Morning Brief

1. NVIDIA unveils DLSS 4.5, the Rubin platform, open models, and more
2. Dell launches XPS 14/16 laptops
3. HP introduces the keyboard-style mini PC Eliteboard G1a
4. Intel releases Core Ultra 300 series AI processors
5. LEGO launches smart bricks
6. Rumors You Can Just Glance At

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NVIDIA unveils DLSS 4.5, the Rubin platform, open models, and more

At CES 2026, NVIDIA announced DLSS 4.5, which introduces Dynamic Multi-Frame Generation, a new 6× Multi-Frame Generation mode, and a second-generation Transformer model applied to DLSS Super Resolution. The new DLSS Super Resolution addresses issues related to temporal anti-aliasing (TAA) and earlier super-resolution models in areas such as lighting, detail, and shadows. NVIDIA claims it improves image quality across all presets (including Quality and Balanced modes), with the most noticeable gains in Performance and Ultra Performance modes. All GeForce RTX users can try it by updating to the beta version of the NVIDIA App. DLSS Dynamic Multi-Frame Generation and the 6× Multi-Frame Generation mode will be available to RTX 50 series gamers in the full release scheduled for January 13. Source

The RTX Remix Logic update for classic games is expected to roll out later this month via the NVIDIA App. Building on existing RTX Remix features, the Remix Logic update introduces a new visual logic system that allows RTX Remix mods to respond visually to real-time in-game events. It provides mod developers with more than 900 configurable options, enabling dynamic effects triggered by various in-game events, and supports 165 classic games. Source

NVIDIA also announced four G-SYNC Pulsar monitors developed in collaboration with Acer, AOC, ASUS, and MSI. These displays feature variable refresh rate backlight strobing technology, delivering over 1000 Hz of effective motion clarity to further enhance motion sharpness and visibility. They also include built-in light sensors that intelligently adjust color temperature and brightness. Source

NVIDIA ACE AI technology is expanding further. Total War: PHARAOH introduces a dynamic AI advisor powered by NVIDIA ACE to help players learn the game’s many systems and mechanics. Meanwhile, the AI teammate PUBG Ally in PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS now supports long-term memory, allowing it to remember players’ past performance and in-game interactions and reference previous events in its responses. PUBG Ally will enter testing for PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS Arcade users in the first half of this year, with support for English, Korean, and Chinese.

NVIDIA also announced a series of AI upgrades for RTX GPUs and laptops, including native NVFP4 / FP8 precision support in ComfyUI; integration of RTX Video Super Resolution to accelerate 4K video generation; NVIDIA NVFP8 quantization for the LTX-2 audio-video generation model; AI Blueprints for generating 4K AI video from 3D scenes in Blender; and accelerated inference performance for small language models such as Ollama and llama.cpp. Source

For developers and enterprise users, NVIDIA showcased the DGX Spark desktop AI supercomputer based on the NVIDIA Grace Blackwell architecture, featuring an ultra-cooperative design. The Rubin AI platform—an integrated six-chip system—was announced to have entered full mass production. NVIDIA also fully opened access to a suite of open models trained on its own supercomputers, including Clara for healthcare, Earth-2 for climate science, Nemotron for reasoning and multimodal AI, Cosmos for robotics and simulation, GR00T for embodied intelligence, and Alpamayo for assisted driving. Related physical AI open-source models, frameworks, infrastructure, and multiple robots also made their debut at CES. Source

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Dell launches XPS 14/16 laptops

After nearly a year of retiring the XPS brand name, Dell unveiled the XPS 14 and XPS 16 laptops at CES 2026, targeting “enthusiasts who pursue ultimate performance.”

The XPS 14/16 feature an all-aluminum chassis and an ultra-thin design, equipped with three USB-C/Thunderbolt 4 ports and 10W speakers. The 14-inch model weighs 1.36 kg, while the 16-inch version weighs 1.65 kg. Base configurations include a 1920×1200 IPS display, 16 GB LPDDR5X memory, 512 GB SSD storage, a 70 Wh battery, and an Intel Core Ultra 5 325 processor. The display supports a 1–120 Hz refresh rate and VRR technology. Both the XPS 14 and XPS 16 can be configured with lighter, high-resolution OLED display options, and higher-end versions powered by the Core Ultra X9 388H processor will be available later.

Selected configurations of the XPS 14/16 went on sale on January 6, with the XPS 14 starting at $2,049 and the XPS 16 starting at $2,199.99. Entry-level and high-end configurations are expected to launch in February. In addition, an XPS 14 version preinstalled with Ubuntu 24.04 is scheduled to arrive later this year. Source

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HP introduces the keyboard-style mini PC Eliteboard G1a

At CES 2026, HP unveiled the Eliteboard G1a mini PC, which adopts the appearance of a standard office keyboard. The device is just 12 mm thick, with the processor, memory, storage, speakers, cooling fan, and multiple ports all integrated inside the keyboard. Users simply need to connect the keyboard to a display and can then use it with the included Bluetooth mouse.

