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Levoit CirculAir Oscillating Fan: two-minute reviewProduct info

For this review, I tested the UK version of the Levoit CirculAir. A version with the same product code is available in the US, but there are minor differences compared to the UK model, including fewer fan speeds and slightly different onboard controls.

The Levoit CirculAir Oscillating Fan, also known as the Levoit Pedestal Air Circulator Fan in the UK, might be the best fan I've tested. I’ve been seriously impressed with the strong performance, convenience, and quiet operation.

This fan can be configured in two ways: either at full height or shorter, by simply unscrewing a section of the stand. This lower height is a little bit tall for use on a tabletop, but perfect for circulating air from heaters or floor-standing air conditioners.

(Image credit: Future)

It offers automatic horizontal and vertical oscillation, which makes for great air circulation, and also makes it really easy to fine-tune the position of the airflow just using the remote. The only thing it’s missing here is the option to select different oscillation ranges; instead, it's limited to 90 degrees horizontally and 120 degrees vertically.

On the front of the stand there’s a well-lit LED screen that displays the selected mode, and either the fan speed or the ambient temperature. Below this are the onboard touch controls (which vary slightly depending on region), and the CirculAir can also be controlled with the easy-to-use circular remote, which is magnetic for convenient storage on the back of the air circulator.

(Image credit: Future)

The airflow proved impressively strong during testing, and I was very grateful for it during a recent heatwave. Even at its lowest speed, I could feel a good breeze from 8ft / 2.4m, and I ran out of space to back up any further at 18ft / 5.5m away when the fan was at its top speed of 12, so it’s clear it has super-strong airflow when running full blast.

Despite its strength, the CirculAir runs satisfyingly quietly. I measured a volume of just 29dB from around 2ft away on fan speed one, 37dB at speed five, and 51dB at speed 12. This means it can operate with whisper-quiet volume at its lowest speed, and only gets as loud as moderate rainfall.

All this for a not-too-painful price tag: this fan is available to purchase at Amazon at a list price of $89.99 / £119.99, but I've already spotted a few discounts, so you might be able to avoid full whack. That's the short version; read on for my full Levoit CirculAir Oscillating Fan review.

Levoit CirculAir Oscillating Fan review: price & availability

• List price: $89.99 / £119.99
• Availability: US and UK

The Levoit CirculAir Oscillating Fan, AKA the Levoit Pedestal Air Circulator Fan in the UK, has a list price of $89.99 / £119.99, and is available at VeSync in the US, and at Amazon in both regions.

This is a good price considering the impressive performance the Levoit CirculAir delivered during testing, but I recommend keeping an eye out for offers, too, as there appear to be fairly regular deals available at Amazon. For example, at the time of writing, there’s a 10% limited-time deal knocking the price down to $80.99 in the US, and the price was regularly dropping to below £95 in the UK a couple of months ago.

I’ve tested the UK model, and while the model number is the same in the US, there are some slight differences, which I make note of in the following sections.

• Value for money score: 5 out of 5

Levoit CirculAir Oscillating Fan review: specs

Type:

Pedestal air circulator

Speeds:

9 (US) / 12 (UK)

Oscillation:

Automatic: 90 degrees horizontal, 120 degrees vertical

Dimensions:

43.7 x 12.5 x 14.5 in / ‎36.5 x 110.8 x 32 cm

Weight:

12.7lb / 5.8kg

Control:

Onboard buttons and remote control

Timer:

Yes

Additional modes:

Eco, Turbo, Sleep

Levoit CirculAir Oscillating Fan review: design & features

• Automatic vertical and horizontal oscillation
• 2 height options and 4 fan modes to choose between
• Onboard touch controls and remote control

The Levoit CirculAir is a pedestal air circulator with two height options, so it can be placed on the floor or a tabletop. I personally found its shorter height to be a little taller than I’d prefer for a desktop fan, but this is a good option to have if you happen to be short on floor space. This shortened height could also prove useful if you wanted to, for example, position the fan in front of a heater or floor-standing AC unit, as it would be more efficient at circulating the heated or cooled air from that position.

I found it satisfyingly easy to get the Levoit CirculAir setup in either configuration – it was a simple case of screwing the poles together and into the base. The base is just the right weight: heavy enough that the fan felt sturdy on my medium-pile living room carpet, but not too heavy to move it around when required.

(Image credit: Future)

There are two ways to control the Levoit CirculAir: by using the circular remote or the large touch panel on the front of the stand. The remote was just the right size; small enough to be easy for me to hold and reach all the buttons, but large enough that the buttons were well-spaced and the icons were easy to read.

The large LED panel has a generous screen that displays either the fan speed or ambient temperature, as well as which mode the CirculAir is currently set to. The controls vary slightly on the UK model from the one in the US, but all controls are accessible on the remote in both regions.

(Image credit: Future)

The number of fan speeds also varies slightly between regions, curiously, with 12 fan speeds on offer on the UK model I tested, but only nine in the US. There are a few different modes that can be cycled through: Normal mode (where I could choose the fan speed), Turbo mode (which amps up the fan), Sleep mode (which silences the responsive beeps and dims the display), and Eco mode (which makes use of the CirculAir's internal temperature sensor and adjusts the fan speed to suit).

Unlike most desktop fans, the Levoit CirculAir boasts automatic vertical oscillation, along with the standard horizontal oscillation. There isn’t the option to choose the degree of oscillation, sadly, so it’s either 90-degree horizontal oscillation and 120-degree vertical oscillation, or nothing. I did have the choice to use just one or the other, or both, though. Not only does this range of oscillation equal better air circulation, but it also means that it could be set to just the right angle from the comfort of my couch using the remote, which I loved.

• Design score: 4.5 out of 5

Levoit CirculAir Oscillating Fan review: performance

• Easy to use, responsive controls
• Super strong airflow
• Satisfyingly quiet operation

Controlling the CirculAir was straightforward, as the touch buttons on the well-lit display were simple to understand and responsive, as were the controls on the remote. I really liked that the remote control could be magnetically clipped onto the back of the air circulator, as this made it really easy to store and retrieve.

The Levoit CirculAir has delightfully strong airflow, and I found it to be a real help cooling me down during a recent heatwave here in the UK. In fact, it has the strongest airflow out of the fans I’ve tested to date, to the point where I wasn't able to confirm how far the air travelled when it was running at its top speed, as I ran out of room at 18ft / 5.5 meters.

The airflow strength was great at lower speeds, too, as I could still feel a pleasantly cooling breeze from an impressive 8ft / 2.4m away at speed 1, and 15ft / 4.5m at speed 6, which means it reaches further at half power than the Dyson Purifier Cool Formaldehyde TP09 does at full blast.

(Image credit: Future)

I love it when a fan has an automatic mode, and 'Eco mode' (as it's called in the CirculAir's case) came in particularly handy during the recent heatwave. The CirculAir adjusted the fan speed in response to the rising ambient temperature throughout the day, though I found it to be much more conservative in terms of the fan speeds it applied compared to my current favorite air circulator, the MeacoFan Sefte 8in. This is good news for energy saving, though, and doesn’t make it any less efficient, really, considering the concentration of air kicked out even at the lower fan speeds.

The volume levels were pleasingly quiet, especially when taking into account the CirculAir’s punchy airflow. I got a reading of just 29dB from about 2ft away on fan speed 1, 37dB at speed 5, and 51dB at speed 12, so it was whisper quiet at its lowest, and only as loud as moderate rainfall when running at top speed.

(Image credit: Future)

Its low volume meant I had no problem at all sleeping with it toward the foot of my bed. I really appreciated the automatic vertical and horizontal oscillation at nighttime, too, as being able to control both with the remote meant I could get the angle of the airflow exactly where I wanted it without needing to get up and manually adjust it.

After testing, I have no complaints about the Levoit CirculAir. It was easy to use and responsive, and it operated at low volumes while delivering impressively strong airflow.

• Performance score: 5 out of 5

Should I buy the Levoit CirculAir Oscillating Fan?

