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No official solution needed – PowerA's PlayStation Portal charging station is the perfect dock for my handheld, and the last piece of my setup puzzle

TechRadar News - Mon, 06/16/2025 - 14:00

If you're anything like me since getting your hands on a PlayStation Portal, you'll have been constantly looking for ways to kit it out and make the most of the handheld device.

There are some obvious ways to add some bling or extra functionality, or protection to the Portal with an accessory. As soon as it was announced, third-party brands were clambering to try and offer solutions for screen protectors, cases, charging cables, wraps, and so on.

There were even two close-enough-to-dedicated audio accessories released by Sony in the form of the Pulse Explore earbuds and Pulse Elite headset.

However, if you always have the handheld out and want something convenient, functional, and aesthetically pleasing to sit your Portal on, then the array of custom charging docks that have been made has been an ideal fit.

And I may have finally found the one that will complete my setup, even though it's not actually that brand new.

Accessorizin'

In the absence of an official product, PowerA's officially licensed charging station looks set to be the last missing piece to my Portal setup-shaped puzzle.

Before now, I'd kitted my beloved Portal out with a screen protector, the Pulse Explore earbuds, a case that could also carry the earbuds and other bits, and even some Kontrol Freek thumb grips and wraps for accessibility reasons.

But the one thing that was missing was always a convenient means to charge my Portal - especially with its slightly awkward and sunken-in USB-C port - and a stand that meant I didn't have to scramble to get the Portal back into a case every time I was done with it.

This is one of the neatest and tidiest PlayStation Portal accessories I've seen and is the missing piece to my own Portal setup - could it be for you too?

UK price: was £34.99 now £29.99 at AmazonView Deal

As a result, PowerA's charging station is likely to be a game changer for me. Its design is already in keeping with the PlayStation 5 family aesthetic, it's powered by a USB cable only so there's no need for a wall socket, it sits robustly and solidly on a surface with a weighted base, houses the Portal incredibly easily, and it has the officially licensed stamp of approval from Sony. And it only costs $37.99 or £34.99!

What else could I possibly need for my Portal at this point?

Mine is arriving in the mail soon, and I can't wait for it to be the finishing touch to my Portal's setup - and for it to ensure I'm never running out of juice, while also looking the part.

If you're looking for prices on the PowerA dock wherever you are in the world, then check out the latest and lowest prices below, as found by our automatically updating deal-hunting tech.

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Categories: Technology

Norton Antivirus Review 2025: Solid Value for Fast, Effective Protection

CNET News - Mon, 06/16/2025 - 14:00
I spent a week analyzing Norton's antivirus offerings. Its longstanding reputation is warranted, but it's missing some things its competitors offer.
Categories: Technology

Spotify Makes Downloading Music to Wear OS Smartwatches Easier

CNET News - Mon, 06/16/2025 - 13:45
The Spotify app on your Android phone can send music directly to your Pixel or Galaxy Watch.
Categories: Technology

Microsoft Accidentally Replaces Windows 11 Startup Sound With Vista Chime

CNET News - Mon, 06/16/2025 - 13:26
Time-warp back to 2007! Microsoft's accidental yet "delightful blast from the past" sparks nostalgia online.
Categories: Technology

Best Reading Glasses to Buy Online in 2025

CNET News - Mon, 06/16/2025 - 13:02
Struggling to see things up close is common, but these reading glasses can help you.
Categories: Technology

Meta's AI-Powered Ad Machine Is Coming for WhatsApp Next

CNET News - Mon, 06/16/2025 - 12:42
For now, ads will not interrupt one-on-one encrypted messages and will only appear on the Status screen.
Categories: Technology

'How to Train Your Dragon' Has Tempered My Disdain for Live-Action Remakes

CNET News - Mon, 06/16/2025 - 12:20
Commentary: I walked into the latest DreamWorks film with low expectations and emerged spellbound. Disney should take notes.
Categories: Technology

I Took a Quick Tour Through Longevity Culture. Here's What I Learned About Reverse Aging

CNET News - Mon, 06/16/2025 - 11:35
The quest to live longer and maximize our health spans is going mainstream. I listened to the experts, and I have some thoughts.
Categories: Technology

I tested 28 wireless chargers, and these two common design problems could leave you feeling disappointed long-term – here are my picks to avoid them

TechRadar News - Mon, 06/16/2025 - 11:15

Wireless chargers make a super convenient accessory for any Apple gadget fans who want to keep their desktop looking tidy, especially when charging multiple devices at the same time. However, you may find that the same wireless charger that’s keeping your surfaces clutter-free quickly becomes an eyesore all of its own. Let me explain.

