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Ryan has spent decades pressing presidents for answers. She talks about access, power, race and how asking questions put her in President Trump's crosshairs. Her new book is Notes on a Blacklash.

Could they be the next “eye” phone? I spoke with the founders of Xpanceo to find out.

For the longest time, I used to land in a new country and start desperately looking for a SIM kiosk. Even when I knew that they were charging a lot for a bare-minimum data/ calls plan, I used to buy it right away.

That’s because, from booking a cab to searching for your hotel in a new country, you would need an internet connection. Well, if you’re coming from India, buying an international roaming plan is also pretty expensive, so I need a way to get access to the internet at an affordable price.

This is exactly where an eSIM like eRoaming comes to the rescue. This company is a UK-based travel eSIM provider selling local, regional, and global plans through its website and app. Its catalog runs from 100MB short-stay packages to 30-day bundles and unlimited plans.

In this review, I’ll go deep with my research on this eSIM provider and share how it compares to the best eSIMs for international travel that I've reviewed, and whether it’s worth a buy for your next trip or not.

eRoaming: Plans and pricing

(Image credit: Future)

eRoaming sells local plans for one country, regional plans for several nearby countries, and global plans for longer itineraries.

Regional options cover Europe, Africa, Asia Pacific, the Caribbean, Latin America and the Middle East, while four global tiers cover between 106 and 161 countries.

For a useful like-for-like comparison, I checked the 5GB plan with 30 days of validity in 15 popular destinations. Countries are grouped only where both the region and price match. You can check them all out on the eRoaming site by clicking here.

Region

Popular destinations

5GB/30-day local price

Europe

UK, France, Italy, Spain, Germany

£9 each

North America

United States

£10

North America

Canada

£18

North America

Mexico

£27

Asia

Japan

£11

Asia

Thailand, Indonesia

£12 each

Asia

China

£14

Middle East

United Arab Emirates

£24

Africa

South Africa

£14

Oceania

Australia

£15

eRoaming also sells “unlimited” plans, but full-speed use still has a daily limit. Depending on the option, you receive 1GB, 2GB, 3GB, or 5GB at high speed each day. After using that amount, the connection slows to 128Kbps until the next day.

In short, choose by the daily high-speed allowance, not the Mini, Standard, Enhanced, or Premium label.

Plus, one-time plans do not auto-renew. So, recurring weekly or monthly plans may carry an early-cancellation fee. If you want to purchase any of the plans, you can do it easily using bank cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.

eRoaming: Features and specs

eRoaming advertises that it connects with at least two different networks in all of its supported countries and delivers 4G/LTE, with 5G speed available in many regions. It automatically selects the best available network. However, the internet speed still depends on the local infrastructure and coverage in your location.

Just like any other eSIM, you can install eRoaming using a QR code or the manual details. The important part here is that you must activate your eSIM and your subscribed plan within six months of purchase. However, the validity of the plan will only start once it connects to a supported network.

You can monitor usage through the app or website and buy a full-plan top-up. Hotspot is also supported when it is enabled for the selected plan and supported by the device. But deleting the eSIM is risky because, as per eRoaming , profiles generally cannot be reinstalled, so users should disable an unused profile instead.

Now, the limitations. There are two different types of geographic restrictions. First, eRoaming warns that purchases and top-ups may be blocked after arrival in China, Hong Kong, India, Singapore, and Taiwan. Importantly, these are not blanket coverage exclusions. For example, I found active China data plans in the catalog. So, simply buy and install before departure if traveling to one of these markets.

Separately, eRoaming maintains a sanctioned-country list where plans cannot be purchased or used. Because this list may change, check the current FAQ and the coverage shown for your exact plan immediately before buying.

eRoaming: Customer support

Support is available through the contact form or via email. The eRoaming support team operates during standard GMT business hours, seven days a week excluding public holidays, with typical responses taking 24 to 72 hours.

That’s why I would suggest completing the installation before leaving rather than depending on immediate assistance after landing.

The refund policy is also conditional. A refund may be issued within 30 days if an eSIM cannot be activated because of a technical problem and the customer completes troubleshooting with support.

Unused data and expired or fully consumed plans are non-refundable. Once an eSIM is installed, eRoaming considers it used, so accidental purchases are not refunded. Keep in mind, approved refunds can take up to 14 business days.

Is eRoaming worth it?

You can opt for eRoaming if you’re visiting only a specific country, preferably in Europe. Its 5GB/30-day local plans cost £9 in the UK, France, Italy, Spain and Germany. Whereas it takes a massive bump in places like Mexico, where it costs £27.

I personally feel this is best suited to travelers who primarily need data for maps, messaging, browsing, and occasional hotspot use. Its “unlimited” plans only include a set amount of high-speed data each day, after which speeds fall to 128Kbps.

eRoaming: FAQsIs eROAMING legitimate?

Yes. eRoaming is a UK-registered company with company number 15615617. Its website publishes both an office address in Slough and a registered address in Harrow, England. That confirms the business identity, although it does not guarantee identical network performance in every destination.

Does eRoaming provide a phone number?

Eligible hybrid and voice-plus-SMS plans are designed to include a number that can be used across the countries covered by the plan. However, the live selector marked mobile-number plans as temporarily unavailable when this review was prepared. Check the current storefront before purchasing.

Can I use an eRoaming eSIM as a hotspot?

Yes. The provider permits tethering when the device supports it, and hotspot use is enabled under the selected plan. Heavy or sustained use can still be limited under its fair-use rules.

Can I reinstall an eRoaming eSIM?

Generally, no. eRoaming warns that a deleted profile may not download again. Disable the eSIM when it is not needed instead of removing it, although disabling it will not pause the plan's validity period.

Ever since I first came across eSIMs and the whole concept around them, one thing remained consistent in my head. Which eSIM is best for which country?

For example, three years back I decided to go backpacking in Northern Thailand. And before I boarded my flight from New Delhi, India, I went through more than 12 eSIM providers.

Well, I ended up not being convinced by any of them cause after Thailand, I wanted to visit Cambodia and Vietnam, and there was no eSIM that made a lot of sense based on the data and the cost.

So, I just decided to buy one in Thailand itself. Trust me, this is a problem a lot of my fellow traveller friends face regularly, and it seems like Maya Mobile was always eavesdropping on this.

It completely revamped its structure this year and is now offering plans based on just the number of days, with universal coverage across 165+ nations. So, should you change your conventional eSIM buying methods with Maya Mobile, and does it stack up well against the best eSIMs for international travel that we've tested? Let’s find out.

Maya Mobile: Plans and pricing

(Image credit: Maya mobile)

Let’s start with the pricing first. There are currently only four Maya Mobile plans for users:

Validity

Price

3 days

$9.99

7 days

$19.99

14 days

$27.99

30 days

$49.99

All four include the same global coverage, and Maya doesn't charge differently depending on whether you're visiting Thailand, Japan, the US, or France. A "day" is a full 24 hours from when the plan starts. There's no mandatory subscription either, although Auto Top-Up can be enabled if you want another plan purchased automatically when the existing one expires.

