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POC has teamed up with Harman Kardon to create the Obex Connect, a helmet with built-in speakers along with mesh communications. They're the best-sounding ski helmet speakers I've tried.

Philips Hue Play Light Bar: two-minute review

The Philips Hue Play Light Bar (sold individually, or in packs or two or three) is a lozenge-shaped smart light that creates a similar effect to a Philips Ambilight TV, extending the colors from the edges of your screen and washing the area behind with matching light to make your movies, TV shows, and games more immersive. They're flexible, easy to use, and a lot of fun.

The general impact is similar, but the Philips Hue Play Light Bars have some key advantages over both Ambilight TVs and the best Ambilight alternatives such as Nanoleaf 4D. First, you're not limited to positioning them directly behind your TV, although you can do that if you wish. You can also place them above, below, or to the sides, and you can position them quite far away if you have enough space.

This means you have a lot more flexibility when designing your lighting system. You can even use them together with a Hue Play Gradient Light Strip if you want to create a really dramatic home cinema experience with synced lighting that floods the entire room.

Color reproduction with the Philips Hue Play Bars is excellent, even with subtle tones (Image credit: Future)

The Hue Play Bars connect wirelessly to a Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box, which means they don't suffer the same problems as lighting systems such as Nanolead 4D that use a camera to monitor and reproduce the colors on your screen. There's none of the lag you might get with a camera-based system, and they're not affected by reflections.

In fact, color reproduction is super impressive – as you can see in the image below, where the bar on the left has reproduced the exact shade on the tablecloth, and the one on the right has taken more of an average value factoring in the gray color of the presenter's sleeve.

They also reproduce natural shades and skin tones very well, and colors shift smoothly, which avoids creating a distraction.

Connecting to your TV via HDMI means there are none of the issues you can experience with kits that use a camera to monitor and replicate colors from the screen (Image credit: Future)

Each light has a plastic stand that allows you to position it vertically or horizontally using a hex screwdriver or Allen wrench. You can also mount them on the wall using adhesive pads; however, if you do this, you'll probably want to hide the cables using trunking or by running them through the wall. The lights connect to the Sync Box wirelessly, but they're not battery-powered.

The Light Bars are available in black and white, so you can choose whichever blends in best with your decor. My borrowed review units were black, but if I was buying them for my own home, white would be the better option.

The lights come with mounts that let you position them horizontally or vertically, but you can also attach them to the wall, the back of your TV, or just lie them down on a shelf or TV stand (Image credit: Future)

The main disadvantage of the Philips Hue Play Bars is that they require a Philips Hue Bridge to control them via the mobile app, plus a Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box for synchronizing lighting with your TV, which adds to the price substantially if you don't already own them. The Bridge costs around $60 / £60 / AU$75 if bought alone, and Sync Boxes start at $250 / $230 / AU$500 for the 4K version. The Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 8K released in 2024 costs even more.

Without these, you'll only be able to use the Play Bars as you would any ordinary lights via the Philips Hue Bluetooth app. This will let you turn them on and off, and change their color manually, but nothing else.

If you have the Bridge and Sync Box, setting up the bars in the Philips Hue app is a piece of cake. Just plug in the power supply (which supports up to three Play Bar lights), set the Hue app to search for them, and they will be identified automatically, ready to be added to your room.

When you're not using your TV, you can use the Play Bars like any other Hue lamp, setting their colors individually, or incorporating them into Scenes. When it's time to enjoy a movie or game, just tap the Sync button in the app.

The Light Bars come in black and white, so you can choose whichever fits best with your decor (white would have been a better match here) (Image credit: Future)

For those who already have a Hue setup, the Play Bars are a versatile and fun addition that can make your home cinema setup even more immersive. They're not the best entry point into the Hue system, since you'll only get the full experience with the Hue Bridge and Sync Box, but if you want to expand an existing system, they're a great option.

