MSFT Unboxed POD EP:042 – CES 2025: A Glimpse into the Future of Gaming and Tech

CES 2025 in Las Vegas was the ultimate playground for tech geeks and gaming enthusiasts alike. The show was a dazzling display of shiny new gadgets and groundbreaking innovations, with a few surprises thrown in for good measure.

ASUS and Alienware stole the spotlight with their new gaming hardware. ASUS unveiled its latest ROG (Republic of Gamers) lineup, featuring the powerful ROG Astral GeForce RTX 5090 and 5080 graphics cards. These beauties promise to turn your gaming experience up to eleven, and the ROG Strix SCAR 16/18 laptops are no slouches either. Equipped with Intel’s next-gen Core Ultra 9 processors and NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 50 Series GPUs, they’ll have you fragging noobs in style.

Alienware, not to be outdone, brought back its legendary Area-51 series. The Area-51 Desktop is a customizable beast, while the laptops come in 16-inch and 18-inch models, both packing NVIDIA RTX 5090 GPUs and Intel Core Ultra 9 processors. And let’s not forget the new 27 4K QD-OLED monitor—perfect for seeing every pixel of your enemies’ defeat.

Microsoft decided it was high time to get serious about handheld gaming. The company announced its highly anticipated Xbox handheld, a device that promises to blend console and PC gaming into one delightful package. According to Jason Ronald, Vice President of Xbox Gaming Devices, the Xbox handheld will offer a seamless gaming experience, integrating Xbox’s console features with Windows’ versatility. Set to release in late 2026, it’s clear Microsoft wants a piece of the handheld gaming pie. Better late than never, right?

A major trend at CES 2025 was the migration from traditional gaming consoles to more accessible devices like TVs, handhelds, and phones. With cloud gaming and mobile technology on the rise, gaming is becoming more versatile and accessible than ever. Now you can pwn your opponents on a variety of devices without being chained to a single platform. Welcome to the future, where your gaming rig fits in your pocket.

Lenovo made a splash with the announcement of its new flagship laptop, the ThinkPad X9. This sleek and powerful device is designed for professionals and gamers alike, featuring cutting-edge hardware and innovative features. The ThinkPad X9 is set to raise the bar for performance and productivity, making it a top contender in the laptop market. Who says you can’t have it all?

The Verge, always on the lookout for the best of the best, released its CES 2025 awards list, highlighting the top products and innovations of the show. Among the winners were ASUS’s ROG Astral graphics cards, Alienware’s Area-51 series, and Microsoft’s Xbox handheld. These awards underscore the impact of these announcements on the tech and gaming industries.

CES 2025 was a thrilling ride through the ever-evolving world of technology and gaming. With groundbreaking announcements from ASUS, Alienware, Microsoft, and Lenovo, the future looks brighter than a 4K QD-OLED display. Buckle up, gamers and tech enthusiasts—it’s going to be an exciting year.

#gaming #AI #alienware

EP:052 – Apple's port less iPhone, Gemini leading Copilot, and Microsoft's Dubious partners – MSFT Unboxed

Welcome to another electrifying episode of the Unboxed Pod with your favorite tech aficionados, Kareem and David! This week, we’re diving into a whirlwind of tech revelations, corporate gambles, and futuristic innovations. Buckle up as we unbox the latest and greatest in the tech universe—where the only thing port less is our patience for bad design choices.Topics Covered: 1. Apple’s Zero-Port iPhone 17 Air Apple is reportedly testing the waters with its boldest design yet—a completely port less iPhone 17 Air. This futuristic device ditches physical charging ports in favor of wireless charging and cloud-based data syncing. While it’s a sleek move, it’s also stirring debates about practicality, especially for users reliant on wired CarPlay and efficient charging. 2. Microsoft’s New Features for Notepad, Paint, and Snipping Tool Microsoft is rolling out AI-powered upgrades for its classic apps—Notepad, Paint, and Snipping Tool—to all Windows Insider channels. These updates promise enhanced functionality and a sprinkle of AI magic, making these tools more versatile and user-friendly. 3. Xbox Weekend Free-Play Days: New Games Gamers, rejoice! This weekend’s Free-Play Days lineup includes exciting titles like Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance, Bassmaster Fishing, Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor – Martyr, and Thief Simulator. Whether you’re into RPGs, fishing, or tactical combat, there’s something for everyone. 4. EU’s New Orders for Google and Apple The European Union is cracking down on Big Tech with fresh directives under the Digital Markets Act (DMA). Apple is being pushed to open its ecosystem for better third-party integration, while Google faces scrutiny for favoring its own services. The EU’s proactive stance highlights its commitment to fair competition in digital markets. 5. Microsoft Teases New Xbox UI with Steam Support A leaked mockup of Microsoft’s new Xbox UI has sparked excitement, showing a potential Steam integration. This feature could allow gamers to access their Steam library directly on Xbox consoles, blurring the lines between PC and console gaming. 6. Google Gemini’s Canvas and Audio Overviews Google’s Gemini AI gets a major upgrade with two innovative features: Canvas, an interactive space for document and code refinement, and Audio Overviews, which transform documents into podcast-style audio discussions. These features aim to redefine productivity and accessibility. 7. Microsoft’s $30B Data Center Gamble with Musk and BlackRock Microsoft is spearheading a $30 billion data center project in collaboration with Elon Musk’s xAI, BlackRock, and UAE-based MGX. Dubbed the AI Infrastructure Partnership, this ambitious venture aims to dominate the AI infrastructure race but raises ethical and environmental concerns.Closing Note: That’s a wrap for this week’s Unboxed Pod! Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share your thoughts on these groundbreaking stories. Until next time, stay curious and keep unboxing the future!#iphone #google #microsoft #xbox

1. EP:052 – Apple's port less iPhone, Gemini leading Copilot, and Microsoft's Dubious partners 01:09:20
2. Unboxed POD EP:051 – AI, Gaming, and Quantum Shenanigans 01:03:06
3. MSFT UNBOXED POD EP.050 – AI Mode, Snapdragon Leaks, and Copilot UI: The Future is Now! 01:02:50
4. Microsoft's week of resetting AI expectations, new Photoshop apps, goodbye Skype forever 57:50
5. Unboxed POD EP:047 – PlayStation's Big Week, Google I/O vs BUILD, More Copilot 56:13