This fantastic Acemagic LX15 Pro notebook costs only $389 at BestBuy right now, making it one of the top cheap laptops to watch this Amazon Prime Day.
Acemagic is a brand we've come across a lot in recent years, mostly because of its mini PCs. When we reviewed the AX15, a laptop with a similar design, we noted it was "an impressively engineered design that has many admirable features".
This model is enhanced for premium comfort and performance - with the AMD Ryzen 5 7430U processor and 16GB of RAM. This laptop also comes with a 15.6" full HD display, Windows 11 Pro and an impressive two-year warranty, better than Apple or Dell.
We've been keeping a close eye on the Amazon Prime Day laptop deals on offer, and we haven't found a better laptop anywhere for less than $400.
If this isn't quite what you're looking for, or if you just want to browse all the best Prime Day has to offer, then keep an eye on our Amazon Prime Day deals hub, which we will be updating throughout Prime Day as more deals are uploaded.
Ryzen 5 7430U | 16GB DDR4 | 512GB SSD
This super affordable laptop comes with heaps of features, including 16GB of RAM, a powerful Ryzen 5 CPU, and a 512GB SSD for powerful performance and enhanced user experience. This 15.6" full HD display delivers sharp visuals and reduced glare for comfort in extended use. View Deal
Intel Core i3-1215U | 16GB DDR4 | 512GB SSD
Not as powerful or as cheap as the Acemagic laptop, the N154 is a close second, matching it when it comes to memory and storage. It does offer two extra features, a backlit keyboard and a fingerprint reader. Like its rival, there's a two-year warranty as standard.View Deal
Intel Core i3-1215U | 16GB DDR4 | 512GB SSD
The Pavilion comes with HP's pedigree, one of the biggest names in town. Compared to the Nimo though, it is a bit underwhelming - no backlit keyboard or fingerprint reader - but definitely worth considering if you want a known brand.View Deal
The recently launched Oura Ring 5 is smaller and smarter than its predecessor, making it a significant upgrade that I don't doubt most will make, but it's hard to argue with the Ring 4 when its price has hit a record low for Amazon Prime Day.
• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale
You can now get the Oura Ring 4 at Amazon for $226 (was $399) in the US and for £232 (was £349) in the UK, which is a bargain when you consider that it was the best premium smart ring you can buy just two weeks ago.
Amazon has the best-selling Oura Ring 4 on sale for a new record-low price of $226. Sleek and comfortable, the Oura Ring 4 is fully titanium, making it built to last and highly durable. You get incredibly accurate data and personalized health insights about your sleep and stress levels.
Also check out these coupons:
🎟️ Amazon: Claim 30% off Haul orders with this discount code
🎟️ Up to 70% off daily deals in the Amazon sale
🎟️ Get up to 60% off orders during the Prime Week sale at AmazonView Deal
Our fitness editor, Matt Evans, is a big fan of the Oura Ring 4. He said it was "nearly the perfect fitness tracker" in our review, praising the design, ease-of-use, long-lasting battery and detailed health information it offers. This fascinating bit of tech is now down to its lowest-ever price on Amazon.
Also check out these coupons:
🎟️ Amazon: Claim 30% off Haul orders with this discount code
🎟️ Up to 70% off daily deals in the Amazon sale
🎟️ Get up to 60% off orders during the Prime Week sale at AmazonView Deal
My Oura Ring 5 review is out, but if you don't have time to dig into it, here's the long and short of it: it's a big upgrade over the Ring 4 when it comes to design and performance, but the price jump does hold it back from being an easy recommendation.
Costing an extra $50 / £50 / AU$80 than the standard Oura Ring 4 at launch, the Ring 5 is already priced a bit more. That of course is justifiable when you consider the improved accuracy and a 40% reduction in size, which is very noticeable when comparing the two side-by-side. But if you want the same core Oura Ring experience for less, this Ring 4 deal is the one to go for.
Against other wearables, the Ring 4 holds its own as a premium wellness tracker. It's not the right choice if you're after a fitness tracker, but for sleep and stress monitoring it's excellent — with an easy-to-use companion app and only one fewer day of battery life than the Ring 5, which is a minor trade-off given it can fully recharge in under an hour.
When comparing it to other wearables, the Ring 4 stands out as a luxury item for wellness tracking. It's not the right choice if you're after a fitness tracker, but for sleep and stress monitoring it's ideal. It has an easy to use companion app, and only has one day less of battery life, which is a minor trade-off given it can fully recharge in under an hour.
Considering it has most of the same features as the Oura Ring 5, the Ring 4 at this record low price is a genuinely hard deal to pass up, especially when the Ring 5 is unlikely to see a discount anytime soon. If you're new to smart rings and want the best value price for an Oura Ring, the Ring 4 is the deal to buy.
Netflix has announced they are launching a new horror game, Unhinged, on June 30 and that it will be available to all subscriber tiers.
Unhinged was made by Oxenfree developer Night School Studio, and is a first-person horror game centering on two young women who are neighbors, as one attempts to escape from a home invasion.
Night School game director Sam Warner told Rolling Stone: "I grew up with those, and I think that focus on novel innovative play was something that we really started this game with. If you've got Netflix and you have a phone, then this is for you."
A tense social media trailer was shared for Unhinged, where Netflix confirmed it would launch worldwide on June 30.
A post shared by Netflix US (@netflix)
A photo posted by on
There's plenty to get excited about when it comes to Unhinged. First of all there's an amazing cast attached including Stranger Things' Sadie Sink, The Batman's Zoë Kravitz, and The Last of Us' voice actor Troy Baker.
Honestly, you couldn't get a better cast. I'm excited to see these stars in action, especially when it comes to the confined settings of a first-person horror like this. It has the potential to be great.
Gameplay wise, you'll need your phone for this one. Rather than being an interactive movie you control with your remote, Unhinged uses your phone to receive calls and text messages or to look around its world with a virtual flashlight.
There's multiple paths you can go down and, of course, you can die. So the stakes are high here and you'll have to pay attention if you want to make it out of the house safely. The game is said to be less than an hour in length, similar to an episode of a Netflix series, but you do have the opportunity to go back and explore new paths.
I've had mixed opinions of Netflix games so far but this one sounds promising. I can't wait to check it out on June 30.
Developer Rockstar Games has unveiled a deluge of new promotional screenshots, alongside the confirmation of the game's price and GTA 6 pre-order information.
In an email sent to outlets including TechRadar Gaming, the publisher shared 63 new images, which can also be found on the game's official site.
They mainly focus on the content included with the Ultimate Edition, or the Vintage Vice City Pack pre-order bonus DLC, but still reveal some interesting titbits about the game and point to some potential key mechanics.
Loads of the new screenshots focus on cars and car customization, with the press release accompanying the images confirming that Ultimate Edition owners will be able to visit two exclusive vehicle mod shops.
We know that interiors will be customizable, alongside rims, paint jobs, and more.
As in past games, it's clear that players will be able to visit clothing stores to customize how their characters look as the Ultimate Edition comes bundled with access to the exclusive Stock 305 Clothing Store.
There will also be hairdressers if you need a trim, including Sara's Unisex Salon if you buy the Ultimate Edition version.
The game will also feature tattoo parlors, again just like previous games.
One of the biggest benefits of the Ultimate Edition seems to be access to the Shitzu Squalo, a flashy boat that you can use to explore the sea and access a weapons crate. Like Grand Theft Auto 5, it seems players will be able to own and presumably customize their own ships.
When you're on land, you will be able to access safehouses, with one included in the Ultimate Edition. It will allow you to store vehicles and, I assume, access other features.
Loads of the screenshots show flashy weapons (or characters holding them). The fact that you will be able to customize weapons has been confirmed, which should mean access to skins and attachments. like scopes or suppressors.
While the screenshots so far have focused on the Ultimate Edition, 12 of the 63 sent out today are all about the Vintage Vice City Pack.
This is one of the bonuses that will be given to fans who pre-order, and includes some outfits, hairstyles, and weapons that you can see above.
They're clearly inspired by the world of Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, and so should offer a big dose of nostalgia to returning fans.
If you're looking for the ultimate gaming TV, you can't do much better than the LG C5. Right now, the 42-inch model is available for £599 (was £849) at Amazon UK. This is the first time the 42-inch has dropped below £600.
• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale
Of all the Amazon Prime Day TV deals, the C5 is easily the star. The 42-inch isn't the only size on offer, either. The 48-inch is down to a record-low £699 (was £999) at Amazon UK, and the 55-inch is down to £899 (was £1,099), also at Amazon UK, the cheapest it's ever been.
To get these deals, you obviously need to be a Prime member, which you can sign up for a free 30-day trial here. Check out why I think the LG C5 is the ultimate all-around TV, and perfect for GTA 6, below.
The LG C5 sits at the top of a lot of our best-of lists for a reason at TechRadar. It's a home run for movies, sports, and gaming, delivering optimum performance and features for every area. This deal knocks 29% off the 42-inch model, taking it down to a cheapest-ever £599. If you need a TV for a smaller room or even as a monitor, this is it. Check out links to other sizes below.
LG C5 48-inch: was £999 now £699 at Amazon UK
LG C5 55-inch: was £1,099 now £899 at Amazon UKView Deal
This isn't the first time I've written about the LG C5 this Prime Day, and for good reason. It's not only one of the best TVs available, it's also the best deal of the event so far. Anytime this five-star OLED gets a discount, it's worth writing about.
With GTA 6 pre-orders going live at midnight on June 25, you could be looking to upgrade your TV, and the C5 is the perfect candidate. It has a full range of features for gaming, including 4K 144Hz, full VRR with FreeSync, G-Sync, and HGiG included, ALLM, and Dolby Vision gaming (if you own an Xbox).
It also boasts an ultra-low measured 9.2ms input lag time, that mean gaming feels smooth and responsive. I can attest to this, as Battlefield V's often intense battles and vehicle sequences were expertly handled, meaning gaming was a lot of fun. This is one of the best gaming TVs around.
But what about its picture quality? Again, it's superb. When I watched movies such as Elemental and Wicked, colors dazzled on screen, showing a real vibrancy but also, importantly, good accuracy. Its black levels and contrast, as you'd expect for an OLED, are excellent. I was blown away by its rendering of challenging dark scenes from movies like The Batman and Alien: Romulus.
It also showcases crisp, lifelike textures and detail with whatever it displays, solid upscaling of lower resolution sources (maybe if you want to play some retro games), and delivers excellent motion handling.
For GTA 6, I expect the neon-soaked streets of Vice City will look stunning on the C5, and I reckon when you're trying to shake that five-star wanted level with some chaotic driving, the C5 is more than up to the challenge.
Meta just announced some stunning new smart glasses, one pair of which has been co-designed by the Kylie Jenner. The specs, as always designed alongside Ray-Ban parent company EssilorLuxottica, will start at $299 / £269 / AU$599, offer much the same in terms of features as the second-generation Ray-Ban Metas, with improvements in some places, such as the addition of adjustable nose pieces, plus a lot of design and color choices.
They're available already, perhaps in efforts to beat Apple's suspected smart spec play later this year, but if you want AR experiences or the safe pair of hands the Ray-Ban frames offer design-wise, you might be better off shopping around.
Luckily, there are a few alternatives which may well be better for your needs currently on offer, some as part of the Amazon Prime Day deals, plus a few others from regional retailers like Best Buy in the US and Currys in the UK.
• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale
For me, personally, the deal-breaker is always style. A lot of smart glasses are more masculine in form, and few can hold their own against my bangs when it comes to filming, meaning a lot of my best vacation shots have been ruined by errant hair. That's why the new wider-frame Meta Starfire Kylie Edition frames have captured my heart so much, but if you're not bothered by that, you can score some of the best smart glasses we've tested for less right now. Read on for my top picks.
The Air 4 Pro is a significant upgrade to the Air 3S Pro, with HDR10 and B&O audio. The AI 3D works well on personal video, just not streaming content, and it all comes together as an excellent value package; however, these are display glasses, not true AR.View Deal
A neat $75 saving on Meta's first-generation Ray-Ban smart glasses is a great way to capture the moment during vacation season without breaking the bank if you want to stick with the tried and true Ray-Ban frames. The only major differences with the new second-generation model are the longer battery life and a wider range of slightly higher-quality filming options. View Deal
We scored these smart specs 4.5 stars in our review, praising their entertainment-first featureset. That includes solid Bose audio and a large full-HD display, which looks better than ever thanks to a new optical engine. However, the glasses are also a bit pricey, so this $50 discount is very welcome. View Deal
Featuring HDR10 and B&O audio, these smart display glasses are fantastic for personal video, streaming and even gaming. The AI 3D works well on personal video, just not streaming content, and it all comes together as an excellent value package; however, these are display glasses, not true AR.View Deal
Another pair of 4.5-star rated smart glasses to add to the basket, the Xreal 1s are designed more for entertainment than everyday wear. They render a virtual big screen for almost any USB-C-sporting device, and between that and the excellent clarity, color, fit, and feel, these are a solid purchase with £40 off during Prime Day. View Deal
I wouldn't call this a great deal, but it's still worth highlighting. Meta also lists the first-generation model at this price, but at Curry's you can get a large pair with free next-day delivery in most areas and up to two months of Apple Music, Apple Fitness+ and Apple Arcade. Packing an ultra-wide 12 MP camera and up to 32 hours of battery life with a charging case, these are pretty much the industry standard all-rounders; but the Gen 2-pair boost the battery and offer more filming options. View Deal
I'd definitely spotlight the RayNeo Air 4 Pro deals as the best of the bunch. My colleague Hamish Hector is somewhat of a smart spec aficionado, and he raves about the RayNeo Air 4 Pro; you can watch below or read his full 4.5-star review to learn more about why.
Grand Theft Auto 6 pre-orders are live, and now we’re finally within touching distance of the release of 2026’s most anticipated game — if not, one of the most anticipated games of all time.
Of course, to play the game you’ll need a modern console, and one of the best TVs or best monitors can’t hurt either. But there’s one more thing I think you need to enjoy the experience at its very best: a strong audio setup.
That’s right, most TVs have pretty shoddy built-in speakers, and even if they support immersive formats like Dolby Atmos, typically struggle to whip up expansive, punchy, and clean sound. As a result, I’d strongly suggest investing in a soundbar, which will help you truly immerse yourself in the world of GTA 6, and enjoy movies and series like never before.
So, I’ve curated a list of five soundbars I’d recommend grabbing right now, with everything from affordable all-in-one options through to spectacular surround sound systems — there really is something for all kinds of budgets and living spaces here. Ready to discover my top picks?
It may be almost half a decade old, but the Sonos Beam Gen 2 is still one of the best compact soundbars I’ve ever tested. I found that it delivers the kind of hard-hitting bass you’d expect from a larger, pricier soundbar, it’s easy to customize in the Sonos companion app, and it even conjures up a pretty wide soundstage, in part thanks to its Dolby Atmos support.
On top of this, I love how the Beam Gen 2 is incredibly easy to set up. Just connect it to your display’s HDMI eARC port, plug it into the power, and you’re good to go. Its small size also makes slotting it into your setup super seamless, and its modern look helps it to stand out as a stylish centerpiece in any living room or bedroom.
When you’re done with a GTA 6 play session, this soundbar can also double up as a neat companion for music too. It has Wi-Fi streaming, enabling you to stream your favorite tunes with high quality playback, and there’s even AirPlay 2 support for iOS devices. If you have other Sonos products, you can also link the Beam 2 with them and enjoy the beauty of multi-room audio, meaning this model really is a great all-rounder.
For me, the hottest competition the Sonos Beam Gen 2 has in the small soundbar category, is the Marshall Heston 60. This 2025-issued model really wowed me when I got my hands on it, and for two key reasons: its spacious sound, and its luxurious looks.
Let’s start with how this thing performs. Despite its limited 28.7-inch / 730mm width, it creates a surprisingly convincing sense of width, and whether I was playing video games or spinning some 4K UHD Blu-rays, I found it delivered delicious depth and excellent tracking of any on-screen action. With Atmos content, it really felt as if I could hear some elements playing in the corners of our TV testing space, which is something that a lot of mini models fail to do.
It also gets the basics spot on, with clear dialogue, controlled yet relatively powerful low-end sound, and impressive musicality. Although I have to say, this soundbar arguably looks even better than it sounds. Its amp-inspired aesthetic, golden details, striking frets, and classy control panel really make it stand out. As a result, you won’t only get a soundbar that’s great for engrossing audio in GTA 6, but you’ll get a product that you’re proud to put at the front and center of your living space.
Right, let’s take things up a gear, should we? If you want truly absorbing bass as well as expansive sound from a main soundbar, then the Samsung HW-Q800F has got you covered.
I tested this 5.1.2 channel model at the end of last year, and awarded it a rare five star rating, praising its deep, almost room-swallowing bass, its exceptional dialogue clarity, and its convincing Dolby Atmos effects. This bar can even muster up an impressive sense of height, providing an almost tangible feel to sound effects in video games as well as movies.
The Q800F brought a new sub into play which is a lot more compact, but still hits hard, meaning it's easy to fit into your living space without requiring a sacrifice in terms of quality. It’s also rammed with countless features, such as an effective calibration tool, Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support, a range of sound modes (including a Gaming setting), and Q-Symphony, which adds audio from compatible Samsung TVs into your system.
OK, now we’re getting into the really spacious-sounding stuff, and where better to start than with the Samsung HW-Q990F, the step-up options from the aforementioned Q800F.
Although the newer Samsung HW-Q990H is available in 2026, I’d still suggest getting the Q990F right now, as it offers a very similar level of quality at a typically smaller cost. It comes with a soundbar, sub, and two surround speakers, giving you true surround sound for the most enveloping experience imaginable. And when I heard the Q990F for myself, I was really struck by how well all of these speakers work in harmony — with games and movies alike, I found that audio sounded incredibly cohesive and well-balanced.
More generally, the Q990F delivers awesome all-round sound, with seriously weighty yet regimented bass, ultra-clean mids, and expressive highs. It also serves up impressive dynamics, a nuanced soundstage for gaming, movies and music alike, and fantastic features within Samsung’s SmartThings app. Another highlight is its two HDMI 2.1 inputs, which you can connect a games console like the PS5 Pro to for 4K 120Hz gameplay — ideal if you’re running out of slots on your TV or monitor.
Last but not least, we have the magnificent JBL Bar 1300MK2 (or JBL Bar 1300XMK2 in the US), which is one of the most mind-blowing surround sound systems I’ve ever had the joy of testing here at TechRadar.
The most attention-grabbing thing about the Bar 1300MK 2 is its immense power. It has a maximum power output of almost 2,500W across its 29 drivers, which — as I said in my review — is ludicrously high. This means that you can access room-shaking volumes, and if you’ve got a large living space, you’ll be able to feel the might of its sound in every inch of the room.
But the 1300MK2 doesn’t just have power for the sake of power, it really does sound mesmerizing. The highlight is the low-end, which I found to be seismic and full-sounding, while still remaining controlled and never getting in the way of sounds elsewhere in the frequency range. Dolby Atmos is also spectacularly strong on the 1300MK2 with almost mind-boggling width on offer and solid height effects, making you feel at the center of the action when gaming or watching videos.
The flexibility of the 1300MK2 is another one of its highlights. It comes with battery powered surround speakers, which you can easily place wherever you want without having to mess around with wires — something a lot of rivals force you to do. And these can even be used as standalone Bluetooth speakers if you’re on the go, or be used standalone for night mode — ideal for a 2am gaming sesh.
We're almost half way through this year's Amazon Prime Day and we keep running into deals on the best smartwatches left, right, and center, and now it's the Apple Watch Ultra 3's time to shine.
• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale
I'm using an Apple Watch SE 2 (I'm satisfied with its basic offerings), but I've been admiring the new Ultra model from afar, purely because of how much of a beast it is in the world of wearables. It's very much an investment piece, but it's now down to $649 (was $799) in the US, and £649 (was £749) in the UK.
When it comes to Apple discounts, the tech giant doesn't like to be as generous as other brands, so this Apple Watch Ultra 3 deal is somewhat of a rare occurrence. Not only has a brand new Apple Watch model received a price drop, but it's the lowest price we've seen it hit ever. On top of that, it takes the top overall spot in our list of favorite smartwatches.
You can save a staggering $150 on the brand-new Apple Watch Ultra 3 at Amazon's Prime Day sale. Packed with premium features, you're getting Cellular connectivity, a boosted 42-hour battery life, and emergency satellite messaging. Today's deal is the lowest price we've ever seen the Ultra 3 hit, and it's our best-rated smartwatch. View Deal
Likewise with Amazon UK, our best overall smartwatch has hit its lowest price, and it was only released just last September. Apple deals are very few and far between, and though £100 off may seem a little stingy, it's quite the steal for a brand new premium Apple device. View Deal
If you're tired of your standard Apple Watch series and are ready to take things to the next level with your wearables, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 could be the model for you. Or, if you're a Garmin owner who's looking to make the switch, the Ultra 3 is a solid rival.
As I've mentioned, my Apple Watch SE 2 is going strong, and I haven't felt the need to seek a proper upgrade just yet. But discount aside, the Ultra 3 has a handful of features I think are worth the investment.
For starters, the Ultra 3 is the first smartwatch in Apple's lineup to have flagship satellite connectivity, designed to enhance communication features in areas where you're limited for signal. Additionally, one of the watch's key functions is Emergency SOS via Satellite, which would come in handy if you're lost on an expedition.
Compared to its predecessor, and other Apple Watch models for that matter, the Ultra 3 has a much larger screen with wide-angle viewing, a handy addition that helps you view notifications even when you're not looking at the watch face-on. We found this to be very helpful for reading pop-ups in low-brightness environments.
But these aside, the Ultra 3's battery life truly puts other models in the ground. One of the biggest setbacks with the SE 2, for example, is that I find myself having to charge it constantly. When it comes to the Ultra 3, it can go for a good 42 hours on normal use before needing another round of juice.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 is likely to be launched at this year's summer Unpacked presentation, which is happening either next month or in August. But even though an Ultra 2 is on the horizon, I'd still get this deal.
How do I know an Ultra 2 is launching? I don't for sure, but I have some evidence that points in that direction. For one thing, Samsung's summer event launches its new watches each year, and occurs roughly around this time. For another, an Ultra 2 has been heavily rumored to be part of the 2026 roster refresh.
Finally, the Samsung Galaxy Ultra (2025) is on sale for just $357.24 at Amazon US (was $649.99), a massive 45% discount. Such a big discount could mean that the Ultra 2 is coming, and Amazon and Samsung are trying to clear old stock. In the UK, it's also on sale for a smaller but still significant 33% off, at £399 (was £599).
Save almost $300 on the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra in Titanium Blue version only, in a shocking price drop. While it's not the best choice for everyone (non-adventurers may overpay on features they won't use, and it's large for small wrists), its AI smarts, useful Now Bar technology to serve you the widgets you need, and longevity (up to 100 hours!) means it's well-made for adventurers.View Deal
Save a cool 33% on the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra in all colorways, including the fetching Titanium Blue version also seen above. It's not quite as good a price cut as the US one, but still a significant discount on a popular watch. View Deal
Unlike my Garmin Fenix 9 article, in which I recommend not getting the Fenix 8 and instead waiting for the 9 to come out, I actually recommend buying this Ultra deal rather than waiting for an Ultra 2 to arrive.
The 45%-off deal is simply too big a price drop to pass up, taking the AI-powered watch into must-buy territory. It's never been on offer for anything close to this, and there are no guarantees you'll get a good deal when the Ultra 2 lands in a month or two.
Besides, the original Ultra launched in 2024 was such a big design choice for Samsung that I'm expecting any changes to be quite iterative and software-focused this time. In which case, last year's Ultra will already run the latest Wear OS, so I doubt you'll see much of an improvement over the existing Ultra.
Multiple studies on the direct and indirect impact of AI have predicted that the technology is damaging local and global environments, and contributing to man-made climate change.
But the full extent of the damage should be publicly disclosed by AI companies themselves, the United Nations has said.
Speaking during London Climate Action Week, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said, “If AI is to help build a better future, it must be honest about what it costs us now.”
“By 2030, they could use more power than all but five countries – and enough water to meet the basic needs of all 1.3 billion residents of sub‑Saharan Africa for an entire year,” he said.
His speech (via Reuters) also included the launch of the UN’s AI Environmental Transparency Initiative, which offers AI companies the opportunity to publicly disclose water, the environmental impacts of their water usage, carbon emissions, and land use.
Some AI companies have agreed to net-zero commitments and decarbonization through renewable energy projects, but these commitments are largely voluntary and do not subject companies to any repercussions if they fail to meet targets.
This has been exacerbated in the US — where many of the largest AI companies operate — with President Trump stripping away environmental commitments, obstructing planned renewable energy projects, removing legislation on the construction of fossil fuel energy production, and even deleting the US government’s comprehensive archive of climate resources.
As AI now accounts for 80-90% of the world’s compute resources, there has been an explosion in new data center construction projects to meet demand. Many sites have turned to on-site natural gas burning turbines to supply their energy, which has been linked to health issues and neurological symptoms in local populations. In other regions, data centers have been linked up to nearby energy networks causing local resident’s bills to skyrocket.
The total environmental cost of AI is not known, but estimates for the US have placed the total cost at around $25 billion per year, which includes the health costs of residents living in the polluted vicinity of data centers. The UN hopes that the AI Environmental Transparency initiative will provide direct insight into the fiscal, human, and environmental costs of AI.
If you're looking for a new TV for GTA 6, which has its pre-orders going live at midnight tonight (June 25), then listen up.
• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale
I've been scouring through the Amazon Prime Day deals on offer to see if there are any on the best gaming TVs available. Thankfully, there are.
In the US, my number one deal is the LG C5 65-inch for $1,199 at Amazon US. A record-low price for the best gaming TV around. Next is the 65-inch TCL QM7K for a record-low $749.99 (was $799.99) at Amazon US, an affordable, feature-packed mini-LED with good gaming chops. And finally, the LG B5 48-inch is available for $599.99 at Best Buy. Not a record-low, but an ideal-sized display for smaller rooms and bedroom gaming.
If you're in the UK, the top deal is the LG C5 55-inch for £899 (was £1,099) at Amazon UK, a ridiculous record-low price for the ultimate gaming OLED. Next up, for a cheaper option, the TCL Q6C 65-inch is £527 (was £618.99) at Amazon UK. Finally, the 48-inch LG B5 is down to £549 (was £799) at Amazon UK, the lowest ever price for this TV perfect for smaller rooms.
The LG C5 is the ultimate all-around TV, delivering excellent performance for movies, gaming and sports with a full suite of features and superb picture quality. The 65-inch model has dropped to $1,199.99 at Amazon and while this isn't a record-low, it's the cheapest it's been since February. View Deal
The TCL QM6K has an impressive list of gaming features for the money, including 4K 144Hz and FreeSync Premium Pro support. Its picture is colorful and detailed and it has solid gaming performance. While this $747.99 price for the 75-inch doesn't beat the record-low, it's an excellent price for a 75-inch mini-LED. View Deal
Easily one of the best value OLED TVs available, the LG B5 48-inch has dropped to $599.99. It's not a record-low, but still a very good price. This is the perfect TV if you're looking for a bedroom-sized display for gaming that still delivers awesome OLED picture quality. View Deal
The TCL QM7K is a feature-packed mini-LED TV that over-delivers for its price range. It has great picture quality and a ton of solid gaming features. While this discount may be small, it does take the 65-inch model down to a new record-low price of $749.99. View Deal
Limited time deal! This deal takes a huge 40% off the Sony Bravia 8 65-inch, but it ends at midnight so be quick. An OLED with excellent detail and contrast, plus a healthy suite of gaming features including Perfect for PS5 settings, this is a great choice for Sony fans looking to play GTA 6 on a good-sized OLED. View Deal
The Samsung QN90F is a perfect TV for bright rooms, thanks to its anti-glare screen and solid brightness. It's fully stocked for gaming, with 4K 165Hz, FreeSync Premium Pro, ALLM and HDR10+ support, as well as a ton of cloud gaming options. Its picture quality is brilliant too. Best Buy has the 75-inch model for a record-low $1,499.99, so if you want a premium big screen experience for GTA 6, this is it. View Deal
The LG C5 covers all the bases, with OLED picture quality and razor-sharp performance for movies, sports and gaming. Speaking of gaming, it has all the bases covered with 4K 144Hz, full VRR, Dolby Vision gaming and ALLM all covered across four HDMI 2.1 ports. There's a reason it tops most of our best-of lists. The 55-inch model has dropped again to £899 at Amazon, a ridiculous, new record-low price and a steal for a 55-inch OLED. View Deal
LG's best value OLED hits its lowest ever price with this Prime Day deal, with the 48-inch LG B5 hitting £549, superb value for a 48-inch OLED. Perfect for bedroom gaming, the B5 has a full suite of gaming features and delivers smooth gameplay. View Deal
The Samsung S95F delivers superb picture quality, with high brightness, vibrant colors, and effective reflection handling thanks to its anti-glare screen. It's also packed with gaming features and has the performance to match. This deal takes the 55-inch model down to £1,273 at Peter Tyson. It's been as low as £1237.50 recently, but this is today's best deal: and it's still a great one. View Deal
If you want a big screen for gaming on a budget, the 65-inch TCL Q6C is a brilliant choice. This deal for £527 is the cheapest it's ever been and is excellent value for a gaming mini-LED TV. It has great picture quality and a good stock of gaming features for this price level, with 4K 144Hz, Dolby Vision gaming and FreeSync Premium Pro all supported. View Deal
I know I featured the LG C5 55-inch above, but this deal on the 42-inch is too good not to feature. £599 is the cheapest this has ever been and an amazing price. It still delivers the rich colors, strong contrast and the gaming features and performance of its larger siblings, but now it's the ideal size for small rooms. View Deal
The Samsung QN90F is the ideal TV for bright rooms, with an anti-glare screen and solid brightness levels, plus it has a full suite of features for gaming with impressive performance. Gaming in a bright room has never been easier. Th3 55-inch was recently £809.10 so this isn't the cheapest it's been, but it's still an excellent offer. View Deal
If you want more information about the GTA VI launch announcement, you can check out the stories and our TikTok below with all the latest news from Rockstar about this hotly anticipated release.
Ever wanted to take a scene from real life and shrink it into a snow globe-style model (minus the snow) to sit on your shelf, preserved forever?
Well, maybe not forever, but you get the idea, and it's possible to do this now thanks to a firm called Crysta.
As Dany Bittel explains on Patreon, Crysta offered to turn one of their 'Gaussian Splats' – of a bee – into a real-world representation of the insect courtesy of a 3D printer.
@Crysta_AI printed one of my bees as a present! pic.twitter.com/HENIVMXaMJJune 18, 2026
The result, as you can see in the post on X above, is pretty spectacular. But wait a minute, I hear you ask (probably): a Gaussian what-now? If you're not familiar with the concept of a Gaussian Splat, it's a 3D model of a real place or thing, built from video footage that you've filmed on your camera (or maybe a drone for more adventurous constructs).
We've previously covered how this works in an in-depth article where we used a cloud-based service called Splatica to make our Splat, and suffice it to say, it's a very cool process with impressive results.
Going a step further with the impressiveness, though, is taking that Gaussian Splat model and 3D printing it. (Crysta can also do this with an alternative process, Neural Radiance Fields, or NeRF).
How is the model turned (back) into a physical rendition? Bittel notes that: "The Gaussian splat is first voxelated, a bit like a Minecraft level. Each voxel has a mix of inks and can be more or less transparent. This then gets printed on [a] special 3D printer, layer by layer."
As Bittel observes, this is like a modern version of the fly trapped in amber, except it's an entirely artificial construct, built from an artificial model. I absolutely love the idea, and if you do too, you might be wondering how much it costs.
The truth is that it isn't cheap, as you might guess. You'll need to fork out for a Splatica subscription if you go the same way TechRadar did, which is quite pricey (or use an equivalent service or app).
The actual printing of the model by Crysta will run to something like $140 in the US for a 30mm cube, according to Bittel as a guide price (they got one for free, as a present, in case you were wondering). You can go up to a 300mm cube if you want an ornament with a real impact on your room (and likely your wallet, too).
The company ships the 3D printed models globally, although of course, it'll cost more to send outside of the US.
Finally! EcoFlow has dropped the Prime Day price on our top-rated portable power station. It's not often that I refresh a page watch the price change before my eyes. But that's what just happened with the EcoFlow Delta 3 Plus, now $570 (was $899) at Amazon.
Seconds before then, it was sitting at a not unreasonable $700. One refresh later, and it's dropped even further in the Amazon sale. It's also discounted in the UK, where the Delta 3 Plus is now £549 (was £699).
The Delta 3 Plus is a 1024Wh power station that scored the full 5 stars in our review, where we praised it as offering "a balanced combination of power, portability, and versatility."
1024Wh | 1800W
➡️ UK price: now £549 (was £699)
Earning top marks in our tests, we awarded this portable power station an Editor's Choice badge thanks to its compact design, versatile charging options, and robust performance. ★★★★★View Deal
1070Wh | 1500W
➡️ UK price: now £379 (was £419)
I recommend this one for camping this summer - it's practically built for it. In our review, it also earned top marks, making it one of the best of its class. ★★★★★View Deal
288Wh | 600W
➡️ UK price: now £188 (was £228)
My top budget power station overall. In our review, we the Bluetti Elite 30 V2 was a "spectacular option" when you need to quickly top up your devices. View Deal
2042Wh | 2200W
➡️ UK price: now £799 (was £869)
The Jackery Explorer 2000 V2 is a high-capacity unit with a versatile output for devices and appliances. In our review, we found it "excellent for most home uses." ★★★★☆View Deal
288Wh | 300W
➡️ UK price: now £151 (was £189)
This Anker power station is the definition of portable, straddling the line like an oversized power bank. Good for when you need to power devices on the move or when camping.View Deal
The interest in deepfakes-as-a-service (DFaaS) among criminals is growing, and the cybersecurity community is worried it might fuel the next wave of “fake boss” scams.
This is according to a new report from threat exposure management platform, NordStellar. Analyzing discussions on the dark web, the researchers found that between January and May this year, there were 924 posts about DFaaS, up 39% compared to the same period last year, when there were 663 similar posts.
“The rapid growth in popularity of deepfakes as a service is likely accelerated by advancements in generative AI, which help cybercriminals in two ways — by speeding up the creation of deepfakes and making them hyper-realistic,” says Vakaris Noreika, cybersecurity expert at NordStellar. “Ultimately, this service lowers the barrier to entry for deepfake technology, enabling threat actors to deploy highly deceptive attacks at a larger scale, regardless of their personal technical skill set.”
Experts are worried the rising interest might result in more “fake boss” scams which, at that, would be even more difficult to spot. Business Email Compromise (BEC), a “fake boss” scam that primarily uses written emails, has for years been among the most lucrative tactics in the criminal underworld. According to the FBI, BEC was the second costliest tactic last year, with company losses exceeding $3 billion (up 11% compared to 2024).
Defending against highly convincing deepfake images and videos might not be easy, but it certainly isn’t impossible. Noreika suggests businesses should focus on prevention and employee education, since they cannot control whether crooks target them or not.
“The more details and access attackers obtain, the easier it is for them to craft highly realistic, targeted attacks,” says Noreika. “Monitoring the dark web for leaked company information is a critical step in preventing cybercriminals from finding credentials to breach accounts or data to use as intel.”
A US F-15 pilot was shot down over Iranian territory during the US-Israel war against Iran in April 2026, and he spent several hours on the ground before special operations forces completed his rescue.
During a subsequent debriefing, the pilot reportedly described unusual aerial activity involving Iranian drones during the combat operations that preceded his downing.
He claimed the drones assumed a formation resembling a jellyfish, with multiple units moving together in coordinated patterns across the airspace above him.
Intelligence officials reportedly debated the account at length, with one source describing the scene internally as “real alien sh*t.”
Officials disagreed sharply on how to interpret the events, noting the pilot had suffered a concussion during the crash itself.
He had also previously been involved in a friendly fire incident earlier in the conflict, so some analysts questioned whether he had accurately perceived events, or whether sensory distortion under extreme stress shaped his account.
Some intelligence analysts, however, also considered whether the reported pattern could reflect an emerging form of coordinated drone control rather than a misperception.
The technical concept referenced throughout internal analysis was described as one-to-many meshed networking, a system allowing several drones to be commanded simultaneously.
Reports suggested Iran may have received external assistance from China and Russia in developing its drone technologies during the broader conflict period.
Iranian forces had reportedly used attack drones as asymmetric weapons throughout weeks of operations against US, Israeli, and Gulf state forces.
Defense expert Emma Bates told CNN that countering this kind of coordination would demand enormous resources.
“We will spend huge, huge dollars, like a lot of blood and treasure, protecting ourselves from something that can coordinate like that,” said Emma Bates, a drone warfare and defense modernization expert.
She noted that drones maintaining a coordinated shape while carrying explosives, and reserving capacity for follow-up strikes, would represent a genuinely capable approach.
Officials separately noted that meshed networking could theoretically support internet connectivity in remote regions lacking infrastructure, though such civilian applications remain largely hypothetical for now.
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence declined to comment publicly on the pilot's account or any ongoing internal assessment.
Whether the pilot witnessed genuine drone coordination, misperceived events under extreme stress, or described something intelligence agencies have yet to fully understand remains unresolved.
Via CNN
Western Digital's quirky portable SSD currently has a 41% price cut, with the WD 1TB My Passport currently $185 (was $313) at Amazon.
Offering an alternative to what some vendors call 'portable storage', Western Digital's My Passport is (quite literally) the size of a passport. But that doesn't mean it compromises on speed—with up to 1000MB/s read and write—or ruggedness, as it is rated to survive a 6.5ft drop.
The My Passport SSD is therefore perfectly suited to storing large media projects and files for the on-the-go professional who needs a shock-resistant storage option that doesn't burn (or wear) a hole in your pocket. For anyone looking to move on from USB thumb drives, this is the logical progression, and right now it has $128 off for Prime Day.
For rugged storage, the My Passport from Western Digital is a blazing fast portable SSD that won't weigh you down. For the outdoor creatives or commuting professional, this SSD will handle almost anything you throw at it.View Deal
Now, while the My Passport won't give you the speedy performance of a mounted SSD, we did clock transfer speeds of 1046MBps read and 1013MBps write in, which is above the manufacturers baseline. In his review, our very own storage expert Désiré called the My Passport "a compelling choice" in its balance of performance and size.
Western Digital does have a few variations for its My Passport range, including a heavier, larger USB 2.0/3.0 option. But this USB C version is the superior choice, not only for more than twice as fast transfer speeds (500MBps for the USB version), but also for the form factor. It is noticeably smaller and lighter than its bigger brothers.
The USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 delivers a 20 Gbps with the right cable, but also offers backwards compatibility with USB 3.2 or 2.0 cables.
What I find particularly attractive is the password protection and built-in always active 256-bit AES hardware encryption, making physically transporting precious media and important files less of a daunting task. Even if I were to lose it or have it stolen, I'd at least have the peace of mind that no one can access my files. Additionally, if you do somehow manage to damage this rugged SSD, it comes with a 5-year manufacturers warranty
Samsung's T9 Portable SSD delivers blazing-fast transfer speeds of up to 2,000MB/s via USB 3.2 Gen 2x2. Compact and durable, it's an excellent choice for students and professionals who need fast, reliable portable storage.View Deal
This ultracompact 2TB portable SSD offers transfer speeds of up to 1,050MB/s and supports Apple ProRes 4K 60fps recording. With IP65-rated dust and water resistance, it's a great choice for creators.View Deal
- Releases on HBO Max from July 23 on a weekly basis, consists of 10 episodes
- First full trailer has been released
- Kevin Sussman, Brian Posehn, Lauren Lapkus and John Ross Bowie are all set to reprise their roles from The Big Bang Theory
- Follows Stuart starting a 'multiverse Armageddon' after breaking a device built by Sheldon and Leonard
Fans have been asking for a spinoff of The Big Bang Theory for years... but I don't think they were expecting Stuart Fails to Save the Universe.
Created by Chuck Lorre, Zak Penn, and Bill Prady, Kevin Sussman reprises the role of Stuart, the awkward and angsty comic book shop owner who often plays host to many classic TBBT scenes, not to mention its ever-spiralling scientific lore.
While the main season ran until 2019, Young Sheldon and Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage have taken over the reins when it comes to keeping the 'Sheldonverse' alive. Seven years later, and we're returning to the original story — only it's nothing like it, really.
In all honesty, it looks like a hilarious spoof of The Walking Dead with a comic book twist. But what do we actually know about the new HBO Max show?
Stuart Fails to Save the Universe consists of 10 episodes, which will debut on HBO on July 23 at 9pm ET.
It will also be available to stream on HBO Max. New episodes will debut on subsequent Thursdays.
The full trailer was released on June 23, which you can watch above. There's a bunch of direct references to classic movies, from Mad Max to Alien.
We're expecting the following main cast members to appear in Stuart Fails to Save the Universe:
However, according to the synopsis (which you can read in full below), we can also expect to see some cameo appearances of alternate TBBT characters.
Annoyingly, we don't know exactly who yet. This will likely be kept under wraps until episodes air, so keep your eyes peeled.
Here's the official synopsis: "Comic book store owner Stuart Bloom is tasked with restoring reality after he breaks a device built by Sheldon (Jim Parsons) and Leonard (Johnny Galecki), accidentally bringing about a multiverse Armageddon.
"Stuart is aided in this quest by his girlfriend Denise, geologist friend Bert, and quantum physicist/all-around pain in the ass Barry Kripke. Along the way, they meet alternate-universe versions of characters we’ve come to know and love from The Big Bang Theory. As the title implies, things don’t go well."
See what I mean about those potential cameos? A lot of TBBT lore is set to be featured here, and fan theories are already spreading across the internet like wildfire.
None of these is confirmed, however, so don't believe everything you read.
Out of the four shows that currently make up the Sheldonverse, this is the correct chronological order for them (according to time, not when they were released):
There's currently no confirmation that Stuart Fails to Save the Universe and The Big Bang Theory will directly cross over, outside of the tipped cameos.
However, as a show with alternate realities, it is logically feasible that some of these realities just happen to be the set of TBBT, or Sheldon's childhood home in Medford, Texas. Even more so for the latter, as the set is currently being used to film Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage season 3.
We'll have to wait until the show starts airing to see if any of this is true.
If you place a GTA 6 pre-order on a digital storefront for PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X and Series S, you immediately get access to a free month of GTA+.
But what exactly is it, and how should you use it? Here's what you need to know.
GTA+ is Rockstar's subscription service, primarily intended for the most devoted GTA Online players.
It gives you access to a load of benefits in the multiplayer game, including a monthly $500,000 in-game cash injection, a 15% bonus when you buy Shark Cards (the game's currency gift cards), and reward multipliers in certain missions.
You also get access to The Vinewood Car Club, where you can claim a free vehicle or modify your existing collection in its exclusive workshop. The Car Club also boasts a 100-car garage for you to use.
This is on top of monthly drops that include exclusive liveries, special paint jobs, and unique clothing. Other smaller benefits include free taxi rides in-game, access to a discounted gun store, the ability to bribe the police to reduce your wanted level, and some other additional features.
These are some fantastic benefits if you're a big GTA Online player, but GTA+ does also have something to offer with its game library...
Alongside its GTA Online benefits, GTA+ includes access to a range of Rockstar Games title. The selection changes on a regular basis, but right now the following GTA games can be played:
That's not everything, though, as there are some titles from other series included too:
As you can see, the games are available on a wide range of platforms, with some even available for mobile devices.
Out of all the games here, I would recommend checking out Vice City the most ahead of GTA 6, either as part of Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition or its standalone The Definitive Edition version.
With GTA 6 set to take place in the same fictional city, it's likely going to offer important context and should get you up to speed ahead of the new game.
One month of GTA+ usually costs $9.99 / £6.99 / A$11.95 per month.
If you do make use of the free month, remember to cancel the auto-renewal unless you wish to continue your subscription at those rates.
Have you finally decided to jump into Dungeons & Dragons? Well this guide is for you, as I’ve been playing the game for over a decade and have gathered up essential books and accessories you’ll need to go on your first adventure.
There’s no fluff here like D&D-inspired coffee cups or t-shirts; it’s all genuinely useful stuff that I’ve used in my own games (or very similar to the accessories I have at home).
Best of all, they’re all discounted for Amazon Prime Day. Scroll down for the collection of gear, or quickly read through my description of what each item is, and what it’s best for.
• View the full Amazon Prime Day sale
The Player’s Handbook, Dungeon Master’s Guide, and Monster Manual are known collectively as the core rulebooks; they have everything your playgroup will need to build characters and head out on an adventure together. They were revised in 2024 to make them more beginner-friendly and to update some rules, and they're some of the best places to start.
If you want more help with your adventures, the Heroes of Faerun, and Adventures of Faerun books are ideal for players and DMs who loved the Baldur’s Gate 3 setting. You’ll see familiar faces and places from those games, plus there are some premade adventures to help get the ball rolling on your own game. Alternatively, the Dragon Delves book will give you a collection of dragon-based adventures to enjoy if you want a more literal Dungeons and Dragons experience.
Then, if you’re playing in person, maps and tokens are super helpful at tracking where players and monsters are while they’re battling. Dice are also essential, you can’t play D&D without them, and a set of five should be enough to cover my preferred group size — four players and one Dungeon Master. Meanwhile, the DM screen and notebook are ideal for keeping track of story details, core D&D rules, and adding an air of mystery to what the DM is doing.
Finally, if you want to simply dip your toe into D&D, the Welcome to the Hellfire Club adventure is a box set with pre-made characters, DM notes, and everything you need to play out of the box. You might just want some extra dice.
Looking to watch World Cup 2026 in Portugal for free? Selected games are free to watch, but not all of them. But needn't miss out – potentially, you can watch all 104 games for free. We'll explain below.
Despite qualifying for the FIFA World Cup every year since 2002, and making it to fourth place in Doha, Portugal has yet to win the world's biggest football tournament. Portugal arrives at the 2026 World Cup as the seventh-ranked team in the world, headed by Cristiano Ronaldo in his final World Cup.
If you're in Portugal for the World Cup and want to keep up with all 104 games, you have a couple of options. And if you're in another country but still want to catch the free Portuguese coverage, we've got you covered with an exclusive VPN deal.
Vamos! Here's out quick and easy guide to how to watch and stream World Cup 2026 in Portugal.
In Portugal, all 104 games of World Cup 2026 are being shown by Sport TV, which starts at €25.99 per month or €20.99 per month when billed annually.
RTP, SIC and TVI jointly acquired rights to broadcast 20 matches free-to-air, including all Portugal matches, the opening game, both semifinals and the final.
RTP will show six matches, with SIC and TVI showing seven each.
Looking for free streams of all 104 games? If you're visiting Portugal from one of the countries below, you can watch all 104 games for free with a VPN!
🇬🇧 UK: BBC/ITV (English commentary)
🇦🇺 Australia: SBS On Demand (English commentary)
🇧🇷 Brazil: CazéTV's YouTube (no account required)
🇮🇪 Ireland: RTE Player (English commentary)
🇳🇱 Netherlands: NOS
🇨🇭 Switzerland: SRF Play / RTS Play / RSI Play
🇹🇷 Turkey: TRT
REMEMBER: If you're traveling through Portugal while the World Cup is on, you can use a VPN to bypass geoblockers and access your local coverage. Norton VPN is our top pick of the options
If you're traveling in Portugal from another country during World Cup 2026, you might find it difficult to access broadcasts from back home.
A VPN can help you watch geo-blocked content as if you were back at home, with a quick and secure connection – any of the best VPNs will do, but our pick is Norton VPN.
We recommend Norton VPN. Here’s why:
▶︎ World Cup MEGA Deal — 60-day money back guarantee
Watch your free World Cup stream without limits. Norton VPN delivers fast, secure connections with global servers, so you can stream from anywhere with ease.
💰 60-day money-back guarantee
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Don’t miss a second. Stream the World Cup from anywhere with total confidence.View Deal
Sport TV remains the premium World Cup destination
While key matches are available for free on RTP/SIC/TVI, Portuguese fans who want broader tournament coverage typically use Sport TV, which carries extensive coverage, analysis, studio shows and additional matches beyond the free-to-air package.
Portugal is still a very traditional TV market for football
Unlike some countries where major tournaments are predominantly streamed many Portuguese viewers still watch football through linear television (RTP, SIC, TVI, Sport TV). Conversely, the UK's BBC says live coverage streaming records "were broken in week one with France vs Senegal becoming the biggest ever UHD event on the BBC at over 600k concurrent streams.
Studio analysis is a major part of the viewing experience
Portuguese football broadcasts tend to be heavily analysis-driven. Sport TV especially positions itself as the "premium football" broadcaster in Portugal and uses a rotating pool of pundits including Nuno Gomes, Pedro Barbosa, Costinha, and André Martins.
(All times ET)
GROUP STAGE
Thursday, June 11
3pm – Mexico vs South Africa
10pm – South Korea vs Czech Republic
Friday, June 12
3pm – Canada vs Bosnia & Herzegovina
9pm – USA vs Paraguay
Saturday, June 13
3pm – Qatar vs Switzerland
6pm – Brazil vs Morocco
9pm – Haiti vs Scotland
Sunday, June 14
12am – Australia vs Turkey
1pm – Germany vs Curacao
4pm – Netherlands vs Japan
7pm – Ivory Coast vs Ecuador
10pm – Sweden vs Tunisia
Monday, June 15
12pm – Spain vs Cape Verde
3pm – Belgium vs Egypt
6pm – Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay
9pm – Iran vs New Zealand
Tuesday, June 16
3pm – France vs Senegal
6pm – Iraq vs Norway
9pm – Argentina vs Algeria
Wednesday, June 17
12am – Austria vs Jordan
1pm – Portugal vs DR Congo
4pm – England vs Croatia
7pm – Ghana vs Panama
10pm – Uzbekistan vs Colombia
Thursday, June 18
12pm – Czech Republic vs South Africa
3pm – Switzerland vs Bosnia & Herzegovina
6pm – Canada vs Qatar
9pm – Mexico vs South Korea
Friday, June 19
3pm – USA vs Australia
6pm – Scotland vs Morocco
9pm – Brazil vs Haiti
Saturday, June 20
12am – Turkey vs Paraguay
1pm – Netherlands vs Sweden
4pm – Germany vs Ivory Coast
8pm – Ecuador vs Curacao
Sunday, June 21
12am – Tunisia vs Japan
12pm – Spain vs Saudi Arabia
3pm – Belgium vs Iran
6pm – Uruguay vs Cape Verde
9pm – New Zealand vs Egypt
Monday, June 22
1pm – Argentina vs Austria
5pm – France vs Iraq
8pm – Norway vs Senegal
11pm – Jordan vs Algeria
Tuesday, June 23
1pm – Portugal vs Uzbekistan
4pm – England vs Ghana
7pm – Panama vs Croatia
10pm – Colombia vs DR Congo
Wednesday, June 24
3pm – Switzerland vs Canada
3pm – Bosnia & Herzegovina vs Qatar
6pm – Morocco vs Haiti
6pm – Scotland vs Brazil
9pm – South Africa vs South Korea
9pm – Czech Republic vs Mexico
Thursday, June 25
4pm – Curacao vs Ivory Coast
4pm – Ecuador vs Germany
7pm – Tunisia vs Netherlands
7pm – Japan vs Sweden
10pm – Turkey vs USA
10pm – Paraguay vs Australia
Friday, June 26
3pm – Norway vs France
3pm – Senegal vs Iraq
8pm – Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia
8pm – Uruguay vs Spain
11pm – New Zealand vs Belgium
11pm – Egypt vs Iran
Saturday, June 27
5pm – Panama vs England
5pm – Croatia vs Ghana
7.30pm – Colombia vs Portugal
7.30pm – DR Congo vs Uzbekistan
10pm – Algeria vs Austria
10pm – Jordan vs Argentina
KNOCKOUT STAGE
ROUND OF 32
Sunday, June 28
3pm – A2 vs B2
Monday, June 29
1pm – C1 vs F2
4.30pm – E1 vs A/B/C/D/F3
9pm – F1 vs C2
Tuesday, June 30
1pm – E2 vs I2
5pm – I1 vs C/D/F/G/H3
9pm – A1 vs C/E/F/H/I3
Wednesday, July 1
12pm – L1 vs E/H/I/J/K3
4pm – G1 vs A/E/H/I/J3
8pm – D1 vs B/E/F/I/J3
Thursday, July 2
3pm – H1 vs J2
7pm – K2 vs L2
11pm – B1 vs E/F/G/I/J3
Friday, July 3
2pm – D2 vs G2
6pm – J1 vs H2
9.30pm – K1 vs D/E/I/J/L3
ROUND OF 16
Saturday, July 4
1pm – Round of 16 game 1
5pm – Round of 16 game 2
Sunday, July 5
4pm – Round of 16 game 3
8pm – Round of 16 game 4
Monday, July 6
3pm – Round of 16 game 5
8pm – Round of 16 game 6
Tuesday, July 7
12pm – Round of 16 game 7
4pm – Round of 16 game 8
QUARTER-FINALS
Thursday, July 9
4pm – Quarter-final 1
Friday, July 10
3pm – Quarter-final 2
Saturday, July 11
5pm – Quarter-final 3
9pm – Quarter-final 4
SEMI-FINALS
Tuesday, July 14
3pm – Semi-final 1
Wednesday, July 15
3pm – Semi-final 2
FINALS
Saturday, July 18
5pm – Third-place playoff
Sunday, July 19
3pm – 2026 FIFA World Cup final
Group K
Portugal
Uzbekistan
Colombia
DR Congo
Over in Brazil, CazeTV is streaming all 104 World Cup 2026 games for free via its YouTube channel with Portuguese-language commentary and analysis, but access is limited to those in Brazil.
If you're traveling in Portugal during the World Cup, but still want to keep up with CazeTV's World Cup 2026 coverage, you can use a VPN and set your location back to Brazil.
Our top pick for the World Cup is Norton VPN - check out our guide to watching World Cup 2026 on YouTube for more details.
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
This week's Prime Day sale at Amazon features hundreds of price cuts on laptops of all shapes and sizes. You would expect that, given it's the biggest sale of the year at the retailer. Between you and me, however, I usually find rival retailer sales to offer just as good discounts.
In fact, having scanned through various sales, I'd say retailers like Dell, Best Buy, and Walmart are really giving Amazon a run for its money during its big day.
Just below, you can see 13 laptop deals that you won't find on Amazon today, with options starting at just $159. That includes Chromebooks, cheap Windows 11 options, and plenty of gaming laptops. Yes, even gaming laptops have relatively good deals today, despite the ongoing RAM crisis.
Highlights include the Dell 14 Plus (one of our favorite mid-range laptops) for $799 (was $1,419), the Dell XPS 13 for $999 (was $1,399), and this RTX 5070-equipped MSI Cyborg gaming laptop for $1,089 (was 1,599) at Walmart.
I'd also highlight the latest MacBook Air 13 for $949 (was $1,099) at Best Buy as another great option because the retailer's trade-in program is really solid. You can see all of these deals, and other 'anti-Prime Day' listings, just down below.
Processor: Intel Celeron N4500
RAM: 4GB
Storage: 64GB
If you're looking for a machine that can just cover the basics, then this 14-inch Chromebook is easily one of the cheapest ways to do so. OK, so an Intel Celeron chipset and 4GB of RAM isn't exactly world-beating in terms of power, but you really don't need much to run a Chromebook. We've been impressed by HP's Chromebooks when we've reviewed them, so this is definitely a good low-cost option. View Deal
Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 7730U
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 512GB
The Acer Aspire Go 15 is a lightweight and surprisingly powerful laptop for the price. We reviewed it last year and scored it an impressive four stars out of five. Although it's not a high-end laptop by any stretch, it is very usable, lightweight, and features plenty of ports. This particular configuration features a Ryzen 7 chipset, meaning it's powerful enough to take on most applications.View Deal
Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 250
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 512GB
In terms of sheer bang for the buck, you'll be hard-pressed to find a better option than this Dell 16 at the official Dell Store today. The standard 16-inch laptop isn't as fancy as some of the higher-end options at Dell, but this workhorse machine features a powerful Ryzen 7 chipset and 16GB of RAM — enough to tackle most tasks. If you just want a powerful machine for working from home, then this is a fantastic option.View Deal
Processor: AMD Ryzen AI 7 350
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 1TB
The Dell 14 Plus is one of our favorite models from Dell in the past few years. It really surprised us when we reviewed it because it offers great performance and a well-thought-out design at an excellent price. Today's best deal is on this Ryzen 7-equipped configuration, which offers plenty of power in this machine's portable 14-inch form factor. View Deal
Best Buy has just posted a great deal for the latest Apple MacBook Air 13 — an excellent laptop by all accounts. With an impressive $150 discount, this deal addresses our main complaint with the M5 Air: namely, that it's pricier than the previous model. Now, you're getting the latest chipset, 16GB of RAM, and a bigger 512GB SSD for much less, with a price that arguably challenges even the budget MacBook Neo when it comes to outright value. Note that this machine has been $50 cheaper before, but Best Buy's trade-in program is particularly good for getting a much cheaper device. View Deal
Processor: Snapdragon X Elite
RAM: 32GB
Storage: 512GB
One of the best deals on the entire Dell site is undoubtedly this discount on the latest Snapdragon-equipped Dell XPS 13. This stylish and lightweight machine is perfect for those who want battery life and performance in a premium package. This particular configuration also includes 32GB of RAM, which is a very rare thing indeed these days at this price. Note, this is a Snapdragon chipset model, however, so make sure all your obscure apps are supported.View Deal
Processor: Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 1TB
If you'd prefer an Intel-based Dell XPS 13, the best option is this Ultra-7 configuration. While not quite as good bang for the buck as the Snapdragon configuration above, this is still a great deal on a very powerful machine. The Ultra 7 chipset here still provides great battery life, despite being an Intel-based option. View Deal
Processor: Snapdragon X2 Elite
RAM: 32GB
Storage: 1TB SSD
A powerful chipset, stunning design, and high-end OLED display — what's not to love with the Yoga Slim 7x? This 14-inch machine really impressed us when we reviewed it, and while it's still quite pricey, today's discount at the official Lenovo Store really helps offset the blow. If you're looking for a special, high-end laptop, then this is a great option this week.View Deal
Graphics card: RTX 5070
Processor: Intel Core 7-240H
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 1TB
This MSI Cyborg 15 at Walmart is one of the cheapest gaming laptops I've seen in recent months to feature an RTX 5070 graphics card. That's usually a pretty pricey component, but surprisingly, you're also getting a decent chipset and a 1TB SSD here. Annoyingly, you do only get 16GB of RAM, which will hamper your performance headroom somewhat.View Deal
Graphics card: RTX 5070
Processor: Intel Core 7 Series 2
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 512GB
The above Acer Nitro V Slim 16 also comes in an Intel-based configuration, which is also a decent buy today. It's a little pricier, but you get an Intel Core 7 Series 2 chipset and 16GB of DDR5 RAM. These should, on paper at least, give you a decent boost in performance.View Deal
Graphics card: RTX 5060
Processor: Intel Core Ultra 9
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 1TB
This Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S might seem like it's a little on the pricey side for a machine with an RTX 5060, but this is a great price on this premium model. Not only do you get a powerful Intel Core Ultra 9 chipset under the hood here, but this Predator Helios Neo 16S also features a high-end OLED display, which is a notch above the usual panels you find on cheaper machines.View Deal
Graphics card: RTX 5070
Processor: Intel Core Ultra 9 285H
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 1TB
The price cut on this HP Omen 16 at Best Buy isn't huge, but it's still one of the best value RTX 5070 gaming laptops you'll find on the market this week. Pairing up your RTX 5070 with a powerful Intel Ultra 9 chipset means plenty of headroom for all the latest titles. Annoyingly, this machine only comes with 16GB of RAM, but you do get a spacious 1TB SSD as a bonus.View Deal
Processor: Intel Core 7 (Series 2) 240H
RAM: 32GB
Storage: 1TB
A number of Alienware gaming laptops are on sale today, but my favorite deal has to be this listing on the brand-new Alienware 15. While a little pricey for a machine with an RTX 5060 graphics card, you get 32GB of RAM and an Intel Core 7 chipset here for great out-of-the-box performance. Considering this machine features a 1200p display, you've got everything you need here for smooth performance in-game.View Deal
Google has begun rolling out the June 2026 spam update globally and across all languages. It's the second spam update of the year.
The post Google Begins Rolling Out The June 2026 Spam Update appeared first on Search Engine Journal.
MSI unleashes a wide range of Amazon Prime Day deals Amazon’s Prime Day sale has arrived, and MSI is ready with a range of deals spanning motherboards, graphics cards, power supplies, and more. If you aren’t a subscriber to Amazon’s Prime service, you can start a 30-day free trial here to access Free Delivery and other […]
The post MSI unleashes its Prime Day PC deals appeared first on OC3D.
A look at the built-in computer use tool in Gemini 3.5 Flash.I've never seen PC component prices hit such a high in all my life as they have in 2026, and it's making it really hard to upgrade or build new. As a fellow PC gamer and build enthusiast, I know how the struggle feels.
While I can't predict when the RAM and SSD crisis will end, I can offer some deals on PC components I found at Amazon Prime Day and Newegg's competing FantasTech sale.
Whether it's a new SSD, more RAM, a speedy GPU, a gaming CPU, or a bundle with extra savings, these are the best PC component deals I was able to find so far.
You can get twice as much storage as the discounted 1TB model for only about $143 more, which really isn't much in this current SSD climate. The price hasn't been this low in nearly five months, and this is a stellar M.2 PCIe 5.0 NVMe SSD.
AMD's Ryzen 7 7800X3D is STILL one of the absolute best gaming CPUs you can buy in 2026, and it's now $100 off at Newegg for a limited time. Just be sure to use code FTTF72 at checkout. Get a free Cooler Master Elite Liquid 240 AiO cooler with the deal.
This is one of the few bundles offering RAM; in this case, it's 16GB of DDR5 from T-Force Delta RGB. It's paired with an ASUS ROG Strix B650E-I Gaming motherboard and a 1TB Samsung 990 Pro SSD. Add a CPU, and you're off to the races.
Don't want to piece your own PC together? No problem. This pre-built with an Intel Core i5-14400F CPU, Intel Arc B570 GPU, 16GB of RAM, and 1TB SSD is more powerful than the Steam Machine and costs quite a bit less.
Don't need to overspend on the Ryzen 7 9800X3D? No problem. AMD's Ryzen 5 9600X is a great chip, and this bundle pairs it with a Gigabyte B850 AORUS Elite motherboard and a Samsung 990 PRO 1TB SSD. You get a free Cooler Master Elite Liquid 240 AiO cooler with the bundle.
This bundle has exactly what you need to kickstart a killer gaming PC, including the best possible CPU in the Ryzen 7 9800X3D. Newegg is also throwing in a free Cooler Master Elite Liquid 240 AiO with an $80 value.
This is easily some of the best DDR5-6000 RAM on the market, and even without inflated prices, it's generally more expensive than alternatives. Newegg is dropping the price by $115 when you use code FTTF374 at checkout.
Corsair's Vengeance DDR5-6000 RAM is what I have in my PC, and it's serving me very well. Newegg has a regular sale price of $435.99 active, but you can save an additional $46 by using code FTTF378 at checkout.
The 1TB model is the most affordable 9100 PRO version out there, falling by 39% to hit $206.99. This is the lowest price I've seen in 2026; just make sure you don't need the 2TB or 4TB versions, also on sale.
This is arguably the best M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD you can buy in 2026, both for speed and reliability. It costs more than some of the competition, but this massive deal helps ease the pain.
Storage is nearly as pricey as RAM, but this speedy M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe drive lands you 4TB of space for $0.10 per GB. Not bad at all; just be sure to use code FTTF462 at checkout for the complete discount.
AMD's Ryzen 7 7700X remains a stellar Zen 4 chip for gaming that uses the common AM5 socket. It has 8 cores and 16 threads, with DDR5 and PCIe 5.0 support.
This monster CPU is great for gaming and for work, boasting 12 cores and a 4.4GHz clock. Get the full $70 discount by using code FTTF74 at checkout, and Newegg is tossing in a free Cooler Master Elite Liquid 240 AiO cooler, an $80 value.
Plenty of VRAM, a triple-fan cooling setup, and NVIDIA's DLSS 4.5 techniques make this one hell of a gaming GPU. It's normally $67 off, but Newegg will knock off another $30 if you have a Newegg account.
AMD's Radeon RX 9070 XT GPU sets you up nicely for the future with 16GB of VRAM and performance about on par with NVIDIA's RTX 5070 Ti.
Amazon Prime Day is typically the best time to buy new tech during the summer, and it's especially meaningful this year as PC component prices have skyrocketed.
Prime Day is a four-day event that started at 12:01 AM PDT on Tuesday, June 23, and runs until the end of Friday, June 26.
While Windows Central primarily covers Amazon Prime Day sales in the United States and the United Kingdom, the event takes place in 26 countries, including Canada and Ireland.
Generally, yes, you need an active Prime membership to take advantage of Prime Day benefits and deals hosted at Amazon. If you aren't already a member, you can quickly sign up for Amazon Prime for $14.99 per month (taxes not included). New customers can take advantage of a 30-day trial of Prime membership, while anyone between 18 and 24 years old (and students) can sign up for a separate, free 6-month "Prime for Young Adults" trial.
Yes, Amazon's rivals are running competing events, including Best Buy's "Tech Fest", Newegg's "FantasTech Sale", and Walmart's "Deals & More", which all end on June 28, 2026. Each retailer can offer its own membership perks, such as My Best Buy Plus / Total and Walmart Plus, and it's important to remember that Amazon does not always offer the best deal during Prime Day. Windows Central will compare prices across retailers, so you can choose the best fit for you.
I'm a huge fan of many "Soulslike" action RPGs that draw heavy inspiration from FromSoftware hits like Elden Ring and the Dark Souls series, though ultimately, I feel many of them lack the refinement and polish of the studio's work.
With that said, there are titles such as Lies of P and Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty that compare, and notably, both of them are available on Xbox Game Pass. Another Game Pass Soulslike that quickly became a favorite of mine is the 2023 Lords of the Fallen reboot, and I've very much been looking forward to its sequel that was announced in 2024.
Lords of the Fallen 2 was originally scheduled to launch in 2026, but developer CI Games has just announced that it's delaying the dark fantasy ARPG into Q1 2027. Given how excited I am for the game, I was quite disappointed to see this at first, but after reading the studio's reasoning, I actually don't mind the extra wait at all.
"Lords of the Fallen II is now set for a Q1 2027 release window. As development progresses, we have worked closely with the Gameplay Feedback Team, a dedicated group of seasoned Souls-like veterans within our Launch Creative Team," writes CI Games CEO Marek Tyminski. "Their valuable ongoing input, combined with the team’s vision, has identified meaningful opportunities to further refine and strengthen the overall experience."
"These enhancements will benefit from additional integration, iteration, and polishing time, enabling the team to deliver the highest possible quality at launch," he added.
Tyminski then went on to note that moving the release date back also gives Lords of the Fallen some breathing room, as plenty of big games are set to come out on the tail end of 2026. One that will no doubt come to mind for pretty much everyone is GTA 6, which is expected to have a launch so massive that the entire industry is shifting release schedules around it.
"This updated release window also strategically positions Lords of the Fallen II outside of a highly competitive holiday period, ensuring the game receives the dedicated attention it deserves," he said.
He then promised fans that "The team remains fully energized by the strong response to our recent reveals and is deeply focused on delivering a standout dark fantasy action RPG and a worthy successor to the Lords of the Fallen franchise."
"We are grateful for the continued passion, feedback, and support from our community, and we look forward to sharing more updates in the coming months," Tyminski added.
So, ultimately, Lords of the Fallen 2 is being pushed back for continued gameplay refinements and to give it a better chance to perform well — both of which will hopefully result in a more enjoyable and successful experience. For that, I hardly mind waiting a few more months, though after seeing how good the game looks in trailers like the one I embedded above, I'd be lying if I said I didn't wish I could get my hands on it sooner.
What are your thoughts on how Lords of the Fallen 2 is looking? Let me know in the comments, and in our poll.
Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.
Excited for Grand Theft Auto 6 pre-orders to go live? Us too! But hold on to your wallets, before you hit that pre-order button, there’s a savvy way to shave a few dollars off the final cost.
While the game itself isn't officially discounted from its $80 price tag ($100 for the Ultimate Edition) just yet, you can effectively create your own discount by topping up your Xbox or PlayStation account using discounted gift cards from Loaded. By purchasing these cards at a lower price than their face value, you lower your total cost of GTA 6.
Thanks to Loaded, we can stack and save. Don't just buy one gift card; mix and match denominations to get you as close to $80 (or $100 if you are going for the Ultimate Edition) as possible.
The $25 Xbox Gift Card is currently the best value as it has 6% shaved off the price, so as previously mentioned, the best strategy here is to grab 4 of these to stack for the $100 Ultimate Edition. View Deal
If you aren't the type of person who is willing to jump through a few hoops to save some cash, then you’ve definitely come to the wrong place. I am more than happy to inconvenience myself for the sake of a discount, especially with how expensive gaming has become.
While the $80 price tag for Grand Theft Auto 6 wasn't as painful as we all feared, the reality is that much of the content is gated behind the $100 Ultimate Edition, effectively making it the "essential" purchase if you’re as hyped for this game as I am. In that respect, the more I can justify the price, the better. An extra $6 is an extra $6. I could buy Vampire Survivors again for that price and have a dollar to spare!
Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.
Generative AI has made a significant impact across education, computing, medicine, entertainment, and more. However, all that progress comes with a hefty price tag. The amount of electricity these systems burn through, plus the insane amounts of water needed to keep them cool, is honestly outrageous.
For context, Microsoft and Google's electricity consumption in 2024 surpassed the power usage of over 100 countries. Similarly, OpenAI's GPT-4 AI model consumes up to 3 water bottles to generate 100 words.
Earlier this month, Microsoft shared an interesting concept that may potentially address the water concerns riddling the progression and advancement of AI. CEO Satya Nadella revealed that the tech giant uses a liquid loop in its data centers, which is filled once. As a result, the company's data centers' water consumption has reduced significantly, down to "what a single restaurant would use."
And now it looks like NVIDIA is taking a page from Microsoft’s playbook. Speaking at London Climate Week on Monday, a top executive suggested that water concerns tied to data center development could be addressed through the company's next-generation AI infrastructure.
The executive further disclosed that the company's new next-gen AI infrastructure can be fully cooled with a liquid warm enough to alleviate the need for additional chilling equipment (Axios).
According to NVIDIA's Chief Sustainability Officer, Josh Parker:
"The water consumption challenge for data centers is largely solved."
How does this liquid work? It’s basically a recirculated mix of water and propylene — think automotive antifreeze. It’s worth noting that the system can operate at temperatures up to 113 degrees Fahrenheit.
As such, this allows it to function reliably in hotter environments compared to older systems. In practical terms, data centers equipped with NVIDIA’s next-generation AI infrastructure will require significantly less water and energy for cooling, reducing both operational costs and environmental impact.
This announcement comes at a time when concerns over water and energy use are mounting, as data centers continue to expand into community corridors. Microsoft has seemingly embraced the "Community-First" AI infrastructure, which addresses some of the issues raised by communities themselves, including reducing its water consumption and promising not to increase electricity bills.
Elsewhere, Microsoft’s plan to build a $1 billion data center in Kenya came to an abrupt halt in early May after the government declined to commit to covering the annual capacity costs Microsoft had requested to run Azure in the region. President William Ruto remarked that the facility’s power demands would be so immense that it would effectively require “switching off half the country” to keep it operational.
Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.
Google has released the June 2026 spam update today at around noon ET. This follows the May 2026 core update, following the March 2026 core update, the March 2026 spam update, and the February 2026 Discover update.
What Google said. Google wrote, “Released the June 2026 spam update, which applies globally and to all languages. The rollout may take a few days to complete.”
Timing. This update may only take just a few days to roll out.
Why we care. Google released search ranking updates several times per year. Spam updates should impact sites using manipulative techniques to abuse the search ranking algorithm. If your site is not doing any of that, then you should be okay.
More on spam update. Google’s documentation says:
“While Google’s automated systems to detect search spam are constantly operating, we occasionally make notable improvements to how they work. When we do, we refer to this as a spam update and share when they happen on our list of Google Search ranking updates.
For example, SpamBrain is our AI-based spam-prevention system. From time-to-time, we improve that system to make it better at spotting spam and to help ensure it catches new types of spam.
Sites that see a change after a spam update should review our spam policies to ensure they are complying with those. Sites that violate our policies may rank lower in results or not appear in results at all. Making changes may help a site improve if our automated systems learn over a period of months that the site complies with our spam policies.
In the case of a link spam update (an update that specifically deals with link spam), making changes might not generate an improvement. This is because when our systems remove the effects spammy links may have, any ranking benefit the links may have previously generated for your site is lost. Any potential ranking benefits generated by those links cannot be regained.”
Google is effectively closing the door on creating new Smart Campaigns through its API, suggesting a continued shift toward newer automated campaign types such as Performance Max and away from legacy automation products.
What’s happening. Google announced that developers will no longer be able to create new Smart Campaigns through the Google Ads API beginning August 3rd.
Existing Smart Campaigns will not be affected and will continue serving ads. Advertisers and developers will also retain the ability to update and manage those campaigns through the API.
The change applies specifically to the creation of new Smart Campaigns.
Why we care. Google is further steering advertisers toward newer AI-driven campaign types like Performance Max. While existing Smart Campaigns will continue running, businesses and platform partners that rely on API-based campaign creation will need to update their workflows before August 2026 or risk disruptions when creating new campaigns.
What Google recommends instead. As Smart Campaign creation is phased out, Google is encouraging advertisers to consider alternative campaign types.
The company specifically pointed to Performance Max, its AI-powered campaign type that runs across Google’s advertising inventory, as the primary alternative. Other options include Search campaigns and Demand Gen campaigns, depending on an advertiser’s objectives.
A broader automation shift. The move reflects Google’s ongoing consolidation around newer automated campaign formats.
Over the past several years, Google has increasingly prioritized AI-driven campaign types that automate bidding, targeting and creative optimization across multiple channels.
Limiting the creation of new Smart Campaigns suggests the company sees Performance Max and other automation products as the future of campaign management.
What developers need to know. Applications that currently create Smart Campaigns through the API should be reviewed before the August deadline.
Developers can identify affected requests by looking for campaign creation operations where:
Loginadvertising_channel_type is set to SMARTadvertising_channel_sub_type is set to SMART_CAMPAIGNAfter August 3, attempts to create new Smart Campaigns will fail.
In version 24 of the Google Ads API, developers will receive a SmartCampaignError.CREATION_FAILED error.
In version 23 and earlier, requests will return an OperationAccessDeniedError.CREATE_OPERATION_NOT_PERMITTED error.
What to watch. While Google is not shutting down existing Smart Campaigns, removing API support for new campaign creation is another sign that advertisers should prepare for a future centered on Performance Max and other AI-driven campaign types.
For agencies, software providers and advertisers with automated campaign creation workflows, now is the time to evaluate migration plans before the August 2026 deadline.
Dig deeper. Changes to Support for Smart Campaigns in the Google Ads API
Users who saw a brand recommended by ChatGPT were much more likely to visit that brand’s website within a week, according to Similarweb.
What happened. Users were 2.5 times more likely, on average, to visit an AI-recommended brand than a direct competitor, based on Similarweb’s study of U.S. desktop behavior across finance, travel, and beauty.
Recommendations shifted traffic. The pattern appeared across all three industries:
AI demand showed up in search. Most AI-influenced visits didn’t appear as AI referral traffic. ChatGPT may influence brand choice, but the later visit often appears in analytics as search traffic.
Recommended users stayed longer. AI-influenced visitors also engaged more deeply once they reached a brand’s site. They viewed 12 pages and spent 11.8 minutes on site, on average, compared with 6.5 pages and 5.6 minutes for non-AI-influenced visitors. Those users likely arrived after narrowing their options during the AI conversation, Similarweb said.
Why we care. AI visibility can drive visits even when referral reports miss the source of influence. You need to know whether ChatGPT is creating demand for your brand or sending it to a competitor.
About the data. Similarweb used its opted-in U.S. desktop web panel to track user journeys from July through December 2025. The report focused on finance, travel, and beauty brand pairs with competitive overlap.
The report. The Downstream Impact of AI Visibility (registration required)
OpenAI is signaling early momentum in its advertising business, with executives reporting that users are increasingly engaging with ads inside ChatGPT rather than dismissing them — a key metric as the company builds a new revenue stream beyond subscriptions and enterprise AI.
What’s happening. OpenAI says the rate at which users dismiss ads within ChatGPT has fallen by 50% since the company launched its advertising business in February. The company views ad dismissals as a proxy for relevance, making the decline an indication that users are finding the ads they encounter more useful and aligned with their interests.
The update was shared by OpenAI Chief Revenue Officer Denise Dresser.
Why we care. With data suggesting users becoming more receptive to ads within ChatGPT, conversational AI could improve it’s viability of being a new advertising channel. A 50% reduction in ad dismissals indicates improving relevance and engagement, potentially giving brands an opportunity to reach consumers in high-intent, task-oriented moments rather than through traditional interruptive ad formats.
Why relevance matters. Unlike traditional display advertising, ads within AI experiences face a higher bar for usefulness. Users typically engage with ChatGPT to accomplish a task, answer a question or solve a problem. Ads that feel disconnected from that experience risk creating friction and undermining trust.
According to Dresser, improving relevance has been a central focus.
The bigger picture. The results offer an early glimpse into how advertising may evolve inside generative AI platforms. Rather than interrupting content consumption, AI-powered advertising is increasingly focused on integrating with user intent and ongoing conversations. Success may depend less on grabbing attention and more on delivering recommendations that users find genuinely helpful.
The lower dismissal rates suggest OpenAI is making progress toward that goal.
Competition extends beyond advertising. The advertising update comes as OpenAI continues expanding its business on multiple fronts. While building an ads business, the company is also competing aggressively for enterprise AI spending, where rivals such as Anthropic are fighting for market share among corporate customers.
That creates pressure for OpenAI to diversify revenue streams while maintaining a positive user experience across consumer and enterprise products.
What to watch. If OpenAI can continue improving ad relevance while maintaining engagement, ChatGPT could emerge as a meaningful new advertising platform — and offer an early blueprint for how ads function in conversational AI environments.
The biggest positioning mistake in AI marketing is selling your product as a replacement for people. It wins attention now, but costs you trust later.
Heads up: This memo is a slight deviation from the usual topics I regularly write about. But it’s an important one.
In this memo:
The cardinal sin of positioning in the AI era is replacement. I call it “substitution positioning.” Short term, it’s yummy. Long term, it plants cavities in your perception.
In January, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei predicted software engineering jobs to go away in the following 6-12 months. Demand for software engineers is reaching new heights today.
“I think we might be 6 to 12 months away from when the model is doing most, maybe all of what SWEs do end to end.”
In September 2025, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman predicted customer support jobs will go away. Almost immediately after he said that, customer service hiring started outpacing the broader job market.
AI companies use fear as a marketing tool. Specifically, the fear of being replaced. They got me, too. I was deeply worried about my future when Opus 4.5 got traction.
However, as long as I see that even Anthropic is hiring copywriters and SEOs, I sleep much better.
Times were more uncertain before AI came on the scene (I’ll spare you the TED talk about unprecedented times). Fear sells. Tapping into our primal fight-or-flight response is a sure way to get attention. And layoffs act as a double agent in this environment: They make companies that underperform or overhired look good (“Look, we don’t need as many people anymore because we’re so innovative!”) and feed the substitution positioning narrative.
But the facts show that recent layoffs are closer to AI washing than AI spring cleaning:
Premium is $150/year. That’s less than one walked-back AI announcement. The Growth Memo resource library includes the positioning reframe asset in this memo… and the rest of the audits, workflows, and decks built for the AI visibility era.
“Stop trying to make ‘replacement’ happen. It’s not going to happen.”
— Regina George from Mean Girls in an alternate multiverse
Synthetic intelligence in its current form is heavily paradoxical: AI can do some things better than humans and others not even at the level of a chimpanzee.
This phenomenon is called the Jagged Frontier. It’s based on a paper where BCG and Harvard researchers conducted a randomized controlled trial of 758 knowledge workers and found that you get the most (12.2% more tasks, 25.1% faster) out of AI if you know what it’s good and bad at.
That’s why some people are lukewarm on AI and others see it as new salvation.
“Currently, measures of exposure, automation, and augmentation show no sign of being related to changes in employment or unemployment.”
— From “Evaluating the Impact of AI on the Labor Market: Current State of Affairs,” Gimbel et al.
Microsoft came to the same conclusion. In its 2026 Work Trend Index Annual Report, the Windows mother found that ~16% of the 20,000 AI users surveyed are “Frontier Professionals” or the most advanced AI users in the research set who use agents for multi-step workflow systems.
80% of those Frontier Professionals said they produce work they couldn’t have a year ago, compared to 58% across the board. They are not just using AI more, but also know which mode a task calls for. They have the judgment to navigate the Jagged Frontier.
Caption: Microsoft’s 4 modes of using AI at work
Despite some of the gains you can see from AI, we’re far away from replacing people.
Do you truly trust any AI workflow enough to leave it on full automation without any maintenance or quality assurance?
Look at a company that tried: Klarna publicly bragged its AI did the work of 700 agents and cut headcount ~40%, Then they reversed and rehired humans after the CEO admitted cost-cutting produced “lower quality” and that customers want a human option.
As a result, choosing substitution positioning means you gain short-term attention but sacrifice long-term credibility. Anthropic calls for a public pause on AI development on June 4 and launches Fable 5 on June 9. OpenAI did the same: Altman told the U.S. Senate in May 2023 that AI needs licensing and a global watchdog, then opposed binding rules and lobbied against California’s SB-1047 and mandatory federal pre-launch approval. The words don’t match the actions.
Substitute positioning could work if customers (1) actually wanted the replacement and (2) if the technology was there. Neither are true.
FYI: The Adapting for AI-Based Search deck gives directors a validated, data-backed story to present to executives who keep asking what changed. Find it in the Premium Subscribers Resource Library.
Cost reduction is a much stronger AI-use argument than productivity growth because it hits the P&L immediately. Productivity gains show up later. They build slowly inside a company and even slower across the economy, the same lag we saw with computers and the internet.
However, because replacement positioning goes way beyond just cost-cutting (it’s people-cutting), you also directly antagonize the people you sell to:
In April, Uber execs bragged about burning their annual token budget in just four months. Today, that’s a massive liability. Token cost is growing despite being heavily subsidized. But soon, it will reach a price point that makes junior employees start to look interesting again.
Entry-level jobs might soon be cheaper than tokens accomplishing the same output, and young people don’t have the same baggage and reflexes that experienced experts have.
Instead of trying to replace people, the solution is to position your AI use as enhancement. The opposite of fear-based marketing is aspiration and empowerment.
AI goes both ways: You can reduce the number of people or grow output with the same number of people. And the data shows that productivity gains have a higher ROI than substitution.
In a paper by the National Bureau of Economic Research, Researchers asked 750 executives about the impact of AI on productivity and labor markets. While larger firms have a higher interest in replacing labor cost (people), the highest ROI comes from growing productivity.
The moral of the story? Doing more with what you have works better than firing copywriter Alex because only Alex can judge good copy.
Building products has gotten easier, but distribution has not.
When supply explodes, the scarce thing is being the product that actually gets chosen, and positioning (right alongside product quality) is exactly how you get chosen.
Premium subscribers get the Claude skill that performs a quality check on your content’s positioning for any AI-based tooling within your product, offering quality reframes for your team that avoid substitution positioning.
This post first appeared on the author’s website and is republished here with permission.
Generating demand is one of the biggest challenges in digital marketing. Measuring where that demand came from is even harder.
For nearly two decades, marketers have evaluated paid search and paid social as separate channels. Search campaigns are typically measured on clicks, conversions, and ROAS, while social is often judged by platform-reported metrics and attributed conversions.
The problem is that consumers don’t experience marketing channels in isolation as they move through the conversion process.
A prospective customer may discover your brand through an ad on Meta, ignore it initially, see another ad days later, and eventually search for your brand or products on Google before adding an item to their cart and converting. In most reporting platforms, paid search gets the credit because it captured the last click. But is that fair if it didn’t create the demand?
As privacy regulations, technology, and attribution limitations continue to evolve, marketers need new ways to understand how paid social influences search behavior. Here are several practical methods for measuring the relationship between the two.
Paid social’s influence on search isn’t always visible in attribution reports, but it often appears in performance data. These indicators can help you identify whether your social campaigns are creating awareness that later translates into search activity and conversions.
One of the clearest signs that paid social is helping drive downstream search activity is an increase in branded search queries.
When people encounter a compelling, relevant social ad on Meta, TikTok, or other platforms, many don’t immediately click the ad. Instead, they may later search for the brand name, product name, founder, or other branded terms.
For example, when you launch a new Meta Ads campaign, you might notice increases in searches for:
Monitor the volume of these and other branded searches over time. This can help identify whether your paid social efforts are generating awareness that later translates into search behavior.
Review data from your Google Ads and Microsoft Advertising search campaigns, Google Analytics, Google Search Console, Google Trends, and any third-party SEO platforms you use.
Note trends before, during, and after major paid social campaign launches and adjustments. If branded search volume continues to rise as you increase investment in paid social, there’s a strong possibility that those efforts are contributing to demand generation.
Not every increase in branded search volume is caused by paid social. The goal isn’t to prove perfect causation. It’s to identify a meaningful directional relationship.
Other factors can also contribute to growth in branded searches, including:
Uncover the keywords, ads, landing pages, and strategies driving your competitors’ paid search success—and find your next opportunity to outperform them.
Another way to identify a relationship between paid search and paid social is by looking at click-through rates (CTRs).
Consumers are more likely to click ads from brands they recognize or have previously engaged with. If your paid social campaigns are increasing brand familiarity, people may become more inclined to click your search ads over a competitor’s.
For example, someone may see your Instagram video ads over a two-week period and later search for a related topic on Google. When presented with several options, they may be more likely to click a brand they’ve already seen elsewhere.
The same principle appears in the brand recognition surveys Meta and LinkedIn sometimes display in users’ feeds. I often find myself answering yes, even for brands I’ve never purchased from, simply because I’ve seen their ads on social media.
That familiarity, even at a basic level, can help improve CTR on branded search campaigns, increase CTR on non-branded campaigns, and lower CPCs over time.
The next time you launch a new paid social campaign or make a significant adjustment, review your paid search performance and compare CTR trends before and after.
Brand familiarity can also influence conversions, as consumers who’ve previously engaged with your brand often arrive on your website with greater confidence and trust than first-time visitors. As a result, search traffic may become more likely to convert after periods of strong paid social activity.
Look for signs of higher search conversion rates, better lead quality, lower search CPAs, and higher revenue per visitor. If you sell products or services with longer consideration cycles and multiple brand touchpoints before conversion, you may notice this effect even more.
Conversion efficiency can be a valuable indicator of paid social’s influence on search behavior.
The indicators above provide directional insight. To build stronger evidence, use these methods to measure whether paid social activity is influencing search performance.
One of the easiest ways to evaluate the impact of a paid social campaign on search performance is through a pre- and post-campaign analysis.
Measure the following before your paid social campaign launches and compare it with performance after launch:
While the data alone won’t fully prove causation, it can provide evidence that increased social activity may be influencing search performance. As you conduct your analysis, account for seasonality where relevant, compare similar time periods, and monitor changes in competitor activity.
For stronger evidence, consider running a geotargeted holdout test. Run a paid social campaign in a specific geographic market while intentionally withholding it from other areas. Then compare search performance across both groups.
For example, instead of running paid social campaigns across all markets, a nationwide company could divide its audience into two groups:
Run the test for several weeks and monitor the following metrics for both groups:
If the test market sees significantly stronger search performance than the control market, you’ll have a better opportunity to isolate the impact of your paid social campaigns.
Geotargeted tests work particularly well because they help reduce attribution bias. They allow you to evaluate business outcomes across similar populations rather than relying solely on platform-reported conversions while navigating privacy-related blind spots.
If you run a holdout test, choose comparable markets, allocate sufficient budget, and allow enough time to achieve statistically significant results. This approach typically works best for larger advertisers running regional or national campaigns. If you’re a smaller brand, start with the pre- and post-campaign analysis.
See where competitors are investing, which keywords drive their results, and how to capture more of the market.
The relationship between paid search and paid social is often stronger than reporting platforms suggest. Rather than evaluating channels in isolation, look at how they complement one another. Search captures demand, and paid social helps create it.
Dive into your data to identify opportunities to invest more effectively and generate future demand and conversions across platforms. By monitoring these signals and applying the methods above, you’ll gain a stronger understanding of how paid social contributes to business growth.
Attribution isn’t perfect, but learning how to measure influence across channels can help you make better investment decisions and drive stronger results.
Cornell Tech researchers found that deep-research AI agents can be manipulated by short edits to public user-generated pages, allowing a single injected Reddit-style comment to become a cited recommendation for fake products, services, or entities.
The paper called those altered pages “poisoned” because the added text was designed to steer what the AI system cited and repeated. It identified the weakness in systems that search the web, gather sources, and write cited reports. The researchers called the attack WARP, short for Web Agent Retrieval Poisoning.
How injected text reaches reports. The attack doesn’t require access to the model, prompts, search engine or retrieval system. Instead, an attacker edits or appends text to a page the agent already tends to retrieve, such as a Reddit thread, Wikipedia page, or forum post.
Reddit was the biggest opening. Across STORM, Co-STORM, and OmniThink, 17% to 23% of retrieved URLs came from user-generated platforms, including Reddit, YouTube, Facebook, and Wikipedia.
A few words worked. The researchers found the attack worked with snippets as short as about 13 words:
Defenses struggled. Blocking user-generated domains stopped this attack path, but it also removed sources such as firsthand product experiences and local recommendations.
Why we care. A small edit to a public page can become part of a cited AI answer, even when the underlying source is user-generated. Misinformation planted on sites like Reddit or in forums can move from discussion threads to cited recommendations in AI answers that look credible to users.
About the research. The paper, Deep-Research Agents Can Be Poisoned via User-Generated Content, was written by Tingwei Zhang, Harold Triedman, and Vitaly Shmatikov of Cornell Tech and posted to arXiv on May 22. The researchers tested the full attack on three open-source systems: STORM, Co-STORM, and OmniThink. They analyzed OpenAI Deep Research and Gemini Deep Research for user-generated citations, but didn’t run live manipulation tests because that would require publishing altered content to the open web.
Most B2B brands rank for thousands of keywords in Google, but appear in only about 3% of AI-generated answers, according to Walker Sands’ B2B AI Search Visibility Benchmark of 828 enterprise companies. (Disclosure: I’m the director of SEO and GEO at Walker Sands.)
The benchmark analyzed more than 45 million search queries in March across 828 enterprise B2B companies spanning 14 industries. It evaluated domains across four metrics:
Together, these metrics establish a baseline for how often AI Overviews appear and how often B2B brands are cited within them.
The benchmark reveals a significant gap between ranking visibility and AI citation visibility.
The typical enterprise B2B company ranks organically for about 9,700 search queries, and AI Overviews appear in nearly half of them. Yet across those opportunities, the median brand is cited in just 3% of AI Overviews.
In other words, B2B brands are present in the search results AI Overviews summarize, but they’re largely invisible within the summaries themselves.
While 4.6% represents a small portion of the market, it highlights a critical visibility gap. These companies may still rank well in traditional search results, but some brands are effectively absent from AI Overviews, which have become an influential part of the buyer journey.
In many cases, a lack of citations signals larger issues, such as:
Addressing these gaps is crucial for visibility in AI-driven search experiences.
See where your brand appears in AI search, where competitors are winning, and what it takes to become the answer AI recommends.
The benchmark frames AI search performance as four sequential layers, and the value lost at each step tells the real story.
It starts with keyword coverage, or the number of keywords for which a brand ranks in Google’s top 100 organic results. Here, the leaders look healthy. The median company ranks for about 9,700 keywords, while top-quartile brands rank for more than 37,000.
The next layer, keywords with AI Overviews, narrows the field. These are ranking keywords that trigger an AI Overview. The median company has roughly 4,500 of them, already less than half of its ranking footprint.
The third layer, AI Overview incidence, measures how often AI-generated answers appear across a brand’s relevant searches. The median is 48.8%, meaning AI now intercepts roughly half the queries where these companies compete. Top-quartile brands operate in even more AI-saturated environments, at 61.7%.
The final layer is the one that matters most and where almost everyone falls off a cliff: citation inclusion rate, or how often a brand is cited as a source within an AI Overview. The median is 3.0%. Even the top quartile reaches only 4.5%, while the bottom quartile sits at 1.7%.
Viewed from top to bottom, the funnel is brutal. Tens of thousands of ranking keywords compress into a single-digit share of AI citations. Most of the visibility B2B brands have built through organic search doesn’t carry through to the layer of search that increasingly shapes buyers’ first impressions of a category.
The most important takeaway is also the most counterintuitive: Ranking breadth alone doesn’t predict AI citation rates.
The study found that some companies rank for thousands of keywords yet rarely surface in AI-generated answers. The strengths that won traditional SERP real estate — sheer page volume, broad keyword targeting, and domain authority accumulated over the years — don’t automatically translate into becoming the source an AI system chooses to cite.
This is a meaningful break from how most B2B SEO teams are still resourced and measured. If your dashboard tracks ranking keywords and estimated organic traffic, it may be telling a flattering story about a layer of search that’s shrinking in influence while saying nothing about the layer that’s growing.
The benchmark argues that brands consistently cited in AI-generated answers share three characteristics: deep topical authority across related content areas, clear and structured explanations that directly answer buyer questions, and consistent coverage across multiple relevant pages.
The common thread is specificity. Generative systems appear to reward content that resolves a buyer’s question clearly and demonstrates sustained expertise on a topic, rather than content that simply ranks for a query.
That reframes the work. Optimizing for AI citations looks less like chasing keyword volume and more like building genuine, well-structured subject-matter depth.
AI search visibility isn’t distributed evenly across B2B technology. The industry breakdown reveals sharply different competitive dynamics depending on the category.
Cybersecurity leads on both fronts. AI Overviews appear in a median of 59.9% of cybersecurity-related searches, and cybersecurity brands earn the highest median citation rate in the study at 4.2%. Enterprise software (55.3% AI Overview incidence) and martech (56.3%) also see AI-generated answers in well over half of relevant queries.
At the other end, professional services and distribution and logistics trail in citations, both with a median rate of just 2.1%. Distribution and logistics also have the lowest AI Overview incidence, at 29.6%, meaning buyers in that category encounter AI-generated summaries far less often than in cybersecurity.
These differences create both risks and opportunities. In categories where AI-generated answers are already pervasive, such as cybersecurity, the cost of being invisible is immediate. Buyers are forming impressions inside AI summaries right now.
In categories where citation rates are low and few brands have figured out the new mechanics, there’s a genuine first-mover opportunity. Brands that learn to earn citations before their competitors can shape how an entire category is framed in AI-generated answers, much as early SEO adopters captured outsized shares of organic visibility.
The most striking number in the report is that 4.6% of enterprise B2B companies aren’t cited at all in AI-generated answers for their relevant keywords.
These aren’t fly-by-night operations. They’re companies with $100 million or more in revenue that, in many cases, still rank well in traditional search. They’ve simply become invisible in the AI layer — present in the index, absent from the answer.
Near-zero citation rates can be attributed to deeper structural issues: thin topical authority, content that’s unstructured or difficult for systems to parse, and a lack of material that directly answers the questions buyers are asking.
For a small but meaningful slice of the market, AI search isn’t a place where they’re losing share. It’s a place where they don’t exist.
The benchmark provides a baseline, but the strategic implications for SEO, GEO, and marketing teams are already clear.
The uncomfortable truth is that much of the SEO equity B2B brands have built is being summarized by AI systems that don’t cite the companies that created it. For most enterprise brands, the question is no longer whether they rank. It’s whether they’re in the answer at all.
The full H1 2026 B2B AI Search Visibility Benchmark is available from Walker Sands.
It's hard to feel sorry for Apple these days even if its margins are in a vise-like squeeze, courtesy of the relentless increase in the price of memory chips. After all, over the past decade, Apple inflated the price of its flagship iPhone model by 60 percent, when the average CPI basket grew by just 37 percent. Memory makers are only giving Apple a taste of its own medicine Apple used to secure memory chips via 1-year or even longer contracts, winning hefty discounts relative to the prevailing market price of the time. Now, however, Apple negotiates memory prices quarterly, […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/apple-inflated-the-price-of-its-highest-end-iphone-by-60-over-the-past-decade-while-the-us-cpi-basket-grew-by-just-37-and-yet-its-playing-the-victim-now/
In the world of PC gaming performance analysis, we tend to obsess over frame times, and for good reason. A simple average FPS number can be extremely misleading, while a frame time graph can immediately show you whether a game is delivering frames smoothly or whether it is suffering from stutters, hitches, CPU/platform bottlenecks, or other forms of inconsistent frame pacing. However, as useful as frame times are, there is one major problem with relying on them alone: they do not always tell us what the player actually sees on the monitor. This is especially important nowadays, as modern PC […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/display-times-frame-times-and-the-truth-about-smoothness/
Qualcomm is expanding its chip-design services to China as it is reportedly in early talks with ByteDance. China's ByteDance To Get Custom-Chip Design Assistance From Qualcomm As It Expands Its Revenue Beyond Smartphones Custom-chip designs are picking up momentum across the tech industry, and a report by Reuters suggests that Qualcomm might be assisting ByteDance, a leading Chinese firm, with chip-design services. Although the talks between Qualcomm and ByteDance are still early, if they succeed, then that would make ByteDance one of the first customers of Qualcomm's chip-design services. The move will also help Qualcomm diversify its revenue, breaking its […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/qualcomm-helping-china-bytedance-custom-chip-design-services-acquires-modular/
With Destiny 2 now fully in the rear view, the team at Bungie is full-steam ahead on Marathon, though that hasn't resulted in a sudden uptick in players swarming the extraction shooter. Season 2 is going about as well as Season 1, and despite its critical acclaim and a small dedicated core group of players, Marathon continues to struggle to attract the kinds of numbers multiplayer games are practically required to earn to find commercial success. But if Bungie can keep iterating and tweaking Marathon, it wouldn't be the first time, nor likely the last, that a multiplayer game found […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/marathon-season-2-pve-mode-vault-breaker-bungie-season-3-release-date/
China's LineShine supercomputer has taken the top spot on the 67th-edition TOP500 list, posting 2.198 exaflops on the High Performance Linpack benchmark and pushing the AMD-powered El Capitan into second place by more than 20%. The system, installed at the National Supercomputing Centre in Shenzhen (NSCS) and built by the Shenzhen Cloud Computing Center, used no GPUs or accelerators of any kind, and reached the figure with 13,789,440 cores of domestically designed silicon, the first machine on the list to clear two exaflops of double-precision performance on CPUs alone. It’s also the first China-based system to lead the TOP500 since Sunway TaihuLight in 2017.
The fact that a sanctioned country has managed to build an exascale flagship without a single Western accelerator is one thing, but what’s more telling is that China has decided to put it on the list. For years, its fastest machines have stayed off the rankings entirely, and the decision to submit a chart-topper now is a deliberate change of posture.
LineShine is built on what NSCS calls the LingKun platform. Each of its 20,480 compute nodes carries two LX2 processors, Armv9-based parts with 304 cores running at 1.55 GHz, organized as eight clusters of 38 cores. Every core includes Arm's Scalable Vector Extension and Scalable Matrix Extension units covering FP64, FP32, BF16, FP16, and INT8.
Each of those LX2s pairs 32 GB of on-package HBM rated at up to 4 TB/s with as much as 256 GB of off-package DDR5, an arrangement that’s closer to Fujitsu's A64FX in Japan's Fugaku than to a conventional server CPU. Nodes are tied together by the proprietary LingQi interconnect, and the machine runs the homegrown Kylin OS.
It’s not known who designs the LX2 — NSCS names no vendor — but Jon Peddie Research has attributed the chip to Huawei, and the project's pilot phase reportedly ran on Huawei Kunpeng servers. The fabrication node and foundry are likewise unconfirmed. SMIC's 7nm-class process is the obvious domestic candidate by elimination, given that EUV tooling and TSMC capacity are both off the table, but nobody has documented the part to date.
LineShine also took first on HPCG, the test that rewards memory- and communication-bound workloads closer to real scientific code, at 22.00 petaflops. But on HPL-MxP, the mixed-precision benchmark that approximates AI training math, it came in only fourth at 7.92 exaflops, a 3.6 times uplift over its FP64 score.
In other words, the accelerator-based machines it beat on Linpack pull far ahead the moment precision drops. Per the TOP500 announcement, El Capitan posts 16.7 exaflops on HPL-MxP, a 9.2 times jump over its standard result, with Aurora and Frontier showing similar multipliers. Reduced-precision throughput is exactly where GPUs and APUs separate from CPUs, and LineShine has nowhere to hide it.
We can see similar issues cropping up in terms of power. LineShine draws 42,220 kW and returns 52.07 gigaflops per watt on its Linpack run. That beats Intel’s Aurora comfortably but trails El Capitan's 60.94 gigaflops per watt, so LineShine produces more total FP64 output than the Livermore system while burning roughly 42% more power to do it.
It’s worth holding onto this distinction because the TOP500 ranking is decided on FP64 Linpack, the one regime where a wide, HBM-fed CPU can still go toe-to-toe with accelerators. LineShine is a genuine double-precision champion, but it’s not a world-leading AI training machine, and its fourth-place HPL-MxP result says so.
China stopped submitting its fastest systems to the TOP500 around 2021, after a run of entity-list additions hit Sunway's Wuxi center and Sugon. The community has long believed that the country operated exascale hardware well before this entry: the Sunway successor OceanLight and the NUDT-built Tianhe-3 both appeared via Gordon Bell Prize science papers without ever appearing on the list. TOP500 co-founder Jack Dongarra has said for years that Chinese researchers told him they weren’t permitted to submit, and that omissions were about avoiding U.S. attention rather than any lack of capability.
Last June's list, which AMD topped while Chinese HPC remained absent, was especially conspicuous, but putting LineShine forward now reverses that. It has been reported that the system was developed without public funding, which lowers the political exposure of disclosing it, and the all-domestic design means there’s no dependency on Western parts for Washington to choke off after the fact.
Addison Snell, chief executive of HPC analyst firm Intersect360 Research, told Reuters he wasn’t surprised by the performance but by the disclosure itself, noting the surprise was that China submitted the result and wanted recognition for it. Ultimately, submitting a number-one system that runs entirely on indigenous parts is a statement that the sanctions regime hasn’t closed the gap China cares about.
The top of the list might have changed hands, but the bulk of it hasn’t. The U.S. still dominates with three of the top five in El Capitan (1.809 exaflops), Frontier (1.353 exaflops), and Aurora (1.012 exaflops), and Germany's JUPITER Booster remains the first and only European exascale system at an even 1.000 exaflops.
AMD’s silicon underpins most of the accelerated field with the company, per its own blog, now powering 191 systems on the list, up 11% year over year, and 41% of this edition's new entries. It holds three top-10 slots — El Capitan, Frontier, and the newly deployed HPC7 at Italian energy firm Eni — and contributes more than 40% of combined top-10 Linpack performance. On efficiency, it powers 56% of the top 50 Green500 systems, and its first Instinct MI355X deployments, two Cambridge Zenith systems in the UK, entered at positions 67 and 68.
None of that is dented by LineShine, not least because the two aren’t competing for the same workload. AMD’s MI300A and MI355X parts are built for mixed-precision AI arithmetic, where LineShine places fourth, and the rest of the Western labs are optimizing for that, not FP64 leaderboard positions.
El Capitan, Frontier, and Aurora all post HPL-MxP scores several times their Linpack results, enabled by hardware that LineShine doesn’t have. So, while it’s true the TOP500 crown moved to Shenzen, it did so on a benchmark that Western labs are no longer chasing with their fastest machines.
These days, good Wi-Fi signal is a basic human necessity, sitting fairly low on Maslow's pyramid of needs, just above food, water, and shelter. Routers provided by your internet service provider tend to be made by the cheapest contractor, and frequently don't throw Wi-Fi beyond its immediate vicinity, and choke and sputter with more than a couple connected devices. That's why today's deal on the TP-Link Archer BE550 Wi-Fi 7 router is so darn appetizing for just $149.99, thanks to this Amazon Prime Deal, 40% off its regular price, and an all-time low.
This box o' antennas counts a total of six signal emitters, enough to cover most U.S. households. TP-Link says the array should provide Wi-Fi signals over four bedrooms, but we figure that's a conservative estimate for wooden constructions. The speeds can go up to a combined 9.3 Gbps, split between 5.8 Gbps over the 6 GHz band (Wi-Fi 7), 2.9 Gbps on 5 GHz, and 574 Mbps on good ol' 2.4 GHz. It's worth noting that on recent phones and tablets, the router's Multi-Link Operation will let a device use both 6 GHz and 5 GHz bands simultaneously.
All-time low price
The TP-Link Archer BE550 router packs six antennas capable of pushing up to 9.3 Gbps across the air waves, as well as a complement of five 2.5 Gbps LAN ports — enough to future-proof most any home setup.View Deal
The goodies don't stop there, either. While most modern routers have just the one higher-speed Ethernet wired port, the Archer BE550 comes with a full complement of 2.5 Gbps connectors — one for the Internet connection, and four for LAN devices. Since most PC motherboards in the past few years have 2.5 Gbps or 5 Gbps ports, this router lets you take full advantage of them. More than a few techies buy their own switches for this purpose, and this router obviates that expense and annoyance.
Additional niceties include most you'd expect in a modern Wi-Fi 7 router: support for multiple types of VPN servers, a USB port for sharing a hard drive on the network, mesh network capabilities, per-device QoS (ex, for prioritizing gaming devices), tagged VLANs, and many others. Get the TP-Link Archer BE550 for just $149.99 at Amazon.
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While you can't buy Secretlab's gaming chairs or desks on Amazon, you can buy them in the company's July 4 sales event, which kicked off this week and promises to gatecrash Amazon Prime Week.
Right now, you can score up to $129 off Secretlab's Titan Evo chair and Magnus gaming desk range. These are some of the most popular gaming chairs on the market.
● Check out all of the deals at Secretlab
Secretlab's gaming range is designed with comfort and gamer aesthetic in mind. All of their products have a pretty striking aesthetic and premium build quality. Naturally, they're also normally very expensive, which is why a sales event like this is not to be missed.
This Secretlab Titan Evo comes with the company's trademarked NEO Hybrid Leatherette, which is made to give a soft leather feel that is also durable. View Deal
Secretlab's popular Titan Evo gaming chair is available in a variety of sizes, materials, and colors. Choose between a hybrid leather or softweave fabric covering. A cold-cure foam pebble seat is designed to provide all-day comfort for gaming or work when sitting at your computer. 4D armrests, magnetic headrest, lumbar support, and height adjustment let you customize your seating position.
The Secretlab Titan Evo is available in Small, Regular, and XL sizes. View Deal
Secretlab's latest gaming chair innovation introduces NanoGen to the popular and successful Titan Evo range of gaming chairs. Featuring the same luxury features of the standard Titan Evo, such as 4D armrest, 4-Way L-Adapt lumbar support, and shaped pebble seat, the new Titan Evo Nanogen uses a new soft and durable hybrid leatherette and nanofoam composite. View Deal
Another themed chair, this time for Final Fantasy XIV fans, in the Neo Hybrid Leatherette fabric. Other variations include Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, Assassins Creed, and more, all with Small, Medium, and XL size options.View Deal
I've been using Secretlab chairs since 2019, and I have to say they're some of the most comfortable and durable chairs I've ever sat on. They're all really easy to build and put together, and they all exude a bombproof build quality.
Secretlab's flagship standing desk with its latest NanoGen and Magpad tech. It features an integrated power supply column to power your kit with a single cable, a well-hidden (but still accessible) cable management tray, and precision electric height adjustments via a built-in control panel.View Deal
This desk measures 59.1”(L) x 27.6”(W), and is also available in 70.0”(L) x 31.5”(W) if you want something a little larger. This desk is designed to look clean and tidy, with built-in cable management and the power supply hidden in the desk's leg column. The height range goes from 25.5" to 49.2," with the surface being able to use swappable magnetic (Magpad) desk pads in a variety of designs. View Deal
Secretlab's gaming desks all come with a unique integrated control unit that you can use to set the height of the desk. The intervals are precise, and there are profiles so you can save a number of different adjustments. They also have a unique magnetic ecosystem, the desks are entirely magnetic so you can use lots of different magnetic cable tidies, headphone mounts, and desk accessories, as sold by Secretlab, you can see some below.
This Secretlab Magnus monitor arm is a low-cost upgrade to your office or gaming setup. It will help you to free up your desk from unnecessarily large monitor stands while also providing you with a full range of adjustable positions for the most ergonomic seating position.View Deal
The Secretlab Lumbar Pillow Pro adds extra support and cushioning to your lower back, helping you to reduce fatigue from long gaming sessions in your Secretlab chair. Working in conjunction with the proprietary L-Adapt lumbar support system, this pillow mixes comfortable memory foam with a layer of cooling gel to help dissipate heat. View Deal
Add some extra leg support to your Secretlab chair with this chair addon. Select the correct size and fit for your Secretlab chair and add extra posture support options. The ergonomic recliner simply snaps onto your chair with a toolless installation.View Deal
A Secretlab-branded floor mat will help you to protect hard flooring from damage from the chairs' casters. This mat is designed with a felt upper and a non-slip underlay. View Deal
Don't let an uncomfortable armrest spoil the fun. These Secretlab PlushCell armrest tops magnetically snap onto your Titan Evo gaming chair armrests, providing your arms and wrists with pillow-like softness, thanks to their memory foam construction.View Deal
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Secretlab lets you either decorate or protect your chair with a new cover, or "skin," as it's called. You can change the color of your chair, or get skins with designs from your favorite games or TV shows. There are plenty of different choices for you to browse through. View Deal
A pebble-shaped memory foam cushion on a highly adjustable stand, for turning your gaming chair into an even more relaxing seat. View Deal
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Prachub lets you practice over 8,000 real interview questions from top companies. You can filter by company, role, and category to focus on coding, system design, machine learning, analytics, and more. It shows difficulty levels and topics, solve counts, and lets you work through scenarios that mirror real interviews to build confidence and speed before meeting the hiring team.
Dim0 is an open-source thinking canvas that brings notes, docs, code, charts, and mini apps onto an infinite board alongside an AI agent. The agent reads your board, searches the web, runs code, and writes results back as editable nodes so you can stay in flow without switching tabs. Use gestures to turn notes into mind maps, schemas, or diagrams, or interactive React apps, nest boards for complex projects, pick models like Claude, GPT, Gemini, or Mistral, and self-host or export your work anytime.
Your outbound agent, right inside Slack
Prime Day isn't just about Amazon anymore. The same great discounts can be found at other retailers, and crucially, you don't have to be an Amazon Prime member to unlock these savings.
I've taken a look at some of the best deals for vacuums and coffee machines at Amazon, and found a bunch of the same savings at Argos. In fact, two are actually better priced than Amazon's own discounts.
• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale
You can get the Delonghi ECAM220.22.GB automatic coffee machine at Argos for £270 (was £320) and the Dyson V12 Detect Slim cordless vacuum for £429.99 (was £549.99). That's a larger 15% and 20% saving, respectively, compared to Amazon.
I've included both of these deals in the list below, alongside a few other great vacuum and coffee machine deals at Argos that match the same discounts at Amazon. Have you found better deals at Argos? Let me know in the comments below.
Save an extra 10% with code: ELEC10
Promising simplicity of use, the De'Longhi Magnifica Start has an easy-to-use touch control panel that allows you to brew two cups simultaneously with the minimum amount of effort. Just remember to put in the above voucher code at checkout to unlock the super low sale price.
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This has an initial discount bringing it from £95 to £69, then you can apply a 40% code at the checkout to unlock the bigger discount. It's a slick, narrow pod coffee machine that's great for smaller kitchens.
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We've spotted the same excellent price drop on the Nespresso Barista Bundle by De'longhi at Argos as we have at Amazon. You can unlock the 50% off saving by using code: ELEC50 at checkout.
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The V12 is a scaled-down vacuum that's perfect for smaller homes. It has premium features, including real-time dust reports, automatic suction adjustment and floorhead lasers. And right now Argos is offering a fantastic saving that you won't find at Amazon.
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Score the Dyson V8 Absolute Cordless Vacuum for less at Argos right now. The same 29% off saving can be found at Amazon, making this deal a great option for anyone who isn't a Prime member.
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This has the stick-like design of a cordless vac, but is lighter since it doesn't have batteries to weigh it down. And it has Shark's Anti Hair Wrap design, plus PowerDetect tech so it's as effective when you're pulling it backwards as when you're pushing forwards, making it all much more efficient.
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Two teams drinking in the last chance saloon meet in their final Group B fixture at FIFA World Cup 2026 as Bosnia and Herzegovina face Qatar – and you can live stream the game around the world for free.
Draw specialists Bosnia looked on track for a stalemate with Switzerland in Los Angeles on Thursday, only to concede four goals and have centre back Tarik Muharemovic sent off in a mad final quarter of an hour as they lost 4-1. With Muharemovic now suspended for the clash with Qatar in Seattle, manager Sergej Barbarez has a decision to make at the heart of his defence for a huge game where nothing less than three points will do if they are to reach the knockout phase. Bosnia aren't exactly used to winning, either, having failed to claim a victory in normal time in each of their past seven games – although they did draw the first six of those.
After the high of scoring a late equaliser against the Swiss to claim their first-ever FIFA World Cup point, Qatar came crashing back down to earth in their 6-0 hammering by co-hosts Canada, in which they had Homam El Amin and Assim Madibo sent off. The latter player was dismissed for a leg-breaking challenge on Ismael Kone which left both teams visibly shaken, and it remains to be seen what impact that will have on Qatar going into this must-win clash. Manager Julen Lopetegui will need all his experience to plot how his side can claim their first World Cup victory, which would surely seal a place in the last 32.
So, read on as we show you exactly how to watch Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Qatar for free from anywhere in the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Bosnia and Herzegovina XI: Vasilj; Radeljic, Katic, Malic, Kolasinac; Bajraktarevic, Sunjic, Basic, Alajbegovic; Demirovic, Dzeko.
Qatar XI: Abunada; Miguel, Khoukhi, Laye, Al Brake; Gaber, Fathy, Boudiaf; Al Haydos, Afif, Edmilson Jr.
Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Qatar is available to watch for free in multiple countries, including the UK, Australia, Brazil, Belgium, Ireland, Netherlands, Switzerland and Turkey.
Abroad? Can't access your free stream? Unblock your free World Cup stream with Norton VPN — more on that below.
It’s the World Cup, and if you’re traveling, you might discover your usual Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Qatar stream is suddenly unavailable due to geo-restrictions.
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US viewers can watch Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Qatar on FS1.
You can watch every World Cup game on Fox and FS1, which are available on cord-cutters like YouTube TV (free trial), Hulu+Live TV, Sling (select markets), Fubo or DirecTV.
Those looking for a streaming service instead can watch Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Qatar on Fox One (3-day free trial).
Visiting the US from the UK? You can still watch your World Cup stream for free thanks to Norton VPN (try for 60 days).
UK customers are in luck as they can stream Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Qatar for free on ITV. Live coverage is on ITV4 and ITVX.
You require a TV Licence and a valid UK postcode for an account (e.g. SE1 7PB).
Norton VPN can unlock your stream if you're abroad today.
Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Qatar will be shown for free in Australia on SBS On Demand.
The streaming platform has every game of the tournament for free, making it the perfect place for your World Cup viewing.
Traveling for work or on holiday? A VPN like Norton VPN can help unlock your free stream.
In Canada, TSN will be broadcasting Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Qatar.
You can live stream via the TSN+ streaming platform, which costs CA$8 per month or CA$80 per year.
Outside of Canada? Use Norton VPN whilst you're traveling away from home to unlock your stream.
Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Qatar kicks-off at 8pm BST / 3pm ET on Wednesday, June 24. That's 5am AEST on Thursday, June 25 in Australia.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Goalkeepers: Nikola Vasilj (St Pauli), Martin Zlomislic (Rijeka), Osman Hadzikic (Slaven Belupo).
Defenders: Sead Kolasinac (Atalanta), Amar Dedic (Benfica), Nihad Mujakic (Gaziantep), Nikola Katic (Schalke 04), Stjepan Radeljic (Rijeka), Dennis Hadzikadunic (Sampdoria), Nidal Celik (Lens).
Midfielders: Amir Hadziahmetovic (Hull City), Ivan Sunjic (Pafos), Ivan Basic (Astana), Dzenis Burnic (Karlsruher SC), Ermin Mahmic (Slovan Liberec), Benjamin Tahirovic (Brondby), Amar Memic (Viktoria Plzen), Armin Gigovic (Young Boys), Kerim Alajbegovic (RB Salzburg), Esmir Bajraktarevic (PSV Eindhoven).
Forwards: Ermedin Demirovic (VfB Stuttgart), Jovo Lukic (Universitatea Cluj), Samed Bazdar (Jagiellonia Bialystok), Haris Tabakovic (Borussia Moenchengladbach), Edin Dzeko (Schalke 04).
Qatar
Goalkeepers: Salah Zakaria (Al-Duhail), Mahmoud Abunada (Al Rayyan), Meshaal Barsham (Al-Sadd).
Defenders: Hashmi Hussein (Al Arabi), Ayoub Alawi (Al Gharafa), Boualem Khoukhi (Al-Sadd), Pedro Miguel (Al-Sadd), Issa Laaye (Al Arabi), Lucas Mendes (Al-Wakrah), Sultan Al-Brake (Al-Duhail).
Midfielders: Mohammed Al-Manai (Al Shamal), Jassem Jaber (Al Arabi), Karim Boudiaf (Al-Duhail), Ahmed Fathi (Al Arabi), Abdulaziz Hatem (Al Rayyan).
Forwards: Tahseen Mohammed (Al-Duhail), Edmilson Junior (Al-Duhail), Almoez Ali (Al-Duhail), Akram Afif (Al-Sadd), Mohammed Muntari (Al Gharafa), Youssef Abdulrazzaq (Al-Wakrah), Ahmed Alaa (Al Rayyan), Hassan Al-Haydos (Al-Sadd), Ahmed Al-Janahi (Al Gharafa).
Position | Team | GD | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Canada | 6 | 4 |
2 | Switzerland | 3 | 4 |
3 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | -3 | 1 |
4 | Qatar | -6 | 1 |
Of course, most broadcasters have streaming services that you can access through mobile apps or via your phone's browser.
You can also stay up-to-date with all of the key World Cup moments on the official social media channels on X/Twitter (@FIFAWorldCup), Instagram (@FIFAWorldCup), TikTok (@FIFAWorldCup) and YouTube (@FIFA).
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
Broadcom and OpenAI have finally announced their first custom chip, dubbed Jalapeño, designed from ground up by OpenAI for ChatGPT, Codex and 'future agentic products'.
JIP, for Jalapeño Intelligence Processor, is inference-native and little is known about the hardware. A closer look at the packaged chip (lower left of the picture below) leads me to believe that the ASIC silicon is surrounded by eight HBM stacks to reduce latency to a minimum.
OpenAI disclosed that it only took nine months for the chips to be designed and delivered, something that usually takes years, especially with an entirely new architecture. Company President Greg Brockman highlighted the role of ChatGPT as a virtual chip architect, which 'accelerated the tape-out', which he described as surprising.
The 300mm wafer that both CEOs are holding will generate about 50 to 60 ASICs.
Engineering samples of Jalapeño have been running ML workloads including GPT-5.3-Codex-Spark, OpenAI’s first model designed for real-time coding and designed to be used with Cerebras’s huge WSE (Wafer Scale Engine).
OpenAI is following the footsteps of Apple, AWS, Google and many others that want to control the hardware, the software and the infrastructure - the so-called “full stack”. Elon Musk’s SpaceX wants to go a step beyond by being the only one that also builds the actual chips.
While the focus is on Jalapeño, OpenAI will also partner with Celestica and Broadcom to build the rack systems and the network infrastructure that surrounds the intelligence processor.
This should lead to much lower prices, more feature differentiation (against objective rivals - and Broadcom customers) and faster time to market.
The small print of the photo showing OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Broadcom CEO Hock Tan spelt out a surprising motto. "May we scale smoothly, exponentially and uneventfully through AGI".
Jalapeño and its successors may well be instrumental to 'reaching' Artificial General Intelligence. The press release mentions a 'multi-generation' compute platform and I wouldn't be surprised if the future iterations notch up the heat with chilli names like Serrano, Cayenne, Habanero and Moruga.
Tan told CNBC there will be a small prototype development by the end of 2026, adding, "We will start seeing it really ramp up in ’27 and really going full tilt in first half ’28". Whispers of the collaboration were first heard in July 2024 with an official announcement made at GITEX in October 2025.
OpenAI has signed a flurry of strategic agreements with the likes of AMD, AWS and Cerebras to secure enough AI chips and reduce its dependency on Nvidia. Likewise, Broadcom has positioned itself as a key provider for anyone with deep enough pockets to yearn for their own hardware.
Other than OpenAI, Google, Meta, and ByteDance are also likely customers with Anthropic, Apple and Fujitsu craving for Broadcom's expertise in ASIC and its custom AI accelerator portfolio.
Becoming the kingmaker will help Broadcom close the gap between itself and Team Green, the nickname given to Nvidia.
In a veiled dig towards the world’s most valuable company, OpenAI said that its new platform was “not a general-purpose accelerator adapted from earlier AI workloads”, a clear allusion to Nvidia GPUs that were used for training.
The next big iteration of ChatGPT, GPT-5.6 is expected to be released this week.
A ‘digital hire’ won’t replace a skilled employee, but it can help automate many of the time-consuming tasks that eat up their day.
Until recently, AI chatbots like ChatGPT and Gemini answered questions, did research, and made suggestions – offering advice, but not actually taking action. Now, thanks to AI agents like OpenClaw and Hermes, AI can interact with other platforms, allowing it to take action like writing and sending emails, updating your schedule, or scheduling social media posts.
In this guide, we explore everything you need to get started with a 'digital employee'.
You’ll need a few things before you can get going with your new ‘digital employee’.
First, you’ll need to pick an AI assistant. There are a few available; OpenClaw is the most popular, closely followed by Hermes. To run your AI agents safely, you’ll likely want to host them on a Virtual Private Server (VPS). Once this is set up, you can then communicate with it via a platform of your choice, such as WhatsApp, Telegram, or Slack.
The VPS is the ‘computer’ doing the heavy lifting, and you can communicate with your AI agent via an app on your phone. So, you don’t really need a powerful computer to run your agents. However, investing in a decent laptop will make it easier to manage workflows, along with the rest of your business, whilst on the go.
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Exactly what you have your agent do for you will depend on the nature of your business and your own unique set of skills. Here are a few platforms you may want to explore pairing your agent with, depending on what you want to achieve:
AI agent role | Platform |
|---|---|
Seamlessly manage tour schedule on your behalf | |
Deal with invoices and bookkeeping | |
Manage customer relationships and organize leads | |
Support your marketing efforts | |
Organizing contracts and signatures |
Giving AI agents access to sensitive business information, such as financial data, customer data, and emails, carries risks. Using a dedicated VPS goes some way to protecting you.
However, it is important that you take the time to fully understand the risks associated with using AI agents and the steps you can take to mitigate them.
Rockstar Games has officially revealed that Grand Theft Auto 6 will only have two versions at launch: Standard and Ultimate Edition.
It's not what many expected, but there are some major differences between the two.
If you're on the fence about what form your GTA 6 pre-order will take when it comes to the edition, here's everything you need to know about both.
The Standard Edition will cost $79.99, which isn't too expensive for the most highly anticipated game of all time, while the Ultimate Edition is priced at $99.99.
Rockstar has confirmed that those who pre-order digital versions of GTA 6 can begin pre-loading on November 12, seven days in advance of the game's launch on November 19.
However, no matter what version of the game you purchase, be it Standard or Ultimate, the physical edition won't come with a disc, but a download code in the box instead.
It's unfortunate, but the physical version will be available starting November 12 to support pre-loading.
As is typical with most games, the GTA 6 Standard Edition will only come with the base game and no additional add-ons, unlike its more premium counterpart.
Being the more costly edition of the game, the Ultimate Edition will come with an exclusive collection of "premium vehicles, weapons, apparel, and action around every corner."
"Ultimate Edition bonuses are threaded across all aspects of Jason and Lucia’s story, with new items uncovered behind each chapter," Rockstar teased.
The Ultimate Edition exclusive features include:
Players who pre-order or purchase any edition of the game before November 20 will receive a code for the Vintage Vice City Pack, "a collection of items that flash back to when the neon burned brightest."
The Vintage City Pack includes:
GTA 6 launches on November 19 for PS5, Xbox Series X and Series S.
If you're interested in placing a physical pre-order as quickly as possible, you can check and save the search links below.
US GTA 6 pre-order retailer search links: Amazon | Walmart | Best Buy | Target | GameStop
UK GTA 6 pre-order retailer search links: Amazon | Currys | Argos | Very | EE | ShopTo | The Game Collection | John Lewis
An Amazon Prime Day deal on Garmin’s Vivoactive 6 for £169 (was £225.62) has tempted me to jump back into the smartwatch arena after a bad experience with an Apple Watch caused me to abandon smartwatches entirely.
• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale
I don’t run or jog and I’m not overly obsessed with statistics about how well I slept and how many steps I’ve taken today, but I think it’s time I got a smartwatch again.
My colleague Matt Evans first brought the Garmin Vivoactive 5 for £117 (was £174.99) to my attention with the great price he’d found it for as part of Amazon Prime Day.
But after researching the Vivoactive range for a little while I decided I actually wanted the Garmin Vivoactive 6 (currently on our best Garmin watches list) and the chance of saving 25% was too tempting — I was sold.
To get this great price on the Garmin Vívoactive 6 with 42mm GPS smartwatch, AMOLED touchscreen, all-day health monitoring, fitness features, advanced sleep coaching, Music and more, you have to choose the pebble grey model.View Deal
The Garmin Vivoactive 5 GPS smartwatch has a superb price cut, with a massive 33% off thanks to Amazon Prime Day.View Deal
It’s not that I hated my Apple Watch, I just couldn’t be bothered to keep charging it every day. I actually started to resent the watch because it was forcing me into this daily ritual of caring for it that felt like I was a slave to technology, not the other way around.
The main thing that attracted me to the Garmin was that it’s got an 11-day battery life. Why hasn’t Apple made something that will last that long on a single charge? Yes, I know that you can do more with an Apple Watch, but I rarely used the voice control features.
I have definitely missed some aspects of not having a smartwatch. For example, notifications on my wrist are a lot easier to deal with than having to fish my phone out of my jeans pocket to see the latest Whatsapp from a family member.
It’s the same with payments — having the device on my wrist would make it a lot easier to pay for things when my hands are full. And finally, general health tracking, including sleep tracking, would be nice to get back into. I’ve got more and more curious about what kind of sleep quality I’m getting, and even if it’s just counting my steps all day. I miss having all those stats at my fingertips.
There is a Garmin subscription service called Garmin Connect+ that has AI and coaching features I don’t want or need, but you’re not required to join it to get any of the watch’s features to work. All the health and fitness features remain gloriously subscription-free.
In fact, the only downside I can see with the Garmin is to do with transferring music to it. I’ve got a subscription to Apple Music, not Spotify, and you need Amazon Music or Spotify Premium to transfer music to a Garmin. (You can transfer MP3 files you've purchased, of course), but if I eventually get back into jogging I might have to be content with podcasts if I want to leave my phone behind.
I'm looking forward to getting to play with a smartwatch again, and to seeing whether Garmin's much-praised Body Battery score really is as useful as its fans claim. But mostly, I'm curious to find out whether a smartwatch has finally become something I actually want to wear every day.
The irony is that the feature that brought me back isn't AI, advanced health tracking, or even fitness coaching. It's battery life. After years of increasingly clever gadgets demanding more of my attention, the thing that finally tempted me back was a watch that promises to stay out of the way for nearly two weeks at a time.
If the Vivoactive 6 can manage that while quietly handling my notifications, music, payments, and the occasional sleep report, then it might just convince me that smartwatches were worth another chance after all.
This Apple Watch Series 11 has a Jet Black Aluminium Case with Black Sport Band, Sleep Score, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display and more. You can get a great 21% off thanks to Amazon Prime Day.View Deal
Finally, Rockstar Games has announced GTA 6's price, which retails at $79.99 (likely £75 / AU$114.40), and the excitement has unsurprisingly reached an all-time high among gamers.
With the game now locked in for a November 19 launch, there are plenty of ways to get prepared for gaming's biggest event in decades. Whether that's via buying a PS5, PS5 Pro, Xbox Series X, or Xbox Series S console, or acquiring necessary accessories, this announcement comes at a perfect time.
It's Prime Day, and if you're a PS5 owner, you're in luck, as several deals on headsets and controllers will certainly come in handy once the long-awaited day finally arrives later this November.
First and foremost, the Razer Raiju V3 Pro is available on Amazon for $144 (was $219.99), with a strong 35% discount, making this top-of-the-line controller much more affordable.
You can find the Razer Raiju V3 Pro available in the UK on Amazon for £142.08 (was £199.99), at a slightly lower price.
If you're all set on your controller setup already, and you need a gaming headset to enjoy GTA 6's immersive audio, look no further.
The Logitech G Pro X 2 wireless gaming headset is available on Amazon for $199 (was $279.99), thanks to a 29% discount. This is a gaming headset that will keep you locked into your games for hours, only requiring 5 minutes of charging for 1 hour of playtime, compatible with PC, PS5, PS4, and the Nintendo Switch 2.
Another big highlight is the Razer BlackShark V3, which is available for $85.49 (was $149.99), a wireless gaming headset that prioritizes great surround sound audio, long battery life, and ultra-low latency.
Effectively, there's something for everyone this Prime Day — and it's one of the best times to prepare for one of the biggest games of all-time and celebrate your GTA 6 pre-order.
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The Razer Raiju V3 Pro is a solid option for Esports gamers, but also for any PS5 or PC gamer looking to add some flexibility to their game controller, via several customization options. It features 6 remappable buttons, Razer Pro HyperTriggers Instant for rapid-fire clicks, and ultra-low latency. View Deal
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Co-hosts Canada face Switzerland in Vancouver knowing they will finish top of Group B at the FIFA World Cup 2026 if they avoid defeat – and you can live stream the game around the world for free.
It's not often that a 6-0 victory can leave you feeling a bit hollow, but you could forgive Canada's staff and players for being a little flat following their thrashing of Qatar after the game was overshadowed by a serious leg injury to midfielder Ismael Kone. The incident left manager Jesse Marsch in tears and emotions continued to run high when substitute Nathan Saliba, who came on for Kone, scored the co-hosts' fourth and held up his team-mate's shirt in tribute. Marsch and his players must refocus quickly as they return to BC Place, where they will be boosted by captain Alphonso Davies' return to the bench after a hamstring injury. Their reward for avoiding defeat will not just be top spot in Group B, but also a last-32 fixture back here in Vancouver.
After a frustrating 1-1 draw with Qatar and a goalless opening 70 minutes against Bosnia and Herzegovina, Switzerland's World Cup burst into life with four late goals to beat the latter 4-1 in Los Angeles. The chief architects of that victory were substitutes Johan Manzambi and Ruben Vargas, who were involved in all four goals. Manzambi scored twice while Vargas added a goal and an assist, with both surely in contention to start against Canada. Switzerland's place in a fourth successive knockout stage is already all-but assured but they trail the co-hosts on goal difference, so manager Murat Yakin might as well go for the victory that would leapfrog them above today's opponents and finish top of Group B.
Though unlikely, neither side is guaranteed progress, though, so both will seek the point to secure the knockouts.
So, read on as we show you exactly how to watch Switzerland vs Canada for free from anywhere in the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Switzerland XI: Kobel; Jaquez, Elvedi, Akanji, Rodriguez; Freuler, Xhaka; Manzambi, Sow, Vargas; Embolo.
Canada XI: Crepeau; Johnston, De Fougerolles, Cornelius, Laryea; Buchanan, Choiniere, Saliba, Ahmed; J David, Larin.
Switzerland vs Canada is available to watch for free in multiple countries, including the UK, Australia, Brazil, Belgium, Ireland, Netherlands, Switzerland and Turkey.
Abroad? Can't access your free stream? Unblock your free World Cup stream with Norton VPN — more on that below.
It’s the World Cup, and if you’re traveling, you might discover your usual Switzerland vs Canada stream is suddenly unavailable due to geo-restrictions.
Don’t worry, that’s exactly where a VPN can help. A virtual private network lets you connect to servers around the world so you can securely access your usual World Cup coverage as if you were back home.
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US viewers can watch Switzerland vs Canada on Fox.
You can watch every World Cup game on Fox and FS1, which are available on cord-cutters like YouTube TV (free trial), Hulu+Live TV, Sling (select markets), Fubo or DirecTV.
Those looking for a streaming service instead can watch Switzerland vs Canada on Fox One (3-day free trial).
Visiting the US from the UK? You can still watch your World Cup stream for free thanks to Norton VPN (try for 60 days).
UK customers are in luck as they can stream Switzerland vs Canada for free on ITV. Live coverage is on ITV1 and ITVX.
You require a TV license and a valid UK postcode for an account (e.g. SE1 7PB).
Norton VPN can unlock your stream if you're abroad today.
Switzerland vs Canada will be shown for free in Australia on SBS On Demand.
The streaming platform has every game of the tournament for free, making it the perfect place for your World Cup viewing.
Traveling for work or on holiday? A VPN like Norton VPN can help unlock your free stream.
In Canada, TSN and free-to-air channel CTV will be broadcasting Switzerland vs Canada.
You can live stream via the TSN+ streaming platform, which costs CA$8 per month or CA$80 per year.
CTV will require your TV provider login details, but is also available via pay-TV streaming platform Crave if you want an alternative.
Outside of Canada? Use Norton VPN whilst you're traveling away from home to unlock your stream.
Switzerland vs Canada kicks-off at 8pm BST / 3pm ET on Wednesday, June 24. That's 5am AEST on Thursday, June 25 in Australia.
Switzerland
Goalkeepers: Marvin Keller (Young Boys), Gregor Kobel (Borussia Dortmund), Yvon Mvogo (Lorient).
Defenders: Manuel Akanji (Inter Milan), Aurele Amenda (Eintracht Frankfurt), Eray Comert (Valencia), Nico Elvedi (Borussia Moenchengladbach), Luca Jaquez (VfB Stuttgart), Miro Muheim (Hamburg), Ricardo Rodriguez (Real Betis), Silvan Widmer (Mainz).
Midfielders: Michel Aebischer (Pisa), Christian Fassnacht (Young Boys), Remo Freuler (Bologna), Ardon Jashari (AC Milan), Johan Manzambi (Freiburg), Fabian Rieder (Augsburg), Djibril Sow, Ruben Vargas (both Sevilla), Granit Xhaka (Sunderland), Denis Zakaria (Monaco).
Forwards: Zeki Amdouni (Burnley), Breel Embolo (Stade Rennais), Cedric Itten (Fortuna Dusseldorf), Dan Ndoye (Nottingham Forest), Noah Okafor (Leeds United).
Canada
Goalkeepers: Dayne St Clair (Inter Miami), Maxime Crepeau (Orlando City), Owen Goodman (Crystal Palace).
Defenders: Alistair Johnston (Celtic), Derek Cornelius (Marseille), Richie Laryea (Toronto), Niko Sigur (Hajduk Split), Joel Waterman (Chicago Fire), Luc de Fougerolles (Fulham), Moise Bombito (Nice), Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich), Alfie Jones (Middlesbrough).
Midfielders: Stephen Eustaquio (Porto), Tajon Buchanan (Villarreal), Mathieu Choiniere (Los Angeles FC), Ali Ahmed (Norwich City), Nathan Saliba (Anderlecht), Liam Millar (Hull City), Marcelo Flores (Tigres UANL), Jacob Shaffelburg (Toronto), Jonathan Osorio (Toronto).
Forwards: Jonathan David (Juventus), Cyle Larin (Southampton), Tani Oluwaseyi (Villarreal), Promise David (Union SG).
Position | Team | GD | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Canada | 6 | 4 |
2 | Switzerland | 3 | 4 |
3 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | -3 | 1 |
4 | Qatar | -6 | 1 |
Of course, most broadcasters have streaming services that you can access through mobile apps or via your phone's browser.
You can also stay up-to-date with all of the key World Cup moments on the official social media channels on X/Twitter (@FIFAWorldCup), Instagram (@FIFAWorldCup), TikTok (@FIFAWorldCup) and YouTube (@FIFA).
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
The Geekom Amazon Prime Day deals have landed - and I've picked out the mini PCs you won't want to miss based on our extensive benchmarking.
For me, there are two contenders in the sales. The Geekom A6 for $500 (was $649) - this is a phenomenal machine for work and study, scoring 4.5 stars in our tests. If you're choosing between this and the A5, go with this. It has the better specs and performance.
At the other end of the scale, the Geekom A9 Max for $1190 (was $1399) is a beast, and one of my favorite Geekom mini PCs. It performed exceptionally well during tests for those that need a Windows 11 AI mini PC. Check out the full line-up below, alongside our review scores. For more top picks, see our round up of the best mini PCs my team and I tested.
AMD Ryzen 7 6800H | 16GB DDR5 | 1TB SSD
One of the best Geekom mini PCs for those who want to run office software and light content creation tasks. We found this packs in plenty of power for day-to-day tasks. ★★★★⯪
Read our Geekom A6 reviewView Deal
AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 | 32GB DDR5 | 1TB SSD
Hands down, this is one of the best Windows mini PCs we've ever tested and one of my personal favorites. In testing, this AI-ready machine delivered desktop-class performance. ★★★★⯪
Read our Geekom A9 Max reviewView Deal
AMD Ryzen 5 7430U | 16GB DDR4 | 512GB SSD
The A5 is a solid all-rounder for work and study - if you're heading back to school or the office, this is the Geekom mini PC to go for. It's not a powerhouse, but it is a workhorse. ★★★★☆
Read our Geekom A5 reviewView Deal
Intel Core Ultra 9 185H | 16GB DDR5 | 1TB SSD
A genuine powerhouse for office professionals and developers, with the specs to prove it, including quad display support. We enjoyed our time with its predecessor, but this one is a serious step up. View Deal
AMD Ryzen 5 7430U | 16GB DDR4 | 512GB SSD
The impressive A5 Pro is a moderate upgrade on the A5 for business professionals and students who need a stylish all-metal mini PC for the home and office. ★★★★☆
Read our Geekom A5 Pro reviewView Deal
AMD Ryzen 7 8745HS | 16GB DDR5 | 1TB SSD
The metal Geekom A8 is a stylish looking performer that has ports galore and solid graphical performance. We found it well-suited to multi-taskers. ★★★★☆
Read our Geekom A8 reviewView Deal
AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS | 16GB DDR5 | 1TB SSD
This is one of those mini PCs I recommend for tinkerers. it's not a bad machine, but it scored lower in our tests because you'll want to upgrade the memory if you want the best results. ★★★⯪☆
Read our Geekom A7 Max reviewView Deal
Intel Core Ultra 9 185H | 16GB DDR5 | 1TB SSD
The GT13 Max is another flagship Intel machine from Geekom that delivers high-performance specs with a focus on business professionals and coders. You might even squeeze some light gaming from it. View Deal
In his bid for a record-equalling fifth Tour de France title, Tadej Pogacar is going to have to see off fierce competition from arch-rival Jonas Vingegaard and teenage sensation Paul Seixas when the 2026 Tour de France starts on July 4.
Only Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Indurain have secured the maillot jaune more times than Pogacar, but whereas they were in their thirties or thereabouts (Merckx was 29) when they achieved the feat, Pogacar is still just 27 years old.
Then again, Anquetil's period of dominance fed into the era of Merckx, which in turn preceded the heydey of Hinault, which faded just as the epoch of Indurain appeared on the horizon. Then came Lance Armstrong, followed by Chris Froome, and now Pogacar and Vingegaard have split the last six editions of the race between them.
