Feed aggregator

Shopping for a phone can be an ordeal. That’s why we’ve tested almost every Android phone, from the smartest to the cheapest—even phones that fold—to find those worth your money.

Want to watch New England play Chicago? Here's everything you need to stream Sunday's 1 p.m. ET game on Fox.

Want to watch Atlanta play New Orleans? Here's everything you need to stream Sunday's 1 p.m. ET game on Fox.

Want to watch San Francisco play Tampa Bay? Here's everything you need to stream Sunday's 1 p.m. ET game on Fox.

Kansas City look to maintain their perfect record as they take on their AFC West rivals.

The leaders of the AFC North and NFC East face off this Sunday.

It's a huge London derby at Stamford Bridge.

Dali Rubikore 2: Two-minute review

A longstanding concept in hi-fi (and indeed many other product categories) is that of ‘trickle down.’ The idea is simple enough; technology and design ideas that first appear in the flagship products is gradually made available at more terrestrial levels as time goes on. It’s a very important dynamic because, while many people will move upward through a product range as time goes on, rather fewer of them will make it all the way to the top. Bringing flagship technology down to a level more people can access is very important – and many of the best stereo speakers we've tested have been able to do just that. 

The Dali Rubikore range is a physical manifestation of the trickle down concept, indeed the ideal is so important to the their existence it is reflected in the name. The replacement for the long running and highly regarded Rubikon series of speakers and some of the advancements are derived from the Kore (stylised to 'KORE') technology that first saw use in the Kore floorstander which is yours for a brisk $110,000 / £85,000. The resulting speakers have their name revised to reflect this and are now the Rubikore range of which the Rubikore 2 is the only standmount model. 

The Rubikore 2 pitches in at $4,000 or a little over £2,000; a key price point for standmount speakers and one which is contested by a very large number of companies. To stand out from the pack, the Dali will need to be very good indeed. The omens are good; The Kore technology is used to improve some already very capable drivers, the claimed measurements look excellent and the range has some up to date thinking in terms of multichannel as well as having some very attractive finishes. Does this on paper ability translate to real world greatness? 

Dali Rubikore 2 review: Price and release date

(Image credit: Future)

• Launched in May 2024
• £2,200/$4,000/$4,200 AUD

The Rubikore range debuted in May 2024 with the wraps being taken off at the High End Show in Munich. The range comprises a pair of floortanding models, the standmount seen here, an LCR (a speaker engineered to be both a centre speaker and also operate as a stereo pair) and an on wall speaker. This range spans from £1,200 for the Rubikore On Wall to £6,000 for the Epikore 8. This is a fair amount of money but rather less than what Dali is asking for the Kore. 

The Rubikore 2 is available in the UK for £2,200. It is $4,000 in the USA and $4,200 in Australia. This price does not include a stand and neither does Dali make a dedicated version for the Rubikore 2. In a large number of the stock images, you’ll see the Rubikore 2 sat on stout bits of furniture which will work up to a point but you should budget for a pair of stands to get the best from them. I used a hefty if cosmetically unspectacular Custom Design stands throughout for testing. One positive attribute is that all four finishes have the same price, with none commanding a price premium.

Dali Rubikore 2 review: Specs Dali Rubikore 2 review: Features

(Image credit: Future)

• Kore Technology 
• Clarity Cone Midbass driver 
• Continuous flare bass port 
• Lightweight dome tweeter 

As a passive speaker, the Dali is not as sophisticated as powered and active designs but, given it’s a relatively small speaker made out of fairly well established materials, there is a surprising amount going on inside them. Dali has used the enormous amount of data gained the development of the Kore speaker to improve the Rubikore models. Obviously, there are many parts of a $110,000 speaker that don’t make it down to this level, but a number of ideas do.

This is most apparent in the drivers. The Rubikore 2 uses a 6.5inch (155mm) mid bass driver that employs technology that Dali refers to as Clarity Cone. The cone itself is made from Dali's preferred wood fiber; something that have been doing for a very long time but here you can see a pattern on the cone itself. This increases the stiffness of the cone as a whole and improves the breakup behaviour. Behind the driver, Dali's Soft Magnetic Compound is used as it reduces eddy currents and other unwanted effects, lowering distortion overall. 

This driver is helped by a rear firing bass port that employs a continuous flare along its length (that is to say it isn’t the same diameter along its length). This helps to keep the flow of air out of the port quieter as the diameter increases as the air accelerates allowing it to expand. This port helps the Rubikore 2 to reach down to 50Hz at a +/-3dB measurement – a usefully demanding way of measuring this.   

This mid bass driver is partnered with a soft dome tweeter that is built around the principles of reducing mass; a very desirable attribute in a high frequency driver. Traditionally, tweeters used a substance called ferrofluid to cool them but this adds mass and increases the response time. The Rubikore 2’s 1.2 inch (29mm) dome does without this to reduce the mass. The Rubikore 2 is the only member of the Rubikore family to not partner the dome tweeter with a ribbon device although given that the quoted upper frequency roll off is 26kHz (or, quite a bit higher than human hearing actually goes), this is unlikely to be a huge issue. 

