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I want it, you want it, we all want it, but as it stands, there’s no news confirming Ballard season 2. The Bosch: Legacy spinoff has had astonishing success on Prime Video during its first week of release, scoring the elusive 100% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes. These days, though, even that doesn’t guarantee a future.

Ballard, which follows LAPD detective Renée Ballard (Maggie Q) as she oversees a cold case in a new department, remains the most streamed new TV show on the platform at the time of writing, with positive critical reviews flying in thick and fast. Even to someone who knows very little about how the industry works, there’s clearly more than enough evidence to commission new episodes.

But according to Maggie Q, there’s just as much chance that we could never see Ballard again if a second season isn’t green lit. The biggest shame if the new series quits while it’s ahead? We’ll never get to see the “very exciting” season 2 arc that’s been teased by Q herself.

Ballard season 2 isn’t guaranteed to be renewed by Prime Video, but a ‘very exciting’ arc would make a cancelation devastating

Spoilers for Ballard season 1 finale ahead.

“I have no sense,” Q told The Hollywood Reporter about a potential Ballard season 2. “This industry is not what it was before. It’s barely recognizable to me, and shows are so expendable. They can throw out a show in two seconds, and it doesn’t make a ton of difference that whole worlds and livelihoods are at stake. Studios always have options. But we have a writers room, and they’ve been writing away.

“The arc for the second season is very exciting,” she confirms. “But I’ve had writers room hired before and then gotten cancelled. So everyone’s like, ‘Maggie, of course!’ I’m like, ‘No, no, no.’ There is no ‘of course.’ I am not a negative person at all. I’m a very positive person, but I’m a realist.”

Let’s recap what we know. Season 1 left off with the unexpected reveal that Councilman Jake Pearlman’s (Noah Bean) own father, Gary Pearlman (Kevin Dunn) murdered his own daughter over an alleged confrontation about his marital affair. Robert Olivas (Ricardo Chavira) was also exposed as being a dirty cop alongside being a generally terrible human (bear in mind the earlier assault accusations), but when he’s also killed off, Ballard is arrested for it.

We’ve not seen how Olivas died, but we did see Ballard draw her gun on him in the final moments of their confrontation. If season 2 never gets off the ground, Ballard is essentially stuck in jail, for possibly no good reason, for the rest of her fictional life. Not only this, but Ballard has already defied the typical crime drama stereotype by blending the personal and professional in an entirely new way, so it would be an extra shame to lose something that’s bringing us something fresh.

As far as I’m concerned, Prime Video owes it to the franchise, fans and the undoubtedly the strongest Bosch spinoff so far to give over some answers. In the meantime, you can check out everything else new on Prime Video in July 2025 to get yourself out of a post-Ballard slump.

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Israel launched airstrikes Wednesday on Syria's capital of Damascus, saying it targeted the Syrian military headquarters and near the presidential palace in response to attacks on the Druze minority.

This segment originally aired July 16, 2025.

• The foldable iPhone could be 4.8mm thick when unfolded
• That would make it thicker than the 4.2mm thick Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7
• However, being thicker can come with some advantages

One of the more impressive things about the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is just how slim it is, at a mere 4.2mm thick when unfolded. It’s so slim in fact that the much-rumored foldable iPhone might not be able to match it, despite this device probably not launching until 2026 at the earliest – by which point Samsung might have an even thinner foldable.

According to leaker Setsuna Digital (via Apple Insider), the foldable iPhone will be 4.8mm thick when unfolded, which while certainly quite slim, is a full 0.6mm thicker than the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7.

Still, this would have the iPad Pro 13-inch (2024) beat, as that’s 5.1mm thick. It would also beat the 7.8mm iPhone 16, so this could still be one of Apple’s slimmest devices – at least when unfolded.

When folded, we’d assume it will be at least twice as thick as when unfolded, but it’s unlikely to be exactly twice as thick, as the folded dimensions of phones are usually more than double the unfolded ones, with the Galaxy Z Fold 7 for example being 8.9mm thick.

Still, this rumor may well be inaccurate – the source has a mixed track record, and we’ve heard other thicknesses put forward previously, with one earlier leak pointing to a 4.6mm thickness.

