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• Security researchers found a malicious script on ESA's web shop
• The script creates a fake Stripe page at checkout, grabbing payment data
• The shop is currently unavailable

The website of the European Space Agency (ESA) was recently compromised with a credit card skimmer, putting countless people at risk of wire fraud.

Researchers from Sansec spotted a malicious script on ESA’s web shop, and determined it creates a fake Stripe payment page at checkout, where it collects customer information.

Payment data, including sensitive credit card information, was also being gathered, making this attack particularly dangerous.

Out of ESA's hands?

The sensitive data was harvested and sent to a domain with the same name as ESA’s legitimate one, BleepingComputer reports. The top-level domain, however, was different as instead of the usual .com TLD, the domain here was .pics.

As soon as Sansec spotted the attack, it notified ESA, which temporarily shut the shop down.

At press time, it was still offline, showing Error 503: Service Unavailable. “Our site is temporarily out of orbit for some exciting renovations,” the shop says. “Please fly by later.”

Responding to BleepingComputer’s request for comment, ESA said the store is not hosted on its infrastructure, and as such, it is not the one managing the data.

“This could be confirmed with a simple whois lookup, which show complete details for ESA’s domain (esa.int) and its web store, where contact data is redacted for privacy,” BleepingComputer concluded.

So far, no threat actors have assumed responsibility for this attack, and with this type of incident, they rarely do. However, Magecart is a globally known, infamous threat actor, that was observed installing credit card skimmers on major websites in the past.

The last time we heard of Magecart was in March 2023, when Malwarebytes speculated the group might be behind the attack on multiple online ecommerce stores.

When crooks use people’s credit cards, the victims can get a refund from their bank. However, cybercriminals can use the money to fund advertising campaigns that distribute more malware, and by the time the cards are locked and funds returned, the damage was already done.

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They make their living off the sea, but their catch is dwindling. So these traditional fisherfolk are taking steps to preserve both sea life — and their livelihood.

(Image credit: Julie Bourdin)

• Researchers from iProov found a group buying up ID data from consumers
• The data is being used to bypass KYC processes
• Companies will need to go for a multi-layered approach, iProov says

Hackers have found an easy and simple way to grab people’s sensitive information, and then use it to bypass Know Your Customer (KYC) processes - buying the information directly from the victims.

New research from identity verification and fraud prevention firm iProov uncovered a “sophisticated approach to compromising identity verification systems” through a “systematic collection of genuine identity documents and images.”

iProov said it uncovered a dark web group engaged in mass collection of identity documents and corresponding facial images, which actually compensates the victims for the information. It wasn’t said how much money they were giving for one set of data.

Multi-layered approach

The group operates in the Latin American region, but the researchers said they observed similar operational patterns in Eastern Europe, as well, and shared its findings with the local authorities.

Commenting on the findings, Andrew Newell, Chief Scientific Officer at iProov warned against selling personally identifiable information to anyone.

"When people sell their identity documents and biometric data, they're not just risking their own financial security - they're providing criminals with complete, genuine identity packages that can be used for sophisticated impersonation fraud," he noted. "These identities are particularly dangerous because they include both real documents and matching biometric data, making them extremely difficult to detect through traditional verification methods.”

iProof hinted in the near future, organizations will have to implement a multi-layered verification approach, since current identity verification systems could be easily spoofed. This approach would require people to first confirm that they’re human, then that they’re the right person, and it all should be done in real-time.

“This multi-layered approach makes it exponentially more difficult for attackers to successfully spoof identity verification systems, regardless of their level of sophistication,” iProov concluded.

“Even advanced attacks struggle to simultaneously defeat all these security measures while maintaining the natural characteristics of genuine human interaction.”

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If you need to get rid of your old TV, don't just throw it in the Dumpster. Here's what you can do instead.

• Blender 4.3 is on offer now
• Grease Pencil now supports pixel and real-world brush sizes, and light-shadow linking enhances Eevee’s real-time rendering control
• Metallic BSDF node adds hyper-realism with lab-grade data

Blender, the world’s leading open source 3D creation tool, has released version 4.3.

The update brings improvements that enhance everything from visual rendering to performance and user experience.