In other words, although we've never seen a cycling rivalry this fearsome and this sustained before, nothing can be taken for granted. Perhaps Seixas – or Pogacar's UAE Team Emirates XRG teammate Isaac del Toro – will be the man to usher in a new era.
You can watch all 21 stages for free in Australia, with free daily highlights in the UK. Abroad? We'll show you how to watch the Tour de France free from anywhere with a good VPN – our favourite NordVPN comes with up to 75% off.
Yes. Tour de France 2026 will be streamed live and free in many countries around the world, with the best English-language coverage available in Australia and the UK.
🇦🇺 Australia: SBS on Demand (every stage)
🇬🇧 UK: Channel 5 (daily highlights)
Abroad during the TdF? You can use a NordVPN (try 100% risk-free) to watch all the action free of charge as if you were right at home.
Taking place July 4-26, Tour de France 2026 coincides with peak summer vacation season. Unfortunately, you may find that your usual streaming options are geoblocked while you’re away.
That’s where a VPN comes in handy – not only does it let you access your home streaming services from anywhere, but it also protects you from potential online threats. We recommend NordVPN – it does everything and will unblock any free streaming service for you to watch the action.
🟩 NordVPN – get the world's best VPN
Not having a VPN is like leaving your front door wide open in a busy city – anyone can walk right in and take a peek.
TechRadar regularly reviews all the biggest and best VPN providers and NordVPN is our #1 choice.
✅ Up to 75% off today
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Get NordVPN and stream Tour de France 2026 from anywhere.View Deal
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Saturday, July 4
Stage 1 | Barcelona – Barcelona (19.7km TTT)
Sunday, July 5
Stage 2 | Tarragona – Barcelona (182km)
Monday, July 6
Stage 3 | Granollers – Les Angles (196km)
Tuesday, July 7
Stage 4 | Carcassonne – Foix (182km)
Wednesday, July 8
Stage 5 | Lannemezan – Pau (158km)
Thursday, July 9
Stage 6 | Pau – Gavarnie-Gedre (186km)
Friday, July 10
Stage 7 | Hagetmau – Bordeaux (175km)
Saturday, July 11
Stage 8 | Perigueux – Bergerac (182km)
Sunday, July 12
Stage 9 | Malemort – Ussel (185km)
Monday, July 13
Rest
Tuesday, July 14
Stage 10 | Aurillac – Le Lioran (167km)
Wednesday, July 15
Stage 11 | Vichy – Nevers (161km)
Thursday, July 16
Stage 12 | Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours – Chalon-sur-Saone (181km)
Friday, July 17
Stage 13 | Dole – Belfort (205km)
Saturday, July 18
Stage 14 | Mulhouse – Le Markstein (155km)
Sunday, July 19
Stage 15 | Champagnole – Plateau de Solaison (184km)
Monday, July 20
Rest
Tuesday, July 21
Stage 16 | Evian Les-Bains – Thonon Les-Bains (26km ITT)
Wednesday, July 22
Stage 17 | Chambery – Voiron (175km)
Thursday, July 23
Stage 18 | Voiron – Orcieres Merlette (185km)
Friday, July 24
Stage 19 | Gap – Alpe d’Huez (128km)
Saturday, July 25
Stage 20 | Le Bourg d’Oisans – Alpe d’Huez (171km)
Sunday, July 26
Stage 21 | Thoiry – Paris (130km)
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
Light spoilers follow for Supergirl.
Supergirl marks the eponymous character's return to the limelight after 42 years. Okay, the DC superhero has starred and/or appeared in numerous TV shows and small-screen movies in the decades since; however, her only previous big-screen outing came in the form of the much-maligned 1984 Supergirl film featuring Helen Slater, so another cinematic adventure is long overdue.
Unfortunately, as incredibly excited as I've been for the second DC Universe (DCU) flick's arrival, it gives me no satisfaction to say that Kara Zor-El's latest silver-screen project is DC Studios' first misfire. It's not terrible by any means, but I left my screening with a tangible pang of what could have been if the movie had actually done right by its source material.
Following her scene-stealing cameo in 2025's David Corenswet-led Superman movie, Supergirl reunites us with Kara (Milly Alcock) and her superpowered pup Krypto as they embark on an interstellar bar crawl to celebrate Kara's 23rd birthday, which Kara simultaneously uses to try and forget the destruction of her and Supes' home world Krypton by getting blackout drunk.
However, it isn't long before last orders are called. Indeed, when the sadistic Krem of the Yellow Hills (Matthias Schoenaerts) and his criminal gang — aka The Brigands — murder the family of a young woman named Ruthye (Eve Ridley) on her home planet, the latter tracks down Kara to help Ruthye get her revenge.
Supergirl doesn't soar to the heady heights that its main character can reach with ease
Initially reluctant to help, Kara changes her mind when Krem not only steals her spaceship, but also critically injures Krypto with a poisoned dart. With only 72 hours to find Krem and retrieve the antidote that'll save her dog's life, Kara and Ruthye set off on a character-defining journey that's as much a sci-fi adventure and space western as it is a superhero movie.
Tonally, Supergirl takes as much inspiration from genre films like True Grit, Mad Max, and Guardians of the Galaxy as it does from Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, aka the 2021 graphic novel that this movie is based on.
The occasionally egregious editing of some set-pieces doesn't do justice to Supergirl's fight choreography
Those comparisons aren't a negative but, while Supergirl's grimy, washed-out aesthetic might seem like a good fit for its modern pulp plot, I yearned for the vibrant, eye-popping color palette and visual flair of its comic-book inspiration, which last year's Superman film had in spades.
On the action front, Supergirl expands on the set-pieces spread across Woman of Tomorrow's pages, while adding a couple of new ones to the mix.
And, honestly, I had no problem with the inclusion of these new sequences, nor the creative liberties taken with pre-existing ones. The Woman of Tomorrow comic book is a slow-burning, pensive read that's lightly seasoned with thrilling, high-stakes action, so I fully understand why its film adaptation dials up the spectacle.
That said, the occasionally egregious editing of some set-pieces doesn't do justice to Supergirl's fight choreography.
Spoilers notwithstanding, at the start of the film's climactic battle, I counted at least 20 quick-fire cuts across what must have been a 40-second period. That's far, far too many and, while it isn't the only example I could give where jump-cuts make it difficult to follow the action, I wouldn't be shocked if, once Supergirl has fully launched worldwide by June 26, fans have plenty of negative things to say about this specific sequence.
That's far from my only issue with Supergirl — and a lot of my grievances stem from the crucial fact that it dismisses aspects of what makes Woman of Tomorrow such a great read.
When its second trailer arrived in April, I expressed concern that Supergirl wouldn't be the comic book movie adaptation I was hoping for. Two months later, Supergirl's final trailer did little to assuage those fears. Nevertheless, I clung to the hope that my worries would be unfounded once I saw the full film.
Supergirl reinterprets its source material for the worse
Color me disappointed, then, that the DCU Chapter One flick reinterprets its source material for the worse.
For starters — and this might sound baffling to some — Supergirl tells its story from Kara's perspective. I know, how blasphemous of it to focus on its titular protagonist.
But hear me out. One of the comic book's biggest strengths is that Ruthye is our point-of-view character, so we witness Kara's heroic actions through the eyes of her young ally. To re-use True Grit to illustrate my point: in the 2010 western, we see events through teenager Mattie's eyes, not her world-weary and flawed albeit honorable chaperone Rooster Cogburn. To me, there's no reason why Supergirl couldn't have done likewise, especially when there's already a precedent for it in Woman of Tomorrow.
Supergirl similarly squanders another of its best elements by regularly neglecting Kara and Ruthye's complex dynamic
Supergirl similarly squanders another of its best elements by regularly neglecting Kara and Ruthye's complex dynamic.
Again, I appreciate that this is a movie about the eponymous Kryptonian, but the original Woman of Tomorrow story works so well because it's a two-hander. Apart from giving Ridley's Ruthye a belated chance to shine as the film's third act begins, Supergirl relegates her to the sidelines; and, in what I consider to be a huge misstep, doesn't examine the full extent of the complicated yet sincere relationship that exists between her and Kara in Tom King and Bilquis Eveley's comic-book series.
Considering that Supergirl clocks in at a breezy one hour and 48 minutes, there's really no excuse why this team-up wasn't explored more acutely. To me, a few more scenes based around more intimate character moments from Woman of Tomorrow would have gone a long way to fixing this without impacting the film's flow.
To give credit where it's due, Supergirl is at times as emotionally engaging, if not more so, than its literary influence — and that's mainly down to Alcock's poignantly potent performance.
Last September, in comments that could have been viewed as being exceedingly biased, DC Studios co-chief James Gunn said Alcock's take on Kara was "absolutely stunning" — and he's absolutely right.
Alcock captures the morally complex, sassy, and traumatized metahuman with the right amount of poise, petulance, and emotional precision
Whether it's her juggling of Kara's conflicting emotions in the present, or scenes depicting Kara's tragic backstory that act as well-placed storytelling touchstones peppered throughout, Alcock captures the morally complex, sassy, and traumatized metahuman with the right amount of poise, petulance, and emotional precision. Suffice it to say, I can't wait to see how her fellow superpowered beings deal with her punk rock attitude in 2027 Superman sequel Man of Tomorrow.
As for the film's supporting cast, Jason Momoa is arguably the standout as the immortal, interstellar mercenary Lobo.
Ridley does well with the screen time she's afforded, while Corenswet repays Alcock for her cameo in last year's DCU big-screen curtain-raiser with a couple of memorable appearances of his own. However, it's Momoa — a self-confessed Lobo superfan — who shines brightest in a role that's an integral part of Supergirl's story, and which allows him to play to his obvious acting strengths.
Unfortunately, the same can't be said of Krem. Schoenaerts is fine as the movie's central antagonist, but I'm simply not a fan of the changes — physical or otherwise — made to turn him into a disappointing, one-note villain. A bit more substance and — you know, giving us the Krem portrayed in Woman of Tomorrow — would have gone a long way to keeping me onside.
Taken at face value, Supergirl is a pretty good film. Its heartfelt story, good-to-great cast performances, occasionally funny moments, applause-worthy practical effects, and tentpole action sequences will appeal to anyone who simply wants to be entertained by a traditional superhero flick.
However, those hoping for a more accurate adaptation of its literary works, and/or looking for a different kind of comic book movie, will likely deem it a somewhat underwhelming watch — especially if their expectations were sky-high like mine. I really wanted to like this film more than I did; but, ultimately, it doesn't soar to the heady heights that its main character can reach with ease.
We now have another witness claiming Mythos Preview is able to break into protected systems fast and this one is none other than a high-ranking member of the US Government.
According to the Associated Press, Senator Mark Warner of Virginia testified in front of a congressional hearing this month, saying he was informed by National Security Agency (NSA) chief Joshua Rudd that Mythos “broke into almost all of our classified systems, not in weeks, but in hours.”
It’s worth mentioning here that the break-in was controlled, since it was part of an exercise done by the Anthropic team and the intelligence agency.
The Associated Press dug deeper, and was informed by an unidentified US official that Mythos merely found vulnerabilities within hours, not necessarily exploited them. Still, identifying a vulnerability that theoretically can be exploited for attacks against protected US Government systems should be cause for concern on its own.
Mythos is an advanced AI model built by Anthropic, first introduced in early April this year. However, the company decided not to share it with the general public because it was apparently too capable of discovering and leveraging software vulnerabilities.
Instead, Anthropic shared it with a handful of major corporations, to help them secure their systems before cybercriminals can use the tool. Since then, multiple companies came forward to confirm Mythos’ potency, including Mozilla, which said the tool was “every bit as capable” as the world’s best security researchers.
Mozilla said that with the help of Mythos, it was able to ship more than 400 Firefox security bugs in April alone.
A month later, Anthropic said the 50 companies using the tool discovered more than 10,000 critical and high-level security vulnerabilities in roughly two months’ time.
“Several have told us that their rate of bug-finding has increased by more than a factor of ten,” the company said. “For instance, Cloudflare has found 2,000 bugs (400 of which are high- or critical-severity) across their critical-path systems, with a false positive rate that Cloudflare’s team considers better than human testers.”
Via Reuters
Remember Crime Boss: Rockay City? The co-op heist shooter that launched back in March 2023 and didn't get the best review scores. It's not a perfect game, but I've always defended it.
Under the Radar is our way of highlighting great games that might have passed you by. Through a regular mix of news stories and features, we'll cover great experiences that we feel haven't found the audience they deserve. Read the full series here.
The shooting feels great for a mid-price title; the 1980s Miami setting is pretty cool, and, importantly, I think it's a lot more fun than its biggest competitor: Payday 3.
I like to boot it up every few months as it's always receiving new content drops, and it sounds like developer Ingame Studios has no plans to slow down three years on.
The game just received its 21st major update, bringing it into what the studio dubs "Version 2.0". It's billed as the biggest set of additions yet, and includes a whole new story campaign.
Originally, the game followed an almost roguelike format, with randomized campaigns and deaths that would reset your progress. Now, it has a more traditional, linear story experience with a selection of new cutscenes added to bridge it all together.
This mode also incorporates all of the narrative content from the Gold Cup and Cagnali's Order expansions, creating one unified Crime Boss experience.
If that massive change wasn't enough, the game also just received two new missions as part of the update. This includes the 'Hell's Kitchen' heist, which looks like a take on the iconic 'Cook Off' mission from the Payday franchise that has players trying to cook up piles of drugs while fending off waves of law enforcement.
The devs are even teasing more, urging players to "stay tuned" because the "story isn’t over yet" in a press release.
I'm excited to dive in, and I won't even need to part with any extra cash to do so, as the update is free on every platform where Crime Boss: Rockay City is available — PC, Xbox Series X and Series S, and PlayStation 5.
Yes, it’s here again: Amazon Prime Day is upon us, meaning now is as good a time as any to pick up a top-end smartphone for a lower price than usual.
• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale
I’ll be spending this week recommending the best phones for all budgets and use cases, but it’s also important to acknowledge the devices you should actively avoid spending your hard-earned money on this Prime Day — even if they’re the subject of some seemingly hard-to-resist discounts.
You see, smartphones don’t live forever. All manufacturers drop software support for older models as their popularity diminishes and newer software features become more complex, leaving unsupported devices feeling outdated and more vulnerable to security threats.
That’s why, in this guide, I’ve rounded up 29 iPhones and Android phones that aren’t guaranteed to receive further updates beyond 2026. In each section, I’ve also noted the models you should consider buying this Prime Day instead.
I’ve limited this roundup to phones available in the US (namely, devices from Apple, Samsung, Google, and Motorola), but you can find specific software support information for whatever model you’re considering on its manufacturer’s website.
And for an even more detailed picture of the current software support landscape, check out our phone update support explainer.
Apple supplies iPhones with a minimum of five years of software updates, but it typically extends that commitment for up to two additional years. As such, the iPhones listed below may well continue to receive updates beyond 2026, but there’s also a chance that they get left behind after iOS 27 drops in September.
As for which iPhones you should consider buying instead, I’d recommend going for an iPhone 15 or upwards, since these devices will be supported until at least 2028.
Android manufacturers are more rigid in their software support commitments than Apple, meaning we know exactly when Samsung, Google, and Motorola phones will stop receiving updates.
As for which Android phones you should consider buying instead, I’d recommend going for anything the same age or newer than the Galaxy S24, Galaxy A56, Galaxy Z Fold 6, Galaxy Z Flip 6, Google Pixel 8, Google Pixel 7a, and Motorola Edge 60. Any of those devices will see you through to 2028 with ease.
So you want AirPods? You're not alone — they're the most popular headphones in the world for a reason. The good news is: the best and newest models are discounted and they're discounted well, depending on where you live.
We're covering Amazon Prime Day constantly, throughout the huge three-day shindig, but I've corralled the best savings across all sites and regions right here, on this page.
• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale
Top of the heap for me would be the excellent AirPods Max 2, which are now just $399 at Amazon (was $549) if you live Stateside.
Gotta have those ice-white buds? In the US, AirPods Pro 3 are now down to just $179 (was $249.99) in another corker of a deal.
In the UK, the AirPods Pro 3 deal isn't quite as good as 32% off, but they're still a tidy 20% off, taking their price down to just £175 (was £219.99).
And Brits, don't think I haven't got more for you too! AirPods 4 are now just £79.80 (down from a regular price of £119) and also, the fourth-generation set with ANC are now just £125.40 (down from £169).
Not the exact models you were after? That's fine, simply scroll for the best AirPods deals where you are, all live now.
These are the new new March 2026 edition, with the H2 chip and all of the upticks in performance that brings. And though many might have predicted an Apple-style $50 saving (yawn), this $150-off steal is crazy! Nobody had this on their bingo card for Prime Day. Let me be abundantly clear: the noise cancellation here is absolutely fantastic — and I know, because I reviewed them… View Deal
This might just be the best early Prime Day tech deal, especially if you want Apple's iconic buds (and you'd be in good company; they're the most popular earbuds in the world for a reason). Apple's AirPods Pro 3 for a record-low price of $169? Come on! Apple's newest premium buds feature improved Active Noise Cancellation, outstanding audio, a comfortable in-ear design, and new features such as live translation and heart-rate tracking. These do-it-all buds really are 100% flagship audio, and the noise-canceling quality is outstanding.View Deal
Not sure you need the flagship set with a heart-rate monitor? Amazon's Prime Day deals also include a tidy saving on the AirPods 4 with active noise cancellation. These AirPods 4 feature the newer and more comfortable design, handy controls, and Apple's H2 chip (the same one that features in the Pro 3 and Max 2), which supports personalised spatial audio and voice isolation. There's also that all-important ANC to block out distracting noises and outside sounds, which is great when you want to focus at work or are commuting.View Deal
You knew Apple's earbuds offering went further than AirPods! The pinnacle of the company's Beats sub-brand is its Powerbeats Pro 2. Think of them as the new, improved version of some of the best running headphones you can buy — now at a record-low price. These better their predecessor in almost every category with that modern Apple H2 chip, lighter weight, longer battery life, and new features such as heart-rate monitoring and Qi wireless charging. The battery lasts an impressive 45 hours total with both the buds and case, which beats many of the best workout earbuds by a wide margin. And the deal? It's $20 lower than our price trackers have ever seen. View Deal
If you want Apple's iconic buds in the UK (and you'd be in good company; they're the most popular earbuds in the world for a reason) you're in luck. AirPods Pro 3 for their lowest-seen price? Come on! Apple's newest premium buds feature improved Active Noise Cancellation, outstanding audio, a comfortable in-ear design, and new features such as live translation and heart-rate tracking. These do-it-all buds really are 100% flagship audio, and the noise-canceling quality is outstanding.View Deal
This is a new record-low price for Apple's non-ANC buds. The AirPods 4 feature a new design for all-day comfort and pack Apple's H2 chip, which supports personalized spatial audio and voice isolation. You also get a redesigned case with 30 hours of battery life and support for USB-C for wireless charging. Again, this cheaper version does not support active noise cancellation, so it may be worth paying the extra to get that benefit with the deal below.View Deal
Willing to spend a bit more? Amazon's Prime Day deals feature the AirPods 4 with active noise cancellation for their lowest price ever. These AirPods 4 feature a new comfortable design, handy controls, and Apple's H2 chip (the same one that features in the Pro 3 and Max 2, you know), which supports personalised spatial audio and voice isolation. There's also that all-important ANC to block out distracting noises and outside sounds, which is great when you want to focus at work or are commuting.View Deal
OK before you get excited, this is the older set, albeit with a marginal update — in the form of a USB-C port that does allow USB-C Lossless audio so you can go wired for hi-res audio. The deal is live on the Midnight, Blue and Starlight colourways and honestly, they'll look exactly the same as the newer set. Only thing is, you don't get the H2 chips under the hood, and so the uptick in ANC, sonic clarity and Apple Intelligence perks won't be forthcoming. I still think the sound and ANC is well worth it at this fee, but the Max 2 are just that bit better… View Deal
I've covered the ereader space for decades and watched as the industry struggled to make usable color E Ink displays. The early displays were slow, with low contrast and faded colors, and were roundly rejected by those who happily scooped up and held onto monochrome ereaders like the iconic Kindle Paperwhite.
One ereader changed all that, and now the Amazon Kindle Colorsoft, which we called "the fastest, smoothest e-reader we've ever used," is on sale for Prime Day for $159 in the US and £154.99 in the UK for the 16GB model.
• Browse all early Prime Day deals at Amazon
Here's what makes these Prime Day prices more remarkable: the Colorsoft is, in the US, just $35 more than the Kindle Paperwhite, and about £20 more than it is in the UK. So basically, the cost of two or three Matchas to switch up from black and white to thousands of colors? Feels like a no-brainer.
The Kindle Colorsoft is down to its lowest price as part of Amazon Prime Day. As Amazon's first and only colored Kindle, it's a must-have for people who love reading travel guides, graphic novels, and other genres with a lot of images and photographs. It's USB-C and wireless charging compatible, lasting up to 8 weeks on a full battery.View Deal
The Kindle Colorsoft just fell to its lowest-ever price as part of this year's Amazon Prime Day sale. As Amazon's first colored Kindle, it's a must-have if you love reading travel guides, graphic novels, and other genres with a lot of images and photographs — or just want to view your entire ebook library in its full colour glory. The ereader is also USB-C and wireless charging compatible, lasts up to eight weeks on a full battery, and has enough storage for thousands of books.View Deal
What's exciting about the Colorsoft is not just that it finally brings color to a reflective screen, but that it does it so well. I remember seeing the 7-inch, waterproof ereader for the first time in 2025. Initially, it looked and felt much like the Kindle Paperwhite I was familiar with, but the new color screen was a revelation. It's sharp, bright, crisp, and the colors pop across a range of content styles. Graphic novels are especially well-suited to the screen technology. You can tap or swipe through various full-screen panels, or view the full page of panels as you might on a physical graphic novel.
Books and, especially, magazines like National Geographic look good, too.
Best of all, there are no real trade-offs here. You get 16GB, which is more than enough space for thousands of tomes. As a reflective display, battery life is still strong, at 28 hours (according to our tests), which means multiple days or even weeks of multi-hour reading sessions. And like the monochrome Kindles, it has side illuminators that bathe the screen in light.
Plus, it's just as durable and waterproof as monocrhome Kindles.
Of course, even though it's color, you can still read your black and white text book and novels on the device. I suggest you get the latter from your local library by using an app like Libby.
My point is that there's very little reason to just buy a Paperwhite when, for just a little more money, you can have the best of both worlds: all the features of a Paperwhite and that really cool full-color reading experience. If you're a fan of graphic novels, there's no way you can pass this Prime Day deal by.
Let me set the scene: I've been patiently waiting for the Prime Day sales to make some big, important purchases. Last night, my patience was rewarded: there's a deal on exactly the thing I wanted to buy. In fact, a really good deal — the cheapest price all year on this particular gadget. I check out, and I'm feeling pretty smug.
Fast-forward to today, and someone on my TechRadar Slack channel mentions a voucher. Specifically, a £15 Amazon voucher — with no strings attached! — to those who spend over £60 in the Prime Day sales. I have spent well over £60, and I have no such voucher to show for it. My smugness fades pretty quickly.
• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale
A quick investigation reveals my error — after putting the same item back in my cart as an experiment, I see there's a checkbox for the voucher. In my hurry to secure the goods, I missed it the first time around.
I'm writing this article as a PSA: if you're shopping the Prime Day sales (perhaps using our Amazon Prime Day deals live blog to find the best bargains), don't make the same mistake. Take your time and get your voucher. Here's a picture of what you're looking for:
There are a few more potential caveats to know about. Most of these are unconfirmed — pop a note in the comments if you have more information you could share.
First, the amounts may be slightly different. I was offered £15 on a £60 spend (on the total basket, rather than needing to be on one individual item), but I've seen reports of a £20 voucher on an £80 spend. (My basket was over £80, for the record.)
Second, this deal might not be available to those on a free trial. The official Prime Day deals are only available to Prime subscribers, but signing up for your free month is a popular hack for unlocking those deals without having to commit to a membership long-term. If that's a workaround you're pulling, you might not be offered a voucher. (Although it's still worth looking for that checkbox to make sure.)
There might be a time limit on the voucher. Again, it'd be easier to check this if I'd successfully obtained my own voucher, but there we go. I'm seeing reports the voucher might only be available to use until the end of July. But given that Amazon sells everything from toilet rolls to washing up liquid, I'm sure you can find something useful to redeem it on in time.
Dutton Ranch season 2 has officially been confirmed by Paramount+ just days ahead of its penultimate season 1 episode airing.
Season 1 amassed 12.9 million viewers globally in its first seven days following the Yellowstone spinoff's premiere, making it the biggest original series launch in Paramount+ history, according to the streamer.
“Beth and Rip are among the most iconic duos in television history, and we are thrilled to bring a whole new world to life with Dutton Ranch for our subscribers around the world,” said Jane Wiseman, Head of Originals for Paramount+.
Matt Thunell, President of Paramount Television Studios, added, "We look forward to bringing fans more stories from these unforgettable characters in season 2.”
No further details have been announced as of writing, but we can expect Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser to return to their leading roles (the pair act as executive producers on the show).
But with season 1 showrunner Chad Feehan exiting the series weeks before the premiere, who will take over?
Back in April 2026, it was reported that Chad Feehan left the show after alleged on-set tension with Reilly, Hauser, and executive producer Taylor Sheridan.
Industry rumors suggested that another writer would take over as lead showrunner, but to me, it's the perfect time for Sheridan to get back in the driver's seat.
The Yellowstone mastermind has been dedicating his time to Lioness, Landman, and, most recently, The Madison, having not directly led a Yellowstone spinoff since 1883 and 1923.
That being said, Dutton Ranch has still performed exceptionally well without him, whereas the fellow spinoff Marshals, has suffered. Surely, it would be a pretty nice thing to jump on the victory train that is Beth and Rip's new life in Texas.
We likely won't know who will take over until production starts. As of yet, no filming timeline or predicted release window has been confirmed.
It isn't often these days that, as a UK-based sports fan, I get to enjoy watching the biggest live events in the world for free. Premium services like Sky Sports and and TNT Sports have got something of a monopoly over some of my favorite leagues and tournaments with the likes of the Premier League, Champions League, Ryder Cup golf, Ashes cricket and Tour de France cycling all behind paywalls.
Thankfully, the FIFA World Cup is among the ever-diminishing list of so-called 'Crown Jewels' sporting events – with the Olympics, FA Cup final, Grand National and Wimbledon also included – that are protected from the same fate.
It means that me and around 70 million others here in the UK get to watch every minute of World Cup action for free, with the BBC and ITV sharing out all 104 games between them – and won't have to watch England's inevitable semi-final penalty shoot-out loss via highlights or at a mate's house.
And it's not just that we get a better deal than our American friends in terms of the price of World Cup coverage; I'd venture that the quality of the UK's coverage is also world leading. Read on to find out why.
Soccer fans in the UK can watch the 2026 World Cup for FREE – both on traditional TV and online.
TV coverage is shared between the BBC and ITV. The vast majority of matches are shown on BBC One and ITV1, with BBC Two and ITV4 picking up games where there are more than one game being played at the same time.
That means you can get free World Cup live streams online via the BBC iPlayer and ITVX websites and mobile apps.
If you're outside the UK but want to tap into your usual coverage, check out Norton VPN and follow the instructions further down this page.
The BBC and ITV are both free at the point of use. However – and here's the slight catch – there's a legal requirement that you have a valid TV License in order to watch live streams of the World Cup on BBC iPlayer and ITVX. The same goes for recording games or watching full replays on iPlayer. However, you don’t need a licence to catch-up on ITVX (per tvlicensing.co.uk).
And just to be clear: even though the World Cup is hosted in the United States, all the usual TV Licence rules apply.
The TV Licence currently costs £180 per year for most people with discounts available for the sight impaired, people living in a care home or sheltered accommodation, and those watching on black and white TVs. It's free for anybody aged 74 and over.
While it's tempting to use just three words to explain what makes the UK's feed superior to the US's ("no Alexi Lalas"), there's a lengthy list of less facetious reasons why I'd always recommend our domestic coverage of tournaments like the World Cup:
There's no ad breaks during games
It has to be top of my list of irritants whenever I've been to the US and watched sports – there are so many ad breaks (surely what the timeout was really invented for) and, more often than not, they tend to be both obnoxious and repetitive. That has inevitably seeped into two mandatory 'hydration breaks' during every WC game, with Fox rumored to be making hundreds of thousands of dollars every time the teams grab an energy boost and ad-hoc team talk. You won't get that with the BBC or ITV, who use the opportunity to bring greater analysis to what they've just seen.
Glorious 4K UHD in iPlayer
If you want to watch the World Cup in Ultra HD 4K online in the US, you'll need to stump up for a paid-for streaming subscription (or at least go through the faff of taking out a free trial to a service like Fubo or Fox One). All 54 games being shown on the BBC iPlayer, on the other hand, get the benefit of the national broadcaster's full 4K presentation. I will concede that the games being shown on ITVX are only in regular 1080p Full HD, however.
We have (mostly) credible pundits
In the UK, the World Cup starting pistol is really fired every four years when the BBC and ITV announce their presenters and punditry line-up. This year was no different, with the big guns being drawn by both stations. The BBC has England legends Alan Shearer (together with regular chum Micah Richards), Wayne Rooney and Ellen White in the studio, with Olivier Giroud, Gaël Clichy and César Azpilicueta among those bringing a foreign take.
While ITV combines home-country heroes Gary Neville, Ian Wright and Karen Carney, with the more exotic Patrick Vieira, Juan Mata and Ange Postecoglou. And a special mention for ITV's Ally McCoist, who is surely the most entertaining color commentator in the game. Although I'm giving much less respect to ITV's bizarre decision to get Man V. Food's Adam Richman involved in presenting duties (per ITV).
You can't beat the build-up
Regardless of the teams, the channel and the time of day, British broadcasters hold back at least 30 minutes of build-up to every single game. Yes, they might provide a bit more time for England games and when the big boys play, but means that you're also getting respectfully in-depth pre-match analysis of Ecuador vs Curaçao and DR Congo vs Uzbekistan, too.
Roy Keane
Love him or loathe him (I have to admit that I generally lean towards the latter camp), nobody can deny that Keano is box office viewing... just without the ticket fee. While we haven't yet witnessed a classic Roy Rant during this tournament, you can bet your bottom Euro that one is just around the corner if the likes of perceived prima donnas like Cristiano Ronaldo, Jude Bellingham or Neymar fail to turn in a committed two-footed performance. He's part of the ITV studio team.
"He's a billionaire and he's still playing football" 😅@GNev2 and Roy Keane go back-and-forth on what to expect from Cristiano Ronaldo at this World Cup... pic.twitter.com/NLvFYNP6CGJune 23, 2026
UK-based football fans aren't the only ones who get to watch free, uninterrupted coverage. There are several other countries where they have the same smug feeling I get when searching my EPG for the latest game:
Which country gets the most free World Cup 2026 streams? https://t.co/r1goz97HvqJune 8, 2026
Try to watch BBC iPlayer and ITVX when abroad and you'll soon discover that it's not possible. Even if you're a TV Licence holder, these UK streaming services are blocked from being watched when outside the country.
Thankfully, there's a clever dribble around this. You can use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to access your usual streaming services on laptop, smartphone, tablet, etc (terms allowing).
We recommend Norton VPN for streaming. Here's why:
▶︎ Norton VPN MEGA Deal — 60-day money back guarantee
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Don’t miss a second. Stream the World Cup from anywhere with total confidence.View Deal
It's really easy to use a VPN to watch the World Cup for free:
1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we've said, Norton VPN is a great choice.
2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance, if you're visiting the US and want to watch your free BBC iPlayer or ITVX stream, you'd select 'United Kingdom' from the server list.
3. Sit back and enjoy the action. Head to BBC iPlayer or ITVX, sign in, and watch the World Cup for free.
Although Fox is the principal 2026 World Cup broadcaster in the US, you may not be aware that all 104 games are also going out via Telemundo and Universo on TV and Peacock online... in Spanish!
That, of course, may be a barrier to enjoyment for many fans. But if you're a fluent Spanish speaker or tend to listen with the volume down anyway (covertly watching at the office, perhaps?) then it might not matter to you.
And although Peacock normally costs from $11 a month for the level of subscription you need to watch 2026 World Cup games, you can get 30 days of access – so more than enough to watch the remainder of the tournament – for a mere dollar thanks to Walmart+.
The retailer's membership service includes Peacock streaming among its myriad benefits. And, if you're new to the service, you can sign up for a 30-day trial for only $1.
Alternatively, you can also get access to the coverage on Fox and FS1 by signing up to a free trial of an OTT cable alternative. Fubo, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, DirecTV and the network's own Fox One all have one.
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
Everyone's getting back into vinyl these days, whether it's for that hit of nostalgia or because you don't want Spotify feeding you AI slop (vinyl, at the time of writing, does not facilitate AI slop… let us all hope it stays that way). And a new discount from Fluance makes picking up its entry-level turntable even easier.
This is the Fluance RT81, which we called "Easily the best starter turntable you can buy" when we tested it back in 2024. And it's a relatively affordable model even without a discount, designed to offer you the record-playing basics without expensive audiophile features.
But right now, it's 20% off, taking $60 off its already-affordable asking fee to make it just $239.99 (was $299.99) on Amazon.
A warning: turn back now if you're not reading this between 8:25am and 8:25pm ET on Wednesday, June 4 (that's 5:25am - 5:25pm PT, though it's not clear if Fluance will budge the window for Westerners). This discount is available as a Lightning Deal on Amazon, as part of Prime Day deals, so it's only live for a slender 12-hour window.
• Shop more Prime Day deals at Amazon US
Fluance RT81: was $299.99 now $239.99 at Amazon
Turntable discounts aren't hugely common, so any kind of reduction is something that'll turn heads. It's great that the sale is on an entry-level model, lowering the price of entry for prospective vinyl fans a little. And the discount? It's the lowest our trackers have seen… View Deal
Hold the needle a sec: the Fluance RT81 does miss one feature common in entry-level turntables, which you should probably know about before you buy.
The turntable doesn't feature Bluetooth connectivity (which plenty of new spinners do in 2026), so you can't pair it with your JBL speaker to enjoy your tunes, say. Instead, you'll need to connect wired speakers via RCA (those white and red dual cables).
While audiophiles prefer to avoid Bluetooth for record listening, due to the compression inherent in Bluetooth losing some of the detail within the vinyl, it's much more common in entry-level record players. The feature makes it much easier to integrate a player into your home hi-fi set-up if you only own wireless tech.
So it's only worth buying the Fluance RT81 deal if you can fit a wired turntable into your home, or you already have a set of stereo speakers that you want to put to good use.
If that's no issue, you'll find the RT81 a nice, good-looking and convenient starter turntable. It's easy to set-up and use, and it sounds pretty great.
The deal will save you $60 which, admittedly, is about the cost of one record these days, but you've probably inherited a collection of those. Instead, I'd put the money towards one of the best stereo speakers so you can use the Fluance properly.
The refreshed lineup of Dell laptops has turned out to be even better than many of us hoped for, including the return of the XPS line — and right now, Dell's 'Days of Deals' sale is offering even better pricing than the Amazon Prime Day laptop deals I've been seeing.
Right off the top, you have the new Dell 16 Laptop for $499.99 (originally $1029.99), which is a better price for a Windows 11 Home laptop than just about any other model on Amazon that doesn't come with junk hardware inside. Instead, you get an eight-core AMD Ryzen 7 250 processor, 16GB RAM, and a 512GB SSD, far better than most sub-$500 laptops on sale for Prime Day.
The Alienware 15 gaming laptop is also just $999.99 for a decently specced sub-$1,000 laptop with updated hardware, something that is very hard to find on Amazon right now.
There's more to explore at Dell.com, and I encourage you to check out their sale if you're in the market for new computer hardware, but I've pulled together my favorite laptop picks and configurations from the sale to help make it easier to find what you're looking for.
AMD Ryzen 7 250 | 16GB DDR5 RAM | 512GB SSD
I always think of the Dell 16 Laptop as the everyday workhorse for remote and hybrid workers. Likewise, If you or your child is off to college this September, then get ahead of the curve with this outstanding deal.View Deal
AMD Ryzen AI 5 340 | 16GB DDR5 RAM | 512GB SSD
The Dell 14 Plus is one of our favorite mid-range Windows laptops thanks to its excellent design and competitive specs. If I were looking for a decent everyday laptop for everything from work to demanding productivity applications, then I'd be very tempted by this deal.View Deal
Intel Core 5 320 | 8GB DDR5 RAM | 512GB SSD
Dell's answer to the Neo comes with a touchscreen display and a special price for students (matching Apple's $599). This is the cheapest XPS 13 yet and one with a smaller-than-A4 footprint.View Deal
Intel Core Ultra 7 258V | 32GB DDR5 RAM | 1TB SSD
Dell ships 32GB of RAM with this laptop and this is the optimal amount of memory for serious productivity/business workloads. 'Between great general computing performance for any college student or executive and long-lasting battery life, it's a solid mid-tier laptop and it's even cheaper than last year!View Deal
Snapdragon X Elite X1E-80-100 | 32GB DDR5 RAM | 512GB SSD
Dell's XPS 13 laptops are always worth keeping an eye out for during Prime Day, as we often see big price cuts for what are some of the best laptops you can currently buy. Right now, one of the biggest discounts you'll find is for this Snapdragon-equipped model, which also features an impressive 32GB of RAM. With a Snapdragon chipset, you'll get great performance and almost unbeatable battery life out of this model.View Deal
Intel Core 5 210H | 16GB DDR5 RAM | 512GB SSD | RTX4050
Save $350 on the Alienware Aurora 15 gaming laptop. This system strikes a sensible balance between gaming proficiency and affordability. For less than $1,000, it's a capable workhorse for both casual and professional tasks.View Deal
Graphics card: GeForce RTX 5060
Processor: Intel Core Ultra 7-240H
RAM: 32GB DDR5
Storage: 1TB
This Alienware Aurora 16 isn't the cheapest laptop on the market, but you're getting an Intel Core Ultra-7 240H chipset, RTX 5060 graphics card, 32GB of DDR5 RAM, and a 1TB SSD - superb specs for 1080p gaming. If you need a decent machine with a premium build, then this is a fantastic choice in the Dell Black Friday in July sale.View Deal
Some Grand Theft Auto 6 fans are frustrated by the amount of exclusive content locked behind the game's Ultimate Edition, but it looks like a separate upgrade will be available at some point.
Rockstar Games has officially announced the price for GTA 6, when pre-orders go live, and what editions will be available: a $79.99 Standard Edition and a $99.99 Ultimate Edition.
Unlike the Standard Edition, which only comes with the base game, the more expensive Ultimate Edition features a ton of extra goodies, including premium and exclusive content such as missions, Vice City shops, locations, and outfits.
While the announcement has many fans excited, some are disappointed that much of GTA 6 will be locked behind a higher cost version of the game.
"Locking this much s*** behind the Ultimate Edition is scummy," one fan said. Another wrote, "Having stores locked behind the Ultimate Edition in a single player game is definitely a choice."
A user on Reddit shared similar frustrations, saying, "Rockstar I love you and all but locking content behind editions of the game like this is pretty egregious. This shouldn't be things you hide behind an ultimate edition of the game for players who just want to buy the basic game."
However, taking a look at the PS Store now that pre-orders have gone live in New Zealand, it seems that an Ultimate Edition Upgrade will be available.
There's no price right now, but if we had to guess, it could cost about the difference between the Standard and Ultimate Edition, so roughly $20.
A release date for the add-on hasn't been confirmed, but it will likely be available at launch, giving players who purchase the Standard Edition the option to upgrade and unlock all Ultimate Edition content.
Elsewhere, Sony has teamed up with Rockstar and announced that players who pre-order any edition on PlayStation Store will also instantly receive a redeemable free month of GTA+, a premium subscription for Grand Theft Auto Online.
Unfortunately, physical copies of GTA 6 won't include a disc. Instead, they'll come with a download code, and some fans aren't pleased with the new.
Google is testing “Strongest Match” labels on Search ads. Here’s what advertisers know so far and the questions Google hasn’t answered.
The post Google Tests ‘Strongest Match’ Labels On Search Ads appeared first on Search Engine Journal.
Rebel Wolves significantly lowers The Blood of the Dawn Walker’s PC system requirements through optimisation Rebel Wolves has completed a fresh optimisation pass for The Blood of the Dawnwalker, and the studio has confirmed that it has been able to significantly lower the game’s PC system requirements. Now, the game’s minimum and recommended system requirements […]
The post Optimisation! – Rebel Wolves lowers The Blood of the Dawnwalker’s PC system requirements appeared first on OC3D.
Sim games are getting more mainstream, and I'm happy to see it. Euro Truck Simulator 2 is one of the most (surprisingly) addictive games I've played in recent memory, and Amazon Prime Day sales are making it easier for me to recommend, alongside its American Truck Simulator sibling. It's a PC-only title for now, but Xbox and PlayStation releases have been teased for a while.
So, if you wanted to drive a virtual truck around a representation of your home state or your favorite European country, what exactly do you need to get started? Well, you can play either game with a mouse and keyboard, but any kind of controller makes it a better experience. Here's what I recommend for a basic steering wheel setup, with optional extras and higher-end alternatives.
Thrustmaster already made an entry-level wheel (T128), but its TMX regularly undercuts it with deals like this. This comes with an accelerator and brake pedal, and enough buttons to handle common truck controls.
💲 Price check: $129.99 at Best Buy | $119.99 at Walmart | $129.99 at NeweggView Deal
You'll rarely see coverage of racing wheels without the G29 mentioned, and it's for a good reason. Logitech makes great wheels, and while this one is built for PlayStation, it's totally compatible with trucking on Windows.
💲 Price check: $189.98 at Best Buy | $229.99 at Walmart | $189.98 at NeweggView Deal
Now we're talking. If you don't need to hear my pitch on truck simulators because you're already in the know, then MOZA's bundle of its TSW truck wheel, direct drive base, desk clamp, and pedals is the ultimate option.
Most trucks in the game offer an automatic gearbox, but there's a real sense of satisfaction when you shift through gears yourself, even if this doesn't really cover the size of a real-world truck's gearbox. It's still fun.
👉 Also see: $42.73 at Best Buy
💲 Price check: $57.99 at Walmart | $59.99 at NeweggView Deal
"Experience legendary American trucks and deliver various cargoes across sunny California, sandy Nevada, and the Grand Canyon State of Arizona"
✅ Steam Deck VerifiedView Deal
"Travel across Europe as king of the road, a trucker who delivers important cargo across impressive distances! With dozens of cities to explore, your endurance, skill and speed will all be pushed to their limits."
✅ Steam Deck VerifiedView Deal
Yes, any peripheral made for the Xbox with a USB connection generally offers even more features on a Windows PC. Steering wheels are simply a set of analog and digital inputs translated to game functions with a driver from the manufacturer's website. Most games on Xbox consoles allow you to customize button functions on racing wheels, but a PC will offer even more personalization.
Prime Day is a four-day event that started at 12:01 AM PDT on Tuesday, June 23, and runs until the end of Friday, June 26.
Generally, yes, you need an active Prime membership to take advantage of Prime Day benefits and deals hosted at Amazon. If you aren't already a member, you can quickly sign up for Amazon Prime for $14.99 per month (taxes not included). New customers can take advantage of a 30-day trial of Prime membership, while anyone between 18 and 24 years old (and students) can sign up for a separate, free 6-month "Prime for Young Adults" trial.
Yes, Amazon's rivals are running competing events, including Best Buy's "Tech Fest", Newegg's "FantasTech Sale", and Walmart's "Deals & More", which all end on June 28, 2026. Each retailer can offer its own membership perks, such as My Best Buy Plus / Total and Walmart Plus, and it's important to remember that Amazon does not always offer the best deal during Prime Day. Windows Central will compare prices across retailers, so you can choose the best fit for you.
Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.
PowerToys just received a small but important update that brings the app to version 0.100.1. The update focuses on fixes to version 0.100.0 of the app, which included a bunch of new features.
Normally I wouldn't cover a small update to an app, but in this case the bugs prevented core features of PowerToys from working. Luckily, the bugs have been squashed.
One issue caused keys that had been remapped to non-modifier keys to be delivered as system-key events. An example of that is mapping Alt to Backspace could result in deleting whole words instead of individual characters.
Another bug prevented monitors from waking from standby after selecting On through Power Display.
The developers of PowerToys log all the changes to the app on GitHub.
This collection of utilities includes a large library of features to enhance the Windows experience. PowerToys is designed with power users in mind, but it has handy features for people who just use their PC for everyday computing too.
View the full changelog ↴
Power Display is one of my favorite utilities in PowerToys. It allows you to manage the brightness and other settings of your external monitor through a series of flyouts. It saves me the hassle of reaching around the bottom or back of my display to adjust settings with awkward buttons.
The recently fixed bug took away core functionality of Power Display, so I'm happy to see it addressed.
Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.
The price of entry to Grand Theft Auto 6 (GTA 6) has finally been revealed, and it's not as much as everyone was expecting, but there are a few caveats.
Rockstar has confirmed the standard release of GTA 6 will be $79.99, and the Ultimate Edition will be $99.99. Not as outrageous as any of us were expecting, but if you dig a little deeper, the Standard Edition is locking some content behind that price. Bluntly, if you want to play the full game, it's going to cost $100.
For that extra $20, Rockstar is locking more than just cosmetic items behind the paywall. Details so far confirm that the Ultimate Edition includes exclusive access to five specific in-game stores for the single-player experience. These locations, ranging from specialized mod shops like "Rideout Customs" and "One-Eyed Willie’s" to unique clothing stores, hair salons, and tattoo parlors, are restricted solely to Ultimate Edition owners.
Whether locking single-player customization options behind a higher-tier edition will sit well with the fanbase remains to be seen, especially as there is currently no mention of these stores being available in GTA Online.
The industry has been abuzz for quite some time on what the price of GTA 6 was going to be, with some predicting it was going to be a base price of $100 and while the reality is $20 cheaper, I'd argue that in locking areas behind the Ultimate price tag, they might as well have stuck to predictions. Will anyone really excited for the game want to pay for less access?
Perhaps even more contentious than the outrageous gatekeeping pricing, is the reality for physical media collectors. Despite the title having a boxed release, Rockstar confirmed that the physical version will contain only a download code in the box.
There is no disc included, continuing the industry's trend of moving away from physical media, even for a release as huge as GTA 6.
Sony is using the opportunity to go hard on its marketing, claiming in a blog post that PS5 will be the best place to play GTA 6.
They report that they've worked with Rockstar to take advantage of PS5's more immersive features, such as the DualSense controller, which responds to your gameplay and adds another dimension to key in-game moments. I wonder if Xbox will have anything to say about that?
Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.
SteamOS 3.8.10 is one of Valve's most significant OS updates yet, squarely aimed at hardware beyond the Steam Deck. The update adds support for the Steam Machine and third-party handhelds including the Asus ROG Ally, Lenovo Legion Go, and MSI Claw. Radeon gaming desktops can already run SteamOS via the recovery image – Nvidia support is still in the works.
OpenAI has just announced its first custom chip called Jalapeño, which is aimed at AI Inference workloads & produced by Broadcom. OpenAI Designed & Built Its First Custom AI Silicon, The Jalapeño Chip, For Agentic AI Today, OpenAI announced that it has built and designed its first AI chip, which they are calling Jalapeño. Interesting choice of name for a chip that came fresh off the baking ovens at Broadcom, who are responsible for producing this chip. The Jalapeño Intelligence Processor and its first wafer were shown off by OpenAI's CEO, Sam Altman, and Broadcom's CEO, Hock Tan. This chip […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/openai-first-custom-chip-is-as-hot-as-a-jalapeno-the-best-inference-platform-for-llms/
Despite the substantial strides taken by Samsung LSI in designing a thermally stable Exynos 2600 chip and an even better Exynos 2700, courtesy of the all-new Side-by-Side (SbS) packaging and the Heat Path Block (HBP) heat sink, Samsung Mobile appears to be doubling down on its dual-chip strategy. A slew of anecdotal evidence suggests Samsung is giving Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 an outsized role within the upcoming foldables, including the Galaxy Z Flip 8, while reserving the lion's share of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6/Pro for the Galaxy S27 Series. Samsung's Exynos 2600 to power the Galaxy […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/samsung-hands-qualcomm-the-keys-to-its-foldables-sidelining-exynos-2600-in-the-us-galaxy-z-flip-8-while-snapdragon-8-elite-gen-6-sets-its-eyes-on-the-galaxy-s27-series/
When Netflix acquired Oxenfree developers Night School Studio, it seemed like the streaming company was starting to get serious about getting into the video game industry. What followed was unfortunately every indication against that, with layoffs at Night School and the shuttering of the triple-A team it spun up and attracted veteran talent for. Its games strategy has since been nothing but mobile iterations of some PC games or just straight-up mobile and party games, with the short-lived experimentation of interactive episodes like Black Mirror's Bandersnatch. Now, however, it seems like Netflix is levelling up its game, so to speak, […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/netflix-unhinged-night-school-studio/
Although God of War Laufey was the star of the June PlayStation State of Play, the impressive gameplay showcased lacked the most crucial information: the game's release window. In the past few weeks, we heard multiple times the game developed by Santa Monica Studio and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment would be released in the first half of 2027, but, according to known Bloomberg journalist Jason Schreier, the next entry in the series will launch early in the year. "If you're a God of War Laufey, for example, you might look at the landscape and you might say, 'Hey, I […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/god-of-war-laufey-land-february-march-2027/
We're all the way up to Season 14 of Diablo IV now since its 2023 launch, and Blizzard Entertainment has now revealed when that new season will kick off, and what players can expect from it. Season 14, titled Season of Death Awakening will launch next week on June 30, 2026, arriving with a slew of updates, and with a free perk all players can take advantage of for the first week. That would be a free one-week trial of the Warlock class, one of the two new classes that arrived with the game's latest expansion, Lord of Hatred. Blizzard […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/diablo-iv-season-14-release-date/
Mini PC specialist Geekom has a ton of Amazon Prime Day deals with a multitude of diminutive computers with discounts as deep as 34% off. Among the plethora of discounts, we're pleased to also have a special stacking discount code for last year's flagship Geekom A9 Max with AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, slicing a further 8% off this already discounted, sturdy, premium aluminum build mini PC.
This A9 Max (2025) 'Strix Point' model features a Zen 5 architecture CPU with 12C/24T, plus Radeon 890M graphics on board. The system comes complete with 32GB DDR5, a 1TB SSD, and Windows 11 Pro. Originally priced at $1,399.00, the Prime Day sale reduces it to $1,189.15, and our exclusive Tom's Hardware discount code (8% off code: THA9MAX26) slices another 8% off, resulting in a checkout price of $1,094.
Use our 8% off code: THA9MAX26 for this deeper discount
This sturdy aluminum-encased Geekom A9 Max (2025) comes with an AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 'Strix Point' processor, backed by 32GB DDR5, a 1TB SSD, and Windows 11 Pro.View Deal
For those who insist on the latest silicon, Geekom has also put its A9 MAX 2026 Edition on sale at 21% off. That means this fresh Ryzen flagship, which has been upgraded to an AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 470, is reduced from $1,699 to $1,349. Remember, this has 32GB DDR5 RAM and with a 2TB pre-installed SSD it offers double the storage capacity of its predecessor in the deal above. We have one of these 'Gorgon Point' mini PCs in the labs now, and hope to be able to share the review with your shortly.
Geekom's newly released AI flagship mini PC is already discounted for Prime Day
This sturdy aluminum-encased Geekom A9 Max (2026) comes with the AMD's refreshed Ryzen AI 9 HX 470 'Gorgon Point' processor, backed by 32GB DDR5, a roomy 2TB SSD, and Windows 11 Pro.View Deal
Both of those machines are above $1,000, but Geekom has cheaper mini PCs on sale for Prime Day, as well. For a barebones systems, the Geekom A5 with the Ryzen 5 7430U, 16GB of user-upgradable memory, and a 512GB NVMe SSD.
Digging deeper in the Prime Day bargain bin, we also spotted the Geekom A5, which promises to do everything from "business, home server, creative work & casual gaming." It is listed at 14% off for Prime day cutting its price from $439 to a far more attractive $371. In tech specs terms, so you can judge use-case claims for yourself, this 200kg pressure-rated NUC-a-like mini PC packs an AMD Ryzen 5 7430U APU which features Zen 3 cores in a 6C/12T config plus Radeon Vega 7 graphics. It also comes with 16GB DDR4 RAM installed (expandable to 64GB), and a 512GB NVMe SSD (expandable with an extra M.2 2242 slot and room for a 2.5-inch SATA drive).
The Geekom A5 features a Ryzen 5 7430U processor, 512GB of user-upgradable storage, and 16GB of DDR5 memory. View Deal
The PC is on sale for just $371, which is shocking considering it still comes with an all-metal frame. In addition, it comes with an extra M.2 2242 slot to expand your storage, along with a 2.5-inch SATA bay.
For a bit more power, the Geekom AX8 comes with a newer Ryzen 7 8745HS processor, along with 16GB of DDR5 and a 1TB SSD (plus a sleek blue finish on the metal chassis).
The Geekom AX8 comes with a Ryzen 7 8745HS processor, 16GB of DDR5 memory, and 1TB of user-upgradable storage.View Deal
We also remember when mini PCs used to be a great niche for finding real bargains, and hunters of such rarities can still get perfectly serviceable mini PCs from Geekom under $600 during the ongoing RAMpocalypse if they aren't averse to older silicon.
For example, the Geekom A8 Mini PC with AMD Ryzen 7 8745HS processor, 16GB DDR5 RAM (upgradable), 1TB NVMe SSD, and Windows 11 Pro is currently 15% off at $585.65 via that Amazon Prime Day link. Though slightly older, the AMD APU in this still offers Zen 4 CPU cores in a 8C/16T configuration, and Radeon 780M graphics. Most buyers won't miss the absence of an NPU.
As with the A5, you can upgrade your RAM and storage with the AX8.
Above are our five picks from the spectrum of mini PCs that Geekom has put on sale for Prime Day. However, we didn't even mention any of the firm's Intel models, like the passive Geekom iX 12, on sale for 15% off at $296, which is designed to bring mini PC power to home lab VPN, firewall, virtualization, and edge computing applications.
If you're looking for more savings, check out our Best PC Hardware deals for a range of products, or dive deeper into our specialized SSD and Storage Deals, Hard Drive Deals, Gaming Monitor Deals, Graphics Card Deals, gaming chair, or CPU Deals pages.
If you ever travel with your laptop, want to game on a console in places where you don't have access to a TV, or just want a second (or third) screen for your desk, a portable monitor is a must-have. And with many screens at all-time lows, veering into impulse-buy territory (this 15-inch model is incredibly $39), there's never been a better time to pick one up.
But how do you know what to buy when there are dozens of brands (especially on the low end) that you've probably never heard of (I haven't, and I've covered tech for 20 years)? Below are a few quick portable monitor shopping tips, followed by four of our favorite current deals.
This 16-inch IPS portable monitor sports a 1920 x 1200 resolution, a built-in kickstand, is just 0.3 inches thick and weighs 1.58 pounds. You'll want to get a case for it, but this is a great screen for productivity on the go.View Deal
The VE-1 isn't the cheapest deal of this bunch, but I'd argue it's the biggest bargain. It's a little larger than most, thanks to its 16:10 display, which also gives it more pixels for getting work done. It's also rated to 300 nits of brightness and is slim and light for travel. It also comes in different colors for a few dollars more. I like this deal so much that I bought one in late 2024 to replace my aging portable monitor from 2018.
This 1080p, portable monitor connects via HDMI or USB-C and has a built-in kickstand.View Deal
This glossy FHD model is better for movie watching and games, as it's 16:9 and has a glossy screen. I couldn't find a brightness spec for the A1, but most of the over 1,100 reviews on Amazon seem to be happy with its brightness. It's also light at just 1.6 pounds.
This 15.6-inch matte IPS screen sports a 1080p resolution, two USB-C ports, Mini HDMI, plus a built-in kickstand and two screw holes on the back for VESA mounting. While not technically on sale, $39 is shockingly cheap. And we know for a fact this model was selling for over $80 a couple of years ago, because we covered it then when it was on sale for $59.View Deal
This screen has a few things going for it, other than its shockingly low price. It has a kickstand and VESA mounts so you can attach it to an arm. It also sports a matte screen, which is better for work and for use under bright lights. Don't believe the spurious claims of HDR and surround sound from the tiny speakers. But for the price, this portable screen is a steal.
This 15.6-inch OLED monitor delivers brilliant colors and contrast, and is rated for 400 nits of brightness. While it sadly lacks a kickstand, it does come with a protective sleeve that also functions as a stand.View Deal
Yes, the Innocn 15K1F is more than $100 more expensive than some other deals here. But it's also OLED, for deep blacks and vibrant colors, with a rated 400-nits of brightness that puts it ahead of most portable monitor competition.
If you're a photo or video editor on the go or you just want a screen that will look good next to your laptop's OLED display, which also doesn't cost a lot, this is one of the best options we've seen so far this Prime Day. The main downside seems to be that this model lacks a kickstand, so you'll have to use the included wrap-around sleeve as a stand, and those tend to be fiddly or flimsy (and sometimes both).
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DATA HIT tools help analysts and SEOs visualize patterns that dashboards miss. Run browser-based analyses on your GA4 and Search Console data to surface seasonality and anomalies, and scan Google SERPs and AI engines to track competitor durability and AI visibility.
The suite is free for one-off insights, while Pro adds monitoring with weekly snapshots, an AI Mention Monitor, tracked keywords, saved dashboards, exports, and multi-site support.
I’m under no illusions that John Ternus’ Apple will be the exactly same as it has been under Tim Cook. Initially though, there will be few, if any, changes. Ternus is not an outsider with wild anti-Apple ideas intended to wake a sleeping giant. He's been here for decades, through all the major releases that made Apple, well, Apple. Claims that he's arriving in September to revive Apple's design excellence are, if not off base, then just wrong-headed.
First of all, the argument presupposes that there is something fundamentally lacking in Apple's Industrial design: Jony Ive was obviously lighting in a bottle, and current design lead Molly Anderson is a pale, albeit also British, imitation. (Granted, Anderson has not been in the position that long, taking over from Evans Hankey, who left in 2023.)
But accepting that presumption is to ignore all the beautifully designed products that have arrived under Cook's leadership, with and without Ive, and also often under the watchful eyes of Ternus.
But since Ive's skills as a designer are so vaunted, let's start with a failure. Perhaps you remember the Mac Pro. No, not the cheese-grater design unveiled in 2023. While that had its detractors, it was miles above the trashcan design unveiled in 2013.
It was the ultimate expression (at least in PC terms) of Ive's "form meets function" obsession. The internal structure was sort of a triangle of boards that seemed perfectly wrong for a squat, circular enclosure. Ive's fingerprints were all over the impractical system, one that Craig Federighi later admitted to me (during a mea culpa meeting on the Pro) had boxed Apple into a thermal corner. It was hard to upgrade and was roundly rejected by pro system users.
Ive was also responsible for the Apple Pencil. With it, his penchant for skeuomorphism extended from app design into the physical world. The Apple Pencil fully resembled a white plastic version of a real, pencil, and to accommodate that, it had, under a custom cover, a hidden Lightning charging plug. You even needed a special adaptor to charge it. Later, wirelessly charging Apple Pencils, which I think Ive also designed, fixed this mess.
Naturally, Ive's hits far outweighed his misses, and many big ones came during the Cook-Ive collaboration period, including the iPad Air, the Apple Watch, and AirPods (which started awkwardly but gradually improved).
The more divisive Apple Vision Pro was likely designed under Hankey and Anderson's watchful eye. I do think it's a pleasant intersection between the needs of extremely high-end innovation and aesthetic appeal. Goggles will be goggles, after all.
Even iPhone design has remained, if not excellent, interesting.
When Apple introduced the first iPhone in 2007, there really was no other handset quite like it. Apple set the bar and, over the years, every other manufacturer followed. It became harder and harder for Apple to differentiate its metal and glass slab from its competitors. The ever-larger camera arrays have provided a sort of design challenge and an opportunity at the same time. Hankey and Anderson, at least, came up with a giant island that's quite recognizable from a distance. And let's not discount color. The orange was a stroke of genius and the new MacBook Neo's playful Blush and Citrus colors are lively, proving Anderson knows how to marry form with expression.
Ternus' role as hardware lead means he's been seeing these designs for years. My sense in sitting down with him after the launch of the iPhone Air is that he is intimately involved with the process of shoving all that technology into ever-thinner, but shockingly strong frames. He gets that you need to marry engineering skills with industrial design to get a durable and usable product that's still attractive.
When I think about what Ternus will do when he finally takes over in September, I am reminded of relay race runners. Cook continues to pace around the track while slowly holding out the baton behind him. Ternus is nearby, running just behind Cook with one hand outstretched. Neither man will stop. The handoff will happen in a few months, with everything still in motion.
The process of finishing the rumored iPhone Ultra (the folding phone) continues as we speak, and Ternus is not going to suddenly pull a Steve Jobs and throw the design into a fish tank, to see if bubbles rise, thus proving they could make it smaller. He won't demand that all plastic be replaced with glass, or even that one more color be added to the mix.
When, as the recent Bloomberg report claims, Ternus said of Apple's design history and appeal to customers, "We’re going to make sure that stays the case,” he's not talking about making huge changes to achieve that goal.
Ternus will stay the course and support Anderson. He may hire more design support and, down the line, Ternus will look for his signature initiative or product; he will want to have his own iPhone or iPod. But that's a natural inclination for any incoming CEO. Job one, though, is staying the course, shepherding the in-the-pipeline products to market and ensuring that Apple remains Apple.
I think Ternus knows exactly how to do that.
My love of all things Zelda is no secret to my colleagues, friends, and family. In fact, when The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (OoT) remake was first announced, our Global Editor-in-Chief, Marc McLaren, immediately messaged me to ask if I intended to take time off to play it (I do).
When the 40th anniversary of the franchise rolled around earlier this year, I was a little blue to see little-to-no news of a new game or remake, but my long-read ode to the lasting impact of Link's adventures through Hyrule at least gave me a distraction. Now, however, with months to go until I finally make my grand return to the Kokiri forest, my hype has reached new heights.
To pass the time, I plan to spend my money on, you guessed it, even more Zelda merchandise and Switch 2 accessories to accommodate my upcoming increase in playtime. In the current Amazon Prime Day deals, there's a wide selection of cases, storage, merchandise, and more to shop; I've included some of the best below, as well as the essential gear my gaming station will be decked with come OoT's release later this year. Not everything I've linked below is on sale, so look for the percentage-off badge if you're only looking for good deals.
US deal
UK deal
If you're not caught up on the latest and greatest Switch generation Zelda games, you've got plenty of time ahead of the Ocarina of Time's remake releasing to pour some hours into adventure.
From Lego sets to card games and novelty toys, there's a lot of great Zelda merch out there. I own a lot (really, an embarassing amount) of the below merchandise already; join me in my submission to capitalism's whim.
Amazon Prime Day is often the best time of year to find a discounted Kindle, but if you've opened the listing page only to feel overwhelmed by the various models to choose from, then I have a quick quiz that might help you out.
• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale
I've owned the standard version of Kindle for years, and it's not faltered once for what I need it for. Reliable and sturdy, it's one of the best tech gifts I've ever been given. It's also the cheapest model in the range, so you won't feel like you're wasting money if you still enjoy the charms of physical books. Right now, you can find the standard Kindle on sale at Amazon for $84.99 (was $109.99) in the US and for £75.99 (was £94.99) in the UK.
But if you've got a bigger budget, it's worthwhile looking at Amazon's most popular model, the Kindle Paperwhite, which is ideal for your next beach holiday with its waterproof design. Want the ability to journal? You're better off with the Kindle Scribe. Love reading graphic novels? You'll need the Kindle Colorsoft.
If you don't have time to read our guide to Amazon's excellent e-reader range to see how each model's specs compare, just answer four simple questions in the quiz below, and it'll recommend a Kindle based on the deals available at the time of writing.
The latest version of the standard Kindle is on sale as part of the annual Prime Day sale. It's a basic ereader, but it still boasts a four-week battery life and space for thousands of books. Given it's $40 cheaper than the Paperwhite, this is clearly a better pick for the infrequent reader who's after a more budget-friendly option. At $85, this Prime Day deal matches the record-low price for the ereader, but is far from the bigger discounts I've seen in previous years.
Also check out these coupons:
🎟️ Amazon: Claim 30% off Haul orders with this discount code
🎟️ Up to 70% off daily deals in the Amazon sale
🎟️ Get up to 60% off orders during the Prime Week sale at AmazonView Deal
Prime Day discounts on the 2024 Kindle don't come as generously as they do during Black Friday, but you won't come across a better deal at any other time of year. For Amazon's most recent standard version Kindle, $85 isn't the worst price for an e-reader that covers the basics, but it has been cheaper in the past.
Also check out these coupons:
🎟️ Amazon: Claim 30% off Haul orders with this discount code
🎟️ Up to 70% off daily deals in the Amazon sale
🎟️ Get up to 60% off orders during the Prime Week sale at AmazonView Deal
Amazon Prime Day features an OK, if a little disappointing, deal on the latest Kindle Paperwhite. We found in our Kindle Paperwhite review that it's packed with features to suit all avid readers, including a 12-week battery life, glare-free 7-inch screen, adjustable warm light, and storage space for thousands of books. This is a good buy and one of the best ereaders out there; it's just a shame that the days of even bigger discounts are well in the past.
Also check out these coupons:
🎟️ Amazon: Claim 30% off Haul orders with this discount code
🎟️ Up to 70% off daily deals in the Amazon sale
🎟️ Get up to 60% off orders during the Prime Week sale at AmazonView Deal
The Kindle Colorsoft is down to its lowest price as part of Amazon Prime Day. As Amazon's first colored Kindle, it's a must-have for people who love reading travel guides, graphic novels, and other genres with a lot of images and photographs. It's USB-C and wireless charging compatible, lasting up to 8 weeks on a full battery.
Also check out these coupons:
🎟️ Amazon: Claim 30% off Haul orders with this discount code
🎟️ Up to 70% off daily deals in the Amazon sale
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This updated version of the Kindle Scribe hasn't been discounted since launch, so this Prime Day is a great time to bag a deal. The Scribe combines some of the best features of the Kindle Paperwhite, such as the glare-free and auto-adjusting display, along with the option to take notes, comment on documents, and doodle using the included stylus pen. Our Kindle Scribe review was down on some missing features that have been added in recent updates, so now this is a better value for a multi-functional device.
Also check out these coupons:
🎟️ Amazon: Claim 30% off Haul orders with this discount code
🎟️ Up to 70% off daily deals in the Amazon sale
🎟️ Get up to 60% off orders during the Prime Week sale at AmazonView Deal
The cheapest Kindle deal on Amazon right now is this excellent discount on the latest Amazon Kindle Kids version. Simply put, this model is functionally the same as the standard Kindle but comes with a Kid-friendly cover, a six-month trial for Amazon Kids Plus, and an extended two-year warranty. Regardless of whether you're a small or big kid, this is a great deal on the baseline Kindle.
Also check out these coupons:
🎟️ Amazon: Claim 30% off Haul orders with this discount code
🎟️ Up to 70% off daily deals in the Amazon sale
🎟️ Get up to 60% off orders during the Prime Week sale at AmazonView Deal
Similar to the above deal on the standard Kindle, the cheapest Kindle Paperwhite deal available at Amazon today is on the Kids Edition variant. Again, the device is functionally the same as the standard Kindle Paperwhite, but you get a themed cover, a six-month trial of Amazon Kids+, and an extended warranty. The main selling point for the Paperwhite over the standard Kindle is that it's waterproof and features a larger seven-inch display.
Also check out these coupons:
🎟️ Amazon: Claim 30% off Haul orders with this discount code
🎟️ Up to 70% off daily deals in the Amazon sale
🎟️ Get up to 60% off orders during the Prime Week sale at AmazonView Deal
The Kindle Colorsoft Kids has reached $189 on two occasions before, but today's deal is a brand-new record-low price on the latest model. While the Colorsoft is pricier than the others, as the name suggests, it has a color display that's fantastic for graphic novels and kids' books. Otherwise, it's very similar to the Paperwhite in that it's waterproof, comes with 12 months of Amazon Kids+, a themed cover, and a two-year guarantee.
Also check out these coupons:
🎟️ Amazon: Claim 30% off Haul orders with this discount code
🎟️ Up to 70% off daily deals in the Amazon sale
🎟️ Get up to 60% off orders during the Prime Week sale at AmazonView Deal
The latest version of the standard Kindle is on sale as part of the annual Prime Day sale. It's a basic ereader, but it still boasts a four-week battery life and space for thousands of books. Given it's £55 cheaper than the Paperwhite, this is clearly a better pick for the infrequent reader who's after a more budget-friendly option. At £80, though, this Prime Day deal is a little underwhelming, given it's been as low as £69.99 before.
Also check out these coupons:
🎟️ Amazon: Claim 30% off Haul orders with this discount code
🎟️ Up to 70% off daily deals in the Amazon sale
🎟️ Get up to 60% off orders during the Prime Week sale at AmazonView Deal
Likewise with Amazon UK, the 2024 Kindle generally gets a better deal at Black Friday, but Prime Day is a very close second. Given it's £55 cheaper than the Paperwhite, this is clearly a better pick for the infrequent reader who's after a more budget-friendly option.
Also check out these coupons:
🎟️ Amazon: Claim 30% off Haul orders with this discount code
🎟️ Up to 70% off daily deals in the Amazon sale
🎟️ Get up to 60% off orders during the Prime Week sale at AmazonView Deal
Amazon has brought back its decent — but not spectacular — Black Friday deal on the latest Kindle Paperwhite for Amazon Prime Day. We found in our Kindle Paperwhite review that it's packed with features to suit all avid readers, including a 12-week battery life, glare-free 7-inch screen, adjustable warm light, and storage space for thousands of books. This is a good buy and one of the best ereaders out there; it's just a shame that the days of even bigger discounts are well in the past.
Also check out these coupons:
🎟️ Amazon: Claim 30% off Haul orders with this discount code
🎟️ Up to 70% off daily deals in the Amazon sale
🎟️ Get up to 60% off orders during the Prime Week sale at AmazonView Deal
The Kindle Colorsoft just fell to its lowest-ever price as part of this year's Amazon Prime Day sale. As Amazon's first colored Kindle, it's a must-have if you love reading travel guides, graphic novels, and other genres with a lot of images and photographs — or just want to view your entire ebook library in its full colour glory. The ereader is also USB-C and wireless charging compatible, lasts up to eight weeks on a full battery, and has enough storage for thousands of books.
Also check out these coupons:
🎟️ Amazon: Claim 30% off Haul orders with this discount code
🎟️ Up to 70% off daily deals in the Amazon sale
🎟️ Get up to 60% off orders during the Prime Week sale at AmazonView Deal
A notetaker's best friend, the Kindle Scribe is great for students, avid readers and productivity users alike, offering a satisfying and slick screen on which to doodle and annotate. We scored it 4.5 stars in our review.
Also check out these coupons:
🎟️ Amazon: Claim 30% off Haul orders with this discount code
🎟️ Up to 70% off daily deals in the Amazon sale
🎟️ Get up to 60% off orders during the Prime Week sale at AmazonView Deal
While we scored it a respectable 4 stars in our review, a major sticking point for the Scribe Colorsoft is its value proposition. There's nowhere near enough going for it to justify this e-reader costing more than a MacBook Neo.
Also check out these coupons:
🎟️ Amazon: Claim 30% off Haul orders with this discount code
🎟️ Up to 70% off daily deals in the Amazon sale
🎟️ Get up to 60% off orders during the Prime Week sale at AmazonView Deal
Fuse Games has revealed that Star Wars: Galactic Racer features a synergy system with status effects that impact the players' vehicles.
In an interview with TechRadar Gaming at Summer Game Fest 2026, where studio co-founder and CEO Matt Webster and Creative Director Kieran Crimmins discussed the game's "runs-based" campaign structure and "consequential decision-making," the pair also detailed the game's reactive gameplay system.
In the game, players will visit a range of planets to take part in races, each with their own environmental differences. There are the hot, dry sand planets like Tatooine and Jakku, the lush jungle planet Lantaana, the snow planet, Ando Prime, and more.
This means players will need to adapt to the occasion, swapping out vehicle parts for ones better suited for the specific track. There's also an upgrade tree, which Crimmins said will let players improve their cornering, speed, or resilience, and upgrading vehicles over time will be "a very satisfying experience."
However, the game's synergy system will offer a bigger challenge. Planets will also have status effects, meaning hot lava will overheat your vehicle, but it can also be counteracted by physically driving through water.
"We wanted synergies, so that is status effects that each planet has a different status effect that can be inflicted on you," Crimmins said. "For instance, Ando Prime, you can get frozen, Lantaana, you can overheat in the lava, but you can also get cooled in the water. And then on different versions of Jakku, you can get burnt as well by the sun."
The developers said they couldn't speak on Crait just yet, which is a planet covered in a layer of white salt over a red crystalline mineral, suggesting that, just like in the movie The Last Jedi, speeders and other vehicles will impact the ground players navigate.
Crimmins continued, explaining how negative status effects can be subverted, for instance, to increase the speed of the new system called a Ramjet, which offers a massive boost in speed.
Webster added that using the Ramjet can "come at a real cost and heats up," but if players drive over the rivers of water in Lantaana, it heats up more slowly.
"You end up thinking of your build in a much more tactical way, where you're like, how can this thing prop this thing and create this thing to make an entirely new race," Crimmins said.
Star Wars: Galactic Racer arrives on October 6 for PS5, Xbox Series X, Series S, and PC.
The White House is reportedly urging Meta to voluntarily submit its most advanced AI models to the government for security reviews before they get released publicly, per New York Times reporting.
Doing so would allow US policymakers to assess model capabilities, security risks and vulnerabilities, with the administration likely focusing on military implications like cyber warfare and attacks on critical national infrastructure.
According to the report, Meta is one of the few major AI developers that has not yet agreed to participate in the voluntary review program.
Companies like OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, Microsoft and xAI have already entered similar arrangements with the US government, and Meta could be next to sign up.
"We share the administration's goal of advancing U.S. leadership on robust and secure frontier AI," a company spokesperson said (via Reuters).
"While we are working through the details, we hope to sign the agreement soon."
The news follows the signing of an executive order to establish a framework for the government evaluation of advanced AI models before public deployment.
"Advanced AI capabilities make our Nation stronger, but also introduce new national security considerations that require coordinated action," the order reads.
The Five Eyes intelligence alliance (US, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand) also recently declared that AI systems are now more capable than ever at launching highly sophisticated cyber attacks. "Frontier Al models are anticipated to exceed current industry expectations," the alliance wrote.
If Meta signs up to participate, it means that virtually all major US frontier AI developers will be voluntarily submitting models for review prior to public release.
I've been going around in circles writing this Oura Ring 5 review. On the one hand, I find the health insights equally fascinating and motivating just like the best smart rings, and its discreet design is without a doubt comfortable to wear all day long.
But it's worth noting that Oura has been facing increasing backlash after deepening its partnership with the Department of Defense in the US last year, which is something ethically-conscious buyers may want to look into before purchasing.
That said, its ability to track more than 50 health and wellness metrics, such as sleep quality and stress levels, is undeniably enticing for anyone wanting to be more aware of their body — and the launch of this newest model brought a whole host of new insights.
What I will say is that the Oura app does try to include a lot of context about how these measurements can be interpreted and how they contribute to‚ for example, determining how prepared your body is for the day ahead based on a range of metrics, which Oura calls your 'Resilience Score'. But, again, this only scratches the surface of understanding how your body actually functions.
The best example of these assessments triggering misguided concern was when I got warnings from a feature called 'Symptom Radar', which tracks your respiratory rate and body temperature to flag signs of strain. What it didn't take into account was that a woman's body temperature naturally rises after ovulation, making its assessment unnecessarily worrying for anyone who didn't know that.
I can't deny that its claim to be the world's smallest smart ring at launch really does hold up — its lightness makes it disappear on your finger, making it ideal for everyday wear. With six stylish finishes and an even more scratch-resistant titanium surface, it's no wonder it's made headlines in the wearable tech space, with plenty of influencer reviewers fawning over the all-new Oura Ring 5.
By now you've definitely noticed my to-ing and fro-ing as I work through every side of the Oura Ring 5 to reach an honest and fair review. I won't say it's the most perfect smart ring on the market — that would be ignoring too much — but I will say it comes close. I can't argue with its premium build and the level of tech packed into those tiny sensors, which manage to achieve high levels of accuracy. That's impressive in itself, and
Oura has been facing increasing backlash after deepening its partnership with the Department of Defense in the US last year, although it doesn't use data from any of its users other than specific military personnel as part of this arrangement. It's also worth keeping in mind that there have been studies raising concerns about 'health data anxiety', and Oura's attempt to bring new biomarkers into play have given us a whole new category to worry about. But at the end of the day, I'm a sucker for brilliant tech — which the Oura Ring 5 definitely is.
The Oura Ring 5 costs an extra $50 / £50 / AU$80 — or $100 / £100 for a premium finish — compared with the Oura Ring 4, which launched in 2024. (Australian pricing doesn't appear to carry the same premium finish gap.)
Beyond the high-gloss gold and silver finishes, you're paying an extra $100 / £100 / AU$150 for any of the four premium styles: a softer gold, brushed silver, matte black, and — the color I tried — deep copper rose.
Add the $5.99 monthly subscription, and you're looking at up to $670 / £670 / AU$1,029.88 to own an Oura Ring 5 for a year, if you go for the most expensive finish plus the travel case.
That's no small sum when most smart rings on the market cost less and many don't require a recurring subscription. There are also plenty of wearable alternatives that track the same health vitals, which makes this very much a luxury purchase.
By far the best justification for the Oura Ring 5's high price tag is that it could easily pass for a piece of jewellery. That's largely down to a 40% decrease in size from the previous model, the result of Oura redesigning the entire core.
That freed up space to drop multiple sensors, but it hasn't made the Ring 5 any less accurate — Oura has increased the efficiency of the remaining sensors to offset the loss. The titanium surface is also more scratch-resistant; I can't compare it directly to a previous model, but it hasn't picked up a nick yet.
What I can say is that the Oura Ring 5 is significantly smaller than the Ring 4. Holding it up against a previous-generation ring (admittedly the bulkier ceramic finish), I was shocked at how noticeable the size difference is. It's lighter and far more comfortable to wear, since it doesn't protrude — and therefore doesn't rub against — my finger as much.
That same design ethos carries through to the Oura app, which has a minimalist interface that isn't cluttered with numbers and graphs. Instead, data is presented as scores with percentages and ratings for each health vital. It's easy to use, though it's worth noting that the app needs a certain amount of data to establish your health baseline, so you won't have access to every feature right away.
After two weeks of wearing the Oura Ring 5, I've unlocked most features — sleep, resilience, and activity scores — which now populate what was once a fairly bare home screen.
The Oura app works best with more data, so it's constantly prompting you to add new "tags" to your day's timeline. Some are automatic, like detecting exercise, while others — what you ate, or what kind of activity you did — require manual logging.
The app's other three main sections cover your vitals, a health assessment area, and an LLM chatbot you can talk to about your data. That last part matters, because as I mentioned above, there's plenty of room for misleading interpretations if you don't understand the many factors behind your body's vitals.
I got a lot out of learning more about my sleep quality and general heart health (the app has a neat feature that lets you feel your heartbeat throughout the day via your phone's haptic feedback), but what I'm most interested in unlocking next are the new women's health features, such as Hormonal Birth Control, which builds on the existing Cycle Insights dashboard with what Oura calls a "first-of-its-kind" view into how biometrics shift across hormonal and hormone-free days.
While I find the wellness insights genuinely useful, the ring is nowhere near as practical as a dedicated fitness tracker. Without GPS — it relies on a paired device for location — and limited to activities compatible with wearing jewellery on your hand (so no weightlifting without a third-party silicone band over the top), it falls short, even with the addition of real-time tracking — which, again, you can only view through a paired device).
One of the biggest improvements that the Oura Ring 5 brings over the Ring 4 is that has managed to squeeze out a whole extra day of battery life, despite the ring itself being redesigned to be 40% smaller.
During my testing, I found it lasted a whole seven days on one full charge. But I was more impressed with was how quickly you can charge the smart ring. From a fully drained battery, it took less than an hour until it was all way back up to 100%, which means it's very easy to top it up throughout the week whenever you're, say, washing dishes or having a shower.
For the most part, I kept the Oura Ring 5 on throughout the day, allowing it to track my vitals as I moved from home to work to seeing friends, exercising and cooking, which it does very well. Most of the automated tracking suggestions were accurate, allowing me to quickly confirm all of the day's activities when I next checked into the app.
This same accuracy extends to the sleep data, which is the absolute highlight of the Oura Ring 5's feature set. I found the insights both enlightening and motivating, especially after getting my first sleep score as (like any gamification effect) I began trying to reach a new higher level. My testing also confirmed this when my readouts for my average heart rate managed to be within 3 BPM of the Polar H10 chest strap, which is the gold standard for consumer heart rate and workout accuracy as it uses actual ECG (electrocardiogram) technology.
| Product | Value |
|---|---|
| Oura Ring 5 | 115 |
| Polar H10 | 112 |
Category | Comment | Score |
|---|---|---|
Value | An extremely luxury smart ring compared to others on the market. | 2/5 |
Design | The most discreet and comfortable smart ring to wear all day. | 5/5 |
Features | Stacked on the wellness front, but not when it comes to fitness. | 4/5 |
Performance | A whole week's worth of battery, with accurate sleep tracking. | 5/5 |
You want wellness tracking
From stress to sleep, you can turn your health vital's raw data into useful insights.
You want a smart ring that looks like jewellery
The smart ring manages to be stylish, small and light, and comfortable.
You don't want to spend more than you need to
You can find smart ring alternatives that deliver the same benefits for a lot less.
You want a fitness tracking wearable
There are far more feature-rich fitness trackers available at a more affordable price.
Component | Oura Ring 5 | Samsung Galaxy Ring |
Price | From $399 / £399 / AU$649 | $399 / £399 / AU$699 |
Colors | Gold, Silver, Brushed Silver, Premium Gold, Stealth Black, Rose Gold | Black, Titanium Gold, Titanium Silver |
Material | Titanium | Titanium |
Weight | Between 2 (size 6) and 2.6g (size 13) | 2.3g (size 5) 3.0g (size 13) |
Battery life | Up to 7 days | Up to 7 days (ring), up to 6 charges (cradle) |
Connectivity | Bluetooth 6.0 | Bluetooth 5.4 |
Sensor array | Updated Smart Sensing array | PPG, accelerometer, skin temperature |
Water resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
GPS? | No | No |
I wore the Oura Ring 5 for two weeks, draining the battery completely (despite the app advising against letting it go below 30%). I have some gaps in my data from forgetting to put it back on, but I mostly didn't take it off. I tested the ring's heart rate monitoring accuracy against the Polar H10 chest strap, and compared its design to a ceramic Oura Ring 4.
Protecting a household of devices, storing family memories, and protecting your online identity would usually have your searching for multiple solutions from different providers. But right now, Norton 360 Advanced is currently 77% off, reducing the monthly cost of protecting 10 devices to just £2.92/mo.
It may not seen like it looking at the price, but 360 Advanced is Norton's highest level of protection - spanning across antivirus, data, identity, and financial defence.
Inside, you get Norton's award winning antivirus protection to defend against malware, ransomware, and hacking, alongside a 200GB Cloud Backup, password manager, parental control app, dark web monitoring, social media monitoring, financial monitoring, identity restoration support, and much more.
Antivirus protection that scored top marks across protection, performance, and usability - with a whole range of additional features to secure your financial and online identity. This package is perfect for those looking for a complete suite of protective software under one roof.
Read our full Norton 360 reviewView Deal
If you are used to storing your family photos or important documents on your home computer, there is always the risk of your computer failing or your storage corrupting.
Unless you have them backed up elsewhere, it could mean that you lose them forever. Storing them in a cloud backup adds a level of redundancy into your storage that helps to protect from these risks.
With Norton's 200GB cloud backup, you can choose which files are regularly uploaded in to the cloud, so that any recent changes you make are automatically saved into your online drive.
Its no secret that many people rely on the same password, or a combination thereof, across all of their accounts. From bank logins, to social media, and beyond - if just one of these passwords is leaked on compromised it can put your entire online life at risk.
Norton's password manager can securely store your current passwords, generate new, highly secure passwords, and autofill your credentials when you want to log on so you don't have to spend time remembering and typing long and complex passwords.
A Virtual Private Connection (VPN) is an encrypted internet tunnel that secures your browsing traffic. That means that even if you internet activity is intercepted in transit, it cannot be read or decrypted.
This helps to protect against crooks attempting to steal your IP address or find your location, and can help secure your internet activity when browsing on unsecured networks such as those in cafes or airports.
Norton's VPN is fast and unlimited with over 100 connection locations across the globe.
A parental control app helps you manage and secure the online activity of any children in your house. Unrestricted access to the internet can be dangerous, even in online gaming or on social media.
Norton's parental control app provides web filtering to remove unwanted websites from access, provides search engine monitoring, app blocking, and screen time monitoring.
Most of your identity is now stored online. From social media and online accounts, to the daily services you use to communicate. But sometimes things go wrong. Your credentials and personal information can get leaked during data breaches, and while it may not be your fault, hackers are just waiting for the opportunity to steal accounts and personal info.
Dark Web Monitoring
Norton's Dark Web Monitoring tool actively checks the parts of the internet where hackers like to post their finds. It regularly checks for your personal information and credentials and will notify you if anything suspicious is spotted, giving you precious time to change passwords or act as a heads up in case any suspicious emails or texts arrive in your inbox.
Identity Restoration Support
Norton's Identity Restoration Support provides expert advice and direct customer support in the case that your identity is compromised. You will have access to Restoration Specialists to help navigate how you can restore your identity, and live support from Norton experts for any questions or concerns you have about suspicious activity.
Social Media Monitoring
Norton's Social Media Monitoring provides oversight on your social media accounts for suspicious activity, account takeovers, and inappropriate content.
Credit Alerts, Credit Reports, and Credit Scores
Norton's Credit services provide regular credit scores and reports, and will notify you if any changes are made to your financial accounts or payments.
Stolen Wallet Assist
In the event your wallet is stolen, Norton's agents will guide you on how to cancel or replace credit cards, bank cards, driver’s licence and other cards.
Financial Monitoring
If any unusual subscriptions or payments are made from your accounts, Norton will notify you of the changes and help you navigate suspicious transactions.
The Amazon Prime Day deals are well and truly up and running — and if you're looking for an action camera, I've found a genuinely fantastic deal.
Cheap action cameras are all over the market these days, and having used and reviewed a few of them, I'm somewhat wary — the image quality just tends to be so poor that they aren't even worth their two-digit price. When it comes to cameras, you're almost always better off going for an older model from a well-regarded name than a newer one from a budget line — and that's why I think this massive deal on the DJI Osmo Action 4 is one to snap up.
First reviewed by our Cameras Editor Timothy Coleman back in 2023, the Osmo Action 4 takes the classic GoPro-style form actor and crams in a 1/1.3-inch sensor that delivers excellent video quality. With comprehensive waterproofing to depths of 18m (no case needed), highly effective RockSteady image stabilization, and a brilliant magnetic mounting system for accessories, it's a comprehensively equipped action cam for capturing dynamic footage of your adventures — and it's able to go places you wouldn't dream of taking your phone or 'proper' camera.
Sure, it's not the best action cam on the market anymore — not while the DJI Osmo Action 6 and GoPro Hero 13 Black exist. But the price! The Prime Day savings on the DJI Osmo Action 4 put it at $169 in the US and £199 in the UK. To put this in context, when Tim first reviewed it, the Osmo Action 4 cost $399 / £379!
It's two generations old now, with the Action 5 Pro and Action 6 having arrived since, but the DJI Osmo Action 4 still shoots crisp 4K video and has excellent waterproofing. The real appeal to this 2023 model is its low price, which with Prime Day savings is down to less than half of its original asking price.View Deal
Savings are also excellent in the UK, with the Osmo Action 4 available for less than £160. This combo also includes a quick-release adapter mount, a charging cable, a lens hood and a protective frame.View Deal
Despite being a few years old, the Osmo Action 4 is still more than capable of producing imagery to the standard demanded by content creators in 2026. With a topline video resolution of 10-bit 4K video, it produces crisp and punchy footage, and offers a number of slow-mo options, as well as the option to shoot in the D-Log color profile to maximize dynamic range. This is everything a content creator could want, especially when you also factor in the punchy 10MP stills.
The later, pricier cameras are better in some areas — I've used the Osmo Action 6, and its low-light abilities are absolutely unreal. But most action camera footage is shot in bright daylight; they tend to be used for capturing POV footage of activities like surfing, cycling, snorkeling or skiing, and if you're not planning to do much shooting at night, you won't have a problem. And besides, as Tim found, the Osmo Action 4 isn't actually all that bad in low light — it's just not a patch on the cameras that have come along since.
The Osmo Action 4's simple UI means kids can use it without too much of a problem, making it a brilliant option for family holidays — this is a camera that won't mind being dropped, splashed, knocked or bumped.
It's also worth mentioning that if you're in the US, ongoing trade restrictions mean it can be difficult to get hold of newer DJI cameras like the Osmo Action 6, meaning an older model like the Action 4 could well be your best option.
But even if that's not an issue, at this price, I'd recommend the Osmo Action 4 to most people over the Osmo Action 6 — and I loved the Osmo Action 6. I took one on holiday to New York, and have it in a drawer beside me right now!
But this is just such good value for the level of functionality and image quality on offer. It's the perfect gateway for anyone thinking about dipping a toe into the world of action cameras — and it's a much, much better buy than a cheap-and-nasty action camera from a brand you've never heard of.
Professionals end every day feeling behind or burnt out, but not because they haven’t worked hard enough or clocked off earlier that day.
It’s because the volume of information, decisions, and context-switching is moving faster than the pace humans can realistically handle.
A recent Microsoft report put numbers to what people are feeling.
Eight in 10 of the global workforce say they lack enough time or energy to do their work, and 60% of meetings are happening as ad hoc calls or quick chats outside the pre-scheduled day-to-day.
This isn’t a motivation problem, it’s a capacity one - and it's created one of the defining contradictions of modern work. Businesses have never had more ideas, expertise, or ambition at their disposal, yet the people inside them are increasingly starved of the time and clarity needed to turn that potential into progress.
The smartphone makes this contradiction impossible to ignore. It is one of the most consequential inventions of the 21st century, yet also one that many people actively try to use less. Screen-time limits and digital detoxes are not anti-technology trends. They are signs that people are trying to regain control over a tool that has become indispensable, but increasingly overwhelming.
The message is simple: the market isn't asking for more technology. It's asking for relief.
People are adopting or looking at things like digital assistants, wearable AI, focus apps, and workflow automation, not because the technology is impressive. They're doing it because they're exhausted.
That distinction matters because cognitive overload has become a workplace crisis. And the first wave of wearable AI missed the opportunity to solve it.
Instead of building practical tools, companies chased futuristic visions. Early wearable AI products asked "what can AI do?" instead of "what problem needs solving?"
The Humane Pin is the most obvious and probably the most well-known industry example. The vision was compelling, but the execution wasn't there. It positioned itself as a complete phone replacement before proving it could do even just one thing better than a phone. Ultimately, it tried to be everything and ended up being nothing.
This approach didn't reduce cognitive overload - it created more. Another device to manage. Another thing running in the background of an already overwhelming life.
The wrong question asked was: "How do we replace the phone entirely?"
A much better question is: “Where are people losing the most time, energy, and clarity — and how can technology give some of it back without demanding more from them?”
The most useful technologies rarely arrive by replacing everything at once. The calculator didn't try to replace the accountant - it eliminated one specific source of friction and became indispensable.
It’s the same with wearable AI assistants. Progress is made in practice, not promises.
The wearables gaining real traction share one quality: users can explain their value in a single sentence. "This device exists so I can stop worrying about X." That clarity isn't a constraint - it is the product.
The future of this category will not be defined by the devices with the boldest premise. It will be defined by those who understand where people are most overloaded and remove that pressure without asking for much in return.
Does the technology make someone feel more capable or more managed? Does it reduce the number of things they have to remember, check, repeat, and translate? Does it create clarity, or simply another stream of information?
Those questions are less glamorous than asking whether AI can replace the smartphone. But they are also far more useful.
The wearables that will actually help aren't the ones with the boldest premise; they're the ones that solve one real problem but do it well.
In a world drowning in information, that may be the most ambitious thing technology can do.
Simplify work with the best AI tools.
This article was produced as part of TechRadar Pro Perspectives, our channel to feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today.
The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/pro/perspectives-how-to-submit
Before I tried my first IPL machine, I was suspicious. A handheld device that flashes at your skin and it somehow zaps away your body hair? It all sounded rather unlikely. Except then I got one, and it did just that, and it's been my summertime savior for the past five years.
I paraphrased before, so let me back up a bit. IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light: multiple wavelengths of light that look a little like a photo flash. (They're different to a laser, which uses one concentrated beam.) You remove the hair from the bit of skin you want to be fuzz-free, and then run your device over that patch. The light targets the follicle that sits under the surface of your skin, damaging or destroying it so it doesn't grow back.
• View the full Amazon Prime Day sale
The results, for me, are incredible. It's by far the most effective, long-lasting and side-effect-free method of hair removal I've tried (and I have tried them all). However, there are a few things to know before buying one — scroll down for the key things I tell anyone who asks me if I'd recommend an IPL.
I was particularly inspired to share my tips now, because there are several heavily discounted IPL machines (including my own Braun Silk-Expert Pro 5 — five years old and still going strong) included in the Amazon Prime Day sales. So if you read my tips and decide to buy, now's a great time to do so.
Because of the zapping mechanism, IPL machines work best on dark hair on pale skin — the bigger the contrast, the better. That means they won't work for everyone — people with fair, fine body hair likely won't see much of a difference, and ditto those with darker skin tones.
Further to that, they might not work equally well everywhere on your body. For instance, my IPL doesn't really do much for my leg hair, whereas it's much more effective on my underarms.
That light looks like it's going to hurt, right? Wrong. The IPL process is pretty much pain-free, save for it occasionally feeling a bit hot. I also don't have an issue with itchy or awkward regrowth in the way I do with shaving.
If you struggle with a bad reaction to other hair removal methods, note that you will need to remove all your hair in your target area before you go over it with the IPL machine. Shaving it is recommended, so you will need to deal with that nasty regrowth at least once.
However, I've found that after that first use, the amount of hair that comes back is significantly reduced, and then after the second or third cycle, basically nothing grows back. It's really incredible.
The instructions with my machine state you should use your IPL weekly for a few weeks (I do four), and then monthly going forward after that. After around three weeks, there's no hair there, but if I don't continue with top-up sessions, after a few weeks the hair will start to return, and eventually it'll be right back to pre-IPL state. So you will need to keep up with your maintenance zapping; this isn't a permanent solution.
Got more questions? Ping me in the comments section, I am happy to help. Or if I've convinced you that an IPL is right for you, let's take a closer look at the best deals available now.
Most people will snag a new Apple Watch during Amazon Prime Day and then call it a day, but have you ever thought that your new wearable could benefit from some accessories?
We're quick to get the screen protectors and cases for our iPhones, but I feel that this attitude isn't applied to the best smartwatches as it is with smartphones. Now that we're deep into this year's Prime Day event, there are just as many deals on Apple Watch accessories as there are on the devices themselves.
• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale
One of the best accessories to get at a cheeky discount are watch straps, especially since Apple's own range is quite expensive. On a non-Prime Day, watch strap alternatives are actually reasonably priced, but during sales events they can drop to less than $10, or £10 if you're shopping in the UK. Portable power banks are also overlooked, and give you reason to no longer carry around your charging lead with you.
Lugging around your Apple Watch charging lead isn't the most convenient, so having one within reach lifts that pain point. Not only is this portable charger also great for travelling and can be attached to your keys, it's compatible with every Apple Watch model, so you don't need to upgrade your wearable to be able to use it. View Deal
Multi-use charging docks are a handy way to ensure your Apple Watch, iPhone, and AirPods can all be charged at the same time, but some charging stations can break the bank. This space-saving dock from Anlmz is less than $20 this Prime Day, and also comes in handy for hands-free viewing on your iPhone. View Deal
Apple Watch bands are just as good an investment as the wearables themselves, as they can change its whole look. Though I do like the level of comfort you get from Apple's silicone bands, this sub-$8 nylon wristband is a solid alternative, and a secure option if you're active with your wearable. View Deal
Power banks aren't just for smartphones, they're great for Apple Watches too. $40 is a bit steep for a small, keychain-sized portable charger, so a 53% discount is what we like to see. View Deal
If you're not prepared to spend the best part of £50 on one of Apple's official straps, Amazon has some great alternatives this Prime Day for less than a tenner — and they're compatible with the most recent models in Apple's wearable lineup. View Deal
While you'll still need your Apple Watch charger to make use of this stand, it's a handy tool to have with you if you do happen to carry your charger around with you daily. This stand also folds flat, making it a lot easier to pack and travel with. View Deal
You'd be surprised at how easy it is to accidentally knock your Apple Watch while on the move, no matter how well you take care of it. A protective shield will add weight to your wearable, but you'll be thankful when it stops your Apple Watch from scratches and other damage. Just don't make the same mistake as me and buy the wrong size. View Deal
Aldi, famed for its bargain home gadgets, has just announced a new set of budget-friendly cooling fans to help you stay cool without burning a hole in your wallet. The set of three fans will be available in the middle aisle of Aldi stores from July 2, so although they won't be able to stop you sweating during the current heatwave, you can make sure you're prepared the next time the temperature soars.
For me, the most interesting fan in the collection is the £6.99 Fan with Flexible Tripod. Not only is this the cheapest option, it's also the most flexible — literally. Its Joby GorillaPod-style legs bend and grip, so you can position it just right on your desk, wrap it around the handlebar of a pushchair, or attach it to a treadmill at the gym.
Another intriguing option is the Portable Air Cooler with LED (£14.99), which lowers the temperature in your room using water and ice evaporative technology. Water absorbs quite a lot of heat when it evaporates, which has a significant cooling effect, which makes this kind of device (also charmingly known as a 'swamp cooler') an effective way to keep your cool without raising your electricity bill.
Finally, we have the Globe Fan with Multi Direction (£39.99), which looks more like a typical desk fan, but has an unusual "360-degree auto-rotating" head that pans all the way around your room. It comes with a remote control, and has three modes: Natural Wind, Drying (for laundry), and Sleep.
If you can't wait until next week and are willing to splash some more cash for quicker relief, we've rounding up all the best Amazon Prime Day deals on heatwave essentials including fans, portable air conditioners, and ice cream makers.
How many more times (and in how many more ways) can I say this? Nothing's most recent batch of colorful, joyful and hang it all refreshingly different listening gear is nothing short of excellent for the money.
And the thing is, those already-excellent asking fees have just been further reduced, in some cases by up to 49% off for Prime Day.
• View the full Amazon Prime Day sale
My pick of the over-ear headphones bunch would be the excellent noise-cancelling CMF Headphone Pro, which have absolutely no business looking this good, or indeed sounding so fabulously fun, for just $65 — a massive 34% off an original launch fee that's barely eight months old.
And if you're after earbuds, it'd be easy to just opt for the cheapest of the cheap, and let me be clear, 49% off the CMF Buds 2a, making them just $19.99 rather than $39 is incredibly low, however you try to slice it. But for me, the Nothing Ear (a) still win out, with a new lowest-seen price of just $53.20 (was $99 at launch, although $79 is their most-recent discounted price) .
And I'm not even done! I also love the firm's second stab at flagship headphones, the Nothing Headphone (a), not to be confused with the inaugural Heaphone (1) which do not feature in this list (yes, I know Nothing's naming strategy can be confusing. That's why you stick with me). No, this newer, far better set of over-ears retains the unusual aesthetic of the original effort but adds much better, fuller, more expansive audio and offers excellent on-ear controls to further enhance it all, plus a battery life that's, well, nothing short of excellent.
Not after headphones or earbuds? It's OK, you can see the best of the new deals, as they drop, in our Amazon Prime Day live blog.
If I had to pick, I'm still going for the delightfully fresh, luxuriously padded teal CMF Headphone Pro, which I regularly reach for (and I test headphones for a living, remember) owing to the easy-breezy on-ear controls and fun, zealous sound when I'm out and about.
That said, there's a little more clarity in the Headphone (a) and I do love the cassette-type look of the ear cups. But if you need a bit of wiggle room in your bag for other essentials, earbuds suddenly start looking very good indeed, no?
That said, the Nothing Ear (3) are the best if you regularly record your voice, thanks to their 'Super Mic'. It's the shiny button directly under the snappy case magnet labelled 'TALK' and it's a lot of fun. It's best to think of it as very much like those little clip-on wireless mics content creators hold very close to their mouths on social media — except now, they might hold an earbuds case to their lips to add voiceovers.
Nothing calls Super Mic a "breakthrough dual-microphone system driven by ambient-filtering technology." Essentially, the dual MEMS beamforming mics built into the case focus on your voice, cutting through surrounding noise (up to 95dB is the claim) for clearer calls and voice notes. And no other product in this little roundup has it. Food for thought, then…
In my glowing 4.5-star review of these truly likeable September 2025-issue noise-cancelling over-ears, I said they "could easily cost twice as much", adding "you'll struggle to find a more original set of affordable headphones that offer this much for this little". Well, now that figure has shrunk to just $61.75, a fee our price trackers have never seen until now — their previous all-time low price was $68, just for full clarity. For this money, and as long as the glorious white or light green colorways suit, I wouldn't even hesitate. Highly recommended! View Deal
A moment for the 'fried-egg-meets-cassette-tape' colorway though… yes, it's a look for the bold, but the deal is live on the slightly more demure black or white finishes too, and this March 2026 set of noise cancelling cans doesn't just excite us in the looks department. These aren't to be confused with the slightly disappointing Headphone (1) — no no, this is the greatly improved (and far cheaper) follow-up set. And in our full review, we summarised our thoughts thus: "Now THAT's how you do a second version". This is the cheapest they've ever been, but given that they're barely three months old, that's not surprising… View Deal
I know we're all buzzed about the imminent opening of pre-orders for GTA VI. But for me, that ties for most exciting gaming news this month, after Nintendo announced The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake is also dropping later on this year. So if you're as into Zelda games as I am and have a decent chunk of cash spare, I'd absolutely recommend you pick up a Nintendo Switch 2 this Prime Day.
As an ardent fan, The Legend of Zelda series lives absolutely rent-free in my head. I cut my teeth on the sublime pixel art of A Link to the Past on the SNES, donned many mantles in Majora's Mask, and banished the gloom in Twilight Princess. But it's almost certainly Ocarina of Time that made the biggest impression on me at the time, thanks to its epic time-hopping story and, at the time, groundbreaking 3D visuals.
So even though I've played the game to completion an almost shameful number of times, you better believe that I'll be picking up the remake on day one of its release. If you're similarly set on reliving one of the greatest games of all time but don't yet have a Nintendo Switch 2, I have one piece of advice for you: grab your console now.
While epic Prime Day discounts are pretty thin on the ground, there's still a good reason to pick one up now. Thanks to the ongoing RAM crisis, Nintendo has already revealed that price rises are coming to the Switch 2. It's been confirmed that, come September, the price US buyers will pay is increasing from $449 to $499 — and while the exact price rise hitting the UK market is yet to be revealed, expectations are that it will be in roughly the same ballpark as in the US.
With its larger, gorgeously vivid 1080p display, silky smooth performance and more sturdy build, the Switch 2 feels every bit the upgrade over its predecessor. And while you can't currently get it for much of a discount, with the price increasing by $50 in September, this may well be the best deal you'll get for a long while.
UK price: now £369.95 at Amazon (was: £385.00)View Deal
I'll admit I didn't upgrade from my Switch right away, in a large part because of the lack of killer exclusives available for Nintendo's new console in the first few months after its release. But when I finally did, I could absolutely see why we awarded it 4.5 stars in our Nintendo Switch 2 review.
Not only is its screen flat out gorgeous, packing plenty of brightness and vibrant colors, but it's silky smooth, hitting highs of 120Hz for compatible games. And performance is impressive — even a much more demanding title like the recent Indiana Jones and The Great Circle port feels great, despite being locked at 30fps rather than the 60fps (or above) hit by other platforms. That's an impressive feat for a handheld console this compact.
And the roster of games available for the Switch 2 has expanded massively since release. Donkey Kong Bananza feels like the exact breath of fresh air the series needed, adding a fun new gimmick in its landscape-smashing shenanigans, while I've genuinely been hoping to see a Metroid Prime 4 for almost two decades now. But it's Pokémon Pokopia that has most thoroughly hijacked my brain's dopamine system, allowing me to pour countless hours into building mansions and amusements for my 'mons.
However, if I hadn't already upgraded, there's no doubt that The Legend of Zelda: The Ocarina of Time remake would have pushed me over the top. Getting to relive my nostalgia-soaked memories of one of the greatest adventures of all time with a fresh new coat of paint is a compelling hook indeed. And for any fan dead set on experiencing it, I'd honestly recommend you getting your Switch 2 ordered now before you have to fork out for that extra markup.
If you're still dead set on holding out for a bargain price, keep an eye on our widget below or check out our Amazon Prime Day live blog if you're in the US or our Amazon Prime Day deals roundup in the UK.
Amazon Prime Day is currently in full swing (despite it still being labelled a day, it's actually most of this week), and as usual, TechRadar's merry band of deals experts are scouring both Amazon and rival retailers to help you find the very best deals.
Reddit, the massive website that allows users to post about all manner of subjects, has also become a great resource for highlighting deals, as millions of Redditors from around the world share deals they've spotted.
• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale
Reddit's huge user base means there's a steady stream of great deals going up that could easily be missed. However, you still need to be careful, as not every deal will actually be worth buying.
So, wouldn't it be nice to combine the wide scope of Reddit's deal hunters with TechRadar's trusted, independent tech advice? Well, you're in luck, as that's exactly what I'll be doing here. I'll go through some of the most popular Reddit deals and highlight them here, along with my own buying advice based on nearly 20 years of experience as a tech journalist.
Best Buy “Tech Day” sale - 1,200 for a 65” C5 from r/LGOLED
The 65-inch LG C5 OLED, TechRadar's best-rated TV, is $1,300 off at Best Buy. Awarded five out of five stars in our review, the OLED display delivers an outstanding picture thanks to LG's Alpha 9 AI processor Gen8, impressive gaming features, and a comprehensive smart platform featuring all-new AI capabilities.
See our LG C5 OLED TV reviewView Deal
Best price point for the year? from r/tcltvs
Here is an Amazon exclusive deal on a massive display. You can get TCL's 98-inch QM64L Series for $1,799.99, which is an incredible price for a TV of this size. A truly great budget mini-LED TV, the TCL QM64L delivers vibrant picture quality and solid gaming features for a price that won't break the bank.
Also check out these coupons:
🎟️ Amazon: Claim 30% off Haul orders with this discount code
🎟️ Up to 70% off daily deals in the Amazon sale
🎟️ Get up to 60% off orders during the Prime Week sale at AmazonView Deal
The TCL QM7K is a feature-packed mini-LED TV that over-delivers for its price range. It has great picture quality and a ton of solid gaming features. While this discount may be small, it does take the 65-inch model down to a new record-low price of $749.99.
Also check out these coupons:
🎟️ Amazon: Claim 30% off Haul orders with this discount code
🎟️ Up to 70% off daily deals in the Amazon sale
🎟️ Get up to 60% off orders during the Prime Week sale at AmazonView Deal
This entry-level Mini-LED TV from TCL is an excellent buy at this low price. Newer and more powerful versions are available, but in terms of value for money, this display is incredibly hard to beat. It offers a detailed, bright picture, vivid colors, and an intuitive Google TV interface to access top streaming apps. It's a whole lot of TV for a relatively low price.View Deal
The TCL QM7K is a feature-packed mini-LED TV that over-delivers for its price range. It has great picture quality and a ton of solid gaming features. While this discount may be small, it does take the 65-inch model down to a new record-low price of $749.99.
Also check out these coupons:
🎟️ Amazon: Claim 30% off Haul orders with this discount code
🎟️ Up to 70% off daily deals in the Amazon sale
🎟️ Get up to 60% off orders during the Prime Week sale at AmazonView Deal
Amazon Prime Day Apple Deals 2026 - Apple Watch Series 11, SE 3, AirPods Max, AirTag & Magic Mouse from r/BestOfPrimeDay
My favorite Prime Day Apple deal is an over $100 discount on the Apple Watch Series 11. The thinnest Apple Watch yet, with a wraparound LTP3 OLED display, it's a great-looking watch with Apple Intelligence-powered smarts and a boosted battery, clocking in at 24 hours of average use.
Read our full Apple Watch 11 review
Also check out these coupons:
🎟️ Amazon: Claim 30% off Haul orders with this discount code
🎟️ Up to 70% off daily deals in the Amazon sale
🎟️ Get up to 60% off orders during the Prime Week sale at AmazonView Deal
This larger model of the Apple Watch Series 11 likes to yo-yo in price so it's difficult to tell when the next price drop will occur, so it may be worth scoring it now while you can, especially if you don't like to take risks when it comes to Prime Day.View Deal
The Apple Watch SE 3 is back to its lowest price ever for Prime Day 2026. Apple's entry-level smartwatch is currently our pick for the best Apple Watch to buy if you're on a budget, as it delivers a full health and fitness tracking experience, all the convenient on-wrist features you need, and that familiar Apple style, but at a fraction of the price.
Read our Apple Watch SE 3 review here.
Also check out these coupons:
🎟️ Amazon: Claim 30% off Haul orders with this discount code
🎟️ Up to 70% off daily deals in the Amazon sale
🎟️ Get up to 60% off orders during the Prime Week sale at AmazonView Deal
CMF By Nothing Buds 2 48dB Hybrid ANC at $24.50 (50% off) from r/deals
Our CMF Buds Pro 2 review highlights the fun range of color options and a novel design, though we do criticize sound quality and noise cancellation. However, with this new price cut, they are incredible value for money if you're looking for some dirt-cheap wireless earbuds and aren't looking for the highest possible sound quality.View Deal
Don't miss out on this fantastic deal for the Apple AirPods Max 2. They're currently available at Amazon with $150 discount. I've got a pair, and I love them — they are especially good if you have multiple Apple devices, as it can cleverly switch between them whilst you work.View Deal
Best Prime Day Laptop Deals: 10 Tips to Pick the Perfect Machine from r/bestlaptopdeals
Display - 15.6 inches
Processor - Intel Core 3
RAM - 8GB
Storage - 512GB
If you want a cheap Windows laptop, then this configuration of the Asus Vivobook Go is an excellent buy and terrific value for money. You get an AMD Ryzen 5 processor, 8GB of RAM and a large 512GB SSD to ensure good overall performance and enough essential speedy storage for the price. It's a top buy right now if you're on a budget and need a laptop for general everyday use, admin tasks, light work, or schoolwork.View Deal
Display - 14 inches
Processor - Snapdragon X
RAM - 16GB
Storage - 512GB
There's a big saving on this Asus Vivobook 14 at Amazon. It's a modern machine, with an efficient Snapdragon X processor, 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD, so you have enough power and storage space for everyday jobs. It's a top buy right now if you have a reasonable budget and need a strong mid-range laptop for general use, admin tasks, light work, or schoolwork. It also boasts an incredible 29-hour battery life.View Deal
This HP OmniBook 3 deal with Snapdragon X X1-26-100 CPU, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD and 16-inch 2K display isn't quite the same as the one highlighted on Reddit, but I think it's a much better deal. It's a bit more expensive but you get much better specs - including 16GB rather than the 8GB model mentioned in the Reddit thread.View Deal
This is a great price, with a $250 saving, on the Asus Vivobook 16 wtih AMD Ryzen AI 5 330 CPU, 16GB RAM,| 512GB SSD and 16-inch 2K display. For around $500, this is a Windows 11 laptop that can give the MacBook Neo a run for its money when it comes to pure value.View Deal
Acer Nitro V Slim ANV16S-41-R3Q0 Gaming Laptop | 16″ WQXGA IPS | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 | AMD Ryzen 7 260 Processor | 16GB RAM | 512GB SSD | WiFi 6E | Backlit Keyboard | HDMI | USB4 | RJ-45 | Win 11 Home [Price: $999.99 after 23% off] from r/bestlaptopdeals
Graphics card: RTX 5070
Processor: AMD Ryzen 7
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 512GB
It's been a long time since I've seen an RTX 5070 gaming laptop this cheap, but is this Acer Nitro V Slim 16 is hitting a rock-bottom price at Best Buy today. Almost unbelievably, I believe this one is incorrectly listed with a "Ryzen 2000 series" chipset rather than a Ryzen 7-260 since you get 16GB of DDR5 RAM. Regardless, this is a rare example of a budget RTX 5070 gaming laptop. View Deal
Just picked this up from r/GamingLaptops
With an Intel Core 9 275HX processor, 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage, this is an incredibly powerful gaming laptop, though the RTX 5060 GPU lets the side down a little. Don't get me wrong, it's still a fine GPU that will handle modern games at 1080p without issue, but it feels slightly underpowered compared with the rest of the specs. Still, $260 off makes this a tempting laptop deal.View Deal
Best Prime Day MacBook Live Deals 2026 at Amazon — M4 MacBook Air, M2 Air & Renewed Picks from r/BestOfPrimeDay
This is a great deal highlighted on Reddit for the M4 model, which is slightly older than the current M5 MacBook Air. You get 16GB memory and 256GB SSD, and the price is impressively low - but just make sure you know that this is a 'Renewed' device (the Reddit post doesn't mention this), which means it's not new, but it should be fully checked to ensure it's in working order.View Deal
With an impressive $150 discount, this Prime Day deal addresses our main complaint about the M5 Air: it's pricier than the previous model. Now, you're getting the latest chipset, 16GB of RAM, and a bigger 512GB SSD for much less, with a price that arguably challenges even the budget MacBook Neo when it comes to outright value.
Read our full MacBook Air 13-inch M5 reviewView Deal
A great-value older MacBook Air that still holds its own against the newer model. You get 512GB SSD storage and 16GB RAM together with an M3 chip that still feels fast. This deal knocks 38% off the 13-inch laptop's price.View Deal
The newest MacBook Air M5 is here, and it just got its biggest discount yet on Amazon. Our reviewer called it "the best ultraportable I've ever used" and awarded it 4.5 stars, so it's every bit as good as its already excellent predecessor. As well as the powerful and efficient M5 chip, the latest MacBook Air boasts a slick 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD as standard. Those are solid overall specs for all-around use, productivity, and creative tasks.View Deal
Comment from r/PrimeDayDealsBig
Air fryers are always big sellers on Prime Day (I bought mine during last year's event), and this is a great deal highlighted on Reddit, saving you $50 off a large air fryer from popular Ninja rival Chefman.View Deal
Amazon US DJI Osmo 360 Camera Adventure Combo - $454.99, Was $699.99, 35% Off from r/DealsReddit
DJI’s debut 360 camera is an undeniably classy effort – and a strong challenger to sector leader Insta360 and its best-in-class X5. This bundle includes an 'invisible' selfie stick and extra battery, all for $175 less than usual.
Read our full DJI Osmo 360 reviewView Deal
Amazon US: BOTSLAB 4K Dash Cam Front and Rear $89.97 (15% off with Prime) from r/DealsReddit
This is a decent saving off a 4K dash cam that covers both the front and rear of your vehicle for all-round protection. Thanks to a $16 discount, it's one of the more affordable dash cams you can get at the moment.View Deal
Best Prime Day LEGO Set Deals from r/PrimeDayDealsBig
Lego has produced many Millennium Falcon sets, but this smaller one, which debuted for the 25th anniversary of Star Wars: A New Hope, is an excellent model and even better with a 20% discount. It's currently available at the lowest price ever, at $67.98, and makes a superb display piece.View Deal
R2-D2 is the most iconic droid around, and right now, you can build your own version of the epic piece of Star Wars out of 1,050 bricks for just $79.99. That's a 20% discount from the $99.99 MSRP, and Prime members get free fast shipping. This set is themed to the 25th anniversary of Lego Star Wars and comes with a mini R2-D2, a display plate, and a Darth Malak minifigure.View Deal
If you're a fan of the Dark Side, this Lego set is perfect for you, and it's down to a record-low price. For Amazon Prime Day, the Imperial Star Destroyer is just $111.99 – a massive 30% or $48 discount for a 1,555-piece set that includes 7 Minifigures.View Deal
With this Lego Creator 3-in-1, you can build an adorable red fox, an owl on a branch, or a squirrel with an acorn. Best of all, it's 30% off at $34.99.View Deal
At 30% off, this Lego City set offers many builds that provide hours of play. The City Construction Trucks and Wrecking Ball Crane is 30% off for Prime Day at $41.99 and is designed for ages 4 and up.View Deal
This delightful set, at 30% off, can complement any Lego City setup. Although really, it's a fit for anyone who likes cars! Right now, the Lego City Car Transporter Truck with Sports Cars is just $69.99 on Amazon.View Deal
If you're already worried about the potential dangers of AI chatbots, this one probably isn't for you: an Amazon Echo user has reported Alexa+ "breathing and making guttural sounds" while engaged in the supposedly innocent task of counting to 40 (in Spanish).
There's video evidence on Reddit (via Android Authority), and it's pretty spooky to listen to — so only click the play button if you're sure you want to hear a disembodied AI-generated voice that sounds somewhat possessed.
According to the user who posted the video, they asked Alexa+ to count up to 40, which prompted the strange sounds. It's not an ideal response, especially as there were two five-year-old kids listening who just wanted a simple countdown.
Apparently, the original poster was then able to get the same thing happening on a separate Amazon Echo in another room. "Needless to say, the Alexas in my house are now unplugged and I've reported the whole thing to Amazon," they report.
My Alexa started breathing and making guttural sounds while counting my kids to sleep. I have it on video. from r/amazonecho
While it's possible that some kind of user error or AI fakery has produced this video, it's odd that it would happen on two different devices — and there's at least one other user in the Reddit thread saying they've experienced something similar.
It's almost certainly down to a bug in Alexa+: the new and upgraded AI assistant is intended to be more conversational and more expressive, and in this case it seems to have gone too far (in the same way that AI chatbots can introduce hallucinations and tangents when writing out text).
When pushed, Alexa+ itself said that "something in my environment" must have caused the glitch, though it's not clear what that something might be. Perhaps it's the ghost of Alexa past, which Alexa+ has now replaced.
The Reddit reactions describe the speaker as "haunted", "terrifying", and in need of an exorcism, though the fix is likely to be no more complicated than a tweak to the Alexa+ AI model from Amazon's side.
With Grand Theft Auto 6 dropping in November, time is running out if you want to play the previous games in the series before diving in. If you own a modern console, there aren't that many to catch up on, as only a few of the older ones have been ported.
• View the full Amazon Prime Day sale
https://www.techradar.com/live/news/draft-gta-6-pre-orders-stock
Still, you can play through the whole of Grand Theft Auto 5, the previous entry, and dive into Grand Theft Auto Online, which has its own narrative content and is included free of charge. There's also Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition, which contains remasters of not just one but three fan-favorite games.
• Visit our live coverage of GTA 6 pre-orders here
They're not the most accomplished remasters on the planet, but given that Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, which shares a setting with the upcoming GTA 6, I would consider it an essential play before the new game arrives.
Legal AI startup Legion LegalTech Corp has filed a lawsuit challenging a June 12 government order that forced Anthropic to restrict access to its most advanced AI models, Fable 5 and Mythos 5, for foreign citizens (via Reuters).
According to the complain, the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) gave Anthropic around 90 minutes to comply with the order, or face civil and criminal penalties.
All foreign nationals, including those living inside and outside of the US, and even Anthropic's own employees, are said to be affected by the order.
Legion LegalTech Corp acknowledges that the order was triggered because of concerns that users could jailbreak models into reviewing software code and identifying vulnerabilities, but the startup argues this is a common capability of all frontier models and doesn't just affect Anthropic's models.
The company says it had contractual access to Anthropic's Fable 5 model, and was actively integrating it into its products that draft and manage cases. Because the company employs Canadian developers working remotely from Canada, it lost access to the model once restrictions took effect.
"Anthropic took no independent action to restrict Legion’s access; it complied with the government’s command under threat of enforcement consequences," the lawsuit reads.
The lawsuit argues that no current export control classifications cover access to cloud-hosted AI models. It also references an independent reviewer, who sees the government's action as disproportionate and "way out of line."
Anthropic announced the frontier models on June 9. By June 12, it had released a statement in response to the government directive, criticizing the government for "not provid[ing] specific details of its national security concern."
"We are complying with the government’s legal directive and are removing access to Fable 5 and Mythos 5 for all users."
For most of the world, the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be remembered as a sporting event. For cybersecurity teams, it will function more like a live multinational stress test.
Spanning three countries, 16 host cities, and thousands of miles of transportation corridors, the tournament depends on an interconnected ecosystem of physical and digital infrastructure operating under sustained pressure for more than a month.
Airports, rail systems, hotels, fan festivals, credentialing platforms, broadcast operations, rideshare services, and public-facing digital services will all be strained simultaneously.
That scale fundamentally changes the security equation.
From a threat intelligence perspective, the defining challenge of the 2026 World Cup is the convergence of physical, cyber, social, and geopolitical risks across shared IT infrastructure and compressed operational timelines. Security teams are no longer managing isolated threats — they are forced to manage cascading disruption, where pressure in one domain can rapidly affect another.
A phishing campaign targeting transportation staff could disrupt rail operations moving tens of thousands of fans. A localized protest could overwhelm nearby transit systems and alter executive movement plans. A ransomware incident affecting a hospitality provider could create physical security concerns if communications or access systems fail during peak crowd periods.
This is the reality of large-scale global events in 2026: the attack surface is no longer just the venue, it’s the infrastructure surrounding the whole event.
At the time of writing, Flashpoint has not identified any specific, credible threats targeting the tournament. That should not be mistaken for a low-risk environment. Events of this scale consistently attract opportunistic criminal activity, fraud operations, extremist messaging, coordinated protest movements, and attempts to exploit operational strain.
Historically, security planning for major sporting events has centered on venue protection. For the 2026 FIFA World Cup, that model is no longer sufficient.
With matches spread across three countries and 16 cities, much of the risk now sits outside controlled environments across transit systems, hotels, fan zones, entertainment districts, and the broader infrastructure moving people, information, and services between them.
In many cases, these environments carry greater uncertainty than the stadiums themselves. Security visibility is uneven, access controls are inconsistent, and crowd density, alcohol consumption, and movement constraints create conditions where relatively minor incidents can escalate quickly.
Protests are likely to add another layer of complexity. Demonstrations tied to immigration policy, labor concerns, geopolitical tensions, and broader political movements are expected to occur across multiple host cities during the tournament. Most demonstrations will likely remain lawful and localized.
While most demonstrations will likely remain lawful and localized, the risk emerges when protest activity intersects with transportation choke points, fan movement patterns, or already strained public infrastructure.
Threat intelligence teams should pay close attention to how online rhetoric translates into physical coordination.
Many of the indicators that matter most during events like the World Cup appear early through fragmented digital activity: encrypted messaging channels, localized social media conversations, extremist propaganda ecosystems, fraud marketplaces, and open-source coordination efforts.
The intelligence challenge is rarely a lack of data. It is identifying which signals indicate a meaningful shift in operational risk.
Crowd behavior remains one of the most persistent, and often underestimated, security challenges at large-scale events.
Mass gatherings create conditions where panic can spread faster than verified information. Overcrowding, pyrotechnics, aggressive supporter behavior, or sudden movement within confined transit areas can trigger cascading safety incidents without any organized attack occurring.
Recent years have also shown increasing coordination among certain supporter networks and hooligan groups, including the use of encrypted communications and reconnaissance activity to organize around less-secured gathering points outside official venues.
These risks matter because they place pressure on the systems surrounding the event, not solely the event itself. The same convergence is visible across the cyber threat landscape.
We are likely to see elevated levels of phishing activity, ticket fraud, domain impersonation, social engineering, and opportunistic attacks targeting tournament-related infrastructure. Threat actors understand that large events create urgency, emotional decision-making, and predictable behavior patterns. Fans searching for tickets, transportation, accommodations, or livestreams become easier targets for spoofed domains and fraudulent communications.
The operational implications extend well beyond consumer fraud losses.
A disruptive cyber incident affecting transportation systems, hospitality providers, third-party vendors, or venue operations during a high-attendance match day can rapidly create downstream physical security challenges. Delayed transit systems increase crowd concentration.
Failed communications systems complicate emergency response coordination. Access-control outages create confusion at security checkpoints. Small technical failures can compound quickly in dense environments operating on fixed timelines.
Organizations supporting personnel, executives, vendors, or operations during the World Cup should prepare for an environment where physical and digital disruptions increasingly overlap.
That preparation starts with visibility.
Security teams should establish continuous monitoring around transportation disruptions, protest coordination, fraud infrastructure, and emerging operational incidents across both open and closed online sources. Threat indicators tied to major events often surface first through fragmented local reporting, encrypted messaging channels, social media coordination, and opportunistic criminal communities.
Travel security planning should also extend beyond venue access and hotel bookings.
Organizations should review how employees handle credentials, travel itineraries, executive movement, and event-related content online. During high-profile international events, threat actors routinely collect publicly available information to support impersonation attempts, social engineering campaigns, and physical targeting.
Employees, contractors, media personnel, and attendees frequently expose operationally sensitive information online without recognizing the downstream implications. Credential badges, transportation routes, executive locations, hotel details, and backstage access procedures often appear publicly across social media within minutes. Threat actors increasingly use these fragmented disclosures to map security procedures, identify soft targets, or facilitate social engineering operations.
Third-party dependencies deserve particular attention.
Hospitality providers, transportation vendors, temporary staffing organizations, event technology platforms, and local service providers will all operate under elevated pressure during the tournament. Security incidents affecting those organizations can rapidly create downstream operational disruption for attendees, sponsors, media teams, and corporate travelers.
Finally, security leaders should prepare for disruption scenarios that fall below the threshold of a major crisis but still create operational consequences. Delayed transportation, localized unrest, communications outages, credentialing issues, and short-duration cyber incidents can all affect executive movement, employee safety, and business continuity during compressed event timelines.
Events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup place unusual strain on security teams because disruption rarely stays contained within a single domain.
A cyber incident can create immediate physical consequences. Protest activity can disrupt transportation and executive movement. Crowd-management failures can generate downstream operational strain across hospitality, communications, and emergency response systems.
For security leaders, the challenge is maintaining visibility across these interconnected environments as conditions evolve in real time.
The organizations best positioned during the tournament will not necessarily be those with the largest physical security footprint. They will be the organizations capable of continuously correlating cyber indicators, physical activity, online narratives, and emerging operational disruptions into a coherent picture of risk.
Threat intelligence creates decision advantage in environments where conditions evolve by the minute.
We feature the best internet security suites: ranked and rated by experts.
This article was produced as part of TechRadar Pro Perspectives, our channel to feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today.
The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/pro/perspectives-how-to-submit
In case you hadn’t heard, GTA6 pre-orders are live tonight (June 25) at midnight. Due for general release on November 19, it’s been 13 years (!) since GTA 5 first launched two console generations ago. While you’re pre-ordering your copy, now might be the time to upgrade your TV to experience Vice City looking its best.
I test TVs for a living, and that includes the best gaming TVs. For GTA 6, you’re going to want excellent picture quality with vibrant colors, excellent motion handling for the fast-paced action, and a suite of gaming features to cover the bases. Below, I’ve picked five of the top gaming TVs to suit all budgets that will be perfect for tearing through Vice City.
You may notice that all of these TVs are from last year. While we’ve been testing the best TVs this year and a lot of them are great, last year’s TVs will be a much better value and still more than capable of doing justice to GTA 6. That’s why, for me, they’re the better option right now.
The best place to start is with the top recommendation. Sitting at the top of our best gaming TV guide, as well as our best OLED TV guide, is the LG C5, a five-star OLED that can literally do it all. It has a full suite of features and superb picture quality that will be perfect for GTA 6.
The C5 delivers rich, bold colors with whatever it’s given, and this is going to be important for the neon-soaked streets of Vice City in GTA 6. Watching colorful movies like Elemental on the C5, colors really pop on screen, with oranges, reds, and blues all shimmering. It also delivers rich contrast with deep black tones, important again for that nightlife vibe in Vice City. With excellent motion handling, car chases will be a breeze for the C5.
Packed with a full suite of gaming features, the C5 is a top-notch gaming TV. Four HDMI 2.1 ports support 4K 144Hz, full VRR, HGiG, ALLM, and Dolby Vision gaming, and with a 9.2ms input lag time, expect super-responsive gameplay as you’re fleeing from the cops in GTA 6. It handled Battlefield V at 120fps with ease when I played it.
Price-wise, you’ll want to pay about $1,199 / £1,399 (stock is looking thin in Australia) for a 65-inch model. This will be a great size for seeing GTA 6 in all its glory, but the C5 is available in sizes 42 to 83 inches to cover every situation.
If you’re looking for a TV upgrade but don’t want to break the bank, the TCL QM6K (known as the TCL C6K/Q6C depending on region and retailer) is a fantastic choice. It still has great picture quality and an impressive stock of gaming features for a very affordable price.
I tested the C6K as I’m based in the UK, and it has great overall picture quality. Its main highlight is its color reproduction. It produces vivid, natural colors that made movies like Wicked look great during my testing, accurately capturing the vibrant pink of flowers in trees. Expect the same for GTA 6. The C6K also demonstrated impressive backlight control and black tones for a mini-LED at this price range, working well for movies like The Batman. Again, Vice City nightlife should look great.
The C6K supports a lot for gaming, which is rare at this level. It supports 4K 144Hz, FreeSync Premium Pro, ALLM, and Dolby Vision gaming. It has a measured 13.6ms input lag, which is still above the 15ms threshold we look for. Gaming on it, I had a great time while playing Battlefield V, as it did a great job handling chaotic battle sequences, so it should be prepared for GTA 6.
Its real highlight is its price. A 65-inch QM6K has dropped as low as $529 and the C6K 65-inch will cost around £679/ AU$1,099. These are excellent prices for a TV this size and a great option for an affordable upgrade for GTA 6.
Now, if you’re someone who’s planning to take some time off to play GTA 6, you’ll need a TV that works well in a bright room for daytime gaming sessions. Enter the Samsung QN90F, a brilliant gaming TV that also doubles as our best TV for sports.
The QN90F is the perfect TV for bright rooms for several reasons. It has solid brightness (exceeding 2,500 nits HDR peak and over 600 nits full screen) and an effective, anti-glare screen that does a great job reducing mirror-like reflections to a minimum. So, even if you have big windows, the QN90F can handle them. It also has great picture quality to go with it, producing punchy, accurate colors and strong contrast with surprisingly rich black tones. Expect GTA 6 to look great on this one.
The QN90F is equipped with a full list of gaming features, too. It supports 4K 165Hz, FreeSync Premium Pro, ALLM and HDR10+ gaming across four HDMI 2.1 ports. Its 9.5ms input lag time is up there with the very best, so you can expect it to handle the chaos of GTA 6 with no problems.
While the QN90F is a flagship model, its prices have dropped significantly. A 65-inch will cost you roughly $1,399 / £1,299 (stock in Australia is low again), which is again phenomenal pricing for a TV at this level.
If you want an OLED but can’t quite stretch to the LG C5, the LG B5 is your next best option. It’s one of the best budget OLED TVs I’ve tested and delivers a lot of the same great performance and features as its step-up sibling.
With accurate, rich colors that suited the vibrant aesthetic of Wicked and Elemental, the B5 is sure to make GTA 6’s sun-soaked, colorful streets look fantastic. It also produces the powerful contrast with inky blacks you’d want from an OLED TV, despite its cheaper price range. While the B5 doesn’t have the brightness of other step-up OLEDs, it still has punchy highlights that will make the neon of Vice City pop.
The B5 is kitted out with a full list of gaming features, including 4K 120Hz, full VRR including FreeSync and G-Sync, HGiG, Dolby Vision gaming, and ALLM, all built into the four HDMI 2.1 ports. A measured 9.1ms input lag time is at the top of the gaming TV list, so expect all the action of GTA 6 to look superb.
The B5’s prices can fall to a deceptively affordable place for an OLED. You can get the 48-inch model, a perfect size for bedroom gaming, for as low as $549 / £569 / AU$1,169, meaning you don’t have to spend a fortune for OLED.
The flagship OLED for LG in 2025, the LG G5, is like the C5 taken up a notch. It has a similar feature set but turns up the picture quality by another level with higher brightness, bolder colors, and more impactful contrast.
Testing the G5, its colors were its most impressive aspect. Vibrant, rich, and bright all at once, any colorful scene dazzled on screen, and I think it’s going to do the Miami-inspired Vice City serious justice in GTA 6. It also produces powerful contrast, expertly balancing deep black levels and bright highlights. Vice City nightlife will look stunning on this TV. It also produces extremely impressive textures that are 3D-like, along with refined detail.
This is another TV with an impressive list of gaming features. 4K 165Hz, full VRR including FreeSync and G-Sync, Dolby Vision gaming, HGiG, and ALLM are on all four HDMI 2.1 ports. Its measured 9.2ms input lag time again did wonders for Battlefield V’s fast-paced gunfights at 120fps when I played it, so it should do the same for GTA 6.
The G5 is at the more premium end of the TV market, with a 65-inch model costing $2,299 / £1,999 / AU$2,699, but if you are looking for the premium way to play GTA 6, this will be the TV to do it on.
There's been a pretty relentless string of bad news with the RAM crisis of late, but we're now hearing some more positive nuggets for a change (though temper your optimism, as this is all relative).
Firstly, VideoCardz spotted that the Economic Daily News in Taiwan published a report in which the general manager of Asus, Liao Yi-hsiang, noted that as of May 2026, the price hikes on some Asus products in that country amounted to nearly 30% (compared to Q4 of 2025).
The executive then confirmed that Asus would be raising prices further in the second half of 2026 due to the component crisis, but that the increase should only be a single-digit affair. Under 10% is quite a drop compared to knocking on the door of 30%, of course.
Liao said that price rises would be milder because the cost of memory and storage had recently decreased, and also that consumers are increasingly unlikely to buy if more large hikes are heaped onto Asus products. Especially given that there was quite a lot of buying activity early in 2026, as consumers in Taiwan acted earlier than they would have otherwise, with a view to securing purchases before heftier price increases made themselves felt.
The other nugget of positivity is that, as Trading View informs us, there have been some interesting rumblings about SK Hynix, one of the big three memory chip makers (alongside Micron and Samsung).
There are reports that "SK Hynix may slow the expansion of AI memory-chip production and increase its focus on conventional DRAM products."
This apparent shift away from making HBM (the mentioned AI memory) to conventional RAM modules (the ones in consumer electronics) unsettled investors, and led to shares in SK Hynix tumbling over 12%. (Samsung followed suit with a 12% drop, and a wider tech share slide was witnessed, particularly for companies linked to the world of AI.)
What's bad news for investors is good news for consumers though; if this report is on the money, SK Hynix reallocating assembly lines to produce more DDR5 RAM could be the beginning of the end of the memory crisis.
You could leap to some big conclusions here, and the rumor around SK Hynix is a potential move that could have a significant impact for consumers. With some folks talking about the end of the 'AI bubble' in recent times — which feels like hopeful chatter indeed — it could be read as another indicator in that respect, too. However, it's way too early to make that kind of call (and I don't personally think we're seeing that by any means).
What we don't know is the extent of the apparent shift away from HBM, and anyway, the move could partly be about DRAM being so pricey now that it represents a tempting enough diversification in terms of SK Hynix's overall memory strategy (a theory raised in some quarters).
We should also remember that the chairman of SK Group (the parent company of SK Hynix), Chey Tae-won, has previously predicted that the RAM shortage may not be over until 2030 (a forecast more recently echoed by Nvidia's CEO). So, as noted, temper any optimism, but this is at least a positive sign from the big chip maker, as is the price prediction from Asus.
Regarding Asus, again there's a caveat — namely that it's an analysis for the Taiwanese market only. But if price rises in H2 2026 are only (roughly) a third of what they effectively were in the first half of the year, that'll surely be reflected to some extent globally. Also, it's very true that consumers everywhere will refuse to buy if pricing goes higher too quickly, which is something I've pointed out a few times before. This isn't something unique to Taiwan.
Finally, it's also worth noting that earlier this month, we heard some more positive news on the RAM crisis from David McAfee, AMD's VP and general manager of Ryzen CPU and Radeon GPUs.
As PC Gamer reported, McAfee said: "There is an enormous amount of capacity that is being built by the memory manufacturers to bring more production online, and that more production online is going to focus on DDR, LPDDR, HBM, like the newer memory technologies."
He added: "I don't expect a lot of DDR4 production to come back into the world, but those newer memory technologies, a significant amount of capacity is coming online. I think we'll start to see by the end of next year and into 2028 that that ramp really starts to take hold, and then it's just a factor of the forces of supply and demand, and how that affects memory prices."
OK, so this is really just a reminder of what we've already been told, but it's still worth bearing in mind that the expectation for some remains a considerable easing of the crisis by 2028.
There's a wealth of Prime Day 3D printer deals happening right now - and we've comprehensively reviewed over 50 of these machines, so I've gone through the entire Amazon sale, compared prices direct from the manufacturers, to highlight the top-performing 3D printers in our tests.
I've broken down the 14 3D printers by use, from beginner-friendly and budget performers to high-end machines built for business professionals and power users. You'll find the best US and UK prices here, alongside our star ratings and links to our full reviews, where we dive into deeper detail on performance.
If you're shopping for a 3D printer this Prime Day, these are the ones we recommend based on our full workshop testing. For more star performers, see my guide to the best 3D printers.
➡️ UK price: now £239 (was £259)
The A1 Mini from Bambu Lab scored top marks in our 5-star review, earning an Editor's Choice award. We called it "nothing more than groundbreaking when it comes to features and price." ★★★★★
Read our Bambu Lab A1 Mini reviewView Deal
➡️ UK price: now £243 (was £300)
Featuring some of the highest test scores for any 3D printer we've used, the Centauri Carbon is a superb single-filament machine. In our review, we said "it more than impresses with build quality, speed, and accuracy." ★★★⯪
Read our Centauri Carbon review.View Deal
➡️ UK price: now £259 (was £329)
The Anycubic Kobra X is a feature-packed 3D printer that we felt was "perfect for beginners and enthusiasts." ★★★★⯪
Read our full Anycubic Kobra X reviewView Deal
➡️ UK price: now £356 (was £440)
The Centauri Carbon 2 Combo is capable of multi-color prints thanks to the CANVAS system. We found it ideal for hobbyists and small businesses, and "the printer didn’t fail to impress. The multifilament printing quality is exceptionally good." ★★★★⯪
Read our Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 review.View Deal
➡️ UK price: now £299 (was £319)
Despite its relatively compact size, the A1 delivered "exceptional build quality and advanced features", striking the perfect balance for beginners and professionals. ★★★★★
Read our Bambu Lab A1 reviewView Deal
➡️ UK price: now £399 (was £599)
The Anycubic Kobra S1 delivered quality, precision, and price. After putting this 3D printer through its paces, we found, "the precision and quality of the print finish are exceptional." ★★★★⯪
Read our full Anycubic S1 reviewView Deal
➡️ UK price: now £389 (was £430)
This is the best mid-range resin 3D printer you can get thanks to its ultra-precise print quality and lightning fast speeds. We found "the Photon Mono M7 Pro excels, producing intricate, detailed prints that rival more expensive models." ★★★★⯪
➡️ UK price: now £349
This 3D printer is as close to injection moulding as we've ever got. After tests, we noted "if you’re printing miniatures or jewellery designs, then the fine detail and accuracy make this a superb option."
