Google and Lenovo have teamed up to make a newer Chromebook Plus 14 with an even bigger focus on AI features and stronger hardware.
Starting at $1,199 in Australia, the latest Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14 marks a few changes from last year’s CX34 model. Instead of an Intel chip, the new model uses a MediaTek Kompanio Ultra, which Google calls the “strongest ever ARM chip” in a Chromebook.
Its battery reportedly lasts longer too. Google quotes up to 17 hours of battery life, another new high for the Chromebook Plus range. The laptop also gets Dolby Atmos support, an OLED display, and a fingerprint scanner for easy logging in.
Aside from many of the AI features now considered standard across computers and phones, the upcoming Chromebook Plus 14 has a few tricks of its own. One is the ability to automatically group tabs and documents based on what you’re working on, plus another feature that lets you edit images using AI natively in the photo library app. It means you can remove subjects from backgrounds without needing a separate editing app.
Considering the more than $1,000 price tag, this Chromebook seems aimed at people who want the ChromeOS experience but with more power under the hood. It’ll be sold through JB Hi-Fi and Officeworks once the laptop arrives in Australia, which will be soon.
Based on the information currently available, Apple’s plans are similar to Samsung’s book-like Galaxy Z Fold design. Prominent insiders and analysts, like Ming-Chi Kuo, predict that the phone will have a 7.8-inch main display, accompanied by a 5.5-inch outer display.
AI is set to form a major part of the user experience. Apple famously acknowledged that its AI-driven Siri assistant wasn’t ready at WWDC 2025, but it seems that AI is a big part of the company’s future plans.
A folding iPhone isn’t the only form factor experimentation on Apple’s horizon. Apple recently revamped its SE range with the iPhone 16e, a slightly cheaper device than its core phones. It’s also widely speculated to launch a slim iPhone 17 “Air” as part of this year’s full iPhone 17 range. Samsung also released a slimmer handset, the Galaxy S25 Edge, last month, which is another arena phone makers intend to do battle on in the coming months.
Fixed wireless and satellite internet services are providing faster speeds on average, according to the ACCC’s latest Measuring Broadband Australia report.
It’s good news for Australians beyond the reach of fixed-line internet, as the ACCC’s report found that wireless services are improving in quality and reliability. Its findings include the fixed wireless plans offered by NBN Co and Starlink’s low-orbit satellite array.
According to the latest report, which uses data captured in March 2025, Starlink connections averaged 197.9Mbps download speeds across all hours. During busy hours, considered to be between 7 and 11 PM on weekdays, Starlink’s average was 170.2Mbps. It’s an increase from the previous quarter’s results, which measured at 183.9Mbps and 162.2Mbps respectively.
Last year, NBN Co launched two new high-speed fixed wireless services, with the fastest tier capable of reaching download speeds of up to 400Mbps. The ACCC’s report found that the Fixed Wireless Home Fast plan hit a 166.2Mbps median download speed, while the Fixed Wireless Superfast tier reached 283.5Mbps. Both results reflect the respective services’ performance during busy hours.
Overall, Starlink was found to load popular websites quicker, but NBN fixed wireless plans recorded fewer outages. However, the ACCC added the disclaimer that the difference between the two was “minimal” and was “unlikely to significantly impact the user’s overall experience”.
The news of faster wireless internet comes as NBN Co prepares to turbocharge its fixed-line plans in September. The fastest plans will offer download speeds of up to 2,000Mbps, doubling the previous maximum.
While wireless internet speeds won’t reach those heights, it’s encouraging to see that Australians without access to fixed-line infrastructure won’t be left behind entirely. To see what’s currently available, browse the cheapest NBN plans and save some money on your internet bill.
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After I sent the loaned Windows 11 Lenovo Legion Go S model back after a couple of weeks, something happened that would’ve drastically changed my experience. Valve released a software update to make its SteamOS platform officially compatible with the Legion Go S.
Having tested multiple handheld gaming PCs, including the Steam Deck, the ROG Ally, and the ROG Ally X, it’s astounding how much of a difference the operating system makes. Devices such as Lenovo’s and ROG’s rely on Windows 11, which is not a user-friendly gaming platform in a portable device.
Another development in recent weeks came from Xbox. It partnered with ROG to make an Xbox-branded handheld gaming PC. On the surface, it looks like any other device in the category, except with Xbox controller grips. Easily the biggest news to come from the announcement was a commitment to improving Windows 11’s handheld gaming experience.
Several talking heads in a polished hype trailer emphasised how much better it would be. Xbox and ROG’s collaborative console would boot directly into a version of the Xbox app, designed to minimise the background processes and friction of Windows. Such a software upgrade is reportedly coming to other devices in the future, too.
There’s also the matter of where the Legion Go S fits in a post-Steam Deck world. It’s pricier and provides various points of difference, although its chipset doesn’t produce much of a power boost. A great form factor aside, it’s Windows 11 that ultimately causes the most headaches.
To give you an example of how pervasive Windows’ influence is on handheld gaming PCs, let’s look at the startup process. It’s not optimised for the form factor in the slightest, launching you straight into the same setup sequence you’d see from a regular PC.
I’ve set up plenty of Windows PCs before, so this shouldn’t be a problem, right? Sure, as long as you don’t mind relying on tiny touchscreen controls and virtual keyboards. You can’t even use the Legion Go S’ gamepad to navigate these initial menus – it’s all touch-based.
Even better, the portable size means the virtual keyboard can’t fit every key on the screen. Typing in my Wi-Fi password was excruciating; finding a symbol meant tapping on a hard-to-find section on the virtual keyboard to access another set of keys easily accessible on a full-sized keyboard.
After all of that, Windows had the audacity to ask what I was using the device for! It’s emblematic of how loose the Windows integration is with handheld gaming PCs that it doesn’t even automatically identify the purpose of such a gadget.
The Legion Space software eases some of the Windows 11 friction, but only slightly. Image: Chris Button.
Similar levels of friction apply throughout the entire user experience, particularly when navigating between games. To alleviate the problem that is Windows 11, companies have come up with various software wrappers that grant quicker access to gaming-centric settings, like storefronts, power options, visual resolution and so on.
Lenovo uses software called Legion Space, and while I don’t think it’s as seamlessly implemented as ROG’s Armoury Crate SE platform, it’s much better than vanilla Windows 11 in its current form. A simple press of a button brings up different settings and your game library without delay.
Compare this experience with that of my Steam Deck, where it just works in a tightly controlled environment optimised for gaming. Windows prides itself on the flexibility of access to different storefronts – Steam, Epic Games, and Xbox Game Pass for starters – while SteamOS limits you to Steam. Unless you don’t mind a bit of tinkering, that is.
I’m cautiously optimistic about the updates coming to handheld Windows 11 devices later this year. At this moment in time, there’s a lot of work to do.
Lenovo Legion Go S specifications and price
Processor
AMD Ryzen Z2 Go
Memory
16GB LPDDR5X
Display
8-inch 1920 x 1200 IPS display
120Hz VRR
Storage
512GB M.2 SSD
Battery
55.5Wh
65W USB-C AC adapter
Connectivity
Wi-Fi 6E
Bluetooth 5.3
Two USB4 Type-C ports
One 3.5mm headphone jack
One MicroSD card reader
At long last, let’s look at the Lenovo Legion Go S. It is the most comfortable handheld gaming PC I’ve ever used. It seems that Lenovo’s engineers discovered that not everyone has the giant hands to comfortably wield the original Legion Go.
These grips are the most comfortable I’ve used in a handheld gaming PC so far. Image: Chris Button.
I love the textured controller grips and subtle contours – the Legion Go S is lovely to hold. Even so, it’s deceptively weighty. Seeing 740 grams on the spec sheet took me by surprise, considering the ROG Ally X weighs roughly 680 grams. Regardless, the comfort of the grips and weight distribution made the Legion Go S more comfortable to hold over time.
Unlike the Steam Deck, which has generously sized trackpad inputs, the Legion Go S only has a tiny trackpad just under the right joystick. Before a firmware update, it vibrated to hell and back, but it proved to be a reasonable pointer input afterwards, despite its petite size.
A Steam Deck (top) compared to the Legion Go S (bottom). Images: Chris Button.
In terms of other input methods, the Legion Go S feels adequately responsive and tactile. It uses the standard Xbox controller layout, replete with asymmetrical joysticks. They use Hall Effect technology, which is regarded as being less prone to drifting over time.
I didn’t like the directional pad, which felt muddy to press, regardless of direction. There also wasn’t quite enough space between some of the buttons. Lenovo’s positioning of the Legion Space and quick settings buttons directly above the start and select buttons (as they were known back in the day) made it easy to accidentally press one instead of the other.
Lenovo Legion Go S fights against the Steam Deck
Other than Windows 11, power is the Lenovo Legion Go’s most contentious issue. It uses an AMD Ryzen Z2 Go chipset, which actually works out to be weaker than the previous-gen Z1 Extreme found in the standard Legion Go and ROG Ally devices.
Getting Cyberpunk 2077 to run at a relatively stable 30fps required using the Steam Deck graphical preset and dialling the resolution down to 800p. That’s the same resolution as the cheaper (and older) Steam Deck, which ran Cyberpunk at almost identical performance levels.
Game benchmark
Lenovo Legion Go S
Steam Deck (OLED)
Cyberpunk 2077 (Steam Deck preset at 800p)
30fps
30fps
Shadow of the Tomb Raider (High, 800p)
41fps
28fps
Forza Horizon 5 (Low, 800p)
47fps
N/A
Benchmarks measured with both devices plugged in and operating at maximum power levels.
Lenovo’s device fared a bit better when running the Shadow of the Tomb Raider benchmark, indicating that performance varies on a per-game basis. As a general rule, though, I noticed negligible differences between the Legion Go S and the Steam Deck.
3DMark Time Spy benchmark with devices plugged in and set to maximum performance settings.
I think Lenovo knows it missed the mark with the Legion Go S’ original RRP of $1,299. At the time of writing, it’s on sale for $899, the same price I paid for my OLED Steam Deck. Even though it uses newer technology, the Legion Go S doesn’t produce noticeably more power than a roughly two-year-old device.
Games like Hades 2 look a treat on the Legion Go S. Image: Chris Button.
Its screen is bigger and sharper at 1920 x 1200, albeit without OLED, and has a higher 120Hz refresh rate. However, not every game will take advantage of that sharpness and smoothness. As mentioned before, big games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Forza Horizon 5 fluctuate between 30-40fps after turning down the resolution. Less demanding games, like Hades 2 and Monster Train 2, look brilliant, running without a hitch.
Depending on the game, you can expect to get between 2-3 hours of battery life, which is par for the course. Some games work the battery harder, draining it in under two hours, which is a trade-off common for handheld gaming PCs. Plugging in the Legion Go S to a power supply unlocks higher performance levels, which I recommend doing for more graphically intensive games.
Who is the Lenovo Legion Go S for?
Wrestling with Windows 11 on a handheld gaming PC is something I’d only recommend for the most patient of gamers. If you can, choose the SteamOS version instead, or install SteamOS on the Windows 11 model for a significantly smoother experience. Alternatively, wait and see how Microsoft plans on improving the Windows gaming experience with its Xbox-themed device later in the year.
Because of how close the Legion Go S is to the Steam Deck in terms of performance, wait until a sale brings it below $1,000. Otherwise, its comfortable form factor and big screen are decent enough drawcards when paired with games that make the most of handheld play.
Lenovo Legion Go S
Windows 11 is my biggest frustration with the Lenovo Legion Go S, a handheld gaming PC that flirts closely with the Steam Deck.
Features
7
Value for money
6
Performance
6.5
Ease of use
6
Design
8
Positives
Comfortable form factor
Great-looking screen
Now supports the much better SteamOS platform
Negatives
Its full price is more expensive than a Steam Deck despite near-identical performance
HDMI 2.2 has been officially launched by the HDMI Forum, the organisation responsible for certifying and developing HDMI specifications. Notably, HDMI 2.2 supports up to 16K resolution, way more pixels than any of us will see in our living rooms for some years.
I’d like to see more TVs support HDMI 2.1 across all ports before we get too carried away, but this latest development is looking further ahead into the future than the right here and now. Per the HDMI Forum’s announcement, the latest specification supports 16K resolution at 60Hz, and up to 12K resolution at 120Hz.
See that tiny 4K rectangle? That’s likely what your TV displays. Image: HDMI Forum.
Considering 8K TVs are still fairly uncommon, it’ll be a while until the masses see the full benefits. Arguably, the most important part coinciding with the announcement is clearer labelling for HDMI cables. The cable that supports HDMI 2.2’s full 96Gbps bandwidth will be called “Ultra96”, along with a label that clearly communicates its capabilities.
It’s not just future displays that are set to benefit from the new specification. 8K and 4K displays that support HDMI 2.2 will be able to handle uncompressed video in 10-bit and 12-bit colour; 8K at 60Hz, and 4K at 240Hz, to be precise.
Once the new standard rolls out, it should be easy to find a compatible cable. Image: HDMI Forum.
Another benefit comes in the form of the Latency Indication Protocol (LIP). It’s meant to improve syncing between audio and video, particularly if you use a TV and soundbar.
Don’t expect a bunch of HDMI 2.2 devices and cables to flood shelves just yet. The launch of the specification means that companies can now work on officially certified technology. The HDMI 2.1 standard launched in 2017, and there are still plenty of devices that don’t support it today.
In other words, don’t feel the need to immediately rush out and update your home entertainment setup anytime soon.
Shokz is out with two new sets of open-ear headphones, the OpenFit 2+ and the OpenDots One, including a pair of funky-looking buds with a clip-on design.
Of the two, the quirkily-named OpenDots One are the clip-on buds in question. They retain a similar open-ear ethos, albeit with a different way of attaching to your ears. According to Shokz, the OpenDots’ design is intended to fit any ear shape or size, unlike many in-ear buds. At 6.5 grams per bud, they hopefully shouldn’t weigh your ears down either.
Each earbud is interchangeable, too. It doesn’t matter which ear they go in, as the buds automatically recognise which side they’re on. No more fumbling around in the early morning darkness, trying to figure out which earbud is which, before setting off for a run.
The OpenDots One headphones work in either ear interchangeably. Image: Shokz.
In Australia, the Shokz OpenDots One go for $339 via the brand’s website on 3 July. These buds last up to 10 hours of listening time, which extends to 40 hours when paired with the included wireless charging case.
From an audio perspective, the OpenDots sport two 11.8mm drivers, intended to produce a decent sound mix. Dolby Audio is also supported; just don’t expect noise cancellation from a set of open-ear headphones.
OpenFit 2+ is a sequel to the open-ear staple
Also priced at $339 are the OpenFit 2+ headphones, a new-and-improved version of a model that didn’t originally launch in Australia. In essence, it succeeds the original OpenFit, a set of open-ear buds we rated highly in 2023. It’s a more conventionally designed set of open-ear headphones that wrap around the ear instead of clipping on.
The OpenFit 2+ has a more familiar-looking open-ear design. Image: Shokz.
Its biggest improvement is the inclusion of two audio drivers, up from the original’s one. One driver focuses on deep bass frequencies, while the other produces clear higher frequencies. Shokz says that there’s less sound leakage, which is a challenge for the open-ear design.
The OpenFit 2+ gets up to 11 hours of audio playback on a single charge, reaching 48 hours with its charging case. It also has an IP55 rating, meaning the buds stand up to sweat and light rain.
Seemingly out of nowhere, Nintendo announced that Drag X Drive, an upcoming Switch 2 exclusive, is going to release on 14 August. At the same time, Nintendo confirmed the game will cost $30 locally. All of this came from a sudden reveal via the Nintendo Today app, followed by a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it trailer on YouTube.
Based on what I played at a preview event, $30 seems like the sweet spot for Drag X Drive. It takes the form of a 3-vs-3 wheelchair basketball game, replete with skate ramps from which to launch sick tricks and dunks on anyone bold enough to get in the way. I had a great time playing it (poorly), but Drag X Drive relies heavily on multiplayer, and it’s not one I can foresee playing for long periods.
The biggest differentiator here is that the game serves as an example of the Nintendo Switch 2’s mouse controls. With a Joy-Con in each hand, you mimic a wheel-pulling action on a surface, like a desk or your lap. Impressively, it feels like a reasonable approximation of using a wheelchair, although my dainty little arms and shoulders quickly fatigued after a brief session.
I liked what I played pre-release, but I’m not 100% sold on the game’s longevity. Will it contain enough depth to play again and again? I’m not sure. I think there’s enough of a skill ceiling that dedicated players will reach and make fools of us all, posting outrageous trick-shot compilations online.
Based on the price, Nintendo seems to acknowledge it needs to get people through the door for the best Drag X Drive experience. Multiplayer games live and die by the number of willing participants.
Once 14 August rolls around, we’ll know for sure if the $30 price tag hits nothing but net.