Now, this makes the plan super simple, but is it flexible and customizable? I have my doubts.

Say you're taking a five-day holiday. You still need the seven-day plan. Travelling for ten days? The 14-day plan it is.

The limitation becomes even clearer when looking at the US. According to the US National Travel and Tourism Office, the average overseas visitor stayed 16.9 nights in the United States in 2025. That's already longer than Maya's 14-day package, pushing an average-length visitor all the way up to the $49.99 30-day plan.

That's probably my biggest problem with Maya's new pricing model. The company says you "only pay for the days you travel," but technically, you only pay for the Maya-defined blocks of days surrounding your trip.

You'll also find older reviews online praising Maya for letting users choose different amounts of data and validity periods. Keep in mind that those reviews can describe the previous service. Maya itself confirms that the May 2026 platform is a new system, while old plans remain on Legacy Maya.

There's also a Global + Cruise option for travelers who need connectivity at sea, but that starts much higher at $49.99 for three days.

You can check out Maya Mobile by clicking here.

Maya Mobile: Features and specs

(Image credit: Maya mobile)

Now, it's tempting to blame this on Maya using one global eSIM or routing everything through some distant server.

But that's not really what the signal bars tell us.

Your phone still needs to connect to a physical tower belonging to a network that Maya's eSIM is authorised to use. If Maya can use AIS at that location but another eSIM can use a different Thai carrier with stronger coverage there, both phones can have completely different signal levels while standing next to each other.

So, a global eSIM isn't automatically worse than a country-specific one. The roaming agreements behind it matter far more.

And Maya's own troubleshooting guide indirectly acknowledges this problem. It provides instructions for manually switching networks and says a failure to connect can simply mean you're in an area without service or that the local network is having problems.

That's why I'd check the listed network for your destination before paying, especially if you're travelling outside major cities.

Then there's Maya's use of the word “unlimited.”

This one gets confusing.

Maya's current sales pages explicitly advertise unlimited data with “no caps or throttling.” Its May launch announcement makes the same claim.

However, Maya's own Help Center says speeds may be reduced to 10Mbps after more than 3GB of usage in a day, and to 1Mbps if very high usage continues, with restrictions removed within 24 hours. Its legal terms separately mention a daily high-speed allowance before users move to standard-speed data.

Those statements don't line up.

Your data isn't cut off, so it remains unlimited in the literal sense. But I wouldn't interpret “no throttling” as guaranteed unlimited full-speed data until Maya makes its storefront, Help Center, and terms agree with each other.

Finally, Maya is data-only. You don't receive a local number, although you can keep your regular SIM active for calls and SMS and use apps such as WhatsApp, FaceTime and Google Meet through Maya's data connection.

Maya Mobile: Customer support

Maya offers 24/7 WhatsApp support, alongside an online support-request system. That's particularly useful for an eSIM because connectivity problems have a habit of appearing after you've already landed in another time zone.

The refund rules are fairly straightforward too.

If you haven't consumed any data, you can request a refund within 30 days, although payment-processing fees may be deducted. The same applies if you discover that your phone is carrier-locked or incompatible.

If an activated plan is completely unusable because of a problem on Maya's side, it says you'll qualify for a full refund if support cannot resolve the issue within 10 days of the refund request.

Partial refunds are also possible for qualifying network problems affecting only part of an activated plan. Approved card refunds can take up to 30 business days to appear.

Is Maya Mobile worth it?

There are two very different ways to look at Maya Mobile.

If you're constantly travelling between countries, I really like the concept. Install one eSIM, leave it on your phone, buy a plan whenever you travel, and forget about hunting for another provider each time.

But if I'm spending 10 days in just Singapore, I'd want to compare Maya with an eSIM that gives me access to the network with the strongest coverage where I'm actually going.

That's where Maya's simplicity starts becoming its limitation.

You don't choose your data allowance. You don't choose an exact validity period. You don't choose between a cheaper Singapore-only package and a more expensive regional one. Everyone essentially gets the same global product.

So, before buying, I'd do two things. Check which network Maya uses in your destination and see whether one of its four validity periods actually matches your trip.

If both work for you, Maya becomes a very convenient travel eSIM.

If they don't, having coverage in another 164 countries isn't going to help much.

Maya Mobile: FAQsIs Maya Mobile really unlimited?

Maya doesn't cut off your data after a fixed allowance. However, its Help Center says speeds may temporarily fall to 10Mbps after more than 3GB of daily usage and potentially 1Mbps with continued very high usage. This conflicts with Maya's storefront claim that there is no throttling.

Does Maya Mobile provide a phone number?

No. Maya Mobile's eSIM is data-only and does not include a local phone number. You can keep your normal SIM enabled separately for calls and SMS.

Can I use Maya Mobile as a hotspot?

Yes. Hotspot and internet sharing are supported on Maya plans for iOS and Android, although Maya notes that individual local operators can restrict the feature in some circumstances.

Which network does Maya Mobile use?

It depends on the country. Maya publishes its network partners on its coverage page. Current examples include T-Mobile and Verizon in the US, EE/O2/Three in the UK, and AIS in Thailand.

Does Maya Mobile work in the USA?

Yes. Maya Mobile works in the United States and currently lists T-Mobile and Verizon as its 5G network partners there. Your phone must support eSIM and be carrier-unlocked.

Which eSIM is best for all countries?

There isn't a single eSIM that works in literally every country. For frequent international travel, a global eSIM is usually the most convenient option because one profile can cover a large number of destinations. Maya Mobile currently covers 165+ countries, but I would still check the available network partners for every important destination before buying. A country-specific eSIM can sometimes provide better network choice than a global package.

What is the disadvantage of eSIM?

The biggest disadvantage is that compatibility and network access depend on both your phone and provider. Your device needs to support eSIM and usually needs to be carrier-unlocked. Moving an eSIM between phones can also be less straightforward than physically moving a SIM card, and travel eSIMs may only have agreements with selected networks within a country. Apple, for example, notes that carrier support and device compatibility still vary by region.

Which country does not allow eSIM?

There isn't a simple list of countries that completely ban eSIM anymore. Mainland China remains one of the most restricted markets, though. As of September 2026, selected newer iPhones can use eSIMs from China Mobile, China Telecom, and China Unicom, but other iPhone models cannot install mainland Chinese carrier eSIMs. Apple also says eSIMs from foreign carriers cannot be installed while you are physically in mainland China.

Can I still use my WhatsApp with an eSIM?

Yes. Installing a travel eSIM does not change your WhatsApp number. With Maya Mobile, WhatsApp simply uses the eSIM's data connection while remaining linked to your existing phone number. No additional WhatsApp setup is required.

Which Asia SIM card offers unlimited data?

