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A new acronym is starting to appear in boardrooms, investor conversations and executive debates: MANGOS - Meta, Anthropic, NVIDIA, Google, OpenAI and SpaceX.

It is being used as shorthand for the new power cluster of the AI era, and perhaps as the successor to FAANG as a symbol of where technological gravity now lives.

Here is my take: MANGOS is not the destination. It is the opening move.

Over the next five years, some companies that dominate their markets today, icons of an era, businesses that once seemed structurally unassailable, may lose relevance, decline, or be replaced by new leaders. At the same time, new companies will emerge from places nobody is currently watching.

This has happened before. It will happen again. What is different this time is the speed and the depth of structural change required to survive it.

The world is being reshaped by AI. But the companies that will win are not the ones that simply add AI to what they already do. They are the ones who rebuild themselves around it entirely.

The tool-adoption trap

There is a seductive but dangerous interpretation of AI transformation that goes something like this: deploy a copilot here, add a chatbot there, automate a few workflows, report efficiency gains to the board, and move on.

That approach may create efficiency gains, but it does not create an AI-native company.

The companies building genuine competitive advantage right now are not asking, “Where can we use AI?” They are asking a harder question: “If we were starting this company today, with AI as a native capability rather than a retrofit, what would we look like?”

The answer, almost always, is dramatically different from what they look like now.

This is not a technology shift. It is a company redesign. And the gap between those two ways of thinking is where many organizations are currently losing.

What AI-native actually means

The term AI-native is used loosely, so let me be precise about what I mean by an AI-native mindset. It has concrete, structural implications that go far beyond which tools a company deploys.

The first is re-engineering the org chart to unlock AI outcomes, not to preserve legacy structures.

Most organizational hierarchies were designed for a world of information scarcity, where value came from controlling access to data, expertise and decision-making authority. AI inverts that logic. Information is becoming abundant. The constraint is now judgment, creativity and the ability to act on signals faster than competitors.

An org chart built for the old world can suppress the outcomes the new world makes possible. Redesigning for AI is not about simply cutting headcount. It is about rethinking where human judgment actually adds value, and structuring the organization so that AI amplifies it rather than working around it.

The second is increasing talent density with genuine intentionality.

AI adoption does not happen organically at the pace this moment demands. When transformation requires a cultural shift as fundamental as this one, where every employee’s relationship with their work is changing, organic adoption is too slow.

It has to be a CEO mandate, driven from the top, resourced seriously and measured against real outcomes. The companies that treat AI training as an optional benefit will be outrun by the companies that treat it as a core operating requirement.

The third, and the one I find most underappreciated, is eliminating before automating.

There is a reflexive impulse in most organizations to reach for automation as the response to inefficiency. But the highest-value process is often the one that should no longer exist.

Before you make something faster, you need to ask whether it needs to happen at all. Automating a broken process at scale just produces broken outcomes faster. The discipline of elimination, of genuinely questioning whether a workflow, a layer of approval, a reporting structure or a product feature actually needs to exist, is harder than automation, and more valuable.

The fourth is relentless commercial focus.

AI investments must drive measurable revenue growth or profitability. This sounds obvious, but in practice, it is where many transformation programs lose their way. The excitement of the technology can become its own justification. It cannot be.

Every significant AI investment should have a clear line of sight to a commercial outcome, not eventually, not in theory, but in a timeframe that the business can actually hold itself accountable to.

In commerce, this distinction is already becoming visible. The winners will not simply add AI tools to search, customer service, merchandising or operations. They will rethink how decisions are made across the entire business, from product discovery to fulfilment, customer experience, media and profitability.

The hidden risk for today’s market leaders

If you are a market leader today, you face a specific and uncomfortable dynamic.

The capabilities that got you to dominance, your processes, your organisational structure, your institutional knowledge, your partner ecosystem, are also the things that can make transformation hardest. They are not only assets. If left unquestioned, they can become anchors.

New entrants do not have this problem in the same way. They are building AI-native from day one, without legacy infrastructure to protect or organizational politics to navigate. They will not necessarily announce themselves before they are ready. By the time many incumbents recognize the threat, the gap may already be significant.

This is not a reason to panic. It is a reason to move with urgency that many large organizations are not currently demonstrating.

MANGOS is the beginning, not the ceiling

The MANGOS companies are defining much of the infrastructure of the AI era, and their influence on how the next decade of business is conducted will be profound.

But the history of technology tells us something important: infrastructure enablers and application-layer winners are usually not the same companies.

The railroads did not own all the businesses that the railroads made possible. The internet infrastructure companies of the 1990s did not capture most of the value that the internet created. MANGOS is building the rails. The question for every enterprise leader is what they are going to build on them.

The winners of the next era will be the companies that take AI infrastructure as a given, build organizational and commercial models designed specifically for an AI-native world, and execute with relentless focus.

They will come from industries nobody is currently betting on. They will emerge from markets that look mature or even declining. They will be led by people who understood earlier than everyone else that this is not an upgrade cycle. It is a redesign.

The game is on. Execution based on experimentation driving bold outcomes is what will make the difference.

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Samsung’s new Galaxy Z-series foldables have been officially unveiled, and pre-orders have also kicked off in Australia.

We’ve covered Samsung’s pre-order offers through its Australian eStore here, but retailers and telcos across the country are jostling for your attention with their own pre-order deals.

The best outright pre-order deals are direct from Samsung with up to AU$650 in savings, while the best telco deal is from Vodafone, with savings of up to AU$1,000.

In case you missed the Galaxy Unpacked last night, you can check out our live coverage of the launch. As for the handsets themselves, you can also read our first impressions of the newly redesigned Z Fold 8, Z Fold Ultra and the Z Flip 8.

I’ve collected the best outright and telco deals for the 2026 Samsung foldable range below, with links taking you straight to the pre-order pages:

Best Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 pre-order deals

Trade in any qualifying device (with a value of at least AU$1) and you can get an extra AU$150 credit off the Fold 8 with this exclusive pre-order offer. If you bundle the Fold 8 with a Galaxy Tablet, Watch, Buds, Ring or other accessories, use the code UNFOLD2026 to take $150 off your entire cart (until July 25, which then drops down to AU$50 off until August 14). You can also redeem Rewards Points to save more, and check out with PayPal for an extra AU$150 off. But that’s not all — if you want more storage, our exclusive code TR-FOLD8 will take another AU$200 off the 1TB model.View Deal

While Amazon isn't discounting the device per se, you’ll receive a AU$300 Amazon credit and 20% off selected Samsung accessories.View Deal

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 | Vodafone Small Promo Plan | 80GB | 24 months | AU$128.28p/m

Vodafone is offering a AU$700 handset discount and discounting its Small Plan by AU$13p/m off (plus mobile data boosted to 80GB), but what makes it the best telco deal is the addition of a AU$300 credit when you trade in an old device. View Deal

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 | Optus Small Choice Plus Plan | 60GB | 24 months | AU$126.18p/m

If you’re not looking to trade in your old phone, Optus slightly beats Vodafone’s offers with a AU$750 handset discount for the Galaxy Z Fold 8, as well as a AU$15p/m off plan fees for the first 12 months.View Deal

Best Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra pre-order deals

Like the Z Fold 8 above, the bonus trade-in credit here is also AU$150 on qualifying devices, and the Unpacked Eco-Voucher and PayPal savings also apply, and using the TR-FOLD8 exclusive code will take AU$200 off the 1TB model.View Deal

Like the Z Fold 8 above, pre-ordering from Amazon will net you a AU$300 credit and 20% off selected Samsung accessories.View Deal

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra | Vodafone Small Promo Plan | 80GB | 24 months | AU$140.78p/m

The AU$700 handset discount and AU$300 trade-in bonus credit from the Z Fold 8 above also apply here, with the monthly cost at AU$140.78p/m with Vodafone's cheapest plan.View Deal

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra | Optus Small Choice Plus Plan | 60GB | 24 months | AU$138.69p/m

Like the Z Fold 8 above, Optus is offering a $750 discount on its Ultra sibling, as well as a AU$15p/m off plan fees for the first 12 months.View Deal

Best Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 pre-order deals

The trade-in credit for the Z Flip 8 is lower at AU$100 during the pre-order period, and the potential savings from the UNFOLD2026 Unpacked Eco-Voucher (AU$150 off during the first 72 hours) and checking out with PayPal (a further AU$150 off) apply here, too.View Deal

Just like its more premium siblings above, pre-ordering the Galaxy Z Flip 8 from Amazon will give you a AU$300 credit and 20% off selected Samsung accessories.View Deal

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 Ultra | Optus Small Choice Plus Plan | 60GB | 24 months | AU$94.92p/m

Optus is also giving the Z Flip 8 a $750 discount like the two more premium handsets above, as well as a AU$15p/m off plan fees for the first 12 months.View Deal

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 | Vodafone Small Promo Plan | 80GB | 24 months | AU$105.36p/m

The Z Flip 8 gets a smaller AU$500 handset discount at Vodafone, but the trade-in credit is the same at AU$300 like the Z Fold 8 and Ultra. The monthly cost of AU$105.36p/m with Vodafone's cheapest plan makes it more expensive than Optus' offer above.View Deal

Other retailer pre-order deals

Want to check out what else is out there? These other retailer offers are also available:

• JB Hi-Fi: Get a AU$300 JB Hi-Fi gift card if you pre-order any of the 2026 Samsung Galaxy Z-series phones
• The Good Guys: Get a AU$300 The Good Guys eGift Card and free delivery if you pre-order any of the 2026 Samsung Galaxy Z-series phones

Don't ask me what happened in any single episode of The Big Bang Theory, because I honestly can't remember.