Section

Notes

Score

Value for money

This air circulator’s fantastic performance and versatility make it great value for money, but it’s always worth keeping an eye out for discounts.

5/5

Design

With 2 height options, automatic horizontal and vertical testing, plus responsive controls with clever remote storage, there’s plenty of versatility.

4.5/5

Performance

The airflow is seriously strong, and yet the CirculAir runs pleasingly quietly. The automatic oscillation proved particularly convenient.

5/5

Buy it if...

You want strong airflow
This air circulator certainly packs a punch! With impressively strong airflow even at its lower speeds, verging on ridiculous when running at full blast.

You want automatic cooling
The CirculAir’s Eco mode is a handy feature to have when the ambient temperature fluctuates, as it’ll adjust the fan speed to suit.

You want a fan with adjustable height
Having two different height options is great, whether you want to move it from the floor to a table, or you want to get the most efficient air circulation, depending on the position of your heater or air conditioner.

Don't buy it if...

You want something smart
If you love your smart tech and prefer to operate things from your phone, then this won’t be the air circulator for you.

You’re looking for a desk fan
Even at its shortened height, the CirculAir is a bit too tall, and the airflow is likely too strong to be a personal fan.

You want to fine-tune the oscillation
Unlike fans like the Dyson Cool CF1, which offers angles of 15 to 70 degrees, the Circulair doesn’t have the option to fine-tune the range of the oscillation.

Levoit CirculAir Oscillating Fan review: Also consider

Levoit CirculAir Oscillating Fan

Shark FlexBreeze

Meaco MeacoFan 1056P

Price

$89.99 / £119.99

$199.99 / £199.99

$189.99 / £149.99

Speed settings

9 US / 12 UK

5

12

Oscillation

Automatic: 90 degrees horizontal, 120 degrees vertical

Automatic:180 degrees horizontal

Manual: 55 degrees vertical

Automatic: 60 degrees horizontal, 80 degrees vertical

Timer

Yes

Yes

Yes

Controls

Touch buttons, remote control

Buttons, remote control

Buttons, remote control

Power

Corded

Corded or cordless

Corded

Additional modes

Eco, Turbo, Sleep

Boost, Mist

Sleep, Natural, Eco

Height adjustable

Yes

Yes

Yes

Dimensions

43.7 x 12.5 x 14.5 in / ‎36.5 x 110.8 x 32 cm

37 x 13.8 x 13.8in / 94 x 36 x 36cm

32.3-37.6 x 12.6 x 13.4 in / 82-95.5 x 32 x 33.9cm

Weight

12.7lb / 5.8kg

12.2 lb / 5.7kg

12lb / 5.4kg

Shark FlexBreeze
This is a great option if you like the idea of taking your fan outside and making use of its misting attachment on sunny days. It can be used as a pedestal or table fan, plus it can run cordless, and our reviewer was pleased with the battery life. It only has five fan speeds, but it still delivers airflow that can be felt up to 70 feet away. If you’d like to learn more, check out our full Shark FlexBreeze review.

Meaco MeacoFan 1056P
Another impressively quiet fan, this height-adjustable air circulator proved a hit with our reviewer. It delivered a great performance when tested during hot weather, and proved pleasingly quiet, even at higher speeds. This is another fan with clever fan storage, too, as the circular remote magnetically clips to the front. To find out more, have a read of our full Meaco MeacoFan 1056P review.

How I tested the Levoit CirculAir Oscillating Fan

• I tested the Levoit CirculAir Oscillating Fan for a week
• I tried out the different modes and features
• I tested its volume and how strong the airflow was

I used the Levoit CirculAir Oscillating Fan in our photo studio, my home office, and my bedroom over the course of a week. I evaluated the assembly process and build quality closely before using it passively and in specific tests that allowed me to assess the available features.

I tried the CirculAir at both heights, oscillating, and static. I tested out the different modes, particularly Eco mode, to see how the CirculAir would respond to fluctuating temperatures.

I assessed the airflow by checking the distance I could still feel a cooling breeze on the top, middle, and lowest settings. I used a decibel meter on my iPhone to check the noise levels, taking the readings from around 2ft / 600mm away, ensuring the fan wasn’t blowing directly into the microphone.

• First reviewed: August 2025
• Read TechRadar's Reviews Guarantee

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With data becoming a more valuable business asset than ever, informing decision-making, enhancing operational efficiency, and enabling businesses to gain a competitive edge, hyper-personalization is transforming how businesses interact with customers. Taking data analysis to a new frontier through the deployment of AI at scale to identify hidden consumer patterns and preferences, hyper-personalization is fast becoming the new standard for businesses seeking to attract and retain customers.

However, with increased use of data comes more challenges and responsibilities. As more people become more digital savvy, they also become more conscious of their data and how it is used. This presents a necessary challenge for businesses: how to offer high-quality but ethical personalization offerings.

How hyper-personalization is delivering breakthrough value amid rapidly shifting market demands

Tailored offerings boost engagement, and foster customer loyalty, and as a result, hyper-personalization strategies are growing exponentially because of their high-value returns.

According to IBM, effective personalization programs can reduce customer acquisition costs by up to 50% as machine learning and advanced analytics can predict customer preferences and automate decision-making, with data and analytics turning raw information into meaningful insights that drive measurable performance.

Advanced AI systems further enhance these capabilities, supporting sophisticated personalization at scale and enabling continuous adaptation as new data becomes available.

These enhancements increase agility and business dynamism – a necessity for businesses operating in today's economic and geopolitical landscape. Hyper-personalization enables companies to make faster, smarter business decisions that align with rapidly changing market conditions.

By leveraging real-time data and advanced analytics, organizations can quickly identify and respond to emerging trends, customer preferences, and competitive threats, allowing them to adapt their strategies and operations in near real-time.

How businesses are approaching hyper-personalization

Having undergone a wide adoption, personalization strategies are offering businesses the ability to reshape everything from customer experience to product development, proving personalization to be one of the most strategic use cases of artificial intelligence.

Across industries, leading organizations are seizing the power of AI and advanced analytics and automation to deliver tailored experiences to remain competitive. Examples include product recommendations on online stores and streaming services based on previous search history. AI is also being utilized to humanize customer interactions in insurance, and tailoring treatment plans unique to patient biology in healthcare.

Tech native platforms, which have long leveraged the advantages of personalization, are accustomed to these strategies, but businesses across traditional industries – healthcare, manufacturing, retail, automotive – are increasingly investing in personalization to keep pace.

The legacy systems that defined these industries for decades are being succeeded by AI powered, data-integrated solutions – a testament to the growing recognition that these technologies provide actionable insights.

How businesses can navigate the complexities and opportunities of AI adoption at scale

Given the increasing circulation and use of data, as well as the commercial imperative to leverage detailed customer preference data, the scale up of hyper-personalization strategies is a complex process, calling for robust AI regulation and data privacy frameworks.

Strong data governance is inherent to a sustainable hyper-personalization scale-up, especially when attempting to elevate the AI profile within a business. This includes establishing clear policies on data collection, usage, and retention, as well as ensuring compliance with evolving privacy regulations such as GDPR, and implanting robust cybersecurity systems which mitigate data breaches.

Workforce transformation is also a critical consideration. There is a need to upskill and reframe workforce training to foster a culture of innovation that works in tandem with AI additions. Traditional sales and marketing roles are evolving and fundamentally changing at a rapid pace compared to operations that were commonplace only a decade ago. Now, there is greater emphasis placed on data analysis, ethical AI model development, and AI literacy.

Managing risk in AI adoption also emerges as intrinsic to a hyper-personalization scale-up. Adopting AI systems is only a start, but managing risk becomes the next focus, to mitigate algorithmic bias and false results. This involves regular auditing of AI models, monitoring for unintended consequences, and embedding ethical considerations into the AI lifecycle.

Businesses are operating on new terrain. Hyper-personalization has made reaching customers easier than ever – the real challenge now is how best to employ these tools to anticipate the needs of customers before they know themselves. There is a fine balance to strike here – companies need to invest money and manpower into the ethical growth of their AI and data strategies, or they risk eroding consumer trust.

