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Southern California was forecast to face more dangerous winds on Wednesday, but could get some badly needed rain this weekend, which could create new challenges like toxic ash runoff.

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Hohem iSteady M7: two-minute review

Adding yet another premium option to the burgeoning smartphone stabilizer market, the Hohem iSteady M7 is Hohem's latest top-of-the-range gimbal. It’s built to carry almost any smartphone – including heavier or larger models that other gimbals can’t effectively stabilize – and comes with a wide range of features to justify its high price and (compared to some) bulkier proportions.

Hohem supplies the iSteady M7 with a detachable mini tripod (which screws into the standard tripod mounting point at the base of the gimbal handle), a detachable AI tracking module/fill light, and two USB charging cables: one USB-C to USB-C and one USB-C to USB-A. There’s no AC adapter included, so you’ll have to connect this cable to something else to recharge the battery. All of the above fits snugly into a hard-shell zip-up carry case, which also has a net-covered space in the lid to store extras such as manuals or additional cables.

The stabilizer folds flat for storage, with three locks keeping the gimbal arm firmly in place. When it’s time for use, these locks have to be manually disengaged so that the arm can move freely, and the arm also needs some simple manual balancing once the phone has been mounted. For mounting, the phone is placed inside a firm spring-loaded grip, which can be rotated 90º to switch the phone between landscape (16:9) and portrait (9:16) orientation.

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(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

The grip and gimbal motor are powerful enough to accommodate smartphones up to 500g in weight, and 12.5mm in thickness. That impressed me, given that the last flagship gimbal I reviewed, the Zhiyun Smooth 5S AI, can only manage phones up to 300g and 10mm. If you own one of the larger smartphone models (including folding phones like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6) or like to have a chunky case or lens accessory fitted to your handset, this extra capacity could make all the difference.

Hohem has designed and built the iSteady M7 very well. The gimbal felt comfortable in my hand, and I found all the major controls – from the front trigger to the customizable zoom/focus/tilt/pan wheel on the left – to be thoughtfully located and easy to access. There’s even a built-in extension rod, which allowed me to add an extra 20cm of distance to the gimbal arm and achieve some otherwise impossible shooting angles.

For my money, though, the best design touch (and one feature that no other stabilizer offers, to my knowledge) is the 1.4-inch touchscreen panel on the handle. Not only does this enable access to a range of settings via swipes and taps, which meant I didn’t need to use the Hohem Joy companion app to delve into some of the stabilizer’s deeper functions, but it also unclips from the handle to work as a remote control unit. This meant I was able to set the iSteady M7 up on a flat surface using its tripod, then use the remote to control gimbal movements and more from a distance of up to about 10m.

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(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

It doesn’t stop there. The iSteady M7, like the Zhiyun Smooth 5S AI, comes with a small removable module for AI-assisted subject tracking. This mounts securely onto the gimbal arm (facing either front- or backwards) and, via a tiny camera, enables tracking of human subjects no matter which camera app you’re using on your phone. Some stabilizers will only track when using the manufacturer’s app, but this module meant I could use the native iPhone app, Blackmagic Cam, TikTok, or any other app I preferred. The Hohem Joy app itself is fine, although thanks to some poorly translated text and odd design choices, I would rather use other apps with which I’m more familiar. There’s room for improvement there, then.

The module also sports a really useful LED fill light (which can be customized for brightness and color) but perhaps more impressive is the way it combines really well with the remote unit. Not only was I able to preview the tracking camera’s POV via the remote screen, but I could also double-tap on the screen to track other objects. It’s far beyond what you get with the Zhiyun gimbal’s AI tracking.

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(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

As for the 3-axis gimbal stabilization itself, I have absolutely no complaints. The usual modes – Pan Follow, Pan Tilt Follow, and POV – are supplemented by a full custom mode that allowed me to tailor movement speeds to my needs, and the ability of the gimbal to rotate through 360º on the pan axis gave me a lot of freedom to get creative with camera movement. The settings menu also features an ultra-wide-angle mode, which moves the gimbal arm out of the way of the camera during ultra-wide shots.

With a solid battery life of up to 12 hours with the gimbal largely static or eight hours with AI tracking enabled, you may want to pack a power bank for long weekend shoots, but I’m quite happy with the capacity. A USB-C socket on the gimbal arm even allows you to charge your phone’s battery while it’s mounted – just another example of the sort of thoughtful design touches that make the Hohem iSteady M7 arguably the best phone gimbal on the market right now.

Hohem iSteady M7 review: price and availability

The Hohem iSteady M7 is available now, and priced at around $299 / £269 / A$459. That puts it among the priciest of smartphone stabilizers out there, but given its spec level, I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing – particularly if you own a heavier handset that cheaper stabilizers aren't able to accommodate.