Thinner isn't always better

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is extremely slim (Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

Either way though, it’s sounding like Apple's upcoming phone will probably be thicker than the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Yes, it means that when folded shut this device might be a bit chunky, but it could also allow space for a larger battery or better cameras than the phone might otherwise have.

We’d think that’s a trade-off a lot of people would probably take, so for now we’re not too concerned that Apple might not win this particular battle.

But with the foldable iPhone probably not landing before late 2026, we’d take any and all rumors about it with a pinch of salt for now anyway.

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• We may be three months away from the Samsung tri-fold launch
• The name Galaxy Z Trifold has been trademarked by Samsung
• Samsung has been teasing the phone's launch since January 2025

We've known for a while that a Samsung tri-fold phone is on the way – it was teased all the way back at the January Unpacked event – and fresh leaks point to an actual launch later in the year, as well as an official name for the device.

As per veteran tipster Ice Universe (via Android Authority), we can expect to see the tri-fold break cover sometime in October. That would put it three months after the unveiling of the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7, and three months before the expected introduction of the Samsung Galaxy S26.

At the most recent July Unpacked event, Samsung briefly mentioned the tri-fold after announcing its new foldables and the Galaxy Watch 8 – but only to say that the Huawei Mate XT rival hadn't been forgotten, and was still on the way.

Rumors from earlier in the year had suggested the tri-fold would be showing up later in 2025, so it's not a huge surprise that we're still waiting for it to be unveiled. Whether we'll get a full launch event for the occasion remains to be seen.

And this could be the name

The Huawei Mate XT tri-fold (Image credit: Huawei)

We've already seen hints that the tri-fold would be called the Galaxy G Fold, but appears that won't be the case: as spotted by GalaxyClub (via SamMobile), the name Galaxy Z Trifold has been trademarked in Samsung's home country of South Korea.

It's the obvious name to go for: it fits in with the existing Z naming system, while also plainly indicating that there's an extra fold (and an extra display panel) here. Nothing is certain until the full announcement, but it's a name that makes sense – and the official paperwork is available online.

However, the GalaxyClub team isn't sure that's the end of the story. The trademark may just be a placeholder of sorts, they suggest, or Samsung may opt to give the phone a different name when it rolls out internationally.

Something we can be fairly sure about is the price. The existing Huawei Mate XT tri-fold costs a lot of money, and current estimates for the Samsung tri-fold suggest it might set you back $3,000-$3,500 (roughly £2,240-£2,610 / AU$4,635-AU$5,410).

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• The Analogue 3D has been delayed again
• The reimagining of the Nintendo 64 will now ship in late August instead of this month
• Analogue has blamed "last week’s sudden tariff changes" on the delay

The Analogue 3D, a reimagining of the Nintendo 64, has been delayed once again, this time due to tariffs.

The hardware's creator, Analogue, announced the delay on its support page, confirming that the console will no longer be released this month and will instead ship in late August 2025.

"Analogue 3D shipping is delayed (as of July 15th, 2025) and is now shipping in late August 2025. We are working hard to get your 3D order in hands asap and appreciate your patience. If you have an open preorder no action is needed.

"As always, if you’d like to cancel your pre-order at any time, Analogue has always had a no questions asked, 100% refund policy for pre-orders.

"Before shipping your order, we will email you one week in advance to ensure we have an up-to-date shipping address. You may cancel your order at any time for a full refund before shipment."

Analogue expanded on the reason for the delay, blaming it on "last week’s sudden tariff changes" in an X / Twitter post.

"We’re absorbing the costs—your preorder price stays the same. No additional charges," the company explained. "Late August, the wait ends: reviews go live with everything we’ve been saving for this moment."

Pre-orders for the $250 / £204.99 console went live last year and quickly sold out. It was originally supposed to launch in Q1 2025, but was delayed in March.

If you're unfamiliar, the Analogue 3D is a retro-style console that lets users play N64 cartridges with 4K output on a TV or monitor, without the need for an original N64 system or emulation.

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• The official poster for Supergirl has been released
• James Gunn unveiled the DCU movie's first piece of artwork on July 16
• It pokes fun at the tagline used to promote Superman

The first poster for 2026's Supergirl movie has landed online, and it's a note-perfect piece of art that speaks to Kara Zor-El's rebellious and immature nature.