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The rise of AI is reshaping business technology at an unprecedented pace. From IT to HR, finance to customer service, few departments remain untouched by the wave of automation and intelligence sweeping companies and industries today. However, with this surge in interest comes a growing challenge: distinguishing between truly transformative AI tools and those merely dressed up in buzzwords.

For CIOs and business leaders, the mandate has shifted from exploration to execution. Deploying the wrong AI solution doesn’t just stall progress; it burns time, budget, and internal credibility. The challenge now is clear: cut through the noise, ensure enterprise-grade security, and back only the AI that drives measurable impact.

Perception problems around AI

At a surface level, many AI solutions look the same: slick interfaces, automated responses, bold claims. But there is a distinct difference between basic AI bots and true agentic AI. Some AI products automate tasks only within rigid boundaries, while agentic AI is designed to think, act, and adapt with no intervention required.

The confusion often stems from how AI is marketed. Some platforms tout predictive insights but rely on limited or shallow data, resulting in misleading outputs. Others claim “full autonomy,” yet still depend heavily on human input. Most are wrappers for outdated automation, only a few are truly built to drive action, solve real problems, and evolve with your environment.

Similarly, many products only scratch the surface by simply passing user prompts to large language models (LLMs) through an API - what you might call a very thin layer of AI. They look impressive at first, but lack any meaningful depth.

This creates a perception problem. AI is either seen as a cure-all or dismissed as hype. In reality, the value lies between. Real improvements in productivity and efficiency come from using the right tools, not just any tools.

The shift from automation to autonomy

Although hype still surrounds AI, we’re also seeing real progress as it evolves from basic automation to true autonomy. In IT specifically, autonomous AI is starting to take on entire workflows from start to finish, including resolving low-level support tickets without any intervention from IT personnel, even though end users may still interact with the AI.

The depth of these solutions is critical. When AI systems layer orchestration, coordinate multiple processes, or use specialized agents for different tasks, they become much more than a simple interface to a language model. And when they can take informed action on real business systems, drawing on an organization’s unique data and historical context rather than merely offering recommendations, that’s when you see what can truly be considered a deep AI product.

The effect on an organization is threefold. For end users, it delivers a zero-time SLA experience: instant support, self-service resolution, and frictionless access to help anytime. This shift dramatically improves the digital employee experience (DEX), which is now a key driver of productivity and satisfaction in mature IT environments. For IT teams, it frees up hours each week, reduces backlog, and improves response times. For the organization, it cuts costs without compromising quality and enables scalable IT support without additional hiring. However, with this power comes responsibility. IT leaders must ensure these systems operate within clear guardrails, especially when interacting with sensitive data, employee devices, or live environments.

A central concept here is closed-loop AI. These systems are designed to ensure that inputs remain within the organization’s control. Unlike open models that may use your data to enhance results elsewhere, closed-loop systems are built with enterprise-grade governance in mind. This approach gives IT leaders greater confidence to adopt AI without compromising security or compliance.

Three warning signs of hype

To effectively evaluate AI tools, it’s important to look past the branding and focus on the core mechanics. Here are three common red flags:

Lack of specificity: If a product claims to “revolutionize business” but cannot point to a specific workflow or use case it improves, that is a concern.

No explainability: If you can’t trace how a decision was made, or what data was used to make it, that’s a sign of a black-box system. Trustworthy AI should be auditable and understandable, especially in high-stakes enterprise settings.

No real learning or depth: If the AI lacks any meaningful learning mechanism or only relies on a small, shallow set of data points, it’s unlikely to improve over time. True AI products get smarter by processing large, relevant datasets, whether through training robust models or continuously absorbing business context. Without this depth, you’re often looking at a thin layer that may impress in a demo but quickly fall short in the real world.

As more tools claim to offer autonomy, it’s more important than ever to understand what to look for in a reliable AI solution and what to avoid.

What to look for instead

Instead of getting distracted by flashy demos or inflated claims, decision-makers should evaluate AI tools based on three key pillars:

Relevance and integration: Is it trained on data that reflects your business context, and can it be customized to fit your company’s workflows, policies, and operational guidelines? Just as important, will it integrate with your existing tech stack or require major reengineering? AI works best when it adapts to how your organization already operates, not the other way around.

Transparency: Can you understand and control how it works?

Impact: Does it save time, reduce errors, or improve outcomes in measurable ways? Does it actually do the work? Are there any stats or data points that can show proven impact?

Ultimately, the strongest AI solutions build layers of capability, from orchestration to specialized agents to learning engines that can take real action, creating something far more valuable than tools that simply pass prompts to a language model. They don’t just mimic intelligence; they deliver tangible value by empowering teams to focus on strategic work, improving efficiency, and generating a clearly demonstrable return on investment.

The future Is functional, not flashy

The future of AI in enterprise technology will not be defined by the tools with the boldest announcements or the most dramatic demos. Instead, it will be shaped by smart, adaptable systems that take ownership of tasks from start to finish and operate independently within clearly defined parameters. These tools quietly improve everyday operations and deliver consistent results with minimal oversight.

AI on its own is no longer enough. To truly deliver value, it needs to be connected to real-time systems, historical data, and the operational context where it’s deployed. That’s what unlocks its full potential. When AI is paired with an on-the-ground agent and backed by rich historical insights, it can go beyond recommendations and solve problems autonomously. It’s the combination of real-time visibility, institutional memory, and intelligent execution that makes for a truly transformative solution.

For IT leaders, the goal is not to chase hype, but to make informed decisions by asking tough questions, demanding clarity from vendors, and staying focused on business outcomes.

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Cambridge Evo 150 SE: Two-minute review

A little over four years after it launched its well-regarded Evo 150 music streaming amplifier, Cambridge has given it the once-over and rechristened it Evo 150 SE. The differences are not numerous, but they are noteworthy nonetheless – and that’s even before you take into account the fact that this new model is actually less expensive than the model it replaces.

A neat form factor, with swappable side panels a particularly nice touch, a big, bright display and several very decent control options are all carried over. So is the expansive selection of digital and analogue, wired and wireless input options. Power, at 150 watts per channel into 8 ohms, is unchanged too – but now the Hypex NCOREx Class D amplification is ‘tuned by Cambridge’. This is by far the most significant differential between the 150 SE and the outgoing 150.

It makes its presence felt, too, in the weighty, punchy (and ultimately fractionally overstated) low frequency reproduction. But it hasn’t affected the machine’s ability to create a big soundstage, to extract and deliver lots of detail, to manage a rhythm confidently, or to generate a large and persuasive soundstage.

Add in great ergonomics, a fine standard of build and finish and the ability to drive a couple of pairs of speakers without alarms, and it’s apparent the Cambridge Evo 150 SE is a very worthwhile proposition indeed. Even if it doesn’t look all that different to the product it replaces.

Oh, it's red and no mistake (Image credit: Future)Cambridge Evo 150 SE review: Price and release date

• Release date: July 2025
• Price: $3,299 / £1,999 / AU$5,999

The Cambridge Evo 150 SE launched in July 2025, and in the United Kingdom it sells for £1,999 – the same price as the outgoing Evo 150 had hit after launching at £2,249 back in 2021. In the United States you should expect to pay $3,299, while in Australia it’s currently listed at AU$5,999.

Of course, the market for streaming amplifiers is hotting up nicely – brands as venerable as NAD and as up-and-coming as Eversolo have products contesting this region of the market. So simply having a decent reputation for this sort of thing is only going to carry Cambridge (and the Evo 150 SE) so far…

Cambridge Evo 150 SE review: Features

• 150 watts of Hypex NCOREx ‘Tuned by Cambridge’ Class D amplification
• Numerous wired and wireless, analogue and digital inputs
• Four-layer PCB

There was very little wrong with the feature-set of the original EVO 150, so Cambridge has (very sensibly) left well enough alone. Or, at least, it has in all but one very significant area.