Hohem iSteady M7: specs Hohem iSteady M7 review: Also consider

Insta360 Flow Pro
Insta360’s compact foldable gimbal feels like the pick of the current mobile stabilizer bunch – at least where portability is concerned. With excellent battery life, and the ability to subject track when using third-party iPhone apps (or the native iPhone camera), it’s an impressive all-rounder that’ll fit into a large pocket when not in use.

Read our Insta360 Flow Pro review

Zhiyun Smooth 5S AI
With similar AI-driven app-agnostic tracking skills, Zhiyun’s flagship stabilizer is perhaps the Hohem iSteady M7’s main rival. It falls behind on several features, however, with no removable touchscreen remote and a much lighter maximum phone capacity – which is probably why it’s now substantially cheaper than the M7.

Read our Zhiyun Smooth 5S AI review

Should I buy the Hohem iSteady M7?

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen) Buy it if...

You own a heavy, bulky smartphone
With its 500g weight capacity and ability to grip devices as thick as 12.5mm, this is the go-to stabilizer for anyone owning a large and heavy smartphone. Most rivals don’t come close to its payload limits.

You want a highly flexible gimbal
Thanks to app-agnostic tracking, the built-in extension rod, the touchscreen remote control and its fully customizable pan, tilt and follow settings, the iSteady M7 is probably the most versatile smartphone stabilizer on the market.

Don't buy it if...

You need a compact, portable stabilizer
There are lots of smartphone stabilizers that fold down small enough to fit into a small bag or even a coat pocket. This is not one of them. While it’s not especially large or heavy, you’ll need at least a small backpack or similar to carry the iSteady M7.

You’re on a tight budget
You can pick up effective, well-equipped stabilizers for half the asking price of the iSteady M7, so check if you need all of its features and payload capacity before shelling out your hard-earned cash.

How I tested the Hohem iSteady M7

• One week of use
• Tested with an iPhone 13
• Used for B-roll and vlogs

I used the Hohem iSteady M7 in and around my home for a week, using it to record footage both handheld and with it sat on the ground or a desktop using its tripod. I tested it with my Apple iPhone 13 and several camera apps, including the native iPhone camera app and Hohem Joy, and used the phone’s front and rear cameras to record b-roll and vlog videos.

First reviewed January 2025

• A new Xbox Wireless Controller has been official revealed
• The new Pulse Cipher colorway is a dazzling red
• It comes after the Ghost Cipher and Sky Cipher controllers

Microsoft has officially revealed its latest special edition Xbox Wireless Controller - the Pulse Cipher - which was only recently leaked by French outlet Dealabs.

An Xbox Wire post has all the details on this new gamepad, with keeps the general look of the Cipher line-up we've seen so far. A translucent frame, solid underside with textured grips and triggers that stand out brightly with an almost metallic sheen - it's all there, just in a pretty dazzling red this time.

If you want to know when you can get your hands on it for yourself, the Pulse Cipher Xbox Wireless Controller will be available from February 4, 2025, costing the usual $74.99 / £69.99. Nice.

The Pulse Cipher controller follows a similar naming conventions to the standard Pulse Red Xbox Wireless Controller. It's the third entry in the 'Cipher' series of gamepads, following the delightful blue of the Sky Cipher controller, and the crystal clear Ghost Cipher pad. I imagine more will follow in the coming months and years (I'm personally hoping for a purple one).

As for where it'll be made available to purchase, check the list of pre-order links below:

This dazzling red Xbox Wireless Controller will be available at the Microsoft Store on February 4, 2025. You can reliably get your pre-order in here, or one of these other retailers:

US links

Best Buy: $74.99
GameStop: $74.99
Amazon: $74.99

UK links

Microsoft Store: £69.99
Smyths Toys: £69.99 (yet to be stocked)

You might also like...

• A Diablo 4 port is reportedly in development for Nintendo Switch 2
• Sony's unannounced Horizon Zero Dawn MMO, codenamed 'Project H', has reportedly been scrapped
• One of the worst Resident Evil games could be getting another re-release according to new ESRB rating

• Photos showing the Samsung Galaxy S25 series from the back have emerged
• You can also see retail boxes for the phones
• With the launch happening later today, it's likely these are genuine

The Samsung Galaxy S25 series is almost certainly landing later today, but thanks to leaks and rumors, there probably isn’t much we don’t already know. Case in point: new photos seemingly show the backs and boxes of all three upcoming models.

Shared by @yoboigucci2 (via Phone Arena), these images feature a Samsung Galaxy S25 in a gray shade (likely to be called Silver Shadow officially), a Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus in a blue shade (which will reportedly be called Navy), and a Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra in what might be the rumored Titanium Pink Gold shade.

The designs match what we’ve seen before, which is to say they look a lot like the Samsung Galaxy S24 series, except with larger rings around the camera lenses, and – in the case of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra – curvier corners.

Here is the blue Galaxy S25 on the left with the S25, S25+ and the S25 Ultra on the left.You don't have to see unpacked event just for the looks of these phones. These are the phones. pic.twitter.com/RMtpVwU1E7January 22, 2025

A monochrome makeover

The boxes have undergone more changes though, with this year’s packaging showing the phones from the side, and in monochrome.

