At this point it’s unusual for a major tech industry event to pass by without a new handful of handhelds – and while the Nintendo Switch 2 might still be just a twinkle in Nintendo’s eye, the PC gaming handheld market is booming.
The latest company to hop aboard this particular gravy train is Acer, bringing its budget Nitro gaming brand to the fore with the new Nitro Blaze 8 and Nitro Blaze 11, officially showcased at CES 2025 this week. Acer is somewhat late to the handheld PC party, with Valve’s Steam Deck ostensibly kicking off proceedings back in 2022 and other manufacturers already entering their second generation, such as Lenovo with the Lenovo Legion Go S, which was also revealed at this year’s CES.
I’ve been holding out hope for an Acer entry into the handheld PC hall of fame for a while now, partly just because I like Acer’s hardware; I’ve long been a fan of the Swift laptop line, and the Predator and Nitro gaming brands have a good track record when it comes to delivering strong performance at reasonable prices. But after seeing what Acer had on show at CES, I’m not entirely convinced…
A monster handheldNow, we already knew Acer had a handheld in the works, but that was the Nitro Blaze 8 – the Blaze 11 was a CES surprise. The Blaze 8 (which, frankly, should be called the Blaze 9 since it has an 8.8-inch display) looks like Acer’s spin on the traditional gaming handheld formula, with specs that are broadly similar to competitors like the Lenovo Legion Go and Asus ROG Ally X.
In awe at the size of this lad. An absolute unit of a handheld gaming PC. (Image credit: Acer)But the Blaze 11? That’s got a humungous 10.95-inch 1600p display and will cost you $1,099 (around £1,000 / AU$1,740) – a steep price of admission for a product in a market where the $500 mark seems to be the ideal price point.
An 11-inch display on a handheld is, quite frankly, a bit nuts. Just look at that press shot up top: does that really look comfortable to use? How heavy is it in the hands? Going from something like a Steam Deck or the featherweight Switch Lite to this chunky boy is certainly going to require some adjustment. And despite its massive screen, the Nitro Blaze 11 only packs a 55Whr battery (possibly to keep the overall weight down a bit), compared to the 80Whr battery in the ROG Ally X.
How big is too big?11 inches is… pretty darn big. (You in the back, stop giggling.) That’s almost the screen size of the laptop I’m writing this review on (a 13-inch HP Spectre x360), and I don’t have to physically grip that by both sides to use it.
I'll concede that the Blaze 11 could offer the best 'detached' portable gaming experience (Image credit: Acer)I will say this in Acer’s defense: like the Nintendo Switch or Lenovo Legion Go, the Blaze 11 has removable controllers (which I will refrain from calling ‘joy-cons’) that slot into place on either side of the main unit, which itself has a kickstand to let you use it as a sort of portable gaming display. While this is a feature I’ve largely snorted at in the past – I’ve literally never used my own first-gen Switch in this configuration – I’ll admit that it makes more sense with a bigger screen. As seen in Acer’s promo images, the Blaze 11 also comes with a separate connector that can transform those two not-joy-cons (sorry) into a singular gamepad for a better experience.
Still, with so large a screen and so high a price tag, I do have to seriously question the practicality of the Blaze 11 against simply buying a traditional gaming laptop. I’ll reserve my full judgment until I’m able to properly review this odd, beefy device myself; but right now I have to say that this might be the strangest design choice I’ve seen Acer make for a long time.
You might also like...The fires have forced mass evacuations. Firefighters are struggling to control a patchwork of deadly blazes that have killed at least five people and leveled entire communities.
(Image credit: Ethan Swope)
A lot can change over the course of a year, especially your music taste - I know mine has. For me, 2024 was the year of fresh music discovery, and compared to January 2024, my new year moods are slightly different. I know this because Spotify’s Playlist in a Bottle is now available to unlock.
In January 2024, Playlist in a Bottle returned to one of the best music streaming services for a second year running, and if you’re a Spotify enthusiast like me then you’ll remember locking away three songs that resonated with you the most this time last year. Now the wait is over, and you can now open your music time capsule and unveil the songs that you had on your radar - but you have until January 31 to claim your Playlist in a Bottle from last year.
