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Whether you're running out of storage, thinking of upgrading an ageing system, or building a new creative rig, fast NVMe SSDs remain one of the easiest ways to breathe new life into a desktop PC.

And right now, the 2TB Samsung 990 SSD is down to $370 (was $530) at Amazon - while the 1TB model also gets a discount to $230 on the same page.

It delivers sequential read speeds of up to 7,250 MB/s and write speeds of up to 6,450 MB/s, alongside random performance of up to 850K read IOPS and 1,200K write IOPS for responsive everyday use.

Should you buy it?

✅ Buy the Samsung 990 2TB SSD if...

You want a fast, spacious NVMe drive for creative work, or a new PC build. With sequential read/write speeds of up to 7,250/6,450 MB/s, a 2TB capacity, hardware encryption, and improved power efficiency, it's well suited to large libraries, high-resolution media, and demanding everyday workloads.

❌ Skip the Samsung 990 2TB SSD if...

Your PC doesn't support PCIe 4.0 speeds or you mainly browse the web, stream media, and work with documents. You'll pay a premium for performance that lighter workloads won't fully benefit from, and a cheaper PCIe 3.0 or entry-level NVMe SSD will still deliver a substantial upgrade over a hard drive or older SATA SSD.

Today's top SSD deal

Delivering up to 7,250 MB/s read and 6,450 MB/s write speeds, the Samsung 990 combines 2TB of storage, hardware encryption, improved power efficiency, and SSD management software.View Deal

Why we recommend it

Samsung's 990 SSD combines outstanding PCIe 4.0 performance with plenty of capacity for demanding workloads. Read speeds of up to 7,250 MB/s and write speeds of up to 6,450 MB/s make everything from booting Windows to transferring large files noticeably faster.

The 2TB capacity is enough room for growing projects, while hardware encryption, improved power efficiency, and Samsung's SSD management software add extra long-term value.

Price Context & Historical Value

At $369.99, down from its usual price of $529.99, the 2TB Samsung 990 SSD is a serious, solid purchase and one we'd definitely recommend. It's not only the cheapest it's been in 30 days on Amazon, it's as cheap as it's ever been there, so we'd definitely recommend you snap it up now, and save yourself $160, before the price rises again.

The Catch: What to know before you buy

You'll need a desktop with an available M.2 PCIe 4.0 slot to get the most from this drive. While it works in older systems, you won't see its full performance. It's also more expensive than mainstream NVMe SSDs, so lighter workloads are often better served by a cheaper alternative.

Also consider this Samsung SSD deal

The Samsung 990 Pro SSD is still one of the best around - especially at an unbeatable price like this. In our review, we hailed it as "an absolutely stellar M.2 SSD for both professional users and gamers." View Deal

• Shop all internal SSDs at Amazon

• Proton VPN silently issued a major client-side rebuild of the existing WireGuard codebase
• Proton Protocols introduces automatic network conflict detection, quicker server connections, and an in-app connection rating system
• The upgrade is currently in beta on Windows, Android, and Linux

When choosing the best VPN to protect your digital life, the underlying architecture is just as important as the server count. Now, Proton VPN has quietly delivered a massive under-the-hood upgrade designed to turbocharge performance and bypass online restrictions more effectively.

Discovered in the version 5.1.5 release notes for its Windows application, the Swiss-based privacy giant has officially introduced Proton Protocols. Described as a complete client-side rebuild of the provider's existing WireGuard codebase, this new architecture entirely overhauls how the application communicates with Proton's global network of servers.

For everyday users, this translates to immediate, noticeable improvements in the app's responsiveness. The update promises quicker, more stable connections, alongside new smart tools designed to eliminate frustrating connection errors.

Notably, the update introduces automatic network conflict detection, which can identify when other software on your device — like a strict firewall or third-party antivirus — is interfering with your VPN tunnel.

The rebuild also serves a crucial purpose for users navigating restrictive digital environments. By overhauling the underlying code, Proton is actively boosting its anti-censorship capabilities, ensuring journalists, activists, and everyday citizens can maintain safe, unrestricted access to the open web.

3. Proton VPN – best for privacy
The popular privacy-first VPN continues to invest in delivering the best Linux VPN possible. Before adding support for its Stealth protocol, the provider has been upgrading its apps with features like split tunneling, better stability across the board, and broader distro compatibility. Subscriptions start from the equivalent of $2.99 per month and are all protected by a 30-day money-back guarantee.View Deal

Why Proton Protocols matters

The shift to the new Proton Protocols codebase isn't just a simple bug-fixing patch. It represents a foundational shift, originally teased in the provider's recent Spring/Summer 2026 roadmap, designed to unify performance and features across all operating systems.

A Proton spokesperson explained to TechRadar that the new codebase is easier to integrate with all the languages natively supported and can be deployed across platforms, while adapting to different environments and bringing improved feature parity.

"For example, it has allowed Proton VPN to bring the Stealth protocol to Linux, improve anti-censorship capabilities, and lay the groundwork for post-quantum encryption," said Proton's spokesperson.

In other words, by standardizing the codebase, the company can deploy complex features to operating systems that are traditionally left behind. And, beyond preparing the platform for next-generation security threats like quantum computing, the rebuild makes life significantly easier for the development team.

"Issues within our apps will be easier to diagnose and fix, and it unlocks the next generation of Proton VPN performance," the spokesperson added.

What else is new in version 5.1.5?

While the new architecture steals the spotlight, the 5.1.5 Windows release also packs in several important quality-of-life updates aimed at refining the user experience.

If you occasionally run into issues where a sudden app or device crash leaves your DNS rules active, potentially blocking your regular web browsing after disconnecting from the VPN, this update officially fixes that bug. It also patches a known reconnection flaw specifically impacting users with IPv6 connectivity.

Furthermore, Proton is leaning on its community to help fine-tune future updates by introducing a direct connection feedback tool. Users can now instantly rate their connection quality with a simple thumbs up or thumbs down directly within the interface.

While the 5.1.5 update brings these features to Windows users today, the wider deployment of the new architecture is still ongoing.

"The update is currently in beta on Windows, Android, and Linux, with Apple coming soon," the company confirmed to TechRadar.

If you're tired of juggling multiple chargers and tangled cables, a high-capacity desktop charging station can make a huge difference, and the price of the Anker Prime 200W 6-Port GaN dock and charging station has dropped to $56 (was $80) at Amazon.

The compact desktop charger delivers up to 200W of combined power through four USB-C ports and two USB-A ports, allowing you to charge up to six devices from a single unit. In the UK, the charging station also gets a price cut to £55 (was £70) at Amazon.co.uk.

Two of the USB-C ports can each provide up to 100W when used together, making it suitable for power-hungry laptops as well as phones, tablets, earbuds, and other accessories. Despite the high output, the charger measures just 4.4 x 3.0 x 1.4 inches, includes a five-foot power cable, and comes backed by a 24-month warranty.

Should you buy it?

✅ Buy the Anker Prime Charging Station if...

You regularly charge multiple devices throughout the day and want to replace a collection of separate chargers with one compact desktop unit. With a combined 200W output, four USB-C ports, two USB-A ports, and dual 100W USB-C charging, it has enough power for laptops, phones, tablets, and accessories while taking up very little desk space.

❌ Skip the Anker Prime Charging Station if...

You only need to charge one or two devices at a time or want something to carry in a backpack. This charger is designed as a permanent desktop solution rather than a travel accessory, and its 200W output and six-port layout will be more than many people need.

Today's top Anker charging station deal

Power up to six devices simultaneously with this compact 200W GaN desktop charger featuring four USB-C ports, two USB-A ports, dual 100W USB-C charging, temperature monitoring, a 24-month warranty, and broad laptop and smartphone compatibility.

In the UK: now £55 (was £70)View Deal

Why we recommend it

One of the biggest strengths of the Anker Prime Charging Station is that it combines high power output with a practical desktop design that genuinely reduces cable clutter. In his review, senior writer Harry said: "Charging products really don’t get much better than the Anker Prime Charger."

He went on to add, "This charging station boasts high power output, multiple port types and quality design, all at a fantastic price-point. There’s no display here, as seen with some of the other Anker Prime products, but otherwise this is a near-perfect station that will fulfill all your charging needs."

Price Context & Historical Value

At $55.99 the Anker Prime Charging Station is at its lowest price in 30 days, and although it has been cheaper in the past, only by a couple of dollars. If you're thinking of buying this product, this is a great time to do so, and you definitely won't be disappointed at this price.