Sadly, neither of the photos show the phones from the front, but plenty of earlier leaks do, so we know to expect flat screens, tiny bezels, and punch-hole cameras.

And while we’d take these photos with a pinch of salt, they look like they’re probably genuine; this close to launch, it’s certainly believable that there would be a large number of retail units out in the world.

Samsung Galaxy Unpacked starts at 10am PT / 1pm ET / 6pm GMT today (Wednesday, January 22), which is 5am AEDT on January 23 for those in Australia.

If you’d like to tune in, here’s how to watch Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2025 live, but we’ve also got a Samsung Galaxy Unpacked live blog up and running, where you can follow along with any last-minute news ahead of the event, followed by the announcements and our reactions once the launch gets underway.

You might also like

• The Samsung Galaxy S25 series might not get a price rise after all, but AI could soon cost extra
• Samsung Galaxy S25 price rumors: how much is the S25 line likely to cost?
• Samsung Galaxy S25 Slim: latest news, rumors, and everything we’ve heard so far

These top-yielding accounts can help you maximize your earnings.

Ukrainian officials say Russia is using drones to target civilians in Kherson. Some Russian soldiers appear to be bragging about the deadly attacks on social media.

(Image credit: Anton Shtuka for NPR)

After more than 15 months of relentless Israeli bombardment, Gaza has been left in ruins. If last week's ceasefire holds, rebuilding could take decades, cost tens of billions of dollars and present overwhelming obstacles.

(Image credit: Omar Al-Qattaa)

Senators from both parties did push Collins about how he will solve problems that have plagued the VA for decades, like delivering timely health care and protecting whistle-blowers.

(Image credit: Nathan Posner)

One Trump voter told NPR he supported pardons related to the Capitol attack, but has a tougher time reconciling pardons for rioters who were violent with police.

(Image credit: Roberto Schmidt)

Several other schools have recently settled similar lawsuits, and suits are pending against others, including the University of Pennsylvania and Columbia University.

(Image credit: Steven Senne)

This review first appeared in issue 357 of PC Pro.

You can usually be confident of aggressive pricing from Acer, and it doesn’t disappoint here. The next cheapest 4K screen, BenQ’s PD2706U, costs £399, while the BenQ BL2790QT costs £270 and includes a mere 1440p panel. No contest, surely?

In some ways, no. Photographers or film lovers who love detail will appreciate the level of detail on show here, and if you have good eyesight and devour spreadsheets – or tend to work with two windows side by side – the same is true for business use.

Technically, this is a superior panel too, as it’s a true 8-bit display that uses FRC to increase color coverage to 1.07 billion colors. The BenQ BL2790QT, by contrast, is a 6-bit panel with FRC taking its color range to 16.7 million colors. In reality, there’s little between them: the Vero covers 75% of the DCI-P3 space to the 73% peak of the BenQ, and both offer similar levels of (excellent) color accuracy.

Whites look whiter the higher you push the brightness, but this increases power consumption: at 200cd/m2 the Vero wanted 20W, pushing up to 24W at full brightness of around 280cd/m2, though head to the OSD and you can activate Max Brightness to take it to a searing 420cd/m2. That’s 70cd/m2 more than Acer claims.

Switch to HDR mode and the display will boost the contrast between black and white in films and games. And while it offers only a 60Hz refresh rate, the 4ms response time and AMD FreeSync support keeps action looking smooth. With a mediocre set of speakers inside, though, you’ll want to take advantage of the 3.5mm jack sitting next to two HDMI inputs and one DisplayPort at the rear. That’s your lot: there’s no USB-C here, no USB hub and no RJ45 port.

The 4K resolution provides lots of onscreen detail (Image credit: Future)

The stand is nice and solid, with a huge 165mm of height adjustment and a phenomenal amount of movement: up to 35° tilt and very nearly 360° of swivel. We also like the OSD, with a trio of shortcut buttons (two of which can be reassigned) and a mini joystick for speedy control.

One final note on the Vero branding. This marks out Acer’s most environmentally friendly products, and here that boils down to the use of more recycled plastic than a typical monitor. That’s a worthy move, but ideally we’d be looking for an EPEAT Gold rating rather than Silver, and some design tweaks to make it easier to repair and recycle at the end of life.

But let’s not be too critical. Only Eizo is truly leading the way here, and that’s reflected in the price of its monitors. You may not get much in the way of frills, but a good-quality IPS panel with a 4K resolution is hard to argue with at £269.

We also ranked the best monitors for dual set-ups.

Make your iPhone 14 or iPhone 14 Pro live longer with these strong phone cases.

This review first appeared in issue 357 of PC Pro.

3CX is the place to go for the best IP PBX services, as its phone system software offers an unbeatable range of call-handling features. Not content to rest on its laurels, 3CX has been working hard on development and the version 20 on review represents the most significant update we’ve seen for many years.

