Technology

Samsung’s Galaxy Watch9 adds more personalized health insights, but the experience depends on setup, data collection, phone compatibility, and regional support. Here’s how its key health scores work and where their limits are.

The post Galaxy Watch9 Health Scores Explained: What Setup and Compatibility Change appeared first on TechRepublic.

The construction industry continues to suffer from a productivity gap.

It lags behind other sectors with a mere 0.4% annual improvement in productivity since 2000.

While the industry remains poised for growth, it needs to deliver on the existing project pipeline, and ultimately find a way to close this gap.

So what is holding construction back?

From material delays to talent gaps, there is no one answer to this complex challenge.

Many contractors have turned to technology to support different workflows across the jobsite.

One solution that’s making an impact from an overall productivity perspective is jobsite intelligence.

Jobsite intelligence solutions

Jobsite intelligence solutions help site leaders enhance productivity through the terabytes of visual data generated on jobsites. AI is now advancing the capability of these solutions, generating the insights that help site leaders proactively manage their jobs.

How does AI impact visual data in construction and improve productivity?

Jobsite intelligence solutions leverage cameras on the site to capture visual data and support perimeter security for insurance and compliance, progress monitoring, and safety.

While these solutions expand the amount of visual data available to site leaders, strained project teams do not have the time or resources to analyze it. This is where AI becomes the catalyst for scaling jobsite intelligence and improving overall site productivity. AI is able to quickly interpret visual data and provide insights to teams on the jobsite in real-time.

For example, a morning brief uses AI to interpret a single photo first thing in the morning, summarizing the jobsite’s readiness regarding weather conditions, site hygiene, and dumpster availability. Similarly, AI-powered search capabilities simplify reporting, removing the need to comb through hours of security footage to find a specific infraction.

AI-powered insights: The key to proactively managing a project

The more a project team can plan, the more productive it can be. AI-powered insights from jobsite intelligence solutions give site leaders the visibility they need to embrace a proactive approach:

1.Make informed decisions with speed

Running any jobsite is challenging. Running multiple jobsites even more so.

AI supports faster, more informed decision making, pinpointing or flagging the information project teams need, when they need it. This could include an alert when a worker isn’t wearing PPE to prevent costly injury, an update on the status of foundation work, or providing a 24-hour security report so contractors know a site is safe for work.

AI powered jobsite intelligence can surface the data that matters most, so site leaders avoid spending hours sifting through information or chasing updates via phone or email. They can wake up to an email recapping the status of the site, including hygiene and ground conditions, before their day even starts. The result is quick, simple, and actionable decisions.

Over 60 percent of construction firms experience delayed, scaled back, or canceled projects due to economic uncertainty, labor shortages, and supply chain disruption. As such, it’s increasingly important for contractors to have visibility into all areas of the project for more informed, strategic decision-making.

2.Maintain productivity amid labor shortages

The labor challenges facing construction weigh heavily on its productivity. 83% of construction companies report they have trouble hiring superintendents while 81% are struggling to hire project managers and supervisors.

This is significant – project managers and superintendents keep projects moving. Amid this shortage, site leaders are spread across more projects, making it difficult to have consistent visibility into each one simultaneously. By providing project leaders updates and analysis across jobsites, AI-powered jobsite intelligence gives them time back in the day.

A progress report summary can do the job of three phone calls and a 45-minute drive to verify the status of a cement pour, for example. If an issue on one site leaves them tied up, they still have visibility into their other projects. Time saved leads to improved impact, higher job satisfaction and ultimately easier recruiting of new talent.

3.Avoid losing knowledge from workplace changes

As a large portion of the construction workforce nears retirement, the industry runs the risk of losing intellectual property. By 2031, 41% of construction workers are expected to retire, while only 10% of current workers are under 25.

If experienced workers retire before new ones enter, new employees miss out on the chance to gain anecdotal knowledge from those industry veterans. The next best thing becomes learning from actual jobsite footage and data.

Project teams can use AI-powered jobsite intelligence to catalog visual data, capture the insights from veterans, and bundle as training materials.

This makes it possible to preserve decades of IP and pass it on to future generations of the workforce.

AI makes visual data intelligent, giving contractors a more productive way to work

AI plays a central role in advancing jobsite intelligence so project teams can unlock the insights of visual data.

Teams will gain the most value from a solution that is purpose-built for construction and provides the real-time insights that keep sites safe and secure. This will ultimately drive overall productivity and on-time project delivery.

We list the best job site.

This article was produced as part of TechRadar Pro Perspectives, our channel to 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/pro/perspectives-how-to-submit

The construction industry continues to suffer from a productivity gap.

It lags behind other sectors with a mere 0.4% annual improvement in productivity since 2000.

While the industry remains poised for growth, it needs to deliver on the existing project pipeline, and ultimately find a way to close this gap.

So what is holding construction back?

From material delays to talent gaps, there is no one answer to this complex challenge.

Many contractors have turned to technology to support different workflows across the jobsite.

One solution that’s making an impact from an overall productivity perspective is jobsite intelligence.

Jobsite intelligence solutions

Jobsite intelligence solutions help site leaders enhance productivity through the terabytes of visual data generated on jobsites. AI is now advancing the capability of these solutions, generating the insights that help site leaders proactively manage their jobs.

How does AI impact visual data in construction and improve productivity?

Jobsite intelligence solutions leverage cameras on the site to capture visual data and support perimeter security for insurance and compliance, progress monitoring, and safety.

While these solutions expand the amount of visual data available to site leaders, strained project teams do not have the time or resources to analyze it. This is where AI becomes the catalyst for scaling jobsite intelligence and improving overall site productivity. AI is able to quickly interpret visual data and provide insights to teams on the jobsite in real-time.

For example, a morning brief uses AI to interpret a single photo first thing in the morning, summarizing the jobsite’s readiness regarding weather conditions, site hygiene, and dumpster availability. Similarly, AI-powered search capabilities simplify reporting, removing the need to comb through hours of security footage to find a specific infraction.

AI-powered insights: The key to proactively managing a project

The more a project team can plan, the more productive it can be. AI-powered insights from jobsite intelligence solutions give site leaders the visibility they need to embrace a proactive approach:

1.Make informed decisions with speed

Running any jobsite is challenging. Running multiple jobsites even more so.

AI supports faster, more informed decision making, pinpointing or flagging the information project teams need, when they need it. This could include an alert when a worker isn’t wearing PPE to prevent costly injury, an update on the status of foundation work, or providing a 24-hour security report so contractors know a site is safe for work.

AI powered jobsite intelligence can surface the data that matters most, so site leaders avoid spending hours sifting through information or chasing updates via phone or email. They can wake up to an email recapping the status of the site, including hygiene and ground conditions, before their day even starts. The result is quick, simple, and actionable decisions.

Over 60 percent of construction firms experience delayed, scaled back, or canceled projects due to economic uncertainty, labor shortages, and supply chain disruption. As such, it’s increasingly important for contractors to have visibility into all areas of the project for more informed, strategic decision-making.

