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• Asus Vivobook 18 charging reaches 60% capacity in just 49 minutes
• Laptop offers with up to 32GB DDR5 RAM and PCIe 4.0 SSD, multitasking is smooth and efficient
• Comes with Windows Hello facial recognition and a webcam cover

Asus has released the Vivobook 18, a budget-friendly business laptop with an 18.4-inch IPS display featuring a 16:10 aspect ratio, a resolution of 1920 × 1200, and a refresh rate of up to 144Hz, making it a decent laptop for programming.

With a 90% screen-to-body ratio and a brightness of 300 nits for an immersive viewing experience, the display reduces blue light emissions, making the Vivobook 18 ideal for working at all hours.

The Vivobook 18 is exclusively powered by the AMD Ryzen 7 260 fast CPU, featuring eight Zen 4 cores with a maximum clock speed of 5.1GHz for smooth multitasking.

AMD Ryzen 7 260 brings exclusive performance

The Vivobook 18 comes with AMD Radeon 780M graphics, allowing it to handle multimedia tasks efficiently, making it a capable laptop for trading.

It also supports up to 32GB of DDR5 RAM and comes with PCIe 4.0 SSD storage options starting at 512GB and going up to 1TB.

For connectivity, there is a mix of modern and traditional ports, featuring two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C ports, two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, an HDMI port, and a 3.5mm audio jack.

The USB-C ports support DisplayPort Alt Mode and Power Delivery, allowing users to connect external monitors and charge the laptop, though bandwidth is limited to 5 Gbit/s.

A 75Wh battery that supports fast charging powers the Vivobook 18, restoring 60% of its capacity in just 49 minutes. To maintain stable performance under heavy workloads, it features upgraded heat pipes and a taller fan design for improved airflow against previous models, with a CPU TDP of 35W.

The laptop maintains a sleek design, measuring just 1.86 cm thick and weighing 2.6 kg, while also meeting MIL-STD 810H military standards for durability.

A Windows Hello-compatible infrared camera enables quick and secure facial recognition login, while a physical cover adds an extra layer of privacy. In the same vein, AI noise-canceling technology filters out background noise on calls.

Asus has launched the Vivobook 18 in Germany for €899, with availability expected to expand to other markets soon

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The Trump administration's erasure of federal data has put the Internet Archive in the spotlight. The organization, with its small but mighty team, is working to help save the world's digital history.

(Image credit: Carolyn Fong for NPR)

Israeli strikes across the southern Gaza Strip killed at least 26 Palestinians overnight, including a Hamas political leader, as the military ordered new evacuations in the southern city of Rafah.

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Find the perfect match for your internet needs with this list of the best internet plans and providers in Reno.

A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms: Key information

- The series will be based on George R. R. Martin’s Tales Of Dunk and Egg

- The show is a prequel to Game Of Thrones, and set almost 100 years after House Of The Dragon

- Filming took place for three months in June 2024, and was wrapped by September

- Peter Claffey will play Dunk / Ser Duncan the Tall, and Dexter Sol Ansell will play Egg / Prince Aegon Targaryen

- The release date has been confirmed by HBO as “streaming in 2025”, while Martin believes “maybe in the fall”

Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight is the next HBO show based on George R. R. Martin novels.

When Game Of Thrones departed its other-worldly realm for good back in May 2019 – for better or worse, given that divisive ending – it left a giant, dark fantasy-shaped hole in many of the legions of fans lives.

House Of The Dragon was the prequel follow up from creator George R. R. Martin (and Ryan Condal), launching in 2022, but the demand was still there for more fantastical adventures and storytelling from the multi-million selling author.

And he’s delivered; with another swash-buckling epic tale called A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms. This is yet another prequel to Game Of Thrones – but set almost 100 years after events of House of The Dragon – part of the A Song Of Fire And Ice franchise.

It will be based on Martin’s series of fantasy novellas called Tales Of Dunk And Egg, and will feature the origins of Dunk, the future Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, Ser Duncan the Tall and Egg, the future King Aegon V Targaryen.

Needless to say, this has caused great excitement and expectation from those who enjoy Martin’s dramatic world-building, and with it likely to hit screens in 2025, here’s everything you need to know about A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms:

A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms: does it have a release date?

A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms is set almost 100 years after events of House of The Dragon (Image credit: Ollie Upton/HBO)

After announcing the start of production in January 2021, by June 2024, according to Variety, filming had started, and wrapped three months later in September.