With this update, Blender continues to close the gap between itself and the best animation software, further cementing its place as an alternative for 3D artists, animators, and developers.

Grease pencil enhancements for 2D and 3D artists

Blender 4.3 adds new upgrades to the grease pencil, allowing users to draw and animate directly within the 3D environment. In this update, brushes are now independent assets, meaning users can easily transfer them between projects. Users can also define brush sizes in pixels or real-world units, which improves precision in drawings and animations.

There is also a new fill gradient tool that makes it easier to create smoother gradients. Perhaps most significantly, all grease pencil operations are now multi-threaded, leading to faster performance, especially in complex projects that demand high computing power.

Blender’s Eevee rendering engine has received significant upgrades in version 4.3. One of the key improvements is the introduction of light and shadow linking, which gives users more control over how lighting affects different parts of a scene, allowing for finer adjustments and more dynamic lighting effects.

The user interface has also seen changes to make it cleaner and more user-friendly. Icons are now fully scalable SVGs, meaning they can be resized without losing quality. The maximum resolution of the interface is now only limited by the system’s memory, giving users more flexibility in configuring their workspace.

Furthermore, this update introduces a glowing edge around the active window, making it easier to identify which window is in use while the color picking has been optimized for faster performance, further streamlining the workflow for users.

Connecting and disconnecting video strips has been simplified, and snapping has been improved. Multipass compositing, a feature also introduced in Eevee, allows users to apply multiple layers of effects. Colour correction tools have been expanded, providing additional options for fine-tuning the visual tone of scenes.

For those working with metallic objects, Blender 4.3 introduces the "Physical Conductor" mode within the Metallic BSDF node. This feature uses lab-grade data to more accurately simulate how light interacts with real metals, resulting in more realistic metal surfaces. The addition of the "Orn" slider, which adjusts surface roughness, further enhances the realism of materials like wood and brick.

Via NotebookCheck

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Triggered by a 9.1 magnitude earthquake off the coast of the Indonesian island of Sumatra, the catastrophic event was the deadliest tsunami in recorded history.

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UGreen Nexode Pro 65W Ultra-Slim 3-Port charger review

The UGreen Nexode Pro 65W Ultra-Slim 3-Port charger is a pretty unique-looking wall plug. This super thin charger skips out on the cube-like structure favored by most of its competitors, making it ideal for use in tight spaces. Imagine you have a desk pressed close to your wall or bed for instance – this is the perfect, stealthy charger you need to juice up your devices, even if you’re short on space.

Of course, the UGreen Nexode Pro 65W Ultra-Slim 3-Port charger (quite the mouthful) has a maximum power output of… well 65W. And that will be enough for a lot of users, with USB-C Port 1 able to charge up to 65W when charging a single device or 45W with two or three plugged in at once.

When I tested charging performance, I wasn’t surprised to find that this thing got the job done, no questions asked. I charged the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE alongside the LG Tone Free T90S earbuds and FiiO M11S hi-res music player and the Samsung phone was brought back to full health from 0% in around 80 minutes – as fast as I’d expect from some of the best iPhone chargers and the best Android phone chargers.

Of course, if you want to charge three more power hungry devices, such as modern Chromebooks or Macbooks, simultaneously, this may be a little underpowered – especially as USB-C Port 2 only offers up to 20W of power in Two-Port Charging mode – but if you don’t need perfectly optimized power output, that won’t be too much of an issue.

I did find a couple of slight issues when charging, however. Firstly, this thing wasn’t the most secure when plugged in. After slotting in the UK plug adapter, I moved my USB-C cable around a bit and found the charger’s body shook a bit. This wasn’t really a big issue, but I’d prefer a more secure fit. On top of that, the model got fairly warm after 30 minutes of charging in Single Port charging mode. Again – that’s not the end of the world – and this is still a safe-to-use charger, but if you want top-tier performance with zero hiccups, you may not quite get what you want from this UGreen charger.