The Catch: What to know before you buy

The Anker Prime is built for people charging multiple devices every day, so it's probably overkill if you only need to top up a phone or tablet. Plenty of cheaper single and dual-port chargers will handle those tasks for less.

It's also a fairly straightforward charging station, with no display or companion app for monitoring power delivery or customizing settings. This isn't the most feature-rich option available.

• US: Shop all docks and charging stations
• UK: See all docks and charging stations at Amazon.co.uk

• Researchers discover critical vulnerability in forensic software that allows the undetectable modification of DNA samples on crime-scene evidence
• The vulnerability allows much of the crime-scene evidence from the past 30 years to be modified
• A patch is in the works, and the company responsible for the software says that digital signatures have been implemented to monitor for modification attempts

A group of forensic and computer scientists have raised concerns about the security of software used by top US crime labs to analyze DNA evidence.

By using an AI model, the researchers were able to undetectably modify computerized scans of physical DNA evidence, exclusive Wall Street Journal reported. As the vulnerability relates to digital files made by crime labs since 1995, the vulnerability places 30 years of crime files at risk of being tampered with.

“Effectively, what we have are data files that are legitimately referred to as the gold standard of forensic science that lack the same level of tamper-evident markings that we require for a paper bag,” said Laura Gaydosh Combs, a University of New Haven professor and forensic scientist who contributed to the research.

No known instances of ‘undetectable’ exploitation

The researchers disclosed the vulnerability in May. Thermo Fisher Scientific, the company that builds the crime-lab equipment used across most US facilities, privately acknowledging the vulnerability in July 2026. The company said that a fix is currently in progress.

In a separate note to customers, Thermo Fisher Scientific said there were no known instances of the vulnerability being exploited.

But the researchers themselves have said that they could not find a way to detect if tampering had taken place. The vulnerability was tested by Nathan Adams, a systems engineer at Forensic Bioinformatics. In just 45 minutes, Adams managed to successfully exploit the vulnerability using Anthropic’s Claude, and modify a file.

Despite some of the files being sealed using a more advanced encryption algorithm, Adams was able to find and use a decryption key available on the internet to crack into these files.

The researchers highlighted that by using AI tools to gain the necessary skills and tools, a hacker could abuse the vulnerability to add or remove DNA profiles from crime-scene evidence. Therefore allowing a suspect’s DNA to be removed, or an innocent person’s DNA added.

“Lessons learned from other industries haven’t been imported into forensic science in a serious way,” said Sarah Chu, the director of policy and reform at the Perlmutter Center for Legal Justice who worked on the research. “We’ve been behind the ball for so long. That kind of all rolls downhill into this incident.”

The lack of any centralized regulator on forensics has left over 200 labs with a patchwork of security measures, Chu added.

In a statement to the WSJ, Thermo Fisher Scientific said, “We have been working closely with the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency since the software issue was raised. We appreciate the work of forensic researchers on this topic, and we have released a software update that implements the use of digital signatures to add an extra layer of protection that moving forward will help customers verify that data files have not been modified.”

It's nearly time to continue the AFC Richmond journey. Three years after we thought Ted Lasso had ended, the hugely popular Apple TV original is returning for its fourth season — and, this time, the titular soccer coach is set to manage the club's newly founded women's team.

So, will Ted be able to work his magic once more and make AFC Richmond Women a force to be reckoned with? And who among the show's supporting cast is back for Ted Lasso season 4?

I can't answer the former, but you'll want to read our Ted Lasso season 4 guide for more on the latter. Alternatively, you could just read on to find out when the series' next episode will air — so, if that's all you're here for, scroll on!

What time can I watch Ted Lasso season 4 episode 1?

Ted Lasso season 4 episode 1 is expected to make its Apple TV debut on Wednesday, August 5 at 12am PT / 3am ET.

'Expected' is the keyword here, too. You see, in recent times, the first episode of numerous other new and returning Apple TV series has actually come out in the US and Canada on Tuesday evenings. If Ted Lasso 4 follows suit, its first episode could drop on Tuesday, August 4 at 6pm PT / 9PM ET.

However, the Ted Lasso season 4 review embargo is scheduled to lift at 12am PT on August 5. It would be odd for this season's first chapter to air before critics have published their impressions of it. So, unless Apple unexpectedly changes the aforementioned embargo details, I'm going to play it safe and say that this season's opening number will come out on August 5.

If that is the case, here's when season 4 episode 1, titled 'Home', will premiere in other countries:

• US — August 5 at 12am PT / 3am ET
• Canada — August 5 at 12am PT / 3am ET
• UK — August 5 at 8am BST
• India — August 5 at 12:30pm ISY
• Singapore — August 5 at 3pm SGT
• Australia — August 5 at 5pm AEST
• New Zealand — August 5 at 7pm NZST

If — and it's a big if — Ted Lasso season 4 is released in the US and Canada on Tuesday, August 4 at 6pm PT / 9pm ET, all non-North American readers will need to do is shave six hours off the above launch times. So, in the UK, it would arrive on August 5 at 2am BST, in India on August 5 at 6:30am IST, and so on.

Ted Lasso season 4 full release schedule

I hope you're ready for 10 weeks' worth of soccer comedy-drama coziness! (Image credit: Apple TV+)

You'll be pleased to know that there's plenty more Ted Lasso on the way after this week. Indeed, nine new episodes will be released after it, with one new entry expected to debut on one of the world's best streaming services every Wednesday.

Here's a breakdown of the all-important dates you need to know:

• Ted Lasso season 4 episode 1 — August 5
• Ted Lasso season 4 episode 2 — August 12
• Ted Lasso season 4 episode 3 — August 19
• Ted Lasso season 4 episode 4 — August 26
• Ted Lasso season 4 episode 5 — September 2
• Ted Lasso season 4 episode 6 — September 9
• Ted Lasso season 4 episode 7 — September 16
• Ted Lasso season 4 episode 8 — September 23
• Ted Lasso season 4 episode 9 — September 30
• Ted Lasso season 4 episode 10 — October 7

I still consider Lies of P to be the very best of the best soulslike games you can play today. Others have come close, like the tremendously underrated Wuchang: Fallen Feathers (I also have a soft spot for 2023's flawed-but-interesting Lords of the Fallen), but none have been able to match this macabre take on the tale of Pinocchio. And I'm happy to report the game really shines on Nintendo Switch 2 with the arrival of Lies of P: Complete Edition.

Review info

Platform reviewed: Nintendo Switch 2
Available on: Nintendo Switch 2
Release date: August 6, 2026

It's very much the same game that fans have loved since its 2023 release. However, Lies of P: Complete Edition also bundles in the phenomenal Overture expansion and all previously released cosmetic downloadable content (DLC).

As a result, this review will broadly focus on the game's performance on Nintendo Switch 2 and its overall value for money of Lies of P: Complete Edition. Be sure to read our original Lies of P review for a more complete rundown of the game itself, as well as our Lies of P: Overture review if you're curious about the unmissable massive expansion that released last year.

If you own a Nintendo Switch 2 and you've been waiting for a chance to play Lies of P, then you'll be well-served with Lies of P: Complete Edition. Not only does it bundle the base game and the expansion at a reasonable asking price, but it's also a winner in the performance department with robust graphics options and speedy load times. I really can't recommend it enough, especially after completing my third playthrough of the game via this Complete Edition.

It's not a perfect package; the more quality-centric graphics options are perhaps a tad too ambitious, leading to a very noticeable performance compromise. Plus, the inability to disable motion blur means you'll probably get sick of the smeary image created whenever you adjust the in-game camera.

But if you stick to the performance- or balance-oriented graphics modes in either docked or handheld play, you'll find that Lies of P mostly plays like a dream on Nintendo Switch 2.

Arms' length

(Image credit: Fireshrine Games)

As a quick catch-up (though once again I'll direct you to the review links above if you want to really learn more about the game before making a purchasing decision), Lies of P is a soulslike action game in the vein of FromSoftware-developed titles like Elden Ring and the Dark Souls trilogy.

That means you can expect a high level of difficulty, with tough boss encounters and tricky enemies. You can also expect intricate level design with plenty to explore off the beaten path, and robust build variety that lets you craft a playstyle that suits your preferences.

Best bit

(Image credit: Fireshine Games)

Lies of P: Complete Edition not only packs in the awesome Overture expansion with the base game, but it offers plenty of graphics options to help you play the way you prefer. While only the performance-centered option offers 60 frames per second (fps; in docked mode only; a day-one patch will add a similar graphics option for handheld play), I found the 'Balanced' option to offer the best compromise between graphics quality and game performance.

