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Zoom patched a critical Windows flaw that could enable remote account takeover, along with three high-severity privilege-escalation vulnerabilities.

The post Critical Zoom Flaw Could Let Attackers Take Over Windows Accounts appeared first on TechRepublic.

Windows 11 24H2 Home and Pro support ends Oct. 13, 2026. See who is affected, available upgrade paths, and what IT teams should do now.

The post Windows 11 24H2 Support Ends Soon: What Users Need to Do Before October appeared first on TechRepublic.

The bike isn't motorized and is completely toddler-powered.

Federal health officials have identified a single supplier of the produce from Mexico that was served in Taco Bell restaurants in five states.

(Image credit: Mario Tama)

Moonshot AI’s 2.8-trillion-parameter Kimi K3 raises China’s open-model ambitions while posing major infrastructure and cost questio

The post Moonshot AI Launches World’s Largest Open-Source Model appeared first on TechRepublic.

• Users says they've observed LG gaming monitors automatically installing unwanted software on PCs
• LG's terms of service warn that conversations may be "captured and processed" on TV with the latest version of webOS
• The terms say you must now warn guests they may be recorded "in compliance with applicable wiretapping… laws"

How smart should a smart TV be? According to LG's latest TV terms and conditions, the answer is "not quite smart enough to comply with wiretapping laws", because that's now your responsibility if LG captures the voice of a guest in your house through its AI voice services. Though the situation with LG monitors appears to be even more dramatic.

As Gamers Nexus reports, some LG monitors appear to be installing adware on Windows PCs without asking for permission: in addition to the LG Monitor App Installer, they also install McAfee Scam Detector.

LG's own app requires full access to all system resources, which potentially includes all your online activity, logins, hardware, location and more — while McAfee has a long history of being installed on devices as 'bloatware', and people are not reacting positively to suddenly finding it on their PC.

Comment from r/LGOLED

There may be a perfectly innocent explanation for all of this, but when big tech firms keep getting caught doing bad things because they thought they could get away with it, it's no wonder people are assuming the worst.

Comment from r/hardware

The bit that's causing consternation regarding smart TVs is part 6(d) of the new LG Electronics terms of service, headed Voice Recognition and Privacy Compliance.

As Notebookcheck's Hannes Brecher notes, the section states that it's your responsibility "to obtain all necessary consents from any third parties whose voices may be captured by the Product and to notify household members and guests that their voices may be captured and processed, in compliance with applicable wiretapping, eavesdropping, and privacy laws."

There are three ways around that. One, you can turn off all microphone-based features. Some people won't mind that, but they can be useful — especially asking it for settings you don't know how to find.

Two, you can avoid installing the latest software — but that means you won't get any security updates, which are important (to protect your privacy, ironically, among other things).

Or you can disable your TV's connection to the internet so it can't send information back, but that obviously makes it less useful, and will also disable the voice controls anyway.

I think the terms and conditions are an attempt at corporate ass-covering rather than something sinister: the preceding paragraph talks specifically about when "a product with voice recognition functionality is used" and it's possible that "family members, guests, children, and bystanders" might be overheard; if you're choosing to activate AI-based voice features then of course voices are going to be captured and processed in order for those features to work.

At the same time, it does seem broad enough to let LG use people's voices as AI inputs, rather than just accidental capture. And in the context of what LG's doing with PC monitors (not to mention AI training's very, ahem, casual relationship with consent and copyright), that's a worry — and people online increasingly have no tolerance for anything like this, as the responses on Reddit and Gamers Nexus' original YouTube video have shown.

We've approached LG for comment on these claims, and will update the story when we hear back.

Comment from r/hardware

• Users says they've observed LG gaming monitors automatically installing unwanted software on PCs
• LG's terms of service warn that conversations may be "captured and processed" on TV with the latest version of webOS
• The terms say you must now warn guests they may be recorded "in compliance with applicable wiretapping… laws"

How smart should a smart TV be? According to LG's latest TV terms and conditions, the answer is "not quite smart enough to comply with wiretapping laws", because that's now your responsibility if LG captures the voice of a guest in your house through its AI voice services. Though the situation with LG monitors appears to be even more dramatic.

As Gamers Nexus reports, some LG monitors appear to be installing adware on Windows PCs without asking for permission: in addition to the LG Monitor App Installer, they also install McAfee Scam Detector.

LG's own app requires full access to all system resources, which potentially includes all your online activity, logins, hardware, location and more — while McAfee has a long history of being installed on devices as 'bloatware', and people are not reacting positively to suddenly finding it on their PC.

Comment from r/LGOLED

There may be a perfectly innocent explanation for all of this, but when big tech firms keep getting caught doing bad things because they thought they could get away with it, it's no wonder people are assuming the worst.

Comment from r/hardware

The bit that's causing consternation regarding smart TVs is part 6(d) of the new LG Electronics terms of service, headed Voice Recognition and Privacy Compliance.

As Notebookcheck's Hannes Brecher notes, the section states that it's your responsibility "to obtain all necessary consents from any third parties whose voices may be captured by the Product and to notify household members and guests that their voices may be captured and processed, in compliance with applicable wiretapping, eavesdropping, and privacy laws."

There are three ways around that. One, you can turn off all microphone-based features. Some people won't mind that, but they can be useful — especially asking it for settings you don't know how to find.

Two, you can avoid installing the latest software — but that means you won't get any security updates, which are important (to protect your privacy, ironically, among other things).

Or you can disable your TV's connection to the internet so it can't send information back, but that obviously makes it less useful, and will also disable the voice controls anyway.

I think the terms and conditions are an attempt at corporate ass-covering rather than something sinister: the preceding paragraph talks specifically about when "a product with voice recognition functionality is used" and it's possible that "family members, guests, children, and bystanders" might be overheard; if you're choosing to activate AI-based voice features then of course voices are going to be captured and processed in order for those features to work.

At the same time, it does seem broad enough to let LG use people's voices as AI inputs, rather than just accidental capture. And in the context of what LG's doing with PC monitors (not to mention AI training's very, ahem, casual relationship with consent and copyright), that's a worry — and people online increasingly have no tolerance for anything like this, as the responses on Reddit and Gamers Nexus' original YouTube video have shown.

We've approached LG for comment on these claims, and will update the story when we hear back.

Comment from r/hardware

Recognizing Iran's control over the Strait of Hormuz could set a dangerous precedent, with other countries attempting to claim important waterways, analysts say.

(Image credit: AFP via Getty Images)

Catch Madonna, BTS, Shakira, Justin Bieber and more during the championship game on Sunday.

• Reto Project has released a new Kodak-branded film camera, the Kodak EC35
• It’s a total point-and-shoot, with focus and all settings fixed
• However, it features a stylish sliding lens cover, in the style of the Olympus Mju from the early 1990s

A new Kodak film point-and-shoot camera has just been announced. And the reason for the tortured use of the passive voice in the previous sentence is that it isn’t actually made by Kodak.

The Kodak EC35 is a 35mm film camera made by Reto Project, a company that licenses the Kodak name to produce a range of both analog and digital cameras. While my personal favorite is the Kodak Snapic A1, a sleek little 35mm film, its most popular release by a considerable margin has been the little digital keychain camera, the Kodak Charmera.