So what’s carried over from the outgoing model? Well, there’s the remarkably generous selection of physical and wireless inputs and outputs, for starters. Where analogue stuff is concerned, the Evo 150 SE has a line-level unbalanced input on stereo RCAs, a balanced equivalent via XLRs, and a moving magnet phono stage for use with a turntable accessed by another pair of RCAs. Digital inputs run to a digital coaxial input, a digital optical socket, an HDMI ARC and a USB-B input.

Wireless stuff is handled by dual-band wifi and Bluetooth with aptX HD codec compatibility. Wi-fi, of course, means the Cambridge can deal with AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect and TIDAL Connect - and it also gives access to internet radio. The 150 SE is Roon Ready, too.

As far as outputs go, there are binding posts for two pairs of speakers and a 3.5mm headphone socket. In addition, there’s a pre-out for a subwoofer, corresponding pre-outs for use with a power amplifier. And the Cambridge is a Bluetooth transmitter as well as a receiver, so it can drive your wireless headphones.

Incoming digital signals are handled by an ESS Sabre ES9018K2M digital-to-analogue converter that can deal with resolutions of up to 32bit/384kHz and DSD256. The Cambridge is compatible with all popular file types, and quite a few unpopular ones too.

So far, so very-similar-indeed-to-the-old-model. But what makes this machine an ‘SE’ is the fact that Cambridge has worked in such close collaboration with Hypex on its NCOREx Class D amplification that here it’s branded as ‘Tuned by Cambridge’. And it is, at least according to the companies involved, ready and able to produce “warm, dynamic and controlled sound”.

Features score: 5 / 5

Note the 'wings' (Image credit: Future)Cambridge Evo 150 SE review: Design

• 39 x 317 x 352mm (HxWxD)
• Large, bright, full-colour display
• Swappable side panels

Just as with ‘features’, not a lot has changed where the design of the Evo 150 SE is concerned - it demonstrably wasn’t broken, and so Cambridge has chosen not to fix it. Unlike the ‘features’ section, though, where there’s a difference here between the 150 and this 150 SE it is absolutely trifling.

So your £1999 buys you a nicely proportioned, beautifully made and flawlessly finished box with a bright, crisp full-colour display on the fascia that will display album artwork or virtual VU meters as well as providing menu and set-up options. The Evo 150 is supplied with two pairs of side-panels that attach magnetically and can easily be swapped - one is a real wood veneer, the other a dark grey slatted alternative.

So yes, the difference between the Evo 150 and this Evo 150 SE is - hold on to your hat - the knurling of the two-part volume dial/input selector. It’s less knurled than it was before.

Design score: 5 / 5

Everything in its right place… (Image credit: Future)Cambridge Evo 150 SE review: Sound quality

• Detail and dynamism in equal measure
• Big, organised soundstage
• Slightly overconfident low-frequency reproduction

There are differences between the way the Evo 150 SE sounds when delivering a DSD64 file of Tears For Fears’ Head Over Heels via some network-attached storage compared to the same song streaming from the free tier of Spotify, of course – but one of the most admirable things about this Cambridge machine is how consistent it sounds. No matter which of its inputs you’re using, its fundamental character comes through loud and clear.

And broadly speaking, its character is a lovely balance between ‘detail’ and ‘energy’, and between ‘scale’ and ‘dynamism’. The Evo 150 SE is capable of revealing the finest, most minor details in a recording, and giving them the appropriate amount of emphasis relative to the overall performance. It invests music with the sort of vigour and momentum that can bring it to life, without ever threatening to lose control of proceedings. It creates a large and well-defined soundstage, and ensures that every element of recording (no matter how numerous the elements might be) gets the required elbow-room to express itself – though it delivers music as a unified and singular piece at the same time. It has the sort of dynamic headroom that allows it to track the shifts in intensity or volume during the course of a recording without sounding pressured or stressed.

At the top of the frequency range, the Evo 150 SE attacks with chunky determination. Treble sounds have brilliance and a fair amount of bite, but they’re substantial enough to prevent any hardness or edginess creeping in. It’s a similar story through the midrange: the Cambridge is forward and direct, but never pushy, and it reveals a big amount of information, both broad and fine, about what’s going on there. Voices, in particular, benefit no end from this eloquence and positivity.

The tonal balance up to this point, and down into the low frequencies too, is almost (but not quite) neutral – there’s just a hint of warmth that suits the overall character of the Evo 150 SE just fine. The frequency response, though, is slightly skewed. The Cambridge puts slightly more emphasis on the bottom end than is absolutely ideal, with the result that the overall presentation is slightly tiled towards bass. It’s not that the low end here lacks detail or is in any way ponderous – the Evo 150 SE controls the low frequencies carefully at their attack and decay, and expresses rhythms confidently as a result. But while there are doubtless plenty of listeners who will interpret this slight bottom-heaviness as ‘exciting’, it serves to make the Evo 150 SE sound less than neutral. And to demand you take some care with partnering equipment, especially loudspeakers.

Having praised the Cambridge for the consistency of its sound through its numerous inputs, it’s nevertheless worth pointing out just what a gem the Evo 150 SE’s phono stage is. A vinyl copy of The Cinematic Orchestra’s Every Day sounds full, dynamic to almost comical degree, lavishly detailed and is delivered with complete positivity. Yes, that tilt towards the bottom end is still in evidence – but the way the Cambridge handles the various rhythms and tempos goes an awfully long way towards making up for it.

Sound quality score: 4.5 / 5

The bulk of my testing was done with the Sennheiser IE900 or the Austrian Audio 'The Composer' (Image credit: Future)Cambridge Evo 150 SE review: Usability & setup

• Remote handset or app control
• Simple to get attach to your local network
• Big-print on-screen menus are nicely realised

Control is available via the on-screen menus and the input dial, or via the perfectly adequate yet entirely unremarkable remote control handset. Or you can do what all sensible people will do, and use the fourth (and current) version of the StreamMagic control app. This is a comprehensive, logical, stable and usable app, which offers a lot of options – I’m particularly keen on the ability to include only those inputs you’re using on the home screen. It’s good for integrating your favourite music streaming services, saving half a dozen internet radio stations as presets, and plenty more besides.

As far as ‘setup’ goes, it’s simply a question of making the physical connections you want to make, and then getting the 150 SE on to your local network. It behaves as an AirPlay speaker when fresh out of the box, so finding it and hooking it to your network couldn’t be easier (unless you’re using an Ethernet connection to your router, which makes it easier still). Then load up your streaming services and internet radio stations, nominate the inputs you’re using to the front of the app, and away you go.

Usability & setup score: 5 / 5

This white light (for aptX Lossless) was oddly hard to come by when using sources able to handle it… (Image credit: Future)Cambridge Evo 150 SE review: Value

When the original Evo 150 launched back in 2021, it cost £2249 – and everyone seemed to think that was fair enough. Somehow Cambridge has managed to retain everything that was great about the original, dial in some upgraded amplification and lower the asking price to an extremely eye-catching £1999. So yes, there’s splendid value for money here.

Value score: 5 / 5

Note the new 'rails' on the casework to help with cooling (Image credit: Future)Should you buy Cambridge Audio Evo 150 SE?Buy it if...

You admire well-realised industrial design
The Evo 150 SE is an understatedly swish looker, and those magnetically attached side panel options are never less than gratifying.

The description of sound as ‘thumping’ strikes you as a positive
You’ll never find yourself craving greater low-end heft or substance.

You own (or will own) some capable loudspeakers
The Cambridge is an adept performer in so many ways - and it deserves the speakers that can do that fact some justice.

Don't buy it if...

Your speakers or source equipment aren’t of a similar standard
See above, really - if you want the Evo 150 SE to sound like the money’s-worth (which it most definitely can) your sources and speakers need to step up.

You crave perfect sonic balance
There’s a definite flavour to the way the Cambridge sounds - and as with all flavours, it’s very much a matter of taste.

