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If you're looking for a portable power station that can keep essential equipment running through an outage or provide electricity on a road trip, I've found a huge $470 discount on the Bluetti Elite 100 V2 with a 100W solar panel for $629 (was $1099) at Amazon.

The Elite 100 V2 packs a 1024Wh LiFePO4 battery into a relatively compact 25-pound unit and delivers 1800W of continuous AC output. It can power up to 11 devices simultaneously, and Bluetti rates the battery for more than 4,000 cycles. It can reach 80% charge in around 45 minutes and fully recharge from AC power in about 70 minutes.

This bundle also includes a 100W solar panel, giving you a way to boost the battery when you're camping or away from the grid. A full solar charge lasts around seven hours, under suitable conditions obviously..

Solar Generator Elite 100 V2 With 100w Solar Panel, 1024wh 1800w: was $1099 now $629
This 1024Wh LiFePO4 power station delivers 1800W AC output, powers up to 11 devices, supports fast AC charging and 10ms UPS backup, and includes a 100W solar panel.View Deal

Why we recommend it

In his four-star review of the Elite 100 V2, our expert Jack called it a "small, light-weight, portable yet powerful power station" and liked that it is quiet when fans are running, has a very good app and high wattage output.

The Elite 100 V2 strikes a useful balance between capacity, output, and portability. At 25 pounds and around 12.6 x 8.5 x 9.8 inches, it's reasonably manageable for a 1kWh-class power station, with a hidden handle making it easier to carry.

The UPS function can switch over in 10ms or less during a power failure, helping keep equipment such as a PC or Wi-Fi router running. Bluetti also rates operating noise as low as 30dB, which should make it less intrusive indoors.

An AC connection can take the battery to 80% in around 45 minutes and fully recharge it in roughly 70 minutes, so you don't have to leave it plugged in for most of the day before it's ready to go.

For more options, take a look at our roundup of the best portable power stations.

Price context & historical value

The Bluetti Elite 100 V2 and 100W solar panel bundle is currently reduced from $1,099 to $629, a $470 cut of around 43%.

This isn't the lowest price we've seen it however. The bundle was reduced to $550 in November 2025, for Black Friday, making the current deal $79 more expensive than that previous low.

It's still a large reduction from the listed price though, and we'd definitely recommend considering buying it now.

Should you buy it?

✅ Buy the Bluetti Elite 100 V2 if...

You want a portable power station that can cover camping trips, road trips, and emergency backup duties at home. This model's 1024Wh capacity is more than enough for charging your various devices. The 1800W continuous output also allows it to run a wide range of household equipment.

The included solar panel will make the bundle especially appealing for camping and off-grid use. You can boost the battery without access to mains power, and the panel is included rather than being an additional purchase.

❌ Skip the Bluetti Elite 100 V2 if...

You only need something to keep phones, tablets, and other small electronics charged. A 1024Wh power station has more capacity than those jobs require, and a smaller model will be cheaper and considerably lighter.

The included 100W solar panel also isn't particularly powerful compared with the capacity of the battery. Bluetti quotes around seven hours for a full solar recharge under suitable conditions, so anyone relying heavily on solar power may want a higher-output compatible panel.

The Catch: What to know before you buy

The 100W solar panel ships separately from the power station, so don't be concerned if the entire bundle doesn't arrive in a single delivery.

It's also worth distinguishing between the various power figures in the listing. The Elite 100 V2 provides 1800W of normal AC output, while Bluetti also lists higher figures for Power Lifting and surge capability. Those shouldn't be treated as the amount of continuous power available for everyday use.

• Shop generators and portable power devices at Amazon

• France’s highest court has struck down a bill banning social media for teens
• Judges ruled the ban disproportionately infringed on freedom of expression
• This decision also pauses evaluation of VPN usage in France

France's highest constitutional authority, the Constitutional Council, has blocked a controversial bill that would have banned social media access for children under the age of 15. Initially slated to take effect this September, the legislation was struck down on August 14 after judges ruled it severely infringed on fundamental rights.

Alongside free-speech concerns, the court raised major red flags regarding the privacy of all French internet users. The sweeping age verification measures required to enforce the ban would have forced adults to hand over sensitive personal data just to access everyday online platforms.

The overturning of the bill is also a massive sigh of relief for anyone using the best VPN to protect their online privacy.

French officials had previously stated that cracking down on virtual private networks would be the next logical step to prevent tech-savvy teenagers from bypassing the social media block. With the primary law now dead in the water, VPN usage in France remains safe from this looming regulatory threat.

For everyday users, this means you can continue browsing, streaming, and securing your data without the immediate fear of a nationwide crackdown on encryption tools or mandatory ID checks across major networks.

A victory for privacy, but the fight isn't over

In its ruling, the Constitutional Council did not pull its punches. The judges found the government's approach to be far too broad, noting that the legislation failed to distinguish between different types of platforms or the actual risks they posed to children.

According to a BBC report, the Council ruled that the ban "constitutes an infringement that is neither appropriate, necessary, nor proportionate" to the freedom of expression and communication of young people.

The court further warned that enforcing such a ban would inevitably demand widespread identity checks, raising major concerns about the legal safeguards needed to protect citizens' right to privacy.

Because of these sweeping data collection requirements, the Le Monde report noted the Council determined the provisions were "a disproportionate restriction" on freedom of expression.

What this means for your VPN

(Image credit: Getty Images)

As we previously reported, the French government was openly preparing to heavily scrutinize consumer VPN providers. Because a virtual private network (VPN) encrypts your internet traffic and spoofs your IP address, it is the perfect tool for bypassing local network restrictions, something French lawmakers feared teenagers would inevitably use to circumvent the nationwide social media ban.

Had the bill passed, the government was poised to evaluate and potentially restrict VPN usage, which could have led to aggressive app store removals or outright blocking of encrypted traffic.

Now, this constitutional roadblock means privacy advocates and cybersecurity enthusiasts can breathe easy. Without the foundational social media ban, the political momentum to regulate consumer security tools has stalled.

However, President Emmanuel Macron is not giving up on his flagship digital policy. In response to the court's decision, Macron told the Associated Press he has tasked Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu "with working as quickly as possible on a legally robust proposal that takes into account the decision of the Constitutional Council as well as the European legal framework."

We will continue to monitor the situation, but for now, your digital privacy tools remain entirely unhindered in France.

• France’s highest court has struck down a bill banning social media for teens
• Judges ruled the ban disproportionately infringed on freedom of expression
• This decision also pauses evaluation of VPN usage in France

France's highest constitutional authority, the Constitutional Council, has blocked a controversial bill that would have banned social media access for children under the age of 15. Initially slated to take effect this September, the legislation was struck down on August 14 after judges ruled it severely infringed on fundamental rights.

Alongside free-speech concerns, the court raised major red flags regarding the privacy of all French internet users. The sweeping age verification measures required to enforce the ban would have forced adults to hand over sensitive personal data just to access everyday online platforms.

The overturning of the bill is also a massive sigh of relief for anyone using the best VPN to protect their online privacy.

French officials had previously stated that cracking down on virtual private networks would be the next logical step to prevent tech-savvy teenagers from bypassing the social media block. With the primary law now dead in the water, VPN usage in France remains safe from this looming regulatory threat.

For everyday users, this means you can continue browsing, streaming, and securing your data without the immediate fear of a nationwide crackdown on encryption tools or mandatory ID checks across major networks.

A victory for privacy, but the fight isn't over

In its ruling, the Constitutional Council did not pull its punches. The judges found the government's approach to be far too broad, noting that the legislation failed to distinguish between different types of platforms or the actual risks they posed to children.

According to a BBC report, the Council ruled that the ban "constitutes an infringement that is neither appropriate, necessary, nor proportionate" to the freedom of expression and communication of young people.

The court further warned that enforcing such a ban would inevitably demand widespread identity checks, raising major concerns about the legal safeguards needed to protect citizens' right to privacy.

Because of these sweeping data collection requirements, the Le Monde report noted the Council determined the provisions were "a disproportionate restriction" on freedom of expression.

What this means for your VPN

(Image credit: Getty Images)

As we previously reported, the French government was openly preparing to heavily scrutinize consumer VPN providers. Because a virtual private network (VPN) encrypts your internet traffic and spoofs your IP address, it is the perfect tool for bypassing local network restrictions, something French lawmakers feared teenagers would inevitably use to circumvent the nationwide social media ban.

Had the bill passed, the government was poised to evaluate and potentially restrict VPN usage, which could have led to aggressive app store removals or outright blocking of encrypted traffic.

Now, this constitutional roadblock means privacy advocates and cybersecurity enthusiasts can breathe easy. Without the foundational social media ban, the political momentum to regulate consumer security tools has stalled.

However, President Emmanuel Macron is not giving up on his flagship digital policy. In response to the court's decision, Macron told the Associated Press he has tasked Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu "with working as quickly as possible on a legally robust proposal that takes into account the decision of the Constitutional Council as well as the European legal framework."

We will continue to monitor the situation, but for now, your digital privacy tools remain entirely unhindered in France.

Apple's 16-inch MacBook Pro is built for creative professionals who need considerably more power than an everyday laptop can hope to provide. And the 2026 MacBook Pro with an M5 Pro chip is currently discounted to $2760 (was $29990 at Amazon.

At a time when Apple has just increased prices across the board, that $239 is one worth jumping on. The M5 Pro chip has an 18-core CPU and 20-core GPU, backed by 24GB of unified memory and a 1TB SSD that is up to twice as fast as the previous generation. The laptop also supports Wi-Fi 7. In the UK, the M5 Pro MacBook Pro is down to £2746 (was £2999) at Amazon.

The 16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display remains one of the biggest reasons for creatives to choose the larger MacBook Pro. It can reach 1,600 nits of peak brightness and 1,000 nits of sustained brightness, with a claimed 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio.

Macbook Pro Laptop (2026) With Apple M5 Pro Chip: was $2999 now $2759.99
This 16.2-inch MacBook Pro combines an 18-core M5 Pro CPU, 20-core GPU, 24GB unified memory, 1TB SSD, Wi-Fi 7, Liquid Retina XDR display, and all-day battery life. Available at this price in both black or silver.

In the UK: now £2746 (was £2999)View Deal

Why we recommend it

The M5 Pro is the heart of the laptop and its 18-core CPU and 20-core GPU can handle even the most demanding workloads and hardware acceleration for AI which developers and creators running compatible models and tools locally will appreciate.

The 24GB of unified memory and 1TB SSD make it even more useful and the 16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display is beautiful with 1,600 nits peak brightness. Combined with the performance available whether you're plugged in or running from the battery, this is essentially a high-end desktop-class workstation you can carry with you.

Price context & historical value

Amazon has dropped this 16-inch M5 Pro MacBook Pro from $2,999 to $2,759.99, taking $239 (and a cent) off the regular price, or around 8%.