The crossover for the two drivers hands over between them at 2.8kHz (relatively high by the standards of many rivals) and is quite unusual in 2024 terms because it supports biwring should you wish. Sensitivity is in keeping with most things at the price at 87dB/w but this is achieved at a slightly trickier 4 ohm impedance which means this isn’t a truly difficult speaker to drive but needs a little power to do its best work. The cabinet that houses everything is a relatively conventional type made of MDF sections; although something that is quite unusual is that both the front and rear panels have a gentle curve to them. The cabinets are extensively braced and substantial things though and the whole speaker feels usefully solid. 

• Features score: 4/5

Dali Rubikore 2 review: Sound quality

(Image credit: Future)

• Excellent bass 
• Tonally superb
• Some limits to soundstage and quiet running 
• Consistently good fun 

Placed on stands with absolutely no toe in applied (Dali is adamant that its speakers should point dead ahead), the Rubikore 2 doesn’t need vary long to start to impress. The first and most immediately noticeable aspect of the performance is the bass extension and the scale that goes with it. The Dali gives Ben Howard’s Every Kingdom a weight and authority that makes the performance utterly convincing. This album is not a bass monster but plucked bass notes and the sparse percussion it possesses are given a weight you feel as well as hear and the effect this has on the believability of the track is considerable. 

Tonally, the Rubikore 2 is a class act. Across standard challenges like voices, violins, cellos and pianos, it has managed to sound consistently right. This is not a showy or attention grabbing speaker. It doesn’t go in for the sort of emphasis on parts of the frequency response that is superficially impressive but that becomes wearying after a while. Instead it presents a frequency response that feels even and consistent and allows the music to generate its own emphasis. The astonishing Emily King track Forgiveness on her Scenery album is presented with King being the absolute focus of your attention. Everything else that should there is there but it’s subsumed by what the recording regards as the important part and the Dali following those instructions perfectly. 

Something else that is very welcome is that the when the quality of the material being played drops, the Dali still maintains a level of realism and overall quality that is extremely impressive. A blast through Greta van Fleet’s Anthem of a Peaceful Army delivers a healthy dose of the ‘I can’t believe it’s not Led Zeppelin’ sound without drawing too much attention to the limitations of the mastering as a whole. Instead the Rubikore does a fine job of making things sound usefully exciting and energetic, with a very pleasing level of get up and go to its overall performance. 

So far so good, but there are some areas where the Rubikore 2 is less effortlessly composed. It had the misfortune of following Tannoy’s odd but immensely talented Autograph Mini through testing and while it convincingly beats the Tannoy in terms of bass extension, it simply doesn’t create the same almost three dimensional soundstage of the material being played. Some of this is a bit of a puzzle because viewed objectively, the Dali isn’t doing anything wrong. The handover between the mid bass and tweeter is seamless and there is no real perception of congestion to the sound, even when very complex material is being played. Nevertheless, the Dali tends to produce a sound that sits between the two speakers rather than extends beyond it. 

There is also an element of the Dali's performance that might be a benefit or a negative depending on your listening situation. For what is a relatively compact device, the Rubikore 2 is capable of playing impressively loud and sounding effortless while it does so. Even rivals that boast a similar driver complement can struggle to match the way that the Dali handles the huge crescendo of Public Service Broadcasting’s Broadcasting House. Without sounding strained or pushing the limits of the cabinet, the Dali simply keeps hitting hard and sounding utterly composed while it does so. The caveat to this is that at lower levels, the Rubikore 2 sounds a bit on the safe side. If you don’t have the scope to open the taps every now and again, some of the abilities of the Dali will be less easy to enjoy. 

When you do give them a bit of level though, the Dali is consistently good fun. This isn’t simply fun in the ‘play fast music and nod your head’ ideal but an ability to get to the crux of the emotional content of the material being played. It’s the difference between listening to My Baby’s Tribulations and thinking, ‘that’s a nice song’ and sitting there rapt at one of the most stunning vocal arrangements I’ve had the pleasure of listening to.  

• Sound quality score: 4.5/5

Dali Rubikore 2 review: Design

(Image credit: Future)

• Four finish options 
• 350 x 195 x 335 mm
• 9.5kg each 

Dali is a Danish brand and while I’m not sure that some sort of official document exists to the effect that no Danish brand is allowed to make unattractive equipment, it does seem to be a rule they all work to. The Rubikore 2 is elegantly proportioned, with a pleasing ratio to the width and depth that is balanced by the size of the drivers contained within it. There are four finish options, including two wood veneers that have been chosen to complement both the proportions and the drivers very well. Even the white of the review samples; a finish I’m not traditionally enthused about, looks good against the contrast provided by various sections of the speakers. 