This is a pinnacle time of year for Spotify’s personalized features, and Playlist in a Bottle is a soft follow-up to Spotify Wrapped, which is categorically the platform's most anticipated feature. Since its inception in 2023, Playlist in a Bottle is a small but mighty feature that’s not only a fun and quirky in-app experience, but also offers a comparative insight to the shifts in the music that appealed to you at the start of last year. With that said, I’ve opened my 2024 Playlist in a Bottle twice, and it hasn’t given me the option to create one to open next year. Therefore, we can only assume that Playlist in a Bottle is no more, but we've asked Spotify to confirm if it's coming back this year and will update this story when we hear back.
As mentioned above, January 31 is the cut-off for you to open your Playlist in a Bottle capsule from 2024, and if you’re having issues with accessing it, we have you covered.
How to find and open your Spotify Playlist in a Bottle Go to Spotify on your mobile device(Image: © Future)
You can go to spotify.com/playlistinabottle or open the Spotify app in your phone and use the search hub to look up ‘Playlist in a Bottle’.
Unlock your playlist from 2024(Image: © Future)
Once you’ve found Playlist in a Bottle, select ‘Claim Your Playlist’ and Spotify will take you on an interactive journey to unveil the songs you locked away a year ago.
Save your 2024 Playlist in a Bottle(Image: © Future)
After that, you can save, share, and listen to your new playlist - but only until January 31!
You might also likeUbisoft has delayed Assassin's Creed Shadows a second time, with the game's release slipping from February to March this year.
Originally scheduled to come out in November 2024, the game was delayed to February 14, 2025, to allow more time for extra polish, but has now received a second delay of nearly five weeks.
As part of a wider strategic update statement, a Ubisoft states that: "As part of the renewed focus on gameplay quality and engaging day one experiences, it has been decided to provide an additional month of development to Assassin’s Creed Shadows.
"This additional time will allow the team to better incorporate the player feedback gathered over the past three months and help create the best conditions for launch by continuing to engage closely with the increasingly positive Assassin’s Creed community."
Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot added, "We are all behind our teams’ efforts to create the most ambitious Assassin’s Creed opus of the franchise and made the decision to provide an extra month of development to Shadows in order to better incorporate the player feedback gathered over the past three months that will enable us to fully deliver on the potential of the game and finish the year on a strong note."
Any extra time when developing a game is rarely a bad thing, and fans of the series will be hoping that these extra few valuable weeks will ensure Shadows has a terrific run at being added to the upper echelons of the internet's collective best Assassin's Creed games list.
You might also like...GameStop has reportedly uploaded a range of Nintendo Switch 2 accessory listings to its site.
Switch 2 leaks seem to be everywhere lately with the latest posted by Reddit user 'Opposite-Chemistry96' (via VGC), allegedly providing us with even more details about the upcoming handheld and its compatible accessories.
The apparent listings pictured in the attached image appear to show that the next Switch console will support MicroSD Express cards, a faster option compared to those currently supported on the Nintendo Switch.
The MicroSD Express cards listed are between 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB, costing $49.99, $84.99, and $149.99 respectively, suggesting that the Switch 2 will allow more storage this time around.
Switch 2 SKU’s found in system today!! from r/SwitchIn addition to the MicroSD Express cards, the post also lists several other Switch accessories that could potentially be sold by either Nintendo or other third-party companies, including a Joy-Con Charging Stand, a "Switch 2 Carry Case", a "Switch 2 Deluxe Gaming Case", a tempered glass screen protector, and Thumb Grips.
It also seems like the Switch 2 will also offer a Joy-Con Charger Grip, like the original Nintendo Switch. From previous leaks, it's alleged that the upcoming console will feature magnetically attached Joy-Cons that can be locked onto the device using triggers.
This means that the new Charger Grip for the Switch 2 could be designed differently from the original model in some capacity, but we have yet to see official images of the accessory just yet.
Earlier today, another alleged look at the Nintendo Switch 2 was leaked online with a 360-degree render. The images and video were provided by OnLeaks, via 91mobiles, and gave us our best look at the unreleased console yet, showcasing an 8.4-inch display and a black design.
You might also like...The California wildfires are burning in the middle of what's usually a busy awards season in Hollywood, home to many celebrities.