Where Lies of P sets itself apart is in its gameplay particulars. The player character, as a puppet, can equip a variety of Legion Arms, which offer effects like applying harmful status elements, pulling enemies toward you, or laying down proximity mines for crowd control.

You can also mix and match the blade and hilt of most of the game's weapons, with different combinations changing how you swing the weapon, as well as the special moves it has access to. Finally, exploring is greatly incentivized by Quartz - a rare item that lets you unlock strong passive abilities via your P-Organ setup at the homebase of Hotel Krat. Such passives include more healing item uses, more amulet slots for applying strong combat effects, and greater effectiveness of your dodge roll.

Lies of P can be an extremely tough game, but there are two easier difficulty options if you'd prefer a more casual experience. These can be changed at any time, so feel free to switch them around if you find you're having too hard (or too easy) of a time; the game does not punish you or lock away any content on those easier difficulties.

P for Performance

(Image credit: Fireshine Games)

So let's break down how Lies of P: Complete Edition runs on Nintendo Switch 2, specifically. In docked mode, on TV, you have three settings. The performance-centered option lets you play at a full 60fps, and it's tremendously smooth with little in the way of hiccups. The downside here is you lose quite a bit of graphical detail, with greatly simplified environmental detail and particle effects.

The quality-centered option swings a bit too far in the opposite direction, and while it does offer some nice-looking ray-tracing, the Switch 2 isn't quite able to keep up the pace and performance really suffers as a result. This setting also makes the camera-based motion blur very apparent, creating a Vaseline-like smear whenever you shift the camera in-game. There's no option to turn off the motion blur, either, so I would recommend avoiding this setting in both docked and handheld modes.

(Image credit: Fireshine Games)

I personally found that the 'Balanced' setting offered the best results. This had the best balance between frame rate (a stable 30fps) and graphical detail. If you're going to play on TV, this is the graphics option I would strongly recommend.

There are still some caveats that are apparent across all graphics modes, though. There's very noticeable object pop-in for distant objects, especially in the game's denser areas like the Lorenzini Arcade or Overture's Krat Zoo. It's not game-breaking by any means, but it shows that some compromises had to be made for more stable performance on Switch 2.

Another annoying thing about this Switch 2 version is that you can only change graphics options from the title screen menu. That means you'll have to back out from the game to the menu every single time you want to change things up. This is another reason why I recommend just setting the game to Balanced mode from the jump. It offers the best visual quality to performance balance, and I would only suggest swapping to the performance-centered mode if you're desperate for 60fps gameplay.

On that note, a 60fps graphics option is coming to handheld mode via a day-one patch, so I was unable to test that during the review period.

Should I play Lies of P: Complete Edition?Play it if...

You're checking Lies of P out for the first time
Lies of P: Complete Edition includes the base game, the Overture expansion, and all previously released cosmetic DLC and quality-of-life updates. It's the full package, so it's ideal if you're playing for the first time.

You want a chunky, satisfying adventure on the go
Your first playthrough of Lies of P will take roughly 40-50 hours with the Overture expansion. Pair that with the impressive handheld performance here, and Lies of P: Complete Edition makes for a lengthy and enjoyable game for those who regularly play portably.

Soulslikes typically intimidate you
Lies of P is hard, but its easier difficulty options provide a fantastic onboarding experience if you really want to get into games like it, but are maybe a bit unnerved by the high difficulty.

Don't play it if...

You want peak visual clarity
While it looks and runs great in most graphics modes, its quality-centered options are a letdown. I'd stick to the PC version if you really want to see Lies of P looking its best.

Accessibility features

Lies of P: Complete Edition has a basic set of accessibility options. There are three colorblind modes (protanopia, deuteranopia, and tritanopia), as well as the option to adjust subtitle display and size. Full button rebinding is also supported, and as mentioned in the review, there are two easier difficulty options if the going gets a bit too tough.

How I reviewed Lies of P: Complete Edition

(Image credit: Fireshine Games)

I played Lies of P: Complete Edition for 20 hours for this review. That playtime included most of the base game and the first handful of areas within the Overture DLC. I tested all graphics modes available during the review period, including quality, performance, and balanced options.

I played Lies of P: Complete Edition primarily in docked mode on an LG CX OLED TV with a Switch 2 Pro Controller, swapping over to handheld mode every so often to get a feel for overall performance there, too. I also hooked up my RIG R5 Spear Pro HS gaming headset for more immersive audio while playing in handheld mode.

First reviewed July-August 2026

I still consider Lies of P to be the very best of the best soulslike games you can play today. Others have come close, like the tremendously underrated Wuchang: Fallen Feathers (I also have a soft spot for 2023's flawed-but-interesting Lords of the Fallen), but none have been able to match this macabre take on the tale of Pinocchio. And I'm happy to report the game really shines on Nintendo Switch 2 with the arrival of Lies of P: Complete Edition.

Review info

Platform reviewed: Nintendo Switch 2
Available on: Nintendo Switch 2
Release date: August 6, 2026

It's very much the same game that fans have loved since its 2023 release. However, Lies of P: Complete Edition also bundles in the phenomenal Overture expansion and all previously released cosmetic downloadable content (DLC).

As a result, this review will broadly focus on the game's performance on Nintendo Switch 2 and its overall value for money of Lies of P: Complete Edition. Be sure to read our original Lies of P review for a more complete rundown of the game itself, as well as our Lies of P: Overture review if you're curious about the unmissable massive expansion that released last year.

If you own a Nintendo Switch 2 and you've been waiting for a chance to play Lies of P, then you'll be well-served with Lies of P: Complete Edition. Not only does it bundle the base game and the expansion at a reasonable asking price, but it's also a winner in the performance department with robust graphics options and speedy load times. I really can't recommend it enough, especially after completing my third playthrough of the game via this Complete Edition.

It's not a perfect package; the more quality-centric graphics options are perhaps a tad too ambitious, leading to a very noticeable performance compromise. Plus, the inability to disable motion blur means you'll probably get sick of the smeary image created whenever you adjust the in-game camera.

But if you stick to the performance- or balance-oriented graphics modes in either docked or handheld play, you'll find that Lies of P mostly plays like a dream on Nintendo Switch 2.

Arms' length

(Image credit: Fireshrine Games)

As a quick catch-up (though once again I'll direct you to the review links above if you want to really learn more about the game before making a purchasing decision), Lies of P is a soulslike action game in the vein of FromSoftware-developed titles like Elden Ring and the Dark Souls trilogy.

That means you can expect a high level of difficulty, with tough boss encounters and tricky enemies. You can also expect intricate level design with plenty to explore off the beaten path, and robust build variety that lets you craft a playstyle that suits your preferences.

Best bit

(Image credit: Fireshine Games)

Lies of P: Complete Edition not only packs in the awesome Overture expansion with the base game, but it offers plenty of graphics options to help you play the way you prefer. While only the performance-centered option offers 60 frames per second (fps; in docked mode only; a day-one patch will add a similar graphics option for handheld play), I found the 'Balanced' option to offer the best compromise between graphics quality and game performance.

Where Lies of P sets itself apart is in its gameplay particulars. The player character, as a puppet, can equip a variety of Legion Arms, which offer effects like applying harmful status elements, pulling enemies toward you, or laying down proximity mines for crowd control.

You can also mix and match the blade and hilt of most of the game's weapons, with different combinations changing how you swing the weapon, as well as the special moves it has access to. Finally, exploring is greatly incentivized by Quartz - a rare item that lets you unlock strong passive abilities via your P-Organ setup at the homebase of Hotel Krat. Such passives include more healing item uses, more amulet slots for applying strong combat effects, and greater effectiveness of your dodge roll.

Lies of P can be an extremely tough game, but there are two easier difficulty options if you'd prefer a more casual experience. These can be changed at any time, so feel free to switch them around if you find you're having too hard (or too easy) of a time; the game does not punish you or lock away any content on those easier difficulties.

P for Performance

(Image credit: Fireshine Games)

So let's break down how Lies of P: Complete Edition runs on Nintendo Switch 2, specifically. In docked mode, on TV, you have three settings. The performance-centered option lets you play at a full 60fps, and it's tremendously smooth with little in the way of hiccups. The downside here is you lose quite a bit of graphical detail, with greatly simplified environmental detail and particle effects.