Security takes center stage here, with 3CX hardening its systems against cyberattacks by using a zero trust model across the board for much stricter access control policies. Only allowing the native 3CX softphone app to be deployed from the Microsoft store adds extra security, and it lets 3CX update it as required without having to tinker with the main Phone System build.

One of the biggest changes is with the admin console. Previously, there was a separate management interface, but this has been redesigned and integrated into the client app so admins don’t need separate consoles to use and manage the system.

Admin functions and call handling are all neatly integrated (Image credit: Future)

Phone System is available in four plans, with the 3CX Free cloud–hosted edition aimed at micro businesses with up to ten users. The Small Business edition, also cloud-hosted by 3CX, supports up to 20 users and starts at £175 per year, while the Professional and Enterprise editions increase the number of features hugely and can be run on-site, in a private cloud or hosted by 3CX.

For this early review, Phone System V20 was only available for Debian Linux 12 so we chose to virtualize it on the lab’s Windows Server 2022 Hyper-V system. Deployment was undemanding: we assigned the downloaded ISO file to a new VM, booted it up and followed the brief Debian install wizard, which finished by loading Phone System and providing a link to its web console.

The new client interface will be a big surprise for existing users as the dashboard’s system performance graphs and quick access icons have been removed to make way for far more information about the Phone System status, configuration and event logs. All admin features are still easily accessible from the left menu, and a sidebar next to it provides direct access to calls, chats and voicemail, with icons to the top right provided for one-click links to a dial pad and availability status settings.

The new 3CX portal provides lots of information about your IP PBX (Image credit: Future)

There are some on-premises prerequisites, as you still need to create forwarding rules on your firewall for Phone System’s SIP and RTP port ranges. The system’s fully qualified domain name (FQDN) must now be resolvable internally and externally so your firewall needs to support split DNS, but smaller businesses can make all these issues disappear by opting to let 3CX host Phone System V20 in the cloud.

You’ll need a paid-for SIP trunk to enable VoIP calls; we used the excellent UK-based T4com Ltd, which is on 3CX’s supported provider list. Adding the trunk was simple: after entering the main trunk phone number, account and password, it was ready for action in one minute.

Adding new users and provisioning IP phones is just as easy as with previous versions, while ring groups, call queues and a digital receptionist ensure calls are never missed. Call forwarding allows users to redirect calls when they’re working from home, and 3CX has added 2FA user authentication plus integration with Microsoft 365, Google Workspace and a host of CRM apps.

3CX Phone System V20 is our recommended choice for businesses that want to manage their own VoIP system. Available in a range of affordable plans, it can be hosted in the cloud or on-premises, and this latest version adds an impressive range of new features.

We've also rated the best interactive voice response services.

Cherry XTRFY M68 Pro: two-minute review

At first glance, the Cherry XTRFY M68 Pro is rather restrained in its appearance as gaming mice go. Its straightfoward design is rather inconspicuous, and the white model I've reviewed here is only offset by black side buttons and accents on the scroll wheel. The logo is inconspicuous and there’s no RGB lighting either. So far, so conventional.

However, the design of the Cherry XTRFY M68 Pro's front end is less so. The mouse buttons are raised steeply at the back, and curve down sharply before cutting short, which means the contact point is biased towards your fingertips, more so than I’ve experienced with many other gaming mice.

The M68 Pro weighs just 55g, and there aren’t too many full-size wireless gaming mice lighter than this. It undercuts the Razer DeathAdder V3 Pro, our pick as the best wireless gaming mouse, by eight grams. The Turtle Beach Burst 2 Air is one of the rare few that’s even leaner, tipping the scales at just 47g.

The two primary buttons on the M68 Pro feel solid yet easy to fully depress, and the same is true of the side buttons. The scroll wheel is notched well, making for smooth yet controlled spins, and the rubber layer offers plenty of grip, helping to make clicks feel secure. Overall, the M68 Pro seems to be a well-constructed gaming mouse.

The skates are quite thin, so you do feel hard desktop surfaces a little when maneuvering. Despite this, the M68 Pro doesn’t scratch or bottom out, as other gaming mice with insufficient padding do. This is impressive, especially considering there are only two skates on the top and bottom (although the included spare set features a piece for the sensor too). This is still a mouse I would recommend only using with a mouse pad, though, in order to get the best out of it.

The USB port is also located on the right rear side of the M68 Pro, a placement that will no doubt prove contentious, bucking the typical front-end trend (perhaps the snub-nose design leaves no internal room for this placement).

However, it does have the advantage of eliminating drag, although the included braided cable for wired play is light enough to make this no concern regardless. The port is also deeply recessed, so there’s no fear of accidental disconnection. The one major proviso, though, is that you’re right-handed and have your desktop on the right; if it’s on your left, then the cable is liable to get in the way.