Maya Mobile offers an Asia eSIM with unlimited data across its supported Asian destinations, along with hotspot support. However, "unlimited" doesn't necessarily mean unrestricted full-speed data: Maya's fair-use policy says speeds may temporarily fall to 10Mbps after more than 3GB of usage in a day, and potentially to 1Mbps if very high usage continues.

Which SIM card is best for international use?

For travellers visiting several countries, a global eSIM is generally more convenient than repeatedly buying local SIM cards. Maya Mobile is one option because the same eSIM can be reused across 165+ destinations. However, if you're staying in one country for most of your trip, a local or country-specific SIM/eSIM may give you more choice over the carrier, data allowance and validity period.

When I compare travel eSIMs, I usually start with two questions. How much data do I get, and how much does it cost?

Sim Local made me add a third. Who is actually providing the plan?

That matters because I can buy an EE, Three, or Orange package through the same storefront, with different features attached to each one. More choice sounds great. I just don’t want to discover the important differences after landing.

Talking about the brand, Sim Local’s history goes back to 2011, when Irish entrepreneur Killian Whelan opened its first shop at Dublin Airport. The company is now based in Dublin and London, selling through stores, kiosks, vending machines, its website and app.

To find out how the provider compares to the best eSIMs for international travel we've tested, I examined its published plans, network information, setup guidance and policies. My assessment is research-based rather than an on-trip test of connection speeds.

Sim Local: Plans and pricing

I’ve compared selected country-specific, regional, and global packages below. You can check out the plans on the Sim Local site by clicking here.

Destination or coverage

Provider

Data allowance

Validity

Price

United Kingdom

Three UK

100GB in the UK

30 days

$20.25

France

Lycamobile

70GB in France

15 days

$17.25

United States

Lycamobile

18GB

30 days

$33.00

Japan

au by KDDI

Unlimited

15 days

$39.00

Thailand

Sim Local

20GB

30 days

$18.50

Europe

Orange

50GB

31 days

$46.00

Asia

Orange

20GB

31 days

$34.50

Global, 116 countries

Orange

100GB

31 days

$92.00

The UK and France packages stand out to me for their data allowances. I’d consider regional or global coverage for a multi-country trip, but I wouldn’t pay for a bigger bundle unless I expected to use it.

Sim Local: Features and specs

The operator selection is Sim Local’s main attraction for me. Beyond its UK and European options, its network directory lists AU for Japan, True for Thailand, and MobiFone for Vietnam. I like being able to identify the provider before buying, although a recognized name alone wouldn’t establish how well a remote hotel or rural route is covered.

Calls and texts are another reason I’d look beyond data allowance alone. I’d check the selected package for a phone number and calling or SMS allowances. For a trip involving hotel calls or reservations, those extras could be more useful to me than another few gigabytes.

However, a local allowance and a roaming allowance aren’t necessarily the same thing. Three’s UK 100GB package includes a UK number and unlimited local calls and texts, but its published roaming allowance is up to 12GB in the listed destinations. I wouldn’t buy it expecting to carry all 100GB into France or Australia.

You can install it through the app, via an emailed QR code, or with manual details. Sim Local’s instructions also cover selecting the new eSIM for mobile data and enabling data roaming on that profile.

The app supports plan management, with usage checking and top-ups available on most plans rather than universally.

Sim Local: Customer support

Sim Local advertises 24/7 online chat and WhatsApp support, alongside email at customerqueries@simlocal.com. I like having more than one way to get help, especially when the problem could be anything from a download issue to a connection that won’t start.

I wouldn’t confuse those contact hours with a guaranteed immediate fix, though. The lower-rated customer reviews I read included reports of failed connections, with Sim Local responding that it needed more information to investigate.

The refund policy is more specific than the “no-quibble” wording might suggest. If I change my mind, I can request a full refund within 14 days of purchase if the eSIM hasn’t been activated. Technical activation failures attributable to Sim Local or its network can qualify outside that window.

The policy also makes an exception for an activated eSIM that remained unusable because of a technical fault on their side. Approved refunds are processed within five to ten business days.

Is Sim Local worth it?

I’d shortlist Sim Local when I need a particular combination of data, calls, coverage, and trip length. Its European voice-and-data packages are especially interesting to me because I can compare several options through the same storefront.

For basic maps and messaging in one country, I’d start with a smaller fixed-data package. For a longer or multi-country trip, I’d spend more time checking the roaming allowance, activation trigger, and fair-use rules.

Overall, I feel my decision on buying an eSIM or a plan depends entirely on what all I'm getting, rather than picking an eSIM based on the brand. Simlocal does give me some useful options, but what's inside a package is actually the deal breaker for me.

Importantly, I feel the regional plans for Europe and Asia do make the cut for me, as compared to the other country-wise packages.

Sim Local: FAQsIs Sim Local legitimate?

Based on its published company history, I’d regard Sim Local as an established travel-connectivity retailer. It dates its first Dublin Airport shop to 2011 and operates physical and online sales channels. That history doesn’t guarantee identical network performance in every destination.

Does Sim Local provide a phone number?

On selected plans, yes. I’d look for a package explicitly marked for data, calls and SMS. The number isn’t necessarily local to every destination. I’d check the issuing country and included call and text allowances before choosing a plan for those features.

Can I use Sim Local as a hotspot?

Yes, on supported packages, including Three’s UK 100GB plan. I’d still check the selected plan’s allowance and fair-use rules before relying on tethering for sustained laptop use.

Can I reinstall a deleted Sim Local eSIM?

Usually not. Sim Local says most operators don’t allow deleted profiles to be recovered. It documents a Smartroam exception for manual reinstallation on the same device, with further restrictions for topped-up or extended plans. I’d contact support before deleting a profile.

• Attackers hijacked three country-code domains to obtain fraudulent HTTPS certificates for major websites
• Fake certificates could enable convincing traffic interception and phishing against affected domains
• Google revoked the certificates, protected Chrome users, and warned impacted organizations

Cybercriminals recently managed to hijack three country-code top-level domains (ccTLDs) and used the access to generate HTTPS certificates covering several Google domains, as well as those belonging to other organizations. Google said the attack placed thousands of websites at risk, but stressed that the certificates have since been revoked.

According to Google, the domains that were hijacked are .gh (Ghana), .sl (Sierra Leone), and .as (American Samoa). During the attacks, the threat actors modified authoritative DNS records, obtaining HTTPS certificates covering not just Google, but other organizations, too.

In other words, any website operating on these domains was at risk, as well as all of the visitors. By manipulating authoritative DNS records, threat actors could redirect traffic away from legitimate websites and towards malicious ones under their control, all the while telling users they were visiting the legitimate one by showing the padlock icon. Visitors entering login credentials, payment information, or other data, would easily lose them to the attackers, and depending on the circumstances, they could also end up installing malware.

“Due to the nature of the attacks, we have no reason to believe the Certification Authorities (CAs) that issued the impacted certificates did anything wrong,” Google said.

Affecting major brands

Although Google blocked the unauthorized certificates in Chrome and worked to have them revoked, it warned that its interventions might not have identified every affected domain or protected users of other browsers.

