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Much of the discussion around agentic AI in commerce has focused on one assumption: that consumers will eventually delegate purchasing decisions entirely to AI systems.

The vision is straightforward enough. A consumer tells an AI assistant they need a new winter coat, a family holiday or a replacement laptop and the agent independently handles everything from product selection to payment and fulfilment.

In this version of the future, traditional ecommerce interfaces become secondary, marketplaces lose influence and consumers gradually surrender active decision-making to software acting on their behalf.

Underlying much of this vision is the assumption of "cognitive surrender" - the idea that consumers will become increasingly willing to defer judgement to AI systems rather than actively evaluating options themselves.

If AI agents can reliably identify the best products, prices and services, the argument goes, consumers may eventually see little value in conducting their own research or comparison.

The reality emerging so far appears more complicated.

Consumers are unquestionably embracing AI-assisted shopping at speed. Generative AI tools are already influencing how people discover products, compare options and navigate increasingly complex and crowded digital shopping environment.

But adoption does not necessarily equal surrender of control. Early behavioral signals suggest that while consumers are willing to use AI to reduce friction in discovery, they remain reluctant to outsource trust.

That distinction matters because it may ultimately define how agentic commerce develops.

AI is accelerating comparison, not replacing judgement

Recent international research across 4,000+ online shoppers in the UK, US, France and Germany found that consumers using AI shopping tools still rely heavily on traditional trust indicators before making purchases.

Price remains the dominant factor when evaluating AI-generated recommendations, but brand familiarity, customer reviews and marketplace reputation continue to exert significant influence over final purchase decisions.

In practice, consumers appear to be using AI as an “accelerated curation” layer rather than a replacement for purchasing judgement.

This is important because many early narratives around agentic commerce implied that AI would fundamentally weaken existing ecommerce structures. The expectation was that autonomous agents would increasingly bypass traditional digital storefronts, reduce the importance of marketplaces and make consumer loyalty less relevant.

So far, the opposite may be happening.

AI is undoubtedly changing where product discovery begins. Increasingly, consumers may start their shopping journey through conversational interfaces rather than search engines or marketplace homepages. But once products are surfaced, familiar mechanisms of trust still shape behavior. Consumers continue to validate recommendations through reviews, recognized sellers, loyalty schemes and established platforms before committing to a purchase.

The research supports this pattern: 89% of consumers say recognizing the seller's brand remains important when acting on an AI recommendation, while 92% say customer reviews continue to influence their final choice. Moreover, 68% say they would only consider purchasing from an unfamiliar seller after first checking reviews and ratings.

This creates a more evolutionary picture of AI commerce than many expected.

Why marketplaces may become more important, not less

Rather than disintermediating marketplaces, AI may actually reinforce them. Large ecommerce ecosystems already possess many of the attributes AI-assisted shoppers still value most: extensive review infrastructure, strong fulfilment capabilities, recognized seller protections and trusted payment environments.

If consumers continue seeking reassurance before completing purchases, those strengths remain highly relevant.

The comparison with earlier ecommerce technologies is instructive.

Social commerce, for example, has become a major channel for product discovery over the past decade, with consumers increasingly encountering products through creators, influencers and algorithmic feeds. However, in most cases the social platform is not the merchant of record.

The transaction, fulfilment, payments and post-purchase support typically still sit with retailers, marketplaces and their payment providers. Discovery has shifted but the underlying commercial infrastructure has largely remained intact.

Trust still closes the sale

Even as ecommerce has matured over the past two decades, trust has remained one of the strongest determinants of conversion. Consumers consistently look for social proof, recognizable brands and transparent pricing before purchasing online, particularly in higher-value or unfamiliar categories.

AI does not appear to be removing those instincts. Instead, it may be amplifying their importance by increasing the speed and scale of product exposure from entities like marketplaces which provide wide choice and a trusted logistics backbone.

If AI tools surface a broader range of sellers than consumers would normally encounter, trust signals become even more important as filtering mechanisms.

This has significant implications for merchants.

In an AI-mediated environment, visibility increasingly depends on structured product data, accurate inventory information and competitive pricing. AI systems can only recommend products they can properly interpret. Merchants with inconsistent catalogues, weak metadata or fragmented pricing strategies risk becoming less visible in AI-generated recommendations altogether.

Loyalty and payments remain part of the equation

One of the more overlooked questions surrounding agentic commerce is how loyalty programs will function inside AI-driven purchasing journeys.

Consumers have spent years building relationships with retailers, airlines, payment providers and marketplaces through points, rewards and membership ecosystems. If AI agents operate outside those structures, friction emerges. The research suggests these relationships remain highly relevant.