HBO announced that it would be streaming in 2025, and in a blog post by Martin on his site, he said: “The series will make its debut late this year, I am now told. How late, I could not say. Maybe in the fall.”

A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms: is there a trailer yet?

There’s no official full length trailer for A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms yet, but as is customary for HBO, an end of year sizzle reel looking forward to their productions in 2025 and beyond gave a sneak peek of what to expect (skip to one minute and 32 seconds in the video above to see the brief clip).

A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms: has there been a cast confirmed?

Send a raven. Peter Claffey and Dexter Sol Ansell will star in the new @HBO Original Series, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight, as Ser Duncan the Tall and Egg. Coming to Max. pic.twitter.com/OAXVSQKLrBApril 5, 2024

It’s a solid line-up for this new adventure, which, if it goes down well with audiences, could see the series become as big as GOT. In the lead roles are Peter Claffey as Dunk / Ser Duncan the Tall, a hedge knight and Dexter Sol Ansell as Egg / Prince Aegon Targaryen, a prince of the Targaryen dynasty and Dunk's squire.

Martin added on his blog: “I’ve seen all six episodes now (the last two in rough cuts, admittedly), and I loved them. Dunk and Egg have always been favorites of mine, and the actors we found to portray them are just incredible. The rest of the cast are terrific as well. Wait until you guys meet the Laughing Storm. and Tanselle Too-Tall.”

Other recurring roles are:

• Finn Bennett as Prince Aerion "Brightflame" Targaryen, a prince of the Targaryen dynasty and Egg's older brother.
• Bertie Carvel as Prince Baelor "Breakspear" Targaryen, the heir to the Iron Throne and Hand of the King to Daeron II.
• Tanzyn Crawford as Tanselle, a Dornish puppeteer.
• Daniel Ings as Ser Lyonel Baratheon, a knight known as the "Laughing Storm" and the heir to House Baratheon.
• Sam Spruell as Prince Maekar Targaryen, Baelor's younger brother and Egg's father.

Meanwhile, other guest stars to pop up include:

• Ross Anderson as Ser Humfrey Hardyng, a knight of House Hardyng.
• Edward Ashley as Ser Steffon Fossoway, a knight of House Fossoway of Cider Hall.
• Henry Ashton as Daeron "The Drunken" Targaryen, Egg and Aerion's older brother.
• Youssef Kerkour as Steely Pate, a blacksmith hailing from the Reach.
• Daniel Monks as Ser Manfred Dondarrion, a knight of House Dondarrion of Blackhaven.
• Shaun Thomas as Raymun Fossoway, Steffon's cousin and squire.
• Tom Vaughan-Lawlor as Plummer, the steward of Ashford.
• Steve Wall as Lord Leo "Longthorn" Tyrell, the Lord of Highgarden.
• Danny Webb as Ser Arlan of Pennytree, a hedge knight and Dunk's mentor.

A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms: what do we know about the plot?

A century before @GameofThrones, there was Ser Duncan the Tall and his squire, Egg.Executive produced by George R. R. Martin, Ira Parker, Ryan Condal, and Vince Gerardis, A Knight of the #SevenKingdoms: The Hedge Knight has received a straight to series order. #StreamOnMax pic.twitter.com/MRPUke5UptApril 12, 2023

We’ll hand back over to the big man for this one, for who else better to explain that its creator? Martin writes: “A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms is an adaptation of The Hedge Knight, the first of the novellas I wrote about them. It’s as faithful as adaptation as a reasonable man could hope for (and you all know how incredibly reasonable I am on that particular subject).”

The Hedge Knight – a knight without a master – tells the tale of how Dunk took on this mantle, and then meets his squire, a boy named Egg, on his way to compete in a tournament at Ashford Meadow, and follows the adventures they go on together afterwards.

However, it comes with a warning for blood-thirsty fans of GoT and mythical beast lovers of HotD. Martin adds: “Viewers who are looking for action, and more action, and only action… Well, this one may not satisfy you. There’s a huge fight scene here, as exciting as anyone could ask for, but there are no dragons this time around, no huge battles, no white walkers… this is a character piece, and its focus is on duty and honor, on chivalry and all it means.”

