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Confirmation hearings for Cabinet members nominated by President-elect Trump are underway. The FBI conducts background checks focusing on "character and conduct" of the nominees. What's involved?

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• Micron is teaming up with Pure Storage for the 150TB DirectFlash module
• Micron's G8 QLC NAND has been qualified for production, alongside Kioxia
• This chip is used in Micron's own rival 60TB SSD

Pure Storage has announced an expanded collaboration with Micron which will see the American semiconductor company’s G9 QLC NAND integrated into the storage firm's future DirectFlash Module (DFM) solutions for use in hyperscale data centers.

This move builds on a decade of cooperation between the two companies, spanning seven generations of NAND integration which includes the Micron G8 QLC NAND, which has been qualified for production in Pure Storage’s 150TB DFM expected later in 2025 (Pure Storage has previously said it plans to ship 300TB DFMs by 2026).

Micron already uses this NAND chip in its own 60TB SSD.

Addressing performance and efficiency needs

DFM technology promises faster data transfer rates, low latency, and high reliability for data-intensive workloads. The module also reduces energy consumption compared to traditional HDD-based solutions, lowering both operating costs and carbon footprint. The use of NAND with higher areal density (bits per square millimeter) allows for greater storage capacity in smaller physical footprints, contributing to more efficient rack usage and scalability.

“Pure Storage’s collaboration with Micron is another example of our significant momentum bringing the benefits of all-flash storage technology to hyperscale environments," said Bill Cerreta, General Manager of Hyperscale at Pure Storage.

"With Micron’s advanced NAND technology, Pure Storage can further optimize storage scalability, performance, and energy efficiency for an industry with unparalleled requirements.”

Jeremy Werner, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Micron’s Storage Business Unit, added, “Micron’s advanced NAND technologies, combined with Pure’s innovative storage solutions, enable data center operators to address the increasing performance, efficiency, and scalability needs for today’s hyperscale data centers, Built on trust and thriving on innovation, our collaboration with Pure Storage consistently offers cutting-edge storage solutions for hyperscale and enterprise environments.”

The announcement follows that of Japanese memory giant Kioxia, which, like Micron, has a longstanding relationship with Pure Storage. Last year, Kioxia reported it had begun sampling shipments of 2Tb QLC devices, featuring its eighth-generation BiCS FLASH 3D flash memory technology, which Pure Storage also uses in its all-flash storage products.

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In an age of hybrid work environments, having a reliable docking station can significantly enhance productivity. The Plugable USB-C Dual 4K Display HDMI or DisplayPort Docking Station is designed for professionals who need multi-monitor support, excellent connectivity, and powerful charging options, all with DisplayLink baked in. That's what this Plugable dock has to offer.

It may be tailored to Mac, but with the design language and the use of DisplayLink, it can be used with any operating system. Having reviewed many of the best laptop docking stations, I have tried it with Windows, iPadOS, and MacOS. While the latter two have limitations on-screen usage, it's good to know that you are set to go with multiple displays in one way or another.

Plugable USB-C Dual 4K HDMI or DisplayPort Dock: Price and Availability

The Plugable USB-C Dual 4K HDMI or DisplayPort Dock is available for $200 directly from Plugable's website or Amazon and is backed by a two-year warranty with lifetime support from the Plugable team.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) Plugable USB-C Dual 4K HDMI or DisplayPort Dock: Unboxing and First Impressions

The Plugable USB-C Dual 4K HDMI or DisplayPort Dock is a very simple-looking dock overall. The packaging is simple, the labels are clear, and the inclusion of DisplayLink is prominent. What’s great, though, is that while this dock is relatively wide, it has clean lines, flat sides (not rounded or protruding), and is pretty thin. This makes it a perfect candidate to be mounted, in my opinion, and that’s precisely what I did.