(Image credit: Cambridge)Cambridge Audio Evo 150 SE review: Also consider

In 2025 the Naim Uniti Atom is an old stager – but that just means it’s matured, rather than being in any way past it. The audio balance is more neutral than the Evo 150 SE, and what the Naim lacks in inputs (there’s no phono stage, for instance) it more than makes up for in both tangibles and intangibles.

iFi makes strong design choices and you love to see it (Image credit: Future)How I tested the Cambridge Audio Evo 150 SE

• Two-week testing period
• Bowers & Wilkins speakers
• Rega P1 turntable; network storage; Tidal Connect, internet radio

With a pair of Bowers & Wilkins 702 S3 Signature at the business end, with a Rega Planar 1 turntable as a physical source and a mixture of Tidal Connect, network-attached storage, internet radio and various devices attached via Bluetooth at the other end, the Cambridge Evo 150 SE always held its own.

No genre of music seemed to be off-limits, and it wasn’t as ruthless with lower quality content as it might have been - try as I might, I couldn’t make it insist on hi-res stuff. Which means it was a pleasure to listen to in pretty much every circumstance.

• Read more about how we test

First reviewed August 2025

• Russia has already banned WhatsApp and Telegram
• Users flocked to Google Meet, which could also get banned
• WeChat-based Max platform will come pre-installed on an phones soon

Russia is considering banning Google Meet as part of a broader crackdown on foreign tech, according to The Moscow Times reporting.

Roskomnadzor, Russia’s federal agency responsible for the country’s media, has already banned voice and video calls via WhatsApp and Telegram, and the country is set to expand restrictions even further.

With users seeking alternatives, Google Meet quickly became one of the most popular alternatives – one that Roskomnadzor is now also looking to ban.

Russia bans Google Meet

Google Meet recently faced widespread disruptions, with over 2,000 individual reports complaining about frozen calls, missing video/audio and unexpected shutdowns, however Roskomnadzor has publicly denied any involvement.

“People started experimenting with other platforms after blocking calls in WhatsApp and Telegram, apparently, overloads led to certain failures,” Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Information Policy, Information Technologies and Communications Andrei Svintsov said in a conversation with Abzats.

“Roskomnadzor has not taken any measures to restrict the operation of the Google Meet video conferencing service in Russia, the agency’s press told Interfax,” news agency Interfax wrote in a (translated) Telegram post.

The post also described Meta as “extremist,” linking WhatsApp with fraud, sabotage and terrorism. WhatsApp had over 97 million users in Russia in July 2025 according to Reuters.

“However, applications that can monitor our citizens, transfer information to Western special services, may well be blocked,” Svintsov added.

Industry analysts are expecting an imminent ban on Google Meet to tie in with Russia’s promotion of Max, a state-backed app set to be pre-installed on all new smartphones from September, based on China’s WeChat.

Max, which is still in a testing phase, has amassed around 18 million users already.

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• The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max could support reverse wireless charging
• This would let you use them to wirelessly charge the likes of your AirPods or Apple Watch
• However, there are questions over whether Apple would be able to achieve this while still offering MagSafe

The iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max might have a feature that Android phones have offered for years, as a leaker claims they could support reverse wireless charging.

This tip comes from Fixed Focus Digital – a source with a reasonable track record – via BGR, and if it pans out, then you’d be able to place your AirPods or Apple Watch on the back of your iPhone and use it as a wireless charging mat, draining the iPhone’s battery a little to charge these smaller devices.

This feature would also likely work with other iPhones, though it would almost certainly take a long time to juice one up, and significantly drain the iPhone 17 Pro you’re using as a charger in the process. Still, based on other implementations of reverse wireless charging, you'd probably be able to charge up non-Apple devices, too.

Reverse wireless charging is arguably a niche feature, but it’s one that many high-profile Android handsets – such as the Samsung Galaxy S25 series – offer already.

The MagSafe problem

A Magsafe-like Pixelsnap accessory on the Pixel 10 Pro (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

Interestingly, though, the Google Pixel 10 series has actually ditched this feature in favor of MagSafe-like magnetic wireless charging. The company claimed the design of the magnets meant it wasn’t possible to offer both magnetic wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, so it will be interesting to see whether Apple can achieve both on the iPhone 17 Pro series.

The fact that Google couldn’t manage this makes us a little skeptical of this rumor, but this isn’t the first time we’ve heard of reverse wireless charging possibly coming to the iPhone 17 Pro, with a previous leak suggesting it could offer a charging power of 7.5W – which wouldn’t charge a phone up very fast, but is still almost double what some Android phones can manage.

However, both of these leaks simply say that Apple has tested reverse wireless charging on the iPhone 17 Pro series, so even if they’re accurate, it’s possible Apple will choose not to equip the phones with this feature.

We should find out soon, though, as the iPhone 17 series is expected to be unveiled in September, with one source pointing to September 9.

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• Carabao Cup Dates - Dates: August 12, 2025 – March 22, 2026
• Best Streams: Paramount+ (US) and Sky Sports / ITV (UK)
• Use NordVPN to watch from anywhere

2025/26's Carabao Cup live streams see Newcastle bidding to defend the title that secured them their first domestic major trophy since 1955. Below we have all the information on how to watch Carabao Cup 2025/26 from anywhere in the world with details on worldwide TV channels, broadcasters and live streams on TV screens, laptops, tablets and mobiles.

Last season’s competition proved to be a memorable one as Eddie Howe led Newcastle to a deserved victory over Liverpool at Wembley Stadium. The Magpies won the competition for the first time in their history, ending a 70-year wait for a domestic trophy and securing their first piece of major silverware since the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1969.

The Toon Army will be hoping for another trip to Wembley but it won’t be easy to reach consecutive finals as there will be 91 other teams vying for glory. Last year’s beaten finalists Liverpool are the most successful club in the history of the competition, with 10 wins, and after a busy summer of recruitment they will be determined to reclaim the trophy they won in 2024.

Man City have also excelled in the competition, winning it eight times, while neighbors Man Utd have six wins to their name, the most recent coming in 2023. However, last season showed that it is not just the established names that can compete for honors as Tottenham and Crystal Palace both triumphed in cup competitions.

Here's where to watch Carabao Cup 2025/26 live streams online from anywhere.

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How to watch Carabao Cup 2025/26 live streams in the US

Carabao Cup 2025/26 live streams are on Paramount+ in the US.

The Paramount+ Essential package costs $7.99 per month or $59.99 per year, while Paramount+ with Showtime (which allows you to stream over 40,000 movies and TV episodes without ads) costs $12.99 per month or $119.99 per year.

Carabao Cup soccer is available with both deals, and you can also watch EFL matches on the platform.

Specific games will also be live streamed on CBS Sports Golazo Network which is a free to watch channel provided to US residents.

Outside the U.S. on holiday? Tap into your usual Carabao Cup stream using NordVPN.

How to watch Carabao Cup 2025/26 live streams in the UK

Carabao Cup live streams are shared between Sky Sports and ITV in the UK for the 2025/26 season.

Sky Sports will show all of the EFL Cup fixtures over the season. Sky Sports packages start from £22 per month. Or you can use a more flexible streaming option, Now, (formerly Now TV). Now sports passes start at £14.99.

ITV has the rights to broadcast 10 Carabao Cup matches this season for FREE. All you need is a valid TV license. You can also watch these matches online via the ITVX streaming service.

If you're travelling outside of the U.K. during the tournament you can access your Sky Sports or ITV stream using NordVPN.

Official Carabao Cup 2025/26 broadcasters by regionAfrica

Click to see more Carabao Cup 2025/26 streams▼

Residents of the following African countries can watch Carabao Cup live streams via Startimes Sports Life.

Burundi, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Uguanda and Zambia.

Americas

Click to see more Carabao Cup 2025/26 streams▼

• Canada

DAZN Canada has the rights to the Carabao Cup in Canada.

• Latin America

Residents of the following Latin American countries can watch Carabao Cup 2025/26 live streams with a Disney+ subscription:

Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela.

Europe

Click to see more Carabao Cup 2025/26 streams▼

The Carabao Cup 2025/26 will be shown by various broadcasters and streaming services throughout Europe. You can check out specific information about your country below.