Reto generally produces simple point-and-shoots, and the Kodak EC35 is exactly that. It takes 35mm film, and all its settings are fixed, with a 1/100sec shutter speed and f/10 aperture. The lens is fixed-focus — there isn’t even the option to switch from near to far focus like there was on the Snapic A1 — and is a 25mm optic. The camera also has a built-in flash.

What really caught my attention about this camera, however, is its design. Specifically, the fact that it has a gorgeously curved sliding lens cover that protects the optic when it’s not in use. It’s a chip off the Olympus film camera block — the iconic Olympus Mju immediately comes to mind.

(Image credit: Kodak / RETO)All style, some substance

While I tend to associate sliding lens covers with the Olympus XA2 that’s sitting on my desk as I write this, with the curved design of its plastic body, the Kodak EC35 is pretty clearly meant to evoke the look and feel of the Mju.

And I also like the idea of having a lens cover in a practical sense — not just aesthetic! A lot of these cheap film compacts, like the Snapic A1, the Ektar H35N, etc, don’t have a lens cap or lens protection of any kind, meaning it’s easy for the lens to get dirty, dusty or bashed around. The cover also doubles as a shutter lock, meaning that the camera won't end up accidentally firing off shots while it's in your bag.

The EC35 is being released in an attractive range of colorways: Midnight Black, Vanilla White, Butter Yellow, Lavender, Powder Blue, Blush Pink and Avocado Green. I’m normally ‘give me black or give me death’ when it comes to cameras, but I’ll admit, that yellow version is pretty striking.

The EC35 is powered by a single AA battery (which is only needed for the flash), and weighs a pleasingly slender 102g. It’s available on its own for $34.99 / £35.99 (about AU$50) or in a bundle with a 24-shot roll of bright and colorful Kodak Ultramax 400 for $44.99 / £45.99 (about AU$65).

(Image credit: Kodak / RETO)

• Moonshot has launched a new AI model, Kimi K3
• It's surprisingly powerful, with the Chinese AI firm claiming it outguns most US rivals, save for a couple of exceptions
• Kimi K3 is open weight by nature, which poses a further threat to the likes of OpenAI and Anthropic

Moonshot, one of the emerging Chinese AI giants, has just revealed a new AI model which is seemingly up there with the likes of ChatGPT and Claude.

Bloomberg reports that Moonshot's new Kimi K3 model can equal the best that the US has to offer, at least based on the company's own benchmarking. Seemingly it outguns all rival AIs save for Claude Fable 5 (from Anthropic) and GPT-5.6 (from OpenAI).

Kimi K3 is a model with 2.8 trillion parameters, Bloomberg tells us, and Artificial Analysis ranked it ahead of Anthropic's Opus 4.8 on some benchmarks.

Moonshot also claims it beats Chinese rival Z.AI for coding tasks, and overall, the performance of the new model has caught the market by surprise.

Moonshot notes in a blog post that Kimi K3 is the "world's first open 3T-class model, designed for frontier intelligence across long-horizon coding, knowledge work, and reasoning."

Kimi K3 is available to use now. Bloomberg quotes Leonid Mironov, a portfolio manager at Gavekal Capital, as saying: "In my use, it's clearly the best Chinese model ever," noting that it's "brilliant" no less.

Analysis: a weighty threat

(Image credit: Getty Images)

This is a threat to the big US players in the AI market for several reasons.

The key difference with Kimi K3 is that it's what's known as an "open weight" model, meaning anyone can grab the model to run it for themselves – from July 27, when the weights are released – without paying anything. It's not the same as open source, though, as while you can get the model, what you don't get to do is peek behind the scenes at how the model was trained (and on what data).

The other caveat is that running Kimi K3 takes some extremely powerful hardware; but nonetheless, for firms with the substantial wherewithal to do that, the pre-trained model is there for the taking at no cost. So, you can imagine how this open weight approach is threatening to the AI behemoths in the US (and this is presumably the point of going this way for the Chinese rival).

What will also be a concern to the likes of OpenAI and Anthropic is that Moonshot is attacking one of the most lucrative aspects of AI, with Kimi K3 being pushed for its coding skills. However, Moonshot is charging a lot more than Chinese rivals for those who want to use it, and in fact, it's priced around Claude Sonnet levels, so on a par with the current cutting-edge (frontier) AI models.

That in itself is a signal of the quality on offer here, and why Kimi K3 has raised quite a few eyebrows. As the competition around AI heats up, there are also concerns about whether that means safeguards will be increasingly overlooked in favor of faster development and progress (which has been a consistent source of worry for many as it is).

Adding to all the controversy are accusations of AI theft leveled by the US State Department at Chinese firms earlier this year, Moonshot included.

• A new Marvel's Wolverine trailer has been swarmed by angry PlayStation fans
• Users are sharing their disdain for Sony's decision to end physical disc production
• Many are sharing how glad they are that Wolverine will be available on disc

PlayStation fans angry with Sony's decision to end physical disc production have descended on the latest Marvel's Wolverine to make their thoughts known.

Insomniac Games just released a new cinematic trailer for the upcoming Marvel superhero game titled 'Ain't No Hero' ahead of the game's launch on September 15.

It looks awesome, but if you think fans are having a healthy discussion about how cool the game looks in the comment section, you'd be dead wrong.

As of writing, the video has over 8,000 comments, and the vast majority are from fans who aren't backing down from their efforts to make PlayStation reverse its decision to retire physical discs in 2028.

"You know who isn’t the hero? The killer of physical," reads the top comment, which has over 12,000 likes.

"Wolverine was really getting PHYSICAL in this trailer, he has such a DISCtinct presence," one user said, with another writing, "Wolverine's treasured photograph demonstrates the importance of physical media."

Thankfully, Marvel's Wolverine will be getting a physical copy at launch, so fans won't have to worry about that. The only games that will be affected are titles launching from January 2028 onwards, and fans are letting PlayStation know how they feel about it.

"Can't wait for my DISC copy to come in," one comment reads, followed by numerous more of the same variety, like, "Can't wait for my PHYSICAL COPY," and "Looking forward to getting a PHYSICAL edition."

Since sharing the announcement earlier this month, Sony has been notably quiet in the face of the backlash. To urge the company to reverse its decision, fans have also created a petition, which now has over 326,000 signatures.

According to analysts, despite pushback from fans, the PlayStation maker won't reverse its decision because "digital is just too lucrative."

• Group‑IB uncovers ClickLock, a new macOS‑focused infostealer using aggressive social engineering by spamming password prompts and terminating key apps every 210ms until victims comply
• Once credentials are obtained, it exfiltrates browser data, crypto wallets, password manager entries, FTP configs, and device info via Telegram Bot API
• Active since May 2026, spotted in 33 countries (mostly Europe), distributed via ClickFix campaigns, and initially undetected by security vendors until recently

Security researchers from Group-IB have uncovered a new infostealer targeting primarily macOS users in Europe.

Dubbed ClickLock, it is more of an annoying social engineering mechanism rather than a full-blown malware variant, constantly popping up a login prompt on the victim’s device, until they finally comply and share the credentials.