Two key considerations when shopping for a wireless charger tend to be charging speeds, naturally, and aesthetics, because it’s something we’ll likely be looking at every day. However, not long into my stint testing almost thirty of them, I learned that it doesn’t matter how much you may like the design of a wireless charger if the finish means it’ll look filthy fast and, worse still, if the materials are difficult to clean.

If you’re looking for a wireless charging station, for example, then it’s pretty likely it’ll be spending its life on your nightstand or your desk, so it’ll inevitably pick up dust day-to-day. That in itself isn’t a revelation, of course, but it turns out that some silicone areas can hold onto dust longer than Taylor Swift holds onto a grudge.

Now, I’m not entirely against silicone; it certainly has its uses, particularly when used over Qi and Qi2 charging pads to help keep devices in place as they charge. However, the way it’s used and the finish it has make all the difference when it comes to keeping a wireless charger dust-free.

(Image credit: Future)

For example, non-slip rings, like those pictured above, prove a nightmare for dusting, as lint loves to cling to the rougher finish and raised edges. Whereas the super-soft surfaces of the Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station 3-in-1 Foldable Pad didn’t pose a problem – though the pesky ridges on the silicone straps were another matter.

Even some of the best wireless chargers, like the Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station 3-in-1 Stand, can make things a little trickier than they need to be by sticking a silicone area in the middle of an otherwise wipeable surface. Instead, I much prefer when a design includes a recess to help keep wireless earbuds in place as they charge. The ESR Qi2 3-in-1 Watch Wireless Charging Set (HaloLock) is a prime example of this.

Another example of a satisfyingly silicon-free wireless charger is the UGreen 2-in-1 Qi2 Magnetic Foldable Fast Charging Station. Unfortunately, though, the surface of the Qi2 charging pad falls victim to my second-biggest bugbear – fingerprints.

(Image credit: Future)

I wish I could give you a straightforward answer on what material to avoid if smudges and fingerprints are going to get on your nerves, but I’m yet to find a definitive answer. You may assume that any matte black plastic is bound to show up fingerprints; some types certainly do, to the point that they never fully wipe clean again, but some eternally appear free of ever having been handled.

The easiest solution, if these imperfections are the sort of things that could prove bothersome to you, is to opt for a charging station that can be easily packed away when not in use. The design of the aforementioned 2-in-1 Qi2 Magnetic Foldable Fast Charging Station is ideal here, as it can be folded down into a neat little cube very easily.

Alternatively, if you’ve got an Apple Watch to charge too, the ESR Qi2 3-in-1 Travel Wireless Charging Set folds down flat, and proved really useful as both a desktop and a travel charger. Otherwise, keep an eye on my guide to the best wireless chargers, as I always take durability and ease of cleaning into account when evaluating potential additions.

Categories: Technology

Chatbots are impersonating students for profit - make sure your place is safe

TechRadar News - Mon, 06/16/2025 - 11:04
  • Chatbots are filling classrooms with fake students
  • These chatbots are costing colleges millions in fraudulent loans
  • AI is fueling a huge increase in identity theft

The rise of Artificial Intelligence has had a transformative impact on classrooms and college campuses across the world, but a new report from the Associated Press claims chatbots are now posing as students in order to collect financial aid, and are even “attending” online classes - and taking spaces from real students.

Analysis of fraud reports has uncovered a whopping 1.2 million fraudulent applications in California alone, leading to 223,000 suspected fake enrolments. California in particular is a target because of the large number of community colleges.

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Unrecoverable losses

These “ghost students” don’t just apply for a loan and hope for a payout, though. Chatbots have been deployed to online classrooms, where they stay “just long enough” to collect the financial aid check from the college.

Some lecturers even report having online classrooms with barely any real students as bots have filled the class to the enrollment limit.

According to researchers, criminals stole at least $11 million in local, state, and federal financial aid that ‘cannot be recovered,’ just from California colleges in the last year, so the problem is widespread.

This isn’t the first time we’ve heard of AI scams fueling a rise in identity theft and fraud, with hackers seen ‘leveling up’ their tactics, with more sophisticated attacks leveraged at a higher frequency than ever before.