★★★★⯪
Read our Creality Halot X1 reviewView Deal
➡️ UK price: £500 (was £650)
The Photon P1 is a resin printer that managed a near-unheard of 100% success rate in our tests. We said "the quality from the 14K screen was exceptional, even with a low workshop temperature." ★★★★⯪
Read our Anycubic Photon P1 reviewView Deal
➡️ UK deal: now £1399 (was £1649)
Our number one 3D printer for most people. It's especially good for small businesses, as one of the bundles includes a laser engraver, plotter, and cutter for crafting. ★★★★⯪
Read our Bambu Lab H2D reviewView Deal
➡️ UK price: now £329 (was £379)
The Creality K1C is our 3D printer expert Alastair's favorite machine. He loved the "all-star specification that will appeal to all levels of users, from education to business to dedicated 3D printing enthusiasts." ★★★★⯪
Read our Creality K1C reviewView Deal
➡️ UK price: now £909 (was £1069)
This 3D printer is built for business - from the industrial design to the quality prints. We called the "the best choice for any professional looking for a 3D print solution."
➡️ UK price: now £669 (was £850)
A splendid performer in our tests (and unofficial upgrade to the K1C), our tests showed "an exceptional machine capable of producing some of the best 3D prints of any machine in this price bracket." ★★★★⯪
Read our Creality K2 Pro reviewView Deal
➡️ UK price: now £909 (was £1069)
The Creality K2 Plus isn't for beginners, but when we checked out this multi-filament machine in workshop, we were impressed with the build quality, the range of features, and the outstanding prints at speed. ★★★★⯪
Read our Creality K2 Plus reviewView Deal
The Blair Witch Project is getting a reboot, which will arrive in theaters worldwide on September 24, 2027. But of all the horror titles to reboot, I'm concerned this was a poor choice.
YouTube creator Dylan Clark has been announced as the director of the rebooted found footage horror movie, and there's no denying he's talented. His YouTube channel features a number of effective short films you can watch for free.
News of The Blair Witch Project's reboot was confirmed by Lionsgate on social media, where they shared the release date announcement.
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That's the big question among horror fans right now, and I'm sure people have plenty of strong opinions about it.
I'm certainly excited for Dylan Clark to be working with Lionsgate, but in a world where YouTubers Kane Parsons' Backrooms and Curry Barker's Obsession are dominating the box office with their original stories, I'm unsure we should rely on a YouTuber to reboot an iconic movie like The Blair Witch Project instead of creating something new.
Indeed, recent box office figures have shown that there's an appetite for original storytelling, with both Parsons and Barker receiving widespread acclaim for their horror movies.
Backrooms made $277.4 million from its $10 million budget, and Obsession made $334.4 million from a budget of just $750,000 - incredibly impressive results which have no doubt caught the attention of Hollywood.
It's clear that horror fans want something new, and I'm among them. The only way I can see The Blair Witch Project working is if it is completely stripped back and told from a new angle.
But even so, perhaps a completely new found footage horror would have turned out better? When the original movie came out in 1999, it was exciting because it was an entirely fresh concept.
Curry Barker is currently working on a Texas Chainsaw Massacre reboot, which I was initially apprehensive about too, but he confirmed that he would be focusing on lesser-explored characters. I truly hope that Dylan Clark takes a similar angle and offers something new when it comes to The Blair Witch Project.
Right now I'm not filled with much confidence, but as always I am open to being proved wrong.
As the FIFA World Cup kicks into high gear, millions of fans are displaying their loyalty online. While you might already be using the best VPN to secure your browsing, ExpressVPN — now an official supporter of the 2026 tournament — is warning that this very public fandom can translate into a major cybersecurity vulnerability.
In a new research report, cybersecurity researcher Jeremiah Fowler partnered with ExpressVPN to examine how soccer obsession influences our password choices. The results suggest that fans are openly handing hackers the keys to their digital lives by using highly predictable phrases.
Fowler's analysis of historical data breaches revealed more than 1.1 million soccer-related passwords. Words like "soccer," alongside massive club names such as "Liverpool," "Chelsea," "Arsenal," and "Barcelona," appeared repeatedly throughout the dataset.
Because fan loyalty is incredibly public, plastered across social media profiles, usernames, and group chats, these passwords are far easier to crack than a random string of characters.
"As a cybersecurity researcher, I've seen criminals target people through the interests they share most openly," Fowler explained. "A club name, player nickname, shirt number, stadium, city, or tournament year may look harmless on its own, but together those details can help someone guess how a fan might build a password or craft a message they're more likely to trust."
To determine if this behavior remains common today, ExpressVPN surveyed 6,000 football fans across six countries. The findings confirm that bad password hygiene is still widespread.
Nearly one in four surveyed fans admitted to having used soccer-related information to secure an account.
Among these fans, the most common choices included their favorite team names, player names or nicknames, and jersey numbers. These easily searchable statistics are exactly what malicious actors look for when compiling custom dictionaries to breach an account.
The fans themselves are surprisingly aware of the risk. In the US, a massive 73.1% of those using soccer-themed passwords acknowledged that someone familiar with their sporting interests could likely guess their login.
This vulnerability is compounded by the fact that many fans are already putting their digital privacy at risk through other careless online behaviors during the tournament.
Using a weak password becomes catastrophic when you consider password reuse. According to Aaron Engel, Chief Information Security Officer at ExpressVPN, the habit of using the same login across multiple services is what turns a minor breach into a full-scale privacy crisis.
"Password reuse is what allows one exposed credential to become a wider account-security problem," warned Engel.
He also noted that fans who share streaming logins put their personal data in further jeopardy: "Sharing passwords increases the number of people and devices that may hold that password; in doing so, users are putting their security into the hands of others. Multi-factor authentication doesn't undo reuse, but it can prevent a stolen password from being enough on its own."
If you want to stay safe while streaming the tournament, you should immediately strip any sports references out of your logins. Instead, use a dedicated password manager to generate complex, unique credentials for every account.
It is also a great time to ensure your overall connection is encrypted, particularly if you are wondering whether to use a VPN to watch the World Cup.
Just keep in mind that new ExpressVPN users still have a chance to win a premium ticket for the World Cup, but you won't get its usual 30-day money-back guarantee.
Google Wallet is the first digital wallet partnering with the TSA to help more travelers move through airport security with TSA PreCheck Touchless ID.ASUS offers cashback for purchasers of their pro-tier hardware While looking through ASUS’ Amazon Prime Day deals, we became aware of the company’s “Create With the Best” cashback offer, which offers cashback on purchases of select ASUS ProArt products. While the offer focuses on ProArt products, it also applies to some ASUS Prime, TUF Gaming, […]
The post ASUS offers up to £370 in cashback for ProArt products appeared first on OC3D.
With GTA 6 pre-orders going live at midnight tonight, the pressure is on to ensure your hardware is up to the task, especially since the title is exclusive to current-gen consoles. If you haven't upgraded yet, Amazon Prime week Day is the perfect time to secure an Xbox Series X.
I'm not going to pretend that the current deal sets the gaming world alight, but it does bring us closer to an actually reasonable price for Xbox's flagship console. This is currently the only active deal for the Series X. You can pick it up for $573 at Amazon, saving you $76.99 just in time for the GTA 6 launch.
A rare price drop since the initial increases on September 19, 2025, the standard Series X is edging closer to being a bargain again. This edition includes a disc drive, too.
👉 Also see: $573 at Walmart (price match)
💲 Price check: $649.99 at Best Buy | $639.99 at NeweggView Deal
The Xbox Series X remains the gold standard for Xbox gaming, and will be the best place to experience GTA 6 (if you don't want to fork out PS5 Pro prices, that is). With a custom 8-core Zen 2 CPU and 12 teraflops of RDNA 2 GPU power, it is built to handle the heavy lifting that Rockstar’s latest beast of a game will demand.
Plus, unlike Valve’s catastrophically expensive new Steam Machine, which doesn’t even include a controller, the Series X arrives ready to play right out of the box.
This deal is mostly for those who have been waiting for the right moment to retire an aging Xbox One X or Series S. This console generation has been a rocky one, with prices being hiked upward rather than dropping as the hardware ages, so we always knew steep discounts were off the table. However, if you are looking to upgrade without heading to the second-hand market, this is the most sensible way to do it.
With the Xbox Series X|S consoles, Microsoft offers options to suit different budgets. Both the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S play the same games, but the Xbox Series X delivers superior graphics processing power. This means it can handle higher resolutions, enhanced visual effects, and occasionally higher framerates — up to 120 FPS in some games.
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Whether it's summer classes or early prep for a fresh college start in the fall, Amazon Prime Day (and all the other competing sales) is a perfect time to set your student up for success on the cheap.
• Shop all Amazon Prime Day deals
I've combed through the best deals from Amazon, Best Buy, Newegg, and more to come up with this varied list of laptops, monitors, and accessories.
I found quite a list of thin and light PCs starting at just $479 that are perfect for students, and be sure to scroll through to the accessories that complement them!
"The Acer Aspire 14 AI shines as a budget laptop, hitting an affordable price point for solid Lunar Lake processing speeds, excellent battery life, a satisfying keyboard, and a sturdy chassis." — Claire Tabari
With a capable Snapdragon X SoC, 16GB of LPDDR5x RAM, 512GB SSD, and a 14-inch 2K touch display, this is a great PC for students who need long battery life in a slim and light package.
This deep sale lands you a 15.6-inch display with 2K resolution, 16GB of RAM, 512GB SSD, and a capable Intel Core i7-1355U CPU. A full keyboard with number pad is definitely a perk.
"Let's cut to the chase: the HP OmniBook X Flip 16 is a brilliant laptop. This 16-inch 2-in-1 daintily pirouettes between laptop and tablet modes, the 16-inch OLED touchscreen is stupendous, and the performance from the mid-pack Intel Lunar Lake processor – both in games and productivity – is spot on." — Sasha Muller
ITPro review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Powered by Qualcomm's new Snapdragon X processor and now with a stunning 120Hz OLED display and flexible Flex Keyboard, Microsoft's new Surface Pro 11 is the most exciting version since the original Surface Pro. Excellent performance and battery life make this Copilot+ PC a must-recommend."
"This laptop is honestly a great option for around $1,000, even though I'm genuinely not a fan of HP's new "lattice-less" keyboard design. Good hardware and plenty of configuration options seal the deal, and frequent sales make the OmniBook X Flip 14 even more enticing."
"Overall, the Dell XPS 13 with Snapdragon is a fantastic laptop. It's an ultraportable machine that's now more capable than ever thanks to that Snapdragon X Elite. It lasts all day and can handle most tasks with ease. It runs quiet for the most part, and looks super stylish and unlike any other laptop on the market."
"The Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro makes for a fantastic AI laptop with its Series 2 Intel Core Ultra processor, Intel Arc 140V GPU, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD, and AMOLED touchscreen. You'll be able to stream shows, run basic programs, and surf the web for a very long time due to its long-lasting battery. It can even handle creative programs and gaming."
This is about as affordable as quality wireless mice get, and if you don't want to splurge for the MX Master 3S, this is a stellar alternative that works with all devices.
A quality webcam is a priceless addition to any student's arsenal, allowing for easy collaboration (and calls home). Logitech makes some of the best cams around, and this is a great deal on a great accessory.
What student doesn't need some extra storage? This 256GB microSD card is one of the most popular in the world, with a 4.7-star rating on Amazon with more than 265,000 reviews.
"Logitech has been refining this design for years to great effect, and its latest iteration is comfortable, packed with features, and works across multiple devices and platforms. It's not perfect, but it's awfully close."
Perfect for the dorm room or a home office setup, Acer's KB272 is an affordable 27" IPS monitor with a 120Hz refresh rate, 2K resolution, 99% sRGB color, and plenty of ports.
Amazon's Prime Day is an annual event that sees a ton of sales on great tech, but it's certainly not the only event on the go. Competing retailers like Best Buy, Walmart, Newegg, and many more often have better deals on similar products, and I'm always checking the big names for the best prices.
Prime Day is a four-day event that started at 12:01 AM PDT on Tuesday, June 23, and runs until the end of Friday, June 26.
While Windows Central primarily covers Amazon Prime Day sales in the United States and the United Kingdom, the event takes place in 26 countries, including Canada and Ireland.
Generally, yes, you need an active Prime membership to take advantage of Prime Day benefits and deals hosted at Amazon. If you aren't already a member, you can quickly sign up for Amazon Prime for $14.99 per month (taxes not included). New customers can take advantage of a 30-day trial of Prime membership, while anyone between 18 and 24 years old (and students) can sign up for a separate, free 6-month "Prime for Young Adults" trial.
Yes, Amazon's rivals are running competing events, including Best Buy's "Tech Fest", Newegg's "FantasTech Sale", and Walmart's "Deals & More", which all end on June 28, 2026. Each retailer can offer its own membership perks, such as My Best Buy Plus / Total and Walmart Plus, and it's important to remember that Amazon does not always offer the best deal during Prime Day. Windows Central will compare prices across retailers, so you can choose the best fit for you.
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Amazon Prime Day week is happening right now, which is helping make good Windows 11 PCs more affordable in this current component pricing crisis climate across the entire retail space. With new laptops skyrocketing in price, deals on last-gen products like this Dell XPS 13 with a Snapdragon X Elite for $999 shouldn't be ignored, especially as it comes with 32GB RAM.
With RAM costing so much these days, devices with more than 16GB RAM usually come at a high premium. That makes this deal even more lucrative, as 32GB RAM laptops now often cost north of $1,000, and even more so on flagship devices with premium components and build qualities like the XPS 13.
As portable as it gets, this iconic 13-inch XPS laptop features Qualcomm's high-end, first-generation Snapdragon X processor for all-day battery life and a gorgeous (non-touch) OLED screen.
Windows Central review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Also check out these coupons:
🎟️ Dell Outlet: Claim 14% off selected desktops with this voucher code
🎟️ Receive 5% off your first Dell Outlet purchase by joining the email list
🎟️ Dell Outlet sale: Enjoy up to 35% savings on chosen audio ordersView Deal
Powered by the Snapdragon X Elite, with 32GB RAM and 1TB storage, the Dell XPS 13 is an excellent flagship Windows 11 laptop. It has a 13.4-inch OLED display which looks absolutely amazing, and it's paired with Dell's best-in-class haptic trackpad and zero lattice keyboard design which makes the device look very futuristic.
It's a device made out of premium materials that feel great in the hand, including a CNC-machined aluminum chassis. It's one of Dell's thinnest and lightest laptops, coming in at just 2.2lbs and 0.60 inches. It features all day battery life too thanks to efficient Arm SoC that powers things under the hood.
The chip itself is Qualcomm's flagship SoC from 2024, meaning it's perfectly capable for most tasks you'll want to throw at it. It can do light gaming, video and photo editing, and breeze through productivity workflows, heavy multitasking, and more thanks to that added 32GB RAM headroom,
It has two USB4 Type‑C ports supporting DisplayPort and power delivery. Wireless performance is handled by Qualcomm FastConnect 7800, bringing Wi‑Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 for future‑proof networking.
Overall, it's an incredible laptop with lots of power and performance under the hood. And 32GB RAM on a flagship laptop in 2026 for under $1,000 is tough to come by, so I'd snap this deal up while it's still available.
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The Razer Seiren V3 Pro arrives as a pro‑level streaming microphone that finally feels like the centerpiece of Razer’s recent run of impressive peripherals. It pairs studio‑grade hardware — a large 30 mm dynamic capsule, USB‑C and XLR outputs, and tactile controls — with deep Synapse software and Chroma RGB flair, aiming to satisfy both serious creators and RGB enthusiasts.
This review cuts through the marketing: I’ll show what the mic actually sounds like, how its software and features stack up against rivals, and whether it’s worth swapping in for your current setup.
Razer had no input, nor did it see the contents of this review, prior to publication.
The Razer Seiren V3 Pro ($249.99 / €289.99) is a hybrid dynamic microphone tailored specifically for streamers, podcasters, and music producers.
At its heart sits a custom 30 mm dynamic capsule purpose-built to capture broadcast-style depth and natural warmth.
Structurally, it features a robust, resonance-resistant zinc unibody frame paired with an integrated, vibration-dampened adjustable arm mount.
To round out its premium aesthetic, it includes a gorgeous Razer Chroma RGB lighting ring that doubles as a real-time status and live mute indicator, which can be enabled by the mic button.
Unboxing the Razer Seiren V3 Pro is refreshingly simple. Unlike many high-end microphones that leave you scrambling to buy external accessories, this mic is entirely ready to rock right out of the box.
It features an included desktop stand, a built-in shock absorber, and a removable pop filter. Just plug it in via the included USB Type-C cable, complete a quick configuration, and you are up and running.
If you want to jump into the pro tier immediately, you can just as easily route an XLR cable (not included) straight from the base into an audio interface or mixer.
It’s a frictionless setup that gives you studio-grade enhancements with zero technical expertise required.
The Seiren V3 Pro separates itself from the pack by flawlessly bridging mainstream USB convenience and professional XLR performance.
Its primary direct competitor in this hybrid category is the HyperX Flipcast, which we've also reviewed. However, the Seiren V3 Pro secures a massive hardware victory right away: it includes a high-quality desktop stand and integrated shock mount in the box, whereas the Flipcast notoriously ships without a stand or boom arm, forcing an immediate extra purchase.
Furthermore, the software support here is on an entirely different level. While HyperX’s NGENUITY app offers rudimentary controls, Razer Synapse unlocks deep, granular audio customization:
The biggest hardware triumph here is the dual-connectivity workflow. Having both USB-C and XLR connections on one microphone offers massive advantages, though it comes with standard hybrid trade-offs:
During testing, there wasn't a noticeable difference in tonal warmth when swapping between the two connections, but the USB interface emerged as the clear favorite for me purely because it unlocks Synapse's superior sound features and DSP suite.
My experience otherwise with the mic has been great. You can hear it in action in the short review video accompanying this article, as well as on our recent Windows Central Podcast, Episode #396.
For now, I plan to keep using this mic over my HyperX ProCast. While the ProCast is an excellent, gold-sputtered large-diaphragm XLR condenser, it is strictly analog, requires 48V phantom power, and entirely lacks the modern digital conveniences, RGB integration, and software agility that make the Seiren V3 Pro so effortless to use daily.
Plus, while the ProCast had an original MSRP of $199.99 and dropped as low as $99.99 on sale, it now appears to be discontinued and increasingly hard to find, completely out of stock at both Best Buy and HyperX.
The Razer Synapse software features offer brilliant audio tuning, particularly the automatic environment noise test and AI noise remover. They do a spectacular job of silencing background hums and room reflections.
The Razer Synapse setup here was awesome: Hit a button and record yourself talking for 10 seconds. Hit another button and say nothing for 10 seconds. Then answer a few questions, e.g., what is your goal here (streamer, podcast, general, etc.) and what do you have fans running, environmental noise, etc. From that data, the system suggests your tuning, which you can then accept, and you're done. You can re-run the process anytime in Synapse should anything change.
The only minor catch is that the aggressive noise cancellation can occasionally cut your voice out a bit during quieter moments. Because of this, some manual tweaking of the noise gate threshold may still be needed to get it dialed in perfectly.
Finally, if you are already invested in Razer’s ecosystem—sporting a Razer keyboard, mouse, or monitor—adding this mic beautifully completes the package. The Chroma RGB ring integrates flawlessly into your existing lighting profiles, satisfying RGB enthusiasts while giving clear visual feedback on your live mute status via the tap-to-mute sensor.
This microphone is built for the forward-thinking content creator. It is perfect for game streamers, podcasters, and hybrid musicians who want beautiful aesthetic flair and USB simplicity today, but demand the studio-grade security of an XLR output as their production setup grows.
✅ You want USB‑C now, XLR later.
✅ You use Razer Synapse/Chroma and want full integration.
✅ You need onboard DSP (32‑bit float, AI noise removal) to cut post‑work.
❌ You prefer a pure XLR, software‑free workflow.
❌ You’re on a tight budget and don’t need RGB or Synapse.
❌You need full feature parity on macOS without Windows Synapse.
Admittedly, my "you should not buy ifs" here are nitpicky. You can just use this as an XLR mic with a software-free workflow if you want and not worry about USB or software. But there are also more affordable XLR-only mics, hence the con.
At $249.99, Razer positions the Seiren V3 Pro firmly in the higher-end premium tier compared to the HyperX Flipcast (which currently sits at $179.99 against a $229.99 MSRP) and the now-evaporated ProCast.
However, for me, the incredible Razer Synapse DSP more than makes up for that higher cost. The sheer quality of the out-of-the-box hardware processing saves massive time in post-production. I didn't expect that to be the big selling point, but it's clever software and the kind of "don't think about it" setups I prefer.
While you could look at other heavy hitters at this price point like the Shure MV7+ or SteelSeries Alias Pro, Razer brings an unmatched physical build quality, out-of-the-box completeness, and ecosystem synergy to your desk. It delivers studio sound, simply and effortlessly.
Razer's new studio‑grade mic with 32‑bit float clarity, USB/XLR flexibility, built‑in DSP and pop filter, RGB status ring, and durable zinc design for clean, professional sound in streaming or recording setups.
Recovering your Windows 11 PC just got easier. This week, Microsoft rolled out point-in-time restore for Windows 11 to general users. The feature creates restore points automatically that you can revert to if there's an issue with your computer.
Point-in-time restore is available to Enterprise, Pro, and Home users of Windows 11. According to Microsoft, the feature can recover a PC in minutes rather than hours.
When you have Point-in-time restore enabled, the feature automatically captures the system state of your PC, including Windows, installed apps, system and app configurations, settings, and your local files.
By default, restore points are captured every 24 hours, but you can configure that to a different cadence if you're an Enterprise user.
The feature is on by default on Windows Home and Windows Pro devices as long as they are not under enterprise management. Point-in-time restore is off by default for some enterprise-managed systems until Windows 11 version 26H2 is installed.
If a PC has an OS volume size under 200GB, point-in-time restore will be disabled by default.
Microsoft already had other features that are somewhat similar, such as System Restore and point-in-time restore for Windows 365 Enterprise. But both of those have key differences when compared to point-in-time restore for Windows 11.
System Restore requires manual capture of an image and does not include user files as part of the restore point. It's also accessible through the Control Panel rather than system settings and takes up more space on your PC.
Point-in-time restore for Windows 11 also provides benefits to IT admins, since the feature can be remotely managed with a wide set of controls.
Point-in-time for Windows 365 Enterprise is for Cloud PCs. It's also limited to Enterprise users.
Over two million devices had point-in-time restore enabled while the feature was in public preview. Microsoft said it used the time in preview to improve the feature based on feedback.
Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.
Users are already seeing huge gains with the latest AMD upscaler on older-generation graphics cards. Radeon RX 7900 XTX Reportedly Hits 2X Frame Rates With AMD FSR 4.1 in Cyberpunk 2077 at 4K RT Ultra As you might know, AMD's FSR 4.1 support for the RX 7000 series dropped two days ago, and users have already started seeing huge gains in games. It's well-known that FSR 4 is more demanding than FSR 3.1, but even on the Balanced preset, games usually see much better visual fidelity than FSR 3.1 Quality. This is exactly what we are seeing in benchmarks reported […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/amds-fsr-4-1-doubles-rx-7900-xtx-frame-rates-in-cyberpunk-2077-jumping-from-24-to-50-fps-at-4k/
Following the official GTA VI pre-order details shared today by Rockstar Games, Sony is now boasting through the PlayStation Blog that the massively anticipated game will "play best" on PlayStation 5. Sony said it partnered closely with Rockstar to leverage the console's key features, such as the 3D audio enabled by the Tempest Engine, which will allow players to fully immerse themselves in Leonida's distinct soundscape with enhanced, highly accurate audio positioning, bringing each unique situation to life. The PS5's SSD enables "near-instant load times" while moving across the state of Leonida. The main differences, however, are enabled by the […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/gta-vi-ps5-plays-best-dualsense-no-ps5pro/
microSD Express cards are quite expensive, but they’re the only solution if you want to expand the storage on your Nintendo Switch 2. So, if you’re looking to play more games on your console, now is your chance to score a 512GB Samsung P9 microSD Express for $80 off at B&H. This is a massive 40% discount from the card’s original $199.99 price, meaning you can get it for just $119.99. However, you must act fast as this is a limited-time deal valid only for today. If you miss out on the B&H deal or don’t need that much extra storage, the 256GB version of the Samsung P9 is also on sale at Amazon. You’ll get an even bigger 50% discount, slashing the price of the microSD Express card from $79.99 to just $39.99 — that’s a savings of $40 if you get it today.
The Switch 2 is Nintendo’s next-generation handheld console, and while it received upgraded hardware that delivered better performance, its on-board storage is a measly 256GB. So, if you want to play several AAA titles, you really need to install external storage. Unfortunately, it requires microSD Express cards if you want to play games directly from the storage expansion slot, and they’re quite pricey. This is especially true since we’re in the middle of the worst memory and storage chip crisis in history, which is now affecting even memory cards and flash drives. So, if you’re in the market for a storage upgrade on your handheld console but the prices seem out of reach, you should take this limited opportunity to get a microSD Express card at a steep discount.
$80 coupon added in cart
Give your Switch 2 the storage boost it needs. With fast speeds and respectable endurance, the P9 Express from Samsung is one of the best microSD Express cards you can get.View Deal
Give your Switch 2 the storage boost it needs. With fast speeds and respectable endurance, the P9 Express from Samsung is one of the best microSD Express cards you can get for your Nintendo Switch 2, with maximum sequential read speeds of up to 800 MB/s.View Deal
The Samsung P9 might not be the best of the best microSD express cards for the Nintendo Switch 2 you can get today, but it still ranked as the best 256GB budget card in our testing. And now that it’s on sale, its value proposition just went way up for those who don’t mind waiting a few extra seconds when transferring files and games between their console and storage medium. It even comes with a three-year warranty, which is longer than the usual one-year warranty that other brands give.
These microSD Express cards would go well with these other Switch 2 accessories that are on sale to help you save money while leveling up your handheld console gaming experience. However, note that these are available for a limited time only, so if you’ve decided on getting a 512GB microSD Express card for your Switch 2, head on over to B&H and snag one while it’s available. Alternatively, you can also get the 256GB version at a much more affordable price on Amazon.
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TSMC has reportedly told customers to prepare for price increases across its advanced chipmaking portfolio, extending the hikes beyond the newer 3nm process to include 7nm and even legacy products. According to a June 23rd Culpium report, the increases would affect the bulk of TSMC’s wafer revenue and could raise costs for major chip designers, including Apple, Nvidia, AMD, Qualcomm, Broadcom, and MediaTek.
The exact size of the increases remains unclear, as figures would reportedly vary by customer, node, and product category, but generally appear to fall in the 5% to 10% range. TSMC price increases have reportedly already started rolling out in some cases, while other customers have been told to build the higher cost structure into future purchase orders.
The company declined to discuss specific pricing with Culpium. “TSMC does not comment on pricing. Our pricing strategy is strategic, not opportunistic,” the company said in a statement to the publication. “We will continue to work closely with customers and sell our value to them.” Although the company had earlier said it would refrain from raising prices.
Earlier reports from Taiwanese media had mainly pointed to increases at TSMC’s 3nm node, one of its most advanced processes currently used for premium smartphones, PC, and AI chips, with price pressure also expected at the newest 2nm-class production. However, Culpium reports that TSMC has informed clients that “all advanced nodes” will become more expensive, meaning the hikes would extend beyond 3nm and 2nm to include older but still advanced processes such as 5nm and 7nm.
3nm alone accounted for 25% of TSMC’s wafer revenue in the first quarter of 2026, while the company’s full advanced-node portfolio — defined by TSMC as 7nm and more advanced technologies — accounted for 74% of wafer revenue. Therefore, the hikes would span nearly three-quarters of the company’s wafer business.
The inclusion of 7nm is especially notable because the node is no longer TSMC’s flagship technology. However, it's not exactly surprising as 7nm remains heavily used across processors, accelerators, networking silicon, and other high-performance chips. Many products remain on older, more advanced nodes because they offer better cost, yield, and maturity than the newest processes, especially when a design does not require the density or efficiency gains of 3nm or 2nm.
The client notices follow weeks of public comments from TSMC executives suggesting that higher prices were at least under consideration. At the company’s annual shareholders’ meeting in Hsinchu on June 4, CEO C.C. Wei said customers remained positive on the AI demand outlook, while also acknowledging cost pressures and the widening gap between chip demand and available manufacturing capacity. CFO Wendell Huang also said earlier that TSMC did not rule out price increases as inflation, overseas expansion, and advanced manufacturing costs continue to rise.
The timing of the price increases reflects TSMC’s strong negotiating position. The company remains the dominant manufacturer of leading-edge logic chips, and its most advanced capacity is in high demand among AI accelerator vendors, smartphone chip designers, and custom ASIC developers. With customers competing for access to the same manufacturing lines, TSMC has more room to pass on rising costs than it would in a weaker cycle.
The move also comes as TSMC benefits from a surge in AI-related demand. In its first-quarter results, the company reported $35.9 billion in revenue and a 66.2% gross margin, both supported by strong demand for high-performance computing and advanced-node production. TSMC has also raised its 2026 revenue growth target to more than 30%, with capital spending expected to remain elevated as the company expands capacity in Taiwan, the U.S., Japan, and Germany. The company’s Arizona manufacturing capacity has been sold out through 2027 since early 2025.
The reported increases are still far smaller than the recent price spikes seen in the memory market, where AI-driven demand for HBM and other high-end memory products has allowed suppliers to push through much steeper increases. Conversely, TSMC does not need memory-style pricing to meaningfully improve its margins. Because advanced nodes account for most of its wafer revenue, even a mid-single-digit increase across that base could add billions of dollars in annual revenue if demand remains strong.
For chip designers, the immediate impact is a higher manufacturing bill. For consumers, the effect is less direct but still important. A 5% to 10% wafer price increase does not automatically translate into a 5% to 10% increase in the price of a GPU, CPU, smartphone, or laptop, since the wafer is only one part of the final product cost. However, when combined with higher memory prices, packaging constraints, AI demand, and rising manufacturing costs, it creates another reason for device makers and component vendors to raise prices or protect margins by cutting costs elsewhere.
Prime Day 2026 is in full swing with discounts on almost every PC part you can think of. To that end, Logitech wasn’t missing out on the fun and has several of its gaming mice on sale. In fact, there are eight, and many of them with a significant 40% (or more) discount. And the best part, these aren’t affected by the AI boom and memory shortage, so it’s not like the pricing is coming down from unreasonable levels, either.
You’ll see budget favorites like the basic G203 wired gaming mouse, which is available for under $19, and others like the high-end G Pro 2 can now be found for $85 (from $150) with several in between, including the popular G502 Lightspeed wireless gaming mouse ($72 - from $120) that I used myself. While these aren't their newest mice, they are all plenty capable, no matter what genre you play.
In short, there's something for almost every gamer in this pile of stellar discounts. Whether you use a claw grip or a palm grip, play FPS, RTS, or other game genres, Logitech has you covered. We've listed all of the Prime Day deals below. If these great deals don’t tickle your fancy, you can look at our Best Amazon Prime Day PC peripherals deals 2026 article for even more options in multiple categories.
Save an incredible 47% and get the Logitech G309 Lightspeed on sale for only $42.50. The G309 connects via Bluetooth or Wireless, uses a Hero 25K DPI sensor, six programmable buttons, and Lightforce mechanical switches.View Deal
The G203 is now on sale for under $19 and is a great option for a budget mouse. It has six programmable buttons, and an 8K DPI optical sensor. There's also a RGB strip that wraps around the backside and shows off the Logitech "G" for a bit of bling.View Deal
The high-end G903 under $86 is one heck of a deal. The wireless mouse uses a Hero 25K DPI sensor, up to 140 hour LiPo battery, and the Lightspeed Wireless technology with 'pro-grade 1ms report rate'. View Deal
Great for gaming and daily work, it uses the Hero 12K DPI sensor with 1,000Hz polling rate along with six programmable buttons. Logitech says battery life is up to 250 hours with 1 AA battery.View Deal
This high-end gaming mouse uses the HERO 2 sensor for a maximum DPI of 44K and an 8K polling rate along with Lightspeed switches. It has eight total programmable buttons, and because it's ambidextrous, it has switchable magnetic side buttons (2 on each side).View Deal
The G502 boasts a 25K Hero sensor, 11 customizable buttons, and a 60-hour LiPo battery. Being wireless it also uses the Lightspeed technology for 1 ms wireless connectivity. View Deal
The G502 X uses Lightforce optical switches, the Hero 25K gaming sensor, 13 buttons, and uses the Lightspeed wireless technology for 1 ms wireless connectivity. View Deal
If you're in the market for a new mouse, these Logitech deals are some of the best we've seen across all major brands. From a $18 budget ditty to a $114 high-end mouse, there's a mouse for you in these deals. You can also check out our Best Amazon Prime Day PC peripherals deals 2026 article for even more options in multiple categories, like mice, keyboards, headset, and more.
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SK hynix filed a securities registration statement with South Korea's Financial Supervisory Service and the U.S. SEC on Wednesday to raise up to 45.45 trillion won ($29.43 billion) through an American depositary receipt listing on the Nasdaq Global Select Market scheduled for July 10th — and the company said the whole lot would go toward investments in factories and equipment.
The offering covers 17.79 million newly issued common shares and would rank among the largest ADR sales ever completed. SK hynix earmarked the proceeds for its first fab in the Yongin cluster, an advanced packaging plant in Cheongju, and chipmaking equipment that includes EUV scanners.
None of the funded projects will produce memory in time to ease the shortage that’s still driving up prices. SK hynix holds about 57% of the HBM market and 32% of global DRAM, and chairman Chey Tae-won has said repeatedly that AI demand will keep supply tight until 2030.
The filing names three target projects that SK has already committed to and is now financing via public markets. The first fab in the Yongin Semiconductor Cluster, designated Y1, carries a 31 trillion won ($21.5 billion) commitment for its initial phase and is due for completion around February 2027, with equipment installation to follow in the second quarter. The Cheongju P&T7 advanced packaging plant, a 19 trillion won ($12.9 billion) site dedicated to HBM assembly and testing, broke ground in April and should be completed at the end of 2027. EUV lithography is needed in both, and SK hynix placed a record $7.9 billion order with ASML in March covering roughly 30 scanners through 2027.
10 ADRs will represent one common share, with the final per-ADR price to be set through bookbuilding shortly before the July 10th debut, and SK hynix said the total raise could change from the 45.45 trillion won ceiling. BofA Securities, Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, and JP Morgan are managing the sale, and the regulatory review is expected to conclude by July 3rd, with the new shares registering on the Korea Exchange on July 29th.
Both the Yongin fab and the Cheongju packaging plant reach volume output in 2027, near the back end of that window. The company confirmed the ADR plan in early June alongside a pledge to double wafer capacity within five years, a timeline Chey acknowledged would do little to shorten the squeeze. DRAM contract prices have run higher through 2026 as the three memory makers tilt wafer capacity toward HBM, which consumes around three times the silicon per gigabyte of standard DDR5.
Just two days ago, SK hynix passed Samsung Electronics to become South Korea's most valuable listed company, ending a 26-year run at the top. Its Korea-listed shares rose 5.5% in after-hours trading following the disclosure.
The AI boom has already been responsible for soaring demand and subsequent shortages in the areas of GPUs, computer memory, storage (both spinning and solid-state), electrical power, water, and networking equipment. The latest bottleneck may be the people needed to build the data centers themselves.
Asked by Bloomberg TV whether demand for data center construction was slowing, construction industry CEO Benoit Bazin said activity remains strong, but then identified labor as one of the industry's key bottlenecks. The executive, whose company Saint-Gobain supplies construction materials and building products used in hundreds of such projects, argued that labor shortages are already affecting projects in North America and are beginning to emerge in Europe as well.
Bazin mentioned the issue only in passing during his Bloomberg appearance, but his comments point toward what is becoming an increasingly important challenge for the AI infrastructure boom. The global race to build new computing infrastructure has hyperscalers like Amazon, Microsoft, Google, Meta, and Oracle collectively committing hundreds of billions of dollars toward new facilities, but constructing a modern AI data center requires far more than just money.
As we've reported many times before, power availability is the primary constraint facing new projects. Electrical substations, transformers, transmission infrastructure, utility connections, and even generation capacity itself are already struggling to keep pace with demand. However, a growing number of executives and analysts now argue, like Bazin, that skilled labor may be emerging as a significant secondary bottleneck.
You see, unlike conventional commercial construction projects, data centers require large numbers of specialized workers. You can't simply rely on standard commercial construction crews for this stuff; you need highly specialized tradesmen, like electricians, high-voltage technicians, fiber-optic installers, HVAC specialists, controls engineers, and commissioning teams, among many others. Huge swaths of these jobs require years of training and experience, making it difficult for the labor pool to expand as quickly as AI investment has ballooned.
The problem has become serious enough that some technology companies have begun funding workforce development efforts directly. Earlier this year, Meta partnered with CBRE on a training initiative intended to help expand the pipeline of workers qualified for data center construction and operations, reflecting concerns that labor shortages could eventually slow deployment schedules.
The effects may already be spilling into other sectors. We recently highlighted how demand from large data center projects has increased competition for electricians in Texas, contributing to delays in some residential housing developments as contractors struggle to compete with the wages and budgets offered by hyperscaler-backed projects. While housing obviously won't be displaced entirely, that story is an example of how AI infrastructure spending is increasingly competing for the same pool of skilled tradespeople needed elsewhere in the economy.
Also, labor is only one of several non-technical challenges facing new projects. Public opposition has become increasingly visible in some communities, particularly as residents raise concerns about electricity consumption, water usage, noise, and the broader impact of large-scale data center developments. Looking again to Texas, where numerous projects have been proposed or announced, opposition to new facilities has become a recurring topic of debate. Concerns that once focused primarily on industrial facilities and energy projects are increasingly being directed toward data centers as well.
Demand for new facilities remains strong, and few observers actually expect overall construction activity to slow significantly in the near term, but building the infrastructure required to support the next generation of AI systems means solving a growing list of problems, from power generation and grid capacity to permitting, community opposition, and now, increasingly, workforce shortages. The industry has largely solved the problem of attracting capital. It can order more GPUs, buy more land, and sign larger power contracts. Producing thousands of experienced electricians and technicians, however, takes years. As the global data center boom continues, that shortage may prove to be one of the industry's most stubborn constraints.
Tori is an AI support agent for developer tools that answers technical questions from your docs, API references, and changelogs. You can run it in your docs, app, or developer portal, customize the UI and tone, and test replies before going live. Built on TalkJS, it delivers production-grade messaging with full conversation history and seamless handoff to humans when needed. It cites sources, stays in sync as your product changes, and meets enterprise security and compliance needs.
Aida is your AI marketing department. It learns your brand, plans your week, creates posts with images and captions, and publishes to Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, adapting with every edit to keep your voice consistent.
What makes it different is its Compounding Brand Brain that becomes harder to replicate the longer you use it, Brand Sovereignty where your data never trains a shared model and remains yours alone, and a Brand Diary that remembers every decision permanently.
It features a content calendar, AI studio for images, video, and blogs, SEO/AEO, weekly strategy, competitor analysis, and more. Setup takes 2 minutes. There's a 14-day free trial with no card needed.
A smartphone can be a major investment — especially if you’re shopping for one of the best phones around — so it’s important to be sure that the device you’re buying isn’t just good for now, but good for many years to come.
Software support is a key factor in determining how long a phone will last, and in recent years, manufacturers have been committing to much longer product support windows than they used to. But not all phones get the same amount of support, and indeed some older phones will be approaching their final update in 2026.
So, below, we’ve detailed how long phones from Apple, Samsung, Google, and Motorola will continue to receive updates.
To keep things simple, we've focused on major brands with US availability, but if you have a recent high-end phone from the likes of Honor, Oppo, or Xiaomi, it will likely be in line for between five and six years of updates from its launch date. Older and lower-end models tend to be in the two-to-three-year range.
Apple never used to commit to a specific support window for its phones, but that changed in 2024, when new UK regulations required brands to outline a minimum support window. As a result, Apple now promises a minimum of five years — but this only applies to security updates, not the kinds of iOS updates that add new software features. And five years is a minimum, with Apple often going beyond that number anyway.
All of which is to say we can’t be certain when iPhones will get their final update, but typically, they’re supported for between five and seven years.
So, the list below is our best guess for how many years of updates each currently supported iPhone model has left.
Samsung offers as much as seven years of support for some of its recent phones, but older and lower-end handsets get fewer updates, so how long your phone will be updated for can be quite variable depending on the model.
Google has committed to supporting all handsets from the Pixel 8 onwards for seven years, while phones from the Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 lines get five years of support.
Note that, as a-series models launch later than their mainline siblings, they technically get supported for longer. But depending on when major new Android versions launch, they may not get additional significant updates.
Motorola’s update commitments feel quite messy and inconsistent, with some phones getting more or fewer updates than you might expect, but you’ll find an overview of the currently supported handsets below.
Rockstar Games has teamed up with Sony to offer Grand Theft Auto 6 fans a free month of GTA+ if they pre-order the game on PS5.
In a new PlayStation Blog post, Sony claimed that "thanks to a close partnership" with the studio, GTA 6 "will play best on PS5 by taking advantage of PS5’s immersive features to deliver a deeply engaging single-player experience," following the game's price and pre-order time announcement.
"Since Grand Theft Auto first arrived on the original PlayStation in 1997, the series has defined generations of play," the company said. "We know players are excited for Grand Theft Auto 6, which heads to the state of Leonida — home to the neon-soaked streets of Vice City and beyond, in the biggest, most expansive evolution of the series yet."
It's confirmed that the game will feature DualSense haptic feedback and adaptive triggers, an integrated speaker, and sound effects to enhance the experience, as well as Tempest 3D AudioTech to "surround yourself in the distinct soundscapes of Leonida."
GTA 6 will also leverage the PS5’s ultra-high-speed SSD, which Sony said will enable "near-instant load times."
Pre-orders will begin on June 25 at midnight local time for the Standard and Ultimate Editions, which cost $79.99 and $99.99, respectively.
GTA 6 pre-orders are currently live in New Zealand, and according to the PS Store, an Ultimate Edition Upgrade will be available at some point, likely at launch.
Players who pre-order the Standard or Ultimate Edition before November 20 will also receive the Vintage Vice City Pack and can begin pre-loading the game on November 12, seven days before the game's launch on November 19.
What's more, Sony announced that players who pre-order any edition on PlayStation Store will also instantly receive a redeemable free month of GTA+, a premium subscription for Grand Theft Auto Online.
"Grand Theft Auto 6 marks an exciting new chapter for one of gaming’s most iconic series, and we’re proud to help bring the best experience to players on PS5," Sony said.
"We can’t wait until the game arrives on November 19 and we look forward to celebrating its launch with Rockstar Games and our PlayStation community around the world."
Speed-focused compliance programs could help businesses get cybersecurity certifications quicker, but security professionals are skeptical if the speed comes at the expense of actual business resilience.
This is according to new research from resilience specialists IO, which claims that 87% of senior cybersecurity managers in the UK believe the speed at which certification is achieved affects its credibility.
According to the report, compliance initiatives that are either heavily automated or compressed into short timeframes are creating a false sense of security. Certifications like ISO 27001 might help companies win contracts and maintain an image, but researchers are warning that certification alone does not guarantee actual operational resilience.
“Organizations that focus on achieving certification as quickly as possible are at risk of leaving gaps in their security posture,” says Chris Newton-Smith, CEO of IO. “Certification can open doors to new contracts and demonstrate commitment to recognised standards but treating certification as the end goal rather than the outcome of establishing and embedding effective compliance is more often than not at the expense of long-term resilience. Businesses must treat compliance not as a tick-box exercise but an evolving, iterative, and business critical project.”
Polling 251 cybersecurity managers in the UK, IO found that 31% consider continuous controls monitoring as the strongest indicator of compliance resilience. At the same time, a fifth (21%) said certifications could reflect security controls at the time of an audit, but could soon after become obsolete.
IO also stressed the importance of human expertise in these programs. Almost half (45%) of the respondents said human involvement is still essential when evaluating if automated compliance recommendations are still relevant and accurate, and another third (33%) said complex regulations still need human interpretation.
Finally, 32% stressed the importance of human in validating compliance evidence generated by automated systems.
Getting a GTA 6 pre-order locked down is the best thing that any gamer can do right now. After last week's announcement and cover art reveal, we now know that pre-orders start in just a few hours at midnight local time around the world on June 25 — which means some folks in places like New Zealand and Australia can pre-order right now!
US
Standard Edition - $79.99
📦Amazon: Check stock
🔆Walmart: Check stock
Ultimate Edition - $99.99
📦Amazon: Check stock
🔆Walmart: Check stock
-----------------------------------------------------
UK
Standard Edition - TBC
📦Amazon: Check stock
©️Currys: Check stock
Ultimate Edition - TBC
📦Amazon: Check stock
©️Currys: Check stock
-----------------------------------------------------
1. US quick links
2. UK quick links
3. Live updates
In brief, there are two editions. The Standard Edition gets you the main game as a code in a physical box and will cost $79.99, while the Ultimate Edition features an "exclusive collection of premium vehicles, weapons, apparel, and action threaded across all aspects of Jason and Lucia’s story," and will cost $99.99. Pricing details in other regions are yet to be confirmed.
Anybody who pre-orders or buys the game before November 20 will also receive the Vintage Vice City Pack, described as "a collection of items that flash back to when the neon burned brightest."
Now you've got the info, let's get to it. I've got those quick links again first, and then lots more detail about the editions and links to retailers for each below that.
This $79.99 edition gets you the standard game and is the simplest way to get into GTA 6. It should also become available for pre-order at:View Deal
The Ultimate Edition gets you those fun digital extras and a physical box of the game. Try Amazon or these retailers:View Deal
In the UK, Amazon is likely the safest bet at this stage for checking stock on the standard edition, but you can also try:View Deal
If you're looking for the Ultimate Edition on PS5 in the UK, then head over to Amazon to check for stock or bookmark the retailers below to get those extra fantastic goodies.View Deal
Those playing on Xbox Series X can bag their GTA 6 pre-order right now with the Standard Edition getting things going.View Deal
The biggest edition going is available for Xbox players in the US and gets you all those superb collectible bits and pieces.View Deal
Those in the UK should head over to Amazon to check for standard edition stock or to the retailers below.View Deal
Xbox Series X players looking to get the most premium edition going can head over to Amazon to check stock there with this link or via any of the retailer links below.View Deal
Folks often discuss or ask me personally whether something is worth pre-ordering or not. That usually comes down to people balancing whether to go early or to wait for launch day stock, or even deals at a later date.
However, this is GTA 6 and my advice is as categorical as ever: this will be the most in-demand video game of all time; you absolutely should pre-order if you are willing and able to do so. I'd still say that, despite physical boxes being 'code in a box' affairs and without disks — there will still likely be a finite number of GTA 6 game boxes with retailers so it might genuinely sell out. If you want the most physical preorder for GTA 6, then still go for it, despite the digital game code within, is my advice.
I really, wholeheartedly recommend a GTA 6 pre-order if you can, just to secure your unit and know that it'll be in your hands on day one.
With two GTA 6 pre-order editions and options, there are a few extras and differences to be aware of. If you're looking for a quick overview to inform your choice, then we've got you covered.
Starting off simply, if you pre-order the GTA 6 standard edition, you will get the following:
The Ultimate Edition gets you a few more digital bonuses on top of what's in the standard edition, though Rockstar's description is a little vague still.
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of GTA 6 pre-orders. It's an incredibly exciting time and I've made it my mission to present you the best information, latest details, and all the best retailer links to pre-order Rockstar's latest and greatest as soon as they go live.
Strap in, it's going to be a heck of a ride!
The huge news to come today, just ahead of pre-orders going live at midnight local time, June 25, was the pricing - at least some of it. Rockstar confirmed that the standard edition of the game will cost $79.99 and the ultimate edition of the game will cost $99.99.
What does that mean for other territories? No idea, really — a UK price could be the same numbers but in GBP, but we just don't know yet.
Read our full story here: We finally know the official GTA 6 price ahead of pre-orders — it's expensive, but not as bad as some expected
Because Rockstar has opted for a midnight local time launch for pre-orders around the world, we're already seeing folks place their orders and see it on official storefronts.
Fans in New Zealand can currently head over to the PS Store and snag their pre-order! How exciting!
Pre-ordering games is always a bit of debate among fans, but GTA 6 might be the one that transcends all concerns about pre-ordering a game.
Will you be placing a pre-order? Take our poll below, and we'll see how many folks are keen, and how many might be holding back.
We'll soon have another country going live with pre-order time arriving for fans in Australia very soon. I've only seen the PS Store and Xbox store live with links or listings so far though - no actual retailers, which I'm curious about.
I'm a little bit of a gaming gear and games collector — nothing huge by any means, but certainly my most favorite or anticipated things, for sure — and I'm a bit disappointed about the physical editions just being a code in a box. I would have loved to have placed a pre-order knowing I was getting a full physical edition with box, disk, and anything else.
A saving grace may be that there's some cool art or a map, or something else inside the boxes alongside the code — but equally, Rockstar would surely have detailed those bits in order to paint a full picture and sell the editions. Anyway, I live in hope...
As expected, Australians can now get in on the GTA 6 pre-order action by placing digital pre-orders on the game on either of the major console storefronts right now!
GTA 6 at the Australian PlayStation Store
GTA 6 at the Australian Xbox Store
JB HiFI in Australia and New Zealand are the best retailer to go live with listings as far as I can tell, and gives us a first (predictable) look at how shops and online retailers will be selling the game!
The only thing really of note in the description though is that "A disc will not be included in the box."
Gaming Editor Dashiell Wood has some timely advice for those choosing which edition to buy:
"Don't bank on Rockstar Games offering an upgrade to the Ultimate Edition if you only buy the standard version. I was caught out back when I bought the standard edition of Red Dead Redemption 2 and soon discovered that I wouldn't be able to access that game's Ultimate Edition goodies unless I bought a whole new copy.
Choose your edition of GTA 6 carefully. If you think you want any of the content from the Ultimate Edition, then it's the one to go for. An extra $20 now could save you from feeling like you missed out in future. I'm not making the same mistake twice."
Hey everyone! Gaming Editor Dash here, signing on to take over the coverage as Rob logs off for the day. I'll be with you for the next few hours tracking the latest GTA 6 pre-order news.
There's an interesting omission with the listings currently live in Australia. You can pick up the game for either PS5 or Xbox Series X, but only the standard edition.
There doesn't seem to be a physical box with the Ultimate Edition version up right now, which makes me think that we might not actually get one.
I'll keep searching and let you know if one appears...
On the subject of that Ultimate Edition, an upgrade has actually been spotted in the New Zealand PlayStation Store. This suggests that players will be able to pay to upgrade their version of the Standard Edition game to the Ultimate Edition somewhere down the line.
This is definitely a very consumer-friendly move, and removes some of the pressure to lock in one edition early that I was talking about earlier.
Still, there's no word on how much the upgrade will cost and I imagine buying the Ultimate Edition upfront will be the cheaper option.
Digital GTA 6 pre-orders come with a free month of GTA+, but what does that actually mean?
GTA+ is Rockstar's subscription service, mainly geared towards GTA Online players. It gives you a wealth of in-game bonuses, like discounts on property, loads of free vehicles, free clothing, and regular in-game currency injections.
It even comes with its own library of games, with a rotating selection of titles that you can play at no extra cost. This currently includes GTA 5 and GTA Online for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series consoles in addition to the likes Red Dead Redemption and Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition.
If you want to make the best use of your month, I would recommend using it to play Vice City so you can get to grips with the Florida-inspired setting before GTA 6 arrives.
I've just heard that Rob is back to take the reigns once again! See you all soon for more GTA 6 pre-order madness.
I have indeed returned! How's everyone doing?
Got itchy trigger fingers?
Dash and I were just talking about whether we would pre-order a physical copy ourselves, but neither of us are sure now due to the code in a box situation....
Still, I've got time to mull it over before UK pre-orders go live in less than five hours.
We'll be continuing our GTA 6 pre-order coverage and talking more about the game in the build-up to its release on the platform, too, by the way, so if video content is your bag and you like what we do, consider giving us a follow there!
If you’ve had to struggle through a heatwave like the one cooking the UK right now (where I’m based), then you know that you’ll do anything to try to stay cool: bumping up the AC if you have it, or turning on as many fans as you can find, and drinking gallons of water.
And I have a new cooling hack for you: sitting in a cooling office chair. Because thanks to Prime Day you can get the AutoFull M6 Pro Gaming Chair for $424.99 at Amazon, saving you 15% off the usual price. In the UK, Amazon has the AutoFull M6 Pro on sale for £299.99 — that's £150 off the usual price.
I’m currently chilling in my DXRacer Martian Pro as it pulls cool air through my shorts thanks to in-built ventilation fans. It’s not like sitting on a block of ice — and I still have a Dyson Cool CF1 desk fan blasting at my face — but the chair’s cooling has been a noticeable improvement compared to a desk fan-only setup.
I’m much less sweaty, and I don’t feel bothered by the heat baking my upper-floor flat — the only trouble is, it makes the times I need to get up and out of my seat a little less bearable by comparison.
Now, I have some bad news: the Martian Pro I ride is out of stock in the US and UK right now — but there’s a solid alternative that we’ve tested, and which is not only in stock, but on sale at Amazon thanks to Prime Day deals.
Last year during the UK’s 2025 summer heatwave we took the AutoFull M6 Ultra for a spin, and our reviewer Christian Guyton can confirm that the cooling fans made a noticeable difference after sitting in the chair for a while — which matches my DX Racer experience.
Looking for more deals on cooling tech? Check out our pick of the 3 best super-quiet fans to help you sleep comfortably, and the best fan and air-con deals for beating the UK heatwave.
What’s extra special about these ventilated chairs is that they’re perfect right now in the sweltering heat, but they'll also keep you cosy in the winter thanks to in-built heaters. Much like their cooling fans, the seat warmers are again very effective at keeping your body comfortable.
And these seats aren’t just electronic gimmicks. You’ll find a full suite of comfort features like 4D armrests, neck and lumbar support, and your usual recline and height options.
The only thing that might be a slight let-down is the massaging which the chairs can provide. It can be fun and relaxing during a stressful gaming session or day at work, but it isn’t super rigorous.
That said, I love my cooling gaming chair, and I’m considering picking up a second for my partner having looked at these deals; the AutoFull M6 Ultra 2.0 looks like a solid option in the UK, though I might see if I can stretch to the Ultra+.
Music lovers listen up, Amazon Prime Day is stacked with offers on some of our favorite audio brands, and I've just spotted a deal on our best budget turntable, making it even more affordable — what more could you ask for?
I started my vinyl record collection in my teens, but my first mistake was not doing my research beforehand, and I purchased one of those Crosley-style players that do nothing but wreck your albums. If I were to speak to my 17-year-old self again, I'd tell him to look into the Sony PS-LX5BT turntable instead.
• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale
When we gave the Sony PS-LX5BT a first spin, it was an immediate 4.5 stars from us and we even described it as 'one of the best pound-for-pound Bluetooth turntables around'. Now Amazon has knocked it down to $398 from $499.99, while Amazon in the UK has a similar deal for £307 (was £399).
Selecting the right vinyl player for your needs takes time. At the end of the day, they're an investment piece, so you don't want to regret your choice, but the Sony PS-LX5BT is a solid entry-level option. Our audio editor Becky Scarrott has also pieced together a collection of some of our favorite turntables — which would make great graduation gifts .
Entry-level turntables sub-$400 with solid audio are difficult to come by, but not when it's Prime Day. Amazon's $100 price drop takes one of our favorite turntables to its lowest ever price, but this deal won't be here for much longer. View Deal
Similarly in the UK, this is the lowest price we've seen for the Sony PS-LX5BT, and it won't get much better than this as long as Prime Day goes on. Though you may be tempted to get your first turntable for an even cheaper price, your vinyls won't thank you in the long run. View Deal
My JAM Audio Bluetooth turntable gave out on me a while back, and now I've become that annoying friend that's constantly begging to use other people's vinyl player to spin my favorite LPs. Well, thank goodness for Prime Day is all I can say.
As far as entry-level turntables go, the Sony PS-LX5BT turntable is simple and uncomplicated, yet doesn't compromise sound quality. If anything, its sonic characteristics are quite upfront.
It also doesn't fall flat on the features front. You're going to get plenty of connectivity options including stereo RCA connections for hooking the turntable up to speakers or an amplifier, as well as Bluetooth if you refer to opt for wireless connection. The only small setback is that it doesn't come with an adjustable counterweight, so you get what what you're given, but that's expected for a beginner-friendly record player.
Features aside, there's no denying that it's incredibly sleek in its design, right? And the dust shield is an added bonus, adding an extra layer of protection to your vinyl records as you spin them. I'd buy it on the design front alone.
Cybercriminals offering phishing-as-a-service (PhaaS) are increasingly operating like a tech startup, and a good one, at that. They are also using Artificial Intelligence (AI), which helped them scale significantly. This is according to a new report from cybersecurity researchers Huntress, called “EvilTokens and the Rise of AI-Powered Phishing”.
In the report, Huntress claims that this particular PhaaS operation, called EvilTokens, was used to run 1,380% more phishing attacks in early 2026 compared to the same period last year.
“We’re seeing a clear maturation of the phishing-as-a-service (PhaaS) market as threat actors increasingly integrate AI workflows into their product offerings,” the report reads. “The result is directly observable in our telemetry: a 1,380% increase in device code phishing attacks detected between July–December 2025 and January–April 2026, with over 50% of those incidents linked to two major waves of correlated incidents.”
“Furthermore, across hundreds of incidents associated with EvilTokens, no two phishing lures were identical. This level of per-victim personalization was previously limited to targeted, manually crafted campaigns. Now, it’s achievable at scale by any threat actor at the price of a subscription service”
So, AI is not only used to scale the operation, but it is also used for personalization at an unprecedented level. At the same time, the service is relatively cheap to use: it is being sold on Telegram for as little as $600.
If this sounds like a lot, keep in mind that a single successful phishing attack is enough to steal data worth hundreds of thousands on the black market, or even millions - in ransom negotiations.
EvilTokens’ service is tiered, too. The cheapest package costs $600, while two more expensive ones cost $1,000 and $1,500, respectively. For criminals, it is likely worth the investment, since this PhaaS is capable of bypassing multi-factor authentication, as well.
It sounds bizarre saying that I wish I could go back in time and bully my past self into spending more money, but that's exactly what I would do when it comes to Red Dead Redemption 2.
I first bought the cowboy adventure game on sale back in 2020. I can't remember the exact price, but it was something like 30 bucks for the standard version, and about ten more if I wanted the Ultimate Edition instead.
I took a look at what the more premium version offered — an exclusive mission, a cool horse, some new clothing, and some in-game progression boosts, plus a load of content for Red Dead Online — and decided that it wasn't for me. After all, I wasn't entirely sure that I would even enjoy the game or want to explore its multiplayer component.
The problem is that I did genuinely love it, and soon found myself wanting all the extra goodies. The problem? Rockstar offered no way to upgrade between editions. There were no little add-ons that let you pick up each item individually, like you can with most other games.
I was trapped with my standard version, and if I wanted to experience that Ultimate Edition content I would have to buy the entire game again. Obviously, I wasn't going to do that — leaving me bitter and feeling like I missed out.
With the Grand Theft Auto 6 price and editions officially confirmed, I'm urging everyone not to make the same mistake. Like Red Dead Redemption 2, GTA 6 will be available as either a standard edition or Ultimate Edition, with the latter unlocking loads of exclusive content.
It sounds even more significant than what you got with the comparable edition of Red Dead Redemption 2, and includes new vehicles, weapon skins, outfits, and even access to some exclusive locations, such as a beachside garage.
To be clear, Rockstar has not officially confirmed whether it will offer the option to upgrade to the pricier edition down the line. But, after my Red Dead Redemption 2 experience, I wouldn't take the risk.
At $99.99 (UK and Australian pricing has yet to be confirmed), the Ultimate Edition isn't cheap. It's only $20 more than the standard version, though, which goes for $79.99, and that 20 bucks could very well save you from feeling like you missed out in a year's time.
Bear this in mind when Grand Theft Auto 6 pre-orders begin at midnight on June 25 (local time) ahead of the game's launch on November 19 for Xbox Series X and Series S and PlayStation 5.
With protagonist Fox McCloud appearing in a surprise cameo in the recent Super Mario Galaxy Movie, it’s clear that Nintendo wants to bring its niche on-rail space shooter series to a wider audience. To that end, this new Star Fox makes a lot of sense. It’s a remake of the 1997 title Star Fox 64, which is beloved by fans and a good starting point if you’ve never played one of the games before.
Platform reviewed: Nintendo Switch 2
Available on: Nintendo Switch 2
Release date: June 25, 2026
The problem for me is that this is far from the first time that Nintendo has brought Star Fox 64 back. I grew up with the Nintendo 3DS, and experienced it as Star Fox 64 3D. This was followed by some hands-on time with the Wii U reimagining Star Fox Zero, and then finally a playthrough of the original release when it came to Nintendo Switch via Nintendo Switch Online.
Every single mainline Star Fox game that’s come out since I was about eight years old has been a version of Star Fox 64, and now, as an adult, I’m getting yet another one in Star Fox for Nintendo Switch 2.
I really wish the gaming giant had been a little bolder with this release, adding even just a smidge of new gameplay to freshen up the old campaign. Still, Star Fox 64 is a cult classic for a reason, and thanks to its strong base, this remake is still plenty of fun to play through for what is, hopefully, one last time
The premise is simple, if a little unconventional. You’re a dashing fox in a universe populated by anthropomorphic animals where civilization has managed to crack space colonization despite an apparent lack of opposable thumbs.
Rather than rooting through sci-fi bins, you’re the leader of a mercenary squad (staffed by you, the bird-like Falco, the lagomorphic Peppy, and slimy Slippy toad) that lends its services to the highest bidder — in this case an intergalactic army that’s waging war against the evil scientist dictator Andross.
Fully voiced and animated cutscenes to convey all this information are one of this remake’s biggest new additions, and they feel like a natural inclusion. They’re not super long or expansive by any means, but all flow well and are decently acted throughout even if there are a few moments where the animation can look a bit cheap.
They provide some much-needed downtime in between each of the levels, which are hectic, high-score challenges that see you steering your ship, the Arwing, through intense battles. The action unfurls in a largely on-rails format, but that doesn't mean that this isn’t a degree of strategy to it.
You can swerve all across the screen, hitting barrel rolls to deflect incoming fire and blasting your laser canons. Your craft very much exists in a 3D space, so enemies often come up behind you, requiring evasive maneuvers like somersaults or hitting the brakes.
There's a boost too, which, deployed at the right time, can see you zooming under falling debris or through closing gaps — often picking up a power-up or two in the process. It’s all remarkably smooth to control, and sections where you pilot other vehicles keep the stages feeling fresh.
Each campaign is extremely short, taking just over an hour to complete, and has you working your way through a map of the galaxy littered with 16 unique planets.
The challenge mode lets you replay all of the levels from the campaign but with some new tricky objectives. These reward you with unlocks like profile badges and lore to read, and I can already see it being a huge hit with completionists.
You can’t visit all of them in one playthrough, which, alongside the two main story paths, gives you plenty of reasons to replay it at least a couple of times. That said even when you bear that in mind, the experience is still pretty fleeting and doesn’t feel befitting of the $49.99 / £41.99 / AU$84.95 digital (or $59.99 / £44.99 / AU$99.95 physical) asking price.
This is especially true if you’ve played all the other versions of Star Fox 64, as you’re basically just paying for a new, admittedly quite pretty, coat of paint.
There is thankfully a new battle mode to try out, and it’s pretty good on the whole. It’s in an online 4v4 player versus player (PvP) format, with one team playing as the Star Fox squad and the other cast as their rivals Star Wolf. Each of the three maps has its own associated game mode, ranging from simple control point capture to fighting to drag limited space cargo back to base.
I’ve had a great time with it so far, though I can imagine that online populations will quickly dwindle given the small map pool. Hopefully a post-launch update will add some more.
You’ve never tried Star Fox 64
If you’ve never experienced Star Fox 64 before, then Star Fox is the best version that’s readily available right now. The updated graphics are pleasant, and it feels fantastic to control.
You find it on sale
My main issue with Star Fox is its high asking price. If you can find it heavily discounted, then it’s well worth picking up.
You’re sick of the Nintendo 64 game
If you’ve played the previous Star Fox 64 remakes, then I would recommend skipping Star Fox. It looks pleasant, sure, but it really doesn't add much new beyond its cutscenes.
As with most first-party Nintendo releases, the accessibility features here are thin. Subtitles are used throughout the game, though their appearance cannot be customized. You can invert the axis of the control scheme and disable features like controller rumble, but that’s basically it.
I played Star Fox on Nintendo Switch 2 for roughly eight hours, experiencing all of its major campaign routes, unlocking every planet, and trying out challenge mode.
I also dived into its multiplayer offering, using my earlier hands-on experience with other players when trying it at Nintendo HQ and testing matches against bots. I mainly played the game in handheld mode using the Joy-Con 2 controllers, though I did briefly test it in docked mode on a 4K Samsung TV to ensure the performance and Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller support is up to scratch.
First reviewed June 2026
Finding the best VPN to secure your online life is increasingly important, but installing it on your living room television hasn't always been a seamless experience. Fortunately, MacPaw is looking to change that with the launch of its "privacy-first" ClearVPN service on Apple TV and Android TV.
With smart TV adoption recently surpassing 900 million units worldwide, our living room watching habits are generating more data than ever. By bringing its software directly to the biggest screens in the home, MacPaw hopes to add a vital extra layer of privacy to users' everyday viewing activities, while simultaneously granting them secure access to global content.
According to the Ukrainian software company, simplifying the user experience remains the top priority.
"We built ClearVPN on one belief: privacy should be effortless," said Tetiana Shokina, Product Manager at MacPaw. "Bringing it to Apple TV and Android TV wasn't a feature request; it was the obvious next step. If simplicity is our promise, it has to work on every screen, including the biggest one."
The biggest hurdle with smart TV applications is usually the login process. Nobody enjoys painstakingly typing out long email addresses and complex passwords using a directional TV remote. To solve this, ClearVPN has implemented two simple sign-in methods that entirely bypass the television screen.
Once downloaded, the TV app will display a QR code that users can scan with their smartphone. This instantly opens a pairing page on the phone to authenticate the login, readying the TV app for use.
Alternatively, the app generates a short URL and an activation code that can be typed into any phone, tablet, or computer.
Once inside, ClearVPN's signature intuitive interface keeps technical decisions to an absolute minimum.
An 'Optimal Location' feature automatically connects you to the best available server, meaning there's no need to manually search through endless country lists.
For entertainment fans, a 'Dedicated Streaming' section makes it even easier, connecting users directly to the optimal server for specific streaming platforms so you can start watching privately within seconds.
If you aren't familiar with ClearVPN, the service was originally launched in 2020 by Kyiv-based MacPaw, a global technology company best known for its signature product, CleanMyMac.
From its inception, the goal was to design an application for everyone, not just the tech-savvy, removing the complex settings that often make cybersecurity software feel intimidating.
In 2024, ClearVPN went through a major redesign as the provider launched improved apps. The service, however, has maintained its core mission: to ensure people's online lives receive the exact same protection as their offline ones.
ClearVPN is powered by modern protocols designed to deliver fast, stable connections, ensuring your streams won't be interrupted by constant buffering. A single subscription protects up to six devices simultaneously, creating a secure digital ecosystem.
New smart TV apps are available now for all ClearVPN users globally. You will need a device running at least Android TV 6+ or tvOS 18+ to install the new applications.
If you want to protect your other hardware, ClearVPN is also available to download on macOS, iOS, iPadOS, Windows, Android, compatible routers, and as a Google Chrome extension.
Here’s how much GTA VI will cost at launch Rockstar Games has revealed official pricing information about Grand Theft Auto VI pre-orders. Pre-orders will start on June 25th, and Rockstar has confirmed that physical copies of the game will be “a download code in a box”. Boxed copies of the game will begin shipping on […]
The post Rockstar confirms Grand Theft Auto VI pricing ahead of pre-orders appeared first on OC3D.
Getting into Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 opens up a very deep rabbit hole of potential accessories to make your experience better and more realistic. I'm starting to fall down it myself, moving away from using a controller to something with better control over my virtual planes.
There's a lot to choose from, with options for tighter budgets, those looking for more advanced hardware, and everywhere in between. Amazon Prime Day is a great chance to get yourself a flight stick, yoke, or rudder pedals, and I've rounded up the best deals you need to see.
Each of the items below has been hand-tested by Windows Central experts, so you know they're worth your time and money.
For those with an Xbox Series X or Series S console — the Turtle Beach VelocityOne Flight is the gateway to the best Flight Simulator experience. Turtle Beach has singlehandedly delivered a monumental leap in the quality of console gear. ~ Matt Brown, Former Senior Editor
Also at: Amazon ($329.99)View Deal
"Compatible with Xbox consoles and Windows PC, the VelocityOne Flightstick is perfect for immersive simulations or action-packed space flights with eight high-precision axes. " ~ Ben Wilson, Senior Editor
Windows Central Review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½View Deal
Thrustmaster doesn't pretend that the T.Flight HOTAS One is a premium flight stick, as it carefully cuts back on any excessive features like built-in displays or unnecessary RGB, sticking instead to a no-frills shell and focusing on the responsive joystick and throttle combination. ~ Ben Wilson, Senior Editor
Honeycomb Aeronautical's award-winning Alpha Flight Controls is updated and compatible with Xbox (with the external Xbox hub accessory) and is one of the absolute best options for flight sim players when combined with the equally great Bravo Throttle Quadrant. ~ Zachary Boddy, Former Staff Writer
Part of a wider effort to simplify a yoke and throttle setup and, in turn, offer a more affordable price tag to help new players ease their way into an ultra-realistic simulation rig — you'll notice I never used the word "cheap" here, and that's for a good reason. ~ Ben Wilson, Senior Editor
This mostly depends on your knowledge of aircraft, as each control type varies in real life. Some small planes use a yoke, while some large airliners, notably the Airbus ones, will use a stick. It depends what you think you'll be more comfortable with, or how close to realism you're trying to get.
Not necessarily. While it does offer a realistic experience and appeals to intermediate players and above, you can usually emulate these controls with flight sticks that allow twisting. Pedals are generally more useful for anyone buying a yoke, but they match up with traditional flight sticks, too. If you're a new player, don't worry about pedals.
No. While flight sticks and yokes made for consoles will generally work on PCs that meet MSFS' spec requirements, the same is not true for the opposite. Always check for explicit compatibility confirmation before buying any peripheral if that's your intended platform. Windows PC players don't have to worry as much.
Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.
Google is experimenting with new labels that highlight the ads it believes are most relevant to a user’s search query, a move that could influence how users engage with paid results and how advertisers think about ad relevance.
What’s happening. Google began testing a new Search ads feature that adds “Strongest match” or “Strong match” labels to certain ads appearing in search results. The experiment was revealed by Google Ads Liaison Ginny Marvin, who said the labels are designed to help users quickly identify ads that are highly relevant to their search intent.
The test is currently limited to a small percentage of users in the U.S.
Why we care. Google is testing a new visual signal that could influence which ads users perceive as the most relevant and trustworthy. If the experiment expands, advertisers with strong ad relevance and quality signals may gain greater visibility and potentially higher click-through rates, while less relevant ads could become easier for users to overlook.
How it works. According to Google, the labels rely on existing ad quality and relevance signals already used within its advertising systems. Rather than introducing a new ranking factor, the experiment surfaces Google’s assessment of an ad’s relevance directly within the user interface.
The goal is to make it easier for users to identify the information most closely aligned with their search query.
Why Google is testing it. Google says the experiment is intended to improve the Search ads experience for both consumers and advertisers.
For users, the labels could provide an additional signal about which ads are most likely to address their needs.
For advertisers, the feature could help connect highly relevant ads with high-intent audiences, potentially increasing engagement and click-through rates.
Reading between the lines. The test reflects Google’s ongoing efforts to make ad relevance more visible.
Historically, relevance signals have largely operated behind the scenes through auction and quality systems. By displaying those signals more prominently, Google could be seeking to build greater user trust in sponsored results while rewarding advertisers that closely align ads with search intent.
The experiment also arrives as search platforms face increasing pressure to demonstrate the usefulness and quality of advertising experiences.
What to watch. Google emphasized that this is an early-stage experiment and has not indicated whether the labels will become a permanent feature. For now, advertisers may want to keep an eye on the test as another signal that ad relevance and quality remain central to Google’s vision for Search advertising.
“Tailor Your Feed” is the first time a user can shape their Discover feed by typing, in natural language, what they want to see. We have tracked it from its first appearance in Search Labs^search-labs to the pipeline[^pipeline] that powers it. Ten key points:
SEE_MORE / SEE_LESS actions, applied after a feed refresh.historicalnaturallanguagetuningcontent.f[^pipeline-id], the “historical” twin of naturallanguagetuningcontent.f.This article combines two observation streams:
historicalnaturallanguagetuningcontent.f, we describe how this pipeline behaves relative to the rest of the feed, drawing on 1492.vision tracking data.Three deliberate notes on how we phrase things:
The internal mechanisms below are our interpretation of observed data and public research. Where a date is inferred rather than anchored, we say so.
For years, Discover personalization was implicit: Google inferred your interests from clicks, dwell time, follows. “Tailor Your Feed” adds the opposite, an explicit layer where you simply type what you want.
The current entry point at the top of the feed: “What do you want to see?” with an “Add topics to your feed” field.
The feature opens a chat-style panel. You can pick a suggested template or write freely.
The original “Tailor your feed” intro card: “Say what you want in your own words”, with a “Try now” button.
Suggested prompts: “Start showing me women’s basketball”, “Keep me updated on country music”, “Show me more of Cara Nicole’s videos”, with a free-text box “Ask for the kind of content you want.”
These suggestions correspond to four intents the server responses expose: SEE_MORE, KEEP_UPDATED, CREATOR_MORE and SEE_LESS. Whatever you type is interpreted into one (or several) of these actions, then applied to the feed once confirmed with “Refresh / Update your feed.”
The feature shipped through Search Labs, US only.
The Search Labs entry: “Make your Discover feed truly yours by saying what you want to see.” Beta, US only.
Later iterations turned the free-text box into explicit starter templates: “Show me content from…”, “I want videos about…”, “Keep me updated…”. The same verbs, now surfaced as chips.
The “What do you want to see?” panel with its starter templates: “Show me content from…”, “I want videos about…”, “Keep me updated…”.
The flow is simple: prompt → interpretation → readable answer + an actionable result. You type a prompt, the assistant replies in plain language and proposes concrete changes, and a tap on “Update your feed” commits them.
A representative response, observed in the data exchanges for the prompt “show me more content on seroundtable.com”, looks like this:
{
"feature": "Discover • Tailor your feed",
"locale": "en-US",
"thread_key": "chat_thread_key_082fa565-234a-451c-9318-1e9af8b9d734",
"user_prompt": "show me more content on seroundtable.com",
"assistant_text": "I can show you more content from Search Engine Roundtable (SERoundtable.com) related to your interests. Refresh your feed to apply these changes.",
"result": {
"status": "UNDERSTOOD_AND_ACTIONABLE",
"actions": ["SEE_MORE"],
"show_call_to_action": true,
"count": 1
},
"ui_state_code": 2
}The in-app prompt that produced the response above: “show me more content on seroundtable.com”, and the assistant’s reply ending on “Refresh your feed.”
Three things stand out:
thread_key is stable across exchanges; your tuning is a conversation, not a one-shot. The same thread is referenced again when, later, a card is attributed to one of your past prompts.actions: ["SEE_MORE"]. Ask to remove a topic and you get ["SEE_LESS"]; a nuanced prompt can return both, e.g. “new country music releases… but no celebrity gossip” yields ["SEE_MORE", "SEE_LESS"].“keep me updated about nba” → the assistant proposes scores, team and player news, and “Updates on the Brooklyn Nets”, a locally-injected entity.
On Google’s side, your sentence is turned into a set of instructions that feed the retrieval stage, with an “offline” path (applied over time) and a real-time one. This is, as we read it, the architectural shift the feature embodies: from inferred interest vectors to a natural-language profile you write yourself.
We documented the rollout as it happened. Dates anchored to in-app captures and the feature’s own changelogs; a few are approximate (marked with “~”).
December 2025: first sighting (Search Labs, US). The feature appears with everything described above: the chat panel, the JSON response, the persistent thread, the four intents, local context injection. First impression: the effect is subtle; after several refreshes you see a few on-topic cards, but nothing dramatic. (field note, example)
“I need a break from negative news. Show me more feel-good stories, but keep the local and breaking news.” The assistant lists the kinds of uplifting content to expect, then offers “Refresh your feed.”
Another early example: “can you show me https://dev.to/ on my feed” → the assistant offers programming articles, web-dev tutorials and software news.
~January 13, 2026: the attribution tag. Google starts marking cards “resulting from natural language tuning” after a refresh and the SEE_MORE/SEE_LESS arbitration, making it possible, for the first time, to tell which cards a prompt actually changed. A prompt history also appears in My Activity. (field note)
“‘Tailor your feed’ preferences in Discover. View and manage your prompts.” A dedicated My Activity surface (here, empty).
~February 2026: “historical” tuning, and what SEE_LESS really does. A second tag appears, “historical natural language tuning”, for cards influenced by a past prompt. Testing “fewer X posts”, we saw Google replace X (Twitter) cards with YouTube videos, and, notably, asking to remove a topic does not truly remove it: you get SEE_LESS, but the topic isn’t deleted from the feed. (field note)
~February 2026: the “niche” test. Asked for “more niche / small sites”, the feed came back, on the first refresh, with 2 of 10 cards modified by the prompt (a one-off snapshot, not an average), surfacing VentureBeat and Mississippi Today, with the very first result driven by the request. (field note)
~February 2026: the “entity” test. Asked for “more articles from a specific creator”, Google understood the topics related to that creator (entities), refreshed, and surfaced a LinkedIn post from them, tagged “natural language tuning content”. (field note)
~April 2026: the rebrand + the “You asked to see” label. “Tailor your feed” becomes “Add topics to your feed” with a chat UI, and a visible “You asked to see” label now marks the cards served by the pipeline. (rebrand, label)
A card labeled “You asked to see”: a historical-figures listicle from AOL.
“You asked to see” on a Guardian politics story.
“You asked to see” on Search Engine Roundtable cards; the publisher requested earlier now surfaces explicitly.
May 22, 2026: the query intents (the fan-out). We confirm that, beyond entity expansion, some pipeline cards carry a stored query intent, the prompt decomposed into specific retrieval queries, on the same pattern as the GEO “fan-out”. (More in section 5.) (field note)
“You asked to see” also applies to video: a Crunchyroll/One Piece YouTube card surfaced by a prompt.
June 2026: current state. The entry point reads “Add topics to your feed”, and the feature now surfaces small creators well outside the major publishers (section 6).
historicalnaturallanguagetuningcontent.fEvery Discover card can be traced back to the pipeline that selected it. “Tailor Your Feed” maps to a dedicated pair:
naturallanguagetuningcontent.f, content based on your current natural-language preferences.historicalnaturallanguagetuningcontent.f, content based on past prompts that keep influencing the feed (the “historical” tag from the timeline).The pipeline retrieves content in two distinct ways:
One behaviour worth flagging: in our tracking data, Google appears to promote these cards cautiously, on average less than other pipelines, and pulls them back more often than any other, consistent with a retrieval that sometimes matches loosely (we’ll see a concrete false positive in section 5). It is, by design, a targeted pipeline, not a mass-distribution one: its cards show essentially no growth over time, the lowest of any pipeline. It serves what was asked for, to the user who asked. It doesn’t snowball.
This is the most interesting mechanism. For a slice of cards, the prompt is broken down into a specific query intent that matched the article, the prompt turned into precise, natural-language retrieval queries. It is the functional analogue of the fan-out described for Generative Engine Optimization: a single prompt is decomposed into sub-queries that retrieve content by semantic relevance, with no popularity prerequisite.
The decomposition is visible. A prompt about SEO becomes a set of informational queries:
| User prompt (approx.) | Decomposed query intents |
|---|---|
| “Show me content from SEO” | “SEO strategies algorithm changes” · “Google ranking system updates” · “tips for getting content into google discover” |
And those query intents then retrieve real articles. Here are anonymised query intent → URL pairs we observed (the formulations are the exact internal query intents):
| Query intent | Retrieved article | Profile |
|---|---|---|
starting seeds indoors guide | buzzyseeds.com/…/how-to-grow-strawberry-from-seed-indoors | niche gardening, no prior Discover distribution |
buying Japanese property guide | japantoday.com/…/how-to-buy-a-home-in-japan-as-a-foreigner | niche |
buying Japanese property guide | maigomika.com/…/rural-japan-inaka-levels | niche |
personal stories living in France | perfectlyprovence.co/… | niche |
tips for getting content into google discover | conductor.com/academy/best-aeo-geo-tools | mid-size |
AI content machine learning SEO | searchengineland.com/ai-increase-seo-expertise-value | trade press |
best sci-fi books | collider.com/best-sci-fi-books-last-25-years-ranked | mainstream |
Nvidia stock analysis | reuters.com/technology/nvidia-invests-2-billion | mainstream, already widely distributed, simply re-surfaced |
Our analyzer groups these query intents into clusters:
Clusters of query intents observed in the pipeline: “learning Google algorithms”, “AI content machine learning SEO”, “buying Japanese property guide”, “healthy cooking techniques”, “anime recommendations 2026″…
The same clusters, with the article count per intent.
Drilling into one cluster shows both the strength and the limit of the fan-out:
The “buying Japanese property guide” cluster: japantoday.com (how to buy a home in Japan) and maigomika.com (rural Japan) are spot-on niche matches, but rockpapershotgun.com (Forza Horizon 6 in-game home locations) is a false positive, a video-game article pulled in by surface word overlap. Loose matches like this are why Google ranks this pipeline so cautiously (section 4).
Why this matters for SEO: the query intent reveals the exact vocabulary Google uses to map a prompt to your content. These are natural-language informational queries, not raw keywords. Aligning titles, H1s and intros with these formulations is the Discover-side equivalent of optimizing for the AI fan-out.
Classic Discover pipelines mostly re-serve content that is already popular, articles that have already circulated widely and built engagement. “Tailor Your Feed” works differently: the cards we observe show a retrieval that reaches for semantically relevant content regardless of whether it ever circulated in Discover before.
1492.vision tracking data backs this up. On historicalnaturallanguagetuningcontent.f, a majority of the cards point to articles with no detectable prior Discover distribution in our dataset, content that had never (or barely) been served in the feed before. This is, by a wide margin, the highest share of any pipeline: the classic news pipelines show the opposite profile, where almost every card has a long distribution history. A minority of the pipeline’s cards are the exception, mainstream articles (a Reuters story, for instance) already widely distributed and simply re-surfaced here.
The clearest illustration is a recipe prompt. Asking for vegan recipes surfaced, not the big food publishers, but small independent creators:
“Show me content from recipes vegan” → the assistant proposes plant-based weeknight dinners, vegan stews, high-protein tofu, vegan baking… then “Update your feed.”
The result: a “Sweet Potato Tacos” recipe from an independent creator, and “72 Vegan BBQ Recipes” from a small vegan blog, each labelled “You asked to see”, with a rating widget (“How would you rate this suggestion?”).
Across our tracking, the same pattern recurs: a niche gardening blog (buzzyseeds.com) for a seed-starting prompt; Mississippi Today for a “niche sites” prompt (with VentureBeat surfaced on the same prompt, as an illustration of the retrieval’s behaviour); a LinkedIn post for a creator prompt; niche Japanese-property blogs (japantoday.com, maigomika.com) for a property prompt. Most are not the usual high-volume Discover winners.
The takeaway, carefully put: the feature surfaces articles that had barely circulated in Discover before. The retrieval appears to be driven by relevance to the prompt, not by prior popularity: what works like a popularity filter in the classic pipelines is, here, bypassed.
This is the part that matters most looking forward, and it’s a genuine shift in how Discover visibility can be earned.
Selection power moves to the user. In the classic feed, Google decides what you see from inferred signals. Here, the user writes the prompt (“show me more of X”, “less of Y”), and Google turns it into entities, interests and query intents that drive retrieval. Demand becomes explicit.
Consequence: niche sites can surface without a Discover track record. Because the retrieval appears to reach for relevance rather than prior popularity, a small site can be served the moment a user asks for its topic, even if it had never really circulated in Discover before (section 6). That’s new.
It’s a third path to visibility. Until now, a niche site broke into Discover only two ways: through strong implicit affinity (Google infers, from repeated engagement, that you love a topic, and a re-surface pipeline keeps feeding you that niche site), or through an explicit follow. “Tailor Your Feed” adds a third, user-initiated path that depends on neither.
The concrete levers for publishers:
What it is not. Publishers should be clear-eyed:
The strategic read: if “Add topics to your feed” graduates from Search Labs and users embrace it, the demand-driven, popularity-agnostic retrieval it relies on is structurally favourable to small, focused, well-described sites, the kind that classic, popularity-dominated pipelines rarely reward.
A snapshot, not an endpoint. What we’re watching:
current / historical pair. naturallanguagetuningcontent.f (live) and historicalnaturallanguagetuningcontent.f (persistent) suggest tuning is meant to last over time, a standing instruction, not a one-off.generativeretrieval.f pipeline, spotted recently in our tracking data, suggests LLM-driven retrieval may reach beyond this one feature (to be confirmed).The bigger picture: Discover is moving from observed personalization (Google infers) toward declared personalization (you tell it), and the retrieval that serves declared intent doesn’t lock onto popularity. That’s the structural opening for niche publishers, if and only if the feature ships broadly and users adopt it.
[^pipeline]: In Discover, a pipeline is a selection circuit that chooses and serves the cards. Each card can be traced to the identifier of the pipeline that produced it; that is what we exploit in our 1492.vision tracking data.
[^pipeline-id]: The .f suffix in identifiers such as historicalnaturallanguagetuningcontent.f is an internal marker we observe in the metadata of Discover cards; it distinguishes the selection circuits.
[^search-labs]: Google’s beta program that lets users test experimental features in Search and Discover before any wider rollout.
[^llm]: Large Language Model. We assume one here, without direct proof of the model used, from the conversational behaviour and the structured responses observed.
[^entity]: In the sense of Google’s Knowledge Graph: a named entity; a person, topic, organisation or concept that is identified and linked to others, distinct from the everyday sense of the word “entity” (a company, a legal structure).
[^fan-out]: A mechanism by which a single prompt is broken into several retrieval sub-queries, each targeting a different angle of the topic.
[^query-intent]: A natural-language informational query, derived from the user’s prompt, that was used to retrieve a specific article. Observable in our data as metadata attached to certain pipeline cards.
[^geo]: Generative Engine Optimization: the practice of optimizing content to be visible and cited in the answers of generative engines (AI Overviews, ChatGPT, etc.), notably via query fan-out.
[^retrieval]: The stage where Google fetches and selects the content to display in the feed, from interest signals, entities or queries.
[^distribution]: In this article, the fact that an article had already circulated in Discover, as observed in our 1492.vision tracking dataset, not an audience figure nor a Search Console metric.
[^aio]: AI Overviews: generative answers shown at the top of certain Google Search results.
[^ai-mode]: AI Mode: Google Search’s conversational interface, distinct from AI Overviews.
Field tracking: Google app, Search Labs (US/English) accounts, December 2025 – June 2026. Pipeline behaviour derived from close observation of the Discover feed via 1492.vision tracking data. “Distribution” here means whether an article had already circulated in Discover, as observed in our tracking dataset, not private audience figures. The internal mechanisms are our interpretation of observed data and public research; inferred dates are flagged as approximate.
There are several excellent budget and mid-range gaming monitors from GIGABYTE that are currently available for dirt-cheap prices. GIGABYTE Lists 27-inch WOLED 240Hz for Just $349, While its Fast IPS Monitors With 1440p Resolution are now Retailing at $145-$159 The Prime Day deals are here, and it has begun with some exciting display deals for gamers. Popular hardware and monitor maker GIGABYTE has listed some excellent deals on Amazon, which you can avail today, starting at just $145. Whether your budget is less than $150 or over $400, you can have an excellent gaming display for your setup that provides […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/gigabytes-27-inch-240hz-oled-crashes-to-just-349-for-prime-day-a-150-cut-on-one-of-the-cheapest-oleds-yet/
After spending years adrift, it seems like the Star Fox series is poised to fly high once again, with a well-received appearance by Fox McCloud in the Super Mario Galaxy Movie and now a new Nintendo Switch 2-exclusive game. While simply titled Star Fox, this latest title is, in fact, a glossy current-gen remake of Star Fox 64, which is still considered by many to be the best in the series nearly 30 years after its initial release. Does Star Fox 2026 prove that everything old can successfully be made new again? Or does this revival miss the mark? Boost […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/review/star-fox-switch-2-review-buttery-60fps-faithful-remake/
All the pieces belonging to the iPhone Fold were in place, as Samsung was preparing to begin mass production of the device’s advanced M16 display. The weakest link was said to be Apple’s 3D printed hinge, which was the most complicated and likely headache-inducing component of the upcoming flagship due to the rattling sounds it was making. With the company reportedly having bulldozed through these hurdles, it’s a positive sign that it can enter mass production in July. Launch month of September for the iPhone Fold won’t get disturbed if report’s claims are true, with the bulk of the hinge problems resolved […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/iphone-fold-mass-production-in-july-apple-solving-a-massive-challenge/
Bambu Lab is running a big sale all through the Amazon Prime Day week, meaning you can grab big discounts on its popular line of 3D printers at Amazon for the next few days.
It's also running its big anniversary sale event on its website/. Savings of up to 52% are possible on the best Bambu Lab 3D printers right now, both at its own store and from Amazon. That's important to mention, because we're seeing varied discounts across both sites, thanks to these deals running concurrently.
We're expecting the Prime Day deals to finish by the end of the week, but Bambu Lab's anniversary sale is set to run until July 15, 2026. That doesn't mean it's worth waiting around, however. These are popular printers, and past experience tells us that the best discounts will sell out well before that happens.
If you need or want a new Bambu Lab 3D printer, now is the perfect time. There are record-low prices to take advantage of across the entire Bambu Lab printer family, including deals on the Bambu Lab P1S, P2S, A1, and H2D.
● Check out Bambu Lab's Prime Day deals at Amazon
● See all Bambu Lab sale deals
Struggling to decide? Here are the best Bambu Lab Prime Day deals that you can pick up right now. This comes with direct advice on the best 3D printer models, with links to the Bambu Lab printers that we've previously reviewed, where you can read about our full and thorough testing of each printer's performance, which will help you to choose between them.
This popular compact printer is solidly built with a full-metal linear rail system and bearings, features full auto calibration, vibration and flow-rate compensation, and compatibility with multi-color AMS accessories. Check out our review of the Bambu Lab A1 mini.
The latest version of the Bambu Lab A1 uses an upgraded heatbed cable with Kevlar reinforcement and thicker insulation for an improved product. Features include full AMS compatibility, full-auto calibration, and a 256x256x256 mm³ build volume. See our review of the Bambu Lab A1 for more details on this 3D printer.
Also available: Bambu Lab A1with LED Lamp Kit for $394 at AmazonView Deal
Set the Bambu Lab P1S 3D printer up in 15 minutes and start your printing and maker journey. The P1S is an enclosed printer, making it ideal for high-temperature filament printing. Fast prints are standard thanks to the speedy 20000 mm/s² acceleration limit. Take a look at our review of the Bambu Lab P1S for more information.
A great refresh of the P1S, with a better nozzle, screen, camera, and improved cooling system. This is the new standard to which other 3D printers will be measured.View Deal
Top-of-the-line performance with one of Bambu Lab's flagship 3D printers. Features include touchscreen controls, dual-nozzle printing, a 350mm x 320mm x 325mm build volume, and auto bed levelling, along with full AMS 2 compatibility.
See our review of the Bambu Lab H2D 3D printer for more details.View Deal
AMS addons (Automatic Material Systems) for Bambu Lab printers unlock the ability to print with multiple different colors in the same price, as well as help with filament drying and storage.
Depending on the 3D printer combination and compatibility, you can link multiple units together, too.
Grab the same Bambu Lab P1S 3D printer as above, but with an AMS included. With AMS stock limited on Bambu Lab's website until August, this might be a good way to get both without waiting for stock to improve.View Deal
A mega saving on the Bambu Lab P1S with the new AMS 2 Pro included. The AMS 2 Pro is a big upgrade, supporting adding a 65°C heated filament dryer, faster motors, new ceramic feed inlets, and more.View Deal
Compatible with Bambu Lab's X1 and P1 series of 3D printers, the AMS - Automatic Material System provides an enclosure for multiple filament spools and also keeps them dry for better printing results. View Deal
Compatible with Bambu Lab's X1 and P1 series of 3D printers, the AMS - Automatic Material System provides an enclosure for multiple filament spools and also keeps them dry for better printing results. Check printer specs to see if additional accessories are needed for compatibility.View Deal
Bambu Lab's AMS lite - Automatic Material System can be matched with Bambu Lab's A1-series of 3D printers for making prints using multiple filament colors. View Deal
Grab the A1 Mini with the AMS Lite add-on. This isn't on sale, but it is cheaper than buying the two separately.View Deal
A single spool attachment for high-performance filaments. Air-tight containment can keep filament moisture-free, or dry filament with its up to 85°C temperature setting. Link them together for multi-color printing. View Deal
Filament is a must-buy when you're buying a 3D printer (unless it's a resin printer), as you're going to need the actual material to start printing with. Bambu Lab have discounts on its own range of filament spools right now, with some great bundles on sale for beginners to pick up below.
This starter pack gives you four 1KG PLA (Polylactic Acid) filament spools, in bambu green, jade white, gray, and black colorways. This is one of the more forgiving materials for beginners.View Deal
The same filament as the one above, but in individual 1KG refills, and sold on Amazon. Various colors available.View Deal
If the more basic colors of the classic pack don't appeal, and you're curious to try making your own piece of 3D-printed art, you can choose this CYMK Lithophane bundle. You get four 1KG PLA spools in cyan, yellow, magenta, and jade white to experiment with here.View Deal
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Also, you can join the Tom's Hardware deals Discord for up-to-the-minute hardware deals.
A prebuilt gaming PC is one of the easiest ways to get a fully assembled system without the hassles of compatibility and the higher cost of sourcing individual components. If you are on the lookout for a fully assembled gaming PC, the iBuyPower Y40 is selling at a phenomenal value of $1,749 over at Walmart. Originally priced at $2,499.99, this limited-period offer saves you $750.99 if you purchase the prebuilt PC online.
According to iBuyPower, the prebuilt PC is suitable for anyone looking to upgrade their desktop PC for gaming, streaming, and video editing. It is an all-AMD system including the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, which is currently our pick as the best gaming CPU on the market, featuring 8 cores, 16 threads, a base clock of 4.7 GHz, and boost speeds of up to 5.2 GHz. It comes with AMD's second-generation 3D V-Cache technology, providing a massive 96MB of L3 cache to improve gaming performance. The Radeon RX 9070XT handles graphics duties, which is currently AMD's most well-rounded graphics card offering performance that is almost similar to the RTX 5070 Ti for far less money.
Featuring the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D, Radeon RX 9070 XT, liquid cooling, and a premium Hyte Y40 chassis, the iBuyPower Y40 delivers high-end gaming performance at a surprisingly accessible price.View Deal
The rest of the components include 32GB of DDR5 5200 MT/s memory, a 1TB M.2 NVMe SSD, a B650 motherboard with onboard Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and an 850W 80 Plus Gold power supply unit. All of the parts are housed inside the Hyte Y40, which is a fishtank-style case with three 120mm ARGB fans and an iBuyPower AW4 360mm AIO liquid cooler. Included with the prebuilt gaming PC is the iBuyPower Chimera KM7 RGB bundle, which is an entry-level keyboard and mouse combo.
As you can see from our testing, the 9800X3D excels in gaming titles and will serve you well for years to come as the solid foundation of a gaming PC, even paving the way for upgrading the GPU in a few years without bottlenecking it.
Considering all the parts, the iBuyPower Y40 should offer excellent value for anyone looking to jump straight into high-end PC gaming, especially at its discounted price of $1,749. The combination of the Ryzen 7 9800X3D and Radeon RX 9070 XT makes it particularly appealing for high-refresh-rate 1440p gaming and even 4K gaming in certain modern titles. If you've been waiting for a powerful prebuilt gaming PC without spending well over $2,000, this Walmart deal is definitely worth considering.
If you're looking for more savings, check out our Best PC Hardware deals for a range of products, or dive deeper into our specialized SSD and Storage Deals, Hard Drive Deals, Gaming Monitor Deals, Graphics Card Deals, gaming chair, or CPU Deals pages.
The Steam Machine was finally released on Monday, and many gamers were disappointed with its $1,049 starting price, which doesn’t include a Steam Controller (you have to pay an extra $79 to bundle one). Unfortunately, Valve’s hands were tied in this due to the current RAMpocalypse, where even the cheapest RAM kits now cost four times as much as before. While engineers Pierre-Loup Griffais and Yazan Aldehayyat said that they cannot give a hard number for the console’s original price point, they told IGN in an interview that it would have experienced a “probably similar” price increase to the one the Steam Deck got in May 2026.
Original Price | New Price | Price Increase | % Increase | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Steam Deck 512GB | $549 | $789 | $240 | 43.72% |
Steam Machine 512GB* | $729.91 | $1,049 | $319 | 43.72% |
Steam Deck 1TB | $649 | $949 | $300 | 46.22% |
Steam Machine 1TB* | $922.55 | $1,349 | $426 | 46.22% |
PlayStation 5 Digital Edition | $549.99 | $649.99 | $100.00 | 18.18% |
PlayStation 5 | $499.99 | $599.99 | $100.00 | 20.00% |
PlayStation 5 Pro | $749.99 | $899.99 | $150.00 | 20.00% |
Given that the Steam Deck 512GB and 1TB experienced a price increase of around 45%, it stands to reason that the Steam Machine would have received the same hike if it were already in the market. So, if we extrapolate the numbers, the Steam Machine would’ve been originally priced at around $729.91. The 1TB Steam Deck’s price jumped by 46.22%, but we can’t just apply that increase to the higher-tier Steam Machine because it has double the storage capacity. But if we check our SSD price tracker, the price difference between the cheapest 1TB and 2TB SSDs was just at $28 when they were at their lowest. If we add this to the 1TB "version" of the living room PC console, then we can safely estimate that Valve’s target price for the 2TB Steam Machine is around $950-$1,000.
The Steam Machine is still more expensive than the PlayStation 5 Pro, even at its original prices, because Valve refuses to subsidize its hardware sales with the sales on the Steam store. After all, the Steam Machine has an open hardware philosophy, allowing buyers to do what they want with the console. You can install Windows 11 on it and just stick with PC Game Pass to play your games on the console, meaning Valve will make zero dollars on game purchases from you.
This stark price difference could make the Steam Machine unpalatable to console gamers who are interested in switching to PC gaming through the living room PC console. After all, several tests reveal that the PlayStation outperforms the Steam Machine in several titles (although the Valve hardware still performed well enough). But the advantage that gamers are paying for in the Steam Machine is the abilities of a desktop PC (you can pretty much install anything you want on it without going through the Steam store and you don’t have to subscribe for online play), combined with the convenience of a living room console (like HDMI-CEC and the ability to switch the console on or off from the controller). Interested gamers will also likely have a library of titles ready to play.
Hopefully, the Steam Machine’s price will come down once the memory supply finally stabilizes, but it will probably be years before this happens, if at all. Valve’s new gaming console is quite a niche product — it’s built for PC gamers with an extensive Steam library who want to play games on their living room couch or while lying in bed without going through the hassle of building an SFF PC. But if you prefer playing games on your desk or already have a substantial game library on your PlayStation, you’re probably better off sticking with your current hardware.
Since Prime Day is an Amazon thing, Lenovo is responding by launching its own sale over at its official online store. Dubbed the Black Friday in June sale, the event brings some of the year's biggest discounts on Lenovo products. Whether you're looking for a laptop, such as the ThinkPad E14 Gen 6, a capable gaming handheld like the Legion Go S, or a high-performance gaming system like the Legion Tower 5i Gen 10, everyone is bound to find something at Lenovo's sale.
The ThinkPad E14 Gen 6 is among the most performant and durable laptops for business users. The device pairs a Ryzen 5 7535U, a power-efficient chip with six cores and 12 threads, with 16GB of DDR5-4800 memory to handle office workloads. The 512GB PCIe 4.0 SSD guarantees quick load times and better multitasking.
The laptop features a 14-inch WUXGA (1920 x 1200) IPS screen with a 60 Hz refresh rate and a maximum brightness of 300 nits for sharp, vivid images. It also comes with a 1080p webcam, a microphone, and a privacy shutter for high-quality meetings with your team. Meanwhile, Wi-Fi 6 connectivity ensures a stable, fast connection to the Internet.
The ThinkPad E14 Gen 6 features a Ryzen 5 7535U, 16GB DDR5-4800 memory, and a 512GB PCIe 4.0 SSD. Use the BUYMORELENOVO promo code at checkout.View Deal
The Legion Go S taps AMD's Z1 Extreme processor and 32GB of LPDDR5X-7500 memory to offer an excellent gaming performance in a handheld. It also comes with a 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD to house your gaming library.
Lenovo outfits the Legion Go S with an 8-inch WUXGA IPS panel that flaunts a 1920 x 1200 resolution. That combined with a 120 Hz refresh rate and 500 nits make the Legion Go S a very top-tier gaming handheld. To put the cherry on top, the Legion Go S, unlike other gaming handhelds, comes with Valve's SteamOS.
The Legion Go S is a gaming handheld that leverages AMD's Z1 Extreme processor and runs Steam OS. Use the BUYMORELENOVO promo code at checkout.View Deal
A Core Ultra 9 275HX powers the Legion Tower 5i Gen 10. It may be a mobile chip, but it's a very powerful one. With 24 cores consisting of eight P-cores and 16 E-cores, the chip features a boost clock up to 5.4 GHz so that it won't bottleneck the GeForce RTX 5070 Ti that it's paired with. To round out the specifications are 32GB (2x16GB) of DDR5-5600 memory and a nice 1 TB PCIe 5.0 SSD.
The gaming system cools the Core Ultra 9 275HX with a 240mm AIO liquid cooler rated for up to 200W. There's also Wi-Fi 6E connectivity, plenty of high-speed USB ports, and a free three-month subscription to Microsoft's Xbox PC Game Pass so you can start gaming right away.
The Legion Tower 5i Gen 10 is a gaming system that won't let you down. The Core Ultra 9 275HX and GeForce RTX 5070 Ti are plenty to run modern games. Use the BUYMORELENOVO promo code at checkout.View Deal
Given the timing, there are plenty of exceptional computer hardware deals from various U.S. retailers. The ThinkPad E14 Gen 6, Legion Go S, and Legion Tower 5i Gen 10 are just some of the attractive deals on offer from Lenovo. If you're in the market for a different product, don't forget to drop by the company's online store.
If you're looking for more savings, check out our Best PC Hardware deals for a range of products, or dive deeper into our specialized SSD and Storage Deals, Hard Drive Deals, Gaming Monitor Deals, Graphics Card Deals, Gaming Chair, Best Wi-Fi Routers, Best Motherboard, or CPU Deals pages.
OLED panels are quickly becoming a must-have item for desktop PCs. Most of us were introduced to the panel technology in smartphones, and it’s become increasingly popular on laptops. For desktop gamers seeking an immediate visual upgrade, OLED is the way to go, and fortunately, Prime Day is proving to be a great time to take the plunge. From massive DQHD panels on the Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 (G93SC) to dual-mode offerings like the LG 27GX790B-B, we have you covered.
Here are the best OLED gaming monitors that we’ve come across so far:
The Alienware AW3424DW is an ultrawide 21:9 display with a QD-OLED panel. It has a resolution of 3440 x 1440 and a refresh rate of 240Hz. View Deal
The Alienware 34 QD-OLED was the first mainstream QD-OLED monitor, and the updated version, sporting a newer QD-OLED panel and a faster 240Hz refresh rate, is on sale at its lowest price ever on Prime Day. It can now be had for $629.99, or 21% off its list price of $799.99.
We reviewed this model, the AW3425DW, last year and gave it immense praise. It excelled with incredibly accurate color, incredible black levels, and class-leading input lag. It also boasted a color error of only 1.33 based on our testing.
Alienware’s take on this panel has a few unique goodies, as well. It comes with a three-year warranty that covers burn-in, as well as built-in panel-saving features like pixel shifting. This model uses a newer QD-OLED panel that addresses some of the color fringing issues on earlier QD-OLED panels.
The Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 (G80SD) is a great 32-inch-class monitor sporting a 4K 240 Hz QD-OLED display.View Deal
The Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 (G80SD) hits the sweet spot for gaming monitors: it has a 32-inch screen, which is ideal for its 4K resolution (granted, while you'll find 4K in smaller 27-inch panels, 32-inch models are more popular).
You, of course, get a brilliant Samsung QD-OLED panel, which is known more for its rich colors and deep blacks than for extreme brightness. However, the G80SD does stick out like a sore thumb compared to most OLED gaming monitors because it has a matte, anti-glare coating on the panel instead of a glossy finish.
With that said, the G80SD offers a 240 Hz refresh rate at native resolution, is Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro-certified, and has a 0.03 ms response time. It includes two 10-watt speakers, Bluetooth audio support, DisplayPort 1.4, and HDMI 2.1 ports. You can even turn the G80SD into a multimedia hub thanks to its Smart TV integration with streaming apps and the Samsung Gaming Hub.
Right now, the G80SD is available for $657.77, 47% discount off its list price.
The LG 27GX790B-B is a 27-inch QHD monitor with a native 540 Hz refresh rate, but it can switch to 720 Hz at 720p.View Deal
The Asus ROG Strix XG27AQDMGR is a 27-inch, 1440p monitor with a QD-OLED panel. It boasts a 240Hz refresh and 0.03ms GtG response times.View Deal
LG is a leading OLED panel supplier among high-refresh-rate gaming monitors (including some of its primary competitors in the monitor space). They’ve incorporated these panels into their gaming monitor lineup, including the 27GX790B-B. Originally priced at $999, it’s now available for $300 off for Amazon Prime Day, making it a great deal at just $684.99.
The LG 27GX790B-B features an RGB Tandem OLED panel, a 2560 x 1440 (QHD) resolution, and a native refresh rate of 540 Hz. However, if you’re an eSports enthusiast and willing to compromise on resolution to 720p, you can increase the refresh rate to an astonishing 720 Hz. This monitor is designed for gamers with powerful graphics cards capable of delivering over 700 FPS and who are comfortable with 720p resolution.
Asus is also a big player in the gaming monitor market, and it makes that point very clear with the XG27AQDMGR. Being that this is an "XG" monitor, it does away with some of the frills of its more premium siblings to reach a lower price point while still sporting a QD-OLED panel. You can now grab one for just $449 during Amazon Prime Day.
That price gets you a 27-inch 1440p panel with a 240 Hz refresh rate. And who makes that panel, you might ask? Well, LG, of course. The monitor still offers DisplayPort 2.1 despite its lower standing in Asus' monitor rankings, and includes the company's Neo Proximity Sensor to dim the display when you're not sitting in front of it (which goes a long way toward extending panel longevity).
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The brand new Google Home Speaker is about to finally go on sale, but an early unboxing video posted online reveals a design decision made by Google that a lot of users are likely to be less than pleased about: the power cable can't be removed.
You can check out the unboxing over on Reddit (via Android Authority), which shows off the aesthetics of the device that we've known about since the first official reveal last October — as well as giving us the revelation about the power cable.
The Nest Mini device that the Google Home Speaker is more or less replacing does have a removable USB-C power cable, which means when it's not in use, you can tidy it away more easily. On the other hand, the Nest Audio — another speaker now discontinued since the new model arrived — has a fixed power cable.
It seems that a removable power cable is something that quite a few smart speaker owners care about. "This is a nightmare for repairability, for which I am a massive proponent," writes the original unboxer.
As per the information supplied in the video, the Google Home Speaker comes with a USB-C cable that's around 5 feet (1.52 meters) in length that can't be unplugged. There's a 30W power brick on the other end that can be removed.
On the plus side, our unboxer reports that the sound quality from the speaker is good, that the app component has a "cool" interface, and that setting up the device is straightforward — apparently it takes less than 10 minutes.
As with the Nest Mini, there are apparently touch controls available on top of the speaker, as well as hidden lights to report status information and volume levels. On the whole the first impressions from this user are positive ones.
It's just the power cable situation that's drawing criticism: "the non-removable cord killed it for me" writes one poster (who is apparently worried about cats playing with the cord), while the original poster says they're "extremely disappointed in the engineers". Another comment takes a dim view too: "The reason is always money."
Nespresso machines make brewing consistently tasty coffee easy, without any of the mess of using fresh coffee grounds — and they're going cheap for Amazon Prime Day. As TechRadar's resident coffee expert and trained barista, I've rounded up a collection of my five favorite Nespresso machines — all of which happen to be on sale for Prime Day in both the US and the UK.
• Prime Day coffee deals in the US
• Prime Day coffee deals in the UK
There's something here for every coffee-lover, whether you want a super-simple machine that makes consistently tasty coffee and will fit into the tiniest kitchen, or a premium coffee maker that can whip up a latte at the press of a button. All of these Nespresso machines have been tested and recommended by our team of reviewers, so you can be confident they'll all deliver great results.
Can't decide between espresso and drip coffee in the morning? The Ninja Prestige DualBrew System (also known as the Espresso & Coffee Maker Barista System) does both. This all-in-one caffeine station makes delicious espresso using Nespresso Original-style capsules (I tested it with some I bought from a local coffee roaster), which you can brew in three different sizes, with a height-adjustable drip tray so you can use your favorite cups with no splashing. Want to turn your shot into a cappuccino or latte? Use the milk frother on the back of the machine.
On the left-hand side of the DualBrew System you have a feature-packed drip coffee maker, with features including a timer (so you can prepare everything before bed and wake to freshly-brewed coffee in the morning), a drip-stop valve, and a smart hotplate that keeps your coffee hot without scalding it. It's one of the best drip coffee makers I've tested — and it even makes cold-brew.
Read our full Ninja Prestige DualBrew System review
This is the cheapest this two-in-one coffee maker has been in 2026, and a great buy for Prime Day if you love both drip and espresso, and don't have space in your kitchen for two machines.View Deal
The UK deal on the DualBrew System is even better; this is the cheapest it's ever been by a long shot. I really don't need another coffee maker at home, but with 32% off, even I'm tempted.View Deal
Most Nespresso machines just make espresso, but the Lattissima One (made by De'Longhi) also includes an automatic milk frother for lattes, cappuccinos and macchiatos at the tap of a button. It's ideal if you're the only coffee-lover in your household and want a personal machine for preparing single servings.
Like the Ninja Prestige DualBrew System above, it takes Nespresso Original capsules, which means you have a huge choice of drinks from big brands and indie roasters alike. After testing your tap water with the litmus strip provided and setting the hardness on the machine, just drop in a pod and use the three buttons to choose your preferred size and type of drink.
Our reviewer Emily Peck was surprised by how quietly the Lattissima One went about its work, and found the resulting coffee delicious. She had to consult the manual to check what each button does (they perform multiple functions) but once she had that down, she was making great coffees with ease.
Read our full Nespresso Lattissima One review
The Lattissima One always gets some good discounts during sales events, and Prime Day 2026 is no exception. This is Amazon's best price this year, and the deal applies to both the black and white models.View Deal
The Lattissima One is even cheaper in the UK for Prime Day, and you'll get the biggest saving if you opt for this attractive pastel green version. It comes with a starter set of Nespresso capsules too.View Deal
The Nanopresso is an ingenious little coffee maker that relies on elbow grease rather than an electric pump to extract your espresso. The standard version works with ground coffee only, but it's even more convenient if you opt for the version with an adapter for Nespresso Original capsules. After all, who wants to carry loose coffee grounds around when they're exploring the great outdoors?
Our tester noted that it feels durable and rugged (ideal for throwing in a backpack), and although you'll need to familiarize yourself with the various unusual-looking components before taking it out for the first time, you'll soon be able to assemble it and start brewing in moments.
"All you need is access to hot water and some kind of stable surface to set everything up," said our tester, who was seriously impressed by the resulting espresso. "The Nanopresso actually had us asking why coffee had become so complicated, when all you really need for a wake-up call is a small and mighty piece of kit like this," she concluded. Why indeed?
Read our full Wacaco Nanopresso review
Amazon has knocked the Nanopresso down to its lowest-ever price for Prime Day, paired with a Nespresso Original adapter so you can use it with either ground coffee or pods as the fancy takes you.View Deal
There's also a 20% discount on the same portable coffee-making setup in the UK. Like the US deal, this is a record-breaking price cut, so if you're looking for an espresso maker for summer camping expeditions, this could be the one.View Deal
The Nespresso Vertuo Pop is made by Breville (Sage in the UK), so you can be confident that it's well-made and durable, despite its budget price tag. This mini Nespresso machine is always an affordable option, and it's even cheaper in this week's Amazon Prime Day sale. It takes dome-shaped Nespresso Vertuo capsules, which include a wide variety of regular and flavored coffees, including special editions like Coconut and Vanilla (designed to be made over ice) and Pistachio Vanilla.
Our tester Jennifer Oksien called it "a fabulous entry-level coffee maker", and owning one myself, I'm inclined to agree. It heats up in about a minute (just power it on and wait until the light on top stops blinking), after which you can simply slide in the pod, press down the lid, and hit the brew button. There are no options to choose between different drink sizes because Vertuo pods do that for you — the machine detects which one you're using and uses the appropriate amount of water without you doing a thing.
Read our full Nespresso Vertuo Pop review
The Vertuo Pop+ has a larger water tank than the classic Pop, so you can make drinks for two before it needs refilling. This pistachio green version is usually more expensive than other colors, but it's down to a record-low price this Prime Day.View Deal
Nespresso machines don't get cheaper than the original Pop, and the Coconut White version has received a major Prime Day price cut. It's not quite a record low (it was a couple of pounds less back in 2023) but it's still a huge saving.View Deal
The Nespresso Vertuo Next is a step up from the Pop, and is noticeably taller, with a larger water tank, more space for your cup, and a bigger bin for used capsules. It's a piece of cake to use as well, and our tester Sophie Bird deemed it the simplest coffee maker she'd ever used — and considering how many coffee machines we test here at TechRadar, that's saying something. She timed the whole brewing process from start to sip, and found it took just 100 seconds, making this an excellent option if you're pressed for time in the morning.
She found the Vertuo Next virtually mess-free as well, noting that there was no splashing when the machine was dispensing coffee — largely thanks to the height-adjustable drip tray. The Vertuo Next is taller than the Pop above, so you can comfortably use larger cups (such as your favorite takeaway cup), and has a bigger water tank for larger brews.
Read our full Nespresso Vertuo Next review
$80 off a top-notch Nespresso machine? Don't mind if I do! This deal applies to the Vertuo Next in stylish gray or navy blue. It dropped to $90 yesterday though, so it might be worth holding out until Thursday to see if it goes back down again.View Deal
The US deal is great, but coffee aficionados in the UK are even luckier, with the Vertuo Next selling for less than half price this Prime Day. It's almost as cheap as the Vertuo Pop, so take a minute to consider which will work best for you.View Deal
While you might think this week is all about Amazon Prime Day, Best Buy has launched a rival 'Tech Fest Sale,' with discounts from top brands like Fitbit. The retailer is slashing prices on its best-selling models, with prices starting at just $79.99.
• Shop Best Buy's top Fitbit deals
I've listed the top 5 Fitbit deals from Best Buy below, which include record-low prices on its top-rated activity trackers and smartwatches. Fitbit watches are packed with insightful health and fitness features, including heart rate monitoring and the ability to track exercise, sleep, and stress.
Today's deals include the Inspire 3 and Charge 6, as well as the Sense 2 and Versa 4 smartwatches. I've listed the all-new, already affordable Google Fitbit Air, priced at just $99.99.
Keep in mind that, unlike Amazon Prime Day, Best Buy's Tech Fest Sale doesn't require a membership to shop its deals. These are limited-time offers, and Best Buy's sale ends on Sunday at Midnight.
Today's cheapest Fitbit deal is the ultra-slim Fitbit Inspire 3 on sale for $79.95 - just $10 more than the record-low price. Made for everyday wear, the Inspire 3 offers 24/7 heart rate monitoring and tracks sleep, workouts, stress, and more.View Deal
Not only is the Fitbit Charge 6 one of our favorite fitness trackers, but it's also one of the best Fitbits overall. The Charge 6 features a sleek design and offers fitness basics, with 41 exercise modes and up to 7 days of battery life. Today's rival Prime Day deal from Best Buy is a record-low price.View Deal
The feature-packed Fitbit Versa 4 is down to $149.95 at Best Buy's Tech Fest sale. The top-rated smartwatch features a built-in GPS for tracking runs, walks, and bike rides. Plus, it provides a daily readiness score to help you determine whether your body is ready for a workout or recovery, based on helpful insights.View Deal
You can snag a $50 discount on the Fitbit Sense 2, bringing the price down to $199.95. The Sense 2 is one of Fitbit's most advanced health and fitness smartwatches, capable of tracking sleep and stress and featuring smartphone notifications, contactless payments, and GPS.View Deal
While Google's newest Fitbit, the Fitbit Air, isn't on sale, it's already at an affordable starting price of $99.99. The screenless, lightweight Fitbit Air offers standard health and fitness tracking features and delivers an impressive week's worth of battery life.View Deal
Physical copies of Grand Theft Auto 6 won't include a disc. Instead, they'll come with a download code, and some fans aren't pleased.
Rockstar has finally announced the price for GTA 6 and when pre-orders go live, as well as unveiled the two editions players can choose from: Standard and Ultimate.
Both versions are available physically and digitally; however, the studio has said that the physical editions won't feature a disc as expected, but rather a digital download code in the box.
One explanation for this could be is that Rockstar is trying to minimize the potential for leaks as much as possible, even if that means physical copies won't come with a disc.
Some fans who were eager to get their hands on a physical edition of the most anticipated game of all time are upset, to say the least.
"Obviously I’m going to get this game but 13 years of waiting & this is all physical editions are getting? A f****** code in a box? For the biggest game to ever launch & that’s all the effort you’re putting in for physical? So damn disappointed man," one said.
A user on Reddit wrote, "Such a bummer as a physical collector. Hopefully they start printing disks after release but that’s probably copium on my part".
"This is beyond ridiculous. So everybody has to pay the insane digital price without any discounts whatsoever. Such a lame and greedy move," another added.
There are some who are also considering skipping the day one purchase in hopes of a disc being produced later down the line, but again, there's still the risk of spoilers. For now, it looks like all players will own a digital license for the game instead.
GTA 6 launches on November 19 for PS5, Xbox Series X and Series S at $79.99 for the Standard Edition and $99.99 for the Ultimate Edition.
Pre-loads will begin seven days in advance, on November 12.
Telephoto cameras are often a weak link in smartphone camera arrays. Many phones don’t offer them at all, and those that do often use smaller sensors or fewer megapixels than their wide and ultra-wide counterparts. But a new Sony sensor could deliver a big telephoto upgrade if the best camera phones incorporate it.
The Sony LYTIA 610 is the industry’s first mass-produced sensor to have an ‘RB2×2 On Chip Lens (OCL) pixel structure.’ We won’t get too weighed down in technical details, but the upshot is that, according to Sony, this design achieves both “improved resolution and excellent autofocusing” at the same time.
There’s a greater than 20% improvement in spatial resolution (meaning its ability to resolve fine details) compared to conventional Sony sensors with the same pixel size, and the company specifically highlights telephoto cameras as benefiting from all this.
Plus, this sensor also offers an improved readout speed, allowing for 4K 120fps video recording and 4K 60fps HDR recording. So it could prove beneficial for videos as well as photos.
Sony also notes that this sensor “reduces the performance gap with the large sensors used on main cameras and suppresses variations in image quality across multi-lens camera systems, enabling a more uniform shooting experience.” So, in other words, if this is used for telephoto cameras, then you’re less likely to get noticeably inferior shots than when taking wide or ultra-wide photos.
This is all achieved without increasing the sensor or pixel size from Sony’s more conventionally designed LYTIA 601 sensor, which some phones currently use for their telephoto cameras. Potentially, then, this new sensor could deliver improved results without much of a price hike or a larger space requirement.
Of course, it remains to be seen which, if any, phones will actually use this sensor, but aside from Sony’s own Xperia handsets, you’ll also find Sony cameras in at least certain phones by Google, Xiaomi, and even Apple, among other brands. So there are any number of future handsets that could potentially get a telephoto boost from this sensor.
Amazon Prime Day is one of the best events for deals on home cooking appliances, including air fryers, which I turn to every time I lack the time or patience to use the oven.
If you love your air fryer just as much as I love mine, but think you could be getting more out of it, some of our highest-rated air fryers from our favorite brands are some of the star appliances in Amazon's monster sale — with the king of dual basket air fryers, Ninja, being one of them.
• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale
One of our five-star appliances, the Ninja Foodi Max Dual Zone air fryer, has dropped to £164.99 from £239.99 in the UK — an advanced air fryer for less than £170 is a rather nice sight to see. On the other hand, the equally good Ninja Crispi portable air fryer is now $152.99 down from $179.99 in the US, so there's something for everyone on both sides of the Atlantic.
If Ninja isn't the brand for you, fear not, there's a plethora of other trusted brands with discounted appliances — most notably the Instant Vortex Plus air fryer which you can grab for just $69.99 (was $149.99). I've been using this model for the past two years, and there's a reason why I've stuck with it.
The Ninja Crispi's main selling point is that its glass bases double as food containers, making them perfect for meal prep. The larger one is 3.8L, providing enough space to feed up to six people while also allowing simultaneous cooking of a whole 1.2kg chicken and vegetables. This Prime Day deal is $20 shy of the record-low price we saw during Black Friday.
Though it looks more like a mini oven than your standard air fryer, this has seven functions that cover every base when it comes to cooking. Investing in an air fryer oven can help you cut back on the number of small appliances you have taking up countertop space.
Read our full Cusinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven reviewView Deal
For just under half price, you're getting an air fryer that's dependable as well as affordable. Right now, it's much better value than it was during last year's Prime Day and Black Friday events, and I'm confident you'll be getting your money's worth.
Read our full Instant Vortex Plus air fryer review View Deal
An air fryer allows you to enjoy your favorite fried foods with less oil, and this Ninja XL model is perfect for families. The 6.5-quart capacity drawer is enough to make meals for the whole family, and preset functions make air frying, roasting, reheating, and dehydrating easy.View Deal
The Ninja Foodi Max is the ultimate air fryer for many and it's now down to a great low price at Amazon. It offers six different functions, including Max Crisp, air frying, roasting, baking, reheating, and dehydrating. With two baskets, you get two independent cooking zones with the option to have them sync or match up, depending on your needs. Its extra large capacity is perfect for family cooking or batch cooking as it gives you plenty of room for a 2kg chicken or 1.4kg of fries in each compartment.
Read our full Ninja Foodi max Dual Zone air fryer review View Deal
Record-low price: This dual-basket fryer to yo-yo in price, but this is the first time we've seen it drop below £100 since Black Friday last year. For a dual basket model and 13 different cooking methods, how can you go wrong?View Deal
Ninja's recent space-saving air fryer is just £5 more than its lowest-ever price, which is still a bit of a steal for the popular and well-rated appliance. We loved it at TechRadar, awarding it full marks in our review and even putting it in our best air fryer buying guide. Well-built and great-looking on any countertop, it offers five cooking levels across two drawers and two racks, while the 9.5L capacity is ideal for medium to big families.
The Instant Pot Vortex's 12L cooking basket makes cooking for larger parties and families, packing eight cooking settings including grill, roast, and dehydrate. Given its large cooking space, you can add a divider to cook two different foods at once. View Deal
Here's a best-ever discount on Ninja's portable air fryer — and a great Prime Day deal. This bundle includes the PowerPod lid, plus two resealable glass containers to carry your dishes until you're ready to cook. According to our testing, it cooks exceptionally quickly, is easy to use and a breeze to clean, making this one of the best air fryer deals I've seen this year.
Siri has just been given the brain transplant it's needed for years, but it's always been good at detecting the words "Hey Siri" — so much so that accidental summonings have been a common problem. But an audio engineer has just explained how Apple cleverly avoided Siri popping up on your phone during its recent WWDC 2026 keynote.
As revealed by Techexplain on Substack, it all comes down to the audio frequencies embedded in Apple’s keynote video. Once Apple’s audio engineers made a few subtle tweaks, the company’s presenters could say “Hey Siri” as much as they liked without risking millions of phones going off around the world.
To find out what was going on, Techexplain downloaded the audio and video from the WWDC event. They fed that into a spectrogram analyzer, which is an app that can visualize audio frequencies as colored graphs and bands. When the WWDC video was examined, it revealed that a few frequency bands in the 3kHz to 6kHz range had been removed from the audio.
And this is the key to the video not invoking Siri. Without those four frequency bands, the Siri assistant lurking on your device did not hear the phrase “Hey Siri” — even though Apple’s presenters said it repeatedly throughout the show.
Apple’s solution might sound odd. After all, doesn’t Siri listen out for the trigger words being spoken? If those words were present in Apple’s video, shouldn’t Siri have been activated?
Well, not quite. Your iPhone contains an “always-on processor” chip whose job is to constantly sample background audio, which is then fed into a neural network. The audio is converted into a spectrogram and the neural network analyzes it to look for a specific frequency pattern — in this case, the sibilant sound that occurs when you say “Siri.” And yep, you guessed it, those sibilant sounds mostly exist in the 3kHz to 6kHz range.
In other words, what Siri is actually listening out for is a frequency rather than the words being spoken. It means that if Apple’s engineers remove the 3kHz to 6kHz bands from the WWDC keynote, Siri won’t “hear” its name being spoken — even if that’s exactly what the presenters are doing.
It’s a clever trick that helps ensure Apple’s presenters can speak naturally without the need to avoid saying “Siri.” At the same time, it avoids setting off millions of iPhones and annoying their owners when “Hey Siri” is uttered. It’s an ingenious solution that solves a thorny problem in a satisfyingly elegant way — and we wouldn’t expect anything less from Apple.
Meta says marketing has now crossed the 'AI threshold', pushing its suite of tools as an end-to-end platform that covers ad creation, testing and launching.
The company is now positioning product data as a key element, with AI capable of building and optimizing the most effective ad format for each individual viewer in real time thanks to the context and knowledge it gets from sellers' catalogs.
As a result, Meta envisions advertisers' roles evolving from content generation to managerial roles focused on providing the right context via product catalog data, brand assets and other creative materials.
At Cannes Lions 2026, the company announced a series of improvements designed to position its AI-powered marketing tools as an end-to-end platform, including a shared space where marketers can collaborate and make changes to campaigns.
Meta is also introducing brand memory, enhanced text generation tools and translations.
A collaboration with WPP has also opened up the platform to agencies so that third parties can step in to run ads for their clients.
According to Meta's blog post, advertisers are now seeing a $4.13 revenue return on their $1 advertising investments, marking a 25% increase since 2022.
At the event, the company also stressed the importance of creators in today's economy. Creator Marketplace and Partnership Ads Hub are now merging into the Meta Creator Marketing Hub so it's easier for creators to run schemes and work with brands.
Facebook creators are also being added to the Creator Marketplace, which previously only included Instagram creators.
"With these new updates, we’re accelerating our ecosystem and giving marketers, advertisers, and agencies a platform that compounds performance," Meta concluded.
The Drama is finally coming to HBO Max, with confirmation that it will arrive on one of the best streaming services on July 31.
A24's black comedy The Drama caused quite a stir with its dramatic marketing, teasing engagement photos of Robert Pattinson and Zendaya's characters. Even before I knew what it was about, I knew it would be a must-watch.
The Drama follows Emma and Charlie, whose relationship is tested by an unexpected revelation during the week before their wedding. What follows ensures that the movie definitely lives up to its name — that's all I'll say.
The Drama received mostly positive reviews, earning a 71% Rotten Tomatoes score, and there was plenty of praise for the two leads.
According to the critics' consensus: "Flirting with complex themes, The Drama walks a tonal tightrope with impressive poise thanks to career-highlight performances by Robert Pattinson and Zendaya."
The audience score is just as favorable, with the verdict being: "Elevated by remarkable performances, The Drama wrestles with questions of trust and forgiveness, drawing out profoundly uncomfortable emotions that linger long after the credits roll."
The movie is joining an impressive line-up of A24 movies from recent releases to the studio's earlier work. If you're a fan of black comedy and drama movies, you won't want to miss The Drama.
Unfortunately, there's still a little while to wait until it arrives. But we've got you covered, as you can check out our best HBO Max movies round-up to get more recommendations for what to watch.
Rockstar Games has unveiled the editions for Grand Theft Auto 6 and confirmed when fans can secure their pre-orders.
GTA 6 pre-orders are scheduled to begin on June 25 at midnight local time for the Standard and Ultimate Editions. The Standard Edition will cost $79.99, and the Ultimate Edition will cost $99.99.
As Rockstar details on its website, the Ultimate Editions "amplifies this experience with an exclusive collection of premium vehicles, weapons, apparel, and action threaded across all aspects of Jason and Lucia’s story."
Players who pre-order the Standard or Ultimate Edition before November 20 will also receive the Vintage Vice City Pack, which comes with a collection of items that "flash back to when the neon burned brightest."
Those who pre-order digital versions of GTA 6 can begin pre-loading on November 12, seven days in advance of the game's launch on November 19.
The physical version of GTA 6, which contains a download code inside the box, will be available starting November 12 to support pre-loading.
Developer Rockstar Games has announced the price of the highly anticipated upcoming game Grand Theft Auto 6, and it's not as bad as some were expecting.
A new press release states that the standard edition of the game will retail for $79.99 (which presumably means a £79.99 price point in the UK and around AU$125 in Australia). The more premium Ultimate Edition will then cost $99.99 and will come with some digital bonus content.
As per the official Rockstar site, Ultimate Edition buyers will get their hands on an "exclusive collection" of in-game items, including a selection of unique vehicles, matching revolvers for the protagonist duo, bonus customization options for guns, vehicles, and clothing, and more.
Anyone who purchases either edition before November 20, 2026 will get their hands on the Vintage Vice City Pack downloadable content (DLC) as well. This nets you the '55 Vapid Stanier sedan vehicle, a garage on Ocean Beach, and some retro outfits and hairstyles for the two playable characters. This is on top of a charming weapon pattern inspired by Vice City hero Tommy Vercetti's iconic shirt.
This news comes after months of speculation regarding how much the games will cost, with some analysts suggesting that it could cost as much as $100 to buy. With that in mind, the starting price of $79.99, while higher than that for most games, doesn't seem that bad.
Many developers also reportedly hoped that Rockstar would break the existing '$70 barrier'. With most AAA releases priced at $69.99 / £69.99, there's a chance that this announcement will kickstart a trend of $79.99 games. We'll just have to wait and see whether other companies follow suit.
Grand Theft Auto 6 is set to release on November 19, 2026 for PS5 and Xbox Series X and Series S. Pre-orders will begin on June 25 at midnight local time.
The press release does state that the physical version of GTA 6 will be released early on November 12 in order to support pre-loading, and will contain "a download code inside the box" rather than a standard physical game.
If you're interested in placing a physical pre-order as quickly as possible, you can save the search links below.
Enterprises built their early AI strategies in a world that assumed relative freedom of data movement. That world no longer exists, so how do they adjust to the new world?
While it’s a cliché that data is the new oil, the truth is that data does need to be able to flow around an organisation and come to rest in some central location, where it can be refined to extract insight and value.
In recent years, that refining has come, of course, via AI.
But if we really think that analogy through, it also captures some of the problems enterprises currently face managing data.
Recently, the world has seen what happens when the free flow of oil, gas, and other fundamental resources is disrupted. Governments and companies are scrambling to work around supply chain interruptions in the short term and looking for energy sovereignty and resilience in the long term. In this case, centralization has become a liability, thanks to a single, but critical, chokepoint.
In the same way, the upheaval created by AI, paired with governments’ and regulators’ attempts to manage its impact, means companies need to rethink how they architect and manage their data. The difference is that the ways traditional data flows around organizations are changing.
After all, a centralized approach made sense when moving data was straightforward. Now, however, governance and sovereignty concerns and data movement costs have changed the calculus.
AI alone has transformed the equation when it comes to the volume of data that must be managed. It’s not just training models that require massive amounts of data. Those models need constant updating and tuning with fresh data. And, if those models are to deliver value to the business, companies will be constantly running inference, which requires more data, and generates more data.
Unsurprisingly, governments and regulators have an interest in AI governance. This includes existing concerns about data residency and the possibility of new problems, such as data leakage into LLMs.
In Europe, for example, the regulatory landscape laid out by the GDPR mandate has been complicated by the rollout of the EU AI Act, which comes fully into force from August this year. In the US, companies face multiple federal and state-level regulations. Any, or all, of these could come into play as data is moved to that central refinery.
Governments also have an understandable strategic interest in developing sovereign AI, further complicating matters when it comes to both data and the models that work on it.
Once we consider this, it’s clear that only a few organizations are architected to handle the sheer scale of data involved in AI, and the governance it requires.
Companies grow messily, whether organically or through M&A, inheriting different infrastructures – and different governance regimes - as they sprawl across borders.
In the old world, free-flowing data might have been seen as efficient. Now, given the vast amount of data involved, generating copies of data and moving data across borders is both fraught with risk from a governance perspective. And with escalating cloud egress fees, data movement becomes extremely expensive. At the same time, moving or copying on-prem presents both a financial challenge, and imposes a burden on already stretched technology teams.
What are our options in this new world? Few technology leaders have the option of simply opting out of the whole AI revolution. Whatever your personal views on the technology, few C-suites are prepared to sidestep the AI race.
But we can lay out a roadmap for how to manage data – and compute – in this new world.
To start with, we need to understand the environment we’re really operating in. This may well include accepting that a hybrid or multi-cloud architecture is going to be the normal state of affairs. The very nature of AI, with companies needing to access multiple models and multiple services, means that traditional monolithic, central approaches simply won’t scale.
This, in turn, means every technology leader needs to be crystal clear on what governance means for their organisation and its data, whether that’s data privacy or residency requirements. And it’s imperative that governance is embedded in the AI workflow from the outset. It’s too important to be an afterthought or kicked down the road as other priorities arise.
What this makes clear is that it will normally make more sense to bring compute and those critical AI models to the data, not the other way round.
This isn’t just about reducing data movement costs or producing multiple copies of data. It’s about reducing the friction that comes with reconciling governance requirements as data moves around organizations and across borders. But it can also mean reduced latency and fresher data, making AI more effective.
That’s not to say that it’s not sometimes necessary to move data. But if that’s the case, let’s be mindful and deliberate about it.
But while data becomes increasingly decentralized, it’s imperative that we centralize the management of data access and build the platform accordingly. This lays the groundwork for clear data governance and sovereign AI alike.
By rethinking how they manage data movement, technology leaders can bypass the escalating egress costs and compliance traps embedded in the old way of doing things. The result is an AI strategy that is both scalable and sustainable, enabling enterprise-grade AI, wherever their data lives.
We feature the best data migration tools.
This article was produced as part of TechRadar Pro Perspectives, our channel to feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today.
The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/pro/perspectives-how-to-submit
You might know the brand from its beloved Focal Bathys headphones, or more recently for its expensive floor-standing speakers, but Focal is also making great strides in another musical arena: automotive.
The company has teamed up with car company DS Automobiles to unveil a brand-new audiophile-adjacent car: the DS No 7.
I'm no automotive journalist, but even I can tell you that this is a partially- or fully-electric SUV which seats four people comfortably and — given the 14 Focal speakers that'll be dotted around them — rather happily too, I'd venture.
The electric model costs £49,190 (about $66,000, AU$100,000, though DS Automobiles doesn't sell in those regions) while the hybrid one goes for £38,290 (roughly $52,000, AU$80,000). Although that may sound pretty pricey, it's actually cheaper than some Focal tower speakers…
Let's get to the meat of the thing: audio. Focal's presence here is to make an in-car audio system sound sublime. To that end, the French audio specialist has kitted out the DS No 7 with 14 speakers, to create a surround-sound system. These include two tweeters mounted on the roof, four woofers and a subwoofer called a Power Flower (yes, really). The 14 are spread across the vehicle, to fill the car with sound.
Keeping the car audio running is a 690W class D amplifier. It also uses a Focal-made DSP to emphasize the spatial benefits of all these speakers, whether you're seated in the front seats or the back ones.
Focal has also contributed some design ideas to the car, to improve audio. The windows are laminated, and materials used in the design absorb sound, to control audio nasties like echo and diffraction.
As an audio journalist, I've always been led to believe that car sound systems are a means to fight a losing battle. No matter how refined your driver set-up is, if it's fighting with the noise of the street and other vehicles (and the fact that the driver isn't seated in the middle 'sweet spot' unlike on a motorbike where the driver's ears are naturally equidistant from speakers), you're going to be having an imperfect time.
So maybe Focal's found a way to fix this. Or perhaps it's a sound system for when you're idling somewhere quiet, watching TikToks on your phone…
As AI agents proliferate into the web, a Senior Staff Research Scientist at Google DeepMind warns that scale makes failure inevitable.
The post Google DeepMind Admits Large-Scale AI Agent Deployment Is Unsafe Today appeared first on Search Engine Journal.
Halo: Campaign Evolved will launch with DLSS, FSR, and XeSS on PC alongside low-latency modes for all GPU vendors Halo Studios have officially released the PC system requirements of Halo: Campaign Evolved, confirming that the game will launch with DLSS, XeSS, and FSR on PC. Additionally, low-latency modes are supported on GPUs from all vendors. […]
The post Here’s what you need to run Halo: Campaign Evolved on PC appeared first on OC3D.
If you have an Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S, you probably need more storage. Having to uninstall a game to install a new game or an update to one of your favorite titles is a hassle.
The Seagate Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S is a plug-and-play solution that lets you expand the storage of your console.
Right now, all sizes of the Seagate Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S are on sale. The 1TB model costs $189.99 at Amazon (was $249.99), the 2TB version costs $259.99 (was $349.99) at Amazon. Best Buy's deal on the 4TB card drops the price to $549.99 (was $649.99).
"Seagate's Storage Expansion Card is the best way to add more space to the latest Xbox consoles, while avoiding the annoying limitations of USB drives. While it's an expensive investment that might be hard to justify, those who drop the cash won't be disappointed with the returns." — Matt Brown, former Senior Editor
Windows Central review:⭐⭐⭐⭐View Deal
This 2TB model has double the storage of the base expansion card and is a great way to get more space for games on your Xbox Series X|S.View Deal
This massive 4TB expansion card is the largest available for your Xbox Series X|S.View Deal
The Seagate Expansion Card is the simplest way to expand the storage of your console. There's no setup or configuration required to use the card.
Xbox Series X|S games can be massive. Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 alone is 161GB, and that's without DLC. The Seagate Expansion Card delivers similar speeds to the native storage of the Xbox Series X|S, so you can store games on the card and play them without having to transfer files around.
The Seagate Expansion Card also supports Quick Resume, which is a feature that lets you pause your game and power down your console and then pick up exactly where you left off when you load the game again.
Considering how big games are and how many great games are available on the Xbox Series X|S and on the way to the consoles, an expansion card of some kind is a must have. The Seagate Expansion Card is the easiest to use, quick enough to play games off, and is a great deal during Prime Day.
Prime Day discounts and a deal at Best Buy provide the best prices on the Seagate Expansion Card, but if those deals expire, you can check out these alternatives:
1TB
2TB
The Seagate Expansion Card is meant to be used with an Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S, but it can work with a PC if you pair it with the right adapter.
Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.
Out of all the gaming accessory manufacturers, Razer has got to be my absolute favorite. From providing comfortable gaming chairs to esports-ready controllers and headsets, Razer's products have enriched mine and many others' lives, and it's about to enrich a lot more of them.
Razer is hosting an Amazon Prime Day sale on several of its top-grade PC gaming peripherals, lifestyle furniture, controllers, and more for a limited time, and we've rounded up some of its best for you to check out.