Philips Hue Play Light Bar: specs Philips Hue Play Light Bar: price and availability

The Philips Hue Play Light Bar is available individually, or in packs of two or three. As with most Philips Hue products, you can also find them bundled with other lights and accessories, such as the Hue Bridge, which may be significantly cheaper than buying each component separately.

A single Philips Hue Play Light Bar costs $89.99 / £64.99 / AU$129.95 when bought direct from the Philips Hue store.

Should you buy the Philips Hue Play Light Bar Buy it if

You already have a Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box

The Sync Box is the most expensive part of a Philips Hue Play setup. If you already have one (and a Play Gradient Light Strip) then the Light Bars are a pretty reasonably priced addition that will really give your home cinema a wow-factor.

You want a totally flexible lighting system

The beauty of the Light Bars (other than their excellent color accuracy) is that you can position them pretty much anywhere, allowing you to adapt your lighting setup to suit your home.

Don't buy it if

You don't have any Philips Hue products already

Unless you really love the idea of the Play Light Bars (which you might), this will be an expensive entry into the Hue ecosystem. The lights themselves might not break the bank, but the HDMI Sync Box is a serious investment, particularly if you want the 8K model.

Philips Hue Play Light Bar: also consider

Not sure about the Philips Hue Play Light Bar? Here are two other ambient lighting options that are worth considering.

Nanoleaf 4D

Nanoleaf 4D is one of the most affordable alternatives to Philips Ambilight, and at CES 2025 the company announced a new version of the system that doesn't require fitting awkward corner brackets to your TV.

Read our Nanoleaf 4D review

Govee Flow Pro Wi-Fi TV Light Bars

Govee's budget-friendly lighting system does a good job in dark conditions, although its camera will pick up light from any source near your TV, not just the screen itself, so daytime viewing isn't as good.

Read our full Govee Flow Pro Wi-Fi TV Light Bars review

How I tested the Philips Hue Play Light Bar

I tested a pair of Philips Hue Play Light Bars, using them as part of a larger Hue lighting system including ceiling-fitted bulbs, an HDMI Sync Box, and Hue Bridge. I used them to sync content from my TV, and as standalone smart lights that I controlled via the Google Home app.

I used the lights with a wide variety of media, but to avoid copyright infringement, all the images in this review show videos from TechRadar's own YouTube channel.

For more details, see how we test, review, and rate products on TechRadar.

This high-end OLED comes with wireless connectivity for clean lines in fancy rooms.

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Will Still's Les Sang et Or host the runaway league leaders.

AndaSeat Luna gaming chair: One-minute review

The AndaSeat Luna keeps things simple with a limited feature set and low price, making it a tempting prospect from one of the rising stars in the gaming chair space.

While its appearance won’t amaze you, it looks smart enough to be suitable for work and play. Various colorways are available, but all remain reasonably understated with a monochromatic palette and just a few dashes of color on the accents. The PVC leatherette isn’t as soft or as breathable as some of the best gaming chair materials, but it’s comfortable all the same and feels quite durable.

Unboxing and assembling the AndaSeat Luna is easy enough. I managed to put it together quickly with the help of one other person, although it could be built solo if required, as it’s relatively light compared to other gaming chairs.

It’s comfortable to sit in, and the height adjustments on the large variant I tested are broad enough to accommodate many gamers. It also reclines to 160 degrees, typical of many chairs in this class.

However, it does lack some useful adjustments, such as a tilt function and built-in lumbar support, though I found the included lumbar cushion to be sufficient. It also misses out on 4D arms: they only move up and down, with very limited lateral adjustment that’s only possible depending on at which point you screw in the bolts. There’s no way to rotate the armrests, either.

The seat itself is a little firm, but I didn’t have an issue with it. It has a slight upward tilt, which runs counter to the ergonomic preference for a downwards incline, but personally, it’s a style I prefer.

One notable flaw in the design is that the back wheels tend to lift off the ground when you shuffle forward, particularly on floors with grip, which can be disconcerting.

