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I review headphones for a living, and these Sennheiser deals are my highlight of the Amazon Prime Day sale — including wired earbuds as well as wireless headphones

Wed, 10/07/2026 - 06:46

I've spent years testing headphones and earbuds here at TechRadar, and Sennheiser is a brand that almost never fails to impress me. You know what you're getting with Sennheiser: faithful, detailed audio, great build quality, and fantastic ergonomics. And so I was delighted to discover that some of the best Sennheiser headphones and earbuds we've tested are discounted in the Amazon Prime Day sales.

• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale

There are a lot of great offers to pick from, but I've narrowed it down to my five favorties for both US and UK shoppers. One of the highlights for me is the Sennheiser IE 200 for $99.95 (was $159.95) in the US and just £81.69 (was £129.99) in the UK — these were already exceptional IEMs for the price, and now they're an absolute steal.

Another amazing bargain is the Sennheiser Accentum Plus for $109.95 (was $249.95) in the US and only £103.19 (was 199.99) in the UK. They're a fantastic-sounding pair of wireless headphones, and at around half-price, they're very easy to recommend.

Want to know more about these sweet deals? Simply scroll on down for the best prices, and additional details on each product.

Today's best Sennheiser deals in the US

I've been using the Sennheiser IE 200 for years, and they've never let me down. The level of detail they can unearth would be impressive enough at full-price, so this deal makes them a true must-buy for audiophiles or musicians on a budget.View Deal

Accentum Open Wireless Earbuds: was $129.95 now $59.95
While I'm yet to try these for myself, this is a staggeringly low price for a pair of wireless earbuds from Sennheiser. With a flexible open-style fit, 28 hours of battery life, and IPX4 waterproofing, there's a lot to like about this deal.View Deal

We raved about the Sennheiser Accentum Plus when we reviewed them a couple years back, talking up their punchy, assertive sound, strong battery life, and quality build. At 56% off, this deal almost feels too good to be true.View Deal

Now that their successor has launched, it's perhaps unsurprising to see the Sennheiser Momentum 4 get a juicy discount for Prime Day. These five-star headphones offer spectacular, impactful audio, huge battery life, and a timeless design that we can't get enough of. And at 43% off, it feels like the perfect time to snap up some of our favorite wireless headphones that Sennheiser has ever put out.View Deal

My esteemed colleague and TechRadar Reviews Editor, Josh Russell, often speaks of his love of the Sennheiser HD 660S2, and it's not hard to see why. They supply nuanced, neutral, and engaging audio and a supremely comfortable fit that's ideal for musicians and audiophiles alike. At almost 30% off, these are worth every penny.View Deal

Today's best Sennheiser deals in the UK

The Sennheiser IE 200 might just be some of my favorite IEMs ever made. That comes down to the fact that they provide such impressive levels of detail and insight while remaining highly affordable. So now, at less than £85, I would urge any audio enthusiast on a budget to scoop these up. View Deal

I take the Sennheiser CX 80U with me everywhere I go to use with my Nintendo Switch 2 or listen to tunes on my phone, and they continue to impress me no end. They offer amazing audio quality, with especially refined treble and instrument separation, plus the convenience of USB-C connectivity, and even a built-in mic for taking calls. In my view, there aren't any similarly priced USB-C earbuds that can compete with these. View Deal

I've not tried the Sennheiser Accentum Open Wireless Earbuds yet, but this deal felt too good to leave out. With an ergonomic open-style fit, IPX4 waterproofing, and 28 hours of battery life, you're getting an awful lot of value for sub-£50 Sennheiser earbuds.View Deal

We're huge fans of the Sennheiser Accentum Plus here at TechRadar, and continue to recommend them regularly, even years after release. They offer punchy, assertive audio, plenty of playtime, and a stylish look that already felt like great value for money. So now, at almost half-price, it would be impossible for me not to advise you to snap these up!View Deal

HD660 S2: was £369 now £305
Finally, we have a set of audiophile-grade wired headphones in the Sennheiser HD 660S2. Our Reviews Editor, Josh Russell, always speaks highly of his pair, which offer satisfyingly neutral, insightful sound as well as an ergonomic fit and eye-catching design. A tidy saving of £64 only adds another reason to grab these, whether you enjoy making music or you're a hobbyist audiophile.View Deal

More Prime Day deals in the USMore Prime Day deals in the UK
Categories: Technology

I've tested almost every Garmin watch — here are the three I recommend for Prime Day

Wed, 10/07/2026 - 06:42

As TechRadar's Senior Fitness and Wearables Editor, it's my job to test every Garmin watch that crosses my desk. As a result, I've tested almost every modern Garmin watch released in the last five years, and I've parsed the Amazon Prime Day Garmin deals to find the best Garmin watches worth your time.

• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale

It's tough to just say "buy this one" and be done with it, because there are a) so many different Garmin watches, each with their own target demographic — adventurers, runners, gym-goers and so on — and b) so many different deals across the US and UK.

I'm not seeing the broad swathes of discounts I've seen in previous years. However, the three deals I've picked offer good value for money — should get a lot out of whichever watch you choose, especially at these reduced prices.

Below, you can find the three models I've chosen, links to the deals, plus a little bit about why I've chosen these particular models, and who should buy them.

Garmin Fenix 8

(Image credit: Future / Matt Evans)

The Garmin Fenix 8 is a powerful watch. In our official Garmin Fenix 8 review, we gave it five stars, calling it "rugged, expensive perfection". It's amazing for long-distance running, skiing, multi-day hikes, and any workout that involves finding your way outdoors. However, it's not cheap.

That's why it's nice to see some lowest-ever prices in the US and the UK for this watch. We know the reason why — the Garmin Fenix 9 Pro and 9 have just been released, so it's only natural to see the Fenix 8 coming down in price. However, that doesn't stop a Fenix 8 for under $750 / £600 feeling less like an extravagant purchase and more like a smart deal.

This is the Garmin deal to get if you're a serious outdoor enthusiast, long-distance athlete, or hiker.

Fenix 8 (47mm): was $999.99 now $731.34
Save an impressive $268.65 on the listing price of the Garmin Fenix 8. This is a lowest-ever price on the standard 47mm Fenix 8, and the only version of the watch that's seriously discounted, with other colors and sizes costing more. However, the middle-of-the-road size offers incredible performance, full-color maps, SatIQ multi-band GPS, all the health metrics you could want, and a battery life of up to 16 days.

Read our full Garmin Fenix 8 reviewView Deal

Fenix 8 (47mm): was £699.99 now £595.56
Save a cool £100 off the UK listing price of the Garmin Fenix 8. This is the ultimate adventure watch, and while the discount isn't quite as good as the US one, the lowest starting retail price means you end up with an equivalent value. Given the price of other watches such as the Forerunner 570, which doesn't have all the features of the Fenix 8, I can heartily recommend this deal.

Read our full Garmin Fenix 8 reviewView Deal

Garmin Forerunner 165

(Image credit: Future)

The Garmin Forerunner 165, like the Garmin Fenix 8, has been replaced in the lineup this year by a more recent model, this time the Garmin Forerunner 170. As a result, we're seeing prices drop on the older model, which means you're getting a good watch at a great price.

When I reviewed the Garmin Forerunner 165, I gave it 4.5 stars, noting its wonderful bright screen, feature-rich software and 11-day battery life as good value for the price even then. It's all-plastic, so it can feel a bit cheap, but it does make the training tool very lightweight.

The US deal gets you 20% off, and while the UK Amazon deal doesn't state a temporary drop in price, it began life as a £249.99 watch, and Currys has it listed at £199 right now, meaning the above Amazon link is the cheapest place to buy it.

As the name suggests, regular runners should look closely at this watch. While it doesn't have full-color maps, it's got more than enough functionality for most people running distances from 5-10km up to marathons, in addition to daily health tracking.

Forerunner 165, Black: was $249.99 now $198.99
The Garmin Forerunner 165 is ideal for runners, as it provides race-adaptive training plans based on your upcoming events, and daily suggested workouts. A combination of buttons and touchscreen operation means it can be used with gloves in the cold winter months, and it tracks your training and recovery with its Readiness score. The Whitestone color is available for an extra $10.

Read our full Garmin Forerunner 165 reviewView Deal

Forerunner 165, Black: was £199.99 now £160.99
Nominally, this isn't a deal, as Amazon hasn't labelled it as such, but the Forerunner 165 has come down in price. You're still saving 20% at Amazon compared to other retailers like Currys, so I'd recommend buying it here rather than elsewhere.

Read our full Garmin Forerunner 165 reviewView Deal

Garmin Vivoactive 5/6

(Image credit: Future)

The Garmin Vivoactive series is a watch for generally active people, rather than one specifically geared towards runners or adventurers, and as a result, it's very popular. I gave the Garmin Vivoactive 6 an impressive 4.5 stars in my review, calling it "a pocket rocket" Its small size and cheaper price make it a great gift, and it's come down in price in the UK.

In the US, the Vivoactive 6 is still at full price. However, the Garmin Vivoactive 5 is shockingly cheap in America, and there isn't that much difference between them. The Vivoactive 6 packs advanced running metrics, course mapping on-wrist, double the storage its Smart Wake alarm, but the two watches share the same screen, software, battery life, fitness tracking and general look.

I'd recommend these watches to gym-goers, joggers or sporty people — anyone who loves the gym or multi-disciplinary forms of exercise, and wants something longer-lasting than an Apple or Samsung watch.

You can save a huge 37% on the Garmin Vivoactive 5 in the US. Its 11-day battery life, bright AMOLED screen and combinations of buttons and touchscreen make it really versatile, while metal accents and notification management ensure it's wearable all week long, and looks nice in the office and on the street as well as in the gym.

Read our full Garmin Vivoactive 5 reviewView Deal

Save 25% on the do-it-all Vivoactive 6 in the UK. It takes the 11-day battery life, AMOLED screen and button-touchscreen of the 5, adding more comprehensive running metrics, a silent Smart Wake alarm linked to your sleep tracking to rouse you at the lightest stage of sleep, basic route navigation features using Garmin's excellent Create a Course functionality, and an Evening Report as well as a Morning one.

Read our full Garmin Vivoactive 6 reviewView Deal

More Prime Day deals in the US More Prime Day deals in the UK
Categories: Technology

The next phase of the AI era: why building R&D talent is now a make-or-break investment

Wed, 10/07/2026 - 03:57

Research and Development (R&D) is fundamentally linked to a nation’s prosperity, and ability to respond to major challenges. Without a strong R&D pipeline, innovation and opportunity would be limited.

From tackling the COVID-19 pandemic, to advancing in sustainability and clean energy, R&D has been at the forefront of many breakthroughs.

The AI age is no exception.

Yet, while organizations are investing exponentially in AI, and rushing to adopt the latest tools, many leaders are overlooking a more fundamental foundation that needs to be in place first: the people. While AI may be scaling innovation, it is the R&D professionals that are needed to develop and improve these technologies and implement them effectively.

Organizations that focus entirely on AI adoption, without investing in the skills needed for successful AI deployment, risk forming a capability gap that will hinder them in the long-term. Thus, building talent must become a strategic business priority, or else leaders risk falling behind in the AI age.

Reactive hiring is a losing game

For many organizations, hiring remains a reactive process: recruit when there is a vacancy or the workload needs it. While this approach may have worked in the past, it is no longer aligned with a landscape where demand for specialist tech skills continues to outpace supply. While hiring reactively may solve immediate business challenges, it does not build the long-term knowledge and expertise needed to sustain innovation in the R&D space.

Instead, organizations should think about building talent pipelines. This could mean partnering with universities or offering a range of internships and graduate programs to bring in young people at the start of their career. There should also be a focus on providing mentorship opportunities, and embedding continuous learning into the workplace. Existing employees can then continue to gain skills, and drive the research and development organizations seek.

A successful R&D workforce is not built overnight; like all good investments it is a slow and steady process. AI is progressing rapidly and defined by instant results, and it can be easily forgotten that people don't develop at the same speed as technology. Instead, a consistent flow of skilled professionals is required, who can grow and change alongside the organization, and adapt to the technologies that emerge.

Why culture is the retention differentiator, not salary

Higher salaries are an attractive proposition for many employees, but they quickly lose their appeal when it comes from an organization that has not built a culture to support or retain its people.

Increasingly, employees want more that simple compensation. People are looking to join environments of continuous development, bold innovation, experimentation, and collaboration. Not only will this make organizations stand out in the job market, but it will also make people want to stay longer-term and build higher job satisfaction.

When this becomes embedded into the fabric of a company, organizations become far better equipped at attracting, developing, and retaining the highly skilled R&D talent they seek.

With technology changing and advancing so quickly, this culture of continuous learning becomes even more vital. Organizations should see it as a priority to provide access to technical training, certifications in fast-moving areas such as: cloud-native development, AI and DevSecOps, as well as providing mentoring for employees. There should also be opportunities that allow people to work on emerging technologies – from AI-assisted development tools to automation and advanced analytics - and share knowledge across the wider team.

True innovation is rarely the result of one individual. The most successful R&D outcomes are driven by teams that work together with their different perspectives, skills and experiences; bolstered by a work culture that empowers them to do so.

The R&D goldmine most companies are sitting on

While businesses continue to invest heavily in AI tools and develop technologies, there is one untapped R&D resource that many are overlooking. And it’s free for them to use: their own customers.

Most organizations collect a vast amount of customer data and information, yet much of it remains underutilized. But when combined with AI-driven analytics, this data can become a powerful tool for innovation. Failing to do so, would be missing a valuable opportunity for many companies to better understand their customer needs, and guide future development.

AI can analyze large volumes of data very quickly and efficiently. In doing so, it can help organizations identify patterns, recurring issues, and unmet customer needs, that may go otherwise unnoticed. As a result of these insights, R&D teams can then make better decisions based on actual evidence and user experiences. Paired with upskilled engineers, this is where real opportunity lies. Automation and analytics allows teams to be free from repetitive tasks, so their time can instead be dedicated to solving the more complex problems that drive meaningful innovation.

In an ever-changing market, organizations cannot innovate based simply on guesswork. AI can help uncover what customers need, but it is the R&D teams that must help bring this to life. When this all comes together, businesses are far more likely to develop innovations that resonate and drive long-term growth.

People are significant contributors to AI in driving its successful deployment, so it’s logical that the businesses seeing the greatest success in this new wave of AI, are those that have invested heavily into developing R&D talent and upskilling.

Through implementing a strong talent pipeline, building cultures of bold innovation, and utilizing the goldmine of customer data that most businesses are sitting on, organizations will be far better equipped to turn AI’s development into meaningful, long-term growth.

Check out our list of the best job sites.

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

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

Categories: Technology

Britain's NEET crisis and the factory retirement cliff are the same problem in disguise

Wed, 10/07/2026 - 03:54

Industrial employers sitting on unfilled technical roles and a generation locked out of work are two halves of one fixable equation.

The latest figures from the Office of National Statistics reveal that around 13% of UK 16-24 years olds are not in employment, education or training. The government's own interim review has warned this could mark the makings of a "lost generation."

At the same time, close to a fifth of the engineering and manufacturing workforce is expected to retire by the end of the year, taking with it an estimated half a million skilled engineers, technicians and operators.

One side of the ledger is a generation that wants to work and cannot get in. The other is an industrial base that needs people and is about to lose its most experienced. Treated separately, both look intractable. Treated together, they start to look like a single problem with a single answer. The solution: training AI agents to become autonomous and fill this gap.

A knowledge problem, not a hiring problem

The first mistake is to see the industrial shortage as a hiring problem. Recruiters and trade bodies have been clear that external hiring alone cannot close the gap: the issue is not just empty seats but the decades of judgment walking out the door with every retirement. When a maintenance lead or a supplier audit manager leaves, the loss is rarely the task itself. It is the accumulated reasoning behind it, and the why that never made it into a manual.

That is precisely why hiring and knowledge transfer demand completely different solutions. A vacancy can be filled in months. Thirty years of tacit knowledge cannot be replicated by recruitment, and the so-called "hollowed-out middle" - the shortage of workers with five to fifteen years' experience - means there is often no intermediate layer left to pass that knowledge down. The conveyor belt that once carried expertise from veteran to apprentice has lost its middle section.

