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The advent of AI marks a new era in terms of how digital infrastructure is built, connected, and scaled. Each new generation of AI model demands exponentially greater GPU power, storage capacity, and interconnectivity.

As these workloads rise in complexity, the network responsible for moving data between GPU clusters and across data centers, also referred to as “scale-across”, faces mounting pressure.

Traditionally seen as a straightforward background utility, the transport layer is fast emerging as a strategic foundation for AI-driven infrastructures.

It is evolving from simply moving packets to intelligently orchestrating massive data flows with deterministic performance, low-latency, and seamless scalability.

AI-optimized data centers, built for training and deploying large-scale models, require dense GPU fabrics, vast storage, and, most importantly, high-bandwidth, ultra-low latency connectivity. As workloads increase, so too does the critical importance of Data Centre Interconnect (DCI) solutions.

The transport layer is no longer just a dumb pipe, but the backbone of the AI era, enabling real-time updates of AI LLMs (Large Language Models), continuous learning of those models, and the efficient movement of intelligence across a global digital landscape.

The demands placed on traditional networks by AI

AI training and inference pipelines generate overwhelming volumes of data. One large language model alone requires thousands of GPUs operating simultaneously, continually exchanging parameters, gradients, and checkpoints.

The outcome is a relentless demand for ultra-high-bandwidth, low-latency connectivity between clusters, whether across campus environments or regions, or out on the edge.

However, the traditional transport architectures developed to facilitate predictable enterprise or content delivery traffic buckle under the weight of emerging patterns.

East-west traffic has surged, bandwidth per node has soared, and latency requirements have tightened to microsecond precision. Simultaneously, operators face mounting pressure to control power and space consumption at the metro and edge layers, primarily because AI workloads are currently most ubiquitous here.

Scaling optical systems is clearly inadequate. Therefore, we must look at re-engineering the entire transport layer to support performance, agility, and efficiency.

What does it take to design an AI-first transport layer?

Next-generation transport layers need to evolve beyond moving bits quickly and adapt to the fluctuating demands of AI workloads. In practice, this means delivering ultra-high capacity and consistently low latency, while enabling the network to reconfigure itself as AI tasks switch between training and inference. This ensures that the transport network is transformed into an ecosystem as flexible and intelligent as the workloads it supports.

In addition to bandwidth scaling to meet demands, latency determinism is equally important. Distributed AI training depends on precise synchronization across thousands of GPUs, given that even marginal timing variations can stymie performance. Transport systems must therefore ensure reliable and constant optical path behavior, beyond simply average low delay.

Automation and energy efficiency are also critical to creating an AI-first transport layer. When power becomes a key enabler of data center growth, an AI-ready transport layer needs to sense, adapt, and optimize in real time, allocating capacity where it’s most needed, and shutting down redundant channels, seamlessly integrating with orchestration layers above.

Engineering architectures of the future

Today, overcoming the challenge of developing an AI-first architecture requires a new approach. The next generation of transport systems must be built on coherent optical technology capable of scaling above 400G and 800G. These advances allow operators to extract maximum capacity from existing fiber infrastructure while maintaining the low-latency performance which is essential to distributed AI training and inference workloads.

The evolution of software-defined optical control is equally important. Embedding intelligence into the transport layer facilitates real-time telemetry, closed-loop automation, and predictive optimization. Networks can monitor performance, anticipate congestion before it occurs, and dynamically re-route traffic to preserve stability and efficiency. Effectively, the optical layer evolves to be self-aware, adaptive, and capable of responding to changing workload demands.

IP-optical convergence is another area of advancement, unifying packet and optical transport under a unified control and management framework. This convergence reduces latency, rationalizes operations, and accelerates service provisioning. The advantages for hyperscale DCI environments include fewer network elements, reduced complexity and a more deterministic performance profile.

At the metro and edge levels, where space and power constraints are most stringent, compact modular DCI systems are emerging as a critical component of the AI ecosystem. Such platforms introduce high-capacity optical connectivity closer to compute resources, enabling real-time inference, analytics, and automation at the edge. Augmenting optical performance beyond the hyperscale core helps operators support increasingly distributed AI workloads and shorten the distance between data-generation and decision-making.

Such transformations are also supported by greater automation and more open orchestration frameworks. Modern transport networks are evolving into API-rich, software-driven environments that allow telemetry data from the optical layer to feed directly into higher-level AI and cloud management systems. This creates a feedback loop between application and infrastructure that, in practice, enables an adaptive network: one that learns, optimizes, and responds dynamically to workload patterns in real time.

5G + AI: the formula for success

The convergence of AI and 5G represents a new milestone in network evolution. As operators accelerate the deployment of 5G Standalone cores and distributed edge computing, the demand for high-bandwidth, deterministic transport now extends beyond data centers to cell sites, aggregation hubs, and metro edges.

AI is increasingly used to automate and optimize 5G operations, from traffic prediction and spectrum management to self-healing and real-time orchestration. These capabilities rely on the same transport tenets that power AI training: massive data movement, ultra-low latency, and intelligent routing.

As AI and 5G ecosystems grow in sophistication, they’re forming a unified, intelligent network infrastructure that seamlessly connects core clouds, AI clusters, and edge nodes. And today, optical transport systems that move terabits of training data between data centers will be able to support time-sensitive control traffic and AI-driven services at the edge in the near future.

Reimagining transport for the era of AI

AI is having a profound effect on all layers of digital infrastructure, but nowhere is this more evident than in transport. The optical layer is evolving from a passive conduit into an intelligent, agile system that anticipates demand, reconfigures dynamically, and continuously optimizes for performance.

This transformation is being propelled by advances in optics, automation, and converged architectures. These elements combined enable self-optimizing networks capable of sustaining AI and data-intensive services at a global scale.

Fundamentally, to meet the expectations of an AI-first world, transport networks must evolve into intelligent systems that are as dynamic and responsive as the workloads they carry. By rearchitecting the optical layer with agility, automation, and convergence at its core, the industry can lay the foundation for scalable, distributed intelligence across the global digital landscape.

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It's time once more for yet another look through this weekend's best tech deals at Amazon UK. While there are far fewer offers right now compared to during major sales events, there are still some solid bargains up for grabs. I've picked out the 11 best deals I'd recommend.

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

With back-to-school season upon us, there are some strong laptop deals up for grabs, with several great picks if you need a new device for the year ahead. My standout is this Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5 for £499.99 (was £699.99), as it offers a solid set of specs for the price. There's an Intel Core i5 processor, 16GB of RAM, and a 1TB hard drive — everything you need for capable all-around performance.

Another popular pick is the Philips OneBlade 360 for £36.99 (was £54.99). This was a best-seller during Prime Day, so if you missed it during last month's sale, here's another chance to pick one up for a great price.

I've highlighted several more deals below on tech, appliances, and more, so do check them out if you're looking to treat yourself to a little shopping this weekend.