“As part of our usual incident response process, we immediately acted to protect users by blocking the use of unauthorized certificates for Google properties in Chrome via CRLSets,” Google added. “We also worked with the issuing CAs to ensure the certificates were revoked to protect users in clients other than Chrome.”

The risk for websites wasn’t theoretical. Google said “several leading global brands and widely used online services” were impacted by these attacks, and stressed that all of the certificates used in these attacks were blocked.

“Where possible, we reached out to impacted organizations to alert them to our findings and actions,” Google concluded. The company did not say which of its own domains were affected, and did not want to name the victim companies. We also don’t know how many organizations were impacted.

Chrome users don’t need to take any action to be protected, it was said, but domain owners do have a thing or two to do. That includes performing ongoing monitoring of Certificate Transparency for all of the domains, and publishing restrictive CAA records with ACME account bindings.

Not the first rodeo

Attacks like this have happened before - in 2011, cybercriminals compromised Dutch Certificate Authority DigiNotar, generating 531 fraudulent certificates for domains belonging to Google, Microsoft, Mozilla, Skype, and more. Some of these certificates were allegedly used to intercept encrypted communications of Iranian internet users, and the incident ultimately forced major browser vendors to withdraw their trust in DigiNotar, putting the company out of business.

Earlier that year, threat actors stole an account belonging to a registration authority partnered with Comodo, obtaining nine fraudulent certificates for domains operated by Google, Yahoo, Microsoft, and others. Something similar happened in 2015, when Google discovered that Symantec's Thawte-branded Certificate Authority had improperly issued an unauthorized certificate during internal testing, covering Google's domains.

This incident, however, was more of an internal failure and less of an attack. Subsequent investigations uncovered numerous additional misissued certificates.

“In parallel with domain-owner defenses, we will continue to work alongside the broader community to limit the impact of transient routing and DNS compromises on the safety of the web,” Google concluded. “To keep our users safe, we are committed to long-term HTTPS ecosystem improvements, such as reducing certificate validity and DCV reuse, through the Chrome Root Program and the new Chrome Quantum-resistant Root Program.”

Via Ars Technica

Spooky season has arrived, and Le Creuset is treating us to a full range of themed cookware. Officially, it's the Harvest Collection in the US, and the Autumn Collection in the UK, and it offers pumpkins in every configuration you could imagine — plus some you'd never have thought of. For instance, I didn't think you could turn a gravy boat or a butter dish into a pumpkin, but both are present and correct here. There are also plenty of bats sprinkled in, for good measure.

Le Creuset is known as a top-quality brand, and that's reflected here — this cookware is predominantly cast iron and stoneware, so it's built to last. The colorways are classy, too; the brand's signature volcanic orange is a perfect fit, and moody greens, mustard yellow and inky black help round out a sophisticated autumnal color palette. And there are thoughtful touches throughout, like the twisty, metal stem/handle on the large cast-iron dishes.

Of course, the price points are fairly lofty. But there are a handful of more budget-friendly options in the mix that'll let you get the look without breaking the bank — I'll be working towards a mini cocotte in every color. Scroll down to check out the full range in both the US and the UK.

US: Spook-tastic cookware

Hop down to the UK range

Le Creuset Signature Pumpkin Cocotte, Persimmon

Le Creuset Signature Pumpkin Cocotte, Forêt

Le Creuset Signature Pumpkin Cocotte, Licorice

Le Creuset Signature Pumpkin Cocotte, White

Le Creuset Signature Pumpkin Cocotte, Nectar

Le Creuset Signature Pumpkin Braiser, Persimmon

Le Creuset Signature Pumpkin Braiser, Nectar

Le Creuset Signature Pumpkin Braiser, Foret

Le Creuset Signature Pumpkin Braiser, Licorice

Le Creuset Signature Pumpkin Braiser, White

Le Creuset Stoneware Pumpkin Gravy Jug, White

Le Creuset Stoneware Pumpkin Gravy Jug, Persimmon

Le Creuset Signature Spatula with Bat Appliqué

Le Creuset Pumpkin Mini Cocotte, White

Le Creuset Pumpkin Mini Cocotte, Nectar

Le Creuset Pumpkin Mini Cocotte, Persimmon

Le Creuset Pumpkin Mini Cocotte, Persimmon, Forêt

Le Creuset Pumpkin Mini Cocotte, Persimmon, Black

Le Creuset Stoneware Mini Halloween Dishes, Set of 4, Multi

Le Creuset Mini French Oak Leaf Bowls, Set of 4

Le Creuset Bat Stockpot

Le Creuset Bat Mini Cocotte

Le Creuset Stoneware Bat Mug, Black

Le Creuset Stoneware Pumpkin Mug, Nectar

Le Creuset Stoneware Pumpkin Mug, Persimmon

Le Creuset Stoneware Pumpkin Mug, White

Le Creuset Stoneware Pumpkin Mug, Black

Le Creuset Stoneware Pumpkin Serving Bowl, 3L, Persimmon

Le Creuset Stoneware Pumpkin Serving Bowl, 3L, white

UK: Spook-tastic cookware

Le Creuset Cast Iron Pumpkin Casserole, 24cm, Volcanic

Le Creuset Cast Iron Pumpkin Casserole, 24cm, Forêt

Le Creuset Cast Iron Pumpkin Casserole, 24cm, White

Le Creuset Cast Iron Pumpkin Casserole, 24cm, Nectar

Le Creuset Cast Iron Pumpkin Casserole, 24cm, Sea Salt

Le Creuset Cast Iron Pumpkin Shallow Casserole, 24cm, Volcanic

Le Creuset Stoneware Pumpkin Gravy Jug

Le Creuset Stoneware Pumpkin Mini Casserole, 16cm, Volcanic

Le Creuset Stoneware Pumpkin Mini Casserole, 16cm, Forêt

Le Creuset Stoneware Pumpkin Mini Casserole, 16cm, Satin Black

Le Creuset Stoneware Mini Halloween Dishes, Set of 4, Multi

Le Creuset Stoneware Set of 4 Leaf Small Dishes

Le Creuset Stoneware Bat Petite Casserole

Le Creuset Cast Iron Wicked Elphaba Embossed Round Casserole, 24cm, Artichut

Le Creuset Stoneware Pumpkin Butter Dish, Volcanic

Le Creuset Stoneware Bat Mug, 400ml, Satin Black

Le Creuset Stoneware Bat Mug, 400ml, Volcanic

Le Creuset Stoneware 25cm Pumpkin Serving Plate, Volcanic

Le Creuset Stoneware Pumpkin Serving Plate

Le Creuset Stoneware Pumpkin Mug, Foret

Le Creuset Stoneware Pumpkin Mug, Volcano

Le Creuset Stoneware Pumpkin Mug, Black

Stoneware Pumpkin Mug, Garnet

Le Creuset Stoneware Pumpkin Serving Bowl, 3L, volcanic

Le Creuset Stoneware Pumpkin Bowl, 16cm, Volcanic

Le Creuset Stoneware Pumpkin Bowl, 14cm, Forêt

Le Creuset Stoneware Pumpkin Bowl, 14cm, Satin black

Le Creuset Stoneware Pumpkin Bowl, 14cm, White

Le Creuset Stoneware Pumpkin Serving Bowl, 3L, white

I don’t mind comparing data plans before a trip. What I’d rather avoid is starting the whole setup process again just because my next destination is different.