That's not an enormous percentage discount, but $239 is a solid reduction on a brand new high-end Apple laptop. It isn't the cheapest it's ever been however. That was $2,430 back in June, which was before Apple increased prices across its entire tech range.

Should you buy it?

✅ Buy the 16-inch MacBook Pro if...

You need a laptop for creative workloads that can actually take advantage of the M5 Pro's considerable processing power. The combination of an 18-core CPU, 20-core GPU, and 24GB of unified memory gives you a machine that can handle pretty much everything you might want to throw at it.

The large 16.2-inch XDR display gives you considerably more working space than Apple's smaller laptops, and its high brightness and contrast make it particularly attractive for photo and video work.

❌ Skip the 16-inch MacBook Pro if...

If your workload doesn't require anywhere near as much creative power then a MacBook Air or less powerful MacBook Pro with the general M5 chip would make considerably more financial sense.

Portability is another consideration. The 16-inch MacBook Pro gives you a large workspace, but if you're constantly carrying your laptop between meetings, classes, or while traveling, one of Apple's smaller models will be far easier to live with.

The Catch: What to know before you buy

Even with the discount, you're spending more than $2,700 on a laptop, so it only really makes sense if you'll benefit from the M5 Pro's performance, large XDR display, or professional capabilities. This is a powerhouse that people with advanced creative needs will benefit from, other professionals less so.

Apple's 16-inch MacBook Pro is built for creative professionals who need considerably more power than an everyday laptop can hope to provide. And the 2026 MacBook Pro with an M5 Pro chip is currently discounted to $2760 (was $29990 at Amazon.

At a time when Apple has just increased prices across the board, that $239 is one worth jumping on. The M5 Pro chip has an 18-core CPU and 20-core GPU, backed by 24GB of unified memory and a 1TB SSD that is up to twice as fast as the previous generation. The laptop also supports Wi-Fi 7. In the UK, the M5 Pro MacBook Pro is down to £2746 (was £2999) at Amazon.

The 16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display remains one of the biggest reasons for creatives to choose the larger MacBook Pro. It can reach 1,600 nits of peak brightness and 1,000 nits of sustained brightness, with a claimed 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio.

Macbook Pro Laptop (2026) With Apple M5 Pro Chip: was $2999 now $2759.99
This 16.2-inch MacBook Pro combines an 18-core M5 Pro CPU, 20-core GPU, 24GB unified memory, 1TB SSD, Wi-Fi 7, Liquid Retina XDR display, and all-day battery life. Available at this price in both black or silver.

In the UK: now £2746 (was £2999)View Deal

Why we recommend it

The M5 Pro is the heart of the laptop and its 18-core CPU and 20-core GPU can handle even the most demanding workloads and hardware acceleration for AI which developers and creators running compatible models and tools locally will appreciate.

The 24GB of unified memory and 1TB SSD make it even more useful and the 16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display is beautiful with 1,600 nits peak brightness. Combined with the performance available whether you're plugged in or running from the battery, this is essentially a high-end desktop-class workstation you can carry with you.

Price context & historical value

Amazon has dropped this 16-inch M5 Pro MacBook Pro from $2,999 to $2,759.99, taking $239 (and a cent) off the regular price, or around 8%.

That's not an enormous percentage discount, but $239 is a solid reduction on a brand new high-end Apple laptop. It isn't the cheapest it's ever been however. That was $2,430 back in June, which was before Apple increased prices across its entire tech range.

Should you buy it?

✅ Buy the 16-inch MacBook Pro if...

You need a laptop for creative workloads that can actually take advantage of the M5 Pro's considerable processing power. The combination of an 18-core CPU, 20-core GPU, and 24GB of unified memory gives you a machine that can handle pretty much everything you might want to throw at it.

The large 16.2-inch XDR display gives you considerably more working space than Apple's smaller laptops, and its high brightness and contrast make it particularly attractive for photo and video work.

❌ Skip the 16-inch MacBook Pro if...

If your workload doesn't require anywhere near as much creative power then a MacBook Air or less powerful MacBook Pro with the general M5 chip would make considerably more financial sense.

Portability is another consideration. The 16-inch MacBook Pro gives you a large workspace, but if you're constantly carrying your laptop between meetings, classes, or while traveling, one of Apple's smaller models will be far easier to live with.

The Catch: What to know before you buy

Even with the discount, you're spending more than $2,700 on a laptop, so it only really makes sense if you'll benefit from the M5 Pro's performance, large XDR display, or professional capabilities. This is a powerhouse that people with advanced creative needs will benefit from, other professionals less so.

• Head to Have I Been Flocked? to see if you've been looked up
• You can read the details and reasons for each search
• Your license plate registration is deleted after the search is run

There's been an increasing level of pushback against Flock and its network of 120,000 or so license plate readers across the US in recent months, and if you want to know if your vehicle has been the subject of a search on Flock's system, there's a website just for that.

Head over to Have I Been Flocked? (via Dexerto), enter your license plate registration, and you'll get a report back. The site has amassed details of more than 241 million Flock searches, covering over 4.6 million license plates.

What's more, you can also see the reason that a plate was searched for — an auto theft or a traffic stop, for example. The site has a word cloud showing reasons for searches across the entire database, with words like "drugs" and "burglary" featuring prominently.

There's lots more to explore across the website as well, including audit reports, reports of non-criminal activities, searches run in partnership with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and data on where the license plate readers are clustered.

Data collection and privacy

There are over 120,000 Flock cameras across the US (Image credit: Getty Images)

Have I Been Flocked? is the work of the independent editorial project Footnote4a, which reports on Flock's activities, the way that its technology is used, and the wider issues of mass surveillance and the privacy of citizens.

The extensive database has been compiled from audit logs released by local governments and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. It's not a complete history of Flock searches across every state, but it's still pretty comprehensive.

License plate registrations entered into the site aren't saved and are immediately deleted once the query is run. In addition, any sensitive personal information (like addresses) included in the audit logs is redacted.

"We believe mass surveillance has no place in a free society, and this data should not be collected to begin with," write the site's operators, adding that if it is collected, "warrants should be used" and "lookups should be rare" when accessing it.

• Head to Have I Been Flocked? to see if you've been looked up
• You can read the details and reasons for each search
• Your license plate registration is deleted after the search is run

There's been an increasing level of pushback against Flock and its network of 120,000 or so license plate readers across the US in recent months, and if you want to know if your vehicle has been the subject of a search on Flock's system, there's a website just for that.

Head over to Have I Been Flocked? (via Dexerto), enter your license plate registration, and you'll get a report back. The site has amassed details of more than 241 million Flock searches, covering over 4.6 million license plates.

What's more, you can also see the reason that a plate was searched for — an auto theft or a traffic stop, for example. The site has a word cloud showing reasons for searches across the entire database, with words like "drugs" and "burglary" featuring prominently.

There's lots more to explore across the website as well, including audit reports, reports of non-criminal activities, searches run in partnership with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and data on where the license plate readers are clustered.

Data collection and privacy

There are over 120,000 Flock cameras across the US (Image credit: Getty Images)

Have I Been Flocked? is the work of the independent editorial project Footnote4a, which reports on Flock's activities, the way that its technology is used, and the wider issues of mass surveillance and the privacy of citizens.

The extensive database has been compiled from audit logs released by local governments and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. It's not a complete history of Flock searches across every state, but it's still pretty comprehensive.

License plate registrations entered into the site aren't saved and are immediately deleted once the query is run. In addition, any sensitive personal information (like addresses) included in the audit logs is redacted.

"We believe mass surveillance has no place in a free society, and this data should not be collected to begin with," write the site's operators, adding that if it is collected, "warrants should be used" and "lookups should be rare" when accessing it.

Rising demand and environmental concerns are driving governments around the world to secure resilient and scalable energy supplies.

The transition to alternative, sustainable solutions is accelerating as the limitations of traditional energy sources become increasingly apparent.

At the same time, net-zero commitments, regulatory pressures, and growing public demand for climate-conscious policies are driving an unprecedented surge in offshore wind development.

This boom in demand is in turn driving a significant shift in what the offshore workforce looks like.

As companies strive to attract the next generation of talent, offshore roles are increasingly moving onshore, creating new opportunities and transforming industry expectations.

More flexible careers

Traditionally, marine engineering careers often meant tough, hands-on work out at sea, away from home and frequently in challenging weather conditions. Today, advances in technology and connectivity are transforming those roles.

Many professionals now divide their time between offshore assignments, remote operations centers (ROCs) and office-based work, creating more flexibility and opening up new career opportunities.

ROCs are locations from which uncrewed surface vessels (USVs), ocean-going ships which can operate without a human onboard, are controlled through a satellite connection.

They are increasingly deployed for complex offshore work including inspection and maintenance, remote mapping of the seafloor, or environmental monitoring of water quality, marine habitats or other ecological data.

USVs can be used for detailed subsea inspections, ensuring the integrity and safety of underwater infrastructure, or precisely map the seafloor of a proposed location for an offshore wind farm to determine suitability.

The flexibility provided by remote operations unlocks a wider talent pool, creating career opportunities for individuals who may have personal or medical constraints that prevent them from working offshore.

At the same time, automation is improving workforce safety by reducing exposure to offshore hazards and lowering accident risk, while allowing more work to be carried out from shore-based environments.

Rich datasets

More broadly, the infusion of new technologies into the sector means the boundaries between IT and engineering are blurring as client demand for near real-time data on ocean conditions, seabed characteristics and weather patterns continues to grow.

That data can range from bathymetry and water-column data to acoustic backscatter, to understand the characteristics of the seabed’s topography and geology across a given site.

These datasets are essential to optimizing the installation and operation of offshore assets, including offshore wind farm infrastructure. Providers are under pressure to speed up the acquisition, analysis and delivery of these datasets, which can often be huge in scale, making it essential to balance the task of data management and sharing with seeking efficiencies in data analysis wherever possible.

Cloud data talent

To that end, talent is needed to help build cloud data pipelines, data lakes and the associated workflows back at base, drawing on skills in everything from data science and software engineering to project management and user experience design.

The USVs themselves accelerate the delivery of Geo-data, enabling faster access to results and recommendations so client project teams can make informed decisions sooner, compressing project timelines, reducing overall campaign costs, and cutting the time to financial return.

For the data scientists themselves, the remote nature of their role means they may be working on projects taking place anywhere in the world during their working week. From analysing near real-time data from an offshore project in the Middle East in the morning to building visualizations and client reports for projects in the North Sea later in the day.

Because ROCs are networked across multiple time zones, work can be handed over seamlessly between teams around the clock, helping to deliver insights and outcomes more quickly.

Remote responsibilities

One useful way of seeing remote operations is as a spectrum. Over time, operators may eventually oversee multiple vessels and project outcomes simultaneously, gradually shifting from direct control towards more of a monitoring and intervention role.