• Albania

Carabao Cup live streams in Estonia can be found on Digitalb.

• Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden

Carabao Cup live streams in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden can be found on Viaplay.

• Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Slovenia

You can watch the Carabao Cup 2025/26 on Arena Sport channels in this set of countries.

• France

There will be coverage of Carabao Cup 2025/26 in France on beIN Sports.

• Germany

In Germany, the Carabao Cup 2025/26 rights are owned by Sky.

• Greece

Greeks should head to Cosmote TV and Oglivy for the Carabao Cup 2025/26.

• Ukraine

Setanta Sports will show the Carabao Cup 2025/26 in Ukraine.

Asia

Click to see more Carabao Cup 2025/26 streams▼

• Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan

The Carabao Cup 2025/26 rights for these countries are held by Setanta Sports.

• China

In China, the Carabao Cup 2025/26 will be shown by CSM.

• Chinese Taipei

• Hong Kong

TVB is the place to go for the Carabao Cup 2025/26 in Hong Kong.

• India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka

FanCode is the Carabao Cup 2025/26 broadcaster for India plus Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

• Indonesia

Head to Reddentes in Indonesia for the rights to the Carabao Cup 2025/26.

• Japan

DAZN will show the Carabao Cup 2025/26 in Japan.

• Malaysia

Reddentes is the home of the Carabao Cup 2025/26 in the Malaysia.

• Singapore

Singtel and Mediacorp provide coverage of the Carabao Cup 2025/26 in Singapore.

• South Korea

Coverage of the Carabao Cup 2025/26 in South Korea can be found at Coupang.

Oceania

Click to see more Carabao Cup 2025/26 streams▼

• Australia

beIN Sports has the rights to the Carabao Cup 2025/26 in Australia.

• New Zealand

beIN Sports is the Carabao Cup 2025/26 TV rights holder in New Zealand.

Middle East

Click to see more Carabao Cup 2025/26 streams▼

BeIN Sports MENA is the Carabao Cup 2025/26 broadcaster across the Middle East.

You can watch the Carabao Cup 2025/26 live streams with a subscription to BeIN Sports in the following Middle East countries:

Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.

Carabao Cup 2nd Round Fixtures

(Image credit: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)

All times are in BST

Tuesday, 26 August

• Reading vs AFC Wimbledon, 7 pm
• Cambridge vs Charlton, 7.30 pm
• Wolves vs West Ham, 7.30 pm
• Accrington vs Doncaster,
• Barnsley vs Rotherham, 7.45 pm
• Birmingham vs Port Vale, 7.45 pm
• Bournemouth vs Brentford, 7.45 pm
• Bromley vs Wycombe, 7.45 pm
• Burnley vs Derby, 7.45 pm
• Cardiff vs Cheltenham, 7.45 pm
• Millwall vs Coventry, 7.45 pm
• Norwich vs Southampton, 7.45 pm
• Preston vs Wrexham, 7.45 pm
• Stoke vs Bradford, 7.45 pm
• Sunderland vs Huddersfield, 7.45 pm
• Swansea vs Plymouth, 7.45 pm
• Burton vs Lincoln,7.45 pm
• Wigan vs Stockport, 7.45 pm
• Sheffield Wednesday vs Leeds, 8 pm

Wednesday, 27 August

• Everton vs Mansfield, 7.45 pm
• Fulham vs Bristol City, 7.45 pm
• Oxford vs Brighton, 7.45 pm
• Grimsby vs Manchester United, 8 pm (ITV)

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

Our Nintendo Switch 2 review

(Image credit: Future)

TechRadar Gaming has now gotten our hands on Nintendo Switch 2, and we've been busy testing it since launch. You can read our final Nintendo Switch 2 review to see what we think of the new Nintendo console. At present, there's a brand new Donkey Kong game to dig into, and a new Pokémon game in October.

Upcoming Switch 2 games include a brand new Pokémon game, a sequel to a cult classic Kirby racing game, and even a Nintendo-exclusive FromSoftware game. Judging by this year's line-up, the new Nintendo console is off to a very strong start indeed.

And whether you managed to get ahold of a Nintendo Switch 2 yet, you'll be able to play a lot of these games on the original Nintendo Switch. Still, it's clear that Nintendo Switch 2 is the best place to play, with a whole host of Nintendo Switch 2 exclusives lined up over the next year or so, each looking like a true next-gen experience.

We've been busy playing Nintendo Switch 2, testing out the new Pro Controller, publishing a Mario Kart World review, and using our knowledge to compare the Switch vs Switch 2 specs. Over the last eight years, TechRadar Gaming has covered the full lifecycle of the Switch, and we're all very excited to apply our expertise to its successor into the next generation.

For now, here's every confirmed Upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 game, so that you can see what you'll have the option of playing in the near future. As new release dates are unveiled, this page will be updated.

Upcoming Switch games 2025: this year’s biggest games

• Hollow Knight: Silksong - September 4, 2025 (PS5, XSX|S, PC, Switch 2, Switch)
• Borderlands 4 - October 3, 2025 (Switch 2)
• Pokémon Legends Z-A - October 16, 2025 (Switch 2, Switch)
• Kirby Air Riders - November 20, 2025 (Switch 2)
• Metroid Prime 4: Beyond - TBC 2025 (Switch 2, Switch)

Now, let's go deeper into some of the biggest games planned for Switch 2.

(Image credit: Gearbox)Borderlands 4

Greetings, Vault Hunter

Now onto Borderlands 4, which first launches in September for PS5, XSX|S, and PC. This one's a great example of how the newer console is able to play third-party titles in a way its predecessor simply couldn't. The Switch 2 version launches sometime in 2025, meaning that you'll be able to take your vault-hunting action on the go in handheld mode. Details are a little scarce at the moment regarding the game's story, though we do know there are four new playable characters to choose from.

Borderlands 4 launches October 3, 2025 for Nintendo Switch 2.

(Image credit: Nintendo)Metroid Prime 4: Beyond

Friend or foe?

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is the long-awaited return of the 3D Metroid series. It's still set for 2025, and it'll release on both Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch. The gameplay revealed so far points to this being faithful to the original trilogy, with platforming, puzzles, and first-person shooting action. Samus has psychic abilities this time around, and players can use the new Joy-Con mouse functionality to aim.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond will launch at some point in 2025. Once we hear a more precise release date, we'll update this section.

(Image credit: Nintendo)Drag x Drive

A flick of the wrist

Drag x Drive arrives August 14, 2025, and looks set to be the biggest proof of concept for the new mouse mode yet. Using both Joy-Con's in mouse mode, you'll drag across a surface to power your character. With a flick of the controller, you can line up shots in this high-octane sports title.

This one launches August 14, 2025 only for Nintendo Switch 2.

(Image credit: Nintendo)Pokémon Legends Z-A

Lumiose City awaits

Pokémon Legends Z-A takes players back to Lumiose City to take part in a program to make the place more suited to Pokémon and people living in harmony. There are dynamic battles, city-wide exploration, and three starter Pokémon in Totodile, Chikorita, and Tepig. Mega Evolution is back too, adding a new layer to combat, and giving Pokémon like Charizard and Lucario new forms.

Pokémon Legends Z-A will launch October 16, 2025 for Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch.

(Image credit: FromSoftware)The Duskbloods

Bloodsworn

The Duskbloods was perhaps the biggest surprise announcement of the Switch 2 reveal event. It's a multiplayer online action game from the creators of Elden Ring, Dark Souls, and Bloodborne. Crazier yet, it's only launching on Nintendo Switch 2, something that's very unexpected indeed. There's still a lot to learn about the game, but we do know that players will engage in PvPvE combat, taking on the role of "The Bloodsworn". These vampiric characters possess superhuman abilities, which can be used to hunt down and eliminate foes.

The Duskbloods is set for a 2026 release on Nintendo Switch 2. So far, a more precise date hasn't been given.

Nintendo Switch 2 games release schedule

(Image credit: Nintendo)

Now, onto the full Nintendo Switch 2 release schedule. The games below will release on Switch 2, and some on Switch as well. We'll indicate where this is the case, and will continue to update release dates as they're unveiled.