(Image credit: Eric Thayer)
Total data center hardware and software spend for 2024 grew hugely on previous years as the demand for AI hit a new high, new figures have claimed.
New research from Synergy Research Group estimates spend will grow 34% compared with 2023, thanks largely to a 48% rise in public cloud infrastructure spend – the sector accounts for more than half (55%) of the entire market.
More broadly, increasing demand for public cloud services has been credited with driving cloud infrastructure investments for 15 years, highlighting its significant impact on the industry.
Data center investments skyrocketed in 2024Key to the 2024 boom, says Synergy, was Nvidia’s “explosive growth.” The chipmaker, now the second-most valuable company in the world with a value of $3.431 trillion, has seen share prices rise 2,193% over the past five years.
The company wrote: “Nvidia’s sales directly to hyperscale and enterprise clients catapulted it into the ranks of leading data center vendors.”
If Synergy’s fourth-quarter expectations ring true, based on real data from the first three quarters of the year, total data center infrastructure equipment revenues will reach $282 billion.
“GPUs and generative AI systems lit a fire under the market in 2024, resulting in record growth rates for the industry," noted Chief Analyst John Dinsdale.
However, some analysts are calling 2024’s growth unsustainable. Separately, Canalys Senior Director Rachel Brindley added: “Continued substantial expenditure will present new challenges, requiring cloud vendors to carefully balance their investments in AI with the cost discipline needed to fund these initiatives.”
Despite the warning, hyperscalers are continuing ti invest heavily in artificial intelligence. Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith recently said the company was preparing to invest $80 billion in AI data centers throughout its 2025 fiscal year.
Days later, US President-elect Donald Trump announced $20 billion in funding from Emirati billionaire and DAMAC founder Hussain Sajwani to support data center infrastructure across Arizona, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma and Texas, alluding to billions more in funding.
You might also likeThe Technogym Connected Dumbbells are all about smart tech and compact design. Instead of cluttering your space with loads of weights, these adjustable dumbbells give you a range from 2kg to 24kg in a sleek, compact package—ideal if you’re short on space or just starting your fitness journey.
What makes them really stand out, however, is their AI smarts. Built-in sensors track things like your reps, sets, and weights, which sync up with the Technogym App. The app’s AI Coach then uses this data to suggest exercises and tweak your workouts to help you hit your goals—just like having a PT in your pocket.
I loved the twist-handle design for weight adjustments. It’s quick, smooth, and satisfying to use. The build quality is top-notch, too, giving you confidence they’ll handle even your sweatiest sessions. That said, a max weight of 24kg might not be enough for advanced lifters, and the price tag could scare off anyone keeping an eye on their wallet.
After testing these for weeks, including doing full-body workouts and app-guided routines, I’d say they’re a great choice for those who value convenience and tech-driven motivation. If you’re an experienced lifter or on a tight budget, though, you might want to look elsewhere.
Technogym Connected Dumbbells: Price and availability (Image credit: Future)The Technogym Connected Dumbbells can be purchased directly from the brand’s official website or flagship stores in the UK for £1,410. At that price, they’re definitely not cheap, especially when competitors like Kabata are offering a similar setup for just $999 / £810. Or there are less-smart-but-similar options available, like the Bowflex SelectTech 552, which can be found online for around £350. Then, on top of that, you’ll have to fork out an extra £8.99/month for the Technogym Plus app if you want to take advantage of its full feature set. Gulp.
If you’re opting for the more complete Connected Dumbbells+ bundle, which includes a sturdy stand, exercise mat, foam roller, and resistance bands, this pushes the price up to a whopping £2,530. Sure, it’s a more complete package if you’re building out your home gym, but it’s a massive cost for a stand and some fitness accessories which can be bought separately elsewhere for much less. The price does include installation and setup, though, which is a nice touch for those who’d rather not fuss with assembly.
If you’re outside Europe and in the market for a pair of these babies, you’ll need to wait a bit—a US and Australian launch is coming later in 2025.
When it comes to design, Technogym’s Connected Dumbbells are a masterclass in how to serve style and substance in one neatly finished package. The black and silver finish feels effortlessly modern, meaning these dumbbells won’t look out of place even if they’re just sitting in the corner of your living room. And let’s be honest—no one wants a home gym setup that makes a space look cluttered. Thankfully, the minimalist look is spot-on here.
