Feed aggregator

• Dolby confirms that Dolby Vision 2 HDR can come to existing 4K Blu-ray hardware, including both discs and players
• However, it will require the player manufacturers to work with Dolby on updates, and Sony says it has no plans to update, with no comment from Panasonic or Magnetar
• Dolby says that Dolby Vision 2 TVs will still show visual improvements with Dolby Vision 1 discs, because of the upgraded processing engine

Dolby Vision 2, the next generation of Dolby's HDR format, is rolling out to its first TVs right now — and Dolby answered one my most burning questions about the new tech, which is whether it can come to 4K Blu-ray as well as streaming.

Digging into the answer turns out to be mixed news. It was positive from a technical side: the team confirmed that Dolby Vision 2 can work on existing Blu-ray disc and players. However, making it work will require a firmware update to ensure full compatibility — and that looks like it could be the problem.

I sat down with Dolby Laboratories' vice-president of home devices, Chris Turkstra, and director of business strategy Jonas Klittmark. As you'd expect, both men were big cheerleaders for the new technology. But they were also realistic about the challenges around existing Blu-ray players in particular.

"UHD Blu-ray is fantastic," Klittmark said. "It's hard to get 120 megabits over streaming, right? So if you're the kind of person who cares about that, like I am, then it still makes sense."

However, "the problem with UHD Blu-ray is that the industry behind the consumer electronics devices that power it… some of them are not even there any more. My player happens to be an Oppo from 10 years ago, and I think those guys closed shop half a decade ago."

As he explains, that poses a potential problem for full Blu-ray compatibility. "While we wouldn't need any new hardware for those devices to have the optimal behavior for Dolby Vision 2, they would need a software update to make sure they're configured correctly."

And so far, the manufacturers still doing Blu-ray don't seem to be champing at the bit. We reached out to Panasonic, Sony and Magnetar to ask about their Dolby Vision 2 plans, and only Sony responded — and confirmed that that it won't update its existing players, as things stand. A statement from the company read:

"We do not plan to provide a software/firmware update to support Dolby Vision 2 on the current Blu-ray player lineup."

Why does Dolby Vision 2 require an update?

"We would love to see Dolby Vision 2 come to all devices. And I think over time, it will come to many more devices than TVs," Klittman says. "But UHD Blu-ray is a is a problematic one."

While supporting Dolby Vision 2 requires new hardware on TVs (it only works on specific TV processors), it doesn't require it for players because all the players need to do is pass data encoded in the stream onto the TV, and then the TV does the hard processing. However, the players need to know how to handle that data: "Since these are old players, there's probably a software update needed for many of them," says Klittmark.

Dolby's team highlighted that their particular concern is getting the data accurately over the HDMI connection. "There are so many nuances over HDMI," Klittmark says. "Different ways to prioritize things, different transmission formats, et cetera... I don't want to oversimplify the work involved. It's about making sure that all the Dolby Vision 2 Content Intelligence, as we're calling it, actually makes it through, and that the device is configured correctly for the best HDMI transmission."

As Chris Turkstra explains, the software update would be needed "in the formatting tools of the device. It's a fairly complex amount of change... while we definitely would love to have it, I don't know if there will be enough [demand] to get people to do that work."

Of course, the Dolby Vision 2 data would also need to be on the disc itself, so existing movies won't take advantage of it, and I doubt it's a format that will get people replacing their existing discs with a new version — but still, for new releases and fresh restorations, it would be great to have the extra accuracy it's designed to bring.

Dolby Vision 2 and 4K Blu-ray should still be better, even without upgrades

So what happens if your player's manufacturer is long gone, or is still around but doesn't want to put the effort into a firmware upgrade? You should still see some benefits from the new generation of Dolby Vision if you have a compatible TV, especially the new and significantly more powerful image engine.

"When it's just regular Dolby Vision, your Dolby Vision 2 TV will still be able to give you a lot of the benefits that we're talking about, including for UHD Blu-ray," Klittman says. "That's what's exciting: that will work for UHD Blu-ray regardless of whether the players get updated or not."

The upgraded processing engine at the heart of Dolby Vision 2 is capable of doing more advanced work with the existing metadata in Dolby Vision, and Dolby has said that there should be a clear improvement. I've seen a demo of Dolby Vision 2 processing with original Dolby Vision content on cheaper TVs, and there's a visible difference.

Of course, what I'm most interested in is how DV2-exclusive options such as Precision Black — in which data about how the creator viewed the mastering monitor when finalizing the color grade can be used to improve HDR visibility and accuracy — could help really dark movies to bring through more shadow detail while still staying true to the master.

Sadly cinephiles may face a frustrating choice if their favorite movies get the Dolby Vision 2 treatment on streaming: get the 4K Blu-ray version with the best picture quality overall, or stream in a lower bitrate but with potentially closer accuracy to the mastered image.

Multicolor 3D printing is much easier when the hardware needed to handle multiple filaments comes as part of the package. One of our favorite choices from our workshop tests, the Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo, is now $550 (was $650) at Amazon for Prime members.

The combo pairs the Kobra S1 with Anycubic's ACE 2 Pro, which manages four filaments while also doubling as a heated filament dryer. It can dry filament at temperatures up to 65°C while you're printing.

This enclosed CoreXY 3D printer offers native four-color printing, 600mm/s maximum speeds, a 320°C hotend, automatic leveling, resonance compensation, smart filament management, and simultaneous filament drying and printing.View Deal

Why we recommend it

Four-color printing straight out of the box is the headline attraction, but the ACE 2 Pro does more than automatically switch between spools. It can identify compatible filament, estimate how much remains, automatically refill filament, and maintain filament condition through active drying and sealed storage.

In his rave four-and-a-half-star review, our expert Alastair said: "When it comes to absolute precision, the Anycubic S1 is one of the best 3D printers out there."

He added: "What really appeals here is the absolute print quality. The precision and quality of the print finish are exceptional, no doubt partially down to the fact that the Ace Pro features a built-in dryer. This means the filament is in top condition when it enters the machine, and it really does make a difference to the quality."

The printer itself uses an enclosed CoreXY design, reaches speeds up to 600mm/s, and has a 320°C quick-release hotend. LeviQ 3.0 automatic leveling and resonance compensation are included to make setup easier, while support for PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, TPU, and other materials gives you plenty of scope for different projects.

For more options, take a look at our round up of the best 3D printers we've tested and the best 3D printer deals we've seen this week.

Price context & historical value

Amazon has reduced the Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo from $649.99 to $549.99, taking $100 off the regular price, or just over 15%. It has been cheaper in the past, but the lowest we've seen it on Amazon is $510, and not for long.

The combo aspect is important here. You're getting both the enclosed Kobra S1 and the ACE 2 Pro rather than buying a printer first and then adding the four-color filament system later.

Should you buy it?

✅ Buy the Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo if...

You want to get into multicolor 3D printing without buying the printer and filament system separately. The included ACE 2 Pro gives you four-color printing from the start, while adding further ACE 2 Pro units can expand the system to as many as 16 colors.

The ACE 2 Pro can actively dry filament at up to 65°C while the printer is working, so you don't have to finish drying a spool before starting your print.

❌ Skip the Anycubic Kobra S1 ACE 2 Pro Combo if...

You mostly produce straightforward single-color PLA prints. A large part of the appeal here comes from the ACE 2 Pro and its multicolor and filament-drying capabilities, so a simpler machine could give you everything you need for even less.

