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• Sennheiser has announced the Momentum True Wireless 5 noise-cancelling earbuds with a completely redesigned enclosure
• New features include Bluetooth 6.0, Dolby Atmos and replaceable batteries
• Available to buy from September 3 for the same price as the previous generation in the US, but more expensive in the UK and Australia

Hot on the heels of the launch of the much-anticipated Momentum 5 Wireless over-ear headphones, Sennheiser has announced their flagship earbud sibling in the Momentum True Wireless 5.

While there was a five-year gap between generations of the over-ear cans, we’ve thankfully had to wait less than three years for the sequel to a pair of earbuds we’ve previously awarded 4.5 stars to — and this is speedy indeed considering they’re a complete revamp over the fourth-generation true wireless buds, including design and features.

The fifth-gen earbuds introduce a “barely there” fit, by way of a newly streamlined silhouette. The audio brand promises that the new design is more comfortable than the previous generation, and I’m certainly keen to test that claim, especially since the previous model was “comfortable enough to keep wearing” even “after several hours of continuous use”. Four ear-tip sizes are included to help users achieve the perfect seal, ranging from extra small to large.

Ensuring customers get a similar experience whether they go buds or cans, Sennheiser says the Momentum True Wireless 5 benefit from the “same sound-first DNA” as their over-ear sibling. To achieve that goal, the new in-ears are fitted with the brand’s 7mm TrueResponse dynamic driver that claims to balance “remarkable detail with full-bodied, bass-driven tuning”, alongside “exceptional precision, clarity and dynamics”.

(Image credit: Sennheiser)

Another headline feature is the use of Bluetooth 6.0 with aptX Adaptive, giving them the ability to support hi-res wireless audio up to 24-bit/96kHz from compatible sources.

While Bluetooth 6.0 is still very much a rarity in the world of headphones, it has already found its way into a range of devices, including the iPhone 17, Google Pixel 10 and 11 and Samsung Galaxy S26. While they’re not the first set of headphones to integrate the latest standard (the JBL Tune 530BT and 730BT also boast Bluetooth 6), they’re certainly part of a minority group at present. Sennheiser is evidently keen to champion the latest wireless connectivity, as the Momentum 5 Wireless over-ears have also been promised Bluetooth 6.0 via a future software update.

The active noise-cancelling system in the fifth-generation flagship earbuds have also been revised. This sees a redesigned ear tip working in tandem with a four-mic array (per bud) to "maximize noise cancelling performance”. The company has placed an emphasis on crystal-clear quality during phone calls too, and as a result, there are eight system sensors — six microphones, two bone-conduction voice accelerometers — that work alongside an AI speech-extraction algorithm to isolate voice in busier environments. Like their over-ear sibling, the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 5 are fully optimized for Dolby Atmos, complete with head tracking.

Sennheiser has also made improvements to battery life. This latest generation claims up to 12 hours on a single charge (up from 7.5 in the previous model) and a total of 40 hours including the case (up from 30 hours). These figures are with ANC turned off and our friends at What Hi-Fi? have cited Sennheiser as saying they drop to 6 hours and up to 25 hours, respectively, with ANC turned on.

They also gain the advantage of a replaceable battery system in both the earbuds and wireless charging case, which should considerably extend their usable lifespan, something that can't be said of many pairs of the best earbuds we've tested.

The Momentum True Wireless 5 are IP54-rated for dust, sweat and splash resistance, while a perforated microphone plate promises to keep wind interference at bay during voice calls.

The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 5 will be available from September 3 in Graphite, Cream, Copper, Denim and Lavender finishes for $300 / £250 / AU$499.

(Image credit: Sennheiser)The flagship earbud frontrunner?

The biggest names in consumer audio all have a flagship pair of earbuds. You’ve got the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Gen 2, Apple AirPods Pro 3, Sony WF-1000XM6 and even the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8.

All of these have performed well under review with our team of audio experts, but this new pair from Sennheiser has several advantages that could see it become the flagship earbuds to beat.

Bluetooth 6.0 is certainly one of them. As mentioned, the new standard is still in its infancy when it comes to headphone adoption. Hopefully that changes soon, as Bluetooth 6.0 brings a number of improvements over previous generations, including the potential for lower latency, greater efficiency and more reliable connections. In other words, it lays the groundwork for wireless headphones to respond faster and maintain a more stable connection to your source device.

While combining Bluetooth 6.0 with aptX Adaptive doesn’t guarantee they’ll sound better than their flagship rivals, it gives them some impressive wireless credentials on paper — I, for one, am definitely keen to see how they manage to outperform the competition.

Just look at the specs sheet and it appears to be the complete package, promising improved active noise cancellation, Dolby Atmos with head tracking, superior battery life and, importantly, one you can potentially repair with a screwdriver rather than replacing after a few years of use.

Battery degradation remains one of the biggest limitations of true wireless earbuds, so being able to replace them rather than the entire product could give the Momentum True Wireless 5 a considerable longevity advantage over some of their premium rivals.