That is what caught my attention with KnowRoaming. It's KR.One approach separates the eSIM I install from the travel package I buy. With this setup, I can still keep the profile and choose another plan for my next journey.

However, there is a vital distinction here. When you keep this eSIM, there’s no guarantee that your existing data will stay intact, unlike many of the best eSIMs for international travel we've tested. After the duration, your plan will expire. So, I wanted to find more details about Know Roaming eSIM plans and offers. Let’s get started.

KnowRoaming: Plans and pricing

(Image credit: KnowRoaming)

I’ve compared the 15-day unlimited plans below. For the country and regional options shown, the unlimited options include 5GB at full speed within 24 hours, followed by speeds of just up to 512Kbps.

Whereas the global plan includes 2GB at full speed every 24 hours, then only up to 256Kbps. In a nutshell, these high-speed allowances reset every 24 hours from the plan’s start time.

You can sign up to KnowRoaming by clicking here.

Country or region

Data

Price

Duration

United Kingdom

Unlimited

$46.00

15 days

France

Unlimited

$40.50

15 days

Germany

Unlimited

$37.75

15 days

Spain

Unlimited

$40.50

15 days

Switzerland

Unlimited

$43.25

15 days

United States

Unlimited

$46.00

15 days

Mexico

Unlimited

$50.25

15 days

Australia

Unlimited

$40.50

15 days

Europe, 49 destinations

Unlimited

$46.00

15 days

Asia, 28 destinations

Unlimited

$48.00

15 days

North America, 3 destinations

Unlimited

$75.00

15 days

Global, 166 destinations

Unlimited

$55.00*

15 days

Note: The global price is a limited-time promotional offer.

Out of all, I can vouch for Europe’s regional plan because it costs the same as the UK-only option. I’d consider it for a multi-country trip if the destinations match my itinerary. I find the global offers appealing too, but the tiny 2GB threshold for high-speed data over a 24-hour period makes me think twice.

Plus, the North America pricing seems a bit impractical here. It costs $20 more than the promotional global package, even though it covers fewer destinations. But I wouldn’t choose by country count alone. I’d be trading 5GB of daily high-speed data for 2GB with the global option. For maps and messaging, I’d consider that saving after checking my route is covered. For frequent hotspot use, the regional allowance could justify the extra spend.

KnowRoaming: Features and specs

(Image credit: KnowRoaming)

KR.One is the feature I’d pay most attention to. Using this, I can install it once, then add destination plans to the same profile. That removes the need for another QR code each trip. It doesn’t make active plans transferable between phones, so I’d install it on the device I actually intend to travel with.

The wider catalog covers more than 200 destinations, while the global option is advertised for 166 countries. Those are different figures. Regional choices include Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, Latin America, the Caribbean, Oceania, and the Middle East and North Africa. So, I’d check it with my complete route rather than treat “global” as everywhere.

Europe’s unlimited selector lists 49 destinations. The Middle East and North Africa package lists 15, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Morocco and Turkey. I’d consider these for a trip with several stops.

KnowRoaming advertises more than 800 networks, with 4G and 5G depending on local availability.

For setup, I’d use the app’s My plans section, select my device, and add the package over Wi-Fi. Website purchases also provide a QR code, with manual setup available.

Once at the destination, you need to select KnowRoaming for mobile data and enable roaming on that line. Installing the profile doesn’t complete those phone settings automatically, which is worth remembering before assuming something has failed.

Your plan will show the remaining data and days, with top-ups available from the selected package. Here, Kreds provide credits toward future purchases too. Visa-linked rewards also require eligibility verification, so I don’t think every customer qualifies for this.

KnowRoaming: Customer support

(Image credit: KnowRoaming)

KnowRoaming advertises round-the-clock support, including WhatsApp, alongside installation and troubleshooting guides. Its support pages address practical problems such as no data after landing, manual network selection, and top-ups that haven’t appeared.

The refund policy allows requests for uninstalled eSIMs or plans that haven’t been activated. After activation, using less than 2% of the data or experiencing a KnowRoaming-related service issue may qualify for a full or partial refund, but approval is discretionary.

Requests must arrive within 90 days of purchase and before the plan expires. Ideally, you shouldn’t wait until returning home to report a failed package. KnowRoaming says it reviews requests within four working days and issues approved refunds within 15 calendar days, plus any bank processing.

Is KnowRoaming worth it?

I’d shortlist KnowRoaming for the convenience of reusing one eSIM while choosing a different package for each trip. Regional coverage and hotspot support are useful additions, particularly when my itinerary includes several countries.

My reservation is relying on the convenience claims without checking the conditions. I still need a suitable data allowance, the right country list, and another line for conventional calls. For ordinary travel connectivity, the offer makes sense to me. For essential work calls and sustained tethering, I’d keep a backup connection.

KnowRoaming: FAQsDoes KnowRoaming provide a phone number?

No, its general eSIM explainer mentions local numbers, but the product guidance explicitly says data-only, without calls or SMS. You should keep a separate line for those services.

Can I use KnowRoaming as a hotspot?

Yes, hotspot sharing is supported. Make sure to select the KnowRoaming line for mobile data before enabling it. Sharing with a laptop still uses the plan’s allowance, and an unlimited package’s daily high-speed threshold remains relevant when several devices share the connection.

When does my KnowRoaming plan start?

KnowRoaming’s plan validity begins when you connect it in a supported country, rather than at purchase. Keep in mind, you must activate your plan within 90 days of buying. Once running, the validity period continues, and unused data expires rather than rolling over.

Can I reuse or reinstall my KnowRoaming eSIM?

You can keep KR.One installed and add plans for later trips. Reuse isn’t the same as transferring it to another phone. KnowRoaming says active plans stay with the original device.

• License costs are a worry for 90% of VMware customers
• Multi-vendor and security complexities are limiting migration for many
• Some customers are staying with VMware but sourcing their own support

A new study has claimed a staggering 90% of decision-makers are considering VMware alternatives purely based on licensing costs.

But following other changes made to the virtualization stack under its not-so-new Broadcom ownership, two in three (66%) of those surveyed by Rimini Street are also considering third-party support.

That said, there's a big step between considering leaving VMware and actually migrating away, and many face the reality of not being able to without incurring high costs or encountering technical difficulties.

VMware customers aren't happy, but they're not switching away

Broadcom's licensing changes are the biggest offender, the study shows, with 90% of those considering an alternative impacted by higher licensing costs and 54% unhappy with the end of support for perpetual licenses.