Released yesterday (July 16) by DC Studios co-chief James Gunn, it shows the eponymous hero sipping on a Slurpie as she poses next to the immediately recognizable 'S' symbol that adorns her and fellow Kryptonian Superman's outfits.

Full spoilers immediately follow for James Gunn's Superman movie. Turn back now if you haven't seen it.

A post shared by James Gunn (@jamesgunn)

A photo posted by on

Speaking of her superhero costume, Kara is kitted out in her classic apparel – complete with red skirt and knee-high boots – and the brown trench coat she's seen wearing during her cameo in Superman. The aforementioned overcoat is also worn in by Kara in 'Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow', the eight-issue graphic novels series that her forthcoming solo DC Universe (DCU) movie is heavily inspired by.

The poster also pokes fun at the 'look up' tagline that was used to promote Superman, aka one of 2025's most anticipated new movies until its release on July 11.

In a move that typifies Kara's anarchic persona, Clark Kent/Kal-El's uncontrollable cousin has graffitied over the 'up' part of its DCU Chapter One film sibling's slogan and replaced it with the word 'out'. It's a punk rock-style piece of wordplay on the part of DC Studios' marketing team that provides further proof that the company's upcoming projects will be tonally different (as reported by IGN) from one another.

House of the Dragon alumnus Milly Alcock will portray Kara Zor-El/Supergirl in the DCU (Image credit: James Gunn/Twitter)

With Superman powering its way to a $217 million box office haul on opening weekend thanks to positive word of mouth from fans and critics alike, attentions are now turning to – and anticipation is building for – Supergirl's arrival next year.

Indeed, the movie formerly known as Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow until Gunn confirmed the DCU's Supergirl film had undergone a name change, is set to fly into theaters worldwide on June 26, 2026.

Milly Alcock, one of two finalists for the role of Kara Zor-El before she was officially hired last January, will reprise her role as the titular character following her all-too-brief appearance in Superman. Regardless, Gunn's first DCU movie only needed 30 seconds to convince me Supergirl will be worth watching.

For more on the next DC comic book movie, including its confirmed cast and plot details, read my ultimate guide on Supergirl. Once you're done, check out the section below for more coverage on one of the most exciting new films that'll launch next year.

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Marshall Kilburn III: two-minute review

The Marshall Kilburn III is the latest entry in the brand's mid-sized Bluetooth speaker range, aiming to combine huge, impactful audio with a pleasingly portable design. It’s also a model that hopes to outdo its predecessor, delivering far superior battery life, refined looks, and revamped acoustics. But that all comes with quite a bump up in price. So, is the Kilburn III truly worth the additional spend?

Well, given the truly swathing improvements across the board, I honestly believe that the answer is "yes". Some of the upgrades here are totally game-changing, none more so than the boost to battery life. The Marshall Kilburn III can offer 50 hours – yes, 50 hours – of playtime, which is more than double its predecessor, at just over 20 hours. That bolstered battery life means that the Kilburn III has more playtime than any other Marshall speaker – and far more than the majority of competition in this size and price category.

What really makes this model stand out – even compared to some of the best Bluetooth speakers – is its stellar audio performance. But let me be clear, other enhancements, such as an IP54 dust- and water-resistance rating, sleeker overall build and a premium gold control panel all come together to make the Kilburn III so much better than its predecessor, the Marshall Kilburn II.

Yes, the Kilburn III has fully reengineered acoustics, as well as bolstered 360-degree stereophonic sound. And the results from these adjustments are astonishingly good. This speaker served up incredibly clean, impactful bass, fantastically expressive mids, and energetic treble. No matter the genre of music you throw at it – it could be classical, it could be house, it could be rock – the Kilburn III nails it all, with beautifully full-sounding, omni-directional audio that’s seriously addictive.

It's also super-easy to adjust sound to your taste, either using the tactile knobs on top of the speaker, or via the Marshall app. The companion software opens up a number of EQ presets, a five-band equalizer, and even Placement Compensation, which optimizes audio for your space. It really is so easy to forge a sound that’s tailored to you, wherever you’re listening.

