Latest from Tom's Guide AU

This $17 IKEA item got rid of my hallway clutter in seconds — and upgraded my space

Cynthia Lawrence — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 14:40:11 +0000

The entryway is often the very first thing people see when entering your home. But if, like me, you have a tiny or narrow hallway, this can quickly become an unsightly mess. In fact, my own entryway had frequently turned into a messy dumping ground for everyone's footwear, bags, and even shopping packages that were left forgotten.

And just when I thought I’d have to spend a fortune on (even more) clunky storage, I came across this cheap, organizing gem from IKEA that ticked all the boxes.

IKEA’s FLÅDIS Basket for $17 is a stunning seagrass basket that can hide all your unsightly clutter in seconds, and add a stylish touch to your entryway. Best of all, this costs less than $20, which won’t break the bank.

So if you want to keep your space organized and impress your guests, here’s why I’d snap one (or two) up right now.

With its natural texture and compact dimensions of approximately 12 x 9 x 7cm, this handwoven basket is an ideal fit for small entryways. It comes with handles to easily carry around the home and is deep enough to fit shoes, hats, and any essential items. View Deal

Why I love the FLÅDIS Baskets

IKEA two FLÅDIS Basket, seagrass (Image credit: IKEA)

I have a real weakness for practical organizing solutions that complement my interior style, and these seagrass baskets do just that.

These attractive containers keep all my items organized in seconds, serving as a stylish way to hide unsightly clutter. Another thing I love is the basket’s design versatility — you can either pull the handles upward to keep your belongings hidden or tuck them in to showcase your contents.

Plus, these are small enough to tuck in a corner or fit into a compact space — without looking out of place.

What’s more, this multipurpose storage is so versatile that you can use it to store various items in any room of your house.

Not bad for just $17, which is a bargain, and I’m tempted to buy more for every room in my home.

'Little House on the Prairie' season 2 on Netflix: Everything we know so far

Christina Izzo — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 14:04:18 +0000

If you need proof of the enduring love for "Little House on the Prairie" — Laura Ingalls Wilder's series of children's novels based on her own upbringing in the American Midwest — then just look at the latest Netflix charts. Since debuting on the streaming service on Thursday, July 9, the latest adaptation of Wilder's story has shot up onto Netflix's top 10 rankings, showing that TV viewers are still plenty eager to follow the frontier life of Charles, Caroline, Laura and the rest of the Ingalls crew.

Given that instant popularity (the show reportedly drew an impressive 6.4 million views in its first four days alone), it's only natural that fans of Netflix's "Little House on the Prairie" are already wondering whether there will be more from the Rebecca Sonnenshine-created historical drama after its initial eight-episode run.

Here's what we know so far about "Little House on the Prairie" season two. (And if you're still hankering for a great Western show to watch, here are three more frontier dramas that you should check out.)

Will there be a season 2 of 'Little House on the Prairie' on Netflix?

Yes, even before the first episode premiered on July 9, Netflix renewed "Little House on the Prairie" for a second season, which means there's officially more wholesome Western goodness to come from the Ingalls.

“I’m incredibly grateful to our wonderful cast and crew, who put their hearts and hard work into making our first season come alive,” showrunner Rebecca Sonnenshine told Netflix. “We can’t wait to share this new adaptation of the Little House books with the world, and we’re thrilled that Netflix is giving us the opportunity to continue the story.”

(Image credit: Netflix)

Jinny Howe, Netflix’s head of US and Canada scripted series, added: “We are delighted to renew this beautiful reimagining of 'Little House on the Prairie' for a second season ahead of its Netflix debut. The exceptional work by Rebecca Sonnenshine and the entire cast and crew on season 1 has established a rich foundation of storytelling for years to come. With its hopeful spirit and emotional authenticity, we’re confident that 'Little House' will deliver even more of what fans truly love.”

(Image credit: Netflix)

When will 'Little House on the Prairie' season 2 come out on Netflix?

Aside from the formal announcement of the season-two pick-up, there hasn't been any official word on when exactly "Little House on the Prairie" season 2 will hit our screens. However, filming is reportedly currently underway in Winnipeg, Manitoba, with production slated to wrap in October 2026, so new episodes could arrive as soon as summer 2027.

Who will be in the cast of 'Little House on the Prairie' season 2?

(Image credit: Netflix)

Of course, there's no "Little House on the Prairie" without the Ingalls, so the whole family is expected back for season 2: That includes Luke Bracey ("Hacksaw Ridge") as patriarch Charles, Crosby Fitzgerald ("Crime 101") as matriarch Caroline, and their plucky brood played by Alice Halsey (as Laura), and Skywalker Hughes (as Mary).

There will be several already-introduced additions for the second season, many of whom Wilder devotees will recognize from her novels. They include Laura's rival Nellie Olseon, played by Willa Dunn; Nellie's mother Margaret, portrayed by Charlotte Sullivan; and Rachelle Lefevre as local schoolteacher Eva Beadle, who looks out for both Laura and Mary.

What is the plot of 'Little House on the Prairie' season 2?

In the last moments of season 1, the Ingalls are heading to Walnut Grove, Minnesota, a real-life town that is home to the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum. Based on that and the cast additions, it looks like season 2 will primarily adapt the fourth book, "On the Banks of Plum Creek," which was also the basis of the original series.

The book's synopsis reads:

"The adventures of Laura Ingalls and her family continue as they leave their little house on the prairie and travel in their covered wagon to Minnesota. They settle into a house made of sod on the banks of beautiful Plum Creek. Soon Pa builds them a sturdier house, with real glass windows and a hinged door. Laura and Mary go to school, help with the chores around the house, and fish in the creek. Pa’s fiddle lulls them all to sleep at the end of the day. But then disaster strikes — on top of a terrible blizzard, a grasshopper infestation devours their wheat crop. Now the family must work harder than ever to overcome these challenges."

3 new to Hulu movies you need to stream this weekend (July 17-19)

malcolm.mcmillan@futurenet.com (Malcolm McMillan) — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 13:35:00 +0000

Hulu is a great choice for building your next weekend movie marathon. The streaming service regularly adds both originals and classics to its library. Plus, because it's owned by Disney, it's the home for new releases from several Disney-owned studios. It even has deals with some other studios to get new releases before any other service, whether they're produced by Disney or not.

This weekend, I'm choosing one Hulu original getting its premiere this weekend, along with a couple of other new additions. "They Fight" is a new boxing movie starring André Holland and Wendell Pierce, so it's automatically a must-watch. But make sure you also check out "A Real Pain," an Oscar winner from 2024 that was one of my favorite movies that year. Finally, "Daniel Isn't Real" stars Patrick Schwarzenegger as the titular Daniel and is a twisted psychological horror movie.

So, here are the three new to Hulu movies you need to stream this weekend. For more recommendations, check out the full list of everything new to Hulu and Disney+ in July 2026.

'They Fight' (2026)

Genre: Sports drama movie

What's it about? Walt (André Holland) is an ex-con trying to reform. It's a struggle until he returns to the boxing gym he had left behind. Now, he's found a purpose: taking this rag-tag group of teenage boys to the Junior National Championships.

Why you need to watch it: I love a boxing movie, and I love Wendell Pierce, who runs the gym that Walt is helping out at. So I'm an easy sell on this movie. But don't sleep on Holland either. He's put in more than a few excellent rounds in his career so far, and this could be another knockout performance.

Watch "They Fight" on Hulu starting July 17

'A Real Pain' (2024)

Genre: Comedy drama movie

What's it about? "A Real Pain" stars Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin as cousins David and Benji. They used to be as close as brothers but grew apart. So when they take a trip to Poland to visit the homeland of their late grandmother, it's not just their Jewish heritage that gets explored. They also reopen their relationship and some of the festering wounds within.

Why you should watch it: This was one of my favorite movies of 2024. Eisenberg not only starred in it, but he wrote and directed it as well. I still can't believe it wasn't nominated for Best Picture, but at least he was nominated for Best Original Screenplay. Culkin deservedly (and easily) won Best Supporting Actor for his performance as Benji, and after watching, you'll see why.

Watch "A Real Pain" on Hulu now

'Daniel Isn't Real' (2019)

Genre: Psychological horror movie

What's it about? Luke (Miles Robbins) witnesses a mass shooting as a kid, and quickly becomes friends with Daniel (Patrick Schwarzenegger), another kid he meets at the scene. Except nobody else can see Daniel, which starts to become a problem when Daniel comes back into Luke's life when the latter is in college.

Why you need to watch it: This movie is not for the faint of heart. It delivers twist after twist, and you won't see the ending coming until it's too late. If you love horror movies, this is a must-watch.

Watch "Daniel Isn't Real" on Hulu now

3 new to Paramount+ movies you need to stream this weekend (July 17-19)

malcolm.mcmillan@futurenet.com (Malcolm McMillan) — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 13:15:35 +0000

Paramount+ is an excellent streaming service for building your next movie marathon. It adds dozens of movies to the platform each month. It just added 70 new movies and shows on July 1. Many of these are beloved classics or more modern hits. A few times a month, you even get brand-new movies from Paramount Skydance studios.

This week, I've selected a new movie that recently got its streaming debut on Paramount +. But let's start first, with a few older movies worth watching. "Hacksaw Ridge" is a World War II movie that is supremely underrated. Check it out, then watch the 1980s classic "The Untouchables." It features a loaded cast with incredible performances. Finally, "Wardriver" has only been on Paramount+ for a few days now, so chances are you haven't watched this crime thriller yet. So make sure to give it a shot this weekend.

Here are the three new to Paramount+ movies that you need to be streaming this weekend. If you need more recommendations, check out our full guide to everything new on Paramount+ in July 2026.

'Hacksaw Ridge' (2016)

Genre: Biographical epic war movie

What's it about? Based on the 2004 documentary The Conscientious Objector," this movie stars Andrew Garfield as Desmond Doss. As a Seventh-day Adventist, Doss refused to wield a weapon during World War II, opting instead to serve as a combat medic.

Why you should watch it: Say what you will about Mel Gibson as a person, but he can certainly direct a movie. So I have to recommend still checking this movie out for artistic reasons. It's also worth seeing the portrayal of Doss's incredible story, which sees him become the first conscientious objector to be awarded the Medal of Honor.

Watch "Hacksaw Ridge" on Paramount+ now

'The Untouchables' (1987)

Genre: Crime movie

What's it about: "The Untouchables" is loosely based on the true story of the fall of Chicago gangster Al Capone (Robert De Niro). Set in 1930, it stars Kevin Costner as Bureau of Prohibition agent Eliot Ness, who forms a team willing to stand up to the notorious criminal and bring him to justice.

Why you should watch it: You can't accuse this movie of not having a flair for the dramatic. It definitely is willing to give the Hollywood treatment to the story of Capone's arrest and imprisonment for tax evasion. But you won't be complaining after watching the performances from Costner, De Niro and Sean Connery. The latter won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his performance as Officer Jimmy Malone.

