• Marantz unveils MCR 60n mini hi-fi hub
• Amp and streamer which includes MM phono stage and HDMI eARC
• Designed to be compact, so it won't take up as much space as a hi-fi stack

If you're under the assumption that your small home or rental apartment means you can't enjoy an advanced hi-fi set-up, Marantz's new release might have you re-thinking things.

The beloved heritage hi-fi giant has released a new device: The Marantz MCR 60n — and no, despite the name, it's not solely designed to play My Chemical Romance or songs written in Manchester.

This combined streamer and amplifier has been devised as a "mini hi-fi player", according to the brand. While we weren't told its actual size, its footprint is noticeably smaller than a turntable's in the accompanying images.

It'll go on sale on September 15, 2026, and there are two models. For $1,000 in the US (about £740, AU$1,500) you can get the standard model, and there's one available in Europe with a DAB radio squirrelled in, for £800 (about $1,100, AU$1,1600).

So it's not cheap per se, but perhaps its range of features — and household name status — will make up for that.

Welcome to the Black Parade

The biggest phone event of the year has arrived. Today (September 9), Apple is holding its ‘Surprise and Shine’ event where — among many other things — we’re expecting to see the foldable iPhone Ultra unveiled.

This phone has been rumored for years, so it’s almost hard to believe that it could finally be launching today, but all signs suggest that it is — and it won’t be alone, as other phones, plus new wearables and AirPods, look set to be unveiled too.

So, below, we’ve detailed how to watch today's Apple Event, along with all the things we expect to see announced in Cupertino.

How to watch Apple’s iPhone Ultra launch

Today's major Apple launch is being held at the Steve Jobs Theater in Apple Park, Cupertino, California. As with all these events, it will also be streamed online, so you don’t have to attend in person to witness it.

It starts at 10am PT / 1pm ET / 6pm BST, which is 3am AEST on September 10 for people in Australia. So there’s a good chance you’ll either be at work or asleep while it happens, but you’ll be able to view a recorded version of the video after the live stream has ended, and we’ll also have full coverage of the event here on TechRadar, so you can always just stick with us for our analysis and impressions.

As for how to watch, that’s easy: simply hit play on the video embedded above. Alternatively you can head to YouTube, or Apple’s event page. You’ll also be able to view the livestream on Apple TV.

So, there are lots of ways to watch today's event, and if you press the ‘Notify me’ button on that video, you’ll also get a reminder when the event is starting.

What to expect at Apple’s iPhone Ultra event

The iPhone Ultra is almost certainly going to be the most eye-catching announcement at Apple’s Surprise and Shine event. This foldable phone will reportedly have a passport-like form factor similar to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8, with a 7.8-inch foldable display and a 5.5-inch cover screen.

But in addition to this, we’re also expecting Apple to announce the iPhone 18 Pro and the iPhone 18 Pro Max. These will likely have similar designs to the iPhone 17 Pro series and the same screen sizes, but a powerful new chipset and potentially a variable aperture camera.

And it’s not just phones at this event — we’re also expecting to see the Apple Watch Series 12 and the Apple Watch Ultra 4. The main updates here could be the addition of Touch ID and an upgraded chipset, and the Ultra 4 might also gain new sensors.

The AirPods 5 could also land here, as might Apple’s first smart home display, and we might also see updates to the company’s HomePod mini and Apple TV 4K lines.

Beyond hardware, we also expect all of Apple’s next software versions to launch in finished form at today's event, including iOS 27, iPadOS 27, watchOS 27, macOS 27, and tvOS 27, with the headline feature in most of them likely to be Siri’s AI overhaul.

And finally, today's Surprise and Shine event will be the first public outing for Apple’s new CEO, John Ternus, so it will be interesting to see how he comes across.

• Watch England vs Pakistan FREE on Tapmad (Pakistan)
• Outside Pakistan? Unblock cricket streams with NordVPN
• 3rd Test: September 9-13 from 11am BST / 6am ET daily

Watch England vs Pakistan live streams as the hosts arrive in Birmingham for the 3rd Test having already wrapped up the series after dominating wins by an innings and 103 runs at Headingley and by 194 runs at Lord's. It’s a welcome return to form for a revamped English team, after a tough 4-1 Ashes defeat followed by a 2-1 Test series loss against New Zealand at home.

Pakistan, on the other hand, have pressed the panic button, making a series of changes. They’ve let go of as many as seven players, including Mohammad Rizwan, who has been very ordinary, Imam-ul-Haq, who’s surrounded by a fake injury controversy, and Salman Ali Agha, who was captain in the first Test, dropped from the second and now sent home.

They've also let go of Sarfaraz Ahmed and Umar Gul after just six matches on the job, with Pakistan having won just one overseas Test in the last three years. They've replaced them with their white-ball coaches Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke. The PCB has also launched an investigation into discipline and conduct within the Pakistan team.

Needless to say, Pakistan need to show some teeth at Edgbaston. They haven't crossed 200 runs in any of the four innings so far, with their bowling also coming under massive scrutiny for their lack of pace and variety.

England, meanwhile, will not be looking to make any changes. Their in-form bowling lineup of Ollie Robinson – player of the match in both of the first two matches – Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue and Gus Atkinson have been performing exceptionally well, and everyone in the batting lineup, barring the two openers, have got runs at some point in the series too.

You can catch all the England vs Pakistan 3rd Test action live and free. Read on to find out how.

Use a VPN to watch England vs Pakistan 3rd Test from anywhere

If you're keen to watch 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.

The best VPN right now? We recommend NordVPN – it does everything and comes with a 75% discount, and three months for free.

Quick start: Using a VPN to watch the 3rd Test between England and Pakistan from anywhere

Using a VPN is incredibly simple, just follow these steps.

1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we've said, NordVPN is our favorite.

2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance if you're visiting the U.S. and want to view a Pakistani streaming service, you'd select a location from Pakistan (like Karachi) from the server list.

3. Sit back and enjoy the action. Head to Tampad and watch England vs Pakistan 3rd Test just like you would at home.

How to watch England vs Pakistan 3rd Test live streams in the US

Cricket streaming service Willow TV is the place to watch the England vs Pakistan 3rd Test in the US.

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.

Alternatively, you can add Willow TV to your Prime Video subscription and watch cricket live streams from there.

Outside the US right now? You can make use of NordVPN to catch the action.

How to watch England vs Pakistan 3rd Test live streams in the UK

The England vs Pakistan 3rd Test is being shown on Sky Sports on the Cricket and Main Event channels.

Sky Sports plans start from £35/month or £22 if you're an existing Sky subscriber. Alternatively, grab a NOW Sports subscription from £14.99/day or £34.99/month.

If you're on holiday outside the UK, you can use NordVPN to access Eng vs Pak coverage.

How to watch England vs Pakistan 3rd Test live streams in India

In India, England vs Pakistan 3rd Test 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 the matches live, you'll need to get yourself a VPN to access streaming services back home.

How to watch England vs Pakistan 3rd Test live streams in Australia

The third Test between England and Pakistan 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 match, get NordVPN to stream Eng vs Pak from anywhere in the world.

How to watch England vs Pakistan 3rd Test live streams in Pakistan

In Pakistan, the third Test is free-to-air on PTV Sports (TV) and on Tapmad for cord-cutters.

That said, the free tier on Tapmad will have a lower-quality stream with ads playing during over breaks and fall of wickets. There's a premium tier, too, at PKR 499 per month, which unlocks an ad-free, high-definition (HD) stream.

If you're currently out of Pakistan but want to watch an England vs Pakistan 3rd Test live stream, you'll need to get yourself a VPN, as per the instructions above.

England vs Pakistan: Tickets

Want to watch England vs Pakistan live? Seat Unique have you covered:

England vs Pakistan 3rd Test Q+A

Squads

England: Joe Root (c), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Sonny Baker, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Sam Cook, Jordan Cox, Ben Duckett, Emilio Gay, Dan Lawrence, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue

Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Abdullah Fazal, Abdullah Shafique, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Muhammad Imran, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Mohammad Ghazi Ghori, Razaullah, Saad Baig, Saim Ayub, Sajid Khan, Saud Shakeel, Shan Masood, Ubaid Shah

England vs Pakistan Test series schedule

1st Test: 19-23 August, Headingley (11am BST) - England won by an innings and 103 runs

2nd Test: 27-31 August, Lord's (11am BST) - England won 194 runs

3rd Test: 9-13 September, Edgbaston (11am BST)

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.

Last week, Philips Hue showed off a huge collection of new smart lights and accessories to decorate your home and make your TV-watching experience more immersive. There were so many new launches, in fact, that you might have struggled to keep up with them all. To help, I've rounded all the coolest new releases for you in one place — complete with links to the official Hue store so you can pick them up yourself, or register for updates when they go on sale if they're not yet available.

My personal favourite is the new Philips Hue Play Screen Sync, which lets you synchronise Philips Hue Play lights with the action on your TV screen, regardless of its source (unlike a Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box, which only works if you're using HDMI input). The Screen Sync uses a fisheye camera to capture what's on screen, and then uses your smart lights to extend the colours into the rest of your room.

Philips Hue has also partnered with smart lighting company Nanoleaf to bring you two colour-shifting Wall Panel Starter Sets, which you can mount on your wall in any configuration you like, and if you want something more architectural, take a look at the new Liane 360-Degree Rope Light, and Signe Gradient Pole. Scroll on for all the details.

The newest Philips Hue launches

• First new 'PEN' digital rangefinder with the OM System name unveiled
• It costs from $999.99 / £849 (Australia pricing TBC)
• New 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 Mark III kit lens launched alongside the camera

Olympus fans, the day has finally come — OM System has relaunched the Olympus PEN series and put its name on it, with the new OM System PEN.

The new PEN carries the torch of the iconic Olympus PEN-F, with a classic and compact retro form factor and a low-cost plastic body to keep costs down (rather than aluminum). I must say it looks every part the travel and everyday mirrorless camera, with an equally and surprisingly attractive entry-level price point more in line with the PEN E-P7.

Whereas the (slightly pricier) five star-rated EM-5 Mark II has a viewfinder bump (which also looks great in my opinion), the OM System PEN is a 'rangefinder' style mirrorless camera, with the same 2.36m-dot OLED viewfinder that sits flush in the body instead.

And the specs are just as attractive as the IPX1-rated dust- and splash-proof body; the same 20.4MP micro four thirds sensor with 5-axis image stabilization rated up to 5.5EV, 121-point phase detection autofocus with subject detection AF for people and animals, plus a host of computational photography modes that are an absolute blast to play with — my OM-3 review paints a picture of how fun modes such as Live ND can be.

OM System has also added various color profiles, including two 'Cinema' picture modes designed for 4K video recording, and once again included a color/monochrome switch on the camera's front which packs numerous film-inspired looks.

The camera uses OM System's BLS-7 battery, which delivers a generous 410 shots on a full charge, while USB-C charging further enhances its travel-friendly credentials.

When you consider the retro IPX1-rated body, built-in viewfinder, and stabilized sensor, the PEN feels like exceptionally good value, even if it features a dated micro four thirds sensor which is smaller than APS-C and full-frame, and adds very little that is actually new.

For me, however, the format has always delivered a compelling mix of quality, power and features, and is an easy recommendation for people stepping up from a smartphone, who will find the computational modes addictively fun and somehow familiar.

It was the PEN series that we have been waiting for OM System to refresh since the Olympus acquisition, and now that day has come the new compact mirrorless model does not disappoint.

Pricing-wise, the new PEN becomes OM System's entry-level model — $999.99 / £849 bags you the camera body, in silver or black, or for an extra $100 / £100 the kit with the new mark III version of the 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 lens, which was launched alongside the camera, with both due to go on sale from October 1. I'll update this page with Australia pricing when I get it.

I can't wait to get my hands-on the camera — if it's anything like the previous OM System cameras I've reviewed, it'll be so much fun to test. For me, the OM System PEN looks like a best beginner mirrorless camera of the year contender.

If you’re truly serious about coffee in Australia and looking to introduce a coffee maker into your kitchen, then Breville is a brand you’re likely to consider.

It’s easy to see why — not only is Breville a regular feature in my guide to the best coffee machines in Australia, but it also makes reliable, easy-to-master machines that, most importantly, brew a great cuppa.

The Barista Express is one such machine, and while it is a few years old now, it’s still an easy recommendation, especially now that it’s available for AU$595 on Amazon.

The Breville Barista Express has all the necessities of a great coffee machine: an integrated grinder, adjustable settings — grind size, dosage and water volume — and a powerful steam wand for texturising milk, whether it’s dairy or non-dairy. There’s no assisted tamping as you’ll find in the Barista Express Impress, for example, but a manual tamper is provided, along with single-wall and double-wall baskets, along with a razor tool for levelling ground coffee in the portafilter.

However, while Breville might provide all the tools you need for a great coffee, our Breville Barista Express review does admit that it can take a bit of time to find the best settings for the beans you use and for your personal preference. This does mean you’ll need to sacrifice a few espresso shots, but the results are more than worth it.

What’s more, the Barista Express is a relatively compact coffee machine that should cause little issue in even smaller kitchens, and it’s eligible for Breville’s free Barista Gift Pack promotion, which includes a 1kg bag of coffee beans and a Bean Keeper canister to keep them fresher for longer.

The AU$595 price on Amazon only applies to the Charcoal model, while other colours cost at least AU$100 more. Do note that Amazon has a list price of AU$999, which was the case when the machine launched in 2022, but Breville has since revised it to AU$719.

Want more suggestions?

The Breville Barista Express isn’t the only talented espresso machine with a discount on Amazon right now. Other options include the unique Philips Baristina and Philips LatteGo 4400 Series, both of which I’ve spoken highly about before.

Here are some other standout deals for you to consider:

• Philips Baristina – was AU$559 now AU$444
• Ninja Luxe Cafe (Oat Milk) – was AU$849.99 now AU$677
• Breville Bambino Plus – was AU$729 now AU$487
• KitchenAid Semi Automatic – was AU$999 now AU$799.20
• Philips LatteGo 4400 — was AU$1,199 now AU$787.99

• Ukrainian drones forced American soldiers to rethink movement, concealment, and battlefield survival
• Blackhawk troops changed their tactics after persistent aerial surveillance exposed their movements
• American armored vehicles suffered losses despite attempts to conceal them from drones

A 10-day US Army combat training exercise in Germany has drawn attention after reports claimed Ukrainian drones overwhelmed an American mechanized company during the drill.

At the center of it is Blackhawk Company, part of the 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, which spent the ten days training at a range in Hohenfels.

The company commander, Capt. Allan Watson, disputes that account, insisting the report failed to capture what his soldiers actually accomplished over those days.

Entering a battlefield dominated by drones

Blackhawk Company entered a 14-by-27-kilometer range where Ukrainian personnel from the 412th Regiment supported opposing forces during initial operations.

The Ukrainian elite formation, called Nemesis, had battlefield experience and used aerial systems to observe American movements across the range.

The American unit claims to lack the counter-drone equipment its soldiers would have preferred throughout the event.

Rather than relying on unavailable equipment, soldiers altered how they occupied positions, moved vehicles, and concealed personnel from aerial observation.

Bradley vehicles moved beneath dense vegetation, while troops used steep ground and difficult routes to reduce their exposure from above.

The company also studied its movements from an aerial perspective, changing routines that might have made detection easier for enemy operators.

Despite those changes, American vehicles were destroyed during simulated combat, including Bradley vehicles plus tanks, while some crews were also counted as losses.

Watson, however, rejected the idea that these losses proved heavy armor had become unsuitable for modern combat environments.

He said armored vehicles remained useful because they provided mobility and protection while allowing soldiers to move through difficult terrain during operations.

Adapting tactics changed the exercise

The commander said drones could locate American forces, but exploiting that information still required personnel operating at ground level.

That distinction became important as the exercise progressed, because Ukrainian aerial surveillance did not remove the need for conventional reconnaissance.

On the sixth day, Blackhawk Company shifted from defensive tasks toward offensive operations, while the Ukrainian formation later operated alongside American troops.

Watson said the soldiers became increasingly confident as they adjusted to conditions that challenged assumptions formed through earlier training.

The Ukrainian participants also shared methods for operating inexpensive drones over long distances and linking battlefield observation with rapid engagement.

“They put on a masterclass in sensor-to-shooter kill chain management and speed,” said Capt. Allan Watson, Blackhawk Company commander.

Watson also said the experience showed that technology alone does not determine battlefield outcomes, because human decisions remain essential during combat.

For Watson, the principal lesson was not that drones had replaced armored formations, but that units must adjust tactics when aerial surveillance becomes persistent.

However, this is also not the first US military exercise where Ukrainian drone teams have caught American forces off guard.

In an earlier exercise in Germany, US troops were defeated so quickly that exercise officials allowed those units to re-enter the scenario.

These events were designed to expose weaknesses, test countermeasures, and help American forces prepare for drone-heavy warfare.

Ukraine’s experience against Russia has made its drone units especially capable in unmanned systems and electronic warfare operations.

The repeated setbacks, therefore, raise a more direct question about whether US forces should adapt more quickly and improve their capabilities.

Rather than explaining away each defeat as a training outcome, American forces need to treat these exercises as warnings.

Via Task&Purpose

• The LOCUST X3 laser is developed by AeroVironment, Inc.
• It is designed as a “group 3 killer” – meaning it is intended to tackle particularly dangerous drones
• The Xbox controller makes the LOCUST X3 laser simpler to target

A new US Army contract worth around $465 million has been awarded to AeroVironment, Inc. for its LOCUST X3 anti-drone weapon, a 30-kilowatt laser that can be mounted on military vehicles.

Designed to take down mid-sized attack drones, the LOCUST X3 can specifically handle what the Department of Defense refers to as “Group 3” – unmanned aerial vehicles weighing 1,350 pounds and capable of lifting 125 pound payloads over a distance of 8 miles.

Interestingly, AeroVironment, Inc. has designed the LOCUST X3 to be relatively easy to control. Operators (which may be soldiers, sailors, airmen, or even Space Force guardians) can target the anti-drone laser using an Xbox controller.

“The apex predator”

Incredibly, this is the first high energy laser weapon to be awarded a production contract in US history, following several years in development, which included military testing.

Wahid Nawabi, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer at AV said: “The transition of directed energy from experimentation to an enduring, fielded capability reflects years of collaboration, innovation, and operational success alongside the U.S. Army.”

Aaron Westman, senior director for business development at AeroVironment, Inc., outlined how the LOCUST X3’s role is viewed by the company. “It can really kill a lot of threats. Its job is to really, let’s say, thin the herd to be able to kill high volumes of threats.”

John Garrity, vice president of directed energy systems at AeroVironment, Inc, expanded on the use of an Xbox controller for targeting the anti-drone system.

“To a young soldier, sailor, airman, guardian that’s using these systems, it’s not unlike what they’re using at their own house for video games," he noted.

“Group 3 killer”

The purpose of the LOCUST X3 is to dispatch attacking drones relatively efficiently. But what does “Group 3” actually mean?

Garrity told reporters that “LOCUST X3 is intended to be the Group 3 killer. When we talk about Group 3, that’s just one of the more prevalent threats that you see in warfare today, seen in conflicts in Iran and in Ukraine with Shahed drones.” The LOCUST X3 is intended to be a one part of the US Army’s response to done attacks, with other weapons contributing to the multi-layered defense against Group 1-3 UAV threats.

The one-way Shahed-136 drones have been used against US troops in the Middle East. The LOCUST X3 is positioned as a solution to this, and not just due to its portability. It also has longer range than many similar countermeasures.

US interceptor missiles are believed to be largely depleted thanks to the conflict with Iran. Anti-drone weapons like the LOCUST X3 are viewed as a forward-thinking alternative.

• 69% of Americans oppose AI data centers near their communities, a national poll finds
• Public support for nearby AI data centers has fallen sharply since 2025
• Only 4% strongly support new data centers in their communities today

American resistance to AI data centers has intensified sharply over the past year, several national surveys released in 2026 have found.

A new Decision Desk poll conducted by SurveyMonkey found that over two-thirds (69%) of respondents oppose construction of these facilities near their homes.

Nearly half of those surveyed (45%) said they would strongly oppose a data center built anywhere close to their own neighborhood.