Again, none of these improvements guarantees they’ll outperform the best from Bose, Sony, Apple or Bowers & Wilkins, especially when sound quality and noise cancellation will ultimately need to be put to the test. But, on paper, Sennheiser has given its latest flagship practically everything it needs to compete at the very top.

As someone who ultimately prefers an in-ear style of headphone — save from my beloved and uber-comfortable Sonos Ace over ears — I can’t wait to hear what the Momentum True Wireless 5 are capable of.

• Terra Industries is a Nigerian defense tech startup founded in 2024 by Nathan Nwachuku and Maxwell Maduka
• It has raised an incredible $52 million in seed funding, reportedly the largest ever by any African startup
• The core business of Terra Industries is providing automated surveillance and defense systems to the global south

Nigerian defense tech company Terra Industries has raised a record-breaking $52 million in seed funding, believed to be the largest by an African startup. Founded in 2024, it produces drones for air and land surveillance and defense and has released an operating system to handle threat detection and collect data across connected systems.

Targeting the global south market for automated defense solutions, Terra Industries is also opening an office in London and is close to completing what will become the largest drone factory in Africa at the Pax-2 site in Ghana.

Before the most recent round of funding, Terra Industries raised $11.75 million in January 2026, at the time the largest of any African defense technology company.

Automated security systems for the global south

Unlike US and European drone producers, who are largely concerned with NATO and Ukraine, Terra Industries has built a business targeting its sentry towers and land and air drones to the markets in the global south. This basically refers to Africa and Latin America, as well as other nations beyond or at the fringes of the Anglo-European sphere of influence.

Chief Executive Nathan Nwachuku says “Critical infrastructure across the Global South is best protected by systems designed for these environments and built in the regions they protect. This funding lets us scale that work and deepen our manufacturing base. It also puts us in the rooms where global defense decisions are made.”

Governments and organizations in these regions are looking for the autonomous surveillance and defense systems that Nwachuku and his partner Maxwell Maduka are selling, particularly to defend critical infrastructure such as power plants and mines.

ArtemisOS software

Beyond its hardware manufacturing, Terra Industries has published an operating system, which is used across its products. ArtemisOS is an open operating system designed to assemble data and assist in autonomous mission planning.

Designed for use with all of Terra Industries aerial and ground-based systems, ArtemisOS is capable of detection, classification, and tracking of targets, using AI. The OS also handles raw telemetry from drone sensors, establishing geospatial data. Missions can be planned autonomously, too, with dynamic route planning and real-time decision making.

ArtemisOS’ unified command layer, meanwhile, enables command control of unmanned systems, supporting large-scale command execution such swarm operations.

Terra Industries already has a 15,000-square-foot factory in Abuja, Nigeria, dubbed Pax-1, with a second (Pax-2) opening shortly in Ghana. This capacity will enable Terra Industries to challenge US and European drone companies, with 50,000 units potentially rolling out annually.

You can see the latest trailers and art for seven titles, including Fool Night and The One Piece.

Hear me out: what if our outrage over an apparent Amazon Kindle Software update and DRM for ebooks is wildly overblown?

I'm not talking about the recent Kindle update that reportedly strips away the ability to remove DRM (Digital Rights Management) from downloaded books. While you might argue that there's good reason to maintain this ability, I say writers gotta get paid, and the edge cases of needing to remove electronic rights controls don't add up to a good enough one to undermine authors' ability to make money off their works.

Instead, I want to talk about the reported change that initially really ground my gears: decommissioning the "WiFi workaround." This refers to the commonly used Airplane Mode trick for reading a digitally borrowed book long after the loan ends.

As an avid reader and Kindle owner, I have relied on this workaround for years. Here's how it works: I visit the Libby app and peruse my local library's books. Overdrive's app is, by the way, still one of the best things to ever happen to Kindle reading.

Instead of buying every book I want to read, I check them out from my library. I borrow the book through Libby; it connects me to Amazon's vast book library, where I sign in to get a digital edition delivered to my Kindle.

On the Kindle, I make sure it's connected to the internet, update my bookshelf, and start reading. Loans usually last two weeks.

When I'm on vacation, I can finish three or four books in a week. When I'm working, I mostly read at night in bed and only get through a few pages before falling asleep (don't judge me). This happens every night, which means that, instead of reading a book in days, it can take me weeks or even months.

To make sure I can still read the book after the loan ends, I turn off my Kindle's WiFi and set it to Airplane Mode.

Everyone knows this hack

This is such a well-known workaround that when I called my local library to ask about it, the guy at the resources desk knew immediately what I was talking about.

"It's a well-known hack," he told me without enthusiasm.

I asked if I should be concerned that, since I wasn't "returning" my digitally loaned book on time, I was holding up anyone else's loan.

"I wouldn't worry about it," he told me, adding, "It's not gonna bother anyone else."

Basically, it doesn't matter if I took any action to return the book. The library has already reclaimed the DRM for that book and is ready to loan it out to someone else.

I would know this if I turned on my Kindle's WiFi and tried to continue reading my overdue book: it would suddenly become unavailable, as Libby and the library would've done their job and reclaimed the title. Interestingly, Amazon is not involved with managing loan expirations.

The controversy arose when people noticed that they could no longer access downloaded titles in Airplane mode. Some assumed this meant that their expired loans were being triggered even when their Kindles were offline. Others blamed a Kindle software update.

I noticed in the Reddit comments that people said they had downloaded the borrowed titles but had not opened them, which is when I remembered having gone through something similar during a recent vacation.

Before embarking on my vacation in Aruba, I downloaded a few books. Later, while lying on the beach (and at a place where my Kindle remained in Airplane Mode as it did not have access to the hotel WiFi), I tried to open one of the titles. It wouldn't open unless I connected to the Internet.

That was new. Previously, I could open any book I downloaded whether or not I was on WiFi.

Another workaround?

(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

Amazon has not spoken publicly about any of this, but apparently has not made any recent changes to how Kindle handles borrowing library books.

If that's the case, it's possible the change is coming through Libby's system or that there's some change in how the Amazon bookstore is handling DRM for borrowed ebooks.

Regardless of the source, none of this means that Amazon or Libby will reach into your Kindle to retrieve overdue books. What may be happening is that the system now wants a DRM handshake when you first open the digital book. That's the moment when WiFi is necessary. Right after that, you can go back to Airplane Mode and keep reading the book.

More interesting is that I don't even know if the source of all this Kindle angst remains an ongoing issue. Today, as a test, I borrowed another Libby book, downloaded it to my Kindle, and then turned on Airplane Mode. The book still opened. I cannot say what will happen after the loan expires or whether there is some internal ticking clock that would not have let me start reading the book while in Airplane Mode.

Ultimately, this may be more of an annoyance than an all-out travesty. I understand that some people think the enforced scarcity of digital loans is ridiculous. You can make endless copies of digital books, after all. But then how do authors get paid for all the purchases and loans? While some books are donated, libraries are paying for digital book copies. Those revenues do go back to the publishers and ultimately the authors. If libraries buy only one digital ebook and then make unlimited copies, authors could lose most of their revenue.

I like reading good books, and I'd like to see authors financially empowered to write more of them. This change, if it even exists, seems like a reasonable middle ground between giving writers what they need and not causing Kindle readers like me undue frustration.

If you're still worried about this, here is my two-part tip: First, make sure the book is fully downloaded on your device (look for the black checkmark on the book cover). This should ensure you can read offline, but as an extra precaution, as soon as you download the books you want to read later, open them on the Kindle to the first page. After that, no matter what happens on the book-loan side, you should still be able to turn off WiFi and read at your leisure.

Update 8-21-2026: After we published, Amazon shared this statement:
"Kindle customers have always been able to open a fully downloaded library borrow or purchase when their Kindle device is in airplane mode, and there have been no changes to Kindle or Kindle DRM that change that."

• Sudan's army has destroyed at least six Chinese-made CH-95 drones since June 2026
• The Akıncı costs roughly $25 million, twelve times more than the CH-95
• Armed drones are now the leading cause of civilian deaths in Sudan

Sudan's civil war has continued since April 2023, when the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) first clashed across the country's cities and provinces.

Above the battlefields, a quieter contest has unfolded between two very different classes of unmanned aircraft flying for opposing sides.

A Turkish-built Bayraktar Akıncı has repeatedly intercepted Chinese-made CH-95 drones flown by the RSF this summer.

Turkish Akıncı takes on Chinese CH-95

The CH-95 is a medium-altitude, long-endurance aircraft built for reconnaissance, electronic warfare, and strike missions.

It weighs around 650 to 1,000 kilograms, carries a payload of up to 170 kilograms, and its endurance can exceed 12 hours depending on configuration, with a reported flight ceiling above 7,000 meters.

The Akıncı belongs to a substantially heavier class, with a maximum takeoff weight around 6,000 kilograms, payload capacity of up to 1,350 kilograms, and endurance exceeding 24 hours.

Its reported service ceiling is about 13,700 meters, while its wingspan is roughly 20 meters (66 feet).

According to footage shared by Clash Report on X, a Bayraktar Akıncı is shown engaging a Chinese-made CH-95 in midair.

The footage appears to capture the interception from the Akıncı’s perspective, with the opposing drone visible before the engagement ends.

The incident followed several other reported CH-95 and FH-95 losses since June 23, creating a growing pattern involving these aircraft families.

At least six Chinese-made drones have reportedly been destroyed since then, with several losses attributed to Akıncı interceptions.

A costly contest above Sudan

This drone contest above Sudan is proving to be very expensive both in human losses and financially.

Reported estimates show the Akıncı costs about $25 million per aircraft, while an Air University study puts the CH-95 near $2 million from Serbia's SIPRI-recorded purchase.

This is a lot of money to spend on drone warfare for a region that has practically been at war since 2003, when the first Darfur conflict erupted.

United Nations officials have separately warned that drone warfare is causing severe civilian harm across Sudan, especially in Kordofan and other contested regions.

“Armed drones have now become by far and away the leading cause of civilian deaths,” said Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

The United Nations said drone strikes accounted for at least 880 civilian deaths between January and April 2026, representing more than 80% of conflict-related civilian deaths.

Those figures put the reported Akıncı and CH-95 encounters within a much broader drone war whose consequences extend well beyond military aircraft.

The Akıncı carries radar and air combat weapons, allowing it to engage aircraft without relying solely on ground-based air defenses.

That capability matters because the CH-95 is intended to remain airborne for long periods while gathering information across wide areas.

Sudanese forces have therefore used the Akıncı for a role differing from conventional armed drone missions against ground positions.

Earlier reports from July described an Akıncı firing an air combat missile at a CH-95 northwest of El Obeid in North Kordofan.

Another operation reportedly destroyed a second Chinese-made aircraft on the ground, although involved forces did not independently confirm those claims.

Human rights investigators have documented Chinese equipment among RSF weapons, while allegations of Emirati involvement in supply routes remain disputed.

The United Arab Emirates has repeatedly denied supplying military support to either side, making claims about specific aircraft difficult to independently verify.

A proposed class-action lawsuit accuses the popular smart ring company of false advertisement.

Some have shared creative workarounds for connecting to RCS messaging on newer Samsung phone models.

• US Air Force buys banned DJI drones to train against likely hostile aircraft
• F.E. Warren base will use DJI aircraft for counter-drone security drills
• RIZER software will isolate the DJI drones before they enter training

The US Air Force plans to buy DJI drones for counter-drone training at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming.

The purchase involves Chinese-made drones that security forces will use to rehearse responses against drones encountered during actual threats.

F.E. Warren operates Minuteman III missiles, making protection against airborne incursions an important part of its security mission.

Air Force seeks restricted DJI drones for realistic training

The 90th Contracting Squadron issued a solicitation for banned DJI drones on August 14 2026, with vendor quotes due August 24 for the planned purchase.

The order seeks two refurbished DJI Mavic 2 Pro quadcopters with Fly More kits for training at the missile base.

It also requests two DJI Mini 3 Pro drones, two DJI Avata 2 Fly More combos and six payload release devices.

The Air Force says these systems will support counter-small unmanned aircraft training involving detection, electronic warfare and methods for defeating drones.

Officials specifically require DJI drones because its radio signals and flight systems differ from those found on competing devices.

“To properly test our counter-systems and train our operators against the most statistically probable real-world threat, the 90 MSOS must utilize the exact devices adversaries are most likely to employ,” the justification states.

Using different systems could leave operators without practical experience against DJI communication methods and radio frequency signatures.

How the banned drones will be used

The procurement is designated as a brand-name requirement, meaning the Air Force specifically seeks DJI hardware rather than comparable models.

However, the document says several authorized DJI resellers can satisfy the requirement, allowing the purchase under a small-business set-aside.

The procurement therefore does not necessarily mean the government will award the contract directly to DJI itself.

The purchase also addresses cybersecurity concerns because DJI aircraft have faced restrictions within parts of the U.S. government.

The justification cites a Secretary of War memorandum called “Unleashing U.S. Military Drone Dominance” as authority for limited purchases.

That authority permits colonels and equivalent officers to obtain small quantities of foreign drone equipment for electronic warfare testing.

The cited legal basis is 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1), which permits single-source solicitation under specified circumstances.

Before operational use, each aircraft will receive RIZER software intended to prevent communications with foreign entities or Department of War networks.

The document describes RIZER as replacing the aircraft's native firmware and creating an air-gapped system for training operations.

F.E. Warren is not alone, since Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana is reportedly pursuing similar DJI aircraft for counter-drone training.

Using the same drone type at both missile bases would allow Global Strike Command to replicate similar threat conditions.

Whether that approach provides sufficient value depends on how closely the modified aircraft retain DJI's original signals and operating characteristics.

Via Defence Blog

AI is capable of impressive things – or, at least, it's capable of accomplishing many tasks that were previously unthinkable before ChatGPT burst onto the scene in 2022. That said, many question whether large language models (LLMs) represent a coherent path toward a meaningful improvement in the technology so that it rivals human intelligence.

Lacking in energy

The OpenAI CEO Sam Altman was speaking on the topic of energy production at a Bloomberg event at the World Economic Forum's annual meeting in Davos.

Quote of the day

This article is part of TechRadar Pro's QOTD project to provide an insight into the minds of the brightest and most recognized figures in the technology industry today and in years gone by. Read the full series here.

His comments highlighted the near-unfathomable demand for energy that the ongoing AI buildout will demand. Data centers are expected to consume roughly 945 TWh of electricity globally by 2030 – primarily driven by AI demand – according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). This represents 3% of total consumption.

Many expect that figure to be much higher, but the world doesn't currently have the necessary infrastructure to generate that much electricity. That's why Altman is banking on breakthroughs like fusion energy emerging in the coming years.

The AI bottleneck

AI development has gone through many ups and downs over decades, including two AI winters in which research funding dried up and there were hold-ups because the computing power scientists needed didn't yet exist.

Due to the lack of energy availability, the lack of power is presently described as one of the biggest AI bottlenecks – preventing companies from scaling up and improving the quality and competency of the models.

The reality is that energy is just one component, as we see more and more data centers built or planned. Interconnects, optical components, and memory are all increasingly becoming relevant to what many perceive as delays to the ongoing buildout.

However, without energized land on which to build the infrastructure for future AI, the chances are slim that AI capabilities or even reliable usage can extend far beyond today's levels.

I got a glimpse at the latest HyperX gaming peripherals. Here’s what stood out, from new devices to tweaks to existing fan favorites.

• Drone-delivered gold bars and dollar bundles were dropped straight into a military field
• Soldiers counted NT$1,000 notes alongside US$100 bills and solid gold bars
• New Taiwan dollars in the mix hint at planning for civilian payments

The Chinese People's Liberation Army used a multi-rotor drone to deliver cases of gold bars and cash bundles across a field during a drill.

Chinese state media reported the exercise, describing it as a wartime financial support drill simulating a Taiwan operation.

Images from the drill showed soldiers in tactical camouflage gear counting bundles of NT$1,000 and US$100 notes alongside gold bars.

A drone delivery with a message

The PLA Eastern Theatre Command, based in Nanjing in Jiangsu province, oversees security and operations related to Taiwan and the East China Sea.

The Eastern Theatre Command has carried out a series of drills in recent years covering scenarios linked to Taiwan and the wider East China Sea.

In this recent operation, one case bore a PLA emblem marked Settlement Office No 4, the Nanjing Centralised Funds Receipt and Payment Management Centre.

Additional images from the drill showed troops loading the cases onto the drone before it lifted off toward soldiers stationed nearby in the field.

The report did not specify where or when the drill took place, and it remained unclear whether the cash and gold shown were genuine.

During wartime, forces sometimes need cash on hand to pay for supplies, services, intelligence or compensation when banking systems become inaccessible.

The inclusion of New Taiwan dollars alongside US dollars and gold suggested planning for potential transactions with local Taiwanese residents.

Analysts noted that US dollars and gold bars remain broadly accepted forms of payment across most of the world today.

Drill raises questions over wartime financial planning

After the initial report of the exercise, Defence Times subsequently deleted the report following considerable discussion on Chinese social media.

Beijing has not confirmed the authenticity of the report, and commentators questioned whether the cash and gold shown were genuine props used during the exercise or real currency.

The unusual drill points toward Chinese military planning that stretches beyond weapons and logistics into everyday financial questions for troops.

It suggests planners are considering how soldiers might need to pay residents directly if deployed near or on Taiwan itself.

Beijing regards self-governed Taiwan as part of Chinese territory and has not ruled out reunification by force if deemed necessary.

Most governments, including the United States, do not formally recognise Taiwan as independent, yet many oppose any forced change to the current arrangement.

Washington remains committed to supplying Taiwan with weapons intended for its own defence, a stance it has held under existing policy.

With this political backdrop, such an exercise is likely to draw scrutiny from analysts tracking cross-strait tensions.

Its timing and content may be read as a signal of how Beijing views preparedness for a Taiwan contingency.

Whether the drill reflects firm planning or a broader messaging effort remains open to interpretation.

Via SCMP

In this age of OLED everywhere, all the time, what hope for a mere LCD monitor launching into the market? Actually, the new Iiyama ProGraphic HB3201UHSNP, a 32-inch 4K model, actually looks like a very compelling package for creative professionals, on paper.

It's built around LG's very latest IPS Black 2.0 technology, which offers much better contrast than any previous IPS panel tech. Maybe that will close the gap to all those OLED monitors with their perfect per-pixel lighting control?

The panel also comes with both HDR 400 certification and 99% coverage of the DCI-P3 digital cinema colour space, not to mention Pantone Validation for design and print workflows.

Then there's this monitor's impressive connectivity. Along with the usual HDMI and DisplayPort inputs, you get USB-C with 96W of power delivery and a three-port USB-A hub. If that's not exactly exceptional, there are also DisplayPort and USB-C outputs for display daisy chaining, plus a full KVM switch to help streamline the sharing of this display across two computing devices.

As for obvious shortcomings, well, it's limited to 60Hz, and as that HDR 400 certification implies, there's no local dimming. But, again, maybe that high-contrast IPS Black 2.0 panel means this monitor can get by without local dimming? If it can, and given its fairly attractive price for such a well specified productivity monitor, this new Iiyama is a dead cert for a high ranking among the best business monitors we've tested this year.

Iiyama ProGraphic HB3201UHSNP: Design and featuresFutureFutureFuture

• Nicely engineered
• Good connectivity
• Daisy chaining capability has limitations

Specs

Panel size: 32-inch

Panel type: IPS Black 2.0

Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160

Brightness: 450 nits

Contrast: 3,000:1 (static)

Pixel response: 4ms

Refresh rate: 60Hz

Color coverage: 99% DCI-P3

HDR: DIsplayHDR 400

VESA: 100mm x 100mm

Connectivity: HDMI 2.0 in x1, DisplayPort 1.4 in x1, USB-C 96W PD in, DisplayPort out, USB-C out, USB-A hub x3

Iiyama's monitors are usually no nonsense to a fault when it comes to design. Aesthetic flair isn't exactly the brand's signature. The new Iiyama ProGraphic HB3201UHSNP doesn't obviously buck that trend with its sober, minimalist styling.

That said, with slim, symmetrical bezels on all four sides of that 4K IPS Black 2.0 panel and a slightly slicker looking stand than most existing Iiyama models, this new 32 incher looks more contemporary than we've come to expect from the Japanese brand.

Functionally, the chassis gets the job done, too, thanks to a sturdy, well built stand and outstanding connectivity. HDMI, DisplayPort and USB-C inputs are pretty much a given these days for a 32-inch 4K model at roughly this price point, which is currently £667 in the UK and likely around $800 when it becomes available in the US.

What you wouldn't automatically expect is a full KVM switch and support for display daisy chaining from the additional DisplayPort output. The catch with the daisy chaining feature, unfortunately, is that resolution and refresh support from the DisplayPort output tops out at either 2,560 by 1,440 at 60 Hz or 4K at 30Hz. The latter not really being a realistic option due to how sluggish and choppy it looks and feels.

It's a slightly odd limitation given you might expect a monitor with daisy chaining capability to support another display of the same specification. Still, there's a three-port USB-A hub, including two ports on the left bezel. So, connectivity is generally a very strong point.

Support for creative workflows is also pretty good thanks to Pantone Validation, which helps ensure color accuracy through the print pipeline, 6-axis color hue and saturation controls and numerous color space presets. For the record, it's all backed by a reassuring three-year warranty from one of the most respected brands in the display industry.

Iiyama ProGraphic HB3201UHSNP: PerformanceFutureFutureFuture

• Nicely calibrated
• Crisp, clean font rendering
• Limited HDR capability

In performance terms, easily the most intriguing aspect of the Iiyama ProGraphic HB3201UHSNP is its IPS Black 2.0 panel technology. To put it into context, until the first generation of IPS Black LCD panel arrived from LG in 2022, most IPS monitors topped out at 1,000:1 static contrast, with some capable of 1,300:1.

IPS Black generation one upped that to 2,000:1. Now this new IPS Black 2.0 panel lifts contrast even further, to fully 3,000:1. That's on a par with many VA panels, which used to trade on their clearly superior contrast.

So, how much difference does IPS Black 3.0 make? Subjectively, it's relatively subtle. The Iiyama ProGraphic HB3201UHSNP is still pretty obviously an IPS monitor and some of that characteristic IPS glow still leaks through in black tones.

On a related note, this HDR 400 display lacks local dimming. Long story short, you're never going to confuse this monitor with an OLED panel and its perfect per-pixel lighting control.

This Iiyama is not truly capable of HDR visuals. That said, as the 450 nit brightness specification implies, this is a very punchy panel and in that regard—full-screen brightness—it wallops any currently available desktop OLED monitor.

It's also very nicely calibrated and includes a comprehensive list of color space presets in its OSD menu. That includes both DCI-P3 and Display P3, the latter being the default color space used by Apple Mac computers.

What's more, if you hook up to a Mac over USB-C, MacOS's keyboard brightness controls are supported by the monitor, which is a welcome refinement.

Another positive feature is the matte anti-glare coating. Glossy display panels are currently in vogue, especially for gaming. However, the heightened reflectivity they involve can be problematic in many professional settings.

The matte anti-glare coating Iiyama has gone for does a good job of reducing reflectivity without introducing any coarseness or sparkle to the image quality.

Perceived contrast is also good for a matte panel. Sitting side-by-side with the latest RGB-stripe OLED panel technology in the same 32-inch 4K format, which is meant to "solve" the problem of font rendering for OLED panels, it's notable that this conventional LCD panel still has slightly crisper, cleaner text.

That said, if super sharp fonts are your thing, you might want to think about picking up a 6K 32-inch display, which can now be had under $1,000 / £1,000 on occasion.

Less impressive than the calibration, overall punch and visual clarity is the HB3201UHSNP's limitation to 60Hz refresh rate. The slightly sluggish response and juddery motion rendering is immediately obvious if you're used to 120Hz or above displays. Of course, high refresh is not a particular requirement for most pro creator workflows.

But it is an issue for daily sense of computing responsiveness and Iiyama should probably think about moving to 120Hz-plus across the range, or at least for non budget-orientated displays like this.

Iiyama ProGraphic HB3201UHSNP: Final verdictFutureFutureFuture

If you know a little about panel technology and came in hoping the Iiyama ProGraphic HB3201UHSNP's IPS Black 2.0 technology might be revolutionary, the reality is more prosaic than that. It's a small, incremental step in lighting control and contrast performance, rather than a major leap. Put simply, OLED panels still rule for HDR visuals, black levels and viewing angles.

However, not only is the Iiyama ProGraphic HB3201UHSNP still a step forward for conventional IPS tech, it's also a strong overall package. It's nicely calibrated and well optimised for professional and creator workflows.

