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I Tested Baseus' Incredibly Thin New Wireless Portable Charger. Is It the One to Get?

CNET News - Sat, 07/11/2026 - 08:01
Baseus' new 0.27-inch-thick PicoGo Air AM71 is a wireless magnetic power bank for iOS and Android phones. Here are my thoughts, along with a $30-off CNET-exclusive discount code.
Categories: Technology

I went to the Goodwood Festival of Speed 2026 —here are the top 5 EVs and concept cars I saw, from BYD to Mercedes

TechRadar News - Sat, 07/11/2026 - 08:00

Another year, another swelteringly hot Goodwood Festival of Speed, as the 11th Duke of Richmond's garden becomes one of the busiest — and noisiest — moving motor shows on the automotive calendar.

While it is an excuse to thrash all manner of new supercars and historical racing machines up 1.16 miles of haystack-lined driveway, it is also a destination for fans to get a glimpse at upcoming vehicles from the world's most recognized automakers.

In recent years, legacy brands have largely been pushed aside to make room for new players in town, with the likes of BYD and MG sporting some of the largest and most impressive stands at this year's event.

It wasn't exactly a bumper year for new reveals and dazzling concept cars, but there were several EVs and electric concepts to get excited about. These are my picks from the show.

1. Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 4MATIC+

(Image credit: Future/Leon Poultney)

Ignore the ridiculously long name, as Mercedes' impressively efficient CLA has been given the AMG treatment. The figures are nothing short of astonishing: 671 bhp from the tweaked electric powertrain, a 0-62 mph sprint time of just 2.7 seconds and a 177 mph top speed with the AMG Driver's Package option selected.

All of this performance comes courtesy of three high-performance axial-flux e-motors, with one on the front axle and two on the rear providing the monumental shove. Interestingly, there's also simulated engine noise and the option to play around with virtual gear changes.

Naturally, it comes packing more aggressive bodywork and distinctive AMG badging throughout, with prices expected to start at around £65,000 in the UK — or around $87,000/AU$125,000.

2. MG GO Concept

(Image credit: Future/Leon Poultney)

We have been waiting a long time to see what British brand MG, which is now owned by Chinese automotive giant SAIC, will do with its all-electric supermini, which is destined to do battle with the Renault 5, Kia EV2 and an ever-growing number of quirky small cars.

The MG GO Concept gives us our best look yet, although the overly aggressive body kit, diffusers and trunk-lid spoilers likely won't make it into final production. Still, it looks like it could be a lot of fun, doesn't it?

What's more, the MG4 X Power caught most people by surprise when it first hit the market in 2023, offering hot hatch thrills and a supercar-baiting 0-62 mph sprint time of just 3.8 seconds at bargain prices — proof that the revitalized MG is capable of embracing its silly side when it wants to.

3. BYD Shark

(Image credit: Future/Leon Poultney)

BYD's stand was, once again, extremely impressive this year, taking up one of the largest footprints of all exhibitors. Outside, showgoers could register to take a passenger ride as the company's latest pickup tackled a purpose-built off-road course.

The hulking truck, which comes to Europe for the first time this year, delivers a total of 430 bhp from its 'Super Hybrid' drivetrain, while the massive 32.2 kWh battery pack is good for a claimed 56 miles of pure EV range.

The Chinese automaker says it offers an impressive WLTP combined fuel efficiency of 81 mpg, can tow up to 2,500 kg, and features the latest technology, such as vehicle-to-load capabilities, so owners can power everything from tools to camping essentials.

In the UK, the BYD Shark will start at £47,290, which is roughly the same as the Ford Ranger PHEV — its only real plug-in pickup rival for the time being.

4. Alpine A110 Future

(Image credit: Future/Leon Poultney)

Since Porsche has placed its all-electric sports car dreams on hold, it is now up to French manufacturer Alpine to pick up the mantle.

Packing an all-new Alpine Performance Platform, this pure-EV version is low, wide, and suitably punchy in the performance department, with two electric motors on its rear axle that will make it 'even better' than the petrol version, according to Alpine boss Philippe Krief.

Further details are being kept tightly under wraps, but it looked menacing as it silently wafted up the famous Goodwood hillclimb. Electric sports cars clearly aren't dead and if you want proof, check out the…

5. Denza Z

(Image credit: Future/Leon Poultney)

BYD's upmarket offshoot wants to take the fight to Porsche, McLaren and Bentley with its swooping performance EV.

The Denza Z offers an eye-watering 1,604 hp from three powerful electric motors, priced at just under £143,000 (around $192,000/AU$276,000) for the standard Coupe version. There will also be a more expensive droptop convertible and a potent Racing version that gets masses of aero kit.

That car manages the 0-62 mph sprint in a mind-bending 1.96 seconds and a top speed of 217 mph. It can be used every day, too, with second-generation 76 kWh Blade battery tech delivering around 245 miles of range and 1,500 kW Flash charging compatibility for ten-minute top-ups.

Categories: Technology

I took the new Sony RX10 V superzoom and a pro Sony mirrorless camera with 400-800mm lens on a bird photography trip — here’s how the two systems compared

TechRadar News - Sat, 07/11/2026 - 08:00

Sony surprised the camera community this week with the launch of the new RX10 V, reviving its best-in-class series of bridge cameras.

The mark V comes nine years after the now-discontinued Cyber-shot RX10 IV. It has the same versatile 24-600mm F2.4-4 lens and 20-megapixel 1-inch stacked sensor, but with a refreshed design and Sony’s latest processor and autofocus. It takes the best bridge camera available today crown.

The RX10 V gained a recommended award in my in-depth review. I was able to bag some impressive sample photos, including macro closeups of insects and distant birdlife, thanks to the camera’s 0.49x maximum magnification and 600mm f/4 lens.

I also compared the RX10 V to the older Cyber-shot RX10 IV. It’s a solid upgrade where it matters most, but with a predictable price increase – $2,400 / £2,200 / AU$3,500 – making it a premium pick.

In the process, I got thinking about the RX10 V's performance, especially when using its telephoto settings, and what alternatives there are for the same money — after all, some of Sony's older full-frame mirrorless cameras cost less. Can the RX10 rival a Sony full-frame mirrorless camera with telephoto lens?

One similarly priced alternative is Sony’s longest lens, the FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 OSS — at least if you already own a Sony Alpha camera to pair it with. Can the RX10 V compete?

I took the Sony RX10 V and the Sony 400-800mm lens attached to a pro A7R V mirrorless camera to my local nature reserve for a bird-photography shoot, and the following is my honest reflection on the experience.

Size and weightTim ColemanTim ColemanI have previously used the 400-800mm lens with Sony's A7R VI, the successor to the A7R VTim Coleman

Let's begin with how each setup is in use. As you can see in the images above, there is a big difference in size and, therefore, weight.

The RX10 V is hardly compact, but when you compare it to a Sony full-frame mirrorless camera with telephoto lens like the 400-800mm, or alternatives that reach the same 600mm focal length as the RX10 V, such as the Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3, it is positively tiny. It very much feels like an Alpha camera, with excellent ergonomics and a decent control layout.

It's also a much lighter all-in-one camera, weighing 1,111g. Compare that with the combined weight of the A7R V (723g) and the 400-800mm lens (2,475g)at 3,198g – approximately three times the weight. And the Sigma lens is just a fraction lighter than Sony's lens.

For casual travel photography, the RX10 V is an excellent pick, with its ability to capture everything from landscapes to macro and distant wildlife subjects. You'll need to be much more serious and focused about wildlife photography to lug around the mirrorless body and 400-800mm lens.

Viewfinder and LCDThe RX10 V has a higher-specced, larger and more pronounced viewfinder than the Cyber-shot RX10 IVTim ColemanTim ColemanHowever the viewfinder in the A7R V is even betterTim Coleman

For telephoto wildlife photography, I find a viewfinder invaluable for composing shots and ensuring autofocus is on the money, so how do the displays compare?

The RX10 V's viewfinder is bigger and more detailed than the Cyber-shot RX10 IV's — it's a 0.5-inch 3.68m-dot display. However, the A7R V's viewfinder is in another league altogether, measuring 0.64 inches and being a brighter 9.44m-dot unit with 0.9x magnification. Put simply, it's way more immersive. However, there's less of a difference in viewfinder quality with an older, similarly priced Sony mirrorless camera, such as the A7 IV.

I was less concerned about the LCD displays for this comparison, but in case you'd like to know, the RX10 V has a 3-inch tilt touchscreen, while cameras at the RX10 V price point and above typically have a multi-angle display.

AutofocusTiny subject? No problem, the RX10 V was able to latch onto this stonechat when I used its bird detection autofocusTim ColemanThe same shot with the A7R V and 400-800mm lens set to 600mm. See how the background is dreamier in the mirrorless camera shot, despite me using a smaller apertureTim Coleman

I was majorly impressed with the RX10 V's autofocus skills. After all, it inherits the Bionz XR processor and AI chip with real-time subject detection autofocus from the recent Sony A7 V.

Bird detection autofocus was on the money, even when the isolated subjects were only taking up a small portion of the frame. It takes a little experimentation to figure out which autofocus area option yields the best results in any given situation, but with the right subject detection tracking and the best AF area option selected, you'll struggle to find more reliable autofocus performance in another camera.

I can safely say that autofocus performance is an attribute where the RX10 V matches mirrorless camera capabilities.

Burst shootingRX10 V photos made possible with the high-speed burst shooting drive modeTim ColemanTim Coleman

The numbers for the RX10 V are impressive: up to 30fps using the electronic shutter, or 10fps with the mechanical shutter. It also has the option for an instant speed boost from a slower rate to the max 30fps when the action strikes — a feature that can be assigned to one of the custom buttons.

I played around customizing various buttons for this feature, but annoyingly couldn't find one that felt like it was logically placed, whereas Sony's recent mirrorless bodies have a custom button on the front, to the side of the lens mount, which works best. I found the RX10 V button placement awkward for this memory-saving feature.

Neither camera had the pre-capture feature, which is super handy in wildlife photography for when your reactions aren't up to speed. Sony's pre-capture can buffer for up to a second before you fully press the shutter, say in the case of a bird taking flight. For the A7R V, the lack of pre-capture is understandable — the A9 III, which came later, was the first Sony camera to have this feature. However, for the RX10 V, it's unfortunate, since other recent Sony cameras, including the A1 II, A7V and A7R VI, have it, so it feels like an oversight.

Image qualityRX10 V at 600mmTim ColemanAnd here's the 400-800mm at the 600mm focal length. Dreamier results, but the RX10 V effort is still excellentTim ColemanHere I've pushed the 400-800mm lens to its maximum 800mm setting, ideal for this situationTim ColemanThe RX10 VTim ColemanThe 400-800mm lensTim ColemanRX10 VTim Coleman400-800mmTim ColemanRX10 VTim Coleman400-800mm Tim ColemanRX10 VTim Coleman400-800mmTim Coleman

Image quality is where you might expect a real gulf to start opening up. The RX10 V shoots 20MP stills with a telephoto reach up to 600mm and a maximum f/4 aperture at this setting. Meanwhile, the mirrorless setup delivered 61MP stills (a more affordable mid-range model like the A7 IV is 33MP), and that extra 800mm reach.

Of any bridge camera, the RX10 V yields the sharpest results at 600mm and a pleasant subject separation thanks to that f/4 aperture. Compare the like-for-like mirrorless camera shots, and the RX10 V's look soft by comparison, but only when you look closely. The mirrorless camera has way more pixels to play with, meaning you can crop more severely into photos and still have high-quality output.

The 400-800mm lens is indeed sharper, and even though its maximum aperture is f/6.3 (400mm) to f/8 (800mm), which minimizes its light-gathering advantage, there's greater subject separation and dreamier results. Bokeh in foreground objects has a softer fall-off.

Another major difference is low light quality. In comparison shots taken at dawn (and nighttime photos I took later of the moon), the RX10 V images look muddier; less punchy, less sharp, just overall lesser quality. They still pass, but I would go for the mirrorless camera setup every time when the available light is minimal.

Conclusion

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)

The Sony RX10 V is a truly excellent casual wildlife photography camera, with reliable subject detection autofocus and a decent telephoto reach combined with a bright f/4 maximum aperture. You can get pleasant subject separation and punchy images, when the light is good, though less impressive results when the light is dim. Overall, I'm really pleased with the quality of several photos I was able to take.

For wildlife photography, however, it was the mirrorless camera system that I enjoyed the most in the hand, and the one I wanted to use more of the two, helped by the superior end results (even with the smaller f/8 maximum aperture at 600mm). The brighter viewfinder and better button placement enhanced the experience, even if it was a weightier setup.

Yes, the RX10V is an excellent all-in-one camera — the best of its kind — but if you already own a mirrorless body and are serious about wildlife photography, picking up a supertelephoto lens like Sony's 400-800mm instead will yield better results and likely be a more enjoyable user experience — if you're willing to carry the extra weight.

Categories: Technology

Still Need a Blu-Ray Player in 2026? Here's the One I Heartily Recommend

CNET News - Sat, 07/11/2026 - 08:00
Here are my recommendations for the Blu-ray player you should buy.
Categories: Technology

Artemis II Shows How Off-the-Shelf Cameras Are Becoming Scientific Tools in Space

CNET News - Sat, 07/11/2026 - 07:00
Stunning images captured by astronauts aboard Artemis II using a Nikon Z9 have now been used to help researchers learn more about astronomy.
Categories: Technology

Austrian Audio’s new ‘semi-open-back’ wired headphones are named like some sort of hired assassin, but I tested them and if you want layered audio, they’re 'The Arranger' for you

TechRadar News - Sat, 07/11/2026 - 07:00
Austrian Audio The Arranger: Two-minute review

The Arranger by Austrian Audio are an attempt to at least begin to fill the gap that exists between the company’s highest-end headphones and its wildly successful entry-level stuff. In case that isn’t a big enough ask by itself, Austrian Audio wants this new gap-filler to be just as convincing as a pro monitoring tool as they are a domestic pair of headphones.

