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• Over half of Gen Z workers feel more productive working from home
• 34% of Gen Z workers believe their workplace does not allow them to focus effectively
• The findings are the result of a survey conducted by Diamond Interiors and YouGov

A new survey has claimed Gen Z employees feel they’re at their most productive working from home, rather than in the workplace, flying in the face of those attempting to get people back into the office.

The Diamond Interiors report notes focusing on work is widely recognized as improving productivity, which might explain the challenge for Gen Z. Home can be quiet, distractions managed, and with the right setup, focused productivity can deliver early completion and potentially the option to finish work early. With a commute to a busy office, this may seem tougher to achieve.

With 53% claiming they feel more productive working from home rather than in the noisy office, the challenge here might not be so much getting people into the office, but what the office really represents.

20-somethings don’t like the office

Over the years, office-based environments have evolved, from closed rooms to open-plan operations, sometimes occupying an entire floor without walls. The noise – for instance in call centers – can be considerable, and the opportunities for distraction soon add up. Throw in the period of enforced remote working from 2020 to 2023, which may also have included a period of university study for Gen Z, and you have a generation that isn’t geared to handle distractions.

The report highlights that 53% of those surveyed in the Gen Z cohort believe that working from home makes them more productive, with 34% blaming the design of the workplace.

“These findings highlight an important challenge facing employers," noted Rebecca Waller, Head Of Design at Diamond Interiors. "While offices remain incredibly valuable for collaboration, many employees are telling us they do not always feel they have the right environment to focus on individual tasks.”

“In many cases, it is not necessarily because employees prefer being at home, but because home environments often offer greater control over noise, interruptions, and comfort.”

Is this the end of the office?

The big question isn’t “how do we successfully move on from the office” – at least, not yet. Rather, it seems to be that offices don’t offer the level of comfort and focus that Gen Z employees need. As Waller says “It is not necessarily because employees prefer being at home, but because home environments often offer greater control over noise, interruptions, and comfort."

She highlights that workspaces need to support methods of working that suit everyone, with open-plan layouts balanced with quieter areas, environments that can avoid distractions. If employers expect Gen Z team members to produce their best work, it’s going to be a choice between home working and finding a workplace design that fosters productivity, not distractions.

After a week of nationwide protests over the direction of Ukraine's military strategy in the ongoing war with Russia, the Ukrainian military has a new commander, Mykhailo Drapatyi. Here's what to know.

(Image credit: Paula Bronstein for NPR)

As TechRadar’s AV tester, I’m always on the lookout for new 4K Blu-rays to test the best TVs and best soundbars with. While I have a pretty healthy catalog, with some top-notch discs, as a 4K Blu-ray fan, it’s exciting to check out new discs to keep testing fresh.

Last month, I tested the Speed Racer 4K Blu-ray and it was a powerhouse. Not only did it deliver staggeringly vibrant colors, but it also had a superb Dolby Atmos soundtrack that demonstrated power and precision, particularly during race sequences. It was one of my top discs of the June 2026 Blu-ray Bounty, and it’s easily one of the most impressive I’ve tested.

This month, a new disc has caught my eye: The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. The second entry in the new Mario Bros set of films, first started in 2023 with The Super Mario Bros., I’m anticipating that The Super Mario Galaxy Movie will have bright, crisp visuals and, hopefully, a great Dolby Atmos soundtrack.

While this was one of my most anticipated discs of July 2026, a first impressions Reddit thread on r/4K Blu-ray from user u/nacthenud got me even more hyped. Not only did they rate the movie’s HDR performance, but also mentioned it in the same breath as Speed Racer. So, I decided to check out how the disc fared on our reference LG G6 OLED TV, one of the best OLED TVs I’ve tested this year.

Phenomenal colors

The Super Mario Galaxy 4K Blu-ray delivers astonshing colors, shown here by the bold and bright Lumas (Image credit: Nintendo / Universal Pictures / Future )

From the moment The Super Mario Galaxy Movie starts, it’s clear just how stunning the 4K disc’s color reproduction is. As Princess Rosalina reads a bedtime story to the Lumas, the small creatures dazzle on screen. Every color, including yellow, green, red and so on, look natural and punchy in equal measure. Thanks to the high HDR highlight brightness, coupled with Dolby Vision support, the Lumas really popped on the LG G6’s screen. If your TV has high brightness with good highlights, you’ll be rewarded in this scene alone.

Soon after, as Rosalina battles Bowser Jr. in his giant robot, the sparkle from her magic, which comes out in vibrant blues, pinks and purples, shimmers on screen. This is also true later as the yellow Luma turns into a star, with the glittery stardust jumping on screen. Again, it’s another showcase of how impactful HDR highlights can look.

Later, as we see Mario and Luigi meet Yoshi for the first time, the 4K presentation gets to show the authenticity of its colors. Yes, Mario’s red jumpsuit and the green of Luigi’s overalls and Yoshi’s skin are striking, but the colors look realistic too. While I expected the colors in this movie to explode on screen as I’d seen in animated flicks like Elemental, these particular colors reminded me more of the lifelike colors I’d seen in The Wild Robot, exhibiting the wonderful depth and realism I liked in the latter.

Colors are both vibrant and authentic throughout the movie, really popping on the LG G6 I used. (Image credit: Nintendo / Universal Pictures / Future )

In complete opposition to that, the neon signs of the games in the casino Peach and Toad arrive at really burst with color. This is where the G6’s highlights and peak brightness were really tested, and it did a great job. If you have a TV with high peak brightness, then again you’ll be rewarded. The same is true with the gold detail on the furnishings around Peach’s castle, as they sparkle as well.

Peach and Rosalina’s dresses are highlights in themselves, really delivering that candy-colored pop alongside the shimmer they both seem to produce. While they’re colors aren’t as natural as the Mario Bros and Yoshi, they’re accurate for the movie and really deliver a nice impact.

Dolby Atmos power

Overhead height channels are well utilized, delivering strong, immersive Dolby Atmos (Image credit: Nintendo / Universal Pictures / Future )

While I anticipated this disc to be a showcase for color, I didn’t expect it to be such a perfect audio powerhouse. Bass is frequently hefty, pushing the limits of the subwoofer of the Samsung HW-Q990C soundbar I was using. As Bowser Jr’s robot stomps towards Rosalina, the rumble from the Q990C’s subwoofer rattled the room and reverberated through the floor. Later, as Fox ignites the engines of the Arwing, this produces some meaty bass, akin to the igniting of the Batmobile’s engine from The Batman, my go-to audio testing scene.

The Dolby Atmos soundtrack here is also very precise. As Luigi launches fire in a panic in a cave, the flames’ trajectory was accurately mapped to the front channels, travelling from right to left across the soundbar. In another scene, as Peach and Toad first fly into space, the sound of the twinkling flight path of the trail behind them is not only mapped accurately, but clearly audible among the rousing, horn-led score, showing the soundtrack’s excellent balance.

The star's flight path is one of the highlights of the disc's Dolby Atmos soundtrack. (Image credit: Nintendo / Universal Pictures / Future )

Surround and height channels are also fully utilized. During the climactic space battle, as Fox pilots the Arwing towards Bowser Jr’s ship, the Arwing travels around the whole ship. This was mapped with real precision first to the front channels, then the rear right, to the rear left and back again, creating a fully immersive feel. It reminded me of the time-bending music sequence in Sinners, which also moved around each channel.