The quality-centered option swings a bit too far in the opposite direction, and while it does offer some nice-looking ray-tracing, the Switch 2 isn't quite able to keep up the pace and performance really suffers as a result. This setting also makes the camera-based motion blur very apparent, creating a Vaseline-like smear whenever you shift the camera in-game. There's no option to turn off the motion blur, either, so I would recommend avoiding this setting in both docked and handheld modes.

(Image credit: Fireshine Games)

I personally found that the 'Balanced' setting offered the best results. This had the best balance between frame rate (a stable 30fps) and graphical detail. If you're going to play on TV, this is the graphics option I would strongly recommend.

There are still some caveats that are apparent across all graphics modes, though. There's very noticeable object pop-in for distant objects, especially in the game's denser areas like the Lorenzini Arcade or Overture's Krat Zoo. It's not game-breaking by any means, but it shows that some compromises had to be made for more stable performance on Switch 2.

Another annoying thing about this Switch 2 version is that you can only change graphics options from the title screen menu. That means you'll have to back out from the game to the menu every single time you want to change things up. This is another reason why I recommend just setting the game to Balanced mode from the jump. It offers the best visual quality to performance balance, and I would only suggest swapping to the performance-centered mode if you're desperate for 60fps gameplay.

On that note, a 60fps graphics option is coming to handheld mode via a day-one patch, so I was unable to test that during the review period.

Should I play Lies of P: Complete Edition?Play it if...

You're checking Lies of P out for the first time
Lies of P: Complete Edition includes the base game, the Overture expansion, and all previously released cosmetic DLC and quality-of-life updates. It's the full package, so it's ideal if you're playing for the first time.

You want a chunky, satisfying adventure on the go
Your first playthrough of Lies of P will take roughly 40-50 hours with the Overture expansion. Pair that with the impressive handheld performance here, and Lies of P: Complete Edition makes for a lengthy and enjoyable game for those who regularly play portably.

Soulslikes typically intimidate you
Lies of P is hard, but its easier difficulty options provide a fantastic onboarding experience if you really want to get into games like it, but are maybe a bit unnerved by the high difficulty.

Don't play it if...

You want peak visual clarity
While it looks and runs great in most graphics modes, its quality-centered options are a letdown. I'd stick to the PC version if you really want to see Lies of P looking its best.

Accessibility features

Lies of P: Complete Edition has a basic set of accessibility options. There are three colorblind modes (protanopia, deuteranopia, and tritanopia), as well as the option to adjust subtitle display and size. Full button rebinding is also supported, and as mentioned in the review, there are two easier difficulty options if the going gets a bit too tough.

How I reviewed Lies of P: Complete Edition

(Image credit: Fireshine Games)

I played Lies of P: Complete Edition for 20 hours for this review. That playtime included most of the base game and the first handful of areas within the Overture DLC. I tested all graphics modes available during the review period, including quality, performance, and balanced options.

I played Lies of P: Complete Edition primarily in docked mode on an LG CX OLED TV with a Switch 2 Pro Controller, swapping over to handheld mode every so often to get a feel for overall performance there, too. I also hooked up my RIG R5 Spear Pro HS gaming headset for more immersive audio while playing in handheld mode.

First reviewed July-August 2026

Netflix is on a generational roll with its cozy dramas in 2026. In the last few weeks alone, we've had Heartstopper Forever, Sweet Magnolias season 5, and Ransom Canyon season 2.

Now, it's My Life with the Walter Boys season 3's time to shine. If you can't remember what happened at the end of season 2, don't panic. We can expect the action to pick up after George's medical emergency, following the open love confession between Jackie and Cole, and Alex finding out.

At this point, we don't actually know if George will survive or not. Regardless, when does My Life with the Walter Boys season 3 arrive on the streamer?

What time can I watch My Life with the Walter Boys season 3 on Netflix?

My Life with the Walter Boys season 3 drops on Thursday, August 6.

As for exact time, it should be the standard 12am PT / 3am ET release time that practically every other Netflix TV Original has.

For fans who don't live in North America, here's when you'll need to tune in for season 3:

• US – 12am PT / 3am ET
• Canada – 12am PT / 3am ET
• UK – 8am BST
• India – 12:30pm IST
• Singapore – 3pm SGT
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When do new episodes of My Life with the Walter Boys season 3 come out?

(Image credit: Netflix)

All 10 episodes of this season will be released at the same time. Unlike weekly drops on the likes of Prime Video, Apple TV, and Disney+, then, you won't need to wait around for new installment of My Life with the Walter Boys season 3.

As for the series' future, there's currently no public word on whether a fourth season has been greenlit. Hopefully, we won't be made to wait much longer.

• Casio has two new watches and a new smart ring
• All these models offer some kind of fitness tracking too
• We're still waiting on international availability

Casio is pushing further into wearables that can be used as fitness trackers and not just timepieces, with a couple of new watches and a revised version of its smart ring that can monitor some key health metrics while you're wearing them.

The smart ring is the Casio CRW-H001 (via Notebookcheck), which looks like a tiny watch that you slip on your finger — but can also keep tabs on steps, sleep, heart rate, and body temperature according to the product blurb. You can also use it to get alerts about incoming smartphone notifications.

It's a significant step up from the Casio CRW-001-1JR that was launched in 2024. That device was limited to telling the time, setting alarms, and stopwatch timers. There was no companion mobile app and nothing in the way of fitness tracking.

This latest version is a genuine smart ring, though for now it's only available in China for 1,990 yuan (about $295 / £220 / AU$420). Given that the Casio CRW-001-1JR eventually made its way to international markets, we're hopeful that this device will too.

New watches too

These Casio watches can count your steps too (Image credit: Casio)

On to the watches, and we have the new Casio ABL-100WE series on the Casio UK website (via Notebookcheck again): there's the ABL-100WE-2A (with a black finish) and the ABL-100WE-7A (with a silver finish).

Alongside the classic Casio looks, these watches give you step counting that can be synced to a smartphone via Bluetooth and displayed on the built-in screen. Extra features include water resistance and dual time zone support.

You don't get much in the way of fitness tracking, but it's something — the watches can send you alerts about meeting your step count goal for each day, if you want, and you're also able to see your recent progress in the form of simple graphs. Both models come with multi-row stainless steel bracelets.

For now these models have only been spotted on Casio's UK website — where they're retailing for £70 (about $95 / AU$135) — so as with the smart ring we're waiting for news on global availability.

• Users can now track social media and video performance in Google Search Console
• Users can connect with Instagram, TikTok, X, and YouTube
• This feature is available now to users across the globe

Google has rolled out a major new feature on Search Console, allowing website owners and creators to track the performance of video and social media content across Google Search, Google News, and Discover.

Google announced the new feature on July 7, noting a gradual rollout, with some users reporting access as late as last week.

The platform properties feature supports content from Instagram, TikTok, X, and YouTube.

Greater visibility of social and video performance

In a statement announcing the rollout, Google highlighted its reasoning:

"As people gravitate toward firsthand perspectives and different content formats, we want to make it easier for site owners and creators—even those without their own website—to get a consolidated view of how all of their content is getting discovered on Search."

Although Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and X all have built-in analytics, these primarily offer insight into how your content performs on-platform. Google’s latest update will help marketers gain greater insight into how this content performs off-platform, supporting better marketing decision-making.

With many websites seeing fluctuations in organic traffic, the expansion from domain-only data into social and video marks a change in how many businesses measure marketing success.

Getting set up

Adding a social media account to Google Search Console is simple.

1. Visit Google Search Console and log in
2. In the top left, click the properties drop-down
3. Click ‘Add property’
4. Select the social media platform you want to connect, enter your credentials, and log in

You will then be able to access it as a new property on your account. However, it can take up to 48 hours for Search Console to pull your data.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche rescinds President Trump's anti-weaponization fund ahead of his confirmation hearing. And, the president calls off strikes on Iran over a potential deal.

(Image credit: Win McNamee)

• AirPods with cameras are apparently still coming...
• ... but the next model, due in 2026, won't have them
• In truth, little is known about these new buds (which is how Apple likes it)

For some reason, Apple fans are clamoring for new AirPods with cameras built in, and we've been hearing plenty of rumors that they're on the way. But a new report suggests they won't actually be the next Apple earbuds we see.

According to stalwart Apple correspondent Mark Gurman (via his Power On newsletter), Apple has two AirPods models on the go.

The flagship ice-white buds we've been reporting on are set to have tiny AI cameras — and Gurman has now backed up rumors of their being slated for a 2027 release.

But some models are expected in 2026: Gurman mentions another pair of buds (with a lot less known about them) that are likely to come along the 2026 iPhones at the end of the year.

The coverage doesn't specify whether these are AirPods, AirPods Pro or even over-ears, but the latter seem unlikely, because the AirPods Max 2 are only a few months old.

Could it be a possible Beats release? TechRadar's Jacob Krol recently spent a few days at Apple's Beats HQ and pressed the highly successful Apple subsidiary brand on some much teased Beats headphones, spotted on various occasions at the World Cup recently, but the company remained tight-lipped on those.

For now, we'll have to wait and see.

Are cameras worth the wait?

Questions concerning whether AirPods with cameras would even work aside, Apple faces the question — given the recent backlash over glasses that see — over whether most buyers would even want that.

The point of the tech is, apparently, to let an AI assistant see what's going on around you. The hardware is part of a big AI push Apple is undergoing.

That's despite consumers' appetite for AI dropping as fast as companies' desperation for AI increases. I don't see many AirPods buyers opting for a new pair of earbuds without a genuine reason they'd be useful (and no, smarter Siri doesn't count), especially if their whole schtick is that they're always spying on you.

Often when we see a tech product delayed, it's because it's just not ready yet. But with the camera-toting AirPods, it's more likely that we're not ready yet... or maybe we just don't need them.

• Microsoft has summarized its campaign to fix Windows 11 so far
• The company also let us know what work is coming, including making the OS run better with 8GB of RAM
• That should have been the case from the start, though – and there's a missing piece of the puzzle to address as highlighted by Windows 11 users

Microsoft has made it clear that it's working to ensure that Windows 11 runs better on 8GB of system memory, as well as letting us know about other elements of the OS the company is going to fix as 2026 rolls on.

This was part of a blog post which is an update on the progress made with the campaign to fix Windows 11 that kicked off in March, summarizing all the work Microsoft has done – and there's been a lot of that, without a doubt. (I recently picked out the most important changes so far, if you're interested).

Microsoft also highlighted four new areas it's going to deal with during the rest of the year, and one of those is Windows 11's RAM usage.

Microsoft wrote: "Memory optimization for 8GB and above. Reducing Windows memory footprint to deliver a fast and responsive Windows experience across the PCs customers use every day."

As well as a promise, this is an acknowledgement of the RAM crisis, which is preventing people from upgrading their memory, but more to the point, it's forcing laptop makers to go backwards in some respects, dropping RAM loadouts to 8GB for some models. (Whereas previously we'd been moving noticeably towards 16GB as a baseline).

As to what else Microsoft has on its fixing checklist, that includes making Windows 11's setup a faster and more efficient experience, as well as a better setup for families (including parental controls being more readily accessible). Finally, Microsoft says voice functionality is also being worked on, to make "voice more natural and fluid to interact across the apps you use every day".

Analysis: it's about time really – and there's another issue that needs to be addressed, too

(Image credit: Windows/Unsplash)

Microsoft talked about RAM optimization and "lowering the baseline memory footprint for Windows" back when the campaign to fix its OS first began. So really, this is just a reassurance that this work is underway and should be arriving before the end of the year, and that it's specifically focused on ensuring 8GB is an acceptable amount of memory for running Windows 11.

As noted, there's more pressure around this now thanks to the RAM crisis getting worse, and laptop makers looking to produce more 8GB models in a cost-saving effort. On top of that, there's the embarrassment of the MacBook Neo showing that Apple can do 8GB, and do it well, with macOS.

Really, though, Windows 11 should've been better optimized for performance right from the start – or at least after the first year or two of its existence. Why has it taken a RAM apocalypse, a huge anti-Windows backlash (prompted by AI), and the launch of a rival budget-friendly MacBook to prompt Microsoft to get off its system performance laurels and actually do something serious about how well its desktop operating system runs with a leaner amount of memory? Remember, Windows 11 is supposed to work with 4GB (as a minimum), so 8GB should not be as much of an issue as it has always been.

Obviously it's good that this is now happening, and more broadly, I'm still pleased Microsoft is addressing a whole bunch of problems with its drive to fix Windows 11. There's one piece of the puzzle omitted here, though, based on some of the feedback which has come through on social media after Microsoft's blog post update.

While Redditor 'Melchett_General' acknowledges that "some of this is very nice" when it comes to Microsoft's summarized fixes, they point out some missing bits, one of which is notably echoed elsewhere – namely the recent LG monitor controversy.

The Redditor complains: "How on earth Windows got to the state where any manufacturer that makes a device can have software 'companion' applications installed silently on a user's device without the wider internet throwing a collective fit and having Microsoft permanently change course I don't know."

In case you missed it, this refers to LG serving Windows 11 users a McAfee pop-up via its monitor software, and it's a story with some degree of nuance. Microsoft did immediately take action to get LG to banish that McAfee advert, which popped up via the LG monitor app in Windows 11, but as I discussed previously, a wider problem remains here.

This is the issue that the LG application is piped through to the operating system via Windows Update without the user's knowledge, happening automatically when the LG monitor is connected to the system.

In other words, the McAfee pop-up might have been quickly dealt with, but it's still possible for hardware makers to get Windows Update to pipe through a tool for their device.

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

As the Redditor elaborates: "What this seems to mean is that a 3rd party can install what they like whenever they like on your internet connected Windows computer and there's no effective way to stop it. (Aside from GP [Group Policy] edits or registry changes).

"This needs to be addressed, and there needs to be a mechanism to allow people to easily prevent this from happening."

I couldn't agree more. There should be no scenario where software is automatically installed in this way, even if the device maker might argue that the app is very much for the user's benefit. At the very least, there should be a dialog box announcing what's happening, and giving you the ability to choose not to install whatever application the hardware maker wants to put on your PC.

Notably, I haven't heard anything from Microsoft addressing this broader issue. Never mind the symptom (the McAfee pop-up), tackle the root cause of the issue (the ability for a piece of connected hardware to whisk its own software off the internet with no say from the user).

Microsoft is clearly serious about fixing everything that's wrong with Windows 11, I don't dispute that – but I find it odd that nothing has been said that directly addresses this pain point. Hopefully that won't be the case for much longer – we need some more transparency with Windows Update in this regard.

• Earlier this year, Microsoft confirmed that the price of Xbox consoles would rise in August, but did not reveal how much they would cost in the UK
• Now the prices are public, and the reaction has been overwhelmingly negative
• It follows a wider trend of increased prices driven by the sharp rise in the cost of RAM

Earlier this year, Microsoft confirmed that it would be raising the prices of its Xbox consoles worldwide in August, but it left the prices outside of the US a mystery. Now the price hike has actually arrived, we know how much everything now costs in the UK — and it's pretty bleak.

The price of the once entry-level 512GB Xbox Series S has shot up by £130 to an eye-watering £429.99. That's more than the newer Nintendo Switch 2 system, which retails for £395.99.

A 1TB Xbox Series X is now £669.99 (up from £499.99), meaning that there's only a £120 difference between it and the competing PlayStation 5 Pro, which costs £789.99 despite offering significantly more storage and more powerful specs.

You can see all the price changes below:

UK Xbox console pricing

Old price

New price

Xbox Series S 512GB

£299.99

£429.99

Xbox Series S 1TB

£349.99

£519.99

Xbox Series X 1TB All-Digital

£449.99

£619.99

Xbox Series X 1TB Disc

£499.99

£669.99

Here are the new prices in the US, which were announced back in June, for comparison:

US Xbox console pricing

Old price

New price

Xbox Series S 512GB

$399

$499

Xbox Series S 1TB

$449

$599

Xbox Series X 1TB All-Digital

$599

$749

Xbox Series X 1TB Disc

$649

$899

The raised prices come as the consumer electronics market is being squeezed by a global RAM shortage, which has caused the cost of key components to skyrocket. Market analysts have also said that the US-Israel war with Iran could further compound issues.

The price of other devices like laptops, phones, and tablets has also risen, but video game consoles are often sold with slim, or sometimes no, margin, which makes manufacturers particularly susceptible to rising costs.

Back in April, Sony raised the prices of its PlayStation 5 consoles by $100 / £100, citing "continued pressures in the global economic landscape". Only Nintendo has not put up the cost of its hardware since it released, though a former employee has warned that it is "inevitable."

Although part of a wider trend, the reaction to the new Xbox prices has still been overwhelmingly negative. A user on gaming forum Resetera described it as the "final nail in the coffin" for Xbox, which has struggled with sharply declining sales year-over-year.