Every 210 milliseconds it terminates key apps on the device (Finder, Dock, TErminal, etc.), essentially making it useless. At the same time, it keeps prompting a password dialog on the screen, making sure the victim can do nothing but provide the credentials.

Targeting Europeans

The loop is set to continue for more than three straight days, or until the victim folds.

After getting the keys to the kingdom, the malware gets to work and starts exfiltrating valuable information.

This includes data from key browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Brave, and others), saved logins, cookies, autofill data, and other browser information, data linked to cryptocurrency wallets and extensions, encrypted wallet vault material that can be cracked off-site, data from password managers, cached cryptocurrency addresses across EVM, Bitcoin, Solana, TRON, TON, and Stacks, shell histories, FileZilla FTP configuration and recent-server data, and basic device information.Everything is then packaged into a .ZIP archive and exfiltrated via a Telegram Bot API.

Group-IB says the campaign has been active since at least May 2026, so it’s been active for a few months now. A researcher submitted a variant to VirusTotal in early June, but it remained undetected by all security vendors until recently, Group-IB says.

So far, it has been spotted in 33 countries, more than half of which are in Europe, it was also added. The malware is most likely being distributed via a ClickFix social engineering campaign, and has not been tied to any particular threat actor.

• Group‑IB uncovers ClickLock, a new macOS‑focused infostealer using aggressive social engineering by spamming password prompts and terminating key apps every 210ms until victims comply
• Once credentials are obtained, it exfiltrates browser data, crypto wallets, password manager entries, FTP configs, and device info via Telegram Bot API
• Active since May 2026, spotted in 33 countries (mostly Europe), distributed via ClickFix campaigns, and initially undetected by security vendors until recently

Security researchers from Group-IB have uncovered a new infostealer targeting primarily macOS users in Europe.

Dubbed ClickLock, it is more of an annoying social engineering mechanism rather than a full-blown malware variant, constantly popping up a login prompt on the victim’s device, until they finally comply and share the credentials.

Every 210 milliseconds it terminates key apps on the device (Finder, Dock, TErminal, etc.), essentially making it useless. At the same time, it keeps prompting a password dialog on the screen, making sure the victim can do nothing but provide the credentials.

Targeting Europeans

The loop is set to continue for more than three straight days, or until the victim folds.

After getting the keys to the kingdom, the malware gets to work and starts exfiltrating valuable information.

This includes data from key browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Brave, and others), saved logins, cookies, autofill data, and other browser information, data linked to cryptocurrency wallets and extensions, encrypted wallet vault material that can be cracked off-site, data from password managers, cached cryptocurrency addresses across EVM, Bitcoin, Solana, TRON, TON, and Stacks, shell histories, FileZilla FTP configuration and recent-server data, and basic device information.Everything is then packaged into a .ZIP archive and exfiltrated via a Telegram Bot API.

Group-IB says the campaign has been active since at least May 2026, so it’s been active for a few months now. A researcher submitted a variant to VirusTotal in early June, but it remained undetected by all security vendors until recently, Group-IB says.

So far, it has been spotted in 33 countries, more than half of which are in Europe, it was also added. The malware is most likely being distributed via a ClickFix social engineering campaign, and has not been tied to any particular threat actor.

Ah, so that’s why we didn’t hear about ChatGPT at WWDC this year.

You can tone down Liquid Glass, shorten Siri AI’s memory and stop subtitles from automatically appearing in videos.

The WatchOS 27 public beta is here, and Apple’s revamped assistant finally does what Siri should have been doing all along.

RugOne Xlink 7: 30-second review

The RugOne Xlink 7 wants to solve an old problem in a new way. Traditional walkie-talkies are brilliant until you walk out of range. Hills block them. Buildings block them. Distance blocks them. The Xlink 7 sidesteps all of that by using 4G instead of short-range radio, so two or three people can stay in touch across a city, a country, or, in theory, the whole planet, as long as there's signal.

That idea alone makes it worth a look. Add a genuinely tough build, IP68 and IP69K rated, plus MIL STD 810H certification, and you have a device that will survive rain, dust, a drop, or a dunking, all while weighing just 84g. It comes loaded with sensible extras too. A wireless PTT (push-to-talk) remote means you never have to fumble for the unit itself while riding or climbing. An emergency SOS mode, backed by GPS, GLONASS and Beidou positioning, can sound an alarm and share your live location with five quick presses. There's even a basic AI assistant for weather checks and settings, and a noise cancellation system tuned for wind and speed.

None of that comes without trade-offs, though. The biggest one is that this is a cellular device, not a true radio, so it lives and dies by 4G coverage. Head somewhere genuinely remote, deep countryside, mountains, open water, and it becomes a very expensive paperweight. A proper VHF or UHF handset, or a satellite communicator, will keep working exactly where the Xlink 7 cannot. There's no screen either, so every bit of feedback comes through LED colours and beeps, which takes some getting used to. Group calls are capped at three people and thirty minutes, which will frustrate anyone hoping to coordinate a larger crew.

So who is this for? Cyclists, hikers, skiers and runners who mostly stay within reach of a network but want a proper safety net and a simple way to stay in touch with a partner or small group. It might also work for parents keeping tabs on older kids, but surely they’d have phones. It could be an easy panic button for lone workers, as long as they’re not underground.

It's less convincing for anyone heading truly off-grid, where a satellite device or traditional radio still makes more sense, as some of the best rugged phones I've tested already have. Think of the Xlink 7 as a rugged companion for populated wilderness rather than true remoteness, and it starts to make more sense.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)RugOne Xlink 7: price and availability

• How much does it cost? $159
• When is it out? Available now
• Where can you get it? Direct from RugOne or via an online retailer

The RugOne Xlink 7 is available direct from RugOne's global store, on Amazon.com for $159.99, and on Amazon.co.uk for $139.99.

Unless I’m mistaken, the RugOne Xlink 7 launched its Kickstarter campaign in June 2026, with a Super Early Bird duo pack priced from $159.99 against a stated standard retail of $299.98 for the same pack, a 47 per cent discount.

Coverage on a popular news site said it has cleared the Engineering Verification and Design Verification stages and was, at the time of writing, running final Production Validation Test builds ahead of mass shipping from August 2026. But that plan evidently wasn’t correct or got changed, because it's already available to buy now.

To be crystal clear, I’m not a fan of companies that don’t need the money running Kickstarter campaigns as marketing exercises, and the way that this one was able to move from announcement to product and retail in a matter of weeks gives the true picture away. That reality being the Xlink 7 was probably finished and in production even before the Kickstarter ever began.

In the bundle that most purchasers will choose, they get a SIM card that works in 41 countries, and that will work for a year. No price has yet been revealed for extending the SIM contract at this time, but you can just buy a data-only SIM for your country and use that instead.

In most countries, this would be a no-brainer based on cost, but if you live in a region where mobile providers must approve each device that connects, it might be an issue.

Depending on how you intend to use this hardware, the price might be seen as competitive or excessive.

Compared to a proper satellite-based communicator, like the Garmin inReach Mini 2 ($509.99), it might seem a bargain. But the Garmin will work in practically any geographic location, and doesn’t need cell service.