Watch "The Untouchables" on Paramount+ now

'Wardriver'

Genre: Crime thriller movie

What's it about? "Wardriver" stars Dane DeHaan as Cole, a hacker. After getting caught up in a cyber heist, he's lured into a deadly game of cat and mouse. If he's not careful, a botched line of code could see him dead.

Why you should watch it: This one is complicated. On the one hand, it got rave reviews from critics. It's currently rated 100% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. But audiences were far less kind, scoring it just 57% fresh. You'll need to stream it this weekend to see who is right.

Watch"Wardriver" on Paramount+ now

I can't wait to scare the crap out of the neighborhood kids with Home Depot's new 12-foot skeleton — it can now move and talk!

mike.prospero@futurenet.com (Mike Prospero) — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 13:00:00 +0000

Last Halloween, I had both a 12-foot Home Depot skeleton and a 20-foot inflatable Lowe's skeleton in my front yard, and the inflatable proved to be the more popular decoration.

This year, however, Home Depot's new 12-foot Skelly may retake the crown, as it's being updated to include more lighting, sound effects, and the ability to move, which should really thrill and delight the trick-or-treaters in my neighborhood.

Here's a look at what the new 12-foot skeleton — which goes on sale today for $379 — can do.

A "smart" Skeleton

(Image credit: Home Depot)

The new Skelly is Bluetooth-enabled and can be controlled via an app, which will let you save up to 30 different sounds and control the movement of its head and jaw.

If that's not terrifying enough, a "live" mode will let you control the Skelly in real time, and have it speak whatever you say with voice-changing effects. I can see having a lot of fun with that.

The app will also let you switch its LED eyes between 30 different options, pick from five pre-recorded sounds, and change the color of the lighting in its ribcage. Plus, motion sensors in the Skelly will also trigger its movements when it spots trick-or-treaters coming to your door.

If that's not terrifying enough, a "live" mode will also let you control the Skelly in real time, and have it speak whatever you say with voice-changing effects. I can see having a lot of fun with that.

Home Depot will also continue to sell the non-app controlled 12-foot Skelly for $299.

More things wicked this way come

Home Depot

In addition to the new Skelly, Home Depot is also launching about two dozen new animatronic Halloween decorations, including:

An 11-foot Giant-Sized LED Mummy ($299) with posable shoulders, LED lights in the eyes and chest, and three sound effects
A 9-foot Wicked Woods Giant-Sized LED Dry Rot Dennis ($299) that has color changing LED lights in the eyes, mouth and chest
A 3-foot animated Disney Stitch ($199) with servo motors in its head, can say 5 Stitch phrases, and comes with both Halloween and holiday costumes
An 8-foot long LED Zombie Velociraptor ($299), which is motion-sensor activated and can move, make noises, and has LED lights
A 4-foot animated Flying Monkey from "Wicked" ($199) that has flapping wings, lunging torso, tilting head and moving mouth, in addition to five sound effects.

All of the new products go on sale today (July 16), which seems really early for Halloween — talk about holiday creep — but if the past is any indication, the new Skelly should prove popular. Some of the products, such as the new Skelly, will only be available as in-store purchases.

Time to clear out more space in your garage!

3 new to Netflix thriller movies to stream this week — including a Christopher Nolan psychological mystery flick with a shocking twist (July 16-22)

rory.mellon@futurenet.com (Rory Mellon) — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 12:45:25 +0000

If you're looking for the latest thriller movies on Netflix, you've come to the right place. Every week, I comb through Netflix's recent additions to pick out the most compelling, twist-filled and exciting new arrivals on the world's biggest streaming service.

While this week is a little short in terms of new-to-Netflix thrillers, there's still plenty of worthwhile options to consider from the platform's huge movie drop at the start of the month. That includes a gripping Christopher Nolan mystery movie, which makes for perfect streaming before you head out to your local theater to watch "The Odyssey" over the weekend.

These are the latest thriller movies on Netflix; add them to your watchlist if you need to spice up your streaming options over the next few days.

3 new to Netflix thrillers to watch this week

‘Memento’ (2000)

With “The Odyssey” hitting theaters this week, and the swords-and-sandals epic already earning some of the year’s strongest reviews (including from TG’s own Malcolm McMillan), it would be rude not to dive into Christopher Nolan’s back catalog to celebrate his new movie. Fortunately, Netflix just added one of Nolan’s earlier works this month, and while “Memento” might have marked its 26th birthday in the spring, it remains captivating to this day.

Alternating between black-and-white and color sequences, the thriller centers on Leonard Shelby (Guy Pearce), an insurance investigator who can't create new memories. Using a series of Polaroid photographs, handwritten notes, and tattoos inked on his own skin, he attempts to track down the man he believes is responsible for killing his wife. The movie builds up to a mind-bending twist, and rewards a second watch with the full picture clear.

Watch "Memento" on Netflix now

‘Queen & Slim’ (2019)

“Queen & Slim” is a special movie that manages to thread the needle between offering a compulsive Bonnie-and-Clyde thriller and having something hugely important to say. Its mixture of genre momentum and political messaging is well handled by first-time director Melina Matsoukas, and it’s anchored by phenomenal performances from Daniel Kaluuya and Jodie Turner-Smith, who are quite the double act as the eponymous Slim and Queen.

After a less-than-stellar first date, Queen (Turner-Smith) and Slim (Kaluuya) are driving home when a cop cruiser pulls them over. The situation escalates, and Slim ends up shooting a police officer in self-defense. Believing they won’t be given the chance to explain their side of the story, they go on the run. As they make a break for freedom, a deep bond develops. However, with the authorities circling, they have to risk it all to get to the border.

Watch "Queen & Slim" on Netflix now

‘The Beguiled’ (2017)

Sofia Coppola, the director of "Lost in Translation" and daughter of Hollywood legend Francis Ford Coppola, helms "The Beguiled," described as a "Southern Gothic" thriller; it stars a seriously strong cast of female talent, including Nicole Kidman, Kirsten Dunst, Elle Fanning and Angourie Rice, with Colin Farrell also in the mix. It's based on the 1966 novel by Thomas P. Cullinan, and is the book's second feature adaptation after the 1971 effort from Don Siegel.

Set during the American Civil War, "The Beguiled" takes place primarily at an all-girls school in Virginia. When one of the students stumbles upon a wounded Union deserter, they take him in to help heal his injuries. But this unexpected house guest causes quite the stir, and soon enough the women of this isolated boarding school find themselves competing for his affections. It's a story of jealousy, betrayal, and emotional manipulation.

Watch "The Beguiled" on Netflix now

I swapped my Dyson V8 for the corded Miele Guard M1, and I’m never going back

jane.mcguire@futurenet.com (Jane McGuire) — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 12:30:00 +0000

I’m a single mom with a toddler and a dog in the house — keeping things clean is a full-time job, and that’s before I sit down to write about fitness for Tom’s Guide. Recently, I swapped my cordless Dyson V8 for the corded Miele Guard M1 Cat and Dog Flex cleaner, and I’m never going back.

The Dyson V8 is a cordless vacuum, which is often on sale for $589 in the US, but you can often find it on offer for a lot less. The Miele Guard M1 is a bagged canister vacuum, which is around the same price in the US. I put the two head-to-head over a month of testing

Dyson

The Dyson V8 is an excellent cordless vacuum, with 40 minutes of power between charges.

Miele

Guard M1 Cat & Dog Flex

The Miele Guard M1 Cat & Dog is a powerful, bagged canister vacuum designed for pet parents.

5 reasons I’m not going back to my Dyson after testing the Miele Guard M1:

It’s so much more powerful

While the Dyson V8 is fantastic for nipping around the house and giving it a quick clean, it has always struggled with the excessive amount of pet hair on the floor. The suction power of the Dyson V8 is 150 Air Watts (AW) in the Power mode, and I found I had to use the vacuum in Max mode to pick up all of the hair, especially on carpet.

When I compare this to the Miele Guard M1, there’s a clear difference. The Miele Guard M1 has a suction power of 1,200 AW, and I noticed the difference immediately. I tested the Cat and Dog version, which comes with an extra air-driven turbo brush that works well on both hard floors and carpet. The M1 has four different suction levels, which can easily be adjusted using the buttons on the front of the vacuum.

I don’t have to worry about it running out of charge

Dyson says the Dyson V8 has a maximum run time of 60 minutes, but when you have to keep switching to Max mode, it definitely doesn’t last even half as long. In fact, if you only use the vacuum in Max, it lasts seven minutes. I’d struggle to deep clean my relatively small two-bed house with my Dyson, especially if I wanted to vacuum the skirting boards and stairs. The vacuum charges from empty to full in four hours, but if it dies mid-clean, this can be frustrating.

Without stating the obvious, the cordless design of the Miele Guard M1 removes this race against the clock when it comes to a deep clean. It’s a no-brainer if you have a larger house or pet hair to fight against.

(Image credit: Future)

It’ll last me longer

Lithium-ion batteries, like the one in the Dyson V8, degrade over time, and a common complaint is that within five years, the battery life will noticeably drop. The Miele Guard M1 doesn’t have this issue. My mom has the same machine and has been using hers for 20 years without any issue. The German motor inside the Miele Guard M1 is built to last.

I actually find it more comfortable to use

The reason I originally opted for a cordless design when buying a vacuum a couple of years ago was that I thought it would be lighter and more comfortable to use. While the Dyson V8 wasn’t uncomfortable, I did find it heavier than expected, especially as, by design, the weight is entirely in your hand/wrist. I also wished the vacuum had a button to keep it turned on, as during a longer clean, holding it down made the handle dig into my hand.

By contrast, the weight distribution of the Miele Guard M1 was mostly on the floor, making it more comfortable to vacuum for longer periods. Even when vacuuming the stairs, I didn’t find the Miele Guard M1 particularly heavy to manoeuvre around. Oh, and that cord I was dreading is 7.5 meters long, with an 11-meter operating radius, so I never had to stop to move it to a different plug socket, as I was able to reach every room in my house with ease.

It’s great for the car

The Miele Guard M1 comes with three different attachments, which are stowed in the front of the machine. I found these extremely useful for vacuuming small spaces and tackling the pet hair and crumbs that inevitably build up in the car. The constant high wattage helped remove embedded dust and pet hair that the Dyson couldn’t touch.

The Motorola MotoPad (2026) might be the new budget tablet king

Madeline Ricchiuto — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 12:00:00 +0000

The Motorola MotoPad (2026) is a light, thin, and affordable tablet with powerful audio, a vibrant display, and all-day battery life. While its MediaTek Dimensity 6300 CPU isn’t winning any benchmarking awards, it is powerful enough to handle light research, web browsing and email management.

Unfortunately, Motorola also positioned the MotoPad as capable of casual gaming. Which only highlights its dismal graphics performance, as the Arm Mali G-57 integrated GPU struggles with any game more demanding than Candy Crush.

Despite the MotoPad’s grim graphics performance, it's a great tablet to use as a work or school sidecar in addition to a traditional laptop, and it’s fantastic as a streaming device for your next movie night. But is that enough to make it onto our best tablets list? Let’s take a closer look.