Data centers do not have widespread American public support

Separate research from Heatmap Pro, carried out by Embold Research in mid-August 2026, points to an even sharper decline in public backing, as its poll of 2,045 registered voters found 75% opposed building a facility near their community.

Only 4% of respondents said they would strongly support a proposed data center in their area, a drop from 13% recorded a year earlier.

Resistance now cuts across age, income, party affiliation, and the split between rural and urban communities nationwide.

Republicans remain 43 percentage points net negative on the issue, independents sit at 65 points negative, and Democrats register 75 points negative.

Rural voters, a group that has trended Republican in recent years, are 63 points net negative as well.

Officials across the political spectrum have taken notice. New York Governor Kathy Hochul ordered a one year pause on new facilities, and Texas Governor Greg Abbott froze several pending projects pending a required audit.

Heatmap Pro figures reveal that over 530 counties and municipalities have restricted or banned data center construction.

Political and economic fault lines

President Trump has pushed back publicly against the trend, framing local opposition as economically self-defeating.

“The only reason that communities throughout the U.S.A. should not want Data Centers is if they want to end up being backwards and poor,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

“If they want to be successful and rich, with far lower taxes and jobs all over the place, let Data Reign.”

However, Republican supervisor Dawn Vogel backed a local moratorium earlier this year, putting her at odds with Trump's national agenda.

“I don’t think this is a Republican or Democratic issue…It’s an issue of what’s the best use for the land, what’s the best use for our natural resources,” Vogel said.

“You can have all the data you want to in the world, but if you don’t have water to drink, you don’t have humans to use the data.”

Lawmakers who once championed data centers as economic development tools are now revising their positions under mounting public pressure.

Ohio Senator Jon Husted, an early advocate, introduced legislation this year requiring data center operators to cover added electricity and water costs.

The gap between economic promises and local resource concerns appears to be driving much of the shift.

However, labor unions have generally taken a more favorable stance, citing steady construction jobs and strong wages tied to the facilities.

• The AVEN thrust-vectoring nozzle has been added to the X-BAT AI-piloted fighter with vertical take-off capabilities
• Thrust-vectoring allows a plane’s exhaust to be redirected, instead of relying purely on manipulating airflow across the wings for movement
• The engine was first trialed on an F-16 fighter in the 1990s

Shield AI has revealed the X-BAT AI-piloted fighter jet relies on a jet engine variation first developed over 35 years ago and tested on a General Dynamics F-16 in the 1990s.

The AVEN – Axisymmetric Vectoring Exhaust Nozzle – essentially replicates the actions of a wing, but instead of manipulating airflow across the airfoil, it directs the exhaust, in a process labeled “thrust-vectoring.”

Developed for the F-16 as part of a dedicated GE Aerospace program investigating Multi-Axis Thrust Vectoring (MATV), the nozzle was proved to work. The technology has recently been revived thanks to GE Aerospace and Shield AI, with the AVEN paired with an F110-GE-129E engine.

The VTOL X-BAT needs AVEN

Using the Axisymmetric Vectoring Exhaust Nozzle, the X-BAT is given flight capabilities that would prove demanding for humans to repeatedly endure. It enables hovering, but also superhuman reaction speeds, and removes the risk of G-force induced blackouts. Without pilot fatigue, the X-BAT can commit to extreme maneuvers in aerial combat.

Designed as a Vertical Take-off and Landing (VTOL) aircraft, the X-BAT can be deployed in areas with little or no runway. The Axisymmetric Vectoring Exhaust Nozzle is a key part of this, providing the necessary thrust for the X-BAT to take off. As the craft launches more like a rocket than a standard jet fighter, the AVEN and the F110-GE-129E engine appear to ensure a steady detachment from the launch dock as the X-BAT heads skyward.

It’s a setup that might resemble something out of a 1950s sci-fi comic, but in reality can only work successfully without a human pilot.

AVEN isn’t unique to the X-BAT. While the GE Aerospace project with the F-16 proved the technology worked, it was pursued elsewhere, most notably with the Russian Sukhoi Su-27SM revision of 2002. Earlier craft, like the Harrier variants, use “2D thrust vectoring” where thrust is directed horizontally or vertically via exhausts on either side of the aircraft. Indeed, the notion of thrust vectoring dates back to the V-2 rocket, the long-rang rocket used by Nazi Germany in the final months of World War Two.

Modernising the AVEN

Shield AI and GE Aerospace haven’t simply stuck to the original AVEN hardware and attached it to the F110-GE-129E engine. The nozzle has been re-engineered, with modern materials and production techniques. Inevitably, it has also been adapted to work with 21st century guidance systems, and the AI piloting and control systems are also accommodated.

First test flights of the X-BAT are expected to take place in Kansas by late 2026, ahead of a planned 2028 operational validation and full production.

The GL.iNet Beryl 7 is a travel router that is designed for those on the go who still need control over their networking.

Especially today, it feels like people are more aware of their networking than ever. There's fear over what people are able to see. There's fear of what other people can see of your own data, and there are people trying to take control of their own connections. That's one very real use case for the Beryl 7.

Alternatively, another use case that is possibly more common, or at least more widespread, would be that a lot of people travel with an abundance of gadgets these days. It used to be that people would have their phones, and that would be about the only thing they would connect to Wi-Fi, then maybe a laptop, then maybe an iPad.

Now the average family, to my understanding, travels with several tablets, laptops, phones, and oodles of other internet-connected devices, or perhaps that's just my family when we travel.

Regardless of which camp you're in, having a parallel router can actually prove to be incredibly helpful. Personally, I have seen some people use it as a way to connect to a VPN easily and with whatever device they have with them. I've seen some people use it as a way to be able to only have to connect to a guest Wi-Fi once and then extend that network to all of their devices.

I personally have used it in the sense of, when traveling, not having to disconnect and reconnect our devices at every stop that we make. Instead, I can connect just once and then keep all the kids' iPads and devices, as well as my own, on a known and already saved network, just simply for ease of setup.

I've also seen people use it as a way to turn Wi-Fi networks into a wired network and vice versa. All around, a little device like the Beryl 7 turns into a Swiss Army knife of networking capabilities.

GL.iNet Beryl 7: Price and availability

The Beryl 7 is available direct from GL.iNet store in the US here and in the UK here. The travel router is priced at $130 / £117.

It's also widely available from online retailers, including Amazon, where I've seen it down as low as almost $100.

The Beryl 7 specifically is not as nice as some of its bigger brothers, but for the price, if you're not changing a ton of settings but more setting and forgetting, this one might just be the perfect little addition to your tech bag.

It's lightweight, doesn't take a ton of space, and setup and go is super easy, especially with the ability to run this off of just a single low-powered USB-C.

GL.iNet Beryl 7: Unboxing and First Impressions

As a tech lover, I was excited to get my hands on this one. It seems like it's a solid update and even an upgrade from past models, and I wanted to see just how lightweight it really was. I got the mint green colorway, which is pretty striking, and for something like this, it is a little bit more fun than just a black model.

Normally, I'm an all-black or, these days, maybe even some silver technology kind of person, but I didn't mind the flash of color for something like a little networking device.

The weight is just as light as I expect it to be, or should I even say how much I hoped it would be. The ports are simple, the mode switch is sleek, and the ability to use USB-C really is just that convenient.

Even as a heavy tech reviewer, I've almost made it to where every single thing I carry is USB-C, which has become incredibly helpful for when traveling, working remotely, or at different offices and just going about my day-to-day. Needing to carry multiple cables and multiple different types of cables is a thing of the past… almost.

Having USB-C on even my travel router that I'm testing is super convenient. Further, it's nice to see two 2.5 GHz network ports, a USB 3.0 port (even though it is capped at a pretty slow speed), and two folding antennas that are satisfying enough to be near fidget-toy status.

GL.iNet Beryl 7: Design & Build Quality

Talking specifically about the build quality. While this is plasticky and the folding arms are fun to play with, it does feel like over a couple years, or even just some hard daily use, the arms could get pretty loose and won't snap open quite as nicely.

I'm also wary of dropping this because it feels like a single drop could crack the entire shell. Cases are available for the device, and if you're using it for business travel, I recommend picking one up.

With that being said, though, it is really nice to see little rubber feet on the bottom of the portable router, making it so that it's not just the sound or experience of plastic sliding along whatever I decide to put this down on.

Moving to the ports, they feel pretty well built. Cables snap in pretty easily and feel like they're a tight connection, and I appreciate the layout and spacing between all the ports.

It makes more sense to spread out even just these four ports than it does to have them all crammed together for a look of minimalism. Having them spread out a little bit on the back side of this unit makes more sense from just a usability standpoint.

GL.iNet Beryl 7: In use

I brought this with me on a few different planned trips, and then it's come in handy at other times as well.

The first trip I brought it on was a quick little family trip. Knowing that we were going to stop at a hotel on the drive and how insane it was to get everything set up for just a few hours in a hotel and then continue driving the next day, zero part of me wanted to spend time connecting my devices to the hotel Wi-Fi. I also needed to spend time setting up pack-and-plays and getting everything squared away.

I made sure to bring this travel router to try out what this would look like in real time. I already had all the devices programmed and ready to go ahead of time to the network I had set on the Beryl 7.

When we got to the hotel, I had to connect one single device to the hotel Wi-Fi, and then I was able to broadcast that signal to all of the devices. It was stable enough for 5 iPads, a laptop, and a couple of phones, and therefore earned its place in my bag for the next trip I went on.

The next trip I went on was a quick work trip where we stayed at an Airbnb. I knew I'd be working pretty heavily, and I did not want to have to deal with potentially sketchy Wi-Fi, connecting to an unknown source, and then again having to connect all the devices I travel with.

On this trip specifically, I had two laptops, two iPads, and my phone, just for my own devices, let alone my team that I helped support technology-wise. I brought the Barrel 7 so that I could connect one device and then broadcast my own network, or at least that was the plan. What I ended up actually doing was connecting directly to an Ethernet port and not even having to connect and then broadcast via Wi-Fi.

One thing that I wish I would have done on that trip is I wish I would have set up the VPN earlier on my Beryl 7. I was able to do it during the trip, realizing how handy it would have been to do ahead of time, but I ended up needing to remote into my network rack back at the office.

While I can do that through VPN connections on my laptop, having one on this portable router, for some reason, just feels so much easier because then I can connect quickly on my iPad as well without having to toggle through things. I can just know that anytime I connect to this router, or if anybody else needs to connect to it, they can all be on the same VPN.

Personally, for me, it was just to change some settings and prep some things for the upcoming week. But, I could see this being super helpful for those who have Home Lab servers that need troubleshooting or other things like that. Further, if you have a work VPN that you need to be connected to, check with your employer.

Potentially, this could be a great option for you to not have to connect several devices, but you can connect one. For some work, that may be a great option. But, one thing to keep in mind is the speed limitations if you are choosing to use VPN. Moving things around on the network that you're connected to should be fine, but pulling files through the VPN to your device or vice versa will feel very slow.

GL.iNet Beryl 7: Final verdict

Whether you're working out of a coffee shop and don't want to connect multiple devices, or you have a secure VPN you need quick access to on any device you're bringing. If you simply want to be able to connect to a Wi-Fi network and turn it into a wired network, or take a wired network and turn it into a wireless signal, a little travel router like this can make things a lot easier.

Or perhaps you're like me, and you're starting to learn more and more about how scary network traffic can be, and you want to make sure that you're never connecting directly to a sketchy Wi-Fi. That's a great first step, and utilizing something like this and a VPN to help scatter your traffic may be a spectacular solution for you.

If you're looking for more networking capabilities, more features, and more power, make sure to check out GL.iNet for some of their other spectacular options, or keep an eye out for more reviews coming.

• Alogic Clarity Touch 6K monitor packs 6016 by 3384 pixels into one massive display
• The webcam retracts fully into the monitor when not in use
• Thunderbolt 5 support is missing from this new flagship monitor

Alogic has upgraded its Clarity monitor range with a new 32-inch 6K model featuring an integrated 12MP webcam.

The company announced the display at IFA 2026 in Berlin, where it also showed several other new desktop products.

Despite its high resolution and new camera, the Clarity Touch 6K monitor does not list Thunderbolt 5 among its built-in connections.

Clarity 6K gets a sharper camera

The Clarity Touch 6K uses a 6016x3384 display, giving it substantially more pixels than standard 4K desktop monitors.

Its main new feature is an integrated 12MP 4K webcam that retracts into the display when not in use, removing the need for a separate camera while keeping the webcam concealed when video calls are not underway.

Alogic has also added the same retractable webcam concept to its new 27-inch Clarity 5K monitor.

Both models use USB-C for laptop charging, with support for power delivery of up to 90W through the display.

The device also supports HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4, USB-A and audio connections for peripheral devices, however, the absence of Thunderbolt 5 is notable because Alogic has introduced a separate Thunderbolt 5 dock alongside its latest monitor range.

That dock supports bandwidth of up to 80Gbps in symmetric mode and up to 120Gbps in asymmetric mode.

Price and availability remain premium

According to Alogic, the Clarity Touch 6K with webcam is scheduled to become available by the end of October 2026.

The price of this device varies across three major markets, including the United Kingdom, the United States of America and the European Union - as in the UK, this device is listed for £2,299.99 while it sells for €2,799.99 and $3,099.99 in the EU and United States, respectively.

Those in Canada and Australia can also purchase this monitor for CAD$3,999.99 and $3,699.99, respectively.

If you need a cheaper alternative, then you may go for the smaller Clarity 5K with webcam, which costs £1,499.99, €1,799.99 and $1,899.99 across the U.K., EU and U.S respectively

The Clarity Touch 6K arrives alongside an Edge 34-inch ultrawide monitor, built around a 5120 × 2160 panel with 100Hz refresh.

Per Alogic, its IPS display reaches 400 nits of brightness and covers 100% sRGB, 96% DCI-P3 and 91% Adobe RGB.

It also includes USB-C charging at up to 90W, plus HDMI, DisplayPort, USB-A and Gigabit Ethernet connectivity for accessories and external drives.

Alogic is also expanding the Aspekt range with 27-inch 5K, 32-inch 6K and 34-inch 5K touchscreen models featuring integrated docking and 10-point touch input.

The 32-inch version reaches 6016 × 3384 resolution with MPP 2.0 stylus support, and the 34-inch model offers a 21:9 layout with 100Hz refresh.

“With this expanded portfolio, we are giving professionals, creators and everyday users more choice in how they work and create,” said Ritesh Kumar, CEO and Director of Sales at Alogic.

“From high-resolution displays and expansive ultrawide screens to integrated webcams and powerful connectivity, each product is designed to make the workspace more capable, connected and easier to manage.”

The Lenovo ThinkPad T1g Gen 8 is a powerhouse and a semi-portable shell. It takes on the power of the beloved X1 Extreme, pairing an ultra 9 processor with quick memory, Thunderbolt 5, and decent storage. It's designed for engineers, creatives, and other power users who need a machine that can do it all while still having that hint of portability.

I think of this quite like the 16-inch MacBook Pro. It's the bigger choice in the line-up, but you would get it because you want the power and the ability, not necessarily the portability. The people who would get this laptop are the people who need the ports as well.

That's one of the reasons why I'm thrilled to see USB-A still, though it is just one, which is all that I would want. USB-C, Thunderbolt, an SD card reader, and an HDMI port. It honestly has every port I wish my MacBook Pro had, even as a guy who loves the MacBook Pro.

Lenovo ThinkPad T1g Gen 8: Price and availability

The Lenovo ThinkPad T1g Gen 8 is available from Lenovo in the US here, and in the UK here. Prices start at $3,632 / £5,0145.

My tested version of this laptop has an Intel Core i9-285H, an IPX5070 with 8 GB, 32 GB of RAM, and a 1 TB SSD. It's pretty hefty, and it does the job, that's for sure. The fact that it has a dedicated GPU shows that this thing is meant to work. The screen is also WQUXGA (3840x2400) with an 800-nit IPS panel.

You can fully inspect this thing out with a loaded Ultra 9 5070 with 64 GB and 4 TB of SSD. That will run you just over $4,000. My unit is not fully spec'd. It was pretty close and comes in at about $3,400 to $3,700, depending on how I look at it. If you get a base level with an entry point of an Intel Ultra Core 7 RTX 5060 and a terabyte of SSD, you can get it for just under $1,700 at $1,688.

So, much like most of Lenovo's line-up, you can expect this thing to go up and down the price chain however far you want. What's important to recognize is that they have laptops all across the spectrum for what you're wanting.

Lenovo ThinkPad T1g Gen 8: Unboxing and First Impressions

Right off the bat, this is a super sharp machine. I'm a big fan of Lenovo laptops for how they always look uniform yet still have a little taste of differences.

When it comes to being uniform, it still has the matte black that I love, the touchpoint, a generous trackpad, a very comfortable keyboard, a great screen, a physical shutter on the camera, spectacular ports, and all-around really standard and clean branding.

The things that are different, though, are that, unlike a lot of the other models that I've tested, this doesn't have a left and right-click button at the top of the trackpad that's meant to be used with touchpoint.

It does still have a little bump, though, so that if you know that it's there, it's still accessible. I tested it, and the right-click still works just fine. It's just not a physical button; it's built into the touchpad.

Outside of that, this still looks super sharp. While it is bigger than some of the other models, it's by no means too cumbersome to carry. I would happily carry this around every day in my backpack, and it fits even at 16 inches in most standard-size or slightly bigger backpacks. It's a pretty tight fit in something like a Bellroy Daily Pack, but in my beloved Nomadic or TomToc bags, this fits without any problem.

In the box comes the standard charger and always great packaging to make sure that the laptop stays safe while in transit or in the store. Admittedly, I rarely use the chargers that come with these devices personally, but that's because I usually opt for more efficient and more useful chargers from Anker, Ugreen, or even Nomad.

For something this size, though, I'll probably continue to use one of my bigger Anker chargers that have a few ports, phenomenal output, and even Bluetooth capabilities to give me readouts. I can see where my power is going for each port on the plug.

Lenovo ThinkPad T1 Gen 8: Design & Build Quality

As previously mentioned, this is an absolutely spectacular build device. If you're more familiar with Apple products, this does feel quite a bit like the MacBook Pro. I feel bad constantly comparing it to that, but the reality is that the MacBook Pro is a little more distinguishable and more known in the popular field.

What's unlike the MacBook Pro, though, is that this also features a trackpoint, a privacy shutter, human presence detection, upgradable memory, and that USB-A port that I wish my MacBook Pro had.

It's no secret that this is a big machine. It's a 16-inch powerhouse, so don't expect it to be as light as a feather or as light as some of Lenovo's carbon models. That doesn't mean that it's wildly uncomfortable either.

Yes, it's a big laptop, but for its size, it's so barely portable and relatively thin and light. Especially when you consider that you can get this spec'd out with a tandem OLED 120 Hz screen, massive amounts of storage, 64 GB of RAM, and a dedicated graphics card. That's pretty insane all around.

Lenovo ThinkPad T1g Gen 8: In use

I've had this laptop in rotation for my team and myself for the last 163 days as I write this paragraph. Throughout the time, I've used it for virtual meetings, projects in Notion, a lot of writing, and emails.

I'm taking over the world one AI at a time, trying to teach myself things through Claude and GPT. I've taught myself how to code. I've done a lot of website work. I've sent a lot of Slack messages and even watched a fair number of tutorials on YouTube.

While working on project management, this executive screen fits a good amount of data, especially with the higher resolution. I can fit quite a bit on this screen. When it comes to basic photo editing, the screen is still pretty sharp and fairly color accurate. It may not be the best photo editing laptop I've ever used, but for most this would be just fine.

This machine is powerful enough that I can jump in and run quite a bit of my workload on it without even feeling like it's slowing down at all. I've done a ton of work building out Notion workers utilizing this laptop specifically.

I've done a lot of work in VS Code, GPT, Claude, and Notion, running some pretty heavy workflows to get the sinks working the way I wanted them to. It all happened without any problems on this machine, thanks to its robust processor, RAM, and storage.

Beyond that, typing has been an absolute dream on this. I have always said, and probably will continue to say, that Lenovo laptops, specifically the ThinkPad variant, have some of the best keyboards on the market, perhaps ever. Even throughout all their changes over the years, they continue to have a spectacular keyboard.

