Feed aggregator

When he ran for office in 2020, President Joe Biden vowed to turn the page on then president Donald Trump. But it's Trump who is returning to the White House for a second term in office.

We speak with NPR's Asma Khalid, who covered the Biden administration, on the legacy he leaves behind.

For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.

Email us at considerthis@npr.org.

(Image credit: Mandel Ngan)

• Kioxia reveals new project called AiSAQ which wants to substitute RAM with SSDs for AI data processing
• Bigger (read: 100TB+) SSDs could improve RAG at a lower cost than using memory only
• No timeline has been given, but expect Kioxia's rivals to offer similar tech

Large language models often generate plausible but factually incorrect outputs - in other words, they make stuff up. These "hallucination"s can damage reliability in information-critical tasks such as medical diagnosis, legal analysis, financial reporting, and scientific research.

Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) mitigates this issue by integrating external data sources, allowing LLMs to access real-time information during generation, reducing errors, and, by grounding outputs in current data, improving contextual accuracy. Implementing RAG effectively requires substantial memory and storage resources, and this is particularly true for large-scale vector data and indices. Traditionally, this data has been stored in DRAM, which, while fast, is both expensive and limited in capacity.

To address these challenges, ServeTheHome reports that at this year’s CES, Japanese memory giant Kioxia introduced AiSAQ - All-in-Storage Approximate Nearest Neighbor Search (ANNS) with Product Quantization - that uses high-capacity SSDs to store vector data and indices. Kioxia claims AiSAQ significantly reduces DRAM usage compared to DiskANN, offering a more cost-effective and scalable approach for supporting large AI models.

More accessible and cost-effective

(Image credit: Kioxia)

Shifting to SSD-based storage allows for the handling of larger datasets without the high costs associated with extensive DRAM use.

While accessing data from SSDs may introduce slight latency compared to DRAM, the trade-off includes lower system costs and improved scalability, which can support better model performance and accuracy as larger datasets provide a richer foundation for learning and inference.

By using high-capacity SSDs, AiSAQ addresses the storage demands of RAG while contributing to the broader goal of making advanced AI technologies more accessible and cost-effective. Kioxia hasn't revealed when it plans to bring AiSAQ to market, but its safe to bet rivals like Micron and SK Hynix will have something similar in the works.

ServeTheHome concludes, “Everything is AI these days, and Kioxia is pushing this as well. Realistically, RAG is going to be an important part of many applications, and if there is an application that needs to access lots of data, but it is not used as frequently, this would be a great opportunity for something like Kioxia AiSAQ.”

More from TechRadar Pro

• These are the best SSDs you can buy right now
• And these are the best Large Language Models (LLMs)
• 1200TB SSD modules are in the pipeline thanks to Pure Storage

Less than 24 hours after the app went dark, TikTok says President-elect Donald Trump has given it the reassurance it needs to resume service in the US.

The Rams and Eagles battle for a spot in the NFC Championship game, and you don't need cable to watch on NBC or stream on Peacock.

There are quite a few great ISP options packed into the Green Bay area. Here's what you'll want to know when choosing yours.

West Des Moines residents have quite a few ISP options to choose from. CNET's internet experts suggest these.

President Joe Biden pardons five people and commutes the sentence of two others who "made significant contributions to improving their communities."

(Image credit: Steve Helber)

Thrustmaster T300RS GT Edition: One-minute review

The Thrustmaster T300RS GT Edition is a belt-driven racing wheel designed for PlayStation and PC. Considering it’s a GT Edition, this isn’t the most auspicious looking racing wheel. Its rather plain design isn’t helped by the lack of color. However, the leatherette material adds a touch of class and appears to be hard-wearing.

The pedals also feel durable, and feature plenty of adjustments. However, the base can slide around on smooth flooring, so rugs and carpets are best.

Installing the wheel base on a table is somewhat of a hassle, owing to the stiff fastening screw (at least on the unit I had), requiring some lubrication to make it easier. It’s also quite heavy, which means you’ll have to hold it in place while fixing it to a table. The clamping mechanism is also quite clunky, since it’s prone to moving out of position while installing, and gets in the way of the handle on the fastening screw.

Once installed, you should watch out for the self-calibration procedure that takes place as soon as you power it on, as the wheel spins quickly and forcefully. Thankfully, this is the only form of setup when using the T300 RS GT Edition with a PS5 – as you would expect from an officially licensed PlayStation product.

Things were a little more difficult on PC, though. The software tool doesn’t feel the most modern, and it took a few restarts to run correctly and update the firmware successfully. However, it does offer the settings and tweaks you would expect of one of the best racing wheels, including numerous force feedback options.

The T300RS GT Edition performs well in certain areas, but not so well in others. The steering is precise enough, and the pedals offer enough resistance without being too hard. There’s an optional conical stop you can install behind the brake pedal to lend a different sense of feedback, but I found this limited travel too much – which I found a tad too short to begin with.

The wheel can also feel very notchy, especially at the start of rotations; most noticeable when making the slow, gradual movements you might when playing more sedate driving sims. The paddles aren’t damped well enough either, feeling a little harsh in use.

While the button selection is good for PlayStation users, it’s a shame there are no rotary knobs for typical on-the-fly racing adjustments. And on PC, some buttons failed to work in my experience, although quite where the blame lies on this front isn’t exactly clear.

All of these are disappointments for a wheel of this price. The Thrustmaster T248, for instance, is considerably cheaper, yet we think it’s the best racing wheel overall thanks to its excellent performance-to-price ratio. You can of course spend a lot more on a racing wheel, such as the Thrustmaster T-GT II, but we think this is the best premium racing wheel around, as it rivals direct drive wheels – the zenith of racing wheel technology.