The Eliteboard G1a is available in two versions: one with a fixed USB-C cable and another with a detachable USB-C cable. It supports daisy-chaining up to two 4K displays. Inside, it is powered by AMD Ryzen AI 300 series processors, with configuration options ranging from AI 5 350 to AI 7 370 Pro. Memory support goes up to 64 GB of DDR5 via dual SODIMM slots, and storage capacity reaches up to 2 TB. The Eliteboard G1a also offers an optional fingerprint recognition module and includes a replaceable 35 Wh battery, with HP estimating around 3.5 hours of battery life. In terms of connectivity, the detachable-cable version caters more to conventional peripheral usage, while the fixed-cable version retains an additional USB4 port for external devices.

Finally, the keyboard itself uses a membrane switch structure with 2 mm key travel, and the entire unit weighs just 750 grams. The Eliteboard G1a is expected to go on sale in March this year, with pricing to be announced closer to launch. Source

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Intel releases Core Ultra 300 series AI processors

At CES 2026, Intel announced the Core Ultra 300 series processors, codenamed Intel Panther Lake. Built on Intel’s 18A (2nm) process, the high-end models in this lineup feature up to 16 CPU cores, 12 Xe cores, and an NPU delivering up to 50 TOPS. According to Intel, this results in up to a 60% boost in multi-threaded performance, a 77% increase in gaming performance, and battery life extended to as much as 27 hours.

In addition, Intel revealed edge processors designed specifically for embedded and industrial environments. These processors offer wide-temperature support, enabling more stable performance in both higher and lower temperature conditions. They also deliver significant advantages in key AI workloads, including up to a 1.9× improvement in large language model performance, a 2.3× increase in video analytics efficiency, and a 4.5× boost in vision–language–action model throughput.

Laptops powered by the Core Ultra 300 series began pre-orders as early as January 6, with global availability starting on January 27. Additional laptop models are expected to roll out gradually in the first half of 2026. Edge computing systems equipped with the third-generation processors are scheduled to launch in Q2 2026. Source

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LEGO launches smart bricks

At CES 2026, LEGO unveiled its Smart Bricks. In appearance, the Smart Brick is indistinguishable from a classic 2×4 LEGO brick, but inside it houses a miniature computer. Unlike previous LEGO Mario components that relied on external batteries, the Smart Brick uses a custom ASIC chip, allowing for a compact design with support for wireless charging. The Smart Brick is equipped with inertial sensors, light sensors, and an NFC reader, enabling it to detect movement and tilt gestures, and to recognize nearby new light panels or minifigures embedded with Smart Tags. It can form a Bluetooth mesh network, allowing bricks to sense each other’s position and orientation.

According to LEGO’s demonstrations, when a player moves a LEGO spaceship, the Smart Brick emits real-time engine sounds; if a vehicle flips over, the audio switches to a crash sound; and when Emperor Palpatine sits on his throne, the system automatically plays the “Imperial March.” LEGO said the Smart Brick supports firmware updates via a smartphone app and that its capabilities will continue to expand in the future. This technology is expected to inspire more creative combinations—for example, using a duck-quacking tag on a helicopter model to create a playful “duck helicopter.”

The LEGO Smart Brick will officially go on sale on March 1, 2026. The first wave of Smart Brick sets will be led by the Star Wars series and will include three kits: Darth Vader’s TIE Fighter priced at $70 (473 pieces), Luke’s X-Wing Fighter priced at $100 (584 pieces), and the Death Star Duel scene priced at $160 (962 pieces). Each set includes at least one Smart Brick and a corresponding Smart minifigure. It is worth noting that due to the hardware cost of the Smart Brick, these sets offer fewer pieces and smaller model sizes than traditional sets at the same price point. Source

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Rumors You Can Just Glance At

• At CES 2026, Samsung showcased an OLED foldable display said to have no visible crease. The panel uses a laser-perforated metal plate that disperses pressure during folding, resulting in a crease-free visual appearance. The technology is expected to appear in the Galaxy Z Fold 8 in the second half of 2026, or in Apple’s foldable device. Source

• iPolish demonstrated a press-on nail patch at CES 2026 that can change color through electrochemical methods. Source

• On January 5, SanDisk announced the launch of a new gaming SSD brand, SANDISK Optimus, intended to replace the WD_BLACK and WD Blue lines inherited from Western Digital prior to the split. Source