Not needing a cell service or a SIM card, Motorola makes an extensive range of walkie-talkies, like the Motorola Solutions Talkabout T475 Extreme. A two-pack of those is only $94.99, and they use FRS radio frequencies, can receive NOAA weather alerts and will work for up to 12 hours on a charge.

There are dozens of brands selling walkie-talkie designs, some using Mesh technology that generally undercut the RugOne Xlink 7, typically offering two handsets for less than the price of one Xlink 7.

But there is an even cheaper choice, and that’s to use Zello on your existing smartphone, which costs precisely nothing. As they say, competing with zero isn’t easy.

Overall, there are some cute features on the RugOne Xlink 7 that might attract some customers, but since they don’t have a fallback technology when there is no 4G service, they seem overpriced.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

• Value score: 3/5

RugOne Xlink 7: Specs

Product

RugOne Xlink 7

Dimensions

63.6 x 51.7 x 22.95mm

Weight

84g

Build

Plastic body with metal buttons and rubber seals

Durability

IP68 (1.5m for up to 30 minutes) and IP69K under IEC 60529, MIL STD 810H, operating range -30C to 55C

Display

None. Status is shown via seven front LEDs plus audio tones

Chipset

ASR1609S, Cortex R5 at 614MHz

Memory

8MB PSRAM, 8MB ROM

Network

4G LTE, nanoSIM. FDD LTE bands 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/20/25/26/28A/28B/66, TDD LTE bands 34/38/39/40/41

Connectivity

Bluetooth 5.2

Positioning

GPS, GLONASS and Beidou

Battery

1,050mAh typical / 1,020mAh rated Li Po, USB Type C charging at 5V 0.5A

Battery life (claimed)

Up to 87 hours standby, 24 hours typical use, 10 hours continuous talk

Calling

Full duplex hands-free voice for up to 3 simultaneous users, 10-minute default call length, 30-minute maximum

AI features

On-device AI voice assistant for Q&A and settings, plus chip and AI-based noise cancellation rated to a peak of 55dB reduction

Safety

Emergency SOS via five rapid presses on the action button, triggers a siren, calls emergency contacts, and shares live GPS location

Extras

Built-in TorchX flashlight, wireless Bluetooth push-to-talk remote ring, dedicated group set-up button

App

RugOne Xlink app for iOS and Android, required to activate the device

In the box

Xlink 7 unit, USB-C to USB-C cable, pre-installed screen film, wireless PTT remote ring, long and short Velcro straps, sports armband, magnetic back clip, lanyard, SIM card (Bundle version only), manual and warranty card

RugOne Xlink 7: Design

• Tough and tiny
• Lots of buttons
• A box full of accessories

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)Which countries does the SIM card support?

United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Ireland, Austria, Belgium, Finland, Iceland, Poland, Czech Republic, Greece, Portugal, Luxembourg, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Bulgaria, Liechtenstein, Vatican City, San Marino, Serbia, Albania, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova, Ukraine, and Belarus.

The Xlink 7 is a small, octagonal puck that RugOne compares to a chunky earbud case. At 84g and just under 64mm tall, it disappears onto a backpack strap or handlebar far more easily than a traditional VHF or UHF radio ever could. The body mixes plastic with rubber seals and metal buttons, and the whole thing carries an IP68 rating for a 1.5 metre dunking and an IP69K rating against pressure washing, on top of MIL STD 810H certification. That is a serious durability claim for a device this size, and on paper, that puts the Xlink 7 ahead of most consumer electronics in this price bracket.

There is no screen. Every status update, battery level, signal state, Bluetooth pairing, comes through a bank of seven LEDs and a set of audio tones. That keeps the design simple and the waterproofing easier to guarantee, but it also means a genuine learning curve before all those beeps and colours become second nature.

The one that most owners might easily recall is the built-in AI, as even at the lowest volume settings, it shouts information at you like a drill sergeant. Maybe on a windswept hillside or next to a roaring rapids, this might be good, but in less noisy spaces, it seems excessive and bludgeoning.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

Since there is no screen, all the modes and features of the RugOne Xlink 7 are activated using a series of buttons, and there are some simple back-lit icons to provide basic feedback. These tell you if a voice call is active, Bluetooth is being used, battery status, the device is on, volume and mute, and mobile signal strength. But most of these are superfluous, since if you change the volume, for example, the unit will shout at you the current volume setting.

Buttons are provided for powering on, AI, Group functionality and initiating or answering calls.

A single button activates an on-device AI assistant for simple Q&A, weather checks, and device settings, and RugOne pairs a dedicated audio chip with an AI noise-reduction algorithm rated at a peak of 55dB, tuned for conditions up to 40km/h on skis or 30km/h on a bike, according to RugOne. But this technology appears to be deactivated when you’re not on skis or a bike, when you get put on full audio blast anyway.

Rubber plugs cover both the SIM card slot and the USB port, which made me wonder why they weren’t together under a single plug. And, the other feature worth mentioning is that there is a TorchX flashlight, which might become useful if you’ve not reached your basecamp before nightfall.

For those wondering how you configure some of the more complicated aspects, that’s all done through a smartphone app. So, if you want to change those, you’ll need to bring a smartphone, which somewhat undermines the function of the RugOne Xlink 7.

One impressive detail about this device is all the supporting hardware that comes in the box, which includes long and short Velcro straps, a sports armband, a magnetic belt clip, a lanyard and a Bluetooth-connected talk button.

Design score: 3.5/5

RugOne Xlink 7: Hardware

• Multi-person communication
• ASR1609S SoC
• 1,050mAh cell battery

Available in ‘Sports Black’ or ‘Sand Dune’, the RugOne Xlink 7 has some interesting twists on the normal 4G communication model.

These include the ability to have group conversations between three Xlink 7, with each call limited to 10 minutes, or with three connected up to 30 minutes.

Where I’m slightly confused is that in some literature, three users are mentioned, and in others, up to five people can talk. But since I only received two of these to test, I can ascertain which number is correct.

That said, the idea of five people on the same line just sounds like a recipe to step on other people's speaking, so if it only supports three people, it might be more practical.

The platform that this was built on is the ASR1609S, a cost-effective, high-performance 4G LTE IoT baseband processor manufactured by ASR Microelectronics.

This SoC is a single ARM Cortex-R5 core running at 614 MHz, integrating a modem, Bluetooth 5.2, GNSS, power management, 8GB PSRAM, and 8GB Flash in a single assembly.

Positioning comes from a combination of GPS, GLONASS and Beidou, and an emergency SOS mode is triggered by five rapid presses of the action button. That sounds like a loud siren to alert others nearby, automatically calls pre-set emergency contacts and shares a live location through the companion app.

For hikers, cyclists and lone workers, this is arguably a bigger selling point than the group calling itself. But this again assumes that everyone wearing one of these devices is also conveniently carrying their phone.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

RugOne quotes up to 87 hours of standby, 24 hours of typical use, or 10 hours of continuous talk time from the 1,050mAh cell. Those are manufacturer figures rather than independently measured ones, and if you are on the edge of cell service, you might find the battery wears out faster than expected.

I can’t be overly critical of the hardware, since it was made to both fit inside the limited confines of the RugOne Xlink 7 but also to do a specific job that isn’t as general as you might expect from a Smartphone SoC.