Having said that, this model still performs well in bringing your devices back to life. But that’s not where the good stuff ends. This plug is very nicely designed and you can really reap the benefits of its almost flat design. At just 0.6 inches (16mm) thick, it’s ideal for when you’re on-the-go and in a tight space. On top of that, this charger comes with interchangeable plugs for US, UK and EU ports – it doesn’t get much more travel-friendly than that. The only potential issue of this charger’s build is that it’s still fairly long – so if your sockets are close to a surface or the ground, it may not be the best fit – especially as the USB ports are on the bottom of the charger. But for most environments, it will slot in perfectly.

It also comes in an attractive silver color, as do the rest of the plugs in UGreen’s Pro line. One positive difference, though, is that the attached adapter looks a bit more discreet than it does on other models. Like its siblings, this model also uses GaN technology to ensure a compact, energy efficient build. The use of GaN, inclusion of three ports and fairly high power output mean you’ll have to pay a fair amount for this charger, of course. It has a list price of $55.99 / £45.99 (about AU$90), though I’ve already seen it available for less than $40 / £40 – that’s great value. Overall, there’s a lot to love about this ultra-slim charger and it’s my pick of the entire UGreen Nexode Pro line.

(Image credit: Future) UGreen Nexode Pro 65W Ultra-Slim 3-Port charger review: Price & specs

(Image credit: Future) Should I buy the UGreen Nexode Pro 65W Ultra-Slim 3-Port charger? Buy it if…

You want a travel charger
If you’re looking for a wall charger to take on your travels, this is a fantastic option. You get interchangeable plugs for US, UK and EU use all in the box, which is a huge plus. On top of that, it’s super compact, making it ideal for taking around in a small bag, or even your pocket.

You want to charge multiple devices simultaneously
If you need to get multiple devices back to life, you can with this tri-port charger, which has two USB-C and one USB-A ports. You can get up to 45W from USB-C Port 1, even with Port 2 and the USB-A slot in use too, so you’ll have enough power for most modern handsets, for instance.

Don't buy it if…

You’re looking for a powerhouse of a charger
With a maximum power output of 65W, this charger will likely have enough to charge one power-hungry device. But if you want to charge two or three more demanding devices at once, this might not be the best option for you. The Anker Prime 100W GaN Wall Charger is an excellent alternative if you need a bit more power.

Your socket is close to the floor or a surface
If your power socket is a little close to the ground or a separated surface, you may find that this charger is a tad long. It’s ideal if you’re in a space where the charger is close to a bed or sofa, however.

UGreen Nexode Pro 65W Ultra-Slim 3-Port charger: Also consider

UGreen Nexode Pro 65W 3-Port charger
This charger is massively similar to the Ultra-Slim alternative from UGreen. It has the same maximum power output, list price and port configuration. The key difference here is form – this is a thicker, yet more cube-shaped charger, so it will be suited to different kinds of spaces to the Ultra-Slim variant. The ports face towards you, rather than being located under the charger too, which some may find preferable. Read our full UGreen Nexode Pro 65W 3-Port charger review.

• Collaboration and persistence drove the development of Dynabook LIFEBOOK WU5/J3
• Ultra-light laptop design combines innovation and cutting-edge IGZO technology
• COVID-19’s impact accelerated demand for lightweight, portable laptop designs

Innovation often requires persistence and a relentless pursuit of perfection, something which could possibly define the creation of the Dynabook LIFEBOOK WU5/J3, which weighs in at just 634 grams.

For Dynabook, this achievement wasn't just about creating a lightweight device, it was about redefining what’s possible in mobile computing, the company has outlined in a new report.

From overcoming technical challenges to meeting the changing demands of a post-pandemic world, the story of the LIFEBOOK WU5/J3 shows the determination and ingenuity behind the world's lightest 14-inch laptop.

Overcoming engineering challenges and COVID-induced urgent demand

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the mobile laptop market, driving demand for 14-inch screens due to the shift to remote work, with many larger laptop users transitioning to lighter, more portable devices. The value of "lightness" became more apparent as people moved their devices around the house during remote work.

However, despite the shift in demand, the notebook sections in retail stores were quiet during the pandemic, with fewer products available for in-store purchase, creating an immediate demand for lightweight notebooks

The UH-X/H1, which debuted in 2023, featured a 14-inch WUXGA (16:10) display and weighed in at 689 grams, slightly higher than the UH series record as a result of a compromise for a larger screen size.