2.Maintain productivity amid labor shortages

The labor challenges facing construction weigh heavily on its productivity. 83% of construction companies report they have trouble hiring superintendents while 81% are struggling to hire project managers and supervisors.

This is significant – project managers and superintendents keep projects moving. Amid this shortage, site leaders are spread across more projects, making it difficult to have consistent visibility into each one simultaneously. By providing project leaders updates and analysis across jobsites, AI-powered jobsite intelligence gives them time back in the day.

A progress report summary can do the job of three phone calls and a 45-minute drive to verify the status of a cement pour, for example. If an issue on one site leaves them tied up, they still have visibility into their other projects. Time saved leads to improved impact, higher job satisfaction and ultimately easier recruiting of new talent.

3.Avoid losing knowledge from workplace changes

As a large portion of the construction workforce nears retirement, the industry runs the risk of losing intellectual property. By 2031, 41% of construction workers are expected to retire, while only 10% of current workers are under 25.

If experienced workers retire before new ones enter, new employees miss out on the chance to gain anecdotal knowledge from those industry veterans. The next best thing becomes learning from actual jobsite footage and data.

Project teams can use AI-powered jobsite intelligence to catalog visual data, capture the insights from veterans, and bundle as training materials.

This makes it possible to preserve decades of IP and pass it on to future generations of the workforce.

AI makes visual data intelligent, giving contractors a more productive way to work

AI plays a central role in advancing jobsite intelligence so project teams can unlock the insights of visual data.

Teams will gain the most value from a solution that is purpose-built for construction and provides the real-time insights that keep sites safe and secure. This will ultimately drive overall productivity and on-time project delivery.

We list the best job site.

This article was produced as part of TechRadar Pro Perspectives, our channel to 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/pro/perspectives-how-to-submit

• Soundpeats announces UU2 clip buds
• Successors to 4-star Clip1
• Sound leakage avoidance, physical buttons, long battery life

Of all the cuff-style earbuds I've tested, the Soundpeats Clip1 are my favorite that cost under $100 / £100 / AU$100 — probably my flatmate's too, given how keen he was to 'inherit' them — and now, a follow-up has been announced.

These are the Soundpeats UU2, which have been on sale in Japan for a few months, but are now available in the US, UK, Australia and several European countries. No, I don't understand the name either, perhaps Soundpeats' execs come from a place where the buds have no name… (But to clarify no, as far as we know, there is absolutely no link with Bono et al).

You can buy the earbuds now for $49.99 / £59.99 (around AU$70) which is a small saving too, when you consider the $69.99 / £74.99 / AU$79.99 asking price of the original Clip1.

However these new buds make a place for our best open-ear buds list with a few premium features, likely inspired by higher-end models on the market.

Who's Gonna Ride Those Wild Earbuds

The Soundpeats UU2 get a 10-hour battery life, and 42-hour case life, both of those being longer than on the Clip1. I don't imagine anyone will be disappointed by that change.

More impressive is the introduction of a sound leak reduction mode, solving a common open-earbud problem in that people around you can hear what you're listening for.

Some earbuds have solutions: the Shokz OpenDots Air have an EQ mode to reduce it, and the Xiaomi OpenWear Stereo Pro had an entire driver to eliminate sound leaking, and I imagine Soundpeat's solution will fall into one of those two categories.

Another pain of clip-style buds is that their touch controls can be pretty sensitive, so the UU2 have physical buttons to control the issue. Budget buds often go for haptic controls, with actual clicky buttons saved for premium models, so I'm somewhat surprised to see the Soundpeats rock them.

A seemingly-unchanged spec from the Clip1 is the driver: 12mm here, so I don't expect a sonic overhaul. The call clarity is said to have seen an increase, though.

We've yet to thoroughly test the Soundpeats UU2, but we've got our hands on them, so we'll soon see if they can outshine the Clip1 — and the ever-growing number of budget cuff-buds out there right now.

• Soundpeats announces UU2 clip buds
• Successors to 4-star Clip1
• Sound leakage avoidance, physical buttons, long battery life

Of all the cuff-style earbuds I've tested, the Soundpeats Clip1 are my favorite that cost under $100 / £100 / AU$100 — probably my flatmate's too, given how keen he was to 'inherit' them — and now, a follow-up has been announced.

These are the Soundpeats UU2, which have been on sale in Japan for a few months, but are now available in the US, UK, Australia and several European countries. No, I don't understand the name either, perhaps Soundpeats' execs come from a place where the buds have no name… (But to clarify no, as far as we know, there is absolutely no link with Bono et al).

You can buy the earbuds now for $49.99 / £59.99 (around AU$70) which is a small saving too, when you consider the $69.99 / £74.99 / AU$79.99 asking price of the original Clip1.

However these new buds make a place for our best open-ear buds list with a few premium features, likely inspired by higher-end models on the market.

Who's Gonna Ride Those Wild Earbuds

The Soundpeats UU2 get a 10-hour battery life, and 42-hour case life, both of those being longer than on the Clip1. I don't imagine anyone will be disappointed by that change.

More impressive is the introduction of a sound leak reduction mode, solving a common open-earbud problem in that people around you can hear what you're listening for.

Some earbuds have solutions: the Shokz OpenDots Air have an EQ mode to reduce it, and the Xiaomi OpenWear Stereo Pro had an entire driver to eliminate sound leaking, and I imagine Soundpeat's solution will fall into one of those two categories.

Another pain of clip-style buds is that their touch controls can be pretty sensitive, so the UU2 have physical buttons to control the issue. Budget buds often go for haptic controls, with actual clicky buttons saved for premium models, so I'm somewhat surprised to see the Soundpeats rock them.

A seemingly-unchanged spec from the Clip1 is the driver: 12mm here, so I don't expect a sonic overhaul. The call clarity is said to have seen an increase, though.

We've yet to thoroughly test the Soundpeats UU2, but we've got our hands on them, so we'll soon see if they can outshine the Clip1 — and the ever-growing number of budget cuff-buds out there right now.

The Garmin Fenix 9, this year's premier adventure smartwatch hotness, is expected to drop soon, but it's likely to be very expensive if previous iterations of the Fenix line are anything to go by.

However, if you are in need of GPS maps, wrist-based flashlights, and on-demand fitness stats as well as a navigation companion, you don't have to shell out for a brand new, high-end Fenix 9 — most people don't need all the features on these watches, and can get along just fine with a cheaper model.

Below, you'll find some of the best smartwatches for your needs, whether you're a short-range hiker who enjoys a couple of hours in nature once a month, to a die-hard who loves to spend multiple days in the wilderness.

Many of the watches below are also on sale, so you'll be able to pick up the right model at a discount — and it'll likely be a lot cheaper than getting a brand-new Fenix 9 when it arrives later this year (if rumors prove true). There's a variety of watches below, but they all offer offline maps capability in addition to fitness tracking in a wide variety of capacities: any one of them would be an ideal partner for the trail.