But it’s not just about aesthetics. I found the knurled metal handles were a delight to hold throughout most workouts. They’re grippy enough to reassure you they won’t slip, even when your palms are on the sweaty side. You won’t be getting that insecure feeling you can find with some cheaper alternatives.
Adjusting the weight is where the magic really happens. The twist-handle mechanism is smooth and intuitive. It’s ridiculously easy to use, and that satisfying click lets you know the weight’s locked and ready to go. Whether you’re grabbing 4kg for bicep curls or cranking up to 20kg for squats, it’s all very seamless-feeling. The weight range itself, 2kg to 24kg, covers most bases for a variety of exercises, although seasoned lifters might find it limiting if they’re used to heavier loads.
One of the standout features has to be the optional Strength Corner stand. It’s not just there to look pretty—although it does. The stand keeps your workout space organized, stores accessories like a foam roller and resistance bands, and even has a tablet (or in my case, phone) holder so you can follow along with the app without constantly looking down. I found it’s compact enough for smaller spaces—like me in my garden room-cum-gym space—and it means you have everything in one place, saving you from rummaging around mid-session.
As you’d expect from the premium gym equipment brand that is Technogym, the build quality of the Connected Dumbbells is top-tier across the board. Everything feels solid and well-made. The weight plates lock in securely, so there’s no wobbling when you’re mid-rep. The only small snag is docking the dumbbells back into their base—it’s a bit fiddly at first, especially if you’re rushing. But once you’ve nailed the technique, it’s not an issue at all.
In short, the design of these dumbbells is as functional as it is good-looking. They’re durable, user-friendly, and stylish enough to show off.
These dumbbells aren’t just your bog-standard piece of gym equipment—they’re essentially a workout buddy. Each dumbbell is fitted with smart sensors that track every rep, set, and weight you use. This data syncs to the Technogym App and this is where the clever stuff happens. The app’s AI Coach uses all that info to create personalized workout plans, tweaking them as you progress. It’s like having a PT in your pocket.
The app itself is super easy to navigate. Whether you’re looking to do strength training, active recovery, or something in between, there’s a workout for it. One of my favorite features is the little celebratory ping when you hit a new PB. It’s a small touch, but it genuinely makes you feel like a champ. That said, the app isn’t perfect. It doesn’t track bodyweight exercises like push-ups or planks, which feels like a bit of a letdown if you like mixing things up.
In terms of how they handle workouts, these dumbbells are a dream. Like I said earlier, adjusting the weight on them is quick and fuss-free thanks to the twist-handle mechanism. It’s smooth, precise, and feels really robust. Even at heavier weights, the dumbbells feel perfectly balanced, which makes a huge difference during more intense sessions when you’re rushing around.
Connectivity deserves a mention too. The sensors sip battery, so you’re not constantly worried about them dying on you. During my time with the dumbbells, I also experienced no glitches or lag between the app and the weights; it all worked pretty seamlessly, which is reassuring. Although for nearly £1,500, so they should. The only downside, I’d say, is the 24kg max weight. This could be a sticking point for anyone looking to go heavy. A 32kg max weight would have solved this issue, IMO.
Nevertheless, for anyone just starting out or at an intermediate level, these dumbbells are a great option. They’re smart, efficient, and genuinely make your workouts more engaging. Advanced lifters might find themselves craving more weight, but for most people, they’ll hit the sweet spot.
The Technogym Connected Dumbbells hit the mark for anyone wanting stylish, space-saving, and tech-packed gym gear. They’re easy to use, look great and the AI-driven app makes training feel a lot less like guesswork. Beginners and casual users will love the convenience and motivation these dumbbells bring to the table.
That said, they’re not for everyone. The limited weight range means serious lifters will likely need something heftier, and the steep price might put off anyone on a budget. Plus, the app’s inability to track bodyweight exercises is a bit of a head-scratcher. Although, this could always be addressed with a simple update at a later time.
So, if you’ve got the cash and crave the tech-savvy features, these dumbbells could be a game-changer. For the right user—especially those tight on space—they’re a smart, functional, and a downright stylish addition to a home gym.
