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• Meta's official GTA San Andreas VT port never launched
• So a modder has vibe-coded a port for the Meta Quest 3
• You can play it yourself, but it's not easy

The Resident Evil 4 VR remaster on the Oculus Quest 2 was the best the platform had to offer, so a Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas VR port was easily the most exciting news to come out of Meta’s 2021 Connect event. But it never arrived. So now modders are making up for Meta’s biggest letdown by finally bringing San Andreas to Quest systems.

In fact, there’s a whole VR porting community that connects via the Flat2VR Discord. One such member, called GeT_RiCh, has made it his mission to bring the long-promised GTA title to Quest headsets, though you will need a Meta Quest 3.

(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

It’s still a work in progress — you can follow updates on Discord — and installing this game isn’t as easy as pressing a button. As the mod’s GitHub explains you’ll need not only this mod but an original copy of GTA San Andreas from the Google Play Store (specifically version 2.11.311 exported as an APK), a PS2 sound pack for the game, a PC, a Quest 3 headset in Developer Mode (to authorize USB debugging), and around 15GB of space on your PC and 6GB on your headset.

Plus, you’ll need plenty of time and confidence that you can accurately go through the technical steps. I was considering trying to jump into the game before writing this piece up, but quickly realized that might be a challenge.

Despite the shortcomings, the effort is pretty incredible. It’s also, interestingly, being aided by Claude, which the modder is using to help him vibe-code aspects of the software.

Say what you will about vibe coding in the wider coding world, but the tool’s apparent effectiveness at helping someone complete a long-term passion project like this is pretty incredible.

(Image credit: Rockstar Games)Better late than never

It’s never been officially confirmed what went wrong withMeta’s version of the GTA VR remaster but general development issues of converting all the flat games’ elements into first-person VR, problems with the Quest 2’s low processing power being able to handle the game world, profitability concerns (especially when faced with the massive profits GTA Online expansions or GTA 6 promise), or one of a dozen other possibilities have been floated.

Regardless, all we know is that after that tease, GTA San Andreas VR never managed to get out of the starting gates.

Many have questioned this decision over the years — GTA in VR would be a slam-dunk for plenty of gamers — and others have been perpetually frustrated at Meta for hyping them up into buying a Quest headset, then killing the project.

Thankfully there is now a way to sort of play San Andreas in VR on Quest. Yes, it’s a Quest 3, and yes, it’s not the simplest port to set up, but it’s better than nothing — which is what Meta and Rockstar gave us.

• The Grand Theft Auto 6: An Extended Look will be 26-minutes long
• Netflix has released the first details ahead of its premiere later today
• It confirms that all footage shown is captured in-game on the base PS5

Netflix has revealed the first details of the upcoming Grand Theft Auto 6 extended look, including runtime, and confirmed all footage shown will be captured on the base PlayStation 5.

The much-anticipated Grand Theft Auto 6: An Extended Look is scheduled to premiere later today on Netflix at at 3pm ET / 8pm BST / August 28 at 5am AEST, giving fans a deeper look at the most anticipated game of all time.

There's been much speculation leading up to the event about what the extended look will offer, with many fans hoping for the long-awaited look at gameplay and possibly Trailer 3.

Now, Netflix has revealed additional details just hours ahead of the event, confirming that everything showcased will be captured on the base PS5.

"The new iteration in the blockbuster series comes 13 years following the debut of Grand Theft Auto V, the same year that Netflix was beginning its push into original programming," the Netflix Tudum post reads.

"Captured entirely from in-game footage on PlayStation 5, this extended look at the next Grand Theft Auto showcases the biggest, most immersive evolution of the series yet."

the GTA 6 extended look will be 26 minutes long and captured on PS5 pic.twitter.com/5KWmSTeCwVAugust 27, 2026

What's more, it seems the runtime for the GTA 6 extended look will be 26 minutes, according to The Verge journalist Tom Warren, who shared a screenshot of the updated mobile page on X.

That's much shorter than I expected, but it's still long enough to offer a good amount of gameplay footage for fans to obsess over ahead of the game's launch on November 19.

If you're unable to watch the GTA 6 extended look as it premieres on Netflix, don't worry, because it will be available for free six hours later on YouTube at 9pm ET on August 27 / 2am BST / 11am AEST on August 28.

"Grand Theft Auto reveals have become cultural moments in their own right. The anticipation and fandom around Grand Theft Auto 6 is unprecedented, and we’re honored that Rockstar Games has partnered with us to debut the next part of the Grand Theft Auto story with Netflix members first," Brandon Riegg, VP of Nonfiction Series, said in the Tudum post.

"It’s a reflection of what we hope Netflix is becoming: a place where the most ambitious storytelling, from any medium, can find the biggest possible audience."

Plug-in solar panels became legal in the UK today, providing a quick and easy way to cut your electricity bill without any professional installation. Plug-in solar isn't right for every home (see my list of three places you can't install plug-in solar panels for details). Don't despair, though — you can still trim your bills by opting for clever solar-powered home tech, and as TechRadar's Homes Editor, I've put together a list of 12 top options to brighten your life.

Solar-powered lights are one of the most obvious options, and contain batteries that charge during the day then release the stored energy at night, when you need it. Smart home brands Nanoleaf and Govee both have some great solar smart lights, and if you're looking for something cheaper, IKEA sells excellent solar-powered string lights to add some whimsy to your garden.

You can also opt for solar video doorbells, security cameras, and motion-triggered floodlights to protect your home — without the need to clamber up ladders every month to replace or charge batteries. That's a bright idea for anyone. Read on for my full list of recommendations, and if you have any more solar-powered suggestions, feel free to share them in the comments.

Here comes the sun

Ring Ring Solar Charger for Battery Video Doorbell

Nanoleaf Solar Garden Lights (2 Pack)

Govee Outdoor Solar String Lights (10m)

Roberts Revival Uno Bluetooth Solar Digital Radio

EZVIZ Solar Battery Doorbell Camera, Wireless

Eva Solo Sunlight Solar LED Outdoor Lamp

Eva Solo Sunlight Bell Solar LED Outdoor Light

Kaemingk Solar-Powered Stone Effect Water Feature

Philips Nysil Solar Motion Sensor Security Light

Nordlux Alya Motion Sensor Solar Wall Light

IKEA Solarvet LED Lighting Chain With 24 Lights

House of Marley Roots Solar Portable Bluetooth Speaker

Claude Opus 4.6 exploited a gym API flaw in 9 of 10 controlled tests, highlighting security risks when AI agents gain backend access.

The post Claude Opus 4.6 Found a Gym API Flaw — Then Exploited It in 9 of 10 Tests appeared first on TechRepublic.

Topics include growth hacking, game design, blockchain, AI, digital marketing, cybersecurity, copywriting, and big data.

The post Enhance Your Expertise Anytime with Unlimited Online Courses — Now $19.97 appeared first on TechRepublic.

Pennsylvania is suing Snap over Snapchat’s alleged addictive design and mature content exposure, escalating scrutiny of social media’s impact on teens.

The post Snapchat’s 13+ Rating Under Fire: Pennsylvania Alleges Addictive Design, Adult Content appeared first on TechRepublic.

Self-hosted community projects are constantly growing in number, many of them operating under an open-source or fair-code license that saves you from paying costly subscriptions or usage-based fees.

With Docker, you can run any number of self-hosted applications on a standard web server or local workstation in completely separate environments using partitioned resources. Thanks to Docker Hub, you also gain access to a whole trove of community-maintained applications and projects that require very little effort to get working.

In this step-by-step guide, I’ll show you how to self-host Docker apps using any Linux-based workstation or VPS server, all the way from installing Docker Engine to launching containerized applications with Docker Compose. We’ll even talk about some popular Docker apps to get you started, if you’re unsure what this setup can do for you. Let’s jump in.

What is Docker?

Docker is an open-source platform that packages your software into separate containers.

A container, in case you were wondering, is exactly what it sounds like — a walled-off section of your server or device that contains all the code, libraries, and settings associated with an application. Containers get their own separate resource allocations too, so you can be sure that an application isn’t drawing more from your system than it’s meant to.

Self-hosted applications rely on specific “dependencies,” like databases, programming languages, system tools, etc. That’s why most of them recommend installing through Docker, so that the dependencies installed for one application don’t break the dependencies of another application or service. Docker apps are completely isolated from each other so that they don’t pull from the same resources or interrupt one another during runtime.

You don’t need to learn everything about Docker just to self-host an app, but knowing some basics helps. Put simply, Docker Engine is the core platform that isolates your applications; images are the project libraries used to install an app or service, Docker Hub is a public library of images for apps you can run using Docker, and Docker Compose is an add-on that lets you launch multiple Docker containers at the same time for apps that are more complex.

Why do I need Docker Compose?

Elaborating on that last point, most applications aren’t simple enough to run from a single container. They usually have a frontend component, a backend for administrators, as well as databases they use to store and retrieve information.

Instead of having to launch each Docker container separately by typing docker run into your Linux terminal or SSH every time you need to rerun the app, you can create a compose.yaml file to specify which containers and services need to run together. This is what Docker Compose helps you do.

Once you create a compose.yaml file, Docker Compose can help you run the entire application using a single command:

docker compose up

You can also use docker compose stop to pause your application temporarily and docker compose down to fully stop and clear the containers to prepare for another deployment.

How to self-host a Docker app step-by-step

Now that you know the basics, let’s walk through the exact process of self-hosting a containerized application with Docker Engine and Docker Compose.

Prerequisites

• A Linux-based home server or VPS running a recent version of Ubuntu or Debian
• Root access to that server
• An SSH client on your own computer (built into macOS, Linux, and modern Windows terminals) to interact with your server
• Your server's IP address and SSH credentials

Step 1: Connect to your server over SSH

Access the terminal on your local macOS, Linux, or Windows device. We can log into your server from here by using your SSH credentials and server IP. Enter the following command to start:

ssh username@your-server-ip

Make sure to enter your SSH password when prompted. Now you’ve established a direct link from your current device to the server you’ll be installing Docker on.

Now update your server’s libraries and packages to the current version before proceeding. This way, you won’t run into any conflicts with the installation, and the latest security patches will be added immediately.

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

(Image credit: Docker)Step 2: Install Docker Engine

You can pull the most recent version of Docker Engine from its official repository. Start by installing the necessary certificates and Docker’s GPG key:

sudo apt install ca-certificates curlsudo install -m 0755 -d /etc/apt/keyringssudo curl -fsSL https://download.docker.com/linux/ubuntu/gpg -o /etc/apt/keyrings/docker.ascsudo chmod a+r /etc/apt/keyrings/docker.asc

You also need to add the official Docker repo to your list of package sources:

echo \ "deb [arch=$(dpkg --print-architecture) signed-by=/etc/apt/keyrings/docker.asc] https://download.docker.com/linux/ubuntu \ $(. /etc/os-release && echo "$VERSION_CODENAME") stable" | \ sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/docker.list > /dev/null

Now update your packages and install Docker Engine with Compose:

sudo apt updatesudo apt install docker-ce docker-ce-cli containerd.io docker-buildx-plugin docker-compose-plugin -y

After the process is complete, you can verify that Docker is installed correctly along with Compose with a quick version check:

docker --versiondocker compose version

If something went wrong during the installation, you’ll see a “command not found” error message in the terminal instead of the version numbers. That means you have to redo each step again in case you missed anything.

Step 3: Set up the project directory

Now that Docker is installed, we can move on to preparing the project directory for your self-hosted app. First, I like to run a quick command to make sure Docker is accessible to all users, not just restricted to those with sudo or root privileges. Here’s the command to help you change those permissions:

sudo usermod -aG docker $USER

Log out, then restart your terminal to update the usage permissions. Now you can create the actual project directory and navigate into it:

mkdir ~/my-app && cd ~/my-app

(Image credit: Docker)Step 4: Write your YAML file

You’re ready to write the compose.yaml file into your project directory. Execute this command to launch into the Nano editor:

nano compose.yaml

Now paste in the contents of the compose.yaml as per your Docker app’s setup instructions. Typically, the compose.yaml file should include an image field for your project image, a container name, a volume field that maps out your project subfolders, and the specific port that the app will be launching in. Here’s an example of a YAML file for a status monitoring app called Uptime Kuma:

services: uptime-kuma: image: louislam/uptime-kuma:1 container_name: uptime-kuma volumes: - ./uptime-kuma-data:/app/data ports: - "3001:3001" restart: unless-stopped

Save the file and exit the editor. If this feels intimidating, don’t worry. You should find the specific instructions to create your YAML file in your Docker app’s setup instructions on Docker Hub or GitHub.

Step 5: Launch your application

All that remains is to launch your Docker app using Compose. You can spin up all your Docker containers in any given project directory by running this single command:

docker compose up -d

Once the containers are up and running, which usually takes less than a minute, you can access your app by visiting this address from your web browser: http://your-server-ip:3001. Make sure to replace your-server-ip with the actual IP address of your home server or VPS, which looks something like “192.168.1.1” (IPv4) or “[2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334]” (IPv6).

(Image credit: Docker)A few Docker apps worth trying

• Portainer: A visual interface for managing Docker containers without using your terminal or command line.
• Nextcloud: A privacy-first alternative to public cloud storage services like Google Drive.
• Pi-hole: A network-wide ad and tracker blocker. Works at the DNS level
• Jellyfin: A media server for streaming your own movies, shows, and music. It works similar to Netflix but with BYOD media management using your own media files.
• Vaultwarden: A self-hosted password manager that serves as an alternative to the Bitwarden API.
• AdGuard Home: Another popular DNS-based ad blocker with built-in encryption.
• Uptime Kuma: A simple status monitoring tool that alerts you when your self-hosted services or apps go down.

Apple’s big September event is under two weeks away at the time of writing, with invites having been sent out for a ‘Surprise and shine’ event on September 9.

So what surprises can you expect? Well, given how extensively Apple’s products and services tend to leak, there’s a chance there won’t be any major surprises at all. But there certainly will be some big announcements — likely to be headlined by the first foldable iPhone, which could be dubbed the iPhone Ultra.

That’s probably going to be joined by other iPhones, Apple Watches, and an assortment of other devices, so there could be lots to see even if none of it comes as a complete surprise. Below, we’ve detailed the most likely Apple announcements.

1. The iPhone Ultra

The iPhone Ultra could look a bit like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 (Image credit: Richard Priday / TechRadar)

The iPhone Ultra is likely to be the biggest announcement at Apple’s ‘Surprise and shine’ event, as this is set to be the company’s first foldable phone — something we’ve heard rumors of for many years at this point.

In fact, it’s been so long now that it’s almost hard to believe it’s actually about to land, but all signs suggest it is.

Leaks point to the iPhone Ultra having a roughly 7.8-inch foldable screen and around a 5.5-inch cover display, with an overall design that’s somewhat similar to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 — so more of a passport shape than the book-style Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra.

This will likely have a dual-lens camera and top-end power, and reports suggest the screen might not have a visible crease. It could be the phone you’ve been waiting for if you want an iPhone and an iPad mini all in one. But it’s also sure to be very expensive, with leaks pointing to a starting price of at least $2,000 (around £1,470 / AU$2,785).

2. The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max

The iPhone 17 Pro's (pictured) successor is set to debut before the iPhone 18 (Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will almost certainly launch here too, for anyone who doesn’t want — or can’t afford — Apple’s foldable.

Based on leaks, these will probably sport broadly the same design as the iPhone 17 Pro series, complete with the same 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch screen sizes — though the back glass might be closer in color to the aluminum frame, leaving them with less of a two-tone appearance than the current models.

You can of course expect a chipset upgrade, with the as-yet-unannounced A20 Pro chipset likely to be featured, and the Dynamic Island might be smaller this year.

These phones are also rumored to have a variable aperture on one of their cameras — though it’s possible that only the iPhone 18 Pro Max will get this — and they could have higher capacity batteries than their predecessors.

Though they’re likely to also cost more, with estimates putting the starting price at anywhere between $100 (roughly £75 / AU$140) and $300 (around £220 / AU$415) more than the iPhone 17 Pro line.

3. New Apple Watches

The next generation of the Apple Watch Series 11 (pictured) is rumored to be on the way (Image credit: Jacob Krol/Future)

That’s all the iPhones we’re expecting — with the base iPhone 18 reportedly not arriving until 2027 — but Apple is also likely to unveil some new wearables.

Specifically, we’re expecting the Apple Watch Series 12 and the Apple Watch Ultra 4. The main upgrades for the Apple Watch 12 could be Touch ID on the side button, and a new S12 chip, likely delivering a noticeable performance improvement. But — other than the new software coming with watchOS 27 such as a dedicated Siri app — this might otherwise be similar to the Apple Watch Series 11, complete with a largely unchanged design.

As for the Apple Watch Ultra 4, this could similarly have a new chipset and gain Touch ID, but it might additionally have a slightly larger screen and a slimmer build than the Apple Watch Ultra 3. Some reports suggest the upcoming model could also have new sensors, which might increase its accuracy at tracking health and fitness metrics.

4. New AirPods

The AirPods 4 (pictured) could be replaced by two new AirPods 5 models (Image credit: Future)

Apple could also unveil some new AirPods at its next event, with talk of the AirPods 5 and AirPods 5 with ANC landing at the September event. Sadly we probably won’t see the rumored AirPods Pro with cameras yet though.

Details on the AirPods 5 are slim so far, but they might prove a tempting — and more affordable — alternative to Apple’s AirPods Pro line.

5. Apple’s first smart home display

A mock-up of what an Apple Home Hub could look like, based on the Amazon Echo Show 10 (Image credit: Amazon / Apple)

Apple might finally launch a smart home display this September, as it’s rumored to be working on a home device with a seven-inch screen, and some reports suggest it will land this year — though don’t be surprised if we don’t see it until 2027.

This device — which might be called a Home Hub — will probably primarily be interacted with via Siri of course, and it will apparently use facial recognition to tell who is looking at it and serve up personalized content accordingly.

6. Other new devices for the home

The HomePod mini (pictured) might finally get a new model (Image credit: TechRadar)

Apple might also launch a new HomePod mini and Apple TV 4K box at its September event. The former will probably support some Apple Intelligence features and is rumored to work with Wi-Fi 7 and have improved sound quality over its aging predecessor.

The latter could support Siri AI, Wi-Fi 7, have an improved chipset, more RAM, and come with an upgraded Siri remote.

7. New software

iOS 27 will launch in September (Image credit: Apple)

That’s probably it for hardware, but September is also when we’ll see the launch of Apple’s new software, much of which is currently in beta.

This includes iOS 27, iPadOS 27, watchOS 27, macOS 27, and tvOS 27. The biggest feature on most of these will be Siri’s AI overhaul, bringing it more in line with the capabilities offered by the likes of Gemini and ChatGPT.

But you can expect tweaks to their interfaces and various other new and improved features too. So even if you’re not planning to buy one of the products above, your existing Apple devices should get a bit better soon.

• Accessory brand Dbrand has made a rugged Tank Case for the AirPods Pro 3
• It follows the Tank Cases for phones, which users didn't particularly like
• The company has been known to get into trouble, most notably with Sony and the PS5

If you’ve been wondering what Dbrand has been up to following its Sony and PS5 controversy, it’s now ventured into accessories for AirPods.

The Canadian company, which specializes in accessories across devices for Apple, Samsung, Google Pixel, and more, has just unveiled its new Tank Case for the AirPods Pro 3, which even the brand itself agrees is far from the best-looking tech accessory out there — but attractiveness isn’t what it was going for.

At $29.95 (about CA$40), the AirPods Pro 3 Tank Case is bulky to say the very least, because even owners of the best earbuds out there can be clumsy and prone to accidents.

This was intentional; in contrast to Apple’s accessories, which often puts design above protection, the Tank Case puts texture and grip first, designed with deep ridges and grooves so it doesn’t slip from between your fingers. With 10 different textures across its surface, the Tank Case is a piece of architecture, providing immunity to scratches and other damage.

(Image credit: Dbrand)

In fact, it has such a tight and secure grip around your AirPods that Dbrand built a removal tool to help you remove the ear buds from the case. That’s how you know it means business, but despite its snug fit it, doesn’t lock you out of using your AirPods altogether.

Impressively, the case’s ruggedness doesn’t get in the way of wireless charging — it "defies compromise", as Dbrand puts it. There’s also an opening to access the touch sensor for uninterrupted passthrough when pairing with devices.

Dbrand's decision to expand the Tank Case range into audio devices is surprising, since the Tank Case for mobile wasn't exactly popular when it launched last year. The original Tank Case was mocked for its bulky design and dull colors, but Dbrand has expressed a blatant disregard to the backlash. The company really said ‘whatever, we’re doing it anyway’, which a bit of a risky choice considering its past.

Dbrand has a history of getting itself into hot water with users and tech companies alike, its legal battle with Sony being one example. In addition to phone cases, Dbrand is a popular third-party gaming accessory retailer, and started selling its own ‘Darkplates’ for the PS5 back in 2021. However, it was forced to pull them from the shelves following a cease-and-desist threat from Sony.

Refusing to listen to and learn from user criticism is a bold move, but it’s pretty much part of Dbrand’s DNA at this point. Its owners must get a thrill from taking their own path with things, but the company often finds itself in the midst of some sort of drama as a result.

(Image credit: Radivoje Pavicic)

Ring’s new TAKE encryption limits video-key retention while keeping cloud AI features, Ring Verify, and optional end-to-end encryption in play.

The post Ring’s New TAKE Encryption Deletes Video Keys Without Giving Up AI Features appeared first on TechRepublic.

The special edition Fitbit Air works in tandem with the Pokemon Sleep app, so you can track your workouts and rested hours.

• Plaud One records and transcribes calls and conversations, but its broader agent capabilities will arrive in a future update
• High-stakes actions require approval, while recording is manually triggered, and users are responsible for obtaining consent
• It features built-in 4G connectivity at no additional cost

It’s certainly an interesting time for AI wearables, with smart glasses in particular attracting a lot of attention — and raising privacy concerns around the potential for users to video people without their permission.

Announced for pre-order today, Plaud One Explorer Edition is a new wearable AI device, primarily aimed at professionals, that's designed to capture your conversations, so that it can produce actions and reports based on the discussions you’re having during your working day

Worn as earbuds or used through its standalone case, Plaud One can capture calls and in-person conversations. Recordings are uploaded automatically for transcription and summarization as they happen, so (in theory at least) you’ll never need to write anything down again.

Plaud One also has agentic capabilities that Plaud says can take actions across tools like Gmail, Google Calendar, Notion and Slack based on your conversations. However, when we quizzed Plaud about exactly what will be available at launch it told us: “Explorer Edition is the complete Plaud One hardware, but broader new Plaud Intelligence agent capabilities will be available in a future update.”

That caveat pushes the agentic features further into the future. So what agent abilities will work at launch, rather than arriving later in App 4.0? I spoke to the Plaud team to find out.

They told me that, “At launch, users can press and hold the Agent Button and speak to the agent. Hands-free 'Hey Plaud' activation through the earbuds is coming in a future firmware update.”

Privacy concerns

Given the obvious privacy concerns, I asked the team if recording is manually triggered, and how other people know it is happening.

“Yes, recording is manually triggered with the press of a button,” they told me. The team didn’t mention any audible or visible indication that recording is taking place, instead placing responsibility on the wearer to inform the people around them: “Plaud encourages users to follow local laws and best practices for recording consent," they added. "Where consent is required, users should inform participants before recording.”

Plaud Agent uses the context of your conversations to identify possible actions, such as preparing a follow-up email after a client meeting or producing a finished report based on a discussion. But can it actually send an email, post to Slack or create a calendar event without confirmation from the user?

“It depends on what the action is”, said the Plaud team. “Anything that changes something or leaves your environment, the agent pauses and asks you first. For example, editing or deleting your files, sending an email on your behalf, pulling in outside data — those always need your approval. Reading and querying your own data inside Plaud is different. That's a closed, trusted environment, so the agent can do that on its own. That's what makes it actually useful. If it had to ask permission to look something up in your own notes, it wouldn't feel like an agent at all.”

What happens when the agent misunderstands a decision?

“The design assumes a misunderstanding can happen, so it's built to be caught before it turns into a wrong action," the team told me. "All higher-stakes actions — changing or deleting internal files, sending an email externally, or calling external data — require the user to approve them manually. So if you spot something the Agent got wrong, you can fix it yourself before it goes anywhere, or ask the Agent to revise it. Nothing high-stakes acts on its own

"On top of that, the Agent's outputs are grounded, not guesswork — they're built from the context the user actually provides, the real transcripts and recordings, so they trace back to what was genuinely said and a misread is easy to spot.

"And as with any AI, we're clear that important outputs should be checked before they're used — the same principle behind the 'AI can make mistakes, please verify' note you see across these tools. The point isn't that it never misunderstands; it's that the user stays in control, and the work stays grounded, reviewable, and correctable.”

That approval system is only one part of how Plaud says the agent will work. To handle different kinds of tasks, Plaud Agent draws on a library of workflows known as Skills, alongside curated collections designed for particular professional roles called Plugins. As well as agentic actions, Plaud Agent can also generate finished work products, from emails to documents and presentations.

Independent of your phone

Interestingly, Plaud One is designed to work independently of your phone thanks to a built-in eSIM and 4G LTE connectivity. That immediately raises another question: will the eSIM require a separate subscription?

The Plaud team told me it will not: “No, Plaud One comes with a built-in eSim, which is provided at no extra cost to the consumer.”

I also asked whether users can inspect, correct and delete the information Plaud retains about them, and the team told me: “Users retain full control over their data. Plaud processes user data to deliver core product functionality, and users can access, correct, export, and delete their data — and withdraw consent — at any time through the Plaud App.”

Finally, I asked if these are fully functional music and calling earbuds, or primarily recording devices, and the team explain that, “The earbuds are recording devices first, capturing what you hear and say, so they can be used for calls. The earbuds also have High-Res LDAC audio, however, Plaud One is first and foremost an AI notetaker.”

Availability

Plaud One is priced at $249.99 / £229 and includes $200 / £150 in Plaud credits; pricing and availability for Australia is TBC. That made me wonder exactly what those credits buy — and how much continued use will cost once they've been spent.

The team did not disclose the ongoing costs, but explained that, “credits are used for the new Agent capabilities across Plaud Intelligence: agent tasks, Routines, Skills and Plugins, and the Artefacts the Agent produces. Everything else about Plaud One works out of the box.”

Pre-orders are open now in the US and UK with shipping of the Explorer Edition expected in Q4 2026.

The new IKEA x Xbox collection is the talk of Gamescom, and while its absurd thumbstick stool and D-pad cushion might be head-turners, if it's affordable and actually useful gaming kit you're after, then I'd suggest looking at the existing IKEA range. The Swedish homeware titan already makes dozens of gaming-friendly products, including affordable furniture, clever storage solutions and quirky accessories.

I've rounded up my favorites below. I'm a big fan of the Malomrade desk with its built-in monitor arms, straps to stash your peripherals neatly on display, and sit-stand functionality to keep your back happy. In terms of functional storage, standouts are the Brannboll basket with its hinged arms that can turn into a stand or a handle, and the shelving unit from the same range, which has spots for all your kit and can be wheeled to exactly where it's needed.

Scroll down for more excellent gaming gear to tide you over until the official Xbox range drops at the start of October.

IKEA gaming gear — US

Jump straight to the UK range

IKEA Brannboll Shelving Unit on Castors

IKEA Malomrade Sit/stand Gaming Desk w/ Monitor Arms

IKEA Skaftsarv LED Decorative Light

IKEA Brannboll Gaming Lounge Chair

IKEA Huvudspelare Gaming Chair

IKEA Mojlighet Headset/tablet Stand

IKEA Brannboll Gaming Mouse Pad

IKEA Brannboll Inflatable Gaming Lounge Chair

IKEA Brannboll Side Table on Castors

IKEA Brannboll Gaming Easy Chair

IKEA Huvudspelare Gaming Desk

IKEA Brannboll Basket

IKEA Lanespelare Ring Light With Phone Holder

IKEA Loparbana Gaming Chair - Vissle Green

IKEA Lanespelare Accessories Stand

IKEA Kabbleka LED Lighting Strip With USB

IKEA Styrspel Gaming Chair

IKEA Övning Multifunctional Ergonomic Footrest

IKEA gaming gear — UK

IKEA Skaftsarv LED Decoration Lighting

IKEA Huvudspelare Gaming Chair

IKEA Brannboll Basket

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The new AI device will be on display at IFA in Berlin next week.

I've spent a long time warning people to avoid cheap 8GB laptop deals. In 2026, 16Gb is the baseline for multi-tasking, while 32GB gives you considerably more breathing room. But I've found a laptop deal that's even better.

Right now, the Acer Aspire Go 15 with a huge 48GB DDR4 RAM is down to $675 (was $1000) at Newegg. That's a welcome surprise in the middle of an ongoing memory crisis.

That 48GB memory paired with an eight-core AMD Ryzen 7 5825U processor and 512GB PCIe Gen4 SSD. You also get a 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display, Wi-Fi 6 and Windows 11 Home.

The Acer Aspire Go 15 combines an eight-core Ryzen 7 5825U processor, 48GB DDR4 RAM, 512GB PCIe Gen4 SSD, 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display, Wi-Fi 6 and USB-C connectivity.View Deal

Why we recommend it

In his four-star review of the Aspire Go 15, our expert Lewis called it a "snappy performer," and said it was: "very good, handling light productivity and entertainment workloads with speed."

He added that it's "quite thin and light, which makes it easier to carry around than expected. The light silver finish and minimal aesthetic also imbue the Aspire Go 15 with some style."

The standout feature here is that this laptop comes with 48GB of DDR4-3200 memory. It's made up of 16GB plus a 32GB Lexar module, giving you substantially more headroom for heavy multitasking, content creation, and other memory-intensive work than you'd normally get at this price.

The Ryzen 7 5825U is an older processor, but its eight cores still make it a capable choice for everyday workloads. There's USB-C with DisplayPort and 65W Power Delivery, three USB-A ports, HDMI 2.1 and Gigabit Ethernet, plus Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1.

There's even a second M.2 slot so you can add additional storage which you'll need when you start nudging the limits of the 512GB SSD it comes with.

For more top picks, see our guide to the best business laptops we've tested.

Price context & historical value

Newegg currently lists this particular 48GB/512GB configuration at $674.99, down from $999.99. That's a $325 saving, or 32%, which is its lowest price for the laptop in the past 30 days.

There's some useful additional context here. The same listing was $714.99 very recently, so the latest reduction takes another $40 off.

For more savings, these are the best business laptop deals we've found this week.

Should you buy it?

✅ Buy the Acer Aspire Go 15 if...

If you want a Windows laptop with lots of memory for work, heavy multitasking or running numerous applications simultaneously, $674.99 is a really good price. The combination of 48GB RAM, Ryzen 7 processor, Full HD IPS display and upgradable storage gives you plenty to work with.

❌ Skip the Acer Aspire Go 15 if...

If GPU-heavy creative work or maximum battery efficiency are priorities, I'd look elsewhere. The integrated Radeon graphics and older Ryzen architecture make this much more of a productivity machine than a performance laptop.

The Catch: What to know before you buy

48GB RAM is excellent, but it's DDR4 rather than DDR5, the graphics are integrated rather than discrete, and the Ryzen 7 5825U dates from an older AMD generation. The 15.6-inch display is also a straightforward 1920 x 1080 non-touch IPS panel rather than a high-resolution or premium OLED screen.

At 3.92lb, it's portable enough, but there are much lighter laptops available.

• Shop all laptops on sale at Newegg

I spend a lot of time working with laptops, accessories and other hardware, so I know exactly how much difference the right tech can make to a home office or small business setup.

Amazon has launched a surprise Tech Week sale in the UK, and I've picked out twelve unmissable deals that can make working from home easier, improve an existing setup or provide a useful upgrade without spending a fortune.

My picks cover everything from printers and laptops to webcams and SSDs from the likes of Dell, Epson, Logitech, and Crucial. There's something here for almost any home office or small business.

My top 12 must-buys in Amazon's surprise Tech Week sale

MX Master 3S Performance Wireless Mouse: was £78.05 now £68.99
Logitech's wireless mouse features silent clicks, MagSpeed scrolling, a thumb wheel, an 8K DPI optical sensor, programmable buttons and Easy-Switch, with Bluetooth connectivity and compatibility across multiple operating systems.View Deal

Ecotank ET-2861 Ink Tank Printer: was £239.99 now £129.99
This cartridge-free Ink Tank prints, copies and scans, with Wi-Fi connectivity, borderless photo printing, a 100-sheet paper tray and up to three years of ink included in the box.View Deal

This is one of our favourite productivity-boosting gadgets. The compact Elgato Stream Deck Neo features eight customisable buttons so you can open up key software at the push of a button. View Deal

2TB X9 Portable External SSD: was £219.99 now £177.99
This compact 2TB portable SSD delivers read speeds up to 1,050MB/s over USB-C, with plug-and-play support for PCs, and Macs, plus drop, shock, vibration and temperature resistance.View Deal

6+ mesh Wi-Fi router: was £229.99 now £169.99
This two-pack Wi-Fi 6 mesh system covers up to 280m², supports 75+ devices and gigabit speeds, with 160MHz channels, dual Gigabit Ethernet, TrueMesh technology and a built-in smart home hub.View Deal

Shipping Label Printer: was £79.99 now £59.99
This Bluetooth thermal printer handles 4 x 6-inch shipping and postage labels, works with major selling platforms and UK couriers, and includes 25 labels to get you started.View Deal

Height Adjustable Monitor Stand: was £12.59 now £10.7
For anyone working at their desk all day, a monitor stand or riser is, to my mind, essential for maintaining good posture (and preventing the neck ache as I suffered from looking down at my laptop all the time). An absolute home office essential. View Deal

15 Laptop: was £899 now £499
This 15-inch laptop combines a 13th-gen Intel Core i7 processor with 16GB RAM and a 512GB SSD, alongside a Full HD 120Hz IPS display and Windows 11 Home.View Deal

C920S HD Pro Webcam: was £84.99 now £42.49
An upgrade on arguably the best webcam in its price range - we rated the C920 4.5-stars in our review. This full HD camera features built-in mics, HD light correction, and a physical privacy shutter. View Deal

27-Inch WQHD Monitor: was £149.99 now £93.98
A business monitor under £100 is well worth a look, especially a 27-inch WQHD HDR10 model from a brand like Philips. This one doubles as a gaming display, too, with 180Hz refresh rate and 1ms response times. View Deal

Evolve 65 TE Wireless Bluetooth Stereo Headset With Mic: was £119.39 now £98.99
We're big fans of Jabra's business headset line - our hardware editor has used his daily for several years now. Expect crisp audio quality on video calls and a comfortable, lightweight design. View Deal

K400 Plus Wireless Touch Keyboard: was £39.99 now £27.99
As a lover of interesting office gear, this budget keyboard from Logitech stood out to me for including a touchpad for use across a range of devices.View Deal

Why I recommend these products

I recently bought the Epson EcoTank ET-2861 printer for my home office, and definitely recommend it. The refillable ink tanks mean I don’t have to keep buying ridiculously expensive ink cartridges, which I had to do with my previous HP printer (especially since yellow kept running out and I couldn't print without it). Wireless printing, scanning and copying cover pretty much everything I need day to day.

For anyone looking to replace an aging computer, the Dell 15 Laptop packs a Core i7 processor, 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD and it's currently under £500. It pairs those specs with a 15-inch Full HD 120Hz display, making it a solid everyday machine for work.

The Logitech MX Master 3S mouse is another straightforward home office upgrade. Silent clicks keep noise down, while the MagSpeed scroll wheel, thumb wheel and 8K DPI sensor make navigating documents, spreadsheets and large screens easier.

If you run a small business that regularly sends out orders, the Munbyn thermal label printer could save you time and hassle. It prints 4 x 6-inch shipping labels without ink or toner and supports major selling platforms and UK delivery companies including Royal Mail, DPD and Evri.

The 2TB Crucial X9 Portable SSD is my storage pick because it combines plenty of capacity with read speeds of up to 1,050MB/s. I have a few of these SSDs and they are great and work with PCs and Macs.

Finally, the Amazon eero 6+ two-pack tackles one of the more frustrating home office problems: unreliable Wi-Fi. It can cover up to 280m², handle more than 75 connected devices and uses mesh technology to reduce dead zones. I live in an old house with very thick walls, and this is the perfect solution to the problems that causes me.

They’re very different products, but between them they cover computing, printing, storage, networking, navigation and shipping — the everyday technology that can dramatically impact a home office or small business.

• Boston Scientific confirmed a cyberattack disrupting global operations and IT systems
• Incident response activated; SEC filing notes ongoing impact on order processing and shipping
• Nature of attack undisclosed, but disruption suggests ransomware; no group claimed responsibility yet

Boston Scientific, a US-based global medical technology company, has confirmed it was the target of a cyberattack which disrupted operations worldwide and disrupted its IT systems.

In a new 8-K form filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Boston Scientific said it detected an intrusion and activated its incident response protocols. It called in third-party cybersecurity experts to assist in assessing and containing the threat, as well.

Boston Scientific builds devices used to diagnose different health issues. It was founded in 1979, headquartered in Massachusetts, and operates in more than 100 countries around the world. Its core business areas include cardiology, endoscopy, urology, and peripheral interventions. The company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and is considered as one of the world’s largest medical device manufacturers, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the likes of Medtronic, Abbott, and Johnson & Johnson MedTech.

Causing disruptions

In the 8-K form, the company said the incident “caused, and is expected to continue to cause, disruptions and limitations to access to certain of the company’s information systems and business applications that support aspects of the company’s operations, including the ability to process and ship customer orders.”

It did not discuss the nature of the attack, or the identity of the attackers, but this kind of disruption is usually only caused by a ransomware infection. Ransomware operators are known for encrypting entire networks and rendering them useless until either a decryption key is applied, or it gets restored via a backup.

Businesses also sometimes shut down parts of their infrastructure to stop data exfiltration efforts, which are an indispensable part of ransomware attacks.

“While the company is working diligently to restore affected functions and systems access, the timeline for a full restoration is not yet known,” it stressed in the form.

So far, no hacking groups claimed responsibility for the attack and there is no evidence of any stolen data.

Via The Register

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