(Image credit: Future) Thrustmaster T300RS GT Edition: Price and availability

• $449.99 / £379.99 (about AU$725)
• Available now in one color
• Some rivals are cheaper

The T300RS GT Edition costs $449.99 / £379.99 (about AU$725) and is available now in one colorway. It comes with a pedal set but not an external shifter, although one can be connected.

This makes it quite a lot more expensive than the Thrustmaster T248, our pick as the best racing wheel overall. This wheel offers similarly good pedals and we liked the force feedback with certain games, but again we had some issues with the steering feel.

If you want a more luxury belt-driven experience, then the Thrustmaster T-GT II is one of the best in this category, and comes close to rivaling state-of-the-art direct drive wheels. We still found the rotation wasn’t as seamless as it could be, though, and it’s considerably more expensive than the T300RS GT Edition.

Thrustmaster T300RS GT Edition: Specs Thrustmaster T300RS GT Edition review: Design and features

• Plain looks
• Violent self-calibration
• Useful software

The T300RS GT Edition cuts a rather bland figure, with a monochromatic colorway and a lackluster wheel design that fails to inspire or excite. Considering this is the variant officially licensed by PlayStation and the Gran Turismo series, I was expecting something a little more special.

The pedals are similarly plain, although the metal heads do lend an element of sophistication. There’s also an optional conical stop, which can be screwed in behind the brake pedal to offer a different level of resistance.

The wheel has a satisfactory feel to it, being neither too thick nor too thin. The leatherette finish feels hard-wearing but offers little in the way of padding. There’s also some perforation to help with grip, and I had no issue handling it securely.

Thrustmaster doesn’t give a weight for the wheel base alone, but it’s reasonably heavy with a bias towards the front, which can make installation a little tricky. The pedal base, on the other hand, is much lighter, which can be a problem for those with low-friction flooring, as I did find it was prone to sliding unless I had a carpet or rug underneath.

Installation wasn’t the most seamless experience. The wheel attaches to the base relatively easily, requiring several turns of the Quick Release ring before tightening a small screw to secure it in place. However, attaching the base to a table is more awkward. The fastening screw in the unit I had didn’t thread smoothly, requiring some lubrication to get it working correctly.

(Image credit: Future)

You have to hold the wheel up while you attach it, as it will fall forwards otherwise. This means tightening the fastening screw one-handed, or using your chest to prop it up while you turn it with both hands, which is the method I preferred. The handle for turning the screw kept getting in the way of the attachment system used to clamp the base to the table, which is an annoying design flaw. What’s more, this attachment system is prone to rotating out of position whilst fastening – another irksome fault.

The pedals do have a pleasing number of adjustments, made easily using the included Allen key. You can adjust the height, angle, and spacing, although I would’ve liked a wider range for the latter, as I found my legs were always too close together, but this could be a personal gripe not shared by others.

The self-calibration for the wheel begins as soon as the T300RS GT Edition is powered on and plugged in, and it took me by surprise: it’s sudden and quite forceful, so make sure to keep your hands completely clear of the wheel.

In order to adjust various calibration and force feedback settings, the Thrustmaster Control Panel for Windows is required. This failed to install on first try for me, although a couple of restarts seemed to fix the issue. The same was true of a required firmware update, but this was successful in the end.

Once up and running, the Thrustmaster Control Panel offers many of the usual customization options you’d expect of a racing wheel. You can set the maximum rotation angle and make multiple force feedback adjustments, with static settings for the constant and periodic forces, as well as dynamic ones for the spring and damper effects. All these are easy to make thanks to the basic layout of the UI.

I had no problem connecting the T300RS GT Edition to a PS5, making it as easy to use as the best PS5 racing wheels out there. The button layout on the wheel is also similar to a controller, which makes navigation simple. It’s a shame, however, that there are no rotary dials, useful for adjusting common racing settings such as traction control and brake balance.

Thrustmaster T300RS GT Edition review: Performance

• Balanced pedal feel
• Notchy steering
• Overly strong force feedback

The T300RS GT Edition offers a mixed performance. The steering feels accurate and precise, although the paddles were too clicky for my liking, lacking the satisfying action better damped switches offer.

The pedals provide enough resistance to let you feel how your inputs translate in-game, yet light enough to make them easy to press without fatigue. The clutch pedal offers just the right amount of travel; while I would’ve preferred a bit more for the brake pedal, it still offers enough control. It’s also reassuringly weighted, although I found the optional conical stop added too much resistance, and further decreased the already-wanting travel.

However, my chief grip with the T300RS GT Edition is the notchy feel of the steering wheel. No matter what you do with the settings in the Control Panel, this is always present. I found it particularly noticeable when making small movements close to the center of the axis, which you are likely to do in slower-paced driving sims, as opposed to outright racing sims.

(Image credit: Future)

The other settings available in the Control Panel do make a difference to performance. There’s plenty of scope within the force feedback for most gamers to find the right setup. The maximum setting was far too strong for me, with the wheel being too hard to turn and flailing wildly when losing traction in-game. As a result, I preferred having the overall strength setting quite low, at about 15%.

The buttons on the wheel all perform well enough, but don’t match the premium feel of those on the best PC controllers. I did have an issue with the POV hat failing to work with some PC games, but this could’ve been a fault with the game rather than with the input itself.

Should I buy the Thrustmaster T300RS GT Edition?

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

You want good pedals
The pedals of the T300RS GT Edition provide enough feel while being easy to actuate. The multiple adjustments are also useful, although I would’ve welcomed more range for the spacing.

You want multiple platform support
The T300RS GT Edition works with three PlayStation consoles and PC, which means you can use it with plenty of high-end racing sims, from various Gran Turismo titles to Assetto Corsa.

Don't buy it if...

You want the best steering feel
The T300RS GT Edition is rather notchy, especially at the start of its turns, so those who’ll be making slow, gentle movements might want to look elsewhere.

You want the best design
The clamping system is quite awkward and not the best engineered solution. The pedal base also has a tendency to slide on smooth surfaces.

