The first gaming monitor in the world featuring a 1080Hz refresh rate has arrived.

The first gaming monitor in the world featuring a 1080Hz refresh rate has arrived.

      HKC / Videocardz

      Initially, I thought it might be a mistake, but the Chinese display manufacturer HKC has truly announced the world's first 1,080Hz monitor, just days after Samsung introduced the Odyssey G6 with a 1,040Hz refresh rate. It's evident that monitor manufacturers are competing to achieve faster refresh rates, benefiting consumers like you and me in the process.

      The HKC ANTGAMER ANT275PQ MAX is not officially released yet, but the brand intends to unveil it at CES 2026. Nevertheless, HKC has disclosed several key features of the monitor, including its capability to refresh 1,080 times per second at 720p and up to 540 times per second at 2K (1440p) resolution (lower than the Odyssey G6's 600Hz).

      BenQ

      Is a 1,080Hz refresh rate suitable for everyone?

      For years, high-refresh-rate gaming monitors were limited to 240Hz or a maximum of 360Hz, making the 1,080Hz HKC gaming monitor sound extraordinary. While this advancement doesn't mean that everyone needs this technology right away, it certainly highlights how far display technology has progressed.

      Although there are few instances where users can fully utilize the maximum refresh rate, competitive esports players, particularly those engaged in first-person shooter games, can take advantage of this feature.

      More than anything else, I view today’s announcement of 1,080Hz as a stepping stone towards more affordable 480Hz or 600Hz monitors in the future, allowing a broader audience to experience the ultra-smooth motion and incredibly low latency they offer.

      Digital Trends / Digital Trends

      The HKC monitor boasts an LCD panel with low motion blur (characteristic of high-refresh-rate displays) and remarkably low input latency. Furthermore, the company has confirmed support for DisplayPort 2.1 (UHBR20), which enables such impressive refresh rates.

      While HKC has kept other specifications undisclosed, I suspect the monitor may feature a 27-inch display (based on its model designation). Additionally, the company has not yet revealed the pricing or release schedule for the monitor. However, HKC appears eager to take the spotlight at CES 2026, where it plans to showcase three high-end gaming monitors.

      For over five years, Shikhar has continuously simplified advancements in consumer technology and presented them…

      8 great gifts for the audiophile in your life

      Here are 8 products that utilize DTS technology to deliver exceptional audio.

      When setting up a home theater system, it's easy to grab the largest, brightest screen and call it a day. However, an excellent audio setup is just as important, if not more so, than the screen. Therefore, it's crucial to select something that guarantees high quality. Poor sound quality can quickly become irritating if it fails to present movies or music at the level you or a loved one anticipates. Get it right, and you can feel as though you're in a cinema, even while at home—plus, you’ll have plenty of software options and hardware improvements for various devices.

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      Xbox brings cloud gaming fun to Amazon Fire TVs

      Xbox pushes gaming beyond consoles

      Xbox is introducing cloud gaming directly to Amazon Fire TVs, enabling users to play console-style games without needing an Xbox. Starting this week, the Xbox app is now available on select Fire TV smart TVs and streaming devices, allowing users to stream hundreds of games via the cloud with only a compatible controller and internet access. The Xbox app is being rolled out to newer Fire TV models, including the Fire TV 4-Series and Fire TV Omni QLED smart TVs, as well as the Fire TV Stick 4K Max. Amazon has indicated that support for additional Fire TV models is planned for the future.

      Sony’s Next Earbuds Just Popped Out Early Online

      New WF-1000XM6 leaks indicate colors and a near-future arrival for Sony’s flagship earbuds.

      Sony’s long-awaited WF-1000XM6 truly wireless earbuds have surfaced in new leaks that provide a clearer understanding of what’s next for the audio giant. Fans have been waiting since the WF-1000XM5 was launched over two years ago, and recent appearances in retailer listings and parts catalogs suggest that Sony’s flagship earbuds are closer to release than ever. The latest leak comes from The Walkman Blog, which discovered replacement part listings on Encompass Parts’ website, featuring components for the WF-1000XM6 in both black and silver. While parts listings don't always reflect final retail decisions, the consistency across various sources increases the likelihood that Sony will offer at least these two color options at launch. A shipping date of February 27, 2026, mentioned in the listing aligns with speculation that Sony might unveil the earbuds soon after significant early-year tech events like CES.

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The first gaming monitor in the world featuring a 1080Hz refresh rate has arrived. The first gaming monitor in the world featuring a 1080Hz refresh rate has arrived. The first gaming monitor in the world featuring a 1080Hz refresh rate has arrived. The first gaming monitor in the world featuring a 1080Hz refresh rate has arrived. The first gaming monitor in the world featuring a 1080Hz refresh rate has arrived. The first gaming monitor in the world featuring a 1080Hz refresh rate has arrived.