Throughout, there are numerous scenes where characters fly through space, using the star to move from galaxy to galaxy. These are a great demonstration for Atmos, with overhead flight paths actually coming from overhead. The same was true with Fox’s Arwing. As it avoided Bowser’s minions in the space battle, anytime the Arwing moved to the top of the screen, Atmos rendered accurate overhead flight.

Another reference disc

The Super Galaxy Movie is yet another astonishing, reference-quality 4K Blu-ray (Image credit: Nintendo / Universal Pictures / Future )

After watching The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, it’s definitely entering my testing rotation. Not only does it deliver on color and sound, but animation is crisp throughout, with clean-looking animation. Contrast is also powerful, with the dark blues of space contrasting well with the stars, Lumas and even the bright outfits of the main characters.

There are also plenty of bright scenes that will show off a TV’s HDR highlights and brightness, plus there’s some lovely shadow detail. Any scenes with strong light, such as Mario and Luigi with their flames in the cave, or at sunset as Peach gets frustrated, there’s strong shadows cast that look realistic.

This really is a superb 4K disc, and if you’re looking for a bold, colorful and dynamic movie to show off your home theater system, this is one to consider.

Long hours at a screen is the reality for many professionals and gamers, and the Swedish company Arozzi's mission is to make items that enhance the experience, especially ergonomic chairs.

I've already reviewed an electric standing desk by Arozzi — the minimal, reliable and outright impressive Arena Nordico. In this review I focus on one of the company's best office chairs — the Vernazza Supersoft.

If we're going off price and materials used, the Vernazza Supersoft is a premium pick, and following 4-5 months of daily office use, I couldn't be happier. This is the comfiest and most durable office and gaming chair I've regularly parked myself in, and it's an easy recommendation.

Arozzi Vernazza Supersoft: Unboxing and First Impressions

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)

Shipped from Sweden, the Arozzi Vernazza Supersoft came securely packaged in a large box and included the chair backrest, chair base, wheel base, wheels, gas lift column and sleeve and two arm components, plus adjustable lumbar and neck supports, hex screws and a premium dual length hex key tool with rubber handle.

Assembling the chair was a breeze and took me less than 15 minutes in all. Each wheel can be pushed and clicked into place on the wheel base, then flip it around and add the center column and protective plastic casing — gravity does the work.

You then move onto the chair, fixing the back rest and base together through the sturdy steel bracket with hex screws, two on each side. Plastic casing then covers those steel brackets. The seat mechanism attaches to the chair base with four hex screws — it's clearly labeled which way around it goes — while each arm has four hex screws, that's a total of 16.

Once those are all securely fastened to the chair's underside, you're ready to slide it onto the gas lift column and lock it off. The finishing touches are positioning the two memory foam pillows. The instructional video on Arozzi's site walks through the entire assembly.

I was supplied with the premium 'Supersoft' version of the Vernazza and have not tried the standard Soft Fabric version or the PU leather versions. The finish is as described, velvety-soft to the touch, though the padding is decently firm for long stints at a screen. And despite not being a mesh chair, the Supersoft is surprisingly breathable.

Tim ColemanTim ColemanTim ColemanArozzi Vernazza Supersoft: Price and Availability

The Arozzi Vernazza Supersoft is available directly from the Arozzi store for £379 / €449 (or £419 / €499 for the XL version) and ships Europe-wide directly from Sweden, with shipping costs calculated at checkout. The site says shipping is free for orders over €100 and products come with a 'hassle-free' two year warranty. At the time of writing, UK shoppers can get the Vernazza Supersoft for £299 from Currys.

I tested the 'Supersoft' version, which is priciest of the Vernazza range which also includes 'Soft Fabric' and 'PU finishes, at lower price points. Each of the three finishes are available in regular or 'XL' versions. The main difference between the two versions is the suitable user height and maximum weight capacity (check website for details).

Available colors depends on which version of the Vernazza you opt for. The Vernazza Supersoft, for example, comes in nine varieties including the Black - Grey that I opted for, whereas the XL version comes in just three. Other colors include pink, brown, white and pure black, each with their own matching memory foam lumbar cushion.

Optional memory foam arm rests can be purchased for £25 / €30.

Arozzi Vernazza Supersoft: Design & Build QualityTim ColemanTim ColemanTim ColemanTim Coleman

There's nothing particularly exciting about the Vernazza Supersoft's design — it's a typical looking gaming / office chair. However, it's certainly a step up in quality over entry-level models, and the generous choice of colors caters for various tastes.

I've already touched on the firm, supportive and comfortable cushioning and soft-to-the-touch velvet-like fabric — combined, they ooze quality, and the fabric is surprisingly breathable. In fact, Supersoft is a trademarked microfiber fabric which Arozzi says is made up of dust-repellant dense synthetic fibers.

The look and feel of the arms and protective plastic casings which cover the chairs mechanisms, on the other hand, are a little more rudimentary. That said, after months of use, every component still behaves as it did one day one. The plastic casing, and especially the chair's fabric, feel built to last.

Tim ColemanTim ColemanTim ColemanTim ColemanTim ColemanTim Coleman

The arms can be adjusted four ways (Arozzi calls it 4D); height, width, forwards / backwards and angled in / out — the latter is the only button-less adjustment, but has the right level of resistance to avoid accidental adjustments. In general, the button controls are smooth enough, though I'd like to see a greater range of motion for the angled in / out setting.

Class 4 gas lift suspension in the chair softens heavy landings, height adjustments are smooth, while a rocking control on the underside can be employed to lock the chair in an upright position or loosened for it to tilt freely.

The backrest recline function securely extends to a whopping 165-degrees — that's almost horizontal — being lockable in 4-degree increments. Thankfully, the aluminum wheel base is wide and sturdy, so I felt secure laying back even in the maximum reclined position. The wheels are large and glided smoothly over surfaces, even carpet.

Arozzi Vernazza Supersoft: In useTim ColemanTim ColemanTim Coleman

I have used the Arozzi Vernazza Supersoft as my primary office chair and a spot of gaming for four months and counting, with regular full working days at a screen. Put simply, it's the most comfortable chair I've worked in.

Two color-matching memory foam pillows are supplied with the Vernazza Supersoft — one for the lumbar and the other the neck. My lower back can feel stiff after long sessions being seated, but I can attest that the pillows further improve the chair's comfort levels.

Yes, it has the familiar look of many an office / gaming chair, but the premium materials are built to last. Every mechanism has worked perfectly, and the seat is wider than most others that I have previously used, able to fit users of all shapes and sizes.

The regular Supersoft I had is listed as supporting up to 145kg, so it's a truly sturdy chair! It is best suited for users approximately 165-190cm in height. The XL version for larger users can support up to 17pkg and is designed for 180-205cm tall users.

It's probably the Supersoft material that impressed me the most; velvety soft, durable and dust repellant.

Arozzi Vernazza Supersoft: Final verdict

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)

At first glance, the Arozzi Vernazza Supersoft looks like any other gaming / office chair, but once you're seated and using it, the premium quality is immediately evident. The velvet-soft material is highly durable and dust repellant, the memory foam lumbar and neck pillows enhance comfort levels, and every mechanism to adjust the chair's settings work smoothly and reliably. A range of colors further enhances the Vernazza Supersoft's appeal.

First tested: July 2026

For more top office furniture, see our guide to the best standing desks to complete your setup.

Long hours at a screen is the reality for many professionals and gamers, and the Swedish company Arozzi's mission is to make items that enhance the experience, especially ergonomic chairs.

I've already reviewed an electric standing desk by Arozzi — the minimal, reliable and outright impressive Arena Nordico. In this review I focus on one of the company's best office chairs — the Vernazza Supersoft.