A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms: the future

The future looks bright for the Kingdoms, as Martin said plans are all ready going full steam ahead, although HBO are yet to confirm season 2.

“We’ll be moving on to The Sworn Sword, in the second tale of Dunk & Egg,” he blogged on his site. “ And once I finish The Winds Of Winter, I will need to get hopping on The Village Hero, and all the other tales that await the lads. Don’t worry, I am sure you folks will remind me.’ Yep, we’re ready and waiting to give him a nudge, if needs be!

For more Max TV-based coverage, read our guides on Euphoria season 3, House of the Dragon season 3, and Peacemaker season 2.

Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was detained following a raid on his residence earlier this week, sparking the largest wave of street demonstrations in Turkey in more than a decade.

(Image credit: Khalil Hamra)

MSI is well known for its gaming laptops and desktops, graphics cards, motherboards, monitors, and other PC components. Fairly recently, they also decided to break into networking, adding a line of routers and mesh Wi-Fi to take on TP-Link and others head-to-head.

The biggest selling point that MSI promotes with the Roamii BE Lite is that this is a Wi-Fi 7 Mesh router. Which is great, but the bummer is that there is no 6Ghz channel. So, while it does provide the Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) Standard, it only has 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz frequencies, no 6Ghz - confusing, I know.

The MSI Roamii BE Lite targets users who want affordable Wi-Fi 7 connectivity in their homes (or small businesses) and want a multi-gig WAN/LAN port. Regardless of location, the Roamii BE Lite has excellent security features, which protect your digital assets and family and ensure reliability.

As long as you don't require a 6GHz channel, this is one of the best Wi-Fi mesh systems for the money, but for those who want those 6GHz speeds, this system may not be the right fit for you.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) MSI Roamii BE Lite: Price and Availability

The MSI Roamii BE Lite is sold for $210 / £210 as a two-unit system. This includes the main router and a secondary node that you can place throughout your home office or small business to extend your mesh network further. It's available through Best Buy, Amazon, and many others, all of which can be found on the MSI Website.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) MSI Roamii BE Lite: Unboxing & first impressions

The MSI Roamii BE Lite came very well packaged -- partially because the two triangle units could lay over one another and partially because of the sleek packaging that still protected the units. The box had two nodes: power adapters, an ethernet cable for the primary node to connect to a modem, and wall-mounting brackets. Though I would never mount something like this to the wall, it's nice for MSI to include this for those needing it.

I just finished reviewing the TP-Link Deco XE75 Pro mesh router, so I was not shocked to see a taller, white, similarly sized router. However, the change in shape, moving from a cylinder to a triangle, was a nice change-up. The smooth, modern white finish blends nicely without being too prominent, especially in my home office. Another thing that I noticed right away was that both nodes had ethernet ports, meaning that, just like in the TP-Link Deco XE75 Pro, I could use it to extend my ethernet network (in a way) without running ethernet cables through my walls.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) MSI Roamii BE Lite: Design & build quality Specs

Wireless Specification: Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be)
Bands: 2.4GHz (up to 688Mbps) and 5GHz (up to 4,323Mbps)
Antennas: 4 internal
Processor: 1.5GHz quad-core CPU
Memory: 2GB DDR4 RAM
Storage: 256MB flash memory
Ports per Node:
• 1 x 2.5GbE WAN/LAN
• 2 x 1GbE LAN
Coverage: Up to 5,800 sq ft with two nodes
Security: WPA2/WPA3, FortiSecu suite with parental controls

As mentioned, the nodes are sleek and minimal in a soft white, triangular tower shape. The MSI Roamii BE Lite is durable, sturdy, and not too large. The triangular shape has a smooth edge and can easily blend in with my home office. While some routers may attempt to attract attention, the Roamii BE Lite does not -- they try to blend in.

One downside of this router is that there are no USB ports, meaning I cannot easily attach storage to my network via a basic drive. I would need a Synology DiskStation or BeeStation, which is precisely what I did -- more on that below.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) MSI Roamii BE Lite: In use

Setting up the MSI Roamii BE Lite was very easy. I downloaded the companion app, and I followed simple step-by-step instructions. Since I didn't want to start a new network, and in my situation, I wanted to replace my old router to try this one out, I kept my network settings the same, using the identical SSID and Password. My devices (for the most part) could reconnect to the new router without issue. A few smart devices took a little while, but most of my devices (I have around 70 connected devices in my house at any given time) could jump to the new router.