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Welcome to Greatest Hits Week – five days, five episodes from our archive, spelling out F-I-I-R-E. Today’s second letter, I, represents Investing. This episode first aired in April 2022, but the framework we discuss remains among the most practical guides we've provided for accumulating wealth at any age.

Nick Maggiulli is with us to explain why many young investors fixate on the wrong metrics and to introduce his Save-Invest Continuum, which illustrates precisely when savings outperform investment returns and when that shifts.

_____
In his twenties, Nick Maggiulli spent a considerable amount of time fixating on his investment portfolio, adjusting his asset allocation, estimating net worth projections, and creating complex spreadsheets. At the same time, he was spending $100 every weekend partying in San Francisco. 

It took him years to recognize the absurdity of this behavior. His annual investment returns on his modest $1,000 portfolio might yield him $100, which is equivalent to what he would spend in one night out. 

Maggiulli joins us to clarify why young investors concentrate on the wrong aspects and provides his framework for determining when to focus on saving versus investing. He introduces the Save-Invest Continuum, which compares your projected annual savings to your anticipated investment returns. 

When starting out, your saving capacity greatly exceeds any investment gains. For instance, a $6,000 annual saving potential surpasses a $100 investment return every time.

We delve into the mathematics of saving 50 percent of future raises, not out of guilt or deprivation, but to achieve lifestyle balance while growing wealth. This guideline only applies to actual raises above inflation. If you receive a 3 percent raise concurrently with a 3 percent inflation rate, you have not truly made any progress.

The discussion shifts to unconventional income-generating assets. Aside from stocks and bonds, Maggiulli explores investing in farmland, which provides returns that are uncorrelated with standard markets. He recounts a story about someone who purchased the royalty rights to Jay-Z and Alicia Keys’ "Empire State of Mind" for $190,000. The song earned $32,733 in royalties the prior year, indicating an 11 percent return if that income remains stable.

We investigate why 85 to 90 percent of your portfolio should generate income via dividends, rent, interest, or business profits. Maggiulli keeps his speculative investments, including cryptocurrency, art, and individual stocks, to less than 10 percent of his net worth. He admits that his two selected individual stocks have declined by 60 to 70 percent, illustrating his point about steering clear of stock picking.

The episode underscores that time is your most valuable asset. Warren Buffett would likely be willing to trade his entire fortune—and even incur debt—to be 35 again. 

This viewpoint influences every financial decision, from selecting income strategies to choosing between assets that simply appreciate versus those that provide income while you sleep.

Resources: 
Afford Anything podcast episode #375

Timestamps: 
Note: Timestamps may vary across different listening devices due to dynamic advertising durations. The provided timestamps are approximate and may differ by a few minutes based on changing ad lengths. 
(0:00) Nick’s regret over focusing on investments while neglecting returns from partying 
(4:20) Explanation of the Save-Invest Continuum 
(7:00) When savings are more crucial than investment returns 
(11:20) Balancing both saving and investing in midlife 
(12:00) Crossover point: when investment returns surpass spending 
(13:00) The 2X Rule for guilt-free spending 
(14:20) Save 50 percent of future raises 
(19:30) Five strategies to increase income 
(21:20) Selling time versus selling skills 
(23:00) Teaching and product creation for income 
(25:00) Advancing the corporate ladder 
(26:00) Transforming human capital into financial capital 
(27:20) Income-generating vs. speculative assets 
(31:00) Allocation for individual stocks and cryptocurrency 
(34:40) Basics of farmland investing 
(36:20) Example of royalty investing 
(40:20) Art and non-income-generating assets 
(42:00) Strategies for inflation and debt

Thanks to our sponsors!