The best way I can describe this laptop is that it is for people who need a professional machine for workloads to match. These people aren't the ones that are just working on documents or emails or quick office tasks like that.

It's the people who need to be able to jump into any kind of work at any time. They're using a ton of processing power, and they need a lot of ports. They're the most likely to be more tech-savvy individuals who bounce in and out of what they do.

Lenovo ThinkPad T1g Gen 8: Final verdict

All in all, this laptop has been wonderful to use. I have most appreciated the parts and the reliability of this machine. Being able to plug in any device I may need without having to carry a dongle is peace of mind that I do not take for granted.

Also, having enough headroom in your powertrain to take care of all the projects in one's own busy days is a superpower that many would appreciate.

If you're the generalist or the specialist of many, if you're into systems, IT, or you're just the kind of guy who always has a thousand projects he's juggling, then this is absolutely a laptop you should consider.

For most people, this would be overkill for them. In my technical world, people I work with would absolutely benefit from this kind of machine. It has the power to run bigger programs and the storage to manage data if that's part of what they're doing.

It has ports to jump in and out of whatever they are solving, and it's portable enough to carry around from place to place (even though they're not going want to walk around holding this in their hand anytime soon). It's possible, but it's just not comfortable.

It's sharp, it's sleek, it's powerful, and it has ports. It's expandable all around. Lenovo nailed it with this laptop.

For more top picks, see our guide to the best business laptops we've tested.

• Invoke Studios head Dominic Guay confirms Warlock: Dungeons & Dragons will have a toggleable HUD and minimal waypoint guidance
• Guay says this is to encourage exploration and reduce the "hand-holding" experience
• With these options, he says the game will be "immersive"

Invoke Studios has said Warlock: Dungeons & Dragons will encourage players to explore Darkon's open world by offering a toggleable HUD and minimal waypoint guidance.

That's according to Invoke Studios head Dominic Guay, who told TechRadar Gaming in an interview at Gamescom that the upcoming D&D action-adventure game will ease up on the "hand-holding" you often find in other open-world role-playing games (RPGs).

"It helps that we're trying to go easy on the hand-holding, so that allows us to pull back a little bit," Guay replied when asked why the hands-on demo had such a minimal HUD. "In this case, I'll be honest, though, we turned off some elements of HUD so that it wasn't overwhelming for people watching the demo."

The studio head confirmed the team will add "some" elements to the HUD to help players, but it can also be turned on and off in the settings, adding that there was a time when it "felt the need to put a lot of things in the middle of a screen."

"We realized that players, because they're being eased in with the number of spells they have, the number of things they can do, we don't need to overwhelm them," Guay continued. "And then we will give you some guidance. So the example I always give is, if the quest was to find me, you know, at Gamescom, and you open up the map, then you'd see it.

"We'd put a highlight around [the area], and we say, 'Well, he's somewhere in there, right?' So then you have a compass; you can get there, but we don't want to overwhelm you with too much information. [We want to] keep it immersive."

During the same interview, Guay explained why Invoke chose a warlock protagonist for the game, explaining that the concept of "creative magic" was central to gameplay and story.

Warlock: Dungeons & Dragons launches in 2027 for PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PC.

I've had a love/hate relationship with Siri since the iPhone 4S in 2011. At first, I loved it. I'd frequently ask it for random facts, to tell me a joke, to check the weather, or to send a message. I used it so much after its debut that my wife and kids started calling Siri my girlfriend.

Then the novelty wore off, and my interactions with Siri all but stopped. I didn't hate Siri; I just no longer found it a tool I wanted or needed to use regularly.

Since then, every time Apple announced new features or capabilities, I'd attempt to reconnect with my old fling, only to grow bored once again.

In June, Apple unveiled Siri AI — a new and improved digital assistant the company touted as smarter, more capable, and full of new features. I was, admittedly, very skeptical. The year prior, Apple demonstrated a more powerful version of Siri that it never delivered.

A few days after the announcement, I installed the developer betas on a MacBook Neo, iPad Pro and iPad Mini — three devices I almost never talk to or interact with Siri on. However, I do often press Command+Space for Spotlight for common tasks. Now, instead of Spotlight, the same key combo brings up a text box you can use to chat with Siri. Also, the new Siri includes a dedicated Siri chatbot app.

For the first six weeks of the beta program, that’s how I used Siri — via the old Spotlight shortcut or directly in the Siri app. I’d often ask Siri something, then feed Gemini the same prompt, and compare the results.

Initially, I was puzzled by the lack of an option to pick the AI model I want to use. As someone who uses Gemini daily, I'm used to switching between the latest Flash-lite, Flash, and Pro models, plus the Extended version for, presumably, better answers. Claude has similar options with Fable, Opus, Sonnet, and Haiku, each with a version number after it.

In the Siri app, there aren't any options at all. You open it and start typing. It's simple, if not basic.

There’s a list of past conversations, as you’d see for old threads in Messages or Mail, only these include all conversations you had with Siri, regardless of how you interacted with Siri, be it voice or typing.

At first, the simplicity of the Siri app was something I just couldn't wrap my head around. How do I know if I'm getting the best possible answer for daily questions or more complex tasks like coding a website? I wanted to change models to ensure it was more thorough. But I couldn’t.

I didn't trust Siri. How could I if I didn't know how it was approaching our conversation?

It wasn't until I installed iOS 27 on an iPhone 17 Pro Max that my use of Siri AI went up, and with it Apple's entire approach finally clicked.

My typical workflow on an iPhone is to swipe down on the screen, type a question or an app name, and continue from there. I put zero thought into a process I do dozens of times a day. Just swipe, type, and a few seconds later I have an answer. Only now, instead of that gesture triggering Spotlight, it's Siri.

The more I used Siri, the more I began to enjoy not having to make a conscious decision about what model, version, or mode to use. The end result is exactly what I go into every conversation with an AI bot wanting: Ask for something, get an answer.

To be clear, Apple is routing queries behind the scenes across multiple on-device and cloud models — like AFM 3 Core or AFM 3 Cloud Pro — via Private Cloud Compute. But you never see those names. Apple intentionally hides the engine under the hood, making the technical complexity invisible to the person just trying to get an answer.

And for the vast majority of people, that’s perfectly fine.

The real advantage Siri AI has over Google Gemini on Android is that Siri’s baked into iOS. No matter how or where you interact with it, you get the same exact experience, and a record is kept in the Siri app.

For Android users, Gemini’s implementation is not as cohesive.

There’s a dedicated Gemini app, just like Siri. Only the Gemini app has far more tools, features, and settings. But outside that app, you have to intentionally seek out Gemini on an Android phone.

For instance, there’s a Google search bar on every Pixel’s homescreen. Tap on it to use Google Search, where you’ll then get an AI overview as the top result. But that’s not directly using Gemini — you’re using Google Search.

If you want to talk with Gemini, either by holding in the power button or triggering it with Hey Google, you have to go through extra steps to enable Gemini’s voice features (instead of Google Assistant) — it’s not automatic. Even after I enabled the power button to trigger Gemini on a Pixel 10 Pro XL, I kept getting a pop-up saying I couldn’t talk to Gemini until I tapped one more button to enable the mic.

What. A. Process.

While working on this story, I got an email from Google saying Google Assistant has now been replaced by Gemini on all my compatible devices — and while I welcome the change, using Gemini on Android is still a segmented experience.

On the iPhone, none of that is required. Regardless of how or where you access Siri, you get Siri… now with a side of AI.

I think Apple’s minimal approach to the Siri app is actually a feature on its own, and a darn good one. When I first started experimenting with Gemini, it took me weeks to learn the nuances of when to use specific models; then, as soon as I got comfortable, new models were released, and the process started all over again. That cycle continues even now, nearly two years later.

I still believe, however, that there’s a need and place for more control over AI interactions. Some people, especially those who use AI for more advanced tasks like coding, benefit from full control of the model.

But the vast majority of people — many of whom are scared of AI — will notice that Siri got smarter and can do more things, without realizing (or caring) that it’s a full-fledged AI platform behind the results.

• IKEA has launched a new wireless driver for its integrated LED lights
• Called Dubbelkisel, it connects your lights to IKEA's Bilresa hub
• It's Matter-enabled so you can integrate it into a wider smart home setup

If you have IKEA integrated lights in your cabinets or wardrobe, there's good news — the company has just launched a new driver that lets you control them wirelessly, with Matter compatibility, so you can integrate them into the rest of your smart home.

The new driver, called Dubbelkisel, is a successor to the Trådfri driver, which allowed you to control your integrated lights via a small remote control using the Zigbee protocol. The new driver is different; instead of linking directly to a remote, it connects to IKEA's Dirigera hub, which means you can operate your cabinet lights with any of IKEA's smart switches — or even non-IKEA devices as part of wider Matter setup.

As Notebookcheck reports, news of the Dubbelkisel leaked earlier this year, when the driver appeared in a database of Thread devices, but this is the first time we've seen it on sale.

Some users on Reddit managed to get their hands on the device early, and report that it generally performs well, though the older Trådfri has some advantages.

"No problems so far," wrote one poster on r/tradfri. "It’s paired via a gateway, so there’s a noticeable delay when turning on the light. The previous Trådfri power supply was connected directly to the remote and worked instantly. Also I preferred the old, small Trådfri remote over the current Bilresa model."

The new driver is currently available in a selection of European countries, and is expected to roll out more widely within the coming weeks. It's priced at €18, which is approximately $20 / £15 / AU$30.

This year has been chock-full of great smartwatch releases: We've had the latest crops of Samsung, Google, Fitbit, and Amazfit watches. We had the Garmin Fenix 9 and Garmin Fenix 9 Pro at the high-end of the adventure watch category (and pricing range, some costing upwards of four-figure dollars or pounds), and soon the latest Apple Watches, with the Apple Watch Series 12 and (according to rumor) the Apple Watch Ultra 4.

However, I've had the most fun this year with a watch that costs just £55 / AU$119 (around $75).

The Casio F-B100W is a digital quartz watch which connects to your phone via Casio's Mobile Link Bluetooth function, providing a handful of techy features. So I guess you could say it's technically a smartwatch. Looks-wise, it's very similar to the classic, outrageously cheap F-91W, only a little bigger and packing a fourth button on the side rather than the F-91W's usual three.

The F-91W is beloved among watch nerds as a reliable, cheap 'beater' watch you can where anywhere. We've written about it in the past — it was worn by a young Barack Obama, due to its reliable timekeeping and seven-year battery life it was even used as a bomb timer by Al-Qaeda, and its got serious counterculture appeal due to its low-tech defiance of modern trends and the analog revival.

I'm a great advocate of having a 'beater' watch to throw on and wear during gardening, DIY, construction work or any time you want a break from your smartwatch. However, I've always thought the F-91W looked like a child's toy on the average person's wrist, with a tiny size of just 38.2 × 35.2 × 8.5 mm. The F-B100W is slightly bigger at 41.9 × 38.1 × 8.8 mm, a difference of less than 4mm, but it goes a long way towards feeling more like a watch.

It packs more features than the F-91W: as well as a timer, stopwatch, LED and alarm functionalities, it's got dual-time zone features and some very basic fitness tracker functionality thanks to its Bluetooth capabilities: notably, a step counter.

Not only do your steps display on the watch's LCD screen, but it also feeds your steps into the Casio Watches app, where you can see historic graphs of your steps across weekly and monthly views. In this way it acts as a virtual pedometer, just like the original Fitbit did before things got complicated. It also, unbelievably, has a Find My Phone feature, activated by holding the bottom-right button down.

And that's it. It's a stripped-down Bluetooth watch which looks like a classic Casio, with the most basic of fitness tracking functionalities, a useful Find My Phone feature and a two-year battery life. Reader, I am in love.

It's an absolute belter of a watch for the price. I enjoyed taking it for a five-mile hike and watching my step count tick up, and it's extremely light on the wrist at 26g. I've always liked the look of Casio watches, and as someone who perpetually misplaces almost everything I own, the Find My Phone feature is a near-essential tool. I like that it's got a step counter broken down by graphs, but I also like that this is the only fitness tracking functionality it has, apart from the timer and stopwatch — which are in themselves ideal features for interval training, or timing rest periods in the gym.

In an era of all-singing, all-dancing smart technology that tracks everything, and often requires a subscription to sell your own data back to you, it reminds me of a simpler time in wearable technology. It's not a great contributor to surveillance capitalism like lots of wearable tech these days (beyond having to make a Casio account): it's just a fun digital pedometer, and is good value enough to be a 'fun' purchase for many people, rather than a serious investment.

It's accurate, as you can set the time of the watch with your phone and the digital quartz movement is notoriously reliable, and will cost you nothing more than £55 / AU$119 (around $75) and a cheap watch battery every two years — a pack of 10 might run you about $5.99 / £4.99 / AU$8.99.

The F-B100W is sold out on Casio.com right now in the UK, and is "coming soon" in Australia. It's not yet available in the US, but keep your eyes peeled for restocks — this archaic-looking, secretly-smart digital watch is the stripped-back digital pedometer you never knew you needed.

• Kinryū Labs found misconfigured APIS database in Vietnam exposing 220M passenger and crew records
• Data included PII, travel details, seat assignments, and baggage references from 2017–2026
• Archive locked and there is no evidence yet of dark web sale

Millions of travellers have had their sensitive information exposed on the internet, thanks to a “series of misconfigurations” discovered in a cloud database, experts have warned.

In early June 2026, security researchers from Kinryū Labs discovered an Elasticsearch cluster which, although inaccessible from the open internet, allowed access through an alternate route - a cloud-based path. Once inside that route, the researchers discovered that the cluster accepted default credentials, granting access to an archive with 29 indices, weighing roughly 107GB.

The archive was apparently generated by an Advance Passenger Information System (APIS), a system airlines use to collect and send passenger and crew information to country authorities before flight arrival or departure. Usually, the system collects people’s names, birth dates, nationalities, passport and travel document numbers, and flight details, which are then used for border control, immigration, and similar cases. In this case, however, it also contained people’s sex, document expiration dates, issuing countries, airlines, departure, destination and transit airports, seat assignments, baggage reference, and more.

It is not known who operated the APIS, or who owns and runs the database. All the researchers managed to find is that it was hosted in Viettel-assigned IP space in Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital.

Who was affected?

Of the 29 discovered indices, two were rather large: one contained 210,318, 069 passenger records, while another 10,465,631 crew records. In total, 220 million records, created between January 2017 and April 2026, from people who traveled to, from, or through Vietnam during that period.

The records don’t correspond to individuals, however. If a person travelled multiple times, they will show up in the archive multiple times. Canadians, Chinese, Korean, and New Zealandian nationals are among the ones whose information was exposed. The database is not limited to a specific airline, either - various airlines in Asia-Pacific, Europe, and Middle East regions were mentioned in the researchers’ report.

Since the researchers could not attribute the database to a specific entity, they reported it to the Vietnamese authorities, different airlines mentioned in the archives, and the country’s CERT (Computer Emergency Response Team), on June 3. The archive was locked down a week later, on June 8. According to BleepingComputer, it was the Singapore Airlines’ security team that took the lead on remediation efforts, telling the researchers they “engaged the relevant parties” and have “taken steps to contain the issue.”

Without a proper audit of the logs, and a full-blown forensic investigation, it is impossible to tell if any threat actors reached the database before the researchers, or if they exfiltrated and used the data found inside in identity theft, wire fraud, or other scams. What’s (somewhat) comforting is that there is no evidence of such activities on the dark web, and no hacking groups have made such claims. No one is selling the archive on the dark web, either.

Number one causes of data spills

Misconfigured databases remain one of the key causes of data leaks. Most businesses generate some type of data on their employees, partners, clients, or customers, and store it in the cloud for easy access and actionable insights. However, some businesses don’t understand the shared responsibility model of cloud security or are simply reckless and sloppy when it comes to securing their cloud-stored data. Others, according to Cassius Edison, COO of Closed Door Security, have a problem with visibility of their IT real estate:

“The range of technology now used and managed by firms globally has made misconfigurations an increasingly persistent problem,” Edison explained. “Many organizations fail to maintain full visibility of their IT real estate and fail to perform proper audits of their systems, which inevitably leads to oversights in security and monitoring.”

For Edison, tackling misconfigurations internally can be difficult, “especially at large companies where teams work independently across a range of systems,” and advises organizations to bring in independent pentesters and security auditors.

Some of the biggest data leaks in the world came not from hackers breaking into locked-down systems, but from businesses inadvertently exposing their customers.

In 2026 alone, we’ve seen more than 670 million identity records exposed by Infutor, a data-driven consumer identity management company, as well as more than three billion records exposed through a misconfigured MongoDB database managed by global identity verification services, IDMerit.

Via BleepingComputer

• South Korea could invest $22.3 billion in a massive Texas gas plant
• The proposed facility would generate 6.3 GW of electricity for AI
• Seoul says negotiations remain unfinished, leaving the reported investment unconfirmed

South Korea and the United States have reportedly settled on how much Seoul will contribute towards a new energy facility in southern Texas.

Korean outlet Edaily, citing unnamed officials and lawmakers, reported the contribution at close to $22.3 billion for the venture, which would be built in Encinal, Texas, and is expected to produce 6.3 gigawatts of electricity to power AI data centers once fully operational.

The contribution would mark Seoul's first American investment carried out under an economic arrangement the two nations signed in 2025 which saw South Korea commit $350 billion toward ventures inside the United States in exchange for friendlier duty terms on its exports.

A deal rooted in last year's pact

However South ​Korea's Industry Ministry said the recent media reports about the Texas deal were not accurate, revealing that official discussions with Washington are still going on, so no exact numbers can be confirmed yet.

Any formal announcement would come only after discussions conclude, alongside domestic steps such as approval from South Korea's legislature.

In a separate statement, the ministry noted that no decision has been reached on building an atomic energy facility on American soil.

South Korea is also weighing other ventures inside the United States, including a large-scale nuclear station and a separate gas export scheme tied to Alaska.

Scale, cost and open questions

Should the project proceed as reported, it would rank among the most expensive natural-gas-fueled generating stations ever constructed anywhere in the world.

Industry accounts also suggest the plant could become the second most powerful facility of its kind currently in operation globally.

At the moment, there is no clarification whether Seoul intends to finance the entire sum on its own or share the burden.

The Encinal facility, once running, would supply electricity to server farms supporting growing artificial intelligence computing needs across the region.

Washington has also not issued detailed confirmation of the numbers currently circulating in South Korean press coverage.

For now, financing structure, ownership stakes and construction timelines have not been settled publicly by either government.

Current details are very sketchy, but analysts say the eventual scale of investment could shift depending on how negotiations with Washington proceed this fall.

Whatever the details turn out to be, a facility of this size would place significant demand on the Texas electrical grid, water access and local infrastructure.

Given how US residents have reacted to projects with similar demands, that pressure may not be welcomed quietly by communities near Encinal.

Via Reuters

• US senators call on Army to answer questions over disbanding of futuristic drone battalion
• Letter to General LaNeve raises concerns over US commitment to NATO allies and Ukraine
• Drones are changing the face of the battlefield, and the US could miss out on important lessons and innovations

A group of bipartisan US senators is questioning why the US Army has decided to shut down a cutting edge drone battalion that was set up to understand the shifting battlefield dynamics in Ukraine.

The 3rd battalion of the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment was founded in November 2025 by former chief of staff for the US Army Gen. Randy George. But less than a year later, acting chief of staff Gen. Christopher LaNeve announced plans to disband the battalion as part of a ‘back to basics’ approach.

But there are concerns the decision could harm the US military's warfighting capacity, and its ability to learn from a rapidly evolving battlefield technology.

Senators question decision to disband drone battalion

The letter, signed by Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, Sen. Thom Tillis, Sen. Angus S. King, Jr., and Rep. Michael R. Turner, requests that Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll and General LaNeve provide the data and analysis behind the decision to disband the drone battalion, and also questions “if this decision was based on Department of Defense leadership guidance or was an Army-internal decision.”