My 2.4GHz devices connected without a problem, and so did my 5GHz. However, I quickly noticed that I was missing the 6GHz band when working on my iPhone 16 Pro, my iPad Mini 7, and some of my laptops for testing. While it's not a huge deal, it is noticeable at some slower speeds -- but then again, I'm the person who checks that stuff and pays attention to it.

According to MSI, you can get about 5,800 sq ft of coverage with these two nodes. For medium to large homes or smaller offices (compared to, say, a State Farm Corporate), this is perfect. So far, I've not noticed any dead zones, nor have I seen a drop in connection when walking around my home and home office. As mentioned, I always have a large number of devices in my space. So far, while testing the Roamii BE Lite, I haven't noticed any devices struggling to stay connected as more get connected, nor have I noted any that have been flat-out pushed off the network due to limited connections.

One of the areas that MSI promotes very heavily for the Roamii BE Lite is the security and parental controls they have baked into their app and router. This includes parental controls, access scheduling, filtering, network scans, and more. In short, this means that if you need to control who can be on the Wi-Fi, or when, or what is seen, this is a great option. I am also hyper-aware of who and what is on my network. Because of this, I have loved doing network threat scans (okay, love may be a bit too dramatic), and it's great peace of mind knowing that there is built-in security to help protect my network's integrity.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) MSI Roamii BE Lite: Final verdict

Overall, the Roamii BE Lite is good at what it does. In 2025, especially from a gaming-heavy company, they'd include a 6GHz band. However, the 5GHz and 2.4GHz bands work well. That, plus the great price, makes this a great budget buy. If you are looking for maximum connectivity, the highest speeds, true Wi-Fi 7 feature sets, or that 6GHz band, this is probably not the unit for you.

For more connectivity solutions, we reviewed the best small business routers.

Sarasota residents can choose from several fast and affordable internet options. We've put together this list of the best ISPs in the area, to help you find the right fit for your home.

Gtech StyleOnic: two-minute review

In the hunt for the best hair straighteners, Gtech may not be a brand that immediately jumps to mind. However, with the launch of the StyleOnic Turbo ION hair straightener (and Gtech DryOnic hair dryer alongside) the brand known mainly for its excellent vacuum cleaners has moved into haircare.

Designed to reduce frizz, boost shine, and make styling easy, the StyleOnic uses ionic technology and ceramic plates to create smooth, sleek results, and soft curls. It also features an LED display that shows each of the 10 precise temperature controls, ranging from 140 C / 285 F to 230 C / 445 F, making it suitable for a wide range of hair types and styles.

In testing, the StyleOnic performed well at straightening my long, fine, naturally-curly hair; heating up quickly and gliding smoothly without snagging. It wasn't as smooth as other straighteners, like the GHD Chronos (learn more in my GHD Chronos review), but still impressive. The beveled edges make it easy to create curls or waves, although the results were often inconsistent – largely because I often had to squeeze the 1 in / 2.5cm plates together harder than I would have liked to make sure the whole hair strand was evenly styled, which caused my hand to ache.

I liked the lightweight, slim dimensions of the StyleOnic. It weighs 8.4oz / 239g and measures 9.8in / 25cm and these dimensions, coupled with its heat-protective case, makes it great for travel or storage. However, the styler itself has a cheap-looking build, caused by its mix of materials and colors. Elsewhere, it's difficult to press the temperature button because of where it's positioned on top of the styler. I often struggled to get enough purchase to change the setting without the plates hitting together.

I feel like these flaws are a sacrifice you make for the StyleOnic's price, though. Gtech isn’t trying to compete with salon-grade brands like GHD or Dyson, but instead offers a practical, relatively affordable alternative with a focus on convenience. This makes it a worthwhile option if you prioritize portability and ease of use over high-end design and flawless performance. Just don't expect miracles.

Read on for my full Gtech StyleOnic review...

(Image credit: Future) Gtech StyleOnic review: price & availability

• List price: £99.99
• Available: UK only
• Launched: January 2025

The Gtech StyleOnic costs £99.99 and is only currently available in the UK direct from Gtech, or a range of third party retailers. Gtech is yet to confirm if, or when, it will be sold in other regions. For this price, you get the styler, a protective heat glove and a storage bag.

The Gtech StyleOnic sits alongside other lower mid-range models including the BaByliss Hydro-Fusion and Bellissima Italia Creativity Infrared. One of my favorite stylers, the mdlondon STRAIT, is marginally more expensive at £109 but is one of the closest like-for-like models in terms of design, features and specs.

In the STRAIT's favor are its longer plates – 11cm vs the Gtech's 8.9cm. This makes them better suited to different hair lengths and make it great for curling. It also offers 11 temperatures versus the Gtech's 10 settings. Beyond this though, both the StyleOnic and STRAIT are very similar with digital displays, swivel cords, auto-shut off features and a range of colors.

The Gtech StyleOnic slightly takes the edge against the BaByliss model by offering twice number of temperature settings. BaByliss doesn't have a digital display but everything else is near-on identical, from its ceramic plates, ionic technology, shape and size.

The Bellissima model is a better option if you have damaged hair. The infrared technology – one of the biggest hair trends of the moment – styles the outer layers of the hair without stripping moisture from the inside. The rest of its settings are the same, although the clunky design of the Bellissima leaves a little to be desired.

All this considered, the Gtech StyleOnic is good value for money in terms of the range of settings and features it offers, and the safety extras you get as standard. Little separates it from other straighteners in its price bracket and it's not reinventing the wheel, but it's a solid debut nonetheless.

• Value score: 4 out of 5

Gtech StyleOnic specs Gtech StyleOnic review: design

• 1 inch wide, ceramic-coated plates
• 10 different heat settings
• Longer-than-usual plates

Having recently reviewed the Gtech DryOnic hair dryer, and been really impressed with its classy, premium design, I was a little disappointed with how the StyleOnic looks.

I tested the Oyster model and while I liked the satin finish of the cream-colored areas, and the gold accents on the plates and controls, they were let down by the black, glass band found on the top – which houses the LED display. This mix of materials makes the StyleOnic not only look cheap, but feel cheap in the hand.

At the base of the styler is a 2m / 6.5ft cord. This is shorter than the 3m average, and while it'll be fine if you have a power outlet positioned near your dressing table area, it'll get annoying quickly if you don't.

(Image credit: Future)

Above the display, where the black glass meets the cream plastic are two thin buttons – one turns the straighteners on and off; the other is used to cycle through the 10 heat settings. Rather than having specific styling modes, the StyleOnic Turbo ION relies on you knowing which heat setting best suits your hair type. This is great in terms of versatility, but can take some experimentation.

The 10 temperature settings are:

• 140 C / 284 F
• 150 C / 302 F
• 160 C / 320 F
• 170 C / 338 F
• 180 C / 356 F
• 190 C / 374 F
• 200 C / 392 F
• 210 C / 410 F
• 220 C / 428 F
• 230 C / 446 F

If you have thicker or longer hair, or your hair has been damaged from chemicals or over-styling, you'll get much more use and benefit from having such a wide temperature range. I've never needed such a wide range because my fine hair is pretty malleable. However, I welcomed the ability to drop or increase the heat as and when needed.

It takes over a minute to heat up to the maximum 230 C / 445 F, which is more than twice the length of rival stylers from the likes of GHD and T3. However it should be noted, the 30-second heat-up time of these alternative stylers takes their respective plates to ~185 C / 365 F, which is considerably cooler than Gtech's model.

To switch the styler on and adjust the temperature, you need to apply a fair amount of pressure to the buttons for them to register. However, because these buttons are positioned on the outer side of the top plate, it’s difficult to get enough grip to do so. To apply the necessary pressure, you first have to squeeze the plates together to prevent the styler from shifting and becoming a safety hazard. Or you have to place your fingers on the underside of the arm, which can feel dangerous when the plates are on.

(Image credit: Future)

You can see when the straightener reaches your chosen temperature via the LED display and even though I don't love how big the display is, from an aesthetic point of view, it does make it quick and easy to see the setting at a glance.

The plates are the standard 1 in / 2.5cm wide and 3.5 in / 3.8cm long but the StyleOnic is noticeably lighter and more compact than other straighteners I've tested. It weighs just ‎8.4oz / 239g and measures 9.8 x 1.5 x 1.5" / 25 x 3.8 x 3.8cm. This makes it compact and light enough for easy handling and for packing in a suitcase or bag, without being too small to work on longer hair.

I also appreciated other smaller touches which helped to alleviate some of my design disappointment. Namely the travel lock, which helps keep the plates closed when not in use; a 30-minute auto shut-off; its travel case and safety glove.