Where AI changes the arithmetic

This is where AI changes the arithmetic, and not in the way the headlines assume. The breakthrough is not a chatbot that answers questions. It is the ability to capture the relationship between an organization's structured records, the purchase orders, the part numbers, and the unstructured reasoning that surrounds them: the emails, the annotations, the informal decisions made in the margins.

Map how the two influence each other, embed that context into the daily workflow, and decades of institutional memory become an operational asset rather than a folder no one can find.

Done well, this compresses the experience curve. Instead of acquiring judgment slowly, over years, a newer engineer inherits a working version of it from their first day on the job. The relevant history, the prior decisions, and the reasoning surfaced from the very beginning. The point is not that experience stops mattering. It is that the ramp becomes far shorter.

The window to exchange knowledge is narrow, and it is closing now. Context can only be captured while the people who hold it are still in the building. Once an expert retires, the structured data remains, but the reasoning that made it usable leaves with them. Every quarter of delay is a quarter of irreplaceable judgment lost. The retirement wave is not a distant problem to be scheduled around; it is already underway.

Where AI is used the wrong way

There is an honest objection to confront. AI is widely blamed for hollowing out entry-level work, and the data gives the charge weight: the same interim review found that entry-level roles have become less plentiful and more demanding, recruitment more remote, automated and less human, and apprenticeship starts for young people are down by more than 40%.

But AI is rarely the real culprit; the mindset behind it is. Too many organizations are still buying the technology the way they bought software a decade ago - as a line item that removes people rather than a capability that makes them more valuable. Pointed at entry-level work, AI will cut it and call the result “efficiency”.

Pointed at the opposite goal, making inexperienced people productive faster, the same technology widens the door rather than narrows it. The real question is not whether AI has to close off the old way in, but whether companies choose to use it to open a new one.

A different way in

This only works if the argument is honest about who these young people are. The cohort behind the NEET numbers is not, for the most part, trained engineers waiting for a vacancy. Six in ten have never held a job at all; many are contending with poor health, disrupted schooling or years of disengagement. Employers are willing to take them on yet hesitate because an unproven candidate feels like a risk a smaller firm cannot afford.

AI lowers the cost of that bet. When a system surfaces the right context and lets a newcomer direct complex processes in plain language, the absence of a track record stops being disqualifier. For a 23-year-old walking onto a factory floor for the first time, that is the difference between being screened out and being let in.

That is the opportunity hiding inside the two statistics. The retirement cliff and the NEET crisis are usually filed under different departments: workforce planning on one side, social policy on the other. They belong on the same page. Capture the expertise that is about to leave, put it within reach of the people who are desperate to start, and the industrial sector does not merely plug a gap. It builds the on-ramp for a generation that has been told, too often, that there was no way in.

We've featured the best AI tool.

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

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

Categories: Technology

All the best Prime Day deals at Amazon UK — 90+ top offers on day 2 from Ninja, Kindle, Nintendo, Shark, Apple, and more

Wed, 10/07/2026 - 03:46
Amazon Prime Day 'Big Deal Days' 2026

(Image credit: Future / Amazon)

Jump to...
1. Today's best deals
2. Deals under £50
3. Appliances
4. Amazon devices
5. Televisions
6. Laptops
7. Headphones
8. Smartwatches & Wearables
9. Tablets & Ereaders
10. Health & Beauty
11. Gaming
12. Toys
13. Live updates

It's the second and final day of this year's Prime Big Deal Days sale. Effectively the second Prime Day sale of the year, it's been another deals extravaganza at Amazon UK, featuring savings on everything from tech and toys, to fashion and home essentials. If you're just checking it out for the first time, I've rounded up all of the best deals still available right here, including some top-rated tech and basket-filling bargains.

• Browse the full Prime Big Deal Days sale

I've been covering Amazon's Prime Day sales for almost a decade now as a deals hunter, so I've learnt a lot in that time about how to find all of the best offers. I'm also using our price tracking data to share offers that are some of the best we've seen — or at least rival them given recent price hikes and stock shortages in some categories.

What I've found with this sale is that it remains one of the better times of the year to pick up Amazon devices. That's clear with some of the price cuts to Kindles, Ring doorbells, Blink cameras, Fire TVs, and so on. One of the highlights from the sale is the Amazon Kindle for £84.99 (was £134.99) — that's the lowest price this year.

I've also found dozens of excellent offers in many other categories. I've summarised the highlights below, but some I want to shout out in particular are the Nintendo Switch 2 for a record-low price, the terrific Suri Pro Sonic Electric Toothbrush for £83.99 (was £105) and the handy Loop Quiet 2 Ear Plugs for £15.95 (was £19.95).

As we're into the final day of the sale now, some products are at risk of selling out, so I'll be highlighting our favourite offers here at TechRadar until it ends so you don't miss out. It could be a good opportunity to spread out your shopping ahead of this year's upcoming Black Friday deals in November.

Just remember, you need an Amazon Prime membership to access most of these offers, but new and returning subscribers can get a 30-day Amazon Prime free trial to cover you for the sale.

Amazon Prime Big Deal Days — quick linksMy top 12 deals at Amazon UK

Galaxy Fit 3: was £41.94 now £31
At almost £30, now is a great time to buy Samsung's budget fitness tracker. As well as all the basic fitness, health and sleep tracking features, the Galaxy Fit3 is an excellent extension to your smartphone that lets you check your messages, control your music and navigate easily with simple gestures. Everything centres around the impressive 1.6-inch AMOLED display, and battery life is also not a problem, with 13 days on a single charge.View Deal

Battery Video Doorbell + Ring Indoor Camera: was £119.98 now £39.99
This excellent value bundle includes the latest version of the Ring Video Doorbell and a Ring Indoor Camera for a cheap and easy way to get started with home security. We've tested these and have been impressed with the video quality, high zoom, and night vision colour, but it's a shame that some of this device's value is only usable with a Ring Protect subscription. However, if you're fine with paying for a subscription or already using a Ring-based home security system, it's worth the cost.View Deal

Amazon has the Nintendo Switch 2 at its lowest price ever for Prime Big Deal Days. Given that the console was only recently hit with a price hike, I'm surprised that you can score such a big price cut on it right now, so definitely take advantage while you can if you've been thinking of picking it up, as this price almost certainly won't be beaten all year.View Deal

15 Laptop: was £639 now £359
Display - 15.6 inches
Processor - AMD Ryzen 5
RAM - 8GB
Storage - 512GB

Here's one of the best budget Windows laptops in the Prime Big Deal Days sale. It features an AMD Ryzen 5 processor, 8GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD to ensure good performance for general use and a solid amount of speedy storage for the price. It's a top buy right now if you're on a budget and need a basic laptop for everyday use, college, admin tasks and light work.View Deal

iO Series 3: was £175 now £59.99
The iO range is usually a more expensive option in Oral-B's range of electric toothbrushes, but this is a decent deal on the entry-level option that's also bundled with a few handy extras. It doesn't boast many high-end features but it has the basic ones you really need to brush your teeth effectively and efficiently, including a two-minute timer and a visible pressure sensor. Plus, you get spare brush head and a carry case included for free.View Deal

PowerPro Cordless Stick Vacuum: was £269.99 now £169.99
I own a similar Shark vacuum, and I can't praise them enough for the Anti-Hair Wrap tech that has saved me so much time unclogging the brush roll compared to my old vacuum. Flexology tech makes it a good option for reaching under furniture and battery life is an impressive 50 minutes.View Deal

The latest version of the standard Kindle is on sale as part of the Prime Big Deal Days sale. It's a basic ereader, but it still boasts a four-week battery life and space for thousands of books. Given it's significantly cheaper than the Paperwhite, this is clearly a better pick for the infrequent reader who's after a more budget-friendly option. At £85, though, this deal is a little underwhelming, given it's been as low as £69.99 before.View Deal

OpenRun Pro 2: was £169 now £134
Treat yourself to one of the best pairs of bone conduction headphones at their lowest-ever price — one that we last saw during Black Friday. Not only do they deliver outstanding sound, but they're also incredibly comfortable. They're highly recommended by our Fitness & Wearables Editor, Matt Evans, and are now more affordable, making them a great buy for runners and gym goers.View Deal

Foodi StaySharp Knife Block: was £179.99 now £129.99
I've got one of those AnySharp knife sharpeners to keep my kitchen knives up to scratch, but if you want to go all the way with a convenient knife block with a built-in sharpener, then this is a great price for a premium set from Ninja. You'll never suffer from dull knives again with this extremely handy kitchen gadget, with its six-piece set of stainless steel knives and included paring scissors.View Deal

I'm not sure how I feel about smart rings, but our fitness editor, Matt Evans, is a big fan of the Oura Ring 4. He said it was "nearly the perfect fitness tracker" in our review, praising the design, ease-of-use, long-lasting battery and detailed health information it offers. This fascinating bit of tech is now down to its lowest-ever price on Amazon — although be warned that some sizes and colours are selling out.View Deal

The Philips OneBlade 360 is a quick, simple and affordable electric razor that's suitable for a wide variety of face and body grooming needs. This jam-packed bundle was a little cheaper over Prime Day, but today's offer is still a solid one. This bundle includes the handle, as well as a spare blade, a 5-in-1 comb, a body kit, and a USB-A charging cable.View Deal

This updated Sonos Era 100 is no longer our number one pick as the best speaker you can buy, but it's still one of the top options out there. It offers terrific audio quality for its small size, with a rich soundscape and strong bass. It's also versatile, allowing you to connect to it via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or an aux cable and stream music to it from multiple streaming services. The affordable launch price was a standout in our Sonos Era 100 SL review, but this discount makes it a great buy as an all-around home speaker.View Deal

Amazon Prime Big Deal Days — Deals under £50

Quiet 2 Ear Plugs: was £19.95 now £15.95
I've seen a lot of people talk about and use Loop earplugs lately so if you want to see what the fuss is all about then this entry-level pair is down to a record-low price. Use them to block out noise on a commute, help you focus in the office, protect your ears from loud music at bars or concerts, or help you create a better environment for sleep. They're reusable and can last for up to five years so a good investment if you'll be a regular user.View Deal

Outdoor 4 Camera with Blink Video Doorbell: was £129.98 now £24.99
This excellent value bundle includes a Blink Outdoor 4 security camera and a Blink Video Doorbell at an incredibly low price. It's one of my top picks if you want to dabble with some cheap smart home tech. The 4th-generation outdoor security camera features two-way audio, a two-year battery life, and works with Amazon Alexa for hands-free control and interconnectivity with other smart devices. Meanwhile, the Blink Video Doorbell is a cheap and easy way to get alerts on your phone when motion is detected or when guests are at your door.View Deal

Classic Large Creative Brick Box: was £44.99 now £29.39
As a way to get started, this box of 790 Lego pieces is a great beginner kit. With a variety of brick types and extras, you can start building whatever you please. You also get a very handy brick-shaped box to store everything in once playtime is over, all for under £30.View Deal

Basics 100-Pack AA Batteries: was £15.69 now £13.34
Sure, all of the fancy TVs, laptops, appliances and headphones are the exciting part of any Prime Day sale, but it's also a good chance to stock up on some handy essentials. So, how about a whopping 100 AA batteries for under £15? That'll keep you going for a while.View Deal

The new Blink Mini 2K+ has a couple of nice upgrades compared to the previous model, including a built-in spotlight, night view in colour support and the option to use it outdoors with the weather-resistant adaptor. Aside from that, it offers the same raft of security features such as motion detection, two-way audio and smartphone app integration. Get it now for a record-low price.View Deal

PowerCore 10K: was £17.99 now £14.98
This is a handy and affordable power bank from the popular and well-rated Anker brand. It sports a sleek and slim design that makes it easy to carry around, while it can still recharge many mobiles up to two times over. There's only a single port to charge one device at a time but that's not a huge issue if you just want a cheap power bank for your phone.View Deal

iO Series 2: was £100 now £37.99
The iO range is usually a more expensive option in Oral-B's range of electric toothbrushes, but this is an excellent deal on an entry-level option that's also bundled with a few handy extras. It doesn't boast many high-end features, but it has the basic ones you really need to brush your teeth effectively and efficiently, including a two-minute timer and a visible pressure sensor. Plus, you get a refill holder and a travel case included for free.View Deal

I bought this massage gun myself and found it to be excellent value for money, so I definitely recommend it at this record-low price. It's easy to use, quiet, has four attachments to target different muscles and has six speed settings to suit your preferred pressure. The detachable handle is a nice addition, too, so you can easily reach your back.View Deal

USB-C Charger Cable (2-Pack): was £7.99 now £5.69
Can you ever have too many USB cables? The box full of them under my desk would suggest you can. However, if you want a couple more to leave around the house or take with you when out and about, this pair of USB-C to USB-A cables from top brand Anker is now super-cheap for Prime Day.View Deal

TurboForce Power Fan: was £29.99 now £25.49
This small desk fan has been a popular buy all summer as it's a cheap yet powerful option, so it's worth shouting out again while it's on sale for Prime Day. It's not the most advanced fan out there, but you get three speed settings and quiet operation, which makes it a good choice for your desk while working or on the side table at night.View Deal

If you picked up those USB cables for cheap, you might also want a charger plug to use with them. There are several on sale right now at Amazon, but I like this Ugreen option the best. It's a 100W fast charger with three USB-C ports and one USB-A port, offering support for multiple phones, laptops, tablets, earbuds, and more, with the option to charge more than one at a single time with the correct arrangement. The small and compact design, is the ideal finishing touch.View Deal

Soundcore Portable Speaker 2: was £28.49 now £22.99
If you want a cheap and basic Bluetooth speaker, then you can't go wrong with this Anker Soundcore for a little over £20. Sure, it's not going to give you the biggest and boldest audio quality, but it's still a solid option at an affordable price. Battery life is an impressive 24 hours, too, so it's great to use around the home or take it with you when on the go.View Deal

The Ninja Blast Portable Blender is Ninja's best-selling personal-sized blender for smoothies, slushies, and shakes. It comes with a USB-rechargeable base, so you don't need to swap batteries every few months, and a leakproof lid with a carrying handle. Its convenient, grab-and-go design stood out to our reviewer, who gave it four out of five stars. This handy kitchen gadget is now at its lowest-ever price.View Deal

Tapo Smart Plugs with Energy Monitoring: was £23.99 now £14.99
A fantastic low price for a pair of smart plugs that offer a suite of features to control your devices and monitor your energy use. You can use them with any existing socket and connect an assortment of devices such as chargers, lights, TVs, appliances and more. Remote controls, voice controls, schedules, energy monitoring features and more are all handled in the free smartphone app.View Deal

This bundle featuring the latest Xbox Wireless Controller and a USB-C charging cable is now available for £39.99 on Amazon. This well-loved and easy-to-use gamepad is compatible with most Bluetooth-enabled devices, such as Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S consoles, PCs, tablets, and mobile phones. This is a good price to bite on, as I've only seen these controllers for £5 less in the past, and that hasn't happened for a long time.View Deal

Core Mini Air Purifier: was £49.99 now £39.99
I actually bought a Levoit Core Mini for myself when moving into a new house that hadn't been lived in for a while to get rid of the dust and debris, and I also think it works as a great option for any allergy problems. What I like most is that it's small and quiet, so it is perfect for all sorts of spaces, such as the living room and bedroom. It's now also very affordable at 15% off.View Deal

Get the highly rated Renpho smart scale on sale for under £20 for Prime Day. The smart scale has over 300,000 reviews on Amazon and holds a solid 4.5-star rating. You can use this smart device to measure your body fat ratio, BMI, and weight via the Renpho app.View Deal

This Warmco Portable handheld fan is a slightly more high-tech and serious-looking device. Again, we haven't reviewed it, but it does have good Amazon reviews and the price is right thanks to this current deal. According to the user reviews, this looks to be a surprisingly powerful little fan that's capable of 3 to 13 hours of operation per charge.View Deal

DeskJet 2921 All-in-One Wireless Inkjet Printer: was £54.99 now £32.99
If you need a cheap and cheerful printer, this DeskJet 2921 is a great budget choice that supports wireless printing, scanning, and copying. This bundle also includes three months of HP Instant Ink, so you can save cash on your first few rounds of prints.View Deal

As someone who grew up playing one of these on family holidays, I can't help but be incredibly tempted to pick up the super-cool Lego Game Boy as a display piece while it's over £10 off at Amazon. And I'm sure many other retro gamers out there would love it as a gift this Christmas.View Deal