You should also consider how much space you have available. The enclosed printer measures 15.75 x 16.14 x 19.29 inches and weighs 39.6 pounds, before accounting for the ACE 2 Pro and filament.

The Catch: What to know before you buy

Although Anycubic describes the system as expandable, four-color printing is what you get with the hardware included here. Reaching the maximum 16 colors requires four ACE 2 Pro units in total, adding considerably to the cost and physical space required.

There's also a compatibility restriction worth remembering if you already own Anycubic equipment: ACE Pro and ACE 2 Pro units can't be used together. Make sure any future expansion hardware is the ACE 2 Pro version.

• Shop all 3D printers at Amazon

The year was 2013. I can remember the sheer excitement I felt as I stepped into my local video game store and laid eyes on the title that I’d been desperate to play for months. I’d brought a bag filled with Nintendo DS games that I’d played to near death, traded them in at the counter, and finally got my hands on the 3DS release that changed my gaming life for good: Fire Emblem Awakening.

Awakening was the game that truly got me into RPGs. Its vibrant cast of characters, its stellar strategic gameplay, its engrossing narrative — twelve-year-old me was enraptured by its brilliance.

Now, 13 years on, those feelings of excitement and enthusiasm have been reawakened. And that’s because I got the chance to play Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave, a title which — so far — has encapsulated everything that made me fall in love with the series all those years ago. Here’s how I’ve found my time with Fortune’s Weave, and why I think it could be the epic tactical RPG that defines the Nintendo Switch 2.

Enter the Flame Lords

Theodora is one of the four Flame Lords you can play as in Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave (Image credit: Nintendo)

Our adventure is centered around the land of Dagda, a kingdom enjoying a period of relative prosperity under the rule of Divine Sovereign Solel. A grand event is soon to take place in Dagda’s capital, Dagsion, which is drawing great warriors from around the kingdom and beyond: the Heroic Games. This tournament’s victor is to be granted one wish of their choosing, and the city is abuzz with anticipation. But little do the combatants know that a great calamity is soon to befall the world around them.

Five years after the Heroic Games have concluded, turmoil runs rife across Dagda. The demonic god, Balor, has returned, and the forces of the underworld have humanity hanging by a thread. One individual — you, the main protagonist — is tasked by the goddess Sothis to bring about salvation for humanity and drive away the darkness. And this is where we get into the real meat of Fortune’s Weave.

Four great warriors from the Heroic Games, known as the Flame Lords, have vanished. With the help of the goddess Fortuna, you are able to go back in time, alter the causality across each hero’s path, and recruit them to assist in the battle for Dagda’s deliverance.

As the player, you get to travel back to the time of the Heroic Games and delve into four individual campaigns that enable you to control each of the four Flame Lords: Cai, Dietrich, Theodora, and Leda. Meanwhile, you, the main protagonist, will appear as the Pale Raven, and be able to give advice on upcoming battles and watch over the Flame Lords along their journey.

It may sound like a lot to take in, and a lot of back and forths along the timeline, but the storytelling in the early section of the game — which I’ll be discussing here — is incredibly tight, clear, and gripping.

Walk the path of great heroes

Here we have Dietrich, stood beside an abnormally large black cat (Image credit: Nintendo)

After completing a brief prologue, you’re given the chance to pick from any of the four heroes, although you’re able to swap between each individual storyline whenever you feel like. I started by following Dietrich’s path, and wow. What a way to kick off my adventure.

First of all, I have to shout out the character design. Dietrich himself is a truly majestic specimen (something pointed out by many through your journey), and his chilling killer instincts and thirst for battle are reflected in his visceral combat style to perfection. He’s joined by a brilliantly charismatic cast, including the mysterious and eccentric priest, Fabio, the young and skilled Esmeralda, and the former mercenary Mikaela, to name a few.

Each character is surprisingly layered and full of charisma and intrigue, not to mention the absolutely phenomenal voice acting, which is already shaping up to be some of the best the series has ever produced. Naturally, you can build your support with each member of your party and view special conversations, just as you could in previous instalments.

Did you know TechRadar now has membership?

(Image credit: Future)

Become a TechRadar Insider by simply clicking 'Join Now' at the top of this page. Have a question? Please email membership@techradar.com

Although Dietrich’s path has been my favorite so far, I’ve dipped into the story of each protagonist, and all offer a strong lineup of characters, distinct yet interwoven narratives, and unique mechanics to drill into.

For instance, Theodora can assign battalions, which can boost a unit’s attack power and inflict status effects on foes, and Dietrich can learn new combat arts from wandering warriors. It keeps each pathway feeling fresh and distinct, and incentivized me to try out each and every one of the Flame Lords’ campaigns.

Although you’ll spend a decent amount of time on main story battles, you’ll also be given free time here and there. With this time, you can access training facilities to strengthen a unit's skill with certain weapons or magic, you can serve at a temple to earn favor from the gods, or you can dine at an inn to build up support with allies and regain motivation (required for certain tasks).

This is just a taste of what’s on offer, but the bottom line is, I found that there was never a shortage of things to do during my free time, and the variety on offer breathes vibrancy and life into Dagsion, making it feel like the esteemed capital it’s presented as.

Gameplay and combat: timeless fundamentals with some neat twists

Combat is as great as ever in Fortune's Weave, with some new mechanics such as Blaze Arts helping the experience feel fresh for returning fans (Image credit: Nintendo)

Let’s talk about the core gameplay on offer, though, which will be the most exciting aspect for a lot of returning fans.

A lot of the bones are the same. Other than some dungeon sections, which incorporate a mild amount of action combat and 3D exploration, you’re mainly playing a tactical JRPG with the usual grid-based combat. Each map is a blast to play through, and although things start out very easy, you’ll soon have to be considerate of which units you select, how you position them, and how you approach the enemy.

At its core, Fortune’s Weave is a continuation of what made the series great, and whether you play in Casual (where units return to your ranks after defeat), or Classic (where units are gone forever if they fall in battle), you’ll find that just about each decision you make on the battlefield matters — and building the perfect units and reclassing them to vanquish your opponent is still outrageously enjoyable.

Combat Arts are back, which degrade weapon durability in exchange for powerful actions, and Blessings from the gods give you boons in combat, such as a reduction in damage received or a higher chance of avoiding attacks. But there are also some new additions. Perhaps the most high-profile, and one I’ve been loving, is Blaze Arts.

Blaze Arts sacrifice a portion of your HP in return for powerful moves, but aren’t available to all units. Dietrich, for example, can warp forward multiple spaces and attack afterwards. Or Theodora can unleash an especially long-range attack on distant foes. The HP sacrifice prevents you from using them without consequence, and the abilities can help you clutch up in tense situations.

I’ve also been loving the battle animations, which add solid immersion to the action. The way that some units will parry attacks and swiftly retaliate, and the elaborate Blaze Arts animations, are both clear standouts and make battles feel like the spectacle they’re intended to be.

Outside of the excellent combat, it’s a lot of fun to just stroll through Dagsion, and movement feels both rapid and responsive. Fast travel is also an option if you want to get from A to B in an instant, but sometimes I just wanted to walk through the city and take in some of the amazing music. Whether it’s beautiful acoustic arrangements or ambient synth-led tracks, Fortune’s Weave is brimming with memorable music, and I can see myself coming back to the OST for years to come.

My only small nitpick about traversing Dagsion is that some of the NPCs provide incredibly repetitive dialogue. I heard “you’re looking well” and its many variations a lot more times than I’d care to mention in my first few hours with the game.