August

(Image credit: Nintendo)

August brings a new version of an excellent Kirby 3D platformer, as well as Drag x Drive, which uses the new mouse mode to exciting effect:

• Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar (Switch 2 Edition) - August 27 (Switch 2
• Kirby and the Forgotten Land (Switch 2 Edition) - August 28 (Switch 2)
• Shinobi: Art of Vengeance - August 29 (Switch 2)

September

(Image credit: Ubisoft)

Players will be able to jump into Star Wars Outlaws on Switch 2 in September:

• Star Wars Outlaws (Switch 2 Edition) - September 4 (Switch 2)
• Hollow Knight: Silksong - September 4, 2025 (PS5, XSX|S, PC, Switch 2, Switch)
• Cronos: The New Dawn - September 5 (Switch 2)
• Dæmon X Machina: Titanic Scion - September 5 (Switch 2)
• NBA Bounce - September 26 (Switch 2)
• EA Sports FC 26 - September 26 (Switch 2, Switch)
• Pac-Man World Re-Pac 2 - September 26 (Switch 2)
• Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles - September 30 (Switch 2, Switch)

October

(Image credit: Future / Sega)

Switch 2 players will get Persona 3: Reload in October. Here's what else is releasing:

• Borderlands 4 - October 3 (Switch 2)
• Just Dance 2026 Edition - October 14 (Switch 2, Switch)
• Pokémon Legends Z-A - October 16, 2025 (Switch 2, Switch)
• Plants Vs Zombies - October 23 (Switch 2, Switch)
• Persona 3 Reload - October 23 (Switch 2)
• Once Upon A KATAMARI - October 24, 2025 (Switch 2, Switch)

November

(Image credit: Bandai Namco)

Dragon Ball Sparking! Zero arrives on Nintendo Switch 2 in November. Here's the full line-up:

• Yakuza Kiwami 1 + 2 - November 13 (Switch 2)
• Dragon Ball Sparking! Zero - November 14 (Switch 2)
• Kirby Air Riders - November 20, 2025 (Switch 2)

December

(Image credit: Square Enix)

December sees a brand new Octopath Traveler game releasing. Here's what we know so far:

• Octopath Traveler 0 - December 4, 2025 (Switch 2)

Rest of 2025 and TBC

(Image credit: Nintendo)

Finally, here's a list of Switch 2 games that have been announced, but either don't have more than a release year attached to them yet, or are much further out. For now, they're simply TBC, but once each game does receive a release date, this page will be updated.

• Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment - Winter 2025 (Switch 2)
• Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition - TBC 2025 (Switch 2)
• Hades II - TBC 2025 (Switch 2)
• Metroid Prime 4: Beyond - TBC 2025 (Switch 2, Switch)
• Professor Layton and the New World Of Steam - TBC 2025 (Switch 2)
• Reanimal - TBC 2025 (Switch 2)
• Two Point Museum - TBC 2025 (Switch 2, Switch)
• Witchbrook - TBC 2025 (Switch 2)
• Yooka-Replaylee - TBC 2025 (Switch 2)
• Marvel Cosmic Invasion - TBC 2025 (Switch 2)
• The Duskbloods - TBC 2026 (Switch 2)
• Enter The Gungeon - TBC 2026 (Switch 2)
• Splatoon Raiders - TBC (Switch 2)
• Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade - TBC (Switch 2)
• Human: Fall Flat 2 - TBC (Switch 2)
• My Time at Evershine - TBC (Switch 2)
• PowerWash Simulator 2 - TBC (Switch 2)
• 007 First Light - TBC 2026 (Switch 2)
• Pokémon Champions - TBC 2026 (Switch 2, iOS, Android)
• Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection - TBC 2026 (Switch 2)

New Switch 2 games FAQ

(Image credit: Nintendo)What games are coming out for Switch 2?

There are many games coming out for Switch 2 over the next year or so. The biggest ones are Kirby Air Riders on November 20, and then Metroid Prime 4 at some point in 2025. We'll also get Pokémon Legends: Z-A in October, as well as Hades 2 as a console exclusive.

Is the Switch 2 better than Switch 1?

The Switch 2 has better specs than Switch 1, with a larger screen, the capacity to output games at up to a 4K resolution, and support for 120 frames per second modes. We'll have to wait for launch to see how it stacks up against its predecessor, though for now, it's looking like Switch 2 could be a much better console than Switch 1, with better third-party game support and an improved Pro-Controller featuring back paddles.

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• Underrated Switch games to play in 2025
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• The Garmin Fenix 8 has just received a huge free update
• The upgrade includes Running Economy, a triathlon coach, and more
• It also adds a Smart Wake Alarm, which has been missing for a while

If you’ve got your eye on one of the best Garmin Watches, there’s no doubt that the Garmin Fenix 8 is an incredible choice. And despite being one of the best smartwatches around, the Fenix 8 isn’t resting on its laurels, as a new update has brought a significant array of changes and improvements to Garmin’s wearable.

The latest 17.28 software update has arrived, and with it comes a raft of new features. That includes one that arguably should have been present from the time the Fenix 8 was launched in August 2024.

The most notable addition could well be Running Economy. This analyzes your running technique, including stride length, pace and heart rate, plus a new feature called Step Speed Loss, which looks at how much velocity is lost with each footfall. That makes Running Economy a handy metric for understanding your running proficiency, although it does require a compatible heart rate monitor.

Elsewhere, Garmin has added several new features that can help runners and athletes across multiple disciplines. That includes the Garmin Triathlon Coach, Running Tolerance, Projected Race Time, Suggested Finish Line, and a lot more.

Features for free

(Image credit: Garmin)

When it comes to understanding your rest, recovery and sleep, the new Evening Report feature adds a new layer of analysis and insight to the Fenix 8. This report recaps your day and shows you anything that’s on the horizon for the immediate future, from workouts to calendar events.

There’s also a new Smart Wake Alarm, and this aims to rouse you from bed within a specific time window once you’re in a light sleep stage. Many rival smartwatches have this feature, and its long absence from the Fenix 8 has made it feel a touch behind the times. It’s something that this device really should have had from the get-go.

The Fenix 8 update is a massive one, but it’s also worth noting that it includes multisport workouts, custom focus modes, daily summary notifications in the Notification Center, and a whole lot more. The fact that it all arrives in a free software update makes it even more worthwhile.

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Apple's sci-fi library is chock-full of must-watch series.

People were forced to leave their pets behind during Hurricane Katrina, creating an unprecedented animal welfare crisis that has shaped the country's disaster response ever since.

(Image credit: Chris Hondros)

• Gemini could come to Android Auto with precise location access
• The update would make Gemini more useful on the road
• Changes to the look of the colors on Android Auto have also been spotted

We know that Gemini is heading to Android Auto in the near future, and when the rollout does finally get underway it would seem that the AI assistant will bring a useful upgrade with it: access to your vehicle's precise location.

This tweak was spotted by the team at 9to5Google, hidden in the code of the latest beta version of the Android Auto app, v15.1. It looks as though users will be able to choose whether or not to share exact location details in the Android Auto settings.

The obvious benefits of giving Gemini full access to your location are of course navigating from A to B, and finding out about nearby places – if you need to stop for gas, for example, or want to find the best coffee shop in an area.

You can use Google Maps on Android Auto for these tasks without Gemini, but if you do need voice control and maybe a bit of extra AI assistance, then Gemini is going to be most helpful if it knows exactly where you are at all times.

The changing of the colors

How the updated colors (right) will look on Android Auto (Image credit: Android Authority)

Gemini is replacing Google Assistant across all of Google's apps and devices, and based on some hints dropped by Google executives at the Pixel 10 launch event, the AI bot should reach Android Auto before the year is out.

We've already seen a preview of how Gemini might look on vehicle dashboards, and to a large extent the Gemini AI is going to work exactly the same as it does on your phone, only on a larger screen.