Also consider...

If the T300RS GT Edition doesn't sound right for you, then take a look at these excellent alternatives.

Thrustmaster T248
As the best racing wheel overall in our opinion, the T248 offers a perfect balance between price and performance. It’s considerably cheaper than the T300RS GT Edition, but we think it has great build quality and a useful feature set, all of which help to make it a great all-rounder for those embarking on their racing sim journey.

Read our Thrustmaster T248 review

Thrustmaster T-GT II
If you’re after another belt-driven wheel, then the Thrustmaster T-GT II is one of the best there is in our view. It even gives direct drive wheels a run for their money, which are the gold standard for sim racers. We were impressed with its excellent force feedback and extra buttons, making it a practical wheel. You will have to pay considerably more than the T300RS GT Edition for it, though.

Read our Thrustmaster T-GT II review

How I tested the Thrustmaster T300RS GT Edition

• Tested for one week
• Used on PC and PS5
• Plentiful racing sim experience

I tested the T300RS GT Edition for about a week, during which time I used it on PC and PS5. I installed it myself and made sure to adjust as many hardware and software settings as possible, such as pedal positioning and force feedback. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to test the T300RS GT Edition with an external shifter.

I played Gran Turismo 7 on PS5 and Assetto Corsa on PC – two two-tier racing sims on their respective platforms. I also played American Truck Simulator to test the wheel for slower, more controlled steering and pedal movements.

I have been gaming for over 25 years, with racing sims being one of my favorite genres. I play numerous titles across various sub-categories such as F1, touring car racing, and rallying.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed January 2025

These are the best photography backpacks, slings and messenger bags for carrying cameras in 2025.

Spread love to your kiddos this Valentine's Day. From Valentine's-themed Legos to stuffies and candied treats, we put together a list of our favorite Valentine's gifts for kids that won't break the bank.

• The iOS 19 Camera app is rumored to be getting a redesign
• It could be a sign of a wider visual revamp for iOS 19
• The updated look may have been inspired by Apple visionOS

The Camera app is probably one of the most-used iPhone apps for the majority of us, and the rumor is that this key piece of software is going to get a revamp with the roll out of iOS 19 and the iPhone 17 later this year.

According to Front Page Tech (via MacRumors), the Camera app interface will become more fluid, smoothly adapting its layout as different features and options (like panoramic pictures or slow-motion videos) are accessed.

Most of the screen is still taken up with the viewfinder (what you're actually taking a photo of), but options for image and video resolution are going to be easier to access, with drop-down panels appearing at the top of the display.

The interface's fluidity and translucent panels are, as Front Page Tech points out, very reminiscent of the visionOS software that runs on the Apple Vision Pro. The thinking is that the design revamp might apply to the rest of iOS 19 too.

iOS meets visionOS

You may remember there was some chatter around iOS 18 potentially getting a visionOS-inspired redesign last year. That didn't happen, but it seems Apple is still considering making its iPhone software more like its Vision Pro software.

Nothing is certain yet though – even tipster Jon Prosser, in the Front Page Tech video you can see above, isn't sure what's going to happen – but we know Apple will already be working on iOS 19 updates ready for its iPhones.

We should get our first look at iOS 19 sometime in June, when Apple holds its annual WWDC (Worldwide Developers Conference). A beta program will probably follow on soon after, with a full release in September to coincide with the iPhone 17 range.

There hasn't been much in the way of rumors or leaks around iOS 19 up till now, though we have heard that any iPhone running iOS 18 will be able to run iOS 19 too. We'll most likely see a host of additional Apple Intelligence upgrades as well.

You might also like

• Apple has started work on macOS 16
• The best iPhones you can buy
• Apple may add extra cooling to the iPhone 17

Hisense 110UXN review: Two minute review

The Hisense 110UXN is the company’s flagship mini-LED TV and has a cinema-sized 110-inch screen. Hisense’s mini-LED TVs often sit among the best TVs, but the 110-inch is both amazing and frustrating.

A quick note – the model I tested is referred to as the Hisense 110UXN in the UK, and although it is essentially the same TV as the Hisense 110UX in the US, the latter's panel is said to have exceeded 10,000 nits brightness, whereas the UXN is capped at 10,000 nits. As a result, I will refer to it as the UXN, but it is the same TV as the 110UX in all but brightness.

Priced at $14,999 / £19,999 (roughly AU$24,300), the Hisense 110UXN, while cheap for a TV this size and with this level of technology, is still a premium-priced set that will outstretch most people’s budgets.

Picture quality on the 110-inch UXN is generally very good. It has dynamic, bold color, black levels matching the best OLED TVs, balanced contrast and lifelike detail. Brighter content looks amazing, but backlight blooming issues keep its picture from true greatness.

The 110-inch UXN’s sound is immersive, punchy and detailed. Pushed to higher volumes, it never distorts, demonstrating tight control. Dolby Atmos effects are limited in their presentation, however, often seeming lost in the mix, and bass sometimes feels limited. While most will be happy with the 110-inch UXN’s sound for everyday viewing, those looking for sound quality to match the picture may want to invest in one of the best soundbars.

The 110-inch UXN’s excellent gaming features including 4K 144Hz, VRR (with AMD FreeSync Premium Pro), Dolby Vision gaming and ALLM, rank it up there with the best gaming TVs. Performance-wise, the UXN is responsive, smooth, and a joy to play on. Gaming on a screen this big is a fun experience! It does only feature two HDMI 2.1 ports – something those with multiple consoles should keep in mind.

The 110-inch UXN sits at the top end of the TV market and is priced at a premium. For a screen this big, you may want to instead consider one of the best 4K projectors, many of which can be found for substantially less while delivering an equally large picture.