Graphics and performance: a clear step-up on Switch 2

Characters are bursting with personality and color in Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave (Image credit: Nintendo)

Moving on to performance now, and I have to say, I’m satisfied with what I’ve experienced from Fortune’s Weave so far.

The Switch 2 has added some much-needed firepower, and the improvement from Three Houses is substantial. Character models, such as that of Fortuna, look excellent, with her beaming yellow and rich purple hair really popping on-screen. I’d argue that a few textures on environmental elements, such as trees, perhaps look a bit basic, but it doesn’t feel like the game’s first priority is to be a graphical marvel.

Drawn characters look impressive during dialogue sections too, and have some animations to add emotion and depth to them. Beyond this, cinematic sequences are epic, and a couple of them reminded me of the grandeur exhibited by the opening of Fire Emblem Awakening (one that felt unskippable all those years ago).

One interesting inclusion in Fortune’s Weave is mouse controls, which, as expected, are as smooth and effective as ever on Switch 2. I honestly didn’t use them much, as I prefer to stick with traditional controls, but it’s always good to see a new title make use of the Switch 2’s new technological capabilities.

The game also runs really smoothly, and the Switch 2’s enhanced resolution makes for a more detailed experience than ever. Most of the time, loading screens are very brief too, although I did occasionally experience some minor delays when opening doors in Dagsion, for instance — nothing particularly grating though.

My final thoughts (so far)

You can interact with the protagonist in the form of the Pale Raven, and boost your support points as you journey through each Flame Lord's path — and if your chat goes well, you can even achieve Perfect Bird Time. Pretty neat, right? (Image credit: Nintendo)

Of course, there are a lot of battles that lie ahead, and there’s a lot more story to sink my teeth into, but the early signs are incredibly positive for Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave.

So far, the captivating storytelling, brilliant cast of characters, refined turn-based tactical combat, and immersive world of Fortune’s Weave have got me hooked, and I can’t wait to spend more time with the game. These qualities really took me back in time to when I first fell in love with the series, and if my initial hours are anything to go by, I think long-time fans will appreciate the distinct yet interwoven stories, challenging battles, and high stakes.

I should note that I had a good time with Fire Emblem: Three Houses, but the opening of Fortune’s Weave feels like it’s building on everything that made that entry click in a meaningful, substantive way.

I’m sure there’ll be lots more to discuss when the full game launches in September, so keep your eyes peeled for our full review when the time comes, but until then, I’m going to enjoy my ride on the Fire Emblem hype train.

• .com is no longer the highest-priced TLD in terms of average value
• .ai is at an all-time high average value of $535,000, a 260% surge in three months
• .com domains still lead in terms of volume at $86 million, compared to .ai at $37.7 million

.com has long been established as the gold standard top-level domain (TLD). From Amazon and eBay to Google and Facebook, practically every online behemoth has been built on .com.

But with so much new technology flooding the market, could this all be about to change?

New research has claimed .com has lost its standing as the highest-priced web address in terms of average value – beaten by .ai.

The .ai boom

The report by Escrow.com found a record-high average value of .com domains of $529k, beating its previous cycle peak in 2021. Yet, despite its huge value, .ai still beat it, with an all-time high average value of $535k, marking a 260% surge in just three months.

This data reinforces a clear trend, with AI continuing to spread from the stock market into the TLD space and beyond.

The report also highlights a 270% increase in the volume of .ai domains, growing from $10.0 million to $37.7 million during the period. However, .com remains considerably higher by volume at an impressive $86 million.

"This quarter's .ai growth alone beat the combined gain of every other country-code extension. A year ago we didn't know if .ai would actually challenge .com or just fizzle out like the rest. Now we've got an answer. Buyers are paying more, on average, for a good .ai name than a good .com one," shared Matt Barrie, Chief Executive of Escrow.com.

With many AI-focused businesses entering the market, there is little surprise that there is growing demand for the .ai TLD. Startups and small businesses using it gain an immediately recognizable sign of who they are and what they do.

The risks of .ai

Picking a .ai domain isn’t without its risks - using .ai can make it hard to pivot. For example, if a startup launches its brand on a .ai domain, only to later pivot away from AI, the equivalent .com domain may not be available or may be incredibly expensive.

Brands also need to factor in that .ai isn’t a generic domain like .com, but is an official country-code top-level domain (ccTLD) for Anguilla, a British Overseas Territory in the Caribbean.

According to some reports, .ai domain registrations have transformed Anguilla’s economy, which has primarily relied on tourism in the past. However, this reliance on a single local government can create uncertainty for .ai users, subjecting them to potential regulatory changes, geopolitical instability, and political shifts.

If standard office chairs feel cramped there are options, including choosing something better suited, like the GTPlayer Big and Tall Chair, currently $114 (was $126) at Amazon and designed specifically with bigger and taller adults in mind.

Yes, it's technically a gaming chair, but much of the specification makes just as much sense for a home office. The big selling point is its wide, flat seat, which measures 20.1 inches across and avoids the restrictive raised wings found on many chairs.

The cushion is also a substantial 4.4 inches thick, combining high-density shaped foam with pocket springs for responsive support. There's a 350-pound weight capacity, a retractable footrest, linkage armrests that move as you recline, and a backrest adjustable from 90 to 135 degrees.

This big-and-tall chair supports up to 350 pounds and combines a 20.1-inch wide seat, 4.4-inch pocket-spring cushion, 90 to 135-degree recline, linkage armrests, retractable footrest, and metal frame.View Deal

Why we recommend it

Size is the real attraction here. A chair described as big and tall needs to offer more than a high weight limit, and this one combines its 350-pound capacity with a genuinely wide, flat seat.

Removing the usual gaming-chair side wings also means that extra width is actually available to you rather than being eaten up by bolsters.

Instead of sitting on a relatively thin slab of foam for an entire working day, you get a 4.4-inch cushion combining high-density foam with individual springs designed to spread pressure and provide responsive support.

The backrest reclines as far as 135 degrees, the armrests follow its movement, and the retractable footrest lets you put your feet up without leaving your desk.

For other options, take a look at our round up of the best office chairs.

Price context & historical value

Amazon has reduced the GTPlayer chair from $125.99 to $113.39, taking $12.60 off the usual price. That's a 10% reduction, so the discount itself isn't enormous, but it makes an already affordable big-and-tall chair a little more affordable. This is as cheap as we've seen it on Amazon, so if it appeals, now is a good time to buy.

Should you buy it?

✅ Buy the GTPlayer Big and Tall Chair if...

You need more space than a conventional office chair provides. The 20.1-inch flat, wingless seat gives bigger users more room around the thighs, while also making it easier for anyone who likes to change position and spread out.

It's also a good fit if you want one chair for both work and downtime. Sit upright at your desk during the day, then recline the backrest and pull out the footrest when you want to relax or watch something.

❌ Skip the GTPlayer Big and Tall Chair if...

You want a dedicated ergonomic office chair with extensive adjustment. Although the backrest reclines and the linkage armrests move with it, you don't get the seat-depth, lumbar, and highly configurable armrest adjustments available on more expensive ergonomic models.

The black and red faux leather finish also reveals its gaming-chair origins. It should fit easily into a home office, but anyone furnishing a more conservative professional workspace may prefer something less conspicuous.