Boldin: Model your retirement scenarios, test every "what if," and confidently take control of your financial future. Start planning at go.boldin.com/afford. Welcome to Greatest Hits Week – five days, five episodes from our archive, spelling out F-I-I-R-E. Today’s second letter, I, represents Investing. This episode first aired in April 2022, but the framework we discuss remains among the most practical guides we've provided for accumulating wealth at any age. Nick Maggiulli is with us to explain why many young investors fixate on the wrong metrics and to introduce his Save-Invest Continuum, which illustrates precisely when savings outperform investment returns and when that shifts. _____ In his twenties, Nick Maggiulli spent a considerable amount of time fixating on his investment portfolio, adjusting his asset allocation, estimating net worth projections, and creating complex spreadsheets. At the same time, he was spending $100 every weekend partying in San Francisco. It took him years to recognize the absurdity of this behavior. His annual investment returns on his modest $1,000 portfolio might yield him $100, which is equivalent to what he would spend in one night out. Maggiulli joins us to clarify why young investors concentrate on the wrong aspects and provides his framework for determining when to focus on saving versus investing. He introduces the Save-Invest Continuum, which compares your projected annual savings to your anticipated investment returns. When starting out, your saving capacity greatly exceeds any investment gains. For instance, a $6,000 annual saving potential surpasses a $100 investment return every time. We delve into the mathematics of saving 50 percent of future raises, not out of guilt or deprivation, but to achieve lifestyle balance while growing wealth. This guideline only applies to actual raises above inflation. If you receive a 3 percent raise concurrently with a 3 percent inflation rate, you have not truly made any progress. The discussion shifts to unconventional income-generating assets. Aside from stocks and bonds, Maggiulli explores investing in farmland, which provides returns that are uncorrelated with standard markets. He recounts a story about someone who purchased the royalty rights to Jay-Z and Alicia Keys’ "Empire State of Mind" for $190,000. The song earned $32,733 in royalties the prior year, indicating an 11 percent return if that income remains stable. We investigate why 85 to 90 percent of your portfolio should generate income via dividends, rent, interest, or business profits. Maggiulli keeps his speculative investments, including cryptocurrency, art, and individual stocks, to less than 10 percent of his net worth. He admits that his two selected individual stocks have declined by 60 to 70 percent, illustrating his point about steering clear of stock picking. The episode underscores that time is your most valuable asset. Warren Buffett would likely be willing to trade his entire fortune—and even incur debt—to be 35 again. This viewpoint influences every financial decision, from selecting income strategies to choosing between assets that simply appreciate versus those that provide income while you sleep. Resources: Afford Anything podcast episode #375 Timestamps: Note: Timestamps may vary across different listening devices due to dynamic advertising durations. The provided timestamps are approximate and may differ by a few minutes based on changing ad lengths. (0:00) Nick’s regret over focusing on investments while neglecting returns from partying (4:20) Explanation of the Save-Invest Continuum (7:00) When savings are more crucial than investment returns (11:20) Balancing both saving and investing in midlife (12:00) Crossover point: when investment returns surpass spending (13:00) The 2X Rule for guilt-free spending (14:20) Save 50 percent of future raises (19:30) Five strategies to increase income (21:20) Selling time versus selling skills (23:00) Teaching and product creation for income (25:00) Advancing the corporate ladder (26:00) Transforming human capital into financial capital (27:20) Income-generating vs. speculative assets (31:00) Allocation for individual stocks and cryptocurrency (34:40) Basics of farmland investing (36:20) Example of royalty investing (40:20) Art and non-income-generating assets (42:00) Strategies for inflation and debt Thanks to our sponsors! Boldin: Model your retirement scenarios, test every "what if," and confidently take control of your financial future. Start planning at go.boldin.com/afford. According to a recent report, OpenAI is still considering the introduction of ads in ChatGPT, highlighting the potential for sponsored content to be featured prominently in responses. While this isn't a launch yet, it indicates that the concept is very much in consideration. A leak suggests that the battery life of the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro will improve, which may make your wait worthwhile. A leak suggests that the battery life of the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro will improve, which may make your wait worthwhile. Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 4 Pro have recently passed through the FCC, indicating that a launch is imminent. A disclosed battery capacity of 57mAh per earbud, up from the previous 48mAh, suggests that improved battery life might be the key enhancement. Leaked prototypes show that Apple had previously experimented with pink and yellow AirPods. Leaked prototypes show that Apple had previously experimented with pink and yellow AirPods. Uncommon prototype images show that Apple had previously tested colorful designs for AirPods before ultimately deciding to standardize the white finish that is currently used. 5 must-see TV shows to check out in January 2026 5 must-see TV shows to check out in January 2026 A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, Wonder Man, and The Pitt are among the new series that viewers should check out in January 2026. Samsung's Galaxy S28 series might be the first to include a proprietary GPU. Samsung's Galaxy S28 series might be the first to include a proprietary GPU. Samsung is said to be working on its own GPU, which may be introduced alongside the Exynos 2800 in the Galaxy S28 series. Samsung's budget-friendly Galaxy A07 5G may be released sooner than anticipated. Samsung's budget-friendly Galaxy A07 5G may be released sooner than anticipated. Samsung's Galaxy A07 5G is emerging as a recognizable yet significant budget smartphone, featuring a sleek design, up-to-date Android operating system, and 5G connectivity, all at a reasonable cost.

The first gaming monitor in the world featuring a 1080Hz refresh rate has arrived.

The first gaming monitor in the world featuring a 1080Hz refresh rate has arrived.