This effect is enhanced by just how well made and finished the Dali is. These aren’t cheap speakers but even so, the care that has gone into how they have been assembled and finished is impressive. About the only thing I can really say against them is that, where the vast majority of rivals use magnetic tabs for the grilles, the Dali still uses lugs. They’ve cleverly used screw fittings to hide some of the holes but there is still a visible one above the tweeter which looks a little unsightly. 

• Design score: 4.5/5

Dali Rubikore 2 review: Value

As noted a few times so far, $4,000 is not the sort of figure that most of us lose down the back of the couch, but it’s hard to argue with the feel or quality of the Rubikore 2 for this money. This is a brilliantly made and finished speaker that is built in Europe and comes with a five year warranty. It does a fine job of avoiding the nagging feeling of buyer’s remorse when you unbox them which is no bad thing. They will require decent quality equipment to partner them but not to the extent where they won’t improve an existing system of slightly less expensive electronics, so long as there is sufficient power to drive them. 

• Value score: 4.5/5

Should you buy the Dali Rubikore 2? Buy them if...

Tonality matters 

The Dali does a brilliant job of bringing voices and instruments to life. Even very talented rivals at this price can struggle to match their abilities in this regard. 

You like a bit of bass

Without ever sounding boomy or lacking in control, the Dali Rubikore 2 has tremendous low end for a sensibly size speaker. Very few rivals can hit as hard while matching the dexterity of the Rubikore 2.

Aesthetics are important to you

This is a good looking speaker that comes in four well judged finishes, none of which command a price premium. There a very few spaces where at least one of these options won’t look good and work well.

Don't buy them if...

You listen quietly 

At lower levels, the Rubikore 2 isn’t a bad speaker pair, but some of the attributes it shows at higher volumes are less apparent. 

Soundstage is everything 

The Dali never sounds congested or confused, but some rivals do a better job of extending their performance out beyond the speakers. 

You have a very low powered amp 

It would be a stretch to call the Dali truly insensitive but it will do its best work with a little bit of power and current behind it. If you have less than 40 watts on hand, this probably isn’t the best choice for you. 

Dali Rubikore 2 review: Also consider

The curious but lovely Tannoy Autograph Mini is the same price as the Dali. The product under review here completely demolished it in terms of bass extension and scale, but the stereo image it can produce is something that the Dali cannot match. The Monitor Audio Studio 89 is slightly less money but comes laden with technology and striking looks as well as an ability to resolve fine detail that very little near the price gets anywhere near. Outside of speakers we have looked at, Bowers & Wilkins, Neat and PMC are all formidable contenders at this price point and will keep the Dali honest. 

How I tested the Dali Rubikore 2

(Image credit: Future)

The Dalis were placed on a pair of Custom Design stands and run in a system built around a Naim Supernait 3 integrated amp; a slightly more expensive device than the Dali but able to deliver plenty of power and show what the Rubikore 2 was doing at any given time. 

Source equipment took the form of an Eversolo DMP-A8 streamer. This formidable digital front end offers superb UPnP streaming but also has an HDMI ARC connection allowing an LG OLED to be connected and routed through the system to the Dali. I tend to use the Eversolo via the Roon software platform because I control most things through that and tend to prefer it. 

I also made use of not one but two turntables under testing. The first is a resident Rega Planar 10 using the company’s newly released Nd7 moving magnet cartridge. The second was the newly released Pro-Ject Debut Evo 2 for which the Dali acted as a test speaker. Both turntables used a Cyrus Classic Phono for the phono stage. Material used has been a variety of styles and genres via The test material has been FLAC, AIFF, Tidal, Qobuz and Spotify as well as some vinyl. 

• Read TechRadar's reviews guarantee

Photographers are spoiled for choice these days when it comes to third-party lenses, with Sigma, Tamron, Samyang and others making superb alternatives to costlier proprietary optics from the likes of Sony, Canon, Nikon and Fujifilm. However, there's another name rightly earning renown in 2024: Viltrox.

The Chinese manufacturer of photography and filmmaking gear has been releasing excellent quality lenses for a few years – including, most recently, autofocus lenses for popular lens mounts – for what is almost always at least half the price of proprietary equivalents, and for the most part with no obvious compromises.

I've been shooting with the Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 for Nikon Z-mount for over a year – it costs exactly half the price of Nikon's own 85mm f/1.8, and I can barely tell the difference between photos from the two lenses.

Viltrox's stock is only set to rise with the launch of its latest lens, the Viltrox AF 135mm F1.8 LAB. It's the first of Viltrox's premium 'LAB' series of autofocus lenses, and if the response online from reviewers is anything to go by, it's near perfection.

Currently it's only available in the Sony E-mount for Sony mirrorless cameras, including the full-frame Sony A7R V; but the 135mm F1.8 LAB looks incredible, and it's half the price of Sony's superb FE 135mm F1.8 GM – and at the time of writing it's on sale for $764.15 at Amazon the US – that's 24% off.