The Catch: What to know before you buy

This is still fundamentally a gaming-style chair rather than a specialist ergonomic office chair, and its faux leather upholstery won't be as breathable as mesh during long work sessions.

It's worth checking the measurements before ordering, too. “Big and tall” can mean different things between manufacturers, so the 20.1-inch seat width and overall dimensions are more useful than the label alone when deciding whether it gives you the extra room you're looking for.

• Shop all gaming chairs at Amazon

Over the last couple of days, I've become intimately aware of basically every product on sale at the new MSI UK Store than I thought one human ever could be. Why? Well, it's all because of a launch promotion that gives you the chance to buy one product each day for just £1.

As part of the MSI Cheat Code event, a voucher code has been hidden on one of the category or product pages on the MSI Store. The task is simple: search through those pages to find the hidden code, enter it at the checkout, and you'll come away with the product of the day for a single pound coin.

The catch, of course, is that the code is squirreled away in one of the hundreds of pages that make up the site. Plus, there's only one code available. So, as soon as someone finds it and uses it, the offer for the day expires.

Quite how or where it's hidden, I can't say for sure. It could be just in a part of the item description, or superimposed over one of the product images, or maybe even just hidden as white text somewhere on the page. I honestly don't know, as I still haven't found one yet. I don't think I'm smart enough to come up with a way to search through the page source to find anything easier, either — if that's even possible.

(Image credit: MSI)

So far, a few lucky so-and-sos have come away with a monitor and a motherboard and AIO cooler bundle for a quid. Today's offer on a mesh Wi-Fi system is still yet to be claimed at the time of writing, so you can head over to the MSI Store to start searching now.

My eyes are on some of the products being featured in the next few days, though. Already confirmed are a case and power supply, a QD-OLED monitor, and, most importantly of all, an RTX 5060Ti. Bagging the latter for just £1 would be the bargain of the year, especially with all the ongoing issues with prices around PC components.

Whether anyone is successful or not, I'm sure this will at least make the metrics look good for MSI's new store, as loads of people repeatedly scour through every category and product page to try and find the hidden code. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm returning to the hunt. I'll be interested to know in the comments if you have any luck.

Elegoo is behind some of the top-rated 3D printers we've tested. And with the company running a big back-to-school sale, I've selected the three best deals for all 3D printing enthusiasts based on our own testing.

My top overall pick has to be the multi-color Centauri Carbon 2 Combo for $379 (was $449), while in the UK it's down to £349 (was £398).

For beginners on a budget, check out the Elegoo Neptune 4 Pro for $229 (was $274) in the US, and £179 (was £290) in the UK.

And for model-making and miniatures, the Saturn Ultra 4 drops to $379 (was $594) for US readers, or £309 (was £443) in the UK.

• US: Shop the full back-to-school sale at Elegoo
• UK: See the full sale at Elegoo UK

Awarded 4.5 stars after testing, the Centauri Carbon 2 is a fast, accurate, multi-color 3D printer that builds on the brilliance of the original Centauri Carbon machine. We called it "one of the cheapest and most reliable multifilament machines on the market."

In the UK: now £349 (was £398)View Deal

The Neptune 4 Pro earned 4 stars in our tests, with the open-enclosure 3D printer handling most tasks automatically, making it a good budget pick for beginners. "Efficient, reliable, high-quality 3D printing for enthusiasts," is how we described results.

In the UK: now £179 (was £290)View Deal

As a 12K resin 3D printer, the Saturn Ultra 4 is designed for fine-detail printing of models and miniatures. And that's where it really shone during our own testing, earning it 4 stars.

In the UK: now £309 (was £443)View Deal

• Want higher resolution? The Saturn 4 Ultra 16K is $439 (was $650) and £389 (was £576) at Elegoo

Why we recommend it

The Centauri Carbon 2 is an easy recommendation - we actually awarded it a coveted TechRadar Pro Highly Recommended badge. Earning 4.5 stars in our review, the 3D printer left us impressed with up to 500 mm/s print speeds across a 256 × 256 × 256 mm build area.

The real magic here is in the integrated Canvas multi-color 3D printing feature, which was lacking in the otherwise excellent first-generation Centauri Carbon. It's also capable of printing PLA,PETG,PLA-CF,ABA, ASA,PC,PA,PET filaments.

Overall, we found the machine to be "exceptionally high quality," offering serious value for money. In our final verdict, we noted: When it comes to print quality, the detail and accuracy of the prints really do stand out."

The Neptune 4 Pro is a simpler machine with a budget price-tag comparable with a system like the Creality Hi or Bambu Lab's A-series 3D printers.

We scored this 4 stars in our review, calling it "one of the best 3D printers for beginners, offering a seamless printing experience with great results."

We also found the 3D printer "impresses with its outstanding performance and user-friendly design." So, a great place for those starting out.

In our 4-star review of the Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra, we found ourselves impressed with the "high resolution, ease of use, and smart features," and called it "a great choice for anyone looking to print detailed models.

The feature-set on this 12K 3D printer is pro-grade, coming equipped with auto-levelling and an AI camera to streamline the 3D printing process. As expected from a resin printer, accuracy and print quality proved superb, with excellent value for money overall.

Price context & historical value

As someone who covers a lot of 3D printer deals, these discounts are very good.

For instance, back in March, I spotted the Centauri Carbon 2 Combo discounted to $450 at Amazon, and it's currently priced at $400 there.

Similarly, the Saturn 4 Ultra is $427 at Amazon right now, making it a better buy direct from Elegoo.

Even the Saturn 4 Ultra 16K is cheaper at $439 (was $650) and £389 (was £576) at Elegoo compared to Amazon, where it's retailing for $520.

Overall, then, prices are worth jumping on while they're this low.

For more picks, we've tested the best 3D printers and rounded up this week's best 3D printer deals.

Should you buy it?

✅ Buy the Centauri Carbon 2 Combo if...

You want an impressive all-rounder multi-color 3D printer that delivers speed and accuracy for a reasonable price.

✅ Buy the Neptune 4 Pro if...

You're new to 3D printing and want a value-led machine with features that help ease you into crafting.

✅ Buy the Saturn 4 Ultra if...

Your focus is on 3D printing models, cosplay props, and other prints that demand high-res detail and total accuracy.

The Catch: What to know before you buy

The main issue we found with the Centauri Carbon 2 was that you're still limited to four colors at a time, which are externally attached to the 3D printer. So, make sure you're working in a temperature-controlled environment that's not too cold.

With the Neptune 4 Pro, you may need to tweak some settings to get the setup you really want. That might feel daunting at first, but it's a good excuse to learn the ins and outs of 3D printing.

We have nothing but praise for the performance of the Saturn 4 Ultra, but we did find the AI camera isn't as accurate as we would've liked.

• US: Shop the full back-to-school sale at Elegoo
• UK: See the full sale at Elegoo UK

• No sign of Pixel Buds Pro 3 at Google's recent unveiling event
• Some new upgrades have come to existing buds
• …As well as a new Pixel Buds Pro 2 colorway

At the recent August Pixel 11 unveiling event, we saw some new folding (and unfolding) phones, an updated smartwatch and even a location tracker, but one member of the Pixel family who wasn't invited was the Google Pixel Pro 3.

Despite the Google Pixel Pro 2 being practically two years old now, and the cheaper Pixel Buds 2a being nearly a year old, the brand is not updating its earbud line-up just yet.