Hisense 110UXN review: Price & release date

(Image credit: Future)

• Release date: November 2024
• 110-inch price: $15,000 / £20,000 / around AU$24,300

The Hisense 110UXN is Hisense’s flagship mini-LED TV for 2024 (smaller sizes were released at the end of 2023). It sits above the rest of the company’s ULED range, including the Hisense U8N, Hisense U7N and Hisense U6N.

Released in November 2024 in the US and December 2024 in the UK, the 110-inch UXN is a premium-priced TV, with initial launch prices of $20,000 and £20,000 in the US and UK, respectively. The 110-inch UXN has since fallen to $15,000 in the US.

Hisense 110UX review: Specs Hisense 110UXN review: Benchmark results Hisense 100UXN review: Features

(Image credit: Future)

• Mini-LED panel with 40,000 local dimming zones
• Dolby Vision and HDR10+ HDR support
• Hi-View Engine X Processor

The Hisense 110-inch UXN uses a mini-LED panel with up to 40,000 local dimming zones. It features the company’s flagship Hi-View Engine X processor, which uses a 16-bit neural AI chipset to provide AI picture and sound options. Hisense claims the 110-inch UXN can hit 10,000 nits peak brightness (more on how I got on with that later), making it one of the brightest TVs available. It supports both the Dolby Vision IQ and HDR10+ HDR formats, as well as IMAX Enhanced.

For sound, the 110-inch UXN has a 4.2.2-channel speaker array, including both up-firing and side speakers, and supports both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X surround sound formats. It also has Hisense’s Hi-Concerto feature, which enables the TV’s built-in speakers to work with compatible Hisense soundbars and wireless speakers.

Gaming is well covered on the 110-inch UXN, with 4K 144Hz, VRR (AMD FreeSync Premium Pro included), ALLM and Dolby Vision gaming all accounted for. It’s said to support 240Hz at 1080p HD resolution, but I was unable to test this. It does only come with two HDMI 2.1 ports, as is currently the case for all non-LG and Samsung TVs.

The 110-inch UXN is a formidable TV, weighing 85kg (187 pounds) but has a surprisingly slim design for a TV of this size and a premium metal-finished frame.

Hisense’s smart TV platform depends on your region. The US and Australia get Google TV. For the UK, HIsense uses its own VIDAA smart TV platform, which has ample settings to customize picture and sound and provides access to all major streaming apps such as Netflix and UK-based streaming ones such as BBC iPlayer and ITVX. It also supports Freely in the UK, which allows for live broadcast TV to be streamed over Wi-Fi.

• Features score: 4.5 / 5

Hisense 110UXN review: Picture quality

The Hisense 110UXN has bold, bright and vivid colors that make pictures jump off the screen. (Image credit: Future)

• Superb detail and contrast
• Bold, bright images
• Picture requires some setup

Hisense claims that the 110-inch UXN can hit 10,000 nits of peak brightness and while I wasn’t quite able to confirm this, I did measure 9,600 nits on a 5% white HDR window pattern in Standard Mode. Crucially, however, this was achieved using the AI Brightness Burst adjustment in Picture Settings, which intermittently increases brightness.

Measured on the 10% HDR white window pattern we use for testing, the 110-inch UXN clocked in at 3,050 nits and 2,665 nits in Standard and Filmmaker modes, respectively. Fullscreen brightness measured using a 100% HDR white window pattern hit 941 nits in Standard – one of the highest fullscreen brightness results I’ve ever measured – and 628 nits in Filmmaker Mode.

Moving onto viewing, an HD stream of Fight Club on Disney Plus showed decent contrast and shadow detail, but textures were soft – unsurprising given the size of the screen. Generally, picture quality for SDR pictures was acceptable, but the TV’s upscaling didn’t do much to enhance the picture quality.

Watching 4K HDR programs on streaming services and Blu-ray, I had to tweak the picture settings a fair amount to get a picture I was happy with. If you’re going to purchase this TV, be prepared to invest time into getting the picture right. I found that turning off settings such as Ultra Resolution helped. For my HDR viewing, I generally stuck to Filmmaker Mode and Dolby Vision Dark for Dolby Vision movies. Those looking for a brighter picture can opt for Dolby Vision IQ, but note that you can’t alter the motion smoothing which is set to on by default in that mode.

Colors on the 100-inch UXN are vibrant, bright and accurate. Watching a 4K Dolby Vision stream of Star Wars: The Last Jedi on Disney Plus, the reds throughout the throne room fight scene had plenty of punch. Similarly, watching a 4K Blu-ray of La La Land, colors were dynamic and boosted by the TV’s high HDR brightness, which gave Mia’s yellow dress a vibrant glow against the dark backdrop in the ‘A Lovely Night’ scene.

The Hisense 110UXN delivers impressive contrast and detail, as shown here during a street shot in The Batman. (Image credit: Future)

Measuring the 110-inch UXN’s HDR color gamut coverage, it yielded 97.9% for UHDA-P3 and 84% for BT.2020, both of which are phenomenal results. It also achieved a 1.7 average (below 3 is good) for SDR color accuracy, another impressive result.

The 110-inch UXN’s black levels were deep and it displayed great shadow detail throughout testing. In the opening section of The Batman, details in clothing and objects were maintained in the dimly lit scenes. Contrast was also very good, with a solid balance between the darker backgrounds and lamp lights and torches.

The Batman is a challenging movie due to its low-light mastering (400 nits), and I could see backlight blooming around brighter objects and people during my viewing. Setting the local dimming to Medium or Low (High was the default) in picture settings helped to lessen the issue, though some blooming was still present throughout most content with darker scenes that I watched.

Picture detail was realistic and refined throughout my viewing. In Top Gun: Maverick, every facial mark and hair was visible in close-up shots in the cockpit. The same was true for the clothing in The Batman and La La Land, where fabric and textures looked authentic and accurate.

