8 of the most exciting PlayStation State of Play announcements

More than 60 minutes of back-to-back games saw PlayStation present one of its more impressive State of Play showcases in recent years. Plenty of familiar franchises popped up, along with some nice surprises, including a shadow-dropped God of War game.

Most pleasing was that most of what PlayStation included will be playable this year. Between sequels, brand-new games, and major content updates, there’s a bit to look forward to.

Rather than go over each and every announcement (PlayStation’s blog has that covered), here are eight of the most exciting games that featured during this morning’s State of Play.

God of War Sons of Sparta launches today

Surprise, a new God of War game you can play right now! A collaboration between Santa Monica Studio and Mega Cat Studios, God of War Sons of Sparta goes back to Kratos’ early days, in the form of a 2D action platformer. It’s available now on PS5.

Santa Monica Studio also teased the in-development God of War trilogy remake, but that one is still a while away.

Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse revives a classic series

One half of what’s called the ‘Metroidvania’ genre, Castlevania hasn’t seen a new entry in a while. That’s about to change with Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse, which is due out this year on PS5.

Encouragingly, it’s being worked on by Motion Twin — the studio known for the excellent Dead Cells — and Evil Empire, responsible for The Rogue Prince of Persia. That’s some serious modern 2D gaming pedigree right there.

Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2 announced

Given the current climate of remakes and remasters, it’s surprising that Metal Gear Solid 4 hasn’t come to any platform other than its native PS3. With the Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2, however, it’s coming to PS5 on 27 August this year, along with Peace Walker and Ghost Babel, letting new players don Snake’s famous camo.

Ghost of Yōtei Legends confirmed for March release

Late last year, Ghost of Yotei’s developers couldn’t be drawn to comment on when the game’s anticipated multiplayer mode would arrive. That wait is over now: Legends, an online co-op mode, is coming as a free update on 11 March in Australia.

Yotei‘s new mode lets up to four players fight against waves of enemies or complete missions to take down supernatural versions of the game’s big baddies. Ghost of Tsushima‘s multiplayer mode was well-regarded, so Sucker Punch has form when it comes to online multiplayer.

John Wick puts you in his dapper shoes

If you’ve watched any of the John Wick movies and thought it’d be cool to replicate Keanu Reeves’ ‘gun-fu’ moves, do I have the game for you. There’s no confirmed release date yet, but the newly announced John Wick game includes input from the franchise’s director, Chad Stahelski, plus the films’ distributor, Lionsgate.

A quick look at the reveal trailer tells you everything that you need to know: this is definitely a John Wick game.

Kena: Scars of Kosmora follows up debut hit

Another nice State of Play announcement was Kena: Scars of Kosmora. A sequel to 2021’s Kena: Bridge of Spirits, it’s once again coming from Ember Lab, an animation studio that pivoted to making games. Kena was the team’s first commercial game release, and that it came from an animation studio was of little doubt — it was utterly gorgeous.

Scars of Kosmora sees an older Kena as the protagonist, with the game set to release later this year on PS5 and PC.

Mina the Hollower is only months away

After delaying its October release last year, Yacht Club Games announced that Mina the Hollower will come out this year. The Shovel Knight developer confirmed a “spring 2026” release window, which converts to Australia’s autumn. That’s not far away now.

Based on a Bloomberg report in December, there’s a lot riding on this game. Despite years of success with Shovel Knight, Yacht Club Games has exhausted most of its resources, relying on Mina to be a hit.

It’s just as well that the Game Boy-style visuals and gameplay look impressive. You’ll be able to try it for yourself when the PS5 demo drops in the next 24 hours.

Big Walk will launch on PlayStation Plus

It would be remiss of me not to mention some Australian representation during the State of Play presentation. Big Walk, from Untitled Goose Game developers, House House, got a quick mention, teasing its 2026 launch.

In a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment, PlayStation confirmed that Big Walk will be made available as a PlayStation Plus Monthly Game when it launches. We don’t know exactly when that will be, but it means that anyone with a PlayStation Plus subscription will have access to the game at no extra cost.