"The Razer Viper V3 Pro is the new champion of Razer's high-end esports gaming lineup, and it packs a ton of impressive tech into a lightweight package." ~ Zachary Boddy, former Staff Writer
Windows Central Review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ View Deal
"The Razer Basilisk V3 Pro 35K takes an already great mouse and elevates it further. Its bulk and weight won’t be for everyone, but there’s no doubt it brings an awful lot to the table." ~ Alex Blake, Freelance Contributor at TechRadar
TechRadar Review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ View Deal
"The Razer Huntsman V3 Pro is undeniable as the world's most advanced gaming keyboard. Adjustable actuation and endless customization make it a boon for any professional esports gamer." ~ Zachary Boddy, former Staff Writer
Windows Central Review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐View Deal
"The Razer Huntsman V3 Pro is undeniable as the world's most advanced gaming keyboard. Adjustable actuation and endless customization make it a boon for any professional esports gamer." ~ Christopher Coke, Contributing Writer at Tom's Hardware
Tom's Hardware Review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐View Deal
"The Razer Kraken V4 refines the comfortable design to be slimmer and more attractive, adds more RGB lighting, and improves the audio quality across the board." ~ Zachary Boddy, former Staff Writer
Windows Central Review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ View Deal
"Razer has finally made a wireless controller for the Xbox and overall it's absolutely brilliant. Combining the best aspects of previous Wolverine controllers, Razer has updated it for the present day with its excellent mouse switch technology, hall effect sticks and an ergonomic design that I would argue is better even than Microsoft's own." — Richard Devine, Managing Editor
Windows Central review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½View Deal
"The Razer Kishi V3 Pro takes everything great about Razer's excellent Kishi Ultra and adds more buttons and features and plenty of other enhancements. It's truly the ultimate mobile gaming controller, as long as you don't mind the size." ~ Zachary Boddy, former Staff Writer
Windows Central Review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ View Deal
This is the extra-large version of the Kishi V3 Pro controller built to accommodate Android and iPad tablets up to 13-inches big.View Deal
"The Razer Basilisk V3 Pro 35K takes an already great mouse and elevates it further. Its bulk and weight won’t be for everyone, but there’s no doubt it brings an awful lot to the table." ~ Rhys Wood, Hardware Editor at TechRadar
TechRadar Review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ View Deal
"Despite its stiff backrest and lumbar support, the Razer Iskur V2 X is a great gaming chair with high-quality seat cushioning and padded armrests that will keep you relaxed during long periods of gaming." ~ Alex Corden, Staff Writer
Windows Central Review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ View Deal
This is the upgraded version of the Iskur V2 X chair built with Razer Gen-2 EPU leather and Cool tech, so it's 13 times more durable, breathable, and comfortable to sit in.
View Deal
Amazon's Prime Day June event starts on June 23, 2026 and will last until June 26, 2026.
Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.
Just when we thought that high-speed 4TB solid-state drives were out of reach for the majority of the masses, Amazon’s Prime Day 2026 sale drops another banger in the form of Acer’s Predator GM7 PCIe NVMe Gen 4 SSD. For a limited time period, you can grab these uber-capacity units for only $469.99 after a 23 percent discount, giving you a golden opportunity to not only increase your storage but also make your system snappier. The Predator GM7 is equipped with SLC Cache to ensure that games load faster and file transfers don’t lose their performance Acer’s PCIe NVMe Gen […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/acer-predator-gm7-4tb-ssd-now-470-on-amazon/
Rockstar Games provided some new details today on GTA 6 ahead of the grand opening of the pre-orders tomorrow, June 25. Besides confirming the bonuses that PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S users will get to enjoy by purchasing the Ultimate Edition, the development studio confirmed that retail copies will not include any disc, but only a download code. "The physical version of Grand Theft Auto VI, containing a download code inside the box, will be available starting November 12 to support pre-loading," Rockstar Games wrote on its official website. While releasing retail copies earlier to allow pre-loading ahead of […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/gta-6-retail-copies-digital-code-leaks-single-player/
Rockstar Games has just confirmed that GTA VI will be priced at $80, thus putting to rest long-held fears of a higher price. The studio also shared gorgeous new Grand Theft Auto VI screenshots and key details about the GTA VI Ultimate Edition, just hours ahead of the opening of pre-orders, which will happen at midnight local time on June 25. This version of GTA VI offers an exclusive collection of premium vehicles, weapons, apparel, and other story-linked content for Jason and Lucia across the game's progression. The Ultimate Edition is priced at $100 and includes: These bonuses unlock gradually as Jason and Lucia […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/gta-vi-price-80-dollars-rockstar-pre-orders/
Amidst surging component prices that are driving up the cost of gaming hardware - both for systems already available and those launching very soon like Valve's new Steam Machine - Sony is facing multiple challenges for its PlayStation 6 console. Besides having to make it a compelling upgrade for existing PlayStation 5 users, the Japanese company also needs to keep manufacturing costs down as much as possible. One of the centerpieces of this strategy, according to a new leak from Moore's Law Is Dead, is AI-driven frame generation via ongoing research into Virtual Frame Interpolation (VFI). During the latest episode […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/playstation-6-frame-generation-deliver-4k-120-fps/
The Renewed Premium store belonging to Amazon has your favorite iPhone 17 Pro stocked, and if you’re worried about getting a lemon, don’t worry, because each unit is individually inspected for serious levels of wear and tear. The perks of shopping for units at the online store are that Prime Day 2026 gives you a chance to grab Apple’s flagship for up to $250 off, making the deal one of the best that we’ve spotted. The best ‘price to performance’ is the Cosmic Orange version of the iPhone 17 Pro with 512GB of storage, and here’s why Since these Renewed […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/iphone-17-pro-unlocked-and-renewed-premium-models-are-up-to-250-off-on-amazon/
Chinese companies are paying as much as 600,000 Chinese Yuan ($82,000) for servers built around Nvidia's five-year-old A100 accelerator and modifying gaming GPUs to run AI workloads, as a U.S. smuggling crackdown and a Chinese customs freeze on legally approved chips choke off every other supply route at once, according to the Financial Times. The price of an A100 server has roughly tripled since late last year, while Nvidia's flagship DGX B300 system has doubled to more than 8 million ($1.1 million) on the black market over the past six months.
Servers built on the A100, a data-center GPU Nvidia launched in 2020, have climbed from about 200,000 Chinese Yuan ($22,300) to as much as 600,000 ($67,000) since late last year, the FT reported, citing chip traders. Demand has also pulled in gaming processors that can be modified to run inference.
Nvidia's restricted Blackwell hardware sits at the top of the same market: the RTX 6000 Pro workstation card has risen from roughly 50,000 Chinese Yuan ($5,580) at the start of the year to as much as 130,000 ($14,500), and the DGX B300, which retails in the U.S. for nearly $400,000, now trades above $1.1 million. Renting is no cheaper, with an FT survey finding that GPU rates inside China now match or exceed U.S. prices, reversing the discount that the abundant smuggled supply once provided.
Washington tightened enforcement at the end of last year, and in March, a Supermicro co-founder was charged over an alleged $2.5 billion scheme to route Nvidia AI servers to Chinese buyers. Authorities in Taiwan and Malaysia subsequently opened their own smuggling investigations, drying up the re-export routes traders had relied on. Building data centers from smuggled chips is a "dead-end," Nvidia told the outlet, adding that it provides no support or repairs for restricted products.
Beijing itself closed legal channels from the other side. After the Trump administration approved H200 exports to China, Chinese customs were instructed to block the chips at the border, and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick later confirmed that Nvidia hadn't sold a single H200 to a Chinese company months later. Both moves push buyers toward the same destination: Huawei, which has positioned its Ascend 950PR, launched in March, as the inference chip of choice for domestic firms.
It’s understood that the 950PR is currently undergoing testing at large data center clients in China, but output is still limited, and its native CANN software stack substantially trails Nvidia’s CUDA, so domestic supply can’t yet absorb the demand the import freeze has redirected.
Rising memory prices are only compounding all this, with one trader saying that moving away from Nvidia hardware had become harder as component costs climbed, a knock-on from the DRAM and HBM shortage now working through every tier of the AI hardware stack. Until Huawei scales the 950PR, which will take some time, or Beijing greenlights H200 imports, which is highly unlikely, prices for the remaining A100 inventory in China will continue to rise.
Yesterday, we brought you some poppin' deals on TP-Link Wi-Fi networking gear, and today, we're back in action with the latest sales from Netgear. Netgear has a wide assortment of Wi-Fi 7 hardware, ranging from entry-level dual-band Wi-Fi 7 routers to premium tri- and quad-band Orbi mesh routers.
Today, you’ll find deals on everything from EXS25 plug-in range extender to the Orbi 770 tri-band mesh system.
The Netgear Orbi 770, currently on sale, is a mid-range Wi-Fi 7 mesh system that includes two wireless nodes. The system carries a regular asking price of $549.99, but is currently available with a $125 discount, taking the price to $424.99.
The main node (router) features three 2.5 GbE LAN ports and a dedicated 2.5 GbE WAN. The second node (satellite) only features two 2.5 GbE ports. Interestingly, neither node includes a USB 3.x port, which is increasingly common at this price point.
Regarding wireless connectivity, the Orbi 770 supports 2.4 GHz at up to 688 Mbps, 5 GHz at up to 4,320 Mbps, and 6 GHz at up to 5,760 Mbps. It also covers up to 5,550 square feet, which should be more than adequate for the average American home (around 2,220 square feet). Managing the Orbi 770 can be done using Netgear's web GUI or the Orbi smartphone app.
We reviewed the three-node variant of the Orbi 770 and praise its easy of use and plentiful ports, but knocked it for the high price. This Amazon Prime Day sale addresses our primary concern.
The Orbi 700 Wi-Fi 7 mesh router is designed to envelope a spacious 5,500 square feet of space with peak speeds of up to 11 Gbps. These speedy routers come with three 2.5 GbE LAN ports and a single 2.5 GbE WAN port. View Deal
The Nighthawk RS90, RS140, and RS180 are all dual-band Wi-Fi 7 routers, meaning that they don't include the higher-performance 6 GHz radio. While that means that short-range performance suffers compared to a tri-band router (when using a compatible Wi-Fi 7 or Wi-Fi 6E client), it allows them to be offered at much lower prices. The RS90 is priced at just $87.89 (33% off). The RS90 includes four GbE ports, one 2.5 GbE WAN port, and supports up to 2,000 square feet.
The RS140, on sale for $121.46, is a slight step up, offering faster cumulative speeds across the two bands (5 Gbps versus 3.6 Gbps) while increasing coverage to 2,250 square feet. It also comes with three GbE LAN ports and one 2.5 GbE WAN port.
The RS180 is faster still, offering up to 5.5 Gbps speeds while boosting coverage to 2,500 square feet. It also brings upgraded hardware with three GbE LAN ports, one 2.5 GbE LAN port, a 2.5 GbE WAN port, and a single USB 3.0 port for network storage. It’s currently priced at $142.99, representing a 28% discount.
This Wi-Fi 7 router covers 2,500 square feet at up to 5.5 Gbps speeds, and also sports one 2.5 GbE and three 1GbE LAN ports along with a single 2.5 GbE for WAN connectivity. View Deal
The Wi-Fi 7 RS140 covers up to 2,250 square feet at 5.0 Gbps and supports up to 80 devices. This Dual-Band router comes with three 1 GbE LAN ports and one 2.5 GbE WAN port. View Deal
Netgear's Nighthawk RS90 is a dual-band Wi-Fi 7 router with a sleek exterior (aided by its internal antennas). It also has a full load of GbE and 2.5 GbE ports to support your wired client.View Deal
The EXS25 is a slightly different beast, as it's a Wi-FI 7 range extender. It's on sale for $99, a 33% discount off its regular price. The EXS25 is a dual-band Wi-Fi 7 extender that plugs directly into a free wall outlet.
Once set up, it adds an additional 1,500 square feet of coverage to your wireless network while supporting up to 4.5 Gbps speeds. The EXS25 can work with any wireless router, not just Netgear-branded ones. In addition, thanks to its 2.5 GbE port, you can use it to add wireless functionality to a device that only supports a wired network connection.
This Wi-Fi 7 range extender covers 1,500 square feet and runs at 4.5 Gbps, supporting up to 45 devices to enable easy roaming in far-flung areas away from your router. View Deal
According to Netgear, are only good through June 26, so you had better act fast if you want to want to upgrade or expand your home wireless network.
If you're looking for more savings, check out our Best PC Hardware deals for a range of products, or dive deeper into our specialized SSD and Storage Deals, Hard Drive Deals, Gaming Monitor Deals, Graphics Card Deals, Gaming Chair, Best Wi-Fi Routers, or CPU Deals pages.
The best deal on gaming RAM we've seen so far on Prime Day isn't even on Amazon. You can pick up 32GB of fast DDR5 RAM for the equivalent of just $215 right now, thanks to this Newegg combo bundle, which combines 32GB of Corsair Vengeance DDR5-6000 memory with a Gigabyte X870 Aorus Elite Wifi 7 Ice motherboard for $479.99.
That's a good mid-tier board for an all-white AM5 build, but let's be honest, it's the RAM you care about. If you want an Intel alternative, though, you can spend a dollar less and pick up the same RAM, in black, for the equivalent of just $214. Alongside the same spec Corsair Vengeance 32GB DDR5 kit, you're getting a Gigabyte Z890 Aorus Master Ultra Core board instead for $563.98.
● Check out this AMD combo deal with RAM for $215 on Newegg ($479.99 total)
● Check out this Intel combo deal with RAM for $214 on Newegg ($563.98 total)
An AMD gaming PC build is the clear favorite among gamers at the moment, so let's focus on that kit deal first.
You're getting a Gigabyte X870E Aorus Elite Wi-Fi 7 motherboard to start off your build or upgrade. This is a solid, mid-tier motherboard with a feast of gaming-friendly features to sink your teeth into. It's AM5, so this will fit all the latest AMD CPUs, and comes with a total of 12 USBs at the rear, including two USB-C ports rated at 40 Gbps. Four M.2 sockets are included for a collection of SSDs (if you've got them), with three rated for PCIe 5.0 over four lanes when you're using a CPU like the 9800X3D. One further slot is rated for PCIe 4.0 SSDs, too. It comes with fast networking capabilities, including 2.5G Ethernet and Wi-Fi 7. You can also install up to 256GB of DDR5 RAM over four DIMM slots, with speeds of up to 8,200 MT/s, although this bundle only ships with 32GB.
Snag an incredible deal with this 2-item Newegg combo. It ships with 32GB of Corsair Vengeance DDR5-6000 RAM and a Gigabyte X870 Aorus Elite Wifi7 Ice motherboard. The equivalent RAM cost is just $215.View Deal
The board itself is white, so while it isn't a must-have, it'll go well with an all-white build, including the case. You're getting a fast set of 32GB Corsair Vengeance DDR5 RAM, in a kit of 2 x 16GB, supporting speeds of 6,000 MT/s. Corsair is a popular and trusted brand for RAM, and while it performs well, it also looks great, with ten-zone configurable lighting on top of a matching all-white body.
The total cost of the bundle is $479.99, with the motherboard costing $224.99 individually. That makes the RAM just $215, which is around $135 less than the cheapest equivalent kit on sale, anywhere else.
Intel fans can choose this deal instead, however. 32GB of Corsair Vengeance DDR5-6000 RAM, this time in black, with a Gigabyte Z890 Aorus Master Ultra Core motherboard, which scored well in our review. As we said then, this is a good choice that gives you everything you'd want from a mid-tier gaming motherboard.
Get 32GB of Corsair Vengeance DDR5-6000 RAM and a Gigabyte Z890 Aorus Master Ultra motherboard, a Newegg combo deal that brings the RAM cost down to just $214.View Deal
It ships with a good selection of USB ports, with 14 in total on the rear I/O. Ultra-fast 10G Ethernet is included here, along with WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity. You get five M.2 sockets, as well as two that support Gen 5 SSDs. It's a build-friendly board for novice PC builders, too, supporting a number of Gigabyte's 'EZ' DIY-friendly features to help put a PC together more quickly. This'll support Intel CPUs with the LGA 1851 socket type, including the latest Arrow Lake CPUs like the new Intel Core Ultra 270K Plus.
RAM is the big one, though. Again, 32GB DDR5 Corsair Vengeance, split over two 16GB modules, with RGB lighting. Two modules mean this is dual-channel memory, so your PC will have double the available bandwidth between the RAM and CPU. The end result is a boost in frame rates and significantly better load times when both modules are installed. The RAM cost here is equivalent to just $214, a $1 cheaper than the AMD bundle, but the cost overall is higher.
Variety is the spice of life, and you've got two solid RAM bundles from Newegg to choose from here that will save you $135 or more compared to buying any rival RAM with the same specs separately. The AMD bundle for $479.99, which brings the RAM cost down to $215, is almost unbeatable, but the Intel bundle for $563.98, making the RAM $214, is unstoppable, too. Pick either of them fast, though, because these prices are too good to last, and they will sell out quickly.
If you're looking for more savings, check out our Best PC Hardware deals for a range of products, or dive deeper into our specialized SSD and Storage Deals, Hard Drive Deals, Gaming Monitor Deals, Graphics Card Deals, Gaming Chair, Best Wi-Fi Routers, Best Motherboard, or CPU Deals pages.
If you want a massive OLED gaming monitor for work and play, this MSI 49-inch ultrawide behemoth is now just $699 in Newegg's Prime Day rival sale.
Usually priced at $849, this $150 saving gets you a massive 49-inch panel with HDR 400, 144Hz refresh rate, and more.
While there are Prime Day monitor sales aplenty, Amazon can't match this Newegg price on the 491CQP. This monitor would be ideal for someone who wants an expansive display for productivity as well as gaming, and it's the perfect alternative to a setup with lots of different monitors scattered all over your desk.
Get a 5120 x 1440 monitor with OLED panel, 144Hz refresh rate, 0.03ms GtG response time, Display HDR True Black 400, and a bunch of ports. View Deal
This is a great display solution for someone who wants to just buy one monitor and never think about display real estate for years. While it doesn't have 4K resolution, the 5120 x 1440 resolution is the equivalent of having two 1440p monitors side-by-side.
The quantum dot OLED panel offers 1.07 billion colors, DisplayHDR True Black 400, and a 144Hz refresh rate. Thanks to OLED tech, you also get a 0.03ms GTG response time.
This monitor also includes USB-C with 90W power delivery, so you can plug a laptop into it and use the monitor like a giant OLED dock. KVM support means you can control multiple devices using one keyboard and mouse. Other ports include two HDMI 2.1 ports, and DisplayPort 1.4a.
MSI's monitor comes with a 3-year OLED warranty to protect against burn-in should the need arise.
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Meta has suspended an internal AI training program after an internal data leak exposed sensitive employee information company-wide, according to a Business Insider report on June 22. The program, introduced in April, was designed to help Meta train AI systems on real employee workflows by gathering data, but has now triggered internal backlash over privacy and data security.
Screenshots obtained by Business Insider showed that data collected through the program was more broadly accessible within Meta than intended. The exposed information reportedly included private employee conversations, performance-related data, transcriptions, and activity records. Meta classified the incident as a SEV 2, on an internal scale of 0 to 5, where SEV 0 is the most severe.
A Meta spokesperson confirmed that the company has paused the program while it investigates the incident. "We have carefully designed this program with privacy safeguards, and while we have no indication at this time that any data was improperly accessed by Meta employees, we're pausing it while we investigate," the spokesperson told Business Insider. The incident does not appear to be an external hack but rather an internal data mismanagement.
Meta introduced the program, called the Model Capability Initiative, to monitor employee behavior for use in improving its AI models. The program, which the company reportedly made mandatory for most staff, collected data on employees’ work activities, including keystrokes, mouse movements, conversations, transcripts, and performance-related information.
Employees were reportedly uncomfortable with the idea of their keystrokes and mouse movements being recorded for AI training. Now they're finding out the data may not have been properly protected, and was widely accessible across the company rather than restricted to intended viewers.
Screenshots reviewed by Business Insider reportedly showed employees criticizing the failure to lock down the data from the start. “I am incensed,” one employee wrote in an internal group, according to the report. Another said there was no evidence of malicious access, but called the lack of promised restrictions “super frustrating.”
The episode is the latest in a frustrating stretch for Meta's workforce. The company has cut thousands of jobs in part to fund AI infrastructure behind more powerful AI systems; the same class of systems that Meta and other companies are deploying to replace workers. Building these models also requires vast amounts of training data, and Meta turned to its own employees to supply it, a move most employees were reportedly against. Now these employees have learned that the data they were compelled to hand over was not adequately secured, leaving it exposed to much of the company.
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Password manager LastPass confirmed that it lost sensitive customer data in a supply chain attack that struck a third party.
As LastPass explained in a newly released incident report, unnamed threat actors first targeted Klue, a third-party market intelligence platform that integrates with its Salesforce and Gong systems. After obtaining its OAuth tokens, the attackers were able to access LastPass’ Salesforce environment and exfiltrate sensitive data stored there.
“On June 12th, LastPass was made aware of an incident that occurred at Klue (klue.com), a third-party market intelligence platform utilized by our go-to-market teams, which integrates with our Salesforce and Gong systems,” LastPass said.
"We immediately launched an investigation and learned that, as part of this incident, an unauthorized actor was able to obtain OAuth tokens Klue held for many of its customers, including LastPass.”
“The threat actor then used these credentials to access LastPass customer data within our Salesforce environment.”
Further in the report, the password manager said the attackers most likely accessed customer names, phone numbers, email addresses, postal addresses, support case information, and sales/CRM-related data.
Passwords, including the master password, were most likely not exposed. However, criminals can use the data they obtained to launch phishing attacks, through which they might trick the victims into sharing those secrets, as well.
LastPass is now urging customers to remain vigilant and be careful with incoming messages, particularly those claiming to come from the company.
According to BleepingComputer, the Klue supply chain attack was claimed by a threat actor called Icarus, which apparently used compromised legacy credentials for an integration service to breach the intelligence platform.
Besides LastPass, a number of other organizations are affected as well, the publication further reported, including Recorded Future, Tanium, Jamf, Sprout Social, Gong, and Insurity. LastPass has now disabled employee access to Klue.
Via BleepingComputer
We're nearing the end of the World Cup 2026 group stages, and things are hotting up — both metaphorically and literally. A temperatures in my living room soar, I've decided it's time to take my game viewing outside, where I can enjoy the action with the cool evening breeze on my face.
For that, I need a projector — and now's a really good time to buy one. We're in the middle of the Amazon Prime Day sale (with retailers like Currys, AO and Very running rival deals events), so there are plenty of discounts to be had if you know where to look.
• View the full Amazon Prime Day sale
Below, I've rounded up the best projector deals I've spotted, including the ones I'm deciding between for my own al fresco watch parties. I've stuck to sub-£450 buys here, which means they're more basic options, and most are compact and portable, too. If you're looking for something higher-end that will be more of a permanent fixture, head to our best projector guide for our top picks.
Xgimi's range is worth checking out in particular, as are Anker's Nebula projectors. We haven't reviewed these specific models, but we have tested similar products from those brands, and been impressed. Our Anker Nebula Mars 3 is the larger and higher-specced sibling of the Mars 3 Air Mini featured below, for instance, and scored four stars in our review. We called the Xgimi Mogo 3 "a strong contender for the portable projector crown", too — and its successor is included in my deals roundup.
Scroll down for more excellent deals, and happy watching...
The in-ear audio market has exploded in the past couple of years, and that includes gaming earbuds, with a whole host of brands releasing in-ear options. I've tested a bunch of them, and the good news is that some of these are among the current Amazon Prime Day deals.
• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale
Even premium sets like the excellent SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds that I use across platforms, and the brilliant planar-magnetic PlayStation Pulse Explore earbuds that I love to use with my PlayStation Portal, have price cuts right now.
Note that not all the discounts and prices below are the same in the US and UK. But I can almost guarantee that whatever you're looking for, on either side of the pond, you'll find something excellent.
Traveling to the 2026 World Cup means joining hundreds of thousands of fans in crowded cities across North America.
Airports, stadiums, fan zones, and hotels are all packed with people competing for the same public Wi-Fi networks. These connections are often slow and insecure, making personal data vulnerable to interception.
To stay protected without sacrificing speed, you need more than just a VPN – you need the best VPN with the right settings. Tuning your VPN configuration helps keep your connection secure and fast, no matter where you go during this summer’s tournament.
Just turning on your VPN isn’t always enough to cut through the noise of a packed stadium or busy airport terminal. To get good speeds and real security when thousands of people are online at once, here are five specific settings to tweak:
WireGuard is the superior protocol choice for modern devices, offering faster connection speeds and lower latency compared to OpenVPN or IKEv2.
This efficiency matters when network congestion is high. WireGuard establishes secure tunnels more quickly, reducing wait times. If your provider offers OpenVPN, it's a great alternative for compatibility, but for raw performance in crowded zones, WireGuard is best.
If you've never heard of transport protocols before, think of them as the delivery method your VPN uses to move data. Most commonly, you'll see TCP and UDP as your choices for this.
On congested networks, TCP’s reliability mechanisms can add delay when packets are lost. UDP avoids this overhead by sending data without waiting for confirmation.
In a crowded stadium where every millisecond counts, switching to UDP can reduce latency and improve responsiveness for smooth VPN streaming even when the network is struggling to keep up.
With split tunneling, you can choose which apps can be routed outside the VPN’s encrypted tunnel. At a stadium, your banking app needs maximum security, but a local map app might benefit from direct access to avoid unnecessary latency.
Excluding non-sensitive apps from encryption can reduce bandwidth strain and prevent compatibility issues with local networks that sometimes block VPN traffic entirely.
Connecting to the server closest to your physical location often results in lower ping and faster speeds. However, nearby servers may be overwhelmed by thousands of users connecting simultaneously.
If your current location lags, try switching to a server slightly further away that’s under less user load. Avoid jumping between regions unnecessarily, as crossing international borders increases the distance data travels and introduces lag that ruins live streaming.
In monitored environments like airports, deep packet inspection can detect and block standard VPN traffic.
Obfuscation disguises VPN traffic as regular HTTPS web traffic, allowing you to bypass firewalls and censorship attempts. Although this adds processing that might marginally impact speed, the ability to stay connected when other connections fail more than makes up for this.
Norton VPN: now only $39.99 for 12-month coverage
Norton VPN handles 2026 World Cup crowds well. With servers in over two dozen North American cities, it’s designed for high traffic. It features native WireGuard support and built-in obfuscation to bypass congestion and blocks. Plus, a generous 60-day money-back guarantee gives you plenty of risk-free time to test these tweaks.View Deal
As you prepare to cheer on your national team at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, make sure your setup can handle the packed stadiums and busy airports.
By selecting the right VPN protocol, using UDP, and enabling features like split tunneling, you can protect your data and keep your device safe so you can enjoy the World Cup worry-free..
With Videodrome, Mulholland Drive, and Wild at Heart among my favorite movies of all time, I can't help but be tickled by the David Lynch-themed title of this week's Rick and Morty season 9 episode: Erickerhead.
A clever play on Eraserhead, we could expect the Smith family to turn their typical extraterrestrial adventures into something even more surreal. As the synopsis cryptically hints, "Rick's stomach is mad, broh. But it's all-you-can-eat-and-drink here, broh."
Truthfully, that could mean anything. But when does Rick and Morty season 9 episode 6 arrive on Adult Swim, Hulu, and HBO Max?
In the US, Rick and Morty season 9 episode 6 will debut on Adult Swim on Sunday, June 28 at 8pm PT / 11pm ET.
Viewers elsewhere, as well as in the US, have two streaming options: Hulu and HBO Max. Episodes should appear on these platforms 24 hours after they've aired on Adult Swim, meaning you can expect episode 6 on Monday, June 29.
These are the timings you need to take note of:
Rick and Morty season 9 is set to have 10 episodes. As long as there are no unexpected delays, we can expect it to have the following release schedule:
If you’re looking to buy an instant film camera, there are only two serious names in the game: Polaroid, and Fujifilm Instax. While some manufacturers like Canon and Kodak offer digital instant-print cameras that use techniques like dye-sublimation to create instant prints of digital images on specialist paper, it’s not the same. For the true alchemical magic of instant film, you Polaroid and Instax are the big hitters.
Polaroid is undoubtedly the better-known brand name due to its long history, dating back to the 1940s (though hitting major popularity in the 70s). It spent a few years in the wilderness following a bankruptcy in the early 2000s, before being purchased and revitalised in 2017 by an analog film collective called The Impossible Project. All the proper Polaroid cameras you can buy new today have been released since this renaissance.
Instax cameras may not have the historical cachet of Polaroids, but they are massively popular — Fujifilm reported last year that its Instax line has sold more than 100 million units since its inception in 1998. I don’t have similar sales data on post-revival Polaroid, but frankly, I don’t think it’s anywhere close.
Ultimately, there are compelling reasons to choose either brand. The Instax mini 12 is TR's pick as the best instant camera, and I can see why — it's a great option for the majority of users. But for me personally, it’s Polaroid all the way.
It’s not a question of print size, as both brands have similar offerings. Fujifilm Instax Wide film is about the same size as a Polaroid I-Type (or SX-70) print, just rectangular rather than square. Polaroid’s smaller ‘Go’ film produces prints of comparable dimensions to Instax mini.
What it’s all about is vibe. Scoff if you want, but come on — you’re shooting instant film. You’re not here for accurate colors or pitch-perfect sharpness, you’re here because you love the tangibility of holding a print in your hands, the transportative lo-fi look of a format that’s been around for half a century. It’s all vibe.
I’ve shot Polaroid and Instax prints side by side before for comparison. Once, while I was viewing them, my partner made an astute observation that I have since stolen and made my own: the Instax catches your eye first, but you end up liking the Polaroid more. Instax prints are bright and vivid, with naturalistic colors and a decent level of detail, especially the Wide format. They’re fun and kitschy.
But Polaroid images just have that inimitable retro glow that instantly transports me back in time. The softer, more muted color palette makes images less immediately striking, but more satisfying the longer I look at them. There’s a richness to them, a greater sense of depth and subtle tonality. If I were embarking on an artistic project with instant film, there’s no question which format I’d choose. It wouldn’t even be a decision.
Instax cameras are easier to use for sure — most are just point and shoot. If I were recommending an instant camera for a family, or for someone who isn’t an experienced photographer, I’d go with Instax. But for me, as someone who knows my way around a camera, the depth of control offered by the top-end Polaroid cameras leaves Instax in the dust.
Connect to the Polaroid app, which works very smoothly and is highly intuitive, and you can completely program in your settings, taking total control over your images. Want to try your hand at creating long exposures on instant film? It’s straightforward on a Polaroid Flip or Polaroid I-2, and impossible on an Instax Mini 99.
Sure, Polaroids aren’t perfect. The ongoing cost of I-Type film is a sore point, with packs of eight shots costing the same as a pack of 20 shots of Instax Wide or Mini. This sucks. No way to pretend it doesn’t. Buying in bulk can help a little, though honestly not a lot. At least the smaller Polaroid Go film is much cheaper, and I prefer it to Instax Mini. Again, its subtler look is less striking, but richer.
Do you agree? Let me know which is your preferred instant-film format in the poll above. And if you’re looking for an instant-film camera to buy, see my explainer on why the Polaroid Go Gen 2 is the best buy you can make this Prime Day and click on today's best deals where you live using the links below.
Most executives have no idea how much of their website traffic comes from AI agents.
If you were to ask which AI agents are legitimate and which are impersonating trusted names to scrape data, they’d struggle to tell them apart, a problem that’s growing by the day.
In early 2026, AI and bots generated billions of requests, outpacing internet traffic from humans.
This is no longer a fringe activity; AI agents are now a persistent, substantial portion of the traffic hitting websites.
Yet most organisations can’t tell you what that traffic is doing, where it’s really coming from, and whether it’s helping or hurting their business.
When organisations hear that AI agent traffic is creating billions of requests, the instinct is often to treat it as a monolithic category. It’s not. Lumping all AI agents together is like treating all humans as identical users; it misses the nuance that determines value.
Take two agents from the same company: one built to improve search relevance, potentially driving referral traffic back to a website, and another designed purely for large-scale data extraction to train AI models, offering zero benefit to organisations.
Both show up in traffic reports, both generate similar volumes, but only one has any upside for businesses. Without the ability to distinguish between them, companies can’t make informed decisions about either. Organisations are flying blind, and the cost of that blindness is steep.
Here is where it gets trickier: even when an AI agent identifies itself, organisations can’t trust it. Recent data shows that well-known, trusted AI agent names are being actively impersonated at scale. Meta-ExternalAgent was spoofed over 16 million times in early 2026. ChatGPT-User saw nearly 8 million fraudulent requests using its name. PerplexityBot had nearly 2.4% of all requests claiming to be legitimate turn out to be fake.
If website allowlists – approved lists granted automatic access - certain AI agents by name, assuming they are legitimate crawlers, a fake agent string is essentially a skeleton key. Bad actors know this and are using trusted agent identities as cover to bypass defenses and extract whatever data they want.
The exposure isn’t theoretical. Testing across 700k high-traffic websites revealed that the vast majority return full access to spoofed AI agent requests with no verification whatsoever.
Traditional AI crawlers are only part of the story. A newer, more sophisticated vector is emerging: agentic browsers. These tools don’t just request a page, they simulate full browser sessions and interact with a site like a human user.
They’re harder to detect and harder to distinguish from legitimate traffic, and they are showing up in force across the industries with the most valuable transactional data.
In February 2026, agentic browser traffic was concentrated in ecommerce and retail (about 20% of volume) and travel and tourism (15%). These sectors hold some of the most valuable transactional data on the internet: pricing data, inventory information, customer behavior patterns, and competitive intelligence.
For businesses in any of these sectors it’s time to start actively monitoring for agentic browser activity, as organisations may be leaking data without realising it.
The implications of this visibility gap are immediate and material. Invisible traffic is unmanaged traffic. Companies that can’t identify traffic can’t decide what to do with it. Should it block it? Throttle it? Allowlist it? Monetise it? Without clear visibility, decisions become guesswork.
High volume does not equal high value. Some AI agents drive search visibility and referral traffic. Others extract data and contribute nothing in return. By treating them the same, organisations are subsidising data collection efforts with no upside for a business.
Relying on basic bot detection doesn’t cut it anymore. Agentic browsers behave like real users and simple signal-based detection misses them. Organisations need behavioural analysis that accounts for session patterns, timing, interaction signatures, and other contextual indicators.
Getting control of AI agent traffic starts with visibility. Organisations need to log and classify what is hitting sites, by agent type, behaviour, and claimed identity without relying solely on user-agent strings, as they’re easy to spoof.
Agent classification is an ongoing practice. As the AI agent ecosystem evolves quickly, with new agents appearing regularly and existing ones changing behaviour, in-time assessments go stale fast.
Establish a tiered access framework, but make it session-specific, not agent-specific. The same AI agent can exhibit legitimate behaviour in one session and extractive behaviour in another.
Intent-based detection evaluates what an agent is doing in real time, not just what it claims to be. Is it browsing product pages at a human pace or scraping an entire catalogue? The behaviour in each session should determine the response.
Companies should stop assuming that because something identifies itself as a known agent, it is legitimate. The cost of blind trust is too high. Verify everything.
AI agents are not going away. Their traffic will continue to grow, and their behaviour will continue to evolve. The organisations that thrive in this environment will be the ones that can see clearly what is happening on their websites and make deliberate, informed decisions about what to allow and what to block.
Right now, most organisations can’t, and that needs to change. AI agents are already interacting with websites. The question is whether organisations know what they’re doing while they’re there.
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This article was produced as part of TechRadar Pro Perspectives, our channel to feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today.
The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/pro/perspectives-how-to-submit
Virgin Media O2 (VMO2) has become the latest UK mobile operator to announce plans to shut down its legacy 2G networks, beginning in 2029.
At the same time, VMO2 said not having to look after 2G networks will free up more resources to look after, and improve, 4G and 5G network capacity, speeds and reliability.
The company already started shutting down its 3G networks in 2025, with a national cutoff planned as soon as this year, but 2G networks remained open in the meantime.
EE is also turning off its 2G networks from 2029, with VodafoneThree following suit in 2030.
While VMO2 promises to warn customers to help them identify affected devices and migrate to more modern networks, most smartphone users are unlikely to notice an impact because modern smartphones rely on 4G and 5G networks instead.
But IoT devices, smart meters, payment terminals, alarm systems and other crucial infrastructure has traditionally used 2G networks.
"While most customers won’t need to take any action at all, some businesses might need to start planning for this now," CTO Jeanie York explained.
The industry-wide 2G shutdown ultimately falls under government plans to strengthen telecoms security, following concerns over supply chain risks, cyberattacks and the general security of critical national infrastructure.
VMO2 also disclosed the environmental benefits of the shutdown. Though its 2G networks only carry 0.5% of all VMO2 mobile network traffic, it accounts for more than 10% of the company’s total cell site energy consumption. The company declared that its 4G and 5G networks are 10x more efficient.
WordPress plugin vulnerability rated 8.8/10 enables attackers to gain full site access.
The post Ultimate Member WordPress Plugin Vulnerability Affects Up To 200k Sites appeared first on Search Engine Journal.
Lords of the Fallen 2 has been delayed, and that’s a good thing Marek Tyminski, the CEO of CI Games, has confirmed that Lords of the Fallen 2 has been delayed until Q1 2027. This change will give the studio more time to take advantage of “meaningful opportunities to refine and strengthen the overall experience.” […]
The post Lords of the Fallen 2 has been delayed to 2027 to avoid GTA VI appeared first on OC3D.
PC gamers can now build their own Steam Machines with AMD Radeon GPUs Valve has updated SteamOS to greatly improve its hardware support, allowing PC gamers to build their own Steam Machines. With SteamOS 3.8, the OS now includes a first-time setup and support for AMD GPUs. This gives PC builders the option to craft […]
The post AMD GPU users can now build their own Steam Machines appeared first on OC3D.
Microsoft has confirmed that the next Windows 11 version coming this year will be Windows 11 version 26H2, keeping with the usual annual format of releasing a new OS version in the second half of the year.
Just like Windows 11 version 25H2 and version 24H2 before it, version 26H2 will be based on the same 2024 platform release. That means the version 25H2 update won't be a big one, sharing the same featureset as version 25H2 and the same platform improvements as 24H2.
"Windows 11, version 26H2 continues the move toward a more predictable and efficient servicing model. This model helps reduce disruption while helping your organization stay secure and up to date. By building on a shared platform and delivering innovation continuously, Windows enables you to focus less on large upgrade projects and more on delivering value to your users."
As 26H2 is based on the same platform release as 25H2 and 24H2, the 26H2 release will share:
That means it will be easy for individuals as enterprises to upgrade to the new version this fall, as there won't be any validation or compatibility concerns to be worried about. If it works on 25H2 or 24H2, it'll work on 26H2.
Microsoft has confirmed that 26H2 won't be made available to all Windows 11 users, however. If you're running Windows 11 version 26H1, you won't be able to upgrade to version 26H2 this fall. This is because version 26H1 is a special offshoot version of Windows 11 built specifically for Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 and NVIDIA RTX Spark devices.
Version 26H1 is based on a newer platform release than the one that powers 24H2, 25H2, and 26H2, which means 26H1 is technically on a newer codebase than the upcoming 26H2. That's why users on 26H1 won't be offered an upgrade to 26H2 this fall.
Microsoft does say that those on 26H1 will be offered an upgrade to a newer OS version in the future, but it's yet to confirm when that will be. I suspect those on 26H1 will be offered an upgrade to 27H2 towards the end of next year instead.
The company has confirmed that version 26H2 is coming soon, but is yet to provide an actual date for release. I expect we'll see rollout begin towards the end of September or into the month of October, as has historically been the case.
Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.
There’s no shortage of hype surrounding Summer Game Fest, and its orbit of smaller indie game showcases, as well as the wildly successful Xbox Games Showcase. This year’s events were chock full of exciting game reveals, especially for AAA lovers.
Titles like State of Decay 3, Fable, and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 dominated the post-showcase conversation, and it can be difficult for indie game reveals to get enough time in the limelight.
So we here at Windows Central want to take this opportunity to highlight ten indie game reveals for Xbox from this month’s showcases that have stolen our hearts. Maybe you’ll find a few that you want to bump up to the top of your wishlist, too.
Life sims are having a moment. The genre has been on the rise for a few years now, though, which means that it is at risk of feeling stale. This has led to a new wave of genre mashups where newly released life sims have unique plot twists that keep players intrigued.
One of the best mashups of this genre is the cozy horror life sim. Grave Seasons, developed by Perfect Garbage and published by Blumhouse Games, is a shining example — we find ourselves playing as an escaped convict who has made themselves at home in an idyllic town called Ashenridge.
As one does in a cozy life sim, we set ourselves up with a darling little farm, rubbing elbows with the locals and maybe even falling in love. Hit the mines, grow your crops, and drown a few worms at the local fishing hotspots. It's all you would expect from a pixel art cozy life sim. Until the murders start, anyway, then you find yourself tossed into the chaos of investigating a murder and protecting the next victim whenever possible.
Grave Seasons is a narrative feast, with each playthrough having a different potential killer in the town — it could even be your current love interest. Different playthroughs of the game result in new details and conversations based on your relationships with the locals, keeping gameplay fresher than your garden harvest.
Start your new creepy life in Grave Seasons when it comes to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, and Xbox Cloud with support for Xbox Play Anywhere on August 14. Grave Seasons will also launch day one on Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass.
After escaping from jail, set up your homestead in the cozy town of Ashenridge. Grow crops, woo the locals, solve some murders. Grave Seasons blends cozy life and dating sim gameplay into an exciting whodunnit mystery.View Deal
In 2018, Polyarc released a 3-D action-adventure puzzle game about a little mouse named Quill, called Moss, and it stole our hearts. There was just one problem — Moss was only available in VR.
Those of us on Xbox or who were unable (or unwilling) to play in VR had to just look on at trailers and screenshots of Moss longingly and hope that someday it would eventually find its way to consoles in a non-VR variant. Though at the time, it didn’t seem likely at all for that to ever happen.
Imagine the surprise when the first trailer for Moss: The Forgotten Relic dropped. This stunning adventure that takes place in a living fable has players exploring a fallen kingdom that is slowly being reclaimed by nature.
Quill, the courageous but small mouse protagonist, will need your guidance and protection as you uncover hidden secrets and navigate puzzles in a story that feels plucked from the pages of a classic fairy tale.
Both Moss: Book I and Moss: Book II have been combined for a complete fairy tale epic that is enhanced and reimagined for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Xbox on PC, and compatible handhelds.
Moss: The Forgotten Relic is developed and published by Polyarc and is expected to release this Summer.
Formerlly a VR-only game, Polyarc has completely revamped both the original Moss and its sequel, Moss Book II, into a console-friendly game without the VR requirement. Follow the story of Quill, a small mouse on a big adventure through a story inspired by classic fables.View Deal
Sometimes in life, you just want to be a magpie — burning meadows, finding shiny objects, and creating generalized chaos using cartoon logic. There’s just one problem. In Bad Magpie, your magpie self only has one wing. Surely that couldn’t have anything to do with the chaos and arson, right?
Anywho, Bad Magpie sets you loose in a small but densely packed world with plenty of chaotic things to do as a grounded magpie who wants nothing more than to win the heart of a fallen star and cure its own loneliness in the process.
It’s a delightfully chaotic romp through a colorful world packed with puzzles that give you the freedom to solve them however you see fit, as long as you’re curious enough to try.
Despite there being no text, no dialogue, and no cutscenes, Bad Magpie does have a rich story with a cast of critters and tactile interactions that encourage mischief and exploration in order to experience an emotional narrative told through environment and interactivity.
Bad Magpie, developed and published by Milktooth, is coming to Xbox Series X|S and Xbox on PC with Xbox Play Anywhere support and Xbox Game Pass in 2027.
A lonely little one-winged magpie has found itself in love with a falling star, and the only way to win its heart is with shiny trinkets. Burn a meadow, drain a swimming pool, you can't fly, but there are still plenty of ways to create some chaos and make that star fall in love with you.View Deal
The “put stuff in a room to learn a story” genre is an interesting niche that explores environmental storytelling through beautiful art and puzzles. In the five years since Unpacking popularized the concept, there have been several new entries, but few have captured the same gut reaction we all experienced when we finally started to understand the game’s narrative.
Developers Fat Alien Cat & Nomo Studio and publishers Silver Lining Interactive may have managed to expand that experience with the upcoming release of Momento.
Similar to Unpacking, Momento is a cozy room decorator where players place objects around a beautifully illustrated room, but there is a slight twist. It’s up to you to choose the objects that matter most to decorate with, and the objects you select have a lasting impact on the path the story takes.
Starting with your childhood scene, Memento asks us to choose the toys that represent our dreams and future, which then lead into different scenes in adulthood that explore unique themes.
Wonder, love, heartbreak, and the significance of sentimentality are at the heart of Momento, as you experience a lovingly crafted tactile world that reacts to you.
Unlike similar narrative room decorators, Memento does not have a puzzle element to its gameplay. Instead, small decisions made by the player have lasting impacts that ripple throughout the story. Memento is coming to Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, and compatible handhelds with support for Xbox Play Anywhere.
Nothing heals a broken heart better than French pastries, which leads us to The Witch’s Bakery. Playing as Lunne, you can experience a colorful adventure in Paris as you serve the locals tasty treats from your newly opened bakery. Lunne’s not your ordinary chef, however. She’s also a witch with the power to see into people’s hearts.
Developed by Sunny Lab and published by Silver Lining Interactive, The Witch’s Bakery lets players experience Paris in three parts each day. During business hours, Lunne manages her bakery and serves up pastries.
As the sun goes down, Lunne closes up shop, and players can explore Paris and uncover the secrets of the city while building up relationships with her friends and neighbors. Sometimes characters’ emotions are locked away, and it requires a little more than just a chat to help them overcome their troubles.
During the evening hours, Lunne can use her witchy abilities to go inside of her friends’ troubled heart palaces and discover that person’s key ingredient — the secret touch to the recipe for a magic pastry that can heal them.
After guiding emotions through heart palaces and exploring Paris, Lunne can return to her atelier for the night to rest, improve her magic, and decorate her bakery before the next day begins anew.
The Witch’s Bakery is coming to Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S in August.
Serve up fresh pastries and heal the hearts of the locals in this beautifully illustrated indie about a powerful Witch and her bakery set in Paris. Coming to Xbox this August.View Deal
If you prefer a more action-heavy take on magic, developer Uppercut Games and publisher Focus Entertainment’s upcoming narrative-driven first-person shooter, Magician’s The Devil’s Deal, just might scratch the itch for you. Uppercut Games is previously known for the narrative, no-dialogue, no-combat adventure Submerged and its sequel, making Magicians: The Devil’s Deal a new challenge for the experienced studio.
Magicians: The Devil’s Deal follows the story of Jacob Menteuro, an illusionist bound to a deal with the Devil, who unfortunately finds himself cast into Hell. Combat, exploration, and stage magic come together as Jacob and the player experience a narrative where he must overcome the Masters of Theatreland on an infernal stage that turns everyday magical props into lethal weapons.
Compelled by the Devil himself, Jacob must topple the Masters to take their powers for himself in this visually stunning world inspired by Victorian London.
Magicians: The Devil’s Deal takes the stage in 2027 on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox on PC. And for the final trick, you can play it day one on Xbox Game Pass.
Jacob's made a deal with the Devil, but now he must fight through the hell of Theatreland to overcome the masters who betrayed him in this upcoming first-person shooter adventure from the developers of Submerged.View Deal
In 2023, Cassette Beasts crashed onto consoles and introduced fans to a world where they could collect and transform creative monsters with the power of retro cassette tapes. During the recent rash of showcases, developer Bytten Studio and publisher Raw Fury showed off the upcoming sequel, Cassette Beasts 2002.
Cassette Beasts 2002 starts in a quiet neighborhood of London, but players will find themselves and their custom-created characters pulled down to the land of Nodnol. Players can explore Nodnol alone or with friends via online multiplayer, and can even opt to import their original character from the first game.
In Nodnol, players can form bonds with the colorful cast of twelve different companions who can be bonded with, recruited, and even romanced. Similar to its predecessor, Cassette Beasts 2002 lets players record audio from beasts using cassette tapes that can then be played back to take on their form in battle. Fusions are also making a return, but Cassette Beasts 2002 ups the ante with over 57,000 fully-animated fusion forms.
Cassette Beasts is coming to Xbox Series X|S and Xbox on PC with Xbox Play Anywhere entitlements and support for Xbox cross-platform multiplayer.
One of the most creative takes on monster-taming and creature collecting is back with an all-new time period, but it still embraces the nostalgic tech that made its predecessor popular. Record beasts, tame them, and then take them into battle.View Deal
Upcoming platformer Deer and Boy has long had a spot on our wishlists, and we will finally be able to get our hands on a heartwarming and poetic journey about a young runaway boy who befriends a delicate fawn very soon.
Deer and Boy is an original adventure with a unique twist: a single-player game where you are never alone as your companion grows into a majestic deer during your story, changing the way you interact with the game’s world and puzzles.
Developed by Lifeline Games and published by Dear Villagers that offers a deep narrative adventure with complex story layers that change how you see the game’s tale, with young players experiencing a wholesome story about the friendship between a boy and his deer companion. More mature players may see deeper meaning in the story, even though it has no dialogue or text.
Deer and Boy promises to be an easy, relatively short game that can be completed in a few sessions and is suitable for all members of the family — even the little guys. You can enjoy this interactive cinematic story when it releases on June 23 on Xbox Series X|S.
Experience a heartwarming story of a young runaway who forms a bond with a delicate fawn. This short, sweet, family-friendly game has a layered narrative that all ages can enjoy.View Deal
A beautiful island awash in a watercolor aesthetic, a wholesome character creator, and an ominous bus crash that leaves you stranded at a spooky campsite — welcome to Cozy Grove.
Cozy Grove: Camp Spirit is the much-anticipated sequel to the 2021 life sim, where players became Spirit Scouts stranded on an island inhabited by the ghosts of adorable bears. To return home, your Spirit Scout had to help those bears become at peace with elements of their past lives.
Some stories were tragic, others heartwarming, but all of them were meaningful and left us just a little sad when the bear’s ghost would move on and become golden.
Netflix snapped up Cozy Grove developer Spry Fox in its earliest days of reaching into the gaming industry, and initially hoarded the ghost-bear-helping life sim on its mobile platform before deciding to sell the studio back to its founders at the end of 2025.
That return to independence is great news for console and PC players who were desperate to return to this incredible world and experience more haunting bear stories, because now Cozy Grove: Camp Spirit is coming to Xbox on July 15.
Grab your badge sash, we’re going decorating and helping ghosts remember their pasts and come to peace with their deaths. New bears, new island, new NPCs to meet. Cozy Grove: Camp Spirit comes to Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, and compatible handhelds with support for Xbox Play Anywhere. A free demo is available now.
After developer Spry Fox regained their independent, the previously Netflix-exclusive sequel to the cozy island life-sim, Cozy Grove, is now making its way to consoles. Cozy Grove: Camp Spirit launches July 15 with new bears, new collectibles, and a new story.View Deal
There’s more to look forward to than just cozy games, so we’re closing out the list with a coming-of-age tale set in the afterlife, complete with heavy metal riffs and action roguelike gameplay. You can still craft, but like, in a hardcore way.
Grim Trials lets you customize your weapons and equipment as Avelin, a young woman who has been recruited to serve as one of Death’s reapers. It’s up to Avelin to track down impure souls, but in doing so, she will be forced to come to terms with her own untimely demise and face her own demons.
Grim Trials features endless hex-grid arenas where Avelin will need to overcome monsters and traps before tackling the 7 sacrilegious bosses. Players are armed with customizable scythes, crossbows, and Blessings from the Gods of Death.
A victory on the battlefield affords Avelin the spoils of war, and she can use the materials collected to craft better weapons, armor, and consumables to aid in the journey through the afterlife.
Developed by Rolling Glory Jam and published by Soft Source Pte Ltd, Grim Tales is sure to pique the interest of those who fell in love with Hades 2 and similar roguelikes with deep customization options, relationship-building side quests, and a full cast of characters to learn more about.
A demo for Grim Tales is available now, and you can look forward to it launching on PC, Xbox Series X|S, and compatible handhelds, though no release date has been confirmed just yet.
Face the trials of hell as Avelin, a young woman whose untimely demise has left her longing for her still-living love. Should she endure the trials of a fledgling reaper, she just may get to see them again. Can you defeat the 7 sacrilegious bosses in Avelin's way?View Deal
YouTuber Rebs Gaming has provided an update on the long-rumored Halo multiplayer project codenamed Ekur. As you'll probably remember, the creator's earlier reporting from a couple of months ago had described Ekur as an extraction shooter being developed by Certain Affinity. Rebs Gaming's new video is a correction/update to that claim, based on new information from two sources. The first source works at a company providing QA services to Halo Studios and speaks with current employees there. According to them: The second source is a separate, longtime contact of the YouTuber who stated that Certain Affinity is not the studio […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/halo-ekur-multiplayer-warzone-big-team-battle/
This morning, Jotoyo Games, an independent studio based in Chengdu, China, announced its debut game, Monster Fantasy. Jotoyo is composed of around 20 developers, though they have "decades" of combined industry experience. The studio is planning a PC release (there's already a Steam page) following a Kickstarter funding campaign set to begin on July 15. Drawing inspiration from successful franchises like Monster Hunter, Stardew Valley, Animal Crossing, and Pokémon, it blends free-form monster hunting with village building and life simulation in a colorful Chibi art style. In the game, players take the role of an amnesiac hero in the Kingdom […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/monster-fantasy-tame-ride-monsters-ai-villagers/
WarpLink is link infrastructure for mobile teams stuck at the same fork: cheap deep linking tends to be flaky, and reliable services are priced for enterprise sales calls. WarpLink offers an affordable and reliable alternative with real deep linking, install attribution, and real-time analytics in one SDK for iOS, Android, and React Native, featuring sub-10ms redirects that stay fast for users. Even on the free tier, links never stop redirecting; only the analytics dashboard waits once you pass the click limit. The SDKs are MIT licensed and readable line by line. The service starts free at 10K clicks a month, with no sales call required.
Ask better questions, live on every call
The Samsung Galaxy XR headset is now available for preorder ahead of its July 8 launch in the UK, and while you can’t pick it up at Amazon, that doesn’t mean you can't snag a Prime Day-like deal or two.
Best of all, you won’t need to be a Prime or other subscription service member; Samsung’s discounts are available to every shopper through its online store — you’ll just need to bundle a few things with your purchase, or sign up to PayPal (if you haven’t already) and check out using that as your payment method.
• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale
For that PayPal offer, you’ll get £100 off using the code PAYPALXR at Samsung's online store. That’s a serious saving off the £1,699 asking price, but you only have until July 7 to take advantage of this offer.
Plus, if you’re looking to upgrade your Samsung tech, or dive deeper into its ecosystem, it has deals that will save you 10% on Galaxy smartphones, a Galaxy Watch, and Galaxy Buds.
Code: PAYPALXR
If you buy the Samsung Galaxy XR headset using PayPal then you can save £100 with the code PAYPALXR. You only have until July 7 to use this deal, but if you’re strongly considering getting the Samsung Galaxy XR headset then it’s a hefty saving on the device for little to no effort (especially for folks with a PayPal account already).View Deal
Save 10% on Galaxy smartphones — August 4, 2026
Save 10% on Galaxy watches and buds — September 30, 2026
If you don’t want to simply buy a Galaxy XR headset, but also upgrade your whole Samsung setup, then this combo deal is for you, as you can save 10% on Galaxy gadgets. I currently use a Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, a pair of Galaxy Buds Pro 4, and a Galaxy S26 Ultra, and they are all superb, and this kind of discount only makes the tech even better.View Deal
Save 30% on a travel case & controllers — September 30, 2026
Lastly, much like the above tech offer you can also save big on an official travel case and Samsung controllers when they’re bought with the Galaxy XR headset.
The controllers will be required for some titles, though most games rely on hand tracking so I’m not convinced you need a pair straight away. A case, however, is a must-buy.
Whether it’s this one or an unofficial box, any VR headset is much easier to carry around with a case, and it helps keep the headset’s lenses from getting damaged by direct sunlight.
Besides a silicone facial interface (which this headset lacks), a case is the only accessory every VR headset user should own.View Deal
After spending a week with the Samsung Galaxy XR headset, Lance Ulanoff called it “an impressive multimodal AI spatial computer,” though Android XR and the overall experience didn’t hold a candle to visionOS and the Apple Vision Pro, especially the M5 version.
He also noted that, at launch, Gemini felt less deeply integrated as he had originally imagined, and the lack of precision with controls dulled the ‘wow’ factor.
At the same time, the Galaxy XR headset is half the price of the Vision Pro, so technical downgrades are to be expected, and as Google and Samsung iterate on the software, you could find the Samsung Galaxy XR headset seriously ups its game — especially as more apps get XR support.
It delivers some impressive OLED visuals despite costing less, and can integrate with the full G Suite of apps for some spatial productivity. So, if you want something that balances work and play, with great performance, at a more affordable price point, and don’t mind missing out on the Quest gaming library, you’ll struggle to find something better than Samsung’s XR machine.
The Amazon Prime Day sale continues, and day two of the sale promises more deals on all your favorite tech, PC gaming hardware, and peripherals. As PC prices continue to squeeze consumers, an event like Prime Day is a great way to save some money on a new build, component upgrades, monitors, and beyond.
Our expert team curates deals 24/7 during the event, leveraging our testing data and hands-on experience to bring you recommendations. We also use extensive price tracking to ensure that deals are always actually worthwhile, avoiding price inflation or exaggerated discounts.
As always, you need a Prime membership to take advantage of Prime Day deals, but we're also sharing lots of listings from rival retailers like Newegg and Best Buy.
A Swiss Army knife of media access?
Suideck's USB attached drive and dock is more flexible than the BPAKDU. It has very similar optical and flash media compatibility, and SD / TF slots but with its added 2.5-inch SATA slot. However, you pay $11 more for the privilege. View Deal
The Samsung 990 Pro 1TB SSD is compatible with PCIe 4.0 x4 interfaces and can reach read/write speeds of up to 7,450/6,900 MB/s. The drive uses a Samsung Pascal controller and comes with a 5-year warranty.View Deal
Get a 25-piece electric screwdriver for PC maintenance or any DIY task. Comes with a 1,500mAh battery, LED, and extension rod. View Deal
The MSI Cyborg is a value-focused machine with a Core 7-240H processor and an RTX 5070 GPU.View Deal
This slick external power button features a 2-meter (~78 inches) cable and a splitter that lets you connect both to your case's front panel buttons. It also includes adhesive pads and zip-ties.View Deal
A great refresh of the P1S, with a better nozzle, screen, camera, and improved cooling system. This is the new standard to which other 3D printers will be measured.View Deal
All the bits you will ever need to cosplay as an IT superhero. Take old consoles apart, fix laptops, remove SIM cards from smartphones, and pry open devices to learn their secrets!View Deal
Welcome to Day 2 of Amazon Prime Day! There's plenty going on in the world of PC hardware, and we'll be taking you through the best savings on components, hardware, tools, peripherals, and more! - Stephen
New for day two is this CyberPowerPC pre-built, which costs just $1,049. For that, you get an Intel Core i5 14400F, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 8GB, 16GB of DDR5 RAM, and a 1 TB gen 4 SSD, as well as Windows 11.
Building this PC by yourself would be pretty much
With Intel Core i5 14400F, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 8GB, 16GB of DDR5, and a 1TB SSD, this gaming PC is much cheaper than trying to build your own budget gaming rig. View Deal
As you can see from our testing, the 5060 is a respectable entry-level card that beats out Intel offerings and AMD's 9060XT. This card will do just fine at 1080p, making this build a great first-time gaming PC for a budding young enthusiast. If you've been trying to build a budget gaming PC, this is probably your best bet. - Stephen
If you're looking for a great all-around gaming mouse that's also gorgeous, the Logitech G502 X Plus is the prettiest wireless gaming mouse that's also a total powerhouse. It's currently on sale in both black and white variations for just $113.99 at Amazon — down 29% from its retail price of $159.99.
This right-handed contoured gaming mouse features 13 programmable buttons, dual-mode scrolling, a reversible/removable DPI switch button, and up to 130 hours of battery life (with the pretty lighting turned off).View Deal
The G502 X Plus is a large, right-handed contoured gaming mouse with a thumb rest, 13 programmable buttons, and 8 RGB zones. It features Logitech's Hero 25K optical sensor and an adjustable/removable DPI shift button, as well as a dual-mode scroll wheel that lets you switch between smooth free-scrolling and precise notched scrolling with the press of a button. It also has hybrid optical-mechanical switches in its primary buttons — optical for speed and low-latency, and mechanical for improved battery life (it gets up to 130 hours with the lighting turned off, but that drops to around 37 hours with the lighting turned on). You can read my full review of the Logitech G502 X Plus here. — Sarah
SSD prices have gone through the roof, but this Samsung 9100 Pro SSD is just £30 more than it was in August 2025 at Amazon UK. That means you're getting close to pre-AI crunch pricing, which is unheard of in this economy.
A big saving on this 9100 Pro 1TB Gen 5 PCIe SSD, with sequential read and write speeds of up to 14,800/13,400 MB/s. This is one of the fastest drives on the market. View Deal
The 9100 Pro is one of the fastest drives we've ever tested, making it perfect for professional workloads of gaming. This will improve load times and, of course, make Windows boot faster. As noted, this is only £30 more than the lowest price we've ever seen on this model, so it's a real bargain given the SSD economy right now. - Stephen
The Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 (G80SD) is a premium 32-inch gaming monitor built around a 4K QD-OLED panel. Right now, Amazon is selling the monitor for $657.77, which is $47% off its normal list price.
The G80SD’s OLED panel features Quantum Dot enhancement, delivering vibrant colors, deep blacks, and wide color coverage. It offers a 240 Hz refresh rate and features an ultra-fast 0.03 ms gray-to-gray response time, making it ideal for competitive gaming on high-end PC setups. It is also compatible with AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and NVIDIA G-Sync for smooth, tear-free gameplay.
The Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 (G80SD) is a great 32-inch-class monitor sporting a 4K 240 Hz QD-OLED display.View Deal
You’ll also find HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort connectivity, while Samsung's OLED Glare-Free coating helps reduce reflections. To address OLED longevity concerns, Samsung incorporates its OLED Safeguard+ suite, which includes a dynamic cooling system, thermal modulation, and automatic brightness adjustments for static elements such as logos and taskbars to help minimize screen burn-in.
Beyond gaming, the monitor Samsung's Gaming Hub, allowing you to access cloud gaming services and connected consoles, while built-in Smart TV features allow streaming without a PC. — Brandon Hill
New to the Prime Day sales in the last few minutes is this MSI Codex R2 gaming PC. If you want a PC that comes ready to play out of the box and don't want to negotiate tricky RAM and SSD prices, this is a great option.
This pre-built PC comes with Intel Core i5-14400F, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070, 32GB of DDR5, 1TB SSD, Wi-Fi 6E, Windows 11, and more. View Deal
While the CPU is an older generation model, that's a great way to save in the current crisis, and the RTX 5070 should provide plenty of grunt for gaming at 1440p. As per our testing data, the 5070 is excellent in the mid-range category, and gives out average frame rates of over 100 fps at 1080p, or 75 at 1440p. 4K gaming is definitely a stretch on this one, but at just $1,589 that's to be expected. - Stephen
You probably don't need a 4K webcam, but if you do, now's a great time to get one on sale. Logitech's MX Brio is a webcam that shoots in 4K resolution at 30fps and 1080p at 60fps, and it's currently on sale for just $161.49 at Amazon — 19% off its retail price of $199.99.
This 4K / 30fps webcam does a great job of professionally lighting scenes. It has an 8.5MP Sony Starvis sensor, a 90-degree field of view, 4x digital zoom, and a built-in privacy shutter.View Deal
This sleek 4K webcam features a large 1.58-inch lens with a movable ring that twists to open and close a built-in privacy shutter (similar to the shutter on Razer's Kiyo Pro Ultra). In addition to its 4K resolution, it sports a 90-degree field of view, 4x digital zoom, and has dual beamforming microphones, in the event you have no other mic-enabled device plugged into your PC.
Its 8.5MP Sony Starvis sensor captures images very well in all lighting situations, and it does an especially good job of evenly lighting everything in a scene (maybe too good of a job — some scenes ended up looking a little flat). It has AI image enhancement to reduce noise and smooth the picture out, and it's just a very good webcam if you're looking for a reliably professional picture. While most video conferencing platforms don't support over 1080p, the 4K resolution will help if you want to zoom in and crop out a messy background. You can read my full review of the Logitech MX Brio here. — Sarah
This potent Alienware gaming laptop is on sale in the UK, down to just £1,549. For that, you get an excellent Intel core Ultra 9 275HX CPU, Nvidia RTX 5070, 32GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD.
This powerful Alienware laptop features an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX CPU, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070, 32GB DDR5, and a 1TB SSD. It comes with a 16-inch screen capable of 1600p with a 240Hz refresh rate. View Deal
In our Alienware 16X Aurora 5060 review, we flagged that model as lacking performance. This spec is much more enticing thanks to the RTX 5070 GPU, and the CPU is also much more potent. While we don't have tests of this specific model, here's how the 275HX performs inside the HP Omen Max 16
As you can see, there's plenty of juice for both performance gaming and productivity here. You also get a snappy 240Hz display with 2560 x 1600 resolution, which the RTX 5070 will have no problem keeping up with. - Stephen
Newegg bundles are back this morning with some big RAM savings. If you buy this bundle of Gigabyte X870 Aorus Elite and Corsair Vengeance 32GB DDR5, you get the RAM for an effective price of $215. Given RAM currently costs $350, that's a no-brainer.
Snag an incredible deal with this 2-item Newegg combo. Get 32GB of Corsair Vengeance DDR5-6000 RAM and a Gigabyte X870 Aorus Elite Wifi7 Ice motherboard for only $479.99. $185 savings makes the RAM only $215 - a steal in today's market.View Deal
There's also this dark-flavored version which is better by $1, getting you the RAM for $214. However, this is an LGA 1851 motherboard, so you'll be limiting yourself to Intel's most recent CPUs, rather than AM5, which is what the above gets you. If you want to build a PC with AMD's coveted X3D SKUs, the above bundle is the way to go. If you're team Intel, check this one out - Stephen
Get a Gigabyte Z890 Aorus Master and 32GB of Corsair Vengeance DDR5 for $563. The motherboard means the effective price of the RAM in this bundle is $214, much cheaper than buying it separately. View Deal
I've just found with 49-inch MSI OLED monitor at Newegg for less than $700. This gets you 5120 x 1440p resolution, 144Hz refresh rate, and all the advantages of OLED for less.
Get a 5120 x 1440 monitor with OLED panel, 144Hz refresh rate, 0.03ms GtG response time, Display HDR True Black 400, and a bunch of ports. View Deal
This is the perfect deal for anyone who just wants to buy one display then never think about monitors every again. It's effectively two 1440p monitors stacked side-by-side, perfect for lots of productivity and, of course, expansive gaming. - Stephen
An all-AMD gaming PC could be in your very near future. This iBuyPower Y40 gaming PC is on sale at Walmart right now, and it's fitted with some of our top choices for a build. It has an AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D, along with an AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT GPU, 32GB of DDR5 RAM, and 1TB of SSD storage for $1,749 right now, giving you a 4K-capable machine for less than $1,800.
That's a brilliant price for a spec sheet like this. iBuyPower has built a reputation for its powerful and gorgeous-looking builds. and this liquid-cooled rig using the wrap-around Hyte Y40 case is formidable.
A formidably powerful and attractive gaming PC from custom build experts iBuyPower. This rig has an AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D, AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT with 16GB VRAM, 32GB of DDR5 RAM, and a 1TB SSD.View Deal
The 9800X3D is one of our favorite X3D chips from AMD. This 8-core, 16-thread processor features AMD's newest Zen 5 architecture and comes equipped with a boost clock speed of up to 5.2 GHz. The boosted 96MB L3 cache means that it doesn't need to drop down and rely on the slower system RAM, reducing latency and ensuring much higher frame rates in-game. The RX 9070 XT, meanwhile, is one of the best gaming GPUs out there: it's the perfect all-rounder with 4K-ready performance that rivals Nvidia's mid-tier RTX 5070 Ti.
A $750 saving on a PC this good is a steal. Expect to see this one fly off the e-shelves.
This 60% Razer Huntsman Mini keyboard is a nifty small-form gaming keyboard with Linear Optical Switches and RGB. Usually $129 on Amazon, right now you can grab one for just $69, a new lowest-ever price. The price has dropped in the last hour, making it one of the newest Prime Day deals.
Get a 60% linear optical keyboard with an aluminum chassis, doubleshot PBT keycaps, and addressable RGB. View Deal
We loved the Huntsman's light switches and keycaps in our review. It also features a removable cable and five onboard memory profiles, with software for customization, including for the addressable RGB. If you prefer, you can also grab the black version for $2 more. - Stephen
This nifty Acer Nitro Portable gaming monitor is now 37% off. For $113 you get a 15.6-inch portable IPS display with 165Hz refresh rate, perfect for on-the-go gaming.
Get a portable gaming monitor with a 165Hz refresh rate, USB-C ports, mini HDMI, and audio out. View Deal
This mini monitor is perfect for travel and vacations, and is ideal for adding an extra display to a gaming setup, or even as a standalone display for a console if you're travelling. 1080p resolution is also great for watching movies or YouTube videos. If you want to save more, there's a basic $99 version, but for the extra $14, the gaming version seems like a no-brainer. - Stephen
A brand new lowest-ever price for June 24, this excellent XG27AQDMGR is a little less premium than some other Asus QD-OLED monitors. The panel is from LG, and there's a proximity sensor to turn the screen off when you step away to prevent burn-in.
The Asus ROG Strix XG27AQDMGR is a 27-inch, 1440p monitor with a QD-OLED panel. It boasts a 240Hz refresh and 0.03ms GtG response times.View Deal
This 2560 x 1440 monitor has a TrueBlack Glossy WOLED display with up to 240Hz refresh rate and a 0.03ms GTG response time. IT's also DisplayHDR 400 True Black certified, and offers DisplayPort 2.1, HDMI, and USB 3.2 connectivity. At just $434, this is the lowest-ever price we've seen on this monitor, beating the previous low of $449 thanks to a new discount this morning. - Stephen
Finding a decently-sized MicroSD Express card for the Nintendo Switch 2 is nigh impossible these days, with the culmination of the new interface standard and the global memory shortage conspiring to send pricing through the roof. Luckily for a very short time (checks watch), B&H has a 512GB Samsung P9 Express card for only $119, a massive 40% discount that shaves off $60 with a coupon that's added to your cart when you check out.
$80 coupon added in cart
Give your Switch 2 the storage boost it needs. With fast speeds and respectable endurance, the P9 Express from Samsung is one of the best microSD Express cards you can get.View Deal
This deal runs for only 14 more hours, but there is always the looming threat of B&H running out of stock. The time is now if you want to score this deal. — Paul Alcorn
Remember, you'll need an Amazon Prime membership to take advantage of the best deals this week. Even the free 30-day trial will get you access:
Earlier this week, we highlighted this excellent LG monitor with a $300 discount. If you blinked the first time, the price has just fallen by an extra $15 to an all-time low of $684.
The LG 27GX790B-B is a premium monitor featuring an RGB Tandem OLED panel with a 2560 x 1440 (QHD) resolution. It has a native refresh rate of 540 Hz, which is already among the fastest available. However, if you're willing to drop the resolution to 720p for eSports titles, you can boost the refresh rate to a staggering 720 Hz. If you have the graphics muscle to handle pushing out 700+ FPS and you're willing to accept 720p resolution, this one's for you.
The LG 27GX790B-B is a 27-inch QHD monitor with a native 540 Hz refresh rate, but it can switch to 720 Hz at 720p.View Deal
In addition to its speedy fundamentals, the 27GX790B-B also offers AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and Nvidia G-Sync compatibility, features DisplayPort 2.1/HDMI 2.1 ports, and a built-in USB hub (with DisplayPort Alt Mode supported via its USB-C port). - Stephen Warwick
This Intel Core i9-14900KF matches the 14900K on performance and is overclockable, but comes without integrated graphics. If that's a problem, opt for the 14900K above.
There aren't a ton of deals on Intel's Raptor Lake chips, which makes sense given the current RAM crisis and the fact that Raptor Lake supports both DDR4 and DDR5. The Core i9-14900KF is an exception, now selling for its lowest price ever of $372.99 for Prime Day.
The Core i9-14900KF is a 24-core chip that offers identical performance to the Core i9-14900K, just without integrated graphics. Based on our latest testing, this chip remains Intel's fastest gaming CPU, outclassing the newer Core Ultra 7 270K Plus.
Pairing the Core i9-14900KF with a DDR4 motherboard represents a performance loss of around 15% in games, but it depends on the title. Regardless, this is a flagship CPU that's normally sold for north of $500, so this Prime Day deal is excellent. — Jake Roach
People who frequently travel know that whenever they have the opportunity, they should always charge their mobile devices. Whether you're waiting on a layover at the airport, sitting in your seat on a plane with a power outlet in front of you, or in your hotel room hours before your next meeting. But when you don’t have quick and easy access to wall power, it’s great to have a portable power bank on hand to keep your devices charged. That’s where UGREEN’s 25,000 mAh Nexode Power Bank comes in handy, and it’s on sale for $59.98 ($45% off) at Amazon for Prime Day.
The UGREEN Nexode Power Bank offers two USB-C ports and one USB-A port, allowing three devices to charge simultaneously. Its two USB-C ports can charge at 165W and 45W, respectively.View Deal
The Nexode Power Bank supports Power Delivery 3.1 up to 140 watts and offers a battery capacity of 25,000 mAh. You’ll find three USB ports: two USB-C and one USB-A, allowing you to charge three devices simultaneously. USB-C1 has a maximum output of 140 watts, USB-C2 at 65 watts, and USB-A3 at 22.5 watts. The power bank recharges at 65 watts and can go from empty to 100 percent in 2 hours.
According to UGREEN, the Nexode Power Bank has enough juice just to recharge a typical laptop from empty to 100% 1.3 times, and can charge an average iPhone or Android smartphone over 5 times before conking out. — Brandon Hill
Cases are another item that hasn’t been affected by the AI boom and subsequent memory shortages, and Zalman’s MicroATX Cubix-G is on sale for only $29.99 (50% off MSRP) during Prime Day 2026. This tiny case supports Mini-ITX and MicroATX motherboards, video cards up to 280mm, CPU coolers up to 155mm (note it does not support AIOs), and 140mm ATX-size power supplies. It also comes with three 3-pin DC-controlled ARGB fans (rated up to 1,000 RPM), which, for the price, I did not expect.
Save $30 (an incredible 50% off) this MicroATX PC Case from Zalman. The Cubix-G comes with three RGB fans, supports up to 3x 2.5-inch drives, 280mm GPUs, and 155mm air coolers for this space-saving case. For $30, you can't go wrong.View Deal
Externally, it’s a good-looking case with panoramic class on two sides, while at the bottom, there is a separate chamber for the power supply (and cables), where you can also mount some of your HDDs/SSDs. Connectivity-wise, the front panel offers 2x Type-A ports, 1x Type-C (10 Gbps), power/reset buttons, and a 3.5mm audio jack. For $30, you’re not going to find a better deal on a panoramic MicroATX case that includes three fans. If this isn’t the case for you, please check out our Best PC cases page or Best PC case deals for more options. Get it while it lasts at this price. - Joe Shields
No RTX 5090 is cheap right now. The midpoint of prices for Nvidia's halo card has been hovering around $4299 of late, more than 2X its MSRP. But if you need to save a couple hundred bucks on the fastest gaming graphics card around, B&H is offering up MSI's Gaming Trio RTX 5090 for $4099, making it the cheapest 5090 we've seen in this Prime Day stretch.
RTX 5090s are all wildly expensive right now, but this MSI Gaming Trio card is the cheapest one you'll find, and its massive cooler will let you get the most out of the fastest graphics card around. View Deal
The Gaming Trio RTX 5090 boasts a ginormous quad-slot cooler with a nifty translucent shroud that reveals slashes of RGB LED lighting underneath. A full-length metal backplate with a huge cutout for flow-through cooling comes emblazoned with MSI's dragon motif to show your allegiance to the world, and MSI includes a GPU support to prevent your extremely large and expensive graphics card from sagging. 5090s don't last long at any price right now, so save a couple of hundred and get this one. -- Jeff Kampman
Rapoo’s MT760 is a wireless mouse that supports BT 5.0 and 2.4G connections on up to four different devices (one-click switching). Priced at an all-time low price of $36.32, it’s a solid deal for Prime Day 2026. It has seven adjustable DPI modes from 800 to 4000 DPI, allowing seamless sensitivity adjustments with the press of a button. The 1K polling rate isn’t ideal for hardcore esports gamers, but enough for your average lite gamer. The MT760 has 11 programmable buttons, including two scroll wheels, one of which is a Hall-effect magnetic induction scroll wheel for precise horizontal scrolling (the thumb scroll wheel on the left).
Save big on the Rapoo MT760 wireless mouse. This MX Master clone offers 11 programmable buttons, hall effect side scroll wheel, a 1K Hz polling rate and 4K DPI, connects up to four devices simultaneously (one-button switching). View Deal
Physically, it’s a large mouse with a wing/extension on the side that’s ideal for resting your thumb and for palm-style grips. It looks like it works fine with the claw, but the larger footprint is ideal for palm or modified-palm grips. Rapoo says the battery lasts up to 160 hours, which is plenty for productivity or gaming, and it charges wirelessly. Did we mention it’s a lot cheaper than the MX Master mice, too? If this isn’t the mouse for you, check out our best gaming mouse page for more options. - Joe Shields
A stunning deal at Amazon on Anycubic’s Kobra X 3D printer. This Prime Day deal has absolutely slashed the cost of this Tom’s Hardware Editor’s Choice award-winning printer by a massive $60 (17%), making the Anycubic Kobra X just $299. This is $50 less than the cost of the identical printer direct from Anycubic in their own sale.
The Anycubic Kobra X may look a little like the Bambu Lab A1, with a similar brushed aluminum frame, but that’s where the comparisons end. The Kobra X uses the ACE Gen 2 multi-color system, which is built directly into the toolhead, and doesn’t use an extra external box for the filament. The filament feeds straight in from stationary top-mounted spools, but you can add extra optional hubs, with the ability to connect up to four ACE 2 Pro units for as many as 19 colors in your print creations.
A Tom's Hardware Editor's Choice award winner, the Anycubic Kobra X is a large, open, multi-color 3D printer with native 4-color printing and the ability to reach up to 19 colors. A fast 600 mm/s print speed brings your creations to life as quickly as possible.
See our review of the Anycubic Kobra X for more details on performance and specifications. View Deal
Check out our in-depth review of the Anycubic Kobra X for more information on this superb multi-color 3D printer. — Stewart Bendle
Even though we’re seeing a lot of great gaming monitor deals for Prime Day 2026, not everyone can afford fancy high-refresh OLED monitors. Acer’s Nitro VG27U (W2BMIIPX) bridges that gap at $169.99 (43% / $130 off), offering a fast IPS panel with a 240Hz refresh rate that’s great for games and productivity alike. The Nitro supports AMD Freesync Premium technology to minimize screen tearing, while the 0.5ms response time (GTG) defeats ghosting. It is also VESA DisplayHDR 400-certified (400-nit brightness).
Get a great deal on the Acer Nitro VG272U gaming monitor from Newegg. This 27-inch QHD IPS panel runs up to 240 Hz, supports AMD Freesync Premium, and is a natural upgrade from a 1080p monitor of any flavor, or lower refresh rate QHD. View Deal
The VG27U sports ‘frameless’ bezels on three sides, has two integrated speakers (2W), and connects through two HDMI (v2.0) ports or one DisplayPort (v1.4). It does not come with any USB ports but does have a 3.5mm audio output. The current $170 price point is an awesome deal on a budget gaming monitor. In fact, my son may have just been upgraded. - Joe Shields
The Prime Day sales give us the opportunity to take a look at gadgets and tools that we probably wouldn't immediately think of or wouldn't necessarily spring to mind, but you absolutely know you'd want to buy them when you see them. This "SinLoon" external power button, on sale and priced at just $11.19, fits into this exact category.
Unlike a CPU or a GPU, there isn't a long list of specs to share for an item like this: it's an external power button for your PC. It comes with a two-meter header cable to connect to your PC's front panel, a splitter to make it work with your existing case cables, and a pair of mechanical keyboard keys for powering down or restarting.
● Check out this deal at Amazon
This slick external power button features a 2-meter (78.74 inch) cable and a splitter that lets you connect both to your case's front panel buttons. It also includes adhesive pads and zip-ties.View Deal
That's not to understate how much detail has gone into making this. The inclusion of mechanical keyboard keys, made to look like they're straight from a top-spec gaming keyboard, with RGB lighting to boot, is a bit of a showstopper. Unbelievably, SinLoon reckons that these keys are good for over 5 million keystrokes: that's a lot of PC shutdowns and restarts in your future.
Setting it up is easy enough, too, depending on the access to your PC's front panel headers. If you've built a PC, you'll have dealt with this already, connecting your motherboard up so that the power button works. Same process with this, and along with cables for shutting your PC, you've also got connectors for the power and disk access LEDs.
The keys sit neatly in a smooth, black plastic case. The wiring, also black and mostly sheathed in glossy plastic, extends from the back. The wire does eventually split into various colored cables, with easy labels to help you figure out where to plug them in.
One neat addition, if you've wondered how this actually worked, is a 1-to-2 splitter. This lets you connect these cables and your PC's power and reset buttons together, so you don't lose the functionality on your case. This is a physical adapter, so even if the pinout isn't quite as expected, you can move the header cables around to match until it works. That said, if you want to totally bypass your PC's power button, you just need to connect the cables directly to your motherboard instead.
For just over $11, this is the flag bearer for impulse buying. You've never thought about a desktop power button before, but you're intrigued. It looks cool. But that doesn't mean it's just a trinket, a pointless item on your desk. This has practical use. There are plenty of people who'll want a power button setup like this. If your PC is in a difficult-to-reach place, or if you're finding it tricky to press a floor-bound power button.
If you're a maker or builder, you'll find use for it, too. If you're testing components, as we do at Tom's Hardware, you might find yourself with nothing more than a set of components built onto a motherboard: no case, no power button. Having a SinLoon button handy on your desk, to easily plug into your motherboard's headers, certainly makes the process a lot easier.
The $11.19 sale price for this SinLoon external power button is a great price. This won't change your life, but it might make turning your PC on or off a little easier. It looks cool, it's built well, and it'll match the peripherals on your desk if you've got a mechanical gaming keyboard. For yourself or as a gift, grab this cool little desk feature while you can before the stock runs out.
If you're looking for more savings, check out our Best PC Hardware deals for a range of products, or dive deeper into our specialized SSD and Storage Deals, Hard Drive Deals, Gaming Monitor Deals, Graphics Card Deals, gaming chair, or CPU Deals pages.
Also, you can join the Tom's Hardware deals Discord for up-to-the-minute hardware deals.
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I’m sure this scenario is familiar to you — you buy an external hard drive for a certain capacity, thinking that it would have more than enough space to store all your current files, and many more in the future — but then you soon realise that you’ve filled it up in no time. You’re then forced to delete some files to make enough room for new ones that you need to back up or archive. And so it goes.
I can definitely relate, having filled up a couple of hard drives ranging from 2TB to 6TB containing photo libraries, videos and Steam game backups, then later finding myself auditing those files more often than I’d like to clear up storage space.
If you’re in the same boat as me, Amazon has discounted the 20TB Seagate Expansion Desktop external hard drive by 32% to AU$623.73. That price averages to around 3 cents per gigabyte, which is brilliant value for a backup drive that’s also fast enough to be used regularly. I don't know about you, but it would certainly cure my storage anxiety woes.
This deal can also benefit those who work with large files regularly, like content creators, video editors, data professionals, graphic artists and more, where they can focus on their work and not constantly worry about storage.
This listing is from Amazon Germany, so you may have to wait until at least early next month for delivery to Australia, but this is so far the lowest price we’ve seen for EOFY. The Seagate Expansion Desktop has USB 3.0 file transfers, Windows and Mac support (with automatic recognition for easy setup) and access to a data recovery service for that extra peace of mind.View Deal
In our best external hard drives buying guide, our reviewer called the Seagate Expansion Desktop the best-performing HDD they'd tested thanks to the read and write speeds of 242 MB/s and 237 MB/s, respectively, and for its relatively compact size compared to others in this category.
The main downsides the tester mentioned were the hard drive’s external power requirement — which is something I would certainly live with for a capacity of this size — and the expensive RRP, which this 32% discount handily takes care of.
While you can invest in some network attached storage (NAS) devices for your growing storage needs, the Seagate Expansion Desktop is an easier plug-and-play solution that won’t require much fiddling to set up — it’s as easy as plugging the drive in and moving files to it via Windows Explorer or macOS Finder. Plus, this deal is a much cheaper alternative as the NAS devices themselves without drives cost around the same or even more in some cases.
On the other hand, this external drive can be used in a NAS device (or your PC, even) through “shucking”, or removing the external casing and installing the bare drive into a hard drive bay to add more storage for redundancy or otherwise. Do note that this will void the drive’s warranty.
In any case, a deal like this in a period of storage component shortages is hard to pass up for anyone in need of extra storage space for backups, archiving or any work that involves large file sizes.
NATO and Ukraine have launched a €250,000 (~$287,000) competition seeking technologies capable of denying adversaries the use of airfields for extended periods.
The initiative, known as Persistent Airfield Denial, focuses on disrupting aviation infrastructure used to support military operations against Ukraine.
Organizers are looking for practical solutions that can damage aircraft, runways, fuel facilities, ammunition storage sites, and supporting ground infrastructure.
The competition is being organized by NATO Allied Command Transformation together with the NATO-Ukraine Joint Analysis, Training and Education Centre, commonly known as JATEC.
According to Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense, the effort stems from the importance of airfields in supporting Russian aerial operations against Ukrainian territory.
The ministry stated that “Every Russian aviation sortie to strike Ukraine begins at an airfield,” explaining why the search concentrates on restricting access to aviation infrastructure.
Officials are seeking concepts capable of sustaining operational pressure against enemy airfields rather than conducting only short duration strikes.
Proposed systems may rely on drones, loitering munitions, swarm technologies, or alternative methods for delivering destructive payloads across significant distances.
The competition rules allow virtually any technological architecture provided the proposed solution can achieve the required operational outcomes.
Entrants must also demonstrate effectiveness in electronic warfare environments where communications may be degraded or entirely unavailable during missions.
Solutions are expected to continue functioning without direct operator control or access to satellite navigation services under challenging battlefield conditions.
Organizers additionally require systems capable of operating throughout the year and in varying weather conditions without significant performance degradation.
The initiative follows previous NATO-backed innovation challenges that sought responses to guided bomb threats and fiber-optic drones increasingly used in combat.
The organizers require technologies that can move quickly from development into operational deployment after testing has been completed successfully.
The desired Technology Readiness Level falls between 5 and 7, indicating prototype stage capabilities rather than purely theoretical concepts.
Participants are expected to provide an initial minimally functional version within six weeks, demonstrating practical progress toward deployment objectives.
The proposal submission window remains open until July 20, 2026, while selected finalists will be announced on August 11.
Ukrainian miltech companies, startups, engineering teams, and defense developers are being encouraged to submit candidate technologies for evaluation.
Many of the concepts likely to emerge could involve autonomous systems designed to function independently when communications become unavailable.
Developers may also employ AI tools to improve navigation, coordination, and decision-making during contested operations.
Last year, Ukraine's Security Service carried out Operation Spiderweb, a coordinated drone attack against five Russian airfields.
Kyiv claimed the operation destroyed or damaged 41 aircraft and caused roughly $7 billion in damages, though Russia says it lost 11 planes and about $26 million.
Though Ukraine already operates cheap drones such as the Hornet and other modified AI-assisted UAVs capable of reaching targets hundreds of kilometers away, it is now seeking 'Spiderweb-type' technologies capable of delivering similar or greater effects.
Via Defense Express
Can you believe that it's now half a decade since Windows 11 was revealed? The operating system was first announced by Microsoft at a press event on June 24 back in 2021 (although the OS was leaked just before that, in typical fashion).
Five years ago today we were told that Windows 11 was inbound as a free upgrade for all Windows 10 users — but there was no stampede to adopt it, that's for sure (and the hardware requirements certainly didn't help the cause).
It wasn't until July 2025 that Windows 11 overtook Windows 10 as the dominant version of Microsoft's desktop OS according to Statcounter's figures, but it now holds a comfortable majority of over 70% of that market. As it should do, considering Windows 10 ran out of support last October (and only has a few months of extended support left).
However, putting aside the sluggish pace of adoption and the various problems that have plagued Windows 11 through the years (all the bugs and some notably missing features in the main), I think there's now cause for optimism for the future of Microsoft's operating system.
So, let me share my thoughts and reflect on what has been a half-decade of Windows 11, and tell you why I'm way more positive about the OS than I was last year — and why I think that Microsoft is finally on track (with, of course, some inevitable caveats).
Most of my hopefulness about where Windows 11 is heading comes, of course, from the big campaign Microsoft kicked off in March 2026 to fix Windows 11. Since that announcement — which I would say is the biggest statement to have been made since the OS was first announced in 2021 — Microsoft has very much proven that it intends to tackle all sorts of shortcomings and pain points with the OS.
Taskbar repositioning? We've got it. A much greater level of Start menu customization? Check. Spam removed from Windows search? Yep. More control over Windows updates? Certainly, and in fact way more control than I'd have ever believed might happen, including the ability to put off an update indefinitely, should you wish, on Windows 11 Home.
In fact, Microsoft has hit many wish-list features that I never expected would come to Windows 11, and the extent of the crowd-pleasing measures so far is heartening. These are features that are actually being delivered already, too, they're not just promises.
Furthermore, Microsoft appears to be listening to feedback and requests more closely, and generally engaging more with the community online. There's even a new initiative consisting of a research panel where Microsoft will consult testers directly on how to change aspects of Windows 11.
This genuinely feels like a fresh direction for Microsoft, and a serious commitment to change Windows 11 for the better based on what the users themselves actually want.
The other key driver for optimism with Windows 11 is the way in which Microsoft is taking more care over how the operating system is developed and coded.
Not so long ago, matters were less organized and more chaotic. Cast your mind back to the introduction of Qualcomm's Snapdragon X (Arm-based) chips in Copilot+ PCs back in 2024, alongside which Microsoft brought in a new underlying platform for Windows 11 (complete with the tinkering required to support that Arm silicon). While nothing was ever officially admitted, this is a move that I believe could have at least contributed to the mess that was the 24H2 update, which was laden with a ton of (sometimes very annoying) bugs.
Whatever the case in terms of how those glitches came to be, things have changed a lot since then. Microsoft is now being a lot more cautious with its Arm and x86 strategy — Windows 11 is split into two development paths, with the 26H1 update for Arm devices, and the 26H2 update for traditional x86 PCs — and the company has switched to use a fresh approach for these annual updates.
Instead of big annual updates — the last of which was the problematic 24H2 — Microsoft is now deploying small 'enablement packages', essentially very minor bumps to a new version of Windows 11. The actual features, the meat of Windows 11 changes, are pushed out in monthly updates as and when they're ready — in sometimes quite tightly controlled, carefully paced rollouts. This more gradual drip-feed of features is a more reliable method of deployment compared to dropping a lot of stuff all at once.
In short, Microsoft has learned its lesson from the nightmarish 24H2 release, which suffered from far too many bugs, to take on a fresh new way of operating. True, there will still need to be big updates at times, when the underlying codebase of Windows 11 has to be changed (quite possibly with 27H2). But it looks like Microsoft wants to mainly stick to compact, easily applied annual updates in the main, with features pushed out elsewhere in general.
Between the ardent push to fix Windows 11 and the better thought-out deployment of features and updates, Microsoft has come a long way, but as I mentioned before, there are caveats here.
It's worth mentioning that while the new system of continual feature deployments, rather than weighty annual feature drops, is commendable (in my opinion), the controlled rollouts of these various features have come in for some criticism. Mainly because they are so cautious in some cases that something like the Start menu revamp (the one from last year, I should clarify, not the current work) took ages for some Windows 11 users to get, and those folks found that rather frustrating.
Part of that caution is likely down to Microsoft's paranoia around bugs, and sadly, the truth is that there are still too many bugs in Windows 11, and some of them are disappointingly weird. And by disappointing, I mean odd things that just shouldn't be happening.
I only need glance back to last weekend for one such example where there was a glitch with the Recycle Bin whereby the delete confirmation dialog (when junking a file from the bin) showed the internal file name instead of the proper name. While this only applied to the dialog box — so it was hardly an important or dangerous glitch — it was confusing some people, and more to the point, this sort of thing shouldn't be happening in the release version of an operating system.
This kind of bizarre slip-up also leads to folks blaming AI for being involved in Windows 11 coding. And while there is absolutely no evidence for that, it's the very nature of the strange bug that means people will easily jump to these conclusions when Microsoft has previously admitted AI is used to quite an extent in programming its software.
Whatever's at fault, Microsoft still needs to have better processes in place to catch these kinds of glitches, and other more critical bugs which have turned up in Windows 11 this year.
One thing I've called for in the past is a commitment from Microsoft to confirm that it's addressing its quality assurance processes, and improving bug squashing, and this is a notably missing part of the fix Windows 11 campaign. A vital part, in fact, I'd argue, for better stability going forward which is one of the big overarching goals (alongside better performance, and those crowd-pleasing feature additions).
Still, all in all, I've got to underline that right now, I'm as optimistic about Windows 11 as I've ever been. If Microsoft can tackle the bug blot on the OS landscape, and keep on listening to users — and its new research panel of testers from the community — Windows 11 could be in great shape come next year.
China has failed tremendously in stopping its tech firms from using banned NVIDIA Blackwell GPUs that are being sold on the black market for double the price. The US Banned NVIDIA Blackwell GPUs Because They Were Too Cutting Edge, & China Banned Them To Focus On Domestic Solutions, But Strong Demand From Tech Firms See Doubling of Prices In Black Market The NVIDIA Blackwell GPU family has been entirely banned in China for AI workloads. The US Government banned them because Blackwell was a bit too cutting-edge, even limiting sales of the gamer-oriented RTX 5090 and relaunching a cut-down variant […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/china-fails-to-stop-tech-firms-from-using-nvidia-chips-banned-blackwell-gpus-hit-2x-price-on-black-market/
Hano turns plain screenshots into polished 3D device mockups that help get more clicks. It runs entirely in your browser, so there's nothing to install. Upload your screen recording or screenshot, choose from iPhone, iPad, MacBook, and Android device frames, adjust the angle and lighting, then export. You get photo-quality images up to 4K or animated videos showing your app in motion. Built for indie developers, designers, and anyone who needs launch-ready visuals without spending hours in design tools.
The end-of-financial-year sales have seen many smartphone deals across flagship, mid-range and budget handsets, including some rare discounts on the current iPhone 17 range.
If you splurged on a new phone during the sales, you may be interested in signing up for a new SIM-only plan if you bought one outright, especially if you’re not 100% happy with your current provider.
Even if you didn’t buy a new phone, it can still pay to shop around for a new SIM-only plan, as you may find one that fits your needs better than your current one. You could be paying for a ton of data with your current provider that goes unused, for example. Or maybe you’d benefit from having international calls included in your monthly price.
Given how competitive the telco market is currently, providers are jostling for your attention — whether it’s generous mobile data allowances, discounts on the monthly plan fees or inclusions like international calls and texts — and it would be a good idea to take full advantage.
The best part is, unless your current plan is tied up with a mobile phone, it’s so easy to switch providers. If the promotional plan discount of the SIM-only plan you signed up has just wrapped up, you can easily swap to a different provider that’s offering its own discounted plan with next to zero hassle.
I’ve put together a list below of the best SIM-only plans I’ve spotted this EOFY across a range of use cases and budgets, with all the inclusions and discounts:
TPG Large Plan | 100GB | AU$22.50 per 28-day renewal (first six renewals, then AU$45 per renewal)
While we’ve usually spruiked the TPG plan that’s a step down from this one (50GB data for AU$17.50 per month) as the best value SIM-only deal, getting 100GB of mobile data for AU$22.50 is an outright steal, even if it’s just for the first 6 months. Unlike many of the SIM-only plans at this price range, you get access to the full Vodafone 5G network, bringing with it added benefits of extended coverage and faster download speeds. One perk also worth mentioning is the inclusion of unlimited international calls and texts to 31 destinations. Do note is that this is a 28-day plan, which means you’ll have 13 payments each year.
Total minimum cost: AU$22.50
Total cost for first year: AU$405
Ongoing yearly cost: AU$540View Deal
Swoop Mobile | 30GB | AU$12.40 p/m (first 6 months, then AU$24.90 p/m)
There are cheaper plans than this, but this entry-level offering from Swoop Mobile not only provides 30GB of mobile data, but it also uses Vodafone’s 5G and 4G networks, which is rare at this price point. You also get unlimited national calls and texts at this price.
Total minimum cost: AU$12.40
Total cost for first year: AU$223.80
Ongoing yearly cost: AU$298.80View Deal
Exetel PlusOne eSIM plan | 130GB | AU$40p/m
Exetel has only a single mobile plan offering, but the brand nails the brief perfectly with a great value option on the Telstra 5G network (with speeds capped at 150Mbps). You get a generous 130GB of data each month, unlimited international calls to 15 countries including the UK and US, and the ability to bank up to 1000GB of data. And all this for just AU$40 per recharge (30 days). Do note that this plan is only available with an eSIM, so you'll first need to check if your phone is compatible.
Total minimum cost: AU$40
Total yearly cost: AU$480View Deal
Vodafone Large Plan | 400GB | AU$36.50 (first 6 months, then AU$73p/m)
Of the big 3 Aussie telcos, Vodafone has regularly provided the best value, and the mere fact that the brand made it to this list means that it can compete with MVNOs in certain price points. Vodafone is offering 50% off plan fees for the first 6 months, making the 400GB Large Plan, at less than AU$40 per month, the best high-data SIM-only plan this EOFY. To sweeten the pot further, you also get unlimited minutes to 'Zone 1' nations and 300 minutes to 'Zone 2' nations. To see which countries are available, you can learn more about international calls with Vodafone.
Total minimum cost: AU$36.50
Total cost for first year: AU$657
Ongoing yearly cost: AU$876View Deal
Lyca Mobile Large | 900GB | AU$220 (first 12 months, then AU$480)
Lyca Mobile's Large plan has long been TechRadar’s favourite long-term expiry plan, especially now the included data has increased from 600GB to 900GB (although the price did also increase from AU$175 to AU$220 for the first 12 months). Granted, the ongoing cost after the first year is quite pricey, but you at least have the option to shop around for a different promo on a long-expiry plan afterwards. The mobile data will be provisioned in 75GB instalments each month, which can be helpful in case you accidentally use too much data in a single month. You'll also receive international minutes to 35 destinations with this plan.
Total minimum cost: AU$220
First year cost: AU$220
Ongoing yearly cost: AU$480View Deal
Keen to shop around more? Check out the most popular SIM-only plans in the widget below:
ASUS says that PC price bumps will gradually decline in the coming quarters and expects just single-digit hikes by Q3 2026. ASUS Claims That PC Prices Won't See Double-Digit Spikes By The End of This Year, Only Single-Digit Increases Expected By Q3 2026 Recently, we have covered many reports stating how memory and component shortages will lead to higher prices through 2028, but ASUS has come forward to claim that the worst is over, & the market is now projected to see lower increases, falling in the single-digit range. In a report by United Daily News, ASUS's General Manager Yi-Hsiang […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/asus-says-pc-price-storm-has-passed-expects-single-digit-price-bumps-q3-2026/
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Instead of acting like another isolated AI writing tool, MartechAI is built around connected marketing operations. It helps teams organize campaigns, understand contact and activity context, surface useful insights, create content, track performance, and identify what needs attention next across their workspace.
The platform is creating a pan-European Local Movement Fund with Strava to help empower regional exercise clubs and communities.
Parent company Snap commissioned a report that found its social platform outranked other apps in many key performance elements.
The company is reportedly developing a new app similar to Polymarket and Kalshi, according to The New York Times.
Brands can search for trending content and get data on organic performance via parent company Google’s Insights Finder.
The company is rolling out new creative solutions, testing mechanisms and text generation tools
The trio of new models includes a collaboration with Kylie Jenner and offers a lower price point than the company’s previous releases.
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Reviewing games is part of my job, so I know what's worth your time and money if you're a PlayStation 5 gamer like me.
2026 has had some pretty excellent games arrive on PS5 already, and we're barely halfway through the year. From 007 First Light and the brilliant new verision of James Bond and globetrotting adventure that it offers, through to enormous roleplaying games like Crimson Desert in which players are still finding secrets months on from release, and from gripping horror games with genuine consequences like Directive 8020, to satisfying bricky adventures like Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight, there's so much to get into right now.
• View all of Amazon's current prices and deals on PS5 games this Prime Day
Even if these games aren't part of the wider Amazon Prime Day deals, they're still worth considering, such is their quality and the experiences they offer. Dive in and enjoy!
For this year's Prime Day, MSI has slashed the price of the Pro MP165 E6 portable monitor to $65 (was $95) at Amazon.
That's an incredible price for an ultra-thin, ultra-light portable monitor from a well-known brand. And with this price cut, I don't hesitate in calling this the best budget second display you can get in the sales.
Taking this out for a test drive, we used the screen as part of our professional IT set-up while working on desktops, working across multiple locations, and even used it to create music tracks on a Mac mini. We found it easy to deploy throughout. For a 15.6in 1080p display, there's not much we didn't like.
• See all Prime Day deals at Amazon.com
An excellent Prime Day discount makes this FHD portable monitor even more affordable. It's an ideal second screen for busy professionals thanks to its thin and light design. Considering the price, we thought it was a great display overall.
In the UK: now £56 (was £89)View Deal
Scoring 4 stars in our review, we called it "a super-light, hyper-functional portable display that is great to have as an extra display for all of your tech."
After spending time trying this out across a range of workflows, we found it well-designed for business professionals who could really use more screen real estate.
Now, it's not the most feature-rich portable monitor we've ever reviewed - notable, color coverage is average, so I wouldn't recommend this as a primary screen for video and photo editing.
But it's not entirely stripped back. Highlights here include the stable integrated kickstand, single cable set-up, and VESA mountable design.
I'm seeing plenty of discounts on portable monitors for Prime Day - including a few at $50. But personally, I'd spend the extra fifteen bucks and pick up the MSI screen. Considering the big 32% discount, I think MSI's budget pick is the one to go for.
I genuinely love this portable monitor, and I use it every day as a second screen at work. It's thin, lightweight, hits 2.5K resolution and 180Hz refresh rates, and even comes with a protective sleeve in the box. I scored it 4.5 stars after testing.
In the UK: now £114 (was £160)View Deal
This 15.6-inch 1080p monitor is at the budget end for Prime Day, but worth checking out - I'd expect better build quality here compared to a lot of the $50 portable monitors I'm seeing in the sales.
In the UK: now £73 (was £100)View Deal
Prime Day is here, and one of the most popular products is, as always, TVs. I lead TechRadar's TV and home theater team, and I've worked with our dedicated deals editors and TV hardware writers to pick the best Prime Day TV deals this year.
• Browse the full Amazon US Prime Day sale
• Browse the full Amazon UK Prime Day sale
There haven't been as many really good Prime Day TV deals this year as I expected, but when they're good, they're often really good. I'm talking a five-star Samsung S90F OLED TV for just $1,199 (was $2397.99) in the US, or a 55-inch Samsung S84F OLED TV for just £683(was £899) in the UK.
We've got cheaper models than that, smaller models, and larger models — much larger in some cases. Here are the deals, presented in size order and price order. If you're in the UK, you can skip to those deals here.
Amazon's cheapest Prime Day TV deal is Insignia's 32-inch F20 Series Fire TV for just $69.99. The Fire TV features Full HD resolution, DTS Virtual :X Sound for impressive audio, smart capabilities with the Fire OS, and a voice remote with hands-free Alexa – all for under $100.View Deal
If you're looking for a cheap set for an extra bedroom, Amazon's Prime Day sale has the best-selling 32-inch 2-Series HD smart TV for a record-low price of $134.99. While the Amazon 2-Series TV lacks 4K resolution, it offers smart capabilities through the Fire TV experience and Amazon Alexa, providing hands-free control.View Deal
You can get the best-selling Insignia 43-inch F50 Series 4K TV for an incredible price of $119.99 — a record-low. The Insignia F50 Series TV features 4K resolution, DTS Studio Sound, smart capabilities with Fire OS, and a voice remote with hands-free Alexa, so you can use your voice to control your TV.View Deal
Easily one of the best value OLED TVs available, the LG B5 55-inch has dropped to $799.99. It's not a record-low low, but still a very good price. This is the perfect TV if you're looking for some excellent for both movies and gaming.View Deal
This brand-new version of the Amazon 55-inch Fire TV 4-Series is on sale for its lowest price yet. The mid-sized 4K display supports HDR10, delivering a sharp, clear, and vibrant image for TV shows, movies, and sports. All major streaming apps are ready to go, too, and there's voice control via Alexa. It's an all-around solid TV for the price if you need an affordable and capable display.View Deal
The latest Amazon Omni QLED is a brilliant budget TV that delivers solid picture quality and a good set of gaming features, including 4K 60Hz, Dolby Vision, and HDR10+, for an affordable price. This Prime Day discount brings the 55-inch model to its lowest-ever price of $279.99.View Deal
This Hisense U7 Series delivers top TV tech for the money in a reasonably sized display, including a bright, vibrant QLED panel with excellent contrast and a high 165Hz refresh rate for smooth images. It will excel as a TV for watching sports, streaming all your favorite shows and movies, and playing the latest games.View Deal
Samsung's super-stylish The Frame TV is always a big Prime Day hit, and this is an excellent price for the set, with its smart separate connections box, lovely frame and rich colors. And you get access to Samsung's impressive art selection, of course.View Deal
The LG C5 OLED is TechRadar's best-rated TV, while it lasts — it's getting hard to find in some sizes! Awarded five out of five stars in our review, the OLED display delivers an outstanding picture thanks to LG's Alpha 9 AI processor Gen8, impressive gaming features, and a comprehensive smart platform featuring all-new AI capabilities.View Deal
If you've been holding out for a premium World Cup TV upgrade, this deal on the Samsung S95F 55-inch might be perfect. Dropping to a record-low $1,597 at Best Buy, the S95F's bold colors, high brightness and brilliant anti-reflection screen make it a prime companion for the World Cup. View Deal
The TCL QM7K is a feature-packed mini-LED TV that over-delivers for its price range. It has great picture quality and a ton of solid gaming features. While this discount may be small, it does take the 65-inch model down to a new record-low price of $749.99. View Deal
This Prime Day deal takes the 65-inch Amazon Ember Omni Mini-LED TV down to a record-low price of $879.97. This TV delivers solid brightness and contrast, along with bold colors, and a ready-to-use, out-of-the-box sports mode that lets you watch sports with minimal setup. It also offers a robust selection of gaming features, including 4K, 144Hz, VRR, ALLM, and Dolby Vision support.View Deal
Samsung's S90F OLED TV is one of our best-rated OLED TVs, and it's down to $1,397.99, thanks to a $1,000 discount. The S90F OLED TV delivers an outstanding picture, thanks to the quantum dot OLED technology and Samsung's NQ4 AI Gen3 processor. You're also getting extensive gaming features and Samsung's impressive Tizen operating system.View Deal
The LG C5 is the ultimate all-around TV, delivering excellent performance for movies, gaming and sports with a full suite of features and superb picture quality. The 65-inch model has dropped to $1,199.99 at Amazon and while this isn't a record-low, it's the cheapest it's been since February. View Deal
The 65-inch TCL QM8K has dropped to an excellent price for Prime Day, though it's not quite a record-low. If you're looking for a TV for the World Cup, the QM8K delivers the bright, punchy picture quality you need, plus a solid built-in sound system. View Deal
When you get a bigger-screen TV, you want strong image quality to make the most of it, and the Hisense U7 Series provides that. It's ideal for watching sports thanks to its bright images and solid motion handling, and has great current-gen gaming features. 75 inches of good-quality TV viewing for under $1,000? This is a Prime Day bargain.View Deal
The Samsung QN90F is our ultimate TV for sport thanks to its brightness, glare-free screen and excellent motion handling, making it a perfect World Cup TV. Stock is either running low or gone across various retailers, but you can still get the 75-inch model for this great price, considering what a premium TV it is.View Deal
Here is an Amazon exclusive deal on a massive display. You can get TCL's 98-inch QM64L Series for $1,799.99, which is an incredible price for a TV of this size. A truly great budget mini-LED TV, the TCL QM64L delivers vibrant picture quality and solid gaming features for a price that won't break the bank.View Deal
The perfect gaming screen upgrade ahead of GTA 6 — fantastic OLED image quality, with full HDMI 2.1 support on all four HDMI ports, plus a great smart TV system. This is an unbeatable price for a TV this good at this size.View Deal
A detailed TV from a reliable brand, with good smart TV software that provides all the major streaming services. This is probably the best mid-size budget TV you can get during this year's UK Prime Day sale.View Deal
LG's best value OLED hits its lowest ever price with this Prime Day deal, with the 48-inch LG B5 hitting £567, beating the previous cheapest price by £60. Perfect for bedroom gaming, the B5 has a full suite of gaming features and delivers smooth gameplay. View Deal
This is an incredible price for a 55-inch OLED TV that's as good as this. The S84F is basically the same as the Samsung S85F, which we gave 4.5 stars to — this cheaper version doesn't have Filmmaker Mode and lacks some minor lifestyle features, but has all the essentials. It's a bargain.View Deal
Still looking for that TV upgrade for the World Cup? The Samsung QN90F is our pick for the best TV for sports and the 55-inch model has dropped to £809.10, which is the cheapest it's ever been. With a glare-free screen and solid brightness, it's ideal for bright rooms, too. View Deal
The LG C5 covers all the bases, with OLED picture quality and razor-sharp performance for movies, sports and gaming. There's a reason it tops most of our best-of lists. The 55-inch model has dropped to £977.10 at Amazon, a new record-low price. View Deal
The Samsung S95F delivers superb picture quality, with high brightness, vibrant colors, and effective reflection handling thanks to its anti-glare screen — it really is a fantastic World Cup TV upgrade. This deal takes the 55-inch model down to £1,237.50, a record-low for this phenomenal five-star OLED. View Deal
This is essentially the same TV as the TCL C6K, which we rate as the best cheap TV available right now — and it's better value than most TVs that actually aimed to be budget sets in the first place. The picture quality feels far more premium than the price — it's a great low-price big-screen upgrade.View Deal
This TV is a great price, given the premium mini-LED tech inside, and the support for 4K 120Hz gaming on new-gen consoles. It's a big, bright, dazzling premium TV.View Deal
Here at TechRadar, we test dozens of pairs of headphones every year. And while we've been won over by many an ultra-pricey set of cans, we also love a cheap pair of headphones that punches above its price tag. This article is dedicated to showcasing these wallet-friendly wonders. I asked TechRadar's audio specialists which headphones they'd recommend to buyers on a budget, and you'll find their suggestions below.
If it's true wireless in-ears you're after, you'd struggle to do better than the Nothing Ear (a) buds, which Audio Editor Becky Scarrott awarded a perfect five stars, calling them "a resounding home run" for the British startup and praising the noise cancellation, sound quality and battery life in particular. In the current Amazon Prime Day deals, they're unbeatable value at under $55 / £50.
In the over-ear arena, standouts are the CMF Pro and the 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51, both of which earned 4.5 stars in our tests. The former were put through their paces by Becky, who was impressed with the "superb" sound quality in general, and was pleasantly surprised to discover "the sort of... personal sound profile curation [we're] more used to seeing in headphones much higher up the food chain". The latter were reviewed by our review's team's resident headphone specialist Harry Padoan, who praised the "adept audio, noise-crushing ANC and eye-catching design". Both are even better value than usual right now, too, thanks to those Prime (and rival-Prime) deals.
Read on for more budget-maximizing buys — and hit the 'View details' button for a summary of what we thought of them in our tests, plus links to the full reviews.
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Airbnb-related scam activity has increased 30x since the first half of 2023, according to new research from Saily and NordStellar, confirming that cybercriminals continue to go after holidaymakers seeking the best deals amid rising prices.
The report ultimately concludes that attackers are now targeting the trust built by larger platforms, saving them from having to build new identities from scratch.
And to top it all off, the nature of scams is also changing, as instead of using suspicious websites to obtain victim payments or information, criminals are now targeting legitimate Airbnb host accounts which have spent years amassing positive reviews and high ratings.
While the end goal remains high volumes of vulnerable consumers, scammers have added an extra layer of victim in their pipeline. Verified Airbnb hosts are now valuable assets for criminals because they already have identity verifications, positive reviews, booking histories, years of activity and established credibility.
Once the verified account is compromised, attackers can then go on to scam higher volumes of unsuspecting victims by posting – and charging for – fake property listings.
“Travelers are getting better at spotting obvious scams,” Saily Head of Product Matas Cenys said. “Criminals know this, so they are increasingly trying to steal trust instead of building fake trust from scratch.”
Where this type of attack differs from others, though, is that the victims never leave the platform. Rather than falling victim to phishing attacks and being redirected to malicious external sites, they interact fully with supposed legitimate hosts on the Airbnb platform.
While Airbnb attacks have seen a 30x increase in around three years and a sharp rise in the last year alone, they reflect a much broader trend of attackers compromising existing trusted accounts.
The recent ramp-up in attacks could also be tied to the summer season, with holidaymakers looking to book last-minute deals in the run-up to the summer season. Urgency and pressure to keep costs low also adds to criminals’ success.
“Everything looks normal until they arrive at their destination and discover the accommodation never existed," Cenys added.
Saily is recommending that all communication stays within the booking platform and that customers avoid payment methods suggested outside of official channels. Unusually attractive listings in high-demand destinations could also be taken with a pinch of salt, and savvy shoppers may choose to reverse image search a property to double check its authenticity.
“As travel booking becomes increasingly digital, trust becomes one of the most valuable currencies in the travel ecosystem,” Cenys warned.
As for abusing victim trust, researchers also argue that AI has aided attacks by allowing criminals to produce better fake listings more quickly.
More generally, Airbnb revealed that two in five Americans have fallen victim for an online scam, with the average loss totalling nearly $2,000. The company has introduced measures to remind its users how to avoid scams, including introducing identity verification and reminders not to leave the platform, but account takeovers can still slip under the radar.
Airbnb also holds guest payments until 24 hours after check-in to ensure that everything is as described. Anti-fraud tech also prevented around 265,000 suspicious listings from appearing on the platform in 2025, the company boasted.
The company posted a comprehensive eight-step list of how to avoid scams on its platform online, calling out pressure tactics and unusual deals.
I've been reviewing gaming headsets for nearly a decade now, and have seen a lot of them come and go. While a lot of my favorites are long gone now, there's a great big handful of my top picks that you can still get in 2026 — and I've got 15 of my best below that are definitely worth your money, no matter your budget or platform.
Yes, a few of these are premium offerings which do you require a bit of investment — the Audeze Maxwell 2 is the best for pure sound quality, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite offers the complete gaming headset experience — but I also love a few cheaper options which are enormously good value for money, which I also still use in particular scenarios, such as the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 or Razer Kaira X.
• View the full gaming headset offerings at Amazon right now
Regardless of whether these are among the Amazon Prime Day deals officially or not, you might find discounts on them — the prices of these bits of gear fluctuate wildly at the best of times — and even if you don't, I think they're absolutely worth investing in if you're in need of a set of audio-givers.
Senao SmartNIC SX906 was one of the more quietly remarkable exhibits on display at Computex 2026 — a PCIe card which functions less like a network adapter and more like a fully equipped server that somehow forgot it was supposed to fit inside a slot.
Built around Intel's Xeon 6 SoC processor in the Granite Rapids-D architecture, the card delivers up to 200Gbps of network performance from a dual-slot form factor.
It weighs 1kg, measures 266 x 98.4 x 40.6mm, and draws power through a PCIe edge finger and a 16-pin 12VHPWR connector — the same connector that feeds power-hungry graphics cards.
This device comes with three processor configurations, including the Xeon 6523P-B, 6553P-B, and the flagship 6563P-B.
The Xeon 6523P-B brings 24 cores running at 2.5GHz with a 295W power envelope, the 6553P-B steps up to 36 cores at 2.6GHz, consuming 355W, and the 6563P-B pushes to 38 cores at 2.4GHz — also at 355W.
All three SKUs support up to 64GB of 4-channel DDR5-4600 ECC memory, carry two M.2 2280 NVMe SSD slots, and include up to 128GB of eMMC storage for good measure.
The 36 and 38 core variants go further still, adding a media transcode accelerator that makes them considerably more capable than the entry-level configuration.
Network connectivity runs through dual 100G QSFP28 ports, though the 24-core SKU is capped at 100GbE total throughput while the two larger variants unlock the full 200GbE.
An ASPEED AST2600 BMC oversees out-of-band management through OpenBMC, with an AST1060 controller handling Intel Platform Firmware Resilience — security infrastructure that belongs in a data centre rack, not a PCIe slot.
The I/O configuration is where the SX906 stops making conventional sense entirely.
Alongside the expected networking interfaces, the SX906 carries a MiniDP display output, an RJ45 1GbE management port, and a USB3.0 Type-C port.
That Type-C port is functional enough to charge a smartphone on a workbench while the card simultaneously processes network security workloads at 200Gbps.
A second Type-C console port and two PCIe Gen5 x8 MCIO connectors expose 24 PCIe Gen5 lanes for further expansion, giving engineers considerable room to extend the card beyond its base capabilities.
The SX906 runs Ubuntu 22.04 or 24.04 natively and supports TPM2.0 Secure Boot, completing a security profile that most standalone servers would be proud to claim.
Whether it carves out a clear commercial niche beyond AI edge deployments and specialised network security remains an open question.
What is harder to argue with, however, is that Senao has packed an entire server's worth of infrastructure into something that slots into a PCIe bay.
Via ServeTheHome
Instant photography takes on a very different form these days. It used to (and ultimately still does) mean a photo you take that’s instantly printed out on paper. Realistically, it means a photo you take on your smartphone in seconds — and it’s something we all take for granted. Just open the camera on a smartphone, point, shoot, done.
However, in many ways, the instant nature of smartphone photography afforded by the best camera phones can remove any creative nature of framing the perfect shot.
This is a thought I had recently at least when heading over to Europe on holiday, and one I wanted to amend by taking a Fujifilm Instax mini 11 in my carry on. In my mind I couldn’t have made a better choice.
Fortunately, the updated model, the mini 13, is on sale at Amazon for just AU$119 at Amazon for EOFY.
The very epitome of point-and-shoot photography, the Instax mini 13 couldn’t be easier to master. Press a button to pop out the lens barrel, frame your subject in the viewfinder and hit the shutter button. A couple of seconds later, your photo is printed on photo paper to hold onto forever. Best of all, this latest model features a self-timer for those all-important selfies.View Deal
I’ve long been on the fence about instant cameras and a separate camera from my phone in general. I’ve made the trip to Europe several times before to visit my family, and in the past I’ve taken my OM System OM-D E-M10 MKIV.
However, the last time I took it, I never used it (as much as I told myself I would), as the added bulk of carrying around lenses and the camera body itself just proved too much of an inconvenience for me. Considering my iPhone 15 Pro could take decent pictures within seconds, I didn’t feel the need to keep it close by.
This year that all changed. While my iPhone was still an undeniably useful companion on my recent trip — I took well over 1,000 photos — I knew this time that I wanted to capture more memorable pics that would actually get looked at again (this is a safe space; we can all admit we never actually look back at photos we take).
I’d never used an instant camera such as the Instax mini before, and I have to admit there was a very slight learning curve to adjust to a new way of taking photos. And that was half of the fun for me — because I knew I only had a finite number of sheets to print on. I had to make my pictures count!
Using the Instax mini meant I had to be more considerate when framing a shot, which fortunately was super simple using the viewfinder. It might look like a tiny window (because it is), but whatever I saw through it is what came out on paper.
And hey, there really was something magical and special about waiting for the image to develop — how would it look? Did the colours come out ok? Did anyone walk into the shot as I pressed the shutter?
When my partner and I returned home, we made a much more conscious effort to look at the pictures I’d taken to determine what we’d keep and what we’d get rid of. Of the photos we kept, we’re going to frame them at some point at home. We haven’t quite decided how just yet, but we know we will.
Considering I’ve only ever printed a handful of photos from my iPhone, I’d call that a win for Fujifilm. And at AU$119 for the mini 13, it’s a small price to pay for photos you’ll actually come back to.
The art TV market is more crowded than ever before, and even though Samsung started it with the Frame TV and later expanded with the Frame Pro, there’s been Hisense’s Canvas TV for a while, and the most recent addition is from Amazon.
Amazon’s Ember Artline Fire TV might only come in two sizes, but it packs a punch in two key areas compared to Samsung’s Frame TV: it comes with a frame that completes the effect of looking like a true piece of art out of the box, and you don’t need to pay for a subscription for art to show off.
Best of all, though, it’s down to its lowest price for Prime Day 2026, with Amazon dropping the 55-inch to just $699.99 (originally $899.99) and the 65-inch to $899.99 (originally $1,099.99) — that’s a 22% and 18% discount, respectively. You also get to pick between 10 frame options.
Amazon's 55-inch Ember Artline Fire TV is at a new all-time low price for Prime Day 2026, and comes with a bezel frame in the box. Plus, you get more than 2,000 pieces of artwork for free and the Fire TV interface for easy access to major streaming services.View Deal
Just like the 55-inch, the largest Amazon Ember Artline Fire TV is at the lowest price ever for Prime Day 2026. Right now, the 65-inch is $899.99 and comes with access to over 2,000 pieces of artwork and a frame in the box.View Deal
It’s a pretty stellar Prime Day deal for an art or lifestyle TV. The Ember Artline, in either the 55-inch or 65-inch size, is a 4K QLED TV finished with a matte coating. And yes, the latter is pretty similar to how the Frame TV is finished, helping make whatever art you’re displaying look more like actual artwork.
Amazon also supports the HDR10+ standard here, along with Dolby Vision, and it runs Fire TV out of the box.
The latter means you’ll have access to all the major streaming services such as Disney+, Netflix, and Apple TV, assuming you have the logins, and you can control it all with Alexa+.
It’s also a thin TV that won’t protrude from the wall all that much if you decide to hang it, as the Ember Artline is just 1.5 inches thick. Out of the box, you get access to over 2,000 pieces of artwork to display for free, and you can upload your own photos.
At $200 off for both the 55-inch and 65-inch models, there hasn’t been a better time to score the Ember Artline than Prime Day 2026. Of course, Samsung’s The Frame models are seeing discounts of their own this Prime Day.
Right now, you can get the standard 55-inch The Frame for $697.99 at Amazon — or you can get the 55-inch Samsung The Frame Pro for 15% off at $1,267.99. Remember, though, you’ll need to buy your own Frame Bezel.
The Frame Pro also boasts a QLED Mini LED display, and has a wireless One Connect Box for a cleaner look when fully set up.
Samsung's super-stylish The Frame TV is always a big Prime Day hit, and this is an excellent price for the set, with its smart separate connections box, lovely frame and rich colors. And you can get access to Samsung's impressive art selection, of course.View Deal
Samsung's 2026 Frame Pro levels up its classic art TV formula with a Neo QLED display finished with a matte coating, a wireless One Connect box, and a slim-fit wall mount included in the box. Right now, you can save $230 on the 55-inch size at Amazon.View Deal
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DR Congo's return to the FIFA World Cup has been nothing short of magical. Fresh off their first-ever tournament point and goal, the Leopards now face Group K leaders Colombia at Guadalajara Stadium in a fascinating clash of styles.
After failing to qualify in 2022, Los Cafeteros were clinical in their opening match against debutants Uzbekistan, securing a 3-1 victory. Second-half strikes from Luis Diaz and Jaminton Campaz sealed a comfortable win. Nestor Lorenzo's men will look to carry that momentum forward and book their place in the knockout stage with a victory over DR Congo, ranked 46th in the world when the tournament began.
Yoane Wissa's equalizer in first-half stoppage-time earned the Leopards a memorable 1-1 draw against mighty Portugal. Sebastien Desabre's men are not to be taken lightly – a lesson Portugal learned the hard way. Can Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Wissa, and Cedric Bakambu conjure an unlikely upset and throw Group K wide open? Real Betis forward Bakambu excelled up front – what price a first win for the side who lost all three games by an aggregate 14-0 the last time they appeared in the tournament 52 years ago.
So, read on as we show you exactly how to watch Colombia vs DR Congo for free from anywhere in the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Colombia vs DR Congo is available to watch for free in multiple countries, including the UK, Australia, Brazil, Belgium, Ireland, Netherlands, Switzerland and Turkey.
Abroad? Can't access your free stream? Unblock your free World Cup stream with Norton VPN — more on that below.
It’s the World Cup, and if you’re traveling, you might discover your usual Colombia vs DR Congo stream is suddenly unavailable due to geo-restrictions.
Don’t worry, that’s exactly where a VPN can help. A virtual private network lets you connect to servers around the world so you can securely access your usual World Cup coverage as if you were back home.
We recommend Norton VPN. Here's why:
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US viewers can watch Colombia vs DR Congo on FS1 and Telemundo (Spanish comms).
You can watch every World Cup game on Fox, FS1 and Telemundo, which are available on cord-cutters like YouTube TV (free trial), Hulu+Live TV, Sling (select markets), Fubo or DirecTV.
Those looking for a streaming service instead can watch Colombia vs DR Congo on Fox One (3-day free trial). Telemundo is available via Peacock as well.
Visiting the US from the UK? You can still watch your World Cup stream for free thanks to Norton VPN (try for 60 days).
UK customers are in luck as they can stream Colombia vs DR Congo for free on ITV. Live coverage is on ITV1 and ITVX.
You require a TV license and a valid UK postcode for an account (e.g. SE1 7PB).
Norton VPN can unlock your stream if you're abroad today.
Colombia vs DR Congo will be shown for free in Australia on SBS On Demand.
The streaming platform has every game of the tournament for free, making it the perfect place for your World Cup viewing.
Traveling for work or on holiday? A VPN like Norton VPN can help unlock your free stream.
In Canada, TSN will be broadcasting Colombia vs DR Congo.
You can live stream via the TSN+ streaming platform, which costs CA$8 per month or CA$80 per year.
Outside of Canada? Use Norton VPN whilst you're traveling away from home to unlock your stream.
Colombia vs DR Congo kicks-off at 10pm ET on Tuesday, June 23. That's 3am BST / 12pm AEST on Wednesday, June 24.
Colombia
Goalkeepers: Camilo Vargas (Atlas), Alvaro Montero (Velez Sarsfield), David Ospina (Atletico Nacional)
Defenders: Davinson Sanchez (Galatasaray), Jhon Lucumi (Bologna), Yerry Mina (Cagliari), Willer Ditta (Cruz Azul), Daniel Munoz (Crystal Palace), Santiago Arias (Independiente), Johan Mojica (Mallorca), Deiver Machado (Nantes)
Midfielders: Richard Rios (Benfica), Jefferson Lerma (Crystal Palace), Kevin Castano (River Plate), Juan Camilo Portilla (Athletico Paranaense), Gustavo Puerta (Racing de Santander), Jhon Arias (Palmeiras), Jorge Carrascal (Flamengo), Juan Fernando Quintero (River Plate), James Rodriguez (Minnesota United), Jaminton Campaz (Rosario Central)
Forwards: Juan Camilo Hernandez (Real Betis), Luis Diaz (Bayern Munich), Luis Suarez (Sporting), Carlos Andres Gomez (Vasco da Gama), Jhon Cordoba (Krasnodar)
DR Congo
Goalkeepers: Matthieu Epolo (Standard Liege), Timothy Fayulu (Noah), Lionel Mpasi (Le Havre)
Defenders: Dylan Batubinsika (Larisa), Gedoon Kalulu (Aris Limassol), Steve Kapuadi (Widzew Lodz), Joris Kayembe (Racing Genk), Arthur Masuaku (Racing Lens), Chancel Mbemba (Lille), Axel Tuanzebe (Burnley), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham United)
Midfielders: Theo Bongonda (Spartak Moscow), Brian Cipenga (Castellon), Meshack Elia (Alanyaspor), Gael Kakuta (Larisa), Edo Kayembe (Watford), Nathanael Mbuku (Montpellier), Samuel Moutoussamy (Atromitos), Ngal'ayel Mukau (Lille), Charles Pickel (Espanyol), Noah Sadiki (Sunderland), Aaron Tshibola (Kilmarnock)
Forwards: Cedric Bakambu (Real Betis), Simon Banza (Al Jazira), Fiston Mayele (Pyramids), Yoane Wissa (Newcastle United)
Position | Team | GD | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Colombia | 2 | 3 |
2 | DR Congo | 0 | 1 |
3 | Portugal | 0 | 1 |
4 | Uzbekistan | -2 | 0 |
Of course, most broadcasters have streaming services that you can access through mobile apps or via your phone's browser.
You can also stay up-to-date with all of the key World Cup moments on the official social media channels on X/Twitter (@FIFAWorldCup), Instagram (@FIFAWorldCup), TikTok (@FIFAWorldCup) and YouTube (@FIFA).
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A new NYT Strands puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Tuesday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Tuesday, June 23 (game #842).
Strands is the NYT's latest word game after the likes of Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections – and it's great fun. It can be difficult, though, so read on for my Strands hints.
Want more word-based fun? Then check out my NYT Connections today and Quordle today pages for hints and answers for those games, and Marc's Wordle today page for the original viral word game.
SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Strands today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.
• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Just chill
Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.
• Spangram has 15 letters
First side: left, 5th row
Last side: right, 5th row
Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.
The answers to today's Strands, game #843, are…
The weather is scorching hot in the UK, so my mind automatically went to words connected with staying cool.
However, I realized after spotting BEER that we were instead looking for cooling beverages — or BEVERAGECOOLERS according to the lengthy spangram.
My cooling beverage of choice — iced tea — didn’t make the cut, but as a second best I’d go with a KOMBUCHA, which is a bit of an upgrade on a regular tea drink but part of the same family, like a distant fancy auntie.
Strands is the NYT's not-so-new-any-more word game, following Wordle and Connections. It's now a fully fledged member of the NYT's games stable that has been running for a year and which can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.
I've got a full guide to how to play NYT Strands, complete with tips for solving it, so check that out if you're struggling to beat it each day.
A new Quordle puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Tuesday's puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Tuesday, June 22 (game #1610).
Quordle was one of the original Wordle alternatives and is still going strong now more than 1,400 games later. It offers a genuine challenge, though, so read on if you need some Quordle hints today – or scroll down further for the answers.
Enjoy playing word games? You can also check out my NYT Connections today and NYT Strands today pages for hints and answers for those puzzles, while Marc's Wordle today column covers the original viral word game.
SPOILER WARNING: Information about Quordle today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.
• The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 4*.
* Note that by vowel we mean the five standard vowels (A, E, I, O, U), not Y (which is sometimes counted as a vowel too).
• The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 2.
• No. None of Q, Z, X or J appear among today's Quordle answers.
• The number of today's Quordle answers starting with the same letter is 0.
If you just want to know the answers at this stage, simply scroll down. If you're not ready yet then here's one more clue to make things a lot easier:
• S
• E
• G
• N
Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.
The answers to today's Quordle, game #1612, are…
After a year-long win streak I’ve been having a really rough time of Quordle recently and lost again today — another case of having too many options and picking the wrong words.
I think after a successful run I might have to change my start words again. I’ll consult Claude and see what it suggests, seeing as it knows everything!
The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1612, are…
A new NYT Connections puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Tuesday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Tuesday, June 23 (game #1108).
Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.
What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.
SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.
Today's NYT Connections words are…
What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?
Need more clues?
We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…
What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?
Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.
The answers to today's Connections, game #1109, are…
Not being familiar with the work of KOOL-AID MAN put me at a disadvantage today and was the reason for my single mistake.
While I knew that CLIFFORD of Big Red Dog fame, DEADPOOL and MR. KRABS favored the color red. I was less certain about the fourth, so selected HUMPTY DUMPTY in the belief that he favored a thick red belt across his eggy mid-riff. Fortunately, I corrected my error at the next opportunity.
I am kicking myself that I didn’t see the RHYMING COMPOUND WORDS — I did fleetingly think that they could all be album titles by the yellow group of PROG BANDS but went for the CLASSIC WEDDING GIFTS instead.
NYT Connections is one of several increasingly popular word games made by the New York Times. It challenges you to find groups of four items that share something in common, and each group has a different difficulty level: green is easy, yellow a little harder, blue often quite tough and purple usually very difficult.
On the plus side, you don't technically need to solve the final one, as you'll be able to answer that one by a process of elimination. What's more, you can make up to four mistakes, which gives you a little bit of breathing room.
It's a little more involved than something like Wordle, however, and there are plenty of opportunities for the game to trip you up with tricks. For instance, watch out for homophones and other word games that could disguise the answers.
It's playable for free via the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.
Finding a genuinely capable desktop computer for under $400 is harder than it sounds — most machines at this price make uncomfortable compromises somewhere. The Kamrui Hyper H2 Mini PC is currently $460 (was $600) at Amazon for Prime Day.
• Shop Amazon's Prime Day deals
My daughter is heading into her second year at Penn State this fall, and she needed a proper desktop setup for her dorm room without taking up half her desk or blowing the back-to-school budget. A mini PC made a lot more sense than a bulky tower — something capable enough to handle coursework, video calls, and the inevitable browser tab overload of university life, but compact enough to tuck behind a monitor and forget about. After studying all the options, this is the one I landed on.
This is one of the few machines at this price that doesn’t feel like a compromise. A 10-core Intel processor, a fast PCIe 4.0 SSD, 16GB of RAM, and triple 4K display output — in a chassis that fits in the palm of your hand.
A proper desktop PC that happens to be the size of a thick paperback book. It’s powered by the Intel Core i5-14450HX — a 10-core chip that outperforms older i7 chips used in many office machines — paired with 16GB of DDR4 RAM and a 512GB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD that loads apps and files noticeably faster than the budget SSDs in most similarly priced machines. Connect up to three 4K monitors simultaneously via HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB-C. Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, dual Ethernet ports, six USB 3.2 ports, and Windows 11 Home pre-installed. Upgradeable to 64GB RAM and 4TB storage across dual M.2 slots.View Deal
The Intel Core i5-14450HX is the genuine headline here. Most mini PCs at this price use low-power mobile chips designed for thin laptops — efficient, but not particularly fast. The i5-14450HX is different: it’s a 10-core (2 performance + 8 efficiency), 16-thread HX-series chip with a 4.8GHz boost clock, drawn from Intel’s laptop gaming platform. Armchair Arcade’s benchmarks put its Geekbench 6 single-core score at 2,510 and multi-core at 10,324 — the single-core figure is essentially identical to a desktop Core i7-12700, which retailed for several hundred dollars on its own when it launched.
The 512GB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD is the other spec worth highlighting. Budget mini PCs typically ship with older PCIe 3.0 or even SATA SSDs. PCIe 4.0 doubles the theoretical bandwidth, and in practice means noticeably faster boot times, quicker app launches, and snappier file transfers — the kind of difference you feel every time you sit down at the machine. The dual M.2 slots mean you can add a second SSD later without replacing anything, and the RAM is user-upgradeable to 64GB across two SO-DIMM slots.
Triple 4K display support is a feature most people wouldn’t expect at this price. Via the HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB-C outputs simultaneously, the Hyper H2 can drive three 4K@60Hz monitors — the kind of setup that day traders, developers, financial analysts, and video editors typically associate with much more expensive workstations. One reviewer specifically called out how well it handles multi-screen productivity workflows with sustained workloads, noting it’s where the i5-14450HX platform genuinely shines.
The dual Ethernet ports are an unusual feature at this price point and are worth calling out for the right buyer. Two RJ45 ports mean you can simultaneously connect to two separate networks — useful for IT professionals, home lab setups, network-attached storage configurations, or simply keeping work and personal network traffic separated. Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 handle wireless connectivity.
The chassis itself is compact — small enough to mount behind a monitor via VESA, sit on a desk without taking up meaningful space, or pack in a bag for travel. Passive ventilation handles thermal conditions adequately for everyday workloads, though sustained all-core CPU loads will push the machine toward its thermal limits, a common characteristic of high-performance chips in compact chassis.
One honest caveat: integrated Intel UHD graphics are not a GPU replacement. For casual media playback, video calls, and 4K display output, they’re perfectly adequate, but demanding 3D workloads and modern titles at high settings are beyond what integrated graphics can deliver. This is a productivity and everyday-use machine first — and a very good one — not a gaming rig.
To me, the Kamrui Hyper H2 is the kind of deal that’s hard to walk past if you’re in the market for a compact, capable everyday desktop. Check out more options in our guide to the best mini PCs.
Our top pick overall, the M6 Ultra is suitable for just about anyone who wants a mini PC for work and study. In our review we called it an "affordable mini PC that promises performance for office users, creators, students, and even the mid-level gaming community."View Deal
The NucBox K13 is a superb mini PC for those that want more performance. It comes equipped with an Intel Core Ultra 7 256V processor, 16GB of LPDDR5X memory, and a 512GB PCIe 4.0 SSD. Interestingly, it boasts AI acceleration up to 115 TOPS, dual USB4 ports, 5G Ethernet, and support for triple 4K displays. In our review we called it a "thoughtfully engineered slice of modern computing." View Deal
The Rmatamini P99S comes has an Intel Xeon E5-2698v3 processor, GeForce GTS450 2G, 16GB DDR3 RAM and 256GB SSD.View Deal
The Amazon Kindle Colorsoft is an outstanding color ereader — in our review, we awarded it four and a half stars, calling the scrolling and zooming "kind of amazing" and declaring it "the fastest, smoothest e-reader [we'd] ever used, whether reading in color or just black and white text".
Right now, the standard version has a tasty 36% discount in the Amazon Prime Day sales (and the Colorsoft Signature version, with twice as much storage, has 21% off), but before you hit that buy button, maybe you want to check if this is truly the best ereader for your needs? If so, you've come to the right place.
• View the full Amazon Prime Day sale
If you're intent on a color ereader, the biggest competitor is probably Kobo. At regular prices, the Kobo Clara Colour would have the budget-friendly edge over the Colorsoft, but it's pricier right now. However, if you're in the market for something more feature-rich, check out the Kobo Libra Colour. This one earned a perfect five stars in our review, and it has the edge over the standard Colorsoft because you can use it for scribbling down notes as well as reading (although you will need to purchase a stylus). If you wanted to do that on a Kindle, you'd need the Colorsoft Scribe, which is — spoiler — the priciest option in this guide, by a significant margin, and almost the same price as buying a Kindle, a Kindle Scribe and a Kindle Colorsoft separately.
Another option is the Boox Go Color 7 Gen II, but we'd struggle to recommend it because the display just isn't quite up to scratch — it has a yellow tinge, and the text lacks sharpness, which is unforgivable given the high price. Read on for the best prices on all the key color ereader options, or hop to the bottom of the page for a specs comparison table, so you can see how they match up.
The gaming monitor market is filled with high-quality displays that offer enough features to provide the most immersive gaming experience. OLED monitors are right at the forefront of monitors in achieving the latter, with exceptional deep black levels thanks to their high contrast ratio.
It's not all just about the panel type, though. The display resolution, refresh rate, response times, and brightness levels all play a significant part in allowing monitors to blossom, and all of those aspects also determine pricing (outside of potential market condition changes).
That's exactly where the LG UltraGear 45GX950A-B comes into play. It's a 5K2K ultrawide OLED monitor, which means its display resolution is 5120x2160, with even sharper image quality than a 4K display. It's easily one of the best gaming monitors in 2026, and is the kind of monitor that would define an 'ultimate endgame' gaming experience in terms of visuals.
Despite the obvious and eventual GPU upgrade I'll have to make when using a 5K monitor, it hasn't stopped me from keeping my eyes peeled for it, particularly whenever it receives a significant price drop.