There are a bunch more features to unlock, too, such as battery preservation, Auracast, and charging bank functionality – which enables you to charge your phone through the Kilburn III’s USB-C port.

Arguably, though, the biggest draw of this model is its stunning looks. We’ve come to expect boundless beauty from Marshall over the years, with its eye-catching retro, amp-inspired design work translating beautifully into the world of speakers, headphones, and now even soundbars, following the launch of the five star-rated Marshall Heston 120. And it's no different with the Kilburn III.

Unlike the Kilburn II, gorgeous golden details used here for the logo and the controls really hammer home a premium feel. Pair that with neat speaker grilles on the front and reverse sides, pleasant knob and switch controls, as well as a red velvet-infused strap, and you’re looking at a masterclass in design.

The catch, as I flagged earlier, is that you’ll have to splash a fair amount of cash for the Kilburn III’s services. It will set you back $379 / £299 / AU$599 – which is by no means cheap. And it's also $80 / £50 / AU$100 more than the Kilburn II cost at launch. Having said that, the improvements are seismic and this is a model that's right up there with premium rivals such as the Sonos Move 2 and Bose SoundLink Max.

All in all, the Marshall Kilburn III is an exemplary Bluetooth speaker that absolutely aces everything that matters most. Amazing sound? Check. Luxury looks? Check. And a tasty set of features? Also, check.

Sure, if you want an option that’s perfect for taking to the beach, its IP54 durability may not quite do the trick, and I’d point you in the direction of our best waterproof speakers guide. But if you want a true statement piece with class-leading battery life and audacious audio, this is one of the best Bluetooth speakers on the market.

(Image credit: Future)Marshall Kilburn III review: price and release date

• $379 / £299 / AU$599
• Launched in May 2025

The Marshall Kilburn III first released at the end of May 2025, almost seven years after its predecessor, the Kilburn II. It has a list price of $379 / £299 / AU$599, which is $80 / £50 / AU$100 more than the Kilburn II at the point of release. But the price reflects a slew of improvements, which I’ll tackle in depth below.

You can grab the Kilburn III in either Black & Brass or Cream, but the variant you select should have little to no impact on the price you pay for the speaker.

Marshall Kilburn III review: specs

Weight

6.2lbs / 2.8kg

Dimensions

10.7 x 5.9 x 6.7 inches /

273 x 150 x 169mm

Connectivity

Bluetooth 5.3, AUX

Battery life

50 hours

Speaker drivers

1x 30W woofer; 2x 10W full ranges

Waterproofing

IP54

(Image credit: Future)Marshall Kilburn III review: features

• Effective Placement Compensation
• Nifty companion app with decent EQ options
• Colossal battery life

The Marshall Kilburn III has many of the key features you’d be looking for in a modern Bluetooth speaker. You get all the basics, such as multi-point connectivity and fast-pairing, but there’s so much more to unlock in the Marshall app.

For instance, there’s Placement Compensation, where you can state if the speaker is positioned close to an edge, a wall or corner, and the speaker will adapt its audio output accordingly. I tried all of the different calibrations and found that the adjustments all make a significant difference, so ensure that you have the right setup for your space.

There are also some tasty EQ options to sink your teeth into. Yes, gone are the days of simply making adjustments to the bass and treble; Marshall has included a five-band equalizer here, enabling you to make a custom EQ that's to your taste. Alternatively, you can pick from a number of presets, such as bass, mid, and treble boost.

Some other nuggets include: battery preservation options, such as the choice to lower charging speed if temperature is outside the ideal range; Auracast broadcast tune-in; and M-button customization, which enables you to alter the function of the "M" shortcut on the speaker’s control panel.

The bottom line is, all of the crucial features are present – and super-easy to play around with in the Marshall app. Although, there are a few omissions that you’ll find on rival speakers.

For instance, there’s no built-in mic for high-quality, hands-free calling, something you’ll find on a model such as the Sony ULT Field 3. In addition, there’s no multi-speaker pairing (ie. no JBL PartyBoost equivalent), so if 100% volume isn’t enough or you want to create a multi-room setup over Bluetooth, it may be worth checking out a larger option in our guide to the best party speakers. I don’t typically keep multiple units of the same speaker at hand, and I prefer to keep calls more private, meaning neither of these missing features bothered me all too much.