In the UK, 36% of consumers say they would be less likely to continue using AI shopping tools if doing so meant losing access to loyalty points and rewards, indicating the existing loyalty ecosystems remain an important part of consumer decision-making.

The likelihood is that loyalty systems themselves will need to become more interoperable with AI-assisted commerce experiences rather than disappearing entirely. Consumers may accept AI recommendations, but many will still expect rewards, protections and account benefits to remain integrated into the process.

The same applies to payments. As AI-driven commerce develops, consumers are unlikely to abandon expectations around payment security, fraud protection and transaction transparency simply because the purchasing interface changes.

In fact, research found that 55% of consumers expect to increase their use of retail marketplaces as AI adoption grows, suggesting that established platforms continue to play an important role in providing the fulfilment, payment infrastructure and operational trust that underpin online commerce. Trust in the payment process itself will remain fundamental to adoption.

The future of AI commerce may be more collaborative than autonomous

This broader pattern points towards a future where AI changes the mechanics of shopping without necessarily changing the underlying psychology of buying.

Consumers are happy to delegate repetitive tasks. They are comfortable automating comparison, discovery and research. But purchasing decisions still carry emotional, financial and reputational considerations that many consumers appear unwilling to fully hand over to autonomous systems.

That may evolve over time, particularly as younger consumers become more accustomed to AI-mediated decision-making. Trust in AI systems will almost certainly increase as the technology improves and becomes more embedded in daily life. But behavioral shifts in commerce often happen more gradually than technological capability alone would suggest.

Importantly, this does not diminish the scale of change AI may bring to ecommerce.

Agentic commerce still has the potential to reshape digital advertising, product discovery, marketplace competition, payments infrastructure and merchant visibility. Entire categories of ecommerce optimization may need to be rebuilt around how AI agents interpret and prioritize products.

But the idea that AI will simply replace trust appears increasingly simplistic.

At least for now, consumers do not seem to want autonomous shopping systems that make decisions entirely on their behalf. They want systems that help them make decisions more efficiently while still preserving their ability to verify, compare and validate.

That distinction may ultimately prove critical to understanding where agentic commerce actually goes next.

We've listed the best mobile payment apps.

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

These are the best soundbars to improve your TV sound and music listening.

• 75% have deployed 4+ AI tools in the past six months, 35% have deployed 10+ tools
• This is despite four in five experiencing AI security incidents or vulnerabilities
• Governance and dedicated security budgets could be part of the answer

New DigiCert data has claimed four in five (78%) organizations have either experienced an AI-related security incident or have identified an AI-related vulnerability, despite ongoing AI investments and increased adoption.

Despite uncertainty around security, three-quarters of the companies surveyed have deployed four or more AI tools in the past six months alone, with a third (35%) having deployed more than 10 AI systems in that same period.

With this new data, DigiCert says organizations need to treat AI like any other business system rather than an experimental toy, deeply rooting security into the entire strategy.

AI is causing a security headache for most companies

While discussions are clearly taking place, fixes are slow to roll out. For example, 90% have discussion AI governance at executive or board level, but only 50% have implemented both dedicated AI security budgets and formal AI governance programs.

Following years of pilots, two-thirds (64%) have now started logging AI inventories, implying they're still discovering what AI exists across their business. Currently, nearly half lack centralized visibility into AI systems, and only 53% can fully trace AI outputs back to the underlying models and source data.

"The question is no longer whether organisations should adopt AI. It's whether they can explain, govern and trust the AI they've already deployed," SVP Brian Trzupek explained.

While AI explainability remains pretty consistent, at around half, across multiple regions and countries like the US, the UK and Australia, some sectors see more incidents and vulnerabilities than others. Those include science, technology, banking, telecoms and retail.

Looking ahead, many companies are now trialling giving AI agents their own identities, much like human workers, to improve visibility across autonomous actions. Greater governance and stricter policies to iron out the use of unapproved tools should also help companies address some of the growing security issues as adoption continues to mature.

Former Maine state Sen. Troy Jackson has filed to replace Graham Platner on the U.S. Senate ballot in Maine after Platner's girlfriend accused him of sexual assault.

(Image credit: Graeme Sloan)

The Shark ChillPill is one of the best personal fans around, but it's selling out fast, and if you want to grab one for delivery this week you'll have to be quick. Right now the only option available for rapid delivery is the Shark ChillPill in Dragonfruit for £129 at Amazon.

All other colours are back-ordered, with the silver Cloud version not available until the end of July, and more popular options like Matcha green unavailable for at least six months. If you want your fan this side of Christmas, don't hang around.

The Shark ChillPill three-in-one fan has been flying off the virtual shelves this summer, and at the time of writing, the only color available for next-day delivery at Amazon is the hot pink Dragonfruit version.

I've been keeping a close eye on stocks of various fans during this summer's heatwaves, and personal coolers have been especially popular. In fact, according to a report published by the Guardian this morning, Britons are expected to buy eight million mini fans this year. Most of those will be cheap, low-quality devices sold for just a couple of pounds or even given away free, and last year it was calculated that 55% ended up in landfill.

You certainly don't have to spend £129 on a fan to keep yourself comfortable, and there are many cheaper options available. However much you spend though, it's worth taking care of it, and hanging onto it for as long as possible to prevent unnecessary e-waste — and to make sure you're ready when the temperature starts to climb again next year.

Hands-on with the ChillPill

If you do opt for the ChillPill, I think you'll be pleased. It's a compact and lightweight fan with 10 different speed settings, and a choice of three attachments: the standard fan, a misting fan with its own water reservoir, and a cooling plate to place against pulse points when you're getting uncomfortably warm.

I bought a ChillPill myself after trying one out, and it's been very welcome during my daily office commute — particularly when the train is replaced by a bus service. The misting attachment is especially effective, and can be filled from your drinking water bottle, though I recommend using the intermittent mode rather than continuous misting so the reservoir lasts longer between fills.

For more cooling options, take a look at our complete list of the best fans, which includes plenty of desk, standing, and tower fans to keep you comfortable at home.

External cyberattacks, especially ransomware, are now viewed as a matter of when, not if.

It’s no wonder they dominate cybersecurity discussions and make frequent headlines.

IBM’s 2025 Cost of a Data Breach report found that the average global cost of a data breach stands at $4.4million, underscoring why the threat of an attack keeps business and IT leaders up at night.

But they represent only one side of the data risk landscape. What’s less understood and often underestimated are the internal threats that can be just as disruptive and damaging.

From simple employee errors to deliberate insider actions, and even the unintended consequences of generative AI tools, these risks pose serious challenges for every organization’s data security strategy.

Human Error and Malice

Human error remains one of the most persistent vulnerabilities in cybersecurity. In fact, 2024 research found that the human element played a role in 68% of breaches, ranging from simple mistakes to social engineering and misconfigurations. Ignoring this reality leaves a critical gap in any security strategy.

Human error isn’t the only internal risk. Insider threats - both intentional and negligent - represent a growing portion of today’s breach landscape. In fact, 83% of organizations experienced at least one insider-related incident last year. Whether it’s a disgruntled employee exfiltrating data or a staff member mistakenly over-provisioning access, incidents involving trusted credentials are notoriously difficult to detect and recover from.

Whether it’s accidental human error or deliberate insider attacks, the first step to reducing these types of risks is to acknowledge that the weakest link in any cybersecurity chain is people. Even the most advanced internet security infrastructure can be compromised by a single careless mistake or a trusted user with bad intentions. Creating a culture of continuous education mixed with accountability can mitigate some of these threats.

Reducing privileged access to only what is necessary can also significantly lower the risk of employee caused data leaks. However, organizations should always assume that human errors will occur and prepare accordingly. User and Entity Behavior Analytics (UEBA) plays a critical role in identifying suspicious activity that may indicate insider threats.

By flagging anomalies such as unexpected data transfers or unusual access patterns, UEBA enables security teams to respond swiftly before significant damage occurs.

Just as important is having strong technical safeguards in place. These act as a critical safety net when human controls fail. For example, it’s important to verify that automated backups are running efficiently and include all data sources, such as cloud applications and endpoints.

This can ensure that no critical data is left unprotected or overlooked in the event of a disruption or breach. These backups need to be immutable and tamper-proof, so that even a rogue insider cannot alter or delete recovery points.

The AI Conundrum

While AI promises a boost to productivity and innovation, it also brings with it new threats. As an example, the rise of AI co-pilots and agents in various workflows such as coding, writing and data analysis widens the attack surface. For AI to operate efficiently, it requires access to sensitive internal data such as documents and proprietary systems, which means that the slightest oversight in access permissions and data governance can severely cost an organization.

This is not going unnoticed. The U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) states in its AI Risk Management Framework that AI models may “leak, generate, or correctly infer sensitive information” even data not explicitly included in the input, through memorization, adversarial attacks, or by combining disparate sources.

This concern is echoed in the private sector, with over 80% of security leaders expressing concern that generative AI could leak company secrets, and security experts warning that only 24% of generative AI initiatives are fully secured. Furthermore, a staggering 90% of organizations report a lack of adequate security standards to defend against AI-centered threats. Gartner predicts that by 2027, more than 40% of AI-related data breaches will be caused by the improper use of generative AI.

So how can enterprises continue to implement the evolving world of AI into business processes while ensuring it doesn’t open the door to a bevy of cyberattacks? The first step is to treat AI agents as part of the threat model. The same security principles that are often implemented to traditional IT environments need to be applied to AI implementation - zero trust, data minimization, encryption, segmentation, etc.

AI agents need to be viewed as tools with privileged access, and handled accordingly. The data that is being fed into these AI agents needs to be reviewed and cleaned-up, including removing outdated or overly sensitive files from training sets and ensuring only approved data sources are utilized.

Close monitoring and keeping a log of all AI interactions is also critical. This needs to be detailed enough to enable an audit trail that can help to detect potential abuse or oversharing of confidential data.

To reduce the risk of human error, AI guidelines should also include security awareness training so that employees can understand that AI agents are not sandbox environments, and any sensitive data could be logged, stored, and in the worst-case scenario, shared.

Immutable Backups Delivered as a Managed Service

While the threat landscape continues to expand, the reality is clear - no security stack is impenetrable. Cybercriminals will always search for new angles, whether through ransomware, insider threats, or AI-driven exploits. That’s why true resilience depends not only on prevention but also on the ability to recover quickly and confidently when defenses are breached.

Immutable backups, delivered as a managed service, provide that safety net. Unlike traditional backups that can be corrupted, deleted, or encrypted by attackers, immutable backups are unchangeable and tamper-proof. By layering this with 24/7 monitoring, expert management, and tested recovery processes, a managed service ensures that recovery points remain secure and always available.

This approach dramatically shortens downtime, from days to hours and removes the operational burden from internal IT teams who may lack the time or expertise to manage complex recovery environments.

Looking for the best cloud backup?

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

Commentary: Can Valve make a game console? Oh yes it can, but it's an imperfect mix at the moment. Still, there are parts that impress.

OpenAI says its flagship model for ChatGPT should make fewer mistakes.

Envirotech Vehicles, Inc. (NASDAQ: EVTV) (“EVTV” or the “Company”) announced today the successful completion of its merger with Azio AI Corporation (“Azio AI”) on July 2, 2026, paving the way for the company to transform to an AI Datacenter Provider and meeting the growing market demand for artificial intelligence (“AI”) infrastructure, enterprise GPU compute, digital power solutions, data center development, and digital asset infrastructure; a market that the International Data Corporation (IDC) projects will reach $487 billion in global spending in 2026 and exceed $1 trillion by 2029.

The post Envirotech Vehicles (NASDAQ: EVTV) Closes Merger with Azio AI Ahead of Schedule, Positioning Combined Company to Capture $487 Billion 2026 AI Infrastructure Opportunity appeared first on TechRepublic.

It's the end of the sales season for a while now, but that doesn't mean the deals are gone for good. Yes, prices may not be as low across the board as during the recent Prime Day sale, but Amazon UK still has several solid offers if you're looking to shop right now. So, I've looked through the retailer's latest batch of offers and picked out 12 deals that are good buys.

• See all of today's best deals at Amazon UK

There are actually a couple of deals from Prime Day that are still available, including the five-star Nothing Ear (a) for £48.99 (was £69). These are some top-rated buds that offer audio quality, noise cancellation and battery life that rivals Apple's very own AirPods — but at a much lower price.

I also like the look of this HP OmniBook 5 for £529.99 (was £699.98) as a powerful all-around laptop. That offer is ending today, though, so I'd move fast if you're in the market for a new laptop.

Check out all of my top picks below, including fitness trackers, appliances, and more cheap tech.

Today's 12 best deals at Amazon UK

The Fitbit Charge 6 is one of the simplest fitness trackers around, but it works very well and is still at a low price following Prime Day. It has a small screen that shows the time, how many steps you’ve taken, and your current heart rate as well. It’s subtle, so it fits on your wrist well – whether you’re at work or working out. Extensive battery life of up to seven days means minimal hassle, too.View Deal

Can you ever have too many USB cables? The box full of them under my desk would suggest you can. However, if you want a couple more to leave around the house or take with you when out and about, this pair of USB-C to USB-A cables from top brand Anker is now super-cheap.View Deal

These have been some of the most surprising earbuds we've ever tested, scoring a sweet five stars in our Nothing Ear (a) review – and now you can get them for their lowest price ever. Considering the latest AirPods are closer to £100, the fact that these offer massively superior sound and great active noise cancellation for half the price of Apple's popular buds makes these a no-brainer.View Deal