Another area where the engineering lets the AndaSeat Luna down is the recline lever. I found it would get stuck without locking in its correct place, and when it did, it felt unnatural, as if parts of the mechanism were rubbing against each other.

However, this is a chair with a low price in the UK (it's currently not available in the US), so some design flaws and limited adjustments are to be expected. If you're specifically on the hunt for the most comfortable gaming chair, then you'd probably be better served by AndaSeat’s Kaiser range.

If you’re keen to stick to this price point, then the Corsair TC100 Relaxed is a better pick, and for those who are willing to spend more, the Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 is still our favorite gaming chair overall.

(Image credit: Future) AndaSeat Luna gaming chair: Price and availability

• £179 (about $228 / AU$356)
• Not available in the US
• Low end of the price range

The AndaSeat Luna costs £179 (about $228 / AU$356) and is available now in the UK and certain parts of Europe and Asia, but not the US or Australia. It comes in various colorways, though most are black overall with colored accents. A fabric version is also available for the same price. A lumbar cushion and head pillow are included.

At this price, it’s cheaper than many of the main players in the space. The Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 – our pick as the best gaming chair around – costs considerably more, with starting prices north of $500 and certain variants priced much higher. However, the Titan Evo is our number one choice for good reason: the incredible build quality, feature set, and comfort levels are superb. What’s more, the brand frequently offers savings via its website.

In the more budget-friendly realm, the Corsair TC100 Relaxed is our pick as the best gaming chair for those who don’t want to part with ungodly sums. It’s only marginally more than the AndaSeat Luna, but it offers tremendous levels of comfort for the price, and the large weight and height accommodations are welcome too.

AndaSeat Luna gaming chair: Specs AndaSeat Luna gaming chair: Design and aesthetics

• Basic but smart looks
• Durable, if cheap, materials
• Some design flaws

The AndaSeat Luna adopts a very familiar bucket seat design, although it’s less hemmed in than some other gaming chairs. It’s unlikely to turn heads, but it looks smart enough to pass as an office chair, especially in the total black variant I tested.

Other colorways are available to liven up appearances but the selection is limited, with many adopting the same black base, with just a few colored accents around the sides of the seat and backrest.

On closer inspection, it’s clear to see where AndaSeat has saved money. The wheelbase, for instance, is plastic, and there’s no built-in lumbar support. A simple cushion is provided, but annoyingly, it falls forward every time you get up, so you have to prop it back up when you sit down again. Also, the head pillow is attached to the chair via a strap rather than magnetically, which is common on more premium gaming chairs and helps keep it more secure.

The PVC finish of the AndaSeat Luna isn’t the softest, and it’s far from the most breathable. However, it is quite thick and seems to be quite durable. The armrests have very little padding but are smooth to the touch and I found them comfortable enough to use. They slope downwards at the front, which helps to prevent aches and pains on the forearms, and they’re stable with very little wobble.

One of the more worrying design flaws of the AndaSeat Luna, though, is its tendency to tilt forward with its back wheels in the air when moving forward if your floor has any amount of grip to it. I suspect this is due to the top-heavy nature of the design since that plastic wheelbase is quite light.

The reclining lever is another point of complaint, as it can get stuck before it fully locks into position. This is most bothersome when reclining the backrest to its widest 160-degree angle, where the tension peaks. Clicking it into its locked position can also feel clunky – as if parts of the mechanism are rubbing against each other due to misalignment, which may cause wear over time.

(Image credit: Future) AndaSeat Luna gaming chair: Comfort and Adjustability

• Firm but comfortable seat
• Lumbar cushion included
• Lacking adjustments

Sitting in the AndaSeat Luna is mostly a comfortable experience. The seat is a little on the firm side, especially towards the rear, but I generally prefer this style. It’s possible the seat cushion may soften over time.

It’s angled upwards very slightly – again a style I prefer – although ergonomists will tell you it’s better to have a declining seat angle to improve blood flow to the legs. Regardless, the angle certainly isn’t steep enough to feel as if you’re squatting in it.