If we're going off price and materials used, the Vernazza Supersoft is a premium pick, and following 4-5 months of daily office use, I couldn't be happier. This is the comfiest and most durable office and gaming chair I've regularly parked myself in, and it's an easy recommendation.

Arozzi Vernazza Supersoft: Unboxing and First Impressions

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)

Shipped from Sweden, the Arozzi Vernazza Supersoft came securely packaged in a large box and included the chair backrest, chair base, wheel base, wheels, gas lift column and sleeve and two arm components, plus adjustable lumbar and neck supports, hex screws and a premium dual length hex key tool with rubber handle.

Assembling the chair was a breeze and took me less than 15 minutes in all. Each wheel can be pushed and clicked into place on the wheel base, then flip it around and add the center column and protective plastic casing — gravity does the work.

You then move onto the chair, fixing the back rest and base together through the sturdy steel bracket with hex screws, two on each side. Plastic casing then covers those steel brackets. The seat mechanism attaches to the chair base with four hex screws — it's clearly labeled which way around it goes — while each arm has four hex screws, that's a total of 16.

Once those are all securely fastened to the chair's underside, you're ready to slide it onto the gas lift column and lock it off. The finishing touches are positioning the two memory foam pillows. The instructional video on Arozzi's site walks through the entire assembly.

I was supplied with the premium 'Supersoft' version of the Vernazza and have not tried the standard Soft Fabric version or the PU leather versions. The finish is as described, velvety-soft to the touch, though the padding is decently firm for long stints at a screen. And despite not being a mesh chair, the Supersoft is surprisingly breathable.

Tim ColemanTim ColemanTim ColemanArozzi Vernazza Supersoft: Price and Availability

The Arozzi Vernazza Supersoft is available directly from the Arozzi store for £379 / €449 (or £419 / €499 for the XL version) and ships Europe-wide directly from Sweden, with shipping costs calculated at checkout. The site says shipping is free for orders over €100 and products come with a 'hassle-free' two year warranty. At the time of writing, UK shoppers can get the Vernazza Supersoft for £299 from Currys.

I tested the 'Supersoft' version, which is priciest of the Vernazza range which also includes 'Soft Fabric' and 'PU finishes, at lower price points. Each of the three finishes are available in regular or 'XL' versions. The main difference between the two versions is the suitable user height and maximum weight capacity (check website for details).

Available colors depends on which version of the Vernazza you opt for. The Vernazza Supersoft, for example, comes in nine varieties including the Black - Grey that I opted for, whereas the XL version comes in just three. Other colors include pink, brown, white and pure black, each with their own matching memory foam lumbar cushion.

Optional memory foam arm rests can be purchased for £25 / €30.

Arozzi Vernazza Supersoft: Design & Build QualityTim ColemanTim ColemanTim ColemanTim Coleman

There's nothing particularly exciting about the Vernazza Supersoft's design — it's a typical looking gaming / office chair. However, it's certainly a step up in quality over entry-level models, and the generous choice of colors caters for various tastes.

I've already touched on the firm, supportive and comfortable cushioning and soft-to-the-touch velvet-like fabric — combined, they ooze quality, and the fabric is surprisingly breathable. In fact, Supersoft is a trademarked microfiber fabric which Arozzi says is made up of dust-repellant dense synthetic fibers.

The look and feel of the arms and protective plastic casings which cover the chairs mechanisms, on the other hand, are a little more rudimentary. That said, after months of use, every component still behaves as it did one day one. The plastic casing, and especially the chair's fabric, feel built to last.

Tim ColemanTim ColemanTim ColemanTim ColemanTim ColemanTim Coleman

The arms can be adjusted four ways (Arozzi calls it 4D); height, width, forwards / backwards and angled in / out — the latter is the only button-less adjustment, but has the right level of resistance to avoid accidental adjustments. In general, the button controls are smooth enough, though I'd like to see a greater range of motion for the angled in / out setting.

Class 4 gas lift suspension in the chair softens heavy landings, height adjustments are smooth, while a rocking control on the underside can be employed to lock the chair in an upright position or loosened for it to tilt freely.

The backrest recline function securely extends to a whopping 165-degrees — that's almost horizontal — being lockable in 4-degree increments. Thankfully, the aluminum wheel base is wide and sturdy, so I felt secure laying back even in the maximum reclined position. The wheels are large and glided smoothly over surfaces, even carpet.

Arozzi Vernazza Supersoft: In useTim ColemanTim ColemanTim Coleman

I have used the Arozzi Vernazza Supersoft as my primary office chair and a spot of gaming for four months and counting, with regular full working days at a screen. Put simply, it's the most comfortable chair I've worked in.

Two color-matching memory foam pillows are supplied with the Vernazza Supersoft — one for the lumbar and the other the neck. My lower back can feel stiff after long sessions being seated, but I can attest that the pillows further improve the chair's comfort levels.

Yes, it has the familiar look of many an office / gaming chair, but the premium materials are built to last. Every mechanism has worked perfectly, and the seat is wider than most others that I have previously used, able to fit users of all shapes and sizes.

The regular Supersoft I had is listed as supporting up to 145kg, so it's a truly sturdy chair! It is best suited for users approximately 165-190cm in height. The XL version for larger users can support up to 17pkg and is designed for 180-205cm tall users.

It's probably the Supersoft material that impressed me the most; velvety soft, durable and dust repellant.

Arozzi Vernazza Supersoft: Final verdict

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)

At first glance, the Arozzi Vernazza Supersoft looks like any other gaming / office chair, but once you're seated and using it, the premium quality is immediately evident. The velvet-soft material is highly durable and dust repellant, the memory foam lumbar and neck pillows enhance comfort levels, and every mechanism to adjust the chair's settings work smoothly and reliably. A range of colors further enhances the Vernazza Supersoft's appeal.

First tested: July 2026

For more top office furniture, see our guide to the best standing desks to complete your setup.

Quick choice guide

• Creality Ender 3 V3 SE ($187): Best for beginners
• Creality K1C ($399): Budget enclosed pick
• Creality K2 Pro ($649): Top mid-range
• Creality K2 Plus Combo ($1199): For large prints

We've had some great experiences testing out Creality's range of 3D printers - from beginner-friendly units to machines for large-scale printing projects. So, I was excited to see that plenty of them have been discounted over at Amazon right now. Based on our workshop testing, I've selected the four that are absolutely worth checking out.

For beginners, check out the Creality Ender 3 V3 SE for $187 (was $219). If you're a hobbyist on a budget, the excellent Creality K1C has dropped to $399 (was $499).

For an exceptional mid-range pick, the Creality K2 Pro is now $649 (was $849). And finally, the Creality K2 Plus Combo for $1199 (was $1529) is an easy recommendation for larger 3D printing.

Which 3D printer should you buy?

✅ Choose the Creality Ender 3 V3 SE if...
You want a beginner-friendly 3D printer under $200. This is one of the most affordable, reliable, and easy-to-use machines that's ever undergone our workshop tests.

✅ Choose the Creality K1C if...
You're looking to upgrade from a basic 3D printer without spending more than $400. It's our 3D printing expert's favorite 3D printer, and can handle more materials.

✅ Choose the Creality K2 Pro if...
You're a hobbyist looking for a mid-range all-rounder that hits the sweet spot in terms of speed and accuracy for serious everyday projects.

✅ Choose the Creality K2 Plus if...
You need a large build area for ambitious printing projects like crafting and cosplay accessories.