Blender 600 Series: was £69.99 now £46.99
I'm a little tempted by the £20 price reduction on this well-scoring blender. While it can't chop ice, it creates velvety smoothies out of fresh and frozen fruits hassle-free. On top of this, the build quality and performance impressed us, and the fact that it's only a few quid more than it was on Black Friday makes this an even sweeter deal.View Deal

MF50 Compressed Air Duster: was £49.99 now £32.29
The Wolfbox MF50 is a convenient and extremely easy-to-use air duster, with a single button to cycle through fan speeds, a trigger to fire out the air, and several different attachments to choose between depending on the cleaning job you need it for. It's completely wireless with USB-C charging and lasts up to four hours on a single charge on the lowest setting, too.View Deal

Perhaps you're moving into halls or other university accommodation and want an option to get some exercise in at home, well, this cheap pack of resistance bands could be useful. For under £10, you get five different-strength bands, ranging from light to XX-heavy, that can help with all sorts of different home training, yoga, pilates, and other exercises.View Deal

Ultra 256GB MicroSD Card: was £44.99 now £36.09
Here's a cheap and cheerful 256GB MicroSD card for under £40 in the latest Amazon Prime Day sale. It's wild that this has been as low as £15 in the past, but this is where we're at with storage costs right now. Whether you need it for a camera, phone, tablet or Nintendo Switch, it'll expand the storage available in the device for more photos, videos, apps, games, or whatever else you need.View Deal

Amazon Prime Big Deal Days — Appliances

A smart kettle feels like a bit of a gimmick, but if you make a variety a different hot drinks that taste better when brewed at specific temperatures, then I could see a reason why you'd want to invest in this Ninja Perfect Temperature Kettle. With this discount, it's much easier to justify a purchase compared to the steep full price.View Deal

Here's a great price for the appliance we awarded 4.5 stars out of five in our Shark Stratos Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner review. Again, I can't praise these vacuums enough for the Anti Hair Wrap tech that's saved me so much time unclogging the brush roll compared to my old vacuum. Flexology makes it a good option for reaching under furniture and this upgraded Stratos version boasts anti-odour tech and CleanSense IQ that automatically adjusts suction power to tackle tougher areas of dirt. Battery life is an impressive 60 minutes.View Deal

PowerPro Cordless Stick Vacuum: was £269.99 now £169.99
I own a similar Shark vacuum, and I can't praise them enough for the Anti-Hair Wrap tech that has saved me so much time unclogging the brush roll compared to my old vacuum. Flexology tech makes it a good option for reaching under furniture and battery life is an impressive 50 minutes.View Deal

The Dyson V8 is now older, but it remains one of the top affordable vacuums and also one of the best Dyson vacuums – period. This still more-than-capable vacuum comes with a couple of essential attachments for cleaning around the home. Given its age and basic features, it's a struggle to recommend it at its full price, but now that it's discounted so heavily at Currys, it's an easy recommendation.View Deal

For homes where small spills and stains are a regular problem, this Vax SpotWash Duo could be a smart buy while it's almost half-price on Amazon. You get a handful of useful attachments included to tackle different types of problems and pet messes, as well as a small bottle of cleaning solution to get you started.View Deal

XXL Air Fryer: was £199.99 now £109.99
One of the biggest and best budget air fryer deals available at Amazon right now is this heavily reduced Tefal XXL. It's a huge 11L model that's considerably cheaper than many smaller options I've seen in the sale. We haven't personally reviewed this model at TechRadar, but it's from a trusted brand and down to the lowest price since Black Friday for Prime Day.View Deal

AF300UK Air Fryer: was £199.99 now £117.31
The Ninja AF300UK 7.6L model is down to its lowest price all year at Amazon right now. It's definitely worth it at this price, given we awarded it the full five stars in our Ninja AF300UK review. It's smaller than some of the largest models but a good option if you don't need as much space and want to spend less. We particularly praised the multiple settings, the ability to sync cooking times and the quality of the food it made.View Deal

Foodi Max Dual Zone Air Fryer: was £229.99 now £161.45
The Ninja Foodi Max is the ultimate air fryer for many and it's now down to a great low price at Amazon. It offers six different functions, including Max Crisp, air frying, roasting, baking, reheating, and dehydrating. With two baskets, you get two independent cooking zones with the option to have them sync or match up, depending on your needs. Its extra large capacity is perfect for family cooking or batch cooking as it gives you plenty of room for a 2kg chicken or 1.4kg of fries in each compartment.View Deal

Crispi: was £149.99 now £109.99
Here's a best-ever discount on Ninja's portable air fryer — and a great Prime Day deal. This bundle includes the PowerPod lid, plus two resealable glass containers to carry your dishes until you're ready to cook. According to our testing, it cooks exceptionally quickly, is easy to use and a breeze to clean, making this one of the best air fryer deals I've seen this year.View Deal

The Nespresso Vertuo Next is a small and convenient pod coffee machine — and it's now back to its lowest price this year. With multiple drinks in multiple sizes available at the touch of a button, it could be the ideal no-fuss pick for your home, your room or a shared kitchen if you're at uni.View Deal

Promising simplicity of use, the De'Longhi Magnifica Evo has a straightforward touch control panel that allows you to brew your favourite cup of coffee with the minimum amount of effort. It also has a silent integrated grinder with 13 settings, plus a handy milk frother, so it’s a good all-in-one solution for those who love a cup of joe but want to skip all the faff of making the drink. We liked it enough in our De'Longhi Magnifica Evo Next review, in which we awarded it four stars out of five.View Deal

Sage makes some of the best coffee machines we've ever tested here at TechRadar, so I definitely want to shout out this offer on its excellent The Barista Express. We awarded it 4.5 stars in our review for its ease of use, bevvy of customisable settings and tasty results. While it's still a pricey machine, it's worth the investment if you really want to get into your coffee-making at home.View Deal

We may be about to hit the colder months, but the Ninja Creami ice cream maker is still a quick and convenient way to make all of your favourite frozen treats, milkshakes and sorbets at the touch of a button. While it was a little cheaper than this last Black Friday, today's offer is the best I've seen all year for the popular appliance.View Deal

Artisan Stand Mixer: was £549 now £319.99
KitchenAid is a mainstay in the Bake Off tent and still the leader when it comes to high-quality stand mixers – but they do come with a hefty upfront cost. This healthy £230 discount on the premium Artisan model definitely takes the sting out, though. It comes with a stainless steel bowl and three attachments for mixing, kneading and beating – everything the amateur or intermediate baker needs for the kitchen.View Deal

Foodi StaySharp Knife Block: was £179.99 now £129.99
I've got one of those AnySharp knife sharpeners to keep my kitchen knives up to scratch, but if you want to go all the way with a convenient knife block with a built-in sharpener, then this is a great price for a premium set from Ninja. You'll never suffer from dull knives again with this extremely handy kitchen gadget, with its six-piece set of stainless steel knives and included paring scissors.View Deal

Aquatak 120: was £109.99 now £82.99
I did a lot of research before picking up this pressure washer for myself a couple of years ago and it's been an excellent buy for simple cleaning tasks around the home, such as patios, decking, walls and cars. While we haven't tested this model at TechRadar, it's been praised elsewhere for its solid build quality, strong water pressure and portability. You also get a good selection of attachments in this bundle, including a patio cleaner, wash brush and detergent nozzle.View Deal

Amazon Prime Big Deal Days — Amazon Devices

Battery Video Doorbell + Ring Indoor Camera: was £119.98 now £39.99
This excellent value bundle includes the latest version of the Ring Video Doorbell and a Ring Indoor Camera for a cheap and easy way to get started with home security. We've tested these and have been impressed with the video quality, high zoom, and night vision colour, but it's a shame that some of this device's value is only usable with a Ring Protect subscription. However, if you're fine with paying for a subscription or already using a Ring-based home security system, it's worth the cost.View Deal

Outdoor 4 Camera with Blink Video Doorbell: was £129.98 now £24.99
This excellent value bundle includes a Blink Outdoor 4 security camera and a Blink Video Doorbell at an incredibly low price. It's one of my top picks if you want to dabble with some cheap smart home tech. The 4th-generation outdoor security camera features two-way audio, a two-year battery life, and works with Amazon Alexa for hands-free control and interconnectivity with other smart devices. Meanwhile, the Blink Video Doorbell is a cheap and easy way to get alerts on your phone when motion is detected or when guests are at your door.View Deal

The new Blink Mini 2K+ has a couple of nice upgrades compared to the previous model, including a built-in spotlight, night view in colour support and the option to use it outdoors with the weather-resistant adaptor. Aside from that, it offers the same raft of security features such as motion detection, two-way audio and smartphone app integration. Get it now for a record-low price.View Deal

The Blink Video Doorbell is now £3 more than its lowest-ever price on Amazon, which is great news if you're interested in buying your first smart doorbell. This latest model comes with a head-to-toe HD view, infrared night vision, and two-way audio – all you'd want in a basic video doorbell. You can watch packages get delivered and answer the door in real time from the Blink app, but you can't save footage without a Blink Subscription or a Sync Module (which is included here). Thankfully, you get a 30-day Blink Subscription Plan trial with your purchase, so you can try before you buy.View Deal

The Blink Outdoor Camera 2K+ is packed with the essentials. It has 2K video quality, so you can see what’s going on more clearly. You can also zoom in on what’s happening with 4X zoom, and use the two-way audio to talk to a delivery person or whoever is visiting. It’s simple to set up and weatherproof, with two AA batteries powering the device for up to two years. Plus, this bundle includes a free Blink Battery Doorbell.View Deal

The newest Ring Battery Doorbell Plus model drops to £50 in Amazon's latest sale. Its camera features 1536p HD resolution, night vision with color, and an improved motion sensor. It also includes an increased head-to-toe field of view of 150 by 150 degrees.View Deal

Indoor Camera Plus: was £49.99 now £24.99
This half-price offer gets you an easy-to-install Ring Indoor Camera for a new low price. The Alexa-enabled plug-in security camera features motion-activated notifications, 2K resolution video support, a privacy cover and two-way talk to allow you to see, hear and communicate throughout your home.View Deal

Echo Dot (5th Gen): was £54.99 now £29.99
Amazon's best-selling Echo Dot is down to under £30 for Prime Big Deal Days. This is an OK offer, but far from the previous record-low of £22.99. Nevertheless, the Echo Dot offers an improved audio experience, plus a new temperature sensor and all the handy features from Alexa, like playing music, answering questions, and checking the weather completely hands-free. As far as a cheap and cheerful smart speaker goes, it's one of the better options out there.View Deal

Amazon's Echo Spot smart clock is down to its record-low price for Prime Big Deal Days. As well as a time display and wake-up alerts, this compact bit of kit can play music, check the weather and control other smart devices throughout your home.View Deal

Fire TV Stick HD: was £59.99 now £19.99
You can get the upgraded version of Amazon's standard Fire TV Stick for £19.99 — that's just £3 more than the record-low price. In our Fire TV Stick review, we found the original version was a cheap way to add essential smart features to your TV, including access to streaming apps in HD, Alexa voice controls, and the ability to control other smart home devices.View Deal

Fire TV Stick 4K Select: was £64.99 now £21.99
Amazon's newest 4K streaming stick is down to within £2 of its lowest-ever price for Prime Big Deal Days. Considering it's only a few quid more than the cheaper HD version, you might as well pay for the upgrade and get access to higher resolution streaming — as long as you have a 4K TV. It lacks a few premium features found in the more expensive Plus and Max models, such as improved Wi-Fi and Dolby Atmos, but this is more than enough to cover general everyday use.View Deal

Amazon's new Fire TV Stick 4K Plus streams shows and movies to your TV in ultra-high-definition 4K resolution. This updated version now supports Dolby Vision for improved colours, Wi-Fi 6 for better connectivity, and includes 2GB of RAM for faster performance. This offer isn't particularly great, given it was £10 cheaper during the last Prime Day, but it's still good value for an all-around streaming device.View Deal

This is £9 more than the record-low price for Amazon's premium streaming device. The Fire TV Stick 4K Max streams the same content at the same quality as the standard 4K version, but the extra power inside delivers faster app navigation. Plus, it uses Wi-Fi 6E technology to deliver a more stable, consistent streaming experience.View Deal

Amazon's best-selling Echo Show 5 is down to £54.99 for Prime Big Deal Days — its lowest price in almost two years. The latest version of the Echo Show 5 features a compact 5.5-inch display but packs impressive sound with deeper bass and clearer vocals. Voice controls are enabled through Amazon Alexa, while you can use the smart screen to listen to podcasts, watch movies, stream videos, play music, and more.View Deal

Amazon's larger smart display just got its biggest discount all year for Prime Big Deal Days. The Echo Show 11 boasts a vibrant 11-inch full HD screen and spatial audio support for room-filling sound when listening to music or watching videos. With Alexa+ support, too, you get access to all of its advanced AI features and an easy way to connect and control other smart devices around your home.View Deal

Amazon Prime Big Deal Days — Televisions

C6 55-inch C6 4K OLED TV: was £1499 now £1399
Not many TVs can cover the wide range of content that the LG C6 does, be that movies, gaming, sports etc, and even fewer can do it so well. The C6 delivers on almost every front, and stands out as a brilliant value option in an expensive market. The 55-inch model has dropped to £1,399 at Amazon, and while not a record-low, it's a great price for this TV. View Deal

Ember TV 32-inch 2-Series HD TV: was £249.99 now £129.99
Amazon's Prime Day sale includes this 32-inch TV on sale for a record-low price of £129.99. While the Amazon 2-Series TV is just a basic HD display, you get smart capabilities with the Fire TV experience and Amazon Alexa on board for hands-free control at a bargain price. It's far from the best TV in the world, but if you need something small and basic for the kitchen or a kid's room, then this is fine for the job.View Deal

Ember 50-inch 4-Series 4K TV: was £499.99 now £279.99
The 50-inch Amazon Ember TV is the mid-sized version of the budget-friendly 4-Series range and it's now down to its lowest-ever price. It's a nice buy if you're on a budget, as the premium 4K resolution delivers excellent clarity and picture quality for TV shows, movies, sports and general viewing. All major streaming apps are ready to go, too, plus there's voice control support through Alexa. It's an all-around solid TV for the price that I'd buy if I needed an affordable and capable display.View Deal

E6STUK 55-inch 4K TV: was £579 now £330
If you're looking for a mid-sized budget display, you can't get much better than this Hisense 55-inch 4K TV that's on sale for £330 at Amazon — a record-low price. The Hisense E6STUK supports 4K Ultra HD resolution with an upscaler, respectable brightness and contrast, and Dolby Vision HDR for superior colours. Access to all of your favourite streaming apps is just a button press away, too. All of this for a little under £350? Bargain.View Deal

Ember TV 55-inch Omni Mini-LED TV: was £849.99 now £599.99
Amazon has taken the biggest step up in terms of quality with its latest Omni Mini-LED Series Fire TVs. That's clear in the price, which puts these very close to top-end OLED displays from the likes of Sony, Samsung and LG. However, you still get a lot for your money with this Amazon option, including a large 55-inch Mini-LED panel that boasts fantastic contrast, colors and image sharpness, a 144Hz game mode for a fast and responsive experience on consoles, and smart features.View Deal

55-Inch S84F 4K OLED Television: was £899 now £664
This is an excellent price for a 55-inch OLED TV that's as good as this. The S84F is basically the same as the Samsung S85F, which we gave 4.5 stars to — this cheaper version doesn't have Filmmaker Mode and lacks some minor lifestyle features, but has all the essentials.View Deal

Ember 55-inch QLED TV: was £749.99 now £429.99
Amazon's Ember QLED Series is a big step up in the otherwise cheap and cheerful range of smart TVs. This set boasts premium features, including a QLED display for better brightness and contrast, HDR and Dolby Vision for brighter and more vivid colours, local array dimming for richer blacks and HDMI 2.1 support to deliver a top-quality picture for all-around viewing and fast response times for gaming. It's not always easy to find a TV of this size and with these high-end features for just over £400, so it's an excellent buy for the budget-conscious without compromising on quality.View Deal

Q8STUK 75-inch mini-LED TV: was £1499 now £999
This is another great mid-range mini-LED TV, and is the best 75-inch TV I've seen for under £1000 among the deals today. Expect great cinematic contrast, bold colors and brightness, and excellent gaming support. Its picture quality will hold up to being in such a large screen, so if you want to go huge, this is the best-value way.View Deal