Despite very clear dissatisfaction, half (48%) of existing perpetual licence customers don't actually have any plans to move away from VMware Cloud Foundation.

Still, the wheels are in motion with three in five surveyed businesses considering multi-hypervisor strategies, potentially as the first stage in a multi-step process to move away from VMware. The journey ahead isn't so simple, though, with operational complexity (40%), managing multiple vendors (38%), handling security with an expanded attack surface (37%) and ups killing workers (37%) all cited as challenges.

"The shift for current VMware users is not simply about replacing one vendor with another. It reflects a broader effort by enterprises to reduce dependency on a single provider," Unisphere lead analyst Joe McKendrick explained.

What we're seeing more of, though, is the adoption of third-party support for existing VMware packages instead of total migrations away from the company. One in five (18%) are already using third-party support.

"For many organizations, that means balancing support for existing environments with new investments designed to improve resilience, security and scalability over time," McKendrick added.

Amazon’s Fire tablets have historically been seen as low-cost, low-spec alternatives to the best Android tablets and best iPads, but now the mega-retailer has finally entered the premium tablet market with the Amazon Alexa Tablet 12 Pro.

Yes, the ‘Fire’ nomenclature is gone — and, mercifully, Fire OS along with it. The Alexa Tablet 12 Pro is the first Amazon tablet to support full Android, meaning users will be able to access the Google Play Store and its millions of streaming, gaming, and productivity apps, including Google Maps, YouTube, and Gmail.

The Alexa Tablet 12 Pro — which is joined by the smaller Alexa Tablet 11 and Alexa Tablet 8 in a three-product lineup — is also the first Amazon tablet to feature baked-in Alexa+ integration, so it’s got AI chops to rival Apple’s Apple Intelligence-compatible iPads and Samsung’s premium Galaxy tablets.

In other words, the Alexa Tablet 12 Pro is about as far away from the Amazon Fire Max 11 as the Kindle-maker could have gotten — and Amazon acknowledges that this distinctly premium product marks a dramatic change in strategy for the company.

The Alexa Tablet 12 Pro with the Alexa Tablet Pro Keyboard and Alexa Tablet Pro PenFutureThe Alexa Tablet 12 Pro with the Alexa Tablet Pro Keyboard and Alexa Tablet Pro PenFuture

“Without a doubt, this is the biggest leap we've ever made in developing tablets in our history,” Eric Saarnio, Vice President of Amazon Devices International, told me in a briefing for the new Alexa Tablet range. “And I'm incredibly excited about what the team has built.”

Despite their shortcomings, Amazon’s existing Fire tablets have been a hit for the company — “we've sold a ton of tablets over the years, and that’s something we're very proud of,” Saarnio says — but they’re loss-leader products designed to usher customers into Amazon’s digital ecosystem, rather than market-leading tablets in their own right.

The Alexa Tablet 12 Pro, by contrast, is a full-blown premium slate with specs to rival the Apple iPad Air (2026). It features a 12-inch, 120Hz display, up to 16GB of RAM, and 3x more CPU power than any previous Amazon tablet.

The Amazon Alexa Tablet comes in three sizes: 12, 11, and 8.7 inches (Image credit: Future)

Buyers can also choose to equip their Alexa Tablet 12 Pro with Amazon’s anti-glare Nanomatte technology, which improves visibility outdoors and makes on-screen text look as if it’s sitting on top of the display (I’ve seen it in person, and it’s not a million miles away from the nano‑texture finish on the iPhone Duo’s inner display).

Why has Amazon pumped such impressive specs (and, presumably, millions of dollars in development costs) into the Alexa Tablet 12 Pro? Because it recognizes that consumer habits are changing, and it wants to offer a one-stop-shop device for streamers, gamers, and productivity-focused users alike.

More than just an entertainment device

The Alexa Tablet 12 Pro can be configured with an anti-glare Nanomatte display (Image credit: Amazon)

“The truth is, what people are using tablets for is really starting to evolve — and it’s the power of the cloud that’s changing things,” Saarnio told me.

“The ability to build and code is really powerful, and you can do that [now] from your tablets. And for sure, tablets are there for entertainment, and that's where it all starts. But I do think there’s this evolution starting to happen, where [people are] using tablets just to get things done.

Without a doubt, this is the biggest leap we've ever made in developing tablets in our history.

Eric Saarnio, VP of Amazon Devices International

“When we think about tablets going forward, I don't necessarily think they’re going to be a replacement for a laptop. But I do think they're going to be very powerful tools to both entertain and to help you be productive. And so, as we think about our next era in tablets, we wanted to bake all of that [into one device]. And we really landed on three big things [in the Alexa Tablet 12 Pro].

“First: performant, premium hardware, with exceptional screens that deliver for customers. Second: we're moving to full Android, and [granting] access to the Google Play Store, which will give customers the ability to access millions of apps that they enjoy today. And last but not least: we wanted to give them access to an assistant. So we’ve embedded Alexa+ into the tablet, along with access to everything they love about Amazon. To be clear, this isn't an app that we've added to the tablet: it’s actually baking the Alexa+ experience into it.”

The Dynamic Tab on the Amazon Alexa Tab 8FutureThe Alexa Smart Home interface on the Amazon Alexa Tab 8Future

Now available in the US, UK, and Australia, Alexa+ is Amazon’s cloud-based virtual assistant. It can respond to queries in natural language, control your smart home devices, and, of course, seamlessly interact with all other Amazon services. Notably, on the Alexa Tablet range, Alexa+ can look at what's on your screen (when given explicit permission to do so) and provide real-time, in-context assistance, similar to Gemini Live’s screen sharing functionality.

On the Alexa Tablet 12 Pro, Tablet 11, and Tablet 8, Alexa+ lives in a dedicated Dynamic Tab in the top left corner of the screen, and can be expanded into a full-screen For You tab for more comprehensive interaction.

Alexa+ costs $19.99 / £19.99 / AU$29.99 per month, but is free for Prime members. It’s not yet clear how the service’s deep integration into the Alexa Tablet will function if you’re not subscribed to it.

Interestingly, the Alexa Tablet can also transform into a Kindle for a completely distraction-free experience. When activated, Kindle mode silences notifications, reduces blue light, and extends battery life. It’s particularly effective on the Alexa Tablet 12 Pro when paired with Amazon’s Nanomatte finish.

Kindle mode on the Amazon Alexa Tab 12 ProFutureKindle mode on the Amazon Alexa Tab 12 ProFuture

“What we think we've invented here is a tablet that doesn't, in any way, force you to compromise,” Saarnio concluded. “It's great for entertainment; it’s intelligent; it's great for productivity and helping you get things done. All in one package. And you get all of this starting at £500.”

That price reveal triggered an audible gasp in my briefing session. $549.99 / £499.99 is an extremely competitive price for a 12-inch tablet with a 120Hz display, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of starting storage. Even the top-end version of the Alexa Tablet 12 Pro (which comes with 16GB of RAM) costs just £599.99 (we’re awaiting confirmation of US and Australia pricing).