"Makes no difference, no one is buying them either way," wrote another commenter, with others remarking on how difficult it can be to even find any Xbox products on sale in stores in Europe.

Even users that have already bought systems at lower prices seem worried: "My main concern is if a console breaks I can't afford another," one added.

An FDA advisory panel recently voted to green-light some popular peptides. The decision brought enormous attention to the market for these products — and concerns about the unregulated supply.

(Image credit: Catherine Falls Commercial)

Perhaps the issue is not that AI is creating new sprawl, but that the drive to adopt is exposing existing, disconnected processes as a deeper, more urgent problem.

The explosive growth of AI adoption across enterprises is impossible to ignore, but so is the complexity that's building alongside it. A recent study from Harvard Business Review suggests that instead of making our workloads easier, AI may actually be contributing to mental fatigue, caused by excessive interaction with AI tools beyond a person’s cognitive capacity.

It raises an important question, how can organizations manage the next wave of automation, without creating even more complexity?

The real battle aren’t your tools, it’s everything around them

There is a growing narrative that AI is SaaS's logical replacement but there’s more to it than a simple swap out. For the technology to be truly transformational, it’s about the implementation.

Through the ease of adoption, AI tools will cause more pain if simply layered on top of current systems rather than rethinking them. This isn’t a specific AI problem, it's a deployment one and organizations need to confront it by asking, “where is the real friction in the work process, and how can it be eliminated with AI?” Most people today don't realize how important that differentiation is.

The productivity gap that AI alone won’t fix

To be able to address this challenge, businesses need to properly understand the issue at hand. This starts with looking closely at where time and money is actually going, but reading through this data can be an uncomfortable task.

UK businesses are losing billions of pounds every year to “shadow work” - manual tasks outside of people’s core jobs that are exacerbated by disconnected systems. UK employees spend hours a week on this kind of non-core work, and this is only set to increase, leading to a very real problem. Every employee, team and seniority level is affected by this structural drain on output.

Whilst most businesses don’t or only partially automate tasks like planning trips and submitting expenses, these recurrent weekly friction points build up to have a quantifiable effect on the employees time for their real work which drives impact. The drive to adopt the technology is there and for leaders, automating this work should be a high priority but only when clear plans are in place for how to do so.

The fundamental problem is that shadow work emerges because systems are unable to communicate with one another, and just layering AI tools on top won't fix the problem. Often, the biggest roadblock to solving the issue in the first place is poorly integrated legacy systems.

This misalignment is draining employees productivity and satisfactions and harming business growth.

2026 - the year of stack rationalization

A true turning point may start to happen when businesses start cutting the amount of tools they have rather than adding more. For years, the cost of complexity has been gradually escalating. It's getting harder to ignore. The argument for simplicity is not just significant but essential when workers are managing shadow work, using multiple tools which are often not properly integrated.

Previously, increasing the efficiency of individual systems was the goal of enterprise automation. Payroll ran itself and IT provisioning took place in a matter of seconds. However, the coordination, approvals and administrative work that spans operations, finance and human resources were mostly ignored.

Adding more tools won't unlock the next wave of productivity. It will only come by integrating intelligence into the operational core, where people and systems come together as one.

When simplifying your tech stack is done well, it doesn't mean doing less. It involves being deliberate, putting simplicity ahead of growth and placing people before software sprawl. The CIO’s with the most self-control to base their success on what they remove will be the ones leading the next generation.

The productivity gap won't close itself

The issue for many organizations isn't the lack of technology, it’s that systems and tools are misaligned. The automation is there, but in ways that have enhanced systems without freeing up those who use them. AI won't automatically address the shadow work issue, and it won't go away on its own.

A change in perspective is now required, to move away from just pursuing the next goal and towards creating workflows that really benefit the individuals performing the task.

When complexity is outpacing productivity, the real measure of progress won’t be calculated on the volume of AI deployed within the business, but instead on how much friction an organization has managed to remove.

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This article was produced as part of TechRadar Pro Perspectives, our channel to feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today.

The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/pro/perspectives-how-to-submit

Security leaders have made significant progress in improving threat visibility across businesses.

Most organizations can now identify vulnerabilities across their applications, dependencies, and development pipelines with far more consistency than previously.

Yet, a fundamental imbalance remains — vulnerabilities are being discovered faster than they can be remediated.

This imbalance is growing. As it stands, the majority (82%) of organizations currently carry security debt, categorized as accumulated vulnerabilities that have remained unresolved for more than a year.

At the same time, the share of vulnerabilities that are both severe and likely to be exploited continues to increase.

As a result, vulnerabilities are persisting in production environments long enough to be discovered and weaponized.

Despite this growing risk, many CISOs still need to convince the C-suite that reducing security debt is a business-wide issue that justifies sustained investment, rather than a challenge limited only to security teams.

Treating security debt like financial debt

Business leaders must reframe their thinking to view security debt with the same level of scrutiny as they would financial debt. Like financial debt, security debt accumulates over time, compounding when left unmanaged to create spiraling costs for the business. Those costs appear in delayed releases, emergency remediation efforts, audit findings, incident response and, ultimately, greater organizational risk.

As with financial debt, security debt requires active management rather than periodic damage control. Organizations need to clearly understand how much security debt they are carrying, distinguish between the vulnerabilities that matter most, and make deliberate decisions about where to invest their remediation efforts. Without that discipline, the backlog continues to grow while the organization's overall risk increases.

Boards already monitor financial performance, operational resilience, and service reliability because each affects the organization's ability to operate. Security debt belongs in the same category. It is a measurable indicator of organizational exposure and should be managed with the same level of oversight and accountability as any other business risk.

Capacity is the key problem, not visibility

Most organizations already know where many of their security vulnerabilities exist, however are constrained when it comes to remediation capacity. When vulnerabilities are identified faster than engineering teams can resolve them, security debt continues to grow regardless of how sophisticated the detection tools they use are.

To secure buy-in from the wider C-suite, CISOs must demonstrate this capacity gap in business terms. This includes highlighting the volume of vulnerabilities being discovered versus fixed, how long high-risk issues remain unresolved and where critical systems remain exposed.

Framing remediation as an operational constraint makes it easier for executives to understand the wider business benefits of addressing it – from improving engineering capacity to reducing costs and maintaining service availability.

Success in reducing security debt should be measured by reducing exposure, not just counting the vulnerabilities that have been found or closed. Metrics such as the number of exploitable vulnerabilities in critical systems, their average age, and overall security debt provide a clearer picture of organizational risk.

Formal risk acceptance for unresolved high-risk issues, combined with dedicated engineering time, automation, and AI-assisted remediation, can significantly improve remediation throughput without slowing development.

Prioritize the vulnerabilities that create the greatest business risk

Crucially, not every vulnerability presents the same level of risk. While severity scores such as the Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) can be useful, they do not account for exploitability, enterprise context or whether an affected application is business critical.

A more effective approach combines severity with exploitability alongside organizational context to identify the small percentage of vulnerabilities that are most likely to impact the business. Every organization has ‘crown-jewel’ applications – whether customer-facing platforms, revenue-generating services or applications handling sensitive data – and these should be prioritized for remediation.

To put this into perspective, 11% of vulnerabilities are deemed both highly severe and exploitable. Focusing resources on this subset enables organizations to reduce risk far more effectively than treating every vulnerability equally, while giving security leaders a clearer way to explain remediation priorities in business terms rather than technical jargon.

Reframing the conversation around security debt

The ripple effect of security debt extends beyond the security function. It influences resilience, regulatory compliance, and an organization's ability to operate software with confidence.

CISOs have an opportunity to reshape the conversation by framing security debt as an enterprise risk rather than a technical backlog. When leadership can understand the relationship between remediation capacity and business risk, decisions around investment and prioritization become far clearer.

Security debt will never be eradicated completely. What matters is how effectively it is measured, governed, and reduced over time. The businesses that invest in remediation capacity and focus on the vulnerabilities that matter most will be better positioned to control risk at scale.

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This article was produced as part of TechRadar Pro Perspectives, our channel to feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today.

The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/pro/perspectives-how-to-submit

• Microsoft Teams mobile users warned to update now
• Android and iOS users could risk losing access to their Calendar if not
• Deadline moved up to September 2026 as Microsoft likely reacts to end of life for EWS

Microsoft has warned Teams users that it has changed the date for them to update their smartphone apps, or risk losing access to the Calendar.