As we said in our Amazon Fire TV Soundbar review, "viewers looking to add a single soundbar to improve upon their TV's built-in speakers won't be disappointed, and when Prime Day discounts arrive Amazon's soundbar could end up being even better value." And lo, Prime Day arrived, and the discounts did deliver. This is a great first soundbar for simple setups.View Deal

We really like the Sonos Ray soundbar: as we said in our Sonos Ray review it delivers "big, well balanced sound" and you can expand it with additional speakers to create a surround sound setup. This deal takes a decent amount off the usual RRP, taking the Ray into much more affordable territory.View Deal

Beam (Gen 2) Soundbar: was £449 now £338
This second-generation Sonos Beam soundbar is an older model, but this considerable discount drops it to around the same price we last saw on Black Friday. Even with its age, it's still a great offer for a compact and stylish soundbar that also drops the subwoofer for another space-saving measure. It offers easy integration with the wider Sonos ecosystem if you want a larger home theatre system, and Dolby Atmos support provides a more immersive experience when watching movies. We also found it's great at playing music in our Sonos Beam (Gen 2) review, so it's a good choice if you need an all-in-one soundbar for multiple uses.View Deal

Amazon Prime Big Deal Days — Laptops

15 Laptop: was £379.98 now £269.99
Display - 15.6 inches
Processor - Intel Core i3
RAM - 8GB
Storage - 256GB

If you're looking for a cheap Windows laptop in the Prime Day sale, then I'd recommend this HP 15 as your best option. It features some decent entry-level components, including an Intel Core i3 processor, 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. All really basic stuff, sure, but if it's just for school, college, admin work at home, or occasional everyday use, it's more than up to the job.View Deal

15 Laptop: was £639 now £359
Display - 15.6 inches
Processor - AMD Ryzen 5
RAM - 8GB
Storage - 512GB

Here's one of the best budget Windows laptops in the Prime Big Deal Days sale. It features an AMD Ryzen 5 processor, 8GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD to ensure good performance for general use and a solid amount of speedy storage for the price. It's a top buy right now if you're on a budget and need a basic laptop for everyday use, college, admin tasks and light work.View Deal

IdeaPad Slim 3: was £719.99 now £399.99
Display - 14 inches
Processor - Intel Core Ultra 5
RAM - 16GB
Storage - 512GB

This is a great price for a relatively modern laptop that comes with a well-performing Intel Core Ultra 5 CPU. On top of that, you get 16GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD for storage, and respectable battery life, which represents good value for money overall. And with its 14-inch display, it's easily portable if you're always on the move. I think it's a solid everyday machine for the price.View Deal

Vivobook 15: was £476 now £402.99
Display - 15.6 inches
Processor - AMD Ryzen 7
RAM - 16GB
Storage - 512GB

Here's a solid and affordable Windows laptop available at the Amazon Prime Big Deal Days sale. It's an older machine, but there's no denying it's a solid entry-level choice for the price, including an AMD Ryzen 7 CPU, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD for storage. It's a great buy if you want a powerful and capable laptop with decent battery life for everyday use, work, or school.View Deal

Aspire 14: was £574.53 now £484
Display: 14 inches OLED
Processor: AMD Ryzen 5
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 512GB

If display quality is just as important to you as power, then strongly consider this Acer Aspire deal at Amazon. It comes with a large and high-end OLED screen that offers a clear and sharp image, whether you're working on documents or streaming your favourite TV shows. Specs are impressive elsewhere, too, including an AMD Ryzen 5 CPU, 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD for storage that ensure excellent overall performance, great multitasking capabilities and speedy load times.View Deal

Display - 13.8 inches
Processor - Snapdragon X Plus
RAM - 16GB
Storage - 512GB

The latest Microsoft Surface Laptop is one of our favourite Windows devices and received a glowing five-stars in our Microsoft Surface Laptop review, so I'm obviously going to call out this solid saving at Amazon. This particular specification includes a powerful Snapdragon X Plus processor, a healthy 16GB of RAM and a reasonable 512GB SSD. That storage feels a little light for the price, but the levels of performance and battery life from the CPU are top-tier to go alongside the swish-looking display and keyboard.View Deal

Amazon Prime Big Deal Days — Headphones

OpenRun Pro 2: was £169 now £134
Treat yourself to one of the best pairs of bone conduction headphones at their lowest-ever price — one that we last saw during Black Friday. Not only do they deliver outstanding sound, but they're also incredibly comfortable. They're highly recommended by our Fitness & Wearables Editor, Matt Evans, and are now more affordable, making them a great buy for runners and gym goers.View Deal

Bose's affordable earbuds offer top-tier active noise cancellation, but without a top-tier price tag. In our 4.5-star Bose QuietComfort Earbuds review, we said they were already "arguably best-in-class value" at full price, so for this price they're especially great. We praised their comfort and sound quality as well as the amazing ANC.View Deal

If you want affordable over-ears that don't compromise on quality then consider these Bose QuietComfort SC Headphones. I've been using a pair for a long time now and rate them highly. As with the Ultra version, you get impressive noise cancellation, top-tier audio quality and 24 hours of battery life, but in a much more affordable package. View Deal

These top-tier headphones were a little cheaper earlier this year, but it's still a strong saving on the excellent WH-1000XM6. These headphones offer beautifully balanced audio output, top-tier touch controls, ergonomic comfort, and noise-crushing active noise cancellation. They're fantastic all-rounders, as our Sony WH-1000XM6 review digs into.View Deal

Beats' latest sports earbuds get a nice discount, making it even more tempting to take advantage of their built-in heart-rate sensors, so you can track your runs with minimal other tech on you. In our Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 review, we also liked the head-tracked spatial audio, good stamina, huge range of features, and comfortable and lightweight fit — the latter is obviously super-important for sports headphones, and these deliver.View Deal

Amazon Prime Big Deal Days — Smartwatches

Here's a small discount on the Apple Watch SE 3. Apple's cheaper smartwatch is currently our pick for the best Apple Watch to buy if you're on a budget, as it delivers a full health and fitness tracking experience, all the convenient on-wrist features you need, and that familiar Apple style, but at a fraction of the price.View Deal

Watch Series 11: was £319 now £259
The latest Apple Watch 11 is £60 off in the latest Amazon Prime Day sale, though I did see it for as low as £219 just a couple of weeks ago. Still, this is the thinnest Apple Watch yet, with a wraparound LTP3 OLED display, it's a great-looking watch with Apple Intelligence-powered smarts and a boosted battery compared to previous devices, clocking in at 24 hours of average use.View Deal

The Fitbit Charge 6 is one of the simplest fitness trackers around, but it works very well, and is now got a decent price cut for Prime Big Deal Days. It has a small screen that shows the time, how many steps you’ve taken, and your current heart rate as well. It’s subtle, so it fits on your wrist well – whether you’re at work or working out. Extensive battery life of up to seven days means minimal hassle, too.View Deal

Galaxy Fit 3: was £41.94 now £31
At almost £30, now is a great time to buy Samsung's budget fitness tracker. As well as all the basic fitness, health and sleep tracking features, the Galaxy Fit3 is an excellent extension to your smartphone that lets you check your messages, control your music and navigate easily with simple gestures. Everything centres around the impressive 1.6-inch AMOLED display, and battery life is also not a problem, with 13 days on a single charge.View Deal

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 has been superseded by a brand-new model, so Amazon is shifting all of its remaining stock for a low price. We were incredibly impressed with the smartwatch in our review, as it felt like a big step forward for the wearable. There's the stylish design, as well as advanced health and fitness tracking features, and a smart running coach. This offer will disappear in a flash with such limited stock, so I'd grab it while you can if you want one of the best smartwatch deals we'll see all year and you're happy with slightly older tech.View Deal

We're now up to the GT 7, but this is a super-low price for a well-featured smartwatch. It might be a little behind some of its competitors when it comes to this style of watch, but at this price, there are many reasons to consider buying one if you want a stylish and capable fitness tracker that we scored an impressive 4.5 stars in our Huawei Watch GT 5 review.View Deal

I'm not sure how I feel about smart rings, but our fitness editor, Matt Evans, is a big fan of the Oura Ring 4. He said it was "nearly the perfect fitness tracker" in our review, praising the design, ease-of-use, long-lasting battery and detailed health information it offers. This fascinating bit of tech is now down to its lowest-ever price on Amazon — although be warned that some sizes and colours are selling out.View Deal

Amazon Prime Big Deal Days — Tablets & Ereaders

The latest version of the standard Kindle is on sale as part of the Prime Big Deal Days sale. It's a basic ereader, but it still boasts a four-week battery life and space for thousands of books. Given it's significantly cheaper than the Paperwhite, this is clearly a better pick for the infrequent reader who's after a more budget-friendly option. At £85, though, this deal is a little underwhelming, given it's been as low as £69.99 before.View Deal

The Kindle Colorsoft just fell to its lowest-ever price as part of this year's Prime Big Deal Days sale. As Amazon's first colored Kindle, it's a must-have if you love reading travel guides, graphic novels, and other genres with a lot of images and photographs — or just want to view your entire ebook library in its full colour glory. The ereader is also USB-C and wireless charging compatible, lasts up to eight weeks on a full battery, and has enough storage for thousands of books.View Deal

This is the new lowest-ever price for the newest version of the Kindle Scribe with 64GB of storage. This ereader combines some of the best features of the Kindle Paperwhite, such as the glare-free and auto-adjusting display, along with the option to take notes, comment on documents, and doodle using the included stylus pen. We were a little disappointed by the original Kindle Scribe because of some missing features, but after some updates and upgrades to this new model, we were happy to award it an impressive 4.5 stars, as it offers good value for such a multi-functional device.View Deal

2 with Marker Plus and Grey Book Folio: was £529 now £379
This bundle features the reMarkable 2 tablet, Marker Plus Pen and a cover for a record-low price. We concluded that this is "the best e-paper note-taking device money can buy" in our four-star review, so it's hard to argue against it while it has such a strong discount. If you want an E-ink screen for your writing or sketching, then it's worth taking advantage of this deal while you can.View Deal

Amazon Prime Big Deal Days — Health & Beauty

The Suri Pro Sonic Electric Toothbrush is 20% off at Amazon for Prime Big Deal Days. This is a strong offer for the fantastic, eco-friendly alternative to other electric toothbrushes. In fact, we scored it four-and-a-half out of five in our Suri 2.0 Sonic Toothbrush review. As I've found with the original 1.0 version, it performs and cleans well, offers an impressive 40-day battery life, fast wireless charging over USB-C, a useful pressure sensor, and comes with handy extras like a magnetic wall mount and UV cleaning travel case.View Deal

iO Series 3: was £175 now £59.99
The iO range is usually a more expensive option in Oral-B's range of electric toothbrushes, but this is a decent deal on the entry-level option that's also bundled with a few handy extras. It doesn't boast many high-end features but it has the basic ones you really need to brush your teeth effectively and efficiently, including a two-minute timer and a visible pressure sensor. Plus, you get spare brush head and a carry case included for free.View Deal

Sonicare DiamondClean 9000: was £319.99 now £129.99
This deal drops the advanced and top-rated Philips Sonicare electric toothbrush to a little over £130 – a great low price that's only been beaten during Black Friday. The Philips Sonicare DiamondClean features four different brushing modes and the pressure sensor will notify you when you're brushing too hard.View Deal

The Philips OneBlade 360 is a quick, simple and affordable electric razor that's suitable for a wide variety of face and body grooming needs. This jam-packed bundle was a little cheaper over Prime Day, but today's offer is still a solid one. This bundle includes the handle, as well as a spare blade, a 5-in-1 comb, a body kit, and a USB-A charging cable.View Deal

Salon One-Step Hair Dryer & Volumiser: was £49.99 now £24.99
Always a hot item during sales events, Amazon has the best-selling Revlon One-Step hair dryer on sale for a record-low price of £24.99. Thanks to the unique oval brush design, the hairdryer delivers a salon-like blowout with brilliant shine and extra volume.View Deal

Supersonic Hair Dryer: was £279.99 now £199
The Dyson Supersonic is now down to within £10 of its record-low price at Amazon. This cheaper version doesn't include any attachments; however, at this terrific low price, there's no better offer if you want to buy outside of the Black Friday sales season. View Deal

Amazon Prime Big Deal Days — Gaming

Amazon has the Nintendo Switch 2 at its lowest price ever for Prime Big Deal Days. Given that the console was only recently hit with a price hike, I'm surprised that you can score such a big price cut on it right now, so definitely take advantage while you can if you've been thinking of picking it up, as this price almost certainly won't be beaten all year.View Deal

This is a brand new, lowest-ever price for Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 on PS5. The latest entry didn't launch to huge positive acclaim, but we still think it has excellent Zombies and multiplayer modes, according to our review. Just don't expect a campaign that's as good as some of the classics.View Deal

Ideal for younger gamers, the Nex Playground comes with games ready to play out of the box, such as Fruit Ninja, Whac-a-Mole, and more. It's now down to a record-low price at Amazon. This neat little console relies on intuitive motion controls and is a locked-down system designed specifically with young children in mind.View Deal

This bundle featuring the latest Xbox Wireless Controller and a USB-C charging cable is now available for £39.99 on Amazon. This well-loved and easy-to-use gamepad is compatible with most Bluetooth-enabled devices, such as Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S consoles, PCs, tablets, and mobile phones. This is a good price to bite on, as I've only seen these controllers for £5 less in the past, and that hasn't happened for a long time.View Deal

The Meta Quest 3S is one of the best value VR headsets you can buy, and this Prime Day deal makes it even better value for money. Design and image quality do take a small hit to reach this lower price, but this is still a capable entry-level headset for playing some of the best VR games on the platform.View Deal

RAM and graphics card prices have been dreadful lately, but at least the same issues haven't impacted CPUs just yet. As an example, this AMD Ryzen 5 9600X is down to its lowest price in months for Prime Big Deal Days. It's a solid mid-range CPU for general use and gaming — and it's even the one I'm using right now in my PC. I've been very impressed with it, and at this price, it's hard to beat for value for money.View Deal

Pro 32GB 6400Mhz CL32 DDR5 RAM: was £509.99 now £399.99
Yes, there's apparently a "deal" on this high-end set of Crucial RAM, but when you look back and see that similar sets were under £100 in late 2025, it feels terrible to even consider buying at these prices. Still, if you're in desperate need of some quality RAM, it likely won't get any better than this for a while.View Deal

Amazon Prime Big Deal Days — Toys

Star Wars Millennium Falcon: was £734.99 now £598.39
If you want one of the biggest building challenges Lego can provide, then this 7,542-piece Millennium Falcon from the Lego Star Wars Ultimate Collectors Series is the one for you. And with over £130 sliced off its original price tag, the force is strong with this deal in the Amazon Prime Big Deal Days sale. Just be aware that it was up to £60 cheaper in previous events.View Deal

October 7, 2026 – 4:53 AMThe second and final day is here

(Image credit: Future / Amazon)

Prime Day (or Prime Big Deal Days, as it's called at this time of year) is almost over. We're into the second and final day, so the offers will be gone before you know it. I'm here to pick out some of our favourites that we've seen throughout the event so you don't miss out on any bargains in this early Black Friday preview. Let's get into it!

October 7, 2026 – 4:58 AMThis excellent value smart home bundle is still available

(Image credit: Ring)

This year's standout smart home bundle for Prime Day has to be this Ring Battery Video Doorbell and a Ring Indoor Camera for £39.99 — that's a whopping £80 off the full price. I think it's impossible to beat when it comes to value for money and is a cheap option if you want a simple and easy home security setup.

Ring Battery Video Doorbell & Ring Indoor Camera: was £119.98 now £39.99 at Amazon

October 7, 2026 – 5:07 AMWhat have you bought or plan to buy?

We're still running our Prime Day poll to get some insight into what you've bought (or are planning to buy) in this year's sale. I'll try to uncover more deals in the popular categories, or you can let me know in the comments if there's anything you've seen that's especially good.

October 7, 2026 – 5:23 AMRead all about it

(Image credit: Amazon)

Amazon has discounted several versions of the previous-generation Kindle for Prime Big Deal Days. It's important to point out that a couple of these have been cheaper in the past, but the days of such aggressive price cuts are not coming back, sadly. This is still a good offer for the standard Kindle, though, and it's unlikely to be beaten over Black Friday.