Importantly, remote operations do not mean the removal of responsibility. International maritime guidance already requires that every remotely operated vessel have a designated operator responsible for it, and that the operator can intervene when required.

The success of the offshore wind and broader marine engineering industry depends on rethinking traditional workforce models – bringing on board new talent skilled in data science, software engineering, and AI - as well as ensuring long-term sustainability in recruitment and talent retention.

Strategically embracing these changes will allow the marine and Geo-data industry to position itself for long-term success.

We've reviewed, rated, and ranked the best data recovery software.

This article was produced as part of TechRadar Pro Perspectives, our channel to feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today.

The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/pro/perspectives-how-to-submit

Rising demand and environmental concerns are driving governments around the world to secure resilient and scalable energy supplies.

The transition to alternative, sustainable solutions is accelerating as the limitations of traditional energy sources become increasingly apparent.

At the same time, net-zero commitments, regulatory pressures, and growing public demand for climate-conscious policies are driving an unprecedented surge in offshore wind development.

This boom in demand is in turn driving a significant shift in what the offshore workforce looks like.

As companies strive to attract the next generation of talent, offshore roles are increasingly moving onshore, creating new opportunities and transforming industry expectations.

More flexible careers

Traditionally, marine engineering careers often meant tough, hands-on work out at sea, away from home and frequently in challenging weather conditions. Today, advances in technology and connectivity are transforming those roles.

Many professionals now divide their time between offshore assignments, remote operations centers (ROCs) and office-based work, creating more flexibility and opening up new career opportunities.

ROCs are locations from which uncrewed surface vessels (USVs), ocean-going ships which can operate without a human onboard, are controlled through a satellite connection.

They are increasingly deployed for complex offshore work including inspection and maintenance, remote mapping of the seafloor, or environmental monitoring of water quality, marine habitats or other ecological data.

USVs can be used for detailed subsea inspections, ensuring the integrity and safety of underwater infrastructure, or precisely map the seafloor of a proposed location for an offshore wind farm to determine suitability.

The flexibility provided by remote operations unlocks a wider talent pool, creating career opportunities for individuals who may have personal or medical constraints that prevent them from working offshore.

At the same time, automation is improving workforce safety by reducing exposure to offshore hazards and lowering accident risk, while allowing more work to be carried out from shore-based environments.

Rich datasets

More broadly, the infusion of new technologies into the sector means the boundaries between IT and engineering are blurring as client demand for near real-time data on ocean conditions, seabed characteristics and weather patterns continues to grow.

That data can range from bathymetry and water-column data to acoustic backscatter, to understand the characteristics of the seabed’s topography and geology across a given site.

These datasets are essential to optimizing the installation and operation of offshore assets, including offshore wind farm infrastructure. Providers are under pressure to speed up the acquisition, analysis and delivery of these datasets, which can often be huge in scale, making it essential to balance the task of data management and sharing with seeking efficiencies in data analysis wherever possible.

Cloud data talent

To that end, talent is needed to help build cloud data pipelines, data lakes and the associated workflows back at base, drawing on skills in everything from data science and software engineering to project management and user experience design.

The USVs themselves accelerate the delivery of Geo-data, enabling faster access to results and recommendations so client project teams can make informed decisions sooner, compressing project timelines, reducing overall campaign costs, and cutting the time to financial return.

For the data scientists themselves, the remote nature of their role means they may be working on projects taking place anywhere in the world during their working week. From analysing near real-time data from an offshore project in the Middle East in the morning to building visualizations and client reports for projects in the North Sea later in the day.

Because ROCs are networked across multiple time zones, work can be handed over seamlessly between teams around the clock, helping to deliver insights and outcomes more quickly.

Remote responsibilities

One useful way of seeing remote operations is as a spectrum. Over time, operators may eventually oversee multiple vessels and project outcomes simultaneously, gradually shifting from direct control towards more of a monitoring and intervention role.

Importantly, remote operations do not mean the removal of responsibility. International maritime guidance already requires that every remotely operated vessel have a designated operator responsible for it, and that the operator can intervene when required.

The success of the offshore wind and broader marine engineering industry depends on rethinking traditional workforce models – bringing on board new talent skilled in data science, software engineering, and AI - as well as ensuring long-term sustainability in recruitment and talent retention.

Strategically embracing these changes will allow the marine and Geo-data industry to position itself for long-term success.

We've reviewed, rated, and ranked the best data recovery software.

This article was produced as part of TechRadar Pro Perspectives, our channel to feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today.

The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/pro/perspectives-how-to-submit

• DDR5 RAM pricing has risen swiftly again in Germany
• That means two months of sharp increases, backing up recent rumors that memory is going to get pricier
• An exec from the storage world has also said that SSD-related pricing pain is seemingly going to last until 2030

I've recently been writing about how the RAM crisis appears to be reaching new levels of severity, and unfortunately there's more evidence that the situation is worsening with the price of system memory and storage.

Wccftech noticed that 3D Center has a new set of monthly figures for the German retail market which shows that as of mid-August, DDR5 RAM pricing has risen to 486% of the cost it was in July 2025. So, effectively it's five times pricier than before the crisis began a year ago.

That's a substantial jump from the 445% level seen last month, and an even bigger increase than the previous month, in which prices were at 419%. To look at it another way, prices have risen 16% in August compared to the cost of DDR5 in mid-June.

Internal SSD prices have also increased 7.7% month-on-month in the German retail market – and those drives are now 2.2 times as expensive as they were pre-crisis – and Wccftech also picked up another interesting but bleak storage revelation.

Pua Khein-Seng, the CEO of Phison, which makes controllers for SSDs, observed that the NAND market (flash memory chips for SSDs) is in deeper trouble than was previously believed in terms of the time needed to ramp up production.

Taiwan's Commercial Times reports that Pua said he recently had a conversation with senior executives from a NAND manufacturer, and that he asked about how long it would take from investment (being made now) to actual mass production being realized.

The CEO noted (bear in mind translation issues): "He originally estimated it would take about two years, but the answer they gave was 'four years.'"

What this means is that the expectation is now that NAND supply difficulties are going to persist through to 2030 (rather than 2028).

Analysis: there may be trouble ahead…

(Image credit: Shutterstock / Eshma)

That's an unsettling prediction from the storage world, coming as it does on top of a lot of other recent bad news suggesting that the RAM crisis will last a long time, and possibly to 2030 and beyond – and that the remainder of this year, and 2027, are going to see matters get worse.

The German retail market appears to be a clear indicator of how things are going, seeing as DDR5 pricing had dropped slightly and then plateaued (more or less) since the beginning of 2026, but started a sharp climb in July as noted. Yes, this is just one source of info, but it's a snapshot of the market of a large European country, and it correlates with all the gloomy predictions we're hearing of late.

As 3D Center points out (again, this is translated): "The bigger picture now points to a worrying price trend, which is likely to break exorbitant levels very soon, unless this trend is halted – for which there are currently no indications."

Sadly, it seems that RAM and storage prices really are going to increase as 2026 rolls on. While there would appear to still be room for further hikes to SSDs (sadly), with system RAM it's arguable how much more consumers can take before they completely refuse to buy until costs come down at least somewhat. That said, new desktops and laptops are still going to be sold, so this isn't just about refusing to upgrade your home PC's memory, of course.

• DDR5 RAM pricing has risen swiftly again in Germany
• That means two months of sharp increases, backing up recent rumors that memory is going to get pricier
• An exec from the storage world has also said that SSD-related pricing pain is seemingly going to last until 2030

I've recently been writing about how the RAM crisis appears to be reaching new levels of severity, and unfortunately there's more evidence that the situation is worsening with the price of system memory and storage.

Wccftech noticed that 3D Center has a new set of monthly figures for the German retail market which shows that as of mid-August, DDR5 RAM pricing has risen to 486% of the cost it was in July 2025. So, effectively it's five times pricier than before the crisis began a year ago.

That's a substantial jump from the 445% level seen last month, and an even bigger increase than the previous month, in which prices were at 419%. To look at it another way, prices have risen 16% in August compared to the cost of DDR5 in mid-June.

Internal SSD prices have also increased 7.7% month-on-month in the German retail market – and those drives are now 2.2 times as expensive as they were pre-crisis – and Wccftech also picked up another interesting but bleak storage revelation.

Pua Khein-Seng, the CEO of Phison, which makes controllers for SSDs, observed that the NAND market (flash memory chips for SSDs) is in deeper trouble than was previously believed in terms of the time needed to ramp up production.

Taiwan's Commercial Times reports that Pua said he recently had a conversation with senior executives from a NAND manufacturer, and that he asked about how long it would take from investment (being made now) to actual mass production being realized.

The CEO noted (bear in mind translation issues): "He originally estimated it would take about two years, but the answer they gave was 'four years.'"

What this means is that the expectation is now that NAND supply difficulties are going to persist through to 2030 (rather than 2028).

Analysis: there may be trouble ahead…

(Image credit: Shutterstock / Eshma)

That's an unsettling prediction from the storage world, coming as it does on top of a lot of other recent bad news suggesting that the RAM crisis will last a long time, and possibly to 2030 and beyond – and that the remainder of this year, and 2027, are going to see matters get worse.

The German retail market appears to be a clear indicator of how things are going, seeing as DDR5 pricing had dropped slightly and then plateaued (more or less) since the beginning of 2026, but started a sharp climb in July as noted. Yes, this is just one source of info, but it's a snapshot of the market of a large European country, and it correlates with all the gloomy predictions we're hearing of late.

As 3D Center points out (again, this is translated): "The bigger picture now points to a worrying price trend, which is likely to break exorbitant levels very soon, unless this trend is halted – for which there are currently no indications."

Sadly, it seems that RAM and storage prices really are going to increase as 2026 rolls on. While there would appear to still be room for further hikes to SSDs (sadly), with system RAM it's arguable how much more consumers can take before they completely refuse to buy until costs come down at least somewhat. That said, new desktops and laptops are still going to be sold, so this isn't just about refusing to upgrade your home PC's memory, of course.

Federal officials acknowledged that ICE special agents tracked a New York man to his house, the airport and a hotel to question him about a critical email he sent to the former head of ICE in January.

(Image credit: David Streever)

DJI Mic Mini 2S: two-minute review

Until now, DJI's compact wireless mic lineup has had a clear budget option in the Mic Mini series and a clear flagship in the Mic series, with a gulf of features and price separating the two. The Mic Mini 2S changes things, and slots right into that gulf. It's not quite a flagship-killer, but with this release, DJI now has three tiers of small wireless mic — and this middle one is very appealing.