Creality Ender 3 V3 SE

Still one of the best 3D printers for beginners - especially at this price. We awarded the Creality Ender 3 V3 SE an impressive 4.5 stars after tests, and it stands out to many cheaper units due to the high print quality.View Deal

Why we recommend it

We scored the Creality Ender 3 V3 SE 4.5 stars in our review, with a Highly Recommended award - it's a great 3D printer for beginners at a price that's very accessible. It's almost as cheap as it was over Black Friday, where it sold for $174.

The catch? With its open-frame design, it's not as fast as others and it lacks features like a built-in camera and touchscreen.

Creality K1C

In our tests, we praised the Creality K1C's "all-star specification that will appeal to all levels of users, from education to business to dedicated 3D printing enthusiasts." Amazing budget all-rounder here. View Deal

Why we recommend it

The Creality K1C is our 3D printing expert's favorite machine - it's not an ultra high-end unit, but during our tests it performed brilliantly for a relatively budget machine, suitable for just about everyone. The cheapest I've seen this on Amazon is $369, so while not the lowest ever price, it's still a good deal for what you get here.

The catch? It's not the most accurate 3D printer in this price bracket, but it still beats most rivals if you want the complete package.

Creality K2 Pro

We called Creality's K2 Pro "an exceptional machine capable of producing some of the best 3D prints of any machine in this price bracket." A solid mid-range pick for a range of printing projects. View Deal

Why we recommend it

An unofficial upgrade on the K1C, we called the Creality K2 Pro "an exceptionally good 3D printer" capable of producing some of the best prints in its price bracket in our review, where it scored 4.5 stars and a Highly Recommended award. This is an all-time low price on Amazon, making it unmissable.

The catch? While it supports multi-color 3D printing, it was slow during our workshop testing.

Creality K2 Plus

We called the K2 Plus "an outstanding machine" in our review. It features a large 350mm build volume, 16-color support, dual AI cameras, and an actively heated chamber. The rigid die-cast frame make it ideal for ambitious printing projects.View Deal

Why we recommend it

With a build volume of 350 x 350 x 350mm, the Creality K2 Plus is the one to go for if you want to print larger pieces - in our 4.5-star review, we praised the build quality, features, versatile material support that "ultimately produces outstanding prints." This isn't the cheapest I've seen it on sale, as back in June it hit $1099 - so you might want to wait to save a little more.

The catch? Due to the build volume, this 3D printer has a large footprint that won't be suitable for a lot of spaces.

For more top-performing machines, see our guide to the best 3D printers we've tested.

Best Creality deals in your region

Not in the US? These are the best prices where you are.

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for July 22.

Nature describing the first known transmissible cancer in fish.'/>

For more than a decade, there's been something fishy going on in a lake that straddles Vermont and the province of Quebec. It involves cancer, a kind of catfish, and — possibly — clues about how tumors metastasize.

(Image credit: Joshua Brown)

Need help finding that photo from six years ago? Google Photos and Gemini can help.

Plastic surgery is becoming so normalized and undetectable, it's changing our relationship to reality. The New Yorker staff writer Jia Tolentino considers how beauty standards have dovetailed with AI.

HostDeal helps agencies run unlimited websites with domains, backups, SSL, email, storage, and dev tools.

The post Get HostDeal for $149.99 and Give Every New Website Somewhere to Go appeared first on TechRepublic.

• Kaspersky detailed ransomware cases in Colombia and Mexico where attackers exploited misconfigured systems
• Victims’ drives were locked with BitLocker, ransom notes printed via office printers
• New group “XEntry Team” claimed responsibility; misconfigurations remain a major breach risk

Cybercriminals have, in true Hollywood fashion, started using office printers to notify victims they were struck by ransomware.

Security researchers at Kaspersky have detailed two incidents which recently took place, one in Colombia, and one in Mexico, where cybercriminals took advantage of misconfigured systems.

However both had the same outcome - the attackers used BitLocker to lock down key drives, and then used office printers to print out their ransom notes.

XEntry Team claims the attacks

In Colombia, a machine containing eight terabytes of mission-critical data had its Endpoint Protection Platform (EPP) disabled due to compatibility issues. It also had an internet-exposed Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) running, which enabled relatively easy access for the attackers.

The Mexico attack was somewhat different. Three months before springing to action, the attackers discovered misconfigurations in the MSSQL service which granted them privileged access to the target environment. They spent the next couple of months lowering the server’s security settings, dropping web shells, and even though some triggered EPP alarms, the victims never investigated thoroughly.

In the Colombia case, the attackers asked for only $3,000, an offer the victims quickly accepted. Therefore, there was not enough forensic evidence left behind to conduct a thorough investigation. Kaspersky did not say how much money the attackers asked for in the Mexico case, or if the victims ended up paying or not.

In both cases, the attackers did not exploit a vulnerability, or even target an oblivious employee with social engineering. Instead, they exploited misconfigurations, which continue to be one of the biggest causes of breaches and data leaks.

“We strongly recommend configuring the RDP in strict accordance with cybersecurity best practices to prevent unauthorized access,” Kaspersky warned. “This is especially critical: according to our Global Report: Anatomy of a Cyber World, more than 13% of incidents are related to policy violations and configuration errors, confirming that misconfigurations continue to pose a significant risk.”

The attacks were done by a group calling itself “XEntry Team”. There are no prior reports of this group, and it is either a previously unknown threat actor, or a simple rebrand.

• Four original Xbox titles just arrived on PC
• The games are all available to buy or via any Xbox Game Pass plan
• They're part of a new Xbox backward compatibility on PC program

Microsoft just launched a new Xbox backward compatibility on PC program that makes it possible to officially play a selection of original Xbox games on Windows for the very first time.

As detailed in a new Xbox Wire post, the program is geared towards both traditional laptops and desktops in addition to handheld PCs such as the ROG Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X and currently includes four games: Blinx: The Time Sweeper, Conker: Live and Reloaded, Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge, and Fuzion Frenzy. These can be purchased individually or accessed with any Xbox Game Pass plan (yes, even the budget-oriented Essential tier).

All of these titles have never been officially released on PC before. They were, however, already available on Xbox consoles via backward compatibility and if you have previously purchased a license on Xbox One or Xbox Series X and Series S it will now carry over to PC.

They're not just basic ports either. There are new graphics features like up to 4x resolution upscaling, vsync, anisotropic filtering, and enhanced anti-aliasing. A new achievement system is also in the works and will be added to these four titles some time in the coming months.

The release of these games is presumably just the beginning, and I'm hoping that we will see more and more original Xbox exclusives come over to PC. It not only gives consumers a convenient way to experience classic games on a new platform, but also forms an important part of digital preservation by keeping these releases readily accessible on modern hardware.

It's also a big win for PC gamers, who previously would have had to shell out for dedicated Xbox console hardware in order to play these releases.

If you're interested in checking any of them out, you can see the minimum and recommended system requirements below to make sure your machine is up to scratch.

Minimum system requirements:

• GPU: Nvidia GTX 950 or AMD Radeon RX 550 or Intel UHD 770 or Intel Arc A310
• CPU: Min 4 Cores Intel Core i3-8100 or AMD Ryzen 3 1200 or AMD Ryzen Z2 A Processor
• RAM: 8GB
• OS: Windows 11

Recommended system requirements:

• GPU: Radeon RX 68005 or Nvidia GTX 1070 Ti or Intel Arc A770 
• CPU: 6 cores and 12 threads Intel Core i5-10400 or AMD Ryzen 5 3600 or AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme 
• DirectX Version: DirectX12 API, Hardware Feature Level 11 
• GPU VRAM: 8GB 
• OS: Windows 11

Also make sure that your operating system and drivers are up to date.