Amazon Kindle: was £139.99 now £84.99 at Amazon

October 7, 2026 – 5:39 AM

We're all looking to save a bit of cash these days, so I've done another big under to the under £50 section on the page, which should hopefully have a few interesting and affordable bargains that might catch your eye.

October 7, 2026 – 5:55 AMA tip top toothbrush

(Image credit: Future)

I was always put off by the thought of dropping lots of money on an electric toothbrush when most of the cheaper alternatives were fine. But when I finally picked up the original Suri about a year or so ago, I didn't regret my purchase at all. The newer 2.0 version is now on sale for Prime Big Deal Days, featuring an impressive 40-day battery life, fast wireless charging over USB-C, a useful pressure sensor, and comes with handy extras like a magnetic wall mount and UV cleaning travel case.

Suri Pro Sonic Electric Toothbrush: was £105 now £83.99 at Amazon
Suri Core Sonic Electric Toothbrush: was £65 now £49.98 at Amazon

October 7, 2026 – 6:15 AMA super-cheap and capable smartwatch

(Image credit: Lauren Scott)

My Fitbit Versa 2 is on its last legs. The battery lasts about three days now and it's definitely falling behind in some features. So that's why I'm eyeing up this Galaxy Fit 3 while it's only £31 for Prime Day. It covers all the basic health, exercise, and sleep tracking metrics I want, all in a more modern wearable. Plus, the battery life is a massive 13 days.

Samsung Galaxy Fit 3: was £41.95 now £31 at Amazon

October 7, 2026 – 6:43 AMI'm still thinking about this coffee machine

(Image credit: Breville)

Every time there's an Amazon sale, I look longingly at one of those super-fancy coffee machines and think about how wonderful it would be to have one in my kitchen. Is this the time I finally get one? Probably not again. However, at this record-low price for the highly-rated Sage Barista Express, it's extremely tempting.

Sage Barista Express: was £629.95 now £449 at Amazon

October 7, 2026 – 7:00 AMSounds good to me

(Image credit: Future)

In a blind audio test, this Bose portable speaker came out on top, fending off some tough competition from JBL and Ultimate Ears. Harry Padoan is a huge fan, and now finds it easy to recommend at this new low deal price.

Bose SoundLink Micro Gen 2: was £119.95 now £79.95 at Amazon

October 7, 2026 – 7:17 AMItems are starting to go out of stock

I've just made another pass on the deals before lunch and I'm seeing more and more items expired or out of stock, mainly in laptops and appliances. I'll try to hunt down a few worthy replacements in some areas, but we are hitting that point in the sale now where stock issues are more likely. So, if there's anything in your basket that you definitely want, I'd consider hitting the buy button sooner rather than later.

October 7, 2026 – 7:40 AMStill some of the best bone conduction headphones you can buy

(Image credit: Shokz)

When it comes to bone conduction headphones, there's one brand that regularly stands out above the rest: Shokz. Our fitness experts rate many of its headphones and earbuds as top choices for exercise and running, so I need to shout of this record-equalling low price on the fantastic OpenRun Pro 2 for Prime Big Deal Days.

Shokz OpenRun Pro 2: was £169 now £134 on Amazon

October 7, 2026 – 8:06 AMA good and affordable TV

(Image credit: Future / Hisense / Edited with Gemini)

I hadn't spotted all that many TV deals outside of Amazon's own Ember TV range, but a few more have cropped up as the sale has gone on. One I like the most right now if you want a good-quality and budget-friendly pick, is this Hisense E6STUK, which is now down to its lowest-ever price

Hisense E6STUK 55-inch 4K TV: was £579 now £330 at Amazon

October 7, 2026 – 8:20 AMGet £100 off a top vacuum cleaner

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)

When I bought a Shark vacuum many years ago, I wasn't prepared for how much easier it would make the whole idea of keeping my house clean. With excellent power and convenient features, it really made the whole tedious exercise of hoovering a thousand times easier. That's why I want to shout out this £100 saving on a Shark PowerPro Cordless Stick Vacuum.

Shark PowerPro Cordless Stick Vacuum: was £269.99 now £169.99 at Amazon

October 7, 2026 – 8:32 AMSome of my favourite Bose headphones are on sale

(Image credit: Future)

On my head right now is a pair of these Bose QuietComfort SC Headphones. For the past decade, I've moved between two pairs of these cans, and I haven't found any reason to look elsewhere. In terms of sound quality, noise cancellation, comfortable fit, and battery life, I don't think anything will beat it for the cost.

Bose QuietComfort SC Wireless Headphones: was £289.95 now £161.45 at Amazon

October 7, 2026 – 8:45 AMAn easy, cheap TV audio upgrade

(Image credit: Future)

Lots of people are buying new TVs today, but depending on what you're unhappy with in your old set, you don't necessarily need to replace it — maybe you can just upgrade it.

Many people find the built-in sound to be weak in TVs, especially budget or mid-range models, but an affordable soundbar might be all you need to make the difference. Having larger speakers facing you directly adds tons of clarity to speech, and more impact and dynamism to the sound.

Amazon's great small soundbar is just £87.99 right now — that's a lot less than a whole new telly…

Amazon Fire TV Soundbar: https://www.amazon.co.uk/amazon-fire-tv-soundbar-20-speaker-with-dts-virtual-x-and-dolby-audio-bluetooth-support/dp/B0CWVZRMCX/

October 7, 2026 – 9:02 AMThe hottest wired earbuds (if you care about audio quality)

(Image credit: Future)

The Sennheiser CX 80U are our pick as the best cheap wired earbuds, and with wired earbuds being super-popular right now, we've noticed this model flying off the virtual shelves. It has a discount today, and while it's not a huge reduction, it makes them even more tempting.

Lots of people are buying white Apple-like earbuds, but if you care about audio quality and want a low price, these are what you want.

Sennheiser CX 80U: was £34.99 now £30.49 at Amazon

October 7, 2026 – 9:15 AMWant to grab an early gift for the kids?

The Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro tablet is nearly half price right now, and that includes ad-free content, including video and games, and a two-year guarantee where Amazon will replace the tablet if it breaks for pretty much any reason. Despite that, it's designed to be manhandled, with a more rugged design than something like an iPad.

Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Pro tablet: was £199.99 now £114.99 at Amazon

October 7, 2026 – 9:41 AMThe smart ring we recommend has never been cheaper

(Image credit: Oura Health)

I'm not sure how I'd feel about swapping to a smart ring, but I can see the benefits — and lots of others like them. If you want to try out one of the best for less, then the last-generation Oura Ring 4 is almost half-price for Prime Day.

Oura Ring 4: was £349 now £189.05 at Amazon

October 7, 2026 – 10:22 AMOne of the best Bluetooth speakers just got even more affordable

(Image credit: Future)

If you're looking for one of the best Bluetooth speakers money can buy for an even better price, then I'd go grab this Sonos Era 100 SL while it's over 20% off. Powerful audio, great connectivity features, and a sleek design all come together in a very affordable package.

Sonos Era 100 SL: was £169 now £133.95 at Amazon

October 7, 2026 – 11:20 AMLots of Lego for less

(Image credit: Lego)

Buying one of those mega Lego sets can be a serious investment, but if you just want to have fun building or give kids a whole load of bricks to play with, this large brick box is a good place to start. And for Prime Day, it's down to under £30. That's not much for almost 800 bricks

Lego Classic Large Creative Brick Box: was £44.99 now £29.39 at Amazon

Categories: Technology

Spotify to offer audiobooks in 180 markets and 120 languages — but what about a music-only UI?

Wed, 10/07/2026 - 02:51
  • Spotify is expanding audiobooks to over 180 markets and 120 languages
  • It's also bringing Audiobooks+ to students in select regions
  • A fab update for audiobook lovers, but I'm still gunning for a music-only experience

Spotify has gone from one of the best music streaming services, to one of the most-used platforms for audiobooks — and now it’s taking its literary offerings to the next level.

Exactly three years after Spotify launched audiobooks, the streamer is marking the anniversary by launching an audiobook rollout process including market expansion, new languages, and more. Earlier this week, I attended a press briefing where Spotify unveiled the changes coming to audiobooks, and today (October 7) the company took to the stage at the Frankfurt Book Fair to make the public announcement.

Since Spotify introduced audiobooks, availability has been limited to just 22 markets across the world. By the end of the year, however, Spotify says audiobooks will become available in over 180 markets, meaning that over 750 million users across Italy, Spain, Portugal, Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Poland, Chile, Norway, Peru, as well as regions in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia will be able to stream and purchase audiobooks right from Spotify — a massive jump to say the least, but it doesn’t stop there.

For upcoming audiobooks, Spotify will offer countdown pages similar to new album releases, allowing subscribers to pre-save an author’s work so that it appears in their Library on the publication day. ‘It’s incredibly effective at building anticipation and driving day-one listening,’ said Duncan Bruce, Director of Audiobook Partnerships and Licensing.

In addition to Spotify’s ambitious audiobook expansion, bookworms in the new regions will have direct access to over 350,000 titles, spanning new languages including Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Polish, and more. This will take Spotify’s audiobook catalog to over 120 languages.

Are Spotify’s monthly audiobook hours not enough for you? Users in the new regions will also have the option to purchase additional listening hours through Spotify’s Audiobooks+ add-on. If you have a Student plan, you’ll be able to take advantage of a discounted Audiobooks+ add-on, which is coming to Ireland, Belgium, Austria, and Finland in November.

(Image credit: Spotify)Great for bookworms, less so for music fans

Spotify has truly achieved everything it can on the ubiquity front. Not only can you stream music easily through a variety of devices but the service has taken over the world of podcasts and audiobooks alike. As Owen Smith, VP of Audiobooks at Spotify, said during the press briefing; the company’s goal is to “build an experience that is intentional and meaningful”.

At its core, Spotify is a music-listening service — it’s how the platform built a reputation for itself during the crossover into the digital streaming era. It has pushed the boundaries by moving into other areas of audio streaming that users are growing increasingly drawn to, creating an experience that ‘no audiobook-only platform can match’, Smith added during the briefing.

Now, I do enjoy having these options, and I dabble in podcasts every now and then. But while I see how the audiobooks interface benefits keen readers, I’ve never got on board with it, and sometimes I just wish there was a tool that would allow me to disable this, allowing for a music listening-only experience. Unfortunately, Spotify isn’t doing this any time soon.

One of my dream features would be a customization setting that allows me to rid my Home page of all things audiobooks, keeping my in-app experience strictly music-only. I know deep down that other music enthusiasts would appreciate something like this, but it’s not on Spotify’s list — I should know, the platform told me straight-up.

‘We’re always exploring ways to give users the best possible Spotify experience and our focus is on personalization rather than creating separate experiences for each content format,’ a Spotify spokesperson shared with me. ‘Home is designed to understand each listener’s individual tastes, drawing on trillions of daily listening signals across music, podcasts and audiobooks to put the right content in front of the right person at the right time,’ they added.

I know what you're thinking, 'if you don't want audiobooks, just don't use them', which is true, but that's easier said than done — especially when there's audiobooks infiltrating every aspect of the app. They're inescapable.

Categories: Technology

Why no High or Blood Elves? Blizzard speaks on WoW: Forever's controversial new Skyborne race — 'We may occasionally make a bold choice'

Wed, 10/07/2026 - 02:17
  • Blizzard has explained why it added the controversial Skyborne race to World of Warcraft: Forever
  • The Elf race, which is accessible to both Alliance and Horde, will manage "long-term population balance"
  • The studio says the addition of Blood Elves in The Burning Crusade caused a major population swing, and the new dual-faction race will avoid that happening again

Blizzard Entertainment has defended World of Warcraft: Forever's controversial new Skyborne race and explained that giving both Alliance and Horde players access will help manage the long-term balance of the population.

Skyborne is a new Elf race added to the reimagined 2004 classic experience and arrives alongside a new starter zone, Zephras Isle. It's also the first Elf Race in the game that is accessible to both Alliance and Horde players.

But why is that controversial among fans? Well, there are a few reasons, with some feeling upset about the addition of a brand new Elf race when High and Blood Elves already exist in the setting, the fact that some of the character models, particularly the druid forms, are more high-fidelity and contrast with the classic game's older models, as well as the fact that the race is paywalled behind a $30 add-on.

Now, in an interview with TechRadar Gaming, the WoW: Forever team explained the reasoning behind the race's addition, saying that it has a "great story" to tell with Skyborne and it had the opportunity to use a culture kit that's only used a few times in WoW in the Air Elemental architecture and environments.

"A starter zone felt great to ease this race into the world as well, as it’s not something that you’ll spend a ton of time with," Blizzard said. "You’ll do the quests, experience the zone, and within 4-6 hours you’ll be back to terrestrial Azeroth where the bulk of the game happens. That also influenced why we chose these elves over, say, Quel’dorei elves from Quel’thalas."

The studio added it has "bigger plans" for that region, and "To a degree we also want to signal that we may occasionally make a bold choice." The team is also excited to showcase the "checklist" items most people have for Classic+, but it has a "long, long roadmap of content stretching out several years" in the works, so it's "playing the long game" with how it rolls out content.

"We have seen great reception to the Skyborne in the beta," the studio said. "This is especially true once people complete the starter zone and see how much effort we’ve put into their story to make it feel like a natural inclusion into the world."

(Image credit: Blizzard)

Regarding its decision to make Skyborne accessible to both factions, well, Blizzard has a pretty reasonable answer.

"As for the race itself and faction selection, I wouldn’t say it's specifically for Horde or Alliance; it’s mostly to try and avoid a potentially avoidable population swing," it said.

It explained that Blood Elves, and races that use the "high elf" model, are the most popular race in WoW, "bar none," and when Blood Elves were introduced in The Burning Crusade, which were "introduced in part to give the Horde a less 'monstrous' race," there was a massive knock-on effect that upset the balance of the game.

"The population swung massively, almost 40% in fact, from 60/40 Alliance/Horde to 60/40 Horde/Alliance," Blizzard said. "We knew going into it that we wanted to do a high elf-like race, but we also knew if we only gave it to one faction, that could have long-term population balance impact, so that was something we were leery of. Additionally, when considering the scope of what we could produce for our launch, we had to make a tough choice about how to handle starter zones for a new race."

During development, Blizzard explained, it needed to decide what to prioritize; with Skyborne making its debut, discussions were had about creating two starter zones for both Horde and Alliance, but due to the game's scale, one starter zone seemed more reasonable.

"Our development team came from humble beginnings," it said. "When development on WoW: Forever started and the full scope of what we thought we could deliver was more modest, we had a choice: Make two new starter zones and only have one large questing zone, or make one starter zone and gain an extra level-up zone.

"The calculus was very easy at that time; we opted for a second leveling zone, and that zone became the Riverglades. Once players have a chance to visit the Riverglades and fully experience it, I think they will agree with our decision here."

Categories: Technology

Almost two thirds of UK workers have received no training on spotting AI-driven cyber threats

Wed, 10/07/2026 - 02:00
  • Most UK workers receive no training on AI-driven cyber threats despite growing risks
  • Younger employees now report lower confidence spotting AI scams than older workers
  • Researchers warn organizations face both cybersecurity and AI literacy skill gaps

Despite AI-powered cyber-threats making headlines every day, most workers have not received any sort of training or education on how to spot these attacks, or how to behave in case they’re a victim of one, new research has claimed.

QA conducted a TLF survey of 1,000 people and found that, in the last 12 months, almost two-thirds of workers (61%) admitted to receiving “no training whatsoever” on AI-driven cyber-threats. For the researchers, these findings revealed a “significant gap in how prepared businesses are against AI-driven threats, and how confident staff feel in spotting these convincing fakes.”

Artificial Intelligence has grown from a humorous gimmick into a powerful tool that threat actors can use to draft convincing phishing emails, rendering one of the best methods of defence - proofreading - largely useless.

But they did not stop there. AI is now being used to create deepfake videos and audio, tricking people on video calls and through audio messages. Just recently it was reported that Paolo Molesini, former chairman of Fideuram - Intesa Sanpaolo Private Banking (a very large Italian private-banking and wealth-management group, owned by Intesa Sanpaolo), fell victim to a highly convincing AI-powered phishing attack and ended up wiring more than $100 million overseas.

No policies

At the same time, QA found almost a quarter (22%) said their organization had no policies in place to combat phishing emails, deepfake voice scams, or AI-generated fake invoices.