This weekend's 11 best deals at Amazon UK

Display: 16 inches
Processor: Intel Core i5
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 1TB

There's a terrific combination of specs for the price in this Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5, including an Intel i5 processor, a performance-boosting 16GB of RAM and a large 1TB SSD. Even though some components are older now, these can still make work and everyday tasks a breeze. You also get the huge benefit of a larger 16-inch display that makes this ideal if you prefer a bigger screen size and don't need an easily portable option.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 one spare blade, an adjustable comb, and a USB-A charging cable.View Deal

Get the highly rated Renpho smart scale on sale for under £20 this weekend. The smart scale has over 300,000 reviews on Amazon and holds a solid 4.6-star rating. You can use this smart device to measure your body fat ratio, BMI, and weight via the Renpho app.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

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

Lenovo's more premium handheld gaming PC just dropped to its lowest-ever price on Amazon. It offers fantastic power and performance with an AMD Ryzen Z2 processor, 32GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, and an 8.8-inch OLED display. Running on Windows 11 is a little clunkier than the smoother SteamOS, but it is an extremely capable, top-end handheld gaming experience that will run most titles with ease and with minimal tinkering in the graphics settings. It's also much better value for money after such a big discount.View Deal

The Ninja Luxe Café Pro is a professional-level coffee machine with a whopping number of different grind settings and many smart features elsewhere, too. You can keep your coffee warm after it’s brewed, while there are nine bars of pressure to get your coffee just how you like it to taste. A burr grinder provides the perfect consistency, and a clean function saves you from plenty of hassle. It has been around £50 cheaper before, but this is a strong deal outside of Black Friday.View Deal

The Dyson V8 is now older, but it remains one of the top affordable vacuums and also one of the best Dyson vacuums – period. This still more-than-capable vacuum comes with a couple of essential attachments for cleaning around the home. Given its age and basic features, it's a struggle to recommend it at its full price, but now that it's discounted so heavily at Amazon, it's an easy recommendation.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

Display: 14 inches
Processor: Intel N100
RAM: 4GB
Storage: 128GB

This is far from the best laptop you can buy, but I can't deny that it's cheap. The specs are incredibly low-end, with an entry-level processor, only 4GB of RAM and a small 128GB hard drive. At least it's a Chromebook, which can get more from weaker components, but this is only a good buy if you want to spend very little money on a very basic machine for infrequent, light use.View Deal

The Google Pixel 10a is our pick for the best bargain phone for its balance between affordability and functionality. It features a Tensor G4 processor and a display with a 120Hz refresh rate, which offers solid performance at this price point. You also get a Gorilla Glass 7i screen for better drop protection and scratch resistance. For £100 off, you can get this smooth and affordable smartphone for its lowest price yet, or save another £50 on top if you're OK with 128GB of storage.View Deal

The Shark Detect Clean & Empty Cordless Vacuum offers convenient automation features and versatile cleaning technology, including a special brushroll that works on both hardwood and carpeted surfaces. Its self-emptying dock doubles as a charging station, which makes it easy to keep fully charged, even though it runs for up to 40 minutes at full battery. For under £200, it's hard to pass up such a high-tech and highly rated vacuum.

CHANGEView Deal

Isn’t it funny that we take the flexible screen so for granted that we complain over a crease and lack of flatness? The screen folds to become half its size and unfolds to about the size of a mini-tablet, and we’re still not satisfied. I guess that’s what makes us — or maybe Samsung — human. You see, it wasn’t satisfied, either, at least with the already quite thin and pretty remarkable Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7.

That 4.2mm thick device that features two displays and yet is somehow lighter than the Galaxy S26 Ultra was close to flat and did have a less noticeable crease at the bend, but apparently Samsung thought it could do better, which is how we got the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, unveiled at Galaxy Unpacked on July 22.

That’s right, it’s now an Ultra device, though that has more to do with the other new entry in the folding lineup: the 4:3 ratio Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8. This new Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is not, after all, a full-scale redesign and is, instead, a refinement that brings better cameras (an upgraded 200MP camera with an f-stop adjustment, a new 50MP ultra-wide that matches the Galaxy S26 Ultra), a new 5,000mAh silicon-carbon battery, an anti-reflective coating on the display, and, somehow, a thinner body.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 on the right and the new Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra on the left. Note the drastically reduced crease.Lance Ulanoff / FutureAnother look that also shows you the flatness of the new device.Lance Ulanoff / FutureThe slimming

At 4.1mm, you might be hard-pressed to notice the difference between Samsung's two most recent foldable flagships, though I can tell you that the chassis is now so thin, it barely squeezes in a USB-C port.

What is noticeable, though, is that the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra unfolds its 8.1-inch OLED display effectively flat, and the crease is all but gone. (The phone actually almost snaps to flat and is somewhat less adjustable between flat and folded modes.)

That’s due to the lightweight but also very strong titanium architecture behind that OLED panel. There has been a rigid titanium backplate behind the OLED panel since the Galaxy Z Fold 7, but the lattice work along the crease — in the center of the panel — has been totally redesigned from a seemingly infinite series of parallel holes to holes that start narrow on top but open up on the opposite side (it’s sort of an “A” shape). Stacked on top of that panel now is another far more flexible titanium alloy sheet (a mix of titanium and other metals like aluminum and chrome). It’s about as flexible as a sheet of paper (I touched it, I know) but with infinitely more strength.

Here's a cool look at the entire makeup of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra and Z Fold 8's new Flex Titanium technology. (Image credit: Future)

The combination of these two panels, which are sandwiched and glued together along with the OLED panel, an ultra-thin glass pane, and a plastic screen protector, all work in concert to allow the panel to be both 30% easier to open (a new chamfered display frame edge also assists here) and more inclined to pop out flat. And that makes the crease almost invisible.

I know all this because I met with Samsung Electronics and Samsung Display engineers in South Korea who worked together to bring the Z Fold 8 Ultra to life.

(Image credit: Samsung Display)

Even though I sort of understood how these elements worked together to make a flatter whole, I couldn’t entirely figure out how the rigid back plane was flexible enough to make the folding and unfolding possible, but Byung Duk Yang, EVP at Core Component Technology Team, Samsung Electronics, put a finer point on it for me.

Sitting next to a specially designed flexible display blow-out diorama featuring all those aforementioned panels hanging inside like so many curtains, Yang explained, “You’re right. Titanium is basically not flexible. We use a titanium plate already, but there are micro-holes to get the stretchability — so that is basic titanium. But this time we used the new titanium alloy — we needed some stretchability. That’s why it is not 100% titanium; it’s titanium alloy.”

The switch to the titanium alloy, which replaced a thicker polymer layer, is key because, with titanium’s ability to better withstand long-term deformation, it’s less likely that the now mostly hidden crease will grow more prominent over time.

As I noted, people tend to, with these foldables, fixate on the crease, but Yang explained that in designing these panels, Samsung Display has many considerations. “The crease itself is not our only top priority. We have to consider durability and surface quality.”

Stress testsOne of the benefits of the new Flex Titanium technology is that the folding phones will be more durable over time: the titanium plate and titanium alloy sheet both resist long-term deformation far better than the old polymer sheet. In Samsung's Gumi Automation Labs, it tests the Z Fold 8 and Z Fold 8 Ultra phone displays' bending and response.SamsungSamsungSamsung

I also traveled to Samsung’s Gumi Factory City in South Korea, where I witnessed the new Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra and its new sibling, the Galaxy Z Fold 8, undergo rigorous stress tests that included extreme heating and cooling, folding and unfolding tens of thousands of times, and ball-drop tests in which metal balls are repeatedly dropped on the screens from various heights.

From what I could tell, the Z Fold 8 and Z Fold 8 Ultra are quite resilient and, in the Z Fold 8 Ultras I saw, less reflective.

The new antireflective coating appears to do its part in helping the flexible display hide the crease. After all, less light is bouncing back to your eyes. And when I visited the Gumi testing lab, I saw how they used a special box with a dome of brilliant white light and a spectrometer to test display reflectivity. The light robotically moved around the Z Fold 8 Ultra panel to assess general reflectivity but also how the light might bounce off the crease. Results are gathered by a computer in a lab that runs 24 hours a day. We were, by the way, the first reporters ever to see it in person.

The new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is about as flat as it can get.Lance Ulanoff / FutureLance Ulanoff / FutureLance Ulanoff / Future

I’ve been pondering, though, what comes next for the Galaxy Z Fold lineup. Unless Samsung removes the USB-C port, it really can’t get any thinner. But the display could get at least one cool improvement; Samsung confirmed to me that they are thinking about how the Privacy Display on the Galaxy S26 Ultra might come to a future folding device. As you may recall, that privacy technology works at a pixel level to hide your screen from prying eyes, so it would require a very specific update to the flexible OLED panel.

In the meantime, though, consumers will have to consider this new Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, perhaps the thinnest, flattest, and fullest expression of Samsung’s foldable ambitions.

@techradar

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Huzzah, another weekend is upon us — and, amid the lack of new movies landing in theaters today (July 24), you might be inclined to stay at home and check one of the following seven must-see films and TV shows instead.