Can't decide what kind of coffee you'd like in the morning? De'Longhi has just launched a new coffee maker that can prepare both hot and cold espresso drinks — and even drip coffee if you're in the mood for something different. The De'Longhi Magnifica Duo offers a menu of 20 preset drinks, which you can choose with a quick finger-tap.

If you want to fine-tune your coffee, there are three user profiles, which let you save drinks with custom size, intensity, and temperature settings.

The Magnifica Duo is a successor to the Magnifica Evo Next, which our reviewer Josephine Watson awarded four stars out of five. The Duo has a similar look, and should be just as simple to use, but with the ability to prepare authentic cold-extracted espresso as well.

Unlike some other bean-to-cup coffee makers, which pour a shot of hot espresso over a cup of ice, the Magnifica Duo extracts espresso using cool water directly from the tank and passes it through the freshly-ground coffee beans more slowly to achieve a mellow, but still well-rounded flavor without bitterness.

(Image credit: De'Longhi)

Not only that, the Magnifica Duo also has a pair of swappable carafes for preparing hot and cold milk foam, so you can easily make iced lattes and cappuccinos. It's the same LatteCrema Hot and Cool system used by the De'Longhi Primadonna Aromatic, and is quite ingenious.

With the Hot and Cool system, milk never enters the machine itself, so you don't need to worry about any buildup inside, and each carafe can be disassembled into a few dishwasher-safe parts for quick and hygienic cleaning. It works with both and plant-based milks too, and in my experience testing the Primadonna Aromatic it delivered excellent results with both.

The De'Longhi Magnifica Duo is available now for $999.95 in the US, and £699.99 in the UK. That's about AU$1,350, though it hasn't launched in Australia just yet. I'm hoping to test it soon to see whether it can earn a place in our roundups of the best coffee makers and best espresso machines.

Microsoft's range of tools, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams, are very popular. However, not as many people know that Microsoft also offers a very capable AI video editor called Clipchamp, which comes bundled with its Personal and Business plans.

In this article, we put Clipchamp to the test. We'll examine the various features it offers, its plans, ease of use, and how it compares to its competitors to find out whether it delivers value for the money it charges and whether it's the right tool for your needs.

Clipchamp: Plans and pricing

Clipchamp offers one of the most generous free video editor plans we've seen among AI editing tools. You can edit videos using AI, trim, crop, resize, and rotate assets, as well as add animated text and titles. The free plan supports up to 1080p HD video resolution, along with limited access to royalty-free stock assets such as stickers, images, videos, GIFs, sound effects, and music.

The premium plan, on the other hand, supports up to 4K UHD video resolution and includes unlimited access to premium stock assets, premium filters and effects, and a single brand kit. However, Microsoft doesn't offer a standalone subscription to Clipchamp. Instead, it comes bundled with Microsoft 365 Personal, Family, and Business plans.

(Image credit: Microsoft)

The Microsoft 365 Personal plan is priced at around $99.99 per year and comes with a host of other Microsoft apps, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, along with Microsoft Copilot.

The Family plan costs $129.99 per year, while the Microsoft 365 Business Premium plan costs $22 per user per month and the Microsoft 365 Business Standard plan costs $14 per user per month. Both Business plans include Clipchamp.

That said, the tool can turn out to be expensive if you're purchasing a Microsoft 365 subscription solely to use Clipchamp. However, if you're already a Microsoft user or have a Microsoft 365 Personal, Family, or Business plan, Clipchamp is an obvious pick.

Clipchamp: Features

(Image credit: Microsoft)

Clipchamp is primarily a video editing tool that incorporates a wide range of AI features to make the editing process much easier.

For instance, there's AI text-to-speech, which helps you generate AI voiceovers for your videos in over 80 languages. You can choose from 400 voices and even adjust the pitch or emotion to suit your videos.

Then there's AI silence removal, which can remove unwanted pauses from your videos, as well as an AI noise suppression feature that gets rid of background noise, mic static, and echoes in your audio and video tracks to improve clarity.

Additionally, there's a very handy AI background removal feature that lets you replace the background of any image with stock images, videos, or even solid colors.

(Image credit: Microsoft)

You can also enable auto-captions for your videos, where Clipchamp's AI accurately transcribes your audio in the language of your choice. You can even download your subtitle transcript in just a few clicks.

Now, besides helping you edit videos with AI, Clipchamp also uses AI to generate videos, but not from prompts. You can upload your files using its Create a video with AI feature, which auto-composes a video using user-supplied media. You simply have to choose a style and the length of the video, then wait for Clipchamp's AI to get to work.

(Image credit: Microsoft)

One of the best things about Clipchamp is its rich collection of stock assets and templates. You'll find hundreds of elements, such as backgrounds, overlays, frames, shapes, stickers, emojis, audio, music, and text styles, within the editor itself.

There's also a vast collection of templates for various platforms and use cases, whether it's Instagram or YouTube, or videos for corporate presentations, celebrations, social media ads, or even memes.

You also get four built-in recording options with Clipchamp: Camera, Screen, Camera and Screen, and Text-to-Speech. Simply grant the app access to your webcam and microphone, select the window, tab, or desktop you want to record, and click Share. This comes in particularly handy if you regularly use a free screen recorder to create or edit your videos.

Clipchamp: Interface and in use

You'll need your Microsoft login details to use Clipchamp. Once you're logged in, you'll see a very clean interface that feels beginner-friendly. You'll get two options at the top: Create a new video or Create a video with AI. If you simply want to edit a video, click on the first option.

(Image credit: Future)

The editing interface is divided into three panels. The central pane is where you can preview your videos, along with a horizontal timeline at the bottom. On the left-hand side, you'll find all the editing options and elements, such as the content library, templates, text, and transitions. You can select any element you want to add to your video.

Individual settings for every element you add appear on the right-hand side when selected. For instance, if you add an audio track and click on it in the timeline, all the audio-related settings appear in the right-hand panel.

Editing in Clipchamp is as simple as dragging and dropping. Simply drag a clip from your library onto the timeline to start a new project. Then choose any element you want and drag and drop it onto the timeline. Repeat the process until you've added and edited all the elements you need.

Clipchamp: How we tested

We used Clipchamp's free version to test its editing capabilities. We first clicked on Create a New Video, which opened a blank dashboard. We started by importing media and adding a small five-second clip to test it out. Once imported, we simply dragged it to the timeline at the bottom to begin editing.

First up, we found basic video settings on the right-hand side, such as filters and effects. We played around with the free filters, including Golden Hour and Vibrant Blogger. Each filter comes with an intensity slider, allowing you to choose how strongly you want it to be applied. The same goes for the effects.

Once we had edited the video, we started testing the elements in the left-hand panel. We first recorded a short voiceover and added it to our video. We then browsed through Clipchamp's audio selection and chose a soft rain background track.

(Image credit: Future)

Note that much of the music and audio selection is only available on the premium plan. That said, there's still a fair collection included in the free plan.

A nice touch is that you can search its vast content library using keywords in the search bar, which saves you from scrolling through its extensive collection of assets. Overall, the editing experience was pretty smooth, and we didn't encounter a significant learning curve.

Clipchamp: Alternatives

While Clipchamp uses AI to help you edit videos, it cannot generate AI images or videos from prompts. If that's what you're looking for, you'll need to consider tools like Veed or Kapwing.

Veed, for instance, allows you to generate AI videos using various models such as Seedance, Luma Ray, PixVerse 4.5, and more. You can also generate AI avatars with over 60 character options. One of Veed's biggest strengths is its wide selection of subtitle options, including dynamic and auto-generated subtitles. Starting at $12 per user per month, Veed is a good pick if you're looking for a mix of AI generation and editing.