The only thing that sets this apart from a simple plug-and-play is if you will use the DisplayLink feature. If you are not using this with a MacBook or only plan on using one monitor, you can run this dock as a plug-and-play solution. I run my desk this way about 70% of the time. The other 30% of the time, I add another monitor or swap out monitors to test at this desk. When I do that, I need to run the DisplayLink driver and software on my MacBook Pro, which is super easy to download and relatively lightweight.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) Plugable USB-C Dual 4K HDMI or DisplayPort Dock: Design and Build Quality Specs

Video Output: Dual 4K @ 60Hz via 2x HDMI or 2x DisplayPort.
Ports: 2x HDMI, 2x DisplayPort, 2x USB-C, 4x USB 3.0, SD/microSD readers, Ethernet, 3.5mm jack.
Power Delivery: 100W charging for laptops.
Compatibility: macOS, Windows, ChromeOS (driver installation required for macOS).

The port arrangement on this dock is laid out with desk organization in mind. The front-facing quick-access ports are easily accessible, and the backports are nicely arranged and easy to work with, even when facing away from the desk. All the monitor connections and devices that generally stay connected (rather than get unplugged and plugged in frequently) are also neatly organized.

The USB-C on the side runs to the laptop cable tucked away so I can route it around my desk shelf or directly to my laptop. In my case, I used one of my new favorite accessories, the right-angle 40Gbps USB-C adapter, to help keep everything tucked away and tidy.

I could see this dock used at home and in traditional office workspaces. However, I would not want this to be a portable dock to take with me from place to place, as it is designed to stay on a desk or workstation.

Plugable USB-C Dual 4K HDMI or DisplayPort Dock: In use

So far, my experience with this dock has been smooth sailing. It easily handles my monitor usage, and since it has both HDMI and DisplayPort, it has made running my vast array of monitors quite effortless -- no adapters necessary. The USB-A ports are great, and for some setups, that might be all you need; however, if you are working with large files or a lot of newer generation tech that is USB-C or even Thunderbolt, you may want to check out a different model of Plugable docks.

The best part of this dock is that it has built-in DisplayLink, allowing me to run multiple monitors on my otherwise limited MacBook Pro. It's annoying, but I'm thankful for companies like Plugable that put DisplayLink in their docks so that I can circumvent this limitation on my setup.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) Plugable USB-C Dual 4K HDMI or DisplayPort Dock: Final verdict

The Plugable USB-C Docking Station offers exceptional functionality for power users who demand high-resolution multi-monitor setups and robust connectivity. While its reliance on drivers and lack of USB-C/Thunderbolt may deter some, its performance and built-in DisplayLink make it a worthwhile investment for many.

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COSORI Smart Nutrition Scale: Two-minute review

(Image credit: Future)

New for 2025 in the world of health and fitness technology is the enticing COSORI Smart Nutrition Scale. I actually first encountered it on TikTok where I've seen a couple of viral posts about it, and now COSORI has officially launched the Smart Kitchen Scale in the UK. See the Price and Availability section for full details.

As a fitness enthusiast with an interest in food and nutrition, but as someone who often struggles to track food and count calories, the COSORI seemed right up my street, and after my initial go at using the scale I have to say I'm really impressed. It's not perfect, and the methodology has a couple of obvious flaws I'll get to, but this is a nifty little kitchen gadget that will catch the eye of guests and make a great sub-£50/$50 gift for the gym enthusiast in your life.

Out of the box, 6he COSORI feels premium and well-built, which you'd hope for a scale that costs nearly 50 bucks. The plastic base houses three AAA batteries, while the platform is made up of food-grade 304 stainless steel that's designed to be easy to clean. The sizing is pretty generous, it's a lot larger than my bog-standard kitchen scale and feels more useful as a result, without being unwieldy.

(Image credit: Future)

The COSORI Smart Kitchen Scale is designed to provide you with accurate information about the food you eat, revealing the exact amount of calories, protein, fat, carbs, and micronutrients like fiber based on weight. Naturally, it requires a companion app where you'll access the database of food, scanning barcodes (or searching for food) as you go.

The scale arrives ready to use, with a QR code included for the VeSync app, I'd say installation, registration, and pairing all took less than a minute. The process to set up the scale was extremely easy and straightforward, with zero hiccups. So far, so good.

(Image credit: Future)

The COSORI Smart Kitchen Scale is so easy to use that there's very little to explain when it comes to its functionality. The VeSync app, which syncs with Apple Health and Fitbit, includes a daily food-tracking platform. You enter your target calories and your desired breakdown of protein, carbs, and fat, the big three 'macronutrients' essential to balancing a diet, shedding weight, or building muscle.