You’ll find some of the typical gaming chair adjustments on the AndaSeat Luna, including height adjustments and a recline function, sending the backrest all the way to 160 degrees. However, it misses out on others, such as the aforementioned lack of built-in lumbar support. The provided lumbar cushion is on the firmer side, which may irk some users, but I found it to be perfectly adequate support. However, since it isn’t height adjustable, it might not fit other users quite so well.

There’s no tilt function on the AndaSeat Luna either, so there’s no ability to rock back and forth as more fidgety gamers might like to do. Most disappointing of all, though, are the arms, which only go up and down, lacking any rotation or inward adjustments at all.

The long, oval slots for fixing the arms to the seat base do allow for some lateral adjustments, but I found that even when positioned as close to the chair as possible, the armrests still weren’t close enough to my body, forcing me to spread my arms wider than I would’ve liked.

This is also bad for ergonomics. I found this splayed arm position naturally inclined me to hoist my shoulders upwards, which, as someone who suffers from mild neck and shoulder pain already, is far from ideal.

(Image credit: Future) AndaSeat Luna gaming chair: Assembly

Putting the AndaSeat Luna together was straightforward and I didn’t encounter any difficulties. Every fixture and fitting is clearly labeled, and there’s little manual labor involved compared to building other gaming chairs.

The wheels click in easily enough, and the provided Allan keys were sufficient to get the job done quite quickly. The occasional bolt was a little stiff to screw in, but nothing that a bit of coaxing couldn’t fix. No part is overly heavy either, which makes the process even easier.

It was a two-person job, but I reckon it could be assembled by one person without much trouble. The only tricky part would be attaching the backrest to the seat base – the hardest part of assembling any gaming chair – as it requires holding the seat in the exact position to line up the bolt holes. But other than this, the rest of the build is simple.

(Image credit: Future) Should you buy the AndaSeat Luna gaming chair? Buy it if...

You want something simple and easy
Assembling the AndaSeat Luna was a cinch, and the sparse nature of the chair means it’s easy to use.

You’re on a budget
For less than £200, the AndaSeat Luna is cheaper than many other gaming chairs, and yet the comfort levels are still reasonable.

Don't buy it...

You want plenty of adjustments
There’s no tilt function or built-in lumbar support, and the armrests are particularly limited, with only vertical adjustments.

You want the best build quality
The sticking recline lever and wheel lift-off when shuffling forward are hard design faults to ignore.

AndaSeat Luna gaming chair: Also consider

If the AndaSeat Luna doesn't sound like it's the right fit for you, then these alternatives might suit instead

Secretlab Titan Evo 2022
The doyen of the gaming chair world, and for good reason: it’s been the one to beat ever since its first incarnation, and the 2022 edition is still batting away the competition. The perfect blend of comfort, build quality, and adjustability has kept it firmly planted atop its perch. While the starting price is high, Secretlab often offers discounts on its website. Plus, the also excellent 2020 variant is available for less.

Read our Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 review

Corsair TC100 Relaxed
Our pick as the best gaming chair for those on a budget, the TC100 Relaxed costs only slightly more than the AndaSeat Luna. It looks good and is comfortable to sit in. We did find corners were cut on the quality of various parts, but we think it’s better than other gaming chairs at this price point. Also, unlike the AndaSeat Luna, the armrests have lateral adjustments.

Read our Corsair TC100 Relaxed review

(Image credit: Future) How I tested the AndaSeat Luna gaming chair

• Tested for several days
• Assembled with help
• Experienced with and tested many gaming chairs

I tested the AndaSeat Luna for several days, during which time I used it for gaming and work. I unboxed and assembled the chair with the help of one other person.

During my time with it, I made sure to make every adjustment possible, from tweaking the arm height to reclining the backrest as far as it would go.