If you're looking for something more professional, InVideo is a great choice. Along with its proprietary Agent One, it lets you create professional short videos, films, and cinematic content using conversational prompts. Built for filmmakers and other creative professionals, it can create promotional videos, animated videos, advertisements, and explainers. That said, InVideo is on the expensive side, with plans starting at $17 per month.

If you're looking for something more affordable, we'd recommend Filmora, which starts at just $4.17 per month. Although it can also help you create AI videos and images, Filmora is a more advanced video editing platform that lets you edit videos using simple AI prompts instead of doing everything manually on the editing dashboard. Along with this, it has also introduced features such as animated charts and AI video extenders to help you achieve better editing results.

Clipchamp: Final verdict

Microsoft Clipchamp is a very handy video editing tool that's surprisingly beginner-friendly while offering several advanced features at the same time. For instance, you get an AI auto-compose feature that lets you upload media and generate AI videos by simply selecting the style and length of your video.

Moreover, it comes with AI text-to-speech in over 80 languages, along with AI silence removal and background removal features, which come in particularly handy. There are also plenty of stock assets, including templates, effects, filters, stock audio, and music, that you can choose from, even on the free plan.

Editing is incredibly straightforward, too. All you have to do is drag and drop your videos and the elements you want to add to your final output. However, one downside is that you cannot generate AI videos or images from prompts.

Also, Clipchamp doesn't offer standalone pricing or plans and is only available as part of Microsoft 365 subscriptions, which start at $99.99 per year for Personal plans and $14 per user per month for Business plans. This can be quite expensive compared to dedicated AI video generators and editors such as Filmora or Adobe Firefly.

We've tested a range of video makers and editors, including the best video editing software, the best video editing apps and the best free video editing software.

• The Army previously urged workers to get behind AI, offering them unlimited tokens
• Limits have been reinstated by the long-term future is less certain
• Iran operation saw token consumption skyrocket

The US Army has reportedly been forced to reinstate limits on GenAI use after workers quickly used the full allowance of tokens early, revealing that even one of the most well-funded agencies in the world can't keep up with AI's unpredictable and rising costs.

In May 2026, it was revealed that the Army would give users unlimited tokens, but by mid-June that token pool had already run dry.

Now an internal email, verified by Wired, confirmed that these limits have had to be reintroduced as a result, with usage renewed at its current level for the time being.

US Army struggling to keep up with AI token spend

Token availability beyond October 2026 remains uncertain, though, with the Army likely worried about rising costs.

"Apparently the whole Army burned through the whole year of tokens for just one service," an unnamed employee told Wired.

As for the intricacies, Wired reports that an annual enterprise pack for Ask Sage, the Army's chosen AI platform, contained 100 million tokens – enough for around 200,000 tokens per employee per month. Users who exhausted their initial allocations were automatically allocated more, though, making the cap virtually pointless.

To put quantities into perspective, the Defense Department reportedly used 20 billion AI tokens per day during its 38-day Operation Epic Fury in Iran.

More broadly, workers have been actively encouraged to use generative AI across the breadth of their roles so that the Army could find out exactly where the tech could seriously improve productivity.

Army aside, this particular case is the perfect example of how aggressive AI pushes might not always consider the impacts of cost., and with many AI vendors now shifting to unpredictable consumption-based or output-based models over flat per-seat subscriptions, it's becoming increasingly harder to predict and allocate budgets.

• Nvidia again showed off DLSS 5 at its Siggraph 2026 keynote
• Team Green made it clear that developers will have a level of control, with a choice of three different AI models
• There will be two sliders to play with, and masks to keep DLSS 5 from interfering with game assets where it's not wanted – but many gamers think devs should have much more control than this

Nvidia has given us another showing of DLSS 5, the incoming tech for its GeForce GPUs which received a very stormy reception when first revealed at GTC 2026 – and unsurprisingly, changes have been made in the past few months.

Tom's Hardware reports that Nvidia revealed more about how DLSS 5 will be implemented at Siggraph 2026 over in Los Angeles, where the tech was the foremost topic in Team Green's keynote.

Nvidia was keen to point out how it has changed the neural rendering model in some key ways since DLSS 5 was first announced. Of course, it's obvious that a lot of this is about combating the idea that the tech is 'AI slop' which makes games look worse rather than better, and characters (particularly faces) look bad and have that undesirable 'uncanny valley' effect. And indeed the criticism that DLSS 5 is messing with the art direction and overall feel of a game's graphics.

On the latter point, back at the original reveal, Nvidia stressed that it would give game developers control over the end result with DLSS 5, and now we're seeing how this will work. Team Green has brought in three different AI models which offer varying levels of detail (and impact on performance), so devs can choose between three different filters, essentially.

This isn't a game-wide choice, though, as the developer can apply any of those models to any different scene, mixing and matching as needed. There are also two sliders to adjust the 'structure' and 'tone' intensity of the effects.

On top of that, the developer can mask off any game asset where they don't want DLSS 5 to be applied. That's good news as it means that, for example, character's heads (and faces) could be marked as out-of-bounds, and therefore not subject to Nvidia's tech. The developer could just get DLSS 5 to enhance background objects and details, and maybe only in a relatively minor way (by toning down those intensity sliders).

To clarify, DLSS 5 is essentially an AI filter that sits atop the existing DLSS suite of technology. Underneath that, you still have upscaling (and frame generation), and Nvidia applies what's essentially a photorealism filter on top of that in the form of this new neural rendering model.

If you want to grab some popcorn, Nvidia's full Siggraph presentation is available to watch on YouTube, check it out below. All the DLSS 5 stuff is at the start (well, past the usual preamble).

Analysis: a step forward, but the doubters remain

Has Nvidia managed to placate the DLSS 5 haters, then? No, in a word. Did you really think it would?

As one Redditor put it: "I had so much hope for DLSS in the early days, what a dumpster fire it's turned into."

Another observed: "So just confirming what anyone with a basic understanding of AI already knew. Glorified Instagram filter."

To be fair, in general the reaction has been somewhat more positive compared to the original reveal, and clearly it's a good thing that game developers can at least keep 'yassified' faces out of the mix with characters. Clearly, there is a level of control here, but despite Nvidia treading more carefully in this respect, there's still a feeling that it isn't doing enough.

A choice of three AI models and a pair of intensity sliders is relatively limited, really, and a far cry from anything like a full level of control over how DLSS 5 imposes itself on a game. Although admittedly there's still some way to go before DLSS 5 comes out – it'll supposedly arrive later this year, in the fall (so theoretically any time from September through to November) – and Nvidia could put in additional controls before the launch.

Aside from disappointment around the level of control Nvidia is giving devs, the other beef being raised is how much of a performance hit this AI filter might be burdened with. When Nvidia first demoed DLSS 5, it was running on a pair of RTX 5090 graphics cards, and in this more recent outing, there's no mention of the hardware involved.

It's fairly easy to guess that the GPU demands haven't been meaningfully reduced yet, otherwise Nvidia would likely be shouting about that – and this is being read as a worry by some. I get where they're coming from, although Nvidia has clarified that the tech will run on a single graphics card (it'll have to, of course), adding at Siggraph that DLSS 5 is "VRAM efficient" (a nicely vague assertion).

I'd expect it probably won't run on anything less than an RTX 5080 to begin with, or indeed an RTX 5090. And the other fear is that the initial incarnation could be quite rough in terms of artifacts and the like, and that's a danger with the first take on any tech. Just look at the original DLSS (version 1), which suffered from blurriness and glitches, before they were polished out and it became a seriously impressive upscaler. Perhaps the same will be true of DLSS 5, but there's a long road ahead yet, and notably, a lot more doubts and question marks here.

I'll level with you: I was never the biggest fan of The Big Bang Theory. I held a torch for Young Sheldon like my life depended on it and was even happy to give Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage, but something has always felt off with TBBT in my eyes.

Maybe it was the bright lights and constant laugh track, or maybe it was the fact that I always felt too dumb to understand the nerdy science at its core. But there's good news — new HBO Max spinoff Stuart Fails to Save the Universe has made me feel like a born-again sitcom fan.

Logically, a TBBT spinoff should have followed Sheldon (Jim Parsons), Leonard (Johnny Galecki) or Howard (Simon Helberg) in their days after Caltech. That was what the fans wanted, right? Some even outright lobbied for Young Leonard, which would have been worthwhile for Christine Baranski screentime alone.

What we weren't expecting was a reality where awkward coming book owner Stuart (Kevin Sussman) accidentally triggered a multiverse Armageddon after breaking a device supposedly built by Sheldon and Leonard.

Together with on-off girlfriend Denise (Lauren Lapkus), as well as friends Kripke (John Ross Bowie) and Bert (Brian Posehn), they land in a different universe in each episode. It's something that should seem like a wildly complicated framework that runs away from us, but it's actually a solid foundation for some really silly fun.

Creators Chuck Lorre, Bill Prady and Zak Penn have thrown everything and everyone's kitchen sinks into Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, and objectively, it's whip smart. Does it always fall on its feet? No. But you've got to have a huge amount of respect for something that swings so big and boldly.

Stuart Fails to Save the Universe is a breath of fresh air amongst TV that takes itself too seriously

The problem with something that's so dependent on its relatively complex premise is that you have to wade through a bit of metaphorical treacle in order for the TV show to feel effortless. Annoyingly, Stuart Fails to Save the Universe suffers from this, but I think the payoff is more than worth it.

Like a baby being taught to walk for the first time, we're handheld through explanations of Sheldon's device, how universe transportation works, how we ended up here in the first place, and what this means for what we might see across the season's remaining nine episodes (no spoilers here, don't worry).

I've never studied at Caltech and never plan to, but this is essentially a 25-minute crash course in things beyond most of our understanding. But once that's all out of the way, we relax into the laughs, stupidity and self-poking fun... and boy is the creative team coming in hot with self-awareness.

If the core storyline isn't doing it for you, there's an abundance of other intricately shrewd details to keep you occupied. Each of the episodes 10 title sequences are subtly different from each other, ensuring that we're engaged rather than committing the mortal sin of skipping through the credits.

On top of that, there's an extra layer of fun wrapped up in guessing what's going to be wrong with the next universe. Will its population have caterpillar bodies? Will they eat food with lizard tongues like that Treehouse of Horror episode of The Simpsons? The guessing never ends!

Ultimately, it's this sense of endlessness that is Stuart Fails to Save the Universe's biggest strength. The comedy could hypothetically run for 30 seasons and never lose its sense of freshness and wonder. What is continuity when you're constantly leaping through different universes?

This is an incredibly rare chance to be bold in the landscape of TV storytelling, and not only do I think HBO Max will continue to take it, but fan demand will be high — investing in something feels more worthwhile when there's (literal) infinite potential.

It's both a blessing and a curse for Big Bang Theory fans

(Image credit: HBO Max)

For existing TBBT fans, however, Stuart Fails to Save the Universe signifies a different kind of importance. There's existing lore hanging over the concept of the spinoff itself, with fans theorizing that ideas like The Council of Sheldons, seen in TBBT season 11 episode 3, could return here.

The beauty of this spinoff is that you don't really need to know the first thing about TBBT to understand it, but Easter eggs are still effectively woven into its fabric. Aside from the mechanics of Sheldon and Leonard's device, the overall lore isn't too dense or meta. However, as the original synopsis suggested, TBBT cameos will appear at different points throughout the season.

Who? I will not say. But it's important to note that not everyone has returned — this isn't a reunion special. This is bound to cause some friction among the existing fanbase, but packaging Stuart Fails to Save the Universe as a flat-out TBBT 2.0 would almost have been belittling.

The threads that have been taken forward are smart choices, and we certainly get bang for our buck when it comes to screentime and plot inclusion. Plus, this is a 'never say never' situation... in infinite universes, anything can happen, and anyone can appear.

Has 'King of Sitcoms' Chuck Lorre done it again? You bet. Stuart Fails to Save the Universe is a TV triumph that I never expected, and with episodes ranging from 18-25 minutes in length, you'll be left longing for more.

Stuart Fails to Save the Universe drops on HBO Max weekly from July 23.

I'll level with you: I was never the biggest fan of The Big Bang Theory. I held a torch for Young Sheldon like my life depended on it and was even happy to give Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage, but something has always felt off with TBBT in my eyes.

Maybe it was the bright lights and constant laugh track, or maybe it was the fact that I always felt too dumb to understand the nerdy science at its core. But there's good news — new HBO Max spinoff Stuart Fails to Save the Universe has made me feel like a born-again sitcom fan.

Logically, a TBBT spinoff should have followed Sheldon (Jim Parsons), Leonard (Johnny Galecki) or Howard (Simon Helberg) in their days after Caltech. That was what the fans wanted, right? Some even outright lobbied for Young Leonard, which would have been worthwhile for Christine Baranski screentime alone.

What we weren't expecting was a reality where awkward coming book owner Stuart (Kevin Sussman) accidentally triggered a multiverse Armageddon after breaking a device supposedly built by Sheldon and Leonard.

Together with on-off girlfriend Denise (Lauren Lapkus), as well as friends Kripke (John Ross Bowie) and Bert (Brian Posehn), they land in a different universe in each episode. It's something that should seem like a wildly complicated framework that runs away from us, but it's actually a solid foundation for some really silly fun.

Creators Chuck Lorre, Bill Prady and Zak Penn have thrown everything and everyone's kitchen sinks into Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, and objectively, it's whip smart. Does it always fall on its feet? No. But you've got to have a huge amount of respect for something that swings so big and boldly.

Stuart Fails to Save the Universe is a breath of fresh air amongst TV that takes itself too seriously

The problem with something that's so dependent on its relatively complex premise is that you have to wade through a bit of metaphorical treacle in order for the TV show to feel effortless. Annoyingly, Stuart Fails to Save the Universe suffers from this, but I think the payoff is more than worth it.

Like a baby being taught to walk for the first time, we're handheld through explanations of Sheldon's device, how universe transportation works, how we ended up here in the first place, and what this means for what we might see across the season's remaining nine episodes (no spoilers here, don't worry).

I've never studied at Caltech and never plan to, but this is essentially a 25-minute crash course in things beyond most of our understanding. But once that's all out of the way, we relax into the laughs, stupidity and self-poking fun... and boy is the creative team coming in hot with self-awareness.

If the core storyline isn't doing it for you, there's an abundance of other intricately shrewd details to keep you occupied. Each of the episodes 10 title sequences are subtly different from each other, ensuring that we're engaged rather than committing the mortal sin of skipping through the credits.

On top of that, there's an extra layer of fun wrapped up in guessing what's going to be wrong with the next universe. Will its population have caterpillar bodies? Will they eat food with lizard tongues like that Treehouse of Horror episode of The Simpsons? The guessing never ends!

Ultimately, it's this sense of endlessness that is Stuart Fails to Save the Universe's biggest strength. The comedy could hypothetically run for 30 seasons and never lose its sense of freshness and wonder. What is continuity when you're constantly leaping through different universes?

This is an incredibly rare chance to be bold in the landscape of TV storytelling, and not only do I think HBO Max will continue to take it, but fan demand will be high — investing in something feels more worthwhile when there's (literal) infinite potential.

It's both a blessing and a curse for Big Bang Theory fans

(Image credit: HBO Max)

For existing TBBT fans, however, Stuart Fails to Save the Universe signifies a different kind of importance. There's existing lore hanging over the concept of the spinoff itself, with fans theorizing that ideas like The Council of Sheldons, seen in TBBT season 11 episode 3, could return here.

The beauty of this spinoff is that you don't really need to know the first thing about TBBT to understand it, but Easter eggs are still effectively woven into its fabric. Aside from the mechanics of Sheldon and Leonard's device, the overall lore isn't too dense or meta. However, as the original synopsis suggested, TBBT cameos will appear at different points throughout the season.

Who? I will not say. But it's important to note that not everyone has returned — this isn't a reunion special. This is bound to cause some friction among the existing fanbase, but packaging Stuart Fails to Save the Universe as a flat-out TBBT 2.0 would almost have been belittling.

The threads that have been taken forward are smart choices, and we certainly get bang for our buck when it comes to screentime and plot inclusion. Plus, this is a 'never say never' situation... in infinite universes, anything can happen, and anyone can appear.

Has 'King of Sitcoms' Chuck Lorre done it again? You bet. Stuart Fails to Save the Universe is a TV triumph that I never expected, and with episodes ranging from 18-25 minutes in length, you'll be left longing for more.

Stuart Fails to Save the Universe drops on HBO Max weekly from July 23.

If you thought the whole point of a foldable smartphone with multiple screens was that “one size does not fit all,” then you were only half right. It seems that we’re rapidly entering the era of multiple foldable phone size choices with — no surprise — Samsung in the lead.

That’s just one reason why now, in addition to the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 and the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, we have the unusually proportioned Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8, a flexible smartphone that, when folded closed, is quite close to the dimensions of a passport. All three of the new devices were officially unveiled at Samsung Galaxy Unpacked on July 22, and you can read our first impressions in our Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra preview and Galaxy Z Fold 8 preview.

After Samsung flew me out to visit its factories, meet its executives, and see these new foldables in person, I must’ve asked a dozen times: Why did you make this? Who is it for? I expect you'll be wondering the same thing.

(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

There’s no arguing that the Galaxy Z Fold 8 (taking over the base name for the thinner and larger Z Fold 8 Ultra) is a compelling device. But the 10:61 aspect ratio of the 5.5-inch external display (it’s both wider and shorter than any typical flagship) and the opened 7.6-inch internal display, with its 4:3 aspect ratio, is almost unlike any handset we’ve seen in modern smartphone history.

The unusual size gives the Galaxy Z Fold 8 standout specs. At 201g, it’s the new folding phone weight leader. Unfolded, the screen resembles in size and dimensions your average Kindle e-reader (as a content-first handset, this makes some sense).

Different, yet the sameLance Ulanoff / FutureLance Ulanoff / FutureLance Ulanoff / Future

As part of the folding phone family, the Z Fold 8 does share some specs with its larger sibling. Both have the new titanium-backed folding screens that are stronger than the older polymer-backed ones, but also more resilient thanks to the properties of the new, ultra-thin titanium-alloy sheet. I took a closer look at this new screen technology in my deep dive with Samsung Display. As with the Ultra unfolded, the screen on the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is virtually flat and has an almost unnoticeable bezel.

Both the Fold 8 Ultra and Fold 8 screens support a peak brightness of 3,000 nits and feature a new anti-reflective coating. Like the Ultra, the Fold 8 has a large (in this case, 4,800mAh) silicon-carbon battery with exceptional claimed battery life and fast wired (45W with a 69% charge in 30 mins) and wireless (20W Qi2) charging capabilities.

But this is not an Ultra device. There are just two external cameras: a 50MP wide and 50MP ultra. So maybe this is a device focused less on content creation than it is on content consumption. Even so, it's backed by the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chipset as the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra (and Z Flip 8), as well as the same 12GB of memory, which means it’ll be no slouch on the performance side.

Still, knowing the specs doesn’t answer why the Z Fold 8 exists and how Samsung expects to sell it to consumers.

Why and how we got here @techradar

♬ original sound - TechRadar

As executives walked me through the new foldable devices, they called the Z Fold 8’s screen size “The new standard for viewing content.” Samsung believes that the 4:3 aspect ratio on the 7.6-inch foldable display is what consumers have been craving (even if they didn’t know it themselves). The result of this unusual screen size is that, in landscape mode, videos viewed on the screen feature shallower black bezels on the top and bottom for a more immersive experience. I did see this in numerous demos, though I kept thinking, “The black bars are smaller, but still there.”

When reading comics in portrait mode, though, the contrasty images filled the screen. It was a nice effect.

(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

It’s also worth noting that the wider cover display, which accommodates a wider keyboard, makes for a slightly more pleasant texting experience.

When I spoke to Samsung Display executives about the new size, they told me that it wasn’t that they could not build this unusual size sooner. Instead, it was more about what they’ve learned about how people used their other foldables. The Flip seems to be more about self-expression, while the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and its predecessors, especially those that support multitasking, are about productivity and utility (though, since the Fold 7 lost support for the S Pen, they're no longer about drawing).

The new Galaxy Z Fold 8 sits in the middle. Sure, it’ll run the same One UI 9 platform, the usual smorgasbord of Galaxy and Gemini AI, and support multi-window navigation (including a new AI-based context-aware ability to sense when you need multi-windows and offer it up with a click). But the design speaks to those who primarily read, browse the web, watch videos, or scroll through endless TikToks and Reels.

Settling on a design

Getting to this rather unusual design wasn’t easy. When I asked Samsung EVP & Head of CX Office, Jay Kim, just how many designs were cast aside before arriving on the passport look, he told me, “Oh, so many, so many. I mean, because you need to have a size for the color screen, you need to have a size for the inside, and you know, you have to look at the display yield and everything around the technology around it, and you know it's a balance between thickness and weight, performance and everything about the product.”

In that design was a clear recognition of a perhaps underserved target market: “We realize that there's enough of a segment where consumers are very heavy on media, and basically you consume social media, you consume videos, you play games, and you read books in a most similar form factor. So, basically, we came up with a phone that's actually a very content native device.”

One thing is certain: the size and shape of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is sure to provoke a reaction. The first time I held it, I was sort of amused. The folded size feels almost playful, but it’s also a very useful cover display. Opened, I noted the familiarity, especially in portrait mode, which is when I first realized it reminded me of my Kindle.

Lance Ulanoff / FutureLance Ulanoff / Future

Still, the risk is inescapable. When I asked Samsung’s Jay Kim how they tested this new form factor, he told me they basically dogfooded multiple designs within the company.

“We did a lot of internal testing on different factors and different sorts of usage, and how do you use it?” recalled Kim.

As he spoke, I thought about how Samsung employees might hold back a bit on honest reactions, but then there are always the bold ones, and you assume a few unvarnished opinions on the new Fold look in there, too.

Kim sounded mostly confident. “We hope the market reacts the way we planned originally, and I think it's all based on the planning, and we're waiting for the [reaction], but I think when we did our internal sort of testing, I think that was very aligned with our sort of original plan, so we hope... I think we're pretty confident.”