Across 12 seasons, a myriad of in-jokes, long-standing gags and endless scientific lore were created, and you can bet your bottom dollar that hardcore fans won't have forgotten a single thing.

This level of detail initially made me nervous to try watching new HBO Max spinoff, Stuart Fails to Save the Universe.

Our titular heroic lead, on-off girlfriend Denise (Lauren Lapkus), as well as friends Kripke (John Ross Bowie) and Bert (Brian Posehn), are brought back together when Stuart (Kevin Sussman) triggers a multiverse armageddon by accidentally breaking a device built by Sheldon (Jim Parsons) and Leonard (Johnny Galecki).

Clearly, the spinoff is its own thing, but there's enough of a TBBT connection to assume that you'll need to know the ins and outs of the main season in order to enjoy it.

That's not the case, though. Not only can you be a Big Bang dunce and still have a whale of a time watching — and perhaps more importantly, always understand what's going on — Stuart Fails to Save the Universe is actually designed to contradict the existing IP lore, according to creators Zak Penn and Bill Prady.

'You're not obligated to be consistent'

"One of the wonderful things about moving from universe to universe is you're not obligated to be consistent," Prady tells me.

"We're in a different universe. When we were doing this, I was always reminded of an episode of Doctor Who where the Doctor is confronted with the with the inconsistency in the episode that they're in. He points out that time is more of a vague 'timey-wimey' kind of thing, and I think we had a lot of that going on to say, 'This is a different universe, and that's how it is in this universe.'"

Even from episode 1, which drops on HBO Max on July 23, you can see how it would break your brain to try and conform to the rules and regulations of TBBT.

Stuart and the gang are frequently confronted with alternative versions of themselves and others are each aware of completely different things... and that's before we consider that there's always an overarching physical difference to each universe visited.

"We kind of approached it like we're not trying to construct this perfectly organized science fiction idea," Penn adds. "In fact, we want to both violate the ideas that we set up and then have the characters acknowledge that that's what we've done. We do that quite a bit.

"There's characters all over the season mentioning that things don't really make sense... nobody can follow it. That was a deliberate choice because. The show isn't designed to be something that's a puzzle to figure out perfectly."

As the saying goes, if you can't beat them... be bewildered by the choices being made around you. Trust me: part of the fun is trying to keep up with the multiverse madness and second-guessing what comes next — and you'll never, ever be right.

• Report finds 80% of Gen Z investors now rely on AI for guidance, 58% would let it advise more actively
• AI tools are democratizing investing because they’re free/cheap and convenient
• Transparency, citations, and clear safeguards are still in demand

New data from Opinium has revealed 80% Gen Z investors now use AI for investment-related guidance, putting them far ahead of Baby Boomers (17%) and Gen X (47%).

But younger investors seem to be using it much more than just educational reasons, such as explaining terminology or researching investments – they’re even using it in actual decision-making.

The report added nearly three in five (58%) of Gen Z investors would be likely to use AI to decide where to invest their money. While this is still lower than the total number of younger investors who would use AI, it still means more than half are trusting tools like ChatGPT and Gemini with how they allocate their money.

Is AI democratizing investing for everybody?

The report also quantifies the generational gap in trust, with only 29% of Gen Z investors not trusting AI-generated information compared with 49% across all age brackets. But trust actually rises after users have experienced artificial intelligence, with 72% of users noting they trust it.

What the data also implies is that artificial intelligence has made investing more accessible to more people – 43% say they started using AI tools because it was free, and 41% valued its speed and convenience.

More than a third (38%) of female investors said they felt more comfortable asking AI than a person compared with 27% of male investors, highlighting the technology’s impacts in democratizing investing.

Opinium notes that AI chatbots could be helping to reduce the embarrassment associated with beginners asking basic questions.

Trust is more important than ever where finances are invovled

But when it comes to trusting machines with financial decisions, users still demand high levels of trust. The most frequently cited trust-building measures include seeking evidence that the information is both accurate and current (28%), cross-checking it against data elsewhere (25%) and transparency about the sources used (23%).

“Trust still depends on transparency,” Opinium Associate Director James Nicandrou wrote. “Investors want to know that information is accurate and easy to verify.”

“As AI becomes more widely used in financial decision-making, clear safeguards and signposting will be crucial to helping people use these tools confidently and responsibly.”

All in all, the study shows how younger people are increasingly beginning their investment journeys by asking AI assistants to explain concepts and compare options, but the same trust and accountability that enterprises are battling when trying to implement organization-wide AI is also proving to be just as important for the end user.

While the precise figures differ, Yonder research with the FCA also found that consumers are increasingly using AI for personal finances – 72% said they use it to summarize and explain information, while 61% ask it to suggest actions on their behalves.

Earlier Freetrade research also sets the foundations, noting how 91% of its respondents lacked confidence in investing. One of its suggestions was to improve education for younger adults, with senior analyst Dan Lane noting that “the greatest advantage you can give your investments is time.” With the latest trends revealing that younger adults are getting to grips with investing thanks to AI, accessibility certainly looks to be improving.

• Egyptian developer demonstrates how to block ads with an ESP32-C3 "SuperMini" board
• ESP32 ad-blocking dongle costs just $5 to build
• 537,000 blacklisted domains are stored in the device’s 4MB of flash memory

When online ads become a problem, ad-blocking software is a good idea, used in conjunction with dedicated hardware like a Raspberry Pi running Pi-Hole. But what if the device is rebooting or otherwise out of action? Egyptian developer ZedAxis claims to have developed a solution that might inspire a rethink on how online whitelisting and blacklisting is processed.

Relying on a sub-$5 ESP32-based mini board, the device somehow squeezes over 500,000 domains into paltry 4MB of onboard flash storage.

The build has been demonstrated on YouTube, with the video of the “DNS sinkhole” apparently providing how simple it is to set up. All the hard work has been done by ZedAxis, with the code available via GitHub.

What is an ESP32-C3?

ZedAxis has built the compact Pi-Hole substitute from a $5 ESP32-C3 “SuperMini” board, easily available from online stores (currently £3.50 on the UK Amazon). These devices feature USB-C for power, Bluetooth 5.0, and crucially for a project like this, Wi-Fi.

The board has been paired with a USB adapter and a 3D-printed case to enable it to be plugged into a power source – in this case, the back of a router, but it could be a TV, console, or any other always-on device with an unused USB port. Direct access to the device is available through a web dashboard, it supports mDNS for easy discovery, and can download over-the-air (OTA) updates.

Code for the project is available on the developer’s GitHub, where the unusual compression that shrinks over 500,000 domains into 4MB of flash storage is explained.

Isn’t that a lot of domains for 4MB?

Strictly speaking, 4MB should not be able to hold 500,000 domains. As described on the project’s GitHub, the actual figure is around half that (141,000 taking up “~2.5 MB of RAM”). So how are the 537,000 domains squeezed into 4MB of RAM?

The board chosen is specifically free of PSRAM (so it just has the flash) and rather than 32-bit or 64-bit, hashes the domains into 40-bit FNV-1a, an algorithm designed for speed and low-collision rates. So, 141,000 domains can be squeezed into 0.7MB of flash, with under 50 KB of RAM apportioned for matching the blacklisted ad domains.

In most cases, the blacklist is limited to around 250,000 domains as OTA firmware updates need around 1.3MB of the flash. But this can be determined when the device is set up and the first blacklist pull is made. Other features are set to be added to this project, including set up as a DHCP server.

The big question is, could this be adopted by, say, small businesses looking for a reduction in broadband bandwidth being eaten by ad networks?

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 Wednesday's puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Wednesday, July 22 (game #1640).

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 #1641) — hint #1 — VowelsHow many different vowels are in Quordle today?

• The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 4*.

* 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 #1641) — hint #2 — repeated lettersDo any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?

• The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 0.

Quordle today (game #1641) — 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 #1641) — 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 0.

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 #1641) — hint #5 — starting letters (2)What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• L

• E

• W

• S

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

Quordle today (game #1641) — the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1641, are…

• LADEN
• EVICT
• WOVEN
• SHIRE

The phrase I’d use to describe this game would be “no drama”.

With some different starter words I may have struggled to get EVICT, but eliminating the letter D meant I could rule out “edict” and get to the correct word quickly.

Meanwhile, everything fell into place for me playing today’s Daily Sequence as I managed to complete the game in six guesses. Quite a shock, seeing as I often take nine or 10.