The iPad Air, for reference, starts at $749 / £749 / AU$1,249 following Apple’s June price increases. That device features a more powerful M4 chipset than the Alexa Tablet 12 Pro, which runs on the MediaTek Dimensity 8400, but it’s smaller, at 11 inches, and has a static 60Hz display.

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As you'll see in the price section, the Alexa Tablet’s specs do get worse as you move down the price ladder (the Alexa Tablet 8, for instance, has a 60Hz refresh rate, 4GB of RAM, and no Nanomatte display option). But the value of the top-end bundles looks, on paper at least, exceptional — £729 for the Alexa Tablet 12 Pro with Nanomatte display (256GB), Alexa Tablet Pro Keyboard, and Alexa Tablet Pro Pen is still cheaper than Apple’s entry-level 11-inch iPad Air with 128GB of storage.

The big question, of course, is whether Amazon’s new tablets are any good. I’ve only been hands-on with the top-end Alexa Tablet 12 Pro, and my first impressions are positive — the Nanomatte screen looks great, the tablet’s aluminum construction is thin and light, and its access to the Google Play Store is going to please a lot of people. But we’ll need to put all three new devices through their paces before passing a full verdict on their value for money.

The Alexa Tablet 12 Pro, Alexa Tablet 11, and Alexa Tablet 8 — as well as new Amazon Kids Tablets — are available to pre-order now and will begin shipping October 19.

Pricing

The full Amazon Alexa Tablet range (Image credit: Amazon / Future)

Here's the full pricing information for the Amazon Alexa Tablet range (we'll update the below tables with US and Australia pricing when we have it):

Device

Configuration

Price

Amazon Alexa Tablet 8

4GB / 64GB

$229.99 / £199.99

Amazon Alexa Tablet 8

4GB / 128GB

TBC / £239.99

Amazon Alexa Tablet 11

8GB / 64GB

$329.99 / £289.99

Amazon Alexa Tablet 11

8GB / 128GB

TBC / £329.99

Amazon Alexa Tablet 12 Pro

8GB / 128GB

$499.99 / £449.99

Amazon Alexa Tablet 12 Pro with Nanomatte display

8GB / 128GB

$549.99 / £499.99

Amazon Alexa Tablet 12 Pro with Nanomatte display

16GB / 256GB

TBC / £599.99

Accessories

Price

Alexa Tablet Pro Keyboard

$149.99 / £129.99

Alexa Tablet Pro Pen

$89.99 / £79.99

Bundles

Price

Amazon Alexa Tablet 12 Pro, Alexa Tablet Pro Keyboard and Alexa Tablet Pro Pen

TBC / £589.99

Amazon Alexa Tablet 12 Pro with Nanomatte display (128GB), Alexa Tablet Pro Keyboard and Alexa Tablet Pro Pen

TBC / £639.99

Amazon Alexa Tablet 12 Pro with Nanomatte display (256GB), Alexa Tablet Pro Keyboard and Alexa Tablet Pro Pen

TBC / £729

The new tablets tie together the Amazon media ecosystem so you can pick up where you left off from just about anywhere.

• AI has replaced entry-level work, so graduates are being hired to manage AI
• Goldman worries about its impacts on existing middle managers
• "We don’t quite know what’s going to happen to that group"

Goldman Sachs exec Kevin Sneader has shared (via Bloomberg) how he believes AI could change jobs in banking, and it doesn't necessarily mean that junior workers will be at a loss for jobs.

Instead, Sneader believes that new employees will take on management responsibility immediately, rather than waiting years for promotions.

Previously, young workers would have spent the first few years performing administrative work before progressing into management positions, but rather than progressing into managing humans, junior workers will now start off managing AI.

Junior bankers set to manage AI from day one

With agentic AI now capable of carrying out the routine, administrative tasks that junior workers used to do, entry-level roles will no longer be available. But that doesn't mean there's no room for new graduates – it just means that they'll need to oversee the AI doing those jobs.

"When our young folks now start work, they’re managing agents," he said. "They have to make the most of this virtual army that they’ve now got."

However, there is potentially one group of workers at risk from AI's impacts, and it could be middle management. In short, graduates being employed to manage AI could threaten the job security of middle managers, who would previously have looked after those graduates.

"We don’t quite know what’s going to happen to that group," Sneader added.

More broadly, it could mean that AI challenges the pyramid-like ladder that sectors like banking have previously worked to. If businesses no longer need large numbers of entry-level workers thanks to AI, it means they need fewer middle managers and fewer leaders, which could indeed have adverse impacts on jobs – just not for graduates.

The takeaway from this particular message isn't one of graduate unemployment, but rather a broader shift away from traditional working patterns and how it could impact the more experienced workers.

Argos has launched its Big Red Sale. Now, I've seen loads of 8GB laptop deals there, but as always, I'm begging you to avoid them. The low cost isn't worth the frustratingly sluggish performance. 16GB memory is plenty for day-to-day office multi-tasking without breaking the bank. And of all the ones in the Argos sale, I've 100% choose the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3.

• Best for: Remote workers and students who want good general performance for productivity tasks like running office software, browsing, and streaming.

• The deal: The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 is now £664 (was £829) at Argos with code RED20, so 20% off or just shy of £166.

• Why we like it: This laptop comes with an Intel Core Ultra 5 processor, 16GB RAM, and 512GB SSD. When we tested this machine, we found it "fairly portable for its size, is attractive enough, and has enough performance for most people’s day-to-day needs. With its low price, it’s a great value for those that just need a Windows computer."

IdeaPad Slim 3: was £829 now £663.2
This 16-inch Windows 11 Home laptop comes equipped with an Intel Core Ultra 5 322 processor, 16GB DDR5 RAM, and 512GB SSD. Ideal specs for working from home and my pick of the bunch on the Argos tech sale. Use code RED20 for the full discount.View Deal

Why we recommend it

We scored the attractively designed IdeaPad Slim 3 4 stars in our review.

This isn't a juggernaut workstation for 3D rendering, gaming, video editing and running a zillion LLMs all at once. And it's not meant to be.

As we found during our tests: "What it needs to do and does well enough is handle day-to-day tasks such as browsing, streaming, emails, word processing, and the like.

It's a reliable 16-inch laptop that in our tests delivered good overall performance for those who just need a decent Windows laptop for work. "good performance for day-to-day use."

Price context & historical value

There are plenty of 16GB laptop deals at Argos (you can check them out here), but this IdeaPad Slim 3 is the pick of the bunch thanks to the decent specs and real-world performance tests we've put it through. For comparison, it's just £24 more than the same model with 256GB SSD storage. That's half what you're paying for here.

The closest cheaper alternative in the sale is this Ryzen 5-powered 15.6-inch HP laptop, priced at £569 (was £579). But having owned several HP and Lenovo laptops over the years, I prefer Lenovo's overall build quality and performance. Personally, I'd choose the IdeaPad over it every time, but the specs are good enough too.