Motion was generally well handled by the 110-inch UXN. When watching sports including soccer and rugby, it displayed camera pans and fast-moving images with a good level of solidity, though it did benefit from the motion smoothing provided by the Standard preset. And when watching Top Gun: Maverick, the 110-inch UXN handled the chaotic flight sequences well with motion settings turned off.

• Picture quality score: 4 / 5

Hisense 110UXN review: Sound quality

Side-mounted speakers on the 110UXN greatly help with spatial audio (Image credit: Future)

• 4.2.2-channel speaker array
• Expansive, accurate sound
• Bass sounds contained at times

The 110-inch UXN has a 4.2.2 channel, 102W built-in speaker array and supports Dolby Atmos and DTS. Two up-firing speakers sit at the top of the frame, and there are two side-firing speakers and two subwoofers on the rear.

I found the best sound mode for most viewing was Theater. Watching The Batman, screeching tyres and swerving traffic were accurately placed on screen during the Penguin-Batmobile car chase. In La La Land, the jazzy score was tightly controlled and had an excellent balance between the brash trumpets, warm bass tones and beating drums.

I did find that Dolby Atmos effects, while present, weren't very pronounced. In The Batman, the rain throughout the movie was audible but the effect wasn’t as powerful as what I’ve heard on some of the best OLED TVs. Bass was decent throughout, but it didn’t have the power I was expecting from two built-in subwoofers.

Overall, most people won’t feel the need to attach a soundbar to the 110-inch UXN. But, if you’re looking for sound to match the picture, you may want to invest in one.

• Sound quality score: 4 / 5

Hisense 110UXN review: Design

Despite its imposing size and weight, the Hisense 110UXN is surprisingly slim (Image credit: Future)

• Trim design and profile despite size
• Weighty
• Basic feet for a premium TV

The 110-inch UXN weighs a whopping 85kg (187 lbs) and comes with two carry handles on the rear for transportation. This is a hefty TV that will require multiple people for installation.

Despite its size, the 110-inch UXN is slimmer than you’d expect, and its trim bezel means most of the 110-inch screen is used to display pictures. It uses two support feet, which is typical for a TV this size.

Hisense’s remote is USB-C rechargeable and takes cues from Samsung’s SolarCell TV remote with a solar panel on the rear in place of traditional batteries. While it is a bit bottom-heavy, the remote has a nice, burnished steel look and a premium feel.

• Design score: 4 / 5

Hisense 110UXN review: Smart TV & menus

VIDAA (Hisense's smart TV platform in the UK) is responsive on the 110UXN and has plenty of settings to customize the picture (Image credit: Future)

• Google TV in the US and Australia, VIDAA in the UK
• A good number of settings for picture customization
• Slightly laggy navigation

The 100-inch UXN’s smart TV platform varies depending on your region. In the US and Australia, you get Google TV and if you’re in the UK, you get Hisense’s own VIDAA. I tested this in the UK so will be discussing VIDAA, but If you want to know about Google TV, check out our Hisense U8N review.

VIDAA has access to all the best streaming apps like Netflix, Disney Plus and Prime Video, and major UK streaming apps such as BBC iPlayer, ITVX and Channel 4. It also supports Freely, a service that enables you to watch broadcast TV live over Wi-Fi without the need for any cable or satellite dish. There are a good number of picture settings, something I found necessary to apply.

VIDAA ran more smoothly than on budget sets I’ve tested such as the Hisense U6N and Hisense U7N thanks to the 100-inch UXN’s stronger processor. VIDAA is not the most visually appealing smart TV platform, however, with menus that look a little bland and dated.

• Smart TV & menus: 4 / 5

Hisense 110UXN review: Gaming

The Hisense 110UXN boasts an impressive list of gaming features and superb graphics (Image credit: Future)

• 16.1ms input lag time
• Big-screen gaming is fun
• A good number of gaming features

The 110-inch UXN only has two HDMI 2.1 ports but supports 4K 144Hz gaming, with VRR (AMD FreeSync Premium Pro), ALLM and Dolby Vision gaming all featured as well. There is no dedicated Game picture preset(other than Dolby Vision Game), with the TV’s Game Mode overlaying the existing picture presets. It also features a Game Menu where settings can be adjusted on-the-fly.

I found that Standard picture mode with Game Mode turned on suited gaming best. The 110-inch UXN’s input lag time measured 16.1ms at 4K 60Hz. (Gamers typically look for under 15ms.) However, I generally found the 110-inch UXN to be responsive and fun to play on. With Battlefield V on Xbox Series X, it handled chaotic gunfights and packed battle sections well. I did find when using the Game Mode menu that frame rates generally varied from 98Hz-120Hz, but this didn’t deter from my experience.

The 110-inch UXN displays graphics in a dynamic, bright and colorful manner. Playing a desert mission in Battlefield V, the vast waves of sand and bright blue skies all looked punchy and accurate.

• Gaming score: 4.5 / 5

Hisense 110UXN review: Value

The Hisense 110UXN comes with Hisense's premium remote, which has a USB-C port and solar cell on the bottom rear, both for charging (Image credit: Future)

• Very pricey
• Significantly more expensive than ultra short throw projectors
• Cheaper than large micro-LED and OLED TVs

At $15,000 / £20,000 (roughly AU$24,300), the 110-inch UXN is a super-premium mini-LED TV that will outstretch most people’s budgets. This is roughly the same price as one of the best projectors, the JVC DLA-NZ800, which retails for $14,999 / £14,999 (roughly AU$24,300). It’s also pricier than the best ultra short throw projectors such as the Samsung The Premiere 9, which costs $5,999 / £5,999 (roughly AU$9,750).

Although the 110-inch UXN is cheaper than 97-inch OLED models and larger micro-LED screens and offers uniquely high brightness levels and very good picture and sound quality, it still goes a step too far price-wise compared to other premium sets.