Today's best adventure smartwatch deals

Apple Watch Ultra 3

Apple Watch Ultra 2

Amazfit T-Rex 3

Garmin Fenix 7X Pro Solar

Garmin Instinct E

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2

Polar Grit X2 Pro

Coros Apex 4

Coros Vertix 2S

Apple Watch Series 11 (42mm)

The Garmin Fenix 9, this year's premier adventure smartwatch hotness, is expected to drop soon, but it's likely to be very expensive if previous iterations of the Fenix line are anything to go by.

However, if you are in need of GPS maps, wrist-based flashlights, and on-demand fitness stats as well as a navigation companion, you don't have to shell out for a brand new, high-end Fenix 9 — most people don't need all the features on these watches, and can get along just fine with a cheaper model.

Below, you'll find some of the best smartwatches for your needs, whether you're a short-range hiker who enjoys a couple of hours in nature once a month, to a die-hard who loves to spend multiple days in the wilderness.

Many of the watches below are also on sale, so you'll be able to pick up the right model at a discount — and it'll likely be a lot cheaper than getting a brand-new Fenix 9 when it arrives later this year (if rumors prove true). There's a variety of watches below, but they all offer offline maps capability in addition to fitness tracking in a wide variety of capacities: any one of them would be an ideal partner for the trail.

Today's best adventure smartwatch deals

Apple Watch Ultra 3

Apple Watch Ultra 2

Amazfit T-Rex 3

Garmin Fenix 7X Pro Solar

Garmin Instinct E

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2

Polar Grit X2 Pro

Coros Apex 4

Coros Vertix 2S

Apple Watch Series 11 (42mm)

It's officially time to believe in Ted Lasso again. Indeed, with season 4's debut episode being something of an overly-long prologue to the main event, this week's chapter will see the titular soccer coach finally get to grips with managing AFC Richmond's newly-formed women's team.

As I mentioned in my Ted Lasso season 4 review, you'll have to wait for episode 3 to meet most of the team. Nonetheless, you'll be introduced to at least one new character in Tanya Reynolds' Alice Chilton, and be reunited with a host of other familiar faces, including Brett Goldstein's Roy Kent and Brendan Hunt's Coach Beard.

In short: there's a lot to look forward to ahead of this week's entry — so, when will it be released?

What is the launch time for Ted Lasso season 4 episode 2?

Oi! Tell me when the next episode of Ted Lasso season 4 will air (Image credit: Apple TV)

Titled 'Curioser and curioser!', the second episode of Ted Lasso season 4 should premiere at 6pm PT / 9pm ET on Tuesday, August 11 in the US and Canada.

As I noted in my Ted Lasso season 4 episode 1 release guide, the show was expected to return at 12am PT / 3am ET on Wednesday, August 5. However, this season's first installment actually dropped at 6pm PT / 9pm ET the evening before (i.e., Tuesday, August 4). As such, we can expect future episodes to drop every Tuesday night in North America at 6pm PT / 9pm ET.

As for other nations, here's when you should be able to catch season 4 episode 2 on Apple TV:

• US — Tuesday, August 11 at 6pm PT / 9pm ET
• Canada — Tuesday, August 11 at 6pm PT / 9pm ET
• UK — Wednesday, August 12 at 2am BST
• India — Wednesday, August 12 at 6:30am ISY
• Singapore — Wednesday, August 12 at 9am SGT
• Australia — Wednesday, August 12 at 11am AEST
• New Zealand — Wednesday, August 12 at 1pm NZST

When do new episodes of Ted Lasso season 4 come out?

Get ready to meet Alice Chilton in Ted Lasso season 4's second episode (Image credit: Apple TV)

As I mentioned above, based on when last week's episode actually aired, new installments of the Apple TV Original should launch on one of the world's best streaming services every Tuesday in the Americas and every Wednesday in other territories.

If every subsequent episode follows suit, here's when this season's other chapters will be released:

• Ted Lasso season 4 episode 1 — out now
• Ted Lasso season 4 episode 2 — August 11/12
• Ted Lasso season 4 episode 3 — August 18/19
• Ted Lasso season 4 episode 4 — August 25/26
• Ted Lasso season 4 episode 5 — September 1/2
• Ted Lasso season 4 episode 6 — September 8/9
• Ted Lasso season 4 episode 7 — September 15/16
• Ted Lasso season 4 episode 8 — September 22/23
• Ted Lasso season 4 episode 9 — September 29/30
• Ted Lasso season 4 episode 10 — October 6/7

It's officially time to believe in Ted Lasso again. Indeed, with season 4's debut episode being something of an overly-long prologue to the main event, this week's chapter will see the titular soccer coach finally get to grips with managing AFC Richmond's newly-formed women's team.

As I mentioned in my Ted Lasso season 4 review, you'll have to wait for episode 3 to meet most of the team. Nonetheless, you'll be introduced to at least one new character in Tanya Reynolds' Alice Chilton, and be reunited with a host of other familiar faces, including Brett Goldstein's Roy Kent and Brendan Hunt's Coach Beard.

In short: there's a lot to look forward to ahead of this week's entry — so, when will it be released?

What is the launch time for Ted Lasso season 4 episode 2?

Oi! Tell me when the next episode of Ted Lasso season 4 will air (Image credit: Apple TV)

Titled 'Curioser and curioser!', the second episode of Ted Lasso season 4 should premiere at 6pm PT / 9pm ET on Tuesday, August 11 in the US and Canada.

As I noted in my Ted Lasso season 4 episode 1 release guide, the show was expected to return at 12am PT / 3am ET on Wednesday, August 5. However, this season's first installment actually dropped at 6pm PT / 9pm ET the evening before (i.e., Tuesday, August 4). As such, we can expect future episodes to drop every Tuesday night in North America at 6pm PT / 9pm ET.

As for other nations, here's when you should be able to catch season 4 episode 2 on Apple TV:

• US — Tuesday, August 11 at 6pm PT / 9pm ET
• Canada — Tuesday, August 11 at 6pm PT / 9pm ET
• UK — Wednesday, August 12 at 2am BST
• India — Wednesday, August 12 at 6:30am ISY
• Singapore — Wednesday, August 12 at 9am SGT
• Australia — Wednesday, August 12 at 11am AEST
• New Zealand — Wednesday, August 12 at 1pm NZST

When do new episodes of Ted Lasso season 4 come out?

Get ready to meet Alice Chilton in Ted Lasso season 4's second episode (Image credit: Apple TV)

As I mentioned above, based on when last week's episode actually aired, new installments of the Apple TV Original should launch on one of the world's best streaming services every Tuesday in the Americas and every Wednesday in other territories.

If every subsequent episode follows suit, here's when this season's other chapters will be released:

• Ted Lasso season 4 episode 1 — out now
• Ted Lasso season 4 episode 2 — August 11/12
• Ted Lasso season 4 episode 3 — August 18/19
• Ted Lasso season 4 episode 4 — August 25/26
• Ted Lasso season 4 episode 5 — September 1/2
• Ted Lasso season 4 episode 6 — September 8/9
• Ted Lasso season 4 episode 7 — September 15/16
• Ted Lasso season 4 episode 8 — September 22/23
• Ted Lasso season 4 episode 9 — September 29/30
• Ted Lasso season 4 episode 10 — October 6/7

• Attackers used social engineering to access Levi’s network and steal corporate data
• Details on stolen information, methods, and perpetrators remain largely undisclosed
• Voice‑phishing extortion groups are suspected, though no one has claimed responsibility

Levi Strauss has revealed it recently suffered a cyberattack and lost corporate files - however some crucial details around the incident are missing.

The company filed a new report with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), noting how hackers accessed its infrastructure through “social engineering” against three of its employees. We don’t know if that was via email, voice phishing, or some other technique.

After breaching the network, the crooks - who weren’t identified - “accessed and exfiltrated certain corporate information”. Again, we don’t know which information was accessed, or how much of it.

Was it UNC6671?

In response, Levi’s said it had “initiated response protocols, implemented containment measures, and launched an investigation” which remains ongoing. Again, we don’t know what these measures are, or how the crooks were ousted.

The company says the incident did not disrupt its business operations, or caused interruptions, in any way, and that it does not expect it to have any material impact whatsoever.

While Levi’s did not name the perpetrators, and while none have yet claimed responsibility on the dark web, some publications have hinted at UNC6671, a “financially motivated threat cluster that conducts data-theft extortion attacks through voice phishing”. The tactic seems to have been “borrowed” from ShinyHunters, arguably one of the largest data extortionists out there.

The group would call their targets on the phone (usually low-level employees with access to company SaaS solutions) and, while pretending to be from the IT department, convince the victims to either grant remote access, or to visit a malicious credential-grabbing landing page.

From there, the attackers would move in, map the infrastructure, exfiltrate valuable data, and then demand payment in cryptocurrency in exchange for deleting the data.

We have reached out to Levi’s with further questions and will update the article if we get an answer.

Via BleepingComputer

• Attackers used social engineering to access Levi’s network and steal corporate data
• Details on stolen information, methods, and perpetrators remain largely undisclosed
• Voice‑phishing extortion groups are suspected, though no one has claimed responsibility

Levi Strauss has revealed it recently suffered a cyberattack and lost corporate files - however some crucial details around the incident are missing.

The company filed a new report with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), noting how hackers accessed its infrastructure through “social engineering” against three of its employees. We don’t know if that was via email, voice phishing, or some other technique.

After breaching the network, the crooks - who weren’t identified - “accessed and exfiltrated certain corporate information”. Again, we don’t know which information was accessed, or how much of it.

Was it UNC6671?

In response, Levi’s said it had “initiated response protocols, implemented containment measures, and launched an investigation” which remains ongoing. Again, we don’t know what these measures are, or how the crooks were ousted.

The company says the incident did not disrupt its business operations, or caused interruptions, in any way, and that it does not expect it to have any material impact whatsoever.

While Levi’s did not name the perpetrators, and while none have yet claimed responsibility on the dark web, some publications have hinted at UNC6671, a “financially motivated threat cluster that conducts data-theft extortion attacks through voice phishing”. The tactic seems to have been “borrowed” from ShinyHunters, arguably one of the largest data extortionists out there.

The group would call their targets on the phone (usually low-level employees with access to company SaaS solutions) and, while pretending to be from the IT department, convince the victims to either grant remote access, or to visit a malicious credential-grabbing landing page.

From there, the attackers would move in, map the infrastructure, exfiltrate valuable data, and then demand payment in cryptocurrency in exchange for deleting the data.

We have reached out to Levi’s with further questions and will update the article if we get an answer.

Via BleepingComputer

AI shopping sends valuable traffic to retailers, but brands want customers to complete purchases on their own sites and retain the resulting customer data.

The post AI Drives More Retail Sales but Creates a Customer-Ownership Problem appeared first on TechRepublic.

AI shopping sends valuable traffic to retailers, but brands want customers to complete purchases on their own sites and retain the resulting customer data.

The post AI Drives More Retail Sales but Creates a Customer-Ownership Problem appeared first on TechRepublic.

Whether you’re a business leader or professional, this project management tool will streamline your workdays.

The post Save Big on Microsoft Project 2024 While Codes Last appeared first on TechRepublic.

• Klarna has partnered with NordVPN to include a free VPN subscription
• Only Klarna Premium and Max members can redeem one NordVPN plan
• The perk is bundled into existing memberships

Buy now, pay later giant Klarna has a new perk for its paying members, and this one is all about your privacy.

The company has partnered with NordVPN to add encrypted connectivity as an included benefit for Klarna Memberships subscribers, folding a digital security tool into a subscription that was previously focused on cashback, travel protection, and lifestyle rewards.

It's the latest example of a payments company bundling in one of the best VPN services as a membership sweetener, and it follows hot on the heels of NordVPN's tie-up with Mastercard earlier this year, as well as other collaborations with companies such as CrowdStrike and Marvel.

The idea is simple. If you already have a Klarna membership, you can now activate a NordVPN subscription at no extra cost. Which tier you get depends on your membership level.

NordVPN – the best VPN overall
NordVPN came out on top in our 2026 round of VPN tests. We think it's the best VPN for most people. We’re confident that virtually anyone can sign up for NordVPN and get what they need from it. It’s easy to use, very secure, fast enough for gaming, and offers flawless streaming service unblocking.

Subscriptions start from $3.49 per month, and you can try it out risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee.View Deal

What the Klarna and NordVPN partnership involves

The structure is tied directly to Klarna's membership tiers.

Klarna Premium members will receive access to NordVPN Basic, while Klarna Max members will receive access to NordVPN Complete, both included within their existing membership subscription.

It's worth mentioning that at the time of writing (August 10, 2026), Klarna's membership page wrongly indicates that the perk for Max users is NordVPN Standard — described as "secure VPN access with enhanced security features". A NordVPN spokesperson clarifies to TechRadar that the company actually meant its Complete plan.

Regarding the partnership, NordVPN argues that VPN protection has become relevant infrastructure for both professionals and consumers, supporting secure connections on public and shared networks, such as those found in coffee shops, airports, and hotels.

Klarna describes the move as part of a strategy focused on offering tangible, valuable benefits at scale, giving members more control over aspects of their digital activity, and positioning its memberships to compete on overall value.

How to claim your free NordVPN subscription

Because the VPN is bundled into your Klarna membership, the first step is simply making sure you're on an eligible tier (Premium or Max).

With NordVPN's comparable Mastercard partnership, once users activate their NordVPN subscription, the service asks them to set up their Nord account and download the NordVPN app. We can likely expect the Klarna flow to follow the same rough path: confirm eligibility, activate the benefit, create or sign in to a Nord Account, then install the app on your devices.

If you're unsure whether your specific plan includes the perk, it's worth checking directly with Klarna, since availability can vary by region and membership level. Once it's live, you'll have the full NordVPN app to set up across your phone, laptop, and other devices.

NordVPN Basic vs NordVPN Complete: what's included

While users can use both plans on up to 10 devices simultaneously, features offered slightly differ.

As the name suggests, NordVPN Basic is the entry-level tier, and the main feature is the virtual private network (VPN) itself, using the same core software found across every NordVPN plan.

You get access to all NordVPN's server network — 211 locations in 135 countries— which TechRadar's reviewers found to be larger than any rival we test. You also get NordVPN's fast, secure NordLynx protocol, a reliable kill switch, and post-quantum encryption already baked in.

Basic also includes NordVPN's standard Threat Protection — now known as NordVPN's next-gen antivirus suite — which filters your traffic through NordVPN's DNS servers to block ads and malicious sites.

NordVPN Complete expands on Threat Protection's reach by adding real-time anti-malware and file scanning. The plan also bundles premium access to its password manager tool (NordPass) and 1TB of encrypted NordLocker cloud storage.

• Kimsuky used local AI tools to evade monitoring and enhance operations
• Researchers observed extensive AI-driven capability building across the group’s infrastructure
• Defenders urged behavior-based detection to spot evolving AI-enabled threats

North Korean hackers have found a way to use Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) to supercharge their activities without tipping off the tool’s maintainers.

When people use AI tools like ChatGPT or Claude, their activities can be (at least to some extent) tracked and curbed - with OpenAI recently identifying and terminating multiple ChatGPT accounts used in phishing and human trafficking.

That is why Kimsuky - a known state-sponsored North Korean threat actor, used Ollama, GPT4All and Msty locally, allowing them to process documents without sending any sensitive information to outside AI services.

"Consistent process of capability development"

The attacks were spotted by security researchers Genians who “conducted months of tracking and log analysis on the infrastructure utilized as C2 in this campaign,” to identify the tools they used.

Aside from the three LLMs, they also used retrieval augmented generation (RAG) tools for document search, as well as AI agent development frameworks, text-to-speech software, and an AI-assisted coding tool called Cursor.

Using AI to write malicious code is not as simple as it sounds, due to various guardrails set up by the developers. As a result, AI in crime has been mostly limited to drafting phishing emails and crafting authentic-looking but malicious landing pages. However, Kimsuky has shown that AI in cybercrime continues to evolve and is becoming an ever-greater threat.

“What was observed in the threat actor's infrastructure was not merely evidence of several documents being created with AI, but a consistent process of capability development: establishing local LLM runtime environments, configuring RAG based on documents in the actor's possession, collecting AI agent development frameworks, and acquiring libraries for integration with external commercial AI services,” Genians concluded.

As a result, defenders must move from content-based assessment to behavior-based detection, the researchers warned, saying this should serve “as the fundamental premise of security recommendations.”

“In addition to indicator of compromise (IoC)-based detection, organizations should contextually correlate the sequence of anomalous activities following LNK execution, including PowerShell execution, persistence establishment, and external communications, to assess the overall threat level.”

Budget earbuds don't get much better than this: both in terms of quality and value for money. That's what makes it so easy to recommend the Sony WF-C510 Earbuds at Amazon for £34.99 (was £54.99).

You'd usually expect to make a handful of serious compromises when buying such a cheap pair of earbuds, but the Sony WF-C510 offer a surprising amount for such a low price. Audio is punchy, the fit is comfy, and the battery life impresses. For £35, you can't really ask for more.

Yes, there are a couple of features that it's a shame to miss out on, especially active noise cancellation, but that's to be expected when dealing with budget buds. Premium features like this aren't always necessary if you want a quality pair of affordable earbuds to listen to music or enjoy streaming videos — and that's where the Sony WF-C510 excel.

Buy the Sony WF-C510 at Amazon

We already called the new version of these popular cheap earbuds 'great value for money' in our Sony WF-C510 review – and that was at the full asking price. At under £35, I think they're an absolute steal. Yes, 20 hours of battery can be bettered — but 10 hours from the buds alone certainly can't at this price point. They're also light and comfortable, providing an exciting, musical sound that also beats the latest AirPods.View Deal

Our 4.5-star review of the Sony WF-510 goes into more detail on what makes them such a good pair of budget-friendly earbuds. In fact, we were so impressed with them that we'd even recommend them over the much pricier Apple AirPods.

These are cheap earbuds that still offer a bold and vibrant sound. Of course, the bass won't be as strong as that of more premium options or over-ear alternatives, but you still get solid overall quality for the price.

If there's anything against them, it's that regular commuters or those who like to focus up when working in a noisy office might miss the active noise cancellation. If that's not going to be an issue for you, though, then the Sony WF-510 are easily some of the best cheap earbuds you can buy while they're down to this super-low sale price.

• Deep Orange 17 is claimed to generate more electricity than it uses

• The BMW-backed project uses 1,700 photovoltaic cells

• The prototype is based on an average 12-mile daily commute

A team from Clemson University in South Carolina has produced a small, lightweight electric vehicle that it says can generate more energy than it uses over a typical day of urban driving.

Dubbed the Deep Orange 17, the boxy prototype, which looks a little like a butchered Tesla Cybertruck if you squint hard enough, was fitted with more than 1,700 photovoltaic cells that can produce enough charge to power a typical 12-mile daily commute.

The fully functional vehicle weighs just 1,212lbs / 550kg, and is predominantly made from aluminum, carbon fiber and 3D-printed metal joints, which are all wrapped around a steel structure.

Its boxy shape has been designed so the photovoltaic panels can be positioned to maximize their exposure to the sun when the vehicle on the move, when parked, and even when stuck in traffic.

(Image credit: BMW/Clemson University)

Developed in collaboration with the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE in Freiburg, Germany, the solar panels use an innovative construction that continues generating power even when portions of the panels are shaded. The orange coating is part of a durable film that helps protect them.

According to BMW, which is backing the project, the cells generate enough energy on a sunny day to power the tiny EV for up to 31 miles. That means it can generate more than twice the energy it needs to complete the low-mileage average daily commute touted by its makers.

While most of the energy comes from the photovoltaic panels, the team of 16 engineers also integrated regenerative braking and drew inspiration for the exterior from the aerodynamic characteristics of the boxfish, whose streamlined body naturally reduces drag while maintaining interior volume, apparently.

Surprisingly, the project doesn’t feature a spartan prototype interior. It's been fitted with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as digital dials that offer real-time vehicle telemetry and readouts on solar power generation.

Analysis: inspiring the next generation

(Image credit: BMW/Clemson University)

Project manager Anshul Karn explained that it's rare for a master’s student to have the opportunity to experience the complete process of developing a prototype vehicle — and this is exactly what Deep Orange is designed for.