Pressing the bottom button, which toggles between various settings and modes, can be awkward, as it sits flush with the underside surface. This is especially the case when pressing in combination with the two side buttons to toggle between the sensor modes, and I struggled to activate it consistently.

(Image credit: Future)

In fact, altering most of the settings on the M68 Pro is very awkward, since many require various odd button combinations. Worst of all, the buttons still register normal input when you're trying to activate the combinations, which means you have to be very careful about what window you’re on and where the cursor is.

These combinations are a necessary compromise given the lack of buttons and software, but keeping them active when holding them down is a serious misstep. Another gripe I have is that selected parameters are only indicated via different colors displayed on the small side LED, so you’ll likely have to keep referring back to the manual til they’re ingrained in your memory.

Once you get your head around these button combinations, though, there’s a wide selection of adjustments present on the M68 Pro. Despite having no software, there are eight onboard CPI settings to choose from, offering enough scope to dial in levels precise enough for most gamers. There are also four debounce time increments, ranging from 2ms to 12ms, which again should be more than enough to meet individual preferences.

There are only two lift-off distances (1mm and 2mm) to choose from, although this isn’t out of the ordinary, and while there are six polling rates to choose from (or four when wired, topping out at 1K), I can’t see many people wanting more than three for low (125Hz), mid (1K), and high (8K) values. There’s also an option to toggle motion sync on and off.

(Image credit: Future)

Once you start gaming, though, the M68 Pro starts to shine. That aforementioned fingertip emphasis encouraged by sloping mouse buttons makes for a more tactile experience. It meant I could get a better grip when lifting off before swipes, and somehow gave me a greater sense of connection to the on-screen action, especially when aiming. The different sensor modes are also effective, with Pro Gaming mode being remarkably snappy and precise, perfect for FPS titles.

Cherry claims the M68 Pro’s battery can last up to 90 hours on a single charge. Although I wasn’t able to get an exact measurement, I can say that after several days of testing, the LED was still green, indicating a percentage of between 75-100%.

To show the battery level, you have to hold down both side buttons and the left mouse button for three seconds, another inconvenient method if you’re still connected to your machine, since again the buttons will still operate. There are four colors representing the 25% increments, and since there’s no software, there’s no way to get a more accurate assessment than this.

All things considered, the M68 Pro is a high-caliber wireless gaming mouse with a few design quirks that may please some but deter others. It’s not what you’d call cheap, but it does beat perhaps its closest rival, the Razer DeathAdder V3 Pro, when it comes to pricing.

The DeathAdder can be tweaked with Razer’s in-depth Synapse software, though, which is more convenient. And if you can live without an 8K polling rate and an inbuilt battery, the Cooler Master MM311 is a viable alternative with exceptional value, given it’s still wireless.

(Image credit: Future) Cherry XTRFY M68 Pro: price & availability

• $129 / £139 / AU$214
• Black, white, and Team Vitality editions
• Mid-range value

The M68 Pro costs $129 / £139 / AU$214. There’s one white colorway and two black variants: one with gray accents and another with yellow that also sports the logo of esports organization Team Vitality in place of Cherry XTRFY’s.

It’s cheaper than our pick for the best wireless gaming mouse, the Razer DeathAdder V3 Pro, yet still competes with it spec-for-spec, as both have an 8K polling rate and the M68 Pro is even lighter.

However, there are more budget-friendly wireless options around, such as the Cooler Master MM311, which is the best gaming mouse for those on a budget – it’s massively cheaper than the M68 Pro and many other wireless gaming mice for that matter. However, its polling rate tops out at 1K, and it requires a single AA battery. Still, if you’re not after eSport-level performance, this may be a better alternative.

Cherry XTRFY M68 Pro: specs Should I buy the Cherry XTRFY M68 Pro? Buy it if...

You want elite performance
The 8K polling rate will delight many pro-level players, and the overall performance when gaming is terrific.

You want something you can really grip
The short, raking front end makes the M68 Pro a joy to hold in my opinion - although it may not be to every gamer’s taste.

Don't buy it if...

You want multiple connectivity modes
There’s only one way to connect wirelessly, and using the mouse in wired mode may not suit everyone’s setup, considering the USB-C port is on the right.

You’re on a budget
Although it’s slightly cheaper than some big-name rivals, including Razer, there are alternatives offering better value if you don’t need that ultra-high polling rate.

Cherry XTRFY M68 Pro: also consider

Cooler Master MM311
If you can live without that 8K polling rate – which more casual gamers can – then the MM311 is an excellent budget choice. In our review, we found it was still capable enough thanks to its great performance. It doesn’t have an inbuilt battery, requiring an AA battery to power, but that’s a minor inconvenience considering its price tag. Read our full Cooler Master MM311 review.

Razer DeathAdder V3 Pro
Another state-of-the-art gaming mouse with an 8K polling rate, the DeathAdder V3 Pro is only marginally more expensive than the M68 Pro, yet it has the advantage of integrating with Razer’s excellent Synapse software. It’s hard to find fault with this gaming mouse, which is why it currently claims the top spot as the best wireless gaming mouse overall in our view. Read our Razer DeathAdder V3 Pro review.