Daily Sequence today (game #1641) — the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1641, are…

• MERRY
• SADLY
• ADMIN
• DRAPE

Quordle answers: The past 20

• Quordle #1640, Wednesday, 22 July: COYLY, SINGE, AWASH, AWOKE
• Quordle #1639, Tuesday, 21 July: TRUSS, AXIAL, SWINE, THING
• Quordle #1638, Monday, 20 July: ICING, SLICK, GAILY, RISEN
• Quordle #1637, Sunday, 19 July: SPURT, ACRID, THRUM, BLEEP
• Quordle #1636, Saturday, 18 July: KNAVE, TIGHT, BLEAT, CHAOS
• Quordle #1635, Friday, 17 July: CUMIN, PALER, GRASS, INBOX
• Quordle #1634, Thursday, 16 July: IGLOO, PLAIT, YEAST, AROMA
• Quordle #1633, Wednesday, 15 July: PROXY, BRICK, BROTH, SURGE
• Quordle #1632, Tuesday, 14 July: EBONY, AVOID, RODEO, CUTIE
• Quordle #1631, Monday, 13 July: VOICE, BISON, BURNT, BUILT
• Quordle #1630, Sunday, 12 July: STAIN, BINGO, LARVA, DICEY
• Quordle #1629, Saturday, 11 July: WORTH, PRONG, DINGO, DRUID
• 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

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 Wednesday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Wednesday, July 22 (game #1137).

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 #1138) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• JANGLE
• INTENSE
• ORANGE
• FELINE
• FEBRILE
• BASEBALL
• MARBLE
• APRON
• APPOINT
• TERMINAL
• EXCITED
• RUNWAY
• FRENETIC
• HANGAR
• DEPLANE
• GLOBE

NYT Connections today (game #1138) - hint #1 - group hints

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

• YELLOW: Round stuff
• GREEN:On edge
• BLUE: Elements of an airline’s hub
• PURPLE: Math final

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 #1138) - hint #2 - group answers

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

• YELLOW: SPHERICAL THINGS
• GREEN: IN AN ANXIOUS STATE
• BLUE: PARTS OF AN AIRPORT
• PURPLE: ENDING IN GEOMETRY TERMS

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

NYT Connections today (game #1138) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #1138, are…

• YELLOW: SPHERICAL THINGS: BASEBALL, GLOBE, MARBLE, ORANGE
• GREEN: IN AN ANXIOUS STATE: EXCITED, FEBRILE, FRENETIC, INTENSE
• BLUE: PARTS OF AN AIRPORT: APRON, HANGAR, RUNWAY, TERMINAL
• PURPLE: ENDING IN GEOMETRY TERMS: APPOINT, DEPLANE, FELINE, JANGLE

• My rating: Hard
• My score: 2 mistakes

I made two, what I will call, good mistakes today. 'Good', as in I was on the right track and the errors helped me hone in on the correct quartet.

The first was picking JANGLE instead of EXCITED. I correctly thought the group was about anxiety and picked JANGLE because that's how I feel when I’m nervous or on edge.

Then, after successfully spotting PARTS OF AN AIRPORT, I decided to collect the math words hidden in some tiles and picked ORANGE, because of range, over DEPLANE. Meanwhile, how I completely overlooked SPHERICAL THINGS is uncertain.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Wednesday, July 22, 2026, game #1137)

• YELLOW: SYMPTOMS OF AN ALLERGIC REACTION: HIVES, ITCHING, RASH, REDNESS
• GREEN: ON A GOLF SCORECARD: HOLE, PAR, SCORE, STROKES
• BLUE: PLATFORM-SPECIFIC POSTS: PINS, SNAPS, TWEETS, VINES
• PURPLE: FEATURES OF A ZEBRA: HOOVES, MANE, TAIL, WHITE STRIPES

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.

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 Wednesday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Wednesday, July 22 (game #871).

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

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Hail to the chief petty officer

NYT Strands today (game #872) - hint #2 - clue words

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

• LANTERN
• VINE
• TRAIN
• SNAG
• DUNE
• RAVER

NYT Strands today (game #872) - hint #3 - spangram lettersHow many letters are in today's spangram?

• Spangram has 9 letters

NYT Strands today (game #872) - hint #4 - spangram positionWhat are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

• First side: top, 3rd column

• Last side: bottom, 4th column

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

NYT Strands today (game #872) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #872, are…

• ADMIRAL
• LIEUTENANT
• COMMANDER
• ENSIGN
• RECRUIT
• SPANGRAM: NAVYRANKS

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

I don’t know much about the military, but I do know that a chief petty officer is something to do with ships.

Armed with this small piece of common knowledge I was able to land a spangram first, seeing NAVYRANKS running down the center of the board.

After this I went for the only ranks I was confident of and found ADMIRAL and the infuriatingly hard to spell and cunningly hidden LIEUTENANT. Landing these two helped ease out the rest of the board as I navigated without any hints — plain sailing, you might say.

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Wednesday, July 22, game #871)

• QUESTION
• BUZZER
• ANSWER
• BOARD
• WAGER
• CATEGORY
• SPANGRAM: INJEOPARDY

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.

• Satellite imagery independently confirms a Russian Tu-95MS strategic bomber was destroyed in Ukraine SBU drone strike on Engels-2 air base
• The Tu-95 is essentially an impossible-to-replace Cold War-era asset with approximately only 60 in service and at least 10 photo-confirmed losses since the Russia-Ukraine conflict began in 2022
• The loss is damning for Russian armed forces, which have deployed new hardened shelters and painted decoy bombers in a bid to trick drone operators who successfully destroyed the aircraft from an 800 km range

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that the country's Security Service had recently destroyed a Tu-95 strategic bomber at Russia's Engels-2 air base, but the missing piece was a lack of independent proof confirming the strike.

With the Ukrainian side claiming an 800 km deep strike at one of Russia's most important airfields, many often ask for proof in a war that sees both sides exaggerate kills and attempt to hide losses to further their own narratives.

This time, however, receipts did come in the form of satellite imagery published by the open-source intelligence group AviVector and corroborated by Planet Labs satellite images obtained by Schemes, the investigative project of Radio Free Europe & Radio Liberty, showing a destroyed TU-95MS on the tarmac at Engels-2 Air Base.

An expensive loss for Russia and why it matters

The Tu-95 is a machine from another age: a swept-wing turboprop that first flew in 1952, powered by NK-12 engines that remain the most powerful turboprops ever built and make it one of the loudest aircraft in the sky.

The Tu-95MS variant, adapted from the Tu-142 maritime patrol airframe, is Russia's primary carrier of the Kh-101 cruise missiles that have battered Ukrainian cities throughout the war, hauling up to six missiles on an internal rotary launcher, with the modernized Tu-95MSM adding new engines, avionics, and pylons for up to eight externally mounted Kh-101s or nuclear-tipped Kh-102s.

While the Kh-102s have never actually been used in war, given their non-conventional capabilities, the fact that the Tu-95MS is capable of essentially conducting a nuclear war from an airborne position highlights how central it is to Russia's overall deterrence, even as it can no longer replace its losses: the production infrastructure that created them is gone, while the promised replacement, the PAK DA stealth bomber program exists only on paper for now.

The move is important in a war that is psychological as much as it is asymmetric between the two foes: it demonstrates that Ukraine can strike deep into Russian territory and target even its most remote airfields. In addition, the Tu-95MS is one of the more important workhorses of Russia's strike campaign against Ukraine, often used to lob missiles at the latter's cities and positions alike; the attack essentially neuters Russian capabilities, with only ~60 of them currently in operation.

The Ukrainians have wasted no time highlighting both the financial aspect of the hit as well as its psychological impact, stating on Telegram (translated):

"The SBU systematically destroys important elements of the Russian military machine. Each liquidated strategic bomber means dozens of unlaunched missiles over Ukrainian cities, saved Ukrainian lives, and tens of millions of dollars in irretrievable losses for the enemy. Russian strategic aviation can no longer feel safe even at its most remote military airfields."

On the flipside, a single bomber being taken out does not change the war; Russia launched cruise missile salvos before July 16 and will probably launch them after despite the small loss in capability. It will also continue hardening its air defenses and hangars alike while painting decoys to mislead drone operators who manage to make it through, even as its jammers grow increasingly sophisticated.

But a fleet capped by a 34-year-old production shutdown, already down double digits thanks to successful strikes such as Ukraine's Operation Spiderweb, losing airframes at a base it has spent months fortifying, is a fleet whose every remaining mission carries a quietly rising price. Ukraine cannot build Tu-95s either. The difference is that a drone-touting Ukraine on the defensive doesn't need to.

8BitDo Ultimate Mobile Gaming Controller - Xbox Edition: One-minute review

The 8BitDo Ultimate Mobile Gaming Controller - Xbox Edition takes the brand’s existing wireless mobile controller grip and makes a couple of surface-level changes.

The overall shape, style, and functions remain, but official Xbox licensing sees the Turbo button swapped for a dedicated Xbox button. It retains the $49.99 / £43.99 / AU$89 price tag of the original, meaning it's significantly cheaper than alternatives like the Backbone One or GameSir G8.

The Hall effect joysticks and triggers from the original are still here too, with clicky bumpers and what 8BitDo describes as a refined D-pad, though it felt pretty standard to me. For Xbox Cloud Gaming specifically, which is what I imagine most gamers would turn to this option for, it’s excellent on the whole. Cruising the streets of Japan in Forza Horizon 6 across iOS, Android, and Mac was smooth and responsive, with no perceptible latency over its wireless Bluetooth connection. The telescopic grip is the most secure I've seen in this category, confidently holding an iPhone 17 Pro with a case without any flex or creaking, and it’s comfortable enough for longer sessions.

