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Sonos, a name synonymous with effortless home audio, has had a somewhat spotty track record in recent years. The audio quality has been unfailingly excellent, but Sonos software efforts have been an enervating mix of doing too much and too little, leaving customers not just cold but actively frustrated. Its latest updates and innovations are quite different: The introduction of a unifying platform, Sonos 27, and the threads that can pull it all together in something unironically called Sonos Fabric.

I reached this conclusion on Tuesday as I sat in a darkened space and watched relatively new company CEO Tom Conrad dash from one demo living space setup to another, carrying a pair of Sonos Play speakers. He placed the pair of them on a credenza opposite the new Sonos Beam Ultra and then, without touching the Sonos app or even fiddling with the speakers, transformed the three audio sources into a unified surround sound system. And when he was done integrating the small speakers into the larger sound system, Conrad simply picked up the Sonos Play speakers and returned them to their original space. The speakers then reconnected to the standard Sonos Wi-fi network and resumed their regular roles.

This is Sonos 27 and Fabric at work, where Sonos products know when they're being lifted and moved and then can communicate ultrasonically with the Beam Ultra, which then makes a small mesh network connection to build a super-low-latency surround system.

It looked and sounded like magic and is exactly the kind of dream audio scenario I imagined when buying disparate speakers. Sonos, which has always allowed its speakers to communicate and create stereo sound systems, has long held the promise of this kind of automation, but it was never possible before Fabric.

It's a hardware and software feature that could excite existing customers and even inspire a legion of new ones.

Doing what makes senseFutureFutureLance Ulanoff / FutureLance Ulanoff / FutureLance Ulanoff / FutureLance Ulanoff / FutureLance Ulanoff / FutureLance Ulanoff / Future

Where Sonos' software development once seemed sort of aimless and disconnected from consumer demands, Conrad's Sonos appears to be hyper-focused on doing only what makes sense for its customers.

Take its Sonos 27Voice, which manages to up the intelligence of the Sonos voice system while staying firmly in the audio lane.

Read our exclusive interview with Sonos CEO Tom Conrad

Instead of trying to transform your Sonos speaker into a voice-activated hub for all your smart home needs, Sonos decided to keep the 27Voice fixated on Sonos capabilities, but with a bit of a twist that I think people will appreciate. In Conrad's demo, he asked a sort of rambling question about a musician, and 27Voice quickly connected him to his desired music. Time and again, Conrad's vague queries resulted in sonic pleasure.

Sonos' other strategic gem, though, is openness. So, if you want to ask your Sonos tougher questions, like how to properly cook tenderloin, it'll happily pass only the prompt to another AI of your choice.

This open approach also carries through in reverse, with AI models like Claude, ChatGPT and, yes, Siri, able — via something Sonos calls Sopnos MCP — to control Sonos speakers through the new Sonos platform.

Sonos is also fixing past missteps by, for instance, making sure that new products joining the mix are complete and fully integrated members of the Sonos family.

Music to my earsLance Ulanoff / FutureLance Ulanoff / FutureLance Ulanoff / Future

The new Ace Ultra ($449 / AU$699), which Conrad at one point wore around his neck as he presented the new products, platforms, and strategies, is a far more complete member of the Sonos family than the original Sonos Ace headphones. Those high-end headphones only connected to the Sonos Arc soundbar. The new Ace Ultra, which includes Sonos's Headphone Engine 2, uses Sonos Fabric and, with a press of a button, can pick up the audio from the Beam Ultra or any other member of the current Sonos audio family. I saw this in action, and it really is a one-button operation.

What has remained consistent in 25 years of operation is Sonos's audio quality (I have an aging pair of Play:1 speakers that I love and use to this day), and even in my brief time with the Beam Ultra soundbar and Ace Ultra headphones, I found impressive audio chops.

The Ace Ultra headphones, which promise 35 hours of battery life (3 hours on a 3-minute charge), feature a new driver and updated adaptive EQ that adjusts each time you put the headphones on. The headphones delivered a wide range of sonic experiences to my ears, which I selected from the new Sonos iPad app. I heard deep bass, sharp highs, and warm mids. I never wore the original Sonos Ace headset, but I can report that these are not only comfortable to wear, but the updated ear foams and greater yoke range and flexibility provide a near-perfect fit and seal.

(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

The button placement, which was new to me, took a bit of getting used to, but I found I liked the volume slider that also doubles as a push-to-pause button. There's also a button that you can push to quickly sync up with the Beam Ultra. Onboard ANC also managed to cut out the thrum of a very noisy demo space.

Similarly, the Sonos Beam Ultra is a relatively compact soundbar capable of producing some very rich sound. There are now 9 drivers, including a pair of upfiring ones dedicated to bouncing dialogue off the walls and ceiling. Sonos says it provides 7.1.2 surround sound, and in my experience, it was loud, clear, and exciting. During the demo, they were playing Godzilla vs Kong, and I immediately wanted to grab some popcorn and park myself in front of the 4K TV and white Beam Ultra soundbar.

Overall, the $699 / AU$1,099 speaker bar seems well equipped to transform any audio-challenged TV.

Both the Ace Ultra and Beam Ultra are on pre-order now and start shipping on September 29.

Sonos appears to be taking some care with the rollouts, with some arriving as soon as next week and others more slowly as previews and early access builds. I'm sure Sonos would love to avoid another calamity where everyone's Sonos app changes at once, and they suddenly lose features or even gain ones that confuse them. I'd argue, however, that these alterations — Sonos 27, Fabric, and 27Voice — are some of the most thoughtful updates Sonos has produced in a generation and could turn your disparate collection of Sony hardware into a cohesive, useful, and sonically pleasing whole.

• Five companies will build microreactors across five separate Army installations nationwide
• Antares Nuclear takes on construction duties at Fort Bragg, North Carolina
• The total contract value reaches up to $2.2 billion

The U.S. Army has selected 5 companies to construct small nuclear power units across a handful of domestic installations.

This initiative, called Project Janus, aims to reduce reliance on fossil fuels while building toward energy independence at military sites.

Officials expect up to 20 microreactors could eventually operate across these bases, pending additional private investment from the participating firms.

Five contractors, five bases, and a $2 billion award

Antares Nuclear will build its unit at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, while BWXT Advanced Technologies will build its unit at Fort Campbell in Kentucky.

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems will handle Fort Hood in Texas, and Radiant Industries has been paired with Fort Benning in Georgia.

Westinghouse Government Services rounds out the group, assigned to Fort Drum in New York under the same milestone-based contract.

Combined, these five firms will share up to $2.2 billion through fixed-price milestone payments tied to construction progress.

“We now know that our domestic electric grid is potentially at risk in a conflict. We also know that we will not necessarily be able to move fossil fuels easily wherever we need them to go,” said Jeff Waksman, the Army’s principal deputy assistant secretary for installations, energy and environment.

“Right now, all critical infrastructure that the Army has is backed up by some form of liquid fossil fuel, primarily diesel. So that makes nuclear energy just a natural game changer for the Army.”

Nine bases had originally been finalists before November's announcement narrowed the list down to five selected locations.

Fort Wainwright in Alaska, Holston Army Ammunition Plant in Tennessee, Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington, and Redstone Arsenal in Alabama were among those excluded from the final round.

Uranium supply remains a persistent obstacle for the timeline

The United States currently lacks any operational nuclear microreactors and enriches only a small share of the global uranium supply.

Efforts by the Energy Department and the National Nuclear Security Administration to expand high-assay low-enriched uranium production remain in early stages.

Waksman acknowledged the scale of the challenge while expressing confidence that supply issues would not derail the timeline.