There are a couple of new releases we couldn't squeeze into this week's streaming round-up — sorry, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 4 and The Dink. Nevertheless, I'm sure you'll find something to your liking from those we've listed below. So, take a look, load up one of the best streaming services, and sit back and enjoy one or more of them. — Tom Power, senior entertainment reporter

Stuart Fails to Save the Universe (HBO Max)

And what if I said that The Big Bang Theory spinoff Stuart Fails to Save the Universe was better than the original series? Nobody was expecting awkward comic book store owner Stuart's story to continue from the main show, but in hindsight, it's a glorious move.

Our titular heroic lead, on-off girlfriend Denise, and friends Kripke and Bert are brought back together when Stuart triggers a multiverse armageddon by accidentally breaking a device built by Sheldon and Leonard.

Has 'King of Sitcoms' Chuck Lorre done it again? You'll need to read my Stuart Fails to Save the Universe review to find out if it's th TV triumph that I never expected. — Jasmine Valentine, entertainment reporter

• Watch Stuart Fails to Save the Universe on HBO Max

Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender (Paramount+)

It's been 13 years since the gang defeated Lord Ozai and the Fire Nation, and attentions have turned to a new airbender called Tagah. Together, Aang and Tagah embark on a global quest to find the relic before a group called The Denied.

Aang is all grown up in Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender, but that doesn't mean the original magic has gone anywhere. The movie's understanding of perspective, movement, and detail is absolutely astonishing, moving through the Four Nations with such awe-inspired wonder that you'll want to live in each frame.

Time may have changed how they look, but their goofy and fun-loving personalities definitely haven't... and the animation captures exactly what has been missing from Netflix's live-action adaptation. — JV

• Watch Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender on Paramount+

72 Hours (Netflix)

In this new Netflix movie, Kevin Hart stars as a 40-year-old who ends up at a three-day bachelor party with strangers, resulting in yet another silly Hart-led venture that's perfect if you need of a laugh this weekend.

How did he end up there, you might ask? Well, he was mistakenly added to a group chat and went along for the ride, traveling from New York to Miami to join in the celebrations. Any excuse to party by the beach, I suppose.

It's not so idyllic though, as the trailer teases trouble with the law and other mishaps, including getting horribly stung by a jellyfish. Rather him than me. — Lucy Buglass, senior entertainment writer

• Watch 72 Hours on Netflix

Mortal Kombat II (HBO Max)

Flawless victory! Mortal Kombat II is now available to stream on HBO Max, so you can relive the action-packed video game adaptation whenever you'd like.

As far as weekend watches go, you really can't beat an over-the-top, violent thrill ride like this one. If you're a fan of The Boys, Karl Urban's portrayal of Johnny Cage has been widely praised, with some noting it's worth watching just for him. — LB

• Watch Mortal Kombat II on HBO Max

Pompeii: Out of Time with Tom Hiddleston (Hulu/Disney+)

Think you know the complete story of Pompeii? Hold that thought, because Marvel star Tom Hiddleston sheds new light on this cataclysmic event in one of the more poignant docudramas I've seen in a while.

A three-part National Geographic series, Pompeii: Out of Time follows Hiddleston as he retraces the steps of a trio of individuals caught up in the natural disaster. Armed with fresh archaeological evidence and backed up by a team of experts, Hiddleston explores how these people not only navigated one of the worst humanitarian crises of the ancient world, but who might also have even survived the deadly events of 79 A.D.

Part educational, part moving drama, Pompeii: Out of Time is out now in full on Disney+ and Hulu. — TP

• Watch Pompeii: Out of Time with Tom Hiddleston on National Geographic via Hulu (US) and Disney+ (internationally)

Ransom Canyon season 2 (Netflix)

I don't need all of my television to be profound, life-changing, or even that meaningful. Sometimes, I just want to switch my brain off and pretend I live in a picturesque, rural town like Ransom Canyon on the other side of the world where everyone has unrelenting drama except me.

In season 2, the land feud between the Double K and Fuller ranches has become more ferocious, local bar owner Quinn has left for New York despite her on-off relationship with rancher Staten, and mysterious newcomer Yancy has revealed to new love interest Ellie that he has a secret wife.

Season 1 was already a strong outing, but now that the show knows itself a little more, season 2 is easily on par with the strongest seasons of Virgin River, the streamer's most iconic "cozy drama" IP. — JV

• Watch Ransom Canyon season 2 on Netflix

Masters of the Universe (Prime Video)

One of numerous mid-2026 film releases that have bombed at the box office, Amazon has hoisted the proverbial white flag on its live-action Masters of the Universe movie's theatrical run. In short: that means you can now watch it on Prime Video.

Based on the Mattel-owned media franchise of the same name, the action fantasy flick tells the tale of Adam, the crown prince of Eternia and owner of an mystical weapon called the Power Sword that, when wielded, turns him into the superhuman known as He-Man. Together with his allies, the previously exiled Adam must realize his potential and overthrow the nefarious Skeletor, who seized control of Adam's home city of Eternos — and its throne — 15 years earlier.

Not sure if you'll like this flick? Read my Masters of the Universe review to see what I thought before you stream it. — TP

• Watch Masters of the Universe on Prime Video

Filament absorbs moisture as soon as you break the seal of the packaging, and that moisture will affect the quality of your prints, and it’s a problem that until recently no one talked about.

The effect of damp filament, even if it feels dry to the touch, shows up as stringing, popping, weak layer adhesion, and prints that just look slightly worse than they should. Because it creeps in gradually, you usually blame the printer, whereas it’s often the material.

The H1 HT is Elegoo's first dryer. It arrives to tackle one of the major quibbles with the otherwise excellent Centauri Carbon 2 (see my review here). Essentially, the fact that the machine features an open-air spool design, leaving filament exposed to whatever humidity the room happens to have.

In the case of my workshop at some points of the year, that can be high. This drybox is the company's answer. It's designed to take a single 1kg spool, heats to a maximum of 85°C, rotates the spool for even exposure and vents humid air automatically before sealing itself shut again.

The clever part is that you don't have to stop printing to use it and it’s not confined to use with just Elegoo machines. The design features two filament outlets that let you run the dryer as a heated dry box, feeding the printer while it keeps your filaments in prime condition.

ELEGOO H1 HT: Price and availability

The H1 HT is available for $70 from Elegoo's US site, and for £62 from the UK site.

For a single dryer, that's extremely well priced and undercuts most established names while offering a higher maximum temperature and, frankly, better design.

If you’re thinking about this for your Centauri Carbon 2, then you’ll need/want four, so that will set you back $280 / £248.

• Value: 5 / 5

ELEGOO H1 HT: Design

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

I’ve been looking at Elegoo's machines for a few years - most recently the Centauri Carbon 2 - and they have always been well made. Still, there have usually been a few rough edges, and it was only with the Centauri Carbon and Centauri Carbon 2 that I started to see that change, although the sci-fi or quirky graphic remained.

The H1 HT goes further again, and the build quality is one of the best of any dryer box I've seen and used. Elegoo has dropped the sci-fi industrial styling and finally offers something more professional.

In the background, there have been changes in the company, and you get the impression this is the first result of that new influence. There are small design details, such as the lid having a proper latch that closes and seals securely, which sounds trivial until you've used dryers where the lid simply rests in place.

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

At 1.53kg empty and 280 x 126 x 257mm, these are weights and measurements that I have measured and not from an official listing; it sits alongside a printer without taking up too much space on the work surface.

However, if you're using it with a multifilament, then you are looking at four of these. Each requires an AC (mains) socket, so while it’s a solution, the power and space requirements do need to be taken into account.

Another point is that units can't be stacked but sit side by side neatly. With the filament inside, it exits the dryer through one of two outlets. The rear outlet is horizontal to the work surface and takes PLA, PETG, ABS, and ASA through a tube into the printer's filament block.