Much of the flagship DJI Mic 3's DNA has trickled down into the Mic Mini 2S: internal recording, 32-bit float support, AI-driven noise cancellation, adaptive gain modes, fast file transfers. These were all things that, until now, meant paying a premium. The Mini 2S borrows them wholesale, wraps them in the same pocket-sized transmitter and case as the standard Mic Mini 2, and undercuts the Mic 3 comfortably on price.

Audio quality is superb. Whether I was recording via the receiver connected to a camera or going wireless direct to an OsmoAudio device, the results were clean, full-bodied and detailed. An impressive feat for a supposedly budget offering.

Noise cancellation is another highlight. The new AI-assisted system handled everything I threw at it, from a droning desk fan to a chatter-filled pub garden, with a level of polish that puts some real distance between the Mini 2S and its S-less little sibling. It's not quite at the level of the class-leading Insta360 Mic Pro, but it's a comfortable step up from the standard Mic Mini 2's basic noise reduction.

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

Having tested both the Mic Mini 2 and Mic 3 extensively as well as the Mini 2S, I'd say the average creator might struggle to justify paying the Mic 3 premium now. Those with more demanding needs still have reasons to look past the Mini 2S, though: the Mic 3 offers more than double the onboard storage per transmitter, a touchscreen receiver display for on-the-fly monitoring, dual-file recording, onboard timecode, and more granular gain control — stuff which probably matters for professional productions.

For everyone else, the Mini 2S is the new sweet spot in DJI's range. It's a tiny mic that really punches above its weight.

DJI Mic Mini 2S: price and release date

• Released August 4 2026, priced from £59 / AU$99 to £183 / AU$328
• Sold in four separate bundles, plus individual transmitters, charging cases and cover sets
• Available globally — aside from in the US

The Mic Mini 2S launched globally on August 4 2026, not long after the Mic Mini 2's April 2026 arrival. I say "globally", but as with every other DJI product released recently, it isn't officially available in the US, with the company blaming ongoing regulatory hurdles.

The Mini 2S comes in a wide range of configurations. At the low end, a single transmitter (TX) costs £59 / AU$99, while receivers (RX) add to the cost. The core bundles are the DJI Mic Mini 2S (1 TX + 1 RX) and the DJI Mic Mini 2S (1 TX + 1 Mobile RX + Charging Case), both priced at £79 / AU$149. Stepping up, the DJI Mic Mini 2S (2 TX + 1 RX + Charging Case) costs £169 / AU$279, while the priciest option, at £183 / AU$328, has 2 TX + 1 RX + Charging Case as well as a Mobile RX.

The DJI Mic Mini 2S (2 TX + 1 RX + Charging Case) bundle, available from £169 / AU$279. It also includes a box of colored covers and a soft zip-up storage bag. (Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

It's a big price jump over the Mic Mini 2, where equivalent bundles cost roughly half as much: £29 for a standalone transmitter and £89 for the full 2 TX + 1 RX + Charging Case kit. It also puts the Mini 2S's 2 TX + 1 RX + Charging Case at the same price as the entry-level Mic 3 bundle (£169 for 1 TX + 1 RX).

DJI Mic Mini 2S: specs

Dimensions

TX: 28.6 x 28 x 13.5mm / RX: 46.5 x 29.6 x 19.3mm / Mobile RX: 39.3 x 27.3 x 9mm

Weight

TX: 0.4oz / 12g (with magnetic front cover, without clip or magnet) / RX: 19g / Mobile RX: 6.5g

Range

With standard RX: up to 400m / with mobile RX: up to 300m

Connectivity

RX: USB-C / Lightning, 3.5mm jack

Bluetooth

Yes (Bluetooth 6.0)

Battery

11 hours (transmitter), 10 hours (receiver), up to 40 hours with fully charged case

Noise cancelling

Two-level, AI-powered

DJI Mic Mini 2S: Design

• Looks nearly identical to the Mic Mini 2
• Features swappable magnetic covers in range of colors
• Redesigned charging case now fits the 3.5mm cable

If you've seen the Mic Mini 2, you already know what the Mini 2S looks like. DJI has barely touched the exterior: the transmitters are the same size with the same interchangeable magnetic front covers (available in the same range of colors, from timeless black to a fetching shade of magenta). The receiver, too, is essentially unchanged, which means there's no onboard display to keep an eye on gain or adjust settings; you'll need to open up the Mimo app on your smartphone to do that.

The family resemblance is generally no bad thing. At just 0.4oz / 12g with a cover attached, I barely noticed the transmitter magnet-attached to my shirt, and I couldn't feel it at all when clipped to the peak of a baseball cap. The detachable clip still rotates through 360 degrees (in 90-degree increments) so the mic capsule can be aimed correctly whichever way you've mounted it, and the magnet option remains handy for thinner fabrics where a clip might snag.

Future | Sam KieldsenFuture | Sam KieldsenFuture | Sam KieldsenFuture | Sam KieldsenFuture | Sam Kieldsen

There is one small but positive design change: DJI has found room for the 3.5mm cable inside the charging case (something the Mic Mini 2's case couldn't manage) which means the entire two-transmitter setup, cables, windshields and mounting options included, now fits in one pocketable case. With portability being a huge part of the appeal for a mic like this, it's a step in the right direction.

DJI Mic Mini 2S: Performance

• Offers internal recording with 14.5GB of storage space on transmitters
• Includes AI noise cancelling, improving on the Mic Mini 2's system
• Transmitter battery life roughly in line with Mic Mini 2's, and better than Mic 3's

The Mic Mini 2S's marquee upgrade over the Mic Mini 2 is internal recording, which I think is a huge deal. Every previous Mic Mini had to transmit to something — either a receiver, or an OsmoAudio device — to be of any use, but the Mini 2S transmitter can function just fine all on its own. With around 14.5GB of usable storage on each transmitter, it can store up to 28 hours of 24-bit recordings, or around 22 hours of 32-bit float recordings.

For those who aren't familiar, 32-bit float (which is available on the DJI Mic 3 but not the Mic Mini or Mini 2) doesn't inherently make your recordings sound better, but rather dramatically widens the available dynamic range. If levels unexpectedly spike or dip during a recording, 32-bit float gives you far more room to correct for that in post without clipping or losing detail. It's less about raw quality and more about insuring you're covered when recording in unpredictable environments.

The Mic Mini 2S receiver can connect to four transmitters at once, double the Mini 2's limit. (Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

Another upgrade over the Mic Mini 2 is 4TX + 1RX support, meaning you can record from four separate transmitters onto a single receiver. I'd say this is a much more situational addition: handy if you're recording podcasts, panel discussions or similar, but not something most solo creators will need day to day.

File transfers are roughly twice as fast as the Mic Mini 2's when pulling recordings off the transmitter via the charging case. If you're regularly transferring lengthy 32-bit float recordings, those saved minutes might add up — but again, it's a situational improvement.

Noise canceling is where I noticed the clearest real-world improvement over the Mic Mini 2. The Mini 2S's AI-assisted system does a better job than the older mic's more basic noise reduction: it very nearly eliminated a loud desk fan running in my office, and noticeably cut through background chatter when I tested it in a busy pub garden so that my and my wife's voices remained nice and clear. For context, I still rate the Insta360 Mic Pro as the best noise-canceling wireless mic I've tested, but it also costs considerably more than this.

Alongside noise canceling, the Mini 2S also gets DJI's adaptive gain features, Clipping Control and Loudness Balance (previously available on the DJI Mic 3 but not the Mic Mini 2). The former automatically pulls back gain to stop sudden loud moments from distorting, while the latter lifts quieter sounds to even out levels — useful if you're recording somewhere volume might swing unpredictably.

The Mic Mini 2S's audio quality is superb no matter how you use it. It supports quality up to 96kHz/24-bit with the receiver connected to a camera, or up to 48kHz/24-bit over a direct OsmoAudio connection, plus the aforementioned 32-bit float. Frankly, I don't think most people (myself definitely included) would be able to reliably pick a Mini 2S recording out from one made on the considerably pricier flagship Mic 3, which says a lot about how good this is for a supposedly budget microphone.

On the battery life front, things are roughly the same as they were on the Mic Mini 2: a transmitter can record for a round 11 hours on a full charge, while the receiver can keep going for around ten. With two transmitters, the receiver and a charging case, you can expect around 40 hours of combined use before needing to track down a power socket.

That's a bit worse than the Mic Mini 2 (which offers 11.5 hours, 10 hours and 48 hours across the transmitter, receiver and charging case), but much better than the Mic 3 (8 hours, 10 hours and 28 hours respectively).

Should I buy the DJI Mic Mini 2S?Buy it if…

You want DJI Mic 3-esque performance without the Mic 3 price
With AI noise canceling, 32-bit float support and internal recording, the Mini 2S closes the gap to DJI's flagship mic very effectively – and at around half the cost.

You want reliable recording receiver-free
Internal recording means the Mini 2S transmitter can capture audio on its own, giving you a safety net if your wireless connection drops or you don't want to carry a receiver at all.

Don’t buy it if…

You're on a tight budget
The Mini 2S is roughly double the price of the standard Mic Mini 2, and the Mini 2 still does a perfectly good job for creators who don't need internal recording or AI noise canceling.

You want advanced pro-level features
Onboard timecode, dual-file recording, precise gain control and a touchscreen receiver display are still DJI Mic 3 exclusives.

DJI Mic Mini 2S: also consider

Insta360 Mic Pro

Insta360's flagship costs a lot more than even the priciest Mini 2S bundle. It justifies that gap with noise cancelling that's a step above anything currently offered in a DJI-made mic, plus party pieces like a customizable E-ink display and switchable polar patterns.

Read our Insta360 Mic Pro review

DJI Mic Mini 2

If the Mini 2S's price compared to its predecessor gives you pause, it's worth remembering the standard Mic Mini 2 remains a very capable mic in its own right — albeit one with no internal recording, 32-bit float or AI noise canceling. For creators who don't need those, it's fantastic value for money.

Read our DJI Mic Mini 2 review

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)How I tested the DJI Mic Mini 2S

• Two weeks of testing indoors and outdoors
• Connected to Panasonic Lumix GH6, iPhone 13, OnePlus Pad and DJI Osmo Action 6
• Also tested using internal recording without a receiver or camera

I was sent a review sample of the DJI Mic Mini 2S (2 TX + 1 RX + Charging Case) kit, and tested it for a couple of weeks, putting it through its paces in a range of indoor and outdoor conditions from quiet offices to windy walks and busy public spaces. I paired it with my Panasonic Lumix GH6 mirrorless camera, my iPhone 13, a OnePlus Pad tablet and the DJI Osmo Action 6 via OsmoAudio, testing both wireless transmission and manual connections. I also tested the Mini 2S's headline new feature directly, using the transmitter as a standalone recorder with no receiver or camera involved at all.