(Image credit: Viltrox)

• Buy the Viltrox AF 135mm F1.8 LAB – was $999 now $764.15 at Amazon (US)

As someone who's particularly keen on but priced out of this type of lens – the five-star rated Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena was one of my favorite Nikon lenses of 2024 but it costs $2,499.95 / £2,649 / AU$4,249 – Viltrox's new lens has certainly grabbed my attention – I'm assuming that like other Viltrox lenses it'll be made available for other systems in due course, including Nikon Z-mount. Furthermore, there could be more LAB lenses to come – leaked pictures of a 35mm F1.2 LAB for Sony were shared by Sony Alpha Rumors this week.

Is it time to take Viltrox seriously? And should the likes of Sigma and Samyang be worried?

Optically impressive, hampered by one practical hindrance

We're yet to complete our review of the Viltrox AF 135mm F1.8 LAB lens, but the general response to it online from those that have used it has been extremely positive. Regarding optical quality, Viltrox itself has published the lens's MTF charts – lab tests that indicate a lens's sharpness and contrast from the center of the frame to the edges – and they show that in this area it's a virtually flawless lens whatever aperture you use it at, even wide open at f/1.8.

Bokeh also appears impressive (see below) – and that's vital for a telephoto prime lens with a fast aperture like this, as it's ideal for portrait photography (though I also love the compression you get with this focal length for landscape photography). Autofocus performance is supposedly quiet and reliably quick too, so there's no real compromise there, although it looks like there is minor focus breathing, which might count this lens out for serious filmmakers.

(Image credit: Viltrox)

What filmmakers will like, however, is the aperture ring, which can be set to either smooth or clicked operation. There are no aperture or focus distance markings on the exterior of the lens, with this information instead found on the neat digital display. This display is also customizable, meaning you can import any image you like as a welcome screen through the Viltrox app – for me that's a fun party trick. The app connectivity also enables easy firmware updates.

The 135mm F1.8 is built to a very high standard, with a magnesium-alloy construction and advanced weather sealing. However, the gargantuan build of the lens could be a dealbreaker – it weighs in at 43.6oz / 1,235g, and for reference Sony's 135mm lens weighs much less, just 33.6oz / 950g. The extra weight of the Viltrox lens is unlikely to make too much of a difference if you're shooting with a chunkier camera like a Nikon Z8, while it appears to pair well with the Sony A7R V (see below), but it's a front-heavy mismatch with skinnier models like the Sony A7C R.

The Viltrox AF 135mm F1.8 attached to a Sony A7R V (Image credit: Viltrox)

Weight aside, Viltrox has made many photographers – and likely rival brands – sit up and take note. Its LAB series could be the beginning of something special, and a range of lenses that cost-conscious photographers who also value quality will increasingly be drawn to.

You might also like

• You don't need to spend big on lenses - I took the best pictures of my life with a super-cheap autofocus Viltrox
• Best Sony lenses 2024: top lenses for Sony mirrorless cameras
• Sigma's first Canon RF lens is finally here – and it could be the best zoom for APS-C fans

These are the best drops for every type of eye problem.

Sweet dreams are made of these, from special lamps to noise machines.

• Security pros are hefting multiple devices to work, increasing stress
• Notification spam is also overwhelming employees
• All-in-one devices could help reduce strain and stress on employees

The modern office environment is heavily dependent on technology with an average professional juggling three devices daily, including laptops, tablets, headphones, and even multiple phones. While this tech plays an essential role in enhancing productivity, the sheer volume of gadgets is creating stress and anxiety for many.

At its recent HONOR Magic V3 launch event, the company released a study which reveals the growing mental load faced by professionals due to their reliance on multiple devices.

To mitigate these challenges, there is a need for a more streamlined and less burdensome way for professionals to stay connected and productive.

Tech overload keeps rising

Surveying 8,000 office workers across Europe the study reveals the apparent challenges of managing multiple devices, as the issue of tech overload extends beyond the mental strain.

Many professionals are also grappling with the physical burden of transporting multiple devices to and from the office, and as return-to-office mandates increase across the continent, professionals are spending more time commuting.

On average, workers carry three tech devices or accessories in their bags, collectively weighing an average of 4.1 kg - the equivalent of carrying an air fryer to work. The physical toll of transporting such a load is causing concern, with 12% of workers worried about the negative impact on their health.

For those who rely on tech for hybrid working, the load is even greater. 67% of respondents said they carry more tech to accommodate their flexible working schedules, adding to the strain both physically and mentally.

While one in three professionals recognized the importance of these devices in improving their work, they also reported feeling overwhelmed by the sheer amount of technology. One quarter (25%) of respondents admitted they struggle with the number of notifications they receive across their devices, with one in seven receiving more than 30 notifications a day.

Managing the constant influx of notifications from multiple devices can be mentally draining, adding to the burden of keeping track of an increasing number of gadgets, with 65% of those surveyed saying they often lose track of their devices, leading to frustration and stress.