The problems start when you step outside cloud gaming and into native mobile titles. Call of Duty Mobile refused to recognize the controller on both iOS and Android, and games that do work natively, like Fortnite, display PlayStation button prompts on screen despite the controller's physical ABXY layout and Xbox branding. The two back paddle buttons, a feature prominently listed on the spec sheet, also weren't recognized in any game or cloud gaming scenario I tested.

The core experience, however, is a pleasant one. If Xbox Cloud Gaming is your primary use case, the 8BitDo Ultimate Mobile Gaming Controller - Xbox Edition is close to a bargain. For native mobile gaming, the experience is a harder sell, and you’d be better off exploring other options on our list of the best mobile controllers.

(Image credit: Future)8BitDo Ultimate Mobile Gaming Controller - Xbox Edition: Price and availability

• List price: $49.99 / ~£43.99 / AU$89
• Retains the same price as the original and undercuts similar competitors
• Available in white or black from 8BitDo and retailers

The 8BitDo Ultimate Mobile Gaming Controller - Xbox Edition launched in July 2025, half a year after the non-branded version, keeping the same $49.99 / £43.99 / AU$89 price. You’ll find it at a range of retailers, though 8BitDo is keen to push you towards Amazon, as well as from its own online store.

It’s worth checking out different options because at the time of writing, 8BitDo's store has it on sale for $38.99 in the US, making an already competitive price even more attractive.

For context, the Backbone One 2nd Gen runs $99.99, and the GameSir G8 Wireless sits at $79.99, so even at full price, the 8BitDo undercuts its closest competitors by a comfortable margin.

If you’re not too fussed about that Xbox tie-in, it’s worth noting that the original version of this controller now shares the same iOS and Android compatibility and has been spotted as low as $25 on sale. The day-to-day differences are extremely minor, so if budget is a concern, it’s worth keeping an eye on both.

(Image credit: Future)8BitDo Ultimate Mobile Gaming Controller - Xbox Edition: Specs

8BitDo Ultimate Mobile Gaming Controller Xbox Edition

Price

$49.99 / £43.99 / AU$89

Dimensions

7.8 x 4.1 x 2.1in / 198 x 103 x 53.5mm

Weight

8.32oz / 236g

Connection

Bluetooth LE 5.0, USB-C (Windows only)

Compatibility

iOS, Android, PC, macOS

Software

8BitDo Ultimate Software V2 (iOS, Android)

8BitDo Ultimate Mobile Gaming Controller - Xbox Edition: Design and features

• The most secure phone grip I've tested in a mobile controller
• Hall effect sticks and triggers are impressive at this price
• Quite a small overall profile

The 8BitDo Ultimate Mobile Gaming Controller - Xbox Edition carries that familiar 8BitDo styling with rounded edges everywhere that almost look like they’re gently melting. It’s not, thankfully, and build quality is good across the board.

The textured rubber surface on the back of the phone deck is a highlight with a fun input-themed pattern, and the small amount of texture on the back of the main grips feels nice under your fingers. It’s available in your choice of black or white. I’ve been testing the former, and it’s a magnet for greasy marks, and I can see it getting shiny over time. Keep a microfibre cloth handy.

I don’t have massive hands, but the 8BitDo Ultimate Mobile Gaming Controller - Xbox Edition feels slightly small to hold, and it’s the length of the main grips that is the culprit. The left stick falls in a natural position, but the right one ends up nearly at the base of my thumb, and I essentially had to claw-grip the right side to reach it. It's not a dealbreaker, though coming from the stock Xbox Wireless Controller or even another mobile grip like the GameSir G8, it’s certainly a downgrade in comfort.

Where this controller definitely impresses is the phone deck. The telescopic action extends smoothly, and in testing, it held both my phones in a reassuringly sturdy way. This is the first mobile controller grip I've tested that confidently holds both a super slim POCO X5 Pro 5G and a chunky iPhone 17 Pro with a case still on without any sense that the phone might pop loose. There are no replaceable pads or removable elements to fiddle with; it’s just a good base design that’s wonderfully fit for purpose.

Feedback from the bumpers is sharp and clicky, with a responsiveness that feels better than you'd expect at this price point. The face buttons are a more standard fare, neither exceptional nor disappointing, though they are a little rattly. The D-pad has a noticeable wobble before the input registers, though the actual click is short and responsive once it fires.

There are Hall effect sticks and triggers on offer here, which is impressive for the price, and the sticks feel great with just the right amount of resistance. The triggers have a good level of detail but have a quirk: both left and right complete their full input range before the trigger is physically all the way down, leaving roughly 5% of dead travel at the bottom of the press. They don’t have the longest travel to begin with, so it’s a shame not to be using all of it.

(Image credit: Future)8BitDo Ultimate Mobile Gaming Controller - Xbox Edition: Performance

• Xbox Cloud Gaming works excellently across iOS, Android, and Mac
• Native mobile game compatibility is highly inconsistent
• Back buttons weren't recognized in any scenario I tested

Given its name, it should be no surprise that the 8BitDo Ultimate Mobile Gaming Controller - Xbox Edition is at its best when playing games via Xbox Cloud Gaming. I’d even go so far as to say that if you’re not a Game Pass subscriber, you can probably stop reading now and look to another mobile grip instead.

Initial pairing to devices is straightforward, and thankfully, there are no multiple connectivity modes to fumble with like on the GameSir G8 Bluetooth. The whole experience works smoothly out of the box, and I didn’t even need to consult the user guide for pairing mode instructions. I took a punt on holding a button until a light flashed, and I was right.

Switching the controller between devices wasn’t quite so simple, though admittedly my testing environment is a real stress test for this kind of thing. I attempted to jump around between my iPhone, MacBook Air, and Android phone, and things got rather temperamental.

The controller seemed to want to cling on to a previously paired device, even if Bluetooth was now switched off on it, so moving between a phone and a laptop usually required repairing from scratch rather than reconnecting to a previously paired device. If you’re not hopping back and forth as I have been, this won’t be an issue, though after a few days of testing I’ve ended up with four separate "Ultimate MGX" entries in my Android Bluetooth list.

No matter which of those devices I was connected to, the Xbox Cloud Gaming experience was excellent. I drove around Japan in Forza Horizon 6 without a hitch; the controls were responsive, and there was no noticeable Bluetooth latency.

The triggers offer plenty of granular control for working the throttle, though that dead zone at the end I mentioned earlier took some getting used to when it came to small throttle lifts around high-speed corners. There's no rumble or vibration support, but I’ll happily admit I didn't miss it. Cloud gaming and mobile titles rarely lean heavily on haptic feedback anyway.

FutureFuture

Steam had a love-hate relationship with the controller, depending on the platform. Connecting to my MacBook Air over Bluetooth had Steam recognizing it as a different, previously paired controller, which then failed to work in-game. Plugging it in via USB-C looked promising at first with macOS referencing it by name, but it was never seen by Steam or Xbox Cloud Gaming.

Windows fared much better across both Steam and cloud; over USB-C, it was instantly set up as a general XInput device, fully mapped and compatible with both.

8BitDo Ultimate Mobile Gaming Controller - Xbox Edition gains a dedicated Xbox home button on the front, replacing the turbo button from the standard version. When in the cloud gaming app, this button opens the guide just like it would on console; outside cloud gaming, it’ll open either the Apple Gaming app or act as a home button on Android. It’s a nice-to-have sort of feature rather than a game-changing one, but I’ll admit I did use it a few times in testing and wouldn’t have looked twice at a turbo button.

The moment you step into native mobile games, however, things start to get messier, and you’re at the mercy of individual developers. Fortnite recognized the controller immediately on both iOS and Android, and the gameplay experience was responsive and reliable. But the on-screen button labels display PlayStation symbols (Circle, Cross, Square, Triangle) despite the controller's physical ABXY layout and Xbox branding.

That’s a little awkward. This usually happens because the controller identifies itself as a generic gamepad rather than as an actual Xbox controller, which means the Xbox licensing doesn't extend to how games see it. Call of Duty Mobile, one of the biggest mobile shooters on the planet, simply doesn't recognize the controller at all. Not on iOS, not on Android, and there’s no hardware mapping workaround either.

Depending on your play style, the back paddle buttons are perhaps the most frustrating limitation. They're physically well-designed, nicely positioned, and require just the right amount of force to trigger, but they weren't recognized in any scenario I tested. Not in Fortnite, not in cloud gaming, not anywhere. Even after binding them to specific inputs through the 8BitDo Ultimate Software V2 app, games simply didn't see them.

Speaking of the app, it’s incredibly basic and falls far behind competitors in this space. Firstly, there are confusingly two versions on the App Store; V1 doesn't recognize the controller at all, and V2 requires you to manually select and pair your controller model during setup despite the device already being Bluetooth-paired to your phone.

Once you're in, the customization options are barebones: button remapping, dead zone adjustments, and trigger tuning. It worked on both iOS and Android, though anything you configure is device-specific and doesn’t save on the controller itself.