The company had originally said users of its Android and iOS apps would have until the end of October 2026 to update their services, but this deadline has now been brought forward to the end of September 2026.

Only the iOS and Android apps are affected, with web and desktop versions unaffected - and we would expect users with automatic updates enabled to get an updated version without needing to take any action.

Update Teams now

"To ensure continued access to Calendar functionality in Microsoft Teams mobile, users must update the Teams mobile app to the latest version," Microsoft wrote in its notice.

"This change helps maintain a reliable calendar experience on iOS and Android devices and ensures compatibility with ongoing Teams service updates."

Microsoft says those who aren't able to update (or forget, or ignore the warnings), "will not be able to access Calendar functionality in Teams mobile" - and nothing will be changing to Teams Calendar on desktop or web.

Users will need to update to version 8.9.0 (build 8.9.77.2026092302) or higher on iOS, and version 1416/1.0.0.2026122504 or higher on Android.

For those using at Teams on a work device - admins will need to make sure one of these updated versions are deployed before the deadline date.

The move appears to be linked to the upcoming end of support for Exchange Web Services (EWS) which allows apps to access mailboxes and other data in Exchange Online.

This is due to come into force on October 1, 2026, with shutdown having first been announced in 2023, following a number of high-profile security issues.

Microsoft notes that Teams admins can extend EWS until April 2027 if needed - however after that date,. it will no longer work.

Via The Register

As we enter the latter half of 2026, the AI conversation has shifted from implementation to ROI. Ninety percent of organizations now report getting some value from AI tools. Only 45% are getting a great deal of it. That gap, which is the distance between “something” and “substantial,” is where the entire AI economy is currently parked.

In Harvard Business Review earlier this year, my team and I published findings from a survey (link 1) of 1,006 C-level executives across 32 industries and 11 countries. Several factors separate the organizations getting real returns from those merely getting by. Most prominently, 55% of executives cite unready data as an inhibitor, and 47% cite the absence of a repeatable value framework.

But one variable did more to predict high value than any other: how organizations measure and report what their AI is actually worth.

We mapped that into a six-stage Economic Maturity Model. Stage 0 is unmeasured pilots. Stage 5 is formal reporting of AI value to boards, investors, and public markets. The share of organizations achieving high value climbs from 4% at Stage 0 to 85% at Stage 5, a 20x difference, and the single largest effect size in the entire study.

This is a financial measurement maturity model that measures not how well an organization builds AI, but how it measures what AI delivers.

Two cliffs, not a smooth climb

The journey between Stage 0 and Stage 5 is not linear. Plot high-value achievement against stage and two cliffs emerge, with plateaus in between.

The first cliff sits between Stage 2 and Stage 3, a 24-point jump. This is where organizations stop relying on pre-launch business cases alone and measure outcomes after deployment.

The second cliff sits between Stage 4 and Stage 5, a 27-point jump, the largest in the model. This is where organizations stop reporting AI value privately and start reporting it formally to boards and to markets. Everything between those two moves is incremental. The cliffs are where the value lives.

The 41-point trap

Thirty percent of organizations in our sample are stuck at Stage 3, with a median of six years in AI. The reason they stop is that Stage 3 feels like winning. Forty-four percent of Stage 3 organizations report a great deal of value from AI, one-third say they have substantial positive ROI, and 70% plan to increase AI investment next year.

These numbers sound like success, but at Stage 4, 58% see high value, and at stage 5, it is 85%. Stage 3 organizations are leaving 41 percentage points on the table but not feeling it, because everything is trending up from where they started.

Why do they stay stuck? Stage 3 organizations are measuring, but can’t combine what they measure into a value statement that lands with the board and the C-suite. Finance uses IRR and NPV.

Operations uses efficiency and cycle time. Risk and compliance uses incident reduction. Customer teams use CSAT and retention. Every number is real and defensible, but when the CEO or board asks, “What is our total AI value?” the answer is a shrug or four disconnected numbers from four different functions. Meanwhile the portfolios keep growing, and the translation gap scales with them.

The missing seat at the table

This brings me to the most actionable finding in our research. When the CFO and the finance function are involved in achieving and certifying AI value by partnering with the CIO, CTO, or chief data and AI officer, 76% of organizations achieve high value from AI. When the CIO or CTO carries that accountability alone, the rate drops to 53%. When functional executives carry it, 32%. Yet today, only 2% of organizations involve the CFO in this role.

The point is not to put the CFO in charge of AI, but to provide institutional credibility. Finance’s existing job is to translate different kinds of value into one common unit, and its certification of a number makes the rest of the organization believe it. The unit-CFO validation step is what makes the aggregate credible to the board, to investors and to the market.

This is also what unlocks the second cliff. As organizations move from Stage 4 to Stage 5, three things change at once, none of them technical. CIO and CTO involvement in AI value nearly doubles, from 20% to 39%. The inhibitor “our leaders don’t understand AI value” drops from 40% to 18%, because formal reporting forces executives to defend the number in public.

And investment conviction follows the proof. Just over half (52%) of Stage 5 organizations plan to substantially increase AI investment next year, which is ten times the rate at Stage 3.

Stage 4 organizations know their AI number. Stage 5 organizations are accountable for it. That shift, from private knowledge to public accountability, is what unlocks the final 27 points.

Three questions for your leadership team this week

If you take nothing else from this research, take these three:

One. Can we quantify our total AI value today, as a single number?

Two. Who owns that number — not the AI team, but an executive accountable directly to the CEO, with finance at the table?

Three. What would it take to put AI value on our board agenda as a recurring item?

If you cannot answer the first question, you are at Stage 3 or below, the same company as 62% of organizations globally. The good news is the path forward is not a technology problem, but a management decision. And it can start this quarter.

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Dreo TurboCool Misting Fan 765S review

The Dreo TurboCool Misting Fan 765S has an advantage over traditional fans. While traditional fans provide what feels like a cooling breeze in the sweltering heat, they don’t in fact actually cool the air around you. That’s where the Dreo's clever misting technology comes in, reducing the temperature inside your home.

The brand claims the 765S can drop the temperature in a room by up to 6 degrees Celsius (roughly 11F), which makes all the difference when the mercury is rising.

It’s not the only misting fan on the market — for example the Shark FlexBreeze sits proudly atop our best fans list as I write this — but with super-quiet operation and bold room-cooling claims, can Dreo topple it from its top spot? I’ve put the 765S through its paces to find out.

Setup is pretty simple, but do take a moment before you remove the fan from its packaging. You need to remove the weighted base plate first, then prop the fan tower up on the edge of the box so you can fix the base to the bottom. It clips onto the bottom of the tower and is secured with a screw, included in the box.

There's a variety of protective packaging around the fan that needs to be removed before operation, including cardboard and plastic in the water tank. It’s worth taking your time to check you’ve removed all the various stickers, plastic film and cardboard protection — I did miss a couple of things initially.

(Image credit: Future)

Stand it up, plug it in and then setup is ready to be completed via the free Dreo app. App setup is as easy as the physical. Create an account, pair the app with the fan, enter your Wi-Fi password, and you’re good to go.

And the app is pretty good: it's clearly laid out, although it only offers basic controls (on/off and timer) on the main screen. For any deeper controls, you have to tap the picture of the fan. It’s not difficult, but I’d like to see a few more options without having to tap into another menu.

Fortunately, you're not solely reliant on the app, as there are touch controls on the top of the fan, plus you get a remote (and the two AAA batteries required to power it) included in the box.

With the remote, you can control the power, fan speed, fan mode, oscillation, misting and timer. It feels a little cheap in the hard with a basic plastic shell — Dyson’s remotes are far more premium, plus they magnetically cling to the top of the firm’s fans — but it’s functional and feels sturdy.

It’s annoying that there’s just one fan speed button on the remote though, forcing you to cycle through all speeds levels to get your desired one. I’d rather have up and down buttons for faster control.

(Image credit: Future)

When filling the water tank, it slides out from the front of the fan, and comes with a fold up carry handle to make transportation easier. You might think you don’t need it as you carry it empty to the sink, but once filled to the max level line you’ll find it surprisingly heavy. If you have a shallow sink, you might find filling a little cumbersome due to the size and shape of the tank.

The 765S's design is sleek and modern, with a pillar shape that tapers towards the top. The circular display on the front is bright and easy to read, even from across a room.