A simple way out of this situation is the use of simpler technologies, possibly an all-in-one device that could streamline their daily tech needs. One in five respondents said they wished they could rely on a single device to perform all essential functions, reducing the need for a multitude of gadgets. Over half (52%) of respondents expressed a willingness to pay a premium for a device that could replace several others.

Many workers are starting to see foldable phones as a potential solution to this problem, with one in six saying that a foldable phone would make their lives easier. These devices offer the promise of combining the functionality of a smartphone and tablet in one, catering to professionals who want fewer, more versatile gadgets.

The study also revealed that 1 in 4 office workers would feel lost without their gadgets, with 15% going so far as to say that their life revolves around technology. For these individuals, getting rid of tech altogether is not an option, even if managing multiple devices is stressful.

“The research shows that professionals are weighed down - both literally and figuratively - by their devices," noted Tony Ran, President of HONOR EU.

You might also like

• These are the best data loss prevention services
• AMD just outsold Intel in the data center space for the first time ever
• Take a look at our roundup of the best VPNs

Ever since I moved from Android to iPhone at the end of 2021, I’ve struggled to find a way back. Logic tells me that the best Android phones have superior hardware to iPhones in general, having got to 120Hz displays sooner than Apple’s phones and offering bigger batteries and more cameras; looking at you, Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.

I also find iPhones to be terribly dull; brilliant but boring, especially with their incremental upgrades and seemingly slow approach to adopting generative AI.

Yet despite this, and how I often carry around an Android phone as a backup, my main phone has been an iPhone for several years. This is simply down to ease of compatibility with numerous software tools and platforms and the still unbeatable ecosystem Apple offers.

However, that could change if a specific Samsung Galaxy S25 rumor has any weight behind it. A benchmark supposedly pertaining to the rumored Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra has indicated that it could come with the power to blow away the mighty iPhone 16 Pro Max; a device I’m using as my main smartphone right now.

Benchmarks tend to mean naff all to me, as I’m more interested in real-world performance. And in all my experience using a variety of phones, I’ve never found an Android handset that’s been slow. That being said, I do find the power of the recent Pro iPhones, specifically the iPhone 15 Pro Max and aforementioned 16 Pro Max, with their Pro variants of the Apple’s A-series chips, to be very fast.

With the former, you can actually run proper console games, like Death Standing and Assassin’s Creed Mirage, albeit with limited frame rates, but the power of the A18 Pro in the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max brings more gaming grunt to bear, so much so we gave the iPhone 16 Pro Max the gaming phone award in the 2024 TechRadar Choice Awards. So, all that power does mean Apple’s latest flagship phone has my attention.

But if the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra could bring even more power to the smartphone arena, it could be the next phone to try and tempt me away from the house that Steve Jobs built.

Go, go power Samsung

The Galaxy S24 Ultra is powerful, but it's no iPhone (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

In the current smartphone climate, more power tends to translate to better scope for running artificial intelligence tools and features on-device. But I’ve yet to fully embrace this new wave of AI, so my interest is in mobile gaming.

Samsung’s Galaxy S-series has long offered good performance for mobile games, including some of the more demanding ones. But despite this, I feel Galaxy phones, and other flagship Android phones, haven’t had the scope to run proper console ports of Xbox or PlayStation games.

But if the Galaxy S25 Ultra can offer A18 Pro-beating power, that could change. Notably, I could see Samsung leaning on its previous partnerships with Microsoft to bring Xbox games that will run natively on next-generation Galaxy phones.

You might scoff at that and point me to Xbox Cloud Gaming as the means to play the best Xbox Series X games without needing powerful hardware. And while that’s true, and I’m a big advocate of cloud-powered gaming, the latency, reliability and lack of robust super-fast internet connections in the UK – especially in my pokey London apartment – make cloud gaming a reality that’s currently out of reach.

So, the idea of being able to run Xbox games on a phone without the need for an internet connection is an idea I still find very palatable. And one that could tear me away from an iPhone.

Of course, if you’ve been reading my phone thoughts over the past few years, I’ve long held out for a super-powerful Samsung Galaxy, especially when a partnership with AMD was touted, but my hopes were constantly dashed. Equally, I still hold out some hope that things could change, and come early 2025, Samsung may come out of the gate swinging at Apple and beyond, delivering a phone, or series of phones, that see me consign my iPhone to the role of secondary smartphone.

You might also like

• I’m torn on the iPhones 16’s Camera Control – it’s handy but unfinished
• I can't believe I love this Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra downgrade
• I think I've found the most underrated iPhone feature – and you might be surprised by what it is

• Apple's Self Service Repair scheme launched in 2021
• Parts for the iPhone 16 models are now available
• Only attempt repairs if you're sure you can carry them out

For a few years now, Apple has offered a Self Service Repair scheme, which means you can source official parts direct from the company and save some money by carrying out repairs yourself – and the iPhone 16 series is now supported.

The iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max went on sale in September, and as MacRumors has spotted, you can now get parts for the phones through the Apple Self Service Repair Store.

You can order both the parts and the tools needed to fit them in the US, the UK, and numerous European countries. The Apple Self Service Repair scheme isn't currently available in Australia, however.

The parts available include displays, cameras, batteries, and speakers, and these are all genuine Apple products. The tools on offer, like nylon probes and adhesive cutters, will be familiar to anyone who's ever seen a phone teardown.

To self repair, or not to self repair

Apple announced the service in 2021 (Image credit: Apple)

Apple's move to make its devices repairable by users themselves, with official Apple parts, has definitely been a positive step: it's usually cheaper than a professional repair, and means phones and laptops can be used for longer too.

However, these repairs can be quite complex – you need to be sure you know what you're doing, otherwise you run the risk of causing further damage. Have a look at the repair manuals on the Apple website (like the one for the iPhone 16) for full instructions.

Many people are going to find it more convenient, if a little bit more expensive, to get Apple or an authorized repair service to do the job instead. However, it's definitely good to have the option of carrying out a self repair.

Since the launch of the self repair service, Apple has continued to expand the number of devices covered, and you can go all the way back to the iPhone 12 series which was launched back in October 2020.

You might also like

• Samsung has a self repair program as well
• These are the best iPhones you can buy
• We're already hearing rumors about the iPhone 17

On his last day in office, Israel’s outed defense minister offered a revealing glimpse into the war in Gaza – and the decision maker he holds responsible for holding up a ceasefire deal.

(Image credit: Gil Cohen-Magen/AP)

• Arcane's showrunners have explained why a big 'CaitVi' incident was delayed until season 2
• The moment felt like a better fit for season 2's story
• The show's animated team couldn't have done it justice in season 1, either

Full spoilers immediately follow for Arcane season 2 episode 3.

The creators of Arcane have opened up on why season 2's third episode was the perfect place to finally give fans a big moment they've waited years for: an official Caitlyn and Vi kiss.

In an exclusive chat with TechRadar, which took place before Arcane season 2 premiered on Netflix yesterday (November 9), Alex Yee and Christian Linke explained the reasons behind holding back that crowd-pleasing moment until season 2 act 1's final chapter.

The pair's smooch has, as I mentioned, been a long time coming. Ever since Caitlyn and Vi – or, as Arcane's fandom affectionately dubbed them, 'CaitVi' – met in season 1 episode 4, viewers have been convinced they have feelings for each other. There was plenty of evidence to suggest this throughout one of the best Netflix shows' first season, too, especially as the Piltovan enforcer and Zaunite brawler grew closer with each installment.

Open your eyes. Arcane Season 2 Act I is NOW PLAYING. pic.twitter.com/JEHkitnhNONovember 9, 2024

Unfortunately, due to more explosive story beats, 'CaitVi' fans were left hanging about the pair's 'will they, won't they' dynamic. Indeed, with no resolution forthcoming by the end of season 1, and its sequel season taking three years to land on the world's best streaming service, audiences have endured a long wait for this moment.

At long last, though, it's happened. This season's third episode, titled 'Finally Got The Name Right', sees the pair let their guard down and confirm their attraction to one another. And that long-awaited kiss will be celebrated by Arcane's global fanbase. Even so, why did Yee and Linke wait until this chapter to give the people what they want? Expectedly, it all boils down to the story that the pair and Arcane's wider writing team wanted to tell.

Oh my god it's finally happening! Everyone stay calm! (Image credit: Netflix)

"They've both just lost something at the start of season 2," Linke said, alluding to the fact that Caitlyn's mom was one of the councilors revealed to have perished in Arcane season 2's premiere and that Vi's estranged sister Jinx was the culprit. "I think they're both very afraid of change, too, and they have that moment in episode 3 where they're still holding onto those things that have slipped away from them because they're starting to tread down this dark path [of seeking revenge on Jinx].

"In the wake of what Caitlyn's lost, Vi can sense there's a fragile trust in this relationship they have, and there's this moment coming up where they'll both have to decide how they're going to be when they're staring down the barrel when they find and fight Jinx. It's a fragile moment, the calm before the storm, and they're both thinking 'this may be the last moment we're going to have together.'"

I think they're both very afraid of change

Christian Linke, Arcane co-creator

"In that moment, Vi is making a big commitment to Caitlyn by choosing her over Jinx," Yee added. "And I think that's ultimately why Caitlyn takes the lead [in instigating the kiss].

"It feels wrong not to give a shout-out to [lead writer] Amanda [Overton] at this point. The relationship between Caitlyn and Vi is something that fans have carried for a very long time, and we knew it was something we wanted to bring to fruition. Amanda really championed that cause and a lot of the specific mechanics of that dynamic she had a huge part in."