In the pre-AI era, the younger generation was the one most confident in their ability to spot and prevent a cyberattack. Millennials, Gen Z’s, and younger, were born into the computing age and grew tech-savvy from their earliest days, giving them a unique ability to spot scams. As a result, the elderly were among the most targeted group, and one with highest recorded losses.

Today, the tables have turned. Knowing how dangerous AI is, and how difficult it is to spot, 18-24-year-olds are now the least confident in getting caught out, as almost two in five (39%) admitted their worries.

Age differences aside, QA identified other confidence gaps, as well. It says that less than one in ten (9%) of non-management workers confirmed they were “very confident” in being able to spot an AI-generated phishing email, compared to 48% of owners/partners, and 33% of board directors.

Among workers that received any form of training, just a quarter (25%) described it as being dedicated to AI-driven threats. A third (30%) said AI threats were only covered as part of generic cybersecurity training, meaning almost three-quarters (70%) either received no training at all, or have only had AI threats covered through other forms of training.

Building the foundations

“It’s clear from the survey data that organizations need to build the foundations on basic AI literacy, so that business leaders and workers feel confident in spotting these threats,” commented Dr Vicky Crockett, Portfolio Director for AI at QA.

“When it comes to training, it’s imperative that all job roles can positively spot any AI-driven cyber threats, but when it comes to AI training, there’s no one size fits all, so combining baseline AI literacy learning with job specific training is usually the best fit.”

Interestingly enough, QA did not discuss if workers were using AI themselves to help them spot AI-powered attacks. Cybersecurity professionals have been deploying frontier models for years, taking advantage of machine learning and speed to tackle advanced threats.

"The findings suggest organizations are facing a skills challenge as much as a cybersecurity challenge,” said Jo Bishenden, Chief Learning Officer at QA. “AI is changing the way people work, but many employees are not building the skills they need to understand the risks and opportunities that come with these new technologies.”

Categories: Technology

Midea 5L Induction Rice Cooker review: specialty cooker that’s surprisingly versatile and affordable

Wed, 10/07/2026 - 00:41
Midea 5L Induction Rice Cooker review: two-minute review

Midea makes a wide range of home products, ranging from fans, coffee machines, dehumidifiers and even a two-in-one washing machine and robot vacuum cleaner. It also offers a wide range of kitchen appliances, including the 5L Induction Rice Cooker reviewed here, which the brand looks to position as an affordable alternative to specialist rice cookers from Japanese brand Zojirushi, Taiwanese brand Tiger and South Korea’s Cuckoo, whose top-tier offerings can cost as much as AU$1,248 / SG$1,419. This model is only available in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and a handful of other Southeast Asian countries for a fraction of that price.

While a rice cooker won’t replace a multicooker outright in most households, models like this one from Midea are multifunctional, allowing you to steam, make soup (or at least prep for some kinds of soups) and even bake cakes.

That said, the specialty of Midea's Induction Rice Cooker is in its name: cooking rice. For this, it offers presets for three firmness levels, adjusting for mixed rice grains and for making what the brand calls ‘claypot rice’ (rice with other ingredients like proteins and vegetables to make a complete meal).

(Image credit: Future | Nico Arboleda)

It looks sleek and premium and is arguably much better-looking than most multicookers, although it’s large enough to take up the same amount of counter space. The 5L capacity can accommodate up to 10 cups of rice, and the included steaming basket allows you to cook an entire meal for 2 people easily enough. For instance, I cooked a salmon fillet and some frozen vegetables in the basket while I had rice cooking underneath, and everything came out perfect, although I should note that the cook time is relatively longer when it's multitasking like this.

I also used the steam function to ‘boil’ eggs and I consistently got the results I wanted, whether that was a soft boil, jammy or a proper hard boil without overcooking. I could also do some light sautéing to create a simple meat sauce for gnocchi, creating enough heat for the onions, garlic and minced beef to cook through, and then switched to ‘Quick Cook’ for the rest of the way with the pasta.

During testing, the Midea cooked soft, regular and firm rice well with noticeable differences, while the soup and congee settings produced delicious results. I had mixed results with the cake function — my attempt at banana bread got a slightly burnt crust (but the interior was moist), while pancakes were cooked perfectly (although Midea’s suggested timings in its online recipe were a bit off). Admittedly, that result has more to do with my lack of baking experience than with the rice cooker itself, but it still wouldn’t be my first choice for baking a cake or making bread.

The Keep Warm button is useful for keeping leftovers fresh, though it tends to dry out food when it’s kept in the pot for too long.

I wouldn't call Midea's 5L Induction Rice Cooker perfect for all its advertised features, but it’s a nice upgrade from the basic heating plate-based rice cookers with just a single function or, alternatively, an inexpensive way to get a specialty option. On the other hand, you’re better off with a proper multicooker if you don’t cook rice a lot, especially if you need pressure cooking.

Midea 5L Induction Rice Cooker review: price and availability
  • List price: AU$199 / NZ$199 / SG$199
  • Available from select retailers in limited Asia-Pacific markets

The Midea 5L Induction Rice Cooker is available from Amazon in Australia and various retailers in Singapore. It often gets discounted to AU$149 / NZ$169 / SG$149, so it’s worth keeping an eye out for discounts, especially during major sale events like Black Friday.

That's a heck of a lot cheaper than spending upwards of AU$700 / NZ$1,000 /SG$600 on specialty rice cookers from Japan, Taiwan and Korea, although you do get what you pay for — the more expensive models give you better control over the cooking process. However, the Midea alternative is still a worthwhile consideration for anyone on a budget as long as you don't need a multicooker.

  • Value: 4/5
Midea 5L Induction Rice Cooker review: specifications

Price:

AU$199 / NZ$199 / SG$199

Weight:

6kg

Size:

29.2 x 24.8 x 36.8 cm (h x w x d)

Capacity:

5L

Functions:

Rice, soup, congee, reheat, steam, cake, keep warm, delay start

Accessories:

Standing rice paddle, soup ladle, measuring cup, steam basket

(Image credit: Future | Nico Arboleda)Midea 5L Induction Rice Cooker review: design and features
  • Induction cooking for evenness
  • Lid-mounted controls
  • Dishwasher-safe inner pot and accessories

The Midea Induction Rice Cooker is a well-designed kitchen appliance that looks sleeker than most multicookers, with touch buttons are on the lid that manage to both blend into the design while also standing out for good visibility. All the buttons are lit to which cooking mode is active as you toggle through the options. For rice, you can choose from soft, regular and hard, as well as dedicated settings for quick cooking, Jasmine rice, mixed grain rice, and ‘claypot rice’, or rice with other ingredients (like vegetables and proteins) to make a complete dish.

The lack of a pressure-cooking function means the lid is completely flat with a small valve at the top that Midea claims is “anti-spill”. The lid opens up with the touch of a button in front of the unit, with the non-stick inner pot sitting inside. The pot has multiple markings for guidance on water level for different rice options and steaming.

Midea says the non-stick coating is infused with Binchotan, or Japanese white charcoal powder, which is commonly found in specialised rice cookers and kitchenware, aimed at radiating far-infrared heat to improve thermal efficiency and neutralising unpleasant odours or tastes. The included steam basket sits on top of the inner pot, though it’s relatively small at just 5.5mm deep and just enough to cook for maybe 3-4 servings of vegetables or 2-3 servings of meat (about 2 servings only if combining meat and veg).

(Image credit: Future | Nico Arboleda)

Unlike a multicooker, you can’t adjust cook times (except for soup, congee and steaming), but the rice cooker uses temperature sensors to ensure balanced and even cooking. The Keep Warm feature can run for up to 24 hours — though I wouldn’t recommend leaving food in there for too long — and there’s also a reheat button that runs for 20 to 30 minutes. The Delay Start button can schedule your cooking for later, like preparing everything before you leave the house, then timing it to finish as you come back.

Other accessories include a rice paddle with a handle designed to stand up vertically, a small soup ladle, and a measuring cup for 180ml or 180g. All the accessories are dishwasher-safe.

  • Design and features score: 4/5
Midea 5L Induction Rice Cooker review: performance
  • Rice programs are long, especially brown rice
  • Rice firmness settings are accurate
  • Steam and cake functions are surprisingly versatile

Rice is my main staple for most dishes, having grown up in an Asian household, so I would regularly cook 1-2 cups of jasmine rice in the Midea at least a few times a week. I used all three settings — soft, regular and hard — with each result depending on the dish I’m pairing the carb with. In two months of testing, every setting has been accurate with the results.

I would occasionally mix in some quinoa and pearl barley with the jasmine rice to make it healthier and to add a different texture, and the Midea’s ‘Mixed Rice’ setting worked like a charm — every grain was cooked through with the texture and consistency I wanted. I used the same setting for brown rice and had the same results. Admittedly, my old multicooker produced softer and fluffier brown rice thanks to pressure cooking, which is missing here, but the results were still delicious.

To test the ‘Claypot Rice’ function, I made a quick and simplified version of Hainanese chicken rice, where I swapped the water for chicken stock, sprinkled some spring onions and ginger slices, then placed two chicken thighs on top. It was set to one hour by default, so there was plenty of time to ensure the chicken was cooked through, though I was concerned it could be too long and might dry the meat out.

(Image credit: Future | Nico Arboleda)

The chicken was cooked through, although the internal temperature went over 90ºC, a bit higher than I’d like. It wasn’t completely dry, thankfully, and was still tasty along with the rice. The rice itself was well-cooked, and it even had a crispy, charred crust around the edges, just like the traditional dish made in actual clay pots.

The included steaming basket is deep enough to fit whole pieces of chicken breast, chicken thighs or a salmon fillet, or up to 3-4 servings of vegetables. There’s a measuring line in the inner pot to indicate the minimum level of water you need for the steam function.

Steaming defaults to 15 minutes, but can be adjusted with the Timing button. Pushing the functionality further, I also cooked eggs in the rice cooker by following the usual cooking times (5-6 min for runny yolks, 7-8 for jammy yolks and 11 minutes for hard-boiled eggs) and, with a bowl of ice water nearby to stop cooking, I achieved precise results each time.

The steaming basket’s shallow height meant there was plenty of room to cook some rice at the same time instead of just using water for steam generation only. This way, I cooked an entire meal using my usual jasmine rice setting — this included two cups of the rice in the inner pot, with a salmon fillet and a single serving of frozen broccoli in the basket on top. On the 50-minute setting for regular rice firmness, the salmon was perfectly cooked and not dried out as I feared, while the broccoli was cooked through but not overly soft. The rice was also well-cooked.

(Image credit: Future | Nico Arboleda)

Making soup is straightforward, as you can dump all the ingredients in the inner pot and set your desired cook time. As this function is essentially a simmer, you can open the rice cooker to check in occasionally without affecting the soup’s quality.

I made a chicken stock-based chickpea soup where I boiled canned chickpeas in chicken stock for 30 minutes using the Soup function — just enough to soften the chickpeas for blending before I mixed it back in. The result was a rich, creamy soup just like how I would cook it on a stove.

While it’s great for some soups, I’ll be sticking to a regular stock pot when ingredients need to be blended — it's quicker on prep time and cleaning up to stick a hand blender into the stock pot directly, and you won't need to worry about damaging the non-stick coating of the rice cooker.

I tested the Congee mode by making porridge, swapping out the rice for steel-cut oats and using a mix of water and chicken stock, plus seasoning. I followed the suggested liquid level for congee marked in the inner pot’s guide and set it for the default 1-hour cook time. It was enough time to achieve the consistency I wanted, which is relatively thick, with the steel-cut oats cooked all the way through.

(Image credit: Future | Nico Arboleda)

To test the ‘Cake’ function, I tried a shortcut banana bread recipe using a packaged pancake mix to make a denser version. My initial attempt was unsuccessful as I kept opening and closing the lid (a big no-no, it turns out), and I may have put in more milk than I should have. My second try was better, where I redid the same 50-minute cook time setting and sprinkled in some oats in the centre to help it absorb some liquid and add some texture.

The banana bread turned out well, albeit with a crust that was a little too dark brown (i.e. slightly burnt) but a moist centre. Well, a baker I am not and I'm still uncertain about the Midea rice cooker's bake functionality.

On the other hand, I had better success with pancakes when using the Cake setting. I scooped in a thin layer of batter at a time into the inner pot and cooked each side for 2-3 minutes each, according to a social media post from Midea ANZ. It turns out that was not nearly enough, and I kept the cooking going for a few more minutes before flipping to the other side.

(Image credit: Future | Nico Arboleda)

The pancakes were cooked through after about 6 minutes for each side, though getting them out of the pot was tricky due to the depth of the pot. The results were OK, but the effort of taking the pancakes out of the pot makes me want to stick to using a pan on the stovetop instead.

Midea’s marketing materials also showed that light sautéing is possible even if there isn’t a specific ‘Sauté’ function, so I tried making a quick meat sauce to pair with gnocchi. I tried the ‘Steam’ function (as the time can be adjusted) to start off with the minced beef, and then put the gnocchi in after the meat was cooked and set it for ‘Quick Cook’. Again, the meal was OK, though the meat didn’t have the kind of caramelisation I wanted.

  • Performance score: 4/5
Should you buy the Midea 5L Induction Rice Cooker?Midea 5L Induction Rice Cooker report card

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Value

A reasonably priced induction rice cooker that’s cheaper than specialty rice cookers, though pressure cooking would have been welcome at this price point.

4/5

Design

Simple and intuitive controls all in a sleek and modern design, but no up and down arrows for adjusting cook times.

4/5

Performance

Some cook times are slow, but it produces great results, though having no pressure cooking means some tougher grains won’t be as soft and fluffy.

4/5

Buy it if...

You want a more affordable specialty rice cooker

This has a lot of the features found in boutique rice cookers from Japan and Korea, but at a more affordable price.

You want to cook more than just rice

This is a great choice if you cook rice a lot, but also want something that can do more to earn its place in the kitchen.

You don’t have access to a cooktop

If you live in accommodation without any cooktops, like a dorm room, it may be a better option than a multicooker if you cook rice often.

Don’t buy it if...

You need pressure cooking

There’s only induction heating here, so you may have to look elsewhere for something with pressure or get a multicooker if rice isn’t a priority.

You need to cook for a crowd

5L is plenty for a small household, but you’ll struggle to make enough rice for a party of more than 6 people.

You don’t have the counter space

This rice cooker isn’t very compact despite its relatively small 5L capacity, although it’s still smaller than most multicookers.

How I tested the Midea 5L Induction Rice Cooker
  • I cooked in it over a period of two months
  • I used six different cooking functions
  • I noted how easy it was to clean

Having previously maintained the Australian version of the best Instant Pots, I tested this rice cooker as if it were a multi-cooker, albeit without a pressure-cooking function. I primarily cooked various types of rice, but also made eggs, steamed fish and broccoli, chickpea soup, and porridge. Instead of testing the pressure-cooking, I used the 'Cake' setting to make banana bread and pancakes.

During these tests, I was evaluating how straightforward the cooker is to use, and how easy it was to adjust the settings. I also cleaned it by hand to see how easy it is to clean. I also noted any other quirks or frustrations along the way.

Read more about how we test.

[First reviewed October 2026]

Categories: Technology

My favorite heart rate-monitoring sports earbuds are back to their lowest ever price for Prime Day, and if you own an iPhone, your workout regime needs them

Tue, 10/06/2026 - 22:00

Having a quick glance at our Amazon Prime Day deals coverage before a quick 5k? You're a more dedicated person than I am, and that means something.

So let me tell you about a set of earbuds I love for that kind of activity — when I actually get around to it — that are also heavily discounted for Amazon's October Prime Day (aka Big Deal Days). You'll probably recognize 'em anyway, because their older 2019 siblings were the wireless earbuds for a long while. The product is their update, the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2, and right now, they're only $179 (was $249) in the US, or £179 (was £249) in the UK, both at Amazon.

• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale

And while both discounts equate to 28% off, in the US that's a return to their lowest-ever price, while in the UK it's not — they briefly dipped to £141 in December of last year. I know, that's madness… and I don't think it'll happen again, sadly.