Many of these scammers will use information obtained from data breaches, such as names, addresses, ages, and social security numbers. With this data they will apply for grants and loans using real credentials.

In March 2025, over 300 people were fired from the Federal Student Aid Office by the Trump administration, and the department’s fraud investigation unit has lost over 20% of its staff through attrition and retirements since October 2025.

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Best Meat Thermometers for 2025

CNET News - Mon, 06/16/2025 - 11:00
From a medium-rare steak to perfect pork chops, this is the most accurate digital meat thermometer for every cook.
Categories: Technology

FIFA Club World Cup Soccer: Stream Chelsea vs. Los Angeles FC Live From Anywhere

CNET News - Mon, 06/16/2025 - 11:00
Enzon Maresca's Blues get their tournament underway in Atlanta.
Categories: Technology

Apple says it’s not merging iPadOS and macOS – but I reckon it might soon have to change its tune

TechRadar News - Mon, 06/16/2025 - 10:47

For years, users of the best iPads have been contending that their tablets aren’t as capable as they could be, and a big part of that argument centers on window management. After all, the discussion goes, how can you manage multiple apps and workflows if you struggle to keep them all under control?

Well, at its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) earlier this month, Apple attempted to answer those critics emphatically, bringing a huge update to iPadOS 26 that included improved productivity features and multiple overlapping windows, plus several Mac-like additions, including a menu bar and the multi-colored “traffic light” buttons for minimizing and maximizing app windows. It was a massive, long-awaited change.

This got me thinking: while I don’t believe that Apple has any intention of merging iPadOS and macOS for the time being (Craig Federighi even said as much in a recent interview), something is looming on the horizon that’s going to test that resolve to the limit. It might not be long before Apple is forced to reckon with the possibility of cannibalizing its own operating systems in order to make something better.

The foldable future

(Image credit: Future)

Despite unveiling a bunch of new features at WWDC that brought its iPad and Mac software releases closer together, Apple’s actual hardware remains solidly distinct. You’re unlikely to confuse an iPad tablet for one of the best MacBooks (unless you’ve attached it to a Magic Keyboard mount, of course).

Yet if the rumors are to be believed, this could all change in the next couple of years. That’s because according to Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman’s latest Power On newsletter, Apple is set to release a 19-inch foldable device by 2028 that sits somewhere between Apple’s tablet and its laptop.

The idea is you can fold it out flat and use it like a giant tablet, or crease it along its hinge and use it as a laptop. Apple has never made something like this, but companies like Huawei have already launched their own attempts. We even reviewed the original Asus Zenbook Fold a couple of years back, when this tech was still in relative infancy. Don’t be surprised to see more in the coming years.

A product like this raises some serious questions regarding software. Right now, Apple says that merging iPadOS and macOS wouldn’t work because macOS isn’t designed for touch and iPadOS should retain its simplicity. In other words, a sturdy boundary should divide the two platforms. But what do you do to your software when your hardware has already obliterated those boundaries?

That might become the reality by late this decade. Depending on what Apple does to its software at that time, Federighi might have to eat his words.

Testing Apple’s resolve

(Image credit: Apple)

Over the years, Apple has given a few different reasons why it’s not planning to merge iPadOS and macOS, but they’ve all come back to the idea that the two systems are better off apart. By forcing tablets and computers to use the same platform, Apple says, you end up making too many compromises to get the operating system working well for everyone. The result is a bland mixture that loses everything that makes iPadOS and macOS unique and powerful.

But there might be another thought that’s holding Apple back: the fear of cannibalizing its own products. This makes a certain degree of sense – while neither the Mac nor the iPad bring in as much raw cash as the iPhone, they’re still massive moneymakers for Apple. Why jeopardize that?

Interestingly, this might not be a way of thinking that Apple founder Steve Jobs would have embraced. Under his watch, the company occasionally launched devices that overshadowed its other products (or made them outright obsolete). Take the iPhone, for example: for all of Apple’s rivals’ talk of releasing the next “iPod killer,” it was the iPhone itself that leapfrogged the iPod and led to its premature demise.

(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

That wasn’t some accident – it was a very deliberate decision on Apple’s part. I’m currently reading the Steve Jobs biography by Walter Isaacson, and coincidentally came across the following Jobs quote right around the time Apple was bringing Mac-like features to iPadOS 26: “If you don’t cannibalize yourself, someone else will.” Destroying your own bestsellers every now and then was a way to keep your lineup fresh, embrace exciting advances, and avoid getting stuck in a technological rut.