Display - 16 inches
Processor - Snapdragon X
RAM - 16GB
Storage - 512GB

This is a great price for a relatively modern laptop that comes with a well-performing and efficient Snapdragon X CPU. On top of that, you get 16GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, an impressive battery life of up to 34 hours, and a sharp OLED display, which represents good value for money overall. I like this one if you need a strong and capable everyday machine.View Deal

The Philips OneBlade 360 is a quick, simple and affordable electric razor that's suitable for a wide variety of face and body grooming needs. This jam-packed bundle was a little cheaper over Prime Day, but today's offer is still a solid one. This bundle includes the handle, as well as two spare blades, four combs, a body kit, and a USB-A charging cable.View Deal

The Ninja Foodi Max is the ultimate air fryer for many and it's now down to a great low price at Amazon. It offers six different functions, including Max Crisp, air frying, roasting, baking, reheating, and dehydrating. With two baskets, you get two independent cooking zones with the option to have them sync or match up, depending on your needs. Its extra large capacity is perfect for family cooking or batch cooking as it gives you plenty of room for a 2kg chicken or 1.4kg of fries in each compartment.View Deal

The Nespresso Vertuo Pop is one of the best entry-level coffee machines around and it's now 50% off at Amazon. Use it with the included pods, and it does all the hard work for you with one-touch brewing, with the option of different brew sizes depending on how much you want to drink. As well as the Vertuo Pop machine, the bundle comes with coffee pods, mugs, spoons, and a milk frother.View Deal

If you want a cheap and basic Bluetooth speaker, then you can't go wrong with this Anker Soundcore for almost £25. Sure, it's not going to give you the biggest and boldest audio quality, but it's still a solid option at an affordable price. Battery life is an impressive 24 hours, too, so it's great to use around the home or take it with you when on the go.View Deal

The Ninja Blast Portable Blender is a powerful all-in-one portable blender — and it's now got a small price cut at Amazon. It has a 530ml container with a leakproof lid and sip spout, while the carry handle means you can take it with you to the gym or on your walks. It’s capable of blending ice and frozen fruit, as well as any liquids and powders, while one charge gives you up to two hours of battery life.View Deal

It's not the most exciting deal, but if you need a cheap and reliable iron then this Russell Hobbs Supreme Steam Iron is down to under £20. I own the exact same one and it's perfectly fine for regular use, thanks to its good-sized water tank, long power cord, and stainless steel plate.View Deal

I've got this arm for my dual setup at home and it works really well to hold up both of my monitors, making it easier and more comfortable to work and game across the pair of them. This particular model supports displays from 13 - 27 inches. is height adjustable, can be mounted in two different ways, and supports up to 360-degree rotation.View Deal

Ninja's recent space-saving air fryer is just £15 more than its lowest-ever price, which is still a bit of a steal for the popular and well-rated appliance. We loved it at TechRadar, scoring it full marks in our Ninja Double Stack Air Fryer review and even putting it in our best air fryer buying guide. Well-built and great-looking on any countertop, it offers five cooking levels across two drawers and two racks, while the 9.5L capacity is ideal for medium to big families.View Deal

I actually bought a Levoit Core Mini for myself when moving into a new house that hadn't been lived in for a while to get rid of the dust and debris, and I also think it works as a great option for any allergy problems. What I like most is that it's small and quiet, so it is perfect for all sorts of spaces, such as the living room and bedroom. It's now also very affordable at 20% off.View Deal

The state Democratic Party accused Platner's campaign of trying to "put their thumb on the scale" of the process to replace him if he drops his bid for Senate. Platner's team has denied doing so.

(Image credit: Laura Brett)

• Report claims Sony FX3 cinema camera replacement is launching later this month
• FX5 will come with an all-new sensor offering a much-needed upgrade
• Optional EVF add-on set to arrive alongside the camera

It's been over five years since Sony launched the FX3, and in that time it's become one of the most beloved small cinema cameras around. But it's always had one gap that pro filmmakers have grumbled about: no open gate recording.

According to a new report from SonyAlphaRumors, that's about to change. A story on the site says Sony will officially announce the FX5 on July 22 at 3pm BST, and among the leaked specs is Open Gate 5K recording in a 3:2 aspect ratio.

If you're not familiar with the term, open gate simply means the camera records using the entire surface of the sensor, rather than cropping it down to the standard 16:9. That extra height in particular gives editors far more room to reframe, punch in or repurpose the same shot for square, vertical, or widescreen content in post. That can be a huge deal for anyone making videos for multiple platforms from a single shoot.

The FX3's lack of open gate recording has been a source of frustration for some users, but the FX5 looks likely to remedy this issue. (Image credit: Sony)

It's exactly what TechRadar's Pete Sheath asked for back in 2025, alongside an increase in resolution, when he wrote up his wish list for a next-generation FX3.

That resolution bump is also rumored to be arriving in the FX5, in the form of a new 16.6MP fully stacked sensor. On the surface, 16MP might look modest for a 2026 cinema camera. But for a camera built around motion rather than stills, a lower pixel count may work in the FX5's favor: it can mean better dynamic range, cleaner low-light performance, and space for punchier frame rate options (don't be shocked if 4K at 240fps ends up on the spec sheet).

The trade-off is that 8K recording seems to be off the table, which will likely disappoint anyone hoping the FX5 would leapfrog into that territory.

The Sony FX3 is a favorite among filmmakers, but does leave room for improvement in several areas. (Image credit: Sony)Room for a view

There's also good news for anyone who's missed having a viewfinder on Sony's FX-series cameras. The report points to a new external tilting EVF, which should make a real difference for shooters working outdoors in bright sun or in dim, light-sensitive spaces like concerts and theaters, where a glowing rear screen isn't always welcome. It sounds optional rather than built-in, which may be the best of both worlds: skip it and keep the FX5 almost as compact as the FX3, or clip it on when you need it.

Other rumored additions include the BIONZ XR2 processor with AI autofocus (borrowed from the Sony A7R VI), a triple base ISO system, false color exposure tools, and a Venice-style menu overhaul.

Nothing is official yet, and Sony hasn't confirmed a single spec. But if the leak proves to be accurate, the Sony FX5 looks set to answer several of the loudest requests from the FX3 faithful in one go. We should know for certain in a couple of weeks.

You might also like

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The AeroPress Steel has sold out twice, but now it's back in stock in the UK, just in time for your summer camping trips. It's a super-tough, travel-friendly coffee maker that lets you make a tasty brew with fresh beans on the move, and it's available now direct from AeroPress for £159.99.

I've put the AeroPress Steel to the test myself, and was surprised by how little it weighs considering its all-metal construction. Although it probably won't be your go-to coffee maker for backpacking adventures where every gram counts (for that you'd be better with an AeroPress Go), it's not going to weigh you down unnecessarily.

Its accessories have received the stainless treatment as well; rather than the plastic stirrer and scoop provided with a standard AeroPress coffee maker, the AeroPress Steel comes with metal versions, which should give you many years of happy brewing.

AeroPressAeroPressAeroPress

If you're worried about the metal chamber conducting heat, you'll be pleased to know that it has double-walled insulation that keeps your coffee hot and hands safe. When using the steel brewer, I found that the outside was never more than pleasantly warm to the touch, and never uncomfortable to hold.

The only thing to watch out for is the metal filter cap at the bottom, which will heat up when you're extracting your coffee, so make sure you allow it to cool before unscrewing it and ejecting the used coffee grounds.

Find your grind

The AeroPress Steel is a great partner for the AeroPress Manual Coffee Grinder, which I also had the opportunity to try recently. Unlike most travel-friendly coffee grinders I've tested, which use blades that chop coffee beans into shark little chunks, the AeroPress grinder uses stainless steel burrs that deliver consistent, even results.

You can experiment with different extraction times by adjusting the grind size, with an impressive 60 settings available, and the hopper holds up to 25g of beans at a time, which is enough to prepare two espresso-style drinks on the move.

FutureFutureFutureFuture

The grinder has an easy-turn handle with a large, circular handpiece that's comfortable in the hand, but also comes with an attachment for a power drill (yes, really) if you'd rather spare the elbow-grease. Small magnets hold the handle against the side of the grinder when not in use, and the whole package is compact enough to slide neatly into your AeroPress (whether it's the Steel or a traditional plastic) for easy storage.

The AeroPress Manual Grinder is available direct from AeroPress for £199.99.

I've been living for the episode titles for Rick and Morty season 9, but this week is the first time I've felt genuinely terrified for what I'm about to see.

Episode 8 is called Rickuiem Mort a Dream, which is a play on the Darren Aronofsky film Requiem for a Dream. If you've been brave enough to watch that movie, you'll know that it's so traumatizing, you can never, ever see it again.

What on earth that means for an animated TV series, I have no idea. But when does Rick and Morty season 9 episode 8 arrive on Adult Swim, Hulu, and HBO Max?

What time can I watch Rick and Morty season 9 episode 8 on Adult Swim, Hulu, and HBO Max?

In the US, Rick and Morty season 9 episode 8 will debut on Adult Swim on Sunday, July 12 at 8pm PT / 11pm ET.

Viewers elsewhere, as well as in the US, have two streaming options: Hulu and HBO Max. Episodes should appear on these platforms 24 hours after they've aired on Adult Swim, meaning you can expect episode 8 on Monday, July 13.