Chief Manager Akinobu Kono described the challenges faced during the development of the 14-inch model as enormous. Despite aiming for 634 grams, the team encountered significant obstacles, with theoretical calculations indicating a limit of 666 grams - an unacceptable outcome for Kono, who associated the number with bad luck. When the 689-gram model debuted in January 2023, it was seen as a compromise and a blow to the series' reputation.

To achieve the 634-gram goal, the team implemented three key innovations. A specially designed IGZO LCD display from Sharp, a laminated pouch-type battery, and a new magnesium-lithium alloy.

The advanced Sharp panel reduced the device’s weight by 23 grams using an ultra-thin glass and a custom-designed backlight, the new battery provided a 24% capacity increase while shaving off 12 grams, and the magnesium-lithium alloy introduced for the keyboard cover saved another 18 grams.

The company also introduced additional fine-tuning, such as redesigning the touchpad sub-board, shortening the heat pipe lengths and revising the protective sheets to meet its target. Together, these advancements accounted for 53 grams in weight savings.

The display contributed the most (40%) to the weight reduction, and was achieved through the custom design of the IGZO panel. Developed in collaboration with FCCL and incorporating newly developed glass, light guide plates, and lens sheets, the new glass is 15% thinner and lighter, marking Sharp's thinnest panel for PCs.

However, compromising on thickness introduced new strength challenges, and the backlight was redesigned to combine the lens and diffusion sheets into one for added regidity.

During development, technical issues arose, such as uneven brightness caused by burrs during light guide plate processing and light leakage from the bottom edge, which were resolved through intensive troubleshooting by Sharp’s and Haruki Taguchi's teams.

The final, fully operational IGZO display was only ready by late September 2024, just in time for the scheduled product announcement on October 5.

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• New GPUs offer robust performance for gaming and creativity
• High-performance eGPUs are prefect for users seeking portable graphical power
• However these eGPUs will not come cheap

AMD’s growing presence in the eGPU space is becoming more apparent as brands continue to integrate its GPUs into their products.

AOOSTAR recently launched two new eGPUs based on AMD’s RX 7600 XT and RX 7600M - the XG76XT and the XG76. These eGPUs can handle four displays, with two DisplayPort connectors, one HDMI port, and a Type-C (DP1.4) port. They also support OCuLink (PCIe 4.0 x4) and USB4 connectors which provide significantly higher bandwidth than USB4.

OCuLink technology offers flexible compatibility with a variety of laptops and devices, making it particularly suitable for external GPU (eGPU) setups by effectively minimizing performance bottlenecks.

Desktop-level power in a portable eGPU

The XG76XT comes with a watered-down version of AMD’s Radeon RX 7600 XT desktop GPU.

Most eGPUs rely on mobile GPU variants, but the XG76XT manages to bring desktop-level power in a more compact form, with a reduced 150W power consumption. Despite this lower power draw, it retains the same impressive 2470 MHz boost clock as the desktop RX 7600 XT, thanks to its RDNA 3 architecture.

With 32 compute units and 8 GB of GDDR6 memory, the XG76XT offers robust graphical capabilities, ideal for gaming, video editing, or 3D rendering. While it requires a hefty 330W power supply, it still packs a significant punch for users looking to harness the power of a desktop GPU in a portable package.

In contrast to the XG76XT, the XG76 utilizes AMD’s RX 7600M, the mobile variant of the RX 7600 series. Designed specifically for more power-efficient performance, the RX 7600M is ideal for users who prioritize portability and efficiency over raw power.

With a lower power consumption of around 120W, the XG76 is more suited for users who need good performance but don’t require the full capabilities of a desktop GPU.

While the RX 7600M offers slightly lower clock speeds and fewer computing units compared to its XT counterpart, it still benefits from the same RDNA 3 architecture and 8 GB of GDDR6 memory, making the XG76 a great option for users who want solid performance for gaming or creative work without the added power demands of the XG76XT.