• First reviewed: August 2026
• Read more about how we test

DJI Mic Mini 2S: two-minute review

Until now, DJI's compact wireless mic lineup has had a clear budget option in the Mic Mini series and a clear flagship in the Mic series, with a gulf of features and price separating the two. The Mic Mini 2S changes things, and slots right into that gulf. It's not quite a flagship-killer, but with this release, DJI now has three tiers of small wireless mic — and this middle one is very appealing.

Much of the flagship DJI Mic 3's DNA has trickled down into the Mic Mini 2S: internal recording, 32-bit float support, AI-driven noise cancellation, adaptive gain modes, fast file transfers. These were all things that, until now, meant paying a premium. The Mini 2S borrows them wholesale, wraps them in the same pocket-sized transmitter and case as the standard Mic Mini 2, and undercuts the Mic 3 comfortably on price.

Audio quality is superb. Whether I was recording via the receiver connected to a camera or going wireless direct to an OsmoAudio device, the results were clean, full-bodied and detailed. An impressive feat for a supposedly budget offering.

Noise cancellation is another highlight. The new AI-assisted system handled everything I threw at it, from a droning desk fan to a chatter-filled pub garden, with a level of polish that puts some real distance between the Mini 2S and its S-less little sibling. It's not quite at the level of the class-leading Insta360 Mic Pro, but it's a comfortable step up from the standard Mic Mini 2's basic noise reduction.

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

Having tested both the Mic Mini 2 and Mic 3 extensively as well as the Mini 2S, I'd say the average creator might struggle to justify paying the Mic 3 premium now. Those with more demanding needs still have reasons to look past the Mini 2S, though: the Mic 3 offers more than double the onboard storage per transmitter, a touchscreen receiver display for on-the-fly monitoring, dual-file recording, onboard timecode, and more granular gain control — stuff which probably matters for professional productions.

For everyone else, the Mini 2S is the new sweet spot in DJI's range. It's a tiny mic that really punches above its weight.

DJI Mic Mini 2S: price and release date

• Released August 4 2026, priced from £59 / AU$99 to £183 / AU$328
• Sold in four separate bundles, plus individual transmitters, charging cases and cover sets
• Available globally — aside from in the US

The Mic Mini 2S launched globally on August 4 2026, not long after the Mic Mini 2's April 2026 arrival. I say "globally", but as with every other DJI product released recently, it isn't officially available in the US, with the company blaming ongoing regulatory hurdles.

The Mini 2S comes in a wide range of configurations. At the low end, a single transmitter (TX) costs £59 / AU$99, while receivers (RX) add to the cost. The core bundles are the DJI Mic Mini 2S (1 TX + 1 RX) and the DJI Mic Mini 2S (1 TX + 1 Mobile RX + Charging Case), both priced at £79 / AU$149. Stepping up, the DJI Mic Mini 2S (2 TX + 1 RX + Charging Case) costs £169 / AU$279, while the priciest option, at £183 / AU$328, has 2 TX + 1 RX + Charging Case as well as a Mobile RX.

The DJI Mic Mini 2S (2 TX + 1 RX + Charging Case) bundle, available from £169 / AU$279. It also includes a box of colored covers and a soft zip-up storage bag. (Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

It's a big price jump over the Mic Mini 2, where equivalent bundles cost roughly half as much: £29 for a standalone transmitter and £89 for the full 2 TX + 1 RX + Charging Case kit. It also puts the Mini 2S's 2 TX + 1 RX + Charging Case at the same price as the entry-level Mic 3 bundle (£169 for 1 TX + 1 RX).

DJI Mic Mini 2S: specs

Dimensions

TX: 28.6 x 28 x 13.5mm / RX: 46.5 x 29.6 x 19.3mm / Mobile RX: 39.3 x 27.3 x 9mm

Weight

TX: 0.4oz / 12g (with magnetic front cover, without clip or magnet) / RX: 19g / Mobile RX: 6.5g

Range

With standard RX: up to 400m / with mobile RX: up to 300m

Connectivity

RX: USB-C / Lightning, 3.5mm jack

Bluetooth

Yes (Bluetooth 6.0)

Battery

11 hours (transmitter), 10 hours (receiver), up to 40 hours with fully charged case

Noise cancelling

Two-level, AI-powered

DJI Mic Mini 2S: Design

• Looks nearly identical to the Mic Mini 2
• Features swappable magnetic covers in range of colors
• Redesigned charging case now fits the 3.5mm cable

If you've seen the Mic Mini 2, you already know what the Mini 2S looks like. DJI has barely touched the exterior: the transmitters are the same size with the same interchangeable magnetic front covers (available in the same range of colors, from timeless black to a fetching shade of magenta). The receiver, too, is essentially unchanged, which means there's no onboard display to keep an eye on gain or adjust settings; you'll need to open up the Mimo app on your smartphone to do that.

The family resemblance is generally no bad thing. At just 0.4oz / 12g with a cover attached, I barely noticed the transmitter magnet-attached to my shirt, and I couldn't feel it at all when clipped to the peak of a baseball cap. The detachable clip still rotates through 360 degrees (in 90-degree increments) so the mic capsule can be aimed correctly whichever way you've mounted it, and the magnet option remains handy for thinner fabrics where a clip might snag.

Future | Sam KieldsenFuture | Sam KieldsenFuture | Sam KieldsenFuture | Sam KieldsenFuture | Sam Kieldsen

There is one small but positive design change: DJI has found room for the 3.5mm cable inside the charging case (something the Mic Mini 2's case couldn't manage) which means the entire two-transmitter setup, cables, windshields and mounting options included, now fits in one pocketable case. With portability being a huge part of the appeal for a mic like this, it's a step in the right direction.

DJI Mic Mini 2S: Performance

• Offers internal recording with 14.5GB of storage space on transmitters
• Includes AI noise cancelling, improving on the Mic Mini 2's system
• Transmitter battery life roughly in line with Mic Mini 2's, and better than Mic 3's

The Mic Mini 2S's marquee upgrade over the Mic Mini 2 is internal recording, which I think is a huge deal. Every previous Mic Mini had to transmit to something — either a receiver, or an OsmoAudio device — to be of any use, but the Mini 2S transmitter can function just fine all on its own. With around 14.5GB of usable storage on each transmitter, it can store up to 28 hours of 24-bit recordings, or around 22 hours of 32-bit float recordings.

For those who aren't familiar, 32-bit float (which is available on the DJI Mic 3 but not the Mic Mini or Mini 2) doesn't inherently make your recordings sound better, but rather dramatically widens the available dynamic range. If levels unexpectedly spike or dip during a recording, 32-bit float gives you far more room to correct for that in post without clipping or losing detail. It's less about raw quality and more about insuring you're covered when recording in unpredictable environments.

The Mic Mini 2S receiver can connect to four transmitters at once, double the Mini 2's limit. (Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

Another upgrade over the Mic Mini 2 is 4TX + 1RX support, meaning you can record from four separate transmitters onto a single receiver. I'd say this is a much more situational addition: handy if you're recording podcasts, panel discussions or similar, but not something most solo creators will need day to day.

File transfers are roughly twice as fast as the Mic Mini 2's when pulling recordings off the transmitter via the charging case. If you're regularly transferring lengthy 32-bit float recordings, those saved minutes might add up — but again, it's a situational improvement.

Noise canceling is where I noticed the clearest real-world improvement over the Mic Mini 2. The Mini 2S's AI-assisted system does a better job than the older mic's more basic noise reduction: it very nearly eliminated a loud desk fan running in my office, and noticeably cut through background chatter when I tested it in a busy pub garden so that my and my wife's voices remained nice and clear. For context, I still rate the Insta360 Mic Pro as the best noise-canceling wireless mic I've tested, but it also costs considerably more than this.

Alongside noise canceling, the Mini 2S also gets DJI's adaptive gain features, Clipping Control and Loudness Balance (previously available on the DJI Mic 3 but not the Mic Mini 2). The former automatically pulls back gain to stop sudden loud moments from distorting, while the latter lifts quieter sounds to even out levels — useful if you're recording somewhere volume might swing unpredictably.

The Mic Mini 2S's audio quality is superb no matter how you use it. It supports quality up to 96kHz/24-bit with the receiver connected to a camera, or up to 48kHz/24-bit over a direct OsmoAudio connection, plus the aforementioned 32-bit float. Frankly, I don't think most people (myself definitely included) would be able to reliably pick a Mini 2S recording out from one made on the considerably pricier flagship Mic 3, which says a lot about how good this is for a supposedly budget microphone.

On the battery life front, things are roughly the same as they were on the Mic Mini 2: a transmitter can record for a round 11 hours on a full charge, while the receiver can keep going for around ten. With two transmitters, the receiver and a charging case, you can expect around 40 hours of combined use before needing to track down a power socket.

That's a bit worse than the Mic Mini 2 (which offers 11.5 hours, 10 hours and 48 hours across the transmitter, receiver and charging case), but much better than the Mic 3 (8 hours, 10 hours and 28 hours respectively).

Should I buy the DJI Mic Mini 2S?Buy it if…

You want DJI Mic 3-esque performance without the Mic 3 price
With AI noise canceling, 32-bit float support and internal recording, the Mini 2S closes the gap to DJI's flagship mic very effectively – and at around half the cost.

You want reliable recording receiver-free
Internal recording means the Mini 2S transmitter can capture audio on its own, giving you a safety net if your wireless connection drops or you don't want to carry a receiver at all.

Don’t buy it if…

You're on a tight budget
The Mini 2S is roughly double the price of the standard Mic Mini 2, and the Mini 2 still does a perfectly good job for creators who don't need internal recording or AI noise canceling.

You want advanced pro-level features
Onboard timecode, dual-file recording, precise gain control and a touchscreen receiver display are still DJI Mic 3 exclusives.

DJI Mic Mini 2S: also consider

Insta360 Mic Pro

Insta360's flagship costs a lot more than even the priciest Mini 2S bundle. It justifies that gap with noise cancelling that's a step above anything currently offered in a DJI-made mic, plus party pieces like a customizable E-ink display and switchable polar patterns.

Read our Insta360 Mic Pro review

DJI Mic Mini 2

If the Mini 2S's price compared to its predecessor gives you pause, it's worth remembering the standard Mic Mini 2 remains a very capable mic in its own right — albeit one with no internal recording, 32-bit float or AI noise canceling. For creators who don't need those, it's fantastic value for money.

Read our DJI Mic Mini 2 review

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)How I tested the DJI Mic Mini 2S

• Two weeks of testing indoors and outdoors
• Connected to Panasonic Lumix GH6, iPhone 13, OnePlus Pad and DJI Osmo Action 6
• Also tested using internal recording without a receiver or camera

I was sent a review sample of the DJI Mic Mini 2S (2 TX + 1 RX + Charging Case) kit, and tested it for a couple of weeks, putting it through its paces in a range of indoor and outdoor conditions from quiet offices to windy walks and busy public spaces. I paired it with my Panasonic Lumix GH6 mirrorless camera, my iPhone 13, a OnePlus Pad tablet and the DJI Osmo Action 6 via OsmoAudio, testing both wireless transmission and manual connections. I also tested the Mini 2S's headline new feature directly, using the transmitter as a standalone recorder with no receiver or camera involved at all.