Shoudl you buy the 8BitDo Ultimate Mobile Gaming Controller - Xbox Edition?Buy it if...

You’re an Xbox Game Pass subscriber who plays on mobile
This is the controller's strongest use case by a wide, wide margin. Cloud gaming works flawlessly on iOS, Android, and Mac; the build quality is excellent for the price, and the phone grip is the most secure I've tested.

You value portability or have smaller hands
While it doesn’t fold down completely, the 8BitDo Ultimate Mobile Gaming Controller Xbox Edition is more compact than competitors, with shorter grips that are well suited to smaller hands.

Don't buy it if...

You play a lot of native mobile games
The Ultimate Mobile Gaming Controller is inconsistent when it comes to native game recognition. Some titles play fine but with the wrong labels, while others simply don’t work at all. If onboard titles are your main focus, look elsewhere.

You use rear buttons a lot
The two rear paddle buttons are physically well-placed but functionally useless in every scenario I tested. Even cloud gaming, which works so well in general, fails to recognize them or allow their use in games.

Also consider...

Here are two strong alternatives to weigh up.

8BitDo Ultimate Mobile Gaming Controller Xbox Edition

GameSir G8+ Bluetooth

Backbone One 2nd Gen

Price

$49.99 / £43.99 / AU$89

$79.99 / £79.99 / AU$129.99

$99.99 / £99.99 / AU$179.99

Dimensions

7.8 x 4.1 x 2.1in / 198 x 103 x 53.5mm

9.06 x 4.21 x 2.17in / 230 x 107 x 55mm

6.93 x 3.70 x 1.34in / 176 x 93.98 x 34.03mm

Weight

8.32oz / 236g

10.72oz / 314g

4.86oz / 138g

Connection

Bluetooth LE 5.0, USB-C (Windows only)

Bluetooth 5.3, Wired (USB-C), Dongle (sold separately)

Wired (USB-C / Lightning)

Compatibility

iOS, Android, PC, macOS

Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, PC, macOS

Android, iOS

Software

8BitDo Ultimate Software V2 (iOS, Android)

GameSir App (Android only)

Backbone App

GameSir G8+ Galileo Wireless
This is your closest direct competitor, offering Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity, Hall effect sticks and triggers, back buttons, and broader platform support including Nintendo Switch. It costs more at $79.99, but the larger grips, additional connectivity options, and stronger local game compatibility make it a more versatile wireless mobile controller.

For more information, check out our full GameSir G8+ Galileo Wireless review

Backbone One (2nd Gen)
The Backbone One remains our top pick for portable mobile controllers thanks to its compact form factor, reliable USB-C passthrough connection, and broad game compatibility. It's basically double the price and lacks Hall effect sticks, but if native game support and portability matter more than cloud gaming value, it's the safer bet.

For more information, check out our full Backbone One 2nd Gen review

How I tested the 8BitDo Ultimate Mobile Gaming Controller - Xbox Edition

• Spent several days testing across multiple devices and platforms
• I tested native mobile games, Xbox Cloud Gaming, and Steam on Mac and Windows
• Tried the companion app on both iOS and Android

I tested the 8BitDo Ultimate Mobile Gaming Controller Xbox Edition with an iPhone 17 Pro and a POCO X5 Pro 5G for mobile gaming, as well as a Mac and Windows PC for cloud gaming and Steam. I tested native mobile games, including Fortnite (on both iOS and Android), and attempted Call of Duty Mobile on both platforms. Cloud gaming testing focused on Forza Horizon 6 via Xbox Cloud Gaming on all devices.

I evaluated the companion app experience on both iOS and Android, including firmware checking, profile setup, and button remapping. I tested the back paddle buttons across multiple scenarios, including native games, cloud gaming, and through the 8BitDo Ultimate Software V2 app. I also tested the controller's behavior on Steam, including calibration and in-game recognition.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed July 2026

• Someone used an AirPod to record flying disc throw statistics
• Tested with throws of up to 45mph and no damage
• Strava-friendly export for dedicated disc throwers

One of Apple's most famous adverts opened with "Here's to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently." The text didn't explicitly say "here's to the ones sticking AirPods on frisbees", but I think Steve Jobs would have approved of the Redditor who's done exactly that.

Paul Tracer, aka Disastrous-Body-297, has invented a use for AirPods that I'm pretty sure nobody at Apple ever considered. He used them to upgrade a standard frisbee and to stream real-time data. It can even export sessions to the Strava app.

Airpods can track frisbee throws from r/airpodsWhy upgrading a frisbee with AirPods isn't completely crazy

As the intrepid inventor explains: "The AirPod streams motion data to the phone and detects/analyses throws in real time. With optional voice feedback into the second AirPod. It measures speed, revolutions, airborne time, throw count. It also measures heartrate (either with latest AirPods or external HR)."

You can try it for yourself: the app is the sports metrics app Kinapod, which the creator says is currently going through Apple's approval process. The AirPod is literally just put through a hole created in the dead center of the disc. Tracer says "Just punch a hole in the center of the disc and that’s it! You’ll be surprised how reliable it is. The AirPod stem is not entirely cylindrical, it doesn’t slide out."

The result is a lot of data: average speed, maximum spin, total airborne time, and more.

There's a market for that kind of information: as one Redditor, lenfantsuave, joke posts, "Tech disc: I will never financially recover from this." Tech Disc is a company that makes a range of launch monitors for disc golf priced at $299.99, which track multiple metrics and flight paths in order to help players improve their game, and someone from the firm joined in the online conversation to praise Tracer's ingenuity.

Tracer's tracker is very much a "fun thing" rather than a serious setup, not least because expensive earbuds aren't the most cost-effective gyro sensors to attach to a frisbee; the risk of damage or destruction is clearly pretty high, although the AirPods have survived so far according to Tracer.

Tracer is currently chatting with Redditors on forums such as r/discgolf about alternative and more affordable ways of collating data. And in the meantime, the AirPod/Frisbee combination made me and other Redditors happy: "This is very rad," says claybythebay9, while GrandMasterFlex reckons, and I'm including to agree, that "this is sick as hell".

As Apple's ad put it, "while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius." Or as SilverMelodyPrincess says in the Reddit thread: "Apple accidentally made the most over-engineered frisbee stat tracker and I'm here for it."

Computing is so ubiquitous that we often see more than one in most households, including laptops, desktops, all-in-ones, smartphones, tablets, and so on. But there was once a time when that certainly wasn't the case. In that context, some comments made by industry stalwarts of the past may appear like massive miscalculations.

Ethics in AI

The late Ken Olsen was the co-founder and CEO of Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC), a major company in the mid-20th century that produced a series of minicomputers over the decades in which it operated until its decline in 1998.

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.

Despite being a key part of the computer industry, Olsen was adamant that the computer was something isolated to the enterprise — delivering his infamous comments in 1977 at a convention of the World Future Society. There are, however, two very important caveats.

Firstly, computers at the time were either gigantic mainframes or minicomputers that needed specialized staff to manage. Secondly, Olsen later claimed his words were taken completely out of context.

Smart living

Olsen claimed he wasn't referring to the sort of computers we see today in homes like desktop PCs or laptops, but actually the then-futuristic proposal of a master computer that would automate different functions around the house.

What the executive was referring to was what we now understand as the smart home. However, regardless of the context, his comments still missed the mark — as the rise of smart home technology has been a very exciting development during the 21st century.

That said, the vision of a fully automated and intelligent home has proven massively prohibitive, partially due to cost, partially due to hardware, and finally due to slow interoperability and integration. That latter element, however, is finally something that's been changing thanks to the Matter smart home standard.

• White Eagle knocked Matador's head off with a precise high kick during combat
• Matador continued fighting after losing its head and head-mounted sensors during battle
• EngineAI's humanoid robot can perform uppercuts, spinning kicks, and rapid recovery after falls

A white T800 humanoid robot named White Eagle stunned spectators in China after landing a precision kick that dislodged its rival's head.

The bout was part of the opening contest of the Ultimate Robot Knock-out Legend (URKL) tournament, the world's first full-scale humanoid robot fighting event.

Held at the Shenzhen Nanshan Cultural and Sports Center, the event drew 32 teams from around the world.

A robot that kept fighting

The most striking moment came when White Eagle's opponent, a black-clad robot called Matador, lost its head to a precise high kick.

Despite losing its head-mounted sensors, the machine kept throwing punches and absorbing strikes, finishing the match through its torso-based core systems alone.

Organizers said the sequence shows the robot's durability and its resistance to sustained physical impact, according to the Guangzhou Daily.

According to EngineAI, the T800 stands 1.73 meters tall and can perform uppercuts, spinning kicks and rapid recoveries after falls.

The company said each unit costs roughly $50,000 and features strong posture control, dynamic perception and shock-absorbing capabilities for combat.

All 32 competing teams used the EngineAI T800 as a standardized platform, ensuring every fighter entered the ring with identical hardware.

Selection for the inaugural tournament reportedly involved rigorous testing of each robot's stability and combat responsiveness before the event officially began.

