Acer debuts Project DualPlay Gaming Laptop concept with a secret controller

Acer showed off a new concept Predator laptop at IFA 2024 that hides a controller in the device. The Project DualPlay Gaming Laptop's touchpad doubles as a built-in detachable wireless controller. You just need to press the release button to remove the controller from its electromagnetic lock. When you pull the controller from the laptop, a pair of high-fidelity, five-watt speakers pop out of the sides to make the gaming experience more immersive.

Project DualPlay supports a second player. You can separate the joysticks from the controller to get a Nintendo Switch-like accessory. Acer specifically calls out Street Fighter 6 as a game you can play well on this machine alongside first-person shooters, multiplayer online battles, sports, or other fighting games. But this mode would only make sense if the game you're playing supports split screen.

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EcoFlow made a solar-powered hat that works as a power bank

EcoFlow might be known for its portable power stations, but it is entering the fashion space—at least if you consider big, floppy hats fashionable. The EcoFlow Power Hat is a wide-brimmed sun hat embedded with solar cells that can charge your smartphone or other small tech accessories.

According to EcoFlow, the Power Hat can recharge a 4,000mAh smartphone "in as fast as 3-4 hours." It won't break charging speeds, but if you're looking to slow charge your device while outdoors, here's an energy-independent solution.

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'Pico Park 2' is now available on the Nintendo Switch

Developer Tecopark has officially launched the sequel to the co-op multiplayer game Pico Park, the aptly named Pico Park 2. First revealed at the recent Nintendo Indie Showcase, Pico Park 2 is now available for the Nintendo Switch. It will also launch on the PC (via Steam and Microsoft Store) and Xbox One and Series X|S on September 12.

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Unidentified sonar-like sound heard through Starliner's speakers

Photo: NASA

As Starliner is prepping to undock from the International Space Station and return to Earth uncrewed in a matter of days, a new mystery surfaces and leaves the crew baffled. On Saturday, astronaut Butch Wilmore alerted NASA's Mission Control about an unexplained "strange noise" heard from a speaker in the spacecraft.

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