Given that the company isn't known for its Samsung- or Apple-style sporadic launches, (Google has typically updated with greater regularity, with true wireless earbuds landing in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2024 and 2025, most recently with the Buds 2a) that could point to an August 2027 release date for new Pro Buds.

Maybe Google wants to keep its buds in the oven a little longer this time, given that we've historically not given them glowing reviews to date. If the company was truly fixated on major updates for its phones, it probably wouldn't have released new smartphones in which the only major update is a notification LED, a feature that while nice to have, is something many a rival phone was able to boast 10 years ago.

Technically, one new pair of Google earbuds did arrive at the August 12 event: Pixel Pro 2 now come in an olive green colorway, which is on sale now. But perhaps more interesting is that some new features are coming to the Pro 2 and 2a from September.

New Pixel Buds features: the lowdown

(Image credit: Future)

None of the new Google Pixel Buds features are groundbreaking — or would cause those review scores to shift — but they might be useful for existing owners. Admittedly, they won't have me dusting off my Buds 2a, but they're worth reporting.

Firstly, you can now use the Gemini chatbot to change audio settings. Whether it's quicker to say "Hey Google, turn the volume up" or just turn the volume up yourself, is up to you. This also works for frequencies in the mix (think, "Hey Google, turn the bass up").

Secondly, the live translation mode can now be triggered by tapping your earbud, and the Pixel Buds will automatically hear and translate for you (the upgrade being that you no longer need to use your phone to do this).

You need a Pixel phone for that tool — and for this next one, a Pixel Watch is needed. If you go to sleep listening to music, your Google-made smartwatch will recognize this, and pause your tunes. It'll also turn off the Buds' touch controls and silence notifications, so you won't be woken by a late-night WhatsApp message, say.

There's one more feature, which sounds like the most interesting, but it's only for the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2. It's called Dynamic ANC, and it'll change noise cancellation based on the fit of your earbud. In practice, this means if the buds wiggle around in your ear and affect the tip seal, the Pro 2 will compensate for resulting changes in sound.

Look, it's a welcome new feature within Google's current Pro Buds, even if the cynical among us might suggest Google could've achieved the same end result by releasing new earbuds with an emphasis on fit…

I’ve tested over 10 water filter systems. Ninja’s $200 offering does a few things they don’t.

• Twitch has revealed that user streams are training Amazon’s AI
• You have to actively opt out to prevent this from happening
• The community has reacted with fury over the move

If there’s one thing a sizeable proportion of the population hates more than artificial intelligence (AI), it’s being opted in to having their data automatically fed into an AI for training. Yet that’s exactly what’s going to happen to your Twitch streams unless you specifically opt out.

The issue came to light when the official @TwitchSupport posted on X to explain that “We’ve added a setting that lets you opt out of having your channel content used to train generative AI content models across Amazon.”

According to an FAQ on Twitch’s account settings support page, data used for training AI includes “Your stream and the stream’s chat, your VODs, your Clips, Highlights, and any text or images on your Channel.”

Notably, neither the @TwitchSupport post nor Twitch’s FAQ provided steps on how you can opt out. If you want to do that, you’ll need to click on your Twitch profile picture and go to Settings > Security and Privacy, then untick the toggle next to Training for Generative AI near the bottom of the page.

It’s worth being aware that opting out of AI training does not mean you won’t see any AI features on Twitch. The website says that it “may also still use your data to run AI-supported features,” including captioning, while other AI tools like AutoMod will still function for safety and security reasons. However, the difference is that these AI features do not retain and use your streams to generate new content.

As well as that, Twitch warns that “If you chat on someone else’s stream, their opt-out preferences govern if that chat can be used for training.” So even opting your own stream out doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll be spared from feeding Amazon’s AI when you visit another user’s page.

A highly divisive move

(Image credit: NurPhoto (Getty Images))

It’s safe to say that this move has not gone down well with Twitch users. One Redditor branded it “absolutely disgusting,” adding that there are “over 13,000 votes on their uservoice thread saying no to this, and they still made it on by default.”

Other people speculated that this might have been a move forced on Twitch by its owner Amazon. Popular Twitch streamer AnEternalEnigma commented on Reddit to say that the AI training move was made “because it was Daddy Amazon’s decision. Not Twitch’s. I know for a fact multiple people at Twitch internally fought against this and fought for the opt-out button.”

A recent recording of a discussion between Mike Minton, Twitch’s Chief Product Officer, and Twitch’s Head of Community Mary Kish lent some weight to this argument. In explaining why AI training is not opt in, Minton said bluntly that “if it was opt in, nobody would opt in.”

In a revealing comment, Minton then added: “I know this is not a fan favorite. I know it’s very upsetting to the community. But this is where we are.” That doesn’t exactly sound like a ringing endorsement of a feature that Minton is excited about, and the “but this is where we are” admission seems to imply that the decision was out of his hands.

Kish later commented to say: “The opt out numbers will help us continue to reiterate that our community is not receptive of AI in any form. I’m sorry but I am reading your comments and do hear you.”

If you watch the video and read Kish’s words, it seems clear that neither Minton nor Kish were keen on the decision to make AI training opt out instead of opt in. As Kish said during the livestream discussion, “We don’t expect you to be happy or excited about this. I don’t expect anyone to react to this favorably.”

If you don’t want your Twitch streams to be vacuumed up and fed into Amazon’s AI algorithm, make sure you opt out in your Twitch settings as soon as you can. And while you’re at it, it would be a good idea to check any accounts you have at other AI companies to ensure your data is not being treated in a similar way.

• US government to allow private firms to conduct legal cyberattacks on foreign organizations targeting Americans
• Firms will be allowed to disrupt and destroy physical and virtual information systems and networks
• US victims of cyber scams and fraud lose around $20,000

President Trump has signed a memo which allows private US firms to partner with the US government in operations designed to surveille and disrupt Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs).

According to the memo, the partnership “will enhance our ability to counter TCO threats and combat transnational cybercrime, fraud, and other predatory schemes against American citizens,” essentially turning private companies into privateers with the ability to launch cyber attacks against foreign entities.

The memo marks a significant shift in how the US tackles foreign cybercrime. “American businesses’ innovative capabilities have historically been underutilized in efforts to identify and disrupt criminal networks operating in cyberspace,” the memo states. But what does this actually mean in practice?

US to leverage private sector for cyber defense

The US is the most targeted country in the world for cyber attacks and cybercrime, with 6.7 million victims losing $138.9 billion in the last year, placing the average loss per-victim at around $20,731.

The program will effectively create a global cyber surveillance network that acts as an early warning system against attacks targeting critical national infrastructure, such as the recent Iranian attacks targeting over 30 US water systems. Private companies that “discover an imminent cyber-attack against United States critical infrastructure” will be required to notify the National Coordination Center (NCC).

The US government isn’t just looking to work alongside the big tech companies. Big companies will be part of the picture to “provide critical capacity,” but smaller companies will also have the opportunity to become involved with the program as they are “more agile,” and “may be better suited for specialized or discrete tasks.”

When a threat is detected, private companies will put together a “cyber operations package” to be reviewed and approved by the Program Executive Directors. These packages will likely include plans for surveillance and offensive cyber operations.

Private companies looking to become part of the program will be vetted according to government guidelines, and will have to operate within a set of operating procedures under the oversight of the federal government. “No operation may be approved unless it complies with these operating procedures,” the memo says.

There is however a caveat that those involved within the program must “maintain a bond or escrow in an amount not less than $1 million,” which would be forfeit should a private company “enter non‑compliance with its contractual agreement.”