“We expect sufficient prioritization to ensure that we have the uranium that we need for our fastest moving reactors…probably going to push beyond what our supplies are as a nation.”

He added that coordination across federal agencies would be essential to securing enough material for later phases of the program.

Project Janus draws on lessons from Project Pele, the Pentagon's mobile reactor initiative, and borrows its contracting structure from a NASA cargo program.

The Army's approach also follows a separate Air Force effort already underway at Eielson Air Force Base near Fairbanks, Alaska.

Waksman indicated an announcement about coordination between the two service branches could arrive within the coming months.

Officials have emphasized choosing accessible domestic sites first, deliberately avoiding overseas or island locations for these early deployments.

Only once the technology proves reliable within the 50 states will military planners consider expanding microreactor construction beyond current borders.

Via Defense One

This year's Labor Day sales are getting underway, and I've already spotted some big savings on several of the highest-rated and most popular headphones we've tested here at TechRadar. I've rounded up the 12 best deals below, including favorites from the likes of Sony, Bose, Shokz, and more.

One of my top picks is the Bose QuietComfort Headphones at Amazon for $199 (was $229). I'm actually wearing some of these excellent over-ear cans right now, and I take them with me almost anywhere I go. They offer fantastic noise cancellation while in the office or commuting, top-tier audio quality for music and videos, and impressive battery life of up to 24 hours. All for a great price, too.

Another strong option is the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 at Best Buy for $139.99 (was $179.99). These remain some of the best bone conduction headphones you can buy today and are a top recommendation for runners if you want to stay aware of your surroundings while out training.

Have a browse through all of my favorite Labor Day headphone deals below, with offers that I don't expect to be beaten until at least Black Friday in November.

12 best headphones deals in the Labor Day sales

Bose QuietComfort Headphones

Sony WH-1000XM6

Shokz OpenRun Pro 2

Sony WH-CH520

Nothing Headphone (1)

Sony WH-1000XM5

Bose QuietComfort Ultra

Apple Airpods Max 2

Sonos Ace

Beats Solo 4

JBL Tune 770NC

Beats Studio Pro

• AI-shaped vocabulary is becoming harder to separate from ordinary human writing
• The analysis found a sevenfold rise in AI-associated vocabulary use
• Rewritten AI text can enter published research under human authorship

Fırat Mıhcı, a computational linguist and founder of HumanizeMy.ai, argues that AI can correct its own writing style until common detection signals disappear entirely.

The analysis claims that a second AI model can rewrite an original AI draft until identifying traits become far less visible to reviewers.

Once a human editor approves that rewritten draft, it gets published under a real name instead of being labelled as machine-generated.

A study of nearly 19,000 abstracts

The study behind this claim examined 18,989 abstracts spanning three separate academic fields, published across the years 2019 through 2026.

The analysis compares word frequency trends before and after the release of widely used AI writing tools in late 2022.

In computational linguistics, AI-associated word use rose from 1.9 to 14.0 instances per 10,000 words after late 2022, roughly a seven-times increase.

Neuroscience abstracts showed a similar pattern, climbing from 1.7 to 8.7 instances per 10,000 words, close to a five-times increase.

Mathematics abstracts barely changed, moving only from 0.9 to 1.3 instances, which researchers treated as a control group for comparison.

The study noted that overlapping confidence ranges in mathematics made the small increase statistically indistinguishable from no change at all over the full study period.

One tracked term, "delve," showed up in 2.75% of surveyed abstracts during 2024 before falling to just 0.12% within an incomplete 2026 data set.

A feedback loop that confuses detectors

Mıhcı shared the findings as an open study meant to expose a blind spot in current AI detection methods used across many academic publishers today.

According to the study, this pattern creates a cycle in which AI wording gradually becomes accepted as ordinary human vocabulary.

Detection tools trained on older writing samples risk falsely flagging real authors whose natural vocabulary now resembles AI-generated text more closely than before.

AI tools trained on newer papers instead risk absorbing AI-influenced writing as a normal baseline, making future AI text harder to catch.

Words such as "intricate," "showcase," and "nuanced" were also tracked, alongside "underscore," a term commonly linked to AI-generated phrasing.

Editors and publishers reviewing these abstracts reportedly did not indicate that the wording carried any artificial origin before the manuscripts were accepted for publication.

"AI only needs its rewritten output to be accepted once as human. After that, the disguise becomes part of the answer key," said Fırat Mıhcı

The research does not claim every abstract containing these words was written by artificial intelligence rather than a human author.

It instead argues that AI-associated language has entered published writing in ways that make word-based detection increasingly unreliable over time.

Because the 2026 sample remains partial, the reported decline in words like "delve" may still shift once more data arrives.

If AI-shaped phrasing keeps entering the published record undetected, the very baseline used to define human writing may keep moving.

This pattern raises significant questions for any field relying on writing style alone to separate human output from machine output.

• Nvidia's latest graphics driver has a frustrating bug
• Version 616.56 is causing distracting screen flickers and color corruption
• A patch is coming, and there are potential workarounds — but gamers are getting fed up with the prevalence of bugs in GeForce drivers

Nvidia's latest graphics driver is causing chaos for some GeForce GPU owners in the form of a glitch that makes the screen flicker.

Wccftech spotted the bug with Nvidia's Game Ready Driver version 616.56, and as flagged by Renan Maniero on X, Team Green has said it's testing a fix for the issue (as revealed on the GeForce forums).

The screen is reportedly flickering white or black and exhibiting other brief flashes of color corruption, and this is happening in certain games (The Last of Us and Minecraft are mentioned, among others) or on the Windows desktop. It's also occurring in web browser sessions and while playing YouTube videos, based on Reddit reports — of which there are plenty.

There's no shortage of gamers losing their temper with Nvidia, too, and blasting Team Green for the quality of its graphics drivers. Many are venting with an observation that GeForce drivers just haven't been the same since the launch of the RTX 5000 series.

For example, this Redditor says: "It's been particularly bad since Blackwell [RTX 5000] release. Just on Blackwell alone, between the whole DisplayPort 2.1 not working with HDR, screen flickering, and black screens on the initial release, it's been a complete mess."

Another gamer complains: "It is pretty shocking seeing this from a trillionaire company on a stable build. Nothing about this driver is stable."

Yet another Redditor grumbles: "It's crazy how things are now. You used to be able to update each time or be one driver behind at worst. Now I'm half a year outdated and thinking I'll just leave it."

Analysis: more drivers, more problems? There are possible workarounds though

Even older GeForce graphics cards are affected here (Image credit: Future)

This seems like quite a widespread issue and one that affects modern Nvidia graphics cards all the way back to RTX 2000 models.

If you're getting frustrated by this bug — random screen flickering gets pretty old, pretty fast, if it's happening regularly — Maniero also shared an apparent potential workaround on X that you can try while waiting for the official fix.

Seemingly, this is a bug that mostly affects monitors in 8-bit mode, and if you switch to 10-bit color (assuming your display supports this), the problem may disappear. Maniero also suggests that you try turning on Windows Auto Color Management (ACM).

Other folks on Reddit have shared various possible remedies, including switching from DisplayPort to an HDMI connector instead, and disabling Multi-Plane Overlay (MPO) in Windows 11, as one Redditor suggested. Nvidia provides a Registry file for turning off MPO (and enabling it again), but as ever with anything in this area of Windows, proceed at your own risk. (Although this method should be much safer than trying to edit the Registry directly yourself).

Your other choice is simply to roll back driver 616.56 to an earlier version, and there's no shortage of gamers who've done exactly that and report that the problem vanishes.

Hopefully Nvidia's official flicker-begone patch will be coming soon enough in the form of a hotfix, because this is an unduly annoying gremlin in the GeForce works that needs to be sorted out promptly.

• Sygnia reports China‑linked Fire Ant expanding beyond virtualization to routers, TACACS, and Linux hosts
• Compromised routers act as operational platforms
• Campaign aims at “target behind the target,” leveraging trust relationships for broader espionage reach

Fire Ant, a China-nexus cyberespionage group, is no longer targeting just virtualization platforms, it’s also going for routers, authentication systems, and Linux management hosts. This is according to cybersecurity researchers Sygnia, who recently saw the group target Cisco IOS XR Routers.

Once they compromise a router, they don’t just use it to move around the network, the researchers explained. Instead, they turn them into full-blown operational platforms, collecting traffic, establishing connections, manipulating command output, and even suppressing logging so that they fly under the defenders’ radars.

For authentication systems, Fire Ant was seen taking aim at TACACS servers. Admins use them to authenticate when accessing network hardware, and crooks use them to harvest valuable credentials and weaken the reliability of audit logs, as well. Finally, Sygnia says Fire Ant also targets Linux management hosts. The researchers saw multiple persistent implants and backdoors, including a custom SSH backdoor and a piece of malware spoofing legitimate software.

Target behind the target

The goal of the campaign seems to be to establish a foothold that allows crooks to reach other environments. Sygnia describes it as a “target behind the target” scenario:

“This reinforces the “target behind the target” concept introduced earlier in this report. Fire Ant’s interest in the compromised organization should be understood not only as an attempt to compromise a single environment, but as an effort to control infrastructure that may enable visibility, collection, and potential access beyond the immediate victim. The strategic value lies in the trust relationships the organization maintains with connected environments,” Sygnia explained.

Very little is known about Fire Ant, besides the fact that it was first observed in 2025. Some researchers claim it has significant overlaps with a threat actor tracked as UNC3886, a Chinese espionage group previously observed by Google. However, there are also significant differences which make attribution inconclusive.

Via BleepingComputer

• SweepLED can spot hidden cameras by varying its illumination
• AI can detect camera lenses by the light that gets reflected back
• The accessory fits on the back of a camera and works in seconds

Unless you're in the safety of your own home, there's always a worry that you're being surveilled without your knowledge — when you're in an Airbnb, hotel room, changing room, or restroom, for example. Now researchers have developed an LED-powered phone accessory to give you some extra peace of mind.

It's called SweepLED, and it's the invention of a team from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST). The portable device combines 15 LED lights, a cable to attach to your phone, and some AI processing.

According to the researchers, SweepLED can spot hidden cameras 94% of the time with a processing period of just five seconds per object. While this is only a prototype for now, the team has tested it on 30 different objects, reporting a high level of skill at identifying where hidden cameras are embedded (or not).

Here's how it works: SweepLED fixes to the back of a phone (over the camera). As video is recorded and the phone stays still, the add-on turns its LEDs on and off, comparing different reflection patterns against each other. Hidden camera lenses show up in those reflection patterns in a way that standard reflective surfaces don't.

Protecting your privacy

SweepLED uses reflection patterns to find cameras (Image credit: KAIST)

"Hidden cameras pose a serious threat to personal safety and privacy in everyday spaces," says Professor Jun Han, from the KAIST team. "This research is meaningful in that it combines low-cost smartphone-based hardware with AI analysis to present the possibility of a practical detection technology that even non-experts can use."

Previous devices along these lines required users to look for 'bright spots' manually as they were lit up by the detector, the tell-tale sign that there was a camera looking back at them. This should be more efficient, and better at spotting different camera types hidden in a variety of different housings (like clocks or mirrors).

There's still plenty of work to do to get this refined and commercialized, but it shouldn't be expensive: the KAIST team reckons the manufacturing cost of SweepLED would be in the region of $7 (about £5 / AU$10).

If you do a lot of traveling, it might be worth investing in something like this just to make sure you're not being spied on. The work has been presented at the ACM MobiSys 2026 conference and published online, though as yet there's no indication of when it might be available to the masses.

• Roland has a new digital piano that has built-in Wi-Fi integration
• It's also launching a new music-learning app, Piano Sphere, with teaching techniques and real-time feedback
• As well as Wi-Fi, the piano has an upgraded speaker system with more accurate responsiveness

Music company Roland is taking a massive step with its latest project that’s pretty much unprecedented in the world of digital instruments — it's launching a portable piano with built-in Wi-Fi support.

The $750 (roughly £750/ AU$1,149) FP-40 digital piano was unveiled today (September 1), coming in two finishes (black or white) with Bluetooth Audio/ MIDI and USB-C connectivity. Though this isn’t new for digital instruments — many leading piano manufacturers make the most of Bluetooth — Wi-Fi integration is unheard of.

While that’s essentially the selling point, the FP-40 packs a punch with additional features like Roland’s Piano Reality Sound Engine, a technology that augments the finer details and tone of an acoustic piano. As for the keyboard, Roland uses weighted hammer-action keys, on top of the triple-sensor tech it uses to ensure faster responsiveness when playing notes.

Just like your smartphone, tablet, or laptop, the FP-40 piano connects to your home Wi-Fi like any other device, and it will receive regular software updates. But there's a reason why Roland has designed the new sound tool this way — it’s to spotlight its new learning software.

Alongside the launch of its Wi-Fi-powered piano, Roland is launching Piano Sphere, an app developed by Skoove that offers teaching techniques to help you improve your musical craft, whether you’re a casual player or you’re picking up the reins again.

(Image credit: Roland)

Similar to learning apps like Duolingo, Piano Sphere is packed with ‘personalized guidance, real-time feedback, and a rich library of high-quality content to keep you playing’, as mentioned on the Roland site. In addition to this, you’ll also be getting step-by-step lessons and even custom learning plans based on your current level.

The only thing is that you’ll need a phone or tablet to view a lot of the software’s insights, for example, tracking progress by viewing streaks and reward badges, but outside of that, the piano itself has some handy features.

The FP-40’s flagship Piano Sphere button lights up to give you feedback as you play away, and thanks to Wi-Fi connectivity, the piano automatically records playing history even when the Piano Sphere app isn’t open. On top of that, you won’t need to pay extra for a Piano Sphere subscription.

From the get-go, you’ll have basic access to 100 copyright-free songs spanning everything from classical compositions to pop music bangers. If you feel that you’re ready to take the next step in mastering your skill, there’s an option to upgrade your Piano Sphere experience, which opens the doors to a library of over 1,000 songs and lessons.

Obviously, learning app integration with modern instruments isn’t a new thing — previous models allow you to pair third-party apps via Bluetooth — but the FP-40’s built-in Wi-Fi will result in a much smoother experience. Not only that, it could be a hint at the direction Roland plans to take its future musical innovations.

• Political action committees are funneling millions of dollars into candidates and adverts in an attempt to change perspectives on AI and data centers
• Numerous states have changed regulations on data centers, making them increasingly hard to gain approval for new projects
• The US economy is hinged upon the growth of AI companies, and opposition is costing money

A new breed of AI-aligned super political action committees (SuperPAC) is spending millions of dollars in an attempt to get pro-AI data center candidates elected in this year’s midterm elections.

Data centers have become a hot political topic with the majority of Americans preferring to have a nuclear reactor in their backyard rather than an AI data center. Americans are also increasingly concerned about AI and its effects on the job market, the environment, and their own health.

But these perspectives just don’t align with AI companies, who have seen unprecedented growth in their model’s capabilities and their stock value. For that growth to continue, perspectives on AI and the infrastructure behind it need to change.

Build data centers or become ‘backwards and poor’

There are a few main players behind this movement. Leading The Future (LTF) has become a key funder behind pro-AI and pro-data center candidates, but also says it is using its millions to oppose those opposed to AI - as if the midterms weren’t already confusing enough.

But a new group, Build American AI, has emerged to run pro-AI and pro-data center ads in key battleground states of Kansas, Ohio, and Wisconsin. The Republican party recently issued a call for help from AI firms over AI opposition due to fears it could cost them the Ohio senate race.

If that were to be the case, it could lead to a wider change of floating voters aligning themselves with whoever is opposed to AI data centers.

Even Nvidia is jumping on the PAC train, having recently set up NVPAC to shape policy in its own favor. Nvidia has an enormous stake in AI technologies, given that it commands an enormous share of the hardware used in most AI data centers.

The Trump administration has aligned much of America’s politics around AI. To remain a global power ahead of China, AI cannot be slowed down. To remain on top of America’s battlefields at home and abroad, AI is being integrated into every arm of the military and all aspects of law enforcement. Opposition to AI is therefore opposition to America’s future, or so Trump would want you to believe.

The US economy is currently being buoyed by the surge in growth experienced by AI companies, but the models they are creating have been labelled not only a threat to financial institutions, but also a threat to financial stability of the world.

“The only reason that communities throughout the U.S.A. should not want Data Centers is if they want to end up being backwards and poor,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post. “If they want to be successful and rich, with far lower taxes and jobs all over the place, let Data Reign.”

Trump’s referrals to taxes and jobs raise an interesting point, because numerous states have lost out on billions of tax revenue due to data center exemptions, and numerous studies have shown AI is leading to job losses in multiple industries.

There is also a large amount of infighting within the Republican Party surrounding support for data centers. Many representatives that previously pushed for data center construction - such as Texas Gov. Greg Abbott - have done a 180.

AI could therefore go from a revolutionary technology to one of the most divisive political issues of the Trump administration and beyond.

• Lexar PexarBolt Ultra TBT5 Dock connects to a laptop through a single Thunderbolt 5 cable
• Bandwidth defaults to 80Gbps and boosts up to 120Gbps when needed
• Runs two 8K displays or three 4K panels simultaneously

Lexar has introduced a new docking station for Mac and Windows computers, called the PexarBolt Ultra TBT5 Dock, built around Thunderbolt 5 connectivity.

The dock combines 22 ports with a 5-inch touchscreen and a rotating metal dial to control connected displays and check system status.

The dock's Thunderbolt 5 connection is rated at up to 80 Gbps by default, with a boost mode that pushes that bandwidth to 120 Gbps in one direction.

A desk hub built around high-speed links

According to Lexar, the dock can handle two 8K displays at 60Hz or three 4K panels running at 144Hz, depending on host hardware.

Video output comes through Thunderbolt connections alongside DisplayPort 2.1 or HDMI 2.1, although those latter outputs share the same video path.

The unit also accepts Type B CFexpress, SD 4.0 and microSD 4.0 cards, giving camera users several ways to move footage.

An internal M.2 storage slot supports PCIe Gen 4 x2, with advertised transfer rates reaching 3,600 MB/s when suitable hardware is installed.

The storage drive is not included, so buyers would need to supply their own compatible SSD for that internal bay.

Network transfers can use 10GbE, while multiple USB ports provide connections for accessories, drives, phones, tablets and other desk equipment.

On the rear, this device has two slower USB-A ports, two faster USB-A ports, five USB-C sockets, audio, Ethernet, display outputs, and charging.

The front carries the camera card readers, a headphone socket, and two USB-C connections that share their 45W power allocation, though the power delivery reaches 140W for a connected laptop.

Its compatibility covers macOS and Windows, while the dock also works with Thunderbolt and USB4 devices when their supported features allow it.

A screen and cooling add more hardware

The 5-inch display is intended to show information about connected equipment, power use, temperatures, transfer rates, and other operating details.

A rotary control beside the screen lets users move through interface options, while taps on the display provide access to additional information.

The company says full dashboard functions require its desktop application, making the screen less independent than a simple hardware status panel.

Active cooling combines a fan, metal heat transfer parts and directed airflow, with thermal information also shown through the display.

The package includes the dock, power supply, three regional AC leads, an SSD fitting kit, a Thunderbolt 5 cable and manual.

Lexar has not listed the NVMe drive as part of the package, despite making internal storage expansion one of the dock's main features.

The company is preparing the product for Kickstarter, where the advertised early price is $479 against a regular $649 MSRP.

Disclaimer: We do not recommend or endorse any crowdfunding project. All crowdfunding campaigns carry inherent risks, including the possibility of delays, changes, or non-delivery of products. Potential backers should carefully evaluate the details and proceed at their own discretion.

Tineco is showcasing its latest smart home care technology under the theme “The Future Cleans Itself,” at IFA 2026, demonstrating how automation can simplify tasks before, during and after cleaning. For years, Tineco has developed smart home care products designed to make everyday cleaning simpler, and in 2020, the brand helped pioneer the floor washer category with the launch of the FLOOR ONE S1. Since then, Tineco has continued to push the category forward, earning recognition as the world’s No. 1 household wet & dry vacuum cleaner brand for four consecutive years.

Building on that evolution and leading Tineco’s floor care showcase at IFA 2026, is the Floor One Station S9 Scientist Pro which combines powerful cleaning performance with automated features designed to simplify operation and help keep the machine ready when you need it.

One of the key conveniences of the Tineco Floor One Station S9 Scientist Pro is the base station. While some vacuum cleaners can be a chore to use and put away, the base station helps streamline both the cleaning process and the steps that follow. It provides fast charging, keeping the Tineco Floor One Station S9 Scientist Pro powered up and ready for cleaning sessions of up to 100 minutes.

The station automatically replenishes hot water and dispenses cleaning solution, reducing the need for manual refilling during cleaning. The base station’s five-liter tank holds plenty of water for frequent cleaning, even in large homes.

After cleaning, the base station works with the floor washer to flush its roller and pipes and dry them with 230°F hot air in just five minutes. An integrated comb in the head of the Tineco Floor One Station S9 Scientist Pro helps cut out hair and detangles as you clean.

All of this cuts down on the manual upkeep needed before the next cleaning session.

The Tineco Floor One Station S9 Scientist Pro brings a full arsenal of cleaning capabilities to tackle the many messes that your floor might face. Its wide brush head and 25,000 Pa of suction can tackle dry debris with ease. Powered wheels, a swiveling neck and an edge-to-edge roller make it easy to navigate and clean along edges and baseboards. The Tineco Floor One Station S9 Scientist Pro can even lie flat to get under furniture as low as 4.33 inches.

For dried, sticky or oily messes, Hydro Burst Cleaning blasts the area with high-pressure water and cuts right through the mess. As you move the floor washer forward, it operates normally, rolling up debris, but with one click it can seamlessly drop a special scraper and move in reverse to more effectively pull up liquids and wipe away water for a streak-free finish.

The Floor One Station S9 Scientist Pro is just one part of Tineco’s broader showcase at IFA 2026. The brand is also unveiling the FLOOR ONE S11 Artist Fusion Steam, FLOOR ONE S9 Artist Boost Steam and PURE ONE STATION 7 ZeroTouch, all making their global debut at the event. Beyond these floor care launches, Tineco’s IFA presence spans floor washers, carpet cleaners, vacuum cleaners and smart kitchen products, with additional new products and technologies on display across the portfolio. Together, the lineup brings Tineco’s “The Future Cleans Itself” theme to life through technology designed to make everyday home care simpler.

*Source: Euromonitor International (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.; measured in terms of the brand’s global retail sales volume (in units) of household wet & dry vacuum cleaners in 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025. Household wet & dry vacuum cleaners are defined as household cleaners that dispense clean water (or cleaning solution) to wash hard floors and vacuum the dirty water and debris thereafter. Based on research completed in March 2026.

• HUR identified 140 components linked to the upgraded Iskander missile system
• American manufacturers supplied 63 of the missile's identified electronic components
• Only one-quarter of all components came from Russian domestic manufacturers

Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence (HUR) has released details about foreign-made parts it says were found inside Russia’s upgraded Iskander-1000 ballistic missile.

The disclosure said American companies, including Xilinx, part of AMD, Atmel, part of Micron Technology, DM&P Electronics, Winbond Electronics, and Analog Devices, supplied critical parts for the missile's guidance and processing systems.

The agency also identified 140 components linked to the missile and said only a limited share came from Russian manufacturers.

Foreign chips remain inside Russia’s upgraded missile system

The disclosure points to continued foreign technology use in a weapon system developed by Moscow despite efforts to reduce outside dependence.

According to Ukrainian intelligence, 35 companies are connected to the production network supporting Russia’s Iskander-M missile family.

The agency said the updated 9M723-2 variant, also called Iskander-1000, has appeared during recent attacks and forms part of the Bora-M missile system.

The newer missile version reportedly uses a larger engine and modified launcher design, allowing it to reach distances of up to 550km.

This compares with the 390km range attributed by Ukrainian intelligence to the earlier 9M723-1 missile model.

HUR stated that Russia continues to use imported electronic parts in key missile areas despite attempts to replace foreign technology with domestic alternatives.

The agency said only about one-quarter of the identified components were produced by Russian firms.

The intelligence report lists 63 components linked to manufacturers from the United States, while Switzerland and Belarus each account for eight components.

Germany and Taiwan were each linked to four parts, while China supplied three components according to the information released by HUR.

“The most critical components—microprocessors, FPGAs, memory, digital-to-analog and analog-to-digital converters—come from American and Taiwanese manufacturers…” said Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence.

The missile’s guidance system was described as one of the areas with significant foreign dependence.

HUR claims only five of 43 parts inside a flight information processing unit connected to the missile’s laser gyroscope were Russian-made.

Sanctions face challenges as supply chains remain complex

The identified components include field programmable gate arrays, memory chips, microprocessors and conversion devices used for handling digital and analogue signals.

Such parts are common in many electronic systems, making their movement across global markets difficult to monitor completely.

Ukraine’s intelligence service has called for stronger restrictions against companies, organizations and facilities it believes are linked to Russia’s missile production network.

The agency said international cooperation would be necessary to limit access to important technologies.

However, controlling the movement of advanced electronic components remains difficult because many parts have civilian uses and can pass through several countries before reaching final users.

The presence of international suppliers does not alone establish whether companies directly supply military programs.

The report comes as Ukraine continues efforts to disrupt Russia’s missile operations through sanctions pressure and attacks against launch equipment.

Ukrainian officials have also reported strikes against Russian missile launch platforms before they could be used.

“To counter the aggressor’s plans, it is important to consolidate efforts aimed at restricting Russia’s program for the development, production, and modernization of ballistic weapons,” HUR said.

Via United24media

• OpenAI published the first Jalapeño benchmarks at Hot Chips, claiming 1.5 to 1.9x more throughput per kilowatt and up to 3.6x lower latency than Nvidia's GB200 and GB300 rack systems
• The chip's purported gains are at a reported 700W power draw and center around efficiency, with Nvidia's GB300 still leading on absolute throughput per package by 20-25 percent.
• The numbers are currently self-reported, and volume production of the chip is not expected to ramp up until 2027

OpenAI took the stage at Hot Chips on August 25 with the first published performance figures for Jalapeño, the inference accelerator it co-developed with Broadcom, and the numbers are designed to be read the way it flatters the former: efficiency.

The company reported 1.5 to 1.9 times more throughput per kilowatt and 1.7 to 3.6 times lower end-to-end latency across three open models than the Nvidia rack systems it tested against.

OpenAI's Jalapeño is currently rated at 700W, versus comparable Nvidia silicon that was rated for 1200W and 1400W, a key differentiator in a benchmark that already has limited information available to researchers looking to pick a clear winner.

AI efficiency takes center stage?

OpenAI's Jalapeño is an ASIC, or an Application-specific integrated circuit, which essentially means that it focuses primarily on and is great for very specific AI workloads; in this case, OpenAI's inference needs, which allow it to run multiple models with significant efficiency gains in tow.

Richard Ho, who runs OpenAI's hardware program, told reporters on a press call that the results show "a very, very significant performance advance over state-of-the-art."

OpenAI ran SemiAnalysis's public InferenceX suite on GPT-OSS 120B, DeepSeek R1 670B, and Moonshot AI's trillion-parameter Kimi K2.5, at a nominal 8,000-token input and 1,000-token output. It scored a 1.9x efficiency win vs. GB200 on its own GPT-OSS model, and 1.7x and 1.5x on DeepSeek and Moonshot's offerings against a GB300 system. Interestingly, the figures for GPT-OSS 120B running on a GB300 compared to OpenAI's Jalapeño are not published.

It is important to point out here that there is a certain degree of cherry-picking to flatter OpenAI's own results: by choosing to compare ratios on a per-kilowatt basis versus a per-chip basis, while efficiency remains consistent, it does paint Jalapeño as potentially a much more potent competitor to Nvidia's last-generation offerings than it actually is.

Nvidia's GB300 might not have an efficiency win versus Jalapeño, but it remains a much more powerful chip in all tests, at a time when Nvidia is already rolling out Vera Rubin. Curiously, OpenAI has not published any information about how its chip stacks up against an HBM4-touting Vera Rubin, which Nvidia has presented as an efficiency juggernaut.

It is important to point out that Jalapeño's results also use single-token prediction throughout, with no speculative decoding and no prefill-decode disaggregation. Nvidia's production deployments commonly use multi-token prediction, and when OpenAI pits Jalapeño against a GB300 configured that way, the peak efficiency lead drops to roughly 1.5x.

OpenAI says it built the chip to keep model state local, writing that it "designed Jalapeño to minimize data movement and communication delays." Cores and HBM are divided into slices, each core slice holding a low-latency view of its own memory, with synchronization pushed onto a dedicated collective network. Each package pairs a compute die with six HBM4 stacks for 216 GiB at 15.4 TB/s, which is less capacity than the GB300's 288GB of HBM3E but considerably more bandwidth, and roughly 50 percent more memory per watt of rated power.

Every number published currently comes from A0 silicon, also known as the initial, first-run version of the chip. A more efficient B0 stepping is already in the fab with roughly 25 percent better performance per watt, and production is scheduled to ramp gradually across 2027.

Although it may not hold a candle to Nvidia's Vera Rubin, it might not have to; Alexander Harrowell of Omdia told CNBC that "this is the biggest competitive threat to NVIDIA," noting that roughly half of AI infrastructure capital spending comes from firms that already run custom chip programs or could. Yole Group's Adrien Sanchez framed it as pressure on Nvidia's inference margins specifically, the fastest-growing part of the business.

The timing of this announcement is both awkward and potentially suspect at a time when Nvidia just agreed to backstop $105 billion in financing for OpenAI's upcoming Ohio facility, even as Richard Ho told Bloomberg that the company continues to need a lot of Nvidia's chips, with the latter being "a really good partner." This is hardly surprising, given Jalapeño's limitations as an ASIC useful mainly for inference, while Nvidia's chips are key to training new AI models.

From Nvidia's perspective, this can be seen as a blow to its plans for a high-margin inference industry where one of the two major buyers of inference hardware is not only looking for a homegrown alternative, but is already well on its way to getting the job done.

Walmart just launched a massive Lego 'Bricktember' sale, and I've already purchased two sets for my kids — the prices are just too good. You can save up to 60% on Lego favorites, including Star Wars, Harry Potter, and F1 cars, as well as seasonal sets like Advent calendars, haunted houses, pumpkins, and more.

• Shop Walmart's full Lego 'Bricktember' sale

I've listed my 12 favorite Lego deals below with prices starting at just $12. The two sets I personally bought for my Lego-obsessed sons are the fun Jack-O-Lantern Pickup Truck for just $12 (was $29.98) and the always popular 2026 Lego City Advent Calendar for $25 (was $34.99).

Keep in mind these are limited-time offers and the most popular Lego deals will sell out. Today's Lego 'Bricktember' sale is a great chance to grab one of your favorite sets and stock up on gifts for upcoming birthdays and holidays.

Walmart's 12 best Lego 'Bricktember' deals

Lego Jack-O-Lantern Pickup Truck

Lego Altar of the Dead

Lego Editions Olivia Rodrigo's Vinyl - Building Toy

Lego City Advent Calendar 2026

Lego Star Wars Advent Calendar 2026

Lego Creator 3-in-1 Wild Animals: Majestic Lion

Lego Editions Cristiano Ronaldo – Soccer Legend

Lego Technic Dodge Viper GTS-R Sports Car Toy

Lego Harry Potter Knockturn Alley Wizarding Shops

Lego Icons Mayor Manor

Lego Editions Lionel Messi – Celebration

Lego Jurassic World Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex

• Meta continues to test data center robots for tasks like power cycling and network connections
• The company already has a number of models being tested at different campuses
• One worker worries robots could replace 80% of data center technicians

Meta is now said to be exploring whether it can perform some data center and server tasks with robots instead of human technicians, including power cycling devices and swapping network cables.

According to new Ars Technica reporting, the company has already deployed a simple, finger-like robot that can physically press the power button on hardware like Mac minis.

The company also demonstrated a self-driving robot in 2023 that was cable of moving heavy server racks, so it's not the first time Meta has been exploring how to automate its growing data center footprint.

Meta continues to look at ways to automate data center tasks

According to the latest reports, some of those earlier robots have already been deployed at its Iowa and Virginia facilities, and it's the Iowa campus that looks to be one of the company's biggest testing grounds. For the past year or so, the Facebook's parent company has reportedly been testing two two-arm robots for cable-related work, under human supervision.

A separate scissor-lift-style machine with a robotic arm is also rolling around Meta's Ohio campus in a trial for jobs like reseating components.

However, the growing complexity of AI data centers also presents its own challenges for robots, making fine motor skills far more important for costly and vital components.

Naturally, worker feedback hasn't always been so positive. Besides one unnamed employee warning that robots could replace 80% of the human roles before long, many also complain that autonomous robots spend far too long charging their batteries – not working.

Still, robots are clearly still part of the company's plan. Robotics exec Eric Xu previously described a future where robots are used for incident response, environmental monitoring and preventative maintenance.

"America is in the middle of its biggest infrastructure boom since World War II, and there’s a major shortage of skilled workers to fill the roles; we need more workers, not fewer," company spokesperson Francis Brennan told Ars Technica.

• Huntress reports DPRK job seekers expanding beyond tech into healthcare, sales, and marketing
• North Koreans use stolen identities, forged documents, AI tools, and proxies to bypass detection
• Campaign dubbed “IT worker scheme” continues, posing sanctions risks and unique detection challenges

North Koreans looking to get hired by western companies are no longer focused exclusively on tech companies. According to security researchers Huntress, they have started applying for jobs in healthcare, sales, and marketing.

For US companies, employing North Koreans is prohibited under US sanctions, and the US government specifically warns about hiring IT workers from DPRK. As a result, these individuals are engaging in all sorts of fraudulent behavior to trick their potential employers and get hired.

That includes stealing other people’s identities, forging documents, and using pre-recorded or AI generated videos during calls and interviews. They’re also using ChatGPT to draft answers to questions and communicate without raising any alarms. Furthermore, they are deploying proxies and VPNs, often connecting to computers on “hardware farms” in China, and using personal, non-resident banking accounts to get paid.

IT worker scheme

"DPRK workers present a unique detection challenge for defenders: rather than compromising accounts or breaking in via gaps in the organizations' environments, they're tricking companies into remotely hiring them, and oftentimes actually doing the legitimate work they were hired to do," Huntress said in an analysis.

This is a campaign that’s been ongoing for years. Researchers call it the “IT worker scheme” and while some argue the scammers are using their earned salary to further North Korea’s weapons program, there is no evidence to point in that direction. For all we know, they might actually be desperate for a job - they’re just not allowed to do it remotely.

In its latest report, Huntress says it saw three people in an Australian healthcare company that turned out to be North Koreans impersonating the Chinese. It also saw an unnamed financial services firm whose employees used software that allowed them to work remotely through devices hosted on laptop farms.

Finally, it investigated a case of a sales and marketing employee using a stolen identity. The worker allegedly used the personal details of a legitimate individual (name, birth date, location) which had been published online by law enforcement following that person’s arrest. At the same time, they were using their own face during the hiring process.

Via The Hacker News

A near-total lunar eclipse occurred last week. I was on vacation at the time, with no serious camera gear for a few windy and soggy days camping on the southwest-facing Wales coastline in the UK. However, I had packed the Oppo Find X9 Ultra, together with its 300mm (13x) teleconverter lens.

The eclipse felt like a perfect test for the flagship phone's camera skills. Where I was and Europe, the maximum 96.2% eclipse took place an hour before moonset / sunrise, meaning the moon would be low in the sky, while in North and South America it was in the middle of the night with the moon higher up.

Having set my alarm for a horribly early hour, I poked my head out of my tent at 4:15am to check on the weather, and was greeted with an enticing view of the eclipse underway in its partial phase, ahead of its maximum.

Excitedly, I threw on some clothes, picked up the Oppo kit and a tripod, and hiked down to the beach to get set up ahead of the eclipse's maximum, which would take place about an hour later.

Clouds covered the moon before I was able to fire up the camera, but I patiently waited. And despite not being able to see much of the partial phase of the eclipse, fortunately, a break in the clouds meant that I got to see the moon's eclipse at its maximum — and I was able to see what the Oppo kit was capable of.

Recording a 4K video sequence with Dolby Vision of the lunar eclipse, teleconverter attachedTim ColemanAnd here I'm using the phone's 10x optical camera, with no teleconverterTim ColemanSetting up for photographing the eclipse with a phone

The Oppo Find X9 Ultra is the only current phone with a 10x optical lens (the Galaxy S23 Ultra was Samsung's only previous effort), with a 230mm effective focal length that works pretty well for moon photography by itself. However, for an even closer view, the teleconverter lens is a better bet.

The teleconverter is a proper add-on lens that's designed to work with the phone's better-quality 3x optical lens, providing a 300mm equivalent focal length. Oppo notes this as a 13x zoom in the dedicated 'Hasselblad Teleconverter' mode in the camera app, which can be increased to 30x (690mm) or 60x (1380mm) digitally.

You'll need to use a tripod to stabilize the phone, and to capture sharp shots of distant subjects, especially in low light — I used a Heipi 3-in-1 tripod, which includes a dedicated phone clamp within its ballhead.

I like taking manual exposure control for astrophotography, but sadly the phone's dedicated mode for the teleconverter is stripped back (I've previously tried it for sports photography and came away frustrated by the experience).

There are the three zoom settings, a 'stage' mode, ±2EV exposure compensation, and then a basic array of controls which includes Auto HDR, aspect ratio, timer and interval shooting modes. That's about it.

I missed having the option to shoot in RAW format, exposure bracket (to get more detail from the light and dark parts of the moon), increase resolution from 12MP to 50MP and manually set white balance, shutter speed and ISO, which would otherwise be possible in the phone's 'Hasselblad Master' mode (Oppo's version of a Pro mode).

An uncropped, unedited photo of the moon using the 13x teleconverter. By default, the exposure in the photo setting of the dedicated teleconverter mode was too dark, even with +2EV exposure compensation added. Tim ColemanHere I've punched in to 30x — a digital zoomTim Coleman

My desire for manual control was magnified when the phone completely underexposed the moon when in photo mode (see above), which felt odd given that when I switched to video mode — where 4K up to 60fps with Dolby Vision, Ultra Steady stabilization and focus lock are available — the exposure was fine.

It's actually possible to use the teleconverter lens in the Hasselblad Master mode with the 3x camera and gain those manual controls, instead of the simplified dedicated mode. However, the image is upside down (since the teleconverter's optical construction comprises mirrors, to keep its size down), plus you lose the digital zoom capabilities — so composing the shot was highly impractical when working in reverse.

The teleconverter is a serious bit of gear, but the mode that's designed to work with it would benefit from inheriting some of the serious controls the phone is capable of (which could be entirely possible with a firmware update).

Still, I found a workaround — with a quick response taking the photo immediately after switching from video recording to photo, I was able to snap shots of the moon before the exposure went too dark again. Not ideal, but it worked.

Here's an unedited photo using the 13x zoom and my quick reactions after switching from video mode, where I got the right exposure for the eclipsed part of the moonTim ColemanSince the previous photo is 12MP, I can easily crop for a tighter shot to give you a closer view hereTim ColemanMeanwhile, this is the same shot but taken using the 30x digital zoom setting. Detail is softer, but it's passable. Tim ColemanHow good are the images?

I wasn't able to compose a shot with the moon framed by landmarks or a point of interest but, simply put, the tripod-mounted Oppo Find X9 Ultra with teleconverter lens delivered the best-quality eclipse photos I've got of the moon so far with a phone.

The 13x setting of the teleconverter is best, but the 30x digital zoom setting is usable too. Detail using the 60x setting was too soft for my liking. But the fact that I've been able to get such a close-up image of the moon during a near-total eclipse, with a phone and teleconverter lens, shows how far smartphone cameras have come.

I'd still opt for my mirrorless or DSLR camera with telephoto lens for the best-quality moon photography but, having previously written off phones for the task, I could happily pack light with just the X9 Ultra instead.

• ViewX's 27-inch display shows 3D images without requiring any glasses at all
• An onboard AI chip converts ordinary 2D footage into spatial 3D content
• Eye tracking runs at 180fps to follow the viewer's head position

ViewX has introduced a 27-inch monitor designed to produce spatial 3D images without requiring users to wear specialized glasses during viewing.

The display belongs to a new range that also includes a 15.6-inch model, with both versions combining conventional and spatial viewing capabilities.

ViewX says its Liber displays use onboard processing and eye tracking to handle several three-dimensional functions directly within the hardware itself.

3D processing without specialized eyewear

The displays support native 4K resolution for conventional content, while maintaining lossless 2D output alongside native 3D refresh capabilities.

An integrated AI system-on-chip can process certain 3D tasks, including converting ordinary 2D content into spatial imagery without relying on another computer.

The company also provides software for computers, allowing compatible games and streaming content to undergo real-time conversion.

ViewX says its eye-tracking system operates at 180fps, allowing the 4K display to monitor viewer position while generating appropriate spatial imagery during use.

Native 3D content can reach the monitor through HDMI, while compatible content can also undergo processing directly through the display's internal hardware.

The system is designed to connect with computers, laptops, consoles, handheld gaming devices, tablets, and smartphones across several operating systems.

It supports Windows, macOS, Android, as well as additional device categories for broader usage.

For users relying upon computer-based processing, ViewX recommends Nvidia RTX 2060-class graphics hardware or equivalent Intel and AMD processing platforms.

The company claims its approach can reduce dependence on host-computer processing for certain applications, particularly when compatible 3D tasks run locally.

The software includes Spatial Gateway, 3D Playground LITE, Depth Transformer, and ViewX Control Tray for managing supported spatial functions and content.

ViewX says its software ecosystem already supports more than 100 games, with examples including God of War and Cyberpunk 2077 among supported titles.

It also lists compatibility with applications such as ReShade, Portval VR, Oku3D, and Geo-11 for additional 3D content and rendering functions.

Tencent partnership and pricing

ViewX developed the display architecture alongside software technologies supplied through a partnership with Tencent, particularly for AI-based 3D processing and content adaptation.

Tencent's technology has also been used with the Abxylute 3D-One gaming device for spatial gaming and conversion functions.

ViewX intends the displays for gaming, entertainment, creative work, healthcare, automotive applications, education, and spatial-computing uses across different environments.

The 15.6-inch model is scheduled to begin shipping in October 2026, while deliveries of the larger 27-inch version are planned for Q1 2027.

The Kickstarter campaign lists the 27-inch display at under $1,200, although specific backing tiers and final retail pricing can vary during development.

A comparable glasses-free 2D/3D display from Lenovo, the ThinkVision 27 3D, is listed at over $2,200 — though Lenovo is an established brand, while ViewX remains an unproven crowdfunding campaign.

As of the time of writing, the project had secured $50,657 against a $2,550 goal from 40 backers, with 31 days remaining.

Disclaimer: We do not recommend or endorse any crowdfunding project. All crowdfunding campaigns carry inherent risks, including the possibility of delays, changes, or non-delivery of products. Potential backers should carefully evaluate the details and proceed at their own discretion.

• Sony reveals 3 new party speakers: ULT Tower 5, ULT Tower 7, and ULT Tower Max
• ULT Tower 5, $449.99 / £349 / AU$549; ULT Tower 7, $649.99/ £499 / AU$799; ULT Max $1,499.99 / £1,299 / AU$1,999
• New circular woofers, multiple sound modes, 360-degree party sound

Sony has revealed three new party speakers and — hurrah! — I’ve had the chance to hear them for myself. The Sony ULT Tower 5, ULT Tower 7, and ULT Tower Max look to offer almighty audio output for parties, DJ sets, or even karaoke sessions, with various ways to play and connect.

These bass-conscious new speakers are built around newly developed large, circular woofers (a departure from Sony's almost rectangular X-Balanced woofer unit, typically seen across the ULT range), and according to Sony, the Max model specifically delivers the most powerful bass in the ULT Power series to date. Their bold designs — which also deviate a fair bit from previous ULT speakers — as well as their massive power outputs and broad connectivity options could make them a major rival for the likes of JBL’s PartyBox models, if the sound is right.

Just how good do Sony’s new ULT speakers sound? I attended an impressive demo and I’ll reveal what I thought shortly. First, let’s run through everything I learned about Sony’s Towers, from technical specifications to nifty new features.

Taking a closer look

(Image credit: Sony)

Let’s look closer at each of the three new ULT Tower speakers, and go through the key technical details.

The ULT Tower 5 is the smallest in the new line-up, but it still packs quite the punch. It contains a 230mm woofer and two tweeters with a 300W maximum power output. Meanwhile, the ULT Tower 7 boasts a larger 280mm woofer, alongside two mid-range units, and four tweeters — two front-facing, and two rear-facing. The rear tweeters are also angled for a wider soundstage. The ULT Tower 7 has a 420W maximum power output.

Finally, the ULT Tower Max is a true beast of a speaker. It has three woofers, two front-facing, one rear-facing. But it also comes with two-midrange units, and four tweeters, two of which are rear-facing. Its high-power amplifier delivers 2,150W of output, making it one of the most powerful party speakers I’ve ever encountered.

I want to focus in on the woofers for a moment, because Sony were really keen to stress the changes made for the new ULT Tower models. Unlike some previous models, the new Towers have circular driver units for the woofers, rather than the ‘X-Balanced’ alternative.

Sony Product Manager Mike Somerset told me: “X-Balanced is fantastic for a smaller, compact system and maximizing the surface area inside — let’s say, for a rectangular speaker unit, you know. And it also delivers a really great, impressive ‘attack’ bass. But with these, we really wanted to emphasize deep bass — and to be able to do that we’ve moved to this circular driver unit”.

The speakers also have large capacity cabinets and ULT Duct tech, which is intended to help each model produce “deeper, more powerful bass with greater authority”.

Do it your way

(Image credit: Sony)

As well as talking up the outrageous power of the ULT Towers, Sony was keen to share the impressive customizability of the speakers. That’s because there are a number of sound modes, all of which are designed for specific situations and genres.

There are two ULT modes. The first, Sony says, is intended to enhance deep bass for “a rich, low frequency sound that makes your heart tremble,” with the second made to ramp things up even further for “even greater power, delivering body-shaking bass and strong sound pressure”.

What’s perhaps more interesting, though, are the ‘Flat’ and ‘Live’ options. As you’d expect, Flat is designed to make a track sound as it was intended to at the mixing desk, with a more neutral, balanced approach. Live, however, is focused on delivering a more spacious sound, with a strong emphasis on vocal clarity.

The speakers were tuned with the help of a number of "Hip-Hop sound creators," including producer, songwriter, and DJ, Dready, who spoke with me about the EQ adjustment process. On the Flat tuning, he said, “That’s how I would have it on a DJ set, because obviously on the controller you have the lows, mids, and highs, and we just gave it a nice blend… so, you know, when people take it, they can express themselves how they want”.

Of course, if you want to personalize things even further, you can connect to the speaker with the Sony Sound Connect app and make use of the multi-band custom equalizer instead.

So…how good do they sound?

(Image credit: Sony)

Do the ULT Tower speakers sound any good? Allow me to go through them one by one.

The ULT Tower 5 arguably impressed me the most, relative to its size and cost. Sure, it leaves out the 360-degree Party Sound feature that the larger models adopt (presumably due to its lack of rear-facing drivers), but its raw power and regimented sound were hard to ignore. When listening to Luther by Kendrick Lamar and SZA, the speaker showed its considerable versatility. The vocal sample in the intro sounded textured and resonant, but then the drive and power of deep bass hit with surprising impact. Bass, though the clear star of the show, sounded controlled yet powerful, and never shrouded vocals in the mids or drums up high.

We cycled between the various sound modes, and the switch between an ‘attack’ bass and deep bass mode was pretty striking. It was incredibly seamless to sift through the different modes using the ULT logo — which also happens to be a button. It’s too early to say if it’s a sure-fire hit, but for £349 (around $470 / AU$660, but these are guesstimates based on the UK pricing right now, since Sony hasn't disclosed official pricing for these regions at the time of writing), the ULT Tower 5 sounded far more impressive than some rivals I’ve tested in its price and size class.

Things got even louder when we switched to the ULT Tower 7. We tried listening to Don’t Start Now by Dua Lipa, and low-frequency sounds were full-bodied, agile, and striking. Treble sounded pretty forward to me, with higher-pitched percussion seeming highly prominent, while vocals sounded clear and well-weighted in the mix.

We also tried out Money by Pink Floyd, which is a great testing track for any speaker. The 360-degree sound seemed pretty effective here, and when pairing two ULT Tower 7s together in stereo mode, the spaciousness of the track was brilliantly recreated. Vocals and guitars sounded tonally accurate and well-separated, but that low-end still came through with immense drive.

Finally, we hopped over to try out the behemoth that is the Sony ULT Tower Max. I’m no stranger to a rave, and the Max made me feel like I was listening to a set at my local venue. I was able to pick a track of my choosing, so I threw on Breather by Chris Stassy. And this perfectly showed off the huge sound of the ULT Tower Max.

The pumping, deep bass was genuinely earth-shaking, and I could almost feel it vibrating through my soul. But spacey sounds in the mid-range still came through cleanly, and were provided plenty of room to express themselves. If you want truly mesmerizing power at a relatively moderate cost (all things considered), then the ULT Tower Max could be one to keep an eye on.

We also tried pairing ten of the ULT models together, and… as you can probably imagine, the results were palpable. Auracast technology allows multiple models to chain together, and even the LED lighting syncs up across each speaker, making for an especially immersive listening experience.

Final thoughts: enticing new designs and competitive pricing

(Image credit: Sony)

The new ULT Towers feel like Sony’s attempt to genuinely take on JBL in the party speaker arena, with the latter being particularly dominant in this field. The party speaker segment has increased in popularity as of late, and we’ve even seen new entrants like Marshall releasing its Bromley 450 and Bromley 750 speakers.

But could the ULT Towers rival the likes of JBL’s Partybox models? Well, at a glance, I think they could. They offer incredible power, more than a lot of mainstream competitors, they have a new design with attractive lighting, refined sound with rounded woofers, and plenty of ways to make them sound right for you. And that’s not to mention the wide connectivity options, including Bluetooth, RCA, XLR, and USB-C.

For the power and features on offer, they’re also priced relatively modestly, with the Tower 5 coming in at $449.99 / £349 AU$549, the Tower 7 at $649.99 / £499 / AU$799, and the ULT Max at $1,499.99 / £1,299 / AU$1,999.

I was also impressed to see the battery life of the speakers, with 30 hours on the ULT Tower 7 and 20 hours on the Tower 5 — that’s quite a lot of playtime given the power demands. And although features such as 360-degree audio and sound modes are exciting, Sound Field Optimization (which analyzes speaker placement and surround noise levels to offer the best sound possible) are even better. That’s something that could really set this model apart.

We’ll have to test the ULT Tower models out for a bit longer to determine whether they can compete with the best, but so far, it’s fair to say that they’ve impressed me.

If you're looking for a good opportunity to upgrade your home office without paying over the odds, I've picked out 12 terrific deals in Amazon's Labor Day sale that will tick most boxes. I've focused primarily on products that combine useful features with decent discounts rather than simply choosing the cheapest options available.

My choices cover everything from keyboards, mice and monitors, to power banks, headphones, Bluetooth speakers, photo printers, and other office accessories. Whether you want to boost your productivity, add some useful new tech, or finally replace something that's been annoying you for ages, there's plenty here to choose from.

TP-Link Deco 7 Pro Tri-Band Wi-Fi 7 BE10000 Whole Home Mesh System

Anker Zolo 20,000mAh Power Bank

Dell 27" 240Hz Monitor

Nothing Ear (3a) Noise Cancelling Earbuds

Logitech Ergo K860 Wireless Ergonomic Split Keyboard With Wrist Rest

Aurzen Roku TV D1R Smart Portable Projector

KYY Triple Screen Laptop Monitor Extender

Terramaster D4 SSD NVMe Enclosure

Liene M100 4x6'' Photo Printer

Bose Quietcomfort Bluetooth Headphones

Anker Soundcore Portable Bluetooth Speaker

Anker 65W Wall Charger

• Shop all of Amazon's Labor Day Sale
• Show Best Buy's Labor Day sale