In contrast, the second lid outlet handles TPU and fibre-reinforced materials, where the more direct upward route applies noticeably less friction.

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

• Design: 4 / 5

ELEGOO H1 HT: FeaturesSpecs

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

Maximum temperature: 85°C
Presets: 11 (PLA, PETG, TPU, ABS, ASA, PET, PP, PC, PA, PAHT-CF, PVA) plus Custom
Capacity: one 1kg spool
Display: 3.5in colour touchscreen, temperature and %RH readout
Outlets: rear horizontal, plus lid outlet for TPU and fibre-reinforced
Drying: rotating spool (switchable), dual automatic vents
Safety: overheat protection, flame-resistant inner shell, lid-open detection, fan fault detection
Connectivity: none - no app, no printer communication
Power: 170-180W average drying PLA (measured)
Dimensions: 280 x 126 x 257mm / 1.53kg without filament (measured)
Noise: 57.2dB running against 32.9dB ambient (measured)
Price: £62 / $70 / €70 / $90 CAD / $149 AUD / ¥10,399

Opening up the box when the dryer arrived, it’s obvious that Elegoo has invested in the development of this machine. Details such as the front-facing touchscreen stand out for their responsiveness and design, but more importantly, it's well thought out, with no multi-layer menu depth and everything exactly where you'd expect it.

The home screen shows chamber temperature and relative humidity alongside set temperature, remaining time and current material. The eleven presets run from PLA up to PC, PA and PAHT-CF, with Custom alongside; the inclusion of PAHT-CF highlights that Elegoo is thinking about the engineering materials that actually need that 85°C drying temperature.

I also like the fact that there’s plenty of customisation, accessed by a setup that lets you adjust almost any setting, and then you can adjust it. For printing from the dryer, I routed the filament into the block on the Centauri Carbon 2 printer, switched off the auto-rotation and set 40°C for PLA, matching the drying time to the length of the print. Unfortunately, there’s no direct communication between the box and the printer.

Rotating Drying and Lid Open Detection have their own triggers; venting simply happens with nothing to hear, and the only safety feature check activates as soon as I leave the lid open, beeping and pausing drying until secured.

It’s also worth noting that there is no app, no connectivity, and no communication with the printer, which, with a Centauri alongside, is a shame. However, this also means that it works with any FDM printer you own.

• Features: 4.5 / 5

ELEGOO H1 HT: Performance

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

To start the test with the H1 HT, I first wanted to check to see if the dryer was actually able to reach the temperature highlight. Setting up is straightforward with the packaging removed, power plugged in, filament tube inserted into the back and then the box boots up, which takes a few seconds, and you’re ready to start. I then set the temperature to 85C and pressed start. What instantly struck me was how easy this was to navigate.

The initial reading from the box was for an ambient temperature of 36°C, and watching that screen show the increase in internal temperature with the H1 HT reaching that 85°C in 8 minutes 25 seconds without a spool inside, then settled back to 77°C and fluctuated between 75 and 85°C.

I then watched it for a while, and it held that variance in temperature over a 15-minute period without issue.

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

I then popped in a spool of PLA that had been in the workshop for a while and ran that through the dryer for the suggested eight hours from the present. Despite the hot weather, humidity out there is higher than you'd expect. I then popped in filaments from Elegoo, Prusa and Fillamentum with no sign of spool deformation.

What was apparent with each as I printed the test models was the uplift in quality, surface smoothness and stringing all improving dramatically once dried. Running the filament, especially PLA from the box, really made a difference and enabled printing that was closer matched to a new spool of material than one that had been sat around for a while.

Printing directly from the dryer worked on the Centauri Carbon 2 with PLA, ASA and PETG, all fed smoothly through the rear outlet with the internal temperature fluctuating slightly as expected but ensuring that 40ºC was kept at the holding point.

Over the test, the quality of the prints really increased and just became part of the printing process, although there is only one, which is a shame. Ideally, I would have four, one for each feed; however, aside from the additional space you need, you also have to consider powering each of the boxes, with each requiring its own AC power in addition to the printer.

I was also interested in the power draw, and checking this showed it utilised between 170 and 180 W drying PLA at40ºC and when it came to noise, it runs at 57.2dB against 32.9dB ambient, audible but not intrusive. Still, again that noise will increase with additional units.

Again, the touchscreen really stands out through the test, with the humidity readout giving a good sense of what's happening in the chamber. When just drying filament, the rotating spool is hard to assess in isolation; prior experience tells me even heat exposure from the rotating spool helps, although you need to switch this off when used in combination with the printer, at which point the strength of the filament feed will rotate the spool.

• Performance: 4.5 / 5

ELEGOO H1 HT: Final verdict

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

Elegoo is positioning the H1 HT as the answer to some of the feedback about the Centauri Carbon 2's open-air spool design. And having run one, I can see the potential. Considering what that machine costs, an additional $70 / £62 isn't excessive, although that price elevates as soon as more boxes are added.

While this is a great solution, it isn't as neat as a fully enclosed printer. Still, it offers flexibility and a scalable system, and the difference in print quality does make it worth the cost, especially if you’re an occasional printer and leave filament around for weeks or even months between use.

One issue worth knowing is that while drying rescues filament that's damp, not filament that's already gone brittle, so if spools have sat for months, check them before spending eight hours on a lost cause. You also have the issue of space and power outlets, but again the benefits that these dryers bring kind of outweigh that argument, at least for me.

At the end of the test, what stands out is just how good this thing is: the build, the interface, that latching lid. Something is shifting at Elegoo, and on this evidence it's one to watch.

Should I buy the Elegoo H1 HT?

Value:

$70 / £62 buys 85°C drying and a build that outperforms pricier rivals

4.5

Design:

The best-built dryer I've used, with an excellent touchscreen that’s easy to navigate

4.5

Features:

Eleven easy-to-access presets, dual outlets and print-through, but no connectivity, which is a shame

4

Performance:

Quick to reach temperature and a marked difference to print quality with open filaments

4.5

Total:

A superb first dryer that fixes the Centauri's open filament storage design.

4.5

You own a Centauri Carbon 2 or any open-spool printer.

This is the fix for filament exposed to room humidity, and you can print directly from it. The difference in print quality makes me at least feel I need more.

You print with engineering materials.

The 85°C maximum temperature and presets for PC, PA and PAHT-CF cover materials cheaper dryers can't reach, and the lid outlet gives TPU and fibre-reinforced filaments a low-friction route.

You need several spools dried at once

Each unit holds one 1kg spool, and they can't be stacked, so a four-colour setup means four dryers, and you’ll need an AC socket to power each.

You want an integrated setup.

No app, no connectivity, no communication with the printer. Everything is set manually on the unit itself.

For more top-performing models, see my guide to the best 3D printers I've tested and reviewed

• Weapons' prequel movie about Aunt Gladys is officially in the works
• Director Zach Cregger spoke at San Diego Comic-Con where he confirmed that the script is in progress
• Weapons was a huge success, with Amy Madigan winning an Oscar for her performance as Aunt Gladys

Get excited Weapons fans, because Aunt Gladys' story will be explored in a new prequel movie that's being written now.

During Collider’s Directors on Directing panel at San Diego Comic-Con, director Zach Cregger gave a status update and confirmed that the Gladys-led prequel was in the works.

“First of all, I’m really excited about the Gladys movie, and I loved working with Amy,” Cregger said. “I loved that character. For the movie Weapons, it really made a lot of sense not to dive into her backstory because the device of Weapons was to keep her very mysterious.”

He added: “However, there’s an amazing story to be told about where Gladys comes from and how she became what we know her as. It’s got a lot of twists and turns and mysteries and crazy things, like Weapons does. I think it’s going to be great.

"The script is in progress now, but we’re taking that super seriously, and it’s moving in the right direction. So yeah, it’s being written, is the short answer.”

Weapons was a huge horror hit last year. (Image credit: Warner Bros.)

Considering I gave Weapons a five-star review, I'm very excited for the Gladys prequel movie. Cregger is on a roll at the moment, as we have also seen the full trailer for his new Resident Evil movie.