The memo also sets our parameters to prevent private companies from accidentally or intentionally targeting US citizens, or US information systems at home and abroad, with the company required to “cease such operation, conduct minimization procedures, and immediately notify the NCC,” in the event that a company “discovers operational activity exceeding the parameters and restrictions of the cyber operation”.

Additionally, “any activity authorized by the Program must be conducted subject to the oversight, operational control, and legal authorities of the United States Government”.

The memo is the latest step in the Trump administration’s efforts to allow private companies to legally launch cyberattacks on behalf of the US government. “The American private sector is the most innovative and technologically advanced in the world, and its scale, speed, and capacity secure a critical offensive cyber advantage for the United States,” the memo states.

The program will also put together a report on its progress every year, as well as reviewing the performance of each private company within the program within the same time frame.

• Garmin has apparently filed documentation for a smart ring
• It seems to be carrying over the Cirqa branding from the fitness tracker
• The device could potentially launch in the coming months

It seems Garmin is on a tear when it comes to expanding its range of fitness wearables: having challenged Whoop with the launch of the screenless Cirqa band in July, it's now apparently mulling over taking on the likes of Oura with its very own smart ring.

As per an Indonesian certification filing spotted by the rumor site Garmin News, the proposed smart ring would carry on the 'Cirqa' branding. It's categorized as a 'fitness product', and is a strong sign that a Garmin smart ring is coming — though not quite a guarantee.

Garmin has previously played down the idea of launching a smart ring to go with all of its smartwatches, but it seems something may have now shifted. It's not clear exactly when we might see the Cirqa smart ring, but a launch within a few months seems likely if the rumor is true; according to Garmin News, upcoming devices 'usually show up in database approvals right before manufacturing'.

The smart ring market is certainly a competitive one, with the recent launches of the Oura Ring 5 and the Ultrahuman Ring Pro. There have also been persistent rumors that Apple might eventually launch a smart ring to go alongside the Apple Watch.

What I want to see

The Oura Ring 5 (Image credit: Oura)

I already have a Garmin Instinct 3 Solar which I love, for the breadth of its tracking features and the excellent battery life (the solar aspect helps here). If Garmin gets it right with the Cirqa ring, I could be tempted to invest in another fitness wearable.

First and foremost, it has to be thin and light enough that I forget I'm wearing it. As great as my Instinct 3 is, it is bulky, and it's not particularly comfortable to wear during strenuous exercise or while sleeping (I tend to use my phone as a sleep tracker instead).

Secondly — and apologies for being very predictable here — it has to offer excellent battery life. Smart rings work best when they're worn constantly. This is an area Garmin has done well in historically, so I'm quite confident here.

Thirdly, I'd like to see it offer as full a range of features as possible, without a Garmin Connect+ subscription. The subscription has already caused enough controversy, and if too many of the Cirqa smart ring features are paywalled, it'll be a no thanks from me.

• Proton VPN's new Rust-based Proton Protocols is in beta on all major apps
• It replaces WireGuard-go for better stability, speed, post-quantum readiness
• It includes an Advanced Kill Switch and Linux Stealth support

Following up on recent teasers, Proton VPN has officially rolled out a massive under-the-hood update across its consumer apps. Powered by a new custom-built architecture dubbed Proton Protocols (known internally as ProTUN), the update is now live in beta across Windows, iOS, iPadOS, Android, and Linux GUI.

This overhaul aims to improve connection stability and censorship resistance. It's a significant upgrade that further solidifies the provider's spot as one of the best VPN services on the market for privacy purists.

Alongside the stealthy new engine, the beta launch brings a host of highly requested functional tweaks. These include persistent ad-blocker statistics across app sessions, a new interactive globe map for visual server selection, and the highly anticipated Advanced Kill Switch.

The team at Proton VPN notes that the shift to this new protocol resolves multiple quality-of-life issues, paving the way for faster, more reliable connections and noticeably more responsive apps across all supported ecosystems.

Proton VPN – best for privacy
The popular privacy-first VPN continues to invest in delivering the best Linux VPN possible. Before adding support for its Stealth protocol, the provider has been upgrading its apps with features like split tunneling, better stability across the board, and broader distro compatibility. Subscriptions start from the equivalent of $2.99 per month and are all protected by a 30-day money-back guarantee.View Deal

What is the Advanced Kill Switch?

A standard VPN kill switch is a failsafe that cuts your internet connection if your VPN server unexpectedly drops, preventing your real IP address from leaking. Made possible by the new architecture, the Advanced Kill Switch takes this a step further by operating as a strict, permanent firewall.

As Proton explains, the Advanced Kill Switch functions like a regular failsafe if your connection drops, but it additionally blocks all internet access entirely unless you are actively connected to the VPN. This strict block remains active even if you restart your device.

Platform compatibility for the new feature is currently slightly fragmented. As of the current beta, the Advanced Kill Switch is strictly supported on Windows, iOS, and Linux GUI. It is not available for macOS, Linux CLI, Android TV, or Apple TV.

Android users have a slightly different setup. Google's operating system features built-in "Always-on VPN" and "Block connections without a VPN" toggles. Because of these native OS settings, Android operates very similarly to the Advanced Kill Switch out of the box, even if it isn't utilizing the exact same backend code.

Crucially, Proton has also fixed a long-standing annoyance with regular kill switches. You can now reliably connect to local LAN devices, like network printers, and use Apple CarPlay even with the standard or Advanced Kill Switch enabled.

A Rust-based core to beat censorshipProton protocols, our new VPN client engine is now in beta on iOS from r/ProtonVPN

The shift to Proton Protocols is a fundamental rewrite of how the apps operate. Historically, Proton used the standard wireguard-go implementation. While secure, that code didn't integrate seamlessly with the native languages used to build the provider's mobile apps, like Kotlin for Android and Swift for iOS.

To fix this, Proton has built a new framework in Rust. At its core is libpvpnclient, a platform-independent WireGuard implementation that makes it easier to deploy updates and debug issues consistently across desktop and mobile.

This unified approach gives Proton much more flexibility to dodge roadblocks set up by authoritarian regimes. The update has immediately brought the provider's anti-censorship Stealth protocol to the Linux GUI app.

The shift to ProTun also lays the critical groundwork for a future networking layer called muon, which will eventually hide VPN API connections from internet service providers to defeat SNI snooping, and sets the stage for post-quantum cryptography.

Antonio Cesarano, Product Lead at Proton VPN, explains that libpvpnclient and muon together form a new platform that gives engineers far more flexibility.

"This allows us to experiment safely with improvements in connection stability, battery usage, and resilience, and prepares the groundwork for future technologies, like stronger anti-censorship techniques and post-quantum cryptography," said Cesarano.

Users who want to test the new architecture can opt into the beta program via the settings menu in their respective apps.

The Google Pixel Watch 5 has been officially unveiled at this year's Made by Google event, and much is already being made of its new Health Guardian features such as Breathing Emergency Detection and Insulin Resistance Trends, in addition to the accuracy of its dual-band GPS.

Priced starting from $399.99 / £369 / around AU$565 (TBC) for the 41mm model, and $429.99 / £399.99 / around AU$600 (TBC) for the 45mm model, the watch looks very much the same as its predecessor, the Google Pixel Watch 4: from the domed Actua 3D display teardrop-shape to the sizes and digital crown.