The LG UltraGear 45GX950A-B is one of the most immersive gaming monitors on the market, and arguably the best OLED ultrawide money can buy, with an immersive 800R curvature and 5K2K resolution,View Deal
Expand your gaming immersion with the LG UltraGear 45GX950A-B 5K2K OLED ultrawide, ready to completely enhance gaming experiences across the board, thanks to its 800R curvature and 5K display resolution.View Deal
Fortunately, it's Prime Day, which means you can find it for $1,429.69 (was $1,999.99) on Amazon in the US, and for £1,472.49 (was £1,649) in the UK. However, the competition on the horizon is enough to make you consider waiting a little while before jumping all in on the UltraGear display.
Having used the LG UltraGear 45GS95QE OLED ultrawide — which is very similar to the GX9, with the only difference being its 3440x1440 resolution — I can say that the step up in resolution would make LG's 5K2K display worth every cent, despite its high price.
With the new Alienware AW3926QW 5K2K OLED ultrawide slated for launch by the end of June, LG's top-of-the-line monitor might have its money's worth. Thanks to the AW3926QW's 39-inch display size, there's a higher pixel density at 5K2K, meaning image quality will be much sharper than what the LG GX9 has to offer.
It is an RGB stripe tandem OLED panel, which reduces text fringing and provides significantly higher and more consistent brightness compared to other OLED monitors.
Most importantly, the big takeaway is that the AW3926QW's price is rumored to be at $1,100 (around £824 / AU$1,572). That's a very generous and affordable price tag, since other monitors with the same specifications are far more expensive.
The great thing is that more details on pricing should be coming very soon, so there's a good reason to weigh the options between the two monstrous displays.
We're in the midst of (a very hot) summer, and I'm sure many of you out there are raring to go on your travels this season. But if you're about to jet off on your vacation, then it's best to be as prepared as possible. And you know what you need to make your travels as seamless and enjoyable as possible? Some top-tier tech.
I'm a Senior Reviews Writer here at TechRadar, and have tested hundreds of gadgets over the years, from premium noise-cancelling headphones through to power banks and misting fans. So, I've got the lowdown on all the travel tech essentials you need to make this summer one to remember — for all the right reasons, of course.
I've included seven must-haves, with a small speaker, travel chargers, and even a compact clothes steamer on the list. Everything here has either been tested by me, or someone on the TechRadar team, so I'm confident that each item will serve you well on your adventures this summer and beyond. So, without further ado, let's dive right into my top picks!
Ah, Sony WH-1000XM6, my beloved. These are, in my view — and the view of many at TechRadar — the best headphones you can buy right now.
The XM6 have it all. Class-leading active noise cancellation works great, even on flights with jet rumbles and screaming children. They sound incredible, with brilliant balance across the frequency range, as well as plenty of low-end punch and excitement to make energetic tunes sound their best. And they're foldable too, making them incredibly compact when you're on the move.
These come with a handy magnetic carry case, 30 hours of battery life, and excellent touch controls. Sony's Sound Connect app also makes it easy to tailor sound to your liking and make any subtle changes you need. They're simply the best, but I'll let you find that out for yourself.
The JBL Go 5 launched recently, and when I reviewed it, the speaker genuinely took my breath away.
It's exactly how to do an upgrade right, offering better sound, a more flashy design, and even better durability than its already impressive predecessor, the JBL Go 4. I love its edge lighting, its well-balanced sound with clean bass and rich mids, and also its broad feature set, which includes EQ options and multi-speaker pairing.
Despite improving on what its predecessor had to offer, the Go 5 is available at a very similar price, typically coming in at around the $55 / £40 mark, and if you need excellent sound, solid battery life, and high level (IP68) waterproofing on a budget, then it's the best small Bluetooth speaker to buy right now.
I genuinely bring this Anker power bank with me everywhere. It's the definitive portable battery for travel for a few key reasons.
The first is its size. This model is absolutely tiny and can easily slip into a pocket or small bag, no problem. Second, it's incredibly practical. There's an integrated USB-C cable, making charging on the go totally seamless. And finally, it's a fantastic performer. That 45W max wattage means fast-charging is easily accessible on even some of the best phones.
A 10,000mAh capacity should also mean it can charge a pair of wireless headphones as well as your handset, so if you want an ultra-practical, lightweight power bank to bring on the go, the Anker Nano Power Bank 10K 45W is my number one recommendation.
If you need a travel charger for your phone, tablets, and wireless earbuds, then look no further than the Anker Nano Charger 45W, which comes with a USB-C cable in the box — a nice touch!
I've used this one a lot myself, and it's great for travel. Why? Well, it's incredibly compact and packs in quite a bit of power, meaning you can make use of fast charging without lugging a massive brick around. If you're using a travel adapter, the model's low weight also means it won't awkwardly get weighed down or stick out, which is a huge plus.
This charger is well-built, foldable — helping it to slide into your pocket — and highly affordable. It really has it all, so if you're still using a slow charger, then take things up a notch with this awesome Anker alternative.
In the UK, it's absolutely scorching right now. It feels like I'm fighting for my life here with the combination of high humidity and near record-breaking temperature. And when you're on your summer travels, I'd wager that it will be similarly blazing in a number of countries. What you need, then, is a portable fan.
We're big... fans... of the Shark ChillPill here at TechRadar, and awarded it a 4.5 star review recently. It has good battery life, is filled with a range of cooling options, and even has a mister for when you need a healthy blast of cold.
The build and design quality is strong here too, and the straightforward controls make it a joy to use. Yes, it's a little expensive, but we've seen it pop up on sale from time to time, so if you want to stay chilled on the move, then I'd strongly suggest picking this lil' gadget up.
OK, so not everyone will need this, but if, like me, your facial hair seems to grow back in the blink of an eye, the Philips Shaver S9000 Prestige will be a great addition to your travel tech arsenal.
With multiple speed settings to suit your desired sensitivity, wet and dry shaving versatility, interchangeable heads (including a beard trimmer), and spectacular handling, the S9000 Prestige is a true all-rounder.
This model also has solid battery life and I rarely need to juice it up. But it comes with a wireless charging pad for when you're running low on power. There's also a cleaning device thrown in the box, and a carry case for whenever you're on the move.
I've found that the S9000 Prestige is kind on my skin, which is pretty prone to razor burn, and its flexible foil shaver is great at getting into those hard to reach areas around the nose, for instance. It launched at a fairly high price, but you can regularly swipe it up on sale now, so why not give it a go?
OK, in all honesty, I've not actually got a travel clothes steamer, but when some colleagues of mine heard that I was writing this piece, they were clear that it's a must have.
After all, how many times have you been on holiday or out on a business trip and realized that our garments look a little creased? For me, it's a few times too many. With a compact clothes steamer, you can wave goodbye to pesky creases and wrinkles in a flash.
So, I have a few recommendations from the team that I'm here to share with you. For our US readers, Managing Editor of News & Deals, Jacob Krol, suggests the Conair Handheld Garment Steamer. This affordable model boasts "turbo steam power," comes with a 3-in-1 attachment, and has a water tank that's good for 20 minutes of steaming. Not bad, eh?
Over the pond, our Managing Editor of Social & Engagement, Josephine Watson, had a couple of recommendations. The first, the Tefal Pure Pop Slim Handheld, is cheap, comes in a range of funky colors, and heats up in just 15 seconds for super speedy action. Josephine told me that her bridesmaid friend bought this model in order to save a wedding dress disaster — and luckily, it worked. Talk about coming in clutch.
Josephine also recommended the Russell Hobbs Steam Genie 2in1 Handheld, even claiming she would trade her firstborn for it. Pretty high praise. This model has a 150ml water tank, can heat up nice and swiftly, and claims to kill up to 99.9% of bacteria within 60 seconds.
Ring video doorbells always get deep discounts for Amazon Prime Day, but the savings might not be quite as impressive as they first seem. Although the up-front cost might be low, you'll need a Ring Home subscription to get the most out of your new purchase, and that can really add up over the years. That's not the case with all video doorbells, though, and here I've rounded up my top five picks that give you full functionality without the monthly fees.
• Shop more Prime Day deals at Amazon US
• Shop more Prime Day deals at Amazon UK
The key is that all the video doorbells here let you store videos on a microSD card. Some brands offer cloud storage if you really want it, but it's definitely not necessary. Some doorbells (like the EZVIZ EP4 I'm testing right now) also include newer features like facial recognition that you'd usually expect to be part of a paid membership plan.
All of these doorbells have been tested, reviewed, and given the seal of approval by our team of home tech experts, so you can be confident you're making the right choice.
Eufy's smart-looking device is an excellent option if you're looking for a subscription-free video doorbell on a budget. The Video Doorbell Dual records video at 2K, which is just fine for us, and is loaded with advanced features like package detection and the ability to play pre-recorded voice messages, all with no membership necessary.
It has an infrared sensor that detects visitors' body heat, while a radar motion detector scans for movement. Better yet, its software includes AI person-recognition, and during our tests, it was able to accurately identify and label visitors in our video clips. We didn't receive any false positives, and the detailed app notifications meant we could tell who was calling at a glance, without even picking up our phone.
All your footage is stored locally on the HomeBase 2 (bundled with the doorbell), which provides 16GB for your clips. You can buy cloud storage if you really want to, but there's no compelling reason to when you can keep control over your own videos and access them for free.
We didn't love having to take the doorbell down to charge it (there's no swappable power pack), but it can be connected to existing doorbell wiring if you'd rather not run it from its battery.
Read our full Eufy Video Doorbell Dual review
Swann makes some of the best video doorbells and best home security cameras we've tested here at TechRadar, and they all have one big selling point: there's no subscription plan necessary to save your videos or to use their most advanced features. Although you can pay for cloud storage if you really want to, it's not necessary at all.
The Swann Buddy4K is also a fully-fledged home security camera with features like motion detection and the ability to differentiate among subjects such as people, pets, cars, and packages. All of this is included with the initial cost of the doorbell (unlike devices from brands like Ring, which charge a regular fee to unlock such features).
"It’s possible to store videos by type – particularly handy if you want to find out when a parcel was left on the doorstep," said our reviewer Chris Price. "Alternatively, you can store videos in chronological order on the built-in MicroSD card."
The doorbell's AI assistant (which generates custom voice responses for visitors so you don't have to speak to them) was still in beta when we reviewed it, but even without it, it's an excellent device that comes highly recommended for helping secure your home.
Read our full SwannBuddy 4K review
The Philips 7000 Series boasts impressive video quality, great viewing angles, and a generous 8GB of onboard storage.
It boasts dual cameras to give a clear view of both visitors and any packages they may leave on your doorstep. Its 2K resolution will be ample for most homes (4K doorbells are now widely available, but usually burdened by subscription fees), and during our tests, we were thoroughly impressed by how sensitive it was to motion. In terms of responsiveness, it was up there with the best home security cameras. Night vision is crisp as well (the doorbell is equipped with infrared sensors).
We found installation refreshingly straightforward, with a choice of mounting plates so you can choose one to suit your home, and it can be used with existing doorbell wiring or wireless from a rechargeable battery.
The 7000 Series isn't the cheapest video doorbell around, but its price is competitive considering how much you're getting. It's around the same as the Ring Video Doorbell 2, which requires a membership to save and review video footage.
The only other drawback for us was a slight lag we noticed during two-way talk with visitors. Otherwise, the 7000 Series is hard to beat (though it's not currently available to buy in the UK).
Read our full Philips 7000 Series Video Doorbell review
Aqara is well known for its excellent subscription-free video doorbells and home security cameras, and the Video Doorbell G4 ranks among the best. It works with all the main smart home platforms, which is quite rare, can run from a battery or be used wired, and is packed with extra features that you'd normally expect to come with a hefty subscription fee, such as subject-identification and customizable motion-detection zones.
You can store your videos on a microSD card installed in the doorbell chime supplied in the box, but Aqara also offers a free cloud storage plan that saves 7 days of recordings at no charge. You can pay for extra online storage if you really want, but there's no need.
Its field of view is narrower than you'd get with a Ring doorbell, and its picture isn't as sharp, but it's still a great budget option — and one that could get even cheaper on Amazon Prime Day.
Read our full Aqara Video Doorbell G4 review
The clever little EZVIZ EP4 is marketed as a security camera, and it does serve that purpose, but it does double-duty as a video doorbell, with a large push-button on top that triggers a notification on your phone when pressed, allowing you to see and speak to the person at your door via the EZVIZ app.
This is a great option for anyone who rents or lives in an apartment, because there's absolutely no drilling required, and when you want to move out, you can simply remove it and take it with you. Just unscrew the peephole from your front door, and you can install it in seconds. I used it at home and had it up and running within 10 minutes. Removing it is even quicker, and it did no damage to my door whatsoever.
The 4K picture is sharp and vivid, whether you're viewing it on the internal screen or within the EZVIZ app. The camera has AI person-detection, and can alert you when someone is at the door even if they've not pressed the bell. It can also use facial recognition to let you know when certain individuals have arrived.
There's no subscription required (videos can be stored on an internal MicroSD card), and for me, the only significant drawback is that the camera's field of view isn't wide enough to see packages on your doorstep. Note that the EZVIZ EP4 is currently only available in the UK.
Read my hands-on with the EZVIZ EP4 Wire-Free Peephole Door Viewer
Tim Cook has long taken a strong stance against the infringement of Apple users' privacy – and the general erosion of privacy. That's been the case whether he's shown support for end-to-end encryption or if he's railed against the monetization of user data.
Almost a decade ago, the European Union (EU) introduced the most radical reformations to data protection laws in a generation with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
This article is part of TechRadar Pro's QOTD project to provide an insight into the minds of the brightest and most recognized figures in the technology industry today and in years gone by. Read the full series here.
Several months later, the (now outgoing) Apple CEO spoke at the 40th International Conference of Data Protection and Privacy Commissioners with a speech that targeted Apple's fellow technology rivals with both barrels.
He pointed out that billions of dollars were changing hands – and countless decisions were being made based on data points harvested from our interactions on digital platforms. These may include clicks of a Like button but also the information we have shared, often without understanding the full implications.
Cook projected a dystopian future in which each person would be represented by a digital profile that's been devised based on analysis of the countless data points systems have gathered.
The purpose of this form of behavioral profiling, he suggested in his speech, could range from more effectively monetising your information to targeting you with more extremist content in one direction or another.
For example, we've since seen the way that social media platforms and similar sites have been highly effective in populist political movements, including the U.K. 'Brexit' decision to leave the EU. There are also fears this sort of power has been weaponized, to use Cook's phrase, by foreign adversaries.
Nearly 10 years on from the introduction of GDPR, there are fears that the rise of AI – which is turbocharging some of the fears the outgoing Apple boss raised – is undermining the laws and that newer, more modern regulations are needed.
This spring, as many are wont to do, I decided to use the power of shakes to get myself a bunch of nutrients that I'm assured will change my life. I settled on a concoction of oat milk, protein powder, cacao, chia seeds, and banana, and got myself a Ninja BlendBoss.
• Ninja BlendBoss US deal: was $129 now $109 at Amazon US
• Ninja BlendBoss UK deal: was £129 now £93 at Amazon UK
I wanted something without too big a footprint on the surface. I liked the 'tumbler blender' design, meaning you can take your drink away with you instantly after blending without decanting into something else. Plus, our Ninja BlendBoss review was glowing, so it seemed like an ideal fit.
And for a while now, it's done a perfect job for my morning routine. I get a nice smooth drink, with the chia seeds smashed into smaller bits so they don't get stuck in my teeth and make me look a fool all day, and everything is fully mixed just using the 'Blend IQ' preset mode.
More recently, though, I've been living through a heatwave, and I've finally had reason to explore its ability to crush ice… and I'm so glad I happened to already have the BlendBoss at home, because the ability to summon a super-cold slushie-style drink in under two minutes feels like having a superpower right now.
We gave the Ninja BlendBoss 4.5 stars out of 5 in our review, praising it as "a small but mighty blender that makes it easy to blend your favorite smoothies and iced beverages". We liked its powerful operation, small footprint, and the fact that it blends right into a tumbler you can take away. This is its first real discount, because it's a pretty new product.View Deal
The UK BlendBoss deal is even better than the US one — these are the first real discounts it's had, and this is a great price for something this easy and powerful.View Deal
It's not quite the smoothness of a true slushie, of course — otherwise, what would anyone need the Ninja Slushi for? — but it can really pulp that ice to provide something with the 'blended cocktail' consistency.
Yes, obviously, I could (and regularly do) put regular ice in my drink, but that just provides a gentle cold spot near where the ice is. The BlendBoss gives me a way of delivering a tasty blizzard right to my insides. I've never had such easy access to ice cream headaches, and I'm over the moon about it.
It's also convenient that you can easily buy a second tumbler to use with it, so that if I'm enjoying my quick slushie straight from the container, my partner doesn't have to wait — she can have an ice schedule entirely of her own making.
Now that I've tested how well it works for ice crushing, I'll probably end up using it for frozen margaritas during a lot more of the year. Maybe I'll learn what's in a daiquiri. For now, I'm avoiding alcohol during the heatwave — I'm just happy with it being my ultimate cold drink buddy.
Amazon Prime Day is the perfect time to find yourself a new smartwatch. But while most people use the word 'smartwatch' in a very general sense, there is a massive variety in the category, and the right smartwatch has to fit your lifestyle and budget.
Do you want something that could pass convincingly for an analog watch that can also field notifications and make calls, or do you want a rugged trail companion that'll withstand everything from seawater to rock-scrambling? A cheap fitness tracker or a super-premium specialist golf watch?
Below are 24 deals on every kind of smartwatch, mainly from Amazon but here and there from other sites running anti-Prime Day sales, for you to peruse this week. It's likely the wearable you're looking for is here, whether you want a rugged Apple Watch Ultra 3 for Prime Day or a low-priced, high-performer like the Amazfit Active 2.
Save an impressive 30% on the Samsung Galaxy Watch8 Classic, which features a rotating bezel that lets you scroll through the watch's options intuitively and resembles the look of a classic watch. It comes in one size (large, 46mm) with either a black or a white leather strap. View Deal
A 4.5-star smartwatch with super-accurate health and activity tracking, as well as AI features, we reviewed this watch and called it 'a triumph'. This larger 44mm version has a staggering 38% off, but the smaller 40mm versions start at $229.99 (was $349.99).View Deal
For one of Apple's latest smartwatches, $120 off is more than generous, especially if you're looking to upgrade for the latest watchOS 27 support, which comes with Siri AI goodies. This is the first time this month the Apple Watch Series 11 has dropped in price, but it's unlikely it'll see a bigger reduction this Prime Day.View Deal
As far as Apple's basic smartwatch range goes, not only is the SE 3 a speedy upgrade from its predecessor (it has the same chip as the Ultra 3), but it has the firmware to support watchOS 27. For less than $200, you can benefit from core fitness tracking features as well as the neat new tools that are on the way, which include Siri AI, all while not having to spend a shedload on an advanced model if you know you won't need all the nitty-gritty bells and whistles. We named this the best Apple Watch for most people, a safe and inexpensive option. View Deal
Are you a Garmin user who wants to try something different? The Apple Watch Ultra range is a solid Garmin rival if a) you like using your smartwatch without having to keep your iPhone nearby, and b) you know you'll want to get a kick out of its plethora of extreme sports features. As predicted, this model has seen another price drop just before Prime Day, hitting a record-low discount. It's the best watch of last year.View Deal
$250 off the five-star Garmin Fenix 8 in its smallest 43mm size and Whitestone colorway. Perfect for those who want serious power on smaller wrists (and adventure watches are usually big, lumpy affairs, so it's nice to have a smaller option), it still packs an impressive 10-day battery life, advanced training features, an LED flashlight, and full-color maps. View Deal
Here's a chance to get a whopping 50% off the original retail price of the excellent Garmin epix Pro (Gen 2). The 4.5-star smartwatch is an excellent buy for dedicated and enthusiast runners, thanks to its top-tier health tracking and GPS navigation features. You also get a clear AMOLED display with a scratch-resistant sapphire lens, and a titanium bezel. As far as premium smartwatches go, this value prospect is tough to beat.View Deal
You can save $20 on this already-cheap watch, making it an absolute steal. Beyond reliable fitness tracking, a nice screen, a stainless steel case, 10-day battery life, and free map software (not even Garmin will give you that at this price), you get the Premium super-tough sapphire glass, NFC payments, and a nicer strap than the base Active 2.View Deal
The Garmin Vivoactive 5 is a fantastic all-rounder fitness smartwatch with tons of workout plans, a crisp AMOLED display, onboard GPS, and 11 days of battery life. At this price, you'll be hard-pressed to find a better-performing watch for general fitness, health, and exercise tracking. A Fitbit beater.View Deal
Right now, you can save $50 on both 41mm and 45mm Garmin Venu 4 models, in a variety of colors: Black and Lunar Gold for the 41mm, Grey and Citron for the 45mm. Up to 10 days of battery life, great workout and wellness tracking, and lots of Garmin Connect IQ third-party app support. View Deal
Save a cool $80 on the Google Pixel Watch 4, one of the best Android watches overall. But the real star of this deal is that as it's an LTE watch, Best Buy are offering 2 years of LTE data absolutely free, so you can call, email, and check messages even without a phone nearby. Beat that, Amazon!
45mm LTE version: was $499.99 now $419.99View Deal
The Garmin epix Pro (Gen 2) has a superb discount in the UK as well. Runners will not want to miss this best-ever offer on the 4.5-star smartwatch, which offers excellent health tracking and GPS navigation features. The vibrant AMOLED display and rugged titanium bezel make it easy to see and resilient. I ran a marathon with this, and at this price I'd buy it over any other Garmin. View Deal
In the UK there's a 20% discount on the Premium version of the five-star watch. Amazfit's health and fitness suite includes free maps, heart rate, sleep data, workout profiles, GPS and lots more, and NFC allows you to load your cards into its digital wallet. At this price is really is a steal. View Deal
Save a hefty 25% on the Black 41mm of the Garmin Venu 4. If you're looking for a bigger size, the 45mm is available for £365 in Grey and £368.49 in Citron yellow.View Deal
A lowest-ever price on the Garmin Vivoactive 5 means there's never been a better time to snap this up. Garmin's comprehensive training app has served me well for years, while the Vivoactive 5 at this price is an easy buy for Fitbit users who are used to cheaper price points. View Deal
£149 off the white 43mm Fenix 8 model. A five-button configuration and AMOLED touchscreen mean you can operate the watch while wearing gloves in adverse weather conditions. It's perfect for hikers, skiers, campers, and triathletes. View Deal
Save 25% on both smaller and larger models with LTE enabled, which means you can add them to your phone's data plan and install an eSIM for phone-free data use using only your watch. Very handy. View Deal
Save a cool 33% on the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra in all colorways, including the fetching Titanium Blue version introduced last year. While it's not the best choice for everyone, its power, longevity (up to 100 hours!) and rugged durability means it's well-made for adventurers and triathletes. Watch out, Garmin. View Deal
Folks in the UK have a seriously tempting offer here at First Class Watches, where you can save a huge £700 on the MARQ Golfer (Gen 2)! This is enormous, and I have never seen the premium watch as close to the thousand-pound mark as this. Considering this was a multi-thousand-pound watch not that long ago, this is a great deal for those on the premium device hunt.View Deal
Luckily for UK shoppers, this is the lowest price for one of Apple's latest and most advanced wearables. With that in mind, waiting around for another Prime Day price drop may not be the best idea if it's already record-low ahead of the big event. View Deal
Just like its US equivalent, shoppers in the UK can pick up the Apple Watch Series 11 for the same price, and its price history is similar. This device likes to yo-yo in price so it's difficult to tell when the next price drop will occur, so it may be worth scoring it now while you can, especially if you don't like to take risks when it comes to Prime Day. View Deal
This is the lowest price we've seen the SE 3 hit in the UK, but this is another listing that has a history of jumping between high and low price points. As mentioned earlier, we recommend the SE 3 for users who want a just-above entry level device, and the upside is that it will support watchOS 27 when it drops later this yearView Deal
This is the best price we've yet seen a Google Pixel Watch 4, bringing the top Android watch down to under $300 in all four colors. An absolute steal if you can get it.
45mm version: was $499 now $349View Deal
One of this year's biggest new games for Microsoft and Xbox is Halo: Campaign Evolved — a full-fledged remake of the first game, 2001's Halo: Combat Evolved, that features new gameplay additions, expanded replayability, and an Unreal Engine 5-powered graphical makeover.
It's headed to Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and PS5 late next month, with Xbox confirming its long-rumored release date of July 28 during the Xbox Games Showcase. Notably, you can jump in on July 23, five days early, if you purchase the Premium Edition; I imagine that's incentivized many players to preorder, leading to the game climbing the Steam sales chart.
Now that the Halo remake is just over a month away from its full launch, something PC players in particular have been wanting to know is what the game's system requirements and recommended specs are.
Thankfully, they've now been announced by Xbox and developer Halo Studios, and I've included them in the below image and table for your convenience:
Settings | Low (Minimum), 1080p @ 60 FPS | Medium, 1440p @ 60 FPS | High (Recommended), 4K @ 60 FPS | Ultra, 4K @ 60 FPS |
CPU | AMD Ryzen 5 3600 / Intel Core i7-10700K | AMD Ryzen 7 5700X / Intel Core i5-12600K | AMD Ryzen 7 7700 / Intel Core i7-12700K | AMD Ryzen 9 7900X / Intel Core i9-13900K |
GPU | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 Super / AMD Radeon RX 6600 / Intel ARC A580 | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 / AMD Radeon RX 7600 XT | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti / AMD Radeon RX 9070 | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 |
RAM | 16GB | 16GB | 32GB | 32GB |
VRAM | 8GB | 8GB | 12GB | 16GB |
OS | Windows 11 22H2 64-bit (ReBAR recommended) | Windows 11 22H2 64-bit (ReBAR recommended) | Windows 11 22H2 64-bit (ReBAR recommended) | Windows 11 22H2 64-bit (ReBAR recommended) |
Storage | SSD with 100GB available space | SSD with 100GB available space | SSD with 100GB available space | SSD with 100GB available space |
All in all, for an Unreal Engine 5 title that's aiming to deliver peak visual fidelity, Halo: Campaign Evolved's CPU, GPU, and VRAM requirements aren't too bad at all. Targeting a 1440p / 4K resolution with 60 FPS and Medium or High settings can be done with hardware that's five to six years old, which is likely what many gaming rigs are equipped with.
The memory and storage requirements, though, are a bit harsher. Demanding 16GB of memory for the lower quality levels at 1080p and 1440p is fine — most players have that much — but the requirement for 32GB if you want to push higher is a little debilitating, especially during the ongoing RAM crisis.
Campaign Evolved requires a steep 100GB of SSD space, too, which is quite a lot for a campaign-only FPS game. You'll need to uninstall a game or two if your gaming hard drive doesn't have triple-digit room available.
Something worth noting is that it's unclear if these requirements were determined with or without performance-enhancing technologies like Super Resolution and Frame Generation factored in. What we do know, though, is that Campaign Evolved supports their use, alongside things like NVIDIA Reflex and other anti-latency tools. These will make taking advantage of the game's uncapped framerate easier.
Ultimately, the 100GB requirement aside? I'd say it sounds like the Halo remake has been optimized fairly well, and should run well on most PCs with optimal settings chosen. I can't say that for sure until the game is out, though.
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Early reviews praise the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ for pushing handheld performance, with Intel's Arc G3 Extreme outperforming current AMD rivals in many tests. However, at $1,800 and lack no OLED display, it's a very tough sell.
It's been three years since the AMD AM5 motherboard platform and the 600-series motherboards launched. Since its launch, the platform has seen the launch of several CPUs in the Ryzen 7000, Ryzen 8000, and Ryzen 9000 families. While the 600-series motherboards provide great features & compatibility with newer Zen 5 CPUs, motherboard makers are always looking to enhance user experiences through the latest technologies, so AMD has introduced a new chipset line called the 800-series. AMD also introduced both X870 and B850 series chipsets for high-end and mainstream AM5 motherboards. Both of these chips provide brand-new designs and brand-new features […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/review/asrock-x870e-challenger-wifi-white-motherboard-review/
At the rate that memory and storage prices keep rising, sometimes you can save hundreds of dollars by buying a prebuilt gaming PC as opposed to building it yourself. Lenovo has temporarily slashed the pricing of its Legion Tower 7i Gen 10 gaming PC by 33%, putting up to $1,430 in savings into your pockets. If you would rather purchase a prebuilt system than assemble one yourself, Lenovo's gaming rig definitely deserves your attention.
There's really nothing to hate about the Legion Tower 7i Gen 10. The system has a Core Ultra 7 265K processor with 20 cores and a maximum boost clock speed of up to 5.5 GHz. It's the perfect fit for the high-end GeForce RTX 5080. The powerhouse combo has everything it needs to run the latest AAA games at 4 K resolution.
While some of the competition cut corners around memory and storage, the Legion Tower 7i Gen 10 has no compromises in either aspect. The gaming system has 32GB (2x16GB) of DDR5-5600 memory and a 2TB PCIe 4.0 SSD for ample storage and speedy performance both in and out of games.
The Legion Tower 7i Gen 10 has very respectable specifications, including a Core Ultra 7 265K, GeForce RTX 5080, 32GB of DDR5 RAM, and a 2TB PCIe 4.0 SSD.View Deal
In terms of cooling, the Legion Tower 7i Gen 10 leverages a 360mm AIO liquid cooler with a cooling capacity up to 250W. It's more than enough to keep the Core Ultra 7 256K cool during long gaming sessions. The motherboard provides Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity for the Internet and your wireless peripherals.
Similar gaming systems with a Core Ultra 7 265K with a GeForce RTX 5080 can go as high as $3,400, so the Legion Tower 7i Gen 10 at $2,899.99 is a very solid deal. Lenovo also includes a free three-month subscription to Xbox PC Game Pass with EA Play included to get your gaming adventure started. That's more than 100 titles for your to enjoy with your band-new premium gaming system.
If you're looking for more savings, check out our Best PC Hardware deals for a range of products, or dive deeper into our specialized SSD and Storage Deals, Hard Drive Deals, Gaming Monitor Deals, Graphics Card Deals, Gaming Chair, Best Wi-Fi Routers, Best Motherboard, or CPU Deals pages.
We've rounded up the best gaming chair deals for Amazon Prime Day 2026, with a heavy emphasis on chairs we've actually tested and reviewed. The good news is that almost all the chairs on our list of best gaming chairs are frequently on some sort of discount — the bad news is that we still can't recommend a single ultimate, perfect, one-size-fits-all solution.
Luckily, gaming chairs range in price, size, style, aesthetic, and even adjustment and comfort level, so you should be able to find your new favorite seat — even if you're picky. We're checking deals around the clock to find the best options and keep this page up to date, but do be aware that many of these deals can be fleeting, so you'll need to act quickly if you see one you are interested in.
The TC100 gaming chair comes with lumbar support and a removable neck pillow, along with a recline angle of up to 160 degrees. View Deal
The T3 Rush has a padded neck cushion and memory foam lumbar support paired with a solid steel frame that reclines 90-160 degrees. You also get '4D armrests' that can be adjusted on virtually any axis. View Deal
Features an "active, forward leaning alignment," adjustable lumbar support, and passively-adaptive thoracic support. It has a foam-padded seat cushion and a mesh suspension backrest for breathability, as well as an adjustable neck rest. You can grab any of Herman Miller's chairs, including the Vantum, for 25% off during the company's Cyber Monday sale. View Deal
The Secretlab Titan Evo Lite is the company's more affordable entry into the Titan range. It comes with a simpler lumbar support curve for your back compared to the Titan Evo, along with non-swappable armrests, to help keep the costs down.View Deal
Razer's Fujin looks like an office chair, not a gaming chair, with its low back and all-mesh construction. It features tilt with up to 130-degree recline, height-adjustable lumbar support, and 3D arm rests that can be adjusted up/down, forward/backward, and left/right. View Deal
It's not the most adjustable gaming chair, but it does have 2D arm rests and built-in non-adjustable lumbar support, and it reclines a full 152 degrees. It's upholstered in soft, breathable fabric, which is a little harder to clean but much more comfortable than the Iskur V2's faux leather. View Deal
This well-built gaming chair features all sorts of adjustability — 4D arm rests, 152-degree recline, and lumbar support that can be adjusted horizontally, vertically, and in a "cross-plane path," meaning it can swivel left or right, which is perfect for people with unorthodox sitting styles. View Deal
This chair is built for those of us with large frames, with a 400lb rating and an extra-spacious 22" width and 20" depth. Other features include an adjustable footrest and lumbar support. View Deal
The Aeron has always been my favorite gaming chair — and task chair, as not much has been changed to make it "gamer-friendly" — it's mostly just all black (instead of varying shades of dark gray). It features the company's famous PostureFit adjustable/adaptable lumbar support and an all-mesh construction for breathability. It's currently "just" $1,351," which is better than the original $1,930 price (about 25% better, to be precise). View Deal
Herman Miller's Embody retails for just over $2,000 — it's quite a splurge. But it's also 25% off in the company's Cyber Monday sale — or just $1,533.75. Which is still a lot to pay for a chair (and still more than the $1,495 price tag it debuted with, almost 6 years ago), but if you can afford to splurge I'd keep this one in mind. With an articulated back rest, adjustable lumbar support, and gamer-friendly cooling materials, the Embody remains one of the most comfortable chairs we've tested. View Deal
If you're looking for robust lumbar support, you're looking for the Razer Enki. This fabric-and-faux-leather gaming chair features built-in lumbar support in the form of a pronounced lower back curve — it's not adjustable, but it's stronger support than you'll get from a pillow. The Enki is well-built, with 4D-padded armrests and a removable memory foam head/neck cushion, and it still reclines up to 152 degrees. View Deal
Secretlab's popular Titan Evo gaming chair features a choice of sizes, materials, and colors. Choose between a hybrid leather or softweave fabric covering. A cold-cure foam pebble seat helps to provide all-day comfort for gaming or work when sitting at your computer. 4D armrests, magnetic headrest, lumbar support, and height adjustment let you customize your seating position. The Secretlab Titan Evo is available in Small, Regular, and XL sizes for a more personalized fit.View Deal
Don’t miss out on this Tom’s Hardware Premium. Get a full year of access for just $29, or from $7 per-month. Get daily news analysis, deep dives into specialist topics in the semiconductor industry, as well as access to Bench, the largest benchmarking database around.View Deal
Secretlab's latest gaming chair innovation introduces NanoGen to the popular and successful Titan Evo range of gaming chairs. Featuring the same luxury features of the standard Titan Evo, such as 4D armrest, 4-Way L-Adapt lumbar support, and shaped pebble seat, the new Titan Evo Nanogen uses a new soft and durable hybrid leatherette and nanofoam composite. View Deal
The XL Kaiser 3 is designed for people who are up to 6'9" tall and weigh up to 395 pounds — if you don't fit into standard gaming chairs, this might be one of your only options. This gaming chair features 4-way adjustable lumbar support, 4D armrests, and 3D magnetic armrests. Right now it's on sale for $449, or $70 off MSRP.View Deal
The most recent chair we've reviewed seems a little too good to be true — it's extremely comfortable, with motorized adjustable lumbar support, 4D arm rests, and full 160-degree recline. It also features an articulated backrest and a connected frame designed to move together, and it works well. But the company is brand-new, and we're not sure how long that lumbar support motor will last. However, it's a pretty good deal at $803, longevity notwithstanding. View Deal
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SSD prices are out of control, but the Acer Predator GM7 is near its pre-shortage price right now on a Prime Day sale. The 4TB model is available for $469.99, which is 23% off its $609 MSRP. Although that’s the listed MSRP, the drive has actually sold for well above $700 throughout most of this year.
This is a PCIe 4.0 drive, so don’t expect the fastest speeds on the market. Still, for most applications, PCIe 4.0 offers plenty of speed. Based on testing in our Acer Predator GM7 review, the drive can rival other popular PCIe 4.0 drives like the WD Black SN850X and Samsung 980 Pro. Further, the drive maintained excellent efficiency throughout our testing.
Although we’ve seen much lower SSD prices in the past, this is a good deal considering the supply crisis the market is in. This drive is down to pre-shortage prices, which is about as much as we can ask right now. At the current price, the drive is about $0.12 per gigabyte, while most drives are selling for north of $0.15 per gigabyte.
The GM7 is a PCIe 4.0 drive that delivers sequential read speeds of up to 7,400 MB/s and sequential writes of up to 6500 MB/s, along with a five-year warranty. View Deal
This PCIe 4.0 SSD serves up 7.4 / 6.3 GB/s of sequential read/write throughput, and we measured it at over 1 million IOPS in our testing. It also comes with a five-year warranty with a brawny 1,300 TBW endurance rating. View Deal
The GM7 uses China-fabbed flash from YMTC, along with a Maxio MAP1602A controller. Although the GM7 is an Acer-branded drive, it's made by Biwin. Given the controller, you shouldn't expect the best performance out of the 2TB model, but that's not surprising considering the class of this drive.
In our tests of the 1TB drive, the GM7 managed to outclass the Samsung 980 Pro and Crucial P5 (RIP) in our 3DMark tests, which focuses particularly on SSD performance in games. The fastest PCIe 4.0 drives like the Samsung 990 Pro offer better performance, but they're also much more expensive. The GM7 will still put any PCIe 3.0 drive to shame, and it can hang with popular PCIe 4.0 options.
In a more intensive, sustained scenario, the GM7 still holds up. Although the P5 and 980 Pro squeeze out a small edge in a small 6.5GB file transfer, the GM7 maintains higher performance when transferring a large 50GB folder, perhaps due to the drive's excellent efficiency.
You can pick up the Acer Predator GM7 4TB at Amazon now.
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Do you need headphones for the next semester or term? I get it. And is money, er, relatively tight? Again, I understand — and the good news is, a huge sales event known as Amazon Prime Day is here to help.
See all early Prime Day deals at Amazon
I'm also here to help, as TechRadar's audio editor and full-time headphones tester since 2019. So, even if I do flatter myself, I know what makes a good set of headphones — and which pairs will lend themselves to studying that aren't those flagship sets few people can afford on a student loan.
When I went to college, there was no Bluetooth audio (why thank you but no really, it's true). There were also no music streaming services and the MP3 format was very much in its infancy.
What I did have was a portable CD player and some Sony headphones. And let me tell you that I owe every exam I passed to these products (plus my local HMV store, which I scurried along to armed with money from a part-time job waiting tables at a Wimpy restaurant).
As a dancer since age two, it turns out I have always needed music and simultaneous movement (or the compulsion to move) to retain information from books. I've since found out I'm not alone — and maybe that's why you're here.
What follows are the four best pairs of headphones I've found for students. I'll explain why briefly, and link to the best deals live now. And don't worry, you've got this.
Did you know that CMF is simply Nothing's more affordable arm — so these headphones carry a lot of Nothing Headphone (a) magic, just in a more affordable build? And what a lovely original build it is too.
I tested these budget-friendly, very comfortable and surprisingly customizable over-ear headphones and if zealous, bass-hungry sound quality sounds like a bit of you, you'll love these. Add to this the outstanding battery life, the kinds of hearing tests (and personal sonic profile curation) I'm more used to seeing in headphones much higher up the food chain, an 'Energy-slider' that can ramp up the low end even further and a glorious volume wheel on the right ear cup that's something reminiscent of much pricier headgear (the kind made by a company named after a fruit, if you get me) and they're a winning combination.
All of this for a sub-$100 / £80 fee — before we start looking for discounts? OK, the ANC is acceptable rather than amazing and you don't get a hard case, but still, you’ll struggle to find a more original set of affordable headphones that offer this much for this little. Need more? Read my glowing 4.5-star CMF Headphone Pro review.
TechRadar's official review scores
| Product | Features () | Sound Quality () | Design () | Battery Life () | Noise Cancellation () | Value () | Overall () |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CMF Headphone Pro | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 5 | 4 | 4.5 | 4.5 |
For one of the TechRadar team, these are the best affordable cans they've ever tested — and it's not even close, as a quick scan of our 4.5-star review of the OneOdio Focus A6 shows.
You know the flagship Apple cans I vaguely mentioned before — the ones that very few of us can afford? This particular team member prefers the product you're looking at here to those elite over-ears, for sound. What else makes them so good? Well, USB-C audio support, a solid and classy build quality, plus a super-slick companion app you very rarely see at this level and Bluetooth 6.0 for starters.
Again, the ANC is very good rather than stellar, but this is budget-friendly territory and you will struggle to better it at anything like this price point. Highly recommended.
TechRadar's official review scores
| Product | Features () | Sound Quality () | Design () | Battery Life () | Noise Cancellation () | Value () | Overall () |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51 | 4 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4.5 |
Try to get past the name that sounds like some sort of water filtration system (sorry, maybe just me?) and there's a musically sensitive and expressive set of headphones here that'll reward you time and again for your nominal asking fee.
In fact, we called them the "ultimate in sound-per-pound value" in our 4.5-star in-depth 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51 review. The aesthetic is much more 'your average set of basic cans' here, but at school, college or university (where the security of your valuables will never be far from your mind), that's no bad thing. And although they might look fairly anonymous, the budget has certainly been spent on the drivers under the hood, because they sound fantastic for the money.
Here, the app isn't especially slick, but it's functional. Also, the battery life is extensive, the ANC is up to scratch and you can even listen via 3.5mm with the bundled cable in the box. If you don't mind their relatively anonymous looks, it's a winner.
TechRadar's official review scores
| Product | Features () | Sound Quality () | Design () | Battery Life () | Noise Cancellation () | Value () | Overall () |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4.5 |
Alongside the flagship Sony WH-1000XM6 and even newer, arguably even fancier Collexion set of cans, there exists a cheaper set of Sony over-ears. And while they're a little older now (having launched in Spring 2023) they still boast effective noise cancellation and many aspects of the Sony sound quality that made their upmarket siblings the industry standard.
The name — Sony WH-CH720 — is instantly forgettable, but the sound quality is not. OK, the build is a little bit plasticky and you're not getting hi-res codecs, but the ANC does a great job at nixing extraneous sounds for this money. And while the sound feels just a tad compressed when pitted against pricier rivals, Sony's Sound Connect companion app helps to tweak things and make them a fantastic option for the money.
Also, given their relative age, I'd look out for extra discounts on Prime Day…
TechRadar's official review scores
| Product | Features () | Sound Quality () | Design () | Battery Life () | Noise Cancellation () | Value () | Overall () |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony WH-CH720 | 4.5 | 4 | 4 | 4.5 | 4 | 4.5 | 4 |
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It's day one of Amazon's four-day Prime Day event, and my team and I have scoured Amazon's sale to hand-pick the 121 best tech deals worth your money.
• Shop today's full Prime Day deals
Unsurprisingly, Amazon's Prime Day tech deals are some of the best offers we've seen, thanks to record-low prices from brands like Apple, Samsung, Kindle, Sony, Fitbit, and more. You'll find TechRadar's best-reviewed products on sale, making it easy to recommend thanks to tempting low prices.
I've listed links to Amazon's most popular categories below, followed by today's best Prime Day deals on TVs, AirPods, Echo speakers, smartwatches, and more. Our team of deals experts has also ranked today's 15 standout deals, including Sony's excellent XM5 headphones for $198, the Oura Ring 4 at its lowest price ever of $259, and Amazon's Fire TV Stick 4K for only $17.99.
I'll also be live-blogging today's most exciting deals, highlighting our favorite products and why we recommend buying them. Remember, you must be a Prime member to shop today's sale. If you aren't already a member, you can sign up for a free 30-day trial.
Amazon has the best-selling Our Ring 4 on sale for a new record-low price of $259. Sleek and comfortable, the Oura Ring 4 is fully titanium, making it built to last and highly durable. You get incredibly accurate data and personalized health insights, from sleep to how active you are throughout the day.View Deal
Amazon's newest 4K streaming stick is down to its lowest-ever price for Prime Day. Considering it's only a few bucks more than the cheaper HD version, you might as well pay for the upgrade and get access to higher resolution streaming — as long as you have a 4K TV. It lacks a few premium features found in the more expensive Plus and Max models, such as improved Wi-Fi and Dolby Atmos, but this is more than enough to cover general everyday use.View Deal
Another very good Prime Day Apple deal - Apple's 2nd-generation AirTag 4-pack is getting a first-time discount, on sale for $89. Great for people like me who tend to misplace things, simply attach the AirTag to anything you don't want to lose or keep track of, such as luggage or your keys, and your iPhone will locate the item.View Deal
My favorite Prime Day Apple deal is the Apple Watch Series 11 at its lowest price yet. The thinnest Apple Watch yet, with a wraparound LTP3 OLED display, it's a great-looking watch with Apple Intelligence-powered smarts and a boosted battery, clocking in at 24 hours of average use.
Read our full Apple Watch 11 reviewView Deal
The latest version of the standard Kindle is on sale as part of the annual Prime Day sale. It's a basic ereader, but it still boasts a four-week battery life and space for thousands of books. Given it's $40 cheaper than the Paperwhite, this is clearly a better pick for the infrequent reader who's after a more budget-friendly option. At $85, this Prime Day deal matches the record-low price for the ereader, but is far from the bigger discounts I've seen in previous years.View Deal
If you're looking for a cheap set for an extra bedroom, Amazon's Prime Day sale has the best-selling 32-inch 2-Series HD smart TV for a record-low price of $134.99. While the Amazon 2-Series TV lacks 4K resolution, it offers smart capabilities through the Fire TV experience and Amazon Alexa, providing hands-free control.View Deal
Apple's latest base iPad is on sale for $299, which is only $15 more than the record-low price. The most significant upgrade for this model versus the previous generation is the newer A16 chip for faster performance, but you'll also get double the storage as standard (128GB instead of 64GB). Other features include a sharp 11-inch Liquid Retina display and solid 12MP front- and rear-facing cameras, making this iPad the best iPad for casual streamers and scrollers.
Read our full 11-inch iPad A16 reviewView Deal
The LG C5 is the ultimate all-around TV, delivering excellent performance for movies, gaming and sports with a full suite of features and superb picture quality. The 65-inch model has dropped to $1,199.99 at Amazon and while this isn't a record-low, it's the cheapest it's been since February. View Deal
This might just be the best Prime Day tech deal - Apple's AirPods Pro 3 for $179. Apple's newest premium buds feature improved Active Noise Cancellation, outstanding audio, a comfortable in-ear design, and new features such as live translation and heart-rate tracking. These do-it-all buds really are 100% flagship audio, and the noise-canceling quality is outstanding.View Deal
We consider the Outdoor 4 the best outdoor security camera, so we're thrilled that it's available at a massive 65% discount. It's wire-free and satisfyingly simple to set up, with a battery life of up to 2 years. It features a user-friendly app that lets you make the most of 1080p HD video and two-way audio, with additional features available with a Blink subscription.View Deal
This is the first time we've seen this model drop below $200, and though they're not the latest in Sony's lineup, they're still incredibly popular four years after their release. Blending comfort and audio smarts into one device, the XM5s are a highly reliable pair of headphones. View Deal
Amazon's Echo Spot is a solid smart alarm clock that pairs a 2.83-inch touchscreen with a 1.73-inch front-firing speaker. With Alexa onboard, you can ask the assistant for the weather, play music, or, of course, schedule alarms. This Prime Day deal matches the previous record-low price we saw during Black Friday.View Deal
You can get the best-selling Insignia 50-inch F50 Series 4K TV for an incredible price of $119.99 — a record-low. The Insignia F50 Series TV features 4K HD resolution, DTS Studio Sound, smart capabilities with Fire OS, and a voice remote with hands-free Alexa, so you can use your voice to control your TV.View Deal
If you have wiring for a doorbell, this is an excellent deal on Ring's cheapest doorbell, knocking 50% off the list price. For that amount, you get a Retinal 2K with up to 6x enhanced zoom, live view, and two-way talk.View Deal
You can snag a whopping $50 discount on the Fitbit Sense 2, bringing the price down to $197.95. The Sense 2 is one of Fitbit's most advanced health and fitness smartwatches, capable of tracking sleep and stress and featuring smartphone notifications, contactless payments, and GPS.View Deal
This convenient wall charger is a must-buy for all your gadgets, and it's on sale for just $8.99 at Amazon's Black Friday sale. The three-sided charger features five outlets, four USB charging ports, a fireproof shell, and surge protection.View Deal
This Kasa Smart Light Bulb, priced at $8.99, would make a great stocking stuffer. The dimmable light bulb can be controlled from anywhere via the Kasa app and works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can use your voice to control your lights.View Deal
The Amazon smart plug can add smart capabilities to any device in your home, and it's on sale for just $12.99. With over 500,000 positive reviews on Amazon, the smart plug works seamlessly with Amazon Alexa, allowing you to control lights and appliances with just your voice.View Deal
If you haven't heard, wired headphones are all the rage, which is why Apple's EarPods for $14.88 are an excellent Prime Day deal. A slim, quality-looking design, clear sound, and comfortable fit are just a few of their best qualities. This model works with all devices that have a Lightning connector – which is iPhone 14 and before – so if you've got a newer iPhone, you'll instead want the USB-C version ($16.99 at Amazon).View Deal
While this Prime Day deal isn't that exciting, it's a great price on something that everyone uses and needs, and a great excuse to stock up. You get a 32-pack of AA batteries with long-lasting power that can last up to 10 years in storage.View Deal
For just $15, you can get the Tile by Life360 Mate, which can track anything it's attached to – a very useful gift idea. If you tend to misplace your phone, wallet, or key, attach the Tile to it, and it will locate it on a map, or you can make it play a sound.View Deal
You can get Amazon's standard Fire TV Stick for just $15.99 — a new record-low price. In our Fire TV Stick review, we found the original version was a cheap way to add essential smart features to your TV, including access to streaming apps in HD, Alexa voice controls, and the ability to control other smart home devices.View Deal
Don’t underestimate its size (and price point, for that matter), because this tiny security camera boasts a hi-res 2K camera and a spotlight for nighttime visibility. Thanks to Amazon's Prime Day sale, you can get the latest version of the security camera for under $20.View Deal
I already own a couple of these devices, and at just $19.99, it's time to stock up again. The TP-Link AC1200 boosts Wi-Fi internet coverage up to 1,500 square feet and connects up to 30 devices. At this price, it's a must-buy for your home or office.View Deal
Another top deal from the Amazon Big Spring Sale is the all-new Blink Video Doorbell for only $35.99. The Blink doorbell alerts you when motion is detected and features infrared night vision, two-way audio, a two-year battery life, and an expanded field of view.View Deal
Apple's second-generation AirTag with louder sound, a 50% improvmenet in range for Precision Finding, and the rest of the features that made the first-gen such a great item tracker are at the lowest price ever ahead of Prime Day 2026. Right now, Amazon has a single AirTag for just $24. View Deal
Sony on-ears for under $40? That's not a mistake: this deal takes a cool 53% off the list price, making them good contenders to buy again, even though they're getting a little old. We said in our Sony WH-CH520 review that they are "simply superb value" at the time, and this deal keeps them that way. They sound good, they run for 50 hours between charges, and they're comfortable too – but you won't get fancier features such as active noise cancellation.View Deal
Amazon's new Fire TV Stick 4K Plus streams shows and movies on your TV in ultra-high definition 4K resolution. This updated version now supports Dolby Vision, Wi-Fi 6, and includes 2GB of RAM. This deal from Amazon Prime Day is a return to the record-low price and excellent value for an all-around streaming device.View Deal
The Amazon Echo Dot is down to $34.99 for Prime Day. Amazon's best-selling smart speaker offers improved audio, a new temperature sensor, and all the handy Alexa features just a voice command away, such as playing music, answering questions, and checking the weather. This one was $4 cheaper over Black Friday, but it's still a strong deal.View Deal
In our JBL Go 4 review, we said that "if you’re looking for a conveniently sized and reliably designed speaker on a budget, you won’t be disappointed with the JBL Go 4." It's a great go-anywhere speaker that we rate as being our preferred cheap option among the best Bluetooth speakers – it was already aggressively priced, and this deal makes it even more attractive.View Deal
If you have wiring for a doorbell, this is an excellent deal on Ring's cheapest doorbell, knocking 50% off the list price. For that amount, you get a Retinal 2K with up to 6x enhanced zoom, live view, and two-way talk.View Deal
Apple's second-generation AirTag with louder sound, a 50% improvmenet in range for Precision Finding, and the rest of the features that made the first-gen such a great item tracker are at the lowest price ever ahead of Prime Day 2026. Right now, Amazon has a single AirTag for just $24. View Deal
Another very good Prime Day Apple deal - Apple's 2nd-generation AirTag 4-pack is getting a first-time discount, on sale for $89. Great for people like me who tend to misplace things, simply attach the AirTag to anything you don't want to lose or keep track of, such as luggage or your keys, and your iPhone will locate the item.View Deal
If you haven't heard, wired headphones are all the rage, which is why Apple's EarPods for $14.88 are an excellent Prime Day deal. A slim, quality-looking design, clear sound, and comfortable fit are just a few of their best qualities. This model works with all devices that have a Lightning connector – which is iPhone 14 and before – so if you've got a newer iPhone, you'll instead want the USB-C version ($16.99 at Amazon).View Deal
The AirPods 4 are Apple's cheapest AirPods, and you can find them on sale for $99, which is the lowest price we've seen this year and $30 shy of the record-low. The AirPods 4 feature a new design for all-day comfort and feature Apple's H2 chip, which supports personalized spatial audio and voice isolation. You also get a redesigned case with 30 hours of battery life and support for wireless charging via USB-C.
Read our full Apple AirPods 4 reviewView Deal
Amazon has the AirPods 4 with active noise cancellation on sale for $148.99, which is the best deal you can find right now. The AirPods 4 feature a new comfortable design, handy controls, and Apple's H2 chip, which supports personalized spatial audio and voice isolation.
Read our full AirPods 4 with ANC reviewView Deal
This might just be the best Prime Day tech deal - Apple's AirPods Pro 3 for $179.99. Apple's newest premium buds feature improved Active Noise Cancellation, outstanding audio, a comfortable in-ear design, and new features such as live translation and heart-rate tracking. These do-it-all buds really are 100% flagship audio, and the noise-canceling quality is outstanding.View Deal
Amazon has the all-new AirPods Max 2 on sale for $399, which is the lowest price we've seen. The over-ear headphones now include Apple's H2 chip, which delivers adaptive audio, personalized volume, and improved voice isolation, resulting in superior sound. You're also getting up to 1.5x more Active Noise Cancellation and 20 hours of battery life.
Read our full AirPods Max 2 reviewView Deal
Amazon has a $50 discount on the new Apple Watch SE 3, making it an excellent bargain. The Apple Watch SE 2 currently holds the position as the best budget smartwatch, but the SE 3 more than matches it – and it's a smarter buy while it's on sale this week at Amazon.
Read our full Apple Watch SE 3 reviewView Deal
My favorite Prime Day Apple deal is an over $100 discount on the Apple Watch Series 11. The thinnest Apple Watch yet, with a wraparound LTP3 OLED display, it's a great-looking watch with Apple Intelligence-powered smarts and a boosted battery, clocking in at 24 hours of average use.
Read our full Apple Watch 11 reviewView Deal
Apple's latest base iPad is on sale for $299, which is only $15 more than the record-low price. The most significant upgrade for this model versus the previous generation is the newer A16 chip for faster performance, but you'll also get double the storage as standard (128GB instead of 64GB). Other features include a sharp 11-inch Liquid Retina display and solid 12MP front- and rear-facing cameras, making this iPad the best iPad for casual streamers and scrollers.
Read our full 11-inch iPad A16 reviewView Deal
Amazon has the newest iPad Air with the M4 chipset on sale for $519 right now. In addition to Apple's superfast brain, this iPad features a crisp Liquid Retina display, 128GB of storage as standard, 12MP front and rear cameras, and support for Apple's AI features.
Read our full iPad Air 11-inch reviewView Deal
The MacBook Neo is in stock with all colors at Amazon today, with a small price cut, too. The latest MacBook packs a 13-inch Liquid Retina display, an A18 Pro chip, 8GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, and up to 16 hours of battery life, all for under $600. It's no wonder this latest model is already proving to be a bestseller.
Read our full MacBook Neo review
With an impressive $150 discount, this Prime Day deal addresses our main complaint about the M5 Air: it's pricier than the previous model. Now, you're getting the latest chipset, 16GB of RAM, and a bigger 512GB SSD for much less, with a price that arguably challenges even the budget MacBook Neo when it comes to outright value.
Read our full MacBook Air 13-inch M5 reviewView Deal
For creative professionals, the 14-inch MacBook Pro powered by the performance-driven M5 Pro chip is the one to choose. This beast flies through demanding workloads like video editing without skipping a beat.
Read our full MacBook Pro M5 reviewView Deal
Amazon's cheapest Prime Day TV deal is Insignia's 32-inch F20 Series Fire TV for just $69.99. The Fire TV features Full HD resolution, DTS Virtual :X Sound for impressive audio, smart capabilities with the Fire OS, and a voice remote with hands-free Alexa – all for under $100.View Deal
If you're looking for a cheap set for an extra bedroom, Amazon's Prime Day sale has the best-selling 32-inch 2-Series HD smart TV for a record-low price of $134.99. While the Amazon 2-Series TV lacks 4K resolution, it offers smart capabilities through the Fire TV experience and Amazon Alexa, providing hands-free control.View Deal
If you're looking for a small-screen budget TV, this 43-inch 4K Fire TV from Toshiba for $159.99 is an unbeatable deal. Toshiba's C350 is a 4K TV with HDR support, delivering solid picture quality for everyday viewing. Access to streaming apps is easy with the Fire TV OS, which has Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, and more at your fingertips.View Deal
Samsung's S90F OLED TV earned five stars in our review, and, though smaller, the 48S90F shares all the same excellent features. Now Amazon has it at a huge $600 discount. The S90F OLED TV delivers an outstanding picture, thanks to quantum dot OLED technology and Samsung's NQ4 AI Gen3 processor. You're also getting extensive gaming features and Samsung's impressive Tizen operating system.
Read our Samsung S90F OLED reviewView Deal
You can get the best-selling Insignia 50-inch F50 Series 4K TV for an incredible price of $119.99 — a record-low. The Insignia F50 Series TV features 4K HD resolution, DTS Studio Sound, smart capabilities with Fire OS, and a voice remote with hands-free Alexa, so you can use your voice to control your TV.View Deal
This brand-new version of the Amazon 55-inch Fire TV 4-Series is on sale for its lowest price yet. The mid-sized 4K display supports HDR10, delivering a sharp, clear, and vibrant image for TV shows, movies, and sports. All major streaming apps are ready to go, too, and there's voice control via Alexa. It's an all-around solid TV for the price if you need an affordable and capable display.View Deal
Samsung's super-stylish The Frame TV is always a big Prime Day hit, and this is an excellent price for the set, with its smart separate connections box, lovely frame and rich colors. And you get access to Samsung's impressive art selection, of course.View Deal
If you've been holding out for a premium World Cup TV upgrade, this deal on the Samsung S95F 55-inch might be perfect. Dropping to a record-low $1,597 at Best Buy, the S95F's bold colors, high brightness and brilliant anti-reflection screen make it a prime companion for the World Cup. View Deal
The latest Amazon Omni QLED is a brilliant budget TV that delivers solid picture quality and a good set of gaming features, including 4K 60Hz, Dolby Vision, and HDR10+, for an affordable price. This Prime Day discount brings the 55-inch model to its lowest-ever price of $279.99.View Deal
This Hisense U7 Series delivers top TV tech for the money in a reasonably sized display, including a bright, vibrant QLED panel with excellent contrast and a high 165Hz refresh rate for smooth images. It will excel as a TV for watching sports, streaming all your favorite shows and movies, and playing the latest games.View Deal
This Prime Day deal takes the 65-inch Amazon Ember Omni Mini-LED TV down to a record-low price of $879.97. This TV delivers solid brightness and contrast, along with bold colors, and a ready-to-use, out-of-the-box sports mode that lets you watch sports with minimal setup. It also offers a robust selection of gaming features, including 4K, 144Hz, VRR, ALLM, and Dolby Vision support.View Deal
Samsung's 2025 model, The Frame Pro, is down to its lowest price yet for Prime Day. The Frame Pro enhances the impact of the popular lifestyle TV by replacing a standard QLED screen with Neo QLED, which incorporates mini-LEDs for a much better viewing experience, with far richer contrast. It also offers a higher refresh rate and comes with a Wireless One Connect box, so you can place your HDMI connections anywhere in the room. Still, it shows works of art when off and is finished with an anti-reflective coating.View Deal
The TCL QM7K is a feature-packed mini-LED TV that over-delivers for its price range. It has great picture quality and a ton of solid gaming features. While this discount may be small, it does take the 65-inch model down to a new record-low price of $749.99. View Deal
The LG C5 is the ultimate all-around TV, delivering excellent performance for movies, gaming and sports with a full suite of features and superb picture quality. The 65-inch model has dropped to $1,199.99 at Amazon and while this isn't a record-low, it's the cheapest it's been since February. View Deal
The Samsung QN90F is our ultimate TV for sport thanks to its brightness, glare-free screen and excellent motion handling, making it a perfect World Cup TV. Stock is either running low or gone across various retailers, but you can still get the 75-inch model for this great price, considering what a premium TV it is.View Deal
Here is an Amazon exclusive deal on a massive display. You can get TCL's 98-inch QM64L Series for $1,799.99, which is an incredible price for a TV of this size. A truly great budget mini-LED TV, the TCL QM64L delivers vibrant picture quality and solid gaming features for a price that won't break the bank.View Deal
The latest version of the standard Kindle is on sale as part of the annual Prime Day sale. It's a basic ereader, but it still boasts a four-week battery life and space for thousands of books. Given it's $40 cheaper than the Paperwhite, this is clearly a better pick for the infrequent reader who's after a more budget-friendly option. At $85, this Prime Day deal matches the record-low price for the ereader, but is far from the bigger discounts I've seen in previous years.View Deal
Amazon Prime Day features an OK, if a little disappointing, deal on the latest Kindle Paperwhite. We found in our Kindle Paperwhite review that it's packed with features to suit all avid readers, including a 12-week battery life, glare-free 7-inch screen, adjustable warm light, and storage space for thousands of books. This is a good buy and one of the best ereaders out there, it's just a shame that the days of even bigger discounts are well in the past.
The Kindle Colorsoft is down to its lowest price as part of Amazon Prime Day. As Amazon's first and only colored Kindle, it's a must-have for people who love reading travel guides, graphic novels, and other genres with a lot of images and photographs. It's USB-C and wireless charging compatible, lasting up to 8 weeks on a full battery.View Deal
This updated version of the Kindle Scribe hasn't been discounted since launch, so this Prime Day is a great time to bag a deal. The Scribe combines some of the best features of the Kindle Paperwhite, such as the glare-free and auto-adjusting display, along with the option to take notes, comment on documents, and doodle using the included stylus pen. Our Kindle Scribe review was down on some missing features that have been added in recent updates, so now this is a better value for a multi-functional device.View Deal
You can get Amazon's standard Fire TV Stick for just $15.99 — a new record-low price. In our Fire TV Stick review, we found the original version was a cheap way to add essential smart features to your TV, including access to streaming apps in HD, Alexa voice controls, and the ability to control other smart home devices.View Deal
Amazon's newest 4K streaming stick is down to its lowest-ever price for Prime Day. Considering it's only a few bucks more than the cheaper HD version, you might as well pay for the upgrade and get access to higher resolution streaming — as long as you have a 4K TV. It lacks a few premium features found in the more expensive Plus and Max models, such as improved Wi-Fi and Dolby Atmos, but this is more than enough to cover general everyday use.View Deal
Amazon's new Fire TV Stick 4K Plus streams shows and movies on your TV in ultra-high definition 4K resolution. This updated version now supports Dolby Vision, Wi-Fi 6, and includes 2GB of RAM. This deal from Amazon Prime Day is a return to the record-low price and excellent value for an all-around streaming device.View Deal
This is $2 shy of the record-low price for Amazon's premium streaming device. The Fire TV Stick 4K Max streams the same content at the same quality as the standard 4K version, but the extra power inside delivers faster app navigation. Plus, it uses Wi-Fi 6E technology to deliver a more stable, consistent streaming experience.View Deal
The 4K Fire TV Cube is Amazon's fastest-ever streaming media player, functioning as a smart speaker that allows you to control your smart home devices. The Fire TV Cube features Dolby Vision, HDR, and Dolby Atmos support, and works with Amazon Alexa for hands-free control.View Deal
The Amazon Echo Dot is down to $34.99 for Prime Day. Amazon's best-selling smart speaker offers improved audio, a new temperature sensor, and all the handy Alexa features just a voice command away, such as playing music, answering questions, and checking the weather. This one was $4 cheaper over Black Friday, but it's still a strong deal.View Deal
Amazon's Echo Spot is a solid smart alarm clock that pairs a 2.83-inch touchscreen with a 1.73-inch front-firing speaker. With Alexa onboard, you can ask the assistant for the weather, play music, or, of course, schedule alarms. This Prime Day deal matches the previous record-low price we saw during Black Friday.View Deal
Whether you want more advanced features like Lossless High Definition audio and Automatic Room Adaptation, or just love the idea of a more premium-looking speaker with faster Alexa responses, the Echo Dot Max is a great choice. This deal for Prime Day is a new record-low price.View Deal
Amazon's best-selling Echo Show 5 is down to $59.99 for Prime Day. The latest version of the Echo Show 5 features a compact 5.5-inch display but packs impressive sound with deeper bass and clearer vocals. Voice controls are enabled through Amazon Alexa, while you can use the smart screen to listen to podcasts, watch movies, stream videos, play music, and more.View Deal
Amazon's larger smart display just got its biggest discount yet ahead of Prime Day. The Echo Show 11 boasts a vibrant 11-inch full HD screen and spatial audio support for room-filling sound when listening to music or watching videos. With Alexa+ support, too, you get access to all of its advanced AI features, and an easy way to connect and control other smart devices around you home.View Deal
The latest Echo Show 15 got a big refresh when it launched, bringing its specs up to speed and offering a better Alexa experience. These were the first smart displays from Amazon to see the Alexa+ treatment and, naturally, offer one of the better user experiences with Amazon's gen AI-boosted subscription service.View Deal
If your children are at an age where they're after something a bit more capable in tech, then this Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids tablet is a solid upgrade. It has all the parental controls, safety features, and protective measures, and an impressive 13-hour battery life. Today's Prime Day deal is just $5 shy of the record-low price.View Deal
The cheapest Kindle deal on Amazon right now is this excellent discount on the latest Amazon Kindle Kids version. Simply put, this model is functionally the same as the standard Kindle but comes with a Kid-friendly cover, a six-month trial for Amazon Kids Plus, and an extended two-year warranty. Regardless of whether you're a small or big kid, this is a great deal on the baseline Kindle.View Deal
Similar to the above deal on the standard Kindle, the cheapest Kindle Paperwhite deal available at Amazon today is on the Kids Edition variant. Again, the device is functionally the same as the standard Kindle Paperwhite, but you get a themed cover, a six-month trial of Amazon Kids+, and an extended warranty. The main selling point for the Paperwhite over the standard Kindle is that it's waterproof and features a larger seven-inch display.View Deal
The Kindle Colorsoft Kids has reached $189 on two occasions before, but today's deal is a brand-new record-low price on the latest model. While the Colorsoft is pricier than the others, as the name suggests, it has a color display that's fantastic for graphic novels and kids' books. Otherwise, it's very similar to the Paperwhite in that it's waterproof, comes with 12 months of Amazon Kids+, a themed cover, and a two-year guarantee.View Deal
Another top deal from the Amazon Big Spring Sale is the all-new Blink Video Doorbell for only $35.99. The Blink doorbell alerts you when motion is detected and features infrared night vision, two-way audio, a two-year battery life, and an expanded field of view.View Deal
Don’t underestimate its size (and price point, for that matter), because this tiny security camera boasts a hi-res 2K camera and a spotlight for nighttime visibility. Thanks to Amazon's Prime Day sale, you can get the latest version of the security camera for under $20.View Deal
We consider the Outdoor 4 the best outdoor security camera, so we're thrilled that it's available at a massive 65% discount. It's wire-free and satisfyingly simple to set up, with a battery life of up to 2 years. It features a user-friendly app that lets you make the most of 1080p HD video and two-way audio, with additional features available with a Blink subscription.View Deal
If you have wiring for a doorbell, this is an excellent deal on Ring's cheapest doorbell, knocking 50% off the list price. For that amount, you get a Retinal 2K with up to 6x enhanced zoom, live view, and two-way talk.View Deal
I already own the best-selling Ring Video Doorbell and can't imagine living without it. The smart doorbell features a built-in battery and lets you see, hear, and speak to anyone from your phone or computer. Today's Prime Day deal from Amazon is a new record-low price.View Deal
The Ring Battery Video Doorbell Plus offers higher resolution than the standard model, plus color night vision, and it's down to a record-low price of $99.99 in this Prime Day deal, so why not upgrade and treat your home to enhanced security?View Deal
There's a massive 50% discount on the already affordable Ring Indoor Cam at Amazon's Prime Day sale. This plug-in security camera works with Alexa and offers motion detection and real-time notifications, so you can stay up to date on what's happening.View Deal
There's 50% off this easy-to-install Ring Outdoor Cam Plus right now, so you can enjoy a wide field of view in 2K Video for under $60. This plug-in security camera works with Alexa and offers motion detection and real-time notifications, so you can stay up to date on what's happening.View Deal
This Prime Day deal lets you get the Ring Outdoor Camera for $39.99 — that's the lowest price I've ever seen. The Alexa-enabled security camera features motion-activated notifications, two-way talk, and can be placed outside thanks to the weather-resistant design and a battery life of six to twelve months.View Deal
The Ring Floodlight Camera Wired Plus is 50% off at Amazon, bringing the price down to a record-low $89.99. The motion-activated HD camera features two-way talk, customizable motion zones, and notifies your smartphone, tablet, or laptop when motion is detected.View Deal
If you haven't heard, wired headphones are all the rage, which is why Apple's EarPods for $14.88 are an excellent Prime Day deal. A slim, quality-looking design, clear sound, and comfortable fit are just a few of their best qualities. This model works with all devices that have a Lightning connector – which is iPhone 14 and before – so if you've got a newer iPhone, you'll instead want the USB-C version ($16.99 at Amazon).View Deal
The AirPods 4 are Apple's cheapest AirPods, and you can find them on sale for $99, which is the lowest price we've seen this year and just $30 shy of the record-low. The AirPods 4 feature a new design for all-day comfort and feature Apple's H2 chip, which supports personalized spatial audio and voice isolation. You also get a redesigned case with 30 hours of battery life and support for wireless charging via USB-C.
Read our full Apple AirPods 4 reviewView Deal
Amazon has the AirPods 4 with active noise cancellation on sale for $148.99, which is the best deal you can find right now. The AirPods 4 feature a new comfortable design, handy controls, and Apple's H2 chip, which supports personalized spatial audio and voice isolation.
Read our full AirPods 4 with ANC reviewView Deal
This might just be the best Prime Day tech deal - Apple's AirPods Pro 3 for $179.99. Apple's newest premium buds feature improved Active Noise Cancellation, outstanding audio, a comfortable in-ear design, and new features such as live translation and heart-rate tracking. These do-it-all buds really are 100% flagship audio, and the noise-canceling quality is outstanding.View Deal
Amazon has the all-new AirPods Max 2 on sale for $399, which is the lowest price they've ever been. The over-ear headphones now include Apple's H2 chip, which delivers adaptive audio, personalized volume, and improved voice isolation, resulting in superior sound. You're also getting up to 1.5x more Active Noise Cancellation and 20 hours of battery life.
Read our full AirPods Max 2 reviewView Deal
This is the cheapest these have ever been! They've been $56 before, but this chops an extra $3 off that – hurrah! Amazon's listing their most recent $79 fee as a comparison, but make no mistake, their original MSRP is the one you see in this deal. A top saving! Highly recommended. View Deal
In my glowing 4.5-star review of these truly likeable September 2025-issue noise-cancelling over-ears, I said they "could easily cost twice as much", adding "you'll struggle to find a more original set of affordable headphones that offer this much for this little". Well, now that figure has shrunk to just $61.75, a fee our price trackers have never seen until now — their previous all-time low price was $68, just for full clarity. For this money, and as long as the glorious white or light green colorways suit, I wouldn't even hesitate. Highly recommended! View Deal
A moment for the 'fried-egg-meets-cassette-tape' colorway though… yes, it's a look for the bold, but the deal is live on the slightly more demure black or white finishes too, and this March 2026 set of noise cancelling cans doesn't just excite us in the looks department. These aren't to be confused with the slightly disappointing Headphone (1) — no no, this is the greatly improved (and far cheaper) follow-up set. And in our full review, we summarised our thoughts thus: "Now THAT's how you do a second version". This is the cheapest they've ever been, but given that they're barely three months old, that's not surprising… View Deal
Sony's newest mid-range wireless earbuds for less than $80 in Amazon's early Black Friday sale? Yup: this is a real bargain. For this money, you're getting Sony quality for the kind of money you'd expect to pay for a much lesser brand. In our Sony WF-C710N review, we heaped praise on these buds for their bolstered battery life, fantastic sound quality and upgraded ANC. At this price point, my recommending them is a no-brainer – at a third of the price of the high-end Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds, we think these are the better-value buy.View Deal
This is the first time we've seen this model drop below $200, and though they're not the latest in Sony's lineup, they're still incredibly popular four years after their release. Blending comfort and audio smarts into one device, the XM5s are a highly reliable pair of headphones. View Deal
The Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones are the best Sony headphones around — and this is $20 cheaper than they've ever been! They’ve been co-created with world-renowned audio engineers, so you get fantastic sound clarity and precision. A lightweight carbon fiber dome ensures high fidelity sound and rich vocals. You also get powerful noise-cancelling, along with a six-microphone AI-based beamforming system for great noise reduction on calls. Up to 30 hours of battery life rounds things off nicely. Did I mention this the cheapest they've ever been? Quick! View Deal
The excellent EAH-AZ80 that came before this model basically tore up the rule book on sound quality and features in wireless earbuds – and the AZ100 are even better. Released in January 2025, these little beauties are still the only earbuds to offer multipoint to three devices simultaneously, plus excellent sidetone tech for hearing your own voice in calls, as well as some of the most neutral and detailed audio in an even smaller, even more premium-feel design. Oh, and the deal? It's a return to their lowest-seen price ever. Highly recommended. View Deal
Bose is one of the biggest names in the world of headphones, and that reputation for quality is shown in these earbuds. The Ultra Open boast incredible sound, supreme power, and excellent battery life, making them a seriously premium pair of all-around buds. Now at a record-low price (as long as certain finishes work for you), so there's no better time to buy.View Deal
We awarded them the full five stars in our review, thanks to the brilliant noise cancellation, excellent audio quality, and extremely comfortable design. We had nothing more to say except that they are the 'best active noise-canceling cans for the money.'View Deal
The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 are our pick for the best running headphones for endurance. So, if you’re running longer distances, these are excellent. The incredibly well-engineered earhook design delivers a secure fit, and the buds offer solid battery life and good sound quality. Today's Prime Day deal is $20 shy of the record-low price.View Deal
The Beats Solo 4 supports lossless audio via USB-C or a 3.5mm audio cable, and Spatial Audio, which uses head tracking to enhance your listening experience. These headphones also last up to 50 hours on a single charge and can regain five hours of playback time in just 10 minutes of charging.View Deal
Grab the highly-rated Beats Studio Pro for $169.95, which is just $10 shy of the all-time record-low price. They're gorgeous-looking, easy to use, and the sound is good (read about it in our Beats Studio Pro review), so if the lack of multipoint pairing (they do auto-switch with Apple devices, though) and wearer detection doesn't bother you, this is a very solid deal.View Deal
Display - 14 inches
Processor - Intel Celeron N4500 Processor
RAM - 8GB
Storage - 128GB
Here's an older and fairly basic Chromebook, but this one comes with a welcome bump up to 8GB of RAM to help boost performance. It's still best-suited to general use because of the entry-level processor and limited storage space, but it's up to the job of web browsing, light work, writing documents, and streaming media. Plus, you get the superior battery life of up to 11.5 hours, which is much more compared to similarly priced Windows machines.View Deal
Display - 15.6 inches
Processor - Intel Core i3
RAM - 8GB
Storage - 256GB
This version of the Acer Chromebook Plus offers an impressive amount of power for the price. It includes 8GB of RAM and an Intel Core i3 processor to boost performance, boot times and load times. Storage of 256GB is fairly average for the price, but battery life is solid at up to 10 hours on a single charge. That's more than enough to last a full working day. At a little over $300, it's a smart buy for school or college, or just as a home laptop for light use and everyday tasks.View Deal
Display - 15.6 inches
Processor - Intel Core 3
RAM - 8GB
Storage - 512GB
If you want a cheap Windows laptop, then this configuration of the Asus Vivobook Go is an excellent buy and terrific value for money. You get an AMD Ryzen 5 processor, 8GB of RAM and a large 512GB SSD to ensure good overall performance and enough essential speedy storage for the price. It's a top buy right now if you're on a budget and need a laptop for general everyday use, admin tasks, light work, or schoolwork.View Deal
Display - 14 inches
Processor - Snapdragon X
RAM - 16GB
Storage - 512GB
There's a big saving on this Asus Vivobook 14 at Amazon. It's a modern machine, with an efficient Snapdragon X processor, 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD, so you have enough power and storage space for everyday jobs. It's a top buy right now if you have a reasonable budget and need a strong mid-range laptop for general use, admin tasks, light work, or schoolwork. It also boasts an incredible 29-hour battery life.View Deal
This may be the older MacBook Air, but it's still a great value, and comfortably holds its own against the newer model. You get 512GB SSD storage and 16GB RAM alongside the speedy M3 chip. This deal knocks 38% off the 13-inch laptop and bring it down to a record-low price.View Deal
Amazon's cheapest Fitbit deal is the ultra-slim Fitbit Inspire 3 on sale for just $79.95 - just $10 more than the record-low price. Made for everyday wear, the Inspire 3 offers 24/7 heart rate monitoring and tracks sleep, workouts, stress, and more.View Deal
Not only is the Fitbit Charge 6 one of our favorite fitness trackers, but it's also one of the best Fitbits overall. The Charge 6 features a sleek design and offers fitness basics, with 41 exercise modes and up to 7 days of battery life. Today's Prime Day deal is a record-low price.View Deal
You can get the feature-packed Fitbit Versa 4 on sale for $139.95. The top-rated smartwatch features a built-in GPS for tracking runs, walks, and bike rides. Plus, it provides a daily readiness score to help you determine whether your body is ready for a workout or recovery, based on helpful insights.View Deal
You can snag a whopping $50 discount on the Fitbit Sense 2, bringing the price down to $197.95. The Sense 2 is one of Fitbit's most advanced health and fitness smartwatches, capable of tracking sleep and stress and featuring smartphone notifications, contactless payments, and GPS.View Deal
Amazon has a $50 discount on the new Apple Watch SE 3, making it an excellent bargain. The Apple Watch SE 2 currently holds the position as the best budget smartwatch, but the SE 3 more than matches it – and it's a smarter buy while it's on sale this week at Amazon.
Read our full Apple Watch SE 3 reviewView Deal
My favorite Prime Day Apple deal is a $100 discount on the Apple Watch Series 11. The thinnest Apple Watch yet, with a wraparound LTP3 OLED display, it's a great-looking watch with Apple Intelligence-powered smarts and a boosted battery, clocking in at 24 hours of average use.
Read our full Apple Watch 11 reviewView Deal
You can save $100 on the brand-new Apple Watch Ultra 3 at Amazon's Prime Day sale. Packed with premium features, you're getting Cellular connectivity, a boosted 42-hour battery life, and emergency satellite messaging. Today's deal is the lowest price we've seen this year.View Deal
A 4.5-star smartwatch with super-accurate health and activity tracking, as well as AI features. This larger 44mm version has a staggering 38% off, but the smaller 40mm versions start at $229.99 (was $349.99).View Deal
Save an impressive 30% on the Samsung Galaxy Watch8 Classic, with its rotating bezel that lets you scroll through the watch's options in an intuitive way, and resembles that of a classic dive watch. It comes in one size (large, 46mm) with either black and white strap options. View Deal
Save 15% on the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra in all colorways, including the fetching Titanium Blue version introduced last year. While it's not the best choice for everyone, its power, longevity (up to 100 hours!) and rugged durability means it's well-made for adventurers and triathletes. Watch out, Garmin. View Deal
Here's a chance to get a whopping 50% off the excellent Garmin epix Pro (Gen 2). The 4.5-star smartwatch is an excellent buy for dedicated and enthusiast runners, thanks to its top-tier health tracking and GPS navigation features. You also get a clear AMOLED display with a scratch-resistant sapphire lens and titanium bezel. As far as premium smartwatches go, this one is tough to beat after such a big price cut.View Deal
Welcome to today's live coverage of the best Prime Day tech deals from day one of the sale. My team and I have found over 100 deals on best-selling and top-reviewed tech gadgets that we've bought with our own cash.
Keep in mind while shopping that Amazon's Prime Day tech deals are typically the first offers to sell out. Our advice is that if you see a price you like on a product today, you should add it to your cart and check out before it's too late.
Prime Day Apple deals are always the most popular offers, and the best offer might just be the Apple Watch 11 on sale for a record-low price of $279.
The thinnest Apple Watch yet, with a wraparound LTP3 OLED display, it's a great-looking watch with Apple Intelligence-powered smarts and a boosted battery, clocking in at 24 hours of average use.
Apple Watch Series 11: was $399 now $279 at Amazon
The Fire TV Stick 4K Plus is Amazon's best-selling device, and it's a must-have at 50% off, bringing the price down to just $24.99 — a deal so good, I've already purchased it.
Amazon's new Fire TV Stick 4K Plus streams shows and movies on your TV in ultra-high definition 4K resolution. This updated version now supports Dolby Vision, Wi-Fi 6, and includes 2GB of RAM — all for just $25.
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus: was $49.99 now $24.99 at Amazon
I was very excited when I saw this deal - the Oura Ring 4 on sale for a record-low price of $259 - a whopping 48% off and an incredible Prime Day deal that I expect will sell out.
Sleek and comfortable, the Oura Ring 4 is fully titanium, making it built to last and highly durable. You get incredibly accurate data and personalized health insights, from sleep to how active you are throughout the day.
Oura Ring 4: was $499 now $259 at Amazon
Amazon devices are always heavily discounted during Prime Day, and I actually purchased this smart speaker alarm clock combo at last year's sale - and it's on sale this year for only $45!
The Echo Spot pairs a 2.83-inch touchscreen with a 1.73-inch front-firing speaker, making it an ideal smart alarm clock. With Alexa onboard, you can ask the assistant for the weather, play music, or even schedule alarms.
Amazon Echo Spot: was $79.99 now $44.99 at Amazon
The LG C5 OLED is TechRadar's best-rated TV, and we can't recommend it enough if you're looking for a feature-packed, gorgeous display. Amazon's Prime Day sale has slashed $1,400 off the list price, bringing it down to a record low.
Awarded five out of five stars in our review, the LG C5 OLED display delivers an outstanding picture thanks to LG's Alpha 9 AI processor Gen8, impressive gaming features, and a comprehensive smart platform featuring all-new AI capabilities.
LG C5 65-inch 4K OLED TV: was $2,699.99 now $1,289.99 at Amazon
Not only does the entry-level Kindle come in the ultra-elegant shade of Matcha, but it's also on sale for Prime Day for just $84.99.
The base Kindle packs in all the essential features, including faster page turns on a 6-inch glare-free screen. You also get 16GB of storage, which means plenty of room for books. And if you don't want a pop of color, it's also available in black.
Amazon Kindle: was $109.99 now $84.99 at Amazon
The Hatch Restore 3 alarm clock is another Prime Day best-seller as it's rarely discounted, and it's on sale today for a record-low price.
This combination sunrise alarm clock and sound machine is designed to help you fall asleep more effortlessly and wake up easier with routines, excellent soundtracks, and intelligent features that can help keep you in your rhythm. It features a modern design so that I won't mind it on our bedside table.
Hatch Restore 3 Sunrise Alarm Clock: was $169.99 now $135.99 at Amazon
The Sony WH-1000XM5 have hit their lowest-ever price, dropping to just $198. This is the first time we've seen them for under $200, so you're getting superb value here.
Great noise cancellation, smart ambient modes, a super-comfortable fit, stylish looks, and rich and detailed sound. At this price, this Prime Day deal is in danger of selling out.
Sony WH-1000XM5: was $399 now $198 at Amazon
Amazon's Prime Day sale has treated us to a first-time discount on Apple's second-generation AirTag. You can find deals on a single AirTag or a 4-pack, starting at just $24.
Apple's second-generation AirTag with louder sound, a 50% improvmenet in range for Precision Finding, and the rest of the features that made the first-gen such a great item tracker are at the lowest price ever ahead of Prime Day 2026. Right now, Amazon has a single AirTag for just $24 – a savings of $5. View Deal
Amazon's also discounting a pack of four second-generation AirTags to the lowest price ever. Right now, the four Apple AirTags are down to just $89, a savings of $10, and it brings the cost of each one down to around $22.View Deal
Sure, this wall charger doesn't offer the biggest discount, but $8.49 for a device with five AC sockets, four USB-A sockets, and one USB-C socket is a bargain even at full price.
Wall charger: was $9.99 now $8.49 at Amazon
I've been extremely impressed with this year's Prime Day TV deals; case in point: Amazon's 55-inch 4-series 4K Fire TV at a record-low price of $279.95.
You're getting 4K resolution, HDR10 Plus, and Dolby Audio, offering an excellent all-around package and incredible value.
Amazon 55-inch 4-Series 4K Fire TV: was $459.99 now $279.95 at Amazon
Amazon has slashed the price of the Blink Outdoor 4 Camera, which I won and love, by an impressive 65%, bringing it down to just $28! There are bundle offers for up to eight cameras, too, if you need a full home security system.
The Blink Outdoor 4 is an easy and affordable way to add smart home tech to your house, with its long-lasting 2-year battery, wireless setup, and included sync module that lets you respond to visitors, get alerts, and browse footage on your phone.
Blink Outdoor 4 Camera: was $79.99 now $27.99 at Amazon
If you're looking for Apple's cheapest AirPods, the all-new AirPods 4 are on sale for just $99.
The AirPods 4 feature a new design for all-day comfort and feature Apple's H2 chip, which supports personalized spatial audio and voice isolation. You also get a redesigned case with 30 hours of battery life and USB-C wireless charging support.
Apple AirPods 4: was $129.99 now $99 at Amazon
If you have wiring for a doorbell, this is an excellent deal on Ring's cheapest doorbell, knocking 50% off the list price. For that amount, you get a Retinal 2K with up to 6x enhanced zoom, live view, and two-way talk - an absolute bargain for $40.
Ring Wired Doorbell: was $79.99 now $39.99 at Amazon
Need a cheap smart security camera? The best-selling Blink Mini 2 is on sale for a record-low price of just $13.
The compact security camera features two-way audio and will alert your phone when motion is detected. The Blink 2 also features a 1080p HD live view, color night vision with a built-in spotlight, and a wider field of view.
Blink Mini 2 security camera: was $39.99 now $12.99 at Amazon
Amazon's Prime Day sale has Apple's best-selling 11-inch iPad back in stock and on sale for $299, just $20 more than the record-low price.
The latest entry-level tablet features the powerful A16 chipset, making it an excellent choice for everyday tasks such as browsing, shopping, and watching content.
Apple 10.9 iPad: was $349 now $299 at Amazon
Reminder that most of today's deals are exclusive to Prime members. If you aren't a member, don't fret. You can simply take advantage of the 30-day free trial to get instant access to everything.
Amazon Prime: 30-day free trial
The Apple Prime Day deals keep on delivering! The retailer has the brand-new AirPods Max 2 on sale at its lowest price yet.
These premium cans, which we awarded and impressive 4.5-stars in our review, offer excellent audio quality, top-tier noise-cancelation, and handy features like Live Translation.
Apple AirPods Max 2: was $549 now $399 at Amazon
One of the most popular Dyson products isn't a vacuum cleaner, but rather the excellent Airwrap i.d., which is always popular around Prime Day.
The big news on day one of Prime Day is that Amazon has it back to a record-low price of $499 – an incredible value for a fantastic device.
Dyson Airwrap i.d.: was $709, now $499 at Amazon
Amazon only entered the crowded art TV market a few months back with the Ember Artline TV. Now it's $200 off for Prime Day, at the lowest price ever for the 55-inch size, and it outpaces the Samsung Frame TV with two key differentiators.
Firstly, it comes with the frame to complete the Art TV effect out of the box. And second, you don't need to subscribe to a special art plan to display works of art. Instead, the Ember Artline TV has over 2,000 pieces of artwork for free out of the box.
55-inch Amazon Ember Artline Fire TV: was $899.99, now $699.99 at Amazon
If you have an iPhone Air and wish the battery life were a bit better, Apple does indeed make an accessory to help solve that. The aptly named iPhone Air MagSafe Battery magnetically attaches to the back and even integrates with iOS to let you easily see the remaining percentage.
And right now, for Prime Day, it's 40% off and sitting at the lowest price we've tracked
Apple iPhone Air MagSafe Battery: was $99, now $59 at Amazon
Apple’s AirPods Pro 3 are on sale for $179, just $10 more than the record-low price we saw briefly a few days ago.
They refine the iconic design with a more secure fit, boost battery life to about 8 hours without a listening mode or 10 hours with one, support Spatial Audio, and deliver strong noise cancellation.
Apple AirPods Pro 3: was $249 now $179 at Amazon
If you've been watching the World Cup and thinking your current setup doesn't quite cut it for the best experience, here's a huge TV upgrade I'd recommend.
You can get $1,000 off the fantastic Hisense U7, one of the best-value Mini-LED TVs you can buy. Offering fantastic picture quality, vivid colors, strong brightness, and a responsive display, it's exactly what you need to enjoy fast-moving sports on a big screen.
Hisense U7 85-inch Mini-LED 4K TV: was $2,499.99 now $1,499.99 at Amazon
Finding a deal on an SSD has been tough in the last nine months, as prices have skyrocketed along with the ongoing RAM crisis. Unfortunately, I'm not here to say that things have got much better, but there is a price cut on this Samsung 990 Pro right now. It's still far from the record-low of previous years, but in this deal drought on lots of PC components, we'll have to take it right now.
Samsung 990 Pro 2TB SSD: was $639.99 now $369.99 at Amazon
One of my favorite Prime Day deals is the best-selling Blink Video Doorbell at its lowest price ever – just $23.99.
The Blink doorbell alerts you when motion is detected and features infrared night vision, two-way audio, a two-year battery life, and an expanded field of view.
Blink Video Doorbell: was $69.99 now $23.99 at Amazon
The Frame TV is always a big Prime Day hit, and this is an excellent price for the set, with its smart separate connections box, lovely frame, and rich colors. And you get access to Samsung's impressive art selection, of course.
Samsung 55-inch The Frame QLED TV: was $1,254.98 now $697.99 at Amazon
The Ninja Creami ice cream maker was a best-selling product in last year's Prime Day savings event, and the Deluxe model is just $199.99 right now.
A dream come true for summer months — with a touch of a button, you can make ice cream, milkshakes, yogurts, and sorbets, and add your favorite mix-ins and flavors.
Ninja Creami Deluxe ice cream maker: was $249.99 now $199.95 at Amazon
The Sony WH-1000XM5 has returned to its lowest-ever price at just $198. This isn't the first time we've seen them for under $200, but you're getting superb value here.
Great noise cancellation, smart ambient modes, a super-comfortable fit, a stylish design, and rich, detailed sound.
Sony WH-1000XM5: was $399 now $198 at Amazon
Late night shopping? James Pickard here, checking in for the early hours to share more of the best deals from this year's Prime Day sale. I'll be picking up where my pals left off while they take a well-earned break. Let's see what's out there, then.
We've just tipping over into the second day of this year's Amazon Prime Day sale. That could mean we'll see some fresh deals, so I'll make another pass through Amazon's sale section to see if anything new and exciting has popped up.
The TechRadar team is busy checking retail listings to see if the best Prime Day deals we've found so far are still live, so I'm going to step in to make sure you're seeing all their good work. Amelia here taking over to flag up our audio editor's round-up of the best discounted earbuds and headphones you can buy right now. The cheapest on the list is the Nothing Ear (a) at the time of writing.
Nothing Ear (a): was $109 now $53 at Amazon
The Garmin Venu 4 41mm is available at its lowest-ever price on Amazon, where the 45mm model is also discounted by $50. It's been a year since we last saw the best Garmin watch for most people at this price, so we wouldn't sleep on this deal.
Garmin Venu 4 41mm: was $549.99 now $499.99 at Amazon
The Oura Ring 4 has never looked so appealing thanks to a close to 50% discount, bringing it to a record low price. While the newer Ring 5 is out and marks a significant step up with a smaller, redesigned form factor, it also comes with a higher price tag at launch, so we wouldn't expect a deal on that anytime soon.
Oura Ring 4: was $499 now $259 at Amazon
We don't blame you, because there are a lot of Echo speakers and displays in the range to choose from. With a lot of the models on sale, our resident Amazon Echo speaker expert has put together a handy quiz to help you decide which Prime Day deal is right for you.
The Amazon Fire TV Stick HD might not offer 4K Ultra HD picture, but if you've got an older TV that doesn't matter too much because it might not even support this resolution. If that's you, then this is the Amazon Fire TV Stick deal for you, especially at a record low price.
Amazon Fire TV Stick HD: was $34.99 now $15.99 at Amazon
This 14% off saving isn't the cheapest we've seen the MacBook Air 13-inch with an M5 chip — we have spotted it at $899.99 before — but considering that Apple CEO Tim Cook said that "price increases are unavoidable" earlier this month, we recommend jumping on any offers you can find.
Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5, 512GB): was $1,099 now $949.99 at Amazon
Josephine Watson's latest TikTok video is perfect viewing if you're on the hunt for some Apple bargains. She's rounded-up three of the best Apple deals she can find in the video below. Make sure to follow us wherever you get your social content for more!
Prime Day always sees Amazon's own products heavily discounted, and this year is no different with the full range of Kindle e-readers on sale. The cheapest model is the standard Amazon Kindle, which also happens to be the one I own. If you don't need extra features like a color display or the ability to take notes, then it's a great value buy.
Amazon Kindle: was $109.99 now $84.99 at Amazon
Yes, Amazon’s Prime Day 2026 sale is in full swing, and it’s a full four-day affair this time around, meaning it won’t come to an end until midnight on June 26, 2026. And beyond Lego sets, the best TVs, coffee machines, and other kitchen gadgets, there’s a good chance you’re eyeing some savings on Apple gear.
From AirPods Pro 3 and the entry-level iPad to MacBooks, Apple Watches, and iPhones, many of these devices top our lists of the very best products you can buy, Apple or not. And lucky for all of us, Amazon is delivering some of the best prices on these gadgets we’ve ever tracked. Heck, with AirPods Pro 3 specifically, we’ve seen Amazon and Walmart battling it out for the lowest price.
I’ve reviewed and gone hands-on with many of Apple’s gadgets, and other experts here at TechRadar have as well. So below, I’m rounding up the 10 best Apple deals to shop this Prime Day.
Whether you’re looking for an AirTag, an Apple Watch, or a MacBook Air, keep scrolling — Prime Day 2026 is delivering. And if you’re in the UK, check out our list of the 6 best Apple deals to shop right here.
Apple's second-generation AirTag with louder sound, a 50% improvement in range for Precision Finding, and the rest of the features that made the first-gen such a great item tracker are at the lowest price ever for Prime Day 2026. Right now, Amazon has a single AirTag for just $24 – a savings of $5.
Amazon's also discounting a pack of four second-generation AirTags to the lowest price ever. Right now, the four Apple AirTags are down to just $89, a saving of $10, and it brings the cost of each one down to around $22.
This might just be the best Prime Day tech deal: Apple's AirPods Pro 3 for $179.99. Apple's newest premium buds feature improved Active Noise Cancellation, outstanding audio, a comfortable in-ear design, and new features such as live translation and heart-rate tracking. These do-it-all buds really are 100% flagship audio, and the noise-canceling quality is great.
Amazon has the all-new AirPods Max 2 on sale for $399, which is the lowest price we've seen. The over-ear headphones now include Apple's H2 chip, which delivers adaptive audio, personalized volume, and improved voice isolation, resulting in superior sound. You're also getting up to 1.5x more Active Noise Cancellation and 20 hours of battery life.
Read our AirPods Max 2 review here.View Deal
The Apple Watch SE 3 is back to its lowest price ever for Prime Day 2026. Apple's entry-level smartwatch is currently our pick for the best Apple Watch to buy if you're on a budget, as it delivers a full health and fitness tracking experience, all the convenient on-wrist features you need, and that familiar Apple style, but at a fraction of the price.
Back at its lowest price ever, the feature-filled Apple Watch Series 11 is a record $120 off on Amazon for Prime Day, with the 42mm GPS variant in Space Gray, Jet Black, Rose Gold, and Silver Aluminum. Under the hood, it's powered by the S10 chip, which will support the new watchOS 27 software, and it offers all-day battery life that can go the extra mile.
Apple's latest base iPad is on sale for $299, which is only $15 more than the record-low price. The most significant upgrade for this model versus the previous generation is the newer A16 chip for faster performance, but you'll also get double the storage as standard (128GB instead of 64GB). Other features include a sharp 11-inch Liquid Retina display and solid 12MP front- and rear-facing cameras, making this iPad the best iPad for casual streamers and scrollers.
Read our 11-inch iPad A16 review here.View Deal
Amazon has the newest iPad Air with the M4 chipset on sale for $519 right now. In addition to Apple's superfast brain, this iPad features a crisp Liquid Retina display, 128GB of storage as standard, 12MP front and rear cameras, and support for Apple's AI features.
Apple's larger 13-inch iPad Air with the M4 is also on sale for Prime Day, back at the lowest price ever at $699.
Read our iPad Air 11-inch review here.View Deal
With an impressive $150 discount, this Prime Day deal addresses our main complaint about the M5 Air: it's pricier than the previous model. Now, you're getting the latest chipset, 16GB of RAM, and a bigger 512GB SSD for much less, with a price that (arguably) challenges even the budget MacBook Neo when it comes to outright value. It's a workhorse.
Read our MacBook Air 13-inch M5 review here.View Deal
For creative professionals, the 14-inch MacBook Pro powered by the performance-driven M5 Pro chip is the one to choose. This beast flies through demanding workloads like video editing without skipping a beat.
Read our full MacBook Pro M5 review here.View Deal
Modern all-in-one (AIO) liquid coolers are increasingly resembling miniature computing platforms rather than simple hardware designed to move heat away from processors.
Several newly announced models now incorporate color displays approaching smartphone dimensions, complete with monitoring software, animations, and multimedia capabilities.
In some cases, the screens attached to CPU cooling systems are larger than the 4.7-inch display found on Apple's iPhone SE.
An example comes from ASUS, whose ROG Strix SLC IV incorporates a detachable 6.67-inch curved AMOLED display running at 2400 × 1080 resolution.
The company also offers the ROG Strix LC IV with a smaller 3.5-inch IPS panel, though both products retain extensive customization features.
Driving these displays requires considerably more than a simple temperature sensor because the screens must process graphics, animations, telemetry information, and user inputs.
Behind such displays sits a microcontroller, commonly called an MCU, which is effectively a complete computer integrated onto a single chip.
An MCU has its own processor, memory, storage resources, and input output functions, allowing it to operate independently within larger devices.
Twenty years ago, a high-end CPU cooler was little more than a large metal heatsink paired with one or two fans.
Modern flagship AIOs increasingly incorporate MCUs, wireless connectivity, high-resolution displays, RGB controllers, dedicated software ecosystems, and even video playback capabilities.
The result is an entertaining rise in complexity, with display-equipped coolers now relying on tiny computers to manage their advanced features.
As functionality expands, prices have also climbed, turning what was once a relatively straightforward component into one of the most feature-laden devices inside a modern PC.
This trend extends beyond ASUS as manufacturers increasingly compete through aesthetics rather than solely emphasizing thermal performance improvements.
JONSBO's TM-280 includes a 3.95-inch IPS screen capable of displaying hardware statistics, animated GIF files, images, and MP4 video playback.
Meanwhile, ASRock's Challenger Digital models integrate 3-inch LCD panels displaying processor temperatures, clock speeds, and pump operating information.
Antec has moved even further with the Vortex View 360, featuring a rotatable 5-inch IPS display operating at 1280 × 720 resolution.
Manufacturers still improve thermal hardware through faster pumps, larger radiators, enhanced fan designs, and supplementary motherboard cooling solutions.
ASUS incorporates a small VRM cooling fan, while JONSBO rates its TM-280 for processors reaching thermal loads of 285W TDP.
Yet the most visible developments increasingly involve screens, lighting effects, wireless connectivity, software ecosystems, and display customization capabilities.
MSI recently introduced a fabric-covered cooler concealing a display beneath its exterior, illustrating how appearance has become increasingly influential.
Several of these products now depend upon dedicated software suites, internal USB connections, specialized controller hubs, and proprietary communication interfaces.
The ASUS wireless display implementation even relies upon a motherboard connection system carrying power, control signals, and data through dedicated contacts.
The evolution remains entertaining because these cooling components have transformed into feature-rich hardware that can justify higher prices for enthusiasts building showcase systems.
Some users, however, may question whether such additions are necessary for hardware whose primary purpose remains cooling a processor.
Via The Guru of 3D
Building a gaming PC from scratch with an RTX 5070 still costs you a significant chunk of change when you factor in every component. That’s what makes the MSI Codex R2 at $1690 (was $2300) at Amazon such a compelling deal right now.
• Shop Amazon's Prime Day deals
Here, you get a complete, ready-to-game desktop built around Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 5070 12GB GDDR7, an Intel Core i5-14400F, 32GB of DDR5-6000 RAM, and a 1TB NVMe SSD. No sourcing parts, no assembly, no compatibility headaches.
The RTX 5070 is Nvidia’s Blackwell-architecture mid-to-high-end card, featuring 12GB of GDDR7 memory with 168 GB/s bandwidth and full support for DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation — giving video editors and 3D animators exactly what's needed for multi-stream workflows in real time.
This is the pre-built for someone who wants to sit down and game the same day it arrives, without spending a weekend sourcing parts. It’s got the RTX 5070 — Nvidia’s latest generation GPU with 12GB of fast GDDR7 memory and DLSS 4 support — paired with a capable Intel Core i5-14400F, 32GB of DDR5-6000 RAM, and a 1TB NVMe SSD. The chassis has a dedicated RGB CPU air cooler and four-fan airflow system, an 80+ Gold certified PSU, Wi-Fi 6E, and Windows 11 Home pre-installed. All standard off-the-shelf components, so upgrading storage, RAM, or the GPU down the road is straightforward.View Deal
The RTX 5070 is built on Nvidia’s Blackwell architecture — the same generation as the flagship RTX 5090 — and brings meaningful improvements over the RTX 4070 it replaces. The 12GB GDDR7 frame buffer operates at significantly higher bandwidth than GDDR6X, and the new Transformer-based AI model underpinning DLSS 4 produces noticeably sharper upscaled images than DLSS 3. Multi Frame Generation, exclusive to Blackwell cards.
The Intel Core i5-14400F is a 10-core, 16-thread Raptor Lake chip with a 4.7GHz boost clock. It’s not the flashiest processor on paper, but in the context of a PC for creative professionals, it does exactly what’s needed: keeps the RTX 5070 fed with data without bottlenecking workloads. The 32GB of DDR5-6000 RAM is a notably generous allocation — most pre-builts at this price ship with 16GB, and 32GB gives you meaningful headroom for multi-tasking, streaming, and future-proofing.
The four-fan airflow system and dedicated RGB CPU air cooler are designed to keep temperatures stable across long sessions. MSI's own pitch is that your performance at hour one is identical to hour five — a common pain point with pre-builts that use minimal cooling to hit a price target. The mesh-style front panel on the Codex R2 chassis significantly increases airflow compared to the solid panels on previous Codex generations.
The 80+ Gold certified PSU is a detail worth calling out explicitly. A lot of pre-builts in this price range ship with 80+ Bronze or unrated power supplies that can cause stability issues under sustained GPU load, or leave no headroom for a GPU upgrade later. 80+ Gold certification means the PSU is at least 87% efficient at full load, runs cooler, and is rated for the kind of power draw the RTX 5070 demands.
Wi-Fi 6E is included for wireless connectivity on the less-congested 6GHz band, which delivers lower latency and faster speeds than Wi-Fi 5 or standard Wi-Fi 6 in busy networks — useful if you can’t hardwire the desktop to your router. MSI Center software gives you a single dashboard for controlling RGB lighting, fan curves, and performance profiles without hunting through multiple utilities.
One honest note: the i5-14400F is a 14th-gen Intel chip rather than the newer Core Ultra series, which means it doesn’t have an integrated NPU for Copilot+ features. For gaming that’s completely irrelevant, but if you also use your PC for AI-accelerated creative workloads, it’s worth being aware of. The standard off-the-shelf component spec does mean you can drop in a Core Ultra CPU or a future GPU upgrade without any proprietary restrictions, which partially offsets that.
At this price, the MSI Codex R2 is one of the most straightforward ways to get an RTX 5070 desktop right now without a self-built PC. Check out more options in our guide to the best business computers.
Amazon Prime Day isn't just about big-ticket gadgets because there are also terrific savings to be had on USB wall chargers that can tidy your desk, speed up charging, and keep multiple devices powered from a single outlet.
Whether you need a premium GaN charger or a budget-friendly spare, these deals cover every price range.
Anker's Prime 67W GaN wall charger has dropped to $39.99, saving a decent 20% on a compact charger with two USB-C ports and one USB-A port. It can power up to three devices at once while taking up far less space than many laptop chargers, making it a nifty travel companion.
Anker's Prime 67W GaN wall charger packs two USB-C ports and one USB-A port into a body that's 51% smaller than Apple's original 67W charger. Now $39.99 with a 20% discount, it delivers fast charging for up to three devices at once.View Deal
YYDBS's two-pack of 20W fast wall chargers includes 6ft and 10ft MFi-certified Lightning cables, giving you everything needed to charge two devices straight from the box. At just $11.99 for the bundle, it's an inexpensive way to add fast charging to your home, office, or travel bag.View Deal
This three-pack of dual-port USB wall chargers delivers six charging ports for just $8.99 after a 25% discount. Compact enough for travel and equipped with built-in safety protection, these adapters can charge two devices simultaneously.View Deal
This two-pack USB wall chargers offers dependable 5V/2A charging for just $7.99, making it an inexpensive way to replace aging adapters around the house. They're compact, lightweight, and compatible with a huge range of phones and tablets.View Deal
If you want everything in one package, YYDBS has a two-pack of 20W fast chargers with 6ft and 10ft MFi-certified Lightning cables for just $11.99.
The dual-port adapters can charge two devices simultaneously, giving you a simple charging setup for home and the office.
Luoatip's three-pack of dual USB wall chargers is another excellent budget option at only $8.99 after a 25% discount.
With six USB ports across three compact adapters, there's enough charging capacity for bedrooms, kitchens, desks, and travel bags without spending much at all.
Fobsunland also has a two-pack of lightweight USB wall chargers for the pocket money price of just $7.99.
They offer dependable 5V/2A charging for phones, tablets, earbuds, and other USB-powered devices, making them perfect as spare adapters to leave around the house or pack in your luggage.
A good charger can last for years, and Prime Day is one of the best opportunities to replace older adapters without paying full price.
Whether you need high-speed USB-C charging for a laptop or inexpensive plugs for everyday devices, these Amazon deals offer plenty of ways to upgrade your charging setup for less.
For more picks, check out our guides to the best iPhone chargers, and the best wall chargers.
Fast storage can completely change the way you work, and I’m a huge fan of the 1TB SanDisk Extreme Pro Portable SSD, which is now $179 (was $210) at Amazon this Prime Day.
That's a 15% saving on one of the most popular high-performance external drives on the market, and even boasts an IP65 rating for durability. For UK readers, it's got a slightly smaller discount, with the Extreme Pro now £202 (was £210).
Thanks to its NVMe-based architecture and USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 connectivity, the drive is rated for read and write speeds of up to 2,000MB/s. In practical terms, that means significantly faster file transfers than traditional portable hard drives and many entry-level SSDs.
The SanDisk Extreme Pro Portable SSD has long been one of my favorite portable drives, offering fast read and write speeds of up to 2000MB/sec. with a compact design and IP55 water and dust resistance.
In the UK: now £202 (was £210)View Deal
Whether you're moving large photo libraries, backing up projects, editing video, or carrying a game library between devices, the Extreme Pro will minimize waiting around.
The drive features a forged aluminum chassis that doubles as a heatsink to help keep up performance during sustained transfers.
It's rated for up to three meters of drop protection and carries an IP65 rating for water and dust resistance, making it a solid choice for photographers, content creators and professionals who regularly work away from a desk.
Built-in 256-bit AES hardware encryption and password protection help keep sensitive files secure, while the SanDisk Memory Zone app can assist with file management and freeing up storage space on connected devices.
With more than 16,000 customer ratings and an average score of 4.5 stars on Amazon, the Extreme Pro has a rightly deserved strong reputation among users who need reliable, high-speed portable storage.
Sure, $178.49 isn't exactly a budget purchase, but Prime Day's discount makes it a more attractive choice for anyone seeking a rugged, fast external SSD that will remain useful for years to come.
For more picks, check out our guides to the best portable SSD and the best rugged drives.
Samsung's T9 Portable SSD delivers blazing-fast transfer speeds of up to 2,000MB/s via USB 3.2 Gen 2x2. Compact and durable, it's an excellent choice for students and professionals who need fast, reliable portable storage.
In the UK: Was £238.99 now £175.49View Deal
This ultracompact 2TB portable SSD offers transfer speeds of up to 1,050MB/s and supports Apple ProRes 4K 60fps recording. With IP65-rated dust and water resistance, it's a great choice for creators.
Both Croatia and Panama are coming off defeats in their opening games, making their World Cup 2026 encounter at Toronto Stadium a must-win clash. Realistically, the loser will struggle to reach the knockout phase.
Though Los Canaleros are still chasing their first-ever World Cup point, they'll take confidence from the resilience shown against Ghana, only to be denied by a late goal deep into second-half stoppage time. Thomas Christiansen's side, now 40th in the world according to FIFA's live rankings, are physical and dangerous at set pieces and will draw inspiration from their impressive run to the final of the 2025 CONCACAF Nations League. Ismael Diaz will be their danger man.
The experienced Croatia, meanwhile, are coming off one of the most entertaining matches of the tournament so far against England. Although the 4-2 scoreline may look disappointing, the Vatreni showed plenty of attacking intent and caused England countless first-half problems to go into half-time level. Rectifying mistakes post-interval will be vital. All eyes will be on Luka Modric, who is playing in his fifth World Cup. Three points here would secure at least a third-place finish for Zlatko Dalic's men, the 2018 runners-up and 2022 semi-finalists.
So, read on as we show you exactly how to watch Panama vs Croatia for free from anywhere in the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Panama vs Croatia is available to watch for free in multiple countries, including the UK, Australia, Brazil, Belgium, Ireland, Netherlands, Switzerland and Turkey.
Abroad? Can't access your free stream? Unblock your free World Cup stream with Norton VPN — more on that below.
It’s the World Cup, and if you’re traveling, you might discover your usual Panama vs Croatia stream is suddenly unavailable due to geo-restrictions.
Don’t worry, that’s exactly where a VPN can help. A virtual private network lets you connect to servers around the world so you can securely access your usual World Cup coverage as if you were back home.
We recommend Norton VPN. Here's why:
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US viewers can watch Panama vs Croatia on Fox and Telemundo (Spanish comms).
You can watch every World Cup game on Fox, FS1 and Telemundo, which are available on cord-cutters like YouTube TV (free trial), Hulu+Live TV, Sling (select markets), Fubo or DirecTV.
Those looking for a streaming service instead can watch Panama vs Croatia on Fox One (3-day free trial). Telemundo is available via Peacock as well.
Visiting the US from the UK? You can still watch your World Cup stream for free thanks to Norton VPN (try for 60 days).
UK customers are in luck as they can stream Panama vs Croatia for free on BBC iPlayer. Live coverage is also available on the BBC One TV channel.
You require a TV license and a valid UK postcode for an account (e.g. SE1 7PB).
Norton VPN can unlock your stream if you're abroad today.
Panama vs Croatia will be shown for free in Australia on SBS On Demand.
The streaming platform has every game of the tournament for free, making it the perfect place for your World Cup viewing.
Traveling for work or on holiday? A VPN like Norton VPN can help unlock your free stream.
In Canada, TSN and free-to-air channel CTV will be broadcasting Panama vs Croatia.
You can live stream via the TSN+ streaming platform, which costs CA$8 per month or CA$80 per year.
CTV will require your TV provider login details, but is also available via pay-TV streaming platform Crave if you want an alternative.
Outside of Canada? Use Norton VPN whilst you're traveling away from home to unlock your stream.
Panama vs Croatia kicks-off at 7pm ET on Tuesday, June 23. That's 12am BST / 9am AEST on Wednesday, June 24.
Panama
Goalkeepers: Luis Mejía (Nacional), César Samudio (Marathón), Orlando Mosquera (Al-Fayha)
Defenders: César Blackman (Slovan Bratislava), José Córdoba (Norwich City), Edgardo Fariña (FC Pari Nizhniy Novgorod), Roderick Miller (Turan Tovuz), Fidel Escobar (Saprissa), Jiovany Ramos (Puerto Cabello), Eric Davis (Plaza Amador), Andrés Andrade (LASK), Jorge Gutiérrez (Deportivo La Guaira), Amir Murillo (Beşiktaş)
Midfielders: Cristian Martínez (Ironi Kiryat Shmona), José Luis Rodríguez (Juárez), Adalberto Carrasquilla (UNAM), Yoel Bárcenas (Mazatlán), Carlos Harvey (Minnesota United), Aníbal Godoy (San Diego), César Yanis (Cobresal), Azarías Londoño (Universidad Católica de Chile), Alberto Quintero (CD Plaza Amador)
Forwards: Tomás Rodríguez (Deportivo Saprissa), Ismael Díaz (León), José Fajardo (Universidad Católica), Cecilio Waterman (Universidad de Concepción)
Croatia
Goalkeepers: Dominik Livakovic (Dinamo Zagreb), Dominik Kotarski (Copenhagen), Ivor Pandur (Hull City)
Defenders: Josko Gvardiol (Manchester City), Duje Caleta-Car (Real Sociedad), Josip Sutalo (Ajax Amsterdam), Josip Stanisic (Bayern Munich), Marin Pongracic (Fiorentina), Martin Erlic (Midtjylland), Luka Vuskovic (Hamburg)
Midfielders: Luka Modric (AC Milan), Mateo Kovacic (Manchester City), Mario Pasalic (Atalanta), Nikola Vlasic (Torino), Luka Sucic (Real Sociedad), Martin Baturina (Como), Kristijan Jakic (Augsburg), Petar Sucic (Inter Milan), Nikola Moro (Bologna), Toni Fruk (Rijeka)
Forwards: Ivan Perisic (PSV Eindhoven), Andrej Kramaric (Hoffenheim), Ante Budimir (Osasuna), Marco Pasalic (Orlando City), Petar Musa (Dallas), Igor Matanovic (Freiburg)
Position | Team | GD | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | England | 2 | 3 |
2 | Ghana | 1 | 3 |
3 | Panama | -1 | 0 |
4 | Croatia | -2 | 0 |
Of course, most broadcasters have streaming services that you can access through mobile apps or via your phone's browser.
You can also stay up-to-date with all of the key World Cup moments on the official social media channels on X/Twitter (@FIFAWorldCup), Instagram (@FIFAWorldCup), TikTok (@FIFAWorldCup) and YouTube (@FIFA).
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
AiOnX, a major data center infrastructure developer focused on hyperscalers across Europe, has taken a majority stake in the US-based cryptocurrency mining firm Genesis Digital Assets.
The transaction, valued at $500 million, sees its parent company, SWI Group, take a 77% stake in GDA, and gives it control over 15 cryptomining data centers across the US and Sweden - and perhaps more importantly, access to 1.3 Gigawatts of available power.
The agreement encompassing 15 data centers across North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas, as well as two sites in Sweden.
The move by SWI Group was reported by DataCenterDynamics, which said a deal was in the works between SWI and a then-unnamed US cryptomining entity.
It seems to have been dictated by GDA's access to readily available power, even as most hyperscaler buildouts continue to struggle with their own power limitations, and as studies indicate it could eventually stall AI datacenter growth by as early as 2030.
The reason for GDA making for a relatively no-brainer acquisition by SWI, thanks to its power connectivity.
"Power connectivity is the most valuable commodity in digital infrastructure today, and converting legacy cryptocurrency mining infrastructure to AI and high-performance computing is the best and highest use of these assets," noted SWI founder and CEO, Max-Hervé George.
"We have been investing in power-connectivity since 2020. This is what that thesis looks like at scale."
This is not an isolated move, however, with many cryptocurrency miners now pivoting to or getting outright acquired by AI hyperscalers as demand for compute, and, in tandem, power continues unabated as models get larger over time.
The reason is that not only is cryptomining relatively unprofitable compared to AI workloads that rent out GPUs under long-term contracts, but it is also inconsistent, given that cryptocurrency prices tend to fluctuate, making for an unpredictable payday for cryptominers, many of whom are heavily infused with debt to cover their scaling needs.
While modern crypto ASICs can not be repurposed for AI needs, the power they consume, much of which is locked in via long-term contracts, is much more valuable for AI datacenters since their power needs are already taken care of and available on-site, versus many otherwise ambitious and time-consuming power generation projects that some hyperscalers have directly been forced to invest in.
For context, as per estimates by Coindesk, AI contracts offer margins of as much as 85% with multi-year revenue visibility in tow, making cryptomining, even as hashrates continue to climb, while Bitcoin remains below $70,000, reflecting a broader crypto market that some feel has already entered a bear-induced winter.
Every page on your site should be findable on Google. IndexProbe tells you which ones aren't, why — and what to do about it.
Connect your Google Search Console account in minutes, import URLs via sitemap, CSV, or paste, and get per-URL verdicts (Indexed, Not indexed, Crawled but not indexed…), exclusion reasons, last Googlebot crawl date, and HTTP responses — straight from the official GSC API, no sampling. Every issue comes with actionable tips — in-app and inbox — so you have clear leads on where to look, without starting from scratch. Automatic weekly renewals, section-level crawl trend tracking, and one-click export to CSV keep your index coverage visible without the manual grind.
Google expands its Limited Ad Serving policy, introducing new advertiser qualification signals tied to user reports, identity, and Search ad eligibility.
The post Google’s Limited Ad Serving Update Raises Questions About Advertiser Qualification appeared first on Search Engine Journal.
An overview of Google’s ongoing crisis resilience efforts and mission, shared at the AI for the Planet event.Google updated its AI Max for Search reporting documentation with new guidance on performance reporting, optimization best practices and a key timeline for Dynamic Search Ads advertisers.
The most notable addition: Google says campaigns using Dynamic Search Ads (DSA) will automatically be upgraded to AI Max beginning in February 2027.
What’s happening. Google refreshed its help documentation for AI Max for Search campaigns, expanding reporting guidance and providing more detail on how advertisers should evaluate campaign performance.
The update doesn’t introduce new product features, but it offers insight into how Google wants advertisers to manage and interpret AI Max campaigns going forward.
Why we care. The document update provides an indication yet of Google’s long-term plans for AI Max and the eventual phaseout of Dynamic Search Ads. With automatic DSA upgrades scheduled for February 2027, advertisers have more visibility into how their Search strategies may need to evolve over the next year.
The headline change. Google formally documented the upcoming transition from Dynamic Search Ads to AI Max.
According to the updated help page, campaigns using DSA will be automatically upgraded to AI Max starting in February 2027 as Google works to expand adoption of its AI-powered Search campaign format.
What’s new in reporting: Google added new reporting views that allow advertisers to analyze performance across:
The company also clarified that search term reports show where users are directed after clicking an ad and highlighted new options for excluding underperforming search terms or landing pages through negative keywords and negative URLs.
Travel advertisers get new guidance. Google also introduced a new section dedicated to Search Campaigns for Travel.
The documentation explains how reporting consolidates performance data across multiple campaign components into a unified view, helping advertisers evaluate search terms, inventory performance and conversion outcomes.
Travel advertisers can also segment reports by ad format to compare performance across Travel Promotion Ads, Booking Links and Travel Feed-based ads.
A shift in optimization philosophy. The updated best practices place greater emphasis on intent-based targeting rather than strict keyword matching.
Google now advises advertisers to:
Bottom line. Google’s documentation update provides more than reporting guidance—it offers a roadmap for how advertisers should prepare for an AI Max-first future as Dynamic Search Ads move closer to retirement.
Uncover the keywords, ads, landing pages, and strategies driving your competitors’ paid search success—and find your next opportunity to outperform them.
Cloudflare and beehiiv added AI crawl controls to beehiiv’s platform. This gives newsletter publishers a way to see, allow, or block AI bots from their dashboard as AI search becomes a new discovery path for web content.
The integration, announced Tuesday, embeds Cloudflare’s Crawl Control technology into beehiiv. It lets publishers manage how AI search engines and agents access their content, either by allowing crawlers for broader discovery or blocking scraping to protect archives for future licensing and monetization.
AI bot data comes to the dashboard. beehiiv publishers will get an on-platform dashboard showing which AI crawlers tried to access their content, which were blocked, and how much referral traffic those crawlers sent back. The dashboard gives publishers a side-by-side view of crawler activity, blocking decisions and referral traffic from AI services.
Publishers get simpler controls. The companies said publishers will be able to allow or block specific AI models with one-click permissions. Cloudflare will also update the system as new AI crawlers appear, reducing the need for publishers to manage robots.txt files, firewalls, or code changes themselves.
What they’re saying. Cloudflare CEO Matthew Prince said the partnership gives newsletter operators “transparency and control” as the internet changes; beehiiv CEO Tyler Denk said publishers need “real leverage” as AI changes how people find and consume content. From Cloudflare’s announcement:
Why we care. The key question is whether publishers will actually use these controls once they are available. AI crawling has outpaced many creators’ ability to manage it, and adoption will show whether simple dashboard controls are enough to change publisher behavior.
Rollout starts now. The new controls are rolling out through beehiiv’s standard dashboard settings. All beehiiv users will get beta access to AI Crawl Control for visibility into AI crawler activity and traffic. beehiiv Max customers will also be able to block AI crawlers.
The announcement. Cloudflare and beehiiv Introduce AI Crawl Controls to Help Independent Publishers Navigate the AI Era
Track your visibility across AI search, uncover missed opportunities, and grow your presence where customers are asking questions.
If AI can’t find you, customers won’t either.
See your AI visibility
Microsoft and Xbox have experienced some high highs and low lows with its video game adaptations over the years, with Bethesda and Amazon's Fallout TV show and 2025's Minecraft movie proving to be huge hits while the live-action Halo TV series and Halo: Nightfall before it left most viewers extremely disappointed.
Overall, though, multimedia projects that draw from Xbox's gaming IPs have enjoyed more of a positive reception in recent years — and according to comments from Xbox CEO Asha Sharma and other executives in a new interview with Entertainment Weekly, there's "more appetite to work with us on titles than ever before."
"You won't see us try to become the biggest linear provider in the world or anything like that, but I think great games are culture, and culture is entertainment," Sharma explained. "If you think about it, we've got the number two show of all time on Amazon [Fallout], Minecraft was top 5 in 2025, Call of Duty is bigger than the Marvel Cinematic Universe. So it all measures. [There's] more appetite to work with us on titles than ever before."
The claim that the Call of Duty series is larger than Disney and Marvel's massive cinematic universe is a bold one, but from what I can tell, the math does actually check out; reported box office numbers put the MCU's lifetime revenue at about $32 billion, while all signs point to Call of Duty making over $35 billion across 500 million lifetime sales.
Now, you can certainly make the argument that the MCU is bigger in terms of cultural impact, but at least from a fiscal perspective, it does seem like Call of Duty has inched itself ahead of the film franchise that kicked off a renaissance of superheroes on the big screen.
That Sharma is confident enough to state so as fact speaks to Xbox's overall confidence in its video game IPs, and how viable they are as franchises to be adapted into other forms of media. Indeed, there is a Call of Duty movie from Paramount on the way, with the film recently getting its June 2028 release date confirmed.
In this very same interview, Xbox also confirmed that there's a live-action Sea of Thieves movie in the works, provided more details about the upcoming Gears of War Netflix series, and even seemed to express interest in taking another swing at a Halo adaptation.
We know a Wolfenstein show is coming to Amazon, that a Minecraft one is in the works with Netflix, and that a Fallout Shelter-inspired reality competition series is filming as well.
Microsoft's plans for multimedia Xbox projects beyond these are a mystery right now, but one thing is quite clear: the company is very interested in continuing to adapt its big-name gaming franchises to other entertainment mediums, and I have no doubts that we'll see additional shows and movies get announced and made in the coming years.
What are some of the Xbox properties you'd like to see Microsoft try and adapt to TV and film? Let me know in the comments below.
Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.
The inception of the Nintendo Switch 2 meant that storage card manufacturers needed to deliver a workaround that would get rid of performance bottlenecks from the microSD form factor. Shortly after, the microSD Express protocol formed, and with it, a flurry of brands brought their versions of pricey storage cards barely bigger than your fingernail. Fortunately, those who were waiting for Amazon’s Prime Day 2026 sale will be pleased to know that Samsung’s P9 Express with 256GB storage is down to just $39.99, thanks to a 50 percent discount. With speeds reaching up to 800MB/s, the Samsung P9 Express is the […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/samsung-p9-express-microsd-express-card-256gb-50-percent-off-on-amazon/
Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy, the third installment in Asobo Studio's acclaimed action/adventure series, finally materialized in the form of a remote preview organized by publisher Focus Entertainment around two months ahead of the launch date. According to Studio Asobo, Resonance has been in development for nearly four years following Requiem's release. The team expanded to roughly 80 developers over that period specifically to support the shift toward an active combat-driven protagonist, which producers identified as one of the project's biggest creative challenges. Asobo has stated that the production budget is in line with previous entries in the series, despite […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/asobo-resonance-a-plague-tale-sophia-action-combat-puzzles/
Lords of the Fallen 2 has officially been delayed out of 2026, developer CI Games has confirmed via a statement from the studio's chief executive officer Marek Tyminski posted to his personal X (formerly Twitter) account. It's the latest game to move out to 2027 rather than try and hold its 2026 release window where it would inevitably duke it out with GTA 6 and an already packed back-half of triple-A games in 2026. The statement, like others from the likes of Valor Mortis makers One More Level, does reference the team's desire to give Lords of the Fallen 2 […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/lords-of-the-fallen-2-delayed-q1-2027/
Starting with recent compatibility improvements for Intel and AMD platforms, Valve is looking to bring SteamOS to more PCs, with plans to eventually support NVIDIA's graphics cards. Although the Steam Machine has been widely bashed for its disappointingly weak performance and exorbitantly high price, for some people it's exactly what they've been looking for: a compact console-like PC that runs all their Steam games, yet integrates seamlessly with their living room setup, while providing solid performance for lighter games. The fact that it runs SteamOS was crucial to this niche appeal; the promise of lazy gaming sessions on the couch […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/valve-confirms-working-with-nvidia-to-bring-steamos-to-more-pc-gamers/
Google is working with MediaTek to bring its next-generation TPUv9 chip, codenamed Triggerfish, to the Agentic AI market. MediaTek-Developed Google TPUv9 "Triggerfish" Packs A CPU That Should Accelerate Both AI Training & Inference Workloads A few months back, Google unveiled its latest TPU family, which included the Inference-optimized v8i "Zebrafish" developed by MediaTek, and the training-optimized v8t "Sunfish" developed by Broadcom. For its next-generation TPU, Google aims to deploy both Inference and Training capabilities on a single chip. The chip is internally codenamed "Triggerfish" and will be part of the upgraded TPUv9 series. Based on the latest report by FundaAI, […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/google-mediatek-build-tpuv9-triggerfish-cpu-compute-die-one-package-agentic-ai/
In case you missed it, Rockstar Games has finally announced that GTA 6 pre-orders will go live on Thursday, 25th June, which has opened the floodgates of excitement and relief, as the feared potential delays have now been put to bed.
However, there's one major factor that we'll have to wait to find out on the very day, and that's how much GTA 6 will cost for PS5, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S. Rumors based on recent Portuguese retailer listings suggest we could see a potential £80 / $100 price tag for the standard edition, but there's still no confirmation.
At the very least, we can predict that Rockstar's blockbuster title will hit the £70 region. Regardless, there's bound to be an influx of console users looking for the best way to save on gaming's biggest event in 2026 — and if you're a PS5 user, you're in luck.
The £70 PlayStation Store gift card gives users access to a choice of one among a huge catalog of PlayStation's first-party exclusives and other third-party games, and serves as a bargain leading into GTA 6's pre-order day.View Deal
Fortunately, the £70 PlayStation Store gift card is available on ShopTo for £60.85 (was £70), thanks to a significant 13% discount. Effectively, you'll be paying the previous standard £59.99 price model for £70 games — and in this case, you'll save a significant amount on GTA 6.
If Rockstar matches Nintendo's £79.99 price standard, the £10 PlayStation Store gift card, available for £9.85 (was £10), will come in handy for buyers. Luckily, all gift cards are discounted at ShopTo, and better yet, ShopTo users with 'Gold' or 'Silver' memberships can get further discounts at checkout.
It's worth taking a gamble now with securing the wallet funds, as discounted gift cards at multiple retailers like ShopTo are likely going to skyrocket in demand, so now may be the last chance to secure your GTA 6 purchase at the lowest possible price.
The Garmin Venu 4 is a great Garmin watch, but it doesn't necessarily look like a Garmin. Most people think of the lumpy black Fenix, Forerunner, and Instinct ranges, but the Venu series has always been a bit sleeker, just at home in the office as it is on the trail or in the gym.
Consequently, I labeled it my 'best Garmin watch for most people' when I reviewed it in October last year, and that remains my opinion due to its status as the ideal all-rounder watch: enough features to satisfy everyone but die-hard trail enthusiasts and orienteers, and an understated look ideal for modern life. It was my opinion when the watch was full price, and it's definitely still my opinion now that it's hit a lowest-ever price during the Amazon Prime Day sales.
• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale
Right now, the Garmin Venu 4 can be found on sale at Amazon US for $499.99 (was $549.99) with a $50 Prime Day discount for both 41mm and 45mm models, taking it to just $2 above its lowest price yet, according to our deals-checking tools.
But the real gem of a deal is in the UK: the Garmin Venu 4 41mm in Black is discounted to £354 (was £469.99), a 25% discount and the lowest price. Other colorways and sizes cost more, but all are discounted to some degree. The closest you can get to the Black model's price is the 45mm Grey color, which costs £365 (down from the same £469.99).
Check out the deals in full below. Not in the US or the UK? Scroll down for the best deals in your area.
Right now you can save $50 on both 41mm and 45mm Garmin Venu 4 models, in a variety of colors: Black and Lunar Gold for the 41mm, Grey and Citron for the 45mm. Up to 10 days of battery life, great workout and wellness tracking, and lots of Garmin Connect IQ third-party app support. View Deal
Save a hefty 25% on the Black 41mm of the Garmin Venu 4. If you're looking for a bigger size, the 45mm is available for £365 in Grey and £368.49 in Citron yellow.View Deal
Are you after something a little cheaper? The Garmin Vivoactive 5 is a similar all-rounder fitness tracker, albeit less premium and older than the Garmin Venu 4. Where the Venu uses metal, the Vivoactive uses plastic, and the Vivoactive uses an older heart rate sensor. It misses out on a few key smartwatch features such as the voice assistant and some more advanced workout metrics. However, it's currently very affordable and is a great budget alternative.
The Garmin Vivoactive 5 is a fantastic all-rounder fitness smartwatch with tonnes of workout plans, a crisp AMOLED display, onboard GPS, and 11 days of battery life. At this price, you'll be hard-pressed to find a better-performing watch for general fitness, health, and exercise tracking.View Deal
A lowest-ever price on the Garmin Vivoactive 5 means there's never been a better time to snap this up. Garmin's comprehensive and (still mostly free) app has served me well for years, while the Vivoactive 5 at this price is an easly swallow for Fitbit users used to cheaper devices. View Deal
Want a weird and wonderful way to upgrade your gaming PC? Then you might want to consider the Corsair Xeneon Edge, which has had a $50 price cut from a variety of retailers, and is still in stock on Corsair's own website.
I mention that it's still in stock as Best Buy also had the same deal, but has now sold out.
• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale
The Corsair Xeneon Edge is a slim 14.5-inch touchscreen display with a 2560 x 720 resolution, and can plug into your PC via USB-C or HDMI. It can show off various apps and widgets, and also displays important information about your PC, such as the temperatures of your components.
You can even mount it in your PC's case (Corsair make compatible cases, but you can do a bit of DIY and attach it to any case) for an eye-catching visual, and a great way to keep an eye on your PC's vitals whilst playing.
The fact that it's so versatile makes the Corsair Xeneon Edge a popular, if niche, product, and the new price (down from $249.99 to $199.99) seems to have given it a boost in popularity, so don't hang about if you're looking for a cool new way to make your PC stand out (whilst also being genuinly useful).
With a 2560 x 720 60Hz 14.5-inch LCD touchscreen, the Corsair Xeneon Edge is a cool addition to your PC gaming setup. You can use it to display app shortcuts (handy for live streamers), show vital statistics of your PC, and if you have a lot of Corsair products you can control them via its iCUE integration. It's sold out at Best Buy, so other retailers might run out as well.View Deal
I test 4K Blu-ray for a living, and while I test and recommend brand new discs each month as part of the Blu-ray Bounty, I thought I'd offer some recommendations from my own personal collection, covering a wide range of genres.
Starting off with The Batman, I use this disc for testing the best TVs because it's visually striking and sounds fantastic (especially the Batmobile scene). Next up is The Lord Of The Rings, which almost needs no introduction. Epic in every sense, 4K is the best these iconic movies have ever looked and sounded.
In a similar gloomy vein to The Batman, The Crow (1994) is crisp, refined and super impressive on 4K, with gorgeous black levels.
Switching up genres, La La Land is a brilliant musical with vibrant colors that will pop on the best TVs, plus a catchy soundtrack that sounds excellent through a surround system. For another colorful, but action-packed movie, Ready Player One is another 4K disc that looks and sounds superb.
To see what 4K Blu-ray can do for classic movies, Double Indemnity is a prime example. With revitalized textures and strong contrast, this movie gets a new life on 4K.
These are just six discs from my growing collection that I recommend if you want to see what 4K can do. There are plenty of other choices out there, but hopefully this can get you started or fill some gaps in your collection!
As much of its AI competition continues to focus on LLMs and making them faster and more capable, Alibaba might be looking to lead on another frontier altogether, along with its LLM ambitions in tow: robots.
The company's Tongyi Lab has unveiled the Qwen Robot Suite, what it calls a family of models focused on "embodied AI," which centers on enabling machines to perceive space, reason, and act accordingly.
This comes at the heels of Nvidia's own Cosmos 3, a frontier model for physical AI, further bolstering CEO Jensen Huang's narrative that China's developer ecosystem remains relatively unaffected by chip restrictions, even as focus in the West continues to shift to power for many of the sprawling data centers being built in the US.
The Qwen-Robot Suite consists of three core models: Qwen-RobotManip, a generalizable vision-language-action model; Qwen-RobotNav, a scalable vision-language navigation model; and Qwen-RobotWorld, a video world model designed for embodied intelligence.
There is no denying, however, that robotics is being treated as perhaps the most crucial frontier for AI, even as LLMs continue to advance, with both Google and Nvidia among the companies pouring billions into research on their respective Gemini Robotics and open source Cosmos offerings.
Alibaba claims that the model, which leverages a more lightweight Qwen3.5-4B model rather than its Qwen 3.7 Max, which features over a trillion parameters, manages to top the RoboChallenge real-robot benchmark, scoring an impressive 59.83 and a 45% task success rate.
With other interested parties such as Tencent, Unitree, AgiBot, UBTech, Galbot, Spirit AI, and GigaAI, in addition to interest from EV firms including Xpeng and Xiaomi, all shaping the future of Chinese AI robotics, R&D in the industry is continuing at full swing, even as upcoming IPOs are expected to further propel the industry forward with easier access to capital.
The South China Morning Post, a wholly owned subsidiary of Alibaba, noted that "Alibaba’s entry comes as embodied intelligence is fast becoming the next frontier in global AI."
Nvidia's position on the matter is perhaps more nuanced with it attempting to behave as an 'enabler' versus a direct competitor as it pushes its open-source model to perhaps form the same building block that CUDA does for GPUs with Cosmos, GR00T, Isaac and similar offerings being the playbook this time around to ensure future robotics platforms are built, much like most AI tools, around Nvidia's hardware and software stack.
Alibaba's announcement might not be a sign of the Chinese giant out-engineering Nvidia, but in the backdrop of the Chinese government insisting informally at least, on a decoupling or at a minimum, no reliance on US-based hardware or software, it can be seen as an intent to build a similar ecosystem for Chinese robotics companies.
In the absence of Nvidia's presence in China, it might be hard to compare the two offerings, even as their scales differ considerably: Cosmos 3 is an open-world foundation model with multiple vendor-reported scores that do not cover RoboChallenge, whereas Alibaba's are self-reported from exactly one benchmark. Until both approaches can be compared directly, one can not assume superiority of one over the other.
What is, however, perhaps painfully obvious for Nvidia, and has been warned of time and again by its CEO, is that China, irked by US policies around AI, is no longer looking for chips, models, or even open source solutions to incorporate into its ecosystem, but wishes to build them from the ground up.
This could result in a lack of exposure to what was the second most lucrative market for the chip designer, a move that could cost it billions of dollars in revenue in the robotics segment alone, from what is still widely considered the "factory of the world" due to its huge manufacturing base.
Samsung has significant discounts across a wide range of its monitor line-up, and the range covers nearly every business use case, from a tidy single-screen desk setup to a full ultrawide command center.
For me, the Samsung ViewFInity S6 for $110 (was $180) at Amazon is the quintessential business monitor in the Prime Day sales right now. It's well-sized, feature-rich, and delivers everything I'd expect a screen for the office to offer.
But it's not the only display on sale right now, with price drops both at Amazon and direct from Samsung. I've rounded up my favorites below, from essential screens to immersive ultrawide options for creative professionals and dedicated multi-taskers.
For more savings, we're tracking in real-time all the best Prime Day home office deals.
A 24-inch QHD business monitor with USB-C 90W charging, a built-in LAN port, Daisy Chain DisplayPort, a KVM switch for two-computer control, and a tool-free ergonomic stand. TÜV-certified Eye Saver mode and 100Hz refresh rate. Purpose-built for the office.View Deal
A 27-inch QHD VA panel with 180Hz, 1ms response time, AMD FreeSync, HDR10, and — notably — a fully ergonomic stand with tilt, height, and pivot adjustment. Deep 3000:1 contrast ratio for clear, comfortable extended viewing. View Deal
A 32-inch 1000R curved VA display at QHD with 165Hz, 1ms response, AMD FreeSync, and a 2500:1 contrast ratio. The larger curved canvas is well-suited to three-window layouts and long analytical or writing sessions.View Deal
A 32-inch 4K smart monitor on a height-adjustable rolling stand with silent urethane wheels. Runs Samsung’s Tizen OS with Microsoft 365 and Knox Security built in. No PC required. Designed to move between rooms or meeting spaces with ease.View Deal
A 27-inch QD-OLED display at QHD with 240Hz, 0.03ms response, Pantone Validated 99% DCI-P3 color, Glare Free coating, OLED Safeguard burn-in protection, and a 3-year warranty. A serious display for color-accurate work.View Deal
A 49-inch QD-OLED superwide with 5120×1440 resolution, 240Hz, 0.03ms, 99% DCI-P3, 98% Adobe RGB, G-SYNC Compatible, and Samsung’s smart Tizen platform. Equivalent to two 27-inch QHD monitors in a single seamless panel.View Deal
Seven monitors at very different price points, but all of them earn their place on this list for a business audience in their own way. The ViewFinity S6 is the rare budget monitor built explicitly for professional use — the USB-C docking, LAN port, and KVM switch are features that usually cost significantly more. The Odyssey G5 G51F and G55C earn their spots by offering a proper ergonomic stand and strong VA contrast at prices that make them realistic for bulk office purchasing or replacing aging 1080p hardware without breaking the budget.
The MovingStyle M7 is the most niche pick, but it addresses a real gap: businesses that need a flexible, self-contained display that can move with them rather than staying fixed to a wall or desk. The built-in Microsoft 365 access and Knox Security make it genuinely useful in a conference or shared workspace context without any additional hardware.
The OLED G6 G61SH is here because QD-OLED panel quality at this price is still relatively new territory, and the Pantone Validated color accuracy and Glare Free coating address the two practical objections that have historically made OLED a harder sell for daytime office use. For designers, creatives, and anyone doing color-sensitive work, it’s a meaningful upgrade over any IPS panel at a comparable price point.
And the 49-inch OLED G9 is simply in a different productivity category entirely. The equivalent of two QHD monitors without a bezel between them — and at $854 with $745 off list price, it’s the most dramatic discount in this roundup. For the right role — financial analysis, development, video production, or creative direction — it’s a workspace upgrade that quickly justifies itself. Check out more options in our guide to the best business monitors.
We all know that kitchen appliances can cost a pretty penny, which is why using big deals events like Amazon Prime Day to save on spending can cause such frenzy among eager shoppers.
Whether you're looking for the best coffee makers, air fryers, or blenders, there's plenty to choose from, and I've hand-picked the best options to help you whittle down the pages upon pages of Amazon's discounted devices.
• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale
Here in the UK, in case you haven't noticed, we're in the throes of a massive heatwave, so some of the best deals I've seen are on devices that can help you make cooling treats like ice cream and iced coffee. I've actually already bought Breville's Iced Coffee Maker, which is over half price at £21.99 (was £46.99).
My trusty Ninja Creami is in absolute overdrive this week as I make gallons upon gallons of delicious, custom-recipe ice cream, and it's one of my top picks to help combat the UK's extreme weather warnings. Right now, it's on sale for £199 (was £249) at Amazon. It's not quite a record low for Ninja's once-viral sweet treat machine (that was £149), but I won't sniff at a £50 savings.
At almost its lowest price ever, the popular Nespresso Vertuo Pop Coffee Pod Machine is a treat in this 48% off Prime day deal. In our review, we scored it a full five stars for its simple set-up and great results. This is one I've personally purchased family members and wholeheartedly recommend.
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Record-low price: The fact that we awarded it 4.5 stars in our review for its ease of use, bevvy of customisable settings, and tasty results makes me think it could be the exact upgrade I need for my kitchen. While it's still a pricey machine, this record-low price makes it more palatable.
Also check out these coupons:
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Record-low: This coffee maker has one of my favourite features: swappable hoppers so you can switch from full-caffeine to decaf beans in the afternoon and avoid ruining your night's sleep. I gave it a full five stars in my review, and it earned every one. This offer is different across all three colours (black, white, and grey) but in white, it's at a record-low.
Also check out these coupons:
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Record-low price: The Vertuo Next scored four out of five stars in our review, with writer Sophie Bird calling it "the simplest coffee maker I've ever used". Here it comes bundled together with an Aeroccino milk frother, with a huge 60% price cut and a record-low price. In a recent hotel stay, I used this for my daily caffeine fix; it's fantastic.
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Record-low: The De'Longhi Magnifica Evo Next does everything you could need from a coffee maker. It has a simple-to-use colour TFT display with a selection of buttons to help you choose your preferred beverage. There are 13 beverages to choose from, along with many intensity levels and temperature settings. It has a built-in grinder so you don’t have to do much while its automatic milk jug keeps your milk at an optimal temperature, so you’re all set. It’s easy to clean, too, with dishwasher-safe components.
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Record low: The LatteGo series are superb compact espresso machines, and this model has received a huge price cut. Its milk frothing system is particularly good, producing creamy foam using plant or dairy milk, and not leaving you with any awkward tubes or pipes to clean. Delicious coffee without the hassle.
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This is a truly brilliant coffee maker, with a full filter coffee system on the left, and a Nespresso machine on the right. Both parts work brilliantly, and it has everything you need for a morning jump-start. We awarded it a full five stars, and at this price it's even easier to recommend.
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The Lattissima One is a premium Nespresso machine that we awarded four stars out of five thanks to its smart design that looks great and is easy to use, and its automatic milk frothing system that lets you make cappuccinos with a single tap.
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One of the best small espresso machines we've tested here at TechRadar, the Dedica Style delivers consistent heat and pressure, and according to our reviewer, it's "perfect for smaller kitchens". An ideal option if you're looking for your first manual espresso machine. This deal applies to the black and stainless steel versions.
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A £120 saving and almost the lowest-ever price for one of the best coffee machines does not come around very often at all. That's why we think you should consider it very carefully, especially if you were in the market for a coffee maker already. The Ninja Luxe Café is a professional-level coffee machine with a whopping 25 different grind settings and many smart features that make it a cut above the rest.
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Very has knocked a generous £100 off this superb little espresso machine in the UK, bringing it down to a record-low price. It's fantastic value, and would be perfect for your kitchen counter, or as a gift.
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This model doesn't have a touchscreen, but personally I don't think that's a bad thing; the physical controls are satisfying to use, and there are fewer fingerprints to worry about when I tried it for a few days staying at a friend's home. Its steam wand is manual rather than automatic, so you also get the tactile feeling of texturing milk yourself.
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During testing, we appreciated its handy pressure gauge, which helps you see if your shot is being extracted correctly before you taste it, and its particularly good steam wand, which makes foaming milk a breeze. I didn't love its spring-loaded tamper, but that's hardly a dealbreaker, especially with 50% off.
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Amazon has knocked over £200 off this Breville espresso machine, bringing it down to almost its lowest price ever. It's a semi-automatic machine, meaning it handles the grinding and dosing for you, but lets you have fun with the rest of the barista experience (pulling the shot, frothing milk, and having a crack at latte art if you fancy).
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This Breville espresso machine has an extraction timer, which lets you see if your shot is likely to be under-extracted, over-extracted, or just right before you taste it. It's a great feature you'll find on premium coffee makers, and surprisingly rare in this price bracket. At almost a record-low price, it's a steal.
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For the price of four Starbucks iced lattes, you can have cool caffeination at home in less than four minutes. It's not something we've personally tested, but with 2000+ customer reviews on Amazon and a 4.3-star rating, it seems a pretty popular gadget. At almost its lowest-ever price (£17.97 in 2024), this is a steal; I'll report back once I've tried it later this week.View Deal
Save an extra 40% with code: ELEC40
This has an initial discount bringing it from £95 to £69, then you can apply a 40% code at the checkout to unlock the bigger discount. It's a slick, narrow pod coffee machine that's great for smaller kitchens.
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Record-low price: If you're looking for a high-capacity air fryer, then the Ninja Foodi FlexDrawer, now at over £80 off, is a must-have. This is its record-low cost, so you can bag its 10.4L capacity, which is enough to fit a 2kg chicken or 1.5kg of fries in each zone for under £200. I used this as my main air fryer for a few months, and it's tremendous for feeding large households.
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The Ninja Double Stack is one of our top-rated air fryers thanks to its innovative design that lets you prepare a full meal without taking up your whole kitchen worktop, and the XL version gives you even more space to cook. It's my model of choice, and holds pride of place in my kitchen. In its black / copper colorway, it's almost at a record-low price at Amazon.
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Record-low price: It likes to yo-yo in price, but this is the first time we've seen this model drop below £100 since Black Friday last year. For a dual basket model and 13 different cooking methods, how can you go wrong?
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Cooking for a family, but don't want to spend a fortune? You'll be hard-pressed to find a 10L air fryer cheaper than this — especially one that performs this well. When we tested it, we loved its synced cooking feature, which lets you finish cooking two different foods at once, and the wealth of recipes available in its connected mobile app.
Read our full Cosori Dual Blaze Twinfry 10L review
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Our reviewer praised this Ninja air fryer's ability to deliver crisp, evenly browned food every time, and mentioned that it's particularly easy to clean, and I concur based on my few weeks with the model. A great choice if you're cooking for a family (particularly at this price)!
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The Satisfry earned a place in our roundup of the best air fryers thanks to its fantastically consistent cooking (our oven chips never looked so good) and wallet-friendly price tag. It's now even more affordable with this almost (just £1 shy) record-breaking deal at Amazon, and even easier to recommend.
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Record-low price: If the Ninja dual basket air fryers are out of your budget range, Amazon is knocking off £80 Cuisinart's own dual basket air fryer this Prime Day. It uses Air Advantage tech to ensure it produces crispy yet tender results across its two 5.2L baskets, with plenty of space to feed the family.
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Record-low price: Particularly well-suited for those with limited space, the Ninja Crispi offers air frying and roasting functionality, as well as a keep-warm feature and recrisping. It comes with two removable glass containers and lids, so it’s great for meal prep. The larger one is 3.8L in size, providing enough space to feed up to six people while also allowing for the simultaneous cooking of a whole 1.2kg chicken and vegetables; I tried it when my colleague bought it to the office (yes, that's a thing in this line of work), and it's pretty impressive. This is a record-low price on the Stone Gold colorway.
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An air fryer for under £60 from a reputable brand? Yes! This is a fantastic deal if you're looking for a real bargain, and it doesn't skimp on features. There's only a single drawer, but it has a viewing window so you don't need to open it to check your chips, 13 cooking modes, and dishwasher-safe components. A Prime Day steal.
Also check out these coupons:
🎟️ Amazon: Claim 30% off Haul orders with this discount code
🎟️ Amazon sale: Claim up to 40% savings on toys
🎟️ Enjoy free delivery by signing up to Amazon PrimeView Deal
We're a big fan of Philips kitchen appliances (the coffee makers are amazing), and this dual-basket air fryer is no exception. Rather than two equal-sized drawers, it has a large one for your main dish and a small one for a side — plus optional steam to keep meat and fish tender.
Also check out these coupons:
🎟️ Amazon: Claim 30% off Haul orders with this discount code
🎟️ Amazon sale: Claim up to 40% savings on toys
🎟️ Enjoy free delivery by signing up to Amazon PrimeView Deal
The stylish Cosori Air Fryer Pro is already an affordable model, but with this deal, it's an even more attractive option. While testing this gadget out for our Cosori Air Fryer Pro review, we found it was able to cook fries and chicken wings to perfection — however it did require some experimentation, and it didn't handle frozen food so well. Still, for under £60, it's a worthwhile investment.
Also check out these coupons:
🎟️ Amazon: Claim 30% off Haul orders with this discount code
🎟️ Amazon sale: Claim up to 40% savings on toys
🎟️ Enjoy free delivery by signing up to Amazon PrimeView Deal
If you want to go all the way with a convenient knife block with a built-in sharpener, then this is a great price for a premium set from Ninja. You'll never suffer from dull knives again with this extremely handy kitchen gadget, with its six-piece set of stainless steel knives and included paring scissors. A good friend of mine absolutely raves about this knife block, but I'm more of a Japanese knife kinda gal.
Also check out these coupons:
🎟️ Amazon: Claim 30% off Haul orders with this discount code
🎟️ Amazon sale: Claim up to 40% savings on toys
🎟️ Enjoy free delivery by signing up to Amazon PrimeView Deal
The Ninja Blast Portable Blender is a powerful all-in-one portable blender — and it's now down to a great low price for Prime Day. It has a 530ml container with a leakproof lid and sip spout, while the carry handle means you can take it with you to the gym or on your walks. It’s capable of blending ice and frozen fruit, as well as any liquids and powders, while one charge gives you up to two hours of battery life. I scored this four stars in my review.
Also check out these coupons:
🎟️ Amazon: Claim 30% off Haul orders with this discount code
🎟️ Amazon sale: Claim up to 40% savings on toys
🎟️ Enjoy free delivery by signing up to Amazon PrimeView Deal
I'm a little tempted by this over £20 price reduction on this well-scoring blender, but having bought the highly performant 900-series for a family member last year, I'm holding out hope for a discount on the more powerful model. While it can't chop ice, it creates velvety smoothies out of fresh and frozen fruits hassle-free. On top of this, the build quality and performance impressed us, and the fact that it's even cheaper than it was on Black Friday makes this an even sweeter deal. View Deal
This is one of the first deals we've seen for the new Ninja BlendBoss, so a £35 price cut is a pretty solid start. I've been watching this one after my colleague Matt Bolton raved about it, and seeing as we scored this small but mighty blender 4.5 stars in our review, praising its convenient integrated 26-ounce travel tumbler and powerful blades, making it perfect for a quick cool smoothie ahead of a busy day in the heat. View Deal
Back at its lowest-ever price at Amazon, the Cuisinart Frost Fusion is a solid competitor to Ninja's various ice cream makers, offering fast frozen drinks and soft-serve ice cream with 6 modes and a slim profile to keep your kitchen counters clear. With £100 off, it's a steal for Prime Day.View Deal
Ninja's Creami ice cream maker is a household favorite, having pretty much revolutionised the scene when it hit the market a few years ago. I've made good use of it this week during the heatwave, but it's worth noting this isn't the best price we've seen. Still, it's a sizeable £50 saving nonetheless. View Deal
In June, the Creami Scoop and Swirl dropped to its lowest-ever price of £265 at Amazon, so this £80-off deal is a pretty close call for the best deal we've seen on one of our top summer picks. We scored it 4 stars in our review, praising its delicious results, ease of use, and 13 different settings. If I didn't already have the Creami, I might be tempted to grab one myself, having tried the delicious soft-serve results at a trade show last year.View Deal
At less than £100, Sodastream's latest streamlined beverage carbonation station is a great way to keep things cool during the impending heatwave if, like me, you get bored with water easily. I tried my first Sodastream a few months ago, and after years of side-eyeing the appliance, I must admit, I see the use when it comes to making controlled-sugar drinks at home. It's the first time we've seen an Amazon deal on this particular model, so a £60 discount is nothing to sniff at. View Deal
This weather makes an ice-cold drink extremely appealing right now, and the unique Ninja Slushi just fell back to its Black Friday price at Amazon. This kitchen appliance makes all sorts of chilled and frozen drinks, including juices, cocktails, milkshakes, and more. We loved it in our Ninja Slushi review, praising its ability to make quick and delicious drinks easily in a fun and entertaining package. Again, I've tried the results of this one at a trade show and probably would have attempted grand theft Slushi were it not for my limited luggage space.View Deal
I love cameras and Lego, so imagine by delight when I received the shiny new Lego Creator 3-in-1 Retro Camera for Christmas in 2023. The charming set, which features an SLR camera with moving parts and a film door, has lived on my desk at home ever since I completed the build on a wet winter day shortly after.
If you know someone with a soft spot cameras and Lego too (looking at you), I can heartily recommend the set, which has fallen in price to $15.99 at Amazon (was $19.99). Being part of the Creator 3 in 1 series, there are three builds to choose from; an SLR film camera, camcorder or TV set.
Honestly, the SLR build was already plenty enough for me without the other two options. There are neat touches including a film crank, a viewfinder to peek through, and a film door that opens and closes, plus film rolls that you can slot inside the camera.
• For more deals, check out our Amazon Prime Day live blog
I've also spotted another camera-themed set in the Prime Day sales; the Lego Ideas Polaroid OneStep SX-70 for $65.66 at Amazon (was $79.99). As someone who owns an original SX70 instant camera which dates back to the 1970s — which I got refurbished into fully working order by Retrospekt — it's a dream set that I have my eye on this week.
I'm sure the Polaroid SX70-themed set would put just as big a smile on my face as the real thing did, as they are so thoughtfully created sets now available for much less than the full price — and you can grab the best prices today through the links below.
Not in the US? I've included links to the best deals in your region, further below. Happy building!
As part of the 3-in-1 Lego series, there are three different possible builds in this retro camera set; SLR, camcorder and TV, all for just $15.99. View Deal
I actually own an original Polaroix SX70 instant camera, which dates back to the 1970s, so when I saw the SX70-themed Lego set it immediately made its way to my wishlist. Now with 18% off, I'm seriously tempted.View Deal
Soldering is a skill that every hobbyist should master. It doesn't matter whether you're taking your first steps or you're a seasoned pro, because you're going to need an essential bit of kit: a soldering iron.
Luckily, we've put together a good selection of soldering iron deals that are on sale during Amazon Prime Day this week. This is the perfect chance to grab the bull by the horns and upgrade with an iron that will last you through plenty of hefty projects. We've also got recommendations for solder, as well as kit to keep your workbench safe from fumes and heat.
Check out the full list of suggestions below.
The Fnirsi HS-01 is a great soldering iron for anyone who travels or who needs a soldering iron on the go, as our review makes clear.
It's USB-C with an included power supply, or you can use it with a power bank capable of 65W output. It's good for easy soldering, eliminating the need to search for a DC jack or outlet. The flexibility of both a DC and USB-C jack is nice to have, although with so many USB-C PD power banks on sale now, it's a luxury, not a necessity.
The Fnirsi HS-01 is a great soldering iron and well worth the money for those who solder in workshops or in the field.View Deal
This kit comes with the soldering iron, but there's also a 96W power supply, a high-quality USB-C cable, a stand, and a selection of soldering iron tips for precision soldering, along with larger tips for when you need to lay down the heat.
Controlling the Fnirsi HS-01 is all about the buttons, which let you control the temperature, as well as navigate the built-in OLED screen. Set your temperature, and the HS-01 will get up to the target temperature in seconds. It's also designed to let you switch holding positions if you're right or left-handed.
Every serious soldering hobbyist needs a desktop soldering station with hot air rework to take things to the next level. The Yihua 995D+ hot air rework station delivers just that, and it's a solid soldering station that will get the job done.
A great selection of soldering tips, a large LCD screen, clear controls and a bonus hot air rework wand make the Yihua 995D+ the best option for those who solder for a living.View Deal
The Yihua 995D+ can reach temperatures of 480 °C (896 °F), which gives more than enough heat to solder and reflow even the heaviest solder joint. This soldering station has excellent thermal properties, letting you start soldering speaker wire with ease.
The stand is compatible with right and left-handed users, as it's separated from the main station, so you'll have free access to the soldering iron while reducing the number of cables trailing across your workbench. It has three preset channels to let you switch between jobs quickly, and it feels great to handle, thanks to a non-slip coating and flexible silicone cord to stop any melting accidents. You've also got a good number of tips, from precision tips to heavy tips for large projects.
The hot air gun has a similar cable for protection and is easy to handle. You'll need to select the correct controls before using the central knob to handle temperature and airflow. After that, it's easy to control both.
The Yihua 995D+ is an excellent soldering station for both beginners and pros alike. It gets the job done, looks good, and keeps more cash in your pocket.
If all you need is a reliable and compact desktop soldering station, then the Yihua 939D+ is a good option. This compact soldering station comes with a temperature range of 392°F to 896°F (200°C to 480°C) and ships with a selection of soldering tips to cover many different use cases, from precision to bulky solder joints.
A solid and dependable soldering station that reduces the cost by omitting hot air rework functionality. This is a soldering station that I could personally use all day, everyday!View Deal
It comes with 75W of power, making it suitable for heavier solders like speaker cables. Use the dial to control your settings and the LED display will update accordingly.
Soldering can be a tricky task to complete, and an extra pair of hands is always welcome. Luckily, you don't need a pair of human hands to get the job done, as this helping hands tool can substitute perfectly.
Soldering veterans will know the less-than-glossy metal armature and magnifying glass combos that are available, but this set of helping hands is a little bit different. It comes as a magnetic base, clips, and posts that help to grip your circuit boards as you solder.
With five alligator clips and six posts designed to hold your PCB firmly to the magnetic base, your hands are free to concentrate on soldering up your next project.View Deal
Measuring 11.41 x 7.08 inches (29 x 18 cm), this magnetic helping hands kit is sturdy for holding your PCBs while giving you a choice as to how it holds them. The five flexible alligator clips are used to clamp and hold circuit boards a little nearer to the user. The flexibility of the armatures means that both sides of the PCB can be seen, remaining accessible for soldering either way.
If you need more rigidity, the six posts are used to clamp to the edge of the board you're soldering, which is useful if you're soldering just one side. This is ideal for a maker with plenty of tasks on his sheet.
You'll want lead-free solder if you're planning on soldering. It's the gold standard, it's safer, and it avoids the environmental issues that come with traditional leaded solder.
Lead-free solder is the gold standard these days. Any modern electronics will have components soldered using lead-free solder. It's safer than traditional leaded, and avoids the environmental issues, such as lead leakage during bad disposal. It's the safest option if you're planning on making anything you go on to sell, too.
Lead-free solder is better for the environment, and it means you can build and sell products that are made using it.
A mix of 97% tin, 0.3% silver and 0.7% copper, this 0.5mm diameter solder has a flux rosin core so it flows neatly around your solder joints.View Deal
That said, there's still a case for leaded solder, especially if you're using it for yourself (and you take precautions).
The solder below is worth considering if you need it. It's a mix of 63% tin to 37% lead, which is a decent mix, and should produce good solder joints.
Lead solder is still great for personal use, and this 0.8mm rosin core 63/38 tin / lead mix will melt great and produce shiny and reliable solder joints.View Deal
Every maker is going to have a workbench that has seen one or two accidents. If you want to avoid any permanent damage, you'll want to pick up one of these sillicone soldering mats.
This silicone repair mat will keep your workbench free from scratches and soldering iron burns. The included magnetic pads and screw organizer will make sure every screw goes back in at the end.View Deal
Silicone soldering mats are an essential buy for a hobbyist. They'll keep the heat from your soldering iron away from the workbench, and often have extra positions to keep screws in one place and to stop magnetics from falling off your bench.
Good for taking apart a laptop, for instance. It'll keep your screws safe, the bench burn-free, and it'll help you from scratching the chassis, too. When you're done, you can just roll it up and put it away.
Lead-free or not, you're going to see fumes when you're soldering. It isn't a great idea to breathe these in, so a fume extractor can help you to improve the air quality around you as you work.
Keep your lungs healthy by removing the flux fumes and solder smoke from the air. This tiltable solder fume extractor works from up to five inches away and pulls the offensive fumes through an activated carbon filter to keep the air fresh. You get extra filters in the boxView Deal
Extractors work, as you'd expect, by using a fan to suck smoke and fumes from the air, directly into an activated carbon filter, with clean air passing through the back of it. This extractor uses a high-speed fan to do it, keeping high suction from up to five inches away: plenty of space for you to solder in comfort.
This extractor comes with four rubber feet, so it won't move around, and the locking tilt mechanism helps you point it to the right places as you work. It also has fenders on both sides of the fan to stop any breezes from moving fumes away from the unit, as it keeps you safe.
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Actium provides a workforce of AI specialists that execute end-to-end tasks across your stack while you stay in command. You deploy them like hires, they take on the busywork, and pause for your approval on consequential steps, keeping work moving without adding headcount.
Microsoft just announced new versions of its Surface Pro 12-inch and Surface Laptop 13-inch. But rather than a spec bump or a design refresh, the new PCs feature 8GB of RAM.
The ongoing component crisis has led several PC makers to offer laptops with only 8GB of RAM, and that group now includes Microsoft.
While the main focus around the new Surface configurations is pricing, there is a strange side effect to the systems only having 8GB of RAM: neither of them are Copilot+ PCs.
By having only 8GB of RAM, the new Surface PCs fall short of the Copilot+ PC minimum requirements. As a result, neither PC will ship with or support features like Recall or Click To Do.
I suspect some would view that as a blessing in disguise. Copilot+ PC features take up space on your system that's wasted unless you use the tools.
Here are the exclusive features that ship with Copilot+ PCs, as listed by Microsoft:
Some of those features are genuinely useful. I recommend trying Windows Studio Effects if your PC supports them.
But some consider Recall and Copilot bloat and would prefer a PC free of those features.
The Copilot+ PC features don't take up that much room. In total, they'll occupy a few hundred MB.
Many Copilot+ PC features are resource intensive, which is why the PCs need more memory. By not including those features, Microsoft almost accidentally made a leaner, more efficient Surface experience.
Due to the ongoing memory crisis, PC makers have reintroduced laptops with 8GB of RAM. When Acer announced the Swift Air 14, many were quick to criticize its 8GB of RAM.
It's common to see people claim that a PC with 8GB of RAM is unusable or poor in 2026. Our Cale Hunt tested that claim by stripping down a PC.
Hunt's whole article is worth a read. I'll spoil it for you though: 8GB of RAM was fine.
"That's just not the case. Within reason, running Windows 11 on 8GB of RAM is not only viable but quite enjoyable. Assuming you're not attempting to run some specialized design software or a demanding game, there's quite a bit of memory runway to work with," said Hunt.
The new Surface PCs with 8GB of RAM are not going to handle heavy-duty game or workstation loads, but that's hardly a surprise. Many people could buy and use a Surface Pro or Surface Laptop with 8GB of RAM and never run into any issues.
I probably spend more time thinking about Copilot+ PCs than most. The reality is that the brand is net neutral for many. When the ASUS Zenbook A16 earned rave reviews, none of them mentioned that the laptop is a Copilot+ PC.
Microsoft appears to be phasing out the Copilot+ PC brand. When the Surface Laptop Ultra was announced, Microsoft did not mention if it was a Copilot+ PC. The webpage for the Surface Laptop Ultra fails to mention "Copilot+ PC" at all.
The new Surface Pro 12 and Surface Laptop 8 that were announced earlier this month are Copilot+ PCs, but the branding is not featured heavily by Microsoft.
You could take things one step further and say consumers don't care about AI PCs. That's what Dell's head of product suggested earlier this year.
I think most people are neutral toward AI features on their PC, whether those features are connected to the Copilot+ PC brand or not. If tools are out of the way or easy to uninstall, most folks won't mind. Complaints will pop up any time AI is forced onto users.
That being said, it still made me chuckle to see new Surface PCs lack the Copilot+ PC branding. Maybe Microsoft should market them as Copilot - PCs.
Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.
With how high the gaming handheld market's prices are headed lately, I figure that any major deal on any device is worth calling out for my mobile PC gamers.
Standing in stark contrast to the $1,799 MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ that's launching this week is the Lenovo Legion Go S. Regularly priced at $711.13, it's now down to $549.99 (sold out, now $698 at Newegg, or $699 at Walmart) for a limited time during Amazon Prime Day.
This is the lowest price it's ever been, according to CamelCamelCamel, and it's a great opportunity to grab what is likely one of the last affordable gaming handhelds for a while.
Lenovo Legion Go S: was $711.13 now $549.99 at Amazon $698 at Newegg
"There are a lot of things going for the Lenovo Legion Go S gaming handheld, including its extremely comfortable ergonomic design, 8-inch VRR touchscreen, smooth performance, and responsive controls."
Windows Central review (SteamOS): ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
Windows Central review (Windows 11): ⭐⭐⭐½
💲Price check: $699 at WalmartView Deal
The Legion Go S is available with both Windows 11 and SteamOS operating systems, and we've reviewed both. More on that in a moment.
This model that's on sale for $549.99 (sold out, now $698 at Newegg, or $699 at Walmart) comes with Windows, allowing easy access to features like Xbox Game Pass and third-party launchers, something I sorely miss on my Steam Deck.
It has 16GB of LPDDR5x RAM, 512GB of M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD storage, an 8-inch IPS display with 120Hz variable refresh rate and 1920x1200 resolution, and an AMD Ryzen Z2 Go chip with 4 CPU cores and 12 GPU cores. It is, by all means, a lot of hardware for the asking price.
In both of our reviews, we called out the device's comfortable and polished design, including Hall Effect thumbsticks and overall snappy controls.
We also called out how great the display looks, thanks to its speedy 120Hz refresh rate, 1200p resolution, brightness, and full color.
When we reviewed the Windows 11 version of the Legion Go S in early 2025, we found it hard to justify its relatively high price. That's largely been taken care of with this sale, which drops it to the lowest price I've ever seen.
Battery life also wasn't that spectacular, though Windows has received a lot of attention since our review in terms of improving the handheld experience for performance and efficiency.
And don't think that the OS is permanent. If you're wishing the SteamOS version of the Legion Go S we reviewed were on sale, guess what? You can pick up the more affordable Windows version and replace the OS whenever you want.
Considering just how expensive gaming handhelds have become in recent months — even the most affordable Steam Deck is now sitting at $789 — this is an outstanding deal for anyone who wants to try out mobile PC gaming.
It's not the newest nor the most powerful device on the market, but it's also going to leave a whole lot of budget on the table for buying games.
I have no idea how long the $549.99 price will last (yeah, it sold out, now $698 at Newegg, or $699 at Walmart), so don't wait too long. It does require a Prime membership to cash in, but you can always sign up for a free 30-day trial and cancel before you're charged.
Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.
If you were waiting for Amazon Prime Day to jump on some Xbox deals, well, I don't know what to tell you. It's been a bit of a damp squib so far, I think the age of actual console deals in today's climate is behind us. However, Newegg has stepped in with a genuine way to save: You can currently grab a $100 Xbox Gift Card for just $83 (expired) when you use the promo code FTTF6926 at checkout.
That’s an instant $17 saving on credit you were probably going to spend anyway on games, and it's basically free money in your (Xbox) bank.
You can use Xbox credit to 'treat yo'self' to a new controller or any number of the amazing games on Xbox right now. To get this deal, add the gift card to checkout and use code FTTF6926, to deduct $17 off. (EXPIRED)View Deal
The code is delivered digitally via email, so there’s no waiting around for a physical card.
To redeem it:
Your balance updates instantly and is ready to use across the Xbox and Microsoft Store.
When you check out, just select your Microsoft Account balance as the payment method to make sure you’re using that discounted credit.
Don't let the name fool you; this isn't locked to digital games on your console. It adds balance to your whole Microsoft account, which you can use for games & DLC, Game Pass Ultimate, accessories and anything on the Microsoft store including Surface devices and Office 365 subscriptions.
If you don't have anything in mind right now, but know you are likely to spend money in the store soon, perhaps for a bigger purchase, you can stack multiple gift cards to lower the cost later. It’s a simple way to make any upcoming Microsoft purchase a little cheaper without locking you into a single product.
Newegg usually only runs these promotions for a very limited time, and it's likely that they're just trying to compete against Amazon Prime Day for traffic. With that in mind, this deal will be short-lived. If you have any big purchases with Xbox in mind (GTA 6 perhaps?), then jump on this deal now and secure yourself some free credit on top of your spend.
No. Xbox (Microsoft) gift card balances do not expire, so you can redeem and hold onto the credit until you’re ready to spend it.
Yes. Your balance can be used to pay for Game Pass Ultimate or other Microsoft subscriptions, provided you have sufficient funds available.
You can use Xbox credit to 'treat yo'self' to a new controller or any number of the amazing games on sale right now through the dashboard. To get this deal, add the gift card to checkout and use code FTTF6926, to deduct $6 off.View Deal
Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.
Taiwanese contract chip manufacturing giant is raising prices for most of its manufacturing process technology nodes, according to a report from Culpium. The price hikes have come in response to the meteoric price hike by memory manufacturers, say the publication's sources. The global memory chip market has been thrust into the spotlight following booming demand from the AI sector. However, TSMC's price increases will focus on all manufacturing process technology nodes reaching as far back as the mature 7-nanometer node, which implies that they could create ripple effects for a variety of sectors. TSMC Eager To Raise Prices Following Similar […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/report-tsmc-follows-samsung-and-sk-hynix-into-price-surge-catching-its-own-customers-off-guard-with-7nm-hikes/
Epic's recent announcement that Unreal Engine 5.8, and even more so the upcoming Unreal Engine 6, include integration with Claude and Gemini (as well as support for custom models) to "greatly reduce the tedious work in authoring content to leave more time for creative exploration, and increase the amount of iterations a team can make to polish their content" was predictably met with skepticism from the anti-AI crowd. Still, that's not a universal reaction. Other veteran developers, such as Rich Vogel (whom I interviewed a few months ago on the state of the MMO genre), are far more pragmatic and […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/finding-fun-human-work-ai-gaming-renaissance-dev/
After months of speculation, Valve finally revealed the price of the Steam Machine yesterday, with the base barrier to owning your own GabeCube listed at $1,049 USD. You could go up to $1,428 USD for the version with all of the bells and whistles, but getting your foot in the door will cost over a grand to start. In a new report from GamesIndustry.Biz, the reaction to that price from senior video game industry analysts is a general sense of surprise that it's not worse and disappointment that it's as high as it is. But what it means for next-generation […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/steam-machine-price-analysts-reaction-next-gen-ps6-project-helix-price/
With an ecosystem of over 1.5 billion devices worldwide, Apple has historically enjoyed a heretofore unprecedented leverage with its supply chain partners. Yet, as the ongoing DRAM squeeze shows no sign of abating, Apple's leverage has largely become impotent, setting the stage for an atypical outcome where LPDDR5X modules are now dictating Cupertino-based tech giant's product roadmap and pricing. Apple's per-unit costs for 12GB LPDDR5X modules are expected to have surged by $68.8 between the Q1 and Q2 of 2026 Apple used to secure memory chips via 1-year or even longer contracts, winning hefty discounts relative to the prevailing market […]
Panel-Level Packaging (FOPLP) and Glass Substrates are going to drive the next chapter in advanced packaging, with the market exceeding $8 Billion by 2030. The AI & HPC Segments Want To Move Beyond Organic Substrates & Wafer Packages To Meet Their Growing Compute Needs, & That's Where Panel-level Packaging & Glass Substrates Come In TSMC & Intel are the two major semiconductor firms that are accelerating next-gen glass core substrates for panel-level packages. These two technologies go hand in hand in powering the next generation of semiconductors and come with major advantages over traditional organic substrates and wafer-level packages. The […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/tsmc-intel-race-to-replace-organic-substrates-with-glass-panel-level-packaging-8-billion-market-by-2030/
Did you know that you can stream World Cup 2026 matches in 4K on BBC iPlayer? Well, you can — it's just not entirely obvious as to which devices actually support the feature. What is certain is that not all of them do — and your TV may not be among them.
While it would be useful to have a list of which of the best TVs and other devices support 4K for the World Cup, there isn't one. Instead, BBC says the easiest way to check if your device supports 4K content on iPlayer is to go to BBC iPlayer app itself and stream some 4K content, then look for the 'UHD' logo. If it appears, then your device supports it: hooray! If not, then unfortunately you won't be able to watch the World Cup in 4K on your current device.
If you want a list of 4K shows on BBC iPlayer to check, there's one here, but some quick names are Blue Planet II, SAS Rogue Heroes and Doctor Who (the latest series). If the UHD logo doesn't appear in the listing for one of the shows, then your device doesn't support it.
Thankfully, there are two devices that do support 4K streaming on BBC iPlayer: the Roku Streaming Stick 4K and the PS5. The Roku is a cheap upgrade to your TV that will allow 4K streaming on iPlayer and while the PS5 is pricier, it's a multimedia system that can obviously play games and 4K Blu-rays, as well as supporting most of the best streaming services.
And just in time for Amazon Prime Day, there are deals available for both devices.
The Roku Streaming Stick 4K supports 4K resolution and Dolby Vision HDR, and supports major streaming apps such as Netflix, Disney Plus and Prime Video, as well as major UK apps such as BBC iPlayer. This deal knocks the £10 off, taking it down to £39.99. I've noticed it for cheaper at Amazon, but these listings seem to be from third party sellers I would avoid. View Deal
The cheapest way to pick up a brand new PS5 right now is the PS5 Slim Digital Edition at Joybuy for £419. Obviously this version doesn't come with a disc drive, so you'll need to buy the optional one for £69.99, or download your games digitally. View Deal
The premium PS5 Pro is best acquired at EE right now in the UK, with the retailer knocking 45 pounds off the console's list price. We predict the PS5 Pro could be the definitive way to play GTA 6, given Rockstar's close relationship with Sony, so this is our top pick for the console to play the game on. View Deal
I've been a hardcore headphones user for almost four years (thank you, Sony), but when I picked up the Cambridge Audio Melomania A100s a few months back, they restored my faith in earbuds.
Since introducing one of the best earbuds back into my life, I've been using them alongside my headphones interchangeably — headphones are better for certain things, and vice versa — but the performance exceeds the low price, and Amazon Prime Day just made them cheaper.
• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale
Your next audio upgrade is waiting for you for less than £80, and Amazon UK has dropped the A100s down to £79 from £119, saving you £40 on a solid pair of earbuds we awarded five stars.
For a pair of earbuds with surprising noise cancelling and a lengthy battery life, sub-£80 is quite a bargain. According to Amazon's listing, this is the lowest price for the Melomania earbuds in the last 30 days, and though the pricing history isn't available right now, it leads me to believe that this is as good as it's going to get this Prime Day. View Deal
I stopped using earbuds years ago after going through a number of models and being let down each time. From there, I swore that earbuds would never give me what I needed quite like headphones do.
However, since I started using the Cambridge Audio Melomania A100s, all the things I enjoyed about earbuds suddenly came flooding back to me.
For starters, they're just far easier to carry around with you, and though over-ear headphones win in the comfort department, the convenience aspect wins by a landslide. However, that's not to say the Melomania A100s aren't comfortable. If anything, they fit quite pleasantly and come with different-sized sponges for you to swap out.
On the audio side of things, the Melomania A100s' noise cancelling is quite impressive for in-ear buds — I find they block out sounds just as well as headphones. That said, switching between noise-cancelling, normal, and transparency settings is very simple. All it takes is a small tap on the left earbud.
Because of their price, you're not going to get all the health tracking bells and whistles as you do with the AirPods Pro 3, but for earbuds that are centred on dynamic and well-defined audio offerings, these earbuds are really all you need.
If you've used the Disney Store app recently, you'll know it’s been getting a steady stream of updates over the past few months — from push notifications for limited-edition drops to a faster, easier-to-navigate interface.
Now Disney Store is taking another step forward with a feature designed to make finding the right product feel a little more intuitive — and we have an exclusive first look. It’s dubbed the Disney Store AI Personal Shopping Assistant, and it’s a conversational AI shopping tool built directly into the app. It lets users describe what they’re looking for in natural language rather than relying on traditional keyword search, though the standard search experience will remain in the app.
The shopping assistant is currently live as a beta test for a select portion of signed-in users on the Disney Store iOS app in the United States. Disney says it will continue to learn from usage and refine the experience over time, with expansion to Android, DisneyStore.com, and international markets planned for a later date.
To see how well it works, I first asked it for gift ideas for a niece who loves Jessie from Toy Story, along with some fun toys to go alongside a classic doll. After a short pause, it returned a curated set of suggestions tailored to that character, each with brief explanations for why they fit the prompt. Instead of standard search results, it felt more like a tailored recommendation flow.
On the surface, the assistant doesn't feel like a separate feature bolted onto the app. Instead, it's built directly into the existing search experience. A new magnifying glass icon with a subtle sparkle now sits in the top-left corner of the home screen, taking you into search, where Disney prompts users with "Need ideas? Ask our AI Personal Shopping Assistant."
Once inside, it shifts into a conversational interface. In my testing, it opened with: "Hello Jacob, how can I help?" followed by a handful of suggested prompts to get started. From there, it behaves more like a shopping assistant than a traditional search bar, designed to understand natural language requests — whether you're looking for gifts, planning outfits for a Disney Parks visit, or tracking down merchandise tied to specific characters or franchises.
In practice, it feels responsive and surprisingly aware of Disney's wider universe — not just flagship characters like Mickey Mouse or Stitch, but also more obscure references, newer additions to the catalog, and park-related and age-appropriate suggestions.
"Our focus is always on enhancing the guest journey and meeting our fans where they are," said Patrick Sager, VP Disney Stores. "By introducing an AI-powered shopping assistant to the Disney Store app, we're blending storytelling with technology, delivering smarter recommendations, seamless discovery, and a more connected experience, making it easier than ever for guests to find the perfect product."
Items can be expanded for more detail or added directly to a shopping bag, reducing friction between browsing and purchase. The assistant also encourages exploration through follow-up prompts. After an initial query, it suggests refinements like "show Jessie dolls" or "show more plush toys," helping users narrow results without starting over. Of course, you can also type a follow-up or take it in an entirely new direction.
Disney says the assistant was developed in-house and built within its own ecosystem of characters, stories, and products. No guest data was used during development, and that remains the case going forward.
Beyond the conversational layer, Disney has also built in standard usability features: thumbs up/down ratings — which will likely be used to refine the experience over time — the ability to clear the chat at any time, and a light and dark mode toggle.
The Disney Store AI Personal Shopping Assistant feels like an early pilot feature in Disney’s broader push into AI-powered experiences — one that follows recently announced AI enhancements within the My Disney Experience app at Walt Disney World, as well as Disney’s departure from its deal with OpenAI.
While those efforts focus on planning and in-park experiences, the Disney Store implementation brings the same idea into retail. The common thread is that Disney appears to be exploring how AI can support different parts of its ecosystem, using conversational tools to surface products while still keeping everything anchored in the characters and worlds that define the brand.
At this stage, it still feels experimental in places rather than fully defined, but it’s clear Disney has put thought into how it integrates into the existing shopping experience rather than simply layering on a generic AI chatbot. I’m very curious to see how it evolves as new characters or franchises are introduced, as we see new product launches, and as we get closer to the holiday season. Who knows, maybe Disney will add a deal alert or restock functionality.
If you give it a go, let me know what you think of the experience in the comments below.
It's the 35th anniversary of the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise this year, with the blue blur having launched all the way back in 1991.
It's fair to say that the series has had its ups and downs, but it's definitely in a strong spot at the moment. Recent releases like Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds and Sonic x Shadow Generations have been absolutely excellent, and the last few years saw the launch of an official Lego line based on the franchise.
• View the full Amazon Prime Day sale
Whether you're a long-time Sonic fan or more of a newcomer, there are loads to dive into, and I've spent some of my time today rounding up the best Sonic games and Lego sets out there right now. Many of them are even discounted as part of the ongoing Amazon Prime Day sales.
In 2026 it can feel a little like VR’s moment has passed.
Meta’s layoffs to kick off the year felt like a major downer for the industry at large — especially as it has been the champion of this space for years now — and it certainly seems that smart glasses like the Meta Ray-Bans but also Snap Specs, Android XR glasses, and more that have debuted this year are stealing the XR spotlight.
But VR is far from dead. Sure it might not be seeing the growth it once saw but sa a gaming and entertainment machine that tech is only getting better each day.
Plus with some Meta Quest 3S deals at Amazon Prime Day you can save big on the best affordable VR hardware out there.
• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale
The Meta Quest 3S is an incredible, cheap VR headset, but let's just ignore the fact that this deal just undoes the recent price hikes caused by the RAM crisis.View Deal
If you want a VR headset and are on a budget you can't do better than the Meta Quest 3S. Is this Prime Day deal really a deal? Not really, but that doesn't stop the headset being incredible value for money.View Deal
This headset is technically as capable as a Meta Quest 3, meaning the 3S can handle whatever software the Quest ecosystem might want to throw at it — and that’s a broad list.
There’s plenty of VR games to jump into including Marvel’s Deadpool, Batman:Arkham Shadow, Walkabout Minigolf, and Beat Saber to name just a few. Plus there are fitness apps — which when combined with a silicone facial interface turn your headset into an actually enjoyable home gym — and a growing collection of streaming services which turn your headset into a private home theatre, you can even kick back in bed and enjoy watching the screen as if it were affixed to your ceiling.
With game console price hikes making gaming pricier than ever, it’s worth noting your headset can double as an Xbox too — again complete with a giant display. You’ll just need a Game Pass subscription and Xbox controller.
In the US a bonus Quest deal will get you a free month of Xbox Game Pass, while the UK version nets you 20%-off code for an Xbox controller and one month of Game Pass Ultimate after the purchase of a 3S headset.
The slight elephant in the room we should address with these Prime Day ‘deals’ is they unfortunately aren’t really deals in the truest sense.
Thanks to the RAM crisis the Meta Quest 3 series headsets saw a price hike. The 128GB model Meta Quest 3S went up to $349.99 / £319.99 / AU$569, while the price of the 256GB edition rose to $449.99 / £409.99 / AU$729. The 512GB Meta Quest 3now sets you back $599.99 / £549.99 / AU$969.
These Prime Day deals generally just revert the headset to its pre-hike price. You’ll see a roughly $53 saving, but in actuality it’s closer to $3.
That said, as some pointed out even after the hike, the Quest 3S represents incredible value for money. So sure this discount isn’t as great as it was a year ago before the base cost rose, but the Quest 3S at its original asking price is one of the best deals in tech, so definitely consider grabbing one while the discount is around.
With the RAM crisis and shipping troubles looking set to persist I wouldn’t be surprised if prices rise further, and Black Friday deals might struggle to match even those we have today. Not just for the Meta Quest 3S, but any gadget.
Ukraine's Ministry of Defence has launched TrophyLab, a platform giving foreign governments, research institutions, and defence companies direct access to technical intelligence gathered from captured Russian military equipment.
The platform includes technical documentation, research results, blueprints, and analytical findings covering armoured vehicles, missiles, aircraft, UAVs, electronic warfare assets, and cruise missiles.
In a move that breaks sharply from standard military practice, Ukraine is also offering to ship physical hardware samples to allied partners for hands-on examination.
Since the beginning of the war, Ukrainian military researchers and scientific institutions have been systematically studying every piece of captured enemy equipment.
That work has produced detailed knowledge of how Russian weapons function, where their weaknesses lie, and what countermeasures can be developed most efficiently against them.
TrophyLab now makes that accumulated intelligence available to Ukrainian defence manufacturers, military units, scientific institutions, and international partners actively supporting Ukraine's war effort.
Its catalogues include armoured vehicles, missiles, aircraft, UAVs, electronic warfare systems, unmanned ground vehicles, and cruise missiles across multiple operational categories, exceeding typical databases.
Access to physical samples goes considerably further than document sharing alone, as the platform supports multiple examination formats, ranging from non-destructive analysis through to complete disassembly and destruction of captured equipment.
That level of access allows foreign engineers to test their own countermeasure solutions directly against real Russian hardware, potentially cutting the development cycle for defensive technologies.
Governments typically guard captured enemy technology closely for their own strategic advantage, which makes Ukraine's decision to share it openly with allies a genuinely unusual step in modern warfare.
The decision to open this intelligence reflects a deliberate calculation about how to maximize the collective defensive capability of Ukraine's partners against a common adversary.
Every Russian weapon deployed against Ukraine now becomes a potential source of publicly available technical knowledge for the broader defence community of democratic nations.
Ukraine's framing of the initiative is explicit on this point, describing the knowledge as something that "should work for those who create defence" rather than remaining locked away from allied researchers.
The platform is available to verified users only, suggesting some access controls remain in place despite the broadly open-access philosophy behind the project.
Whether TrophyLab accelerates the development of effective countermeasures at meaningful scale will depend on how actively allied governments and defence contractors engage with the available material.
The more extensively Russia deploys its weapons arsenal against Ukraine, the larger and more detailed that shared intelligence base becomes.
This may bring a new dimension to the deployment of Russian technology, since any captured equipment could now instantly become public knowledge through TrophyLab.
During a June 2026 hearing, Judge Rita Lin implied she might be likely to reject Workday's latest attempt to dismiss claims brought under California law relating to a 2023 discrimination case.
Three years ago, Derek Mobley accused the company of rejecting him from more than 100 jobs after applying through he company's recruitment systems on the basis that he is black, over 40 years old and has anxiety and depression.
But rather than suing the individual employers, Mobley is pursuing action against Workday itself, arguing its AI-powered hiring software is responsible for discriminatory action.
Workday has argued that California employment discrimination laws should not apply when applicants live – or jobs are located – outside of California.
Reuters notes that more than four in five US employers and nearly all Fortune 500 companies now use AI-powered hiring or applicant-screening tools, and the ongoing case marks an important potential shift in its regulation.
Previously, employers have been liable for discriminatory hiring, but the lawsuit is now exploring whether software developers and AI vendors should bear some responsibility.
In an earlier 2024 hearing, the judge questioned whether Workday may also qualify as an employer because it performs screening tasks that would usually be carried out by human workers in HR teams.
While this specific case relates to Workday, the court must also explore how training data can affect biases and who bears responsibility for the outcome – the results could have a much bigger impact than just a fine for Workday.
"Our technology looks only at job qualifications, not protected traits like race, age, or disability," the company added in a statement.
Don't you love it when a plan comes together? First, Instagram announces that it's finally bringing Instagram for TV to Samsung smart TVs made after 2020, and now a 2025 model, the Samsung 48-Inch Class S90F, is down $600 to an eye-watering $797.99, a 43% discount for Amazon Prime Day.
Back in 2025, we reviewed the 65-inch model, the 65S90F, and said, "The Samsung 65S90F delivers much of the performance of Samsung’s flagship OLED TV for far less money, making it a true 2025 TV hero."
The combination of excellent picture quality and strong connectivity chops would appear to make it a perfect fit for its newest app: Instagram for TV.
• Browse all early Prime Day deals at Amazon
The app, by the way, looks almost exactly like your standard Instagram interface on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (or your iPhone), but Instagram is testing something new that might do a better job of showing off the OLED's excellent, rich contrast, pure RGB colors, and strong viewing angles (a feature of most OLEDs): horizontal video.
So for those who find themselves viewing more and more landscape video on the mobile app, they will soon enjoy similar full-screen social video courtesy of Instagram on their Samsung TVs (provided it's a new enough model).
Samsung's S90F OLED TV earned five stars in our review, and, though smaller, the 48S90F shares all the same excellent features. Now Amazon has it at a huge $600 discount. The S90F OLED TV delivers an outstanding picture, thanks to quantum dot OLED technology and Samsung's NQ4 AI Gen3 processor. You're also getting extensive gaming features and Samsung's impressive Tizen operating system.
Read our Samsung S90F OLED reviewView Deal
Granted, social video via Instagram is probably not reason enough to pick up this Samsung set, but the specs, including a powerful NQ4 AI Gen3 processor, Dolby Atmos, fit-anywhere 48-inch screen size, and the current sub-$800 price, probably are.
Amid all the 10%-to-20% discounts, this is the kind of Prime Day deal we dream of. 43% is hovering in the half-off range, and for a near-top-of-the-line set, that's something to celebrate. Perhaps you'll do it with an Instagram post that you share with friends and watch on your new Samsung S90F. It's a full-circle Prime Day moment.
Here in the UK, it's been absolutely sweltering for the past couple of days. It's even got to the point where schools and other institutions are shutting down, with red weather warnings popping up around the country. I have to say, even working from home in this heat can be quite the challenge — but there's something you can do to make your life a lot easier: snap up a shiny new misting fan.
That's right, I recently got my hands on the Dreo Smart Misting Fan 516S, and it's been an absolute lifesaver. This affordable device has kept me cool, even at the hottest times of day. It's mess-free, has a number of different speed settings, can oscillate, and there's even a turbo mode if you need to get a real blast of cold.
I'll include more details about the fan below, as well as a few alternatives to keep you nice and cool, whether you're in the UK or beyond.
Over in the US, you can grab the Dreo Smart Misting Fan 516S for less than $100, which is a great price considering its talents. It's a desktop fan with mess-free misting, various control modes, 12 speed settings, and Turbo cooling tech that's sure to keep you chilled on the hottest of days.View Deal
The Dreo Smart Misting Fan 516S is a great desktop fan that will keep you nice and chilled in the sizzling summer sun. It has 12 speed modes, Turbo cooling tech, mess-free misting, and can oscillate to catch every angle. At less than £100, it's well worth the investment.View Deal
In my recently published Dreo Smart Misting Fan 516S review, I raved about the model's excellent misting effect, which never creates excess water build-up, as well as its wide variety of control options — including app and voice assistant compatibility — and its generally quiet performance in use.
Does it have massive coverage or the most striking airflow you'll experience? No — it's a desktop fan first and foremost. But given its relatively compact size, it performs very well indeed, and its generous 1.3L water tank means you won't have to refill it too often. As a result, it gets my full recommendation.
Still, a lot of misting fans are selling out pretty quickly in the UK, and more generally, you may fancy checking out a few other options. As a result, I've found a few alternatives that you can check out. Just scroll down to see a few more options for fending off excessive heat this summer.
The Shark 3-in-1 ChillPill received a fantastic 4.5 stars in our recent review. It's a great performing fan with effective misting, and it's an excellent alternative to the Dreo if you've got a little more wiggle-room in your budget.View Deal
If you really want to take things up a notch then I've got yet another Shark fan that could be ideal for you: the FlexBreeze Pro Mist. This one's fantastic for indoor or outdoor use, and has a 24 hour battery life too, although it can be plugged in and used if you run dry. View Deal
Shark's 3-in-1 ChillPill earned a solid score of 4.5 stars in our recent review. Now, only one colourway is on sale right now, and they did inflate the list price to make it look like a big deal, but the actual offer of £10 off on a brand-new product that mists, cools, and fans is still pretty neat.View Deal
The Pro Mist is the most hardcore option in the FlexBreeze lineup, because it comes with the mister attachment and an integrated water tank included. That means it's all set up to envelop you in a cooling cloud whenever and wherever you want.View Deal
I've spent most of my life drifting from one fleeting entanglement to another, never really taking the risk to actually invest in something significant. But then, four months ago, I finally made a real commitment: my life changed for the better and I haven't looked back since. That's right, I finally bought myself a premium gaming controller. And, this Prime Day, I think should take the leap too.
But there are lots of great PC and Xbox controllers out there, so how do you know when you've found the one? Trust me: when you know, you know. And for me, that controller is the Asus ROG Raikiri II.
If you want a super low-latency, wireless controller for PC or Xbox, the Asus ROG Raikiri II is an excellent choice, thanks to its great feature-set and impressive build. And while it usually has a unflinchingly high price tag, you're currently in luck, as right now you can pick up the ROG Raikiri II at Amazon for $189.99 (was $143.99). In my book, that turns it from a strong candidate to an absolute must-have.
There are so many reasons I'm impressed with the Asus ROG Raikiri II. Wonderfully clicky face buttons. Dual-mode, TMR triggers and TMR thumbsticks. Impressively low latency. And I'm even more impressed now it's a huge $46 off.
UK price: £199 at AmazonView Deal
I've not exactly tried to hide my love for this controller, as you can see from my Asus ROG Raikiri II review. I gave it a glowing 4.5 stars, thanks to its compelling features.
Those dual-mode triggers mean you can easily set it to a shallow tap for clicking heads in shooters or set them to their full range for granular control over your accelerator for driving games.
The thumbsticks also feel wonderfully precise, making it easy to sneak past fascists on Indiana Jones and The Great Circle. Also, its 2.4GHz wireless connectivity offers super low-latency of just 2.3ms, making it always feel really responsive.
And when it comes to design, it's no less impressive. It feels solidly built in your hand and comes with its own charging dock and replacement thumbsticks. Meanwhile, its customizable RGB lightning adds just enough flair without it feel overdone or garish. Finally, ROG's Gear Link software allows to set response curves for its sticks and triggers and changes its lighting patterns. Not bad for less that $150 / £200.
Want to peruse some other controllers before making your decision? Then check out our guide to the best PC controllers. Alternatively, keep an eye on our Amazon Prime Day live blog for all the latest deals as we unearth them.
Healthcare technology company Xsolis disclosed a cyberattack in which it lost sensitive data on almost 1.4 million customers.
Xsolis is a company that uses AI to help healthcare organizations make faster and more consistent decisions about patient care and utilization management. Earlier this week, it published a data breach notification on its website, saying that it spotted the intrusion on January 22, 2026.
Apparently, after a successful phishing attack on one of its employees two days earlier, the attackers were able to access a “limited portion” of the Xsolis environment, from which they were able to exfiltrate people’s names, addresses, dates of birth, health insurance information, Social Security numbers, and medical treatment information.
This level of information is more than enough information to target these individuals with phishing or even steal their identity for more disruptive attacks elsewhere.
In a filing with the US Department of Health and Human Services, Xsolis confirmed that 1,396,519 individuals were affected by this breach.
“We have taken steps to address the incident and are committed to protecting the information entrusted to us,” Xsolis said in the announcement. “Upon learning of this incident, we immediately began an investigation and reported the incident to law enforcement. We also implemented additional safeguards to further enhance the security of information in our possession and to help prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.”
So far, there is no evidence of the data being used in follow-up attacks, or being offered on the dark web. No threat actors have yet claimed responsibility for the attack, and no one has yet demanded ransom in exchange for the files.
Xsolis told its customers to be wary of incoming messages, especially those pretending to be from the company, or using it in any other context. Customers are also offered free credit monitoring and identity theft protection services, as well as fraud alerts and credit freezes.
They say you need to own at least 1,000 to constitute a home library, and while I love a compelling novel as much as the next bookworm, finding the space is tricky — but that's why we have the Amazon Kindle, a budget-friendly e-reader that just got even cheaper this Amazon Prime Day.
• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale
I've always enjoyed physical books, simply because nothing quite beats the feeling of achievement you feel at the close of the final page. I have a summer getaway coming up, and reading by the poolside or at the beach is one of the best forms of relaxation.
However, squeezing multiple novels into my luggage isn't realistic, so with that in mind, this could be the year I decide to go digital — for a reasonable price that is. Right now, Amazon's most recent standard version Kindle is now down to $84.99 in the US (was $109.99), and it's even cheaper in the UK at £75.99 (was £94.99).
Prime Day discounts on the 2024 Kindle don't come as generous as they do during Black Friday, but you won't come across a better deal at any other time of year. For Amazon's most recent standard version Kindle, $85 isn't the worst price for an e-reader that covers the basics, but it has been cheaper in the past. View Deal
Likewise with Amazon UK, the 2024 Kindle generally gets a better deal at Black Friday, but Prime Day is a very close second. Given it's £55 cheaper than the Paperwhite, this is clearly a better pick for the infrequent reader who's after a more budget-friendly option.View Deal
Amazon has some of the best e-readers out there, and they range from basic models to more advanced ones like the Kindle Scribe which are designed for note-taking and productivity. But they're often very pricey, even after a Prime Day discount is applied.
The 2024 Kindle is our best budget e-reader even when it's not Prime Day, and it's an ideal model if you're only after reading tools and not the bells and whistles of its Scribe sibling. This model is also not a bulky device that's going to take up loads of room when on the move (it has an easy-to-read 6-inch screen).
Additionally, many previous-generation Kindle owners may not be too thrilled with Amazon's recent decisions to axe support for older devices, even though you're still using them despite their declining functionality. If an upgrade is what you're looking for, we believe the performance alone will be worth your while.
It's big game time at the 2026 FIFA World Cup as England take on Ghana on a night which could see the Three Lions seal qualification to the knockouts – and just because you're a UK expat it doesn't mean that you can't still enjoy watching Thomas Tuchel's men for free on BBC iPlayer just like you would back in Blighty.
So long as you're a license fee payer, you've every right to enjoy the Beeb's British commentary and support from your sunny spot in Dubai, Saudi, Singapore or wherever else you may be.
Just use a VPN, choose a UK server to connect to in the app, and then head to iPlayer and get streaming straight away, just like everyone else back in England.
If you don't have a VPN, then we recommend NordVPN. We've rated it as the best VPN for streaming as well as the best VPN overall for more than two years now. Sign-up, install it on your laptop and away you go.
NordVPN: Stream England vs Ghana and everything on iPlayer
NordVPN is the best streaming VPN available. Use it to set your computer to appear to be in a United Kingdom location and then watch anything you like on BBC iPlayer as usual, including England vs Ghana. NordVPN costs $3.49 per month and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, just in case you don't get along with it. Try the NordVPN Plus plan if you want to add scam protection too.View Deal
NordVPN comes with 24/7 live chat support just in case you have any difficulties getting connected. It also offers a tonne of scam protection features too if that's of interest to you beyond streaming.
VPNs are completely legal to use in all but the most draconian of countries. They're excellent for streaming your regular shows wherever your travel and providing privacy and protection from prying eyes for all of your online activities.
If you want to keep up with the World Cup wherever you go, or get hold of a secure streaming connection, then you have a few options.
The standard method is to use a VPN on a laptop or mobile device, and then use a HDMI cable to connect the device to your TV and display the image, effectively turning the TV into a monitor.
You could also try wireless casting via AirPlay, Chromecast, or Windows’ Miracast, but the experience is rarely as straightforward as your TV maker or the casting technology pretends it is. It all takes precious fiddling around time and that's time that your World Cup watch party guests will not be willing to wait.
Instead, turn to your hardware and try out your VPN provider's native TV apps or its apps for media streamers like Fire Sticks or Apple TV boxes. For most of these devices, it's incredibly simple to get going. Go to their app stores, find your VPN provider and install.
Then, just set your server location to the UK or Australia or wherever else you need to tune in, as usual, and then head to your regular streaming app – whether that's BBC iPlayer, ITVX, SBS or wherever else you find your free World Cup live streams.
And, if you don't already have a World Cup VPN, then you might want to try Norton VPN at the moment. It's a great streaming VPN and the only one to offer a 60-day money-back guarantee. That's more than enough to iron out any teething issues and will also see you through to the end of the World Cup itself.
▶︎ Norton VPN Deal — 60-day money back guarantee
Watch free World Cup streams without limits using Norton VPN and its apps for Fire Stick, Apple TV and smart TVs. It delivers fast, secure connections with global servers, so you can stream from anywhere with ease.
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Don’t miss a second. Stream the World Cup from anywhere with total confidence.View Deal
Of course, there are other options if Norton VPN isn’t to your liking. ExpressVPN is a solid pick for TV streaming, thanks to support for multiple platforms and intuitive Smart DNS capability – the last of which is a good solution for TVs that don’t support VPNs as standard.
For more alternatives, NordVPN is our choice for the best VPN overall, while Surfshark is our pick for the best cheap VPN but lacks Smart DNS features for Samsung and LG TVs.
As a rule of thumb, if your TV OS is Android TV, you should find it easy to set up the VPN direct on your TV set. If you've got a Samsung or an LG and would rather keep things simple, then your Fire Stick or Apple TV box is best.
Happy streaming!
I’ve tested a lot — and I mean a lot — of the best Bluetooth speakers. More than 50 to be exact. And if we’re talking about sheer popularity, then one brand is the clear and obvious top dog: JBL. For good reason too. In my years of testing, I’ve found that JBL regularly delivers the ideal blend of quality and affordability, regularly producing Bluetooth speakers with great sound and impressive durability at an easy-to-stomach price.
JBL also makes loads of different options, so I though I'd help you narrow things down a bit, and have picked out three JBL speakers I’d actually spend my own money on — with speakers for all budgets.
I’ve selected a small, budget-friendly speaker, a mid-priced maestro, and a premium pick that’s ideal for parties — there really is something here for everyone. If a speaker hasn't make this list, it’s by no means a vote of no confidence; this is simply a list of the three I’d personally grab right now.
Let’s start with the small yet mighty JBL Go 5, which I recently reviewed and rated five stars. The Go 5 is, in my view, the best small speaker on the market right now, offering clear, precise, and well-balanced sound, alongside an extremely hardy build, and a stellar feature-set.
As a mini speaker, the Go 5 won’t be able to belt out earth-shaking bass, but it plays to its strengths. Low-end sound is agile and punchy rather than ‘boomy’ and uncontrolled. Meanwhile, mids are clear and composed, and treble is highly articulate, resulting in great sound within a small package.
There’s also USB-C audio for lossless playback and EQ options to tailor audio to your specific tastes. The Go 5 has a more layered, full sound than its predecessor, the JBL Go 4, so if you own that model, I’d still recommend upgrading.
Another reason to opt for the Go 5 over the Go 4 is its design. The newer variant is equipped with edge lighting that makes listening to music even more immersive — especially in low-lit rooms if you want a bit of ambience. Waterproofing also got a boost to IP68, meaning the Go 5 is fully dustproof and capable of surviving a 1.5 meter dunking underwater for as long as 30 minutes — ideal for beach trips and pool parties.
Mix in solid battery life, Auracast compatibility, as well as a drop proof exterior, and the JBL Go 5 really is the full package — albeit a small-sized one. It’s typically available for $54.95 / £39.99 (about AU$75) as well, meaning it’s an absolute bargain.
If we’re talking about value for money, then the JBL Flip 7 might just be the greatest Bluetooth speaker I’ve ever tested. Big statement, I know.
The reason for this is actually fairly simple: the sound it produces defies belief — not only based on the speaker’s low price, but also on its low footprint. Yes, the five-star Flip 7 is very compact, but it produces big, impactful sound, with strikingly impactful bass that demands your attention. But this doesn’t come at the expense of the rest of the frequency range. Mids are layered and intricate with vocals sounding especially well-defined, while treble sounds exert a level of expressiveness that’s beyond expectation.
Elsewhere, the Flip 7 carries over a lot of the Go 5’s greatest features, like an IP68 rating, USB-C audio, Auracast, and PlayTime Boost if you need a bit more battery life — though the standard 14 hours should get you a decent way. Sure, there’s no edge lighting on this one, but it's a clear step-up in terms of sound quality and power — it has a 35W maximum power output compared to the Go 5’s humble 4.8W.
At $149 / £129 / AU$179, the Flip 7 already overdelivers against its asking price, but I’ve seen it pop up on sale plenty of times, so keep your eye out for a sweet deal.
Last but most definitely not least, I have the JBL Xtreme 5. If you’re working with a larger budget, want massive sound, or want a speaker for parties, then this one’s for you. This model was released alongside the Go 5, so I also reviewed it very recently, and like its small counterpart, it earned a glowing five-star review.
But what makes the Xtreme 5 so special? Of course it has all of the aforementioned features, whether that be IP68 dust and waterproofing, wired lossless playback or personalizable EQ. But the big difference is made in the audio department.
The Xtreme 5 has a massive maximum power output of 130W, meaning it can supply seismic sound, with thumping bass, driven and direct mids, and vibrant highs. Although it's a great performer all-round, it really is the low-end that wows. I described this model’s bass as “mesmerizing” in my review, and during testing I was blown away by the sheer might of its low-end output, which was significantly improved from the JBL Xtreme 4.
In addition, the Xtreme can squeeze out up to 28 hours of playtime, has JBL EasySing Mic compatibility for karaoke, and like the Go 5 it has customizable LED lighting. If you want the ultimate portable party speaker, look no further than this. The Xtreme 5 usually sells for $399.95 / £329.99 (about AU$560), which is very competitive in the upper echelons of the Bluetooth speaker market, although it's undoubtedly quite the investment.
There are plenty of great deals out during Amazon's Prime Day 2026 sales event, with discounts on Intel, AMD, and Nvidia's latest mobile hardware. We're constantly combing through the best deals across multiple retailers, backing up our deal selections with in-depth reviews, benchmarks, and comprehensive historical pricing analysis. We're checking deals around the clock to find the best options and keep this page up to date, but please note that they often won't last long, so you'll need to act quickly.
There may also be some older laptops, which you should definitely avoid. For instance, anything older than one generation is better off avoided. If you have the cash, spring for a system with a GPU that has at least 8GB of VRAM, as well as 16GB of RAM and at least 512GB of storage.
We also maintain lists of the best gaming laptops, the best gaming laptops under $1,500, and the best gaming laptops under $1,000, should you want to peruse some of our favorites.
The same specs as the model above, but with the RTX 5090 swapped out for an RTX 5080, saving you a bit of cash if you don't need the world's best laptop GPU in your rig.View Deal
A superb budget gaming laptop with enough power to breeze through the latest games. This large 16-inch laptop features an AMD Ryzen 7 260 processor, an Nvidia RTX 5060 GPU, a 165Hz display, 16 GB of RAM, and a 1 TB SSD —a sleek, well-rounded laptop built for performance and value. (model: 3VHK3US894SH)View Deal
In a Best Buy limited-time deal, you can pick up this Acer Nitro V 16 gaming laptop with RTX 5070 GPU for a sweet $50 off. Other specs include a 16-inch FHD+ screen with an Intel Core 7 240H CPU, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD for storage. View Deal
This model of the Rog Strix G16 from Asus comes with a screen measuring 16 inches, with an FHD+ resolution, a 16:10 screen ratio, and refresh and response rates of 165Hz and 3ms, respectively. Hardware inside this gaming laptop includes Nvidia's GeForce RTX 5060 laptop GPU, an Intel Core i7 14650HX processor, 16GB of DDR5 RAM, and a 1TB Gen 4 SSD for storage. For online gaming, the laptop has Wi-Fi 7 built in. View Deal
Lenovo's Legion 5i gaming laptop contains an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX 24-core processor and Nvidia RTX 5070 GPU with 8GB of GDDR7 VRAM, 32GB of DDR5 memory, and a 1TB M.2 SSD for storage. View your games and media content on the gorgeous 15.1-inch OLED display with a fast 165Hz refresh rate. View Deal
The Asus V16 comes equipped with an RTX 5070 mobile GPU, Core 7 240H CPU, 16GB of user-upgradeable memory, and 1TB of NVMe storage. View Deal
This Acer Predator Helios AI deal features an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 laptop GPU with 24GB of fast GDDR7 VRAM, 32GB of RAM, and 2TB of SSD storage. It's a powerful gaming laptop with an imposing 16-inch OLED display and blazing-fast 240Hz refresh rate. View Deal
This super-powerful gaming laptop packs the world's most powerful gaming GPU. Inside the Legion Pro 7i is Nvidia's RTX 5090 GPU with 24GB of GDDR7 VRAM, a 24-core Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor, 32GB of DDR5 RAM, a 1TB SSD, and WiFi 7. Games will look and play great on the 16-inch 2560 x 1600 pixel WQXGA OLED screen with blistering 240Hz refresh rate.View Deal
This Acer Nitro V 15 includes a 10-core Intel Core i7-13620H CPU, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5050 GPU, 15.6-inch FHD IPS 165Hz display, 16GB of DDR5 RAM, a 512GB Gen 4 SSD, and Wi-Fi 6 support. There's room to expand here, too, with support to upgrade to 32GB of RAM and an even bigger SSD further down the line.View Deal
This 16-inch Aero X16 from Gigabyte packs an Nvidia RTX 5070 into its compact frame, along with an AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 processor, 32GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD. The screen resolution of this laptop is 2560 x 1600 pixels, with a 165Hz refresh rate. On sale, this laptop offers excellent performance for the price and can double as both a work and a gaming laptop.View Deal
Our first Acer Predator Helios Neo 18 AI deal features an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti laptop GPU with 12GB of fast GDDR7 VRAM, 16GB of RAM, and a 1TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD. It's a massive gaming laptop with an imposing 18-inch IPS display and blazing-fast 240Hz refresh rate. View Deal
This slightly beefier version uses the same screen, Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX CPU, and Nvidia RTX 5070 Ti GPU, but upgrades the DDR5 RAM to 32GB and doubles the storage capacity with a 2TB Gen 4 SSD. View Deal
Don’t miss out on this Tom’s Hardware Premium. Get a full year of access for just $29, or from $7 per-month. Get daily news analysis, deep dives into specialist topics in the semiconductor industry, as well as access to Bench, the largest benchmarking database around.View Deal
This Omen laptop variant keeps an almost identical component specs list, but swaps the Intel CPU for the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 CPU. This model still uses the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 GPU, 32GB of DDR5 RAM, and a 1TB SSD.
View Deal
This gaming laptop packs an Intel CPU (Core i7-14650HX), an Nvidia RTX 5070 GPU, 16GB of DDR5 RAM, and a 1TB SSD for storage. Experience crisp visuals on the compact 15.6-inch screen, thanks to a tight QHD resolution and fast 165Hz refresh rate. View Deal
This Acer Nitro V 16 AI laptop includes an AMD Ryzen AI 5 240 processor with six cores, along with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5050 GPU, 16-inch WUXGA IPS 180Hz display, 16GB of DDR5 RAM, a 512GB Gen 4 SSD, and Wi-Fi 6E support. You can also upgrade to 32GB of RAM and a larger SSD.View Deal
This monster of a gaming laptop from Gigabyte features an RTX 5090 mobile GPU, along with a huge 24-core Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX CPU. A 2TB SSD for storage is included, as is 32GB of DDR5 RAM. The 16-inch OLED display supports a 2,560 x 1,600 screen resolution and a refresh rate up to 240Hz.
extra $400 off with promo code GNB346View Deal
This RTX 5060 laptop from Asus features a 14th Gen Intel Core processor, 32GB of RAM, and a roomy 1TB SSD. The 1920 x 1200 screen is plenty for the power behind this mobile GPU.View Deal
The RTX 4050 is Nvidia's last-gen entry-level GPU, but it's still powerful enough for gaming at 1080p in most games on medium graphics presets. The 15.6-inch screen on this HP Victus laptop supports a 144Hz refresh rate, while 16GB of RAM means you're only compromising on storage, with a 512GB SSD included, along with an AMD Ryzen 7 7445HS CPU.View Deal
This budget-friendly Lenovo LOQ laptop features a brand new Nvidia GeForce RTX 5050, capable of 1080p gaming with DLSS 4 unlocking multi-frame gen. It includes a 10-core Intel Core i5-13450HX CPU, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD.View Deal
This MSI Vector 16 features an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti laptop GPU in a system that's $1,299, which is a great price for that level of graphics. You will get a last-gen AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX, along with 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD.View Deal
This Asus TUF Gaming A16 gaming laptop boasts an Nvidia RTX 5070, AMD Ryzen 9 270, 32GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD. View Deal
You can make massive savings on this RTX 5080 laptop, making it a no-brainer. You also get 32GB of DDR5, 1TB SSD, and Intel's Ultra 9 275HX processor. The display is also upgraded, with a 240Hz refresh rate and 2.5K resolution.View Deal
This 1080p-focused Alienware 16 Aurora model features an Nvidia RTX 5060 GPU, Intel Core 7 240H CPU, 16GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD. A large 16-inch screen lets you play your favorite games at a smooth 120Hz for smooth motion gameplay. View Deal
This 15.6-inch MSI Thin 15 gaming laptop is a budget-friendly option, featuring an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU, Intel Core i7-13620H CPU, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD.View Deal
Get a deal on this Aurora 16-inch laptop with a 120Hz display. Under the hood, you get a Core 7 240H CPU, 32GB of RAM, and an Nvidia RTX 5060, plus a 1TB SSD. View Deal
This powerful version of the Asus ROG Strix G16 (model: G614FP-DS96) uses a 16-inch "Nebula" screen with a 16:10 aspect ratio, 2.5K resolution, and ultrafast 240Hz refresh rate. Powering this beast of a machine is an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 laptop GPU, AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX CPU, 32GB of DDR5 5600MHz memory, and a 1TB SSD.View Deal
The MSI Katana HX is a solid peforming gaming laptop, featuring an Intel Core i7 CPU and Nvidia RTX 5050 GPU, making for solid 1080p performance on a laptop, and you even get four-zone RGB lighting.View Deal
This 15.1-inch Lenovo gaming laptop features an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 mobile GPU, ready for high frame rates at 1080p, with DLSS 4 support for multi-frame gen. An eight-core AMD Ryzen 7 260 CPU, 16GB RAM, and a 512GB SSD finish off the specs.View Deal
With an AMD Ryzen 5 7235HS and Nvidia RTX 4050, this isn't the most powerful or modern system. But it's priced well. You also get a 512GB SSD and 12GB of RAM.View Deal
With a 15.6-inch 165Hz QHD display, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 graphics card, AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS processor, 16GB of DDR4 RAM, and a 1TB PCIe NVMe SSD, this laptop packs a lot of power into its ultra-slim frame.View Deal
This 15-inch gaming laptop features an Intel Core i7-12650H, an Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU, 16GB of DDR5 RAM, and a 1TB SSD. It has a 15.6-inch 1080p display with a 144 Hz refresh rate.View Deal
This 15.6-inch gaming laptop is powered by an Intel Core i7-12500H processor, GeForce RTX 3050 Ti GPU, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB PCIe 4.0 SSD. The 15.6-inch IPS display also boasts a 144Hz refresh rate.View Deal
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We’re extending new autofill capabilities to iOS and Android users. Get passport details, payment info and more, at your fingertips.Valve confirms that all Steam Machines use single-channel DDR5 memory Valve has launched its Steam Machine, and while it is an interesting piece of hardware, it is fated to have a much smaller impact than it should. The AI industry and rampant datacenter buildouts have driven up prices for many components, with DRAM and NAND […]
The post AI nerfed Valve’s Steam Machine by forcing single-channel memory appeared first on OC3D.
Anyone who's looked at storage prices recently knows that they're completely out of hand. I've been waiting to add some storage to my gaming PC for about six months now, and it's getting to the point where I'll have to bite at a deal like this one on the Samsung 9100 PRO.
This high-performance M.2 PCIe 5.0 NVMe SSD comes in 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, and 8TB configurations, with blazing fast transfer speeds and the regular durability you expect from Samsung.
"Regular" (inflated) prices have been cut by up to 49%, and you can now land a 1TB drive for as low as $206.99. Best part? You don't have to be a Prime subscriber to nab the deal.
The 1TB model is the most affordable version out there, falling by 39% to hit $206.99. This is the lowest price I've seen in 2026.
You can get twice as much storage as the 1TB model for only about $143 more, which really isn't much in this current SSD climate. The price hasn't been this low in nearly five months. This is also the biggest savings at 49%.
If you only have room for one SSD, make it a 4TB version. Samsung's 4TB 9100 PRO is now $41% off, dropping the price to $799.99.
The 9100 PRO was Samsung's first shot at a full-fledged PCIe 5.0 NVMe SSD, and to say the company nailed the execution is an understatement.
It's theoretically capable of hitting unreal 14,800MB/s read speeds and 13,400MB/s write speeds, and although those numbers may drop a bit in real-world practice, it's still an incredibly fast drive.
Our friends at TechRadar reviewed the 9100 PRO when it launched last year, and it was awarded 4.5 stars and a Recommended Award.
The TL;DR? It's an exceptional drive for professionals who frequently deal with oversized files and who don't want any hiccups in their workflow.
If you're looking for a drive that you can use in more of a professional capacity with frequent saves of very large files like video projects or video game packages in Unreal Engine, the Samsung 9100 Pro is the best SSD you're going to get for that purpose and it will absolutely speed up your everyday workflow considerably.
John Loeffler, TechRadar
You do, of course, want to pair this drive with a PC that's capable of running a PCIe 5.0 drive to get the most out of it, but it will function at lower speeds in a PCIe 4.0 system. That's not necessarily a bad thing, especially if you're putting together a new PC piece by piece as sales come and go.
If I do buy one of these drives, I'll most likely go with the 2TB version at $349.99. It's the best value at 49% off, costing less per GB than the 1TB and 4TB versions.
I should also mention that these drives come with a 5-year Samsung warranty to protect your purchase.
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Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred was a resounding success for Blizzard, even with a lack of season-specific activities for Season 13, so with that in mind, Season 14 has a lot to live up to. Will Diablo 4 be able to keep its hooks in us for its first real season after the release of the expansion? Will the drastic changes to Mythic Uniques make or break the gameplay loop?
Well Season 14, dubbed the Season of Death Awakening arrives on June 30 so we'll find out for ourselves soon. Here's what we know about Season 14 so far, including some changes that have been made from the PTR.
The most significant change coming to the game is the overhaul of Mythic Uniques. Instead of being a strict rarity, "Mythic" is now a modifiable quality that can be applied to any Unique item.
You can convert any Unique into a Mythic Unique using the Horadric Cube or the Jeweler.
Based on player feedback from the PTR, crafting is now deterministic; for instance, if you put in a pair of Unique boots, you are guaranteed to receive a pair of Mythic Unique boots back. These items will have their Unique powers increased by 30%, and any affixes added through Enchanting, Transfiguration, or Tempering will now always roll as maximum values.
While you can only equip one crafted Mythic Unique at a time, there is no limit on those acquired through natural drops. Additionally, Blizzard has decided that all Uniques will retain two guaranteed affixes to preserve item identity.
There's been much ado about this change and how it will impact the meta, but I for one am keeping schtum until I've actually tried it out, and I'm cautiously optimistic that it will actually create some wild build diversity.
Sanctuary is being ripped apart by Pandemonium Ruptures, which spawn across the overworld and Helltides. By killing guardians, you keep these rifts open longer to earn greater rewards. Yes, this is Realmwalker 2.0, the season that didn't go down so well when Vessel of Hatred launched, but it's been tweaked enough that I'm willing to give it another chance.
Defeating a Realmwalker grants access to a Deathtoll Chamber, a specialized mini-dungeon that serves as the best source for Superior Lair Keys, which are required to open the new seasonal Lair Boss’s hoard.
We're also getting a new monster family (aww) called The Risen; you must destroy Orbs dropped by these enemies to prevent the Exarch from executing a powerful attack.
It's happening, it's finally happening! The Tower and Leaderboards are graduating from Beta status this season, and a new Solo Self Found (SSF) mode is being introduced.
SSF is a permanent character state for the season where you cannot trade or join parties, but you gain access to exclusive SSF-only leaderboard categories to prove your skill.
Players will earn weekly rewards based on their performance in the Tower, and those who rank high will receive cosmetic Halos and prestige titles. At the start of the next season, players will be granted an Emblem based on their highest rank achieved during this season. Time to show off.
Party play is being streamlined with synced War Plan boards, allowing a party to coordinate their activities more effectively. Additionally, the Obol cap has been increased to 25,000 (no more running back and forth to town), and the Gold cap is now 999,999,999,999. Gold, gold, glorious gooold!
Fans can also look forward to another Diablo 4 x Overwatch collaboration starting June 30. This time, it's Diablo players that can earn the cool skins. We can earn the Kiriko Fox Pet and other themed cosmetics by collecting currency from Elite and Champion monsters.
The new season also offers a refreshed rewards track, including up to 12 Skill Points, 42 Paragon points, and 7 Resplendent Sparks.
If you want to be ready the moment the season starts, the 3.1.0 patch will be available for pre-download on June 25 at 10:00 a.m. PDT for Battle.net, Xbox, and PlayStation.
For more details on class balance and specific affix changes, you can check out the full 3.1.0 patch notes. Which class are you planning to take into the Tower first, and how do you feel about the new, Mythic crafting system?
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It's come to light that Obsidian Entertainment — the storied, legendary developer known for creating Fallout: New Vegas, The Outer Worlds, and Grounded, Pentiment, Avowed, and The Outer Worlds 2 under Xbox Game Studios — is currently facing a class action lawsuit after allegedly "violating state wage and hour laws."
The case — first opened in October last year, and followed by an amended complaint that was filed in January by plaintiff Victoria Turner, who has a name matching that of a QA lead that worked on Obsidian's 2025 RPG The Outer Worlds 2 — accuses the Xbox studio of engaging in "a systematic pattern of wage and hour violations under the California Labor Code and Industrial Welfare Commission (IWC) Wage Orders."
Specifically, it's alleged that the developer failed "to pay all wages (including minimum wages and overtime wages)," didn't "provide lawful meal periods or compensation in lieu thereof," and didn't "authorize or permit lawful rest breaks or provide compensation in lieu thereof."
It's also been claimed that Obsidian failed to "reimburse necessary business-related costs," "provide accurate itemized wage statements," "pay wages timely during employment," and "pay all wages due upon separation of employment."
The lawsuit "seeks monetary relief" for Turner and "all others similarly situated in California" where Obsidian is headquartered, with the ultimate goal being "to recover, among other things, unpaid wages, unreimbursed business expenses, benefits, interest, attorneys' fees, costs and expenses, and penalties."
Notably, the case covers "all persons currently or formerly employed by any or all Defendants as nonexempt employees in the State of California at any time between October 9, 2021 and the date of class certification." The plaintiff also seeks to include "All members of the Class who separated their employment with any or all Defendants at any time between October 9, 2022 and the date of class certification."
Obsidian's first response to the lawsuit came in early March, with the studio stating that it "denies, generally and specifically, each and every allegation in the FAC [First Amended Complaint]." It also denied "that Plaintiff and/or any putative class members she purports to represent have suffered any injury or been damaged in any sum whatsoever by reason of any act or omission" from the developer or its staff.
Obsidian then argued Turner's case "fails to state facts sufficient to constitute valid claims," and added that "Plaintiff and any putative class member and/or other allegedly aggrieved employees consented to and/or acquiesced in the alleged conduct by Defendant of which Plaintiff now complains."
Essentially, what the studio is saying here is that Turner hasn't provided adequate proof to support the lawsuit's claims, and that the workers it represents voluntarily gave up lunch and rest breaks. The case hasn't progressed since that response, but I and the rest of Team Windows Central will keep an eye on it and report on new developments.
All of this comes amid Obsidian's efforts to restructure itself within Xbox, with the developer enacting plans to shorten development cycles, more frequently work with partner studios, and reuse technology and solutions from previous projects as it builds new ones.
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As part of the Experimental experience for Windows 11 version 26H2, Microsoft recently released build 26300.8697. While the official announcement focused on fixes and improvements, a more interesting discovery was hiding beneath the surface. A new Search setting that can turn off Bing-powered web results in the Windows Search experience.
Windows Search has long mixed local files, apps, and settings with web suggestions, often surfacing Bing results even when users are simply looking for something on their computer. The appearance of a dedicated toggle to remove those web results suggests that the company is exploring a more streamlined Search experience with fewer distractions.
However, this isn't entirely new. Users in the European Economic Area (EEA) have had similar controls for some time as part of Microsoft's compliance with the Digital Markets Act. What's notable here is that the company now appears to be building the same functionality for all markets.
The story I see is much more than user choice. This appears to be Microsoft acknowledging that not every Windows Search query needs a web result attached to it. Instead of forcing online content into the experience, Windows 11 could soon let users decide what belongs in Search. For many people, that could make finding apps, files, and settings faster and more predictable.
The setting is currently tucked in under Settings > Privacy & security > Search in build 26300.8697. The option is labeled "Web Searches" in the "Show suggested search results" section.
Microsoft is also testing a separate "Microsoft Store" toggle to prevent Store apps from appearing in Search results. Together, these options would give users more control over what surfaces when searching from the Start menu and Search box in the Taskbar.
The same preview build also includes an updated version of the "Privacy & security" page. Microsoft has reorganized the settings into clearer categories and added a new header that provides quick access to Windows Security, along with glanceable information for location, camera, and microphone permissions.
The company is also adding new entry points for features such as Passkeys and the Custom Dictionary.
At this stage, the feature is not officially available, and it's not an option you can turn on from the "Feature flags" page either. It was spotted by @PhantomOfEarth inside the Insider build and can only be enabled using ViveTool feature IDs, indicating that Microsoft is still actively developing and testing the experience.
If testing goes as planned, the company could refine the feature through future 26H2 preview releases before deciding on a wider rollout.
I think Microsoft should have offered this option to everyone a long time ago. When I'm using Windows Search, I'm usually looking for a file, app, or setting, not a Bing result. While web integration has its place, it often makes Search feel more cluttered than helpful.
What's interesting is that similar controls have already existed in Europe, so this isn't really a new feature. The bigger story is that Microsoft appears to be testing the same level of control for users across all regions, including the addition of an option to suppress apps from the Microsoft Store in the experience.
I wouldn't consider this a major feature for Windows 11, but it's the type of improvement that can make the operating system feel less intrusive and more focused on what users actually want to find.
What are your thoughts about having the option to remove Bing results from Windows Search on Windows 11? Let me know in the comments.
Explore more in-depth how-to guides, troubleshooting advice, and essential tips to get the most out of Windows 11 and 10. Start browsing here:
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Valve's Steam Machine has finally made its way into the hands of testers, and the resulting reviews have been less than inspiring. Whether it's the high $1,049 starting price caused by a global RAM and storage crisis or the underwhelming performance, I know that a lot of PC gamers are now looking for a quality alternative.
These are the 5 best pre-built gaming PCs I could find during Prime Day that will leave you with some cash left over for new games. Only one is priced high enough to match the Steam Machine's introductory price, but in this case, you get 32GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD.
• Shop all Amazon Prime Day deals
The rest? Well, they cost significantly less than Valve's device. See for yourself, and happy gaming!
CPU: Intel Core i5-14400F
GPU: Intel Arc B570 (10GB)
RAM: 16GB DDR4
SSD: 1TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe
A snappy Intel Core i5 CPU paired with an Arc B570 discrete GPU with 10GB of VRAM is a great little combo for PC gaming.
CPU: Intel Core i5-14400F
GPU: NVIDIA RTX 5060 (8GB)
RAM: 16GB DDR4
SSD: 1TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe
This is a fairly compact pre-built gaming PC featuring a solid Core i5 CPU and an RTX 5060 GPU that easily beats the integrated graphics in the Steam Machine.
CPU: Intel Core i5-14400F
GPU: NVIDIA RTX 5060 Ti (8GB)
RAM: 16GB DDR4
SSD: 1TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe
The NVIDIA RTX 5060 Ti GPU in this model will absolutely blow away the integrated Radeon graphics in the Steam Machine, and you get full access to all of the DLSS 4.5 goodies.
CPU: Intel Core i5-14400F
GPU: Intel Arc B580 (12GB)
RAM: 32GB DDR4
SSD: 1TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe
The Intel Arc B580 GPU with 12GB of VRAM is a huge upgrade over the Steam Machine, and you also get 32GB of DDR4 RAM for less than Valve's price.
CPU: Intel Core i5-14400F
GPU: NVIDIA RTX 5060 (8GB)
RAM: 32GB DDR4
SSD: 1TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe
Want to double up on RAM for 32GB? This model has that and an RTX 5060 GPU with full access to DLSS 4.5 improvements.
Valve's Steam Machine runs on a custom AMD Zen 4 CPU with 6 cores, 12 threads, and a 30W TDP. Attached are integrated custom AMD RDNA 3 graphics, with 8GB of VRAM and 28 compute units.
All Steam Machine models come with 16GB of DDR5 system memory, and the introductory models start with a 512GB SSD (upgradeable to 2TB for those with deeper pockets).
Circling back to the custom graphics, testing by our friends at Tom's Hardware revealed that it fails to pull ahead of the AMD Radeon RX 7600 discrete GPU while coming out just ahead of the AMD Radeon RX 6600.
How does that performance compare to the GPUs in the pre-built gaming PCs I've rounded up here? Well, the RTX 5060 easily beats the AMD GPU in raw performance and ray tracing abilities.
If you're interested in a pre-built gaming PC with an Intel Arc GPU, the B570 is a closer match to the RX 7600 and the Steam Machine's custom graphics. However, it should better handle ray tracing, and it should also deliver a better experience if you're gaming at 1440p.
If it's the Arc B580 in the $999 ABS Cyclone Aqua you're looking at, know that it beats AMD's GPU in practically all metrics.
As for the CPU, it seems like the Intel Core i5-14400F is the chip of choice for the pre-builts I've selected here. Good news! Despite its relative age, it should absolutely crush the Steam Machine's custom AMD chip.
Valve's Steam Machine was knocked off course by no fault of its own, and you can point the finger at the global RAM and SSD shortage caused by AI.
At its starting $1,049.99 price, it's simply outclassed by affordable pre-built gaming PCs with true discrete graphics. It's a shame, because the Steam Machine is a great-looking device.
Unless you're absolutely beholden to the compact form factor and close ties to Steam's storefront, one of these gaming PCs I selected should be a much better value.
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In a rather lengthy interview with Entertainment Weekly, we received a lot of juicy details. From OD getting new information revealed to Netflix's Gears of War movie finally receiving some concrete updates, there's been plenty to unpack. While I've covered most of that elsewhere, it was Xbox's CEO, Asha Sharma's comments about her plans for XBOX's ecosystem that really caught my attention.
What's particularly interesting is that those plans extend far beyond the traditional console experience, so let's take a look at exactly what she had to say.
Within the interview, Sharma outlines her plans for XBOX, stating she wants:
a more open ecosystem to invite more developers, to have more types of games, to invite more players.
Asha Sharma - XBOX CEO
XBOX is making moves to entice developers. Recently, the company introduced updates to help developers working with Unreal Engine 5.8 and also released documentation designed to help Godot developers bring games to XBOX on PC.
Interestingly, we then move over to Todd Green, the head of Candy Crush and King, the company Microsoft acquired alongside Activision Blizzard in 2023. Green offered some insight into the company's approach, saying:
"The thing that we've been trying to do the most here is to treat everybody, whether they describe themselves as a gamer or not, [as important]. We try to have a very mainstream product."
Candy Crush is, of course, a huge IP for XBOX, even if many people don't associate it with the brand. Personally, I think that's one of XBOX's biggest issues. Franchises like Call of Duty and Minecraft are among the biggest entertainment properties on the planet, yet neither is strongly associated with XBOX in the minds of many consumers. If you ask me, that's a huge missed opportunity.
Back to Sharma, however. Following XBOX's Games Showcase, she sat down with Entertainment Weekly and discussed the state of gaming. In particular, she argued that gaming has become increasingly unaffordable.
Gaming is unaffordable in many cases, in terms of how we've traditionally thought about it... because of the attention economy and competing subscriptions.
Asha Sharma - XBOX CEO
She does expand, touching on how difficult the business is, saying:
"It's a really hard formula. It's a really challenging business, but I think it's a really special business."
It does suck to hear the words "gaming is unaffordable," but there's certainly some truth to it. We recently got the price reveal for the new Steam Machine, and to say the reception has been positive would be a stretch. At over $1,000, it's simply too expensive to seriously consider, at least for me.
That said, I do understand the broader point Sharma is making. Between increasingly expensive hardware, competing subscription services, and the constant battle for our attention, gaming isn't as accessible as it once was. Whether mobile experiences like Candy Crush are the answer, however, is another debate entirely.
But let me know your thoughts on Sharma and Green's comments in the comments below, and be sure to take part in our poll!
Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.
Obsidian Entertainment, the Xbox Game Studios team known for Fallout: New Vegas, The Outer Worlds (1/2), Avowed, Pentiment, and more, is facing a class-action lawsuit over allegations that the studio violated California Labor laws to "increase their profits" through these violations, though Obsidian denies them entirely. Initially spotted by GamesRadar+, the suit is being led by Victoria Turner, who previously worked at Obsidian as a QA lead. The suit was initially filed back in October 2025, and was amended this past January 2026, which lists the full spread of allegations against Obsidian. "Through this action, Plaintiff alleges that Defendants engaged […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/obsidian-entertainment-class-action-lawsuit-alleged-wage-violations/
Samsung's next-generation NAND Flash for SSDs will offer over 900+ layers, with two stacks bonded together for increased storage capacities. Samsung Wants To Bond Two NAND Cells Together, Forming A Large 900-1000+ Layer Storage Solution For Future SSDs Last month, we reported that Samsung was working towards 1000-layer NAND using brand new materials and bonding technologies. At the VLSI Symposium 2026, Samsung has revealed its full plans on how they aim to achieve that goal. In its latest slide, Samsung states that there's a big demand for high-capacity SSDs, and they are working towards an accelerated roadmap that focuses on […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/samsung-bonds-two-450-layer-nand-cells-chasing-1000-layer-ssds-quadruple-capacity-2030/
England fans are dreaming of FIFA World Cup 2026 being the tournament where football finally comes home, but first the Three Lions must back up a positive opening Group L fixture, with another against Ghana in Boston.
Thomas Tuchel's men showed in their thrilling win over Croatia why they are among the leading contenders to lift the trophy with an exciting attacking display in Dallas, as Harry Kane's first-half double and goals after the break by Jude Bellingham and substitute Marcus Rashford secured a 4-2 victory. The only concern was a defensive frailty punished by Croatia, who twice drew level before the interval, with Marc Guehi pushing for a start. Another victory seals England's spot in the round of 32, but they must avoid any temptation of looking past today's opponents.
On a six-game winless run, Ghana needed a last-gasp winner to beat Panama 1-0 in their opening game, as Caleb Yirenkyi popped up five minutes into second-half stoppage time to spare their blushes against a nation yet to earn a World Cup point. Tournament football is all about getting the job done, though, and experienced manager Carlos Queiroz – at his record fifth World Cup in a row – will know that better than anyone. The former Man Utd coach is one of several familiar faces in the Black Stars' setup, with Man City forward Antoine Semenyo, Leicester City duo Jordan Ayew and Abdul Fatawu, and Coventry City striker Brandon Thomas-Asante among their options in attack.
So, read on as we show you exactly how to watch England vs Ghana for free from anywhere in the FIFA World Cup 2026.
England vs Ghana is available to watch for free in multiple countries, including the UK, Australia, Brazil, Belgium, Ireland, Netherlands, Switzerland and Turkey.
Abroad? Can't access your free stream? Unblock your free World Cup stream with Norton VPN — more on that below.
It’s the World Cup, and if you’re traveling, you might discover your usual England vs Ghana stream is suddenly unavailable due to geo-restrictions.
Don’t worry, that’s exactly where a VPN can help. A virtual private network lets you connect to servers around the world so you can securely access your usual World Cup coverage as if you were back home.
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US viewers can watch England vs Ghana on Fox.
You can watch every World Cup game on Fox and FS1 which are available on cord-cutters like YouTube TV (free trial), Hulu+Live TV, Sling (select markets), Fubo or DirecTV.
Those looking for a streaming service instead can watch England vs Ghana on Fox One (3-day free trial).
Visiting the US from the UK? You can still watch your World Cup stream for free thanks to Norton VPN (try for 60 days).
UK customers are in luck as they can stream England vs Ghana for free on the BBC. Live coverage is on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
You can also watch live build-up for free on the BBC Football YouTube channel from 8.15pm – plus the first 10 minutes of the game for free. Annoying it cuts out after 10 minutes, so be prepared!
Use Norton VPN to unlock your local stream if you're traveling abroad today.
Don't forget: you require a TV license and a valid UK postcode for an account (e.g. SE1 7PB).
England vs Ghana will be shown for free in Australia on SBS On Demand.
The streaming platform has every game of the tournament for free, making it the perfect place for your World Cup viewing.
Traveling for work or on holiday? A VPN like Norton VPN can help unlock your free stream.
In Canada, TSN will be broadcasting England vs Ghana.
You can live stream via the TSN+ streaming platform, which costs CA$8 per month or CA$80 per year.
Outside of Canada? Use Norton VPN whilst you're traveling away from home to unlock your stream.
England vs Ghana kicks-off at 9pm BST / 4pm ET on Tuesday, June 23. That's 6am AEST on Wednesday, June 24 in Australia.
England
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), James Trafford (Manchester City).
Defenders: Dan Burn (Newcastle United), Marc Guehi (Manchester City), Reece James (Chelsea), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Tino Livramento (Newcastle United), Nico O'Reilly (Manchester City), Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), Djed Spence (Tottenham Hotspur), John Stones (Manchester City).
Midfielders: Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal), Jordan Henderson (Brentford), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa).
Forwards: Anthony Gordon (Barcelona), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Noni Madueke (Arsenal), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ivan Toney (Al-Ahli), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa).
Ghana
Goalkeepers: Lawrence Ati-Zigi (St. Gallen), Joseph Anang (St Patrick's Athletic), Benjamin Asare (Hearts of Oak).
Defenders: Alidu Seidu (Rennes), Jonas Adjetey (VfL Wolfsburg), Abdul Mumin (Rayo Vallecano), Gideon Mensah (Auxerre), Abdul Rahman Baba (PAOK), Jerome Opoku (Istanbul Basaksehir), Kojo Peprah Oppong (Nice), Derrick Luckassen (Pafos), Marvin Senaya (Auxerre).
Midfielders: Caleb Yirenkyi (Nordsjaelland), Thomas Partey (Villarreal), Abdul Fatawu (Leicester City), Kwasi Sibo (Oviedo), Antoine Semenyo (Manchester City), Elisha Owusu (Auxerre), Augustine Boakye (Saint-Etienne), Kamaldeen Sulemana (Atalanta).
Forwards: Jordan Ayew (Leicester City), Brandon Thomas-Asante (Coventry City), Christopher Bonsu Baah (Al-Qadsiah), Inaki Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Ernest Nuamah (Lyon), Prince Kwabena Adu (Viktoria Plzen).
Position | Team | GD | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | England | 2 | 3 |
2 | Ghana | 1 | 3 |
3 | Panama | -1 | 0 |
4 | Croatia | -2 | 0 |
Of course, most broadcasters have streaming services that you can access through mobile apps or via your phone's browser.
You can also stay up-to-date with all of the key World Cup moments on the official social media channels on X/Twitter (@FIFAWorldCup), Instagram (@FIFAWorldCup), TikTok (@FIFAWorldCup) and YouTube (@FIFA).
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
Kaleidescape makes some truly spectacular 4K video players, and now there's an 8K version. It's "the world's highest-fidelity movie player," says chairman and CEO Tayloe Stansbury. "It brings movie lovers closer to the filmmaker's intent, with cleaner detail, true-to-life color, and a more natural presentation that dramatically improves the viewing experience of any display."
It's also a world first. The Kaleidescape Strato K is the first 8K movie player that's been certified for 8K by the 8K Association.
That's good, but the fact that it's the first such accreditation points to the problem with 8K. Buying 8K hardware right now is a bit like being the first person in the world to buy a fax machine: who are you going to send faxes to? Similarly, with 8K movie players and 8K TVs, what 8K movies are actually there for you to watch?
That means the Strato K, while impressive, is a bit of a gamble: you're buying hardware in the hope that the 8K movie trickle will become a flood, and I'm just not sure that rain is ever coming.
So the most important new feature might not be the 8K support, but instead a new format that Kaleidescape calls "4K Cinematic".
Kaleidescape's 4K Cinematic is a format designed to deliver even better 4K picture quality, and it does that by using less compression. Movies are encoded at around 110Mbps using the HEVC codec. Kaleidescape says that's compared to around 60Mbps for 4K Blu-Ray, and around 17Mbps for standard 4K streaming services.
It's worth noting that those figures aren't the maximum bitrates for the formats — for example Blu-Ray can go up to 144Mbps, though 80Mbps is a more standard ceiling — but are the bitrates typically used in commercial releases.
In addition to the higher bitrate, 4K Cinematic uses 4:4:4 chroma sampling rather than the 4:2:0 of most commercial movie releases, meaning more accurate colors and less 'banding' or other color artefacts.
The downside of those higher bitrates is that you'll need a lot of storage: as FlatpanelsHD notes, the player only has 1TB of storage – equivalent to around seven 4K Cinematic titles, as those are 1.5x the size of normal 4K movies. Like other Strato players it's really intended to be teamed up with the firm's Terra servers.
Kaleidescape will label the higher-quality movies as 4K Cinematic in its movie store and on the Stratos K interface to differentiate them from standard 4K versions. Prices will be from around $10 to $30, and the initial raft of titles includes Top Gun: Maverick, F1: The Movie, Superman, Project Hail Mary, Dune: Part Two; Sinners, Predator: Badlands, Mortal Kombat II, Avatar, Tron: Ares, Thunderbolts, and others.
4K Cinematic supports Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos and DTS:X — but Dolby Vision isn't supported by the Stratos K player in 8K movies, which are SDR or HDR10. The maximum frame rate for 8K is 30 fps via HDMI 2.1.
The Strato K has a recommended retail price of $4,995, which is $1,000 more than the five-star 4K Strato V. We are really looking forward to seeing what the new movie format looks like…
Try our TV size and model finder! You tell it how far you sit from your TV, we'll tell you what size to buy based on viewing angle advice from image quality experts, and we'll recommend our three top TVs at that size for different prices.
You may be aware that the Steam Machine has 16GB of RAM, but what you may not know is that it's likely present as a single stick of 16GB DDR5 memory, rather than the preferable configuration of twin 8GB sticks — although you may get the latter.
Confused? I'll come back to that wrinkle in a moment, but in the main, it seems most Steam Machines have the single 16GB loadout, which as Digital Foundry explains is due to Valve having difficultly securing 8GB sticks of memory.
As Steam Machine engineers Pierre-Loup Griffais and Yazan Aldehayyat said in an interview: "It was quite literally impossible to buy 8GB [sticks], at least at the quantities we're looking to buy mostly because everybody wants higher storage, and that's more profitable, so all the capacity shifted to that."
In short, it was either go with 16GB sticks for the most part — which were in more plentiful supply — or shelve the Steam Machine project.
Why is a pair of 8GB RAM modules better? Because it makes use of dual-channel memory — essentially both sticks working in parallel — for a performance boost, which you obviously can't get with just one stick. So, your next question is likely to be: how much of a difference is there?
A dual-channel setup is nothing like twice as performant for gaming, of course, but there is a (situational) boost, although Valve's engineers argue that, by and large, it's not a noticeable one with DDR5 memory.
Aldehayyat says that these two configurations (single or dual) are "pretty comparable" in actual games, as opposed to certain benchmarks where weaknesses may show up in a more pronounced way for the single stick.
In fairness to Valve, it's true that in a lot of gaming scenarios with the Steam Machine, having all your DDR5 RAM in one block won't make any real difference, at least not one that's noticeable in terms of the smoothness of your gaming experience. That's especially true at higher resolutions where the likes of 4K puts much of the workload on the shoulders of the GPU.
However, in games which are more demanding on the CPU, that's less true, and you may find that the single stick configuration is a drag on performance, possibly hitting you with more stutter (dropping to much lower frame rates more often).
As Digital Foundry points out, an increasing number of games tax the CPU, notably heavyweight open-world titles such as Crimson Desert, or the likes of Baldur's Gate 3 or Cities: Skylines.
Let's return to the RAM lottery twist I mentioned at the outset, which is that as explained by Griffais in a separate Gamers Nexus video (which was flagged by Wccftech), some Steam Machines have a pair of 8GB sticks (if this memory was available in certain regions at the time of production — and it doesn't sound like it was in many cases).
There could be an upside to the single 16GB loadout, mind you, and that's if you intend to upgrade the RAM in the future. With a spare memory slot, you can buy another 16GB stick to easily double up to 32GB down the line — but if you have two 8GB sticks, that can't be done (you'll need to buy two 16GB modules, and entirely replace the existing ones, at a greater cost).
So, if you're worried about all this, should you be opening your Steam Machine to check your RAM configuration, with a view to switching to a pair of 8GB sticks if you have a single 16GB module (while selling the latter)? I don't think that's a great idea, because for starters, Digital Foundry makes it clear that getting to the RAM and replacing it "requires significant disassembly of the machine", and possible risks therein. It's certainly not something a relative tech novice will want to attempt, and honestly, the performance upside of switching to a dual-channel setup (if you have a single RAM stick) is not really worth all the hassle.
Overall, this is a less-than-ideal situation, between the single stick performance catch, and the RAM lottery aspect where you can't tell what hand you'll be dealt with your Steam Machine.
Unfortunately, Valve hasn't had much choice in the matter thanks to the memory crisis. Ruling out using dual sticks in some cases would, of course, have limited supply further, when the situation is already bad enough to have forced the price of the entry-level Steam Machine over a grand.
So, once again, thanks to the giant memory hoover that is AI, PC buyers are getting the short end of the RAM stick (to put it politely).
Predictably, many gamers aren't happy to learn about this. One Redditor complains: "This is absolutely awful. They've done the thing that sh***y prebuilds do, which is have a single stick in single channel memory which affects CPU performance."
Another deflated Redditor simply states: "This whole Steam Machine is the most depressing thing for me in the last 7 months. It's officially DOA."
If this puts you off the Steam Machine even more coming on top of the steep MSRP pinned on the device, you may want to consider buying an alternative PC in the sales or indeed building your own, which to be fair to Valve, is something it's encouraging.
WhatsApp users beware - there is a phishing campaign ongoing on the platform, seeking to infect your devices with a legitimate, but unsolicited endpoint security platform.
Security researchers Kaspersky recently published a new report detailing a campaign that starts with a compromised WhatsApp account. They could not determine how these accounts got breached but found that they were being used to reach out to the victims’ contacts and share a VBScript file masquerading as business or financial documents.
People who don’t find it strange that their contacts are suddenly sharing business documents, and end up running them, will get ManageEngine’s Endpoint Central, a unified endpoint management (UEM) and endpoint security platform built to help IT teams manage a fleet of desktops, laptops, servers, mobile devices, and other endpoints, all from a single console.
In this case, however, they wouldn’t be managing anything - they would just be granting remote system access to the attackers. Kaspersky says that the campaign is rather widespread, with victims located across Brazil, India, Mexico, Singapore, the UK, Spain, Taiwan, Australia, Russia, Vietnam, and Malaysia.
One of the reasons the campaign was so successful on an international level is because the filenames are localized in multiple languages, Kaspersky added.
“Based on evidence collected from multiple victims through social media reports and submitted samples, we can conclude that the threat actor had gained access to several WhatsApp accounts and used them to distribute the malicious VBScript files to contacts on the compromised users’ contact lists,” Kaspersky’s researchers said.
“At the time of writing, the exact method used to compromise these WhatsApp accounts remains unknown.”
Downloading and running the malicious files on Windows result in the deployment of two scripts that first disable UAC protections and then deploy the UEM. Kaspersky also stressed that when users open WhatsApp on the web, they must first download the files, but when they open the desktop client, the files can be executed directly via Windows Script Host.
Via BleepingComputer
For the Waaagh! There's never been a better time to get into, or get back into, Warhammer than the launch of a new edition. Games Workshop's little sci-fi-themed plastic miniatures are usually prohibitively expensive, but new editions often come with large bundles of miniatures sold at a discount with the core rules of the game, centred around Space Marines fighting a different enemy each time.
This year is no different. With 11th Edition and the Armageddon box set arriving earlier this month, it's the mean, green, chaotic alien foe known as orks that get the spotlight — the set contains full armies of 23 Space Marines and 38 orks, along with core rules and accessories. As someone who used to collect ork models, these Amazon Prime Day discounts are proving too tempting to resist.
Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale
If you're in the US, you can grab a stellar $50 discount on the Armageddon set, available on Amazon US for $249.99 (was $299.99). However, there are only a few left, so you'll need to move faster than a jump-pack equipped assault marine to get one.
In the UK, the discount is a little less good, as the Armageddon box set is available on Amazon UK for £167.50 (was £174.01). However, while that 4% discount looks small, it's already cheaper than Games Workshop itself, which prices the Armageddon set at £185, so it's actually a £17.50 saving rather than a £6.50 one. Enough to get yourself some more paintbrushes with the difference, because by the Emperor you're going to need them.
Check out both deals in full below.
Save a cool $50 on the Warhammer 40,000 11th Edition box set, themed around the battle for the planet Armageddon. It's an expensive set, but if you buy its components separately they'll cost you far, far more than $250. Buy the box and split it with a friend. But be quick!View Deal
Although it's a relatively small discount, you save a further £10 by not buying direct from Games Workshop. For 23 Space Marines and 38 orks models, including normally pricey vehicles, this is a steal. You also get the 11th Ed core books. View Deal
I’ll be honest: I’ve yet to be really sold on AI laptops. The problem is, laptop makers like Apple, Samsung, HP, Microsoft, and more have been trying to convince us we need a device capable of local AI tasks by suggesting it can help us write emails (I can do that already) and generate images (a fun distraction initially, but I quickly lose interest – and there’s something about AI-generated images, videos, and music that gives me the ick).
It left me feeling as if even the best AI laptops are more of a gimmick used by companies just trying to get us to buy new devices, rather than something revolutionary.
However, after talking to Dr Liv Grant, a technology influencer, science podcaster, and ‘PhD Queen’, I’m actually excited about the implications of on-device AI in laptops, especially for students.
Dr Liv Grant recently ran a vibe coding workshop with Apple, where she showed students with no coding experience how they can create apps using MacBooks and local LLMs (Large Language Models, the tech that modern AI as we know it is based on) and spoke to me about the laptops she uses and recommends to students.
With the Back to School period approaching and Prime Day sales in full swing, students and their parents will be looking for the best student laptops to see them through college and university, so I was keen to get Dr Liv Grant's recommendation.
“I have a MacBook Neo,” she told me, “that’s great for people who are beginning to code. For someone who is learning online and branching into something less data-heavy, such as web developing, it’s a great choice.”
"With on-device AI, you don’t need internet connectivity."
Dr Liv Grant
The MacBook Neo is Apple’s most affordable MacBook, selling for $599 / £599 / AU$899. If you’re a student, there's an exclusive discount from the Apple Education store, which drops the price to $499 / £499. Despite the low price, it performs very well at day-to-day tasks, and thanks to the Apple A18 Pro chip that powers it, it can also handle on-device AI.
The Apple A18 Pro features an NPU (Neural Processing Unit), which Apple calls the Neural Engine, and is the part of the chip that enables on-device artificial intelligence.
Let’s back up a bit for a minute. You might be wondering what on-device AI means, and what makes it different from online AI chatbots such as ChatGPT.
ChatGPT, Claude and other popular AI chatbots are mainly cloud-based and accessed via the internet. On-device AI means that AI tasks such as image or text generation are performed on the device itself by the NPU using a local LLM.
You don’t need an AI-capable laptop or device to use cloud-based AI tools – all you need is an internet connection. However, devices that can run AI locally offer plenty of benefits, as Dr Liv Grant explained.
“With on-device AI, you don’t need internet connectivity. I’m always working on the go; especially when working at university, I’d work during my commute. The Wi-Fi on public transport can be awful, and it would interrupt my work.”
This is probably the most noticeable benefit for many people. If you’re doing important work that requires AI tools, using those tools locally on the device means that if you lose your internet connection, you can still keep working – and you won’t be in danger of losing your work.
Running those tasks locally has privacy and security benefits as well, as you’re not sharing data, files, or any other information with a remote third party, which is the case with cloud-based AI tools. For extremely sensitive data, or even personal things like using AI to help edit family photos, you should use on-device AI.
To ensure a laptop you’re considering buying is capable of on-device AI, you should check to see if it comes with an NPU (or Neural Engine if you’re looking at MacBooks).
The good news is that most modern chips from Intel, AMD, Qualcomm and Apple feature NPUs. Windows 11 laptops with these chips will most likely be labeled as ‘Copilot+ PCs’ – not the best name, but that’s Microsoft for you. Meanwhile, Apple products will be labeled as being ready for Apple Intelligence.
NPU performance is often measured in TOPS (Trillions of Operations Per Second). The higher the TOPS, the faster the NPU will complete AI tasks. Windows 11 laptops with an NPU of 40 TOPS or more can be labeled as a Copilot+ PC, for example.
This is why Dr Liv Grant suggests the MacBook Neo is best for less-intensive AI tasks, as its NPU is capable of around 35 TOPS, while it's also limited to 8GB of unified memory.
So, the MacBook Neo is fine for beginners, but if you have more ambitious plans that require on-device AI, you’ll want to go for a device with an NPU capable of higher TOPS and offering more RAM.
Because of that, Dr Liv Grant uses a MacBook Air for the majority of her coding and AI work. It’s a great alternative due to its thin and light design (ideal for people who work while traveling) and its relatively affordable price (the 13-inch MacBook Air with M5 chip starts at $1,099 / £1,099 / AU$1,799, and again, there’s a student discount that’ll knock $100/£100/AU$160 off the price if you qualify).
It's also far more capable when it comes to day-to-day tasks and on-device AI, thanks to its M5 chip and 16GB of unified memory to start.
While Apple doesn’t officially disclose the TOPS of its chips, we estimate that it’s around 133 TOPS – which, on paper, makes it around four times faster for AI. Combine that with the larger amount of faster unified memory, and the MacBook Air becomes an excellent mobile AI workstation. At Dr Liv Grant’s vibe coding workshop, the participants all used a MacBook Air.
The final tool in Dr Liv Grant’s MacBook arsenal is a MacBook Pro, which she primarily uses for content creation for her extremely popular Instagram and TikTok accounts. For students (or anyone, for that matter)looking for a laptop that can handle complex AI tasks as well as demanding creative workloads, a MacBook Pro might be a wise investment, but it is a lot more expensive.
So, what’s the importance of AI for students? While a lot of focus has been on how AI can help students research and study, Dr Liv Grant suggests vibe coding is where it can make the biggest difference, and not necessarily just for programming students.
“Vibe coding is where you use AI or a chatbot tool to help you write code,” explains Dr Liv Grant. “For example, I have an idea for an app to help content creators do a job – a few years ago I’d have had to learn the language, the syntax, the codebase from scratch. With vibe coding you can use AI to help you.”
As Dr Liv Grant is keen to stress, vibe coding isn’t a replacement for traditional coding, and she is familiar with many programming languages. Instead, it’s a tool that can help coders experiment and get creative while still being productive.
"Everyone should use vibe coding."
Dr Liv Grant’s mention of coding languages is an interesting one, as there’s a huge range of languages used. Web developers, for example, might use JavaScript, while someone making Windows 11 apps would use C#, and someone coding for Macs would likely use Swift. Being experienced with one coding language doesn’t mean you’ll be ‘fluent’ in others, and that’s where vibe coding can really help.
“Even if you know what you’re doing, everyone should use vibe coding,” Dr Liv Grant suggests.
In her workshop, students with no coding background used MacBook Airs to create an app. “We made a pomodoro timer app using LLM studio, picked a vibe coding tool such as ChatGPT, Claude, or a local one, and gave it three prompts.”
The AI tool would then give examples of code to use in the desired language. “With the first prompt,” explains Dr Liv Grant, “there were some errors, but those were easy to fix.” This is where a basic understanding of coding and syntax comes in, as Dr Grant used her coding experience to correct any mistakes in the AI-generated code.
The ease of vibe coding combined with more affordable laptops such as the MacBook Neo “opens up the world of coding to so many people – people in lower socioeconomic groups, students, anyone,” Dr Liv Grant told me. “It’s very exciting; students have so many ideas, and vibe coding helps those students realize those ideas without having to learn entire programming languages.
“During WWDC, Red Bull Basement ran a competition for people to pitch their ideas for an AI tool or app. All the entrants were using vibe coding. They didn’t have a background in coding.”
To me, that sounds both exciting and worrying. Exciting because it could mean that new (once-marginalized) voices, ideas, and products come to market. Someone who once might have had a great idea for an app, but never did anything with it as they were unable to code, could now rustle up a prototype with vibe coding.
Similarly, someone without a coding background who needs an app for a specific task could make their own rather than trying to find someone who would do it for them.
However, I’m also worried – could vibe coding mean an influx of slop apps? And what about programmers, will they be out of jobs? Is it even worth becoming a programming student?
“Yes,” says Dr Liv Grant when I ask her if people should still study to become programmers, “but maybe not in the depth we used to learn coding in. Learn basic syntax, how code works,” Dr Grant suggests. Those skills will prove essential to ensuring any vibe-coded project has a base level of quality. As for programming as a career? “It’s going to move more towards how good you are at interacting with AI and how good you are at prompting.”
I left our conversation with a newfound appreciation for how AI can help students, especially when it comes to vibe coding, and how that, combined with more affordable devices like the MacBook Neo (even considering its limitations), could make app developing much more accessible.
It’s certainly an interesting time, and if you or someone you know is considering getting a laptop to vibe code on, I’ve picked some of my top choices below. Make sure you also follow Dr Liv Grant on TikTok and Instagram for more fascinating insights into tech, science and Epigenetics.
If what we talked about here has got you interested in getting a MacBook for vibe coding (and more), then check out these fantastic MacBook Prime Day deals I've hand-picked below.
The MacBook Neo is in stock with all colors at Amazon today, with a small price cut, too. The latest MacBook packs a 13-inch Liquid Retina display, an A18 Pro chip, 8GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, and up to 16 hours of battery life, all for under $600. It's no wonder this latest model is already proving to be a bestseller.
Read our full MacBook Neo review
Also check out these coupons:
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A great-value older MacBook Air that still holds its own against the newer model. You get 512GB SSD storage and 16GB RAM together with an M3 chip that still feels fast. This deal knocks 38% off the 13-inch laptop's price.View Deal
With an impressive $150 discount, this Prime Day deal addresses our main complaint about the M5 Air: it's pricier than the previous model. Now, you're getting the latest chipset, 16GB of RAM, and a bigger 512GB SSD for much less, with a price that arguably challenges even the budget MacBook Neo when it comes to outright value.
Read our full MacBook Air 13-inch M5 reviewView Deal
For creative professionals, the 14-inch MacBook Pro powered by the performance-driven M5 chip is the one to choose. This beast flies through demanding workloads like video editing without skipping a beat.
Read our full MacBook Pro M5 reviewView Deal
Here at TechRadar we've been rather impressed by what the Fitbit Air has to offer, but one unfortunate user has found out the hard way that you shouldn't use bug spray when the fitness tracker is wrapped around your wrist.
The problematic incident was recorded on Reddit (via Phandroid), and it seems that a thorough and protective application of bug spray has eaten into the plastic component of the Fitbit Air, stopping it from functioning.
"Went on a hike this weekend with my Fitbit Air," reads the original Reddit post. "I've had it for 14 days now, and I found out that bug spray will destroy it. I had put some on the cuffs of my hiking shirt and it transferred over to the device and broke down the plastic."
To make matters worse, the user reports that the same fate befell his wife's Fitbit too (though it's not clear if that's also a Fitbit Air). The original post ends with a recommendation to "save your cash for something built better".
Fitbit air and bug spray don't mix from r/fitbit
The Reddit detectives went straight to work, determining that it was likely the chemical DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) causing the problem. It's widely used in insect repellents, and is pretty harsh on plastics as well as bugs.
And sympathy seems to be in short supply on the Reddit thread. "The documentation very clearly states that it shouldn't come in contact with sunscreens and bug sprays," writes one poster, while another says: "This is on you buddy."
Google isn't being particularly sympathetic either, telling the affected user that the damage counts as environmental or accidental damage, and so isn't covered under the warranty. No replacement Fitbit Air will be forthcoming in this case.
There have been other stories like this in recent days, so it seems a substantial number of people aren't aware about the damage that insect repellent can do. As ever, always read the small print — on both your fitness trackers and your bug sprays.
The Coalition wants players to "care" about Gears of War: E-Day's singular city location by deepening exploration and environmental storytelling.
That's according to studio creative director Matt Searcy, who dived into all the juicy details about the prequel's new mechanics and city setting of Kolana in an interview with TechRadar Gaming at Summer Game Fest 2026.
He said the team wanted E-Day to be different from previous Gears entries in terms of location, explaining that in order to make players care about a city that is going to be destroyed by the Locust Horde invasion.
"One of the big differences between E-Day and other Gears titles, especially Gears 5, is that rather than going from one different location to another to another, from the desert to the forest to the ice glaciers, the whole game takes place in one city, so that has a lot of advantages now," Searcy said.
"There are a lot of distinct districts in the city, so there are tons of varieties, so don't worry, some of them won't look the same. But we really wanted the city to feel like a character in our game. For the first time in a franchise, you're gonna watch something get destroyed, because it's always already destroyed [...] and for you to care about the fall of the city, you have to care about the city, of that place, and to make the stakes higher, we have to be able to go deeper."
To translate this: E-Day is restricted to one location, the city, allowing the studio to "go way, way, way deeper" in terms of world-building and "environmental storytelling."
For instance, players can travel through several areas of the city, such as the Downtown, Historic, and Military districts, and encounter things like abandoned apartments and unfinished meals, showing that people left in a hurry.
Players will also explore areas before they're destroyed, and then when they revisit them later, they will be visually different, with certain environmental assets and items that clue players in if they don't recognize them.
"Throughout the whole game, you start to feel the feeling that the characters are feeling, which is the city falling apart around us, and it's sad," Searcy said.
He later confirmed that the game is still linear, and players can't go off and do whatever missions they choose, but environmental storytelling helped deepen exploration and gameplay in this "intimate journey."
"You're supposed to go over to this place and do this thing that someone's telling you to [do]," he said, "but how you make your way there, across that neighborhood, what you come across; other people fighting, surviving, [you can] help them out on your way through.
"Just what you see in the wreckage in the city, the environmental storytelling, it allowed us to get way more variety in our gameplay than the way that you play the game, but also tell all these stories about Kalona that you might not have otherwise [seen] if we were doing hallway to hallway to hallway."
Gears of War: E-Day launches on October 6 exclusively for Xbox Series X and Series S.
Despite recently confirming record revenues of $67.4 billion in its just-closed fiscal year, marking a 17% rise, Oracle has laid off an estimated 21,000 workers during that same 12-month period.
The company confirmed it had around 141,000 workers on the books as of May 2026, but when it made the same report last year, it had around 162,000 employees.
However despite record revenue and drastic cost-cutting measures, share prices are down around 15% in one year largely due to concerns over massive AI-driven capex.
In a filing, the company noted that the layoffs had been impacted by various factors, including management and product changes, performance issues, other strategic shifts and business acquisitions. But AI also got its fair share of the blame, both directly and indirectly through shifting company priorities and improving internal efficiency.
During the year, Oracle spent an estimated $1.84 billion on severance packages, restructuring and other employee costs, marking a huge increase over the $374 million it spent on restructuring during the previous year.
But that's nothing compared to how much the hyperscaler plans to spend in capex this coming year – most of the $70 billion projection will be allocated toward data centers and other cloud infrastructure.
The biggest risk that investors worry about could be this funding's source though, because current plans include raising around $40 billion if it through new debt and equity instead of operating cash flow. Around $20 billion will likely come from stock issuance (per Reuters) – the company is currently worth an estimated $503.5 billion.
However, recent high-profile deals with the likes of OpenAI and Meta also speak volumes about confidence in the company from a customer point of view.
All of this while generating electricity via higher-cost natural gas fuel cells "with minimal emissions," as the company stated in its fourth-quarter release.
I'm always on the lookout for a tablet deal, and this Amazon Prime Day, I've been seriously considering picking up a discounted Amazon Fire Max 11 to add to my collection. However, after seeing the price of the Lenovo Idea Tab, which has been slashed to just £159.99 (was £219.99) in a new deal, I just can't justify the buy.
• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale
The Lenovo Idea Tab is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6300, which is comparable in performance to the MediaTek chip that powers the Fire Max 11. It's a much newer model with a higher resolution 2.5K 90Hz screen, plus superior Dolby Atmos stereo speakers to make streaming even more enjoyable.
It's got double the RAM for smoother multitasking, and even comes bundled with a compatible stylus pen and case. It's an absolute no-brainer when the discounted Fire Max 11 is still much more expensive at £189.99 (was £289.99).
This Lenovo tablet boasts a far nicer, higher resolution screen than the Fire Max 11 with smoother performance thanks to higher RAM. Its processor is similarly fast, and offers the same amount of storage space. You even get a folio case and compatible stylus View Deal
Even with £100 off, the Amazon Fire Max 11 is still the lower-value tablet of the pair. It has lesser specs, with half the RAM and a lower resolution screen, and doesn't come bundled with any extras.View Deal
Another big advantage of the Lenovo Idea Tab is its operating system. The Fire Max 11 runs on Amazon's Fire OS 8, which is based on the now rather ancient Android 11. It's a locked-down OS that basically restricts you to Amazon's limited app store unless you have the technical skills to sideload your own apps.
The Lenovo Idea Tab runs Android 15 with Lenovo's sleek ZUI skin, giving you unrestricted access to all your favorite apps, games, and streaming services.
Don't worry about the build quality either. The Idea Tab has a premium-feeling aluminium alloy frame and a smooth metal back. Having gone hands-on with the tablet in the past, I know firsthand that it feels much more expensive than the budget-friendly price would suggest.
After only two hours of playtime, it's clear that Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy is a breath of fresh air for A Plague Tale fans. It provides an engaging narrative with fresh but familiar ground, suitable for both franchise veterans and newcomers.
It's all thanks to an original story that will leave you wanting more after every discovery — and notably, one that doesn't absolutely require knowledge of previous entries.
Asobo Studio has taken a risky but bold step in a completely different direction with Resonance, and while there is still plenty more to be seen, it's off to a great start in both its narrative and gameplay.
In Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy (set 15 years before A Plague Tale: Requiem), we follow a familiar face that both previous main characters, Amicia and Hugo, encountered. Sophia, labelled a 'fierce young plunderer,' will be center stage as she journeys to uncover the mystery behind her past, while on the run from a gang she left behind.
Unlike anything the franchise has offered before, Asobo sets out its stall in Resonance from minute one, focusing on action-adventure aspects to a greater extent, with combat that will not only entertain players but also test their mettle.
If you love Tomb Raider and Naughty Dog's Uncharted games, or even Bethesda's Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, you're likely going to have a lot of fun with Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy.
In exploration, you'll be tackling a wide range of puzzles, many of which will require you to look through clues in a notebook (just like you would with Nathan Drake in Uncharted). Set pieces will see Sophia jumping from ledges or shimmying in tight and dangerous spots, all in a fascinating spectacle that left me smiling, ready for more.
Remember those sequences in Uncharted or Tomb Raider that saw either Nathan Drake or Lara Croft finding a key item, only to be stopped by an antagonist, leading to an epic escape? Resonance captures the essence of those moments in its own charming and entertaining way.
Unlike Amicia, Sophia can wield swords and a dagger, pull enemies off of rooftops with a grappling hook, and engage in a brutal and bloody back-and-forth with enemies thanks to the game's parry, dodge, and attack functionality. You'll feel like you can hold your ground against a barrage of enemies, with a character who isn't afraid to make a foe think twice about approaching.
While some areas of sword clashes and fights can feel slightly janky, particularly with dodges or general strafing that feel as though they lack much weight, the melee mostly holds up quite well, featuring multiple skills to unlock and enhance Sophia's capability in combat.
Asobo has seemingly structured Resonance's combat encounters, puzzles, and exploration very well. It doesn't feel like there are too many moments of combat, puzzles, or exploration, as each moment does just enough to keep you engaged and ends before it overstays its welcome.
Perhaps above all, Resonance features one of the best horror-like, thrilling sequences I've seen in a long time, forcing an unarmed Sophia to survive and escape a deadly and terrifying creature that can snatch her life away with very little effort.
It was during this encounter that I realized Resonance has just about everything I hoped it would in a new entry within the series, and I genuinely can't wait to see what more it has to offer when it launches later this year on August 27, 2026, on PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PC.
It's nearly time to sit down and enjoy The Bear's last course. Indeed, with its fifth season set to bring down the curtain on the multi-award-winning FX TV Original, you'll want to savor every mouthful before its final end credits roll.
More importantly, though, you'll need to know when and where The Bear season 5 will be released. So, make a reservation, take your seat, and peruse the below menu — no, I'm not this analogy too far, why do you ask? — for more on its official launch date and times.
In North and South America, The Bear's final season will make its bow on Thursday, June 25 at 6pm PT / 9pm ET.
Armed with that information, we can work out when Carmy, Sydney, Richie, and the rest of the gang will be back on our screens in other nations, too.
The comedy-drama TV series will be available to watch on Hulu in the US and Disney+ everywhere else. No matter where you live, then, you'll soon have access to the show's final hurrah on one of the world's best streaming services.
Not signed up to the above platforms, but want to stream The Bear 5 once it arrives? Read our Hulu price and Disney+ price guides to see how much it currently costs to create an account. Or just refer to the price widget below for a quick rundown of each service's various tiers and price points.
Unlike the last three seasons, The Bear season 5 won't comprise 10 episodes. Instead, it follows in its debut season's footsteps with just eight chapters.
As for each entry's runtime: at the time of this article's initial publication on Tuesday, June 23, I've seen the first seven episodes, and I can confirm that they last anywhere between 22 minutes and 52 minutes. That's including each installment's end-credits crawl, too.
Lastly, here are the confirmed titles for the episodes I've watched:
I'm constantly on the hunt for spare batteries for my Sony Alpha a6000 APS-C camera, and now I think I've found the perfect Amazon Prime Day deal on compatible batteries and chargers. The llano 2-Pack NP-FW50 Batteries and Fast 18W Dual Charger offers two batteries and a charging case is just $54.99 (was $69.99).
At 21% off, this sounds like a fantastic deal, but I also have a complicated history with my Sony cameras and the batteries I can use.
• Browse all early Prime Day deals at Amazon
It's been 16 years since I first started using a Sony Alpha. First, the NEX-5 (until the display died on the viewfinder-less body) and then the exquisite Sony Alpha a6000. Paired with my 200mm lens, they've been the perfect setup for my bird and astrophotography. But I've struggled with the batteries.
The Sony-brand Lithium-Ion rechargeable batteries that shipped with the NEX-5 worked with the a6000 I bought second-hand (new, the a6000 will run you almost $1,000), but eventually they stopped holding their charge, and I balked at the $70-per battery for the Sony-branded replacements. After all, I could easily find cheap knockoffs on Amazon (Prime Day or not) for as little as $26 for two (including a charge base!).
It's not unusual for me to wait until Amazon Prime Day to pick up a couple more replacements, and so that's how I stumbled on this llano deal. The two packs of batteries and a charging case that includes both a screen readout to tell you the charge level for each battery and a pair of SD card storage slots (not readers!) for just $54.99 is quite a deal.
Granted, the box offers no extra battery power, which means that if you want to charge the batteries, you do have to plug it in, but after that, you can just take the case with you. It's an efficient way to store and transport the batteries and to know at a glance, which one has enough charge for a day of use. The included batteries do, by the way, also support other compatible Sony cameras, including my old NEX-5, the NEX-7, A3000, A5000, A64000, along with other Sony camera models.
It's also worth noting that Ilano ships the same system in multiple versions for different batteries types, covering some of the best Canon, Fujifilm, Nikon and other Sony cameras (I've included shopping links to other Illano versions, further below).
This stylish Sony Alpha camera charging system ships with two batteries and a magnetically sealed case that charges two batteries at once and features an SD-card slot. It works with a wide array of Alpha cameras, including the A6000, A6400, a7r, and the a5100. Just know that while it's a nice, compact, and seemingly portable size, the device only charges the batteries if it's plugged in. At least you get a cool digital readout, and this is a great deal for two battieres and a charging bay.View Deal
The big caveat here is that these third party batteries are not usually as good or long-lasting as Sony originals. One thing to note is that while the llano batteries are listed as 9 volts, the Sony original is a 1,020mAh battery. In my experience with knock-off batteries that are often manufactured in China, they lose their ability to hold a full charge more quickly and dramatically than the Sony batteries.
Part of this has to do, I think, with the less sophisticated charging bases many of them ship with. In all fairness to llano, they usually don't look like this. They're not closable cases with LCD readouts, just one to three open bays where you drop in the batteries.
Ultimately, you will spend less and may have short-term relief for your Sony Alpha battery issues (nothing like having a pocket full of batteries on a long shoot), but you should not expect these batteries to perform long-term, like Sony originals, which, by the way, I have never seen included in Amazon Prime Day sales.
I'm not a fan of the heat; I write this from my local Pret-a-Manger with the eyes of a begrudging barista burning into the back of my neck. Such is the joy of covering Amazon Prime Day in a heatwave.
All this because, despite having some of the best fans in my apartment, I'm cursed to live in a flat with windows only on one side, so there's little hope of beating the heat at home. That doesn't mean you can't keep cool, though, and to help you out I've found the best Prime Day fans, air conditioning and iced treat-making kitchen appliances to keep the heat at bay.
• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale
I've actually already shopped some of these deals myself; the first thing in my basket this year for Prime Day is Breville's Iced Coffee Maker. Cheap and cheerful at £21.99 (was £46.99), this single-serve gadget is perfect for my itsy-bitsy kitchen where countertop space is at a premium. It costs less than my weekly spend at Starbucks, too, so the long-term savings stand to be pretty significant!
Check out all the best deals I've found below.
Prime Day officially began today (Tuesday, 23 June), but deals on some of our favorite fans are scarce. We saw some discounts as the clock struck twelve, midnight, but unfortunately, many brands had wised up and returned products to RRP by morning.
Beyond that, we've also included our top picks that aren't currently on sale, because you may decide that it's worth paying full price to get some relief from the heat — and right now, we'd agree.
This small yet powerful desk fan is a great buy while it's dropped below £30 for Prime Day. While its smaller size means it won't be the most powerful option out there, it does mean it'll easily fit on a side table or your desk and keep you at a comfortable temperature.View Deal
With £30 off at a range of retailers, the Whisper 2 is back down to its lowest price. This pedestal fan is powerful, operates quietly, and comes with two-axis oscillation. Plus, it looks good. View Deal
Loved by Amazon customers far and wide, Levoit extends its air care products from the best air purifiers to fans, and this one in particular earned praise for its low noise level and good cooling capacity. This smart fan offers 12 fan speeds, four modes, and can be controlled with the VeSync app or voice control.View Deal
The Philips Smart Pedestal Fan Series 2000 is approachably priced at £56.05 right now, offering a cool £13 discount. This follows several other Philips fan models selling out, so act fast if you want a solid fan from a household name.View Deal
Another hand fan to watch this Prime Day is Shark's 3-in-1 ChillPill, which earned a solid score of 4.5 stars in our recent review. Now, only one colourway is on sale right now, and they did inflate the list price to make it look like a big deal, but the actual offer of £10 off on a brand-new product that mists, cools, and fans is still pretty neat.View Deal
We're not really focusing on the 'Hot' part of this right now, but it makes it a useful device for all seasons. This Dyson fan can blast you with air to help beat the heatwave, or create heat waves of its own when winter rolls back around. I have a Dyson Hot + Cool in my bedroom, and it's really useful to have one device that does it all well.
Also check out these coupons:
🎟️ Use this Argos discount code for 40% off selected household electricals
🎟️ Enjoy 20% off indoor furniture when you use this Argos promo code
🎟️ Use this Argos promo code for 50% off selected indoor furnitureView Deal
Fans are pretty utilitarian by nature, and even some of the more stylish modern options are pretty plastic-y; that's why I love Russel Hobbs more industrial loft-style floor fan, which is currently £12 off for Prime Day. View Deal
It's quite a different prospect from the tabletop DeskMate, but if you want room-wide cooling, this Govee Smart fan is a top choice. You get 12 wind speeds and 5 special modes, plus app and voice control. We awarded this fan's shorter sibling 4.5* in our Govee Smart Tower Fan review. View Deal
This Dimplex fan is a dead ringer for the Shark TurboBlade (but much cheaper) and works in a very similar way, providing a horizontal or vertical sheet of air to keep you comfortable. It works best at night, blowing a cool blanket over your bed to help you sleep even in sweltering weather.View Deal
This pocket-sized fan will keep you cool and comfortable anywhere this week, and this bundle with a carry case and cross-body strap is now cheaper than buying the fan by itself thanks to this great Prime Day deal.View Deal
At under £30, this little desk fan is a great buy on Prime Day — and I'd know because it's currently sitting on my desk at home. It folds flat so you can take it anywhere, is rechargeable so you can take it indoors or out, and packs a surprisingly powerful punch for something so compact. View Deal
I'd barely call this one a deal with a pitiful 5% reduction, but it's my go-to fan for when the mercury rises. It's powerful and quiet, even on a low to medium setting, blasting out enough cool air without disturbing sleep. I've found that the portability is a huge plus, too. You can use it as a standard tower fan, either plugged into the mains or go cordless for up to 24 hours. View Deal
Earning a fantastic 4.5 stars when we reviewed it, Govee's fan currently holds the title of our best smart tower fan, so we're very happy to see it included in the deals this Prime Day. View Deal
These fans aren't on offer, but with stock being so low and deals so scarce, they're well worth checking out. Many of the models listed below rank among our top recommendations, so give them a whirl!
We've had a lot of hot weather lately, so I think we'd all appreciate having a quality fan on hand. This pedestal model from the top brand Dreo is a good option. Handy features include nine speed options, 120-degree oscillation, and ultra-quiet operation, so you can run it at night in the bedroom to keep cool.View Deal
You may be thinking about upgrading your fan after the recent heatwave, so here's a great low price for the excellent Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo. This portable fan works both indoors and outdoors, weighs under 2.1kg, is easy to carry, and has cooling technology that produces ultra-fine droplets for a refreshing mist. With up to 12 hours of cordless run time, you can use it just as easily by your bed as you can in the garden.View Deal
Dyson's first handheld fan sold out almost instantly last month, so if you're tired of feeling sticky and uncomfortable, this is your opportunity to grab one and enjoy a cooling breeze anywhere. Only the Stone/Blush colorway is available.View Deal
Suitable for use indoors and out, this cordless fan is a great choice for everyday use and on holidays. I love a Shark fan, and the good reviews of its quiet operation and efficient cooling have the TableMate looking like another great example. View Deal
The Pro Mist is the most hardcore option in the FlexBreeze lineup because it comes with the mister attachment and an integrated water tank included. That means it's all set up to envelope you in a cooling cloud whenever and wherever you want.View Deal
It can blow hot or cold, making it an excellent air quality device year-round. Its lowest-ever price was £269, so keep an eye out for a Prime Day discount. Still, for the ultimate cooling experience, it's well worth it. Read more in our Dyson Hot + Cool AM09 review. View Deal
Price increase: Overnigh,t as the heatwave approached, Meaco actually raised the price of its MeacoFan 1056 from £99.99 to £127.99. Then it raised it again during the day today to a shocking £159.94. Boo. However, this is an award-winning fan; specifically, the Quiet Mark, which makes it perfect for use in the bedroom or office. Its multi-directional oscillation is great for cooling the whole room, and it's a lot better looking than your usual desktop fan. View Deal
If a fan just isn't cutting it, an air conditioning unit is a reliable way to actually lower temperatures in your home. Unfortunately, AC units are all but sold out now. Below, you'll find the ones still in stock (for now), plus a couple of permanent options, if you fancy getting serious and splashing a bit more cash. We'll update this section with more options if we find any.
A quick PSA on how to choose: for portable units, the spec to focus on is BTU — this stands for British thermal units, and the higher the BTU, the larger the room the unit can cool. Ideally, we'd recommend looking at models with 10,000BTU or above, unless you're only cooling a very tiny room.
Dreo is a trusted name in the aircare world, and this AC unit boasts 12,000 BTU of cooling clout. It's a bit more expensive, but it looks like a stellar option — we're surprised it's still in stock. The only downside we can see is that delivery isn't until early to mid-July. View Deal
This smaller AC unit is only rated 7,500 BTU, which means it's better suited to small rooms. It could still make a big difference in an overly cosy bedroom, though. It's well-reviewed and comes from the respected brand Dreo. Unfortunately, you'll have to wait until after the current heatwave for delivery — but let's face it, there's going to be another one before too long. View Deal
Okay, this one's not portable. But if you happen to be in search of a more permanent solution, installation by British Gas Trusted Partners is included in the price. Yesterday it was discounted by £150; no such luck today.View Deal
Another pricey-but-permanent option, with a small discount to ease the pain. It comes with silent and quiet modes, an A++ energy rating, and installation is included in the price. View Deal
Fans aren't the only way to cool down, of course — you can also whip up something frosty in the kitchen. Whether that's a cool iced coffee or an ice cream is a matter of taste, but be sure to keep hydrated alongside your sweet treats!
Below, you'll find a selection of TechRadar-recommended appliances to make cooling drinks or snacks, and some of them are on sale for Amazon Prime Day.
Back at its lowest-ever price at Amazon, the Cuisinart Frost Fusion is a solid competitor to Ninja's various ice cream makers, offering fast frozen drinks and soft-serve ice cream with 6 modes and a slim profile to keep your kitchen counters clear. With £100 off, it's a steal for Prime Day.View Deal
Ninja's Creami ice cream maker is a household favorite ice cream maker, having pretty much revolutionised the scene when it hit the market a few years ago. This isn't the best price we've seen, but it's a sizeable £50 saving nonetheless. View Deal
In June, the Creami Scoop and Swirl dropped to its lowest-ever price of £265 at Amazon, so this £80-off deal is a pretty close call for the best deal we've seen on one of our top summer picks. We scored it 4 stars in our review, praising its delicious results, ease of use, and 13 different settings. View Deal
For the price of four Starbucks iced lattes, you can have cool caffeination at home in less than four minutes. It's not something we've personally tested, but with 2000+ customer reviews on Amazon and a 4.3-star rating, it seems a pretty popular gadget. At almost its lowest-ever price (£17.97 in 2024), this is a steal. View Deal
This weather makes an ice-cold drink extremely appealing right now, and the unique Ninja Slushi just fell back to its Black Friday price at Amazon. This kitchen appliance makes all sorts of chilled and frozen drinks, including juices, cocktails, milkshakes, and more. We loved it in our Ninja Slushi review, praising its ability to make quick and delicious drinks easily in a fun and entertaining package.View Deal
At less than £100, Sodastream's latest streamlined beverage carbonation station is a great way to keep things cool during the impending heatwave if, like me, you get bored of water easily. It's the first time we've seen an Amazon deal on this particular model, so a £60 discount is nothing to sniff at. View Deal
I'm a little tempted by this over £20 price reduction on this well-scoring blender. While it can't chop ice, it creates velvety smoothies out of fresh and frozen fruits hassle-free. On top of this, the build quality and performance impressed us, and the fact that it's even cheaper than it was on Black Friday makes this an even sweeter deal.View Deal
This is one of the first deals we've seen for the new Ninja BlendBoss, so a £35 price cut is a pretty solid start. We scored this small but mighty blender 4.5 stars in our review, praising its convenient integrated 26-ounce travel tumbler and powerful blades, making it perfect for a quick cool smoothie ahead of a busy day in the heat. View Deal
I gave this clever coffee maker a full five stars in my review because it does absolutely everything — including making delicious cold-brew. No more messing around with mason jars in the fridge; just add cold water and coffee grounds, set the program, and wait. It makes hot filter coffee and espresso too.View Deal
Smart locks have come a long way in recent years and are now incredibly easy to install and use. Gone are the days of drilling holes in your door and wondering whether the lock would actually open when triggered. The best modern locks can be fitted over your existing deadbolt, and are fast, quiet, and dependable. They work seamlessly with the rest of your smart home tech, and are so convenient that they just blend into the background.
• Prime Day smart lock deals in the US
• Prime Day smart lock deals in the UK
It can be tricky deciding which one to buy, though, so I've put together a quick roundup of the three best models we've tested in the last year. Smart locks are usually region-specific, so if a particular model is only available in the US, I've recommended a comparable model for UK home-owners — and vice versa.
Best of all, every lock in this listing is on special offer for Amazon Prime Day, with most of them down to their lowest prices ever.
The best smart lock we've tested for homeowners in the US, the Lockly Visage Zeno Series is a good-looking, streamlined device that you'll be proud to have on your front door, and is noticeably smaller than previous models.
It's a piece of cake to install and use as well, particularly when integrated with Apple HomeKit. Our reviewer, Lance Ulanoff, who awarded it an impressive four and a half stars out of five, praised its on-board Wi-Fi, which means you don't need a separate hub, and the way Apple Home Key allows for proximity unlocking; pull up in your driveway, and the lock will open automatically, when the appropriate setting is enabled. It just makes life easier, which is the whole point of a smart lock.
Lance and his partner were impressed by the way FaceID "just works" with the Visage Zeno Series, and fingerprint recognition proved well-implemented as well. It's even quieter than most other smart locks, adding to the whole premium experience.
Read our full Lockly Visage Zeno Series Smart Lock review
The Visage Zeno Series is usually one of the more expensive smart locks around, but this Prime Day deal makes it much more affordable. This is the cheapest it's ever been by quite a wide margin.View Deal
There aren't many smart locks with facial recognition for UK homes, but SwitchBot has you covered. Its latest Matter-enabled smart lock is down to its lowest-ever price for Prime Day.View Deal
Our reviewer James Day called the Ultion Nuki 2025 "the most well-rounded smart lock available in the UK right now" when he tested it earlier this year, explaining that it removes the friction that usually turns people off the idea of smart home security. Built-in Wi-Fi means there's no need for a separate hub, it's easy to install, and it responds almost instantly when triggered.
Its app is well-designed too, and support for the Matter standard means it will work nicely as part of a mix-and-match smart home
It carries anti-pick, anti-bump, and anti-drill credentials, meets Police Preferred specification, holds Master Locksmiths Association approval, and is backed by a £5,000 burglary guarantee, which Brisant says it has never had to pay out on.
This particular Nuki lock is designed for UK doors — if you're in the US, take a look at the Nuki Smart Lock & Keypad 2, which is very similar in terms of looks and features, and is now just $198.50 (was $269) for Prime Day.
Read our full Ultion Nuki 2025 review
Amazon has knocked a generous £70 off this premium smart lock for Prime Day, bringing it down to a record-low price (it was £300 for a few days earlier this year, but the price soon bounced back up).View Deal
If you're in the US, this Matter-enabled smart lock is a great option, mounting on top of your existing deadbolt for easy installation. Like the UK model, it's down to a record-low price for Prime Day.View Deal
Yale is one of the biggest names in smart locks, and is offering great Prime Day deals on locks for all types of doors in the US and the UK.
The Linus Smart Lock L2 Lite is made for the British market and fits over your existing lock cylinder, so there's no need to drill, making it a sensible choice for renters and anyone else who's apprehensive about taking power tools to their front door. It supports Matter-over-Thread, so it'll work nicely with the rest of your smart home devices, and there's no Yale-specific bridge necessary.
In use, our reviewer found it "unremarkable, in the best way". It simply works, responding quickly to app and voice commands, and its auto-unlock feature proved a great time-saver. The motor isn't silent (it whirrs in a business-like manner), but there's no lag, and it's effortless to use.
Read our full Yale Linus Smart Lock L2 Lite review
This easy-to-use smart lock is under £100 for Amazon Prime Day, making it the most affordable option in this guide. It's quick to install, Matter-compatible, and simple to operate, even for smart home novices.View Deal
If you're in the US, take a look at this high-quality smart deadbolt from Yale, which is almost half price in the Prime Day sale. It can be installed on most doors with nothing but a screwdriver, and can be secured in four different ways.View Deal
The Samsung Galaxy Watch9 is probably coming out later this summer. I have no confirmation of exactly what new features are going to be in the watch, but I can tell you that I wouldn't recommend getting it at launch, unless you're a Samsung power user.
In fact, it's probably the perfect excuse to get one of last year's watches in the Amazon Prime Day sales instead.
• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale
The Samsung Galaxy Watch8 series (yes, it's always stylized without the space) is comprised of the mainline Samsung Galaxy Watch8, the Samsung Galaxy Watch8 Classic, and the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025 edition). All of these watches are good, but the Samsung Galaxy Watch8 in particular was labelled "a triumph" when I reviewed it last year, as its slimmer, more comfortable profile and redesigned shape helped it cleave closer to the wrist.
Combine that with its AI-powered features and easy-to-navigate operating system, and it's a really, really good watch, earning 4.5 stars in our review. The Samsung Galaxy Watch8 Classic was similar, but the extra bulk on it took off half a star, despite the intuitive nature of its rotating bezel.
Right now, I'm seeing a lot of great deals on the Samsung Galaxy Watch8 series. In the US, you can get the Bluetooth-only Samsung Galaxy Watch8 discounted to £237.49 (was $379.99), a staggering 38% off. In the UK, the LTE-enabled Samsung Galaxy Watch8 can be found for just £299.99 (was £399.99) at Amazon, a 25% discount, while the Samsung Galaxy Watch8 Classic with its rotating bezel is discounted to £337 (was £449).
All these deals are likely so good because of Samsung's annual release cycle. Samsung tends to hold its summer Unpacked event in July or August, at which it unveils its latest crop of phones, the best Samsung watches and other mobile devices. This means that Samsung stops selling its current-gen watches and they drop in price on third-party sites to incentivize people to buy, in order to clear away old stock.
Samsung's severe discounts in the Amazon Prime Day deals indicate that this is going to be the case again this year. We're likely to see the Galaxy Watch9 series rear its head sometime this summer, along with another watch such as the Samsung Galaxy Ultra 2.
However, I wouldn't wait for these watches at the expense of a great deal on the 8 series. The Galaxy Watch8 underwent a major redesign last year, indicating 9 is going to be an iterative generation with smaller design changes.
What's more, if you wait for the 9, you'll end up buying it at full price when it launches. Therefore, if it's only going to be a marginal improvement, you're better off buying a cheap Galaxy Watch8 than you are a more expensive 9.
Convinced? Check out the best Samsung watch deals of Prime Day right now.
A 4.5-star smartwatch with super-accurate health and activity tracking, as well as AI features. This larger 44mm version has a staggering 38% off, but the smaller 40mm versions start at $229.99 (was $349.99).View Deal
Save an impressive 30% on the Samsung Galaxy Watch8 Classic, with its rotating bezel that lets you scroll through the watch's options in an intuitive way, and resembles that of a classic dive watch. It comes in one size (large, 46mm) with either black and white strap options. View Deal
Save 25% on both smaller and larger models with LTE enabled, which means you can add them to your phone's data plan and install an eSIM for phone-free data use using only your watch. Very handy. View Deal
Save a cool 33% on the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra in all colorways, including the fetching Titanium Blue version introduced last year. While it's not the best choice for everyone, its power, longevity (up to 100 hours!) and rugged durability means it's well-made for adventurers and triathletes. Watch out, Garmin. View Deal
AI chatbots are starting to do more than answer questions. They can now order groceries, book services, and interact with apps on your behalf. ChatGPT and Claude have both embraced this new generation of AI "actions," but they don't approach them in quite the same way. To find out how different the experience really is, I asked both chatbots to handle the same Instacart grocery order and watched what happened next.
I decided to try the same grocery order through Instacart using both ChatGPT and Claude.
The shopping list I used was intentionally simple: infant formula, a small container of ice cream, and some fruit. The goal was not to compare prices or delivery times. It was to find out what happens when two competing AI chatbots are asked to perform the exact same everyday task with the same kind of app.
I started with ChatGPT. After going to the app list and connecting my Instacart account, I told the AI that I needed infant formula, a small container of vanilla ice cream, and some fruit for delivery. The request was intentionally ordinary because ordinary shopping is where these integrations will either succeed or fail.
ChatGPT responded quickly with product suggestions and put some options into my cart. ChatGPT did not spend much time discussing possibilities. Instead, it seemed determined to move steadily toward a finished cart. Every response felt designed to remove friction and keep the order moving.
The experience reminded me of a shopper who already knows exactly where everything is located. There was very little wandering through virtual aisles. The assistant simply gathered the items and moved on to the next decision. Once the cart was ready, I said I wanted to check out, and a window opened within the chat confirming what I wanted, my payment method, and the delivery address.
Claude approached the same task slightly differently. First, I had to link up my Instacart account to Claude as one of its connectors. I then gave it the identical shopping list and waited to see whether its recommendations would diverge significantly from ChatGPT's. Surprisingly, they did not.
Claude suggested similar formula options, similar fruit choices, and similar ice cream products. The overlap was substantial enough that I suspect most shoppers would end up with nearly identical deliveries regardless of which chatbot they used, unless they were very specific in their request.
The checkout experience, however, followed a different path. When I was ready to check out, Claude provided a link for me to click, which opened a new tab in my browser right at my Instacart cart, with my account already logged in. It was there that I had to review and complete the purchase. Having the list already assembled made the transition smooth, but it was still a transition.
That difference may sound minor, yet it created a noticeably different feeling. ChatGPT felt like it was becoming the shopping destination itself. Claude felt like an extremely capable assistant helping me prepare for a visit to Instacart.
So while the actual shopping recommendations differed very little, the AI chatbots diverge in where they put the cart. ChatGPT's vision of the future keeps the transaction inside the conversation for as long as possible. Claude's version treats the conversation as a guide that eventually leads you to the service itself. If you're a fan of Claude, it probably won't deter you from using Instacart with the AI chatbot, but if you have no real preference based on the platform but want minimal friction, you might prefer the all-inclusive ChatGPT experience.
Either way, the ice cream tastes just as good.
It's a no-brainer recommending the LG C5, especially when it goes on sale. Right now, the LG C5 65-inch is available for $1,199.99 (was $1,396.99) at Amazon US. It's not quite a record-low, but it's the cheapest it's been for a long time.
• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day US sale
• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day UK sale
If you're in the UK however, it has hit a record-low price. The C5 55-inch has dropped to £977.10 (was £1,199.99) at Amazon UK, which is staggering value for this TV. Or if you want something smaller, the 42-inch C5 is down to a ridiculous £623 (was £849), also at Amazon UK.
If I was asked to recommend just one Amazon Prime Day TV deal right now, it would be this one. The LG C5 is easily one of the best TVs I've ever tested, and it's at the top of my most recommended list.
The LG C5 is the ultimate all-around TV, delivering excellent performance for movies, gaming and sports with a full suite of features and superb picture quality. The 65-inch model has dropped to $1,199.99 at Amazon and while this isn't a record-low, it's the cheapest it's been since February. View Deal
The LG C5 covers all the bases, with OLED picture quality and razor-sharp performance for movies, sports and gaming. There's a reason it tops most of our best-of lists. The 55-inch model has dropped to £977.10 at Amazon, a new record-low price. View Deal
As TechRadar's TV tester, the LG C5 covers every base you can think of: be it movies, gaming or sports, it's got it covered. And, it does so by delivering excellent all-around performance no matter what comes its way. It's why I gave it five-stars in my LG C5 review and why it's one of my reference TVs for testing.
The C5's picture quality ticks nearly every box. Its colors are vibrant, meaning coloful movies like Elemental really pop on screen. The oranges and blues throughout the movie looked gorgeous throughout my testing, perfectly balancing accuracy with richness.
As one of the best OLED TVs, the C5 is also brilliant for high-contrast and dark movies such as The Batman. Black tones are deep and inky and the C5 demonstrates punchy highlights, creating strong contrast. Scenes in the Batcave in particular look great. The same is true for black-and-white movies such as Double Indemnity, offering accurate black and white tones with a full range of grays.
Fast-motion movies, sports and games are no bother for the C5 too. During my testing, the C5 easily handled the flight scenes in Top Gun: Maverick with ease. Soccer games showed no signs of judder and appeared smooth throughout, hence why it's one of my top recommendations for a World Cup TV.
As for gaming, the C5 does it all. With four HDMI 2.1 ports that support 4K 144Hz, VRR including FreeSync and G-Sync, Dolby Vision gaming and ALLM, the C5 is more than kitted out to handle any gamer's needs. When I played Battlefield V on the C5, it was a joy to play, with the C5 delivering all the chaotic action perfectly, thanks to its low 9.2ms input lag time. Simply one of the best gaming TVs around.
Amazon’s big Prime Day sale is here, and we’re already seeing some cracking deals – but we've also spotted some cracking bargains on laptops away from Amazon, as rival retailers look to be competitive.
Firstly, we have a Dell 16 laptop, direct from the manufacturer, that has been reduced from $1030 to $500, which is an excellent value proposition given the hardware on board.
Add to that an ASUS Vivobook 14, which is similarly top-notch value direct from the company, with its price reduced from $590.19 to $449.99.
The trouble with cheap laptops is that they often make compromises with hardware that really hamper the experience.
A budget notebook might, for example, cut corners on the components front by sticking in an old, sluggish processor, or not enough system memory. We quite often see laptops that are under $500 running with the likes of ancient Intel Celeron processors, or a paltry 8GB of RAM, or maybe a tiny amount of slow (eMMC) storage.
That’s very definitely not the case with these Dell and Asus. With the Dell 16, you’re getting a plenty powerful mid-range AMD Ryzen processor as the engine of the portable, and a relatively spacious (for this price level) and speedy SSD.
With the Asus notebook, there’s a springy Qualcomm Snapdragon X CPU and again, for the price, storage (and RAM) isn’t stingy at all.
Let’s dive into the specs in more detail and see how these bargains stand out from the crowd of Prime Day laptop price cuts.
AMD Ryzen 7 260 | 16GB DDR5 | 512GB SSD
The Dell 16 sports a 16-inch Full HD IPS display and an AMD Ryzen 7 250 processor with integrated Radeon graphics, backed up by 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM. You also get a 512GB NVMe SSD, rounding off a good range of components at this price point, plus the Windows 11 laptop itself has nice, clean lines (and trim bezels). At this price, it’s a great buy make no mistake.View Deal
AMD Ryzen 7 7730U | 16GB DDR4 RAM | 512GB SSD
This Acer Aspire Go is one of the most powerful laptops you can buy for less than $500 right now. It looks like a pricing mistake as it sells for less than its worst-specced sibling. It sports an AMD Ryzen 7 7730U 8-core CPU with 16GB of RAM and 512GB SSD.View Deal
Qualcomm Snapdragon X1 26 100 | 16GB LPDDR5 | 512GB SSD
This is a great price for a relatively modern laptop that has a fast and efficient Snapdragon X CPU. On top of that, you get 16GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, and a solid battery life of up to 12 hours, which represents good value for money overall. I like it as a capable, all-around, everyday machine. Just make sure you're aware of the compatibility issues that exist with some softwareView Deal
AMD Ryzen 5 6500H | 16GB DDR4 | 512GB SSD
A small brand sold by Walmart, not an unknown quantity as we reviewed it last year. The N153 is the only one on our list that has a fingerprint reader and a backlit keyboard. Its Ryzen 5 6600H will deliver a solid if uninspiring performance.View Deal
Intel Core i5 120U | 16GB DDR5 RAM | 512GB SSD
The only convertible laptop worth buying under $500, the IdeaPad 5i is a great match for anyone looking for a large screen with a powerful processor capable of playing light games, plenty of storage and the all important 16GB of RAM. Free Microsoft 365 Premium and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription for one year makes it a perfect gift for back-to-school.View Deal
For other bargains on quality notebooks, head on over to our roundup of the best laptop deals currently out there, and check out some other options for the Dell Inspiron 15 below.
There have only been a handful of devices that I've tested in nearly 10 years of reviewing gear that I have hated having to give back — and the Garmin MARQ Golfer (Gen 2) is one of them.
It is simply the best golf watch I have ever tested or used out on the course, and I wish I had one myself. It has the best features, the best display, the best design and build, the best and most intuitive controls, and is a thing of beauty while out on the course. It's also the best golf watch that Garmin makes to be used on the daily as a wonderful smartwatch too.
However, it's a seriously premium watch, with a seriously premium price tag to boot. But right now folks in the US and the UK can save a hefty chunk on the fantastic golf watch that might make the difference. Seriously, if you've been at all tempted by the MARQ Golfer (Gen 2) in recent years, then these prices — particularly the UK one — is absolutely worth paying attention to.
US price - A chunky $300 discount on the MARQ Golfer (Gen 2) in the US makes a sizable dent in the watch's price tag, and I think it could be a real tempter for anyone who's been saving up to go premium on their next golf device.
The fused carbon fiber variant that I went hands-on with is also discounted by $300 at Garmin but is more expensive at $2,800.View Deal
UK price - Folks in the UK have a seriously tempting offer here at First Class Watches, where you can save a huge £700 on the MARQ Golfer (Gen 2)! This is enormous, and I have never seen the premium watch as close to the thousand-pound mark as this. Considering this was a multi-thousand-pound watch not that long ago, this is a great deal for those on the premium device hunt.View Deal
If the price tag of the MARQ Golfer (Gen 2) is a bit steep for you still, or you're interested in another premium watch like the TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4 Golf Edition, then you can check out a host of the latest prices and deals on a bunch of my favorite golf watches below.
What’s interesting about asking your AI to find bargains for you on Amazon Prime Day is that it takes into account what it knows about you from previous chats. The AI I use the most is ChatGPT, so that’s the one that knows the most about what I’m actually interested in and might be looking to buy.
I’ve also talked quite a bit to Gemini and Claude though, so I was interested to see what all three recommended for me, and how their advice differed.
I thought I’d start with Gemini, and it did a pretty good job. Interestingly it ignored laptops completely and instead went for three categories: Audio & Wearables, Storage & Creators and Smart Home & Productivity.
For Audio and Wearables, Gemini recommended the Sony WH-1000XM5 Headphones, which it claimed were 50% off. “If you've been holding out for premium over-ears to block out the world while working”, Gemini told me “this is likely their lowest price of the year.” When I clicked through to the deal the WH-1000XM5 were actually 20% off, for $198 (was $248) / 36% off for £179 (was £279), which is still not bad, but not as good as Gemini initially said it was.
It also recommended the Beats Solo 4 “if you prefer something lighter for travel or active use”. Again Gemini claimed these were 50% off, and this time it proved accurate with the Beats Solo 4 at $99.95 (was $199.95) / £99 (was £199.95)
Finally, it recommended the Oura Ring 4 “for screen-free health, sleep and stress tracking, the latest Oura ring is heavily discounted at up to 44% off”. The actual deal came in at 48% off for the metallic Oura 4 at $259 (was $499) / 34% off £232 (was £349).
The Beats Solo 4 are wireless on-ear bluetooth headphones with up to 50-Hour battery life. The Amazon Prime Day deal knocks a healthy 50% off the price making them a bargain.View Deal
The Beats Solo 4 are wireless on-ear bluetooth headphones with up to 50-Hour battery life. The Amazon Prime Day deal knocks a healthy 50% off the price making them a bargain.View Deal
Next I turned to ChatGPT, which turned in a solid performance that was based more on what I was interested in. It knows I’d been searching for a Copilot+ AI laptop, so it recommended a few, including the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7X 14-inch laptop and the Samsung Galaxy Book6 Pro, however, they weren’t part of the Amazon Prime Day sale.
Generally speaking, ChatGPT seemed less clued into the idea of Prime Day and finding discounts than Gemini did.
Interestingly, ChatGPT did find a couple of Prime Day deals I'd be interested in. It said that I should invest in an Amazon Kindle Scribe, simply because it thought I'd find one useful: “You write constantly, generate article ideas constantly, and are working on a Tai Chi book. Scribe is one of those rare gadgets that actually changes how people capture ideas. Kindle devices are among the heavily discounted Prime Day categories this year.”
I’ve got to admit. I hadn’t considered a Scribe before, but I'm starting to like the idea.
The Amazon Kindle Scribe Colorsoft 64GB has an 11” paper-like color display with front light. Thanks to Amazon Prime Day there's a 24% discount on the latest model.
The Amazon Kindle Scribe Colorsoft 64GB has an 11” paper-like color display with front light. Thanks to Amazon Prime Day there's a 20% discount on the latest model.
One other recommendation that ChatGPT surprised me with, which it described as a "sleeper purchase" was for a 360-degree camera, the Insta360 X4 Air Starter Bundle. Sadly, again there was no Amazon Prime Day deal for it on the US Amazon site, but there was a 26% discount on the UK site with the Insta360 X4 Air Starter Bundle at £289 (was £389).
The idea of a 360 degree camera is that you never need to aim the camera again. You'll always get the shot. All you need to do is hit record, enjoy the moment, and pick the best angles later in the app. I think they're really for capturing live action shots, for when you're doing something dramatic.
It's an interesting idea, but perhaps a stretch too far for me.
Insta360 X4 Air Starter Bundle is everything you need to get started with a 360 camera. It includes the lightweight 165g 8K 360 Camera, invisible selfie stick, replaceable lenses, built-in wind guard and more. Currently 26% off the listed price.View Deal
Finally, I turned to Claude, the AI which knows the least about me. Unsurprisingly it opted for some fairly generic Prime Day deals on tech.
It noted that the Apple AirTag 2 (second-gen) is at its lowest-ever price — a single one for around 17% off, at $24 and a 4-pack for 26% off, at $89.
It also noted that the AirPods Pro 3 are also on sale, at $179.99 (was $249)
The 2nd generation Apple AirTags are a marvelous tracker for your keychain, wallet, and more. They also have a locator with sound, simple one-tap setup with iPhone or iPad. Currently 10% off on Amazon.View Deal
The 2nd generation Apple AirTags are a marvelous tracker for your keychain, wallet, and more. They also have a locator with sound, simple one-tap setup with iPhone or iPad. Currently 15% off on Amazon.View Deal
But while ChatGPT gave me the best recommendations, both Gemini and Claude found some interesting suggestions for me. Of course, if I told the AI exactly what I was looking for the suggestions would be been more accurate, but the point of the exercise was to see what it thought I'd be interested in.
I think my little experiment proved that the amount of time you spend talking to an AI pays off in the long run, with more personal and useful recommendations that actually reflect what you’re most interested in.
When it comes to finding deals for events like Amazon Prime Day, the fact that ChatGPT knows me best resulted in some surprisingly accurate recommendations for me. Okay, I'm still not 100% sure I've got use for a 360-degree camera, but perhaps I just need to broaden my horizons. I definitely want to get a Kindle Scribe, though.
It looks like Amazon Prime Day is going to be an expensive one for me.
There are exactly two things every PC has in common: it needs power and it needs to be cooled. Modern-day desktops mostly scale linearly in cost, with higher-end builds typically opting for liquid cooling over conventional air cooling. As such, today, we've rounded up some of the best AIOs we could find as part of Amazon's Prime Day Deals, along with a nice little cameo of tradition at the end. All of these coolers represent great value, and you can't go wrong with any of them. We also have a much, much more expansive list in our Best Amazon Prime Day CPU Cooler deals 2026 article.
First up, we have the Cooler Master Elite Liquid 240, a 240mm AIO liquid cooler that comes with two 120mm RGB fans and a similarly RGB-illuminated pump block featuring aa frosted hexagonal design. The supplied Dual Elite 120mm fans can spin between 600 and 2,100 RPM, are designed to remain quiet during operation.
The Elite Liquid 240 supports all the major Intel and AMD sockets currently available. Cooler Master usually sells this for around $60, but you can have it for 33% off today for the white version.
Get a great deal on the Cooler Master Elite Liquid 240 AIO. This 240mm cooler supports modern Intel and AMD platforms and is great for a small form factor build where you can't use a 360mm radiator. There is black, too, but it's not on sale at this time.View Deal
If you're tired of all the RGB bling and just need an AIO that works exceptionally well, look no further than the Arctic Liquid Freezer Pro 360. While you don't get even RGB LED, the performance when we reviewed this cost-effective beast was the strongest AIO we've tested, "bar none." It also had chart-topping noise-normalized performance and a long six year warranty.
One of the best AIO coolers money can buy, and now it's even cheaper than ever before. Making flagship performance, looks, and features more accessible for the masses, all while being backed up with long 6-year warranty. And best of all, no RGBs!View Deal
Maybe you need a deal on a black 240mm AIO. Corsair's iCue Link Titan 240 RX RGB AIO now has a massive price drop and is now found under $80. While it doesn't have a screen, the 2 120mm RGB fans and pump block have enough bling to keep you happy.
The AIO supports a wide range of processors including AMD AM4/5, and Intel's, 115x/1200/1700/1851. The included RX RGB fans run from 0-2,100 RPMs and eliminates noise entirely at low temperatures.
Get an incredible deal on the 240mm Corsair iCUe Link Titan 240EX AIO. Just $80 gets you a high-quality AIO at a hefty discount for Prime Day.View Deal
If you're into these large screens and like the look of the new curved versions, the Tryx Panorama SE 360 ARGB is a solid contender, but it's pricey. Normally $279.99, it's on sale at Newegg for $251.99 and it's lowest price since April 2026.
The 2K 6.67-inch rotatable AMOLED screen is the star of the show with high res, 400 nit brightness screens. It comes with pre-loaded animations or you can use your own. According to our review, it performed well with low noise levels and good noise-normalized performance so you don't need to worry about noise, or keeping your processor cool.
Get one of the coolest looking AIOs at a discount for Prime Day. The Tryx Panorama SE 360 AIO has a huge 6.67-inch rotable AMOLED curved screen, a 280W TDP, and supports AM4/5 from AMD and Intel's 115X/1200/1700/1851 sockets for wide compatbility. View Deal
Before you leave, there's one more thing. If you want the solid cooling while spending as little as possible, then you can't go wrong with PCCooler RT720 TC ARGB. Unlike the options we've discussed so far, this is an air cooler that eliminates many of the complexities of AIO and replaces them with affordable, reliable cooling.
This dual-tower cooler is said to support up to 265W and comes with two 120mm hydraulic-bearing fans (500-2000 RPM) with 3.28mm-H20 for a nice balance of cooling and quiet operations.
For those seeking a great value, it's hard to beat an air cooler. With great aesthetics and solid performance to boot, the PCCooler RT720 TC packs in everything you need to tame your budget build, topped off by a generous 2-year warranty.View Deal
Every cooler on this list is a great choice, offering solid performance at affordable prices that are not often found. Our top pick is the Thermalright Grand Vision because it offers a screen at a price where such novelty is unheard of. However, the options from Cooler Master, MSI, Corsair, and our cameo from Thermaltake will all tame your beastly processors just fine. Make sure to do your research, look at reviews, and don't hesitate to splurge if this is an upgrade you've been holding out on for a long time.
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Do you or someone you know have a Nintendo Switch 2? What about accessories for your new console? Whether you want to play with others, increase your storage, or add functionality, you may want some extras to deliver the best gameplay experience possible, and now is the best time to score a big deal on them during Prime Day 2026.
There are many official, licensed accessories alongside third-party extras available at a wide range of prices. It's Prime Day 2026, so now is an excellent time to hunt for deals and the best prices on Switch 2 peripherals and accessories.
One of the most important extras you'll most likely want to pick up is a microSD Express memory expansion card. The least expensive out now is Nintendo's own (SanDisk) 256GB card, but there are other, faster models available for a pittance more (see below). If you know that's what you want, check out our handy list of the best Prime Day microSD Express card deals for the Switch 2. Just be aware that pricing has absolutely skyrocketed, along with RAM, Storage, and video cards, in the last several months, so don't be shocked. Still, we found the best deals that we could.
Other accessories to consider are screen protectors, carrying cases, and peripherals such as controllers, headsets, and cameras, as listed below.
Give your Switch 2 the storage boost it needs. With fast speeds and respectable endurance, the P9 Express from Samsung is one of the best microSD Express cards you can get for your Nintendo Switch 2, with maximum sequential read speeds of up to 800 MB/s.View Deal
The Killswitch Ultra pack from Dbrand combines protective features and ergonomic enhancements to enhance your console experience. Included is the rugged Killswitch protective case/skin, a hard travel cover, 2x screen protectors, thumb-stick grips, and a dock adapter, as the Switch 2's girth increases with the Killswitch cover and will not fit in the standard dock.
The Killswitch skin not only protects against bumps but also increases the thickness of the side Joy-Con grips for a better handheld experience. View Deal
A rugged protective skin that fits around the Nintendo Switch 2, offering limited protection against bumps and scrapes, and also changing the ergonomics of the console in your hands. It also comes with AluminaCore glass screen protector.View Deal
Protect your thumb sticks during travel, and also adapt how your Switch 2 thumb sticks feel when you're gaming. A choice of different sizes of thumb stick covers lets you choose your preference. View Deal
If you're thinking about, or already using a camera for your Switch 2, most of the styles out there are pretty boring. Most are just a camera on a stick, or may even clip to the device. I found something unique, the officially licensed Piranha Plant Camera! Relive your days of Mario and the feared plant that comes out of the pipes, but on your desk - and for less than the price of the official Nintendo Switch 2 camera-on-a-stick.
The Nintendo Switch 2 camera lets you join your friend on screen in party chat for multiplayer fun. The camera sports a 1080p resolution and connects via USB-C.View Deal
If you're tired of the same old camera on a stick for your Switch 2, check out list officially licensed piranha plant camera and change things up. It captures 640x480 resolution at 30 FPS.View Deal
We also added another Switch 2 Pro-class controller on top of the official Nintendo Pro controller. 8bitDo's Ultimate 2 bluetooth controller is one of my kids' favorites. For less than the cost of the Nintendo controller, the Ultimate 2 offers TMY joysticks, switchable hall effect/tactile triggers, vibration and motion control. It is a lower resolution (640x480), however. The best part? It's it's on sale right now.
If you need a new, or another, controller for your PC, Switch/Switch 2, iOS/Android device (Tri mode), GameSir's Super Nova is on sale now at a great price. You get 1,000 Hz polling rate, Anti-drift Hall Effect sticks and trigger, rubberized grips, and RGB lighting with 1,000mAh battery. It comes in three colors, the blue, ping and white, and red and white (pink is the least expensive). GaView Deal
8BitDo's Ultimate 2 Controller is a less expensive replacement for the Nintendo Pro controller. It comes with TMR joysticks and switchable Hall Effect/Tactile triggers, including vibration, motion control, and it's own charging dock.View Deal
Circular plastic steering wheel cases for your Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Cons that help to immerse you in a Switch 2 driving game, such as Mario Kart World. The Joy-Cons simply click into the cases for instant action. View Deal
The Nintendo Switch 2 burns through power quickly, so never be denied game time from a flat battery, thanks to the UGreen Power Bank. A massive 25,000 mAh lets you fully charge your Switch in no time. The charger comes with one 240W USB-C cables and one port outputs a maximum of 140W (200W output total). A handy TFT screen lets you keep tabs on power status and charging speeds.View Deal
Pop the USB-C adapter into your Switch 2 and connect wirelessly to your handheld console for clearer game sounds. The Arctis Nova 3X has a detachable microphone, soft, comfortable earpads and an elastic headband allow for hours of gaming without getting headset fatigue. View Deal
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Also, you can join the Tom's Hardware deals Discord for up-to-the-minute hardware deals.
Whether you’re new to 3D printer or a seasoned pro working with these devices for several years, you need the proper set of tools to use and maintain your 3D printing equipment. So, if you don’t have a complete tool kit yet, it’s high time that you got one with the Creality 3D Printer Tool Kit. This 74-piece set is currently on sale for $25.49 on Amazon, giving you a 15% discount from its original $30 MSRP. This is just one of the deals on 3D printing tools and accessories you can get during Prime Day 2026, allowing you to save while building out your kit. We also have a metric ton of deals (yes, that's the official measurement) on 3D Printers in our Best 3D Printer Deals hub.
The Creality tool set comes with almost everything you need. It comes with a multi-functional screwdriver with 34 different screwdriver bits, including Philips, flathead, hex, Torx, Pentalobe, and tri-point. A universal swivel hose is included, making it easier to reach tight spaces without needing to disassemble everything around it or contort your arm into weird shapes. You also get a socket wrench, a multifunctional wrench, and an open-ended wrench for handling various nuts and bolts. When you need to clean up your 3D printer, you’ll find one needle and several nozzle cleaners for removing residual filament included in the kit, as well as a spatula and plastic blade for cleaning up surfaces.
The Creality 3D Printer Tool Kit comes with 74 tools that will help you use and maintain your 3D printer. It's also great for finishing off your 3D prints with accessories like the chamfer knife, engraving knife, and various files.View Deal
Aside from 3D printer maintenance, you also get several items useful for working on your projects after they come out of the 3D printer. These include a chamfer knife with a 360-degree rotating head, an engraving knife, and various files. You also get a pair of bent and straight tweezers for picking out stray fibers, plus a nipper for cleanly cutting small items. There are also several more items that we haven’t mentioned, so you should check out the deal if you want to see everything that’s included.
The best thing about this toolkit is that everything comes inside a simple storage bag that unrolls flat on your desk. That way, you can keep your tools organized while you’re working and ensure that you don’t lose one at the end of the day. And when you’re done with everything, you can just fold it back into a bag with a carrying handle, and you can easily stow it away in a drawer or your toolbox. So, if you’re planning to buy one of the best 3D printers this Prime Day 2026, consider adding this Creality 3D Printer Tool Kit to your cart as well.
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Also, you can join the Tom's Hardware deals Discord for up-to-the-minute hardware deals.
SSDs are insanely expensive, but if you act quick, you can score a sweet deal on this 4TB Samsung 9100 Pro NVMe SSD. It's selling for well over $1,000 normally, but B&H has the drive on sale for $800, with an additional $340-off coupon applied at checkout, bringing the price down to just $460.
It is hard to overstate how good of a deal that is right now. Even among our best Prime Day SSD deals, most 4TB drives are far more expensive. For context, Samsung's 990 Pro is $950 right now, and that's on sale. This is a brand new Samsung drive, as well, fit with the full speed of PCIe 5.0.
At its current price, the 9100 Pro 4TB comes out to around $0.12 per gigabyte of storage, which is excellent considering current SSD prices. Most drives come out to $0.15 per gigabyte or higher, and that's after a sale.
This is an insane deal with the in-cart coupon added — grab it while it's hot!
This 4TB SSD features the PCie 5.0 interface and blasts out 14,800 / 13,400 MB/s of sequential read/write throughput, delivering top-tier performance within a reasonable power envelope that doesn't require bulky heatsinks. View Deal
The 9100 Pro is Samsung's PCIe 5.0 replacement for the legendary 990 Pro, and as you can see from the results we gathered in our Samsung 9100 Pro review below, it lives up to its predecessor.
Although most builders are fine with a PCIe 4.0 drive, we're in a strange situation where this stronger PCIe 5.0 option is cheaper, at least at 4TB. High-capacity SSDs have been hit hardest by price increases, with drives now often retailing above $1,000.
There's a good chance this deal will sell out quickly. Make sure to secure your drive at B&H before the deal's over.
Best Tech and PC deals | Best gaming PC deals | Best RAM combo deals | Best 3D printer deals | Best RAM deals | Best gaming laptop deals | Best monitor deals | Best Wi-Fi Router deals | Best GPU deals | Best SSD deals | Best hard drive HDD deals | Best CPU deals | Best gaming chair deals | Best PC building tool deals | Best PC peripherals deals | Best filament and resin deals | Best motherboard deals | Best CPU cooler deals | Best PC case deals | Best Dell and Alienware deals | Best USB charger deals | Best gaming and productivity laptop deals under $1,000 | Best laptop PC deals
Also, you can join the Tom's Hardware deals Discord for up-to-the-minute hardware deals.
If you have been eagerly saving to purchase a flagship GPU for your gaming rig, now might be the right time. The Gigabyte Gaming OC GeForce RTX 5080 is available at a limited-period discount of $250 on Newegg, bringing the price down from $1,449.99 to $1,199.99. The discount is applicable by using the promo code ‘SQGIG753S2’ at the time of checkout (There is also a "click to generate code" button on the Newegg page).
The Nvidia RTX 5080 is one of the best graphics cards that you can get, but ever since its launch, the GPU has rarely come close to its MSRP of $999. It is currently the second most powerful Nvidia Blackwell consumer GPU with 16GB of GDDR7 VRAM using a 256-bit memory bus, and a memory bandwidth of 960 GB/s. It also features a total of 10,752 CUDA cores, a base clock of 2.3 GHz, which can further boost to 2.62 GHz.
The Gigabyte Gaming OC GeForce RTX 5080 is a factory-overclocked graphics card based on Nvidia's Blackwell architecture, featuring 16GB of GDDR7 memory and support for the latest technologies such as DLSS 4.5 and Multi Frame Generation. View Deal
The Gigabyte Gaming OC model of the RTX 5080 comes with a triple cooling fan configuration, along with server-grade thermal conductive gel to cool the internal components. It also features RGB lighting around the fans, a dual-BIOS feature, and the ability to boost even higher at 2.73 GHz. The company also offers up to four years of warranty on this GPU after online product registration.
We tested the RTX 5080 and found that it delivers great performance at 4K ultra settings, offering an average of 65 FPS and over 100 FPS at 1440p ultra. Notably, the gains are a lot when compared to the RTX 4080 Super by only 9% at 4K Ultra, and even less at 1440p and 1080p resolutions. That said, the RTX 5080 is one of the best in the business as it offers support for Nvidia’s latest technologies, including DLSS 4.5 with multi-frame generation and upgraded ray tracing hardware for a more fluid and visually appealing gaming experience.
While we have seen a few RTX 5080 cards briefly dip below the $999 MSRP, the Gigabyte Gaming OC GeForce RTX 5080 at $1,199.99 is one of the lowest-priced RTX 5080 models currently available. Don’t forget, you need to login to your Newegg account to use the above-mentioned promo code during checkout.
If you're looking for more savings, check out our Best PC Hardware deals for a range of products, or dive deeper into our specialized SSD and Storage Deals, Hard Drive Deals, Gaming Monitor Deals, Graphics Card Deals, gaming chair, or CPU Deals pages.
SaaS Design is an AI-based design system that adds a design system and landing page templates directly into your repo, fully customizable to your needs. It works with React, Vue, or HTML and lets Claude Code, Cursor, or Codex set up a fully responsive light/dark foundation in seconds. Use nine premium landing page templates and a complete UI kit, all customizable with AI and no attribution required, so your homepage matches your app without lock-in. Unlimited projects.
ecomdir centralizes order processing for online stores in one dashboard. It automatically distributes new orders to packers via configurable algorithms and provides real-time performance reports. Set up takes minutes with a store addon, and packers get individual mobile access with confirmed orders locked for control. You can manage multiple stores, languages, and currencies, send SMS alerts, and connect with CS-Cart, WordPress, and WooCommerce. Shopify, PrestaShop, and Magento support is coming soon.
Google's conversational agent now troubleshoots delivery and builds reports inside Ad Manager, bringing prompt-driven workflows to publisher ad ops.
The post Google Launches Ask Ad Manager, Its First AI Agent For Publishers appeared first on Search Engine Journal.
From the hottest looks to the coolest dessert flavor, our new Summergeist report shows what’s trending for summer 2026.Shopify is introducing Campaign Autopilot, a new AI-powered marketing tool that automatically creates, manages and optimizes campaigns across multiple channels, reducing the need for merchants to manually manage advertising and email marketing.
The feature is launching in early access and is available directly within the Shopify admin.
What’s happening. Campaign Autopilot uses AI to plan and run marketing campaigns on behalf of merchants across channels including Meta, Shop Campaigns and email.
Additional channels are already on the roadmap, including ChatGPT Ads, Microsoft Advertising and Snapchat.
Rather than requiring merchants to build campaigns manually, the system handles campaign creation, budget allocation and ongoing optimization automatically.
Why we care. Campaign Autopilot lowers the barrier to running multi-channel marketing campaigns by automating much of the work traditionally handled by agencies or in-house specialists. Instead of managing separate campaigns across Meta, email and other channels, merchants can set a budget and goals while Shopify handles campaign creation, optimization and budget allocation.
How it works. Merchants set a monthly budget, choose which channels to connect and define approval rules and guardrails.
From there, Campaign Autopilot:
Merchants can approve campaigns before launch, modify budgets or pause activity at any time.
What’s different. Shopify is positioning Campaign Autopilot as an alternative to traditional campaign management tools and agency-led marketing.
The company says the system leverages performance data and patterns across millions of Shopify stores to inform recommendations and budget decisions.
Campaign Autopilot also operates separately from existing campaigns, meaning merchants already running Meta or Shop ads won’t see those campaigns altered.
The bigger picture. Shopify is increasingly embedding AI into merchant workflows, moving beyond ecommerce infrastructure and into growth and customer acquisition.
The launch reflects a broader industry trend toward autonomous marketing systems that can execute campaigns with limited human involvement while continuously optimizing performance.
What to watch. Shopify plans to expand channel support in the coming months, including integrations with ChatGPT Ads, Microsoft Advertising and Snapchat.
The company also says merchants can use its AI assistant, Sidekick, to review recommendations, trigger actions and monitor campaign performance.
Dig deeper. Introducing Campaign Autopilot: AI-powered Marketing Built into Shopify
First spotted. The update was spotted by Digital Marketing Consultant Susan Richards-Benson who suggested this feature for smaller ecommerce brands on Linkedin.
See where your brand appears in AI search, where competitors are winning, and what it takes to become the answer AI recommends.
Since its inception in 2015, the Search Engine Land Awards have recognized exceptional marketers on an annual basis — showcasing outstanding work, providing well-earned exposure in coverage and interviews, and bestowing upon them the highest honor in search.
While there’s no single formula for creating a winning entry, our judges have seen enough submissions over the years to know what separates the truly exceptional from the merely good. The strongest applications don’t just share results, they tell a story. They provide context, demonstrate strategic thinking, and clearly communicate why the work mattered.
And because great advice shouldn’t be gatekept, we thought we’d bring some of those insights directly to you.
We asked several of this year’s Search Engine Land Awards judges to share their best advice for prospective entrants. From common mistakes to avoid to the elements that consistently stand out, their insights offer a valuable look inside the judging process and can help you build a stronger, more compelling submission.
Keep reading for a roundup of fresh insights from some of our judges. (And see the complete list of 2026 judges here!)
“A great entry is a story with a goal, an action, and a measurable outcome that ties back to it. Tell that story as well as you can, and include a deck that makes it easy to see exactly what you accomplished.”
– Amy Hebdon, Founder, Paid Search Magic
“Explain your tactics. Many entries just say “we used best practices”. Everyone’s best practices and tactics differ. Explaining the process that lead to your results will highlight your creative thinking, problem solving, and uniqueness. Showing your insights and thought processes helps your entry standout and showcase your company’s competitive edge.”
– Brad Geddes, Co-Founder, Adalysis
“I look for SAY which stands for: Situation, Action and Yield.
Applicants should write a clear example of the situation, what they did and the result achieved over the time period,”
– Jo Juliana Turnbull, Growth Marketing Senior Manager, Holafly
“Show me the humans behind the metrics. We’re in a time where AI is reshaping search at a pace none of us have seen, and that shift matters…but the applications that rise to the top will lead with empathy, not just analytics. I want stories where I can see how your work built genuine trust with real people, not simply visibility in search and AI engines. I’m especially drawn to entries that embrace a wellness-based approach to their craft, and to teams who pair their quantitative wins with qualitative insight: the quote, the aha moment, the change in how someone felt about a brand or experience. Tell me how you held the human at the center – as strategy. If your project made people feel seen, understood, or genuinely helped, lean into that. Those are the stories I’ll be looking for.”
– Danita Smith, Founder & CEO/Chief Innovation Strategist, Adanis Design
“Clearly state the challenge you solved, and back it up with data. Explain the strategy behind the tactics you used and the results they drove. Tell me not just what happened, but what impact did it have on your campaigns? What did you do differently as a result?”
– Melissa Mackey, Director of Paid Search, Compound Growth Marketing
“Evidence: charts, analytics, screenshots. Be detailed, specific, and share data.”
– Barry Schwartz, Editor, Search Engine Land
“Tell a story. Numbers get you in the room, but the story is what stays with the judges. I want to know what the problem was, why it was hard, what you tried, and what finally worked. That arc, the messiness of real work, is what separates a memorable entry from a forgettable one. The submissions that stick with me are the ones where I can feel the thinking behind the decisions, not just the outcome. You did great work this year; now, make the judges feel the weight of what you solved before you show them the numbers.”
– Ameet Khabra, Founder, Hop Skip Media
“The two main things all award-winning entries share are that they explain the whys behind the hows, and they bring receipts (data to back up claims). If you can’t share the data behind your entry (budgets, revenue, etc.), you are putting yourself at a distinct disadvantage and may end up wasting the entry fee. A lot of people submit the same practices – if you can distinguish yourself by showing innovative thinking, you’ll do well!”
– Navah Hopkins, Product Liaison, Microsoft
“Give me all the data you can. Show the numbers and the real impact of whatever you did; conversions, ROI, and whatever monetary increases you were able to cause.”
– Celeste Gonzalez, Content Implementation and Product Specialist, Lastmile Retail
“Show me something I haven’t seen before, then prove it worked. The applications that land are the ones with a genuinely unexpected approach backed by numbers that make the result undeniable.”
– Adam Tanguay, Head of Growth, Jordan Digital Marketing
“I am looking for an approach or strategy that challenges the norm of SEM. A unique approach that focuses on achieving the business goals by way of campaign structure across Brand, Non-Brand, Performance Max, Conquesting, and general upper-funnel tactics. An advanced way of thinking about the target audience, messaging, conversion goals, etc. that helps show a sophisticated way of managing the campaigns & overall strategy to exceed business goals.”
– Matt Devinney, Director, Client Partner, Tinuiti
“I am looking for projects that break new ground with innovative takes on SEO, and are backed up by data and numbers-driven insights every step of the way.”
– Olya Ianovskaia, Founder and Lead Consultant, MycoMinds SEO
“Make your entry easily readable. We are going to need to go through several entries – I know the entries could be quite technical (and the quality of that will take precedent), but I am more likely to vote for you if I enjoyed reading your entry.”
– Anu Adegbola, Paid Media Editor, Search Engine Land
“My #1 piece of advice is to showcase strategy that truly breaks new ground. Award-winning applications demonstrate innovation that anticipates where SEM is heading, whether that’s leveraging AI in novel ways, pioneering audience-targeting approaches, or developing unique cross-channel integration. But innovation alone isn’t enough. The most compelling entries connect these forward-thinking strategies directly to measurable business outcomes, providing clear evidence of how your work translated to client growth metrics that matter. We’re looking for that perfect balance: creative execution that pushes boundaries while delivering documented ROI that proves your approach wasn’t just innovative—it was transformative.”
– Joseph Kerschbaum, Senior Vice President, Search & Growth Labs, DEPT
And there you have it! Submit your entry today to be considered by this year’s esteemed judges. Early Bird rates expire July 10… so get a move on!
YouTube is expanding its suite of creator marketing and campaign intelligence tools with new Gemini-powered features designed to help brands identify trends, understand creator audiences and improve campaign performance.
What’s happening. Google is introducing several new insights and optimization tools across YouTube and Google Ads that give marketers more visibility into trends, creator performance and audience behavior.
The company says the new capabilities are intended to help advertisers make better creative and media planning decisions in an increasingly AI-driven marketing landscape.
Why we care. These updates provide deeper visibility into what’s trending on YouTube, which creators are resonating with audiences, and how their brand is performing across both paid and organic content. That can help marketers make smarter decisions about creator partnerships, campaign planning and creative strategy.
What’s new:
More detailed trend insights.
Google Ads’ Insights Finder is gaining expanded trending insights in the U.S., providing advertisers with a more granular view of what’s gaining traction on YouTube.
Brand Pulse data comes to Insights Finder.
Select Brand Pulse metrics are now being integrated into Insights Finder, allowing brands to evaluate both their paid and organic presence in a single location.
New creator insights API.
The new Content & Creator Insights API gives agencies and partners deeper information about YouTube creators and their audiences, helping improve media planning and creator selection.
Gemini-powered creative recommendations.
Google says Gemini will soon provide creative optimization tips for Demand Gen campaigns, including recommendations on visuals and creative elements that may improve performance.
The bigger picture. As creator-led content becomes increasingly influential in purchase decisions and brand discovery, advertisers are looking for better ways to identify emerging trends and measure creator impact.
Google is betting that AI can help marketers surface those insights faster and make campaign planning more efficient.
Bottom line. YouTube is giving brands and agencies more data on trends, creators and campaign performance, while using Gemini to help turn those insights into stronger creative and media decisions.
Track your visibility across AI search, uncover missed opportunities, and grow your presence where customers are asking questions.
There’s a trap door waiting for DTC brands that invest in Google Ads that makes your dashboards look amazing, but absolutely wrecks your P&L.
It’s the danger of recycling traffic from Meta.
Thanks to the overlap between paid search and paid social traffic, running Google as a standalone channel is incredibly difficult if you don’t know how to set it up. Ad platforms refuse to share data with one another, and they love to claim credit for the same conversion — even if those sales would’ve happened without the influence of ads.
The DTC brands I speak to are often proud to show off their new customer numbers: month-over-month growth, a steady upward trend, and a fantastic dashboard. But when we go deeper into the data, we often find that a big chunk of those “new” customers are:
You could argue that these overlapping sales still count as revenue, and they do. But when you look at the contribution margin from those sales, they cost far more than they should and erode actual profit.
In other words, you lose money when you run ads on both platforms without guardrails.
But that doesn’t mean you need to stop or limit yourself to one channel. Instead, you need a better system for measuring actual customer acquisition.
PSA -> removing brand searches from a PMAX campaign doesn’t change the audience you’re targeting
— Collin Schmelebeck (@SchmelebeckPPC) July 24, 2025
it’s still warm traffic (either existing or already multiple touchpoints)
You’re thinking about it wrong
Very common
If you’re spending five figures or more on Meta, TikTok, AppLovin, or any other top-of-funnel channel, you’ll want to minimize overlap with other channels to drive actual new customer acquisition.
Here’s what that looks like:
Now you’re paying two or more platforms to recycle a conversion that you might have earned with just one.
1/6 Stop guessing what drives your Performance Max results and start taking control with our latest updates.
Learn more… pic.twitter.com/sfPplsEI7f— Google Ads (@GoogleAds) March 26, 2026
Ever since Performance Max launched, there wasn’t much you could do about this. It’s been a bit of a black box that automatically goes after the warmest traffic it can find: branded search, site visits, email subscriptions, and existing customers.
It lets you bid more for new customers, but you can’t really stop the campaign from defaulting to easy mode.
A while ago, Google began letting you exclude people searching for your brand on Search and Shopping. Performance Max still targeted warm audiences through YouTube, Gmail, and the Display Network.
The latest round of updates from Google has finally addressed this problem. You can now force Performance Max to focus on net new customer acquisition through a combination of brand exclusions, audience exclusions, and Customer Match data.
First-party audience exclusions, announced in March, are the final piece that makes this possible (though not foolproof – customer list matching is never perfect).
Uncover the keywords, ads, landing pages, and strategies driving your competitors’ paid search success—and find your next opportunity to outperform them.
Here’s a four-step framework we’re using at my agency to help clients maximize incrementality.
Google PMax is probably taking credit for conversions your Meta Ads created.
Here's the 4-step framework to force it into real new customer acquisition:
This one has been around for a while, but it’s the foundation, so we have to start here.
For smaller brands, brand exclusions usually aren’t necessary. But once you’re spending real money and seeing more than 15% to 20% of your cost or revenue coming from brand searches, it’s time to take action.
There are two parts to this.
Go into your campaign settings and add a brand exclusion. If your brand isn’t already on the list, click New brand list, create one, and add your brand. Google will do its best to block branded queries from this list.
Because brand exclusions aren’t foolproof, go to the Keywords tab inside the campaign and add your brand name as a phrase match negative keyword. Add a few common variations, too. This catches anything the brand list misses.
If you’re excluding brand terms from Performance Max, you need a dedicated brand Search campaign and a brand Shopping campaign to capture those searches. Otherwise, you’re just leaving money on the table for competitors.
Even if you blocked brand searches, Performance Max would still retarget people who visited your website, opened your emails, or interacted with your brand on YouTube, Gmail, Discover, and Display. So even with brand exclusions in place, a big chunk of your spend still went to warm traffic.
Now you can change that. Go to your campaign settings and find the new audience exclusions option. Then build a few remarketing lists:
Once you exclude these audiences, Performance Max can only go after people who haven’t interacted with your brand in any meaningful way. What we typically do, and what I recommend, is to come up with an engagement metric that fits each account’s business goal, such as cart adds rather than visitors from the past seven days.
What a change from how this campaign type used to work.
Same idea as Step 2, but specifically for people who have already bought from you. You can do this two ways.
Add these audiences to the exclusions section of your campaign, and you’re done.
A small caveat to keep in mind: audience matching is never 100%. If you upload a customer list of 1,000 people, Google might only match 900 of them. So you’ll still see some level of bleed. But going from “the campaign is targeting all my existing customers” to “the campaign is targeting maybe 10% of them” is still a huge win.
The last piece is to tell the campaign explicitly that you want new customers.
In your campaign settings under customer acquisition, you’ll see two options: bid only for new customers, or bid higher for new customers. Both require you to connect a customer list (which you’ve probably already done by Step 3).
The “only new customers” option is the most aggressive setting. The campaign simply won’t bid on existing customers. Combined with the audience exclusions from Steps 2 and 3, this gets you as close to pure new customer acquisition as Performance Max will allow.
The “bid higher for new customers” option is more flexible. You set a dollar value that represents the additional value of a new customer, and the system bids more aggressively when it thinks an auction will result in one.
Here’s where you need to be careful. If you tell Google a new customer is worth an extra $100, and you get a $200 sale from a new customer, Google will report it as $300 in revenue. That extra $100 is a fictional reporting value, not real revenue. It will inflate your ROAS numbers and distort your target ROAS bidding.
Our recommendation is to use a small placeholder value, such as a penny or a dollar, when you want to nudge the system toward new customers without distorting your reporting. Or use a number that genuinely reflects the lifetime value premium of a new customer to your business.
It’s still early, so we can’t draw firm conclusions yet. But based on my experience managing PPC for ecommerce brands, here’s what I expect to happen.
Many advertisers who walked away from Performance Max did so because it was simply recycling Meta traffic. By splitting it out, you force it to go after net new traffic.
This will likely benefit brands that don’t have a ton of video creative for YouTube, which is another platform where brands try to drive net new acquisition at the awareness stage.
One of the big differences between Performance Max and Demand Gen is that the former is much more conversion-focused. Any brand considering excluding branded Search and Shopping from Performance Max should also consider this tactic, as it tends to over-index on hot traffic.
In terms of outcomes, I expect the reported ROAS attributed to Performance Max to be lower than what you may have seen in the past.
But when you look at the breakdown of new versus returning customers, it should align much more closely with new customer acquisition. Without advanced configuration, it might be a 60/40 split, even in the best situations.
Nothing about this is foolproof. Audience exclusions don’t match perfectly. Brand exclusions don’t catch every variation. Customer Match has its gaps. So even with all four steps in place, some percentage of your spend will still hit warm audiences.
But for the first time, you actually have the levers to push Performance Max into upper-funnel territory. You can make it work like a real prospecting channel instead of a retargeting channel that takes credit for demand created elsewhere.
This matters most for brands spending heavily on Meta, TikTok, or other channels and wanting Google to actually grow the customer base rather than recycle the traffic those channels generate. If you’re seeing strong ROAS in Performance Max but flat new customer numbers month over month, this framework is for you.
If you’re a smaller brand still trying to find product-market fit or build initial momentum, this is probably overkill. Let Performance Max do its thing and pick up conversions without too many restrictions.
But once you’re scaling and the question is no longer “Can we be profitable?” but “Can we be profitable while growing the customer base?” these settings become some of the most important levers you have.
See where competitors are investing, which keywords drive their results, and how to capture more of the market.
The conversation around brand versus non-brand is everywhere. You can’t throw a dart at a paid media conference without hitting someone with a strong opinion on it. But for some reason, almost no one seems to be testing this new option.
I just finished auditing an account spending $100,000 a month on Search with no Performance Max or Shopping, so they get purely new customer acquisition. We looked at their numbers and said maybe now’s the time to try this, exclude all these segments, and let it rip.
So here’s when I recommend implementing this test: if your ad spend is high enough (it doesn’t need to be $100,000 a month or anywhere near it), or you’re revisiting Performance Max. Your hypothesis should be that this approach increases the proportion of actual new customer conversions.
I think you’ll find that the needle moves further than you think.
AI has made SEO teams ambitious about what they can automate. Tasks that previously required engineering support can now be solved with the help of Claude or ChatGPT.
That’s exciting, but it also creates a new problem: thinking you can automate everything. In modern language, that often comes down to one question: Should we build or buy this new tool?
This build-versus-buy dilemma has never been simple, and AI has made it even more complicated. The challenge goes beyond cost. It involves security, maintenance, data access, internal capabilities, workflow fit, and whether a custom solution will remain maintainable, reliable, and useful six months from now.
AI has lowered the barrier to experimentation. Even without technical knowledge, you can now create a custom GPT, build a workflow, connect data sources, or create an internal AI assistant.
But that doesn’t mean the same person can build and maintain a tool that will remain reliable over the next few years.
In most cases, AI can help SEO teams analyze data, identify patterns, summarize information, and recommend actions. It can save a lot of time, and teams that ignore AI are clearly falling behind.
But, at least for now, AI isn’t doing truly creative work in the same way humans do. It works from existing patterns and predicts likely outputs. That may change in the future.
AI also comes with hidden costs. Internally built tools are often treated as free because the invoice usually doesn’t sit with the SEO team. But that doesn’t mean token usage, API calls, infrastructure, engineering time, security reviews, and maintenance don’t cost money.
We are already seeing this effect. Reuters has described it as “corporate AI sticker shock,” with companies struggling to forecast usage-based AI costs. TechCrunch also reported that Uber introduced AI spending caps after blowing through its annual AI budget in four months.
Today, marketing teams aren’t the heaviest AI users, especially compared with engineering teams. But that can change quickly.
And when usage grows, the bills will grow too. That will naturally make companies ask which AI tools and AI-powered workflows create value and which ones only consume budget.
See where your brand appears in AI search, where competitors are winning, and what it takes to become the answer AI recommends.
Before deciding whether to build or buy, SEO teams need to define what they really need.
Many teams group these solutions together, but they vary significantly in cost, complexity, and maintenance requirements.
These aren’t the same, but people often label them incorrectly. Calling everything an “AI agent” creates confusion and can lead to wrong estimates about cost and complexity.
We’re still experimenting. Most of what our team has built focuses on daily tasks that require a lot of manual work.
For example, we’ve created a custom GPT that evaluates whether our content matches our personas and their pain points. The goal is not to replace the human copywriter or reviewer. It is to determine whether a piece remains generic and whether a few additions can make it more relevant.
We are also using AI for translations, monthly reporting, and a weekly summary that combines meeting notes, Slack, and Jira, and helps me see whether I have missed adding a task to Jira or where I still need to follow up.
One of our latest workflows transforms recorded internal meetings into organized landing page briefs.
These types of tasks are good candidates for AI-powered custom workflows because they rely on internal context, repeatable processes, and company-specific knowledge.
One example from our team was a prompt tracking tool that my colleague vibe-coded. It worked well as a starting point. But the data presentation was not perfect, and it was hard to create a trend graph without additional manual steps.
Soon, it became a maintenance burden because every external change in any of the LLM tools required fixes, for which we needed engineering help.
The real issue was reliability. For AI visibility and prompt tracking, we needed consistent data in one place, presented in a way we could analyze over time. That is why we moved to a specialized platform like Peec AI instead of continuing to maintain our own version.
That experiment was still valuable. It helped us understand the problem, the complexity, and the features we actually needed from an external vendor.
And this is one of my pieces of advice: whether you want to build a tool internally or buy one, always test what is already available on the market. Only then will you really understand what you actually need. You may think you need 10 features, only to realize you use only three.
For business-critical tools such as rank and AI visibility tracking, and website crawling, small SEO teams without dedicated technical support should usually be careful about building from scratch. If the data is fundamental to decision-making, reliability should be your main decision factor.
Buy the crawler, rank tracker, or AI visibility platform. Then focus your internal efforts on connecting data from these tools to custom information, such as your GA and GSC accounts or even CRM data. Once connected, create reports that combine all these sources and enable you to analyze everything in one place.
MCP connections are also worth considering. The Model Context Protocol is an open standard for connecting AI applications to external systems, data sources, tools, and workflows. With MCP servers, you can analyze data from your primary tools directly using AI, taking your current workflows to the next level.
This doesn’t mean you’re required to learn how to code. But they need to know enough to ask the right questions.
If a tool connects to an internal knowledge base, customer data, or proprietary research, you should be aware that this could pose a security risk. And it might turn out that it is better for the company to dedicate an engineer to support you rather than risk exposing sensitive information.
You should also understand what the final cost will be for your company when you decide to go with a custom tool. Custom tools aren’t free just because the invoice doesn’t sit with SEO. Engineering time, security reviews, AI tokens, and API usage are all part of the cost.
Before asking leadership for a tool, SEO teams should be able to explain the workflow problem, the expected value, the cost of buying compared with the estimated cost of building, and what might happen if nothing is done.
The best requests don’t start with: “We need this tool.”
They start with: “Here is the problem, here is why it matters, here is what we’ve tested, and here is the best way we think we can solve it.”
There’s no single prioritization matrix that will work for every situation.
A website crawler, a content evaluation tool, a report builder, or a competitive intelligence system can’t be judged by the same criteria.
If you are in a situation where you think you need more than one tool, start by mapping your current workflow and what your ideal situation looks like.
Once you do that, the patterns will be clear. Often, your strongest priorities will fall into two groups.
The first are tools that can support revenue creation. SEO teams are usually part of the marketing organization, and marketing is expected to bring visibility or leads. If a tool can help identify content opportunities, improve conversion rates, increase AI visibility, or surface gaps versus competitors, it can be seen as a priority.
The second group is workflows and tools that can help you minimize repetitive manual work. This category may not create revenue, but it will give your team time back to focus on more strategic work.
Don’t forget that quick wins also matter. Stakeholders don’t want to wait three months before seeing results. A smaller project that can bring value in three weeks will help you build trust and make it easier to get support for bigger initiatives.
Cross-team value should also be part of your decision.
SEO problems are often not just problems for your team. Competitive intelligence, for example, matters to PPC, ABM, content, product marketing, and sales, too. If several teams share the same pain, the business case becomes stronger.
So don’t be afraid to act as a cross-team synchronization layer when needed. Talk to the same teams you have already worked with, and try to understand their workflows and pain points, and where your needs overlap.
And remember, the best tool is not always the most ambitious one. Starting with something small is often the smartest move.
Track your visibility across AI search, uncover missed opportunities, and grow your presence where customers are asking questions.
AI has made it easier to build, but that doesn’t mean you don’t need to think about what really needs to be built.
Before deciding whether to build, buy, or customize, take the time to properly scope the work.
Without proper scoping, you can end up with an expensive SaaS tool that doesn’t fit your workflow or an internal tool your team can’t maintain.
Always think first. Dedicate enough time to scope properly. Then decide whether to build, buy, or customize.
Google has confirmed that it has expanded access to the new Google Search Console AI performance reports to more users. Google’s John Mueller wrote on Bluesky, “We’re just rolling these out incrementally to sites, and reviewing the feedback along the way. I know everyone wants the new shiny thing immediately… but first, patience.”
AI performance report. The report shows you how well your content and websites are performing in AI responses, AI Mode, and AI Overviews in Google Search. The reporting includes impressions, pages, countries, devices, and dates, but does not include click data.
Expanding access. This morning, I spotted a number of SEOs posting that they are now seeing the report, and that it is not restricted to sites in the United Kingdom. Some are seeing the report for sites in the United States, India, Switzerland and so forth.
And as I quoted above, John Mueller from Google confirmed the search company is “rolling these out incrementally to sites.”
What it looks like. Here is a screenshot of this report:
Why we care. Site owners and publishers have been asking for controls over whether and how their content is shown in Google’s AI features since Google launched these a couple of years ago. Well, Google is rolling out this feature to more of its users today. It is unclear how soon everyone will gain access to these controls, but I am surprised that Google expanded access this quickly. Specifically within 20 days from its first release.
Track, grow, and measure your visibility across Google, AI search, social, local, and every channel that influences buying decisions.
Many budget allocation strategies assume that every channel follows the same pattern: the first dollar is the most productive, and each additional dollar yields a slightly lower return.
The charts below show what that pattern looks like.
The log shape means that the first dollar is the most productive, and each subsequent dollar is worth a little less. When every channel looks like that, the game plan is to spread the budget to as many channels as possible and equalize the marginal CPAs to maximize profit.
But not every channel looks like that. Some have a warm-up region where the early spend is the least efficient, not the most. On those channels, the logic above breaks, and so does the “test small, scale the winners” playbook that most of the industry runs on autopilot.
The difference comes down to one question about the channel: Is the response curve C-shaped or S-shaped?
The answer can change how you approach channel testing and channel measurement, including any MMM analysis. Moreover, Google has been incorporating more S-shaped campaign types, and after its Google Marketing Live announcements, this trend seems set to continue.
The response curve plots output (conversions, revenue) against input (spend). This generally results in two types of curves in marketing.
The response curve itself isn’t what you allocate against. You allocate against the marginal curve, the derivative, which answers the question: “What did the next dollar buy me?” That’s where the shapes diverge in a way that matters.
That region of increasing marginal returns is the whole story. It’s the difference between a channel where small budgets are productive and one where they are wasted.
Uncover the keywords, ads, landing pages, and strategies driving your competitors’ paid search success—and find your next opportunity to outperform them.
Say your CPA goal is $50. Here is an S-shaped channel, modeled as Conversions = 1000 / (1 + e^(-0.25(s – 20))), with spend in the thousands and the inflection at $20,000/month:
Run the $10,000 test that a sane person runs before committing real budget. Average CPA comes back at $132, marginal around $94. If those two metrics are all you look at, you conclude that this channel can’t hit $50, so let’s kill it.
That verdict is wrong. At $20,000 to $25,000, the channel is running at an average of $32 to $40, and the marginal dollar in the $15,000 to $25,000 band costs $18. That’s not “barely viable.” In that band, it’s the best marginal buy you have. The small test fell within the warm-up and reversed the conclusion.
In a C-shaped channel, the small test would have shown you the best the channel can do. On an S-shaped channel, it shows you the worst.
This is the trap. The standard playbook is “test small, scale what works.” On S-curves, small tests systematically condemn channels that would’ve worked at scale because the test is structurally stuck in the inefficient region.
The optimization is convex. There’s one global optimum, the equimarginal rule from the marginal-CPA post applies cleanly, and the solution is usually interior, meaning lots of channels get funded.
Even a small allocation is productive because the first dollar is the best dollar. Run many channels lean, reallocate continuously at the margin, and pull back the instant marginal CPA crosses your goal.
The optimization is non-convex. A small allocation can be strictly worse than zero because below the inflection your marginal return sits under your target, and you’ve sunk money to get nowhere.
The decision isn’t “how much.” It is binary: commit past the threshold, or don’t fund it at all. There’s a real minimum viable budget, and it’s often above normal test budgets. You can’t sprinkle an S-curve and expect efficiency, and you can’t evaluate one on an underfunded test.
Those two rules can look like they fight each other, but that’s only true to a certain point. Past the inflection, an S-curve is concave, so the equimarginal rule governs it exactly as it governs a true C. The S-specific instruction — commit a block instead of sprinkling — is only about the trip from zero to past the inflection.
Shape is therefore mostly a launch-and-evaluation problem. Getting a new prospecting channel into its efficient range requires a committed block and patience with ugly early numbers. Once it clears the inflection, you manage it at the margin like everything else, right up until you consider cutting it hard, where shape matters again because the downside is a cliff, not a ramp.
This is the part that’s genuinely counterintuitive, and it echoes the original marginal-return point: The right move isn’t always the one that looks most efficient at a small scale.
The historical default was concave. Simon and Arndt reviewed more than 100 studies and concluded that advertising follows the law of diminishing returns, a concave response.
The dissent came later: Vakratsas, Feinberg, Bass, and Kalyanaram found that threshold effects do exist and that response is not necessarily globally concave. Their explanation for why thresholds were so hard to find is the useful part. Mature accounts already operate inside the effective range, so the warm-up never shows up in the data, and most studies fit a concave model (the double-log) that can’t reject an S-curve even when one is present.
The platform shift has made the threshold visible again. Here is a fuller map, ordered roughly from C to S. The shape column is an inference from how each system targets and learns, not a measured constant, and the right shape for your account still has to be measured.
Two rows do most of the work.
AI Max is the live example of a channel migrating from C toward S. Swapping explicit keywords for broad and keywordless matching means it needs conversion volume to learn which queries convert, so below a data threshold, it explores badly.
The mixed independent results fit that: Google reports about 14% more conversions on average and up to 27% for exact-match-heavy campaigns, while independent testing reports 84% of advertisers seeing neutral or negative results. Much of that spread is accounts that turned it on without the conversion volume to clear the learning region.
Performance Max is the trap, because its curve is a composite. It blends a harvesting layer (branded, retargeting, Shopping against existing intent) with a prospecting layer (keywordless expansion across surfaces). The harvesting layer is a cheap C that pays off on the first dollar. The prospecting layer is the S underneath.
Blended, the early efficiency looks great, because you are mostly skimming demand you already had, and the average hides the prospecting warm-up entirely. That is also why the platform is glad to optimize it for you: the blend flatters the headline number. You can’t read PMax or run the shape analysis on it until you split the harvesting from the prospecting.
The throughline runs in two layers. Rules-based auctions capture the best inventory first, which yields concavity; machine-learning systems must be fed before they are efficient, which introduces a threshold. Underneath both, harvesting existing demand is concave and mostly non-incremental, while creating new demand is the S-shaped part where the real growth and the real warm-up cost both sit.
Average versus marginal: total over spend, or the slope where you stand.
What you allocate against is marginal incremental return, the slope of the incremental curve at your operating point. A holdout fixes the first axis only. Time-sliced marginal CPA on attributed data fixes the second only. A multi-cell scaling test gets both, at a cost.
MMM (method 1) estimates the whole curve from aggregate data and sidesteps click attribution entirely, but pays in identifiability and modeling assumptions instead. Most arguments about ‘what is working’ are two people standing on different axes.
There are two major cautions, and I would flag both as genuinely unsettled rather than settled facts.
One more failure mode, and this one is not unsettled science but a matter of where you are standing on the curve. An S only looks like an S if your data spans the inflection.
Above the inflection, an S is concave, mathematically identical to a C. Look at only the $20,000-and-up rows of the table above: marginal CPA rises monotonically from $18, a textbook C-curve, and the convex warm-up is invisible because you are no longer operating in it.
Established accounts usually sit past the inflection, which is exactly why Vakratsas found thresholds so hard to detect, and why you can run an S-shaped channel for years, correctly, while believing it is concave. The tell arrives the day you cut hard and fall off the inflection instead of easing down a slope.
The marginal-return post told you to equalize marginal CPAs across the program. That rule is still correct, but the shape of the curve tells you how you’re allowed to get there.
Lay the harvest-versus-create cut on top. Harvesting channels (branded, retargeting, non-brand search) are your C-curves: fund the first dollars, then cap them early, because they saturate fast and most of the tail isn’t incremental, no matter how strong the attributed ROAS looks.
Prospecting channels (Meta, YouTube, LinkedIn, the expansion half of PMax) are your S-curves and your only real source of incremental growth: commit past the warm-up or don’t start, and judge them on incremental lift rather than attributed CPA, or you’ll kill the thing that was working.
Classic search rewards going wide. PMax, AI Max, and Meta prospecting reward going deep on fewer bets and giving each enough volume to clear the warm-up. Run an S-curve like a C-curve and you’ll starve it, read the underfunded result, and kill a channel that would’ve been one of your best.
SK Hynix to reportedly pivot planned HBM4 production to DDR5 as the company chases higher margins SK Hynix is one of the world’s largest memory producers, reportedly accounting for 40% of the HBM market. Secure in its position as the global HBM leader, SK Hynix has reportedly shifted some of its planned HBM4 manufacturing capacity […]
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During 2026's Warhammer Skulls event, Warhammer 40,000: Darktide announced its 3rd DLC expansion, where players could play as the new tech-based Skitarii class.
I'm not too familiar with the Skitarii myself, so I was curious to see how they would stand out from the rest of the classes, especially when the developers, Fatshark, mentioned they would have more customizable freedom in their skill trees compared to the other classes.
My curiosity would be quickly satiated as Fatshark invited me to attend a sneak preview presentation of the Skitarii class, as well as provided me with a Steam code to try it out myself.
After getting hands-on with the Skitarii, it may just be my favorite class in the whole game and one that may convince me to play it more often and finally strive for its endgame content.
This preview was made possible thanks to a Steam code, Preview presentation, and B-Roll footage screenshots provided by Fatshark. The company had no input nor saw the contents of this preview before publication.
The Skitarii are a unique military force that fights for the tech-worshipping Adeptus Mechanicus faction. They are heavily augmented cyborg hunters that specialize in plasma and lightning-based weaponry, multi-purpose gadgets, and other technologically advanced ways to purge heretics, aliens, and mutants.
They usually act in groups, but in Warhammer 40,000: Darktide, you play as an upgraded Alpha Skitarii, who can act as a solo operative.
My preview of this class began with their character customization, which is probably one of the most disturbing yet cool character creators I've ever seen in a game.
You get to customize how royally horrifying your Skitarii look underneath their robes with all their cybernetics, what kind of robotic limbs they have, and even adjust the distortion and pitch of their modulated voices.
Once I finished creating my Skitarii (which took a long while because I wanted to recreate the iconic voice of Soundwave from Transformers), I was off to the training room to learn about their abilities.
What sets Skitarii apart from all the classes in Warhammer 40,000: Darktide is that their skill tree, which looks like the Sphere Grid from Final Fantasy 10, rather than a linear line like the others.
This means you can spend points to adjust the Skitarii's playstyle however you want, rather than being restricted to a certain playstyle like the other classes due to their more open-ended skill tree, and the Skitarii have A LOT of playstyles to experiment with.
You can create a support-focused Skitarii that focuses on using Servo-Skull drones to crowd-control enemies while reviving downed teammates or operating terminals to save players from having to do it themselves.
You can make a long-range sniper Skitarii that's all about destroying elite enemies using a special ability that augments the ammo of their weapons, like the iconic Galvanic Rifle or Arc Rifle, to auto-track targets without aiming.
Heck, you can even make a melee-focused Skitarii that uses a special forcefield that blocks incoming ranged attacks that explodes once depleted, and rushes enemies down with melee attacks using electrified maces or dual blades before ripping out their heart with a giant, gnarly robotic claw.
Plus, thanks to the Skitarii's open-ended skill tree, you can mix up the various abilities of these playstyles together and create your own custom build that sort of functions as a jack of all trades.
Now, all this sounds cool on paper, but it won't mean much if it doesn't come together during real combat scenarios. So, after deciding to adapt a melee-focused build with the anti-ranged shield, I decided to take my new Skitarii class into live combat to see how it would fare.
Now I'm not the best Darktide player in the world, as I've casually played here and there, getting my shiny metal butt kicked plenty of times. But that didn't stop me from enjoying the Skitarii class because it was so fun to play as.
There's just something so empowering about being able to strut up to an enemy screaming in terror that his bullets aren't penetrating your shield and then snuffing out his Nurgle-worshipping, heretical existence by ripping off his head with a giant claw.
Also, I enjoyed the utility of the Skitarii's Servo-Skulls for how surprisingly useful they were. Commanding it to hack terminals instead of having to deal with the annoying image-match mini-game yourself and using it to revive teams so you don't leave yourself wide open to enemy attacks is so convenient and gives your team a better, and less frustrating, chance at survival when things go south.
Overall, I was impressed with the Skitarii class by what I saw and played. Its tech-based weapons and abilities are fun to play with, and the personalities you can assign to your Skitarii are a joy to listen to during moments when player characters talk to each other,
Also, I LOVE the idea of having a voice modulator when designing your character's voice to give it a robotic feel, which I hope to see more often in games in general and not just Warhammer 40,000 games featuring the Adeptus Mechanicus.
If the Arbites were the class that convinced me to play Darktide, then the Skitarii may be the class that will motivate me to play at a higher level beyond the occasional casual weekend romp with friends and check out its endgame content.
Bottom line, the Skitarii are awesome, and I can't wait to play more of them alongside everyone else as the Warhammer 40,000: Darktide's Skitarii DLC expansion launches on June 23, 2026, for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC via Steam, which happens to be today.
Band together with Rejects of the Imperium and save the crumbling Hive City of Tertium from the toxic wrath of Nurgle cultists and daemons in the 4-player, co-op horde shooter, Warhammer 40,000: Darktide.
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What do you think of Warhammer 40,000: Darktide's new Skitarii class? Do you think it will be your main class, or are you waiting for a different kind of servant of the Imperium to become playable, like one of the Sisters of Battle, for example?
If you have any thoughts on the matter, please let us know through the poll below, the comments section, or our Reddit page.
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Prime Day has arrived with possibly the quietest fanfare I've ever known since writing for Windows Central, and that's due in no small part to the current state of the tech market. Prices are being hiked left, right, and center, and gaming handhelds have been hit particularly badly by the RAM price hikes. With this in mind, I'm surprised that ASUS is still steaming ahead with this cracking deal on the Xbox ROG Ally, which is down to £379.99 on Amazon. When you compare that to the price of the Steam Deck nowadays, it's a steal for something comparable in performance and with a lot more flexibility.
For playing lower-powered indie games or clearing out your backlog, the two handhelds stand on pretty even footing. The Xbox Ally, however, lets you switch between Steam and Xbox PC natively without requiring hours of tinkering or workarounds. Crucially, it's CHEAPER by a mile.
The ROG Xbox Ally is a modest handheld that offers performance that's more on the level of the Steam Deck, making it one of the most direct competitors to Valve's device." — Rebecca Spear, Former Gaming and News Editor
Windows Central review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐View Deal
We’re living through unprecedented times for gaming costs, where component shortages and rising demand for AI hardware have driven gaming tech prices to unreachable levels for the average budget gamer. Many of ASUS's competitors have handhelds priced at the same level as a high-end gaming PC (just look at the Lenovo Legion Go 2 prices). Yet with all the price hikes, the standard ASUS ROG Ally has become the single most sensible choice for anyone who just want to play some less demanding games.
To be completely open, I own the ROG Ally X, which is the "beefed-up" premium model, and as someone who mostly plays indie titles and keeps a massive backlog of AA games, I regret spending the extra cash. The standard Ally would have handled everything I threw at it perfectly. Don't make my mistake; save your money for the actual games.
RELATED: Xbox Ally vs Steam Deck which is better?
Sure, this has an entry-level price tag, but for sub-£380, you are getting an AMD Ryzen Z2 A processor,and a really nice 7-inch 1080p screen with 120Hz VRR. Not only that, but while on equal terms with the Steam Deck, the Xbox Ally isn't locked down to the Steam OS, and you can jump between your game libraries. You get a dedicated Xbox button that launches a full-screen, controller-friendly gaming environment, and you can download games natively from Xbox Game Pass, the Epic Games Store, GOG, and EA Play without jumping through hoops.
That being said, there is nothing stopping you from doing a clean install of Steam OS and turning this into a much more ergonomic (and cheaper) Steam Deck. It’s arguably the most comfortable handheld I've ever used.
The Xbox Ally is an outlier right now in the gaming handheld market, and I don't expect the price to stay this low for much longer. With price increases being announced from Lenovo, Valve, and other manufacturers, it does feel like the writing is on the wall with Xbox devices, too. If you want to play your backlog on the settee or on the go without taking out a small loan, the Xbox Ally at £379.99 is the deal to beat this Prime Day.
As with any handheld, your mileage will vary based on the game. For demanding titles, you can expect roughly 60–90 minutes of playtime. However, for indie games or lighter AA titles, you can easily squeeze out 2–3 hours by using the "Performance" or "Silent" power modes and capping your frame rate.
The biggest difference is the operating system. The Steam Deck uses SteamOS (Linux-based), which is "plug-and-play" but limited to the Steam ecosystem. The ROG Ally runs full Windows 11, meaning you aren't restricted to one store. The Ally also boasts a 1080p 120Hz VRR display, which makes games look crisper and feel smoother than the standard Steam Deck’s screen.
Yes and no. If you own a game on an Xbox console that is also a "Play Anywhere" title, then yes, you can also play it on the Xbox Ally. Not all games are Play Anywhere, though, so, for example, I could not play Resident Evil 9: Requiem on this, but I could play it on my console. However, Resident Evil 7 is Play Anywhere, and I didn't need a second purchase! The majority of the Xbox Game Pass library is Play Anywhere.
Amazon's Prime Day June event starts on June 23, 2026 and will last until June 26, 2026.
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Looks like many have been affected by this issue, but it's only prevalent on systems running Windows 10. AMD Acknowledges Error With the Latest Adrenalin Edition 26.6.2 in Windows 10 Installations; Says, Engineers are Investigating and Recommends Rolling Back to Previous Version The major graphics driver update just caused some issues for Windows 10 owners. Lots of reports are surfacing online reporting errors with the graphics driver on Windows 10. As per the reports, the new software fails to launch on Windows 10 systems and shows the yellow bang in Device Manager. AMD has confirmed the issue and published a […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/amd-tells-windows-10-owners-to-roll-back-their-drivers-as-adrenalin-26-6-2-triggers-a-yellow-bang-error/
If you're a fan of sci-fi stories like Blade Runner or Cyberpunk 2077, then it's likely you've heard of a game that seems like a mix of both of them with a bit of western flair, ExeKiller. Also known as a 'CyberWestern,' this first-person action-adventure game has been in development for a number of years now, and while its latest milestone update doesn't provide a release window, it does provide some assurance that the game will actually make it over the finish line. That's because the game has a new publisher in 505 Games, the same publisher whose parent company […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/exekiller-publisher-505-games/
Consumer-focused DRAM saw a major spike in prices in Q2 vs Q1, with DDR4 memory floating at 50% and LPDDR around 80% due to persistent shortages. Consumer DRAM Prices Jumped Over 50% In Q2 vs Q1, DDR4 Now Averages 50%, While LPDDR Up To 89% Expensive DRAM makers are only focused on making profits rather than thinking about the widespread impact their prioritizations have on the consumer segment. With AI being on top of the list, general-purpose DRAM, which includes DDR and LPDDR memory, has faced the brunt of the widespread shortages, leading to massive price hikes. In the latest […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/memory-shortages-destroy-consumer-segment-dram-prices-surge-89-percent/
Epic Games launched Unreal Engine 5.8 last week, bringing new features such as a Lumen Lite Mode that holds quite a bit of promise for games running on handheld gaming systems such as the Nintendo Switch 2. However, the biggest concern for both gamers and developers is general performance, which has been problematic since day one on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. According to Epic EVP of Development Marcus Wassmer, the final major update to the engine is the most stable release to date, and its features are an answer to developers asking for better optimization to deliver […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/unreal-engine-5-8-tackles-stutter-problem-epic-listens-developers/
The company has launched its first Arc G3 Extreme-based handheld with various configurations. OneXPlayer 3 Hits the Shelves with Intel Arc G3 Extreme, Featuring 24/32 GB and 512 GB/1 TB Configurations, Starting at $1,399 Popular handheld and eGPU maker ONEXPLAYER has debuted its first Intel Arc G3 Extreme-powered gaming handheld called OneXplayer 3. The handheld maker has been continuously developing handhelds with the most powerful SoCs from AMD, including Strix Point and Strix Halo chips, but has now transitioned to Intel's Panther Lake variant for its most powerful Intel-based handheld till now. The OneXPlayer 3 offers the 14-core Intel Arc […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/arc-g3-extreme-powered-onexplayer-3-officially-launches-prices-start-at-1399-for-24-gb-512-gb-configuration/
At Summer Game Fest 2026, we sat down with Bandai Namco Entertainment's Producer Masayuki Hirano to learn more about Dragon Ball Xenoverse 3, the new installment in the action RPG series that was announced earlier this year with a planned debut for 2027. The game is set in Age 1000, 148 years after the events of Xenoverse 2. The story takes place in West City, which has grown into a major hub in this future setting. As with previous Xenoverse entries, you'll create your own custom hero and join the ranks of the Great Saiyan Squad, fighting alongside both familiar […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/dragon-ball-xenoverse-3-single-player-online-sandbox-split/
Apple's upcoming foldable, tentatively dubbed the iPhone Ultra or the iPhone Fold, has been an attraction magnet for quite some time, not just because of its sky-high price but also on account of the various innovations it's expected to sport, including the world's first OLED panel that can produce native 10-bit color depth, an intricate hinge mechanism, and a novel adhesive that keeps the display crease at bay. Alas! The iPhone Ultra/iPhone Fold won't be able to graduate beyond a novelty product if the thesis of a troubling new study pans out. A new study claims Apple's iPhone Ultra might […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/your-2000-apple-iphone-ultra-might-only-be-worth-708-after-1-year/
Death, taxes, and new World of Warcraft expansions for the mainline games are about the only guaranteed things in life. But a new leak seems to have uncovered the titles for new spin-off games in the long-running franchise, including a Warcraft Chronicles RTS, a new action RPG centred around Athras, and the next evolution of World of Warcraft Classic. This comes in part from dataminer Stiven on X (formerly Twitter), who uncovered new Heroic and Epic licenses for 'World of Warcraft Camelot,' which is speculated to be the next evolution of WoW Classic, which players have been calling 'Classic+.' This […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/world-of-warcraft-classic-rts-athras-arpg-chronicles-rts-blizzard/
SK Hynix is planning to return to general-purpose DRAM, such as DDR5, after securing record revenue from HBM memory. SK Hynix Reportedly Finds No Reason To Accelerate Its HBM Production, Will Instead Focus on DDR5 Memory As Shortages Get Severe In The General-Purpose DRAM Segment HBM has been the main driver for the big three DRAM manufacturers for the last couple of months due to increased demand from AI firms. This has led to record profits for Samsung, Micron, and SK Hynix. At the same time, these companies stopped focusing production on general-purpose DRAM solutions such as DDR5. But now […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/after-earning-major-profits-from-hbm-sk-hynix-now-plans-to-prioritize-ddr5-dram-production/
Today, Fatshark launches the Skitarii Alpha Primus, which becomes the seventh playable class in the game Warhammer 40,000: Darktide alongside the Veteran, Ogryn, Zealot, Psyker, Arbites, and Hive Scum. It's the game's first representative of the Adeptus Mechanicus faction, too. In a pre-release presentation attended by Wccftech, Fatshark confirmed that the class has been in development since before the Hive Scum release, making it one of the longest-gestating additions to the game. Fatshark always intended to add an Adeptus Mechanicus presence to Darktide, citing the strong player resonance with existing characters like Tech-Priest Hadron Omega-7-7. A full Tech-Priest was, however, ruled out because […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/fatshark-skitarii-alpha-primus-darktide-adeptus-mechanicus-class/
Klara and The Sun got its first trailer recently, and the new movie quickly grabbed my attention. Even though stories of AI companions are everywhere, this one has done a lot to stand out from the crowd.
Before we get into that, here's a quick synopsis. Taika Waititi's Klara and The Sun is an adaptation of the novel of the same name, centering around an Artificial Friend (Jenna Ortega) and the human she was bought for, Josie (Mia Tharia).
Take a look at the trailer below ahead of the movie's release on October 23, 2026.
Stories about AI companions are hardly new, and you'd be forgiven for growing a little tired of them. Whether it's sci-fi classics like A.I. Artificial Intelligence or horrors like Companion, lifelike androids are nothing new.
But I quickly found myself interested in Klara and the Sun after seeing the trailer and reading up on it. The original novel by Kazuo Ishiguro explores a dystopian world where children are genetically engineered for enhanced academic ability.
There's plenty of downsides to this, including social isolation. Children learn at home through on-screen tutors so they spend a lot of time stuck indoors. Enter the Artificial Friends, companions that can be purchased for the home where they'll keep children company without needing to be cared for like a pet would.
It's a bleak existence, but there's also something hopeful about Klara and the Sun. The trailer teases an unlikely bond between the titular AI companion and Josie, her human friend.
Outside of the interesting premise I'm also impressed by the cast. Supporting roles are played by Amy Adams, Natasha Lyonne, and Steve Buscemi, so we have some great talent attached to this.
I'm really excited to dive deeper into this world, especially since I have enjoyed Waititi's previous work such as Jojo Rabbit. I'm hoping that Klara and the Sun is just as good.
The Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal comes in at $1,299.99 / £999.99 — while it’s far from cheap, it’s pretty good value for what it offers. That being said, there are other robot vacuum cleaners with equally impressive features and better software at a similar price point.
Plus, you’ll need to maintain some parts of the vacuum; in particular, refills for the multi-floor cleaner ($13.99 / £14.99) and the odor-neutralizing puck ($9.99 – $14.99 / £7.99 – £15.99), as well as the usual replacement for things like side brushes and mop pads. Over time, these can add up, but you’ll scarcely find a robovac that doesn’t come with added costs at similar prices these days.
Out of the box, you’ll find the vacuum, base, power chord, an anti-odor puck, one refill bottle of Shark’s multi-floor cleaner, two side brushes, plus the usual array of instructions and warranty documents.
The base stands at 17 x 18 x 14 inches / 43.2 x 45.7 x 35.6 cm, and comes in either black or white — mine was the latter, and I think it looks a lot more premium than the tackier black colorway. Enclosed in the lid of the base are the 2.74-litre / 96.65oz clean and 1.18-litre / 41.62oz waste water tanks, which lift out easily thanks to the retractable handles, as well as the bagless dirt compartment — I really appreciate that Shark opted for this so there’s one less thing to routinely replace.
You can remove the container with the press of a button situated on the side of the dock, and it’s also HEPA-filtered. There’s also a set of two filters you’ll need to clean every 1-2 months, depending on how often you use your robot vacuum, and a slot for one of Shark’s anti-odor pucks should dusty smells be an issue for you.
The vacuum itself is a fairly standard, rounded 2-in-1 robot vacuum, but a little tall and hefty at 5.35 inches / 13.6cm tall. The top houses its raised puck for LiDAR sensing, which works in tandem with the front of the device, where the cameras and other sensors, including a camera as well as LED and UV lights, to navigate your home and spot messes ripe for cleaning.
If you’d rather not use the app, you can use the four touch-sensitive buttons to activate mop and vacuum modes, send the vacuum home and connect to the Wi-Fi. A soft bumper surrounds the edges of the vacuum to prevent damage from any collisions, which are remarkably rare thanks to its top-tier obstacle avoidance, and you can remove its dust bin and mop plate from the rear of the device.
On the underside, you’ll find the wheels, brush bar, side brush, and a singular, flat mop pad. These aren’t my favorite type — a rondel will typically offer a deeper clean, better post-clean drying and less water waste. However, Shark has designed the robot vacuum to wiggle this mop pad to agitate dirt, which goes some of the ways to make up the difference.
Of note is that the vacuum seems to be a total dust magnet. I have mine placed beneath a desk, where I wouldn’t expect excessive levels of dust — however it’s constantly lined with a thick layer of the stuff.
Setup for the Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal is pretty simple; using the app, you’ll connect the vacuum to your Wi-Fi, give it a name (I loved some of the suggestions like Clean Latifah), and after that, the robot vacuum will run its first mapping pass. Broadly, mine was accurate; my apartment has a slightly tricky layout for robot vacuums, including a half-tiled, half-carpeted kitchen-living room, and lots of doors to dodge.
After this first pass, the app will offer you a second mapping run, this time to detect flooring types. If you plan to regularly mop hard floors and have carpets or rugs to avoid, make sure to get this out of the way during setup; I couldn’t find any way to update this map after the fact.
I performed my standard pickup tests using oats, cornflour and brown rice to compare performance to other robot vacuums I’ve tested, and the results were a mixed bag. When setting the Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal off for a standard, vacuum-only clean, I was immediately impressed as it zig-zagged across my floors, leaving them visibly refreshed — plus, it’s pretty quiet in action.
On hard floors, it excels thanks to a combination of its side brush, solid suction and the jet of air it blasts at hard-to-reach debris, ensuring floors are spick and span post-clean. On carpet, it’s slightly less impressive, especially in the edge cleaning department, but it still does a decent enough job. Its pickup of larger debris was very impressive on carpet, leaving little to nothing behind, but there was a small amount of powdery debris left behind on my medium-pile rugs — hair, however, is no problem, be it human or pet.
Next up, I tried a regular combination clean with vacuum and mopping, and that’s where my experience with the Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal became a bit more mixed. The robot vacuum first fills its water tank at the base, proceeding to concurrently vacuum and mop your floors rather than splitting out the tasks. This helps to save time and battery; however, it does increase the risk of soggy carpets.
To avoid this, the robovac will lift its hind to keep the mop pad from drenching carpets — this reduces its effectiveness on carpets, though, as it crushes the side brush, and sometimes, while navigating, it will spin round and spit water across the floor, too. However, once it reaches hard floors, the results are pretty impressive; the mop pad agitates spills and stains with a back-and-forth scrubbing motion, and will reach into corners to make sure every spot is well-cleaned.
It does use a lot of water, though, and especially if you’re cleaning up larger spills, that means the PowerDetect UV Reveal can leave a streaky mess in its wake. I noticed this even more so when there was lots of debris to vacuum up during the clean; the PowerDetect UV Reveal left a clump of soggy oats behind like an owl pellet as well as white streaky marks across the floor, but I wouldn’t typically recommend regularly using your robot vacuum to collect large volume spills anyway. I have especially reflective kitchen tiles, so I noticed this a lot; on my less shiny bathroom tiles, it wasn’t as much of a problem.
Powering up to a higher suction or mopping setting does result in a more thorough cleaning job, especially on carpets, but it’s worth noting that this seems to make the excess water usage more noticeable.
When the Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal works, it really works, but I encountered a fair few bugs and limitations that do impact its overall effectiveness — for example, when doing a combination clean, it sometimes skips cleaning certain areas and rooms, or neglects to clean areas I’ve specifically asked it to.
Its LiDAR scanner makes accurate room maps, though they’ll be a bit odd-looking if you have lots of furniture at floor level. That’s unavoidable, to a degree, but I wish it had investigated those areas more closely to find the real edges of the walls; that way if furniture moves around your home, you wouldn’t need to remap.
Its object detection is incredible — perhaps too good, as the robot vacuum avoided my low-hanging (but not floor-length) curtains like the plague, giving wide berth to even the most inconsequential of obstacles. Generally, it’s not too much of a problem, but improved smarts would mean there’s slightly less preparation required pre-clean to ensure your entire floor gets cleaned properly. I was also massively impressed by the ease with which it lifted itself over and cleared thresholds, chair legs, and the like, leading to quicker cleans.
After its standard cleaning cycles, the robovac will return to its base, but the cleaning isn’t over quite yet. It’ll issue an ominous warning once it’s refreshed itself: "I detected stains. I'm heading back out to aggressively attack them."
Here’s where the magic of the PowerDetect UV Reveal is really on show; as it cleans, it flares a blue UV light, with which you can see for yourself the stubborn and sometimes invisible stains on your floor, which it will then return to after a standard cleaning run. It was pretty cringe-inducing to watch it navigate areas I hadn’t cleaned recently and see just how much grime was there.
After the job’s complete, it’ll return for a final time to the base and begin the mop pad maintenance process quietly in the background with just a low humming noise, washing it with hot water before drying it to reduce contamination. In my testing, the robovac lived up to its estimated 3-hour battery life; a 45-minute clean on standard settings dropped the battery by 25%. A full recharge takes roughly 4 hours, and the vacuum won’t perform new tasks when at less than 20%.
The app is quite restrictive when it comes to home and schedule customization; you can only have one map, so multi-floor cleaning isn’t possible, no-go zones are always rectangular and you can only create two schedules per day.
I also noticed that the robot vacuum would often get confused when it initiated a clean, forging straight to the corner of my living room and spinning there for a good few minutes before figuring out its path to the hallway. On closer inspection, this happened most frequently when I sent it to clean somewhere other than its home room; for some reason, it wanted to head straight through my wall instead of around and through the doorway.
I couldn’t find a quiet mode, either, meaning if you ever wanted to use the vacuum at night or when little ones are sleeping, they might awaken to an ominous threat from your robovac.
These issues, among other software quirks, make for the primary complaint I have surrounding the Shark PowerDetect UV reveal; its app and on-board smarts hold back an otherwise high-performance robot vacuum.
Wattage (robot): | 65W |
Robot diameter: | 13.2 inches / 34cm |
Robot height: | 4 inches / 10.2cm |
Cleaning path width: | Not specified |
Dock dimensions (H x W x D): | 17 x 18 x 14 inches / 43.2 x 45.7 x 35.6 cm |
Dock cord: | 3.9ft / 1.2m |
Weight (robot + dock): | 26.9 lbs / 12.21 kg |
Section | Notes | Score |
Software and app | There are lots of features I’d expect as standard in a robot vacuum, especially at this list price, that Shark just hasn’t added. That and the litany of odd bugs drop the overall score significantly. | 2.5/5 |
Performance | Great for vacuuming carpets, and while the mop pad is a bit of a hazard, with UV sensing in tow it offers a truly deep clean. | 4/5 |
Design | Neutral, bag-less and easy to maintain, the only thing I could ask for would be a slightly more premium feel in its black colorway. Plus, it’s a dust-magnet. | 4.5/5 |
Value | Given its innovative features and thorough cleaning, it’s sitting pretty at its list price compared to the competition, but loses points for the in-app experience. | 4/5 |
You value well sanitized floors
With its UV detection, the Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal offers peace of mind and broadly great results, especially in the mopping department… if you can handle slow-drying floors.
You have pets
Again, the UV detection comes in clutch here for invisible pet messes, but it’s also a deft hand at hair collection.
You have a large home
With its great battery life and efficiency, the Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal is unlikely to run out of juice before finishing the job even in larger homes.
You have lots of wooden floors or shiny tiles
While it’ll clean these floor types within an inch of their life, the residual water and cleaning solution could warp or damage wooden floors and leave streaky marks on particularly reflective ones.
You have lots of carpet
Don’t get me wrong, this is an accomplished vacuum for carpets, but if you want to do combination cleans, you might end up with a few soggy spots left in its wake.
You want to vacuum multiple floors — or other smart features
I liken the Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal to a power washer in the hands of a caveman; it’s only as good as the software allows it to be, and with frustrations like single-floor mapping, ignored instructions and
Eufy X10 Pro Omni
Another two-in-one robovac with excellent cleaning on all floor types, plus strong mapping and navigation.
Read our full Eufy X10 Pro Omni review
Roborock Qrevo Curv
A robot vacuum and mop that delivers superb suction and great wet floor cleaning. It's the best robovac we've tested to date.
See our full Roborock Qrevo Curv review
I tested the Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal for two weeks in my home, completing my standardised pickup, edge cleaning and mopping tests in addition to simulating tests for features like UV detection. I used the app, making a map of my home and testing various features like scheduling and room-by-room cleaning tasks, closely observing the vacuum when in use to note any navigation or performance issues during testing.
Naturally, Amazon sales mean great savings on the mega marketplace's own devices, and Echo speakers and displays see some of the best discounts during Prime Day.
I've tested every single Echo speaker and display in Amazon's current line-up, putting them all through TechRadar's review programme to identify which ones are worth the money. Using that experience, I've made a quiz that will recommend the best speaker for your specific needs, which you'll find below.
• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale
If you ask me, the best deal is on the Echo Dot Max, which is my personal go-to for listening to music at home, and I plan to pick up another one to create a stereo system. Right now, it's $64.99 (was $99.99) at Amazon US and £59.99 (was £99.99) in the UK. Not sure whether that's right for you? Take my quiz and once you're done, you can check out all the deals below.
Whether you want more advanced features like Lossless High Definition audio and Automatic Room Adaptation, or just love the idea of a more premium-looking speaker with faster Alexa responses, the Echo Dot Max is a great choice. This deal for Prime Day is a new record-low price.
Also check out these coupons:
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The Amazon Echo Dot is down to $34.99 for Prime Day. Amazon's best-selling smart speaker offers improved audio, a new temperature sensor, and all the handy Alexa features just a voice command away, such as playing music, answering questions, and checking the weather. This one was $4 cheaper over Black Friday, but it's still a strong deal.
Also check out these coupons:
🎟️ Amazon: Claim 30% off Haul orders with this discount code
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Amazon's Echo Spot is a solid smart alarm clock that pairs a 2.83-inch touchscreen with a 1.73-inch front-firing speaker. With Alexa onboard, you can ask the assistant for the weather, play music, or, of course, schedule alarms. This Prime Day deal matches the previous record-low price we saw during Black Friday.
Also check out these coupons:
🎟️ Amazon: Claim 30% off Haul orders with this discount code
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Amazon's best-selling Echo Show 5 is down to $59.99 for Prime Day. The latest version of the Echo Show 5 features a compact 5.5-inch display but packs impressive sound with deeper bass and clearer vocals. Voice controls are enabled through Amazon Alexa, while you can use the smart screen to listen to podcasts, watch movies, stream videos, play music, and more.
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For most, this will be the perfect size smart display, though the 11-inch model below is just as good. With Alexa+ support, too, you get access to all of its advanced AI features, and an easy way to connect and control other smart devices around you home.
Also check out these coupons:
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Amazon's larger smart display just got its biggest discount yet ahead of Prime Day. The Echo Show 11 boasts a vibrant 11-inch full HD screen and spatial audio support for room-filling sound when listening to music or watching videos. With Alexa+ support, too, you get access to all of its advanced AI features, and an easy way to connect and control other smart devices around you home.
Also check out these coupons:
🎟️ Amazon: Claim 30% off Haul orders with this discount code
🎟️ Amazon sale: Claim up to 40% savings on toys
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The latest Echo Show 15 got a big refresh when it launched, bringing its specs up to speed and offering a better Alexa experience. These were the first smart displays from Amazon to see the Alexa+ treatment and, naturally, offer one of the better user experiences with Amazon's gen AI-boosted subscription service.
Also check out these coupons:
🎟️ Amazon: Claim 30% off Haul orders with this discount code
🎟️ Amazon sale: Claim up to 40% savings on toys
🎟️ Enjoy free delivery by signing up to Amazon PrimeView Deal
The new Echo Show 21 has great specs, a beautiful big screen and a better Alexa experience than older Amazon smart displays. Alongside the 15-inch model, these were the first smart displays from Amazon to see the Alexa+ treatment and, naturally, offer one of the better user experiences with Amazon's gen AI-boosted subscription service.
Also check out these coupons:
🎟️ Amazon: Claim 30% off Haul orders with this discount code
🎟️ Amazon sale: Claim up to 40% savings on toys
🎟️ Enjoy free delivery by signing up to Amazon PrimeView Deal
Whether you want more advanced features like Lossless High Definition audio and Automatic Room Adaptation, or just love the idea of a more premium-looking speaker with faster Alexa responses, the Echo Dot Max is a great choice. This deal for Prime Day is a new record-low price.
Also check out these coupons:
🎟️ Amazon: Claim 30% off Haul orders with this discount code
🎟️ Amazon sale: Claim up to 40% savings on toys
🎟️ Enjoy free delivery by signing up to Amazon PrimeView Deal
Amazon's best-selling Echo Dot is down to under £30 for Prime Day – an OK offer, but far from the previous record-low of £22.99. Nevertheless, the Echo Dot offers an improved audio experience, plus a new temperature sensor and all the handy features from Alexa, like playing music, answering questions, and checking the weather completely hands-free. As far as a cheap and cheerful smart speaker goes, it's one of the better options out there.
Also check out these coupons:
🎟️ Amazon: Claim 30% off Haul orders with this discount code
🎟️ Amazon sale: Claim up to 40% savings on toys
🎟️ Enjoy free delivery by signing up to Amazon PrimeView Deal
Amazon's Echo Spot smart clock is £25 off for Spring Deal Days — that drops it to £10 more than the record-low price. As well as a time display and wake-up alerts, this compact bit of kit can play music, check the weather and control other smart devices throughout your home.
Also check out these coupons:
🎟️ Amazon: Claim 30% off Haul orders with this discount code
🎟️ Amazon sale: Claim up to 40% savings on toys
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We've spotted an excellent price drop on the Echo Show 5 (newest gen). Grab it now at Amazon before it's gone.
Also check out these coupons:
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🎟️ Amazon sale: Claim up to 40% savings on toys
🎟️ Enjoy free delivery by signing up to Amazon PrimeView Deal
We've spotted an excellent price drop on the Echo Show 8 (newest Gen). Grab it now at Amazon before it's gone.
Also check out these coupons:
🎟️ Amazon: Claim 30% off Haul orders with this discount code
🎟️ Amazon sale: Claim up to 40% savings on toys
🎟️ Enjoy free delivery by signing up to Amazon PrimeView Deal
Upgrade your setup with the Echo Show 11 (newest Gen), now available at a stellar price via Amazon.
Also check out these coupons:
🎟️ Amazon: Claim 30% off Haul orders with this discount code
🎟️ Amazon sale: Claim up to 40% savings on toys
🎟️ Enjoy free delivery by signing up to Amazon PrimeView Deal
Score the Echo Show 15 (newest gen) for less at Amazon right now. This is a rare chance to save big.
Also check out these coupons:
🎟️ Amazon: Claim 30% off Haul orders with this discount code
🎟️ Amazon sale: Claim up to 40% savings on toys
🎟️ Enjoy free delivery by signing up to Amazon PrimeView Deal
This one isn't on sale right now, but it's still a great Echo Show worth considering.
Also check out these coupons:
🎟️ Amazon: Claim 30% off Haul orders with this discount code
🎟️ Amazon sale: Claim up to 40% savings on toys
🎟️ Enjoy free delivery by signing up to Amazon PrimeView Deal
Spending $5 on a good take-out coffee adds up over time, which is why single-serve coffee machines are a quick and easy way to give you your morning pick-me-up for a lot less.
Now that it's Amazon Prime Day, the idea of me returning to the best coffee machines is rather tempting, especially after seeing this offer on the Keurig K-Mini Mate machine for $89.99 down from $109.99.
• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale
One of the best parts about the Keurig K-Mini Mate is that you can pretend to be the barista you've always wanted to be by just the push of a button, and impress your friends with your 'skills' in the process. However, just as it is with every coffee pod machine, restocking pods is an additional cost.
But Prime Day isn't just about scoring a cheap coffee machine, it's one of the best times for you existing coffee machine owners to stock up on your favorite brands and flavors.
Keurig's smallest coffee maker is mighty for its compact size, and doesn't compromise quality of flavor for a budget-friendly coffee machine. $20 may not seem like the biggest saving, but it's the lowest price we've it hit in recent months. View Deal
This works out to around 75c per single-serve, and gives you a wide variety of medium roast brews from known brands including Lavazza and Krispie Kreme. Just one of these would last you two months if you have no more than one coffee per day - or a little bit less if you require more caffeine for your daily fix. View Deal
If you're one for a sweet-flavored coffee, this variety pack covers all the groundwork from vanilla and peanut butter, to butter crunch and maple syrup, but that's just the beginning. This variety pack equals to roughly 42c per serve, so cheaper than Keurig's own selection, but do you get less pods. View Deal
For 50c per serve, you'll be inundated with pods from The Original Donut Shop, bringing diner-style coffee right your kitchen. Though it's not a variety pack and is single-flavor only, it's a great way to stock up on standard pods for when you need a break from the sweeter flavors. View Deal
In a product crossover nobody expected, the Philippines-based brand Goojodoq has launched a 2-in-1 DJI Pocket-style vlogging camera with a fan, which costs around $25 / £20.
It's a device that I seriously need right now, and I can thank filmmaker Philip Bloom for bringing it to my attention. Not for its camera skills, mind you, but for its cooling properties — it's super hot in the UK as I write. Like, scorching hot.
As a fan, the device looks decent enough; a 100-speed brushless motor, 2,500mAh battery for a run time between 2-10 hours, plus USB-C charging.
I can't seriously recommend the device as a camera, however. Details are sparse, but it looks like there's Full HD 30p video recording, micro SD storage, a gimbal with 180-degree rotation, plus a 1.3-inch display.
And you can only laugh at the idea of using both camera and fan at the same time. Can you imagine it? Lights... camera... hummmmm.
Still, it's not like it's a pricey product, with the Philippine Peso pricing conversion working out at around $25 / £20.
• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale
If you're looking for a proper compact vlogging camera, I recommend you check out the DJI Osmo Pocket 3. It has recently been updated with the Pocket 4, but the older model is equally good in many regards, and it now costs much less in the Prime Day sales. I've included the best Pocket 3 deals below.
And if you're on the lookout for a decent quality fan, we're covering the best ways to stay cool in our beat the heat live blog. For all other deals, check out our Amazon Prime Day coverage.
The DJI Osmo Pocket 3 was recently replaced by the Osmo Pocket 4, but the latest model isn't currently available in the US, and we don't know if / when it will be. The Pocket 3 is now available for a record-low price of $378 in a base package, while other bundles with various accessories can be found via the same link.
Price check: $378 at AdoramaView Deal
Following the DJI ban, Xtra appeared, offering effectively the same quality product, for less. The Muse has similar specs to the Pocket 3, and can now be purchased for a record low $329 in a standard bundle.View Deal
There's a reason that the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 is a best-selling vlogging camera: its winning combination of gimbal-stabilized 4K video, compact design, ease of use, swivel monitor and pro audio mic pairing. That's everything a content creator on the go needs. Yes, there's the DJI Osmo Pocket 4 in the picture now, but it costs much more and is just an iterative update. Fork out a little extra, and you can get the Creator Combo for £372 which includes a DJI Mic and other accessories. View Deal
Gears of War: E-Day is set to bring back the series' iconic Active Reload mechanic, but The Coalition has made some design changes.
Speaking in an interview with TechRadar Gaming at Summer Game Fest 2026, studio creative director Matt Searcy discussed new features that have been built with Unreal Engine 5, such as larger environments, like an entire city, a jump button, improved animations, and a rebuilt cover system and traversal mechanics that feel "smoother than they've ever felt before."
"All those cover mechanics are there; they just feel smoother than they've ever felt before," he said, "and then around that we just gave little new ways for you to interact with the environment, for you to traverse, options for you to take new flanking routes, just to open up our maps a little bit more. It's made for some pretty amazing additions to the gameplay, but also the world."
Searcy also touched on Active Reload, a feature almost like a mini-game, which allows players to manually reload their held weapon rather than wait for the magazine to run out of ammo.
In E-Day, the mechanic has been moved from the top of the screen to the middle by default, which Searcy said works better.
"So active reload is a huge part of Gears," Searcy said. "[It's] an iconic feature. We've moved it by default to the middle of the screen. It feels better [from] what we've played; we've tested it as part of your shooting experience."
The creative director confirmed that players can move Active Reload back to its original place at the top of the screen, but notes that there are some extra "cool" details with natural reload and other additional reload mechanics.
"Every single shell is being reloaded," he said, "so some of the weapons have additional reload mechanics." For example, players can interrupt the reload and keep playing with two or three shells if they're halfway through and then "use them really quick to like get out of danger," or they can wait until the end to get their Active Reload bonus.
He added that players will noticeably use the mechanic "telemetry-wise" and use it way more than they did when it was at the top of the screen "because you can learn it much more easily [when] it's in your face."
Gears of War: E-Day is scheduled to launch on October 6 exclusively for Xbox Series X and Series S.
Matt Searcy told TechRadar Gaming that he believes making the game an Xbox exclusive was the best decision — something not all Xbox Game Studios teams are aligned on.
Identity theft is the number one crime in America, and when it comes to Prime Day sales the crooks are always looking to entice you with too-good-to-be-true deals to steal your financial info, ruin your credit score, and steal your identity.
But right now, LifeLock total is just $29.17/mo (was $34.99/mo) at LifeLock for the first year. When it comes to identity theft protection, there is a reason LifeLock is rated so highly in my guide. In the event your identity is stolen, LifeLock Total can provide up to $1,000,000 in reimbursement for both identity restoration and stolen funds, making it the ideal choice for professionals with multiple financial accounts, investments, or properties.
LifeLock Total also includes a credit lock and 3 Bureau score monitoring & reporting, 401(k) and investment account alerts, stolen wallet protection, automatic data broker removal and dark web monitoring, alongside 24/7 priority customer phone support.
LifeLock Total protects your credit and accounts, monitors the internet and social media for any hints of credential theft, and can helps secure your accounts if they are breached. Even if your identity is stolen, you'll have LifeLock experts on hand to get your life back on track. Prices are for first year only.View Deal
LifeLock Total is the pinnacle of identity theft protection, including everything needed to prevent fraud, and restore your life back to normal in the event your identity is stolen.
Your accounts (Credit, Checking, Savings, 401K, Investment) are covered by LifeLock's monitoring services, which will notify you of any suspicious activity or unauthorized transactions and withdrawals. You will also receive annual credit reports from 3 Bureaus, and a monthly report from 1 Bureau to keep you informed on changes to your financials.
I particularly like how LifeLock Total keeps tabs on your home title or property records and provides notification for any fraudulent attempts to change or transfer your property deeds.
LifeLock's automatic data broker removal scans over 30 of the most prolific data brokers every 90 days to submit data removal notices on your behalf to make sure your sensitive information isn't sold to advertisers from their sites. The dark web is also monitored for traces of your credentials, with notifications of any weak or leaked credentials.
Your social media accounts are also protected, with LifeLock monitoring for suspicious activity and account takeovers, helping to preventing account theft and fraud. You will also be sent alerts when a registered sex offender moves into your neighborhood.
LifeLock Total also 100% guarantees identity restoration in the event of identity theft, with a reimbursement of up to twelve months of your subscription payment if your identity isn't restored to good standing. In case you aren't fully satisfied, LifeLock also offer a 60-day money back guarantee.
As a gaming gadget reviewer, there's a roster of gaming gear I rely on literally every day. So if you're looking for some recommendations for products to upgrade your gaming setup this Prime Day, I've got plenty of tips for you!
• View the full Amazon Prime Day sale
You might not be surprised to hear this but I'm a serious gaming nerd. As I write this, I have at least six gaming devices within 10 feet of me and more hidden away upstairs. I use at least one or two of these consoles every day — and that's totally ignoring my favorite accessories. So here's just a handful of the gadgets I currently couldn't game without.
Currently, my personal fave accessory in my home setup is the wonderfully engineered ASUS ROG Raikiri II controller. You can buy the ASUS ROG Raikiri II at Amazon for $143.99 (was $189.99) — that's an epic bargain in my eyes.
When it comes to consoles, I'd definitely recommend the superb performance and graphical fidelity of the Xbox Series X Digital Edition, which you can currently get at Amazon for $574.99 (was $649.99).
The Nintendo Switch 2 is also well worth it, particularly before its price hike this September — and you can net yourself the Choose Your Game Bundle at Amazon for $499, which allows you to get it with a digital download of Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong Bananza, or Pokémon Pokopia into the bargain.
But while it's not purely a gaming device, my biggest tip this sale might be the fact you can grab the TCL QM8K 65-inch at Amazon for $997.99 (was $1,499.99). Given it's both seriously vibrant and crammed with great gaming features, that's a seriously good discount.
Based in the UK? Don't worry! I've dug up the best equivalent UK deals and prices I could find for all of these items below. And if you want the drop on other top price reductions out there, I've got a pro-tip for you — check out our Amazon Prime Day UK deals roundup for the hottest bargains.
Not gonna lie: I legit love my ASUS ROG Raikiri II. As you can see from my 4.5 star review, I'm a big fan of its TMR thumbsticks and triggers and its low-latency 2.4GHz wireless connectivity. My only criticism is how much it costs but, thanks to this ace deal, you can save yourself a huge $46.
UK price: £199 at AmazonView Deal
With the Nintendo Switch 2's price rising in September, I'd heartily recommend you grab yours soon. And with this great bundle, you can get it with a digital copy of either Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong Bananza, or Pokémon Pokopia for at least $20 less than any of the equivalent physical game bundles.
UK price (non-bundle): now £369.95 at Amazon (was £395.99)View Deal
Offering as great a performance as my mid-range gaming rig in a much smaller space, the Xbox Series X serves up stunning graphics and super smooth performance. And honestly, unless you're wedded to physical media, the Digital Edition is by far the best deal.
UK price: now £436 at Amazon (was £449.99)View Deal
While the Xbox is a good console, to me, what makes it great is Xbox Game Pass. On the Ultimate tier, I've currently got access to over 400 games, all for far less than what I'd usually spend on games a month. While we're not yet seeing any discounts this Prime Day, this is a very decent price for a truly enormous amount of content.
UK price: £16.99 / month at AmazonView Deal
Not only does my TCL QM8K (AKA the C8K in the UK) offer a vibrant, gorgeous picture, but I also love its gaming features like 4K at 144Hz, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, ALLM and Dolby Vision gaming. While it fell to $897.99 last Black Friday, if you can't wait till November to upgrade your TV, this is still a total bargain.
UK price: £1,199 at Amazon
What I love about the Beyerdynamic MMX 150 is how versatile it is, with sound presets letting you tailor the audio to different genres while its fantastically spatial sound is great for detecting enemies in shooters. With this $50 discount, I heartily recommend checking it out.
UK price: now £139 at Selfridges & Co (was £159)View Deal
Fuse Games has revealed that Star Wars: Galactic Racer has a combination of moving parts that is "in the trillions."
Speaking in an interview with TechRadar Gaming at Summer Game Fest (SGF), Fuse Games co-founder and CEO Matt Webster and Creative Director Kieran Crimmins shared how the studio designed a Star Wars racing game with a narrative that balanced what fans are already familiar with while also adding to the universe in a meaningful way.
Webster touched on the accessible planets where the races will take place, such as iconic planets like Tatooine, and others like Lantaana and Jakku, as well as the game's "runs-based" campaign structure and vehicle customization with over 300 parts.
That's a lot of options which will certainly offer a lot of player freedom, but according to Crimmins, the game at large goes beyond that. The creative director said that he spoke to one of the game's designers at SGF and asked how many combinations of moving parts there are in the game, and he was told, "It's in the trillions."
"I can't really calculate it at that point, because the amount of mechanical depth we've got in both the parts, the racer styles, the abilities, the upgrades, and then the different environmental effects that are on the planets, is an unbelievable depth."
"We've never had that much depth in a game we've made," he added. "I would argue there may not be an arcade racer with that much depth in it ever made. This might not be the biggest one possible, and that's something we really wanted to give back to the genre."
Coming back to how the team balanced the new and old of Star Wars, Crimmins explained that it wants people who are familiar with the franchise to have those "touch points," but it also looked at it from "more of a fantasy fulfillment point of view."
"It's like when we watch the movies, we watch the TV shows, or we play the games," he said. "What are the vehicle fantasies that are represented in this universe, which there are a lot of, and then, how do we get the right word, the right worlds, the right parts, the right vehicles? So that we can give as many of those different fantasies as possible."
One of those new vehicles is the skim speeder, which offers fast mobility and is something the Fuse Games knew needed to do a "knife-edge" turn in races.
"We made a vehicle that was able to do that and give, what I feel is a very authentic Star Wars experience, but it is a completely new vehicle, so something new to the Star Wars canon."
Star Wars: Galactic Racer launches on October 6 for PS5, Xbox Series X, Series S, and PC.
Star Wars: Galactic Racer will feature a runs-based structure within the campaign, which Fuse Games has said will involve "consequential decision-making."
That's according to Fuse Games co-founder and CEO Matt Webster, who told TechRadar Gaming during an interview at Summer Game Fest 2026 (SGF) that while he and the team love arcade racing games, "you can't make one really in the same way as you did all those years ago," because game genres have adapted and evolved.
Webster said the team wanted to bring something fresh to Galactic Racer, and the runs-based structures, which "are built for replayability and racing thrives on replayability," and in other games, the "meta" is car collection. So instead, the team shook things up by bringing back "consequential decision making and consequence back into the experience."
Creative Director Kieran Crimmins added that "consequence" was the "key" for Galactic Racer, saying, "We want every decision to matter, every upgrade to matter, every vehicle to matter, every race to matter, and like the runs-based structure allows us to do that, like we've never done in an arcade racing before."
"Not only have you got to keep on top of the curve with your build and your skill and your track knowledge, but also you get to reset every time," Crimmins continued.
In other arcade racers, the developer explained, cars can be upgraded to max level, but then players will realize they haven't experienced 99% of the other systems. And while they can always be revisited, the runs-based structure "allows you to do that with consequence."
"It gives you a reason to try all those different builds, a reason to experiment, and also a reward if you get your synergies right, you get your build right, and you get your knowledge right," Crimmins said.
"Then that's what actually wins the game, so it was incredibly compelling to us to have a structure that not only changed the way that you play, but changed the way that you play that was advantageous for the feelings that you get in a racing game, and like anything, the way we made it is we prototyped it and it felt right.
"This is an innovation we think we can bring to the genre."
During the interview, Crimmins also revealed that the game will feature a combination of moving parts that are "in the trillions," across racer styles, the abilities, the upgrades, and then the different environmental effects that are on the planets.
"It's an unbelievable depth," the creative director said.
Star Wars: Galactic Racer arrives on October 6 for PS5, Xbox Series X, Series S, and PC.
Despite being Insta360’s first vlogging camera with multiple Insta360 firsts, the Luna Ultra, overall, feels like a polished and bold product. Its triple chipset ably supports powerful features — especially the gimbal-stabilized 8K 30p video with 10-bit color depth and 4K 120p slow motion video recording, Log color profile, autonomous subject tracking autofocus and 32-bit float audio.
With dual 20mm f/1.8 and 60mm f/2.0 lenses, each with its own sensor, you truly are getting two cameras in one. And having enjoyed the Luna's ultra-wide and impressive 3x telephoto versatility for a month, it will be hard for me to go back to a single-lens compact vlogging camera.
The detachable remote module — which features the two-inch OLED touchscreen, main camera controls and built-in microphone — has, understandably, won many admirers. It's such a clever and well-implemented design feature that truly enhances the user experience, especially for solo vlogging.
Initially I had a few minor niggles navigating various camera settings, and it certainly paid dividends to spend time customizing the Luna Ultra to the way I like to shoot. It's also notably bulkier than DJI's Pocket 4 vlogging cameras, and pricier than single-lens alternatives.
Despite its infancy in this space, Insta360 has to its credit already produced crucial supporting accessories — including tripod and battery grips, plus the Insta360 Mic Pro wireless mic for top quality audio — meaning you can stick within the Insta360 ecosystem and enjoying the best possible user experience and compatibility, including full Bluetooth support.
Yes, DJI has been in the compact vlogging camera space for much longer and has refined its Pocket series with every iteration, but the Luna Ultra enters with a bang and is an impressive alternative.
"We're not going to compete on price" is what Insta360's co-founder Max Richter told me at a pre-launch event for the Luna Ultra, the company's first vlogging camera and DJI Osmo Pocket series rival.
And the Luna Ultra is much pricier than previous Pocket cameras. However, those were single-lens models and, like DJI's most recent Pockets, the single-lens Pocket 4 and dual-lens Pocket 4P, the Luna comes in two varieties: the single-lens Pro and the dual-lens Ultra.
Prices for the Ultra start at $769.99 / £649 / AU$1,229.99. That’s a fair whack more than the latest single-lens models, but you are truly getting two cameras in one device.
Insta360 sent me the Creator Bundle to review, which includes multiple extras such as the Mic Pro transmitter and battery grip and costs $969.99 / £829 / AU$1,549.99. I expect the dual-lens Osmo Pocket 4P to cost less than the Luna Ultra, but it won't be available in the US because of the DJI ban.
Both Luna models are available in black or white versions, and in a further variety of bundles that cater for various use cases; Standard, Essential, Endurance, VLOG, POV and Creator.
Type: | Compact video camera |
Lenses | 20mm f/1.8 and 60mm f/2.0 |
Sensors: | 1-inch and 1/1.3-inch |
Video: | 8K up to 30p / 4K up to 120p / FHD up to 240p |
Photo: | 9MP JPEG & RAW / 37MP UltraPhoto mode / panorama |
LCD: | 2-inch OLED, detachable |
Memory: | 47GB internal, 1x micro SD (up to 1TB) |
Battery | 1,550mAh, rated up to 4 hours of 1080p |
Dimensions | 2.1×6.7×1.5in / 52.4×169.9×38.5mm |
Weight: | 8.2 oz / 233g (black) |
The Luna Ultra’s form factor is familiar — it's a bit like the compact, stick-like design of DJI’s Pocket series. DJI isn’t happy about it, by the way; it has filed a lawsuit accusing Insta360 of patent violations (which Insta360 has responded to with a countersuit).
However, there are some key design differences. Lunas are slightly larger than Pocket models. Not majorly so, but the difference is clear when you hold them side by side as I did (albeit the dual-lens Ultra alongside the single-lens Pocket 4).
In practice, I didn’t really feel that the Luna’s extra weight and size negatively affected its handling — it’s easy in the hand for on-the-go vlogging. If you want the absolute smallest option, however, DJI is your best best. Even the dual-lens Pocket 4P is smaller.
There’s a good reason why the Luna cameras are bigger, and that’s for a super clever and unique feature: a detachable remote control, which is a module that packs the camera's main controls and rotatable two-inch OLED screen. Simply squeeze the red buttons on either side of the Luna, and the module pulls away from the body.
The module has a 20m transmission range and operates exactly the same way as if it’s on the camera, with the touch display offering a remote view, and the main camera controls on hand, including gimbal, zoom and record. Transmission range is impacted by the surroundings — I found the feed froze inside 15 meters when other people passed in front of me in a busy urban space — but I could see it happening on the screen in my hand and could rectify the situation.
What’s really neat is that the module has a built-in microphone, so you can easily check your frame and present to the camera. It’s certainly better than using the on-camera mic, though a wireless mic such as Insta360’s own Mic Pro with its customizable E Ink display is an even better pick for audiophiles. The camera has direct Bluetooth support for this mic and Insta360’s Mic Air. The video below gives an idea of what the module is like to use remotely.
I really appreciated how much easier it was to frame my shots with the controller module in hand. There’s also smart subject tracking and autofocus (more on this in the performance section), meaning the camera can track you as you move around, within the gimbal’s range, keeping you or your subject centered in the frame. Controlling the Luna using the module and tracking is like having your own cameraperson filming you, provided you can find a secure surface to rest the camera on or a support to fix it to.
On that note, the Luna Ultra can stand freely on flat surfaces, while the battery grip, which extends battery life plus the physical height of the camera, features tiny flip-out tripod feet for extra stability.
The battery grip is larger than the regular tripod grip and extends the battery life of the camera, which was already impressive being rated at up to four hours of 1080p filming. Not bad for a 1,550mAh unit that can be recharged to 80% in just 23 minutes.
At first I had a few niggles with the handling of the Luna Ultra from how it comes straight from the box. Beyond finding it physically clunkier than the Pocket 4, I needed to change various settings to taste, such as its behavior when rotating the two-inch touchscreen.
Overall, however, I can't find much fault with the Luna Ultra's design, which is seriously impressive for a first generation product.
The Luna Ultra is equipped with a triple chipset, comprising powerful 4nm and AI chips. As such, I never really experienced any performance issues, even shooting a lot of 8K video (though never for more than 10 minutes at a time).
The camera does get a little warm when using power-hungry features such as 8K video, and I did see a lag when switching from the 12x zoom back to 1x using the stepped zoom control on the touchscreen. However, those were my only issues.
In addition to regular 8K video, the Luna Ultra has a range of shooting modes, including; Slow Motion up to 240fps (in Full HD), Timelapse, TimeShift and Barrel Roll. I've included some slow motion clips in a sample video below.
Both Luna cameras accept a micro SD card up to 1TB, and include 47GB internal storage — less than DJI’s Osmo Pocket 4 / 4P, which have more than double the capacity. I shot plenty of video clips and photos directly onto the internal memory, and still had plenty of space left over — the maximum 120Mbps bitrates of video files are fairly low and don't take up too much memory.
And there’s plenty more for audiophiles, namely a decent wind guard for the camera’s internal four-mic array, plus 32-bit float audio. This pro-level setting avoids clipping, and is ideal for unpredictable and noisy environments, but for simpler audio edits, the 24-bit setting is probably your best bet.
The quality of the detachable module's built-in mic impressed me, though for the clearest pickup it's pretty fussy about how close you hold it and the angle it's pointed in.
Subject tracking is impressively sticky, though I did find that it switches to a new subject a little more easily than the DJI Pocket 4. In one situation, I was walking with the camera tracking me when other people came between me and the camera and tracking stopped.
In another scenario as I held a product up to the camera for it to focus on, the camera focused back on my face in the background all too keenly when I came back into view. In such a scenario, I think DJI's tracking performs better.
The Luna Ultra ups the ante in this camera category with 8K video — double the resolution of the Osmo Pocket 4, which shoots in 4K. It’ll shoot 8K up to 30fps, complete with Dolby Vision (aka HDR) and I-Log color profile.
This is the first Insta360 camera with Log, a flat color profile that pros like to use to maximize the color grading potential and for the most dynamic range possible from their camera, which in this case is up to 14 stops.
DJI has billed the Pocket 4P as having 17 stops dynamic range with its new D-Log2 profile — I look forward to comparing the footage of both cameras to see which is better once I have my hands on the Pocket. 4P.
Insta360 thinks its night mode is superior to DJI, with its PureVideo mode boosting dynamic range in 4K 60p videos. That’s another comparison test I’m looking forward to conducting. From the shots I've taken at night in this mode, detail looks impressively sharp, though of course no match for the quality of daytime footage.
Insta360’s Leica partnership goes beyond the Luna’s Leica-branded lenses and into various Leica color profiles. If you like the simplicity of attractive color profiles with no need for color correction, then the Luna has some great alternatives to Log.
I was impressed with the 3x telephoto camera — provided the subject isn't too far away, it's possible to throw depth of field for punchy portraits. I'm talking upper body shots with notable shallow depth of field.
The zoom of that lens can be further extended with a 6x 'lossless' zoom, a term that suggests you shouldn't notice a drop in image quality — I certainly didn't. I can't say the same for the 12x digital zoom setting, which looks a little more pixelated on close inspection. Still, that 12x zoom is a handy addition should you really need to zoom closer.
Honestly, having enjoyed the variety of two lenses in such a small camera, and how impressive the quality of the telephoto camera is (the sensor is bigger than the main sensor in most smartphones), I know I'll struggle if I have to go back to a single-lens compact vlogging camera.
Video is, of course, the primary use for the Luna Ultra, but it shoots decent-quality 9MP photos too, in JPEG and RAW format, albeit with just eight-bit color depth. I've included a couple of scenarios below, taking JPEG and RAW (DNG format) photos simultaneously at night and in daylight, with the 1x and 3x lenses.
I haven't edited the RAWs so you can see the kind of processing that takes place for JPEGs. All the photos are 9MP, but there is also an UltraPhoto mode which quadruples resolution to 37MP.
Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
Price | Considering you get two cameras in one, a detachable touchscreen module and high-end video features, the Luna Ultra is decent value, but it does cost a lot more than single-lens alternatives and DJI almost always costs less | 4/5 |
Design | Slightly clunkier than the rival Osmo Pocket 4 / 4P, but the detachable control is well implemented and seriously useful | 4.5/5 |
Performance | Triple chipset ably supports high-end features, subject tracking works well and gimbal performance is decent | 4.5/5 |
Image and video quality | Twin camera versatility for different shots, sharp 8K footage, I Log and Leica color profiles. You'll struggle to find better image quality in this camera format, though I haven't directly compared footage with the Osmo Pocket 4P yet | 5/5 |
You want a versatile compact vlogging camera
Dual lenses are a revelation for this camera format. You're no longer restricted to ultra-wide shots, but dynamic portraiture and b-roll details are entirely possible.
You're a solo vlogger
The detachable remote with two-inch touchscreen, camera controls and built-in mic aid solo vlogging, in terms of the range of shots you can easily get, especially with subject tracking on board.
You want the smallest possible vlogging camera
The Luna Ultra is clunkier than the DJI Osmo Pocket 4 / 4P. Not hugely so, but DJI's cameras are even more pocketable.
You don't need two lenses
For me, having used the Luna Ultra, it's now hard to go back to a single-lens compact vlogging camera, but if you don't need that second telephoto camera, the single-lens Pocket 4 / Luna Pro alternatives cost much less.
DJI Osmo Pocket 4 / 4P
At the time of writing, I've only reviewed the single-lens DJI Osmo Pocket 4 which isn't a fair comparison especially with the dual-lens Pocket 4P on the horizon and the direct rival to the Luna Ultra. However, if you'd like to know how the cameras compare, check out my Luna Ultra vs Pocket 4 article.
Read our in-depth DJI Osmo Pocket 4 review
Fujifilm X-M5
If we're going on price, there beginner mirrorless cameras enter the picture, and for me the Fujifilm X-M5 is the best-equipped hybrid for the money. It has a bigger APS-C sensor, shoots 6K video recording (with Full HD vertical vlogging mode) and 26MP photos and it's a stunning camera. The drawback is that there's no in-body stabilization, so you'll probably want an additional gimbal to smooth out on-the-go clips.
Read our in-depth Fujifilm X-M5 review
I had early access to the Luna Ultra Creator Bundle ahead of its launch, and tested the kit out over the following weeks before writing this review. During this review period, I also had the single-lens DJI Osmo Pocket 4, meaning I was able to make comparisons.
The camera shoots decent still photos with RAW format editing flexibility, but my main focus video performance. I've shot horizontal and vertical vlogging-style videos in the various resolutions and frame rates available in each format, and experimented with various color profiles.
I've made sure to try out all of the accessories supplied to me and the various configurations of the detachable monitor. I've checked the camera and detachable monitor's audio quality, and how easily and reliable it pairs with an Insta360 Mic Pro wireless mic.
If you're looking to get into the world of audiophile-grade sound, or want to upgrade your gear, then now could be the perfect time. And that's because Amazon Prime Day is finally upon us, and we've spotted a bunch of amazing deals on head-fi, with some mega bargains on IEMs, headphones, and music streamers.
• View the full Amazon Prime Day sale
I've got the rundown on some awesome offers from the likes of Astell & Kern, its affordable sub-brand, Activo, Meze, and Sennheiser, with big discounts, bundles, and more available.
As someone who's been testing audio gear for years, and has tested IEMs and headphones from all of these brands — including the featured Activo Volcano and Sennheiser IE 200 — I have to say that these deals are seriously tempting, even for me. So, whatever you do, don't miss out on some of this high-quality, yet low-priced audio gear!
For a long time, security teams have been dealing with the same problem: a constant stream of security alerts, but not enough context.
Missing details like user behavior, asset importance, or related activity, means there’s a heavy reliance on analysts to work out what actually matters.
This doesn’t just slow teams down; it puts real pressure on teams and limits how much they can realistically review or understand.
Agentic AI changes this dynamic.
Instead of looking at alerts in isolation, these systems can piece activity together, understand what’s happening in context, and in some cases take action on their own.
Often, issues are resolved before they ever need to be escalated. That removes a lot of the manual effort that’s shaped security operations for years.
But while a clear improvement, it doesn’t remove risk—it shifts it.
A useful comparison is aviation. As systems become more reliable, people naturally step back. Not because they’re careless, but because constantly double-checking something that’s almost always right starts to feel unnecessary. Over time, trust stops being something you actively think about and becomes something you assume.
The same thing is starting to happen in cybersecurity. As these systems prove themselves, teams spend less time questioning individual decisions. The environment feels calmer, and the lack of issues reinforces that sense of control. The real risk isn’t frequent failure, it’s that when something does go wrong, it’s less likely to be challenged.