Should you buy it?

✅ Buy the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 if...

You work from home and need a laptop that's well-specced for general daily business tasks.

❌ Skip the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 if...

You want a powerhouse machine for demanding workloads. It's not built for it.

• See all deals in the Argos Big Red Sale

The South Korean announcement on Thursday came days after its President Lee Jae Myung threatened unspecified punitive steps if Ukraine refuses to apologize over the revelation.

(Image credit: Seth Wenig)

The test follows North Korea's recent hypersonic missile test. Tensions between the Koreas have increased after land mine explosions injured three South Korean soldiers near the border. North Korea denies responsibility.

(Image credit: Jeon Heon-kyun)

This was supposed to make me happier. I felt more isolated instead.

• Dyson Total Restore is a door-to-door cleaning and restoration service
• It's available for Dyson's cordless and wet floor cleaners
• It costs £99.99 and is now available in mainland Britain

If your vacuum cleaner or floor cleaner needs some love, Dyson has just launched a new refresh and restoration service that will get it working like new (or as close as possible). Dyson Total Restore, now available in the mainland Britain, is a door-to-door service that aims to improve your cleaner's performance and extend its lifespan

For £99.99 (plus the cost of any repairs not covered by your warranty), the cleaner will be collected from your home and delivered to Dyson's service and repair centre in Chippenham, where engineers will carry out an engineering assessment, which covers areas such as airflow, battery health, and motor performance.

Engineers will then complete an industrial-standard deep clean to improve the performance of your machine, fix repairable faults, and replace damaged or worn components with genuine Dyson parts..

Once the service is finished, your floor cleaner will be returned along with a label showing the last service date, and any replacement filters or wet rollers required. You will also received digital photos, a digital health check report, and a digital certificate of service.

"It's offering to consumers a better service and allowing our machines to be looked after and giving them a second wind," Dyson's Chief Engineer, Jake Dyson, told my colleague Ruth Hamilton in a recent interview. "So, if they come in for a spa day, they go back in the same condition they were when they were new. So, you always start again on the reliability curve and the abuse curve."

Is your cleaner supported?

Dyson Total Restore is available for cordless vacuums (from the Dyson V7 through to the V16 Piston Animal), as well as wet cleaners like the Dyson WashG1 and PencilWash. To find out whether your cleaner is supported, log in to your account on Dyson's website and select the ‘My Products’ page. Eligible machines will be clearly labelled.

If yours isn't included, or you're thinking of buying your first Dyson cleaner, take a look at our complete list of the best Dyson vacuums.

Dyson Total Restore is currently only available in Great Britain, but is expected to roll out internationally in the future.

People in the Gulf are preparing for bad weather this weekend after Isaias intensified into a hurricane. And, a judge has ordered Christa Pike's failed execution evidence be preserved.

(Image credit: Brandon Bell)

Russian strikes in eastern Ukraine have killed 30 people and injured at least 18, according to authorities. The attacks included a strike on a public bus and have worsened power outages in Kyiv.

(Image credit: Evgeniy Maloletka)

• Windows 11 search is getting a major overhaul
• It'll be made faster, more efficient with RAM usage, and be tweaked to better understand what you're searching for
• Microsoft is also adding 'actions' to allow users to directly adjust Windows 11 options in the search box, a nifty and convenient touch

Microsoft has announced that it's forging onwards with making Windows 11's search function a faster and more streamlined experience.

In a blog post, Microsoft said it's rolling out this redesigned search experience to Windows 11 testers in the Experimental channel now (likely in a very limited fashion to begin with).

This new search is built on WinUI 3 (the contemporary interface framework for Windows 11), and as a result it'll be faster and will have less impact on your system resources. Microsoft boasts that: "Early testing shows substantial improvements in performance and memory usage, so [search] feels faster and more efficient from the moment you open it."

The search panel itself has been pared back to a single list, as opposed to the current implementation with the list on the left and the preview pane on the right. The interface therefore looks less cluttered, and it's easier to see what you're, well, searching for.

Microsoft also promises it'll work on ensuring that search more readily grasps what you're trying to find, with better handling of typos and guessing what you might mean if you're, say, attempting to find a system option and have entered the name incorrectly. This is work that the company already started in Windows 11, and the post notes that Microsoft will continue to fine-tune all this over the coming weeks.

(Image credit: Microsoft)

This is what's happening initially; then, later this year, Microsoft is going to bring more features into testing. That includes inline previews and details that give you all kinds of extra info on the file you're searching (like a thumbnail for an image along with its resolution and size).

Search queries like "weather in London" will bring up an in-line card (powered by Bing) with the relevant at-a-glance details, including the likes of temperature highs and lows for the day.

The other big step is to introduce 'actions' to Windows 11 search, meaning you can simply type a command to change settings in the OS directly from the search box. Microsoft shows an example of typing 'change to dark theme' which pops up the option, then you simply click apply and you're done.

You can type 'mute' to turn off sound, or 'dim my screen' to adjust the brightness level automatically, and issue a similar range of instructions via search.

Analysis: some polarized reactions

(Image credit: Shutterstock/Prostock-studio)

These are clearly useful changes, although as with much of the work to fix Windows 11 this year, one of the main questions is: why wasn't this done before? It's long been known that Windows 11 search is clunky and sluggish, with too much clutter in the panel — so why has it taken Microsoft so long to address these points?

A typical barb on Reddit runs like this: "It only took decades for Microsoft to sort this abysmal search out." Someone adds that: "The only time search was decent in Windows was in Windows 98 SE."

Okay, so this kind of flak isn't fair, as other Redditors point out, but you can certainly say that it's not acceptable that Windows 11's search has been in bad shape since the launch of the OS half a decade ago.

It's good to see meaningful movement towards a slicker search is happening, and I'll definitely take this. The actions are a nifty idea, too, for quickly changing options there and then (rather than simply locating the option, and having to use extra clicks to go into Settings and adjust what you want).

As others on Reddit note, this is sort of drafting some ideas over from PowerToys (the Run tool), and something I've previously argued is that Microsoft should port over some of the functionality in that suite of utilities so it's in Windows 11 by default. Maybe that's starting to happen.

Even so, there are folks on Reddit who don't want search to be anything but an ultra-streamlined search (rather than offering the likes of actions). This Windows 11 user complains: "Why isn't the search bar just for searching? Why does it do a million other things on top of it?"

Of course, everyone's entitled to their own take, but I don't agree, and there is a lot of streamlining work going on here which Microsoft should be commended for, with the additions on top being useful in my opinion. Still, it just goes to show that the level of Microsoft hate out there is still palpable, and whatever the software giant does, it'll have its critics.

One of the most important moves with search that's just gone live in the most recent Windows 11 update is the introduction of the ability to turn off web results clutter. Again, that was a long time coming, but at least Microsoft is getting there… finally.