'It wouldn't have been possible from a technical standpoint'

Caitlyn and Vi could've kissed in season 1, but I'm glad they didn't (Image credit: Netflix/Riot Games/Fortiche)

The decision to delay Caitlyn and Vi's first kiss wasn't only determined by Arcane's storytellers, though. Linke also revealed that Fortiche Production, the animation studio that brought Riot Games and Netflix's first League of Legends (LoL) adaptation to life in such gorgeous detail, wasn't confident it had the talent or technology to do justice to such a beautifully delicate scene if it had been included last season.

"Interesting tidbit: I actually spoke to Bart [Barthelemy Maunoury], our animation director, about the kiss last week," Linke said. "He was asked the same question and he later told me if we'd written that last season, the animation team wouldn't have been able to do it well because they weren't technically capable yet.

"So, he thanked us for not doing that!" Linke jokingly added. "He said 'I don't think we would've done a good job. We couldn't have done it in season one', so it was interesting to hear that it wouldn't have been possible from a technical standpoint, even if we'd have wanted to do it."

I've got more to share from my exclusive chat with Yee and Linke, but you'll have to wait until season 2 act 2 arrives on November 16 to read more. In the meantime, check out more of my coverage of Arcane's second and final season below. Alternatively, read my Arcane season 2 review for more teases about its next three episodes, or my Arcane season 2 act 1 ending explained piece for answers to your biggest queries after the first three entries.

You might also like

• That was never the plan': Arcane creators dismiss claims that the hit Netflix show was going to run for five seasons
• Arcane season 2 cast and character guide: who's playing who in the popular Netflix show's final chapter?
• 8 huge questions I need Arcane season 2 to answer before the highly-rated Netflix show ends

Can the Tricky Trees continue their superb form against the Magpies?

Spurs look to bounce back from European defeat as they host the struggling Tractor Boys.

Don't miss the latest on Netflix, Apple TV Plus and more. Here's what's coming the week of Nov. 11 to Nov. 17.

Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas One: One-minute review

Can you believe the Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas One has been around for years? The entry-level stick offers everything you need to get started in Microsoft Flight Simulator or something more exotic, with a throttle, a comfortable stick, and the option to attach each or keep them separate.

The entire unit is cheaper than many flight sticks you can pick up without an additional throttle, meaning you’re getting plenty of bulk for your buck, if not bang. The throttle is lacking in resistance, and the casing of both halves is made of a relatively cheap-feeling plastic. Thankfully that does make it lightweight, meaning it’s easy to haul between desk and sofa setups across PC and Xbox.

Still, 14 buttons and 5 axes are more than enough for you to earn your pilot wings, and more intermediate features like a tactile hat switch and a nice, springy trigger make it feel much more comprehensive than rivals at this price point.

PlayStation gamers will also need to look elsewhere, but the Hotas One will work on PC and current generation Xbox consoles and will go as far back as the Xbox One. If you’ve got one of those platforms, the plug-and-play nature makes it easy to get started, and the Xbox buttons replicated across the unit can make it easy to make the jump for traditionally console-bound flyers.

All of this makes it an attractive entry-level flight stick that lacks additional axes and controls but offers a more cockpit-adjacent split throttle and stick form factor that it’s easy to feel impressed by. It’s not getting any younger, but with Thrustmaster continuing to re-release it in fresh colorways (including a Microsoft Flight Simulator option), it’s clear the company is standing by it as a first taste of flight stick for beginners.

(Image credit: Future/Lloyd Coombes) Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas One: Price and availability

• List price: $99.99 / £89.99
• Available in black and Microsoft Flight Simulator options
• Launched in October 2017

The T-Flight Hotas One has been around for a while (there was a PS3 version at one point, which should tell you how long it’s lasted), and this particular model has been getting PC and Xbox gamers in the air since 2017.

It’s getting harder to find the plain black version now, but the Microsoft Flight Simulator version is the same product with a white finish, suggesting the stick isn’t going anywhere. That new color option is a lot brighter and makes the stick look more modern.

Regardless, you’ll find either for under $100 with discounts, making it more than competitive with some throttle-less options like the Turtle Beach VelocityOne. It’s drastically cheaper than mid-range options like Logitech’s X56 Hotas RGB, too, and it remains a great starter option because of its price.

Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas One: Specs Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas One: Design and features

• Ideal for desk usage
• Plastic feels cheap
• Can collect dust on the throttle base

The Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas One was the first official flight stick released for the Xbox One (a console that launched in 2013), so it’s had some longevity. Still, its design feels very much of its time - it’s relatively sleek in all black, with some silver accenting and a striped F2 button on the stick.

Still, it’s very plasticky, which can lead to it audibly creaking during use - thank goodness it’s not a real plane! On the one hand that’s likely kept the price down, but on the other, it feels far from premium in comparison to more expensive sticks like Thrustmaster’s own T.16000M FCS Flight Pack.

While buttons can be remapped in your game of choice within their individual settings since the stick is a ‘generic’ option, I’m pleased to see the Xbox buttons represented here. So many flight sticks cater to PC almost exclusively that it’s nice to see the face buttons here, in color, for easier recognition. There’s even the Xbox button to call up the Xbox menu on PC or console.