Motorola MotoPad: Cheat sheet

What is it?: The Motorola MotoPad is an affordable tablet for every-day use.
Who is it for?: Students and professionals who need a lightweight, portable tablet for work, class, or relaxation.
What does it cost?: The Motorola MotoPad (2026) comes in one $249 configuration.
What do we like?: The MotoPad has a lightweight, easily portable build, and sports a unique bronze green color aluminum chassis. It’s got powerful audio, all-day battery life, and it's affordable.
What don’t we like?: The MotoPad is advertised as capable of casual gaming, but its graphics are underpowered for anything beyond puzzle games.

Motorola MotoPad: Specs

	Motorola MotoPad (2026)
Price	$249
CPU	MediaTek Dimensity 6300
GPU	Arm Mali G-57 MC2
Display	11-inch, 90Hz, 2,560 x 1,600,
Memory	8GB
Storage	128GB
Ports	1x USB Type-C 2.0, 1x MicroSD card reader
Connectivity	BlueTooth 5.2, WiFi 5, SIM
Size	10.02 x 6.54 x 0.28 inches
Weight	1.06 pounds

Motorola MotoPad: The ups

The MotoPad has plenty going for it, from its lightweight, stylish design to its robust audio system and crisp display, to its all-day battery life. Combined with its affordable price, the MotoPad is a fantastic bargain.

Lightweight, stylish design

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

The Motorola MotoPad (2026) comes in a striking Pantone Bronze Green aluminum chassis with modern detailing and a glass camera hub on the back panel that makes it feel like a more premium tablet.

The MotoPad is also incredibly lightweight at just 1.06 pounds with a thickness of 0.28 inches, making it a lightweight fashion statement that’s easy to slot into a bag or backpack to take to work or school, or even to fit into your carry-on for inflight entertainment on your next vacation.

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

The only real drawback in the MotoPad’s design is its lack of ports, as it features just one USB-C port and one 3.5mm Audio Jack. So you’ll need to use bluetooth accessories if you plan to charge the MotoPad while also connecting a keyboard or mouse to it. Then again, most people tend to use bluetooth accessories these days, so that’s not as much of a drawback as it would have been a few years ago.

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

The MotoPad also comes with a MicroSD card reader, so you can expand your device storage up to 2TB from the 128GB base storage option. Which is a nice addition for a budget tablet. But the real star of the MotoPad’s design is that unique Pantone Bronze Green colorway, which gives the MotoPad a sense of identity that most budget tablets lack.

Affordable pricing

The MotoPad has only one configuration, boasting a MediaTek Dimensity 6300 CPU with integrated Arm Mali G-57 graphics card, 8GB of RAM, a 128GB SSD, and an 11-inch, 90Hz, 2,560 x 1,600, LCD display. That configuration costs just $249, making it one of the more affordable Android tablets on the market.

It’s a whole $100 cheaper than our best budget tablet pick, the Apple iPad 11, and it's less than half the price of our favorite Android tablet, the OnePlus Pad 3. Of course, the MotoPad takes a significant performance hit over the OnePlus Pad, but the price differential is nothing to scoff at. In fact, only our favorite budget Android tablet, the Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023) is cheaper at $139. And the Fire HD 10 has some serious drawbacks like middling performance and Amazon’s poor app selection holding it back.

Like most tablets, the MotoPad’s $249 price tag doesn’t include a case or the Moto Pen Ultra ($99). So if you want to protect your tablet and get the most use out of its touchscreen display, you’ll need to invest at least another $100. But even then, you’re still saving compared to the iPad 11 and OnePlus Pad 3.

Ideal audio and display for a video binge

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

While the MotoPad does have a 3.5mm audio jack, if you’re just relaxing at home you likely don’t want to use headphones or earbuds. And that’s where the robust quad-speaker system comes in.

The MotoPad has speakers on both the top and bottom sides of the tablet which gives you great sound balance when held in landscape mode, however the speakers are powerful enough you can use the tablet as a set of portable speakers in either orientation. In fact, I found the most comfortable listening range was at about 20-30 percent rather than the tablet’s full volume.

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

That powerful audio combined with the MotoPad’s crisp LCD display, make it an ideal streaming companion for a movie night or Netflix binge session.

While not the most impressive display we’ve ever tested, the MotoPad’s LCD display does cover 112% of the sRGB color space, which is more than enough vibrancy for most content. And at 430-nits of average brightness, the MotoPad can cut through most indoor glare. Unfortunately, the MotoPad isn’t equipped with HDR, so it’s not the best option to binge the Battle of Winterfell during the final season of Game of Thrones, but most other shows and movies will play just fine on the MotoPad.

All-day battery life

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Battery life is as key for a tablet as it is for a laptop, though most tablets haven’t come close to the 24-hour battery life mark the way some recent laptops have. However, you still want at least 8 hours of web surfing battery life on a tablet if you plan to use it for school or for work. And the MotoPad exceeds that threshold handily.

On our web surfing battery test, the MotoPad (2026) lasted a solid 10 hours and 31 minutes on Wi-Fi, while its battery life dropped down to 10 hours and 1 minute while using LTE data. The Apple iPad 11 lasted 11 hours and 25 minutes on WiFi, and the OnePlus Pad 3 lasted 16 hours and 21 minutes using its adaptive refresh rate setting. The Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023) lasted 12 hours and 39 minutes. While this does put the MotoPad at the bottom of the pack, it's still more than enough battery to last for an 8-hour work day or a full day of classes.

Motorola MotoPad: The downs

While the MotoPad’s general performance is nothing to write home about, the tablet’s graphics performance is the real let-down.

Middling performance

The MotoPad is on the below-average side of things in terms of performance. The MediaTek Dimensity 6300 is an 8-core, 6nm CPU so it’s not going to be as powerful as the iPad 11’s A16 processor or the OnePlus Pad 3’s Snapdragon 8 Elite. The iPad 11 gets nearly 3x the multicore performance of the MotoPad, while the OnePlus Pad 3 hits nearly 4x the performance on benchmarks like Geekbench 6 or Adobe Premiere Rush.

But the MotoPad does have enough computing power to handle web browsing, light research tasks, email management, and casual puzzle games. Which does make it a bit more powerful than the Amazon Fire HD 10, which can slow down when running more intensive tasks.

The MotoPad is just fine for your average day-to-day computing tasks, but it’s nothing special. And it’s not going to drastically speed up your work or school life.

Dismal graphics performance

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Unfortunately for Motorola, gaming was part of the MotoPad’s marketing. The MotoPad’s integrated Arm Mali G-57 MC2 graphics card is great for puzzle games like Candy Crush or Block Blast which come pre-installed.Unfortunately, running any game more graphically intense than a puzzle game results in slowdowns, graphics stuttering, and unplayable frame-rates. This is particularly true with action titles like Genshin Impact or Fortnite. If I wasn’t intimately familiar with the controls of both games, I wouldn’t even be able to navigate the menus well enough to do any kind of combat, and even that was a struggle at under 30fps on the lowest possible graphics and resolution presets.

Granted, I wasn’t expecting much considering the MotoPad barely scraped past 7fps on the 3DMark Wild Life benchmark and was a 2fps slideshow on Wild Life Extreme. So if you want to do any kind of real gaming on the MotoPad, I would highly recommend downloading a game streaming app like Nvidia GeForce Now, because it’s the only way you’ll get decent performance.

Considering Motorola advertised the MotoPad for “casual gaming,” the grim graphics performance is more of a detriment than if gaming never even made it into the MotoPad’s marketing. While you could argue that Genshin and Fortnite are too intensive on mobile to be considered casual games, they are two of the most popular mobile titles on the market and are considered casual games by the gaming industry. Thus, calling the MotoPad’s casual performance abysmal feels earned.

Motorola MotoPad review: Verdict

The Motorola MotoPad (2026) is an ideal work or school companion, and it makes for a fantastic streaming experience thanks to its colorful display and powerful audio system. Its lightweight, bronze green chassis makes it easy to fit into a backpack or bag alongside your work or school laptop, but it also works as a standalone Android device if you just want to watch a few movies and maybe read a book while on vacation. That experience alone is worth praise, but at just $249, it’s an incredible bargain.

The only pitfall with the MotoPad is its underpowered GPU, but there are ways around that. Game streaming services like Nvidia GeForce Now are available on the Play Store, which will get you a much smoother gaming experience than the native GPU performance. Plus, tablets aren’t exactly a high-performance gaming device anyway.

AppleCare+ is now more expensive for Macs and iPads — here's how much more you'll need to pay

tom.pritchard@futurenet.com (Tom Pritchard) — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 11:57:47 +0000

If you thought Apple raising prices on Macs and iPads would be the end of it, you were sorely mistaken. The company has now raised AppleCare+ prices for various Macs and iPads, with prices rising by $0.50 cents a month, or $5 for those people on annual plans.

However, there is a caveat to this change. For starters, this will only affect new purchases, so those of you who are already paying for AppleCare+ won't suddenly be asked to pay more money. AppleCare One, which offers care for up to three devices, is similarly unaffected.

	Old monthly price	New monthly price	Old yearly price	New yearly price
iPad Pro 11-inch	$9.99	$10.49	$99.99	$104.99
iPad Pro 13-inch	$10.99	$11.49	$109.99	$114.99
iPad Air 11-inch	$5.99	$6.49	$59.99	$64.99
iPad Air 13-inch	$6.99	$7.49	$69.99	$74.99
iPad mini	$4.99	$5.48	$49.98	$54.98
iPad 12th gen	$4.99	$5.49	$49.99	$54.99
MacBook Neo	$4.99	$5.49	$49.99	$54.99
MacBook Air 13-inch	$6.99	$7.49	$69.99	$74.99
MacBook Air 15-inch	$7.99	$8.49	$79.99	$84.99
MacBook Pro 13-inch	$9.99	$10.49	$99.99	$104.99
MacBook Pro 16-inch	$14.99	$15.49	$149.99	$154.99
iMac	$5.99	$6.49	$59.99	$64.99
Mac mini	$4.49	$4.99	$44.99	$49.99
Mac Studio	$4.49	$4.99	$44.99	$49.99

Bloomberg notes that the cost of covering a 13-inch MacBook Air has risen from $7.49 a month to $7.99 a month, while an annual plan is now $80 a year instead of the $75 you'd have paid last week. The price hikes are affecting all Mac, MacBook and iPad devices the same, but so far, all other Apple products seem to have escaped this particular form of inflation.

I wouldn't expect that to last long, though. As the cost of components goes up, so too will the cost of repairs. While there is no confirmation that AppleCare+ prices will go up for the likes of the iPhone or Apple Watch, odds are that it will happen in the near future. Especially if the iPhone 18 Pro prices increase this year, as they are widely expected to do.

In other words, if you have been putting off signing up for AppleCare+ and want to make sure your Apple devices are protected against damage, you might want to sign up as soon as possible. Although the damage is already done for Macs and iPads, so you folks have all the time in the world to mull over that decision.

Spreading out your iPad payments

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

AppleCare+ price hikes aren't the only financial changes happening at the App Store, either. Apple has just launched new 36-month carrier financing for cellular-capable iPads, which joins the existing 12-month interest-free financing option.

Like the 12-month finance option, this new 3-year payment plan is interest-free. However, it's provided by the carrier rather than Apple itself. However, you will need to sign up for a data plan, and so far, Apple is only offering this particular payment plan if you're connecting to AT&T or Verizon.

The carrier financing option is also available to existing customers "when connecting to a new line of service." You'll be taken through that process of setting up a new line before you check out, and obviously, this means you will be on the hook for monthly data payments. Though it doesn't make sense to buy a cellular iPad if you're not planning on getting a data plan too.

Considering how much the cost of some iPads has risen due to recent Apple price hikes, it makes sense for a longer interest-free payment plan to be available. For example, an 11-inch iPad Pro with cellular is now $1,399, which is $289 more than the original $1,110 price tag. It's a lot of money to spend on a tablet, but if you split the cost over three years, you end up paying just shy of $39 a month.

Of course, this means you are on the hook for paying that every single month for three years — regardless of how your life and circumstances might change. So there's a trade-off to those low monthly payments. But if you want an iPad Pro and plan on keeping it for the long term, it is a good way to avoid dropping several hundred dollars in one go.

Microsoft is still using ‘deceptive tactics and design’ to force you to use Edge

Jason England — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 11:42:57 +0000

You already know about Microsoft’s desperate ploys to get you to use Edge on Windows 11 — chances are you’re one of the folks who have gone through the test of patience to install Firefox or Google Chrome.

Well, new research by Mozilla reveals that the Redmond crew are not only still up to their old tricks, but getting worse. All kinds of “harmful design” shenanigans are at play here, in order to “not allow people to download and install an alternative browser, to set it as their default, or to continue using it as their default, without harmful interference.”

If only we could only get the same treatment as Windows users get in the EU...

Staying desperate

(Image credit: Mozilla)

So what did the research find? Well, Mozilla discovered that a lot of the shady tricks Microsoft was called out for in the past are still happening:

Visual interference: Searching for different browsers to download in Edge still brings up the “All you need is right here” banner, as well as a banner promoting the browser when you go to Chrome’s download page.
Default browser selection trickery: There is a button at the top of the default apps screen to change to a different browser, but not every file type is switched over.
Trick wording: Things like “Use Microsoft’s recommended browser settings,” “You’re almost done setting up your PC” and more still persist.
Dark patterns: In the setup screens you normally see a few days later, Edge-preferential options are shown as big blue buttons, whereas keeping the same settings is usually smaller, greyed-out text.

And that’s just a few of the many different harmful patterns Mozilla found — including Copilot opening links in Edge instead of your default browser, pre-selecting checkboxes to sync data to Edge, and resetting it as the default browser when you migrate from Windows 10 to 11.

Just make a better browser

(Image credit: Future / Microsoft)

It screams “inferiority complex” if I’m being real, which is a shame because Edge is indeed a good browser. It runs on the same Chromium engine as Chrome (to support all the same extensions), but also has some efficiencies built into it to not drain the battery as badly.

But this aggressive lock-in, some high RAM resource usage in the background and the clutter of Copilot and MSN news does make it falter. It’s not like Microsoft doesn't have a history of doing this — they were taken to court over an antitrust lawsuit in 1998 for bundling Internet Explorer with Windows and making it difficult to install a competing browser.

The only difference now is that users are committed enough to jump through those hoops to get to their favorite browsers. I mean “Google Chrome” is one of the most searched terms on Bing after all!

If you want to compete, build something better. Don’t go about it this way.

I tested Samsung's S90H — and it's a great glare-free OLED TV for the money

Sean Captain — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 11:00:00 +0000

SAMSUNG S90H: SPECS

Price: $1,599
Screen size: 55-inch
Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160
HDR: HDR10+, HDR10+ Adaptive, HDR10+ Gaming, HDR10, HDR10+ Advanced, HLG
Refresh rate: Up to 165Hz (VRR support)
Ports: 4 HDMI 2.1 up to 4K/165Hz (one with eARC), 3 USB-A, optical digital audio out, LAN, RF-in (ATSC 1), EX-LINK (RS-232C)
Audio: 2.1-channel, 40W (Dolby Atmos, OTS Lite, Q-Symphony)
Smart TV software: One UI Tizen with Samsung Vision AI
Size (without stand): 48.2 × 1.6 × 27.9 inches (W×D×H)
Weight (without stand): 32.2 lbs

OLED panel prices have been coming down (for now), while brightness levels have been coming up…at least when we’re talking about the best OLED TVs. Samsung’s S90H series exemplifies that progress, with bright images, an anti-glare screen, and strong dynamic range, even in a moderately lit room.

That accomplishment comes alongside the traditional strengths of OLED — deep blacks, rich (and in this case, accurate) color, and screens measuring just a few millimeters thick. This TV is well-equipped for gaming, too, with inconsequential input lag through the latest high-throughput HDMI ports.

The biggest challengers to Samsung's S90H line may be its own, cheaper siblings: the impressive new S85H and last year's excellent S90F, which were $600 to $1000 cheaper, at press time, based on discounts. Those are two of the best Samsung TVs, and if you don’t need the new anti-reflective matte screen, those other options deliver a lot of the same features at a more affordable price.

Samsung S90H review: Pricing and availability

The S90H is Samsung’s mid-range OLED for 2026 that sits between the entry-level Samsung S85H (which we just awarded four stars) and the flagship Samsung S95H (which just earned five). The 55-inch S90H model we reviewed lists for $1,999, and is often discounted at samsung.com and at various retailers like Amazon for $1,797.

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Other S90H sizes and list prices are: 42-inch ($1,297), 48-inch ($1,397), 65-inch ($1,997), 77-inch ($2,997), and 83-inch ($4,497).

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

The step-up S95H lists at $2,299 for a 55-inch screen and adds a brushed-metal frame, Art Store access for using it as a digital picture frame, and powerful OTS+ (70W, 4.2.2-channel) audio. The step-down S85H lists for $1,399; it trades the Samsung Glare Free screen for a standard OLED panel and downgrades audio and gaming features to lower price.

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

The S90H’s primary competition outside Samsung is the identically priced (at 55 inches) LG C6 OLED. (We reviewed the 65-inch version, which lists for $2,699.) Another close rival is the Sony Bravia 8 II, which features PlayStation-specific integrations. (The 55-inch model lists for $2,599; we tested the 65-inch, $3,299 version.)

Samsung S90H review: Design

The S90H exemplifies the ultra-minimalist panel aesthetic of the day. Its barely-there bezel leaves no room for branding. Without the bulky backlight required for LCD sets, the panel is also incredibly thin, at about 0.15 inches. The bottom-half of the TV protrudes to accommodate all the internals, for a maximum thickness of 1.6 inches.

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

The one unsubtle feature is a beefy central pedestal stand, with a faux-pewter "Space Titan" plastic finish. Of course, such a thin set is ideal for wall-mounting, using screw holes aligned in the VESA-standard 300mm × 200mm rectangular pattern. The exceptionally petite power cord connector on the back right-side of the TV is well-suited for streamlined mounting.

Even better, because of the new anti-glare screen, you don't have to be careful around windows — it's perfectly capable of dispersing large amounts of light (though you will notice slightly raised black levels as a tradeoff).

Samsung S90H review: Ports

The TV is brimming with high-end connections — all on the left side of the panel, when viewed from behind. Chief among them: a quartet of HDMI 2.1 inputs. They support the highest-grade input: up to 4K/120Hz for sources such as the PS5, Xbox Series X, and many gaming PCs; and up to 4K/165Hz for the most-capable game PCs. The TV supports both NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro variable refresh rate (VRR) standards.

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

HDMI port 3 supports eARC, which can output high-end digital audio signals to a soundbar or home-theater system. The S90H can decode Dolby Atmos for its built-in sound system or output the signal via the eARC port. It also features a standard optical digital audio S/PDIF output.

Every other type of connection is also present: 3 USB-A ports, LAN for a wired network connection, and RS-232C (which Samsung calls EX-LINK) for access by professional technicians or calibrators. The latter two are basically vestigial organs on consumer TVs these days. You can attach a cable or satellite box or a terrestrial antenna via the RF-in port.

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Terrestrial signals are routed to an older-style ATSC 1 tuner that doesn't support new ATSC 3.0 NextGen broadcast standards for 4K resolution, HDR, and wider color gamuts. (These limitations don't apply if you are using other sources, such as modern cable or streaming services.) Its Bluetooth 5.3 and Wi-Fi 6E wireless capabilities are not the latest either, but are more than adequate.

How we test

We follow a standard testing protocol for every TV we review at Tom’s Guide. Our benchmarks include a series of technical and subjective tests designed to rate the set’s performance. For our technical tests, we set the TV to Filmmaker mode (usually the most accurate out of the box) and take measurements using a Jeti spectraval 1501-HiRes spectroradiometer, a Klein K10-A colorimeter, a Murideo 8K-SIX-G Metal pattern generator, and Portrait Displays’ Calman TV-calibration software. We also use a Leo Bodnar 4K Video Signal Lag Tester for determining the TV’s gaming prowess.

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Subjective tests vary based on the reviewer but usually include anecdotes from a diverse selection of movies, TV shows, and other content. For a more detailed look, check out our “How we test TVs” page.

Samsung S90H review: Performance

I zeroed in on the is-it-worth-it question by evaluating the S90H vs S85H. Long story short: They are very close, with the S90H standing out a little in HDR quality and more in sound quality.

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Visually, in a moderately lit room, there were only slight differences between the two models. The S90H's higher brightness helped a tad, and skintones were perhaps a bit too warm on the S85H, but I had to squint to make out any of these differences.

I love "Bridgerton" (Season 1, Ep 3, 17:00-19:00) for testing TVs. It spans a wide range of lighting from brilliant sunshine to dim interiors (rendered in HDR10+), a riot of bright but not garish colors, and the show's hallmark variety of skin tones. The S90H handled the material as well as any TV I have tested. In the deeper shadows, the S90H showed a noticeable improvement over the S85H in clarity — point to the S90H.

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Turning on Ariana Grande's "hate that i made you love me," on YouTube showed some other slight differences. For instance, I could see a tad more detail in the wheels of the upturned, burning car, or in Grande's face against various fire scenes. I did not see a clear difference with the S90H's glare-free screen technology in my moderately-lit test environment — but in rooms with uncontrollable ambient light, it's going to make a world of difference.

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Of course, we can’t talk about the S90H without talking about its AI features — Samsung has gone all-in for AI enhancement, powered by its NQ4 AI Gen3 processor. AI Mode is on by default for both video and audio. The audio effects are subtle. The video ones can be dramatic. Sometimes AI Mode produces a little extra clarity; often, it just makes everything super-bright and slightly blue-tinted (which increases the perception of brightness). For bright videos in a bright room, you won't notice it too much. With higher grade content, it can be a detriment.

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

I liked Samsung's AI enhancement in my review of its QN70F Neo QLED TV because it made up for the TVs shortcomings, such as murkiness in HDR content like "Dune" or "Stranger Things," but here it can actually make the image worse.

For example, AI Mode was rather brutal for the HDR-10 "Blade Runner 2049" Blu-ray (Chapter 5). It did maintain strong blacks, but it also blew out (and blue-d out) some scenes. This could help in a very bright room. But for film-night viewing, the set's Filmmaker mode preserved the nuance of Denis Villeneuve's vision (even though this TV doesn't support the Dolby Vision standard for image fidelity).

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

If you find Filmmaker mode too dim, you can get similar quality and a bit more brightness in the adjacent Movie mode. I had no choice but to use it when watching the extremely dim night scenes in the "Sinners" Blu-ray. Eco was also a good, even brighter, option. But AI Mode made a bright, blue mess of it.

When I turned off AI Mode, the TV defaulted into the Eco Mode, which was the right choice for most content. It produced the best colors across most content types, and it was certainly the best for displaying photos. In a challenging picture I took of three women sitting before a fountain on a brilliant day, the S90H captured colors with subtle accuracy and toned down a heavily overexposed portion of the image about as well as can be expected.

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

But here's the thing: The S85H performed equally well. They were also matched for a photo testing extreme light and dark: a bright-blue neon sign against a black background. OLED is the master of black levels, and even a lower-cost model is a solid performer.

Samsung S90H review: Test results

	Samsung S90H OLED (55")	Samsung S90F (65")	LG C6 OLED (65")	Sony Bravia 8 II (65")	Samsung S85H OLED (65")	LG B6 OLED (65")	Panasonic Z95B (65")
SDR Brightness (10%, nits)	226	520	360	103	230	248	103
Delta-E (lower is better)	1.65	1.1	1.62	3.59	1.69	1.04	1.36
Rec. 709 Gamut Coverage	109.61%	99.99%	97.80%	100.00%	100.00%	98.84%	96.80%
HDR Brightness (10%, nits)	1,497	1,155	1,365	1,584	771	780	983
UHDA-P3 Gamut Coverage	99.34%	100%	99.76%	100.00%	97.48%	96.11%	99.77%
Rec. 2020 Gamut Coverage	77.83%	89.03%	75.79%	90.55%	72.94%	70.69%	81.42%
Input Lag (ms)	9.3	9.1	12.9/9.1 (Boost)	16.3	9.2	12.9 / 8.9 (Boost)	12.7

*As measured in Filmmaker mode.

In a battle among high-performance TVs, the differentiating factor is often brightness, especially with HDR content. This is where you generally get what you pay for, as in Samsung's own OLED lineup. We measured HDR brightness of 771 nits for the S85H, 1,497 nits for the S90H, and 2,721 nits for the S95H (not pictured in the chart above, but tested in the same way).

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

The S90H we reviewed is one of the only 55-inch OLED models we've tested; most have been 65-inch screens. So our comparisons inevitably span screen sizes. The S90H's HDR brightness is well above average for all 65-inch OLEDs we've tested (1,104 nits) and a tad above average for newer models from 2025 and 2026 (1,331 nits). Newer 65-inch LCD TVs, by comparison, average out to just a bit more, at 1,507 nits — showing that the performance gap between TV technologies is narrowing (excluding some new LCDs that target blinding brightness like the TCL QM9K).

These and other rival TVs are either quite close, or inconsequentially different, in most other measures. The cheaper S85H already reproduces 100% of the Rec. 709 color gamut; comparatively, the 109.61% of the S90H and 113.30% for the S95H are only of theoretical benefit. Here specs take a backseat to a practical question: How does the color look?

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Delta-E is a measure of how far the colors on the screen diverge from what the signal sent to the panel calls for. The lower the number, the better the accuracy. This TV's Delta-E of 1.65 (in Filmmaker mode) is quite good. It's in the lower (better) half of results, ranging from 0.8 to 3.6, for the OLEDs we've tested (with an average of 1.9). More importantly, it's far below a level at which a person, rather than a color meter, would notice a difference.

For yet more perspective, this TV's performance is indistinguishable from that of its cheaper sibling, the S85H, which posts a Delta-E of 1.69. Curiously, it's also better than that of the pricier S95H, at 2.24.

Samsung S90H review: Audio

Sometimes there is a clear correlation between specs and experience, and built-in audio is one of those cases. The 20W, 2.0-channel speakers in the S85H didn't sound bad: I found the quality of the trumpets and guitar playing on the Bruno Mars "Risk It All" YouTube video to sound faithful. But the audio lacked a sense of presence. (Raising the volume didn't make a meaningful difference.)

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

By contrast, the 40W, 2.1-channel system in the S90H provides enough oomph for a respectable audio experience. It puts the spatial audio capabilities of Dolby Atmos to good effect in "Blade Runner 2049."

Even the YouTube music videos had a more enveloping quality: Switching from Standard to Amplify mode definitely expanded the soundstage in both the Bruno Mars and Arianna Grande music videos.

Keep in mind: This is grading on a curve. You will get a substantially fuller experience, especially in bass, with external speakers. If sound is a priority for you, it may not matter much that the S90H has better built-in audio than the S85H. You'll be adding home theater speakers or one of the best soundbars, anyway. But if you don't want peripherals to distract from this TV's slim, minimalist design, you'll appreciate the built-in 40W, 2.1 system.

Samsung S90H review: Interface and remote

Samsung's One UI Tizen smart platform exemplifies the bloat that is endemic in smart TV software. The setup screens push you hard to install the SmartThings app — a hub for Samsung's smart home device universe, which hogged 866MB on my iPhone 13. What's more: Popups encouraging me to use SmartThings plagued my navigation of the TV interface. I was able to bypass the app for setting up the TV, but it was still a long, complex process, requiring me to click through a wall of permissions screens to set up a mandatory account. (I had been kinder to Tizen in my review of the QN70F, but the more time I spend with it, the more frustrated I get.)

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

The overall interface is pretty standard. From top-to-bottom: a bunch of promoted content, some clusters of content (such as soccer coverage), a thin band of installed streaming app icons, and clusters of recommendations (such as "New on TV" or "4th of July Favorites"). After I connected a Blu-ray player, an icon for the device was scuttled to the end of the apps bar, which took a while for me to locate. The set includes access to Samsung TV Plus, with over 400 content channels.

Samsung's Bixby voice interface could handle basic queries, such as "What are the top five movies with Tom Cruise?" I got options like "Top Gun: Maverick" and various Missions Impossible, and the options to select services to play them on, such as Pluto TV. The experience was not consistent, though. I didn't always get the same movie recommendations, or not recommendations in the same order. And I didn't always get the same options for where to play them. (The TV also offers Alexa as an assistant.)

When I asked the TV to "play 'Bridgerton' on Netflix," all I got was a Wikipedia-like description of the show and options for "related content." (That's despite having just watched the show in the Netflix app on this TV.)

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Going the tactile route, this TV provides Samsung's standard slim remote — small enough for most people to operate one-handed. It has the ubiquitous four-direction ring and central button, shortcuts to select video apps, and a button for the TV's shortcut settings menu. The remote charges via USB-C or a solar panel on the back.

Samsung S90H review: Verdict

If it existed in a vacuum, the S90H would be one of the best OLED TVs of 2026. Unfortunately it has to share shelf space with the brand’s cheaper S85H and step-up S95H OLEDs that are, in my opinion, either a better value or a better performer overall.

That’s not to say that the S90H is a bad value, though. Factors such as relatively high brightness, relatively good sound, and top-tier gaming capabilities justify the cost of the S90H.

If you want good anti-glare matte coating and a better-than-average sound system, this TV's price is justified. If your budget isn't as high as your aspirations, however, look to the S85H or discounts on recent predecessor models, especially the S90F.

Miele Guard M1 Cat and Dog Flex review: The gold standard for pet hair

jane.mcguire@futurenet.com (Jane McGuire) — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 10:30:00 +0000

Everyone, including me, seems to be opting for a cordless vacuum cleaner these days. Yet in a world of robot vacuums, the Miele Guard M1 is reliably excellent, and so much more powerful than any vacuum cleaner I’ve ever tested.

The model I tested is specifically designed for homes with animals, as it comes with an extra air-driven turbo brush. To find out more, I tested the Miele Guard M1 for a month, during which my dog shed as much hair as ever, and my toddler wreaked his usual havoc around the house. Read my full Miele Guard M1 Cat and Dog Flex review below to find out more.

Miele Guard M1 Cat and Dog Flex review: Price and availability

The Miele Guard M1 Cat and Dog Flex was released in March 2025 and is widely available in the US and UK from Miele and third-party retailers. Right now, it costs $649/£359, but it can be found on sale elsewhere.

Miele Guard M1 Cat and Dog Flex review: Design

The Miele Guard M1 Cat and Dog Flex is, by design, a bagged cylinder vacuum with four different cleaning modes, which are controlled by buttons on the front of the machine. The powerful suction is adjusted to suit whatever you’re cleaning, whether that be cut-pile carpets and rugs, loop-pile carpets, hard floors, or curtains and textiles. The Cat and Dog version comes with a Turbobrush floor head for ingrained pet hair and dirt.

The Miele Guard M1 Cat and Dog Flex comes with three different attachments, which can be stowed in the vacuum itself, and make it easier to clean in hard-to-reach areas. The bags are easy to remove and dispose of, and there’s a replaceable Air Filter, which neutralizes odors — ideal for pet owners.

(Image credit: Future)

The Guard M1 has a 25-foot (7.5m) power cord, so despite any reservations you might have, you won’t feel like you’re stuck to a wall when vacuuming. The vacuum has a 33-foot (11-meter) operating radius.

The downside, compared to cordless vacuums like the Dyson V12 or the best robot vacuums, is the weight. The Miele Guard M1 comes in at 16 pounds (7.3 kg). I didn’t find it overly heavy, and actually found it more comfortable to use than my Dyson V8, as the weight wasn’t resting on my hand. Still, it’s not nothing, especially if you’re cleaning a house with a lot of stairs.

Unboxing the Miele Guard M1 was extremely easy and just involved slotting the vacuum hose together. The retractable handle can be extended at the press of a button, making this convenient for users of all heights. I found it extremely easy to set up and was ready to go in minutes. I wish the vacuum came with an extra dust bag or two for the price, but I did find a QR code in the box to get an additional one for free.

(Image credit: Future)

I tested the Miele Guard M1 in the ‘Black Obsidian’ colorway, which looked beautiful, but unfortunately has gotten pretty scratched in the month I’ve been testing it. This could be my fault, however, as it’s been stored in a cluttered under-stair cupboard.

Talking of my cluttered under-stair cupboard, the vacuum can be stowed upright or vertically. It’s definitely bigger than a stick vacuum, but it doesn’t take up too much space.