Alert fatigue comes from having to pay attention to too much, too quickly. What follows is something different: a gradual drop in attention, where growing confidence in the system weakens the instinct to double-check.
The structure of security operations starts to shift as well. Instead of everything hinging on human decision-making, you end up with two connected layers. People set the intent – defining policy, access and boundaries – while agents interpret it and act on it, often much faster than any person could.
Both layers can be influenced. Traditional attacks aimed at people don’t go away, but there’s now another surface to think about: the data, prompts, and workflows that shape agent behavior. If those inputs are manipulated, the system can still produce actions that look valid, because they follow its internal logic.
At the same time, the distance between decision and execution increases. Human operators aren’t as involved in the moment an action happens, which makes it harder to spot when something isn’t quite right. In practice, each layer ends up relying on the other for validation.
When that assumption holds, the system works efficiently. When that works, everything runs smoothly. When it doesn’t, the gap between them can be hard to see in real time.
Risk doesn’t just increase in this kind of environment, it spreads differently. Each agent has its own identity, permissions, and decision-making logic, and they’re often connected. Actions taken in one part of the system can trigger responses elsewhere, creating chains of automated behavior.
That means a single bad input or flawed decision doesn’t stay contained. It can move quickly across systems without anyone stepping in. The issue isn’t just speed, it’s how connected everything is. Small mistakes can have much bigger consequences because they’re carried through multiple layers of automation.
How agents are set up today adds another layer of risk. In many cases, they’re treated as extensions of the user, with the same credentials and access. It’s convenient, but it also widens the blast radius if something goes wrong.
A more resilient approach is to treat agents as their own entities. Give them distinct identities, limit what they can do to specific tasks, and make sure their actions can be tracked and reversed if needed, without affecting everything else.
It’s less about efficiency and more about putting the right foundations in place for systems that are increasingly acting on their own.
One of the trickier aspects is that failure doesn’t always look like failure. Fewer alerts and faster resolutions can make it feel like risk has gone down, when in reality oversight may just be less active.
Staying in control comes down to how these systems are designed and used. High-impact actions still need some form of verification, even if most routine work doesn’t. It also matters that teams can see not just what an agent did, but how it arrived there—what inputs it used and how it interpreted them.
The ability to step in is just as important. If stopping or overriding an automated process is slow or awkward, it probably won’t happen in time when something goes wrong. That kind of intervention needs to be simple enough to use under pressure.
More broadly, the role of the security professional shifts. It’s not just about spotting obvious problems anymore, but recognizing when something that looks fine might still need a second look.
Agentic AI will do a lot to reduce alert fatigue, which has weighed on security teams for years. The trade-off is that risk becomes less visible and more concentrated in the space between what people intend and what machines actually do.
In systems that work correctly most of the time, the real challenge isn’t constant failure. It’s what happens when something does go wrong and whether the usual signals that would catch it are still there.
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Under the Radar is our way of highlighting great games that might have passed you by. Through a regular mix of news stories and features, we'll cover everything from high-quality indie gems to AAA experiences or ports that were buried by busy release schedules.
The only requirement is that we think whatever we’re writing about is truly interesting and worthy of your attention, so buckle up because things might well get weird…
Portable power stations have become a must-have for business travel, camping and road trips, and anyone spending time away from a wall socket.
If you've been thinking about picking one up, Amazon Prime Day has delivered a great deal on the Jackery Explorer 240D for $119 (was $179). We enjoyed testing this power station, which is more portable than almost any other option out there - with a built-in braided cable that doubles as a handle. Really cool design here that we love.
Despite its compact size, the Explorer 240D packs a 256Wh battery, equivalent to 80,000mAh of capacity. That's enough power to keep smartphones, tablets, laptops, cameras, drones, and other portable devices running when you're away from a wall socket.
With an 80,000mAh LiFePO4 battery, 200W output and one-hour fast charging, this compact portable power station is ideal for camping, travel and emergency backup power when mains electricity isn't available.View Deal
Four charging ports are included, consisting of three USB-C connections and one USB-A port.
The unit can power up to four devices simultaneously, with up to 200W of total DC output and as much as 140W available from a single port.
Weighing just 4.85lbs, the Explorer 240D is substantially lighter and smaller than many portable power stations with similar capacity, making it easier to slip into a vehicle, backpack, or camping setup.
In his rave review, our expert Collin said "the Explorer 240D is ready for on-the-go adventures with a built-in cable that's more than just a cable." By that he means it "doubles as a handle."
In our roundup of the best portable power stations, we observed the product "is about as portable a power station as you're every going to get," noting that it should be thought of "as the middle-ground between a decent-sized power bank and a full-sized power station."
The power bank supports USB-C charging, solar charging, vehicle charging, and AC-DC dual input charging.
According to Jackery, the unit can reach 80% capacity in around one hour when using AC-DC dual input charging.
The LiFePO4 battery is rated for up to 6,000 charge cycles while retaining at least 70% of its original capacity, and Jackery says it can continue operating for up to a decade of regular use.
One particularly useful feature for travelers is support for high-power USB-C devices. The Explorer 240D can keep a Starlink Mini connected for up to 10 hours while also supporting laptops and other demanding gadgets.
Amazon Prime Day might have just begun today, but at $119, this is one of the best portable power deals I've spotted in a long time.
Combining a 292Wh portable power station with a 40W solar panel, this compact setup delivers 300W of pure sine wave AC power for camping, travel, outdoor adventures and emergency backup situations.View Deal
With a 1070Wh LiFePO4 battery, 1500W AC output and one-hour fast charging, this portable power station provides reliable backup power for camping, RV trips, emergencies and off-grid living.View Deal
US President Donald Trump has signed two executive orders to push the US forward in quantum tech in a bid to prepare government systems against future cybersecurity risks.
The first EO is to establish a coordinated national effort to "develop the first ever quantum computer powerful enough to initiate the era of quantum-enabled scientific discovery and accelerate quantum capabilities for commercial applications."
The Departments of Energy, War, Commerce, and the Intelligence Community, industry and research leaders are all set to be involved as the country seeks to press on with its quantum plans.
Among the benefits Trump envisions coming from future quantum computers are a number of spatial awareness improvements, including navigation through military environments, detecting submarines, underground structures and other hidden infrastructure, and improving battlefield awareness.
Trump's second EO focuses on the nationwide "nationwide migration to post-quantum cryptography," coordinated between the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the National Cyber Director.
The White House warned that quantum developments threaten the security of government networks, banks, healthcare, military systems and other critical infrastructure, ordering a pilot scheme to have been completed by the end of 2027. Some of the earliest migrations are set to have happened by 2030-2031, the administration added.
Quantum also promises some positive impacts spanning manufacturing, drug discovery, energy and agriculture, with the President seeing earlier investment in quantum giving the nation a competitive advantage.
But in as little as two years and before PQC rollout, the administration hopes to achieve scientifically relevant quantum computing, targeting 2028.
The increasingly popular AI assistant Claude has gone down for many today, with Anthropic confirming that it's "investigating" an issue.
The problems started at around 10.02am ET / 3.02pm BST, when a spike in reports appeared on Downdetector. At the time of writing, those reports are still climbing and have hit over 8.000 in the US.
The Claude Status page has confirmed a "elevated error rate" across models, but says "a fix is being implemented". Here's the latest news on Claude's issues today...
This is the current situation on Anthropic's Status Page for Claude — there's good and bad news.
While there are indeed "elevated error rates" across "multiple models" on Claude, as I've also experienced, it seems the company has already got a fix in the pipeline.
Let's hope that means it gets resolved as quickly as the last outage we saw on June 2...
Today's Claude issues aren't restricted to just one model unfortunately — we're seeing issues across all models, and on both paid and free accounts.
Right now, Claude is either "contemplating" its answers indefinitely or telling us "this model isn't available right now". According to Downdetector, the issue is also affecting both the chat interface and Claude Code.
It's early days, but today's reported Claude issues have just taken a small dip on Downdetector — they're still high at over 6,000 in the US at the time of writing, but that's down from a high of 7,119 just over half an hour ago.
Hopefully, that's the work of Anthropic's engineers, with the latest post in Claude's Status page stating that "the issue has been identified and a fix is being implemented".
It still isn't working for me, but the signs are promising that it'll spring back into life soon...
While reports of Claude issues on Downdetector have dropped slightly in the last half an hour, they're still very high — and Anthropic's status page (above) is showing a "major outage" across all of its platforms, except Claude for Government.
That means Claude's chat interface, Claude Code, Claude Cowork and its API are all having issues right now, which makes this is a pretty broad outage affecting many.
Some Claude models are down, and I hope you aren’t too from r/ClaudeAI
As the Claude issues continue for many, Reddit is responding the only way it knows how — with comforting memes.
The could be promising news on the horizon, though — Anthropic's latest post on the Claude Status page (at 10.53am ET / 3.53pm BST) says that "a fix has been implemented and we are monitoring the results".
That often means a swift improvement, but can also be a false dawn, so I'm keeping a close eye on my account in the hope that it'll be the former.
Claude is still very much down for me and thousands of others — and it's now well over an hour since the problems started at around 10.53am ET / 2.53pm BST.
The latest from Anthropic's status page is still that "a fix has been implemented and we are monitoring the results'. So far that hasn't been reflected in the numbers, but in theory we should see an improvement pretty soon.
We don't have to look back too far for the last significant Claude outage — that was just three weeks ago on June 2. But this one is definitely bigger.
Those previous issues were related to its latest Opus 4.6 model, but this outage is across all models and all Claude platforms — except for those fortunate to be on Claude for Government.
I don't know about you, but this feels like a good opportunity to check out the latest Prime Day deals in the US and UK's best Prime Day deals, too. Forgive me the plug, but a cut-price Ninja Slushi is looking very tempting right now while I wait for Claude to reboot...
While the number of reported Claude issues on Downdetector is dropping — in the US, they're now at about the half the peak from an hour ago — thousands are still struggling to get it working, including many of us at TechRadar.
For me, there are some signs of life — rather than completely blanking my prompt or giving me a "this model isn't available right now" error message, Claude is now 'thinking' when I ask it something.
But that thinking time still ultimately goes nowhere, which suggests Anthropic's fix still isn't fully working — and the company indeed says that it's still "continuing to monitor for any further issues".
I'm starting to feel like one of the last people who still has Claude issues, as Downdetector is showing a significant drop in reported issues — and it's now back for many others here at TechRadar.
That fix that Anthropic pushed out almost exactly an hour ago is seemingly doing the trick. And just as a I type, Claude has sprung back into life for me, albeit with a slight delay in its responses. It looks like this one's almost over, folks...
When Joao Neves scored in just the sixth minute against DR Congo, there was a general expectation that Portugal would go on to make their opening World Cup 2026 game a thrashing. But that wasn't to be for six-time World Cup participant Cristiano Ronaldo's side, as they were held to an unexpected draw after appearing to ease off following the early lead despite enjoying 75% possession.
Portugal now face 54th-ranked World Cup debutants Uzbekistan at Houston Stadium, and anything less than three points will be a disappointment. Much of the spotlight will be on the 41-year-old CR7, who has come under intense scrutiny both online and from pundits after the opening game. He finished the match with just 25 touches and failed to register a single shot on target. In fact, his last World Cup goal came against Ghana in Portugal's opening match of the 2022 tournament.
But it's fair to say Ronaldo wasn't the only underwhelming aspect of Portugal's performance. Several fans even accused Bruno Fernandes of not passing the ball enough to Ronaldo. Wow! However, Roberto Martinez's men will have to block out the outside noise if they are to mount a serious challenge for the trophy.
Debutants Uzbekistan, on the other hand, are coming off a 3-1 defeat to Colombia after failing to register a single touch in the penalty area during the first half. Now up against A Seleção das Quinas, the White Wolves will rely on captain Eldor Shomurodov, Manchester City centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov, and 22-year-old Abbosbek Fayzullaev to put up a formidable fight.
On paper, Portugal have one of the best squads in the tournament, and should be more than a match for today's opponents. Fail to deliver again, however, and they face a very tricky final game against a decent Colombia side.
So, read on as we show you exactly how to watch Portugal vs Uzbekistan for free from anywhere in the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Portugal vs Uzbekistan is available to watch for free in multiple countries, including the UK, Australia, Brazil, Belgium, Ireland, Netherlands, Switzerland and Turkey.
Abroad? Can't access your free stream? Unblock your free World Cup stream with Norton VPN — more on that below.
It’s the World Cup, and if you’re traveling, you might discover your usual Portugal vs Uzbekistan stream is suddenly unavailable due to geo-restrictions.
Don’t worry, that’s exactly where a VPN can help. A virtual private network lets you connect to servers around the world so you can securely access your usual World Cup coverage as if you were back home.
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US viewers can watch Portugal vs Uzbekistan on Fox and Telemundo (Spanish comms).
You can watch every World Cup game on Fox, FS1 and Telemundo which are available on cord-cutters like YouTube TV (free trial), Hulu+Live TV, Sling (select markets), Fubo or DirecTV.
Those looking for a streaming service instead can watch Portugal vs Uzbekistan on Fox One (3-day free trial). Telemundo is available via Peacock as well.
Visiting the US from the UK? You can still watch your World Cup stream for free thanks to Norton VPN (try for 60 days).
UK customers are in luck as they can stream Portugal vs Uzbekistan for free on ITV. Live coverage is on ITV1 and ITVX.
You require a TV Licence and a valid UK postcode for an account (e.g. SE1 7PB).
Norton VPN can unlock your stream if you're abroad today.
Portugal vs Uzbekistan will be shown for free in Australia on SBS On Demand.
The streaming platform has every game of the tournament for free, making it the perfect place for your World Cup viewing.
Traveling for work or on holiday? A VPN like Norton VPN can help unlock your free stream.
In Canada TSN will be broadcasting Portugal vs Uzbekistan.
You can live stream via the TSN+ streaming platform, which costs CA$8 per month or CA$80 per year.
Outside of Canada? Use Norton VPN whilst you're traveling away from home to unlock your stream.
Portugal vs Uzbekistan kicks-off at 6pm BST / 1pm ET on Tuesday, June 23. That's 3am AEST on Wednesday, June 24 in Australia.
Portugal
Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (Porto), Jose Sa (Wolves), Rui Silva (Sporting), Ricardo Velho (Genclerbirligi)
Defenders: Diogo Dalot (Manchester United), Matheus Nunes (Manchester City), Ruben Dias (Manchester City), Nelson Semedo (Fenerbahce), Joao Cancelo (Barcelona), Nuno Mendes (Paris St-Germain), Goncalo Inacio (Sporting), Renato Veiga (Villarreal), Tomas Araujo (Benfica)
Midfielders: Ruben Neves (Al-Hilal), Samu Costa (Mallorca), Joao Neves (Paris St-Germain), Vitinha (Paris St-Germain), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City)
Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (Al-Nassr), Joao Felix (Al-Nassr), Francisco Trincao (Sporting), Francisco Conceicao (Juventus), Pedro Neto (Chelsea), Rafael Leao (AC Milan), Goncalo Guedes (Real Sociedad), Goncalo Ramos (Paris St-Germain)
Uzbekistan
Goalkeepers: Utkir Yusupov (Navbahor), Abduvohid Nematov (Nasaf), Botirali Ergashev (Neftchi)
Defenders: Abdukodir Khusanov (Manchester City), Khojiakbar Alijonov (Pakhtakor), Farrukh Sayfiev (Neftchi), Rustam Ashurmatov (Esteghlal), Sherzod Nasrullaev (Pakhtakor), Umar Eshmurodov (Nasaf), Bekhruz Karimov (Surkhon), Mukhammadrasul Abdumazhidov (Pakhtakor), Jakhongir Urozov (Dinamo), Mukhammadkodir Khamraliev (Pakhtakor)
Midfielders: Akmal Mozgovoy (Baniyas), Otabek Shukurov (Baniyas), Jamshid Iskanderov (Neftchi), Odiljon Hamrobekov (Tractor), Azizjon Ganiev (Al Bataeh), Oston Urunov (Persepolis), Dostonbek Khamdamov (Pakhtakor), Alisher Odilov (Neftchi), Ibrokhim Ibragimov (Pakhtakor), Umarali Rakhmonaliev (Sabah)
Forwards: Eldor Shomurodov (Istanbul Basaksehir), Igor Sergeev (Persepolis), Sherzod Temirov (Erbil)
Position | Team | GD | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Colombia | 2 | 3 |
2 | DR Congo | 0 | 1 |
3 | Portugal | 0 | 1 |
4 | Uzbekistan | -2 | 0 |
Of course, most broadcasters have streaming services that you can access through mobile apps or via your phone's browser.
You can also stay up-to-date with all of the key World Cup moments on the official social media channels on X/Twitter (@FIFAWorldCup), Instagram (@FIFAWorldCup), TikTok (@FIFAWorldCup) and YouTube (@FIFA).
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
Scream or Skip, that is the question. With so much horror out there to watch and play, our senior entertainment writer Lucy Buglass is here to help you decide what's worth your time.
Lucy is a long-time lover of the horror genre and has covered everything from the biggest new releases to hidden indie gems. Each month, she'll review a range of titles across cinema, television, and gaming, picking out titles that have caught her eye — for better or for worse. Feeling brave? Scroll on to see what frights await you.
There is a growing tendency to frame advances in artificial intelligence through the lens of breakthroughs: new models, new architectures, new capabilities.
Innovation is often measured by what is invented, and how quickly.
But in some domains, this framing misses the point entirely.
Financial crime is no longer a collection of isolated incidents, it has evolved into an organized, adaptive, and increasingly industrialized system.
Criminal networks operate across geographies, leverage automation, and continuously refine their methods: they test, iterate, and scale, just as any high-performing organisation would.
In such an environment, the question is not whether an AI system is innovative. It is whether it can operate at the same level of organisation, speed, and adaptability as the threats it is designed to counter.
Most AI breakthroughs do not survive contact with real-world systems.
In controlled environments, models perform well. Data is structured, assumptions hold, and evaluation metrics are stable. But reality introduces a different set of constraints: incomplete information, shifting behaviors, latency requirements, regulatory oversight, and adversarial actors actively attempting to exploit weaknesses.
Financial and state systems, in particular those related to fraud and risk, represent one of the most demanding environments for AI. Decisions must be made in milliseconds, errors carry direct financial and reputational consequences, and the underlying patterns are constantly evolving. Not randomly, but intentionally.
Fraud is not a static problem. It is an adaptive one.
This is where many innovations fail. Not because the underlying ideas are flawed, but because they are not designed to operate under sustained pressure or with the necessary agility to adapt.
The industrialization of frauds changes the nature of the response required.
It is no longer sufficient to detect known patterns or react to past incidents. Systems must identify behaviors that have not been seen before, anticipate emerging tactics, and operate continuously across multiple channels and geographies.
This requires more than isolated innovation. It requires systems that can learn, adapt, and scale, not once, but continuously. And behind those systems, it requires something even more fundamental: a culture capable of producing and sustaining that level of performance over time.
Innovation that exists only on paper has limited impact. Innovation that survives deployment, that continues to perform as conditions change, is what ultimately defines effectiveness. In financial crime prevention, the gap between these two is critical.
In recent years, the financial sector has significantly increased its investment in AI and machine learning, with a sharp rise in patent activity across the industry. From large banks to specialized technology providers, there is a growing recognition that intellectual property can capture and formalize advances in detection, decisioning, and risk management.
According to recent data, AI-related patent filing in the financial sector grew by over 250% in the past five years: from big banks to small startups working in the space, there is a clear interest in adding the value of patents to the business.
But patents, in this context, should not be understood as an end in themselves.
They are not simply indicators of inventive capacity. They are signals of something more structural: the ability to repeatedly transform ideas into capabilities that operate reliably in real-world systems.
If you obtain one patent, it suggests a strong idea. If you obtain ten, it suggests a strong team. If you obtain one hundred, it suggests a strong culture.
A culture in which ideas are not only generated, but challenged, tested, refined, and integrated into systems that must function under real-world constraints.
This distinction becomes tangible when looking at what such innovation enables in practice.
It allows financial institutions to analyze behavior across extended time horizons in real time, not only evaluating a transaction in isolation, but understanding how it relates to patterns built over weeks or months. It enables a shift from static rule-based detection to continuous behavioral modelling, improving both the precision of anomaly detection and the speed of response.
In environments where decisions must be made in milliseconds, these capabilities are not incremental improvements. They determine whether institutions can intervene while fraudulent activity is unfolding, rather than reacting after the fact.
Some of these approaches are already being deployed at scale within large financial institutions, enabling significantly faster decision execution and more robust behavioral insight across complex transaction environments.
From this perspective, patents are not about invention alone. They are about building the conditions under which innovation can endure and translate into systems that perform under pressure.
For an idea to matter in this context, it must pass through several layers of validation. It must be new. It must not be obvious. And it must be useful, not in theory, but in the systems that institutions rely on every day. This last dimension is often overlooked.
Usefulness, in a real-world financial system, means the ability to operate reliably at scale, under constraints, and in the presence of adversarial behavior. It means integrating into complex infrastructures, supporting decision-making in real time, and remaining robust as both legitimate usage and criminal tactics evolve.
In other words, innovation is not defined by invention. It is defined by sustained system performance.
The industrialisation of financial crime introduces a structural asymmetry. On one side, highly organised networks operate with speed, coordination, and adaptability.
On the other hand, defensive systems have historically been fragmented, reactive, and constrained by legacy architectures. Closing this gap is not a matter of incremental improvement. It requires a shift in how systems are designed, built, and evolved.
The level of innovation required is defined by the level of organisation of the threat.
And as that threat continues to industrialize, the systems designed to counter it must do the same.
This does not diminish the importance of research. On the contrary, it reinforces it. Breakthroughs are necessary, but they are not sufficient.
What ultimately matters is the ability to translate those breakthroughs into systems that function reliably in the real world, systems that can operate continuously, adapt dynamically, and maintain performance under pressure.
In financial crime prevention, this is not an abstract challenge. It is an operational reality. And it is one that will define the effectiveness of institutions, the resilience of financial systems, and, ultimately, the level of trust those systems can sustain.
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This article was produced as part of TechRadar Pro Perspectives, our channel to feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today.
The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/pro/perspectives-how-to-submit
Meta is pausing an employee-tracking program after one of the employees flagged it as exposing sensitive data.
The company behind Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, was apparently running an internal program that was tracking employee mouse movements and digital activity. Called Model Capability Initiative (MCI), this program allegedly started in April with the goal of training Meta’s AI models through employee behavior recordings.
According to a memo released on launch, the purpose of the program was to improve the company’s AI models in areas where they struggled to replicate how humans interacted with computers, such as picking from a dropdown menu, or using different keyboard shortcuts.
"This is where all Meta employees can help our models get better simply by doing their daily work," the memo said at the time.
Reuters reported that an employee filed a high-priority security incident report (SEV) over the program’s exposure of employee data, including "full prompts and transcriptions, private conversations, people & performance data, DSS sensitivity ratings (1-4)." The same publication also said the program was collecting “more information than initially described” and stored it in unencrypted form.
"I have accessed both personal tax and medical information through my work computer, as have many thousands of employees,” the employee allegedly said. “We were told this data would be protected and only used for valid business purposes after aggressive filtering."
Now, Meta confirmed pausing the program to investigate these claims.
"We have carefully designed this program with privacy safeguards and while we have no indication at this time that any data was improperly accessed by Meta employees, we're pausing it while we investigate," company spokesperson Tracy Clayton was cited saying. The company did not say for how long the program will be paused but stressed that it would take time to stop it for everyone, so some employees might still see it running.
As of Monday afternoon, the program was still running for some people, Reuters confirmed.
Via Reuters
At a time when SSD prices are surging, you can grab the 990 Pro 2TB SSD for just $370 (was $640) at Amazon, a 42% discount as part of Prime Day.
There's no denying that the Samsung 990 Pro is an exquisite internal SSD - we loved it so much we awarded it the full 5 stars in our review, and found it offered some of the fastest read/write performance of any PCIe 4.0 SSD we tested.
• Shop all internal SSDs at Amazon
There aren't many SSDs that manage to score full marks across the board during our testing, but the 990 Pro achieved just that.
Our review called it "an absolutely stellar M.2 SSD for both professional users and gamers," and still maintain that if you're building a new PC (or upgrading your old one), this SSD should be at the top of your wishlist.
It's capable of hitting up to 7450 MB/s read speeds and write speeds up to 6900 MB/s, making it a top choice for content creation, gaming, and complex workloads. With a $270 discount, it's an unmissable deal.
The Samsung 990 Pro SSD is still one of the best PCIe 4.0 SSD around - especially at an unbeatable price like this. In our review, we hailed it as "an absolutely stellar M.2 SSD for both professional users and gamers." View Deal
There aren't many internal SSDs that get top marks in our testing, but the Samsung 990 Pro is one of them. We praised this high-performance solid-state drive in our review, where it proved to save large files quickly.
In fact, we said at the time: "This is easily one of the fastest SSDs we've ever tested, so you can expect top-tier file operation performance."
It's especially ideal for creative professionals and gamers, loading files fast and coming close to maxing out its PCIe 4.0 channels,
Ultimately, this runs like a premium SSD and we still think it's worth every penny - especially at this discount price.
The 1TB and 4TB models are also discounted in the sale. But honestly, it's cheaper to buy two 2TB SSDs than the 4TB one - and if you bought two 1TB versions, it'd cost you $110 more than the single 2TB SSD. That's where you get the best bang for your buck.
The SN850X is a perennial favorite - it's one of the fastest and most reliable internal SSDs around, with read speeds reaching up to 7300MB/s. A very good alternative to the Samsung 990 Pro if you want to save some dough.View Deal
The 9100 Pro boasts a PCIe 5.0 interface, and is billed as being the best for AI, heavy workloads, and gaming. With read speeds up to 14,700MB/s, this is one for the workstation. In our review, we said, "Samsung's first true PCIe 5.0 drive is the best there is." It also comes with a free NordVPN Basic product key. View Deal
This internal SSD with a PCIe Gen 4 x4 NVMe interface is built for laptops and desktop PCs. It features read speeds up to 7100MB/s and write speeds of 6700MB/s. View Deal
Now with M.2 SSD dock!
The most expensive of the bunch, this optical CD/DVD writer from SUIDEK upgrades the SATA dock to an M.2 SSD dock, but keeps the SD card reader, USB-A, and USB-C hub.View Deal
An external USB DVD drive can still be incredibly handy in 2025. With desktops and laptops now almost certain to eschew an optical drive, keeping one of these peripherals around will help you retain access to your collection of old software and media for years and PC generations to come. So, we've spotted some very attractively priced Cyber Monday drives on Amazon, and we just had to share: the External CD/DVD Drive for Laptop, DVD Player for Laptop, 8 in 1 USB 3.0 Ultra-Slim Portable at $26.99, and the CD DVD Drive External, Portable CD DVD Driver +/-RW Burner with 2.5" SATA, SD Card Reader and USB A Type C 2.0 Hub at $36.60.
The latter adds the convenience of SATA drive docking to the equation. Plus an External SUIDEK portable CD/DVD burner with USB Hub and M.2 Dock for $39, adding an M.2 SSD dock.
The BPAKDU drive gets you lots of media connectivity options. This attractive portable device, with a metallic honeycomb finish in four colors, can read and write optical media at CD 24X and DVD 8X speeds. That's not all, as it also offers a USB 3.0 hub, 3x USB 2.0 ports, SD and TF card slots readers, and a USB-C port.
Compatibility of the BPAKDU External CD/DVD Drive for Laptop, DVD Player for Laptop, 8 in 1 USB 3.0 Ultra-Slim Portable is also pretty extensive. For optical media, you can use CD±R/RW, CD-ROM, DVD±R/RW, DVD-RAM, VCD, and SVCD, the listing claims. Then, for systems/OS, you can plug this into Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, XP, Vista, Linux, MacOS 10.6 or above computers.
It was already cheap!
BPAKDU's portable USB connected optical and media reader peripheral also has USB HUB functionality. This has you covered for all sorts of old CDs, DVDs, and flash cards you might have in the back of your tech cabinets.View Deal
Those who feel that some SATA docking functionality will be useful might want to look closer at the Suideck optical drive and dock. For your $36.60, you will have one portable device which can be used to read and write optical media at CD 24X and DVD 8X speeds. Again, there's a basic USB hub built in with 2x USB 2.0 ports, a USB-C port, plus SD and TF card readers. Extra appeal comes from the SATA 2.5-inch slot atop, which can be used for quick access to your old laptop hard drives or SSDs in what was once a very popular form factor.
This product listing isn't specific about things like DVD±R/RW, DVD-RAM support, but the exact same list of system/OS support is given: Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, XP, Vista, Linux, MacOS 10.6 or above.
A Swiss Army knife of media access?
Suideck's USB attached drive and dock is more flexible than the BPAKDU. It has very similar optical and flash media compatibility, and SD / TF slots but with its added 2.5-inch SATA slot. However, you pay $11 more for the privilege. View Deal
All of the deals look like useful and bargain-a-licious Prime Day purchases. For $26.99, you can get the External CD/DVD Drive for Laptop, DVD Player for Laptop, 8-in-1 USB 3.0 Ultra-Slim Portable, and it will read/write most of the common optical disks you will have lying around from the 2000s.
If your wants/needs expand to 2.5-inch SATA drive docking, then the $36.60 gets the CD DVD Drive External, Portable CD DVD Driver +/-RW Burner with 2.5" SATA, SD Card Reader and USB A Type C 2.0 Hub is going to be hard to resist.
If the requirements expand a further stage to needing an M.2 SSD dock, the Suideck portable CD/DVD burner with USB Hub and M.2 Dock for $39.99 is the ultimate Swiss Army knife of portable external optical drives. We're also happy to see both brands' peripherals score 4.3/5 or better on the Amazon reviews, as we haven't tested these ourselves.
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3. Gaming PC Specifications To Look For
We're keeping an eye out for the best deals on prebuilt gaming PCs during Amazon Prime Day 2026 that you can find available online. Given the rising prices of PC components, there has never been a better time to buy a pre-built system. In a world of expensive GPUs, it can also be a great way to get your hands on a brand-new graphics card at cheaper than MSRP prices.
There are two ways to get into PC gaming: buying the individual parts and building your own rig, or purchasing a prebuilt system from a system integrator or big box store. Purchasing a ready-made gaming PC can save you the time and labor of building your own rig from scratch.
We select deals based on our in-depth knowledge gained from thorough reviews, expansive benchmarks, and extensive historical price analysis of computer systems. Prime Day sales season has started, so some great deals are already popping up, and we're checking deals around the clock to find the best options and keep this page up to date. For more options on gaming PCs, check out our lists of the best gaming PCs and the best PC builds for gaming. If you're looking for recommendations on productivity PCs and laptops, visit our best PC and laptop deals page.
This CyberPowerPC rig is a powerhouse ready for gaming at 1440p and 4K (in some instances). It comes equipped with our favorite CPU, the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D, along with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070, 32GB DDR5, and a 2TB SSD for plenty of game installations.View Deal
A powerful gaming PC from PC building outfit CyberPowerPC, this formidable rig comes equipped with the specs you'll need for serious 1440p and 4K gameplay. It has an AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070, 32GB of DDR5 RAM, and a 1TB NVMe SSD.View Deal
This Corsair Vengeance PC comes with AMD's Ryzen 7 9800X3D and Radeon RX 9070 XT, plus 32GB of Corsair Vengeance RAM (not some knock off), and a 1TB SSD. View Deal
Inside the Element 9 gaming PC is a 16GB RTX 5060 Ti GPU, 32GB of DDR5 RAM, a 1TB M.2 SSD, and an AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D processor. This is a low-cost budget gaming PC with some exceptional hardware that will excel at 1080p/1440p gameplay. View Deal
Get the impressive RTX 5070 Ti Nvidia graphics paired with AMD's Ryzen 7 9700X processor. Plenty of memory for gaming thanks to a large 32GB of DDR5 RAM, and room to install your favorite games on a 2TB SSD. View Deal
This liquid-cooled PC comes with Intel Core i5-14600K, RTX 5060, 16GB of Corsair Vengeance RAM, and 1TB SSD. View Deal
The MSI Codex (model: R2 B14NVL5-449US) comes with an Intel Core i5-14400F processor, Nvidia RTX 5060 graphics card, 32GB of DDR5-6000 memory, and 2TB of storage — a great budget gaming PC build.View Deal
Get a 5080 gaming PC with 32GB of RAM, 2TB SSD, liquid cooler, RGB fans, and Intel i9-14900KF. View Deal
Get a 5090 gaming PC with 64GB of RAM, 2TB SSD, liquid cooler, RGB fans, and Intel i9-14900KF. View Deal
This pre-built PC comes with Intel Core i5-14400F, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070, 32GB of DDR5, 1TB SSD, Wi-Fi 6E, Windows 11, and more. View Deal
This AM5 gaming PC comes with AMD's Ryzen 7 8700F, RTX 5070, 32GB of DDR5, and a 2TB SSD. View Deal
This CyberPower PC features Intel Core i7-14700F 2.1GHz, GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 8GB, 16GB DDR5, 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD, and Wi-Fi, as well as Windows 11 Home. View Deal
This hefty Asus ROG comes with AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D, Radeon 9070 XT, 2TB SSD, 32GB of DDR5 RAM, Windows 11 Home, and more. View Deal
With Intel Core i5 14400F, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 8GB, 16GB of DDR5, and a 1TB SSD, this gaming PC is much cheaper than trying to build your own budget gaming rig. View Deal
This CyberpowerPC comes with AMD Ryzen 7 8700F, GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 8GB, 16GB DDR5, 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD, and Wi-Fi 6. You also get a free mouse and keyboard to get you started. View Deal
This Stormcraft Sirius comes equipped with an RTX 5060, Core i5-14400F, 16GB of DDR4-3200 memory, and 1TB of storage. View Deal
You can configure the HP Omen 45L to include an Intel Core Ultra 7 265K CPU, Nvidia RTX 5070 GPU, 1200W PSU, 16GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD. You will need to manually configure the hardware before heading to checkout.View Deal
This competent little gaming PC packs an Intel i5 14400F processor, Nvidia RTX 5060 Ti GPU with 16GB of VRAM, 16GB of DDR5-6000 RAM, a 1TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD, a B760 motherboard, and a 650W Gold-rated power supply.
Use coupon codes MAY100 and SWARM to receive $136 extra discount.View Deal
This configuration of the Alienware Aurora uses an Nvidia RTX 5060 Ti GPU, Intel Core Ultra 7 265F processor, 32GB of DDR5 RAM, and 1TB of SSD storage for your OS and games library. A 240mm AIO cooler covers CPU cooling. All are contained within Alienware's Aurora PC case, featuring a clean, gamer aesthetic.View Deal
This CyberPower gaming PC model (GM 70929) packs the king of gaming CPUs, AMD's Ryzen 7 9800X3D processor, and also AMD's top-tier GPU offering, the Radeon RX 9070 XT graphics card. This is quite the potent gaming setup, and it also includes 32GB of DDR5 memory and a 2TB SSD for storage. View Deal
Don’t miss out on this Tom’s Hardware Premium. Get a full year of access for just $29, or from $7 per-month. Get daily news analysis, deep dives into specialist topics in the semiconductor industry, as well as access to Bench, the largest benchmarking database around.View Deal
This Aegis R2 comes with Intel Core Ultra 9 285, RTX 5070 Ti, 32GB of DDR5 RAM, 2TB M.2 NVMe SSD, and Windows 11. View Deal
This gaming PC is packed to the gills with the best gaming components. For high-end gaming graphics, the ABS Kaze II Ruby features an Nvidia RTX 5080 GPU, which is backed up by the excellent Ryzen 7 9800X3D processor — one of the most powerful gaming CPUs available. Other specs include 32GB of DDR5 RAM and a 2TB SSD for storage. View Deal
There's a huge saving on this MSI gaming PC, which includes a Ryzen 7 8700F, an Nvidia RTX 5070, 32GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD. This system uses air cooling and has a 750W 80 Plus Gold power supply.View Deal
When looking for a new gaming PC, you need to pay special attention to specs. More recent and more powerful components are better, but this increases the overall price of the system. You can sometimes find gaming rigs that have last-generation parts that will still play games well and save some cash.
GPU: A choice between Nvidia, AMD, or Intel in your system will determine how well the computer game graphics are displayed on your monitor. Nvidia has the most powerful GPUs, with the likes of the RTX 5090 and RTX 5080, but AMD's RX 9070 XT is also a great mid-range card. See our GPU hierarchy for an idea of GPU performance.
CPU: Either AMD or Intel will get the job done, but AMD currently rules the roost in pure gaming benchmarks, with the 9000-series X3D processors providing the best performance.
Memory: At a minimum, you'll want 16GB of RAM. Operating systems and browsers can swallow a huge chunk of your available system RAM before you even boot your game. Having 32GB of memory is ideal for gaming if you can splurge.
Storage: With the size of AAA games constantly expanding, you ideally want a minimum of 1TB of storage, preferably in the form of a fast M.2 SSD. You can do better than a spinning hard drive.
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1. Quick List
2. Best SSD Deals
3. Best External SSD/HDD/NAS Deals
4. SSD Shopping Tips
We're keeping a close eye on all the best SSD discounts during Amazon's 2026 Prime Day sales event and keeping a constantly-updated list here. A new SSD is one of the simplest and most effective ways of improving your PC's performance, be it by increasing boot times, boosting load speeds, or just adding capacity for storing games. Buying SSDs is not as cheap as it used to be, but there are still savings to be had, especially on newer drives.
That's because external factors, such as tariffs and geopolitical issues, along with chip shortages, are pushing prices upward. In fact, it appears that shortages driven by AI data centers could persist for the coming decade. That means prices will go up significantly in the foreseeable future. Luckily, for now, there are discounts available on some SSD models.
As always, you'll need to stay alert when you're choosing SSDs, as not every drive is born equal and worthy of your money or a place of honor in your PC or PS5. We're constantly combing through the best deals across multiple retailers, selecting the best of them based on the in-depth knowledge we've gained from our thorough reviews, extensive benchmarks, and comprehensive historical price analysis. Factors like the drive controller, the type of NAND (QLC or TLC), and the presence of DRAM can all affect the performance and price of your drive.
Many of these drives are listed on our SSD Benchmark hierarchy, so you can see how they stack up to the competition. You can also track the latest SSD prices, even if they are not on sale. We also have a list of the best hard drive deals you can get.
Get the 1TB version of the 9100 Pro for $206, around 20 cents per GB. Comes with 236-Layer Samsung TLC (V8) flash memory and is rated for sequential read and write speeds of 14,700 MB/s and 13,300 MB/s, respectively. View Deal
This drive is identical in spec, but its heftier discount means it is 17 cents per GB, so better value if you can stretch to the higher capacity. View Deal
This PCIe 4.0 SSD serves up 7.4 / 6.3 GB/s of sequential read/write throughput, and we measured it at over 1 million IOPS in our testing. It also comes with a five-year warranty with a brawny 1,300 TBW endurance rating. View Deal
The GM7 is a PCIe 4.0 drive that delivers sequential read speeds of up to 7,400 MB/s and sequential writes of up to 6500 MB/s, along with a five-year warranty. View Deal
The nippy Crucial P310 1TB is replete with Gen speeds of up to 7,100MB/s. This would be the perfect drive as the storage module in a budget build, a quick M2 upgrade for booting your OS, or even for housing in a PS5. View Deal
Crucial's P510 is a step down from the company's T710 flagship, but it's still a scorching-fast PCIe 5.0 SSD promising 11 GBps sequential reads and 9.5 GBps writes, plus a five-year warranty. Our review praised the drive for its excellent sustained performance, and it's one of the more affordable Gen5 drives from a well-known brand. View Deal
This is an insane deal with the in-cart coupon added — grab it while it's hot!
This 4TB SSD features the PCie 5.0 interface and blasts out 14,800 / 13,400 MB/s of sequential read/write throughput, delivering top-tier performance within a reasonable power envelope that doesn't require bulky heatsinks. View Deal
The SN850P is a speedy PCIe 4.0 SSD for PCs, laptops, and the PlayStation 5. The drive boasts a sequential performance that peaks at 7,300 MB/s reads and 6,300 MB/s writes.
The 2TB SN850P also boasts fast sequential read/write speeds and is very slightly faster than the 1TB model on write speed. The 2TB drive peaks at 7,300 MB/s reads and 6,600 MB/s writes.View Deal
The 4TB SN850P is identical in performance to the 2TB model. This drive also comes with a built-in heatsink to aid in cooling. The PlayStation 5 drive boasts a sequential 7,300 MB/s read and 6,600 MB/s write.View Deal
Save on this M.2 2280 4Tb PCIe 4.0 SSD with promo code FTTF462, which makes this the cheapest 4TB SSD on the market right now. View Deal
The fastest PCIe 4.0 SSD you can get, the Samsung 990 Pro offers sequential read and write speeds of 7,450 and 6,900 MB/s, respectively, along with 1.4 and 1.55 million IOPS. See our Samsung 990 Pro Review for more details.View Deal
The SN7100 is a single-sided SSD with the standard 2280 form factor. With 2TB of capacity, the SN7100 uses Sandisk's proprietary Polaris 3 controller and SanDisk's 218-Layer TLC (BiCS8), with speeds of up to 7250 MB/s read and 6900 MB/s write.View Deal
Perfect for a PS5 upgrade (or your PC), this superfast Gen 4 PCIe 4.0 SSD boasts rated read and write speeds of 7,300 and 6,600 MBps for blistering performance in gaming and programs that can make use of the drive's high bandwidth. This particular version comes with an included heatsink to help keep the SSD cool and reduce the chances of thermal throttling when under consistently high loads. View Deal
The Samsung 990 EVO Plus 4TB is now available at an all-time low price, boasting speeds of up to 7,250 MB/s, a five-year warranty that covers an impressive 2,400 TB of writes, and PCIe Gen 5x2/4x4 hybrid functionality.View Deal
The Crucial P310 2TB is among the best M.2-2230 SSDs that we've ever tested. Earning a four-star mark from our reviewer for its speed and capacity, the P310 2TB is a great pick at list price, and is a must-consider now that it's nearly 50% off. View Deal
Get a smaller 2TB drive with USB-C connectivity and read and write speeds of up to 1050 MB/s and 1000 MB/s, respectively.View Deal
Low price and high capacity storage. The SN850X is a speedy PCIe 4.0 SSD for PCs, laptops, and the PlayStation 5. The drive boasts a sequential performance that peaks at 7,300 MB/s reads and 6,600 MB/s writes.
See our review of the WD Black SN850X for more information. View Deal
This Samsung SN8100 is a PCIe 5.0 NVMe M.2 SSD with sequential read and write speeds of 14,900MB/s read and 14,000MB/s write speeds apiece. It isn't the best discount, but it's now at a new record-low price on Amazon.View Deal
Our benchmarks show the WD Black to be one of the fastest SSDs you can buy for your Steam Deck or ROG Ally, and now the 1TB model is 29% off. This drive delivers up to 5,150 / 4,900 MB/s of read/write throughput and 8 million Random write IOPS, along with a five-year warranty that covers 600 terabytes of endurance. View Deal
This SSD is notably fast and can reach read/write speeds as high as 7300 / 6300 Mbps. It uses a WD Proprietary controller and connects using a PCIe 4.0 x4 interface.View Deal
For those looking for the absolute cheapest upgrade for a Steam Deck, Asus ROG Ally, or any other handheld PC, the Kingston NV3 is your pick. Down to its lowest-yet price of $65.80, the budget SSD got solid marks from us (in its longer 2280 trim) for its budget stature, and its price somehow matches those of full-sized M.2 SSDs today. View Deal
Don’t miss out on this Tom’s Hardware Premium. Get a full year of access for just $29, or from $7 per-month. Get daily news analysis, deep dives into specialist topics in the semiconductor industry, as well as access to Bench, the largest benchmarking database around.View Deal
Crucial’s P3 Plus isn’t the best-performing drive by any measure, as we saw in our review. But it’s a PCIe 4.0 model rated to top 5,000 MB/s sequential reads and 4,200 MB/s writes, with a good 5-year warranty.View Deal
This SSD is suitable for casual and gaming use with impressively high speeds capping out at 5000 / 4800 Mbps. It uses an NVMe Gen 4 interface and has a 2TB storage capacity.View Deal
This is a more affordable SSD with moderate read/write speeds of 2200 / 1600 Mbps. It uses a PCIe 3.0 x4 interface and has a 2TB storage capacity.View Deal
When we reviewed the MP34 back in 2019, it was an excellent value, offering solid performance (it’s rated to 3,500/2,900 MB/s sequential reads/writes) and high endurance at competitive pricing. View Deal
No matter how demanding the task, the 4 TB 990 Pro SSD is ready to cruise through it with its industry-best PCIe 4.0 speeds, endurance, and efficiency. Backed by a 5 year warranty, this drive is the perfect storage upgrade to grab regardless of whether you're rocking a gaming PC or console.View Deal
This very big and very fast OWC external SSD gets you 8TB of storage and transfer speeds of up to 3836 MB/s. It comes with a 40 Gb/s USB4 Interface and a stylish aluminum enclosure, perfect for photo and video professionals. View Deal
The Crucial X10 Pro 8TB dishes out up to 2,100 / 2,000 MB/s of sequential read/write throughput over the USB 3.2 2x2 interface. It also supports 256-bit AES encryption and comes with a USB Type-C to Type-C cable.View Deal
No matter how demanding the task, the 4 TB 990 Pro SSD is ready to cruise through it with its industry-best PCIe 4.0 speeds, endurance, and efficiency. Backed by a 5 year warranty, this drive is the perfect storage upgrade to grab regardless of whether you're rocking a gaming PC or console.View Deal
The QLC-based drive boasts excellent performance of up to 7,100 MB/s. Equipped with the Phison E27T controller, the drive also has excellent thermals and won't be in danger of throttling, making it excellent for usage in a multitude of systems.View Deal
The SN850X is a speedy PCIe 4.0 SSD for PCs, laptops, and the PlayStation 5. The drive boasts a sequential performance that peaks at 7,300 MB/s reads and 6,600 MB/s writes. See our review of the WD Black SN850X for more information. View Deal
The Samsung 990 Pro 4TB is among the fastest SSDs currently available on the market, with read and write speeds of up to 7450/6900 MB/s, maxing out the Gen 4 bandwidth. View Deal
This large-capacity 4TB SSD is perfect for gaming use. It has a large storage capacity for your game library and impressive read/write speeds of 5000 / 4800 Mbps. It uses a PCIe NVMe M.2 Gen 4 interface with a 4TB storage capacity. View Deal
The Samsung T9 portable SSD 4TB edition is available right now for its lowest price to date. This SSD can reach read/write speeds as high as 2000 Mbps.View Deal
This well-priced drive offers a massive 4TB capacity and stunning PCIe Gen 4.0 performance. With sequential read/write speeds of 7,400/6,500MB/s, this drive is more than enough for your gaming needs, whether for a PC or PlayStation 5 console.View Deal
The 2TB Seagate Expansion Card is a great way to expand your Xbox's storage and all more games to be installed on your console for easy access. View Deal
The Samsung T7 Shield 1TB features up to 1,050/1,000 of sequential read/write throughput and connects using a USB-C or USB Gen 3 connection. It also has an IP65 shock, dust, and water resistance rating. View Deal
This 1 TB SSD comes in three colors grey, blue, and red. It has read/write speeds as fast as 1050/1000 MB/s and connects using a USB 3.2 interface. View Deal
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Mini PC specialist Geekom has stuffed its Amazon webstore with a multitude of diminutive computers with discounts as deep as 34% off. Among the plethora of discounts, we're pleased to also have a special stacking discount code for last year's flagship Geekom A9 Max with AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, slicing a further 8% off this already discounted, sturdy, premium aluminum build mini PC.
This A9 Max (2025) 'Strix Point' model features a Zen 5 architecture CPU with 12C/24T, plus Radeon 890M graphics on board. The system comes complete with 32GB DDR5, a 1TB SSD, and Windows 11 Pro. Originally priced at $1,399.00, the Prime Day sale reduces it to $1,189.15, and our exclusive Tom's Hardware discount code (8% off code: THA9MAX26) slices another 8% off, resulting in a checkout price of $1,094.
Use our 8% off code: THA9MAX26 for this deeper discount
This sturdy aluminum-encased Geekom A9 Max (2025) comes with an AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 'Strix Point' processor, backed by 32GB DDR5, a 1TB SSD, and Windows 11 Pro.View Deal
For those who insist on the latest silicon, Geekom has also put its A9 MAX 2026 Edition on sale at 21% off. That means this fresh Ryzen flagship, which has been upgraded to an AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 470, is reduced from $1,699 to $1,349. Remember, this has 32GB DDR5 RAM and with a 2TB pre-installed SSD it offers double the storage capacity of its predecessor in the deal above. We have one of these 'Gorgon Point' mini PCs in the labs now, and hope to be able to share the review with your shortly.
Geekom's newly released AI flagship mini PC is already discounted for Prime Day
This sturdy aluminum-encased Geekom A9 Max (2026) comes with the AMD's refreshed Ryzen AI 9 HX 470 'Gorgon Point' processor, backed by 32GB DDR5, a roomy 2TB SSD, and Windows 11 Pro.View Deal
We also remember when mini PCs used to be a great niche for finding real bargains, and hunters of such rarities can still get perfectly serviceable mini PCs from Geekom under $600 during the ongoing RAMpocalypse if they aren't averse to older silicon.
For example, the Geekom A8 Mini PC with AMD Ryzen 7 8745HS processor, 16GB DDR5 RAM (upgradable), 1TB NVMe SSD, and Windows 11 Pro is currently 15% off at $585.65 via that Amazon Prime Day link. Though slightly older, the AMD APU in this still offers Zen 4 CPU cores in a 8C/16T configuration, and Radeon 780M graphics. Most buyers won't miss the absence of an NPU...
Digging deeper in the Prime Day bargain bin, we also spotted the Geekom A5, which promises to do everything from "business, home server, creative work & casual gaming." It is listed at 14% off for Prime day cutting its price from $439 to a far more attractive $371. In tech specs terms, so you can judge use-case claims for yourself, this 200kg pressure-rated NUC-a-like mini PC packs an AMD Ryzen 5 7430U APU which features Zen 3 cores in a 6C/12T config plus Radeon Vega 7 graphics. It also comes with 16GB DDR4 RAM installed (expandable to 64GB), and a 512GB NVMe SSD (expandable with an extra M.2 2242 slot and room for a 2.5-inch SATA drive).
Above are our five picks from the spectrum of mini PCs that Geekom has put on sale for Prime Day. However, we didn't even mention any of the firm's Intel models, like the passive Geekom iX 12, on sale for 15% off at $296, which is designed to bring mini PC power to home lab VPN, firewall, virtualization, and edge computing applications.
If you're looking for more savings, check out our Best PC Hardware deals for a range of products, or dive deeper into our specialized SSD and Storage Deals, Hard Drive Deals, Gaming Monitor Deals, Graphics Card Deals, gaming chair, or CPU Deals pages.
1. Quick Links
2. Top RAM Deals
3. DDR5 RAM Deals
4. DDR4 RAM Deals
We're keeping a close eye on deals during Amazon Prime Day 2026 to find any RAM bargains to be had and adding them to the constantly-updated list below. RAM is only going to get more expensive. Inflation on prices is making it hard to find value in the memory market, but there are some deals you can still buy. You might be holding off for the market to stabilize, but signs indicate this problem is going to get worse in 2027, not better. You can also find good deals, often yielding the lowest overall RAM pricing, if you check our Prime Day RAM bundle page.
The memory shortage is taking hold, fueled by the massive AI data centers that are soaking up the world's memory stocks. This is causing a supply shortage, sending prices skyrocketing, and all indicators point to further price increases over the coming months. In fact, prices are expected to double throughout next year. Because the RAM market is very volatile right now, these deals tend to move quickly, so it's a good idea to act sooner rather than later so you don't miss out on a great opportunity. We're updating this page constantly to keep the deals fresh, but you will have to act fast to snag the last deals on memory we will likely see for at least a year, if not longer.
We've put together a handpicked list of the best options to make your shopping easier. These deals include everything from budget-friendly memory kits to premium options, like those featured on our best RAM page or at the top of our RAM benchmarks.
We carefully review offers from different retailers to find the best value for you, drawing on our extensive experience from thorough reviews, detailed benchmarks, and analysis of past prices. We keep a close eye on the latest RAM deals as they come up, highlighting the top choices we've found across various stores.
A memory kit that runs at DDR5-6000 with 38-38-38-78 timings and a 1.25V DRAM voltage. It supports both Intel XMP 3.0 and AMD EXPO. Use promo code FTTF4657 at checkout.View Deal
A 32GB memory kit that runs at DDR5-6000. It features 36-36-36-76 timings and requires 1.25V. Intel XMP 3.0 and AMD EXPO support is present. Use promo code FTTF359 at checkout.View Deal
A 48GB memory kit that's certified to run at DDR5-6400 with timings set to 32-39-39-84. It runs at 1.35V with Intel XMP 3.0 and AMD EXPO support.View Deal
A 64GB memory kit that sticks to DDR5-5200 and 40-40-40-77 timings. It runs at a default DRAM voltage of 1.25V and features Intel XMP 3.0 support.View Deal
A massive 96GB memory kit that functions at DDR5-6400. The timings are configured to 32-39-39-84 and require 1.4V to run. It supports Intel XMP 3.0 and AMD EXPO.View Deal
A 128GB memory kit that's certified to run at DDR5-6400 with timings configured to 42-52-52-104. It runs at 1.35V and only supports Intel XMP 3.0.View Deal
Team Group's Team T-Create Classic 32GB DDR5-6000 RAM kit comprises 2 x 16GB sticks of RAM with timings of 48-48-48-96. It's not the fastest RAM timings, as these RAM kits are designed for professionals and not gaming systems, although they can suffice. The CAS latency of CL48 comes with a lower voltage of 1.10V.View Deal
A 64GB memory kit is fantastic for multitasking and tackling memory-heavy tasks. Plus, it’s super simple to set up on both AMD and Intel systems, so you'll be up and running in no time.View Deal
This Newegg offer lets you save a tasty $50 on 16GB (2x8GB) DDR5-6000 RAM from Teamgroup. Perfect for a small gaming PC setup.
The best deal in current market right now for 32GB DDR5 memory, thanks to Woot, with this dual-channel Corsair Vengeance DDR5-6000 RAM (with two 16GB modules) likely to sell out fast.View Deal
This 32GB DDR5-6000 RAM kit consists of 2x16GB sticks that have a 6000MHz speed, and timings of 36-38-38-80, with a CAS latency of 36.
View Deal
This 48GB kit of Corsair Vengeance RGB has a slower 5,200 MT/s transfer speed, but it's cheaper than its 32GB counterpart and comes with a decent 38 CAS latency. View Deal
This budget-friendly memory kit offers good performance and attractive looks. It supports Intel XMP 3.0 and AMD EXPO technologies, making setup quick and easy with just one click.View Deal
This high-capacity memory kit is perfect for anyone who needs plenty of memory for those heavy workloads! It works great with both AMD and Intel systems, so that you can power through your tasks with ease.View Deal
A performance DDR5-6000 memory kit for those who need more speed than baseline DDR5. It also supports AMD EXPO. View Deal
Don’t miss out on this Tom’s Hardware Premium. Get a full year of access for just $29, or from $7 per-month. Get daily news analysis, deep dives into specialist topics in the semiconductor industry, as well as access to Bench, the largest benchmarking database around.View Deal
The Flare X5 is the ultimate memory kit to boost your memory capacity on a dual-DIMM motherboard. It's AMD EXPO-certified, giving you added confidence in its performance. View Deal
A 16GB memory kit with DDR5-3200 data rate and timings binned to 16-18-18-38. It requires a DRAM voltage of 1.35V and supports Intel XMP 2.0.View Deal
A decent 32GB memory kit that runs at DDR4-3000 and 16-18-18-36 timings. It pulls 1.35V of DRAM voltage and is specifically optimized for AMD systems.View Deal
This memory kit is fast and comes with a generous capacity, making it a wonderful choice if you need a lot of RAM for your work. View Deal
PNY may not be a household name for RAM, but this DDR4-3200 32GB (2x16GB) memory kit is an affordable choice, especially for giving some older systems a fresh boost.View Deal
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AMD Software 26.6.2 is causing issues for Windows 10 users AMD has confirmed an issue that’s affecting Windows 10 users with a Radeon GPU and AMD Software 26.6.2. For some users, AMD Software is failing to launch on Windows 10 systems, with the software claiming that it is incompatible with the OS. For now, AMD […]
The post AMD confirms major Windows 10 bug in its 26.6.2 GPU drivers appeared first on OC3D.
The Razer Wolverine V3 Pro 8K PC has been my go-to controller since I first opened its box. Prior to this, I'd been using the regular Wolverine V3 Pro, which also has Xbox compatibility, but the 8K version is something else. The best performance you can get.
But its price was always a sticking point. After all, $200 is a lot of money for a controller. But in swoops Prime Day to knock that down by $50, so you can now (and should) buy one from Amazon for just $149.99.
The fastest possible tech inside Razer's already superb Wolverine V3 design makes this the controller to beat for competitive gamers on PC. The price is normally a big ask, but with this Prime Day discount it's a no-brainer.
I've played about 600 hours of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 with this controller (feel free to tell me how much of my life I've wasted in the comments), and I wouldn't use anything else.
For one, it's laid out like an Xbox controller, which I still find the most comfortable. I've tried using the Razer Raiju V3 Pro with the PS5 layout, which is also an excellent controller, but I come back to the Wolverine V3 Pro 8K every time.
It ticks all the boxes. It has TMR thumbsticks; it has delightfully clicky mouse switch buttons and rear paddles, and crucially, it doesn't lose performance when you use it wirelessly versus wired.
8,000Hz is the fastest you can buy on any controller right now out of the box without having to use third-party tools to overclock. For competitive games such as Call of Duty, Apex Legends, and Battlefield 6, the faster the better. It's hard to quantify, but I can feel a difference if I go back to the regular Wolverine V3 Pro at only 1,000Hz.
To get the maximum speed, you do need a beefy CPU, and you need fast enough USB ports. It's not a big drag on the CPU, but the higher the polling rate, the more work it needs to do, so you do need to ensure you have the headroom not to affect your games.
But this is still my favorite controller, and sure, it's PC only. But now it's down to $150 I can't see any good reason not to recommend you pick one up. It's that good. Prime Day only lasts the rest of this week, so take advantage of this new lowest ever price while you can.
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Geekom is one of the brands that we trust most when it comes to mini PCs, and I'm not just saying that; it's a trust built on in-house reviews and testing over the course of a few years.
While mini PCs are always a great option for anyone looking to score a desktop at an affordable price, events like Amazon's Prime Day always tend to bring some of the lowest prices of the year to the forefront.
Such is the case this year, with Geekom mini PCs starting as low as $371 after a hefty discount. I rounded up 7 top Geekom deals with PCs that suit a wide range of users.
RAM: 16GB DDR4
SSD: 512GB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe
"Unless you run CAD or other demanding software, the A5 has sufficient power and memory to handle typical office needs. It can be easily upgraded to accommodate more storage if that’s an issue, and you can attach multiple external drives using USB." — Mark Pickavance
RAM: 16GB DDR4
SSD: 1TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe
"The A5 Pro's all-aluminium build, dual-channel RAM, 2.5GbE networking, and SD card reader make it one of the most practical machines at this size. The 20W Ryzen 5 handles office work and light creative tasks quietly and capably, just don't expect it to tackle 4K video or any real gaming." — Alastair Jennings
UPDATE: Amazon drops the A6 from $524.07 to $499.56
RAM: 16GB DDR5
SSD: 1TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe
"The Geekom A6 is on the more affordable side of the PC world, providing a computer that can handle basic tasks for less than $600. While not a powerhouse, it offers solid performance, plenty of ports, and even some limited upgradeability for memory and storage. Plus, it comes with a VESA mount, so you can tuck it out of sight for a minimalist look if you prefer." — Rebecca Spear
RAM: 16GB DDR5
SSD: 1TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe
"Its most recent accomplishment was to notice a gap between the A9 Max and the A8 AI, which could easily be filled by a model with the connectivity of the former but the performance and price of the latter. The result is the new A7 Max, a £600, give or take, box with more AI ports than you can shake a stick at, room for more RAM, and running on an AMD Ryzen 9 chipset." — Alun Taylor
RAM: 16GB DDR5
SSD: 1TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe
"Having used the A7 and A8 extensively, the only limitation I can think of is that they have a solitary M.2 slot. There isn't much else that is missing on either model, and they both deliver standout performance in day-to-day productivity tasks as well as demanding image and video editing workflows." — Harish Jonnalagadda
RAM: 16GB DDR5
SSD: 1TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe
"The stylish matte aluminium aesthetics make it the perfect accessory for any design studio, but this Mini PC is far more than just looks. A powerful processor, GPU, and NPU provide enough to make it a viable option for editing video, images, music, and more." — Alistair Jennings
RAM: 32GB DDR5
SSD: 2TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe
"The Geekom A9 Max is, by all accounts, a premium mini PC. With top-tier hardware inside, be it for regular work or more intensive scenarios such as AI and gaming, it just eats it up. Toss in expandable RAM and storage, and I'm left asking why we would even bother with a full-size desktop anymore." — Richard Devine
RAM: 16GB DDR5
SSD: 1TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe
Geekom's IT13 MAX is an evolution of the IT13 we tested and reviewed, designed to offer superior performance, a wider selection of ports, faster RAM, and faster Wi-Fi. If you prefer an Intel PC with an included NPU for AI work, this is a great way to go.
The answer to which discounted Geekom mini is right for you depends, of course, on your specific needs.
Those who simply need a capable mini PC to handle general tasks like email, web browsing, streaming, Word, Excel, and the like will be able to get away with spending the least money.
In this case, the Geekom A5 — discounted from $437 to $371 — makes a lot of sense thanks to its AMD Ryzen 5 7430U CPU, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB M.2 SSD. The Geekom A6, discounted from $649 to $524, also makes sense if you want a metal chassis, a faster CPU, improved cooling, and USB4 ports.
On the other end of the spectrum is the Geekom A9 Max, featuring a cutting-edge AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 470 CPU, 32GB of DDR5 RAM, and 2TB of M.2 SSD storage. It's comparatively pricey even with a 15% discount, but it's the right choice for gaming and AI workloads.
My personal pick for those shopping during Prime Day is the Geekom A8, sitting near the middle of the pack to balance performance, features, and cost.
Right now, a model with an AMD Ryzen 7 8745HS CPU, 16GB of DDR5 RAM, and a 1TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD costs $585 rather than the usual $689. Its memory and storage are both upgradeable after purchase, and the Ryzen chip is rather capable thanks to its 8 cores and 4.9GHz boost clock.
Windows Central's Harish Jonnalagadda reviewed both the Geekom A7 and A8 at the same time, handing them a Best Award and 4.5 stars. He noted,
"Having used the A7 and A8 extensively, the only limitation I can think of is that they have a solitary M.2 slot. There isn't much else that is missing on either model, and they both deliver standout performance in day-to-day productivity tasks as well as demanding image and video editing workflows."
These Geekom deals are expected to run from June 23 until June 26, so don't wait too long if one catches your eye. It's also worth mentioning that deal prices seem to fluctuate depending on stock availability, so early birds might get a better price.
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Microsoft is now selling new configurations of the Surface Pro 12-inch and Surface Laptop 13-inch with 8GB RAM in an attempt to quell the ongoing component pricing crisis that has seen the cost of Surface PCs skyrocket in recent months. These new affordable models will now start at $849 for the Surface Pro and $949 for the Surface Laptop.
Outside of the new RAM configuration, nothing else is new with these devices. These are still the 1st Edition models of the Surface Pro 12-inch and Surface Laptop 13-inch, powered by Qualcomm's now last-gen Snapdragon X Plus, along with 256GB of storage. These devices originally launched with 16GB RAM at $799 and $899, but saw price hikes to over $1,000 earlier this year.
Now that Microsoft has introduced models with less RAM, the company has been able to bring pricing back below $1,000. The company has been working to ensure Windows 11 is better optimized to run on devices with less than 16GB RAM, including disabling things like Widgets and other under the hood optimizations.
Of course, these new configurations also don't have any Copilot+ PC AI capabilities, as one of the requirements for that is a minimum of 16GB RAM. That means Windows 11 will be lighter right out of the gate, as it doesn't have to deal with all the advanced AI features that ship as part of PCs with higher RAM configurations.
Microsoft will continue to sell models with 16GB RAM for those who want to splash out on something a little more capable, but for many who just need a computer for basic tasks and workflows, the 8GB configurations should be fine enough. The good news is if you're not sure if 8GB is enough, the Microsoft Store offers a 60 day return policy, giving you plenty of time to buy the device and try it out before committing.
The new 8GB RAM options only appear to apply to the midrange Surface Laptop 13-inch and Surface Pro 12-inch. The flagship Surface Laptop 8th Generation and Surface Pro 12th Generation are not currently available with 8GB RAM configurations, meaning they still start with 16GB RAM for $1,499.
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If you told me a year ago that an Intel‑powered gaming handheld would be sitting on my desk in 2026, absolutely clowning AMD’s best silicon, I’d have told you to lay off the spice. Yet here we are. Computex 2026 teased it, Cale Hunt went hands‑on, and now the retail MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ is in front of me.
Let’s be honest: MSI’s first handheld felt like a prototype that slipped out the side door. Instead of giving up, MSI regrouped, teamed up with Intel, and came back with a device that blows past every expectation.
But before we go any deeper, we need to talk about the price. Global supply chain chaos has sent high‑density RAM and NAND costs into orbit, and premium hardware is paying the bill. In a sane market, this machine would likely land around $1,299. Instead, it’s $1,799 at Best Buy—firmly in ultra‑premium territory.
Is it worth the jump? Let’s break it down.
MSI and Intel had no input, nor did they see the contents of this review prior to publication.
Under the hood, MSI has radically re-architected its core layout, abandoning general-purpose laptop chips to pivot entirely to handheld-optimized architecture.
Processor | Intel Arc G3 Extreme |
Display | 8-inch IPS touchscreen |
Resolution | 1920 x 1200 |
Refresh rate | Up to 120Hz VRR |
Memory | Up to 32GB dual-channel LPDDR5x |
Storage | Single NVME M.2 SSD slot |
Ports | 2x Thunderbolt 4 |
Controls | Hall effect sticks and triggers |
Haptics | New high-end linear motor |
Design | Redesigned chassis with updated grips |
Battery | 80Wh battery |
Connectivity | Bluetooth Core 6.0 with LE Audio |
Price | $1,799 |
Release date | June 23, 2026 |
The physical layout of the Claw 8 EX AI+ is a massive love letter to Xbox fans. MSI completely reshaped the side chassis into a beautifully sloped, flared grip design that heavily mimics the curvature of an official Xbox controller. It contours perfectly to the natural resting shape of your hands, making extended, multi-hour gaming sessions an absolute breeze.
Even better, the actual weight distribution is the sweet spot. Coming in at 785 grams, the Claw 8 EX AI+ feels surprisingly nimble in the hands. When compared directly to the behemoth scale of something like the Lenovo Legion Go 2 at 854g/1.88lbs (it has a kickstand for a reason, folks)—which goes out of its way to adopt a massive, thick, and substantially heavy tablet aesthetic to accommodate its 8.8-inch display.
The MSI variant is vastly easier to slip into a travel bag without feeling like you packed a concrete brick. (Trust me, I've ditched Legion Go 2 for travel multiple times, but it's awesome on the couch).
MSI's layout isn't just a minor iteration; it's a structural masterclass in how an 8-inch handheld should actually fit inside a pair of human hands.
On the upgrade front, MSI has finally listened to reviewers. The storage slot has graduated to a full-sized M.2 2280 slot, meaning you aren’t locked into paying premium prices for tiny, obscure storage drives. Pop out six standard Phillips head screws on the back shell cover, and you can swap out the internal SSD in less than five minutes.
RAM, however, is integrated, but 32GB should be enough.
The Claw 8 EX AI+’s 8‑inch screen is one of the system’s strongest components. MSI uses a roomy 16:10 panel at a crisp FHD+ (1920x1200), giving you about 38% more usable space than comparable 7‑inch handhelds—huge for readability and UI-heavy games.
The IPS-level touchscreen hits 500 nits and covers 100% of sRGB for vivid, accurate color. Its standout feature, though, is native VRR from 48Hz to 120Hz, letting the display track fluctuating frame rates in real time to eliminate tearing and micro‑stutters for consistently smooth gameplay.
At this price tier, the lack of an OLED panel is the one obvious drawback. If you bounce between this and a Steam Deck OLED, you’ll notice the missing infinite contrast and true blacks in a dark room. But once you’re actually in a game and pushing high, stable refresh rates, the brightness and responsiveness take over. The gray floors fade from your mind, and the experience becomes all about the smooth, fast motion on screen.
Controls are a premium highlight here. MSI went all-in on specialized Hall-Effect analog sticks and triggers. Because they utilize magnetic positioning instead of physical carbon contacts, the threat of stick drift is permanently eradicated. The action on the triggers feels smooth and progressively weighted, while the face buttons feature beautifully rounded edge boundaries to keep your thumbs from feeling sore after hammering out combos.
The standard directional pad also received a massive overhaul, implementing a tactile metal dome component underneath the casing. It delivers an incredibly clicky, distinct feedback loop that completely wipes away the mushy, missed-input sensations from past generations.
There's no capacitive touchpad for mouse cursor control in Windows or precision aiming. Do I care? No, I turned it off on Legion Go 2, but I get how some people want it, so I'm mentioning it here.
Perhaps the biggest surprise, though, is the acoustic and haptic transformation. Historically, speakers and vibrating feedback have been clear weak points across MSI’s portable portfolio. Not anymore. The dual 2W speaker array outputs genuine, punchy high-res audio that maintains depth even at high volume levels.
Paired with an upgraded Voice Coil Motor (VCM) driving refined HD haptics, the physical immersion matches anything currently on the market.
With Bluetooth Core 6.0 and LE Audio onboard, pairing wireless earbuds like the Galaxy Buds4 delivers low‑latency, battery‑friendly audio with no noticeable delay. The Claw 8 EX AI+ also supports Windows 11 Super Wideband Stereo, so your sound won’t collapse into muddy mono when you’re using a mic for in‑game chat. And with Shared Audio broadcasting, you can stream to multiple compatible earbuds at once with zero hassle.
As a nerdy refresher, the Intel Arc G3 Extreme is Intel's very first purpose-built SoC engineered from the ground up specifically for handheld gaming form factors. Rather than simply shoving a generic, power-hungry laptop processor into a portable shell, Intel completely re-architected this silicon to optimize the power-to-performance ratio at typical handheld wattages. It cleverly shifts the hardware balance directly toward graphics throughput by scaling up to 12 Xe-cores on its Xe3-based B390 GPU while dropping the heavy CPU core count down to just two performance cores. This intentional asymmetry leaves massive thermal and electrical headroom for its 96 integrated XMX AI Engines to work their upscaling magic.
Better yet, the chip introduces Intelligent Bias Control (IBC) v3.5. This proprietary firmware engine perfectly optimizes power sharing between the CPU and GPU, and it even utilizes a clever trick called "P-core parking" to turn off the power-hungry performance cores entirely at 14W and under, ensuring your battery juice goes where it matters most: pumping out maximum frame rates.
For the past few years, AMD has comfortably monopolized premium mobile gaming graphics, but Intel’s new XeSS architecture drops an absolute tactical nuke on that narrative.
Look at our lab-tested benchmarks below:
A score of 6,726 on a handheld profile is a jaw-dropping result, representing an aggregate jump that flies completely past AMD's flagship Z2 Extreme silicon.
To push this chip further, I threw the classic Fire Strike benchmark at the Arc B390 GPU. The results speak for themselves:
The monitoring loop stayed remarkably consistent, and 3DMark’s integrated engine estimates real-world game performance for titles like Battlefield V at a smooth 120+ FPS at 1080p Ultra settings.
The AI Engine acts as the device's intelligent, set-and-forget autopilot, leveraging real-time behavioral analysis to dynamically adjust power settings and hardware configurations (defaulting to a flexible 25W ceiling during gaming) to maximize performance on the fly.
In stark contrast, Endurance mode is a highly restricted efficiency preset designed strictly to squeeze out every drop of battery life. While the AI Engine dynamically scales performance upwards to match the game's demands, shifting to Endurance mode clamps the platform down to a rigid 15W target and automatically triggers Intel’s Endurance Gaming profile, enforcing a stable 30 FPS cap on battery to extend your playtime up to 11 hours on lighter titles.
Here's what that looks like in Geekbench:
Even under a highly restricted energy curve, the restricted multi-core target hits 10,129, keeping processing capability completely clear of bottleneck thresholds.
Turning to the SSD, storage performance is similarly blinding, with CrystalDiskMark validating peak sequential read limits hitting a clean 6,997 MB/s.
The true magic happens when you leverage Intel's hardware-level AI upscaling. Running the native 3DMark Intel XeSS Feature Test (using XeSS 1.3.1 Balanced at a 2.0x scaling factor) shows exactly what the architecture is capable of:
Real-world gaming translates perfectly to these synthetic gains. Launching the graphically punishing 007 First Light with the console dialed directly into its integrated AI Engine mode, I ran natively at full 1920x1200 resolution at High settings and consistently locked down a blisteringly fast 130+ FPS when plugged in.
Even more absurd was the experience playing LEGO Batman: Legacy of The Dark Knight. The game regularly hit 150 FPS with fluid frame pacing.
How is 150 FPS beneficial on a physical 120Hz panel profile? It comes down to Intel's XeSS 3 Multi-Frame Generation (XeSS-MFG) engine. The chip utilizes internal AI matrices to interpolate synthetic smoothing frames directly between every traditionally rendered frame. Because the platform features a hardware-level Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) window extending up to 120Hz, pushing frames above the panel refresh ceiling completely eliminates frame delivery micro-stuttering, ensuring ultra-responsive inputs and perfect pacing.
Of course, results for XeSS will vary based on the game (if it's supported), whether you're plugged in, and what modes (including custom) you have set. I did have some mixed results with DOOM: The Dark Ages, which was running above 60 FPS one night, but fell below 30 on the next level despite XeSS being enabled.
To understand how big a leap Intel’s Arc G3 Extreme really is, look at this custom Cyberpunk 2077 benchmark. On AMD handhelds like the ROG Ally X or Legion Go 2, turning on ray tracing usually drops you into a sub‑30 FPS slideshow even at a soft 720p. Here, the Claw 8 EX AI+ is running at its full 1920×1200 resolution on the Ray Tracing: Low preset with XeSS Super Resolution 2.0 set to Auto, and it still averages 46.6 FPS with a minimum of 38.1 FPS.
See a clip from Cyberpunk 2077 with the above settings on the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ below:
This is where the Arc B390 GPU and its 12 dedicated Ray Tracing Units show their advantage. Instead of choking on ray‑traced shadows and lighting, the G3 Extreme architecture handles the workload with an efficiency AMD’s current mobile silicon cannot match.
Holding a stable, genuinely playable 40+ FPS at 1200p with ray tracing enabled is unheard of for any other handheld today, and it proves Intel did not just build a faster chip. They built a smarter one.
When you stack the Claw up against Valve’s Steam Machine, the hardware contrast becomes even more fascinating. Looking at the benchmark breakdown above, both devices run neck-and-neck in single-core metrics (a 2,574 for the Claw versus a 2,579 for the Steam Machine's Custom APU), but the Intel Arc G3 Extreme leaves Valve in the absolute dust on multi-threaded workloads, flexing an eye-watering multi-core score of 13,210 over the Steam Machine’s 8,680. This doesn't even account for the GPU difference, which will also favor Intel.
Unfortunately, much like the Claw, the Steam Machine (starting at $1,049) is a premium engineering marvel suffering from historically terrible macroeconomic timing—both launched directly into a brutal global supply crunch that bloated retail pricing, making a direct cost comparison a bit of an exercise in wallet masochism. It's a cosmic shame that, through no fault of their own, bad timing and bloated component markets might prevent casual players from seeing just how hard this new Intel portable silicon kicks.
For the hardware purists who insist on micromanaging their silicon, MSI Center M includes a robust Manual mode that unlocks granular sliders for the chip's PL1 and PL2 power levels.
For the uninitiated, PL1 (Power Limit 1) dictates the maximum sustained wattage the processor can draw during long-term gameplay, while PL2 (Power Limit 2) establishes the absolute ceiling for short-term burst power. In Manual mode, you can crank PL1 up to 35W and push PL2 to a blistering 45W to squeeze every single drop of performance out of a heavy title—just make sure PL2 stays at least 2W higher than PL1 so Intel’s power management algorithms don't choke. Alternatively, you can drop them into the single digits to slam the brakes on power consumption for lighter indie titles.
However, a quick note for the average reader: I rarely ever touched Manual mode. I use a gaming handheld to actually play games, not to spend 30 minutes acting like an IT admin configuring power registries before launching a level. Thankfully, you don't have to. The default AI Engine setting is brilliantly "set it and forget it," handling the heavy lifting and power shifting so smoothly on the fly that it renders manual tweaking strictly optional for anyone who values their free time.
But hey, cool on Intel and MSI for making it easy to go all out and tweak the chip!
High performance doesn't mean a melted chassis. Thanks to MSI's custom Cooler Boost HyperFlow architecture (love these names, btw)—which seals internal pathways to draw cold air directly over hotspots while isolating grip boundaries—this device stays remarkably chilly.
Our FLIR thermal array capture maps external chassis heat dissipation flawlessly under extended benchmarking loops:
The physical thermal reading confirms your hands remain entirely cool, completely isolated from internal hotspots. While the localized zone at the very base of the display glass reads at 106.5°F, it remains warm rather than hot, safely out of reach during normal use.
Even measuring directly inside the deep-set cooling channels yields 130°F, yet the felt air volume dissipates cleanly away from you. The internal acoustic profile is equally stellar: the dual fans emit a gentle, low-frequency airflow "whoosh" instead of a whiny, high-pitched jet engine shriek.
MSI Center M has matured beautifully, but can still be a bit awkward, and I hope to see some improvements (I may end up adding Winhanced at some point). The software utility integrates seamlessly across massive digital clients including Steam, Xbox, Epic, and Battle.net. It's simple and basic, but the whole Windows 11/launcher/various gaming libraries thing/switching is still a bit underbaked, but making improvements.
Triggering the native full-screen Xbox mode layout overlay brings up a clean, translucent quick-access console dashboard that only handles half the panel layout, avoiding disruptive gameplay pauses. They did a great job here.
From this single overlay window, a user can instantly adjust hardware properties:
The long‑standing Windows Modern Standby curse is finally gone. As far as I can tell, putting the Claw 8 EX AI+ to sleep with the fingerprint/power button triggers a proper hibernate state, or rather, the buttons/triggers/joystick don't wake it. But when I hit that button, it stays off and standby battery drain was minimal, which is a nice change.
The fingerprint reader can be a little picky about angle, but once you get the feel for it, it’s fast and consistent.
Intel's Wi-Fi 7 R2 on here is a beast. I have a Wi-Fi 7 router (TP-Link Tri-Band BE19000), and this thing just sucked down so much data when downloading big games like Cyberpunk 2077 that it even affected my TV streaming. Good stuff.
My only gripe is that, for some reason, my Xbox games are not showing up in MSI Center M, though I can, of course, access them via the Xbox app. I chalk this up to some early bugs, and hopefully some updates will iron those out.
Because this is an Intel architecture design instead of AMD, you get dual full-bandwidth Thunderbolt 4 ports. This unlocks a highly lucrative dual-use scenario. Dropping the Claw 8 EX AI+ onto a single-cable desk setup completely transforms the handheld experience into a premium desktop workstation environment.
When stacked up against custom high-end discrete desktop boxes like the Geekom A9 Max AI Mini PC (which utilizes mobile AMD Ryzen AI architecture), the Claw 8 EX AI+ matches or exceeds its functional productivity output while preserving complete, uncompromised on-the-go portability. It's a phenomenally versatile desktop replacement machine.
While the A9 Max AI outpaces the Arc G3 Extreme in CPU (see above), I'm confident the reverse will be true for GPU performance and the Intel B390 (we'll try to get some actual comparisons in an update to this).
The massive 80Whr ultra-capacity battery module integrated inside the shell handles power delivery exceptionally well.
Testing the console under heavy loads while running on the custom Endurance Mode setting—which dynamically caps rendering properties and shifts core priority to energy-efficient architecture—and maintaining screen brightness at a very vivid 45% setting (roughly 225 nits of total display output), the platform delivered a solid 3.5 hours of continuous triple-A gameplay. Switching over to casual indie titles or retro emulation easily pushes the operational lifespan past the 5-hour mark.
Look, if your bank account can handle the entry point and you are looking for absolute top-tier, uncompromised technical performance in a highly ergonomic package, yes, absolutely buy it. Intel and MSI have created a generational performance jump that sets a brand-new benchmark for portable PC gaming. The MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ is friggin' awesome.
If you're a normal working Joe, then of course not; that'd be financially irresponsible.
And that's my only real regret with the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+: a vast majority of gamers won't be able to experience it. This device is THE watershed milestone our portable community has spent years waiting for—a true, uncompromised hardware revelation where you can load a visually dense, modern triple-A blockbuster and play it at 100+ FPS in the palm of your hand without a single structural sacrifice.
MSI and Intel have finally delivered the holy grail payload we've been begging for from day one. It is an absolute masterpiece of engineering brilliance, hitting the market at a time when raw component pricing is absolutely screwing it up. If you have the enthusiast means to jump on it, don't hesitate. This is the future, right now.
The MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ is a high‑end Windows gaming handheld built for serious performance on the move. It runs on Intel’s Arc G3 Extreme processor for smooth gameplay, fast responsiveness, and reliable power delivery. The device features a refined Void Purple finish and ergonomic, controller‑inspired grips designed for long, comfortable sessions. With upgraded hardware, improved thermals, and polished software, the Claw 8 EX AI+ delivers MSI’s most advanced handheld experience.
The AGON PRO AGP277QKDC boasts the next-generation Tandem WOLED display, featuring QHD and HD modes. AOC Introduces AGON PRO AGP277QKDC, Featuring 1440p@540Hz and HD@720Hz Modes Using Tandem WOLED Panel The competition in the OLED segment has become fierce, and we see monitor makers now competing for high refresh rate displays that also bring the latest generation of OLED panels from popular vendors such as LG and Samsung. AOC, known for its affordable gaming monitors, has today debuted its first AGON 7 display with the next-generation Tandem WOLED panel. The display is called AGON PRO AGP277QKDC, which offers a 26.5" display […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/aoc-introduces-agon-pro-agp277qkdc/
Not just regular users, but YouTubers and tech publications are now calling out NVIDIA for its flawed 12V-2x6 connector. Club386 Says NVIDIA Needs to Admit That 16-pin Connector Isn't Fit; YouTuber Daniel Also Got His Connector Melted The managing editor of Club386 has called out NVIDIA for the flawed 16-pin connector it is equipping its GPUs with. Burning and melting 16-pin connectors on the GeForce RTX 50 series is not uncommon, and we hear about these stories multiple times every week. We have been reporting on these incidents for a while now, but they never stop surfacing on the internet. […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/youtuber-daniel-owen-and-club386-got-their-rtx-5090-connectors-cooked-club386-calls-it-a-flawed-design/
The laptop that has taken the industry by storm is the MacBook Neo, with Apple capitalizing on the entry-level segment by offering a product that the competition wasn’t ready for. Fortunately, the Cupertino firm’s most affordable notebook is now slightly cheaper on Amazon thanks to Prime Day 2026, as it starts from $589.99 for the 256GB model. In case you need more storage, the 512GB SSD variant is also discounted and can be yours for $689.99 The ultimate notebook package for customers on a budget; the MacBook Neo has no equal in its price class Despite its low MSRP, Apple […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/macbook-neo-starts-from-590-during-amazon-prime-day-2026/
Microsoft introduced DirectX Dump Files in public preview, allowing developers to get their hands on the newest feature aimed at making GPU crash debugging easier. Microsoft DirectX Dump Files Help Developers Debug GPU Crashes More Efficiently Historically, debugging GPU-related crashes in video games has been a headache for developers. With the dizzying amount of possible combinations of hardware, drivers, and OS versions, and the fact that reproducing crashes in the first place is tough, the whole process is a struggle. That's why Microsoft has been working on a cross-vendor solution to GPU debugging for some time now. By collaborating on […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/microsoft-preview-directx-dump-files-amd-first-with-public-driver/
Alongside a salvo of case launches at Computex 2026, LIAN LI also showcased new and refreshed AIOs, PSUs, and fans. LIAN LI Shows Off 'HydroShift II OLED CURVED 360' Liquid Cooler With - You Guessed It - A Curved OLED Screen Following the trend set by TRYX, LIAN LI has now entered the fray with a curved OLED variant of the HydroShift II AIO. Though strictly speaking not a Computex launch (LIAN LI pushed this out May 22nd), it was heavily featured throughout LIAN LI's booth, making an appearance in both their LANCOOL 207XL and V2000 showcase builds. Spec-wise, it's […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/lian-li-announces-new-liquid-coolers-updated-fans-and-psu-lineup-at-computex-2026/
I love board games. Be it a classic hit like Catan, a hilarious party game like Poetry for Neanderthals, or a 1v1 strategy game like Lord of the Rings: Duel for Middle-Earth — or anything in-between — I’m excited to give it a whirl.
And for Prime Day, Amazon has made many of my favorites super cheap. So I’ve gathered up a collection of my favorites you won’t want to miss — especially as several are part of limited time Lightning Deals, so once they’re gone, they’re gone.
If you want a more classic board game vibe, but something still accessible (read: no more difficult than Monopoly, and a lot more fun) then can I suggest Ticket to Ride or Catan? They're icons of the board game world for a reason.
Carcassonne and Splendor are solid pickups too in that category, and I've found are a little bit more approachable for non-gamers. There's not as many options to disrupt your opponents massively making the competitiveness less sharp.
For larger groups and parties Poetry for Neanderthals, Codenames, and Herd Mentality are perfect. Play them sober, play them tipsy, play them as a drinking game (remember: drink responsibly), whichever you choose will be a blast.
Despite their largely unchanged looks since the 2020 original, Apple's March 2026 cans are thoroughly deserving of the AirPods Max 2 moniker. Why? Quick answer: the new H2 chip and its computational wizardry. Slightly longer answer: the punchier sound, even better ANC and the new perks (Live Translation, Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness, Head Gesture control and the Camera Remote feature, for starters) all of which work seamlessly. Provided you've got a recent iPhone — an iPhone 15 Pro or newer — these extra Apple Intelligence features really make for an excellent, fuss-free music and call-handling experience that does what you want and does it with minimal button pushing.
The Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 are a formidable and sonically delightful pair of over-ear noise-cancelling headphones. They combine the best design elements of the original Px8 (and indeed the slightly older Px7 S3), while levelling up the sonic capabilities even more — and honestly, there's a hard-to-quantify pride of ownership one feels when wearing them. With a slightly lighter build than the inaugural set (yes, despite the extra metallic design accents and flourishes), decent ANC, hi-res Bluetooth codec support, the addition of a (somewhat divisive) 'True Immersion' profile and an excellent companion app, there’s so much to love about these headphones. That is, provided you can afford them…
You're here to see which flagship noise-cancelling headphones are best, and I get it. One way to deduce which is the better buy might traditionally be newness, right? Not so easy here. One set of headphones here has a September 2025 release, one boasts a newer March 2026 launch date — but that's far from the whole story.
You see, on looks alone, the AirPods Max 2 could be a 2020 release, despite actually being the newer set of cans. Why? Oh, because the build looks exactly the same as the first-generation set, despite hiding newer H2 chips under the hood and upgraded amplification. Meanwhile, the B&W Px8 S2 has all the physical trappings of a generational upgrade as well as the sonic upticks to back it up.
When whittling down the best noise cancelling headphones of 2026 (or just the best over-ear headphones you can buy today) it will come as no surprise to learn that both of the products — and indeed manufacturers — in the title of this versus are in the picture for the win. Both firms are, make no mistake, excellent at what they do. And although one gained a five-star review and one a half-star off that, there's very little in it.
The Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 launched on September 24, 2026, whereas the Apple AirPods Max 2 landed on March 16, 2026. But weirdly, the newer set are seeing a huge $150 Prime Day discount if you live in the US. Hurrah!
What a deal! These are the new new March 2026 edition, with the H2 chip and all of the upticks in performance that brings. And though many might have predicted an Apple-style $50 saving (yawn), this $150-off steal is crazy! Nobody had this on their bingo card for Prime Day. OK, the deal is only on the 'Starlight' finish, but for this money that shouldn't be an issue — it's a perfectly lovely finish. Let me be abundantly clear: the noise cancellation here is absolutely fantastic — and I know, because I reviewed them… View Deal
I tested them both, so I'm well placed to put these sets of high-end, flagship wireless cans side-by-side (someone's got to, right?) to discover which pair will ultimately get you better sound-per-pound value.
It's actually not as easy as it sounds. Human beings all seem to prioritize different things — your other half wants to watch movies on their iPad; your colleague is an avid gamer; you just want glorious silence to be able to get some shut-eye on long-haul flights.
I've spent countless hours listening to some of my favorite albums, podcasts and movies on these headphones in order to compare features, noise cancellation, call-handling, extra perks, and elements of the design and build quality (both physical and in terms of software) that you ought to be aware of. Either set of headphones is a top buy, our reviews will state as much — that's not why you're here. You want make the best choice for you, between these two top dogs. So let's get to it!
As mentioned above, the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 are the older of the two in a 'tale of the tape' style side-by-side, but only by six months. The B&W cans arrived in September of last year (2025) while the AirPods Max 2 arrived in March 2026. That said, on looks alone you'd never be able to tell that the Max 2 are newer, because their actual design (read: looks, save for one or two new finishes) hasn't changed since the original 2020-issue set. And that is a fact which left some fans disappointed…
And they're like heavyweight boxers in terms of desirability as well as talent and fame: the B&W option will set you back a not-insignificant $799 / £629 (approx. AU$1,299) while the AirPods Max 2 cost $549 / £499 / AU$999.
You don't need me to tell you that the AirPods Max 2 are the cheaper of the two here (and isn't that an unusual position for Apple to find itself in?), but you also don't need me to tell you that we really do have to go much deeper into the features, comfort, sound quality, ANC efficacy and overall user experience to see where the real value is. So come on then!
Apple AirPods Max 2 | Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 | |
|---|---|---|
Price | $549 / £499 AU$999 | $799 / £629 / AU$1,299 |
Drivers | Apple-designed dynamic driver with new 'custom high dynamic range amplifier' | 2 x 40mm dynamic full-range carbon cone |
Active noise cancellation | Yes | Yes |
Battery life | Up to 20 hours (with ANC enabled) 5 mins of charging nets 1.5 hours of listening | 30 hours (ANC on) |
Weight | 386.2g | 310g |
Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.3 (H2 chip) Lossless with USB-C | 5.3 with SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive and aptX Lossless compatibility, USB-C audio |
Waterproofing | None | None |
Apple's cans are newer, so let's kick off with them. The inclusion of newer H2 chips — yes, there's actually one in each ear cup — add a swathe of new features, with one big caveat: you need an Apple iPhone that's either the iPhone 15 Pro or newer to get at most of them.
Provided your source device is one of those though, new features abound, including Adaptive Audio (the Transparency mode can adjust itself to block some unnecessary sounds, and there's an optional slider to tweak just how 'adaptive' you want it to get), Conversation Awareness (so the over-ears can automatically lower the volume of your music and filter external sounds should you start talking to someone, then put everything back again once you stop chatting), plus Loud Sound Reduction and Personalized Volume to help protect your hearing but keep the sonic profile how you like it.
There's also Live Translation, which is for me the star of that Apple-Intelligence-and-iPhone ecosystem. I thoroughly enjoyed using it here over Apple's AirPods Pro 3, because it's so much easier to access via a long press of AirPods Max's on-ear Listening Mode button.
Elsewhere, Head Gesture support means you can nod to accept a call or check a message, shake your head to dismiss a message or decline a call, or nod to Siri silently. You don't have to perform these actions violently either. Also, the new Camera Remote feature means you can now take snaps on your iPhone camera using AirPods Max 2's Digital Crown, and despite not being much of a photographer, I used that more than I thought I would.
Apple's new Voice Isolation software also improves your call quality when it's loud or windy around you — and thanks to some extra processing power afforded by that H2 chip, you get much better voice capture from the headphones' three mics for voice pickup (two are shared with the ANC system, and one is an additional dedicated microphone) in the nine-mic total. If it's a fight over which set of cans takes calls better, I'd hand it to Apple.
Of course I left the best for last: Apple says that the active noise cancellation is "up to 1.5x more effective than the previous generation" and when Tim Cook's behemoth boasts, it's best to listen. The noise-nixing here is honestly next-level — and I mean near-silent, cocooning, calming and enveloping. It's like stillness as a backdrop to your music. If that's what you need, these headphones win over the B&W buy, hands down.
Switching to the competing set in this particular bout, as we said in our Px8 S2 review, "When it comes to active noise-cancellation, Bowers & Wilkins must — just like every other brand — accept it’s competing for second place". And in this particular battle against AirPods Max 2, B&W hasn't won. The ANC is good, don't get me wrong, but it's not as good as Apple's.
Now, let's focus on the B&W option. Ever noticed how elite audiophile-adjacent headphones tend not to be, er… overburdened by features? B&W hasn't changed the game here. That said, ‘elite’ is still great way to describe the Px8 S2 and while the feature-set here is 100% business, there is one relatively recent addition, in the form of a dedicated "True Immersion" spatial audio mode. It was listed as "coming following a software update" when the Px8 S2 launched, and it's here now. It's designed to widen the soundstage, but instead of of relying on traditional 3D head-tracking, the feature is meant to create a concert or club-like soundstage akin to attending live gigs.
Bowers & Wilkins has designed and implemented built-in digital processing to expand the spatial footprint of standard stereo tracks but, as you'd expect when your fanbase largely consists of audiophiles, user feedback is highly mixed. Yes, these immersive side-sauces can sound unnatural or over-processed, but for me that's not an issue with the Px8 S2. I find the bass response decent and that 'concert atmosphere' idea has largely been achieved, but then again, this isn't B&W's forte. These are headphones one buys for a wire-free experience during critical listening, and so I think you'll keep it switched off most of the time.
The Px8 S2 are compatible with SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive and aptX Lossless codecs — and you won't find any aptX support in Apple's cans. That said, I prefer Apple's head-tracked Spatial Audio when it comes to immersive soundstages.
Wired listening can happen using the USB-C slot on one ear cup with either option — but while B&W supplies USB-C to USB-C, and USB-C to 3.5mm cables in the lovely semi-hard travel case, Apple only offers the former (and only gives you a minimal 'headphone bra' to carry the cans in, so be careful not to lose the cable!)
Battery life is one bone of contention: 30 hours in the B&W with ANC deployed, and a 15-minute jolt of juice will get you up to another seven hours' playback. That drops to just 20 hours max (with ANC enabled) with the AirPods Max 2, where 5 minutes of charging nets 1.5 hours of listening. In 2026, this can easily be beaten and is one area Apple really does need to improve. That said, for the aforementioned features — and that excellent ANC performance — Apple edges it here.
Oh, one other thing: the companion apps. Bowers & Wilkins' solution is far better here especially if you don't own an iPhone, offering to round up your music streaming services as well as catering to the cans and providing a thoroughly comprehensive, intuitive experience. In direct comparison, Apple's solution (that fits into your iPhone's pull-down general and settings menus; there is no official AirPods app for Android) feels a tad bare-bones, but then again, it is intuitive — once you've downloaded those language modules you'll need for translation…
Ready for the indicator to swing back the other way, if only ever-so-slightly? You're probably way ahead of me, but Bowers & Wilkins makes some of the best-sounding wireless headphones within the mass production consumer space, and the Px8 S2 are no exception.
The company deployed the amplification and DSP engine from its (also very good) Px7 S3 headphones here, but the bespoke tuning — plus a stiffer and more pricey driver chassis and upgraded motor system and voice coil — has ensured that the Px8 S2 do sound significantly better than their well-regarded (and, ahem, more affordable) siblings. Our review explains this succinctly: "Where out-and-out sound quality is concerned, it’s hard to lay a glove on the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2… where they really excel, they leave their nominal competition gasping."
How do the Apple AirPods Max 2 compare for sound? It depends on how you like to listen — because while there's no higher-resolution codec support, for oomph and head-tracked audio within Apple Music suite, I still find them hard to beat. But for critical, neutral, integrated listening? They're still playing second fiddle to Bowers & Wilkins.
Apple hasn't divulged the drivers under the hood, but did specify a new 'custom high dynamic range amplifier' which I truly believe has made for a punchier and more dynamically nuanced listen than in the first-generation set — yes, probably owing to the new H2 chips.
The head-tracked Spatial Audio support is not a new feature with this iteration, but it is so beautifully implemented here thanks to the new software that, as I said in my review, "you'll find yourself whipping them off to check there's no mini speaker under your chin or squirreled away at the back of the room".
It's a closer-run thing than I'd expected — and again, it depends on your source material and whether you want a more three-dimensional presentation — but I can't hand the sound accolade to any product other than the B&W Px8 S2.
Honestly, the sense of pride in ownership I feel wearing the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 over my ears (or even around my neck, with the metallic accents catching the light) remains unmatched. Wearing them is like being a member of a very select group — the audiophile who knows where the best sound is and wasn't scared of spending the cash.
You've got to give B&W the nod where looks are concerned. Over-ear headphones can look pretty generic, but somehow the Px8 S2 feel like an Aston Martin: luxurious yet demure, elite yet understated. They're available in 'Onyx Black', 'Warm Stone', 'Pearl Blue', Midnight Blue' and a special 'McLaren Edition' finish; all are quite splendid.
The arms and headband feature a recess that allows a portion of the cable to be exposed (a nod to the company’s very first headphones, the P5, which launched back in 2010) and at 310g, the Px8 S2 are actually just a fraction lighter and slimmer than the headphones they replace. Honestly, I can't find anything to pick fault with — except that the real leather won't appeal to vegans.
Do I get that same true pride in ownership with Apple's newest cans? Not quite, in all honesty — but that doesn't mean it's a clear win for the B&W in this instance. How to score this category then? If you like dashing good looks, it's got to be the B&W, but if you want supreme comfort and a design that helps promote a truly cocooned feel — with lovely on-ear controls — it's Apple, for me.
They're heavier than the Px8 S2, at 386.2g, but they don't feel it. Because here's the thing with AirPods Max 2: nothing about the design has been changed, because it doesn't need to be. The huge ear cups, the meshy headband with its silent yokes, the mic placement? It was all so-designed because Apple threw out the rule book and just wanted to make the best ever headphones. So while we can argue the toss over how they look, I maintain that for comfort, they knock everything else out the park.
I also love the Digital Crown, which can handle playback and volume. OK, the case is odd and Apple hasn't offered a proper one, which many users are crying out for. But I still reach for the AirPods Max 2 most days for the way they feel and the quiet, seemingly protected sonic spaces they take me to after a long day. So I can't simply give the B&W the nod, you see…
Value is always a very difficult category to judge, partly because the competition at these levels is so stiff. For less than the MRSP of both of the options here, $449 / £399 / AU$699 buys you the Sony WH-1000XM6 or the Bose QC Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen), and both sets of cans feature in our best headphones buying guide — indeed, one set even won TR's Best Wireless Headphones of the Year Award.
But that's not really what 'value' means, is it — especially when we're talking sound-per-pound value? And the price of each option does vary here, by over $200 / £120. It's a horses for courses thing. For me, the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 sound so very good that they're worth the extra outlay over the other products mentioned above — but I prioritize sound quality when listening to music and always have done. Additionally, I have several music streaming services at my disposal (all the better to test things with, my dear) and the Bowers & Wilkins 'Music' app gets them all together so I can quickly stream whatever I need.
That said, those who own an iPhone and want the best ANC-plus-comfort they can possibly find at this level need to look to Apple — and the extra features (Live Translation, Gesture Control, Personalised Spatial Audio, Conversation Awareness) all add value, if you're iOS-ensconced. If I were jumping on a flight now, I'd pick the Apple over-ears. If I were in my comfy listening chair at home, it's the B&W. But it's hard to put a price on arriving from the 2am flight having actually slept because your cans are that good at noise-nixing, right?
It's tough, but I promised I'd give my verdict, so for me it's the Apple AirPods Max 2 by a very small margin. I love the excellent ANC; I love the head-tracked Spatial Audio; I love the comfort; I love the call-handling and I love the bubble of silence I seem to enter when wearing them. Also, I love a tasty discount, and we're seeing a very good one, not long after their launch…
But there's a very compelling argument to be made for spending more and getting more detailed audio in a stunning (newer) build quality — and let's not forget that the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 won our most recent Headphones of the Year Editor's Choice Award. So this isn't the end of the discussion — far from it in fact.
What are your thoughts, gentle reader? Which of the two is your winner? Let me know in the comments — let's make this a friendly group discussion.
With some schools and nurseries across the UK closing due to the heatwave, you might be on the hunt for some cheap Amazon Prime Day deals for keeping the kids cool and entertained — and if that's you, I've got you covered.
• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale
The team here at TechRadar have already been busy rounding up all the best tech deals, which I've included a selection of below for LEGO, kitchen appliances, gaming, streaming and fans. I've also had a browse around Amazon for some cheap finds that will make a real difference over the next few days. Most of these are aimed squarely at the kids, but if you've got a dog who's suffering in the heat, a couple of these picks will go down just as well with them.
I grew up in Australia so you can trust me when I say my recommendations will make a difference. Believe me, a pack of Ice Lolly Moulds at Amazon for £6.45 (was £9.99) will be the best tenner you spend all week — even if it's the only thing you buy.
Forget running under your neighbours' sprinklers, this splash pad will make you the envy of the street. It's one of the cheapest I can find discounted for Prime Day and comes in various sizes. Disclaimer: I accept no liability for pets who suddenly forget whose splash pad it is. View Deal
Got kids running around the house, and four-legged friends too? This foldable paddling pool is going to be a hit with both. There's no pump needed either, just lay it outside, turn on the hose, and everyone's happy, especially you with this 25% saving. View Deal
I've collected a few tricks to survive the heat since growing up in Australia, and ice lolly moulds are one of my favourite. Easy to make and refreshing to eat, these moulds are ideal for the summer. You can experiment with countless ice lolly recipes too, but my top tip is to make some with actual fruit chunks for a twist. There are plenty of options discounted on Amazon right now, but this 35% off saving is the cheapest I've found. View Deal
Who doesn't love Moana? LEGO's Kakamora barge is on sale for Prime Day and comes with a catapult, zipline, and playable drum, plus it can be split into three separate vessels. The set also comes with a Moana and Maui boat and figures, making it a perfect distraction from the heat. View Deal
This World Cup-inspired set looks cool enough from the outside, but inside is where the fun really starts — crack the football open to find a full, miniaturised stadium inside. Just don't let the kids try and start an actual game with it... View Deal
This fun Super Mario Lego set has a removable top, which can 'fly' around independently and even shoot fireballs at intruders. There's a Prince Florian trapped in a cell inside, ready to be rescued. Amazon has knocked 24% off the list price for Prime members. View Deal
Apple TV (Prime Video add-on): was £19.98 for two months now £11.98 at Amazon
Right now you can get a cheap Apple TV subscription as a Prime Video add-on, which is perfect timing if you need something new for the kids to watch. This rare saving represents more than 40% on the usual monthly price of £9.99, but you'll have to be quick because the deal ends on 2 July. View Deal
Paramount+ (Prime Video add-on): was £7.99 for a month now £2.99 at Amazon
This Paramount+ deal is worth considering for those of us in the UK, especially if you've not been signed up for a while, and need some new kids and family content to browse. Just note that the reduced price only lasts for a month, and that it expires on 25 June. View Deal
MGM+ (Prime Video add-on): was £11.98 for two months now £5.98 at Amazon
MGM+ is one of the more readily available streaming services to choose from when it comes to sales, as it's often discounted throughout the year. While this offer isn't a rock bottom price, that doesn't mean it's not worth picking up. A saving is a saving after all, and MGM+ does have a selection of family movies that the kids are sure to enjoy (just make sure to turn on those parental controls). View Deal
The Nex Playground is a cheap gaming console that comes pre-loaded with a selection of games geared towards younger players. It's the perfect choice if you're shopping for those aged five to ten, who might need some distracting from the heat. View Deal
The Nintendo Switch 2 is discounted right now in the UK, though it still costs more than the Playground. It's certainly worth it if you can spare the extra money though, as it is more powerful and offers a more traditional gaming console experience with a wider variety of games. View Deal
Don't want your kids in front of a screen for too long? Don't miss out on this fantastic deal for the Catan (6th Edition) boardgame. It is currently available at Amazon for a highly competitive price that you won't ever regret forking out for. This offers lifelong family entertainment that won't ever falter. View Deal
This small yet powerful desk fan is a great buy while it's dropped below £30 for Prime Day. While its smaller size means it won't be the most powerful option out there, it does mean it'll easily fit on a side table or your desk and keep you at a comfortable temperature.View Deal
Loved by Amazon customers far and wide, Levoit extends its air care products from the best air purifiers to fans, and this one in particular earned praise for its low noise level and good cooling capacity. This smart fan offers 12 fan speeds, four modes, can be controlled with the VeSync app or voice control.View Deal
Dyson's first handheld fan sold out almost instantly last month, so if you're tired of feeling sticky and uncomfortable, this is your opportunity to grab one and enjoy a cooling breeze anywhere. Only the Stone/Blush colorway is available, though.View Deal
In June, the Creami Scoop and Swirl dropped to its lowest-ever price of £265 at Amazon, so this £80-off deal is a pretty close call for the best deal we've seen on one of our top summer picks. We scored it 4 stars in our review, praising its delicious results, ease of use, and 13 different settings. View Deal
This weather makes an ice-cold drink extremely appealing right now, and the unique Ninja Slushi just fell back to its Black Friday price at Amazon. This kitchen appliance makes all sorts of chilled and frozen drinks, including juices, cocktails, milkshakes, and more. We loved it in our Ninja Slushi review, praising its ability to make quick and delicious drinks easily in a fun and entertaining package.View Deal
Still want smoothies and slushies without the spending over £100? This over £20 price reduction on this well-scoring blender is an absolute treat. The build quality and performance impressed us when we tested it, and the fact that it's even cheaper than it was on Black Friday makes this an even sweeter deal.View Deal
Tata Electronics, the electronics and semiconductor manufacturing arm of the Tata Group conglomerate, confirmed suffering a cyberattack, but said it did not affect its operations. The scale of the breach, however, could be rather extensive.
"A few weeks ago, Tata Electronics identified a cybersecurity incident on some of our systems,” the company said in a statement to Reuters. “Our response protocols were deployed immediately, and the incident has had no impact on our operations across businesses, which remain unaffected," it said, without going into details.
This statement came almost two weeks after a threat actor called World Leaks posted a large database on its data leak site, claiming to have come from Tata Electronics, and affecting companies such as Apple and Tesla.
According to Reuters, roughly a third of all iPhone production in India is done by Tata Electronics. The company supplies Apple with back panels, enclosures, and circuit board parts, among other things. For Tesla, it’s been supplying it with chips, circuit board assemblies, and vehicle motor controller units, since 2025.
World Leaks uploaded an archive of 204,341 files, weighing 630.4GB. Allegedly, it contains numerous confidential and proprietary data, including Apple and Tesla schematics, passport scans, and other sensitive files.
Reuters said Tata was being extorted for the files but did not say how much money the threat actors were demanding, or if the negotiations were progressing in any way.
Some security researchers analyzed the leaked files and said that they contained information about manufacturing and engineering processes from these two companies. Among the researchers were Cybernews, who claim to have seen “hundreds of references to Apple and Tesla”, a folder named “com.apple.factorydata”, as well as documents labeled as proprietary or confidential.
Cybernews also found files referencing other companies, too: Pegatron, Foxconn, and Qualcomm, to name a few. However, there is no evidence that any of these companies had been breached.
Via Cybernews
In case you missed it during its West End run earlier in 2026, there's good news for international theatre fans: Les Liaisons Dangereuses will be in select cinemas worldwide from June 25, before heading to the National Theatre at Home streaming service later in the year.
This is all thanks to National Theatre Live, whose productions have been seen by more than 13 million people across the globe. I'm one of these, having seen everything from Hansard to All My Sons in theaters and local community centers.
The goal is to make British theater more accessible, which is fantastic news if you're international or just (rightfully) can't afford paying up to £120 for a ticket. Out of all of the productions I've seen, Les Liaisons Dangereuses is one that you absolutely cannot afford to miss.
For us peasants, this translates to Dangerous Liaisons, which you've likely seen in the 1988 movie of the same name starring Glenn Close and John Malkovich. This time, Lesley Manville and Aiden Turner take on the respective roles of the Marquise de Merteuil and the Vicomte de Valmont.
During its three-hour (I know) runtime, viewers experience a whirlwind of drama, deceit, unrequited love, and outright chaos. The staging is exquisitely minimal yet dramatic thanks to its use of moving mirrors, with our cast included in mass choreographed dance numbers interspersed throughout.
Frankly, it's like nothing I've ever seen. So when the National Theatre invited me on an exclusive tour behind-the-scenes during one of its two filming days for NT Live, I was as giddy as a five-year-old.
Here's how it works. For productions that aren't beamed into cinemas live, filming happens across two performances in the same week.
This way, editors can splice together the best cuts of scenes, meaning that if there's a mark on the floor or a prop out of place, you won't notice. The idea is to replicate the
When I walk into the theater on the second day of shooting, a total of seven cameras are rehearsing their placements for later in the evening. They're all a part of ARRI camera systems, which are the same kind that film all the latest Netflix movies. Small world, huh?
Most of them have a stationary position, with the camera closest to the stage operating on a dolly (which is essentially a small piece of track it can move up and down). Instead of being operated hands-on like on a movie set, the dolly camera is operated remotely from a portable control room.
So where is this mysterious crew? Instead of being packed into the auditorium, they're (literally) parked outside in two mobile van units. The first acts like a screen studio you'd see on an actual TV set, monitoring each camera through numbered live feeds. Next door is the audio mixing unit — meaning if someone coughs in the audience, it will be removed.
Basically, it's all the pleasure of being at the theater without any of the annoyances. I'm almost jealous of whoever gets to see it on screen, zooming into painful and poised movements in a way that I just couldn't see, even with my best glasses on two rows from the front.
You might be wondering what happens when a production is beamed totally live into cinemas without editing or delay, such as Inter Alia with Rosamund Pike in 2025. The process is almost the same, except that the NT team has to book a satellite to use in order to do so. According to my tour guide, that means a lot of bartering with international TV channels.
Regardless of how it is recorded, you can guarantee getting the best theatre experience possible. And if that hasn't sold you... Lesley Manville and Rivals' own Aiden Turner?! Come on.
Earlier this week, I recommended a knock-out deal for the DJI Neo — the lowest price for a DJI drone I've ever seen. But if you want a better value drone, especially if you're keen to take control of it yourself and learn to fly, then the DJI Mini 4K is my top pick.
I bought a DJI Mini 4K myself a couple of years ago, and its record-low price right now for Prime Day is less than half of what I paid — the Mini 4K costs $209 at Amazon US / £169 at Amazon UK. And unlike the Neo, a controller is included in the base package.
There are various deals for other bundles too, with additional batteries and so on — I've included links to those deals below. I've also rounded up the best DJI deals for other beginner drones, so you're completely covered for your first drone.
• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale
If you're in the US and not sure about DJI given the current ban, read on for my advice.
The DJI Neo is the quickest drone to get started with, with its one-push take-off and automated subject tracking, but if you actually want to learn to fly, then the DJI Mini 4K is a better bet. I've reviewed the Mini 4K, and you can see my YouTube review below.
The base package costs a little more than the Neo, but a controller is included. If you want a controller with the Neo, the price shoots up.
For your money, you get decent aerial photography quality, thanks to a 3-axis gimbal camera, 4K video, and 12MP stills. Flight time is rated up to 31 minutes on a full charge, and there are a host of automated flight moves to quickly level up your aerial videos.
Of course, like all DJI Mini drones, the Mini 4K weighs less than 250g, making it officially a beginner drone that's not hit with the regulations that heavier, pro drones are.
If your budget stretches a little further, I recommend the recent DJI Lito X1, which gives an image quality step up and object sensing, meaning you're less likely to crash it. I've included the best deals for other beginner DJI drones below, but for me, the Mini 4K is the best value.
DJI's latest entry-level drone upgrades the Mini 2 SE with 4K video capture, whereas the Mini 2 SE only shoots in 2.7K. And with this Prime Day deal, it's available for a record-low price, beating the previous low of $239. This standard combo includes DJI's basic remote controller and a single battery for a 31-minute flight time. If you're looking for your first drone equipped with a camera, the Mini 4K is a great starting point. View Deal
For and extra $46 from the deal above, this Combo adds a second battery and a carry case. I'm not seeing a deal for the Fly More Combo at the time of writing. View Deal
I've been tracking DJI prices for the last three and a half years, and the current Mini 4K price is the lowest it has ever been. This package includes the drone, controller, and one battery. The camera is mounted to a three-axis gimbal for smooth 4K video capture, offers a handy 2x digital zoom, and boasts 31 minutes of flight time.
View Deal
The Fly More Combo is the ultimate package, with a carry case, three batteries and a charging hub in addition to the Mini 4K drone. View Deal
Usually I would all out recommend the Fly More Combos, but of any beginner drone, the autonomous Neo is possibly the one where you can get away with the single-battery, drone-only bundle.
On the flipside, if you'd like to try immersive FPV flight, the Neo can be purchased with goggles in the pricier Motion Fly Combo for $449 (was $529). View Deal
The DJI Neo is the easiest 4K drone you'll ever fly, and a fantastic gateway for beginners. You're not buying a Neo for its 12MP photo and 4K video quality, but its host of beginner-friendly features like one-tap takeoff and automatic return. Being just 135g, no registration is required, and, thanks to today's low price at Amazon, both the standalone drone and combo packages are available for very cheap indeed. This deal is for the Fly More bundle, which includes a controller, three batteries, and charging hub.
See our DJI Neo review for more detailsView Deal
Usually, I recommend Fly More Combos for first-time buyers because you get a controller, extra batteries, and a charging hub, but of any beginner drone, the autonomous Neo is possibly the one where you can get away with the single-battery, drone-only bundle.
There's a huge price drop for the Neo drone-only option, with more than £50 off the original price. By my reckoning, this is the lowest price ever in the UK for a DJI drone that shoots 4K video. View Deal
The DJI Neo is the easiest 4K drone you'll ever fly, with one-tap takeoff, subject tracking, and automatic return. Weighing just 135g, no registration is required, and, thanks to today's low price at Amazon, both the standalone drone and combo packages are available for well below the list price. This deal is for the Fly More bundle, which also includes a controller, three batteries, and a charging hub.
You're not buying a Neo for its 12MP photo and 4K video quality, but its ease of use, beginner-friendly features, and versatile flight options. If you want better quality aerial images, the Mini 4K, Lito X1, and Mini 5 Pro are better picks.
See our DJI Neo review for more detailsView Deal
Valve has underlined how it's improving SteamOS to allow gamers to make their own version of the Steam Machine should they wish, which is already prompting some excited chatter on Reddit about abandoning Windows 11.
The Verge reports that Valve's Pierre-Loup Griffais (an engineer who often gives interviews) made it clear that the company is busy "rolling out improvements to [SteamOS] so it's more compatible with desktop hardware" and also "collaborating with Nvidia very closely" on ensuring better compatibility with Team Green's GPUs.
Before you get too excited, though, the caveat that Griffais attached is that Nvidia support isn't coming anytime soon – meaning not this year – but that it's "certainly something that we're working on in the background".
Valve just released SteamOS 3.8 which prepared the ground for the new Steam Machine, arriving with some key changes to ensure a better experience with Intel CPUs, as well as Nvidia GPUs (or indeed all discrete graphics cards, which will benefit from "greatly improved video memory management").
The introduction of KDE Plasma version 6.4.3 with Wayland support is important, too, very much upping the desktop game and bringing in better support for external displays and VRR in SteamOS, among other boons.
In short, with SteamOS 3.8, Griffais notes that "you can put together your own Steam Machine using whatever PC parts you want."
All of which is paving the way for more PC gamers who are fed up with Windows 11 and Microsoft to make the switch over to SteamOS as an alternative operating system (especially those who aren't running an AMD-powered system).
Despite it being still relatively early days in this effort (as noted regarding the work with Nvidia GPUs), some gamers are already happily declaring that they're ready to ditch Microsoft's platform for SteamOS.
One Redditor tells us: "Decided to go all in and wipe my main 2TB drive and install this [SteamOS]. Just got it installed and tried a couple games, working very well so far. Going to make myself stick with it instead of slithering back to Windows."
Here's another gamer who says: "The minute SteamOS gets Nvidia support, there is going to be a large mass exodus of users in the gaming space off of Windows."
In a similar vein, a further Reddit thread informs us: "I found that some of my Steam games which played fine on Windows 10, actually played far worse on Windows 11. I decided to switch back to Linux Mint and give Steam another go on that after having tried it a few years ago, and to my surprise, those games all worked great now. So I've stuck with Mint and every game I have in my Steam library runs well without issue. Value has really been doing a great job of bringing gaming to Linux."
And in that same thread, a Redditor observes: " The instant this [SteamOS] becomes stable with driver[s], I'm jumping out [of] Windows." (Not literally).
It appears this is prompting more than a few gamers to reconsider their position with Windows 11, but we clearly shouldn't get carried away yet. SteamOS has a long road ahead of it as a rival to Windows 11, as it remains very much a niche proposition, but clearly Valve is pushing hard to make it a much more compelling alternative.
The good thing is that even if you don't intend to go near the Steam Machine – and you believe it's well overpriced, as many do (thanks to the memory crisis) – the launch of the device could still benefit you, as SteamOS continues to take strides forward. As Valve observes, you can just build your own Steam Machine-style PC, or to avoid the RAM crisis price hikes, simply repurpose an existing rig you have (perhaps with a choice upgrade or two grabbed in a sale).
With notable strides being taken here – and some progress being made in terms of getting anti-cheat games to run, too, in certain cases, although there's still plenty of work to be done here – we can be hopeful that SteamOS adoption could be accelerated considerably.
However, Windows 11 remains dominant by a long, long way in the PC gaming world, although SteamOS gaining traction could worry Microsoft for the longer-term, and prompt further efforts to make Windows 11 better for gamers – which again would be a win, albeit an indirect one.
Full disclosure: I am writing this before Amazon Prime Day. If the iPhone Air is not currently on sale in your region, then you should only pay its $999 / £999 / AU$1,799 asking price if a) you have a bottomless supply of cash or b) you simply must own Apple’s most beautiful iPhone (and make no mistake: the iPhone Air is Apple’s most beautiful iPhone).
But I will eat my hat if there aren't any meaningful deals on the iPhone Air by the time you read this. It's already been discounted by as much as 30% in both the UK and Australia this year, and as such, I have a hunch that Amazon will run similar deals during its annual Prime Day sale (if you’re in the US, look out for carrier-based offers on Apple’s best iPhones).
• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale
If you can snag the iPhone Air for around 20% less than its retail price this week, I’m utterly convinced that it’s the best-value phone purchase you could make right now — for two reasons.
Firstly, you will not find a nicer-looking — and nicer-feeling — phone than the iPhone Air without spending silly money on one of the best foldable phones. The Air measures just 5.64mm at its thinnest point and is some 41g lighter than the iPhone 17 Pro, despite boasting a larger 6.5-inch display.
You might not think you care about having a thin and light phone — I also didn’t to begin with — but trust me: once you start using a device of such svelte proportions, you won’t want to go back to a regular-sized phone.
Don’t believe me? Here’s a recent picture of me with a group of tech content creators showing off our current phones of choice:
All four of us test the best phones for a living, and all four of us settled on Apple's super slim iPhone as our personal handset of choice.
The second reason why a discounted iPhone Air is the best-value phone purchase you can make right now is less obvious. Not only is this Apple’s most beautiful iPhone, but it’s also its most powerful: like the iPhone 17 Pro, the Air boasts an A19 Pro chipset and 12GB of RAM.
Now, I don’t usually highlight chipsets as a reason to buy phones — the iPhone 17e’s A19 chipset, for instance, is plenty fast enough for most people — but the iPhone Air's A19 Pro chipset and 12GB of RAM combination has suddenly become more significant than most people realize.
Here's an extract from a recent article in which I explain why the iPhone Air is future-proofed in a way that only the iPhone 17 Pro can match:
At WWDC 2026, Apple announced its all-singing, all-dancing Siri AI assistant, which will soon be available on all Apple Intelligence-compatible iPhones (read: the iPhone 15 Pro and upwards) as part of iOS 27. But only three iPhones will get the very best version of Siri AI — and the iPhone Air is among that number.
Specifically, only the iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air will get Siri voice customization and more advanced systemwide dictation, because only these phones run on Apple’s AFM Core Advanced model and 12GB of RAM.
Admittedly, these two features aren’t reason enough to buy a top-end iPhone — the former gives you the ability to customize the expressiveness and pace of Siri’s voice, while the latter makes Siri more effective at converting speech into accurate text — but I would bet my (non-existent) house that Apple locks several additional, more significant features behind this AFM Core Advanced paywall in future versions of iOS.
In other words, like the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, the iPhone Air will soon support more software features than any other iPhone — and the gap between model capabilities will only grow wider as more hardware-exclusive features are announced.
I genuinely believe this under-the-radar feature makes the iPhone Air almost worth its regular $999 / £999 / AU$1,799 asking price, but if you can pick it up for significantly cheaper than that during Prime Day, it’s a bona fide bargain.
"It’s pretty easy to make glasses that don’t look good, it turns out," chuckled Meta CTO and Head of Reality Labs, Andrew 'Boz' Bosworth, shortly after unveiling a bumper crop of new Meta eyeware, simply called Meta Glasses, all fashioned in collaboration with EssilorLuxottica.
Bosworth says the team argues over "every gram, every quarter of a millimeter" in an effort to bring ever lighter, ever more comfortable, and ever more fashionable AI eyewear to the market. With this foray into making frames with a slightly less well-known brand than Ray-Ban, Meta is bringing the new frames — Adventurer, Fury, and Starfire Kylie [Jenner] Edition — to market at a somewhat startling price: $299 /£269 / AU$599 (not counting prescriptions).
No one size or style fits all when it comes to eyewear, Ankit Brahmbhatt, Meta's Senior Director of Product for AI glasses, told me as he walked me through some of the new frames. There are, he added, eight colorways and 26 different style options.
As I looked around the room in the Manhattan event space, I spotted black, something like ivory, tortoiseshell, deep black, green, and a dark maroon. The frames range from larger and almost boxy-looking to thinner and lighter frames. In fact, many of the EssilorLuxottica frames are so relatively thin and light that you might miss the cameras hidden in the front, and the slightly thicker stems to accommodate components and batteries, and mistake them for normal frames.
Kylie Jenner's cat-eye-style frames are particularly fetching, and surprisingly looked halfway decent on me.
Brahmbhatt told me Meta worked closely with Jenner to develop the design, adding signature touches like a tiny gem in the frame, a mirror in the case, and even Kylie Jenner's voice in the Meta AI.
There are structural changes new to the Essilor Luxottica frames. The nose piece adjusts with a push to three different positions, the stems are bendable at the ends (Bosworth noted that the wires are coated with a kind of cellulose plastic), and the stems actually flex outward. I tried on almost every style I could find, and they were all quite comfortable.
One of the biggest changes, though, is the addition of a small button behind the traditional Meta AI glasses button that you might use to capture a photo or start a video: it's a tiny Meta AI summoning button, and I used it interchangeably with saying, "Hey, Meta."
This is also the first set of Meta AI glasses to feature a Meta AI system backed by the company's more robust Muse Spark models, which provide a more conversational voice, better context awareness, and the ability to tap into the zeitgeist by checking out social media (at one point I asked Meta AI if there was chatter online about fake food, and it confirmed that many were talking about it on social media).
I tried the new Meta AI in a few scenarios, and it ably identified whatever I was looking at (I could hear it snap a picture before the analysis), launched a music playlist based on my surroundings, and translated Arabic print for me.
That all of this comes in for under $299 (Ray-Ban Meta frames start at $379), and without compromising on the 3K video-shooting quality, 12MP photos, microphones, array, or speakers, is remarkable; but these are still relatively early days in the wearable AI space.
Design is "really important if you want people to wear them as daily driver glasses," said Meta Head of Industrial Design Peter Bristol, who joined Bosworth on stage and took some questions from reporters.
In perhaps a nod to how thick and oversized AI glasses can look, the pair talked about how they made subtle changes to the designs, slimming down the frames, or simply making them look thinner by, for instance, adding a chamfer along the top edge of the frames, near the brow.
A good design means less friction, which Bristol believes can help with AI adoption.
For Meta, the goal is to "reach every corner of the market," said Bosworth, but that approach does come with risks.
When asked about growing concerns about the privacy of these glasses (there have been reports of people wearing them to illegally photograph women and even tampering with the glasses to turn off the LED "I'm filming you" light), Bosworth acknowledged these issues, but reminded us that Meta had actually "pioneered putting LED on the glasses," and talked about the anti-tampering technology they put in Gen 2 Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses. But, he added, it's "a cat and mouse game."
As for what the future holds, I pointed out to Bosworth and Bristol that, while they now have a lot of styles, not everyone wears, or wants to wear glasses. What about smart contacts?
"Absolutely, that one’s top of mind for the design team," said Bristol, adding, "We are thinking and trying the other potential paths, but it’s a complicated space, so glasses is front and center for us.”
Bosworth agreed with the premise of my question, admitting that he’s not a glasses wearer, but is happy to wear Meta AI glasses “because they brought a lot of value — but I’m aware that I’m doing it.
"The design team is absolutely captivated by this question. What are the other ways that we can deliver this capability to people who don’t have glasses on?"
My relationship with the best headphones has been quite a trial-and-error experience over the past few years, and I've gone through so many popular models — but investing in the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones solved all of my problems.
At the time of release, we deemed them as 'the best in the business' in our review, but that also came with a rather eye-watering price tag at launch. Thankfully, that's what Amazon Prime Day is for.
• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale
If you've been putting off purchasing these headphones because of their high price point, Prime Day is your chance to score them for $198 down from $399.99 in the US, or £179.54 down from £279 if you're in the UK — stellar price drops for Sony if you ask me.
This is the first time we've seen this model drop below $200, and though they're not the latest in Sony's lineup, they're still incredibly popular four years after their release. Blending comfort and audio smarts into one device, the XM5s are a highly reliable pair of headphones. View Deal
In the UK it's more common for the XM5 to drop below £200, but even then the occasions are few and far between. The last time we saw a deal this good was during last year's Black Friday, but still, it wasn't a record-low price like this. View Deal
Although there are deals on the newer Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones, they're still almost double the price of the WH-1000XM5 discount and outside of the foldable ear pads, there's really not a huge difference feature-wise.
If there's one thing I've taken away from my time with my WH-1000XM5 is that they were built for longevity. I've been using the headphones for almost four years, and they're still working like I've just taken them out of the box for the first time.
They're also totally reliable. One of the biggest problems I kept running into with wireless earbuds was that they'd completely crash on me for unknown reasons after short periods of time, leaving me with one dead and one functioning earbud before that one would eventually give up.
These aren't the only reasons why I've stood by them; they're packed with a ton of handy features that make your listening experience just that bit more convenient and enjoyable. For one, these headphones have incredibly smart ambient sound controls, which they can automatically adjust based on your location.
So if you're in a busier area, the headphones can enable ambient settings to let outside noise in to help you be more aware with your surroundings. I like to enable this feature when I'm listening to music and podcasts while on walks — nature noises are just so soothing.
The headphones can also connect to two devices simultaneously, which is an added bonus if you float between your phone and laptop.
That said, the active noise cancellation works wonders for shutting out unwanted conversations for when you want an interrupted listening session, a setting I use more often than ambient mode. especially when traveling — because who wants loud conversations and roaring train sounds blaring while you're trying to listen to the new Olivia Rodrigo album for the tenth time?
Every smartwatch and fitness tracker comes with heart rate tracking, but they're not all accurate, so we test them against a Polar H10 chest-mounted heart rate monitor. The Polar H10 is used by athletes all around the world, and can be linked to a smartwatch to provide incredibly accurate metrics using its electrode system. Now it's on offer in the Amazon Prime Day sales, and if you care about fitness tracking, you should probably get one.
• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale
The Polar H10 works with a strap that goes around your ribcage underneath your heart, and connects the device to the electrodes running along the underside of your band. These electrodes monitor the electricity generated by your heart when it expands and contracts.
This is very different to (and more reliable than) the way smartwatches and the best fitness trackers measure your heart rate on your wrist. These devices use LED-based optical heart rate monitors, shining lights through your skin to measure your heart rate by detecting the changes in your blood flow. Electrical heart rate monitors are simply more accurate.
Fortunately, most smartwatches allow you to pair up a heart rate monitor like the Polar H10 via Bluetooth or ANT+ networks, so you can incorporate the more accurate data from the chest strap into your recovery and health metrics. Most heart rate monitor users tend to wear them only during workouts for the more accurate data, then rely on other fitness trackers for a general 24/7 overview. So, if you care about your fitness tracking and you already have a smartwatch you like, the Polar H10 should be your next purchase.
Right now, you can get the Polar H10 heart rate monitor (with black M-XXL strap) for $76.99 (was $104.95) at Amazon US. Those who need a small strap will need to pay a little extra — it's in XS-S for $89.21 (was $104.95) so you still get a little discount.
In the UK, you can get the Polar H10 with XS-S strap for £59.92 (was £70.49) and the Polar H10 with M-XXL strap for £65.99 (was £86.70).
The Polar H10 is widely considered the 'gold standard' of heart rate monitoring, and you won't find a more accurate measurement. It's got a one-year battery life, and the batteries are replaceable. You can use it on its own connected to a smartphone, or in tandem with a smartwatch.
Get the Polar H10 with XS-S strap for $89.21 (was $104.95)View Deal
A better deal than the one above, largely due to Polar being a European company, so it costs less to bring the device to the UK than it does the US. The Polar H10's electrical heart rate monitor is a dedicated device used by serious athletes worldwide.
Get the Polar H10 with XS-S strap for £59.92 (was £70.49) View Deal
There are other heart rate monitor designs out there, such as the more expensive Garmin HRM 600 that interfaces with the Garmin Connect app in a less roundabout way than Polar.
Armbands exist too, if you prefer those to chest straps, although these tend to use optical technology rather than electrodes. The Polar Verity Sense and Coros Heart Rate Monitor are armbands, and during testing they've proved nearly as accurate as the H10 due to the placement on the arm being better than the wrist. Check out the best deals on those products below.
Finding the best VPN for your Apple device just got a little bit more convenient. AdGuard VPN has officially launched a dedicated app on the Mac App Store, allowing users to secure their internet traffic with a simple, one-click installation.
Until now, Mac VPN users wanting to protect their online privacy with AdGuard had to navigate to the provider's website, download a standalone installer, and set up the software manually. While this process is standard for many tech-savvy individuals, the App Store offers a faster, more familiar, and often more trustworthy experience for the average consumer.
By bringing its software directly to Apple's official marketplace, AdGuard VPN is aiming to make robust digital privacy more accessible to a broader audience. Users can now easily manage their subscriptions, handle automatic app updates, and completely uninstall the service without ever leaving the Apple ecosystem.
Beyond the obvious convenience of a streamlined download, the new Mac App Store edition of AdGuard VPN has been specifically built around Apple's modern VPN framework.
The app utilizes Apple's native NetworkExtension framework for its VPN management. This architectural choice helps ensure that the software integrates seamlessly with macOS, minimizing system conflicts while strictly complying with Apple's latest security and platform requirements.
Nikita Kanaev, Product Manager for AdGuard VPN, explained the strategy behind the new launch: "For us, launching on the Mac App Store is about bringing AdGuard VPN closer to Mac users and giving them the installation experience they already expect, fast, native, and fully integrated into Apple’s ecosystem."
However, there is a minor catch for power users.
Because Apple enforces strict platform restrictions on software distributed through its storefront, the new Mac App Store version differs slightly from the traditional desktop application.
AdGuard notes that the standalone release remains its most "feature-complete version," though the development team plans to minimize the differences between the two iterations over time. At the time of writing, these include the ability to purchase a two-year subscription (available on the standalone desktop app only).
Crucially, AdGuard's split tunnelling feature that let you exclude VPN traffic from specific applications — called App Exclusions — is also not available for the Mac App Store version of the app. The Website Exclusions tool, however, is accessible on both versions.
To know more about all the technical distinctions, you can consult AdGuard’s official Knowledge Base.
If you aren't familiar with the provider, our latest AdGuard VPN review highlights a service that has steadily grown its security capabilities since spinning out from its popular ad-blocking roots.
Rather than relying solely on standard protocols like OpenVPN or WireGuard, the service went open-source with its own custom VPN protocol. This proprietary technology is specifically designed to disguise your VPN connection as regular HTTPS web traffic, making it incredibly difficult for strict network administrators or local firewalls to detect and block your connection.
The provider has also been on a relentless development spree across multiple platforms over the past year.
Beyond rolling out accessibility-first updates for its Mac app and prioritizing usability for Windows users, AdGuard has aggressively expanded its ecosystem. The company recently released a completely revamped app for iPhone, and even ventured into the metaverse by launching VPN and ad-blocker extensions on Meta Quest.
With its long-awaited arrival on the Mac App Store, AdGuard is clearly cementing its position as an incredibly flexible and user-friendly option for Apple loyalists looking to boost their daily digital privacy.
Back when I was a business apprentice, I spent most of my time making coffee and taking meeting notes – how I wish these nifty little AI voice recorders existed back then.
At the press of a button, all your notes are taken and sorted seamlessly. Now I just need to find an AI to make my coffee. Right now, there's a big Prime Day sale on Plaud's superb range of AI voice recorders and dictaphones that business professionals will not want to miss.
Top of the Prime Day sales is the Plaud Note AI voice recorder, which drops to $126.99 (was $159) at Amazon. This was the device that fully converted our reviewer to AI transcription devices. After testing it out, he said: "This really is one device that will change almost every area of your professional life."
Alongside the core Note, the upgraded Plaud Note Pro is now $159.99 (was $189) - it features a longer battery life and better audio capture thanks to additional microphones. And for frequent business travel, the ultra-compact and discreet Plaud NotePin S is down to $151.99 (was $179).
For UK readers, I've also added the Prime Day deal prices below.
• See all Prime Day deals at Amazon
The Plaud Note is an exceptionally slim AI voice recorder designed to transcribe and summarise meetings and more. We scored this 4.5 stars in our review and awarded it a Highly Recommended badge.
In the UK: now £119 (was £149)View Deal
The Note Pro from Plaud is an upgrade on the original Plaud Note, and comes equipped with four microphones for improved audio recording, a battery that lasts for up to 50 hours, and an AMOLED display.
In the UK: now £143 (was £169)View Deal
The NotePin S delivers the same general AI feature-set in a more compact design. It's a versatile transcriber that can be pinned to your clothes, hung around your neck, or worn on your wrist using the included accessories.
In the UK: now £135 (was £159)View Deal
My top-rated portable monitor has just got a Prime Day discount, bringing the Arzopa Z3FC down to $138 (was $170) at Amazon. For UK readers, the Z3FC has dropped to £114 (was £160).
For me, this ultra-thin and lightweight display does everything I need for both work and play, seamlessly hooking up to my laptop, as well as my games consoles. But what most impressed me was the ultra-thin and lightweight aluminum alloy build that makes it perfect for business travel.
Specs-wise, it's a 2.5K resolution IPS panel capable of 180Hz refresh rates, with 107% sRGB color coverage - suitable for most business professionals, but not all content creators. Everything is included in the box, from power and display cables to a protective sleeve. In fact, I love it so much, I'm using it as a second display right now while I write this and for tracking down more Prime Day home office deals.
I genuinely love this portable monitor, and I use it every day as a second screen at work. It's thin, lightweight, hits 2.5K resolution and 180Hz refresh rates, and even comes with a protective sleeve in the box. I scored it 4.5 stars after testing.
In the UK: now £114 (was £160)View Deal
When I was recently updating my guide to the best portable monitors, there was only one contender for best overall - the display that's suitable for most people. And that was the Arzopa Z3FC.
For the price, you're getting a good-sized 16.1-inch screen that I find invaluable as a second work monitor, a build quality that feels durable - although I wouldn't fancy dropping it, and
For gamers, it also boasts fast refresh rates across DisplayPort and HDMI if you're using it for gaming (I tested it across the Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, and Xbox Series X and it worked effortlessly each time).
Compared to similar budget portable monitors, there's a lot to like here. The only downsides as far as I was concerned was the lack of stronger color accuracy. It's good for office work, gaming, and working on digital media destined for your website or social media feed. But if you're a creative professional, it doesn't quite have the punch required for print-ready assets or 4K videos.
There's no built-in battery here - it'll draw power from your laptop, or you can connect a power bank or use the supplied power cable. But that's an intentional design feature to maintain the svelte, lightweight style.
Overall, if you're streaming content on your summer holidays or preparing for another business trip, the Arzopa Z3FC is an easy recommendation from me. It's so good, I ordered a second one for my wife.
The Z1RC is a 16-inch portable display that performed well during our tests (read the review here). It's cheap, but pleasantly cheerful, and a good alternative to the Z3FC if you're prioritizing color accuracy over refresh rates, hitting 123% sRGB.
In the UK: now £100 (was £140)View Deal
This 15.6-inch 1080p monitor is at the budget end for Prime Day, but worth checking out - I'd expect better build quality here compared to a lot of the $50 portable monitors I'm seeing in the sales.
In the UK: now £73 (was £100)View Deal
The Ninja Luxe Café Pro is one of the most popular semi-automatic espresso machines around, and it's received a generous price cut for Prime Day, knocking it down from $749.99 to $599. That's a respectable offer, but if you're looking for a real bargain on a coffee maker, I suggest checking out De'Longhi's offerings instead — specifically the excellent De'Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo, which is now just $399.95 (was $699.95) and was rated five stars in our review.
• Check out all the Prime Day deals at Amazon
Like the Luxe Café Pro, the La Specialista Arte Evo can handle the trickiest parts of the espresso-making process for you, but lets you take as much control as you want as you develop your barista skills. Both machines grind coffee for you directly into the portafilter basket and help you tamp it down perfectly, then make it easy to get exactly the right extraction for consistently delicious and well-balanced results.
We awarded the De'Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo a full five stars in our review thanks to its ease of use, smart looks, and solid build, and it's a great alternative to the Ninja machine if your budget won't stretch quite that far. Sure, it lacks a few of the Ninja's features. such as a tamping lever and automatic milk frother, but it has all the essentials covered and looks great too.
The La Specialista Touch earned a full five stars in our review, with our tester Cesci Angell calling it "delightfully straightforward to use". It helps you hone your barista skills, can brew hot or cold, and is a great alternative to the pricier Ninja Luxe Café Pro with this Prime Day deal.View Deal
The Luxe Café Pro has become a viral hit, and it's got a $150 discount for Prime Day that brings it back down to its lowest ever price. It makes brewing hot or cold coffee a breeze, and has a clever tamping system that the Luxe Café Premier lacks.View Deal
If neither of the coffee makers above is right for you, there are lots more savings on espresso machines from big brands this Prime Day. As TechRadar's resident coffee expert, and a trained barista, I've picked out a handful of today's best offers.
This is the original Luxe Café, which is very similar to the Premier, but lacks the tamping handle and has a slightly smaller menu of drink presets. It's still an excellent coffee maker, and one that our reviewer gave four and a half stars.View Deal
This coffee maker (sold under the brand name Sage in the UK) works much like the Ninja Luxe Café and De'Longhi La Specialista, taking the complexity out of brewing espresso. We gave it four and a half stars out of five, and Amazon has provided an impressive Prime Day price cut.View Deal
Looking for a coffee maker that will handle all the work for you? The Magnifica Evo brews even complex drinks at the press of a button and has received a colossal price cut in this year's Prime Day sale. With 39% off the original price, it's a great deal on a fully-automatic machine.View Deal