However, it is important to note that AOOSTAR’s new eGPUs are not exactly cheap. The XG76XT is priced at $619, nearly double the cost of a standalone RX 7600 XT desktop GPU. The XG76, while cheaper at $499, is still priced higher than the mobile GPU would cost on its own. The high prices of these solutions show that external GPUs remain a premium product aimed at users who need portable performance.

Via Videocardz

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If Santa has been good to you this year and you’ve found a brand-new Apple Watch under the tree, you might be wondering exactly where to start. If you’re new to Apple Watch and this is your first time using one, you might have heard about some of the great features and benefits, but strapping it on for the first time can definitely be a bit daunting.

So what exactly does the Apple Watch do? And how can you use it to change and improve your life? There are a ton of great features we could have chosen from, not least the App Store and its myriad selection of third-party offerings to elevate your experience. In fact, it’s so important we put together a whole extra guide, five Apple Watch apps you should download on your first Apple Watch.

But what about the things your Apple Watch already offers? Here are five must-do things for any brand-new Apple Watch owner, picked from a variety of capabilities to help demonstrate the breadth of different features and how they might impact your life.

These features will work whether you've got the very best Apple Watch, a mid-range Apple Watch Series 10, or a budget Apple Watch SE 2.

1. Record a workout

(Image credit: Future)

We’re starting off with an obvious one, use your Apple Watch to record a workout. Using an Apple Watch to track and record your calories, steps, and workout sessions is a great way to help monitor your progress, make gains and improvements, and stay well-rested and injury-free. You’ll get cool metrics like heart rate, time, and even effort measurement in some cases. It’ll also tell you how many calories you’ve burned, and give you access to controls for your music if you like to listen while you’re working out. Not sure where to start? Why not try a quick walk?

To track a workout on Apple Watch:

• Press the Digital Crown (the circle button on the side)
• Scroll down to Workout
• Find the exercise you want to record, and tap the tile

2. Pay for something

Whether you’re commuting, traveling, or just out for a quick stroll to the shops, you can use your Apple Watch to pay for goods using Apple Pay anywhere that Apple Pay or Contactless is accepted. A quick flick of the wrist and you can use your Apple Watch like a bank card. Not only can you store bank cards, you can also keep airline boarding passes, loyalty and reward cards, and even hotel room keys stored on your wrist. Using Apple Pay on your wrist adds one more layer of convenience to your experience of paying with your iPhone. If you’ve never used Apple Pay before, this one might just change your life.

To pay for something with Apple Watch:

• Add your bank card to the Apple Watch app on your iPhone (there’s a Wallet & Apple Pay section on the front page)
• Double-click the long side button on your Apple Watch
• Scroll with the Digital Crown to select your card of choice, then hold it to a card reader to pay

3. Make a phone call

(Image credit: Future)

You can use your Apple Watch to send text messages and iMessages to people, but somehow, making a phone call just feels a bit more special. You can make calls from your Apple Watch using your AirPods, or just your Apple Watch speaker. You’ll need your iPhone nearby unless you’ve got a cellular Apple Watch. The latter can make phone calls even when your iPhone isn’t lying around.

To make a phone call on Apple Watch:

• Press the Digital Crown
• Scroll to Phone
• Tap on a contact from the Favorites, Recents, or Contacts section, or simply dial a number using the button in the top left-hand corner

4. Find your way

(Image credit: Future)

Your Apple Watch is the perfect wearable navigation companion, with full Apple Maps support so you can follow turn-by-turn navigation directly on your wrist. You can use GPS for positioning, and your watch will even vibrate as you approach upcoming junctions or turns so you know when to check your wrist for the next instruction.

To navigate somewhere on Apple Watch:

• Press the Digital Crown
• Scroll down to Maps
• Press the Search icon in the bottom right-hand corner and enter a location with your keyboard, Scribble (write the letters with your finger), or your voice
• You can also set a route with your iPhone, which will automatically appear on your Apple Watch if it’s nearby

5. Look for your phone

(Image credit: Future)

I lose my iPhone around the house all the time, behind cushions, under blankets, and more. By far and away my favorite and most-used Apple Watch feature is the Find Devices app. If you’ve lost your phone (or you want to hide it to test this feature), you can use your Apple Watch to ping your iPhone. It’ll play a sound, and if you’ve got one of the best iPhones, such as the iPhone 15 or 16, and a new Apple Watch Series 10, it’ll even give you Precision Finding with directions and distance like you would an AirTag.