Miele Guard M1 Cat and Dog Flex review: Performance

I tested the Miele Guard M1 for a month to see how it performed in various settings. I added challenges like sprinkling oatmeal on my jute rug and trying to pick up small gravel stones on hard floors. I used the Universal Floorbrush, as well as the Turbobrush, to see how both compared.

What is it like to use on carpet?

I tested the Miele Guard M1 on two rugs downstairs, one of which is jute, as well as my low-pile carpet on the stairs and in the bedrooms. The carpets are cream, which is a nightmare with a dog and a toddler, but it does make it easy to spot dust, hair and debris left behind.

I found the suction power incredible on carpet, especially when using the Turbobrush. The Miele Guard M1 has a suction power of 1,200 AW, which I found extremely powerful, especially compared to the 150 AW of my Dyson V8. I was able to make those satisfying lines in my carpets, even if they only lasted until my toddler got home from daycare.

The Universal Floorbrush was also excellent on carpets, and I found the smaller attachments useful on the stairs.

What is it like to use on hard floors?

Did I mention how powerful the Miele Guard M1 was? The suction power is extremely impressive on hardwood floors, which I have downstairs in my Victorian terrace. I sprinkled various debris on the floor, including oatmeal and a mix of flour and sugar, to determine how well the Miele Guard M1 coped. As expected, the vacuum had no trouble sucking up all of the debris in one to two passes.

The suction power was also a resounding success on pet hair. Any dog owner will be used to spotting small furballs in the corners if you’ve skipped a few days of cleaning — especially in the summer, when my spaniel seems to shed more than usual. The suction power seemed to pull the pet hair towards the floorhead before even touching it.

I found it super easy to switch between the modes as the controls are pretty much all foot-powered, meaning you don’t have to stop and bend down mid-clean.

The Miele Guard M1 extremely easy to move around. The castor wheels swivel in all directions, and the cord was long enough for me to reach all areas of my home without having to unplug and move the plug socket.

(Image credit: Future)

Noise levels

The Miele Guard M1 wasn’t overly noisy, but I definitely found the Turbobrush was loud. I was so impressed with the results that I didn’t mind at all, but I probably wouldn’t vacuum upstairs while my toddler was napping.

What are the hand attachments like?

The Miele Guard M1 comes with three different attachments:

An upholstery nozzle, which I used to get dog hair and debris off the sofa where he sleeps.
A dusting brush, which is a round brush that I use to dust the top of my bookshelves. This is probably the attachment I’d use the least, but I think if you need to clean shutters or around the top of your door frames regularly, it’s a handy one to have.
The crevice nozzle, which I typically use to catch all the crumbs under the TV stand, or in hard-to-reach corners. This wasn’t particularly mind-blowing, but it’s a super useful tool you’ll probably use every clean.

I loved the fact that you can stow the attachments in the front of the machine, as I can’t tell you how many times I’ve lost my Dyson’s attachments.

(Image credit: Future)

Miele Guard M1 Cat and Dog Flex review: Ease of cleaning

I found the Miele Guard M1 extremely easy to empty, thanks to the mess-free ComfortFit bag system, which keeps the bag secure, so none of the dust escapes when you’re emptying it.

After a month of testing, I didn’t need to swap the bag out, but I wanted to for this review. How long the bag lasts obviously depends on how often you use the vacuum. The Miele Guard M1 comes with a handy dust bag indicator on the top of the device, so you’ll be able to see at a glance when you need to swap it out.

The dust bags are an extra cost, but in my mind, you don’t have to worry about charging the vacuum, so it’s a small price to pay! For the Miele Guard M1, you’ll also have to swap the Exhaust Filter, which Miele says lasts for around 50 operating hours, or about a year’s worth of use.

(Image credit: Future)

The only downside I found from a cleaning perspective is that my long hair did get wrapped around the Turbobrush, and after a month, I had to cut it out. That said, I’ve found this happens with every vacuum cleaner I’ve ever used.

As mentioned above, after a month of testing, the vacuum itself got pretty scratched up, although I blame the mess in my cupboard, not Miele, for this. If you’re super fussy, it does also show a lot of fingerprint marks, but I wouldn’t let this put you off.

(Image credit: Future)

Miele Guard M1 Cat and Dog Flex review: Comparisons

If you’re a fan of the brand but want more tech on board, it’s worth looking at the Miele Guard L1 Comfort XL. The most basic option of the Guard vacuums is the Miele Guard S1, priced at a very reasonable £199. However, it doesn't have all the added features or bells and whistles.

Another option for pet owners is the Shark Rotator Pet, which we rated 4.5 stars for its ability to remove stubborn hair.

Miele Guard M1 Cat and Dog Flex review: Verdict

If you own a pet and you’re looking for a powerful, high-quality cylinder vacuum, I don’t think you can go wrong with the Miele Guard M1 Cat and Dog. The suction power is incredible, and the two different floorheads make keeping your home clean a doddle.

If you’re thinking of making the switch from a cordless vacuum, I wouldn’t let the cord put you off. The cleaning power makes up for the seconds it takes to pull out and retract the cord. Plus, with an 11-metre zone, you’d be hard-pressed to find an area of your home you can’t reach, even if you do have to swap plug sockets one or twice.

The vacuum itself is easy to maneuver, and it’s lightweight enough to hold in one hand as you vacuum the stairs. I swapped to the Miele Guard M1 from my Dyson V8, and I’m never going back.

I hate paying for calorie-tracking apps, so I had Gemini analyze my food photos instead — here’s what it found

john.velasco@futurenet.com (John Velasco) — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Ever since my last doctor’s visit at the start of the year, I’ve been on a mission to get back into shape. At my age, staying in good health will only make things easier as I get older. While running over 150 miles so far this year has been the easy part, dieting, on the other hand, has been the most challenging.

That’s where Google Gemini enters the conversation, especially given how valuable I’ve found it for all sorts of other tasks. The last time I lost a significant amount of weight, I used a calorie-tracking app to keep me honest about what I ate. These apps have come a long way in the 14 years since then, adding the ability to scan barcodes to quickly gather nutritional information — but today, those premium features are locked behind expensive subscriptions.

Considering how invaluable Gemini has become to my daily routine, I wanted to see how well it could handle analyzing the foods I eat to help me on this new fitness journey.

Google Gemini calorie tracker — breakfast

Future

I gave Gemini a picture of my breakfast, along with details explaining that the dish consisted of egg whites and steamed spinach. Since I wanted the nutritional information to be as accurate as possible, I made sure to specify egg whites rather than just "eggs."

After analyzing the photo, Gemini did a surprisingly good job of estimating the portion sizes. It estimated the meal to be between 115 and 175 calories. Personally, if I’m in a pinch and don’t have time to weigh my ingredients, I always lean toward the higher number.

What’s impressive here is that my own log of the meal was exactly 175 calories — consisting of 276 grams of egg whites and one serving of chopped, steamed spinach.

Google Gemini calorie tracker — lunch

Future

Resisting tempting foods is much harder when I’m at work, so I did the right thing and prepped my lunch ahead of time. This low-calorie meal was pretty simple, consisting of riced cauliflower and a piece of seasoned chicken breast that I cut into bite-sized pieces.

Gemini analyzed the photo and estimated the meal to be between 255 and 305 calories. Once again, that's incredibly accurate, considering my own weighed-out log came in at 295 calories. Unlike my flat breakfast photo, this shot had a bit more depth to it because of the container, but Gemini still nailed the portion sizes.

Google Gemini calorie tracker — dinner

Future

Finally, there’s my dinner — a bone-in chicken breast baked in the oven alongside some premade, honey-glazed carrots. This overhead photo highlighted a recurring issue for Gemini: a lack of depth perception. It ended up overestimating this meal, giving me a range of 370 to 445 calories when, in reality, it came out to just 328 calories.

While it was off this time, if I hadn't weighed everything beforehand and lacked an exact caloric breakdown, I still would have logged the higher number just to give myself a worst-case buffer.

Bottom line

(Image credit: Future)

Although it doesn’t always give the most precise estimates, I’d still lean on Gemini if I’m in a pinch. Where I’ve found it most helpful is with takeout orders. Most local food joints don’t disclose their ingredients or portion sizes, and the last thing I want to do is deconstruct a meal I paid for just to weigh out each ingredient — making Gemini’s photo analysis incredibly useful here.

If you’re like me and don’t want to pay for yet another subscription, Google Gemini is a surprisingly viable, free alternative. While a top-down photo can occasionally trick its depth perception, it consistently gets close enough to keep me honest.

Google Pixel 11 just leaked via Amazon — here's the specs, colors and obligatory price hike

tom.pritchard@futurenet.com (Tom Pritchard) — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 09:26:25 +0000

Google has confirmed that the Pixel 11 will launch on August 12, at a special event in New York, but you won't need to wait that long to find out everything. Google is notorious for leaking more than a porcupine's swimsuit, and the latest information to spill out possibly revealed full specs, pricing and colors.

The leak itself came from Amazon of all people (via 9to5Google), and while the retailer features a bunch of third-party sellers it seems the now-deleted listings came from Amazon itself. This means that there is a chance all of this information is bogus, though Amazon could just as easily have published information too early by accident.

The Pixel 11 was listed as coming in three colors: Obsidian, Hibiscus and Pistachio. However, descriptions instead label those shades as Midnight, Fuchsia and Moss — which lines up with previous leaks. The included photos show these colors to be (unsurprisingly), blue, lavender/purple and green.

(Image credit: 9to5Google)

Listings for the Pixel 11 Pro mention colors called Dune, Light Fog, Pine and Sterling. My best guess based on the images is that Dune is a pinkish orange, Pine is some kind of muted green, Light Fog is a grayish white, which leaves Sterling as the vivid pink color. The Pixel 11 Pro Fold is also seen in Pine and Midnight, which are black and that same muted green as the 11 Pro.

Google's already teasing the Pixel 11 series

(Image credit: Google)

While not officially a leak, Google has started teasing the Pixel 11 series with a short video clip on its website. Much like Samsung is known to do, Google is offering an exclusive discount to those people that sign up for Google Store updates ahead of the Pixel 11 launch.

That page also features a brief look at what we assume to be the Pixel 11, alongside an icon cycling through with rainbow coloring on the camera bar — where the LED flash is usually positioned. The phone is also gold, suggesting that a new color is on the way.

This new light is probably the rumored "Pixel Glow" feature that is expected to act as some sort of alert light on the back of the phone. Based on what we've heard, Pixel Glow will flash when you have a notification, during charging sessions and when you're interacting with Gemini.

The Pixel Glow alert starts in white, before cycling through those colors, which suggests this is actually the camera flash pulling a dual role. whether this will affect the intensity of the camera flash (or the flashlight feature) isn't clear. However, if this is a full RBG LED light on the back of the phone, it will be interesting to see if we can change the color of the flash for dramatic effect. We'll just have to wait and see.