Meanwhile, the folks at Android Authority have spotted something else in the latest Android Auto code: a less vibrant color palette that's not quite as saturated, with a primary color pulled from the selected wallpaper.

It's possible that we'll get the Gemini update and the revised color theme options at the same time, but we're going to have to wait to see exactly how they fit in with the current interface – and as soon as Google officially starts the rollout, we'll let you know.

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Wireless innovation has shaped our digital world. From Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to Z-Wave and Thread, we’ve watched protocols emerge to solve distinct connectivity problems. Now, a new technology is stepping in not to connect devices, but to give them spatial intelligence.

Ultra-Wideband (UWB) is quietly transforming how devices understand and interact with their environment. It’s not as flashy as 5G or as familiar as Wi-Fi, but its impact on secure access, real-time location tracking, and automation is profound and increasingly relevant for businesses.

What Is Ultra-Wideband?

UWB is a short-range, low-power wireless protocol that transmits data through very short pulses over a wide frequency band, typically 3.1 to 10.6 GHz. Its defining feature is time-of-flight (ToF) measurement, enabling devices to calculate exact distance and direction between each other with centimeter-level accuracy.

Where Bluetooth and Wi-Fi can tell you a device is nearby, UWB can tell you exactly where it is, how far away, and which direction it’s moving in real time.

RTLS 2.0: Why UWB Is a Breakthrough

Having spent years building and enabling Wi-Fi and BLE solutions used in enterprise RTLS deployments, I’ve seen some of their limitations first-hand. These technologies suffer from environmental noise, RF interference, signal distortion from multipath effects, meter-level error margins, and degraded performance in dense or metallic environments.

Ultra-Wideband (UWB) solves these challenges by using precise time-of-flight (ToF) measurements rather than signal strength. This enables centimeter-level positioning accuracy (typically less than 30 cm), low-latency updates suitable for real-time automation, high reliability in cluttered or reflective environments, and energy efficiency suitable for mobile tags and long-duration deployments.

Why UWB Matters: Strategic Pilots Point to Real Business Impact

Across sectors, a growing number of businesses are no longer just testing UWB; they’re piloting solutions that point to long-term competitive advantage. In corporate campuses, UWB is enabling frictionless, intent-based access control that adapts to hybrid work models and improves security posture.

In healthcare, hospitals are trialing UWB for staff duress alerts, equipment tracking, and patient flow management, solving problems that legacy RTLS couldn’t address with precision. In manufacturing and logistics, early adopters like Siemens and Zebra are leveraging UWB not just for asset tracking but as a foundation for digital twins and automation triggers.

With enterprise infrastructure now supporting UWB through access points from Cisco and Juniper, businesses can deploy it as part of existing network upgrades. Emerging standards like Aliro, FiRa, and the Car Connectivity Consortium are reducing fragmentation, ensuring that today’s pilots evolve into interoperable, scalable deployments.

These pilots aren’t just proving technical feasibility; they’re defining how UWB will power the next generation of access, automation, and location-aware business systems. Today, UWB-based RTLS solutions are being actively adopted in manufacturing, logistics, and healthcare environments by companies like Siemens and Zebra.

These systems provide real-time visibility into the location and movement of assets, materials, and personnel, enabling use cases such as digital twins, workflow optimization, inventory accuracy, and safety enforcement. In hospitals, UWB helps track medical equipment, monitor patient flow, and ensure staff safety. The shift from pilot programs to operational deployments underscores UWB’s growing maturity and proven value across industries.

Enterprise Access Points Now Shipping with UWB

Enterprise vendors like Cisco and Juniper have already integrated UWB radios into their commercial access points, enabling high-accuracy indoor location services for asset tracking, automation, and spatial intelligence. These platforms combine high-speed connectivity via Wi-Fi, basic proximity awareness via BLE, and precise spatial awareness via UWB.

This marks a significant shift toward unified enterprise infrastructure that supports both connectivity and advanced location-aware services.

UWB in the Smart Home: Invisible but Powerful

UWB brings the same benefits to smart homes that it’s bringing to factories and offices:

Hands-free presence detection: Lights turn on as you walk in. Doors unlock as you approach from the outside only. Devices respond based on where you are in the room.

Intent-based automation: UWB goes beyond occupancy; it understands movement, direction, and identity.

Secure, frictionless access: No need to pull out a phone or tap a card. UWB verifies your presence and position securely and invisibly.

The Ultra-Wideband (UWB) ecosystem is being shaped by major industry initiatives focused on interoperability, security, and widespread adoption across homes, vehicles, and commercial spaces. Aliro, part of the Connectivity Standards Alliance, is set to launch in 2025, defining secure and interoperable UWB access control for residential, hospitality, and commercial environments, integrating with Matter and other smart home protocols.

The Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC) has developed a Digital Key specification, adopted by automakers like BMW and Hyundai, enabling UWB-based passive vehicle entry and digital key sharing, which is now influencing smart lock and property access solutions.

Meanwhile, the FiRa Consortium develops technical standards and certification programs to ensure UWB remains reliable, secure, and interoperable across access, automation, and tracking applications. FiRa supports both CCC and Aliro profiles under its testing and certification umbrella. Together, these efforts are transforming UWB into a trusted, scalable platform, moving beyond vendor-specific solutions.

At CES 2025, UWB-powered smart locks from brands like Ultraloq and Schlage showcased hands-free auto-unlocking, demonstrating the practical impact of these standards in real-world applications. By aligning technical specifications and fostering ecosystem-wide compatibility, Aliro, CCC, and FiRa are accelerating UWB’s role in smart environments, from homes and cars to commercial spaces, ensuring seamless and secure user experiences.

How UWB Complements, Not Replaces, Other Wireless Protocols

UWB doesn’t compete with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth; it complements them. Each protocol plays a different role in the connected environment:

Wi-Fi provides high-bandwidth data connectivity, and UWB adds precise indoor positioning to the same access point.

Bluetooth (BLE) excels in device pairing and basic proximity with low power and ubiquity, while UWB provides centimeter-level ranging and directionality.

Thread/Z-Wave supports low-power mesh networking, great for automation, and UWB enables intent-based triggers and presence awareness.

NFC provides secure, intentional tap-based access; UWB enables the same level of security passively and hands-free.

The future is multi-protocol. UWB will often be embedded alongside BLE and Wi-Fi, silently enhancing the intelligence of connected experiences.

Why Consumers Won’t Ask for UWB - And That’s OK

UWB isn’t a protocol users will connect to or configure. It’s not trying to be the next Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Instead, it operates invisibly, delivering context, precision, and automation without user intervention.

We already see this with Apple’s AirTag, which uses Bluetooth for wide-area discovery and UWB for pinpoint precision when the user is nearby. That moment when your iPhone tells you to “turn left” or “go five feet forward” to find your keys? That’s UWB at work, providing directional awareness far beyond what Bluetooth can offer on its own.

Similar features are emerging in Samsung’s SmartTag+ and Google’s Find My Device network, leveraging UWB for object finding, room-level location, and even AR guidance. Yet the average user may not have any idea what UWB is, nor do they need to.

In fact, UWB is already embedded in hundreds of millions of smartphones and tracking tags, from iPhones and Pixel devices to select Galaxy models. Consumers benefit from its capabilities every day, without ever needing to know the acronym.

That’s UWB’s strength: It works quietly in the background, making environments more responsive, secure, and aware, without requiring attention, setup, or even awareness. Think:

- Smart locks that unlock as you approach

- Cars that know it’s you before you touch the door

- Lights that follow your movement room to room

- Devices that guide you to lost items with directional arrows

UWB may never become a consumer buzzword, and that’s exactly how it was designed to succeed.

The Bottom Line

UWB is the missing spatial layer in our increasingly intelligent environments. It delivers the precision and context that AI, automation, and access control systems require, but without asking users to do anything differently.

Whether you’re designing smart homes, connected cars, secure campuses, or dynamic retail spaces, UWB won’t be the feature customers ask for. But it will be the reason everything works better.

For forward-looking businesses UWB isn’t optional–It’s foundational.

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