• Design score: 3.5 out of 5

Gtech StyleOnic straightener review: performance

• Wide range of temperatures suit multiple needs and hair types
• Beveled edges great for curling
• Smooth but inconsistent styling

Given Gtech’s reputation for practical, well-designed home appliances, I was hoping the StyleOnic would follow suit. While it can't quite compete with more expensive straighteners I've tested, the StyleOnic still does a good job of creating frizz-free, smooth styles. Albeit with some caveats.

The straightener isn't the fastest. Not just in terms of heat-up time, but in how long it took to style my hair. I found I needed to make multiple passes at times to fully straighten sections, even on higher settings. This increased styling time (to an average of four minutes) as well as the potential heat damage.

The StyleOnic also isn't the smoothest flat iron I've tried (that prize goes to the GHD Chronos), but its ionic technology and ceramic plates do smooth and seal the hair well. While the styler's beveled edges make curling easy, allowing for waves and movement without leaving sharp creases.

(Image credit: Future)

Across the board though, performance varied and these results were inconsistent. That's largely because of the way the plates are positioned.

Both plates 'float' within their respective arms, which means they move slightly to follow the flow of your hair. However, they sit closer to each other at the tip of the styler than where they meet at the hinge. This is deliberate, to allow you to create different sized curls, but it also means the pressure on the hair isn't consistent all the way down the plates. I found the best way to guarantee a more even finish was to squeeze the arms harder than normal, but that caused my hand and wrist to ache.

(Image credit: Future)

If you get the pressure and temperature just right, the style not only looks great but it lasts for hours, though. Curls that would usually drop stayed defined and in place until I got home from a night out. Plus, the swivel cord gives plenty of room and movement, and the weight of the straightener is balanced enough that it helped relieve some of the aching from gripping the plates together.

As my hair is naturally curly, I usually only use a flat iron to knock out this frizz rather than straightening it completely. Super sleek, straight styles tend to leave my thin hair looking limp and flat, and this was the case with the Gtech StyleOnic. This says more about my hair than the styler itself, though. If anything, for people with thicker, coarser hair or for those looking for super sleek styles, this may be a positive, and exactly what you're after.

• Performance score: 3.5 out of 5

Should I buy the Gtech StyleOnic? Buy it if...

You like or need precise heat control

The StyleOnic's 10 temperature settings, which can be seen at-a-glance using the built-in LED display, cater to a range of hair types and needs.

You want a practical, affordable styler

The Gtech StyleOnic offers practicality and function for its price, even if this does mean it lacks premium build quality.

You value safety features

Its 30-minute auto shut-off and travel lock give extra security and peace of mind when using the StyleOnic.

Don't buy it if...

You want a premium look and feel

The mix of materials on the StyleOnic makes it feel and look less high-end than some rivals.

You need ultra-fast styling

It takes longer to heat up, and style your hair, using the StyleOnic compared to other competitors.

You find fiddly controls frustrating

The power and temperature control buttons require firm pressure and are awkwardly positioned, making them poorly suited to people with mobility needs or similar.

How I tested the Gtech StyleOnic

• Tested a range of temperature settings
• Created a range of straight and curly looks

For my Gtech StyleOnic Turbo ION hair straightener review, I spent two weeks using it as my main hot styling tool. I created a series of looks for different occasions including straight, curly and wavy styles and put the range of temperature settings to the test. I timed how long the styles took to complete, how well they lasted and monitored the finish and condition of my hair.

First reviewed: February 2025

The U.S. has lifted bounties on three senior Taliban figures, including the interior minister, officials in Kabul said Sunday.

(Image credit: Saifullah Zahir)

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for March 23.

• Vinpower iXflash and iXflash Cube offer direct photo and video recording to external storage
• Avoid cloud fees—iXflash delivers private storage with instant access
• iXflash Cube backs up while charging, ensuring secure offline storage

With business smartphones running more demanding applications, including high-resolution video recording, AI-driven features, and system updates, internal storage quickly fills up, limiting space for personal files.

Vinpower's iXflash and iXflash Cube USB flash drives offer up to 2TB of external storage in a compact format, providing an alternative to cloud storage, which requires an internet connection and may involve ongoing fees.

The iXflash Cube lets users record media directly in external storage while automatically backing up photos and videos when charging.