“We have deep concerns that eliminating this specialized drone unit will limit our ability to learn from allies, particularly the Ukrainian Armed Forces, and hinder our efforts to modernize drone warfare at the speed necessary to compete on the modern battlefield. This specialized unit was a prudent response in a moment when the character of warfare is changing faster than a conventional formation’s ability to adapt,” the letter states.

The letter also points out that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and US coordination with the Armed Forces of Ukraine provided the basis for the new battalion, providing a “prudent response in a moment when the character of warfare is changing faster than a conventional formation’s ability to adapt.”

Additionally, disbanding the unit “hurts our ability to acquire the critical knowledge and skills that can be gained from working with and learning from Ukrainian soldiers.”

“We respectfully request the Army brief us on how it intends to continue learning lessons on drone warfare from Ukraine in the absence of the Unmanned Assault Battalion. We request this briefing to occur no later than September 21st, 2026,” the letter concludes.

Why are drones changing the battlefield?

The conditions on the frontlines of Ukraine, often compared to the trench warfare of the Great War, have spawned a boom of specializations in drone technology.

From reconnaissance and electronic warfare to logistics and CASEVAC, drones are now essential to Ukraine’s war effort.

Numerous innovations in drone technology are keeping Ukraine in the fight. Autonomous drones capable of hunting and destroying Russian Shahed drones have been used to great effect, and supply lines across open ground are being bolstered by ground robots capable of lugging 210 kilograms cross-country.

But not all drone innovations are in Ukraine’s favor. Ukraine’s military intelligence recently warned that Russia is developing new drones designed to cut electricity cables to cause power cuts through the winter months.

So there is a valid level of concern over the disbanding of the US drone battalion. If the US army has no way to deploy or test systems within a dedicated drone unit, it may miss out on vital lessons that could shape future conflicts.

Sometimes you need a standing desk; sometimes you need a small standing desk; sometimes you want a certain color; and sometimes you just need a phenomenal foundation to build on to create your dream desk.

That's how the Vernal Core 3 came to be for me. I have a team member who had a triple-monitor setup on a tiny little desk that wasn't stable, and overall it looked quite sad.

When I had the opportunity to check out the Vernal standing desk after seeing everything in their commercials and learning about the company, I decided it was absolutely worth it to see if it lives up to the hype so far. 157 days in, we've been using the desk for probably 150 of those, and so far there have been absolutely zero problems. It has worked like an absolute dream.

The solid wood desktop is beautiful. The walnut is crisp and gorgeous. The legs are smooth, and the control panel has worked great. We've been able to build out exactly what this team member has always wanted in their desk, all made possible by the desk's high quality.

One of the reasons why I knew I wanted Vernal for this was its newly promoted stability in standing desks. The company recently updated its internal framing to make it even more stable than ever.

What better way to test that than with a shelving system resting on the table and triple monitors that, if not for a stable desk, would rock and shake back and forth nonstop?

Vernal Core3: Price and availability

The Vernal Core3 standing desk starts at $510 from the US store, and £470 from the UK store.

But, as usual with high-quality models, if you choose a more solid options on the site, you can get up to around $1,000.

Still, for what this desk is, it's a pretty reasonable price. Some of the desks that I've had, made of high-quality materials like this, have cost twice that or even three times that. So, overall, good value for money.

Vernal Core3: Unboxing and First Impressions

The Core3 desk is simple, refined, and professional-looking, and this week the walnut desktop is sharp. The integrated style keypad is pretty good-looking. The legs are based on a widely used industry standard design. Most of what makes Vernal tick, though, is transparency and the drive to make something that works and keeps working well.

For this specific desk build, we needed a solid foundation because we knew we wanted a unique triple-monitor setup that would require high stability due to the monitor arm tension. Plus, I knew we wouldn't want extra space and stability for a shelf we're gonna add. Having a flat underside also allowed us to add features like our undermounted laptop dock.

Vernal Core3: In use

For the last 100+ days, this desk has been an absolute rock-solid companion to my team. It has not had any issues going up and down. It has not rocked or faltered in any way. We've been able to build out everything that we hoped for and more.

The stability of the dual-stacked monitor arms, with the left mount to the side and a vertical monitor, has worked great. The extra weight from the shelf has not caused any issues at all.

So far, we have absolutely loved this desk. It looks great, works great, and after using it for some time now, I would recommend it for future use as well. The desk is quality, the price is right, and the size is massive, so if you are looking for a large standing desk, this one is definitely worth considering.

The controller is easy to use, and the presets make it easy to save your favorite or most frequently used heights and keep them easily accessible. Having presets makes all the difference.

Yes, there are cheaper desks that are still technically standing that have a crank or have an up-and-down electric button, but having a preset means you can press it and know it goes to the exact height you need whilst sitting or your perfect standing height, so you can get situated while the desk then meets you where you want it.

Vernal Core3: Final verdict

In short, this is a desk you should consider if you have a knick-knack or 17 on your desk and you're still trying to find a way to organize your series workflow. This is the kind of desk you want if you are into gadgets. This is also the kind of desk you should consider if you have a few gadgets on your desk and want to project a professional image.

However, if you're the kind of person who just throws things on their desk, doesn't really care, or is going to stay seated at all times, then you can probably find another desk that fits your budget and desires a little better.

This is the desk meant for those who like to be organized, get things done, and do it in style. There are a handful of areas that always make sense to spend a little more, and in my view, I stay in this because I'm quickly becoming one of them.

For more top picks, see our guide to the best standing desks we've ever tested.

• AI data centers are creating a much needed boom for the American trucking industry
• But the boom might not last for long as the requirements for truckers fall significantly once construction finishes
• Moratoriums and poor opinions of AI data centers could also quell the demand

American truckers are being hired by AI data center developers to ship goods and construction materials to rural data center projects, with the trucking industry across the US seeing a boom in demand.

As a result of this, truckers have a significantly higher opinion of AI data centers than their compatriots. But this freight hauling boom is having some knock on effects on truckers themselves, the businesses they work for, and the rest of America.

A shortage of truckers is boosting pay, but the price of fuel - which has been steadily increasing since the outbreak of the war with Iran - and the increased maintenance that comes with an active fleet are costing companies a fortune.

Will the trucking boom last?

With many AI data centers being built in rural areas where land prices are cheap, much of the construction materials, components, and generators are being taken by road in regions where infrastructure isn’t built to sustain such traffic. This is having a knock-on effect on local trucking with fleets being hired to help upgrade local infrastructure to meet new demand.

In the short-term, the AI data center boom has been good for business, and has provided many trucking companies with some stability in work. The war in Iran has pushed fuel prices to new all-time highs, with diesel reaching $5.85 a gallon, making it increasingly expensive to fuel fleets of trucks especially at a time when demand for trucking has dropped substantially.

But given the mass opposition to AI data centers being seen across the US, and the accompanying moratoriums on construction multiple states are putting into place, the boom may be somewhat short-lived in the long term.

This is especially true once the current demand for capacity is met. Once a data center is built it only requires a small workforce, and the demand for freight drops off a cliff.

AI companies, take note

AI data centers are one of the key topics of the US midterm elections. Candidates opposed to data centers are seeing surges in support, while some of the biggest AI companies are funneling money through superPACs into candidates likely to support the construction of data centers.

This is hardly helping the reputation of AI and the companies behind it, with new attention being drawn to the money that often decides the direction and policies of American politics.

The trucking boom is therefore a lesson for AI companies to learn. If you provide actual, tangible benefits to people's lives and jobs, opinions improve.

Via CNBC

It’s been a hot minute since ChatGPT last updated its Images feature. Its last update, to Images 2.0 in April 2026, was pretty solid and I’d say put it ahead of Google’s Nano Banana 2, even if its images still took longer to create, which was a bit frustrating.

Today's new Images 2.5 update adds a whole bunch of extra features and tools to the existing image generation engine that make it a lot easier to use, and it's quicker too.

In fact, there are so many features now in Images that to say it’s overcrowded would be an understatement. Because of that, it can be a little hard to locate the best new features amongst everything else, so I’ve pulled out the ones you should definitely look out for, because they make a real difference.

1. Much improved editing tools

I’ve pulled these features out first because, despite not sounding that exciting, the improved editing tools are actually a real game-changer for how I use ChatGPT Images, and probably will be for you, too.

OpenAI appears to have quietly been rolling out its new image-editing toolbar in ChatGPT during August, although the company hasn’t formally announced it, so it might not be totally accurate to call them part of the new ChatGPT Images 2.5, but I’m including them because they are, effectively, new.

At the moment, we’re used to generating an image, then when it’s not exactly what we want, we type in another description using the prompting tool, like ‘make it brighter’ or ‘remove the people in the background’, and try again. After ChatGPT hasn't got quite right a number of times, I usually give up and start again.

Now I don’t need to. The new editing tools let you pinpoint the exact spot in the image you’d like to change, and tell ChatGPT exactly what you’d like to do with it.

The new Edit toolbar contains Markup, Comment, Remove BG, Erase and Resize.

In the web version of ChatGPT, just click on the new Edit button that appears over a generated image and you'll enter the Edit mode, where you’ll see this new toolbar. In the app version of ChatGPT, just tap on any image to enter Edit mode.

Let’s start with the most obvious tool: Remove BG. This keeps the foreground elements of your image and removes the background, making a transparent PNG file when you download it. It’s perfect for dropping your image into another document, such as a presentation you’re making.

Resize is a quick way of changing the aspect ratio of the image and contains all the usual suspects, including Portrait 3:4, Widescreen 16:9 and Landscape 4:3.

Erase makes it easy to remove elements from your image. To remove a person from the background, for example, just brush over them with the Erase brush and ChatGPT removes them entirely. You don’t need to be super-accurate with your brush — just cover enough of the object so that it’s obvious what you want to remove.

Markup is for adding markup elements to an image, but the Comments feature is where it gets really interesting. Instead of doing what you’d expect — just adding comments to an image — these are actually points for ChatGPT to act on. Click on any element of an image and add a comment like ‘remove this’ or ‘change this to blue’, and ChatGPT will follow your instructions when you tap the Send button. This makes editing images so much easier.

The final feature worth noting with the Edit mode is that you can easily roll back to every previous version of your image — each edit is saved as a separate file, so just scroll up or down in Edit mode to access previous versions of your image.

2. Sketching out an image first

The new Sketch tool enables you to sketch out an image, then ChatGPT transforms your rough sketch into a proper AI-generated image. It's useful when it would be quicker to draw your idea out than describe it.

Choose Images from the main menu and then Sketch at the top of the available options.

The Sketch tool does look a little bit like MS Paint from 1995, but it’s good enough for doing a quick sketch with your finger, or mouse. Once you’ve done that click or tap the blue tick button and ChatGPT loads in a prompt telling it to convert the sketch into a full image. You can add any details you want here.

Of course, once you’ve got your finished image you can still enter Edit mode to tweak it further.

3. Templates have finally arrived

The new Templates make it a lot easier to create the sort of things people actually want to do with ChatGPT Images, such as make posters, logos, icons, stylish product shots and much more. Each different task now has its own template, which you can work through with ChatGPT.

Each template starts with a basic prompt, then it asks a series of follow up questions so that it can find out exactly what you want.

For example, choose the Product photo template and it asks you to upload a photo of the product you want to feature, then when you’ve done that it asks for a style, asking you to choose between styles like Clean Studio, Editorial, Lifestyle and Dramatic, amongst other choices. Then it gives you a choice of a setting, like Dark Studio, then finally it starts to create your image.

If you’re going to ChatGPT to create something specific then the new Templates are going to be a great place to start.

And there's more!

That’s not all that’s changed in the new ChatGPT Images 2.5. The images it creates are more personalized, so you get better results when working with recognizable people and portraits. It’s better at infographics than before, and it’s now faster than ever, which is great because I did find it a bit on the slow side previously.

Finally, when you tap to share an image, you now also have the option of sharing the prompt that created the image, too, so people can make their own versions of whatever image you created more easily.

All in all these improvements are welcome, if not groundbreaking. I can see why they didn’t call this Images 3.0. It’s essentially a much improved version of the previous Images, but it’s certainly going to change the way I use ChatGPT images from now on.

The Legend of Zelda fans rejoice! The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Celebration stream gave us a deluge of announcements all about the iconic action-adventure series, including the reveal of a shiny special edition Nintendo Switch 2 console.

Pre-order here

• US: preorder console for $519.99 at Nintendo
• US: preorder console for $519.99 at Best Buy
• US: preorder console for $519.99 at Target
• UK: Check console stock at Nintendo
• Aus: Preorder console at Nintendo for $799.95

We anticipate the console to be in extremely high demand, not only as the first proper special edition Nintendo Switch 2 to hit the market but also thanks to its status as a tie-in with one of Nintendo's biggest franchises.

It's also an absolute stunner, with special green Joy-Con 2 controllers, a gold and black dock, and loads of little details sure to delight Zelda fans.

The Nintendo Switch 2 – The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition system officially launches on October 29, 2026, and pre-orders are now going live at various retailers. Customers in the US and Australia can already place one at the official Nintendo Store, suggesting that other regions and retailers will follow suit soon.

We've put this page together to help you get your hands on the console the second it goes up to buy — plus links to pick up the matching Nintendo Switch 2 Controller and the upcoming The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake to go alongside it.

The Legend of Zelda: 40th Anniversary Edition console preorders — US

• Nintendo Switch 2 — The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition: preorder at the Nintendo Store
• Nintendo Switch 2 — The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition: preorder at Best Buy
• Nintendo Switch 2 — The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition: preorder at Target

The Legend of Zelda: 40th Anniversary Edition controller preorders — US

• Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller — The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition: preorder at the Nintendo Store
• Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller — The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition: preorder soon at Best Buy

The Legend of Zelda: 40th Anniversary Edition console preorders — UK

• Nintendo Switch 2 — The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition: check stock at the Nintendo Store
• Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller — The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition: check stock at the Nintendo Store
• The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time: check stock at the Nintendo Store

The Legend of Zelda: 40th Anniversary Edition console preorders — Australia

• Nintendo Switch 2 — The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition: preorder at the Nintendo Store for $799.95
• Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller — The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition: preorder at the Nintendo Store for $149.95
• The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time: preorder now for $109.95

Miss the anniversary live stream? You can check out the video-on-demand version below or keep scrolling for some top questions answered.

FAQ

• Japanese retailer warns of further GPU price hikes
• The retailer doesn't specify which GPUs will see increases
• Consumers are urged to buy now, but GPUs are already overpriced and unaffordable in many cases

The PC hardware market is still in disarray, with RAM shortages impacting almost every component, and unfortunately, matters could get even worse for GPU hunters.

As reported by VideoCardz, Japanese retailer Applied has warned consumers about potential price hikes for GPUs (yet again). It's unclear which GPU models this might apply to, but the retailer urges PC owners looking to upgrade their GPUs to buy as soon as possible.

VideoCardz also highlights that Japanese retailers only recently adjusted GPU prices upwards. In August, stores in Akihabara warned that pricing would be around 20% to 30% higher than usual.

Considering the recent rumblings of price hikes from Nvidia's board partners, it's fair to suggest that these increases will likely apply to other regions outside of Japan (assuming there's anything in these rumors).

If it wasn't exactly clear already, these price hikes are caused by the RAM crisis which is affecting all manner of PC components. Graphics cards are hit due to the rising cost of the video RAM on board.

Panic buying still isn't the best solution

PC owners are now hard-pressed to find affordable hardware upgrades, and it's been that way since the start of 2026. The RAM crisis is showing zero signs of slowing down, too, especially with reports from Samsung and industry analysts suggesting that the memory shortage will last past 2027 or beyond that, even.

Despite that, I still don't think it's the best idea to panic buy now when it comes to a GPU. Many Nvidia GeForce or AMD Radeon third-party GPUs are either unaffordable or overpriced at various major retailers. Prime examples of the former are the RTX 5080 at $1,699 at Best Buy in the US currently, while the RTX 5060 remains overpriced between $450 and $500, despite its $299 MSRP.

The same goes for AMD's Radeon RX 9070 XT, which has a $599 MSRP but can now cost up to $929 (specifically the Gigabyte overclocked model). The Radeon RX 9060 XT (16GB) also sits at least $200 to $300 above its MSRP, and the list goes on (in the US and elsewhere).

Simply put, buying a new GPU doesn't seem worth it unless you're a gamer looking to dive into the PC ecosystem for the first time. That's a harsh reality to accept, but panic buying might do more harm than good by increasing demand (which could lead to further short-term price hikes).

While Labor Day might be over, Home Depot has extended its popular Labor Day sale, but not for long. You can still save up to 45% on major appliances, Halloween decorations, patio furniture, grills, fall landscaping, and more.

• Shop Home Depot's full Labor Day sale

I've listed my favorite Home Depot Labor Day deals below, starting with its best offer: major appliances. You can save up to $1,000 and score free shipping on orders over $998 on refrigerators, washing machines, dishwashers, and ranges from brands like Samsung, LG, Whirlpool, and GE.

Other popular deals include Halloween decorations, allowing you to stock up and save on giant-sized skeletons, inflatables, and spooky animatronics. You can also save on fall flowers like mums, and score clearance prices on seasonal outdoor items like patio furniture and grills.

Shop the full list of extended deals below and keep in mind that Home Depot's Labor Day sale ends tomorrow, and you might not see discounts like this until the next big holiday sale - November's Black Friday.

Home Depot's extended Labor Day sale — quick links

• Major Appliances: up to 40% off + free delivery
• Bath: 40% off bath vanities, faucets, toilets & more
• Grills: deals on grills & accessories from $99
• Halloween: outdoor & indoor decorations from $29.99
• Lawn mowers: up to $300 off riding and push mowers
• Mums: starting at $17
• Outdoor power: $200 off blowers, trimmers & pressure washers
• Patio furniture: $500 off sectionals, chairs, and tables
• Storage & organization: indoor & outdoor organization from $19.99
• Tools: up to 45% off select tools, plus free shipping

8 best extended Home Depot Labor Day deals

Shop more extended Labor Day sales

• Appliances: up to $1,200 at Samsung
• Best Buy: 60% off appliances, TVs, laptops & more
• Casper: up to 35% off mattresses
• Dell: laptop deals from $249.99
• DreamCloud: up to 60% off mattresses, 66% off bundles
• Home Depot: 40% off appliances, furniture, grills & tools
• Lowe's: $1,000 off appliances, patio & tools
• Nectar: up to 50% off mattresses, deals from $349
• Saatva: up to $625 off luxury mattresses
• Samsung: up to $2,000 off 4K, QLED & OLED TVs

• Liquid Network hack exploited a bug in SideSwap, releasing 3,998 BTC (~$313M) to attackers
• Hackers claimed “white‑hat” intent, returning 3,400 BTC after fixes, leaving 598 BTC missing
• Network remains paused as Blockstream and Federation patch vulnerabilities and prepare safe restart

The latest twist in the Liquid Network Bitcoin hack is worthy of a short movie, if not a full-length feature film.

Apparently, the hackers are actually the good guys, who stole the money to “keep it safe” until a vulnerability in the protocol had been fully resolved. They promised to return the funds afterwards.

What is Liquid Network?

Liquid Network was designed to solve a specific problem on the Bitcoin blockchain - being rather slow. The transactions on the network are recorded in a “block”, which is added to the chain roughly once every 10 minutes. Also, each block can only hold a limited number of transactions, which means the network can handle a smaller number of transactions per second, compared to conventional payment systems. Transactions that don’t make it into a specific block then need to wait for the next one, thus extending the confirmation time.

To solve that problem, Liquid Network was built. It runs its own Bitcoin reserve and its own blockchain, also known as a “sidechain”. When a person wants to use Liquid Network to send money quickly, they first convert their Bitcoin into Liquid Bitcoin, or L-BTC. They can then send it to another person much faster than a regular Bitcoin transaction. The recipient can keep the money on Liquid or convert it back to regular Bitcoin and move it to the Bitcoin network.

This way, Liquid provides a faster network without requiring every transaction to happen directly on the Bitcoin blockchain.

Besides speeding up Bitcoin transactions, Liquid Network also allows users (companies and other entities) to create and trade other digital assets, including tokenized securities, or stablecoins.

The project was built by Blockstream, a Bitcoin-focused technology company founded in 2014. It is run by the Liquid Federation, a group of more than 80 member companies, including exchanges, infrastructure companies, and financial institutions. A smaller group of members (15 to be exact) operate the network’s “functionaries” (servers that keep the network running), while the wider group has a governance role. Members vote on three boards (Technology, Membership, Oversight), handling ideas such as technical direction, internal rules, memberships, and more.

What happened to it?

In early September 2026, still unidentified actors managed to generate around 4,000 L-BTC, without putting in the corresponding 4,000 BTC into Liquid. As soon as they did it, they sent the L-BTC through SideSwap, a legitimate service that is used to convert L-BTC back to Bitcoin and vice-versa. The system apparently regarded the withdrawal as legitimate because, as was later determined, a bug prevented SideSwap from distinguishing between “real” and “fake” L-BTC, and treated them all the same.

As a result, the Liquid Federation ended up releasing 3,998 real BTC (more than $313 million at press time) to the attackers. As soon as the operators realized what had happened, they halted new transactions and warned about possible disruptions until the service was restored.

Then came the movie twist: the hacker started communicating with network maintainers through on-chain Bitcoin transactions, promising to return the funds when the vulnerability is fully resolved:

“Please fix the bug first. The chain is under risk at latest commit right now. Make sure every node is patched. Then we will transfer the money back safely after confirming the fix,” one of the messages read.

Earlier today, Coindesk reported that the hackers partially kept their promise, returning 3,400 of the 4,000 BTC drained, which suggests that the flaw was remedied. The remaining 598 BTC, worth approximately $47 million, is currently unaccounted for.

“3,400 BTC of the roughly 4,000 BTC withdrawn on September 6 has been returned to the Liquid Federation wallet. The return followed confirmation from Blockstream that the affected bridge nodes have been patched,” wrote Samson Mow, former chief strategy officer at Blockstream, on X. “Approximately 598 BTC remains outstanding, and Blockstream continues to engage with the white-hat hackers.”

He added that the network remains paused while Blockstream and Federation members make additional fixes and security improvements, resolve the chain split, and prepare for a safe restart.

“Liquid wallets and services will continue to be affected during this time. No user action is needed, and please do not send Bitcoin to Liquid peg-in addresses until we confirm the network has restarted,” he added.

• Total War: Warhammer 40,000 will be accessible to hardcore fans and new players
• Lead designer Joy Dey says the tutorial will cover everything from story and lore to gameplay mechanics
• Battle product owner Dave Petry adds that the game is "a good entry point" for new players, and Creative Assembly wants to reach as many people as possible

Creative Assembly has confirmed that its upcoming strategy game, Total War: Warhammer 40,000, will be accessible to experienced fans and first-time Total War players.

That's according to lead designer Joy Dey and battle product owner Dave Petry, who discussed the game's onboarding process in an interview with TechRadar Gaming at Gamescom.

The pair shared that they want to reach as many players as possible, so the team made sure the game's tutorials eased newcomers into the experience, while also offering an "appetizer" for hardcore fans.

"We are expecting there will be players who've never played Total War before, and there will be players who don't know the lore," said Dey. "So we have a story within the tutorial that has named characters from the universe, and it's going to ease you in. Like, what is a Space Marine? What is their motivation?"

The tutorial will focus on the Space Marines, the developer added, and players will learn the mechanics "on a step-by-step basis," adding, "It should be a gateway into 'What is 40K?'"

Dey acknowledged that the battles can be "quite complex" but said that every gameplay system, from the pause and play function, how to take cover, analysing the battlefield, and how to use height as a tactical advantage, will be introduced and taught to the player during the tutorials.

Petry added that many new and "reformed battle features" either needed reintroduction or tweaking for the new game, but reiterated how the tutorials will benefit both newcomers and long-time fans.

"So all of those concepts need a gentle reintroduction," he said. "Personally, I view the tutorial for an experienced player as kind of like an appetizer, where, if you know both of these things, you can go in there and be like, 'Yeah, teach me some of the new stuff and get me warmed up with a bit of juicy lore stuff.'

"And if you know nothing, it's just such a good entry point for both of these things, right? And we really want to make sure that we can bring as many people to Total War and to 40,000 as possible. Obviously, 40,000 is absolutely gargantuan, and it's a really wonderful time to be part of that fandom, right? So I think it's also a wonderful opportunity to show people how cool and great Total War is."

Total War: Warhammer 40,000 launches in 2027 for PS5, Xbox Series X, Series S, and PC.

• Apple code reveals four-speaker home theater setup using HomePod 2
• Could be a serious rival to Sony's Bravia Theater Quad or similar rival setups
• Perhaps we'll hear more at the September Apple Event

If you've gone all-in on Apple for your home theater setup you'll know the joys of using HomePods as speakers — and the frustration that you can't add a second pair into the mix to add rear surround channels. It looks like that's about to change.

MacRumors reports that code in the latest beta of Apple's audioOS 27 refers to four-speaker surround sound, with front-left, front-right, rear-left and rear-right speakers.

The code makes references to automatic room calibration, speaker position mapping, timing adjustments, bass management, EQ, dialog enhancement and separate processing modes for movies and music.

Apple could do incredible things with four speakers: my iPad Pro's four-speaker setup regularly astounds me with its ability to make sound come from nowhere, and when we tested HomePod 2 as TV speakers, we were seriously impressed with their scale and spatial positioning.

I'm excited by the possibilities here, not least because cabling up a wired surround system for my TV setup was an enormous pain in the backside.

Could Apple's surround be superior to Sony?

The most obvious rival to a four-speaker HomePod setup is the Sony Bravia Theater Quad, which is also a quad-speaker setup. We've heard that in action and it's really impressive, but it's also really expensive with a launch price of $2,499 / £2,499 (roughly AU$3,883), and a street price that's still around $2,000 / £2,000.

By comparison, four second-generation HomePods will set you back $1,396 / £1,396 / AU$2,196) — though you'll also need the $199 / £199 / AU$299 Apple TV 4K (2022) of course.

In addition to the new four-speaker setup, the code also reveals that you'll be able to spatialize stereo content if you wish, and that there's an unspecified piece of hardware that can be used in the new "forklift" tuning system. That's likely to be a rumored next-gen HomePod, though this may not be close to launch.

What we don't know yet is when this new software will become available: it's still in beta, and may not arrive until Apple unveils the next generation of the Apple TV 4K and possibly new HomePods or the long-rumored Home Hub too. We'll be watching the slides during this week's Apple iPhone event to see if Apple drop any hints about future audio and home entertainment hardware.

Thinking of buying a new TV?

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• RPCS3 has been updated to play PS3 discs on almost any PC
• Windows was supported previously, but macOS, Linux and FreeBSD are now too
• You'll just need a compatible disc drive and some confidence

Just as Sony begins the somber funeral procession for physical games media, some modders aren’t taking it lying down. This includes the team behind the RPCS3 PlayStation 3 emulator, who just made it possible to play PS3 discs on a much wider range of computing hardware — provided you hit a few technical requirements.

This feature was previously available to Windows RPCS3 gamers, but thanks to the work of developers digant73 and Megamouse, the emulator can now support physical games media on macOS, Linux, and FreeBSD.

What’s more, this change unlocks the option to play discs on modded consoles, with replies to the announcement discussing the options to boot up PS3 discs on Linux-powered PS4 and PS5 hardware.

The change was announced on social media with the team celebrating that games launched as far back as 2006 should now be playable with the hardware in your home. Though the 'plug and play' promise isn’t quite as simple in reality.

A few steps

Of course you’ll need a decent PC for this to work, though you could get away with a pretty ancient model if you need to. The minimum settings require an Nvidia GTX 400 series or newer GPU (released all the way back in 2010), so any modern desktop or laptop released in the last 15 years should be fine.

You’ll also need a disc drive. For advice I’d suggest checking out the RPCS3 Quickstart guide for the models the team recommend and know work.

Lastly there’s some software stuff you’ll need to organize like getting the emulator installed, downloading PS3 system software to your PC, and a decryption key to be able to read the disc on the fly rather than needing to dump it onto your PC first. For that last one, you’ll need to use a community-made database.

The process is fairly simple with the RPCS3 guide. If you do hit any snags, there are forums and Reddit threads full of people who have likely had your issue before and found a solution already.

At a time when companies like Sony are doubling down on anti-physical gaming measures, while clarifying that digital games aren’t owned — merely licensed — efforts like this are a reminder that access to games still matters, and can be maintained if you’re dedicated enough.

This will make it much easier for people to play the classic PS3 collection they still hold dear, and make it easier for this era of gaming history to be catalogued, preserved and played for years to come.

• The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time launches for Switch 2 on November 5
• The first print run is getting 'special textured foil packaging'
• Preorders have opened at the official Nintendo Store now

Nintendo just gave us a closer look at the upcoming Switch 2 remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time in a special presentation to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the series, and at the same time, confirmed the release date.

The big news for collectors, though, is that the first run of the physical edition will feature special textured foil packaging, so here's where you can secure your sparkly copy with a preorder ahead of release on November 5.

The official store has already opened them up in the US and Australia (sorry, UK), and several other retailers also have preorders available in those regions. I'm keeping an eye on other stores now and will add them as soon as I spot any more availability.

And while it's extremely unlikely that this will sell out ahead of launch, given that the special cover is limited to this initial print run, it's best to be safe if you want to add a copy to your collection.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time preorders — US quick links

• Nintendo Store: preorder now for $69.99
• Amazon: preorder now for $69.99
• Walmart: preorder now for $59.98
• Best Buy: preorder now for $69.99
• GameStop: preorder now for $69.99
• Target: check stock

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time preorders — UK quick links

• Nintendo Store: awaiting stock
• Amazon UK: check stock
• Currys: check stock
• Argos: check stock
• Very: check stock

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time preorders — AU quick links

• The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time: preorder now for $109.95
• Nintendo Switch 2 — The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition: preorder at the Nintendo Store
• Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller — The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition: preorder at the Nintendo Store

As for the limited-edition Nintendo Switch 2 console and Pro Controller that were announced during the livestream, preorders for both of those have now started in some regions as well, ahead of the launch on October 29. Stick with our coverage through the link above for live updates on availability.

• Porto vs Man City: Tuesday, September 8 at 8pm BST / 3pm ET
• Streams: Paramount+ (US) / Prime Video (UK)
• Away from home? Use NordVPN to unblock your live stream

Watch Porto vs Man City live streams as one of the pre-tournament favorites to win the Champions League 2026/27 begin their quest for European glory with a visit to the Estadio do Dragao, and another team with a 100 per cent domestic record this season.

It was a summer of change at Man City, who replaced influential long-serving manager Pep Guardiola with one-time assistant Enzo Maresca. Notwithstanding defeat in the Community Shield, Maresca has had a smooth start to his Etihad return, winning three out of three to top the Premier League. The 2022/23 Champions League winners did not get beyond the quarter-finals in Guardiola's final three seasons and Maresca will be under pressure to deliver. Erling Haaland scored his 300th senior career club goal at the weekend and is enjoying a fruitful understanding with Rayan Cherki, while deadline-day arrival Enzo Fernandez impressed against Coventry on debut.

Porto have more modest ambitions, but they will back themselves to cause Man City one or two problems on Matchday 1. The Dragons also boast a 100 per cent record after five games at the summit of the Primeira Liga, and the Portuguese giants are used to competing in the Champions League so will not be fazed by City. Spain U21 midfielder Gabri Veiga has scored three times this season, but Francesco Farioli must do without suspended Polish center-back Jan Bednarek and first-choice center-forward Samu Aghehowa, who is still recovering from ACL surgery.

Here's how to watch Porto vs Man City in the 2026/27 Champions League from anywhere in the world.

Can I watch Porto vs Man City for free?

Yes, if you live in Turkey, where free streaming service Tabii will be showing Porto vs Man City without cost.

In the UK, the game is exclusive to Prime Video and if you're new to Amazon Prime, or it's been over 12 months since you were a Prime member, then the 30-day Prime Video free trial is available.

Not at home right now? Use a VPN to avoid getting geo-blocked from your regular Champions League 2026/27 streams – we recommend NordVPN.

How to watch Porto vs Man City from anywhere

A VPN is handy piece of software that can make your device appear as if it's back in your home country, so you can unlock your usual service. The best VPN right now? We recommend NordVPN – it does everything and comes with a 75% discount and and extra three months for free...

How to watch Porto vs Man City live streams in the USA

Soccer fans in the US can watch Porto vs Man City in the UCL on Paramount+.

Paramount+ subscriptions start at $8.99/month, rising to $13.99 to remove ads. You can also get a Paramount Plus trial with Walmart+ for $1 as with this sneaky trick we found.

Outside of the US? Use a VPN whilst you're traveling away from home to unlock your stream.

How to watch Porto vs Man City live streams in the UK

In the UK, Porto vs Man City is being broadcast on Prime Video.

A full membership costs £8.99 per month or £95 per year, however, you can also sign up for Prime Video on its own for £7.99 per month. This standalone plan gives you access to the streaming library.

As mentioned above, free trials are available for new users.

If you're out of the UK but still want to tune in, explore the VPN route set out above, which will help you access your accounts from anywhere.

How to watch Porto vs Man City live streams in Canada

In Canada, DAZN is broadcasting Porto vs Man City in the Champions League.

You'll need DAZN's soccer package, which starts at CA$24.99/month.

Not in Canada? Use NordVPN if you're away from home, in order to tap into your preferred Porto vs Man City coverage from anywhere.

How to watch Porto vs Man City live streams in Australia

A Porto vs Man City live stream is available in Australia on Stan Sport.

You can pick up a Stan Sport subscription for as little as AU$29.99 per month for the basic plan containing adds. That price consists of the AU$9.99 Stan subscription fee plus the Sport add-on for AU$20.

Outside of Oz? You can use NordVPN to access your usual Champions League coverage.

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.

Minor spoilers for Practical Magic 2 ahead.

"I like this... your molecules next to my molecules. It's chemistry," is a verbatim line from Practical Magic 2 that sent a wave of groans around my screening room in a way that I've never experienced collective groaning before. This, in a nutshell, sums up the experience of watching a legacy sequel that hasn't delivered.

Of course, we're living through an industry spike of dusting off old IPs for a box office resurgence, which in itself is frustrating. But in the main — think Top Gun: Maverick, Freakier Friday and The Devil Wears Prada 2 — these have been successful replicas. I've no doubt that Practical Magic 2 will do big theatrical numbers over the next few weeks... but where is the actual magic?

Whereas my three examples stayed largely true to the essence of their original stories, Practical Magic 2 has veered too far away from what made it so special to begin with. This time around, Sally Owens' (Sandra Bullock) daughters, Kylie (Joey King) and Antonia (Maisie Williams), are all grown up, but magic is no longer a part of their lives.

But when Kylie's boyfriend has a fatal accident, the Owens curse returns to the surface. It's up to Sally and Gillian (Nicole Kidman) to work together to make things right, which is where the sequel transforms from whimsical nineties Massachusetts vibes into a knockoff Harry Potter film.

It's a pretty underwhelming setup, and that's before we dissect the continually poor narrative choices that the creative team makes. Pretty soon, the action is split between the US and UK, and that's only bad news for everybody involved.

Practical Magic 2 comes too far away from what makes the original special

Before I get too carried away with the faults of Practical Magic 2, let's start with the good. When they're left to their own devices, the Owens sisters are as loving, mischievous and playful as they ever were, and those moments are a portal straight back to 1998. Their house is exactly as we left it, and spending time in their hometown is a bittersweet reminder of the cosy 90s whimsy we've left behind.

But the real stars of the show are Dianne Wiest (Aunt Jet) and Stockard Channing (Aunt Franny), for whom this sequel feels like an extension of who they were 28 years ago. When the storyline strays too far from what we want (more on that later), Practical Magic 2 still proves that the greatest love story ever told is between these two sisters... and by God, how lucky we are to have them, characters and actors alike.

From here, it's all downhill. It's almost difficult to critique the movie in exactly the way I want to, because in doing so, I'd spoil absolutely everything about it. So you're going to need to trust me when I say that at every conceivable turn, it lets the original down.

Let's start with the fact that Practical Magic 2 feels nothing like its predecessor — and reliving the feeling of the first is the number one reason why people will be buying a ticket. Yes, there are nods to the moments that put the first film on the map (such as the midnight margaritas), but they feel as though they've been included disingenuously.

Then there are the narrative decisions that made me wonder why a sequel was even being made in the first place (obviously for the money, Jasmine). 25 minutes in, there is a choice so catastrophic that the rest of the movie felt sullied, and the story only gets further from the events of the first film from there. We're trying to break a generational curse for a boy who means nothing to us? And not Sally's two lovely, but dead, husbands? Okay then.

The men somehow find themselves at the center of the drama, despite how much the dialogue vapidly thrusts the importance of sisterhood onto us. Aside from the haphazard CGI, our final showdown is bafflingly boring, with the real curse being having to listen to how a man we've never met before feels wronged because he can't have something that doesn't belong to him.

Joey King gets a huge slice of the action throughout all of this, but I can't help feeling sorry for Maisie Williams. We know how brilliant she is, yet she's incredibly underused... to the point where you might forget that she's actually in the movie. If I was an Owens, I'd be kicking off purely because of the huge sibling favouritism, put it that way.

It's a particularly hilarious watch if you're British

My favourite part — because it's so badly done — is the transition of Practical Magic 2 to UK soil. This shouldn't be too much of a surprise given how widely publicized their filming across the city was, but as a Brit, things take on an entirely different meaning.

We start with the introduction of sorcerer Ian Wright (Lee Pace), who the Aunts recommend to the Owens sisters to help Kylie. If you aren't from the UK, then you might not know that this is also the name of a very famous footballer and sports pundit, making every use of his full name (which is surprisingly a lot) leave me chanting his signature "Ian Wright Wright Wright!" heckle under my breath instead of staying rooted in the dwindling story.

As a friend of mine put it, "I'd have given this five stars if Wright had played this as himself," as seriously as Michael Caine in The Muppets Christmas Carol. Frankly, everything else that's happening is so woefully disconnected from the Practical Magic I know and love that I'd have genuinely enjoyed him running up to Bullock and booting a ball into the back of a net as a distraction.

But alas, Hollywood has given their view of England the Notting Hill treatment. If you didn't know better, you'd think that Agatha Christie-style trains could be picked up with ease between Paddington and North Weald stations, and that small aesthetic buses with charming drivers can drop you off in a town resembling the set of The Sheep Detectives.

The most offensive choice, in my opinion, is the insinuation that Brits eat savory pies with... custard. Served out of gravy boats, no less. I see it as my public duty to highlight that if you watch Practical Magic 2 before visiting England and try to ask for this in a local pub, you will be laughed out of there, and rightly so. The fact that this is the detail I feel most about in the entire movie tells you how low the mighty has fallen.

The cherry on the cake, however, is the unexpected casting of British comedic actor of Ghosts and Taskmaster fame, Katy Wix. She's not boozing in the background in UK scenes, but has instead inserted herself into the heart of the Owens' community back home. She plays a pivotal part in the party scene with a drunken auntie aura that I can only feel immensely proud of. Her face also suggests she has no idea how she's ended up starring alongside Bullock and Kidman. No notes.

Take my wittering on about bodged Britishisms that don't matter as a stark warning: if you are a true fan of the original, avoid Practical Magic 2 at all costs. Look what it has done to its legacy, and to me in turn. If this were the end of a war movie, I'd be telling you to save yourselves while I lay bleeding to death on a scenic European beach. Don't make my sacrifice be for nothing.

• Watch Real Madrid vs Inter FREE on Virgin Media Play (Ireland)
• Unlock your stream with NordVPN (save up to 75%)
• Real Madrid vs Inter kick-off: Tuesday, September 8 at 3pm ET / 8pm BST

Watch Real Madrid vs Inter live in the Champions League 2026/27 as matchday 1 gets underway.

Inter last got the better of Real Madrid in 1998, losing four games since – the past three of those without scoring – but with Los Blancos missing multiple first-team players through suspension, this is as good an opportunity as any to break that chain.

Madrid's midfield has been hit hardest, with Bernardo Silva, Eduardo Camavinga and Arda Guler all serving bans. On a more positive note, Aurelien Tchouameni could be fit enough to feature for the first time this season, but with the Frenchman lacking match sharpness, it would be a selection tinged with risk.

Jose Mourinho, facing the side he led to an unparalleled treble in 2010, is more likely to deploy Jude Bellingham in a deeper-lying role, though even the Special One may struggle to curb the box-to-box superstar's instinct to support Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius and Yan Diomande. It's a big day too for Denzel Dumfries, who spent six trophy-laden seasons with the Nerazzuri.

Cristian Chivu was a firm favourite of Mourinho in that all-conquering Inter team, and he's excelled at the helm too, winning Serie A and the Coppa Italia in his first full campaign. Last season's humiliating Champions League exit at the hands of Bodo/Glimt, however, would have left scars.

Hakan Calhanoglu has been in and out of the team recently, but he'll relish the chance to pick holes in this threadbare Madrid midfield, with Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram always willing runners in behind. Unlike Los Merengues, who were beaten by Real Betis last week, the Milan side has got off to a flawless start domestically.

Read on as we explain how to watch Real Madrid vs Inter in the Champions League 2026/27 for free.

Can you watch Real Madrid vs Inter for free?

Yes. Real Madrid vs Inter is being shown on free-to-air Virgin Media Two in Ireland, with live streaming available via Virgin Media Play.

Traveling abroad right now? You can use a VPN to watch Real Madrid vs Inter for free as if you were right at home.

Use a VPN to watch Real Madrid vs Inter live streams

A VPN is handy piece of software that can make your device appear as if it's back in your home country, so you can unlock your usual service. The best VPN right now? We recommend NordVPN – it does everything and comes with up to 75% off.

How to watch Real Madrid vs Inter live streams in the US

In the US, the Real Madrid vs Inter game is being shown on Paramount+.

The streaming service, which is showing all 189 games of the 2026/27 Champions League campaign, starts at $8.99/month or $89.99/year.

However, you can access Paramount+ virtually for free with a Walmart Plus 30-day trial for $1.

Outside of the US? NordVPN can unblock your stream from anywhere in the world.

How to watch Real Madrid vs Inter live streams in the UK

In the UK, Real Madrid vs Inter is being shown on TNT Sports 1.

You can add TNT Sports to your Sky, Virgin Media or EE TV package, or get an HBO Max plan that includes TNT Sports. Prices start at £25.99/month if you commit to a year.

Visiting the UK from Ireland? Use NordVPN to access that free Virgin Media Play coverage during your stay.

How to watch Real Madrid vs Inter live streams in Australia

Real Madrid vs Inter, along with all 189 games of the 2026/27 Champions League season, is available to watch on Stan Sport in Australia.

Stan Sport costs AU$20/month on top of a Stan subscription, which itself starts at AU$9.99/month.

Not in Australia right now? You can simply use a VPN like NordVPN to watch the action as if you were back home.

How to watch Real Madrid vs Inter live streams in Canada

The Real Madrid vs Inter game is available to watch on DAZN in Canada.

DAZN, which is showing all 189 Champions League 2026/27 fixtures, starts at CA$24.99/month, for a plan that also includes EFL, Carabao Cup, Bundesliga and NFL coverage.

If you're out of Canada but still want to tune in, explore the VPN route set out above, which will help you access your accounts from anywhere.

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 The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time trailer and gameplay demo have been shown
• Many fans are praising the presentation and love the remake's new look, which Nintendo calls a "faithful interpretation using modern technologies"
• Others suggest the style is too "realistic" and have compared it to DLSS 5

The first look at The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake has been released, showcasing all-new realistic graphics, updated systems, and modernized controls.

It looks very different from the original, with Zelda series producer Eiji Aonuma calling the game a "faithful interpretation using modern technologies" and saying it has a "different appeal" from other games like Breath of the Wild.

The majority of the fanbase seems pretty hyped, with many saying it looks "absolutely incredible" and "They remade this beautifully" in the trailer's comments.

"This is an important showcase of how realistic graphics can still have a distinct art style," another fan said. "Just pure realism can be boring at times, especially if the setting isn’t just the modern day."

A different user wrote, "Every environment just looks so vibrant and brimming with whimsy. It’s very hard to recapture the magic of the original game, but this remake might just be able to do it."

"I've said it a million times and I'll say it again. Nintendo is great at making me pay for the same thing over and over and over and over and over and over again," a redditor said.

One replied, "I thought the gameplay from the direct today was absolutely stunning & I am beyond psyched. Even though its a 'faithful' remake (which I was always fine with), they did mention it isn't totally 1:1 and they have expanded out things that were previously unreachable in the backgrounds. Overall it looks stellar."

During the gameplay presentation, Aonuma explained that the development team had "many discussions about what visual style we should use for this game," and "decided that if Link's adventure took place in a world that has both been remade yet felt somewhat nostalgic, he would look like this."

Aonuma added, "But we didn't just aim for realistic graphics. We were particularly focused on reimagining them in a way that invokes nostalgia for the original game."

"Looks like the Unreal Engine concepts people have made for years," someone else said on X, referring to the viral CGI tribute videos of Majora's Mask on YouTube.

I'm inclined to agree, but it's unclear whether the videos influenced the remake's style.

Everything from the character models to hair textures, environments, and even grass and water effects has been updated to give that "modern" look that we see in many games today, while still retaining the Zelda charm.

However, while many fans of the beloved classic are excited about the trailer and gameplay demo, some suggest Nintendo has gone a bit far trying to accomplish that "realistic" look.

Comparisons to Nvidia's DLSS 5 upscaling technology have been made, suggesting Ocarina of Time's style is similar to AI.

"Okay but why does this look like it was run through DLSS 5?" one X user said.

"Holy realism jumpscare," another user said in the trailer comments.

Nintendo also confirmed that The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake will launch on November 5 for Switch 2, with many fans joking about how close the game is to releasing to the biggest game launch of all time, Grand Theft Auto 6.

"This is my GTA 6," one fan said, while another wrote, "OoT Remake and GTA VI in a two-week span…. I used to pray for times like this."

If you missed it, a Nintendo Switch 2 specially designed for The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary is also launching on October 29, along with a special Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller and carrying case.

We'll keep you updated on when pre-orders go live.

We've recently seen prices for tech products like Apple devices, laptops, and smart home gadgets soar because of the global RAM and component crisis. While it hasn't impacted TVs yet, manufacturers like Samsung have warned that price hikes can't be ruled out because of the ongoing memory chip shortage.

• Shop more TV deals at Best Buy

All of this is to say, if you're in the market for a new TV, now is the time to buy because not only have base line prices not been effected, but there are some excellent discounts right now on top-rated TVs.

You can find record-low prices on a range of 4K, Mini-LED, and OLED displays from brands like LG, Samsung, TCL, and Insignia. I've rounded up 9 TVs that offer excellent value at Best Buy below, including everything from LG's budget 77-inch B5 OLED TV for $1,499.99 (was $2,999.99) to Insignia's best-selling 55-inch 4K Fire TV for only $199.99 (was $349.99).

Shop more of the top picks for today's best-value TV deals below, and keep in mind these are limited-time offers. We don't know if and when TVs prices will rise, but my advice is to take advantage sooner rather than later.

The top TV deals at Best Buy

• Atlas 1.0 promises high-performance brain pattern monitoring
• It enables you to track stress, energy, and focus
• The first batch of $499 pre-order devices has already sold out

Promising "a new generation of brain wearable", neuroscience company Atlas has launched its first wearable: a brain pattern monitor that sits behind your ear, and feeds back data on your attention span, levels of stress, and energy burn.

It's called The Atlas 1.0 Pioneer Edition (via New Atlas), it'll cost you $499 (about £370 / AU$695), and the initial batch of pre-orders have sold out in just a few days. The company says to "stay tuned" for the next release, though there's no indication of when that might be (or when it'll be available outside the US).

There's some impressive data behind the wearable. Atlas says it's spent six years gathering over 500,000 brain records to build its first wearable, brain recordings taken while people go about all of their usual daily activities — and in lab tests, it apparently outperformed a $30,000 "research grade" electroencephalography (EEG) monitor.

The idea is that by understanding your brain patterns — when you're most present, when you're most stressed, when your brain is working hardest — you can learn to optimize and manage the neural workload. So, for example, the Atlas 1.0 might tell you that social media stresses you out, so you can limit how much you use it during the day.

Map your own mind

"Atlas gives you a map of your own mind, so you can understand what brings out the best in you, change what doesn't, and become who you want to be," Atlas co-founder and CEO Ana Montero said in a press release. "For the first time some of the most important moments in a human life are becoming measurable."

The wearable is completely non-invasive, and doesn't interfere with your brain patterns in any way — it just tells you what's happening with your neurons, and connects this activity to whatever else is going on. If your mind wanders while working unless you have background music playing, Atlas 1.0 will be able to tell you about it.

A few more details: you get two days of battery life between charges, the app is iOS-only for now, and you need to pay $29.99 (about £22 / AU$42) a month for a subscription as well as the up-front cost. Cutting-edge brain science doesn't come cheap, and you may have to ditch the Netflix subscription to be able to afford this.

Brain wearables do seem to be having a moment as the tech gets better, cheaper, and more miniaturized: last month we tested the Nurosym electrical vagus nerve stimulation device that hacks your brain for better sleep, lower anxiety, and improved relaxation.

Gamescom 2026 was chock-full of the latest and greatest in video games and gaming hardware, and we saw an awful lot of it while on the ground in Cologne, Germany.

We went hands-on with games, played with some yet-to-be-released gaming devices, and carried out a boatload of interviews. We’ll be publishing a host of content based on all of that in due course, but we also saw lots that we want to shout about now. Our Best of Gamescom 2026 awards give us the chance to celebrate some of the best of the show.

There aren’t any categories; instead, each of the winners deserved general recognition for being what made up the Best of Gamescom 2026 in our opinion. Find all our picks below, in no particular order, and keep your eyes peeled on this page in the future, as there are even some things we can't quite talk about yet…

Rob Dwiar, Managing Editor, TechRadar Gaming and Streaming

Asus ROG Ally X20

The new version of the official Xbox-x-Asus gaming handheld is something I was really surprised to like so much at this year’s Gamescom. Many will argue over the actual efficacy and importance of the upgrades it offers over its predecessor — the Ally X — but as a piece of new gaming hardware, I found it to be excellent.

The OLED screen is punchy and vibrant, and the new larger-than-before size of it works very nicely in the hands too. The ergonomic design is comfortable, while the buttons are satisfying and responsive in their actuation, and it’s overall not too heavy in the hands despite the bigger screen. I messed around with the likes of Forza Horizon 6 for a while with the X20 and was successfully and totally immersed in the action to the point I didn’t want to put the handheld down.

Its translucent design and gold accents make for an incredibly cool aesthetic too, and as a quality handheld gaming PC for your Xbox games as well as your PC library, this is a very slick, attractive, and quality bit of kit that impressed me.

Rob Dwiar, Managing Editor, TechRadar Gaming and Streaming

Razer Prio

A suspiciously simple mobile controller solution, but one that still features some Razer-isms and design flair, the Prio mobile controller was one of the most innovative and different things I saw at Gamescom.

With the ability to fold up to the size of something akin to a card wallet or earbud pillbox, the Prio is a foldable mobile gaming controller that will offer gamers a convenient and easy way to quickly jump into a game while on the go.

Despite its diminutive size and foldable form, it still features all you need to game, like dual shoulder buttons, satisfying face buttons, and thumbsticks featuring the latest in capacitive tech. It’ll work with Android and Apple phones, works with cases easily, and there’s also no need to charge it.

It’s a fascinating new addition to the mobile gaming controller market and could make quite the splash.

Rob Dwiar, Managing Editor, TechRadar Gaming and Streaming

Beyerdynamic MMX 130 wireless gaming headset

The MMX 130 is an open-back gaming headset that channels all the excellence of the audio brand’s pedigree while embracing the benefits of an open-back design. And the results are fantastic, with a gaming headset that sounds full-bodied, clear and detailed, round and spacious, and overall brilliant — even in the short time I had with it at Gamescom.

Despite the design’s popularity in the headphone and audio-fi space, there aren’t that many open-back gaming headsets on the market, so Beyerdynamic is pushing the envelope a bit and challenging what we expect of gaming headsets a little too.

The open-back design enables the MMX 130 to offer a rounder, more spacious soundscape, and one that players of single-player, immersive, maybe open-world games will be incredibly well served by, who are looking for awesome, detailed audio and not something geared toward online or competitive play like dozens of other headsets.

I’m really looking forward to testing and adding this gaming headset to my ranks when it launches later this year in October.

Rob Dwiar, Managing Editor, TechRadar Gaming and Streaming

Rainbow Six Tactics

I am not normally one for XCOM-like strategy or turn-based games, but Rainbow Six Tactics well and truly got its hooks into me at Gamescom, and has me yearning to see more and, frankly, play it as soon as I can.

The game perfectly captures the vibes and ambience of Rainbow Six, with the settings of missions, aesthetics, operatives, and action making a pretty seamless jump over to the turn-based strategy genre; breaching through walls, the chatter among operatives, and the use of tools such as the drone are some of the most notable and obvious successes of this in my time with the game, for example.

Likewise, the idiosyncrasies of the turn-based genre manifest excellently in the Rainbow Six aesthetic, with slow-mo actions and operators carrying out gunfire or actions particularly pleasing, as well as carefully plotting multiple, sequential actions to ensure you have a chance for victory — or seeing it all fall apart in front of your eyes.

There looks to be great depth to Tactics too, which I can’t wait to get into. Matching up a favorite roster of operators, upgrading said operators to my preferences and for particular scenarios, hoovering up intel from incapacitated enemies in order to get bonuses for future missions, and plotting out all the stages of the game’s Breach mode to ensure an impactful and full-blooded commencement of attacks all play their own part. The whole tactical strategic loop feels like the perfect blend of genre and series.

Rob Dwiar, Managing Editor, TechRadar Gaming and Streaming

MOZA × MotoGP Sim Racing Handlebar

One of the most original, cool, and exciting hardware products I saw at Gamescom was easily Moza’s new Sim Racing Handlebar, officially licensed by MotoGP.

While surprising and eyebrow-raising on one hand, after investigating it further, it really did suddenly dawn on me: why shouldn’t MotoGP video game players have access to the same kind of specific controllers that players of racing games, truck games, and even farming games have?

And now they do, with the terrific MOZA × MotoGP Sim Racing Handlebar, which should comprehensively serve that market when it releases fully (launch is still to be confirmed, however). And it’s a seriously awesome bit of kit that features all you need to fully immerse yourself in the latest game.

The handlebar controller will attach to MOZA’s own wheelbases, feature controls inspired by real MotoGP handlebars, and offer enough customisation options in terms of adjustment and button mapping to give it incredible flexibility. It’s niche, perhaps, but we can’t wait to test the excellently cool bit of gaming hardware out.

Rob Dwiar, Managing Editor, TechRadar Gaming and Streaming

Fable

Playground Games' upcoming release in the long-standing fantasy series continues to massively impress us. While our first look at the game at Summer Game Fest 2026 showed us a glimpse of the reputation system, our time with the Gamescom preview gave us a proper hands-on look at combat, and it’s utterly fantastic.

Playing a sliver of the game with two builds revealed the elegance with which the game blends melee and ranged combat with magic and spellcasting. The hand-to-hand combat is weighty and feels excellent to carry out, offensively or defensively, with a perfectly timed parry.

The ranged weaponry is very effective, and one rapid-fire crossbow weapon had me grinning from ear to ear. However, the magic is a real stand-out for me, offering loads of options for not only effective combat but also comedic theatre. The amount of gleeful satisfaction I got out of raising up some silly undead enemies, only to then slam them down and turn them into chickens was glorious.

Combine all this with the brilliance in writing and acting that our demo had, as well as a hugely impressive graphical presentation of the world, and I really think we’re in for a treat when Fable releases, and it was easily one of the best games on show at Gamescom.

Rob Dwiar, Managing Editor, TechRadar Gaming and Streaming

Warlock: Dungeons & Dragons

2027 looks set to bless us with not only one brilliant fantasy adventure game in Fable, but two, with Warlock really catching my eye at Gamescom in a fascinating and intriguing preview.

As well as a captivating land to explore and a story and narrative which seem deeply compelling already, the role of deep and raw magic and the creative ways in which the game’s protagonist, Kaatri, can use it caught my eye particularly. For example, each spell or cast doesn’t seem to be a one-and-done trick, or you can use subsequent spells and casts one after another to solve puzzles, take down enemies, and explore the world in satisfying and creative ways.

What’s more, it’s all put together very slickly and sharply too, with combat looking fluid and responsive, the array of spells at your disposal vast and varied, the world and its secrets yearning to be discovered, mysteries to solve, Kaatri’s sort-of-helpful companion adding some good banter, and a style that will please those familiar with D&D, and those not.

Rob Dwiar, Managing Editor, TechRadar Gaming and Streaming

SteelSeries Aeon Pro Controller

It’s been a while since SteelSeries gave a proper go in the controller market, and some of the brand’s mobile offerings have raised an eyebrow, but as soon as I saw the Aeon Pro controller, I knew the brand was on to something.

Built around the traditional Xbox controller design — akin to the Elite Series 2 controller in many ways — the Aeon Pro is a premium pad with a few exciting features up its sleeve. Chief among these is the OLED mini screen on the front-top part of the pad, which is tidily done; it’s not intrusive or gimmicky and feels like it will be genuinely useful for players looking to have easy access to profiles and some controller information while the pad is in play.

It also has an excellent infinite power and battery supply system built into its dock that’s heavily inspired by the Nova Pro headset series and can charge a spare battery while you use another.

Targeting those on PC or Xbox — and those with both, particularly — the Aeon Pro will also offer an excellent grippy texture on its wings, remappable buttons, and interchangeable thumbsticks to provide multiple options for players looking for a one-and-done premium controller solution.

Rob Dwiar, Managing Editor, TechRadar Gaming and Streaming

Turtle Beach Command Series MC7 Mouse

While this mouse from Turtle Beach massively raised eyebrows when first announced, having now seen it in the flesh and understood how it can be used, the Command Series MC7 Mouse is both a quality addition to the market and a worthy winner of one of our awards.

The 2.25” touchscreen on the side of the mouse is the star of the show, of course, and its ability to house touchscreen controls and clearly visible features seems like it could well add a layer of functionality to a gaming mouse not really seen before. You can load an extensive range of controls onto the screen too, from OBS to apps, PC information, and loads more — it may even provide a worthy service to streamers alongside the likes of a Stream Deck.

And the inclusion of the screen doesn’t compromise quality elsewhere either: you’re still getting the two buttons on the side for your thumb, and there’s true 8K wireless ultra-low latency, Turtle Beach’s Owl-Eye 30K sensor, and an excellent external dock that houses the USB dongle, as well as a second battery for the mouse that charges while you’re using the mouse, ensuring you’ll never be out of juice.

It might not be for everyone, sure, but props to Turtle Beach for having the guts to try something totally different with a mouse and give it a proper go.

Rob Dwiar, Managing Editor, TechRadar Gaming and Streaming

The Witcher 3: Songs of the Past

One thing I vividly remember noticing during my long preview of The Witcher 3: Songs of the Past was that everyone in the session — a few dozen members of the press, at least — was absolutely, totally, deathly silent and utterly gripped by the quest we were being shown on screen. The allure, pull, and attention that this game still demands, all these years later, even with brand new content, is as strong as it’s ever been.

Seeing Geralt and Roach ride across the lands of The Continent once more, in that familiar older-looking engine brushed up anew, was a true highlight of Gamescom for Witcher fans, but with Songs of the Past, it already feels like we’re in for one more absolutely thrilling and deep expansion from CD Projekt Red that will finally round out the game’s narrative and complete the story.

Focusing on Dandelion and the new area of Letten, Songs of the Past already looks to have the makings of a Blood and Wine-esque expansion, filled with brilliantly written quests, a fascinating main storyline, and a host of different places to discover and see.

It also makes The Witcher 3 look better than ever (thanks in part to enhancements offered by the Remastered upgrade coming later this year), with luscious vegetation covering the land, sun-soaked vistas across lakes and forests, as far as the eye can see, and expect more of the brilliantly acted and realised NPCs going about their daily lives.

Rob Dwiar, Managing Editor, TechRadar Gaming and Streaming

Total War: Warhammer 40,000

The epic strategy game series finally comes to the epic and grimdark fantasy universe, and the results are absolutely belting. Offering up perhaps what was my favorite game preview of the entire Gamescom, Total War: Warhammer 40,000 is the perfect combination of the PC game and the grimdark galaxy.

Playing a bit of an onboarding intro, as well as some of the interplanetary campaign and a climactic, testing, and epic battle as the Space Marines, I devoured and soaked up every tiny detail of Creative Assembly’s creation at Gamescom.

The epic battle at the end, utilising a wide variety of unit types, terrain factors, reinforcements, and abilities, was a true highlight of the show for me, and gave me that excellent mix of confidence when plans were going well, panic when it looked like the tide was turning, and relief crossed with triumph when I clawed my way to victory.

Playing it all in the studio’s new Warcore engine was an absolute blast too, with projectiles filling the skies, blood covering the ground, and environmental effects like dust and so on adding to the brilliant visuals on offer.

I’m deeply intrigued by how the diplomacy, trade, and other non-battle-focused elements of Total War games will manifest in this 40K version, but if what I’ve played is anything to go by, fans need not be worried; only incredibly excited and hyped.

Rob Dwiar, Managing Editor, TechRadar Gaming and Streaming

Thrustmaster SimTask Truck-40 Add-On Kit

Another niche but excellent hardware offering at Gamescom 2026 was Thrustmaster’s SimTask Truck-40 Add-On Kit, a large steering wheel designed specifically for truck and heavy-vehicle simulation.

It’s a simple affair in its design, but it has that Thrustmaster quality running through its veins, with a robust design, a pleasing aesthetic, and a strong feature set.

There are 22 action buttons, four different heights, and a 30-degree tilt angle achieved with its bespoke mount, and it looks set to be a welcome addition to the market for both PC and console users, working with all of the brand’s wheelbases too.

What’s more promising is that it might well offer the only wheel specifically designed for games like Euro Truck Simulator 2 and American Truck Simulator that console users will have access to, earning it a huge thumbs-up from us for serving a dedicated community of players.

Rob Dwiar, Managing Editor, TechRadar Gaming and Streaming

Nvidia RTX Spark

Among a few things that the hardware giant had to show, what stood out to me most was the new and upcoming RTX Spark. In case you missed it, this is Nvidia’s new ARM-based chip, specifically designed for slim and lightweight Windows laptops, with Nvidia AI and RTX graphics ready to be utilized.

The latter means laptops using the superchip are fully capable of playing numerous triple-A games at high frame rates, and that’s exactly what I both witnessed and played. The likes of 007 First Light, Borderlands 4, and Arc Raiders perform nearly flawlessly on the RTX Spark laptops on show.

Team Green has essentially opened up the possibilities for manufacturers to design slim desktop or laptop PCs, or even handheld gaming PCs — and Nvidia noted that it's more than happy for brands to reach out to use the superchip for handhelds. As a fan of gaming on the go on lightweight systems, I’m more than happy to give Nvidia credit where it’s due with this one.

Isaiah Williams, Staff Writer, Computing

JBL Quantum Engine advancements

JBL continued its push into the world of gaming headsets at this year's Gamescom with the announcement of three new headsets, which build upon the stellar work already shown off in last year's range. And while these light, comfortable, powerful, and sustainable headsets should be lauded, it's the development of its Quantum Engine software that caught my attention at this year's trade show.

The JBL Quantum Engine starts simple enough, with an array of customisable features and EQs that you might expect from a piece of audio software. These settings adapt to the specific genre or game that you're playing, with the intention of emphasising the important sounds such as footsteps or making your experience more immersive, taking full advantage of the 50mm carbon dynamic drivers found in the Quantum headset range. It can also cleverly block out background noise from especially clacky keyboards.

And there are now more features to come in Q4 2026. Most notable of all is the increased interconnectivity between the app and the games you play. One feature shown off to me will be of particular interest to racing game fans. The app can receive information from the game to transform into your speedometer and heads-up display, giving you features and details you might expect from a premium racing wheel, but beamed to the app on your phone or tablet. It's a cool idea that builds on the manufacturer's audio nous to create an all-in-one solution for gaming.

James Pickard, Senior Deals Editor

And one more thing we can't talk about yet...

Sometimes we're shown games or products at Gamescom that we can't talk about for even weeks after the event has finished, and one of our award winners is exactly one of those things.

Check back here in a few weeks time when we can reveal our last Best of Gamescom 2026 winner!

• Proton VPN has added a China Smart Routing server
• Main use case is connecting to Chinese content and services from abroad
• Proton joins a short list of VPNs offering a (virtual) Chinese IP

Proton VPN has just added one of the hardest server locations in the industry to offer: China.

As of September 3, 2026, Proton VPN offers Smart Routing servers in China, adding a Chinese IP address to a network that already spans well over 140 countries.

It's notable because a genuine China option is something even some of the best VPN services don't provide. Serving up a Chinese IP address is technically and politically fraught, and the list of providers willing to do it is short.

How Proton's new China VPN server works

The new China location isn't a physical VPN server inside the country.

Instead, it uses Proton's Smart Routing technology, which lets the provider offer servers in countries where it might not otherwise be able to, using infrastructure located elsewhere. In China's case, that infrastructure sits in Hong Kong.

When you connect, you appear to access the internet from China while keeping all of Proton's features and security.

These servers run on Proton's own bare-metal hardware, so they're as secure as any other on the network.

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When you should use Proton's China VPN server

Proton is being careful about expectations. In a comment on the X thread announcing the change, Proton VPN's General Manager emphasised that "the primary supported use-case is for connecting *into* China from abroad to reach Chinese content and services."

In plain terms, this server is for people outside China who need to look like they're inside it: expats, travellers, and businesses reaching region-locked Chinese platforms, banking apps, or streaming.

It is not a fix for people inside China trying to escape the Great Firewall, though there is still some chance that Proton can help with that.

Getting a Chinese IP from a VPN is rare, because most providers don't offer a China server at all. Only a handful do: Private Internet Access, CyberGhost, and PureVPN all use servers to hand you a virtual Chinese IP.

Most of the bigger names, however, don't. ExpressVPN, Surfshark, and NordVPN don't offer a dedicated China server location. Their focus is the opposite direction, helping users inside China tunnel out via obfuscation, rather than providing a domestic Chinese presence.

If beating the Great Firewall from inside China is your goal, though, read our guide to the best VPN for China.

Ugreen's four-bay DH4300 Plus NAS device impressed us during our tests, from its elegant design to the beginner-friendly setup, ideal for creating your own private cloud in the home and small business. And right now, the Ugreen NAS DH4300 Plus has dropped to $374 (was $440) at Amazon.

It is aimed at home users, remote workers and NAS beginners, with four drive bays, 8GB of LPDDR4X memory, 2.5GbE networking, 4K HDMI output and support for up to 128TB of storage.

The DH4300 Plus can automatically back up photos and videos, organize images using AI-powered albums and act as a private cloud that you can access remotely from multiple devices.

Today's top Ugreen NAS DH4300 Plus deal

Why we recommend it

In his 4-star review, our expert Mark called the DH4300 Plus "great for homes and small businesses" and said it offered "an elegant design that delivers the basic functionality that most NAS users need at a price they can afford."

The four drive bays give you plenty of flexibility over how much storage you add, while RAID support lets you choose between maximizing capacity or adding redundancy.

Ugreen has done its best to make the software approachable for people buying their first NAS. Its apps support Windows, macOS, Android, iOS and web browsers, with remote access and automatic mobile photo backups.

He summed it up saying: "This NAS is designed to fit a specific niche: single or dual-purpose installations that require power efficiency and easy interfacing with other NAS hardware for backups. And, this NAS is perfectly poised to do those jobs without the need for the more exotic functionality that the DXP series already supports."

Price context & historical value

Amazon has cut the price of the Ugreen NAS DH4300 Plus from $439.99 to $373.98, giving you a saving of $66.01, or 15%. While this is a good reduction, it's not the cheapest the NAS has been. We saw it selling for between $305-$310 a little earlier in the year.

It's also worth noting the current price is for the diskless enclosure, so you'll still need to budget for compatible hard drives or SSDs. The total cost will depend on how much capacity you want.

Should you buy it?

✅ Buy the Ugreen NAS DH4300 Plus if...

You want to move away from recurring cloud-storage subscriptions and keep your photos, videos and documents under your own control. Four drive bays give you plenty of room to expand, and the relatively simple setup and mobile apps make this a more approachable option for NAS newcomers.

❌ Skip the Ugreen NAS DH4300 Plus if...

You need a more advanced NAS for running virtual machines or heavier server workloads. The DH4300 Plus supports Docker, but Ugreen specifically states that it doesn't support virtual machines, so a more powerful NAS will likely be a better fit for advanced users.

The Catch: What to know before you buy

No storage drives are included, despite the advertised maximum capacity, so the listed price is only the starting point. The maximum storage amount is based on compatible drives configured in RAID 0, which prioritizes capacity rather than redundancy.

There's also no Wi-Fi, so you'll need to connect the NAS to your router or network switch using Ethernet. Plex can be run through Docker, but the DH4300 Plus doesn't provide native virtual-machine support.

• Shop all NAS products at Amazon

• Microsoft 365 users targeted by phishing campaigns using BigBear 2.0 and AiTM proxies
• Attackers impersonate IT staff via calls, Teams, and email to steal credentials and bypass MFA
• CloudSEK tracked 5,000+ stolen records; Arctic Wolf urges phishing‑resistant MFA and conditional access

Microsoft 365 users are facing a barrage of cyberattacks all aimed at a single goal - to try and expose credentials which can later be used against employers in data theft attacks.

Different groups conduct their raids and bypass multi-factor authentication (MFA) protection to access victim accounts - CloudSEK, for example, said that some groups are using BigBear 2.0, a new phishing-as-a-service (PhaaS) framework that allows crooks to intercept passwords and authenticated session cookies.

Arctic Wolf, on the other hand, focused on a single threat actor, which it dubbed PREY-0058. This group, despite significant overlaps with other collectives in terms of techniques, technologies, and procedures, is not a rebrand of older organizations. Instead, the researchers believe the lines between the groups are blurred and that there is a large group of affiliates, splinter crews, and other cohorts using the same phishing infrastructure and thus often confuse defenders and analysts.

Similar methods, similar results

The attack methodology is similar across the spectrum. Crooks would call their victims on the phone or approach them via Teams and email. They would introduce themselves as members of the IT help desk sent to sort out a specific problem or issue.

Then, they would either convince the victim to grant remote access, or to open a spoofed Microsoft 365 login page and enter their credentials there. In both cases, the goal is the same - to get the victim to type in their username, password, and 2FA code, on a fake site built by BigBear 2.0 or a similar phishing framework. This framework, using an attacker-in-the-middle (AiTM) proxy between the victim and legitimate Microsoft infrastructure, harvests credentials, MFA codes, and session cookies, and replays them through an API essentially hijacking a legitimate authentication session.

Once they gain access, the attackers can do all sorts of things, but they are mostly focused on exfiltrating sensitive data from Outlook, Teams, SharePoint, and OneDrive. Deploying ransomware is rarely seen.

The campaign CloudSEK has been tracking has been rather successful, the researchers argue, saying BigBear 2.0 was used to exfiltrate more than 5,000 credential records, “including 474 complete MFA-bypassed authentications, 1,032 plaintext passwords, and 4,148 session cookies - affecting 3,331 unique victim IPs across 40+ countries with the operation still active at the time of writing.”

“The multi-user PhaaS panel is leased to at least five affiliate operators identified through live Telegram exfiltration bots, each receiving stolen credentials in real time.”

Speaking to BleepingComputer, CloudSEK says the campaign targeted 461 organizations, out of which 258 have had at least one set of credentials compromised.

Defending with phishing-resistant MFA

Arctic Wolf’s researchers stressed that the attackers are focused primarily on US-based businesses: construction and engineering, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, real estate and property management, finance, and professional services, The Hacker News reported. The researchers advise organizations to implement Conditional Access policies, deploy phishing-resistant MFA, and restrict the scope of data users can access via SharePoint. Obviously, employee education on the dangers of phishing cannot be understated.

"Defenders can disrupt this activity by detecting anomalous residential-proxy token replay, SharePoint discovery and bulk access, mailbox harvesting, and newly registered authentication-themed lure infrastructure," Arctic Wolf said.

Phishing-resistant MFA is multi-factor authentication designed so that an attacker cannot trick a person into handing over authorization code, either via a message, or through a fake login page.

These include products such as passkeys, YubiKeys security keys, and authentication methods based on FIDO2/WebAuthn. Since phishing-resistant MFA cryptographically ties the authentication to the legitimate website, the authentication cannot simply be forwarded to an attacker.

Alienware AW3926QW: One-minute review

For serious PC gamers, few monitors have been more hotly anticipated than this epic 39-inch ultrawide beast. The Alienware AW3926QW combines LG's latest OLED panel tech with 5K2K native resolution on an incredible scale. The want is strong for this one.

But even those impressive highlights don't quite capture why the Alienware AW3926QW is such a hot item. There's more to it than that. Firstly, not only does it pack LG's new Tandem WOLED panel technology, it adds a further twist by offering RGB-stripe subpixels.

That probably seems like an arcane detail. But it has a broad impact on image quality, and not necessarily always for the better. Then there's the price. At $1,099 in the US and £999 in the UK, this is hardly a budget gaming monitor.

However, next to its closest rival and the only other 39-inch 5K2K OLED currently available, LG's own $1,799 UltraGear Evo GX9 39GX950B, it's massively cheaper and yet arguably more appealing. Of course, even on paper, the Alienware AW3926QW isn't perfect.

Its most obvious shortcoming is the mere 165 Hz refresh rate. Given that 32-inch 4K OLED panels with 240 Hz refresh are widely available, the step back to 165 Hz is a notable downgrade.

The pushback on that objection, however, is twofold. First, the 5K2K resolution translates into 5,120 by 2,160 pixels and therefore one heck of a lot of GPU load. In other words, the idea that you're going to be pushing 240fps-plus to this monitor in the latest and most demanding games is a bit fanciful. Most of the time, 165 Hz will be plenty.

Moreover, this isn't the kind of display anyone would buy specifically for high-frame rate esports gaming. It's wrong in all kinds of ways. But even then, Alienware has included a number of lower-resolution dual-mode resolution options with 330 Hz refresh. So, if you absolutely insist on esporting on this huge panel, well, it will accommodate that use case.

More likely, however, people will be considering this panel for all-round gaming and daily computing tasks. And in that context, the promise of a huge OLED panel that actually offers decent pixel density thanks to that 5K2K resolution is an absolutely tantalising proposition. This Alienware definitely looks set to take its place among both the best gaming monitors and the best ultrawide monitors in 2026.

Alienware AW3926QW: Price & availability

• How much does it cost? $1,099 / £999 / AU$1,999
• When is it available? Available now
• Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia

$1,099 is hardly the stuff of budget gaming. But it's still a very, very punchy price for this class of gaming monitor. The only comparable 39-inch 5K2K OLED monitor is the LG UltraGear Evo GX9 39GX950B. But that has an MSRP of $1,799.

What's more, despite the lower price, you get a glossy screen coating where the LG is matte, plus RGB-stripe pixels, albeit that comes with slightly lower brightness. Of course, if you shop around, you can grab a 32-inch 4K OLED for about half the price of this Alienware ultrawide monster.

So, even at this relatively discounted price compared with the closest competition, you're still paying quite the premium versus a "conventional" 32-inch 4K model. Still, given how cutting edge this display is, Alienware has done a solid on the pricing. It's very impressive.

• Value: 4 / 5

Alienware AW3926QW: Specs

Alienware AW3926QW: Design and features

• Good connectivity
• Glossy anti-glare coating
• Sensible 1500R curve

While the huge OLED panel is obviously the star of the show, the support act of features and design do matter. Alienware's latest visual language has ditched the Storm Trooper vibe of its earlier gaming displays comprising white glossy plastic and Sci-Fi lines in favour of organic, rounded shapes and dark blue, lightly textured plastic.

The new look is definitely less distinctive. But the chassis is well enough put together, and at least the minimalist look and slim bezels mean this monitor is unlikely to date quickly. For the record, the stand supports height, tilt, and swivel adjustment, plus a few degrees of pivot, the latter intended to allow for making the screen level as opposed to supporting portrait mode, which wouldn't be practical with such a large ultrawide panel.

Speaking of which, this is a huge monitor, and you'll need decent desk space to accommodate it. But the ergonomics are helped by the relatively gentle 1500R panel curvature.

Just what makes for the ideal curve is subjective, of course. But at least some curve on an ultrawide display of this size does help with both immersion and maintaining reasonable viewing angles at the extremities of the panel. But you can go too far with extreme curvature, too, something this monitor certainly avoids.

The glossy anti-glare coating is another feature that comes down to personal preference. The advantage is boosted contrast and clarity, the downside added reflectivity. On balance, it's probably a net win for this kind of OLED monitor due to the incredible HDR visuals it enhances.

Connectivity is another strong point. Along with the usual HDMI and DisplayPort interfaces, you get USB-C with 90W of power delivery and a KVM switch. There's also a USB hub with both USB-A and USB-C sockets, an example of each is located conveniently on the lower bezel.

Finally, it's worth noting that Alienware provides a full suite of burn-in mitigation features, like pixel cleaning. There's also a reassuring three-year warranty which includes burn-in cover.

• Design: 4.5 / 5

Alienware AW3926QW: Performance

• Glorious HDR visuals
• RGB-stripe precision plus decent brightness
• "Only" 165Hz

The OLED gaming monitor market has gotten pretty complicated of late, what with all the different panel technologies on offer. The Alienware AW3926QW is absolutely a case in point. It combines LG's latest Tandem WOLED panel generation with a new RGB-stripe subpixel structure in a huge 39-inch 5K2K package.

The immediate upshot is an OLED gaming monitor that combines an epic viewing vista with pixel density on-par with a 32-inch 4K monitor. That's an incredible combination of sheer scale and image detail, the likes of which are only matched by the aforementioned LG UltraGear Evo GX9 39GX950B. The 5K2K native resolution also makes this a pretty fabulous monitor for day-to-day computing. Text is crisp and clear, and there's oodles of desktop space.

However, it's that RGB-stripe subpixel structure, plus the gloss anti-glare coating, that separates this Alienware from that LG. So, how do the two compare? On paper, the LG is rated at 335 nits full-screen brightness and 1,500 nits peak HDR, while this Alienware tops out at 300 nits and 1,300 nits, respectively.

That's because the LG model uses a panel with an additional white subpixel in an RGWB configuration to boost brightness, where this Alienware has a pure RGB — or red, green and blue — subpixel structure. The thing is, that added white subpixel on the LG model isn't as effective at boosting color brightness as it is at boosting pure white brightness. So, in the real world, this Alienware feels pretty much just as punchy.

Even better, because of the pure RGB feature, if anything, colors are richer and more vibrant. Add in the glossy panel coating, and the results are a little short of spectacular. The HDR performance in games like Cyberpunk 2077 is incredibly impactful. Indeed, the punchy colors are closer to Samsung's QD-OLED tech than an RGWB LG panel.

Even better, you don't have to put up with downsides of QD-OLED, including its characteristic purple tint in bright ambient light. For pure visual theatre and immersion, this is probably the most impressive gaming monitor currently on the market.

It is not, however, perfect. In extremis, full-screen brightness is a limitation. As with all current OLED monitors, this display can only hit its peak 1,300 nits performance over a very small section of the panel. As you light up more and more of the panel, the maximum available brightness tails off.

So, in some outdoor scenes in games, let's say under the desert sun in Cyberpunk 2077, the results can be just a touch underwhelming. That's the one scenario where a traditional LCD monitor, and particularly one with mini-LED backlighting, can be more impressive thanks to far superior full-screen brightness.

While we're talking brightness, this Alienware suffers from another slight issue. Likely due to an anti-burn-in feature called Convex Power Control, the edges of the panel can dim slightly during gameplay. It's not a super-obvious problem, but once you notice it, it can detract a little from the overall impact of the display. Unfortunately, you can't toggle the feature off for now. Hopefully that will change in a future firmware update.

It's also true that the 165Hz refresh is modest by current gaming monitor standards, especially at this price point. How much of a limitation that really is in practice, well, it depends on what games you play. With the latest, most graphically demanding titles, it's not much of a limitation if you want to use the highest visual settings. It's not like you're going to hit 300fps at 5,120 by 2,160 pixels with all the eye candy switched on.

Of course, if you're playing, say, Counter-Strike 2 competitively, you're going to want a lot more than 165Hz. This monitor can actually deliver 330Hz running at one of its lower "dual-mode" resolutions that use pixel doubling to achieve alternative pseudo-native resolutions.

What's more, thanks to the incredible response performance of all OLED panels 330Hz plus 0.03ms response makes for excellent motion clarity. But like all dual-mode monitors, overall image quality and sharpness does take quite a hit. And, anyway, if you're really serious about esports, you're almost certainly not shopping 39-inch ultrawide panels.

Ultimately, then, our only significant reservation is the edge dimming that can happen during gaming. It's a bit of a pity because in pretty much every other regard, this is one of, if not the, most spectacular and enjoyable gaming monitors out there right now.

• Performance: 4.5 / 5

Should you buy the Alienware AW3926QW?

Buy the Alienware AW3926QW if...

Don't buy it if...

Also Consider

How I tested the Alienware AW3926QW

I used the Alienware AW3926QW for literally everything for two weeks. As well as running it through pretty much my whole steam library, it was also my daily driver for all kinds of computing tasks and also doubled as my movie watching panel.

I was looking out for how it compares with both LG-based monitors with RGWB-spec Tandem OLED panels and competition displays with Samsung's QD-OLED tech. It was fascinating to discover how it performs in terms of brightness compared to those alternatives and also what impact the RGB-stripe subpixel tech has.

Using it as a daily driver for work and web browsing was almost as interesting as the gaming larks. This is such a large, high-resolution display, it was all a real treat.

I also investigated all of the concerns that early adopters of this monitor have been dicsussing, including including green tinting, adaptive refresh flicker and so-called "vignette dimming." I found only the latter was much of a problem and even then it probably isn't a deal breaker.

• Originally reviewed in August 2026

• Proton VPN sign-ups in Vietnam have spiked 450%
• New law mandates extensive internet logging and user identification
• It follows a similar August spike, triggered by severe social media fines

For internet users in Vietnam, preserving online privacy is becoming an increasingly uphill battle. Following the introduction of a restrictive new cybersecurity law, demand for the best VPN services has skyrocketed as citizens seek to protect their digital footprints from encroaching government surveillance.

According to data from the Proton VPN Observatory shared by David Peterson, General Manager at Proton VPN, new sign-ups from Vietnam have spiked by a staggering 450% above the usual baseline.

The massive influx of new users aligns directly with the enactment of sweeping new internet regulations, which tighten online speech controls and place heavy data-logging obligations on internet service providers (ISPs) and tech companies.

Talking to TechRadar, Peterson confirmed that daily registrations reached 450% above baseline on September 1. "This is on top of an elevated level following the 170% spike after the fake news fines in July, and another in August," he added.

A growing threat to digital privacy

The latest surge in VPN usage isn't an isolated incident, in fact. This 450% spike follows a similar increase recorded just last month when the Proton VPN Observatory logged an initial jump in sign-ups.

That earlier surge coincided with the government introducing severe financial penalties for individuals sharing what authorities broadly define as "fabricated" or "false" information on social media.

By forcing domestic and foreign telecommunications platforms to store granular user data, including IP addresses and account names, the Vietnamese government is rapidly shrinking the space for anonymous online expression.

"It's difficult to isolate a single driver of this surge in VPN use," Peterson noted. "A flurry of laws and fines — from social media penalties to crypto crackdowns and ISP logging requirements —have compounded one another. But they all send a single message to the Vietnamese public that ordinary online activity now carries legal risk."

According to Peterson, this environment is driving demand for VPNs in ways no single measure could achieve alone. "A secondary factor is that some Vietnamese news outlets (and their social media accounts) that have been subject to censorship have been recommending VPNs to their readers," he added.

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What this means for people in Vietnam

For everyday internet users in Vietnam, these sweeping rules mean that ISPs and tech platforms now possess a highly detailed, identifiable record of their online activities. This could create a chilling effect on free speech, as expressing dissenting opinions on social media platforms can now easily lead to significant financial fines or further legal action.

This is exactly why virtual private networks (VPN) have become an essential lifeline. A reliable VPN encrypts a user's web traffic, ensuring that local ISPs and government monitors cannot see which websites they are visiting or what messages they are sending. Furthermore, VPNs mask the user's actual IP address, making it significantly harder for third parties to track their physical location.

However, it is worth noting that while a VPN protects data in transit, it does not bypass the legal requirement to provide identification when registering for local social media accounts or trading platforms.

As internet restrictions continue to tighten, the continued surge in Proton VPN registrations highlights a clear reality: when governments attempt to clamp down on digital liberties, citizens will inevitably find a way to take their privacy back into their own hands.

"This is a pattern we see worldwide," said Peterson, while noting how te recent Vietnam's VPN usage spikes revals how residents' calculations of their online activity are changing.

"Internet freedom isn't just about access; it's about people's fundamental right to communicate, do business, and express themselves without fear that their activity will bring a fine, or worse."

One of the absolute highlights of this week's Labor Day sales has been the excellent Sony WH-1000XM5 on sale for just $198 (was $399) at Amazon. It's been a while since these wireless headphones have hit this record-low price — and, quite frankly, it's one of the easiest recommendations we've made this week.

They only hit $198 once before, back in late June, so this is a great chance to grab some of the best headphones on the market for cheap.

As an overview, the Sony WH-1000XM5 combines a stylish and comfortable design with some of the best noise cancellation on the market. They're perfect for everyday use, a busy office, or commuting on public transport. They also sound fantastic, with rich and detailed sound for all types of genres.

With today's price on Amazon, you're getting them for a fantastic price, considering these are only one generation away from the latest Sony model. The Sony WH-1000XM6 has superseded the Mark 5, but they're currently sitting at $398 at the retailer, while offering similar performance.

Sony WH-1000XM5 record-low price at Amazon

• See more: check out all of today's Labor Day deals at Amazon

The Sony WH-1000XM5 are a few years old now, but our initial five-star rating from when these headphones were released still stands. At the time, we called them "the best headphones in the world thanks to their class-leading noise-canceling features and well-balanced audio.” There is a newer version now (the Mark 6), but those are significantly more expensive, as I've already stated.

Compared with the sixth-generation model, the fifth-generation model is a little less portable because it lacks folding hinges, but otherwise performance is quite similar. If you're not desperate for the folding mechanism, then it's definitely a good idea to save some cash and go with the Sony WH-1000XM5 over the newer model.

• Xbox seems to be using dynamic pricing to tempt back some lapsed Game Pass subscribers
• A photo showing a surprise 30% discount was posted to Reddit by a US user
• The promotion is not visible to others

Are you suddenly being offered an Xbox Game Pass subscription at a lower price than standard? According to Reddit, some users are being shown discounts of up to 30% for 12 months, and there are a few theories as to why.

In a photo uploaded to the platform, one user shared the subscription screen featuring an unusual promotion — an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription for just $16.09 a month (down from the usual $22.99 monthly fee).

The screen states that the discount will last for an entire year unless the user chooses to cancel their membership early. "Been looking for an annual subscription for years," the poster wrote. "$16.09 a month for one year Ultimate. I'll take it."

Interestingly, not everyone is being shown the same discount, and if you head to the Xbox website right now, chances are you'll see the standard $22.99 rate.

This would suggest that the promotion is being dynamically awarded to accounts that fulfil certain criteria, and many commenters were keen to share their theories.

"If you log in to a secondary account on your Xbox, one that doesn't pay for Game Pass, then you will see an offer like this," posed one. "My offer was $18 something for 12 months, so I'm guessing they're doing some kind of dynamic pricing BS."

"I am on and off Game Pass a lot," the original poster went on to explain in the comments, suggesting that this promotion is being used to bring back lapsed subscribers.

"You won’t see any kind of reduced monthly offer while subbed," someone else added in a different comment thread.

Xbox Game Pass has had a tumultuous time recently, with its price only recently reduced following a string of hikes. According to analysts, the decision to briefly add day-one Call of Duty games to the service was expensive, but 'did not lead to a significant increase in Xbox console sales or even subscriptions.'

We'll likely see more efforts like this to boost subscriber numbers in the future.

• The Legend of Zelda Movie's full title has been revealed
• It was announced during September 2026's Zelda-dedicated Nintendo Direct
• Its name ends a long-standing tradition for the iconic videogame franchise

The Legend of Zelda Movie's official title has been revealed — and it breaks a long-standing tradition for the incredibly popular Nintendo video game series.

Announced today (September 8) during the September 2026 Nintendo Direct, the forthcoming film's full name is — drumroll, please — The Legend of Zelda.

Okay, so Nintendo and film studio partner Sony Pictures won't be winning any creativity awards for that name. That said, it's a clean, subtitle-less name that's not only fitting for the game franchise's forthcoming big-screen debut, but also an homage to the series' first-ever entry — that being, the identically-titled 1986 game The Legend of Zelda.

The movie adaptation's title is even more appropriate when you consider that the beloved game series is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, too. The aforementioned game is the only one that doesn't have a subheading, either, so it makes sense why Nintendo would want to honor one of its longest-running series by giving it the same name as the game that started it all.

As much as I was hoping for an actual teaser and/or more official cast reveals — right now, Benjamin Evan Ainsworth's Link and Bo Bragason's Zelda are the only characters confirmed to appear — I might not have to wait too long for those wishes to be granted.

Indeed, speaking during today's dedicated Legend of Zelda Direct, Nintendo President Shigeru Miyamoto said "We'll share more details at a later date". Hopefully, there'll be another Nintendo Direct before the end of 2026 that lifts the lid on its cast and plot, and finally gives us some footage to pore over.

It's been a while since Nintendo revealed anything new about this flick. Apart from Ainsworth and Bragason's casting in May 2025, the release of The Legend of Zelda Movie's first official images last September, and confirmation of The Legend of Zelda Movie's revised release date in May, the Japanese video game titan has been tight-lipped on its next film offering for some time.

That's not to say there haven't been leaks. Just last month, reports emerged that The Legend of Zelda Movie had found its Ganondorf and Impa, with the former being played by an unlikely choice. Meanwhile, the late Sam Neill is also seemingly set for one final big-screen outing — the Jurassic Park star and Yvonne Strahovski being linked with supporting roles in one of 2027's most anticipated new movies. Let's hope Nintendo has the courage and wisdom to tell us more shortly.

The Legend of Zelda Movie will launch in theaters worldwide on April 30, 2027. In the meantime, find out everything else we know so far about The Legend of Zelda Movie.

Being a devoted Gemini user seems to require a peculiar combination of loyalty, patience, and an unusually high tolerance for the word Flash.

That patience is being tested again. Anthropic released Claude Fable 5.1 last week, bringing significant improvements to its model lineup. OpenAI followed with GPT-6 Astra, its new frontier model designed to operate software, tackle complicated multi-step jobs, and work with considerably less human supervision.

Over in the Gemini community, meanwhile, some users are staring at their model picker and wondering when Google is going to join the party. The increasingly nervous focus is Gemini 4 Pro, the presumed next major frontier model from Google, and whether the company will actually release it at all.

Google has not announced that Gemini 4 Pro has been canceled, and the increasingly elaborate theories circulating on Reddit should be treated as exactly that: theories. Still, the mood is revealing. One r/Bard post jokes that Astra's arrival means Gemini 4 Pro will now be canceled while everyone waits for Gemini 4.5 Pro instead, and the thread title predicts Google will decide 4 Pro is no longer competitive enough and return to releasing Flash models.

Awaiting the new Gemini

"I also want to feel the frontier," one Reddit thread begins, with plenty of sympathetic agreement from others. "Google doesn't have enough talent anymore, and most of its compute is reserved for Apple Intelligence and Google Search AI Mode," one user posted in response.

The frustration makes more sense when you look at what Gemini users can see happening elsewhere.

Anthropic calls Fable 5.1 one of its most advanced models for coding and knowledge work, with improvements aimed at long-running tasks and research. The model has a one-million-token context window and 128,000-token maximum output, while Anthropic has also made cache reads dramatically cheaper.

Then there is Astra. OpenAI describes GPT-6 Astra as its most intelligent model yet, with an emphasis on computer use, coding, and completing complex work across multiple steps. The important part for ordinary enthusiasts is that OpenAI says Astra is rolling into ChatGPT, including access through Plus in Work and Codex as rollout progresses.

Gemini users want their turn.

Another Reddit thread is literally titled “I envy them too,” but most of the comments there are pushing back against the idea that Gemini's current model is useless. "Just keep all three subs, best way to play," one post argues.

Still, that misses something about why people become attached to these platforms. Gemini comes with Google's wider ecosystem, Android integration, and tools such as NotebookLM. As one Reddit commenter put it when told to subscribe elsewhere, “Gemini is cooler, has more tools, NotebookLM, it's better integrated in Android, etc.” Switching models is easy. Switching ecosystems is less so.

Gemini Flash again?

There's a running joke is that Google will respond to all this impatience by releasing another Flash model. Google has continued iterating rapidly on its faster Gemini models, and the current Reddit discussion is full of references to Gemini 3.7 Flash and 3.8 Flash.

In the thread speculating about Gemini 4 Pro's fate, one commenter imagines Google announcing, “We have started our most ambitious pre-training run yet, for Gemini 4.5,” while another delivers the punchline: “Here's another few Flash models.” A less amused commenter writes that DeepMind has “lost the initiative” and its famous confidence.

This is not really a fight over whether Gemini 3.8 Flash is good. Some users think it is excellent. Multiple commenters argued that Gemini remains highly competitive on price and performance and wins when it comes to coding.

The feat is that, after years of seeming to have an AI advantage, Google has squandered it. When Gemini looks like it is following OpenAI and Anthropic rather than forcing them to respond, its most enthusiastic users notice.

Of course, whether Google even wants the same victory its Reddit fans want is debatable. A cheaper, faster model embedded across Search, Android, Workspace and countless other services could ultimately be much more valuable than topping a frontier benchmark for a few months. For Google shareholders, that could be wonderfully sensible. For the person refreshing the Gemini model picker while Claude and ChatGPT users play with their new frontier models, it is rather less exciting.

• 3,000 Swiss government devices will use open source software instead of Microsoft 365
• 172 workers already tested Germany's openDesk software in an earlier proof-of-concept
• The next stage should be complete by the end of 2027, at the cost of $11.1 million

Switzerland's federal government has launched a pilot program to explore the feasibility of ditching Microsoft 365 in favour of open source alternatives, and it's starting with 3,000 machines of the government's estimated 54,000 total computers.

The government is looking to move around 7% of its machines away from M365 by the end of 2027, the chancellery confirmed, but it's not the first time the Swiss government has explored open-source alternatives.

An earlier proof-of-concept, the details of which have just been released, demonstrate 172 federal employees testing German-made openDesk for document processing and emailing.

Switzerland is progressing with its open-source plans

Crucially, the government doesn't look to be removing M365 outright from all 3,000 machines, but rather, workers will be given openDesk to run in parallel in order to avoid any disruptions.

Central to the migration isn't necessarily an anti-Microsoft initiative, but rather a pro-digital sovereignty push. Switzerland wants critical government operations to be less dependent on foreign tech companies, especially US tech giants given ongoing geopolitical tensions.

US cloud legislation potentially allows American authorities to gain access to Swiss government information, and with Microsoft being an American firm, its 365 platform is naturally under assessment.

More broadly, Switzerland isn't the only country to be walking away from Microsoft and other US tech vendors in favor of local, open source alternatives. France and Germany have also introduced similar schemes.

Microsoft is already working on a solution to pacify Swiss sovereignty requirements - in 2025, it announced a $400 million investment in Switzerland to expand its cloud and AI infrastructure, with a major focus on government, finance and healthcare customers.

The ongoing project covering 3,000 devices is expected to cost $11.1 million, per the chancellery, with funding coming from pro-sovereignty initiatives.

• Sony unveils the FE 8-14mm F3.5 G lens
• It's the company's first fisheye lens, covering a 180-degree field of view
• It costs $1,600 / £1,500 / AU$2,299

Sony has unveiled its first-ever fisheye lens, the FE 8-14mm F3.5 G, which becomes the widest-angle lens in the company's burgeoning lens range — and I've had my hands on it ahead of the announcement.

I'll admit, it caught me off guard to realize that Sony didn't have a fisheye lens for its mirrorless cameras until now — after all, there are a huge number of Sony lenses already available — but the 8-14mm will no doubt appeal to fans of the distorted, ultra-wide perspective.

Popular for astrophotography, urban landscapes, sports such as skateboarding, and hiphop music videos, fisheye lenses are the widest-angle lenses available, and now there's finally one available with the Sony name on it.

The compact optic is designed for full-frame cameras, and has a maximum f/3.5 aperture across its 8-14mm zoom range. It certainly feels the part; it's dust and moisture resistant, includes a zoom lock, clicked / de-clicked aperture ring, focus switch, and a rear filter holder (which is handy, as the lens doesn't accepted threaded filters because of the bulbous front lens element).

Zoom and focusing are internal, which usefully means that the lens barrel doesn't extend when zooming, while close focusing is just 0.15m, with a 0.22x maximum magnification — you'll often want to make the most of the minimum focus distance to emphasize subjects in the frame.

At its widest 8mm focal length the lens covers a full 180-degree field of view, meaning that much of the built-in lens hood is in the frame — these files need processing to remove the pronounced vignetting. Zoom in to 14mm, however, and the hood is out of the shot completely.

I've never really got on with fisheye lenses — the ultra-wide and distorted perspective isn't one I particularly like or feel that I can utilize — whereas I prefer ultra-wide rectilinear lenses (which correct that distortion for straight lines).

However, I'm challenging myself and giving Sony's first fisheye lens a proper go. It's early days in my testing of the the FE 8-14mm F3.5 G lens, and I look forward to sharing my review soon.

The lens is part of Sony's 'G' range of enthusiast-level lenses, and is priced at $1,600 / £1,500 / AU$2,299.

• Spider-Noir was canceled after one season at Prime Video
• Nicolas Cage has had his say on the series' end, speaking exclusively to Deadline
• Despite the cancelation, Spider-Noir recently won five Creative Arts Emmys

Nobody likes a cancelation. Whether it's a flight or your favorite TV series, it never seems to get any easier. Prime Video's recent decision to cancel its new series Spider-Noir left many fans devastated, including me.

There are lots of comic book adaptations out there, and for me, Spider-Noir did more than enough to stand out from the crowd. Nicolas Cage brought his Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse character to life brilliantly, so it's a shame we won't see any more.

Having said that, Cage himself has been optimistic about the show's cancelation in a new statement received by Deadline. In it, he said: “For me, one season is perfect, having said what I wanted to say with this dangerous, innovative, pop-art Spider-Man. Onwards, upwards, inwards.”

Perhaps it's true and it's possible to have too much of a good thing. Season one is indeed excellent, and since it earned a 96% Rotten Tomatoes score and secured five Creative Arts Emmys, including stunt coordination and title design, it's undeniably one of the best Prime Video shows.

Across eight episodes, Spider-Noir centered around Cage's Ben Reilly aka 'The Spider', an older version of Spider-Man who is a down on his luck private investigator. Filmed like a classic 1930s detective movie, it focused on themes like grief, systemic corruption, and aging disillusionment.

Additionally, Spider-Noir invited viewers to watch in two ways whether it was 'authentic black and white' or 'true-hue full color'. As someone who loved Rockstar's LA Noire, this was fun to experience on one of the best streaming services too.

Even though Spider-Noir won't be returning, it's a solid entry into the Marvel franchise. Elsewhere, Spider-Man: Brand New Day is expected to be streaming on Disney+ soon, so I'm looking forward to watching that at home.