And at the bottom of the tower the water tank itself hides a fun feature. Power the fan on and you’ll notice a funky ambient light. It’s not just decorative, as the color can indicate the current humidity in the room. Blue signals humidity of 70%, while orange means the air is dry, at 30% or less. Green signals a comfortable humidity between 30% and 70%.

However, you can just have it illuminated in a color of your choice instead, with no link to the fan's performance or the room’s humidity.

There are three other lighting modes to choose from: constant, breath, and cycle. Constant allows you to pick a color of your choice for the light to be, while breath will see your color selection slowly pulsate. Cycle, as the name suggests, will cycle through a range of different colors, fading from one to the next. I found this to be a handy party mode when I had guests over and we were listening to music.

(Image credit: Future)

But what’s it like as a fan, I hear you scream? The good news is: pretty darn good.

At fan speed two, you can comfortably feel a breeze from four meters away, and it’s very quiet at this level, making it perfect for chatting with others, working, or watching TV. Even at its highest speed (12), I got a peak reading of 65dB directly in front of the machine, which is equivalent to normal conversation. It’s quieter than that when you’re sitting away, allowing you to speak to others without the fan being a distraction.

When it’s warm and you are looking for a breeze to take the edge off, this is all you really need. Higher fan speeds are useful when the fan is placed in larger, open-plan spaces, while the misting function is only really required when the mercury starts to soar.

But when the temperature does rise, the misting function is excellent. There are four misting vents — two on each side of the main airflow vent that runs down the middle — and they’re angled slightly up so moisture is directed into the air, rather than at the floor / furniture.

And it surprised me in two ways. Firstly, there’s hardly any increase in noise when the misting function is on, which means you could leave it on overnight in your bedroom and not be disturbed. Second, I was impressed with how fine the mist produced was. The ultrasonic atomizers used in the 765S produce a 17um ultra-fine mist — this means it evaporates quicker, preventing damp building up on objects nearby.

I could sit comfortably just a meter away from the fan, enjoying the cooling breeze without a sensation that it’s lightly raining. What’s even better is the misting function actually delivers on the claim that it reduces the temperature in your room.

During my tests, I saw a degree knocked off the room temperature after just 10 minutes of misting. It instantly makes a difference, and I was able to set a target humidity so the fan wouldn’t just keep pumping out water unnecessarily.

(Image credit: Future)

Keeping the fan running continuously for several hours, room temperature dipped by another degree, but I never saw more than a 2C drop during my weeks of testing. That’s some way off Dreo’s “up to 6 degrees” temperature reduction claim, and I’m not sure what sort of ideal scenario is needed to achieve this in the real world.

Still, a reduction in temperature is always a win, and the misting adds an additional layer of cooling, keeping me comfortable in what otherwise would have been a stuffy home office.

Dreo says the 6L water tank will last for 24 hours (or more) of run time when the misting mode is enabled, and I’m inclined to agree. I ran the 765S with misting turned on for a variety of different durations, and even during longer four to five hour sessions the water level reduced only marginally.

One slight frustration though was the limited oscillation angle. The 765S can only rotate 90 degrees. For many that’ll likely be enough, but having recently tested the Dyson Find+Follow Purifier Cool that has 350 degrees of movement, the Dreo feels a touch restrictive.

If you live somewhere hot and dry, the TurboCool Misting Fan 765S will provide all-day misting without breaking a sweat. Dreo claims the TurboCool Misting Fan 765S can reduce temperatures by up to 6C and although I didn’t get this level of cooling, it did make a significant difference in the rooms I tested it in, making them far more comfortable to work, relax, and sleep in.

It’s not going to deliver the same cooling as air conditioning, but the 765S offers an excellent middle ground between AC and traditional fans. It can genuinely reduce the heat in the room, keep humidity at a comfortable level, and does it all so quietly you might even forget it’s there.

(Image credit: Future)Dreo TurboCool Misting Fan 765S review: Price and release date

• The TurboCool Misting Fan 765S costs £199.99 / $199.99
• It’s available now via Amazon in the US and UK
• A cheaper, table-top version is also available

The Dreo TurboCool Misting Fan 765S is available for a list price of £199.99 / $199.99, having gone on sale in April 2026. That’s the same price as its core rival, the Shark FlexBreeze, giving it a fighting chance in the market.

If you’re after a more compact offering, Dreo also has the table-top TurboCool Misting Fan 516S for £99.99 / $99.99. Meanwhile the TurboCool Outdoor Misting Fan 711AS — also £199.99 / $199.99 at Amazon — is, as the name suggests, designed for use both indoors and out. So if you’re looking to keep things cooler whether you’re in the garden or in bed, this is the one to go for.

(Image credit: Future)Dreo TurboCool Misting Fan 765S review: Specs

Speeds

12

Modes

4

Control

Remote, app, voice, touch

Max distance

18m

Max speed

10m/s

Max air volume

3007m3/h

Sound level (Max)

65dBA (tested)

Sound level (Quiet Mode)

20dBA

Oscillation

90 degrees

Cord length

1.8m

Product diameter

280mm

Height

1,105mm

Weight

8kg

Water tank

6L

(Image credit: Future)Should I buy the Dreo TurboCool Misting Fan 765S?

Attribute

Notes

Score

Features

There’s a good range of features here, and they work well, from the quiet sleep mode and handy scheduler, to the cooling misting mode and clever illumination.

4/5

Performance

I was impressed with the quiet operation and the misting function that genuinely reduces room temperature (although not by as much as Dreo claims).

4.5/5

Design

Decent design with attractive illumination tricks that are functional and decorative. But it’s not exactly going to wow people, it’s heavy to move around (especially with a full water tank) and the remote feels a touch cheap.

4/5

Value

Competitively priced considering the feature set. If you spot it on discount, I wouldn’t hesitate to purchase it.

4.5/5

Buy it if…

You want a fan that can actually cool down your room
The misting function on the Dreo TurboCool Misting Fan 765S actually brings the temperature of your room down by a degree or two, helping you beat the heat during the day and night.

You want to sleep and keep your fan on
The TurboCool Misting Fan 765S is exceptionally quiet, and you might even forget it’s even on. You’ll easily be able to sleep with the fan set at its lower speeds, and you can even have the misting function on too.

You want hassle-free operation
The 6L water tank can offer misting abilities for over 24 hours, which means you don’t need to be constantly checking the level. Coupled with an intuitive app and smart features, the Dreo 765S is a breeze to use.

Don’t buy it if…

You’re after AC-levels of cooling
The Dreo TurboCool Misting Fan 765S does reduce the temperature of the room it's in with its clever misting feature — something a traditional fan cannot do — but it’s not going to deliver AC levels of cooling.

You struggle to move heavy objects
The 6L water tank alone is heavy enough to lift out of a sink and carry back to the fan, so the two together are pretty weighty. There is a useful carry handle on the back, but it’s a lot of weight to shift by yourself.

You want to use it in a small room
Dreo has a smaller, more affordable table-top version of the 765S that will be great for small offices or box rooms. The TurboCool Misting Fan 516S will set you back £99.99 / $99.99 — that’s half the price of the 765S.

Dreo TurboCool Misting Fan 765S review: Also consider

Shark FlexBreeze
The main competitor to the Dreo, Shark’s FlexBreeze is powerful, near-silent, and incredibly versatile. It can be used virtually anywhere — it transforms from desktop to pedestal, works corded or cordless, and is suitable for indoor and outdoor use. Its misting function is only designed to be used outdoors though, giving the Dreo the edge when it comes to indoor cooling.

Read our full Shark FlexBreeze review

Dreo TurboCool Misting Fan 516S
If you’re sold on the cooling mist of the 765S, but think it’ll be a little too large for your home, Dreo handily has a smaller version made to sit on a table, nightstand, or desk. The TurboCool Misting Fan 516S has many of the same features as its larger sibling, just in a more compact design that won’t cool as large an area.

(Image credit: Future)How I tested the Dreo TurboCool Misting Fan 765S

• Used the TurboCool Misting Fan 765S for several weeks
• Tested in rooms of varying size and temperature
• Tried out the various modes, including misting

I used the Dreo TurboCool Misting Fan 765S for several weeks in my home, testing it in rooms of varying size and temperature. I used it in my lounge to see how effectively it could cool a modest room, had it running overnight in the bedroom to experience how loud it is when sleeping, and in my open-plan kitchen/diner for large space use.

I used the included remote, the free smartphone app, and the on-device buttons to find out how easy it was to control. I also used the misting function in the day and at night to test its cooling credentials.

• Read TechRadar’s reviews guarantee
• First reviewed: July 2026