These are the timings you need to take note of:

• US – 12am PT / 3am ET
• Canada – 12am PT / 3am ET
• UK – 8am BST
• India – 12:30pm IST
• Singapore – 3pm SGT
• Australia – 6pm AEST
• New Zealand – 8pm NZDT

When do new episodes of Rick and Morty season 9 come out?

(Image credit: Adult Swim)

Rick and Morty season 9 is set to have 10 episodes. As long as there are no unexpected delays, we can expect it to follow the following release schedule:

• Episode 1: out now
• Episode 2: out now
• Episode 3: out now
• Episode 4: out now
• Episode 5: out now
• Episode 6: out now
• Episode 7: out now
• Episode 8: July 12
• Episode 9: July 19
• Episode 10: July 26

• Spotify has quietly updated its Mixed Playlists tools
• You can now fine-tune transitions smoother by amending effect curves
• It's starting to crop up for more users, and it's a smash hit so far

There’s one thing that Spotify does really well, and that’s offering a roster of different playlist-making tools for you to really get creative with. Though some are AI-powered, Spotify’s Mixed Playlists encourages you to use your originality when compiling songs, all while putting you in the DJ booth.

Just as you’d get with music-mixing software, Spotify’s Mixed Playlists allow you to create smooth transitions between songs to ensure your playlist flows like a classic DJ set. Its mixing interface presents you with preset effects, and even tells you the key and BPM of each track — and now users have noticed a new upgrade that gives you even more freedom on the customization front.

A recent post on the r/truespotify Reddit page shows the latest update, revealing that you can now amend the Volume, EQ, and Filter settings even more by simply dragging each effect curve to control how the transition runs. According to a small number of users, this feature has been live for a few months, but the majority of listeners in the replies are only now running into it — myself included.

Spotify first launched Mixed Playlists in August 2025, hot on the heels of Apple’s own AutoMix function. But instead of relying on AI to mix songs, Spotify’s version puts the control right into your hands, and it quickly became one of my favorite new tools.

The effect curves as a preset (right) versus the updated customization version (left) (Image credit: Future)

Prior to the update, you could create song transitions by selecting a preset which would automatically amend the Volume, EQ, and Filter settings, or you could go into each of the three and select your own preset to curate a custom transition. While these are still available, you can fine-tune your song-mixing even more, and after testing things out for myself I can see why listeners have taken to it so well.

For starters, it allows you to clean up the small but noticeable imperfections in your transitions that you can’t achieve by presetting the three audio categories individually. For example, if you go into the Filter category and select the ‘High-pass filter out option’, it’s stuck in one place on the audio track. When you tap the ‘Customize’ button, three points appear on the effect curve which you can move around the audio track display so that your chosen effect comes in at a specific time.

Comment from r/truespotify

However, there are a few small blips (not so much setbacks) with the feature that users have picked up on. When you start off with customizing your transitions, it can feel a little fiddly when trying to find the exact placement for each of the effect curve points but this you’ll get used to.

Additionally, other users have also pointed out that the effect curve points sometimes move back to their original spots after you’ve shifted them. I’ve only run into this a few times, so it’s not a major issue that’s going to put you off for good.

For once, it’s refreshing to see Spotify give one of its existing tools some TLC instead of pumping out new features without a lot of thought behind them. If this is the approach Spotify is taking from here on, just think of what it could do to improve features like this in the future.

A leaked regional chip split could make Samsung’s rumored Galaxy S27 Pro a more complicated choice for global IT teams standardizing corporate mobile fleets.

The post Samsung Galaxy S27 Pro Leak Points to Exynos Split for Global Buyers appeared first on TechRepublic.

I hate buying compressed air in cans. They're expensive, bulky, and they never last as long as they should. But I've found an awesome, affordable alternative that's a lot less wasteful (and a lot more fun).

The Wolfbox MF60 electric air duster is currently discounted to $31 (was $50) at Amazon. This rechargeable electric duster features 110,000 RPM brushless motor delivering that's capable of clearing out dust and debris from keyboards, computers, camera gear, and plenty more.

It's one of those home office gadgets that you never realize you need until you get one. In the UK, the MF60 is also discounted to £37 (was £44) at Amazon, too.

Today's top office accessory deal

A rechargeable cordless air duster with a 110,000 RPM brushless motor and three adjustable speed settings. The lowest speed is gentle enough for delicate components and camera lenses; the highest moves real debris from keyboards, fan grilles, and car vents.