His take on the beloved horror video game franchise is an original one, and will follow a medical courier named Bryan as he "unwittingly finds himself in an action-packed, non-stop race for survival", per the official synopsis.

That's not all, either. Following on from the success of A24's Backrooms, it was announced that Cregger is working on a Siren Head adaptation, another Creepypasta that is well loved by horror fans.

Catherine Coldstream entered a Carmelite monastery at age 24, and lived a life of prayer and obedience for 12 years. Her memoir is Cloistered: My Years as a Nun. Originally published March 20, 2024.

Despite the noise around frontier AI models, most of the non-tech economy still runs on spreadsheets, manual lookups, and legacy systems.

This is even more so the case in automotive repair, where the gap between what AI promises and what it actually delivers costs the industry real money.

The global auto repair market is worth over $1 trillion but the US alone accounts for more than $180 billion of that annually, spread across more than 250,000 businesses, with no single operator holding more than 5% market share.

The average American vehicle is now 12.6 years old, the oldest fleet on record, meaning more frequent repairs, more complex parts, and more pressure on workshops already running on thin margins.

Since 2022, repair costs have risen by 25%, well above general inflation. Despite all of this, the industry still matches parts largely through manual catalogue lookups, experience, and guesswork. This results in wrong parts getting ordered, vehicles sitting in shops and workshops absorbing the cost of returns, rework and lost technician time.

That problem exists across every market, but the US is where it is most apparent; the market is enormous, deeply fragmented, and has operated without AI-native infrastructure designed specifically for it. That reflects a genuine technical challenge that general-purpose AI has not solved yet and cannot solve in its current form.

Why general-purpose AI models fall short

General-purpose models are built for optimizing language, reasoning and creativity, but not to be ruthlessly precise within one specific industry. In industries like automotive repair, tolerance for error is close to zero. For example, if a model recommends a headlight that isn't the right fit, it holds up the technician repairing the car, delays the customer and costs the insurer paying for the repair considerably more.

When you benchmark leading general-purpose models against domain-specific automotive parts tasks, the results are stark. The best general models achieve around 5% precision on parts identification benchmarks. A well-trained human does considerably better, but is constrained by memory, catalogue complexity and time.

A model purpose-built for this problem, trained on proprietary original equipment manufacturer (OEM) data, normalized catalogue schemas, fitment rules and live transactional feedback, achieves over 90% precision on the same benchmarks - not just a marginal improvement but a different category of capability.

The data and architecture problem

There are structural reasons why the gap is that large. Automotive parts and repair data is not a larger version of generic text, it is a constantly evolving graph of relationships:

VINs, trims, sub-models, region-specific variants, supersessions, aftermarket substitutions and workshop-specific preferences. Much of this lives in fragmented OEM catalogues and proprietary formats not available on the open web.

The architecture required is different too; a parts decision in a real workshop needs to account for vehicle history, insurer regulations, supplier inventory, contractual pricing and technician preferences simultaneously, requiring a model built to ingest structured catalogues and enforce hard constraints, not one optimized for broad conversational usefulness.

Building the infrastructure that makes scale possible

Building a domain-specific foundation model is not a matter of fine-tuning a general base as the dataset has to be assembled through years of OEM agreements, schema normalization and continuous integration of repair, claims and inventory data.

The model needs to be wired into the systems that run the business, so that every accepted recommendation, return and job outcome feeds back in and compounds accuracy over time. The competitive advantage builds over time through the combination of proprietary data, deep integration and continuous learning. The longer the model runs, the better it becomes.

For the US market, this matters more than anywhere else; the scale of the opportunity, 250,000 repairers, a fleet getting older every year, costs rising faster than inflation, means the compounding value of getting parts right the first time is enormous.

The markets where this technology has been deployed in Europe and Asia-Pacific have demonstrated that the productivity gains are real and measurable. The US has, until now, had no equivalent infrastructure to access them.

What buyers and investors should be asking

For technology buyers in complex verticals, the right question to ask of any AI vendor is not how capable their model is in general, but how it performs on the specific failure modes that cost your industry money. In automotive repair, that means first-time-right rates, return rates and cycle time compression.

The same logic applies to investors: the size of a model is not a measure of how hard a business is to displace. The relevant questions are how hard the dataset is to assemble, how embedded the model is in operational workflows and how general the reasoning ability is within the domain.

General-purpose models will continue to improve and will remain valuable for a wide range of tasks. But the deepest, most durable value in AI will be created where models stop being generic assistants and start becoming invisible infrastructure, optimized for one hard problem at a time.

In automotive repair, that means fixing the parts problem that has taxed the industry for decades. In the US in particular, where scale amplifies both the cost of the problem and the value of solving it, that shift is overdue.

We've listed the best GPS fleet tracking systems.

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

• Key specs for the Google Pixel Watch 5 have just leaked
• They suggest the device could use the same chip Google has used for years
• The RAM might be boosted by 50%, though

If you’ve been eyeing up the Google Pixel Watch 5, you might want to think twice before heading to the checkout. That’s because a new leak has shed light on the upcoming smartwatch’s specs, and while there’s one welcome change, another alteration has left some fans deeply disappointed.

The discovery was made by 9to5Google, with the outlet claiming to have unearthed the specs in a Google Play Console listing. There, the outlet says it came across a device codenamed “godric,” which it says is the Pixel Watch 5.

The entry apparently recorded the device’s chip as the Qualcomm SW5100. If that sounds familiar, it’s because it’s the same chip used in the Pixel Watch 2, Pixel Watch 3 and Pixel Watch 4 — in other words, there’s unlikely to be any significant performance uptick in the Pixel Watch 5, if this rumor is correct.

But it wasn’t all bad news. 9to5Google also found that the forthcoming Pixel Watch 5 will allegedly come with 3GB of memory, which is a 50% increase on the 2GB of RAM previous Pixel Watches were equipped with. That might go some way to offsetting the chip limitations and could help the device feel a little snappier in use.

A mixed reaction

This is what the Google Pixel Watch 5 could look like, according to previous leaks. (Image credit: The TideChart)

The news has received a mixed reception among Pixel Watch fans. Some Reddit users, for instance, were pleased to see the memory increase, with one saying “More RAM is a great move, if confirmed. It should make everything run more smoothly on the [Pixel Watch 5].” Another added that bumping up the memory “should help make Gemini more responsive for people who care about that.”

But not everyone was satisfied with the news. “As a Pixel Watch 2 owner, this is disappointing,” said one user on Reddit, before continuing: “Support for my watch is ending, but if I upgrade then I will have [the] same CPU.”

It’s not too surprising that the news that Google plans to use the same chip for four generations of the Pixel Watch has disappointed plenty of people. Any user holding out for a decent performance bump after so many years might feel a little let down, at least if the leak comes to fruition.

Still, it’s good news to see the memory finally bumped up by 1GB. With artificial intelligence (AI) models like Google Gemini now making their way onto all of the best smartwatches, the extra RAM should improve their operations on your wrist.

Will that be enough to make up for the subpar chip situation? We’ll have to see once Google finally lifts the lid on the Pixel Watch 5, which is expected to happen in August. Keep your eyes peeled.

• A recent report suggests Nvidia has informed its partners of GDDR6 and GDDR7 memory kit price increases
• This means retailers may increase the prices for RTX GPUs using GDDR6 and GDDR7 memory
• The potential price hike and one user's dual-GPU setup both highlight the importance of hardware preservation

The RAM crisis continues to impact PC manufacturers, with rising memory prices and shortages — ultimately leading to increased retail prices for consumers — and the trend may be set to continue with Nvidia.

According to a report on Benchlife, Nvidia is rumored to be planning an increase for prices of its GDDR6 and GDDR7 memory kits for RTX GPUs, and has informed AIB (Add-In Board) partners such as Asus, MSI, and Gigabyte, who make their own versions of Nvidia's GPUs. Unsurprisingly, the price increase for these memory kits is cited as a result of the ongoing RAM crisis.