It delivers a strong connectivity feature set, too, including USB-C, a USB-A hub, KVM switch and even display daisy chaining, albeit the latter capability has limitations. This new model is also that little bit sharper and more contemporary looking in design terms than we've come to expect from Iiyama, which is a welcome refinement.

Really, the one obvious limitation is the 60Hz refresh rate. Strictly, 120Hz-plus refresh isn't a professional or creator workflow requirement. But it does make daily computing feel slicker and more pleasant. And it would elevate what is already a very good display into a great one.

FutureFutureFuture

For more creator displays, we've tested the best photo editing monitors and best monitors for video editing.

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One of the nicest things about checking out the best speakers at a big trade show, (in this case, Audio Advice Live in Raleigh, North Carolina) is that sometimes you have family nearby. So, when I was doing my second round of some of the vendors that really stood out to me, I was able to bring my cousin along — and if you’re within driving distance next year, $30 will get you in the door.

On that short list was one of the three Martin Logan rooms equipped with a pair of the Martin Logan ElectroMotion ESL X. These speakers, the flagship model of the company’s entry-level electrostatic line called the ElectroMotion Series, greeted us from the far corners of the room backed just by a big, wide window and some drapes. Not much for sound dampening. Following my cousin’s request, Bon Iver’s Holocene would be the focus of this listening session.

The experience

I’m not quite sure what I was expecting, but what I heard surprised me. The level of detail was unparalleled. If you want to sit there and listen to the pristine decay of a cymbal hit, you do it on these speakers. When listening to Holocene, Bon Iver’s voice has this delicate nature that’s not all that noticeable on lesser speakers. And the guitar sparkles similarly.

Since electrostatic speakers reproduce audio in a different way, the low end had this tight but balanced presentation that made the whole song come across as clearer with better resolution than I had ever heard before.

Plus, it felt more open — I could hear the extra dynamic impact of the snare roll on the right side of the song (a more traditional kit plays on the left), pulling forward and back as it varied in volume. Put on a pair of (non-electrostatic) headphones and you’ll probably hear what I typically hear — a fairly even drum roll throughout the song.

I had already gotten a chance earlier to listen to some jazz, of course a song with female vocals, and an EDM track or two. And this second go-around just confirmed how I felt the first time around. Essentially, detail for days, an openness, and a balanced presentation with tight low-end.

Of course, I was less gobsmacked than my cousin who heard things he had never heard before, such as a particular bassline that comes in as the song builds. And this was the song he picked and that he knew well.

The Martin Logan ElectroMotion ESL X comes through detailed and clear despite the less-than-stellar room settings. (Image credit: Future / James Holland)The design

Since the Martin Logan ElectroMotion ESL X speakers use a 40-inch tall, 8.6-inch wide electrostatic transducer, they do something interesting. Each enclosure disperses audio in a unique pattern, going out at panel height with a 30-degree curvature so that most of what you’re hearing is directly from the speaker. The audio is not reflecting off the ceiling or floor, limiting the amount of reflections coming to your ear.

The electrostatic transducer also has very little movement, as it’s basically a metal membrane with electricity moving through it, so there’s very little speaker cone distortion. It also has the same level of detail regardless of volume. We’ve all heard speakers where the high-end starts to roll off as you turn the volume low. Well, that’s not the case here.

But, it’s only semi-correct to call the Martin Logan ElectroMotion ESL X an electrostatic speaker. It’s actually a hybrid, with the electrostatic transducer covering a range of 400 to 22,000Hz. At 400 Hz, it crosses over to dual eight-inch passive drivers housed below the transducer in the speaker cabinet. There’s one in front and one in back. And the cabinet is ported. These drivers go from 400Hz down to 41Hz, a telling cutoff for why the bass sounds so controlled.

At the end of the day

When I went to Audio Advice Alive, I heard speaker after speaker that just blew me away. It wasn’t all of them, but it was quite a few. But as great as many of them were, most of them are ones that I would never consider buying. For the best of them, it’s mostly a matter of cost (and a little bit space too). I don’t expect to have $65,000 sitting around any time soon for a pair of Bowers & Wilkins 801 D5s, and that’s without including the rest of the signal chain.

The Martin Logan ElectroMotion ESL X is on a very short list of speakers that not only sounded special but I could potentially justify buying. Spending $4,499.98 / £5,500.00 / AU$8,499.00 on a pair of speakers before including an amp, streamer, and cables is still no small chunk of change. But it is within reach.

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The HP OmniBook X Flip 16 gives you considerably more flexibility than a conventional laptop. Its 16-inch touchscreen can be folded all the way back for tablet use or positioned at different angles for presentations, streaming and creative work. In its 60th Anniversary Sale, the HP OmniBook X Flip 16 is now $750 (was $1200) at Best Buy.

That's a massive $450 saving, equivalent to 37.5% off the regular price. You get plenty of performance for the money too. The Core Ultra 7 256V is paired with 16GB of fast LPDDR5X memory, a spacious 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD and Intel Arc 140V graphics.