Once your numbers are locked in, you log food just as you would in apps like MyFitnessPal. The most convenient way to do this is by scanning barcodes. The process is super snappy, but has an obvious flaw. The food data comes from Nutritionix, which boasts nearly one million food items. However, if your food isn't listed, you'll need to enter the details manually or pick a substitute.

I did a quick go-around of my fridge and was surprised to find eggs and Greek yogurt from one household UK supermarket didn't show up. However, eggs from another large supermarket showed up just fine, as did some frozen berries from my freezer, and a body-building mainstay: Pringles potato crisps. Your mileage will definitely vary when it comes to what foods are supported, and might even depend on where you live and shop.

Manually entering the information isn't the end of the world, but it's certainly frustrating when the barcode scanner doesn't throw up results.

(Image credit: Future)

Once you've successfully identified your food, you simply pop it on the scale and the COSORI will automatically weigh it and provide you with a breakdown of all the nutrients in the food. Once you're happy with your amount, you simply tap 'Save and Add More', and you're done. Congrats, you've successfully logged the exact weight and calorific breakdown of the food you're about to eat.

In principle, you can use the COSORI Smart Kitchen Scale to track an entire day's worth of eating, with calorie tracking accuracy down to the nearest gram.

So who would benefit? While the COSORI can be used to simply weigh something, this is a lot of money to spend on a scale that you use purely for weight. The COSORI really needs to be used to its full potential to justify the outlay. I'd say that gym-goers, bodybuilders, and anyone trying to build a food regime to complement their fitness plan would absolutely love the COSORI.

It would especially lend itself to people who like to try new foods, mix up recipes, and experiment. By contrast, if you meal prep seven days of boiled chicken, rice, and broccoli every Sunday afternoon, you might be better off with a regular scale.

(Image credit: Future)

The COSORI is particularly helpful for giving you insight into calories and ingredients which don't have an obvious calorie makeup, like a spoonful of peanut butter. I distinctly recall one TikToker being mortified at just how many calories were to be found in a fairly meager serving of peanut butter, for instance. If you take an interest in your diet, calories, and portions, the COSORI could take you from a portion enthusiast to a culinary Rain Man.

While you could in theory use the COSORI alongside something like MyFitnessPal to track your food, you'd lose out on the snappy, automatic tracking and instant results that make the COSORI an attractive package. Therefore, anyone who's already heavily invested in a different food or fitness app might not want to make the switch. The COSORI app even features recipes, including recipes you can use with the best air fryers (some of which, coincidentally, are also made by COSORI).

COSORI Smart Nutrition Scale: Price and availability

(Image credit: Future)

• $39.99 / £47.42
• No AUS availability
• Different brand name in the US

The COSORI Smart Kitchen Scale is available now in the UK from Amazon at the cost of £47.42. In the U.S, you can buy one under the brand name Etekcity, also from Amazon, at the cost of $39.99. Both COSORI and Etekcity are subsidiaries of the VeSync brand, and these are the same product. Unfortunately, the product is not currently available in Australia.

COSORI Smart Nutrition Scale: Specifications COSORI Smart Nutrition Scale: Scorecard COSORI Smart Nutrition Scale: Should I buy?

(Image credit: Future) Buy if it...

You care deeply about food and nutrition

This scale is the perfect companion for anyone tracking calories or trying to hit a fitness goal.

You want an easy way to track your calories

It doesn't get easier than scanning your food and then weighing it.

You tend to eat lots of different foods and create new recipes

This scale is particularly useful for tracking a varied diet and for people who like to mix it up a bit. View Deal

Don't buy it if...

You just want a scale to weigh food

If you don't care about the app or the tracking insights, this is too expensive as a normal scale.

There's not a lot of variation in your diet

While still useful, the COSORI will be less valuable to people who tend to eat the same foods over and over again.

Also consider

(Image credit: Future)

The Renpho Kitchen Scales are an obvious alternative to the COSORI, and a lot cheaper. However, you won't get that epic LCD display the nutritional information, and it's a bit smaller too.