So the brand has come up with a light, comfortable and slightly oddly colored pair of (semi) open-backed headphones that are easy to drive, fold smaller than the norm and are fitted with mildly exotic DLC-coated dynamic drivers that deliver a prodigious 5Hz - 30kHz frequency response. About the only misstep (apart from the finish) is the lack of a balanced cable option — or, more accurately, the lack of a no-cost balanced cable option.

When it comes to performance, though, complaints like this become irrelevant. Without sacrificing anything where detail retrieval, organization or soundstaging are concerned, Austrian Audio has served up a pair of energetic, entertaining and thoroughly engaging headphones that are just as happy to deliver the excitement of a recording as they are to peer deep into the mix and examine it on a microscopic level. As a combination of analysis and enjoyment, The Arranger are very hard to lay a glove on.

Which is not to say they have the field clear, of course. Similarly specified, similarly priced products from brands with similarly credible reputations are, naturally, available among the best wired headphones — and when you’re talking about companies like Beyerdynamic and Meze Audio, you know the alternatives to The Arranger are going to be compelling.

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)Austrian Audio The Arranger review: Price & release date
  • Released June 2026
  • Priced $1,299 / £899 / AU$1,899

The Arranger by Austrian Audio are on sale now, and in the United States they sell for $1,299 per pair. They’re £899 in the United Kingdom, and AU$1,899 in Australia. They're intended to fill a gap, but it means they come up against some pretty stiff competition, too.

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)Austrian Audio The Arranger review: Specs

Type

Wired, over-ear, semi-open back headphones

Drivers

44mm DLC-coated dynamic

Weight

320g (without cable)

Cable length

3m

Impedence

25ohms

Sensitivity

110dB

Frequency response

5Hz - 30kHz frequency response

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)Austrian Audio The Arranger review: Features
  • 44mm DLC-coated dynamic drivers
  • 3m cable with 3.5mm/6.3mm termination
  • 25ohms impedance, 110dB sensitivity

Passive, hard-wired headphones are seldom groaning under the weight of all their features, and The Arranger are not in any way unusual. The feature-count is short but in this instance, at least, the few features here are all entirely fit for purpose.

The Austrian Audio are supplied with a 3m length of quite sturdily rubberized cable. It fits using the ‘click and turn’ method into the left ear cup, and at the other end there’s a 3.5mm termination that will happily accept the 6.3mm adapter that’s supplied. A 2m 4.4mm balanced cable and a 3m cable with an XLR termination are both available and, rather annoyingly, both will cost you additional money.

The information that travels along the cable is delivered to a couple of 44mm dynamic drivers. They have a diamond-like carbon coating on the diaphragm and also feature a proprietary ring magnet — the aim is superior impulse response, super-low distortion and significant bass extension. Austrian Audio suggests frequency response is 5Hz - 30kHz, which would seem to make ‘significant bass extension’ something of an understatement.

The Arranger are very forgiving headphones — impedance of 25ohms and 110dB sensitivity means they’re not even remotely difficult to drive. A dedicated headphone amp is always a good idea, of course, but even the 3.5mm socket on your laptop should have sufficient oomph to get the Austrian Audio up to speed.

  • Features score: 5 / 5

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)Austrian Audio The Arranger review: Sound quality
  • Significant low-frequency substance and variation
  • Open, organized and detailed sound
  • Tremendous powers of analysis

Austrian Audio, it turns out, was not just talking. The Arranger really do function almost as well as a pair of monitors as they do when asked to simply entertain. In either circumstance, this is a very accomplished pair of headphones.

The (almost) open-backed arrangement means the presentation is spacious and airy, and the soundstage the headphones present is quite expansive, but not at the cost of unity or singularity. Despite being able to open up a recording like Natural Magic’s Galaxy Builder to the point that its constituent parts are individualized and easy to inspect, there’s a togetherness to the way The Arranger present the recording that makes it sound like a performance rather than simply a collection of discrete occurrences.

It helps that frequency response is nice and even, from the deep and almost extravagantly varied low end to the bright, substantial top end. The midrange projects well without forcing the overall response into any kind of ‘V’ shape, and the lack of coloration to the tonality allows every point of the frequency range to sound natural and unforced. Detail levels are high at every stage, and the amount of insight the Austrian Audio have into even quite complex recordings is never less than fully impressive.

As well as body and insight at the bottom end, there’s also unarguable control. The Arranger take a lot of care in expressing the attack and decay of individual bass events, and consequently have no problem in describing rhythms with absolute conviction. This sense of confidence and positivity is, in fact, apparent throughout the frequency range.

As well as being alert to the finest, most transient details that both build a complete picture of a recording and allow an engineer to understand a recording on a sort of ‘building block’ level, The Arranger are more than willing to handle the broader dynamics of changes in volume, intensity and attack. The distance they’re able to put between the quietest and most contemplative passages in a recording and the final all-out crescendo is significant.

It’s by no means an easy trick to entertain with the vigorous and engaging nature of your sound while simultaneously serving as a forensic tool of insight and analysis — it’s so difficult, in fact, that most headphone manufacturers don’t even bother trying. But it’s a trick Austrian Audio manages to pull off with something very much like aplomb.

  • Sound quality score: 5 / 5

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)Austrian Audio The Arranger review: Design
  • (Semi-) open-backed configuration
  • 320g without cable
  • Just one, rather single-minded, option for finish

In many meaningful ways, the design of The Arranger is wholly successful. This is, at 320g without the length of cable attached, a light and comfortable pair of headphones, and thanks to come judicious choices where hanger arrangement, clamping force and padding of the contact points are concerned, it’s a pair of headphones that stays comfortable for hours on end.

The inside of the headband and the ear cups are of medium-density memory foam with a faux-suede covering. It’s soft, and it resists returning your own body heat longer after some alternative designs have started to warm your ears. Some sturdy articulation in the yokes means not only will the ear cups fold flat, but the frame folds in on itself too. This makes The Arranger much more compact in transit, and a far better proposition where portability is concerned.

To my eyes, though, there’s something quite inelegant and rather rustic about the width of the headband and the point where the headband chunkily meets the ear cups. The one available finish — a combination of black, something that thinks it’s gold and something that is unarguably beige — doesn’t exactly shout ‘premium product!’ either. The slats on the ear cups that result in the Austrian Audio being a quasi-open-backed design are a little more successful but, again, the color isn’t helping the headphones look as expensive as they actually are.

There’s absolutely no arguing with the standard of build and finish on display here but, then again, this is no more than you’re entitled to expect when paying over $1,000 for some headphones. The problem for The Arranger, I think, is about perceived value — and it comes up slightly short.

  • Design score: 4 / 5

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)Austrian Audio The Arranger review: Value
  • Headphones for every occasion
  • Light, comfortable and easy to wear…
  • …although not quite as easy to look at

No, $1,299 / £899 / AU$1,899 is not an insignificant sum for a pair of headphones, even a pair from a company with the track record of Austrian Audio.

But when you consider their potency as a tool of analysis, factor in their energetic and enthusiastic attitude when you’re simply listening for pleasure, and then add in the build quality and the comfort that’s a by-product, they become pretty difficult to argue with on a value-for-money basis.

One or two options where finish is concerned wouldn’t go amiss, mind you — in fact, they might help The Arranger to become an even easier sell.

  • Value score: 4.5 / 5

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)Should I buy the Austrian Audio The Arranger?

Section

Notes

Score

Features

Entirely fit for purpose; 44mm DLC-coated dynamic drivers, with 25ohms impedance, 110dB sensitivity

5 / 5

Sound quality

Open, organized and detailed, with tremendous powers of analysis

5 / 5

Design

Ear cups fold flat for compact transit; very comfortable; but the finish is a little inelegant

4 / 5

Value

Value for the not insignificant money, but 4.4mm or XLR connection cable would be nice

4.5 / 5

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)Buy them if...

You listen for long periods
The light weight and all-around comfort of The Arranger make them the perfect headphones for longer listening sessions.

You need an all-rounder
The Arranger are just as happy to examine the minutiae of a mix as they are to entertain you with the whole-hearted approach to music.

You need a degree of portability
Thanks to a clever yoke arrangement and some reassuringly sturdy hinges, The Arranger fold far smaller than the majority of their price-comparable rivals.

Don't buy them if...

You feel you’ve spent enough
You’d have thought a balanced cable was a no-brainer for headphones costing this much money, but you’ll have to fork out for a 4.4mm or XLR connection here.

You’re after a premium look
Your money has almost all gone on the sound The Arranger make, which is fair enough, but some people will think $1,299 should buy a premium feel too.

You don’t get on with beige
It’s a strange choice of finish, no two ways about it — and it gets even stranger when you realize it’s your only option.

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)Austrian Audio The Arranger review: Also consider

Meze Audio Strada
These closed-back headphones sound admirably un-closed — if you have a larger-than-average head, and like the color green, then you can't go far wrong.
Read our Meze Audio Strada review for more

Grado Signature S750
Yes, you'll need deep pockets in you're going to go down this $1,695 / £1,695 (about AU$3,400) route, but the Grado will reward you in spades. The delightfully brutalist handmade open-back construction stands out, along with an exceptional soundstage and excellent clarity.
See our in-depth Grado Signature S750 review for more

How I tested the Austrian Audio The Arranger
  • Connected to a FiiO M15S DAP
  • Connected to a full-size system via Eversolo DAC-Z10 pre-amp
  • Using music from many formats and of many styles

The FiiO digital audio player features lots of hi-res FLAC and DSD files, and lots of different styles and genres of music within those digital files. The Eversolo DAC-Z10, meanwhile, is the preamplifier for an Arcan ST25 network streamer, a Technics SL-1300G turntable and a Rega Apollo CD player.

Which means that content from internet radio stations, vinyl and compact disc are all available too - which, by extension, means The Arranger by Austrian Audio got about as thorough a work-out as a pair of headphones at this sort of money demands.

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)
Categories: Technology

Ukrainians are using VPNs to cause havoc in Russia by changing fuel station statuses on maps in a bid to cause chaos and confusion

TechRadar News - Sat, 07/11/2026 - 05:20
  • Ukrainians reportedly manipulate Russian fuel maps through coordinated online participation
  • Over a million users visit the website behind the fuel map campaign
  • Digital platforms become another battlefield during ongoing geopolitical conflicts worldwide

A coordinated online campaign has reportedly encouraged users to alter fuel station information on digital maps across Russia, creating confusion among drivers.

The activity involves changing station statuses by marking locations with available fuel as empty or showing closed stations as operational.

Supporters of the campaign claim the effort is designed to disrupt travel decisions, increase uncertainty, and create additional pressure around fuel availability.

Map manipulation campaign spreads through online communities

The campaign reportedly centres around a website known as "GdeBenz," which has attracted more than one million visitors since its launch.

Participants are encouraged to use VPN services while accessing mapping platforms, allowing them to contribute altered information from outside locations.

Some users have reportedly relied on free VPN services to access the campaign tools and participate without revealing their actual network locations.

The changes reportedly affect fuel station details seen by drivers relying on online navigation tools when searching for available supplies.

Some participants have shared instructions through social media platforms, encouraging others to join the activity and modify fuel station information in different Russian cities.

The campaign has been described by supporters as an online operation aimed at creating confusion rather than directly affecting fuel infrastructure itself.

Reports surrounding the activity have not independently verified the full scale of the disruptions or confirmed how many fuel stations were affected by altered map information.

However, the campaign shows how digital platforms can become another area of competition during ongoing geopolitical tensions, where information accuracy can influence everyday decisions.

Digital disruption creates uncertainty around fuel searches

The reported campaign relies on crowd participation rather than technical attacks against fuel companies or mapping providers, making it different from conventional cyber operations.

By changing publicly visible location data, participants attempt to influence how drivers interpret fuel availability before travelling to specific stations.

Such changes could potentially cause unnecessary journeys, increased fuel consumption, longer queues, and frustration among motorists if users encounter inaccurate information.

The activity has also drawn attention to how Russia VPN searches and related privacy tools can become part of wider online campaigns where participants attempt to bypass regional restrictions or conceal their locations.

Supporters have celebrated the effort as an example of collective online action, while independent assessments of its practical impact remain limited.

Whether altered map information can create significant disruption over time depends on how quickly platforms detect inaccurate updates and restore correct information.

The incident also shows how digital services used for routine tasks can become vulnerable to manipulation when large groups coordinate around a shared objective.

Via Alex Bond on X

Categories: Technology

I review smart rings for a living, and the Samsung Galaxy Ring 2 needs these 6 upgrades to stay relevant

TechRadar News - Sat, 07/11/2026 - 05:00

Samsung has officially confirmed that the Galaxy Ring 2 is in development. Dr. Hon Pak, Senior Vice President and Head of Samsung’s Digital Health Team, recently told Forbes that the company is “working on the next generation” of its smart ring.

Beyond confirming that a successor ring is on the way, Pak offered only a few hints about what we might expect. But the smart ring market looks different than it did when the original Galaxy Ring launched in 2024.

Competition is growing rapidly, with new smart rings appearing almost every month. While many still struggle to match the devices in our best smart rings guide, the bar has been raised considerably. The original Samsung Galaxy Ring remains our top overall pick, while the newly launched Oura Ring 5 is one of its strongest rivals.

I’ve tested many of the latest smart rings, and if Samsung wants its next ring to remain at the top, these are the upgrades I’d most like to see.

1. Resist the temptation to add a subscription

Even though interest in smart rings has surged over the past few years, I think we can still say they’re a relatively niche category. And I think one of the biggest barriers to entry is the ongoing subscription fee some brands charge.

For example, Oura requires a monthly membership of $5.99/£5.99 per month to unlock its full experience, and subscriptions — optional or otherwise — are on the up with fitness apps. Meanwhile, rivals like Ringconn have built some of their appeal around offering a similar health tracking experience without that additional fee.