In the UK: now £37 (was £44)View Deal

The three-speed control is more useful than it sounds. A single-speed electric duster forces you to manage the distance from the surface to control airflow intensity, which can get awkward with delicate components. The MF60’s lowest speed lets you safely clean around camera sensors, circuit boards, and laptop keyboards without blasting debris deeper into gaps or risking damage to fragile parts. The highest speed is reserved for the jobs that need it — shifting compacted dust from heatsinks, clearing a fan grille that hasn’t been touched in years, or blasting pet hair from a car seat.

The brushless motor is the component that determines both the lifespan and the consistent performance of an electric air duster. Brushless motors have no physical contact points that wear down over time, which is why the Gadgeteer’s review of the MF100 found it delivered “impressive power” that held up across extended testing. The same brushless motor architecture carries through to the MF60, which means it should perform consistently whether you’re using it for the first time or the five hundredth.

USB-C charging is the practical detail that matters most for day-to-day use. It means the duster charges from the same cable as your laptop, phone, or other devices — no proprietary charger to lose, and it works from a power bank if you’re using it away from a wall outlet. The full charge time is reasonable for a device you’ll use in bursts rather than continuously.

The nozzle kit covers the practical range of cleaning scenarios: a narrow extension nozzle for getting into tight gaps between keyboard keys or fan blades, a wider deflector for broader surface coverage, and a brush attachment for simultaneously scrubbing and blowing on surfaces with caked-on dust. For a PC that’s been neglected for a year or more, the brush attachment on the GPU heatsink makes a noticeable difference over a bare nozzle alone.

One note on expectations: the MF60 at 110,000 RPM produces strong, consistent airflow for the cleaning tasks most people need — keyboards, electronics, camera gear, car interiors. The flagship MF100 at 150,000 RPM pushes more air per second and is the better choice if you regularly clean large surfaces or heavily clogged components. So, the MF60 is the right entry point for anyone who just wants to get off canned air without spending flagship money.

• US: See all PC accessories at Amazon
• UK: See all computer accessories at Amazon.co.uk

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MI6 Approved: Screen-accurate 007 office gear
Q Branch: Bond-themed gear, gifts & gadgets

I'm a massive James Bond fan - if I had a specialist subject, it would be the 007 movies and books. So, I had a lot of fun building out the best James Bond home office gear I could find. Spreadsheets and online meetings might not always be quite as exciting as tackling Blofeld's never-ending plans for world domination - the same old dream - but at least this office setup brings the world of Bond to your workspace.

I've included 6 MI6-approved screen-accurate desk accessories and replicas. This includes GoldenEye's Parker Jotter (three clicks...), Bernard Lee's GPO 746 Red Rotary Phone - a staple of the Roger Moore era - and the iconic Royal Doulton Jack the Bulldog gifted to 007 by M in Skyfall. Consider this your official 00-Section requisition list.

Direct from Q Branch, I've also rounded up James Bond-inspired office gear for field-work and gadgets that keep SPECTRE from nosing through your files. They might not have appeared in the films, but they at least make you feel more like taking part in a global espionage caper (the rearview mirror dish is a particular favorite, as well as a "genuine Felix lighter").

MI6 approved 007 home office gear

Royal Doulton Jack the Bulldog - No Time to Die edition

Parker Parker Jotter Ballpoint Pen

GPO GPO 746 Rotary Phone

Anglepoise Anglepoise Type 75 Desk Lamp

SHISEDECO Shisedeco Classic Hang It All Rack

Pioneer DJ Pioneer DJ HDJ-X10-S Headphones

Q Branch: James Bond office gear, gifts & gadgets

Balvi Secret Agent Bookend

SNDEC Rear View Desk Mirror Dish

Factory Entertainment James Bond: Dr. No Tin Tote

JiveZync Flash Drive Pen

SUMNEW Fingerprint Cabinet Lock

Collectable Sign and Clock Walther PPK Patent Backlit Clock

Custom Car Posters Aston Martin DB5 Handmade Poster

Amazon Basics Book Safe with Key Lock

Official James Bond 007 Official Diamonds Are Forever Ceramic Mug

Alpine Swiss Executive Aluminum Briefcase

KCD 007 James Bond Vinyl Decals

Nordik By Design Nordik Leather Desk Mat Cable Organizer

HWC Trading The Spy Who Loved Me Framed Movie Poster

Apricorn Apricorn 1TB Encrypted Hard Drive

Zonsuli Golden Hands Sculpture

Vaydeer Metal Pen Holder

Rite in the Rain Weatherproof Hard Cover Notebook

Zippo James Bond 007 Engraved Zippo Lighter

DuckDuckGo says its browser now blocks most video ads, including those on YouTube.

The blockbuster video game movie hits streaming this month.