answers.

It's playable for free via the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

Strands is the NYT's latest word game after the likes of Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections – and it's great fun. It can be difficult, though, so read on for my Strands hints.

Want more word-based fun? Then check out my NYT Connections today and Quordle today pages for hints and answers for those games, and Marc's Wordle today page for the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Strands today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Strands today (game #313) - hint #1 - today's theme What is the theme of today's NYT Strands?

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… They're inseparable

NYT Strands today (game #313) - hint #2 - clue words

Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.

• STORY
• CLEAR
• BEAR
• HEAL
• RULE
• BLUR

NYT Strands today (game #313) - hint #3 - spangram What is a hint for today's spangram?

• Words with friends

NYT Strands today (game #313) - hint #4 - spangram position What are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First side: left, 5th row

Last side: right, 5th row

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Strands today (game #313) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #313, are…

• ARTS
• CRAFTS
• MILK
• CEREAL
• SOAP
• WATER
• RHYTHM
• BLUES
• SPANGRAM: TOGETHER

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

My first thoughts after seeing today’s theme was famous married couples or double acts, but Strands is rarely that straightforward.

Instead, we were given some words that enjoy hanging out together – MILK and CEREAL, SOAP and WATER, ARTS and CRAFTS, and big mates RHYTHM and BLUES. Rhythm is a word I always struggle to spell correctly, so it took me a while to connect the letters even though I knew what I was looking for. It just looks weird, the R, the H, the Y, the M at the end.

There were lots of “TOGETHER” words missing, of course, including a few that are never heard unless alongside their companions – Kith and Kin for example, great '80s synth band (not really) Flotsam and Jetsam, To and Fro, or my favourite Kit and Caboodle. I think we should set “caboodle” free from ”kit” and get it some limelight of its own. It’s a great word that deserves to be more than a dog food brand. My pals might think I’m mad but I’m going to get it into a conversation – I’m going to be selling a caboodle of clothes on eBay and I’m going to be having caboodles of fun at the roller disco on Saturday. 2025 word of the year, caboodle, I can see it now.

How did you do today? Send me an email and let me know.

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Thursday, 9 January, game #312)

• BIGEYE
• BLUEFIN
• SKIPJACK
• ALBACORE
• YELLOWFIN
• SPANGRAM: TUNA FAMILY

What is NYT Strands?

Strands is the NYT's new word game, following Wordle and Connections. It's now out of beta so is a fully fledged member of the NYT's games stable and can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

I've got a full guide to how to play NYT Strands, complete with tips for solving it, so check that out if you're struggling to beat it each day.

Quordle was one of the original Wordle alternatives and is still going strong now more than 1,000 games later. It offers a genuine challenge, though, so read on if you need some Quordle hints today – or scroll down further for the answers.

Enjoy playing word games? You can also check out my NYT Connections today and NYT Strands today pages for hints and answers for those puzzles, while Marc's Wordle today column covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about Quordle today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

Quordle today (game #1082) - hint #1 - Vowels How many different vowels are in Quordle today?

• The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 4*.

* Note that by vowel we mean the five standard vowels (A, E, I, O, U), not Y (which is sometimes counted as a vowel too).

Quordle today (game #1082) - hint #2 - repeated letters Do any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?

• The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 1.

Quordle today (game #1082) - hint #3 - uncommon letters Do the letters Q, Z, X or J appear in Quordle today?

• No. None of Q, Z, X or J appear among today's Quordle answers.

Quordle today (game #1082) - hint #4 - starting letters (1) Do any of today's Quordle puzzles start with the same letter?

• The number of today's Quordle answers starting with the same letter is 0.

If you just want to know the answers at this stage, simply scroll down. If you're not ready yet then here's one more clue to make things a lot easier:

Quordle today (game #1082) - hint #5 - starting letters (2) What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• B

• I

• L

• T

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

Quordle today (game #1082) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1082, are…

• BIGOT
• INLET
• LEECH
• TUNIC

I’m on a two-day streak of clearing Quordle in seven lines, thanks to some super-lucky guesswork today – the C in TUNIC helping me get LEECH.