Because it's all quite similar, you could be forgiven for not getting too excited about the device — after all, it's hardly reinvented the wheel. You might even have been considering getting what will likely be one of the best Android watches, but waiting on today's announcement and hoping to be more excited about it. You might have been hoping for an announcement of a rugged Pixel Watch Ultra, or a cheaper model like the Apple Watch SE 3.

Well, worry not, dear reader — below, I've put together a trio of alternative smartwatches, all using Wear OS (or a form of, at least) as their operating system, and therefore compatible with Android phones just like the Pixel Watch 5.

The stylish option: OnePlus Watch 3

(Image credit: Future)

The OnePlus Watch 3, in its original 47mm and newer 43mm sizes, is a terrific Wear OS watch by any stretch. Its main USP compared to the Pixel Watch 5 is that rather than the Google Pixel Watch series' tech-heavy teardrop look, the OnePlus opts for a more classical analog-watch-style look consisting of a titanium and stainless steel case.

Paired with a classic-looking watch face, you'd struggle to tell the difference at first glance between it and a standard sports watch. Once it flares into life, though, that buttery-smooth refresh rate makes all the difference. It's got up to 120 hours of battery life thanks to a dual-operating-system architecture inside it: it runs Wear OS when in use as a smartwatch, and switches to a lower-power OS when quietly running in the background. Clever. The big battery life also means you can do a ton of workouts between charges.

The major downsides here are that you're stuck on the older Wear OS 5 operating system, without the advanced on-wrist Gemini functionalities, and no LTE option.

• Read our full OnePlus Watch 3 review

The rugged option: Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2

(Image credit: Future)

The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, new for 2026, is an adventuring powerhouse. New trail running features allow you to use full-color maps within the workout, following a route while you run in the great outdoors, while an upcoming app from diving experts Mares will turn the watch into a fully-fledged dive computer, just like the Oceanic+ app does to the Apple Watch Ultra series. It's got waypoints, an emergency alarm, and stacks of battery life.

The watch is a little thinner than previous iterations, but it's still built on that solid titanium shell with its distinctive 'cushion' design, so it'll take more of a beating than the Pixel Watch 5 — great news for hard-wearing adventurers. Its distinctive, now-familiar programmable Quick Button nestles between two other up and down buttons, so there's plenty of action compared to the Pixel Watch 5's singular digital crown.

The downsides? It's more expensive than the Google options at $699.99 / £649, and you'll need the Samsung Health app to get the best experience, as the watch runs a form of Wear OS wrapped in Samsung's One UI Watch interface.

• Read our full Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 review

The cheaper option: Google Pixel Watch 4

(Image credit: Future)

Looks very similar, doesn't it? In terms of performance, there's very little the Google Pixel Watch 5 can do that the Pixel Watch 4 can't: it's got the same suite of Health Guardian tools, the same repairability (allowing you to replace a damaged display or dead battery) and the same funky teardrop design with an Actua 3D domed display packing 3,000 nits brightness. However, you don't get the latest Gemini Intelligence, you only get half the storage, and the GPS isn't as accurate.

Still, this is a very iterative upgrade, and while Google will officially stop selling the Pixel Watch 4, you'll be able to nab excess stock from a third party retailer such as Amazon for a while yet, most likely with some discounts too.

We rated the Pixel Watch 4 highly in our review, calling it 'a slick piece of kit, and one we really like using for the most part. It looked great, and although it was thick on the wrist, it was comfortable, and the Material 3 Expressive software design is a joy to use.'

• Read our full Google Pixel Watch 4 review

Specifications compared:

Component

Google Pixel Watch 5

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2

OnePlus Watch 3

Google Pixel Watch 4

Price

Starting at $399 / £369

$699.99 / £649

$499 / £269.99

Starting at $399 / £349

Dimensions

41 x 41 x 12.3mm / 45 x 45 x 12.3mm

47mm: 47.4 x 47.1 x 10.7mm

43.2 x 43.2 x 11 mm / 46.6mm x 47.6mm x 11mm

41 x 41 x 12.3mm / 45 x 45 x 12.3mm

Weight

31g / 36.7g without straps

61g

37.8g / 81g with strap

31g / 36.7g without straps

Case/bezel

Recycled aluminum

Titanium

Titanium and stainless steel

Recycled aluminum

Display

320ppi always-on display AMOLED with up to 3,000 nits brightness

498 x 498 Super AMOLED

AMOLED 1.5-inch LTPO flexible display

320ppi always-on display AMOLED with up to 3,000 nits brightness

Operating System

Wear OS 7

One UI Watch 9 (Wear OS 7)

Wear OS 5

Wear OS 6.0

Processor

Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 processor with an ML coprocessor

Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear Elite

Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 chipset

Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 processor with an ML coprocessor

Memory

2GB of RAM

2GB of RAM

2GB of RAM

2GB of RAM

Storage

64GB

64GB storage

32GB

32GB

GPS

GPS (Dual-Frequency), Galileo, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS

(L1+L5 Dual Frequency GPS)

GPS (Dual-Frequency), GLONASS, Galileo, Beidou, and QZSS

GPS (Dual-Frequency), Galileo, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS

Battery life

Up to 72 hours with battery saver enabled or up to 40 hours with always-on display enabled

Up to 60 hours with always-on display

Up to 120 hours

Up to 72 hours with battery saver enabled or up to 40 hours with always-on display enabled

Connection

Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, LTE, Ultra-Wideband

Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, LTE

Bluetooth 5.2, Wi-Fi

Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, LTE

Water resistance

WR50, IP68

WR100 (diveproof)

5ATM, IP68

WR50, IP68

If you want a great portable fan to keep you comfortable on the move, you've come to the right place — I test heaps of fans as TechRadar's homes editor, and I've used my experience to put together this handy guide to the best models for every budget.

If you're looking for an affordable option, the John Lewis High Power Handheld Fan gets my seal of approval. Despite costing just £20, it delivers serious cooling performance, and in my tests its small fan head delivered a smooth, powerful jet of air. It feels comfortable and well-balanced in the hand, and has a wrist strap that prevents it slipping out of your grip on the move. There are four speed options that you can cycle through using the thumb-operated rocker switch, and the current setting is displayed on a bright LED display in the centre of the fan's head. It's spectacular value, and easy to recommend.

If you want the most powerful fan around, and have £99.99 to spend, the Dyson HushJet Mini Cool Fan is the one for you. This sleek little device had a bladeless design that delivers smooth, strong airflow — and I mean strong. You could use the highest of its five power settings as a hairdryer, it blasts out so much air. It's supplied with an ingeniously-designed neck strap that lets you wear it hands-free on the move, plus a charging base that lets it double as a desk fan. In my tests it ran for 8.5 hours on a single charge using its lowest power setting, so it can keep you comfortable all day at work and still have enough charge for your journey home.

For more details of my testing process and results, take a look at my complete portable fan group test. Now, on with the recommendations, including four other great handheld options.

Hand-held fans

John Lewis High Power Handheld Fan

Dyson HushJet Mini Cool Fan

TUNISE Portable Handheld Fan

Warmco Portable Handheld Turbo Fan

SHARK ChillPill

JISULIFE Handheld Fan Life4

Inflation cooled a bit last month, according to a new report from the Labor Department. And, ICE plans to equip its officers with electric shock gloves.

(Image credit: Brandon Bell)

• Apple TV has added third-party movies to its library of original titles for free
• So far the offer is only available in the US, UK, and Canada
• It's not certain whether it's a limited promotion

Apple TV is one of the best streaming services to sign up for if you’re looking for original and high-production movies and shows — but now the streaming behemoth is switching things up.