But, this SoC didn’t include the technology for PTT-type communications without 4G, which is unfortunate, since most mobile phones can do that trick, and would last longer on battery than the Xlink 7 can.

• Hardware score: 3/5

(Image credit: RugOne)RugOne Xlink 7: Final verdict

The RugOne Xlink 7 is a difficult call, since I don’t think there is anything inherently wrong with the hardware or the design, except possibly how shouty the AI is.

That said, I strongly suspect that this design was originally intended to support conventional or mesh wireless technology alongside 4G functionality, until someone realised that might affect future income from SIM sales.

What we ended up with is a walkie-talkie that’s useless when you’re away from cell service, which is problematic. Given that lots of cheaper devices will work anywhere without 4G, it brings into question whether the RugOne Xlink 7 is the right product for you.

While I accept that most walkie-talkies can’t link two people on different continents, most can connect those people 100M apart on a mountain or in a jungle, and that’s not a guarantee with this hardware.

RugOne need to put Zello-compatible wireless in the Xlink 8, and make the price significantly more competitive.

Should I buy a RugOne Xlink 7?Oukitel WP66 Score Card

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Value

Affordable, but compared with other walkie-talkies, it is on the pricey side.

3/5

Design

A compact and rugged puck that can be carried in numerous ways

3.5/5

Hardware

Efficient SoC and 1,050mAh battery, but needs 4G network to talk

3/5

Overall

Not suitable for true off-grid use

3.5/5

Buy it if...

You like to walk and talk
With up to three-person communication, this device could be useful for those who work together but are physically separated. Mounted on the armband, using the belt clip or lanyard makes this more easily accessible than a phone.

You might need help quickly
There are certain occupations where it's possible to run into trouble and need assistance quickly, and the ability of this device to send out an alert with your exact position could be a lifesaver. But only if you can push the SOS button five times to summon help.

Don't buy it if...

You like to walk and talk
With up to three-person communication, this device could be useful for those who work together but are physically separated. Mounted on the armband, using the belt clip or lanyard makes this more easily accessible than a phone.

You might need help quickly
There are certain occupations where it's possible to run into trouble and need assistance quickly, and the ability of this device to send out an alert with your exact position could be a lifesaver. But only if you can push the SOS button five times to summon help.

For more ruggedized devices, we've reviewed the best rugged tablets, the best rugged laptops, and the best rugged hard drives

RugOne Xlink 7: 30-second review

The RugOne Xlink 7 wants to solve an old problem in a new way. Traditional walkie-talkies are brilliant until you walk out of range. Hills block them. Buildings block them. Distance blocks them. The Xlink 7 sidesteps all of that by using 4G instead of short-range radio, so two or three people can stay in touch across a city, a country, or, in theory, the whole planet, as long as there's signal.

That idea alone makes it worth a look. Add a genuinely tough build, IP68 and IP69K rated, plus MIL STD 810H certification, and you have a device that will survive rain, dust, a drop, or a dunking, all while weighing just 84g. It comes loaded with sensible extras too. A wireless PTT (push-to-talk) remote means you never have to fumble for the unit itself while riding or climbing. An emergency SOS mode, backed by GPS, GLONASS and Beidou positioning, can sound an alarm and share your live location with five quick presses. There's even a basic AI assistant for weather checks and settings, and a noise cancellation system tuned for wind and speed.

None of that comes without trade-offs, though. The biggest one is that this is a cellular device, not a true radio, so it lives and dies by 4G coverage. Head somewhere genuinely remote, deep countryside, mountains, open water, and it becomes a very expensive paperweight. A proper VHF or UHF handset, or a satellite communicator, will keep working exactly where the Xlink 7 cannot. There's no screen either, so every bit of feedback comes through LED colours and beeps, which takes some getting used to. Group calls are capped at three people and thirty minutes, which will frustrate anyone hoping to coordinate a larger crew.

So who is this for? Cyclists, hikers, skiers and runners who mostly stay within reach of a network but want a proper safety net and a simple way to stay in touch with a partner or small group. It might also work for parents keeping tabs on older kids, but surely they’d have phones. It could be an easy panic button for lone workers, as long as they’re not underground.

It's less convincing for anyone heading truly off-grid, where a satellite device or traditional radio still makes more sense, as some of the best rugged phones I've tested already have. Think of the Xlink 7 as a rugged companion for populated wilderness rather than true remoteness, and it starts to make more sense.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)RugOne Xlink 7: price and availability

• How much does it cost? $159
• When is it out? Available now
• Where can you get it? Direct from RugOne or via an online retailer

The RugOne Xlink 7 is available direct from RugOne's global store, on Amazon.com for $159.99, and on Amazon.co.uk for $139.99.

Unless I’m mistaken, the RugOne Xlink 7 launched its Kickstarter campaign in June 2026, with a Super Early Bird duo pack priced from $159.99 against a stated standard retail of $299.98 for the same pack, a 47 per cent discount.

Coverage on a popular news site said it has cleared the Engineering Verification and Design Verification stages and was, at the time of writing, running final Production Validation Test builds ahead of mass shipping from August 2026. But that plan evidently wasn’t correct or got changed, because it's already available to buy now.

To be crystal clear, I’m not a fan of companies that don’t need the money running Kickstarter campaigns as marketing exercises, and the way that this one was able to move from announcement to product and retail in a matter of weeks gives the true picture away. That reality being the Xlink 7 was probably finished and in production even before the Kickstarter ever began.

In the bundle that most purchasers will choose, they get a SIM card that works in 41 countries, and that will work for a year. No price has yet been revealed for extending the SIM contract at this time, but you can just buy a data-only SIM for your country and use that instead.

In most countries, this would be a no-brainer based on cost, but if you live in a region where mobile providers must approve each device that connects, it might be an issue.

Depending on how you intend to use this hardware, the price might be seen as competitive or excessive.

Compared to a proper satellite-based communicator, like the Garmin inReach Mini 2 ($509.99), it might seem a bargain. But the Garmin will work in practically any geographic location, and doesn’t need cell service.

Not needing a cell service or a SIM card, Motorola makes an extensive range of walkie-talkies, like the Motorola Solutions Talkabout T475 Extreme. A two-pack of those is only $94.99, and they use FRS radio frequencies, can receive NOAA weather alerts and will work for up to 12 hours on a charge.

There are dozens of brands selling walkie-talkie designs, some using Mesh technology that generally undercut the RugOne Xlink 7, typically offering two handsets for less than the price of one Xlink 7.

But there is an even cheaper choice, and that’s to use Zello on your existing smartphone, which costs precisely nothing. As they say, competing with zero isn’t easy.