To locate your iPhone using your Apple Watch:

• Press the Side Button once
• Press the phone icon with two curved lines on either side
• It’s the third button, found to the left of the battery life percentage indicator

Master your Apple Watch

With these five skills mastered, you'll be a pro at using your Apple Watch in no time, but you've only just scratched the surface. You can use your Apple Watch to make calls to Emergency Services, play music, unlock your smart front door, make appointments, set timers, check the weather, read and respond to email, do Math, track your sleep, and much more.

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Garmin Enduro 3: One-minute review

The launch of the Garmin Enduro 3 was undeniably overshadowed by the company's decision to unveil the Garmin Fenix 8 alongside it. The new Fenix brought the AMOLED Epix and Fenix under one name but at a premium price.

The Enduro line puts battery first, all while offering most of the features from the Fenix series. The Enduro 2 did that more than the original Enduro and for the Enduro 3, the remit remains the same.

It promises over a month of battery life on a single charge, with new solar charging display technology to push things even further than a month. Garmin has included its new software, which brings changes to features like mapping and navigation with a new dynamic round-trip routing feature that will let you adjust your route on the fly. Those software changes make using the Enduro 3 feel more like using a smartwatch. It also adds in a new optical heart rate sensor, which brings temperature and ECG-style tracking into the mix as well as offering a boost in heart rate monitoring accuracy.

That’s all while giving you everything great we got on the Enduro 2, for less money than its predecessor and the new Fenix 8. It’s still a very expensive watch and is going to be too pricey for many. You get what you pay for here and if rich sports tracking, training analysis, the best mapping features, and huge battery life are things you want more than anything, that’s what the Enduro 3 will give you.

The Garmin Fenix 8 is deservedly one of the best Garmin watches. But, if you can live without an AMOLED screen and some additional voice-based smartwatch features, the Enduro 3 is great too and will go longer than the Fenix too.

Garmin Enduro 3: Specifications Garmin Enduro 3: Price and availability

(Image credit: Mike Sawh)

• Price for Enduro 3 is $899/£769/AU£1,549
• Prices for 43mm Fenix 8 start at $999 / £949 / AU$1,699

The Garmin Enduro 3, unlike the Fenix 8, comes in just one size option and costs $899/£769/AU£1,549. In contrast, Garmin’s Fenix 8 series starts at $999 / £949 / AU$1,699, so is something of a step in price even if you opt for the cheapest model.

When the Garmin Enduro 2 launched it sat at $1,099/£929/AU 1,749, so that’s somewhat surprisingly a drop in price for the latest Enduro, which isn’t typically the case when a new model in a Garmin watch series arrives.

Put that up against other outdoor watches outside of Garmin’s own, it’s pricier than the Polar Grit X 2 Pro and the Suunto Vertical. You can also include smartwatches like the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra as cheaper alternatives to the Enduro 3 that, unlike the Enduro, pack in AMOLED displays.

• Value score: 4/5

Garmin Enduro 3: Design

(Image credit: Mike Sawh)

• Comes with a nylon strap
• Less prominent Power Sapphire lens
• Lacks Fenix 8 leak-proof buttons

The Enduro 3 sticks very closely to the design of the Enduro 2, including a slightly thicker 51mm, all-black polymer case, titanium bezel, and a very comfy black nylon strap. The differences lie with the same-sized, 1.4-inch, 280x280 resolution touchscreen. While you don’t get a colorful AMOLED one like the Fenix 8, you do get a display that’s a good size and does a much nicer job of masking its solar charging display abilities.

Garmin is using an improved version of its Power Sapphire lens, which once again has the ability to harvest sunlight to give you more in-between charges. Along with being able to perform that task in a more efficient manner, the red ring on the Enduro 2 to indicate those onboard solar powers is now gone, leaving a much clearer and overall nicer transflective display to look at. It is still a breeze to look at in much brighter outdoor light and marks an upgrade both aesthetically as well as in how effectively the Enduro can now harvest that solar power.