The rubber under the stick helps prevent dust from getting into the mechanism, but the same can’t be said of the throttle which has no shielding from dust or the elements underneath - if you’re using it regularly that won’t be a problem, but it’s definitely worth mentioning that it’s likely to collect dust.

The stick plugs in via USB-A, with a breakaway cable that’s ideal in case someone yanks the cable while you’re playing. It calls to mind the original Xbox’s cables, and you’ll be thankful for it if it stops your console or PC from toppling.

(Image credit: Future/Lloyd Coombes) Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas One: Performance

• Plug and play on console and PC via USB-A
• Splitting sections is easy, although cable management can get fiddly
• Hat switch is a nice touch

Setting up the T.Flight Hotas One couldn’t be simpler - just plug it in via USB-A. While the industry is moving away from it, it lives on here, so bear in mind you may need a USB-C adapter depending on your port selection.

Once it’s plugged in, it just works, both on console and PC. I enjoyed Elite Dangerous on each, and was barrel-rolling and nosediving with reckless abandon within minutes either at my desk or on the couch. The stick is responsive, and the Z-axis rudder can be used via the rocker on the throttle which I found to offer more granular control when listing left or right.

One of my favorite parts is the hat switch, which comes in a four-way version here. This nifty input on the top of the flight stick can act as a D-Pad, letting you do things like open the landing gear in Elite Dangerous with a press. It’ll be hard to go back to mouse and keyboard or controller, that’s for sure, but naturally eight-way hat switches will double the available commands that are a thumb flick away.

It’s easy to take the stick and throttle apart, but the two are connected by a cable. Once you put them back together, you’ll likely want to run the wire underneath through a trench on the underside, and that can be fiddly in my experience.

(Image credit: Future/Lloyd Coombes)

The relatively low price of admission can also be felt in the throttle. It’s not bad, it’s just lacking any resistance which makes it feel less like a piece of aerospace equipment and more like a toy. It’s hard to escape the feeling that this is where corners were cut, and when pushing to hyperspace in a space sim like Elite Dangerous, it feels lacking in any meaningly pushback. It makes sense at this price point but it’s worth mentioning.

On the flip side, I will say the trigger on the stick feels nice and snappy, springing back into place in a way that feels nice and tactile while also ensuring you can line up those laser cannon blasts in something like Star Wars: Squadrons and have the trigger ready to fire again almost instantly.

I’m also pleased to report the T.Flight Hotas One is great for Microsoft Flight Simulator, which might be to be expected with its officially branded version. The split design means you can position a keyboard in the middle of the throttle and flight stick which then allows for a much broader array of commands than the T.Flight Hotas One is able to provide because of its lower button count.

As I mentioned earlier, though, the plastic construction can cause the stick to creak a little, and it’s lightweight enough that it’s not too difficult to accidentally shift it about the desk with relatively minor effort.

Should I buy the Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas One? Buy it if...

You want to try a flight stick without spending too much money
What’s on offer here is great value, with a detachable throttle setup that similarly priced rivals simply can’t match.

You’re planning to play across PC and console
This helps save you from buying two sticks, so long as you’re on Xbox. PS5 players will need to look elsewhere. Still, its split sections make it ideal for couch and desk use.

Don't buy it if...

You want a stick geared more for experienced pilots
There are better, more premium sticks for anyone looking for something more extensive.

Also consider...

Still not sold on the T.Flight Hotas One? Here’s how it compares to two similar products.

Turtle Beach VelocityOne

The Turtle Beach VelocityOne is priced very closely to the T.Flight Hotas One but is just a stick with no additional throttle. Offering more buttons, the VelocityOne features an improved hat switch and a more premium feel but comes at the cost of a full-sized throttle. It does offer some satisfying resistance, however, and a nifty OLED display, and will also work on both PC and Xbox.

For more information, check out our full Turtle Beach VelocityOne review.View Deal

Thrustmaster Viper TQS Mission Pack

This Thrustmaster effort looks like it’s been ripped straight from a fighter jet. It’s incredibly premium-feeling, with a whole host of buttons and switches, but it does require a joystick, too - making it a pricey option. We’ll have a full review in the coming days, but if you’re looking for mechanical switches and a true-to-life throttle, you’ll struggle to find anything more realistic.

How I tested the Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas One

• Tested over the course of two weeks
• Used both in split and singular unit modes
• Tested on multiple games across two platforms

I spent around 15 hours playing Elite Dangerous and Star Wars: Squadrons, both on PC and via an Xbox Series X.

I played each game for several hours, before switching platforms and switching back again to ensure consistent performance across games and platforms.

I also played Microsoft Flight Simulator on PC for a further five hours, splitting the Hotas One and using it as one unit to test its comfort in both configurations.

Read more about how we test 

First reviewed November 2024