Today's best Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 deal, US

Powerbeats Pro 2: was $249.99 now $179.95
I'll be honest, the lilac (or 'Hyper Purple') is my top choice. I remember that when I tested them, I could choose my review sample loan product, and I loved them. That said, the 'Quick Sand' gray, 'Jet Black', or 'Electric Orange' finishes are all discounted too. If you own an iPhone, your workouts will not be the same after this purchase. View Deal

Today's best Powerbeats Pro 2 deal, UK

The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 are some of the best running headphones you can buy, now at a steep discount. They beat their predecessor in almost every category, with a modern Apple H2 chip, lighter weight, longer battery life, and new features like heart-rate monitoring and Qi wireless charging. The battery lasts an impressive 45 hours total with both the buds and case, which beats many of the best workout earbuds by a long shot.View Deal

My Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 review is the place to get the full scoop, but in a nutshell: even outside of the heart-rate monitor (which I actually prefer here to the solution in AirPods Pro 3, because I find the Beats fit better and stay secure in the scenarios in which I need to get a reading), their lightweight build and head-tracked spatial audio make them a winner. As a plus, they also add wireless Qi charging.

The long battery life is also one of the most convenient features — and again, it's something you won't find in Apple's ice-white AirPods. The Powerbeats Pro 2 can last up to 45 hours in total, when using both the earbuds and the charging case. This is much longer than most rivals on the market.

To check out competing options, see our guides to the best workout headphones and best running headphones,

but I test these kinds of earbuds for a living and, as I said in my review: "The reason the Powerbeats Pro 2 get the rating they do is their enviable 45-hour maximum battery life, excellent in-ear security, talented head-tracked spatial support in Apple Music, and a useful heart-rate monitor for your workouts."

If you need wall-of-silence ANC, they're not the buds for you — I'm going to tell you right now. But if you're running in them, I'd strongly suggest that's not what you need. If you do need that, see a couple of other Prime Day deals below (don't worry, I'll let you know which have great noise-nixing).

More Prime Day headphones/earbuds deals to consider, US

Apple Airpods Pro 3 Wireless Earbuds With Active Noise Cancellation: was $249 now $179
Amazon has dropped Apple's AirPods Pro 3 to $179.99, which is the best price you can find right now. Upgrades to the AirPods Pro 3 include vastly improved Active Noise Cancellation and audio, a better in-ear design, live translation and the ability to track heart rate, workouts, and calories burned. They're the complete package, especially for iPhone owners. View Deal

Sony WH-1000XM6: was $459.99 now $378
They're class-leaders for a reason folks. These flagship Sonys really are the best that Sony can offer: think supreme comfort, big cosy ear cups and cocoon of silence ANC. Oh, and a whopping $82 off! View Deal

Liberty 5 Pro: was $169.99 now $135.99
While 20% off isn't as big a saving as for the Space 2, it's nothing to turn your nose up at. I can't see any previous discounts in the deal history, so this could be the first time the buds have been reduced. And they're absolutely worth it — one of my colleagues won't use anything else. View Deal

Quietcomfort Headphones: was $359 now $169
This is the older-gen set, not the new 2nd-generation QuietComfort — but for this money and with this iconic design, you cannot go wrong. Oh, and many of the colorways (including this limited-edition green) are in the sale, so you can have a style set to match you fall wardrobe. View Deal

Need something super-cheap, right now? Here you go: Sony's WH-CH520 on-ears have recently been superseded by the WH-CH530, but look what that has done to the price tag! For the same price as an ad-free Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max bundle you can have these indefinitely — and yes, the sound quality absolutely befits Sony's name. View Deal

Space 2: was $129.99 now $99.99
It seems that Soundcore's over-ears are $10 cheaper than they've ever gone before. Symbolically dropping into double-figures, that makes them seem like a real bargain, especially now that they're half the price of the Pro sibling.View Deal

More Prime Day headphones/earbuds deals to consider, UK

They may not be Sony's newest flagship model, but the Sony WH-1000XM5 still have an awful lot to offer, with amazing ANC, exciting and punchy audio, an attractive look, and no end of features to play around with in Sony's Sound Connect app. At less than £200, you're looking at an unbeatable value for money option.View Deal

Space 2: was £129.99 now £99.99
Double-figure pricing on these reliable over-ears is great, especially because it puts them at the same price point as many tempting rivals. All the color options are reduced too, so you can get the lovely blue version I use.View Deal

If you're a fan of on-ears, then I'd highly recommend scooping up the Sony WH-CH520 right now. For under £30, the quality you get in return is astonishing. With clean, balanced sound, 50 hours of battery life, and excellent in-app controls, there's just so much to love.View Deal

Liberty 5 Pro: was £149.99 now £112.49
At a quarter off, this is the biggest proportional saving of the lot. The discount applies on all four color options, but not the Pro Max model. Personally, I'd go for the Pros, even before the discount, and the wider price discrepancy makes it a no-brainer. View Deal

I love the expansive sound signature of the Sony 1000X The Collexion, as well as their incredibly comfortable fit, luxurious looks, and gigantic feature-set. Now, you can net £75 off Sony's most premium wireless headphones ever, making them a must-buy for anyone that wants the ultimate blend of premium sound and design.View Deal

More Prime Day deals in the US More Prime Day deals in the UK
Categories: Technology

The phone and laptop charger I use every day makes faces at me, and now is the ideal time to get it for yourself

Tue, 10/06/2026 - 21:30

We've seen all kinds of amazing deals in the last few days, whether on top-tier OLED TVs, laptops, or wireless headphones. But do you know what? My favorite offer so far is on something that may seem far less exciting: a phone charger. Specifically, I'm talking about the UGreen Uno Charger 100W, which is $79.99 (was $56.99) in the US and only £37.86 (was £55.99) in the UK right now, courtesy of the Amazon Prime Day Big Deal Days sale.

• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale

Here's the thing. This model is more than just a simple phone charger. It comes in the form of a little robot and even has a display that shows emoticons based on your device's charging status. And the faces it makes as my phone creeps towards 100% never fail to entertain me.

What's more, this model is surprisingly mighty for its compact size, boasting a 100W maximum power output, making it the perfect companion for charging laptops or phones, either at home or on the go. Want to know more about the deals on UGreen's robo-charger? Then scroll down for all the juicy details.

Today's best UGreen Uno Charger 100W deal in the US

Uno Charger 100w: was $79.99 now $56.99
This is an excellent price for my favorite charger I've ever had the pleasure of testing here at TechRadar. Its 100W power output makes it a great choice for laptops or demanding handsets; it has a fun, quirky display and can even charge multiple devices at once.View Deal

Today's best UGreen Uno Charger 100W deal in the UK

Uno Charger 100w: was £55.99 now £37.86
This is the cheapest I've ever seen UGreen's amazing robot-shaped charger go for on Amazon, so now is certainly the time to snap it up. With a mighty 100W power output, this model is ideal for power-hungry handsets and laptops, and can even juice up multiple devices at once. View Deal

In my UGreen Uno Charger 100W review, I applauded the model's trustworthy and speedy performance, its multi-device charging capabilities, and, of course, its fun and emotive display.

Speaking of the display, I love how the Uno Charger makes faces at me throughout the day, which shift depending on device charging status. For instance, it has an eating animation when mid-way through charging or displays a ‘cool’ emoji when your device hits 100%. I know, it really doesn't take much to amuse me. But making such a mundane task somewhat entertaining is a grand feat in itself.

I've used this model every day since reviewing it in January 2025, and it's never let me down. Its 100W maximum output is plenty for my MacBook Air or Xiaomi 17, and I can even charge a handful of devices — like gaming controllers and wireless headphones — simultaneously. Even after throwing it in my bag countless times and using it so regularly, I've seen no degradation in terms of performance or cosmetics, so at such a low price, this model is an absolute must-buy.

More Prime Day deals in the USMore Prime Day deals in the UK
Categories: Technology

Control Resonant composer says 'it was a great relief that we exited The Oldest House' but it was key that he 'tried not to re-do Inception' as it would have been 'a tad tacky' and 'reduced Remedy’s concept to something less worthwhile'

Tue, 10/06/2026 - 21:00
  • Control Resonant composer Petri Alanko says the game's "nightmarish" open environment influenced his approach to creating the soundtrack
  • He says he "tried not to re-do Inception" because "That would’ve been a tad tacky" and "reduced Remedy’s concept"
  • Alanko says "Accentuating Dylan’s starting point" was the origin point for conceptualizing the music within the open-world environment

Control Resonant composer Petri Alanko has shared how the game's new setting influenced the soundtrack compared to the first game, and how it helped him represent the protagonist, Dylan.

The Control sequel takes place in a warped version of Manhattan, a totally new environment from the first game's interior setting of The Oldest House, which offers more "open-world" exploration and pushes players to engage in side content alongside the main story.

The setting has been compared to Christopher Nolan's Inception, with its surreal art style and gravity-defying buildings; however, according to Alanko, he didn't want to copy the movie because it would have diminished Remedy's storytelling.

"I tried not to re-do Inception," Alanko said. "That would’ve been a tad tacky and would have reduced Remedy’s concept to something less worthwhile. I don’t personally believe in replicating or redoing, although in some rare cases an homage is fitting, actually, but such cases are indeed very few."

He added, "It was a great relief that we exited The Oldest House and used the nightmarish Manhattan-like surroundings for the game setting," with the scale of the buildings being a source of inspiration, particularly when it came to depicting Dylan within such a huge world.

"It’s beautiful, epic, majestic even," Alanko explained. "There’s so much more to the scenery than just the buildings; it’s about the scale and the feeling, feeling small and replaceable… how would you represent Dylan there so that one felt he’d be irreplaceable? That was the source of the backbone of Dylan-related pieces in the game."

The composer went on to say that "Accentuating Dylan’s starting point was an origin point for conceptualizing the music and among the first things I did," explaining that since Dylan is "a blank slate," it helped formulate the tracks to go alongside his journey.

"He’s a blank slate, a tabula rasa, and he’s to recover and become first a human, then something else," he said. "Hence the descending nature of the harmony of 'Tabula Rasa' and the clangorous percussion — it’s an introduction to Dylan and Hedron, in simple terms, a little like a concert overture.

"One could easily think the undulating noisy sounds towards the end would represent breathing - or, breathing again after a coma - for both the protagonist and the antagonist. I wanted to express the fragility and how brittle Dylan actually was, from how little he started, and where he ended up."

Control Resonant is playable now on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Series S, and PC.

Categories: Technology

"US could be writing its own losing ticket": Amazon warns against 100+ AI data center bans as it pledges $1 billion to defuse AI backlash

Tue, 10/06/2026 - 20:05
  • Amazon says over 100 pending proposed moratoriums could threaten America's lead in AI
  • Amazon pledges over $1 billion across five years to data center communities
  • Amazon abandons Maryland data center campus beside Calvert Cliffs after community opposition

Amazon has warned that mounting resistance to AI data centers could weaken the United States' ability to maintain its lead in a rapidly developing technology race.

More than 100 proposed moratoriums on new facilities are under consideration across the country, creating another obstacle for companies expanding computing capacity.

Amazon Web Services CEO Matt Garman argued that restricting data center construction would hurt the country's competitiveness in AI.

Data center opposition could cost the US

Residents and lawmakers increasingly question electricity demand, water consumption, environmental effects and the benefits delivered by large computing facilities.

“If these measures are enacted, the U.S. could be writing its own losing ticket to this race, and the consequences would last generations,” said Matt Garman, Amazon Web Services (AWS) CEO.

The concern for Amazon is that local restrictions could slow the expansion of computing infrastructure needed to support the country’s AI ambitions.

Amazon is now attempting to address some of those concerns through its "Built Together" program.

The program is offering more than $1 billion over five years to communities where its data centers operate.

The initiative will support community college education, workforce preparation, energy improvements and grants for projects chosen with local input.

Amazon expects the education funding to reach more than 300,000 students over five years by covering college costs not met through existing financial assistance.

Its hands-on training network is also expected to grow from three facilities to 25 by the end of 2028, potentially serving 100,000 workers annually.

Additional grants will support efficiency projects affecting more than 30,000 homes alongside 300 schools and other public facilities.

The spending comes against a backdrop of increasingly unfavourable public attitudes toward data center development across the United States.

Maryland deal shows another route around power constraints

Amazon’s approach extends beyond community investment, with the company also pursuing additional electricity through existing nuclear generation.

The company recently abandoned plans for a Maryland data center campus beside the Calvert Cliffs nuclear facility following opposition from the surrounding community.

Rather than ending its relationship with the site, Amazon agreed with Constellation Energy to increase electricity production at the nuclear plant.

The project will add 190 MW to the regional grid, enough electricity for approximately 147,000 homes.

In return, Constellation could supply Amazon with as much as 690 MW over the longer term from its broader generation portfolio.

The companies will also examine whether additional reactors could eventually be developed at the Calvert Cliffs site.

The Maryland arrangement gives Amazon another way to secure electricity without relying entirely on new data center construction beside existing power facilities.

That distinction matters as electricity availability increasingly becomes part of the dispute surrounding the rapid expansion of AI computing infrastructure.

Amazon has also stopped using nondisclosure agreements with government agencies involved in data center projects, following scrutiny over such arrangements.

The company said local officials should communicate openly with residents about developments affecting their communities and public resources.

Amazon is confronting data center resistance through several channels, but whether these measures can reduce opposition remains uncertain.

Via Quartz

Categories: Technology

Cheap Pokémon, discounted Mario, and more — Amazon's big blowout sale shows Switch 2 games don't have to be expensive

Tue, 10/06/2026 - 20:00

Nintendo Switch 2 games have a bit of a reputation. They're normally expensive, retailing at $69.99 or more in many cases, and don't often go on sale — especially if they're the latest entries in major first-party Nintendo franchises.

This Amazon Prime Day, it looks like things are finally changing, however. There are some amazing Nintendo Switch 2 game deals in the US, including mega discounts on usually pricey titles.

• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale

Take Pokémon Legends: Z-A - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, for example, which is now down to just $39.99 (was $69.99). There's Mario Tennis Fever as well, which is only $49.99 (was $69.99). Both deals represent new lowest-ever prices and, with stock currently flying off virtual shelves, are likely to sell out quickly.

Read on for even more hand-picked recommendations from the sale.

Save big on Nintendo Switch 2 games this Amazon Prime Day

Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade

Octopath Traveler 0

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth

Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD-2D Remake

Pragmata

Pokémon Legends: Z-A - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition

EA Sports Madden NFL 27

Amazon Exclusive Edition

The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales (includes poster)

Mario Tennis Fever

More Prime Day deals in the US
Categories: Technology

Cheap Pokémon, discounted Mario, and more — Amazon's big blowout sale shows Switch 2 games don't have to be expensive

Tue, 10/06/2026 - 20:00

Nintendo Switch 2 games have a bit of a reputation. They're normally expensive, retailing at $69.99 or more in many cases, and don't often go on sale — especially if they're the latest entries in major first-party Nintendo franchises.

This Amazon Prime Day, it looks like things are finally changing, however. There are some amazing Nintendo Switch 2 game deals in the US, including mega discounts on usually pricey titles.

• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale

Take Pokémon Legends: Z-A - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, for example, which is now down to just $39.99 (was $69.99). There's Mario Tennis Fever as well, which is only $49.99 (was $69.99). Both deals represent new lowest-ever prices and, with stock currently flying off virtual shelves, are likely to sell out quickly.

Read on for even more hand-picked recommendations from the sale.

Save big on Nintendo Switch 2 games this Amazon Prime Day

Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade

Octopath Traveler 0

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth

Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD-2D Remake

Pragmata

Pokémon Legends: Z-A - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition

EA Sports Madden NFL 27

Amazon Exclusive Edition

The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales (includes poster)

Mario Tennis Fever

More Prime Day deals in the US
Categories: Technology

Disney+ subscriptions just dropped to their lowest Aussie prices since November 2025

Tue, 10/06/2026 - 19:15

We’ve reached a point where subscribing to all the various video streaming services has become outrageously expensive — so it’s a very welcome move to see Disney Plus handing out a generous discount on its annual subscription tiers.

The move is unexpected to say the least and I, for one, am jumping on this opportunity so I can catch up (and rewatch) my favourite shows. In fact, this discount is similar to what we saw during November last year, when Disney+ offered a Black Friday discount, but the subscription tiers were also cheaper at the time (the prices have since gone up).

This offer won't last till Black Friday 2026 though — it's available to new and returning customers only until October 21. So don't miss out.

