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Sean Hollister

Sean Hollister

Senior Editor

Sean is a senior editor at The Verge, a very good website he helped found in 2011. He thrives at the intersection of gaming, technology, and toys, with a side of consumer advocacy because companies just can't help themselves, can they? Sean previously led breaking news teams at The Verge and CNET and the reviews program at Gizmodo. He also has that voice.

Ethics statement, June 2023: Sean's wife is employed by Apple as a video producer. He therefore does not currently report or edit stories about Apple products or Apple as a company.

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Twitter
Intel ex-CEO Pat Gelsinger is tweeting through it.

Did Intel’s board “retire” him because he botched something, or did it rug pull before he could finish the job? Either way, Gelsinger is now praying for Intel’s employees and defending its all-important 18A silicon process on X. He agrees it’s “fake news” that yields are bad, and explains yields depend on chip size. (You can fit more tiny chips on a wafer than big ones!)


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Instagram
This liliputing gaming dream just got a price cut and a Ryzen HX 370 variant.

I’m still working on my GPD Win Max 2 review, and there’s now a more powerful model on sale. It’s pricier at $1,500 — but the 8840U version I’m using is now discounted to $1,000, so that’s great!

This is the best tiny Windows machine I’ve used, though I find I want a mouse. It’s also an OK handheld.


What could Valve possibly be cooking with AMD, ChromeOS, and HDMI-CEC?

Steam Box? Gaming Chromebook? Take your best guess — but it sure looks like Johnny Deng, a Valve electrical engineer, is testing to ensure a powerful new “AMD Lilac” can properly control your TV (or vice versa) over HDMI.

It’s fascinating to think about. Why would Valve use ChromeOS instead of SteamOS? Valve did tell us it’d “love to work with third-parties” on living room extensions...


What happened to Intel?

And why is Pat Gelsinger out?

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External Link
AMD’s next-generation RDNA 4 gaming graphics look like a lock for CES in January.

Lisa Su confirmed she’d launch the first RDNA 4 GPUs in “early 2025,” and now AMD graphics boss Jack Huynh will officially host a livestreamed press conference on January 6th at 11AM PT / 2PM ET. It will “discuss how AMD is expanding its leadership across PCs and gaming.”

The rumor mill is expecting the unannounced AMD RX 8800 XT:


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The Verge
The best price ever on the best mousepad ever made — the one that charges mice automatically.

Since December 2021, I’ve never had to think about charging my Logitech wireless gaming mouse. It charges just by sitting atop this pricey mousepad. No alignment necessary. And now, that pricey mousepad is the best price it’s ever been: $87 at Amazon. That’s still cash, but seriously: I’ve never looked back.

Note: If you buy something from the link, we might get affiliate revenue.


Did MSI accidentally let slip when its new Claw handhelds will ship?

The Claw 8 AI Plus and Claw 7 AI Plus have appeared on Amazon for $899 and $799 respectively, and will ship Dec. 25th and Dec. 1st respectively, per Videocardz... but the listings seem to have been stripped of those crucial details now.

MSI already announced both handhelds in June as quick followups to the embarrassing original. Lunar Lake could bring better performance and battery, but apparently not pricing.


The new 8-inch MSI Claw.
The new 8-inch MSI Claw.
Image: MSI / Amazon
This tiny gaming laptop has two keyboards, one beneath the other.

I have a hard time believing this OneGx2 could be comfortable to hold, but major kudos if OneXPlayer can figure it out! I’m currently toying with a similar GPD machine that hides its joysticks beneath little covers, but a split keyboard and sticks beneath a full keyboard is something else.