• First reviewed: August 2026
• Read more about how we test

DJI Mic Mini 2S: two-minute review

Until now, DJI's compact wireless mic lineup has had a clear budget option in the Mic Mini series and a clear flagship in the Mic series, with a gulf of features and price separating the two. The Mic Mini 2S changes things, and slots right into that gulf. It's not quite a flagship-killer, but with this release, DJI now has three tiers of small wireless mic — and this middle one is very appealing.

Much of the flagship DJI Mic 3's DNA has trickled down into the Mic Mini 2S: internal recording, 32-bit float support, AI-driven noise cancellation, adaptive gain modes, fast file transfers. These were all things that, until now, meant paying a premium. The Mini 2S borrows them wholesale, wraps them in the same pocket-sized transmitter and case as the standard Mic Mini 2, and undercuts the Mic 3 comfortably on price.

Audio quality is superb. Whether I was recording via the receiver connected to a camera or going wireless direct to an OsmoAudio device, the results were clean, full-bodied and detailed. An impressive feat for a supposedly budget offering.

Noise cancellation is another highlight. The new AI-assisted system handled everything I threw at it, from a droning desk fan to a chatter-filled pub garden, with a level of polish that puts some real distance between the Mini 2S and its S-less little sibling. It's not quite at the level of the class-leading Insta360 Mic Pro, but it's a comfortable step up from the standard Mic Mini 2's basic noise reduction.

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

Having tested both the Mic Mini 2 and Mic 3 extensively as well as the Mini 2S, I'd say the average creator might struggle to justify paying the Mic 3 premium now. Those with more demanding needs still have reasons to look past the Mini 2S, though: the Mic 3 offers more than double the onboard storage per transmitter, a touchscreen receiver display for on-the-fly monitoring, dual-file recording, onboard timecode, and more granular gain control — stuff which probably matters for professional productions.

For everyone else, the Mini 2S is the new sweet spot in DJI's range. It's a tiny mic that really punches above its weight.

DJI Mic Mini 2S: price and release date

• Released August 4 2026, priced from £59 / AU$99 to £183 / AU$328
• Sold in four separate bundles, plus individual transmitters, charging cases and cover sets
• Available globally — aside from in the US

The Mic Mini 2S launched globally on August 4 2026, not long after the Mic Mini 2's April 2026 arrival. I say "globally", but as with every other DJI product released recently, it isn't officially available in the US, with the company blaming ongoing regulatory hurdles.

The Mini 2S comes in a wide range of configurations. At the low end, a single transmitter (TX) costs £59 / AU$99, while receivers (RX) add to the cost. The core bundles are the DJI Mic Mini 2S (1 TX + 1 RX) and the DJI Mic Mini 2S (1 TX + 1 Mobile RX + Charging Case), both priced at £79 / AU$149. Stepping up, the DJI Mic Mini 2S (2 TX + 1 RX + Charging Case) costs £169 / AU$279, while the priciest option, at £183 / AU$328, has 2 TX + 1 RX + Charging Case as well as a Mobile RX.

The DJI Mic Mini 2S (2 TX + 1 RX + Charging Case) bundle, available from £169 / AU$279. It also includes a box of colored covers and a soft zip-up storage bag. (Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

It's a big price jump over the Mic Mini 2, where equivalent bundles cost roughly half as much: £29 for a standalone transmitter and £89 for the full 2 TX + 1 RX + Charging Case kit. It also puts the Mini 2S's 2 TX + 1 RX + Charging Case at the same price as the entry-level Mic 3 bundle (£169 for 1 TX + 1 RX).

DJI Mic Mini 2S: specs

Dimensions

TX: 28.6 x 28 x 13.5mm / RX: 46.5 x 29.6 x 19.3mm / Mobile RX: 39.3 x 27.3 x 9mm

Weight

TX: 0.4oz / 12g (with magnetic front cover, without clip or magnet) / RX: 19g / Mobile RX: 6.5g

Range

With standard RX: up to 400m / with mobile RX: up to 300m

Connectivity

RX: USB-C / Lightning, 3.5mm jack

Bluetooth

Yes (Bluetooth 6.0)

Battery

11 hours (transmitter), 10 hours (receiver), up to 40 hours with fully charged case

Noise cancelling

Two-level, AI-powered

DJI Mic Mini 2S: Design

• Looks nearly identical to the Mic Mini 2
• Features swappable magnetic covers in range of colors
• Redesigned charging case now fits the 3.5mm cable

If you've seen the Mic Mini 2, you already know what the Mini 2S looks like. DJI has barely touched the exterior: the transmitters are the same size with the same interchangeable magnetic front covers (available in the same range of colors, from timeless black to a fetching shade of magenta). The receiver, too, is essentially unchanged, which means there's no onboard display to keep an eye on gain or adjust settings; you'll need to open up the Mimo app on your smartphone to do that.

The family resemblance is generally no bad thing. At just 0.4oz / 12g with a cover attached, I barely noticed the transmitter magnet-attached to my shirt, and I couldn't feel it at all when clipped to the peak of a baseball cap. The detachable clip still rotates through 360 degrees (in 90-degree increments) so the mic capsule can be aimed correctly whichever way you've mounted it, and the magnet option remains handy for thinner fabrics where a clip might snag.

Future | Sam KieldsenFuture | Sam KieldsenFuture | Sam KieldsenFuture | Sam KieldsenFuture | Sam Kieldsen

There is one small but positive design change: DJI has found room for the 3.5mm cable inside the charging case (something the Mic Mini 2's case couldn't manage) which means the entire two-transmitter setup, cables, windshields and mounting options included, now fits in one pocketable case. With portability being a huge part of the appeal for a mic like this, it's a step in the right direction.

DJI Mic Mini 2S: Performance

• Offers internal recording with 14.5GB of storage space on transmitters
• Includes AI noise cancelling, improving on the Mic Mini 2's system
• Transmitter battery life roughly in line with Mic Mini 2's, and better than Mic 3's

The Mic Mini 2S's marquee upgrade over the Mic Mini 2 is internal recording, which I think is a huge deal. Every previous Mic Mini had to transmit to something — either a receiver, or an OsmoAudio device — to be of any use, but the Mini 2S transmitter can function just fine all on its own. With around 14.5GB of usable storage on each transmitter, it can store up to 28 hours of 24-bit recordings, or around 22 hours of 32-bit float recordings.

For those who aren't familiar, 32-bit float (which is available on the DJI Mic 3 but not the Mic Mini or Mini 2) doesn't inherently make your recordings sound better, but rather dramatically widens the available dynamic range. If levels unexpectedly spike or dip during a recording, 32-bit float gives you far more room to correct for that in post without clipping or losing detail. It's less about raw quality and more about insuring you're covered when recording in unpredictable environments.

The Mic Mini 2S receiver can connect to four transmitters at once, double the Mini 2's limit. (Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

Another upgrade over the Mic Mini 2 is 4TX + 1RX support, meaning you can record from four separate transmitters onto a single receiver. I'd say this is a much more situational addition: handy if you're recording podcasts, panel discussions or similar, but not something most solo creators will need day to day.

File transfers are roughly twice as fast as the Mic Mini 2's when pulling recordings off the transmitter via the charging case. If you're regularly transferring lengthy 32-bit float recordings, those saved minutes might add up — but again, it's a situational improvement.

Noise canceling is where I noticed the clearest real-world improvement over the Mic Mini 2. The Mini 2S's AI-assisted system does a better job than the older mic's more basic noise reduction: it very nearly eliminated a loud desk fan running in my office, and noticeably cut through background chatter when I tested it in a busy pub garden so that my and my wife's voices remained nice and clear. For context, I still rate the Insta360 Mic Pro as the best noise-canceling wireless mic I've tested, but it also costs considerably more than this.

Alongside noise canceling, the Mini 2S also gets DJI's adaptive gain features, Clipping Control and Loudness Balance (previously available on the DJI Mic 3 but not the Mic Mini 2). The former automatically pulls back gain to stop sudden loud moments from distorting, while the latter lifts quieter sounds to even out levels — useful if you're recording somewhere volume might swing unpredictably.

The Mic Mini 2S's audio quality is superb no matter how you use it. It supports quality up to 96kHz/24-bit with the receiver connected to a camera, or up to 48kHz/24-bit over a direct OsmoAudio connection, plus the aforementioned 32-bit float. Frankly, I don't think most people (myself definitely included) would be able to reliably pick a Mini 2S recording out from one made on the considerably pricier flagship Mic 3, which says a lot about how good this is for a supposedly budget microphone.

On the battery life front, things are roughly the same as they were on the Mic Mini 2: a transmitter can record for a round 11 hours on a full charge, while the receiver can keep going for around ten. With two transmitters, the receiver and a charging case, you can expect around 40 hours of combined use before needing to track down a power socket.

That's a bit worse than the Mic Mini 2 (which offers 11.5 hours, 10 hours and 48 hours across the transmitter, receiver and charging case), but much better than the Mic 3 (8 hours, 10 hours and 28 hours respectively).

Should I buy the DJI Mic Mini 2S?Buy it if…

You want DJI Mic 3-esque performance without the Mic 3 price
With AI noise canceling, 32-bit float support and internal recording, the Mini 2S closes the gap to DJI's flagship mic very effectively – and at around half the cost.

You want reliable recording receiver-free
Internal recording means the Mini 2S transmitter can capture audio on its own, giving you a safety net if your wireless connection drops or you don't want to carry a receiver at all.

Don’t buy it if…

You're on a tight budget
The Mini 2S is roughly double the price of the standard Mic Mini 2, and the Mini 2 still does a perfectly good job for creators who don't need internal recording or AI noise canceling.

You want advanced pro-level features
Onboard timecode, dual-file recording, precise gain control and a touchscreen receiver display are still DJI Mic 3 exclusives.

DJI Mic Mini 2S: also consider

Insta360 Mic Pro

Insta360's flagship costs a lot more than even the priciest Mini 2S bundle. It justifies that gap with noise cancelling that's a step above anything currently offered in a DJI-made mic, plus party pieces like a customizable E-ink display and switchable polar patterns.

Read our Insta360 Mic Pro review

DJI Mic Mini 2

If the Mini 2S's price compared to its predecessor gives you pause, it's worth remembering the standard Mic Mini 2 remains a very capable mic in its own right — albeit one with no internal recording, 32-bit float or AI noise canceling. For creators who don't need those, it's fantastic value for money.