Pixel 11 leaked specs and price

(Image credit: OnLeaks / Android Headlines)

The Amazon listings reveal a bunch of Pixel 11 series specs, which line up with everything we've heard about the phones so far. That includes a 6.3-inch display rocking 1080x2424 resolution, 256GB of base storage, 12GB of RAM, 4,985 mAh battery and a price tag of $899. This suggests that Google isn't dropping the base level of RAM to 8GB, as some rumors have suggested, but the starting price will be rising by $100.

This is the same price as a 256GB Pixel 10, but since there's no entry level 128GB option, it means the cost of entry is higher. It's almost like Schrodinger's price hike, in which the price has simultaneously increased despite not actually changing for that particular model.

One thing to point out is that these listings reportedly say that the Pixel 11 will arrive with Android 16. Considering Android 17 has been released, and is widely available on Pixel phones, that seems very unlikely. To the point where it casts doubt on the rest of the information that was presented.

In other words, don't take this leak as gospel, and remain skeptical right up until the point Google tells us what's actually going on on August 12.

The cost of the other models hasn't been mentioned, but we should expect that the Pixel 11 Pro should get a similar price bump as Google kills the 128GB option. Since the XL and Fold already start at 256GB, their U.S. pricing remains unclear, but if leaked EU prices are anything to go by we should expect an additional $100 per phone.

The Pixel 11 Pro listing also mentions 12GB of RAM, which is a downgrade, alongside a 5,115 mAh battery for the Pixel 11 Pro XL and 4,750 mAh for the Pixel 11 Pro Fold. Those are slightly higher capacities than the rumors have suggested, but it is still a small downgrade from the equivalent Pixel 10. Apart from the Pixel 11, which is listed with 5 mAh more than the Pixel 10.

OnePlus is officially dead — the original 'flagship killer' brand finally decides to settle

jeff.parsons@futurenet.com (Jeff Parsons) — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 09:24:02 +0000

OnePlus has confirmed what many of us already knew was coming: it will no longer operate in the United States, the United Kingdom, or Europe. Despite initial denials, the company announced today it's ceasing global operations so its sister brand, Oppo, the namesake of its parent company, can become the focus.

"This is not a decision made in a rush," Shuang Chen, head of marketing at OnePlus, told Tom's Guide. "Together with Oppo we spent a long time assessing what our users need from us in 2026.

"It's about knowing when to go all-in and when to make a choice. And OnePlus will continue through Oppo."

Which is fine for Europe and the United Kingdom, but currently Oppo does not sell or ship its products to the United States. Which means there's one fewer Android alternative to devices like Samsung's Galaxy or Google's Pixel.

According to Chen, all service commitments for OnePlus will remain unchanged — so if you've recently bought a OnePlus 15 or still use an older device like the OnePlus 13, you won't suddenly find them unresponsive. However, OxygenOS is going to make way for Oppo's ColorOS in a future update. The OnePlus team was cagey about exactly which handsets will qualify and told me that: "Specific plans regarding system experience will be communicated through official channels in due course."

So while current products will retain support, there won't be any new OnePlus phones, tablets or headphones coming to the U.S. or Europe again. China and India, two of the company's biggest markets, are currently unaffected.

Bloomberg has reported that Indian operations could be shut down at some point next year, but OnePlus has denied this, claiming that it will "operate its business as usual" in the region.

This decision has been a long time coming. In April, OnePlus admitted it was “evaluating its regional roadmap and product strategy.” And when I asked Elvis Zhou, the CEO of Oppo's Europe division, to elaborate on today's news, he said the decision to shutter OnePlus was "not triggered by a single factor."

Over the last couple of months, OnePlus' product stock has dried up, and the company is actively pointing customers to Oppo alternatives.

Here's OnePlus' full statement: "After thorough evaluation, OnePlus has decided to conclude product rollouts in Europe and North America. Existing OnePlus devices will keep getting the software updates, security patches, and after-sales support. Our customer service channels remain open and responsive in accordance with our standard warranty and support obligations. Your rights under applicable consumer protection laws remain unaffected by this announcement.

"It has been an honor to share this journey with you. Thank you for your trust, your passion, and for being an essential part of the products we have built together."

The decline of the 'flagship killer'

(Image credit: Tom's Guide / John Velasco)

Over the years, I've used many different OnePlus phones and I recall the excitement of the original OnePlus One when it launched with flagship-level specs, an eye-catching design and a price that was less than half what Samsung was charging at the time.

In the U.K., where I'm based, OnePlus took a different approach. The company initially sold the phone directly, via invitation-only system, rather than going through carriers or retailers. It courted tech reviewers and geeks and gained a reputation through word of mouth and some clever social media marketing.

As the phones progressed, OnePlus continued to match (and often surpass) the likes of Apple and Samsung when it came to specs whilst still keeping costs down. The brand expanded into accessories like the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 earbuds and OnePlus Tab 3 in search of an ecosystem. Along the way, a partnership with Hasselblad helped to improve the camera performance, and the most recent OnePlus 15 was the first major U.S. flagship phone to come with a silicon-carbon battery.

Unfortunately, the plucky underdog status OnePlus enjoyed in the early years gradually gave way to a set of homogeneous phone releases with ever-increasing prices and design decisions that copied the iPhone to an embarrassing degree. Marques Brownlee summed it up nicely several months ago in a video about the arc of OnePlus that I'd recommend watching if you're interested in this story.

Continuing in China

While OnePlus will no longer appear in the U.S. or Europe, the brand is set to continue in China. Meanwhile, realme (Oppo's other smartphone brand) will attempt to fill the gap.

“To further consolidate resources and enhance global product strategy synergy, realme will focus on overseas markets and no longer launch new products in China," Oppo said in a statement.

"OnePlus’ product roadmap in China remains unchanged. Both realme and OnePlus will continue to deliver premium gaming and performance experiences to users.”

Not the Fenix 9 — 4 reasons why I think the Garmin Enduro 4 could be the adventure watch to look out for in 2026

Nick Harris-Fry — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000

Earlier this year, Garmin CEO Cliff Pemble tipped that 2026 was set to be a big year for its outdoor division, which would be “driven by a significant number of new product introductions” likely to land in the second half of the year.

One of those new products is expected to be the Garmin Fenix 9. Garmin’s flagship watch is refreshed each year and will probably be the most eye-catching launch to come this year.

However, I’m just as excited by the idea of a successor to the Garmin Enduro 3. This is another adventure watch that sits in Garmin’s outdoor division, and since the Enduro 3 came out in 2024, the line is due for an update this year.

While the Fenix line has long been the best Garmin watch for adventurous athletes who spend a lot of time in the wilderness, there are a couple of reasons I think the Enduro 4 might be the watch to beat in this area by the end of 2026.

The Enduro has the battery life to beat

(Image credit: Nick Harris-Fry/Future)

Across the Garmin line-up, battery life is generally getting shorter with the brand’s latest models, as brighter and brighter AMOLED displays become the norm.

For the most part, I’m not against this move myself — I can charge my watch easily most days, Garmins still last way longer than smartwatches, and I like a bright display.

However, when it comes to spending days or weeks in the great outdoors, you want a long-lasting watch, and the Enduro is the best Garmin option on this front.

The Enduro 3 lasted me around 18 days on a charge even with heavy use, running every day, and it can last up to 90 days in sunny conditions thanks to its solar panels and power-saving memory-in-pixel display.

The Garmin Enduro 3 is a titanium adventure watch that offers outstanding battery life, partly thanks to the solar panels on its display. It's a great alternative to the Fenix 8 Pro for those who prefer a MIP display to AMOLED.View Deal

In contrast, the 47mm Garmin Fenix 8 Pro AMOLED lasts me more like four or five days with similar use, and even the 51mm watch can last a maximum of 27 days, or 15 days if the screen is always-on.

If the Garmin Enduro 4 can maintain the long battery life of its predecessor, or even exceed it, it’s almost certain to outlast the forthcoming Fenix 9.

Garmin’s satellite connectivity could come to the Enduro 4

(Image credit: Future)

The biggest update Garmin brought to the Fenix 8 Pro compared with the Fenix 8 was LTE and satellite connectivity, which allows you to stay in touch even when you're without your phone or when you're off the grid entirely.

This feature is likely to start spreading to other Garmin watches in the coming years, and the obvious place to start would be the adventure-focused Enduro line.

It’s a watch built to handle long expeditions in the wilderness, so satellite connectivity to send SOS messages and the like would be a natural addition to the Enduro 4.

MIP fans might only have the Enduro option

(Image credit: Nick Harris-Fry/Future)

The Garmin Fenix 8 was the first Fenix to offer both MIP and AMOLED options — previously the AMOLED watches fell under the Epix barrier.

However, the Garmin Fenix 8 Pro series dropped the MIP option and added an innovative Fenix 8 Pro MicroLED to the lineup.

This MicroLED tech is very impressive, but MIP watches still have a dedicated fanbase that loves the long battery life they offer when always-on, and their excellent visibility in bright sunlight.

There’s no guarantee the Fenix 9 series will have a MIP option, so the Enduro 4 could become the go-to option for those who want a top Garmin with this display.

It’s notable that thus far it’s only MIP Garmins that have offered solar panels on the face, which extends the battery life even further, so that could be another plus to the Enduro 4.

Of course, Garmin could choose to make the Enduro 4 an AMOLED watch as well — there are some incredibly long-lasting AMOLED watches now, like the Suunto Vertical 2 — but that would bring it too close to the Fenix line in my opinion.

The Enduro is now cheaper than the Fenix

(Image credit: Nick Harris-Fry/Future)

The Enduro line was initially more expensive than the Fenix line, but the Enduro 3 was cheaper than the Enduro 2 and fell well below the prices of the Fenix 8 and Fenix 8 Pro.

Given it’s a titanium watch with a sapphire display and most of Garmin’s top features, including offline maps, it was a bit of a bargain for those who didn’t want an AMOLED display.

If this price hierarchy continues with any new models launched in 2026, the new Enduro could offer better value to people seeking a resilient, long-lasting adventure watch.

I tried the best ChatGPT productivity apps — these 5 are actually worth your time

Elton Jones — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 08:30:00 +0000

ChatGPT is already a great productivity tool on its own. But adding the right apps can make it even more useful, whether you need help managing your calendar, summarizing long documents, creating files, or streamlining your daily workflow.

As a journalist, I've tested dozens of ChatGPT apps looking for the ones that actually save time. These seven stood out because they solve real problems I run into every day and have earned a permanent place in my workflow.

Google Drive, Habitify, Reclaim.ai and more do the job

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

The word “tabs” is synonymous with my work life. Thankfully, I’ve gotten to the point where I’m not switching between the 10 I have open at a time—keeping about 5 or six tabs open does a lot to keep me from going crazy over trying to find the one I need for a particular situation.

ChatGPT will forever remain one of those essential tabs and the productivity-themed apps installed within it do a lot to keep me from doing a whole lot of tab switching and push me to get more work done with its help.