Outside of the changes in the display department, this is a watch that feels very Garmin. You’ve got a pretty standard array of physical buttons that aren’t the leak-proof kind included on the Fenix 8. It’s suitable for swimming up to 100 meters depth and uses Garmin’s go-to proprietary charging cable. If you liked the LED flashlight on the Enduro 2, there’s now a brighter one on the Enduro 3. The strap included is a quick-fit kind, which makes it easier to swap in an official or unofficial band. The nylon one included though makes this watch, which will still no doubt be a hulking one for some, a little more manageable and comfortable to wear 24/7.

• Design score: 4/5

Garmin Enduro 3: Features

(Image credit: Mike Sawh)

• New user interface
• Richer mapping and navigation features
• Gen 5 Elevate heart rate sensor

The headline news on the Enduro 3 is that the software it’s running on is all new. You won’t get it on the Enduro 2, but you will find it on the Fenix 8 and future Garmin watches. That new software is really centered around bringing sports watch and smartwatch features closer together and making the Enduro 3’s mapping and navigation modes easier to do on the move. Those new mapping and navigation features are led by a new dynamic round-trip routing mode that will automatically adjust your route in real time for whatever reason you need to adapt your route.

The core sports you can pick from stick largely to the same ones as the Enduro 2 with a bigger emphasis on strength training and letting you follow plans to factor that work into your training schedule. These plans range from 4-6 weeks and aren’t just for people who choose weights over cardio. This is about helping runners, cyclists, and swimmers to incorporate more strength training to reap the benefits of it in those sports.

On the hardware front, Garmin has upgraded the Enduro’s optical heart rate sensor to its latest Gen 5 one, which features inside of the Fenix 7 Pro, Epix Pro, and the Fenix 8. Along with promising the best heart rate accuracy that Garmin has to offer, it also unlocks the ability to take ECG-style measurements and temperature readings from the wrist. Those might not necessarily be the biggest reasons you’d be looking at picking an Enduro 3, but for those wanting a better mix of general wellness and sports tracking, the Enduro 3 offers a little more on that front.

In terms of other software features, this is a watch that arms you with an LED flashlight, offers training insights like altitude and heat acclimation, and gives you daily morning reports to tell you if you’ve slept well and whether you’re in good shape to train. While it lacks the new voice features included on the Fenix 8, does still let you pay your way, download apps and customize watch faces, and download and store music from services like Spotify.

• Features score: 4.5/5

Garmin Enduro 3: Performance

(Image credit: Mike Sawh)

• Impressive battery life once again
• Slightly improved HR performance
• Richer mapping support

The Enduro 3 mirrors a lot of what we got in the Enduro 2 and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. That’s never more true of the Enduro 3’s standout quality, and that’s the battery life. Whether you’re using it like a smartwatch or using it with its best GPS accuracy mode, you won’t be reaching for a charger for weeks. I managed to get just shy of a month from it and that was while mainly using it with its most accurate GPS mode. I used it for outdoor runs, indoor workouts, pool, and open water swims, and the battery performance really impressed

You do get that added reserve of solar charging, which boosts battery performance considerably. 36 days of battery in smartwatch mode becomes 90 days. Getting to that number requires regular exposure to sunlight to top up those reserves. I could see from spending just a couple of hours in strong sunlight how that battery is noticeably topped up too.

The multi-band GPS support is as good as it is on other Garmin watches like the Fenix 8 and the Forerunner 965. If you’re looking for accurate GPS support in more challenging conditions, the Enduro 3 is fit for the job. Moving to Garmin’s latest Gen 5 Elevate optical heart rate monitor does see a small improvement in the reliability of heart rate tracking but as I do find with bigger Garmin watches, it struggles at high intensity such as when I used the Enduro 3 for harder running sessions.

While the first Enduro missed out on Garmin’s great mapping support, that changed for the Enduro 2 and the Enduro 3 gets the best Garmin has to offer on that front now. That includes adding new ways to toggle and change map views and also features Garmin’s new dynamic round-trip routing, which does take a few minutes to adjust routes before you can be on your way again.