How I tested the Cherry XTRFY M68 Pro

• Tested for several days
• Played various games
• 10+ years PC gaming experience

I tested the M68 Pro for several days. During this time, I used it for gaming, working, and casual tasking.

I played titles such as Counter-Strike 2, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater - Master Collection Version, and Fear the Spotlight, in order to cover a variety of genres.

I have been PC gaming for over 10 years, and have experienced many mice during that time. I have also reviewed numerous gaming mice, all with various connectivity options, sizes, polling rates, and features.

First reviewed: October 2024

Read more about how we test

• Netflix now costs a bit more.
• The streaming service has announced price increases for all three of its plans.
• Its cheapest plan now starts at $7.99 a month and tops out at $24.99 in the US.

We must be experiencing deja vu as Netflix just raised its prices again, though it might just be that we recently streamed Olivia Rodrigo’s Guts tour documentary on the streaming service, too. As announced in Netflix’s latest letter to shareholders, price increases are coming for the streaming services' three main plans.

The streaming service writes: “As we continue to invest in programming and deliver more value for our members, we will occasionally ask our members to pay a little more so that we can re-invest to further improve Netflix.” It’s become a trend with Netflix, and other streaming services included, to raise prices, and the latest hikes aren’t shocking but can be substantial over time.

In the United States, the 'standard plan with advertisements' is up $1 from $6.99 to $7.99 a month, 'standard without advertisements' jumps to $17.99 from $15.49, and 'premium' is now $24.99 a month from $22.99. These price hikes go into effect immediately, with similar increases in Canada, Portugal, and Argentina as well.

(Image credit: Netflix)

Netflix writes that the price hikes are so that it can continue to invest further in programming and deliver more value for its subscribers. The latter is a number that continues to grow, with Netflix adding 18.9 million new subscribers in quarter four of 2024, for a total of 302 million paid subscribers globally.

Impressive, to say the least, and while it’s not new content, The Verge reports that the streamer is also rolling out a new plan called Extra Member with Ads plan that will let you add a member who lives at a different address to the plan. No price for this plan has been shared as of yet, but it’s worth noting that it’s currently $7.99 to add to an existing plan.

These new prices for standard with or without advertisements and premium go into effect immediately, and if you’re already subscribed, you’ll see the increase on your next bill. We don't yet know if the price hike will apply to other regions like the UK or Australia as well, but we'll be sure to report back as soon as we hear more.

At least Netflix isn’t changing any of its features yet, and if you want to know what to watch, check out our list of the best movies on the service here.

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• Best Netflix movies: the 41 best films worth watching in January 2025
• Netflix caught up in AI Oscars controversy alongside The Brutalist as Emilia Pérez criticized for using voice enhancement tech
• Stranger Things season 5: everything we know so far about the hugely popular Netflix show's return

This review first appeared in issue 357 of PC Pro.

A letter can make a big difference in a monitor name, and none more so than here. The ViewSonic VG3456 is a highly affordable flat-screen monitor that you can now purchase for around £250, while the VG3456C is curved – exactly like the AOC CU34P3CV and Philips 34B1U5600CH. They also share the same 3,440 x 1,440 resolution, giving you huge amounts of space on which to spread your windows, and VA technology.

The ViewSonic is the most stylish of the three, with slim bezels and a fuzzy speaker-like finish to the bottom edge of the monitor. We only wish the pair of 5W speakers could live up to the billing, but like so many others here they’re better suited to speech radio and web calls than listening to music or enjoying films.

We were also struck by this monitor’s tilting skills: you can push it backwards by 40°, which may well be the killer feature for some situations. While its height adjustment is limited to 110mm, that should be enough for most setups, and we’d give it a firm tick for stand quality overall: you feel like you’re buying a high-quality piece of kit.

(Image credit: Future)

The panel is much more average. Rather than true 8-bit color, this is a 6-bit + FRC affair, and this is one reason why its gamut is more limited than its curved 34in rivals. In native mode, it covers 74% of the DCI-P3 gamut compared to 88% and 85% for the AOC and Philips. But if you’re happy with the sRGB gamut then it’s fine, covering 97% out of a 104% volume. Accuracy is strong, too, with an average Delta E of 0.69.

With a stated peak brightness of 400cd/m2, we were surprised to find the monitor maxed out at 280cd/m2in our initial tests. But then we went into the (excellent) OSD and discovered that ViewSonic ships it with the Energy Saving mode switched on; deactivating this pushed the panel up to 435cd/m2. This also boosts the whiteness of the whites, but the penalty comes in power consumption: 48W compared to 31W at 200cd/m2.