Omnibook X Flip 2-In-1 Touchscreen Laptop: was $1199.99 now $749.99
Connectivity includes Thunderbolt 4, a second USB-C port, two USB-A connections and HDMI 2.1. You also get Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth, a 5MP IR webcam and a backlit keyboard.View Deal

Why we recommend it

The Core Ultra 7 256V is a modern Series 2 processor with a 47 TOPS NPU. Intel's Arc 140V integrated graphics add considerably more graphical capability than you'd get from a basic productivity laptop.

It also features a large 2K touchscreen that makes the OmniBook useful for everything from everyday office work and streaming to photo editing and lighter creative workloads.

Thunderbolt 4 provides a 40Gbps connection for high-speed storage, docks and external displays, and HDMI 2.1 and the additional USB-C port make it easier to build a desktop setup around the laptop.

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

Price context & historical value

At $749.99, you're saving exactly $450 against Best Buy's regular $1,199.99 price. That's a hefty 37.5% reduction as part of the retailer's 60th Anniversary sale. This is the cheapest price we've found for a new HP OmniBook X Flip 16 with this specification, so definitely recommended if you've had your eye on it for a while.

The specification is particularly attractive as you're getting a recent Core Ultra 7 processor, 16GB of memory, 1TB of storage, Arc graphics and a large convertible touchscreen for below $750.

Should you buy it?

✅ Buy the HP OmniBook X Flip 16 if...

You want a big-screen laptop that can handle work during the day and transform into a more convenient machine for entertainment afterwards. The combination of a 16-inch touchscreen and 360-degree hinge gives you considerably more flexibility than a standard clamshell laptop.

The Core Ultra 7 256V and Arc 140V graphics provide plenty of everyday performance, and the 1TB SSD will be enough storage for most people's key needs.

❌ Skip the HP OmniBook X Flip 16 if...

Portability is your priority. At more than four pounds, this isn't the 2-in-1 I'd choose if I wanted something to carry around all day or regularly use as a handheld tablet.

The 16GB of LPDDR5X memory is another consideration for particularly demanding workloads. It's sufficient for most tasks, but buyers tackling heavy video editing or other memory-intensive work may prefer 32GB.

The Catch: What to know before you buy

The OmniBook X Flip 16 is a large convertible, and at 4.15 pounds, it's considerably less convenient to hold in tablet mode than a smaller 13- or 14-inch 2-in-1. The flip design is better suited to occasional tablet use, presentations and watching video than carrying around for extended periods.

As mentioned before, the other limitation is the 16GB of LPDDR5X memory. That's plenty for everyday productivity, multitasking and many creative jobs, but it isn't upgradable, which is worth bearing in mind.

• Shop the full 60th anniversary sale at Best Buy

• Unisoc system-on-chip (SoC) devices – usually budget smartphones – are vulnerable to a video call-based exploit
• Any smartphone can be used to place the call, with malicious code sent in call setup messages
• Despite attempts, Unisoc did not respond to the disclosure

Security researchers have demonstrated a weakness in several Unisoc SoC-based devices that makes them vulnerable to an exploit sent during a video call. The exploit can deliver root access of the target device to the attacker, placing them in full control of the handset.

The vulnerability is in the firmware running on several Unisoc SoCs, each of which are used in budget smartphones, including models from Xiaomi, Motorola, and Realme.

A successful attack can be used to alter an Android device’s operating system, but the proof-of-concept was tested on a controlled network rather than a carrier network. Additionally, the devices involved were rooted. Consequently, the attack may not have real-world implications.

Which phones are affected?

While you may not know the name Unisoc, it is a big player in the chip business, sitting fourth behind MediaTek, Qualcomm, and Apple. Its chips appear in IoT and smart home devices, as well as mobile technology, typically for well-known companies including Samsung and Motorola.

The researcher who uncovered the vulnerability is known only by the alias 0x50594d.

They tested the exploit on three models:

• Realme C33

• Xiaomi Redmi A5 (with security patch level 2026-01-01)

• Motorola E13 (running security patch level 2025-02-01)

In addition, the phones were installed with the July 2025 Android security update.

The advisory indicates that the flaw is in the modem firmware of four Unisoc SoCs. These are the T612, T616, T606, and T7250, which means any phone using those SoCs is potentially at risk.

However, it is important to note that the vulnerability was exploited in specific conditions.

Improper Isolation

The phones used in testing the exploit were all rooted, a process that makes devices prone to malware. In the majority of cases, these phones would not normally be rooted. In addition, the exploit was tested across a closed VoLTE network, rather than across a carrier network.

Finally, as noted, the phones were running older security patches. So, the conditions for the exploit are very specific, but nevertheless concerning.

0x50594d’s research was published on the SSD Secure Disclosure website, which summarized it as an “exploitable Improper Isolation of Shared Resources on System-on-a-Chip. A critical vulnerability has been identified in the Unisoc modem firmware that allows arbitrary code execution with kernel privileges from the modem context.”

“An attacker who gains the ability to execute code on the modem can read from and write to the entire memory space by disabling protections on the first Memory Protection Unit (MPU) region (region ID 0).”

It is should be noted that Unisoc has so far failed to respond to the security disclosure.

Via Cybernews