Samsung certainly got this right with the original Galaxy Ring. And there are currently no signs a subscription is coming. But maintaining that approach feels increasingly important. We’ve already seen some companies introduce subscription-free products only to later place some features behind a paywall.

If Samsung wants to keep the Galaxy Ring truly competitive, it must make core health insights available without a monthly fee.

2. A slimmer and lighter design

(Image credit: Future)

Designing a smart ring has always been a challenge. Manufacturers need to pack in sensors, batteries and processing power all while making the ring feel as comfortable and jewellery-like as possible.

That’s one reason the new Oura Ring 5 has generated so much attention. It’s managed to become smaller and lighter while still adding some new capabilities.

Now, the Galaxy Ring 2 doesn’t necessarily need to be the smallest ring on the market. But even a slight reduction in size and weight would demonstrate that Samsung understands just how important comfort is when you’re asking people to wear something 24 hours a day.

3. Better battery life

Battery life is such an important part of the smart ring experience. The more I take off a ring, the less likely wearing it everyday will become a habit. And the more likely I become to forget about it. It also makes monitoring for trends and average vitals more tricky and less accurate.

As I write this, I’m testing the RingConn Gen 3, which promises significantly longer battery life than many of its rivals at 12 days on average. Other manufacturers are also exploring new battery technologies and the Samsung Galaxy Ring 2 is rumored to be getting a powerful solid-state battery upgrade

The original Galaxy Ring already offers a good battery life, but expectations are rising fast. And again, Samsung doesn’t necessary need to beat every rival. But if competing rings continue pushing to longer runtimes, the Ring 2 will need to remain competitive.

4. iOS support

(Image credit: Apple/US Patent and Trademark Office)

I think we can safely say this one feels less like something I’d like to see in the next generation of Samsung Galaxy Ring and more like something that must be a necessity.

The Samsung Galaxy Ring was only for Android users. Now, reports already suggest Samsung is working towards iPhone compatibility. If that’s true it could dramatically increase the Galaxy Ring’s appeal.

Because at the moment, limiting the ring to Samsung’s ecosystem excludes loads of potential buyers. Sure, Samsung users will continue to benefit from deeper integrated and additional features. But core functionality across both Android and iOS feels like a necessity.

However, we know Apple's already filed a patent for ring technology — see the above diagram — so even if it never comes to fruition, it's certainly a form factor Apple is mulling over.

5. Add a compelling new health feature

Most smart rings track the same core metrics, like sleep, heart rate, activity, stress and recovery. That means Samsung may need to offer something genuinely distinctive to stand out.

I say that because I’ve been testing the RingConn Gen 3 over the past few weeks, which adds features like vascular health insights and sleep apnea monitoring. Now, whether those features prove valuable to most users over the long term remains to be seen. But, they give the ring a clear point of differentiation.

I don’t think Samsung needs to copy those exact features. But offering something beyond the standard collection of health metrics could help the Galaxy Ring 2 feel like a meaningful upgrade over the original and a solid choice in a sea of similar offerings.

6. AI that isn’t annoying

I’m generally sceptical about AI chatbots in wearables because most implementations I’ve tested simply repeat the same information that’s visible in the app or provide really generic recommendations.

That said, some of Pak’s comments to Forbes do suggest Samsung is thinking beyond a basic execution of AI. Explaining that people have different motivational styles, so the approach needs to be tailored accordingly: “Over the next two to three years, the AI will be able to say, based on this person's characteristics, I'm going to nudge them this way, and 70 or 80 per cent of the time I can predict that person is going to exercise more or sleep more.”

I’m still cautious, especially as Samsung has already added some AI features to Samsung Health. But many wearable brands underestimate how much language matters when it comes to behavior change. The best implementation isn’t just telling users to sleep more, it might identify useful patterns, changes or spot warning signs and deliver advice in a way that’s genuinely personalized.

If Samsung can achieve that, AI could become one of the Galaxy Ring 2’s most compelling features rather than another box-ticking exercise.

There’s a good chance we’ll learn more at Samsung’s next Galaxy Unpacked event, which is scheduled to take place in London on July 22, 2026.

Categories: Technology

Has the AI novelty worn off? Heavy daily usage has plummeted 31% in the past year, according to new survey

TechRadar News - Sat, 07/11/2026 - 04:00

It's hard to get away from AI these days, with the technology finding its way into our apps, devices, and entertainment — but according to a survey carried out by TechRadar's parent company Future, heavy use of chatbots such as Gemini and ChatGPT has actually fallen over the past year.

The reasons behind the shift are interesting too: users are mentioning concerns over privacy, a preference for human interaction, and worries about becoming too dependent on the tech when it comes to why they're avoiding AI.

While AI is clearly reshaping our world in significant and myriad ways, there's also now a noticeable trend of anti-AI sentiment that's worth paying attention to — whether it's to do with protests against data center expansion or worries about AI slop content.

These results are based on questionnaires filled out by 1,008 respondents, and they make for interesting reading — especially when you compare them to the statistics from the same Future survey conducted last year. Here's what the latest responses tell us.

Privacy worries

There are many reasons why people aren't so sure of AI at the moment. Topping the list for our respondents are concerns over privacy, which were cited by 32% of those who completed our survey — that's actually unchanged from last year, so no matter which chatbot is being used, many of us are wary about what it's doing with our data.

Second in the list, mentioned by 31% of survey participants, is a preference for human interaction (this is a new response option, so we don't have anything to compare it to from last year). While AI is certainly now more than capable of holding a conversation on just about any topic imaginable, it seems we're still seeking out flesh-and-blood relationships.

In third place we've got those who are happy without AI, which accounts for 29% of people surveyed — that's actually a drop of 18% over the previous survey, perhaps a sign that a significant chunk of people have realized they are happy chatting to AI on a daily basis (it's certainly getting more ubiquitous by the day).

There are plenty of people holding out on AI apps like ChatGPT (Image credit: Getty Images / NurPhoto)

Next on the list are fears around becoming too dependent on the tech, and concerns over AI misrepresenting a 'voice' or personality (in emails, for example), which account for 26% and 24% of respondents respectively. It seems a lot of us are worried we'll get to the stage where we can't do without AI for even basic tasks — not good when there's an outage — and that our communications will turn into generic, bland AI averageness.

Neither of those two responses were available last year, but the next two came in at exactly the same level as in the previous survey: a lack of awareness of AI's capabilities (19% of respondents) and a lack of interest in what AI could do (17% of respondents). It seems the AI hype hasn't quite reached everyone yet.

Rounding out our respondents' list of barriers to AI usage, we've got technical complexity (15%, down 24%), skepticism over whether AI can be helpful (14%, down 21%), environmental and energy impact concerns (11%, a new category), and being philosophically opposed to AI as a concept 10%, down 24%).

Regular AI usage

When answering the question of how often chatbots like Gemini or ChatGPT are used, 17% of those quizzed said "daily or almost daily", while 14% said several times a day. That's nearly 1 in 3 people using generative AI at least once a day or so, though that's actually fewer people than last year — could the novelty of the tech be wearing off?

The 14% figure for the most enthusiastic users has actually dropped by 31% over the course of the past 12 months, so while usage is exploding in areas such as coding, it seems as though the overall trend is in the opposite direction (perhaps influenced by the increasing amount of AI stuffed into our apps).

As for the less frequent users, 21% of respondents said they were using AI chatbots once a week or a few times a week, 11% ranked their usage as being a few times each month, and 8% said they used generative AI less than once a month — apparently dipping in and out for occasional chats.

AI chatbots like Claude have faced questions over security and privacy (Image credit: Anthropic)

When it comes to complete refuseniks, 30% of the survey participants said they don't use AI chatbots at all, which is a hefty 24% jump from last year. That suggests more and more people are taking against the very idea of AI, or finding it completely useless for day-to-day life and work.

There is a divide in the respondents worth mentioning between those who read Future publications and those who don't: more than 42% of Future readers use generative AI on a daily basis, with 21% using it multiple times a day, which overall is around double the figure for non-readers.

So that's the state of play for consumers and AI at the moment then, according to the people we surveyed. With generative AI advancements showing no signs of slowing down, it's going to be very interesting to see how these figures might have changed again in another 12 months.

Categories: Technology

The Westies creators confirm that 'no AI' was used to create 1980s New York in new MGM+ mob crime drama — 'it was a completely analogue process'

TechRadar News - Sat, 07/11/2026 - 04:00

If you're going to invest in a crime drama this summer, make it The Westies on MGM+. With its two-episode premiere dropping on the streamer this weekend, the new TV show is set to follow the real-life Irish-American crime family of the same name.

Basically, it's the perfect warm-up act for MobLand season 2 and The Gentleman season 2, which are both set to return in September. Led by J.K. Simmons as patriarch Eamonn Sweeney, expect fist fights, a cat-and-mouse chase with the FBI, and an ongoing standoff with the Italian-American mob.

While their story has never been adapted for film or TV, the Westies ran the streets of Hell's Kitchen for decades from the 1960s. When we meet them in the new crime drama, it's the peak of the 1980s, and their reputation is well-known.

This means that we're transported back to how the Big Apple looked some 40 years ago, and no matter what you think of the storyline, the setting is jaw-dropping. But according to the show's creators, no AI was used in the process of getting there.

'The look is absolutely authentic to the time period'

"It was analogue... we built the set," Chris Brancato tells me. "We didn't use AI. What we did was build a street in Toronto that replicated 1980s New York, that Hell's Kitchen street. It had blue screens where we could project a VFX background.

"The way we created that look was absolutely authentic to the time period... we achieved that because we built it," Michael Panes adds. "So we never left our stage space very much. We shot interior scenes in the interior set, then we'd walk outside and shoot on our New York Street. It was an attempt to put you, the viewer, in this time capsule environment that brought you back to the 1980s."

As far as I'm concerned, the effort has easily paid off. In the opening moments of episode 1, our core group figures out how to best exploit the Jacob Javits Convention Center construction, which is beginning to be built as the season kicks off.

While there, we get a breathtaking view of the Manhattan skyline that completely sets the tone for the artistry that we're about to see next. If anything, I think that the set is actually the strongest character of the bunch.

But even so, do mob stories like The Westies still pack a punch like they did in The Sopranos days?

"It seems to me that it shows like MobLand and others are very, very popular," Brancato responds. "So we think that the genre is alive and kicking. We hope that our show is going to enter the pantheon of the gangster shows that already exist... but I don't think an audience ever loses interest in watching criminals go after each other."

Categories: Technology

This Dreame X50 Ultra Prime Day deal drops a powerful premium robot vacuum to its lowest price yet, making it a compelling autonomous floor cleaner

TechRadar News - Fri, 07/10/2026 - 19:56

Amazon's Prime Day sale has delivered another very tempting robot vacuum deal, with the Dreame X50 Ultra dropping to just AU$1,479. That's a huge discount from its AU$2,999 launch price last year, and well below the usual AU$2,000 price we've seen it discounted to in recent months.

It isn't a budget buy, even at AU$1,479, but this is the lowest price we've seen for this robovac so far and, given it scored an impressive 4.5 stars in our Dreame X50 Ultra Complete review, we think it's worth considering at this price.

This is the Prime Day robot vacuum deal to check out if you want a premium cleaner that can handle vacuuming, mopping and most of its own maintenance. In our Dreame X50 Ultra Complete review, our reviewer praised its edge cleaning, smart design and hands-off dock.View Deal

Want a cheaper option? Take a look at the Dreame X40 Ultra for just AU$749 — another all time low price.

Or, take a look at our coverage of all the Prime Day Dreame deals available.

This isn't just another robot vacuum with a mop attached to the rear. The Dreame X50 Ultra is built to be a proper hands-off floor cleaner, with a self-emptying, self-refilling and self-cleaning dock, 20,000Pa suction, extendable mop pads and a side brush designed to reach into edges and corners.

In our review, the Dreame X50 Ultra was described as setting "a new standard" for the best robot vacuums, with the reviewer praising its cleaning results and low-maintenance design.

The model reviewed was the Complete version, which means it comes with an accessory bundle, but the core robovac and dock is the same X50 Ultra you'll find in this Amazon Prime Day deal.

(Image credit: Future)

The X50 has a lot of clever features that make it more capable than previous models. Its navigation puck can retract so the robovac can clean under lower furniture, while its small threshold-hopping legs help it clear raised room dividers and other tricky transitions around the home.

Our review also highlights its mopping and vacuuming performance — especially its ability to make use of its extending side brush and mop pads.

(Image credit: Future)

However, our reviewer found the X50 Ultra's object avoidance wasn't always as reliable as expected, and its pet-waste detection needed the right settings to work properly in testing. Despits these shortcomings, it still scored very well in our tests, which is saying something.

If you've been waiting for Dreame's top model to fall to a more tempting price, Prime Day has delivered exactly that.

More Amazon Prime Day deals in AustraliaYou might also like...
Categories: Technology

Castlelion sells affordable hypersonic Mach 5 missiles for the price of a supercar by tapping into the O&G and audio industries to get cheaper components faster

TechRadar News - Fri, 07/10/2026 - 19:05
  • Navy orders first 50 Blackbeard hypersonic missiles for $23.4 million total
  • Each Blackbeard missile reportedly costs under $300,000 once full production begins
  • Castelion has received three separate Navy funding rounds since February 2026

A California defense startup is now selling hypersonic missiles priced like a luxury vehicle rather than a mansion, marking a shift in weapons pricing.

Castelion's Blackbeard missile travels in excess of Mach 5 and reportedly costs under $300,000 per completed round, a fraction of typical hypersonic pricing.

The pricing became real on June 16 2026, when the US Navy ordered the first 50 production rounds for $23.4 million.

The Navy's first real purchase

The order also covers 50 shipping and storage containers, running primarily through Castelion's sprawling New Mexico factory campus.

It is the third Navy payment in five months, following $50 million in February to push Blackbeard from prototype toward operational use.