The Shenzhen Nanshan Cultural and Sports Center provided the backdrop for a tournament organizers hope will grow into a recognized global sporting franchise.

Tournament tests more than robot strength

The URKL format assesses robots through effective strikes, body stability, defensive and evasive abilities, and overall durability in combat.

That structure means victory depends on more than simply delivering the hardest punch or kick.

EngineAI founder and CEO Zhao Tongyang said the tournament aims to develop a globally influential commercial humanoid robotics fighting franchise.

He also said competition could support research and industrial development by exposing machines to demanding physical conditions.

"We want to use competition to drive research and industry development," Zhao said. "Let the event feed back into technology, and let technology drive the industry."

Real combat could help assess mechanical balance, millisecond-level decision-making and coordination between multiple sensor systems.

Feedback from such conditions could accelerate the movement of intelligent robots from laboratory development toward commercial use.

Actor Donnie Yen attended the event and compared the experience favourably with staged combat scenes from films.

"Honestly, I used to see robot fighting only in science fiction movies. But today, for the first time, I got to watch real robots fighting up close,” Yen said during the opening ceremony.

The event's unusual head-loss incident reveals the durability of the T800, while also showing the limits and risks of using complex humanoid machines in physical combat.

Future contests will likely determine whether such events can produce useful engineering data beyond entertainment.

Via Global Times

• There was very little mention of the Samsung Galaxy Ring at this year's Unpacked presentation
• Nevertheless, it sounds like a Galaxy Ring 2 is coming
• I interviewed Annika Bizon, VP of Product and Marketing for Mobile Experience, who gave me the inside scoop

What a day! We've just seen Samsung's vision for the future of wearables at Samsung Galaxy Unpacked, including its AR glasses and the new Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 and Watch 9.

However, conspicuous by its absence was the next iteration of Samsung's smallest wearable, the Samsung Galaxy Ring. While Samsung did confirm the Samsung Galaxy Ring's sleep apnea detection functionality was getting a coveted FDA certification — a significant badge of quality — very little else was said about the Ring, or its next generation.

While the silence has led some to believe that the Ring might be a one-and-done device, people are still passionate about the smart ring form factor. After all, the Oura Ring 5 was released this year, so I thought Samsung would be looking to follow up its smash-hit Galaxy Ring with a Galaxy Ring 2.

(Image credit: Future)

While it didn't appear in this year's presentation, it seems that a successor is, indeed, on the way. During an interview with Samsung's VP of Product and Marketing for Mobile Experience, Annika Bizon, I asked if there was any word on a potential Galaxy Ring 2.

"I will say yes, we are looking at the future of Ring, watch this space," Bizon told me. "It will definitely form part of our future portfolio of wearables."

I noted that Bizon was wearing a Samsung Galaxy Ring as we were speaking. "Well, I love it because it's discreet health," she said. "It tells me some of the things I need to know and when I put my watch back on, they'll work together."

There was definitely a "yes" in there, and the remark about the future portfolio suggests a new device, as well as a follow-up to the existing one, could be in the works. And the Galaxy Ring has certainly got fans inside Samsung's executive team.

Besides, Samsung aggressively pursuing certifications for the first-generation Ring shows it remains committed to investing time and money into its smallest wearable form factor. The short segment at Unpacked felt like a reminder that yes, the Ring exists, and there's more on the way.

Even though it's a mere tidbit compared to all the big news we got at the event, this is exciting stuff for fans of the best smart rings. The recent announcement of the blood-pressure monitoring startup Signal Ring from ex-Head of Android Tom Moss shows that tech companies are still pushing the limits of what smart rings can do.

• Anduril and Archer Aviation unveiled Thunder, an autonomous tiltrotor "loyal wingman" designed to fly alongside crewed attack helicopters
• The rotocraft can carry up to 10 air-to-ground missiles or 76 guided rockets while simultaneously being equipped with counter-drone technology
• Its first flight is targeted for 2027, but no price was disclosed, and no named customer was announced

Anduril opened the 2026 Farnborough International Airshow with the kind of reveal the event is increasingly built around: not a jet, but a robot.

The defense startup, in partnership with electric-aircraft maker Archer Aviation, pulled the wraps off Thunder, a Group 5 autonomous attack rotorcraft designed to fly alongside crewed attack helicopters like the Boeing AH-64 Apache and the US Army's upcoming Bell MV-75 Cheyenne II, or operate entirely on its own.

The Thunder aims to address the growing recognition that the modern battlefield is essentially a killing field for near-surface weaponry and personnel by offering a cheaper, safer option for Western militaries.

A concentration on 'mass' drives the Thunder's design

Anduril has repeatedly mentioned mass when it comes to the Thunder, and for good reason.

The Thunder can not only essentially act as an autonomous aerial unit in a formation that has other attack helicopters in it, but it can carry an impressive amount of munitions and electronic warfare equipment to boot, essentially multiplying the threat any squadron of helicopters poses with it.

Not only does it risk fewer lives, if any, but it also costs less than both a fully equipped attack helicopter and the trained personnel required to man it, making it a relative no-brainer for the future if it lives up to its promise.

The trade is meant to be obvious: field enough autonomous wingmen cheaply enough that losing one is an accounting event, not a casualty notification. This is the same "affordable mass" doctrine Anduril and others have been pushing into the fighter world through Collaborative Combat Aircraft programs.

The Thunder simply extends it from fixed-wing fast jets down into Army attack aviation, which is arguably where Ukraine has shown the need is most acute.

It is also, tellingly, a teaming concept rather than a replacement one. Anduril is not claiming Thunder makes the Apache obsolete; it is claiming Thunder keeps the Apache relevant by absorbing the parts of a mission most likely to get a crew killed, while the humans stay farther back and make the decisions.

Anduril's Collaborative Combat Aircraft ambitions are already on display: a drone it designed recently launched an AMRAAM air-to-air missile at a digital target, with human pilots still firmly in control even as the device's autonomy continues to grow.

The Thunder is today a full-scale mockup with a 2027 first-flight target, meaning some details are subject to change. But even as Anduril Industries remains tight-lipped about cost and potential customers, the rotorcraft appears linked to Britain's Project NYX Apache-wingman program, for which the UK arm of the defense contractor has already been shortlisted.

• Russia is adding magnetic compasses to drones affected by satellite navigation jamming
• The Molniya can use Earth’s magnetic field for basic directional guidance
• A camera periodically checks the compass during the drone’s flight

Russian engineers have reportedly fitted a basic magnetic compass onto the cheap Molniya attack drone to counter satellite jamming.

The modification offers a low-cost alternative when electronic warfare systems interfere with GPS or GLONASS signals used by many unmanned aircraft.

Although the upgrade does not make the drone completely immune to interference, it removes dependence on satellite signals for basic directional guidance.

A compass helps the Molniya survive satellite jamming

Most drones depend on satellite navigation systems that both Ukrainian and Russian electronic warfare units have spent the war jamming and spoofing.

Unlike satellite navigation, a magnetic compass reads Earth’s magnetic field directly and does not depend on an external radio signal.

This makes the system difficult to disrupt through conventional jamming, which targets the signals drones use to determine their position and maintain planned flight paths.

The modification could therefore help the Molniya continue following a general course after electronic warfare systems interfere with satellite navigation.

According to Ukrainian defence advisor Serhii Beskrestnov, the latest upgrade was done by Skolkovo technologies.

“Skolkovo technologies continue to develop. A compass was installed on the Molniya drone, and the camera periodically tilts down to look at it,” he said.

The Molniya has also appeared in versions controlled through fibre-optic cables, which cannot be disrupted wirelessly because commands travel through a physical connection.

Those cables, however, add weight and create limitations for range, payload capacity and deployment flexibility.

Beskrestnov has also reported a Molniya attack involving no control antenna, with an onboard camera and computer handling navigation and target selection.

These developments suggest that the low-cost drone is being adapted through different approaches to reduce dependence on vulnerable communications links.

Low cost makes simple upgrades attractive

Russia’s approach to cheaply upgrading the Molniya drones suggests that it is focused on spending less in the war against Ukraine.

The Molniya drones are pretty cheap and are largely made of plywood and aluminum tubing.

This explains why Russian engineers can add simple technologies instead of redesigning the entire aircraft around more expensive navigation systems.

Beskrestnov has estimated that Russia can build 10 to 15 Molniya drones for the cost of one Supercam reconnaissance drone.

The Supercam can cost close to $100,000 per aircraft, according to the estimate, making the cheaper Molniya suitable for modifications that prioritise affordability over sophisticated hardware.

In response to Beskrestnov, Russian military analyst Ian Matveev said, “I’m sure in the documents it says: Navigation equipment based on the principles of Earth’s magnetism.”

His remark captured how a low-cost compass fix can outperform far pricier electronic warfare countermeasures on the battlefield.

However, the magnetic compass does not provide precise satellite positioning, and the drone remains vulnerable to other countermeasures affecting its control, sensors or flight systems.

Via Defence Blog

• Over half of Gen Z workers feel more productive working from home
• 34% of Gen Z workers believe their workplace does not allow them to focus effectively
• The findings are the result of a survey conducted by Diamond Interiors and YouGov

A new survey has claimed Gen Z employees feel they’re at their most productive working from home, rather than in the workplace, flying in the face of those attempting to get people back into the office.