As spotted by 9to5Mac, Apple has added a handful of classic movies to its library of Apple TV originals, and they’re all included in your subscription plan with no additional fees. The outlet says it’s available in the US, UK, and Canada, although we have spotted a few films appearing for users in Australia, albeit a much shorter list. We can't yet confirm if other international markets have also received a selection of free movies.

We also don’t know if this is a limited-time offering, but you can find the collection of non-Apple TV movies under the ‘Great Movies Available Now on Apple TV’ carousel. Titles are subject to vary depending on region, but the following movies are available to stream on Apple TV in the US now:

• The Martian
• Arrival
• The Bourne Identity
• Looper
• E.T.
• The Proposal (also in AU)
• I, Robot
• Forgetting Sarah Marshall
• 21 Jump Street
• The Sixth Sense
• Gone Girl
• Zoolander
• Zodiac
• Charlie’s Angels
• Titanic
• Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol
• A Beautiful Mind
• The Aviator
• The Rookie
• Rocketman (AU)
• Little Miss Sunshine (AU)
• Ford v Ferrari (AU)
• Catch Me If You Can (AU)
• Jurassic Park (AU)

It’s quite an out-of-pocket move for Apple TV, given that it prides itself on housing only original entertainment, and not titles that it doesn’t produce itself.

Subscribers have always had the option to buy or rent third-party titles through the streaming service — similar to Prime Video — but that’s pretty much it. That said, this isn’t the first time Apple TV+ has experimented with a promotion like this.

The streaming platform pulled a similar stunt back in 2024, when it added 50 licensed movies to its library, but it came with two unfortunate caveats. Firstly, the offer was available to US subscribers only, leaving the rest of the world out of the excitement, and secondly it didn’t last very long, as all 50 movies were removed after just one month.

Whether it’s the same situation this time around is unclear. So far, Apple hasn’t explicitly stated if this is another limited offer so that gives us a little bit of hope, but we’re keeping our eyes peeled for more information just in case.

It’s been a busy time for Apple TV+ right now. The fourth season of one its best shows, Ted Lasso, is finally out, which our Senior Entertainment Reporter Tom Power gave a generous four stars in his review — not to mention the new miniseries Cape Fear has really taken off. However, it’s not the only streamer that’s shaking things up with its movie library.

Just this week, Google added over 10,000 movies and TV shows to Google TV Freeplay, a FAST streaming platform baked into supported smart TVs. Additionally, the company expanded its live TV programming, which now includes over 300 free channels across a multitude of genres.

It’s great to see Apple TV has considered bulking out its library of original movies and shows with third-party titles, but I don’t think platforms like Netflix and Disney+ should worry just yet. As mentioned, this might be another limited offer, but if Apple TV decides to get the ball rolling with introducing non-Apple TV titles to its library, then its rivals should consider sleeping with one eye open.

Out of all the platforms, Apple TV is the most dedicated to its original productions by a landslide, while Netflix churns out shows and cancels them shortly after. If Apple TV continues to add third-party movies, viewers will have the best of both: quality original programming and classic, feel-good movies. That's when its rivals should start to rethink things.

• Photos of a Lenovo IdeaPad Vibe laptop have been leaked
• It's clearly similar to Apple's MacBook Neo in terms of its overall appearance and striking colors
• That said, the Lenovo device offers a better port selection and hints suggest it'll be more powerful, so likely pricier – but all of this is just theorizing

Lenovo appears to be readying a rival to the MacBook Neo, based on leaked photos of the laptop that have just surfaced.

Windows Latest got hold of the promo images of Lenovo's IdeaPad Vibe, publishing a bunch of them to give us a good look at the notebook (add your own seasoning around any such leak, but the material looks authentic enough).

(Image credit: Windows Latest)

Going by the trendy name, the 'Vibe' and the range of punchy colors (including a striking yellow, green and pink), it seems clear enough that this is aimed squarely at the Neo's territory – not to mention that it looks more than a little similar to Apple's laptop.

There are differences, of course: you won't find a Copilot key on a MacBook (mind you, a good many people don't want to find it on their Windows laptop, either).

Lenovo has also pushed for more connectivity than the MacBook Neo, and that's the biggest difference we can see just looking at the photos.

There's a pair of USB-A ports on one side, and two USB-C connectors on the other, along with an HDMI port, headphone jack and a microSD slot. As a reminder, you only get two USB-C ports with the Neo, plus a headphone jack, a barebones allocation for connectivity (and that's before we even mention the older USB speeds the MacBook Neo uses).

(Image credit: Windows Latest)

The photos also show cooling vents on the underside of the IdeaPad Vibe, so there'll be a fan for cooling (the Neo is passively cooled, meaning there's no fan).

There are thin bezels around the screen, and a tiny panel on top to house the webcam which also has a privacy shutter.

While the leak doesn't provide any specs, we do learn that based on the image file names, there will be one model with an AMD CPU, and one with a Qualcomm Snapdragon chip – although they both look identical.

Analysis: competitive vibes

(Image credit: Windows Latest)

The MacBook Neo has certainly stirred things up in the world of Windows laptops. It did this by coming in at a price point that surprised many (myself included), with Apple offering a lot of value with its new lowest-tier MacBook, which was very much recognized by buyers – it started flying off the shelves. Part of the cost-cutting effort here was dropping the RAM to 8GB, as you may recall, but despite this the Neo still manages to provide enough pep to cover everyday computing duties.

Since then, we've seen a host of planned 8GB laptops that run Windows 11, which was inevitable really, given the RAM crisis pushing up the price of memory (and storage, as well as other components) so much. The Neo also gave these machines a mainstream lead to follow, as it were.

An obvious sticking point, however, is Windows 11's performance running on 8GB compared to macOS. Now, Microsoft is working on fixing Windows 11 so it's speedier with just 8GB, and I'd argue that the Neo is a big reason for this happening. Well, that and the RAM crisis, of course.

In short, the MacBook Neo has forced Windows laptop makers (and Microsoft) to up their game, and Lenovo's effort here couldn't be a much clearer statement of echoing Apple's tactics with its budget laptop.

That said, the IdeaPad Vibe looks to be a more premium device than the Neo, with clues to that such as the privacy shutter, the much beefier port selection, as well as the overall sleek lines, and the active cooling. The latter means the Vibe will likely offer a good deal more performance grunt than the Neo, and it's surely going to be pricier as a result.

We don't get a hint of the price tag, but I'm betting that even after Apple's MacBook Neo price hike – it's no longer quite as affordable as it was at launch – the Lenovo machine's going to be a fair bit more expensive. We shall see, but the price is the main concern here, along with the people on Reddit who have reservations about Lenovo's build quality compared to Apple's (which really nailed quality in a lower-priced laptop).

One Redditor is skeptical and observes: "Pretty sure it won't share the same build quality [as Apple]."

Another adds: "IdeaPad 3 I had, had pretty bad hinges, lasts 1-2 year only."

The IdeaPad Vibe will obviously have to perform well enough on the build quality front if it does want to get in on the action and capitalize on the Neo's current popularity.

It's a twice-a-year injection that is remarkably effective in preventing an HIV infection. Distribution is starting. But questions are being raised about getting it to the areas that need it most.

(Image credit: Osodi Emmanuel)

The $180 Creative XF1 desktop speakers are compact yet deliver rich audio with ample bass sans subwoofer.