Of course, we aren’t going to suddenly see BMW put this into production, but EV manufacturers are already toying with the idea of solar panels as a way of extending the range of electric vehicles.

Nissan, for example, fitted an Ariya model with 3.8 square meters of custom solar panels earlier this year that could add 23km (around 14 miles) of additional range on a bright, sunny day.

Back in 2019, Hyundai became the first manufacturer to launch a car with a solar roof charging system when it added the tech to its Sonata Hybrid, while the Ioniq 5 was available in some markets with a solar charging roof.

Right now, the technology is expensive given the limited amount of range it can provide, but projects like Deep Orange could go on to influence smaller, lightweight urban transport that could easily harness the power of the sun for 'free' energy.

• Don't like the camera bump on your foldable? Take it off
• That's what one Redditor has done with their Galaxy Z Fold 8
• It now lies flat — but the selfie camera is the only camera left

How far would you go to get one of the best foldable phones looking and working exactly the way you want it? One Samsung user has taken the drastic step of cutting off the rear camera module on their new Galaxy Z Fold 8, just so it'll lie perfectly flat when placed on a surface.

The unusual DIY hack is documented on Reddit, and has been met with one or two raised eyebrows. Apparently, the owner of the phone used a razor blade to perform the operation, and says the end result is "not bad".

"The wobble is so annoying and I never use [the cameras] anyways" was the reason given by the user, when asked what prompted the customization — and they don't appear to have any regrets about what they've done.

Our Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 review doesn't mention the camera bump as being a particularly egregious problem, but we do have some praise for the performance of the dual-lens camera on the back — so it seems a shame, and a little drastic, to remove them.

A job well doneI took the cameras off of my fold 8 from r/GalaxyFold

The reactions in the original Reddit thread are mostly of disbelief that someone would go to these lengths just to get a phone to lie flat, while taking away their ability to capture photos and videos at the same time.

Amidst a lot of well-chosen GIFs, there are comments like "no amount of explanation justifies it" and "what a mad man", as well as some appreciation for a tech-hack that seems to have been well done, based on the photo evidence.

There's also one request for more information from another Redditor who wants to do the same to their own Galaxy Z Fold 8 — perhaps an indication that the wobble you get when the handset lies flat is annoying quite a few users.

Samsung launched the phone on July 22, and the starting price is $1,899 / £1,699 / AU$2,699. It launched alongside the slightly more expensive Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra and the more affordable Galaxy Z Flip 8.

Dyson v10 Konical + Auto-empty Dok: two-minute review

Almost all robot vacuums now come with an auto-emptying charging dock that automatically transfers the debris in the robot to a larger dust bag in the dock. Well, the Dyson v10 Konical + Auto-empty Dok (as Dyson calls it) brings a similar hands-free system to the world of cordless stick vacs.

Roborock, Tineco, and Shark have already aired their versions and, according to comments online, it seems that the public is up for this kind of system because it saves the hassle of manually emptying the vac's bagless dustbin while almost totally removing all elements of dust in the process.

The problem, as I see it, is the size of the docks these vacs come with, of which the Dyson model we're reviewing here is definitely the tallest and one of the most incongruous. It fact, at 47.24in/120cm in height, the Dyson Dok is as tall as some users, and that's quite a comical stat for a stick vac.

In its favor, the Dok does a decent job of emptying the contents of the v10 hand unit's small 0.52 qt / 0.5 liter bin (when there isn’t too much hairy detritus inside), it keeps the v10's battery permanently topped up, and it has a cupboard for storing the two main accessories it comes with — a mini motorized brush and a detail nozzle, with space for at least one extra accessory.

Dock aside, the real winner here is the light and compact v10 Konical, which sports an ample 150 air watts of suction power and comes with Dyson's latest twin cone-shaped brush head, with a laser-style light for illuminating the path ahead. This brush head is radically different to any other on the market and was developed with one sole aim: to reduce the amount of hair on the spindle. If you have hirsute pets in the home, a brush head like this could be a genuine hassle-saver.

If the idea of a monolithic self-emptying dock fails to tickle your fancy but you still like the idea of a compact stick vac with a unique, high-performance brush head, you'll be pleased to learn that both the V10 Konical and the Dyson Dok can be bought separately. I'll leave you to decide.

Dyson v10 Konical + Auto-empty Dok: price & availability

• List price £569.99 / $649.99 / AU$999
• Launch date April 2026
• Availability UK, USA, Australia and most of Europe

The Dyson v10 Konical + Auto-empty Dok combo offers relatively decent value, but whether it can be considered excellent value depends on how much you appreciate its self-emptying system.

The v10 Konical itself is an extremely capable mid-range cordless vacuum with strong suction, thoughtful ergonomics and an innovative conical anti-tangle cleaner head. However, it's the bundled auto-empty Dok that sets this model apart, so if you vacuum frequently, have hairy pets or suffer from allergies, it could be considered a genuine quality-of-life improvement rather than just another gimmick.

The downside to this system is the price because you're ultimately paying a premium for convenience and buyers who don't mind manually emptying a dustbin may find better value in purchasing the v10 Konical on its own or opting for Dyson's standard v8 or v12 models, or even a raft of rival cordless vacuums from the likes of Shark, Samsung, Halo, Roborock and Tineco. These brands offer similar cleaning performance stats for less and, in some cases, quite a lot less.

If you live in the UK, you can purchase the Dyson v10 Konical + Auto-empty Dok direct from Dyson or Argos for £569.99 or, for an even better deal, head straight to John Lewis or AO, where it's selling for £549.99. If you don't fancy the Dok, you can also purchase the v10 Konical on its own from the aforementioned stores for £449.99.

If you're shopping in the USA, try Dyson direct where this package sells for $649.99. For some reason the full package is difficult to find beyond Dyson's US website but you can buy the v10 Konical unit as a separate entity from Walmart and Best Buy where it's selling for $399.99.

The combo has a list price of AU$999 in Australia,, but at the time of writing is discounted to AU$797 when bought directly from Dyson's online store.

• Value score: 3.5/5

Dyson v10 Konical + Auto-empty Dok: specs

Cordless/Wired?

Cordless

Weight (v10)

3.60lbs / 1.63kg

Dimensions (vacuum unit) (LxWxH)

13.79in/35cm x 5.11in/13cm x 7.87in/20cm

Dimensions (dock) (LxWxH) 

47.24in/120cm x 7in/18cm x 6.69in/17cm

Bin size (vacuum) - bagless

0.52 qt / 0.5 liter

Bin size (dock) - bagged

2.64qt / 2.5 liters

Max runtime

A claimed 60 mins in Eco mode

Suction power

150 AW

Charge time

4 hours

Noise level

75 - 85dB

Tools

Detangling conical head, Mini Motorised Tool, Crevice tool

Dyson v10 Konical + Auto-empty Dok: design

• Light and compact vac
• Impressive suction
• Overly tall and incongruous dock

I've tried both the Roborock H60 Hub Ultra and the Tineco Pure One Station and I can definitely see the appeal of having a cordless stick vac with its own dust-emptying station. Firstly, it's somewhere to store the vac while it's being charged but, more importantly, it negates the need for any any manual emptying of the vacuum cleaner's bin because the dock does it all for you. And that means no plumes of dust rising from the kitchen bin and coating your nostrils as the contents are ejected from the vac. It also means you won't have to reach for a damp kitchen towel to wipe down the lip of the bin every time you empty the vac's contents.