Overall, there are some cute features on the RugOne Xlink 7 that might attract some customers, but since they don’t have a fallback technology when there is no 4G service, they seem overpriced.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

• Value score: 3/5

RugOne Xlink 7: Specs

Product

RugOne Xlink 7

Dimensions

63.6 x 51.7 x 22.95mm

Weight

84g

Build

Plastic body with metal buttons and rubber seals

Durability

IP68 (1.5m for up to 30 minutes) and IP69K under IEC 60529, MIL STD 810H, operating range -30C to 55C

Display

None. Status is shown via seven front LEDs plus audio tones

Chipset

ASR1609S, Cortex R5 at 614MHz

Memory

8MB PSRAM, 8MB ROM

Network

4G LTE, nanoSIM. FDD LTE bands 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/20/25/26/28A/28B/66, TDD LTE bands 34/38/39/40/41

Connectivity

Bluetooth 5.2

Positioning

GPS, GLONASS and Beidou

Battery

1,050mAh typical / 1,020mAh rated Li Po, USB Type C charging at 5V 0.5A

Battery life (claimed)

Up to 87 hours standby, 24 hours typical use, 10 hours continuous talk

Calling

Full duplex hands-free voice for up to 3 simultaneous users, 10-minute default call length, 30-minute maximum

AI features

On-device AI voice assistant for Q&A and settings, plus chip and AI-based noise cancellation rated to a peak of 55dB reduction

Safety

Emergency SOS via five rapid presses on the action button, triggers a siren, calls emergency contacts, and shares live GPS location

Extras

Built-in TorchX flashlight, wireless Bluetooth push-to-talk remote ring, dedicated group set-up button

App

RugOne Xlink app for iOS and Android, required to activate the device

In the box

Xlink 7 unit, USB-C to USB-C cable, pre-installed screen film, wireless PTT remote ring, long and short Velcro straps, sports armband, magnetic back clip, lanyard, SIM card (Bundle version only), manual and warranty card

RugOne Xlink 7: Design

• Tough and tiny
• Lots of buttons
• A box full of accessories

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)Which countries does the SIM card support?

United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Ireland, Austria, Belgium, Finland, Iceland, Poland, Czech Republic, Greece, Portugal, Luxembourg, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Bulgaria, Liechtenstein, Vatican City, San Marino, Serbia, Albania, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova, Ukraine, and Belarus.

The Xlink 7 is a small, octagonal puck that RugOne compares to a chunky earbud case. At 84g and just under 64mm tall, it disappears onto a backpack strap or handlebar far more easily than a traditional VHF or UHF radio ever could. The body mixes plastic with rubber seals and metal buttons, and the whole thing carries an IP68 rating for a 1.5 metre dunking and an IP69K rating against pressure washing, on top of MIL STD 810H certification. That is a serious durability claim for a device this size, and on paper, that puts the Xlink 7 ahead of most consumer electronics in this price bracket.

There is no screen. Every status update, battery level, signal state, Bluetooth pairing, comes through a bank of seven LEDs and a set of audio tones. That keeps the design simple and the waterproofing easier to guarantee, but it also means a genuine learning curve before all those beeps and colours become second nature.

The one that most owners might easily recall is the built-in AI, as even at the lowest volume settings, it shouts information at you like a drill sergeant. Maybe on a windswept hillside or next to a roaring rapids, this might be good, but in less noisy spaces, it seems excessive and bludgeoning.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

Since there is no screen, all the modes and features of the RugOne Xlink 7 are activated using a series of buttons, and there are some simple back-lit icons to provide basic feedback. These tell you if a voice call is active, Bluetooth is being used, battery status, the device is on, volume and mute, and mobile signal strength. But most of these are superfluous, since if you change the volume, for example, the unit will shout at you the current volume setting.

Buttons are provided for powering on, AI, Group functionality and initiating or answering calls.

A single button activates an on-device AI assistant for simple Q&A, weather checks, and device settings, and RugOne pairs a dedicated audio chip with an AI noise-reduction algorithm rated at a peak of 55dB, tuned for conditions up to 40km/h on skis or 30km/h on a bike, according to RugOne. But this technology appears to be deactivated when you’re not on skis or a bike, when you get put on full audio blast anyway.

Rubber plugs cover both the SIM card slot and the USB port, which made me wonder why they weren’t together under a single plug. And, the other feature worth mentioning is that there is a TorchX flashlight, which might become useful if you’ve not reached your basecamp before nightfall.

For those wondering how you configure some of the more complicated aspects, that’s all done through a smartphone app. So, if you want to change those, you’ll need to bring a smartphone, which somewhat undermines the function of the RugOne Xlink 7.

One impressive detail about this device is all the supporting hardware that comes in the box, which includes long and short Velcro straps, a sports armband, a magnetic belt clip, a lanyard and a Bluetooth-connected talk button.

Design score: 3.5/5

RugOne Xlink 7: Hardware

• Multi-person communication
• ASR1609S SoC
• 1,050mAh cell battery

Available in ‘Sports Black’ or ‘Sand Dune’, the RugOne Xlink 7 has some interesting twists on the normal 4G communication model.

These include the ability to have group conversations between three Xlink 7, with each call limited to 10 minutes, or with three connected up to 30 minutes.

Where I’m slightly confused is that in some literature, three users are mentioned, and in others, up to five people can talk. But since I only received two of these to test, I can ascertain which number is correct.

That said, the idea of five people on the same line just sounds like a recipe to step on other people's speaking, so if it only supports three people, it might be more practical.

The platform that this was built on is the ASR1609S, a cost-effective, high-performance 4G LTE IoT baseband processor manufactured by ASR Microelectronics.

This SoC is a single ARM Cortex-R5 core running at 614 MHz, integrating a modem, Bluetooth 5.2, GNSS, power management, 8GB PSRAM, and 8GB Flash in a single assembly.

Positioning comes from a combination of GPS, GLONASS and Beidou, and an emergency SOS mode is triggered by five rapid presses of the action button. That sounds like a loud siren to alert others nearby, automatically calls pre-set emergency contacts and shares a live location through the companion app.

For hikers, cyclists and lone workers, this is arguably a bigger selling point than the group calling itself. But this again assumes that everyone wearing one of these devices is also conveniently carrying their phone.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

RugOne quotes up to 87 hours of standby, 24 hours of typical use, or 10 hours of continuous talk time from the 1,050mAh cell. Those are manufacturer figures rather than independently measured ones, and if you are on the edge of cell service, you might find the battery wears out faster than expected.

I can’t be overly critical of the hardware, since it was made to both fit inside the limited confines of the RugOne Xlink 7 but also to do a specific job that isn’t as general as you might expect from a Smartphone SoC.

But, this SoC didn’t include the technology for PTT-type communications without 4G, which is unfortunate, since most mobile phones can do that trick, and would last longer on battery than the Xlink 7 can.

• Hardware score: 3/5

(Image credit: RugOne)RugOne Xlink 7: Final verdict

The RugOne Xlink 7 is a difficult call, since I don’t think there is anything inherently wrong with the hardware or the design, except possibly how shouty the AI is.

That said, I strongly suspect that this design was originally intended to support conventional or mesh wireless technology alongside 4G functionality, until someone realised that might affect future income from SIM sales.

What we ended up with is a walkie-talkie that’s useless when you’re away from cell service, which is problematic. Given that lots of cheaper devices will work anywhere without 4G, it brings into question whether the RugOne Xlink 7 is the right product for you.

While I accept that most walkie-talkies can’t link two people on different continents, most can connect those people 100M apart on a mountain or in a jungle, and that’s not a guarantee with this hardware.

RugOne need to put Zello-compatible wireless in the Xlink 8, and make the price significantly more competitive.

Should I buy a RugOne Xlink 7?Oukitel WP66 Score Card

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Value

Affordable, but compared with other walkie-talkies, it is on the pricey side.