ViewSonic doesn’t load this monitor with extras, so if you’re hoping for a webcam or KVM switch then you’ll be disappointed (there’s no USB-B input, either). But it does cover the docking station basics, with an Ethernet port and a USB-C video input that can deliver 98W of power. All four USB-A ports are 3.2 Gen 1, so 5Gbits/sec, with two sensibly positioned on the left-hand side.

It adds up to a solid curved 34in monitor, even if we prefer the punchier colors from the AOC and Philips. If the price drops it will become a strong choice.

We also rated the best monitors for working from home.

This review first appeared in issue 357 of PC Pro.

If you’re a graphic designer but your budget doesn’t reach Eizo levels, then there are some extremely compelling reasons to choose the BenQ PD2706U. Let’s start with the obvious: this is a 27in 4K screen, so that means you enjoy incredible amounts of detail.

Unlike the Eizo ColorEdge CG2700X, it uses an 8-bit panel plus FRC to reach 1.07 billion colors, but if you’re happy to stick to the sRGB, Display P3 and DCI-P3 color spaces then it covers them all with superb accuracy. For example, switch to sRGB and it covers 98% with a 100% volume, while DCI-P3 covers 92% with no overspill. With a maximum (not average) Delta E of 1.81, you can trust what your eyes show you.

BenQ sweetens the deal thanks to a wired Hotkey Puck, which lets you easily switch between presets while a dial means you can swoosh through options. Head into the OSD and there’s even a dual-screen mode, which splits the panel in two so you can work in different color spaces side by side. This is an OSD that’s well worth exploring, too, with a huge range of color-tuning options. Buy a calibrator and you can fine-tune it to your heart’s content.

(Image credit: Future)

It’s attractively designed with slim bezels, with 150mm of height adjustment, 30° of backwards tilt but limited swivel at 20° on either side. There’s no RJ45 port and no webcam, but other than that you’ll want for nothing. The DisplayPort 1.4 and HDMI 2.0 inputs are joined by a USB-C port delivering up to 90W of power, with a USB-C, USB-A and 3.5mm jack on the right-hand side. Two more USB-A ports sit at the rear alongside a USB-B connector, so you can share peripherals between computers. The speakers are just about good enough for listening to music, but you won’t be blown away.

If you do buy this monitor and the brightness looks duller than you’d expect (it promises 350cd/m2 and we measured a peak of 348cd/m2), head into Color | Advanced | Uniformity in the OSD and check that uniformity isn’t switched on. Doing so smooths out the differences from edge to edge, but also reduces your peak brightness to around 180cd/m2. We don’t think it’s worth the sacrifice.

The BenQ PD2706U can’t hold up to all the color options provided by the Eizo FlexScan CG2700X, which also offers a superior warranty: BenQ’s PD series include three years of collect-and-return cover, so if something goes wrong you may have to wait two weeks for a replacement. Still, though, BenQ PD2706U is a compelling buy if you have £400 and will use its color-switching skills.

We've also ranked the best graphic design software.

James W. Marshall and ChatGPT 3.5 have one thing in common. Both sparked a “rush” and changed the world. While Marshall found the first gold nugget in January 1848, initiating a rush of 300,000 people to California, the launch of ChatGPT 3.5 in November 2022 caused a stir among users and tech investors. AI and Large Language Models (LLMs) suddenly became mainstream, with millions of users rushing to use the chatbot, changing the world forever.

Negative aspects of the AI boom are now coming to light, whether in handling copyrights, bias, ethics, privacy, security, or the impact on jobs. That is why the EU's intention to consider ethical and moral issues by regulating technology with the AI Act is timely and appropriate. At the same time, perhaps every major company on the planet has considered how to intelligently integrate Artificial Intelligence into their websites, products, and services to increase productivity, optimize customer satisfaction, and ultimately boost sales.

Don't turn a blind eye to risks and side effects

Like the gold rush, the AI boom also created a rapid influx of people jumping on the bandwagon to avoid missing out on the opportunity it presented. However, the use of AI in companies should not be conducted in a manner akin to the ‘Wild West’ like the gold rush; instead, it should come with a clear warning similar to nicotine advertising because ignoring AI risks and side effects could - in extreme circumstances - have fatal consequences.

The more typical risks scale from development departments accidentally sharing designs or lines of code with public LLMs to changing customer expectations about how companies use AI and data in the process. But these risks can scale exponentially, causing harm; for example, in 2016 when, Microsoft’s Tay pushed ~95,000 tweets over 16 hours, with many being racist and misogynistic. According to a study by Cohesity, more than three-quarters of consumers (78 percent) have serious concerns about the unrestricted or uncontrolled use of their data by AI.

But how can AI be tamed? It has already been deployed across many companies without anyone setting rules for its use or monitoring compliance - comparable to how the “rush” to cloud computing occurred, leading to many firms restarting over from scratch and losing time and money. To prevent this from causing all problems, any organization that wants to use AI responsibly in the coming year must regulate this proliferation internally, control access, and have strict AI policies. In recent times, many companies, including Amazon and financial giant JPMC, have introduced restrictions to their staff using ChatGPT to bring a high level of control in place before the floodgates open and plan to gently reintroduce appropriate access as and when usage policies and technical controls are in place.