In April 2026, the Navy committed a further $105 million specifically to integrate Blackbeard onto the F/A-18 and to run the carrier-suitability testing required before any missile can operate safely from a carrier deck.

According to Bryon Hargis, CEO and co-founder of Castelion, the funding reflects the Navy's commitment to "advancing affordable, manufacturable long-range strike capability."

Castelion was founded by former SpaceX engineers and has already completed more than two dozen flight tests within three years.

One of those flight tests took place at the Army's Dugway Proving Ground in Utah during the latter part of 2025.

Castelion has also partnered with uncrewed-boat maker Saronic to demonstrate launching Blackbeard missiles from a robotic surface vessel at sea.

If testing continues to succeed, the eventual plan is to purchase Blackbeard missiles by the thousand rather than by the dozen.

In May 2026, the company signed a framework agreement with the Department of War covering multi-year production of roughly 500 weapons annually.

Cheaper parts from unrelated industries

The affordability behind Blackbeard rests heavily on components borrowed from several industries far removed from traditional aerospace manufacturing methods and vendors.

Chief Operating Officer Sean Pitt said the company uses automotive-grade Field-Programmable Gate Arrays originally built for driver assistance systems and electric vehicles.

These automotive processors cost roughly one-tenth as much as aerospace equivalents and arrive about six times faster, Pitt said.

Castelion has also replaced aerospace-grade metal tubing with precision-machined tubes originally designed for fracking operations in the oil and gas sector.

These tubes withstand heat and pressure levels comparable to rocket motor requirements, yet come from many more vendors at lower prices.

Rival startup Anduril has adopted a similar approach, using pharmaceutical-industry mixing technology to process rocket motor propellant far faster than legacy methods.

Castelion, recently valued at nearly $3 billion, has secured Pentagon contracts covering more than 500 hypersonic weapons under current agreements.

Via Defense News

Categories: Technology

Autonomous AI Russian 'Molniya' drone could be using the Nvidia Jetson Orin platform by exploiting a common COTS loophole

TechRadar News - Fri, 07/10/2026 - 18:20
  • A Molniya drone struck without any visible control antenna at all
  • Only a camera and computer were found inside the recovered drone
  • Ukraine believes navigation and targeting may now run without humans

A Russian Molniya drone recently struck a Ukrainian facility without a visible control antenna, and the strike appeared unusual to observers tracking the weapon's design.

The recovered drone carried only a camera and an onboard computer, a stripped configuration that suggests a move toward greater autonomy in strike sequences.

Radio technology specialist Serhii "Flash" Beskrestnov, an adviser to Ukraine's defence minister, said the finding points toward navigation and targeting functions operating without a human operator.

A familiar pattern from the V2U platform

The same onboard setup had previously appeared only on the V2U drone, a separate Russian platform used earlier in the conflict.

"The enemy is using the V2U platform to train its neural network," Beskrestnov wrote, adding that the repeated hardware marked a troubling development.

"The UAV had only a camera and a computer. This is where everything is heading. Navigation, target acquisition and the attack will become fully autonomous."

Ukraine's Defence Intelligence, through its War&Sanctions portal, already classifies the V2U as an AI-enabled loitering munition, though independent confirmation remains absent from other sources.

This overlap raises fresh questions about whether commercial processors, originally built for civilian robotics, are being repurposed for battlefield autonomy across programmes.

There are speculations that Russia's drone programme is drawing on Nvidia's Jetson Orin platform, a processor widely used in hobbyist and commercial drone projects for onboard image recognition.

That kind of chip could plausibly allow a drone to identify and track targets without needing constant external human guidance.

However, no independent laboratory analysis has publicly confirmed the specific chip inside the recovered Molniya drone.

That gap leaves the true source of the hardware unclear, and points to a wider question of how such components may be reaching Russian manufacturers at all.

COTS components complicate export controls

Russian reliance on commercial off-the-shelf, or COTS, hardware appears to expose a persistent gap in international sanctions enforcement efforts worldwide.

Such components are typically manufactured for civilian markets and often reach restricted buyers through intermediaries, complicating end-use verification across borders.

Once a chip like the Jetson Orin leaves its original supply chain, tracing its final destination becomes difficult for export control agencies to manage in practice.

Manufacturers rarely sell directly to sanctioned states, so a single chip can pass through several resellers before reaching its final buyer.

Each additional link in that chain makes it harder for regulators to know exactly where a processor ends up.

This loophole means sanctioned states can potentially acquire advanced processors meant for hobbyist or commercial use, then repurpose them for weapons development.

A chip designed for a drone hobbyist's camera rig can, in principle, end up guiding a loitering munition instead.

Closing that gap would likely require tighter monitoring of resellers and distributors rather than restrictions on the manufacturers themselves.

Export control regimes were largely built around large, traceable defence contracts rather than small consumer electronics shipments.

That mismatch leaves regulators several steps behind when commercial parts are diverted toward military applications.

Until distributors face stricter tracking requirements, similar hardware may keep surfacing in future weapons regardless of existing sanctions.

Via Ukrainska Pravda

Categories: Technology

Quordle hints and answers for Saturday, July 11 (game #1629)

TechRadar News - Fri, 07/10/2026 - 18:00
Looking for a different day?

A new Quordle puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Friday's puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Friday, July 10 (game #1628).

Quordle was one of the original Wordle alternatives and is still going strong now more than 1,500 games later. It offers a genuine challenge, though, so read on if you need some Quordle hints today — or scroll down further for the answers.

Enjoy playing word games? You can also check out my NYT Connections today and NYT Strands today pages for hints and answers for those puzzles, while Marc's Wordle today column covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about Quordle today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

Quordle today (game #1629) — hint #1 — VowelsHow many different vowels are in Quordle today?

The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 3*.

* Note that by vowel we mean the five standard vowels (A, E, I, O, U), not Y (which is sometimes counted as a vowel too).

Quordle today (game #1629) — hint #2 — repeated lettersDo any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?

The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 1.

Quordle today (game #1629) — hint #3 — uncommon lettersDo the letters Q, Z, X or J appear in Quordle today?

• No. None of Q, Z, X or J appear among today's Quordle answers.

Quordle today (game #1629) — hint #4 — starting letters (1)Do any of today's Quordle puzzles start with the same letter?

The number of today's Quordle answers starting with the same letter is 2.

If you just want to know the answers at this stage, simply scroll down. If you're not ready yet then here's one more clue to make things a lot easier:

Quordle today (game #1629) — hint #5 — starting letters (2)What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• W

• P

• D

• D

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

Quordle today (game #1629) — the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1629, are…

  • WORTH
  • PRONG
  • DINGO
  • DRUID

One of my favorite things about playing Quordle is when you visualize a word before typing it and just know it’s right.

Of course, quite often that feeling can end abruptly, but sometimes, like today for me you get it four times.

Daily Sequence today (game #1629) — the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1629, are…

  • MERIT
  • OAKEN
  • GAILY
  • GLEAM
Quordle answers: The past 20
  • Quordle #1628, Friday, 10 July: GREET, STEAK, DUSKY, HAUTE
  • Quordle #1627, Thursday, 9 July: CRUMP, PHONE, SHINY, STONY
  • Quordle #1626, Wednesday, 8 July: GHOST, TREND, EXALT, ALONG
  • Quordle #1625, Tuesday, 7 July: ARRAY, SUITE, KIOSK, BOULE
  • Quordle #1624, Monday, 6 July: TRAWL, SPICE, PIANO, SHARK
  • Quordle #1623, Sunday, 5 July: PINEY, SWOON, TITLE, PINTO
  • Quordle #1622, Saturday, 4 July: ARGUE, MOTEL, OPERA, TRUCE
  • Quordle #1621, Friday, 3 July: AVERT, MOTOR, MANIC, WORDY
  • Quordle #1620, Thursday, 2 July: BULKY, PARSE, BELOW, MOVIE
  • Quordle #1619, Wednesday, 1 July: EASEL, OTTER, LYRIC, SHACK
  • Quordle #1618, Tuesday, 30 June: HALVE, DRYER, THERE, MINTY
  • Quordle #1617, Monday, 29 June: SLURP, CRACK, CRANK, PHONY
  • Quordle #1616, Sunday, 28 June: RUPEE, TOPAZ, FULLY, BEING
  • Quordle #1615, Saturday, 27 June: PRINT, MARRY, SADLY, BICEP
  • Quordle #1614, Friday, 26 June: JUICE, ARRAY, BONEY, SKIFF
  • Quordle #1613, Thursday, 25 June: SHELF, TAWNY, HYPER, SOLVE
  • Quordle #1612, Wednesday, 24 June: SOBER, ECLAT, GOOSE, NINNY
  • Quordle #1611, Tuesday, 23 June: ARDOR, DADDY, SERVE, SHEAR
  • Quordle #1610, Monday, 22 June: WAXEN, APNEA, CHIME, WAVER
  • Quordle #1609, Sunday, 21 June: ABBOT, NOTCH, DREAD, LURID
Categories: Technology

NYT Strands hints and answers for Saturday, July 11 (game #860)

TechRadar News - Fri, 07/10/2026 - 18:00
Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Strands puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Friday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Friday, July 10 (game #859).

Strands is the NYT's latest word game after the likes of Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections – and it's great fun. It can be difficult, though, so read on for my Strands hints.

Want more word-based fun? Then check out my NYT Connections today and Quordle today pages for hints and answers for those games, and Marc's Wordle today page for the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Strands today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Strands today (game #860) - hint #1 - today's themeWhat is the theme of today's NYT Strands?

Today's NYT Strands theme is… Fishy fare

NYT Strands today (game #860) - hint #2 - clue words

Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.

  • PROSE
  • DATE
  • POEM
  • SALE
  • CANE
  • TAUNT
NYT Strands today (game #860) - hint #3 - spangram lettersHow many letters are in today's spangram?

Spangram has 9 letters

NYT Strands today (game #860) - hint #4 - spangram positionWhat are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First side: left, 5th row

Last side: right, 5th row

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Strands today (game #860) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #860, are…

  • CHEESE
  • SOUP
  • MILK
  • TUNA
  • PEPPER
  • SALT
  • NOODLES
  • SPANGRAM: CASSEROLE
  • My rating: Easy
  • My score: Perfect

I have never sampled the delights of a tuna casserole, so I went on a Google search after completing today’s game and found dozens of variations to the Strands recipe including the addition of lime, swapping the noodles for macaroni, and adding a potato chips topping.

It seems easy to make so I’m going to give it a go — but without the MILK.

Meanwhile, despite my culinary blank, I managed to navigate the board without any issues. A tasty start to the weekend.

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Friday, July 10, game #859)
  • BELIEVE
  • HISTORY
  • HASTE
  • GOOD
  • MERRY
  • LOVE
  • SENSE
  • SPANGRAM: WECANMAKEIT
What is NYT Strands?

Strands is the NYT's not-so-new-any-more word game, following Wordle and Connections. It's now a fully fledged member of the NYT's games stable that has been running for a year and which can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

I've got a full guide to how to play NYT Strands, complete with tips for solving it, so check that out if you're struggling to beat it each day.

Categories: Technology

NYT Connections hints and answers for Saturday, July 11 (game #1126)

TechRadar News - Fri, 07/10/2026 - 18:00
Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Connections puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Friday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Friday, July 10 (game #1125).

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #1126) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

  • STILL
  • STILTS
  • SLINKY
  • AARDVARK
  • WOODY
  • GLASSY
  • CANNON
  • BOCCE
  • EBBING
  • BO PEEP
  • FLAT
  • UNICYCLE
  • CALM
  • JESSIE
  • TRAPEZE
  • TWIDDLE
NYT Connections today (game #1126) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

  • YELLOW: As seen in a Big Top
  • GREEN: Glacial waters
  • BLUE: Pixar favorites
  • PURPLE: Ordered ABCD

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #1126) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

  • YELLOW: CIRCUS EQUIPMENT
  • GREEN: UNDISTURBED, AS WATER
  • BLUE: "TOY STORY" CHARACTERS
  • PURPLE: DOUBLE LETTERS APPEARING IN THAT LETTER'S ALPHABETICAL
  • POSITION

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #1126) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #1126, are…

  • YELLOW: CIRCUS EQUIPMENT: CANNON, STILTS, TRAPEZE, UNICYCLE
  • GREEN: UNDISTURBED, AS WATER: CALM, FLAT, GLASSY, STILL
  • BLUE: "TOY STORY" CHARACTERS: BO PEEP, JESSIE, SLINKY, WOODY
  • PURPLE: DOUBLE LETTERS APPEARING IN THAT LETTER'S ALPHABETICAL:
  • POSITION AARDVARK, BOCCE, EBBING, TWIDDLE
  • My rating: Easy
  • My score: Perfect

Congratulations if you spotted the DOUBLE LETTERS APPEARING IN THAT LETTER'S ALPHABETICAL POSITION.

I did momentarily think the double-A in AARDVARK was significant, but the other groups came together so easily I put it to one side.

A sign of an easy, universally gettable game is not just how quickly you complete the four groups, but also how common it is that you complete it in difficulty order.

That was the case for me today, although with the exception of the purple any of the groups would qualify as a yellow on other day. My brain is struggling to think of anything other than England vs Norway in the World Cup, so I’m grateful for the time off.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Friday, July 10, 2026, game #1125)
  • YELLOW: SMARTPHONE SETTINGS: AIRPLANE MODE, DO NOT DISTURB, HOTSPOT, LOCATION SERVICES
  • GREEN: DESSERT MENU DESCRIPTORS: DECADENT, FRESH-BAKED, MOLTEN, À LA MODE
  • BLUE: '8OS SYNTH-POP BANDS: DEPECHE MODE, ERASURE, NEW ORDER, PET SHOP BOYS
  • PURPLE: STARTING WITH BASEBALL CALLS: BALL GOWN, OUTKAST, SAFE MODE, STRIKE A POSE
What is NYT Connections?