How I tested

I paired the COSORI Smart Kitchen Scale with my iPhone, exploring all of the features of the app. I used the scale to weigh a number of household foods to determine accuracy, as well as the barcode scanner to test the food library function.

With TikTok's days in the U.S. potentially numbered, many American users are moving to another Chinese social media app: RedNote, a heavily censored platform similar to Instagram. Here's what to know.

(Image credit: Andy Wong)

As someone who takes a fairly laissez-faire approach to skincare despite having storied difficulties with acne and oiliness, I’m excited to see that beauty tech is on the rise. This year at CES 2025, I saw everything from LED face masks to smart mirrors making debut appearances alongside the latest and greatest gadgetry, however, one of the most exciting arrivals was L'Oréal’s new skin testing device, the Cell Bioprint.

Made in collaboration with Korean start-up Nanoentek, this tabletop device uses advanced proteomics (the study of how protein composition affects skin aging) to determine the past, present and future of your skin health, all in a five-minute test.

I had the opportunity to try it out on-site, and I learned a lot about my skin, including some surprising insights I’ll be taking heed of in my new skincare regime.

Want a quick run-down? Check out the timestamped video below.

Lab on a chip

So, how does the Cell BioPrint actually work? The test itself is deceptively simple, but the science behind the scenes is truly impressive.

The test begins by dabbing stickers on the apple of your cheeks 15 times, before inserting them into a solution. The sticker lifts dead skin cells from your cheek, which the solution then strips, leaving behind only the tell-tale proteins identified by L'Oréal as biomarkers for various signs of skin aging.

Next up, you’ll need one of L'Oréal’s “lab on a chip” testing cartridges, on which you’ll dot a few drops of the solution. Much like the lateral flow tests we were so familiar with during the pandemic, this cartridge sucks up the solution; and this is where the actual Cell BioPrint machine comes into play. It features an ATM-esque slot, into which you slide the testing cartridge so it can be measured and analyzed.

While you wait for the analysis to be complete, you’ll also take a few scans of your cheeks and forehead with L'Oréal’s Skin Connect device and answer a short questionnaire about your chronological age and skin type before the machine spits back out your testing cartridge and delivers your results on the connected tablet.

By the skin of my skin @techradar

♬ original sound - TechRadar

Now, as I mentioned before, I’m no skincare guru, despite a now-decades-long battle with my own complexion. So, anything that removes the guesswork for me is a huge win in my book.

Suffice it to say, then, that I was delighted by the depth and detail of my skincare report from the Cell BioPrint. Not only did give me some great insight into my skin, but it also told me that my skin’s biological age is actually two years younger than my biological age - a compliment I was not expecting to receive.

In addition to correctly identifying that my skin tends towards larger pores and oiliness, I also learned that my skin barrier function is weak, and that there’s some unevenness to my skin. One of the most useful learnings is that my skin absorbs retinol well, meaning I can confidently join the leagues of TikTok-informed skincare gurus in worshipping the famous form of Vitamin A.

(Image credit: Future)

Better yet, the device can even recommend specific products for your skin composition. Of course, the recommendations made by the Cell BioPrint are solely from L'Oréal’s family of products, so there’s that to consider; but you can always research for yourself any product dupes or alternatives that fall within your price range or preference.

Having spent years hopping from product to product, I’m feeling a lot more confident about my skincare regimen following my demonstration of L'Oréal’s Cell BioPrint device; but that’s not just down to the tech itself. Cell BioPrint is destined more for department stores and retail environments instead of for home use, meaning users will have an expert at-hand to help break down the results; an important element in today’s age of misinformation.

With a pilot due in Asia later this year, it’s hopefully only a matter of time before this technology lands in a store near you; I’ll race you to the front of the line to see if I can maintain my two-year skin age gap.

You might also like…

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TechRadar extensively covered this year's CES, bringing you all of the big announcements as they happened. Head over to our CES 2025 news page for the latest stories and our hands-on verdicts on everything from 8K TVs and foldable displays to new phones, laptops, smart home gadgets, and the latest in AI.

And don’t forget to follow us on TikTok and WhatsApp for the latest from the CES show floor!

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