Instead, you wait a month or two — depending on how grubby your home is — and simply grab the sealed dust bag from the charging dock and drop it into the kitchen bin with no sign of dust at all. Aside from the cleanliness aspect, this is a great system for allergy sufferers because dust is kept to a bare minimum. However, the downside is that you will need to purchase more dust bags down the line and, as of writing, there's no mention of dust bags on the Dyson website. Just as well it comes with a spare.

Let's take a look at the vacuum unit first.

(Image credit: Future)v10 vac design

Confusingly, the Dyson v10 Konical looks more like an evolution of the v8 Cyclone than a successor to the Cyclone v10. Instead of the horizontal inline motor-and-bin arrangement of the Cyclone v10, Dyson has adopted the more compact layout of the v8, with the motor and dustbin mounted vertically just in front of the trigger-less hand grip. It's a design that's noticeably shorter and easier to use with detail tools and, of course, it's much better suited to mounting the unit on its accompanying charging and self-emptying dock.

Interestingly, all three units boast the same suction power, namely 150 air watts. This figure is considerably lower than that of the popular v15 Detect (240AW) and way lower than the Gen5detect (280AW). Nevertheless, suction power isn't everything because the design of the brush head is arguably even more important, which I'll get to in a minute.

The v10 Konical's diminutive proportions make it feel exceptionally nimble. At just 3.60lbs/1.63kg, the hand unit weighs roughly the same as the v10 Cyclone and about 25g heavier than the v8. However, because its center of gravity sits closer to the user's hand, it produces less wrist fatigue when cleaning stairs and upholstery, or reaching into awkward spaces. In fact, I consider this model's weight to be right in the sweet spot for quick shifts around the house just before guests arrive.

(Image credit: Future)

The Dyson Konical's brush head is one of this vac's most distinctive features since it replaces the conventional cylindrical roller with a tapered, conical design that's engineered to minimize hair wrap. Cast from shiny and very tough Polycarbonate-like plastic with stiff nylon bristles for beating dust out of carpet and a row of soft fluffy fibers to help protect delicate hard floors, this brush head is pretty radical but it works wonders on all floor types.

Yes, the tapered front end does make it trickier to run it head-on against skirting boards but then again you're better off using the side of the head and following the contours of the wall when collecting edge dust because there's plenty of suction between the end of the roller and the enclosed edge of the outer casing. However, I should point out that the raised center area of the brush head is taller than other models and that means it won’t go under some low furnishings.

Where most standard rollers use a comb system to mitigate hair wrap, this model's cone-shaped roller ensures that long hair naturally migrates towards the narrower end of the cone, where it's lifted away from the roller and fed directly into the dustbin. A couple of small combs fitted to the rear further help the process. The result is far less time spent cutting tangled hair from the brush, making it particularly useful in homes with shedding long-haired pets like golden retrievers and German shepherds.

(Image credit: Future)

Beyond its anti-tangle credentials, the Konical's unique brush head performs extremely well across a variety of floor types. It transitions smoothly between hard flooring and deep-pile carpets, and sweeps up both fine dust and larger debris with aplomb. The head is also surprisingly maneuverable, pivoting easily around furniture legs and into tighter spaces. And for those who have trouble seeing the state of the floor, this model is equipped with Dyson's laser-like green beam, which illuminates the path ahead in amazing detail, especially on hard floors.

The Dyson V10 Konical's 0.52 qt (0.5 liter) cyclone bin system offers the best of both worlds: it can be emptied manually using Dyson's familiar point-and-shoot mechanism or you can place the vacuum on the Konical Auto-empty Dok and leave it to be automatically emptied into the dock's large disposable dust bag.

(Image credit: Future)

Unlike many earlier Dyson cordless vacuums, the V10 Konical dispenses with the company's long-standing trigger-operated power switch in favor of a simple on/off button. It's a welcome change that eliminates finger fatigue during longer cleaning sessions. Meanwhile, three selectable suction levels — Eco, Medium and Max — allow you to balance cleaning performance against battery life, with the lowest settings suited to everyday dust collection on hard flooring and Max mode reserved for carpets, larger debris and more demanding cleaning tasks.

Rather disappointingly for a modern vac in this high price band, the v10 Konical lacks an automatic dust sensor to boost motor power when moving the head over particularly grubby areas. For that type of scenario you will need to switch to Medium or Max mode manually.

(Image credit: Future)

You get two cleanable HEPA filters with this model, one at the top of the hand unit and the other to the rear. Combined, these filters provide Dyson's "five-stage filtration that captures 99.99% of microscopic particles as small as 0.1 microns". Par for the course.

Regarding this model's battery life, Dyson's states a running time of up to 60 minutes, but this is when it's used in Eco mode on hard floor. However, as my results show in the Performance chapter below, this little cleaning tyke punches way above its weight when it comes to running times. Also, the battery is thankfully swappable so it's worth investing in another if your abode is on the larger side.

As you'd expect for a Dyson product, build quality is exemplary. The plastics feel dense and precisely moulded, every attachment clicks confidently into place and there are no obvious compromises despite the machine's relatively compact dimensions. In the pantheon of compact cordless stick vacs, this one is as close to perfection as it gets.

Score ref: 4.5/5

Dock design

The new Dyson v10 Konical + Auto-empty Dok is an unusual double act in the world of vacuum cleaners because its tall-standing dock not only charges the small and perfectly-formed v10 Konical hand unit, but it also empties the contents of the vac's small bagless bin into a much larger sealed 2.64qt (2.5 liters) dust bag which can be thrown away after a month or two of use. Wahey, no more flicking latches, or plumes of dust wafting into your face every time you visit the kitchen bin.

Before we discuss the technical elements of this dock, let's first address the elephant in the room. At 47.24 x 7 x 6.69i inches (120 x 18 x 17cm) this dock is ridiculously tall and the first inkling you get of its size is when the enormous box arrives on your doorstep — so huge, you may genuinely wonder whether you'd accidentally ordered a build-it-yourself aircraft instead of a simple vacuum cleaner.

After much rummaging through piles of cardboard packaging (no plastics or styrofoam here), I soon had the whole system installed under my stairs — the only space I could find short of rearranging the utility room where it ultimately belongs.