3/5

Design

A compact and rugged puck that can be carried in numerous ways

3.5/5

Hardware

Efficient SoC and 1,050mAh battery, but needs 4G network to talk

3/5

Overall

Not suitable for true off-grid use

3.5/5

Buy it if...

You like to walk and talk
With up to three-person communication, this device could be useful for those who work together but are physically separated. Mounted on the armband, using the belt clip or lanyard makes this more easily accessible than a phone.

You might need help quickly
There are certain occupations where it's possible to run into trouble and need assistance quickly, and the ability of this device to send out an alert with your exact position could be a lifesaver. But only if you can push the SOS button five times to summon help.

Don't buy it if...

You like to walk and talk
With up to three-person communication, this device could be useful for those who work together but are physically separated. Mounted on the armband, using the belt clip or lanyard makes this more easily accessible than a phone.

You might need help quickly
There are certain occupations where it's possible to run into trouble and need assistance quickly, and the ability of this device to send out an alert with your exact position could be a lifesaver. But only if you can push the SOS button five times to summon help.

For more ruggedized devices, we've reviewed the best rugged tablets, the best rugged laptops, and the best rugged hard drives

RugOne Xlink 7: 30-second review

The RugOne Xlink 7 wants to solve an old problem in a new way. Traditional walkie-talkies are brilliant until you walk out of range. Hills block them. Buildings block them. Distance blocks them. The Xlink 7 sidesteps all of that by using 4G instead of short-range radio, so two or three people can stay in touch across a city, a country, or, in theory, the whole planet, as long as there's signal.

That idea alone makes it worth a look. Add a genuinely tough build, IP68 and IP69K rated, plus MIL STD 810H certification, and you have a device that will survive rain, dust, a drop, or a dunking, all while weighing just 84g. It comes loaded with sensible extras too. A wireless PTT (push-to-talk) remote means you never have to fumble for the unit itself while riding or climbing. An emergency SOS mode, backed by GPS, GLONASS and Beidou positioning, can sound an alarm and share your live location with five quick presses. There's even a basic AI assistant for weather checks and settings, and a noise cancellation system tuned for wind and speed.

None of that comes without trade-offs, though. The biggest one is that this is a cellular device, not a true radio, so it lives and dies by 4G coverage. Head somewhere genuinely remote, deep countryside, mountains, open water, and it becomes a very expensive paperweight. A proper VHF or UHF handset, or a satellite communicator, will keep working exactly where the Xlink 7 cannot. There's no screen either, so every bit of feedback comes through LED colours and beeps, which takes some getting used to. Group calls are capped at three people and thirty minutes, which will frustrate anyone hoping to coordinate a larger crew.

So who is this for? Cyclists, hikers, skiers and runners who mostly stay within reach of a network but want a proper safety net and a simple way to stay in touch with a partner or small group. It might also work for parents keeping tabs on older kids, but surely they’d have phones. It could be an easy panic button for lone workers, as long as they’re not underground.

It's less convincing for anyone heading truly off-grid, where a satellite device or traditional radio still makes more sense, as some of the best rugged phones I've tested already have. Think of the Xlink 7 as a rugged companion for populated wilderness rather than true remoteness, and it starts to make more sense.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)RugOne Xlink 7: price and availability

• How much does it cost? $159
• When is it out? Available now
• Where can you get it? Direct from RugOne or via an online retailer

The RugOne Xlink 7 is available direct from RugOne's global store, on Amazon.com for $159.99, and on Amazon.co.uk for $139.99.

Unless I’m mistaken, the RugOne Xlink 7 launched its Kickstarter campaign in June 2026, with a Super Early Bird duo pack priced from $159.99 against a stated standard retail of $299.98 for the same pack, a 47 per cent discount.

Coverage on a popular news site said it has cleared the Engineering Verification and Design Verification stages and was, at the time of writing, running final Production Validation Test builds ahead of mass shipping from August 2026. But that plan evidently wasn’t correct or got changed, because it's already available to buy now.

To be crystal clear, I’m not a fan of companies that don’t need the money running Kickstarter campaigns as marketing exercises, and the way that this one was able to move from announcement to product and retail in a matter of weeks gives the true picture away. That reality being the Xlink 7 was probably finished and in production even before the Kickstarter ever began.

In the bundle that most purchasers will choose, they get a SIM card that works in 41 countries, and that will work for a year. No price has yet been revealed for extending the SIM contract at this time, but you can just buy a data-only SIM for your country and use that instead.

In most countries, this would be a no-brainer based on cost, but if you live in a region where mobile providers must approve each device that connects, it might be an issue.

Depending on how you intend to use this hardware, the price might be seen as competitive or excessive.

Compared to a proper satellite-based communicator, like the Garmin inReach Mini 2 ($509.99), it might seem a bargain. But the Garmin will work in practically any geographic location, and doesn’t need cell service.

Not needing a cell service or a SIM card, Motorola makes an extensive range of walkie-talkies, like the Motorola Solutions Talkabout T475 Extreme. A two-pack of those is only $94.99, and they use FRS radio frequencies, can receive NOAA weather alerts and will work for up to 12 hours on a charge.

There are dozens of brands selling walkie-talkie designs, some using Mesh technology that generally undercut the RugOne Xlink 7, typically offering two handsets for less than the price of one Xlink 7.

But there is an even cheaper choice, and that’s to use Zello on your existing smartphone, which costs precisely nothing. As they say, competing with zero isn’t easy.

Overall, there are some cute features on the RugOne Xlink 7 that might attract some customers, but since they don’t have a fallback technology when there is no 4G service, they seem overpriced.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

• Value score: 3/5

RugOne Xlink 7: Specs

Product

RugOne Xlink 7

Dimensions

63.6 x 51.7 x 22.95mm

Weight

84g

Build

Plastic body with metal buttons and rubber seals

Durability

IP68 (1.5m for up to 30 minutes) and IP69K under IEC 60529, MIL STD 810H, operating range -30C to 55C

Display

None. Status is shown via seven front LEDs plus audio tones

Chipset

ASR1609S, Cortex R5 at 614MHz

Memory

8MB PSRAM, 8MB ROM

Network

4G LTE, nanoSIM. FDD LTE bands 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/20/25/26/28A/28B/66, TDD LTE bands 34/38/39/40/41

Connectivity

Bluetooth 5.2

Positioning

GPS, GLONASS and Beidou

Battery

1,050mAh typical / 1,020mAh rated Li Po, USB Type C charging at 5V 0.5A

Battery life (claimed)

Up to 87 hours standby, 24 hours typical use, 10 hours continuous talk

Calling

Full duplex hands-free voice for up to 3 simultaneous users, 10-minute default call length, 30-minute maximum

AI features

On-device AI voice assistant for Q&A and settings, plus chip and AI-based noise cancellation rated to a peak of 55dB reduction

Safety

Emergency SOS via five rapid presses on the action button, triggers a siren, calls emergency contacts, and shares live GPS location

Extras

Built-in TorchX flashlight, wireless Bluetooth push-to-talk remote ring, dedicated group set-up button

App

RugOne Xlink app for iOS and Android, required to activate the device

In the box

Xlink 7 unit, USB-C to USB-C cable, pre-installed screen film, wireless PTT remote ring, long and short Velcro straps, sports armband, magnetic back clip, lanyard, SIM card (Bundle version only), manual and warranty card

RugOne Xlink 7: Design

• Tough and tiny
• Lots of buttons
• A box full of accessories

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)Which countries does the SIM card support?