Automatic backup and charging in one device

Unlike cloud backup options that rely on external servers, the iXflash Cube offers local security and instant access to data, making it a seamless backup solution for users who prefer physical storage.

These drives are designed for cross-platform compatibility, working with iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac devices, but this level of convenience comes with a cost.

The highest-capacity iXflash and iXflash Cube models offer 2TB of storage, priced at $299.99 and $299.95, respectively, while smaller capacities are also available, with the 1TB version costing $169.99 for the iXflash and $199.95 for the Cube.

Also available are a 512GB model of the iXflash and iXflash Cube for $94.99 or $99.95, a 256GB version for $56.99 or $79.95, or 128GB for $37.99 or $59.95, respectively.

Although the 2TB model costs more than a typical external hard drive, which usually offers more storage for less, its compact form factor and direct iPhone compatibility make it a practical choice for those who need portability.

While portable SSDs offer high-speed data transfer, the iXflash Cube adds the convenience of automatic wireless iPhone backups without extra cables.

"The biggest buzzword today is AI, Artificial Intelligence…AI relies on both intelligent programming as well as copious amounts of data storage. That's why higher capacity storage, like the 2TB iXflash and iXflash Cube are critical when implementing AI technology on mobile platforms," said Calvin Chang, CEO of Vinpower.

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• Compal Adapt X modular laptop reduces waste with fully replaceable components
• Adapt X evolves rather than slips into obsolescence
• Supports modular AI and a functional HUB

Taiwanese manufacturer Compal Electronics has unveiled a concept device, Adapt X, a modular business laptop designed to extend device lifespan and reduce electronic waste.

Adapt X features 14-inch and 16-inch displays, equipped with Type-C interfaces and a functional HUB that expands input and output options through modular AI units.

It also comes with a detachable secondary display that can act as a business monitor, positioned either flat for seamless multitasking or elevated for an extended workspace.

Modular design for extended usability

Developed as a flexible and customizable modular AI alternative in the same vein as Framework's products, Adapt X combines metallic aesthetics with sustainability, earning it an iF Design Award for 2025.

Users can swap or upgrade components independently, reducing upgrade frequency and cutting costs. The ultra-thin and detachable keyboard offers a tablet-like experience.

Meanwhile, the detachable additional display is useful for managing multiple windows simultaneously, making the Adapt X a useful laptop for programming, and one of the best laptops for trading.

If fully realized, this approach could create a recyclable, upgradable laptop with minimal environmental impact, hinting at a future where 'eternal' devices, evolving with users, are mainstream.

Via iF Design

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The pontiff spent over five weeks being treated for bronchitis that evolved into a severe respiratory illness. When he returns to the Vatican, he will need to rest for two months, his doctor said.

(Image credit: Gregorio Borgia)

• Anycubic foldable portable 3D printer supports five rotational axes
• Comes with a dedicated filament storage solution that keeps materials organized
• Control, monitor and adjust settings via a touchscreen interface

The world of 3D printing has seen its fair share of stylish and innovative designs in recent years, such as the Elegoo Centauri Carbon and Creality K2 Plus, but Anycubic’s foldable portable 3D printer still hopes to impress.

Unlike some of the best 3D printers, which are bulky and stationary, this model from Shenzhen Anycubic Technology Co., Ltd (via iF Design) folds down to just 75mm in height and features five rotational axes, allowing it to collapse neatly and be carried like a briefcase.

The multi-axis arms enable the print head to stop at any position, and it can print up to 460mm in height to suit projects of varying sizes.

Sleek design with practical features

Anycubic's printer features a modern light gray-silver color scheme, with a dark, square-shaped print bed likely made of glass or a coated material for adhesion and easy removal of prints.

Its extruder system features an active cooling fan to prevent filament jams, while a dedicated drawer-style filament spool holder is neatly tucked into a sliding compartment in the base, keeping the material organized and easily accessible.

In addition, the nozzle appears to be of standard size, compatible with various filament types, including PLA and PETG.

The printer includes a touchscreen interface, offering an intuitive way to navigate settings and monitor prints. Connectivity options include two USB-A ports, a USB-C port, and a micro-HDMI port, allowing users to load in print files.

Anycubic’s latest innovation could redefine what users expect from portable 3D printers, and has already won the iF Design Award 2025, but the company has offered no official launch date.

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