The Diamond Interiors report notes focusing on work is widely recognized as improving productivity, which might explain the challenge for Gen Z. Home can be quiet, distractions managed, and with the right setup, focused productivity can deliver early completion and potentially the option to finish work early. With a commute to a busy office, this may seem tougher to achieve.

With 53% claiming they feel more productive working from home rather than in the noisy office, the challenge here might not be so much getting people into the office, but what the office really represents.

20-somethings don’t like the office

Over the years, office-based environments have evolved, from closed rooms to open-plan operations, sometimes occupying an entire floor without walls. The noise – for instance in call centers – can be considerable, and the opportunities for distraction soon add up. Throw in the period of enforced remote working from 2020 to 2023, which may also have included a period of university study for Gen Z, and you have a generation that isn’t geared to handle distractions.

The report highlights that 53% of those surveyed in the Gen Z cohort believe that working from home makes them more productive, with 34% blaming the design of the workplace.

“These findings highlight an important challenge facing employers," noted Rebecca Waller, Head Of Design at Diamond Interiors. "While offices remain incredibly valuable for collaboration, many employees are telling us they do not always feel they have the right environment to focus on individual tasks.”

“In many cases, it is not necessarily because employees prefer being at home, but because home environments often offer greater control over noise, interruptions, and comfort.”

Is this the end of the office?

The big question isn’t “how do we successfully move on from the office” – at least, not yet. Rather, it seems to be that offices don’t offer the level of comfort and focus that Gen Z employees need. As Waller says “It is not necessarily because employees prefer being at home, but because home environments often offer greater control over noise, interruptions, and comfort."

She highlights that workspaces need to support methods of working that suit everyone, with open-plan layouts balanced with quieter areas, environments that can avoid distractions. If employers expect Gen Z team members to produce their best work, it’s going to be a choice between home working and finding a workplace design that fosters productivity, not distractions.

As TechRadar’s AV tester, I’m always on the lookout for new 4K Blu-rays to test the best TVs and best soundbars with. While I have a pretty healthy catalog, with some top-notch discs, as a 4K Blu-ray fan, it’s exciting to check out new discs to keep testing fresh.

Last month, I tested the Speed Racer 4K Blu-ray and it was a powerhouse. Not only did it deliver staggeringly vibrant colors, but it also had a superb Dolby Atmos soundtrack that demonstrated power and precision, particularly during race sequences. It was one of my top discs of the June 2026 Blu-ray Bounty, and it’s easily one of the most impressive I’ve tested.

This month, a new disc has caught my eye: The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. The second entry in the new Mario Bros set of films, first started in 2023 with The Super Mario Bros., I’m anticipating that The Super Mario Galaxy Movie will have bright, crisp visuals and, hopefully, a great Dolby Atmos soundtrack.

While this was one of my most anticipated discs of July 2026, a first impressions Reddit thread on r/4K Blu-ray from user u/nacthenud got me even more hyped. Not only did they rate the movie’s HDR performance, but also mentioned it in the same breath as Speed Racer. So, I decided to check out how the disc fared on our reference LG G6 OLED TV, one of the best OLED TVs I’ve tested this year.

Phenomenal colors

The Super Mario Galaxy 4K Blu-ray delivers astonshing colors, shown here by the bold and bright Lumas (Image credit: Nintendo / Universal Pictures / Future )

From the moment The Super Mario Galaxy Movie starts, it’s clear just how stunning the 4K disc’s color reproduction is. As Princess Rosalina reads a bedtime story to the Lumas, the small creatures dazzle on screen. Every color, including yellow, green, red and so on, look natural and punchy in equal measure. Thanks to the high HDR highlight brightness, coupled with Dolby Vision support, the Lumas really popped on the LG G6’s screen. If your TV has high brightness with good highlights, you’ll be rewarded in this scene alone.

Soon after, as Rosalina battles Bowser Jr. in his giant robot, the sparkle from her magic, which comes out in vibrant blues, pinks and purples, shimmers on screen. This is also true later as the yellow Luma turns into a star, with the glittery stardust jumping on screen. Again, it’s another showcase of how impactful HDR highlights can look.

Later, as we see Mario and Luigi meet Yoshi for the first time, the 4K presentation gets to show the authenticity of its colors. Yes, Mario’s red jumpsuit and the green of Luigi’s overalls and Yoshi’s skin are striking, but the colors look realistic too. While I expected the colors in this movie to explode on screen as I’d seen in animated flicks like Elemental, these particular colors reminded me more of the lifelike colors I’d seen in The Wild Robot, exhibiting the wonderful depth and realism I liked in the latter.

Colors are both vibrant and authentic throughout the movie, really popping on the LG G6 I used. (Image credit: Nintendo / Universal Pictures / Future )

In complete opposition to that, the neon signs of the games in the casino Peach and Toad arrive at really burst with color. This is where the G6’s highlights and peak brightness were really tested, and it did a great job. If you have a TV with high peak brightness, then again you’ll be rewarded. The same is true with the gold detail on the furnishings around Peach’s castle, as they sparkle as well.

Peach and Rosalina’s dresses are highlights in themselves, really delivering that candy-colored pop alongside the shimmer they both seem to produce. While they’re colors aren’t as natural as the Mario Bros and Yoshi, they’re accurate for the movie and really deliver a nice impact.

Dolby Atmos power

Overhead height channels are well utilized, delivering strong, immersive Dolby Atmos (Image credit: Nintendo / Universal Pictures / Future )

While I anticipated this disc to be a showcase for color, I didn’t expect it to be such a perfect audio powerhouse. Bass is frequently hefty, pushing the limits of the subwoofer of the Samsung HW-Q990C soundbar I was using. As Bowser Jr’s robot stomps towards Rosalina, the rumble from the Q990C’s subwoofer rattled the room and reverberated through the floor. Later, as Fox ignites the engines of the Arwing, this produces some meaty bass, akin to the igniting of the Batmobile’s engine from The Batman, my go-to audio testing scene.

The Dolby Atmos soundtrack here is also very precise. As Luigi launches fire in a panic in a cave, the flames’ trajectory was accurately mapped to the front channels, travelling from right to left across the soundbar. In another scene, as Peach and Toad first fly into space, the sound of the twinkling flight path of the trail behind them is not only mapped accurately, but clearly audible among the rousing, horn-led score, showing the soundtrack’s excellent balance.

The star's flight path is one of the highlights of the disc's Dolby Atmos soundtrack. (Image credit: Nintendo / Universal Pictures / Future )

Surround and height channels are also fully utilized. During the climactic space battle, as Fox pilots the Arwing towards Bowser Jr’s ship, the Arwing travels around the whole ship. This was mapped with real precision first to the front channels, then the rear right, to the rear left and back again, creating a fully immersive feel. It reminded me of the time-bending music sequence in Sinners, which also moved around each channel.

Throughout, there are numerous scenes where characters fly through space, using the star to move from galaxy to galaxy. These are a great demonstration for Atmos, with overhead flight paths actually coming from overhead. The same was true with Fox’s Arwing. As it avoided Bowser’s minions in the space battle, anytime the Arwing moved to the top of the screen, Atmos rendered accurate overhead flight.

Another reference disc

The Super Galaxy Movie is yet another astonishing, reference-quality 4K Blu-ray (Image credit: Nintendo / Universal Pictures / Future )

After watching The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, it’s definitely entering my testing rotation. Not only does it deliver on color and sound, but animation is crisp throughout, with clean-looking animation. Contrast is also powerful, with the dark blues of space contrasting well with the stars, Lumas and even the bright outfits of the main characters.

There are also plenty of bright scenes that will show off a TV’s HDR highlights and brightness, plus there’s some lovely shadow detail. Any scenes with strong light, such as Mario and Luigi with their flames in the cave, or at sunset as Peach gets frustrated, there’s strong shadows cast that look realistic.

This really is a superb 4K disc, and if you’re looking for a bold, colorful and dynamic movie to show off your home theater system, this is one to consider.

Long hours at a screen is the reality for many professionals and gamers, and the Swedish company Arozzi's mission is to make items that enhance the experience, especially ergonomic chairs.

I've already reviewed an electric standing desk by Arozzi — the minimal, reliable and outright impressive Arena Nordico. In this review I focus on one of the company's best office chairs — the Vernazza Supersoft.

If we're going off price and materials used, the Vernazza Supersoft is a premium pick, and following 4-5 months of daily office use, I couldn't be happier. This is the comfiest and most durable office and gaming chair I've regularly parked myself in, and it's an easy recommendation.

Arozzi Vernazza Supersoft: Unboxing and First Impressions

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)

Shipped from Sweden, the Arozzi Vernazza Supersoft came securely packaged in a large box and included the chair backrest, chair base, wheel base, wheels, gas lift column and sleeve and two arm components, plus adjustable lumbar and neck supports, hex screws and a premium dual length hex key tool with rubber handle.

Assembling the chair was a breeze and took me less than 15 minutes in all. Each wheel can be pushed and clicked into place on the wheel base, then flip it around and add the center column and protective plastic casing — gravity does the work.