• Value score: 3 / 5

Should you buy the Hisense 110UXN?

The Hisense 110UXN comes at a premium price that most won't be able to afford (Image credit: Future) Buy it if...

You want cinema experience at home
The 110UXN delivers a bold TV experience that's highlighted by its bright, colorful and detail-rich picture.

You want a giant-screen gaming TV
The 110UXN combines a great list of gaming features, solid performance and stunning graphics to deliver a big-screen gaming experience that's downright fun.

Don't buy it if…

You're on a budget
The 110UXN is unsurprisingly an expensive TV, outpricing premium 4K projectors, big screen OLEDs and other 98-inch-plus TVs by a substantial margin.

You don't want to spend time setting up the picture
Out of the box, the 110UXN's picture needs tweaking. Expect to spend a lot of time in the settings getting it to look just right.

Also consider

Hisense U8N
One of the step-down models from the UXN, the U8N is still delivers a bright, detailed and colorful picture with excellent gaming performance and comes in an 85-inch screen size. If you're looking for a cheaper, smaller alternative to the UXN, the U8N should be your first choice.

Read our full Hisense U8N reviewView Deal

Samsung QN90D
Though not as bright as the Hisense UXN or even the U8N, the Samsung QN90D delivers superb contrast and impressive motion handling and comes in a 98-inch screen size. It has more gaming features than the Hisense range as well. If you're a sports fan, the Samsung QN90D is one to consider.

Read our full Samsung QN90D reviewView Deal

How I tested the Hisense 110UXN

(Image credit: Future)

• Tested in light controlled cinema room
• Tested SDR and HDR sources for picture quality
• Measurements taken using Portrait Displays' Calman color calibration software

I tested the Hisense 110UXN in a light-controlled cinema room at the headquarters of AWE, a Hisense TV distributor. I spent the first portion of my time with the UXN doing casual viewing to establish the most accurate picture mode, which in this case was Filmmaker Mode.

For my critical viewing, I used several reference scenes from both SDR (broadcast TV and streaming) and HDR sources (4K Blu-ray and streaming). I tested the UXN's picture for color, contrast, black level, detail, HDR performance and motion. I also used these same sources to test the UXN's audio performance. To play 4K Blu-rays, I used the Panasonic DP-UB820 4K Blu-ray player.

I also tested the UXN's gaming performance and features using an Xbox Series X.

After this, I moved on to objective testing, which involved taking measurements with Portrait Displays' Calman color calibration software, two colorimeters and a test pattern generator.

I used both SDR and HDR white window test patterns ranging from 1-100% in size to measure the UXN's brightness, focusing on 10% for peak brightness and 100% for full-screen brightness.

I then measured the UXN's color and grayscale accuracy, looking for an average measurement below 3. I also measured the UXN's HDR coverage of the UHDA-P3 and BT.2020 color spaces to see how accurately the UXN can display colors with ultra-high definition (UHD) sources.

Finally, I measured the UXN's input lag using a Leo Bodnar 4K HDMI input lag tester, with under 15ms representing an ideal result for gaming.

For a more detailed explanation of how we test TVs at TechRadar, check out the link.

• First reviewed: January, 2025
• Read TechRadar's reviews guarantee

Get a clear view of what's going on around your home with the best 4K security cameras.

You’re hunched over your desk and phone for hours. We rounded up gadgets, a DIY trick, and even some yoga advice to help you straighten up.

Blue Ghost and New Glenn started off the year right. Many more launches are on the way, and many can be watched online.

Govee Outdoor Projector Light review

As the name suggests, the Govee Outdoor Projector Light is an outdoor-suitable projector, with smart capabilities allowing it to be controlled via the Govee Home app. It has a list price of $129.99 / £159.99 at Amazon, and is also available on the Govee UK website for a list price of £159.99, although at the time of writing Govee is offering Christmas deals, lowering the cost to £109.99. Presently, the Govee Outdoor Projector does not appear to be available on the US Govee website.

The Govee Outdoor Projector Light is a sizable 6.7 x 7.9 x 11.8 inches / 300 x 170 x 200 mm and weighs 4.4lb / 2kg. The majority of the projector is made from black plastic, which looks and feels a little on the cheap side, but it seems sturdy enough. The adjustment bolt worked well, allowing me to adjust the angle of the projection with ease, and the weight of the metal stand proved heavy enough that I could place it on the floor without it toppling.

(Image credit: Cesci Angell / Future)

Does the face of this projector look kind of like Wall-E going through his cyber-goth phase to anyone else? No? Just me, then. Moving swiftly on: the Govee Outdoor Projector Light is suitable for outdoor use thanks to the IP65-rated control box and IP44-rated adapter. There is the option to fix it to a metal base plate or a plastic ground stake to suit different requirements, and it can project up to 749 sq ft / 255 sq meters depending on the distance between the projector and the surface it’s projecting onto.

The Govee Outdoor Projector Light syncs up to the Govee Home app, which, if you’ve already read my review of the Govee Table Lamp 2, you’ll know I’m a big fan of. The app has a user-friendly and attractive interface, with easy-to-locate settings making it easy for me to customize effects. Within the app, there are a range of useful features including a timer and Matter, Alexa, and Google connectivity, so you won’t need to venture out into the cold to switch things up.

(Image credit: Cesci Angell / Future)

I spent a lot of time checking out the various settings to see how well they performed. First, I experimented by changing the colors of the Aurora, a projection of colorful waves, and the modes, with options like breathe and gradient available. The results were mixed, as I found that even if I only had pinks and purples in my color selection, there was always blue and green in the projection. I didn’t mind these colors, but I found it odd that these remained present, even when they weren’t in my chosen color palette. It was a shame that the AI bot insisted on adding the laser dots to anything it generated and, while there was the option to edit the result, this was limited to the colors of the aurora, so the bright green laser pattern remained.