Read our DJI Mic Mini 2 review

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)How I tested the DJI Mic Mini 2S

• Two weeks of testing indoors and outdoors
• Connected to Panasonic Lumix GH6, iPhone 13, OnePlus Pad and DJI Osmo Action 6
• Also tested using internal recording without a receiver or camera

I was sent a review sample of the DJI Mic Mini 2S (2 TX + 1 RX + Charging Case) kit, and tested it for a couple of weeks, putting it through its paces in a range of indoor and outdoor conditions from quiet offices to windy walks and busy public spaces. I paired it with my Panasonic Lumix GH6 mirrorless camera, my iPhone 13, a OnePlus Pad tablet and the DJI Osmo Action 6 via OsmoAudio, testing both wireless transmission and manual connections. I also tested the Mini 2S's headline new feature directly, using the transmitter as a standalone recorder with no receiver or camera involved at all.

• First reviewed: August 2026
• Read more about how we test

TP-Link BE10000 One Minute Review

Wi-Fi 8 may be looming on the horizon, but routers and range extenders that use Wi-Fi 7 can still be pretty expensive.

One way of keeping prices down is to provide basic dual-band support, which uses the 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz frequency bands while omitting the high-performance 6.0GHz band.

Dual-band routers and range extenders can still perform well, though, as we’ve seen with TP-Link’s BE3200 and BE6300 extenders. But, if you want to pay a little extra in order to get maximum performance then you could step up to its top-of-the-range BE10000 model.

This is a tri-band range extender that adds support for the 6.0GHz band, boosting the maximum Wi-Fi speed to a blazing 10Gbps. You’ll need computers or mobile devices that have Wi-Fi 7 – or Wi-Fi 6E, which also supports the 6.0GHz band – to get the full benefit of the BE10000, but it could be a great option for boosting the Wi-Fi connection for gaming or streaming video in one or two rooms that suffer from a Wi-Fi ‘deadspot’ within your home.

(Image credit: Future)TP-Link BE10000 review: Price & release date

• Where is it available? US-only
• Available Now
• Price: $199.99

The BE10000 is currently only available in the US, and you can’t buy it directly from TP-Link’s own web site so you’ll need to shop around online or try to find it in a local bricks-and-mortar retailer. Online prices also seem to vary a lot too. TP-Link quotes a price of $199.99, but we’ve seen prices ranging from $149 - $249, so it’s definitely worth comparing prices before buying.

The BE10000 is not available in the UK or Australia, although there is a similar model called the BE11000 available in those regions that – you won’t be surprised to find - runs at 11Gbps.

However, this is priced at a rather hefty £299.99/$449, which is considerably higher than the price of the BE10000 in the US, even if you take into account the slightly faster speed of 11Gbps.

TP-Link BE10000 review: Specs

Price

$199.99

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi 7 (2.4GHz/5.0GHz/6.0GHz)

Wi-Fi Speed

10.2Gbps

Ports

1x 2.5Gbps Ethernet

Antennae

4

Dimensions (HxWxD)

161 x 81 x 39mm

TP-Link BE10000 review: Features

At first glance, the BE10000 looks very similar to the dual-band BE6300, with a bulky rectangular design and four large antennae. However, the BE10000 is even larger, with the body of the range extender measuring 161mm high, although this increases to a full 350mm with the antennae fully extended.

You’ll need a power socket with plenty of free room around it in order to plug in the BE10000, and I found that it was so wide – at 81mm – that it also blocked the adjacent power socket in my office as well. You’ll also need a bit of extra space if you want to plug an Ethernet cable into the Ethernet port on the side of the range extender.

It may be big and bulky, but the tri-band BE10000 certainly earns its keep. The name implies a Wi-Fi speed of 10Gbps, although it’s actually 10.2Gbps, which is more than fast enough to handle gaming and streaming video, while the 2.5Gbps Ethernet port provides a high-speed wired connection as well.

As always, TP-Link’s Tether app makes it easy to get started. You do need to initially plug the BE10000 into a power socket close to your main broadband router, but the Tether app can then automatically detect the range extender and guide you through the process of linking it to your existing Wi-Fi network.

The app allows you to connect to the 2.4GHz, 5.0GHz and 6.0GHz bands separately, perhaps to devote the fastest 6.0GHz band to a gaming PC that needs maximum performance.

The app’s security features allow you to set different network names and passwords for each band, or you can simply carry on using the same name and password as your main Wi-Fi router. Other features include the ability to boost the power supply to the BE10000 in order to increase the range of its Wi-Fi signal, or you can use Eco Mode to save power instead.

(Image credit: Future)TP-Link BE10000 review: Performance

I have an office that suffers from a Wi-Fi deadspot in my building, but I almost feel that I should apologise to the BE10000 for asking it to tolerate my puny office Wi-Fi.

I placed the range extender in a hallway, about halfway between my main broadband router and the office with the deadspot, and the BE10000 seemed to roll its eyes – or, rather, its blinking LEDs – as it picked up my feeble 150Mbps Wi-Fi signal and boosted it into that office.

Unsurprisingly, the BE10000 was able to hit the full 150Mbps on all three frequency bands, when running the Ookla Speed Test and also downloading large game files from Steam.

Ironically, though, that effortless performance is the only real disadvantage of the BE10000. Its 10.2Gbps Wi-Fi 7 is so fast that few homes really need that level of performance. But, if you have a gaming PC with Wi-Fi 7, or that is used for streaming 4K video, then the BE10000 will eliminate any troublesome Wi-Fi deadspots with no trouble at all.

Should you buy the TP-Link BE6300?

Attribute

Notes

Score

Features

As well as tri-band support, the Tether app provides a useful Eco Mode and security features

4/5

Performance

Tri-band Wi-Fi 7 and a top speed of 10.2Gbps make the BE10000 one of the fastest range extenders currently available

4/5

Design

The bulky design could cause problems with some power sockets

3.5/5

Value

It’s expensive, but the BE10000 provides top-of-the-range performance for tackling deadspots

4/5

Buy it if...

You have a Wi-Fi deadspot
It’s expensive, but the BE10000 is still cheaper than buying a high-end mesh Wi-Fi system, and it should be able to eliminate any troublesome deadspots in your home or office.View Deal

You’re an early adopter
Many PCs and mobile devices are still using Wi-Fi 6 or 6E, so you’ll need an up-to-date, top-of-the-range gaming system with Wi-Fi 7 to really exploit the full speed and features of the BE10000.View Deal

Don't buy it if...

You’re on a budget
As always, high performance comes at a high price, and there are many less expensive range extenders that will still be fast enough for casual gaming and streaming video.View Deal

You’ve got an old PC
There are still millions of PCs and mobile devices using Wi-Fi 5 and 6, and these simply won’t be able to exploit the full performance of a tri-band Wi-Fi 7 range extender such as the BE10000.View Deal

Also Consider

TP-Link BE3200
Most homes really don’t need tri-band Wi-Fi 7, so a less expensive range extender such as the BE3200 provides a much more affordable alternative. Its 3.2Gbps speed is still fast enough for casual gaming and streaming video, as well as being backward-compatible with older PCs and mobile devices with Wi-Fi 5 or 6.View Deal

Asus RP-AX58
There’s no point buying a Wi-Fi 7 range extender if your main router is still using Wi-Fi 5 or 6. This affordable Wi-Fi 6 range extender is the ideal option for use with older routers, providing 3.0Gbps Wi-Fi for well under $100.

Read our full Asus RP-AX58 review

• Read TechRadar’s reviews guarantee
• First reviewed August 2026

I was standing in a hotel lobby in Lyon trying to figure out why my travel eSIM had dropped to edge speeds. The provider's app showed I had 8GB left. The problem was I had no idea which network I was actually on, because the plan page never told me.

That sent me down a rabbit hole of eSIM providers that show you the carrier before you buy. Most don't. SIMOptions does. On most of its European plan pages, you can see whether you are buying Orange, Bouygues Telecom, or O2 before you enter your card number. That little detail is more important than it sounds.

If you have ever crossed into rural France and watched your signal disappear, you know that "Europe data" is not a real answer. The network behind the plan is.

• Want more options? Take a look at our best eSIMs for international travel

Why SIMOptions feels different

(Image credit: SIMOptions)

SIMOptions works best when you think of it as a storefront for carrier tourist SIMs, not just another data-only eSIM app. When you buy Holiday Zen, you are buying an Orange tourist eSIM. When you buy a My European plan, you are on Bouygues Telecom.

The carrier name appears on the plan page before you pay.

That matters if you care about coverage. If you know Orange performs better in rural France than a generic regional eSIM, you can act on that knowledge here.

You get a real phone number

Select Orange and Bouygues plans include a real French +33 mobile number. The O2 Go Card includes a Czech +420 number. These are SIM-based numbers on carrier networks, not VoIP lines or temporary virtual numbers. A real number helps, but it does not guarantee every OTP will land. Some banks block codes sent to foreign numbers. Still, a carrier-issued number is more useful than a data-only eSIM if you regularly need to receive SMS abroad.

The tradeoff

Carrier rules apply to these plans. Orange's ID registration requirement kicks in after 30 days. Bouygues top-ups may be limited to France. If an issue starts at the carrier level, SIMOptions has to work through that carrier's team, which adds time.

SIMOptions is not trying to be a simpler Airalo. It is the better choice for travelers who want carrier transparency, a real European phone number, or hotspot access without a daily cap. If you just need cheap data for a short trip, a simpler app will serve you faster.

SIMOptions: Pricing and plans

SIMOptions sells three types of plans worth knowing:

• Own-brand data plans: SIMOptions' own eSIMs.These are data-only and do not include a phone number. They are usually the cheaper option for basic trips.
• Number-included carrier plans: Select Orange and Bouygues plans include a +33 French number with EU calls/SMS. The O2 Go Card includes a +420 Czech number and a small amount of prepaid call/SMS credit.
• Regional bundles: Multi-country plans covering Europe, Asia, North America, and beyond.

Europe Plans (as of June 2026)

Plan

Carrier

Data

Calls & SMS

Validity

Price

Europe 5GB

SIMOptions

5GB (4G)

No

30 days

$9.90

Travel Basic

Bouygues

15GB (5G)

No

15 days

$15.90

Go Card 10GB

O2

10GB (4G/5G)

Yes (~$2 credit)

30 days

$21.90

Travel Basic+

Bouygues

20GB (5G)

Yes (EU unlimited)

15 days

$23.90

Europe Unlimited 7 Days

SIMOptions

Unlimited (4G)

No

7 days

$24.90

Holiday Zen

Orange

20GB (4G)

Yes (EU unlimited + 30 mins intl)

31 days

$28.90

Go Card 20GB

O2

20GB (4G/5G)

Yes (~$2 credit)

30 days

$29.90

My European eSIM 30GB

Bouygues

30GB (5G)

Yes (EU unlimited)

30 days

$32.90

My European eSIM 60GB

Bouygues

60GB (5G)

Yes (EU unlimited)

30 days

$39.90

Europe Unlimited 14 Days

SIMOptions

Unlimited (4G)

No

14 days

$39.90

Holiday Europe

Orange

50GB (4G)

Yes (EU unlimited + 2 hrs intl)

31 days

$49.90

Holiday Europe 100GB

Orange

100GB (5G)

Yes (EU unlimited + 2 hrs intl)

31 days

$55.90

My European eSIM 120GB

Bouygues

120GB (5G)

Yes (EU unlimited)

30 days

$55.90

Prices shown are promotional as of July 2026. Check simoptions.com before purchasing.