NYT Connections is one of several increasingly popular word games made by the New York Times. It challenges you to find groups of four items that share something in common, and each group has a different difficulty level: green is easy, yellow a little harder, blue often quite tough and purple usually very difficult.

On the plus side, you don't technically need to solve the final one, as you'll be able to answer that one by a process of elimination. What's more, you can make up to four mistakes, which gives you a little bit of breathing room.

It's a little more involved than something like Wordle, however, and there are plenty of opportunities for the game to trip you up with tricks. For instance, watch out for homophones and other word games that could disguise the answers.

It's playable for free via the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

Categories: Technology

When the Nintendo Switch 2 hits AU$769.95 in September, you'll wish you'd read this article that told you to buy it now for AU$624

TechRadar News - Fri, 07/10/2026 - 17:56

Nintendo announced in May that it plans to increase the Australian price of its Switch 2 console as a “response to various market conditions” — by which it means the industry-wide higher component costs caused by AI-driven shortages. That harsh reality means that, come September 1, the console's RRP is set to increase by AU$70, from AU$699.95 to AU$769.95.

Which is why this Amazon Prime Day deal on the Nintendo Switch 2 for AU$624 is a discount that's going to be hard to pass up for many gamers, especially since it's the cheapest it's ever been (it was AU$629 in June on Amazon).

At a time when the Nintendo Switch 2's library is coming into its own with exclusive games like Pokémon Pokopia, Star Fox, Donkey Kong Bonanza and more, there has never been a better time to get your hands on the console before it's too late.

Don’t be fooled by the 11% discount figure — after the incoming increase that starts September 1, this price will be roughly 23% cheaper, and we suspect this could be as good as pre-price hike deals get. If you’re upgrading from the original Switch, the Switch 2 is also backward compatible, so you can still play your existing library of games on the more powerful console.View Deal

Our Nintendo Switch 2 review gave the console 4.5 stars for being a massive upgrade over its predecessor. The headline improvements are are support for 4K and 1440p resolutions (vs up to 1080p), a 120Hz refresh rate (up from 60Hz) and overall performance improvements with an Nvidia Tegra T239 processor, 12GB of RAM (vs 4GB) and starting storage of 256GB.

The main criticism in the review was around the relatively sparse exclusive game library at the time, but the landscape has since changed with the games I mentioned above. In fact, there's more where that came from — a handful more exclusives like The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake and Kingdom Hearts IV are set to come out this year, and there's even a port of Minecraft in the pipeline, too.

It's also worth noting that the Nintendo Switch 2's battery has fallen short of the brand's estimated 2-6.5 hours, with our tests finding it running between 2-5 hours, and that GameChat still doesn't compare to voice comms in PlayStation or Xbox.

Otherwise, these shortcomings shouldn't detract much from how much better the Nintendo Switch 2 is over its predecessor. The console is still the best way to experience Nintendo's best game offerings, and this discount makes it an even more compelling buy.

Categories: Technology

Don't miss these 140+ best Prime Day deals in Australia on day 5, handpicked by tech experts — up to 76% off headphones, vacuums, air fryers and more

TechRadar News - Fri, 07/10/2026 - 17:46

The weekend is a great time to shop from the comfort of your own home. And while you can trawl through the thousands of Prime Day deals on the Amazon app or on a browser window, my team and I are working nearly round the clock to sift through them all and cherry-pick just the best ones for you.

Shop Amazon's full Prime Day sale

We're, of course, interested in only the best Prime Day tech deals, and what a sale it's been so far. All-time low prices on the likes of the Apple AirPods Pr 3 for AU$299 or the massive 73% discount on the Dreame X40 robovac just make my case. That's not all: there are plenty of deals under AU$100 that we've handpicked to make your shopping easy. Another highlight is the Philips Baristina discount of 30% off, a coffee machine that we think is one of the best launched this year.

For more dedicated coverage, check out the best Prime Day deals on Apple products, or the best Garmin Prime Day deals. You can also take a look at our picks of the best Prime Day vacuum deals or the best Prime Day headphone deals, while our list of the best Prime Day coffee machine deals will have you salivating.

We are now heading into the final stretch of Prime Day 2026, with the sale ending at 11:59pm AEST on Monday, July 13. You'll still need to be a Prime member to shop as there are additional exclusive savings via coupons in many cases that only a subscriber can see. You can sign up now and get a 30-day free trial that you can cancel any time.

Amazon quick linksToday's best deals

Already quite affordable, this Blink video doorbell can rival anything from the more expensive Ring line, while also offering a long battery life and IP65 weatherproofing. Also included is the Sync Module that you'll need to make everything work, but you will need to take into account that it requires a Blink Subscription Plan if you want all its functions at your fingertips.View Deal

I've tried a fair few smart home devices in my time but not the Meross smart plugs. Still, something has got to be said about the 4.6-star rating on Amazon with some very happy customers saying it's a great product. Smart plugs are a great way to turn any gadget at home into a smart one, including lamps and kettles. Where the Meross stands out from other affordable offerings is by also featuring an energy monitor — a great way to keep tabs on your usage and save money on power bills.View Deal

This ergonomic vertical mouse is perfect for small hands and it encourages better posture, thus reducing aches along the wrist, shoulder and shoulder blade. I use it myself (I have the white colourway) and can't recommend it highly enough, even at full price. View Deal

While the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus is slightly cheaper at AU$56 (see below in the next section), I think for a touch more money, this is the better buy as there are no compromises at this price point. You get the most powerful Fire TV Stick to vamp up your old telly, with fast performance thanks to the best processor in any of Amazon's streaming devices.View Deal

Securing a spot on our list of the best air fryers, our reviewer said this innovative model from Ninja was the "air fryer of my dreams". It takes a familiar double drawer design, but stacks them on top of each other, resulting in a smaller footprint. Performance is exemplary, but just make sure the food you put in isn't that big, as the drawers themselves are on the smaller side at 4.75L each.View Deal

The 2024 Paperwhite remains one of the best Kindles you can get. Its E Ink Carta 1300 screen is fantastic, page turns are quick and we gave it 4 stars in our review. My only complaint with it is that a significant chunk of its 16GB storage is taken up by the OS, which isn't really a deal breaker.View Deal

These Sony cans might now be two generations old, but damn are they still glorious. And at this price, they absolutely the best Prime Day headphone bargain in my humble opinion. Beautiful sound, good ANC and very comfy too.View Deal

This is the biggest discount currently on Apple's latest noise-cancelling buds. So if you've been keen to upgrade from an older pair of AirPods 2 or 3, they are worth a look. If you're a Pro 2 user, though, it's not worth the upgrade. Check out our review for the full story, but the new features include heart-rate monitoring and even better ANC than before.View Deal

We called it "the best Apple Watch for most people" in our Apple Watch SE 3 review, applauding its speedy performance and classically-modern looks. Sitting comfortably within our guide to the best Apple Watch, it matches the Series 11 and Ultra 3 in speed, has a solid battery life and compact design without feeling like a budget offering.View Deal

Best deals under AU$100

We may not have tested these buds ourselves here at TechRadar, but it’s hard to ignore the 100K customer reviews on Amazon. While often discounted to this price, if you’re after dependable Bluetooth buds on a budget, these are a great option.View Deal

This entry-level doorbell has a two-year battery life, meaning you won't have to worry about hardwiring if you're renting. It also has a 150° head-to-toe view, can automatically send you parcel and person alerts, and help keep your worries at bay with continuous live view. It's also remarkably affordable right now but something has to be said for 2K footage, which the slightly more expensive Blink listed above gets you.View Deal

Read our review for the full scoop, but the Blink Outdoor 4 is an affordable home security camera from Amazon with the ability to last up to two years off batteries. It comes with an easy-to-use app and fairly good camera quality via a 1080p lens, and can store video when paired with a Blink Sync module.View Deal

Boasting a 12,000dpi 'Hero' sensor, as well as 6 programmable buttons, a 250-hour battery and onboard memory for your settings, the Logitech G305 Lightspeed Wireless Gaming Mouse is ideal for competitive play. Want to know more? Check out our review. View Deal

If you don't enjoy flossing the traditional way, use the power of water instead. Removing plaque using three different water pressure settings, this handy flosser will clean out those hard-to-reach gaps that your toothbrush can't. Plus, it's cordless, meaning you can take it on your travels too.View Deal

Sure, it's a wired controller, but this gamepad is simple to use and durable, with drift-free hall effect analog sticks. In fact, the base of the sticks also have RGB, which is fantastic at this price. Being wired, however, means this isn't ideal for couch play, but if you're a PC gamer at your desk, it'll do wonderfully well.View Deal

If you're after a really good electric toothbrush that won't cost an arm and a leg (or some teeth), then this is it. It's an entry-level oscillating brush, which means it rotates at fast speeds and may not be ideal for people with sensitive or bleeding gums as that movement can be harsh, but it sure does remove a heck of a lot of plaque and keeps your teeth healthy. View Deal

This is just the previous Fire TV Stick 4K rebranded to a new name. So if you already have the original, there's no need to upgrade, but for a first-time customer, you get Wi-Fi 6 support and a fast processor so you can get to your favourite streaming content that much quicker. All Fire TV Sticks now get you access to XBox Game Pass, so you don't need a console to play if you already have a subscription.View Deal

Amazon's Echo Dot it's a great smart speaker with decent sound and Alexa built-in. It also has motion detection and can measure temperature, which is handy if you have a connected thermostat. It is a little long in the tooth now, having released in 2022, but it's unbeatable at this price.View Deal

The Lavazza Jolie machines are excellent and affordable alternatives to Nespresso. This Evo model just has a single button for extracting coffee (compared to the Jolie Plus that has programmable buttons), making it oh so simple to use. If you'd like the option to froth milk, you can get a bundle with a frother too. View Deal

This portable espresso machine is a fantastic option for those constantly on the move. It uses Nespresso pods and made such good coffee that it earned a 4-star review from us. And while already affordable for what it can do, it's now cheaper still and, honestly, a very tempting impulse buy.View Deal

These affordable earbuds with ANC are brimming with features, including a range of ANC modes, EQ presets and other audio adjustments. They sound good (but you'll want to tweak it from the default) and they'll last up to 7.5 hours with ANC on before they need a recharge. Check out our Earfun Air Pro 4 review for more info and take advantage of this offer. View Deal

The Ninja Creami is great and all, but paying almost AU$300 for an ice cream maker is a lot — but this one from Cuisinart costs only AU$86.99 for Prime Day and also takes a lot less space too! It's a versatile machine that makes ice cream, slushies, milkshakes, sorbets, and mix-ins to truly earn its space in the kitchen. You can even combine up to three flavours with three included dessert cups.View Deal

This little pod machine is very popular among TechRadar's Aussie team. We've had past and present staff say how much they love it, and they'd even buy it at full price. With a very compact footprint and plenty of Vertuo pods to choose from, you'll get delicious coffee at just the press of a button. Also available in Pacific Blue, Mango Yellow and Lilac for the same price.View Deal

This food processor's biggest drawcard is its small footprint (30cm tall and 16cm wide), making it great for those with smaller kitchens, but it also has a powerful 650W motor to help blitz foods to slice, grate, chop and knead in seconds. This is the lowest price we've seen for the MultiPro Go, and you can read the full review here.View Deal

Our 1More Sonoflow review praised the comfort of the headphones, as well as the excellent active noise cancelling and up to 70 hours of battery life. Honestly, at this price, it's excellent value for everyday listening.View Deal

Headphones & speakers

These AirPods lack active noise cancellation but you still get great audio and personalised spatial audio with dynamic head tracking without having to pay too much. Additionally, a battery life of up to five hours on a single charge and 30 hours with the included carry case will keep you listening for longer.
Prefer noise cancellation as well? Grab the AirPods 4 with ANC for AU$219 (or 27% off).View Deal

With very good sound, incredible comfort, and some of the best battery life on any earbuds with ANC, the WF-1000XM5 are a steal at this price even though this isn't the cheapest we've seen any of the colours drop to. If you want tiny buds, I think these are great.View Deal

Offering poised and revealing sound, along with excellent comfort and microphone quality, this saving is one to consider if you've been on the hunt for a quality pair of earbuds. Though noise cancellation and battery life could use some work, we awarded these earbuds a TechRadar Recommends seal of approval in our Technics EAH-AZ80 review.View Deal

Offering “incredible sound”, the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds have all the power and quality you’d expect from a Bose-branded item while providing the benefits of an open-ear form factor. The Immersive sound is excellent, and there’s also up to seven hours of play time and up to 48 hours of standby time. They simply just work and work very well.View Deal

We gave these stunning earbuds 4.5 stars in our review as they have class-leading audio handling and impeccable sound quality that rivals the best wireless earbuds. With balanced sound, effective ANC and a great battery life, these Sennheiser buds will make any audiophile smile. View Deal

Read our review for the full lowdown on why these are the ideal runners headphones. Importantly, this Pro 2 version that improves the sound quality by combining the bone conduction tech with an air conduction speaker. This discount beats the price from Black Friday last year.View Deal

Nearly as good as the gen 1 QuietComfort Ultra, the SC misses out on the Immersive Audio mode. There'll also be a little difference in sound quality as they process sound differently, but it's still excellent, as is the ANC performance. You'll also get a soft case for this foldable headphone rather than the hard one for the more expensive set.View Deal

The 5th-gen version is out now, but it's our Sennheiser Momentum 4 review that scored a full five stars, where we called these headphones "unbeatable". With active noise-cancellation, 60-hours of battery life and excellent sound quality, there are few pairs that can compete with the Momentum 4.View Deal

The original QC Ultra was already an excellent set of ANC cans, which sadly got knocked off its perch as the best by Sony's XM6 headphones. But these 2025 Bose QC Ultras reassert the brand's true mastery of sound and noise cancellation. Offering lively, engaging sound and Immersive Audio for a spatial treatment to any tune, I think they also look rather dapper. View Deal