When the foldable iPad-Mac hybrid arrives a few years down the road, will Apple be able to call upon that mindset when it comes to the software that runs on this device? Will it cannibalize iPadOS and macOS with something newer, stronger, and better suited to its foldable?

Or will it pick an existing operating system and maintain its insistence that iPadOS and macOS must be kept forever discrete, even on the clearest example yet of the company overlapping its hardware?

None of us can know for sure what will happen, but I’ve no doubt that Apple is frantically trying to work out the best approach inside its top-secret labs. This foldable will be the sternest test yet of Apple’s ability to craft a software experience that works for the hardware at hand – and could help us finally learn whether it will ever merge iPadOS and macOS.

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'I'm sick of it': James Gunn explains why Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow is no longer the DC comic book movie's name

TechRadar News - Mon, 06/16/2025 - 10:35
  • Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow has been given a much cleaner and shorter title
  • DC Studios co-chief James Gunn has confirmed the name change
  • The superhero movie will be released in theaters worldwide in June 2026

Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow is no longer the official name of the forthcoming DC comic book movie, James Gunn has revealed.

Speaking to Rolling Stone, the DC Studios co-chief confirmed the Milly Alcock-starring film will now go by a much shorter title: Supergirl.

The surprise announcement came right at the start of Rolling Stone's profile piece on Gunn, which was conducted as part of the promotional campaign for the writer/director's upcoming Superman film. Asked by the interviewer if he could clarify what Woman of Tomorrow is being referred to as these days, Gunn paused before saying: "I think it’s just called Supergirl."

Elaborating on the title change, Gunn used Superman's next big-screen outing, which was originally called Superman: Legacy, to explain why Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow's name had been shortened.

"I’m always cutting [down project titles]," Gunn replied. "Legacy was really – we [DC Studios] do something called a premortem. A premortem is you get together with your group that’s doing the project. It’s usually about a couple months before shooting... [and] one of the things I brought up was, it [Gunn's Superman movie] was [originally] called Superman: Legacy.

"Even though I was the one that gave it that title, I just wasn’t sure," Gunn continued. "First of all, I’m sick of the superhero title, colon, other-name thing. Also, it seemed to be looking back when we’re looking forward, even though it does have to do with legacy in the movie itself. And everybody was like, 'Oh, yeah, no, change it.'"

Woman of Tomorrow, but a title for today

Milly Alcock will play Kara Zor-El/Supergirl in the DCU (Image credit: James Gunn/Twitter)

It might pain some DC comic book fans to learn about Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow's new, truncated titled. After all, the upcoming DC Universe (DCU) movie is basically adapting its eight-issue graphic novel namesake, which was created by comic book writer Tom King and drawn by Bilquis Eveley.

Nevertheless, in my view, renaming the DCU Chapter One film is the right decision. Supergirl has a much cleaner feel to it. Additionally, for non-DC comic devotees who don't already know it'll retell one of Kara Zor-El's best stories in a live-action format, its new title maintains an air of mystery about what its plot will actually entail.

Then there's the fact that, unlike more iconic DC heroes including Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman, there's only been one other Supergirl movie: 1984's Supergirl, which starred Helen Slater and is available to stream on Max. So the prospect of confusing viewers with an identically titled flick over 40 years on from the Maiden of Might's silver screen debut shouldn't be of major concern.

All in all, I'm pretty happy that Supergirl has dropped its subtitle. It certainly rolls off the tongue better than its previous moniker, but its title change does mean I'll need to give my Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow guide a major overhaul. Lucky me, eh?

Supergirl will take flight in theaters worldwide on June 26, 2026.

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Categories: Technology

Every Jaws movie is now streaming to mark the film’s 50th anniversary – here's why I can't wait to dive in

TechRadar News - Mon, 06/16/2025 - 10:19
  • Dun dun
  • Dun dun
  • Dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun

If you're looking for some movies to really get your teeth into this summer, Peacock has a feast of fearsome finny fun for you: to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the original movie, all four Jaws movies are now streaming on the service in the US.

That's a big deal for fans of the franchise who previously had to subscribe to multiple best streaming services to watch all four films. Indeed, for those in the UK and Australia, you'll need a subscription to Prime Video, Paramount+ and more to be able to do the same, which I've listed out below.

The first movie is the most famous and the best of the bunch, of course, but all four are well worth watching – albeit for very different reasons. The first movie effectively invented the summer blockbuster and is widely regarded as a milestone in modern cinema; Jaws 3-D, not so much. But whether you're looking for a marine-based masterpiece or one of the later films where you're on Team Shark, there's lots to enjoy here.

Jaws
  • Where to watch: Peacock (US), Prime Video (UK), Paramount+ / Binge (AU)

The original 1975 movie is a masterpiece, thanks in no small part to an up-and-coming filmmaker called Steven Spielberg. Based on the novel of the same name by Peter Benchley, Jaws is a gripping tale of a sunny tourist resort menaced by an implacable predator that taps into our primal fear of things with sharp teeth hunting us for their dinner. The effects may look a big shonky compared to today's CGI-fests but Jaws still sinks its teeth into you: Empire Magazine suggests it could be Spielberg's finest moment, which is high praise indeed.

Jaws 2
  • Where to watch: Peacock (US), Prime Video (UK), Binge (AU)

You'll never guess what's in the water... that's right! A shark! Roy Scheider returns as Chief Brody in a second and reasonably successful instalment of toothy terror, and while director Jeannot Schwarc is no Spielberg – his mid-80s Supergirl has just 8% on Rotten Tomatoes, one of the lowest film ratings I've ever seen – if you approach Jaws 2 as a big silly scare it's still plenty of fun. As Newsweek put it, "It's better than most sequels. It's formula-ridden but slick, and the special effects work as intended."

Jaws 3-D
  • Where to watch: Peacock (US), Prime Video (UK)

If you'd told me that Jaws 3D would outlive not one but two 3D crazes I'd have laughed, but it's true. Jaws 3D, renamed Jaws III for the 2D version that's streaming now, is pretty terrible and quite a lot of fun as a result. I've laughed a lot at the gratuitous use of 3D effects just for the sake of using 3D effects: what was funny then is even funnier in 2D now.

Can a film about a shark jump the shark? Film-Authority.com thinks so: it "makes a laughing stock of what was scary just once upon a time." And I love ScreenRush's take: "No movie with Dennis Quaid holding a basset hound's ears to keep them out of his water bowl while pouring himself some coffee can be all bad. Jaws 3-D comes pretty close."

Jaws: The Revenge
  • Where to watch: Peacock (US), ITVX (UK), Paramount+ (AU)

Despite the title this isn't about a tourist town police chief swimming after a shark and trying to bite it. The setup here is that Chief Brody's widow is convinced that an angry shark is targeting her family. "This time," the posters said, "It's personal."

Remember a few moments ago I said Supergirl's 8% Rotten Tomatoes rating was the worst I'd ever seen? I was fibbing. Jaws: The Revenge has 2%. "Jaws is looking a bit long in the tooth these days," the Chicago Tribune chuckled. And Gene Siskel, also in the Tribune, was very clear about who he wanted to see churned into chum. "Let's put it this way: When you see and hear the nasal Lorraine Gary on screen you want the shark to eat her."

"A lot of the time, the people in this picture just stand around looking very sad, as if remembering happier days," the Orlando Sentinel wrote. "Watching this sorry film, you know how they must feel."

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Victoria's Secret says all systems are back online following cyberattack

TechRadar News - Mon, 06/16/2025 - 10:05
  • Victoria's Secret says it had fully restored its systems following attack
  • The company continues to investigate the incident

Victoria’s Secret has said it has now restored all systems affected by the recent cyberattack against its business.

In a new 10-Q form filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the company confirmed restoring its IT network, and said it doesn’t expect the incident to have a material impact on its fiscal year.

In late May 2025, the retailer revealed it had experienced a “security incident” and that it would be shutting down its website and some in-store services “as a precaution.”

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Missing details

The lingerie giant did not discuss the nature of the attack, the identity of the attackers, or the methods used to compromise the systems, simply saying the attack triggered its incident response protocols.

“Third-party experts are engaged, and we took down our website and some in store services as a precaution," it added in a statement. "We are working to quickly and securely restore operations."

Usually, when a company is forced to shut down its IT network, either partially or completely, it is to contain a ransomware attack, and prevent threat actors from moving laterally and exfiltrating sensitive customer data.

The attack lasted days, but has now been completely resolved. “All critical systems are restored and fully operational,” it was said in the form. “We continue to assess the full scope and impact of the incident. This incident has not caused a material disruption to our operations to date and we do not believe it will have a material impact to our fiscal year 2025.”

Victoria’s Secret added that it is continuing the investigation which incurred (and may continue to incur), expenses and other financial impacts. These “could” negatively impact the company’s future financial results, it concluded.

The company is one of the world’s most popular lingerie and beauty retailers, running more than 1,300 retail stores in 70 countries around the world.

Via BleepingComputer

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The next Galaxy Watch will read antioxidant levels, give you useful bedtime guidance, and become the running coach you always wanted

TechRadar News - Mon, 06/16/2025 - 09:49

All the health information we get from our wearables can feel nice to have or, worse, confusing. It rarely feels actionable. However, several major updates coming to the Samsung Galaxy Watch lineup could change how we view all this sensor-driven health intelligence, make the advice useful, and, most importantly, personal.

When I last spoke to Samsung's Dr. Hon Pak, he told me that Samsung was working on a "goal-based experience" as it relates to Samsung Health, which Dr. Pak, a trained dermatologist, runs.

Now, it appears that Samsung is achieving that goal with a collection of updates that impact, run training, sleep, toxins, and more.

Better sleep

(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

Your Galaxy Watch and Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, for instance, are already helping you keep track of things like sleep and even how ready you are for the day with an "Energy Score,' which mostly relates to the quality of sleep and how prepared you are for your day. However, a new Bedtime Guidance feature will help you craft a better sleeping experience. Dr. Pak told me it's designed to help shift workers who have unreliable schedules and want to "bring regularity back to their sleeping patterns".

The setting looks at circadian rhythms and accumulating sleep debt (not getting enough sleep over a series of days, which tends to build up a deficit). The system learns over three days and nights and then presents a score, but more importantly, gives you recommendations for bedtime. So instead of a bedtime setting that's set once and forgotten, the system is analyzing you and your sleep needs and providing variable bedtimes.

Run coach

(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

The second and most personalized health and fitness update is Running Coach. Like Bedtime Guidance, it uses a training activity to learn about your current skills and needs – in this case, using a 12-minute run (or walk, whatever, you can do). You start by telling the feature your running goals, say, a 5K in two months or a marathon before the end of the year.

"We want to give them a training program specifically designed for them," Dr. Pak told me, "Because what we're finding is that people either push themselves too much and get injured or they underpush and never get to the goals."

Samsung is working with sports medicine experts at various universities for guidance on what training to provide based on the 12-minute run results, which produce a score between 0 (non-runners) and 10 (marathoners), and the goal.

"It isn't just, 'Hey, go do these programs.' This is, as you're doing those programs, we're guiding you actively and saying that you need to push yourself a little further, or you need to step back a little bit," explained Dr. Pak.

Heart health

While Vascular Load doesn't provide as much personal guidance, it can provide, after three nights of sensing, a baseline about your cardiovascular and heart health. It also tracks trends as to whether the stress on your cardiovascular system is going up or down. Since it's continuously monitoring during sleep, you get the baseline and long-term trends that you can perhaps act on.

Finally, and as rumors have suggested, Samsung Galaxy Watch will add a sensor to look at your Antioxidant Index, an approximation of the levels of beneficial antioxidants in your diet. The LED sensor measures carotenoids, which is a form of beta-carotene: a powerful antioxidant. From this measurement, you get a number from 1-100.

"Using LED lights, we're able to test the adequacy of beta-keratin and, as a substitute, antioxidants, in your system," said Dr. Pak.

Instead of building a new sensor, Samsung took the BioActive Sensor it added to its Galaxy Watch last year and is now taking advantage of the additional LED sensors (especially certain wavelengths). This means antioxidant measurements will carry through last year's and this year's Galaxy Watch models.

Samsung let me quickly test drive the new Antioxidant Index by placing my finger on the back of a Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra. It only took a few seconds for my score, 52, to appear on the paired Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. From what I've been told, that's an average rating, so I feel pretty good about my antioxidant level.

Getting the score

(Image credit: Future)

It's been a year since Samsung launched its Energy Score and the Galaxy Ring, and I was curious what they've learned so far.

Dr. Pak told me that since Energy Scores' introduction, Samsung Health's weekly average users have gone up considerably. "I think people are very motivated and encouraged to come see their energy score; there's something about, as they get up, not only how do they sleep, but what should they do? It's the one new feature that looks forward and helps you plan for that day."

As for how the Galaxy Ring has been embraced, Dr. Pak told me people like the form factor, "and the simplicity of not having a screen, and just wear it and forget it because of the long battery life." He added that predominant use cases thus far have been for sleep and women's health (cycle tracking).

We also talked about wearable form factors and if there's a space between the screenless Galaxy Ring and the beefy Galaxy Watch Ultra. Dr. Pak reminded me of the low-profile Galaxy Fit 3 band but added, "Clearly, I agree that there's something, that the need is still there, that these two are not." Then he added, "So you'll see the newest watches that are very comfortable. You'll be surprised."

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Categories: Technology

Forget the Switch 2 – this dual-screen handheld gaming PC brings back the glory days of the Nintendo DS, but with all your Steam games

TechRadar News - Mon, 06/16/2025 - 09:40
  • Ayaneo has announced a new handheld gaming PC, using AMD's Ryzen AI HX 370 processor
  • The Ayaneo Flip 1S DS will feature two screens like its predecessor, but with a main 1080p OLED screen
  • Pricing and battery specifications haven't been announced yet

While Ayaneo's Flip DS handheld gaming PC launched in 2024, providing a dual-screen portable gaming experience, it's taken another leap with a new device – and this time, I think it may just be enough to call it a vastly improved spiritual successor to the Nintendo DS (or 2DS).

As reported by VideoCardz, Ayaneo has announced the Flip 1S DS handheld gaming PC, using AMD's powerful Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor and, perhaps most importantly, a 7-inch 1920x1080 144Hz OLED main display with up to 800 nits peak brightness. It will also feature a secondary LCD screen (hence the 'DS' name) with a 1620x1080 resolution.

While it might seem similar to its predecessor, the Flip DS, the upgrades are significant, to say the least. The shift to the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 from the previous Ryzen 7 8840U processor will be of huge benefit to gaming performance, with the former using 12 cores and 24 threads – but, that's not the only highlight.

Not only is this set to fulfill the desire of a Nintendo DS experience (which, if it wasn't clear already, DS stands for Dual Screen), but it's also intent on providing an OLED visual experience; something that most modern handheld gaming PCs don't have besides a few.

With deeper black levels and fantastic contrast, it's more than enough to provide the ideal visual quality on a 7-inch 1080p screen. The addition of 800 nits peak brightness is just the icing on the cake for me; throw in the endless amount of games playable through Steam, Epic Games, and other popular launchers, and it's an easy choice – well, sort of.

I say this because I fully expect this to cost a fortune, based on Ayaneo's usual handheld prices. There's no word on pricing yet, but if the likes of the Asus ROG Ally X or the MSI Claw 8 AI+ (which use weaker processors compared to the HX 370) are over $700, then that should be enough to tell you that the Flip 1S DS will price most gamers out.

Analysis: A great compromise for a 7-inch screen

(Image credit: Ayaneo)

While the Flip 1S DS doesn't specifically scratch my itch of wanting an affordable, next-gen 8-inch handheld, it's certainly a great compromise; one that I'm tempted to save money for – but only if its price tag isn't absolutely obscene.

I've wanted an upgrade from my Asus ROG Ally's 7-inch display for a long while, but that doesn't mean that display size is bad. Don't get me wrong, a 7-inch screen for handhelds is great and is the sweet spot for most users, but can feel a bit lackluster, especially if you're gaming competitively.

However, the Flip 1S DS provides two screens, with one of them being a 1080p OLED, and if you've read my Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x review, you'll know that I'm a sucker for OLED displays. The performance in games isn't a concern either, considering how well we've seen the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 chip perform in other handhelds like the OneXPlayer X1 Pro – spoiler alert, it handles demanding games like Black Myth: Wukong pretty well.

If Ayaneo can keep pricing between $800 and $999, then I can see myself holding out and saving for this one, but if the price tag is any higher, I'd likely be looking elsewhere.

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I helped my company save $1.3 million by going on a “software diet”: here's what I learned

TechRadar News - Mon, 06/16/2025 - 09:29

Over the past year, my company – a fast-scaling startup – put ourselves on a “software diet” and we saw transformative results for our bottom line, employee engagement, and our business culture. Here’s the paradox: in tech, growth often means more software and tooling, but for us, it means less.