It’s promising that a game based on co-op multiplayer will be in plenty of hands at launch, giving Big Walk every chance of succeeding.

The post 8 of the most exciting PlayStation State of Play announcements appeared first on GadgetGuy.

Read More

6 last-minute Valentine’s Day tech gifts your partner will love

Haven’t got your Valentine’s Day gifts sorted yet? Take a deep breath and read on, because we’ve got your back. Flowers and chocolates are nice, but if you want to make a big impression, these gadgets will make Valentine’s Day 2026 one to remember.

Now, let’s do away with binary ‘his’ and ‘hers’ gift ideas. This ain’t the 20th century anymore. These gadgets appeal to all sorts of tech lovers, irrespective of gender.

There are gadgets for creatives, bookworms, gamers, and those who like their tech with a side of bling. As long as you know your Valentine well enough (if you don’t, you’ve got bigger issues to solve than a last-minute gift) to pick something they’ll love, you’ll be fine.

Cricut Maker 4

Image: Alice Clarke.

For loved ones who enjoy arts and crafts, you could pick any Cricut appliance, and it’d be a winner. But, for the sake of making a single recommendation, the Cricut Maker 4 is a good place to start.

It’s a versatile machine for all manner of crafts, including personalised clothing, cards, stickers, and many other artistic projects.

Or, instead of gifting a Cricut appliance for Valentine’s Day, you could get one for yourself and then use it to create something custom-made for your partner. Often, the best gifts are the ones you make!

An eReader

Image: supplied.

My partner has a Kobo Libra Colour, and it’s one of her most-used gadgets. Any eReader is a great choice for the beloved bookworm in your life. Sure, you can read digital books on your phone, but eReaders do away with distractions and use a screen that’s nearly indistinguishable from paper, making for a more comfortable reading experience.

In Australia, Kobo eReaders sync nicely with Libby, letting you borrow books from local libraries without leaving the house. If there’s one thing bibliophiles love, it’s free books.

Kindles are also a good alternative, mainly for Amazon’s extensive storefront. However, they’re not as suited to borrowing library books due to licensing restrictions.

A good pair of noise cancelling headphones

Image: Sony.

Sometimes, the best thing you can give someone is the gift of quiet. One of the best ways to do so is with a reliable pair of noise cancelling headphones. Find a good, comfy pair, and your Valentine will get years of use out of them. They’ll wear them at home, at work, while commuting, and anytime they need a personal bubble of peace.

Among the best noise cancelling headphones we’ve tested in recent years are the Sony WH-1000XM6, Sonos Ace, and the Apple AirPods Pro 3. They might be on the pricey side, but they’re absolutely worth the investment.

A robot vacuum cleaner

Image: Roborock.

Tread carefully here: you don’t want to accidentally send the message that your partner is a mess by gifting them an unsolicited cleaning appliance. Given with good intentions and a bit of hinting beforehand, a robot vacuum is a nice way to reduce housework and give your loved one more downtime.

Depending on your budget, you could easily spend well under $1,000, with the premium models priced at $2,000 and above, equipped with all the bells and whistles.

At the upper end of the scale, the Roborock Saros 10 is a good pick, as is the Ecovacs Deebot X11 OmniCyclone. For something more affordable, keep an eye on the Aldi Special Buys aisle for the Deebot Neo 2.0 Plus.

While not the most ‘romantic’ gift going around, a robot vacuum could be a godsend for any partner constantly stressed about keeping the house tidy.

Motorola’s Swarovski Razr phone or Buds Loop

Image: Motorola.

Perhaps the most stereotypical Valentine’s Day gift idea on this list, Motorola’s ‘Brilliant Collection’ consists of a couple of cool gadgets embedded with Swarovski crystals.

You could get either the Motorola Razr 60 flip phone or the Buds Loop headphones that look like a pair of earrings (or both, if the budget allows). Either device is a fashionable bit of technology that’s cheaper than diamonds, yet adds a bit of bling for the style-conscious partner.

A personalised gaming controller

For the gaming partners, you can’t go too far wrong with a controller that’s just for them. Don’t relegate them to the cheap and worn-out second-player controller you picked up on a whim years ago. Find a design that speaks to your Valentine’s personality, or get one made just for them.

There are a bunch of cool and cute DualSense controllers for PS5 players, including the upcoming Hyperpop colours. If you can’t find the colour combo your partner would love, lots of places offer customised or modded controllers so you can get something that’s just right.

The post 6 last-minute Valentine’s Day tech gifts your partner will love appeared first on GadgetGuy.

Read More

iPhone 17e reveal expected soon, with a major improvement

Apple is expected to officially announce the iPhone 17e, its lower-cost handset, any day now, including a major upgrade from the previous model.

When Apple released the $999 iPhone 16e last year, MagSafe was on the chopping block. But based on reporting from Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman, Apple’s in-house magnetic charging technology is back on the agenda.

He wrote that Apple is expected to sell the iPhone 17e at the same price as its predecessor, with several additions. One is the inclusion of MagSafe, enabling faster wireless charging and magnetic alignment on various accessories.

The iPhone 16e supported wireless charging, albeit at a comparatively slower 7.5W speed. MagSafe, on the other hand, supports up to 25W charging speeds on the iPhone 17 range. Exact charging speeds differ across iPhone models; the slim iPhone Air charges at 20W via MagSafe, while the base iPhone 16 model reaches 22W.

What might also help the iPhone 17e reach faster wireless charging speeds is the expected inclusion of the A19 chip used in the iPhone 17. It should also give Apple’s cheaper phone a performance boost, including potential battery life savings.

Gurman also reported that the iPhone 17e will use Apple’s latest networking chips. Combined with a faster chip and MagSafe technology, the phone will be Apple’s main device targeted at budget-conscious customers.

As it currently stands, the iPhone 16e is one of the best phones under $1,000. It’s a powerful and reliable alternative to a standard iPhone. However, it omits the multi-camera array of its pricier siblings.

If Apple’s announcement comes within the next week, it will beat Samsung as 2026’s first major phone launch. Samsung recently locked in 26 February for the announcement of this year’s flagship Galaxy S handsets, roughly a month later than its announcements in previous years.

The post iPhone 17e reveal expected soon, with a major improvement appeared first on GadgetGuy.

Read More

TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E5 hands-on: Luxury meets digital

Everything we have is now ‘smart’, from our phones to our speakers and cameras. So why would watches be any different? With their streamlined form factor and endless practicality, smartwatches are one of the most prominent pieces of tech we carry with us today.

So, with that in mind, luxury watch brands are having to pivot. TAG Heuer’s answer to this is the Connected line, and I recently got my hands on its latest addition, the TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E5. More specifically, the titanium configuration that retails for a whopping $3,700 in Australia.

Styling and customisation

It’s certainly a challenge to balance luxury with practicality and performance, yet TAG seems to have found the recipe with the Connected Calibre E5. Powered by the TAG Heuer OS, the Calibre E5 is a smartwatch first and foremost, yet it doesn’t lack the sophisticated design that TAG is known for.

The version I had the pleasure of testing was the 45 mm with all-black styling. The matte black ceramic bezel paired perfectly with the black rubber strap and black steel-coated folding clasp. I am always a suckers for mono-styled devices, and this hit the nail on the head.

Images: Jay Marshall.

Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of customisation options to play with, including the interchangeable band and a huge list of watch faces to swap out. I think changing your watch face has to be one of the huge benefits of a smartwatch. You can match your watch to your outfit, or customise the complications to suit your lifestyle. All with a few buttons pressed.

Performance and testing

With the aesthetics aside, I wanted to look into how this beauty performed. And to be honest, I was pleasantly surprised. The display really stood out to me, and this was essential. You can’t have a stylishly crafted luxury watch that has a low-res or pixelated screen. It just wouldn’t work.

The Calibre E5 comes with a 1.39-inch OLED display with a resolution of 454×454 pixels. This display was vibrant, detailed and crisp. It meant that using any of the more complex watch faces didn’t deteriorate or detract from the look of the watch. A huge tick in my book.

Taking the TAG out for a test run was a breeze. I wasn’t sure if I would run into some teething problems, needing to adjust the active displays to better replicate what I am used to with the more traditional sports smartwatch, like the Garmin Fenix 8 or the Coros Pace 4. Yet that wasn’t the case. Right out of the box, the Calibre E5 was ready to go and displayed everything you would expect to track. You can always tweak it further, yet I was happy with the baseline of what it displayed, and that isn’t always the case.

Images: Jay Marshall.

Interface, navigation and battery life

Adding to that, the watch interface and navigation were pleasant to use. There is a large crown dial for navigation, as well as the touchscreen. Two buttons flank the crown dial, and that’s it. Nice and simple. The menu system is also simple and intuitive, with one main area for all of your menu items and controls, and another for activities and tracking. 

The battery life is claimed to last up to three days in low power mode, which in my experience results in about two days of general use. That’s not too bad, and roughly on par with the likes of Apple and Samsung smartwatches.

Images: Jay Marshall.

Overall, I enjoyed trying the TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E5. It’s an interesting intersection where luxury meets the modern world of smart devices. I have no doubt that this is a huge growing market and we will be seeing much more of this type of product in the future.

The post TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E5 hands-on: Luxury meets digital appeared first on GadgetGuy.

Read More

Belkin Stage PowerGrip review: Get a grip

9

A wireless powerbank which doubles as a smartphone camera grip, the Belkin Stage PowerGrip makes your phone feel like a pint-sized digital SLR.

These days, most people have abandoned standalone digital cameras for the smartphone in their pocket. While it’s handy to always have a camera at hand, holding a smartphone like a camera is a cumbersome substitute for holding the real thing.

Smartphone makers acknowledged this early on by allowing the volume up button to double as a camera shutter button, so the button is at your fingertips when holding the phone sideways in landscape mode. Pressing down on a physical button also makes it easier to hold the phone steady when shooting, compared to tapping the camera app’s on-screen shutter button.

If you miss the old-school feel of a real camera in your hands, you’ll immediately understand the appeal of the Belkin Stage PowerGrip. If you’ve only ever known smartphone photography, the PowerGrip offers plenty of benefits that might win you over.

The Belkin Stage PowerGrip has the look and feel of a traditional camera grip. Image: Adam Turner.

Table of contents

• First impressions
• Specifications and price
• Features
• Who is the Belkin Stage PowerGrip for?

Belkin Stage PowerGrip first impressions

Going back to the days of analogue film, high-end Single-Lens Reflex (SLR) cameras from the likes of Canon and Nikon have featured a bulge or ‘grip’ on the right-hand side, so they are easier to hold steady.

The Belkin Stage PowerGrip brings the same ergonomics to smartphones. It magnetically clamps to the back of the phone, attaching firmly enough that you can hold it just by the grip without fear of the phone falling off.

Clamping to the bottom half of the phone ensures that the grip doesn’t cover the rear lenses or built-in flash. There’s even a lanyard hole, as well as a ¼-inch thread on the bottom of the grip, so you can attach it to a tripod.

Holding the grip in your right hand, you’ll find a shutter button under your pointer finger. Once you pair the grip with your phone via Bluetooth, pressing the button replicates pressing the volume up button, which captures a photo if the camera app is open.

The Belkin Stage PowerGrip makes your phone easier to hold, without getting in the way. Image: Adam Turner.

Such simplicity ensures that the grip works with Apple and Android smartphones. By default, holding down the shutter button starts recording video on Android. On Apple devices, it triggers burst mode, but you can change this to video in the settings.

The downside of this simplicity is that the PowerGrip isn’t designed to mimic the Camera Control button found on many iPhones and some Android handsets. This means you need to manually launch the camera app before the PowerGrip’s shutter button can capture photos.

Keep in mind, the PowerGrip is designed to work with the Apple iPhone 12 or Google Pixel 10 and above. It’s not that the shutter button won’t work with earlier phones, but rather that their body isn’t designed to clamp firmly. 

Apple introduced MagSafe charging with the iPhone 12, while Google’s Pixel 10 introduced Pixelsnap charging. The Pixel 9a will still attach magnetically, for example, but it doesn’t clamp tightly enough to allow you to lift it up just by the grip.

The Belkin Stage PowerGrip attaches firmly to MagSafe and Pixelsnap compatible smartphones. Image: Adam Turner.

Belkin Stage PowerGrip specifications and price

Battery capacity	9,300 mAh
Connectivity	USB-C Bluetooth Wireless charging
Charging	In: USB-C x1 Out (15 W combined): USB-C x2 Wireless 7.5 W
Compatibility	Apple iPhone 12 and later (MagSafe) Google Pixel 10 and later (Pixelsnap)
Extra features	Tripod thread ¼-inch Lanyard loop
Dimensions	11.7 x 8.3 x 4 cm
Weight	272 gm
Colours	Charcoal, Sand, Blue
Price	$99.95 RRP
Warranty	2 years
Official website	Belkin Australia

Features

The Belkin Stage PowerGrip’s other party trick is that it’s a 9,300 mAh wireless power bank. When you press the power button to wake up the grip, you’ll see a power level readout on the small front screen.

The Belkin Stage PowerGrip’s front read-out reveals the battery level. Image: Adam Turner.

As an added bonus, the PowerGrip can also change two wired devices via USB-C. One via the built-in retractable 75-cm cable at the bottom, and one via the USB-C port at the top, which is also the battery’s charging port.

Keep in mind, charging is slow. The PowerGrip delivers 15 W in total, but only 7.5 W via wireless charging. So it’s more for slowly topping up your phone as you take photos during the day, rather than giving it a big drink when it’s running low.

The Grip can stand up on its heavy end, which means it can also double as a smartphone stand or bedside charger.

Who is the Belkin Stage PowerGrip for?

A lot of thought has clearly gone into the design of the Belkin Stage PowerGrip to help replicate the traditional camera experience while throwing in the modern benefit of wireless charging.

If you’re familiar with an SLR grip, the PowerGrip will instantly feel at home in your hands. The only shortcoming is that you might find yourself wishing that it put more physical SLR-style controls at your fingertips.

Keep in mind, if you’re primarily after a wireless portable charger, then you might benefit from a faster charger, such as Belkin’s BoostCharge Magnetic Portable Wireless Charger 10K.

Belkin Stage PowerGrip

Replicating the traditional SLR camera experience while throwing in modern wireless charging, the Belkin Stage PowerGrip takes smartphone photography to the next level.

Features

9

Value for money

9

Performance

9

Ease of use

9

Design

9

Positives

Replicates SLR grip to reduce camera shake

Tripod thread and lanyard hole

Built-in wired and wireless power bank

Works with Apple and Android phones

Negatives

Requires MagSafe or Pixelsnap handset

Can’t control smartphone Camera Control buttons

Slow wireless charging

9

The post Belkin Stage PowerGrip review: Get a grip appeared first on GadgetGuy.

Read More

After a wait, new Samsung Galaxy S devices are nearly here

Like clockwork, it’s time for one of the first major phone launches of 2026, with Samsung setting the stage for its next Galaxy S handsets.

Scheduled for 26 February Australian time, Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked in San Francisco will show the company’s latest flagship phones. According to Samsung’s teaser announcement, the new Galaxy S phones are “designed to remove friction from the things you do every day”.

Galaxy AI, Samsung’s set of generative AI-powered features, appears set to be a major part of the upcoming launch event. Last year, Samsung alluded to a strategy of AI helping people use their phones less. It’s a sentiment that’s consistent with the theming of the recently announced Galaxy Unpacked.

Samsung’s teaser video doesn’t give too much away. It depicts the Galaxy AI symbol emerging from a cube, again suggesting the brand’s focus on AI features.

A late February announcement is uncharacteristic for Samsung, which previously confirmed the Galaxy S25 range by the end of January in 2025. Speculation suggests that this is partly due to the company needing to revamp its lineup after reported low sales of the slimline Galaxy S25 Edge.

Regardless of the reasoning, it’s a change in tactics from a company that has previously stuck with a January launch cycle.

When to watch the February 2026 Galaxy Unpacked

The next Samsung Galaxy S devices will be shown during the Galaxy Unpacked stream on 26 February at 5 AM AEDT. Aussies can tune in online, including via Samsung’s YouTube channel.

Along with the livestreamed event, Samsung confirmed that Australians can pre-register ahead of the phone launch to get a $50 voucher towards the new devices.

The post After a wait, new Samsung Galaxy S devices are nearly here appeared first on GadgetGuy.

Read More

SJCAM C400 3-in-1 handheld action cam a scroll stopper

Three-in-one. Handheld. Action. The title of this camera is stuffed with what marketers call “scroll stoppers”. Translated, these signal (respectively) value, portability, and performance, and I’m a fan of them all. So, let’s see how the SJCAM C400 stacks up.

First, here’s why you might not buy one. SJCAM doesn’t currently have an Australian distributor, so if something goes wrong, how do you get the product fixed? You can get a C400 from Kogan or Amazon and return it, but buyer beware.

Then there’s pricing. At the time of writing, Kogan was selling the C400 for $253 and Amazon for $462. The US dollar conversion from the SJCAM website for the C400 is $358. At JB HiFi, you can buy a DJI Action 4 for $359 or a Zero-X ZX50 for $249, and you can be confident you’ll get support.

SJCAM C400 key specs

Now that’s out of the way, the C400 is a pretty nifty camera if you are into adventure sports and vlogging. The camera itself is 7 x 3 x 2 cm and weighs 54 grams – I can hide it in the palm of my hand – and it records 4K video. The camera has a six-axis stabilisation system that electronically stabilises movement, and it works quite well.

Camera separated from handheld controller. Image: Angus Jones

The camera works standalone with a single button: press it to turn it on or off and to control recording. A 1.3 inch forward-facing screen allows you to see yourself, as performs as a touch screen to allow you to change the settings. Battery life is impressive at 172 minutes.

SJCAM C400 handheld controller

The C400’s first trick is the handheld controller, which has a rear-facing 2.29 inch screen that rotates. The camera plugs into the controller, creating a tall, thin camera unit. By changing the rear screen orientation from portrait to landscape, you also change the aspect ratio for recording.

A magnetic mount holds the camera and enables remote control.

The controller also acts as a remote control, allowing you to view the images being captured and to operate the camera from up to 8 meters away. The controller has its own battery, and with the camera inserted, it boosts your total recording time to 7 hours, which is amazing. You will run out of SD card storage before you run out of power.

Like the camera itself, the handheld controller has a touchscreen. An additional button is added to power the unit on and off. If you are filming in landscape, the camera will turn off if you do not touch the screen when returning to the stowable portrait position. When stowed, the whole setup will easily fit in your pocket or a handbag, so you are always ready to capture some footage.

Zoom and accessories

The camera has an 8x digital zoom and supports both video and photo capture, with standard modes like time-lapse, slow-mo, and burst shooting. The C400 can also be used for live streaming or as a webcam.

We mentioned cost earlier, and a big benefit of this camera is the standard accessories. There is a host of mounts, including a waterproof case rated to 30m and a handy magnetic mount with a lanyard that you can attach to the front of your shirt. Other brands make you buy all this stuff separately.

The SJCAM C400 is a handy starter video pack, and for 90% of users, it will do everything you could want. If SJCAM takes Australia a little bit more seriously from a distribution perspective, this video setup will go that extra mile when you don’t want to risk using your smartphone to record.

The post SJCAM C400 3-in-1 handheld action cam a scroll stopper appeared first on GadgetGuy.

Read More