Garmin’s efforts to make strength training feel more a part of the tracking experience is a valiant attempt. Especially when elements like rep counting aren’t impeccable on sports watches in general. Adding plans that are presented like Garmin’s running ones makes it easy to follow plans, which is going to be welcomed by those that typically neglect it.

• Performance score: 5/5

Garmin Enduro 3: Scorecard

(Image credit: Mike Sawh) Garmin Enduro 3: Should I buy?

(Image credit: Mike Sawh) Buy it if...

You want a Fenix 8 but it’s too expensive

While the Enduro 3 costs a lot, it is cheaper than the latest Fenix and gives you its best features for less.

You spend a lot of time outside in the sunshine

Garmin’s improved solar charging display technology will make the difference as long as you’re exposing it to sufficient sunlight to top battery levels up.View Deal

Don't buy it if...

You want the best Garmin smartwatch sports watch mash-up

While you’re getting the best of Garmin’s sports tracking, you’re not getting everything Garmin has to offer in smartwatch features. You’ll need to grab a Fenix 8 for that.View Deal

You want the slimmest, best-looking Garmin watch

While the new solar charging tech improves the Enduro 3’s look, it’s still going to be a bit big and rugged for some wrists.View Deal

Also consider...

Garmin Fenix 8

It’s got the option of an AMOLED screen and more smartwatch features to make it more useful when you’re not tracking.

Read our full Garmin Fenix 8 reviewView Deal

Garmin Instinct 2

While not as fully-fledged an outdoor watch, the Instinct 2 gives you a lot of the good Enduro 3 stuff for a lot less money.

Read our full Garmin Instinct 2 reviewView Deal

How I tested

I wore the Garmin Enduro 3 for over a month to completely drain the battery, tracking activities like running, swimming, and using mapping and navigation features. I made use of smartwatch features like notifications and music support and wore it alongside the Garmin Fenix 8 to compare GPS accuracy. I also used a heart rate monitor chest strap to gauge the performance of heart rate tracking for both steady-paced and high-intensity workouts.

First reviewed: December 2024

Villains were everywhere and more relatable than ever. Across pop culture, social media, and IRL, the phenomenon went full-on main character.

• The Galaxy Ring 2 could be teased in January
• It might not go on sale until mid-2025
• AR glasses might also be revealed next month

In our Samsung Galaxy Ring review we awarded the wearable 4.5 stars out of 5, so we're very much looking forward to what the next model has to offer – and it seems we could get our first proper look at the 2nd-gen smart ring as early as next month.

According to Taiwanese news outlet DigiTimes (via Neowin), we'll get an "introduction" to the Samsung Galaxy Ring 2 at an Unpacked event in January. Previous rumors have suggested Samsung is planning to schedule one for January 22.

We don't get too much in the way of new details here, though the report does mention new size options, more accurate sensors, improved AI, and better battery life – all fairly predictable upgrades, but welcome ones nevertheless.

DigiTimes says we might see a new pair of augmented reality (AR) glasses from Samsung at the Unpacked event too, something which has already been predicted by other sources – so this is lining up to be quite a significant showcase for Samsung products.

A packed Unpacked

Rivals to the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses have also been rumored (Image credit: Ray-Ban / Meta)

Lest we forget, the primary reason for a Samsung Unpacked event in January is to launch the Samsung Galaxy S25 series of phones. We're expecting a standard model, an S25 Plus, an S25 Ultra, and quite possibly a new Samsung Galaxy S25 Slim as well.

Galaxy AI apps and tools will cross over all of these devices as well: part of the event should be given over to the full launch of One UI 7 for Galaxy phones (Samsung's take on Android 15), which is currently in beta testing.

However, should the Galaxy Ring 2 and new AR specs get a mention here, they might not go on sale right away. Bear in mind the original Galaxy Ring wasn't available to buy until July 2024, after a January 2024 tease, so the same might happen again in 2025.

When the Samsung Galaxy Ring 2 does eventually see the light of day, it'll almost certainly be worth a mention on our list of the best smart rings you can buy – though we'll have to wait to try it out before delivering a final verdict.

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