Many of the preset scenes have the option of different speeds; on the fastest setting, the themed patterns appear and disappear quicker, and the colorful wave-like scenes move and change color at a faster pace. I couldn’t find a way to remove or alter the backgrounds of the themed patterns at first; I’d have liked to have the option to project the snowflake icons on their own. I explored the DIY and AI scene creators but sadly they don’t use these shapes; they only work with the colored lighting and the laser dots. I found the laser dots, which the Govee app refers to as stars, to be a little harsh on the eyes, but I was able to amend the brightness and color combination in the operations section, which made them a bit less of an eyesore.

(Image credit: Future)

Eventually, I found a way to project the themed patterns alone, although color choices were limited. Hidden within the operations tab, it was possible to change the projection of the default red, green, and blue laser dots. I assigned each color to show a snowflake and turned off the aurora set to play in the background, and voila, simple snowflakes. I did wish there was the option to select white or other colors though, as there is a somewhat cheap aesthetic about the colors when they appear together, although the remaining blue snowflakes after turning the red and green off looked nice enough. I also discovered I could turn off or adjust the orbit speed, so the icons would remain static or move slower, and I could also adjust the breathing speed to customize how long the projection stayed up before fading out during each cycle.

(Image credit: Cesci Angell / Future)

Overall, my experience of the Govee Outdoor Projector Light was underwhelming and frustrating at times. It can generate some nice, colorful lighting, so if you’re just looking for a smart light that’ll add a little pizazz to your outside space it’s fine, but if you’re looking for something that you can customize with ease and can project attractive patterns onto your home’s exterior, this likely isn’t the outdoor projector for you. We love testing smart lights here at TechRadar, so if you do too, I’d recommend checking out our pick of the best smart lights to see if anything takes your fancy.

Govee Outdoor Projector Light review: Price and specs Should I buy the Govee Outdoor Projector Light? Buy it if...

You want an outdoor projector you can control from your couch
Thanks to its Wi-Fi and Matter connectivity, this outdoor projector is easy to control via the Govee Home app or smart home devices such as Alexa and Google Assistant.

You want to add a bit of color
Despite my niggles with the sometimes glitchy and limited customization options, the Aurora projections are satisfyingly pretty to look at.

Don't buy it if...

You want sophisticated themed projections
Although it may be capable of keeping the kids entertained for a moment, the themed patterns are a little simple and unimaginative. If you're thinking of showcasing minimal but high-quality snowflakes onto your house, you might want to think again.

You want to perfect your projections
A surprising result considering the fantastic customizations available from other Govee products via the app, the settings for the Outdoor Projector aren't as intuitive, and projections often seem to have a mind of their own.

Govee Outdoor Projector Light review: Also consider

Govee Permanent Outdoor Lights 2
 If you'd rather opt for a permanent fix that can be used all year round then these outdoor smart lights may catch your eye. Simple to install using 3M sticky pads and clips, these IP67 lights can be easily controlled via the Govee Home app, so you can change things up whenever you feel like it. Check out this article if you'd like to learn more about them.

How I tested the Govee Outdoor Projector Light

• I tested the Govee Outdoor Projector Light for one week
• I evaluated how easy it was to set up and sync with the Govee Home app
• I tested the different features and customizable settings

I used the Govee Outdoor Projector Light to add some brightness and color to a white-washed cinderblock wall and in a darkened room.

I assessed the quality of the materials and how easy it was to put together.

I explored the various presets within the app, fine-tuning the projections by changing the settings of the presets and creating my own via various features in the app.

• First reviewed January 2025
• Read more about how we test

Sony MDR-EX15AP review

The Sony MDR-EX15AP are an extremely cheap pair of wired earbuds – the type that you’d pick up at the airport after forgetting your pesky Bluetooth ones for your flight (or leaving them at home, on charge). They have a list price of just $19.99 / £10 / AU$29.95 – but are often available for even less. So, I think it’s fair to say you can’t expect phenomenal audio, noise isolation or build quality from the Sony MDR-EX15AP. But what you would hope for is clean sound, a comfortable fit and an attractive design – which for the most part, you get here.

Let’s start where it matters most, audio quality. A lot of ultra-cheap earbuds are guilty of supplying tinny, often grating or even muffled sound, but luckily the Sony MDR-EX15AP didn’t burden me with such issues. For the majority of the time, audio was fairly clean and didn’t come through sounding distorted or harsh. This wasn’t necessarily the case at top volumes, where things could admittedly get a little edgy, but I rarely felt the need to crank things up towards 100%.

Does that mean you get impressive audio, though? Not exactly. The soundstage can get a little cluttered when listening with the Sony MDR-EX15AP. For instance, I tuned in to Summer Soul by Cero and found that vocals lacked prominence and would sometimes have to wrestle with other sounds in the mid-range for my attention – an issue that you won’t encounter with some of the best wired earbuds.

Similarly when listening to Komm, Susser Todd by Arianne, sound could get bloated during climactic sections of the song, in part down to imperfect instrument separation. For example, the plodding bassline got a little muddied with main and backing vocals towards the end of the track and rhythmic claps didn’t have that crisp snap that more premium buds can supply.

So, again, the audiophiles among you may well find fault in the audio department here, but it’s very rare to get a nuanced listen out of earbuds this cheap. And in terms of the basics, these wired earbuds perform decently anyway. For example, when listening to Relentless by Grant Nelson, higher-pitched percussion elements were pretty well behaved – I didn’t get that grating, harsh effect until going towards the top end of the volume scale. In I Want You by Moloko, I also found the bass to be pleasingly warm and relatively impactful, even if the buds struggled to uncover the complexities of the layered synths, vocals, percussion (and more) to my ears.