It is also crucial for companies to clearly define which data their own AI projects can access and how they can process it. Classic role-based access controls that link roles and tasks with data sources are a good option for controlling this in a scalable manner. Only those with the necessary privileges can open the data sources. These roles should also reflect that someone not allowed to open specific data sources for legal reasons cannot. And that geographic constraints such as data sovereignty are tightly controlled.

What is rarely checked currently - and could become problematic in the future - is whether and how to trace what, exactly, the AI models were fed (trained on) and in what order. This blind spot may have legal, moral, and ethical consequences. If AI makes a fatal decision in the future, that will have problematic consequences in at least one - or, in the worst case - all of those areas. A rigorous judge will want to know how the AI models were trained to achieve the fatal outcome. You would also be required to keep an entire version history of model training for the prescribed period.

Make learning processes transparent and install a "back" button

Therefore, it is crucial to classify the data fed in and document the learning process. This will enable companies to create more transparency for customers and improve the quality of the learning process. It is also right to approach this in a governed and responsible manner, only using appropriately approved data, ensuring that the AI and its human element have the right level of access to the data and that they cannot amend data inappropriately or access data they are not allowed to see - role-based access controls ensuring both privacy, but also that AI access is also properly controlled.

At the same time, however, the AI learning process is still a mystery; it takes place in mathematically complex algorithms, and, above all, it takes a long time. For years, Tesla has trained its AI to drive autonomously in real traffic situations. But how do you protect the essence of years of learning from loss and incorrect input? How do you protect that learning from your competition or threat actors, who may want to influence behaviors adversely? How do you protect your intellectual property from being included in AI training unlawfully? A good example of the latter is the New York Times suing OpenAI and Microsoft for the unpermitted use of NYT articles to train GPT LLMs. This leads us nicely back to approaching AI in a responsible and governed manner.

So far, no startup has devised how the AI engine can record which bits and bytes were changed in the learning process after entering fresh data. Anyone who wants to reset the AI to an earlier state because they fed it incorrectly - with, for example, legally protected content - will be unable to do this directly in the AI engine. They need a workaround that has already been established in other IT areas. In IT security, tried and tested methods can also be useful for better-protecting AI models. Some solutions make it possible to take snapshots of the entire system and then return to a previous version in an emergency. You then lose the days between the snapshot creation and the identified time problems, but not all the knowledge works. Companies need to consider this and take advantage of it when considering the risks of AI.

We've compiled an extensive list of the best AI tools.

This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

Dyson has just revealed two new special edition colorways for its popular hair styling tools, and I think I'm in love. They're called 'Jasper Plum' and 'Red Velvet & Gold' and they'll be available across the full haircare range, including the Airwrap i.d. multi-styler, the Supersonic dryer, and the Airstrait wet-to-straight styler.

While I don't dislike the current purple-and-orange or turquoise options, they have more of a 'Children's TV presenter' energy than I'd ideally want in a haircare tool that costs upwards of $400 / £350. These new options have a much more luxe feel that fits the premium price tag, and are perfect for a grown-up dressing table. I've been eyeing up an Airwrap for some time, and this might be the thing that makes me take the plunge.

The Jasper Plum colorway will be available to buy direct from Dyson UK from today (22 January), with the Red Velvet & Gold options joining in late February. There are no specifics on other territories yet, although a Dyson spokesperson told us the new-look tools "will become available at a later date" in the US and Australia.

(Image credit: Dyson Supersonic Nural hair dryer in red with case, then the same dryer, the AirWrap and the AirStraight in purple)

Dyson says the new color options are "thoughtfully designed to celebrate love, individuality, and the small yet powerful moments of self-care". The Jasper Plum option, which combines violet and plum with blush pink detailing, symbolizes "strength and self-discovery". The Red Velvet & Gold model "embodies sophistication and modern beauty".

I didn't immediately get all that, but the new colors certainly do look very nice. And the Red Velvet version taps into the current obsession with burgundy that's sweeping the fashion world.

(Image credit: Dyson)

We consistently rate Dyson's styling gadgets among the best hair dryers and best hair styling tools you can buy. Having made its name in vacuum cleaners and fans, the brand gained prominence in the beauty market with its Supersonic hair dryer, which reimagined the traditional dryer shape to make it more streamlined and put the weight in the handle to make it easier to control. The current version – Dyson Supersonic Nural – adds some clever features to streamline the styling process.

That was followed by the Dyson Airwrap, an innovative gadget that harnesses the Coanda effect to shape hair into curls without the extreme heat of traditional curling tongs. More recently, the Dyson Airstrait – which again does away with the extreme temperatures of regular straightening irons and instead uses concentrated blades of air to smooth your tresses – has been gaining popularity. All of these options are available in the new colors.

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