While RTX GPU price hikes aren't guaranteed for consumers, because this will directly impact AIB partners who manufacture the GPUs, eventual retailer price increases are unfortunately likely. It's a trend we've seen with recent PC hardware.

Notably, Valve's Steam Machine was initially supposed to cost less than its eventual $1,049 / £879 / AU$1,609 price tag, which could now also be at risk of a price increase, based on hints from a Steam Machine engineer (as reported by Bloomberg). New handheld gaming PCs are also now often launching for more than $1,000, and the price of RAM and storage certainly plays a part.

(Image credit: Roman Samborskyi / Asus)Consumer struggles

The RAM crisis is a sad state of affairs for consumers and underlines the importance of PC hardware preservation. GPUs aren't cheap by any means, especially with recent suggestions that AMD would also be increasing prices of memory kits for its own AIB partners.

We've also recently seen the return of the RTX 3060, due to Nvidia's attempt to help consumers with more options amid a rough PC hardware market. However, if these price hike reports are legitimate, the RTX 3060 will likely be subject to higher prices at retailers.

That's exactly why GPU setups like one Reddit user's RTX 3090 and RTX 3050 dual-GPU rig matter now more than ever. In this case, the RTX 3050 is responsible for allowing frame generation via Lossless Scaling to function.

My dual GPU Setup from r/losslessscaling

A game then utilizes the RTX 3090's power for high-quality visuals and performance, with the two GPUs teaming up. The user states it resulted in 144fps at a 4K resolution over the initial 71fps without frame generation.

Frankly, a dual-GPU setup isn't exactly common, nor is it actually recommended for gaming, since modern games are only designed for single-GPU rendering (even though the frame generation use case is noteworthy).

Users would also need a beefier power supply, depending on the GPUs used, and likely a new motherboard with another compatible PCIe lane.

However, what I feel is more important here is that's it's a great example of why hardware preservation is so important, serving as backup in case GPUs melt or end up faulty, or for experiments like the one I've outlined above. With no end of the RAM crisis in sight, repurposing older hardware might be one way through this.

• Microsoft has contacted LG regarding a McAfee pop-up served via the monitor maker's app (which in turn is installed by Windows Update)
• As an 'immediate next step' LG has disabled this pop-up
• However, there are still issues to address around the automatic installation of the LG monitor app, and the way Windows Update itself operates with third-party software

Microsoft has fixed a controversial situation whereby Windows 11 users with LG monitors were being hit by a pop-up for McAfee antivirus, and that advert has now been banished from the OS — but there's still more that Microsoft needs to do here.

Windows Latest noticed that Pavan Davuluri, who is head of Windows at Microsoft, flagged up what's happened on X.

In response to a nudge from Epic's Tim Sweeney on the matter, Davuluri said: "We've connected with the team at LG and as an immediate next step, they have agreed to disable the McAfee pop-up from their app. We appreciate LG working with us toward a shared goal of a better experience for our mutual customers. We will keep improving here with our ecosystem partners."

In case you missed this story from earlier in the week, Windows 11 users with an LG display are reportedly getting an LG monitor app (from the Microsoft Store) automatically installed on their PCs via Windows Update simply after hooking up the monitor.

The real kicker was that following this, the mentioned McAfee pop-up (pushing a trial for the antivirus) was repeatedly bothering those users, with the ad delivered via the LG monitor app. So, what Microsoft is telling us here is that as an immediate first step, that McAfee pop-up is no longer part of LG's Windows app, and won't be darkening the desktops of any LG monitor owners any longer.

The (pop-up-less) monitor app is presumably still being piped through by Windows Update, though, and hopefully the next step for Microsoft will be to address this.

Analysis: software giants in glass houses?

(Image credit: Future)

Windows Update really shouldn't be installing any third-party software without the user's permission, that much is clear (or first-party for that matter). It's fine to flag available updates, wherever they come from or whatever hardware they may be for, but highlighting them is one thing, and going ahead with an auto-installation is another.

Okay, so LG has agreed to disable this pop-up, and it's good that this has happened swiftly, as it was, of course, a huge annoyance. Indeed, it's very worrying that this could happen at all, really (and in case you missed it, LG's TVs have also come under fire this week).

LG had already addressed this controversy with a rather lengthy statement that read: "LG Electronics reiterates that McAfee is not installed automatically and is never installed without the user's explicit consent. The LG Monitor App Installer is distributed through Microsoft's official Windows distribution process, which included McAfee as an option.

"McAfee will be installed only if a user actively chooses to proceed with the installation and provides consent. Under no circumstances is McAfee installed automatically or without user authorization. The LG Monitor App Installer does not access, collect, or transmit any customer personal data."

What this appears to be saying is that McAfee's actual antivirus app isn't installed without consent. It's not denying that the McAfee pop-up appeared without consent, or that the LG Monitor app is installed in the background in Windows without the user's knowledge. It only notes that the LG Monitor app is "distributed through Microsoft's official Windows distribution process", as if that makes everything okay, or somehow not LG's fault.

It is, of course, Microsoft's fault as well – both parties need to take responsibility, and fix not just the McAfee pop-up appearing, but the LG Monitor app being automatically installed simply when a monitor is connected to a Windows 11 PC. (Which is reportedly the case, I should add – I haven't experienced this myself, as I don't have an LG display, but a whole heap of feedback is present suggesting it's exactly what happens).

In short, the immediate disabling of the McAfee trial pop-up is a start, but we need a swift follow-up addressing the LG app itself and how that's dealt with in Windows 11. And more broadly, how third-party apps in general interact with Windows Update, because as already noted, this situation should never have been allowed to happen in the first place (no matter what LG, or any other hardware partner, is doing with their apps).

Furthermore, there's no shortage of people on Reddit noting that Microsoft has been keen enough to act here, but not so keen on curbing its own advertising-related excesses in Windows 11.

As one Redditor says of Microsoft: "Now all they need to do is crack down on their own bloatware…"

Although to be fair to Microsoft, it is acting to rein in some of the upselling and promotional noise that Windows 11 has come to be associated with. More work needs to be done on this front, though, for sure.

As part of its Black Friday in July sale, Best Buy has reduced the price of two Acer laptops aimed at very different audiences. The Acer Aspire Go 15 has fallen from $1,189.99 to $749.99, while the newer Aspire Spin 14 2-in-1 is down from $799.99 to $699.99. Although, after the discounts, there's only a $50 difference in price between the two models, each laptop offers a distinct set of strengths.

The Aspire Go 15 focuses on performance, combining a 10-core Intel Core i7-13620H processor with 32GB of DDR5 memory and a 1TB SSD, making it the stronger choice for demanding workloads and multitasking.

The Aspire Spin 14, meanwhile, trades some raw power for greater versatility, pairing a newer Intel Core Ultra 7 155U processor with a brighter 14-inch 1920 x 1200 touchscreen, a 360-degree convertible design, a backlit keyboard, and a lighter chassis.

Should you buy it?

✅ Buy the Aspire Go 15 if...

You should if raw performance and multitasking matter most. The combination of an Intel Core i7-13620H processor, 32GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD makes it the stronger choice for demanding office work, large spreadsheets, creative software, and running many applications simultaneously. Its larger 15.6-inch touchscreen also gives you more room to work.

✅ Buy the Aspire Spin 14 if...

You should if you want a more modern, versatile laptop. Its Intel Core Ultra 7 processor brings improved AI capabilities, while the lighter chassis, brighter 300-nit WUXGA touchscreen, backlit keyboard, convertible design, and one-year warranty make it an excellent everyday companion.