The first thing I noticed is that the dock itself isn't especially heavy, which means you will need to support it with the other hand when pushing the spring-loaded side door to access the two hand tools it comes with: a mini motorized brush and a detail nozzle. There's also a C-clip for holding a third accessory so I raided my Gen5detect collection of tools and attached Dyson's handy soft brush which I think is one of the best tools for cleaning shelves, computer keyboards, etc. Just below is a second cupboard for the Dok's disposable dust bag.

(Image credit: Future)

The Dyson Dok's interface is completely different from those adopted by Roborock and Tineco. With those brands you simply drop the hand unit's bin section into the top of the dock for automatic emptying, charging and storage. Conversely, the design of the v10 Konical's hand unit — and specifically its bin — requires attaching it to the dock from beneath by inserting the battery section into a swing-out portal and pushing the hand unit firmly into the circular suction housing. Granted, it's not as intuitive a mounting system as the Roborock and Tineco method but, despite its height, I think the complete package is more aesthetically pleasing to look at when everything's in situ.

Regarding the bin-emptying process, the moment you push the hand unit into the housing, the suction kicks in and stays on for 30 seconds. You can easily halt the suction process by pressing the red 'stop' button located close by.

(Image credit: Future)

Despite some shortcomings — especially the occasional times when it has failed to empty the v10’s bin because it was too clogged with hair — I've grown to like this new Dyson Dok. Yes, it's very tall but then it's also quite slim and the black colorway means it doesn't stick out like a sore thumb unless placed in a living room against a white wall.

If you have mostly hard floors or carpets that don’t shed fibers, I happen to think it's worth the extra it adds to the cost of purchasing the v10 Konical, mostly because I don't miss the hassle of regularly returning to the kitchen bin to manually empty the contents of the v10's bin or wrestling with a wall-mounted charging bracket.

Score ref: 3.5/5

• Design score: 4/5

Dyson v10 Konical + Auto-empty Dok: performance

• Excellent all-floor vacuum performance
• Genuinely tangle-free roller
• Dock struggles with compacted hair

As usual, for my vacuum tests I selected a range of obstreperous ingredients — oats, muesli, rice, flour and loosely broken cornflakes — and sprinkled them over the wooden floor of my kitchen and a rug in the living room.

From my own robot vacuuming experience I've found that cotton strands from my wife's sewing room are among the worst things for a vacuum cleaner to deal with, so I also scattered some strands of cotton on the carpet to see how effectively the cone-shaped brush head was at clearing them. I also ran a battery test to see how long the v10 Konical ran in Medium mode on carpet before the battery gave up the ghost.

Here are my results…

(Image credit: Future)

The first thing I did was scatter some cotton threads of different lengths over a carpeted rug. Cotton strands are notorious for wrapping around brush heads so I was eager to see how well Dyson's R&D department had nailed this conundrum.

Since the Dyson's Konical head doesn't have thin rubber paddles that tear very easily when tightly wrapped in cotton I was really gunning for a successful outcome and I couldn't have been more amazed by the results because, despite a surfeit of cotton pieces on the carpet, not one of them tangled around the roller. If you have a sewing room this is unequivocally the best vacuum cleaner for you.

(Image credit: Future)

I then proceeded with the detritus tests, first using the aforementioned ingredients on my kitchen floor. I have no anomalies to report here because if deftly collected almost everything in its path in a single sweep. All I had to do was run a few more passes to collect the rest to either side and few quick whizzes along the outer edges to pick up some of the rice that had been inevitably scattered.

(Image credit: Future)

My second test was much the same, only on a rug. Again the v10 Konical collected most of the debris on its first pass followed by a few extra passes to collect the rest. Although not as immediately successful as the hard floor test, it was good enough for me.

I personally think this little vac is a five-star performer when it comes to any type of flooring because I also used it on an old carpet upstairs that sheds a lot of fibers and a very deep-pile shaggy carpet in the guest room. It never bogged down once on the deep pile, even when in Medium mode; something that often occurs with my Gen5detect.

(Image credit: Future)

However, the same level of success can't be said for the Dyson Dok because I've had two instances when the dock’s suction has failed to empty the contents of the hand unit — even after two 30-second attempts. I put this down to the state of my carpets that are shedding a ton of fibers, along with insurmountable levels of labrador hair. On the plus side, the dock has successfully emptied the v10's bin every time it's been used on hard floor and, likewise, both emptying sessions after the above tests. Nevertheless, I still think prospective buyers should be aware if they have a lot of older carpet and shedding pets.

For my battery test I put the v10 Konical into Medium mode – my favorite setting – and set it up on a carpet using the Konical head for maximum brush resistance. I then left it to run until the battery gave out. After an impressive 21 minutes and 30 seconds of continual running, the battery suddenly died, and at no time did I hear anything to suggest that the motor power was fading. It just kept going at the same speed and frequency before suddenly shutting off. That's a resoundingly good result for a compact unit of this weight and size, and I'm pretty convinced it would go on running for the full stated 60 minutes when in Eco mode.

(Image credit: Future)

Final thoughts? While I think the v10 Konical is a sterling lightweight stick vac for both day-to-day and intensive use, the jury's still out on the Dyson Dok, which is not only exceedingly tall and incongruous but not especially functional when faced with large amounts of compacted hair and fibers.

• Performance score: 4/5

Should you buy the Dyson v10 Konical + Auto-empty Dok?Dyson v10 Konical + Auto-empty Dok: score card

Section

Notes

Score

Value for money

Premium price, but the self-emptying dock does add convenience. I just wish it wasn't so tall.

3.5/5

Design

Smartly engineered, v8-inspired styling delivers excellent balance, usability and innovative dust disposal.

4/5

Performance

Powerful cleaning performance with smooth handling, effective suction and impressive anti-tangle technology. But the dock’s nowhere near perfect

4/5

Average rating

4/5

Buy it if

You have shedding pets

The v10 Konical is an excellent cordless stick vac that performs exceptionally well with pet hair

You're not keen on manually emptying a bin

While not 100% effective, the Dyson Dok is still a worthwhile addition for clean, dust-free emptying

You're not as fit as you used to be

The v10 Konical is one of the lightest and easiest-to-use stick vacs on the market

Don't buy it if

You don't have space for a highly visible dock 

The whole package is highly visible and impossible to ignore

You're not very tech minded

The Dok interface adds an extra learning curve for those who are not physics minded

You are on a tight budget

Dyson products are always priced at a premium

How I tested the Dyson v10 Konical + Auto-empty Dok

(Image credit: Future)

We tech journos engage in a lot of rigmarole so you don't have to. Hence, we push the products we test to the limits of their functionality. In the pantheon of cordless stick vacs, this means creating a series of worst-case scenarios to see how well the product performs when faced with more debris than it would normally encounter.

We also test battery running times and evaluate the product's ease of use during day-to-day cleaning scenarios. We then studiously consider the amount of stars the product is worth before sending the review out into the world.

First reviewed August 2026