As our team grew, so did the number of tools, platforms, and subscriptions we used. Most SaaS tools start as a fast fix, solving a specific need quickly when time or resources are tight. But over time, they stick around, collecting more seats and budget – even if their original value fades. That’s exactly what we saw happening. And while our software costs grew, we had a hunch that our productivity wasn’t meaningfully changing alongside it.

Our software diet wasn’t about cutting corners or making our teams work harder. It was about spending intentionally and empowering teams to root out waste. That mindset became the foundation of our internal initiative. The program encouraged employees to think critically about which tools added the most value in their day-to-day work, and to eliminate the rest.

What happened? To start, we saved $1.3 million (and counting), but we are also creating a more efficient and aligned tech stack that supports our growth, instead of hindering it with unnecessary technology. Here’s how we did it, what we learned, and why I believe every company should consider a software diet.

Launching a Software Diet

We tied the initiative to a clear incentive: any employee who helped cancel a contract or switch to a significantly cheaper tool got a $1,000 bonus. To be eligible, the contract had to be

a) Active for at least six months

b) Worth $10,000 or more annually

c) Either cancelled outright, replaced with something $20,000+ cheaper, or rebuilt in-house

Crucially, employees had to meaningfully contribute to identifying alternatives, supporting the switch, and helping with adoption. This wasn’t about surface-level suggestions, but true ownership and collaboration.

The engine: Our “Spend Money Wisely” team

While this is a grassroots effort that every part of the business touches, we needed a team to drive our software diet forward. We brought together a dedicated group from our finance and IT teams to create a new organization called “Spend Money Wisely”.

The way we see it, the Spend Money Wisely (SMW) team acts as internal consultants for responsible tech and services investment across the company. They’re a small–but–mighty team that has been key to creating a new culture around software consumption.

The results: What $1.3 million (and growing) looks like

Since launching the initiative in late 2024, we have been able to shed 12 tools entirely and replace four tools with more cost-effective alternatives. This has resulted in $1.3M in savings to date, and we have paid $36,000 in cash bonuses to the employees who drove this efficiency.

But beyond the numbers, streamlining our providers allows us to save time on vendor management, improve employee experience, and build a more effective technology and services portfolio.

For example, we consolidated our employee engagement survey tool with our performance review platform. This streamlined the employee experience so our people can share feedback in one place. This also gave us a clearer picture of feedback spanning both the employee experience and professional development.

Lessons learned

SaaS bloat is real, but fixable. Start by auditing everything you pay for with a zero-based mindset and try not to let inertia dictate contract renewals. Justify every tool as if starting from scratch.

Incentives work. The incentive captured attention — and spurred action. The cash bonus motivated people to take a fresh look at what they really needed.

Clear rules matter. Clear criteria and structured eligibility prevented any cherry-picking, ensuring that the program inspired sustainable, lasting change – the ideal outcome of any diet.

Migrations are hard. Change management was key. Some tools had heavy adoption or long-term lock-in, which meant patience and planning. Cross-functional dependencies made some migrations more challenging, requiring a longer transition plan.

Centralize oversight but decentralize action. The SMW team was essential. A dedicated team drives action and process, but employees drive real change in their own corners of the business.

Spending wisely doesn’t necessarily mean spending less. It’s important to not just cut costs, but instead to optimize spending. Maybe a software platform that seemed expensive at the outset could serve more than one team? Ultimately, the goal is to spend with intention. “Less software” shouldn’t mean fewer capabilities.

Consider building in-house. In-house solutions, while requiring investment, can be tailored and cost-effective for teams building exactly what they need. We've also seen first-hand that building bespoke tools internally often sparks greater passion and engagement compared to relying on third-party platforms. That said, companies need to consider long-term support and overall maintenance and replacement costs.

Make cost accountability everyone’s job. Foster a culture where questioning spending (or broader solutions) is celebrated, not penalized. Regularly evaluating these tools builds the muscle for teams to be disciplined about consumption in the long term.

Diets are hard – but this one works

Diets require discipline, support, incentives, and a goal for sustainable, lasting change. Our software diet sparked a cultural shift across our business around software spending that’s required in the age of easy SaaS adoption, and the results demonstrated a significant impact on our overall financial health, cross-functional collaboration, and operational clarity.

What would your company save if everyone were paid to cancel software they don’t really need?

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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

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