Again, I came close to finishing on my sixth go, but chose the wrong word ending in OT.

Sticking to the same two start words is also helping me get more consistent, but I’m not sure if using a double E word is useful or a waste of a letter.

How did you do today? Send me an email and let me know.

Daily Sequence today (game #1082) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1082, are…

• TENET
• ROOST
• OLIVE
• SERVE

Quordle answers: The past 20

• Quordle #1081, Thursday 9 January: RESET, HUMOR, TENOR, IMAGE
• Quordle #1080, Wednesday 8 January: MINCE, SADLY, RISEN, VOUCH
• Quordle #1079, Tuesday 7 January: CREED, FILET, ROUTE, TAPER
• Quordle #1078, Monday 6 January: PIVOT, WOOLY, GRUNT, GROOM
• Quordle #1077, Sunday 5 January: BORAX, JUDGE, CADET, SALON
• Quordle #1076, Saturday 4 January: CORER, CRATE, QUASI, EXIST
• Quordle #1075, Friday 3 January: PERKY, QUARK, NAVEL, SHEEN
• Quordle #1074, Thursday 2 January: UNIFY, SWORE, DEPOT, INTRO
• Quordle #1073, Wednesday 1 January: CLING, SUITE, WORRY, TONIC
• Quordle #1072, Tuesday 31 December: PLUMP, TUBER, IRATE, ICILY
• Quordle #1071, Monday 30 December: TODDY, GROIN, GROWN, VERVE
• Quordle #1070, Sunday 29 December: PURER, SPLAT, RABID, EMCEE
• Quordle #1069, Saturday 28 December: BUNCH, LABOR, TRIPE, BUNNY
• Quordle #1068, Friday 27 December: BRAWL, LYING, ORGAN, CRONY
• Quordle #1067, Thursday 26 December: TATTY, OVERT, FLOUR, SWEPT
• Quordle #1066, Wednesday 25 December: LIVER, CRIER, SHORE, MURKY
• Quordle #1065, Tuesday 24 December: TIPSY, SCALE, FLYER, VALVE
• Quordle #1064, Monday 23 December: SNAKE, SAVVY, ELBOW, TWEED
• Quordle #1063, Sunday 22 December: DOUBT, SLURP, PAPER, CIVIL
• Quordle #1062, Saturday 21 December: STRIP, BUDGE, SAPPY, SHELF

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• The BRIX GB-BRU7-255H crams up to 96GB of DDR5 memory in a 0.5L chassis.
• It also offers two PCIe slots that can accommodate up to 16TB SSD storage
• Because of the open nature of the platform, one can expect it to be cheaper than Apple's storage upgrades

Gigabyte has announced its latest mini PC, the BRIX GB-BRU7-255H, which measures 119.4 x 112.6 x 34.4 mm with a total volume of 0.5L, making it smaller than Apple’s Mac Mini M4.

It supports up to 96GB of DDR5 memory and offers dual PCIe Gen 4×4 slots, allowing up to 16TB of NVME SSD storage.

By comparison, the Mac Mini M4 offers a maximum of 32GB of RAM, plus less storage capacity at a higher price point.

Cutting-edge performance

The BRIX GB-BRU7-255H is powered by Intel’s Core Ultra 7 255H processor, a 16-core, 28-watt chip based on the Arrow Lake architecture, offering clock speeds of up to 5.1 GHz plus integrated Intel Arc graphics with up to 8 Xe cores as part of the the Intel Xe LPG+ iGPU architecture.

The open nature of Gigabyte’s platform gives users more choice as to where they source their memory upgrades versus Apple's own ecosystem.

The BRIX GB-BRU7-255H connectivity options include a 4 x 4K Display output, Thunderbolt 4 port, 4 USB 3.2 Gen2, 2 HDMI 2.1, dual SODIMM slots and a 2.5G LAN + WiFi 6E support.

The company also revealed that this energy-saving device supports low-noise operation.

Pricing details for the BRIX GB-BRU7-255H are yet to be announced.

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