Perhaps the best feature of this speaker, though, is its ridiculously long battery life. It delivers 50 hours of playtime, which is far, far more than most rivals in its price and weight class. Even the brilliant JBL Xtreme 4 can only just knock out 30 hours with PlayTime Boost active. Combine that with the ability to charge external devices via the speaker’s USB-C port, and you’re looking at a true powerhouse.

• Features score: 4.5/5

(Image credit: Future)Marshall Kilburn III review: sound quality

• "True" 360-degree stereophonic sound
• Incredible bass output
• But overall sound is still brilliantly balanced

I was lucky enough to have the chance to try the Kilburn III out early at Marshall’s HQ in Stockholm, Sweden, so I already had a decent idea of this speaker’s talents. However, having spent a bit more time with it at our music testing room at Future Labs, I have realized that the Kilburn III is even better than I’d first thought.

One of the first things that struck me about this speaker was its booming bass output – something I also loved about the brand’s Heston 120 soundbar. When blasting Keep That Groove by Vitess, the pumping low-end was translated ultra-cleanly, with no noticeable distortion or muffling. Bass didn't ever overpower synths or vocals, and I didn’t even feel the need to activate the Bass Boost EQ mode!

The Kilburn III treated me to clear audio, even when I pumped out the tunes seriously loudly. For instance, when playing One-Winged Angel by Nobuo Uematsu, the piercing strings, ominous bass drums, and fear-inducing vocals culminated beautifully, never outshining one another. This is in part thanks to the Kilburn III’s dynamic loudness tech, which automatically adjusts bass, mids, and treble, so you don’t lose out on any detail.

Speaking of which, the Kilburn III is able to put up a pleasingly intricate performance, even though it lacks any "hi-res" Bluetooth codec support such as LDAC or aptX Adaptive. Leading sax from In The Pocket by Eric Darius danced through our testing room, sounding tonally accurate and unrestricted, resulting in a nuanced and expressive interpretation of the track. And thanks to the speaker’s "true" stereophonic sound, it didn’t matter where I was listening from – I got full-sounding, clear audio at every angle.

Even instrument separation surprised me after throwing on Vantablack by Intervals, with in-your-face electric guitar sounds well defined in the mix, even with a deep, powerful bassline and thrashing drums running throughout.

I really did throw a huge variety of tracks at the Kilburn III, and I was truly blown away by its ability to effortlessly handle anything sent its way.

With an all-action rock banger such as Are You Gonna Go My Way by Lenny Kravitz, intertwining guitars sounded satisfyingly forward, with drums expertly positioned for a next-level listening experience. And with an upbeat dance track – something perhaps not associated with Marshall – such as A Fresh Energy by Gaskin, pumping bass was never lethargic, while higher-pitched percussive elements came through with incredible vibrancy.

The Kilburn III really is a Jack of all trades…but it's also a master of each one.

• Sound quality score: 5/5

(Image credit: Future)Marshall Kilburn III review: design

• Stunning amp-inspired looks
• Excellent physical controls
• IP54 waterproofing is better, but nothing special

I already own the Marshall Stanmore III and have always adored the way it looks in my living room setup. I just love the retro feel of the amp-inspired design Marshall uses for its speakers, so you won’t be shocked to hear I very much like the look of the Kilburn III.

It has a premium-looking faux leather outercasing, stunningly finished speaker grilles on its front and reverse side, a gold-plated control panel, and sleek handle that has a red velvet underside. I didn’t so much like the white logo and black control panel on the Kilburn II – but this new model feels far more high-end, and it's one that is going to look like a true statement piece in any living space.

When I spoke to Marshall about the Kilburn III, that sense of the speaker being a "statement piece" was strong in the mind. I was assured that the speaker wasn't meant to compete with the company's rugged models – think the Marshall Middleton or Marshall Emberton III. And that may explain its sort of "meh" waterproof rating.

The Kilburn III is just IP54 dust- and waterproof-rated, meaning it's only really protected against splashing water, not water jets or full on submersion. Of course, a lot of portable Bluetooth speakers are now IP67-rated – sometimes higher – so if you’re looking for the most rough-and-ready model around, you should probably look elsewhere.

Regardless, there are other design aspects of the Kilburn III of which I am a fan. First of all, the tactile knobs on top of the speaker are incredibly effective and well built. You can alter volume, bass, or treble levels with these. There’s also a pin control, which makes a return from other Marshall models, for switching the speaker on or off. Perhaps the most interesting physical control, though, is the "M" button, which can be set to a variety of functions – such as sifting through EQ options – via the Marshall app.

On the reverse side of the speaker, you'll also find a USB-C port to charge the speaker or external devices, as well as a 3.5mm AUX port if you want to indulge in wired listening.

• Design score: 4.5/5

(Image credit: Future)Marshall Kilburn III review: value

• More expensive than its predecessor…
• …but a seismic improvement across the board
• Well-priced against rivals

I’ve flagged it a couple of times in this review, but the Marshall Kilburn III is significantly more expensive than its predecessor. Given the sheer scale and breadth of improvements, though, I think it’s totally worth it.

Battery life is much improved, it has a more premium design, and the re-engineered acoustics have taken the revamped Kilburn to new heights. Even around that $400 / £300 / AU$600 zone, it sounds well-worth every penny.

And even against some similar-sized competitors, I wouldn’t consider the Kilburn III to be overpriced. For instance, 2024’s JBL Xtreme 4 launched at $379 / £329 / AU$499, and after testing both models side-by-side, I'd give Marshall’s effort the slight edge sonically. Of course, given its age, you can often find the JBL Xtreme 4 on sale now, though.

On top of that, this model is cheaper than the Bose SoundLink Max at the point of release, which often still goes for the full $399 / £399 / AU$599. So, the Kilburn III is far from the priciest in its weight class.

• Value score: 4.5/5

(Image credit: Future)Should I buy the Marshall Kilburn III?

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Features

Some small omissions can’t overshadow amazing battery life and in-app functions.

4.5/5

Sound quality

Beautifully balanced audio even at high volumes, no matter the listening angle.

5/5

Design

Attractive amp-inspired design with gorgeous golden details.

4.5/5

Value

A price bump over its predecessor, but sounds, looks, and feels well-worth it.

4.5/5

Buy it if...

You love the Marshall aesthetic
The Kilburn III stays faithful to the traditional Marshall aesthetic with its retro-looking amp-inspired design, adding a golden control panel and logo, upgraded tactile knobs, and a pin-style power switch, to make the Kilburn III a real beauty.

You need plenty of battery life
Arguably the most impressive aspect of this Bluetooth speaker is its outrageously long battery life. With 50 hours of playtime, depending on listening volume, there's more than enough juice to keep the party running into the next day…and maybe the day after that, too.

Don't buy it if...

You’re on a budget
The Marshall Kilburn III is an expensive speaker, and significantly pricier than its predecessor. Of course, I think there's enough to justify that hike; but if you’re on a budget, consider models such as the Anker Soundcore Boom 2 and the Marshall Kilburn II – both of which we’ve tested and enjoyed.

You want a big, powerful party speaker
The Kilburn III can get pretty loud, displaying great bass output given its size. But for gigantic, yet talented, sound, nothing beats the Tribit Stormbox Blast 2. It can even double up as a karaoke machine – what more could you want?

Marshall Kilburn III review: also consider

Marshall Kilburn III

JBL Xtreme 4

Bose SoundLink Max

Price

$379 / £299 / AU$599

$379 / £329 / AU$499

$399 / £399 / AU$599

Weight

6.2lbs / 2.8kg

4.63 lbs / 2.1kg

4.7lbs / 2.1kg

Dimensions

10.7 x 5.9 x 6.7 inches /

273 x 150 x 169mm

11.7 x 5.9 x 5.6 inches / 297 x 149 x 141mm

4.7 x 10.4 x 4.1 inches / 120 x 265 x 105mm

Connectivity

Bluetooth 5.3, AUX

Bluetooth 5.3

Bluetooth 5.3

Battery life

50 hours

24 hours (plus up to 6 hours more with Playtime Boost)

20 hours

Speaker drivers

1 x 30W woofer; 2 x 10W full ranges

2 x 30W woofers, 2 x 20W tweeters

2 x 89mm transducers, 1 x 23mm transducer, 2x passive radiators

Waterproofing

IP54

IP67

IP67

JBL Xtreme 4
I still rate the JBL Xtreme 4 as one of the best party speakers around. I used it for comparison testing against the Kilburn III, and it still displays that clear, responsive, impactful sound that I remembered from last year. This model is a little more rugged, boasting an IP67 waterproof rating. On top of that, it can be found on sale fairly regularly now, so you should be able to grab it for less than the Kilburn III. Read our full JBL Xtreme 4 review.

Bose SoundLink Max
If you want big, bold, balanced audio, the Bose SoundLink Max is a top-tier option. Again, this one’s IP67-rated, so it’s a little better protected against the elements. It’s gorgeous, too, much like the other speakers in the SoundLink line – but there’s a severe drop off in battery life when you compare this to the Kilburn III. On occasion, you can find the SoundLink Max for $100 / £100 off, so if Bose has your heart, make sure you keep your eyes peeled for a sale. Read our full Bose SoundLink Max review.

Marshall Kilburn III review: how I tested

(Image credit: Future)

• Tested for one week
• Mainly used in our music testing facility at Future Labs
• Predominantly tested using Tidal

I tested the Marshall Kilburn III over a week-long period, making use of its full set of features, playing hours of music, and assessing all aspects of its design. I mainly used the speaker in our music testing room at Future Labs, so that I could judge audio quality in an isolated, controlled environment.

When blasting tunes, I mainly used Tidal, but I occasionally played songs over Spotify too. As always, I started the testing process by streaming tracks from our carefully curated TechRadar reference playlist, but I also listened to a ton of tracks from my own personal library. I ran a comparison test with the JBL Xtreme 4 to assess aspects such as sub-bass output, instrument separation, and sonic detail.

I’ve tested all sorts of audio equipment during my time at TechRadar, from flagship headphones such as the Sony WH-1000XM6, through to home cinema products such as the Marshall Heston 120. I’ve reviewed an array of speakers along the way from brands such as Sony, JBL, and, of course, Marshall. As a result, I’m more than familiar with the Kilburn III’s rivals, as well as what it takes for a speaker to stand out in a highly competitive market.

• First reviewed: July 2025
• Read more about how we test

NASA wants to land Artemis astronauts on the moon in 2027, but the scientific instruments they'll bring must be tested on Earth. The best place to do that is a mile-wide meteorite crater in Arizona.

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• The 8BitDo Pro 3 has just been announced by the popular controller brand
• It's due to release in August in the US, and October in the UK
• Pre-orders have now begun at Amazon

Controller manufacturer 8BitDo has announced its next big gamepad, the 8BitDo Pro 3. It'll be a successor to the 8BitDo Pro 2, which remains listed in our guide to the best Xbox controllers and is a superb budget retro gaming option.

The brand revealed the 8BitDo Pro 3 controller via its official X / Twitter account. You're able to pre-order it now for $69.99 / £59.99 at Amazon, and it'll begin shipping from August 12, 2025 in the US. However, UK folks will seemingly have to wait a bit longer until October 10, 2025.

Color-wise it comes in three flavors; a SNES-inspired 'G Classic', a more traditional 'Gray', and an eye-catching 'Purple' variant.

Introducing 8BitDo Pro 3 Bluetooth Gamepad.Retro flagship. A classic reimagined. 8BitDo’s iconic design—elevated with next-level compatibility and control. Featuring TMR joysticks, extra bumpers, swappable magnetic ABXY, Hall Effect triggers, and more.Compatible with Switch 1… pic.twitter.com/UJSNJ2hhN6July 15, 2025

The 8BitDo Pro 3 sounds like it has a mightily impressive feature set, packing Hall effect-like TMR thumbsticks, extra remappable bumper buttons, Hall effect triggers, and Trigger locks.

For me, though, the standout feature has to be its swappable magnetic face buttons, as well as the optional joystick modules that could make the 8BitDo Pro 3 perfect for the best fighting games. And much like the 8BitDo Pro 2 before it, likely also a great fit for retro gaming, be that on PC or via Nintendo Switch Online's various retro libraries.

On that note, 8BitDo has confirmed the controller is compatible with both Switch and Switch 2, as well as PC, Mac, SteamOS, and Android devices.

While this initial model doesn't appear to be compatible with Xbox like its predecessor, there's the possibility another model will be made for the console, as 8BitDo tends to do with its other pads including the 8BitDo Ultimate 2.

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ScalaCube has long been one of the best Minecraft server hosting options available. It offers a selection of products, all the features you could need, and some easy one-click install solutions.

In our ScalaCube review, we explain exactly why this host holds such a large share of the market. The cheapest plan costs less than a cup of coffee, while there are extensive options for those with more ambitious plans and a growing community. What more could you need?

ScalaCube plans and pricing

ScalaCube has nine different subscription options, covering different budgets. For American and European servers, Premium plans range from $2 to $96 a month for the first month, renewing at $5 to $192.

The cheapest plan comes with 768MB RAM and 10 player slots. That plan won't suffice for most needs but there are mid-range options such as 6GB RAM and 100 player slots for $18 per month (increasing to $36), right up to the $96 plan which has 600 player slots and 32GB RAM.

A dedicated IP costs a $20 one-off fee with automated backups costing a $10 one-off fee.

ScalaCube features

ScalaCube focuses on Minecraft hosting, and its products are backed by a suite of premium features. Some of the most notable are listed below.

One-click modpack installation

With ScalaCube, you will have access to one-click installations for more than a thousand modpacks. These include standard packs, Spigot, PaperMC, CurseForge, and more. You can also create and upload your own custom modpack if you would like to.

Server monitoring

On your ScalaCube dashboard, you will find a monitoring tab that enables you to keep track of your server’s RAM and storage usage. You can use this to help you decide whether or not you’re using the correct plan for your needs.

Interface and in-use

To start with ScalaCube, simply select the plan you want to sign up for and work through the checkout process. This is very straightforward, and you shouldn’t have any issues. The main dashboard is simple but easy to navigate and familiarize yourself with.

ScalaCube’s main dashboard is intuitive and easy to navigate (Image credit: ScalaCube)

One thing worth noting is that ScalaCube’s servers can take a significant amount of time to deploy. Expect to wait at least ten minutes, but this could stretch to an even longer period of time in some cases. 

The server management dashboard is packed full of a great selection of tools, including a backup system, FTP/SSH access, and a Minecraft launcher. Installing a new game server takes just a few clicks, and it’s a very straightforward process in general.

The server management dashboard is packed full of tools (Image credit: ScalaCube)Support

ScalaCube’s customer service is limited to online ticketing. You need to be signed in to your account to submit a ticket, and this is done from your main dashboard. The support team is only active from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm (GMT+2). 

There are a number of self-help resources available via the support page. Here, you will find dozens of Minecraft tutorials outlining how to create your server, the best ways to configure it, and various other popular actions.

ScalaCraft has many tutorials to help you get started (Image credit: ScalaCube)Alternatives to ScalaCube

ScalaCube is a top-rated Minecraft host, and its free plan stands out as one of the best we’ve seen, but there are numerous alternatives worth considering. 

For example, Hostinger offers powerful Minecraft hosting at much lower prices than ScalaCube, making it a great option for those on a tight budget. Setup is very straightforward, and you will benefit from the Game Panel, which enables you to create a new server in just a few minutes. There are numerous server types, and prices start at just $4.99 monthly (on a 24-month plan) for 4GB RAM and 1 vCPU core.

Another popular option is MCProHosting, which enables you to host and switch between multiple games on the same server—a feature that ScalaCube doesn’t have. This makes it a great choice for those who like to switch between Minecraft and other games such as ARK, CS GO, Starbound, and Rust. 24/7 support is available if you run into any problems.

Final verdict

Overall, ScalaCube presents as one of the best Minecraft hosts available. Its free plan is great for those looking to create their first server, while its premium options cater to users of all skill levels. There are some small flaws, like limited customer service. But overall, there’s a lot to like here, and we’d highly recommend giving ScalaCube a try.

Further reading on game server hosting

We've got in-depth on all you need to know about the best Minecraft server hosting. For other games, check out the best game server hosting currently available.

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