Microsoft will bring DirectStorage API from the Xbox to PCs to reduce IO bottlenecks in games

Why it matters: In between touting the innovations present in the Xbox Series X and trying to hide the existence of an Xbox Series S, Microsoft is also working on bringing some of its new software tricks to the PC. A new DirectX API called DirectStorage will make console ports a bit easier for developers and bring the same speed benefits on some compatible PCs equipped with NVMe SSDs.
Microsoft has been talking a lot about the hardware and software improvements in its upcoming Xbox Series X console, including a technology stack called the Xbox
Gone but Not Forgotten: Palm
RTX 3070 Ti incoming? Listing suggest a 16GB GDDR6 model is in the works

Rumor mill: Are you eyeing an RTX 3070 following Nvidia’s reveal of its Ampere cards this week? You might consider holding back on your purchase for a while. Several online leaks, including what looks like a pretty big one from Lenovo, suggest an RTX 3070 Ti is in the works.
As everyone knows, Nvidia announced the RTX 3070, RTX 3080, and RTX 3090 at its event on Tuesday, but Videcardz spotted a Lenovo
Intel launches Tiger Lake CPUs with Xe graphics for laptops, aims higher than Ryzen 4000
NASA's OGO-1 satellite has finally returned to Earth after 56 years in orbit
In brief: As the saying goes, what goes around comes around, and that's certainly the case for NASA's Orbiting Geophysical Observatory project. The first of the six satellites involved in this project -- OGO-1 -- has just crash-landed back on Earth after 56 years in orbit.
Each OGO spacecraft was developed to study the movements of Earth, and determine how our planet interacts with the sun. The satellites remained stalwart in that mission for a solid five years before NASA shut the

Apple, Amazon, and Google hike their developer, seller, and advertising fees in response to new digital taxes in Europe

The big picture: The efforts of the OECD to get almost 140 governments on board with a new global framework for taxation have mostly prevented a patchwork of national measures. However, some European countries aren't willing to wait, which is why tech giants like Amazon, Apple, and Google have now increased their developer and advertising fees, despite previously showing their support for new international tax rules.
Earlier this year, several countries in Europe -- including the UK, France, Austria, Italy, Poland,
This Witcher 3 HD visuals mod looks spectacular and won't tax newer hardware
In brief: The Witcher 3 launched over five years ago, and we have seen plenty of visual mods for the PC version in that time. One, in particular, has been around since shortly after the game's release. Called The Witcher 3 HD Reworked Project, it is about to enter version 12.0, and it looks stunning.
A modder who goes by the handle HalkHogan dropped a trailer (above) for an update to his Witcher 3 HD Reworked mod on Monday. The video shows comparisons

HP's Labor Day Sale is live: great deals on laptops, monitors, printers, and more

Labor Day is next week, which means it's a great time to grab some bargains. HP’s Labor Day sale is on now and running until September 12, offering big discounts on a variety of tech goods.
We’ve highlighted some of the best deals on top items, including powerful gaming PCs, stunning monitors, best-in-class laptops, and more. See what's in offer below...
HP Spectre x360 gets a $200 reduction,
Disney reveals The Mandalorian season 2 premiere date

Something to look forward to: The Walt Disney Company and Lucasfilm on Wednesday announced that season two of The Mandalorian will debut on Disney’s streaming video service on October 30. If you haven’t yet watched The Mandalorian or aren’t fully caught up, fret not. Every episode from the first season is available on Disney’s streaming service.
Star Wars: The Mandalorian , as it is formally called, premiered on November 12, 2019, as a Disney+ launch title.
Microsoft 'confirms' the Xbox Series S... again

Editor's take: Even though it has now been leaked twice through its own packaging and marketing materials, Microsoft still refuses to acknowledge the existence of an Xbox Series S (a.k.a. Lockhart). What is the point in hiding it anymore? Sony has already played its two-console card, and everyone at this point knows Microsoft is releasing two consoles as well. Just unveil it already.
An Xbox owner who needed a new controller purchased one from the Microsoft Store. Upon opening the package