United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Ireland, Austria, Belgium, Finland, Iceland, Poland, Czech Republic, Greece, Portugal, Luxembourg, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Bulgaria, Liechtenstein, Vatican City, San Marino, Serbia, Albania, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova, Ukraine, and Belarus.

The Xlink 7 is a small, octagonal puck that RugOne compares to a chunky earbud case. At 84g and just under 64mm tall, it disappears onto a backpack strap or handlebar far more easily than a traditional VHF or UHF radio ever could. The body mixes plastic with rubber seals and metal buttons, and the whole thing carries an IP68 rating for a 1.5 metre dunking and an IP69K rating against pressure washing, on top of MIL STD 810H certification. That is a serious durability claim for a device this size, and on paper, that puts the Xlink 7 ahead of most consumer electronics in this price bracket.

There is no screen. Every status update, battery level, signal state, Bluetooth pairing, comes through a bank of seven LEDs and a set of audio tones. That keeps the design simple and the waterproofing easier to guarantee, but it also means a genuine learning curve before all those beeps and colours become second nature.

The one that most owners might easily recall is the built-in AI, as even at the lowest volume settings, it shouts information at you like a drill sergeant. Maybe on a windswept hillside or next to a roaring rapids, this might be good, but in less noisy spaces, it seems excessive and bludgeoning.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

Since there is no screen, all the modes and features of the RugOne Xlink 7 are activated using a series of buttons, and there are some simple back-lit icons to provide basic feedback. These tell you if a voice call is active, Bluetooth is being used, battery status, the device is on, volume and mute, and mobile signal strength. But most of these are superfluous, since if you change the volume, for example, the unit will shout at you the current volume setting.

Buttons are provided for powering on, AI, Group functionality and initiating or answering calls.

A single button activates an on-device AI assistant for simple Q&A, weather checks, and device settings, and RugOne pairs a dedicated audio chip with an AI noise-reduction algorithm rated at a peak of 55dB, tuned for conditions up to 40km/h on skis or 30km/h on a bike, according to RugOne. But this technology appears to be deactivated when you’re not on skis or a bike, when you get put on full audio blast anyway.

Rubber plugs cover both the SIM card slot and the USB port, which made me wonder why they weren’t together under a single plug. And, the other feature worth mentioning is that there is a TorchX flashlight, which might become useful if you’ve not reached your basecamp before nightfall.

For those wondering how you configure some of the more complicated aspects, that’s all done through a smartphone app. So, if you want to change those, you’ll need to bring a smartphone, which somewhat undermines the function of the RugOne Xlink 7.

One impressive detail about this device is all the supporting hardware that comes in the box, which includes long and short Velcro straps, a sports armband, a magnetic belt clip, a lanyard and a Bluetooth-connected talk button.

Design score: 3.5/5

RugOne Xlink 7: Hardware

• Multi-person communication
• ASR1609S SoC
• 1,050mAh cell battery

Available in ‘Sports Black’ or ‘Sand Dune’, the RugOne Xlink 7 has some interesting twists on the normal 4G communication model.

These include the ability to have group conversations between three Xlink 7, with each call limited to 10 minutes, or with three connected up to 30 minutes.

Where I’m slightly confused is that in some literature, three users are mentioned, and in others, up to five people can talk. But since I only received two of these to test, I can ascertain which number is correct.

That said, the idea of five people on the same line just sounds like a recipe to step on other people's speaking, so if it only supports three people, it might be more practical.

The platform that this was built on is the ASR1609S, a cost-effective, high-performance 4G LTE IoT baseband processor manufactured by ASR Microelectronics.

This SoC is a single ARM Cortex-R5 core running at 614 MHz, integrating a modem, Bluetooth 5.2, GNSS, power management, 8GB PSRAM, and 8GB Flash in a single assembly.

Positioning comes from a combination of GPS, GLONASS and Beidou, and an emergency SOS mode is triggered by five rapid presses of the action button. That sounds like a loud siren to alert others nearby, automatically calls pre-set emergency contacts and shares a live location through the companion app.

For hikers, cyclists and lone workers, this is arguably a bigger selling point than the group calling itself. But this again assumes that everyone wearing one of these devices is also conveniently carrying their phone.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

RugOne quotes up to 87 hours of standby, 24 hours of typical use, or 10 hours of continuous talk time from the 1,050mAh cell. Those are manufacturer figures rather than independently measured ones, and if you are on the edge of cell service, you might find the battery wears out faster than expected.

I can’t be overly critical of the hardware, since it was made to both fit inside the limited confines of the RugOne Xlink 7 but also to do a specific job that isn’t as general as you might expect from a Smartphone SoC.

But, this SoC didn’t include the technology for PTT-type communications without 4G, which is unfortunate, since most mobile phones can do that trick, and would last longer on battery than the Xlink 7 can.

• Hardware score: 3/5

(Image credit: RugOne)RugOne Xlink 7: Final verdict

The RugOne Xlink 7 is a difficult call, since I don’t think there is anything inherently wrong with the hardware or the design, except possibly how shouty the AI is.

That said, I strongly suspect that this design was originally intended to support conventional or mesh wireless technology alongside 4G functionality, until someone realised that might affect future income from SIM sales.

What we ended up with is a walkie-talkie that’s useless when you’re away from cell service, which is problematic. Given that lots of cheaper devices will work anywhere without 4G, it brings into question whether the RugOne Xlink 7 is the right product for you.

While I accept that most walkie-talkies can’t link two people on different continents, most can connect those people 100M apart on a mountain or in a jungle, and that’s not a guarantee with this hardware.

RugOne need to put Zello-compatible wireless in the Xlink 8, and make the price significantly more competitive.

Should I buy a RugOne Xlink 7?Oukitel WP66 Score Card

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Value

Affordable, but compared with other walkie-talkies, it is on the pricey side.

3/5

Design

A compact and rugged puck that can be carried in numerous ways

3.5/5

Hardware

Efficient SoC and 1,050mAh battery, but needs 4G network to talk

3/5

Overall

Not suitable for true off-grid use

3.5/5

Buy it if...

You like to walk and talk
With up to three-person communication, this device could be useful for those who work together but are physically separated. Mounted on the armband, using the belt clip or lanyard makes this more easily accessible than a phone.

You might need help quickly
There are certain occupations where it's possible to run into trouble and need assistance quickly, and the ability of this device to send out an alert with your exact position could be a lifesaver. But only if you can push the SOS button five times to summon help.

Don't buy it if...

You like to walk and talk
With up to three-person communication, this device could be useful for those who work together but are physically separated. Mounted on the armband, using the belt clip or lanyard makes this more easily accessible than a phone.

You might need help quickly
There are certain occupations where it's possible to run into trouble and need assistance quickly, and the ability of this device to send out an alert with your exact position could be a lifesaver. But only if you can push the SOS button five times to summon help.

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