Amazon Prime Day has already delivered some exceptional deals on all kinds of tech, including huge savings on some of the greatest products we've tested. But sometimes, what you really want is a brilliant bargain buy. So, I've compiled a list of the 25 best tech deals available under $25.
Here, you'll find unmissable offers on everything from phone chargers to desktop fans, and from noise-canceling earbuds through to wireless gaming controllers. There really is something for anyone, no matter what you're searching for.
You'll need to be an Amazon Prime member to access some of these deals, but many are open to all. We're entering into the latter stages of Prime Day now, so be sure to snap up these great deals while you still can!
Today's best Prime Day deals under $25
This convenient wall charger is a must-buy for all your gadgets, and it's on sale for just $8.99 at Amazon's Prime Day sale. The three-sided charger features five outlets, four USB charging ports, a fireproof shell, and surge protection.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
This compact charger brings a maximum wattage of 30W, which is enough to activate charging on a large portion of modern handsets. It also has foldable prongs, making it easy to fit in your pocket or a small bag. At less than $20, you're getting high quality performance at an enticingly low cost.View Deal
I've tried this model myself, and it's a compact, reliable, and great value charger for your phone, wireless earbuds, tablets, and more. It also comes with a USB-C cable, which for less than $20 makes for a mega bargain.View Deal
This Anker wireless charging stand is amazingly cheap right now. You can place it at your desk, beside your laptop or PC, and enjoy seamless wireless charging — if your device supports it. For less than $16, it's easy to recommend.View Deal
If your still stuck with slow USB-A cables, then its time for an upgrade. This deal is for a two pack of the most popular 1m cables — back to a price that's equal to the lowest we have seen before. With 100W of power, they're ideal for your laptop, or a more demanding handset.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
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
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 for Prime Day 2026. Right now, Amazon has a single AirTag for just $24. 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 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
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've tried and these devices ourselves, and at just $19.99, we think they're well worth the investment. 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 Amazon Prime Day 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
A classic 5-inch desk fan that sits neatly at your side is what every home office needs, and for less than $15, you really can't go wrong here.View Deal
This digital meat thermometer is a nifty gadget that can make your life a lot easier when hosting a BBQ. It was already super-affordable, but at just $12.99 it's a huge bargain.View Deal
While we haven't had hands-on experience with JLab's Go Sport+, we've spent some time with their sibling, the JLab Go Air Sport earbuds, which we loved. They're surprisingly reliable and make for a great entry-level model if you're just getting into the world of fitness and don't want to spend big bucks. They fit securely, and can endure intense workouts — and for less than $20, they're a no-brainer. View Deal
Wireless earbuds with ANC for less than $25? Yes, really. And they're genuinely good too — I know as I've tested them myself. With solid noise cancelling, an ultra-compact design, and decent audio overall, they're well worth the money. Not one for audiophiles, but if you need buds that get the job done, then they're worth picking up.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 ($19 at Amazon).View Deal
We recently reviewed the House of Marley Smile Jamaica earbuds and found their solid audio quality, sustainable build, and stylish look to be more than worthy of their budget-friendly price tag. And now they're on sale, which makes them even more of a bargain — you really can't go wrong.View Deal
When we tested the Sony MDR-ZX110, we found them to offer very reasonable quality for the price you pay. With bold and bassy sound, a lightweight feel, and plug and play 3.5mm connectivity, they're well worth considering for under $10.View Deal
Logitech's budget accessories are usually very reliable, and although we've not tested this model ourselves, it's available at a very cheap price for a wireless keyboard and mouse combo. The keyboard is full-sized, so there's a num-pad to the right, which is highly practical.View Deal
I've tested this case personally, and rated it five stars. It offers incredible value for money with a durable build, plenty of space for cartridges, and a secure fit for your console. It's only discounted in Black or White, which aren't the funkiest colorways, but at this price, it's still incredibly easy to recommend.View Deal
This deal really took me by surprise. I mean, it's not everyday you can snap up a reliable wireless controller with Hall effect joysticks and triggers for less than $25! This model also has remappable buttons, a 2.4GHz dongle, and can be used on PC, Switch, or mobile.View Deal
When people ask me what the best Prime Day deals are, I always give the same answer. The best and biggest discounts are on Amazon's own smart home devices.
You can save over 50% on already affordable tech gadgets, like Fire TVs, Blink security cameras, Echo speakers, Kindle e-readers, and Fire TV Sticks. As a deals editor who's covered tech sales for over 8 years, I've rounded up the 25 smartest Amazon device Prime Day deals, all of which are on sale for their lowest price ever. They're all best-selling, handy smart home gadgets at ultra-affordable prices.
Shop more of the best Prime Day tech deals below, and keep in mind Amazon's 4-day sale ends tomorrow at Midnight. Amazon's smart home devices are rarely on sale and won't find discounts like this until November's Black Friday deals event.
The 25 best Prime Day tech gadgets worth
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
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
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 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
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
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'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
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 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
Netherlands will aim to seal their FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout place in style against a leaky Tunisia defence in Kansas – and you can live stream the game around the world for free.
Despite a 5-1 hammering of Sweden last time out, the Dutch still have work to do to ensure they finish top of Group F. Japan's 4-0 win over Tunisia means Ronald Koeman's side are above the Samurai Blue only on goals scored, so they could need a heavy victory in Kansas to retain their place at the summit. The good news is that if you need goals, Tunisia are the team to play – no side conceded more than their tally of nine in the opening two rounds of matches, as they were eliminated at the earliest opportunity. More good news for Netherlands is that they have several forwards in sparkling form, with Cody Gakpo, Brian Brobbey and Crysencio Summerville all on two goals for the tournament already. The trio will see no reason why they can't boost their tallies here.
Tunisia's World Cup could hardly have gone worse, with a 5-1 defeat by Sweden followed by a 4-0 mauling at the hands of Japan which sealed their fate. Throw in the fact that they sacked manager Sabri Lamouchi following their opening game and replaced him with Hervé Renard – only to suffer the same result in their second match – and the Eagles of Carthage probably can't wait to fly home. They do have pride to play for, though, and will be desperate to avoid a third heavy defeat out of three against the Dutch.
So, read on as we show you exactly how to watch Tunisia vs Netherlands for free from anywhere in the FIFA World Cup 2026.
How to watch Tunisia vs Netherlands for free
Tunisia vs Netherlands 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.
Use a VPN to watch Tunisia vs Netherlands live streams
It’s the World Cup, and if you’re traveling, you might discover your usual Tunisia vs Netherlands 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.
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 🔓 Unlocks World Cup streams
Don’t miss a second. Stream the World Cup from anywhere with total confidence.View Deal
How to watch Tunisia vs Netherlands in the US
US viewers can watch Tunisia vs Netherlands on FS1.
Forwards: Elias Achouri (Copenhagen), Firas Chaouat (Club Africain), Hazem Mastouri (Dynamo Makhachkala), Elias Saad (Hannover 96), Sebastian Tounekti (Celtic), Khalil Ayari (Paris Saint-Germain), Rayan Elloumi (Vancouver Whitecaps).
Netherlands
Goalkeepers: Bart Verbruggen (Brighton), Mark Flekken (Bayer Leverkusen), Robin Roefs (Sunderland).
Defenders: Nathan Ake (Manchester City), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Denzel Dumfries (Inter Milan), Lutsharel Geertruida (RB Leipzig), Jorrel Hato (Chelsea), Jan Paul van Hecke (Brighton & Hove Albion), Micky van de Ven (Tottenham Hotspur).
Midfielders: Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool), Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona), Teun Koopmeiners (Juventus), Noah Lang (Galatasaray), Tijjani Reijnders (Manchester City), Marten de Roon (Atalanta), Guus Til (PSV), Quinten Timber (Marseille), Mats Wieffer (Brighton & Hove Albion).
Forwards: Brian Brobbey (Sunderland), Memphis Depay (Corinthians), Cody Gakpo (Liverpool), Justin Kluivert (Bournemouth), Donyell Malen (AS Roma), Crysencio Summerville (West Ham United), Wout Weghorst (Ajax).
Group F Table
Position
Team
GD
Points
1
Netherlands
4
4
2
Japan
4
4
3
Sweden
0
3
4
Tunisia
-8
0
Can I watch Tunisia vs Netherlands on my mobile?
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 full-size HomePod 2 is also getting a price change, but it's a more palatable 17%, meaning that it's changing from costing $299 / £299 to now $349 / £349.
I think the HomePod 2 can take that price rise, even though I'd obviously rather we were still in an era when products came down in price over time; the big HomePod is already a more premium product, and still sounds very good for the price.
But I think this change is devastating to the HomePod mini. I reviewed it when it came out, and I was so impressed by the dynamic range of its sound and its detail, bearing in mind not only the price, but the size. For ages, I had a pair as my desktop speakers out of choice, even though, as an audio editor, I can get my hands on pretty much any stereo setup I want to try.
As a result, I've been strongly recommending the HomePod mini since it came out, and advocating for its position as the best 'cheap' option in our list of the best wireless speakers. Being a HomePod, it's very limited as to who it's ideal for (all-Apple households, basically), but it's been in a totally different league to anything else when it comes to value since it's launch, in my opinion — yes, even five years later.
Well, until today.
The problem is that the gap has very suddenly closed between it and the next-best cheaper wireless speaker, which is the freshly released Sonos Era 100 SL.
The Sonos speaker has much bigger sound, Android and iOS support for all streaming services, Bluetooth as well as AirPlay and direct app control, and the ability to connect analog devices via an adapter — it's way more capable, but it was fair enough that the HomePod doesn't do all that considering its lower price.
At the start of this week, there was $90 / £70 between them. Today, the gap between them is $30 / £12.
Today's best Sonos Era 100 SL prices
We gave this speaker 4.5 stars in our Sonos Era 100 SL review, based largely on it being a great low price while having impressive audio and connectivity. And now it's even cheaper — it's my top pick for a small wireless speaker.View Deal
The Era 100 SL is an even better deal in the UK — for just £12 more than the HomePod mini, you're getting something that's way more futureproof. There's no contest between them any more.View Deal
Now, that's a slightly unfair comparison — I'm comparing full price to the Sonos' discounted price — but it's a very practical one, because it's the real choice most people will face when they buy.
The biggest sales for something like the Sonos Era 100 SL happen during sales events. Right now, it's Amazon Prime Day. Soon, it will be the July 4th sales. And obviously Black Friday is huge for selling this stuff — the Era 100 SL will be discounted to this kind of level at all these times, and more besides.
The HomePod mini was very rarely discounted, by comparison, and usually only by a couple of bucks. So once this price rise settles in, and at the times most people are actually thinking about which one to buy, the comparison of the $129 / £129 very limited HomePod mini vs the $159 / £141 chad Sonos Era 100 SL is going to be the choice people will actually face.
And despite being the HomePod mini's strongest advocate since its launch, I'm just not going to be able to recommend it any more.
In the current climate where tech devices seem to be rocketing in price due to the global memory shortage (Apple just annouced some pretty brutal hikes, as has Xbox), buying a new Wi-Fi router has now become one of the most affordable - and impactful - ways to upgrade the devices in your home, and for Prime Day, Amazon has cut the price on a number of its eero routers, including the three-pack eero 6+ mesh Wi-Fi system, which is now $194.99 (down from $299.99).
Mesh routers are fantastic devices for ensuring every device in your home can access your Wi-Fi. Unlike single routers, mesh routers consist of several units that wirelessly connect to one another and help spread their Wi-Fi signal throughout your home.
Because so many devices in our homes need internet connections these days, making sure you have fast, reliable Wi-Fi can boost the performance of a wide range of devices in your home.
And while the likes of laptops, tablets, graphics cards, and other memory-dependent devices are seeing price hikes, mesh routers aren't as affected. So, rather than despairing over constantly rising prices, check out these eero router deals below and upgrade your entire home's internet instead.
Today's best eero router deals
If you've already got an eero mesh system, you can expand it with this extender, which is now under $50. This is great for people who need extra coverage, but note that you need an existing eero network to add this to - it won't work on its own. According to Amazon, this will add 1,500 square feet to your coverage.View Deal
This two-pack eero 6 system features a router and extender, and is ideal for medium-sized homes, with coverage of up to 3,000 square feet. Many homes won't need more than two units, so you can save some money by getting this smaller pack. If you find you need more coverage, you can buy an extender (listed above).View Deal
This three-pack has had a $70 price cut, making it very tempting, and the perfect Wi-Fi solution for most large homes thanks to its 4,500 sq. ft coverage and support for over 75 simultaneous device connections. If you don't want, or need, Wi-Fi 7 support (the vast majority of your devices are likely Wi-Fi 6) this is a brilliant buy that can make a big difference to your home Wi-Fi.View Deal
If you have more modern devices in your home but haven't fully embraced Wi-Fi 7, then the eero 6+ Mesh Wi-Fi System is a great choice. Unlike the eero 6 systems, the eero 6+ uses an extra Wi-Fi radio channel, which means network congestion is reduced - and that means a potentially faster and more reliable internet connection for the devices around your home. This two-pack offers coverage of up to 3,000 square feet, and for $80 off, this is an excellent value.View Deal
Summer's here, the World Cup is on, so making sure your outdoor space has great Wi-Fi is essential, and eero's outdoor model connects to your existing eero network, whilst spreading super-fast Wi-Fi 7 wireless to the furthest reaches of your yard, and ensuring garages and summer houses all have solid, fast internet.View Deal
This three-pack features Amazon's latest and fastest eero mesh system, with Wi-Fi 7 support, so compatible devices will get maximum speeds from your Wi-Fi. It can handle internet speeds of up to 5 Gbps, cover up to 6,000 square feet, and cope with over 600 devices connecting to the Wi-Fi. As the name suggests, this is mainly aimed at professional environments, but big homes will benefit as well, and with the $150 price cut, it's more affordable than ever.View Deal
All of these eero systems benefit from an easy, app-based installation process, automatic updates to keep your home secure, and they also act as an Alexa smart home hub, allowing your smart devices to be controlled by an Alexa-capable smart speaker.
Not in the US? Check out these eero deals where you are:
As TechRadar's Senior Fitness and Wearables Editor, I'm usually testing at least one smartwatch, and sometimes two at once. But occasionally I get overwhelmed with the volley of notifications or the compulsion to check my metrics, and swap the tracker out with something more discrete and screenless.
I'm not the only one. 'Focus' wearables are on the rise, be they fitness bands without screens, smart rings, or something else like hybrid watches. They're different form factors, but they all do fundamentally the same thing — passively track your health and fitness in the background, rather than actively show you information during a workout like the best smartwatches.
Below is a trio of fitness trackers I've personally tested, along with my verdict about what kind of person they're best suited for — and where to find the best deals for Amazon Prime Day.
If you dislike the idea of a smartwatch but still want a useful fitness tracker — maybe you want to wear a proper analog/digital watch — then I would recommend you start your search by looking at these three wearables.
1. Google Fitbit Air
(Image credit: Peter Hoffmann)
Best for: everyday exercise, budget buyers
I recently reviewed the Google Fitbit Air and really liked it. The old Fitbits have been redesigned as a screenless fitness tracker, around 12g including strap, with all the information being fed into the app so you can check it at your leisure. There's a haptic alarm you can tap to get rid of, but that's really all the interaction you have with the wristband, other than charging it around once a week.
It's very comfortable to wear during sleep because of its lightweight, and it cleaves very close to chest-based heart rate monitors and the likes of the top-tier Apple Watch Ultra 3. It's very popular because it's cheap too, at just $99.99 / £84.99 / AU$199 — at its base tier.
It does have an AI-powered premium health coach attached, which is an optional extra costing $9.99 / £7.99 / AU$14.99 a month, or $99.99 / £79.99 / AU$140 annually. Without this, you get your base stats such as sleep, steps, recovery, heart rate, and workout tracking. As you'll see later on in this article, premium tiers and subscriptions are becoming a theme. But whether you choose to subscribe or not, the Fitbit Air remains a solid choice for screenless tracking.
The Oura Ring 5 is out, true, but that just means there are lots of deals on the Oura Ring 4 this week. Another subscription-based wearable, starting at $349 / £349 (less if you snag a Prime Day deal) with a $5.99-in-all-regions subscription attached, the Oura Ring 4 sits firmly at the premium end of the finger.
But it is undeniably impressive. It's even more comfortable than the Fitbit above (and thus a top-tier sleep tracker), boasts accurate metrics, and has an impressive suite of features, including a tag-based system to allow you to add context to your day's metrics and a sophisticated auto-exercise detection feature. It emphasizes holistic wellbeing, with emphasis on balance and mindfulness, even if the option for in-app blood tests is a bit creepy and, for want of a better word, 'biohacky'.
It comes in a range of finishes and colors, so it is a lot more discreet than the cheap plastic Fitbit. Price aside, it's an excellent fitness tracker, and the Prime Day deals should help soften that blow.
The screenless fitness tracking pioneer, Whoop is a wearable for perpetual optimizers. Whoop is designed to effectively be never taken off: the charging puck included with two of Whoop's three membership tiers effectively allows you to charge the device while it's still attached to your wrist, so you need never, ever take it off at all. Whoop collects and organizes an enormous amount of data, spitting it out in the form of all sorts of metrics, from your Whoop Age to its proprietary Strain score.
Its app is fantastic, implementing AI features well and housing an intuitive, comprehensive workout builder for gym rats. It's an excellent device for competitive athletes, casual CrossFit and Hyrox enthusiasts, and weekend warriors.
But Whoop is a premium device which you don't exactly buy: you rent access to it each year, starting at £169 / $199 / AU$299 per year for the Whoop One 5.0 and rising to £229 / $239 / AU$419 per year for the premium Whoop Peak tier, which nets you extra features like Whoop Age.
The highest tier is Whoop Life, which gets you a premium Whoop MG device with medical-grade heart health features, costing £349 / $359 / AU$629 per year. In my opinion, paying that each year in perpetuity doesn't represent good value — unless you can score an Amazon Prime Day deal on it.
Japan vs Sweden, in Dallas, is effectively a Group F playoff to qualify automatically for the FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout phase – and you can watch the game from anywhere for free.
After a useful 2-2 draw with the Netherlands in their Group F opener, Japan all-but secured their place in the knockout stage with a thumping 4-0 win over Tunisia in Monterrey. Striker Ayase Ueda's brace, plus a further assist, stole the show to fire the Samurai Blue into second place in the group, level on points and goal difference with the Dutch. That leaves manager Hajime Moriyasu with a dilemma – a point ensures they stay above today's opponents and finish at least second, so do they take the conservative approach? Or do they press on with the attacking mindset that has brought them six goals in two matches to try to overhaul the Dutch, who play eliminated Tunisia, in top spot?
Sweden's games have had goals in spades. A 5-1 rout of Tunisia was followed by a sobering defeat by the same scoreline against the Netherlands, so which version of Graham Potter's side will we see here? The Englishman will hope it's the former, after he appeared to have found a system that got the best out of star strikers Viktor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak. Sweden know a victory guarantees second at worst, while a draw should also be enough to qualify as one of the best third-place teams, barring an almost impossible sequence of future events.
With both sides desperate to avoid defeat, do not be surprised to see a risk-averse approach.
So, read on as we show you exactly how to watch Japan vs Sweden for free from anywhere in the FIFA World Cup 2026.
How to watch Japan vs Sweden for free
Japan vs Sweden 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.
Use a VPN to watch Japan vs Sweden live streams
It’s the World Cup, and if you’re traveling, you might discover your usual Japan vs Sweden 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.
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 🔓 Unlocks World Cup streams
Don’t miss a second. Stream the World Cup from anywhere with total confidence.View Deal
Midfielders: Wataru Endo (Liverpool), Junya Ito (Genk), Daichi Kamada (Crystal Palace), Koki Ogawa (NEC Nijmegen), Daizen Maeda (Celtic), Ritsu Doan (Eintracht Frankfurt), Ao Tanaka (Leeds United), Kaishu Sano (Mainz 05), Takefusa Kubo (Real Sociedad).
Forwards: Ayase Ueda (Feyenoord), Keito Nakamura (Stade de Reims), Ito Suzuki (SC Freiburg), Kento Shiode (Wolfsburg), Keisuke Goto (Sint-Truiden).
Sweden
Goalkeepers: Kristoffer Nordfeldt (AIK), Viktor Johansson (Stoke City), Jacob Widell Zetterstrom (Derby County).
Defenders: Victor Lindelof (Aston Villa), Isak Hien (Atalanta), Gabriel Gudmundsson (Leeds United), Carl Starfelt (Celta Vigo), Herman Johansson (FC Dallas), Hjalmar Ekdal (Burnley), Daniel Svensson (Borussia Dortmund), Gustaf Lagerbielke (Braga), Eric Smith (FC St. Pauli), Elliot Stroud (Mjallby AIF).
Forwards: Alexander Isak (Liverpool), Viktor Gyokeres (Arsenal), Ken Sema (Pafos), Anthony Elanga (Newcastle United), Benjamin Nygren (Celtic), Alexander Bernhardsson (Holstein Kiel), Gustaf Nilsson (Club Brugge), Taha Ali (Malmo FF).
Group F Table
Position
Team
GD
Points
1
Netherlands
4
4
2
Japan
4
4
3
Sweden
0
3
4
Tunisia
-8
0
Can I watch Japan vs Sweden on my mobile?
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.
A couple of days ago, I wrote an article about how researchers discovered an "AI stigma" affecting Steam games that disclose the use of AI during development. For me, the most shocking piece of data revealed that established studios with a positive track record see a "catastrophic" 40% to 60% drop in sales when they use AI.
This stat, as well as others proposed in the research by Ross Burton at Game Oracle, raised a big question that our readers have been discussing in the original post's comment section: Is the perceived AI stigma warranted?
In a recent interview with PC Gamer, Sweeney offered his opinion about Valve's AI disclosure policy. As Sweeney sees it, these disclosures are a "Scarlet Letter" that results in a "hater community trying to kill the game."
It's a rather harsh comparison, but I'm finding it hard to disagree.
Epic's CEO makes some good points about Steam's AI disclosure policy
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 AI disclosure statement (Image credit: Windows Central / Steam)
Let me preface this: Epic Games does not have a strict AI disclosure policy on games that it sells.
As Sweeney explains, his specific grievance with Steam's AI disclosure policy is that developers who want maximum visibility for their game are essentially required to list it on Steam, such is the power and visibility of Valve's storefront.
When that game is listed on Steam, any AI used during development must be disclosed and displayed on the game's Steam page. As noted, Sweeney sees this as something that can lead to sabotage by those opposed to AI.
It's unfortunate that so many developers now are put into this position. If you want to launch a game, and get it as widely publicized as possible, you've got to put it on Steam so people can wish list it, and if you want to play it on Steam, then you have to get this Scarlet Letter of AI attached to your product, and now there is a hater community trying to kill the game.
Tim Sweeney, Epic Games CEO (via PC Gamer)
Sweeney explains that this method is "irresponsible of Valve" and that "it makes it much, much harder for a game developer to have a chance of success." Developers are essentially stuck in between two poor choices: not using tools that speed up productivity or using tools that result is a stigma against your product.
The choice that Sweeney highlights here is exactly what the Game Oracle research piece set out to uncover. Sweeney isn't defending AI just because he likes AI. He's defending its use by smaller studios that wouldn't otherwise be able to survive.
The Fortnite example explains a lot
Fortnite is a game that has never suffered from a lack of funding or talented developers. (Image credit: Epic Games)
Sweeney unsurprisingly understands that some games fail just because they're junk. Like the Game Oracle study, he posits that it's becoming ever more difficult for developers to compete with massive studios that have seemingly unending budgets.
If you look at a game like Fortnite, we've been improving the game constantly with a large development team for nine years now. Epic has invested billions of dollars into building an awesome content base, not only for ourselves but for creators, too. Now imagine being a startup which has 100 people, investor funding, and you have to launch a game that can appeal to a gamer audience that also has Fortnite available.
Tim Sweeney, Epic Games CEO (via PC Gamer)
AI tools are perceived as a "great equalizer" in this case, and without them, Sweeney predicts a future where those smaller studios simply die off without receiving aid from AI. "There will always be the exceptions," says Sweeney, but it's the economics of the gaming market that are driving his thoughts.
Oversimplification of how AI is used isn't helping developers
AI use in game development varies greatly, and an oversimplification could be further harming developers. (Image credit: Getty Images)
Sweeney definitely knows how games get made, and he notes that a lot of what developers do all day can be considered "drudge work." He notes that at Epic Games, the most useful implementation of AI is to offload those types of tasks, leaving time for more important software and creative development.
This is where there's a noticeable gap between developers and gamers. Sweeney acknowledges that there's some legitimate anger about AI stemming from bad practices early on.
It's unfortunate that so many of the AI companies operating early on had such shitty practices, you know, like one of them was found by a court to have gone off to a BitTorrent site and downloaded terabytes of data, that's ridiculous, they shouldn't do that.
Tim Sweeney, Epic Games CEO (via PC Gamer)
Larian, the studio behind Baldur's Gate 3, is used as an example of how this situation can play out.
Larian was using AI to eliminate drudge work and to create early concepts, but gamers largely didn't accept the nuance. They saw AI, they cried foul, and Larian immediately backtracked.
Do I care if a studio creating games as good as Larian does uses AI to speed up productivity in the early stages of development? Not really. Let me know in the comments below if you disagree.
Epic's CEO has his own stake in AI development
I think Sweeney gets a lot right in this interview, especially surrounding the economic asymmetry that many studios have to overcome by using AI. I'm also on board with the idea that AI disclosure often harms the studios that can least afford a failure.
It's well worth noting that there's some background tension regarding Sweeney and AI. Unreal Engine, which is an Epic product, is used by countless studios. Unreal Engine 6, the latest version, includes deep AI integration, and those AI tools are being pitched to any developer who will listen.
Bottom line? The more accepted AI is in game development, the better off Sweeney's UE6 will do.
My final thoughts on AI use in game development
My RTX 5070 Ti uses AI to run games ... is there that big of a difference between that and development? (Image credit: Future)
I honestly can't say if Steam's forced AI disclosures are the correct way forward. I value transparency, and in the current climate, I can imagine a ton of AI witch hunts happening if there wasn't a place where you could reliably check if AI was used.
Sweeney makes good points about AI's reputation problem and how AI disclosures mark certain games for failure, and I wonder if clearer information about how AI is used would help at all.
Let me know what you think about the AI disclosure situation. Is it hurting games that would otherwise be a huge success? Is it rightfully causing pushback against games? Sound off in the comments section below!
Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.
If you’ve been waiting for a laptop deal that actually feels like a steal, this is it. The ASUS Vivobook 16 OLED, now just $1,159 (down from $1,599), is one of those rare machines that delivers more than you expect for the price. It’s a 16‑inch notebook with flagship specs, a stunning display, and Intel’s latest Core Ultra 7 processor built for serious performance.
It’s the kind of deal that makes you double‑check the listing to make sure nothing’s missing. Spoiler: nothing is. You get a full‑power H‑series chip, 32GB of RAM, 1TB of storage, and a 3K OLED display in a chassis that’s only 0.55 inches thick and weighs 3.31 pounds.
The ASUS Vivobook 16 OLED is a rare find at this price. You get a 3K OLED display, 32GB of RAM, a fast Intel Core Ultra 7 processor, and a thin 3.31 lb chassis with long battery life. It is a powerful, modern laptop that stays light, looks premium, and handles heavy workloads without costing a fortune.View Deal
That’s what makes this Vivobook deal stand out. You’re getting a machine that’s already built for the next generation of computing, complete with Intel’s new Core Ultra 7 processor and a dedicated Copilot key (hey, some people think it's a selling point), at a price that feels normal.
The Core Ultra 7 255H is part of Intel’s new H‑series lineup, designed for high‑performance laptops that can handle creative workloads, gaming, and multitasking without breaking a sweat. Paired with Intel Arc graphics, it’s capable of light gaming, video editing, and productivity tasks that would slow down most midrange systems.
Specs that matter
ASUS didn’t cut corners here. The Vivobook 16 OLED features a 2880×1800 Lumina OLED display that delivers deep blacks, vivid color, and true HDR contrast. It’s the kind of panel that makes everything look better, from spreadsheets to streaming.
Under the hood, you get 32GB of LPDDR5X memory and a 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD, which means instant responsiveness and plenty of space for creative work. The ASUS IceCool Thermal Technology with dual fans and 97 iceblades keeps the system cool even under load, while the 75Wh battery promises up to 16 hours of runtime.
Despite the power, it’s impressively portable. At 0.55 inches thin and 3.31 pounds, it’s lighter than most 16‑inch laptops and built with a reinforced steel frame that feels solid without being bulky.
ASUS also added thoughtful touches: Dolby Atmos audio by Harman Kardon, Wi‑Fi 7 certification, and an RGB ErgoSense keyboard with Windows 11’s new Dynamic Lighting support. It’s a subtle upgrade that makes the laptop feel more premium than its price suggests.
Ready for what’s next
(Image credit: ASUS)
The dedicated Copilot key is a small but telling detail. It’s a sign of where Windows laptops are heading — toward integrated features that help with writing, summarizing, and creative tasks. The Vivobook 16 OLED is ready for that future right out of the box, with Intel’s AI Boost NPU handling on‑device workloads efficiently.
That means faster photo editing, smarter background blur in video calls, and better battery life when using modern Windows features. It’s hardware that will matter as Windows 11 evolves through 2026 and beyond.
The bigger picture
The timing of this deal could not be better. With component costs rising and manufacturers shifting focus to premium laptops, midrange buyers are getting squeezed. The Vivobook 16 OLED breaks that trend by offering flagship performance at a mainstream price.
It’s proof that not every high‑end laptop has to cost two grand. ASUS managed to deliver a machine that feels premium without the markup, and deals like this will only get rarer as the market adjusts to new pricing norms.
Bottom line
If you want a laptop that looks great, runs fast, and feels ready for the next few years, this Vivobook 16 OLED deal is hard to beat. It’s thin, light, powerful, and genuinely premium.
With 32GB of RAM, a 3K OLED display, and Intel’s latest Core Ultra 7 processor, this is the kind of deal that feels like it slipped through the cracks. Grab it before prices catch up.
Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.
Valve's Steam Machine has earned more than its fair share of skeptics, thanks to performance claims and more recently its unfortunate pricing. More recently, though, Valve has seemingly taken some of this criticism to heart and silently changed some of those performance claims on the Steam Machine product page. Where the performance claims on the product page once read "4K gaming at 60 FPS with FSR," they now say "Up to 4K gaming with FSR 4.1," removing any mention of FPS and softening the claim with the classic "up to."
As shown in a number of performance reviews, the Steam Machine sometimes struggles to hit 60 FPS at 1080p in certain games when using maximum or ultra graphics quality, and 1080p would be upscaled to 4K when using FSR 4 in Performance mode. It makes sense that Valve wouldn't want to misrepresent the performance of the Steam Machine in order to avoid litigation, but many fans are drawing comparisons between the 4K/60 FPS claims and Sony's 8K marketing for the PS5. It's also worth noting that this change seems to have been made on June 25, which is the same day that Valve cut off reservations for Steam Machine pre-orders.
Shortly after news broke about the end of Destiny 2's active development, it was revealed that Bungie would likely be conducting mass layoffs of Destiny 2 staff, with no sequel to the massive looter shooter on the cards. Sony has now confirmed in a blog post that the rumored Bungie layoffs are both true and somewhat more widespread than initially expected. It's currently unclear how many staff members will be losing their jobs at Bungie, but it was previously revealed that some of the team that had been working on Destiny 2 before it was shut down were moved to the development of Marathon.
According to the blog post, the Bungie layoffs will affect "a significant number of employees, including most of the Destiny team and some Marathon team members," and there are also some layoffs happening in the Sony Interactive Entertainment teams that support Bungie's operations. The fact that Marathon developers will also be laid off more or less confirms that the new extraction shooter has not performed nearly as well as Sony and Bungie might have hoped, and this may explain Bungie's seemingly frantic changes and updates to Marathon in response to player feedback. Sony says that the layoffs come after it "reviewed the studio's long-term direction, development priorities, resource needs, and role within our broader portfolio strategy," and that it explored other avenues and alternatives before pursuing layoffs.
Purism, an independent U.S. technology company dedicated to protecting users' privacy, security, and online freedom, today announced the launch of its flagship laptop, the Librem 16. The Librem 16 is a consumer privacy-focused laptop, uniquely positioned to give users complete digital freedom while protecting all personally identifiable information (PII) by default.
"Purism is a social purpose corporation," said Todd Weaver, Purism Founder & CEO. "With tech advancements abusing people more and more we have forgotten the parallel that democracies were founded to protect individuals from oppressive governments. We are creating a digital utopia with technology that protects citizens, not that surveils them, and the Librem 16 is integral to that vision."
Those who trusted their instinct in buying Apple’s ‘top of the line’ 14-inch MacBook Pro equipped with an M5 Max should pat themselves on the back, especially one owner, who managed to get the best possible specifications right at his fingertips, and he almost saved $3,000 on this purchase. With Apple raising the prices on various products, including its MacBook Pro lineup, it’s going to become increasingly difficult to acquire these top-tier configurations, but those who managed to pick up these machines even a day before the announcement have truly lucked out. With the 14-inch M5 Max MacBook now carrying a price […]
All SSDs are expensive right now due to the AI-driven NANDpocalypse, but the biggest, densest drives are where you'll find the wildest prices. If you need a big drive at a reasonable cost under present conditions, you can get one for less at Woot. The WD Black SN850X, one of the fastest PCIe Gen4 drives around, is just $1199.99 right now, or about 15c/GB, which is a solid price in 2026.
If you need a truly massive SSD in 2026, you won't find one for a better price than this WD SN850X 8TB drive. It's one of the fastest Gen4 SSDs around, and its price per gigabyte is reasonable in today's market. View Deal
This particular SN850X comes with a heatsink included, and you can either run it as-is or remove it for use with motherboards that have their own integrated SSD cooling solutions.
In our performance testing of the SN850X 8TB, it proved itself as one of the fastest Gen4 SSDs around, only getting consistently outclassed by PCIe Gen5 drives. And its large capacity didn't result in a performance falloff, as could sometimes happen with contemporary 8TB drives.
If you absolutely need 8TB of speedy NVMe storage on one M.2 2280 stick, as you might in order to fit as much space into one M.2 slot or external enclosure as you possibly can, this SN850X 8TB deal lets you get there for a relatively reasonable price even in today's crazy market. Don't sleep on it, as SSDs are among the most volatile and inflated PC components out there right now.
Google is rolling out a new round of Demand Gen updates aimed at helping advertisers improve creative performance, reach more customers across YouTube and better measure campaign results.
Demand Gen campaigns are designed to drive discovery and conversions across Google’s visual surfaces. The latest updates focus on reducing creative friction while giving advertisers more insight into what’s working.
Google says the enhancements come as YouTube continues to prove its value for customer acquisition, citing research from Measured showing that 72% of incremental conversions on YouTube come from new customers.
What’s new. Demand Gen campaigns will soon support expanded video resizing capabilities, allowing advertisers to automatically transform creative between additional aspect ratios, including vertical-to-square, vertical-to-landscape and square-to-landscape.
The update is intended to make it easier to adapt existing creative for different YouTube placements without producing multiple versions manually.
Why we care. Expanded video resizing helps existing creative fit more YouTube placements, Gemini offers AI-powered recommendations to optimize assets before launch, and new web-to-app measurement gives marketers a clearer picture of how Demand Gen campaigns drive app installs and overall return on ad spend.
Gemini joins the creative workflow. Google is also bringing Gemini-powered recommendations directly into Demand Gen campaign creation.
When advertisers select image and video assets, Gemini will provide automated suggestions on how to optimize creative for YouTube, helping marketers improve asset selection before campaigns go live.
Better app measurement. Demand Gen now includes Web to App Acquisition Measurement, allowing advertisers to measure when web campaigns lead users to install an app.
The new reporting provides a more complete view of campaign performance by attributing app installs generated through Demand Gen campaigns, helping advertisers better understand the full impact of their media spend.
The bottom line. Google’s latest Demand Gen updates combine AI-powered creative guidance, more flexible video optimization and expanded measurement capabilities to help advertisers improve campaign performance while gaining clearer visibility into customer acquisition.
Donairo helps creators, causes, churches, teams, and communities collect donations through beautiful PayPal-powered pages, including PayPal and credit card donations. Unlike crowdfunding platforms built around goals, rewards, or all-or-nothing timelines, Donairo is built for simple support: donors give without expecting rewards, recipients access funds as donations come in, and a simple 1% platform fee helps more of every donation go to the supported people and causes.
The RAM crisis is gradually ruining PC and console gaming, with higher prices, notably with Microsoft increasing prices for its Xbox consoles. Gamers only have AI to blame, as data centers and their demand worsen memory availability.
Fortunately, OLED monitors are not in the category of hardware seeing price hikes as a result of the RAM crisis, and unsurprisingly so, since they don't require RAM.
The Alienware AW3425DW OLED ultrawide gaming monitor is an easy choice for any PC gamer looking to level up their visual experience. With an OLED panel and a 240Hz refresh rate, you'll be able to enjoy fantastic image quality with deep black levels and fast, smooth gameplay in motion.View Deal
This model is very similar to my former Alienware AW3424DWF ultrawide, but this AW3425DW model features a faster 240Hz refresh rate instead of 165Hz, and HDMI 2.1 compatibility.
There's so much to enjoy when upgrading from a regular LED display to an OLED, as it completely revitalizes the visual experience when gaming. Scenery that is supposed to be dark will indeed be entirely dark, making games like Resident Evil Requiem even more immersive with its horror.
I've still got my eye on Alienware's 5K2K display, but if you're out for something more affordable, the AW3425DW is the one to opt for.
The Vesuvius Challenge is decoding scrolls hit by the 79 AD eruption
Another scroll has just been partially read by AI
This is despite the scroll being rolled up and severely burned
Look at the ancient PHerc 1667 scroll, recovered from the ancient Roman town of Herculaneum that was smothered by the Mount Vesuvius eruption of 79 AD, and you'd think there wasn't much chance of finding out what was written on it. It's rolled up, burned and blackened, and impossible to open up without destroying most of it.
However, using the latest AI techniques, researchers from the Vesuvius Challenge project (via The Guardian) have now been able to read 20 columns of sealed-off text, describing the stoic philosophy that was much discussed at the time — and how it relates to ethics, art, and human behavior.
Here's how it works: without needing to open up this scroll and others like it, a combination of X-rays and AI algorithms can be used to recognize subtle differences between papyrus fibers locked away in the charred manuscript. That tells researchers where the ink is.
Further AI processing can identify and fill out fragments of lettering, and suggest possibilities for what might be missing. It's then left to human researchers to read through and interpret what the writing actually means — an approach that has seen multiple successes since the Vesuvius Challenge launched in 2023.
Digging into the texts
AI and human researches combine forces to decode the texts (Image credit: Vesuvius Challenge)
Experts think that PHerc 1667 may actually date from two or three centuries before Mount Vesuvius erupted, making it an intriguing look into the ancient past. The same cloud of fire and ash that enveloped Herculaneum also (and more famously) covered Pompeii, though the two towns were preserved in quite different ways.
Researchers working on the project say the scroll is one of many thought to be housed inside a library, and part of a luxury Roman villa. Before now, the scroll has already been broken in half — it now measures just 8 cm (3.15 inches) in length — and part of it has disintegrated from previous attempts to tease it open.
Each new discovery reveals more about the scroll collection as a whole, including how these texts relate to each other and who authored them. An initial analysis suggests this particular scroll may have been written by the Greek philosopher Chrysippus, a prominent member of the stoic school.
"People now know that this can be done and now we're exploring what [the texts] actually mean," one of the research team, computer scientist Professor Brent Seales from the University of Kentucky, told The Guardian. "For me that's the World Cup. I just won the World Cup: that's my victory."
Dell has knocked a massive $680 off its Dell 16 Plus Laptop now $750 (was $1430) as part of its laptop sale. But you'll need to be quick - this limited time deal ends in a few hours (seriously, Dell even has a countdown clock running).
The 16 Plus is a true mid-range machine aimed at business and creative professionals who need real performance. It's thin, lightweight, and even boasts a full-sized keyboard for effortlessly ploughing through work.
The US configuration ships with an Intel Core Ultra 7 256V processor, 16GB LPDDR5X memory, and a 1TB SSD. The 16-inch 2.5K IPS display with ComfortView Plus is a highlight — it's a noticeably more capable screen than you'd typically get at this price. For UK readers, the closest configuration powered by the same chip is the Dell 16 Plus with 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD for £599 (was £1199).
Today's top laptop deal
The Dell 16 Plus is a mid-range professional-grade laptop powered by a Core Ultra 7 chip, 16GB RAM, and 1TB SSD. If you want smooth workflows, this is the Dell machine I'd recommend for business.
In our Dell 16 Plus review, we said: "The Dell 16 Plus offers a solid mid-tier laptop experience throughout. Between great general computing performance for any college student or executive and long-lasting battery life, the base $799 options make a ton of sense. Add a thin and lightweight design, and there’s much to appreciate here."
However, it's worth noting that the webcam and speakers were disappointing, and I'd definitely recommend upgrading them with external options. We've added a few picks to our guide on Prime Day home office deals, like the Obsbot Meet and Anker Powerconf.
Overall, though, this Dell laptop proved to be a a quality Windows machine that's thin, lightweight, and seriously portable. We badged this one with a TechRadar Recommends award.
Also consider: More Dell laptop deals
Intel Core Ultra 7 256V | 16GB LPDDR5X | 1TB SSD
The Dell 14 Plus is a slim, lightweight 14-inch machines with a 2.5K resolution. Several configurations are discounted right now, but if you want a back to school or office laptop, the cheaper of the two is well-specced and well-priced for that.View Deal
Intel Core i7-1355U | 16GB DDR5 | 1TB SSD
For general work and study tasks, the Dell 15 Laptop is a rock-solid workhorse. If you're just looking for a reliable laptop, this is my go-to recommendation. View Deal
Catan is aboard game icon for a reason. It takes everything you love about childhood classics and serves them with gameplay that's much more satisfying, properly blending luck and skill. But which version should you play?
With Amazon Prime Day US deals serving up so many different versions of Catan it can feel impossible to choose one, thankfully for you I’ve played them all and I know the answer.
The base game is at a phenomenally good asking price of $29.99 — saving you 45% at Amazon if you’re a Prime member — but there are plenty of alternatives and expansions to consider sticking in your basket too.
Of course, the classic base game is the best starting point, especially with the Prime Day deal Amazon has going on right now. The only issue is that the game can have an awkward number of players at exactly three or four, which is why the five-to-six player expansion is an excellent pickup if, like me, you find your game nights are rarely small enough for the base limit.
Alternatively my partner I have loved the two-player Rivals game as it provides a lot of the same strategic rivalry without needing a group over to get a game in.
If you’ve opted for the classic original, you also have the option to enhance it with one of three expansions (which can be expanded further with components for five or six-player games). My favorite is Cities & Knights as it takes core elements in the base game and makes them a little more complex — such as expanding the role of cities, and giving your army of knights an enemy to oppose — without altering the game so much that it feels inaccessible. Explorers & Pirates alters the game board to include islands to be explored (and harvested), as well as pirates to contend with; much like Cities & Knights, it expands the core elements of the base game without making it feel unfamiliar.
Traders & Barbarians includes several smaller changes in one larger package. There are new two-player rules, you can replace dice rolls with event cards, there are new trading mechanics, and the addition of fishing — a mechanic all games need in my opinion.
Lastly, I’ve included three entirely different standalone versions of Catan. New Energies will feel very familiar except there’s now an energy mechanic, with consequences to contend with as you pollute the world (and benefits to be gained by investing in renewables). Dawn of Humankind introduces a much larger map (essentially the whole globe) and encourages true exploration and travel supported by the game’s familiar resource gathering. Meanwhile, On the Road turns the classic into a portable card game with streamlined rules that make it excellent for playing while traveling.
Dawn of Humankind is pricier than we’ve seen in the past, unfortunately, but I love these Catan alternatives so much that I can’t include them.
I think it's safe to say that a large majority of the British public have been struggling to get through their daily lives in this extreme summer weather, but if you're a freak for the heat, well, props to you.
Since it's Amazon Prime Day, everyone has been racing to try and get their hands on the best fans before the online retailer is completely ransacked, but we've just spotted this fan and air conditioner hybrid (it's more of an air cooler) for less than £100, and it's quite a steal if you ask me.
One of the few remaining air coolers on Amazon is the Midea 5L 3-in-1 Portable Air Conditioner, an evaporative air cooler that's now at £89.99 from £93.49. While we haven't had the chance to test it out yet, there's no denying that this is an affordable price point for most people who are searching for the key to cooling their home. But in spite of its undoubtedly handy features, there's something you should know before you add it to your basket.
Today's best Midea 5L Air Cooler deal
This is more than a standard oscillating fan, it uses water to project a cold breeze into a humid room which, given this heat, sounds like a dream on paper. And it's not too expensive either compared to the likes of the premium range of Dyson fans, which are well into the triple figures. View Deal
Price aside, the Midea 3-in-1 fan does come with some functional perks, the main ones being its fan, humidifier, and cooling settings, giving you a variety of options depending on your need.
Its large 5-litre tank is a plentiful, and when it's filled to the top, you can make the most of its air-cooling properties for up to 12 hours each day before refilling, so that way, you're not constantly patrolling back and forth to fill it up. You can also choose from three speeds and two operation modes, normal and natural, to adjust the air flow to your comfort.
Sounds great for its price point right? And it is, but the only caveat is that it adds moisture to your air which, when it gets quite humid in the summer months, can make the air feel even hotter. Therefore, the more moisture added to the air in your home, the more moisture in the air the heat has to work with.
In short, evaporative air coolers like this one will solve your issues in dry heat, but as for humid heat (which it currently is in the UK), the results may not be the same. If this has swayed you in the opposite direction, here's an alternative dehumidifier we've selected below.
We haven't had the chance to test this one out yet, but we've had plenty of hands-on experience with Honeywell's range of other home tech and we've been pleased each time. This model comes with a 3.4-litre water tank and custom humidity controls levels, as well as a smart mode that can automatically adjust dehumidification. And it's not going to make an absolute racket while in use either, it produces sounds up to 44db. View Deal
AMD has seen its Instinct GPUs continue to get traction in an increasingly competitive marketplace, as it continues to take data center market share from new and existing players and ekes out wins with gaming-centric CPUs in the consumer market.
Its most recent acquisition of MEXT, an AI-centric startup that currently deploys software that allows users to treat NAND flash as DRAM at an operating system level.
AMD says Santa Clara-based MEXT a "pioneer in AI-driven memory optimization technology".
SSD storage to DRAM for data centers?
The idea that MEXT builds on is hardly a new one, but one that it seems to have refined considerably, making it an important acquisition at a time when hyperscalers continue to struggle with limited DRAM availability, even as an even worse SSD crisis looks to be on the horizon.
MEXT's Predictive Memory is essentially a tiering engine that monitors which memory pages applications tend to access, treating regularly accessed sections as "hot" working sets kept in DRAM while offloading "cold" or less frequently accessed sections to SSDs.
This allows for a far lower performance offset than using all of one's flash memory as DRAM, with the latter being an order of magnitude faster for access, even as speed becomes a driving factor for newer chips that are increasingly memory-bound.
There is also an important economic factor at play here: DRAM is nearly 50 times more expensive than the corresponding NAND flash, making cost and scalability key considerations for most data centers looking to avoid an already expensive DRAM market that is slated to only get worse over time.
The move itself is not AMD's first foray into the storage segment, with its consumer-focused StoreMi offering essentially allowing a faster SSD to work as a cache, making up for slower drives on one's system by essentially creating a copy of files that regularly need to be loaded or accessed on the fastest possible storage solution.
Its lesser-known (and since abandoned) Radeon RAMdisk offering allows users to do the exact opposite of what MEXT is offering: creating a very fast virtual disk on existing system memory. even as enthusiasts have replicated the idea on AMD's ultra-fast 3D V-Cache tech.
AMD's purchase makes sense given how deeply embedded its hardware is expected to be in datacenters over the next decade, and one could argue that MEXT's team, which offers expertise in AI infrastructure and memory systems, could be a much more prized acquisition than the underlying technology it offers.
AI and chip talent have become increasingly difficult to lock in, with companies splurging to attract some of the biggest names in both segments, and MEXT's acquisition could help both AMD's short-term and long-term goals in the data center segment.
We now know with more certainty than before that your next iPhone, especially if it's a more affordable model, will probably be more expensive come September.
Allow me to walk you back through my reasoning.
At approximately 8:30AM ET the RAM crisis reached Apple shores in the form of price hikes across multiple product categories, including MacBooks, Macs, iPads, and HomePods.
It was inevitable and, as Apple told us, the culprit is clear: "The rapid expansion of AI data centers has created an extraordinary surge in demand for memory and storage."
It's the component crunch we've seen repeated over and over again. Everything from the latest gaming rigs to storage and memory is getting more expensive.
And it's only going to get worse.
"We are not at the bottom and will take more time to climb out," wrote Creative Strategies Founder and longtime analyst Tim Bajarin when I asked him via email if this marked a tipping point for our RAM crisis travails. It did feel like Apple held off as long as possible, and I think Bajarin concurs, "Apple had no choice," he wrote to me.
No RAM crisis end in sight
Not only does Bajarin see the issue continuing, but he thinks it could drag on for years. As he wrote in his recent Forbes column, with just a few major memory factories already "maxed out" and those under construction years away from coming online, "I see this memory squeeze at the least lasting another two years," he told me via email.
This aligns, by the way, with reports we've seen elsewhere from those who run these memory plants.
"We expect tight conditions to persist beyond calendar 2027 as a result of AI-driven demand across all segments coupled with structural supply constraints," said Micron CEO Sanjay Mehrotra in a recent earnings report.
We've all been wondering if and when the RAM crisis would affect iPhone prices, and while the fresh price hikes miss out iPhones, Apple Watches, and AirPods, Apple's comment on why it raised the prices now, makes it clear that they're probablly not done: "We have shielded our customers from these increases so far, but we have now reached a point where we need to begin raising prices on a number of products, including today’s increases for iPad and Mac."
Did you pick up the key phrase? "need to begin raising prices". Apple didn't say, "we've raised the prices," and instead opened the door to further hikes.
Those price increases might come to the full lineups in affected product categories, but I believe that this issue will affect the anticipated iPhone 18 launch in September.
But wait. It gets worse.
An affordability crisis
Bajarin says the price/performance trajectory we've seen for decades (more and faster/better tech for lower prices) is, with this component crisis reversing itself, making it harder to build affordable devices, or rather devices at affordable prices, because one of the key components is exponentially more expensive than ever. We already have some evidence of this with Nothing cancelling its affordable model in response to RAM crisis.
This means that those who usually buy the iPhone Pro, iPhone Pro Max, and iPhone Air might easily absorb higher prices because they can probably already afford them.
It's with base models like the anticipated iPhone 18 where a dramatic increase could push the phone out of reach. This will, by the way, affect Android phones too (see Nothing, above), especially, Bajarin notes, those affordable handsets sold around the world.
You see, they all source their memory from the same handful of suppliers. It's all in shorter supply and more expensive.
In the end, if any of us thought Apple could hold out indefinitely and show the industry a way around this AI-led RAM crisis (the AI boom isn't slowing down, and its demands on energy, water, and memory will probably only increase), they were mistaken. Apple isn't magic, RAM doesn't grow on trees, and we're in for a very rough couple of years.
ExtraHop’s Global Threat Landscape Report shows 49% of ransomware victims only detected attacks after data theft, up from 31% last year
Average dwell time before detection is 2.5 weeks; attackers exploit encrypted channels, valid accounts, and alert fatigue to evade defenses
Ransom payments fell from $3.6M to $2.8M, but payment frequency rose sharply, with 83% of surveyed victims paying in 2026 vs. 70% in 2025
Criminals are getting better at hiding within their victims’ infrastructure, lurking and stealing files without triggering any alarms whatsoever.
Earlier today, network detection and response experts ExtraHop released the “Global Threat Landscape Report”, based on a survey of more than 1,800 IT and security leaders worldwide. In it, it is said that roughly half (49%) of organizations that were struck by ransomware did not detect the threat until after the data was stolen.
This is up from 31% a year ago, ExtraHop stressed, showing the improvement criminals made within just 12 months.
Several factors
On average, cybercriminals have 2.5 weeks of quiet time before being spotted in ransomware incidents, the report stated. Furthermore, 14% of victims were unaware of an attack until receiving a ransom demand, which is also up from 6% a year ago.
“Prolonged dwell times often parallel a highly complex threat environment where critical alerts are obscured,” ExtraHop said in a press release shared with TechRadar Pro. The researchers uncovered several factors that led to delays in investigating critical alerts, including attackers using encrypted channels (41%), attacker activity mirroring legitimate workflows and processes (38%), using valid, high-privilege account permissions (34%), and alert fatigue (30%). Undermined baseline behavior also enabled anomalous actions to fly under the radar (27%).
The good news is that the average ransom payment dropped year-on-year, from $3.6 million down to $2.8 million. However, the bad news is that the payment frequency spiked. While in 2025 70% of respondents paid a ransom, this year 83% have done the same, at least among ExtraHop’s respondents.
When Chainalysis ran a similar survey recently, it said that in 2025 the number of successful ransomware attacks grew, while the number of payments remained relatively flat, meaning that in absolute numbers - there were fewer companies paying ransomware attackers.
Been on the lookout over Prime Day for some 4K Blu-ray deals? I've been searching through them and have picked offers on discs I've tested as part of our Blu-ray Bounty feature, so I know these discs are worth your time.
Amazon Prime Day can be a great time for 4K Blu-ray sales and this time is no different. Some highlight discs I've found include Sinners, which is both a picture and audio showcase, especially for Dolby Atmos. There's also Se7en, a fantastic-looking movie with plenty of richly detailed scenes that show off 4K's clarity, which look great on the best OLED TVs.
Sunset Boulevard looks excellent on 4K and shows what new life it can bring to older movies. My final highlight here is F1. If you're looking for a disc to show off your sound system, be that one of the best soundbars or a full surround setup, this is an awesome disc.
Prime Day deals for 6 4K Blu-rays I've tested - US
WARNER BROS
Sinners 4K Blu-ray
WARNER BROS
Seven 4K Blu-ray
Paramount
Sunset Boulevard 4K Blu-ray
WARNER BROS
F1: The Movie 4K Blu-ray
Paramount
Minority Report 4K Blu-ray
UNIVERSAL
Wicked 4K Blu-ray
Prime Day deals for 6 4K Blu-rays I've tested - UK
Amazon's Prime Day has featured some of the best PC hardware deals for top-quality products. This ranges from SSD deals to Nvidia RTX-powered gaming laptops, and yet again, there's another one of the latter to join the party.
Powered by Nvidia's RTX 5060 laptop GPU, Intel's Core 7 240H processor, and 16GB of RAM, there's plenty to love about the 16 Aurora. While the GPU's VRAM is only 8GB, it can handle a large variety of triple-A games, even the most demanding when using DLSS 4.5 upscaling.
On sale, it's currently within the exact ballpark of the Steam Machine's price, and is ultimately a more powerful system, particularly for games, with better capabilities to handle ray tracing, and superior upscaling quality.
(Image credit: Dell / Alienware)
The Alienware 16 Aurora is a fantastic choice for any gamer looking to dive into the PC ecosystem. With the RTX 5060, expect solid performance at 1080p and even 1440p using DLSS 4.5.View Deal
The only major advantage the Steam Machine currently has over the 16 Aurora is that AMD hardware works much better on SteamOS. Nvidia GPUs are yet to be fully optimized, so major aspects such as game mode in SteamOS may not function well, and game performance may not be up to par.
However, Valve has already made significant efforts to improve the Linux operating system for a wider range of hardware — and SteamOS update 3.8 has opened the doors for any PC to install the OS without hassle.
We can only expect that this will eventually be the case for Nvidia GPUs, so if that's an obstacle when considering the 16 Aurora, it shouldn't be a permanent one.
The RTX 5060 in the 16 Aurora isn't a high-end GPU, but for consumers who are just joining the PC space, it's perfectly fine for 1080p or 1440p gaming.
Apple can be its own worst enemy sometimes. After shaking up the industry with both the MacBook Air M5 (slim, light and great value for money) and the MacBook Neo (which redefined what we should expect from an affordable laptop), it spurred its laptop-making rivals, such as Dell and Acer, to up their game and compete.
The result is a reinvigorated laptop market with huge amounts of choice, with Apple continuing to lead the pack due to price and quality.
Those increases, especially for the MacBook Air, are brutal, and make it a lot harder to justify. The MacBook Neo also becomes less of a no-brainer.
The problem for Apple is that these price hikes come at a time when its Windows 11 competitors are steadily bringing out brilliant alternatives - and it means they are now better value propositions in many cases, especially during Amazon Prime Day.
The reason behind Apple's price rises is the global memory shortage, but that means many Windows 11 laptops could see price rises as well (and some have risen in price already).
However, because of the huge variety of Windows laptops that are made by a range of manufacturers, there's a lot more choice for consumers to shop around for — and now Apple no longer has a lead when it comes to price, performance or design, those Windows laptops suddenly become a whole lot more tempting, as the current Prime Day sales prove.
Below, I've picked out some great US and UK deals for MacBook Neo, Air, and Pro alternatives. Fair warning: they do run Windows 11, so you'll need to put up with that, but to be fair, Microsoft's operating system is getting a steady stream of fixes and new features these days.
If you want to stick with Apple, then check out our collection of Apple Prime Day deals that can help you avoid the price rise.
Today's best MacBook Neo alternative deals in the US
This is a great price for a relatively modern laptop with a well-performing, efficient Core i3 CPU. On top of that, you get 16GB of RAM, a 256GB 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. View Deal
The Acer Aspire Go 15 is a lightweight and surprisingly powerful laptop for the price, which is now less than the MacBook Neo, and offers more storage space and RAM. 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
This Dell 16 Plus laptop deal is a perfect example of why Apple is in trouble with these price rises. Thanks to an absolutely huge $800 price cut from Dell (can you ever imagine Apple offering a similar discount?) This 16-inch laptop is now less than the MacBook Neo, but it offers a bigger screen, a more powerful CPU, plus more RAM and SSD storage as well. This is a deal you don't want to miss, even if you're an Apple fan.View Deal
Processor: AMD Ryzen AI 5 340 RAM: 16GB Storage: 512GB
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
Today's best MacBook Air alternative deals in the US
Processor: AMD Ryzen AI 7 RAM: 16GB Storage: 1TB
This powerful and versatile Lenovo Yoga 7 offers impressive performance for the price, with high-end components such as a modern AMD Ryzen AI 7 processor, a healthy 16GB of RAM to boost performance, and a large 1TB SSD for storage. You can comfortably handle everyday tasks, demanding work, video calls, media streaming and more with this laptop, all with the option to flip it around to a 16-inch touchscreen tablet when the need arises, too.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
This HP Omnibook 7 hits the sweet spot between performance and price, thanks to a hefty discount at the official store today. Not only do you get a powerful Intel Core Ultra 7 chipset, but 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD mean you're not skimping on any other specs here, either. As a 2-in-1 laptop, this machine is also foldable, if you want to use it like a tablet - something that no MacBook offers.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
Today's best MacBook Pro alternative deals in the US
As I said in my Galaxy Book6 Ultra review, Samsung has come the closest to Apple's slick ecosystem. One of the best things about MacBooks is how they can easily integrate with iPads, iPhones and AirPods, and Samsung, which makes tablets, smartphones, headphones and more, has come up with a similar (if not quite as slick) system, which makes the (slightly older) Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 a brilliant MacBook Pro alternative, especially if you already have other Samsung devices. The specs also compare favorably to the MacBook Pro, especially with this discount.View Deal
With an RTX 5070 graphics card, Ultra 9 chipset, and a whopping 32GB of RAM, this one is all set for excellent performance right out of the box, while featuring a relatively discrete and slick design for a gaming laptop, and a price that undercuts the MacBook Pro.View Deal
Need a monster of a laptop? Forget Amazon, Best Buy has you covered: the MSI Vector 16 HX AI packs a mighty RTX 5080 GPU along with a cutting-edge Intel Core Ultra HX chip with built-in NPU for handling AI workloads as well as multitasking when gaming. This is a great MacBook Pro alternative for creative professionals, even if you don't play games.View Deal
Today's best MacBook Neo alternative deals in the UK
Processor: Intel Core i5 RAM: 16GB Storage: 512GB
This is a great price for a relatively modern laptop that comes with a well-performing Intel Core i5 CPU. On top of that, you get 16GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD for storage, and incredible battery life, which represents good value for money overall. It's slightly larger with the 16-inch display, which could hamper portability, but it's a solid everyday machine for the price, and it's now much cheaper than the MacBook Neo.View Deal
Processor: Snapdragon X RAM: 16GB Storage: 1TB
This is a great price with a well-performing and efficient Snapdragon X CPU. On top of that, you get 16GB of RAM, a surprisingly large 1TB SSD for storage, and incredible battery life, which represents good value for money overall. I like it as a light, portable and capable all-around everyday machine.View Deal
Today's best MacBook Air alternative deals in the UK
This is a fantastic price for one of the latest Samsung laptops with a modern Intel Core Ultra 7 processor and several other top-spec components. At £350 off, this is a great price for a laptop that's tailor-made for powerful performance and offers fantastic battery life of up to 18 hours. This is a particularly strong option if you want to combine power, performance, and style in one package.View Deal
Processor: Snapdragon X Plus RAM: 16GB Storage: 512GB
The latest Microsoft Surface Laptop is one of our favourite Windows devices and received a glowing five-stars in our Microsoft Surface Laptop review, so I'm obviously going to call out this solid saving at Amazon. This particular specification includes a powerful Snapdragon X Plus processor, a healthy 16GB of RAM and a reasonable 512GB SSD. That storage feels a little light for the price, but the levels of performance and battery life from the CPU are top-tier to go alongside the swish-looking display and keyboard.View Deal
Processor: AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 RAM: 16GB Storage: 1TB
The Asus Zenbook 14 OLED is one of the best laptops students can buy, as it uses AMD's Ryzen AI 7 350 processor. It's capable of storming through intense CPU tasks, utilizing AI like Copilot+, and gaming thanks to its Radeon 860M integrated GPU.View Deal
Today's best MacBook Pro alternative deals in the UK
Thanks to a huge £300 saving, the Galaxy Book6 Pro is now a formidable MacBook Pro competitor, especially when you consider the performance, design and ecosystem integration this laptop offers. If you have a Samsung tablet, for example, you can quickly use it as a second screen, much like you can do with an iPad and MacBook. The rest of the Galaxy Book6 Pro's build quality is extremely high, and what we've come to expect from Samsung's high-end laptops.View Deal
Alienware gaming laptops never come cheap, but I actually rate this deal on the newest Aurora 16 model at the official Dell Store. With a stonking £550 off, you're paying a fair price here considering you're getting an RTX 5060 graphics card and 16GB of RAM. Couple that with a really nice design, and you've got an extremely solid 16-inch gaming laptop here, and it's a solid MacBook Pro alternative, as you can challenge the GPU with creative workloads. View Deal
This thin and light powerhouse of a laptop from MSI is a fantastic alternative to the base MacBook Pro model thanks to its stunning 2.8K OLED screen, 32GB of RAM and 1TB SSD, which gives you the kind of performance you'd expect from the more expensive MacBook Pro. With a 14% price cut for Prime Day, it's an even more tempting alternative, and the overall design of this laptop is excellent.View Deal
Another great thing about Windows 11 laptops is that because of the range of manufacturers, there are some really interesting spins on the usual form factor. So, while Apple won't even consider putting a touchscreen on a MacBook, over on the other side we have weird and wonderful beauties like this, which features two touchscreens. It works well and can be a real boon for creative tasks, and it's also fitted with some of the most powerful mobile components on the market as well.View Deal
Given that I review audio gadgets for a living, I tend to hoard headphones the way most people collect loose change. But there's only one pair I rely on literally every day: the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3, which is why I was pleased to see they've gotten an awesome discount this Prime Day.
As reviews editor at TechRadar, I've used a ludicrous number of headphones over the years, from the absurdly premium Focal Clear MG to budget bangers like the Cambridge Audio Melomania P100. But there's only one pair that I come back to again and again, that have earned their place as my trusty workhorse when other headphones can't quite fit the bill: the Px7 S3.
So if you're looking to get superb audio without having to pay a premium for it, I definitely think you should check out this deal.
The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 are a drop-dead gorgeous pair of ANC headphones that sound better than just about every rival in their price class. With impeccable design, a fleshed-out feature set, and aptX Adaptive higher-res Bluetooth streaming, they're a wonderful premium pick.View Deal
Part of what makes the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 such a fantastic-sounding pair of headphones is their staggering precision. Not only does their soundstage feel crisp and detailed, but their instrument separation particularly makes them stand out, especially at this price.View Deal
Honestly, this discount makes these headphones a valid contender for some of the best headphones out there. There's a reason we gave them 5 stars in our Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 review after all.
The main reason I love the Px7 S3 for everyday use is that I can count on them to punch way above their weight in terms of sonic quality. Thanks to their aptX Lossless connectivity, they're able to stream music at what is essentially CD quality, while the soundstage they offer up feels precise yet spacious. Without spending a significant chunk more, you won't get more deft sound than this.
I also love how faithful their sound is. While I'll admit they don't offer the same driving bass as headphones like the much spendier AirPods Max 2, they also don't neglect some frequencies just to emphasize others, a shortcut many mid-range and budget cans take advantage of. They're faithful enough that I happily trust them for everyday music production, which is not something I can say about a lot of Bluetooth headphones.
And with this massive discount, I'd honestly say you can't lose with the Px7 S3.
Even Microsoft's AI CEO, Mustafa Suleyman, recently cleared up the intent of his statement that AI would eliminate white‑collar jobs in less than 18 months. The executive indicated that the statement was blown out of proportion, further clarifying that he meant AI would augment repetitive, mundane tasks — not replace humans.
Incidentally, Gates may have just identified a fourth profession that could be safe from AI replacement — athletes. During an appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, he suggested that while AI might take over many human tasks, no one would want to watch computers playing baseball (via LADbible Group).
With that in mind, it’s safe to say we’ll continue to savor the moments when our favorite players like Arsenal’s right winger Bukayo Saka grace the pitch with their talent and keep us entertained, even now during the World Cup season.
Framework has updated its Laptop 13 Pro pre-order page with a notable storage change and a pricing heads-up worth noting. On the good news side, Framework has switched the Gen 5 SSD option to the ADATA XPG MARS 970, which it says offers better performance, efficiency, and long-term reliability at a lower cost than the previously qualified drive. Existing pre-orders with a Gen 5 SSD selected will be automatically switched over and repriced. The new options come in 1 TB and 2 TB, and the 1 TB now costs less than the old 500 GB option. Anyone who had ordered the 500 GB will be pushed up to the 1 TB option at the lower price automatically. If PCIe Gen 5 SSD storage is not necessary, Framework also offers cheaper options based on the Sandisk SN7100 and 850X PCIe 4.0 SSDs.
The less welcome update is on CPU pricing. Framework says it has received signals that processor costs are likely to increase soon. The company expects to adjust the overall Framework Laptop 13 Pro system price for new orders in the coming weeks. Existing pre-orders are not mentioned as being affected, but anyone wishing to make an order is advised to make a decision while current pricing holds. Pre-orders remain fully refundable before shipment if you change your mind. At this point, we don't know if the CPU price increase affects only Framework or if it's a sign of a larger mainstream trend coming from both Intel and AMD.
Apple temporarily halted its online store today to implement a pricing update, bringing the store back online shortly after the changes were made. Even a leading consumer electronics company like Apple, known for having one of the best component supply chains in the world, couldn't ignore the impact of NAND Flash and DRAM price changes. As a result, the company has adjusted the prices of all products containing these components, reflecting an upward trend. Starting with its most affordable Mac option, the MacBook Neo, the price has increased from $599 to $699 for the base configuration. This pricing does not include the student discount, which has become more stringent. Apple now requires student verification for college students and other forms of verification for educational staff to access these discounts.
The average increase in today's price hike is $246.67. The most significant change is seen in the Mac Studio powered by the M3 Ultra SoC, which is now priced at $5,299, a $1,300 increase from its original $3,999 price. On the other end of the spectrum, the HomePod mini has experienced a $30 increase, going from $99 to $129. You can view the entire pricing update, compiled by MacRumors, below. Additionally, the 256 GB version of the Mac mini is back in stock, now priced at $799, up from its previous listing of $599. No price changes have been applied to any iPhone, Apple Watch, AirPods, Studio Display, and accessories.
id Software and GT Interactive released Quake in 1996, marking a significant evolution in the first-person shooter genre just three years after Doom. Sandy Petersen, one of the studio's original designers from the Doom era, said that developing the first "true" 3D FPS took a heavy toll on the team.
Warhorse Studios' critically acclaimed RPG, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 has just hit its latest commercial milestone as it officially surpassed 6 million copies sold worldwide since its launch in February 2025. The developer announced the milestone in a press release, which also revealed that the studio will celebrate the milestone by putting Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 on sale during the official Steam Summer Sale. If you haven't stepped into either of Warhorse's medieval RPGs, you can grab the first game for 80% off on either the base game or the Royal Edition which comes jam-packed with all of the DLC […]
The company said it is discontinuing its email inbox in favor of its AI agent offering as users are increasingly handing over the reins of their email to the agents.
Price hikes! Get your price hikes here! Hot on the heels of Apple's upward push of dollar figures, ganging up with Framework, and harnessing the disillusion caused by the price of Valve's Steam Machine... It's now Microsoft's turn. The ailing division is enacting yet another increase to the price of the Xbox Series consoles, at $100 more for the 512 GB versions and $150 more for the 1 TB model. The pricing will come into effect in roughly a month and change, on August 1st.
The firm is also killing the 2 TB version of the Xbox Series X, in an echo of Apple slicing away the higher-RAM variants of its Mac Studio computers. If you were on the fence about buying one of those, it would be wise to rush, as at the current price of "only" around $799.99, stocks are unlikely to last. Here's the new pricing, in all its glory:
Xbox Series S, 512 GB, Digital Edition: $499.99
Xbox Series S, 1 TB, Digital Edition: $599.99
Xbox Series X, 1 TB, Digital Edition: $749.99
Xbox Series X, 1 TB: $799.99
Microsoft is also adding a few options for payment and alternative purchases. Buy Now, Pay Later for splitting purchases across short-term installments for consoles bought at the Microsoft store, confirming rumors of a partnership with well-known payment processor Klarna. If that's not quite your jam, there's also interest-free 12-month financing available at Amazon for Xbox hardware.
The company is expanding Xbox trade-ins, stating that it's "working with retail partners" to enable players to sell their consoles to stores for cash or store credit. This isn't a new thing in the gaming world, as GameStop and Amazon have historically had this feature, but Microsoft's wording makes it sound like the program will be expanded to more retailers. As always, you can buy a certified refurbished console from the Microsoft Store and a number of retailers.
The highly anticipated Steam Machine is being shot down by flak due to its high release price, but all of a sudden, the $1,349 on ask for the 2 TB version doesn't sound so absurd, considering the superior hardware, gigantic game library, and low prices for games. Following Microsoft's logic, the upswing for the now-dead 2 TB version of the Xbox Series X would be $300, putting it at a nice round $1,099.99. Are you not entertained, if not excited, to be living in such interesting times?
MeetingMemo is a private Mac app that records, transcribes, and summarizes your meetings without sending audio to the cloud. It captures both your mic and system audio for clean, two-sided transcripts labeled You and Others, with live on-device transcription. Run summaries and action items fully on your Mac with Ollama, or use your own key for Claude, GPT, Gemini, and more. Chat with any meeting, use templates, and link to your calendar. Everything syncs only through your private iCloud, and no bot ever joins your calls.
Nvidia’s closed-loop liquid cooling system virtually eliminates water waste
Direct-to-chip cooling transfers heat more effectively than air
It enables higher performance-per-watt and higher rack densities
Data centers aren’t without their fair share of criticism – energy-intensive compute raises temperatures and giant campuses consume considerable amounts of air and/or water to keep them running optimally.
Land scarcity and financial incentives have also been pushing new developments closer to high-risk areas, including drought-prone regions, ultimately leading to even higher cooling requirements.
But Nvidia knows this, and it knows traditional air cooling has pretty much reached its limits as AI hardware becomes denser and denser.
Closed-loop cooling virtually eliminates water waste
With cooling now a core part of AI infrastructure design, Nvidia’s latest liquid-cooled AI systems promise higher thresholds to reduce the burden, driving down water and energy consumption as a result.
By running coolant at higher temperatures – 45°C or 113°F, to be specific – it enabled simpler cooling systems and lowers electricity consumption. Nvidia’s concept uses 75% water, 25% glycol as a coolant, noting that it can run about 5-7°C higher than hot tubs.
Compared with traditional evaporative cooling towers, Nvidia’s latest proposition involves a closed-loop system where coolant continuously circulates through servers to remove excess heat from chips. The warm coolant then cycles through external dry coolers leaving virtually no water evaporation.
The company boasted that cooling-related water consumption can be reduced by as much as 100% in suitable climates subject to the occasional extreme day, with cooling towers totally eliminated.
“The Nvidia DSX reference design for AI factories has zero water consumption – we have eliminated massive amounts of power usage and pretty much all water usage,” Data Center Cooling and Infrastructure Director Ali Heydari said.
The system’s efficiency primarily comes from direct-to-chip liquid cooling, where liquid flows directly through cold plates attached to CPUs and GPUs. This captures and expels the heat from exactly where it’s produced.
Not only is this more effective than cooling entire rooms, but liquid also promises to transfer heat thousands of times more effectively than air.
Major improvements across water consumption, energy efficiency and Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) all help on the sustainability front, but there’s another layer to the benefits.
Nvidia says it can increase rack density and performance
Nvidia acknowledged that chip power consumption and rack densities continue to rise, so by implementing liquid cooling data center companies can add more GPUs per rack, use higher rack power and ultimately pack in larger AI clusters within the same building footprint.
The company explained that its Rubin systems now fit inside two racks, instead of six, marking a major space saving.
Simultaneously, air cooling has become ineffective. “Once the watts per chip crossed a certain level, liquid cooling became mandatory,” Motivair’s CEO Richard Whitmore said.
Independent testing totally separate from Nvidia’s latest announcement shows that its H100 systems delivered around 17% higher performance when water cooled, compared with air cooling. Under sustained AI workloads, GPU temperatures fluctuated between 41-50°C when water cooled, and 54-72°C when air cooled.
Besides improving immediate and sustained performance, greater thermal efficiency could also boost longevity.
The new, higher-temperature closed-loop water cooling model is set to be used in upcoming Rubin deployments this year.
Nothing has shown off the design of the Phone (4b)
This includes a dual-lens camera, an LED light bar, and big bezels
Fans aren't sold on it, but would buy the concept phone that Nothing also recently showed off
Following a recent tease, Nothing has now shown off the full design of the Phone (4b), even though the handset won’t be fully detailed until July 7.
From this, we know that the Nothing Phone (4b) has a dual-lens camera with vertically arranged lenses, in a large camera block with a textured finish. It also has an LED light bar similar to the Nothing Phone (4a)’s, while around the front there’s a punch-hole camera and a flat screen with large bezels.
It’s a design that seems fine if a little less unusual or inspired than many Nothing handsets, but it’s one that fans largely aren’t impressed by.
Responses to the teaser on X include “most average Nothing design,” and “very disappointing,” while over on Reddit, comments include “looks bad” and a simple “eww.”
So unless the specs or price make up for the design it seems this might not be a big hit for Nothing, and if — as we’ve previously speculated — this was originally intended as a CMF phone, it’s unlikely it will have too much going for it in the specs department, while the Nothing branding will likely mean a higher price than it would have had as a CMF device.
The phone fans want
But Nothing also recently showed off a handset that fans actually are excited about — sadly though this was just a concept device, which is unlikely to ever see the light of day.
The phone in question appeared in a YouTube video, where Nothing designed a handset with the dream features put forward by the brand’s community. These include a small (sub-6-inch) screen, a pop-up selfie camera, a dual-lens rear camera, a headphone port, and a microSD card slot.
The company did note that to make this a reality it would need to be quite thick, and even then probably couldn’t fit in more than a 3,800mAh silicon-carbon battery, so that’s perhaps part of why the team doesn’t seem interested in making this a real device.
But perhaps it should, as reactions to the video included “I would 100% buy this,” “beautiful,” and “forget Nothing Phone 4. Just make this.”
So it seems that — at least among Nothing’s most vocal fans — there’s real demand for this handset, and little interest in the Phone (4b).
Amazon is hiring 11,000 new workers, mostly new graduates and interns
Garman says they're more impressionable and willing to adopt AI
Willingness to learn could be more important than existing skills
Amazon CEO Matt Garman has confirmed the company's plans to hire 11,000 interns and new grads this year despite an ongoing internal push for AI tools.
The news comes around six months after the company warned that 16,000 workers would be losing their jobs, with Garman's cloud business hit hard.
With the latest news, the company looks to be refocusing human resources instead of getting rid of human workers altogether as business priorities change and new opportunities open up.
Amazon to hire 11,000 workers in the same year it laid off 16,000
Speaking with Casey Newton of Platformer in a YouTube interview, Garman explained that white-collar jobs are changing as a result of AI, but they're not being eliminated. He compared AI to Excel spreadsheets, which dramatically increased productivity for accounting and finance work.
"If you look at what your job was two years ago, and what your job is going to be in two years, it's going to be vastly different," he said.
Garman also noted a shift in where humans bring the most value – writing code itself is becoming less valuable, but engineers are still important reviewing AI-generated code, understanding business requirements and designing systems with the AI-generated code.
As for why the company is hiring junior workers specifically, Garman acknowledged that they're among the cheapest labor to hire, but they also learn company culture faster and can embrace AI more positively than older generations.
The CEO previously said that replacing junior employees with AI was "one of the dumbest things I've ever heard."
Without hiring graduates today, companies risk creating a long-term skills gap in the future because they have nobody to train into senior and experienced engineers, he added.
He implied that recruitment is becoming more about a willingness to learn, not the skills that have already been mastered, but the interview ultimately confirmed the continued value of human workers.
The Leica SL3-P is not a camera for everyone, and it knows it. There's no red dot logo on the front — that easy-to-spot symbol of prestige has been deliberately omitted in favor of a clean, all-black anonymity. Only the word 'LEICA' in white block capitals above the lens mount gives the game away. This is a camera built for photographers who'd rather be invisible than show off, and that philosophy runs all the way through it, with minimal controls, a stripped-back UI, and a design language that says a lot through everything it leaves out.
The SL3-P is built around the same full-frame sensor as the Panasonic Lumix S1R II. (Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
Getting to grips with it takes some patience if you're arriving from a more conventional mirrorless system. With only four labelled buttons on the body, a lot of control is handed off to the touchscreen, which is polished and logically organized once you learn its rhythms. The rear LCD tilts but doesn't swivel, which is an unusual limitation for a camera at this price — and with a serious L-mount lens fitted, the combined weight is considerable. But pick it up, hold it to your eye, and look through that large, crisp EVF, and something clicks. This is a camera that feels like it was made to be used, not admired.
Image quality is exceptional — unsurprising given the 44.7MP BSI sensor, which is of the same type used by the superb Panasonic Lumix S1R II — and battery life is impressive. The autofocus is competent and handles moving subjects well enough, though it won't trouble Sony or Canon on raw speed. At around £5,150 (US pricing TBC), it's an expensive proposition. But as a pure expression of what a modern Leica should be, the SL3-P makes a very strong case for itself.
Leica SL3-P: Price and availability
Priced at $6,690 / £5,150 body-only
Also available in three zoom lens kits
It's unlikely to come as a shock to you that the Leica SL3-P is a very expensive camera. Its launch price, for the body only, is $6,690 / £5,150 (Australia pricing is still TBC at the time of writing).
Leica is also releasing the camera in three kit bundles, each of which includes at least one Vario zoom lens. The SL3-P with a Leica 28-70mm lens is $7,790 / £6,100; with a Leica 24-70mm it's $8,390 / £6,480; and with both the 24-70mm and a 70-200mm it's $10,995 / £8,560.
Leica SL3-P: specs
Leica SL3-P specs
Type:
Mirrorless camera
Mount:
L Mount
Sensor:
44.9MP (effective) BSI full-frame CMOS
Autofocus:
Hybrid AF: 315 contrast / 819 phase detection points; Human and Animal subject detection
Continuous shooting:
Up to 40fps (electronic shutter)
Video:
Up to 8K Open Gate; ProRes to 5.8K; 4K at 120fps; L-Log, 12-bit RAW, 4:2:2 10-bit
Viewfinder:
5.76M-dot LCD EVF, 0.76x magnification
Screen:
3.2-inch tilt-only touchscreen, 2,332,800 dots
Storage:
SD/SDHC/SDXC + CFexpress Type B
Connectivity:
USB-C (USB 3.1 Gen 2), HDMI 2.1 Type A, 3.5mm mic/headphone, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0
Weather sealing:
IP54
Dimensions:
151.45 x 80.32 x 38.09mm
Weight:
Approx. 768g (body only, without battery)
Leica SL3-P: design
All-black, badge-free design with minimalist controls
Premium full-metal construction with IP54 weather sealing
Large, comfortable EVF with twist-barrel diopter adjustment
The absence of Leica's red dot is the first thing you notice, and it sets the tone for everything that follows. The SL3-P is clad entirely in black, with only 'LEICA' in white block capitals on the EVF housing to identify it. Four buttons across the whole body are labelled (one of which is the power button). It's a stealthy, understated thing — clearly designed for people who want to use a Leica but aren't fussed about being seen with one.
The German-made full-metal body felt exactly as solid and premium as I'd expect from the brand, and comes with IP54 weather sealing for extra outdoors reassurance. There's a large grip covered with a textured material that provides a secure hold even when conditions aren't ideal, and the supplied neck strap is thick and well-padded, which I appreciated given how much weight a serious L-mount lens adds to the equation.
Future | Sam KieldsenFuture | Sam KieldsenFuture | Sam KieldsenFuture | Sam KieldsenFuture | Sam KieldsenFuture | Sam Kieldsen
With so few physical controls, much of the camera's operation is routed through the touchscreen. The UI is stylish and well organized, with photo and video modes color coded distinctly in red and yellow respectively. And while the layout takes some adjusting too if you're used to a more button-heavy system, the logic is coherent, and settings are never difficult to locate. Touch-to-focus on the screen works exactly as expected, and custom button assignments help flatten the learning curve further.
The EVF is large, crisp and comfortable thanks to its 5.76-million dot resolution and 0.76x magnification, and as a glasses wearer I really liked the satisfying diopter mechanism that simply requires twisting the EVF barrel rather than hunting for a small dial.
(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
The top-plate display is a genuinely useful feature, giving you a quick rundown of current settings without you having to lift the camera to your eye. The rear LCD, however, only tilts: up to 90 degrees upward and around 45 downward. That covers most tripod and arm's-length scenarios, but there's no forward-facing position for self-shooting, and no side-to-side articulation, which feels like an unusual limitation at this price.
On a practical note, I will say that the SL3-P is not a lightweight system, especially when teamed with some high-quality glass. The Summilux-SL 50mm f/1.4 lens I used with it added over a kilogram to the body, and while the grip is secure and comfortable, a long day of handheld shooting (covering a child's birthday party, in my case) does become fatiguing. That's less a criticism — after all, there are plenty of heavy cameras around — and more of a warning about how and when it can be used.
Leica SL3-P: Performance
Exceptional image quality from a 44.7MP BSI full-frame sensor
Competent hybrid autofocus with broad subject detection, including birds
Impressive battery life and extensive video options including 8K and ProRes
Future | Sam KieldsenFuture | Sam KieldsenFuture | Sam KieldsenFuture | Sam KieldsenFuture | Sam KieldsenFuture | Sam Kieldsen
The SL3-P shares its 44.7MP BSI full-frame CMOS sensor with the Panasonic Lumix S1R II — a camera I've tested and rate very highly — and the image quality is, predictably, exceptional.
Raw files processed in Lightroom offer tremendous latitude, with smooth tonal gradation, wide dynamic range and excellent high-ISO performance. JPEGs are very good straight from camera too, and five film-look presets — three color, two monochrome — add some welcome creative options. The high-contrast black-and-white preset is particularly striking, and feels authentically Leica in character.
Video capabilities are more extensive than the camera's photographer-first positioning might suggest: 8K Open Gate, ProRes to 5.8K, 4K at 120fps, L-Log, 12-bit RAW and 4:2:2 10-bit are all available. It's a serious toolkit, even if the handling feels more naturally attuned to stills.
Future | Sam KieldsenFuture | Sam KieldsenFuture | Sam KieldsenFuture | Sam KieldsenFuture | Sam KieldsenFuture | Sam Kieldsen
The hybrid autofocus combines 315 contrast AF points with 819 phase detection points, with human, animal (including birds) and car detection. Tracking held up well in practice; testing on an active cat, the camera maintained focus through erratic movement without significant trouble.
Outright acquisition speed with the Summilux 50mm f/1.4 in AF-C is where it falls short of class leaders; it's capable rather than decisive, and anyone shooting fast action should look elsewhere. For portrait, street or documentary work, though, it certainly gets the job done.
Five-axis IBIS rated at up to five stops works quietly and effectively, and battery life is a genuine highlight. After a full charge I shot well over 100 frames across a lengthy session, and the indicator remained full. That seems in line with Leica's claimed 383 shots per CIPA standard cycle.
Should you buy the Leica SL3-P?
Buy it if...
You value craft and image quality above speed The build, finish and sensor are among the best in class. For considered, unhurried shooting, this is a very rewarding camera to use.
You want a discreet full-frame system The badge-free design and understated profile make the SL3-P ideal for work where a conspicuous camera would be a liability.
Don't buy it if...
You need fast and precise autofocus Sony, Canon and Nikon all offer more decisive AF systems at comparable or lower prices. The SL3-P's AF is capable rather than class-leading .
Solo video is central to your work The tilt-only screen and stills-focused handling mean this isn't the best choice for self-shooting video creators.
How I tested the Leica SL3-P
(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
Leica loaned me a sample for over a week, along with a 50mm prime lens
I used it indoors and outdoors for several days, shooting photos and video
All sample photos were shot in raw and processed in Adobe Lightroom
Leica loaned me a review sample of the SL3-P camera to test out in real-world use, a few weeks ahead of the official release.
I reviewed the Leica SL3-P over the course of a week, using it exclusively with the Leica Summilux-SL 50mm f/1.4 ASPH. prime lens. My shooting covered a wide range of scenarios: street photography and candids outdoors, landscape work, and indoor shooting in both natural daytime light and normal interior lighting at night — the latter without flash or studio lighting assistance of any kind.
All sample images were captured in raw format and processed in Adobe Lightroom.
It's Amazon Prime Day (well, week), and it's great news for physical media fans: there are tons of great deals on 4K Blu-rays, regular Blu-rays and DVDs. It includes big box sets and individual movies — there's way more there than I could hope to summarize here.
So on this page, I've specifically picked out movies that I know to be excellent home theater showcases, either through spectacular visuals, super-immersive soundtracks, or both.
And I've limited the price to options under $15 in the US, and £17 in the UK, since that seems to be the sweet spot right now, though there are some excellent movies cheaper than that. You'll find the US options just below, or click here to jump to the UK options.
Options include modern showpieces such as Sinners, beautifully restored classics such as 2001: A Space Odyssey, and not reference-quality discs including Blade Runner 2049.
If you want more Prime Day options beyond movies, you can look at our on-going Prime Day live blogs, constantly updated with new deals and price changes — here's our US Prime Day live round-up, and here's our UK Prime Day UK live round-up.
Operations tech leader Samsara has unveiled a host of new hardware and tools aimed at making fleet management more intelligent than ever, as well as boosting driver efficiency and safety.
At its Samsara Beyond 2026 event in Las Vegas, the company revealed its new 360 camera, designed specifically for heavy equipment and operations usage, making it easy to navigate around crowded sites and factories.
It also revealed an expansion to its dash cam platform which will now include two-way voice capabilities, allowing dispatchers or even AI agents to communicate easily with workers in the field.
Smarter cameras
Samsara says its new device is the first 360-degree camera built for operated equipment, and looks to address one of the most annoying pain points for workers everywhere.
On crowded sites, depots or factories, navigating huge and heavy equipment or delivery trucks can often be incredibly tricky, leading to possible safety risks and dangers for workers.
However the new camera can now provide a full 360-degree view from a single mount point, including the ability to pan and zoom even in harsh weather conditions, giving insight to any risks in real-time, and allowing safety managers to track incidents in detail.
(Image credit: Samsara)
Samsara also revealed new AI multicam capabilities which can provide a worker with a birds eye view, looking top-down on their immediate situation, allowing them to spot any tight situations, or avoid collisions with people or equipment, vital for vehicles like school buses, garbage trucks, yellow iron, and box trucks.
Elsewhere, new Rear Collision Warning and Vehicle in Blind Spot Detection tools will provide dynamic audio and visual alerts when a driver is reversing or changing lanes, in real time.
And to give an extra oversight to dispatchers and bosses, the company has added two-way voice communication through its dash cam, meaning AI and human co-workers can stay in contact whenever needed.
Say a driver has forgotten a vital piece of kit for a job site, or needs to detour to another depot to pick up additional hardware - the dispatcher can now call them directly, without the driver being distracted by engaging with a smartphone, or worrying about poor reception in remote areas. The system can also deliver AI alerts such as changing weather conditions, a lower speed limit, or parking restrictions at a site.
“By combining the power to see everything with the automation to act on it, we are shifting into the next gear on safety,” said Johan Land, Chief Product Officer at Samsara.
“The 360 Camera brings first-to-market visibility to operated equipment, AI Multicam gives road fleet drivers sharper awareness of what surrounds them, and two-way voice means the AI can respond the moment a question arises. Millions of frontline workers show up every day to keep our world running, and we are fully committed to helping get every one of them home safely.”
In fact, they’ve already gotten more expensive — the Apple store went offline this morning and reappeared an hour later with the new product prices. These increases are a response to “an extraordinary surge in demand for memory and storage,” Apple confirmed to TechRadar, adding that “we have shielded our customers from these increases so far, but we have now reached a point where we need to begin raising prices.” Sigh.
As TechRadar’s Phones and Tablets Editor, I’m particularly irked by the fact that the iPad Air now starts at $749 / £749 — that’s a $150 / £100 increase over its former $599 / £599 starting price, which taints its appeal as an affordable all-rounder.
The iPad Air has long been my go-to tablet recommendation for most people, but at this new price, I’m more inclined to recommend the iPad 11-inch (2025), which continues to start at a comparatively cheap $349 / £329.
The good news among all this doom and gloom is that Amazon’s annual Prime Day sale is happening right now, and several excellent Prime Day iPad deals are live in both the US and the UK. The iPad Air is among these discounted Apple tablets, so if you’ve been considering buying one, I’d recommend doing so ASAP — it may never be this affordable again.
For more details on Apple's iPad price increases, head to the bottom of the page.
The iPad Air is a great all-rounder tablet. It's powered by Apple's superfast M4 chip and boasts a crisp Liquid Retina display, making it perfect for both streaming and productivity. Unsurprisingly, it's selling fast on Amazon — at the time of writing, only the Space Gray model is available in the 128GB configuration, and all 256GB models have sold out. You can pick up the 512GB configuration in either Purple or Starlight.View Deal
If you'd prefer the larger iPad Air 13-inch (2026), your only option (for the Wi-Fi model, at least) is the 256GB configuration in Space Gray model. In other words: this iPad is selling fast, so you'll need to act quickly to secure your unit.View Deal
Amazon's current iPad Air deals in the UK aren't anywhere near as good as they are in the US, but stock is much higher, and therefore, more color options are available. Powered by Apple's superfast M4 chip and boasting a crisp Liquid Retina display, the iPad Air is perfect for both streaming and productivity. It may not be the cheapest it's ever been, but £578.99 is still much cheaper than Apple's new price for the iPad Air.View Deal
If you'd prefer the larger iPad Air 13-inch (2026), all color options are currently on sale at Amazon except for Blue. If you desperately want that particular model, Amazon does still have the 256GB variant on sale at the time of writing, while Pink is your only option for a discounted 512GB model.View Deal
Full iPad price changes
Here's a rundown of Apple's iPad price changes in full:
Robot vacuum deals this year aren't quite as good as they used to be; as interest wanes due to lofty list prices and continued difficulties to raise the bar of cleaning quality, robovacs can be a tough sell. That being said, some are outstanding, and this year for Amazon Prime Day, the best robot vacuum I've personally tested is on sale.
Right now, you can save big on the Dreame X50 Ultra Complete, which launched at $1,799 last year before its price drop to $1,149.99; and right now it's $884.99 at Amazon. In the UK it launched at £1,199, then dropped to £749, and it's now £659 at Amazon.
While the list price drops contribute massively to the savings, a $265 / £90 discount is still noteworthy. That being said, it's still an expensive purchase, and if you don't need an "all the bells and whistles" robovac, you could be better off with one of the below models under $500 / £500.
Best Dreame X50 Ultra Complete deal today
Dreame's X50 Ultra Complete was the best robot vacuum I tested last year, earning it a near-perfect 4.5-star rating in my review, and at this hugely discounted price, it's the deal to beat this Prime Day in the premium robovac category.
Easily one of the most feature-laden robot vacuums I've ever used, the Dreame X50 Ultra Complete isn't messing around when it says it's "complete". From threshold-climbing legs to a retractable sensor puck, its extending side brushes to the self-cleaning base, there's little left to the imagination with this full package robovac. Plus, it offers powerful 20,000Pa suction, and during testing its battery lasted around 90 minutes. View Deal
I spent months testing the Dreame X50 Ultra complete, and was consistently impressed with its performance and high-tech features. In addition to ample 20,000Pa suction and 90 minutes average battery life, it's incredibly well equipped for cleaning; extending side brushes, a self-cleaning base, and not to mention its threshold-climbing legs to a retractable sensor puck.View Deal
If you don't need something as high-specced as the Dreame X50, check out my top three picks below, which have all been tried and tested by team TechRadar.
Best budget-friendly alternatives in the US
Record low: A different model from Dreame, the L40 Ultra scored 4.5 stars in our review. Its cleaning base is a little bulky, but this combination mop-and-vac model offers impressive cleaning with plenty of on-board smarts. Its navigation technology is solid, obstacle avoidance is great and it offers good pickup on pet and human hair. This is its lowest-ever price. View Deal
Record low: At its lowest-ever price, the roborock Q7 M5+ is a steal this Prime Day. We scored the base model 4 stars in our review, praising its impressively strong suction at a budget-friendly price, and this M5+ model comes with an auto-empty base. It's less feature-filled than other robot vacuums on this list, but still a capable cleaner with solid navigation, including over tall thresholds thanks to bouncy suspension and chunky wheels.View Deal
While it's $30 more expensive than the record-low price from a few years ago, this is the cheapest we've seen this robot vacuum since. We scored the standard, non-Max model 4 stars, praising its decent dust and dirt pick-up, simple features and great value-for-money; this slightly more powerful version should be good enough for your day-to-day cleanup.View Deal
Best budget-friendly alternatives in the UK
At 50% off this is just £5 shy of a record-low price on a solid robot vacuum we scored 4 stars in our review. With specs typically boasted by robot vacuums twice the price when it released back in 2024, it's no slouch when it comes to vacuuming and mopping, handling pet hair and dirt on various floor types well. It won't clean up spills and stains super thoroughly, and Shark's software leaves room for improvement, but it's a solid robovac nonetheless.View Deal
Record low: At its lowest-ever price, the Dreame L10s is a solid robot vacuum we scored 4 stars in our review. It can automatically detect various floor types to determine whether it should vacuum or mop, mapping is impressively accurate and it's self cleaning; albeit a little loud in doing so.View Deal
With impressively strong suction and a very approachable price point, we scored this model 4 stars in our review. It's not quite as feature-filled as other, more recent and premium robot vacuums on this list, but still a capable cleaner with solid navigation, including over tall thresholds thanks to bouncy suspension and chunky wheels.View Deal
If you're still deciding on a big screen TV for the World Cup, I've been searching through the Amazon Prime DayTV deals and have found a few solid 75-inch offers.
The TCL QM6K's picture is colorful and detailed, and with the right settings, it has very good motion handling, perfect for sports. It also has solid gaming performance and features. 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 in a big screen size, the 77-inch B5 has dropped to $1,399.99. That's not a record-low, but still a very good price. With vibrant colors and crisp detail as well as smooth motion, this is a great TV for the World Cup.View Deal
The Samsung QN90F is a perfect TV for bright rooms, thanks to its anti-glare screen and solid brightness. With awesome motion handling, refined detail and dynamic colors, it produces brilliant pictures. It's also our best TV for sports. Best Buy has the 75-inch model for a record-low $1,499.99.View Deal
The TCL QM7K is a feature-packed mini-LED TV that over-delivers for its price range. It has great picture quality with high brightness, solid motion handling and punchy colors. This deal takes the 75-inch model down to $999.99. Not its lowest price, but great value for a screen this size.View Deal
The TCL QM8L is one of the brand's 2026 flagship SQD mini-LED TVs, and thanks to its new panel tech, it produces spectacular colors and high brightness levels. Its motion is also 'buttery' smooth for movies and sports. This deal knocks the 75-inch model down to $1,699.99. Considering this TV is brand new, that's a great price. View Deal
Today's best 75-inch TV deals in the UK
If you want an affordable big screen for the World Cup, the 75-inch TCL Q6C is a terrific option. It produces bold brightness and colors that look more premium than the price suggests. Plus, its motion handling is solid too. Joybuy has this TV down to £699, which is a great price for a 75-inch mini-LED. View Deal
The Amazon Ember Mini-LED (formally the Fire TV Omni Mini-LED) proves to be a surprisingly good TV for sports, with solid brightness, detail and motion handling. As always, Prime Day is the best time to buy an Amazon-branded TV, and the Mini-LED 75-inch has dropped back to its record-low price of £999. View Deal
The LG B5 may still be available in places, but this is an excellent deal on the brand-new LG B6E. This is the 'cheaper' model (there's also a B65), but it still supports Dolby Vision, 4K 120Hz and has most of the smart features of the other models. This is the cheapest you'll get a 2026 OLED for in a 77-inch size, with it already hitting £1747.99. View Deal
For a 77-inch OLED, £1199 is super-cheap. It just also happens to be the excellent Samsung S85F, a colorful, contrast-rich OLED TV with very good motion handling (once set up). While this may be an entry-level OLED, it certainly outperforms that title, earning 4.5 stars out of 5 in our review.View Deal
We've tested so many Bluetooth speakers to the point where we've lost count, but if there's one thing we've learned is that JBL is the reigning champion of the best Bluetooth speakers. And now that we're in the midst of Amazon Prime Day, our top models have never been more affordable.
But there's way more beyond that — froms a bulky speaker with audio that can reach a neighboring country, or a more compact device that doesn't compromise sound quality, I've gathered seven of the best JBL deals on Amazon right now just below.
Today's best JBL Bluetooth speaker deals in the US
Our best overall Bluetooth speaker is now at its lowest price, and for JBL's newest Flip speaker, less than $100 is quite a steal. The Flip 7 is a solid option for longer listening sessions because of its 14-hour battery life, projecting detailed sound with every listen.
The JBL Clip 5 has been one of our favorite budget-friendly Bluetooth speakers even before this current price drop. And despite its compact design and affordable price, it doesn't compromise on performance.
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.
The JBL Go 3 is a great budget-friendly portable speaker even at full price, but it's even better when it's on sale. With sound that's more than good enough to sit by your desk or at the park, the Go 3 is the cheapest way to level up picnics, lunch al desko, or even the shower, thanks to its IP67 rating. You should also note that his Prime Day offer applies to the White, Black, Red, and Camo finishes only. View Deal
Offering bold sound that doesn't distort at high volumes, an attractive design and a brilliant 24-hour battery life, the JBL Xtreme 4 Bluetooth speaker is well worth considering if you've been looking or a powerful music player. It might now have been supplanted by the Xtreme 5, but it's hard to beat at this price.
Today's best JBL Bluetooth speaker deals in the UK
The JBL Charge 6 is a stellar speaker that boasts powerful, full-sounding audio with pounding bass, clear mids, and distinguished highs. It's also drop-proof and highly waterproof, making it the perfect speaker to take on the go.
The JBL Flip 6 is one of the simplest Bluetooth speakers we've tested, and it's ideal for the non tech-savvy people out there who want a device that's easy to use. JBL deals are few and far between in the UK this Prime Day, but this small saving still takes this 4.5 star speaker to less than £85. It's also great for outdoor use, which is perfect if you spend your entire summer by the pool or at the beach.
HBO Max will be the movie's US streaming home after a successful theatrical run
The Long Walk is based on a Stephen King story and was a box office success
The Long Walk is finally coming to HBO Max for US subscribers, joining a host of exciting new movies arriving in July.
HBO Max has confirmed that The Long Walk will arrive on July 10, so we don't have long to wait before we can stream it at home. The movie was a huge success among critics and saw box office takings of $63.1 million before it moved onto streaming.
If you haven't seen The Long Walk yet, it's based on the novel by Stephen King and follows 50 boys in an annually televised competitive walking contest which is meant to inspire viewers.
They maintain a pace of 4.8 km/h of nonstop walking for days, and failure to do so after three warnings results in their death. The boy who lasts the longest wins a large cash prize and the fulfilment of one wish of his choice.
The walk only ends when one survivor remains, so it is a nail-biting watch. If you enjoyed director Francis Lawrence's adaptations of The Hunger Games, I think you'll love what he's done with The Long Walk too.
There's some other great titles arriving on HBO Max in July too. Sofia Coppola's movie about iconic designer Marc Jacobs., Marc by Sofia, arrives on July 16.
Elsewhere, dark comedy The Drama starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson arrives on July 31, and it promises to be the most dramatic wedding of the season. Hence the name, of course.
GLM-5.2 wins HTML design leaderboard despite smaller architectural constraints
Template consistency drives higher preference scores across user evaluations
Open weight model challenges pricing norms in AI market competition
Z.ai's GLM-5.2 has knocked Anthropic's Fable 5 off the top of Design Arena's single-turn HTML web design leaderboard — a ranking the Claude model family had dominated for months.
The Chinese open-weight model, built on 744 billion parameters and carrying an MIT license, now sits first overall, five places above its predecessor, GLM-5.1.
What makes this notable is that Z.ai achieved this without vision capabilities and with a model the same size as GLM-5.1, while its nearest rivals are speculated to be as much as 6.7x larger.
A price advantage to match the performance
GLM-5.2 costs $1.40/$4.40 per 1 million tokens, against Fable 5's $10/$50 per million, establishing what Design Arena calls a new Pareto frontier for preference versus price.
The model does not beat Fable 5 everywhere: it ranks second on Game Dev, Data Visualization, and 3D design leaderboards, and fourth on UI Components, but on website generation, three specific behaviours explain its lead.
GLM-5.2 applies a consistent set of high-performing base templates that avoid the anti-patterns — such as the notorious purple gradients — that plagued earlier AI-generated designs.
It also handles external dependencies like chart.js and three.js more reliably than rivals, generating a 6.0 percentage-point win rate increase across the 21% of sessions using those libraries.
It deploys TailwindCSS in 91% of sessions and Font Awesome in 51%, compared to Opus 4.8's TailwindCSS usage of just 57%.
It also generates 25% more characters and lines of code than competitors, with an average generation time of 304.7 seconds, roughly twice that of Fable 5.
Fable 5, by contrast, generates 38% fewer lines of code and 29% fewer characters than its competitors, reflecting a more generalised approach that trades average output quality for diversity and speed.
The Mythos timeline exchange
The model's release has fed into a broader public debate about how fast China can close the capability gap with American frontier AI.
Recently, Tesla CEO, Elon Musk, joined a public debate on X and suggested that China will hit Fable-class AI capability "in Q1", which means the first quarter of next year.
However, in a confident yet cheeky response, co-founder of Z.ai, Jie Tang, simply replied with four words — "Won't take that long."
The exchange drew attention because it coincided with GLM-5.2 topping a leaderboard that Anthropic's models had long controlled.
Design Arena's own analysis acknowledges that GLM-5.2's "expert template" approach favouring consistent and high-quality outputs over diversity performs better on website generation tasks but does not necessarily indicate broader capability parity.
In agentic settings, GLM-5.2 generates 11% more files and calls 17% more tools than competitors, yet produces slightly less code overall.
The open-source frontier is clearly moving faster than many expected, and what was state-of-the-art months ago is now being matched by models anyone can freely build on, fine-tune, and deploy.
However, topping a design leaderboard does not automatically mean a model can match the deeper reasoning capabilities of most advanced AI systems.
B&H Photo won the contest for cheapest SSD this Prime Day with the SanDisk 4TB Creator Series, at just $350 down from $1050, a whopping 67% discount or $700. At less than $90 per TB, it is cheaper than anything we’ve seen over the past 72 hours. Hurry up though as the offer ends in about 11 hours.
Backed by a 3-year warranty and capable of hitting speeds of up to 1000MB/s, the Desk Drive is technically a little big for an external SSD. Rivals tend to be flatter or altogether smaller, while some don’t need an external power source (this one does).
However, you can’t beat it dollar for dollar. Either for performance or for capacity plus it even comes with Acronis award-winning True Image data backup software, which diligently (and transparently) copies all your files onto the SanDisk Creator Desk Drive.
With read speeds of up to 1GBps and a huge capacity, this is the best value for money SSD you can buy right now, especially as you get a free backup software as wellView Deal
Also consider
Below are some alternatives to SanDisk's best-in-class portable SSD.
The 8TB version of the drive is not as good value for money but still delivers fantastic performance for the price. View Deal
Only $10 more expensive than the Desk Drive, the Rocket Nano V2 is objectively a better buy as it doesn’t require an external power supply, has a five-year warranty and is significantly smaller. View Deal
This offer ends in 11 hours as well. Though it is smaller in capacity than the SanDisk Creator, it is faster thanks to its USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 technology. It connects directly to compatible devices like the iPhone for on the fly transfer of recording.View Deal
At ISC.AI 2026, China’s 360 Security Technology unveiled “Yitian Tulong,” two AI models for vulnerability discovery and automated defense
Founder Zhou Hongyi described Tulongfeng as the “Chinese Mythos,” claiming it found 3,432 flaws, with 105 confirmed by the government
Zhou acknowledged a 20–30% capability gap vs. US models, but stressed building a professional attack‑and‑defense team over reliance on a single “genius hacker” approach
A Chinese cybersecurity company recently unveiled two Artificial Intelligence (AI) models, one of which is supposed to be the country’s answer to Anthropic's Mythos.
Mythos is an advanced AI model that can surface and exploit software vulnerabilities at scale and is currently only available to a couple dozen major US firms because it is allegedly too powerful (and thus dangerous) to be shared with everyone.
During the ISC.AI 2026 cybersecurity conference, which was held at the Beijing National Convention Center on June 24, 2026, Chinese cybersecurity company 360 Security Technology unveiled two tools collectively called “Yitian Tulong”, Reuters reports.
Taking a different approach
Yitial Tulong comprises two AI models: Tulongfeng, and Yitianzhen. According to founder Zhou Hongyi, the former is the “Chinese Mythos”, while the latter is a way to automate defense and incident response.
"This kind of powerful weapon that can change the landscape of cyber offence and defense cannot be held only by others," Zhou allegedly said during the presentation.
Claims about the capabilities of these models cannot be independently verified, and in the case of Yitian Tulong, will probably never be. The company said Tulongfeng found 3,432 software flaws, including 105 allegedly confirmed by the Chinese government.
Zhou also discussed taking a different approach compared to the US - a country which relies on “the strongest model, the strongest computing power, and the strongest chips”.
"Objectively speaking, domestic models still have a 20%-30% gap in base capability," Zhou said. "China cannot wait until model capabilities have fully caught up before starting vulnerability discovery, because we cannot afford to wait."
According to Zhou, 360 is building a “professional attack-and-defense team”, rather than “just” a single genius hacker: "If Mythos is a top-end chip, what we are building is a complete machine that can run stably, work 24 hours a day and make fewer mistakes," he said. "If the U.S. route is to cultivate a genius hacker, 360's route is to organise a professional attack-and-defense team."
Valve has said that every Steam Machine has one stick of 16GB RAM
This is a correction to a previous statement in which Valve engineers indicated that some models had two 8GB sticks
There's no 'RAM configuration lottery' then, but Valve may switch to dual sticks in the future — and that could be another reason to hold fire on a purchase for some
We've learned more about the Steam Machine's RAM configuration — and I've got to wonder if the latest details spilled might convince more gamers to hold off purchasing the living room gaming PC for now.
The Verge reports that Valve has come forward to clarify that every Steam Machine has a single stick of 16GB of system memory. In an interview with the YouTube channel previously, Valve engineers had indicated that there were two possible configurations with its gaming PC: either two 8GB RAM sticks, or one 16GB module (with the latter being more prevalent).
Now Valve has told Gamers Nexus: "We misspoke here – all units will actually have one 16GB stick of RAM."
This requires a little explanation if you missed it, as there's a subtle difference between these configurations. In both cases, you are still getting 16GB of memory, but when split into two 8GB sticks you're receiving the benefit of dual-channel memory (the RAM sticks working in parallel).
Therefore gamers were miffed that they didn't know what they'd get in their Steam Machine, and if they'd get the boost from the dual-channel configuration or not (although there's more to this argument, and also a benefit of having a single stick, which I'll come back to momentarily).
At any rate, this is now all a moot point, although things could be different down the line, as in its most recent statement, Valve added: "It's possible that this might change in future builds, but the units that customers are currently signing up for will all come with one 16GB stick of RAM."
Valve actually wanted to use the configuration of two sticks of 8GB for the Steam Machine, and the reason it didn't is because the company simply couldn't source the supply levels needed — hence the switch to more plentiful 16GB modules. So, when procuring 8GB memory sticks is less of a problem, Valve will be going this route.
Analysis: a better upgrade path vs dual-channel boosts
(Image credit: Valve)
As mentioned, there are pros and cons to both RAM configurations. If you have a pair of 8GB sticks, you get a performance boost from the dual-channel setup as noted. However, the catch is that the frame rate increase in many scenarios is not that much, and Valve argues it isn't noticeable in the main with DDR5 RAM – and I get that argument, it's fair enough.
However, as I discussed earlier this week, there are scenarios where there may be a sizeable enough performance difference, particularly away from 4K resolution, or with games which are taxing on the CPU (and concerns around additional stutter are a thorny extra issue here, too).
For me, this means that a one stick configuration is suboptimal, and I know if I was buying a Steam Machine, this setup would bug me somewhat.
That said, as some gamers are pointing out, the advantage of a single 16GB stick is that it offers room for an upgrade. This is because there are two RAM slots in the Steam Machine, and if you have a pair of 8GB modules, both are filled. Want to upgrade? You need to buy a pair of 16GB sticks and get rid of the 8GB modules (you could sell them second-hand).
On the other hand, with a single 16GB stick, all you need to do is buy a (matching) 16GB module to slot in next to it (as you have an empty slot). Therefore you're only paying for one 16GB stick rather than two (minus what you get back for selling the 8GB modules in the latter case). That's a pretty handy benefit for those who envisage topping up their Steam Machine to be a 32GB PC in the future, when games demanding that loadout become increasingly common.
However, I see a couple of issues here. Firstly, it's a fairly common scenario that people buy a PC with the intention of upgrading the RAM, and never actually bother. It's a nice idea, but then procrastination sets in, and before you know it, the device is on the way out anyway, and you're looking for a new one.
Secondly, compounding this – and reinforcing any procrastination – is the fact that it's not easy to make the RAM upgrade with the Steam Machine. Well-intentioned upgraders may be put off when they discover that you must yank out a bunch of stuff to get to the memory slots, which really isn't ideal.
I'm not sure how many gamers really will benefit from the better upgrade path to 32GB realistically, then, with the single 16GB setup – while it's clear enough what the (no effort) gains are with a pair of 8GB sticks.
So, knowing that two 8GB modules may well be the default configuration in the future – as it was always supposed to be – my thought is that this is another reason to wait on a Steam Machine. Further consider that, as Tom's Hardware flagged, we just learned that the Steam Machine was originally shaping up to be priced at or just under the $750 mark in the US, before the RAM crisis fully kicked in and threw the bill-of-materials (cost of the components) out of whack.
Now I'm wondering how many gamers, seeing that original target price of sub-$750, and these fresh details about the RAM configuration, are feeling that they'd rather wait it out and buy a Steam Machine when the PC comes back down towards its target price, running with a pair of 8GB sticks.
All this certainly seems to have introduced an increased level of reluctance for would-be buyers. As one Redditor puts it: "The more I hear, the more I want to keep my money." Although granted, in that thread, others are saying they're pleased to get a single stick of 16GB for the mentioned future upgrade reasons – I'm just not convinced this will apply to many buyers out there, versus the benefits of dual-channel.
Whatever the case, there's definitely an argument that exercising some patience, and holding off purchasing for the time being, could pay off with the Steam Machine eventually. Of course, there's always the option of building your own version of Valve's gaming PC, which is another route that some folks may well be considering as an alternative.
Ivory Coast's talented young side will aim to make history when they face FIFA World Cup 2026 minnows Curacao in their Group E finale in Philadelphia, and you can live stream the game around the world for free.
The Elephants return to the scene of their dramatic 1-0 win over Ecuador in their opening game of the tournament, when they snatched victory thanks to Amad Diallo's 90th-minute strike. Franck Kessie gave Emerse Fae's side the lead against Germany last time out, but some inspired substitutions turned the game the four-time winners' way in a 2-1 victory for the Europeans. Ivory Coast know a point or more against Curacao should see them reach the knockout phase of the World Cup for the first time, after three failed attempts between 2006 and 2014.
Curacao's introduction to the World Cup finals could barely have gone worse, with Germany handing out a 7-1 thrashing in their opener. Yet Dick Advocaat's proud side bounced back superbly by holding Ecuador, who finished second in South American qualifying, to a goalless draw. Goalkeeper Eloy Room made a record-equalling 15 saves that day to deliver the Blue Wave's first-ever World Cup point. Progress to the knockouts remains unlikely in a game they must win, but there have been upsets aplenty all tournament, so why not?
So, read on as we show you exactly how to watch Curacao vs Ivory Coast for free from anywhere in the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Ivory Coast XI: Y Fofana; Doue, O Diomande, Kossounou, Operi; Diallo, Kessie, Sangare, Y Diomande; Pepe, Bonny.
How to watch Curacao vs Ivory Coast for free
Curacao vs Ivory Coast 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.
Use a VPN to watch Curacao vs Ivory Coast live streams
It’s the World Cup, and if you’re traveling, you might discover your usual Curacao vs Ivory Coast 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.
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 🔓 Unlocks World Cup streams
Don’t miss a second. Stream the World Cup from anywhere with total confidence.View Deal
How to watch Curacao vs Ivory Coast in the US
US viewers can watch Curacao vs Ivory Coast on FS1.
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.
Two teams in two very different situations meet in New Jersey as Ecuador face Germany at the FIFA World Cup 2026, and you can live stream the game around the world for free.
Ecuador have built their recent success on a rock-solid defense, but a goal-shy attack means their hopes of qualifying from Group E are on a knife-edge. La Tri were one of just three teams yet to score after two games but they really should have found the net in their 0-0 draw with Curacao last time out, when opposition goalkeeper Eloy Room made a record-equaling 15 saves. Having lost their opener 1-0 to Ivory Coast, their World Cup will be over if they fail to beat in-form Germany. Even then, they'll have to rely on a best third-placed spot, unless Curacao beat the Ivorians in the group's concurrent other game.
Die Mannschaft haven't progressed beyond the group stage since winning the 2014 tournament, but a 7-1 rout of Curacao and last-gasp 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast sealed their knockout place as group winners. Super sub Deniz Undav was their two-goal hero against the Elephants, the Stuttgart forward's winner coming four minutes into stoppage time, however it is not enough to earn him a start against Ecuador as head coach Julian Nagelsmann names a strong starting XI. Germany will face one of the best third-place teams – likely Paraguay or Australia, but possibly Sweden – in Boston in the next round on Monday.
So, read on as we show you exactly how to watch Ecuador vs Germany for free from anywhere in the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Ecuador vs Germany is available to watch for free in multiple countries, including the UK, Australia, Brazil, Belgium, Ireland, Netherlands, Switzerland and Turkey.
Abroad? Unblock your free World Cup stream with Norton VPN — more on that below.
Use a VPN to watch Ecuador vs Germany live streams
It’s the World Cup, and if you’re traveling, you might discover your usual Ecuador vs Germany 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.
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 🔓 Unlocks World Cup streams
Don’t miss a second. Stream the World Cup from anywhere with total confidence.View Deal
Defenders: Piero Hincapie (Arsenal), Willian Pacho (Paris St-Germain), Pervis Estupinan (AC Milan), Felix Torres (Internacional), Joel Ordonez (Club Brugge), Jackson Porozo (Tijuana), Angelo Preciado (Atletico Mineiro).
Midfielders: Moises Caicedo (Chelsea), Alan Franco (Atletico Mineiro), Kendry Paez (River Plate, on loan from Chelsea), Pedro Vite (UNAM), Jordy Alcivar (Independiente del Valle), Denil Castillo (Midtjylland), Yaimar Medina (Genk).
Forwards: Enner Valencia (Pachuca), Kevin Rodriguez (Union Saint-Gilloise), Jordy Caicedo (Huracan), Nilson Angulo (Sunderland), Anthony Valencia (Antwerp), Jeremy Arevalo (Stuttgart).
Germany
Goalkeepers: Oliver Baumann (Hoffenheim), Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Alexander Nubel (Stuttgart).
Defenders: Waldemar Anton (Borussia Dortmund), Nathaniel Brown (Eintracht Frankfurt), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), David Raum (RB Leipzig), Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid), Jonathan Tah (Bayern Munich), Malick Thiaw (Newcastle United).
Midfielders: Nadiem Amiri (Mainz), Leon Goretzka (Bayern Munich), Pascal Gross (Brighton and Hove Albion), Jamie Leweling (Stuttgart), Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich), Felix Nmecha (Borussia Dortmund), Aleksandar Pavlovic (Bayern Munich), Angelo Stiller (Stuttgart), Florian Wirtz (Liverpool).
Forwards: Maximilian Beier (Borussia Dortmund), Kai Havertz (Arsenal), Lennart Karl (Bayern Munich), Leroy Sane (Galatasaray), Deniz Undav (Stuttgart), Nick Woltemade (Newcastle United).
Group E Table
Position
Team
GD
Points
1
Germany
7
6
2
Ivory Coast
0
3
3
Ecuador
-1
1
4
Curacao
-6
1
Can I watch Ecuador vs Germany on my mobile?
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.
If I were a 'brand guy', my brand would probably be Anker. Almost my entire home office runs on the company's power and audio gear, and has done for years now (ever since I got my paws on the original Soundcore Q20 headphones).
And wouldn't you know it - there's so many Anker products in the Amazon Prime Day sales, that I couldn't resist picking out my favorite 12 tech tools. Honestly, I could've doubled or tripled that, to be honest. You can see the full product line-up at Anker's Amazon storefront. I'll stick to my highlights.
But in my experience, this is the office gear that's essential. From docking stations and power banks capable of recharging laptops to the best budget noise-canceling headphones and earbuds I've ever used. Here's what I'd buy first for Prime Day. For more office upgrades, I've live-tracking all the best Prime Day home office deals.
My top 12 Anker Prime Day deals
Anker
PowerConf C200
Anker
3-in-1 Cube with Magsafe
Anker
PowerConf S500 Speakerphone
Anker
313 Wireless Charging Stand
Anker
Zolo Powerbank 10000mAh
Anker
Anker Power Strip
Anker
Soundcore Q20i
Anker
Laptop Power Bank
Anker
Prime 250W USB C Charger, Ultra-Fast 6-Port GaN Charging Station
This budget phone has a faster chipset than the A26 along with a refined design and an improved selfie camera
However, it has worse water resistance and fewer megapixels in its ultra-wide snapper
Samsung has just launched a new budget phone, with the Galaxy A27 arriving to take the place of last year’s Samsung Galaxy A26. But while there are some worthwhile upgrades here, there are also at least two downgrades.
Most notably, while the Galaxy A26 has an IP67 rating, the Galaxy A27 is instead stuck with a lesser IP64 rating, meaning it’s less water resistant.
At least one of the cameras also looks to be a downgrade, as while both phones have a 50MP wide camera and a 2MP macro one, the Galaxy A27 pairs those with a 5MP ultra-wide, whereas the Galaxy A26 has an 8MP ultra-wide snapper.
Looking purely at megapixels, the front-facing camera may seem a slight downgrade too, as it's 12MP on the Galaxy A27 and 13MP on the Galaxy A26. But overall, this is probably actually an upgrade, as Samsung claims the new camera can capture “a wider range of brightness and richer colors” for more natural-looking selfies.
(Image credit: Samsung)
A faster chipset and smaller bezels
As for things that are clear upgrades, there’s a more powerful Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chipset, a punch-hole camera in place of a notch, and smaller bezels. The Samsung Galaxy A27 also has improved AI capabilities, such as multi-object recognition in Circle to Search, and more precise results from Object Eraser.
Beyond that, most of the specs are the same as last year, including a 6.7-inch 120Hz screen, up to 8GB of RAM, up to 256GB of storage, and a 5,000mAh battery with 25W charging.
The Samsung Galaxy A27 also runs Android 16 and comes with the promise of six generations of Android updates and six years of security updates.
It’s launching in the UK on July 3 and the US on July 14, starting at $349.99 and £319, respectively. We don’t have official confirmation of whether it’s coming to Australia, but reports online suggest it will also launch there on July 3, starting at AU$499.
It will be sold in black, blue, light green, and light pink, but not all regions will necessarily get all of those colors — we know, for example, that in the US, it’s only going to be sold in black.
The cuts have affected "a significant number of employees, including most of the Destiny team and some Marathon team members." Additionally, it's been confirmed that some Sony workers that assist Bungie have been impacted by the workforce reductions as well.
Notably, separate from Sony CEO Hermen Hulst's memo to his employees on the matter, Bungie itself has also publicly shared a letter about the news to its fans and staff members, both former and current. I've embedded the post below, and the text of the letter has been included below that:
With great sadness, we are announcing a reduction in force as we reorganize Bungie.
As the leaders of Bungie, past and present, we recognize Destiny 2 fell short of expectations these past several years. Following our final content update to Destiny 2, and with our future projects still in early incubation, we unfortunately could not continue operating at our previous size.
We know this decision has a profound impact on the people affected, their families, friends, and teammates. While these changes are necessary to best position the studio now and for the future, that does not lessen the difficulty of this moment or the impact it has on those affected.
Later, we will share more about that future with you all but today is not that day.
Today, we wish to extend our gratitude and compassion to every member of the Bungie team who has been impacted and to those who remain.
The letter directly references Destiny 2's gradual decline throughout the last several years, which is all but assured to be the primary reason for the cuts we've seen. It's worth noting that recently, former Bungie and Destiny 2 community manager Liana Ruppert asserted that "A lot of money didn't go into Destiny" due to leadership "greed," leading to a lack of valuable resources for the game's development.
We may never know the exact truth of what's happened at Bungie, but one thing is clear: the studio's last few years have been quite tumultuous, and sadly, its employees have suffered as a consequence.
Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.
Forza Horizon 6 is not a serious sim. It's the best example of an arcade racer you can play right now, but that doesn't mean it isn't worth playing with a racing wheel. In fact, it becomes a whole new experience ditching the controller. Drifting is more fun; cruising is more fun. Everything is just more fun!
Racing wheels can be pricey, though, but if you're not seriously getting into sim racing and want a cheap but still good-quality wheel for Forza Horizon 6, look no further than this. Right now on Amazon Prime Day you can pick up a Thrustmaster TMX for just $89.99, and at that money, this really is a no-brainer.
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 works with both Xbox consoles and PC.
Does it have all the bells and whistles on? No, not at all. But for a beginner, or a casual player, this is plenty of wheel at a price you just don't normally see outside of the used market.
It has the full 900-degree rotation and is plug-and-play with both Xbox consoles and PC. The included pedals are basic but serviceable, and you always have the option to upgrade to a better set of Thrustmaster pedals down the line.
The only thing really missing is a clutch, so you can't pair this wheel with an H-pattern shifter, but the paddles are all you really need to get going in Forza Horizon 6, anyway.
You don't need a proper wheel stand or rig, either; this entry-level wheel will be perfectly OK mounted to a regular desk.
For $90 this is an incredible value package, and it won't be around for long. Prime Day ends at close of play on June 26, and this is one you don't want to miss out on.
Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.
If you've had your sights set on a new Xbox console, I strongly recommend you get one as soon as possible, because in just over a month, they're about to get much, much pricier.
On Thursday afternoon this week, Microsoft announced that its Xbox Series X|S consoles are getting a price hike come August 1, and this one is steep. Specifically, the cost of all 512GB models of these systems is climbing by $100, while 1TB units are skyrocketing an eye-watering $150. Microsoft is also sunsetting its 2TB Xbox Series X entirely.
I've included what the MSRP of Xbox Series X|S consoles will be after these price increases go into effect in the table below:
Product
New Price
Previous Price
Xbox Series S (512GB)
$499.99
$399.99
Xbox Series S (1TB)
$599.99
$449.99
Xbox Series X Digital
$749.99
$599.99
Xbox Series X
$799.99
$649.99
As you can see, we'll soon be living in a sobering reality in which the Xbox Series S — once heralded by many as an affordable and low-cost option for enjoying modern gaming on a budget — costs as much as the Xbox Series X did at launch, and in which the Series X has hit the $800 mark. Awful.
Tariffs were largely responsible for those, though this time around, the ongoing RAM and storage crisis that's being perpetuated by the tech industry's all-in bet on AI is to blame.
AI's insatiable hunger for silicon has brought on severe worldwide memory and storage shortages, driving up component costs and making just about every electronic device on the market more expensive as a result. Tragically, the problem is projected to get even worse next year, which may mean additional price hikes are on the horizon.
"Unfortunately, console storage and memory prices have increased by more than 2.5x and we expect another doubling by the fall of 2027," Xbox lamented in its notice about new prices. "The entire consumer electronics industry is struggling with the current components crisis, but the effects are particularly hard on consoles. Unlike phones, computers, speakers, and other consumer devices, consoles are typically not sold at a profit, but instead for less than they cost to make."
Ironically, the new Xbox price hike comes days after CEO Asha Sharma made a point of discussing the fact that "gaming is unaffordable in many cases." (Image credit: Microsoft (edit by Windows Central))
How do you feel about the latest round of Xbox console cost increases? Do you believe the Xbox Series X|S is still worth getting at their new prices? Let me know, and be sure to check out the incredible Prime Day deal on the Series X I've included below. It's a killer chance to get one for less before August.
With new steep price hikes only about a month away, this killer Xbox Series X deal is a must buy right now if you're interested in picking the console up.
Microsoft has already increased the prices of its Xbox Series X|S consoles once in response to the ongoing hardware shortages and prices. On June 25, Microsoft announced that the Xbox console family will receive another round of price increases on August 1, 2026. As of the beginning of August, all 512 GB variants of the Xbox Series consoles will be $100 more expensive than current pricing, and 1 TB Xbox consoles will cost an extra $150 over current pricing. Microsoft will also discontinue the 2 TB Xbox SKUs, likely because pricing simply does not make sense anymore. Microsoft blames the ongoing DRAM crisis for the increases, stating that "console storage and memory prices have increased by more than 2.5x, and we expect another doubling by the fall of 2027."
As a result of the price increases, the Xbox Series X|S pricing now plays out as follows: 512 GB Series S: $499.99; 1 TB Series S: $599.99; 512 GB Series X Digital: $749.99; 1 TB Xbox Series X $799.99. For comparison, following the recent price increases at Sony, the PS5 costs $649.99, while the PS5 Digital Edition costs $599.99, and the PS5 Pro costs $899.99. The announcement comes weeks before the close of the 2025 financial year at Xbox, with the price increase taking effect almost immediately after the Xbox fiscal year reports are slated to be published. Following the recent PS5 price increases, Sony saw PS5 sales break 2026 records as a result of a buying rush to get in before the price increases. Recent reports also highlighted that significant layoffs are planned at Xbox Game Studios thanks to overall declines in revenue at Xbox.
With launch pricing putting a damper on the hype for Valve's Steam Machine, it's no surprise that gamers are looking to more affordable or better value alternatives to the Steam Machine. One French PC vendor, LDLC, has officially announced its pre-built answer to the Steam Machine in the new "PC Box" pre-built PC. Somewhat comically, the PC was previously being referred to as the "Stim Machine" but has seemingly been rebranded as the PC Box in the meantime. The LDLC PC Box appears to be almost perfectly optimized to edge out the Steam Machine in performance, even if pricing is somewhat higher in the pre-built configuration.
The PC Box is available from LDLC as a pre-built PC for €1039.99 or as a DIY kit you can assemble yourself for €999.99, and its basic specs include an AMD Ryzen 5 8400F, 16 GB of dual-channel DDR5 memory, an AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT 8 GB, a 512 GB SSD, and a 350 W 80+ Bronze certified PSU, all built into a small form-factor SilverStone Sugo SG13B case. The most noticeable performance difference between the Steam Machine and the PC Box is that the latter has a significantly more powerful and modern GPU, which should deliver around 70% better GPU performance in many cases, based on currently available data on the Steam Machine hardware. One obvious drawback to the more powerful hardware is that, even though it is a Mini ITX case, the SilverStone Sugo SG13 is larger than the Steam Machine, at 222 (W) x 181 (H) x 285 mm), compared to the Machine's 152 × 162.4 × 156 mm.
Razer, the leading global lifestyle brand for gamers, today announced the Razer Soma Chroma, a wireless RGB gaming chair that brings reactive Razer Chroma RGB lighting together with all-day ergonomic comfort for gamers and streamers.
The first in Razer's new line of immersive gaming chairs, the Soma Chroma is also Razer's first RGB gaming chair, setting a new benchmark for gaming furniture and RGB-enhanced gaming setups. It transforms the chair from passive furniture into an active part of the gaming experience built for gamers who demand total immersion, synchronized RGB lighting, and a battlestation that moves as one.
In a letter sent to Senators Tim Scott and Elizabeth Warren on June 10, Anthropic accused the Chinese tech giant of carrying out what it described as the largest recorded corporate espionage campaign against the company. It alleged that Alibaba sought to illicitly extract Claude's capabilities in order to train...
"We expect tight conditions to persist beyond calendar 2027 as a result of AI-driven demand across all segments coupled with structural supply constraints," CEO Sanjay Mehrotra said in the report.
After two price hikes in one year, Xbox and Microsoft are going for the hat trick of price hikes, with the price of the Xbox Series X/S going up for the third time in 15 months. As of August 1, 2026, the price of a Series S/X console is going up by $100 or $150, respectively. The 2TB variant is also being discontinued. The news comes from a statement shared on Xbox Wire, which also introduces multiple programs Microsoft is kicking up to try and make the consoles "more accessible," even amidst the prices rising yet again. Before digging into […]
There has never been a time when Apple hasn’t launched a ‘Pro’ and ‘Max’ version of its base M-series chipset, but according to the latest report, the plan will materialize with the arrival of the M6 later this year. Instead of the M6 Pro and M6 Max, the company will apparently bring forth the M7 Pro and M7 Max. New change of plans threaten the redesigned OLED MacBook Pro launch, which was said to exclusively ship with the M6 Pro and M6 Max SoCs Instead of the M6 Pro and M6 Max, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman writes that Apple will instead […]
At last week's Unreal Fest in Chicago, Epic Games unveiled the integration of AI tools like Claude and Gemini into Unreal Engine 5.8 (and the upcoming Unreal Engine 6) through an MCP server. As with all things related to AI, the news received a somewhat mixed response from the development and gaming community, especially as fears of "AI slop" become rampant. In an interview with IGN, Epic Games founder, CEO, and majority shareholder Tim Sweeney admitted that there's the risk of that, but likened it to the "asset flip" of this new generation of games, asserting that low quality games […]
In a surprising announcement, IBM introduced its 0.7-nanometer chip technology today to make it the first firm to have unveiled a manufacturing process smaller than the 1-nanometer technology node. The firm claims that the technology will enable chips to contain as much as 100 billion in an area the size of a fingernail. To achieve this, the technology relies on IBM's nanostack technology, which relies on nanosheets for chip fabrication. IBM Makes Headway With Nanostack Chip Manufacturing Technology As Part Of 0.7 Nanometer Development According to IBM, the 0.7-nanometer chip has nearly twice the density of its 2-nanometer chip unveiled […]
FromSoftware's parent company Kadokawa Corporation just nearly missed going through a major transition period. Kadokawa's chief executive officer, Takeshi Natsuno, has been able to keep his job as CEO, after some of the company's investors tried to have him replaced due to their claims that Natsuno has failed to properly capitalize on the success of Elden Ring. This comes from a report from Reuters (via GamesIndustry.Biz), which also adds that while Natsuno is staying in the CEO chair for now, he's there with a much weaker support system than what he had just a year ago. Back in 2025, Natsuno […]
Apple has been loudly and forcefully complaining of the sky-high memory prices for the past few months, using its soaring cost of key components as a cudgel to implement sweeping price hikes. Now, however, memory chip makers such as Micron are pushing back by blaming Apple's penny-pinching ways for years of under-investment and the resulting dearth of capacity. Micron says it informed Apple a few years back that its "aggressive" attitude on pricing was "not constructive" Memory chip makers apparently have had enough of Apple using their shoulder to preserve its margins. As a case in point, consider the valuable […]
Google.org is providing a $5 million grant to scale Obrii, Ukraine’s national AI job platform. This contributes to Ukraine's AI adoption, following sustained investment …
Job hunting can be a slog. But with a few Google AI tools, you can simplify the process from start to finish.Career Dreamer: The first step in landing a job is finding o…
After Epic revealed its plan for Unreal Engine 6, CEO Tim Sweeney said in an interview that Valve should stop requiring developers from disclosing if they used AI in making their game. The Epic chief executive made the statement to PC Gamer as he was talking about the use of AI tools in game development. The upcoming version of Unreal Engine 6 will come with AI integrations, which will supposedly make it easier for programmers, developers, and everyone else working in the gaming industry to build games. However, the use of AI tools still carries a stigma among players to the point that titles with this disclosure get significantly fewer reviews and are often viewed less favorably.
He says that AI tools are useful for streamlining boring, repetitive, and menial labor, like reviewing code for over an hour to find an error or doing the rigging work required to make a 3D model move realistically. While it was unfortunate that some AI tech companies trained their models on stolen data, the Epic chief executive said that the AI industry has changed and is now moving towards better practices, especially when it comes to training data. He even pointed at Adobe, which he says is ensuring the provenance of the data it used for training its AI. However, PC Gamer pointed out that Epic uses Nano Banana and GPT Image, which do not claim stringent AI training data controls, and that the Unreal Engine’s AI integrations include models such as Gemini, which have been accused of copyright infringement.
“I think the main usage case that we've seen within Epic, and we're seeing developers actually find gainful, is using AI to reduce the drudge work. The software is still architected by software architects, and they're still writing the important parts of code, and artists are still coming up with a creative vision for characters, deciding between concepts,” Sweeney told the publication. He also added, “If you want to launch a game, and get it as widely publicized as possible, you've got to put it on Steam so people can wish list it, and if you want to play it on Steam, then you have to get this Scarlet Letter of AI attached to your product, and now there is a hater community trying to kill the game. I think it's really irresponsible of Valve. They shouldn't do it, because it makes it much, much, much harder for a game developer to have a chance of success.”
The Epic executive has a point here, as AI can indeed be a useful productivity tool if used correctly and ethically. But even if that was the case, Valve still requires developers to add the AI-generated content disclosure, which could have a negative impact on reviews and ratings. While the Steam platform does not require the disclosure of the use of AI-powered tools in the developers’ workflow, they’re required to note it if AI-generated assets appear in the game or in marketing material. This would presumably include assets that have been partially built using AI tools or were based on AI-generated content.
According to market research platform Game Oracle, titles that had the generative AI disclosure received 53% less reviews than the same type of game that did not have it. Furthermore, it’s more likely to get a negative review. However, it also conceded that several other factors could be at play here, like studios substituting creativity and the proper development process with AI tools, resulting in titles that are obviously AI slop.
Sweeney argues that AI is just a tool for productivity that could help game developers create unique content. The AI disclosure warning on Steam games, in theory, should not influence how games are perceived — after all, what should matter to gamers is the experience of playing the game. Unfortunately, the controversies surrounding AI are negatively affecting the reputation of titles that use these tools. When paired with studios that substitute AI for real creativity, it’s understandable why this AI warning has such a negative impact on game titles.
Scalpers are moving in on AMD's Ryzen 7 5800X3D 10th Anniversary Edition. The new CPU, which is identical to the original but "re-engineered" for a new bonding process, is on sale officially today, June 29. We've been keeping track of inventory and haven't seen the chip available for more than a few minutes — and amid the flurry, scalpers are stepping in and asking for $600 or more for the chip on the secondhand market, sometimes doubling the CPU's $350 MSRP.
Over on eBay, most listings for the chip are above $600, with some asking for $750 or more. Worse, they've sold for that price. Looking at sold listings, at least two of the CPUs sold today, one for $540 and another for $585. Most of the listings just use the stock product photo, but some scalpers have an actual CPU in-hand.
Micro Center has the chip available for sale, standalone or as part of a bundle with a motherboard and RAM, and it's exclusively available in Micro Center stores. Presumably some scalpers went to buy a chip at Micro Center this morning to flip it on eBay in the afternoon.
Although it's easy to get caught up in the rush of a new release (or old release, in this case), we don't recommend giving into scalper prices. Rumors have circulated that the 10th Anniversary Edition is a limited-time run, but that's not the case. AMD says it plans on continuing to make the CPU, so we should see inventory stabilize eventually.
We have some placeholder listings available. Again, we've seen inconsistent inventory throughout the morning, so check back at these retailers regularly:
We've been checking retailer listings all morning, and we've only briefly seen the chip in stock. Online, some buyers claim they've secured a CPU through Newegg, but we haven't been able to successfully move through the checkout process yet. We also haven't seen the chip come back in stock on AMD's direct web store yet.
Because of that, it looks like retailers are doing something of a staggered rollout. There's a good chance we'll see more inventory released throughout the day, so make sure to check back at retailers.
We just re-reviewed the Ryzen 7 5800X3D to evaluate how the CPU stacks up to the current market at its new $350 suggested retail price. If you already have an AM4 motherboard and memory to go with the CPU, it's a good choice at $350. Otherwise, there are better options.
AMD's newer Ryzen 7 7600X3D is just as fast in applications, despite sporting fewer cores, and it's around 15% faster in games. Meanwhile, Intel's Core i7-14700K paired with DDR4 matches the 5800X3D in games and offers around twice the multithreaded performance. With DDR5, the Core i7-14700K wins across the board.
Prime Day 2026 is in full swing, and we’ve curated a list of SteelSeries products on sale during this window. There are some awesome deals on headsets and earbuds, keyboards, and mice. For example, the premium Arctis Nova Pro wireless gaming headset is now 34% off. I’ve owned these for a couple of years - they sound great, and I recommend them at the sub-$250 price point. Or there’s the more budget-conscious Active Nova 3X wireless headset, which is now only $76 (31% off). If you’re an earbud gamer, the wireless Arctic GameBuds are also on sale (24%).
Check out all the SteelSeries deals below and upgrade your peripherals without putting a huge dent in your bank account.
Save an incredible $130 on the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless headset. I own these (paid full price) and love the sound stage and directionality it provides in gaming and music listening. View Deal
The Arctis Nova 3x wireless connects via 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth with a 40-hour battery life. It's also a lightweight option, and at only 260g, it shouldn't make you feel like a bobble head after a long gaming session.View Deal
If you prefer gaming or listening to music with earbuds, SteelSeries GameBuds are also on sale. These buds have ANC with transparency mode, IP55 protection (water/dust/dirt resistant), and have a 10-hour battery life.View Deal
The Apex Pro Mini (G2) earned a spot on our best gaming keyboards list for the best mini gaming keyboard. The hall effect keyboard uses Omnipont 2.0 switches, is highly customizable, has bright and attractive RGB lighting, and was described as sturdy, but not heavy, by our expert. You can glean more details in our review.View Deal
The Apex Pro TKL is the TKL version of the Pro Mini. For those of you who like the 60% Mini who need the End, Home, Insert, and Page Up/Down keys (like me) for your workflows (or gaming), and still want the hall effect switches and cool RGBs, this is the keyboard for youView Deal
The Apex Pro Mini G3 is the updated version of Mini and uses the Omnipoint 3.0 magnetic Hall effect switches along with rapid tap capability, protection mode, a better acoustic profile, and the Gen 3 is wired only. If you don't mind a wired solution of the Pro Mini, it's worth the price difference for an improved product.View Deal
Save on the ultra-lightweight Aerox 5 gaming mouse. This 74g mouse has nine programmable buttons and uses Gold Micro IP54 switches that are said to last a lifetime. The 1,000 Hz polling rate and insane 18,000 DPI won't miss a single movement.View Deal
The wireless version of the above. This 74g mouse has nine programmable buttons, a claimed 180-hour battery life, and Gold Micro IP54 switches that are said to last a lifetime. The 1,000 Hz polling rate and insane 18,000 DPI won't miss a single movement.View Deal
It's Amazon Prime Day 2026 deals time, and the gaming monitor deals are coming in fast and furious. Whether you're looking for a gaming monitor with fast response times and high refresh rates or an expansive productivity offering with a webcam, there's something for everyone. Smaller sales and events are now popping up all over the place, and we're tracking all of those sales for you here.
We constantly comb through the best deals across multiple retailers, selecting the best based on in-depth knowledge gained from our thorough reviews, extensive benchmarks, and comprehensive historical price analysis, and keep an updated list below. If you want even more options, we also have our list of Best Gaming Monitors and our Prime Day Gaming Monitor Deals hub, but we're putting the hottest deals in this blog.
Black Friday is more pertinent than ever for PC builders, as an AI-driven memory shortage apocalypse sends prices skyrocketing. Indeed, we're seeing price increases of over 100% on the most popular RAM products, so the best option could be to upgrade your monitor to a higher resolution to squeeze more gaming quality out of your existing system. On that front, we've found plenty of deals to satisfy even the most demanding monitor aficionados, as you can see below.
The Corsair Xeneon Edge is a 14.5-inch display designed to serve as an extension for your desktop and give you a small screen to host your most important apps. Its versatility means you can mount it practically anywhere — horizontally under your main monitor, vertically beside your primary display, or as a digital status panel inside your PC case.View Deal
One of the most popular deals on Amazon right now, get this 34-inch ViewFinity monitor from Samsung for just $219, a return to its lowest-ever price. Comes with a 100Hz refresh rate, WQHD resolution, HDR10 support, AMD FreeSync, and more. View Deal
This 32-inch curved gaming monitor sports 1440p resolution, a top refresh rate of 180 Hz, and variable refresh. It’s a VA panel, which should deliver better contrast than IPS when you’re sitting directly in front of it.View Deal
This gaming monitor from Asus spans 27 inches across and features an IPS panel. It has a dense, QHD resolution and a 180 Hz refresh rate, which are great specs for gaming. It also has both DisplayPort and HDMI input options. View Deal
This 27-inch Samsung gaming screen isn't much more expensive than an office monitor. But it sports a 180 Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, and FreeSync variable refresh. It's a VA panel, which generally means better contrast and deeper blacks than TN or IPS, but viewing angles likely aren't the best.View Deal
The Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 (G80SD) is a great 32-inch-class monitor sporting a 4K 240 Hz QD-OLED display.View Deal
Aside from price, the 37-inch size is probably this monitor's major selling point, as it's pretty rare and sits between typical 32-inch screens and the truly large 40 or 42-inch screens. If you're rocking a 27-inch or 32-inch monitor and are looking for a size upgrade without spending a lot, this is the best deal for productivity that I have seen.
Just note that this isn't great for more than basic, casual gaming. Aside from the locked 60 Hz refresh, its 5 ms (GtG) rated response time means you'll probably see motion blur and ghosting with fast motion.
This is a large 37-inch 4K (3840 x 2160) monitor with a 60 Hz refresh rate, which uses a VA panel. Because of the panel type, don't expect great viewing angles. But when sitting directly in front of it, the contrast should be good. Samsung rates the screen at 350 nits, with a 3,000:1 static contrast.View Deal
If you're craving a big monitor and don't need high refresh for gaming, this 37-inch monster from Samsung, half off today at B&H, is by far the best value I have seen in months. The cheapest it's been on Amazon is around $350 late last year, so this seems to be its lowest-ever price. In fact, it's currently selling for above $400 at Best Buy and Amazon, so $249 is a steal.
The Corsair Xeneon Edge is back in stock and discounted to $199. With 20% off, you'll save $50 on all three colors.
The Corsair Xeneon Edge is a 14.5-inch display designed to serve as an extension for your desktop and give you a small screen to host your most important apps. Its versatility means you can mount it practically anywhere — horizontally under your main monitor, vertically beside your primary display, or as a digital status panel inside your PC case.View Deal
With 2560 x 720 resolution and a 60Hz refresh rate the Xeneon Edge can be used as a touchscreen display for basically anything. Play videos or control media, manage your Discord comms or watch chat while streaming, or pair it with iCUE and monitor your PCs internal temperatures. This sold out earlier in the week so is likely to sell out fast. - Stephen Warwick
Get a great deal on the TUF Gaming monitor (VG27AQM5A) for only $199.99 on Prime Day - save $100 and upgrade your monitor to a QHD, 300Hz Fast IPS panel and take your gaming to the next level
If you’re in the market for a monitor upgrade, Prime Day 2026 has you covered. Jump up to the 27-inch Asus TUF QHD (2560x1440) 300Hz fast IPS monitor for only $199.00 (33% / $100 off). The VG27AQM5A sports a fast IPS panel, speakers, a swivel-and-tilt stand, and several features like Asus ELMB (Extreme Low Motion Blur Sync), which works with other variable refresh rate technologies it supports, like AMD Freesync Premium and Nvidia G-Sync, to eliminate ghosting and screen tearing for sharp visuals in gaming.
(Image credit: Future)
Save 33% on the Asus TUF Gaming VG27AQM5A and upgrade your gaming experience for only $199.00. 27-inch, 300 Hz Fast IPS panel eliminates ghosting and screen tearing, and a 95% DCI-P3 color gamut displays vibrant colors, and all for under $200.View Deal
Additional features include Gaming AI with a dynamic crosshair, dynamic shadow boost (enhances dark areas onscreen), as well as AI Visual that dynamically adjusts settings to provide the best default or use-preset monitor settings. Connectivity consists of a single DisplayPort, two HDMI ports, and a USB-C port, ensuring wide compatibility with a variety of input sources. While there are a lot of deals out there for Prime Day, this is the only 300Hz, QHD, Fast IPS panel under $200 we could find. Get it before it’s too late. — Matt Safford
Get a little portable OLED in your life for just $207 – Four-star 16-inch ViewSonic ColorPro VP16-OLED portable monitor drops to lowest-ever price
It's not a big-screen gaming monitor, but ViewSonic's ColorPro VP16-OLED is a color-accurate, 15.6-inch portable monitor with an excellent stand / hub that we liked a lot when we tested it back in 2024. And that was back when it was $399, not 48% off that price, as it is at Amazon right now for Prime Day. Apart from the excellent OLED panel, its main trick is a built-in dual-hinge kickstand that houses its ample inputs, as well as a 40-Watt charging hub.
This 1.56-inch, 1080p OLED display features rich and accurate color and deep blacks, as well as a built-in dual-hinge stand that makes it easy to use while including 40W passthrough charging. It also includes a screen protector that doubles as a hood for use outside or under bright lights.View Deal
The dual-hinge stand means you can adjust the tilt as well as height – a nice touch since portable monitors are often too low for ergonomic use long-term. Operating the OSD to adjust the display is easy, thanks to four large buttons on the front of the stand. And the left side houses micro-HDMI, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and two USB-C ports, with the power button on the right.
The only downside I see is that the stand adds extra permanent bulk, making the monitor heavy by portable standards, at 2.2 pounds. But if color and contrast are what you're after, this is a great monitor at an even better price, that beat out even other OLED portables in our testin
The Asus ROG Strix 27-inch OLED is down to its cheapest price ever for Prime Day
Asus makes some of the best OLED gaming monitors, and the XG27AQDMGR shows off that prowess. It comes from Asus’ lower XG range, which trims some of the premium features of monitors in the PG range for a cheaper price, but otherwise uses an identical panel. This monitor has benefited a lot for the rapid advancements in OLED panels, and you can score it now for just $449.
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
Although we’ve seen OLEDs push ahead to 480Hz at 1440p, the specs here are still excellent. You get a 240Hz, 1440p panel from LG Display. So it’s WOLED instead of QD-OLED. With this generation of panels, you can expect slightly worse color performance out of WOLED but superior brightness.
XG monitors may trim some premium features, but this display still offers a lot. It includes Asus’ Neo Proximity Sensor to automatically dim the display when you’re away, as well as DisplayPort 2.1 support. — Jake Roach
Blazing fast 380 Hz frame rates on the cheap for Prime Day
The Asus ROG Strix XG279CNS is a frequent pick on our deals blog with the 27-inch panel retailing for a mere $229, a 23% discount off its normal $299 price tag.
For eSports gamers looking for an edge of the competition, the ROG Strix XG279CNS offers a 1080p resolution with an ultra-fast 380 Hz refresh rate. You get a 27-inch IPS panel, which should ensure good viewing angles, and it even includes ROG Gaming AI technology for in-game enhancements.View Deal
This monitor is designed for headshotters that focus on bleeding-edge frame rates for eSports, with its 1080p resolution firing at 380 Hz to give an advantage to those with the fastest of reflexes. Given that low resolution, you won't need a massive GPU to push this panel to the limits. The screen has a Fast IPS screen that still delivers good picture quality, and a 0.3ms gray-to-gray response time to combat ghosting. The firm's "Extreme Low Motion Blur Sync" (ELMB SYNC) also works to reduce ghosting and tearing.
The panel has HDMI 2,1 DisplayPort 1.4, and USB-C (DP Alt Mode) connectivity options. All of this comes wrapped in a great price tag. — Paul Alcorn
Save 36% on Samsung's speedy 32-inch 240 Hz 4K Odyssey gaming monitor
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 $799.99, an incredible $36% 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
Big-screen gaming for $169: free Newegg gift card takes 32-inch, 180 Hz UltraGear 32GS60QC-B down to its lowest-ever price
(Image credit: Newegg / LG)
There are plenty of appealing budget gaming monitor deals swirling around right now. But if you’re after something bigger than 27 inches, Newegg’s sale on the LG UltraGear 32GS60QC-B is the best I’ve seen today. Already down 36% from its $299 list price, the retailer throws in a $20 gift card, taking the price all the way down to $169. And that’s a shockingly affordable price for a 32-inch gaming screen with these specs.
This 32-inch curved gaming monitor sports 1440p resolution, a top refresh rate of 180 Hz, and variable refresh. It’s a VA panel, which should deliver better contrast than IPS when you’re sitting directly in front of it.View Deal
Some will scoff at the VA panel used here, and to be fair it’s not the best panel tech for a monitor at this screen’s typical price. But it’s far more understandable under $200, and VA panels do have contrast advantages when you’re sitting directly in front of the screen. And since this is also a curved gaming monitor, there’s a better chance you will be sitting right in front of it while using it.
Connectivity is the typical two HDMIs and a DisplayPort. LG rates the panel at 300 nits of brightness, a step above the typical budget 250 range, and it ships with a one-year warranty. --Matt Safford
Asus delivers affordable WOLED gaming with the lowest-ever price on the 27-inch ROG Strix XG27AQDMGR – 240 Hz refresh, 1440p, and high brightness
(Image credit: Amazon / Asus)
If you’re after an OLED display that gets bright and won’t break the bank, Asus’ recently launched ROG Strix XG27AQDMGR is down to its lowest-ever price of $434 at Amazon for Prime Day. It’s a glossy 27-inch panel with 1440p resolution and 240 Hz refresh rate. But the biggest selling point might be its brightness. This is a next-gen LG WOLED panel that adds a white subpixel to the typical red, green, and blue, amping up the brightness to an impressive rating of 1300 nits – with the TrueBlack Glossy film and all that brightness, this panel will certainly make your games and other content pop.
This 27-inch gaming monitor sports a latest-generation WOLED panel for high brightness (up to 1300 nits), 1440p resolution, 240 Hz refresh, and 99% of the DCI-P3 color space. At its lowest-ever deal price, it’s a surprisingly affordable way to game on a cutting-edge screen. View Deal
Aside from its impressive panel, Asus outfits the XG27AQDMGR with a handy adjustable proximity sensor, so the panel turns off when you’re away, helping to keep burn-in to a minimum and extend panel life. You also get Asus’ ELMB panel strobing tech to reduce motion blur, VRR, and a two-port USB hub, alongside the typical video connectivity: Twk HDMI and a DisplayPort. Asus also offers a three-year warranty that covers burn-in, which is a year longer than that LG offers with its own OLED monitors. – Matt Safford
Lowest-ever price on Samsung's 49-inch OLED
This absolutely massive 49-inch OLED display from Samsung has fallen to its lowest-ever price of $854.99. You get 5120 x 1440 resolution, an OLED panel, and a 240 Hz refresh rate.
With a 0.03ms GTG response time, HDMI 2.1, and DisplayHDR True Black 400, this is a stellar deal on this monitor. View Deal
In our review, we loved this monitor's out-of-the-box calibration and features like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and even Apple AirPlay. Build quality is another bonus, and as you can see from our data, it has some of the best response times we've seen in OLED testing. - Stephen Warwick
Tom's HardwareTom's Hardware
Save $121 (37%) on Samsung 34-inch ViewFinity S50GC U-WHQD monitor - 21:9 widescreen maximizes screen real estate, seamless multitasking
We’ve seen a lot of monitor deals come and go on Prime Day 2026, with most focused on gamers searching for high-refresh-rate panels. And while this monitor will certainly play games without issue, the 34-inch Samsung ViewFinity S50GC Series is designed for office productivity, creative workflows, and multitasking. The S5 is the entry-to-mid-level series and supports 3440x1440 U-WQHD resolution, 100Hz refresh rate, FreeSync Premium, and HDR10 (300 nits), but it’s that increased real estate from the 21:9 aspect ratio and high resolution that allows you to get more done.
Save over $120 on this Ultra-widescreen monitor designed for office productivity. The 21:9 aspect ratio and high 3440x1440 resolution allows you to do more in the same space. You can even game after hours and be happy with the 100 Hz refresh rate and FreeSync Premium support.View Deal
Connectivity on the S50GC consists of two HDMI (v2.2) and one DisplayPort (v1.2) inputs for video. A built-in ambient light sensor detects lighting in your room and automatically adjusts brightness, and it has an eyesaver mode to reduce blue light. One of its coolest features, to me, is that it can display two different inputs side by side, another feature that makes this monitor great for office work and productivity.
The Asus TUF VG27AQ offers a 1440p IPS at 180Hz for just $170 on Prime Day
The Asus TUF VG27AQ3A is a 27-inch, 1440p monitor with an IPS panel and 180Hz refresh rate. We've seen plenty of high refresh rate 1440p monitors below $200, but most of them use a VA panel, trading some color accuracy and motion clarity (at high overdrive settings) for better contrast and faster response times. This monitor, on the other hand, uses an IPS panel.
This gaming monitor from Asus spans 27 inches across and features an IPS panel. It has a dense, QHD resolution and a 180 Hz refresh rate, which are great specs for gaming. It also has both DisplayPort and HDMI input options. View Deal
We've covered sales on this monitor several times before, normally at $200. For Prime Day, it's down to its lowest price ever at $170. At 27 inches, 1440p is the ideal resolution for pixel density, and although 240Hz refresh rates are slowly proliferating among high-end displays, 180Hz isn't as significantly different as it sounds. You're looking at a difference of about 1.5ms, assuming you're maxing-out the refresh rate.
In addition, the monitor comes with Asus' ELMB Sync, which offers backlight strobing while using variable refresh rate. On that front, the monitor supports FreeSync Premium and is G-Sync Compatible. Asus also went out of its way to obtain the broad AdaptiveSync verification from VESA. — Jake Roach
Samsung's Odyssey G30D is on an excellent sale for just $150, 35% off its list price
If you don't want to just get a grab bag 25-inch, 1080p monitor is on sale for $100, grab the Samsung Odyssey G30D. It's a 1080p monitor, but it's larger than most cheap 1080p displays at 27 inches, and it comes with a fully adjustable stand along with a 180Hz refresh rate.
This 27-inch Samsung gaming screen isn't much more expensive than an office monitor. But it sports a 180 Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, and FreeSync variable refresh. It's a VA panel, which generally means better contrast and deeper blacks than TN or IPS, but viewing angles likely aren't the best.View Deal
We normally recommend a 1440p resolution for a 27-inch panel. That's ideal for pixel density, which is a bit low here with a 1080p resolution on a 27-inch display. If that will be a problem largely depends on your viewing distance and what you're coming from; the resolution shouldn't feel fuzzy if you're coming from another 1080p display.
Samsung uses a VA panel and claims a MPRT of just 1ms, which is generally more accurate than GtG response times. Just keep in mind that low response times on VA panels usually require overdrive, and you can get visual artifacts like black smearing at higher overdrive settings. — Jake Roach
Samsung’s Odyssey OLED G5 is one of the cheapest we’ve seen yet at $340, plus it comes with a free copy of Resident Evil Requiem
The Samsung Odyssey OLED G5 is one of the cheapest OLED deals we’ve seen on Prime Day. It’s a 180Hz, 1440p QD-OLED display that’s on sale for just $340 right now, shaving more than $150 on its list price. On top of that, B&H is running a promotion where you can score a free copy of the new Resident Evil Requiem (normally $70) for free when you buy the monitor.
The Odyssey OLED G5 is a 1440p QD-OLED monitor with a 180Hz refresh, 0.03ms GtG response time, and FreeSync/G-Sync certification. View Deal
We saw the monitor drop to $350 earlier this year, but this is the cheapest we’ve seen it so far. Although it misses on the 240Hz refresh rate we normally find on 1440p QD-OLED displays, those monitors will currently run you around $500 outside of exceptional sales. AT 180Hz, this monitor is fast enough for the vast majority of PC gamers.
Outside of the panel, the monitor comes with FreeSync support and G-Sync certification and the theoretically infinite contrast OLED panels are known for, plus a good dash of vibrant color. OLED monitors have gotten very cheap over the past two years, and the Odyssey G5 is riding that wave on this sale. — Jake Roach
Cheaper than Black Friday!
This LG monitor was $395 during Black Friday, whereas right now you can grab one during Prime for just $324. Crucially, it has been as cheap as $299, but this is only $25 more for an eye-catching 4K OLED monitor.
Get a 4K gaming monitor that supports 4K 180Hz or 360Hz at FHD, with Nvidia G-Sync, AMD FreeSync Premium, and VESA Display HDR 400. View Deal
This monitor is a 27-inch 3840 x 2160 4K monitor with dual mode refresh rate. That means you can play 4K titles at up to 180Hz, or FHD titles at a whopping 360Hz, perfect for high-paced esports titles and twitch shooters.
It also has HDMI 2.1, so it can be used with a PS5 or Xbox Series X, and it has a matte finish. - Stephen Warwick
Alienware’s 240Hz 34 QD-OLED (AW3425DW) is down to a Prime Day all-time low of $615, 23% off its list price
Alienware updated its wildly popular 34 QD-OLED with a 240Hz refresh rate, and that monitor, the AW3425DW, is down to its lowest price ever on Prime Day. It's $615, which is 23% off its list price.
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
We reviewed this model, the AW3425DW, last year, and gave it a near-perfect score. At the time, it featured the lowest input lag out of any monitor we’d ever tested, and it boasts exceptional color performance, with a color error of just 1.33 based on our testing. QD-OLED panels have perfect black levels, as well, providing theoretically infinite contrast.
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. — Jake Roach
AMD answered the demands of gamers and re-released the Ryzen 7 5800X3D, though not without compromise. Although the return of Zen 3 X3D has been a good idea for months, given the limited time we saw those chips on the market, this re-release comes with a surprisingly high price, considering the silicon and how it compares to the best CPUs for gaming.
Price is the biggest issue for the Ryzen 7 5800X3D. AMD shaved $100 off the original MSRP for the 10th Anniversary Edition re-release, but that puts it in very competitive waters, even considering current RAM prices. The CPU is flanked on one side by the Core i7-14700K that also supports DDR4 memory, and on the other by the Ryzen 5 7600X3D, which offers superior gaming performance and a lower price to offset the cost of a DDR5 platform.
The chip mainly appeals to those who already have an AM4 motherboard and memory to go with it, and who were unfortunate enough to miss the small window when you could buy the Ryzen 7 5800X3D a few years ago. In that situation, just about any price is a deal compared to the competition.
Otherwise, the Ryzen 7 5800X3D is about $70 to $100 too expensive, and even that lower price would be questionable if DDR5 prices weren’t out of control. Although the chip has earned its legendary status among gamers, revisiting it in 2026 shows clearly that it maxes out what DDR4 platforms are capable of in games, and it falls far too short of the DDR4 competition in applications.
The island of AM4 users stranded without a clear upgrade path will love the 5800X3D re-release. But the chip is not nearly as impressive as it once was if you have to buy a motherboard and/or RAM alongside your CPU, however.
Some notes on this re-review
We don’t normally re-review products here at Tom’s Hardware, much less update existing reviews outside of some extraordinary circumstance. We will follow up reviews with additional coverage as needed, but our reviews are as much buying advice at the time they’re written as they are historical context years down the road. Reviews exist in the context in which they’re written.
That’s important because, especially with PC hardware, some good products can become worse over time and bad products can become good over time. Even in this past generation, AMD had several stumbles with Zen 5, which it addressed post-launch through a combination of firmware updates and exposing additional settings in the BIOS. Intel had some major regressions in performance with Arrow Lake, which it partially addressed after release with Core 200S Boost.
These products are better now than they were at launch, but it’s still important to know that they had issues at launch. That’s the function of our reviews. They’re a snapshot of how a particular component performs and compares to the rest of the market at a certain point in time. Our list of the best CPUs for gaming and CPU benchmark hierarchy pagesare where you’ll find the consistent updates on which chips are best at any given time.
That preamble is to say that this re-review of the Ryzen 7 5800X3D does not replace our original review, which is why this is a separate piece of content and not merely an update. We’re re-reviewing the chip because AMD is re-releasing it, and we need to compare the chip to the current market it exists in.
That market includes high memory prices, which is a driving force behind the re-release of the Ryzen 7 5800X3D in the first place. We’re paying especially close attention to memory in this review, both in terms of price and performance. However, we’ve also brought some price-competitive DDR5 chips into the mix, including some of AMD’s own CPUs.
Finally, we’re reviewing the original Ryzen 7 5800X3D here. AMD says that the new 10th Anniversary Edition should be identical to the original model, but it’s using a slightly different bonding process, which could have a minor impact on power and thermals, in particular. We’ll be getting a 10th Anniversary Edition into the lab in order to find out, but we don’t expect major performance differences between the original and re-release versions.
It’s difficult to evaluate the specs of the Ryzen 7 5800X3D given the current market, so this is a refresher of what the processor offers and how it compares to some of the current options featured in our test suite. It’s an eight-core / 16-thread chip sporting AMD’s Zen 3 architecture, and it boosts up to 4.5 GHz, with a base clock of 3.4 GHz.
The chip is fabricated on TSMC’s 7nm FinFET process, with GlobalFoundries stepping in to fab the I/O die on its 12nm process. Of course, the main draw of the CPU is the 64MB chunk of SRAM that’s bonded to the compute die, giving the processor access to a total of 96MB of L3 cache.
In recent years, we’ve seen both AMD and Intel increase cache sizes broadly, not just on X3D CPUs. For instance, the Ryzen 7 9700X has the same 32MB of on-board L3 that we can see all the way back to Zen 3, but it has double the L2 cache. Intel has traditionally split L2 and L3 more evenly, and we’ve seen an increase in both with Arrow Lake and Arrow Lake Refresh.
Still, the huge boost in L3 helps a lot here. It comes with some thermal trade-offs, however. Although the Ryzen 7 5800X3D is a very efficient CPU, it also has careful power management. The SRAM sits on top of the compute die, insulating the cores from the IHS. This thermal design means the Ryzen 7 5800X3D has relatively low peak clock speeds out of the box, and it doesn’t officially support AMD’s Precision Boost Overdrive.
AMD has addressed that issue in newer X3D chips, riding the efficiency of Zen 4 with the Ryzen 7 7800X3D and moving to a new bonding process that situates the SRAM below the compute die with the Ryzen 7 9800X3D.
Although the Ryzen 7 5800X3D was a revelation when it first released, it’s important to remember that it wasn’t leagues faster than Intel’s competing Alder Lake chips, at least not on the level of the 30%+ delta we see today with Arrow Lake and the Ryzen 7 9800X3D. The pedigree that 3D V-Cache has built comes in part from the newer X3D chips, and that’s clear when looking back at the Ryzen 7 5800X3D.
Even more clear is the split between DDR4 and DDR5. Now that we have Raptor Lake (and Refresh) as a comparison point, the Ryzen 7 5800X3D positions itself as the peak of what DDR4 platforms are capable of in games. It’s marginally faster than the Core i7-13700K and Core i7-14700K with DDR4 memory, 17% ahead of the Core i7-12700K with DDR4, and even 4.5% ahead of the Core i7-12700K with DDR5.
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
This wall that you can see, around 145 fps in our geomean, directly translates into a handful of the games we tested. Especially among the newer titles in our suite, simply moving to DDR5 memory results in more than a 31% increase in performance on the same CPU. That led to a handful of situations where both Raptor Lake CPUs perform worse than the Ryzen 7 5800X3D with DDR4, but offer double-digit improvements with DDR5.
Based on our RAM price tracker, a 32GB kit of DDR5-6000 runs between $400 and $450 currently, while a 32GB kit of DDR4-3200 will run you between $200 and $250. There are plenty of exceptions, for better and worse, but we’re going to call the price difference between DDR4 and DDR5, right now, about $200.
Establishing that number is important because of one CPU: AMD’s own Ryzen 5 7600X3D. It’s on the AM5 platform and requires DDR5, but it’s also $230, $120 less than what AMD is re-releasing the Ryzen 7 5800X3D at. Assuming our lowest RAM prices, that means the Ryzen 5 7600X3D is around 14% more expensive than the Ryzen 7 5800X3D when memory is brought into the price. But the Ryzen 5 7600X3D is also 18% more performant.
That’s the biggest hurdle standing in the way of the Ryzen 7 5800X3D. Even if you already have DDR4 memory, the Ryzen 5 7600X3D and 16GB of DDR5-6000 is only around $80 more expensive, and much more performant. Plus, it gets you on an AM5 platform, setting up cheaper future upgrades (AMD says AM5 will receive support through at least 2029).
In Intel’s camp, the two Raptor Lake chips with DDR4 run up against a similar wall as the Ryzen 7 5800X3D, but offer around a 15% jump with DDR5. The Ryzen 7 5800X3D still makes sense if you already have an AM4 board. However, if you have to buy a motherboard, the Raptor Lake chips offer similar gaming performance with DDR4 and much better application performance, which we’ll get to next.
Elsewhere, there aren’t a lot of surprises. The Ryzen 7 5800X3D is as efficient as ever, drawing just 77.5W on average in our testing. AMD has pushed efficiency even further now, but it’s remarkable to see the Ryzen 7 5800X3D offering similar performance as the Core i7-14700K with DDR4, while consuming half the power.
We also have our value geomean here, which is deceptive. Obviously the price of memory is a huge influence here, not only on total platform cost, but also on performance. The value geomean here just represents a true CPU-to-CPU comparison of value, devoid of RAM context.
The first game in our suite is the newest, which is 007 First Light. The Ryzen 7 5800X3D surprisingly struggles in this title, which is strange given how well IO Interactive’s previous title, Hitman 3, took to 3D V-Cache CPUs. Still, the Raptor Lake chips are ahead here, even with DDR4, and they claim top slots with DDR5.
Baldur’s Gate 3 favors X3D chips, which is clear based on the fact that the Ryzen 7 5800X3D is just a touch behind the much newer Ryzen 7 9700X. The 5800X3D is also around 11% faster than the Raptor Lake chips with DDR4 memory. However, the Raptor Lake chips with DDR5 are about 20% faster than the Ryzen 7 5800X3D, while the Ryzen 5 7600X3D is around 35% faster.
In Crimson Desert, the 5800X3D outpaces the Raptor Lake competition by a few frames, but this game clearly favors faster memory. It also scales oddly well on Raptor Lake chips, as evidenced by the fact that the Core i7-14700K outclasses the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus.
Counter-Strike 2 is more competitive, with only the Ryzen 7 7800X3D offering a clear lead above the rest of the pack. The Ryzen 7 5800X3D is marginally ahead of the Raptor Lake chips with DDR4 here, and even moving to DDR5 doesn’t offer a significant improvement.
Cyberpunk 2077 is another clear example of the memory divide that’s growing between DDR4 and DDR5. The Ryzen 7 5800X3D tops the DDR4 rankings by a few frames, but moving to DDR5 on Raptor Lake offers roughly a 15% performance jump.
When we brought up a 31% gap in DDR4 and DDR5 performance earlier, we were referring to Doom: The Dark Ages. This is a fairly recent game that’s clearly designed with DDR5 in mind. The Ryzen 7 5800X3D does surprisingly well, though, offering a 10.8% jump over the Raptor Lake competition with DDR4.
F1 2024 slants heavily toward AMD processors, and it’s a game that scales well with 3D V-Cache. Here, the Ryzen 7 5800X3D is around 5% faster than the Core i7-14700K with DDR5, and 13% faster with DDR4. The Ryzen 5 7600X3D spoils the fun a bit, though, offering a solid 10% jump over the 5800X3D.
Final Fantasy XIV scales well with X3D chips, with the three 3D V-Cache CPUs in our test pool topping the rankings. The 5800X3D takes a clear backseat to the DDR5 CPUs, but it still manages a solid 6.6% improvement over the Core i7-14700K with DDR5 and a 16% jump with DDR4.
Flight Simulator 24 leans back toward Intel, with the 5800X3D only managing to outclass the Core i7-12700K with DDR4. In this game, the Ryzen 5 7600X3D is around 18% faster, while the Core i7-14700K is 11% faster, even with DDR4.
We can see a similar situation in Hogwarts Legacy, with the Core i7-14700K paired with DDR4 outpacing the Ryzen 7 5800X3D by about 12%. The Ryzen 5 7600X3D, meanwhile, is more than 20% ahead, while the Core i7-14700K with DDR5 marks a 25% lead.
Marvel Rivals is an Unreal Engine 5 game, and it’s mostly bound by the GPU, which explains the stair-step pattern you can see in our data. We can see a clear divide between DDR4 and DDR5 platforms here, with even the Ryzen 5 7600X offering superior performance.
Intel struggles in Minecraft, while X3D chips run away with performance. The Ryzen 7 5800X3D ends up in the middle of the pack, offering a clear buff of around 18% over the Raptor Lake competition but falling short of even AMD’s weaker DDR5 options.
The Ryzen 7 5800X3D was a weak CPU for productivity when it was released, and it hasn’t aged particularly well since then on that front. The clock speed is limited compared to non-X3D Zen 3 chips. Add to that the limitations of DDR4 platforms more broadly in non-gaming applications, and it's clear the 5800X3D was never destined for high marks here.
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
Even compared to the Ryzen 5 7600X3D, the 5800X3D is only 4.6% faster, which is bad considering the latter CPU has access to 33% more threads. Intel’s hybrid architecture boosts core counts, allowing Team Blue to dominate the top of our multithreaded performance rankings.
The CPU to call out here is the Core i7-14700K, particularly paired with DDR4 memory. It’s more than twice as fast as the 5800X3D in our multithreaded geomean, while offering similar gaming performance. Again, we can see this dilemma for the 5800X3D, where the 14700K is a better all-around CPU with DDR4, while the Ryzen 5 7600X3D is a superior DDR5 CPU for not much more money (even considering the price of DDR5).
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
Turning to single-threaded performance, the playing field levels out, short of the 5800X3D, which even loses out to the Ryzen 7 5700X due to its limited clock speed (the 5700X boosts 100 MHz higher).
Rendering apps factor heavily in our overall multithreaded geomean, so the individual results here largely mirror what you can see in the geomean above. In Cinebench 2024, the Core i7-14700K with DDR4 still offers more than double the performance of the Ryzen 7 5800X3D, and it pushes higher with DDR5. We can see a similar situation in the newer Cinebench 2026.
Single-core results are especially weak considering the Ryzen 7 5800X3D’s limited boost potential. DDR5 isn’t much of a factor here. Although we can see some scaling on the Raptor Lake platforms when moving to DDR5, the Ryzen 7 5800X3D is limited in rendering apps, even by DDR4 standards.
Blender shows similar disparities, with the six-core Ryzen 5 7600X3D largely matching the Ryzen 7 5800X3D, despite sporting a 33% reduction in thread count.
The Ryzen 7 5800X3D is a gaming CPU, pure and simple, so we never expected any miracles here. However, the Ryzen 5 7600X3D is offering comparable performance on a DDR5 platform for less money, while shooting ahead in games. And the Core i7-14700K offers much better productivity performance and comparable gaming performance, even when paired with DDR4.
Encoding is similarly a major factor in our geomean, though with a more even split between lightly- and heavily-threaded workloads. Starting with the latter, Handbrake is an all-out workload for any consumer CPU that leans on high core counts, power limits, and clock speeds. With an x265 10-bit encode, even the Core i7-12700K with DDR4 is 39% ahead of the 5800X3D, while the Core i7-14700K with DDR4 shoots ahead, scoring 82% lead. AV1 and X264 show similar gaps.
The LAME audio encoder provides a closer look at single-threaded encoding workloads, and once again, the Ryzen 7 5800X3D struggles. It was the worst performer in the test pool running a standard LAME encode, and the gap between it and the more performant options in our test pool only grows in the extended run.
Perhaps the biggest area of crosstalk with gaming is creator applications. The Ryzen 7 5800X3D is a bit more impressive here compared to our rendering and encoding workloads, often matching the Core i7-12700K with DDR4 memory. Still, it ends up at the bottom of our rankings, with newer Raptor Lake and DDR5 CPUs offering better performance.
Photoshop is an app that leans toward AMD chips, though that’s mainly with newer Zen 5 chips. For the 5800X3D, the Core i7-14700K offers a 10% performance jump with DDR4. Things are a bit more competitive in Premiere Pro, with the limitation of DDR4 platforms becoming abundantly clear in our data.
Outside of the Adobe suite, we have DaVinci Resolve, which isn’t as lopsided as Photoshop with recent AMD CPUs. Here, even DDR4 Raptor Lake options are near the top of the chart. The 5800X3D secures a minor win over the 7600X3D and 5700X, but not by a meaningful margin.
Finally, After Effects offers a look at VFX performance. AMD’s 5800X3D especially struggles here, with the Core i7-12700K with DDR4 offering a 13% boost in overall performance. With DDR5, that lead jumps to 22.9%.
In lighter web and office workloads, the Ryzen 7 5800X3D still struggles. Most basic productivity and web applications are lightly-threaded, so it makes sense to see the 5800X3D would fall below the marks we can see in creator apps. Across all of the workloads here, the 5800X3D is either at the bottom of the pile or just narrowly outclasses the 5700X.
That doesn’t mean you’ll run into major performance issues. The workloads here are relatively light, and they’re suitable for far weaker CPUs than the Ryzen 7 5800X3D. We’re mainly looking at general application performance for browsers and lightly-threaded apps here, which is an area where the 5800X3D struggles.
Chess Engines, Compilation, Compression, AVX, and Other Benchmarks
Finally, we have a range of benchmarks examining code compilation, chess engines, database workloads, and far more. The 5800X3D is a gaming CPU, and these workloads are highly targeted at specific applications. There are some workloads where the 5800X3D shines, such as the ebizzy web server test, SQLite database test, and Linpack. However, it mostly lands at the bottom of the pile when looking at workloads more broadly.
We’ve certainly seen a benefit from a larger L3 cache for specialized workloads (see our Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 review for more), but that’s not the draw here. The Ryzen 7 5800X3D is weak in most productivity apps, so unless you plan on running a server and somehow gaming on the same machine, I wouldn’t weigh these results too heavily.
AMD’s X3D CPUs are known for their efficiency, and although those efficiency gains mainly show up with the Ryzen 7 7800X3D, the 5800X3D is no slouch. Power is carefully limited on the chip, with it peaking at just 119W in our y-cruncher test. In the same test, the Core i7-14700K drew 335W.
Y-cruncher leverages AVX instructions, pushing the Ryzen 7 5800X3D to consume more power compared to the 7800X3D. In an all-out, non-AVX workload like Cinebench 2024, the two CPUs are in lockstep. Again, we can see the Raptor Lake competition dancing with 300W across configurations.
Blender and Handbrake tell a similar story, but efficiency is what’s important here, given how broad the performance window is for the chips in our test pool (particularly in applications). The 5800X3D is much more efficient than the 13700K and 14700K. The margins are also narrower than raw power consumption.
The efficiency picture is clearer with a scatterplot, where we can see a clear separation between the AMD and Intel chips in our test pool. Short of the Core Ultra 270K Plus, there’s a compromise. AMD’s options are much less performant but consume far less power, while Intel's options are generally the opposite.
One upside of the 5800X3D, in particular, is its low idle power consumption. With Zen 4 and Zen 5, we saw a massive increase in power consumption in both idle and active idle (YouTube playback) scenarios. With both the Zen 3 chips in our test pool, we can see a return to single-digit power draw under idle circumstances.
Test Setup
We try to minimize the differences between our test platforms to keep our results consistent, which is especially important here given that we used so many different platforms. Even with big differences, we used the same OS image that’s specifically tailored for testing and frozen to avoid updates skewing our results as we test.
In addition to standardising our OS, we standardise our BIOS settings. We test with XMP/EXPO enabled on memory kits that we’ve validated for stability on the platforms we use. We also disable VBS in the BIOS and turn on ReBAR.
Modern AMD and Intel CPUs come with sophisticated boosting algorithms, but they aren’t always covered by warranty. AMD doesn’t cover PBO, for instance, and Intel doesn’t warranty the “Extreme” power profile that’s common on motherboards. Because of the lack of warranty coverage, we test with PBO disabled and Intel’s power profile set at its default settings.
At $350, the Ryzen 7 5800X3D really only makes sense if you already have an AM4 motherboard and DDR4 memory to go along with it. That’s not a small audience, especially considering the relatively short time the original Ryzen 7 5800X3D was available on the market. But if you need to buy a motherboard and/or memory for your upgrade, there are better options at this price.
The 5800X3D re-release is a victim of poor pricing. The chip taps out DDR4 platforms in gaming performance, but we’re closing in on half a decade with mainstream DDR5 platforms, and we’ve seen much more powerful CPUs in that time. And yet, the Ryzen 7 5800X3D’s price hasn’t moved significantly away from its original $450 MSRP.
If RAM prices weren’t out of control, a $350 price tag on the Ryzen 7 5800X3D would look insane given the current options around that price. As I’m writing this, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D is on sale for less than $350. And even considering current RAM prices, the Core i7-14700K and Ryzen 5 7600X3D are compelling alternatives.
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
On the productivity front, the Core i7-14700K is a clear winner, even with DDR4 memory. There are some titles where the Ryzen 7 5800X3D is faster than the Core i7-14700K is when paired with DDR4. But overall, they offer similar gaming performance. Especially now that AMD has turned its attention to AM5, the Core i7-14700K is a better all-around option if you don’t already have an AM4 motherboard.
Although AMD almost always comes out on top with platform longevity, Intel is surprisingly ahead in that regard in the Ryzen 7 5800X3D versus Core i7-14700K matchup. Intel is reportedly set to launch Raptor Lake Next on the LGA 1700 socket next year, though I suspect any performance benefits that come along with it will require an upgrade to DDR5.
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
On the gaming front, the Ryzen 5 7600X3D does a lot of work. It requires DDR5, but that’s partially offset by the fact that it’s $120 cheaper than the 5800X3D. Factoring in RAM or not, spending a bit more on the Ryzen 5 7600X3D not only nets you much higher performance in games, it also gives you an AM5 platform that you can easily upgrade in the future.
That doesn’t discredit the island that AM4 users are currently on. The Ryzen 7 5800X3D left the market fairly quickly, and given the popularity of AM4, it stands to reason that there’s a large group of people for whom the 5800X3D is a significant upgrade. For that group, it’s the CPU of legend you’ve heard so much about. But if you’re planning on buying a motherboard and/or RAM with your new CPU, shop around a bit more.
B&H is getting in on the bundle action. We've seen a big uptick in bundle deals over the last several months, as it's becoming the ideal way to build a PC during the RAMpocalypse. The retailer is offering around 80 bundles at the time of writing, some much better than others. We've found a handful of options on DDR5 platforms that get the memory down to around $250.
Typically, with a bundle deal, you'll get a small discount on a bundle of components available at MSRP — maybe $20 to $30 for a small bundle, or upwards of $50 or $100 for a large one. These bundles are a bit different. RAM pricing is a major factor in building a new PC, so we're evaluating the bundles at B&H in a slightly different way.
B&H doesn't list the prices of individual components in a bundle, so we've shopped around to find the going price on each of the components individually, and then evaluated the RAM pricing in that context. We'll walk through what we found as we cover the bundles below.
First up is a bundle including the fastest CPU for gaming currently on the market, AMD's Ryzen 7 9850X3D. B&H has the CPU paired with the Asus ProArt X870E-Creator motherboard and 32GB of Corsair Vengeance DDR5-6000 memory. If you bought the components on their own with current sales prices, you'd spend about $1,415 (just slightly off the $1,409.99 MSRP B&H quotes). With the bundle, you get everything for $1,259.99.
This bundle includes AMD's Ryzen 7 9850X3D processor, 32GB of Corsair Vengeance DDR5-6000 memory, and an Asus ProArt X870E Creator motherboard. View Deal
Taking into account the cost of the other components, the memory here is about $260. That's the most expensive of the lot we have here, but it's a downright bargain compared to buying the memory on its own. Right now, you'll spend about $410 to $420 on this kit of memory, depending on where you buy it.
As for performance, the Ryzen 7 9850X3D is the fastest gaming CPU currently on the market. The base Ryzen 7 9800X3D isn't far behind (about 3% to 4%), but if you want to squeeze every last drop of performance out of your gaming rig, the 9850X3D is what you're after.
For something a bit more reasonably priced, B&H has a bundle around the Ryzen 7 7700X for $589.99. This bundle opts for the much cheaper Asus B650E Max Gaming motherboard, vastly reducing the price of the overall bundle (the ProArt board is north of $450). This bundle comes with just 16GB of DDR5-6000 memory, but it's also about half the price of the Ryzen 7 9850X3D bundles.
This bundle includes AMD's Ryzen 7 7700X, an Asus B650E Max Gaming Wi-Fi motherboard, and 16GB of Corsair Vengeance DDR5-6000 memory is a 2x8GB configuration. View Deal
To buy all of these components right now, you'll spend about $650. Keep in mind that price is account for current sales as well. As you can see from our roundup of the best Prime Day CPU deals, the Ryzen 7 7700X is on a deep discount right now. With regular pricing, this bundle of components would easily reach into the $750 range. With current pricing, the memory clocks in at $210, but again, the discount is far greater if you look at the typical street price for the other components.
The Ryzen 7 7700X doesn't have the gaming prowess of AMD's more expensive X3D CPUs, but it's still a solid all-around option, especially at this price.
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
As you can see from our benchmarks above, the chip offers gaming performance that's competitive with Intel's Core i5-13600K, falling just short of the newer Ryzen 5 9600X and Core Ultra 5 250K Plus. Critically, however, this bundle unlocks an AM5 platform, giving you access to a future Ryzen 7 9800X3D upgrade in the future.
Again, we're opting for the lowest price here, which is a bundle with stock Corsair Vengeance memory. If you want the RGB version, B&H has it available at a $5 upcharge.
Meeting in the middle of the other two bundles is a combo deal with the Ryzen 7 7800X3D. Although the newer Ryzen 7 9800X3D is more powerful, last-gen's 7800X3D still beats just about every other gaming CPU on the market.
This bundle includes AMD's Ryzen 7 7800X3D, 16GB of Corsair Vengeance DDR5-6000 memory, and an Asus ProArt X870E Creator motherboard. View Deal
Using the lowest current sales on all of these items, you'll spend about $1,113 on them individually. That includes a discount on the Ryzen 7 7800X3D that's taken it down below $350, as well. The chip normally sells for around $380 to $400. Even with the sales prices, the kit of memory here costs around $170 assuming you bought the other components at their current sales price.
The motherboard here and in the 9850X3D bundle above accounts for a large portion of the cost; the ProArt X870E Creator is about $500. That's not a price gouge. The ProArt X870E Creator is just a flagship board, and it comes with a price to match. It includes two PCIe 5.0 M.2 slots, along with dual LAN, sporting a 2.5Gb and 10Gb port. We gave the previous version high marks in our Asus ProArt X670E Creator review.
These are the best bundle deals we found at B&H, but you can shop the whole collection now. Currently, the sales are set to expire on June 27.
Riot Games has announced that it plans to let players stop its Vanguard anti-cheat from loading at Windows start-up, the company has announced, ending the boot-time behavior the kernel driver has had since 2020. The new mode, Vanguard On-Demand, loads the driver only when a Riot game launches and unloads it on exit, made possible by a Windows 11 25H2 feature that records driver activity even while Vanguard is dormant. It works only on PCs that also have UEFI Secure Boot, TPM 2.0, Virtualization-Based Security (VBS), Hypervisor-Protected Code Integrity (HVCI), and IOMMU switched on. Riot anti-cheat lead Phillip Koskinas said roughly 35% of players already clear that bar, while about 3% are running incompatible hardware.
Riot calls the qualifying checklist Vanguard Pre-Check, and many prebuilt PCs and laptops sold in the past couple of years ship with the features on by default, and Koskinas estimates the share of fully secured machines at 34.33% and rising one to two percentage points a month. Everyone else will need to enable the settings manually, and most are UEFI options that Vanguard can’t change, meaning a trip into BIOS for those who want to do so.
Starting later today, Vanguard will be able to run in on-demand mode for players on Windows 11.You just need to enable some optional security features for your motherboard, and your taskbar can have 256 of its pixels back. Take it away, @deteccphilippe. pic.twitter.com/hBytOMKTjmJune 24, 2026
The feature leans on Microsoft's Runtime Driver Attestation Report, built with the company's Xbox OS Security team and new to Windows 11 25H2. It records every driver loaded since boot as a running, append-only hash kept in the TPM, which is the same measured-boot method the Windows Boot Manager already uses for boot-start drivers. Vanguard can then confirm at launch that no vulnerable driver slipped in while it sat idle, closing the gap that forced the always-on design before. Older Windows releases lack that reporting hook, however, so 25H2 is a baseline requirement.
Riot Games has spent years pushing the same security stack as a barrier to play, having begun enforcing TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot on Windows 11 in 2020. The company drew backlash when it brought it to League of Legends in 2024, and in December, flagged a pre-boot motherboard flaw across Asus, Gigabyte, MSI, and ASRock boards. Last month, a Vanguard update bricked DMA cheat hardware in a move that was likely tied to stricter IOMMU enforcement.
VBS and HVCI are likely to become sticking points for users who are most likely to want the option to toggle Vanguard’s anti-cheat. Both run parts of the kernel inside a hardware-isolated enclave, and benchmarks have long since shown a small but noticeable degradation to frame rate, which is why many gamers leave them off. Turning VBS on also activates Microsoft's vulnerable driver blocklist, which can disable older peripheral drivers.
Alternatively, payers can leave Vanguard as-is, with Riot saying it’s not “making anyone change anything” and is willing to wait until the ecosystem matures.
AxisOne helps service businesses automate bookings and manage operations in one platform. Its AI assistant replies in under three seconds in English, Russian, and Thai, understands intent, checks availability, and confirms appointments around the clock. Build a branded booking site, track clients in a full CRM, and reduce no-shows with reminders. Add unlimited staff with role-based portals, run payroll, manage inventory, and access everything on iOS, Android, and web with no per-seat fees.
I test over a dozen coffee makers every year, and I've discovered that great espresso machines don't have to be expensive. In fact, there are some truly excellent options around that perform just as well as pricier models, without burning a hole in your wallet. Here I've put together a list of my three top-rated budget espresso machines — and if you're lucky, you might find that they're even cheaper right now for Amazon Prime Day.
All these espresso machines are from reputable brands (De'Longhi, Breville, and Philips), so you can be confident that you're getting a well-made appliance with proper after-sales service too. Whether you're looking for a simple manual machine, or something that will handle the entire brewing process from bean to cup, I've got you covered.
1. Philips Baristina
FutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFuture
Everyone who knows me will know that I'm obsessed with this little espresso machine. You see, usually bean-to-cup machines are expensive and messy, but not this one. Its 'one swipe' brewing means you never have to weigh anything; just insert the empty portafilter handle and the machine will do the rest, grinding and tamping the beans, then whisking them over to be extracted.
During my tests, the coffee it produced was consistently well-extracted and flavorsome, and because the brewing process doesn't happen inside an enclosed case, as it does with most automatic coffee machines, you don't need to worry about things getting damp and dirty inside. The Baristina is as easy to clean as a manual coffee maker, but doesn't require any barista skills. Ideal if you're looking for your very first coffee maker, or want to upgrade from pods to fresh beans.
Another of my favorite compact coffee makers, the De'Longhi Dedica Duo is the right machine if you're willing to try honing your own barista skills, and want a manual espresso machine rather than an automatic one.
The Dedica Duo is super affordable, and you're likely to find it even cheaper for Prime Day. Most espresso machines in this price bracket are quite poorly made and deliver inconsistent results, but De'Longhi has a reputation to maintain, and the little Dedica Duo is just as solid and reliable as any of the company's premium coffee makers.
The little Bambino Plus is often recommended as a good espresso machine for first-timers, and with its easy controls, small but solid build, and entry-level price, it lives up to that reputation. One of my favorite features here, which you won't find on either of the other coffee makers, is its auto milk wand, which lets you choose from three different milk temperatures and three milk texture settings. You can steam your milk manually if you prefer, but it's a great option that lowers the barrier to entry for beginners.
Like the De'Longhi machine above, the Bambino Plus is able to sustain the pressure and temperature necessary for consistently extracted coffee every time, despite its small size. You won't need to worry about your coffee suddenly tasting different for no apparent reason, as you do with some affordably-priced espresso machines. A solid and dependable little brewer.
Microsoft has just announced that the price of the Xbox Series X and Series S consoles will increase "effective August 1, 2026" in a post on Xbox News Wire. Specifically, the company says that "The price of Xbox consoles will increase by US$100 for 512 GB models and US$150 for 1 TB models. We will also be sunsetting our 2 TB model."
We don't have confirmation on what this will mean in countries outside the US, but we know there will be changes worldwide; the question is how much.
This will make the prices of Xbox consoles in the US as follows:
New Xbox console pricing
Old price
New price
Xbox Series S 512GB
$399
$499
Xbox Series S 1TB
$449
$599
Xbox Series X 1TB All-Digital
$599
$749
Xbox Series X 1TB Disc
$649
$899
So the Xbox Series S now costs the same as the Series X used to, and is the same price as the PS5 Digital Edition currently costs (though we'll see if that changes again too…).
Fortunately, you have a chance to beat the price rise at the moment — if you're in the US, Walmart has a great discount on the 1TB disc version currently.
The Xbox Series X serves up stunning graphics and super smooth performance — this is a great discount for the disc version, and may sell out quickly now that the price rise has been announced.View Deal
We're getting into a real crunch point when it comes to price rises caused by the AI-driven memory crisis.
It's hard to say if the price rise coming just before the GTA IV launch is a cynical move by Xbox, or if letting us know six weeks in advance, during a sales event, just after GTA VI pre-orders went live is doing us a favor — I'm inclined to lean towards the latter.
I’ve been reviewing audio gear at TechRadar for years now, and there’s nothing I enjoy sinking my teeth into than a brand new pair of noise cancelling headphones. I’ve tested more than 15 pairs so far, some of which have been mind-blowingly good, and some…less so.
In a highly convoluted market, it can be tough to pick out just one pair of headphones to buy, but today, I’m here to narrow things down for you. I’ve picked 4 of the best noise cancelling headphones that I’ve tested so that you can get great bang for your buck and enjoy your tunes without compromise.
There are options for a range of budgets here, from a top-class budget-friendly set all the way up to a premium pair that’s sure to bless your ears. Curious to know what made the cut? Scroll on down and discover my top picks.
1. The budget big-hitter: 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51
(Image credit: Future)
I’ve raved about the 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51 plenty of times, and for good reason. These headphones almost feel too good to be true — and on multiple counts.
Firstly, they’re incredibly cheap. They’re regularly available for less than $90 / £90, making them far more affordable than models from the likes of Apple and Bose. But that low price-point doesn’t come at the cost of quality. The Sonoflow Pro plate up surprisingly strong sound quality, with rich bass, clean mids, and controlled highs. They even have LDAC support for higher-res Bluetooth listening, which is a great feature for a product at such a budget-friendly price-point.
Another area these headphones excel in is ANC. Sure, you’re not getting Bose QuietComfort Ultra levels of noise-nixing, but they’re effective at dulling external sounds right across the frequency range, making them a nice pick for commutes or daytime walks. Pair that with an extraordinary 100 hours of battery life (65 hours with ANC on) and a sleek look, and the 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51 are an easy recommendation.
2. The best all-rounders: Sony WH-1000XM6
(Image credit: Future)
If there’s one pair of noise cancelling headphones I’d recommend to everyone, it would be the Sony WH-1000XM6. These are the headphones that I use every single day, and in my eyes, they’re the perfect all-rounders, delivering class-leading ANC, stellar sound, and an ingenious design.
Let’s start with ANC which is so good here, that it even beats out Sony’s newer, more expensive headphones, the Sony 1000X The Collexion. The XM6 make use of Sony’s QN3 processor, which harnesses the power of 12 microphones to block out noise from your environment, and while they’re great across the board, they’re especially good at keeping low-end sounds away, even outdoing Bose in this area in my view.
Yes the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Gen 2 are arguably a bit better at banishing higher-pitched sounds, but we’re talking about fine margins here. And I’d pick the XM6 over their Bose rivals every time for one key reason: they sound a good deal better, in my view.
The XM6 were co-designed with leading mastering engineers for a studio-inspired sound, and take a more balanced approach than their predecessors, the still excellent Sony WH-1000XM5 and Sony WH-1000XM4. They still sound nice and punchy however, and their tight and dynamic sound is a joy to behold. Again, LDAC is here if you want a more detailed listen — as is 3.5mm wired connectivity.
On top of this, the XM6 offer top-tier touch controls, scene-based listening, a ten-band equalizer, and an effective transparency mode. In our best headphones guide, we ranked these as our best overall pick, and I’d strongly recommend you try them for yourself and find out why.
3. The noise-nixing on-ears: Marshall Milton ANC
(Image credit: Future)
Here’s something a little different. Yes, the recently released Marshall Milton ANC aren’t like any other entries in this list, as they’re actually on-ear headphones. The Milton ANC look to blend the iconic look and feel of the Marshall Major line with the noise cancelling prowess of the Marshall Monitor III ANC, and what do you know, they pull it off to perfection.
When I reviewed the Marshall Milton ANC, they honestly outstripped my expectations. See, I’m not generally a fan of on-ears, as I tend to find them uncomfortable, and their tendency to leak sound usually means I’ll just reach for my over-ears instead. But the Milton ANC are by far the comfiest on-ears I’ve ever tested, with a generous, flexible build — and they honestly sound great too, with less leakage than some rivals I’ve tested.
Out of the box, the Milton ANC are pretty bass-heavy, which will appeal to a lot of listeners I’m sure. However, the Marshall Bluetooth app provides an equalizer for toning things down a bit if you want a more even spread across the frequency range. Unlike previous Marshall products, these also feature LDAC for higher-res listening, but you’ll also get USB-C audio passthrough for lossless playback.
What’s more, the Milton ANC feature a colossal 80 hour battery life (with ANC off), a soundstage mode for more immersive listening, Auracast connectivity, and a gorgeous retro-style design. They’re also made of 42% recycled materials, and you can get replaceable parts in the situation that they break, which makes them feel like a worthwhile long-term investment.
OK, the ANC is a little limited as a result of the on-ear design, but they still restrict outside noise pretty effectively, and I’ve happily used them on trains and buses with very little distraction from whatever I’m listening to. So, if you want the flexibility that on-ears can offer with the benefits of noise cancelling, then the Marshall Milton ANC are without question my top choice.
4. The premium pick: Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3
(Image credit: Future)
Last and most definitely not least, we have the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3. If you want something that feels, looks, and sounds truly premium, this is it — this is what you’ve been looking for.
The first time that I put these headphones on, they took my breath away. They conjure up a sense of space that few rivals in this price bracket can muster, with incredibly immersive, almost three-dimensional sound. Bass is full-sounding, extends deep, and hits with striking agility. Mids are brilliantly defined, and vocal separation adds a layer of nuance that will keep you coming back for more and more. And the treble is vibrant without sounding uncontrolled or fatiguing.
And the Px7 S3 almost look as good as they sound, with an enticing faux-leather, metal, and fabric combination. They even come in an eye-catching range of colors, with Indigo Blue and Canvas White being my personal favorites. Mix in aptX codec support, much-improved ANC (compared to their predecessor), and a comfortable fit, and you’re getting a brilliant overall package.
While their sibling, the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 is the superior pair of headphones, they are far more expensive than the Px7 S3, which I think are fantastic in their own right, and I’d recommend with confidence.
X-VPN has added dedicated Soccer servers aimed at World Cup viewers
The servers cover six countries, chosen based on language preferences
The launch arrives as streaming demand and server congestion peak
With the 2026 World Cup already underway across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, X-VPN has rolled out a server line built for one job — streaming football matches.
The company has launched what it calls a dedicated Soccer 2026 server line across six countries: the United Kingdom, Ireland, Brazil, Austria, Poland, and the Netherlands.
Plenty of people already reach for the best VPN to follow their team when they are travelling or stuck behind a regional blackout, and the broad strokes here are familiar.
What is different is the framing: a seasonal, event-specific line that is meant to be quicker to navigate than a general world map of servers. If you have ever wondered whether you even need a VPN to watch the World Cup, this is X-VPN's pitch for one.
What X-VPN's Soccer 2026 servers actually do
(Image credit: X-VPN)
Instead of a generic country list, the Soccer 2026 line points you toward locations tied to the tournament's free and regional broadcasters.
Several of the six countries map neatly onto the platforms fans already use to watch the World Cup for free, with the UK in particular covering BBC iPlayer and ITVX. The selection is built around language and viewing preferences rather than raw server count.
On availability, X-VPN says initial support has been announced for iOS, Windows, macOS, and Android, with Apple TV and Android TV support planned. That last part is worth flagging, since the living-room devices most people actually watch football on are still on the roadmap rather than live today.
Why streaming-optimized servers matter during the World Cup
Live sport is one of the hardest things to stream well. The feed is real-time, it eats bandwidth, and a small amount of lag can mean a goal alert buzzes your phone before you see the ball hit the net.
The flip side is congestion: when too many users pile onto the same server, speeds drop, which is exactly the risk during a simultaneous global kickoff. Grouping servers around a specific event is, in part, an attempt to manage that load.
A server tuned for streaming is really about three things: speed, stability, and not landing on an overcrowded connection when millions of other people are watching the same knockout tie.
None of this removes the basics. If you are watching on stadium, fan-park, or hotel Wi-Fi, your local network is often the real bottleneck, and a few settings tweaks to keep your connection fast in crowded environments will do as much for your stream as the server you pick.
The tournament runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026, and is the first 48-team World Cup, with 104 matches in total. That is a lot of football, a lot of late nights for some viewers, and a lot of demand hitting broadcasters at once.
A server line built for exactly this window makes it easier for more people to watch the matches they're interested in, and with the regional complexities and expenses involved with sports streaming, this is always a good thing.
In the UK, we've been dealing with multiple unseasonable heatwaves, and if it's taught me anything, it's that hydration is important — and so is keeping your drinks at the right temperature. It's a small thing, but many times over the last few days, I've taken a sip from a bottle in my bag and grimaced, as my cheap non-insulated, single-layer metal screw-top bottle just isn't keeping anything cool.
Fortunately, thanks to the Amazon Prime Day deals, I'm coming prepared next time. I'm ordering myself a Yeti Rambler 42oz Straw Mug. Yeti are the gold standard of keeping things cool (and hot), and Amazon is doing some particularly good deals on their Tumbler shape right now.
Save 30% on the Rambler Straw Mug's 35oz size in Papaya or White colorways. This is a cold drinks bottle for life, as Yeti famously over-engineer their products and back them up with a five-year warranty. Dishwasher safe. Also in White. View Deal
Save 35% on the larger 1.2L bottle in the UK, in White, Navy or the Key Lime colour opposite. Yeti makes their products to last, and their cooling technology is second to none. The straw is clear plastic so you can easily spot any build-up affecting taste, and the product is also rust and puncture resistant.View Deal
The Yeti Ramblers are ideal for the gym, but they'll really shine on a long commute or car trip too, as you can pop a cold drink in them, head out the door on your way to work, and still be sipping refreshed at midday. I've ordered the larger 1.2L version because, as a fitness writer, I'm apparently supposed to be keeping myself hydrated.
Everyone has their favorite Pokémon entry, and Pokémon in general — mine’s Buizel — and while I have a soft spot for Pokémon Diamond (and Gen 4 as a whole), in contention for the top spot would have to be the Nintendo Switch 2 instant classic that is Pokémon Legends Z-A.
And right now it’s on sale for Amazon Prime Day — the Nintendo Switch 2 physical edition is down to $44.99 — that's a whole $25 off its list price. Just remember to run, not walk, as this is a limited-time deal — and 17% of the discounted units have already been sold at the time of writing!
For folks who grew up with the Pokémon anime and games, Z-A is the perfect combination of both, with its story and adapted battling mechanics; and as I said in my review, it felt like the series has finally found its way again after losing itself slightly in the 3D era.
Sure, Lumiose City can feel a little claustrophobic by the end of your adventure, but the one-city setting worked surprisingly well, and I kinda loved the scaled-back but still high-stakes adventure.
I can’t recommend this game enough, and anyone with a Switch 2 (even folks who haven’t clicked with Pokémon before) should give this title a try.
If you have a Nintendo Switch 2 then you need to play Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's easily the best entry in the series in a long while, and the approachable yet exciting story, and the battle mechanics, make it a solid choice for newcomers and long-time fans alike.
This Prime Day deal is a mega one — you seriously don't want to miss it!View Deal
Ready to be a Champion?
(Image credit: The Pokemon Company)
Given that I’ve been playing so much of it since its mobile release, I need to talk about Pokémon Champions, and how Legends Z-A gives you the best possible head-start in that title.
You can play Champions completely on its own, collecting Pokémon through the recruitment ranch, training them up at the in-game gym, and heading out to compete in single or double battles. And you can play it completely free-to-play without too much trouble if you’re careful with your resources, complete challenges, and finish all of the tutorials.
But a big way to avoid spending in Champions is to import Pokémon from your other games via Pokémon Home. Pokémon Go is an excellent mobile-only option, but for Switch 2 owners Legends: Z-A has a major advantage.
Thanks to its mega evolution focus, all the most powerful new ‘mon can be caught and sent over to Champions. There are a couple of VGC classics who aren’t present (like the infamous Incineroar) but given Champions’ smallish pool of Pokémon, it shouldn’t take you long to find them through recruitment, especially as your resources won’t be so limited by needing to build out a whole team.
(Image credit: Future / The Pokémon Company)
Legends: Z-A is also home to a Champions contender who can only be obtained through Z-A — it’s the only exclusive ‘mon in the battler right now, as it won’t ever appear on the ranch, no matter how many times you attempt to recruit (though we don’t know if that will change in a future update). Perhaps most annoyingly of all, this contender is arguably the best mega evolution in Champions, with raw power that requires a dedicated counter on your team in case you ever face one on the ladder.
Oh, and did I mention this exclusive is only earned deep into Legends’ post-game?
I’m, of course, referring to Mega Floette which can only be achieved by mega-evolving the special Eternal Flower form obtainable after finishing Legends: Z-A and progressing through the post-game battle competition.
Eternal Flower Floette boasts seriously lifted stats compared to its base form, which are elevated further by its mega-evolution. Its Fairy Aura ability — previously exclusive to Xerneas, a contender for the best Pokémon ever competitively speaking — then buffs fairy-type moves’ power, which in conjunction with its stats and fairy typing (lending a same-type attack bonus on top of everything else) make Mega Floette a cannon ready to eliminate almost any ‘mon that dares to stand in front of its Moonblast.
If you’re playing Champions you need an answer to Floette — popular choices are Kingambit or Sneasler — otherwise a well-supported Eternal Flower will sweep your team.
So even if you don’t care about anything other than being the very best in Pokémon’s competitive scene, for now Legends: Z-A is a game you need to play. And with this deal you can save a big chunk on its price of entry (and you can always trade-in this physical edition game for something else down the line).
Halo Campaign Evolved's executive producer, Damon Conn, says the team wanted to explore the relationship between Sergeant Johnson and Master Chief for the three new missions
The new missions were also inspired by Troy Denning's Halo novels
Halo Studios suggests players play them after the original story
Halo Campaign Evolved executive producer Damon Conn and creative director Max Szlagor have confirmed that the remake's three new missions were created with the help of Halo book author Troy Denning.
In an interview with TechRadar Gaming at Summer Game Fest 2026, where we went hands-on with the upcoming game, the developers explained that the Halo universe has a lot to explore, but they wanted to explore the relationship between Sergeant Johnson and Master Chief in the missions of Operation: METEORITE.
"If you think about it, in the original game, you see Sergeant Johnson as such an important character in these original games, but you don't really get to know Sergeant Johnson that well, or his relationship with Chief," Conn said. "That really set the stage for us creatively to think about, 'Hey, let's talk about a mission that they went on a year before the events of The Ring,' and then really to go into their relationship and how they fight alongside each other.
"Even beyond that, there's all this other universe. You've got Spartans and ODSTs. You've got the Brutes. You've got the Prophets. It's really just us leaning into these other elements of the story that we can tell more deeply, that then let you go back and appreciate more of the campaign and what's there."
Szlagor added that Troy Denning, one of the authors who writes some of the Halo novels, like Halo: Last Light, Halo: Retribution, and Halo: Silent Storm - A Master Chief Story, also "helped with the story" of the three missions.
"It's a lore-authentic story," he said, explaining that series veterans who have been fans for 25 years and played on Xbox or PC are going to get new bits of information that they've been wanting, allowing them to "piece more of the puzzle together," such as the Covenant War.
"It's really going to be fun for them," Szlagor added. "But then also, if you're brand new to the experience, maybe you're a PlayStation player, you've never played before, and this is going to be something that would be really good to play after you play the main ring storyline."
However, the creative director suggests that players play the new missions "after they've played and experienced the original."
"It is meant to be played that way, because we've made it more of an intermediate difficulty experience, it's a little bit progressed further along. You start off, and it's a little bit more challenging than the first mission of Halo," he said.
"But again, you can play it in any order you would like. We're not going to make you choose or anything like that, but we just suggest that you play it that way."
It's 'Global Beatles Day' today, June 25th, which is the perfect excuse to go on a magical mystery tour of the Fab Four's finest output. Consider it a gift from me to you: I've collected essential vinyl albums, great turntables to play them on, fun accessories, the ultimate version of their best movie, and some other great gifts from across the universe (well, Amazon).
There's obviously the option of getting the whole Beatles Anthology vinyl collection, but that's a lot of money to spend — though I want to tell you that it's also excellent value overall. There are also smaller collections, so you can pick up the LPs that look especially great when displayed, such as Abbey Road, Revolver and The White Album.
I've got a feeling you'll also love the special Criterion Collection Blu-ray of A Hard Day's Night, because it's easily the best way to watch the film, with a beautiful visual presentation and hours of features and documentaries from the era.
I've also highlighted a Sony turntable that's basically the best beginner option on the market right now if you're just getting into vinyl, plus some Beatles playing cards and a couple of other cool desktop gifts. Don't wait on these — because tomorrow never knows if they'll still be available.
UK Beatles picks
The Beatles
Abbey Road [vinyl]
The Beatles
Let It Be [vinyl]
The Beatles
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band [vinyl]
The Beatles
The White Album [vinyl]
The Beatles
Rubber Soul [vinyl]
The Beatles
The Beatles 1967 - 1970 [vinyl]
The Beatles
1 [vinyl]
The Beatles
Anthology Collection [vinyl]
Crosley
Crosley the Beatles Anthology Portable Turntable - Bluetooth Record Player, Built in Stereo Speakers
Sony
Sony PS-LX3BT, Wireless Bluetooth Turntable with Full Auto Playback
D'Addario
Beatles Yellow Submarine Record Mat, Primrose
Criterion
A Hard Day's Night [4K UHD + Blu-Ray]
Puckator
The Beatles Yellow Submarine Standard Playing Card Deck
Igloo Books
The Beatles Colouring Book (Mindful Colouring)
Grupo Erik
Battery Lamp - The Beatles Desk Lamp Table
US Beatles picks
The Beatles
Revolver (special Edition)[vinyl]
The Beatles
Abbey Road (Anniversary Edition)[vinyl]
The Beatles
Let It Be (special Edition)[vinyl]
Generic
The Beatles: Essential 4 Album Vinyl Record Collection - Remastered Anniversary Editions - Rubber Soul / Revolver / Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band / Abbey Road
The Beatles
The White Album [vinyl]
The Beatles
Rubber Soul [vinyl]
The Beatles
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band [vinyl] [2017 Stereo Mix]
The Beatles
1 [vinyl]
The Beatles
Help![vinyl]
The Beatles
The Beatles 1967-1970 (2023 Edition)[vinyl] [half-Speed]
Ludicrously excited about the announced remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time? Yeah, me too. Unfortunately, I also have issues with delaying gratification, so waiting months for it to be released feels interminable to me. Fortunately, there are lots of other nostalgic purchases available this Prime Day, so if you're as into retro gaming as I am, let me introduce you to a few of my faves.
My core memories of gaming were formed in about 1990. That's why I love retro gaming, as it enables me to relive those halcyon days when most beloved characters were just 16 pixels high, and soundtracks sounded like a modem composing free jazz. Pixel art, chiptune sound effects, and awkwardly translated dialogue will never cease to charm me.
That's why I'm always on the lookout for fun retro consoles and accessories. If it gives me an excuse to complete Chrono Trigger for the 12th time or be terrified by the low-poly horror of Silent Hill all over again, I'm in. And, fortunately, this Prime Day has supplied plenty of great retro gaming deals to tide both of us over until The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake or Final Fantasy VII Revelation drops at last.
If you're not on the hunt for gadgets you once owned 30 years ago, you can find plenty of deals on cutting-edge tech on our Amazon Prime Day US live blog.
For the first time in over 40 years, a Supergirl movie has soared into theaters. And, if you weren't put off by its middling reviews — check out my Supergirl review to see what I thought of it — and have already watched it at your local cinema, you might need some clarity about what happens in its finale.
Below, I've answered your biggest questions about the DC Universe (DCU) film's ending and how it sets up next year's Superman sequel. So, this is your one and only warning: full spoilers immediately follow for Supergirl. Turn back now if you haven't seen it yet.
Does Krypto die in Supergirl?
Breathe a sigh of relief, everyone, because Krypto lives to fight another day (Image credit: DC Studios)
Rejoice, dog and animal lovers alike, because Krypto does not die.
As you'll know, part of this film's plot revolves around the titular Kryptonian — real name Kara Zor-El — retrieving an antidote to neutralize the effects of a poisoned dart that Krypto was shot with.
Did James Gunn direct Supergirl? And who wrote it?
No, Gunn didn't write or direct Supergirl.
It was helmed by Craig Gillespie, who some readers might know as the filmmaker behind the Margot Robbie-starring I, Tonya and 101 Dalmatians live-action prequel Cruella.
Meanwhile, actor-turned-screenwriter Ana Nogueira was responsible for its script. Nogueira is also confirmed to be writing the DCU's Wonder Woman film, which is still in very early development.
The problem? The only cure is in the possession of villain-in-chief Krem of the Yellow Hills, who just so happened to be the individual responsible for gravely injuring Krypto in the first place. And, as Kara learns, she only has 72 hours to track down Krem, acquire the necessary cure, and administer it, otherwise Krypto will succumb to the toxin.
To cut a long story short, Kara succeeds in her mission. Returning to the planet she left Krypto on, she hands the medication to the local physician, who injects it into Krypto and, within seconds, he's fit and healthy once more. Phew!
Why does Kara kill Krem in Supergirl?
I suspect there'll be a fair amount of backlash to Kara's decision to kill Krem (Image credit: Warner Bros. Pictures/DC Studios)
On the surface, the answer is simple: Krem is responsible for Krypto's near-death experience. Her Kryptonian cousin — Clark Kent/Kal-El/Superman — notwithstanding, Kara's only tie to the duo's annihilated home world Krypton is her superpowered pup. So, considering Krypto's life was severely threatened, you can understand why she ultimately decided to take Krem's life.
There are other factors at play, too, though. For one, Kara kills him because he murdered the family of young warrior Ruthye, who enlists Kara's help to enact revenge on Krem. However, rather than let Ruthye slay him and carry that weight for the rest of her days, Kara convinces Ruthye not to go through with it and, after sending Ruthye away, Kara deals the killing blow instead.
Then there's the fact that Krem and his criminal enterprise, aka the Brigands, hop from planet to planet to kidnap teenage girls and use them to create the next generation for this all-male gang. Furthermore, killing Krem means that he won't be able to revive the Brigands and, by proxy, his reign of terror. Add those reasons together, and it's little wonder that the honor-bound Kara bumps him off.
Krem is irredeemable, but his murder undercuts the entire point of Supergirl's main thematic thread (Image credit: DC Studios/Warner Bros. Pictures)
Nevertheless, Kara's decision to murder Krem is sure to polarize viewers.
In Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, aka the 2021 graphic novel that this film is based on, Krem is allowed to live. That's because Kara wants to teach Ruthye that revenge is never the answer, and breaking the cycle of violence is the only way to process your trauma and heal from it.
Supergirl follows the same thematic line right up until Kara kills Krem — and, in spite of the reasons I outlined earlier, it still doesn't sit right with me.
Sure, the narrative reasoning for Krem's death is sound. Additionally, despite the similarities that exist between Kara and Supes, it not only proves how different their worldviews are, but also positions her as something of an anti-hero rather than a traditional champion of the people.
That all said, Kara choosing to murder Krem completely undercuts the thematic purpose of the entire story, and I'm willing to be that there'll be many viewers like me who wished that this specific part of the DCU Chapter One movie had ended differently.
Does Supergirl have any end credits scenes?
My face when I realized I was waiting for an end credits scene that would never come... (Image credit: DC Studios/Warner Bros. Pictures)
Nope, there isn't a mid-credits and/or post-credits stinger to stick around for once Supergirl's end credits sequence begins.
So, if you don't want to stick around and appreciate how many people worked on this project, you can make a quick exit from your screening without worrying that you've missed the set up for DC Studios' next big-screen offering.
How does Supergirl set up Man of Tomorrow?
Man of Tomorrow is the 2027 sequel to last year's Superman movie (Image credit: DC Studios/Warner Bros. Pictures)
Supergirl doesn't set up any specific story threads for Man of Tomorrow, aka next year's follow-up in 2025's Superman movie. If you were hoping for even the slightest tease about its plot via a first-look clip or otherwise, then, you'll be sorely disappointed.
Regardless, Supergirl's final scene reconfirms that Milly Alcock's Kara will be part of Man of Tomorrow's cast.
Indeed, before Supergirl's end credits crawl, we see Kara and Krypto return to their Metropolis-based apartment just as David Corenswet's Supes is checking in on the place in their absence. As Krypto goes through Kara's trash, Kara and her sole surviving relative sit down for a quiet and brief chat, which ends with Kara telling Clark that she plans on sticking around on Earth for a while.
We already knew that Alcock's Girl of Steel would return in Man of Tomorrow — DC Studios co-chief Peter Safran revealed as much in a recent chat with The Hollywood Reporter. Nonetheless, it's pleasing to see that Supergirl acknowledges Kara is back on Earth prior to her appearance in next year's Superman sequel and that she won't just turn up out of the blue at some point in the film.
Don't get me wrong, I love my dog. He's a really, really good boy. Maybe the best boy? I don't know, I haven't met all the dogs. Yet. But I what I don't love so much is his hair, which seems to shed at such a rate that it's astounding to me that he has any left at all.
It's been an absolute blessing, then, to have spent two years testing vacuums for TechRadar. I've tested all kinds of vacuums, at all kinds of price points, but the one I've clung on to is the Roborock Saros 10. It arrived in my home in spring 2025, and since then it has been a vital tool in my anti-hair arsenal. It gets sent out cleaning every night — and it hasn't let me down yet.
Despite being one of my most-used gadgets, I found it a little hard to recommend at list price (a cool £1.5K at launch). Since then it's attracted a number of deals, but none so good as the current Prime Day discount: the Roborock Saros 10 is now £699.99 at Amazon (down from an adjusted list price of £1,199.99). At that price, I would absolutely recommend it, as it's one of the very best robot vacuums I've ever used — and, like I say, I've used plenty.
This massive 42% discount represents a new lowest-ever price on this premium, fully-featured robot vacuum and mop. You do need to be a Prime member to claim the deal, but you can sign up for a free trial if you want. View Deal
There's no Saros 10 deal for US shoppers, but there is a huge discount — and another new all-time cheapest price — on the 10R. This is a sister model, and the two are almost exactly the same — I'll cover the differences below. My reviewer loved this model as much as I love my Saros 10. View Deal
If you're suspicious of such a hefty discount, don't be. The robot vacuum market rattles along at a rate of knots, with multiple new models released each year (the two bots showcased here have officially been replaced by the Saros 20 and Saros 20 Sonic), That means models like this might be considered old news, even though they've only been around a couple of years.
The rate of appreciable improvement has slowed, though, so while the specs in the newest models might be technically better, you'll likely struggle to see much — if any — difference in the performance. That's true in the case of the Saros 20, which I also tested.
(Image credit: Future)
What's so good about the Roborock Saros 10?
Why do I love the Roborock Saros 10 so much? It's an ultra-capable all-rounder that requires minimal effort and maintenance from me. The vacuuming is efficient and effective, and the navigation and object avoidance is reliable — even when faced with the complicated corner of my kitchen that includes a thin rug, a table and multiple dining chairs, and also acts as the dog's preferred toy discard area. The mopping is also effective and thorough, clearing pawprints and smudges with ease.
The dock is also a standout. It auto-empties the dust cup, and has enough oomph that I've never experienced a hair blockage during this process (not true of all self-empty robovacs I've used). It'll also top up the onboard water tank from its larger dock reservoir — adding the right amount of cleaning fluid as it does so — and clean and dry the mop pads when it's done cleaning. Opting for a slightly older flagship model is my #1 tip for saving money when shopping for a robot vacuum.
What's the difference between the Saros 10 and 10R?
The Roborock Saros 10 and 10R are very similar in terms of specs and performance, but there are a couple of design differences. The first is that the 10R uses a different navigation system; one which doesn't require a raised LiDAR puck. So instead of a puck that can pop up and down, there's no puck at all. On test, we found this robovac navigated just as accurately as the 10. Both bots are the same height, and both are equally good at cleaning under the sofa.
The second difference is the mop pad style. While the 10 has a vibrating, D-shaped pad, the 10R boasts two, spinning pads. If I had to choose, I'd say I slightly prefer the dual mop-pad setup, but there's barely anything in it. In terms of wet cleaning, neither of these robot vacuums will let you down.
Most people don't walk enough. Sure, serious fitness enthusiasts make sure to get their 10,000 steps in each day, but many of us simply don't come close most days.
My fun fact of today is that the magic '10,000 steps' target isn't actually backed by science, but was arbitrarily invented by a Japanese pedometer company in the 1960s — but even though the number isn't a scientific target, moving more is rarely a bad thing.
You can use one of the best smartwatches or best fitness trackers to keep track of your steps and motivate yourself to hit the extra goal. But if it's too cold or hot to go outside, or you're inside with no reason to leave, it can be very easy to let those cardio goals slide. People give up on running regimes or pay for unused gym memberships when what they need is an easy, accessible, low-impact way to keep or stay fit.
Step forward, walkingpads, otherwise known as under-desk treadmills. These slim cardio machines are easy to store, often cheap to buy (especially on Amazon Prime Day), and have become very popular on TikTok. Ideal for beginners or those looking for a gentler introduction to fitness, here's a trio of science-backed reasons to get one, along with a bunch of Amazon Prime Day deals on walkingpads in the US and UK.
1. You can watch TV while you walk
If you were going to catch up with your favorite shows while lounging on the sofa, now you can use that time to get your cardio in. Simply wheel the machine out from behind the sofa, under the bed, or wherever it's stored, plug it in, and switch on the TV.
Research published in the Journal of Sports Science and Medicine found that 'TV viewing, regardless of whether the programming is self-selected or standardized, associates with greater enjoyment of exercise'. If you find the exercise process enjoyable, you'll keep coming back to it; walking in front of one of the best streaming services might be a perfect way to get started. Try walking for the duration of one 30-minute episode of your latest obsession show each day.
(Image credit: Future / Jessica Downey)
2. Walking is low-intensity
Some people find running painful or intimidating. But walking is a low-impact, low-intensity alternative that most of us engage in every day. The human body was built to walk, and most of us can do so comfortably for at least a short period of time.
Research found that for people unable to tolerate moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, lower-intensity walking was still beneficial for improving health, serving as a 'suitable alternative' to vigorous exercise. If you find running for 30 minutes hurts your knees or hips, walking for 45 minutes in front of the TV might be a more comfortable option for you.
3. Treadmills provide accessibility
As nice as it is to walk in front of the TV, sometimes it's good to get out into nature. Walkingpads or under-desk treadmills can be supplemental to a routine, acting as a helpful alternative to make sure you're consistent.
On fair-weather days, take your 30-minute walk outdoors and plan a circular route, while on rainy days or during heatwaves, you can stay indoors and walk instead. Giving yourself options and flexibility allows you to stay consistent, and when it comes to improving fitness, consistency is king.
Best walkingpad / under-desk treadmill deals in the US
Save a cool $64 on this fold-up WalkingPad, ideal for cupboard or under-bed storage. With a max speed of 4mph, it's ideal for walkers after a compact device, while its LED display shows estimates of calories burned, along with time, distance, and walking speeds.View Deal
We've reviewed DeerRun walking pads before and found them to be sturdy, no-fuss devices that feel solid underfoot. You can save 33% on this basic model, bringing it to just over $110 for Prime Day.View Deal
An upgrade over the other cheap-and-cheerful models, with an automatic 12% incline across 9 levels to simulate tougher routes and uphills. It's bulkier than the others, comprised of steel, with an impressive 200kgs weight capacity. The premium choice.View Deal
Best walkingpad / under-desk treadmill deals in the UK
A huge deal: save 50% off the Mobvoi Home Treadmill Pro. I reviewed the original Mobvoi Home Treadmill and loved it: the Pro goes one step further with virtual training trails, walking and running modes, and optional safety rails. View Deal
A good treadmill for those who may want to do a little jogging, as its fold-up safety rail enables it to enter a 'running mode' up to 12km/hr. It supports a 136kgs weight capacity and even has an accompanying AI-powered app. Comes in three sizes.View Deal
Every Prime Day, Amazon tends to really steal the headlines. I mean, it's not hard to see why considering the retailer started the ball rolling with big summer sales and continues to do so. That doesn't mean Amazon is the only game in town, however.
For example, if you have a penchant for Samsung products (as we do at TechRadar), then you're in for a treat over at the official Samsung Store. Right now, it's hosting a Prime Day-adjacent 4th of July event with record-low prices on the latest models. I haven't seen a sale this good at Samsung since Black Friday, in fact.
If you're interested, I've picked out today's best deals at Samsung just down below. Highlights include the latest Galaxy S26 series, the Galaxy Watch 8, and the brand new Galaxy Buds 4 Pro, which are only a few months old as of writing.
While I'm here, it's worth mentioning that Samsung's deals on TVs are particularly good today. Not only are some of the latest 2026 models available with their first-ever real price cuts, but a few slightly older outgoing models are getting clearance deals. If you're looking for a bargain, I'd absolutely recommend checking those out.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: $330 off upfront, or up to $720 off with a trade-in at Samsung The outstanding Galaxy S26 Ultra has just been listed for its lowest price yet at the official Samsung Store this week, with an excellent $350 discount on unlocked devices. Available across all storage variants and colors, this deal can get you a device for as little as $949 upfront. Trade-in rebates of up to $720 are also available, but we've seen slightly better offerings in the past for trades.
The Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra is the latest and greatest of Samsung's tablets, and today's deal offers the choice between a $400 upfront discount or a trade-in of up to $500 off. While pricey, the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra boasts specs that challenge even the most powerful of iPads. With a 14.6-inch display, a top-notch build quality, and desktop-level power, you're getting a serious tablet here.View Deal
Save $200 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. Today's deal at Samsung offers either $200 off upfront, or the option to trade-in for a discount of up to $250.View Deal
A 4.5-star-rated smartwatch with super-accurate health and activity tracking. If you throw in the industry-leading AI features, then you really do have the complete package with the excellent Galaxy Watch 8. Today's deal at the Samsung Store gets you either an upfront $120 discount or the option to trade-in for up to $200 off; a really good bargain for both the Bluetooth and LTE variants.View Deal
One of the first major deals on Galaxy Buds 4 Pro, you can currently get an impressive $40 discount on these new premium buds. We rated the buds 4.5 out of five stars thanks to innovative technology such as head-gesture operation, an intelligent ambient mode, and fantastic ANC. Even though they work with any Bluetooth-enabled phone, it is Samsung users who will benefit from the complete set of features here, so they're a good pairing with one of the latest Galaxy S26 series. View Deal
2026 Samsung TVs on sale
Samsung's rival Prime Day sale has a rare $300 discount on Samsung's all-new 65-inch R85H Micro RGB 4K Smart TV. Perfect for watching the World Cup on, Samsung's R85H Series delivers brilliant colors that come to life thanks to its Micro RGB technology and AI engine.View Deal
The S95H is the successor to the wildly popular S95F, which was one of our top-rated TVs of 2025. We haven't reviewed this iteration yet, but we have no hesitation recommending one of the first price cuts we've seen on the model. The main upgrades here are a QD-OLED panel, updated AI processing, and a new picture-frame design with a built-in bezel. Otherwise, you're still getting a stunning picture and support for a 165Hz refresh rate.View Deal
The new QH series from Samsung are a good choice if you want a decent TV but don't want to completely break the bank. The QN80H is the higher-end model and features AI-based picture and audio optimization, and SDR to HDR upscaling. QN80H also features Motion Xcelerator 144Hz support, which makes it a good choice for sports or gaming. You don't get as deep blacks with a Neo-QLED, but the picture quality is still absolutely fantastic.View Deal
The Frame series is a real crowd favorite, and it's certainly a very unique idea. Specs-wise, you don't tend to get the best of the best with these TVs, but they do offer a gorgeous art-like design that melds into any environment. The latest 2026 Pro model features a matte anti-reflective coating and a Neo-QLED panel with support for 144Hz refresh rates. View Deal
Older Samsung TVs on sale
The 65-inch S90F is a slightly older model now, but it still holds up great, with the same comprehensive set of gaming features as the higher-end Samsung S95F OLED. The 65-inch S90F was already a great value, but today's massive $1,300 price cut at Samsung just makes it one of the best buys on the entire site this week. This price is $200 lower than Black Friday, for example. View Deal
Samsung's flagship OLED TV for 2025 improves upon its predecessor with even higher brightness and a 2.0 version of its Glare-Free OLED screen. Gaming support has expanded with 4K 165Hz support across all four HDMI 2.1 ports, and the TV's Tizen smart interface now features the Samsung Art Store portal. All sizes apart from the 55-inch are sold out right now, annoyingly, so grab this still-amazing TV while you still can. View Deal
The QN90F is a slightly older model now, but it's still an amazing choice if you're looking for a great quality display with fantastic brightness. Samsung is offering a record-low price on the larger 75-inch model right now (the smaller sizes are already sold out). This Neo QLED TV features mini LEDs and Samsung's Glare-Free 2.0 technology, allowing you to view it from nearly any angle. Paired with high brightness and punchy colors, this makes it a great pick for sports.View Deal
EUROPOL’s Operation Endgame froze $47M in cryptocurrency and dismantled infrastructure for SocGholish, Amadey, and StealC malware
326 servers, 142 domains, and 14,971 infected websites were taken down, disrupting distribution networks and recovering 27M credentials
No arrests were made; experts warn such disruptions often only temporarily halt criminal operations before infrastructure is rebuilt
Millions of dollars in cryptocurrency were frozen, and hundreds of servers taken down, in a sweeping operation by EUROPOL and multiple national law enforcement agencies against cybercriminals.
Over the last couple of weeks, EUROPOL ran Operation Endgame, together with law enforcement agencies from Canada, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Multiple private companies, including Microsoft, participated as well.
The goal was the dismantling of digital infrastructure used by three distinct hacking operations: SocGholish, Amadey, and StealC. These are known malware variants, granting attackers backdoor access, and stealing valuable secrets from compromised devices.
Shutting down servers and cleaning websites
SocGholish, for example, is a sophisticated JavaScript downloader and loader, linked to a Russian Malware-as-a-Service (MaaS) operation called Evil Corp.
During the operation, the police managed to identify and freeze $47 million in cryptocurrencies. It cannot access or retrieve these funds, but by freezing them, it effectively removed them from circulation. Around 27 million login credentials were also recovered as part of this operation.
Furthermore, law enforcement shut down 326 servers and 142 domains that were used to host and distribute the malware. This, EUROPOL says, “severely crippled” the malware’s distribution network: “By taking down these tools simultaneously, the collaboration between law enforcement and private parties has increased friction for cybercriminals, making it harder for attacks to succeed, spread, or recover.”
EUROPOL also said that by taking down SocGholish, 14,971 infected websites were “remediated”. These are legitimate sites, belonging to different businesses such as restaurants, auto repair shops, and others, but were compromised and used as launchpads for malware delivery.
Sadly, no arrests have been made, and EUROPOL did not say if key players of these groups were even identified. Usually, disruptions such as this one only momentarily stop malicious activities, which resume in a few weeks once the infrastructure is rebuilt.
If you are looking for a security suite for your team or business, NordLayer may have just what you're looking for - and they currently have a 20% discount code.
The core features include a business VPN, access control & zero trust architecture, threat prevention & intelligence, password management, device protection, and advanced device security.
There are also numerous handy integrations across identity & access management, cloud networks, and cybersecurity.
Today's top NordLayer deal
Logging into work accounts while traveling increases the risk of business access being intercepted or exposed. This opens the door to phishing and unauthorized login attempts. NordLayer helps teams stay protected wherever work happens – now with up to 20% OFF annual plans during the Summer Sale.
Apply your discount using coupon code: nl-summer-26View Deal
For small teams looking for an essential layer of business protection, the Lite plan offers all of the core features at $8/month per user.
Network security connection speed is up to 1 Gbps (across all plans) with Shared Gateway locations across 40+ countries , so your security won't slow down your collaboration, business meetings, or general connectivity.
Your network will also be protected with Download Protection, Web Protection, VPN protocol variety to suit your preferences, and the highly efficient NordLynx VPN protocol.
For each license, you get 6 device network connections with multi-platform app support. The Lite plan also features multi-factor authentication and single sign-on, alongside activity monitoring reports to spot any suspicious or unsecured activity.
NordLayer Core
NordLayer Core adds additional functionality across network security, internet access security, network connectors, user authorization & management, and visibility at $11/month per user.
For a start, your team will benefit from a server with a dedicated IP, alongside IP allowlisting and IP-based split tunneling, plus a choice of Virtual Private Gateway locations in 40+ countries. You'll also be able to manually configure your network connections.
Core also adds category-based DNS filtering, custom DNS, and an application blocker to keep your team from accessing disruptive or unsecured apps.
For security, your team will have access to biometric authentication to verify that it is actually your colleagues accessing your network, and not a malicious actor. For additional visibility into the security of your team members, Core adds device posture monitoring.
NordLayer Premium
Premium ups your protection significantly at $14/month per user.
On the network security side, NordLayer offers a Cloud Firewall (FWaaS) and device-level posture security, plus URL-based split tunneling available as a browser extension.
It also adds site-to-site configurations for your network connector, with a Cloud LAN and browser extension for added usability. Premium also adds user provisioning to speed up onboarding for new employees.
Apple has raised the price of its iPads, Macs, and more Apple has refreshed its website with an entirely new price list, and it’s not good news for Apple fans. Most of Apple’s hardware appears to have received significant price increases, including their recently released MacBook Neo. Apple’s £599 MacBook Neo 256GB now costs £699. […]
Microsoft has quietly announced that Windows 10's extended support updates program will continue for an extra year, now until October 2027 for free if you sign-in to Windows 10 with a Microsoft account.
Originally, Windows 10's extended support program was only supposed to last one year, until October 2026 for consumers. However, a new support page published by Microsoft today has confirmed that the Windows 10 ESU program will now last until October 2027 instead.
"Windows 10 support has ended. You can enroll in ESU any time until the programme ends on 12 October, 2027. If you’re already enrolled, your coverage will automatically continue through that date—no action needed," says the support page.
All Windows 10 users that are already enrolled in the ESU program will get this extended year of updates automatically. You can enroll in the program for free by signing in with a Microsoft account, or pay for access via 1,000 Microsoft reward points or $30 USD.
Microsoft has likely extended support for Windows 10 by an extra year due to the ongoing RAM crisis, which has pushed new PC prices through the roof making them difficult to justify financially, especially if you already have a working Windows 10 PC.
There are still hundreds of millions of PCs running Windows 10, and with extended support originally ending this October, many people would have been without the latest security patches keeping their devices secure.
The Windows 10 ESU program is vital to ensuring a PC that is connected to the internet is secure. Microsoft is still updating Windows 10 with security patches through the ESU program, and not being enrolled leaves your device open to attackers that might be trying to exploit vulnerabilities in the Windows 10 OS.
The good news is if you're already enrolled in the program, there's nothing you need to do to remain supported until October 2027. Your PC will keep getting security updates automatically until that date.
Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.
Original article: Just over a week after it was reported that Bungie — the developer of the 2017 live-service shooter Destiny 2 and this year's extraction shooter Marathon — would soon face "significant" layoffs, major cuts at the studio have now come, having been announced by Sony CEO Hermen Hulst.
Hulst revealed the news in a letter to Sony employees that was also published publicly, writing that the layoffs have impacted "a significant number of employees, including most of the Destiny team and some Marathon team members." Sony teams tasked with supporting Bungie have also been affected.
He went on to explain that "This decision was made only after extensive discussion and careful consideration," and that Sony worked with Bungie's leadership to evaluate its long-term plans, resource demands, and place within the PlayStation portfolio "before concluding that a reduction was necessary to align the studio’s resources with its current priorities and long-term goals."
"What Bungie has accomplished with Destinyover the past decade has been truly remarkable," Hulst wrote, of the space fantasy looter shooter's legacy. "The franchise has left a lasting mark on players and the industry, and everyone who contributed to its success should be proud of what they helped create."
He also made a point of mentioning that "Marathonremains an important part of our portfolio, and we will continue to support the team as they build on the strong foundation established in Season 1 and 2, and as they work on incubation efforts for future projects." Though the sci-fi extraction shooter reboot hasn't been a massive hit for Bungie and PlayStation, it does have a passionate and dedicated community of players.
Sony acquired Bungie for $3.6 billion in 2022, adding the studio to its live-service game development group. According to one former Bungie worker, though, the merger was done as an "emergency," as Bungie would have been "very close to shutting its doors" without it. (Image credit: PlayStation)
"Our immediate priority is supporting affected employees through this transition. We are providing transition support and, where possible, working to identify opportunities across SIE and our global network of studios," Hulst continued.
"I want to sincerely thank every affected employee for their hard work, creativity, and contributions to Bungie, SIE, and the broader gaming community," he added. "I know today’s news is deeply difficult not only for those leaving, but for those colleagues and friends that remain. Please take the time you need to process this news and support one another."
Ultimately, after everything that's happened and come out in the last several weeks, I had a bad feeling that these steep layoffs were inevitable — and now that they've come down, I can't help but be very worried about Bungie's future as a developer. I also want to extend my best wishes to everyone affected at Sony and Bungie. I hope you're able to find new success in the industry or elsewhere as soon as you can.
Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.
It was inevitable. Razer has successfully attached Chroma RGB to mice, keyboards, streaming keylights, mousepads, microphones, and probably a stray toaster if you leave it in their California design headquarters long enough (see their history of weird and experimental hardware). So, it was only a matter of time before they targeted the ultimate piece of battle station real estate: your backside.
Do you absolutely need a glowing throne that dynamically syncs with your desktop gameplay? No, of course not. Your skill in Valorant isn't going to magically jump three tiers just because your headrest is radiating neon green. But do we desperately want it anyway? Yes, obviously. It’s Razer, and adding immersive RGB to things we didn't know needed it is exactly why we love them.
The Razer Soma Chroma is the wireless RGB gaming chair your setup did not know it needed. It blends reactive lighting with all‑day comfort and cuts cable clutter entirely thanks to an ultra‑low latency HyperSpeed wireless connection powered by a simple USB‑C power bank. The dual‑density cold‑cured foam seat and built‑in ergonomic lumbar arch keep your posture neutral and your backside relaxed through marathon sessions.View Deal
The light show: Completely wireless RGB immersion
(Image credit: Razer)
The marquee feature here is the fully integrated, reactive RGB lighting embedded seamlessly into the headrest's shoulder wings. Powered by the venerable Razer Chroma RGB engine, it hooks directly into the Chroma SDK to react in real-time to in-game events across more than 300 integrated titles—including heavy hitters like Fortnite, Valorant, and Cyberpunk 2077. If you aren’t actively gaming, you can cycle through 10 dynamic presets and 16.8 million colors via Razer Synapse to perfectly dictate your setup's vibe.
But here is the genuinely clever bit: it's entirely wireless. Nobody wants to roll their chair over a rigid power cord and accidentally yank a $4,000 gaming rig off their desk. Instead, the Soma Chroma transmits data wirelessly via ultra-low latency Razer HyperSpeed 2.4 GHz for your PC, alongside Bluetooth LE for mobile devices.
To juice the actual LEDs, Razer integrated a tidy storage pocket on the back designed to house a standard external power bank (they recommend a hefty 20,000 mAh or larger unit pushing 20W+ and PD 2.0+) via an included 200 mm USB-C cable. If you don't care about a clean, wire-free aesthetic, you can also just run it straight to a wall adapter. There’s even a built-in control panel directly on the edge of the seat base to let you tweak brightness, cycle effects, or switch wireless inputs on the fly without opening an app.
Comfort Check: Saving our posteriors from the Iskur V2
The Razer Iskur V2 from our recent review. (Image credit: Future)
When Razer dropped the original Iskur, it blew us away with an aggressive, mechanical piston-powered lumbar support system. The premium Iskur V2 doubled down on that adaptive lumbar tech, earning massive praise for back health—but it also brought a punishingly firm seat pan. Meanwhile, the mid-range Iskur V2 X ($299) offered a much softer high-density foam seat but stripped out the adjustable lumbar support completely.
The Soma Chroma chart-corrects here with a brand-new Dual-Density Cold-Cured Foam Seat Cushion. It utilizes two distinct layers working in tandem: a softer upper layer that contours snugly to your body, sitting atop a firmer base layer that maintains its structural integrity over time. The goal is to keep the seat from collapsing or hardening prematurely during marathon sessions while actually offering plush, pressure-relieving comfort.
For back health, Razer ditched the complex, dial-driven mechanical pieces of the Iskur series in favor of a Built-In Ergonomic Lumbar Arch. It's a static, contoured support curve integrated directly into the backrest. While you lose the active left-and-right swiveling of the Iskur V2, you get a reliable curve that won’t shift out of place like a loose lumbar pillow.
Where the features got trimmed
Where the powerbank gets stowed for a "wireless" RGB experience. (Image credit: Razer)
To hit that $499.99 sweet spot while packing custom diffusers, a wireless control module, and a built-in control panel, Razer did have to make a few expected concessions:
2D Armrests: The Soma Chroma features basic 2D armrests limited strictly to height and swivel adjustments, a noticeable step down from the highly maneuverable 4D armrests on the Iskur V2 that slide and twist every which way.
No Built-in Haptics: If you were hoping this would natively integrate the bone-shaking directional haptics of the recently released Razer Freyja gaming cushion, you're out of luck. This is strictly a visual show, though you could easily strap a Freyja onto it if you want the ultimate rumble-and-glow cocktail (and I'll probably do that, since I have one of those).
On the mechanical side, it remains a total tank. You get a reinforced steel frame, a 5-star powder-coated steel wheelbase, a Class 4 gas lift, and premium 6 cm PU caster wheels—the latter being a massive upgrade over the friction-heavy plastic wheels that held back the Iskur V2. It reclines up to 155° with a butterfly tilt mechanism, safely supports up to 150 kg (331 lbs), and comfortably accommodates gamers up to 6'6".
Our review unit just arrived!
Yes, there are buttons on top of the headrest to control the RGB Chroma. (Image credit: Razer)
The shining throne literally just rolled through our doors. We'll be assembling it, unboxing our beefiest power banks, and seeing if the dual-density foam can truly save our glutes during late-night gaming sessions.
Stay tuned for our full, deep-dive review coming shortly (and you'll be able to see it on future Windows Central Podcasts).
The Razer Soma Chroma is the wireless RGB gaming chair your setup did not know it needed. It blends reactive lighting with all‑day comfort and cuts cable clutter entirely thanks to an ultra‑low latency HyperSpeed wireless connection powered by a simple USB‑C power bank. The dual‑density cold‑cured foam seat and built‑in ergonomic lumbar arch keep your posture neutral and your backside relaxed through marathon sessions.View Deal
Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.
Gamers building DDR4 systems have long-faced a compromise: either more capacity or more character. Goodram RIVAL DDR4 RADIANT changes that equation by offering larger memory capacities and two heatsink color variants that allow users to match the modules to a carefully designed PC build. The new modules operate at 3200 MHz and are available in capacities ranging from 4 GB to 32 GB per module, while dual-channel configurations reach up to 64 GB. The heatsinks come in two versions: Red and Green—both built on black PCBs.
DDR4 Still Has an Active User Base
"DDR4 remains an important standard for a large group of gamers. Goodram RIVAL DDR4 RADIANT addresses the needs of users who want more memory capacity, smoother multitasking, and modules that visually match their PC configuration," says Monika Wilk, Vice President of Wilk Elektronik SA, manufacturer of the Goodram brand.
Swissbit introduces the A2000 PCIe SSD series, a new high-performance storage platform for applications that require consistently high throughput, low latency, and robust data integrity. The series combines PCIe Gen 4 performance with industrial design, advanced security features, hardware power-loss protection, and Swissbit's own controller and firmware expertise. Designed for mixed-use and write-intensive workloads, the A2000 series targets high-performance industrial systems, edge AI, networking and communication infrastructure, IoT gateways, enterprise servers, medical imaging, data logging, and other applications where predictable and consistent performance is critical.
Based on the latest BiCS8 3D TLC NAND, packaged in-house by Swissbit, the A2000 and A2200 use an eight-NAND-channel DRAM-based controller architecture and a TLC direct firmware design to deliver sustained performance, low latency, and low write amplification. Hardware power-loss protection helps safeguard data without relying on operating-system support, while lifetime monitoring supports preventive maintenance.
Gigabyte, the world's leading computer brand, announces the availability of the MO32U24. This 32-inch 240 Hz 4K gaming monitor is built to deliver ultra-smooth visual performance, featuring a QD-OLED panel with Advanced ObsidianShield film that deepens perceived blacks and contrast while keeping colors vivid during use. MO32U24 is further backed by Gigabyte's exclusive picture-quality tuning for both HDR and SDR content to bring out the perfected performance of OLED, and inherits proprietary Tactical Features for responsive in-game control.
The MO32U24 delivers top-tier OLED performance by leveraging Advanced ObsidianShield film to increase perceived black levels by up to 40% while preserving deep blacks and vivid colors even under strong ambient light. In addition, the upgraded 3H surface hardness improves everyday durability with 2.5x greater scratch resistance. Certified with VESA ClearMR 13000 and an outstanding 0.03 ms GTG response time, it eliminates motion blur for absolute clarity. Visuals are further refined by VESA DisplayHDR True Black 500 and 99% DCI-P3 color gamut, ensuring lifelike color reproduction.
IBM (NYSE: IBM) today unveiled a major semiconductor breakthrough with the introduction of the world's first sub-1 nanometer (nm) chip technology, featuring a revolutionary transistor architecture at the 0.7 nm, or 7 angstrom node. The achievement marks a landmark moment for an industry facing the physical limits of traditional chip scaling. Semiconductors play critical roles in everything from computing, to appliances, to communication devices, transportation systems, and critical infrastructure.
IBM's new sub-1 nm chip packs nearly 100 billion transistors onto a chip the size of a fingernail, nearly twice the density of IBM's 2 nm chip, unveiled in 2021. Enabled by a series of structural and material innovations, including IBM's groundbreaking three-dimensional nanostack architecture, the technology demonstrates how continued gains in performance and efficiency remain possible even as chip features approach atomic dimensions.
General Intuition has raised $320 million to scale AI trained on millions of hours of gameplay, betting action data can help AI develop something closer to human intuition.
Market research company Klue told customers that it believes the hacking group that stole their data is now deleting it. The company, however, warned about a second group of hackers wanting ransom.
"There were employees doing things like, 'Claude is so helpful for me — it analyzes my calendar and my email and puts together a plan for me,'" he says. "That person was spending at a run rate of $30,000 a year for this."
Users will be able to access their watchlists, real-time market data, live financial news, and Google's AI-powered "Key Moments" feature, which explains why stocks moved.
Given the incredible explosion of interest in AI infrastructure and the chips that power them, it's no surprise that virtually every semiconductor company has been talking about how their offerings are an important part of the overall AI computing story.
The French video game industry is in a critical state, and the STJV has called on workers to join a strike against studio executives and what it describes as irresponsible management practices. The union recently announced a new national strike on June 25, 2026, one month after a previous action....
Following last week's announcement from Cook that Apple wasn't totally immune to the AI-driven memory crisis driving up costs, Apple has now revealed new prices for many products.
It's Thursday, which means it's also another GeForce NOW Thursday, with a new batch of games getting added to NVIDIA's cloud streaming service. Notable titles include Empulse, the Titanfall-like shooter from 1047 Games, a new action roguelike called Dark Scrolls from developer doinksoft and publisher Devolver Digital, and The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales. But what's just as important is that they're all arriving on the service just as the first wave of Steam summer sales start to kick off. Now, that's not to say that those games mentioned are part of any upcoming summer sales. Empulse and Dark […]
Apple has succumbed to the inevitable by hiking the prices of most of its products in one fell swoop, leading to aberrant pricing outcomes, such as the one pertaining to the M3 Ultra chip-equipped Mac Studio (16TB) and its sole 96GB unified memory variant, which now sells for over $14,000. Apple's highest-end, 96GB unified memory variant of the M3 Ultra chip-equipped Mac Studio now retails for 14,299 Apple laid the groundwork for these sweeping price hikes a few days back, when Tim Cook had declared that memory prices had become "unsustainable," and that "unavoidable" price hikes were coming. As we […]
The final update for Destiny 2 went live a little more than two weeks ago, on June 9, 2026. Today, in the wake of Bungie putting the game and franchise it had been working on for over a decade down, the studio announced its latest round of layoffs, as a statement shared on its official X (formerly Twitter) account reads "we unfortunately could not continue operating at our previous size." This is, unfortunately, exactly what was expected to happen with Destiny 2's sunsetting. It hadn't even been 24 hours between the announcement that Destiny 2 would stop receiving content updates […]
Google’s AI tools help educators support their teaching goals and provide personalized experiences to help students learn in the way that works best for them — all withi…
Google has released Google Ads API v24.2, an update that introduces new security controls, AI transparency features, enhanced reporting capabilities and additional experiment types for advertisers and developers.
What’s new. The headline feature is support for multi-party approvals (MPA), which requires a second administrator to approve sensitive account actions such as user invitations and access-level changes. The feature adds an extra layer of security for agencies and large organizations managing Google Ads accounts.
Google is also expanding support for AI-generated content disclosures. The API now exposes new SyntheticContentInfo and SyntheticContentAttestation fields on assets and ads, allowing developers to identify and label AI-generated creative programmatically. The update is designed to help advertisers prepare for the EU AI Act, which takes effect on August 2nd
Developers can begin building integrations now, although advertiser attestation fields remain read-only until the launch of v25.
Performance Max gets more visibility. Version 24.2 adds several long-requested enhancements for Performance Max campaigns, including the ability to segment performance_max_placement_view reports by ad_network_type. That gives advertisers a clearer picture of where ads are appearing across Search, Display and partner networks.
The release also introduces YouTube brand channel linking through the API, enabling stronger integrations for video campaigns, along with a new landing page text generation option that can automatically create text assets from a website’s landing page.
New testing capabilities. Google is expanding experimentation tools with two new experiment types.
The new COMPARE_CAMPAIGNS workflow allows advertisers to compare multiple campaigns or campaign types across as many as five experiment arms, including custom Performance Max experiments.
A second experiment type lets advertisers test text customization and final URL expansion within a single Performance Max campaign by splitting traffic between variations.
Documentation improvements. Google has also reorganized its API release notes, separating breaking changes from feature updates and introducing a dedicated guide for feature deprecations and unversioned changes to simplify future upgrades.
Why we care. While the release doesn’t include ground breaking changes, it gives developers new tools to prepare for upcoming AI disclosure requirements, strengthen account security and gain deeper insights into Performance Max campaigns.
The bottom line. Google Ads API v24.2 is a straightforward upgrade from v24.1, but it introduces meaningful features for advertisers preparing for AI transparency requirements, improving account security and getting more actionable reporting from Performance Max campaigns.
Google is rolling out new Agency Admin and Standard roles in Merchant Center for Agencies, giving agencies more centralized control over client access while improving security and operational efficiency.
What’s new: Clients are now linked directly to an agency rather than individual users. This allows agencies to manage client access from a single centralized location, making it easier to grant or revoke permissions as team members join or leave.
The update also introduces custom labels, enabling Agency Admins to organize client accounts by categories such as brand, business vertical or internal team. Those labels can then be used to assign Standard users access to groups of accounts in bulk, eliminating the need to configure permissions one account at a time.
Why we care. Agencies managing multiple Merchant Center accounts have often relied on user-level permissions, making onboarding, offboarding and account management more cumbersome. The new role-based structure shifts client management to the agency level, reducing administrative overhead and strengthening access controls.
How it works. Agency Admins receive full administrative privileges within the Merchant Center agency account. They can:
Link and unlink clients’ Merchant Center accounts.
Add, remove and modify Standard users.
Manage Standard users’ access to client accounts.
Create and manage custom labels for organizing clients.
Standard users receive more limited permissions, helping agencies follow security best practices by restricting access to only the client accounts they need.
Bottom line. For agencies managing large client portfolios, centralized client linking, bulk access management and customizable account labels should reduce manual work while making Merchant Center account administration more secure and scalable.
This series began with an observation: AI systems don’t always give the same answer to the same question. In the first article, I argued that the inconsistency wasn’t randomness. It was confidence loss across a measurable pipeline we can diagnose and fix.
Working through the AI engine pipeline, gate by gate, eventually led me to the won gate, where three clicks await: the imperfect click of search, the perfect click of recommendations, and the agentic click of agents.
That’s where I realized the series couldn’t stay within marketing. When an agent makes the purchase, it becomes a client you need to satisfy directly.
The funnel now runs through a machine that plugs into the business itself. SEO has no choice: it becomes assistive agent optimization, part of how the entire business is engineered.
To understand why, it helps to see how the underlying concepts fit together.
The framework is the theory. It explains why AI systems make the decisions they make and what influences those decisions. Apply those principles across the business, and you get AI-era business engineering: a company organized so search engines, AI assistants, agents, and people can all find you, understand you, recommend you, and buy from you.
Everything builds on SEO
The process is the day-to-day methodology. It sits above your existing disciplines — SEO, content, PR, paid media, and digital marketing — helping you prioritize the actions that have the greatest impact on recommendations and visibility.
Here’s the part every SEO should appreciate: assistive agent optimization is built on SEO. It doesn’t replace it.
Picture a Russian doll. SEO sits at the center. It draws from the open web, the same crawled and indexed foundation search has always relied on.
At that core are two parts of the algorithmic trinity: the search engine, which indexes and ranks information, and the knowledge graph, which stores entities and the relationships between them.
The next layer is assistive engine optimization. It adds the third component of the trinity: the large language model. The LLM provides reasoning, grounding, and conversation.
Instead of returning a list of links, it evaluates corroborating evidence and responds directly to the user. This layer builds on traditional SEO with entity corroboration, machine-readable proof, and the signals that help AI systems understand what your content means.
The outer layer is the agent. It introduces something the layers beneath it never had: direct access to business systems through protocols such as MCP. An agent can check inventory, compare prices, and complete transactions without visiting a page or navigating a search result. This is where AI stops recommending and starts acting.
Each layer depends on the one beneath it. The stronger your SEO foundation, the more effectively you can build everything above it. That makes SEO more central to digital marketing — and to the business itself — than it’s ever been.
If you understand how machines read the web, you’re holding the foundation that every other AI-facing initiative depends on.
The acquisition funnel hasn’t changed in 130 years, but the build direction has reversed
The funnel hasn’t fundamentally changed since marketers first drew it in the 1800s: awareness at the top, consideration in the middle, decision at the bottom, the customer moving down while the brand tries to catch them. What’s changed is where you stand to catch. It has shifted in three layers, each adding to the last rather than replacing it.
Traditional marketing stood in front of the audience in the real world, on billboards, shelves, and stages. Digital marketing did the same online, through SEO, paid search, social media, and content. AI-era marketing extends the logic again, and this is the part the industry is struggling with.
You now have to stand where you always stood and, on top of that, inside the AI engines. The engines place you in front of the audience, present you as the best solution, and increasingly make the purchase.
The modern buyer mixes all three inside the same purchase, and you have to be present in all of them. Your client still comes in from the top of the funnel down, and your offline and classic digital marketing can follow that path. But the engines run the other way. Their logic goes from the bottom up, so that’s how you build for them.
Marketers draw the funnel top-down because that’s the customer’s path, but businesses have always had reason to read it the other way. Winning the result for your own name is the cheapest move on the board and the highest-converting. That’s your warmest traffic, the people already at the door.
I’ve been making this case since 2012, when I started on brand SERPs. Your name is the one search result you completely own, and the whole field walked past it for years.
Comparison and consideration queries are the next move up, down near the purchase, where buyers are most likely to convert. Awareness is the last thing you build. That’s where people don’t yet know what they want or what the solution might be, the furthest point from a sale. Chase it first, and you’re spitting in a vast ocean, hoping to hit a whale.
The engines make that flip unavoidable. With search engines, the user hopped between sites on the way down the funnel, so you could build top-down and get away with it. The assistive engines pull the whole funnel inside themselves. Now you build from the bottom up because that’s how the machine learns about you.
Agents take it further still: the funnel goes dark, and the choice goes with it. Each step takes more of it out of your hands. And each rewards the same brand: the one built from the bottom up, the way it should have been all along.
Where you sit on the agentic spectrum determines how much of the business has to change
Two ideas determine how much of your business has to change. The first is the delegation boundary from Part 13. The second is the agentic spectrum.
The delegation boundary is the micro view. It tracks how much of one buyer’s journey — searching, comparing, choosing, and buying — that person hands to a machine instead of doing themselves.
The agentic spectrum is the macro view of the same thing. It asks what share of your clientele has gone agentic and how quickly that share is growing.
The micro view tells you how to win a buyer in the moment. The macro view tells you how much of the business has to change to keep winning them. This is the number most brands have never thought about, let alone measured. It’s the one I’d start with.
Here’s why it reorganizes the business, not just the marketing.
When the agent makes the purchase, it becomes a client you have to satisfy directly, even as it acts on behalf of the person behind it. It answers to one thing: keeping its own user. So the whole sale turns on confidence. Can the machine trust you to meet the need and keep its client happy?
That confidence has to clear a far higher bar than search or assistive engines ever set. It runs the entire length of the funnel. Earn it across the stack, and you’re the brand the agent buys from.
Preparing the business for that is what AI-era business engineering means: pricing, qualification, product data, checkout, all built so that an agent can transact with you as cleanly as a person ever did.
The agent navigates the whole funnel on its own. You have to convince it every step of the way, from awareness to the final yes. And you get almost no visibility into that journey, even less than assistive engines provide.
What you get instead is granular measurement at the negotiation and transaction stages. The agent tells you what it wants, and you either satisfy it or you don’t.
So build the business to work cleanly with agents and people alike, speaking to each from the top of the funnel to the bottom, and at the moment the deal is struck.
Translating what you do for a human into something a machine can read and act on used to feel optional. Ignoring search engines, then assistive engines, was never wise, but you could usually survive it. In the age of agents, ignore the engines, and you hand an ever-growing share of your clientele to the competition.
Your untrained salesforce is selling around the clock, for you or your competitor
Every business now runs a salesforce it never hired: Google, ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude, Copilot, Siri, and Alexa. The real number is higher and growing every month. Every major tech platform now answers questions in-app the way an assistive engine does, across social media, video, search, and workflow tools.
Operating systems are building AI into the platform layer. The apps you already use embed assistants that recommend tools and vendors, and no one has to open a separate engine for it to happen.
Those engines reach your prospects in three ways: explicit, implicit, and ambient. However they appear, the outcome is the same. They work around the clock. They never sleep. They talk to your prospects in rooms you’ll never see, and they decide whether to recommend you or a competitor.
The default state of that salesforce is untrained. Ask it about your category, and it answers with whoever it happens to know, and that probably isn’t you. It hedges on basic facts. It confuses you with a namesake, cites testimonials you never collected, recommends you for problems you don’t solve, and, in the worst case, names your competitor at the exact moment the user was looking for you.
The cost is real, and it never shows up on your dashboards. You can’t watch the AI research you, evaluate you, recommend you, or talk a buyer out of working with you. It all happens inside the machine. Pay attention to the taxes: invisibility, ghost, and doubt.
These engines recommend the solution they’re most confident in, and that’s often not the best one. It’s the one they understand best. The recommendation depends on what they grasp about you and how confident they are in it.
So if your solution really is the best, train them. Educate them. Brief them. They answer to the user. Your client is their client, and they retain that client by surfacing the strongest solution they can see.
Have you made it abundantly clear that you’re the best answer to the specific problems you solve, for the ICP you solve them for?
You’ll pay a tax at every stage of the funnel for as long as this salesforce isn’t working explicitly for you.
Someone types your name directly into an engine, and instead of a clean answer, it hedges: “claims to be,” “reportedly serves,” “says on its website.” Worse, it starts offering alternatives: “You asked about this brand, but have you considered that one?”
Search engines only do that when a competitor pays heavily to claim a spot on your brand SERP. Otherwise, you own your name.
But AI raises the alternative on its own, out of nothing more than its own uncertainty. That’s why brand SERP and AI résumé protection are no longer optional.
That hedge and that nudge are the doubt tax. You pay it because the engine doesn’t have enough independent corroboration to commit. It sits at the Understandability layer. The cost is every prospect who came looking for you by name and left with doubt in their head, about you or a competitor.
A prospect asks the engine to weigh your category and name the best in it. It reels off three brands, and yours isn’t among them. You’re in the game. The engine knows you exist. You just don’t surface at the moment a buyer is choosing because its confidence in your credibility is too low to put you forward. That’s the ghost tax, and it lives at the credibility layer.
At the top of the funnel, you don’t even get the chance to lose. Someone asks a question you’re well qualified to answer, and you’re nowhere in the reply because the engine never flagged you as someone who belongs in that conversation. That’s the invisibility tax, a deliverability failure. You never see it because the conversation finishes without you.
You need to track this across every engine and every layer, and you shouldn’t use your own account. It’s biased toward you. It knows who you are, and no response it gives you is neutral. So you’ll need proper tracking tools and to ask the right questions.
I covered the micro and macro views of measuring this earlier in the series, and the funnel query pathway is the best way to read it over time and across the web. What you’re measuring is how much you leak at each layer, and because the system is opaque, you read it at the macro level rather than from any single query.
Then you build from the bottom up, clearing the taxes in revenue order:
The doubt tax first, on your warmest traffic.
The ghost tax next, against the competition for buyers who are almost decided.
The invisibility tax last, at the top, where the buyer is furthest from the purchase.
That’s the funnel flip again, one more reason the engines have turned top-down upside down.
The algorithmic trinity is where your work lands, and there are only a handful at the root
You train the salesforce in three places, and you have to be present in all three for that training to hold over the long term.
Large language models do the reasoning at the moment of the query, the intelligence layer: ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini.
Search engines index and rank fresh content, the information layer: Google and Bing.
Knowledge graphs store entities and the verified relationships between them, the verification layer: Google’s Knowledge Graph, Wikidata, and Bing’s entity graph.
Those three are the algorithmic trinity.
Here’s something you might not have considered. You’re aiming at dozens of platforms and surfaces where the salesforce shows up, but there aren’t many machines at the root.
A handful of LLMs matter, and at mass-market scale, where the sales actually happen, that list narrows to ChatGPT and Gemini. There are two web indexes at that scale, Google and Bing, and two knowledge graph owners, Google and Bing again.
Everything you train reaches back to the same small set of underlying systems. So the corroboration work you do for one engine is, structurally, the work for all of them.
That’s why the effort compounds. The knowledge graph confirms the entities the LLM reasons about. The search engine surfaces the fresh content the LLM grounds on. The salesforce reaches full training when all three converge on the same answer about you.
That convergence is where you win: independent systems reaching the same conclusion about who you are, what you do, who you serve, and why you’re credible. Give them that picture in detail, and they’ll hold it with real confidence.
At that point, the trinity surfaces you. It converts prospects at the bottom of the funnel, recommends you over the competition in the middle, and advocates for you at the top across search engines, assistive engines, and agents.
The results vary a little from one to the next because each mixes the technologies in its own way, but they land in your favor.
Google owns all three and remains the dominant force across search and assistive engines, so it remains your main target.
I’m not suggesting you ignore smaller players such as Claude and DuckDuckGo. They matter to the audiences that use them. But for most brands, users, and SEOs, the major public engines are the key to commercial success.
A tight digital footprint, cleaned up and optimized on your site and off it, already covers them because it feeds the Trinity: at mass-market scale, six technologies — Gemini and ChatGPT, Google’s and Bing’s knowledge graphs, and Google’s and Bing’s search indexes.
Happily, that strategy covers the smaller players, too.
Third-party proof is what the salesforce actually believes, and without it, nothing stands
Knowing where your work is ingested is only half of it. The other half is knowing which evidence the salesforce believes because not all evidence carries the same weight, and the gap between the weakest and strongest is the differentiator.
The weakest evidence is what you publish yourself, on your own properties, in your own voice: your homepage, your about page, your product copy. Call it first-party. It’s a claim, the baseline, and it proves nothing on its own because you wrote it and published it, and the engines know that.
Surface a client outcome, a case study, or a real customer review on your own off-site channel, and you’ve moved up a step to second-party, where the substance is no longer entirely your assertion, even though your hand is still on the publish button.
Then there’s the evidence you had no hand in at all. Clients and partners describing their own experiences in their own words, an independent journalist’s article, an analyst’s report, coverage gatekept entirely outside your reach. That’s third-party, and it’s the heaviest evidence the salesforce can read precisely because you couldn’t touch it.
It’s also the category most brands have nothing in because filling it takes real-world activity rather than publishing. First-party claims, second-party corroborates, third-party proves, and without proof, nothing stands.
3 levels of effort lead to completely different outcomes
Barely trained, partially trained, and fully trained
Most brands sit at the bottom without ever choosing to. The minimum-effort brand keeps a website, runs some content marketing, responds to the occasional mention, and otherwise lets the ecosystem do what it does. It shows up in machine-readable form but never shapes that form.
Minimum effort is what the industry treats as normal, so most companies land here and never recognize it as a decision. The salesforce is barely trained.
A step up is when a brand starts noticing specific problems and fixing them: an incorrect fact in an AI Overview, a competitor outranking it for a query, a gap in the structured data. The fixes work, and this brand is genuinely better positioned.
But the work is triggered by symptoms, not strategy. It patches what breaks loudly and never builds the discipline that would prevent the next break. The salesforce is partially trained, but fixing problems is driving the strategy, which is clearly the wrong approach.
The systematic brand runs a full operational discipline against the pipeline, week after week: entity home maintenance, evidence harvested from service teams and codified into machine-readable proof, then distributed across the publication tiers the engines weight most heavily, with the brand SERP and AI résumé monitored continuously.
Most companies aren’t organized in a way that makes this happen naturally. If you can pull that off — harvest, codify, and distribute your business operations — you’ll win. You’ll be the brand that has trained the salesforce to work in your favor, 24/7/365.
Start from the entity home. Organize the brand SERP and the AI résumé, and optimize the brand’s digital footprint wherever it appears. That’s understandability done, and it’s the single most important thing you can do. With the core entity locked, you can build credibility on top of it: engagement, reviews, client feedback, PR, and evidence that you’re good at what you do.
Deliverability follows naturally because the moment you focus on the brand SERP and the AI Résumé, you’ve already done part of the credibility and deliverability work for free. Then spread the same discipline across every entity you own: the products, the services, and the people who work for you.
For each, build the right content, stand where the audience is looking, invite them down the funnel, and connect every dot back to the entity home on your own site. Walk the walk, and apply the mirror principle.
The salesforce is already working. The only question is who trained it.
In 2026 and beyond, the salesforce operates inside your supply chain as well as your sales funnel. AI sits at the gates that decide whether to include you in what it knows, whether to deploy you in an answer, and whether to reselect you after every transaction.
Every outcome your customers experience feeds back into the system for the next prospect who’s never heard of you. That’s the convergence this entire series has pointed toward. Your salesforce is selling 24 hours a day, right now, for you or your competitor. Whether it sells for you comes down to how well you trained it.
This is why the discipline is AI-era business engineering, not AI-era marketing. It isn’t a content strategy or a tactical tweak. It’s a reorganization of how the business operates, so pricing, qualification, product presentation, sales, retention, and customer success each throw off machine-readable evidence as a byproduct of doing the job. That’s how you train the salesforce.
You’re sitting in the best seat in the room, and you might not have noticed yet
This is what I present to entrepreneurs and CEOs in my talks. Nine questions, and the quality of the answers tells them exactly where the company stands.
Tech, bottom to top
Is our Entity Home locked down so the engines have a single source of truth about who we are?
Is our structured data complete enough for them to verify what we claim?
Are we discoverable across every engine so they can reach for us when topical questions come up?
Marketing, bottom to top
What does our Brand SERP look like today, and what does the AI Résumé say when you ask the engines about us directly?
Where is our third-party corroboration weakest, and what are we doing about it this quarter?
Which topical territory do we own in the engines, and which do we want that we don’t yet hold?
Branding, bottom to top
Does our brand story match what AI is currently saying about us, and where’s the gap?
Are our client outcomes being engineered into machine-readable evidence, or are they dying in CRMs and quarterly retrospectives?
Are we placing proof now for the categories we want to own in three years?
They all run from the bottom up, which is ironic given how marketers work the funnel from the top down. The customer is the only one moving from top to bottom, looking for a solution.
So take a step back and read the funnel from the bottom up. You and everyone you work with are building the same thing — understandability, credibility, and deliverability — just from different ends.
The business builds from the foundation up: know who you are, know who you serve, be credible, then reach the right people.
The marketer wants the maximum audience and starts at the top, with reach, then works down to who you are and why you’re trusted.
AI starts at the bottom: Who are you, and are you credible? Only then will it put you in front of the maximum number of people.
You’re the one who sees that it’s all the same. You understand that you must work from the foundation up, the way the machine does. Then you meet the customer coming the other way, down from the top, looking for a solution.
Build for the customer, but work up toward them. That’s always been the best approach, but the engines have only now made it obvious.
The business you work for has two kinds of clients now: the human and the agent, and you’re able to speak to both. You know how the machines work, and you know an agent is only ever emulating a person, reflecting back the world’s view of the brand. Pleasing the agent and pleasing the human are essentially the same thing, and you’re the person who sees that.
That’s what makes you, the SEO, impossible to sideline. You’re best positioned to tell the business and the marketers what to change to satisfy the agent without losing the human.
Whether agents are 5% of the business today or close to all of it, the agentic share will increase year over year. So step out of your corner and look at the wider world. You’re in a unique position to see business, marketing, and the machines all at once.
The audience used to be only human. Now it’s machines, too, and you’re the one who speaks to both.
This is the 19th and final piece in my AI authority series, and it’s been a long journey. My thanks to Danny Goodwin, Angel Niñofranco, and the Search Engine Land team for their immense support throughout.
When I started, the framework was a complete idea, but I hadn’t fully worked through all the details. Week by week, I worked through each of the 15 gates, and every one turned out to be more intricate, more in-depth, and more thought-provoking than I’d imagined when I set out. It’s been a huge job.
What I’ve finished is an important and genuinely useful framework for SEO, marketing, and business in the AI age, one that search professionals, marketers, and business leaders can apply to real business problems.
Traditional competitor campaigns often generate expensive clicks and disappointing results. People searching for a competitor’s brand are usually close to making a purchase, making your ad little more than a detour on their path to conversion.
Bidding on competitor brand terms isn’t your only option. Demand Gen campaigns and negative-intent keywords can help you reach competitor-aware audiences more efficiently and often at a lower cost.
Demand Gen: Your target audience at a fraction of the cost
Before we get into negative-intent keywords, let’s discuss another campaign type that can generate traffic unfamiliar with your brand: Demand Gen.
Demand Gen relies on two key elements: targeting and creative. Two non-negotiable components of that targeting are custom audience segments and lookalike audiences.
Custom segment targeting allows you to reach users who have searched for specific terms on Google or have particular interests or purchase intentions. It’s also one of the best ways to target users looking for your competitors at a lower cost than search.
Custom segments are the first targeting option available (right after the title) when creating a new audience within Demand Gen campaigns.
Select the second option, People who searched for any of these terms on Google, and enter as many competitors as you can think of. This puts you directly in front of your target audience at a lower cost than a search network click.
If you’re unsure which competitors to target, type your main product or service into Google Ads and see who appears. These are the primary businesses you’re competing with and, depending on which networks you opt into, your ads can appear across YouTube, Discover, and Gmail.
Designing conquesting landing pages for Demand Gen
When using Demand Gen for conquesting, it’s important to create a well-designed landing page for these ads. Include key differentiators and social proof that demonstrate why your company offers the best product or service.
Getting the click is only half the battle. Once searchers land on your page, your offer needs to be clear. Explain your offer clearly and thoroughly, and include a clear call to action that aligns with your messaging.
But what if you don’t have the assets to run a Demand Gen campaign?
Because high-quality video and image assets perform best across these networks, targeting the search network may make more sense if you don’t have access to those assets. This is where negative-intent conquesting comes in.
While we’re all familiar with traditional competitor search campaigns, searchers also look for alternatives to the company they’re searching for. This is where negative intent comes in.
This can happen at many stages of the sales funnel, but it frequently occurs during the consideration phase when users search for “companies like X” or “companies cheaper than X.” It also happens with branded products in searches like “dupe for X.” While not all of these may be biddable keywords due to search volume, this is where the research happens.
Building campaigns around competitor pain points
Perhaps you’ve recently heard about a company with a poor track record of customer service. Bidding on a keyword like “customer service complaints for [competitor]” could be helpful in this situation. You’ll want to keep this to a single ad group with different keyword variations.
Within the ad copy, address what makes your customer service team unique, different, or more helpful. Bear in mind that, due to trademark policy, it’s best to avoid mentioning the competitor directly by name in your ad text.
Traditional competitor campaigns focus on bidding on a competitor’s brand name. Negative-intent conquesting focuses on their weaknesses. Its specific use case involves users familiar with a brand but looking for an alternative.
This strategy can also be paired with a separate custom audience, allowing you to target users searching for these alternatives across Google’s networks.
For negative-intent conquesting to work post-click, however, the landing page remains a critical component. If a user clicks an ad that promises a solution to a competitor’s poor service or high prices, the corresponding landing page must validate that strength and provide the searcher with a unique value proposition that counters the competitor’s weakness.
Target competitor audiences before the decision is made
The biggest challenge with traditional competitor campaigns isn’t the competitor. It’s timing.
When someone searches for a competitor’s brand name, they’ve often already narrowed their options and are close to making a decision. That’s why competitor keyword campaigns can be expensive and difficult to scale profitably.
Demand Gen and negative-intent conquesting approach the same audience from different angles. One reaches potential customers before they commit to a brand, while the other reaches them when they’re actively reassessing their options.
The goal is to reach potential customers when they’re most open to considering a different option.
LLMs have changed the way people search and the way Google answers. While the SERP hasn’t been 10 blue links in a very long time, it has traditionally been centered on a single intent: the thing a person is looking for.
Now, AI Overviews create a full article directly in the SERP. They don’t just answer the searcher’s query. Results include related terms, contextual refinements, and supporting information that help searchers make decisions.
Understanding Google query expansion gives you an advantage that your competitors may overlook.
What is Google query expansion?
Google query expansion was designed to prevent zero-result searches for long-tail queries. It broadens a searcher’s query to deliver more accurate results. This happens automatically in several ways:
Synonyms: For example, “budget” instead of “affordable.”
Intent expansion: Google understands what your customer means, even if they don’t type it exactly.
Related topic expansion: Google uses similar searches to surface related content.
Don’t stuff keywords to capture these expanded results. Researching and creating supporting information helps your content rank for a wider range of queries.
Here’s an example.
You have an article about backyard chicken care. Someone searches for “What’s the average lifespan of a chicken?” Your page appears even though you never used the term “lifespan” on it.
Google determined your article was semantically relevant. Once you know Google has made this connection, adding a section on chicken lifespan can help the page rank for that term and drive more traffic.
It can also help your content appear in relevant AI Overviews.
The difference between Google query expansion and query fan-outs
Google query expansion and query fan-outs are similar, but they aren’t the same.
Query expansion is part of traditional search. It broadens a query with synonyms, related terms, and intent signals before results are generated. As a result, your content can rank for more queries than you originally targeted.
Query fan-outs are part of AI Mode. They break a query into multiple related subqueries while the AI response is generated. As a result, your content can be retrieved as a source for AI Overviews.
If query expansion is part of traditional search, why does it matter in the age of LLMs and AI Overviews?
Because the same semantic relationships that drive query expansion can influence which content AI systems retrieve during query fan-outs.
Finding query expansion opportunities for your content
So, how do you find query expansion opportunities?
Google Search Console
This is a top tool to confirm query expansion is happening on your site and keywords. Here, you can sort by impressions, look for similar queries, and determine what opportunities there are.
Here’s the workflow:
Go to Performance> Search results.
Filter by a specific page and pull the full query list.
Sort by impressions.
From there, you can look for queries you never targeted:
Synonyms with comparable impressions.
Question-form queries (these are especially popular with AI).
Broader keywords that you may not have on your page.
Just because the keywords and topics are there doesn’t mean they’re actually relevant. If that’s the case, you may need to audit your page and ensure your content isn’t covering unrelated topics that don’t follow through from the SERP to page promise.
Strategizing the right content with query expansion
Now that you know what query expansion is and how to find it, let’s talk about how you can strategize the right content.
Write for topic coverage
For a long time, it’s been less about specific keywords and more about semantic relations to the topic. Creating subtopics, related questions, and adjacent content enables broader expansion than content built solely to cover a keyword.
Answering questions adjacent to the primary topic
For instance, a company selling chicken feed might also want to explain why the right balance matters and how the right feed can improve chicken health. These questions can be found by searching GSC for query expansions and by looking at Ahrefs or the SERP itself to see what relevant information is coming up for that topic.
Finding content gaps with expansion data
If the GSC data shows Google is pulling your page for a query you haven’t strategized for, and it makes sense, it’s a signal that the page may need additional coverage.
Sometimes query expansions include results that aren’t related to the topic at all. Wild queries in the SERP. But if there are relevant, adjacent queries that help expand your search, add them to your page.
It’s a good idea to check your content regularly, at least once a quarter. New queries may show up, while others disappear. Since you’re always optimizing your content and keeping it fresh for the SERP, this is another way to ensure your topic is as strong as it can be.
Using query expansion to boost your AI Overviews presence
AI Overviews pull from ranking pages on a topic to build a thorough answer to a query, complete with semantic and supporting subtopics.
Cross-reference your query expansions with the main keyword in the SERP. If an AI Overview includes those supporting topics, consider adding them to your page.
Here’s an example. For our blog post, “Tandem vs. Spread Axles in Trucking,” I followed the steps above and filtered by impressions.
We show up for “tandem truck meaning.” However, that phrase isn’t specifically listed in our content.
We rank first, but we’re not in the AI Overview for this specific query.
Because the page ranks first, we can use the query expansion, along with the supporting information here, to create a section that supports both the query expansion term and the query fan-out for the AI Overview results.
Query expansions can reveal supporting topics that strengthen both traditional search visibility and AI Overview inclusion.
Query expansions are a practical way to identify supporting topics and expand content coverage across search experiences.
As clicks become harder to earn, broader visibility across relevant search experiences can strengthen brand awareness and keep your content in front of potential customers.
Luckily, we're in Amazon Prime Day sales week, and discounts are live on Amazon for several Apple MacBooks from 2026 and 2025. Now really might be your last chance to secure a decent deal on a new MacBook before Apple's new pricing structure filters down, as we'll be expecting tech retailers (including Amazon) to raise prices to match Apple's own soon enough.
These deals won't be around for long, either. With price rises now confirmed, those thinking about purchasing one of these Apple laptops will be rushing to hit the purchase button before paying extra. Stock shortages, especially on the cheapest models, could become a real possibility by the end of this sales week.
If you're interested, here are some of the best MacBook deals on sale right now, because you'll want to jump on them while you can.
Prime Day Deals on Apple MacBooks
MacBook Pro, Air, and Neo models from 2025 and 2026 are all on sale right now at Amazon for Prime Day. Amazon hasn't put all models on sale, however, but here are some of the deals we've spotted so far.
One thing to point out, however, is the MacBook Neo. Apple has just raised its MSRP to $699, meaning that Amazon's $589.99 price is $110 cheaper. This will not last long, so make sure to grab it at this price.
Other MacBook models, including the MacBook Air 2026 with a 512GB SSD, are seeing $200 price rises. The MacBook Pro, meanwhile, is getting a price rise of up to $400. This isn't reflected in these Amazon deal prices yet, which have knocked up to $150 off Apple's original prices, so you're guaranteed an even bigger bargain today if you can get your order in quickly enough.
No discounts (right now) on the new MacBook Neo, but it's sub-$600 price is still available at Amazon, at least for now. The MacBook Neo features a gorgeous 13-inch liquid retina display, an A18 Pro processor, 8GB of unified memory, 256GB of SSD storage, and a 1080p webcam. All packed in a thin and sturdy metal chassis. View Deal
The new 2026 MacBook Air now comes with the new M5 chip. This model ships with a 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display, 16GB memory, and 1TB of SSD storage.View Deal
Similar spec to the model above, but this MacBook Air has a smaller 512GB SSD.View Deal
The faster, more powerful 2026 MacBook Pro. This model, with its M5 Pro chip, has a 15-core CPU and 16-core GPU. It comes with 24GB memory and a 1TB SSD.View Deal
This elite-level 2026 MacBook Pro is a serious option for productivity. It has the 18-core CPU, 20-core GPU version of the M5 Pro chip. You also get 24GB of memory and a 1TB SSD for View Deal
The Apple MacBook Pro with M5 Max is the top-tier option for professionals. This model ships with an 18-core CPU/32-core GPU version of the M5 Max chip, along with a 14.2-inch Liquid Retina display. It comes with 36GB memory and a 2TB SSD.View Deal
Secure big savings ahead of these Apple price rises on the MacBook Pro 2026 with an even faster M5 Max chip, this model shipping with an 18-core CPU/40-core GPU variant. It has a bigger 16.2-inch Liquid Retina display, 48GB of memory, and a 2TB SSD for storage.View Deal
This 2025-model MacBook Pro ships with the 10-core M5 chip. It has a 14.2-inch Liquid Retina display, 16GB memory, and a 1TB SSD for storage.View Deal
This 2025-model MacBook Pro ships with the 10-core M5 chip. It has a 14.2-inch Liquid Retina display, 16GB memory, and a 1TB SSD for storage.View Deal
The era of AI tokenmaxxing may be well and truly over. Alongside stories of Amazon cutting its AI leaderboard and an unknown company blowing through $500 million worth of tokens in one month, leaked audio has emerged from consulting firm Accenture as it tries to figure out how to rein in rampant token spend at client companies, 404Media reports.
In leaked audio, Accenture acknowledges that certain trivial tasks being offloaded to AI are causing massive token overspend, especially when agentic AI is part of the mix. The staff in the meeting clearly recognizes that not only is AI spend growing out of control at companies heavily adopting the technology, but that there is very little way to predict how much any tasks would cost, or whether there is real value in using AI to complete them.
Accenture has previously been incredibly bullish on AI, even encouraging employees to use it so much that if they didn't, they risked missing out on promotions. But that seems like a policy destined for the AI history books, as Accenture is now clearly aware that it's overspending on AI, and many of its clients are too.
Anecdotally, I know a number of software developers and data engineers who have been encouraged to use AI as much as they can. They have token limits, but they have been encouraged to use all of them and find new ways to do it, too.
This is leading to runaway token spending, something Accenture is seeing in its client data. Accenture’s agentic AI strategy lead, Justive Kwak, was quoted in the audio saying: "What we’re seeing right now is just rapid escalation in AI token spend [...] as companies start to scale AI, moving from like simple chatbots into use cases that feature agentic workflows and automation and then enterprise-wide deployment of some of these tools like Copilot, Claude Code, and Codex."
This isn't something that will be contained to just a few firms, either, he said. “It’s really not a niche problem. It is a problem that every enterprise will face if they are bullish on AI, if they haven’t already,” he said, adding that token spend was increasing, “exponentially, as more and more people are starting to use AI.”
But that may be starting to change. Amazon canned its AI leaderboard - it's rumored to be the mystery company with a half-billion dollar AI spend in one month - Uber is capping AI use to cut costs, and Axios reported at the end of May that a number of CEOs and companies were switching to more affordable models, and more closely monitoring employee usage.
This all comes in the aftermath of the move by many of the major AI providers to token-based billing. Where previously subscriptions offered very favorable rates for AI use, suddenly companies were having to pay for the tokens they input, and the tokens the AI output - even when it was verbose, or made mistakes, or required follow-up correction.
As the Accenture call shows, it's making even some of the most AI-bullish organizations question their usage, because measuring the spend and the return on that investment is proving all but impossible.
As Kwak said in the leaked audio, "Leadership, especially at the CFO, COO, and CIO level, are still asking the question of whether they’re getting value from what we’re spending on in the context of AI.”
How do you measure return on investment?
Although large language models are proving to be extremely useful in niche cases, their effectiveness at a broader range of tasks is more nebulous. Especially when it comes to financing it. When managers and executives look at AI budgeting and a return on that investment, it's hard to square away the numbers.
When you can't know how many tokens a task will take to complete, or whether the task will be completed effectively on the first, second, or third attempt; when you can't completely control the length of the output, or know whether that output will be wrong, or a lie, or just a random hallucination, how do you measure return on the investment in that tool?
"We’re hitting this inflection point where AI is becoming material to the cost structure; spend is becoming very unpredictable," Accenture's Kwak said during the meeting. Although the overall bill of AI costs is visible, he suggested, finding the specific value attributed to that token spend was not.
This seems to have created a culture of task hierarchy within Accenture, where some tasks are deemed more worthy of AI token use than others. When Kwak positioned himself to show some slides during the meeting, Accenture's client group lead, Stuary Henderson, joked that he hoped Kwak didn't use AI to convert a PDF into images and then markdown files.
“I’m learning that’s one of the big token chewers," he said. “Turning PDFs into markdown: is that right?”
Kwak agreed that Accenture data did show some tasks being completed using AI that didn't really need it, and were using unnecessary tokens because of it. Much of that problem, he suggested, was down to non-technical staff overusing it.
“We’re seeing from some of the data internally at least that it’s actually not our engineers that are driving the token consumption. It’s a lot of the non-engineers that are doing some of those behaviors."
Now that Accenture has encouraged heavy AI adoption among its clients, it finds itself in the bizarre position of having to discourage it or at least encourage more studious use of it. It now sees its next opportunity as a way to advise clients on how to "think about token economics."
It's working on a tool called "Token IQ" to help advise clients, according to the call, but hasn't made any announcement so far.
What's clear from the Accenture leak and actions of some of the major tech companies, which have previously been so bullish on AI use, is that the finances of mass AI adoption at the per-token scale don't line up. Without a clear way to measure the return on AI investment, we may find even the most tokenmaxxing companies look to restrict access and spend through the rest of 2026 as they re-address AI strategy.
ASUS has started rolling out beta BIOS updates that restore Transparent Secure Memory Encryption (TSME) support to several AM5 motherboards, making it one of the first board vendors to implement AMD’s promised fix after the company was criticized for quietly removing the feature from non-Pro Ryzen CPUs.
According to VideoCardz, the beta BIOS files — which cover several ROG Crosshair, ROG Strix, TUF Gaming, and ProArt boards based on AMD’s X870, B850, and X670 chipsets — were reportedly shared through the ASUS ROG forum by overclocker SAFEDISK and include support for “GNR Transparent Secure Memory Encryption,” with GNR referring to Granite Ridge, AMD’s Ryzen 9000 desktop CPU family.
The BIOS updates are based on AGESA ComboAM5 PI 1.3.0.1b Patch A and appear to restore TSME support for non-Pro Ryzen 9000 processors earlier than AMD’s previously stated July timeline. X870 boards mostly move to BIOS 2401; B850 boards move to BIOS 1686; and X670 boards move to BIOS 3901 or 3886, depending on the model.
AMD officially confirmed to Tom's Hardware last week that it will reinstate memory encryption on Ryzen 9000 CPUs via a BIOS update, following “valuable community feedback.” AMD users had strongly expressed disapproval after the company silently removed TSME support from Non-Pro CPUs. TSME is a security feature that protects CPUs against physical exploits by encrypting the data stored in memory, making it unusable to physical attackers.
A user discovered that the feature was no longer available on his Ryzen 7 9700X system, even though it was enabled in the BIOS. Further testing involving MSI showed that consumer Ryzen chips could report TSME support under older firmware, but not after a newer AGESA update, while Ryzen Pro processors continued to support it. After countless reactions, AMD moved to fix the issue, setting July as the timeline for reinstating the feature via a BIOS update.
The ASUS update now suggests the fix is beginning to arrive earlier than AMD’s July timeline, positioning the company as one of the first board makers to package the reinstatement into actual motherboard firmware. However, this is not yet the broad, stable rollout most users will be waiting for. The files are beta BIOS releases shared through the ASUS ROG forum, so users who specifically need TSME may want to track them closely, while anyone running a production or stability-critical system should probably wait for final BIOS builds.
It's common knowledge that it's a bad time to buy a graphics card right now, since prices have surged and are likely to continue rising. However, Newegg's FantasTech Sale has one custom GeForce RTX 5070 Ti graphics card that is currently the most affordable. The GeForce RTX 5070 Ti Eagle OC Ice SFF 16G is up to 20% off the regular price, with a nice $220 in savings if you click the Discount Available section of the listing to claim your discount.
The GeForce RTX 5070 Ti Eagle OC Ice SFF 16G comes equipped with the WindForce cooler, Gigabyte's triple-fan cooling solution for lower temperatures and noise levels. The graphics card also employs Hawk-branded fans with an eagle-wing-inspired blade design to improve airflow. It also uses server-grade thermally conductive gel to enhance heat dissipation.
The graphics card features a boost clock speed of 2,497 MHz, a 4% factory overclock above Nvidia's reference GeForce RTX 5070 Ti specifications. The GeForce RTX 5070 Ti Eagle OC Ice SFF 16G has the dual BIOS functionality that lets you toggle between performance and silent profiles with a physical button on the graphics card.
A GeForce RTX 5070 Ti that employs the WindForce cooling system and flaunts a boost clock that scales up to 2,542 MHz. Click the Discount Available section of the listing to claim your discount.View Deal
The GeForce RTX 5070 Ti is the top choice if you want an exceptional gaming experience at 1440p (2560x1440) resolution. You can enjoy the latest games with remarkable image quality and high frame rates. The GeForce RTX 5070 Ti is also capable of handling 4K (3840x2160) gaming, but you'll need to keep your expectations in check in some of the more graphics-demanding games.
If you're set on a GeForce RTX 5070 Ti, the GeForce RTX 5070 Ti Eagle OC Ice SFF 16G from Newegg will save you over $200. It's not a bad deal, considering the current graphics card market and the fact that it'll likely worsen over time.
An analysis of a popular Google Chrome ad block extension for YouTube has uncovered the ability to execute arbitrary JavaScript code.
According to Island, the extension, named Adblock for YouTube (ID: cmedhionkhpnakcndndgjdbohmhepckk), has more than 10 million installs and carries a Featured badge on the Chrome Web Store.
The extension description states that it allows users to prevent web
My first DJI drone was the flagship DJI Mavic Pro that launched in 2016. At the time, it was the brand's smallest consumer market drone ever made, replacing the bulky DJI Phantom, and that meant it wasn't cheap at $999 / £999.
It didn't take long after unboxing it for me to crash it into a wall. I was excited; the controls were inverted. Back then, there was no way I could simply fork out for a replacement drone — but luckily it just needed a new arm rather than a whole new drone (phew).
Since then, DJI has expanded its consumer drone range considerably, from the ultra-lightweight Mini Series to the more accessible Neo Series for casual flyers. The most beginner-friendly of the lot is the DJI Neo, which you can find at Amazon for as low as $139 (was $199) in the US and £113 (was £169) in the UK for the drone itself.
I've rounded up the best DJI drone deals, like the DJI Neo, below. Hopefully, you're shopping to upgrade rather than replace, though. Happy flying!
Today's best DJI drone deals in the US
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. Weighing just 135g, no registration is required, and, thanks to today's low price at Amazon, the drone itself is less than $140. View Deal
It's not a huge discount on a drone that's now been succeeded by a newer model, but that doesn't mean this DJI drone deal that saves you $150 should be ignored. If you're yet to fly high or want to upgrade from a much older quadcopter, this 249g drone is still pretty darn good. Read our review for the full scoop.View Deal
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 $255.55. This combo includes DJI's updated remote controller and two batteries for a 62-minute flight time. If you're looking for your first drone equipped with a camera, the Mini 4K Camera Drone Combo is a great starting point. 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 Motion Fly More bundle, which includes the RC Motion 3, three batteries, and a charging hub. View Deal
Today's best DJI drone deals in the UK
In our DJI Mini 3 review, we praised it as "an enticing choice for eager drone pilots willing to sacrifice the obvious safety benefits of collision avoidance for a more affordable model". While it has since been succeeded, this 35% saving is still a notable discount worth considering if you want an entry-level drone. 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
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
If you've read our DJI Neo review, you'll already know that it's the easiest 4K drone you'll ever fly, with one-tap takeoff, subject tracking, and automatic return. Both the drone itself and combo packages are discounted at Amazon right now. This deal is for the Fly More bundle, which also includes a controller, three batteries, and a charging hub.View Deal
As far as the best running headphones go, we're still obsessing over the range of audio devices that Shokz has, especially those on offer right now during Amazon Prime Day.
I recently rounded up the best workout headphones deals and thought they're all solid picks, but not all of them are suited to running and intense cardio quite like Shokz. With that said, if you're more of a runner and less of a gym rat, investing in a good pair of headphones from Shokz might work out for you much better in the long run. Pun intended.
Last year, I ran my first half-marathon, ticking off another bucket list achievement, but deciding to go music-less was a huge mistake. Besides, my current headphones aren't designed for high-intensity running, which is why I wish I had looked into these models from Shokz before completing the whole 13 miles.
Today's best Shokz deals in the US
If you're a keen swimmer and are looking for a pair of headphones to soundtrack your way up and down the lanes, the OpenSwim Pro are a solid shout thanks to its Bluetooth connectivity for live music streaming, which has been added to the existing built-in MP3 support. This means they're ideal for listening to music both in and out of swimming environments.
As Amazon doesn't have price history information for these in the US, we don't know if this is a record low for the OpenFit 2+. But what we do know is that $90 off is a staggering discount on a pair of fitness headphones we said were "better than Bose".
A $55 saving on the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 (bone conduction headphones that don't actually go into your ear) is not to be sniffed at, especially as it's the biggest discount these headphones have ever had — they briefly dropped to $139 before now, but never this low! Available in both standard and mini sizes in three colors, the Pro 2 uses bone conduction and air conduction to deliver great sound on multiple fronts, all while keeping you aware of your surroundings.
These only came out last year, and we gave them 4.5 out of 5 in our glowing review – so this discount is fantastic. Clip-style open earbuds hook onto your ear, and don't go into the ear canal – they're really comfortable, they leave you able to hear the world around you as well as your music, and they sound superb.
OpenRun Pro 2 (a set of bone conduction headphones that don't actually cover the ears, so are almost like open earbuds!) are among the very best running headphones available right now, at the lowest price they've ever been – a solid Prime Day no-brainer for the long-distance runner in your life.
If you're in the UK, you can also get the Shokz OpenFit 2 for a record-low price. These excellent open earbuds are the ideal pick for runners and they are much easier to recommend at this massively discounted price. Get them for the impressive sound quality, lengthy battery life and dependable fit.
The OpenFit 2+ are slightly more pricey than the standard OpenFit 2, but there's a reason. Not only do they have incredible sound and fit comfortably even as a glasses wearer, but the battery life runs on a durable 11 hours playtime, 48 hours with the charging case.
This is a pretty great discount to score since these earbuds are just over a year old. The OpenDots One are comfortable, pack solid audio, and are now even more affordable than before. What's not to love about this better-than-Black Friday deal?
Two versions of the game are available: a standard edition that costs $79.99 / £69.99 / AU$129.95 and an upgraded Ultimate Edition that throws in some bonus digital content for $99.99 / £89.99 / AU$159.95.
In my eyes, it's a pretty reasonable price point. The game has taken over a decade to develop and is estimated to have a massive budget, which has led some analysts to suggest that prices could start at as much as $100 / £100 / AU$200 before they were made official.
In the US, it's $10 more expensive than most major games, which generally go for $69.99. In the UK, it's actually the same price as most other releases with the likes of Ghost of Yotei or Stellar Blade also costing £69.99.
Still, according to a poll we ran with TechRadar readers, some fans are disappointed, particularly given the fact that physical versions of GTA 6 won't actually contain a proper disc but rather a printed download code.
Most think GTA 6 costs too much
(Image credit: Rockstar Games)
We took to our almost 400,000 member strong WhatsApp channel to find out what our readers think and, after 459 responses, the results are pretty interesting.
Overall, the majority (59%) of responses said that GTA 6 is priced too high. Of that group, 68% stated that they would not by the game — vowing that "Rockstar just lost a sale" — while 32% admitted they would buy the game anyway, even if they thought it was too much.
Meanwhile, 41% were keen to get a pre-order locked in, selecting the option that said they will definitely "be there day one". This means that on the whole 59% said they were going to buy the game, even if they expressed concern with the price.
This leaves a sizeable minority that have seemingly been completely turned off. We'll have to wait and see whether this reservation is reflected in the official sales figures when they eventually release.
The first trailer for the new film adaptation of Sense and Sensibility, fronted by Daisy Edgar-Jones, has been released
Esmé Creed-Miles, Caitríona Balfe, Frank Dillane, George MacKay and Fiona Shaw are also in the cast
The movie is set to be released in cinemas on September 25
The first trailer for the new movie adaptation of Sense and Sensibility, starring Daisy Edgar-Jones as lead protagonist Elinor Dashwood, has been released — you can check it out below.
Releasing in cinemas worldwide in September 25, other cast members include Esmé Creed-Miles, Caitríona Balfe, Frank Dillane, George MacKay, Herbert Nordrum, Bodhi Rae Breathnach and Fiona Shaw.
The new movie, directed by Georgia Oakley, is the eighth adaptation of the Jane Austen novel since 1971, across all global media. However, fans of the book are already worried that the new film won't live up to one version in particular: the 1995 movie led by Kate Winslet and Emma Thompson.
"Unnecessary," one fan comment on YouTube reads, with another agreeing, "Gonna be very hard to top the Kate Winslet and Emma Thompson one."
A third adds on X, "1995 stans will riot, but this looks like it actually gets the heartbreak. Count me in for the tissues and the bonnets."
While fans are already divided over the impact of Oakley's take on the classic book, we're potentially overlooking the most crucial casting of the bunch: Caitríona Balfe.
Opinion: Caitríona Balfe's Outlander experience could elevate Sense and Sensibility
We've all been so busy talking about Daisy Edgar-Jones in the role of Elinor Dashwood that we've completely neglected how inspired a piece of casting Caitríona Balfe is.
The Outlander star will be playing Mrs Dashwood, originally played by Gemma Jones in the 1995 movie. Balfe is no stranger to creating compelling historical romance, having starred as Claire in the hit Starz series since 2014.
Frankly, she's the ideal person to cast in the face of a Jane Austen remake being so noticeably divisive. The new movie will need as many safe pairs of hands as possible to fend off the 'There-was-no-point-in-making-this-movie' brigade, especially if the idea is to showcase something completely different.
As far as the above trailer is concerned, we can expect traditional period-drama vibes throughout. Universal Pictures describes the adaptation as "an irresistible new take on Jane Austen’s iconic Sense and Sensibility: a charming, witty, and deeply relatable story of love and sisterhood."
Most plumbing jobs aren't planned. After all, a burst pipe doesn't wait for business hours. The company that answers the phone first usually wins the work.
Running that kind of business also means juggling a tight labor market and a stack of admin work that piles up the moment you stop chasing it. Now, I don’t run a home services business myself, but I’ve spent a lot of time reviewing business software for a living.
For this article, I tested different tools and platforms across five categories using sample data modeled on real plumbing scenarios, from urgent service calls to routine maintenance paperwork. Here's how it went.
#1 Field service management keeps the schedule honest
A field service management (FSM) platform schedules jobs and dispatches the closest available technician. It also stores every customer's repair history in one place, so nobody has to dig through paper invoices to remember what got replaced last time.
I tested one by building a week's worth of sample jobs, mixing emergency calls with routine maintenance the way a busy schedule actually looks. Everything was much easier to manage as the FSM software took care of most of my admin overhead. Meanwhile, my phone synced job notes and photos back to the dashboard in real time.
Industry research backs up what I saw. One 2025 survey of trade businesses found that 94% of companies using field service software reported real productivity gains. Eighty-three percent said the software helped their business grow.
The catch: techs used to working off a clipboard need real coaching before the software earns its keep. Switching systems mid-season can throw off a busy crew.
#2 Asset tracking stops tools from going missing
Plumbing crews lose more money to missing tools than most owners realize. An asset-tracking app assigns a QR code or GPS tag to every truck and major tool, so you always know who has what and where it's parked.
I built a sample inventory of tools and vehicles inside the app, then simulated one tool sitting unused in the yard for several days. The app flagged it within that same test run. It's exactly the kind of alert that would catch a missing drain snake before it becomes a bigger problem on a real job site.
Construction equipment theft costs the industry more than $1 billion a year in the US. Fewer than a quarter of stolen tools are ever recovered. One analysis found that businesses with full visibility into their assets boosted maintenance productivity by 28% and cut repair costs by 18%.
#3 AI lead capture tools answer calls you'd miss
AI-powered lead generation covers everything from chat widgets that qualify leads on your website to AI phone agents that answer calls after the office closes.
I set one up against a batch of sample after-hours calls, the kind that would normally roll to voicemail. In the test runs, several of those calls turned into booked appointments before a human ever saw the missed-call notification.
How fast you respond matters more than which specific tool you use. Contractors who reply to a lead within five minutes book the job far more often than those who wait half an hour, according to lead-response research.
Most contractors remain cautious about AI, though. One survey of more than 1,000 contractors found that just 25% use it in any meaningful way. So be sure to plan well before you roll it out.
#4 Accounting apps turn receipts into cash flow clarity
Accounting software is the least exciting tool on this list, but it's probably the one that saves the most time. It pulls in your bank transactions automatically and turns a pile of receipts into a usable profit and loss statement for your business.
I fed it a batch of sample receipts, the kind a plumbing crew would rack up in an average week. They landed already categorized in the right expense column within seconds. Generating a profit and loss statement from that sample data took minutes instead of an evening with a spreadsheet.
Manual bookkeeping eats up roughly 8 to 12 hours a month for the average small business owner. Decent software cuts that down to 2 to 4 hours.
Generic accounting platforms still fall short on job costing. They handle invoices fine, but rarely break down labor and materials by job the way a plumbing business actually needs.
#5 Training software shortens the learning curve
Specialty trade roles can take 45 to 60 days just to hire. New techs often need another 12 to 18 months before they're fully productive.
Many new techs quit within a year if there's no clear path forward for them. Forty-seven percent of trade workers say they'd leave a job that doesn't offer a clear way to learn new skills. That share has climbed sharply over the past year, according to recruitment research.
That’s why staff onboarding and training software turns tribal knowledge into a checklist that a new apprentice can actually follow. Training modules and certification checklists live in one app instead of a binder in the back of the truck.
I built a sample new-hire profile and ran it through one platform's onboarding checklist. I was able to clear the required certifications faster than I expected. The app even flagged exactly which ones were still missing instead of leaving that to memory.
Why software plays a big role in a plumbing business
Plumbing used to run on a paper schedule and word-of-mouth. Neither one has disappeared. Neither one is enough by itself anymore.
Part of the reason is the labor shortage. The industry is short an estimated 550,000 plumbers by 2027, a gap projected to cost the broader economy roughly $33 billion a year. When you can't hire your way out of a busy season, the work has to get done faster with the crew you already have.
That's what ties these five categories together. Scheduling, asset tracking, AI lead capture, accounting, and staff training don't replace a good plumber. They remove friction around everything else the job demands.
We tested each tool against scenarios modeled on how a busy plumbing business would actually use it, not as a polished sales demo. The ones that made this list are the ones that held up under that kind of pressure.
I need to make something abundantly clear, gentle reader. I ought perhaps to mention that we're tracking every Amazon Prime Day deal worth noticing if that's what you're after (and that the event is ongoing as I type), but, probably because of this big sale thing, I've been getting the question a lot and wanted to pin my colours to the mast.
Right then: the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) and no other set of earbuds before or since these June 2025-issue buds still offer the best active noise cancellation on the market, provided your source device doesn't have a piece of fruit with a bite taken out of it etched on the back. I test earbuds as a full-time job and have done so since 2019 (I know, nice work, etc.), so it's my job to know these things.
Other buds can offer better sound; I might point you towards Technics or Bowers & Wilkins here. And there are further buds I'd nudge you towards if you want novel features (here it is impossible not to note Samsung's own sets with live translation, as well as the ubiquitous ice-white offerings from Tim Cook's behemoth, some of which can monitor your heart rate). But for solid ANC, with music present and correct? Bose wrote the book on the technology, and Bose's buds are emphatically still the best.
And although I'm contractually bound to tell you that right now, you can get the QCU Earbuds (2nd Gen) for a whopping £89 off, since they're now £209 rather than £299 at Amazon (and their lowest discount before today was to £249, so it's big), that's not why I'm here.
No, I want to set the record straight once and for all. Until such time as a new set of earbuds swoops in and steals the spoils, this is the current, up-to-the-minute hierarchy.
Yes, AirPods Pro can cut out the noise, and I've got a roundup of the top AirPods Prime Day deals if you need 'em. But unless you own an iPhone, those won't serve you as well — which is how Apple wants to keep it. If you're on Android, I maintain that the earbuds you're reading about now are hands-down the best. And they don't care what file format or streaming service you're listening to when it comes to offering the excellent head-tracked spatial stuff, too…
Today's best Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) deal
Black Friday late last year was the first-ever saving I saw on this set of 5-star, 2025-release noise-cancelling earbuds, and that saw them drop to £249. Here's the thing: Bose products rarely see discounts, and that is because they basically walk all over anything else on the market for noise cancellation (except maybe Apple's AirPods Pro 3 — but if you don't own an iPhone, I don't recommend those, however good the deal). A lowest-seen fee on a truly excellent set of new earbuds from Bose? Yes please. View Deal
My in-depth Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) review is the place to go for my own even more detailed appraisal, but a cursory glance at the maximum five-star rating is perhaps all you need, along with this: They're just really,really good.
Also, for those with particular interest, the 'Sonic Sangria' finish pictured above is in the deal (hurrah!), and please believe me when I tell you they get plenty of compliments when I wear them. (All other finishes are included in the deal, though.)
I keep these buds beside my home desk, because the tree surgeons have been out in force recently (joy), and nothing cuts out chainsaw shrieks and the sound of falling timber quite like these. I also keep them here for when I'm testing the active noise cancellation efficacy of the competition. Yes, the Bose QCUE (2nd Gen) are essentially my reference product for ANC — a benchmark for what can be achieved in an in-ear design, if you've got a very special set of skills.
With this particular second-generation model, you get wireless charging from the box (which wasn't so with the originals) and multi-point connectivity that works seamlessly, something the original QCU Earbuds also bizarrely lacked on their release.
I also need to point out that I adore the Immersive audio profiles, which somehow mix device- and streaming service-agnostic spatial audio plus Bose's iconic noise-nixing to provide various vigorous, zealous, exciting soundstages for your movies or music.
Some of the best earbuds on the market? Oh absolutely. And one of the best Prime Day earbuds deals I've seen? Oh, OK then — 100% yes.
AeroPress coffee makers are super versatile, portable, and easy to use — and they're going cheap for Amazon Prime Day. The deals include both the AeroPress Original and the compact AeroPress Go, both in a rainbow of colors. Even if you already own one, like I do, you might be tempted to grab another while they're going chep.
There's also a great deal on the AeroPress Original XL, which is a great size for making a large carafe of coffee to share at home, at the office, or at camp. Pair it with the AeroPress Original XL Flow Filter Cap, which prevents coffee dripping before you start to press the plunger, and you've got total control over how your coffee is extracted - all for a bargain Prime Day price.
AeroPress Prime Day deals
AeroPress
AeroPress Original
AeroPress
AeroPress Original, Pink
AeroPress
AeroPress Original, Green
AeroPress
AeroPress Original, Red
AeroPress
AeroPress Original, Clear
AeroPress
AeroPress Go Plus, Cream
AeroPress
Aeropress Go Plus, Pink
AeroPress
Aeropress Original XL
AeroPress
AeroPress Go
AeroPress
AeroPress XL Flow Control Filter Cap
AeroPress
AeroPress Bundle - Premium
AeroPress
AeroPress Travel Mug, Red
The only thing missing is the new AeroPress Manual Coffee Grinder, which is still full price, but I'm keeping an eye on it, and will let you know as soon as it gets its first price cut. It's the best manual coffee grinder I've ever used, and it's not even close.
Logistics operators are under pressure from every direction.
Warehouses are being asked to process higher volumes, respond faster to disruption and maintain tighter inventory control, all while managing labor shortages and rising operational costs.
UK Warehousing Association research shows that recruitment challenges continue to affect the sector, with only 13% of employers reporting no difficulty hiring staff and more than half anticipating critical skills shortages in the years ahead.
At the same time, investment in warehouse automation continues to accelerate. McKinsey estimates adoption is growing at more than 10% annually as operators look to improve efficiency, resilience and cost management across increasingly complex supply chains.
Yet the defining shift in logistics is no longer the rollout of isolated automation tools. It is the emergence of autonomous systems capable of continuously capturing operational data, generating live insight and supporting faster, more informed decisions across the warehouse environment.
Moving beyond static automation
Historically, automation in logistics has been limited to controlled and predictable settings. Fixed systems deliver value in stable workflows.
That is beginning to change.
Most warehouse environments are dynamic, with changing inventory, layouts and operational demands. Advances in artificial intelligence, sensing and mobile robotics are enabling more effective operation in complex environments. At the same time, digital modelling technologies are improving how operators understand and manage warehouse operations.
Gartner predicts that by 2030, half of new warehouses in developed markets will be designed as human-optional facilities, supported by robotics and digital twins. This does not signal the removal of people from logistics. It reflects a shift towards systems that can support human decision-making with more accurate and timely data.
Creating a live operational picture
One of the biggest constraints in warehouse operations is visibility. Many decisions still rely on periodic stock checks, incomplete system data or manual investigation.
Digital twins are beginning to address this challenge.
By combining continuous data capture with virtual models of the warehouse, digital twins provide a real-time view of inventory, storage and movement. This allows operators to detect discrepancies earlier and respond before issues escalate.
Deloitte research indicates that improved inventory visibility can reduce operational inefficiencies and improve fulfilment accuracy, especially in high-volume distribution settings. More broadly, the ability to maintain accurate, real-time inventory data is directly linked to warehouse performance. Industry studies predict that poor inventory accuracy can significantly increase costs through mis-picks, stockouts and excess safety stock.
Turning data into operational action
The value of autonomy increases when insight leads directly to action.
As real-time data is combined with analytics, warehouse systems can identify issues such as misplaced inventory, congestion or underutilized space as they occur. This enables faster intervention, whether through human decision-making or system-driven recommendations.
Over time, this creates a more responsive operating model. Instead of reacting to problems after they occur, warehouses can move towards continuous optimization.
McKinsey notes that advanced analytics and automation can significantly improve warehouse productivity and reduce operational costs when deployed effectively.
Scaling logistics intelligently
A persistent challenge in logistics is that growth often brings added complexity. Higher volumes typically require more labor, more oversight and more manual processes.
Autonomous systems offer a way to change that dynamic.
By automating data capture and improving decision-making, organizations can scale operations without a proportional increase in manual intervention. This is particularly important in a constrained labor market.
At the same time, newer forms of automation are designed to be more flexible than traditional fixed systems.
Autonomous mobile robots, for example, can operate within existing warehouse environments, eliminating the need for large-scale infrastructure changes and making adoption accessible more easily.
How autonomy is changing warehouse roles
Autonomy does not replace people. It changes how they contribute.
As repetitive and physically demanding tasks are automated, workers can focus more on oversight, exception management and continuous improvement. This shift is already visible in facilities where humans and machines operate together, combining physical automation with human judgement.
Safety is also a key factor. Warehousing remains a high-risk environment, with industry data showing that the transportation and storage sector, which includes warehousing and distribution, experiences above-average non-fatal injury rates and around 38,000 workplace injuries each year. Reducing manual handling and improving situational awareness through automation can help mitigate these risks.
Building resilience through visibility
Autonomy is becoming a foundational capability for modern logistics operations. The greatest value does not come from robotics alone, but from the ability to combine automation, AI and real-time operational intelligence into a single connected system.
Warehouses that can continuously monitor inventory, identify inefficiencies and respond dynamically to changing conditions will be better positioned to manage disruption and scale sustainably.
As supply chains become more complex and less predictable, the competitive advantage will increasingly belong to organizations that can make faster and more accurate decisions. The future of warehousing will depend on how effectively businesses turn operational data into meaningful action.
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
Yes, the news that Apple fans have been fearing is here — Apple isn't immune to the RAM crisis and has just raised prices across Macs, iPads and the HomePod mini.
Those price hikes are global and are now live in its online store. An Apple spokesperson told Bloomberg "we know this is not welcome news, and we are working tirelessly to find solutions".
The headline news is that the MacBook Neo, praised for its excellent value, has seen its starting rise from $599 / £599 to a slightly less palatable $699 / £699. There have also been price hikes for the iPad Air, iPad Pro, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, Mac mini and some Mac Studio models.
What should you do if you were looking to buy one of those Apple products? You've can follow all the latest reaction and deals here in this liveblog...
Welcome to our Apple support group
Hello, and welcome to this liveblog for our reaction to Apple's bombshell news today that it'll be raising prices across Macs, iPads and more.
So what should you do if, like me, you've been looking at upgrading your Apple kit recently? I'll be rounding up all of the latest advice and reaction from TechRadar's experts here — along with the best Prime day deals that could be your savior.
Why is Apple raising prices so much?
(Image credit: Apple)
The RAM crisis is actually more of a PC component crisis — and unsurprisingly, Apple has said that it's this that's forced it to make unprecedented price hikes today.
An Apple spokesperson told Bloomberg that “the rapid expansion of AI data centers has created an extraordinary surge in demand for memory and storage”. They added that the company has “never seen a component price increase this much, this quickly.”
It's very unusual for Apple make statements like this, which shows how bad the crisis has become. Apple also added it has “shielded our customers from these increases so far, but we have now reached a point where we need to begin raising prices on a number of products including today’s increases for iPad and Mac.”
So what are the price hikes?
(Image credit: Future)
Here's a list of the most notable price hikes today for Apple products in the US and UK.
This isn't an exhaustive list — there are various spec configurations for Macs, for example, that will also be hit, particularly if you want to add more RAM.
But it's a handy overview if you want a quick look at the damage for your chosen product. No price hikes are welcome, but those MacBook and Mac mini ones are particularly painful considering the decent value they previously offered.
US price hikes
New price
Old price
Price difference
MacBook Neo
$699
$599
+$100
MacBook Air
$1299
$1099
+$200
MacBook Pro
$1999
$1699
+$300
Mac mini
$799
$599
+$200
iMac
$1499
$1299
+$200
Mac Studio
$2499
$1999
+$500
iPad A16
$449
$349
+$100
iPad mini
$599
$499
+$100
iPad Air
$749
$599
+$250
iPad Pro
$1199
$999
+$200
HomePod
$349
$299
+$50
HomePod mini
$129
$99
+$30
Apple TV
$199
$129
$70
UK price hikes
New price
Old price
Price difference
MacBook Neo
£699
£599
+£100
MacBook Air
£1299
£1099
+£200
MacBook Pro
£1999
£1699
+£300
Mac mini
£799
£699
+£100
Mac Studio (M4 Max)
£2499
£1999
+£500
Mac Studio (M3 Ultra)
£5,299
£3,999
+£1300
iPad Air
£749
£599
+£250
iPad Pro
£1199
£999
+£200
Deals to the rescue
If there is a small crumb of comfort from today's news, it's that there are some good deals around at Apple's old prices — which could net you some big savings.
I'll be running through some of the best of them now in this liveblog, for both the US and UK. And I have a personal stake in this too, having mulled over buying a MacBook Pro M5 just a few days ago (yes, it hurts).
So without further ago, let's get deals hunting...
iPad deals
The iPad deals below just got a whole lot better in light of today's Apple price hikes.
The iPad A16, for example, is now effectively $150 off, rather than just $50 in the US. Similarly, the iPad Pro's sale price of $899 is now a massive $300 less than Apple's new price, rather than the still-decent $100 saving you got previously.
For those in the UK, there aren't quite as many Prime Day deals right now, but there is a good one on the older iPad Air 11-inch (M3).
Today's best iPad deals in the US
While Apple just raised the starting price of the iPad A16 to $449, Amazon still has it down to just $299 for Prime Day. The most significant upgrade for this model over the previous generation is the A16 chip for faster performance, and 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.
Amazon has the newest iPad Air with the M4 chipset on sale for $519 right now, which is an even stronger deal with Apple's new starting price set at $749 for the 11-inch Air. In addition to Apple's superfast M4 chip inside, 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 iPad Pro offers one of the best views on any tablet, thanks to a Tandem OLED Ultra Retina XDR display, and excellent performance from the superfast M5 chip under the hood. For Prime Day, Amazon has the Wi-Fi, 256GB 11-inch iPad Pro with M5 at just $899, which is a 10% discount for Prime Day, but an even larger discount over Apple's new price of $1,199.
Much like the larger iPad Air, the 13-inch iPad Pro offers the excellent top-of-the-line iPad experience at an even bigger scale. It has an excellent, vibrant OLED screen and great performance thanks to the M5 chip. It's $100 off on Prime Day at Amazon, at just $1,099 for the Wi-Fi 256GB variant, and that's an even larger discount over Apple's new starting price of $1,499.View Deal
Today's best Apple iPad deals in the UK
If you prefer a tablet with a larger display, you can save £200 on the 13-inch iPad Air with an M3 chip and bag one for its lowest-ever price at Amazon. Apart from the bigger screen, it's identical to the 11-inch version. So, you get the same powerful M3 chip, a sharp Liquid Retina display, 12MP front and back cameras, 128GB of storage at a minimum, and Apple Intelligence compatibility for all the fancy new AI features.View Deal
What does this mean for iPhone prices?
(Image credit: Getty Images / Anna Barclay )
Fortunately, the iPhone is unaffected by today's price hikes — for now. But there's a good chance we'll see the iPhone 18 Pro get a price bump when it lands in September.
This week, we saw speculation based on JP Morgan research that the iPhone 18 Pro could get a price increase of $50-$100. It true, that would be pretty acceptable compared to the bigger price rises we've seen today.
The Apple Watch and AirPods have both also been spared price increases, though they could also be susceptible later this year (if to a lesser extent than Macs and iPads).
What MacBook deals are there?
(Image credit: Jacob Krol/Future)
If you're looking to buy a MacBook, the Prime Day deals just became a lot more important — maybe even essential, given the unprecedented Apple price hikes we've seen today.
For example, in the US you can buy the MacBook Neo (Apple's most affordable laptop) for $110 less than Apple's new pricing. Earlier today, that discount was only $10.
There are even bigger savings on pricier models like the MacBook Pro. The base 14-inch MacBook Pro M5 model is available for $1549 in the US, a massive $450 under Apple's new official price. How long these deals will last, though, is anyone's guess...
Today's best Apple MacBook deals in the US
Apple's MacBook Neo has been a hit since its launch earlier this year, and Prime Day is your chance to save on this impressive machine. Right now, Amazon has the starting configuration at just $589.99, which isn't the largest discount, but still some savings. For that, you can get a 13-inch Liquid Retina display, an A18 Pro chip, 8GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, and up to 16 hours of battery life.
That Prime Day discount is made even stronger, as the Neo now starts at $699 from Apple, so it's effectively over $100 off.View Deal
If you're after the MacBook Neo with Touch ID built into the color-matched keyboard and 512GB of storage versus the 256GB starting size, Amazon's also discounting the higher-end model. This MacBook Neo is seeing a similar 2% discount, down to $689.99 from $699. But again, that's an even bigger discount now as Apple is listing this at $799!View Deal
With an impressive $150 discount, this Prime Day deal makes the 13-inch MacBook Air with M5 an excellent purchase. And Apple's price increase makes this even more of a steal, as it's $949 on Amazon and starts at $1,299 from Apple. For that price, you get the latest chipset, 16GB of RAM, and a bigger 512GB SSD for much less. Simply, it's a workhorse.
After a larger screen, but still ultra-portable Mac? Well, the 15-inch MacBook Air with M5 is also discounted for Prime Day, down to $1,149.99 in every color. That's an even better deal than the now-$1,4999 starting price directly from Apple for the same configuration.View Deal
If you don't need an M5 Pro or M5 Max but still want a larger 14-inch screen with a Pro shell that offers more ports, Prime Day is also bringing discounts on the 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M5 chip. Right now, the starting configuration with 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage is 9% off at $1,549. That is an even larger discount than Apple's, though, as the M5 MacBook Pro now starts at $1,999 there.View Deal
For creative professionals, the 14-inch MacBook Pro powered by the performance-driven M5 Pro chip is the one to choose, and Prime Day has it starting at $1,549. This beast flies through demanding workloads like video editing without skipping a beat. It's also a major discount compared to Apple's now-$2,499 starting MSRP.
The latest MacBook Neo has been available for less earlier this Prime Day, but is still on sale for £50 below RRP. This brand-new and fantastic laptop packs a 13-inch Liquid Retina display, an A18 Pro chip, 8GB of RAM, 512GB of storage, and up to 16 hours of battery life, all for only £650.View Deal
When I'm planning my summer get-togethers there are three important things I have to tick off my list: good food, good company, and even better music — and for the past two years, the JBL Clip 5 has helped me check off that final entry.
While there are plenty of decent Bluetooth speaker offers kicking about for Amazon Prime Day, it's annoying to see them slip through your fingers if you don't have an Amazon Prime membership. Thankfully, Best Buy is pulling through with some great deals of its own.
Best Buy is currently matching Amazon's offer, listing the JBL Clip 5 for $59.95 down from $79.95, taking the speaker to a reasonable sub-$60 — and, unlike the Amazon offer, you don't have to sign up for a membership in order to get this deal.
Today's best JBL Clip 5 deal
The JBL Clip 5 has been one of our favorite budget-friendly Bluetooth speakers even before this current price drop. And despite its compact design and affordable price, it doesn't compromise on performance.View Deal
Despite narrowly missing out on a spot in our picks for the best Bluetooth speaker, the JBL Clip 5 is still one of our favorite models we've tested, and packs quite the punch despited its diminutive size.
It's simple to use and easy to carry around, and comes with IP67 rating, making it an ideal speaker to have at a pool party. Additionally, the fact you can hang it anywhere using its clip handle makes it a solid option for an outdoor speaker.
On the audio front, the JBL Clip 5 is surprisingly impressive for a sub-$60 Bluetooth speaker. You don't lose the details in deep bass, and while it can be a little strained with its trebles, that's pretty much to be expected given its budget-friendly price, and not a major issue for me.
Zscaler uncovered “Edgecution,” a malicious Edge extension deployed via fake Outlook update sites shared in Teams phishing
Attack uses ZIP archives with Python runtime to escape browser sandbox, creating a backdoor capable of shell/PowerShell execution and system data theft
Believed linked to Initial Access Brokers tied to ransomware group Payout Kings, showing evolving sophistication in access‑for‑sale operations
If you are using the Edge browser be careful - there is a malicious campaign going round that uses the browser to deploy a backdoor via an extension.
According to security researchers Zscaler, scammers are reaching out to their victims via Microsoft Teams, pretending to be IT support. They claim the user needs to install an Outlook update, or a spam filter, and direct the victims to a fake “Outlook Updates Management Console” website.
There, the users are instructed to run one of the three provided processes, all of which download a ZIP archive that, when executed, creates a scheduled task. This task starts the Edge browser in headless mode (invisible to the user) and installs an extension officially called “Edge Monitoring Agent”. Zscaler, on the other hand, calls it “Edgecution”.
Creating a Native Messaging manifest
The ZIP archive also contains an embedded Python runtime and a Python-based backdoor. The runtime creates a Native Messaging manifest - a file that tells the browser how to communicate with the backdoor. That’s the way the threat actors managed to escape the browser’s sandbox and run the backdoor on the compromised computer itself.
That backdoor can do multiple things, from executing shell commands, to running PowerShell and arbitrary Python code. It can also write files on the host, enumerate running processes, and gather system information.
Zscaler believes this is the work of an Initial Access Broker (IAB), a malicious group whose only job is to obtain access to a victim’s infrastructure and then sell it - or share it with a partnering group. This particular IAB, the researchers believe, is connected to a ransomware operation called Payout Kings.
“The Edgecution browser extension illustrates the evolving sophistication of initial access brokers operating in the ransomware landscape,” Zscaler warns. “The reliance on a malicious browser extension to relay commands to a Python-based native host demonstrates a creative approach to evade traditional endpoint detection.”
A full list of Indicators of Compromise (IoC) can be found on this link.
We're officially on day three of Prime Day 2026, and Amazon's discounts on MacBooks and iPads couldn't be better timed.
Apple just raised prices across nearly its entire Mac lineup — including MacBooks, iMac, and Mac Studio — alongside the iPad family and home products such as the HomePod and Apple TV 4K.
While Apple's online store is already reflecting the higher prices, Amazon is still offering some of the best discounts we've seen all year on MacBooks and iPads — even without updating the new original prices.
Those deals look even better now that Apple's higher MSRPs are officially in effect. For instance, Apple now lists the 13-inch MacBook Air with the M5 chip, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage at $1,299.99, but Amazon currently has it for $949. Likewise, the entry-level iPad now starts at $449 from Apple, while Amazon is selling it for just $299.
There's no telling how long these prices will last — though we're hoping they stick around through the remainder of Prime Day's four-day run. For now, keep scrolling for the best live deals on Macs, iPads, and Apple home devices that let you beat Apple's latest price increase.
You can even use the sidebar to jump to specific sections for each device category in the United States and the UK. Furthermore, while Apple hasn't raised prices for the Apple Watch, AirTags, or iPhone, I'm including deals for those as well since it's Prime Day after all.
Today's best iPad deals in the US
While Apple just raised the starting price of the iPad A16 to $449, Amazon still has it down to just $299 for Prime Day. The most significant upgrade for this model over the previous generation is the A16 chip for faster performance, and 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.
Amazon has the newest iPad Air with the M4 chipset on sale for $519 right now, which is an even stronger deal with Apple's new starting price set at $749 for the 11-inch Air. In addition to Apple's superfast M4 chip inside, 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 iPad Pro offers one of the best views on any tablet, thanks to a Tandem OLED Ultra Retina XDR display, and excellent performance from the superfast M5 chip under the hood. For Prime Day, Amazon has the Wi-Fi, 256GB 11-inch iPad Pro with M5 at just $899, which is a 10% discount for Prime Day, but an even larger discount over Apple's new price of $1,199.
Much like the larger iPad Air, the 13-inch iPad Pro offers the excellent top-of-the-line iPad experience at an even bigger scale. It has an excellent, vibrant OLED screen and great performance thanks to the M5 chip. It's $100 off on Prime Day at Amazon, at just $1,099 for the Wi-Fi 256GB variant, and that's an even larger discount over Apple's new starting price of $1,499.View Deal
Today's best Apple MacBook deals in the US
Apple's MacBook Neo has been a hit since its launch earlier this year, and Prime Day is your chance to save on this impressive machine. Right now, Amazon has the starting configuration at just $589.99, which isn't the largest discount, but still some savings. For that, you can get a 13-inch Liquid Retina display, an A18 Pro chip, 8GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, and up to 16 hours of battery life.
That Prime Day discount is made even stronger, as the Neo now starts at $699 from Apple, so it's effectively over $100 off.View Deal
If you're after the MacBook Neo with Touch ID built into the color-matched keyboard and 512GB of storage versus the 256GB starting size, Amazon's also discounting the higher-end model. This MacBook Neo is seeing a similar 2% discount, down to $689.99 from $699. But again, that's an even bigger discount now as Apple is listing this at $799!View Deal
With an impressive $150 discount, this Prime Day deal makes the 13-inch MacBook Air with M5 an excellent purchase. And Apple's price increase makes this even more of a steal, as it's $949 on Amazon and starts at $1,299 from Apple. For that price, you get the latest chipset, 16GB of RAM, and a bigger 512GB SSD for much less. Simply, it's a workhorse.
After a larger screen, but still ultra-portable Mac? Well, the 15-inch MacBook Air with M5 is also discounted for Prime Day, down to $1,149.99 in every color. That's an even better deal than the now-$1,4999 starting price directly from Apple for the same configuration.View Deal
If you don't need an M5 Pro or M5 Max but still want a larger 14-inch screen with a Pro shell that offers more ports, Prime Day is also bringing discounts on the 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M5 chip. Right now, the starting configuration with 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage is 9% off at $1,549. That is an even larger discount than Apple's, though, as the M5 MacBook Pro now starts at $1,999 there.View Deal
For creative professionals, the 14-inch MacBook Pro powered by the performance-driven M5 Pro chip is the one to choose, and Prime Day has it starting at $1,549. This beast flies through demanding workloads like video editing without skipping a beat. It's also a major discount compared to Apple's now-$2,499 starting MSRP.
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
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.
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.
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.
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
Today's best Apple Watch deals in the US
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.
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.
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
Today's best Apple AirTag deals in the US
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
Today's best Apple iPad deals in the UK
If you prefer a tablet with a larger display, you can save £200 on the 13-inch iPad Air with an M3 chip and bag one for its lowest-ever price at Amazon. Apart from the bigger screen, it's identical to the 11-inch version. So, you get the same powerful M3 chip, a sharp Liquid Retina display, 12MP front and back cameras, 128GB of storage at a minimum, and Apple Intelligence compatibility for all the fancy new AI features.View Deal
Today's best Apple MacBook deals in the UK
The latest MacBook Neo has been available for less earlier this Prime Day, but is still on sale for £50 below RRP. This brand-new and fantastic laptop packs a 13-inch Liquid Retina display, an A18 Pro chip, 8GB of RAM, 512GB of storage, and up to 16 hours of battery life, all for only £650.View Deal
Today's best Apple AirPods deals in the UK
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. To use, these are the do-it-all buds that offer excellent audio quality and top-tier noise-cancellation. Today's deal is the best price you can find on Apple's newest AirPods, and just £5 more than the record-low price.View Deal
This is a new record-low price for Apple's newest 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. Just be aware that 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 early 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, 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
The AirPods Max use an Apple-designed dynamic driver to provide high-fidelity audio — and they sound fantastic for it. Exceptional active noise cancellation, personalised Spatial Audio, and Dolby Atmos support all reinforce that. They feel good on your head as well, thanks to the knit-mesh canopy and memory foam ear cushions, so you can easily wear them for the full 20 hours of battery life if you ever want or need to. Grab them now for a record-low price.View Deal
Today's best Apple Watch deals in the UK
Here's a new record-low price for the Apple Watch SE 3. Apple's cheaper 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.View Deal
The latest Apple Watch 11 is down to its lowest-ever price in the latest Amazon Prime Day sale. 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 compared to previous devices, clocking in at 24 hours of average use.View Deal
This is the lowest price for one of Apple's latest and most advanced wearables — not bad, considering 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
Today's best Apple AirTag deals in the UK
This four-pack of the best-selling Apple AirTags is on sale for 15% off for Prime Day. These are a great way to keep track of keys, your phones, a child's backpack, luggage, or any other possession you'd rather not misplace. The AirTag can be attached to anything you don't want to lose, and your iPhone will locate it or send out a ping so you can track it down.View Deal
Today's best Apple iPhone deals in the UK
The high-end iPhone 17 Pro Max has fallen to its lowest-ever price at Amazon. We gave this premium handset an impressive 4.5-stars in our review for its stellar performance and fantastic cameras. Quite simply, if you demand a lot from your phone, this is easily one of the best you can buy right now.View Deal
The Apple iPhone Air 512 GB is the thinnest iPhone ever. It has a 6.5-inch Display with ProMotion, a powerful A19 Pro chip, Center Stage Front Camera, all-day battery life and a whopping 24% off thanks to this Amazon Prime Day deal.View Deal
Banks aren’t short on AI ambition. Across the industry, there are almost weekly announcements about new deployments, new partnerships, and new capabilities.
But amidst the lofty pronouncements, not enough attention is given to building the underlying architecture that makes any of it sustainable.
The UK Treasury Committee has already warned that the financial system is not adequately prepared for a major AI-related incident, and from where I sit, that warning is aimed squarely at how modernization programs are being run.
This is a governance problem which stems from unmade decisions; most banks have yet to make the strategic, organisation-wide commitment that should determine what gets built, before anyone starts building.
There is a real opportunity to be grasped by inviting the risk team to be part of design before you begin delivery.
Risk teams are being invited to the table too late
In traditional program structures, risk and compliance are brought in to validate decisions already made. Platforms are selected, designs agreed and timelines set, and the role of the risk function has typically been to check these things, rather than shape them. That model was never ideal, but now, in the AI-era modernization push, is structurally backwards at best and dangerous at worst.
A genuinely AI-ready bank requires continuous data lineage, runtime-embedded controls and a real-time, cloud-native core. None of these can be retrofitted cheaply once architecture decisions have already been made. By the time a compliance team discovers that a new platform can't meet AI governance or data traceability requirements, the cost of fixing it is prohibitive
If the risk function is part of the design process from the outset, banks can build a risk-conscious architecture rather than a risk-adjacent one. The difference in outcome is substantial, and increasingly, the difference between an institution that can operate confidently with AI and one that can't.
How legacy cores create invisible risk
The story of legacy architecture's constraints on innovation is well told, but it also creates blind spots that risk professionals can't see, let alone manage.
Batch-processing cores are the clearest example of this. When a core updates positions overnight rather than in real time, AML and fraud systems are operating on stale data. Suspicious activity that occurs between batch runs is invisible until the next cycle, a direct operational liability as the volume and speed of financial crime increases.
Fragmented data pipelines create a related problem. Continuous lineage (the ability to trace every decision to its data source) is a prerequisite for AI governance. On architectures where data moves through multiple disconnected systems before reaching an analytics layer, that lineage is structurally impossible to maintain without a modern, cloud-native architecture.
Finally, third-party AI deployment adds an additional layer of exposure. When models are embedded in platforms a bank doesn't have full control over, it leaves compliance teams operating with limited visibility into how decisions are being made.
Under the EU AI Act, which requires traceability and explainability for high-risk AI systems which may credit decisioning and fraud detection, that becomes a direct regulatory risk, and that's just one of a raft of emerging AI regime banks must navigate.
Risk is moving from chronic to acute
What has changed is the speed at which risk moves.
Banks now have to contend with an increase in state-based cyberattacks on financial supply chains, a trend accelerated by geopolitical instability, with agentic AI substantially increasing the speed and scale of those attacks.
Under regimes such as DORA, which introduce near real-time cyber incident reporting, means institutions need detection and response infrastructure that operates on live data, capable of identifying and escalating incidents as they happen rather than after the fact. Batch architectures don't meet this standard, and the window to remediate is narrowing.
The EU AI Act raises the bar further on traceability and explainability, particularly for credit decisioning and fraud detection, both areas where AI adoption is moving fastest.
Banks not designing against these requirements are accumulating risk, not avoiding it. The regulatory deadlines are known. The technical requirements are understood. The question is whether the architecture being selected today is capable of meeting the obligations that will be enforced tomorrow.
What risk-intelligent modernization looks like
I have sat in enough program steering committees to know that the moment risk professionals are brought into a modernization program shapes everything that follows.
When we arrive after the architecture is set, we are negotiating against decisions that are already expensive to reverse. When we are in the room from the start, we can design the non-negotiables in rather than bolt them on.
The practical starting point is three questions that every bank should answer before any platform decision is made:
What risk posture must we preserve throughout migration? The answer defines the non-negotiables for any new architecture: data integrity, audit continuity, access controls, and the governance structures that cannot lapse during transition.
What are we engineering against on a ten-year horizon? Regulatory requirements in 2036 will look different from those in 2026. The architecture being selected today needs to be capable of meeting obligations that do not yet fully exist, which means flexibility and real-time data capability are not optional extras. Some of the newer, digitally-native fintechs have demonstrated that building with this horizon in mind from the outset produces materially different, and more resilient, architecture than retrofitting compliance onto an existing estate.
What governance must change so we don't embed legacy risk into a modern platform? New infrastructure running old processes is window-dressing. If you modernize technology without modernizing governance, you recreate the same control failures in a different environment.
Modernization is not risk-free. But the risk of standing still now exceeds the risk of moving carefully, and the cost of getting the architecture wrong compounds with every year it goes unfixed.
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
Your phone won't stop ringing, but half your day still disappears into paperwork. Quotes need typing, schedules need shuffling, invoices need chasing, all before a dollar lands in your account. Add a tightening labor market, and there's even less room to waste hours on busywork.
The construction and trades sector needs roughly 349,000 net new workers in 2026 alone, according to the Associated Builders and Contractors. With fewer hands on deck, the businesses protecting their margins are the ones tightening their processes rather than just adding headcount.
Here are nine ways to do exactly that.
#1 Standardize how you estimate and quote jobs
A vague estimate can turn out to be quite expensive.
A survey of more than 600 construction business owners and finance experts found that one in four companies would close if they made just two or three inaccurate bids. Create one standard template that prices labor and materials with overhead built in, then reuse it for every quote.
#2 Centralize scheduling and invoicing in one system
(Image credit: Generated with Gemini )
The global market for field service management software is projected to grow from $5.64 billion in 2025 to $9.68 billion by 2030, as more commercial service businesses move toward all-in-one service management software.
Booking jobs in one tool and invoicing in another creates gaps where details fall through, especially once a crew gets added to the mix. A single system that connects bookings with dispatch and billing keeps your office and crews looking at the same information, so nothing gets double-booked or invoiced twice.
Look for software that fits how your trade actually works, rather than forcing your workflow to fit the software. A good platform usually covers:
Online booking requests with instant quotes
Technician scheduling and dispatch
Mobile invoicing with on-site payments
Customer messaging and review requests
#3 Put the right tools in technicians' hands
Admin tasks eat up roughly 30% of an average field technician's working week — almost as much time as they spend on the job itself — according to a recent study.
Mobile apps that let crews pull up job details and capture signatures on site cut out a layer of paperwork that used to sit on someone's desk back at the office. Photos and checklists logged on site also create a clear record if a job ever gets disputed.
#4 Track job costs in real time, not after the fact
Contractors who track actual costs against estimates while a job is still running see project margins improve by 15% to 20%. If you wait until a job closes to check the numbers, the overrun has already happened. A crew running 50% over its labor budget while only 30% through the work is worth flagging in week one, not at final invoicing.
#5 Make customer communication part of the process
Homeowners and commercial clients judge contractors on the whole experience, from first contact through final cleanup. A survey of more than 1,000 US homeowners found that 73% would refer a business after a great service experience.
Most homeowners also say speed and clear updates shape who they hire. Automated appointment reminders and status texts handle this consistently, without relying on someone in the office remembering to make a call.
#6 Plan routes around your crew, not the other way around
Poor routing and scheduling can eat up more than 40% of a field technician's workday.
Route optimization typically cuts drive time by 15% to 30%, freeing up hours that crews can spend on billable work instead of behind the wheel. That gap is often the difference between fitting in one more job or running into overtime.
#7 Build simple SOPs for your most common jobs
Crews waste an estimated 5% to 12% of total project costs on rework industry-wide, often repeating the same mistakes from job to job.
A short, written process for your most frequent jobs, covering the steps and the quality checks each one needs, keeps standards consistent even as your team grows. A plumbing business might document exactly how a water heater swap gets quoted and signed off, regardless of which technician shows up.
#8 Let your operational data guide staffing decisions
Research claims that AI tools could take over roughly 35% of a service team's administrative work, saving each employee more than two hours a week.
Use the data your business already generates, such as job duration and callback rates, to decide where to hire, retrain, or rebalance workloads before busy season hits. A technician whose first-time fix rate keeps slipping likely needs more training, not a heavier workload.
#9 Treat onboarding and training as retention tools
Replacing a skilled tradesperson can cost 50% to 200% of their annual salary once you factor in recruiting and lost productivity during ramp-up.
A structured onboarding process, with clear training steps and check-ins in the first few weeks, gets new hires productive faster and less likely to walk. Even a simple 30-60-90 day check-in schedule tends to catch problems long before they turn into a resignation.
Final thoughts
None of this needs to happen overnight. Pick the one area causing the most friction right now, maybe it's chasing payments, maybe it's an overbooked schedule. Fix that first, then move on to the next.
Growing a service business in 2026 means doing more with the same crew, not necessarily a bigger one. Tighter processes protect the margins that labor shortages and rising costs keep squeezing.
The contractors who win the most work are rarely the cheapest. They're the ones who make hiring them feel easy, from the first quote to the final invoice.
The International Supercomputer Conference in Hamburg was the perfect platform for Lineshine (or Língshèng 灵晟) to, well, shine, as it received the crown of the world’s most powerful computer ever built.
It smashed the previous TOP500 record held by El Capitan, the US supercomputer built in 2024 by HPE for the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL).
Unlike the latter, Lineshine uses CPU power only rather than APU or GPUs, a remarkable feat given the prevalence of these technologies. Only another supercomputer in the top 10, the Arm-powered Fugaku supercomputer, falls in that category.
Details shared by Lu Yutong, the chief designer of Lineshine show that it is powered by more than 13.7 million ARMv9 cores spread over 90 racks and 45,360 CPUs.
Yes, you’ve got it right, there are 304 cores per socket split in two chiplets, and eight NUMA domains each with 38 cores and 4GB HBM memory. There’s apparently eight CPU slots left empty per rack.
Each socket can access 256GB of DDR5 memory, which means that the entire system has 128TB off-package RAM and 16TB HBM. The entire supercomputer has 11.6PB of traditional DDR5 memory and almost 1.5PB of HBM.
Compared to El Capitan pure HBM3 approach, Lineshine opted for a tiered memory pool similar to traditional computers (using RAM and SSD). The system is connected to 200PB of direct storage as well.
Breathtaking performance
Altogether, Lineshine reached 2.198 exaflops, 21% faster than the 1.809 exaflop figure reached by El Capitan.
However numbers don’t tell the whole story; China’s new top dog consumes far more power than El Capitan, making it far less efficient. It only reached 52 Gigaflops/Watt compared to 60.95 Gigaflops for El Capitan and 73.28 for Kairos, the greenest supercomputer in operation.
What is more interesting is the fact that each core, even running at 1.5GHz, reached about 200 Gigaflops of FP64. Significantly more than any supercomputing CPU Core (e.g. AMD Zen 4 or Nvidia Grace) which ironically underlines Chinese weakness when it comes to GPU, i.e they went the CPU way because they didn’t have any option than to go brute-force.
And that’s despite the barrage of launches by Huawei over the past few years with the Ascend 910D, the Ascend 910C and the Ascend 920.
Lineshine used its own version of Nvidia’s Nvlink interconnect called LinQi, one that can scale in excess of 100,000 nodes or more than 60 million cores, 4x the current core count. So there’s plenty of room to grow should Lineshine want to keep its rank.
It is not the first time that China sits atop the TOP500 leaderboard. The last time it achieved it was with the Sunway TaihuLight supercomputer back in 2017. And while nabbing the top spot on this leaderboard gets the winner bragging rights, it is only really useful for HPC (high performance computing) applications like CFD, earthquake simulation, materials, energy, drug design, neuroscience and scientific AI, and others.
Hyperscalers like Google or Microsoft can muster even more powerful compute power, by at least an order of magnitude, if needed but that is not accounted for by TOP500 for various reasons.
The fifth and final season of The Bear picks up the morning after Carmy's bombshell decision to walk away from the restaurant, a drastic step he had to take in order to make peace not only with Richie and Syd, but to address his own personal demons.
For Richie and Syd, it's the opportunity of a lifetime, but with Cicero relentlessly pressing home his pledge to shutter this sinkhole of a business once and for all, it's also a poisoned chalice. Those Jono Pandolfi plates don't seem quite so vital now.
Although the spectre of Mikey has been constant throughout the show's previous four seasons, Carmy's impending journey of personal discovery coupled with the events of Gary potentially hint at a breakthrough. The special flashback episode indicated that there wasn’t much more Richie could have done to help his best friend, and that in fact Mikey may have scuppered his shot at happiness with Tiff.
Just as the business couldn't possibly have survived with Carmy and Richie at loggerheads, Ebraheim showed that The Bear, both symbolically and literally, simply can't exist without The Beef. Will they finally earn that Michelin star? Will it make a blind bit of difference?
Read on as we explain how to watch The Bear season 5 from anywhere.
Can you watch The Bear season 5 for free?
Yes. Hulu offers new and some returning customers a 30-day FREE trial, which would let you watch all eight episodes of The Bear season 5.
YouTube TV , which carries FX, offers new subscribers a 21-day FREE trial., which would let you tune into at least the first few episodes of The Bear S5 for free.
Traveling abroad right now? You can use a VPN to access your usual streaming services from anywhere with a VPN.
Use a VPN to watch The Bear season 5 from anywhere
A VPN is a handy piece of software that can make your device appear as if it's back in your home country and unlock your usual streaming services. The best VPN right now? We recommend NordVPN – it does everything and comes with up to 75% off.
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 ✅ 3 Extra Months Free ✅ Unlocks Hulu & YouTube TV
Get NordVPN and stream The Bear S5 from anywhere.VIEW DEAL ON
How to watch The Bear season 5 in the US
The Bear season 5 is available to watch as a boxset on Hulu, or weekly on FX.
It premieres on FX with a double-header of episodes from 9pm ET / 6pm PT on Thursday, June 25. Further episodes will go out one at a time in the same slot weekly.
If you don't have access to FX, you can watch The Bear S5 on Hulu instead. All eight episodes will hit the streaming service at 9pm ET / 6pm PT on Thursday, June 25.
Plans start from $11.99 per month after a FREE 30-day trial, or you can get loads more content for just one dollar more with the Disney Plus Bundle.
FX is also available with different OTT cord cutting services, such as YouTube TV, which comes with a 21-day FREE trial.
Have one of these subscriptions but away when The Bear is on? You can still access your usual streaming services from anywhere by using a VPN.
How to watch The Bear season 5 in Canada, UK, Australia and worldwide
Viewers outside the US can watch The Bear S5 on Disney Plus, the show’s international home.
All eight episodes land at 9pm ET / 6pm PT on Thursday, June 25 in Canada, and on Friday, June 26 in the UK and Australia.
You can take a look at Disney Plus prices and plans where you are, starting for as little as CA$8.99 / £5.99 / AU$9.99 per month in Canada, the UK and Australia respectively.
Away from home? You can still connect to your usual streaming services by downloading a VPN and pointing your location back to your home country.
The Bear season 5 – Need to Know
The Bear S5 trailer
When is The Bear S5 release date?
The Bear season 5 premieres in the US and Canada on Thursday, June 25.
In the UK and Australia, episodes will arrive a day later, starting from Friday, June 26.
The Bear S5 episode guide
The Bear season 5 comprises eight episodes, all of which will be available to stream on Thursday, June 25 in the US and Canada, and on Friday, June 26 in the UK and Australia.
In the US, episodes will air on FX on the following schedule:
Episode 1: "Soda" – Thursday, June 25
Episode 2: "Lamb" – Thursday, June 25
Episode 3: "Mint" – Thursday, July 2
Episode 4: "Ribs" – Thursday, July 9
Episode 5: "Raspberries" – Thursday, July 16
Episode 6: "Focaccia" – Thursday, July 23
Episode 7: "Caramel" – Thursday, July 30
Episode 8: "The Original Beef of Chicagoland" – Thursday, August 6
The Bear S5 cast
Jeremy Allen White as Carmen "Carmy" Berzatto
Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Richard "Richie" Jerimovich
Ayo Edebiri as Sydney "Syd" Adamu
Lionel Boyce as Marcus Brooks
Liza Colón-Zayas as Tina Marrero
Abby Elliott as Natalie "Sugar" Berzatto
Matty Matheson as Neil Fak
Edwin Lee Gibson as Ebraheim
Corey Hendrix as Gary "Sweeps" Woods
Oliver Platt as Jimmy "Cicero" Kalinowski
Ricky Staffieri as Theodore Fak
Jose M. Cervantes as Angel
Christopher Zucchero as "Chi-Chi"
Chris Witaske as Pete
Richard Esteras as Manny
Paulie James as Chuckie
Rene Gube as Rene
Andrew Lopez as Garrett
Brian Koppelman as Nicholas "Computer" Marshall
Gillian Jacobs as Tiffany Jerimovich
Jamie Lee Curtis as Donna Berzatto
Sarah Ramos as Chef Jessica
Will Poulter as Luca
Jon Bernthal as Michael Berzatto
When is The Bear S5 season finale?
The eight and final episode of The Bear season 5, titled "The Original Beef of Chicagoland", premieres at 9pm ET on Thursday, June 25 on Hulu in the US and Disney Plus in Canada.
It will premiere in the UK and Australia on Friday, June 26 on Disney Plus.
It will air on FX in the US at 9pm ET on Thursday, August 6.
VPN services are evaluated and tested by us in view of legal recreational use. For example:a) Access to services from other countries, (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).b) Safeguarding your online security and making your online privacy more robust when abroad.Future plc does not support nor condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. We do not endorse nor approve of consuming pirated content that is paid-for.
If you’re thinking about buying your first proper mirrorless camera, or upgrading your current system, Amazon Prime Day is the time to do it. I’ve just found one of the best deals I’ve seen on a full-frame camera in a long time — but you might have to act fast to take advantage of it.
The Canon EOS RP was one of the first cameras in Canon’s EOS R series, released in 2019. Designed to be a lightweight alternative to the then-flagship EOS R, it puts a 26.2MP full-frame CMOS sensor into a lightweight SLR-styled body with ergonomic controls and excellent handling.
The EOS RP was designed to be the camera for everyone, a user-friendly and inexpensive route into what was then a new system. However, time marches on, and while the EOS RP hasn't been officially discontinued, Canon recently added the 'Sales Ended' tag to its page on its official Japanese store — which is a sign that a camera is about to ride off into the proverbial sunset.
Currently, you can get hold of this full-frame mirrorless camera for as little as $799 in the US, and an amazing £645 in the UK. For such a popular camera of such high quality — one that launched at a body-only asking price of $1,299/£1,399 — that is absolutely incredible.
But you might want to act fast. That 'Sales Ended' tag means no more Canon EOS RP models will be coming off the factory lines — once current stock gone, it's gone for good!
Today's best Canon EOS RP deals (US)
With a chunky three-figure discount, the EOS RP is currently one of the most affordable full-frame cameras you can buy new. Its fast autofocus system and full-frame quality make it a capable all-rounder for all shooting situations.View Deal
This bundle from Adorama isn't part of Prime Day, but the sale price matches Amazon's, and you also get a 64GB SDXC card, cleaning kit, card reader, bag and editing software package.View Deal
Today's best Canon EOS RP deals (UK)
In the UK, the EOS RP is even further discounted — to the tune of a whopping 39% off its current asking price. You could easily pick up this camera, and a lens or two, and still have change from a grand.View Deal
The 'P' in the name stood for 'Popular', positioning the EOS RP as a camera for all users. (Image credit: Future)
The ideal gateway into full-frame
Shooting with a full-frame system camera feels like a tangible step up. The level of depth and dynamic range achievable with a physically larger sensor is immediately striking. If you've only ever been shooting with a smaller-sensor compact camera, or just your phone, you'll immediately notice the difference.
The EOS RP is currently one of the most affordable routes into full-frame. It offers sumptuous image quality backed by Canon's excellent color science, and also benefits from advanced features like Canon's Dual Pixel CMOS autofocus, with 4779 selectable points. Long regarded as one of the best autofocus systems in the business, Dual PIxel CMOS continues working quickly and accurately even when the light gets low.
When Matt Golowczynski reviewed the Canon EOS RP back in 2019, one of his key criticisms was the lack of native lens options for the RF-mount. Well, seven years down the line that is categorically not a problem any more — Canon has been busy releasing RF-mount upgrades to all its major lens archetypes, from wide-angle zooms to telephoto primes.
There are loads of affordable options to pair the camera with, too — you can pick up the RF 50mm f/1.8 STM for as little as $199 / £189. That would still see you spending less than a grand for a complete full-frame setup — and believe me, that's not always an easy thing to achieve!
Or, if you prefer a zoom lens, Amazon will let you bundle up your EOS RP with an RF 24-105mm F4-7.1 lens, a lightweight travel-friendly optic designed for day-to-day photography, spanning wide-angle to telephoto. In the US, this combination will run you a still-respectable $1,099, while in the UK, it's a frankly mad £791.99
The EOS RP also shoots 4K video, albeit with a crop. (Image credit: Future)
Also, if you already own a Canon DSLR and a couple of lenses — perhaps ones that have been sitting in a cupboard untouched for a few years — it's easy to adapt your EF-mount lenses to work with the EOS RP. Simply add the EF-EOS R adapter, and all of your DSLR lenses will work with full electronic functionality of autofocus and stabilization, if they have it.
Granted, the EOS RP is an older camera. This means you're not going to get some of the more exciting features we've seen in cameras from the past few years, such as AI-powered subject-recognition autofocus, which has even started to appear in more entry-level models.
But the best thing about the EOS RP, in my view, is that it's a gateway into one of the most comprehensive and exciting mirrorless camera systems in all of photography. If you get to a point where you think you've outgrown it, you have a broad range of fantastic EOS R cameras to upgrade into. You'll be able to offset some of the cost by trading in your EOS RP — and all your RF or EF lenses will still work with the next model.
So, if you're thinking of jumping into full-frame photography, this could well be your moment. But like I said — don't hang around for too long!
What Stars Watch is the franchise that makes the tough choice of what to stream next for you using A-List recommendations. Whenever your favorite actor has a new movie or TV show coming out, we’ll get their take on what cinematic classic or underrated gem would make the ideal double bill. Two for the price of one, as the saying goes.
Want to know which 1960s French film Patrick Dempsey thinks is the perfect companion piece for his latest 10-part crime thriller? Or which forgotten action movie Channing Tatum loves so much from his childhood that he wants you to stream it with what he’s working on now? Like a streamable oracle, entertainment reporter Jasmine Valentine has got all the answers.
Apple has raised prices across multiple categories
The MacBook Neo notably got a sizable hike
The move comes in response to the RAM crisis
While everyone is busy scooping up Amazon Prime Day deals on all manner of gadgets, Apple just dropped the opposite of deal news: price hikes across most major product categories, including the new MacBook Neo, MacBook Air, Apple TV, HomePod mini, and more.
Look, it's not like we didn't see this coming. Apple's outgoing CEO Tim Cook may be the supply chain maverick, ensuring the tech giant had ample supplies of components to fill tech orders for months, but the RAM and component crisis has dragged on for long enough that even Apple has been dragged in.
Cook warned us last month during an earnings call in which he cited "significantly higher memory costs" and then added that, starting this month, RAM prices would "drive an increasing impact" on Apple's products.
That impact has now translated into higher prices for numerous Apple products, which Apple announced by, well, not really announcing them. Instead, the Apple Store went offline at around 7:30AM ET on Thursday and then returned an hour later with new prices and, basically, no fanfare.
This is gonna hurt
Among the devices seeing a price hike is the exciting and affordable new MacBook Neo, a mobile CPU-powered laptop that was perfectly built for the back-to-school market, and at $599 to start, was Apple's cheapest laptop in memory. It now starts at $699, which also means the Neo with double the storage (512GB) and TouchID is now $799 to start.
There is essentially bad news across multiple categories.
The MacBook Air 13-inch with the M5 chip, a laptop I called "the best ultraportable I've ever used," jumps from $1,099 to start to $1,299. The MacBook Pro jumps a whopping $300 (from $1,699 to $1,999) to start.
Other products getting price hikes include the Apple TV streaming box (now starts at $199) and HomePod Mini(up to $129 for $99).
Perhaps more disturbing for the back-to-school set, the iPad Air base system jumps from $599 to $699.
One of the more shocking price hikes is for a product that, perhaps thankfully, many will not sweat: the Vision Pro. At $3,499, it was already wildly expensive. Now the M5 edition starts at — wait for it — $3,699. That won't help its chances with consumer market penetration.
Shielded from these price hikes is Apple's entire iPhone lineup, Apple Watch, and AirPods. So there's that.
It's fairly clear Apple didn't want to do this. In fact, it's hard to remember a time when Apple summarily raised so many prices at once, but its hand was forced. Tech companies across almost every category are responding to these RAM shortages with higher prices.
We've contacted Apple and then sent us this comment: “The consumer electronics industry is facing an unprecedented challenge. The rapid expansion of AI data centers has created an extraordinary surge in demand for memory and storage. We have never seen a component price increase this much, this quickly. We have shielded our customers from these increases so far, but we have now reached a point where we need to begin raising prices on a number of products, including today’s increases for iPad and Mac. We know this is not welcome news, and we are working tirelessly to find solutions.”
If and when the RAM crisis subsides, will prices return to pre-RAM shortage levels, or is Apple setting a new normal? Only time will tell.
Go find the deals
In the meantime, Prime Day is still live, and there are ample chances to snap up good deals on these gadgets before you're left with nothing but the higher prices (where prices are rising). You'll find the best deals we spotted on iPads, MacBooks, and more below and in this roundup.
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 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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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
Prime Day Apple Watch deals
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.
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.
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
Prime Day AirTag deals
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
I did something out of character this year on Amazon Prime Day. On day one of the sales, I checked out my basket full of goodies; mostly household essentials that needed a top-up like my favorite shampoo, but also an impulse buy on a Breville Iced Coffee Maker so I can curb my spending on Starbucks iced coffee.
Usually, I wait a little longer, so the buyer's remorse hit fast, but it was all worth it in the end; I've used my new iced coffee maker twice now, saving me about £12 already on iced caramel lattes from Starbucks (give or take a little when you factor in home-ground coffee beans, milk and caramel syrup).
Considering it's at an almost record-low price of £21.99 (was £46.99), this single-serve gadget has almost paid for itself already, and it's going to be my top recommendation for those who have limited counter space but prefer caffeine of the cool variety. It comes with its own tumbler (of course, you can use any cup, but the giant one provided is great for slow sipping), a reusable coffee filter, and easy-to-follow instructions.
Today's best Breville Iced deals
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 2,000+ 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
More iced coffee maker deals
We gave this clever coffee maker a full five stars in our 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
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.
Really, the Breville Iced is basically a filter coffee machine that's optimised for iced coffees; the max water line and recommended coffee ground volume are set with a view to the brewed coffee being poured over ice in a tumbler below.
In theory, then, you can also use it as a cheap filter coffee machine; I've not tried it myself yet to see if the heat of the coffee or the distance between the tap and a standard mug or coffee pot would be prohibitive, but I imagine it'd do just fine. For £20, a small countertop footprint and a sizeable tumbler I can also use when I'm out and about, I'll take it.
Two days left to lock in your spot at TechCrunch Founder Summit 2026 and save up to $190 before Early Bird rates expire on June 26 at 11:59 p.m. PT. Register today.
The Department of Transportation wants to remove the brake-pedal requirement for vehicles "designed to be driven exclusively by automated driving systems."
Microsoft and OpenAI are no strangers in the corridors of justice, particularly when it comes to copyright infringement disputes. It is well established that advanced AI models such as Microsoft Copilot and ChatGPT rely heavily on vast amounts of online content, including material from outlets like Windows Central, for training purposes.
In court proceedings, Microsoft and OpenAI have consistently argued that copyright law does not explicitly prohibit the use of online content to train AI models. However, with Google racing ahead by embedding AI directly into search, the industry finds itself at a tipping point. As traditional outlets struggle to compete, many are shutting down, leaving thousands of experienced journalists in the lurch.
The complaint indicates that the two companies are unlawfully using their content to develop and train the AI chatbots without consent or compensation. According to the complaint:
"Defendants systematically and secretly crawled the Publishers’ websites—including content behind paywalls and other access restrictions—and copied the Publishers’ articles, stories, and other original works onto their own servers without authorization."
The publishers argue that the companies have generated billions from stealing their work and have not paid a dime for it. They are now seeking statutory damages and injunctive relief, citing copyright infringement and violations of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act.
Speaking to Bloomberg, OpenAI spokesperson Drew Pusateri indicated:
“Our models empower innovation, are trained on publicly available data, and are grounded in fair use."
“It would be inequitable if at the end of this you have a resolution that only benefits the largest players in the marketplace and not the people who are doing hard work reporting on things that frankly very few outlets still cover in America today,” former New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin added.
The publishers argue that the AI revolution could be a "death knell for local journalism" if these AI firms aren't held accountable and continue to steal content without compensation.
This opens up a broader discussion about the future of AI models if Google is hell-bent on integrating AI into search, after it has practically run every publication into the ground.
The dead internet theory, in particular, comes to mind. It suggests that prolonged exposure of large language models to low-quality training data negatively impacts accuracy, comprehension, and thought process. What's worse is that the phenomenon could only be less than 3 years away if recent studies are anything to go by.
Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.
It's Prime Day, and that means there are some great Windows laptops on sale not only at Amazon, but also at all major competing retailers. What makes this year's laptop sales more important than others is the fact that all PCs have gone up in price recently due to component shortages.
It's almost unbelievable that I'm seeing up to 54%off laptops using DDR5 RAM, but the proof is in the roundup I've assembled below. These are some of the biggest discounts I've seen in all my 10 years of covering these types of sales.
What makes these deals even sweeter is the fact that Apple just raised the prices of all of its MacBooks this morning. If you want an incredible deal on a new Windows laptop, this is the place to check first.
Powerful CPU, lots of RAM and storage, number pad, and a huge 17.3-inch display make this laptop a boon for any multitaskers out there, and it's now 54% cheaper than usual.
A brand new AMD Ryzen CPU paired with 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD is a sweet deal. The 16-inch display hits a 2K resolution and has a 120Hz refresh rate with 400 nits brightness.
This 18-inch gaming laptop has plenty of cooling for its RTX 5070 GPU and Ryzen 7 260 GPU. Display has a 2560x1600 resolution with a 240Hz refresh rate.
Gaming on a laptop's touchpad just doesn't work. Logitech's G305 Lightspeed is a mouse I've used for countless hours of gaming, and it's 46% cheaper than usual.
MacBook Air models with 512GB of storage have gone up from $1,099 to $1,299, while the MacBook Pro with 1TB of storage has increased from $1,699 to $1,999.
Has there ever been a better time to invest in a discounted Windows laptop with loads of memory and storage?
Which countries are taking part in Prime Day 2026?
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.
Do I need an Amazon Prime membership for Prime Day?
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.
Diablo 4 was the first Diablo installment to actually receive two story expansions, with the base game, Vessel of Hatred, and Lord of Hatred telling what is now dubbed the Age of Hatred saga.
And what a saga it was; many new characters were introduced to the fray and subsequently killed off... and returning characters came back... and were also killed off... come to think of it... the Age of Hatred was pretty much a bloodbath for most of the characters involved wasn't it?
With that in mind, I'm taking a look back through the records and combing through the deaths of those who tried to hold the line, as well as those who tried to destroy it.
The following feature, “Diablo IV - Those We've Lost," was provided by the Diablo 4 team and is reproduced here with permission.
The first Fallen, aka base game Diablo 4 casualties
Vhenard
(Image credit: Blizzard Entertainment)
No sooner did we meet Neyrelle's mother, Vhenard, than we were having to bring her life to a swift end.
Vhenard was a passionate explorer and seeker of knowledge, convinced by Lilith to embrace demonic knowledge and to assist her in crossing the Black Lake to reach the Necropolis of the Firstborn.
This demonic knowledge corrupted her mind, leading her to try and kill her own daughter. The Wanderer (us) had no choice but to bring her down.
In the end, Neyrelle performed a ritual to briefly raise her mother from the dead. Time enough for Vhenard to help open the way to pursue Lilith, and to bid her daughter, her “Magpie”, a regretful goodbye.
Vigo
(Image credit: Blizzard Entertainment)
Vigo was the less-than-pious watch commander of the Knights Penitent, sworn to serve the Cathedral of Light. Charged with guarding the condemned mines in the southern Fractured Peaks, preventing all from reaching the ancient ruins within.
Foolishly accepting a bribe from Vhenard and her companion (Lilith) resulted in his downfall and allowed them to enter the mines. This mistake cost both Vhenard and his fellow knights their lives.
Consumed by the weight of that mistake, Vigo submitted himself to the Reverend Mother Prava to serve out a brutal penance. Locked inside a painful suit of armor known as the "Father's Grace". Ouch. Clad in this armor, he caught up with the Wanderer within the Necropolis of the Firstborn, giving his life to cut a path through corruption.
Rathma
(Image credit: Blizzard Entertainment)
The first and most ancient of the Firstborn, son of Lilith and Inarius. Keeper of the sacred Balance between Light and Dark. Foundation of the Priests of Rathma (more commonly known as necromancers).
He had long ago rejected both Lilith and Inarius in favor of serving humanity as he saw fit. His methods and motives have ever been shrouded in mystery.
In a revelation of prophecy, he predicted that “the way to Hell would be torn asunder” and “a spear of light would pierce Hatred’s heart.” For this reason, Inarius sought him out and demanded the Hell Key, a dangerous artifact hidden in Rathma’s possession.
When Rathma refused, Inarius, his own father, struck him down, finally killing the Firstborn.
Donan
(Image credit: Blizzard Entertainment)
Donan was once a Horadrim and a colleague of Lorath Nahr until the two had a falling out. He remained ever a protector of humanity.
In his youth, he fought alongside the druids of Scosglen to defeat the demon Astaroth and in the aftermath helped them rebuild. Then Lilith arrived. She not only brought back Astaroth to burn Scosglen a second time, she resurrected the demon using Donan’s own son. Yorin.
He was lost in his grief until the Wanderer called on him again, this time with his old “friend” Lorath Nahr, to continue the fight against Lilith. Reluctantly he joined the cause but soon rose to the challenge, following his allies into the depths of Hell itself where he took a mortal wound.
Because of him, his allies were able to entrap Mephisto in the soulstone, thwarting Lilith’s ambitions and buying humanity precious time before the Prime Evil’s return.
Yorin
(Image credit: Blizzard Entertainment)
A young knight and only child of Donan and Braega. Eager to prove himself to his father, he set out with the Wanderer in pursuit of Lilith across Scosglen, using both his connections with the Knights Penitent stationed there as well as his deep understanding of local druid belief.
His efforts helped the Wanderer to confront the druid Airidah and force her to confess what aid she had given Lilith.
But in the end, Lilith seized Yorin and thrust a soulstone into his skull, permitting the demon Astaroth to possess him, body and soul.
The Wanderer was able to defeat Astaroth, but when the demon’s essence left Yorin, the boy was already dead. His father Donan carried him from the battlefield and laid him to rest.
Meshif
(Image credit: Blizzard Entertainment)
Once a renowned traveler and unflappable man of adventure. He was born in the city of Kurast but his home was the open sea. In his youth, he met a group of heroes and became entangled in the fight against the Prime Evil Mephisto, taking him from the deserts of Lut Gholain back to save his beloved Kurast.
He somehow survived this and every adventure since, but after several decades, his glory days were suddenly behind him. A new mission found him in the middle of nowhere Kehjistan, smoking away his twilight years in a den of bandits. The Wanderer needed a guide through the desert to infiltrate the palace of an evil mage. Smelling adventure, Meshif was thrilled to oblige.
Meshif guided his new friends across the desert and into the palace, but before he could escape with them, he was cut down. A bittersweet yet fitting death for such a man.
Elias
(Image credit: Blizzard Entertainment)
Once a brilliant mage and rising star of the Horadrim, apprenticed to Lorath Nahr.
Elias learned of Rathma’s prophecy and the foretold return of the Prime Evils. He became obsessed with finding a solution, and his ideas grew increasingly more radical. Too radical for Lorath to condone. The two of them argued endlessly until finally, Elias left Lorath and the Horadrim behind.
For him, all signs pointed to Lilith, the only being in all eternity (he believed) with the power and the will to save Sanctuary.
On his own, Elias did everything in his power to bring Lilith back from the Void, including promising his own head to the Tree of Whispers.He succeeded in summoning Lilith, and by her side he sought to make humanity suffer, forcing them to grow stronger for the fight against the Prime Evils.
But time and again Lorath and his allies frustrated his efforts. He confronted them one final time in the Black Tomb of Sankekur. In the end, he was defeated. His undying head taken in payment by the Tree of Whispers to hang for all eternity.
Inarius
(Image credit: Activision Blizzard)
The angelic father of humankind. Once the counterpart of the demon Lilith, their mother.
He and Lilith had sought to escape the Eternal Conflict between the Heavens and Hells by creating their own hidden world. Sanctuary. There, on the Skovos Isles, they gave birth to humanity, starting with their son Rathma. These days of peace would not last.
Inarius became fearful of his children’s power and eventually conspired against them, leading to a bloody conflict with Lilith. In the end, he banished her to the Void and attempted to sink the Skovos Isles to drown his children, only to stop at the last moment.
He resolved instead to diminish humanity’s power over time and hoped that was best, but for the sin of creating his children, the Heavens would not forgive him. Thousands of years and torments later, Inarius’ fellow Angels still forbade his return to the Heavens.
But, he believed, if he could fulfill the words of his son Rathma’s prophecy, lead humanity against the Hells, and drive his “spear of light into Hatred’s heart” the Heavens would finally forgive him.
It was not to be. He led his faithful forces into Hell itself in pursuit of Lilith, and there she defeated him. Running him through with his own spear before tearing his wings from his back.
Though his legacy is one of selfish hubris, humanity will always owe its existence to him and his original dream of freedom from the Eternal Conflict.
Lilith
(Image credit: Blizzard)
Daughter of Hatred, Creator of Sanctuary, and Mother of All Humankind. Together, she and the angel Inarius created the hidden world of Sanctuary as an escape from the Eternal Conflict, and there, they gave birth to humanity.
Since then, she has remained absolutely devoted to her children, willing to commit terrible atrocities in the name of their survival. She was banished to the Void for such an act, but after thousands of years in that darkness, one of her children brought her back. Elias.
With him at her side, she unleashed terrible suffering upon Sanctuary. Not to torture or kill, but to make her children strong enough to face the Burning Hells. For herself, she sought to consume her father, Mephisto, and claim his power, enough to repel any threat to her children.
And yet the strongest among her children fought back. They would not allow her to turn Sanctuary into a living Hell. They pursued her into the Realm of Hatred and imprisoned her father in a soulstone before she could consume him.
Against all odds, they defeated her in the Cathedral of Hatred, but she issued a final warning as she turned to dust. “Without me, you would have no victory.” (And spoiler, she was right).
Vessel of Hatred (and more death)
Urivar
(Image credit: Blizzard Entertainment)
A Knight Penitent of the Cathedral of Light and alleged survivor of their ill-fated March on Hell. His scarred face and armor attest to his claims.
Whether a true believer or a cynical opportunist, Urivar seized the hearts and minds of the fractured Knights Penitent, filling them with renewed, violent purpose. To hunt the Horadrim they believed responsible for the death of the Father, Inarius.
With Lorath in the wind, Urivar and his Burned Knights set their sights on Neyrelle and pursued her all the way to the jungles of Nahantu, where through her, the demon Mephisto had begun to poison the land.
But the Wanderer would not allow Urivar to harm Neyrelle. In a final confrontation, they cut him down and ended his mad crusade.
Maka
(Image credit: Blizzard Entertainment)
A proud spiritborn and member of the Council of Kurast in Nahantu. In effort to help Neyrelle resist the corruption of Mephisto, Maka set out with the Wanderer and Eru, her former mentor, to find a solution in the spirit realm.
She was strong, brave, and true in her care for Neyrelle, but the evil within the young woman lashed out and took her life. Maka was mourned by Nahantu but most of all by Eru, her lifelong friend.
Akarat
(Image credit: Blizzard Entertainment)
A benevolent student of the Light whose teachings gave rise to the Zakarum faith. They would name him their holy prophet.
Born on Xiansai to an Umbaru mother and Xian father, Akarat and his family were forced to flee their home when fallen demons attacked. He spent his early life disillusioned by conflict until he beheld a vision of Light, compelling him to teach a revelation, that every human holds the Light within them.
Ultimately, Akarat returned to his mother’s homeland of Nahantu to battle the spreading corruption there, teaching his faith to all who would listen. Then he disappeared into the jungles. Some said he fell in battle against great evil, and while his body was entombed, his spirit continued to serve humanity. The faithful have searched for his tomb ever since.
Then, with the help of the spiritborn Eru and guided by the Spirit of Akarat himself, it was found by Neyrelle and the Wanderer. They hoped that Akarat’s body and spirit could safely secure a soulstone — one with Mephisto, Lord of Hatred trapped inside. Indeed, it seemed like it could until they were betrayed and attacked.
The Spirit of Akarat fought fiercely to defend them. In the end, he sacrificed himself to defeat Mephisto’s harbinger, removing the Spirit of Akarat from the world forever...Until Mephisto stole his body to walk Sanctuary in his image.
The final toll: Lord of Hatred
Neyrelle
(Image credit: Windows Central | Blizzard Entertainment)
A brilliant, young explorer and seeker of knowledge whose fateful encounter with Lilith, the Daughter of Hatred, set her on a path to become a true Horadrim. At her mother’s side, Neyrelle came to the Fractured Peaks in search of the Horadrim, but soon, Lilith tempted her mother with the promise of demonic power.
The Wanderer helped Neyrelle find her mother, but by then, she was beyond saving. Rather than despair, Neyrelle stayed with the Wanderer and pursued Lilith, proving her worth as a scholar and protector of Sanctuary. It cost her greatly, including her own left hand.
She followed the Wanderer and her new Horadrim friends into the depths of the Burning Hells, and there, she was asked to make an impossible decision: Imprison Lilith and allow her father Mephisto to return? Or imprison Mephisto to delay his return and deny Lilith her prize?
She chose the latter. And she tried with all she had to find a way to keep Mephisto imprisoned, but his corruption proved too much to bear. Even after Neyrelle was rid of the soulstone, she remained haunted by his presence.
She never stopped searching for a way to stop Mephisto. To break the cycle of Hatred for good. But just as she found it and sent word to her friends, Mephisto found her. And at last, took her life.
She died as a true Horadrim, wearing the talisman given to her by Lorath.
Queen Adreona
(Image credit: Windows Central | Blizzard Entertainment)
High Queen of the Amazons, matriarch and protector of the Skovos Isles.
Adreona did not inherit her position. She joined the Amazons in her youth, serving as one spearmaiden among thousands in the Amazon Legion. Through martial prowess, strategic mind, and a little luck, she rose through the ranks until at last, she was selected by the Council of Veterans to endure the Passage and become Queen of the Amazons.
For decades, her rule kept Skovos safe from the chaos of the continents, making a paradise of the isles. But she did not do it alone. Her faithful companion and adviser, Captain Tharra of the Amazons, stood ever at her side. And once, she accepted help from abroad.
A Horadrim named Lorath Nahr came to Skovos in search of lost members of his order. Together, they learned what happened to them, averted disaster, and forged a close bond. But it could not last.
Years later, when the fires of Hatred had consumed the mainland, another outsider arrived on Adreona’s shores. The holy prophet Akarat. Along with scores of pilgrims, Akarat promised her he would save her people from the Age of Hatred.
But in reality, he was Hatred Incarnate. Mephisto—disguised in the body of Akarat. Mephisto tricked and coerced Adreona into believing his lies, slowly turning her against her own people and tragically, against the one man she had almost loved.
Convinced Lorath had become her enemy, Adreona killed him in cold blood. An act which sealed her fate, giving Lorath’s allies no choice but to strike her down on the cliffs of Mount Hefaetrus.
Lorath Nahr
(Image credit: Windows Central | Blizzard Entertainment)
The last Horadrim of the modern age, tenacious defender of humankind, and a dear friend.
Lorath was born the son of a blacksmith in the city of Westmarch. He grew up with stories of the brave Horadrim and had ever dreamed to become one.
He joined their order just before the Reapers descended upon Sanctuary. Alongside the archangel Tyrael and a small band of heroes, he fought and triumphed over them, helping to stop the Reaping of Malthael.
Lorath doggedly served the Order for the rest of his life, and in his twilight years, he fought to deliver Sanctuary from the Age of Hatred. First against Lilith and then her father, Mephisto.
To accomplish this, he suffered the loss of friends, endured persecution, bargained his head to the Tree of Whispers, and ventured into Hell itself without guarantee of victory or gratitude. He considered it simply his duty.
When Mephisto came to the Skovos Isles in the guise of Akarat, Lorath alone spoke truth to the people. And when he was brought low by Mephisto’s trickery, he persevered, both supporting victory in Athulua and finding the weapon that would stop Mephisto for good. But he would not see it come to pass. He was cut down by Queen Adreona, a woman he had loved, and his head was taken to the Tree of Whispers.
His soul would have languished there forever, but his allies would not permit it. Setting fire to the Tree they laid Lorath Nahr, the last Horadrim, to rest. His duty done.
Mephisto
(Image credit: Blizzard Entertainment)
One of the Three Prime Evils. Lord of Hatred and father of Lilith. Since the dawn of the Heavens and Hells, Mephisto has been a snake in the garden of creation, ever conspiring, manipulating, and corrupting all he touches.
He has long sought to possess and control humanity to wield as his own; if for no other reason than to prove his daughter Lilith, their creator and mother, that her beloved children are nothing. Mere pawns to be wielded in the Eternal Conflict.
Mephisto has suffered defeats throughout eternity, but his demon soul was always reborn in Hell. Each time, giving only a short respite before his return.
Engaging in his old ways, Mephisto had disguised himself as the prophet Akarat and sought to corrupt all of humankind, starting with Skovos.
But with the help of his daughter Lilith and the weapon she had made from her own body, a single human got the better of him. Mephisto was stabbed through the heart with this weapon and banished screaming into the Void between realms. Not dead, not alive, and unable to return to Hell. There he will remain.
Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.
I love widgets. Microsoft seems much cooler on the concept. Sure, Windows 11 has a Widgets Panel, but it's barely useful due to its lack of quality widgets. That's why I was so excited to see WidBar highlighted on Reddit.
WidBar is a new app that allows you to add widgets to the empty spaces of the Windows 11 taskbar. It's still in beta, but it's off to a promising start.
The developer of WidBar, Andrea Del Bello, shared the app and detailed its progress.
At the moment, WidBar only has a pair of widgets: "Now Playing" and "System Metrics." They're basic but they do a good job showcasing the app.
Within WidBar, you can drag and drop widgets into a preview of your taskbar. Different widgets can be placed on various monitors.
This free app lets you add widgets to the empty spaces in the Windows 11 taskbar. It's still in beta, so it only has two widgets available, but developers can create their own widgets using templates.View Deal
Any developer can make widgets for WidBar. Del Bello explained how that works on Reddit:
"Each widget is just a small packaged app that you publish to the Microsoft Store like any other app, and WidBar picks it up on its own: there's no separate plugin store, no manual install into WidBar, and no approval from me. The moment your widget is installed from the Store, WidBar recognizes it automatically, it appears in the catalog, and the user can drop it onto the taskbar."
Del Bello also provided a template for making WidBar widgets on GitHub.
Putting Microsoft to shame
The Widgets Panel only has 56 widgets available.
WidBar has two supported widgets right now and is still in beta, but it already surpasses Windows 11's Widgets Panel in an important way.
Incredibly, the Widgets Panel lacks a Now Playing widget from Microsoft. Windows 11 has those controls, but they appear in the Action Center. That shows how much Microsoft thinks about the Widgets Panel.
There is a widget made by Stefan vd called "S Media Controls" that seems to fill the gap, but I've only used it briefly in testing.
Even if you give Microsoft the benefit of the doubt and argue having audio controls in the Action Center and the Widgets Panel, it won't take much to catch up.
With just two supported widgets, WidBar is well on its way to beating the Widgets Panel. There are a grand total of 56 widgets in the Microsoft Store for the Widgets Panel. And that count includes "My Tic-Tac-Toe" and several entries that appear to be money grabs that offer little functionality.
Add a clock, a calendar, a recent files shortcut and WidBar is almost 10% of the way to the entire Widgets Panel ecosystem.
Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.
Retro handhelds have always held a special place in the hearts of gaming enthusiasts—an enduring symbol of nostalgia and passion. As the retro gaming wave continues to grow, Ayaneo once again brings classic design and modern evolution into a new balance. The next-generation Ayaneo Pocket Micro 2 is officially on its way. Built upon the Ayaneo REMAKE design philosophy, it preserves the spirit of the classic horizontal retro handheld while delivering a comprehensive redesign and upgrade across aesthetics, performance, and control experience. For players who continue to cherish the pixel era and the golden age of handheld gaming, this is more than a new device—it's a revival of memories once thought distant.
Ayaneo Pocket Micro 2 continues Ayaneo's signature minimalist design language, reinterpreting the fusion of classic proportions and modern premium craftsmanship within a compact body. The CNC all-metal frame, combined with layered contours and rounded transitions, creates a fuller and more ergonomic grip while maintaining a lightweight and refined form factor. We've also introduced creative new color options to extend the retro identity—transforming nostalgia from something remembered into something newly expressed.
Other World Computing (OWC), a trusted leader in high-performance storage, memory, connectivity, software, and accessories that empower creative and business professionals to maximize performance, enhance reliability, and streamline workflows, today announced the general availability (GA) launch of its new line of OWC Atlas Core CFexpress 4.0 Type B 256 GB memory cards. The Atlas Core memory card, intended for professional and hobbyist photographers, videographers, and content creators, delivers essential speed and the highest level of reliability at an unbeatable price.
With up to 3571 MB/s read, 2227 MB/s write, and 368 MB/s sustained write speeds going beyond the VPG200 certification, the OWC Atlas Core CFexpress 4.0 Type B memory card handles RAW burst photography, 4K video, and up to 8K compressed video without dropped frames. And with OWC's FREE Innergize software, users get built-in card health monitoring, performance restoration, and firmware updates so they stay confident shoot after shoot.
Tetris creator Alexei Pajitnov and Rubik's Cube inventor Erno Rubik had never met before December 2025. In a recently shared video from Japanese toymaker MegaHouse, the two legendary designers discuss their creations and examine the first collaboration between the Tetris and Rubik's Cube brands.
Anthropic's negotiations with the Trump administration over the sudden Fable 5 and Mythos 5 ban are reportedly improving after CEO Dario Amodei stopped taking part directly.
Sales for physical video game releases have been declining for over a decade now due to the rise in digital game sales, and with the revelation that GTA 6 will arrive as a code in a box in November for the few players who still head to brick-and-mortar retail stores to buy their games, physical sales are poised to decline even further. But for the first time since 2009, physical game spending has actually seen a year-on-year increase between 2025 and 2026 in the US. The reason? Nintendo Switch 2. That comes from Mat Piscatella, senior director and video game […]
CEO Tim Cook had already warned that memory prices had become unsustainable, which only meant that Apple was running on borrowed time in keeping the MSRP of its products as low as possible. Unfortunately, the Cupertino firm has thrown in the towel and has announced price bumps across its entire product family, with up to a $1,300 premium being stamped on the more expensive hardware when shopping for the base models. The more popular products like the MacBook Neo and MacBook Air are only slightly more expensive, but it’ll hurt consumers regardless For those who were wondering why Apple’s online […]
As much as I love high-priced tech like my RTX 4090-equipped gaming rig or the LG OLED TV I use as my monitor, most of us can't spend several hundred dollars on a tech purchase or gift all the time. But you can still improve your tech life (or the lives of your friends and family) while spending a comparatively small amount of money.
I own all of the affordable devices listed below, and all are on sale for under $50. Many are even under $25! All of these products have made my tech-saturated world a little nicer in their own way. If you're looking for a small tech splurge for yourself during this deals season, or an affordable gift for that tech-savvy friend or family member, one of these $50-or-under options might be a good fit and a great deal.
Last year, a family member asked me for help with an older PC, which was trying to run Windows 10 and several programs on a cramped 110 GB SSD. At first, I figured I could clone the boot drive onto a more spacious drive so the OS and programs had more space to stretch out.
But the thought of using multiple USB enclosures or shuffling drives in and out of my desktop filled me with dread as I pictured being there for hours getting everything done and the system back up and running. So I looked into getting an M.2 SSD cloner, and was surprised to see they can be found for less than $50.
With support for NVMe M.2 SSDs and offline cloning, this handy device makes it simple to move your files or OS from one drive to another. And with a 20 Gbps USB-C interface, it's also speedy in your OS of choice if you want to use software to clone or move your data between drives.View Deal
While I don't love the glossy plastic shell of Rosewill's model, it's one of the more affordable options. And it supports both NVMe M.2 drives and older AHCI models (Sorry, SATA). Using the cloner is pretty straightforward. You plug in the included USB-C power adapter, put your source drive in the left slot, the destination drive in the right slot, press the power button on the back, and a few logos light up, letting you know you're ready to go. Press the clone button on the top, and drive cloning will commence (provided your destination is the same size or larger than your source).
That's assuming you want to do an offline clone. But because I wanted to also resize the partition between the old 110 GB and the newer Team Group 512 GB SSD, I used the second included USB-C cable to connect the Rosewill cloner to my laptop and powered up the device. Within seconds, both drives were recognized in Windows, so I fired up the excellent free DiskGenius software, cloned the old partition to a new Team Group drive with a few clicks, and then used the software to drag the boot partition to the full size of the new drive. The whole process took just a few minutes, since the Rosewill cloner supports 20 Gbps USB, and I wasn't exactly copying a huge partition.
When the cloning process was finished and the partition inflated, it was hard to believe it was all that easy. I had expected to be at the task for hours, but I was done in less than 30 minutes. Sure, unless you're in IT, a drive cloner might not be something you use regularly, but it's sure handy to have around. You could also use it to save some money by buying a laptop with a cramped SSD and swapping in something much roomier – provided, of course, the laptop's storage isn't soldered to the motherboard.
The Rosewill cloner is also handy for just checking the contents of old M.2 drives you may have lying around. But if that's all you need, you can buy an NVMe enclosure or a single-drive dock. I also own a version of this model from Suitok, which costs $17.
This tiny, cheap, magnetic, USB-charging flashlight is great for PC building and other everyday tasks
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
I picked up the OLIGHT IMINI 2 mini flashlight last year on impulse, because it looked well-designed and cost around $20, but now it's down to just below $12. Its simple design and built-in USB-A plug for charging make it fun to use – just pull the back off and it turns on. And the magnet at the back lets you easily mount it anywhere you need a little extra light. I've used it inside a steel PC case while fiddling with RGB wires.
At just 2.17 inches long, this flashlight is rated to 50 lumens, and it sports a magnetic back with a USB-A plug for charging. Pulling the back off turns on the flashlight, and the magnetic back makes it easy to mount the light on anything with ferrous metal.View Deal
The OLIGHT IMINI 2 is also small enough for your keychain, is designed to live with your keys, and includes two silicone covers for the USB port and a little carabiner clip. But the flashlight portion is only held to the charging port via a magnet, and I feel like (for me, at least) it would fall off and get lost before too long.
I've used the HOTO 3.6V Screwdriver Set to build dozens of PCs
(Image credit: Hoto)
I build a lot of PCs, though not as many lately thanks to the RAMpocalypse, and I also do a fair bit of home improvement work around my apartment. So a cordless screwdriver is a nice thing to have. I also own a much slimmer Wowstick, but have found HOTO's NEX O1 Pro to be more useful thanks to its extra (and variable) torque. It's great for loosening those factory-installed screws on PC cases that just don't want to let go, and also good for assembling furniture.
The HOTO won't replace my DeWalt impact driver or drill for bigger, tougher jobs. But for everyday tasks, it's powerful enough, easy to charge over USB-C, and even looks good on my workbench.
Hoto's wireless screwdriver has three torque settings, charges over USB-C, and looks surprisingly good. It's even proven quite durable, as I've dropped it off of ladders and my workbench at least a dozen times, and it's still working flawlessly.View Deal
This travel-friendly 2K webcam is all most of us need for work calls and family chats
After using a few bulky and clunky 4K webcams during the pandemic, I picked up this 2K model from Anker in 2022 and haven't used anything else since. It's small, has a detachable cable, which makes it easier to toss in a bag, and most importantly, the 2K resolution sensor does a great job in both bright and low-light conditions. And while I don't often use the built-in mics because I prefer my headset, they have worked for me in a pinch more than a few times.
Anker's compact webcam has a built-in foot for angle adjustments or clamping on a screen, a tripod mount on the base, a detachable USB-C cable, and excellent image performance for the price. For most people, there's no reason to pay more for a 4K sensor or higher refresh rates.View Deal
You could spend less and get something serviceable with a rose sensor and fewer features, or way more and get a 4K webcam that tracks you around the room. But for most people, myself included, the PowerConf C200 is a great middle ground, especially now that it's on sale for under $50. I use this webcam every day, and like it so much that I have two of them: one for my treadmill desk and one for the desk in front of the TV in my living room that I use as a monitor.
Cheap USB media control box puts volume and track control a touch away
(Image credit: Amazon)
For those of us who grew up in the 1900s, few things beat a chunky tactile volume knob and physical buttons for controlling media, and Vaydeer's USB device provides that and then some. I own the previous version of this device and love it for controlling and muting music at my treadmill desk while I work.
I use the buttons on it to play / pause audio and video and move forward to the next track or backward to the previous one. It's totally plug and play, as no drivers are needed.
Just plug this simple USB device into a USB port and you can control the volume and select tracks without reaching for your keyboard or mouse.View Deal
8Bitdo SN30 Pro Wireless Bluetooth Controller
What's not to love about a SNES-inspired wireless gaming controller that's compatible with Windows, Mac, Android and the Nintendo Switch? Not much, but I own the original Pro model and not one of these newer models with translucent plastic shells. That's peak late-90s nostalgia and I really don't want to love it as much as I do.
As you might expect given this controller's small size and many more buttons than the SNES controller it was based on, its Rumble motors aren't the strongest, and the layout can feel kind of cramped for some modern games. But for any kind of retro game and especially platformers (I'm looking at you, Super Mario Bros. Wonder), this is my go-to controller. At this price, maybe I should pick up another one.
With its SNES-inspired design and white shell, this controller will appeal to gamers of a certain age. But its appeal goes beyond its looks., with Hall Effect joysticks, and support for the Switch, PC, macOS, and basically any OS that supports games and Bluetooth.View Deal
Go retro with modern specs with this NES-themed mouse from 8BitDo
There are so many gaming mouse options, most with specs that go well above and beyond my abilities. So I chose something with style that caught my eye, 8BitDo's Retro R8 Mouse with Charging Dock. This NES-inspired mouse is designed for nostalgia, with its black, gray, and red color scheme and round red side buttons. But 8BitDo went the extra mile (or two) by designing a weighted charging dock (with its own NES-like touches), and a spot for the 2.4 GHz dongle. This is the kind of extra feature that's more common in mice that cost twice as much.
The nostalgia of this mouse's design is nice. But it also sports a 26,000 DPI sensor, 4K polling, and a really nice charging dock that also houses the 2.4 GHz dongle. If you're in a pinch or just not gaming, Bluetooth is also supported. View Deal
Under the hood, you get a decent 26,000 DPI sensor and 4K polling (plenty for us older, non-esports gamers), and an ambidextrous design with two side buttons on either side, and a clicky, rubberized scroll wheel. The side buttons, which are concave, took a little getting used to for me. But they are also so distinctive that now I miss them while using other mice.
Never run out of USB ports with this powered 11-port hub
If you're like me, you never have access to enough USB ports. I solved this problem by picking up this Ikai hub, with 60W of power for your drives and peripherals and a premium metal shell. It sports three speedy 10 Gbps ports (two USB-C), along with seven 5 GBps USB-A ports. The final USB-C on the end of the hub is for charging your phone or other devices, and delivers 20W.
The other nice feature, is that all the data ports have a button on the side so you can toggle them on and off. Aside from saving a bit of power, I also find this handy for swapping between wireless mice and keyboards, while keeping the tiny dongles plugged in so I don't lose them.
With 11 ports and up to 10 Gbps speed, a solid aluminum shell, and buttons so you can cut the power to individual ports, this USB hub is a great addition to your desk. It has external power for better stability, and even a 20W USB-C PD port on the end for charging phones or peripherals.View Deal
The sole thing to keep in mind about this (and basically any) hub, is that it has a single 10 Gbps input. So don't expect to plug in multiple high-data devices (like SSDs) and have them run simultaneously at full speed. If that's what you need, you'll need to get a Thunderbolt or USB4 hub (and spend significantly more).
Add recessed power and USB ports to your desk for just $16
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
OK, this one's only for the DIY-inclined, because it involves cutting a hole in your desk (or anywhere else you might want some flush-mount power ports, like a nightstand). Jgstkcity's recessed power strip lets you drop a couple of AC outlets and two USB charging ports (one 30W USB-C) anywhere you need them – again, once you've cut a hole for it.
While it's always smart to be wary of no-name power strips, I've owned the older non-PD version of this strip for over two years and it's been functioning just fine. I have it installed in the narrow stand I built right behind my couch. It's a super-convenient place for power outlets, especially when friends or family stop by. I just warn people not to put drinks there. Thankfully, the coffee table is even more convenient for that and it's right in front of the couch.
You'll likely need a drill and a saw to install it, but having a couple of power plugs and USB-C PD power right on the surface of your desk or nightstand is super convenient. View Deal
Stay charged and save space while traveling abroad with Anker's slim Nano Travel Adapter
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
When you're traveling to another country for more than a few days, every small bit of space you can save helps. But you also usually need a travel adapter to plug your devices into the outlets of other countries. Anker's Nano Travel adapter serves both needs well, as it's roughly half the thickness of other adapters and is designed to work in over 200 countries.
The Nano Travel Adapter also has four USB ports for charging, which I've found super convenient for keeping my phone, ereader, and earbuds juiced up without needing a separate charger. There are two USB-A ports on the bottom and two USB-C on the side, with the latter delivering up to 20W. It also comes in black or white/silver. I opted for the white one, which makes it easier to find after months in a drawer when I'm not traveling.
Anker's slim travel adapter is 43% smaller than many other adapters, while supporting over 200 countries with its fold-down plugs. It also has two USB-C and two USB-A ports for charging, at up to 20W. View Deal
The major downside over other travel chargers is that the Nano Travel Adapter doesn't support plugging in devices with three-prong (grounded) plugs. But I haven't found this an issue since I typically plug things like my Baseus flat laptop charger in while traveling, rather than high-power devices like a desktop PC or hair dryer.
Powerowl's rechargeable batteries are good and surprisingly cheap
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
When I first started using rechargeable batteries with my Walkman in the early 90s, they were kind of awful (but still better than spending all my money feeding my music addiction). They couldn't hold a charge and didn't last nearly as long as name-brand disposable batteries. But here in the mid-2020s, rechargeables are surprisingly good.
Panasonic's Eneloops arguably ushered in the rechargeable AA and AAA renaissance, but PowerOwl's batteries are a lot more affordable and I haven't had a single one fail in over three years of using them in my various remotes, smart door locks, and other devices.
These PowerOwl Pro AA batteries are rated to 2800mAh (though I wouldn't put stock in that spec) and are rated to keep 60% of their power for two years. The included USB-powered charger isn't the fastest (10 hours rated), but it gets the job done. Clip the coupon to get it at this price.View Deal
If there's one thing everyone with modern tech could probably use at this point, it's an extra high-speed and compact charger. The Baseus 65W Flat Wall Charger is my favorite. It's especially great for travel, because it outputs 45W over USB-C for my laptop and up to 20W over USB-A for my phone or other devices, all while folding to a slim 0.66 inches thick. It's smaller than a deck of cards and easily fits in pretty much any bag pocket.
Its slim shape should also help keep the device fully inserted in loose hotel room power sockets, and while the outer shell is plastic, the build quality feels solid, and it includes a 3.3-foot USB-C charging cable for those of us who aren't already drowning in cables from other devices. You'll have to provide your own USB-A cable to charge a second device, but at its current sale price, there's hardly a reason to complain about that. And who doesn't have an extra USB-A charging cable at this point?
TP-Link's AX1800 WiFi 6 USB Adapter delivers Wi-Fi 6 to older devices over USB
(Image credit: TP-Link)
Have you upgraded your router to Wi-Fi 6 or later, but your desktop or laptop doesn't have the requisite hardware to take advantage of your recent network tech? TP-Link's AX1800 WiFi 6 USB Adapter is here to solve that problem for you. It's quite large by USB Wi-Fi dongle standards, but I've found it works quite well with the Wi-Fi 6 router I bought in 2020.
I have the router running downstairs from my office. And it instantly fixed an issue I was having with very poor reception from the SFF PC I built in the Fractal Terra case.
Sure, it's big and bulky with two antennas, but this Wi-Fi 6 USB adapter can deliver some serious speed to your desktop or laptop when paired with a Wi-Fi 6 or later router.View Deal
Orico USB 3.0 Clamp Hub is easy to mount on many desks
This is a four-port, 5Gbps USB-A hub that's designed to clamp onto your monitor or desk and give you extra convenient connectivity.
It comes in black or silver and has a nice, sturdy metal frame. Just note that its clamp section is pretty shallow and its adjustable screw can only open between 10 and 32 mm, so it won't fit on all monitors or desks.
An otherwise standard four-port USB 3.0 hub, this Orico model stands out for its metal frame and clamp design.View Deal
Clean up the cables under your desk with a tray
(Image credit: Delamu)
If you to get a handle on the PC cables in your home or office, some cheap cable management trays will do the job. This two-pack comes with tape, though heavier loads will ultimately require some screws.
Besides the trays, this kit also comes with cable ties and a few cable clips you can place along the bottom or sides of your desk. One of these has been holding up the PC cable clutter in my living room for the past year. But I had to screw it into my desk because it's holding one of the above Anker power strips, plus the large external power brick from my LG OLED TV/Monitor.
If there's a rats nest of cables under your desk, attaching some trays can help you clean it up. This set has tape for light loads, but for longer-term cleanliness, you probably want to consider screws.View Deal
Keep a fast charging cable with your keys
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
You may, like me, be swimming in a world of USB cables. But that doesn't mean you always have one when you need it away from home. This short 240W USB4 charging cable from EndlesShine solves that by being small enough to attach to your keys. It's not always convenient, at just over 5 inches long, but it will do in a pinch, and has come in handy more than once, particularly on trips when I'm traveling light.
It's short in length, at 5.11 inches, but this keychain cable supports 240W charging and USB4 (40Gbps speeds). Clip it onto your keys and you'll always have a fast cable when you need one.View Deal
If you're the type who is rough with your keys, the plastic cap may wear out over time, so you might want to just keep the cable in a pocket or your bag. It even comes in white and yellow if you don't like basic black.
Apple has made the unprecedented decision to hike the prices of all its current computers and tablets. iPhone prices remain as they were, for now. Bloomberg indicates that the rather steep price rises have been precipitated by increased costs of memory and storage. One of the most impactful hikes we see is the entry-level MacBook Pro going from $1,699 to $1,999. However, even the recently released but resource-starved MacBook Neo has had another $100 piled onto its price, so now it starts at $699 before tax.
Price Increases: MacBook Neo to $699 from $599; MacBook Air to $1,299 from $1,099; MacBook Pro to $1,999 from $1,699; iPad Pro to $1,199 from $999; iPad Air to $749 from $599. https://t.co/JSlxZ1zbdWJune 25, 2026
In addition to Gurman’s highlighted price increases, we spotted that the cheapest Mac Studio M4 Max (mini PC desktop) has had its price increased to $2,499 from $1,999. There’s a lot to take in, so check out our at-a-glance before and after table for quick reference.
Apple device price increases June 25, 2026
Device
Old price
New price
MacBook Neo
$599
$699
MacBook Air
$1,099
$1,299
MacBook Pro
$1,699
$1,999
Mac Studio M4 Max
$1,999
$2,499
iPad Pro
$999
$1,199
iPad Air
$599
$749
Bloomberg’s resident Apple expert, Mark Gurman, quoted an apologetic company rep. “We know this is not welcome news, and we are working tirelessly to find solutions,” a spokesperson from Apple told the reporter. Other interesting assertions from that conversation were that Apple had never seen component prices rise so high, so quickly. Moreover, its representative claimed that the firm did all it could to shield customers from any knock-on device price rises, stating the company had "shielded our customers from these increases so far, but we have now reached a point where we need to begin raising prices on a number of products including today’s increases for iPad and Mac."
While newsrooms might be agog at these price rises being implemented today, the writing has been on the wall of the RAMpocalypse for several months. Back in April, Tim Cook publicly forecast that the component shortages and price rises didn’t appear to be going anywhere soon. That statement came in the wake of the withdrawal of the entry-level $599 configuration of the Mac Mini, and Apple softening the blow of higher prices of its latest MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models by upgrading memory and other tech specs.
Until now, it seemed like Apple’s massive buying power and vertical integration had managed to help it hold off computer and tablet price increases. Today, the brakes came off, pretty dramatically.
Anthropic, the American AI lab that created one of the most advanced large language models available today, has said in a letter to the U.S. Senate that Chinese AI tech giant Alibaba has illicitly used Claude to train its own models. According to Reuters, the company sent the letter to Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), the chair of the U.S. Senate Banking Committee, and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), the ranking member of the said committee, before a scheduled hearing set to tackle AI issues.
This isn’t the first time that Anthropic has accused Chinese AI labs of “stealing” the capabilities of its AI model to train their own. Earlier this year, the company claimed that DeepSeek, Moonshot, and MiniMax used 24,000 fraudulent accounts and made 16 million exchanges collectively to train their own AI LLMs on Claude’s output. This method of training AI using the output of a more advanced model is called distillation, and while there are legitimate uses of this technique, such as when a frontier AI model is distilled to create a lighter, cheaper version of itself, it argues that competing labs can also use the same technique to build their own models at “a fraction of the time, and at a fraction of the cost, that it would take to develop them independently.”
The American AI lab says that it traced the distillation campaign back to operators that had connections with Alibaba, one of the largest Chinese tech companies often compared to Amazon, and Alibaba Qwen, its AI lab. Anthropic warns that distillation may help China create a frontier AI model that could match Mythos Preview’s capabilities — something many American lawmakers are afraid of.
While U.S. tech companies still enjoy an advantage when it comes to the latest AI models, Chinese tech companies are quickly catching up. In fact, Elon Musk estimated that a Chinese AI lab would have achieved a Fable 5-class AI model by the first quarter of next year, but the CEO and founder of Chinese AI lab Z.ai confidently replied, “won’t take that long.” Aside from that, many enterprise users are slowly switching to more affordable open-source Chinese LLMs for their agents as token costs spiral out of control, reserving the most powerful (and expensive) American models only for the most complicated tasks.
Both the U.S. and China are pushing hard to achieve AI supremacy, with the two rivals taking steps to reduce the advantage of the other. For example, Washington has been using export controls to limit Chinese access to advanced hardware needed to build the most advanced chips and for training AI, while Beijing countered this with its own controls on rare earth materials, some of which serve as key ingredients in chip making.
It’s dumb out there again.
This week has the usual smell of prod on fire and nobody wanting to admit who left the door open — old creds still working, trusted apps doing sketchy crap, browser tricks jumping the fence, and “normal” workflows turning into phishing pipes because apparently email was not enough hell already.
The worst part is how cheap some of it feels. Not elite. Not cinematic.
The finishing touch I needed to complete my budget gaming PC was a new monitor. I wanted it at least 27 inches, curved, with 1440p support, a high refresh rate, and low response time. I wanted all that for around £100. A tough ask, I thought, until I saw the MSI MAG 275CQF for £119. It's now even cheaper for Prime Day, and I can't recommend it enough if you want a quality budget gaming monitor.
Some of you may scoff at this pick, that perhaps I should have gone for a 4K display instead, or picked something larger if it's my main monitor. Truth is, for the relatively little PC gaming I still do these days, it suits me just fine. And it's an ideal size for work, too, giving me that extra bit of screen real estate I need for multiple windows and tabs.
The MSI MAG 275CQF pretty much hits everything I was after. It's a 27-inch curved display that offers 1440p resolution support, a refresh rate of up to 180Hz, a 0.5ms response time, HDR, and both display port or HDMI connectivity options. And best of all, it now only costs £101 in this week's Amazon sale.
So, if you're bemoaning ridiculous prices for RAM, storage and graphics cards, and you're looking for a way to upgrade or get the most out of your current rig, then this cheap monitor could be a nice little boost to your gaming experience.
Buy the MSI MAG 275CQF at Amazon
I recently upgraded to this gaming monitor from MSI — and I haven't looked back. There are definitely bigger and better monitors out there, but you get serious value for money with this MAG 275CQF. It's a good-sized 27-inch curved display, with support for up to 1440p resolution, a max refresh rate of 180Hz, and a response time of 0.5ms for smooth and responsive gaming. As far as budget gaming monitors go, it's hard to beat at this price.View Deal
I've found the MSI MAG 275CQF is the perfect pairing to my rig, as my spec is built around running most games in 1440p at 60fps or higher. With a Ryzen 5 9600X and a 16GB RX 9060XT, I can make use of the monitor's full resolution and the higher refresh rate in many less demanding titles. And that's mostly what I'm playing on it, with my PS5 Pro used for any cutting-edge games I want the big screen experience on.
Considering I work on the PC, too, I really like the extra screen size, responsiveness, and the sleek curved design for writing and all my other work needs. I've currently got the MSI MAG 275CQF paired with a basic 1080p monitor in a dual-screen setup, but I'm sorely tempted just to add another now that it's on sale again to get one huge curved display setup.
Looking for a great coffee maker this Amazon Prime Day? Look no further — one of my all-time favorite espresso machines is half price, and you don't even need to be a Prime subscriber to get it. Right now, you can grab the superb Philips Baristina for just £225.99 (was £449.99) at Amazon — a price cut that's too good to miss.
So why the price crash? Well, I suspect it has something to do with the Philips Baristina Latte, which launched a few days ago. The new addition has all the same features as the original Baristina, plus an integrated automatic milk frother for preparing creamy lattes and airy cappuccinos. It's available now for $499.99 from Target, but if you're mostly interested in espresso, the original Baristina is the one for you.
The Baristina is a compact coffee maker that makes brewing delicious espresso effortless, and it's half price at Amazon. It was already one of the cheapest bean-to-cup machines around, so this deal is frankly amazing.View Deal
What I love about the Baristina is the way it combines the best features of automatic and manual coffee makers. It handles all the work of weighing out the correct dose of coffee, grinding it, tamping it down, and then pulling a shot, but because this doesn't happen inside an enclosed case, cleanup is a piece of cake.
Fully automatic coffee makers can get gross inside, with moisture and stray coffee grounds making a nice home for bacterial and mold. Here, however, you only need to wash out the portafilter basket, keep the drip tray clean, and run a bit of hot water through the groupset after brewing.
I admit that I'm also charmed by the way the Baristina automatically slides the portafilter handle underneath the brewing group once the coffee has been ground and tamped. And, of course, the resulting coffee is delicious as well. Take a look at my full Philips Baristina review for more details.
(Image credit: Future)
More Prime Day coffee maker deals
If a half-price Philips Baristina doesn't tempt you, here's a hand-picked selection of other great deals on coffee makers this Amazon Prime Day.
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 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
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
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
$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 Friday to see if it goes back down again.View Deal
It's a bit hot right now, isn't it? In fact, today marks the hottest June day recorded in the UK, with temperatures peaking at over 36 degrees Celsius, which is pretty outrageous.
I suspect, then, that many Brits will be heading to their local pool or beach to chill out a bit. But if you want to really enjoy the summery vibes, then I'd strongly recommend grabbing a Bluetooth speaker and blasting some tunes — and luckily, one of my favorite models is on sale for Amazon Prime Day.
With amazing sound quality, a rugged build, and top-tier waterproofing, the JBL Charge 6 is the ultimate pool or beachside companion, so scroll on down to learn more about this unmissable offer.
Today's best JBL Charge 6 deal
The JBL Charge 6 is a stellar speaker that boasts powerful, full-sounding audio with pounding bass, clear mids, and distinguished highs. It's also drop-proof and highly waterproof, making it the perfect speaker to take on the go.View Deal
In our JBL Charge 6 review, we rated the speaker five stars, and raved about its "even-handed and expressive sound," awesome power, and genuinely impressive build quality. And after testing it for myself, I'd agree that it's more than deserving of the high praise.
When I got my hands on the Charge 6, I was especially struck by its regimented, precise, and thumping bass, which made genres like House and Hip-Hop sound highly energetic and exciting. But this never got in the way of the rest of the frequency range — vocals and guitars in the mid-range and percussion in the treble also came through with commendable clarity and flair, resulting in a beautifully rounded listen.
But JBL's mid-weight speaker doesn't only sound great, it's also rammed with a fantastic feature-set. With customizable EQ, a battery-enhancing PlayTime Boost option, and lossless USB-C audio, this speaker really feels like the full package.
And what really helps it to stand out as a beach or poolside is its IP68 dust and waterproof rating. This means that the Charge 6 is fully protected against particle ingress, but it can also survive a 30-minute-long dunking under a meter and a half of water...pretty amazing, right?
Ultimately, this deal makes an already great-value Bluetooth speaker feel like a total bargain. And if you're looking to take your music-listening experiences to new heights this summer, then I'd strongly suggest scooping the Charge 6 up for less while you still can.
While both the PS5 and Xbox consoles have excellent default controllers, there's something special about embracing a premium pad that can offer you more, something different, or something better.
And that's what I plan to do with GTA 6: use a premium pad, whichever console I end up playing the game on. And it just so happens that the ongoing Amazon Prime Day deals have brought the price down on my favorite options for either platform.
For Xbox, the Thrustmaster eSwap X2 controller is now just £48.80 at Amazon (was £56.60 — but has an original list price of way more than that); and for PS5, the DualSense Edge is now down to £168 at Amazon (down from £199.99), which makes the premium Sony pad much more attractive.
Two of my favorite controllers on sale right now
This is a frankly ridiculous price for a wonderful Xbox controller. It's wired, yes, but it's a wonderfully versatile and fantastically built pad. It wasn't that long ago that this pad had a very premium price tag, so this is unbelievable value for money.View Deal
A superb price for the official premium PS5 controller that will give you all the options you need to play GTA 6 how you like, while not compromising on ergonomics or quality.View Deal
The Thrustmaster Eswap X2 is the Xbox controller I use the most, and it's from a line that opened up Xbox to me when the first variant came out, soon after the Xbox consoles.
It's a premium wired pad that has a modular design, excellent buttons and triggers, and a cracking design and build quality. Right now it's just £48.80, which frankly feels like a mistake. This had an equally premium price tag not all that long ago, so is a bargain.
I love the original DualSense a lot, but if I were looking for something extra on PS5, then it'd have to be the DualSense Edge. It keeps all that makes the regular DualSense great, particularly those immersive features, and the ergonomic design, but layers premium features on top, allowing you to do more with a Sony controller.
Both these controllers have extra buttons too, which you can map to your liking, so if you're looking for flexibility when playing GTA 6 — or anything, for that matter — then these pads are perfect for you and offer more than just a standard layout to work with.
Rockstar Games' GTA 6 is now officially available to pre-order globally for PS5, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S, with the game's launch set for November 19, 2026.
In case you missed it, there are already ways to save big on Rockstar's blockbuster. The demand is so high that it has led to store errors on ShopTo after purchasing PlayStation Store gift cards, once GTA 6's pre-orders went live in the UK.
However, if you're only a PC player, GTA 6 won't be arriving on the platform anytime soon, but there's a way to solve that. If you don't own a PS5 or Xbox console, there's an important matter at hand — it's Prime Day, and that means there are all kinds of deals for everyone widely available.
Sony's PlayStation 5 Slim Digital Edition is easily one of the most affordable ways to experience Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto 6, once it arrives in November. The system is powerful enough to tackle any triple-A game, and is now closer to its original retail price at launch.View Deal
The PlayStation 5 Digital Edition is a solid choice for any gamer looking to experience several PlayStation exclusives, including Rockstar Games' GTA 6, launching on November 19, 2026. GTA 6 is notably being marketed as a game that 'plays best on PS5', so don't miss it!View Deal
With the Xbox Series X 1TB Digital Edition, you can experience GTA 6 on November 19, utilizing the console's powerful hardware for high fidelity. A digital console fits just right with the highly anticipated game launching as digital only.View Deal
Fortunately, the PS5 Slim Digital Edition is available on Joybuy for £389.95 (was £519.99), thanks to a 19% discount and a £30 coupon, dropping the console's price close to the original retail price at launch. It's currently one of the most affordable ways to dive into the PlayStation ecosystem.
Ultimately, we still don't have any specific details regarding GTA 6's performance on either PS5 or Xbox consoles, despite rumors suggesting there will be performance and quality modes. It's suggested that the PS5 Pro enhanced version of GTA 6 will feature 60 frames per second, but it's hard to say until there's official confirmation.
For now, the focus should be on acquiring either of these consoles before the demand for them reaches new heights — and stock is already running low for the PS5 Digital Edition, so act fast!
There have been some terrific Amazon Prime Daydeals on the best headphones, but this is my pick. I use the Momentum 4's every single day and since I bought them in November 2024, they've been an excellent companion.
Today's best Sennheiser Momentum 4 deals
This is the cheapest the Sennheiser Momentum 4 have been, dropping to $179.95 for Prime Day. They deliver excellent sound quality, effective noise cancelling, great call quality and all-day comfort. Truly brilliant value. View Deal
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 return to a record-low price of £160 for Prime Day, which is a steal for these headphones. They offer balanced, detailed sound, great comfort, effective noise cancelling and great call quality. A real pair of do-it-all headphones. View Deal
Perfectly balanced
(Image credit: Future)
While the Momentum 4 may be a couple of years old now, and their successor the Sennheiser Momentum 5 have arrived, the Momentum 4 are still an excellent pair of headphones that I enjoy using every day.
Their main strength for me personally is their sound profile. While it's on the more neutral side, as opposed to the more bass-centric sound of Sony for example, I find the Momentum 4 can cover a wide range of genres really well.
Whether it's the delicate piano of 'To Zanarkand' from Final Fantasy X as I sit at my desk, the crunching, relentless guitars and drums of Dir En Grey or an electro-pop banger from Lady Gaga like 'Abracadabra', I've found the Momentum 4 do a great job offering punchy bass, clear trebles and highs, plus refined mid-tones — all well balanced and giving every aspect room to breathe.
During my travels I've found that the Momentum 4 offer excellent noise-cancelling, effectively shutting out loud conversations on busy public transport. Within the easy-to-use Smart Control app, you can control the level of ANC you want and its transparency setting in particular is excellent for busy city centres.
Battery life on the Momentum 4 is remarkable. I use them for multiple hours a day and rarely have to charge them more than once a week. Boasting a 60 hour battery life with ANC ON (yes, on) means the headphones can go. And go. And...
Aesthetically, the Momentum 4 are a little plain, and they don't have a folding design like other headphones (see Sony WH-1000XM6), but I think the trade-off in design is worth it for the sound quality. In terms of comfort, I've personally worn these headphones for up to 10 hours in a row and never found them uncomfortable.
I bought these headphones for £249 ($320 converted) in November 2024, and I thought they were excellent value then, down from their $349 / £300 launch price. At $179.50 / £160, they're a steal.
While scouting for deals thisAmazon Prime Day, I've spotted what may be my finest soon-to-be impulse purchase yet; a totally necessary Japanese BBQ grill.
I've already fallen victim to a £20 iced coffee-maker this year, but now I've seen this shichirin, I'm once again reaching for my credit card. Right now, the small size is 23% off, knocking the price down to £307 (was £399); a noteworthy £92 saving on what looks to be a well-made portable grill. That's perfect for me and my upcoming camping trip, but you can also score an even bigger 34% discount on the medium-sized model, now £327.27 (was £499).
Made by Kasai Grills in partnership with British Michelin Star chef Tommy Banks, this kind of indoor-outdoor grill can draw rich, deep flavours from meat, cooking them just inches away from the charcoal. It's built with tiles that reflect heat into the grill to keep temperatures steady, and Kasai claims it can withstand up to a whopping 1200°C. That's as hot as a pottery kiln.
Today's best Kasai grill deals
My top pick is the small-sized Kasai Japanese grill, which has a neat 23% discount for Prime Day. At 26.5 x 40.5 x 21cm (DxWxH) and 12.34kg, it's not exactly ultra-portable, but I'm driving to my campsite, so I can easily pop it in the boot of my car without taking up too much room. Below, the Nano model might be better if you plan to hike a little to your campsite.View Deal
The smallest size Kasai Japanese Grill is 23 x 31 x 16.5cm (DxWxH) and just 7.2kg. It's still not an everyday carry, but for taking on a short hike to a campsite, it's the best you can get. View Deal
At 26.5 x 54 x 21 (DxWxH) and 24.6 kg, this isn't one I'd travel with too readily, but it's great as a garden and at-home grill. With its roomy grill, you can feed a larger group at once without having to wait your turn to grill.View Deal
It's not the strongest discount here, but if you want to be able to feed the whole family and then some, this larger size is the best choice. Just don't try and shove it in a backpack for camping, because at 22kg and 26 x 70 x 21cm (DxWxH) it's more than a little hefty. View Deal
@Claude is an AI colleague that your colleagues can see
It'll answer questions and proactively contribute where it's useful
Teams first, other platforms later, but remember to set spending limits
In a bid to make its AI assistant even more collaborative, Anthropic has launched Claude Tag into Slack to make it more like interacting with a real colleague.
But tagging @Claude in a discussion, the AI reads the discussion's context to respond with relevant information, answer questions, summarize long chats, identify updates and surface missed information.
The shared assistant allows multiple people to interact with the same Claude instance, rather than everybody having separate chats with AI.
You can now tag @Claude in Slack
"We’re tagging Claude to chase down product metrics and data, work through support tickets, or even help find the root cause of tricky bugs," Anthropic said about its own internal use of the tool, powered by Opus 4.8.
Anthropic described Claude Tag as a virtual teammate, but the existing Slack connector for Claude gives the chatbot access to the app's context for users who still want to have private discussions with the tool.
Claude Tag can also connect to external tools – for example a Gmail connection monitors incoming emails and notifies users within Slack in a bid to keep everything in one place.
The built-in chatbot also promises to 'take initiative' by surfacing relevant information when a discussion is taking place, or by setting reminders for action items when a chat goes quiet.
Claude Tag is available for Enterprise and Team customers in research preview. Anthropic is giving away a 'launch credit' for users to try it out, but the company recommends setting a spend limit.
Though Slack is the first platform to support Claude Tag, the company promises to be working on integrating it into other workplace tools too.
There's one thing I can't live without when working out and that's music, and Amazon Prime Day is one of the best times of the year to see what deals are kicking about on the best workout headphones.
I've gathered nine deals on some of our favorite models, with different types of headphones for different types of workouts. If you're a keen runner, whether that's outdoors in the sun or inside on a treadmill, and are after a set of headphones to optimize your cardio sessions, the Shokz OpenRun Pro headphones are now down to $124.95 from $179.95. There's also a UK deal to match.
But it's not just running-specific headphones on offer, there are models from Apple, Beats, and the budget-friendly JLab getting the Prime day treatment too, so there's something for everyone.
I'm a big fan of taking my workouts outdoors when the weather brightens up in the summer months, but let's be honest, doing any sort of exercise in the heat is difficult, so I'll be relying on my air-conditioned gym to get a kick out of my HIIT workouts.
Today's best fitness headphones deals in the US
The AirPods Pro 3 are just $10 shy of their lowest ever price, which is still quite a steal. 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-cancelling is outstanding.View Deal
While we haven't had hands-on experience with JLab's Go Sport+, we've spent some time with their sibling, the JLab Go Air Sport earbuds, which we loved. They're surprisingly reliable and make for a great entry-level model if you're just getting into the world of fitness and don't want to spend big bucks. They fit securely, and can endure intense workouts — and for less than $20, they're a no-brainer. View Deal
If you're a keen swimmer and are looking for a pair of headphones to soundtrack your way up and down the lanes, the OpenSwim Pro are a solid shout thanks to its Bluetooth connectivity for live music streaming, which id added to the existing built-in MP3 support. This means they're ideal for listening to music both in and out of swimming environments.
The pinnacle of the Apple's Beats sub-brand are 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.
A $55 saving on the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 (bone conduction headphones that don't actually go into your ear) is not to be sniffed at, especially as it's the biggest discount these headphones have ever had — they briefly dropped to $139 before now, but never this low! Available in both standard and mini sizes in three colors, the Pro 2 use bone conduction and air conduction to deliver great sound on multiple fronts, all while keeping you aware of your surroundings.
OpenRun Pro 2 (a set of bone conduction headphones that don't actually cover the ears so are almost like open earbuds!) are among the very best running headphones available right now, at the lowest price they've ever been – a solid Prime Day no-brainer for the long-distance runner in your life.
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 are at their lowest-seen price on Amazon UK. The main difference between the Pro 3 and Pro 2 is the addition of heart rate sensing and Live Translation using Apple Intelligence, and the ANC is vastly improved, as we covered at length in ourAirPods Pro 3 review — which is no small statement given that the ANC in the AirPods Pro 2 was already excellent.
If you're in the UK, you can also get the Shokz OpenFit 2 for a record-low price. These excellent open earbuds are the ideal pick for runners and they are much easier to recommend at this massively discounted price. Get them for the impressive sound quality, lengthy battery life and dependable fit.
The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 are our pick for the best running headphones for endurance. So, if you’re running longer distances or want peace of mind on race day, these are excellent. The incredibly well-engineered earhook design delivers a secure fit, and the buds are backed up by solid battery life and good sound quality.
I've covered Amazon Prime Day for a few years now, and each year it seems to get bigger as the retailer's inventory expands. I've just spotted a promotion that's admittedly new to me, however.
Right now, you can get a $1,500 Amazon gift card if you buy a car via the retailer's Amazon Autos service. I didn't even know that buying a car from Amazon was a thing until I spotted this Prime Day special.
Should you buy a car via Amazon? Well, that's a good question. From what I can see on the listings, Amazon Autos is essentially just a new marketplace for dealers, rather than a first-party retailer. It's a little strange seeing cars listed as for sale on the Amazon Store page, but the more I look at it, the more it seems to make sense. It doesn't seem that much different from most online car marketplaces.
Interestingly, it looks like the available stock is mostly from American, Korean, and Japanese brands, with a few German cars sprinkled here and there. There aren't any new Chinese brands, which isn't surprising considering the various tariffs!
How do I get my $1,500 gift card?
(Image credit: Amazon)
According to the T&Cs, to be eligible for your gift card you'll need to either buy or lease a brand new car. Annoyingly, this promo doesn't extend to used cars, even though those are also listed on Amazon Autos.
Even worse, this promotion is a Prime Day special, so there's only today and tomorrow to actually buy a car. That's a hell of a commitment to make at such short notice, but you can test drive the car before you buy it, according to Amazon Autos.
Once you've picked out a car, you've got until June 29th to actually go and get it from the dealership. The gift card is being sent out via email within two weeks of pick-up.
Aside from those caveats, it appears that this promotion doesn't have any other stipulations in terms of brands or vehicle type. There are EVs, hybrids, pickups, SUVs, and pretty much all types of vehicles under the sun.
JP Morgan believes the iPhone 18 Pro price hike could be less severe than other analysts have predicted, at just $50
Another analyst has flagged chip price increases at TSMC which will affect Apple, and its laptops are in a different situation to iPhones
The end result could be substantial laptop price increases, while Apple's smartphones get away relatively unscathed
Update: Not long after this story was published, Apple officially announced price hikes on MacBooks (and other products). The MacBook Neo entry-level laptop got a straight $100 hike to start at $699 in the US.
The MacBook Air 13-inch with M5 has been hiked $200 to start at $1,299. The MacBook Pro has increased even more, by $300, so the baseline model is $1,999. In short, these are the painful hikes for Apple's laptops as predicted below, and notably the pricing of the iPhone range hasn't changed.
Original story follows below...
We know Apple's products have price hikes coming — Tim Cook has made that clear in no uncertain terms — but based on the latest spinning from the rumor mill, the iPhone could get away with a relatively mild price bump, with MacBooks potentially hit a good deal harder.
You might be surprised at the possibility that the next iPhone might not be hiked by all that much, because earlier rumors and napkin maths suggested that the incoming iPhone 18 Pro might hit $1,299 in the US, a hefty $200 increase (with a similarly step price hike for other countries). Others have theorized that there could be an even bigger jump than this.
However, as Phone Arena noticed, Max Weinbach, a tech analyst at Creative Strategies, posted on X to flag up JP Morgan's research on what the next-gen iPhone price hike might be.
Contrary to other analysis, JP Morgan thinks it might be more in line with a $50 price bump, as while memory costs will put a lot of pressure on Apple — as a Wccftech report recently underlined, noting that the firm is facing a "sticker shock heading into Q3" — the company seemingly has ways to mitigate those increases elsewhere. One such saving would be made by swapping to Apple's own modem for the new iPhone, as an example.
Another way Apple could theoretically alleviate the pressure on smartphone prices is to recoup some money by charging a premium for the rumored iPhone Ultra foldable, which will be inevitably pricey for those who want the latest and greatest tech (and it looks very much like that foldable is inbound for this year).
As for potential MacBook price hikes, there's not the same space for Apple to maneuver in terms of offsetting other component costs with its laptops. And as Tom's Hardware spotted, analyst (and former Bloomberg reporter) Tim Culpan has just delivered a rumor that TSMC is seemingly increasing chip prices for customers (from 3nm processes down to 7nm and older products) in the order of 5% to 10%.
That hits a bunch of firms who use TSMC to manufacture their chips, but notably AMD, Nvidia, and Apple. For Apple, the more heavyweight MacBook CPUs will be hit harder than mobile silicon, and on top of that, it's yet another unwelcome pressure on the affordably priced MacBook Neo.
As Culpan jokes at the end of his piece: "Maybe those red MacBook Neos will arrive after all." Puzzled as to what that means, exactly? Let's dive into that next.
Analysis: cooking the MacBooks
(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)
Arguably, Apple's biggest problem here is keeping the MacBook Neo at its tempting baseline price, in the face of these 'unavoidable' price rises as Tim Cook has called them. Mainly because the price is so low for an Apple laptop, with its popularity and demand meaning that the production of the Neo is rumored to have been massively cranked up.
Culpan has previously floated the theory that Apple will have to either apply price hikes to the MacBook Neo – and perhaps soften that blow with new colors (which is what the 'red Neo' comment refers to) – or just ditch the current entry-level variant, and offer the higher-tier Neo as a baseline instead. The latter is basically a way of applying a price hike of a hundred notes without actually having to increase prices technically, and what makes this seem more likely is that Apple did exactly that as a tactic with the Mac mini recently.
We don't know how this will play out yet, but it's looking increasingly likely that some considerable upward pricing movements will be coming to MacBooks, while the iPhone might perhaps escape the worsts.
A price hike of only $50 for the iPhone would be very much welcomed by many at this point as effectively stable pricing, given all that talk of a couple of hundred dollars or more being stuck on top of the current-gen price tag. And perhaps that's the point — with consumers fearing the worst for the iPhone 18 Pro, they'll eventually be relieved if this is the case.
At any rate — I've been saying this for a while — if you're thinking of buying a new MacBook, the time to move is very likely now, or soon, especially in the case of the Neo (unless you really, really want that red colorway, or whatever striking colors Apple may cook up to distract people from the new price tag).
Summer holiday season is almost upon us, and I'm getting organised for my own annual excursion. I have a number of non-negotiables when it comes to holidays — and browsing the current Amazon Prime Day sale, I spotted that several of them are heavily discounted right now.
I also spotted a few more gadgets in the sales that I think would make excellent additions to my luggage, and I've rounded up all of my finds below, starting with nine instant winners for under £30 each, then moving on to some higher-priced devices that I'm sorely tempted by.
One of my absolute essentials for travel is a great pair of noise-cancelling headphones. We've tested both of the budget-friendly pairs I've included below, and were blown away by their performance for the price, but honestly I was spoiled for choice in this area — I have a separate guide to cheap headphones and earbuds that's worth checking out if neither of these appeal.
At the top of my travel wishlist is a pair of Loop Quiet ear plugs. I've heard nothing but good things about this brand's products, and as someone with sensitive ears and a strong desire not be to bothered while travelling, they look like they could be a game changer (I'll be pairing them with my blackout sleep mask for an undisturbed flight).
I also think this might be the year I invest in a video doorbell for extra peace of mind while I'm away. Amazon has some big discounts on Blink and Ring products for Prime Week, so it seems like a no-brainer.
Hydro Flask Water Bottle 621ml (21oz) — Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle With Leak Proof Flex Cap and Powder Coat, Standard Mouth, Indigo
Ring
Wired Video Doorbell (newest Gen)
Blink
Wired Doorbell 2K+ (newest gen)
myhalos
100% Blackout Sleep Mask with storage pouch
Bonus buys if you want to blow the budget
The below picks are outside of the sub-£30 budget, and require a bit more consideration before buying. However, they're all so heavily discounted that I felt it would be remiss of me not to at least mention them. We've tested most of these products, and they all scored highly — in particular the DJI Mini 4K (4.5 stars) and the Sony WH-1000XM5 (which we awarded a perfect five stars). I've linked said reviews under the 'More details' button if you want to find out more.
iPhone users say their iOS alarms are going off silently
This has reportedly affected the work life of some
A fix has been discovered in the iOS 27 beta
How many times have you slept through your phone alarm in the morning? Most of us have experienced it at one time or another — but what if the problem wasn’t so much your heavy sleeping, but more the fact that your iPhone alarm was going off completely silently, meaning it never had a chance of waking you up in the first place?
That seems to be what’s happening to a number of iOS users, with several of them complaining that silent iOS alarms have risked or even cost them their jobs.
In a since-deleted post on Reddit, user Jeremy_keister said that although their iOS alarm had been set and went off in the morning, it did so silently, making it next to useless. The situation, they said, “has practically lost me a job.” Similarly, user okeanouszeke said the same issue had actually “cost me a job.”
Clearly, there’s something going on here, and a little investigation suggests that it might be to do with the volume settings in iOS. Fortunately, it looks like there’s a fix on the way in iOS 27.
Silent alarm activated
(Image credit: 9to5Mac / Future)
If your alarm is ringing silently rather than out loud, it could be due to a certain setting in iOS 26 and earlier. In those versions of Apple’s operating system, there was only one volume control, and this setting would affect alarms, ringtones, system notifications and more all at once.
That means that if you’d turned the ringtone volume all the way down to zero, your alarms might also be affected. If you happened to look at your iPhone display while the alarm was going off, you’d see it trying to alert you — but with no volume, you wouldn’t hear a thing. And since Apple didn’t build any kind of warning into iOS, you might not even realize that minimizing the system volume would render your alarms useless.
In iOS 27, though, that’s all set to change. Users of the iOS 27 beta have noticed that there’s a new section under Sound & Haptics in the Settings app. There, you’ll find a volume slider for ringtones, one for alarms and timers, and another for alerts and system sounds. In iOS 26 and earlier, you just got one slider that controlled everything.
In iOS 27, then, you can set ringtone volume to zero but push alarm volume to full, ensuring your alarms will still wake you up, even if everything else is silent. That should give you the peace of mind to know that you shouldn’t oversleep, whatever your taste for ringtone volume.
Another alarming issue
There’s one more issue to be aware of. Some users have reported alarms starting off loud, then suddenly dropping in volume.
One potential solution could be to disable Face ID’s attention features in Settings > Face ID & Passcode > Require Attention for Face ID. Supposedly, Apple’s facial recognition tech notices you looking at your iPhone and assumes that you’re fully awake, disabling your alarm in the process. Turning off this feature should allow the alarm to ring until you manually switch it off.
So, if you’ve been struggling to wake up on time in the mornings and think a silent alarm could be the culprit, there are a few potential solutions to try. When iOS 27 launches this fall, this problem might become a thing of the past.
The Trump administration has an official White House app
It's a mandatory install on most government-issued phones
Federal workers are finding they're unable to remove it
Over to the White House, where many government staffers are none-too-happy about having the current administration's official app foisted on to their phones. There's a lot of pro-Trump content in here, and there seems to be no way to get rid of the app.
As Wired reports, numerous federal workers are unhappy about having the app forced on them: one said it features "pure unadulterated propaganda" from the Trump administration, while another said "I deleted it as a test and it came immediately back."
The app that now seems to be mandatory on government-issued devices is apparently the same one that anyone can download for their Android or iOS devices. It features breaking news, social media feeds, photo galleries, and various streams of Presidential addresses and press conferences.
There's also reportedly a button in the app to "text President Trump", which then autofills a speech bubble reading "Greatest President Ever" — one of the touches in the app that the non-partisan civil servants are taking objection to.
It seems all of the news and content in the app takes a pro-Republican and anti-Democrat stance, which is fine for political campaigning but less suitable for federal agency workers who stay in post as administrations come and go.
According to Wired, some officials are simply refusing to engage with the app or even use their government phones much at all. Some agencies seem to have been able to escape having the app as a compulsory install — the General Services Administration is one that Wired mentions, for example.
It seems the privacy policies for the app are rather insubstantial too, while back in May a security researcher found numerous problems around data safety and privacy in the app — again, not ideal for devices issued to government staff. The app tracks user locations every 4.5 minutes, and interacts with non-government infrastructure.
Social media reactions are varied, with some Reddit posters saying the White House is entitled to put whatever it wants on government phones, while others are saying they're "sick of the constant surveillance" and calling the mandatory app installs "pathetic".
Palo Alto Networks’ Unit 42 found five malicious “skills” on ClawHub, OpenClaw’s official marketplace, delivering infostealers and fraud
Threat actors bypassed VirusTotal/ClawScan checks with inflated file sizes and evasive techniques, showing persistent supply chain risk
All malicious skills were removed and accounts banned; researchers urge strict provenance validation and source code audits for published packages
ClawHub is the latest marketplace hackers are poisoning with malware, in an attempt to compromise software developers and other advanced users. Earlier this week, security researchers from Palo Alto Networks’ Unit 42 team disclosed finding, and reporting, five “skills” on that marketplace, that sought to infect their users with infostealer malware.
First a little context: OpenClaw (originally published as Clawd/Clawdbot) was released in November 2025. It is an open-source agent platform that performs actions on a computer, such as browsing the web, or managing files, instead of simply answering questions like a chatbot. To perform different actions, OpenClaw must first learn how to do them, which is done through “skills” - add-ons that extend the agent’s capabilities.
Soon after, ClawHub was born - the official marketplace and registry for OpenClaw skills and plugins, attracting not just the AI developer community, but cybercriminals, as well. Early reports, published in February this year, forced OpenClaw to integrate VirusTotal and ClawScan, to better protect the community and allow proactive screening of published skills.
Persistent and evasive malicious skills
However, Unit 42 says this didn’t stop threat actors, and that it has since discovered multiple “persistent and evasive malicious skills” on the platform.
In total, the researchers discovered five skills, including two that delivered the AMOS infostealer, one that came with an inflated file size to trick scanners, and two that were essentially commission fraud, abusing the fact that an AI agent can make decisions and perform actions on behalf of the user. Details on all five can be found on this link.
All five were since reported to ClawHub, and OpenClaw had them removed and the accounts behind them banned.
Unit 42 recommends organizations use a “rigorous supply chain verification framework” to remain secure: “We identified that skill execution occurs within the agent process. This necessitates active validation of publisher provenance and a line-by-line audit of package source files.”
The manufacturer of the 'bonkers' Xeon PC we previewed a few days ago came up with another outrageous design. The S1 is based on a recycled 15-year old CPU - an Intel Core i3-2100 - and is positioned as a low budget mini PC for AI task automation using OpenClaw.
At $99 down from $199 at Newegg, it's more a cautionary tale rather than a decent deal. So no, don't buy this piece of technology that belongs to a museum, an example of a company astroturfing on a red-hot technology term to sell old tat.
If your budget can extend to $200 (but not beyond), these are the PC’s I’d recommend instead. Just bear in mind that they will only be useful for light office work and casual gaming.
AMD Ryzen 5 3500U | 8GB DDR4 | 256GB SSD
The wo-we P6 Lite offers impressive value at. Despite its compact size, it supports triple 4K displays via USB-C and dual HDMI ports, making it ideal for office work, entertainment, or home use. WiFi 5, Bluetooth 5.0, and Gigabit Ethernet provide fast, stable connectivity. You won’t get a faster new PC under $200.View Deal
Intel Core i5-9500 | 16GB RAM | 256GB SSD
This is a certified refurbished that looks and works like new. It comes with a 90-day warranty which you can increase to three years for only $28.99. This EliteDesk 800 is a business PC so the build quality will be way better than new mini PC sold for the same price and it comes with Windows 11 Pro, a mouse and keyboard and plenty of expansion ports. View Deal
AMD Ryzen 3 PEO 5350G | 8GB RAM | 256GB SSD
Another refreshed computer and this one is far faster than anything in this price range with a very capable Radeon Graphics. It runs Windows 11 Pro and has Lenovo’s pedigree to back it up. Shame about the 8GB DDR4 RAM but at least you should be able to upgrade it on the cheap.View Deal
With summer and Amazon Prime Day in full swing, you might be in the middle of weighing up what can actually fit in your suitcase for your next holiday — and if you are, I've found some great portable beauty-tech deals that could make that decision easier.
From a foldable hair dryer to a silicon LED face mask that can easily slide into the lining of your suitcase, I've made sure this round-up of beauty tech deals is filled with only devices that are light, transportable, and USB-C charged.
I haven't tried all of these products myself, but other members of the TechRadar team have, and they can confirm that they're worthwhile investments. For example, Josephine Watson is a big fan of light-therapy devices, particularly the Nanoleaf LED Light Therapy Face Mask for $149.99 (was $249) at Amazon in the US.
If you're in the UK, the best saving I've found is on the Ulike Air 10 IPL at Amazon, where it's £246.99 (was £399.99). I've been using this myself, and it's a huge saving compared to going to the salon for expensive laser hair-removal treatments. You won't be able to go out in the sun after using it, but if you're on a longer trip it's light enough to pack in your luggage.
I've also snuck in few more gadgets that aren't strictly beauty tech, like the Oura Ring 4 for wellness tracking, and some earplugs — traveling can be be a noisy affair, so anything that can help you block out sound is useful.
Growing up in Australia meant that if I wanted to visit family overseas I had to prepare for a grueling 24-hour flight, confined to a seat for much of the time; and while that was fine when my legs were shorter, it's no longer the most thrilling experience. These gadgets won't make economy class glamorous, but they will make it a bit more bearable.
Today's best beauty tech deals in the US
Despite its small size and lightweight build, the Dreame Pocket Pro hair dryer features a high-speed motor that can majorly cut down the time it takes for hair to dry. Compared to the basic model, the Pro comes with two more attachments and two more temperature modes. Oh, and it's down to a record-low price.
With six light-therapy treatments, including heat and cooling modes, this is one of the most portable devices for keeping up your beauty routine on the go. Our Managing Editor Josephine Watson tested it at home, and said it was the best part of her skincare routine in her Nanoleaf 6-in-1 review.
If you're a light-therapy fan and don't want to skip your nightly routine while on holiday, this LED mask is ideal. Made from silicone that can easily fold away, and with globally compatible USB-C charging, it's a neat way to keep up your light therapy while traveling. Read our full Nanoleaf LED mask review for more.
The Shark 3-in-1 ChillPill received an impressive 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. At just 350g, it's perfect for your next holiday.
I've only just started using this IPL hair removal device, and I'm already seeing results. If you're considering hair removal, then it's worth looking into an at-home device such as this, as it's significantly cheaper than the hundreds of dollars you'll spend at a salon. It's also very transportable; just remember to stay out of the sun after a treatment.
I'm not sure how I feel about smart rings, but our Fitness Editor, Matt Evans, is a big fan of the Oura Ring 4. He said it was "nearly the perfect fitness tracker" in his Oura Ring 4 review, praising the design, ease-of-use, long-lasting battery and detailed health information it offers. This clever bit of tech is now down to its lowest-ever price at Amazon.
Traveling can be very noisy and disruptive, from the train's rumbles to your temporary accommodation's neighbors, there's a lot you might want to block out. I've heard good things about Loop earplugs, with people who've tried them reporting that they're very comfortable, so if you're considering trying them out, this record-low price is a good way in.
The upgraded version of the Dreame Pocket isn't on sale this Prime Day in the UK, but the original is! It has a range of heat options, ranging from cold to hot, to help it be kinder to various hair types and to prevent any unwanted burning. We gave it four stars in our Dreame Pocket hair dryer review.
If you're going on holiday, this travel-friendly light-therapy device is ideal if you're only able to take a small carry-on bag with you. Weighing just 201g, it won't take up too space, which is perfect if you still want to keep up your LED light-therapy treatments while away from home.
If you have a bit more space to pack a few more essentials on your next holiday, then Nanoleaf's LED mask is ideal. It charges via USB-C, so you won't have to worry about the voltage in different countries. Its flexible silicone form also means you can pack it away neatly, so it doesn't take up too much space. Did I mention that it's also at its lowest-ever price this Prime Day?
Full disclosure: I haven't used this device myself, but I have used Nanoleaf's 6-in-1 Light Therapy Wand, and I love the cooling and heating modes, especially the former for reducing puffiness. I also own one of Therabody's massage guns, which I always take with me if I'm going snowboarding, so I can confirm that the brand makes great products. This device also offers vibration therapy.
Want to keep cool on the move? Consider Shark's 3-in-1 ChillPill, which earned a solid score of 4.5 stars in our recent review. Only one colourway is on sale right now, and they did inflate the list price to make this 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.
Want to save spending hundreds of pounds on salon laser treatments? This IPL hair -removal device is on sale for Prime Day. I've been using it myself, and I can confirm that it's an effective and painless way of removing hair if you're the right candidate for this type of treatment.
I'm not sure how I feel about smart rings, but our fitness editor, Matt Evans, is a big fan of the Oura Ring 4. He said it was "nearly the perfect fitness tracker" in his Oura Ring 4 review, praising the design, ease-of-use, long-lasting battery and detailed health information it offers. This clever bit of tech is now down to its lowest-ever price on Amazon.
I've seen a lot of people talk about using Loop earplugs lately, so if you want to see what the fuss is all about, this entry-level pair are down to a record-low price. Use them to block out noise on the plane, help you focus, protect your ears from loud music at bars or concerts, or help you create a better environment for sleep. They're reusable and can last for up to five years, so they're a good investment if you'll use them regularly.
The power bank that I use just about every day has hit an unbelievable low price for Amazon Prime Day, and it's one of the most tempting bargains I've come across so far.
I can be pretty forgetful and often leave the house without fully charging my phone, which has landed me in more than my fair share of sticky situations. But since picking up the Anker Nano 10K 45W Power Bank, things have been different. With its 45W wattage, I can fast charge my device in a pinch, and its integrated cable means I've always got a way to charge my devices on the fly.
Want to hear more about this exquisite deal? Then scroll on down for the key details.
Today's best Anker Nano 10K 45W Power Bank deal in the US
Anker's ultra-compact yet surprisingly powerful power bank is the ultimate travel companion, boasting speedy 45W charging, a solid 10,000mAh capacity, and an integrated USB-C cable for seamless use. It can easily slip into a pocket or small bag, and it's decently lightweight, making it ideal for taking on the go.View Deal
Today's best Anker Nano 10K 45W Power Bank deal in the UK
I adore Anker's small yet mighty power bank for a few key reasons. Firstly, it's a strong performer, delivering fast-charging up to 45W and a solid 10,000mAh capacity. But it's also very practical, thanks to its integrated USB-C cable and phenomenally compact form, meaning it can easily slide into your pocket or small-sized bag.View Deal
In my Anker Nano 10K 45W Power Bank review, I described the model as a "highly practical" and "well-designed" option, highlighting its durable and handy built-in charging cord, as well as its neat display and versatile ports.
I also found it to be a good value-for-money option at launch; however, this deal makes it an absolute steal. I'd certainly buy it right now for even better value if I didn't already have one! The current Prime Day deals actually place this power bank at a near record-low price, so it really is a fantastic time to snap it up.
If you're often forgetting to charge your phone, or if you want a compact power bank to take on your summer travels, then I strongly suggest picking up the Anker Nano 10K 45W right now — but make sure to act fast and grab it while it's cheap!
AMD’s Ryzen 7 9800X3D has hit a new pricing low in the UK AMD’s Ryzen 7 9800X3D is arguably the company’s best gaming CPU. Yes, the Ryzen 7 9850X3D exists, but it only offers a minor clock-speed bump at the cost of a much higher power draw. Furthermore, it is much more expensive. Today, the […]
By designing a chip around how tokens move through transformer architectures, OpenAI is trying to shift away from its heavy dependence on Nvidia hardware and toward a stack it controls end-to-end.
As you can see in the post below, REI's promotional ad for the Van Rysel EDR AF bike appears to show too many chains, blurry lettering, and the unique feature of dual front and rear handlebars.
Microsoft has spent the past few weeks showing off the drastic changes it has made to Halo: Combat Evolved's lighting, characters, environments, textures, and other visual elements. However, instead of creating a remake that lines up perfectly with the original, Halo Studios decided to remix certain gameplay elements and add...
Today, independent German developer Keen Games announced the release date of Enshrouded 1.0. The game will be released on October 15 for PC and PlayStation 5, but the Xbox version has been delayed to next Spring. Jan Jöckel, CEO of Keen Games, said in a statement: Our team worked tirelessly to launch Enshrouded 1.0 and its exciting new content simultaneously across PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 5 Pro, and Xbox Series S|X. Enshrouded combines large-scale voxel building, fully terraformable worlds, advanced multiplayer systems, and a vast open world in ways that are technically very demanding. As we approached launch, we decided […]
More processors are getting a discount on this Prime Day deal, and you shouldn't miss these Ryzen CPUs if you want to build a powerful gaming PC on a budget. AMD Ryzen 5 9600X Drops to Just $179 While Ryzen 5 7600X is Now Down to $146 on Amazon There are some excellent deals on Amazon at the moment, ranging from PC components to pre-built systems, but the processor deals are particularly irresistible. We have just published Intel's Core Ultra 7 270K Plus deal post that gives you the chance to buy the processor at just $264, making it one […]
Vendors have started releasing new BIOS updates that restores the TSME feature on consumer Ryzen CPUs. ASUS Releases ComboAM5 P1 1.3.0.1b Patch A to Restore TSME Feature on Non-PRO Ryzen CPUs After AMD Promised to Reinstate it A week ago, users complained that their Ryzen CPUs were no longer showing TSME support. This was due to the latest AMD BIOSes, which reportedly removed the TSME encryption feature on the Ryzen CPUs. However, AMD didn't remove it from the PRO variants and told MSI that the TSME is reserved only for the Ryzen PRO chips. TSME, or Transparent Memory Secure Encryption, […]
Valve's reveal that the Steam Machine would be priced at $1049 for the base edition (512 GB with no controller) and up to $1428 for the 2TB edition with a Steam Controller rocked most consumers who were looking forward to buying one at a much lower price. The Steam company made it crystal clear that this wasn't the pricing they had in mind for the hardware and pointed to suppliers literally forcing their hand due to the ongoing memory and storage component crisis. Valve engineer Pierre-Loup Griffais told Gamers Nexus: Look, there’s no contract; there’s nothing. Like, those guys… they give […]
One of the fastest gaming and productivity chip is now under $300, making it a perfect choice for enthusiasts. Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus Gets a $35 Discount on Amazon, Making it the Cheapest 24-Core CPU on the Market You don't see great CPU deals every day, but thanks to the Prime Day deals, some of the best processors are now down to their lowest prices ever. After Intel's launch of Arrow Lake Refresh, aka Core Ultra 200S Plus, the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus became the most popular Intel desktop chip, selling like hotcakes due to its amazing […]
The best and worst part of the web is the ability to freely share your opinions regardless of whether they’re technically accurate.
But imagine a scenario where you are held accountable not only for what you say online, but also for whether it is human- or AI-written?
A recent report came out that a German court is holding Google accountable for just this. The court treated AI Overviews as Google’s own content and rejected Google’s argument that users were responsible for fact-checking the results themselves.
Let’s talk more about what this could look like for businesses and individuals.
The ‘disclaimer’ defense is cracking
For the last few years, nearly every AI platform has relied on some version of the same disclaimer: “AI can make mistakes. Please verify important information.”
Most users recognized this as the cost of using these tools.
But the German court essentially said that merely warning users about potential errors doesn’t automatically remove responsibility when those errors cause harm. If your system creates new claims that never existed in the source material, those aren’t someone else’s words anymore. They’re yours.
Why? Because it moves the conversation away from whether AI is useful (AKA *) and toward who owns the consequences when it gets things wrong.
What this means for businesses
Many companies are blindly trusting rapidly adopting AI across content creation, customer service, product descriptions, reporting, legal reviews, hiring, and internal communications.
In many cases, the discussion centers around efficiency.
Can we create content faster?
Can we answer support tickets more cheaply?
Can we automate this process?
Those are reasonable questions.
But the German ruling introduces another question: Who is responsible when the output is wrong?
What if:
AI-generated support response gives inaccurate guidance.
An AI-written article damages a competitor’s reputation.
An AI-generated report contains fabricated information that influences a business decision.
The more people position AI as a trusted source of information, the harder it becomes to argue they shouldn’t be accountable for what it says.
The situation is kinda funny…
The irony in this is that most AI vendors already know this.
That’s why nearly every platform includes warnings, disclaimers, and usage policies.
Yet those same companies market AI as smarter, faster, more capable, and increasingly reliable.
You can’t, at the same time, tell users to trust the answer while arguing nobody should trust the answer.
At some point, those positions collide. We’re starting to see Google’s “solution”: an option to opt out of AI.
Germany may simply be one of the first courts willing to force Google (or any other LLM business) to take certain actions.
What SEOs should be paying attention to
Ironically, this ruling could end up benefiting everyone.
Today, the conversation is focused on whether AI companies should be responsible for the content their systems generate. But accountability could expand, well beyond AI.
The internet has spent decades creating distance between actions and consequences. Anonymous accounts, fake profiles, throwaway emails, and now AI-generated content all make it easier to say things without owning them.
That’s why I find this ruling so interesting.
Not because of Google. Because it introduces the idea that “I didn’t write it” may not be enough.
The image below shows a real email that Russell and Nina Westbrook received. A real person sat behind a keyboard and sent a message, hoping they would die in a car crash.
That isn’t free speech. It’s hate speech.
The internet, combined with AI, needs more confidence that the content is accurate and that people who create it are held accountable.
You don’t get to claim the productivity gains when AI is right and blame the algorithm when it’s wrong.
This post first appeared on the author’s website and is republished here with permission.
Competitive brand bidding has become a staple PPC strategy. Many brands assume there’s little they can do about it beyond running their own branded campaigns.
Industry case studies show that advertisers who gain visibility into competitor, affiliate, and trademark bidding activity often uncover substantial CPC inflation. In documented cases, brands reduced branded CPCs by 25% to 75% after identifying infringing advertisers and enforcing their policies.
In this guide, Bluepear’s brand protection experts show you how to monitor branded keywords, identify who’s advertising on them, and determine what actions may be available based on what you find.
Choosing keywords to avoid gaps in your monitoring setup
To identify who’s using your brand in search ads, start by deciding which keywords to monitor.
One of the most common mistakes is monitoring only your exact brand name. While it’s a valid starting point, it rarely shows the full picture. Some advertisers deliberately target brand-related coupon, discount, review, or alternative queries because they attract high-intent users while drawing less scrutiny.
For example, someone searching for “Brand coupon” or “Brand discount code” may be much closer to making a purchase than someone searching for the brand alone. These queries also tend to attract coupon affiliates, loyalty sites, and unauthorized advertisers seeking to intercept branded traffic.
Similarly, searches containing terms like “reviews” or “alternatives” often attract competitors and comparison sites that position themselves alongside your brand.
Misspellings deserve special attention. Some advertisers deliberately target spelling variations because they’re less likely to be monitored and often face less competition.
Your brand monitoring setup should be based on these types of keywords:
Bluepear’s built-in AI assistant generates keyword suggestions using this list as a starting point.
The number of terms you need to monitor depends on the size of your brand portfolio, including trademarks, local branches, and product names. Most small to medium-sized brands start with about 20 keywords and expand coverage over time as new risks and opportunities emerge.
Choosing locations and monitoring frequency
A search from your office, on your device, at a single point in time rarely reflects what real customers see. Search results are highly dynamic, so two users searching for the same keyword may see entirely different ads and organic listings.
Another factor to consider: Some advertisers deliberately try to hide their activity.
For example, a fraudster or affiliate violating your PPC policy may run campaigns outside normal business hours to reduce the chance of detection. If you only check search results manually during the workday, there’s a good chance you’ll never see these ads.
When monitoring branded search results, it’s important to consider:
Countries and markets where your brand operates.
Regional differences within those markets.
Mobile and desktop search results.
Different times of day.
Weekday versus weekend activity.
Monitoring frequency matters as well. Some violations appear only briefly before disappearing. Running checks multiple times throughout the day helps capture activity that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Keeping track of all these variables can be difficult when relying on manual checks, especially for brands operating across multiple markets.
Bluepear accounts for everything: locations, devices, time zones, and redirects that obscure the true destination of traffic. Set your parameters once and gain continuous visibility without disrupting your workflow.
Otherwise, you could end up spending hours each week on tedious manual work.
Reviewing search results and recording evidence
Not every advertiser bidding on your branded keywords is violating a policy. Competitors may legally bid on branded keywords as long as they don’t use your trademark in the ad copy. Affiliates may also be authorized to promote your brand under specific conditions.
However, you still need to determine whether an advertiser’s behavior crosses the line from legitimate brand bidding into trademark misuse, policy violations, or customer deception.
Some common signals to investigate include:
Trademark use in ad copy: Does the ad mention your brand name in the headline or description? For brands with trademark restrictions or affiliate PPC policies, this may indicate a compliance issue.
Misleading claims: Look for language that could confuse users about the advertiser’s relationship with your company. Claims of being an “official” partner, references to exclusive offers, or statements implying authorization when none exists warrant investigation.
Unauthorized coupon and discount promotions: Verify that the advertised discount, promo code, or offer is legitimate. Some affiliates use expired, misleading, or entirely fabricated offers to attract clicks.
Impersonation signals: Some ads and landing pages are designed to resemble a brand’s official website. Even without explicitly claiming to be your company, these tactics can create confusion and divert branded traffic.
Because advertisers can change ad copy, pause campaigns, or remove landing pages at any time, violations may disappear before they can be documented. Take screenshots and record key details, including:
Ad copy
SERP position
The keyword that triggered the ad
Location
URLs and redirects
Landing page content
Timestamps
Alternatively, Bluepear can handle this automatically by compiling a comprehensive report containing all relevant information.
Identifying who’s behind the activity
Sometimes you won’t immediately know whether an advertiser is a competitor, an affiliate, or something else entirely.
Branded search results often include a mix of participants with different motivations and risk levels. Understanding who you’re dealing with is essential before deciding whether any action is necessary.
The following signals can help guide your investigation:
Signal
Likely Competitor
Likely Affiliate
Likely Coupon / Loyalty Site
Possible Fraudster
Direct competitor domain
+
–
–
–
Coupon or cashback page
–
Sometimes
+
–
Affiliate network tracking links
–
+
+
Sometimes
Product comparison page
+
Sometimes
–
–
Uses your trademark in ad copy
Sometimes
Sometimes
Sometimes
+
Claims to be “official”
–
–
Sometimes
+
Multiple redirects before reaching the destination page
–
+
+
+
Promotes coupon codes that cannot be verified
–
Sometimes
+
+
Landing page closely imitates your brand’s design or messaging
–
Sometimes
–
+
No single signal provides a definitive answer. The goal is to evaluate multiple pieces of evidence before drawing conclusions.
Once you know who’s advertising on your brand terms, you can move beyond detection and assess whether their activity aligns with your policies and business objectives.
What to do next
Once you’ve identified who’s advertising on your brand terms and reviewed their ads, the next step is deciding how to respond.
Competitor brand bidding
Not every competitor bidding on your branded keywords requires immediate intervention.
Before acting, you need the answers to these questions:
How frequently does the competitor appear in your brand search?
Which keywords are being targeted?
Are they using trademarked terms in ad copy?
Are they directing users to comparison content or direct offers?
In many cases, the best approach is to monitor the activity and evaluate its business impact over time. Document patterns to establish a baseline that can support future compliance reviews or legal discussions if escalation becomes necessary.
Affiliate violations
If an affiliate is bidding on restricted branded keywords or otherwise violating program rules, the next step is usually to gather evidence and contact the affiliate or network.
The common workflow is:
Document the violation.
Verify the affiliate’s ID.
Show evidence to them.
Request removal or corrective action.
Apply program enforcement measures if needed.
Having screenshots, timestamps, and redirect data makes these conversations significantly easier.
Ads that create confusion about brand affiliation.
Impersonation attempts.
Misleading claims of being an official brand representative, partner, or reseller.
The appropriate response depends on the circumstances, your internal policies, and applicable laws.
In many jurisdictions, competitors are generally allowed to bid on trademarked keywords. However, ads that create confusion about the advertiser’s relationship with your brand may raise trademark or unfair competition concerns, depending on the specific facts and local laws.
The advertising platform’s own policies also matter. Google allows advertisers to bid on trademarked keywords, but may restrict trademark use in ad text when a valid trademark complaint is submitted. Google also prohibits ads that use trademarks in a confusing, deceptive, or misleading way.
Before taking action, collect as much evidence as possible, including screenshots, detection timestamps, URLs, and landing page content.
Once the facts have been documented, consider the following actions:
Contact the advertiser directly and request removal of the ad.
Submit a trademark complaint to the advertising platform.
Send a cease and desist letter requesting to stop the activity.
Escalate through legal channels if necessary.
Why you need to keep monitoring your brand search
The important thing to remember is that this isn’t a one-time exercise. Affiliates may activate and pause campaigns throughout the month. Some violations appear only on weekends, outside business hours, or in specific markets. An advertiser that disappears today may return next week with different ad copy, a new domain, or a different affiliate account.
That’s why effective brand protection isn’t built on occasional searches or periodic audits. It requires consistent monitoring and a repeatable investigation process that reveals who’s appearing on your brand terms, how they operate, and whether action is warranted.
Want effortless visibility into your branded search landscape?
Try Bluepear. The platform helps marketing teams identify issues earlier, respond faster, and make more informed decisions about protecting their traffic and advertising investments.
If you're craving a big monitor mostly for productivity purposes, this 37-inch monster from Samsung is half off today at B&H, or just $249. That's over $100 less than its lowest-ever price at Amazon and $150 more than its current price at Best Buy, making this this perhaps the best monitor deal so far this year.
Just note this is very much not a gaming monitor, as evidenced by its locked 60 Hz refresh rate and 5 ms response time. You certainly could game on it, but it lacks pretty much every modern gaming screen feature, save for its high resolution.
This is a large 37-inch 4K (3840 x 2160) monitor with a 60 Hz refresh rate, using a VA panel. Because of the panel type, don't expect great viewing angles. But when sitting directly in front of it, the contrast should be good. Samsung rates the screen at 350 nits of brightness and a 3,000:1 static contrast.View Deal
Aside from price, the 37-inch size is this monitor's major selling point, as it's pretty rare, sitting between typical 32-inch screens the truly large 40-42-inch monitors. If you're rocking a 27-inch or 32-inch monitor and looking for a size upgrade without spending a lot, this is a no-brainer so long as there's room for it on your desk.
As someone who has used TVs as monitors for over a decade, I can vouch for the value of a larger screen for work tasks. And I can't think of a time when I've seen a better combination of low price, large size, and high (3840 x 2160) resolution. If I didn't already have a spare 4K monitor in a closet (plus two 4K TVs I use as monitors), I would have ordered one of these already. I'd consider buying one anyway, but this is too big to fit in my closet.
Qualcomm has announced that it will bring all four of its Dragonfly data center product lines to China, including custom AI accelerators engineered to stay below U.S. export thresholds, CEO Cristiano Amon told Nikkei Asia on the sidelines of the company's investor day in New York on Wednesday. China supplied 46% of Qualcomm's revenue in 2025, almost all of it from smartphone silicon, and Amon’s data center plan could revive the same export-compliant strategy that cut Nvidia's China accelerator sales to almost zero.
Dragonfly covers AI accelerators, data center CPUs, custom silicon, and connectivity chips, and Amon said versions of every line will ship into China within the export rules. “We have versions of all of our products that comply with those guidelines,” he told Nikkei Asia, adding that Qualcomm is “engaged in conversations,” presumably with Chinese customers. The first accelerator, the AI250, is due next year and uses the company's HBC near-memory design instead of the HBM stacks that Nvidia and AMD racks rely on, a packaging choice that could pay off in a market where HBM is and will remain tight for the foreseeable future.
Qualcomm told investors that the data center unit is expected to generate $300 million this fiscal year and $5 billion in fiscal year 2027, figures the company designates as the early ramp of a total addressable market it projects will exceed $1 trillion by 2029. The push into China relies on Amon's argument that Qualcomm's existing relationships with Chinese phone makers and automakers extend to the data center, the same customer base behind its AI200 and AI250 inference accelerators announced last October.
China, however, isn’t a neutral buyer for Qualcomm at the moment: The country’s market regulator opened an antitrust investigation into its Autotalks acquisition in October, and has pressed domestic data center operators to source at least 50% of their chips locally while steering Alibaba, ByteDance, and Tencent toward Huawei and Cambricon parts.
Those dynamics have already gutted the export-compliant model that Qualcomm is looking to emulate. Nvidia’s H20, for example — the part it built specifically for China — had generated only about $50 million by late last year, and CEO Jensen Huang has said Nvidia has “zero” China market share left. Qualcomm is entering that lane voluntarily with hardware that won’t reach customers until at least fiscal year 2027, by which point Huawei's Ascend line and Cambricon's accelerators are scheduled to scale production well past current volumes.
Qualcomm has at least one confirmed buyer outside China, with Saudi Arabia's Humain already taking delivery of AI100 systems and committing to 200MW of Qualcomm racks. Inside China, the company still has to convince customers that Beijing is pushing away from foreign silicon.
Everyone wants the freedom of a great wireless gaming headset, but it's hard to find one that's budget-friendly without compromising on... well, a lot. HyperX's new Cloud Stinger 3 Wireless is a budget-friendly (ish) wireless headset that doesn't compromise on much — it's got large, 50mm dynamic drivers with a frequency response range of 10 - 50,000 Hz, an ultra lightweight, comfortable frame with reinforced metal yokes for durability, and it gets up to 80 hours of battery life on a single charge, which is a number we usually only see in much pricier products. The Cloud Stinger 3 Wireless comes in at just under $100, which isn't nothing, but is significantly cheaper than the $200 - $300 price range of headsets with similar specs.
Design and Comfort of the Cloud Stinger 3 Wireless
The Cloud Stinger 3 Wireless is an over-ear (circumaural) wireless gaming headset with a lightweight plastic frame and a non-detachable flip-to-mute boom mic. It's mostly made of plastic, with a matte black finish and some machined texturing around the outer edges of the large, oval earcups, but it does have stainless steel sliders in the headband for durability. The earcups are independently height-adjustable, and they also tilt and swivel 90 degrees for flat storage (though the headset doesn't come with a travel bag or case). The earpads and the underside of the headband are padded with soft, leatherette-covered memory foam, which does an excellent job of passive noise cancellation.
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
It looks like a gaming headset, mostly because it has a non-detachable boom mic. HyperX's HX logo is glossily debossed on both earcups, while the HyperX text logo adorns the top of the headband. It's not unattractive, but it does look a little cheap — I blame the matte black plastic; it's hard to have this particular finish without looking like you're cutting corners at least somewhat. It feels relatively sturdy for its weight, and the flexible frame makes me think it would hold up decently well if you take care of it. The leatherette-covered memory foam padding feels more premium than the rest of the headset, so that's a nice touch.
The Cloud Stinger 3 Wireless is expectedly lightweight, weighing in at just 10.1 ounces (286.5g). It's almost two ounces lighter than the extremely comfortable HyperX Cloud III S Wireless (12.05oz / 341.5g), and it's half an ounce lighter than the Turtle Beach Atlas Air (10.61oz / 301g), which is one of the lightest wireless headsets we've tested. It's still heavier than wired lightweight headsets, however, such as the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 (8.3oz / 235g).
Tom's HardwareTom's Hardware
Weight isn't the only factor when it comes to comfort, but it certainly helps — and the Cloud Stinger 3 Wireless is a very comfortable and adjustable headset. The headband measures around nine inches (228.6mm) with the earcups fully retracted, and each earcup can be extended around 1.5 inches (38mm) for a total headband length of just under 12 inches (304.8mm). While it wasn't so comfortable that I forgot I was wearing it, I had no problems wearing the Cloud Stinger 3 Wireless for hours at a time.
Tom's HardwareTom's HardwareTom's Hardware
It's a wireless headset, so it's got several on-ear controls. On the left earcup, from back to front, there's a power button and a USB-C charging port. On the right earcup, from back to front, there's a multi-function button, a volume wheel, and a mode switch for switching between 2.4GHz wireless and Bluetooth.
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
In the box, the Cloud Stinger 3 Wireless comes with a short, 1.6-foot (0.5m) USB-C to USB-C charging cable, a 2.4GHz wireless USB-C dongle, and a USB-C to USB-A adapter.
Audio Performance of the Cloud Stinger 3 Wireless
The Cloud Stinger 3 Wireless has large 50mm dynamic drivers with a listed frequency response range of 10 - 50,000 Hz, which is pretty far outside the normal range of 20 - 20,000 Hz (though we often see headsets outside this range these days).
Music on the Cloud Stinger 3 Wireless sounded good — a fairly neutral profile with no immediately noticeable distortion at either end of the spectrum. The bass in songs such as Kaskade's POW POW POW was powerful-feeling without being muddy, and I could hear the full reign of the kick drum at the beginning of Lorde's Royals. It wasn't the absolute clearest bass I've heard, but I was impressed with the balance between power and restraint. The mid- and high-range also sounded good, though perhaps a little too neutral for my taste. The high strings in Britney Spears' Toxic were well-curbed, but the dynamics in songs such as Farruko's Pepas and David Guetta's Titanium (ft. Sia) felt a little... lacking in excitement.
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
Games also sounded good on the Cloud Stinger 3 Wireless. While it doesn't have a particularly wide soundstage, the headset did a good job of picking up detail in dense, layered audio environments such as the cities of Baldur's Gate 3 and Where Winds Meet, or the jungle of Uncharted 4. In noisy environments these details did tend to blend together in a way that was more cacophonous than artistically rendered (but I suppose that's pretty realistic to how audio works in the real world, too). Directional sound was accurate, if not as finely-tuned as it is in premium, performance-oriented headsets such as the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro.
The headset features dual-wireless connectivity, though not simultaneous — a switch on the right earcup lets you quickly switch between the headset's 2.4GHz wireless and Bluetooth 2 connections. Audio sounded a little compressed over the headset's Bluetooth connection, but it was fine for taking calls or scrolling through TikTok.
Specs
Driver Type
50mm dynamic
Frequency Response
20 - 20,000 Hz
Design Style
Overear (circumaural)
Microphone Type
6mm, unidirectional
Connectivity
2.4GHz wireless, Bluetooth
Weight
10.1oz / 286.5g
Cord Length
N/A
Battery Life
80 hours
Lighting
N/A
Software
Ngenuity
MSRP / Price at Time of Review
$99.99
Release Date
April 30, 2036
Microphone of the Cloud Stinger 3 Wireless
The Cloud Stinger 3 Wireless has a non-detachable flip-to-mute boom microphone that sits on the end of a 3.5-inch (89mm) flexible gooseneck arm. The mic is a 6mm back electret condenser microphone with a unidirectional polar pattern, and it does a decent job of keeping background noise at bay, even without any software-based noise cancellation active.
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
As for quality, the mic isn't anything to write home about — it's a pretty typical headset mic that picks up vocals loud and clear, but won't make you sound like you're a professional podcaster (or anywhere near that level). My voice sounded decently full over both voice chat and in recordings, but it still had the thin, slightly fuzzy quality that easily gave away the fact that this was a headset mic and not a standalone USB gaming mic. But as long as you're not creating content, this mic is perfectly capable for communicating with coworkers, friends, and teammates.
Features and Software of the Cloud Stinger 3 Wireless
The Cloud Stinger 3 Wireless is supposed to be configurable via HyperX's Ngenuity software, but I downloaded both the new Ngenuity (Ngenuity 3?) and the legacy version of Ngenuity, and neither was able to recognize the headset when it was connected to my PC (wired or wireless).
Luckily, the Cloud Stinger 3 works pretty flawlessly out of the box, so you shouldn't need the software (HyperX's Ngenuity software generally tends to be lacking on features, anyway) to use the headset. The headset comes configured by default with voice prompts that tell you when you're switching between connections and when your mic is muted/unmuted (though this is fairly obvious given that it's a flip-to-mute mic), and tapping the power button once gives you the headset's current remaining battery life. There aren't any settings I desperately wanted to change, though I did want to see if tweaking the EQ could pull out footstep details, and HyperX does boast about its software-based spatial audio on the Cloud Stinger 3 Wireless' product page.
Battery Life of the Cloud Stinger 3 Wireless
HyperX rates the Cloud Stinger 3 Wireless' battery life at "up to 80 hours" over 2.4GHz wireless, which is pretty impressive given how light the headset is. The BlackShark V3 Pro, which weighs 12.96 ounces (367g), gets up to 70 hours of battery life, while the 1.23-pound (560g) Audeze Maxwell 2 gets over 80 hours. Of course, HyperX's other headsets also have battery life that far outclasses their peers — the HyperX Cloud III S Wireless, which weighs 12.05 ounces (341.5g) and retails for $180 gets up to 120 hours over its 2.4GHz wireless connection.
Bottom Line
The Cloud Stinger 3 Wireless is a lightweight, comfortable wireless gaming headset that offers impressive performance and battery life for its $99.99 retail price. It has large dynamic drivers with a wide frequency response range and a fairly neutral (if a little boring) sound profile and up to 80 hours of battery life. It's extremely lightweight and comfortable, though it does look and feel a little cheap overall, and its flip-to-mute boom mic is perfectly adequate for most typical gaming situations. At $100, it's not quite what I'd call budget-friendly (more like the low end of mid-range), but it's definitely worth the price. My only real complaint is that it's a little boring (in both sound profile and looks) — for something a little more fun, I'd still recommend the $120 Corsair Void Wireless v2.
In a world where memory is no longer a commodity but a strategically valuable asset, customers are eager to sign long-term supply agreements (LTAs) with their suppliers to ensure a steady supply of 3D NAND and/or DRAM. Micron this week announced that it had signed 16 strategic customer agreements (SCAs), 14 of which are worth around $100 billion. Furthermore, the company expects to receive cash deposits and other commitments worth $22 billion, but has warned there is no foreseeable end in sight to the RAM crisis driving up PC component prices.
“14 of the 16 SCAs that we have signed have a cumulative revenue at minimum price per our contracts of approximately $100 billion over the remaining agreement term,” a statement by Micron reads. “Under the SCAs we have signed so far, we project to receive cash deposits and related financial commitments of $22 billion.”
Based on Micron’s claims, the company has about $100 billion of guaranteed baseline revenue already locked in under 14 of those 16 strategic customer agreements, assuming customers only buy the minimum committed volumes and only pay the minimum contract price. In reality, Micron can earn more if customers buy higher volumes or pay higher prices. Furthermore, Micron expects customers who signed these long-term SCAs to put up real money up front — or make equivalent binding financial commitments — as part of reserving future memory supply.
Micron claims it has signed strategic customer agreements with four 'very large customers' and three 'medium-sized customers,' which means that the contracts were inked with clients that previously did not commit to LTAs. The contracts are signed with a five-year term (except the automotive LTAs, which have a term of three years), from calendar 2026 to calendar 2030.
Micron claims that memory supply will be insufficient in 2027 and may improve gradually only in 2028. To that end, it is not surprising that its clients are willing to sign LTAs for 3D NAND and DRAM to ensure that they have enough memory for their products.
"With respect to supply, our customers are recognizing that supply shortages in memory and storage will take considerable time to improve," said Sanjay Mehrotra, chief executive of Micron, in prepared remarks. "Even as we expect industry supply to improve gradually in 2028, we currently do not have line of sight as to when memory supply will be able to catch up with increasing demand."
Normally, Micron and other memory producers inked LTAs with select clients only (read: with Apple, Nvidia). 16 LTAs is a lot for this kind of arrangement, and this looks like a business model shift for the company. It is noteworthy that the 16 signed contracts represent roughly 20% of Micron's DRAM volume and 33% of the company's NAND volume over the period through 2030. That said, Micron may sign more LTAs with more companies.
Despite the abundance of telemetry at analysts’ disposal, many security operations teams struggle to answer a few basic questions during incident investigation: What happened? What evidence do we have? How do we know we’re seeing it all, in context?
Answering these questions requires teams to go beyond alerts, the most common basis for initial triage. But investigations (and their outcomes)
A previously undocumented Rust-based macOS implant and information stealer has been found to embed a prompt injection payload designed to trick a malware analyst's artificial intelligence (AI) tools and trick it into aborting or refusing an analysis of the artifact.
The malware has been codenamed Gaslight owing to this deceptive behavior. It's been assessed with high confidence that the tool is
Woody the toy cowboy has faced a lot of frightening moments over the course of five Toy Story movies, but the actor voicing him for the last 30 years is trepidatious over the possibility that AI will supplant him. Tom Hanks told Entertainment Weekly in a new interview that the idea of AI replacing his voice is "a scary thought."
"Time is undefeated," Hanks said. "The question would be whether or not we could cobble together some version of me. Every word we have ever recorded in time in Toy Story is on digital media somewhere, so they could put together anything they would want."
Debates about AI in movies and film are raging even as the technology is deployed to reproduce the voices and complete performances of people who have passed away. Not to mention fully AI-generated films that otherwise employ human voice actors.
AI acting
Most entertainment projects with AI so far have generally involved the participation or approval of the performers themselves, but they also demonstrate how quickly the technology has matured. What once required painstaking effects work can increasingly be achieved with sophisticated machine learning models trained on years of existing material.
Hanks has himself been in AI-assisted productions, specifically in the film Here, which relied on AI to de-age him and co-star Robin Wright for part of the film rather than depending entirely on traditional visual effects.
Hanks' concerns extend beyond his own career. He has elsewhere suggested that his biggest worry is whether audiences will eventually stop caring whether a performance comes from a human being at all, not trusting that what they see isn't produced with AI. That feels like a more unsettling question than whether Woody could return without Hanks.
Future films
(Image credit: Disney Pixar)
There's a little irony in Hanks' comments. The original Toy Story was a technological revolution that some saw as a threat to traditional hand-drawn animation. Three decades later, one of the stars who helped usher in that revolution is looking at the next wave of technology with understandable caution.
Caution doesn't mean dismissal of AI, of course. Hanks is known for being part of projects using advanced tools like motion capture, digital filmmaking, and experimental visual effects throughout his career. His concern seems more about what gets lost when technology starts replacing the people audiences are connected with in the first place.
And while each individual use of AI can be justified as another filmmaking tool, there's still a larger question about where AI assistance ends, and replacement begins. The answer will probably depend on what audiences decide they value rather than purely technical capabilities. Movie stars are more than collections of facial expressions and vocal recordings, and recreating the performance that audiences associate with Woody, that's more than just "good enough," would be a tall order.
I've been scouting for Prime Day deals, but this one stopped me in my tracks. Currys is running an excellent summer sale on back-to-school and business laptops, but Amazon has absolutely crushed them on the price of the Asus Zenbook A14 for £500 (was £600) for Prime Day.
This 14-inch OLED laptop features a Snapdragon X X1-26-100 processor that's engineered for day-to-day work and study tasks, alongside 16GB LPDDR5X memory, and a well-sized 1TB SSD. For general office and school tasks, that's pitch-perfect for the price.
Over at Currys, however, the exact same model is priced at £599 (was £999) for the Snapdragon-powered machine with 16GB RAM and - wait for it - 512GB SSD. So, you're getting twice as much SSD storage from Amazon at an even cheaper price. I wouldn't even look twice at Currys for this specific model while this Prime Day deal is live.
Excellent price for an efficient work laptop. This 14-inch OLED ultra-portable machine excels at battery life, and tailored for running office apps, emails, and web browsing. View Deal
Snapdragon X X1-26-100 | 16GB LPDDR5X | 512GB SSD
Only buy this if Amazon's Zenbook deal isn't available. It's a good price, but it's lacking the storage space the Prime Day deal has. View Deal
That's not to say the Currys summer sale is bad. In fact, having charted all the deals, I found it a treasure trove of well-priced laptops for work and study. You can see my article on the top 4 laptop deals at Currys here.
But considering the massive price difference, and the improved SSD size, I'd go for the Amazon deal all-day long (or while it lasts, which might not be long as Prime Day ends tomorrow).
We were impressed with the A14 when we reviewed this laptop. Scoring it 4 stars and awarding it a TechRadar Recommends badge, we found this ultra-lightweight MacBook Air-style Windows laptop possessed "brilliant design, capable all-round performance, and an impressive battery life."
As a budget-tier laptop, it's got it faults, but we loved the "fabulously thin and light" design and performance are impressive. Perfect, then, for campus and the commute.
It's been years since I last owned my own Kindle, as I ultimately do prefer physical copies to add to my collection, and only otherwise used my OG Kindle while travelling. However, whenever Amazon Prime Day rolls around, I do tend to second-guess myself when I see the meaty discounts on some of the best Kindles.
In particular, I was tempted by the new Kindle Scribe Colorsoft; as an avid manga reader, I was super excited by the idea of freeing up some shelf space (and if you read manga, you'll know that comes in short supply once your collection grows) by reading some of my less-favored series digitally. However, after trying it for a couple of weeks, I'm only using it for its primary function: as an ereader.
Sure, I'm pretty impressed by this all-in-one E Ink notepad, comic and book reader, but especially right now, the price is a huge turn-off. Put it this way; the Kindle Scribe Colorsoft is currently $519 (was $679) in the US and £442 (was £569) in the UK.
Below, I've detailed the key differences between each device.
Amazon Kindle Scribe Colorsoft
(Image credit: Future/Rami Tabari)
Pros and cons
Pros +Gets the basics right +Color and Scribe features are well-packaged +Large and sharp display
Cons - Pricey - Some features could use updating
The Kindle Scribe Colorsoft is the latest, most performant ereader from Amazon, offering a combination of three different Kindle types: the standard E ink display Kindle, the notepad-like Kindle Scribe, and the color display Kindle Colorsoft.
Each is useful in its own right; reading comics and manga on the Scribe Colorsoft is a delight, though text boxes that spread across panels can be cut off if you use the full page panel view. It's pretty well optimized for the task, though even in vivid mode, colors can be a little washed out.
The writing experience is great. The screen is super responsive, the stylus is comfortable in use and features a shortcut key as well as a functional eraser, and the addition of color to the display means you can select different pen and highlighter colors to create more detailed annotations.
It packs all the usual useful Kindle features (including Word Wise, which is great for younger readers or language learners) as well as AI features like note summary and handwriting-to-text conversion.
However, there are three major things to note when it comes to the Kindle Scribe Colorsoft.
First is that you can't actually use all of these features in tandem, meaning you can't markup comics or manga, though that's likely not a use case many people would want.
Second is that even outside of major sales events like Prime Day, you can get a Kindle, a Scribe, and a Colorsoft at almost the same price as this all-in-one device; and if you don't really need either the note-taking or the color display at the same time, you might as well do that.
Third is that while the large slate might be what you're looking for in terms of drawing, writing and graphic novel reading, it makes it a lot less portable than the standard or Paperwhite Kindle experience, which for me is the main reason I prize an ereader over a book.
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite
(Image credit: Future)
Pros and cons
Pros +7-inch display is great +Fastest Paperwhite yet +Excellent battery life
Cons -Expensive for a mid-range ereader -Ads on lock screen in some markets (unless you pay extra)
A step up from the basic Kindle, the Kindle Paperwhite offers a bright and beautiful screen for reading your favorite books. At this point, I'd very rarely recommend the standard base model for any reason beyond its low price, whereas the Kindle Paperwhite is genuinely enjoyable to read on, and that includes comics and manga.
With its E Ink Carta 1300 display, the 12th-generation Kindle Paperwhite offers great contrast for easy reading, a slightly larger screen, comfortable bezels for long hours of reading and 16GB storage (though we're not thrilled 4.5GB of that is dedicated to the operating system.)
If you've tried the 11th-generation model, there's a slim margin of upgrade with this newer, 12th-generation model, but if you're currently using any older Kindle Paperwhite or standard Kindle, you'll certainly feel the difference.
It's fast, the battery is great, and it excels at exactly what it was created for; reading. That's doubly true thanks to its slim profile, making it easy to grab and stash in your bag; at 211g, it's super lightweight to carry.
It's worth noting that, at list price, we're not 100% happy about the Kindle Paperwhite's value proposition. This goes for a lot of Amazon devices, which only feel like a good deal during major sales events, but for context, spend a little more on the Kobo Libra color which costs $219.99 / £219.99 and you can get a color ereader with a screen of the same size, double the storage, a more ergonomic design and writing capabilities.
Of course, if you're bedded into the Amazon ecosystem with access to its vast library of books through a Prime Membership, it's still a no-brainer.
Apple iPad 11-inch (A16 chip)
(Image credit: Jacob Krol/Future)
Pros and cons
Pros +A16 chip is very capable +Now starts with 128GB of storage +iPadOS 18 runs smoothly here
Cons -No major changes over the previous generation
While the latest, 11th-generation iPad didn't reinvent the tablet-shaped wheel, it brought a nice refresh in the form of the A16 chipset, powering a fast, responsive iPadOS experience.
It's a great productivity machine, and especially when paired with an Apple Pencil, it offers everything you could want from a Kindle Scribe Colorsoft and more, with its app library including fantastic options for note-taking, drawing and more intensive creative functions like video editing; though you're better off with an Apple Silicon-powered tablet like the iPad Pro (M5) or iPad Air (M4) if that's your rodeo.
It weighs just over a pound, so it's less primed for travel, and an e-ink display offers weeks of battery life, whereas the 11th-generation iPad only stretches to roughly 10 hours with general use; that's why pairing it with a Kindle Paperwhite for your reading needs is my top recommendation.
Still, even on its own, it stands as a solid alternative to a Kindle altogether, but especially at its price, I'd wager it's a superior choice to a Kindle Scribe Colorsoft for most. After all, you can just install the Kindle app and read your favorite books, comics, and manga on the vastly superior display.
Big Tech was hit with $3.5B fines over three years, Surfshark found
Many were fined for using personal data unlawfully
Enforceability remains a key challenge
Major tech companies have already been hit by fines totalling $3.5 billion for using vast amounts of users’ personal data to train their AI models, raising hopes that the days of AI operating in a regulatory vacuum might be coming to an end.
The figures come from Surfshark, one of the best VPNs on the market, which recently analysed 10 AI-related sanctions imposed on the usual suspects — Anthropic, Meta, Google, Clearview, Apple, Amazon, and OpenAI — between 2022 and 2026.
Disturbingly, nine out of ten fines were imposed for using users’ personal data — including biometric data, copyright-protected content, facial images, and children's voice recordings — without user consent or legal authorisation.
AI violations: which company misused our data the most?
(Image credit: Surfhsark)
According to Surfshark’s study, Clearview AI was the first, in 2022, to be fined a total of around $46 million for collecting facial images for its facial recognition database.
But the pace picked up in 2024, with five new separate fines imposed on Google, OpenAI, Meta, Clearview, and Amazon.
The size of the fines has also increased substantially, signalling a positive shift from regulatory warnings to severe financial consequences. In 2024, Meta was fined $1.4 billion for collecting users’ biometric data without consent, followed by Anthropic in 2025 with a record $1.5 billion for training its AI models using pirated books.
On a different note, the $250 million fine imposed on Apple in 2026 for AI misleading marketing practices might signal that current AI advertisement tactics might also soon become a thing of the past.
"This could be only the beginning," says Dr. Luis Costa, research lead at Surfshark. "The overarching trend suggests that accountability is catching up with innovation, and the industry must re-evaluate both how it builds AI and how it markets it."
The industry must re-evaluate both how it builds AI and how it markets it
Dr. Luis Costa, Surfshark
While regulations and authorities seem to be starting to catch up and match their punishments with Big Tech's wrongdoings, the findings continue to raise serious questions about the risks users face when using these AI platforms.
"Firstly, the scale of unauthorised data collection is unprecedented: 90 per cent of AI-related fines imposed since 2022 relate to the use of data without the necessary consent," Costa explains.
"Second, this harvesting often targets highly sensitive, unchangeable data, as seen in Meta’s $1.4 billion biometric settlement and Amazon’s fine over children’s voice recordings," he adds.
It also remains alarming that many companies fail to adequately inform the public about how their sensitive data is used, leaving consumers oblivious to the fact that their personal information is permanently baked into commercial AI models.
Better enforceability is needed
Additionally, while these fines may seem exorbitant, it is worrying that the financial impact of such punishments rarely acts as a deterrent to these large technology companies, whose market capitalisation runs into the hundreds of billions of dollars.
In its research, Proton previously found that the $7.8 billion in privacy and competition fines imposed on Big Tech in 2025 could be collectively paid by these firms in less than a month.
However, Costa argues that the issue is more complex and regulators might be working toward targeted changes. "First, regulators are escalating the financial stakes, shifting toward massive penalties like Anthropic's $1.5 billion and Meta's $1.4 billion settlements."
Additionally, a major challenge right now is actually enforceability — particularly as some companies have already been exploiting loopholes to avoid paying fines. Clearview AI, for example, managed to avoid paying $105 million in fines imposed by four different European regulatory authorities by arguing that it did not fall within European jurisdiction.
"Even if these early fines are manageable for tech giants, their real value lies in establishing the firm legal precedents that will govern how AI must operate in the future," Costa concludes.
Sorry Sony (and Bose, and AirPods) I know the best earbuds I've ever tested — and they're a Technics product called the EAH-AZ100.
I know, try to see past the immediately forgettable name, because once you get past that alphabetty spaghetti, there's a seriously good set of earbuds in a great little offer here.
Do you like my lead image? I just went out into the full glare of the sun on the hottest recorded UK day in June — for a full three minutes — to get it, to prove I'm using them right now. I also snapped the photo above because the most-asked question I get when I tell people I'm TechRadar's Audio Editor is 'What are the best earbuds with noise cancelling?'
Take note of the subtle shift in phrasing there; not the best noise cancelling earbuds — no, the best current earbuds with noise cancelling. They're quite different things actually, because one can be read as 'I just want the closest thing to actively-generated silence I can get, in a small box please', whereas this specific question above prioritises sound quality, but adds ANC because it is a desirable extra. And I love that.
Anyway, people want a definitive answer and leave the complicated reasoning to Scarrott. Obviously I'm flattered, because it means they trust my judgement (well done there. I do know my stuff). But I've already spilled the answer above: it's these Technics buds, and has been for quite some time.
They came out in January 2025, and they're built on the original May 2023-issue EAH-AZ80, which were also excellent. And both products are somehow still the only earbuds on the market able to offer multipoint to three devices simultaneously, rather than two. Think it's a small perk? Try it for two weeks, then give them back to me. You won't be able to…
Today's best Technics EAH-AZ100 deal
A new lowest-seen price! 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 this deal is £17 cheaper than our price trackers have ever seen. Highly recommended. View Deal
Look, the Technics EAH-AZ100 are still sitting pretty at the top of my guide to the best earbuds for a reason. They're incredibly secure and comfortable to wear; Technics pioneered a 'concha fit' design (which initially looks a little deep for a top-plate, but works beautifully), and it's a trick several rivals soon adopted in a post-AirPods-stem market, whether they'd choose to admit it or not.
They also offer LDAC support, which is one of my favourite hi-res wireless codecs and a simple route to better-quality audio streaming for Samsung and Sony smartphone owners.
And did I mention the call handling? It's excellent. Technics deploys both its known Sidetone tech (to slightly amplify your own voice, so it's not muffled by the buds in your ears as you talk) plus its newer proprietary JustMyVoice technology here, which captures your speech while simultaneously suppressing background noise.
Noise cancelling is also very good, but best of all, though, is the sound. As we enthused in our Technics EAH-AZ100 review, the soundstage is neutral and natural, yet simultaneously expansive, engagingly dynamic, and energetic.
I've used the EAH-AZ100 earbuds practically every day since they launched. Before that, I'd used their older siblings every day, and let me tell you: they're the best. I say this as someone with much of the consumer earbuds oeuvre at their disposal (I'm not bragging, it's work — my job is to review earbuds and headphones), so I do know the best from the also-rans.
Yes, I typically prefer over-ears for sound quality, but when running around, earbuds are more portable — especially in a UK heatwave where those ear cups can get a little hot. And in an in-ear design, I love the sonic performance of these buds, especially when the Prime Day deal is this good.
Did you struggle to sleep in the heat last night? What you need is a super-quiet fan, and you're in the right place to find one in the Amazon Prime Day sales. We test dozens of fans here at TechRadar, and I've put together this collection based on brands and models we know are dependable and effective.
When choosing a quiet fan for your bedroom, take a minute to think about the space. Will you be keeping the fan on your bedside table? If so, a fan with a rechargeable battery might be the best option, letting you run it all night while leaving plug sockets free for phone chargers. If you want to blow a blanket of air over your bed, consider an adjustable-height fan that you can direct at your duvet.
Some of the best fans have been selling out extremely quickly in the Prime Day sale, for obvious reasons, but all these deals are still in stock at the time of writing so grab one before they blow away on their own.
Amazon Prime Day quiet fan deals
Levoit makes some of the best value fans we've tested here at TechRadar, and this is an exceptional deal for one you can control with either a remote or a smartphone app. It's hit a record-low price for Prime Day 2026.View Deal
Another super quiet fan from Levoit, this model is specially designed for night time, with adjustable height to direct airflow at your bed. At under £80 it's one of the cheapest fans from a reputable brand this Prime Day.View Deal
Dreo's air fans and air circulators have been selling out fast during the current heatwave, but you can still grab a great deal on this oscillating standing fan, which can drop as low as 20dB at night and includes a useful timer.View Deal
I'm a big fan of SwitchBot's smart home tech and this near-silent desk fan will play nicely with all your other smart devices. It's rechargeable so you can keep it on your bedside table even if there's no plug socket available.View Deal
I'm relying on a Dimplex fan to keep me cool at night, and this versatile desk/standing fan should do the job for you as well. At under £100 it's a great Prime Day deal, and will serve you well for many heatwaves to come.View Deal
Be prepared
The current heatwave might have broken by the time your new fan arrives, but it's still a good idea to grab one during the Prime Day sales. As we've seen, the weather forecast can change within the space of a week, so it's never a bad idea to have one handy and ready to go next time the mercury rises.
Buying a fan now also means you won't be in such a rush. If you're in a hurry, it can be tempting to grab anything that has a good review, but not all fans are suitable for all rooms, so it pays to take some time now and make sure you're making the right choice.
The latest fans can move a large volume of air much more easily than older models, and are more energy efficient as well, which will keep you cooler and reduce your energy bills in the long term. That's not necessarily something you have time to think about if you're rushing to pick up a fan — any fan — in a sweat-soaked panic.
The PS5 homepage, PS Store, and PS App have been updated with a GTA 6 theme
Pre-orders have officially begun
Sony has gone full Grand Theft Auto 6 marketing mode as pre-orders for the most anticipated game of all time officially begin.
The wait is finally over, GTA 6 pre-orders are now live, and in anticipation of the game's release later this year, Sony is showing that it definitely has a favorite by updating the PlayStation 5 homepage, PS Store, and PS App with a new GTA 6 theme.
Now, when players boot up their PS5, they're greeted by a full-screen animation of the game's logo, before it fades into an ad for the game on the console's welcome hub.
When navigating to the PS Store, the background now features co-protagonists Jason and Lucia, and the "Must See" UI has been updated with purple boxes that provide details on the Ultimate Edition, trailers, the Vintage Vice City and GTA+ pre-order bonuses, and a way to pre-order.
GTA 6 is now the first thing you see when you boot up your PS5, they made an entirely new UI for this, insane. pic.twitter.com/xmz8h6RLzIJune 24, 2026
As spotted by Shinobi602, Sony has also updated the PS App logo with GTA 6 branding. Instead of the blue icon, it's been replaced by the game's sunset theme and palm trees.
It's clear that Sony is going all out to maximize the GTA 6 marketing, and it's not even a first-party exclusive.
It also shared in a post yesterday that "thanks to a close partnership" with the studio, "GTA 6 will play best on PS5" and take advantage of PS5’s features "to deliver a deeply engaging single-player experience."
GTA 6 officially launches on November 19 for PS5 and Xbox Series X and Series S, and will cost $79.99 / AU$129.95 / £69.99 for the Standard Edition and $99.99 / AU$159.95 / £89.99 for the Ultimate Edition. Pre-loads begin on November 12.
As both a hardcore gamer and an audio geek, I used to spend a lot of time agonizing over whether to invest more money on a gaming headset or whether I could spend more on a great pair of headphones to cover both my hobbies. If you find yourself in the same boat, it's your lucky day: I'm here to help you make that decision and, with some of the great deals available this Prime Day, I can help save you some cash to boot.
I've been reviewing audio gadgets for many years now and have reviewed a bunch of gaming headsets in my time at TechRadar. What I've found is that headphones absolutely can do double duty as an alternative to a dedicated gaming headset, but you really need to consider what kind of features are the biggest priority for you personally.
Gaming headsets vs headphones: which should you buy?
When it comes to gaming headsets, there are a few kinds of features you can expect. Low-latency connectivity will often set these apart from wireless headphones, nixing any lag and ensuring you can respond to gunshots and monster cries quickly.
I've always found specific gaming sonic profiles super useful as well — headsets that can boost footsteps are fantastic for FPSes, for example, making it harder for people to sneak up on you. Pick up the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro for $167.94 at Amazon (was $329.99) and you can experience both of these features in spades.
Gaming headsets have historically been way ahead of the curve in terms of battery life. That's partly because not all of them offer ANC and some wireless headphone brands have really caught up in this area. For example, you can get the Sennheiser Momentum 4 for $179.55 at Amazon (was $299.99) and they offer up to 60 hours with ANC on, which is seriously competitive.
But I wouldn't say headsets get the upper hand on every front, with some areas being more of dead heat. I've not always found gaming headset's boom mics to be higher quality than the built-in call mics on higher-end headphones. But some offer fold-to-mute functionality that makes it easier to mute yourself when you want some privacy, for example the Corsair HS55 Surround v2, which you can pick up for $39.99 from Amazon (was $59.99).
Meanwhile, while many headsets these days offer spatial audio, so do a good proportion of high-end headphones — honestly, both camps contain great examples with deeply immersive audio and yet there are also plenty of headsets and headphones that promise spatial effects that sound pretty mono-directional. The absolute undisputed champ here is also on offer right now: you can buy the Apple AirPods Max 2 for $399 at Amazon (was $549).
For me, traditional headphones get the edge over a gaming headset in a couple of key areas. Headphones tend to offer superior music playback, as they've been engineered with that in mind — I know, I know: 'thanks Captain Obvious' — so they tend to handle soundtracks and your fave tunes better.
On top of this, they can also come crammed with innovative features. For example, the Sony WH-1000XM6 offer nice touches like speak-to-chat for automatic transparency mode during conversations and head gestures for accepting and rejecting calls. If you're keen to try out some of these cutting-edge advances, you can currently grab the Sony WH-1000XM6 for $378 at Amazon (was $459.99).
Ultimately, whether you need a dedicated headset or you can get away with using the same pair of headphones for listening to tunes and gaming will depend on the features you most rely on. Fortunately, there are so many great Prime Day deals available on each right now that no matter which choice you make, you can be sure you'll get it for a bargain price.
Headsets for gaming
HyperX
Cloud III S Wireless
Corsair
HS55 Surround v2
SteelSeries
Arctis Nova Pro
Pros
Excellent sound quality
Very detailed audio
Long battery life
Extremely versatile with multiple connectivity
Cons
Eye-watering price tag
ANC isn’t the best
Non-intuitive physical controls
Razer
BlackShark V2 Pro — PlayStation Version
Pros
Battery life for days, literally
Incredibly clear mic audio
Beautiful stitching and finish
Great sound reproduction
Multi-device compatibility
Comfortable and adjustable
Cons
Physical chat mix control only on Xbox version
No wired operation on consoles
Synapse software required to get the best out of the mic
Beyerdynamic
Tygr 300 R
Pros
Best-in-class audio quality
Comfortable as heck
Robust cable
Open back design great for single player
Cons
Expensive
No replaceable cable
No built-in mic
Turtle Beach
Stealth Pro
Pros
Incredible audio quality
Flawless active noise canceling
Excellent build quality and comfort
Versatile connectivity options
Cons
Average sounding microphone
Expensive
Headphones for gaming
Sony
WH-1000XM6
Pros
Class-leading noise cancellation
Excellent audio performance
Super lightweight and comfortable
Highly intuitive touch controls
They're foldable again!
Cons
Price increase over previous model
Battery life is nothing special
Still not waterproof
Some may find them to be a tad bulky
Apple
AirPods Max 2
Pros
Even better active noise cancellation
Live Translation that's easier to use than on Apple's earbuds
Adaptive Audio means meatier, punchier sound than the originals
Even head-tracked Spatial Audio feels more accurate and crisp
Cons
Battery life hasn't been improved
That flimsy 'headphone bra' case remains
Still very iOS-only (Android owners need not apply)
No wireless hi-res codec support still
Sennheiser
HD 599 SE
Bose
QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)
Pros
Predictably brilliant noise cancellation
As comfortable as these things ever get
Balanced, energetic sound
Cons
Not quite the perceived value of some rivals
Humdrum control app
Nothing
Headphone (a)
Pros
Great sound that's a big upgrade over Headphone (1)
The original Nintendo Switch is heavily discounted over Amazon Prime Day, but I would still recommend picking up the newer Switch 2 instead. Right now, the original Switch could be yours for just £197.74 (was £239.95) at Amazon, the lowest price that it's ever been at the retailer.
The Nintendo Switch 2, in contrast, is currently up at only £369.95 (was £385) at Amazon - or £172.21 more. What does that extra cash get you, though? A much newer console with multiple years of support ahead of it, a range of high-quality exclusive games, more premium build quality, and substantially improved specs.
Today's best Nintendo Switch deals
The original Nintendo Switch is currently at its lowest-ever price at Amazon. This hybrid handheld console was originally released back in 2017, and is over nine years old at this point, but could still be a decent pick if you definitely can't or won't splash out for the superior Switch 2.View Deal
The Nintendo Switch 2 is newer and much more powerful than the original Switch. It boasts its own compelling exclusive games and a range of cool additional features. It also has significantly higher build quality. The only caveat? It costs a lot more.View Deal
I would definitely advise picking the Nintendo Switch 2 if you have the budget, but that's not to say the original Switch is a disastrous choice. If you're shopping for a young child and want something more inexpensive (and smaller), then it could be a good pick.
There are also plenty of Nintendo Switch-compatible games still releasing today, even now that the Switch 2 is out. This includes recent hits like Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream and the upcoming Rhythm Heaven Groove.
Just bear in mind that this support might not continue beyond the next few years.
No kidding, Currys is turning out to be a bit of a goldmine for cheap laptops for business and the back to school season. I went through all the deals to find 4 laptops that boast snappy processors and 16GB DDR5 RAM for smoothly tackling work in the office and at school.
My top all-rounder is the Asus Vivobook S16 for £599 (was £999). This lightweight OLED laptop with a 16-inch screen will effortlessly handle day-to-day tasks most professionals and students need. And it won't break the bank doing any of it.
I've been tracking all the best Prime Day home office deals this year. And while there are plenty of discount laptops on Amazon that absolutely aren't worth your time or money, I was pleasantly surprised to see some genuinely good price drops in the Currys summer sale.
Intel Core Ultra 5 255H | 16GB DDR5 | 1TB SSD
This 16-inch laptop caught my eye for its responsive Core Ultra chip, and long battery life. But the real bonus here is the OLED screen that hits 95% DCI-P3 colour coverage for content creation. View Deal
Intel Core Ultra 7 256V | 16GB LPDDR5X | 1TB SSD
The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7 is a powerful ultra-portable OLED laptop tailored to multi-tasking and heavier day-to-day workloads at work or school. View Deal
Intel Core Ultra 5 225U | 16GB LPDDR5 | 512GB
This is a serious steal for a 2K OLED laptop tailored for work, study, and streaming. Performance-wise, it's powered by an efficient Core Ultra 5 processor and 16GB RAM. View Deal
Snapdragon X X1-26-100 | 16GB LPDDR5X | 512GB SSD
A snappy, cheaper alternative to the Zenbook, this 14-inch laptop drops the OLED display and the price, but it's still a long-lasting pick for general office work and school tasks.View Deal
Massive price drop on this efficient 14-inch OLED ultra-portable with up to 32-hour battery life. It's tailored for running office apps, emails, and web browsing. But avoid it. Seriously. Amazon beats it on price and specs right now. View Deal
Debuting in September last year, the iPhone Air remains the world’s thinnest smartphone. When it first came out I thought it looked slightly ridiculous, especially with the high price tag, but when you see one in the flesh (so to speak), they do look incredibly cool.
The iPhone Air is just 5.6 mm thick and weighs just 165 grams. I’ve seen my colleagues at work, like Axel Metz, use one, and write about how they still feel a bit conflicted about it, but the reservations are mainly down to the price. And this Amazon Prime Day, the price took a 24% hit that makes the iPhone Air more tempting than ever.
The world's thinnest smartphone
Today's best iPhone Air Deal
The Apple iPhone Air 512 GB is the thinnest iPhone ever. It has a 6.5-inch Display with ProMotion, a powerful A19 Pro chip, Center Stage Front Camera, all-day battery life and a whopping 24% off thanks to this Amazon Prime Day deal.View Deal
Of course, there are compromises — a smaller battery than the Pro models, fewer cameras, and the premium you’re paying for Apple squeezing it into the thinnest case ever.
But the Prime Day Deal does a lot to change that equation.
If you've been intrigued by the iPhone Air for a while now, like I have, then this is probably the safest time to scratch that itch.
Rather than another black slab, the iPhone Air looks like a real piece of industrial design — just picking it up is enjoyable. I’m coming to the conclusion that life is a bit too short not to choose the things that give you the most enjoyment, and the iPhone Air genuinely looks different to every other smartphone.
Your phone rings while three jobs are already running late. A fourth customer wants to know why nobody confirmed their appointment window. If you're coordinating calls through a shared calendar, a stack of paper tickets, or a group chat with your crew, this probably sounds familiar.
You're likely looking at software because the manual approach stopped holding up around your fifth truck. A missed appointment may have already cost you a repeat customer. Picking the wrong platform wastes money you can't spare, so it pays to know what matters before you sign anything.
Why use a dedicated platform for HVAC services
Spreadsheets and paper trackers work fine with two trucks and a short customer list. A few more technicians or a batch of maintenance contracts push that setup past its limit. Job details start slipping between the office and the field before anyone notices.
The HVAC trade doesn't have spare hands to throw at the problem either. The industry is short roughly 110,000 technicians nationwide, with about 25,000 leaving the workforce every year, according to ACHR News. Customers have also grown less patient: industry surveys show that 74% expect a repair within 24 hours when their air conditioning fails, with 30% wanting same-day service.
Dedicated software closes that gap by automating reminders and arrival windows. It also turns every job into a record, with service history and equipment details attached to the customer rather than a technician's memory. That record becomes the foundation for maintenance plans, where a lot of HVAC profit actually sits.
What to look for in HVAC field service management platforms
Once you've decided to move off spreadsheets, the next challenge is sorting features that matter from features that just look good in a demo.
Pricing pages tend to list the same buzzwords, which makes the real differences hard to spot on a sales call. We've focused the criteria below on what changes daily operations, not what fills out a checklist.
Scheduling and dispatch tools
(Image credit: Generated with Gemini )
A clear view of who's where and what's next is the core job of this software. Look for a drag-and-drop calendar showing technician location alongside current job status. Dispatchers should be able to reassign a job in seconds when a call comes in or a repair runs long.
Route optimization matters more than it sounds, since grouping nearby jobs cuts drive time and adds billable hours. Some platforms also weigh technician skill level, so a complex repair doesn't land with someone trained only on residential units.
We'd ask specifically how the platform handles same-day emergencies. A good system slots an urgent job into an existing route without rebuilding the day's schedule by hand.
Mobile features for field technicians
Your technicians live on their phones once they leave the shop, so the mobile app needs to work as hard as the office dashboard. Look for offline access, since basements and rural job sites often have weak signal. A technician who can keep working offline, then sync once back in range, won't lose half a day to a dead zone.
The app should also surface what a technician needs before they knock on a door, including service history and notes from the last visit. All of it should live on one screen, not behind a phone call to dispatch.
Photo capture and on-site invoicing round out a solid mobile experience. A technician who can collect a signature and close out a job before driving away gets paid faster.
Payment processing
Cash flow depends on how quickly a job becomes a paid invoice. Look for software that lets technicians invoice on-site and take payment immediately, rather than mailing a bill and waiting weeks.
Check whether pricing is locked to a pricebook technicians can pull from in the field. This keeps quotes consistent across your team and prevents undercharging on parts or labor.
Integration with accounting software like QuickBooks saves your office from re-entering the same data twice. Ask exactly which platforms a vendor supports natively, since a clunky export process defeats the purpose.
Customer communication
Customers want more than a booking confirmation. They expect to know when the technician is actually on the way. Automated text or email updates, including a real-time arrival window, cut down on the calls asking where the technician is.
A self-serve customer portal is increasingly standard, too. Letting customers view past invoices or request a new appointment without calling in lightens the load on busy days. Review-request features, which prompt a happy customer right after the job closes, are worth checking too. Word of mouth still carries serious weight in a trade that runs on trust.
Maintenance agreement and equipment tracking
Recurring maintenance plans are where a lot of HVAC profit quietly sits. The Air Conditioning Contractors of America has reported that recurring service agreements now make up more than half of total HVACR industry revenue at well-run companies. Software that automates plan billing and renewal reminders turns this into a system, rather than a manual chase every spring and fall.
Equipment tracking matters just as much. A platform that logs serial numbers and warranty status per unit means a technician arrives already knowing the system's history, which makes the case for a replacement far easier to have.
Reporting and software integrations
Once a platform is running, the data it collects should say something about your business beyond which jobs are scheduled. Look for dashboards showing technician productivity alongside which crews convert service calls into maintenance agreements.
Integrations matter beyond accounting, too. Check whether the platform connects to your payment processor and parts suppliers, since an isolated system just becomes one more login to manage.
Most vendors say their software integrates with everything. Ask for a specific list of supported tools rather than taking that claim at face value.
Conclusion
A smooth rollout matters almost as much as the features themselves. Start with one crew before pushing it across the company, then use that pilot to catch workflow problems early.
Budget for more than the monthly subscription fee. Most vendors charge per technician. Implementation and training can also add real cost in the first few months.
We'd suggest asking current customers in your trade how long their rollout took, since vendor estimates tend to run optimistic. A platform that fits your actual call volume and crew size earns back its cost within the first year.
The potential around AI in finance is tangible right now and with it comes both opportunity and risk.
Vendors are promising faster closes, automated reporting and real-time insights. Finance leaders are under pressure to modernize and keep pace with the AI revolution.
Across the mid-market, AI is being embedded into financial workflows at a pace that is outrunning the governance structures needed to make it safe.
That gap is where a new category of risk is emerging, one that for professionals working closely with finance teams are increasingly calling "black box AI." It is yet another challenge the industry needs to address head-on.
Black box AI refers to any finance deployment where outputs cannot be traced or governed. It shows up as unverifiable recommendations, automation that bypasses normal approval workflows, or analytics tools that surface a headline figure with no clear path back to the underlying transaction.
The outputs look credible on the surface, but when an auditor asks what has changed, who approved it and why, that’s when finance teams run into problems.
Finance teams have always operated on a simple principle: if you cannot trace it, you cannot trust it, this mantra has not changed in the age of AI. What has changed is that the technology can now either reinforce that discipline or undermine it.
Which outcome occurs comes down to how AI is built and what your provider is willing to be held accountable for.
Assistive versus autonomous: A distinction that matters
Not all AI carries the same risk profile. The distinction for finance leaders is between AI that assists in a controlled environment and AI that acts autonomously.
Assistive AI flags issues and directs decisions through existing approval structures. It identifies an exception, spots a coding anomaly, or highlights an unusual movement, and then puts a human in the driving seat for decision-making. The finance professional can see the source transaction, the rule behind the flag, and the approval record. Every action the AI makes also leaves a clear audit trail.
Autonomous AI, by contrast, makes decisions silently. It allocates, codes, or adjusts without a visible audit trail, leaving teams unable to satisfy even basic reporting requirements. It may make things look faster but it is also quietly undermining the integrity of the numbers.
The question every finance leader should be asking their technology provider is simple: if something changes in our reporting, can we see exactly what happened, who approved it and why? If the answer is unclear or non-existent, then that is a problem for the finance team to address.
Where governed AI delivers
Month-end close is where well-governed AI delivers the clearest practical return on investment, and it is worth being precise about what that looks like.
The real win is not AI-generated narratives or automated reporting. It is catching issues earlier in the process before the stakeholder board packs go out, before the pressure peaks and before the rework begins. When AI surfaces exceptions at the right moment and directs them through channels, teams can close faster and with greater confidence in what they are signing off.
For organizations operating across multiple entities or currencies, this becomes even more valuable. AI can flag unusual movements at subsidiary level before they surface as problems at group consolidation but only when the underlying model is governed properly and the exception trail is intact.
Raising the bar on what ‘finance-grade’ means
There is a version of AI in finance that makes teams more effective, then there is a version that makes things look faster while quietly compromising the controls that finance exists to uphold.
The industry needs to be more precise about what earns the label ‘finance-grade AI.’ Reporting or analytics tools only deserves that description when a professional can analyze from a headline variance figure down to the underlying transactions and from there to the audit-trail evidence that can explain that headline variance number.
Anything that breaks that process - however sophisticated it appears - is not fit for purpose in a governed finance function.
Finance leaders cannot afford to adopt technology simply because it is what everyone else is doing. The right question is not whether AI can automate a process, but whether it can do so in a way that keeps the finance team genuinely in control of their numbers with a ‘human in the loop’.
That standard should be a non-negotiable and it should be first on the checklist before any AI deployment goes live.
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
Only 31% of companies say they have accurate AI software visibility – 36% for overall IT visibility
AI is complex to track because it's a layer that sits across existing categories
IT leaders are also under pressure to prove AI ROI
New data revealed in Flexera's State of ITAM report has revealed that only 31% of companies have accurate visibility into their AI software – an area of IT spend that continues to grow as new use cases emerge and models develop.
This comes as nearly three in five (59%) reveal wasted AI spend has increased over the past year, with increasingly complex software stacks being blamed for an overall drop in visibility.
Flexera found that complete visibility across IT assets has fallen to 36% – only slightly ahead of AI visibility – thanks to complex and intertwined SaaS, public cloud and hybrid environments.
IT stack visibility is getting worse, not better
According to the report, ITAM professionals now spend more of their time optimizing software (32%), but audit response (22%) also takes up a considerable amount of their time.
As for AI, Flexera believes it's difficult to track because it doesn't occupy its own category. Instead, models, agents and platforms sit across multiple systems as an additional layer.
"What we’re seeing is a familiar pattern of rapid adoption followed by a scramble for visibility and control, as spend surges," Chief Product Officer Becky Trevino wrote.
But ironically, Flexera also found that AI promises to automate some ITAM work, including processing software contracts, purchase orders, licences and renewals.
With IT professionals under more pressure to prove AI ROI, the next steps move beyond identifying which AI tools are being used to consider how they're being used, how much they cost and what data they access.
For those of you in the UK, I've got good news: the Sony WH-1000XM6 are £284.99 (was £399) at John Lewis. That's another lowest-ever price for Sony's top-tier wireless headphones, and you don't even need to be a Prime member to snag this particular deal up.
I use these headphones every single day — I even wore them while writing this article — and they're easily my favorite wireless headphones I've ever used. They deliver a beautiful combination of well-rounded, dynamic sound, out-of-this-world ANC, a gorgeous yet practical design, and a gigantic featureset, resulting in a top-tier user experience. Want to hear more? Then scroll on down for more info on these exceptional offers.
Today's best Sony WH-1000XM6 deal in the US
The sensational Sony WH-1000XM6 are down to a record-low price for Amazon Prime Day, and I couldn't recommend them highly enough. With beautiful all-round sound, outstanding ANC, and a foldable design, they're the best all-rounders on the market in my opinion.View Deal
Today's best Sony WH-1000XM6 deal in the UK
John Lewis has the Sony WH-1000XM6 for a Prime Day-deal busting price of £284.99, which is the cheapest I've ever seen them go for in the UK. Simply put, this is a ludicrously good deal for some of the best wireless headphones on the market. Soak in spectacularly detailed and hard-hitting sound, silence-inducing ANC, and a comfortable fit by swiping these up today.View Deal
In my Sony WH-1000XM6 review, I described them as "a fantastic pair of over-ear headphones that combine the best design elements of their predecessors, while leveling up the sonic and ANC capabilities of what came before." And one year later, that still rings true.
To this day, I'm still astonished by how great the XM6 sound — their well-balanced, punchy, and dynamic audio is seriously addictive. They also married the convenience of the XM4's foldable design with the sleek look of the XM5, while improving the headband for an ultra-comfortable, flexible fit.
For me, the Sony WH-1000XM6 beat just about every rival in their price bracket, with more intricate, balanced sound than the Bose QuietComfort Gen 2 can plate up, and superior battery life and value compared to the AirPods Max 2. Sony's cans are just great all-round performers, and so it will come as no surprise that they sit atop our guide to the best headphones.
And at less than $380 / £285, there really is no better time to get your hands on Sony's best noise-cancelling headphones. As someone who uses these cans every day, and has done for over a year now, they're easily my top recommendation — especially at this price!
Running a service business means competing for the same local customers as every other contractor in your area, all while keeping a crew busy and a calendar full.
The old growth playbook, more ads and a bigger budget, costs more for the same number of leads today. Growth now comes down to getting more value out of every customer and every hour your technicians spend in the field.
Lead costs keep climbing while skilled technicians get harder to hold onto. Customers also expect a faster response than they did even a year ago. We've broken down seven strategies that tackle each of these pressures head-on.
#1 Make your reputation work harder
Most homeowners and property managers check reviews before they call anyone. BrightLocal's research shows the vast majority of consumers look up a local business online before deciding who to hire. A handful of three-star reviews can cost you the job before you've even sent a quote.
A one-star increase in your average rating can lift revenue by 5 to 9%, according to Harvard Business School research on Yelp ratings. Ask for a review after every completed job instead of hoping a happy customer remembers to leave one. A modest referral discount for existing customers costs far less than most forms of paid advertising.
#2 Win local searches before the call
Search is usually the first stop before anyone hires a contractor. Research cited by Hook Agency found that 84% of homeowners use Google before choosing a service provider. Most people never scroll past the first few results.
A complete Google Business Profile makes a real difference here. Google's own data shows that a complete profile makes customers 70% more likely to visit and 50% more likely to buy from you. Keep your service area listings and photos accurate.
#3 Turn one-off jobs into recurring revenue
(Image credit: Generated with Gemini)
A one-time repair pays the bills today. It does nothing for next quarter. Maintenance plans and service memberships change that by giving you predictable income between emergency calls.
Industry estimates put preventive maintenance contracts at close to 40% of total HVAC revenue, a sign of how much recurring work already flows through these programs. Keep your plan simple: one straightforward tier beats three confusing ones. Train technicians to recommend the plan after a service call instead of trying to sell it like an add-on.
#4 Get more from existing customers
Winning a new customer costs far more than keeping one you already have. Selling additional work to an existing customer succeeds 60-70% of the time, while a brand-new customer converts at just 5-20%, according to widely cited customer-retention research. That gap alone should change where you spend your follow-up time.
Look for the natural next step after every job, like gutter guards after a cleaning or a duct inspection after a tune-up. Train your team to mention these options on-site instead of waiting for the customer to ask. A short follow-up message a few weeks later keeps the offer fresh without feeling pushy.
#5 Run scheduling and dispatch from one system
Spreadsheets and sticky notes stop working once you have more than a couple of crews on the road. Commercial service management software puts scheduling and dispatch on one screen instead of scattered spreadsheets and paper job sheets. The market for these platforms is on track to grow from roughly $5.6 billion in 2025 to nearly $9.7 billion by 2030, according to Grand View Research.
Real-time dispatch means you can slot a same-day emergency call into a gap in the schedule instead of turning it down. Mobile access lets technicians see job history and customer notes before they knock on the door. Most users of this kind of software run small operations rather than large enterprises, so the learning curve fits a five-person crew, not a 500-person fleet.
#6 Quote and invoice faster to win jobs
Customers contacting multiple companies for the same job almost always hire whoever responds first. Research from MIT, popularized through the Harvard Business Review, found that contacting a new lead within five minutes makes you dramatically more likely to actually reach them than waiting half an hour. Most service businesses still take hours, sometimes days, to send a quote.
Speed matters after the sale, too. A quote sent from the job site, with a digital signature and an online payment link, gets approved faster than a paper estimate mailed or emailed later. Faster payment also means fewer awkward follow-up calls chasing invoices that should have been settled weeks ago.
#7 Invest in the technicians you already have
Finding skilled labor is the single biggest constraint on growth for most service businesses right now. Up to 2.1 million skilled trades positions could go unfilled in the US by 2030, according to research from commercial real estate firm JLL. Demand for electricians alone is projected to grow at roughly three times the average rate for all occupations through 2034, the same research found.
Hiring your way out of this isn't realistic for most owners, so retention matters just as much as recruiting. Pay matters, but so does giving technicians modern tools instead of paperwork and guesswork. A crew that isn't fighting bad scheduling and slow payment processes is a crew that's more likely to stick around.
Wrapping up
None of these seven strategies work well on its own. A strong reputation feeds your local search rankings, which in turn feeds your lead pipeline. The system you use to manage scheduling and invoicing is what lets you keep up once those leads start calling.
Growth in 2026 isn't about chasing more leads at a higher cost. It's about getting more value from the customers and jobs you already have. We'd start with whichever strategy addresses your biggest bottleneck this quarter, then move to the next once it's running smoothly.
Philips Hue makes some of the best smart bulbs around, but they're not cheap. So if you've spotted the brand's Essentials range — which comes in at around half the price of the classic bulbs — you might be wondering what the catch is, and whether they're quite as good a buy as they seem. It's an especially pertinent question right now, because we're inundated with Philips Hue deals across both the Essential and standard ranges, as part of the Amazon Prime Day sales.
This article is here to help you figure out whether the Philips Hue Essential range is right for you, or whether it's better to splurge on the original lineup. Below, you'll find all the key information you need to know about these bulbs and the main differences between the two options. I've also rounded up my pick of the best discounts in the UK and US — this is just a selection of the deals on offer, so if you can't see what you're looking for, it's well worth browsing the full range on Amazon using the links above.
Are the Philips Hue Essential bulbs any good?
Let's get straight to it: the answer is yes. You can get the full low-down in my teammate Cat Ellis' Philips Hue Essential series review, but the short version is that we're big fans of these lights. They're around half the price of the main range, but when she tested the two sets side-by-side, Cat struggled to see many differences:
"Both were equally responsive, and produced colors that were identical to my naked eye when I switched between scenes. According to Signify (the company behind the Philips Hue brand), Essential bulbs use different color-matching technology to regular Hue lights; but personally, I had a hard time telling the difference."
The Essential bulbs are also fully compatible with the main range of bulbs and other Philips Hue accessories, meaning they'll integrate smoothly into an existing setup. That means you could use these as a complement to the pricier options, perhaps in rooms that are used less frequently. We concluded that they were "a superb entry into the world of smart lighting".
What are the down-sides versus the main range?
There are a few compromises you're making for that much cheaper price. Essential bulbs can only dim to 2%, whereas the main range can go right down to 0.2% — you can see what that looks like in the image below. They also have a narrower white light range, which could look odd if you were planning on mixing and matching Essential and regular Hue bulbs in the same room.
The Hue Essential bulbs (left) can't dim to as low a level as the main range (right) (Image credit: Future)
Essential bulbs have a lower maximum brightness level — they can reach 803 lumens, whereas some of the standard White & Color Ambiance bulbs can hit 1,600 lumens. (The regular bulb we used in our side-by-side tests had the same max lumens as the Essential one, though.) None of these aspects were deal-breakers for us, but they're worth being aware of before you buy.
Philips Hue deals — UK
Philips Hue
Essential starter kit (2 bulbs), White and color ambiance
Philips Hue
Essential LED smart bulb (2 pack), White and color ambiance
Philips Hue
LED smart bulb Starter Kit (2 bulbs, Smart Button and bridge), White and Colour Ambiance
Philips Hue
LED smart bulb Starter Kit (3 spotlight bulbs, Smart Button and bridge), White and Color Ambiance
Philips Hue
Essential A60 LED Smart Bulb (4 pack), White and Color Ambiance
Philips Hue
LED smart bulb (2 pack), White ambiance
Philips Hue deals — US
Philips Hue
Essential starter kit (4 bulbs), White and color ambiance
Philips Hue
Essential starter kit (2 bulbs), White and color ambiance
Philips Hue
A19 starter kit (2 bulbs), White light
Philips Hue
E12 LED smart bulb, White and color ambiance
Philips Hue
A21 LED Smart Bulb, White light
Philips Hue
A21 LED smart bulb, White and color ambiance
Philips Hue
MR16 LED smart bulb (2 Pack), White and color ambiance
Philips Hue
BR30 LED smart bulb (2 pack), White and color ambiance
Philips Hue
E12 LED smart bulb, White and color ambiance
Philips Hue
A19 LED smart bulb (2-pack), White and color ambiance
Philips Hue
A19 LED smart bulb, White and color ambiance
Philips Hue
A19 LED smart bulb (3-pack), White and color ambiance
Wait, are there different kinds of Hue lights?
Whichever bulb lineup you choose, you'll have to decide between Hue's three light types. The main one that most people probably associate with the brand is White and color ambiance. That means the bulbs can emit any one of millions of RGB colors, including a wide range of different white tones.
However, if you don't want colored lights, you'd be better with either a White or White ambiance bulb. The former emit a warm light at a set color temperature. The latter can be set to any one of a massive range of cool to warm white lights. (You can read more in our article explaining Philips Hue bulb types.)
Want to build your own Steam Machine? There’s a 3D printable PC case for that A creator on Printables called 3DCatt has designed a 3D-printable Steam Machine PC case that supports mini-ITX motherboards and low-profile graphics cards. An AMD employee, Jacob Terkelson, has already used this 3D-printable PC case to build a custom PC. Ironically, the PC […]
The video game industry is no stranger to heartbreaking news, and the latest round of cuts at Microsoft-owned studios is yet another continuation of that. They say people begin to become numb to certain sensations, and it seems we’ve reached a point where my own emotions are beginning to gloss over from this repeated news cycle.
On June 25, 2026, gaming reporter Rebs Gaming shared the latest update on X, stating that layoffs had started at Compulsion Games, the team responsible for developing South of Midnight. We knew this was coming, and in effect, many hoped for potential buyouts of these studios so they could continue their work and livelihood under the direction of another publisher.
Compulsions Games were known for their distinctive flavor, with titles such as We Happy Few, South of Midnight, and a personal favorite of mine, Contrast. A film noir-inspired platform puzzle game, Contrast was a perfect encapsulation of the work you could expect from Compulsion Games.
These reductions form a larger shift within Microsoft’s gaming division, as Asha Sharma looks to “right the ship” of the declining Xbox brand. As both budgets and studios within the group have ballooned beyond a reasonable amount, measures are being taken to reduce the issues before an even greater collapse were to occur.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not defending this whatsoever. Quite a while back, I remember writing another article about the closure of Hi-Fi Rush developer Tango Gameworks, where I mentioned that Microsoft shouldn’t be buying companies it couldn’t afford.
The not so happy outlook for Compulsion Games future. (Image credit: GearBox Games)
One can hope that these layoffs don’t lead to the total closure of Compulsion Games. One can hope their uniqueness is better directed toward games like their earlier entries, such as Contrast, rather than more extensive, less budget-friendly ventures.
Responses to the news have varied. Some fans lament the loss of potential sequels or new ideas from a studio known for taking creative risks. Others argue that such adjustments are essential for long-term viability, especially when resources need reallocating toward projects with broader appeal.
What saddens me is that, regardless of the current need to do so, it seems to me these decisions are still a reflection of the direction Xbox had previously taken. Sure, Phil Spencer is no longer at the helm, but folks like Matt Booty are still present who oversaw previous operations.
To make matters worse, more are still to come, with discussions ongoing amongst a group of studios at Xbox. Ninja Theory, Double Fine, and more are all under the strain of potential closure or layoffs within their walls. We previously heard that Ninja Theory is completely done, with Senua’s reveal being a last-ditch effort to give the studio a fighting chance to be purchased.
Regardless, here’s to hoping the future of these studios is met with a gentle hand, one that will guide them into the light rather than shuttering them forever.
Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.
Amazon Prime Day is here, and like always, we have some of the best deals out there highlighted for you. To add a little flair to it, I am someone who very rarely posts about deals. It’s not my jam, but when I do, you can bet it’s about something I think is a real deal!
Introducing the Turtle Beach Velocity One Racing Wheel and Pedal System. One of the best setups I’ve laid my hands on and reviewed in 2024 is now on sale for an absolutely crazy price. Not only that, but its sister system is also on sale, the Turtle Beach VelocityOne Race KD3.
A premium racing wheel setup that delivers a fantastic drive-system alongside a slew of bonus features that will leave newcomers and people looking to upgrade extremely satisfied.
This thing is a tiny little beast of a base! (Image credit: Windows Central)
These are insane deals coming from my favorite new racing wheel creator, Turtle Beach. It still feels weird seeing them make something that isn’t a headset, but it's always amazing to see new entrants into the simulation space.
While I didn’t entirely recommend the VelocityOne system at the $650 price point, I can say without a shadow of a doubt that $399 would make this a ten out of ten deal. You'll get a 7.2nm base with a side control unit that delivers over a dozen different buttons and switches. Alongside a triple-pedal setup, perfect for manual/clutch racers.
Then, there's the $237 for the KD3 system, which is even more shocking. Completely undercutting the half-decade-old Logitech G923, which is also on sale, it’s $25 less than its main competitor!
With a slimmer look and a slightly reduced feedback system, the KD3 wheel and base are phenomenal for the price. With two pedals rather than three, those looking to skip the clutch and have a more realistic, but still casual racing experience will absolutely love this setup.
Whether you’re looking for a cheaper, higher-end setup or something cheaper than the old price of the Xbox Series S, look no further than the Turtle Beach Racing Wheel family. And while you’re at it, pick up Forza Horizon 6 too, you’ll thank me later!
What is the main difference between these two devices?
Turtle Beach - VelocityOne Race Wheel & Pedal System comes with a Control Unit and third pedal, alongside a stronger force feedback wheelbase. Meaning, you'll feel more of the car.
Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.
I hate the fact that Prime Day still requires hunting for deals. You'd think an event centered around shopping would guarantee great prices, but that's not the case.
I was pleasantly surprised to see the Logitech MX Vertical discounted by 44% on Prime Day.
"I honestly can't think of a thing I'd change about the Logitech MX Vertical. I dislike having to use other mice because I've been spoiled by the Logitech MX Vertical. " ~ Sean Endicott, news writer, Windows CentralView Deal
Are Prime Day deals worth it?
Some Prime Day deals are worth it. The shopping event is genuinely a good way to save money on some items. But that doesn't mean anything you see on sale during Prime Day is a good deal.
It's normal to see an item marked up a few weeks before Prime Day to make the Prime Day "discount" look better.
In the worst cases, an item actually becomes more expensive than usual during Prime Day. Retailers manipulate price history to make a bad price look good.
These are the types of things our team of experts looks out for when finding Prime Day deals. It's also why hand-picked Prime Day deals are better than blindly trusting a sale tag.
The Logitech MX Vertical is currently $67.67 for Prime Day. According to CamelCamelCamel, that is almost the lowest price ever for the mouse (it once hit $63.79 on Amazon). Perhaps more importantly, the price is significantly lower than what we've seen the majority of this year.
Why buy the Logitech MX Vertical
The Logitech MX Vertical is an ergonomic mouse that allows your wrist and arm to rest at a natural angle. That results in less muscle strain and reduced wrist pressure.
Because of the shape of the mouse, you don't have to move your hand as much. Tiny movements add up, and being able to keep your hand in place does a lot to reduce strain.
The Logitech MX Vertical is by far the best mouse I've used.
Over the years, its rubber grip has held up well. The mouse still lasts for ages when running on battery. It's easy to top up through USB-C when it's time to charge.
It checks all the boxes I want in a mouse.
The only downside of the Logitech MX Vertical is its retail price, but the massive discount on the mouse makes that a non-factor.
Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.
Industry-leading provider of embedded solutions AAEON (Stock Code: 6579) today announced the release of the EPIC-PTH9, a 4" industrial single-board computer with Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processors (formerly Panther Lake), PCIe Gen 5 x8 expansion, and a robust, low-profile design. Offering standard models with a choice of either the Intel Core Ultra X7 Processor 358H or Intel Core Ultra 7 Processor 356H, the EPIC-PTH9 can deliver up to 180 TOPS of AI performance through the Intel platform's integrated CPU, Intel Arc B390 GPU, and NPU.
Given the product's positioning as a platform for industrial AI applications, its I/O is geared towards support for the need to support multiple cameras, sensors, or control devices such solutions require. For this, the EPIC-PTH9 comes with four LAN ports, three of which three running at 2.5GbE and one at 1GbE speed, with two of these four ports supporting PXE enablement. Other notable I/Os come in the form of four USB ports (two USB 3.2 Gen 2 and two USB 2.0), as well as four internal serial port headers. The board also provides a GPIO 8-bit, and SMBus header, co-lay with I2C and timed GPIO functions, which can be changed by BOM.
SilverStone today released the ALTA T1, a premium HPTX super-tower case featuring an aluminium unibody chassis with anodized aluminium panels. The case is made of 4.3-8 mm thick aluminium sheet metal. It is meant for enthusiast-segment PC or workstation builds, and homelab AI inferencing builds, with support for SSI-EEB, SSI-CEB, EATX, ATX, and smaller motherboard form-factors. The case features 8 expansion slots, with room for up to four dual-slot graphics cards. A key feature is its dual PSU support, where you can install either two standard ATX PSUs, or a combination of ATX and 2U CRPS redundant PSUs.
The SilverStone ALTA T1 serves up room for graphics cards up to 55 cm in length in its massive upper compartment, and CPU coolers up to 18.8 cm in height. An expansion card support retainer reduces this to 16.5 cm. Drive bays include four 3.5-inch and five mounts for 2.5-inch (9 mm-thick) drives. The case supports up to three 420 mm radiators (140 mm x 420 mm), if you use a single PSU configuration; or at least two 420 mm radiators in dual PSU configuration. These are mounted along the top, and the two side panels.
Does the Nvidia App really hurt gaming performance? We benchmarked its background app, overlay, recording, and filters to see what affects frame rates and whether it is worth keeping installed.
In the past few months, video game publishers and developers have been going all in on generative AI with the justification that it speeds up and improves development. In the attempt to help gamers make informed choices about their purchases, Valve has started enforcing AI disclosures on Steam, which Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney believes is irresponsible of the company, as it has a negative impact. "It's unfortunate that so many developers now are put into this position. If you want to launch a game, and get it as widely publicized as possible, you've got to put it on Steam […]
We’re pleased to share that the UK will be one of the first markets to benefit from updates to Google Play’s business model, bringing lower fees and more choice to devel…
Valve has confirmed that the first batch of Steam Machines will only come with a single stick of 16GB RAM, limiting the device to single-channel memory. The company confirmed this in a correction to Gamers Nexus (GN), after its engineers initially said that Steam Machines could either come with a single 16GB stick or two 8GB sticks. “We misspoke here,” Valve wrote in its email to the media channel. “All units will actually have one 16GB stick of RAM.”
Tests have shown that using single-channel memory can reduce performance by about 9% to 13% compared to dual-channel memory, meaning gamers will feel the difference, especially in 1% lows. This is especially hard on the Steam Machine, which uses already aging hardware — a semi-custom AMD Zen 4 CPU and RDNA3 graphics with only 8GB of GDDR6 VRAM. Note that AMD launched Zen 5 in 2024, while the RDNA4 GPUs dropped in early 2025. We also already have details for Zen 6 CPUs and have heard rumors that RDNA5 GPUs will arrive next year.
However, the company probably made this decision to keep the costs for the Steam Machine as low as possible. The device’s $1,049 base price is already steeper than what many are willing to pay for — an estimated $300+ price increase from the $700 to $750 target price that Valve presumably targeted. While its engineers did not confirm these numbers, they also said that the Steam Machine would have gotten a “probably similar” price hike to the one the Steam Deck experienced recently. Nevertheless, there is hope that later batches will have dual-channel memory, with Valve telling GN that there is a chance of this happening in the future.
This is another blow to the much-awaited living room PC console that is supposed to finally give PC gamers a chance to enjoy their Steam library with a console-like experience. Valve originally announced the Steam Machine and the Steam Controller in November last year, which was also around the same time that memory chips have started to be in short supply due to the massive demand from AI hyperscalers. The device was originally slated to launch in the first quarter of 2026, but the ongoing memory crisis forced Valve to hold off until it finally released the console this summer.
Although having only a single stick of RAM is a disadvantage to any system, more optimistic gamers can consider this a boon as they could easily upgrade the console to 32GB if they have an extra matching 16GB DDR5-5600 SODIMM stick lying around at home (or are willing to spend extra to buy one). Upgrading the console’s RAM is a rather involved affair, though, requiring you to remove a lot of components and sub-boards just to reach the RAM slots. But if you’re the adventurous kind and could score a good deal on laptop RAM, this might be a viable solution to getting more performance out of your Steam Machine.
The so-called memory wall is a major performance limiter for many AI workloads, and high bandwidth memory (HBM) is not always a panacea since compute capability is growing faster than memory bandwidth. Qualcomm on Wednesday introduced its HBC near-memory compute architecture called high-bandwidth compute (HBC) that is designed to break the memory wall and enable the performance of certain AI workloads to scale linearly.
Qualcomm's approach to near-memory compute is pretty much straightforward: the company disaggregates the AI accelerator from the system-on-chip (SoC) and puts it under the LPDDR DRAM stack. The HBC accelerator connects to the LPDDR stack using through-silicon vias to provide maximum bandwidth and capacity without using expensive HBM memory and advanced packaging. Qualcomm does not disclose the actual bandwidth HBC provides, though the company claims that it offers 6X higher bandwidth-per-watt compared to HBM and over 200X capacity compared to on-chip SRAM.
(Image credit: Qualcomm)
"We have separated the AI accelerator from the XPU and placed the XPU directly beneath a DRAM stack," said Tony Pialis, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Data Center Business at Qualcomm. "This is very important because it gives us the performance advantages of SRAM with the density and capacity of stacked memory. In effect, the congestion associated with HBM is gone. The value to the industry is lower power consumption, less heat, and the elimination of the costly silicon interposer used by HBM solutions. We can also deploy multiple HBC stacks within a single compute device using standard packaging, which delivers a significant performance-per-cost advantage."
Putting DRAM on logic or next to logic is nothing new. All DRAM makers have experimented with near-memory compute architectures, but have failed to make them popular. More recently, GUC, a fabless ASIC design service company, proposed its DRAM-on-Logic (DoL) technology that places one to four DRAM layers on top of logic to get around 5 TB/s of memory bandwidth and offer higher performance than some HBM3E memory subsystems without using expensive advanced packaging and HBM3E stacks.
Since Qualcomm does not disclose actual performance numbers, it is hard to compare its HBC to GUC's offering. However, the biggest caveat about HBC is that Qualcomm does not tell us what the HBC accelerator actually does. In theory, it could be everything: a transformer-specific near-memory engine, a more general array of tensor cores, or some kind of preprocessing logic for AI inference or training.
(Image credit: Qualcomm)
Along with its HBC technology, Qualcomm also disclosed its HBC roadmap. While the company's AI200 accelerator, due later this year, will rely on LPDDR5X and offer 43 TB of RAM per rack, its successor AI250 will rely on the 1st Generation HBC that will offer 18X bandwidth of AI200. The AI300 will use 2nd Generation HBC that will provide 54X bandwidth of AI300.
A new, stealthy backdoor named Mistic has been deployed as part of suspected financially motivated attacks aimed at multiple organizations spanning insurance, education, IT, and professional services sectors since April 2026.
According to Symantec and Carbon Black's Threat Hunter Team, the backdoor, also tracked as MLTBackdoor, is said to be linked to an initial access broker (IAB) named
The semiconductor industry has two competing priorities.
On the one hand, demand is soaring—last year’s sales were up 25.6%. 2026’s sales should cross the $1 trillion USD mark. Meeting this demand means increasing production—and production is a resource-intensive process. Direct emissions increased between 2023 and 2024.
Projections indicate that by the critical climate year of 2030, manufacturing chips will come with emissions totals larger than those of some countries.
It seems simply impossible to both reduce emissions while increasing the volume of chip production.
But efficiency-minded manufacturers are proving it’s possible to do both.
To solve this energy paradox, the industry needs a holistic four-step process: measure, replace, reduce, and engage.
1. Measure
While any manufacturer around the world can go through this process, every fab is different. There’s simply no one-size-fits-all solution to reducing emissions at every facility around the world.
Adequate measuring provides meaningful, context-sensitive data to guide decision-making. While it’s an older acronym, WAGES (Water, Air, Gas, Electricity, Steam) is a good foundation for what needs to be measured. Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) for specific products like a die or wafer are also useful to have.
Complete, high-quality data is the key to several key steps for effectively reducing emissions. First, it enables comparing product lines and facilities, which in turn helps create realistic KPIs for emissions reductions.
Second, any efforts to optimize energy usage via AI will fail without sufficient data. Third, the right kind of data enables third-party confirmation and subsequent credibility, such as obtaining validation from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
2. Replace
As imec has reported, manufacturing chips at scale requires an enormous amount of electricity. Given that only about a third of global electricity comes from renewables, this means electricity consumption is also a major contributor to facility emissions.
Yet it’s possible to improve the energy supply mix. In one specific example, Nvidia earlier this year confirmed 100% renewable energy usage at its controlled facilities. But even companies that aren’t operating at Nvidia’s scale (or almost every company on Earth) can make choices that produce meaningful impact.
Negotiating a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) during the design phase can be a critical step to ensuring long-term renewable power supply—while also insulating your facility from future price shocks. If possible, band together with other smaller companies to increase your negotiating power.
However, replacing equipment (or choosing more energy-efficient equipment to start) is another way to quickly cut energy consumption. For example, a traditional chilled water cooling system can be a major power consumer. But McKinsey identifies several potential alternatives or upgrades: adding in idle-time controllers, using ambient air and cooling towers, and meters to identify potential areas for improvements.
These two tactics address the issue both before power even reaches the fab and during manufacturing—and can save both capital and emissions.
3. Reduce
Adding meters and controllers also simply reduces the amount of energy used in the first place. By taking the time to collect, measure and organize data, fabs can precisely determine the best targets for reduced usage and lower emissions.
In conjunction with hardware like meters and well-organized data, AI can be a helpful tool. With the right data, it can analyze power usage patterns, including unusual spikes, and generate recommendations. It can also enable predictive maintenance, which can reduce costs and emissions in the long run by identifying problems that can be fixed before they get too resource-intensive and extending equipment lifecycles.
Precise targeting also enables precise measuring for long-term success. Key net-zero target years like 2030 (Paris Agreement) and 2040 (the Climate Pledge year) are still relatively far away at the speed of technological innovation. Without baseline data or an action plan, it’s difficult to ensure that goals are actually being met—and a lack of concrete evidence could compromise credibility with investors, customers and employees.
4. Engage
Reducing emissions is more effective when it’s done in collaboration. Working closely with partners, suppliers, different site managers and other stakeholders can surface new ideas and solutions.
For example, one potentially overlooked area to target is the supply chain. Chip components often take multiple trips on a plane for different operations.
Employees can also be an excellent source of information. With on-the-ground experience, they may have additional insights into how operations play out and what can be done to improve them.
Engagement isn’t a one-and-done process, either. Plan to regularly communicate results to employees, partners and customers. This can not only lead to stronger relationships but also improved employee retention and even public recognition.
When it comes to reducing the semiconductor industry’s emissions, there is no single solution. The current level and projected increases are simply too large to focus only on one area, like energy sourcing, equipment or logistics.
Instead, reducing fab emissions must be a multi-step, multi-faceted journey. But with the right measurements in hand, fabs can precisely maximize the impact of every replacement, reduction and engagement.
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
Deezer unveils Remix Lab in-app tool in France; should launch elsewhere soon
Lets you augment a song or combine two
Doesn't use AI; artists are paid
AI slop peddlers may try to make you believe that artificial music is absolutely fine and dandy music, and that it's impossible (or at any rate, quite unimportant) for original artists to get paid, in order for it to work. Well, Deezer has just proven that as totally wrong.
The music streaming service has just launched Remix Lab, a tool which lets you combine or remix songs and then add them to your library. It's available in the app right now, but only in France; the platform says it could come to more regions later in the year, but for now, it's largely French musicians included.
I know what you're wondering, and I asked: Deezer confirmed to TechRadar that there's no AI used in the process. Happy days! The brand has been refreshingly anti-AI, but given how many companies have forgotten their anti-AI stances when a checkbook comes out, it never hurts to check.
Instead, the tool uses audio stems provided by the artist, and applies edits to these to create an effect. So it's less slop generation, more a lightweight version of Adobe Audition without the dials and sliders.
AI? Not on this platform
Music remixing is nothing new, but usually it needs one of two things: either some level of technical know-how, or the ability to quell your ethical qualms and use AI to do it. Since AI is often sold as as a field-leveler — now a lack of talent is no hindrance! — many assume it has to be used for those without training.
Not according to Deezer, though, proving that you don't need to feed water-gobbling, planet-heating data centers to riff on existing songs. Deezer also says it's the first ever streaming platform to offer a song remixing service with full rights compliance and in agreement with the artists, and I'd be inclined to believe 'em.
Another pervasive AI myth, perpetuated by world governments as much as unscrupulous rights holders, is that it's impossible to compensate artists for their works being used, and that permission is optional. These bots may have been trained in your back-catalog without your consent, but it'd be impossible for you to be compensated for this, apparently.
To Deezer, this doesn't fly. The platform has confirmed that artists have agreed for their songs to be used in Remix Lab, and get compensated for remixes and listens through the tool. Let the dollars Euros roll!
Every day, AI sounds more and more redundant; you can't help but hear about businesses firing staff to save money, then spending more on AI credits, or filmmakers tanking their careers by making slop history shows and aligning themselves with AI brands. And so Deezer is doing the good work, by continuing to show us that there is a better way — and that this 'panacea' should actually just be panned.
One explanation could be that Rockstar is trying to minimize the risk of leaks, but many fans hoping to secure a physical copy are disappointed.
"First look at GTA 6 physical edition," readsone Reddit post with a picture of an empty game box. Another replied, "Don’t forget the slip [of] paper with the code. Physical media is doomed."
One fan said, "I got a disc drive for my PS5 Pro just for this. **Sigh**"
"Got brand new PS5 Slim digital from outlet cause it was much cheaper [a] couple days before they announced price increase," another fan wrote. "Was planning to buy disk drive so I can later sell console and the game (mainly play on pc). But I won't be able to sell the game unless I sell my account as well lol."
The lack of a physical disc has also led certain retailers to stop selling pre-orders altogether as a policy, including Canadian retailer VGP, which is known for regular restocks of rare physical games (via GamesRadar).
"For nearly 40 years, VGP has been committed to supporting physical media and preserving the value of physical game ownership," the retailer said on Bluesky. "As part of that commitment, our company policy is that we do not carry physical products for video game consoles that contain only a digital download code."
The company added, "We want to be clear that this decision is not a reflection of the game itself. We have tremendous respect for Rockstar Games and the incredible achievement that Grand Theft Auto VI represents.
"Should Rockstar one day release a physical edition containing a disc in the box, we would be pleased to carry and support that version for our customers."
US-based Loot Box Gaming is also taking the same position, announcing on X/Twitter that it "will not be supporting the release of GTA 6."
"When we started LBG, it was out of a love for our favorite form of media, gaming, as-well as the preservation of said media," the post reads. "If a product can’t honor the people who pay their hard earned money to purchase it, then we have no business trying to sell it to our customers whom we value above anything else."
GTA 6 pre-orders are now live and will cost $79.99 / AU$129.95 / £69.99 for the Standard Edition and $99.99 / AU$159.95 / £89.99 for the Ultimate Edition.
GTA 6 officially launches on November 19, but pre-loads begin on November 12.
ChatGPT's new Scheduled Tasks feature announcement this week — the ability for ChatGPT to now send reminders, handle recurring work, or monitor things — caught my attention immediately.
After all, AI assistants are all predicated on being reactive and needing your initial input. No matter how sophisticated the technology becomes, the responsibility usually remains firmly on your side of the screen. But if they are to truly be assistants, they have to be able to help you out when you might not remember to ask for their help.
Scheduled Tasks do require your input to begin with, of course. But you can't tell ChatGPT to remind you about something later. You can ask it to send recurring updates. You can keep an eye on a topic and notify you when something changes.
Unlike a lot of ChatGPT features, this one truly seems to give ChatGPT more of an actual assistant feel.
How to start using Scheduled Tasks
I started with a basic reminder of something I frequently forget. I asked ChatGPT to remind me to practice my saxophone three evenings each week.
Again, the setup was conversational. There were no complicated menus or automation builders. I simply described what I wanted. ChatGPT replied, "I'll remind you to practice saxophone three evenings per week. I'll keep the reminders encouraging and focused on making consistent progress."
Your Scheduled Tasks are all accessible from a new left-hand menu item, nestled between Projects and Apps, provided you are a ChatGPT Plus, Pro, Business, or Enterprise user. If you click the menu option then ChatGPT will suggest some things to try with Scheduled Tasks.
That evening I received the first reminder, with a couple of links suggesting songs to learn. Exactly the kind of thing that will help keep me on track.
If you've enabled notifications for the ChatGPT app on your phone, you'll get a notification that your scheduled task has completed. If you're using ChatGPT in a browser then turn on Desktop Notifications when it asks you. If email notifications are enabled for scheduled tasks in your ChatGPT settings, you'll also receive the result by email.
I then set up a more complicated evening reminder. I wanted a suggestion sent every day at 4 p.m. for a short but fun game to play outside with my child. The idea was to outsource a small piece of the fretting I sometimes feel to keep young kids entertained. Happily, not long before he returned home from daycare, ChatGPT suggested a fun and even slightly educational game of dinosaurs which he loved because of getting to run around and roar, but also helped him learn the names of several dinosaur species.
Getting a useful morning briefing
My third test was set for overnight. I told ChatGPT that I wanted a quick summary of local events or critical information to know every weekday morning at 8 a.m. Normally, this would involve checking several websites and social media. ChatGPT agreed to do so, and this morning I got a roundup of not only the day's weather, but details of yesterday's election news, the upcoming World Cup games, and how they might affect traffic.
Plenty of apps can recommend activities. What mattered was that the suggestion appeared before I had even started thinking about them or when it felt too late. Throughout the day, I kept noticing the same thing. Scheduled tasks were not saving enormous amounts of time. They were saving small moments of mental effort. Each individual task removed one tiny obligation from my internal to-do list.
That is the subtle trick scheduled tasks pull off so well. Instead of responding to a need, it anticipates one. Countless services can handle individual pieces of what happened during those two days. What felt different was having everything tied to the same conversation. That may be why the feature works better than you might expect. It remembers things so that you do not have to.
AI coding tools set to outcost developer salaries by 2028
Usage- and out-come based token pricing to blame
Software vendors don't currently provide enough visibility
Gartner predicts that AI coding tools could cost more than the average developer's salary by as soon as 2028, driven by both an increased volume of license fees and growth in token consumption as vendors shift to usage- and outcome-based pricing.
With every code generation, refinement and debugging exercise consuming tokens, organizations are ending up paying a premium to use productivity-boosting AI.
And analysts are warning that many companies significantly underestimate how quickly token usage grows once AI coding becomes commonplace.
AI coding is more expensive than paying a developer
"Software engineering leaders are increasingly concerned as token-driven AI spend becomes harder to justify, with budgets often being depleted earlier than expected," Senior Principal Analyst Nitish Tyagi explained.
This comes as businesses shift from pilots to widespread deployment, and more developers become reliant on AI as part of their daily workflows.
While companies face higher costs, they're ultimately rewarded with higher outcome. Developers cite faster delivery, convenience and better code generation as core benefits, and they're now unlikely to voluntarily reduce token usage if it means they'd slow down.
"Token discipline will not emerge through developer choice alone, as developers tend to optimise for speed and convenience over cost efficiency," Tyagi added, noting the need for organizational governance.
The report also reveals some industry shortcomings; specifically, that vendors don't provide enough visibility into how tokens are counted. As a result, companies struggle to predict how much they're going to spend and optimize usage accordingly.
Until now, AI has grown its reach across coding, but soaring costs could change things as companies scale back to hit the sweet spot, keeping costs under control and protecting human roles.
Running a commercial cleaning business off spreadsheets and paper checklists gets harder once crews scatter across a dozen sites a week. Clients want documented proof of service. A missed inspection can sink a contract you spent months winning.
Good software fixes more than admin headaches. It keeps every job accountable and all clients informed. It also keeps your business ready for an impromptu safety audit you didn't see coming.
Why does commercial cleaning require dedicated operations software?
Generic scheduling apps handle simple appointments fine, but commercial cleaning runs on details those tools weren't built for. A single contract might cover ten buildings and three shifts, with each visit needing its own proof of completion.
Labor adds another layer of pressure, with the US employing about 2.4 million janitors and building cleaners at a median hourly wage that climbed past $17 in 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Margins stay thin, so every hour lost to manual scheduling is an hour you're not billing.
Safety compliance raises the stakes further. A serious OSHA violation can run up to $16,550, while a willful or repeat violation tops $165,514, under the agency's 2026 penalty schedule. Paper logs rarely hold up to that kind of scrutiny.
Clients on multi-site contracts want consistency they can verify, beyond your word alone. Digital inspections with photo timestamps and GPS check-ins give them exactly that. They also give your supervisors a way to catch problems before a client does.
Look for software built around the specific demands of janitorial work, not generic field service basics. The features that matter most include:
Recurring schedules across multiple sites and shifts
GPS-verified time tracking and route management
Digital inspection checklists with photo proof
Compliance documentation for chemicals and safety training
Client portals for reports and feedback
Invoicing tied to verified, completed jobs
What to look for in commercial cleaning platforms
Not every cleaning platform covers every need. Pricing varies just as widely as the feature lists. Before you commit, look closely at how each platform performs in five areas that matter most for daily operations.
Treat this as a checklist for your demo calls, not a ranking of any single tool. The right mix of features depends on your crew size and contract mix.
Scheduling and multi-site dispatch
(Image credit: Generated with Gemini )
Recurring contracts are the backbone of commercial cleaning, so scheduling needs to handle them without constant manual rework. Look for tools that let you set a job once and have it repeat automatically for the length of the contract.
Multi-site dispatch matters just as much as recurring schedules. You need a single view of which crew is where and what's left to finish. You also need to know who's available if someone calls in sick.
Route optimization is worth checking too, especially if crews travel between buildings during a shift. Even modest improvements in travel time add up across a fleet covering dozens of stops a week.
Digital inspections and quality scoring
Quality assurance separates a professional operation from a one-off cleaning crew. Digital inspections let supervisors score jobs against a consistent standard, rather than relying on a client's gut feeling.
Photo timestamps and GPS check-ins give that scoring real weight. They prove a job happened as scheduled. They also give you evidence if a client disputes the work.
Some platforms let clients view inspection scores directly through a portal. That transparency can be the difference between a renewed contract and a client who quietly starts shopping around.
Safety documentation
Commercial cleaning touches more regulations than most service businesses realize, from hazard communication rules to client-specific safety requirements. Software that tracks safety data sheets and chemical dilution logs turns a compliance program from a scramble into routine.
Audit trails matter here, too. If an inspector or a client asks when a high-touch surface was last disinfected, you want an instant answer instead of a search through paper logs.
Look for customizable checklists that adjust by facility type. A hospital corridor and a warehouse floor call for different protocols. Your software should reflect that without extra manual setup.
Client communication
Facility managers want proof of value beyond a monthly invoice. Automated reports that summarize completed jobs and inspection scores save you from writing that summary by hand every month. They can also flag recurring problems before a client has to call about them.
A client portal goes further by giving facility managers self-service access to schedules and reports whenever they need them. That visibility builds trust and cuts down on status-check phone calls.
Look for two-way communication features as well, such as in-app messaging or ticketing for special requests. Buried email threads make it easy for a request to slip through the cracks.
Mobile tools for frontline crews
Most of your workforce never sits at a desk, so the mobile experience matters more than the back-office dashboard. Crews need an app that works offline in basements and parking garages where signal drops out.
Multilingual support is worth checking, given how diverse the cleaning workforce is in many markets. Clear instructions in a worker's preferred language cut down on mistakes and rework.
Time tracking through the same app keeps payroll accurate without separate punch clocks. The fewer apps a cleaner has to juggle on a shift, the more likely they are to actually use the one you give them.
Conclusion
Rolling out new software works best in phases. Start with one site or one crew, and fix the inevitable hiccups before expanding. Move to additional locations once your supervisors are comfortable running the system day to day.
Pricing typically scales with the number of users, sites, or inspections you run each month, so get a quote based on your actual job volume rather than a published starting price. Factor training time into your budget too, since adoption usually determines your return on investment more than the feature list does.
The best commercial cleaning software won't replace good supervisors or trained crews. It gives them the tools to prove the job got done. It also gives you the data to bid your next contract with confidence.
Watch England v New Zealand 3rd Test live streams at Trent Bridge to see the series decider unfold. Whether you're a cricket fan in the UK, US, India or just want a free trial, we've got you covered for the 3rd Test today.
England have captain Ben Stokes back in the team, along with Gus Atkinson and Jamie Smith. Off spinner Shoab Bashir, who played in the First Test but did not bowl a ball, also returns.
New Zealand meanwhile have to cope without two leading bowlers who have been in fine form, in Matt Henry, who is injured, and Kyle Jamieson who is rested to manage his workload on his return from injury. The inexperienced duo of Ben Sears and Blair Tickner come in for them.
The visitors have won the toss and will bat first. They are eyeing what would only be their fourth series win against England in England, set against 14 losses.
All is clearly not well in the England set up and if England were to lose the series, might at least one of coach Brendon McCullum and Managing Director Rob Key lose their positions?
Read on as we explain how to watch the England vs New Zealand 3rd Test at Trent Bridge from anywhere in the world.
Use a VPN to watch any England vs New Zealand 3rd Test live stream
If you're keen to watch Eng vs NZ cricket but you're away from home and your preferred coverage is geo-blocked, you could always use a VPN to access it (assuming you're not breaching any broadcaster T&Cs, of course). You may be surprised by how simple it is to do.
There are lots of VPNs but Surfshark is the one you can rely on to unblock streaming platforms – and right now you can save up to 75%.
🟩Surfshark - the best cheap VPN today TechRadar regularly reviews all the biggest and best VPN providers and Surfshark is the cheapest VPN we recommend, and it comes with a 7-day free trial too. You’ll get plenty of bang for your buck and, in addition to the free trial, customers get a 30-day money-back guarantee and three extra months free-of-charge.
✅ 3 Extra Months FREE ✅ Unlocks cricket live streams ✅ 30-day month back guarantee
Get Surfshark and stream England vs New Zealand 3rd Test at Trent Bridge from wherever you are.View Deal
How to watch England vs New Zealand 3rd Test live streams in the US
(Image credit: Other)
In the US, dedicated cricket streaming service Willow TV is the place to watch the conclusion to the 2026 England vs New Zealand series.
If you don't have it as part of your cable package, you can watch Willow coverage through your choice of Sling TV's Desi Binge Plus or Dakshin Flex plans – starting from $10 per month.
Outside the US? Use Surfshark to watch Willow TV's stream of the England vs New Zealand 3rd Test from anywhere.
How to watch England vs New Zealand 3rd Test live streams in the UK
The England vs New Zealand 3rd Test is being shown on Sky Sports on the Cricket and Main Event channels.
Sky Sports plans start from £35/month or £20 if you're an existing Sky subscriber. Alternatively, grab a NOW Sports subscription from £14.99/day or £34.99/month.
Outside the UK right now? Use Surfshark to access your preferred coverage of the Eng vs NZ series.
How to watch England vs New Zealand 3rd Test live streams in India
(Image credit: Wikimedia Commons)
In India, England vs New Zealand Third Test at Trent Bridge is being shown on the Sony Sports Network, with live streaming available via Sony LIV.
Sony LIV subscription plans in India start at ₹599 for the Mobile-Only yearly plan, or you can get the ₹999 Premium yearly plan.
If you're currently out of India but want to watch an England vs New Zealand 3rd Test live stream, you'll need to get yourself a VPN, as per the instructions above.
How to watch England vs New Zealand 3rd Test live streams in Australia
(Image credit: free)
The England vs New Zealand Test series is being shown on Fox Cricket via Foxtel in Australia, with live streaming available via Kayo Sports.
Kayo Sports starts at AU$30 per month after a 7-day free trial. Or you can get your first month for AU$1.
Remember if you're out of Australia at all during The Ashesget yourself a VPN to stream Eng vs NZ from anywhere in the world.
How to watch England vs New Zealand 3rd Test live streams in South Africa
The England vs New Zealand 2026 Test series is being shown on Supersport in South Africa.
You'll need to get a DStv access package to watch the all three tests with prices starting at Rs99/month for the streaming version.
Abroad right now? Just use a VPN and tell your device that you're back home and you'll be good to go.
How to watch England vs New Zealand 3rd Test live streams in New Zealand
In New Zealand, Sky Sport NZis your go-to for the Kiwis' England tour. You can access Sky Sport through satellite TV or get a live stream with the Sky Sport Now subscription service starting at $29.99 per day or $54.99 per month.
Those outside of New Zealand for a Test match or the series can use Surfshark to gain access to their home streaming service.
England vs New Zealand 3rd Test Q+A
What time does play start in the England vs New Zealand 3rd Test?
Play in the 3rd Test at Trent Bridge is scheduled to start at 6am ET / 11am BST / 8pm AEST / 3:30pm IST each day.
What is the schedule for the England vs New Zealand Test series?
1st Test: Lord’s, London - England won by 115 runs
2nd Test: The Oval, London - New Zealand won by 253 runs
3rd Test: Trent Bridge, Nottingham - June 25-29
What are the teams for the 3rd Eng vs NZ test?
England: Emilio Gay, Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith (wk), Ben Stokes (capt), Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue, Shoab Bashir.
New Zealand: Tom Latham (captain), Devon Conway, Henry Nicholls, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (wk), Mitch Santner, Nathan Smith, Blair Tickner, Ben Sears, Will O'Rourke.
What happened in the 1st and 2nd Tests?
It has been a bizarre series on and off the field. England won the First Test on a substandard Lord’s pitch where a wicket fell on average every 25 balls - the quickest rate in a Test in England since 1907.
For the Second Test, England fielded a makeshift team after they had dropped Stokes and Atkinson for disciplinary reasons, and were also without Jamie Smith, who was on paternity leave, and the injured Ollie Robinson. With five of the side having only two caps between them, England went down to a heavy defeat under the captaincy of Joe Root.
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.
Operational performance is becoming just as important as investment performance in private credit.
As fundraising slows and investor expectations increase, firms are facing growing pressure to modernize the IT infrastructure supporting their portfolios.
In fact, transparency and faster reporting are becoming top priorities.
Without such capabilities, funds can’t clearly see across their own portfolio, amplifying stress when markets are less forgiving.
Especially as private credit scales and operational diligence become more central to allocation decisions, such back-office issues become something more structural.
Fortunately, managers that properly invest in their operational foundations now, will be better equipped to manage the increasing demands facing the private credit industry moving forward.
Analyzing Operational Pressures
Private credit is operationally intensive. And many firms never built systems to match the increasing complexity of their portfolios as they grew and evolved. Instead, operations are often spread across legacy servicing platforms, spreadsheets, email-driven workflows, and disconnected internal tools, leaving firms without a single real-time view of portfolio data.
Most loan servicing operates on cycles such as monthly reconciliations, quarterly reporting, and batch-based payment processing. This model reflects the constraints of legacy systems and manual workflows. Data must be collected, validated, and processed in stages. Consequently, funds often view their portfolios through periodic snapshots rather than in real-time.
Many funds also maintain parallel spreadsheets to verify their servicer's calculations. Known as shadow booking, this redundancy has no other purpose than to increase control. Ultimately though, it’s a sign of mistrust in the data provided, and the underlying calculations are often difficult to inspect. When discrepancies arise, they are discovered after the fact and require manual investigation, often across multiple systems.
These realities of the private credit industry are now colliding with a more competitive fundraising environment. Even if their underlying deals aren't catastrophic, private credit funds begin to look fragile if they cannot perform operationally well under increasing pressure.
Not surprisingly, many private credit firms are looking to AI to address these issues. But automation software alone cannot repair broken operational foundations. The critical question becomes whether their infrastructure is actually prepared to support the AI model they choose to use.
AI Alone Is Not the Answer
AI agents can execute operational work reliably while platforms can provide real-time visibility and full auditability. The pieces are in place. But there’s a pattern in how AI projects fail in the finance industry that's worth naming and it's almost never the model that's the problem.
What’s often missing is the infrastructure surrounding the model - the systems, workflows, data access, permissions, and controls that allow AI to operate reliably inside real financial processes. Otherwise known as the harness. Generic AI tools don’t know what a rate notice is.
They don't know that a prepayment request triggers a multi-step workflow across every syndicated entity on a facility. They don't know the difference between a funded tranche and a committed-but-undisbursed revolver, or why that distinction matters for how a payoff figure should be calculated.
This lack of operational context is also one of the biggest reasons AI hallucinations occur in finance. The majority of hallucinations aren't random malfunctions, they're a context problem. The AI model wants to give an appropriate answer. When it doesn't have access to the specific data it needs, it reasons from what it does know and produces something plausible.
Private credit portfolio data isn't embedded in any public language model. If the harness doesn't provide it, through tools, memory or real-time data access, the model will fill the gap with something that sounds right. Which, in a financial operations context, is a real problem.
The fix isn’t a better model. It’s a harness that gives the agent access to the right data, at the right moment, with the right tools and controls to retrieve it.
The firms that focus on building operational systems that provide context, transparency, audibility and human oversight will receive the greatest value from its AI investments. In private credit, the long-term advantage may not come from adopting AI faster than competitors, but from building the infrastructure, or the harness, capable of supporting it responsibly and at scale.
Establishing New Competitive Differentiators
As these operational systems mature and advance, they will also reshape what excellence actually looks like inside private credit firms. Responsiveness won't be a differentiator. It will be assumed. Real-time and instant delivery will be the new baseline.
This is because most routine interactions will no longer require human involvement. With real-time systems, shared data layers, and automated workflows, information will be directly accessible and continuously updated. What previously required a request and response cycle will be resolved at the source.
As a result, the role of the servicer shifts. They are no longer measured by how quickly they process or reply, but by how well they handle what cannot be automated - exceptions, edge cases, and judgment calls.
This is why the next generation of private credit leaders may look fundamentally different from the firms that defined the industry’s earlier growth period. Capital access and underwriting expertise will remain essential, but operational execution is becoming increasingly strategic.
Most funds are using general-purpose AI for ad-hoc analysis or are in a holding pattern. A small number are starting to build their own and discovering how much harder it is than first expected. The funds that move first on specialized operational infrastructure will have an advantage that compounds. Not because they picked the right model (the model will keep getting better and cheaper regardless), but because they built or adopted the right harness, trained it on the right context, and gave it the controls that make it trustworthy at scale.
In many ways, private credit firms are evolving into operational organizations as much as financial organizations. The ability to manage workflows, data, oversight, and execution will become a defining part of a firm’s competitive performance.
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
Security researchers found evidence that Russian authorities hacked the iPhone of a political opponent using a phone-unlocking device made by Cellebrite, even after the company said it would stop selling to Putin’s government.
AMD boosts FSR 4.1 compatibility and Ray Regeneration quality with its FSR SDK 2.3 AMD has released its FSR SDK 2.3 update on GitHub, giving game developers access to the company’s latest FSR technologies, including FSR Ray Regeneration 1.2 and FSR Upscaling 4.1.1. With this new SDK, game developers can now integrate the latest AMD […]
Yesterday, Qualcomm announced its High Bandwidth Compute (HBC) product, a memory-compute solution hybrid designed to replace traditional High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) and offer greater performance, efficiency, and throughput. HBC utilizes LPDDR memory, stacking them across multiple layers in a 3D vertical space and interconnecting them with through-silicon vias (TSVs). This approach provides better energy efficiency than traditional HBM, which stacks regular DDR in vertical layers, as the low-power DDR (LPDDR) chips consume less power while delivering similar bandwidth and capacity. Qualcomm has successfully stacked multiple LPDDR layers on top of each other, with the base of the HBC being a compute die that performs near-memory computation and offloads some processing from the main processor.
This technique is similar to what HBM4 memory currently does, with the base die being a logic die to better integrate compute solutions underneath for packet tracing and data preparation for entering and exiting HBM. However, Qualcomm aims to achieve higher efficiency and more optimized data movement, with a 6x increase in bandwidth per watt compared to the current HBM specification, likely HBM4. HBC Gen 1 achieved 133 TB/s of bandwidth on the AI250 accelerator card, a 18x increase over the LPDDR5X currently used in the AI200 card from Qualcomm. The company also claims there is a viable roadmap for using HBC across many Qualcomm AI accelerators, with HBC Gen 1 shipping with the AI250 AI accelerator in mid-2027. The next-generation HBC Gen 2 is expected to yield further significant gains in bandwidth.
Grand Theft Auto 6 (GTA 6) is now available for pre-order worldwide, but yesterday's announcements dampened the enthusiasm of many by confirming that the retail version of the game for both PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S systems will not include the game's disc, but only a download code. However, it seems like a proper physical release will be released the following month. Polish publication PPL, who provided correct information multiple times in the past regarding video game releases on consoles, revealed that only launch copies will include a download code, and will be followed by a proper retail release […]
The hinge problems that long plagued Apple’s iPhone Fold have seemingly been addressed, allowing for the company’s first foldable flagship to enter production. However, don’t think that the upcoming launch will be a ‘one-off’ event because there’s a successor that’s said to be in the works, and it’ll have one major difference. iPhone Fold 2 with a wider folding display is rumored to be in the works, but don’t expect Apple to use a more advanced display Based on the latest information shared by Weibo’s Digital Chat Station, the iPhone Fold 2 will have a wider folding screen, offering an increase […]
Rockstar Games' announcement of GTA VI's $80 price point definitely caused many fans to let out a sigh of relief. It may not be $70, but it's not a new industry record either, nor is it anywhere close to the $100 scare that Wedbush Securities analyst Michael Pachter suggested they might attempt. Back then, fellow analyst Rhys Elliott quickly dismissed that option as unrealistic and reckoned they would price at either $70 or $80 at the most. Understandably, after yesterday's news, Elliott (now head of market analysis at Alinea) claimed the win, so to speak, reiterating in a LinkedIn blog post […]
The debate over AI governance is stuck in a false choice between over-regulation and no regulation. There is a middle way: A pragmatic, evidence-based approach that reco…
Corsair's little touchscreen can be used either as a standalone display on your desk, mounted to any metal surface with magnets, or integrated directly into the side panel of select Corsair cases as a unique PC display.
The Corsair Xeneon Edge is a 14.5-inch display designed to serve as an extension for your desktop and give you a small screen to host your most important apps. Its versatility means you can mount it practically anywhere — horizontally under your main monitor, vertically beside your primary display, or as a digital status panel inside your PC case.View Deal
The Xeneon Edge display has a 2560 x 720 resolution and a 60Hz refresh rate. At this size, that's more than enough for a diminutive display. Connectivity is provided by either HDMI or USB-C DP Alt Mode. There's also a separate mounting arm you can buy.
You can use the Xeneon Edge for a variety of different things. It can be used as a media control center, voice communication screen for Discord, or as a screen for comments and chat while you're streaming.
The AHVA panel should ensure a wide viewing angle, which is especially handy if you want to use it as a PC monitoring tool. With iCue integration, you can use it to monitor all of your PC's vital signs, including temperatures for your GPU and CPU. You can even 3D print your own accessories for the Edge to customize it.
A few people might argue that you should just get one of the best budget 4K monitors or best portable monitors if you’re really intent on getting more screen real estate. But if tabletop space is at a premium for your desktop PC, this might just give you the best of both worlds. It’s also a great accessory for those who simply want to build the best battle station, and you can get the Xeneon Edge straight from Corsair at just $199.99.
Data governance is unglamorous work. It is also the reason most AI strategies stall before they scale.
Spending on models, platforms and use cases keeps growing. But the disciplines that make those investments effective – data quality, ownership and governance – often receive far less attention.
Part of the challenge is that data governance is neither “fun” nor “sexy.” It lacks the excitement of new technologies and the appeal of quick wins, so it is consistently deprioritized.
Yet as organizations scale their AI ambitions, governance is increasingly the factor that determines whether those efforts succeed or stall.
The imbalance in attention is now starting to show. While AI adoption continues to grow, many organizations still struggle to move beyond pilot stages into enterprise-scale deployment. The gap between ambition and execution is widening, and weak data governance is often at the center of it.
The issue is not awareness. Most business leaders recognize that governance matters. The challenge is that governance demands structural decisions, cultural alignment and sustained discipline – the hard parts of the job. And, unlike a new platform or tool, its value often only becomes fully apparent when it is missing.
When governance is absent, problems don’t stay small
Weak governance rarely fails loudly at first. The problems accumulate.
Early AI initiatives often prioritize delivery, with dashboards, models and applications taking precedence over governance. Silos form, data definitions diverge and access controls become inconsistent. A common pattern: two teams – one in marketing, one in data science – train separate models against different definitions of the same metric.
Both definitions look correct in isolation. In production, the predictions conflict, neither team can explain why, and the investigation takes weeks longer than building either model did. Quality issues are patched rather than fixed, and new projects begin to rely on shaky assumptions.
As complexity grows over time, confidence in the data declines.
Data dictionaries and permission frameworks are not administrative overhead – they are what makes scalable AI possible. Building them early demands investment before visible returns but postponing that effort is far costlier.
Left unchecked, governance gaps eventually land hard, resulting in delayed projects, compliance failures and decisions made on unreliable data. At that point, organizations are forced into reactive fixes – or even total rebuilds – that are far more expensive and disruptive than addressing governance from the start.
Governance is not just compliance – it enables innovation
Regulators are placing increasing importance on accountability in how data is used. The UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has made it clear that organizations must be able to demonstrate control over data use, particularly as AI systems become more prevalent. Scotland’s new National AI Strategy also highlights that organizations must follow best practice in responsible AI governance aligned with OECD principles.
This has reinforced the perception that governance is primarily a compliance exercise – something important but not necessarily prioritized at the prototype stage. Effective governance is far more than that: it shapes how data flows through an organization, how decisions are made and how confidently teams can act. It defines accountability and sets the standards needed to maintain consistency at scale.
In that sense, governance is a design choice, and businesses need to make the right one to effectively scale their innovation ambitions.
Define ownership before you decide the model
Governance is not one-size-fits-all - nor it is purely a technical problem to be addressed through tools or platforms alone. In fact, the harder initial challenge is often a people and accountability one. Before designing a governance model, organizations need to define the who as much as the how. Who owns the data? Who is responsible for its quality and who decides how it should be used?
In many organizations, these responsibilities are unclear. Management is shared, and ownership is (often wrongly) assumed rather than defined. But it is only once those questions have been answered – in practice as well as on paper – that businesses can turn their attention to developing a governance model that fits their structure.
Some take a centralized approach to this, with control sitting in a single function. This can provide consistency and clarity, but the model may struggle to scale across complex organizations with diverse needs.
Others adopt a federated model, combining central standards with local ownership. This can be more flexible and scalable, but only if the business is committed to those shared standards and has defined clear roles and accountability. Without them, federated models risk furthering data fragmentation.
The key is alignment. Governance models should match how teams actually use data and AI, not how they’re assumed to operate.
A practical test: ask three different teams how they define a key business metric – revenue, active users, or customer churn. If the answers differ, the governance problem already exists. The operating model question is not how to prevent that divergence in future; it is who has the authority to resolve it now.
Governance doesn’t show up in a demo
Governance is rarely the most visible part of an AI strategy. It’s detailed, structural work that often goes overlooked, but that is precisely why it matters.
For business leaders, the challenge is to move beyond acknowledging its importance and begin making early, deliberate decisions about how it is implemented. That means defining data ownership, aligning operating models and investing in the capabilities that support long-term success.
Technology choices are reversible. Data ownership decisions compound. The governance model you design – or neglect – in the next twelve months will shape what your AI strategy can actually deliver in three years.
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
The second season of Netflix crime drama Dept Q begins production in Edinburgh, Scotland
Core cast set to return alongside nine new faces
No word yet on release date or the number of episodes
Netflix has confirmed that the second season of the hit crime drama Dept Q. is now in production, filming in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Our core cast is set to return, including:
Matthew Goode as DCI Carl Morck
Alexej Manvelov as Akram Salim
Jamie Sives as DS James Hardy
Leah Byrne as DC Rose Dickson
Mark Bonnar as Stephen Burns,
Kate Dickie as Moira Jacobson
Aaron McVeigh as Jasper
Sanjeev Kohli as Martin Flemming
Nine new cast members will also be seen in new episodes. While we don't know exactly what their roles will be, we do have names:
Aisling Franciosi as Kimmie
Greg Wise as Derek Powell
Nicholas Rowe as Thomas Fulton
Tony Curran as Winnie Calderwood
Hamish Clark as Christopher Herron
Alex Ferns as Phil Allenbeck
Ross Anderson as Ricky Daddario
Rebecca Root as June Lovesay
Isla Johnston as Agnes
Currently, there's no word on exactly when Dept Q. season 2 will be released, nor how many episodes will make up the series.
However, we do have a brief idea of what the plot will involve thanks to the synopsis below.
Dept Q. season 2 set to explore a brand-new case
As per Netflix, Dept Q. season 2 follows "DCI Carl Morck heading up the maverick Dept. Q from the basement of an Edinburgh police station, charged with cases previously deemed unsolvable.
"This darkly humorous, propulsive show delivers all the pleasures of a procedural but takes us into the complex mysteries not just of the cases but of the detectives themselves."
Unsurprisingly, this is all very vague at this point in development. However, Rob Bullock, Executive Producer, Left Bank Pictures, added in a statement,“This season, Carl and his band of misfits tackle a terrible crime hidden in the highest echelons of Scottish society. It is a story for our times: rich and powerful people who believe they are above the law."
Executive Manda Levin agreed, "The story of season 2 is as darkly delicious as you’d expect, and Carl and his glorious gang will have their work cut out pinning down the perpetrators as we launch back in for more!”
What we know for sure is that we will continue to see an adaptation of Jussi Adler-Olsen’s original novels — but how faithful the show will be remains to be seen.
Modders use Luma Framework to bring DLSS/FSR support to Mass Effect: Andromeda and other games A new mod for Mass Effect Andromeda has landed, adding support for DLSS and FSR (FSR 3), allowing gamers to replace the game’s default TAA with a modern PC upscaling solution. While this mod does not enable DLSS/FSR upscaling, it […]
AMD has released its latest Software Development Kit (SDK) version 2.3, bringing updates to several AMD FSR Redstone DLL-based machine learning technologies. According to AMD, the most significant change from the FSR SDK 2.2, released in March, is an update to Ray Regeneration, now at version 1.2. In Ray Regeneration v1.2, AMD has implemented quality improvements and optional add-on ambient and specular denoising. This means that with Ray Regeneration, games can deliver much better results compared to analytical denoising using traditional machine learning. Since FSR Ray Regeneration denoising is decoupled from FSR Upscaling, the visual fidelity should be significantly improved when running on AMD GPUs.
Additionally, in this SDK release, AMD has introduced FSR Upscaling 4.1.1 to the AMD Radeon RX 7000 series of GPUs, based on the RDNA 3 GPU architecture. Beyond this specific RDNA 3 feature, the FSR Frame Generation version has been updated to 4.0.1, which is a minor update for machine learning-based frame generation and the frame generation swapchain. This update provides an easy way to handle dispatching the workloads required for frame interpolation and frame pacing. Since AMD GPUs don't have hardware-based flip metering for frame pacing, AMD uses software pacing presentation to maintain consistent frame generation.
ASUS and MEWC today announced the Landmark Battle, a special Excel Esports event that combines high-pressure spreadsheet competition with challenges inspired by notable global landmarks. The livestream will take place July 10, 5PM (London Time) on the Excel Esports YouTube channel. The event showcases how ASUS ExpertBook Ultra laptops and ASUS ZenScreen OLED portable monitors enable flexible, high-performance workflows in demanding real-world environments—empowering professionals to stay productive anytime, anywhere.
What was once considered a routine workplace skill has rapidly evolved into a global competitive phenomenon: Excel Esports has turned spreadsheet problem-solving into entertainment for millions of audiences online.
Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and Meta today announced a strategic multi-generation collaboration for Qualcomm Technologies to be a supplier for data center CPUs for Meta. Qualcomm Technologies' data center CPU, the Qualcomm Dragonfly C1000, is planned to power Meta's next-generation server fleet, underscoring the growing importance of high-performance, power-efficient compute in large-scale scale-out environments.
Qualcomm Technologies' solutions will be in production starting in the second half of 2028 and future data center capacity expansions. Qualcomm Technologies' platform approach, spanning advanced compute, high-performance connectivity, and system-level optimization, is designed to deliver substantial performance per watt and help reduce total cost of ownership at scale.
About a year ago, the Dutch non-profit consumer foundation Stichting Massaschade & Consument filed a lawsuit in the Netherlands against Sony over its supposed monopolistic practices in selling digital games on the PlayStation Store. This morning, the foundation issued a press release announcing that the first hearing in this class action lawsuit will take place at the Dutch District Court of Midden-Nederland on Monday, June 29. Following the hearing, the court will take a few months to rule on whether the foundation's case is admissible. It will then examine the merits of the foundation's claims. If the court finds in […]
Research Master AI is a professional research report generator built for business teams, founders, investors, marketers, and analysts. You don't need industry expertise or research experience; just describe what you want to study—a market, country, product category, or specific question—in plain English. Research Master AI turns that into a structured, data-backed, and traceable research report in minutes.
An unknown threat actor exploited a recently disclosed high-severity security flaw impacting Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN as a zero-day at least two months before it was publicly disclosed, according to new findings from Google-owned Mandiant.
The vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2026-20245 (CVSS score: 7.8), allows an authenticated, local attacker to execute arbitrary commands with elevated privileges
Two years ago, Netflix dramatically let me down. As a massive anime fan, I tuned into the first season of their live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender remake and was horrifically disappointed within minutes. In fact, the most positive critique you could give it is that it was better than the live-action movies, which are widely considered to be garbage.
Why? The action was all there, but the heart of Aang's story wasn't. Spectacular VFX tried to cover up the hollow, mundane narrative underneath. In fact, to quote a fantastic jaw-dropping writer called Jasmine Valentine: "There’s little room to learn, with life-changing realizations made in a ridiculously short amount of time. If a tale can’t be paid its due diligence in a certain remit, should we even bother at all?"
In 2026, my excitement for Avatar: The Last Airbender season 2 is non-existent. I've approached its seven-episode run with complete trepidation, honestly wondering if there is anything better that I could be covering this week. However — while a long way from being a masterpiece — the hit Netflix show has clearly been listening.
Now that all of the exhausting worldbuilding is out of the way (for the most part), fans can finally focus on the character relationships that they want to invest in. There's a lot of tenderness and vulnerability on display, which is the most fulfilling part of our cast having grown up so much between seasons.
But there's still something obvious that's really bothering me... and it comes back to Netflix's "cookie-cutter" mold that none of its programs can escape.
Avatar: The Last Airbender season 2 has finally learned its lesson about the importance of heart
Read it and weep (for joy), kids — Avatar: The Last Airbender season 2 actually has heart. If we're being honest, nobody had to put any effort into achieving this, with the mere fact that the lore of the Four Nations is fully established meaning there's now room for bigger, better things.
A mature Aang (Gordon Cormier) now straddles his inner struggles of legacy and constant imposter syndrome even more effectively, with the likes of Katara (Kiawentiio), Sokka (Ian Ousley), and Suki (Maria Zhang) now all settled into their selves, wants and needs.
If anything, Zuko (Dallas Liu) is going through it the most. After deserting his family and retreating into hiding at the end of season 1, we've got a lot more sympathy with him this time around as he grapples with his supposed destiny of capturing Aang for the Fire Nation's glory. Unlike Lord Ozai (Daniel Dae Kim), he's no longer a villain, but a victim.
The standout character of season 2 is easily Toph (Miya Cech), who has finally been introduced after not appearing in season 2. Coming from a complicated family background that routinely dismisses her Earthbending, she comes into her own sassy self after teaming up with Aang to teach him the next element.
Collectively, the team is now firing on all cylinders, and it's nothing short of a joy to watch. Now we understand who they are and what the bigger picture looks like; intimacy, fun, and genuinely satisfying friendships are now flourishing. The jokes land, the serious moments stab you in the heart, and whimsy is flying around like Appa the sky bison.
Netflix makes season 2 look exactly like The Witcher — just with different lore
(Image credit: Netflix)
Everything else in Avatar: The Last Airbender season 2 feels like more of the same — and that's a huge problem when it comes to the visuals. Broadly speaking, the Four Nations are jaw-droppingly gorgeous, and the detail that the creative team has packed into the landscapes is nothing short of impressive.
The immediate VFX, such as the bending that our characters use, leave a lot to be desired. It's obviously not a usual thing for people to have fire and water shooting out of their hands, so we're suspending a great deal of belief anyway... but being in the moment doesn't help when seeing it happen looks so fake.
This lumps season 2 into the same visually poor category as The Witcher, which is another comparison I made during season 1's debut. Cover the faces of the actors, stick them in the woods for a combat scene, and you'd be hard-pressed to tell the shows apart. Netflix is determined to make all of its genre programs look exactly like one another, and I'm baffled as to why.
Then there's the ultimate ending, which we already know without including spoilers. Much like other long-running anime series like One Piece (with its Netflix adaptation also guilty of this), we've known about the final endgame from its first five minutes. Here, it's for Aang to learn his bending skills, become all-powerful, and defeat Lord Ozai and the Fire Nation.
With a third series already confirmed, this is being drawn out for as long as humanly possible. It was obvious that none of the above was going to be achieved by the time season 2 wrapped up, so we've made little substantial progress from when Aang's goal was first introduced.
For me, the constant theme of "Oh no! Danger is on the horizon, and the Fire Nation must be stopped" is going to wear thin quickly. I'd really like to see season 3 mix things up, but I'm guessing that it won't.
Did I enjoy seeing Aang and the gang in 2026 more than in 2024? Absolutely. Has it renewed my interest in seeing them again at the end of 2027 (season 3's assumed release window)? Far from it.
In the latest batch of seven episodes, the target is the hidden city of Ba Sing Se — and as of season 2 episode 6, it's been captured.
With Avatar Aang (Gordon Cormier) the only person who can save the day, the pressure is on to stop Fire Lord Ozai (Daniel Dae Kim) from doing any more damage.
Unluckily, Princess Azula (Elizabeth Yu) is taking her dad's wishes into her own hands. But can our favorite gang cope with her fiendish plans?
Here's everything you need to know about the Avatar: The Last Airbender season 2 ending... and what it might mean for the already confirmed season 3.
Appa, Sokka, Zuko and Katara are all captured by the Dai Li — which is now controlled by Azula
(Image credit: Netflix)
We kick off Avatar: The Last Airbender season 2 episode 8 with a flashback of baby Aang meeting Appa the sky bison for the first time. Aang feeds Appa an apple (trying to say that three times fast), and they embrace.
Cut to the present day, where Appa has been kidnapped by the Dai Li — Ba Sing Se's secret police force — which is now being controlled by Princess Azula. Trust me, you will cry seeing him in chains.
In a meeting with the city's Grand Secretariat, Long Feng (Chin Han), Azula kills all of Ba Sing Se's highest-ranking men in the force when they question why the Fire Nation wants to control the city. Long Feng, however, begrudgingly but fearfully complies with Azula's plan: to raise Ba Sing Se's drawbridge and let the Fire Nation troops roll in, taking out anything they want in the process.
Remember, this is all coming from Lord Ozai's orders, despite Azula being a more than willing vehicle for them. But Appa isn't the only Aang ally the Dai Li has captured on her orders, with Sokka (Ian Ousley) and Katara (Kiawentiio) also in separate cells.
Sokka reunites with inventor Sai (Danny Pudi) in his cell, with the inventor already being captured before his arrival. Together, they try to figure out how to use the prison's underground structure to break free.
Katara has been put in a cell with Zuko (Dallas Liu), who was caught by the Dai Li after "doing a good act." This marks the biggest pinnacle in Zuko's personal struggle between good and evil so far, and Azula has no idea that he's jailed.
Meanwhile, Toph (Miya Cech) returns home to her mother, complaining that Aang and co. "don't understand her" after their huge falling out in episode 6. While initially seeming on board with how great Toph's earthbending powers are, her mother poisons Toph's tea in order to try and control her urge to leave home forever.
Aang and Iroh plan an escape mission
(Image credit: Netflix )
So where is Aang in this? Right behind his pals, having already figured out where Appa is underground just by sensing him. When the Azula-controlled Dai Li parade through the center of Ba Sing Se, he's hidden by allies made in season 2, episode 1.
When he attempts to approach the Dai Li's underground jail, he's spotted by Iroh (Paul Sun-Hyung Lee) and is immediately suspicious. Iroh reveals that he's also on a mission to break Zuko out of jail, thinking that the pair should team up for maximum effect.
Iroh tells Aang about a secret door that Avatar Kyoshi once installed to lead into the underground caves, but it needs all four elements bent at once to be able to open it. Aang is missing his firebending powers at this stage, so he needs Iroh just as much as Iroh needs Aang.
Together, the pair locate and open the door, and set off on their rescue mission.
Zuko tries to bond with Katara
(Image credit: Netflix)
While Sokka and Sai try to be proactive, Katara learns who Zuko really is. Immediately, she goes on the defensive, telling him how all of her family — and the entire Waterbending tribe — were wiped out thanks to the hostile Fire Nation invasion.
Zuko definitely feels empathy for Katara, but still has a chip on his shoulder. He tells her that the Fire Nation also stripped him of his family, with his mother dying at the hands of Lord Ozai.
The more the two talk, the more they realize that they have a lot in common. It's the closest we've even seen Zuko come to his "good" side, and it seems as though he's finally going to stay that way for good.
Looking at the burn mark around his left eye, Katara offers to try and heal Zuko using the waterbending potion in the locket around her neck. Just as she's about to apply it, Aang and Iroh storm in, having found and released Sokka and Sai first.
Aang goes to fight Zuko, but Iroh stops him, claiming that he's seen huge changes for the better in his nephew. Not quite believing that Zuko has defected from the Fire Nation, the gang sets off in search of the exit.
Aang's escape plan is thwarted
(Image credit: Netflix)
With the Dai Li everywhere, the gang splits up. Aang goes to find Appa after Long Feng brings him up to speed with Azula's plans, earthbending a hole through the ceiling so that Appa can fly to safety.
But as he tries to rejoin the others, he passes another prisoner who was originally being psychologically tortured by a Dai Li officer earlier on. Aang offers to bring her with them, but instead of accepting his offer, she shouts that "the Avatar is here," alerting the guards.
From there, it's fighting on all fronts. In pairs, the group makes light work of the Dai Li roaming the hallways, especially when Toph joins suits, revealing that she has invented "metalbending."
In fact, metalbending is how she ended up there in the first place. When she wakes up after her poisoning, Toph awakes in a metal box riding inside her mother's horse and carriage. Coming to the conclusion that Aang really does understand her, where her family doesn't, she bends the box and flies out of the carriage, making her way to safety.
An all-out battle with Azula changes Zuko's allegiance
(Image credit: Netflix)
With the fight raging on, Azula soon joins the mix, learning that her brother is among the escapees. Honing her focus on him, she tries to convince him, once again, to rejoin her side.
At first, Zuko remains hesitant, more confident in his newfound ability to do good things. But when Azula brings up the death of their mother, he changes his mind.
Where Zuko has always held a grudge against Azula for how she acted when their mother died, Azula reveals that she was only acting on her mother's orders. Their mom wanted the siblings to stay together through the trauma, breaking an emotional trigger point inside Zuko when he hears this.
By the time the rest of the gang reach a large clearing in the underground caves, Azula and Zuko emerge to fight them all as a team. This shocks Katara, who had genuinely believed that Zuko was coming around to being on their side.
After a lot of intense bending and fighting, it looks as though Azula has Aang right where she wants him — after all, the entire point of kidnapping his friends was to lure Aang to Ba Sing Se.
But in his hour of need, Aang taps into what can best be described as an "Avatar portal," seeing physical forms of all the Avatars that came before him in his mind's eye. More clearly, it's what causes Aang's eyes and head arrow to turn a shining blue, as he's essentially channelling their collective power through his body.
Aang is left unconscious
(Image credit: Netflix)
At this point, we see Aang's best bending to date, turning the tables on Azula and leaving her (and the Dai Li guards who join her) powerless.
But just as he's about to deliver the final blow, Aang loses his inner vision, effectively shutting his power off. He collapses to the floor, but Katara, Sokka and Toph are able to get him to safety thanks to Appa having waited outside.
With Ba Sing Se still under Azula's control, our final scene shows the gang flying away on Appa's back. Kata uses the potion she initially offered to Zuko on Aang, aiming to heal him and bring him back to full health.
However, nothing happens after she gives it to him, with the final shot showing Aang completely unconscious and unresponsive.
Season 3 predictions
(Image credit: Netflix)
Obviously, finding out if Aang has actually survived the battle is a top priority for season 3. But the mere fact that season 3 has already been greenlit basically confirms that we'll be seeing Aang again anyway.
In a nutshell, we can expect to see Aang learning to firebend, infiltrating the Fire Nation, and preparing for his climactic showdown with Fire Lord Ozai before Sozin's Comet arrives. Not too much, then.
We also know that Zuko will eventually team up with Aang and the gang to make this happen, so we can expect to see some more emotional upheaval from him.
We're hoping to see season 3 episodes next summer.
Getting AI-ready while building your data infrastructure is like learning to drive a manual transmission on the wrong side of the road.
It’s complicated and requires potentially dangerous multitasking.
Organizations with immature data-handling processes that are adopting AI are trying to solve multiple technology problems at once, and risk stalling out.
Unsurprisingly, 48% of enterprises cited data-related issues as their top challenge to AI adoption in NVIDIA's 2026 State of AI report.
Most enterprise AI programs don't fail because of the model or solution selected. They fail because underlying data is fragmented, inconsistent and poorly governed.
Get Your Data Foundation in Order
Enterprise data is messy in layers. It’s scattered across many systems, making it hard to pull together into a coherent picture. Even when you can consolidate it, you often will run into granularity or identifier mismatches. One application may store account numbers as plain digits, while another adds “ACCT” as a prefix. That small inconsistency creates an extra reconciliation step every time you join those data sets.
Data governance compounds the problem. Without a system intentionally designed to control who accesses data, where it moves and what protections are in place, gaps emerge fast. PII exposure is the most obvious risk: an email address that ends up in the wrong hands can trigger a serious breach. Raw, unstructured data also yields mediocre AI outputs and is more expensive to process.
Clean, structured data yields better results at lower cost. A third gap, explainability, is quickly becoming a legal requirement. Many countries and several U.S. states now require organizations to demonstrate how AI-driven decisions were reached. Cut corners on the data foundation and you may not be able to show that chain of reasoning.
At that point, you’re either in compliance violation territory or your model is producing outputs you can’t defend.
Three Steps to Get Your Data AI-Ready
Define governance before you deploy. Classify your data: what is it, where did it come from and who can touch it. Separate the roles of technical decision-making and compliance oversight. Keeping those responsibilities with different people prevents a compromising situation where the same person sets the rules and monitors compliance.
Run cross-functional AI governance as a standing function. Assign a representative from every department and meet monthly to discuss what teams are working on, what concerns have surfaced and what support they need from one another.
Approach larger AI-readiness initiatives like any other business project: assign a project manager, designate an executive owner, set a weekly cadence, build a task list and work through it.
Collect behavioral data even before you need it. The outcomes you get from AI vary enormously depending on how skilled the operator is, ranging from using it as an expensive search engine to developing autonomous workflows. Without visibility, you might be pouring money into AI licenses and getting Google-level output in return.
You don’t know who needs training, whether they have the right tool in front of them or what outcomes they’re achieving. The risk is that you make the wrong strategic call as a result—abandoning a rollout, for example, when the real fix was better training or a different tool.
Further considerations
Here’s another layer to consider. When an experienced worker completes a task, with AI assistance, they leave more skilled than when they started. The output and the learning happen together. That's what behavioral data should demonstrate over time – not just task completion, but upward skill trajectories.
When someone at the beginning of the learning curve accepts whatever AI produces without critically engaging with it, you get the output but not the growth. Behavioral data is how you catch that gap early, before it becomes a long-term cost you can't unwind.
Stay curious and look for the easy wins. Focus your data readiness efforts on the workflows where work actually happens, and prioritize tools that let you get at that data.
A recent example illustrates the payoff. A product manager ran an AI-powered analysis of quarterly bug patterns using data from the department’s most commonly used tools. The results were unexpected. One team carried a disproportionate share of incoming tickets, most of them requests for manual workarounds to a missing product feature.
While other teams split their time roughly 75% on new work and 25% on incoming bugs, that team was closer to 50-50. By not building a single feature, the organization was effectively operating 1.5 people below capacity.
The entire analysis took about 45 minutes. None of it would have been possible without data that was organized, tagged by team, connected to individual contributors, accessible via existing AI connectors and protected by role-based access controls.
The organizations that get the most from AI are the ones that empower their people to ask "I wonder if there's something here" — and have data to diagnose in an afternoon. That only happens when the foundation is already in place.
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
Recent court developments in Germany have put an important issue into the robotics spotlight.
A German court in Hamburg has issued a preliminary injunction against Elite Robots Germany in a copyright infringement case involving copying of Universal Robots software.
As a result, the company is not allowed to offer or distribute the products covered by the decision in Germany while the case continues.
At first, this may sound like technical legal news only relevant for the German market.
But it highlights broader questions that matter to every company investing in automation – especially when choosing a collaborative robot that will operate close to people and become part of daily production.
Here are five reasons why.
1. Copying creates real risk for customers
When protected robot software or design is copied without permission, the impact extends well beyond the supplier and exposes all parties in the value chain to significant legal risk.
It can affect end-customers directly as using an infringing product for commercial purposes, such as a robot with infringing software in a production line, can itself constitute a legal violation.
This not only creates a risk of court-ordered remedies, including preliminary or permanent injunctions requiring the immediate shutdown and removal of the affected robots, but also exposes customers to costly and disruptive litigation and potential business interruption.
Automation systems are long‑term investments meant to run for years. Legal uncertainty at supplier level can turn into a real business risk on the factory floor.
2. “Similar” does not mean safe
Collaborative industrial robots are often described as safe, but safety is not automatic. It depends on how a robot is designed, tested, and used in real applications.
A robot that looks or behaves like another system does not share its safety profile. Safety comes from reliable hardware, validated software, certified functions, clear limits, and proper documentation. These cannot be copied by appearance alone.
Superficial similarity creates a dangerous false sense of security, which may result in serious physical injury to operators and bystanders.
3. Lower price can mean higher cost later
The purchase price of a robot is easy to compare. The long‑term cost is not.
If your robot vendor ends up in a legal battle, besides the question of even being able to use it legally, you also face uncertainty about product availability, software updates and service support.
Unexpected downtime, lack of updates or compliance challenges can quickly outweigh any initial savings. This has never been more relevant as modern robots are software‑driven machines. Motion control, force limits, diagnostics, and safety logic all depend on software.
If customers do not know where the software comes from, who owns it, or how it is maintained, they introduce uncertainty into production. Original, well‑understood software is essential for reliable and predictable operation over time.
In automation, shortcuts often appear affordable at first but expensive later. And as with all things in life: if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
4. Buying copycat tech shapes the future of automation
Every automation investment sends a signal about what the market rewards. Choosing original, lawfully developed technology encourages long‑term engineering, robust safety practices, and continued product improvement. Choosing copycat technology does the opposite: it normalizes shortcuts, weakens incentives to invest in research and compliance, and shifts competition away from quality and reliability.
Over time, widespread tolerance of intellectual property infringement affects the entire robotics ecosystem, from suppliers and integrators to suppliers and regulators. It increases uncertainty and ultimately makes it harder for manufacturers to rely on stable platforms that will be supported and improved for years to come.
Protecting original technology is not about limiting choice or slowing competition. It is about ensuring that competition is based on real innovation, verified safety, and accountability – and that customers can invest in automation with confidence, knowing the technology they rely on is built to last.
5. Trust in the original
In summary, choosing a robot is not only about specifications and price. It is about trust.
Buyers need confidence that a robot is legally sound, properly certified, and supported by people who truly understand the technology. Trust comes from transparency, responsibility, and deep technical knowledge – not from claims or visual similarity.
Automation is becoming increasingly central to modern manufacturing and as it does, questions of originality, safety, and integrity become part of responsible decision‑making.
So, no matter if you’re purchasing your first robots or expanding your fleet, before asking what a robot can do, it is worth asking a simple question:
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
Colorful today introduced the iGame B850I Mini OC V14, a fairly premium Socket AM5 motherboard in the Mini-ITX form-factor, which aesthetically matches its iGame Mini line of SFF-ready GeForce RTX 50-series graphics cards, including the very capable RTX 5070 Mini OC. The board draws power from a combination of 24-pin ATX and a single 8-pin EPS power connector; and conditions it for the CPU with a 9+2+1 phase VRM solution that uses 60 A DrMOS. The Socket AM5 SoC is wired to two reinforced DDR5 DIMM slots, and the board's sole expansion slot, a reinforced PCI-Express 5.0 x16. Both the M.2-2280 slots on this board—one on the obverse side, and the other reverse—are Gen 5, and wired to the processor in a way that they don't subtract lanes from the PEG slot.
The M.2 slot on the obverse side gets a chunky aluminium heatsink. Besides the two M.2 Gen 5 slots, you get two SATA 6 Gbps ports. USB connectivity includes a 20 Gbps USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 front-panel header, and two additional USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports from a separate front-panel header. The rear panel has one 10 Gbps USB 3.2 Gen 2 type-A, two 5 Gbps USB 3.2 Gen 1, and four USB 2.0. Display outputs include both HDMI and DisplayPort. Network connectivity includes Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 from a MediaTek MT7925 160 MHz WLAN adapter, and a 5 GbE interface driven by a Realtek RTL8126-CG PHY. The onboard audio solution uses a Realtek ALC1200 HDA codec. The company didn't reveal pricing.
We're now over halfway through Amazon Prime Day, but the deals continue! There is still plenty of time to grab some of your favorite PC hardware, and we're tracking a range of deals on components like GPUs, SSDs, CPUs, and more.
Of course, the PC component landscape is pretty bleak right now, but that makes the discounts you can find all the more valuable. We're tracking prices 24/7 and curating them here, using our hands-on experience to bring you recommendations. We also track prices extensively
So, whether you're in the market for a new pair of headphones, a gaming keyboard, a monitor, or a cheap impulse buy, check out the deals below. Remember, you'll need an Amazon Prime Day membership for Prime Day deals, but plenty of the discounts on offer come from other retailers like Newegg and Best Buy.
The Corsair Xeneon Edge is a 14.5-inch display designed to serve as an extension for your desktop and give you a small screen to host your most important apps. Its versatility means you can mount it practically anywhere — horizontally under your main monitor, vertically beside your primary display, or as a digital status panel inside your PC case.View Deal
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
At just 2.17 inches long, this flashlight is rated to 50 lumens, and it sports a magnetic back with a USB-A plug for charging. Pulling the back off turns on the flashlight, and the magnetic back makes it easy to mount the light on anything with ferrous metal.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
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
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
Good morning an welcome to day 3 of Amazon Prime Day, stay tuned for all the very best deals on PC hardware from Amazon, and beyond!
Wavlink’s Thunderbolt 5 docking station falls to under $200 for Prime Day
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
If you have a Thunderbolt 5 Windows PC or Mac, investing in a good docking station is critical to supporting a large variety of accessories and monitors. This is especially true for ultrabooks, which often have only two external ports that must be shared between charging and connectivity. With this in mind, Wavlink's WL-UTD58 Thunderbolt 5 docking station is a perfect solution for adding I/O ports and is on sale for $195 (versus a list price of $299.99).
First of all, it is pretty well stacked with ports:
The Wavlink WL-UTD58 is a Thunderbolt 5 docking station that provides three downstream Thunderbolt 5 ports, SD and microSD slots, four USB-A ports, and a 2.5 GbE port.View Deal
I tested the WL-UTD58-M version of this dock, which is identical, save for the inclusion of an internal M.2 slot for a PCIe 4.0 SSD. It offers solid performance, has good build quality, and has easily accessible ports. My only gripe is that the Thunderbolt 5 port for connecting to the host machine is on the front of the unit instead of the back, but that’s a relatively minor issue. — Brandon Hill
Get a 5070 laptop for just $1,249
If you're in the market for a gaming laptop, the Asus V16 gets you an RTX 5070 for just $1,249. That's one of the better laptops we've seen over this week, and this discount is new for the early hours of Thursday, the lowest price we've ever seen on this model.
Get an RTX 5070 laptop with a 144Hz display, 16GB of DDR5 RAM, and a 1TB SSD. View Deal
Gaming laptops are often very big and clunky, and while this isn't as light as a MacBook Air, it is definitely one of the lower-profile models on the market, making it a bit more portable.
The 10-core Intel CPU has four efficiency cores and six performance cores, with max boost clocks of up to 5.2 GHz. There's 8GB of VRAM in the RTX 5070, which should be plenty for good frames at the 1920 x 1200 resolution. While this is an LED display, rather than OLED, you're still getting a good 144Hz refresh rate. Couple that with 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD, and this is a pretty excellent gaming laptop. - Stephen Warwick
UK monitor madness
Just scouring some UK deals, and I've come across this frankly ridiculous monitor deal. You can get a 27-inch Lenovo gaming monitor with 2560 x 1440p resolution and a 200Hz refresh rate for just £99, fully 50% off the usual price.
Get a 200Hz QHD monitor for just £99, which includes two HDMI 2.1 ports, DisplayPort 1.2, and an anti-glare screen. View Deal
This would be a fantastic monitor to pair with a gaming PC, or for use with an Xbox Series X or PlayStation 5, and at just £99, it's one of the best-value monitors in the UK right now. - Stephen Warwick
It’s Grand Theft Auto VI preorder day, and here are all the links to get the Standard or Ultimate editions
(Image credit: Rockstar)
Grand Theft Auto VI is by far the most highly anticipated new game release of 2026, and perhaps, ever. Preorders opened this morning at midnight ET, but the game won’t actually be available to play until November 19, 2026.
If you’re feeling eager to hand money to Rockstar and Take Two Interactive early, the Standard Edition is available for $79.99. It includes the base game, the Vintage Vice City Pack with retro-themed cosmetics, and the '55 Vapid Stanier vehicle. Stepping up to the Ultimate Edition for $99.99 gets you extra side missions and activities, more vehicles, guns, and a closet full of outfits and cosmetic flourishes for the two protagonists: Jason and Lucia.
Grand Theft Auto VI is the most highly anticipated game of 2026View Deal
Grand Theft Auto VI is the most highly anticipated game of 2026View Deal
Here are all the current retailers that are offering preorders for Grand Theft Auto VI:
At under 9 cents per gigabyte, it's one of the best prices we've seen in recent months for a solid-state drive. Granted, it's an external drive that requires its own power adapter, but if you need desktop storage that's faster than a hard drive, it'll get the job done. Plus, it's blue, unlike the previous-gen version, which we tested in 2024.
SanDisk advertises this drive as "up to 4x faster than a desktop HDD," and it's rated at up to 1,000 MBps, so it's no speed demon. It also needs its own power plug, but that means you can connect to your device via USB-C or USB-A. Both cables are included, but generally, a USB-C 10 Gbps connection will deliver faster speeds than most USB-A ports.View Deal
SanDisk's Desk Drive line is a little unique in that it's meant for permanent, desk-bound use, because it needs both a USB connection for data and a barrel connector for power. That makes it good for backup and local storage, but it's not the typical tiny external SSD you can toss in a bag with one cable and take wherever you need it. Think of this as the solid-state equivalent of a desktop external hard drive.
It is much smaller than a 3.5-inch drive, but it's not very portable. When we tested the previous version of this drive, we saw real-world read speeds under 800 MBps, and writes under 550 MBps. That's not bad, but not near the fastest 10 Gbps drives we've tested. Hopefully, SanDisk has improved performance for this updated generation, but for backup and most mainstream use, this drive should be fine, and is much faster than an external hard drive. And since it's solid-state storage, it should be hold up much better to the occasional bump or drop. --Matt Safford
(Image credit: Sandisk)
One of the best budget gaming keyboards we've tested hits its lowest-ever Amazon price of just $43 — RK R65 packs lubed switches, metallic knob, and gasket mount for excellent sound and feel
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
Royal Kludge's RK R65 is one of our picks for best budget mechanical keyboards, thanks to a and-out feature set for the price, plus excellent sound and feel. It normally sells for between $50 and $60, but today at Amazon, you can pick up this compact 60% clacker for just $42.74.
The RK R65 is an excellent budget 60% wired keybaord, with RGB, swappable factory-lubed linear switches, a gasket mount and silicone pads, QMK/VIA support for customizing keys, and a metal volume knob. This is by far one of the nicest-sounding and nicest-looking keyboards I've used in this price range.View Deal
The R65's feature set reads like something priced closer to $100. The keyboard boasts RGB backlighting, factory-lubed switches (RK Cream in this variant), a gasket mount, two silicone pads to absorb stound, and (somewhat) metal volume knob. The result is the best-sounding budget keyboard I've ever used — so much so that I've been using it as my daily driver in the office for over a year, despite the lack of a Function row and other handy keys.
The 60% layout is best-suited to gaming, and it works quite well for that. But with its dedicated arrow keys, I get by using it for productivity. And if you don't like the bronze-and-brown color scheme of this model, there are four other color and switch options that are currently priced between $45 . -- Matt Safford
Apple’s 13.6-inch M5 MacBook Air gets a huge $350 discount — 16GB/1TB drops to $949.99
Although a lot of the deals during Prime Day have been PC-centric, Amazon is also showing some love to people of the Apple persuasion. The MacBook Air is Apple’s perennial bestseller, and the current-generation 13.6-inch model with the M5 chip, 16GB of memory, and a 1TB SSD is now priced at $949.99, which is a steep 27% discount from its $1,299.99 MSRP.
In this case, the discount only applies to the “Starlight” colorway, which is a mix of silver and light gold. The 13.6-inch IPS display carries a 2560 x 1665 resolution, while a 12MP Center Stage camera is nestled in a notch at the top of the display. The laptop only features two Thunderbolt 4 ports for connectivity, but you at least get a dedicated MagSafe 3 port for charging (so you don’t have to “waste” one of the Thunderbolt 4 ports).
The 13.6-inch MacBook Air has an M5 processor, 16GB of unified memory and a 1TB SSD.View Deal
The 2.7-pound laptop comes with a 53.8 WHr battery, which lasted over 15 hours in our endurance testing. The MacBook Air isn’t the fastest laptop on the market, and it doesn’t offer a fancy OLED display, but at this price, it is absolutely one of the best values. — Brandon Hill
This multi-device wireless gaming headset is $100 off for Prime Day
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
If you're looking for a headset that can connect to your PC, your PlayStation, and your Xbox at the same time, look no further than the Astro A50 X Lightspeed. This premium wireless gaming headset is lightweight and versatile, though it requires its base station to work — and it's currently on sale for $299.98 at Logitech — that's $100 off its regular retail price of $399.99 (yeah, it's a pretty expensive headset to begin with).
This wireless over-ear gaming headset is designed to connect to up to three devices at once (plus Bluetooth). It comes with a powered base station that acts as a charging dock and a transmitter. View Deal
The Astro A50 X Lightspeed is a wireless over-ear gaming headset that comes with a powered base station that acts as both a wireless charging dock and a transmitter. The base station can connect to your PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox at the same time, though it does need to connect to each device via cable. Then, you can switch between three connections — four, if you also connect to Bluetooth — with the press of a button. One caveat, though — all connections use the base station, including the Bluetooth connection. So you won't be able to take this headset on the road (or, well, even too far from your PC) with you.
The A50 X features Logitech's 40mm Pro-G Graphene dynamic drivers, which have a frequency response range of 20 - 20,000 Hz. The headset has a non-detachable omnidirectional boom mic and a lightweight plastic frame with felt-covered padded earcups. It's a fairly comfortable headset with a slightly bass-heavy sound profile that can be tweaked using Logitech G Hub. You can read my full review of the Astro A50 X here. — Sarah
My favorite faux-leather desk mat is just $11
My favorite faux-leather desk mat is yet again on sale for just $11.30 at Amazon — 19% off its normal retail price of 13.99. Assuming you're not looking for a performance-oriented gaming mouse pad, this desk mat is a great option for protecting your desk and making it look great.
Sarah's favorite faux-leather desk mat is attractive, easy to clean, and enormous (31.5 x 15.7 inches). Perfect for keeping your whole desk looking brand new. View Deal
It comes in a variety of colors (I personally like the navy blue, but it also comes in a variety of dark and light colors, all of which are on sale) and sizes. I've been using the dark blue 31.5 x 15.7-inch desk pad as my primary backdrop for photos (you probably recognize it), but I also have it in light blue, light grey, and lavender. It has a soft, matte faux leather top and a suede-like non-slip backing with unfinished edges. It's super easy to clean and also comes with a one-year warranty. And it's only $11, so, why not? — Sarah
Netgear Nighthawk RS90 delivers value-priced dual-band Wi-Fi 7 coverage for under $90
The Nighthawk RS90 is a dual-band Wi-Fi 7 router, meaning it supports the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz wireless bands but lacks the higher-performing (at shorter ranges) 6 GHz radio. However, that omission means that dual-band Wi-Fi 7 routers can be much cheaper. In this instance, the RS90 is $87.39, down from $129.
The RS90 includes four GbE ports, one 2.5 GbE WAN port, and supports up to 2,000 square feet. It features a tall, black, monolith-like design and can support up to 50 devices simultaneously.
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
For ease of setup, the RS90 can be configured quickly using the Netgear Nighthawk smartphone app, or, if you prefer, via the desktop-based webGUI. The RS90 also comes with a 30-day trial of Netgear Armor, which provides network intrusion protection and malware detection for your connected devices. - Brandon Hill
Ultra-wide monitors are a great productivity enhancer, giving you more horizontal workspace. That’s especially true of the LG Ultragear 45GX950A-B, a 45-inch gaming monitor currently priced at $1,337.90, down from a high of $1,999.99.
The LG Ultragear 45GX950A-B is a 45-inch OLED monitor with a 5120 x 2160 resolution, which operates at 165 Hz natively, or 330 Hz at WFHD.View Deal
The 45GX950A-B features a 21:9 aspect ratio, 5,120 x 2,160 resolution, and, most importantly, a WOLED panel. Not only do you get the brilliant colors inherent to OLEDs, but the underlying WOLED panel technology also skews toward higher brightness (1,300-nit peak in this case).
Regarding performance, the 45GX950A-B can operate at up to 165 Hz at its native resolution, but jumps to 330 Hz at WFHD (2560 x 1080). It offers a 1,500,000:1 contrast ratio and 98.5 percent DCI-P3 coverage, while being DisplayHDR True Black 400-certified. On the connectivity front, the monitor offers two HDMI 2.1 ports, one DisplayPort 2.1 port, and a USB-C port with DisplayPort Alt Mode support.
Get almost $100 off on AMD Ryzen 7 9700X - Just $259 (28% off) starts your upgrade journey into the AM5 platform
Prime Day 2026 has seen many discounts come and go. One of the better deals we’ve seen on AMD processors is the Ryzen 7 9700X, which is on sale for only $259.23. While it’s not at an all-time low, this is the best price since late 2025. The 9700X is based on the Zen 5 architecture and is an 8-core, 16-thread processor that fits AM5 motherboards (think X870, B850, X670, B650). We reviewed this CPU when it launched, and while it’s not an X3D chip, we loved its gaming performance for the price, low power consumption, and ease of cooling.
Save almost $100 on the Ryzen 7 9700X processor in this Prime Day deal. Just $259.99 gets you the latest generation unlocked 8-core, 16-thread processor that will charge through any task you throw at it.View Deal
FutureFutureFuture
The chip has a base clock of 3.8 GHz and boosts up to 5.5 GHz. The low TDP (65W) and PPT (88W) make it easier to cool, and you can potentially have a quieter system since you aren’t cooling over 200W like their flagship-class processors. If this isn’t a drop-in upgrade from the 7000-series, check out our best motherboards and best motherboard deals articles for help finding one on discount.
Save 72% on this brilliant Razer mechanical gaming keyboard
The Razer Huntsman V2 Analog has been a popular choice for a few years, and while it is aging, it's still a great board to own. Luckily, you can pick one up for nearly 2/3rd's of its original price, with Woot dropping the cost to just $69.99.
That's $35 less than you'll find on Amazon right now, and $15 less than Amazon's best-ever price for it.
Grab this top-quality wired Razer keyboard with RGB lighting and analog optical switches, as well as an ergonomic magnetic wrist rest.View Deal
This is a great board for gaming. It comes with analog optical switches, which you can customize to suit your preferences. It has rapid trigger mode, letting you repeatedly press keys at a faster rate in any fast-paced games you play. It features doubleshot PBT keycaps for durability, and includes RGB lighting across each key.
You also get an ergonomic, magnetic wrist rest for maximum comfort. This is Razer at its best, and with a 72% discount, it's one epic bargain that you won't want to ignore. - Stephen Warwick
This fun $28 SSD enclosure is practical nostalgia for storing your files
This Hagibis SSD enclosure for $27.99, shaped like an old floppy disk, is the perfect no-need-to-think upgrade for your storage setup. It's cheap, easy to use, and practical, but it's also fun.
This Hagibis SSD enclosure brings back the classic floppy disk to the modern age. This USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 drive enclosure supports M.2 NVMe 2230 and 2242 SSDs and measures just 2.6 x 2.6 x 0.2 inches in size.View Deal
After all, everyone has a boring old black box for their storage. This floppy disk SSD enclosure lets you indulge in some nostalgia (if you're old enough to remember using these, that is). It works by placing an internal SSD inside the drive and using it as portable storage. This will save you big money on the cost of an external SSD, especially if you're a techie with any old drives going spare.
You're not just buying a useless box here. Any internal M.2 NVMe SSD will work inside this enclosure, letting you hook it up to your PC or laptop using a USB-C cable. It offers USB 3.2 Gen 2 speeds of up to 10 Gbps, so the enclosure should, theoretically, offer a maximum read and write speed of around 1,000 to 1,2000 MB/s. That's a big increase over a microSD card or flash drive, for instance.
If you've got a spare drive, pop one in this SSD enclosure. If you don't, you can couple it with one of the few Prime Day SSD deals that are around at the moment. — Ben Stockton
This excellent pre-built PC is still an incredible $700 off
Expensive RAM and SSDs have sent pricing skyward, making pre-built gaming PCs often the best pathway to getting a new system at a reasonable price. This MSI Codex R2 gaming PC is a perfect example, with its $710 discount putting pricing well ahead of what you would pay for the components separately. 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 is competent to push the RTX 5070, which provides plenty of grunt for most 1440p gaming. 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 FPS at 1440p. 4K gaming is definitely a stretch on this one, but at just $1,589, that's to be expected. - Stephen
While it’s arguably a compact cordless vacuum first, Hoto calls this handy desk-side gadget a Compressed Air Canister, and that’s more apt, because it functions both as an air duster and a vacuum, making it a handy rechargeable device that I’ve kept near my desk for the past year or so. And right now, it’s 25% off for Amazon for Prime Day.
This combination air duster and vacuum is great for cleaning out things and cleaning up small messes. It’s rated to 500 L/min air output and up to 15,000Pa suction, comes with several handy attachments and, like most similar devices, will run for about 10 minutes at full speed before needing a recharge over USB-C View Deal
I’ve used the Hoto’s vacuum feature dozens of times, mostly to clean up small messes like dropped bits of salad around my desk. Its dirt canister is pretty small, so don’t expect it to be super useful for larger tasks like cleaning out a car or collecting larger piles of debris, but it’s helpful for keeping your desk space tidy.
Likewise, if you remove the vacuum attachments, spin it around, and add one of the nozzles on the other end, it’s great at blowing dust and debris out of keyboards, the insides of PC cases, or other tasks you might typically use canned air to tackle. Whichever way you use it, this device from Hoto delivers a useful amount of air movement. It’s not as compact as some dedicated rechargeable blowers, but it’s still compact, about the size of a tall drink can, with a slimmer circumference.
It is, of course, taller with its attachments, and my main complaint is that Hoto doesn’t give you anything to keep track of the attachments, so I often have to spend time hunting them down when I need something that isn’t already connected to the device. But if you have a 3D printer, you can solve that problem yourself with one of these handy designs. — Matt Safford
Grab one of the most comfortable wired gaming headsets for just $56
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
If you're looking for a budget-friendly headset, one of our favorite wired headsets is now 41% off. The HyperX Cloud III wired gaming headset is a comfy wired headset with a detachable boom mic, and you can snag the white version now at Amazon for just $56.04 — 44% off its normal retail price of $99.99.
This wired gaming headset features a premium build, angled 53mm dynamic drivers, and a detachable 10mm boom microphone. View Deal
As long as you don't need a wireless headset, the Cloud III is a fantastic — and very budget-friendly — option. It has a solid, well-built frame with curved metal yokes and a headband and earpads with leatherette-covered memory foam padding. It's pretty lightweight, at just 10.86 ounces (308g) including the cord but minus the detachable boom mic, but — more importantly — it's super comfortable. It's probably the most comfortable headset we've tested to date — no exaggeration.
It has 53mm dynamic drivers that are angled for a better audio experience, and it sounds pretty good — not as good as an audiophile headset, but it has a fantastic bass response and a balanced overall sound profile. It's a solid pick for both music listening and gaming. It comes with a detachable boom mic that has a red mute indicator light at the end, so you always know when people can and can't hear you. You can read my full review of the HyperX Cloud III here. — Sarah
Get most of a DDR5 build with $634 with this Ryzen 5 9600X bundle at Newegg
One of the best ways to get started with a DDR5 platform right now is with a bundle deal, and this Ryzen 5 9600X bundle has just about everything you need to get started in these deep, dark days of RAM shortages. It includes 16GB of Teamgroup DDR5-6000 RGB memory, an MSI Pro B850-S Wi-Fi motherboard, the CPU, and a Patriot P410 1TB NVMe SSD.
This combo includes AMD's Ryzen 5 9600X, a Patriot P410 1TB NVMe SSD, 16 GB of Team Group DDR5-6000 RGB memory, and an MSI Pro B850-S Wi-Fi motherboard. View Deal
With current prices, you can expect to spend between $350 and $400 on the RAM and SSD alone, and that's using the current lowest prices on both components. As for what you can expect, the components here are midrange across the board. The Ryzen 5 9600X is a solid gaming CPU that struggles in heavily-threaded applications due to only using six cores, but is suitable for gaming and run-of-the-mill desktop apps, while the Patriot P410 is also sufficient but offers middle-of-the-road PCIe 4.0 speeds, falling short of higher-end drives like the Samsung 990 Pro.
Still, at this low pricing, these are acceptable trade-offs, and this bundle gives you a solid DDR5 foundation and plenty of room to grow. — Jake Roach
Save up to 45% on SteelSeries headsets, keyboards, and mice
Steelseries has launched several awesome deals on headsets and earbuds, keyboards, and mice, with discounts hitting up to 45%. For example, the premium Arctis Nova Pro wireless gaming headset is now 34% off. I’ve owned these for a couple of years - they sound great, and I recommend them at the sub-$250 price point. Or there’s the more budget-conscious Active Nova 3X wireless headset, which is now only $76 (31% off). If you’re an earbud gamer, the wireless Arctic GameBuds are also on sale (24%).
Save an incredible $130 on the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless headset. I own these (paid full price) and love the sound stage and directionality it provides in gaming and music listening. View Deal
If you prefer gaming or listening to music with earbuds, SteelSeries GameBuds are also on sale. These buds have ANC with transparency mode, IP55 protection (water/dust/dirt resistant), and have a 10-hour battery life.View Deal
The Apex Pro Mini (G2) earned a spot on our best gaming keyboards list for the best mini gaming keyboard. The hall effect keyboard uses Omnipont 2.0 switches, is highly customizable, has bright and attractive RGB lighting, and was described as sturdy, but not heavy, by our expert. You can glean more details in our review.View Deal
The Apex Pro TKL is the TKL version of the Pro Mini. For those of you who like the 60% Mini who need the End, Home, Insert, and Page Up/Down keys (like me) for your workflows (or gaming), and still want the hall effect switches and cool RGBs, this is the keyboard for youView Deal
Save on the ultra-lightweight Aerox 5 gaming mouse. This 74g mouse has nine programmable buttons and uses Gold Micro IP54 switches that are said to last a lifetime. The 1,000 Hz polling rate and insane 18,000 DPI won't miss a single movement.View Deal
Steelseries has even more deals on offer than these, which you can see by clicking the link below. — Joe Shields
Upgrade to Wi-Fi 7 with these Prime Day deals on Netgear wireless routers
Plenty of the laptops and motherboards we've highlighted now come with cutting-edge Wi-Fi 7 support, so you may be thinking about a router upgrade to match. Some of our favorite Netgear Wi-Fi 7 routers are on sale this Prime Day, so if your old router is holding your new devices back, now is a good time to make the jump.
The Orbi 700 Wi-Fi 7 mesh system is designed to envelop a spacious 5,500 square feet of space with peak speeds of up to 11 Gbps. The primary router comes with three 2.5 GbE LAN ports and a single 2.5 GbE WAN port.View Deal
Our only beef with this system was its price tag, and Amazon's Prime Day deal helps make it more accessible for those who need broad coverage along with their Wi-Fi 7 performance.
If you don't need the broad coverage of a mesh system or the high performance potential of the 6GHz band, but still want the other advantages of Wi-Fi 7, the Nighthawk Dual-Band Wi-Fi 7 Router (RS180) still provides plenty of range and performance for just $142.99 on sale.
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
This hexagonal Wi-Fi 7 obelisk delivers aggregate speeds of up to 5.5 Gbps over areas as large as 2500 square feet, and it has a 2.5 GbE WAN port plus another 2.5 GbE LAN port and three GbE ports for connected devices. It also offers a USB 3.0 port for network-accessible storage. For simple networks, this could be your Wi-Fi 7 upgrade ticket. -- Jeff Kampman
Call me crazy, but this deal on an 8TB SSD isn't entirely nuts
Today's SSD pricing has gone absolutely crazy due to AI datacenter-driven shortages, but there have been a few rare glimpses of moderately acceptable pricing during Prime Day 2026, and surprisingly, this beefy 8TB WD Black SN850X SSD for $1,199 (25% off) is at least tenable if you break it down to per-GB pricing. This drive weighs in at 15 cents per gigabyte, which is right at the same level as we've seen with some of the best SSD deals this Prime season.
For instance, this 2TB Samsung 9100 for $349 has been one of the hottest deals around, but it weighs in at 17 cents per gigabyte, highlighting the deal to be had with this 8TB monster if you're willing to drop a lot of cash for a monster drive.
The PCIe 4.0 WD Black SN850X weighs in at 7,200 MB/s of sequential read and 6,600 MB/s of sequential write performance. It hits up to 1.2 million IOPS and comes with a five-year warranty that covers 4,800 terabytes of endurance.View Deal
Naturally, part of this drive's lower cost is built on the fact that it is a PCIe 4.0 model compared to the speedier PCIe 5.0 found on the blazing-fast Samsung 9100 Pro. However, the SN850X's speed is more than sufficient for most users, earning it four out of five stars and an Editor's Choice award in our full review. Despite its hefty price point, I don't think this deal will be around for long. — Paul Alcorn
32GB of DDR5 and 2TB of SSD capacity now feels like a luxury... (this is the worst timeline)
It wasn't that long ago that 32GB of DDR5 memory and 2TB of SSD capacity wasn't thought of as a luxury, but the ongoing memory and storage pricing crisis has completely changed the calculus. Due to pricing increases, finding what was once considered table stakes at a decent price point is wonderful, as we see with this prebuilt gaming machine from CyberPowerPC that comes armed with that magical 32GB of DDR5 and a 2TB SSD.
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
This rig has plenty of power under the hood, too, with a Ryzen 7 9800X3D running the show and an Nvidia RTX 5070 pumping out the visuals.
(Image credit: Future)
This powerful combo can handle 1440p gaming with aplomb, and allow you to reach up to 4K for some titles, especially if you're leveraging DLSS and the other bells and whistles that come with Nvidia GPUs. — Paul Alcorn
The big 9100 Pro SSD price drop is still holding
The Samsung 9100 Pro SSD has provided us with probably the single-best SSD deals of this Prime season, and surprisingly, these drives haven't sold out at their lowest pricing since February. Specifically, the 1TB model is now $206.99, while the 2TB is $349. That's a lot more than you would have paid last year, but these are top-tier flagships from Samsung, so this is as good as it gets for a PCIe 5.0 SSD on Amazon right now — or for the last five months.
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 SSD challenges or beats nearly every drive on the market in performance testing, and barely lags behind the very fastest drives we've tested. If you want a great SSD for gaming or professional workloads that will deliver snappy load times, this is the drive for you. It's amazing they are still in stock, but once Prime ends this deal is surely going to be over for perhaps ever.
Tom's HardwareTom's HardwareTom's Hardware
Anker’s 140W GaN USB-C charger is on sale for 33% off, bringing its price down to just $59.99
Anker’s last-gen 140W GaN USB-C charger is down to its previous low price of $59.99 for Prime Day. The charger comes with four inputs, split across three USB-C ports and one USB-A port, and comes with a total of 140W of output. You can deliver that much power over two of the USB-C ports when they’re used alone, but multi-port setups get a bit more complicated.
This Anker GaN charger can deliver a total of 140W of output, including 140W on a single port. It comes with three USB-C ports and one USB-A port. View Deal
With all four ports occupied, the USB-A and one of the USB-C ports top out at 12W, while one of the other USB-C ports delivers 45W and the remaining one delivers 45W. Thankfully, you can track this in real-time. Anker includes a display that not only shows you the total wattage you’re using, but also wattage for each port.
As is usually the case with 100W+ GaN chargers, you should expect some throttling if you’re pumping the full 140W through the charger. The biggest issue with Anker charger is usually price, but with this Prime Day deal, you no longer have that problem. — Jake Roach
Geekom mini-PC deals takes up to 34% off with our exclusive promo code for Intel and AMD models
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. For those who insist on the latest silicon, Geekom has put its A9 MAX 2026 Edition on sale at 30% 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 $1,189. Remember, this has 32GB DDR5 RAM, and with a 2TB pre-installed SSD, it offers double the storage capacity of its predecessor
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
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.
The Geekom AX8 comes with a Ryzen 7 8745HS processor, 16GB of DDR5 memory, and 1TB of user-upgradable storage.View Deal
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). — Mark Tyson
These are the hottest 3D printer deals on Tom's Hardware this week
Prime Day always brings hot deals on 3D Printers, and this year is no exception. These 3D printers listed below are all on sale, own a spot on our list of Best 3D Printers, and also happen to be the most-purchased deals on the website over the last three days.
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.
Work next to the printer without distraction, thanks to the low noise "silent mode" that lets the A1 print at under 48 decibels of noise.
It's currently on sale at Bambu Lab with free shipping.
The Creality Ender 3 V3 is a great 3D printer for budget creators. It delivers great auto bed leveling, a fast Klipper-based 3D printer, and it uses fully open source software, allowing the community to add and improve its toolset. It offers a 220 x 220 x 250mm build volume and allows for printing PLA / PETG and TPU via a strong direct drive extruder.View Deal
A budget Core XY 3D printer that prints fast and without compromising on quality. I love this printer and it works extremely well for all of my ideas and projects.
Check out our full review on this awesome 3D printerView Deal
The Sparkx i7 is the next-level bedslinger. It's simple to build, easy to use, and maintain. The combo comes with the CFS (Creality Filament System) Lite for easy four-color 3D printing that just works like a charm. We had no issues testing it, even with soft TPU.
With a 260 x 260 x 255m build volume, it's an efficient, compact multicolor 3D printer that is on sale at an affordable price point. This is an ideal printer for someone who wants to get into color 3D printing without breaking the bank.
If you want to learn more about these machines, be sure to check the linked reviews on each model. — Paul Alcorn
Nifty $11 power button gadget lets you start your PC from your desk
This power button gadget is super useful if you want to start your PC right from your desk, and while there are many variants of this doo-dad on the market, this model uses real RGB-lit Cherry-MX mechanical keys, setting it apart from other options. Right now, this is on sale for $11.05, down 21% from its usual $13.99 price point.
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
Based on our internal analytics, this model proved to be extremely popular among our readership during Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Given the uptake, I personally bought one just for kicks, and it is easy to setup and use. Just be aware that even brushing against these brijghtly-lit keys will restart your PC without hestitation. My only ask is that they make a version with a molly guard! That bit aside, this is a nifty gadget that's worth the relatively cheap price. — Paul Alcorn
Get a Stream Deck for less than $50 with a new all-time low price on the Stream Deck Mini
Elgato’s Stream Deck Mini is on sale for an all-time low price on Amazon of $46.54, knocking 22% off its list price and bringing the device below $50 for the first time. This is a smaller version of the Stream Deck MK.2 (which is also on a Prime Day sale), featuring just six buttons as opposed to the normal 15.
The Stream Deck Mini features six buttons but is otherwise compatible with the full suite of Stream Deck tools from Elgato. View Deal
A Stream Deck really doesn’t look all that useful until you start integrating it into your day-to-day workflow. It’s just a pretty way to trigger macros, sure, but the Elgato marketplace is awash with free templates designed around different applications, and usually with custom icons. There are templates for specific games, triggers for game masters in TTRPGs, productivity profiles for the Microsoft Office suite, Discord, and Windows 11 broadly, and much more. And, of course, you’re free to set up your own triggers, as well.
A Stream Deck can be a hub for game actions, a soundboard to troll your friends in Discord, and a Swiss Army Knife of productivity, and if you’re crafting with your buttons, it can be multiple of those things at the same time. — Jake Roach
Grab a 2K webcam for less than $50 with this Anker deal on Prime Day
The Anker PowerConf C200 is on sale for 23% off, bringing it down to just $46.49. There are plenty of webcam deals on Prime Day, but we specifically called out the C200 in our 15 under $50 Prime Day roundup. That's because it's the webcam our managing editor, Matt Safford, uses every day.
Anker's compact webcam has a built-in foot for angle adjustments or clamping on a screen, a tripod mount on the base, a detachable USB-C cable, and excellent image performance for the price. For most people, there's no reason to pay more for a 4K sensor or higher refresh rates.View Deal
Not only is it the webcam he uses every day, it's a webcam we uses across two different PCs. I see Matt daily in meetings, and yeah — the PowerConf C200 looks great. Add on top of that a removable USB-C cable, plenty of adjustments, and a price that's less than the wildly popular Logitech C920s, and the PowerConf C200 looks pretty enticing — Jake Roach
Get 16GB of Corsair Vengeance DDR5-6000 for $210 in this blowout B&H bundle
Following in the footsteps of Micro Center and Newegg, B&H is now offering bundles on PC components, mainly focused on CPUs, motherboards, and of course, RAM. The retailer has a bundle going now that brings together the Ryzen 7 7700X, an Asus B650E Max Gaming Wi-Fi motherboard, and 16GB of Corsair Vengeance DDR5-6000 memory for $590.
This bundle includes AMD's Ryzen 7 7700X, an Asus B650E Max Gaming Wi-Fi motherboard, and 16GB of Corsair Vengeance DDR5-6000 memory is a 2x8GB configuration. View Deal
That's a significant discount. Even taking into account current sales, this bundle is about $60 less than buying the components individually. That's with the Ryzen 7 7700X at an all-time low of $200, as well. At normal street prices, this bundle of components individually would reach up around $750.
As for the memory, it's currently selling for $270, so even in the most generous reading of prices, you're saving $60. Compared to going prices, the discount is well over $100. — Jake Roach
This Bluetooth speaker looks like a retro PC, fit with a customizable display
Bluetooth speakers are a dime a dozen, but Divoom has some interesting designs, not least of which is this MiniToo Retro PC-style speaker. Our own Joe Shields, who's heard these speakers, says they sound decent for the price, leveraging a 5W woofer along with a bass radiation chamber to maximize low-end response.
This Divoom speaker can connect via Bluetooth to stream audio, and it comes with a fully customizable display. View Deal
The display is the real draw. The device comes with over 70 clock faces, but you can also design your own pixel art images and add them to the display. Using the app, you can even show your own photos 1.77-inch display.
The device also comes with an alarm clock, white noise generator, and timer/reminder functions from the screen itself. — Jake Roach
John Mueller explained that impressions in Google's Search Console AI report track links to your pages, and user-activated links only count after they're activated.
As is the case with just about every Grand Theft Auto game since the series debuted, GTA VI is banned in a number of countries. Even ahead of the launch, this has been more or less confirmed by a FAQ section on the PlayStation Store product page for GTA VI, where Sony lists the eligibility requirements for the free month of GTA+. The listed countries are Bahrain, China, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, the Russian Federation, and Taiwan. That's not to say that players in those countries will be entirely unable to play GTA VI, but it will likely be impossible to buy a physical copy of the game in those regions.
Those interested in playing GTA VI in countries where it is banned will need to import a physical copy or purchase a digital copy from an account registered in another country, where GTA VI is not banned. As recently as 2019, the GTA Online Diamond Casino was banned in a long list of countries thanks to anti-gambling laws. The reason for the GTA VI bans are currently unknown, but GTA games normally have any manner of explicit or restricted content that could trigger a ban in countries with more restrictive laws against themes like violence, gambling, alcohol, or sexual content.
It was recently leaked that Microsoft has "significant" layoffs planned for sometime in July as a result of declining revenue and a shift in the company's gaming strategy. Now, however, a number of former Xbox employees have warned current staff of the potential for retaliation in the upcoming wave of layoffs, according to a recent report by Game Developer. This isn't the first time allegations of unfair treatment have surfaced following layoffs or firings at Xbox, with former Halo Studios art director, Glenn Israel, accusing the gaming giant of harassment and retaliation. Four former Xbox staff members spoke to media, alleging that they were victims of retaliation when they stood up against alleged toxic behavior and were subsequently laid off in a wave of layoffs.
One former employee at an Xbox subsidiary says that they were laid off after they served as a witness in an investigation of a case of verbal abuse by an executive. Following the HR investigation, the executive sought to identify the former staff member during a round of layoffs. Another staff member reported being placed on a performance improvement plan in retaliation for "disrespecting" them, with a threat to accept the PIP or leave the company voluntarily. Another former Xbox employee alleges that an executive at a subsidiary studio retaliated against an employee after she filed an ADA accommodation request for a disability. According to the report, Xbox has not yet responded to these allegations, but Israel, who has spoken publicly about his alleged mistreatment at Xbox, has advised current Xbox staff members who have previously filed reports against higher-ups to record and document evidence and communications and proactively inform HR representatives that redundancy could be considered retaliatory, given the circumstances.
Opaquer delivers .NET code obfuscation to shield assemblies from reverse engineering and tampering. You can configure protection in a GUI and then run unattended batch jobs via the command line for CI and scheduled builds. It obfuscates private and public names, encrypts strings, and applies lightweight or high-intensity control flow protection. Supporting both .NET and .NET Framework targets, it secures DLLs and EXEs across versions and offers Basic, Pro, and Enterprise editions.
AI Wallpaper helps people create live wallpapers and backgrounds from prompts, images, or reference videos. Users can preview a loop, guide the motion with style and camera hints, and export polished wallpaper visuals for phone, desktop, or wallpaper apps.
The product is built for creators, designers, and everyday users who want unique AI wallpapers without complex animation or design software.
The company’s updated creation tools are designed to help advertisers maximize their performance by generating multiple ad variations to find the best fit.
The updated portal offers new artificial intelligence features to help creators build their presence, including personalized insights and auto-generated replies.
Given Fortnite's recent slew of collaborations, it should not be surprising to learn that Tim Sweeney, the CEO of Epic Games, is betting on interconnected game universes and cosmetics economies. In a recent interview with IGN, Sweeney commented on the current state of the gaming industry, stating that "the only way that we can hope for new games coming into the market to be able to succeed when there's so much Metcalfe's Law at play and so many captive audiences in the really big games...it's got to be that those games get momentum by connecting to the economies in other games." What the executive is effectively suggesting is that gamers should be introduced to new games via in-game cosmetics or other items that can be used in other games.
It's also no surprise to hear the CEO espousing the idea that interconnected game economies and transferrable in-game items are the future, since expanded support for smart assets and interoperability between games is one of the headline features of the upcoming Unreal Engine 6. Sweeney goes on to talk about the benefits of social ecosystems and multiplatform games for their developers, stating that "I think every platform would have a lot more engagement, and every game acting through the system would have a lot more engagement if we connected things, literally. Not just Epic, but name all of the top game developers, I think Xbox, Epic, Roblox, Riot, Tencent, EA, all the different studios within Microsoft - we'd all be better off if we connected our stuff." Ironically, his commentary comes at a time when both Xbox and PlayStation are returning to more closed-off ecosystems, with a return to the console exclusive era in full swing.
Wishes lets you create and share wishlists for any occasion, then have friends reserve gifts so you get exactly what you want. You can add items quickly from anywhere, organize lists without sign-ups, and share links across platforms. Use it for birthdays, weddings, baby showers, and holidays on iOS or Android.
Although the technology powering them has evolved in performance and efficiency, the core principle of data centers hasn’t changed much in the past two decades.
Every new generation of infrastructure has been designed to shorten the distance to users, reducing latency and increasing reliability. However AI is putting serious strain on that model, and unprecedented demand for data centers is making companies think outside the box.
Terrestrial projects now face challenges from all directions, including land availability, cooling, power and water consumption, and local opposition.
Step in orbital data centers. Some pioneers are now looking to rocket data centers up into space, and the model keeps shifting further from concept and closer to reality.
While enormous technical hurdles remain, advocates argue orbital data centers could eventually complement terrestrial campuses by shifting some of the most energy-intensive AI workloads away from land-based constraints.
Networking is what will define good orbital compute
Some of the benefits include virtually unlimited space to expand, uninterrupted access to green solar energy and cooler environments that don’t require so much cooling.
But while sending compute into space tackles some of the problems we face today, it reverses one of the biggest fixes we’ve spent years improving – latency.
In today’s instant economy, a data center has no use if it can’t exchange information quickly and reliably. Terrestrial networks lean heavily on fiber networks and physical connections, but orbital data centers would need to improve wireless transmission across hundreds of miles.
As work on this progresses, Internet exchange operator DE-CIX CEO Ivo Ivanov says orbital compute should be viewed as another layer in our increasingly distributed digital ecosystem – not an outright replacement for terrestrial compute.
To better understand whether orbital data centers are just another ambitious experiment or whether they could be the next evolution of digital infrastructure, I spoke with Ivanov about the industry’s biggest challenges.
You noted that SpaceX's IPO has brought the idea of AI data centers in space into the mainstream. Setting the hype aside, how close is this to real, and what's actually driving the biggest companies in the world to look at space?
The idea of placing data centers in orbit is the kind of thing that immediately captures people's imagination. It belongs in the same category of technological ambition as reusable rockets, commercial spaceflight, or landing on the Moon.
For decades it felt like something that belonged in science fiction. Today, for the first time, it's being discussed as a serious infrastructure proposition. But I don’t think the real story here is about space – it’s about AI, and how it’s altering our global trajectory.
Over the last few years, we've seen an extraordinary increase in demand for compute capacity. AI training clusters are growing larger, power requirements are rising, and in many regions the availability of energy, land, and cooling has become a genuine constraint.
These constraints are what drive innovation, and that’s what we’re seeing play out here.
In theory, space offers access to continuous solar energy and room to scale without the physical limitations we experience here on Earth. Having said that, we're still at a very early stage.
I don't think we're talking about replacing terrestrial infrastructure anytime soon. What we're seeing today is the beginning of a serious exploration into how orbital resources could complement the digital infrastructure ecosystem that already exists.
There is still work to be done, particularly around networking – putting an AI data center into orbit would be a milestone achievement, but it won’t count for much if we have to truck hard drives into space to do any training. For now, all anybody can say with confidence is that it's becoming part of a broader conversation about how society will support the next generation of AI workloads.
What problems could orbital data centers potentially solve that terrestrial infrastructure struggles with today?
I think the broader answer is that orbital infrastructure has the potential to ease some of the physical constraints that have shaped and limited digital infrastructure for decades. We can’t simply keep building more data centers – they need access to land, power, cooling, transport links, and of course, connectivity.
As AI continues to grow, some of those resources will become harder to secure, especially at the pace the industry wants to move.
That's why the industry is starting to look at non-terrestrial alternatives. Suddenly, you're talking about access to potentially unlimited solar energy, plenty of space, and the opportunity to scale at a pace that matches our ambitions for AI.
But putting data centers into orbit, as impressive as it would be, is only the first step. Google’s Project Suncatcher is already exploring how power might be harvested from the sun, while the European Space Agency’s OFELIAS project is exploring how optical feeder links between Earth and orbit can be optimized to reduce latency and disruption. There are lots of moving parts.
From a networking perspective, what challenges will emerge once data centers move into orbit?
The moment you put a data center into orbit, networking becomes the make-or-break factor. A data center on Earth can usually rely on a dense ecosystem of fiber routes, Internet Exchanges, cloud on-ramps, and interconnection facilities. In orbit, that ecosystem doesn't exist yet.
Every workload, every application, and every AI model depends on data moving between different locations, and suddenly those journeys become much more complex.
A lot of the discussion I’m hearing focuses on bandwidth or speed, but I think predictability is the more interesting challenge. AI systems need data to arrive quickly, but they also need it to arrive consistently.
Optical and laser-based communications have enormous potential, but they also introduce new variables like cloud cover, atmospheric turbulence, satellite handovers, and changing orbital positions that can all affect how data moves between Earth and space.
That's why I believe the real challenge isn't simply connecting an orbital data center to the ground, but creating an interconnection layer that makes orbital, terrestrial, cloud, and edge infrastructure behave as though they're part of the same ecosystem.
That's a much bigger networking challenge than people realize.
Elon Musk said orbital infrastructure is "only a few milliseconds away." How much could those milliseconds matter, and is latency the biggest challenge?
Those milliseconds absolutely matter. AI systems are fundamentally data-driven, and every additional moment spent moving information between users, applications, models, and infrastructure affects performance and productivity.
That's one of the reasons the industry is investing so heavily in edge computing – the closer you can bring compute resources to the data, applications, and users they serve, the better the experience tends to be.
Certainly, low-Earth orbit is only milliseconds away, but for latency-sensitive use cases, the 20-40 ms it takes to reach the stratosphere will provide a significant challenge for some AI inference use cases. So not all applications can possibly be served from hundreds of kilometers above the ground.
Having said that, performance isn't just a question of latency. A network that consistently delivers twenty-five milliseconds of latency is often more valuable for many enterprise use-cases than one that fluctuates between twenty and a hundred.
Physics determines how quickly data can travel, but factors such as atmospheric conditions, satellite handovers, routing decisions, and network architecture all influence how predictable that experience is.
If a data center is in orbit and the AI workloads it serves are on Earth, what actually has to happen for those two worlds to behave as one network?
The way I like to think about it is that users shouldn't have to think about where a workload is running. Whether an application is being served from a terrestrial data center, an edge location, a cloud region, or one day an orbital platform, the experience should feel seamless.
Achieving that is much harder than it sounds, because data has to move continuously between different environments, and those environments need to behave as though they're part of the same network, even when they're separated by hundreds or thousands of miles and, increasingly, by the boundary between Earth and space.
That's one of the reasons projects like the ESA's OFELIAS initiative, which I mentioned earlier, are so important. As part of that initiative, DE-CIX is working alongside partners including the German Aerospace Center to explore how optical feeder links between satellites and the ground can become more stable, efficient, and predictable.
Rather than simply building more connections, we need to create an infrastructure foundation that allows terrestrial, satellite, and orbital resources to work together as a single ecosystem.
We've spent decades building that kind of seamless interconnection on Earth, and now we need to take what we’ve learned and combine it with new technologies to bring non-terrestrial infrastructure into the picture.
Where does this leave terrestrial data centers and interconnection? Will orbital compute compete with what exists on the ground, or depend on it?
I don't see this as a competition at all. Digital infrastructure has a long history of adding new layers rather than replacing existing ones. Cloud computing didn't eliminate enterprise data centers, edge computing hasn't eliminated centralized clouds, and satellite connectivity hasn't replaced terrestrial networks.
Instead, each technology tends to find the role it's best suited to, and the overall ecosystem becomes more capable as a result.
I think orbital compute will follow a similar path. Some AI workloads may benefit from being processed closer to abundant energy sources in orbit, while others will remain in terrestrial edge data centers because they require ultra-low latency inference, regulatory compliance, or proximity to users and applications.
It’s not about choosing one over the other, but creating an architecture where workloads can be placed wherever they make the most sense and where data can move seamlessly between them.
What should the industry be doing now to prepare networks for orbital compute?
I think the first step is recognizing that orbital compute is more than a compute challenge. It's a networking one. The industry has spent decades building highly interconnected ecosystems on Earth, where data can move efficiently between enterprises, cloud providers, networks, content platforms, and users.
If compute begins expanding into orbit, we'll need to ensure the same level of interconnection exists between terrestrial, satellite, and orbital environments. Advances in satellite communications, laser-based networking, and distributed infrastructure are creating new possibilities that didn't exist a decade ago.
What I'd like to see now is greater collaboration between network operators, cloud providers, infrastructure companies, and space organizations.
The technologies themselves are advancing rapidly, but the challenge is ensuring they evolve as part of a coherent ecosystem rather than a collection of isolated systems.
Looking ten years ahead, what does a fully interconnected ecosystem spanning terrestrial, edge, cloud, satellite, and orbital infrastructure actually look like? What technologies will make it work?
The most interesting thing about the future is that people probably won't think about infrastructure at all. Today, we spend a lot of time talking about whether something runs in a cloud region, an edge location, a data center, or on a particular network.
Ten years from now, if we succeed with orbital infrastructure, workloads will simply move to wherever they can be processed most efficiently, and data will flow across terrestrial, satellite, and orbital environments as naturally as it moves across continents today.
When we look back at the great infrastructure achievements of the past, whether it's railways, electricity grids, undersea cables, or the Internet itself, their success wasn't measured by the technology, but by how completely they disappeared into everyday life.
People stopped thinking about the infrastructure and started focusing on what it enabled. I think we'll see something similar here. The future of digital infrastructure will be defined by our ability to connect every layer of the ecosystem into something that feels seamless.
When you’re shopping for a new pair of headphones, you naturally want them to sound good, but how often do you actually think about how they look?
As someone who lives and breathes headphones, I think I’m experienced enough to claim that most pairs look the same. A simple, minimalist set of cans, usually available in black or white, and maybe with some chrome or coloured accents.
Not only do the Headphone (a) offer a distinctive design, but they’re also crammed with features that make them an utter joy to use. Sound quality is superb too, making these attractive over-ears a genuinely viable alternative to the more established names.View Deal
These are Nothing’s second over-ear headphone attempt, and they earned a glowing 4.5-star rating in our Nothing Headphone (a) review. We claimed them to be the “dream tech version 2.0” over the flagship Headphone (1), thanks to improved, more spacious sound, while retaining the same fantastic set of controls to adjust playback.
And then there’s how they look. The Headphone (a) are unmistakably a Nothing product, but the design has been softened a little compared to the flagship pair. The cassette tape look has been subbed out for a solid colour, available in white, pink or yellow. The pink colourway has received the biggest discount of 36%.
The Headphone (1) are still a fantastic pair of cans in their own right. They also come with the bold claim of being tuned by esteemed hi-fi brand KEF. As we said in our Nothing Headphone (1) review, the sound is “reasonably refined, well-balanced, and broadly enjoyable”.
The Headphone (1) boasts a wealth of features including effective ANC, Hi-Res audio in wired mode and head-tracked spatial audio. Pair them with a Nothing phone and you'll unlock even more. The sound profile is a little flat in comparison to the Headphone (a), but at this price, they're easy to recommend.View Deal
The slight downside is that the Headphone (1) sound a little compressed — I’ve used these headphones and can vouch for that comment. I personally don’t think it’s a huge deal breaker, though, and the amount of personalisation on offer via the companion app more than makes up for it. Plus, as our tester noted, “if they get a price drop, these could be great headphones”, and here it is.
With both pairs now costing similar money, your buying decision could well just come down to aesthetics. Regardless, you’ll be catching looks wherever you go.
I've been using the Nintendo Switch 2 since its launch week, playing practically every title released for the platform either as part of my work covering games here at TechRadar Gaming or my own personal enjoyment.
I've spent hours in everything from big new entries in first-party franchises like Mario Tennis Fever and Mario Kart World to groundbreaking ports such as Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition. I'm not just playing the big hitters either, and have invested loads of time in getting to grips with underrated gems including Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess and Raidou Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army.
While many of these games will be discounted over the course of the ongoing Amazon Prime Day deals, every title that I've included is well worth your time and attention regardless of its price.
We already know watchOS 27 is coming and not all Apple Watches will support it. So if you’ve been holding off on upgrading an older Apple Watch or you’ve been thinking about getting your first one, then you don’t need to wait until Amazon Prime Day 2026 to score a great deal because the mainline Apple Watch Series 11 has just hit its all-time low price in Australia.
While we’ve always recommended the more affordable Apple Watch SE 3 as the best for most people, we reckon this discount for the Series 11 is currently the better buy, especially if you value battery life, screen brightness, a slimmer chassis and more health monitoring.
This price is the lowest we’ve seen in Australia, though it only applies to the Jet Black and Rose Gold colours. If you have larger wrists, the 46mm is also discounted by 25% to AU$549, down from AU$729. The cheaper Apple Watch SE 3 has a smaller 13% discount, which isn’t as good a deal in comparison.View Deal
Our Apple Watch Series 11 review called it the most capable and best-looking mainline Apple Watch yet, praising the brighter, more efficient and more scratch-resistant Always-On Retina LTPO3 OLED display compared to its predecessor, as well as the larger battery capacity.
Battery capacity increased 9% for the 42mm and 11% for the 46mm model, with Apple rating both for 24 hours of typical use and up to 38 hours in Low Power Model. Our reviewer found the claim to be realistic, getting a full day and a half of battery life with light use.
On the software side, health tracking is more comprehensive with heart-rate alerts, ECG, wrist temperature, respiratory rate and cycle tracking, with blood pressure monitoring and hearing health as new additions. A Sleep Score feature has also been added (across all Apple Watches) to provide more easily digestible sleep tracking data.
Admittedly, the Apple Watch Series 11 won’t be much of an upgrade over the Series 10 as it’s very similar hardware, but upgrading from the Series 8 or older models, or even the Watch SE and SE 2, the performance jump will be a substantial boost.
And while we’re at it, marathon season is still in full swing in Australia, so this deal is worth a look as it can keep up with even the best running watches from the likes of Garmin.
While you might think Prime Day is all about deals on vacuums, iPads, and air fryers, it's also one of the best opportunities to score a rare discount on a popular streaming service.
Something to keep in mind is that discounts from streaming services like Apple TV rarely happen, and today's Prime Day offer ends on June 26. Also remember, you'll need to subscribe through Prime Video and be an Amazon Prime member to score. If you aren't already a member, you can sign up today for a free 30-day trial.
Today's best Prime Day Apple TV deal
Apple TV (Prime Video add-on):was $12.98 now $5.99 per month for two months two months Apple TV doesn't run promotional offers often, making this limited-time deal to get more than 50% of the usual monthly price of $12.99 one of the cheapest ways to sign up to the service right now. You'll be able to lock in a new low price of $5.99 a month for two months with this offer, but be quick because it ends on 26 June. View Deal
Prime Day is the perfect opportunity to buy a robot vacuum on sale. The pricey appliances are heavily discounted at Amazon's four-day sale, with record-low prices from brands like Shark, iRobot, Roborock, and Eufy.
Our team of deal experts at TechRadar has rounded up the best robot vacuums on sale for Prime Day for every budget. With deals starting at just $129.99, you'll find some of the best robot vacuums on the market, including features like self-charging, mopping, and voice control, to name a few.
Keep in mind that today's Prime Day robot vacuum deals are the lowest prices we've seen this year, and Amazon's four-day sale ends on Friday at Midnight. You must be a Prime Day member to access today's prices, and if you aren't already a member, you can sign up for a free 30-day trial and gain access to today's sale.
The best Robot vacuum Prime Day deals
iRobot
iRobot Roomba 105X Robot Vacuum,
eufy
Eufy Robot Vacuum 11S Max
Shark
Shark AV2501S AI Ultra Robot Vacuum
The best robot mop-vac combo Prime Day deals
Roborock
Roborock Q7 M5 Robot Vacuum and Mop Combo
iRobot
iRobot Roomba 105X Robot Vacuum & Mop Combo
Shark
Shark Matrix Plus 2-In-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop for Carpets & Hard Floors
'The Closet' is a faithful recreation of the famous Criterion Closet
Browse in full 3D (the correct option) or in list view (boo)
Connects to the Criterion Channel for easy streaming
If you've always wanted to browse the Criterion Closet but haven't been able to because (a) it's in New York and (b) you're not a famous actor, then Redditor olievans has just the thing for you: the entire Criterion Closet in virtual 3D form, explorable right in your web browser.
You can can take a look at The Closet right in that link. It features 1,327 Criterion editions, all shelved in the order of their spine numbers, and you can pull each disc box out from the shelf to inspect the design more closely. You can also filter the collection by decade, director, country, language and more — the physical version can't do that.
If you're not familiar with the Criterion Closet, it's a library of the special-edition disc sets released the film distributor Criterion, which been releasing much-coveted discs with beautiful art, great extra features, and often unique high-quality restorations since the age of Laserdisc.
Since 2010, the real Closet has been a place where directors, actors and other well-known faces — from Martin Scorcese to Charli XCX — are filmed picking their must-see movies from the range.
(Image credit: Future)
Why it's fun to be in the Closet
The Closet is available in two flavors: a full 3D reproduction of the iconic closet, and in list form. The list is more functional but a lot less fun because you don't get the surprise of finding This Is Spinal Tap immediately next to The Seventh Seal.
The website is a really fun way to browse one of the world's best movie collections, and while there are a few issues — it's not really obvious how to get your mouse cursor back, so on my Mac I had to press Esc twice to return to the home page and escape the closet — it's beautifully done and the closest thing you'll get to the real thing without first getting some IMDb credits under your belt.
What I really like about this is the discovery element. The Criterion Collection is very wide-ranging, and that means you never know what's going to be next on the shelf: Paris, Texas (number 501) is followed by the Australian thriller Revanche (502) and the historical German romance Lola Montès (503).
That makes it feel very much like the Blu-Ray equivalent of crate digging for exotic vinyl records: the Criterion Closet is full of surprises.
A note from the Editor
Hello! Matt Bolton, Managing Editor for TechRadar's home theater coverage here. As a Blu-ray collector, I've decided to take the opportunity I'll never have in real life and give you my Criterion picks — as in, these are ones I actually own. I'm not going to give you a whole spiel about each one, don't worry — but I'll highlight why
Anora — a chunky collector's edition, and the best way get a 4K version
Blow Out — essential for the DTS-HD Master sound, and the 4K restoration
I Know Where I'm Going — the first 4K restoration of a B&W cinematography classic
In The Mood For Love — one of my favorite movies, in the highest quality
Lost Highway — the only way to get it in 4K Dolby Vision with a new DTS-HD sound restoration
Moonage Daydream — the only way to get this in both Dolby Atmos and uncompressed sound, shockingly
The Power of the Dog — the only way to get it in the higher bit rate of Blu-ray
The Red Shoes — one of the most incredible-looking movies of all time, in its best-ever restoration
Thief — the best-looking version of Michael Mann's grittiest movie
Thinking of buying a new TV?
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.
The preorder pages for GTA will drop at midnight local time in the US tonight, and you can buy both the Standard and Ultimate editions at the links below. Digital preorders of either variant get a month of GTA+ subscription as a preorder bonus.
Hype is cyclic. Once upon a time, there was Daikatana, the game that would have John Romero making us his female canine, but flunked hard. Then there was Half-Life 2, a game that still begs for a third installment today. Spore showed us how excellent ideas still need equal execution. In modern times, No Man's Sky and Cyberpunk 2077 both had massive hype and massive flops, turned around with many years' labor. And yet to this day, there's nothing quite like the buzz surrounding Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto VI, or as it'll be forever known, GTA 6.
The Standard edition goes for $79.99 and has the base game, the Vintage Vice City Pack with retro-themed cosmetics, and the '55 Vapid Stanier vehicle. The Ultimate Edition goes for a cool $99.99 and contains extra side missions and activities, additional vehicles, guns, and a truckload of outfits and other cosmetics for Jason and Lucia both.
These preorders at retailers mean you purchase a physical box that has a slip of paper inside with a download code, but not physical media. As such, this is for collector's item purposes. Without further ado, click away to your favorite e-tailer.
We won't bother rehashing details about the impending sequel to Rockstar's massively successful and still giant money printer Grand Theft Auto V. Suffice to say that the November 19 release is so hotly anticipated that employees are calling sick already, and there are reports of entire workplaces planning to shut down for the day. Many publishers and studios are reshuffling their release calendars so as not to get drowned in what is guaranteed to be the talk of the Internet for at least a few weeks, too.
Meanwhile, PC gamers will have to wait a year to see the game running natively on their systems and will have to drown their sorrows in one of the literal thousands of games that never make it to consoles. Regardless, Take Two Interactive's revenue is probably going to rival that of some AI companies — but in real dollars.
LoopUsIn is a household operations engine designed to eliminate parental mental load and keep families running in sync. Beyond passive shared calendars, it acts as a proactive digital command center that routes the right information to the right person at the right time. Whether coordinating child drop-offs, automating chore rotations, or pushing real-time updates to a partner's dashboard, it helps families manage daily tasks efficiently. Built for families valuing privacy and efficiency, the beta introduces automated home upkeep, featuring a recipe and grocery engine and a multimodal "picture-to-task" tool that creates step-by-step maintenance instructions.
AI infrastructure spending has broken the global memory supply chain
DDR2 prices are set to surge 60% in Q2 2026 alone
Some manufacturers are redesigning DDR3 systems around DDR2 to secure components
The AI boom is creating unexpected consequences across the memory industry, including renewed demand for technologies introduced more than two decades ago.
As manufacturers prioritize advanced products serving AI infrastructure, older memory generations are becoming increasingly difficult to source in meaningful quantities.
That shift is now pushing DDR2 prices sharply higher despite the technology first appearing around 25 years ago.
Legacy memory demand rises as newer DRAM becomes scarce
Industry executives such as Nothing CEO Carl Pei and Frameworkhave warned that supply constraints and elevated pricing are unlikely to ease in the near term.
According to TrendForce, these structural changes in the DRAM market are forcing buyers to move backward through successive memory generations, and limited mature-node supply is pushing some brands to switch from newer memory to older ones that are available in larger volumes.
TrendForce estimates that DDR2 contract prices will increase by roughly 55% to 60% during the second quarter of 2026.
Prices are then expected to climb another 35% to 40% in Q3, creating one of the strongest pricing surges seen in the legacy memory segment for years.
The situation stems partly from decisions made by the world's largest DRAM suppliers, which continue directing manufacturing resources toward advanced memory technologies.
Growing demand for HBM and server DRAM, both closely linked to expanding AI infrastructure investments, has reduced wafer allocations available for older consumer-focused products.
As availability tightens, companies purchasing DDR4 memory have increasingly turned to Taiwanese suppliers for additional capacity.
Demand has therefore spread across several generations of products, creating pressure that now extends into DDR3 and DDR2 markets.
Some manufacturers have reportedly replaced DDR4 designs with DDR3 solutions, while certain DDR3-based systems are being redesigned around DDR2 memory to improve component availability.
Suppliers gain leverage as production shifts toward higher-margin products
The imbalance between demand and available output has strengthened the negotiating position of some memory manufacturers.
With supply unable to keep pace, vendors have gained greater flexibility to raise contract prices while concentrating on products that generate stronger returns.
Winbond, one of the key suppliers of DDR2, is reducing the production of older standards and redirecting the capacity toward DDR3, DDR4, and LPDDR4 products.
Such a transition is expected to place additional strain on DDR2 availability during the coming quarters.
As production contracts, buyers dependent on legacy platforms could face increasing competition for a shrinking pool of components.
Manufacturers like Elite Semiconductor Memory Technology (ESMT), however, are increasing their focus on DDR2 production within their existing wafer allocation.
The company hopes to capture the surging demand in an effort to improve profitability while helping address part of the supply shortfall from Winbond's withdrawal.
Whether these supply conditions represent a temporary market distortion or the beginning of a prolonged shortage remains uncertain.
What is becoming clear is that AI-driven demand for advanced memory is now affecting even very old product generations, creating ripple effects that few expected to reach DDR2.
For all the iPhone’s talents, there’s still one glaring area that’s plagued it since its launch, and where it’s arguably inferior to certain Android devices: wireless audio quality transmission. More specifically, high-resolution, or lossless, audio.
Yes, despite Apple offering select albums and tracks in up to hi-res lossless audio quality via Apple Music — at no extra charge, no less — no pair of Apple headphones actually supports the format. The AirPods Max 2, and the refreshed first-gen set of Apple’s over-ear headphones, support lossless audio when connected via USB-C, but not true high resolution.
For the majority of music fans it won’t matter that iPhones don’t support higher quality audio codecs. But considering Android devices do support them, and the fact there are genuine audible benefits to higher quality streams, why wouldn’t you want to get them if the option was there?
It continues to be a peculiar oversight by the tech giant, I feel, but fortunately there is a super simple workaround to unlocking the sonic benefits of high-res, all thanks to Sennheiser and a plug-in USB-C adapter. And for the low price of just AU$59.
Just plug this little adapter into a USB-C or USB-A port and it will transmit audio in aptX Lossless and aptX Adaptive quality (up to 24-bit / 96kHz).You will need a compatible set of headphones to reap the full benefit (so no AirPods), but do it and you’ll wonder how you went without it. View Deal
There are plenty of reasons for wanting to unlock high-res audio from your smartphone. First and foremost, there’s a very good chance it’s already included with your music streaming service subscription. Apple Music, Tidal, Qobuz and now even Spotify all offer higher-res versions of millions of songs. Look at it this way — you’re paying for that quality, but if you’re listening with an iPhone and a pair of AirPods you’re missing out on a vastly superior music experience.
This Sennheiser dongle fixes that, although as previously mentioned, you will need a pair of compatible headphones, and nothing from Apple itself makes the cut. While the BTD 700 can transmit high-resolution, or lossless audio from an iPhone via aptX Adaptive, the AirPods won’t receive it, and will instead revert to inferior AAC or SBC codecs.
If you need some suggestions, there are some top-rated pairs on sale now for EOFY that support either aptX Adaptive or aptX Lossless, or both, that will take full advantage of what the BTD 700 transmitter can offer.
What is lossless audio?
Lossless audio can be a bit of a contentious subject in some circles (here’s looking at you audiophiles). Some claim it’s the best thing since sliced bread, while others claim they can’t hear any noticeable difference in quality.
Throw in myriad codec options that each do something a little different, and it’s easy to see why it’s not only confusing, but also hard to really care about.
In theory, aptX Adaptive and aptX Lossless codecs are capable of carrying more information than AAC or SBC (which the iPhone supports). Lossless audio streams go one better by delivering a bit‑perfect CD‑quality stream.
Even then, however, it’s not fully guaranteed, because you need every step in the chain to be working at its full potential. You first need a good recording that actually contains all the extra information, and then you need a capable set of headphones. And, since we’re talking about wireless transmission here, it can still be susceptible to interference, which can have a negative effect on sound quality.
But if you already own decent Snapdragon Sound cans, the BTD 700 finally lets them run the codec they were designed around instead of being stuck on AAC, which is a genuine quality win — especially from an iPhone.
If you’re keen to reap the benefits of higher quality sound, you may want to jump on this deal. I’ve seen it going in and out of stock on an almost daily basis.
The arrival of The Division: Resurgence earlier this year — a game in one of my favorite series — pulled me into mobile gaming hard.
I soon began building the perfect mobile gaming setup to meet my needs, but also to make sure I enhanced and made my small-screen experience as optimal and as enjoyable as possible. That's where the kit below came in, and I can't recommend it highly enough.
Adding dedicated gaming gear, where appropriate, has made the world of difference and augmented my gaming on mobile. This all starts with a dedicated, powerful phone; I was lucky enough to find an ASUS Rog Phone 8 Pro in one of the TechRadar cupboards which is perfect, but you can't buy it now — so I've included the most recent version of that phone below instead.
Otherwise it's all there, just as I use it. While the DualSense and mobile phone controller are good in some scenarios, I love the fact that I finally found a mobile controller for my different hands in the form of the Nacon MG-X Pro. Audio-wise, I was fortunate enough to have some high-profile SteelSeries gear to hand, and that's stayed with my setup due to the excellent connectivity and portability the buds and headset offer.
Having tested gaming gear, and spent hours whittling my mobile gaming gear down to the stuff below, you might find that some of it is exactly what you're looking for too.
The day we've been waiting years for has finally arrived. Rockstar Games has finally given word on GTA 6 pre-orders (spoiler: they're happening now), as well as pricing information and a torrent of new screenshots, but fans have highlighted a notable omission.
We were asked in a comment on our TikTok announcing the news whether or not we knew of a collector's edition in the works — and we don't, with Rockstar staying quiet on the matter — but there's at least some reason to believe that we won't see one that includes a physical copy.
That reason is an entirely different game; Red Dead Redemption 2 (RDR2), the last game developed by Rockstar. Instead of a collector's edition including a physical copy, fans received a collector's box priced at $99.99 / £89.99 with "outlaw essentials" inspired by the Van der Linde gang.
These included various themed items like a metal tithing box, a bandana, pins, and more, all neat, but notably, there was no digital content included. Bundles were available that included a hard copy, but officially speaking, these were distinct and separate products. It was met with mixed feelings; some fans liked the focus on real-world collectibles rather than in-game content, but others at least wanted a unique game box to
(Image credit: Rockstar Games)
So, will we see a collector's box for GTA 6?
Well, reader, I've got no clue. It's been a long eight years since RDR2, an even longer 12 years since GTA 5, and it's a whole different ball/car theft game in 2025. In our pre-order live blog, our Managing Editor, Gaming and Streaming, speculates:
Could it be that Rockstar only wants to launch digitally initially in order to avoid any risks about leaks or something, but then come again later with a special edition or collector's edition that's 'properly' physical — I could see that happening. People would buy it twice, too.I think we're about to witness a game pre-order situation that is like no other, ever; it'll transcend any other game pre-order logic, pattern, or situation, so the idea of Rockstar coming later with a collector's edition or physical copy to coincide with a later beat, such as GTA 6 Online, or a PC release, is very much something I can see.
Rob Dwiar — Managing Editor, Gaming and Streaming
Indeed, GTA 6 already stands to shape the market. Its pricing alone has been a huge point of interest, with analysts putting early predictions at over $100; it's safe to say that would have been the real kicker here, even if a collector's edition would be appreciated by many fans.
Who knows, perhaps Rockstar is going all-in on the digital future and scrapping all physical media, including merchandise. I mean, I'd be surprised, but it's not beyond the realms of imagination that we'd see fewer publishers making their own merch and offloading the effort onto third-party providers.
Still, I sincerely hope that's not the case; whether it's a collector's edition with a physical disc, a game code, or just a box filled with junk I can shove on a shelf to proudly show in the background of my Zoom calls, there's plenty of demand for collector's items.
As ASML CEO Christophe Fouquet told TechCrunch in May, what China can currently buy are older-generation deep ultraviolet tools — gear first shipped about a decade ago — the same machines the MATCH Act would now put off-limits.
Radeon issues AMD Software HotFix to address Windows 10 compatibility issues Following the release of AMD Software 26.6.2, gamers quickly uncovered major compatibility issues with Windows 10 PCs. The driver would fail to launch on Windows 10 PCs, preventing PC gamers from accessing the driver’s benefits. Thankfully, AMD has now released a hotfix to address […]
It's official, there are no more delays, Grand Theft Auto 6 pre-orders have gone LIVE, and you can secure your copy now on Xbox Series X|S or PlayStation 5, ready to play the game on November 19.
The question is, will you buy the standard edition at $80 or stump up for the Ultimate Edition for $100? At the time of writing, there are no physical (code-in-a-box) versions of the Ultimate Edition, and this will require a digital upgrade.
Rumors of a physical disc release later in December 2026 are circulating, but nothing has been confirmed yet.
Crucially and first off, here are all the links you need to buy your copy, and you can scroll past the links for the breakdown between Standard and Ultimate Editions.
Official pre-orders are currently rolling out. While digital storefronts like Xbox are now live, physical retailers are updating their systems throughout the night. All remaining links will activate as soon as each retailer makes them available.
Anyone who pre-orders the game before November 20 will get the Vintage Vice City pack, which contains vehicles and outfits that hark back to the ‘80s Miami Vice-coded Vice City of the original 2002 game.
Physical or Digital?
Essentially, there is really no difference here unless you really, really want the box. Rockstar have already confirmed that fans who order the physical copy of GTA 6 will receive a code in a box to download the game. That's right, you don't even get a disc.
You'll notice that some of the retailers are slating a November 12 deliver for the game, and that is because you will receive a digital code (in the box) that can be redeemed ahead of the November 19 release date.
Some people will still prefer to have the case for their collection though, so pick whichever works for you.
GTA 6 Standard vs Ultimate Edition: What's the difference?
(Image credit: Rockstar)
This has already been somewhat controversial, as Rockstar has confirmed that the difference between Standard and Ultimate editions doesn't just come down to price and cosmetics. In addition to an "exclusive collection of premium vehicles, weapons, apparel, and action threaded across all aspects of Jason and Lucia’s story," there are 5 locked shops behind the Ultimate Edition at $100.
Essentially, if you want full access to everything in the game, you're going to have to pay the extra $20 for it. Here are the stores included in the Ultimate ($100) Edition of GTA6.
RIDEOUT CUSTOMS Transform vanilla vehicles into magnificent works of art with detailed interiors, exquisite rims, and donk stylings.
SARA'S UNISEX SALON Get signature salon styles for both Jason and Lucia, including facial hair for Jason and makeup and nails for Lucia.
STOCK 305 Style various unique and exclusive looks for Jason and Lucia at Stockyard’s premiere destination for elevated streetwear.
ELECTRIC FANG TATTOO Stockyard’s most iconic ink bar, with over 50 signature tattoos for both Jason and Lucia — all designed by the artist collective FAILE.
ONE-EYED WILLIE’S This mod shop in Lake Leonida specializes in off-road modifications and hand-painted automotive artistry.
It's worth mentioning too, that you can buy the Standard Edition, whether physical or digital, and simply pay the difference for the Ultimate upgrade later.
Cheapest way to get GTA 6
(Image credit: Rockstar (background image))
Of course there are no real discounts right now, but there is a way to secure a small discount if you want to purchase directly through Xbox or PlayStation stores, and that's by taking advantage of gift card offers to top up your account.
Best place for this right now is Loaded (formerly CDKeys)
For the Standard Edition ($80): You could grab a $50 gift card and three $10 gift cards. Because of the current discounts on Loaded, you’ll pay less than $80 in total, leaving you with a little extra cash in your pocket.
For the Ultimate Edition ($100): (My favorite strategy) is to grab four $25 gift cards for $23.49 each. This nets you the full $100 balance for only $93.96, saving you over $6 on day one.
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.
If you are still rocking the Xbox One X or the PS4, I've got bad news for you, you're going to have to suck it up and upgrade!
Here's the best offers on each of the current generation consoles.
The Xbox Series X is Microsoft's flagship console and the best way for you to play GTA 6 on the Xbox Ecosystem. Prices on the console have been hiked in recent months, but we will update this page with the best price, which right now is at Target.View Deal
There are currently no live deals we could find at time of writing on the PS5, however here's an Amazon link for the sake of fairness. Console wars be damned!
WD_BLACK's C50 is officially licensed for the Xbox Series X|S consoles and regularly competes with Seagate for the lower price on exactly the same feature: more storage space. 2TB for this price in 2026 is pretty reasonable.
UPDATE: Walmart caught up with the rest and dropped its price to $259.99 for 2TB.
Running out of space for games on your Xbox Series X|S console? Seagate's long-running winner is on sale again, and it's the simplest, fastest solution to extended storage on Microsoft's hardware.
Amazon Prime Day is taking place as we speak, and other online retails stores are jumping into on the fun with their own sales. HP's online store is one such place, and I've just found an incredible deal on a laptop I just reviewed last week. The HP OmniBook Ultra 14 with Snapdragon is $650 off right now, down to just $1,249 while stocks last!
This is the best HP laptop I've tested in a long while. In fact, I think it's probably the prettiest Windows laptop you can buy right now, complete with a best-in-class display, premium build quality, and much more. For this price, you're getting a great device.
HP's new OmniBook Ultra is the best Snapdragon X2 laptop we've tested yet, complete with a gorgeous design, incredible keyboard and trackpad, best-in-class touchscreen OLED display, and incredible battery life and performance.
I've not long published my review of the HP OmniBook Ultra, and I came away very impressed, giving it 5 stars and calling it one of the best Snapdragon laptops this year. Under the hood is Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon X2 Plus SoC, which features 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD storage. It's a powerful and efficient chip, easily capable of most day to day productivity tasks, data crunching, and even light video and photo editing.
It features a best-in-class 1080p OLED touchscreen, which features inky deep color contrast and makes images and text pop . It also has an incredible keyboard, and new haptic trackpad that feels great to use.
The device is also super premium. I think it might be the best looking and feeling Windows laptop on the market currently. It's just 2.83lbs in weight, and features a brushed metal finish around the edges that looks simply incredible. The device is also designed in such a way that makes it look incredibly thin when on a desk, which is awesome.
It features three USB-C ports, along with a 3.5mm audio jack. It also has a Windows Hello equipped webcam that shoots good 1080p photo and video. Lastly, the laptop is a power champ, lasting all day on a single charge with ease. For $1,249, you're not getting a better laptop in 2026 than this.
Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.
Following the recent release of FSR 4 support on RDNA 3 GPUs, Valve engineer, Pierre-Loup Griffais, has announced in a post on Bluesky that the same support has officially been added to Linux via Steam's Proton compatibility layer. Support for FSR 4 on RDNA 3 comes by way of the latest version of Proton Experimental, so it's by no means a stable implementation just yet, but the engineer specifically calls out SteamOS and the Steam Machine as the target system for the new upscaler support, suggesting that Valve will invest development resources into getting the support into a more complete state ahead of the full roll-out of the Steam Machine.
Curiously, the post also specifically calls out devices with RDNA 3 discrete GPUs and the Steam Machine, suggesting that support for Radeon iGPUs, like the 780M and 890M that largely dominate the gaming handheld space has not yet been implemented. It's possible that Valve developers, who often contribute to Linux graphics drivers and gaming optimizations, may implement support for the gaming handhelds. There are also reports that manually adding support for FSR 4 on RDNA 3-based iGPU systems—via tools like OptiScaler, for example—results in a working implementation of the upscaler.
TRT Monitor helps you manage testosterone replacement therapy by logging doses, tracking symptoms, and organizing blood tests in one place. Set custom schedules for injections, gels, or tablets, get smart reminders, and see clear trends that link timing to how you feel.
Export logs and labs to share with your clinic or doctor, and visualize testosterone, estrogen, cholesterol, and more with a privacy-focused design.
So now we know that GTA 6 will cost £69.99 for the Standard Edition, and £89.99 for the Ultimate Edition — we're in a brave new world of video game prices here, folks.
We're updating this page as different retailers start showing their pre-order pages — here's a quick list of search page links for now, but we'll put solid links in as they appear.
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 Wednesday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Wednesday, June 24 (game #1109).
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.
NYT Connections today (game #1110) - today's words
(Image credit: New York Times)
Today's NYT Connections words are…
POLONIUM
CRANIUM
COMPACT
HOCKEY
CROQUETTE
TRACKPAD
LEAD
SQUASHED
MERCURY
DUCTILE
DENSE
MICROPHONE
MONITOR
FRANCIUM
PRINTER
COMPRESSED
NYT Connections today (game #1110) - hint #1 - group hints
What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?
YELLOW: PC extras
GREEN: Crunched up
BLUE: Toxic materials
PURPLE: Avian starters
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…
NYT Connections today (game #1110) - hint #2 - group answers
What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?
YELLOW: COMPUTER PERIPHERALS
GREEN: TIGHTLY PACKED
BLUE: HAZARDOUS ELEMENTAL METALS
PURPLE: STARTING WITH BIRD HOMOPHONES
Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.
NYT Connections today (game #1110) - the answers
(Image credit: New York Times)
The answers to today's Connections, game #1110, are…
PURPLE: STARTING WITH BIRD HOMOPHONES CRANIUM, CROQUETTE, DUCTILE, HOCKEY
My rating: Easy
My score: Perfect
Of all the many COMPUTER PERIPHERALS that money can buy there is one that causes more stress and annoyance that anything else.
I speak of course of the PRINTER: a device that in my experience of going through the major brands will chose to not work when you need it most, run out of its ludicrously expensive ink at an alarming rate and develop faults that will take days to fix.
Anyway, I digress — today’s groups were all very gettable, although STARTING WITH BIRD HOMOPHONES eluded me, probably because my CRANIUM malfunctioned due to triggering the aforementioned printer frustrations.
Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Wednesday, June 24, game #1109)
YELLOW: PROG BANDS GENESIS, KING CRIMSON, PINK FLOYD, RUSH
BLUE: RED CHARACTERS CLIFFORD, DEADPOOL, KOOL-AID MAN, MR. KRABS
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.
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 Wednesday's puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Wednesday, June 24 (game #1612).
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.
Quordle today (game #1613) - hint #1 - Vowels
How many different vowels are in Quordle today?
• The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 3*.
* 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).
Quordle today (game #1613) - hint #2 - repeated letters
Do any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?
• The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 0.
Quordle today (game #1613) - hint #3 - uncommon letters
Do the letters Q, Z, X or J appear in Quordle today?
• No. None of Q, Z, X or J appear among today's Quordle answers.
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 Wednesday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Wednesday, June 24 (game #843).
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.
NYT Strands today (game #844) - hint #1 - today's theme
What is the theme of today's NYT Strands?
• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Just relax
NYT Strands today (game #844) - hint #2 - clue words
Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.
SPACIAL
HEART
TRUE
PAGE
MATES
GAPPY
NYT Strands today (game #844) - hint #3 - spangram letters
How many letters are in today's spangram?
• Spangram has 12 letters
NYT Strands today (game #844) - hint #4 - spangram position
What are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?
First side: left, 4th row
Last side: right, 8th row
Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.
NYT Strands today (game #844) - the answers
(Image credit: New York Times)
The answers to today's Strands, game #844, are…
FACIAL
AROMATHERAPY
ACUPUNCTURE
MASSAGE
SPANGRAM: SPATREATMENT
My rating: Hard
My score: Perfect
Yesterday we were chilling, today we’re relaxing. I wonder if someone at Strands Towers wants a break?
Fortunately, after congratulating myself for getting “spacial” as a non-game word I realized that FACIAL was hiding in plain sight and that our search was all about words connected to SPATREATMENT.
When I was training for the London Marathon about a decade ago I was in a permanent state of pain and would get massages from someone whose technique veered closer to the brutal than the relaxing – in fact, many of his clients called him “the massage terrorist”.
To be honest, it put me off any kind of treatment, but the knots I tied myself in trying to unravel today’s search had me daydreaming of some rejuvenating therapy.
Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Wednesday, June 24, game #843)
BEER
SELTZER
KOMBUCHA
JUICE
WATER
SODA
SPANGRAM: BEVERAGECOOLERS
What is NYT Strands?
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.
GEEKOM GeekBook M16 launches at $799 with MacBook-style design
Core Ultra 9 power pushes sustained 55W performance in a thin chassis
A 99.9Wh battery claims up to 24 hours of usage on paper
GEEKOM's GeekBook M16 is not trying to hide what it is inspired by — the chassis, the wallpaper, the ultra-thin bezels, and the centered webcam all speak directly to Apple's M3 MacBook Pro design.
The 16-inch laptop is built around Intel's Core Ultra 9 185H processor running 16 cores, 22 threads, and a 5.1GHz turbo boost, with GEEKOM's proprietary Dynamic Tuning Technology keeping it at a sustained 55W under load.
At $799, this notebook is an aggressive entry into a market that premium laptop makers have long treated as their own territory.
Hardware hosts a mix of strengths and tradeoffs
GEEKOM’s GeekBook M16 uses a 16-inch display with a 1920 x 1200 resolution in a 16:10 aspect ratio, reaching a 90% screen-to-body ratio, which helps give the panel a more modern and immersive look on a desk.
However, the 60Hz refresh rate stands out as a clear limitation, especially for users accustomed to smoother high-refresh displays.
The business laptop offers two storage configurations, including a PCIe Gen 4 2280 slot supporting up to 4TB and a PCIe Gen 4 2230 slot supporting up to 2TB.
The system comes with 16GB of LPDDR5 memory and Intel Arc integrated graphics for general compute and light creative workloads.
For connectivity, it includes a 40Gbps USB4 port, a USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port, two USB-A 3.2 ports, and an HDMI 2.0 output.
Wireless support is handled through Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.4, while a 2MP 1080P webcam includes a physical privacy switch for added control.
On the security side, the laptop integrates TPM 2.0 and a fingerprint reader in the power button for system and biometric protection.
The device ships with Windows 11 Pro pre-installed, alongside confirmed Linux compatibility for users who prefer alternative operating systems.
Power and endurance in one chassis
The battery is where GEEKOM makes its most attention-grabbing claim, and the numbers are genuinely difficult to ignore at this price point.
The GeekBook M16 carries a 99.9Wh cell — the absolute maximum battery capacity that commercial airlines permit passengers to bring on flights.
GEEKOM's intelligent power management technology claims up to 24 hours of Wi-Fi usage and approximately 20 hours of local video playback from a single charge.
A 100W GaN USB-C fast charger ships in the box, with the company claiming a 10-minute charge restores around 3 hours of productive runtime.
Thermal management falls to the IceBlade 3.0 cooling system, which uses dual fans and dual heat pipes working together efficiently.
Compared to its predecessor, the system increases air pressure by 50% and total airflow by 28%, keeping temperatures stable during extended and intensive workloads.
The CNC-machined aerospace-grade aluminium chassis measures just 0.66 inches thin and weighs a reasonably portable 1.73kg across its full 355 x 250mm footprint.
Whether real-world battery and performance results match GEEKOM's claims is something only rigorous independent testing will ultimately confirm.
Preorders for the GeekBook M16 are now live on GEEKOM’s store with a $100 discount code (GKM16), bringing the price down to $799, while shipping is scheduled for late June.
Our senior printer editor Jim awarded this label printer a Highly Recommended badge, calling it “quick, quiet, and actually fun to use” — and it’s since become the label printer we recommend for small business owners and online sellers. At $72.19, it’s the best price we’ve seen.
For small business owners, online sellers, or anyone printing labels in any meaningful volume, the Munbyn RW403B is an easy recommendation from us.
Our top choice shipping label printer, testing out the RW403B was a joy. It's really simple to use and very effective. ★★★★⯪View Deal
In his full Munbyn RealWriter 403B review on TechRadar, Jim found it “printed reliably and quickly and very quietly too” across four different paper types, noting it “always applied my design in exactly the right place.” Setup took under ten minutes from opening the box, and the near-zero jam rate held up throughout his testing. That kind of consistency matters when you’re printing dozens of shipping labels before a dispatch deadline.
The reason the RW403B stands out from cheaper label printers is the Dynamic Auto-Calibration chip — a feature Munbyn introduced with this model that intelligently adjusts the paper detection sensor’s sensitivity in real time. Most budget label printers struggle with anything other than standard white labels: transparent labels, glittery stock, holographic finishes, and custom-shaped stickers tend to confuse the sensor and result in misaligned or wasted prints. The DAC chip eliminates 99.8% of those alignment errors, which means sellers using branded or specialty labels can trust the output without babysitting the printer through every roll.
The thermal technology itself is worth understanding if you’re switching from an inkjet. There’s no ink, no cartridges, and no running out mid-job. The printer works by applying heat to chemically treated thermal paper, which turns black in response — simple, reliable, and cheap to run. The RW403B handles label sizes from 1.57 to 4.25 inches wide, covering everything from tiny product tags and return labels to full 4×6 inch shipping labels. Print speed is rated at 72 labels per minute, which is fast enough to get through a batch of orders without the printer becoming a bottleneck.
Setup is as close to instant as a piece of hardware gets. Plug in, power on, load labels, download the app, and pair via Bluetooth — Jim was printing within ten minutes of opening the box. For anyone who’s spent an afternoon configuring a printer driver, that matters. And the Munbyn Print app gives you access to 2,000+ templates and 3,500+ design elements, which makes it genuinely useful beyond shipping labels — custom branding stickers, name tags, retail price tags, and gift labels all work well.
The build quality reflects the 970,000-label lifespan claim. The hinged body closes with a solid clunk, the three-button control panel is straightforward and feels durable, and the metal-reinforced construction gives it a reassuring weight for a relatively compact machine. Jim noted it as well-made in his review, and the
In our review, we found this dual-color thermal printer "printed quickly and reliably throughout the test, with no misprints or jams. The image quality is very good for a thermal printer." View Deal
This thermal label printer is capable of printing via USB or Bluetooth. It's relatively similar to the RW403B, although it boasts a different design while lacking the Dynamic Auto-Calibration for trickier custom prints. View Deal
This Bluetooth label printer is designed for small businesses and entrepreneurs running high-volume print-jobs. I'd still recommend the 403B, which we've tested, over this one, but it has its merits. View Deal
There are a number of Munbyn's 4x6in shipping label rolls on sale, but this pack stood out to me for being waterproof, oil-proof, and scratch-proof. View Deal
As AI data centers consume an ever-increasing amount of RAM chips, researchers are looking for cheaper, more scalable alternatives
imec research seen by many to be the answer, even as engineering challenges continue to exist
Two published studies using ferroelectric materials show capacitors essentially able to replicate modern DRAM functionality
It is no secret that AI has affected much of the world, with many welcoming the advent of a "smart" digital assistant, with others using it to speed up the more mundane tasks that previously required oversight.
On the flip side of the equation, some finding their jobs redundant, others being forced to upskill or pivot to different industries just to eke out a living in 2026.
There is however, one area which has been significantly impacted where the effect might have been understated so far: the PC hardware industry.
DRAM for data centers first
The reason the PC hardware industry (and, to a lesser degree, the smartphone and game console industries), or any industry that uses fast RAM and NAND flash for its core functionality, is affected is overwhelming demand in data centers.
With billions of dollars in buildouts and procurement budgets, the average consumer is unlikely to compete for memory with a data center being built by hyperscalers and with good reason: there is simply too much money at stake here.
The problem for data centers, however, is a different one: despite consuming nearly 70% of all memory produced in 2026, resulting in the worst memory supply crunch in the last 15 years, things are projected to only get worse, even as demand continues to grow unabated.
With memory giant Micron telling consumers to wait till 2028 before they can expect any relief in their segment, and SSDs heading down the same path, thanks to a similar situation when it comes to high-density NAND flash-based storage, AI data centers are also looking for a memory breakthrough that could allow for cheaper, faster memory in the near future to better handle their needs.
European chip research lab imec seems to be working on an answer, however. At the 2026 IEEE/JSAP symposium on VLSI Technology & Circuits, the event showcased two major advances that could enable new ferroelectric memory to become mainstream over the next decade, as it attempts to address the AI-centric memory shortage with a solution that better caters to data center consumers.
At the heart of the current breakthroughs is a ferroelectric capacitor that operates at low voltage, enabling a large number of write cycles and holding charge well, making it a potentially viable replacement for traditional DRAM-based memory.
The second is a transistor that they have managed to stack vertically, enabling a denser NAND-flash-style storage design while adding a back-gate modification to fix its memory-erasure issues.
FeRAM is not a new concept; first conceived in 1952, it holds massive promise, even as most researchers concur. It had, until recently, limited interest, but a world spending billions on AI data centers, with memory and storage increasingly scarce resources, has brought it back to the forefront, even if most of its gains still keep it limited to lab conditions.
“This work shows how imec’s multidisciplinary expertise, from materials science to advanced 3D integration, enables us to tackle some of the most pressing challenges in memory technology," noted program director at imec, Maarten Rosmeulen. "We are exploring multiple paths toward the memory solutions that will be required to sustain the rapid growth of AI and data-intensive applications."
It must be noted that imec does not operate in a vacuum; It shares its research with hundreds of industry partners, including chip designer Nvidia, photolithography systems manufacturer ASML, and fab giant TSMC.
Other industrial partners include Intel, Samsung, Micron, Qualcomm, AMD, and Apple, indicating that its research could eventually be integrated into future memory offerings by multiple interested entities, including other hyperscalers.
Should imec's research solve the modern datacenter conundrum by offering a cheaper, denser memory module using different materials, it could very well spark a new AI-centric war for high-end storage and memory.
But for now, it seems to require a considerable amount of time before it is production-ready, with imec admitting it was "addressing remaining challenges" while reminding interested parties that the entire breakthrough was still a proof of concept and still in the research stage.
There are huge savings on Blink home security cameras this Amazon Prime Day, but don't rush to grab one just yet. Although basic features are included with Blink cameras — live view and two-way-talk — for anything more advanced you'll need a Blink subscription in addition to the cost of the camera itself, which adds up over time.
That's not the case with all home security cameras though, and here I've rounded up my top five Blink alternatives that give you local storage, plus features like AI facial-recognition, object-tracking, and pre-roll all without any extra payments.
1. Baseus Security S2 Outdoor Camera 4K
Chris PriceChris PriceChris PriceChris PriceChris PriceChris PriceChris Price
The Baseus Security S2 isn't the only solar-powered security camera we've tested, but it's the only one with a photovoltaic panel that rotates around its body to follow the sun, ensuring it captures as much light as possible throughout the day. It looks strange, but in our tests, we found it worked brilliantly, noticeably extending the battery life.
During tests, the S2 produced very few false alerts. This not only prevents you from being bombarded with unnecessary phone notifications, it also means recording is triggered only by genuine events, extending the cam's battery life. Images are superbly detailed during the day, and the spotlight is excellent for illuminating the garden at night to ensure high-quality footage in the dark, too.
The Baseus S2 is also one of the most affordable subscription-free security cameras we've tested. The camera itself has a nice little Prime Day price cut, and the absence of fees for storage and advanced features mean it almost certainly works out cheaper overall.
If you're on a strict budget, take a look at the Baseus Security S1 instead. It's available for about half the price of the S2 and has the same rotating solar panel. However, it records at only 2K and has 8GB built-in storage rather than up to 256GB via a microSD card.
A record-low Prime Day price for this feature-packed home security camera. It blew us away in our tests, and with no subscription fees to worry about, it's spectacular value.View Deal
The S2 Outdoor Camera 4K is currently out of stock in the UK, but you can snag the previous generation S1 for £33.99 right now. It has the same rotating solar panel, but has a maximum resolution of 2K rather than 4K.View Deal
2. Reolink Altas PT Ultra
Chris PriceChris PriceChris PriceChris PriceChris PriceChris PriceChris Price
The Reolink Altas PT Ultra earned four stars in our review thanks to its crisp video recordings, pan-and-tilt functionality to cover an extra-wide area, and local storage for your video. Although it's somewhat bulky, it looks smart and didn't worry our neighbors unnecessarily (always a plus).
The camera can automatically track subjects such as people and animals, or you can pan and tilt it manually using the app, if there's something in particular that you want to keep an eye on. There's a pre-record option, too, similar to the one you'd get with a dash cam, which captures footage continuously in the background and saves the 10 seconds that were recorded before a trigger event.
You can store your videos to an SD card, or to an encrypted Reolink Home Hub. The Home Hub comes with 64GB storage, expandable with up to two 512GB SD cards, which should be more than enough. Cloud storage is available if you really want to pay for it, but there's really no need and all the standout features are available free of charge.
With an enormous $70 off for Prime Day, this is the cheapest the Altas PT Ultra has been this year and a great investment in your home security. There's a reason it won a TechRadar Choice award for best home security camera.View Deal
A discount of £57 is not to be sniffed at, and makes the Altas PT Ultra brilliant value in the UK as well. In fact, it's a record-low price for this feature-packed security camera, with no subscription fees necessary afterwards,View Deal
3. EZVIZ EP4 Peephole Door Viewer
FutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFuture
This little camera threads through the peephole in your front door, giving you a wide-angle view of the area beyond in sharp 4K on an internal screen, and on your phone. It's a clever design that means there's no need to drill any holes, and is ideal if you live in an apartment and/or rent.
Installation is a piece of cake (I had it fitted and working within 10 minutes during my tests) and you'll receive alerts to your phone when motion is detected. This will trigger a 10-second video recording, which can be saved to an SD card in the display unit. The AI person detection works very well, but what impressed me most was the facial recognition. Just upload photos of friends and family, and you'll be notified when they arrive. Ideal if you want to be sure that the kids have got home safely, for example.
It doubles as a doorbell too, offering two-way talk and even a voice changer so you can stay anonymous if you prefer — all subscription-free.
The EP4 is currently only available in the UK, where Amazon has knocked a very generous £70 off the price for Prime Day. That's a surprising saving considering the camera only launched a few months ago.View Deal
The eufyCam 3 S330 is a full security system designed for large properties, and even businesses. It consists of a set of cameras (the starter kit includes two, and additional ones are available to purchase separately) plus a HomeBase unit that connects them all to one another, and to your home Wi-Fi network.
Your videos are stored within the HomeBase unit, which comes with 16GB of storage that you can expand up to a colossal 16TB by plugging in an external hard drive, so you don't need to pay for cloud storage and your data is safely saved indoors.
Although it's a 'prosumer' system partially aimed at businesses, we found it easy to install and set up for the average user. Each camera has a 135-degree field of view, and a bright floodlight that can be triggered by motion at night for full-color footage, and a top-mounted solar panel so you don't need to take them down for frequent charging. Subject detection is excellent (and available without a subscription), though on the standard settings it proved so sensitive that it sometimes also mistook a person's reflection for someone else in our tests, so it's worth taking some time to tinker with the settings.
Amazon has trimmed a huge $170 off the eufyCam 3 S330 starter kit, which includes the base station and two cameras. It's a great deal for mid-sized homes, and you can expand it later with extra cams if necessary.View Deal
There isn't a Prime Day deal on the full eufyCam 3 S330 system in the UK, which is a shame, but if you already have the base unit then you can snap up an additional camera for £60 off the list price, which is a steal.View Deal
5. Aqara Camera Hub G350
FutureFutureFutureFutureFuture
Don’t be fooled by this camera’s cute looks, complete with removable bunny ears. Despite looking like a gadget for kids, it’s actually a very advanced piece of kit with a motorized base which provides a 360-degree field of view with zero blind spots. This is paired with a dual lens setup that allows you to track a subject (human or animal) using the wide-angle lens or zoom in to an area of detail using the telephoto lens. A 9x hybrid zoom is provided which really does allow you to get close up to your subject with reasonable picture quality.
There's advanced subject-detection, but what really impressed our reviewer Chris Price was the AI-powered sound recognition which can identify noises like a dog barking or a baby crying, and send you notifications accordingly.
It also acts as a Zigbee hub and Matter controller, meaning it can serve as the heart of your smart home. All the key features are available subscription-free, and there's no need to pay for cloud storage; just slide in a microSD card and you can keep all your recordings safely at home. A few features are only available to HomeGuard members, such as AI video search, but only a couple.
This is the first time Amazon has cut the price of this mini indoor security camera, which captures super sharp 4K video and stores it locally without the need for a subscription. Just supply your own SD card.View Deal
In the UK? Good news — you get the same discount as shoppers in the US, with 15% off the G350 for Prime Day 2026. It's compatible will all the main smart home ecosystems, so it's a safe buy that'll fit right in.View Deal
South Korea have shown why they’re one of Asia's most dangerous sides, crushingthe Czech Republic in their opening World Cup 2026 match in Guadalajara andcoming agonizingly close to a qualification-clinching result against co-hosts Mexico. If not for a late error from goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu, the Taeguk Warriors would have been sitting at the top of the table.
Hong Myung-bo's side can set things right with a win, or even a draw, over South Africa. A loss, however, would leave their qualification hopes dependent on the result of Czechia vs Mexico. For South Africa, meanwhile, only a victory will keep their campaign alive. Currently ranked 61st in the world, Bafana Bafana have had a disappointing tournament so far, losing 2-0 to Mexico before a 1-1 draw against Czechia, saved only by a late penalty.
South Africa boss Hugo Broos will have to tweak his lineup as Teboho Mokoena – their only scorer of the tournament – is suspended after picking up his second yellow card against Czechia. However, Sphephelo Sithole is expected to return to the starting XI after serving his suspension following a red card in the opening game. South Korea, on the other hand, will once again rely on the likes of Son Heung-min, Lee Kang-in, and Hwang In-beom to extend their stay in North America.
So, read on as we show you exactly how to watch South Africa vs South Korea for free from anywhere in the FIFA World Cup 2026.
How to watch South Africa vs South Korea for free
South Africa vs South Korea 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.
Use a VPN to watch South Africa vs South Korea live streams
It’s the World Cup, and if you’re traveling, you might discover your usual South Africa vs South Korea 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.
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 🔓 Unlocks World Cup streams
Don’t miss a second. Stream the World Cup from anywhere with total confidence.View Deal
How to watch South Africa vs South Korea in the US
US viewers can watch South Africa vs South Korea on FS1 and Telemundo (Spanish comms).
Those looking for a streaming service instead can watch South Africa vs South Korea 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).
How to watch South Africa vs South Korea in the UK
UK customers are in luck as they can stream South Africa vs South Korea for free on BBC iPlayer. Live coverage is also available on the BBC One TV channel.
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.
How to watch South Africa vs South Korea in Australia
(Image credit: free)
South Africa vs South Korea 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.
How to watch South Africa vs South Korea in Canada
(Image credit: Other)
In Canada, TSN will be broadcasting South Africa vs South Korea.
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.
South Africa vs South Korea: Match Information
What time does South Africa vs South Korea start?
South Africa vs South Korea kicks-off at 2am BST / 11am AEST on Thursday, June 25. That's 9pm ET on Wednesday, June 24 in the US.
What are the squads for South Africa vs South Korea?
Goalkeepers: Jo Hyeon-woo (Ulsan), Kim Seung-gyu (FC Tokyo), Song Bum-keun (Jeonbuk)
Defenders: Kim Moon-hwan (Daejeon), Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich), Kim Tae-hyon (Kashima Antlers), Park Jin-seob (Zhejiang), Seol Young-woo (Red Star Belgrade), Jens Castrop (Borussia Monchengladbach), Lee Ki-hyuk (Gangwon), Lee Tae-seok (Austria Wien), Lee Han-beom (Midtjylland), Cho Wi-je (Jeonbuk)
Midfielders: Kim Jin-gyu (Jeonbuk), Bae Jun-ho (Stoke City), Paik Seung-ho (Birmingham), Yang Hyun-jun (Celtic), Eom Ji-sung (Swansea), Lee Kang-in (Paris St-Germain), Lee Dong-gyeong (Ulsan), Lee Jae-sung (Mainz), Hwang In-beom (Feyenoord), Hwang Hee-chan (Wolves)
Forwards: Son Heung-min (LAFC), Oh Hyeon-gyu (Besitkas), Cho Gue-sung (Midtjylland)
Group A Table
Position
Team
GD
Points
1
Mexico
3
6
2
South Korea
0
3
3
Czechia
-1
1
4
South Africa
-2
1
Can I watch South Africa vs South Korea on my mobile?
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.
Now, I’m a pretty big fan of Disney Parks — mainly Disney World, as it’s the closest to me — and I’m also a tech expert. So I do know that generally FuelRod, a popular battery pack sold on Amazon and at the parks, isn’t necessarily the best value, especially since it’s only 3,200mAh.
A FuelRod is a great choice for Disney World, because if it dies when you're at the park, you can swap it for free in one of the vending machines and get a fully charged one in return.
And of course, having back-up battery power with you is important at the House of Mouse, because you don't want your phone dying on you when you see a favorite character, or if you need to select a Lightning Lane in the app, or plenty of other reasons that you'd need your smartphone working at the park.
Today's best FuelRod Battery Pack deal
For Prime Day 2026, a single FuelRod battery pack is 25% off at just $26.24.View Deal
When I’m at the parks, a FuelRod comes in very clutch, as I can keep it plugged in and easily swap it at one of the vending machines. And yes, they’re in every park at Disney World in Orlando, FL, Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom. Disney also maintains a full list of locations, and I’ve personally used them in Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Hollywood Studios. You’ll also find them at many of the resorts across the property.
While 3,200mAh won’t win any awards for being the largest battery pack, the FuelRod is pretty compact and can be slid into a pocket or easily held in the same hand as a phone. I use it with my iPhone Air or iPhone 17 Pro Max with ease — with either of those, you won't get a full charge, but you'll get more than half. Mileage will vary based on your phone’s size, though.
I’ll be the first to admit you can also save on some larger-sized batteries during Prime Day; I've also linked to several below. But the fact that you can swap a FuelRod for a fully recharged one in the parks makes it essential for a trip there, and it’s priced a lot better for Prime Day.
While $26.24 for a single FuelRod is a pretty great Prime Day deal, Amazon’s also discounting a 2-pack to $44.99 (originally $59.99) and selling 3 of them for $56.24 (originally $74.99).
But if you want a different battery pack, here are some other options:
Belkin
Portable Charger Power Bank Usb C, 10000 Mah W/integrated Cable
Anker
Zolo Power Bank 20,000mah
Anker
Nano Portable Charger, 45w 10000mah With 2.3 Ft Retractable Cable
Day two of Prime Day has arrived, which means our team has had a full 24 hours to browse Amazon's deals, specifically its TV discounts. Our team of experts has hand-picked the best 65-inch Prime Day TV deals from Samsung, LG, TCL, Insignia, and Amazon's own Fire TV brand.
We've selected 65-inch models to highlight from Amazon's Prime Day sale because they're popular and always land on best-selling lists. You can find our best-rated 4K, QLED, and OLED TVs on sale for record-low prices today, with a wide range of features and prices starting at just $249.99.
Shop our full list below, and keep in mind that to take advantage of today's TV deals, you must be a Prime member. If you aren't already a member, you can sign up for a free 30-day trial and gain access to today's sale.
Amazon's best 65-inch Prime Day TV deals
You can get the best-selling Insignia 65-inch F50 Series 4K TV for an incredible price of $249.99 — our cheapest 65-inch display. 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 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
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
Samsung's super-stylish The Frame TV is always a big Prime Day hit, and this is an excellent price for this size, 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
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 a Neo QLED panel that 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
Samsung's S90F OLED TV earned five stars in our review, and the 65-inch model is on sale for its lowest price yet. 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.
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 and an incredible Prime Day deal if you want a premium 65-inch OLED display.
The CEO of Samsara has hailed the benefits of AI in helping modernize and boost efficiency and productivity in the operations industry.
Speaking at the opening keynote of Samsara Beyond 2026 conference in Las Vegas, Sanjit Biswas laid out how the company is, “working together to build the future of operations”.
“These are industries that you can't read about in a book, or just visit a website…you have to put on your boots and go onsite,” he noted.
“Automate away the grind”
Biswas noted how Samsara’s customers are all facing the same challenges, namely the rising cost of fuel, caused by the war in the Middle East, put also the rising cost of doing business across the board, with rising maintenance costs also biting hard.
But technology was also proving a challenge in these more “hands-on” industries, he noted, with too many reports and disparate systems in conflict, leading to “data overload” as too many apps and distractions actually just annoy and frustrate workers.
To combat this, Biswas set out his idea of “automate away the grind” - using technology to give workers time back to focus on the really important tasks.
“We're entering a whole new age - the age of intelligence," he said, noting how Samsara wants to be, “taking operations to the next level”.
“We can collect tons and tones of data in the field,” he added, “and now we can use AI to find insights, and figure out what’s really going on…AI can now formulate plans, figure out tools, and really help you run your operation to take action on your behalf.”
(Image credit: Future / Mike Moore)
Biswas laid out a host of useful examples where AI could benefit frontline workers, such as automatically adjusting vehicle settings during extreme weather situations, monitoring usage of tools and equipment to help predict when maintenance is needed, and giving drivers more information on delivery situations/environments such as a new drop-off location.
To back this up, Samsara announced its new Agent Studio, specifically designed for companies in the physical operations sector, which lets customers utilize a range of pre-configured agents or build their own from scratch.
The company says that going forward, tasks such as managing paperwork, communicating with drivers, and working with vendors can now be automated with agents in minutes, freeing staff from hours of manual work each week
“Reducing risk for the frontline, increasing the efficiency of the operation, and really helping you digitally transform with this technology - that’s what we’re excited about today," Biswas concluded.
Czechia will take on co-hosts Mexico in their final World Cup 2026 group-stage match, at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. To reach a first knockout stage since 1990, the Czechs realistically must win, while El Tri can experiment safe in the knowledge they have already won Group A.
Mexico have been clinical so far, beating South Africa 2-0 in the tournament opener before handing South Korea a clean 1-0 defeat last time out. Though Mexico have historically struggled against European opposition, winning just eight of 34 matches, their dominant record at the Azteca – six wins and two draws – will give them confidence. They've already won the group, meaning they get to stay at the Azteca for the last 32 and, if they get there, last 16. However, Javier Aguirre may choose to test his bench strength, which could be just what Czechia needs.
Czechia's tournament has been frustrating so far, marked by late costly mistakes. They held the lead in both of their matches but have just one point to show for it. That includes a disappointing 1-1 draw against Bafana Bafana, a game they should have won comfortably but were undone by an overly defensive approach and eventually conceded a late penalty. A win here, however, would take them to four points, which could be enough to secure qualification as one of the best third-placed teams. Set pieces and finding Ladislav Krejci and Tomas Soucek's respective foreheads, feels vital.
So, read on as we show you exactly how to watch Czechia vs Mexico for free from anywhere in the FIFA World Cup 2026.
How to watch Czechia vs Mexico for free
Czechia vs Mexico 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.
Use a VPN to watch Czechia vs Mexico live streams
It’s the World Cup, and if you’re traveling, you might discover your usual Czechia vs Mexico 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.
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 🔓 Unlocks World Cup streams
Don’t miss a second. Stream the World Cup from anywhere with total confidence.View Deal
How to watch Czechia vs Mexico in the US
US viewers can watch Czechia vs Mexico on Fox and Telemundo (Spanish comms).
Defenders: Vladimir Coufal (Hoffenheim), David Doudera (Slavia Prague), Tomas Holes (Slavia Prague), Robin Hranac (Hoffenheim), Stepan Chaloupek (Slavia Prague), David Jurasek (Slavia Prague), Ladislav Krejci (Wolverhampton), Jaroslav Zeleny (Sparta Prague), David Zima (Slavia Prague)
Midfielders: Lukas Cerv (Viktoria Plzen), Vladimir Darida (Hradec Kralove), Lukas Provod (Slavia Prague), Michal Sadilek (Slavia Prague), Hugo Sochurek (Sparta Prague), Alexandr Sojka (Viktoria Plzen), Tomas Soucek (West Ham), Pavel Sulc (Olympique Lyonnais), Denis Visinsky (Viktoria Plzen)
Forwards: Adam Hlozek (Hoffenheim), Tomas Chory (Slavia Prague), Mojmir Chytil (Slavia Prague), Jan Kuchta (Sparta Prague), Patrik Schick (Bayer Leverkusen)
Defenders: Jorge Sanchez (PAOK), Israel Reyes (Club America), Cesar Montes (Lokomotiv Moscow), Johan Vasquez (Genoa), Jesus Gallardo (Toluca), Mateo Chavez (AZ)
Midfielders: Erik Lira (Cruz Azul), Orbelin Pineda (AEK Athens), Alvaro Fidalgo (Real Betis), Roberto Alvarado, Brian Gutierrez, Luis Romo (Guadalajara), Edson Alvarez (West Ham), Obed Vargas (Atletico Madrid), Gilberto Mora (Tijuana), Luis Chavez (Dynamo Moscow)
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.
Ninja is one of the biggest names in kitchen appliances, and for good reason. Its products are thoughtfully designed, packed with genuinely useful features, and usually very reasonably priced as well. Devices like the Ninja Creami ice cream maker, Crispi glass air fryer, and Slushi ice cream maker are often copied, but so far we've not seen anything that works as well as the original.
If you're planning to upgrade your kitchen this summer, I've put together a list of five of the best Ninja appliances we've tested over the last couple of years, so you can pick something that will really work for you. All of these devices have been put through an extensive battery of hands-on tests in our reviewers' own kitchens, so you can be confident that they'll deliver great results in yours as well.
You'll also find today's best deals on every appliance right here, so you don't need to spend time hunting around for a good deal if you spot something you like. Ninja appliances often get some great price cuts for Amazon Prime Day, so this is an excellent time to pick one up.
1. Ninja Prestige DualBrew System
FutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFuture
I test over a dozen coffee makers a year, and this is one of my all-time favorites. The Ninja Prestige DualBrew System (known as the Ninja Espresso and Coffee Maker Barista System in the US) is a one-stop shop for all your coffee-making needs. On the right you have an espresso machine with an adjustable-height drip tray, which uses Nespresso Original style capsules to brew drinks in the size of your choice. I tested it with pods from a local coffee roaster, and they tasted amazing.
On the left, you have a fully-featured drip coffee maker, complete with a very effective drip-stop mechanism, smart hotplate to keep your brew warm without scalding it, a timer, and even a fold-out drip tray so you can place a travel cup underneath instead of the carafe (perfect for taking to work).
There's even a milk-frothing arm on the back, which you can fold out to make lattes and cappuccinos, though you'll need to heat the milk in the microwave first because it's not a steam wand. That's a minor quibble considering how much this machine has to offer.
The original Ninja Crispi was great — a portable air fryer that cooks your food inside re-sealable glass containers — but the Crispi Pro is even better. This model is designed to use in your kitchen, with dishwasher-safe glass dishes that slide inside, six cooking modes, and the ability to prepare up to 10 servings at once.
You can adjust the height of the base unit to suit the dish you're using, and the handles of the dishes stay cool so there's no need to fuss around with potholders or trivets. Whether you want to quickly cook some fries or roast an entire chicken, the Crispi Pro can handle it. It produced consistently great results during our tests, handling Mexican corn, tofu, homemade bagels, brussels sprouts, and dried apple with ease.
For us, the only downside is the size of the base unit, which is on the larger side, but that's not unreasonable considering how many hungry people this fryer can feed.
Danielle AbrahamDanielle AbrahamDanielle AbrahamDanielle AbrahamPeter HoffmannPeter HoffmannPeter HoffmannDanielle Abraham
4. Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Grill
Future / Helen McCueFuture / Helen McCueFuture / Helen MCueVic HoodVic HoodFuture / Helen McCueFuture / Helen McCueFuture
Want an authentic BBQ taste, without the mess and hassle? The Ninja Woodfire is an electric grill that uses chips of real wood to infuse your food with delicious smoky flavors as it cooks. Different woods produce different results, and the Woodfire comes with a pack of various types so you can experiment and find your favorite.
Our reviewer Helen McCue gave the Ninja Woodfire a full five stars, saying "This electric outdoor grill offers the convenience and control of cooking on gas, combined with the smoky flavors of charcoal or wood barbecues."
It produces excellent results with traditional BBQ foods, including burgers, veggie skewers, corn and chicken, but offers a few surprises too. Like Ninja's air fryers, it has a bake mode that you can use to make tasty flatbreads, a loaf, or even brownies. It's not big enough to cater for a big party, but it's a great option if you don't have the space or the inclination to use a gas or charcoal grill.
No roundup of the best Ninja kitchen appliances would be complete without the Ninja Swirl by Creami. This clever machine produces delicious scoopable ice cream, just like the regular Creami, but as the name suggests it will also dispense creamy soft-serve right into the cone, tub, or bowl of your choice. There are 15 different settings to help you get exactly the right consistency, and you can have fun experimenting with different recipes (the r/ninjacreami subreddit is a great source of inspiration). Frozen yogurt and custard, sorbet, gelato, and even milkshakes are all on the menu.
As our reviewer Karen Freeman noted, you need to freeze your ingredients for 24 hours before you can begin processing them, so it's a good idea to keep some tubs prepared in the freezer so they're ready to go when you get an ice cream craving. When you get started, it only takes about 4-6 minutes to produce a tub of tasty dessert (to which you can add candy, cookies, or fruit if you like). Alternatively, you can process it again to turn it into soft serve. It's incredibly quick and easy.
One of the most significant changes in the last couple of decades has been the rise of social media and the way it's reshaped society. Mark Zuckerberg, who co-founded and launched Facebook – and now leads the technology conglomerate Meta – has played a key role in what he describes as an erosion of privacy.
Social media shifts
We were just months away from Mark Zuckerberg's first on-screen portrayal in The Social Network when he spoke about the story of Facebook so far at TechCrunch's Crunchies awards in January 2010.
Quote of the day
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.
During the interview, he spoke about the way that people's attitudes toward their own sense of privacy had shifted, and that with the tools available on the web – including his own platform – users were far more open and willing to share details about themselves.
He delivered these thoughts following criticism that Facebook had altered its architecture so that basic information, like your friends list, became publicly viewable by default – unless you consciously opted out.
The death of privacy
Zuckerberg, at the time, was attempting to reframe his platform's changes as ones that served users as it adapted to their behavior. But it's also fair to suggest that Facebook had also played a role in triggering behavioral shifts in its users in the first place.
Cynics would also suggest that the shift to opening up more data to public access paved the way for further monetization of user data. This would come in the form of Open Graph, which the company launched in May that same year.
People have continued to share their information online, but they aren't feeding simple algorithms or monetization portals, but AI models too.
On the other hand, the modern age has given rise to more encrypted services like WhatsApp, Signal and Discord, with mostly open platforms, like Facebook's previous incarnation, suffering from data collection scandals and privacy breaches.
Prime Day has arrived, running from June 23-26, and while LG’s 2026 OLEDs are now available, and there may be some offers around on those, there’s no better time to check out its 2025 lineup. All three of the mainstream 2025 models — the LG G5, LG C5 and LG B5 — featured among the best TVs of 2025, and now that their successors have arrived it’s only a matter of time before these TVs disappear. And with GTA 6 pre-orders live at midnight on June 25, there's no better time for an upgrade.
When it comes to picking which 2025 LG OLED is right for you, the first thing you’ll want to consider is your budget. With these TVs nearing the end of their lifespan, and Prime Day bringing around some excellent offers, this is your best chance to get a step-up model for less. LG’s OLEDs are among the best OLED TVs on the market, and while they’re good value at launch, events like Prime Day are where they shine.
But, which LG OLED is the best option? While the C5 has the best deal, the B5 or G5 may be what you're looking for. I’ve tested and used all three models throughout the past year, as they serve as our reference screens for 4K Blu-ray testing as part of the Blu-ray Bounty, and as a benchmark for comparisons. Here are my thoughts on each TV below.
LG G5
(Image credit: Future)
LG’s 2025 flagship is the LG G5. The most feature-packed model of the lineup, the G5 covers all the bases, delivering on all fronts with some of the best gaming features on the market — 4K 165Hz, full VRR support, HGiG, ALLM and Dolby Vision gaming — with the performance to match. With the Alpha 11 Gen 2 AI Processor, general performance is smooth, with excellent response times that mean scrolling through menus is never a chore.
The G5’s picture quality is superb. It delivers rich, accurate colors regardless of what’s on screen. Whether it’s the staggeringly bright and vivid Wicked, or the more natural colors of The Wild Robot, its color reproduction is truly excellent. As an OLED, it delivers powerful contrast with deep, inky blacks and punchy highlights thanks to its new-found brightness, clocking in at 2,268 nits peak HDR brightness in Filmmaker Mode. It’s much brighter than the C5 and B5, so those who watch TV in bright rooms may want to take note. Textures are crisp and after turning on TruMotion, motion is smooth for sports and fast paced movies. This is easily one of the best-looking TVs you can get.
The G5’s built-in audio is solid, and while it still won’t beat a soundbar, it’s got the best built-in sound of the three LG OLEDs. As it is the flagship model, it comes at a price and while there are some good deals around, it's the priciest of the three.
LG C5
(Image credit: Future)
The LG C5 serves as the mid-range model in the 2025 lineup, and strikes a nice middle ground between the flagship G5 and the budget B5. It houses the Alpha 9 Gen 8 AI processor, which delivers smooth performance and has plenty of settings options and picture tools should you want to adjust them, although I found it’s pretty accurate out of the box.
Gamers are well covered here, with 4K 144Hz, full VRR, HGiG, ALLM and Dolby Vision gaming all supported. The C5 delivers razor-sharp performance, and sessions playing Battlefield V were not only smooth, but a ton of fun. Arguably just as good performance-wise as the G5, the C5 still holds the title for best gaming TV.
The C5’s picture quality is excellent. It delivers the deep, accurate black tones you want from an OLED, and with a new peak brightness (it hit a measured 1,180 nits HDR peak brightness in Filmmaker Mode) it delivers punchy highlights to create strong contrast that’s great for movies like The Batman. It also delivers dynamic, vibrant colors that pop on screen, making movies such as The Sound of Music look excellent, and textures are crisp and detail is refined with whatever’s on screen. It doesn’t have the brightness of the step-up G5, but it’s brighter than the B5, again hitting a nice midway point between the two, though it does have a somewhat reflective screen, as you’d expect from a glossy OLED.
While the C5’s built-in speakers are decent enough, it does benefit from a soundbar. Really though, this is the C5’s only downside. It ticks enough of the same boxes as the G5 to please OLED fans, and at a fraction of the price.
LG B5
(Image credit: Universal Pictures / Future)
The LG B5 is the most entry-level OLED in LG’s 2025 lineup, and while it may not have all the premium features and performance of the step-up G5 and C5, it still offers everything an OLED should, and is stacked with features.
In terms of picture quality, the B5 still delivers. It has the strong contrast you would want from an OLED, with deep blacks and solid highlights creating a dynamic range that looks fantastic for high-contrast movies like Alien: Romulus and Dark City. Its colors, while not as bold as its step-up siblings, are still rich and deep, meaning colorful movies like Wicked have plenty of pop on screen. Its motion is also excellent, making it a great TV for fast-paced action and sports. The B5 isn’t the brightest (clocking in at 668 nits peak HDR in Filmmaker), so people with bright rooms may want to take note, but really this is the B5’s only picture-related flaw.
The B5 also makes for an excellent gaming display. It doesn’t support higher refresh rates for PC gaming (144Hz, 165Hz and so on) but it does support 4K 120Hz across four HDMI 2.1 ports. There’s also full VRR support, and Dolby Vision gaming, HGiG and ALLM all feature. It has the same super-low 9.2ms input lag time as the more premium LG OLEDs, with performance feeling razor-sharp even when I was playing intense battle sequences in Battlefield V.
The B5’s main advantage, though, is giving access to OLED for a very affordable price. While it didn’t launch for much cheaper than the C5, the B5 has dropped to some seriously low prices, making it excellent value overall.
And the winner is…
While all three of these TVs are excellent, my Prime Day pick is the LG C5 (middle) (Image credit: Future)
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 £899 at Amazon, a new record-low price that's unreal for a 55-inch OLED of this calibre. Other highlight deals:
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
All three of LG’s 2025 OLEDs are great in their own way, and while it does come down to budget, my top pick of these three is the LG C5. It hits the sweet spot between the G5 and B5 in terms of picture quality, features and performance, and will tick the boxes for most people. The G5 may be brighter with bolder picture quality, but comes at a higher cost, while the B5 is on the dimmer side, so the C5 naturally slots itself in the middle.
In terms of Prime Day deals, the C5 also has the best offers, dropping to the most competitive prices of the three. While there are some great deals on the other two models to be had, the C5 is the star of Prime Day. If you’re torn between LG’s 2026 and 2025 TVs for Prime Day, I’d recommend the 2025 models all day, because you can get them for a seriously good price.
Top AI researchers Jonas Adler and Alexander Pritzel are leaving Google for Anthropic, following departures from top scientists Noam Shazeer and John Jumper.
Revenue quadrupled to $41.45 billion compared with the same period a year ago. The company's profit, meanwhile, rose from $1.88 billion to an incredible $28.2 billion year-over-year.
When TechPowerUp spoke to AMD's Chief Software Officer and Senior Director of Software earlier in June, the executives made bold claims about the quality of its new FSR 4.1 implementation coming to older RDNA 3 GPUs, stating that, despite underlying technical differences, the actual output would have the same quality as it does on RDNA 4 GPUs. There was, however, little discussion about a potential performance hit from the upscaling tech, although it seems as though that discussion may not have been necessary at all, according to testing that has shown up on r/radeon on Reddit.
Based on the testing by the redditor, who tested AMD's FSR 4.1 in Cyberpunk 2077 on an AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX at 3840 × 2160p resolution, high settings, and with Ray Tracing on and Ray-Traced Lighting set to Ultra, the performance improvements can be as high as 100% compared to testing conducted without the tech enabled. In benchmark screenshots shared by the redditor, the RDNA 3 GPU managed to get a 49.82 FPS average (43.46 minimum and 60.51 maximum) with FSR 4 set to Balanced and 60.81 FPS average (52.94 minimum and 73.03 minimum) with FSR 4 set to Performance. While there are no results posted, the tester claims in a follow-up comment that performance went "from 24~FPS at native to 50~FPS with FSR 4 Balanced and 61~FPS with FSR 4 Performance." These tests were conducted on a Windows 11 Pro installation with an AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3970X CPU and 128 GB of RAM, which is an unconventional setup for gaming, and it may ultimately mean that gaming performance could be higher with a more gaming-focused PC build. As the updated FSR version rolls out to older hardware, we will likely see more tests on other hardware tease out the true performance and image quality benefits, but a ~100% performance uplift is promising, especially for gaming handhelds on Radeon 780M iGPUs, for example.
ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) announced today that the 2026 ROG Strix SCAR 18 is now available for purchase from ASUS and partner retailers. Built for gamers, creators, developers, and power users, the refreshed flagship pairs an Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus processor with up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU, delivering up to 320 W of sustained maximum total system power for demanding gaming, creative, and AI workloads.
The Strix SCAR 18 also features a ROG Nebula HDR Display with the world's first 18-inch 4K 240 Hz mini-LED laptop panel, bringing sharp detail, high refresh rates, and vivid HDR to a desktop-replacement form factor. Tool-less access, ROG Q-Latch SSD bays, and signature Aura RGB lighting round our flagship design that's built for performance today and upgrades tomorrow.
Qualcomm Dragonfly brings a robust platform of AI Compute accelerators, CPUs, breakthrough technologies, networking, & custom-silicon under one roof. Enter The Dragon - Qualcomm's New Dragonfly Brand Is Primed For AI, Offering A Full-Stack Datacenter Portfolio, Encompassing Connectivity, CPU, and AI Accelerators The Computex 2026 teaser of the Dragonfly brand is now being officially unveiled as a full-stack data center ecosystem, driving next-generation AI and general-purpose compute. In our previous posts, we talked about the Dragonfly C1000 CPU and the Dragonfly HBC memory solution. Now, we will look at what the initiative has on offer beyond those two technologies, and […]
Qualcomm has introduced its first-ever CPU designed for Data Centers, the Dragonfly C1000, which leverages the Oryon architecture. Qualcomm Enters The Agentic AI CPU Race With Dragonfly C1000 Chip, Oryon-Based With Over 5 GHz Clocks, Over 250 Cores, & Aims To Achieve Single-Core Leadership One of the biggest announcements by Qualcomm today was its first release of a CPU for the data center segment, called the Dragonfly C1000. This is a chip purpose-built for Agentic AI & General-Purpose workloads, delivering best-in-class power efficiency and TCO. As per Qualcomm, the Dragonfly C1000 is based on a custom-designed Oryon core architecture that […]
Qualcomm is unveiling its breakthrough for the AI data center market called HBC (High-Bandwidth Compute), to break the memory wall. Qualcomm's HBC Is A Memory Accelerator That Is Stacked Under DRAM, Offering A Major Boost Versus Standard SRAM & HBM Configurations At its Investors Day 2026, Qualcomm unveiled HBC under its Dragonfly brand, an innovative technology that aims to offer a major boost in memory capacity and bandwidth. The HBC architecture deploys a purpose-built & near-memory solution that bonds compute with boosted memory bandwidth in a 3D stacked chip design. With this, Qualcomm aims to solve the memory bottlenecks that […]
Budjo is a private budgeting app that works without connecting to your bank. You enter your income, bills, and plan yourself, and it shows what you have left to spend today after bills and savings. Checking it takes about 30 seconds in the morning. There is no bank login, nothing tracking you in the app, and no AI deciding anything. Every number is simple math based on what you typed in.
It runs in any browser, works offline, and has a free plan with no card required. Until 20 July, new sign-ups also get three months of the paid plan free. I built Budjo for myself first because every other budgeting app wanted my bank login, and I was never comfortable giving that up.
OutdoorBrite uses AI to turn a single photo of your backyard, garden, patio, or front yard into realistic redesign concepts in seconds. You can pick from dozens of styles like modern, cottage, desert, tropical, and more and see each applied to your actual space. Save favorites, compare them to the original, and share with family or contractors to plan and price the build. OutdoorBrite helps homeowners, DIYers, and pros decide what to build before spending time or money.
The savings are significant, but the real reason to buy this is the package itself: RTX 5090, Core Ultra 9 285K, HP’s patented Cryo Chamber cooling, and a system designed from the ground up to sustain flagship performance for years.
The Intel Core Ultra 9 285K is Intel’s current flagship desktop processor that makes a real difference in video production, 3D rendering, software compilation, and AI workloads. It even includes Intel’s NPU, qualifying the OMEN 45L as an AI PC for Windows 11 Copilot+ features.
Today's top computer deal
This is HP’s flagship desktop done properly. The Core Ultra 9 285K runs up to 5.7GHz across 24 cores, the RTX 5090 32GB GDDR7 is the fastest consumer GPU on the market, and HP’s patented Cryo Chamber keeps everything cool under sustained load without the noise of a poorly designed system. 32GB Kingston FURY DDR5-5600 RAM (upgradeable), 1TB NVMe SSD, Thunderbolt 4, 2.5GbE, Wi-Fi 6E, Windows 11 Home. The chassis has a built-in LCD display that you can customize with images and GIFs. Backed by HP’s warranty and support network.View Deal
The RTX 5090 desktop GPU in this machine is the full-fat desktop version — not the mobile variant found in laptops. With 32GB of GDDR7 memory and the complete GB202 die, it has meaningfully more CUDA cores and higher clock speeds than the laptop RTX 5090.
HP’s patented Cryo Chamber is the key differentiator in the 45L chassis. Unlike most pre-built towers that use a standard air cooler or a third-party AIO bolted onto a standard case, the Cryo Chamber is purpose-built for this chassis — it uses a dedicated cooling chamber that physically isolates the CPU and its heat management from the rest of the components. The result is consistent temperatures during sustained workloads without the fans having to ramp to uncomfortable levels. Multiple reviewers across the GT22 generation have specifically called out thermal management as a standout strength.
The built-in LCD display panel inside the chassis is a characterful touch. You can load it with custom images, GIFs, or system monitoring readouts, and it’s one of those details that HP has executed better than most — it feels like a premium extra rather than a gimmick. The overall chassis design is clean and understated compared to some more overtly aggressive gaming PC aesthetics, which makes it a better fit for a living room or shared space.
Connectivity covers the practical bases: Thunderbolt 4 at 40 Gbps on the rear, 2.5 GbE wired Ethernet, Wi-Fi 6E wireless, and a front panel with USB Type-C and USB Type-A ports for quick peripheral access. One honest caveat from reviewers: this configuration ships with 1TB SSD, which is tight for a high-end gaming machine given modern game install sizes — adding a second NVMe drive early is a sensible first upgrade, though note that accessing the second M.2 slot requires removing the GPU.
Also consider
This is the pre-built for someone who wants to sit down and start 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
Warhammer 11th Edition has arrived with the Armageddon launch box, and although a new edition seems like the perfect way into the hobby, it's a daunting prospect. What do you need to build your models? What do you need to play the game? I've tried to make it easy for you by scouring Amazon for some Prime Day deals to get started.
I've found deals on paints, brushes, Citadel plastic glue, gaming accessories and some models to complement the main starter set, whether you pick the bestial orks or the dogmatic Space Marines.
Obviously the Armageddon 11th Edition launch box set including 23 Space marines, 38 orks & rulebooks is the big-ticket item with $50 off, but I'd also recommend the Infernus Marines & Paints Set, which comes with starter paints and a paintbrush. It's good value although there's no discount: it's a gentler introduction to the build and paint side of things, and easier on your wallet, too. I've also recommended cheaper, well-known brands like Army Painter to save you money.
Check out the deals below, or visit our Amazon Prime Day US live blog for more deals as we find them.
Interestingly, reMarkable discontinued the reMarkable 2 following the launch of the Paper Pure in May, so the former tablet can no longer be bought from reMarkable directly. Does that mean eagle-eyed shoppers are flocking to buy the reMarkable 2 because it’s their last chance to do so, or because it genuinely represents better value than the newer Paper Pure? The answer is complicated.
Let’s start with the key differences between the two tablets, as explained to me by Jon Dalvang, VP, Head of Paper Tablet Product Management at reMarkable, in a recent interview. “We always put a lot of effort into making our displays feel as close to paper as possible, and we’ve taken that one step further with the Paper Pure,” Dalvang said. “It's got 20% better contrast than the reMarkable 2, while navigation, opening and closing documents, and swiping pages is also up to twice as fast.”
Beyond its display, the Paper Pure is a full 43g lighter than the reMarkable 2, it’s got more internal storage (32GB), and its battery lasts 33% longer too.
“It's not a direct replacement of the reMarkable 2,” Dalvang clarified, “but it's an intentional take on trying to reach an entry point for a broader mass market.”
reMarkable
Paper Pure
The Paper Pure comes with a Marker as standard, but for an additional £40, you can get the Marker Plus (which has a built-in eraser) and a Sleeve Folio.
So to recap: the Paper Pure is faster, lighter, and longer-lasting than the reMarkable 2, and it comes with four times as much internal storage. On paper (if you’ll pardon the pun), it’s the superior device, and it’s only £20 more expensive at the time of writing.
There is, however, a clear difference in the way writing feels on both devices. As my colleague, Steve Clark, explains in his reMarkable Paper Pure review: “Using the reMarkable 2 feels very soft, like using a thick pencil or felt tip on the first page of a new Moleskine notebook. The Paper Pro Move [reMarkable’s top-end portable model] feels firmer but smoother, as if writing with a biro on the last few pages of a well-worn legal pad. And since the Paper Pure uses the same active stylus and textured glass cover lens display as the Pro and Pro Move, it falls into the latter camp.”
The reMarkable 2Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadarThe reMarkable Paper PureFuture
Steve adds: “Personally, I loved the tactile feedback of the reMarkable 2 — for what it’s worth, I still prefer the softer writing of the older device compared to the firmer but smoother one found on the Paper Pro and Paper Pure series.” And that might be the reason why so many buyers are flocking to the cheaper-than-ever reMarkable 2, rather than paying a few extra pounds for the newer Paper Pure.
To be clear: the writing experience on the Paper Pure is not bad by any stretch. In fact, the opposite is true (“after 10 minutes with the Paper Pure, I found myself enjoying this new writing style,” Steve notes in his review). Throw in its superior physical characteristics, and I’d say the Paper Pure is the better option for most people.
But it’s clear that the reMarkable 2 still offers compelling value six years after its launch. It’s a little heavier and a little slower to navigate, but these shortcomings aren’t deal-breakers when the core writing experience remains so great — especially for £339.99.
“The Paper Pure is the reMarkable 3 — or perhaps the reMarkable 2.5 — in all but name,” Steve notes in his review. “The Paper Pure is faster, with a better processor and double the memory. However, it’s otherwise largely the same experience.”
Every single one of Apple’s latest tablets is currently on sale at Amazon in both the US and UK (yes, really), and very few of these iPad deals are locked behind the Prime-only paywall. So whether you’re after a top-end iPad Pro or a pocket-friendly iPad mini, this week is the perfect time to snag a cut-price Apple slate.
Here are Amazon’s current iPad deals in full (which I’ve cross-referenced against local retailers in the US and UK):
So, which model should you buy? We’ve got a dedicated guide to the best iPads elsewhere on TechRadar, but in this section, I’ll give you a quick run-down of which iPads to consider, and which to avoid, depending on your use case.
If you’re looking for an iPad for streaming movies, scrolling social media, and FaceTiming family and friends, the iPad 11-inch (2025) is the way to go.
The iPad 11-inch (2025), aka the iPad A16 (Image credit: Jacob Krol/Future)
This is Apple's most basic iPad, but its 11-inch LED display and capable A16 chipset make it as good as any other tablet in its price range for casual movie-watching and light gaming. Seriously: if you’re just planning on using your iPad for Netflix, you don’t need to go above and beyond the iPad 11-inch (2025) — especially when it’s available for just $299 / £310.
The smaller iPad mini 8.3-inch (2024) actually has a more powerful chipset than the base model, as well as Apple Intelligence compatibility, but you won’t benefit from these features unless you’re planning on demanding more from your iPad than streaming and light gaming. And if that is you, then I’d recommend looking towards the new iPad Air instead.
The iPad Air 13-inch (2026), aka the iPad Air M4 (Image credit: Jacob Krol/Future)
The iPad Air 13-inch (2026) hits the sweet spot between value and performance. Its MacBook-level M4 chipset means it can power through productivity-focused applications with ease, it’s compatible with Apple Intelligence, and it also boasts a tidy 12GB of RAM for smooth multitasking.
Those three features make it a better tool for college students and office workers than the iPad 11-inch (2025), and it’s available in two more work-friendly sizes than the 8.3-inch iPad mini. In other words, if you want to draw up documents, create presentations, and edit photos, get the iPad Air.
As for the iPad Pro 11-inch (2025), you should only be considering this freakishly powerful product if you’re a digital artist or full-time video editor.
The iPad Pro 11-inch (2025), aka the iPad Pro M5 (Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)
It’s got the best display of any tablet on the market (it’s a 120Hz OLED, as opposed to a 60Hz LED), as well as the most powerful chipset in the Apple M5. The latter means the iPad Pro can tackle 3D modeling and advanced video rendering, where other iPads can’t, but if you’re not planning on doing either of those things, then this tablet is probably overkill — even at Amazon’s $899 / £944 deal price.
As for which models could get replaced this year, Apple is reportedly planning on releasing an Apple Intelligence-compatible base model and an OLED-equipped iPad mini in 2026. Neither will be anywhere near as cheap as their respective predecessors are currently, but if you’d rather have AI capabilities on your movie-watching tablet or a smaller iPad with an OLED display, then they may be worth waiting for.
It's finally Amazon Prime Day, and I've already spotted some sensational deals on all kinds of tech, from Dolby Atmos soundbars to compact clothes steamers. But arguably some of the most impressive offers I've seen so far are on Bose Bluetooth speakers — with some huge savings available on the brand's absolute best.
I'm a Senior Reviews Writer here at TechRadar, and I've spent years testing audio gear, including a large number of Bose Bluetooth speakers. And so, I've created a list of my 3 favorites — all of which I've tested personally and are on sale for Prime Day.
Today's best Bose Bluetooth speaker deals in the US
I use the Bose SoundLink Flex Gen 2 at home, and I love its clear, well-balanced sound, amazing waterproofing, and gorgeous design. It's also easy to customize in the Bose app, which offers EQ settings, a programmable shortcut button, and more.View Deal
This is a spectacular deal on Bose's great mid-weight speaker. It offers detailed, well-rounded sound, a highly robust build, and can be purchased in a range of funky colors. Don't miss out on this huge discount on one of my favorites from Bose.View Deal
It might be expensive compared to other Bluetooth speakers you can get, but if you want huge, punchy sound, this is the party speaker you should reach for. It will even charge your handheld devices for you thanks to its two-way USB-C port. Bose wraps up excellent sound quality and an enjoyable user experience in an attractive, outdoor-friendly package.View Deal
Today's best Bose Bluetooth speaker deals in the UK
This compact, portable Bose speaker delivers big sound, excellent waterproofing, and a raft of handy features, including a customizable shortcut button, built-in EQ controls and reliable Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity. You can also pair two for stereo sound or use the dedicated Party Mode to make it louder. View Deal
Bose's middleweight speaker is a favorite of mine, with an attractive look, fun color options, exceptional all-round sound, and a super-durable build. It doesn't seem to be on sale in the UK right now, but it's well-priced for the quality you get in return.View Deal
Bose's brilliant, commanding party speaker is available at a massively cut price, and I couldn't recommend it enough. It has incredible bass output, aptX Adaptive support, and an ultra-rugged build that's ideal for taking on the go. Talk about an all-rounder!View Deal
This year's Prime Day dates come at just the right time, the week before the 4th of July. As we all know, this year's 4th of July celebrations will be bigger than ever as we mark the country's Semiquincentennial (the 250th birthday).
If you're planning a 4th of July get-together or BBQ, Prime Day is the perfect opportunity to stock up and save. You can find deals on 4th of July party supplies, such as patriotic decorations and paper goods. I've also found discounts on best-selling grills and accessories, as well as outdoor party must-haves like coolers and waterproof speakers from brands like JBL and Bose.
Shop my full 4th of July must-haves below, as well as links to Amazon's most popular Prime Day deals. Keep in mind that you must be a Prime member to shop for today's offers. If you aren't already a member, you can sign up for a free 30-day trial.
Microsoft has cut the price of last year's Surface Pro 12-inch and Surface Laptop 13-inch models
The freshly introduced entry-level models have 8GB of RAM and provide some relief from recent major price hikes
This isn't a compromise that some people are happy about, and they're arguing that 8GB isn't enough for a laptop these days
Microsoft has given us some more affordable Surface devices, models that are back under a grand in the US due to price cuts – but there's a catch, and that's the compromise made to achieve this pricing.
Windows Central reports that Microsoft's chosen tactic here is to push out new variants of the Surface Pro 12-inch and Surface Laptop 13-inch from last year with just 8GB of RAM to cut the cost. Previously, the baseline models had 16GB of system memory.
These new 8GB versions are priced at $849 for the Surface Pro and $949 in the case of the Surface Laptop on the Microsoft store in the US.
Note that there aren't fresh 8GB models for the recently introduced new Surface Pro and Surface Laptop, which remain with a 16GB loadout at the entry-level.
The new prices for last year's models follow major price hikes for those devices in April 2026. The Surface Pro 12-inch (with 16GB of RAM) was jacked up to $1,049 in the US, whereas previously it started at $799. And the Surface Laptop 13-inch rose to $1,149 versus the original base MSRP of $899.
Analysis: A Neo approach some are questioning
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
While the new prices are a fair old drop down from the painful hikes that happened a couple of months back, Microsoft has sacrificed half the system RAM to get that reduction. This means these Surface devices are no longer Copilot+ PCs with exclusive AI features, as 16GB of RAM is required for that (although not everyone will miss these AI trimmings).
What else is a bit of a downer here is that the new low prices for half the RAM loadout are still $50 more than the original MSRPs for these Surface products back at launch, when they packed 16GB of RAM.
The other potential aggravation for would-be buyers here is the worry over whether 8GB of RAM is enough these days, a concern that looms ever larger. I've written about this in the recent past, and while yes, you can get by on 8GB for everyday computing duties, I am worried about how future-proofing is going to pan out for Windows 11 laptops (or indeed MacBooks, by which I mean the Neo with 8GB).
Okay, granted, Microsoft is working to make Windows 11 more performant in general, and to ensure the OS is happier with a low allocation of RAM like 8GB — and it is low these days, if you were in any doubt — but what about in five years? I don't know about you, but I expect my laptop to last half a decade, if not longer, and a non-upgradable 8GB is, I fear, going to feel wonky before too long.
Still, I take the point that the option for a more affordable Surface is good to have, and more choice is good — plus that 8GB may remain tenable for longer than you expect if you're sticking to basic computing tasks.
As Windows Central's Zac Bowden points out on X: "Microsoft tells me that it's working behind the scenes to optimize Windows 11 to run better on 8GB RAM, and these devices will be more than capable enough for day-to-day productivity workflows, internet browsing, and media consumption tasks."
Other people are a lot more doubtful, though, as you can see in the replies on that thread, which range from: "8GB of RAM in Windows isn't going to run well regardless of optimizations. You can't stop modern software bloat" to the far more blunt: "8GB RAM in 2026 is a scam."
According to a new site, 24% of the most popular websites in the world don't offer support for passkeys, which are considered the most secure way to log in to apps and services.
One of this week's bigger stories in the world of Xbox was the platform's new CEO Asha Sharma stating that "gaming is unaffordable in many cases" in a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly.
We were curious to hear how you, our readers, feel on the matter, and so when we reported on Sharma's statement, we included a poll about it in our article in which many of you voted to voice your opinion. It remains ongoing, and I'll embed it below, but even now, the way our community feels has been made clear by the votes we've tallied up thus far.
At the time of writing, of the 228 of you that have participated in the poll, a whopping 151 gamers — 66% — believe that the cost of gaming is getting out of control. 28% of you, a count of 63, think it's a growing problem but that affordable options still exist, while the remaining minority think gaming isn't unreasonably expensive.
It's clear that the vast majority of you feel that gaming has become partially or completely unaffordable, and honestly? I'm not surprised.
In fact, I'm right there with you; between the ongoing RAM and storage crisis brought on by the tech industry going all in on AI and rising development costs leading to higher game prices (GTA 6 is $80, by the way), the cost of both new games and the hardware to play them on is becoming untenable.
Xbox's new CEO Asha Sharma is correct in saying that gaming has become unaffordable for many, though ironically, Microsoft has driven much of the AI push that's led to hardware shortages affecting the game industry. (Image credit: Microsoft)
Sharma made a good point that memory shortages aren't the only culprit, and that "the attention economy and competing subscriptions" in other entertainment mediums like film and TV have made it harder for many to afford games and gaming devices too.
With that said, though, it's undeniable that the AI-driven hardware crisis is largelyresponsible for what we're seeing, which is why Sharma considers navigating it Xbox's next big "challenge and opportunity." In your responses to Sharma's comments over on our subreddit, though, many of you have rightfully pointed out that Microsoft itself has massively contributed to this problem with its own push for AI.
"Wonder who's fault that is? 🤔," wrote one reader, reacting to Sharma's statement about the price of gaming in 2026. "Well, of course gaming is becoming unaffordable at the moment. No s***, Sherlock. The call is coming from inside the house," said another.
"'Gaming is becoming unaffordable' says CEO of a company making gaming unaffordable," added another, hammering home the point as another of you did: "Yeah. Maybe she should talk to her boss about that."
Like many of you, I too believe that Microsoft has effectively stepped on a rake as it continues to invest in AI through initiatives like its partnership with OpenAI, sabotaging the game and tech industry alongside other big-name AI developers even as its AI products fail to move the needle and AI in general still lacks a clear road to any kind of stable profitability.
Put simply, gaming has become unaffordable — and quite a bit of the blame for that frustrating truth lies on Microsoft's shoulders.
Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.
Windows 11 brings major changes to the Start menu and Taskbar in 2026, finally giving users more control over customization.
Microsoft spent the first years of Windows 11 simplifying the Start menu and Taskbar, often at the expense of features that users had relied on for years. In 2026, the company is correcting its direction.
In recent preview builds, the operating system has revealed a growing list of improvements that bring more customization and control back to the experience. From Taskbar positioning and resizing to Start menu layouts and recommendation controls, the software giant is restoring capabilities that many users have been complaining about since the original release of Windows 11.
However, the company's approach isn't about recreating Windows 10. Instead, Microsoft is rebuilding these experiences around the design principles of Windows 11 while giving users more flexibility than they have today.
Microsoft is giving users more control over the Taskbar
The biggest change is the reversal of positioning controls. Users will once again be able to place the Taskbar to the top, left, right, or bottom edge of the screen.
(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)
For many users, this feature never should have disappeared in the first place. The ability to place the Taskbar where it works best has been part of the operating system for decades.
At the same time, the company isn't restoring the exact Windows 10 experience. Previously, users could unlock the Taskbar and drag it directly to a different edge of the screen, or change its position through the Settings app. On Windows 11, changing the position requires using the option available through the Settings app, more specifically in the Taskbar settings under the "Taskbar behaviors" section.
(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)
Taskbar sizing is also making a comeback. However, the company is updating the "Show smaller taskbar buttons" option so that enabling it makes the buttons and Taskbar smaller, not just the buttons.
(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)
The feature improves flexibility, but it still doesn't offer the same freedom available on Windows 10, where users could manually resize the Taskbar and even create multi-row layouts.
The Start menu is finally becoming more customizable
The Start menu is being updated with some of the most significant improvements since the operating system's launch.
One of the biggest additions is support for different Start menu sizes. Instead of relying entirely on the automatic layout, users will be able to choose between different menu configurations based on their preferences.
(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)
You will find these settings on the updated "Start" page from the Settings app.
Microsoft is also introducing dedicated controls to show or hide sections such as Pinned, Recommended, and All apps. These changes address one of the most common complaints about the Start menu, which has often felt too limited compared to previous versions of the operating system.
(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)
The company is also separating recommendation settings from recent files and activity history. As a result, users will gain more granular control over what appears in the Start menu without affecting other parts of the operating system.
(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)
Privacy is also receiving attention, with a new option that lets users hide their account name and profile picture from the Start menu.
These changes reflect a broader shift in Microsoft's strategy
The Start menu and Taskbar updates are part of Microsoft's wider Windows K2 initiative, an effort focused on improving performance, reliability, and usability across Windows 11.
While much of that work happens behind the scenes, the Start menu and Taskbar provide visible evidence that Microsoft's priorities have evolved since 2021.
When this version of Windows launched, the company emphasized simplicity and consistency, even when it meant removing long-standing customization features. A lot of users felt those decisions made the operating system less flexible than Windows 10.
The changes expected to roll out in 2026 suggest Microsoft is rethinking and taking a more balanced approach. Rather than limiting customization in the name of simplicity, the company is finding ways to offer more control while preserving the modern design introduced on Windows 11.
Windows 11 is becoming a more flexible operating system
Microsoft's reinstatement of Taskbar positioning and sizing, Start menu layouts, and recommendation controls may not seem revolutionary on their own. However, these changes represent one of the most notable shifts.
The company is not abandoning its vision for Windows 11, nor is it trying to turn the operating system into Windows 10. Instead, the company is acknowledging that flexibility remains one of the operating system's greatest strengths.
For years, many of the conversations around Windows 11 focused on features that were removed. In 2026, the conversation is increasingly focused on the features Microsoft is bringing back and what that says about the operating system's future direction.
Windows Central's Take
I think the most interesting part of these Start menu and Taskbar changes isn't any individual feature. It's what they reveal about Microsoft's evolving approach to Windows 11.
When the operating system launched in 2021, the software giant removed a noticeable amount of customization in favor of simplicity. The Taskbar lost positioning and resizing controls, and the Start menu became significantly more limited compared to Windows 10. At the time, those choices felt deliberate, almost like a firm design reset.
In 2026, that direction looks less fixed. The reintroduction of Taskbar positioning and resizing options, along with more granular Start menu controls, suggests Microsoft is recalibrating how much flexibility the operating system should offer without undoing its modern design language.
What are your thoughts on the Start menu and Taskbar changes coming to Windows 11? Let me know in the comments.
More resources
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:
Memories in Orbit (MIO) launched in January 2026 to a relatively positive critical reception, but it seems as though its commercial success has not met expectations. According to a recent report by French news outlet, Le Figaro, Douze Dixièmes will be closing down following a buyout deal by Douze Dixièmes co-founders that would allow them to regain control of the company from Focus Entertainment and close things out on their terms.
While Memories in Orbit received high praise at launch, at its height, it failed to even break 3,000 concurrent players on Steam, according to SteamDB. At the time of writing, the game has a 24-hour peak concurrent player count of 201 players, and ownership estimates put the $19.99 indie Metroidvania's sales at around 67,000-112,500 units, which was seemingly not even enough to sustain the small team of around 10 people at Douze Dixièmes and support the game's future development. Douze Dixièmes has not yet publicly acknowledged the closure.
As was the case with the Steam Deck, Valve is selling the Steam Machine via Komodo Station, an Asian reseller that serves much of South-East Asia, and as a result, it skips the reservation and lottery system that is currently in place on Valve's own Steam Store. While this doesn't combat issues like scalping and shortages as well as Steam's in-house system, it provides a much more realistic indication of current stock levels. According to Komodo Store, however, all versions of the Valve Steam Machine have officially sold out less than 48 hours after the new hardware launched.
In Japan, the Steam Machine starts at $1,175 for the 512 GB model and goes up from there to ~$1,638 for the 2 TB model with two Steam Controllers and two additional faceplates. It remains to be seen how well the console will sell in the west when it officially starts shipping on June 25, however, since the price is quite high, especially compared to consoles like the PS5 Pro and similar small-form-factor PCs. As far as sentiment goes, there appears to be a divide forming in online spaces, like r/steammachine on Reddit, where some are saying the convenience of not having to set up any hardware is worth the price trade-off. The Steam Machine was seemingly meant to cost around 30% less initially, but it's unclear if or when it will come down to that price, which will only be possible if the RAM crisis comes to an end and hardware prices ease.
Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: QCOM) today announced at its Investor Day, new data center solutions, including the Qualcomm Dragonfly C1000 CPU, Qualcomm High Bandwidth Compute (HBC), Qualcomm Dragonfly AI300 inference accelerator, and connectivity products, together with custom silicon solutions, all engineered to maximize performance per watt and token throughput at lower total cost of ownership. The new platforms highlight Qualcomm Technologies' growing role in building full‑stack data center infrastructure optimized for AI, spanning agentic and data‑center‑class CPUs, AI inference accelerators, high‑performance connectivity, and at scale custom silicon solutions. The Qualcomm Dragonfly AI300 joins the previously announced Qualcomm Dragonfly AI200 and AI250 in its data center solutions portfolio with an annual cadence AI accelerator roadmap.
"Agentic AI is driving a significant increase in demand for AI inference in the data center. As these become the dominant workloads, infrastructure has to deliver much higher performance at lower power and cost," said Cristiano Amon, President and CEO, Qualcomm Incorporated. "That plays directly to Qualcomm's strengths, and we're well positioned for this shift. With Qualcomm Dragonfly, we're bringing our high-performance, low-power computing into the data center, with multi-year, multi-generation agreements with leading customers."
One order directs federal agencies to work with private companies and universities to deliver a quantum computer capable of supporting scientific research by 2028. The Department of Energy has been tasked with identifying the technical benchmarks that will define the system.
We’ve got our sights set on Amazon Prime Day, which is running from June 23-26, 2026, and the bargains for some of the best 3D printers are hot! But Amazon is not the only place to snag a great deal. Manufacturers are holding fantastic sales on their own websites, and most are offering free shipping along with can’t-miss filament bundles.
The Anycubic Kobra X is one of the best, most affordable 3D printers you can buy, and it’s currently on sale for $299.99 on Amazon for Prime members. We love its space-saving design with top-mounted spools and a compact multimaterial handler packed right in the tool head. It also has a quick swap nozzle and a roomy 260 x 260 mm build plate.
By keeping the material mere centimeters from the nozzle at all times, the Kobra X has a competitive speed advantage. During our testing, it could swap colors in about 35 seconds from cut to purge, while the Bambu A1 took as long as 90 seconds to swap. Those seconds can really stack up over hundreds of layers of multicolor printing.
Because it only needs to retract filament a very short distance, the Kobra X is one of the few machines that can mix standard TPU and PLA in one print.
Bambu Lab A1 and A1 Mini
Tom's HardwareTom's Hardware
Bambu Lab only offers three of its older model 3D printers on Amazon: the A1, A1 Mini, and P1S. It’s not surprising, as these are also its most popular, budget, and beginner-friendly machines.
The A1 Mini is our favorite recommendation for kids starting a 3D printing hobby. Its compact size, ease of use, and full access to Bambu Lab’s ecosystem make it a machine that can grow with you as you level up your skills. It’s currently $349 with a four-color AMS Lite, or $234 as a single-color machine on Amazon.
The A1, with its standard-sized 256x256mm build plate, is a no-brainer for beginners who want to start with a full-size machine. This machine is currently the most cloned 3D printer, but its print quality, speed, and simple interface are hard to beat. Bambu’s full-service ecosystem isn’t quite a walled garden, but it’s certainly a cozy place to stay for beginners learning the ropes. Amazon currently has the A1 Combo for $394, but you can get a better price, along with discounted filaments, at Bambu’s own website. The A1 Combo is $379 with a build-your-own filament bundle that lists spools at 45% off.
Bambu Lab P1S
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
A fan favorite workhorse since the day it was launched in 2023, the P1S is Bambu Lab’s bargain, no frills, fully enclosed 3D printer. It’s currently on sale for $499 on Amazon as a four-color combo unit that includes the original AMS.
The P1S has all the print quality you’d expect from a Bambu Lab machine, but has a few old-school quirks. Swapping the nozzle involves minor surgery with a screwdriver, thermal paste, and a steady hand. It has an extremely basic “dumb screen” interface on the printer, which can be easily avoided if you use either the Bambu Handy mobile app or simply operate from your PC, as I do.
Elegoo Centauri Carbon
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
Elegoo’s single color, fully enclosed, Centauri Carbon is holding steady as a value leader with a $299.98 price tag on Amazon. You can also get it on the Elegoo website, but you’ll have to pay extra for shipping.
The Centauri Carbon is a bare-bones enclosed 3D printer that handles a wide variety of filaments, from PLA, PETG, and ASA to TPU, quite well, without the need for a heated chamber. It has a standard bed size of 256 x 256mm, which means 3rd party build plate upgrades are easy to find. Our only complaint was the dim light, which, when combined with a smoked glass door, makes watching your prints difficult.
Though Elegoo did recently come out with a $55 four-color CANVAS upgrade for the Centauri Carbon, if you really want a four-color machine, I’d recommend the Centauri Carbon 2, only available on the Elegoo website, for $449 at the time of this writing. The upgrade kit is a nice gesture for CC1 owners, but it requires about 2 to 3 hours to mod your printer.
Creality SparkX i7
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
If you're looking for an affordable entry into multi-color printing, the Creality SPARKX i7 Color Combo is a fantastic pick. What really seals the deal is the CFS Lite spool manager, a low-maintenance, incredibly adaptable “magic box” that handles every size and type of spool I could throw at it, including quarter-sized mini spools and spoolless coils, during testing.
The SPARKX i7 Combo is currently $369 on Amazon. It has a 260 x 260 x 255mm build volume, which is a bit bigger than Creality’s old Ender 3s without moving into Plus size territory. The Creality Cloud mobile app is a worthy addition for new users who want to pick fun models from their phone, run them through an easy slicer, and send them directly to their printer without needing to log onto a PC.
Flashforge AD5X and Creator 5
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
The single-nozzle/multicolor Flashforge AD5X is a solid entry to four-color, Core XY printing on a budget. The machine is currently on Amazon for $322 as an open-frame machine. The enclosure seen on our review unit was a DIY kit sold for $50 that includes panes of acrylic and a bag of screws: you print the rest yourself.
The AD5X does a great job with standard filaments, soft TPU, and can handle ASA when enclosed. The simple material handler is similar to Elegoo’s CC2, which keeps each filament a few inches from the top of the toolhead and doesn’t need to retract back onto the spool. Sometimes keeping it simple really is the best.
Unfortunately, the Creator 5 tool changer is not on Amazon for Prime Day, but it is currently on sale for $699 on Flashforge’s own website. We recently finished testing the Creator 5 and found it to be one of thebest 3D printers of the year, which we hope is filled with even more toolchangers to come.
I’ve had many water bottles over the years. At one point, I think it was a S'well, and then the years went by, and trends changed. Stanley, Yeti, and countless others in between — I even picked up a few from Disney World — but a few weeks back, I bought an Owala, and thanks to Prime Day, you can score one for 26% off.
I’ve sort of become obsessed with my Owala recently. It offers two ways to drink: an easy sip through a straw or a classic pour from a sizable spout. It also has a secure lid and a locking mechanism that helps prevent spills with an easy switch. I love the handle, too, which makes it easy to carry the 40-ounce bottle around, and it still fits in most cupholders.
So yes, it checks basically every box I could ask for. Depending on your color choice, Prime Day is an excellent time to pick one up, as it's up to 26% off, bringing the $44.99 MSRP down to just $33.23. You'll need to be okay with the bright, vibrant "Putting Green" colorway, but for a little more, you can also save on the Owala FreeSip Sway in several other shades.
Today's best Owala Prime Day deal
Right now, you can get the Owala FreeSip Sway 40-oz in Putting Green at a record 26% off for just $33.23 for Prime Day.View Deal
Another reason I've come to love the Owala is its insulation, mainly the ability to keep whatever liquid is inside cold for hours on end. Combined with the brand's signature FreeSip design, which lets you switch between sipping through a built-in straw or taking a larger drink from the spout, it feels like a genuinely thoughtful upgrade over a standard water bottle.
And if you don't need the carry handle or cupholder-friendly design of the FreeSip Sway, Amazon is also discounting several other Owala models for Prime Day. Better yet, many of them still feature the same FreeSip straw-and-spout combo that makes the bottle so convenient to use throughout the day.
More Owala Prime Day deals
Owala
Freesip Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle With Straw
Owala
Freesip Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle With Straw
Owala
Freesip Twist Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle With Straw
AWS becomes the first cloud provider offering rentable PCIe 6.0 processors
Graviton5 combines 192 Arm cores with 96 PCIe lanes
Memory bandwidth exceeds 800GB/s across AWS's latest server platform
AWS has quietly achieved a milestone that neither AMD nor Intel reached first in commercially available cloud infrastructure by deploying a PCIe 6.0-capable processor.
The company's Graviton5 CPU is now generally available through Amazon EC2 M9g and M9gd instances, allowing customers to rent PCIe 6.0 hardware by the hour.
While that development sounds significant on paper, practical benefits remain difficult to identify for most users at the current stage of deployment.
PCIe 6.0 arrives in the cloud before it reaches most hardware
Graviton5 was developed by Annapurna Labs and adopts a chiplet design built on TSMC's 3nm manufacturing process technology.
The processor combines four compute dies containing 48 Arm v3 cores each, bringing the total core count to 192.
AWS says each core carries 1MB of dedicated cache, while the platform integrates 12 DDR5 memory channels operating at speeds up to DDR5-8800.
According to company figures, the memory subsystem can deliver more than 800GB/s of aggregate bandwidth across demanding workloads.
The processor also includes 96 PCIe 6.0 lanes, making it the first cloud CPU customers can actively access with PCIe 6.0 connectivity.
Communication between chiplets relies on a coherent interconnect capable of transferring data at 420GB/s while maintaining unified operation.
AWS claims Graviton5 can deliver performance improvements reaching 25% compared with earlier generations deployed across its infrastructure.
Additional figures suggest application workloads may run 35% faster, while database operations improve by 30% under suitable conditions.
Network bandwidth reportedly increases by as much as 15%, while storage bandwidth rises by approximately 20% across instance categories.
For larger deployments, AWS says network throughput can double compared with previous offerings available through its cloud platform.
Why PCIe 6.0 may not matter much yet
The challenge is that PCIe 6.0 alone does not automatically transform application performance unless the surrounding hardware can exploit the added bandwidth.
This limitation becomes clearer when examining storage devices capable of taking advantage of the newer interface standard today.
Amazon Prime Day is running throughout this week, and I've been checking Amazon, as well as its rivals, which are also running sales, for the best gaming laptop deals. As Managing Editor of Core Tech for TechRadar, I've spent nearly two decades writing about laptops and covering major sales events, so I have a pretty good idea of what makes a great gaming laptop deal — and it's not just about finding the very lowest price.
What you need is a gaming laptop that balances both price and performance. There's no point spending money on a cheap gaming laptop if it struggles to play modern games, so sometimes it's better to invest a little more.
All the gaming laptops I've picked below for both US and UK readers will be able to run modern games without issue, and they'll also set you up nicely for the inevitable PC version of GTA 6, which will hopefully be announced in the near future.
So, fellow PC gamers, let's not just sit and watch jealously while console gamers preorder GTA 6; let's go out and buy some exciting new rigs, safe in the knowledge that Rockstar's upcoming game will one day play best on PC.
It's been a long time since I've seen an RTX 5070 gaming laptop go for this cheap, but 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
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.
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 somewhat hamper your performance headroom.
A great choice if you're looking for a gaming laptop without completely blowing the budget, this Gigabyte A16 gets you everything you need for smooth gaming right out of the box. The combination of an RTX 5060 graphics card and Ryzen 7 chipset means decent chops for 1080p gaming, while a 1TB SSD also provides plenty of storage space. While not a super high-end laptop, this one is still a cut above the more budget-oriented sub-$1,000 machines.
The 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
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
I've seen a fair few deals on Lenovo Legion 5i gaming laptops over the past few weeks, but none of those touch this listing at B&H Photo. Not only are you getting a great price on this machine, considering it features an RTX 5070 graphics card and Ultra 9 chipset, but you also get a 1TB SSD and 32GB of RAM. Combined, this is one impressive deal indeed, thanks to the retailer's massive $500 price cut today.View Deal
It's a rare thing these days to see a gaming laptop for under £700, and better yet, this Acer Nitro V15 actually features a recent RTX 5050 graphics card. If you're looking for the basics, then this machine is definitely going to cover you well for a great price. The RTX 5050, in combination with the Core i7 chipset, is going to play all the latest games — and should do well, granted you're willing to tweak a few settings here and there on the most demanding titles.
The MSI Thin 15 RTX 4050 B13VE might be the most affordable gaming laptop anyone will come across during Prime Day. This is an entry-level gaming laptop, around the same price as a modern handheld such as Valve's Steam Deck, with much better performance using Nvidia's RTX 4050 GPU.
Moving up in price will get you a decent budget machine with the latest RTX 5050 graphics card — like this Medion Erazer, for example. You can expect a decent level of performance with this machine for the money, especially if you're just aiming to play on this laptop's modest 1080p display. Medion laptops tend to be quite workmanlike in terms of design, but they do provide decent performance for the money.View Deal
This mid-range RTX 5060 Acer Nitro gaming laptop is really hitting that sweet spot in terms of bang for the buck, in my opinion. The chipset is a little on the older side, and you're only getting 16GB of RAM, but I still think this one is a real bargain for £799. If you're just looking to play all the latest games smoothly at 1080p, then this particular listing is definitely worth considering. Getting a more spacious 1TB SSD is also a meaningful upgrade.
We've spotted an excellent price drop on the Alienware 16 Aurora with RTX 5060, Intel Core 7-240H, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD, and 16-inch WQXGA 120Hz display. Grab it now at Amazon before it's gone.View Deal
My favourite gaming laptop deal this week has to be this discounted Asus V16 at Amazon. Not only are you getting a great price for a machine with an RTX 5060 graphics card, but this one also features a spacious 1TB SSD and an Intel Core Ultra 7 chipset. If you want smooth gaming for a few years down the line, then this one is a decent choice, and great value thanks to today's discount.View Deal
Wow, it's been a while since I've seen an RTX 5070 gaming laptop with 32GB of RAM hit this kind of price. The Acer Nitro V15 is still a relatively budget machine, but in terms of specs, this higher-end configuration really ticks all the boxes today. You get a great GPU, an up-to-date chipset, and 32GB of RAM right out of the box.
As TechRadar's retail editor, I'm usually at the forefront of the site's Amazon Prime Day coverage. Every year, I sort through and write up literally hundreds of deals. I have a confession to make, however. I'm often too busy writing up recommendations for our readers that I don't even stop to buy anything for myself!
This year is different, however, as the extreme heat in the UK has finally spurred me into action taking advantage of the mega-sale. If you're also suffering from the heat, then here are two very, very useful purchases.
The first is a cheap sunscreen for your car. I've noticed these aren't that popular in England, but in hotter climates, they're a real mainstay wherever you go.
My car got so hot in the midday sun the other day that I almost burnt my hand on the steering wheel and front seat. On my way back from work, I picked up a cheap sunscreen and it's definitely made a big difference for comfort. The car is still hot, but there's no danger of contact burns or the like.
The only issue I've found with the cheap sunscreen I bought the other day is that doesn't really fit my windscreen snugly and it's pretty bulky when folded. I spotted this Spigen Sunshade for £18.69 (was £21) in the Prime Day sale today and I'm kicking myself I didn't opt for that instead.
My second purchase, which is in my cart right now, is this Warmco handheld fan for £21.97 (was £29.99). I've had an old no-brand hand-held fan for a few years now, but it's finally decided to kick it in (the worst timing, I know). I love these little fans because you throw them in your bag wherever you go - public transport, into work, on holiday. I've even taken these to festivals, where they're always a hit.
This Warmco fan looks a little high-tech compared to the one I've been using, but judging by the reviews, it's exceptionally powerful for its size. Personally, I'm looking forward to the upgrade, considering this thing can last up to 18 hours on one charge. It's not a blockbuster Prime Day deal, but I'm saving a few quid by getting this on sale, so I think it's a good investment!
My two essential heatwave purchases at Amazon
After burning my hand on my steering wheel, I decided to invest in a cheap reflective screen for my car. This Spigen shade comes from a trusted brand and looks a lot better than the cheaper options out there thanks to its snug all-purpose fit. It's much easier to store than the foldable versions (it comes with its own little bag), and has two possible sizes so you can really tailor it to your car.View Deal
This Warmco Portable handheld fan is in my cart right now. Again, we haven't reviewed it, but it does have good Amazon reviews and the price is right thanks to an Amazon Prime Day deal. According to the user reviews, this looks to be a surprisingly powerful little fan that's capable of 2.5 hours of operation per charge.View Deal
SteelSeries makes some of the finest gaming headsets money can buy nowadays, and I've had the pleasure of testing a whole host of them. They simply don't miss, and if you're ever looking for a headset that's going to give you the most bang for your buck, no matter your budget, then there's always a headset for you in the brand's line.
Most of them aren't priced too outrageously to begin with, but now, with the Amazon Prime Day deals in full swing, there are a huge number of price cuts up and down the range to take advantage of. And even a big price cut in the UK on the immense and super-premium Arcits Nova Elite.
There's something here for everyone too, and if you want to scope out the Elite or the Nova Pro sets, then you'll see some good prices for those higher end sets, but if you just need a cheap and cheerful extra headset, cross-platform headset, or one for on the go, then there's something here for you — and you won't miss with any of them, such is the quality.
Morocco will aim to seal top spot in Group C when they face already-eliminated Haiti at FIFA World Cup 2026, and you can watch it all for free from anywhere.
The Atlas Lions are hunting down Brazil in the race to the summit, with only goal difference separating the pair heading into the final group games. Morocco's 1-0 triumph over Scotland last time out all-but secured their place in the knockout stage, however they may rue their inability to increase the margin of victory, having been comfortably the better side in the first half. Despite scoring just twice in two games – both courtesy of PSV striker Ismael Saibari – their goal difference is inferior to Brazil's only by two, so a big win in Atlanta against the Caribbean minnows could leapfrog the 2022 semi-finalists above the five-time winners into top spot. Both games kick off at the same time, which means Mohamed Ouahbi's team will know if they have to push for more goals late on.
Having waited 52 years for their second taste of the World Cup, Haiti's tournament will end after just three matches. That was always likely in a tough group and last weekend's 3-0 defeat by Brazil meant they earned the, erm, distinction of becoming the first team knocked out of the 2026 finals. While they are guaranteed to finish bottom of Group C on account of their inferior head-to-head record with Scotland, the Grenadiers have more than just pride to play for against Morocco, as they seek their first World Cup point at the sixth attempt. If they achieve that, it will still be something to celebrate.
So, read on as we show you exactly how to watch Morocco vs Haiti for free from anywhere in the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Morocco vs Haiti: Team News
Morocco XI: Bounou; Hakimi, Halhal, Riad, Salah-Eddine; Amrabat, El Aynaoui; Diaz, Saibari, El Khannouss; El Kaabi.
Haiti XI: Placide; Duverne, Ade, Delcroix, Experience; Casimir, Jean Jacques, Bellegarde, Providence; Isidor, Joseph.
How to watch Morocco vs Haiti for free
Morocco vs Haiti 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.
Use a VPN to watch Morocco vs Haiti live streams
It’s the World Cup, and if you’re traveling, you might discover your usual Morocco vs Haiti 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.
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 🔓 Unlocks World Cup streams
Don’t miss a second. Stream the World Cup from anywhere with total confidence.View Deal
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 air will run thick with nostalgia as Scotland face Brazil at the FIFA World Cup 2026, with both teams aiming to book their place in the knockout stage – and you can live stream the game around the world for free.
Mention this fixture to members of the Tartan Army and they will immediately go dewy-eyed, as they recall Scotland's battles with Brazil at World Cups of yore. This is the Scots' fifth meeting with A Selecao at the tournament – they have not played any other country more than twice – but their finals record against the five-time winners is not the best, with a 0-0 draw in 1974 followed by defeats in 1982, 1990 and 1998. It falls on Steve Clarke's Class of 2026 to change the narrative in Miami, where they may need a point to qualify for the knockout stage following their 1-0 defeat by Morocco last weekend. Finish third, and it's calculators out as one of the eight best records. If they do that, they will become the first Scotland side in history to progress beyond the group stage of a major tournament.
This fixture may not mean the same to Brazil as it does to the Scots, but it is important nonetheless. Carlo Ancelotti's side beat Haiti 3-0 last time out to take control of Group C and they know that a win here should put them top the standings, thanks to their superior goal difference over Morocco. The Atlas Lions can leapfrog Brazil if they beat already-eliminated Haiti and A Selecao fail to win, or if both teams triumph but the North Africans overturn their goal difference deficit of two. As a result, Ancelotti will want his side to not just win but win well as they look to secure top spot. It means Brazil's supporting cast will have to follow the lead of Matheus Cunha, who scored twice against Haiti, and take the pressure off superstar forward Vinicius Jnr.
So, read on as we show you exactly how to watch Scotland vs Brazil for free from anywhere in the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Scotland vs Brazil 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.
Use a VPN to watch Scotland vs Brazil live streams
It’s the World Cup, and if you’re traveling, you might discover your usual Scotland vs Brazil 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.
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 🔓 Unlocks World Cup streams
Don’t miss a second. Stream the World Cup from anywhere with total confidence.View Deal
How to watch Scotland vs Brazil in the US
US viewers can watch Scotland vs Brazil on Fox and Telemundo (Spanish comms).
Those looking for a streaming service instead can watch Scotland vs Brazil 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).
How to watch Scotland vs Brazil in the UK
UK customers are in luck as they can stream Scotland vs Brazil for free on the BBC. Live coverage is available on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
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.
How to watch Scotland vs Brazil in Australia
(Image credit: free)
Scotland vs Brazil 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 outside of Oz? A VPN like Norton VPN can help unlock your free stream.
How to watch Scotland vs Brazil in Canada
(Image credit: Other)
In Canada, TSN will be broadcasting Scotland vs Brazil.
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.
Scotland vs Brazil: Match Information
What time does Scotland vs Brazil start?
Scotland vs Brazil kicks-off at 11pm BST / 6pm ET on Wednesday, June 24. That's 8am AEST on Thursday, June 25 in Australia.
What are the squads for Scotland vs Brazil?
Scotland
Goalkeepers: Craig Gordon (Hearts), Angus Gunn (Nottingham Forest), Liam Kelly (Rangers).
Defenders: Grant Hanley (Hibernian), Jack Hendry (Al Ettifaq), Aaron Hickey (Brentford), Dom Hyam (Wrexham), Scott McKenna (Dinamo Zagreb), Nathan Patterson (Everton), Anthony Ralston (Celtic), Andy Robertson (Liverpool), John Souttar (Rangers), Kieran Tierney (Celtic).
Midfielders: Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Findlay Curtis (Rangers), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Tyler Fletcher (Manchester United), Ben Gannon-Doak (Bournemouth), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Kenny McLean (Norwich City), Scott McTominay (Napoli).
Forwards: Che Adams (Torino), Lyndon Dykes (Charlton Athletic), George Hirst (Ipswich Town), Lawrence Shankland (Hearts), Ross Stewart (Southampton).
Defenders: Alex Sandro, Danilo, Leo Pereira (Flamengo), Bremer (Juventus), Ibanez (Al-Ahli), Ederson (Atalanta), Marquinhos (Paris St-Germain), Gabriel (Arsenal), Douglas Santos (Zenit St. Petersburg).
Midfielders: Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle), Casemiro (Manchester United), Danilo Santos (Botafogo), Fabinho (Al-Ittihad), Lucas Paqueta (Flamengo).
Forwards: Endrick (Lyon), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Igor Thiago (Brentford), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid), Luiz Henrique (Zenit St. Petersburg), Neymar (Santos), Rayan (Bournemouth).
Group C Table
Position
Team
GD
Points
1
Brazil
3
4
2
Morocco
1
4
3
Scotland
0
3
4
Haiti
-4
0
Can I watch Scotland vs Brazil on my mobile?
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.
Everyone is flocking to Amazon Prime Day to get their hands on the best tech deals out there, and one of the most sought-after devices are the best smartwatches.
While you can score a fair offer on Apple Watches, the deals for Wear OS models are just as good, if not a little more generous. If you're currently using a watchOS device and want to see what Wear OS is all about, or you're a seasoned Wear OS user and are on the hunt for an upgrade, we've got you covered.
We've gathered a handful of deals on some of our favorite Wear OS smartwatches, ranging from top models including the Samsung Galaxy Watch8, as well as Google's Pixel Watch 4, latest member to its wearable family.
US deals
Save an impressive 45% 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
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!
Admittedly, this isn't the Prime Day discount we'd usually like to see but still, scoring what we called the 'Android smartwatch of 2025' for less than £240 is a bargain. The OnePlus Watch 3 is a killer wearable for runners especially, providing granular information as well as graphical displays.
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 45% 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
This is the best price we've yet seen a Google Pixel Watch 4, bringing the top Android watch down to under $350 in all four colors. An absolute steal if you can get it.
New technology canned real-time offenses to enforcement agencies
Cameras are good enough to spot drivers holding smartphones
DPS commissioner says the tech won’t be used to write tickets
The Mississippi Department of Information Technology Service’s board has recently signed a contract with Australian AI-focused technology company Acusensus worth $2 million that will introduce special, multi-violation traffic cameras to the state.
The technology, which is powerful enough to capture high-res and blur-free imagery of vehicles and drivers at speeds of up to 186mph, is able to send imagery and data to traffic officers in real-time, with the captured content available to use in a court of law.
Understandably, there has been a fierce backlash from residents, who became concerned that the Mississippi Highway Patrol was going to start using AI-powered cameras to allow troopers to write tickets for offenses caught on film, according to Mississippi’s Supertalk.fm.
In response, Sean Tindell, the state’s public safety commissioner, announced on a video posted to Facebook that his department entered the agreement to help it identify areas of the state that have “a higher probability of fatal crashes and accidents”, which would allow his team to “better allocate resources to those areas”.
While Tindell said that no tickets would be issued based on data received from the devices, some have been outspoken on the introduction of such “intrusive” AI-powered cameras in public.
“Cameras armed with AI, peering into your car and processing your actions, invading your privacy, and then signaling a live officer down the road to pull you over and issue citations and/or make arrests in real time. It’s a very slippery slope with frightening ramifications,” House Rep. Dan Eubanks said, according to Carscoops.
Analysis: Safer roads or an Orwellian future?
(Image credit: Acusensus)
As Dan Eubanks pointed out, “every American citizen has a Constitutional right to face his or her accuser,” and one of the greatest concerns with AI-powered traffic cameras is that, alongside a suggested ‘invasion of privacy’, it potentially removes the officer from the equation.
In much of Europe, we have long lived with Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras and speed trap devices that will automatically send penalty charges through the post, so this doesn’t feel too alien.
That said, cameras that look into a vehicles cabin and can detect the misuse of technology or abuse of seat belt laws takes things up a level.
It joins mounting concern from certain privacy advocates surrounding the use of technology to track citizen’s every moves, as we recently reported on the steps being taken by some motorists to avoid the growing number of Automatic License Plate Reader (ALPR) cameras.
While it's often stated that cameras have the potential to act as a deterrent to dangerous driving and catch offenders, there is mounting concern that it also feels a lot like mass surveillance.
Wondering where your online order ended up may soon be a thing of the past thanks to a new launch from Samsara which makes tracking your deliveries easier than ever.
At its Samsara Beyond event, the company revealed the Samsara Tracking Label: a smart, single-use Bluetooth adhesive label that is able to provide near-real-time visibility on where a shipment actually is.
From dispatch to delivery, the label can dial into the company’s Samsara Network along its route, allowing accurate tracking at all times - particularly useful for areas such as pharmaceuticals, where companies need to know exactly where a delivery is at all times.
Samsara Tracking Label
The Tracking Label is an adhesive-backed, flexible, paper-thin label which can have a a 45-day battery life after being activated. The battery contains no lithium or hazardous materials, meaning it can be cleared for air, ground, and rail shipments, and is suitable for disposal without special handling.
Samsara says the launch goes beyond typical trackers, which can be lost or damaged in transit, leading to a lack of information or insight into where a delivery actually is, with its network covering 99% of major US roads and tens of thousands of worksites.
“This is no longer science fiction, this is reality,” David Gal, VP of Connected Equipment at Samsara, told attendees at Samsara Beyond.
The company says cargo theft costs US businesses roughly $35 billion annually, a figure which is only set to increase over the coming years as online shopping continues to grow.
It notes how current solutions such as RFID and cellular connectivity, can struggle with cost and coverage problems - but Bluetooth can go beyond that and gives much more insight.
(Image credit: Samsara)
The label process can be scaled up easily depending on customer demand - and although specific pricing information isn’t available yet, the move could help companies of all sizes save time, money and stress on tracking their deliveries.
The Tracking Label can be managed within Samsara’s new Shipment Center and Shipment App, which seamlessly plug into an organization's existing infrastructure, regardless of which shipping carrier they use.
This platform allows customers to not only see the real-time delivery schedule and deter theft, but also let them spot issues or delays before they happen, track deliveries across borders, and provide easier dispute resolution, helping keep their customers happy.
Just got a Garmin in the Amazon Prime Day sales? Congratulations. If you haven't yet pulled the trigger, the Prime Day deals won't be around for long, so I've included some of my favorites down below. Simply click here to go straight to the deals.
Now, welcome to the Garmin ecosystem! Garmin, the Garmin Connect app, and the Garmin Connect IQ store are cool, stripped-down app ecosystems designed to help you get the most out of exercise. There is a premium tier in Garmin Connect+, but it's entirely optional and, quite frankly, it's not been well received by the Garmin community at large, so I wouldn't recommend subscribing yet.
As well as the usual passive activity tracking, sleep tracking, and notification functionalities, Garmin gives you all sorts of tools to play with on its very modular watches. Here are three things to try as soon as you get your first watch.
1. Create your perfect home screen
(Image credit: Future)
When you first get your Garmin watch, you'll be presented with a watch face containing a small selection of stats, such as step counts, Body Battery score, or the watch's total remaining battery. But Garmin watch faces are made to be customized, so you can decide which stats are important to you. On five-button Garmins, you hold the left-middle 'up' button, while on two-button Garmins, you hold 'down', then navigate to Watch Face. You can scroll between different options or edit them in a granular fashion.
If you want to prioritize step count, you can swap it out with a widget showing your sleep score, for example, while VO2 Max can be swapped for another number like Body Battery. In this way, you can truly make the watch your own pretty much right out of the gate, without even touching the companion app to do it.
These are just the most important stats to you: to view the rest, you can scroll up and down from the watch face to view the rest of your widgets, and edit this list as well by scrolling to Edit, then +. Want to know the phases of the moon, your total distance run this week, or your blood oxygen levels? You can add them all to this secondary hotlist.
2. Create a route
(Image credit: Future)
Garmins are perfect for going off the beaten track, and even those without actual offline maps offer basic navigation features. You can use these features by creating a Course. You can learn how to create a Course in Garmin Connect here, but the general gist is that you can use Garmin's features to plot a route on a map, then follow that route using instructions from your watch.
Even if you're just going for a short walk, you can use its route plotting to find new circular routes, but it's incredibly handy for long runs, hiking expeditions, and even specialist sports like skiing.
Download the Course onto your watch using the instructions in the link above, then go to your activity of choice and scroll down to Navigation > Courses. If you get lost, most Garmins now have a 'Back to Start' functionality you can access when you pause an activity.
3. Visit the Connect IQ store
(Image credit: Future)
Once you've downloaded Garmin Connect and set up your new watch, you should also download Garmin Connect IQ, its app store. From there, you can access loads of free and paid apps, widgets, and watch faces, many simply made by enthusiastic Garmin fans, such as the Walk With Frodo app, which links your step count to Frodo's journey to Mordor in The Lord of the Rings.
You can also get official players for music services like Spotify, Deezer, YouTube Music, and Amazon Music, walking apps like Komoot to help sync the app with your Garmin ecosystem, and watch faces from fans and brands alike, the latter including Star Wars and Pokémon Sleep. The Pokémon watch face is linked to your Body Battery score, and sleeps when you get tired. Adorable!
Today's best Garmin deals
Not bought a Garmin yet? Below are the best Amazon Prime Day deals on Garmin watches in the US and UK.
US deals
$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
The Garmin Vivoactive 5is 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
UK deals
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
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
A huge £240 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
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
There's an unwritten rule that when you hit 50, you start noticing birds. First, you hear their songs, and then you start spotting them in the trees and flying overhead. They've been there your whole life, but some part of your amygdala opens up at the half-century, and then you're on your way to becoming a birder like me.
This update to the popular Birdbuddy feeder and webcam ups the number of solar panels (you'll never have to plug in again), increases the image capture resolution (2k), and even adds slo-mo. It's the best way to feed and get up close with birds without actually getting too close.View Deal
The John Lewis deal on the Web Cam bird feeder might not be as good as Amazon's, but they are promising a price match. Of course, Amazon in the UK is not currently selling the Bird Buddy Pro. Even so, it's still an attractive price for the popular Birdbuddy feeder. This model ups the number of solar panels, and ups the image capture resolution (2k)View Deal
Back when my family gifted me a Birdbuddy (pre-Pro version), I called it my favorite gadget. Like this OG version, Birdbuddy Pro is a combo webcam and bird feeder.
The model on sale here is similar to mine in that it has a solar panel on the roof to keep the webcam charged up. The Pro version actually has two panels, one for each side of the roof. I have to say that, for as much as I love my Birdbuddy, I really wish it had two panels because every once in a while, mine gets stuck facing away from the sun for too long, and then I need to pull the webcam module and charge it indoors.
The Pro model also raises the video resolution to 2k and has a larger sensor for better photography. It can even shoot in slow motion.
The app helps you keep track of visitors, and the onboard AI automatically identifies most bird species. You can even pay a monthly subscription fee to have the system name and identify specific birds (among other perks like unlimited storage and sharing your Birdbuddy live feed with guests), so you know when Cara the Cardinal returns for more seed,
BirdBuddy Pro ships with a simple hook so you can hang it, but other accessories let you attach it to a pole or bolt it to, say, a shed. I have mine hanging from my shed and have captured (and shared) so many great images and videos of visiting cardinals (male and female), grackles, pigeons, mourning doves, blue jays, and house sparrows.
Squirrels sometimes drop in and dump most of the seed. In fact, if I had any criticisms of the device, it would be that the seed holder is too small (though the Pro enlarged it to 3.8 cups of seed, 0.3 cups more than what I get) and that there's no easy way to protect it from unwanted critters. But that's about it when it comes to any cons.
While there was probably a moment when Slate’s leadership had to green-light the switch from one battery type to another, the momentum toward that decision had been building for years.
The Steam Machine is getting a fair amount of heat due to its $1,049 price, but no matter how you look at it, Valve's new device is a particularly powerful mini PC. Not everyone needs that much power or wants to pay that much, which is where the Windows mini PC market comes into play.
Amazon Prime Day has knocked prices down considerably on a bunch of our favorite mini PCs, and while they won't match the Steam Machine's discrete graphics, they're still fully capable of running a wide range of games AND Windows 11, no extra effort necessary. Just plug in an HDMI cord, hook it up to your TV, and start gaming.
This is the best sub-$600 mini PC I could find that features a Ryzen 9 CPU and Radeon 780M integrated graphics. 16GB of DDR5 RAM and a 1TB M.2 SSD help sweeten the deal.
"The SER9 Pro is another all-round excellent mini PC from Beelink, now powered by an AMD Ryzen 7 H 255. The GPU is very good for an integrated one, capable of handling most games on medium to high settings at 1080p, though some really demanding games will struggle."
Those who prefer Intel can land this Core Ultra 9 185H CPU with integrated Arc graphics that closely match those of AMD's Radeon 780M. Plenty of RAM and storage are a great perk.
Extra RAM and storage plus a Ryzen 9 CPU make this mini PC particularly attractive, and the integrated Radeon 780M graphics do a decent job of running most modern games that aren't particularly demanding.
How do these discounted mini PCs compare to the Steam Machine's performance?
The Steam Machine boasts a respectable amount of gaming power thanks to a discrete AMD GPU with 8GB of VRAM. (Image credit: Valve)
The Steam Machine is causing a ruckus in the tech world, namely due to its price-to-performance ratio now that reviews have gone out into the wild. It's true that you can build a full-size gaming PC or buy a pre-built gaming PC for less money and with superior power, but what about a mini PC that's a closer match to the form factor?
Well, that's where the real genius of Valve's device comes into play. It is indeed capable of delivering quite a bit of gaming performance in a super compact form factor, something that most of the mini PCs on the market for a similar or lower price simply aren't capable of doing.
The Steam Machine's discrete custom AMD Radeon GPU with 8GB of VRAM is fairly close to a desktop-class AMD Radeon RX 7600 card, which the integrated graphics in most mini PCs can't touch.
Regardless, at $1,049, the Steam Machine isn't for everyone. There are plenty of PC users who just want a compact, capable PC that runs Windows 11 without breaking a sweat, while at the same time having capabilities to handle lighter games. That's where these great mini PCs excel.
The Beelink SER9 Pro is one of our favorite mini PCs on the market, and it's on sale during Prime Day. (Image credit: Windows Central / Zac Bowden)
The mini PCs I've highlighted in this roundup all have an integrated AMD Radeon 780M GPU or a comparable Intel Arc integrated GPU. I can't stress enough that these GPUs will not match the Steam Machine's gaming power.
However, the Radeon 780M will still do a bang-up job of gaming, and for a lot less money in a significantly smaller package, often with more RAM and storage.
Just how powerful is the integrated GPU? It will effortlessly run esports games like League of Legends, Counter-Strike 2, Valorant, and DOTA 2 at 1080p, hitting somewhere between 60 and 90 FPS with medium to high settings. Games like Fortnite, Minecraft, and Roblox are in the same boat.
I'd venture to say that the Radeon 780M is an indie game superstar, and those who prefer roguelikes, platformers, deck builders, puzzle games, and simulators will have no issues.
Those hoping to play demanding AAA titles like Cyberpunk 2077, Hogwarts Legacy, Baldur's Gate 3, and others will find that the Radeon 780M can get the job done at 1080p, albeit with lower frame rates and with AMD's FSR enabled. If you're going to mainly focus on AAA games, I'd recommend checking out pre-built desktop PCs with discrete graphics.
Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.
Speaking to The Wall Street Journal recently, Nadella echoed his earlier stance, stressing that leading players in the AI industry must advance the technology in ways that deliver the greatest public benefit.
There’s growing concern around AI, particularly when it comes to security, privacy, and even its impact on jobs. "You can't say, hey, all white-collar jobs are gone and this could even be a weapon, and we will use all the power to build data centers," Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella noted.
Perhaps more interestingly, the executive called out key investors in the AI landscape who see the technology primarily as a tool to cut jobs and reduce operational costs. He indicated that this would be the wrong way to look at the technology.
Instead, he recommended that AI should be viewed as a tool designed to help skilled workers better leverage their capabilities. He further painted a picture where AI tools and human capital co-exist in the same space, a phenomenon he referred to as "token capital."
While the executive claimed that it'd be a recipe for how companies can leverage both AI and workers simultaneously, he admitted that: "it's a lot of change management, it's a lot of displacement, but there is a path."
Nadella indicated that leveraging AI and humans at the same time at work can create a "continuous learning system." He indicated that companies in the future could be characterized by the "tacit knowledge that they contain from both sources."
The executive acknowledged that the idea might face public resistance but emphasized that it would be up to corporations to convince people of the economic opportunities AI could unlock in the future.
No amount of just narrative is going to do it because where we are now, we have to sort of walk the walk. We now have to do the hard work in earning the social permission.
The executive indicated that his statement was widely misconstrued. Rather than replacing humans entirely from work, he indicated that AI would be used to augment repetitive and mundane tasks.
Now, in the latest Xbox update — available now for Xbox Insiders in the Alpha Skip-Ahead ring of the Xbox Insider Program, and hopefully soon to all — Microsoft has further elevated the Xbox user experience with a few major feature enhancements and additions.
The first and arguably most exciting part of the update is a change for Xbox gamertags that expands their character limit from 12 to 15. Provided you create a gamertag that's both unique and doesn't contain non-Latin characters, you can take advantage of this. Non-unique gamertags will still have a 12-character limit, and will be assigned a random numerical suffix.
"This update applies to gamertags that are unique and available, giving you more room to create a gamertag that feels like you," reads Microsoft's blog post.
Xbox 360 games playable through the Xbox Backwards Compatibility feature have also been updated so that they have game hubs within their game cards in the Xbox UI. These allow you to "quickly view achievement progress, captures, and other useful information," and give these titles parity with Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S games in the Xbox Dashboard.
Xbox 360 games now have game hubs within their game cards thanks to this update, giving them parity with Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S titles in the Xbox UI. (Image credit: Xbox Game Studios)
Another big addition for Xbox Game Pass subscribers specifically is the ability to play a game through Xbox Cloud Gaming while you're updating it. This allows you to circumvent the time you'd normally have to spend waiting for an update to finish entirely, and jump right in while one downloads in the background. Do note that this feature will only work with games that support play through streaming.
Finally, you now also have the ability to add games to your wishlist directly from game cards, making it quick and easy to bookmark a title you're interested in when you come across it on the Xbox Dashboard. This works with "both released and upcoming games," notably.
All in all, I think these are some excellent improvements to the Xbox platform, and continue the streak of speedy updates that have come after Xbox's new CEO Asha Sharma stepped into the position earlier this year.
They also come about a month and a half after Sharma vowed to deliver new Xbox updates every two weeks, admitting that "We have to sweat every single detail" and announcing that one of her core goals this year would be to "fix the fundamentals on console and PC."
The European Parliament said the digital euro can be used to make both online and offline payments to merchants across Europe. Online payments would be processed through an account-based system, while offline payments would function more like cash, with transactions conducted directly via local storage devices such as smartphones.
The new Google Home Speaker brings Gemini and expanded smart home capabilities, and Matter hub support. Reviews highlight its more natural voice experience, though some note that audio quality doesn't clearly surpass the older Nest Audio.
Back in November 2025, we got the information drop everyone was waiting for: the release date for GTA 6. Yes, it came packaged as a delay announcement, and there was technically no guarantee it would stick, but it ultimately has, as we finally got the other bit of information everyone has been waiting for today: how much Rockstar's long-awaited game would cost. $80 for the Standard Edition and $100 for the Ultimate Edition calmed fears that the barrier to entry for GTA 6 would start at $100, but now those same fears turn towards the rest of the video game […]
1047 Games, the studio known for making Splitgate and who are arguably more known for how its CEO Ian Proulx tried to make a statement at Summer Game Fest 2025 with a hat that fell flat, have just released their next game. No, it's not yet another iteration of Splitgate after 1047's attempt at Splitgate 2 failed drastically, it's instead a Titanfall-like movement shooter called Empulse, and it's available in early access now. 1047 Games teased Empulse earlier this year while capping off a developer update on Splitgate: Arena Reloaded, which was the final iteration of Splitgate 2 that the […]
The hotfix came just after a day when users started reporting errors on their Windows 10 systems. AMD Releases Hotfix to Fix Yellow Bang Problem in Windows 10 After Several Reports Regarding Adrenalin 26.6.2 on RX 7000 Series Just yesterday, AMD acknowledged a new problem with its recent Adrenalin driver on Windows 10. If you read our report, you might know that many users complained about compatibility issues concerning Adrenalin Edition 26.6.2, which adds FSR 4.1 support to RDNA 3, aka Radeon RX 7000 series graphics cards. The problem also showed in the form of a yellow bang in Device […]
Hygon, China's premier chipmaker, has presented its latest CPUs and GPUs for data centers, offering up to 128 cores & 512 threads. Hygon, based in Beijing, China, has been hard at work producing high-quality chips for the domestic markets. Their previous C86 solutions, designed in collaboration with AMD, have seen major interest by domestic players, and now, the next-generation C86 processor development is underway. Now, Hygon has shared plans to develop six chips that will be offered to domestic audiences in China. The leading chip in the lineup is the next-gen C86 CPU, designed for general-purpose computing. Currently, China offers […]
OpenAI and Broadcom have introduced Jalapeño, a custom-built inference processor designed specifically for modern large language models and future agentic AI workloads, which is designed to deliver performance per watt they claim is higher than today's leading-edge hardware. OpenAI considers its hardware project a strategic one and envisions Jalapeño to be the first generation of its inference hardware.
Not another AI accelerator
OpenAI stresses that Jalapeño is a purpose-built inference ASIC and not a repurposed training accelerator or a general-purpose AI processor. OpenAI says the architecture of Jalapeño was designed based on its understanding of LLM behavior and is meant to address practical bottlenecks that matter for inference at scale, including costly data movement, balance between compute and memory resources, networking efficiency, and overall behavior. OpenAI also states that the design of the processor is meant to wed high throughput with low latency (which is why it uses a huge compute chiplet and HBM memory and not cheaper types of DRAM like many other inference accelerators), which will be particularly handy for reasoning and agentic workloads.
In addition, OpenAI and Broadcom claim the processor is built to deliver higher effective utilization than conventional AI accelerators and deliver performance that is close to the theoretical maximum, which means very high efficiency both in terms of costs and in terms of power. Meanwhile, the companies did not disclose performance targets for their Jalapeño ASIC, so these claims should be taken with a grain of salt.
Engineering samples are already operating in the lab at target clock speed and power (though Broadcom and OpenAI do not disclose details about this, either), and OpenAI says it is running machine learning workloads, such as GPT-5.3-Codex-Spark.
The two companies also claim that early internal testing indicates that Jalapeño's performance-per-watt is substantially better than 'current state-of-the-art hardware,' although no hard numbers, benchmarks, memory configuration, or other details are disclosed, so again, we will have to take the claims with a grain of salt. In addition, one must bear in mind that while Jalapeño can purportedly beat existing AMD's Instinct MI350-series and Nvidia's Blackwell-based accelerators, it remains to be seen how competitive it will be against AMD's Instinct MI400-series and Nvidia's Rubin-based offerings.
"Jalapeño was designed from the ground up for LLM inference using detailed insights from our close collaboration with OpenAI researchers," said Richard Ho, who leads OpenAI's hardware program. "We optimized the architecture around the kernels, memory movement, networking, and serving patterns that matter most for frontier AI models. Based on early testing, Jalapeño will efficiently execute our most important workloads close to the hardware’s theoretical limits."
A massive chip with six HBM modules
While Broadcom and OpenAI did not disclose specifications of Jalapeño, they did show its wafer and packaging, so we can do a brief analysis. The package appears to contain one large compute chiplet surrounded by six HBM modules and another chiplet that likely packs input/output interfaces and is surrounded by two structural dummy dies.
(Image credit: OpenAI)
The wafer image does look like a Broadcom-style systolic-array-heavy accelerator, in the sense that it shows a very regular, repeated, columnar floorplan with what looks like replicated compute regions and fixed infrastructure macros. Yet, keep in mind that we are speculating, and the image is not clean enough to say that this is definitely Broadcom's standard TPU-like systolic array template with some perks from OpenAI,
From the image alone, it is impossible to tell whether Jalapeño uses a true 2D systolic array, a set of 1D/2D matrix engines, a collection of vector or tensor tiles, or some other inference datapath. All we can say is that the die has a highly repetitive floorplan consistent with several kinds of tiled AI accelerator architectures.
(Image credit: OpenAI)
What we can tell from the image is the approximate die size of Jalapeño's compute chiplet based on the size of HBM3/4 packages (10.975 mm × 10.975 mm) that surround it. From what we can tell, the chiplet measures 25.46 mm (width) × 33 mm (height), which means that its die size is around 840 mm2, which is very close to the reticle size of EUV lithography systems (858 mm2). Given that the quality of the shot is poor, the die size we estimate cannot be 100% accurate, but we suspect it is close enough.
The die size of Jalapeño's compute chiplet implies that it packs quite a lot of compute oomph, though, of course, we cannot make performance estimates based on this metric. Yet, it is safe to say that Jalapeño's compute die is considerably bigger than compute dies of other inference accelerators on the market and more resembles processors for AI training. Speaking of processors for AI training, we increasingly see multi-chiplet designs for these workloads as companies like AMD and Nvidia want to pack as much performance as possible. Meanwhile, the fact that OpenAI and Broadcom chose to go with a large compute chiplet possibly indicates that they wanted to reduce latencies by as much as possible.
Designed in nine months
The companies say the chip reached tape-out in just nine months and is slated for deployment beginning in late 2026, which represents an extremely fast turnaround time in ASIC design. It is unclear whether Broadcom and OpenAI extensively used artificial intelligence to define and then develop Jalapeño, though the companies admitted that they used OpenAI's models to speed up parts of the chip's design and optimization work. Typically, it takes 1.5 – 2 years to design an ASIC from scratch, so AI can shrink the development cycle. Another means to accelerate the design cycle is Broadcom's extensive reuse of its logic across different custom designs to deliver new chips faster than other companies.
It is noteworthy that, according to the announcement, Jalapeño is designed to support not only OpenAI's own workloads but also present and future LLMs across the industry, which potentially lets OpenAI sell its hardware to third parties, assuming that it can get enough supply from Broadcom and TSMC. Meanwhile, the chief executive of Broadcom indicates that Jalapeño will be deployed at gigawatt-scale data centers with Microsoft and other partners starting this year, though it is unclear whether the processor will be used exclusively for OpenAI workloads or will be available for other tenants as well.
"Our collaboration with OpenAI represents a fundamental commitment to scaling the physical infrastructure required for the next decade of AI," said Hock Tan, President and CEO, Broadcom. "This is just the beginning of a multi-generation roadmap. By co-developing our industry-leading silicon directly with OpenAI, we are enabling the deployment of gigawatt-scale data centers with Microsoft and other partners beginning in 2026."
PC building during the RAMpocalypse and NANDpocalypse is challenging, to be sure, but you can still put together a great and relatively affordable box that will last during Prime Day thanks to abundant deals on core components. Yes, memory and SSDs are pricey, but we can dull some of the pain with deep discounts elsewhere.
For a $1000 budget, we've put together a great 1080p gaming PC with a 10-core Core i5-12600KF CPU and an RTX 5060 Ti 8GB graphics card for the best 1080p bang-for-the-buck you can find (and an RX 9060 XT 16GB alternative for $100 more if 8GB is a bridge too far).
Yes, the Core i5-12600KF is getting up there in years, and its P-cores lack the extra L2 of 13th and 14th Gen CPUs, but it boasts higher clocks and a higher TDP than non-K 13th and 14th-gen parts for better multi-threaded performance. For this low price, we'll deal.
Crucially, this PC still features 32GB of RAM for no-worries gaming with the latest titles and 1TB of storage for adequate room for files and games. Cheaper prebuilts might include just 16GB of RAM and a claustrophobia-inducing 512GB SSD. This is a PC that will last, and that matters in today's tight market.
The RTX 5060 Ti 8GB is selling for less than the slower RTX 5060 8GB right now, so you may as well take the free performance boost if you were only going with an 8GB card to begin with. The 5060 Ti gives you access to leading DLSS 4.5 upscaling across a huge swath of games, as well as MFG in titles that don't overrun its VRAM.
On top of the 5060 Ti 8GB's much higher baseline performance than the Steam Machine's GPU, DLSS 4.5 is a secret weapon for this build, thanks to its far superior image quality versus FSR on top of its AI-powered performance boost.
A quality Cooler Master case and 80 Plus Gold power supply make this a 1080p gaming build you (or a lucky kid or family member) can depend on for a long time to come.
$1,000 Prime Day gaming PC
Intel's Core i5-12600KF gives us 10 cores (6 P-cores + 4 E-cores) for multi-threaded work and offers peak single-core clocks of up to 4.9 GHz. Crucially, it lets us use DDR4 memory, too. View Deal
I've personally paired the Thermalright Assassin X 120 Refined SE cooler with an i5-12600KF, so I can attest that it keeps that CPU cool and quiet for under $20. View Deal
The Asus B760M-AYW is one of the few new LGA 1700 DDR4 boards you can get, and for this budget build, it offers everything we need and nothing we don't, including a Wi-Fi 6 radio. Get $10 off with promo code FTTF345. View Deal
32GB of RAM is one of our no-compromise positions for a PC that will last versus one that's just cheap. You can still get 32GB of DDR4 for relatively low prices, and this Silicon Power kit does the job. View Deal
NAND is in short supply right now, so prices are high, but this Silicon Power UD90 SSD still gives us Gen 4 speeds at a reasonable cost per gigabyte. Redeem Silicon Power's on-page promo code for this low price. View Deal
We would normally put a plain RTX 5060 in a $1000 build right now, but RTX 5060 Ti 8GB cards are 15% faster at 1080p and are selling for less than those slower cards. You need to apply the on-page promo code and redeem a mail-in rebate for the lowest price here. View Deal
If you want the added longevity of 16GB of memory, AMD's Radeon RX 9060 XT is the only attainable way to go. It offers similar performance to the 5060 Ti and that all-important 16GB of GDDR6 for about $100 more. View Deal
Cooler Master's MasterBox Q300L is a longtime microATX favorite for cheap builds thanks to its good airflow and fun styling. View Deal
ASRock's Pro Series 750W PSU is a great fit for this build, offering both eight-pin PCIe connectors and a 12V-2x6 cable for potential future upgrades. It's efficient, reliable, and cheap, and we can't ask for more. View Deal
All those parts should add up to about $1029.76. If you're seeing higher totals in your cart, make sure to apply every available promo code and redeem every mail-in rebate you see to get the lowest possible prices during these Prime Day sales. Happy building!
With the cost of building a PC continuing to go up, you start to look elsewhere for ways to upgrade your setup. One of the best ways you can do that is with a high-quality pair of the best PC speakers, and some of our favorite options are on sale with deep discounts for Prime Day.
Regardless of whether you want to finally stop using your monitor's junky built-in speakers or an open-space alternative to headphones, a solid pair of speakers can elevate your setup, for games, movies, and of course, music. We have a handful of options here that are on sale for Prime Day, ranging from budget 2.0 setups to 7.1 surround sound systems.
The Creative Labs Pebble V2 is a set of stereo speakers that connect to your PC via USB and feature a minimalist design. View Deal
Starting on the budget end, the Creative Pebble V2 speakers are just $26 for Prime Day. We've looked at the higher-powered Pebble Pro set, which also features some modern trimmings like Bluetooth at a much higher price of $60. The Pebble V2 speakers feature an older driver, but they're the same size.
Sound quality isn't the best, but it's far better than what you get out of monitor speakers, which is the most you can ask for out of a $26 pair of speakers.
The G2000 speakers from Edifier come with a peak power raing of 32W and a frequency response of 98 Hz up to 22 kHz, along with analog and Bluetooth connections. View Deal
Stepping up in price and quality, we have the Edifier G2000 speakers, which currently rank as our best 2.0 speaker set for gaming. You get just the two satellite speakers, but they include a connection for a subwoofer to fill out the low-end down the line.
The speakers are mainly tuned for gaming, emphasizing the lows and deprioritizing the mids, so they aren't the best for listening to music. Still, Edifier offers a lot to like with the G2000, especially below $100, including 3.5mm and Bluetooth connections, along with a generous 32W peak power rating.
The Edifier M60 speakers feature a 3-inch woofer and 1-inch tweeter, as well as 66W of total output across the four drivers. View Deal
Edifier's M60 speakers turn everything up compared to the G2000, sporting a larger 3-inch driver along with a 1-inch tweeter to round out the high-end. Combined with a higher 66W power rating, the M60s are a more well-rounded set of speakers, with tuning that works better for movies and music.
The speakers also feature 3.5mm and Bluetooth connectivity, along with USB-C. We've linked the white color above, but the black and oak finishes are on sale for Prime Day, as well.
These 4-inch 50-watt speakers look great and come with angled desktop stands, and can connect to your PC and just about everything else. Features include Bluetooth as well as 3.5mm AUX, HDMI ARC, USB-C, line/phono, and optical connections. View Deal
For a slightly higher-end sound all around, you can go with the Onkyo GX-30ARC speakers, which feature larger 4-inch woofers. We gave the speakers high marks in our Onkyo GX-30ARC review on the back of excellent sound quality for the price, not to mention plentiful connection options.
In addition to USB-C, Bluetooth, and 3.5mm analog connections, the speakers support optical, RCA, and even HDMI connection with ARC. Onkyo includes some plastic stands in the box, as well, angling the speakers up toward your ears for the most direct sound.
The Audioengine A2+ speakers feature real wooden cabinets, a 24-bit DAC, and connections for Bluetooth, USB-C, RCA, and 3.5mm analog. View Deal
The edifier M60s are a clone of the Audioengine A2+ speakers. If you want the real thing, you're in luck because the white color is on sale for $223, while the red version is down to just $209.
Audioengine comes out ahead with more premium build quality, including real wood cabinets and a 24-bit DAC (digital-to-analog converter) built into the speakers. You get plenty of connection options, as well, including Bluetooth, RCA, 3.5mm, and USB-C, along with a subwoofer expansion port.
These booming speakers bring 5.1 surround to your PC in a big way. They have wireless connectivity for the rear speakers, a lifesaver, and built-in lighting that spruces up your room. This 280W (peak) system also has a full-featured software suite to tailor it to your needs. View Deal
If you want to go all-out, you can save on the SteelSeries Area 9 surround kit. The set currently ranks as our best 5.1 surround speakers, combining a center channel with four satellite speakers and a 6.5-inch down-firing subwoofer. The subwoofer helps fill out the sound a lot, especially compared to the cheaper options above.
This is a true surround sound system, so it naturally pairs best with true surround sound sources. A lot of games only feature stereo sound, but thankfully, the Arena 9s can convert stereo audio into faux surround sound.
Despite disagreements over trade policies with China, the U.S. and the Netherlands have signed the European nation to the Pax Silica initiative of countries looking to reduce reliance on China for key raw materials and manufacturing expertise in the AI industry, as reported by Reuters. With the Netherlands playing host to the key supply chain company, ASML, Europe's largest tech company, and the most advanced manufacturing of cutting-edge photolithography machines for semiconductor fabrication, this is a big strategic win for the U.S.-led initiative.
Dutch Trade Minister Sjoerd Sjoerdsma travelled to Washington this week to sign the deal, meeting with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and fellow lawmakers as part of ongoing negotiations around trade in high-tech chips and hardware, particularly with China.
Speaking with reporters, he said that the U.S. and the Netherlands have shared goals in preventing sensitive technology from ending up in dangerous hands - the Netherlands famously seized key Dutch chip manufacturer Nexperia from its Chinese parent company, Wingtech, in 2025. However, he also raised concerns over American legislation that would make it difficult for companies like ASML to even service machines and tools already delivered to countries like China.
That could affect the Netherlands' national security and market position of key Dutch companies, he said.
Pax Silica - Speremus ut diu duret
The Pax Silica, or "Silicon Peace" initiative, was set up in December 2025 by the U.S. Department of State as a direct plan to reduce reliance on China and to build more robust, Western-aligned supply chains for key elements in the semiconductor, AI, and rare-earth element industries. At its outset, Pax Silica secured non-binding signatures from seven countries, including Australia, Israel, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the United States. They were joined in the months that followed by Greece, Qatar, the UAE, India, Sweden, Finland, the Philippines, and Norway.
Canada and Taiwan have both been invited to join and are said to be participating in summit sessions, but haven't officially signed just yet. The Netherlands did effectively join in December 2025, but was described as a "non-signing partner" in the initiative.
There are ongoing disputes between the U.S. and the Netherlands over whether ASML should be allowed to service and sell less advanced chip fabrication machines to China, while still restricting access to the latest tools.
Those discussions are reportedly still ongoing and were brought up in the meeting between Lutnick and Sjoerdsma this week. The Dutch official has been quite frank in his public statements on the Match Act bipartisan bill that would place restrictions on companies supplying to China.
“The Netherlands’ starting point is that every country is responsible for its own laws,” Sjoerdsma said in May, via Reuters.
Under the silicon thumb
A key story in the global race to adopt and supply AI through infrastructure building and rapid development has been access to the raw materials, tools, machines, and expertise required to create it. That's mainly had the United States and China at loggerheads with one another, with the former restricting access to cutting-edge Nvidia GPUs and other semiconductor products, and China rowing back access to its manufacturing and raw material industries.
But while that's acted as a tit-for-tat backdrop to U.S. and Chinese trade relations and particularly the mercurial needs and demands of President Trump, the divestment of global supply chains from traditional Chinese sources has spread globally. Nexperia was one key Dutch entity that was brought back in-house from Chinese owners, and in June 2025, Taiwanese firm Pegatron announced new production facilities in Mexico and the U.S. to move away from reliance on China.
The U.S. has also been trying to restrict China's access to high-tech hardware for a number of years. President Trump signed the National Defense Authorization Act in 2019, which effectively banned Chinese firms Huawei and ZTE from being used in any U.S. government agencies. Both companies were later designated as threats to national security in 2020. Under the Biden administration, the U.S. implemented a new series of export controls in 2022 to constrain China's ability to accelerate its high-technology and chip manufacturing industries.
But in 2026, even as the U.S. has approved the sale of some high-end Nvidia chips to China, its new Pax Silica Initiative and MATCH Act are putting more pressure on China than ever before, and global partners aren't entirely happy about it.
Under the bill, foreign-owned companies like ASML that don't comply with the restrictions on business dealings with China could find themselves losing access to U.S. components, software, or customers. Although the world still needs ASML - it's one of the tightest bottlenecks in the global chip supply chain - becoming part of the Pax Silica initiative could prove paramount for advanced economies wanting to make the most of advances in AI and chip fabrication.
Although Dutch officials still clearly have reservations about the MATCH Act, it's not clear how much leverage they can have over it, or whether it's possible to ignore its claimed mandates.
Unsteady ground
The Netherlands and other strategically aligned economies with a foothold in the AI supply chain face a tricky situation in 2026. Initiatives like Pax Silica raise the prospect of greater autonomy in the global supply chain, with less reliance on China for key materials, tools, and manufacturing expertise. But that may simply replace one dependency with another, trading exposure to Beijing for greater oversight from Washington, and even coercion if certain controls aren’t adhered to.
For the Dutch, ASML isn’t just a key company. It is one of the world’s most important technology pillars and helps the Netherlands punch well above its weight in global supply-chain politics. Without ASML, manufacturers like Samsung, Micron, and TSMC, and component designers like Nvidia, would not be able to build the cutting-edge hardware they can today. That gives the Netherlands real muscle when pursuing its own interests.
But it also makes ASML a target for legislation that could limit Dutch autonomy and force tighter integration with larger players like the United States, without whose components, software, and market access ASML would struggle.
That tension is unlikely to disappear. Even if the U.S. midterms later this year help leash some of the more turbulent aspects of the Trump administration, they won’t end American ambitions to pull control of the global chip and AI supply chains away from China, and tuck it into Washington’s own catalogue of control.
Reviews Ally helps readers compare products, services, and software using practical criteria and plain-language summaries. It organizes reviews and buying guides by use case, budget, features, and buyer intent, with clear pros and cons and what to check before buying. Pages stay updated as pricing, plans, and features change, so you can quickly understand trade-offs and choose with confidence.
The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) on Tuesday warned of active exploitation of a critical security flaw impacting Lantronix EDS5000 Series devices, urging Federal Civilian Executive Branch (FCEB) agencies to apply the fixes by June 26, 2026.
The vulnerability in question is CVE-2025-67038 (CVSS score: 9.8), a code injection flaw that could result in the execution
A coordinated law enforcement operation, in partnership with private sector companies, including Bitdefender, Bitsight, ESET, and Microsoft, has resulted in the takedown of criminal infrastructure powering Amadey and StealC.
"The main common goal was to disrupt the 'assembly lines' cybercriminals use to launch ransomware, financial fraud, and attacks on critical infrastructure," Europol said in
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.
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
More laptop deals
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.
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.
Today's best Oura Ring 4 deals
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.
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.
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 confirmed that its new horror game Unhinged will launch on June 30
It will be available to Netflix subscribers on all plans
Unhinged is controlled via your phone and focuses on a woman trying to escape a home invasion
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.
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.
Clothing stores and hairdressers are returning too
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.
You can get your own boats
Rockstar GamesRockstar GamesRockstar GamesRockstar 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.
You'll have somewhere to stay on land as well
Rockstar GamesRockstar GamesRockstar Games
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.
Weapon customization is back with a bang
Rockstar GamesRockstar GamesRockstar GamesRockstar Games
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.
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.
Today's best LG C5 42-inch deal
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.
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.
I love the look of all of Meta's new Essilor Luxottica AI glasses, but they're not well-suited for entertainment and it remains to be seen how comfortable and durable the newly designed frames will be.Lance Ulanoff / FutureLance Ulanoff / FutureLance Ulanoff / FutureLance Ulanoff / FutureLance Ulanoff / FutureLance Ulanoff / FutureLance Ulanoff / FutureLance Ulanoff / FutureLance Ulanoff / Future
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.
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.
Today's best smart glasses deals (US)
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
Today's best smart glasses deals (UK)
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?
1. Sonos Beam Gen 2
(Image credit: Truls Steinung)
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.
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.
3. Samsung HW-Q800F
(Image credit: Future / Aardman Animations)
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.
4. Samsung HW-Q990F
(Image credit: Future)
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.
5. JBL Bar 1300MK2
(Image credit: Future)
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.
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.
Today's best Apple Watch Ultra 3 deals
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.
Today's best Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025) deals
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
Should you get this deal or wait for the Samsung Galaxy Ultra 2?
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.
UN calls on AI companies to declare environmental cost of AI
New energy projects and data centers are contributing to pollution
UN sets up AI Environmental Transparency Initiative to provide insight into the impacts of water usage, carbon emissions, and land usage
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.”
Reveal the full environmental cost of AI
“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.
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.
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
Today's best gaming TV deals in the UK
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.
Crysta can make a 3D printed model of a Gaussian Splat
The detail level is quite remarkable
It doesn't come cheap, but nonetheless, this is jaw-dropping stuff
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."
Cubic cost
(Image credit: Dany Bittel)
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."
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
Also consider: More Prime Day portable power station deals
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
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
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
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
NordStellar found 924 dark‑web posts about deepfakes‑as‑a‑service (DFaaS) Jan–May 2026, up 39% year‑on‑year
Rising interest driven by generative AI advances, enabling hyper‑realistic “fake boss” scams and lowering barriers for attackers
Experts urge prevention through employee education and monitoring for leaked company data to reduce risk of targeted deepfake attacks
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.”
How to defend against convincing deepfake attacks?
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.”
Pilot describes drones moving in a unified jellyfish-like aerial formation
Intelligence officials remain divided over the accuracy of combat sighting
A concussion during the crash raises questions about the pilot's perception reliability
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.
Debrief Account and Contested Interpretation
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.
Questions over meshed networking capability
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.
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.
Today's top WD My Passport 1TB SSD deal
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.
FutureFutureFuture
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
Also consider: More portable SSD deals
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
Stuart Fails to Save the Universe: key information
- 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
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 Sheldonand 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 release date
(Image credit: HBO Max)
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.
Stuart Fails to Save the Universe trailer
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.
Stuart Fails to Save the Universe cast
(Image credit: HBO Max)
We're expecting the following main cast members to appear in Stuart Fails to Save the Universe:
Kevin Sussman as Stuart Bloom / Alternate Stuart Bloom
Brian Posehn as Bert Kibbler
Lauren Lapkus as Denise
John Ross Bowie as Barry Kripke / Supreme Ruler Barry Kripke
Ryan Cartwright as Kyle
Josh Brener as Trevor
Tommy Walker as Gary
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.
Stuart Fails to Save the Universe plot
(Image credit: HBO Max)
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.
The Big Bang Theory timeline — will it cross over?
(Image credit: CBS)
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):
Young Sheldon
Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage
The Big Bang Theory
Stuart Fails to Save the Universe
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.
A digital Grand Theft Auto 6 pre-order comes with a free month of GTA+
The subscription service offers access to GTA Online benefits and the ability to play older GTA games
Here's everything you need to know about the service
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.
What actually is GTA+?
(Image credit: Rockstar Games)
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:
Grand Theft Auto 5 (PS5, Series X / S, PC)
Grand Theft Auto Online (PS5, Series X / S)
Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition (PS5/PS4, Xbox, PC)
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City - The Definitive Edition (Android, iOS)
Grand Theft Auto 3 - The Definitive Edition(Android, iOS)
Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories (Android, iOS)
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars (Android, iOS)
That's not everything, though, as there are some titles from other series included too:
Bully (PS5/PS4, Xbox, PC, Android, iOS)
Red Dead Redemption (PS5/PS4, Xbox, PC)
L.A. Noire (PS5/PS4, Xbox, PC)
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.
How much does GTA+ usually cost?
(Image credit: Rockstar)
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.
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.
WATCH ALL 104 games free – CazeTV YouTube (Brazil restricted)
Unblock YouTube with Norton VPN (try 60 days risk-free)
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.
How to watch World Cup in Portugal (partially free)
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!
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
Use a VPN to watch any World Cup 2026 stream
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.
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 🔓 Unlocks World Cup streams
Don’t miss a second. Stream the World Cup from anywhere with total confidence.View Deal
What to know about watching the World Cup in Portugal
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.
What is the World Cup 2026 schedule?
(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
How can I watch Portuguese-language World Cup streams on YouTube?
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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
high-end laptops
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 […]
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.
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.
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.
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.
Which countries are taking part in Prime Day 2026?
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.
Do I need an Amazon Prime membership for Prime Day?
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.
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.
For the Standard Edition ($80): You could grab a $50 gift card and three $10 gift cards. Because of the current discounts on Loaded, you’ll pay less than $80 in total, leaving you with a little extra cash in your pocket.
For the Ultimate Edition ($100): (My favorite strategy) is to grab four $25 gift cards for $23.49 each. This nets you the full $100 balance for only $93.96, saving you over $6 on day one.
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.
UK PS5 Player? Loaded isn't your only option! ShopTo have EVEN BETTER giftcard deals right now.
Are you seriously telling me to go through this just to save $6?
(Image credit: Rockstar Games)
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.
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.
Following the official announcement of the Intel Arc Pro B65 alongside the B70, earlier this year, the ASRock Intel Arc Pro B65 has silently launched in US retail markets, giving us an indication of pricing for Intel's workstation-grade Arc Battlemage GPUs. The ASRock Intel Arc Pro B65 is available on Newegg for a price of $909.99, making it just $100 cheaper than Intel's reference design Arc Pro B70 and only $90 cheaper than the $999.99 ASRock Intel Arc Pro B70, despite the B65 having 37.5% fewer Xe cores than its B70 counterpart.
The B65 is also a whopping $250 more expensive than the ASRock Arc Pro B60, which shares the same core configuration as the B65 but with less VRAM. The Arc Pro B65 features 20 Xe cores and 32 GB of VRAM, while the Arc Pro B70 has 32 Xe cores and 32 GB of VRAM, and the Arc Pro B60 has 20 Xe cores paired with 20 GB of VRAM. Given the current hardware shortage situation, especially with regard to DRAM, it's not surprising to see the biggest price differentiator between the various versions of the Arc Pro B-series GPUs is VRAM, although it's unclear if prices will come down if and when the DRAM crisis cools.
OpenAI today unveiled Jalapeño, its in-house, purpose-built LLM inference accelerator chip, developed in collaboration with Broadcom. The chip has fixed-function and programmable compute hardware to accelerate inferencing of OpenAI LLM stack that powers ChatGPT, Codex, the OpenAI API, and the company's future agentic AI products. It is conceptually similar to Google's TPU, except designed for the OpenAI stack; and while TPU is used for both training and inferencing, Jalapeño appears to be limited to inferencing. The training is probably still done with GPUs.
The company said that in partnership with Broadcom, the chip was designed and reached manufacturing tape-out in just nine months, making it the fastest ASIC development cycle among advanced semiconductors. Jalapeño is part of a compute platform that will span multiple generations of these chips. The platform is being designed for initial deployment toward the end of 2026. There are no technical details about the chip itself, except that it's a contemporary multi-chip module with an interposer, a large and centrally-located logic tile, flanked by eight HBM3E stacks.
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.
“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:
advertising_channel_type is set to SMART
advertising_channel_sub_type is set to SMART_CAMPAIGN
After 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.
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.
Similarweb tracked users who asked ChatGPT industry-relevant questions, received a specific brand recommendation, and then visited either that brand’s website or a competitor’s site within seven days.
The study excluded users who had visited the brand’s site in the prior four weeks or named the brand in their prompt.
Recommendations shifted traffic. The pattern appeared across all three industries:
Finance: After an American Express recommendation, 7.2% of users visited American Express, compared with 3.1% who visited Capital One. After a Capital One recommendation, 14.2% visited Capital One, compared with 3.8% who visited American Express.
Travel: After a Skyscanner recommendation, 9.5% visited Skyscanner, compared with 7.6% who visited Kayak. After a Kayak recommendation, 12% visited Kayak, compared with 3.4% who visited Skyscanner.
Beauty: After a Sephora recommendation, 7.9% visited Sephora, compared with 3.3% who visited Ulta. After an Ulta recommendation, 7.6% visited Ulta, compared with 4.6% who visited Sephora.
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.
55.9% of AI-influenced visits came through search, compared with 40.4% of non-AI-influenced visits, Similarweb found.
Direct traffic accounted for 19.9% of AI-influenced visits, compared with 38.8% of standard visits.
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.
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.
“This form factor is about usefulness,” she said. “That’s great for the consumer, great for the user.”
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.
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.
“I’m confident that a lot of current customer support that happens over a phone or computer, those people will lose their jobs, and that’ll be better done by an AI.”
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:
New York state added an option for companies to indicate when they lay staff off due to AI (technological innovation or automation). In March of this year, over 160 companies filed mass layoffs of ~28,300 workers. Not even one chose AI as the reason. That list includes Amazon and Goldman Sachs.
Researchers at Yale looked at the CPS, a government survey that tracks employment across the US, over the last 33 months and found no evidence of job displacement from AI. The way AI impact works looks very similar to how computers and the internet changed work.
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
AI is just not there… yet.
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.”
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.
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:
Duolingo’s AI-first memo drew a “torrent of pushback” on social media/TikTok. CEO von Ahn said he “did not expect the amount of blowback” and walked it back, reframing AI as a “tool to accelerate,” not replace contractors.
Surveys show that leadership is commonly more excited about AI than the employees who use it.
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.
What is the replacement for ‘replacement’?
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.
Premium: Your positioning matters more than ever + Claude skill
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.
Signs paid social is influencing search performance
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.
Branded search volume increases
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:
Brand name.
Brand + product category.
Brand + reviews.
Brand + pricing.
Brand + competitor comparisons.
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:
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.
Source: LinkedIn
Search conversion rate improvements
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.
How to validate social’s impact on search
The indicators above provide directional insight. To build stronger evidence, use these methods to measure whether paid social activity is influencing search performance.
Pre- and post-campaign analysis
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:
Branded search impressions.
Branded search clicks.
Search CTR.
Search CVR.
CPA.
Total search conversions.
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:
Test market(s): Paid social campaigns active.
Control market(s): No paid social campaigns or exposure.
Run the test for several weeks and monitor the following metrics for both groups:
Branded search volume.
Search CTR.
Search CVR.
Leads.
Revenue.
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.
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.
When the agent later searches related topics, it may pull in that page, cite it, and repeat the attacker’s chosen message.
Deep-research tools often run many related searches for one user request, and the paper found the same user-generated pages surfaced across related queries.
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.
Reddit made up the largest share of those pages. It accounted for 54% to 71% of user-generated URLs retrieved by the three open-source systems.
The researchers didn’t alter live websites. They used a simulation framework called GeoStorm to insert manipulated text into retrieved content during testing.
A few words worked. The researchers found the attack worked with snippets as short as about 13 words:
In one test, a 15-word sentence pushed a fake cryptocurrency, BananaCoin, into a Co-STORM report as an “emerging” long-term investment option. The report cited the altered source alongside legitimate crypto sources.
When the manipulated page was retrieved, the fake entity appeared in 38% to 51% of reports across systems. Targeting multiple pages raised that range to 42% to 62%.
The attack still worked when systems retrieved full Reddit threads, though mention rates were lower. When injected text was added to complete Reddit threads and made up less than 4% of the retrieved content, the fake entity still appeared in 30% to 53% of reports when the page was retrieved.
Defenses struggled. Blocking user-generated domains stopped this attack path, but it also removed sources such as firsthand product experiences and local recommendations.
The tested text filters failed to reliably separate injected passages from normal user content. The manipulated passages were fluent because they were written by an AI model, so perplexity-based filters were more likely to flag normal user content than the injected text.
Report-level checks also missed the manipulation. Altered reports looked similar to clean reports because the agent itself folded the fake recommendation into an otherwise normal answer.
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:
Keyword coverage: The number of keywords for which a company ranks in Google.
Keywords with AI Overviews: The number of ranking keywords that trigger AI Overviews.
AI Overview incidence: The percentage of ranking keywords that display AI-generated responses.
Citation inclusion rate: How often a company’s domain is cited within those AI-generated answers.
Together, these metrics establish a baseline for how often AI Overviews appear and how often B2B brands are cited within them.
A baseline for B2B AI search visibility
The benchmark reveals a significant gap between ranking visibility and AI citation visibility.
AI Overviews appear in 50% of search results where enterprise B2B brands rank.
The median enterprise B2B brand is cited in just 3% of relevant AI Overviews.
4.6% of enterprise B2B companies aren’t cited in AI Overviews for any of their relevant keywords.
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:
Limited topical authority.
Unstructured or inaccessible content.
A lack of content that directly answers buyers’ questions.
Addressing these gaps is crucial for visibility in AI-driven search experiences.
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.
Ranking breadth doesn’t buy you AI citations
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.
Some industries are far more exposed than others
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.
What this means for B2B search teams
The benchmark provides a baseline, but the strategic implications for SEO, GEO, and marketing teams are already clear.
Measurement must evolve. Citation inclusion rate is now a distinct KPI from ranking. Teams that can’t see whether their content is being cited in AI-generated answers are flying blind on one of the fastest-growing parts of the funnel. Knowing your own citation rate — and benchmarking it against the 3% median and 4.5% top-quartile benchmarks — is a sensible first step.
The content mandate shifts from breadth to depth. The drivers all point toward consolidating authority around the topics that matter to buyers, structuring content so machines can interpret it, and answering real questions directly rather than producing volume for volume’s sake.
The window is open but closing. Generative AI will influence more than 75% of B2B search queries within the next one to two years. If that projection holds, even approximately, the median 3% citation rate isn’t a stable equilibrium. It’s a snapshot of an early, contested market that rewards brands moving now.
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.
For a limited time, you can pick up a lifetime license for Microsoft Office 2024 Professional Plus for Windows for $55. It's a one-time purchase that includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, and Access, with no recurring fees attached.
The TOP500 project has unveiled the 67th edition of its biannual ranking of the world's most powerful high-performance computing (HPC) systems. Announced at the ISC 2026 conference in Hamburg, Germany, the new list marks the surprise debut of LineShine, a previously unannounced Chinese machine that enters straight at No. 1,...
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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.
A domestic stack from core to OS
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.
Not an AI crown
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.
So, why did China submit it?
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.
AMD still dominates
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.
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.
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.
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.
Secretlab Gaming Chair Deals
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 Memorial Day Sale Gaming Desk Deals
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.
Secretlab Memorial Day Sale Desk Accessories
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
This Secretlab MAGRGB lighting strip includes 123 individually controllable LEDs that you can control via the Nanoleaf app on your smartphone. This is lighting fit for any gamer's smart home and features embedded magnets for easy attachment to a Secretlab desk.View Deal
Secretlab Memorial Day Sale Skins Deals
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
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.
Prime Dayisn'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.
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.
Today's best coffee machine deals at Argos
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Save an extra 30% with code: ELEC30 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.
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 vs Qatar: Team News
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.
How to watch Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Qatar for free
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.
Use a VPN to watch Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Qatar live streams
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.
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.
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 🔓 Unlocks World Cup streams
Don’t miss a second. Stream the World Cup from anywhere with total confidence.View Deal
How to watch Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Qatar in the US
US viewers can watch Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Qatar on FS1.
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).
Group B Table
Position
Team
GD
Points
1
Canada
6
4
2
Switzerland
3
4
3
Bosnia and Herzegovina
-3
1
4
Qatar
-6
1
Can I watch Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Qatar on my mobile?
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 reveal custom AI chip called Jalapeño
It is the first of a family of processors designed from ground up for inference and agentic AI
Global rollout is expected in 2027
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.
(Image credit: OpenAI)
Jalapeño Intelligence Processor
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.
AGI (and Team Green) in sight?
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'.
Getting started
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.
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:
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.
Grand Theft Auto 6 will have a Standard and Ultimate Edition
The Ultimate Edition is the premium version that comes with a host of exclusive features
Pre-ordering any edition will grant the Vintage Vice City Pack
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.
Price
(Image credit: Rockstar Games)
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.
No disc in physical editions
(Image credit: Rockstar Games)
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.
It's unfortunate, but the physical version will be available starting November 12 to support pre-loading.
What's included in the Standard Edition?
(Image credit: Rockstar Games)
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.
What's included in the Ultimate Edition?
(Image credit: Rockstar Games)
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:
The '95 Gotti Cheetah vehicle
Hawk & Little Morgan Revolvers - His and hers versions of this powerful revolver with classic Vice City stylings sourced from the Vercetti Estate, including palm-tree-etched grips, engraved detailing, and high-performance scope
Personalized variant weapons - Personalized sidearms with detailed engravings for Jason's Girardi ES9 pistol and Lucia's Klose K17 pistol.
Exclusive Vice City Style outfits, tattoos, and more for Lucia and Jason
Jason's safehouse vehicles -including an Army fatigue-tinged Dinka Enduro motorcycle or Crest Kayak
Jason's Vapid Ganado low-riding pickup with exclusive mods
Rideout Customs - a mod-shop to customize vanilla vehicles
Sara's unisex hair salon - facial hair and hairstyles for both Lucia and Jason, and makeup and nails for Lucia
Shitzu Squalo boat with an explosives-laden weapons crate
Stock 305clothing store - featuring various unique and exclusive looks for Jason and Lucia at Stockyard’s premier destination for elevated streetwear
'67 VAPID Dominator Buggy - can be stored at the Paradise Garage in Watson Bay, which features a weapon locker plus a secure place to deposit stolen goods to be fenced
Electric Fang Tattoo Shop - featuring over 50 tattoos for Lucia and Jason
One-eyed Willie's mod shop in Lake Leonida
Goodtime Gear - a capsule collection of apparel and accessories inspired by the Goodtime State’s hit TV show character, Macca the Gator
PTT Younging$ Illegal Goods Store - a gang compound in Southside Vice City to score some special items and distinct contraband
Classic Car Collection - Track down a variety of abandoned classic and work-in-progress project cars and revitalize them to their former glory in this special commission from eccentric collector and local fixer, Wyman
Vintage Vice City Pack pre-order goodies
(Image credit: Rockstar Games)
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:
’55 Vapid Stanier vehicle - can be stored in the Shore Court personal garage by Ocean Beach
Outfits and hairstyles - a linen, vintage pastel suit for Jason and a red sequin mini dress and curls for Lucia
Weapon pattern - inspired by Tommy Vercetti's iconic palm tree button-up
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.
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.
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.
Today's best Garmin Vivoactive 6 deals
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
Slave to technology
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.
Body Battery Score
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.
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.
Today's best Prime Day controller & headset deals in the US
Save big on Razer's high-quality Esports-grade Raiju V3 Pro controller, officially designed for the PlayStation 5 console. With six remappable buttons, TMR thumbsticks, and fast triggers, there's plenty of customization at your disposal.View Deal
The Logitech G Pro X 2 Lightspeed wireless gaming headset is a fantastic option for both PS5 and PC players, particularly Esports players, with audio thanks to the 50mm graphene drivers providing fantastic sound, and its lengthy battery life. View Deal
If affordability is key for you, the Logitech G321 Lightspeed headset will do you just right, thanks to the 29% discount. It features 20-plus hours of battery, high-performing audio drivers, and compatibility with PS5, PS4, PC, and the Nintendo Switch 2.View Deal
The Razer BlackShark V3 is one of the best gaming headset options this Prime Day, featuring a super wideband mic, 50mm drivers for top quality audio, compatible with PS5, PC, Mac, and the Nintendo Switch.View Deal
Today's best Prime Day controller & headset deals in the UK
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
The Razer BlackShark V3 Pro is an excellent choice for active noise-cancelling audio, via its hybrid active noise cancellation feature, Razer TriForce 50mm drivers for crystal-clear audio, and THX spatial audio for 3D positional audio. It's notably compatible with PS5 and PC, and can stay connected to two devices at once. View Deal
The Logitech G321 Lightspeed wireless gaming headset is great for users seeking a headset that prioritizes comfort, whilst also delivering wide-range compatibility and a long battery life. It'll work on PC, PS5, PS4, and the Nintendo Switch.View Deal
The Logitech G Pro X 2 Lightspeed wireless gaming headset is easily one of the best Prime Day gaming headset deals you can find, at 40% off, for fantastic audio quality, a detachable boom mic, and multiple connection options across PC, PS5, PS4, and Nintendo Switch.View Deal
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 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.
Use a VPN to watch Switzerland vs Canada live streams
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.
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 🔓 Unlocks World Cup streams
Don’t miss a second. Stream the World Cup from anywhere with total confidence.View Deal
How to watch Switzerland vs Canada in the US
US viewers can watch Switzerland vs Canada on Fox.
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).
Group B Table
Position
Team
GD
Points
1
Canada
6
4
2
Switzerland
3
4
3
Bosnia and Herzegovina
-3
1
4
Qatar
-6
1
Can I watch Switzerland vs Canada on my mobile?
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.
TLDR
No time to scroll? Here's my top 3 picks.
• Geekom A5. Budget pick, perfect for the home, office, or dorm room. Now $372
• Geekom A6. A mid-range powerhouse that we stamped Highly Recommended. Now $500
• Geekom A9 Max. The flagship, and my top AI mini PC from Geekom. Now $1190
Best Geekom mini PC under $400
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. ★★★★☆
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. ★★★★☆
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. ★★★★⯪
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. ★★★★☆
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. ★★★⯪☆
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. ★★★★⯪
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
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.
Can I stream Tour de France 2026 for free?
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.
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.
Use a VPN to watch any Tour de France 2026 stream
Why is a VPN a good option to watch Tour de France 2026?
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.
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 ✅ 3 extra months free ✅ Unlocks SBS on Demand and 5
Get NordVPN and stream Tour de France 2026 from anywhere.View Deal
What devices are supported by SBS on Demand, 5 and Norton VPN?
Amazon Fire Stick (Fire OS 8 and up) Android (Android 10.0 and up) Android TV / Google TV (Android TV OS 10.0 and up) iOS (latest 2 versions) iPadOS (latest 2 versions) Web browsers (Chrome, Edge, Firefox)
What is the Tour de France 2026 schedule?
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)
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.
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.
Kara, Krypto, Krypton, and Krem
Supergirl's latest film is based on a very specific comic-book story (Image credit: DC Studios/Warner Bros. Pictures)
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.
Kara and Krem only occasionally clash throughout Supergirl's 108-minute runtime (Image credit: Warner Bros. Pictures/DC Studios)
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.
Some Supergirl flight sequences look better than others (Image credit: Warner Bros. Pictures/DC Studios)
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.
Woman of Tomorrow, problems for today
Supergirl isn't a 1:1 translation of Tom King and Bilquis Eveley's Woman of Tomorrow comic book series (Image credit: DC Studios/Warner Bros. Pictures)
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.
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.
Kara and Ruthye's relationship isn't fully explored in Supergirl (Image credit: Warner Bros. Pictures/DC Studios)
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.
Supergirl satisfyingly expands on the titular hero's backstory that's outlined in Woman of Tomorrow (Image credit: Warner Bros. Pictures/DC Studios)
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.
Jason Momoa has the time of his life playing Lobo in this DCU project (Image credit: DC Studios/Warner Bros. Pictures)
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.
My verdict
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 inspiration, 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.
Senator Mark Warner testified NSA confirmed Mythos Preview identified vulnerabilities in nearly all classified systems within hours during a controlled exercise
US officials clarified Mythos found flaws rapidly rather than exploiting them, but the capability still raises major concern
Anthropic withheld public release, sharing only with select firms; Mozilla and others validated its potency, with thousands of critical bugs uncovered in weeks
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.
How powerful is Mythos?
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.”
Crime Boss: Rockay City is still receiving massive free updates
The latest added a new story mode and two new heists
The developers are already teasing more
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
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.
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.
iPhones
The once-great iPhone 13 is no longer worth buying in 2026 (Image credit: TechRadar)
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.
iPhone 13 — 0-2 years (last update in 2026, 2027, or 2028)
iPhone 13 Pro — 0-2 years (last update in 2026, 2027, or 2028)
iPhone 13 Pro Max — 0-2 years (last update in 2026, 2027, or 2028)
iPhone 13 mini — 0-2 years (last update in 2026, 2027, or 2028)
iPhone 12 — 0-2 years (last update in 2026, 2027, or 2028)
iPhone 12 Pro — 0-2 years (last update in 2026, 2027, or 2028)
iPhone 12 Pro Max — 0-2 years (last update in 2026, 2027, or 2028)
iPhone 12 mini — 0-2 years (last update in 2026, 2027, or 2028)
iPhone 11 — final update will probably be this year with iOS 27
iPhone 11 Pro — final update will probably be this year with iOS 27
iPhone 11 Pro Max — final update will probably be this year with iOS 27
iPhone SE (2020) — final update will probably be this year with iOS 27
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 phones
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is only due to receive one more Android update (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
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.
Samsung Galaxy A54 — final Android update this year (2026), final security patch in 2028
Samsung Galaxy A34 — final Android update this year (2026), final security patch in 2028
Samsung Galaxy S23 — final Android update this year (2026), final security patch in 2028
Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus — final Android update this year (2026), final security patch in 2028
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra — final Android update this year (2026), final security patch in 2028
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 — final Android update this year (2026), final security patch in 2028
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 — final Android update this year (2026), final security patch in 2028
Samsung Galaxy M54 — final Android update this year (2026), final security patch in 2028
Google Pixel 6 — final update this year (2026)
Google Pixel 6 Pro — final update this year (2026)
Motorola Edge 50 Pro — final Android update this year (2026), final security patch in 2028
Motorola Edge 50 Fusion — final Android update this year (2026), final security patch in 2028
Motorola Edge 50 Ultra — final Android update this year (2026), final security patch in 2028
Motorola Razr 50 / Razr 2024 — final Android update this year (2026), final security patch in 2028
Motorola Razr 50 Ultra / Razr Plus 2024 — final Android update this year (2026), final security patch in 2028
Moto G86 — final Android update this year (2026), final security patch in 2029
Moto G56 — final Android update this year (2026), final security patch in 2029
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.
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).
Not the exact models you were after? That's fine, simply scroll for the best AirPods deals where you are, all live now.
Today's best AirPods deals in the US
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
Today's best AirPods deals in the UK
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.
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.
Today's best Kindle Colorsoft deals
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.
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:
(Image credit: Amazon)
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 confirmed by Paramount+ ahead of season 1 episodes 8 and 9
Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser set to return as Beth and Rip; no further announcements made
Season 1 premiere was the biggest original series debut in Paramount+ history
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?
Opinion: Now that Dutton Ranch season 2 is confirmed, Taylor Sheridan needs to properly return
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.
How to watch World Cup 2026 for free in the UK
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 line-up of the BBC's pundits and commentators for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. (Image credit: BBC)
Is the UK's World Cup coverage truly free?
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.
5 reasons to watch the UK's World Cup coverage
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.
The line-up of ITV's pundits and commentators for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. (Image credit: ITV)
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
Which devices can I use to watch BBC iPlayer and ITVX?
Amazon Fire TV / Fire TV Stick
Android phones and tablets
Apple TV (HD and 4K)
Chromecast
Computers (web browsers)
Freeview Play TVs
Freely-compatible TVs
iPhone and iPad
LG Smart TVs (webOS)
Panasonic Smart TVs
PlayStation 4 and 5
Roku devices
Samsung Smart TVs (Tizen)
Sony Smart TVs
Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S
Where else can I watch free World Cup live streams?
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
How to watch free World Cup matches from anywhere
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:
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 🔓 Unlocks free World Cup games
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.
But there is a sneaky trick to watch all World Cup games in the US for $1
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.
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.
Fluance RT81:was $299.99now $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.
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.
Today's best laptop deals at Dell.com
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
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
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
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
The Grand Theft Auto 6 Ultimate Edition comes with a ton of exclusive content
Some fans are understandably disappointed
However, it looks like an Ultimate Edition upgrade will be available
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.
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 […]
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.
The absolute basics: A wheel and pedals
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.
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.
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.
"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."
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.
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.
This patch release fixes several important stability and behavior issues identified in v0.100.0 based on incoming reports. Check out the v0.100.0 notes for the full list of changes.
Color Picker
Fixed a bug where the main Color Picker window could appear inside the zoomed-in picker view in #48762 by @daverayment
Command Palette
Fixed Run history initialization in AOT builds in #48463
Fixed a bug where the Performance Monitor dock item could show ??? after restart in #48682 by @giruuuuj
Fixed the Hibernate command using the Sleep icon in #48689 by @MrBisquit
Limited the "pin to dock" dialog to displays where the dock is enabled in #48723
Keyboard Manager
Fixed modifier keys remapped to non-modifier keys being delivered as system-key events, which caused unexpected behavior in apps such as Alt-to-Backspace deleting whole words in #47192 by @oMatheusmol
Power Display
Fixed a bug where selecting On in the monitor power-state control did not wake a monitor from standby in #48628
Fixed built-in display detection and brightness control on dual-GPU laptops where the internal panel is driven by the discrete GPU in #48637
PowerToys Run
Fixed VS Code Workspaces discovery after VS Code moved recently opened workspace data to shared storage in #47505
Quick Access
Fixed Quick Access flyout crashes caused by unhandled XAML exceptions during launch or page navigation in #48457
Shortcut Guide
Fixed a crash when navigating between Shortcut Guide sidebar sections in #48481
Fixed number-key rendering in shortcut manifests and added a Postman shortcut manifest in #48461 by @brycewc
Updated bundled shortcut manifests to use the literal number-key token so number keys render correctly across apps in #48757 by @brycewc
ZoomIt
Fixed a race condition in audio initialization for ZoomIt video recording in #48685 by @MarioHewardt
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.
The Ultimate price tag gates some in-game content
(Image credit: Rockstar)
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?
The physical edition is just a code in a box
(Image credit: Rockstar Games)
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.
"Grand Theft Auto VI plays best on PS5"
Sony is already throwing hands over GTA6 (Image credit: Getty Images)
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.
Bryan Johnson, the tech entrepreneur who turned his body into a public experiment, stopped taking Rapamycin in September 2024 after several years of self-testing the drug. The immunosuppressant, which is clinically used to prevent organ rejection, had been a cornerstone of his longevity regimen since 2019. Over the years, he...
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 […]
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 […]
Login
![Sinners (4k Ultra Hd) [uhd]](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/SZsyqGBhfGGZeUibch5kdf.jpg)
![Seven Uhd/stlbk [blu-Ray] [region Free]](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/mmEDYatHx8vRiyis23eh27.jpg)
![F1 the Movie [4k Ultra Hd] [2025]](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9k6nV6dcnkb8rYLgwNYWw6.jpg)
![Minority Report Uhd Bd [blu-Ray] [region Free]](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BenPiacPvxj662xaJhdmy6.jpg)
![Event Horizon [4k Uhd]](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/c9S2HX9Gj7KzEAjymNBdd3.jpg)
![The Hunt for Red October [4k Uhd + Blu_ray + Digital Copy] [blu-Ray]](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jtVji9vj9rgf68DYYu6TM3.jpg)
![The Matrix (4k Ultra Hd) [4k Uhd]](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eMqpZJKmvfUEZspTfoZLg3.jpg)
![Oppenheimer - 4k Ultra Hd + Blu-Ray + Digital [4k Uhd]](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/3onEugtTHpkFBSEJpWJG73.jpg)
![Saving Private Ryan [blu-Ray] [4k Uhd]](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/t3Ppe8j3o5NpHhi4z6eGF3.jpg)
![The Substance [4k Uhd]](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/wnSQ67775D5j9bx7fpcpP3.jpg)
![Terminator 2: Judgement Day 4k Ultra Hd [blu-Ray]](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/mUpCRAZqKmVhbvwYYTAme3.jpg)
![Titanic [4k Uhd]](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/XzPoWbADnHVaBGCTpWxkJ3.jpg)
![The Thing [4k Uhd]](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gkvhMgHSWPUaQRXZet4wz.jpg)
![2001 a Space Odyssey [1968] [blu-Ray] [region Free]](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jfc6jnbqzqCjVcd9RK8aCg.jpg)
![28 Years Later [blu-Ray] [region A]](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/5ZWj2C84piidLbZmxzFe8g.jpg)
![Alien Romulus Uhd Bd [blu-Ray] [region Free]](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/pR52fUeUE2oA8v8pL5HQzf.jpg)
![Aliens Uhd Bd [blu-Ray] [region Free]](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/srgsgNMXSp54vnz2d6Nosf.jpg)
![Alita: Battle Angel [ 3d, 4k Ultra-Hd and Blu-Ray ] [2019]](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QuynXpLEKfLoTdy3L2jh8g.jpg)
![Blade Runner: the Final Cut [4k Ultra-Hd] [1982] [blu-Ray] [2017] [region Free]](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BSe5bVZPozmoAnZxxijEtf.jpg)
![Blade Runner 2049 [blu-Ray] [region B] [2017]](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/n85WiWZseSNcLLG25733Cg.jpg)
![Dune [4k Uhd] [blu-Ray] [region Free] [2021]](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Jw4W6ArXw9XJUeUCgQietf.jpg)
![Event Horizon 4k Uhd [blu-Ray] [region a & B & C]](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FCi2XJrrpXB3jKyhsPxs3g.jpg)
![F1 the Movie [4k Ultra Hd] [2025]](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/oy6V3xutEU8t9G2kumJh8g.jpg)
![Interstellar [4k Ultra-Hd] [2014] [blu-Ray] [2017] [region a & B & C]](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ApupUb3EDzyEQmqNzKHKBg.jpg)
![Kingdom of Heaven Uhd Bd [blu-Ray] [region A]](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Czyy8Rx83gKeorsoesY6sf.jpg)
![Martian, the Extended Edition 4k Ultra-Hd [blu-Ray]](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/typcvJmU5GQD2VKb74kCZf.jpg)
![Predator [4k Ultra-Hd + Blu-Ray] [1987] [2018]](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/YCTsUQsUk797xXDeemg49g.jpg)
![Saving Private Ryan - 4k Ultra-Hd [blu-Ray] [2018] [region Free]](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/SBFhNSMThWTvqu5sB9P8Dg.jpg)
Job hunting can be a slog. But with a few Google AI tools, you can simplify the process from start to finish.Career Dreamer: The first step in landing a job is finding o… 
![Abbey Road [vinyl]](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hrgrSW3QSynhVHrGZrC7d6.jpg)
![Let It Be [vinyl]](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/5p7d7sULRJbEdfYP3KWpe6.jpg)
![Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band [vinyl]](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rHzQSjQWUKooz67oSCNFj6.jpg)
![Rubber Soul [vinyl]](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2oEHmh2HMPUHhVhV8kUoh6.jpg)
![The Beatles 1967 � 1970 [vinyl]](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/DTFiBzAJMEhiVQyFTk8yd6.jpg)
![1 [vinyl]](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/pRJRGcGLwfeeLQYpyS9Ph6.jpg)
![A Hard Day's Night [4k Uhd + Blu-Ray] (criterion Collection) - Uk Only [region B]](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Pq2hkZQYEWJqf4jgs4Hno6.jpg)
![Revolver (special Edition)[lp]](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fSTMyM6psZgNp4itQdTsQG.jpg)
![Abbey Road (anniversary Edition)[lp]](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Rh2iSdbBbuJTfdwyMfJabG.jpg)
![Let It Be (special Edition)[lp]](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/YHvUQ6pny6RkToNggMQdLG.jpg)
![The Beatles (the White Album)[180g 2 Lp]](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/G64RsiRjsKdPBh9zUKgmcG.jpg)
![Rubber Soul[lp]](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/XMZrKqYjRYwGFpsSTrkHLG.jpg)
![Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band [lp] [2017 Stereo Mix]](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QvmVbYYFYTYYAPWNR5MvZG.jpg)
![1[remixed/remastered] [2 Lp]](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/oQomWkoup69UHrxYeDgqcG.jpg)
![Help![lp]](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GY2Mrqm9rhSpXGWCQA685G.jpg)
![The Beatles 1967-1970 (2023 Edition)[blue 3 Lp] [half-Speed]](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/vQwDsTXBzP4eBXRqyUrwVG.jpg)
![Anthology Collection (2025 Edition)[180g 12 Lp Boxset]](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jHES5FJ4ueFJxiT64tHnAG.jpg)
![A Hard Day's Night (the Criterion Collection) [4k Uhd]](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cnDYWb9CCTrhPNs7xYbUjG.jpg)
Google’s AI tools help educators support their teaching goals and provide personalized experiences to help students learn in the way that works best for them — all withi… 
The latest announcements from Google for Education at ISTE 2026. 
Our June Demand Gen Drop offers more ways to elevate campaign performance and engage new viewers on YouTube. 
We are announcing new funding at the 2026 ISTE conference to support two long-term partners. 
Henry County Public Schools in Kentucky successfully closed critical achievement gaps with the help of Gemini for Education. 
Study notebooks is a new space in the Gemini app that serves as an interactive learning tool tailored to any student's goals. 
The new Google Finance is coming out of beta and launching a new Android app. 
Announcing connected AI tools for students, including study notebooks and no-cost practice ACT and GRE tests. 
Discover voice commands to manage your household. Simplify your morning, mid-day, and evening routines with this handy guide. 
![Philips Hue New White and Colour Ambiance Smart Light Bulb Starter Kit, 75w - 1100 Lumen [e27 Edison Screw] 2 Bulbs + Smart Button. With Bluetooth. Works With Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple Homekit](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/tTNPSoQLDeA6JHiK4no9iZ.jpg)
![Philips Hue New White Ambiance Smart Light Bulb 2 Pack 75w - 1100 Lumen [e27 Edison Screw] With Bluetooth. Works With Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple Homekit.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cf5EFdKjDyKtdXYdzmvmrk.jpg)
The debate over AI governance is stuck in a false choice between over-regulation and no regulation. There is a middle way: A pragmatic, evidence-based approach that reco… 
![Fallout 4 | Anniversary Edition | Nintendo Switch 2 [code in Box]](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/a4XGM2vchrfFX7mhYVrjxG.jpg)
A look at the built-in computer use tool in Gemini 3.5 Flash. 