Technogym Connected Dumbbells: Scorecard Technogym Connected Dumbbells: Should I buy? Buy them if…You want a tidy home gym. These dumbbells replace 12 sets of weights, making them perfect for small spaces.View Deal
You need tailored workouts. The AI-powered app adapts to your goals and tracks progress effortlessly.View Deal
You’re after sleek, premium gym gear, They look great and work even better—a real statement piece for any home.View Deal
Don’t buy them if…You’re into heavy lifting. The 24kg max weight won’t cut it for advanced strength training.View Deal
You’re saving the pennies. They’re pricey, especially compared to other adjustable dumbbells.View Deal
You like tracking bodyweight exercises. The app doesn’t log non-dumbbell moves like push-ups or planks, for some reason.View Deal
Also considerSelectTech 552
A more budget-friendly alternative with a similar 2kg-24kg range. The dial system is smooth and easy to use, but you miss out on the smart features.
Read our full SelectTech 552 reviewView Deal
Kabata Smart Dumbbells
Like Technogym’s offering, these smart dumbbells use AI to automatically adjust to your fitness and strength levels, ensuring you’re lifting the right amount of resistance. And for a much lower cost. However, with a 27kg maximum weight per dumbbell, they are just as limited when compared to other options on the market. View Deal
JaxJox DumbbellConnect (£599)
These smart dumbbells offer app-based tracking like Technogym but they max out at an even lower 22kg. Good for casual users, but limited for heavier training.
Read our full JaxJox DumbbellConnect reviewView Deal
I tested the Technogym Connected Dumbbells over a few weeks, throwing them into my regular workout routines. This meant squats, lunges, and chest presses to push the weight range to its limits. I paired them with the Technogym app to see how well the tracking and AI coaching worked, manually comparing the app’s data with my own counts. I also used the optional Strength Corner stand to keep things organized and explored its extra features. Durability and ease of use were put to the test during high-intensity sessions.
If you're a fan of open earbuds but don't fancy the price tag of the Bose Open Ultra earbuds, Soundpeats would like a word in your ear: the company's new PearlClip Pro earbuds are a fraction of the price and have just been unveiled at CES 2025. And if you're quick, you can pick up a pair for one-tenth the price of Bose's open-fit earbuds, the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds.
The new buds go on sale on January 20 at Amazon, but if you sign up on the Soundpeats website between January 9 and 19, the price drops from its recommended $59.99 to just $29.99.
So what do you get for such a ridiculously humble asking fee?
(Image credit: SOUNDPEATS) Soundpeats PearlClip Pro earbuds: key featuresThe PearlClip Pro earbuds are very light at just 5.85g and have a cuff-like design that Soundpeats says helps to prevent uncomfortable ears. Unlike ear-hook models (see the Shokz OpenFit Air or Oladance's option for what we mean), you don't need to hook them over the top of your ears to get a secure fit either.
The drivers here are 12mm dual-magnet dynamic drivers, and the buds have automatic left/right channel adaptation to deliver a consistent sound even if you haven't quite got the fit right. Bluetooth is 5.4 and the companion smartphone app enables you to customize the touch controls and EQ settings.
Battery life is a promised six hours from the buds and a further 18 hours via the charging case. You can recharge from flat in 10 minutes to get two hours of play time.
We've reviewed Soundpeats' earbuds in the past and found them impressive for their price tag – so for example, while the Soundpeats Air 4 Pro aren't quite up to the standards of the AirPods Pro 2 they're designed to rival, they're not bad when you consider that they're less than a third of the price of Apple's product. We'd expect a similar situation with these buds: the Bose models will no doubt sound better, but given the choice between £299 buds and £29 buds, the budget option looks awfully tempting…
The new Soundpeats PearlClip Pro are available for pre-order now at $29.99, and will be available at Amazon US for $59.99 from January 20. Pricing and availability for other markets hasn't yet been announced, but if you could bag that lower price tag where you are, it would make them around £23.99 or AU$48. And that's impressive, however you look at it.
You might also likeTechRadar will be extensively covering this year's CES, and will bring you all of the big announcements as they happen. Head over to our CES 2025 news page for the latest stories and our hands-on verdicts 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 and WhatsApp for the latest from the CES show floor!