So sound is pretty average overall and, for this price, that suits me just fine. But what of the noise isolation? Now I have to say, this actually surprised me a fair bit because the Sony MDR-EX15AP actually blockade external noise pretty effectively. Are these going to offer the isolation you’d get from some of the best wireless earbuds with ANC? No. But the gel eartips (there are small, medium, and large sizes included) create a pretty firm seal, which ensured that colleagues nattering, the sound of typing and the whirr of an air purifier were all considerably dulled.

Another department that impressed me was the EX15AP’s appearance. I’m a big fan of the glossy finish applied to the buds themselves and the multi-toned blue colorway that I tested out looked very elegant indeed. You can also get these buds in Black, Pink or White, so there’s an option for everyone. Build quality is perhaps not the strongest though; I found the wire to be fairly flimsy and a bit cheap looking, but that didn’t take away from the elegance of the buds all too much.

Something that I wasn’t massively keen on, however, was the EX15AP’s remote and mic. This is the only thing that separates this model from the slightly cheaper Sony MDR-EX15LP, but it’s not amazing. First of all, the controller only has a play/pause button, no volume controls. That means you’ll have to reach into your pocket to adjust volume on your source device, which is annoying if you’re out on a walk or run, for instance. The mic isn’t good either – when taking a voice recording there was an almost underwater sound to my voice, rendering the inbuilt controller pretty lackluster overall.

One more design issue is that these buds don’t have a waterproof rating. A lot of the more recent models to come to the market have an IPX4 or higher rating, meaning they’re resistant to sweat and rain – handy for outdoor listening. But you don’t get any pledges on resistance to elements here, so if you’re searching for some rough and ready buds for all environments, you’ll have to look further.

So, overall the Sony MDR-EX15AP are a decent pair of earbuds, that offer adequate, albeit unremarkable audio, a pleasing design and impressive noise isolation. There’s nothing particularly standout other than their exceptionally low price, but there doesn’t have to be. If you just need a backup pair of wired buds or need a quick solution for keeping the tunes flowing for your travels, you could certainly do worse.

If you have a little more cash to play with and a device with USB-C, I’d instead opt for the SoundMagic E80D, which are still, in my view, some of the best cheaper wired buds on the market. Apple device users might prefer the Apple Earpods USB-C, Lightning or 3.5mm variant too – but these popular Sony buds are still worth considering for those on a slightly tighter budget.

(Image credit: Future) Sony MDR-EX15AP review: Price and release date

• List price of $19.99 / £10 / AU$29.95
• Often available for a fair bit less, though
• Launched in 2014

Sony doesn’t always like to make it easy with product names and the Sony MDR-EX15AP as a moniker is no exception. This model is essentially the same as the Sony MDR-EX15LP; it just adds a microphone into the mix. For that privilege, you have to pay a bit more: the EX15AP carry a list price of $19.99 / £10 / AU$29.95.

Of course, they are still very much on the ultra-cheap side of the price spectrum, especially from a trusted name is audio. However, you can often find them for even less. They are often available for less than $10 / £8 on Amazon US and UK respectively, so they’re ideal for a small gift or if you need a cheap option after forgetting your wireless earbuds for a flight, for instance.

Sony MDR-EX15AP review: Specs

(Image credit: Future) Should you buy the Sony MDR-EX15AP? Buy them if...

You need a quick audio solution
If you’re set to travel and need some budget buds for a flight or train journey, these will almost certainly get the job done. Audio quality isn’t amazing, but it’s not usually grating or anything, making these a solid solution if you’re on the go and want to listen to your favorite tracks or podcasts.

You want some incredibly cheap buds
The big draw of the Sony MDR-EX15AP is their ultra-low price. If you’re not too fussed about mic quality issues and middling audio quality, you’ll likely be satisfied with these.

Don't buy them if...

You’re an audiophile
If you’re more picky about audio, you will find these Sony buds underwhelming. Sure, for the price you pay, you’re not going to expect wonders from them. But if you spend a little more on the SoundMagic E11C (see ‘Also Consider’) you can seriously level-up your wired listening experiences.

You want buds for workouts
These buds don’t have a waterproof rating, so if you’re going to be sweating away or running in the rain, they may accrue damage. There are plenty of cheap options on the market with an IPX4 rating or above, so make sure to shop around.

Sony MDR-EX15AP review: Also consider

SoundMagic E11C
OK, so you might not quite get premium audio here, but the SoundMagic E11C will offer a strong step-up quality wise if that’s what you’re after. With an elegant design, good noise isolation and a temptingly low price, you can’t go wrong with these. Read our full SoundMagic E11C review.

Skullcandy Set USB-C
Most modern handsets only have a USB-C port and although there are some exceptions – like the Motorola Moto G55 5G – that means you’ll have to use an adapter for these. So, why not opt for a budget pair of USB-C earbuds instead? The Skullcandy Set USB-C offer a beautiful, sleek design, attractive colour options and solid all-round audio, all at a budget price. They’re also water and sweat resistant thanks to their IPX4 rating. Read our full Skullcandy Set USB-C review.

Sony MDR-EX15AP review: How I tested

(Image credit: Future)

• Tested for two weeks
• Used in the office and while outdoors
• Predominantly tested using Tidal on FiiO M11S

I put the Sony MDR-EX15AP to the test over the course of two weeks. I usually listened to music with them via Tidal on my Windows laptop, but I also tried them out using Spotify on the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE. I trialled the EX15AP in the office, at home and while walking near busy roads to judge noise-isolation capabilities.

After first plugging these buds in, I made sure to run through tracks in the TechRadar testing playlist, which contains songs from a variety of genres – though I also spent hours tuning into songs from my personal library.

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

Only a few internet providers serve the Yuma area, but we've found the best options available to help you access high-speed broadband.

Can't afford vision insurance? No problem. You can get reasonably priced eye exams, glasses and contacts through discount programs or national retailers.

Be cautious if you receive an email, text or phone call offering to speed up your debt relief.