I have been PC gaming for over 10 years, and during that time I have experienced and tested various office and gaming chairs, including renowned examples such as the Steelcase Leap, Secretlab Omega, and Secretlab Titan.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed December 2024

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• TikTok says it will shut down in the US on January 19
• There's uncertainty over the implementation of a ban
• The US is about to swap presidents on Monday

By now you've almost certainly heard that TikTok could be about to get banned in the US this coming Sunday, January 19. The latest update today is that the social platform will "go dark" amid uncertainty around what the White House will actually decide to do.

As per an official TikTok statement, "unless the Biden Administration immediately provides a definitive statement to satisfy the most critical service providers assuring non-enforcement", the TikTok lights will go off in the US tomorrow.

So is TikTok going to be outlawed in the US or not? No one really knows – and that's the point being made here. With so much uncertainty around what the incoming US president and the outgoing US president really want, TikTok has had enough.

No doubt there's more to come here, and it's likely to be a busy weekend for both TikTok and the US administration. As it stands though, don't expect to be able to download or even access TikTok from tomorrow, if you're in the US – though with a change at the top of the US government, the blackout might not be permanent.

The rather complicated story so far

Does TikTok have a future in the US? (Image credit: CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty Images)

If you're just getting up to speed on the TikTok ban, it's been a long road to this point. You may remember WeChat and TikTok almost got banned from the United States back in 2020, during the first term of Donald Trump's presidency.

The issue has always been the close ties between TikTok, its developer ByteDance, and the Chinese government. Officials in the US are worried China is using TikTok as a way of influencing millions of Americans – or as a full-on spying tool.

Not true, says TikTok – but the US government isn't convinced, even if billions could be lost by businesses and creators. The US Supreme Court has upheld the original law to either ban or sell TikTok to US interests this weekend, and time has almost run out.

In recent days, TikTok CEO Shou Chew has taken to the platform to thank incoming President Trump for his support – Trump replaces Joe Biden in the White House on Monday – but the latest TikTok statement suggests the involved parties are going to have to act very quickly indeed to stop a shutdown.

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• TikTok ban live: all the latest news
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• More Galaxy S25 promo material leaks
• Video shows off AI improvements
• Better video capture is on the way

There's a very good chance the Samsung Galaxy S25 series will jump straight into our best phones list when it's unveiled this coming Wednesday, but until then we've got another leak hinting at some of the AI features we can expect to see arriving on these handsets.

An apparently official promotional video for the Galaxy S25 phones was posted and then pulled by Android Headlines, with Samsung obviously not keen for its big announcements to be spoiled ahead of time.

The video showed off the daily AI-powered morning briefing that's been leaked before, and there's a demonstration of an audio eraser to remove unwanted noise from video recordings (something you can already do on some Pixel phones).

There will also be hugely improved nighttime video capture capabilities, though it's not immediately clear how much of that is down to AI enhancements and how much is down to improved camera lens hardware.

AI and the S25 Slim

The leaked video also shows Google Gemini front and center, which is something we've been expecting. Samsung and Google have worked closely on AI recently: remember the Circle to Search feature made its debut on the Samsung Galaxy S24.

We've also heard that the Samsung Galaxy S25 phones will feature a next-gen Bixby upgrade, as teased in the official promo video you can see above. It may be that Gemini and Bixby are going to be battling it out for your attention.

At the end of the video, there's a shot of four phones next to each other, as we saw on the Samsung Unpacked invite. However, it looks like two of these phones are the Galaxy S25 Ultra, front and back – so where's the Samsung Galaxy S25 Slim?

The rumors have been that the Galaxy S25 Slim will go on sale later in the year – and based on this latest leak, it could well be that we only get to see the standard Galaxy S25, the Galaxy S25 Plus, and the Galaxy S25 Ultra at the event this coming Wednesday.

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• These new Samsung Galaxy S25 Slim renders look great
• The Samsung Galaxy S26 rumors have started already
• Samsung could soon bake ChatGPT into its TVs

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