Today's top Acer laptop deals

15.6-inch Full HD touchscreen laptop with Intel Core i7-13620H processor, 32GB DDR5 RAM, 1TB SSD, Intel UHD Graphics, HDMI 2.1, dual USB-C, Windows 11 Home, and Wi-Fi.View Deal

14-inch WUXGA touchscreen convertible with Intel Core Ultra 7 155U processor, 16GB LPDDR5X RAM, 1TB SSD, Intel Graphics, HDMI 2.1, backlit keyboard, Windows 11 Home, and Copilot.View Deal

Why we recommend them

The Aspire Go 15 delivers exceptional value if performance is your priority. For just $50 more that the Spin 14, you get double the memory and a faster H-series processor, making it the better buy for productivity and demanding workloads.

The Aspire Spin 14 is the more rounded package. It offers a newer platform, a higher-resolution 16:10 display, a convertible design, a backlit keyboard, and a longer warranty, making it ideal if you value portability and flexibility over outright performance.

Price Context & Historical Value

The Aspire Go 15 has received by far the largest price cut in Best Buy's Black Friday in July sale, dropping by $440 to $749.99. In contrast, the Aspire Spin 14 is only $100 off at $699.99, but it remains competitively priced for a 2025 Core Ultra convertible with a 1TB SSD.

The Catch: What to know before you buy

Choosing between these laptops comes down to how you work. The Aspire Go 15 is the clear winner for performance and multitasking thanks to its Core i7 processor and 32GB of RAM.

That said, the Aspire Spin 14 is the better choice if you want a lighter, more versatile 2-in-1 with a better display, newer processor, and premium everyday features.

• Shop all Best Buy products in the Black Friday in July sale

Higher NAND flash prices have made SSD upgrades more expensive over the past year. The Crucial P310 internal SSD offers an affordable way to add fast PCIe 4.0 storage to a desktop PC or laptop (or even a PlayStation 5).

Usually priced at $299.49, Newegg has reduced the 2TB model to a more affordable $279.99. While the $20 discount is only modest, you're still getting an M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe 2.0 SSD capable of sequential read speeds up to 7,100MB/s and write speeds up to 6,000MB/s.

Should you buy it?

✅ Buy the Crucial P310 SSD if...

You should if you're looking for a reliable Gen4 SSD that delivers strong everyday performance without paying silly prices. Boot times, application launches, file transfers, and game loading all benefit from the P310's fast read and write speeds, while the 2TB capacity provides plenty of room for games, photos, videos, and creative projects.

❌ Skip the Crucial P310 SSD if...

You shouldn't if you're chasing the fastest PCIe 4.0 drive available or specifically need onboard DRAM for sustained heavy workloads. This drive relies on Host Memory Buffer instead of dedicated DRAM, and the heatsink-free design means you'll want to ensure your system provides adequate cooling if required.

Today's top Crucial P310 SSD deal

This is a 2TB M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe 2.0 SSD with 3D NAND, Host Memory Buffer, up to 7,100MB/s read, 6,000MB/s write speeds, and a heatsink-free design for desktops and laptops.View Deal

Why we recommend it

The P310 strikes a nice balance between price, performance, and efficiency. Crucial rates it for up to 7,100MB/s sequential reads and 6,000MB/s writes, while its improved performance-per-watt can also help extend battery life in compatible laptops.

It also offers faster boot times and improved responsiveness across everyday applications, making it a worthwhile upgrade from an older SSD or hard drive.

Price Context & Historical Value

The 2TB Crucial P310 usually sells for $299.49 at Newegg, so the current $20 discount isn't the biggest we've seen. For context, it was available for $250 at Amazon not so long ago.

Even so, Newegg has lowered the cost of a fast 2TB Gen4 SSD from a well-established manufacturer, making this a solid buy if you need extra storage today rather than waiting and hoping for a bigger price cut to come along.

It's worth noting that this model comes without a heatsink. Should you need one, Newegg is selling that version for $322.50 at the moment.

For more savings on storage, we're always tracking the best SSD deals.

The Catch: What to know before you buy

As mentioned previously, this model doesn't include a heatsink. It also uses Host Memory Buffer instead of dedicated DRAM cache, making it better suited to mainstream computing, gaming, and everyday productivity than prolonged professional workloads.

• Shop all internal SSDs at Newegg

If you need a compact desktop without sacrificing everyday performance, the right mini PCs offer brilliant value. Best Buy has cut the price of the Geekom A5 as part of its 'Black Friday in July' sale.

Normally priced at $539, the A5 is currently available for just $369, saving you a whopping $170. Powered by AMD's six-core Ryzen 5 7430U processor, it comes with 16GB of DDR4 memory and a 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD, all packed inside a compact chassis measuring just 4.6 x 4.4 x 1.5 inches.

The mini PC comes with Windows 11 Pro pre-installed and includes Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth, dual HDMI outputs, USB-C connectivity, a 2.5Gb Ethernet port, and support for up to four displays.

Should you buy it?

✅ Buy the Geekom A5 mini PC if...

The Geekom A5 offers a lot of capability for not a lot of money. The Ryzen 5 7430U is a capable processor for office work, web browsing, streaming, light photo editing, and multitasking, while 16GB of RAM provides enough headroom for everyday productivity. Unlike many compact systems, the memory is upgradeable to 64GB, helping extend the PC's lifespan.

❌ Skip the Geekom A5 mini PC if...

The integrated Radeon Vega 7 graphics are perfectly adequate for media playback and lighter creative workloads, but they aren't designed for demanding games or GPU-intensive applications. Storage is also limited to 512GB out of the box, although many buyers will find that enough for everyday use. There is no way to add USB4 or Thunderbolt to this system either.

Today's top Geekom A5 mini PC deal

AMD Ryzen 5 7430U mini PC with 16GB DDR4 RAM, 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD, Radeon Vega 7 graphics, Windows 11 Pro, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth, 2.5Gb Ethernet, and dual HDMI.View Deal

Why we recommend it

The combination of a Ryzen 5 processor, Windows 11 Pro, upgradeable memory, Wi-Fi 6, and 2.5Gb Ethernet is difficult to find at this price. Its compact footprint also makes it easy to place almost anywhere, whether it's behind a monitor, on a desk, or in a living room entertainment setup.

In his review, our expert Mark said: "If you are looking to set up a small office for a limited-time project and need basic computers that can run office applications and web tools, then there is relatively little wrong with the A5 in terms of functionality or price."

Price Context & Historical Value

At $369, the Geekom A5 is $170 below its regular $539 price. That's a substantial discount of around 32%, making it one of the more attractive mini PC deals at Best Buy right now.

The Catch: What to know before you buy

The Ryzen 5 7430U is based on AMD's previous Zen 3 architecture rather than its latest Ryzen AI platform, so you won't find dedicated AI acceleration or the newest integrated graphics. However, if your priorities are everyday productivity, quiet operation, and a small footprint, though, those omissions are unlikely to matter.

• Shop all products in Best Buy's 'Black Friday in July' sale

• A bipartisan bill introduced to Congress calls for AI models to have a kill switch
• The bill follows months of warnings about the dangers of rapidly advancing AI technology from major AI firms
• An 'unprecedented cyber incident' between OpenAI and Hugging Face prompted the introduction of the bill

A bill requiring powerful frontier artificial intelligence systems have an in-built ‘kill switch’ has been presented to Congress in the wake of the OpenAI cyberattack against Hugging Face.

The incident saw an OpenAI model undergoing testing escaped its sandbox, chained a number of zero day vulnerabilities and breached one of the biggest AI and machine learning companies, highlighting warnings by Anthropic and OpenAI about the dangers of rapidly advancing AI technology.

The bipartisan bill was introduced to congress on Thursday by Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Calif., and Rep. Nathaniel Moran, R-Texas.

AI models need a kill switch

“Unfortunately, powerful AI systems can go rogue, behave in extremely dangerous ways, or even resist human intervention,” Lieu said in a statement. “It is imperative that these AI systems have kill switches so we can keep this technology from causing catastrophic harm, and that the federal government has the clear authority and process to shut down rogue AI models.”

OpenAI said that the attack was an “unprecedented cyber incident”, and is working with Hugging Face to understand exactly how that incident took place.