For the US, SIMOptions offers plans that run on AT&T and T-Mobile. These are data-only and do not include a phone number.

• On hotspot: SIMOptions advertises hotspot/tethering as fully allowed on its Europe plans. This is useful if you need to connect a laptop, tablet, or another phone while traveling. That gives it an advantage over Holafly's Europe eSIM, which does not allow hotspot or tethering. For resold carrier plans outside the main Europe lineup, check the plan page before buying.
• On refunds: Refunds are only available if the eSIM cannot be activated due to a verified technical issue with SIMOptions or its telecom provider. Buying the wrong plan, using an incompatible device, entering the wrong email address, or changing your mind does not usually qualify.

SIMOptions: What you get with a local number

Most travel eSIMs are data-only. Airalo's Europe regional plans, standard Holafly destination eSIMs, and SIMOptions' own-brand plans all fall into this category. You get internet and not a phone number.

That gap matters more than people expect. I learned this the hard way when an Airbnb host in Paris kept trying to reach me by SMS to share a door code. My data-only eSIM was fine. My inbox was empty. I only got the code because I had kept my home SIM active in the second slot.

The number-included plans on SIMOptions fix this. The Orange Holiday and Bouygues My European plans come with a real French +33 mobile number. The O2 Go Card includes a Czech +420 number.

These are SIM-based numbers on actual carrier networks, not VoIP lines or temporary virtual numbers. They can receive regular incoming SMS, hotel confirmation codes, bank OTPs, and app verification texts. Orange and Bouygues plans also cover calls within Europe.

International calls outside Europe are metered across all plans:

• Holiday Zen: 30 minutes
• Orange Holiday Europe (50GB and 100GB): 2 hours
• O2 Go Card: small prepaid credit of around $2

You can also register a new WhatsApp account using the +33 or +420 number, which is useful if local contacts need a European number to reach you.

That said, OTP delivery is not guaranteed.

A few things worth knowing before you rely on it:

• Some banks block verification codes sent to foreign numbers entirely
• Your home bank will keep routing OTPs to the number already on file, regardless of which eSIM you are using
• For anything critical, keep your home SIM active in a dual-SIM slot or switch to app-based authentication before you leave

SIMOptions: Installation and activation

(Image credit: SIMOptions)

Setup is faster than most travel eSIM providers. You choose your plan and go straight to checkout, and the QR code arrives by email within minutes.

Here’s how you can do it:

• Receive the QR code by email
• Install the eSIM according to the plan’s activation rule.
• Activate it when you land and connect to a local network

Check the activation rule on your specific plan before installing. Some SIMOptions plans activate only when you connect at your destination, while others activate immediately after installation. If your plan activates on installation, install it after you arrive or just before travel.

Install over Wi-Fi rather than mobile data to reduce the risk of activation issues. Once active, turn off automatic data switching so your phone doesn't fall back to your home carrier's roaming rates without you noticing.

SIMOptions: Compatible devices

SIMOptions works on any eSIM-compatible, carrier-unlocked phone. Most global devices released after 2019 qualify. SIMOptions’ compatibility list is broader than its FAQ, but still not perfect. It includes recent models from Apple, Samsung, Google, and Motorola, yet regional variants still need to be checked.

To check eSIM support, dial *#06# on your phone. If an EID number appears, the hardware supports eSIM, but that only confirms hardware capability.

A phone under a financing contract will show an EID and still block a foreign eSIM from activating. On iPhone, go to Settings > General > About and confirm the Carrier Lock field reads "No SIM Restrictions."

Brand

Compatible Models

Notes

Apple

iPhone XS/XR onward

China, Hong Kong, and Macau variants not compatible. US models from iPhone 14 onward are eSIM-only.

Samsung

Galaxy S20 and later, Z Fold, Z Flip

Some US and Korean models not compatible.

Google

Pixel 3 and later

Some regional variants not compatible.

Huawei

P40, P40 Pro, Mate 40 Pro

P40 Pro+ and all P50-series models do not support eSIM. Non-China-purchased units only.

Motorola

Razr and Edge series (select models)

Region-dependent.

Others

Oppo, Sony Xperia, Xiaomi (select models)

Check the compatibility page before purchasing.

Your phone also needs to be carrier-unlocked. Contact your carrier if you're not sure.

SIMOptions: Customer support

(Image credit: SIMOptions)

Support is reachable, but it takes some patience. You have live chat on the site and email at contact@simoptions.com. The live chat widget is the faster option in theory, but it can take a while to load (not great when you are standing somewhere with no data and a non-working eSIM).

Here is the part most people miss: there is a phone line at +1 646 586 2166. It is not plastered on the homepage, but it exists. If chat is being slow and the issue is urgent, just call. It will save you 20 minutes of waiting on a chat response.

One thing to keep expectations realistic on: if your issue started on the carrier side, SIMOptions has to go through that carrier's team to fix it. That is not a SIMOptions failure exactly, but it does mean resolution takes longer than you would want.

SIMOptions: Final verdict

(Image credit: SIMOptions)

SIMOptions is not the simplest travel eSIM provider, but it solves a problem many others avoid: calls and SMS. If you need a real local number in Europe, SIMOptions is one of the strongest options. The pricing is fair for what you get, and the carrier transparency is useful. Being able to see names like Orange, Bouygues, O2, AT&T, and T-Mobile before buying makes the service feel more predictable than many generic travel eSIMs.

The main downside is choice overload. SIMOptions has a large catalog, and the differences between plans are not always obvious at first glance. You need to check the carrier, activation rule, phone number support, hotspot policy, and top-up option before buying.

Use SIMOptions if you need a real local number in Europe, want to know which carrier you are buying, or need a hotspot without a daily cap. Choose Airalo for the simplest data-only experience. Choose Holafly if unlimited data matters more than hotspot use or calls/SMS.

SIMOptions: FAQsDoes SIMOptions provide a real phone number?

Yes. SIMOptions gives you a real local phone number on select carrier plans. The Orange Holiday and Bouygues My European plans include a carrier-issued +33 French mobile number. The O2 Go Card includes a +420 Czech number. Data-only plans (including SIMOptions’ own-brand plans) do not come with a number.

Can I receive OTP codes abroad with SIMOptions?

Yes. On number-included plans. The Orange and Bouygues carrier plans use actual SIM-based numbers that receive SMS, including one-time codes from banks and apps. Note that your home bank will still send OTPs to your home number on file. Keep your home SIM active or switch to app-based authentication to handle those. Not every service accepts codes sent to non-home-country numbers, so test before depending on it for anything critical.

Does SIMOptions work with WhatsApp?

Yes. If your plan includes a local number, you can register WhatsApp with it. Otherwise, your existing WhatsApp account works normally over mobile data. On a number-included plan, you can register a new WhatsApp account using your +33 or +420 number. WhatsApp sends a verification code, you enter it, and the account is live.

Can I make calls with SIMOptions?

Yes, you can make calls with SIMOptions on number-included carrier plans. Orange and Bouygues plans with a phone number include calls within Europe. International calls (Europe to the US, for example) are metered. The Holiday Zen includes 30 minutes. The 50GB Orange plan includes two hours. The O2 Go Card includes a small credit of around $2.

What happens when I run out of data?

If you run out of data you can top up through the SIMOptions app, on supported plans. Orange Holiday and Bouygues plans generally allow top-ups. Some own-brand plans don’t, so check before buying if you expect to need more data mid-trip.

Do I need to verify my identity to buy a SIMOptions eSIM?

No. There’s no sign-up or ID required at checkout. One exception: French law requires Orange lines to be registered with ID within 30 days of use. For trips under a month, this usually will not affect you because the deadline falls after most short trips end. Bouygues and O2 plans have no such requirement.

What is the refund policy?

Refunds are only given if the eSIM fails to activate because of a verified technical fault on SIMOptions’ side. Once the QR code has been emailed to you, there are no refunds for buying the wrong plan, using an incompatible device, or changing your mind.

Johor’s data center pipeline has reached 8,542 MW, but a 0.7% colocation vacancy rate, grid constraints, and water demand mean regional IT buyers need to separate announced capacity from infrastructure they can actually deploy.

The post Malaysia Data Center Growth Surges as Johor Capacity Tightens appeared first on TechRepublic.

Looking for the best business email provider? Compare top options like Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, and Zoho Mail to choose the right one.

The post 6 Best Small Business Email Providers for 2026 appeared first on TechRepublic.

• Study finds remote workers are far happier and more productive
• Remote workers reported much higher well-being, but were also less likely to leave their role
• Study also dispels myth that remote workers might feel alienated from co-workers

Letting employees work remotely can have a significant positive effect on their productivity, job satisfaction and mental health, another major study has found.

A survey of 7,704 employees at a large US healthcare organization by researchers at the Leeds School of Business found fully remote workers reported the highest levels of well-being, with those entirely office-based reporting the lowest level.

The findings, published in Frontiers in Psychology, also noted that it was unable to discover significant evidence that remote workers felt any less connected to colleagues or workplace culture, once again disproving the myth against flexible working.

Stay flexible

"This suggests you let people work remotely if they want to work remotely," said Stefanie Johnson, professor of organizational leadership and information analytics at the Leeds School of Business and co-author of the study. "Taking away people's choice of how they work is probably not going to help them in terms of their well-being."

The researchers also looked at the level of employee turnover one year after the survey was completed, finding employees with higher well-being were less likely to leave the organization.

Remote work was associated with higher well-being, which in turn was associated with lower turnover, showing that work location cannot be a strong direct predictor of turnover.

"The data from our study and others suggest remote and hybrid work result in better outcomes than return-to-office mandates," Johnson added. "Leaders are not making decisions based on data. I think they are just returning to what they are used to."

Remote working has been a long-standing debate ever since the Covid-19 pandemic forced people around the world to be flexible.

While office-based working can have some benefits, it is increasingly noticeable that it is largely the CEOs and owners of large businesses who back a return - not those who actually have to do it, and those paying large sums of money for travel and food costs.

Amazon, Dell and Tesla are among the companies which have adopted five-day mandates, while others have also adopted four-day and three-day mandates.