You then move onto the chair, fixing the back rest and base together through the sturdy steel bracket with hex screws, two on each side. Plastic casing then covers those steel brackets. The seat mechanism attaches to the chair base with four hex screws — it's clearly labeled which way around it goes — while each arm has four hex screws, that's a total of 16.

Once those are all securely fastened to the chair's underside, you're ready to slide it onto the gas lift column and lock it off. The finishing touches are positioning the two memory foam pillows. The instructional video on Arozzi's site walks through the entire assembly.

I was supplied with the premium 'Supersoft' version of the Vernazza and have not tried the standard Soft Fabric version or the PU leather versions. The finish is as described, velvety-soft to the touch, though the padding is decently firm for long stints at a screen. And despite not being a mesh chair, the Supersoft is surprisingly breathable.

Tim ColemanTim ColemanTim ColemanArozzi Vernazza Supersoft: Price and Availability

The Arozzi Vernazza Supersoft is available directly from the Arozzi store for £379 / €449 (or £419 / €499 for the XL version) and ships Europe-wide directly from Sweden, with shipping costs calculated at checkout. The site says shipping is free for orders over €100 and products come with a 'hassle-free' two year warranty. At the time of writing, UK shoppers can get the Vernazza Supersoft for £299 from Currys.

I tested the 'Supersoft' version, which is priciest of the Vernazza range which also includes 'Soft Fabric' and 'PU finishes, at lower price points. Each of the three finishes are available in regular or 'XL' versions. The main difference between the two versions is the suitable user height and maximum weight capacity (check website for details).

Available colors depends on which version of the Vernazza you opt for. The Vernazza Supersoft, for example, comes in nine varieties including the Black - Grey that I opted for, whereas the XL version comes in just three. Other colors include pink, brown, white and pure black, each with their own matching memory foam lumbar cushion.

Optional memory foam arm rests can be purchased for £25 / €30.

Arozzi Vernazza Supersoft: Design & Build QualityTim ColemanTim ColemanTim ColemanTim Coleman

There's nothing particularly exciting about the Vernazza Supersoft's design — it's a typical looking gaming / office chair. However, it's certainly a step up in quality over entry-level models, and the generous choice of colors caters for various tastes.

I've already touched on the firm, supportive and comfortable cushioning and soft-to-the-touch velvet-like fabric — combined, they ooze quality, and the fabric is surprisingly breathable. In fact, Supersoft is a trademarked microfiber fabric which Arozzi says is made up of dust-repellant dense synthetic fibers.

The look and feel of the arms and protective plastic casings which cover the chairs mechanisms, on the other hand, are a little more rudimentary. That said, after months of use, every component still behaves as it did one day one. The plastic casing, and especially the chair's fabric, feel built to last.

Tim ColemanTim ColemanTim ColemanTim ColemanTim ColemanTim Coleman

The arms can be adjusted four ways (Arozzi calls it 4D); height, width, forwards / backwards and angled in / out — the latter is the only button-less adjustment, but has the right level of resistance to avoid accidental adjustments. In general, the button controls are smooth enough, though I'd like to see a greater range of motion for the angled in / out setting.

Class 4 gas lift suspension in the chair softens heavy landings, height adjustments are smooth, while a rocking control on the underside can be employed to lock the chair in an upright position or loosened for it to tilt freely.

The backrest recline function securely extends to a whopping 165-degrees — that's almost horizontal — being lockable in 4-degree increments. Thankfully, the aluminum wheel base is wide and sturdy, so I felt secure laying back even in the maximum reclined position. The wheels are large and glided smoothly over surfaces, even carpet.

Arozzi Vernazza Supersoft: In useTim ColemanTim ColemanTim Coleman

I have used the Arozzi Vernazza Supersoft as my primary office chair and a spot of gaming for four months and counting, with regular full working days at a screen. Put simply, it's the most comfortable chair I've worked in.

Two color-matching memory foam pillows are supplied with the Vernazza Supersoft — one for the lumbar and the other the neck. My lower back can feel stiff after long sessions being seated, but I can attest that the pillows further improve the chair's comfort levels.

Yes, it has the familiar look of many an office / gaming chair, but the premium materials are built to last. Every mechanism has worked perfectly, and the seat is wider than most others that I have previously used, able to fit users of all shapes and sizes.

The regular Supersoft I had is listed as supporting up to 145kg, so it's a truly sturdy chair! It is best suited for users approximately 165-190cm in height. The XL version for larger users can support up to 17pkg and is designed for 180-205cm tall users.

It's probably the Supersoft material that impressed me the most; velvety soft, durable and dust repellant.

Arozzi Vernazza Supersoft: Final verdict

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)

At first glance, the Arozzi Vernazza Supersoft looks like any other gaming / office chair, but once you're seated and using it, the premium quality is immediately evident. The velvet-soft material is highly durable and dust repellant, the memory foam lumbar and neck pillows enhance comfort levels, and every mechanism to adjust the chair's settings work smoothly and reliably. A range of colors further enhances the Vernazza Supersoft's appeal.

First tested: July 2026

For more top office furniture, see our guide to the best standing desks to complete your setup.

Quick choice guide

• Creality Ender 3 V3 SE ($187): Best for beginners
• Creality K1C ($399): Budget enclosed pick
• Creality K2 Pro ($649): Top mid-range
• Creality K2 Plus Combo ($1199): For large prints

We've had some great experiences testing out Creality's range of 3D printers - from beginner-friendly units to machines for large-scale printing projects. So, I was excited to see that plenty of them have been discounted over at Amazon right now. Based on our workshop testing, I've selected the four that are absolutely worth checking out.

For beginners, check out the Creality Ender 3 V3 SE for $187 (was $219). If you're a hobbyist on a budget, the excellent Creality K1C has dropped to $399 (was $499).

For an exceptional mid-range pick, the Creality K2 Pro is now $649 (was $849). And finally, the Creality K2 Plus Combo for $1199 (was $1529) is an easy recommendation for larger 3D printing.

Which 3D printer should you buy?

✅ Choose the Creality Ender 3 V3 SE if...
You want a beginner-friendly 3D printer under $200. This is one of the most affordable, reliable, and easy-to-use machines that's ever undergone our workshop tests.

✅ Choose the Creality K1C if...
You're looking to upgrade from a basic 3D printer without spending more than $400. It's our 3D printing expert's favorite 3D printer, and can handle more materials.

✅ Choose the Creality K2 Pro if...
You're a hobbyist looking for a mid-range all-rounder that hits the sweet spot in terms of speed and accuracy for serious everyday projects.

✅ Choose the Creality K2 Plus if...
You need a large build area for ambitious printing projects like crafting and cosplay accessories.

Creality Ender 3 V3 SE

Still one of the best 3D printers for beginners - especially at this price. We awarded the Creality Ender 3 V3 SE an impressive 4.5 stars after tests, and it stands out to many cheaper units due to the high print quality.View Deal

Why we recommend it

We scored the Creality Ender 3 V3 SE 4.5 stars in our review, with a Highly Recommended award - it's a great 3D printer for beginners at a price that's very accessible. It's almost as cheap as it was over Black Friday, where it sold for $174.

The catch? With its open-frame design, it's not as fast as others and it lacks features like a built-in camera and touchscreen.

Creality K1C

In our tests, we praised the Creality K1C's "all-star specification that will appeal to all levels of users, from education to business to dedicated 3D printing enthusiasts." Amazing budget all-rounder here. View Deal

Why we recommend it

The Creality K1C is our 3D printing expert's favorite machine - it's not an ultra high-end unit, but during our tests it performed brilliantly for a relatively budget machine, suitable for just about everyone. The cheapest I've seen this on Amazon is $369, so while not the lowest ever price, it's still a good deal for what you get here.

The catch? It's not the most accurate 3D printer in this price bracket, but it still beats most rivals if you want the complete package.

Creality K2 Pro

We called Creality's K2 Pro "an exceptional machine capable of producing some of the best 3D prints of any machine in this price bracket." A solid mid-range pick for a range of printing projects. View Deal

Why we recommend it

An unofficial upgrade on the K1C, we called the Creality K2 Pro "an exceptionally good 3D printer" capable of producing some of the best prints in its price bracket in our review, where it scored 4.5 stars and a Highly Recommended award. This is an all-time low price on Amazon, making it unmissable.

The catch? While it supports multi-color 3D printing, it was slow during our workshop testing.

Creality K2 Plus

We called the K2 Plus "an outstanding machine" in our review. It features a large 350mm build volume, 16-color support, dual AI cameras, and an actively heated chamber. The rigid die-cast frame make it ideal for ambitious printing projects.View Deal

Why we recommend it

With a build volume of 350 x 350 x 350mm, the Creality K2 Plus is the one to go for if you want to print larger pieces - in our 4.5-star review, we praised the build quality, features, versatile material support that "ultimately produces outstanding prints." This isn't the cheapest I've seen it on sale, as back in June it hit $1099 - so you might want to wait to save a little more.

The catch? Due to the build volume, this 3D printer has a large footprint that won't be suitable for a lot of spaces.

For more top-performing machines, see our guide to the best 3D printers we've tested.

Best Creality deals in your region

Not in the US? These are the best prices where you are.