Arguably the best Sony flagship headphones to date, the XM6 carry on the tradition of offering a very detailed and spacious soundstage with noise cancellation that's the best the brand has offered to date. If you want the best of the best from Sony's audio catalogue, be sure to check the additional AU$60.01 coupon to save a significant amount of cash.View Deal

Admittedly this isn't a fantastic price on an older Apple product, but not listing this discounted premium headphones just doesn't feel right considering how popular they can be. Sure, Apple's in-ear buds are arguably even more popular, but the cans are also coveted and cheaper than the gen 2 model.View Deal

This Bluetooth speaker has a 30W output, supports aptX, is waterproof, and can have two units paired together for stereo. All that for around the hundred-dollar mark is excellent value in my books.View Deal

This floatable Bluetooth speaker is perfect for the poolside party, with up to 15 hours of playtime and very decent 45m connectivity range. It promises bassy, punchy and yet a clear 360º soundstage.View Deal

Clean, detailed sound, full protection against dust and water and all packaged in a gorgeous body, the Bose SoundLink Flex is a Bluetooth speaker you'll want to take with you everywhere you go.View Deal

The JBL Flip 7 outperforms its predecessor, getting a full five stars in our review. The sound is a lot punchier than before and that's without compromising details across the range. It even gets a bigger battery to last you up to 16 hours and makes a case for itself at a very good price indeed.View Deal

Not only can the Charge 6 last up to 28 hours on a single charge, but it can also be used as a power bank to top up your devices via its USB-C port. Sound quality is energetic and detailed in equal measure, and it’s built to withstand virtually anything you wish to throw at it. View Deal

Offering bold sound that doesn't distort at high volumes, an attractive design and a brilliant 24-hour battery life, the JBL Xtreme 4 Bluetooth speaker is well worth considering if you've been looking or a powerful music player.View Deal

It might be expensive compared to other Bluetooth speakers you can get, but if you want big and punchy sound, this is the party speaker you should reach for. It will even charge your handheld devices for you thanks to its two-way USB-C port. Bose wraps up excellent sound quality and an enjoyable user experience in an attractive, outdoor-friendly package.View Deal


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Vacuum cleaners

This is a very different Dreame R10 to the one we've previously reviewed on TechRadar, but if it performs anything like the light-coloured version that has since been discontinued, then I think this is excellent value. For not a lot of money, this appliance promises up to 45 minutes of runtime and a bendy wand to get under furniture. It even comes with a wall-mount attachment.View Deal

We haven't tested this cordless vacuum ourselves but user reviews are glowing and I think that says something. For quick and daily vacuuming, this is great and excellent value — although we do need to note that the price has increased from the AU$199 it was earlier in the week (it's all-time low) to this current AU$249. Despite that, we still think this one delivers great bang for buck.View Deal

Scoring almost five stars in our Shark Detect Pro Cordless vacuum cleaner review, we called this vacuum "a wonder". Versatile, powerful, offering automatic power adjustment and equally good at cleaning hard floors as it is on carpet, this is one of the best vacuums on the market, at a stellar price.View Deal

If you don't need the latest and greatest machine from the British brand, this is not a bad vacuum cleaner to get. You'll get up to 40 minutes of fade-free power, enough for a small apartment, plus three other attachments besides the Digital Motorbar for versatile cleaning. We have seen it for under AU$340, but this deal isn't too bad at half price. View Deal

Arguably one of the best prices I've seen on this older Dyson, it offers fade-free power for up to 60 minutes, and this variant comes with a Fluffy cleaning head (not the one with the light as in the V15) and the Digital Motorbar to suit homes with mixed flooring. There are three additional attachments in the box, along with a wall dock.View Deal

Dyson’s V11 Advanced handstick vacuum offers up to 60 minutes of runtime and an LCD screen where you can monitor battery life and other functions. It also has a V11 motor, which adjusts the suction power based on the floor type so you get a more precise clean. View Deal

This Roborock wet-dry vacuum will leave your hard floors sparkling clean thanks to powerful suction and effective cleaning. It can get up close to edges and the whole body can lay completely flat to help getting underneath tricky to reach places. This price is equal to the lowest we have seen on Amazon and is a great saving on an excellent floor washer – read our review for more info. Be sure to apply the $40 coupon to get the full discount.View Deal

In our Dreame L10s Ultra review, we called this handy little gadget a "a robot vacuum powerhouse" that will "do as it's told" – what more do you want from a robot vacuum? Seeing a massive discount (and one of the lowest prices we have seen on Amazon), this ultra machine automatically detects floor types, empties itself, has a useful onboard camera and an intuitive mobile app.View Deal

With 10,000Pa of suction, this might not be the best for carpets but, at this price point, it's a very good option for hard floors even in a pet-friendly home. I love the Roborock app as well, it's one of the better ones I've used, and the all-in-one dock here promises minimal human intervention.View Deal

Where this Dreame differs from all the others on this page is that if you don't want it to mop (do a vacuum-only run), it can drop its mop pads in the base station by itself. It's also pretty powerful and scored 4 stars in our Dreame X40 Ultra review. It's now two generations old but I'd still recommend it today, especially at this price. View Deal

A pretty good discount on what is a relatively new flagship model from Ecovacs. We haven't tested this version out yet, but if it works as well as the previous X8 Pro Omni did, then I think this is a good premium robovac to consider without the hefty price tag. View Deal

Want the latest Dreame tech? Released just last month, this robovac packs everything that Dreame models are good at — excellent suction, decent mopping, superb obstacle avoidance, pet-zone cleaning and so much more — into a sleek machine. OK, so it looks like all the others, but c'mon, you can't tell me the white with metallic accents don't fit into any home.View Deal

It might cost a heck of a lot more than the X40 listed above, but this is a newer model that we were very impressed by. In fact, the latest X60 doesn't necessarily improve on this one, so you know your money is being well spent here.Up to 20,000Pa of suction, excellent navigation and obstacle avoidance, as well as good threshold clearance makes this a top contender if you have the budget for it.View Deal

This is the robovac I would consider buying if I didn't already have a high-end Dreame machine that's been cleaning my home like... a dream. This Roborock is slimlined to crawl under furniture (no navigation puck here), and can raise not just its mop pads, but its side brush to avoid scattering and excessive tangling. Its headline act, however, has to be its cleaning prowess — our Roborock Saros 10R review didn't score 4.5 stars for nothing!View Deal


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Coffee machines

This compact manual coffee machine can pour up to two espresso shots at once and features a steam wand for cafe-quality milk foaming. There's no built-in grinder, but you either use ground coffee beans or invest in a separate grinder using the cash you save with this deal. View Deal

The best entry-level bean-to-cup coffee maker has received a good discount for Prime Day. It's simple to use, taking care of the grinding, tamping and pouring for you. The porta filter will even automatically slide into position for you. Do note there's no milk frothing here, but a matching milk frother is available. Also available in black. View Deal

This 3-in-1 coffee machine brews quality espresso, drip coffee and even fast cold brew using its Barista Assist technology, an integrated grinder and weight-based dosing. There's a lot it can do, and it does it very well. View Deal

This Philips bean-to-cup machine can make 12 coffee-based drinks, all of which are served perfectly, and can be customised to suit your tastes. We weren't too find of its milk frothing skills in our LatteGo 4400 Series review, but at this price, I can't recommend it highly enough. Just be sure to use the additional AU$100 coupon for the final discount at checkout.View Deal

This at-home espresso machine is perfect for hobbyist baristas and coffee connoisseurs alike and has long held a position on our round-up of the best espresso machines for good reason. This manual coffee machine streamlines the brewing process from beans to latte with its integrated conical burr grinder, steam wand and precise espresso extraction. View Deal

We rate the Vertuo Creatista as the best Nespresso machine out there thanks to its use of the Vertuo pods, which come in a range of cup and mug sizes and an integrated milk frother. It performs exceptionally well, too, and will brew your morning cuppa in no time at all.View Deal

It's an expensive machine but we like it so much that it scored 4.5 stars in our De'Longhi Eletta Explore review. Capable of making both hot and cold coffee brews, this bean-to-cup machine produces delicious results, although it's not without its quirks. Our reviewer thought its water tank design was a little annoying and wasn't too thrilled with the two-carafe milk system, but if those aren't going to be issues for you, this could be a good investment.View Deal


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Air fryers

We haven't tested any Dreame air fryers but if this kitchen appliance works as well as some of the brand's vacuum cleaners, I'm sure this will be a good investment. With a 4.5L basket, it should be enough to feed 2 people and, it shouldn't take up too much space either. There are 8 presets and it promises good cooking.View Deal

This big air fryer has multiple accessories to keep clean, but there's no denying this Sunbeam unit is a fantastic addition to any kitchen. It's capable of cooking in separate zones, complete with separate trays to maximise the space or one huge 11.4L zone. Food is roasted to perfection, whether it's a full chicken or small portions of fries or vegetables.View Deal

We haven't tested Philips' dual basket air fryer, but considering how much we've loved the brand's other kitchen appliances, it's hard to not make a mention of this offer. This 9L air fryer has drawers of different sizes, which makes it easy to cook a main and a side together, and promises to sync cooking times if needed. View Deal

This compact air fryer packs 1700W of power into a portable design, with two borosilicate glassware containers that serve as both frying baskets and serving dishes. The borosilicate means they can also withstand extreme temperatures, making it easy to take your favourite foods from frozen to crispy, and it's safer to use than any non-stick basket. The Crispi also comes with two removable crisping grates and two snap-on container lids for easy food-storage post-feast.View Deal

Sometimes the standard drawer capacities of air fryers just isn't enough, which is why it's lovely to have one that offers flexibility. This 10L air fryer can be used a single or dual basket appliance, and you can use the divider to change the capacity of the two as needed. It will take up some counter space though as it's a big machine.View Deal

Ever cooked with steam in an air fryer? Now you can with this Philips two-drawer air fryer. In my Philips 5000 Series Dual Basket XXL Air Fryer Steam review, I said that it cooks everything really well, but there are some caveats to keep in mind when it comes to the use of steam. Still, it's absolutely worth the investment if you want to upgrade from an old air fryer and you have the space for it.View Deal

This single-basket Philips airfryer is a newer version of the dual-basket listed above, and it uses a ceramic coating for the basket that's longer-lasting and better than the non-stick coating in the older model. I also love its little window and its overall design too — it's different. And this is the cheapest its been since its release to market.View Deal

I've just got me this air fryer, but I haven't started using it yet... I can't wait to cook up a storm that can potentially feed up to 10 people! Yes, its largest glass basket has a 5.7L capacity, so that's a lotta chips! There's another 2.3L borosilicate basket also in the box, so you can just cook a small portion too. And both come with lids, so you can serve in the same basket or cover and store in the fridge.View Deal


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Other home appliances

It's got a cult-like following and two members of our own staff are massive fans. If you love your chilled desserts – ice creams, gelatos, smoothies – but want to control your calorie intake, you really should consider getting the Ninja Creami. This Deluxe edition gets you three containers, which is great value at this price.View Deal

The Ninja Slushi lets you skip the ice and still enjoy perfectly smooth icy drinks with very little effort. Whether you're craving a frappe, smoothie, or even a cheeky spiked slushi, its multiple drink modes have you covered. Check out our Ninja Slushi review for the full rundown. View Deal

While we haven't tested the Vitamix Ascent 2300i for ourselves here at TechRadar, our colleagues at T3 love it, calling it a "real quality blender that will last longer than most things in your home" in their review. The only downside was the asking price. Now, though, the price has dropped considerably.View Deal

We might be in the middle of winter, but there's no denying some parts of Australia need a good fan year round. This Vornado model creates tornado-like air flow that circulates around the room. Note that this is the smallest model in the range, ideal for bedrooms. View Deal

Air quality is always a worry, even inside the home, especially if you or a family member suffers from allergies or asthma. This is an affordable and compact purifier that can circulate clean air in a small space, and it can work with voice commands from Alexa or Google Assistant (sorry, Apple fans, no HomeKit support here).View Deal


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Personal care

Whisk away facial hair in one smooth motion using Manscaped's Beard Hedger beard trimmer. With 20 length settings, edge trimming capabilities and a fully waterproof body, you'll be perfecting your stubble in no time. We have seen this trimmer go lower in price before, but we think it's such a talented performer that we felt compelled to include it here.View Deal

Fitted with a flexible head, this shaver is designed to glide against the shape of your face, while onboard sensors will allow it to adapt the cutting power to your beard's length. Speaking of which, it's got 5 length settings to suit different needs and it holds its own while in the shower too. View Deal

Now this is the Rolls-Royce of shavers. Gents, if you want the best, our Philips i9000 review found it to be impressive. It's RRP is sure on the high side, but then there's a whopping 63% off to take care of that little issue.View Deal

The Dreame Gleame hair dryer is an even more affordable alternative to the bigger brands. Its motor spins at a mighty fast 110,000 RPM for fast airflow and quick drying, plus built-in ion technology results in smooth, shiny hair. Not to mention, the slim, lightweight build make it comfortable to hold. View Deal

The Dyson Airwrap is pretty well known in the hair and beauty space, as it does literally everything you'd expect from a multi-styler. It curls, it smoothes, it shapes, and it dries — all without the risk of major heat damage to your hair.View Deal

This very significant price drop might well tempt you to get yourself what is arguably one of the best hair dryers money can buy. There are a plethora of sensors here that make sure your scalp remains healthy, automatically adjusting heat and airflow depending on how far away the dryer is from your head. You also get a bunch of magnetic attachments for a styled blow dry too.View Deal

The Oral-B iO 6 is a smart brush that can recognise your personal brushing style and provide feedback via the companion app to improve it. It also features a pressure sensor and an interactive display, as well a ring timer letting you know when to move on to a different section of your pearly whites. View Deal

If you didn't know what a 'sonic' brush is, it's quieter and gentler than an oscillating electric toothbrush (like Oral-B). The DiamondClean 9000 has 4 cleaning modes, and one of them gets you 3 intensities. This value pack gets you a his-and-hers version, plus the glass is actually the charger.View Deal


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Home entertainment & Hi-Fi

The Amazon Fire TV Cube combines all the benefits of a streaming device with Alexa support. It works as a smart speaker so you can control your smart home devices with it, but it also provides access to every streaming app you can think of. Throw in Dolby Vision, HDR, and Dolby Atmos, and it’s everything you could want. So why not grab a streaming device that's also a smart speaker?View Deal

It's often the #1 bestselling soundbar on Amazon and that doesn't surprise me in the least. It was very well received by experts at its price point when it launched in 2023, and has remained a top option for users too. And at this price, it's a fantastic budget option with Dolby Atmos support, plenty of bass and a wide soundstage.View Deal

In our Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar review, we said this soundbar rivals the Sonos Arc, which is the best Sonos soundbar we've tried. The Smart Ultra is compact, beautifully built, and offers plenty of control options to go with its wide, detailed sound. View Deal

This Sony Bluetooth turntable is as fuss-free as they come with regard to setup and getting your favourite vinyl records spinning. Whether you're playing via wired or wireless speakers, it delivers a delightfully musical sound that will satisfy vinyl beginners or those looking for a more hands-off approach. View Deal

We haven't reviewed these KEF bookshelf speakers, but our esteemed colleagues at What Hi-Fi? have and deem them to "set the performance standard for stereo speakers anywhere close to this price". They're pretty forgiving when it comes to partnering amplifiers, so if you have a home hi-fi setup in need of a upgrade, this could be the one you're looking for. View Deal


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Phones, tablets & accessories

I have a feeling the price of this budget phone will drop but that's not a promise, it's a hope. It's still worth it at this price, as long as you don't need the most powerful phone with all the bells and whistles. We called it a "competent all-rounder" in our Samsung Galaxy A57 review, but we also noted that it will not wow you.View Deal

This Motorola handset is packed full of value if you don't need the latest and bestest phone on the market. For your money, you get a vivid display, impressive battery life and very good everyday performance. Don't expect it to handle heavy gaming, but its plenty for the average user.View Deal

Announced in October 2024, this compact iPad has a decently powerful chip under the hood, and this exceptional discount is icing on the Apple. With Apple Pencil and Smart Folio support, this 8.3-inch slate is not just portable, but would be a handy device to have if you're working on the go.View Deal

I love the Matcha Green more than the usual black variant, but if you're looking for the smallest and cheapest Kindle, this is it. You get a 6-inch screen that is an older generation E Ink Carta 1200, but still does a splendid job of displaying text. There's the standard 16GB of storage but Kindle OS takes up a fair chunk of that, so keep in mind you'll only have about 10GB of usable storage here.View Deal

With more storage, a brighter screen and wireless charging, the Paperwhite Signature Edition is arguably better value than the base model above if you think you'll make full use of the storage and its wireless charging capabilities. If not, you're better off going with the standard Paperwhite.View Deal

The Kindle Colorsoft is one of the best ereaders with a colour display, even offering a feature to make the hues more vivid. While I wouldn't recommend at full price, this discount makes it the best Kindle deal yet since it's down to a record-low price.
If you'd like more storage than the 16GB version, the Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition is also 27% off to AU$326.View Deal

Kindles are known for their reading capabilities, but with the Kindle Scribe, you get that and a whole lot more. With a wide range of writing features, you can take notes, create sketches and brainstorm like a pro. I love its 10.2-inch glare-free screen with an ambient light sensor, and it's battery life is excellent too. It's now the previous-gen model, but arguably better value than the 2025 3rd-gen release. View Deal

Samsung's answer to the AirTag, the SmartTag 2 works with select Samsung phones to help you find mislaid items. It has a built-in hole for easier attachments, up to 700 days of battery life and it's water-resistant. If you're always losing stuff, this is a worthy investment. Make sure to tick the box for the 5% off coupon to get this price.View Deal

The latest release of the popular AirTag comes with a better locator sound and more precise location tracker than previously, making this the Bluetooth tracker to get for Apple users. While the single unit is discounted to AU$39, the 4-pack is better value as it brings the price of each AirTag to AU$32.75.View Deal


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Power banks & chargers

This compact mid-sized power bank is a great option for fast charging your phone on longer trips where a smaller capacity power bank won't cut it. The T2055 is one of our top-rated options in our best power bank buyers guide, and is a sweet deal at this price. View Deal

At one of the lowest prices we have seen, this is a great deal for a premium power bank. The Anker 737 gets excellent results in our best power banks guide, and has a 140W output, a 24,000 mAh capacity (86.4Wh, so flight safe) and an excellent 85% efficiency. View Deal

This neat little charger doesn’t take up much space and offers USB-A and USB-C ports, capable of fast charging most base model phones from Apple, Google and Samsung. It won’t achieve the maximum wattage requirements of fast charging on more high-end models (such as the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL at 37W, or the Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus/Ultra and iPhone 16 Pro/Pro Max at 45W), but it’s a handy travel solution.View Deal

Outputting a maximum of 65W via either one of its USB-C ports (and a maximum of 22.5W via its USB-A port), this charger isn’t just capable of fast charging top iPhones and Samsung Galaxy devices at the highest speed, it’s also worth considering as a laptop charger replacement with its compact size, provided you have a sufficiently capable USB-C cable and your laptop can charge via said cable.View Deal

A 100W charger might seem overkill, but if you’re thinking of simultaneously charging a laptop, phone, set of earbuds and a smartwatch, this is certainly a device to consider. The two top-most USB-C ports can output at a maximum of 100W, while the bottom USB-C port delivers up to 30W and the USB-A port up to 22.5W.View Deal

The EcoFlow Delta 3 is a practical option for camping or backup power, with a 1,024Wh battery, 1,800W output and a full mains recharge in as little as 56 minutes. It typically sells for around AU$1,200 and previously dropped to AU$1,100, but the current deal is the lowest Amazon price I’ve seen. Note that this deal is exclusive to Prime members.View Deal


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Fitness trackers & smartwatches

The Samsung Galaxy Ring is a worthwhile fitness device for folks that don’t like the feeling of a watch. Water resistant at up to 100 metres and available in three colours, the Galaxy Ring can track steps, sleep, heart rate and more. It comes with a charging cradle, with the Ring capable of lasting up to seven days on a full charge. Remember to try the sizing kit first.View Deal

We called this the best smart ring for battery life (rated up to 12 days + a further 150 days with the charging case) while also being a more affordable option than Oura and Samsung at full price. The Gen 2 added a sleep apnoea tracker to make up for the price hike over its predecessor. Again, be sure to source the sizing kit first as not all smart rings are made the same.View Deal

This smart ring differentiated itself from players like Oura and Samsung by being a more lightweight and comfortable option, weighing in from 2.4 grams for its smallest size (compared to Oura’s smallest size 4 ring at 3.3 grams). The Ultrahuman Ring Air does have the usual sensors found in this price range — heart rate, movement, sleep, skin temperature, etc — but what stands this one apart is the very thorough data presentation in its companion app. And you don't need a special subscription to access major metrics.View Deal

Scoring a full five stars in our recently published Amazfit Active 3 Premium review, this affordable smartwatch belies its name. It looks rather dapper on the wrist and ushers in a better app experience too. It's a full-featured fitness tracker that can hold its own against some of the bigger names in the industry.View Deal

This is a fantastic price for a fantastic smartwatch that we awarded four stars in our Huawei Watch Fit 4 Pro review. Yes, it looks like an Apple Watch, but it also acts like one, offering excellent battery life, accurate health tracking and a bright display. Plus, perhaps most importantly, it plays nicely with both iOS and Android devices.View Deal

This Garmin watch has a rugged exterior that's thermal and shock resistant, as well as water-rated to 100m, making it the perfect watch for bushwalkers and hikers. This version has solar power to help make the already long battery life go even further. This discount makes this great watch a tempting buy for hikers and trail runners alike.View Deal

Now AU$50 more than what it was for the first half of the sale, this is still a good discount on the Apple Watch 11. For your money, you are getting a bigger, better chassis and display compared to the Apple Watch SE 3 as well as more health tracking, including sleep apnoea and blood pressure checks. View Deal

One of the best-looking hybrid smart watches on the market, blending analog and digital design layouts, the Scanwatch 2 is probably your best bet if you want a classic design and some of the health tracking features of a typical smart watch. In our Withings ScanWatch 2 review, we found that the companion app was quite easy to use and we liked the inclusion of a skin temperature tracker, though we would have liked some more smart features and the small digital display may not be for everyone.View Deal

An upgraded version of a watch we proudly awarded five stars, this handy fitness tracker features solar power charging, allowing it to last much longer than the standard model. It's a rugged wrist piece and it's intended for heavy-duty activities.View Deal

The 'S' in the name stands for 'small', meaning this specific Garmin was made for petite wrists and features a 42mm vibrant OLED display. You also get Multiband GPS, an intuitive menu navigation, excellent battery life, plenty of Garmin fitness features... and, oh, did I mention the OLED display?View Deal

If you want the most powerful wearable from Apple, then this one is it. Built for the outdoors, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 can compete with some of the best Garmin watches, just made to work with an iPhone. Precise GPS, custom workout tracking and so much more, it's perfect for all athletes.View Deal


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Cameras

You may not have heard of this brand and dismiss it out of hand but, for its price, our colleagues at Digital Camera World rated it with a 4-star score in their review. Even at full price, it represents excellent value, offering a front screen that even a GoPro doesn't get you. Admittedly its image quality lacks against the big players, but we have it on good authority that it's reliable, easy to use and comes with plenty of accessories in the box.View Deal

This point-and-shoot camera fits perfectly in the palm of your hand, and makes content creation as easy as possible. You quite literally just need to point and shoot. There are just a few control buttons on the rear, but the tiny 2-inch flip-up touchscreen adds functionality too. It's capable of 4K/30p videos and 20MP stills. View Deal

With some serious grunt under the hood of this palm-friendly camera, you get AI-powered subject tracking, up to 13.5 stops of dynamic range and even 4K/120p slo-mo recording. This camera has since been succeeded by the 6th-gen model but it's still a fabulous shot (pardon the pun).View Deal

This is Canon's first compact camera in years, picking up where the fabulous and popular PowerShot G7 X series left off. It features a brand-new 22.3MP 1.4-inch sensor that boasts Canon's trusty Dual Pixel CMOS II autofocus and it has an integrated fan to keep things cool for the content creator. With plenty of grunt under the hood, this is the best price yet on this relatively new camera.View Deal

While it's not a huge upgrade over the previous model, the TG-6 is no longer available to buy, making this the best choice if you'd like a near-indestructible camera that you can take underwater.View Deal

This might be an entry-level camera but it has some advanced features. Anyone who wants to shoot wildlife or sports will be thrilled with the 40fps burst speed, and it inherits some of the tracking precision from Canon's higher-end cameras too. With a 24.2MP full-frame sensor, it's one of the lightest cameras available today and represents excellent value for a beginner even though this isn't the best price it's been.View Deal

It's been cheaper than this before, but this is still a fantastic saving on an excellent Nikon full-framer. The 24.6MP sensor can shoot at up to 120fps, records 6K video, has built-in image stabilisation and has dual card slots, including one for a CFexpress device to make full use of its speed.View Deal


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Dash cams

Holding a spot on our list of the best dash cams, the Vantrue E1 is super compact, yet is capable of recording clear, detailed footage day and night. A comprehensive mobile, PC and Mac app allows for easy footage transfers and built-in GPS ensures you know exactly where any incidents take place. This price includes a 20% discount at checkout.View Deal

We call this an "all-round surveillance solution" in our 70mai Dash Cam A510 review, due to it including both front-facing and rear-facing cameras in the box. They're quality cameras, too, recording 2.7K footage from the front and 1080p at the back, complete with wide fields of view. Built-in GPS, 360º rotation for in-car recording and easy install only add to its appeal.View Deal


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PC peripherals

The Logitech MX Master range have been some of my favourite mice of all time, thanks to the ergonomic design, multiple customisable buttons, and a second scroll wheel for horizontal scrolling (or for flicking through multiple browser tabs). This version is Bluetooth-only, meaning it doesn’t have the Logi Bolt USB dongle and a USB-C charging cable included in the box.View Deal

A 100Hz-refresh-rate monitor for just AU$100? Sign me up! This display from Lenovo may be a bit small at under 24 inches with a 1080p resolution, but it uses IPS technology for sharp image quality. This is price is the lowest we've seen this monitor go on Amazon.View Deal

This is one of Amazon's bestselling webcams and while we haven't tested this specific model, we have tried a couple of other Brio cams. And they're good. If you're looking for a capable 1080p webcam for your work calls (or personal video calls) with light correction, auto framing, noise-cancelling mics and many more useful features, this promises to deliver at an affordable price.View Deal

The most striking feature of this mechanical keyboard is its thinness, but it also comes with the promise of sub-1ms latency and 8,000Hz hyper-polling. In our review we praised the K100 Air's durability, great actuation and high polling, while bemoaning the high price of this slab. And yeah: it's expensive, so good thing there's a discount.View Deal

Yes, it's expensive, but this 4K webcam bundle is perfect for video conferences. It's probably overkill for the home office, but perfect for the conference room. And yes, this is a bundle — you get the Wave and the Link 2, so the camera and its audio 'stand'. With smart features like AI noise and echo cancellation, plus an 8-mic setup for excellent voice pickup, this is the Porsche of webcams.View Deal


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Modems & routers

This TP-Link Deco XE75 mesh system is great for smaller homes or apartments, as its Wi-Fi 6E tri-band connectivity allows it to better avoid congestion by using the newly unlocked 6GHz band, plus it has a range of improved technologies that better handle crowded airwaves.View Deal

If you aren't keen on the Google mesh Wi-Fi system listed above, consider Amazon's own Eero 6+ three-pack instead. You should read our full review to get the complete picture, but we gave the Eero 6+ 4 stars, and noted that the Wi-Fi performance was excellent, the pricing is good and it's easy to use. View Deal

The latest eero Wi-Fi 7 mesh router is down to the lowest price we have seen on Amazon. We don't have a review yet, but our friends over at Tom's Guide rated it 4-stars. It's a Wi-Fi 7 model designed for high-speed wireless and wired networks and includes dual 5GbE ports. You can also grab it in a three pack for AU$899.99, which works out at just AU$299 per node. View Deal


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Gaming hardware

This deal offers you a significant saving on the new, higher price on Meta's best 'affordable' headset, and a close second to its best ever headset according to our resident VR headset tester. In fact, he thinks it's the second-best headset anyone can buy from any brand, and it's only a more tempting offer thanks to this limited-time deal.View Deal

Please don't confuse this with the ROG Xbox Ally X, which has more powerful specs. This is the cheaper sibling, now cheaper still on Amazon. And given the recent price hike of the Steam Deck, this handheld definitely seems a lot more tempting now. This was AU$799 during Amazon's Mid-Year Sale in early June, but it would be remiss of me to not list this discount here.View Deal

A pretty decent discount on what really is a fantastic PC controller that also happens to work with Xbox consoles. With an impressive 1000Hz polling rate for high precision and TMR analog sticks for drift-free control, there are hall effect triggers, paddle buttons, and Wi-Fi (2,4GHz only) and Bluetooth connectivity, it's a gamepad to truly up your, well, game.View Deal

One of the best gaming mice available right now, the Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 Dex is an exceptionally lightweight and capable device, with a long-lasting battery life, five programmable buttons and a 32K DPI sensor. View Deal

A nice 30% off deal on a 27-inch OLED gaming monitor, bringing it down to the lowest price we have seen on Amazon. It features a 180Hz panel capable of a 4K resolution. We awarded four and a half stars to this screen in our Alienware 27 AW2725Q review, and were impressed with its sharp visuals and HDR performance.View Deal

This OLED monitor comes with a gigantic 34.2-inch curved screen that boasts a 240Hz refresh rate and a lightning fast 0.03ms response time. It’s capable of producing gorgeous darkness with DisplayHDR TrueBlack 400 certification, and offers a 3440 x 1440 resolution.View Deal


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Smart home

This little speaker might be priced higher than the older Echo Dot models, but then it takes what Amazon's palm-sized smart speakers can do to the, well, max. It improves on sound with higher bass than the previous Echo Dot to make streaming music a much better experience. View Deal

Want to make your home movies more immersive? This Govee backlight and camera system effectively extends the on-screen image beyond its bezelled confines and accurately tracks colours and flashes to the wall behind. It can also sync with music to dance along to your favourite tunes. Note that this is designed for 55 to 65-inch TVs.View Deal

This 8-inch smart display will need to be wall-mounted and it gives you control of thousands of smart home devices that work over Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and other connectivity standards like Zigbee, Matter and Thread. You can stream video, even security footage, start routines, add widgets and a heck of a lot more you can't with a regular Echo Show — now at its lowest price yet.View Deal

The price of what is one of the best video doorbells you can get in Australia has been fluctuating a lot on Amazon, and it's been down to AU$145 previously but it's not been anywhere near that in a very long time. It's easy to install, offers clear footage even at night and features facial recognition. Recording automatically begins when motion is detected, or when its button is pressed, plus it will let you know when packages have been left outside your door.View Deal

I much prefer this design of the newest Echo Show 8 smart display, now powered by a AZ3 Pro chip for better performance and 15% more screen real estate than previous generations. It's a much better smart hub now, with Alexa at your beck and call (and fingertips) — down to a record-low price as well.View Deal

A great addition to any existing or prospective smart home setup, this smart lock integrates with hubs like Apple HomeKit, Google Home, Amazon Alexa and Samsung SmartThings to let you open the lock with just your phone. The AU$450 RRP may be a big ask for some households, but this deal makes it tempting enough for the smart home enthusiast.View Deal


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Services & software

Amazon Kindle Unlimited: three months free, then AU$13.99p/m
Kindle Unlimited is a great service if you read a lot of books or can't settle on just one genre. It provides access to a near never-ending supply of fiction and non-fiction, including biographies, self-help books, and foreign language novels. There are even audiobooks — though they're not as high quality as Audible. View Deal

Audible: three months free, then AU$8.99p/m
Prefer to listen to stories rather than read? Then this deal has your name on it. Audible gives you one credit each month to redeem on a title from its massive library of audiobooks, as well as access to an ever-growing set of Amazon-exclusive Originals that includes podcasts. You also get to keep any purchases you've made if you decide to cancel your subscription.View Deal

Music Unlimited: four months free, then AU$13.99p/m
No ad breaks, just music, podcasts and audiobooks. You can stream in high resolution and experience spatial audio for a full four months, and you can cancel any time if you don't want to pay the ongoing monthly subscription. You will need to be a new Music Unlimited subscriber, however, to take advantage of this offer.View Deal

Here's something different. If you're a photographer and you've been spending a lot on your Adobe Creative Cloud subscription, this discount on an annual Photography Plan might ease that expenditure a little. It shaves a considerable chunk off the one plan and gets you both Photoshop and Lightroom. Note that this will auto-renew at full price if not cancelled in time.View Deal


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To the nearly 18,500 people who've shopped with us so far...

Thank you, each and every one of you, who have joined me in my ongoing live coverage of the Amazon Prime Day 2026 sale. So far, this year's Prime Day has been quite spectacular as prices have taken a serious tumble for several tech items.

I've covered every single Amazon sale for TechRadar since the online retail giant's debut in Australia in December 2025. The last couple of years I've complained that the prices weren't as good as I'd previously seen and now... well, I'm mighty impressed and I don't say that lightly. Money is tight for many of us, so I genuinely think this sale is a good opportunity to find that something specific that you've been holding out for.

I'll be here all weekend long, and well into the coming week as well so I can keep you updated on all the latest deals and price changes. So give me company for a few days more — I may well make your Amazon shopping experience simpler.

Free DoorDash, anyone?

(Image credit: Amazon)

Of course there's more free stuff during Prime Day!

In fact, this one is a perk for all Prime members (even existing ones), but you will need to remember to claim it before the offer ends later this year.

Current or new Prime members get free DoorDash deliveries for the next two years (as well as other DashPass benefits). A typical 2-year DashPass subscription would cost you AU$192, so this is massive savings right here.

This perk can be redeemed via the offer page on Amazon, and you have until November 14, 2026 to do so. Plenty of time, but don't forget about it!


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Hail Mary! Here's another reason to sign up for Amazon Prime

(Image credit: Amazon MGM Studios)

Project Hail Mary is arguably one of the best feel-good movies of this year and it's made its debut on Prime Video.

The movie follows Rylan Gosling as a science teacher who wakes up on a spaceship light years from home, with no memory of who he is or how he got there. He begins to uncover that he's there on a mission to solve the riddle of the mysterious substance causing the sun to die out. It seems like an impossible task but he isn't alone; he is accompanied by Rocky, an alien that has stolen the hearts of viewers everywhere.

Our senior entertainment reporter Tom Power gave Project Hail Mary a near perfect 4.5-star review, saying: "To quote Project Hail Mary's cute co-lead Rocky, Amazon's new sci-fi movie is nothing short of 'amaze, amaze, amaze'."

Trust me, you'll want to see this flick if you haven't already. So arm yourself with a Prime membership, which you can cancel any time after a free 30-day free trial.

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Max it up with Bose

(Image credit: Bose)

I'm a massive Bose fan — I've been using the brand's headphones for yonks! And while I've not had the need to get myself one of Bose's Bluetooth speakers, I have it on good authority that they too pack a punch.

Particularly the Bose Soundlink Max, which our reviewer said produced "big, punchy and quite deft sound". It's been so well liked, that we gave it a 4.5-star score and it earned a TechRadar Recommends badge in our Bose Soundlink Max review. It also does come with a pretty hefty price tag for a portable Bluetooth speaker.

However, if you don't mind a yellow speaker, you can score a very generous 35% discount right now on one colourway of what is a party rocker.

Bose SoundLink Max: AU$599.95 now AU$389


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Look here — a monitor for under AU$100

(Image credit: Future)

It's hardly a secret at this point that PC gaming is expensive as ever, no thanks to shortages in RAM and storage pushing up prices of the overall computing industry. In fact, it's even impacted console gaming, too, with price hikes on the PlayStation 5 and the Nintendo Switch.

One respite, however, is that monitors are getting cheaper than ever, and this Lenovo monitor for less than AU$100 is a fantastic budget option.

While the 23.80-inch Lenovo L24-4E isn't an outright gaming monitor, it has a 100Hz refresh rate to create a smooth gaming experience if you don't mind a 1080p display, as well as crisp IPS display technology. At AU$94, you could even go for a triple-monitor setup that would still be cheaper than a single ultrawide monitor in most cases.

Lenovo L24-4E 23.8-inch monitor: was AU$179 now AU$94.05


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The keyboard Apple should have made

(Image credit: Logitech)

Apple's Magic Keyboard does a great job of replicating the built-in MacBook keyboard, but for Macs. The seamless device pairing, ultra-slim build and Touch ID make it a really convenient option.

But the typing experience could be a lot better, and it only works on Apple devices.

Logitech's MX Keys keyboard brings a similar slim chassis but adds a more cushioned and ergonomic typing experience. It uses spherically-dished keys with deeper, more tactile travel, which can be more comfortable for longer typing sessions. It also has backlighting, which is missing in the Magic Keyboard, and it also adjusts automatically to your ambient room lighting.

And because it isn't an Apple product, the MX Keys also works with Windows and Linux too!

Logitech MX Keys S: was AU$229 now AU$120.65


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Signed up for a triathlon? Garmin's best watch is a record-low price

(Image credit: Future / Garmin)

I don't know if it's just me, but I've noticed more people are getting interested in triathlons, all looking to eventually train to move up to an Ironman race one day. In fact, the multisport event is popular enough that Ironman races sell out almost immediately, and smaller triathlon events are popping up almost everywhere now.

If you're one of them and you're finding that your smartwatch isn't quite keeping up with your training, one of Garmin's best multisport watches, the Forerunner 965, is discounted to AU$589, a whopping 41% off.

Our Garmin Forerunner 965 review praised the 'stunning' AMOLED screen, titanium bezels and the 23-day battery life, and the only major complaint was its high price. This discount takes care of that in spades and is even cheaper than the Forerunner 265, which is a full step down from the 965.

Garmin Forerunner 965: was AU$999 now AU$589


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Let me point you in the right direction

(Image credit: Logitech)

I have the white (or what's labelled as grey) Logitech Lift and, after a few years of daily use, it's looking a little worse for wear. I'm sorely tempted to swap it out for this Graphite version instead, and it's cheaper than I've every seen it before.

The previous low price was a little over AU$67 for the PC version of the Black variant, which makes the current 55% discount the best price yet.

I will have to note that it's designed for smaller hands like mine, so people with large mitts might not like its ergonomics — your little finger is likely to drag along your desk. Otherwise, it's an ergonomic mouse I wouldn't swap for anything else.

Logitech Lift: was AU$129 now AU$58.34


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Prime Day vs Black Friday: which sale is better?

Both Amazon Prime Day and Black Friday generally offer discounts on the same kinds of devices, but there are a few differences between the sales events.

Prime Day deals are largely focused on Amazon itself and what's available in its relatively large catalogue. So while you can get a whole lotta tech on Amazon, some key categories like TVs is largely missing.

And that's where Black Friday comes. This bigger shopping event is set across nearly every retailer in Australia, giving you a wider variety of discounted goods and, with competition between them really high, you can save yourself a heck of a lot of cash.

So it really depends on what you want to buy: if the item is available on Amazon, you'll typically see the best price during Prime Day in July and that usually just gets repeated during Black Friday, so you don't need to wait till November. However, if it's something Amazon doesn't sell (yet), you're better off waiting for the calendar year's biggest shopping event.

Categories: Technology

ChatGPT Browser Atlas Will Be Discontinued by OpenAI in August

CNET News - Fri, 07/10/2026 - 17:44
Browser capabilities will still exist, though, in OpenAI’s desktop AI.
Categories: Technology

Quote of the day by Netscape founder Marc Andreessen: 'We believe any deceleration of AI will cost lives' — a full-throated defense of the AI buildout

TechRadar News - Fri, 07/10/2026 - 17:00

American businessman and venture capitalist Marc Andreessen is an individual who was among the earliest to be involved in the early internet boom. Now, the founder of Netscape and co-author of Mosaic – two iconic web browsers – has fully committed to AI.

AI maximalism

One year after OpenAI launched ChatGPT, the technology veteran Andreessen published an essay that advocated for a fully-fledged acceleration of the AI buildout.

Quote of the day

This article is part of TechRadar Pro's QOTD project to provide an insight into the minds of the brightest and most recognized figures in the technology industry today and in years gone by. Read the full series here.

In this overwhelmingly optimistic manifesto, he argued that should AI mature and become a more sophisticated and universally utilized technology, machine intelligence that surpasses human capabilities would save countless lives.

For example, medicine is in the "stone age", he wrote, and a combined machine and human intelligence would be able to work on new cures. There's also the scope for improving the lot of mankind by, for instance, using AI to solve problems around nuclear fusion – bringing clean and cheaper energy to people around the world.

AI realism

His essay is certainly a full-throated attack on all those who have (and continue to) advocate for a pause to AI development so that scientists can properly assess and mitigate any risks. And there are plenty of those.

He describes his enemies as "bad ideas" rather than "bad people" and highlights various labels used, in his view, to stagnate progress – including "existential risk" and "tech ethics".

Despite progressing at pace in terms of capital investment and the expansion of the technology into businesses and into day-to-day life, the AI buildout has reached something of a plateau.

Not only are there arguably diminishing returns on most public-facing models, but critical bottlenecks like energy – and also components like memory – might mean deceleration is an inevitability, whether or not Andreessen or others like it.

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