If you're fine with 1080p resolution, you can still get ad-free streaming on Disney+ with this deal. While the price here reflects the Australian discount, subscribers in New Zealand can also take advantage of the same offer and get the Standard tier for NZ$132.99. This brings the price down to about the same as that for the Disney+ ad-supported tier that costs AU$9.99 / NZ$9.99 per month. You'll get two simultaneous streams with this subscription, with downloads available on up to 10 devices.
See all discounts below in Australia and New Zealand:
Disney+ Standard (AU): AU$179.99 now AU$125.99
Disney+ Premium (AU): AU$249.99 now AU$174.99
Disney+ Standard (NZ): NZ$189.99 now NZ$132.99
Disney+ Premium (NZ): NZ$259.99 now NZ$181.99View Deal

I’ve previously subscribed to Disney Plus, but had to cancel because costs began to spiral. Nevertheless, some of the shows I managed to watch earlier this year have made it to my all-time favourites list, and its recent addition of ESPN in Australia and New Zealand (for my fix of NBA and NFL games) means it has also become one of my must-have services. Throw in a still-lengthy watchlist of shows and movies, and the timing of this Disney Plus deal couldn’t be more perfect.

If you haven’t subscribed to Disney Plus before, the service in Australia and New Zealand isn’t only exclusive to the family-friendly content the studio is famous for. Apart from ESPN, the platform has a more diverse library via its Hulu content hub for more grown-up shows and movies, including the historical epic Shogun and the recent revival of Scrubs.

Of course, there’s also Disney properties like Star Wars, Marvel, Pixar, 20th Century and classic animation if you’re a fan of those too.

Joining Shogun and Scrubs in my top three favourite Disney Plus shows is Andor, a spy thriller set in the Star Wars universe that precedes the events of the original films. Here’s why I recommend watching these shows once you subscribe to Disney Plus to make it worth shelling out for a full year.

Shogun (2024-ongoing)

(Image credit: FX)

Set in feudal Japan in 1600, Shogun is based on a novel (and later a miniseries in 1980) that’s loosely based on how European interests and internal conflicts brought about the reestablishment of the Shogun as Japan’s main head of state.

It’s a fantastic show for history buffs, but it also has riveting storytelling, brilliant acting performances and, well, a lot (and I mean a lot) of blood and gore. That said, it’s not suitable for younger viewers, but if you’re of appropriate age and interested in the time period, setting and characters inspired by real-life historical figures, you’re in for a treat. We’ve also named it one of the best shows of 2024.

This Disney Plus deal comes at a great time, as you’d be able to catch season two, which is likely to premiere sometime in early to mid-2027, and still have plenty of time to watch season one beforehand.

Scrubs (2001-2010, 2026-ongoing)

(Image credit: ABC/YouTube)

Hospital dramas have had a recent resurgence in the cultural zeitgeist with the popularity of HBO Max’s The Pitt, and it has also been one of my favourite shows of the past year. On the flipside, the hospital-based sitcom Scrubs has also seen a revival earlier this year, featuring most of the core cast of characters.

First premiering in 2001, Scrubs was one of my favourite shows growing up and I’ve always loved its surreal comedy, slapstick gags and heartfelt moments throughout its original run. The characters are lovable and the jokes still mostly hold up well, making the show a fantastic watch to this day.

What makes the show relevant now is its revival that premiered in February 2026, bringing the characters to the present day. Scrubs has kept the same balance of zaniness and seriousness from the original run, as well as some new characters that are also just as lovable.

All of the original seasons and season one of the revival are readily available on Disney Plus, while season 2 is already underway with two episodes live and the third premiering on Wednesday, October 8.

Andor (2022-2025)

(Image credit: Lucasfilm/Disney)

Andor has made such a big impression on me when I first watched the Star Wars-based show earlier this year — so much so that it has become my most rewatched TV show.

Set in the five years before the events of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story from 2016 — which itself is a prequel to the classic Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope.

This show stands apart from the rest of the Star Wars universe as, in my opinion, the best one so far, and I like it so much more than even the original trilogy. The dialogue and writing are the absolute standouts of this show, and the acting, cinematography and soundtrack have made Andor my all-time favourite TV show, beating the likes of other prestige TV dramas like Better Call Saul, Succession and Mad Men on my personal list.

Andor only has two seasons, but I’ve found it to be very rewatchable and this deal on the annual subscription means I can conveniently put the show on whenever I feel like doing another rewatch until I finally get tired of it.

It’s a lot more family-friendly than Shogun above, but the political themes and slow-burn narrative structure mean this show may not be interesting enough for kids despite Star Wars’ reputation as a family-friendly property. I would instead recommend Star Wars Rebels, which is set around the same time frame as Andor.

Whether you’re a Star Wars fan or not, and if you enjoy watching spy thrillers, political dramas and sci-fi with excellent writing and dialogue, Andor is worth your consideration.

And don’t just take my word for it — my colleague Tom Power gave seasons one and two 4.5 out of 5 stars each in his reviews and even named it one of the best shows of 2025, and it has even landed the 32nd spot in the New York Times best TV shows of the 21st century list and even higher at 22 on the readers’ edition of the list.

Also consider

Other TV shows worth considering include some that are in my watch list, including Atlanta (2016-2022), The Americans (2013-2018), Schitt’s Creek (2015-2020) and more. For the ones I’ve already seen, I can also recommend WandaVision (2021), New Girl (2011-2018), The Office US (2005-2013), Parks and Recreation (2009-2015), to name a few.

Categories: Technology

Massive 1.5 million sq ft data center campus planned for West Texas — bringing the state's total regional AI investment to $12 billion

Tue, 10/06/2026 - 19:10
  • Crusoe filed for two Jayton data centers with $4.8 billion in combined investment
  • Each Jayton building covers 759,260 sq ft, totalling nearly 1.52 million sq ft
  • Construction could begin in January 2027, with operations starting in 2029

Crusoe has filed the paperwork for two computing facilities in Jayton, Texas, involving $4.8 billion in combined investment for the proposed development.

Each facility will cover 759,260 sq ft, creating nearly 1.52 million sq ft of new computing space across the proposed site.

Applications filed with Texas regulators place the buildings along Country Road 233 and P2390 in Kent County, without providing specific street addresses.

Jayton adds another major Texas development

Construction at the Jayton site is scheduled to start in January 2027, with the first facility expected online in May 2029 and the second in July.

The filings classify both structures as "spur buildings" connected to Project Hyper, a separate Crusoe development currently being built in Childress.

Project Hyper contains three facilities measuring about 806,360 sq ft each, with investment estimated at roughly $2.4 billion for each building.

Two structures are already under construction in Childress, while work on the remaining facility is expected to begin this month.

All three buildings are scheduled for completion on or before the end of June 2028, putting them ahead of the Jayton construction timetable.

The combined figures for Project Hyper and Jayton would bring planned investment across the connected developments to approximately $12 billion.

Jayton is situated between Childress and Abilene, placing another large computing development within an established West Texas data center corridor.

The Jayton applications do not disclose whether the buildings will receive electricity through infrastructure associated with Project Hyper in Childress.

The filings also leave unspecified whether Crusoe intends to operate the facilities itself or secure customers before their scheduled completion dates.

Crusoe's wider Texas expansion

Meta has been reported as a prospective tenant at Crusoe's Childress campus, but the Jayton filings do not identify any customer for the new facilities.

Crusoe is also developing a separate campus for Google in Armstrong County, while its Abilene facility is being used by OpenAI.

Additional capacity at the Abilene campus is expected to be leased to Microsoft, giving Crusoe several major technology customers across Texas.

The Childress project involves a separate partnership with Lancium, announced by Crusoe in July 2026, covering a planned 1.4GW computing campus.

Lancium owns the 270-acre property and will develop and manage the energy infrastructure serving the planned computing facilities there.

The project is expected to include solar generation and energy storage resources located onsite to supply part of its electricity requirements.

Its facilities will also use recirculating cooling systems, an approach intended to reduce water requirements associated with operating large computing installations.

The Childress campus sits beside an Iren development leased to Microsoft, adding another major technology operation to the surrounding area.

The scale of the plans shows Crusoe expanding several large computing sites across West Texas instead of concentrating its investment around one location.

Via DCD

Categories: Technology

'If we do something, it has to be authentic to that community — it has to meet a certain bar of performance and what we have right now isn’t quite there’: Bose president Raza Haider’s message to gamers on a new headset is to ‘absolutely stay tuned'

Tue, 10/06/2026 - 19:00
  • Bose president Raza Haider says a new iteration of its QC35 II gaming headset would need to be "authentic" to gamers
  • Haider says a new one would need to "meet a certain bar of performance that what we have right now isn't quite there"
  • He adds that fans should "absolutely stay tuned" about potential hardware designed for gamers

Bose president Raza Haider has told gamers asking for a new gaming headset that the hardware would need to satisfy the community, but suggested fans should "stay tuned."

Speaking in an exclusive interview with TechRadar, Haider acknowledged that there haven't been too many Bose gaming audio products in recent years, aside from the 2021 QC35 II gaming headset, and that the audio manufacturer is aware that the gaming community is filled with "very passionate users" who hope for more hardware from Bose.

Haider explained that although the company produced the headset in the past, it didn't, "I don't think [it] resonated because it wasn't truly authentic," and satisfying the gaming community would be a top priority for a new iteration.

"I think if we do something, it has to be authentic to that consumer, it has to be authentic to that community, and it has to meet a certain bar of performance that what we have right now isn't quite there," Haider said.

However, it sounds like Bose is looking to expand into the gaming audio genre, because the president added: "Absolutely stay tuned. Hopefully something [is] coming at some point in the future, but it's a community we definitely keep our eyes on strongly."

TechRadar Gaming rated the Bose QC35 II four stars in our review, with Lewis Leong praising the noise cancellation, balanced sound, and comfort, though it lacked functionality that would benefit gaming, such as an instant mute button or auto play/pause.

"Taken as a whole, the Bose QC35 II NC is an excellent headphone for travelers and commuters," Leong writes. "Bose has found a good balance of features that will satisfy most mainstream listeners. Audiophiles, however, will want to check out our roundup of the best headphones for the very highest sound quality."

Categories: Technology

'If we do something, it has to be authentic to that community — it has to meet a certain bar of performance and what we have right now isn’t quite there’: Bose president Raza Haider’s message to gamers on a new headset is to ‘absolutely stay tuned'

Tue, 10/06/2026 - 19:00
  • Bose president Raza Haider says a new iteration of its QC35 II gaming headset would need to be "authentic" to gamers
  • Haider says a new one would need to "meet a certain bar of performance that what we have right now isn't quite there"
  • He adds that fans should "absolutely stay tuned" about potential hardware designed for gamers

Bose president Raza Haider has told gamers asking for a new gaming headset that the hardware would need to satisfy the community, but suggested fans should "stay tuned."

Speaking in an exclusive interview with TechRadar, Haider acknowledged that there haven't been too many Bose gaming audio products in recent years, aside from the 2021 QC35 II gaming headset, and that the audio manufacturer is aware that the gaming community is filled with "very passionate users" who hope for more hardware from Bose.

Haider explained that although the company produced the headset in the past, it didn't, "I don't think [it] resonated because it wasn't truly authentic," and satisfying the gaming community would be a top priority for a new iteration.

"I think if we do something, it has to be authentic to that consumer, it has to be authentic to that community, and it has to meet a certain bar of performance that what we have right now isn't quite there," Haider said.

However, it sounds like Bose is looking to expand into the gaming audio genre, because the president added: "Absolutely stay tuned. Hopefully something [is] coming at some point in the future, but it's a community we definitely keep our eyes on strongly."

TechRadar Gaming rated the Bose QC35 II four stars in our review, with Lewis Leong praising the noise cancellation, balanced sound, and comfort, though it lacked functionality that would benefit gaming, such as an instant mute button or auto play/pause.

"Taken as a whole, the Bose QC35 II NC is an excellent headphone for travelers and commuters," Leong writes. "Bose has found a good balance of features that will satisfy most mainstream listeners. Audiophiles, however, will want to check out our roundup of the best headphones for the very highest sound quality."

Categories: Technology

AWS warns 100 proposed data center bans could hurt America for generations

Tue, 10/06/2026 - 19:00

Amazon Web Services CEO Matt Garman is warning the more than 100 American communities considering moratoriums on new data centers that stopping their construction now could leave the United States paying for the decision for decades.

"In fact, this build out is so important geopolitically that there are widespread reports of various countries intentionally seeding misinformation in the U.S. about data centers to trick us into slowing down," he wrote in a long statement defending the AI infrastructure boom. "If these measures are enacted, the U.S. could be writing its own losing ticket to this race, and the consequences would last generations. As a country, we can’t afford to find ourselves in that position."

Garman argues that data centers have become as strategically important as highways once were. He believes AI leadership is now an economic and national security contest, and countries that build the necessary computing infrastructure fastest will enjoy the benefits for years to come.

It is a dramatic warning, although the scale of what is being built is dramatic enough to match it. A new Brookings report estimates that investment in American data centers and related AI infrastructure could total $10.3 trillion between 2025 and 2032. That works out to an average of 3.63% of U.S. GDP each year and would make the current AI buildout larger relative to the economy than America's canal, railroad, electrification, highway, and telecommunications industries.

Building AI everywhere

(Image credit: AWS)

However, the comparison to the interstate highways leaves out the critical difference of who paid for them. The highways were funded by taxpayers, while Garman stresses that private companies are paying for the AI infrastructure boom. That certainly makes a $10.3 trillion construction spree easier to sell politically, although it does not mean the public is insulated from its consequences, like how much electricity and other resources the data centers consume.

Amazon argues that concerns about data centers raising bills, draining water supplies, or creating pollution are often exaggerated or wrong. Garman wrote that AWS works with utilities and regulators to ensure the prices its data centers pay cover the energy and infrastructure they require. Amazon also says its facilities are increasingly water efficient and that it is moving toward lower-emission backup generators.

More significantly, Amazon appears to recognize that simply telling communities to trust the industry is becoming a losing strategy. The company says it no longer uses nondisclosure agreements with government agencies for data center projects and will publish annual information about energy and water use.

"There are clearly areas in which the technology and energy industries can be doing better (along with their government partners) but just like in the past when the country has banded together to accomplish something that’s critical for our national security and economic prosperity — we should approach this as a long-term mission that the private and public sectors pursue together," Garman wrote.

The backlash grows

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Amazon is certainly putting some money behind the charm offensive. Its new Built Together program will apparently add more than $1 billion over five years to community investments around its U.S. data centers. The company says the money will support free community college programs, workforce training and energy-efficiency improvements for schools, public buildings and homes, with a goal of helping prepare as many as 100,000 workers annually by the end of 2028.

But these commitments are arriving just as opposition is becoming difficult to dismiss as a handful of angry neighbors.

California offers perhaps the clearest example of the shift, as reported in CalMatters. Governor Gavin Newsom recently signed seven data center bills that will, among other things, work to stop electricity customers from having to subsidize data center infrastructure and set environmental reviews for the facilities.

Even Texas' famously permissive regulations are changing a little bit to increase supervision of data centers, albeit with some enormous loopholes.

Garman argues that misinformation and “outright lies” are driving resistance, but Amazon's promises suggest at least some of the backlash is a response to problems worth addressing.

The $10.3 trillion question

(Image credit: Shutterstock/photosince)

The AI industry is effectively making one of the largest infrastructure bets in American history on the assumption that demand and revenue will justify the bill.

That makes the political sales pitch particularly important as AI companies need communities to accept years of construction and enormous new demands on electricity infrastructure before anyone knows exactly how transformative or profitable the technology will be.

Not every AI developer is opting for reassurance either. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman told Politico that “we believe that the world should accept some bad things happening for the benefits of this technology and people having the agency.”

He was talking primarily about AI safety and misuse rather than data centers, and that eliminating every possible hack or scam would require restrictions that would deprive people of AI's Still, he may as well have been talking about building the physical data centers, as it amounts to a similar request that Americans accept disruption now because of benefits from AI to come.

Garman and Altman are both making arguments that require an awful lot of confidence that AI's destination justifies a turbulent journey. Communities appear less willing to sign that blank check. Amazon's latest promises suggest it understands that resistance cannot simply be bulldozed away.

Garman may ultimately be right that data centers will become infrastructure as consequential as the Interstate Highway System, but nobody wants to live next to the highway. That fact led to rules about where and what kind of housing can be built along highways.

How much control the people living beside AI infrastructure should have and what protections they deserve remains an open question.

Categories: Technology

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