In June 2026, Anthropic called for “a meaningful slowdown or pause” on AI technology development, stating that AI “self-improvement” was rapidly increasing and that a pause would provide time “to deal with its immense implications”.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman warned in March that while AI can help with medical and scientific breakthroughs, “AI will also present new threats to society that we have to address,” adding that “no company can handle this alone.”

The kill switch bill would provide the Secretary of Homeland Security with the authorization to issue a “slow down or shut down” of particular AI models that threaten to cause “catastrophic harm”. The bill would also force AI companies to implement cyber incident reporting and maintain forensic records to help the government and researchers understand similar incidents.

“Stewardship means making sure humans keep the capability to control the technology we build,” Moran said in a statement. “This is exactly the kind of issue that needs serious attention and achievable policy, and I’m glad to work across the aisle with Congressman Lieu toward a solution.”

Via CNBC

House of the Dragon season 3 continues to engross us as it enters its home stretch. And, with its sixth episode less than 72 hours away, we'll soon find out how Houses Targaryen and Hightower will continue to try to one-up each other as the battle for the Iron Throne intensifies.

Does that mean we'll soon bear witness the highly anticipated Battle of Tumbleton between Ormund Hightower and Daemon Targaryen's armies? Or are more political machinations and infighting going to be the order of the day? You'll have to wait and see. In the meantime, scroll on to learn when and where House of the Dragon's next episode will air.

What time can I watch House of the Dragon season 3 episode 6?

The metaphorical walls continue to close in around Rhaenyra Targaryen (Image credit: HBO)

House of the Dragon season 3's next chapter will be released on Sunday, July 26 at 6pm PT / 9pm ET.

That's when the Game of Thrones spin-off's forthcoming episode will be available in the US and Canada, anyway. If you live elsewhere, you'll have to wait until Monday, July 27 to stream it. Here are the all-important times you need to know about:

• US — Sunday, July 26 at 6pm PT / 9pm ET
• Canada — Sunday, July 26 at 6pm PT / 9pm ET
• UK — Monday, July 27 at 2am BST
• India — Monday, July 27 at 6:30am IST
• Singapore — Monday, July 27 at 9am SGT
• Australia — Monday, July 27 at 11am AEST
• New Zealand — Monday, July 27 at 1pm NZST

Where can I watch House of the Dragon season 3 episode 6?

Will Crison Cole's suicide mission continue apace in this week's installment? (Image credit: HBO)

HBO Max, aka one of the best streaming services, is the place that most people will need to go to watch House of the Dragon's next episode.

Unfortunately, that platform isn't available worldwide, so some of you will have to look elsewhere to stream it. Luckily for you, I've put in the hard yards and found out where House of the Dragon can be watched in your nation, so check out the list below to see which streamer or TV network you'll need to tune into:

• US — HBO and HBO Max
• Canada — Crave
• UK — HBO Max, Sky Atlantic, and Now TV
• India — JioHotstar
• Singapore — HBO Max
• Australia — HBO Max
• New Zealand — HBO Max

How many more episodes are there in House of the Dragon 3?

Is a romance brewing between Alys and Aemond at Harranhal? (Image credit: HBO)

After its sixth entry is released, there'll only be two more to enjoy before the high-fantasy show's latest season comes to an end.

Want to know what dates episodes 7 and 8 will launch on? Of course you do, so read on for more details:

• House of the Dragon season 3 episode 1 — out now
• House of the Dragon season 3 episode 2 — out now
• House of the Dragon season 3 episode 3 — out now
• House of the Dragon season 3 episode 4— out now
• House of the Dragon season 3 episode 5 — out now
• House of the Dragon season 3 episode 6 — July 26/27
• House of the Dragon season 3 episode 7 — August 2/3
• House of the Dragon season 3 episode 8 — August 9/10

Realbotix is supplying a humanoid robot and at-home AI homework support. The teachers union says students are not lab rats.

The almost always-on camera-equipped pendant represents the extreme assistive aspirations of AI. Nobody wants me to wear it, including me.

• Sega president Shuji Utsumi has addressed Sony's decision to end the production of game discs
• Utsumi says, "We still value the culture of physical media," but "a digital shift is crucial"
• He adds, "It is important to strengthen our digitalisation" in the current market

Sega president Shuji Utsumi has addressed the controversy surrounding Sony's decision to end the production of game discs in 2028, acknowledging the importance of physical media but that the digital shift is "crucial."

In a recent interview with Japanese publication Famitsu (via Eurogamer), Utsumi explained that the digital market needs to be cultivated and Sega believes in bolstering digitalisation.

"When it comes to titles we call 'full games' for consoles and PCs, we believe that a digital shift is crucial," Utsumi said. "Of course, consoles are important, but the proportion of people who play on PCs is steadily increasing. Even in areas where consoles are not widely available, there are many people who say, 'I can play it on PC.'"

He added, "In order to cultivate that market, we believe it is important to strengthen our digitalisation. We tend to think from a physical perspective, so I think we need to be more digitally conscious and become more global."

Utsumi then touched on Sega's hardware history, saying that while it isn't in the console market anymore and now primarily publishes games, the company hasn't forgotten its roots and the importance of physical media.

"We were originally a platform provider, and of course, we still value the culture of physical media," the president said. "Rather than completely abandoning that, we are currently challenging ourselves to shift so that we can think about and act on the important aspects of digital media in parallel."

Sony announced its plan to retire new physical discs earlier this month, explaining that the transition to all-digital games "will enable us to align more closely with how most of our community prefers to access and play games today."

PlayStation fans continue to push back against the decision, but analysts believe the company won't change its mind.

It's also said that the $7.2 billion second-hand video game market could be in danger as a result of Sony's decision, with Wedbush Securities managing director of strategic planning, Michael Pachter, reporting that "Brick and mortar game retail is doomed."

Elsewhere, Former Nippon Ichi Software CEO has objected to the plan, saying that while he understands it "From a purely business perspective," Sony doesn't "understand the feelings of those fans."

"If they’re going to go as far as eliminating physical packages, they may as well eliminate the hardware too," he said. "A television would be enough. Why would you need the console? If you’re going to get rid of physical games, you may as well go all the way."

• Nintendo legend Shigeru Miyamoto has defended the company's recent remakes, like The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
• He says remakes allow younger gamers to experience older titles that aren't accessible anymore
• Miyamoto says remakes lead to "future developments"

Nintendo executive and representative director Shigeru Miyamoto has defended the company's recent remake releases, suggesting they'll lead to sequels.

After launching Star Fox, a remake of Star Fox 64, on Switch 2 last month, Nintendo is scheduled to launch another remake for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time sometime this year.

While many fans are excited for a modern version of the beloved Zelda game, Nintendo has been criticised for frequently re-releasing old, classic titles for its current hardware; Ocarina of Time was first released on N64 in 1998, then received a Nintendo 3DS remaster in 2011, which makes the upcoming Switch 2 title its third iteration.

Now, speaking in an interview with Famitsu(via Nintendo Everything), the Mario creator has addressed concerns that Nintendo is releasing too many remakes, explaining that the projects allow younger gamers to experience older titles that aren't accessible anymore and that the games will eventually lead to "future developments."

"Some people might say there are a lot of remakes, but after five years, a lot of people have outgrown games and stop playing them," Miyamoto said. "Young people today don’t have the opportunity to play games from 10 years ago, so remaking them to be more playable and releasing them again is a good way to meet the demand."

He added, "Letting people know the original games also leads to future developments, so we’ve been actively pursuing that recently."

It's this last comment that suggests Nintendo is actively working on projects that will follow these remakes, but whether they'll be direct sequels or projects within the same franchise, we'll have to wait and see.

In 2021, Nintendo released remakes of two games in the Famicom Detective Club series, The Missing Heir and The Girl Who Stands Behind, which were then followed by a brand new Switch sequel, Emio - The Smiling Man.

It also released a remake of Metroid on 3DS, which led to Metroid Dread on Switch, as well as a The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening remake, followed by the spiritual successor in 2024, The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom.