A huge new project to record Earth Observation data has been launched by the European Space Agency (ESA), with OVHcloud providing cloud storage and processing and project management courtesy of IT and business management firm CGI (via its France Défense et Spatial subsidiary).
The ESA Earth Observation Information System, or Digital EO, aims to collect data about our planet from satellites and other observation hardware for use in studies and research.
With initial deployment in Italy, France, and Germany, Digital EO will be able to extend to other European countries, as well as Canada. Despite leaving the European Union, the UK remains a member of the European Space Agency and as such has access to Digital EO.
Decentralized, scalable, resilientDetermining that the growth in data collection from satellites and other devices and hardware requires better management and wider access, the ESA has launched the Digital EO project as a decentralized system that relies on OVHcloud’s expertise.
“Digital EO must allow us to take a new step forward in the way Earth Observation data is managed and used,” said Nicolaus Hanowski, the ESA’s Head of EO Mission Management and Ground Segment Department.
“With CGI and OVHcloud, we will build and operate a European innovative and sovereign system capable of supporting this ambition and of providing lasting support to the ESA and European Commission programs like Copernicus and DestinE.”
OVHcloud will also support the evolution of the ESA Earth Observation Information System, potentially beyond the initial 30 month project, aiming to ensure performance and meet the needs of Digital EO’s users.
Digital EO backboneThe ESA, which is overseen by the European Commission, has a long history of relying on companies and technology across the continent, rather than buying in solutions from the USA, China, South Korea, or Japan.
French cloud technology firm OVHcloud is the ideal partner for the Digital EO project (OVHcloud state it is worth “multi-million” Euros). Its CEO and Founder, Octave Klaba, noted that, “Europe absolutely must have control over the infrastructure that runs its most strategic programs. With Digital EO, we are putting our sovereign cloud expertise at ESA’s service so that it can build innovative solutions to process, store and make the most of ever-growing volumes of Earth Observation data for the benefit of research, industry and operational user communities.”
OVHcloud aims to deliver “performance, resilience and security” says Klaba, adding that the ambition is “to build a robust, sovereign European Digital EO able to evolve over time, in step with ESA’s needs and ambitions.”
GMKtec has launched the EVO-X5 Pro starting at $6,399, making it one of the earliest devices to use the Gorgon Halo chip.
The mini PC combines AMD’s Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 495 processor with 192GB of LPDDR5X-8533 unified memory for demanding local computing.
According to GMKtec, this device can run LLMs containing 320 billion parameters completely offline under suitable software and configuration conditions.
A $6,399 machine with substantial hardwareThe company revealed that the starting price applies to the first 30 units of the 192GB memory and 2TB storage model.
After the first 30 units, subsequent early buyers will spend $200 more, purchasing this device at $6,599, while the regular price after the promotional period is $6,799.
A second model with 192GB of memory and 4TB of storage is available for $6,699 during the Super Early Bird promotion, $6,899 during the Early Bird period, and $7,099 at its regular price.
Other Gorgon Halo devices start well in excess of $7,000, making the EVO-X5 Pro one of the cheapest Gorgon Halo devices available.
However, the X5 Pro could easily be one of the most expensive mini PCs out there, as most of these devices sell for less than $4,000.
Its Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 495 processor provides 16 Zen 5 CPU cores, 32 threads, and boost speeds reaching 5.2GHz for demanding desktop workloads.
For graphics processing, this device uses the Radeon 8065S hardware with 40 compute units, RDNA 3.5 architecture, and hardware ray tracing.
Its XDNA 2 NPU can deliver up to 55 TOPS for supported artificial intelligence workloads, adding another processing resource to the system.
Memory bandwidth reaches 273GB/s, while the system can dynamically allocate as much as 160GB of its unified memory for graphics processing.
Its storage capacity can be expanded up to 24TB, giving the compact desktop considerable room for local datasets, applications and large artificial intelligence models.
To move that data in and out quickly, connectivity includes two USB4 V2 ports supporting up to 80Gbps, two USB4 ports reaching 40Gbps and two 10GbE LAN connections.
Offline AI capability is central to the EVO-X5 ProGMKtec originally developed the machine around support for 300B parameter models before later tuning increased its stated capability to 320B.
The company cautions that actual compatibility and performance depend on the selected model, software, quantization method, workload, and complete system configuration.
That capability is paired with features intended for private AI deployment, including local language models, coding assistants, research workloads and enterprise applications.
The EVO-X5 Pro supports eGPUs and multi-system clustering, allowing users to expand computing resources when individual workloads exceed its internal hardware.
For business environments, it includes AMD DASH, a dedicated dTPM 2.0 security chip and operating-system-independent out-of-band management.
GMKtec says the system has been validated for continuous 24/7 operation, although that claim does not establish performance levels across every workload.
To sustain that workload, cooling uses a vapor chamber with three fans inside an all-metal CNC-machined enclosure. The system also offers three performance modes for different operating requirements.
Beyond AI work, the device supports displays reaching 8K resolution, extending its intended use toward demanding professional desktop workloads.
We already have a unit of this mini PC on our desk; stay tuned for the detailed review coming up soon.
Meta’s Muse AI shared a Facebook Marketplace seller’s pickup address and arranged a deal that ended with a buyer showing up unexpectedly.
The post Meta AI Shares Seller’s Address: Facebook Marketplace Buyer Shows Up at His Home appeared first on TechRepublic.
I've covered every single Amazon sale that's taken place in Australia for TechRadar and, in my experience, it's been rare to see all-time low prices during the October Prime Day sale.
• Shop Amazon's full Prime Big Deal Days sale
And I have just been proven wrong! On day one of Prime Big Deal Days this year (which was Tuesday, September 29), there were already a fair few record lows in the morning, then nearly half of my top deals were cheaper still by the afternoon. Day two saw some of those prices fall further — my favourite price drop was on the Samsung Galaxy A57 smartphone for just AU$519, and that meant it quickly went out of stock.
Other highlights are still going strong: the Philips Baristina coffee machine dropping from a discounted AU$398 to AU$378, then to AU$359; the Bose SoundLink Flex (Gen 2) Bluetooth speaker getting cheaper by about AU$3; and the popular Ninja DoubleStack XXXL also dropping by nearly AU$10. I also love that the Ninja Crispi Pro is down to all-time low of AU$290.70 — it's the air fryer I use myself and couldn't recommend highly enough.
Of course, pretty much all these deals are Prime exclusive, so I hope you have a subscription. If not, you can sign up now and get a 30-day free trial if you're a first-time customer and you can cancel any time. Prime Big Deal Days 2026 ends at 11:59pm AEDT on Monday, October 5, so you have some time to figure out what to get, but don't take too long.
Amazon quick linksEditor's picks: today's top dealsThis discount matches the Blink Video Doorbell System’s last all-time low price during the last Prime Day sale in July. It’s worth noting, though, that many of the features are locked behind the AU$4.95/m Blink Basic or AU$15/m Blink Plus subscription plans, so those costs should be considered if you want video storage, person detection and more. Amazon is also offering a bundle with two Blink Mini 2K+ cameras for AU$48 or 74% off, perfect for a good starter home security system.View Deal
The JBL Grip plugs the gap between the smaller Clip and formidable Flip. It's a compact speaker that delivers a big sound, offers impressive protection against dust and water and has some nifty LED lighting on its rear. The Flip 7 is still our top recommendation, but with the Grip currently at the lowest price we have seen for a couple of colour options, it's a great buy. View Deal
Vertuo Pop: was $229 now $92.15
This little pod machine is very popular among TechRadar's Aussie team. We've had past and present staff say how much they love it, and they'd even buy it at full price. With a very compact footprint and plenty of Vertuo pods to choose from, you'll get delicious coffee at just the press of a button. View Deal
These AirPods lack active noise cancellation but you still get great audio and personalised spatial audio with dynamic head tracking without having to pay too much. Additionally, a battery life of up to five hours on a single charge and 30 hours with the included carry case will keep you listening for longer.
Prefer noise cancellation as well? Grab the AirPods 4 with ANC for AU$185 (or 38% off).View Deal
SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen): was $249.95 now $147.25
Clean, detailed sound, full protection against dust and water and all packaged in a gorgeous body, the Bose SoundLink Flex is a Bluetooth speaker you'll want to take with you everywhere you go, and at a pretty good price too.View Deal
Momentum 4 Wireless: was $579 now $257
The 5th-gen version is out now, but it's our Sennheiser Momentum 4 review that scored a full five stars, where we called these headphones "unbeatable". With active noise-cancellation, 60-hours of battery life and excellent sound quality, there are few pairs that can compete with the Momentum 4.View Deal
Crispi Pro: was $499 now $290.70
I've just got me this air fryer, but I haven't started using it yet... I can't wait to cook up a storm that can potentially feed up to 10 people! Yes, its largest glass basket has a 5.7L capacity, so that's a lotta chips! There's another 2.3L borosilicate basket also in the box, so you can just cook a small portion too. And both come with lids, so you can serve in the same basket or cover and store in the fridge.View Deal
Baristina: was $599 now $359
The best entry-level bean-to-cup coffee maker has received a good discount for Prime Day. It's simple to use, taking care of the grinding, tamping and pouring for you. The porta filter will even automatically slide into position for you. Do note there's no milk frothing here, but a matching milk frother is available. Also available in black. View Deal
Instinct 2X Solar: was $769 now $379
An upgraded version of a watch we proudly awarded five stars, this handy fitness tracker features solar power charging, allowing it to last much longer than the standard model. It's a rugged wrist piece and it's intended for heavy-duty activities.View Deal
PowerDetect Clean & Empty: was $999 now $462.10
With powerful and dynamic suction, plenty of attachments and an auto-empty charging dock, this is arguably the best value non-Dyson cordless vacuum right now. Read our review for the full scoop. Often sold around the AU$750 price point, it as low as AU$438 at the start of this sale, but this is still a great bargain on what I think is the best stick vacuum cleaner in Australia. View Deal
As anticipated, Amazon has further dropped the price of this budget handset, making it an even better value option — as long as you don't need the most powerful phone with all the bells and whistles. We called it a "competent all-rounder" in our Samsung Galaxy A57 review, but we also noted that it will not wow you.View Deal
Deals under AU$100Video Doorbell 2K+: was $109 now $41
Already quite affordable, this Blink video doorbell can rival anything from the more expensive Ring line, while also offering a long battery life and IP65 weatherproofing. Also included is the Sync Module that you'll need to make everything work, but you will need to take into account that it requires a Blink Subscription Plan if you want all its functions at your fingertips. Note that the 'typical price' listed was the July discount, so this is more than the displayed 7% discount.View Deal
TV Stick 4K Plus: was $99 now $45.60
This is just the previous Fire TV Stick 4K rebranded to a new name. So if you already have the original, there's no need to upgrade, but for a first-time customer, you get Wi-Fi 6 support and a fast processor so you can get to your favourite streaming content that much quicker. All Fire TV Sticks now get you access to XBox Game Pass, so you don't need a console to play if you already have a subscription.View Deal
Ultimate C: was $79.95 now $46.74
Sure, it's a wired controller, but this gamepad is simple to use and durable, with drift-free hall effect analog sticks. In fact, the base of the sticks also have RGB, which is fantastic at this price. Being wired, however, means this isn't ideal for couch play, but if you're a PC gamer at your desk, it'll do wonderfully well.
[Shipped and sold by Amazon UK]View Deal
Boasting a 12,000dpi 'Hero' sensor, as well as 6 programmable buttons, a 250-hour battery and onboard memory for your settings, the Logitech G305 Lightspeed Wireless Gaming Mouse is ideal for competitive play. Want to know more? Check out our review, but not that only the blue and lilac colourways get the best discount.View Deal
Outdoor 4 (2 pack): was $179 now $58.99
Read our review for the full scoop, but the Blink Outdoor 4 is an affordable home security camera from Amazon with the ability to last up to two years off batteries. It comes with an easy-to-use app and fairly good camera quality via a 1080p lens, and can store video when paired with a Blink Sync module.View Deal
iO 2: was $159.99 now $56.05
If you're after a really good electric toothbrush that won't cost an arm and a leg (or some teeth), then this is it. It's an entry-level oscillating brush, which means it rotates at fast speeds and may not be ideal for people with sensitive or bleeding gums as that movement can be harsh, but it sure does remove a heck of a lot of plaque and keeps your teeth healthy. View Deal
Echo Dot (5th gen): was $99 now $59
Amazon's Echo Dot it's a great smart speaker with decent sound and Alexa built-in. It also has motion detection and can measure temperature, which is handy if you have a connected thermostat. It is a little long in the tooth now, having released in 2022, but it's a bargain at this price.View Deal
Already affordable, these wireless buds have dropped to a record-low price (outdoing the previous one by a single cent). This is excellent value considering we rate them 4.5 stars in our Earfun Air Pro 3 review, and they have active noise cancelling, premium aptX sound quality and 45 hours total play time.View Deal
A Modo Mio Jolie Evo: was $129 now $64.99
The Lavazza Jolie machines are excellent and affordable alternatives to Nespresso. This Evo model just has a single button for extracting coffee (compared to the Jolie Plus that has programmable buttons), making it oh so simple to use. If you'd like the option to froth milk, you can get a bundle with a frother too. View Deal
Blast Water Flosser: was $179.99 now $65.78
If you don't enjoy flossing the traditional way, use the power of water instead. Removing plaque using three different water pressure settings, this handy flosser will clean out those hard-to-reach gaps that your toothbrush can't. Plus, it's cordless, meaning you can take it on your travels too. Admittedly these were a lot cheaper in July (just over AU$48), but they were bestseller then, so it would be remiss of me to not include it here again.View Deal
Galaxy SmartTag 2 (4-pack): was $169 now $69
Samsung's answer to the AirTag, the SmartTag 2 works with select Samsung phones to help you find mislaid items. It has a built-in hole for easier attachments, up to 700 days of battery life and it's water-resistant. If you're always losing stuff, this is a worthy investment that drops the price of each individual tracker to a mere AU$17.25 apiece.View Deal
Freeze Wand: was $149 now $84
The Ninja Creami is great and all, but paying almost AU$300 for an ice cream maker is a lot — but this one from Cuisinart costs a fraction of the price and also takes a lot less space too! It's a versatile machine that makes ice cream, slushies, milkshakes, sorbets, and mix-ins to truly earn its space in the kitchen. You can even combine up to three flavours with three included dessert cups.View Deal
the Aroma Style: was $109.95 now $87
This drip-style coffee maker lets you wake up to a fresh pot of coffee every morning and it will even keep it warm all morning for those cold days working from home. You can program it to brew at a specific time and even adjust the strength of your brew. View Deal
MultiPro Go food processor: was $149 now $87
This food processor's biggest drawcard is its small footprint (30cm tall and 16cm wide), making it great for those with smaller kitchens, but it also has a powerful 650W motor to help blitz foods to slice, grate, chop and knead in seconds. This is the lowest price we've seen for the MultiPro Go, and you can read the full review here.View Deal
Our 1More Sonoflow review praised the comfort of the headphones, as well as the excellent active noise cancelling and up to 70 hours of battery life. Honestly, at this price, it's excellent value for everyday listening.View Deal
Air Circulator 460: was $179 now $94
We might be in the middle of winter, but there's no denying some parts of Australia need a good fan year round. This Vornado model creates tornado-like air flow that circulates around the room. Note that this is the smallest model in the range, ideal for bedrooms. View Deal
2000 Series: was $179 now $98
If you're after a compact model that can feed one or two people, this Philips option is great for under a hundred dollary-doos. It's been hovering around the AU$95 mark for a while, so it's quite the best deal, but it's still a discount that's hard to pass up on an air fryer with a staggering 13 preset cooking options.View Deal
Offering poised and revealing sound, along with excellent comfort and microphone quality, this saving is one to consider if you've been on the hunt for a quality pair of earbuds. Though noise cancellation and battery life could use some work, we awarded these earbuds a TechRadar Recommends seal of approval in our Technics EAH-AZ80 review.View Deal
Offering “incredible sound”, the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds have all the power and quality you’d expect from a Bose-branded item while providing the benefits of an open-ear form factor. The Immersive sound is excellent, and there’s also up to seven hours of play time and up to 48 hours of standby time. They simply just work and work very well.View Deal
Momentum True Wireless 4 earbuds (Black Copper): was $499 now $247
We gave these stunning earbuds 4.5 stars in our review as they have class-leading audio handling and impeccable sound quality that rivals the best wireless earbuds. With balanced sound, effective ANC and a great battery life, these Sennheiser buds will make any audiophile smile. View Deal
OpenRun Pro 2: was $319 now $227.05
Read our review for the full lowdown on why these are the ideal runners headphones. Importantly, this Pro 2 version that improves the sound quality by combining the bone conduction tech with an air conduction speaker. This discount beats the price from Black Friday last year, but is five cents more than July.View Deal
QuietComfort SC: was $499.95 now $243
Nearly as good as the gen 1 QuietComfort Ultra, the SC misses out on the Immersive Audio mode. There'll also be a little difference in sound quality as they process sound differently, but it's still excellent, as is the ANC performance. You'll also get a soft case for this foldable headphone rather than the hard one for the more expensive set.View Deal
WH1000-XM6 (pink): was $699.95 now $513
It's a pity only one colourway is going for this price, but if you don't mind the dusty pink of Sony's latest flagship cans, you'll be in for a treat. Arguably one of the best headphones available today, there's no doubting performance here, with beautifully balanced sound and great ANC.View Deal
Boom 4: was $229.95 now $158.85
This floatable Bluetooth speaker is perfect for the poolside party, with up to 15 hours of playtime and very decent 45m connectivity range. It promises bassy, punchy and yet a clear 360º soundstage.View Deal
This is a very different Dreame R10 to the one we've previously reviewed on TechRadar, but if it performs anything like the light-coloured version that has since been discontinued, then I think this is excellent value. For not a lot of money, this appliance promises up to 45 minutes of runtime and a bendy wand to get under furniture. It even comes with a wall-mount attachment.View Deal
Cordless Vacuum with Self Cleaning Brushroll (IZ102): was $549 now $189
We haven't tested this cordless vacuum ourselves but user reviews are glowing and I think that says something. For quick and daily vacuuming, this is great and excellent value and is currently at an all-time low price on Amazon.View Deal
Arguably the cheapest Dyson available right now, the V8 Origin is pretty much the same machine as the standard V8, just with a red wand and barely any additional accessories shipping in the box along with it — which explains the lower price. Honestly, I think the standard V8 is the better buy, but if cash is tight and you really want a Dyson, this will suit you fine with up to 40 minutes of runtime.View Deal
F25 Ace: was $999 now $349
This Roborock wet-dry vacuum will leave your hard floors sparkling clean thanks to powerful suction and effective cleaning. It can get up close to edges and the whole body can lay completely flat to help getting underneath tricky to reach places. This price is equal to the lowest we have seen on Amazon and is a great saving on an excellent floor washer – read our review for more info.View Deal
X40 Ultra (black): was $2799 now $712.49
Where this Dreame differs from all the others on this page is that if you don't want it to mop (do a vacuum-only run), it can drop its mop pads in the base station by itself. It's also pretty powerful and scored 4 stars in our Dreame X40 Ultra review. It's now two generations old but I'd still recommend it today, especially at this price. View Deal
L50 Ultra CE: was $2199 now $999.99
Want the latest Dreame tech? Released earlier this year, this robovac packs everything that Dreame models are good at — excellent suction, decent mopping, superb obstacle avoidance, pet-zone cleaning and so much more — into a sleek machine. OK, so it looks like all the others, but c'mon, you can't tell me the white with metallic accents don't fit into any home.View Deal
This is the robovac I would consider buying if I didn't already have a high-end Dreame machine that's been cleaning my home like... a dream. This Roborock is slimlined to crawl under furniture (no navigation puck here), and can raise not just its mop pads, but its side brush to avoid scattering and excessive tangling. Its headline act, however, has to be its cleaning prowess — our Roborock Saros 10R review didn't score 4.5 stars for nothing!View Deal
Coffee machinesDedica Arte: was $299 now $196.95
This compact manual coffee machine can pour up to two espresso shots at once and features a steam wand for cafe-quality milk foaming. There's no built-in grinder, but you either use ground coffee beans or invest in a separate grinder using the cash you save with this deal. View Deal
La Specialista Arte: was $649 now $444
This gorgeous-looking, easy-to-use, bean-to-cup espresso machine is a worthy addition to any coffee lover's kitchen. It's relatively compact, too, and pours delicious espresso with little to no skill involved. Note that this is the non-Evo model, meaning it can't make cold brew. The Evo model is out of stock at the time of writing.View Deal
The Breville Bambino Plus is incredibly simple to use, and can take care of most of the coffee making process for you. Grind some beans into the porta filter, insert it into the group head and use the one-touch controls to brew. It also has a hands-free milk texturing system for expertly frothed milk, while ThermoJet technology means the machine is ready to use in seconds. There's very little you need to do to simply enjoy the results — now AU$20 more than what it cost at the start of the sale.View Deal
4400 Series Fully Automatic Espresso Machine: was $1199 now $563.99
This Philips bean-to-cup machine can make 12 coffee-based drinks, all of which are served perfectly, and can be customised to suit your tastes. We weren't too fond of its milk frothing skills in our LatteGo 4400 Series review, but at this price, I can't recommend it highly enough since it's the lowest I can remember it dropping to, thanks to an additional AU$175 coupon you need check on the listing page. View Deal
Luxe Café Premier: was $799.99 now $577.89
This 3-in-1 coffee machine brews quality espresso, drip coffee and even fast cold brew using its Barista Assist technology, an integrated grinder and weight-based dosing. There's a lot it can do, and it does it very well. And it's just dropped in price by about AU$11 in the Oat Milk colourway.View Deal
The Barista Express (Stainless Steel): was $999 now $599
This at-home espresso machine is perfect for hobbyist baristas and coffee connoisseurs alike and has long held a position on our round-up of the best espresso machines for good reason. This manual coffee machine streamlines the brewing process from beans to latte with its integrated conical burr grinder, steam wand and precise espresso extraction. View Deal
It's an expensive machine but we like it so much that it scored 4.5 stars in our De'Longhi Eletta Explore review. Capable of making both hot and cold coffee brews, this bean-to-cup machine produces delicious results, although it's not without its quirks. Our reviewer thought its water tank design was a little annoying and wasn't too thrilled with the two-carafe milk system, but if those aren't going to be issues for you, this could be a good investment.View Deal
Air fryersFoodi Dual Zone Air Fryer (AF300): was $249.99 now $127
This is an excellent price for the air fryer we awarded five stars to in our Ninja AF300UK review. It has six easy-to-use cooking functions and a total 7.6L capacity dual drawer setup, which can cook separate foods and sync timers to finish simultaneously — perfect for a couple.View Deal
Multi Zone Air Fryer Oven: was $299 now $162.45
This big air fryer has multiple accessories to keep clean, but there's no denying this Sunbeam unit is a fantastic addition to any kitchen. It's capable of cooking in separate zones, complete with separate trays to maximise the space or one huge 11.4L zone. Food is roasted to perfection, whether it's a full chicken or small portions of fries or vegetables.View Deal
DoubleStack XXXL: was $599.99 now $170.05
Securing a spot on our list of the best air fryers, our reviewer said this innovative model from Ninja was the "air fryer of my dreams". It takes a familiar double drawer design, but stacks them on top of each other, resulting in a smaller footprint. Performance is exemplary, but just make sure the food you put in isn't that big, as the drawers themselves are on the smaller side at 4.75L each.View Deal
3000 Series dual basket air fryer (9L): was $349 now $170.05
We haven't tested Philips' dual basket air fryer, but considering how much we've loved the brand's other kitchen appliances, it's hard to not make a mention of this offer. This 9L air fryer has drawers of different sizes, which makes it easy to cook a main and a side together, and promises to sync cooking times if needed. View Deal
This compact air fryer packs 1700W of power into a portable design, with two borosilicate glassware containers that serve as both frying baskets and serving dishes. The borosilicate means they can also withstand extreme temperatures, making it easy to take your favourite foods from frozen to crispy, and it's safer to use than any non-stick basket. The Crispi also comes with two removable crisping grates and two snap-on container lids for easy food-storage post-feast.View Deal
5000 Series Dual Basket Air Fryer Steam: was $499 now $224.20
Ever cooked with steam in an air fryer? Now you can with this Philips two-drawer air fryer. In my Philips 5000 Series Dual Basket XXL Air Fryer Steam review, I said that it cooks everything really well, but there are some caveats to keep in mind when it comes to the use of steam. Still, it's absolutely worth the investment if you want to upgrade from an old air fryer and you have the space for it.View Deal
Creami Deluxe: was $449.99 now $283.10
It's got a cult-like following and two members of our own staff are massive fans. If you love your chilled desserts – ice creams, gelatos, smoothies – but want to control your calorie intake, you really should consider getting the Ninja Creami. This Deluxe edition gets you three containers, which is great value at this price, although it was over AU$50 cheaper in July.View Deal
The Ninja Slushi lets you skip the ice and still enjoy perfectly smooth icy drinks with very little effort. Whether you're craving a frappe, smoothie, or even a cheeky spiked slushi, its multiple drink modes have you covered. Check out our Ninja Slushi review for the full rundown. View Deal
Tower Fan 5000: was $179 now $113.05
When space is a premium and you only require cooling in a focused area, then a tower fan might be for you. This one from Philips is only 23.8cm deep and wide to fit a small space like a corner or a narrow hallway, while also standing 109.5cm tall to provide more cooling.View Deal
This fan can be used either at home, plugged in, or on the go with its built-in battery that’s rated for up to 12 hours of continuous operation. The water droplets from the misting function are ultra-fine and come from an integrated tank, so the feature also works while on the go. A built-in handle and lightweight 1.76kg body also make the FlexBreeze HydroGo easy to transport and move around.View Deal
This bladeless fan may be the priciest in this list, but this discount still makes the Shark TurboBlade Ultra a more affordable option than Dyson’s offerings. The fan can either be set horizontally to cover a wider area or vertically for more focused cooling. It comes with 10 speed options and different noise levels to suit whatever your cooling needs are.View Deal
2.5Kw portable air conditioner: was $299.99 now $239.99
This portable aircon can rapidly cool down a space of up to 20sqm while also running relatively quietly for as low as 64db. We haven't reviewed this yet, but it has dozens of 5-star user reviews for its ease of installation and effectiveness.View Deal
portable air conditioner: was $379.80 now $303.84
This portable aircon also doubles as a dehumidifier and can cool down a room of up to 30sqm, while also running at 64db during low-speed mode. TechRadar hasn't reviewed this yet, but it has a handful of 5-star user reviews praising its portability and performance.View Deal
The Beard Hedger: was $159.99 now $119.99
Whisk away facial hair in one smooth motion using Manscaped's Beard Hedger beard trimmer. With 20 length settings, edge trimming capabilities and a fully waterproof body, you'll be perfecting your stubble in no time. We have seen this trimmer go lower in price before, but we think it's such a talented performer that we felt compelled to include it here.View Deal
Series 9000 Prestige wet & dry shaver: was $209 now $113.53
Fitted with a flexible head, this shaver is designed to glide against the shape of your face, while onboard sensors will allow it to adapt the cutting power to your beard's length. Speaking of which, it's got 5 length settings to suit different needs and it holds its own while in the shower too. View Deal
Gleam Hair Dryer: was $169.99 now $66.47
The Dreame Gleame hair dryer is an even more affordable alternative to the bigger brands. Its motor spins at a mighty fast 110,000 RPM for fast airflow and quick drying, plus built-in ion technology results in smooth, shiny hair. Not to mention, the slim, lightweight build make it comfortable to hold. View Deal
The Oral-B iO 6 is a smart brush that can recognise your personal brushing style and provide feedback via the companion app to improve it. It also features a pressure sensor and an interactive display, as well a ring timer letting you know when to move on to a different section of your pearly whites. View Deal
Sonicare DiamondClean 9000 (2-pack): was $619 now $249
If you didn't know what a 'sonic' brush is, it's quieter and gentler than an oscillating electric toothbrush (like Oral-B). The DiamondClean 9000 has 4 cleaning modes, and one of them gets you 3 intensities. This value pack gets you a his-and-hers version, plus the glass is actually the charger.View Deal
The Amazon Fire TV Cube combines all the benefits of a streaming device with Alexa support. It works as a smart speaker so you can control your smart home devices with it, but it also provides access to every streaming app you can think of. Throw in Dolby Vision, HDR, and Dolby Atmos, and it’s everything you could want. So why not grab a streaming device that's also a smart speaker?View Deal
This budget-friendly 2.1 soundbar is ideal for anyone looking to upgrade their TV or computer audio without spending much money. We were pleasantly surprised by how it performed in our Creative Stage Pro review, finding it delivered impressive bass and excellent volume. Given its size and price, expectations should be tempered, but for a cost-effective audio upgrade, it's ace.View Deal
SR-B30A soundbar: was $499 now $309
It's often the #1 bestselling soundbar on Amazon and that doesn't surprise me in the least. It was very well received by experts at its price point when it launched in 2023, and has remained a top option for users too. And at this price, it's a fantastic budget option with Dolby Atmos support, plenty of bass and a wide soundstage.View Deal
In our Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar review, we said this soundbar rivals the Sonos Arc, which is the best Sonos soundbar we've tried. The Smart Ultra is compact, beautifully built, and offers plenty of control options to go with its wide, detailed sound. View Deal
Arguably one of the most iconic turntables available right now, the Sound Burger is lightweight, works wirelessly with up to 12 hours of playtime, has Bluetooth connectivity and is easy to use. It's a fabulous entry into the world of vinyl at a fantastic price.View Deal
PS-LX310BT turntable with Bluetooth: was $399 now $230
This Sony Bluetooth turntable is as fuss-free as they come with regard to setup and getting your favourite vinyl records spinning. Whether you're playing via wired or wireless speakers, it delivers a delightfully musical sound that will satisfy vinyl beginners or those looking for a more hands-off approach. View Deal
Phone (4a) 128GB: was $649 now $538.99
We named the Nothing Phone (4a) the best overall cheap phone for its mix of good mid-range specs, unique design, clean Android UI and low price. Its cameras can be better and there's no wireless charging here, but it's to be expected for a phone at this price point. If you're sold, then hurry, as there's limited stock right now on Amazon.View Deal
17T (512GB): was $1199 now $889
It looks like an iPhone and can rival Apple's performance too, thanks to a powerful chipset under the hood. In fact, our tester was quite impressed with this phone in our Xiaomi 17T review, with the biggest issue being bloatware. If that doesn't bother you, we gave this one four stars.View Deal
Galaxy S26 Ultra (256GB): was $2199 now $1688
Our Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra review called it the best Android phone ever for its powerful specs, excellent cameras, AI features and a new privacy display screen. It's also one of our picks for the best phone you can buy in Australia and we highly recommend it if you’re shopping for a top-spec Android handset. We’ve seen the S26 Ultra cheaper elsewhere before, but this discount is the lowest price we’ve seen on Amazon.View Deal
Galaxy Tab A11+ (128GB, Wi-Fi): was $399 now $339
The latest in Samsung's well-received budget tablet range, the A11 picks up where the A9 left off, and at the same price too. This is the base model, with just Wi-Fi connectivity and 128GB of storage, but you can expand that easily to up to 2TB via a microSD card. If you need an Android tablet for daily use like browsing, watching videos and maybe playing a few games, this one's well worth considering, although it has been available for less than AU$300 previously.View Deal
Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition (2024): was $329 now $259
With more storage than the standard Paperwhite, a brighter screen and wireless charging, the Paperwhite Signature Edition is arguably better value than the base model above if you think you'll make full use of the storage and its wireless charging capabilities. If not, you're better off going with the standard Paperwhite, although its meagre discount is rather disappointing.View Deal
Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition: was $419 now $334
The Kindle Colorsoft is one of the best ereaders with a colour display, even offering a feature to make the hues more vivid. While I wouldn't recommend at full price, this discount makes it a little easier on the pocket for the 32GB version that also has wireless charging.View Deal
Ring 4 (silver, black): was $449 now $317
We called it "nearly the perfect fitness tracker" in our Oura Ring 4 review, praising the design, ease-of-use, long-lasting battery and detailed health information it offers. This fascinating bit of tech hasn't been cheaper and, even though you need a subscription, it can be well worth it for the comprehensive health data you can get. Note that prices vary depending on colour and size, but most are discounted.View Deal
Epix Pro (Gen 2) Sapphire Edition: was $1699.01 now $829
While it’s been cheaper before (having dropped to AU$684 in July this year), you get the same core functionality of the Fenix 9 — like multi-band GPS tracking, a built-in LED torch, core mapping data, and premium materials like scratch-free sapphire lenses and titanium bezels — for a much lower price.View Deal
Forerunner 265S: was $799 now $498
The 'S' in the name stands for 'small', meaning this specific Garmin was made for petite wrists and features a 42mm vibrant OLED display. You also get Multiband GPS, an intuitive menu navigation, excellent battery life, plenty of Garmin fitness features... and, oh, did I mention the OLED display? Just note that only the pink option is currently in stock.View Deal
Brave 7 LE: was $249.99 now $193.79
You may not have heard of this brand and dismiss it out of hand but, for its price, our colleagues at Digital Camera World rated it with a 4-star score in their review. Even at full price, it represents excellent value, offering a front screen that even a GoPro doesn't get you. Admittedly its image quality lacks against the big players, but we have it on good authority that it's reliable, easy to use and comes with plenty of accessories in the box.View Deal
PowerShot V10: was $699 now $499
This point-and-shoot camera fits perfectly in the palm of your hand, and makes content creation as easy as possible. You quite literally just need to point and shoot. There are just a few control buttons on the rear, but the tiny 2-inch flip-up touchscreen adds functionality too. It's capable of 4K/30p videos and 20MP stills. View Deal
Tough TG-7: was $644.91 now $598
While it's not a huge upgrade over the previous model, the TG-6 is no longer available to buy, making this the best choice if you'd like a near-indestructible camera that you can take underwater.View Deal
PowerShot V1: was $1449 now $1015
This is Canon's first compact camera in years, picking up where the fabulous and popular PowerShot G7 X series left off. It features a brand-new 22.3MP 1.4-inch sensor that boasts Canon's trusty Dual Pixel CMOS II autofocus and it has an integrated fan to keep things cool for the content creator. With plenty of grunt under the hood, this is the best price yet on this relatively new camera.View Deal
EOS R8 (body): was $2599 now $1529
This might be an entry-level camera but it has some advanced features. Anyone who wants to shoot wildlife or sports will be thrilled with the 40fps burst speed, and it inherits some of the tracking precision from Canon's higher-end cameras too. With a 24.2MP full-frame sensor, it's one of the lightest cameras available today and represents excellent value for a beginner even though this isn't the best price it's been.View Deal
Z6 III (body): was $4499 now $2602
It's been cheaper than this before, but this is still a fantastic saving on an excellent Nikon full-framer. The 24.6MP sensor can shoot at up to 120fps, records 6K video, has built-in image stabilisation and has dual card slots, including one for a CFexpress device to make full use of its speed. Note that this offer is from a third-party reseller and not Amazon AU.View Deal
E1 Mini: was $239.99 now $126.99
Holding a spot on our list of the best dash cams, the Vantrue E1 is super compact, yet is capable of recording clear, detailed footage day and night. A comprehensive mobile, PC and Mac app allows for easy footage transfers and built-in GPS ensures you know exactly where any incidents take place.View Deal
A510 dash cam: was $269.99 now $170.98
We call this an "all-round surveillance solution" in our 70mai Dash Cam A510 review, due to it including both front-facing and rear-facing cameras in the box. They're quality cameras, too, recording 2.7K footage from the front and 1080p at the back, complete with wide fields of view. Built-in GPS, 360º rotation for in-car recording and easy install only add to its appeal.View Deal
Nova Lite: was $45 now $32
This is an excellent budget PC controller and affordable even at full price, but let's not scoff at the AU$13 saving, shall we? Despite its price, there's plenty here to get your game on, including 2.4Ghz wireless connectivity, Bluetooth, a wired option via the Type-C port, and 10 hours of battery life. The build quality isn't the best and there's no audio jack but, for under AU$50, it's a fab buy.View Deal
Quest 3S (128GB): was $569 now $454
This deal offers you a significant saving on the new, higher price on Meta's best 'affordable' headset, and a close second to its best ever headset according to our resident VR headset tester. In fact, he thinks it's the second-best headset anyone can buy from any brand, and it's only a more tempting offer thanks to this limited-time deal.View Deal
Please don't confuse this with the ROG Xbox Ally X, which has more powerful specs. This is the cheaper sibling that now costs AU$10 more than its July Prime Day price. However, given the price hikes across the board on all game consoles, this seems like a tempting buy right now. This was AU$799 during Amazon's Mid-Year Sale in early June, but it would be remiss of me to not list this discount here.View Deal
Legion Go S: was $1199 now $997
This handheld gaming PC has been cheaper before, dropping to the AU$899 mark but, then again, nothing really comes cheap these days. Importantly, though, this is a great performer, with a vivid 8-inch display and 144Hz refresh rate for smooth gameplay. It's also rather nice looking and comfortable in the hand.View Deal
G Pro X Superlight 2 Dex Lightspeed: was $299 now $186.33
One of the best gaming mice available right now, the Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 Dex is an exceptionally lightweight and capable device, with a long-lasting battery life, five programmable buttons and a 32K DPI sensor. View Deal
AW2725Q QD-OLED (2025): was $1199 now $813.01
A nice 30% off deal on a 27-inch OLED gaming monitor, bringing it down to the lowest price we have seen on Amazon. It features a 180Hz panel capable of a 4K resolution. We awarded four and a half stars to this screen in our Alienware 27 AW2725Q review, and were impressed with its sharp visuals and HDR performance.View Deal
AW3425DW QD-OLED (2025): was $1499 now $971.22
This OLED monitor comes with a gigantic 34.2-inch curved screen that boasts a 240Hz refresh rate and a lightning fast 0.03ms response time. It’s capable of producing gorgeous darkness with DisplayHDR TrueBlack 400 certification, and offers a 3440 x 1440 resolution.View Deal
Lift: was $129.95 now $71.24
This ergonomic vertical mouse is perfect for small hands and it encourages better posture, thus reducing aches along the wrist, shoulder and shoulder blade. I use it myself (I have the white colourway) and can't recommend it highly enough, even at full price. View Deal
MX Master 3S (Bluetooth Edition): was $149.95 now $89.99
The Logitech MX Master range have been some of my favourite mice of all time, thanks to the ergonomic design, multiple customisable buttons, and a second scroll wheel for horizontal scrolling (or for flicking through multiple browser tabs). This version is Bluetooth-only, meaning it doesn’t have the Logi Bolt USB dongle and a USB-C charging cable included in the box.View Deal
L24-4E 23.8-inch monitor: was $179 now $117
A 100Hz-refresh-rate monitor for just AU$100? Sign me up! This display from Lenovo may be a bit small at under 24 inches with a 1080p resolution, but it uses IPS technology for sharp image quality. This is price is the lowest we've seen this monitor go on Amazon.View Deal
The MX Keys S Combo is an excellent desk upgrade if you want a premium keyboard and mouse without paying anywhere near the usual bundle price. It combines the backlit MX Keys S with the quiet, ergonomic MX Master 3S, plus a palm rest, and both can switch between up to three devices. View Deal
K100 Air wireless gaming keyboard: was $489 now $284.88
The most striking feature of this mechanical keyboard is its thinness, but it also comes with the promise of sub-1ms latency and 8,000Hz hyper-polling. In our review we praised the K100 Air's durability, great actuation and high polling, while bemoaning the high price of this slab. And yeah: it's expensive, so good thing there's a discount.
[Shipped and sold by Amazon US]View Deal
Nest Wifi Pro Home Mesh Wi-Fi 6E System: was $699 now $279
Google's Wi-Fi 6e capable mesh system is worth considering for big homes, although we've seen discounts that make this 3-pack cheaper than half price. You can position each unit around your home to create an even blanket of Wi-Fi, cracking down on dead spots.View Deal
Eero 6+ Mesh Wi-Fi Router (3-pack): was $599.99 now $419.98
If you aren't keen on the Google mesh Wi-Fi system listed above, consider Amazon's own Eero 6+ three-pack instead. You should read our full review to get the complete picture, but we gave the Eero 6+ 4 stars, and noted that the Wi-Fi performance was excellent, the pricing is good and it's easy to use. View Deal
eero Pro 7 tri-band mesh Wi-Fi 7 router: was $529.99 now $397.49
The latest eero Wi-Fi 7 mesh router is down to the lowest price we have seen on Amazon. We don't have a review yet, but our friends over at Tom's Guide rated it 4-stars. It's a Wi-Fi 7 model designed for high-speed wireless and wired networks and includes dual 5GbE ports. View Deal
Mini Smart Plug (4 pack): was $69.99 now $48.99
I've tried a fair few smart home devices in my time but not the Meross smart plugs. Still, something has got to be said about the 4.6-star rating on Amazon with some very happy customers saying it's a great product. Smart plugs are a great way to turn any gadget at home into a smart one, including lamps and kettles. Where the Meross stands out from other affordable offerings is by also featuring an energy monitor — a great way to keep tabs on your usage and save money on power bills.View Deal
Echo Hub: was $329 now $118
This 8-inch smart display will need to be wall-mounted and it gives you control of thousands of smart home devices that work over Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and other connectivity standards like Zigbee, Matter and Thread. You can stream video, even security footage, start routines, add widgets and a heck of a lot more you can't with a regular Echo Show — now at its lowest price yet.View Deal
Matter Smart Multicolor Floor Lamp: was $149.99 now $119.20
As of October last year, the RRP for this floor lamp was just AU$149, something that made me give it a high value score on my Nanoleaf Smart Multicolor Floor Lamp review. Now, though, the RRP is AU$169.99 – blame inflation, I suppose — but Amazon is still sticking with the original price. What that means is this is a bigger discount than it first appears. Either way, this is one of the cheapest smart lamps you can get, one that does exactly what it promises on the tin. I have one in my bedroom and, although it's not bright, it creates lovely wall-washing effects.View Deal
Echo Dot Max: was $199 now $119
This little speaker might be priced higher than the older Echo Dot models, but then it takes what Amazon's palm-sized smart speakers can do to the, well, max. It improves on sound with higher bass than the previous Echo Dot to make streaming music a much better experience. View Deal
Shapes (Hexagon; 9pk): was $349.99 now $191.42
It's been a while since I've seen a good Nanoleaf Shapes discount on Amazon, so I'm stoked to find this. It will make a lovely Christmas gift or you can use it to create spooky Halloween effects this month, the possibilities are endless if you want to get creative. I'm not a great fan of the Nanoleaf app itself but I can't fault the lights.View Deal
I much prefer this design of the newest Echo Show 8 smart display, now powered by a AZ3 Pro chip for better performance and 15% more screen real estate than previous generations. It's a much better smart hub now, with Alexa at your beck and call (and fingertips).View Deal
Hello and welcome back to my ongoing live coverage of Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days sale. And, guess what? It's proving to be a rather big deal indeed. I honestly wasn't expected the kind of prices I'm seeing right now — I assumed that would happen during the Amazon Black Friday sale.
That begs the question: if prices are already low now, would we see even better discounts in November? Well, we can hope but there are no guarantees. So if a price looks right to you and it's an item you've had on your shopping list for a while, grab it now.
September 30, 2026 – 5:15 PMBlack Friday vs Prime Big Deal Days: should you wait?(Image credit: Getty)In some ways, it's good to wait till Black Friday sales kick off in Australia for purchasing big-ticket items like TVs and laptops as nearly every retailer will be vying for your attention. However, for most items available on Amazon, this year's Prime Big Deal Days sale is proving to be quite good than previous ones, so you can get a head start on your Christmas gift shopping — I would highly recommend it.
So it all depends on what exactly it is that you'd like to buy. If it's Halloween decorations or Christmas gifts, indeed shop now. For the more expensive tech, I would suggest you wait, but there's no guarantee you'll get stock later. As always, if a price suits your budget now on a product sold on Amazon AU, splurge away.
September 30, 2026 – 6:15 PMLego, it's Halloween season!(Image credit: Lego)While Halloween and trick-or-treating are still treated as American imports, more Aussies are embracing the festivities and even Amazon Australia has its own dedicated Halloween-themed storefront for costumes, decor and more.
Some standout deals we've found are these Halloween-themed Lego sets: The Nightmare Before Christmas set for AU$262 and this brilliant Haunted Mansion set complete with minifigures like a werewolf, vampire, ghost, skeleton and even Frankenstein's monster — for AU$100.
Whether they're for decorating or as a fun Halloween activity with the kids, these themed Lego sets are sure to provide some spooky (but wholesome fun) for everyone.
Lego Ideas Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas set: AU$299.99 now AU$262.55
Lego Creator 3in1 Haunted Mansion 31167: AU$149.99 now AU$100
There are toasters and there are toasters, none need to cost as much as AU$400, but then again, maybe they do.
I'm not saying I can justify the high asking price of the Breville Eye Q, but damn, it makes fabulous toast, just how I like it. It uses optic sensors to determine the doneness of the bread based on the colour (and that's chosen by the user of course) rather than heat sensors, and it has a specific mode for artisanal breads too. Whether you like it well browned or just lightly toasted, the Breville Eye Q can do it just right every time.
Well, at least it won't cost you AU$400 to get perfect toast every morning — a couple of the colourways on Amazon are slightly cheaper, although they were AU$299 before Prime Day (yeah, go figure).
Breville Eye Q (2-slice; Red): AU$419 now AU$329
September 30, 2026 – 8:15 PMHoover this up(Image credit: Future)I've been reviewing vacuum cleaners for a decade and Shark has consistently impressed me. Right now, the best Shark vacuum I would recommend to anyone who asks is the PowerDetect Clean & Empty as it's just got a massive discount.
Unfortunately it's no longer at its lowest price — which was just over AU$438 for the first two days of Prime Big Deal Days — but it's still an excellent option at AU$462.10.
It's a little heavy and some users might find it hard to manoeuvre, but it boasts excellent suction and a self-emptying charging dock that doesn't need dust bags as it empties into a larger bin that you'll need to wash out regularly. There's even an optional odour neutraliser to help combat bad smells inside the vacuum, but you'll need to replenish that puck if you want to continue using it.
You can read all about why my colleagues and I think this is an excellent vacuum in our Shark PowerDetect Cordless review — this is one deal you shouldn't pass up.
Shark PowerDetect Clean & Empty: AU$750 AU$462.10
September 30, 2026 – 9:15 PMHow fast can deals make it to my door?(Image credit: Amazon)If you’re an Amazon shopper in Australia, you’ve probably noticed that shipping speeds can vary depending on where you live. The quickest way to have purchases delivered is to be a Prime member.
In some parts of Sydney and Melbourne, Prime members can get same-day delivery on certain products, but I should stress that this will depend on your post code within the metro areas of each major city. This means that if you place your order before lunchtime, you could have it by the evening. It’s a great option for last-minute gifts or urgent purchases.
Next-day delivery is the most common for all metro areas, and it's available on a much larger catalogue of eligible items. Order today, and your package could be at your door tomorrow. Again, you need to be a Prime member and this applies on products marked as eligible.
If you have several items in your cart and they all arrive on different days, Amazon now gives you the option to choose a date so as many of them can arrive at the same time in minimal packaging and reducing the number of trips a delivery van has to do — thus reducing its own and your carbon footprint.
If you’re not a Prime member, standard shipping options are still available, but delivery times may be longer, and you might need to pay extra.
For those in regional and rural areas, Amazon still delivers, but shipping times will depend on how far you are from a major hub. Most Prime-eligible items will arrive within two to five days, though some locations may have to wait a little longer. Non-Prime orders may take longer, and shipping costs can vary depending on the seller and product.
No matter where you live, Amazon shipping speeds are better than ever, but if you want to check what’s available in your area, you can enter your postcode at checkout to see estimated delivery times.
Want more info? Head to the Amazon Help hub and click Delivery Speeds & Charges.
If you’re a frequent Amazon shopper, signing up for Prime could be worth it just for the faster shipping alone. If you’ve never tried it, you can start with a 30-day free trial. That means you can sign up now, take advantage of the sale, and cancel anytime if you decide it’s not for you.
September 30, 2026 – 10:16 PMWrap this up real quick(Image credit: Dyson)Given how expensive the latest Dyson Airwrap i.d. is, you might as well get yourself the older model, especially since the Airwrap Origin is now down to less than AU$400.
The problem with the Origin is that you don't get all the attachments, but the basics are supplied. You'll get the 40mm barrel to add waves and curls, but you'll also get a brush and a condenser. So if you want to coif your hair to perfection without spending too much money on a premium Dyson, this is the deal for you.
Dyson Airwrap Origin: AU$649 now AU$378.10
September 30, 2026 – 11:16 PMThese headphones are something(Image credit: Future)Among a sea of talented pairs of headphones from the likes of Sony and Bose et al., you'd be forgiven for forgetting about Nothing. Yet the brand has consistently proven it can compete at lower price points, and that's saying something.
Take the Nothing Headphone (a): it's got a low RRP of just AU$329 when other premium models launched around the same time came in at AU$699, and they sound lovely too.
As we said in our Nothing Headphone (a) review, they "nail it in nearly every way", delivering an "impactful and well-balanced sound, good active noise cancellation, the best on-ear controls and battery life available today". Those couple of latter points are particularly noteworthy, as they really do help the over-ears to stand out from the crowd — and that's before I even get onto the design.
Yes, these look unlike any other pair of headphones available today (except for Nothing's own Headphone (1), of course. Grab one of these distinctive cans, but note that the offers are from Amazon UK for all colour options.
Nothing Headphone (a): AU$329 now AU$210.50
October 1, 2026 – 12:14 AMLook, an affordable monitor(Image credit: Future)It's hardly a secret at this point that PC gaming is expensive as ever, no thanks to shortages in RAM and storage pushing up prices of the overall computing industry. In fact, it's even impacted console gaming, too, with price hikes on the PlayStation 5 and the Nintendo Switch.
One respite, however, is that monitors are getting cheaper than ever, and this Lenovo monitor is a fantastic budget option.
While the 23.80-inch Lenovo L24-4E isn't an outright gaming monitor, it has a 100Hz refresh rate to create a smooth gaming experience if you don't mind a 1080p display, as well as crisp IPS display technology. It was down to AU$94 during July's Prime Day sale, but I think the current price is still worth considering if you don't need the latest tech for a triple-monitor setup — it would still be cheaper than a single ultrawide monitor in most cases.
Lenovo L24-4E 23.8-inch monitor: AU$179 now AU$117
October 1, 2026 – 1:15 AMThe keyboard Apple should have made(Image credit: Logitech)Apple's Magic Keyboard does a great job of replicating the built-in MacBook keyboard, but for Macs. The seamless device pairing, ultra-slim build and Touch ID make it a really convenient option.
But the typing experience could be a lot better, and it only works on Apple devices.
Logitech's MX Keys keyboard brings a similar slim chassis but adds a more cushioned and ergonomic typing experience. It uses spherically-dished keys with deeper, more tactile travel, which can be more comfortable for longer typing sessions. It also has backlighting, which is missing in the Magic Keyboard, and it also adjusts automatically to your ambient room lighting.
And because it isn't an Apple product, the MX Keys also works with Windows and Linux too!
Logitech MX Keys S: AU$229 now AU$132.05
October 1, 2026 – 2:15 AMGet your game on(Image credit: Logitech)This wireless gaming headset is premium for a reason. And even though we haven't tested this one ourselves, we have reviewed some of Logitech's other premium headsets and if it's anything like them, you'll likely forget you even have them on.
Features include Playsync Audio, which allows for seamless platform switching via a USB-C connection to the headset’s charging base station, although it misses out on the HDMI ports in the base station that the Astro A50X offers.
The Astro A50 Gen 5 boasts Pro-G Graphene audio drivers that impressed is very much in our Astro A50 X review, so you know you won't be disappointed. This is in addition to a 48kHz high-resolution microphone for more clear communication and, potentially, even live streaming.
And let's not forget that it's 46% off for the white variant, making it cheaper than what it was in July (when it was AU$358).
Logitech G Astro A50 Lightspeed (Gen 5): AU$599.95 AU$326.15
October 1, 2026 – 3:15 AMGet a Grip, literally(Image credit: Future)JBL is no stranger to producing excellent Bluetooth speakers — just take the Flip and Charge series are prime examples — but it's latest creation, the Grip, is one of the cutest in my opinion.
Admittedly, we do think the Flip 7 provides just a touch more value, but there's no denying the Grip is a truly fun little speaker (it's roughly the size of a Coke can), offering excellent weather protection and a big, bold sound we've come to expect from JBL. Plus, it can now be yours for for an all-time low price of just under AU$70 for a couple of colourways.
JBL Grip: AU$129.95 from AU$69.95
October 1, 2026 – 4:15 AMAre Amazon's lightning deals good?For the most part, yes they are. There are, however, certain things you need to know about lightning deals on Amazon.
Firstly, they're usually available only for a limited time — this could be just a couple to a few hours, or maybe a couple of days. Sometimes the offer is available till stocks run out.
And that brings us to the second thing: stock is typically very limited. To put that into perspective, here's an analogy that might help — if there are 100 pieces of the item in the Amazon warehouse, perhaps only 10 of those would be available at the discounted price in a lightning deal.
The good thing is that the discounted price is typically far better than a regular Amazon deal would be. For example, if something costs AU$100 RRP and it is discounted typically to AU$60, then a lightning deal on limited stock could drop to as low as AU$30-AU$40.
During Prime Day, most of these lightning deals will likely be Prime exclusive, so not only will you need to be quick to secure your purchase, but you'll also need to be a Prime member. So be sure to sign up if you aren't already.
October 1, 2026 – 5:15 AMDon't Dash off just yet(Image credit: ShutterStock)Did you know that your Prime membership includes a two-year free DashPass subscription? That means you can get as many DoorDash deliveries as you need, but this offer is only for a limited time. As a Prime member, you'll need to redeem it before November 14 this year.
Once the two years has passed, the DashPass membership will renew automatically at AU$9.99 a month (or the then-current fee) unless you can cancel it prior to renewal. This is a saving of AU$239, which isn't bad at all.
Nihon Falcom is on a real hot streak right now, and it’s showing no signs of slowing down with Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter. The remake of 2006’s acclaimed Japanese role-playing game (JRPG), The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky SC, is packed full of excellent quality-of-life updates that are sure to delight veteran players and newcomers alike, with full English voice acting, a visual overhaul, and modernized combat.
Review infoPlatform reviewed: PS5
Available on: PS5, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PC
Release date: September 17, 2026
But just how good is Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter? Should you play it? Here are my thoughts after countless hours of gameplay.
I absolutely loved this game’s predecessor, which launched last year and was among the best RPGs released in 2025. Yes, Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter was a phenomenon, supplying a beautiful blend of action and turn-based combat, silky smooth performance, and a brilliantly revamped UI. I sunk so many hours into that game, and so I was delighted to find that everything I loved about 1st Chapter transferred across to this follow-up.
A first-rate follow-up(Image credit: Nihon Falcom, GungHo)I’ll start by talking about gameplay, which feels just as tight and refined as it did in 1st Chapter. You can rush around the world and attack enemies with Arts and basic attacks in Quick Battle. This is great if you want to mow through enemies — especially weaker ones — without having to spend too long strategizing, and it feels incredibly rapid and responsive. Being able to hack, slash, and whack your foes in a flash means that the game feels well-paced, and longer dungeons don’t seem too daunting.
However, you also have the choice to partake in turn-based Combat Battles to vanquish your opponents, and this is where a lot of the depth comes in. You have to carefully manage your Craft Points (CP) and Energy Points (EP), which enable you to use brutal physical and magical attacks and support options, while also carefully positioning your units to manage health.
It's also crucial to keep an eye on turn order to avoid getting KO’d before you unleash your attacks, choosing when to steal bonuses from your foes to heal or deal critical damage, and when to launch a deadly all-out team attack.
Best bit(Image credit: Nihon Falcom, GungHo)My absolute favorite part of this game was simply managing my Orbments — building out the ideal set of Quartz to buff my allies, to protect against almighty attacks, and to unleash mega damage on my foes.
As you can gather, there are a lot of mechanics to consider, and there’s plenty of depth to be found in command battles. But perhaps the most important thing is to manage your Orbments properly.
Orbments string a number of gems together, known as Quartz, which determine the Arts that you can use in battle. Carefully curating your Orbments for each character is crucial, and I had an absolute blast tinkering around to build the ideal build for every boss.
By travelling the world and taking on optional battles and quests, you can unlock some seriously powerful Quartz too, which makes exploration feel truly rewarding.
This may seem like a lot to take in at once — especially for newer players. But don’t worry — there are plenty of difficulty options to choose from to fit your desired level of challenge. There’s everything from Very Easy to Nightmare (one for the true sadists). I selected Advanced this time out, which is somewhere between Normal and Hard, and while the road got tough at times, the Orbment system gave me all the tools I needed to shield my allies from devastating attacks.
Hey bro, wya?(Image credit: Nihon Falcom, GungHo)The follow-up from the 1st Chapter is seamless gameplay-wise, and also in terms of narrative.
You can watch a recap of the first game if you want a refresher (or if you missed it entirely), and you’re reminded that Joshua (the protagonist Estelle’s adopted brother…lover? Both?) has fled. I won’t delve into the reasons why in this review, but essentially, Estelle decides to attend a specialist training camp to bolster her skills and track him down herself. It sounds pretty basic, but the story is pretty engrossing, actually. Like the first game, there are deeper political elements to explore, and you get to learn more about the mysterious secret society, Ouroboros.
The narrative remains gripping throughout, and there is no shortage of characters who join Estelle on her journey, be they returning faces like the travelling musician and romantic Olivier or the alcohol-loving Senior Bracer, Scherazard.
(Image credit: Nihon Falcom, GungHo)Voice acting is strong across the board, and breathes so much life into this colorful and charismatic cast. Some of the more low-key parts of the story and side content are only voiced partially, though, meaning you can get one character narrating their thoughts aloud while others sit in silence with text boxes. This was also in Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter, and can create a slightly awkward atmosphere in moments, though I understand this is more of a nitpick.
It’s also worth noting that this is a true anime-inspired JRPG with all of the melodrama and theatrics that you’d expect from the genre dialled up to 11. While this produces some stronger emotive moments and a good amount of comic relief, it may feel overbearing for some players. A few characters, like Anelace, go on pretty long monologues about the importance of wearing pretty bows while facing your foes. The wandering priest, Kevin, likes to let Estelle know how pretty she is about 10 times in the space of five seconds during the game’s opening section, too.
While this is by no means something that ruins the experience, I did find some of the characters a little unlikeable. So yes, some dialogue can feel superfluous at times, and it can also stretch on for quite a while. But there is a speed-up mode, and there’s nothing stopping you from skipping over the less crucial dialogue segments.
Robustly revamped for the modern era(Image credit: Nihon Falcom, GungHo)On top of what I’ve already mentioned, Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter is filled with a slew of masterful modernizations that really make the game click.
Like last time out, the UI has been considerably revamped and feels incredibly intuitive to sift through, while also looking great. Managing items and skills is seamless and easy, and you can access your quest list, recipe book, and the map in an instant. The speed-up option is also very welcome if you want to fly through your quick battles or travel over a long distance when fast-travel isn’t available.
The visuals are also great once again. Shimmering water, rich forest environments, and character models all look spectacular, at least on the PS5 version I played. By default, the game runs at silky 60fps with next-to-none hiccups whatsoever, but you can also play in performance mode, which targets 120fps at the expense of some graphical fidelity. This is perfect for fast-flowing action combat and exploring vast open areas. Loading screens are also incredibly brief, and I continue to be blown away by how well these games play on modern platforms.
One more thing I absolutely love about this remake is its stellar soundtrack. There’s an eclectic mix of delicate acoustic tracks, funk-infused high-energy tunes, and grandiose, hard-hitting battle themes that totally immerse you in the land of Liberl. Again, you have the option to pick between standard, arranged, or original background music – something that long-time fans no doubt appreciate.
All in all, Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter is another exceptional remake that effortlessly maintains the strong momentum its predecessor picked up. Gameplay is varied, depth-filled, and addictive; the narrative is engaging, and the quality-of-life upgrades make it feel almost like a brand new game — all while carrying over the beloved aspects of the source material. Sure, the game’s melodramatic nature might not be to everyone’s taste, but if you’re a fan of the JRPG genre and want an epic adventure to sink your teeth into, then look no further.
Should you play Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter?(Image credit: Nihon Falcom, GungHo)Play it if...You want a deep combat system to sink your teeth into
Combat is excellent in Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter, with a brilliant blend of action and turn-based battles available. The depth of the combat system is also impressive; you need to be considerate when it comes to your Orbments, turn order, stealing bonuses, and so much more.
You’re looking for a game with peak performance
I was absolutely wowed by the performance in Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter, and luckily that remains the case for its sequel. It's visually striking, runs at an incredibly smooth 60fps, and there’s even a performance mode that targets 120fps if you have a compatible display.
You’ve never played a Trails game before
While there’s an option to catch up on the events of Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter, I’d strongly recommend playing that title before you jump into this one. This is a direct sequel, and a lot of the story elements won’t make much sense if you start here. The first game is the ultimate entry point — so be sure to get that finished before hopping into this.
You’re not a big fan of anime-style melodrama
If you’re not a fan of the classic anime tropes and over-the-top characters, you might find it a little challenging to get on with the case in Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter. I still like a lot of the characters here personally, and the core narrative is very strong, it has to be said.
You can adjust the subtitle language to English, German, French, or Spanish, and select either English or Japanese voice acting. There are a number of ways to customize the camera’s behavior, too, such as normal or inverted configurations, camera movement speed, and camera distance.
On top of this, there are difficulty options, including a Very Easy mode if you just want to focus on the game’s story. Unfortunately, there is no colorblind mode.
How I reviewed Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter(Image credit: Nihon Falcom, GungHo)I spent two weeks playing through Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter, during which time I played through the main story, took on a bunch of side quests, and sunk hours into exploring the land of Liberl.
For the most part, I played the game on my PS5 while connected to the Sky Glass Gen 2 TV and my Marshall Heston 120 soundbar. However, from time to time I dipped into the title on my PlayStation Portal remote player, and had the Sonos Ace Ultra headphones connected to listen to in-game audio.
More generally, I’ve spent years reviewing gaming software and hardware at TechRadar, where I serve as a Senior Reviews Writer. I reviewed the previous game in this series, Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter, and have covered a wider range of JRPGs here, including Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave, Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake, and The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales.
First reviewed September 2026
Amazon plans more than 20,000 Smart Delivery Glasses by the end of 2027, bringing AI navigation and new privacy questions to its delivery network.
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The US Department of Energy's Office of Electricity said on September 24 that it intends to help fund 31 transmission projects under its Speed to Power through Accelerated Reconductoring and other Key Advanced Transmission Technology Upgrades initiative, a mouthful that it has somewhat mercifully shortened to SPARK.
The $5.25 billion attached to the announcement, however, is the projects' combined value, not federal spending, with the federal government only picking up roughly 36% of the tab.
The DOE's $1.9 billion is tied to commitments from utilities, cooperatives, state agencies, and companies it selected that will provide the remaining $3.35 billion in coverage.
An AI-centric play?The DOE's announcement focuses on the infrastructure side of the equation; it says the work will rebuild more than 1,500 miles of transmission line, add grid-enhancing technologies to nearly 21,000 more, and free up over 23 GW of capacity.
The Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the investments will "get more out of the infrastructure we already have," even as the current documentation lists selections rather than actual signed awards.
The DOE expects to finalize them between October 2026 and January 2027, according to its SPARK program page, and the funding notice lets the department redirect or discontinue funding at go/no-go checkpoints.
The money isn't exactly new, nor is the idea for a country dealing with an aging grid that saw most of its infrastructure built 50 to 75 years ago; SPARK is the third round of the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) program funded by the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
Adding a large number of AI data centers would quickly overwhelm it at various junctions, potentially turning the AI infrastructure race into one about power delivery and capacity versus actual compute power as the US continues to fend off Chinese advances in the arena.
The DOE's release never mentions artificial intelligence or data centers, though publications like The Register were less subtle, saying "Bit barn builders can rejoice" as a result of the new commitment. The link is indirect but present. DOE launched the wider Speed to Power initiative in September 2025 partly to "win the global artificial intelligence (AI) race".
Its data center resource hub lists SPARK among its grid actions, and the funding notice counts enabling data centers as a qualifying benefit. This is despite only three of the thirty-one project summaries naming AI or data centers outright as direct beneficiaries. They amount to roughly 7% or $371 million of the total funding in play here.
Bigger projects, however, are more discrete but leave no doubt about where the money is going; they focus on building "transmission systems that facilitate development of new large loads," the industry's catch-all for data centers, factories, and other heavy users.
With potentially 23 GW of transmission capacity essentially being unlocked on the grid, coupled with private and public generation being geared up across the country to meet AI power demand, one could assume- and correctly so that energy costs will only increase at a time when crude oil is hovering near the $100 mark due to a prolonged conflict in the Middle East, coupled with large spending being earmarked by utility companies that will inevitably show up on residential power bills.
Federal funding for the grid might dull the blow, but small domestic consumers and taxpayers will inevitably pick up the tab for a buildout that doesn't seem to have data center developers lining up to pay for the capacity they will eventually consume.
Bambu Lab has started its Halloween Sale, with a collection of themed bundles, filament offers, Maker's Supply discounts, and CyberBrick deals. The sale period runs from September 28 to October 16.
• Shop the Halloween Sale at Bambu Lab
No, I don't know why it ends before Halloween either, but if you're pairing those deals with a Bambu Lab machine, I've picked out the top three 3D printers I'd buy based on our workshop tests.
My top cheap 3D printer for beginnersA1 Mini 3D Printer: $219
Despite being the cheapest of my three picks, the Bambu Lab A1 mini is a terrific choice if you're new to 3D printing. Its tiny footprint means it won't take up a lot of space and the full automatic calibration removes much of the manual setup.View Deal
In his five-star review, our 3D printer expert Alastair said: "Boasting exceptional build quality and advanced features, it strikes a perfect balance, catering to a wide range of users from beginners to professionals."
MakerWorld integration lets you find projects and start printing with minimal fuss, while multi-color printing is also available with the Combo version and its AMS Lite system.
My top mid-range 3D printerP1S 3D Printer: $579
This 3D printer is ideal for anyone seeking plenty of capability without maxing out the credit card. Its fully enclosed design supports a wider range of materials, and the 256 x 256 x 256 mm build volume provides room for larger projects. Bambu Lab says the P1S can go from being unboxed to its first print in around 15 minutes.View Deal
In his five-star review of the P1P, which shares similar core printing hardware with the P1S but lacks its fully enclosed design, Alastair said: "It costs less than most highly regarded consumer machines yet fires into life ploughing through prints with a speed and accuracy that you would usually associate with business class and priced machines."
My top 3D printer for professionalsH2D AMS Combo: was $1999 now $1749
This is my top choice for anyone prepared to spend more for additional capabilities. It features a dual-nozzle system designed for multi-material 3D printing and offers a 350 x 320 x 325 mm print volume, a 350°C nozzle, and active chamber heating up to 65°C.View Deal
In his four-and-a-half-star review, Alastair said: "Far from being a jack of all trades, the H2D matches — and in some cases exceeds — the quality of dedication machines, the 3D print quality being a case in point. The fact that it features excellent laser engraving and cutting all add to the appeal. Tool swaps are straightforward, and despite a few quirks, they come together to add great value."
In a nutshell...
For anyone on a budget, the beginner-friendly Bambu Lab A1 Mini for $219 scored 5 stars in our review for exceptional value for money, with print quality professionals will appreciate.
For a mid-range pick, check out the Bambu Lab P1S, which is $579 and offers speed and print quality you'd find on much more expensive units.
And then there's the Bambu Lab H2D AMS Combo for $1749 (was $1999). This pro-grade machine is in a league of its own, and takes the number one slot in our guide to 3D printers.
These are my top three choices for Bambu Lab 3D printers, covering every budget. If you want more options, check out our roundups of the best 3D printers.
The Ugreen DXP4800 GT is one of those NAS devices that reallu impressed us, earning the full 5 stars in our tests. Its four drive bays are joined by dual 10GbE networking, M.2 NVMe expansion, an AMD Ryzen processor, and features aimed at creators and office teams.
• Best for: Small businesses, studios, and creative professionals who needs fast centralized storage for large files, backups, media libraries, and multi-user access.
• The deal: The Ugreen DXP4800 GT NAS device is now $560 (was $660) at Amazon.
• Why it matters: Dual 10GbE networking, four drive bays, two M.2 slots, and up to 144TB of claimed capacity provide a fast, expandable alternative to relying on cloud storage. In summing up this NAS drive, we called it "a superb NAS option for those in the creative sector."
4-Bay DXP4800 GT NAS: was $659.99 now $559.99
This four-bay NAS features a Ryzen Embedded R2514 processor, 8GB DDR4 memory, dual 10GbE networking, two M.2 NVMe slots, USB-C, USB-A, HDMI, SD card support and up to 144TB storage capacity.View Deal
In his 5-star review, our expert Alastair said: "The DXP4800 GT is an excellent choice for smaller studios, offices and homes, really anyone who wants dual 10GbE without the huge cost that has until now been associated with this network speed."
He also noted: "when I sat down and worked through the costs of my Google Drive storage, WeTransfer, Wipster, and Backblaze subscriptions, it didn’t take long for those subscriptions' yearly costs to far surpass the cost of the DXP4800 GT. I’ve been sold on this new wave of NAS for a while, and the advancements with each new release just make them more impressive and usable, especially when you need to store large quantities of files and access them quickly."
The DXP4800 GT combines an AMD Ryzen Embedded R2514 processor with four cores and eight threads, plus 8GB of DDR4 memory. RAM can be expanded to 64GB, while compatible ECC memory can also be installed if you want error correction.
There are four SATA bays supporting drives up to 32TB each, with two of those bays also supporting U.2 NVMe SSDs. Two additional M.2 slots accommodate up to 16TB of SSD storage between them, giving the NAS a claimed maximum capacity of 144TB.
Creators also get an SD card slot for transferring photos and video directly to the NAS, alongside 10Gbps USB-A and USB-C connections and a 4K HDMI output.
Price context & historical valueWe noted in our review, this is "the best-value 4-bay 10GbE NAS you can buy and an excellent choice for video and creators who need mass storage and speed."
The reduction from $659.99 to $559.99 knocks exactly $100 off the regular price, equivalent to a saving of just over 15%. That's not the cheapest it's been however. I've seen it for $528 in the recent past.
Remember that this is a diskless NAS, however, so you'll need to budget separately for the HDDs or SSDs required to actually store your files.
Should you buy it?✅ Buy the Ugreen DXP4800 GT NAS if...
You want fast, centralized storage. The combination of nippy networking, SSD expansion, and direct SD card imports will make it especially useful for photographers and video creators. The system is capable of local-like 4K and 8K editing directly from the NAS — when the rest of your network and storage setup can keep up.
UGOS Pro also goes beyond file storage, with support for Docker, virtual machines, SAN Manager, backups, and compatible surveillance cameras.
❌ Skip the Ugreen DXP4800 GT NAS if...
You simply need somewhere for backups or don't have the networking hardware to benefit from 10GbE. A more basic two- or four-bay NAS could be all you'll need and cost you considerably less.
Also considerDXP4800 Plus 4-Bay NAS: was $729.99 now $656.99
This four-bay NAS features an Intel 8505 processor, 8GB DDR5 memory, 10GbE and 2.5GbE networking, a built-in 128GB SSD, dual M.2 NVMe slots, 4K media playback and hardware transcoding support.View Deal
This bundle combines the Ugreen DXP2800 two-bay NAS with the US3000 12,000mAh uninterruptible power supply, providing up to 80TB of storage capacity alongside battery backup for added protection during outages.View Deal
Moscow is preparing a new round of anti-fraud rules, dubbed Anti-Fraud 3.0, that would sharply shrink the number of people allowed to sell SIM cards.
The proposals would reserve number registration for direct dealers while requiring new SIM cards to carry no funds before contracts are signed.
If adopted, the measures could change how Russians obtain mobile numbers and make prepaid SIM cards less useful in fraud schemes.
Russia could sharply reduce the number of SIM sellersIndividual entrepreneurs currently acting as intermediaries between operators and customers would therefore lose their ability to arrange subscriber agreements.
An industry estimate claims that these intermediaries account for almost half of physical SIM purchases across Russia.
The change could affect thousands of retail locations, potentially making mobile numbers less readily available in some areas.
T2, one of Russia's mobile operators, has argued that stronger intermediary requirements could work better than eliminating the model.
The operator says it already checks customer identities and activates numbers only after the required verification procedures have been completed.
The proposal would also require operators to issue new SIM cards without money already loaded into their associated accounts.
Customers would instead need to establish the service agreement before adding funds, creating a record connected with the eventual payment.
Russia's Finance Ministry says this approach is intended to make numbers purchased for fraudulent purposes easier to trace through payment activity.
“Such measures will make fraudulent use of prepaid numbers or numbers obtained using another person's identity impossible,” it said.
Zero balance could leave fraudsters with fewer anonymous optionsThe ministry argues that prepaid numbers can allow criminals to obtain communication services, exploit them, and then discard them after use.
Under the new plan, new SIM cards will not come with bonus funds. Even if this free money is on the SIM, the user must make a purchase on the SIM to activate it.
Requiring customers to add money after signing their service agreements could create payment records that investigators can examine during fraud cases.
Payments made through terminals or communication outlets could additionally generate records that help authorities connect transactions with individual users.
The proposed package also considers requiring identifiable sender information for bulk text messages, with inaccurate details potentially triggering contract termination.
The package would also prohibit automated calls made solely to check whether particular numbers remain active.
Owners of websites and mobile applications could also face requirements to retain registration and login records for three years.
Those records would be available to law enforcement when legally required, according to the proposed measures.
However, Russia already requires operators to verify customers before activating numbers, following communication law changes introduced during spring 2025.
T2 and Beeline say their customers cannot use newly obtained numbers before completing the legally required identity verification.
That means the proposed zero-balance requirement would add another control rather than simply introducing identification.
The Finance Ministry has stressed that Anti-Fraud 3.0 remains work in progress, with industry recommendations still being considered before authorities make a final decision.
Via 1.ru
SQL Server on Azure Local is generally available. Review disconnected deployment requirements, separate licensing, and recovery planning before adopting it.
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Microsoft is redesigning Copilot around Home, Code, and Autopilot. See what each feature does, when it arrives, and which capabilities cost extra.
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Googlebook OS is beginning its transition from ChromeOS, but existing Chromebooks remain supported. See migration plans, apps, updates, and compatibility.
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