These are 5 of the best ChatGPT productivity apps I’ve used and highly recommend for your use as well:

Google Drive: Just like most folks, I tap into Google Docs to jot down my creative notes for personal writing projects and get a good look at the documents sent my way for a variety of reasons. Instead of downloading files from Google Drive and inputting them into ChatGPT for tasks related to them, I like using the Google Drive app inside the chatbot to more easily access documents. I’ve gotten accustomed to using this app to summarize lengthy documents, analyze slides and brainstorm ideas based on all the random notes I’ve jotted down in my own personal documents.
Norton: I’m glad Norton is here to tell the difference between a legit email and one that’s more than likely a flat-out scam. Since my inbox is filled to the brim with emails from all sorts of different PR companies and individuals attaching links to article proposals, I’ve gotten used to using the Norton app to get a thorough analysis of the messages in my inbox that I’m a bit weary of. Having the Norton app stand tall as my first line of defense inside ChatGPT is so reassuring for someone like me that’s inundated by emails and wants to give them a quick scan so I can get back to work.
Reclaim.ai: Since this ChatGPT connects right to my Google Calendar, I’m able to ask ChatGPT to help me get a good look at my daily schedule, find planning conflicts, reschedule meetings and also find the best times for future ones. Even prompting it to set aside an hour for a personal ideation session can be accomplished with this app’s help.
Habitify: Developing healthy habits that get me out of my computer chair and clear my head has proven to be accommodating. Incorporating Habitify into ChatGPT has worked out great since I just have to prompt it to show me my daily habits and stick by them without having to access them in another tab. Routinely checking in with the Habitify app inside ChatGPT to remind myself to take a 15-minute walk, take my vitamins, and get a quick meditation session in while I’m working from home does a lot for me.
Goodnotes: Since I’m quick to get into some long yapping sessions with ChatGPT, I’m also quick to turn those chats into documents I can use for further reference. The Goodnotes app can take my lengthy conversations and transform them into text, flowcharts and images. So, for instance, I’ve prompted this ChatGPT app to turn my evening mental wind-down routine into a document that lays it all out in an easy-to-follow format.

Bottom line

ChatGPT’s productivity-themed apps are capable of filling the same role, such as calendar management, accessing files, summarizing meetings, etc. The ones I’ve incorporated into my daily work sessions with my go-to chatbot handle those important tasks and other objectives that make my work output that much stronger.

Even using Spotify to build instrumental playlists that put me in the right state of mind to focus is a great way to boost my productivity. Make these ChatGPT apps a part of your daily work regimen and you’ll notice the benefits it brings you.

Want to watch an actually good action thriller tonight? I've got 3 recommendations, all over 90% on Rotten Tomatoes

Brittany Vincent — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 07:00:00 +0000

If you are looking for a gripping, high-stakes action thriller that actually delivers on its promises, wading through endless streaming menus can be a guessing game. Instead of settling for mediocre popcorn flicks, I’ve put together a personal recommendation list of three top-tier action thrillers that nail the tension, grit and payoff every single time.

These aren't just personal favorites, though; critics agree across the board. Every single one of these picks boasts an elite 90%+ rating on Rotten Tomatoes, so you can hit play knowing you are in for a masterpiece of suspense and storytelling.

Whether you're in the mood for a small-town conspiracy, a grim descent into cartel warfare, or an intense, old-school hunt for justice, these three films stand head and shoulders above the rest.

'Rebel Ridge'

Ex-Marine Terry Richmond (Aaron Pierre) rolls into the small town of Shelby Springs, Louisiana, on a simple mission: bail out his cousin. Instead, he’s targeted, run off the road, and legally robbed of his life savings by a corrupt local police force. When Terry tries to play by the rules to seek justice, he quickly uncovers a deep, systemic web of corruption stretching across the entire county. At the center of it is a smug police chief (Don Johnson) who has no intention of being exposed.

With the clock ticking, no one to trust, and a system designed to crush him, Terry is forced to pivot from victim to vigilante, using his highly specialized military background to push back. It is a tense, high-stakes game of tactical chess that earned a spectacular 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes for its razor-sharp pacing and unforgettable lead performance.
Watch on Netflix

'Sicario'

If you want a cartel crime story that cuts deep, "Sicario" is the ultimate, uncompromising choice. Director Denis Villeneuve turns the war on drugs into a nerve-shredding descent through the pitch-black moral grey areas of modern law enforcement. The story follows an idealistic FBI agent (Emily Blunt) who is recruited by a shadowy government task force (led by Josh Brolin and a chilling Benicio del Toro) to help bring down a ruthless Mexican drug cartel, but she quickly realizes they are playing by a completely different set of rules.

Boasting a brilliant 91% rating on Rotten Tomatoes along with multiple Academy Award nominations, Sicario is a masterclass in tension. There are no subplots for levity here; it's brutal, tightly wound and beautifully shot. If you are looking for gritty, boots-on-the-ground action that will leave you breathless, this is essential viewing.

Watch on Hulu

'True Grit'

Fourteen-year-old Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld) is not your average farm girl; she is sharp, stubborn, and completely refuses to let her father’s murder go unpunished. Determined to see his killer, the cowardly Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin), brought to justice, Mattie hires Rooster Cogburn (Jeff Bridges), a trigger-happy, hard-drinking U.S. Marshal notorious for getting his man by any ugly means necessary.

Joined by a pompous Texas Ranger named LaBoeuf (Matt Damon), who has his own bounty to collect, the mismatched trio rides deep into dangerous Indian Territory. Directing duo Joel and Ethan Coen craft a stunning, Western-flavored coming-of-age drama that is as fiercely funny as it is thrillingly tense. Boasting an outstanding 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, this gripping quest for vengeance trades predictable action beats for sharp-tongued dialogue and pure, unvarnished grit.

Watch on Paramount+

Stop doing sit-ups: I'm a personal trainer, and this single move targets your deep core better than 100 reps

sam.hopes@futurenet.com (Sam Hopes) — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 06:30:00 +0000

Sit-ups and Russian twists still feature in many core workouts because they're known to target your abs and obliques, muscle groups that help create the rippling muscle definition you can see, alongside a low body fat percentage.

However, low back pain is common when performing these moves, whether due to a lack of core engagement, form, injury, or body mechanics. In other words, they're not for everyone, and that's okay, because there are plenty more fish (or abs exercises) in the sea.

If you're looking for some of the best low-impact exercises for your spine, I can help. You'll want to focus on strengthening your core as a whole, especially your deep core muscles, which are responsible for stability — and placing your body in positions that won't aggravate your back.

Here's what to do, from me (a personal trainer) to you.

If you are currently working with pain, an injury, or any health condition, I advise speaking with a qualified medical professional before starting any new exercises or workout programs. I'm not a qualified physical therapist and cannot diagnose a health condition.

How to do plank knee tucks

Plank knee tucks look a bit like mountain climbers, except you'll hold the position instead of moving your knees forward and backward.

This is about switching on as many muscles as possible to help you defy gravity and resist rotation, as you draw your knee high and forward toward your chest while pushing through your hands and doming your upper back.

It doesn't take long to feel the burn, and I love this exercise for its simplicity.

It doesn't take long to feel the burn, and I love this exercise for its simplicity.

You'll find many yoga and Pilates teachers using variations of this exercise, but it's been around in the fitness industry in its many forms for a long, long time.

It targets the aforementioned "deep core" by engaging muscles like the internal obliques and transverse abdominis; to a degree, your quads and hip flexors are also working as you hold your bent knee in the air, along with your arms, shoulders, chest, glutes, rectus abdominis (abs) and external obliques.

In other words, there aren't many places you won't feel it. To ramp up this move further, try looping one of the best resistance bands just above your knees to add more tension.

Here's how:

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Start in a plank position with your shoulders stacked over your wrists. You can also perform this in a forearm plank, but you'll have less space to work with
Brace your stomach and pull your navel in. Ensure your hips align with your shoulders
Push through your hands to slightly dome through your upper back, then draw your right knee forward between your hands
Try to lift your knee high into your chest and point your toes. Hold for 10-20 seconds
Return to plank, then switch sides
Aim for 3-5 rounds of 10-20-second efforts.

Benefits

(Image credit: Future)

Here are some benefits of trying this exercise

Lower impact on your back

Low-impact core exercises help protect your spine by supporting your back. I'm not saying this means it's suitable for you, as only you and your physician can determine what works for your body, but for many people, the plank position is less stressful than moves like sit-ups or twists, where you're repeatedly rotating, flexing, or extending the spine.

It's very important to consciously contract your entire body and breathe into your stomach.

Cue: Focus on pushing up through your hands to create more space under your body; this will allow you to get a higher knee drive and generate more tension.

Strengthens your deep core

Your core (namely, the diaphragm, transverse abdominis and internal obliques) works to help you hold the position while maintaining your breath, called isometric muscle contraction. While, naturally, you will feel this in your hip flexors, try not to let it take away from your midsection.

Cue: Brace your stomach as if you're anticipating being punched there. Simultaneously draw your navel in and breathe down.

Translates to other exercises

You might not find yourself in a plank position daily, but this type of exercise is great for other activities like running or sprinting (think of the knee drive position as you lift your leg), hurdling, performing high knees, climbing, step-ups, hiking, walking and a multitude of other sports or hobbies you may not have considered.

What's more, building deep core strength and stability will also make you stronger and more injury-resistant.

Cue: See if you can add pulses or try adding touch points with your knee. First, try to touch your left wrist with either your left or right knee, then your right wrist, then move to each elbow, then toward the armpits.

What happened when I added it to my weekly routine?

I find plank knee tucks help me re-engage my core muscles because there is no getting away from the tension you create.

I didn't exactly take this on as an experiment, as it already features weekly in my yoga and Pilates classes; however, it has been cropping up a lot more recently, and I've been programming it more often for clients, too. So, here's why I love it.

I find plank knee tucks help me re-engage my core muscles because there is no getting away from the tension you create when you hold this position. It also tests my breathing, which I (and many of us) lose when we are in a stress position.

You can also keep increasing the time spent holding, starting with as little as five to 10 seconds and slowly adding seconds. It's simple and can be scaled to your ability, and if it ever feels too much, you could practice from a tabletop or forearm position instead.

I like that it makes me feel present with my body and mindful of what it's trying to do; I'm not rushing through reps but focusing on creating and holding positions, which I get a lot more out of than mindlessly moving through sit-ups, especially.

I like adding pulses to work my core a little harder, or moving my knee to tap different parts of my arms. Play around with it and have some fun, but never neglect your breathing.

Follow Tom's Guide fitness on Instagram for more workouts, routines, tips, and tricks.

My mom is in her 70s and uses AI every day — these are her 5 go-to favorite uses

amanda.caswell@futurenet.com (Amanda Caswell) — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 06:15:00 +0000

When people picture someone using AI, they usually imagine a student writing an essay or a developer working on code.

That's not my mom.

She's in her 70s, and AI has become one of the tools she reaches for almost every day. My mom isn't building apps, but she does use AI to generate spreadsheets for her volunteer work. She also uses it to stay safer online and solve everyday problems like hunting down hard-to-find fabric for her quilting.

Watching her use AI so effortlessly makes me proud. Sure, she calls ChatGPT "ChatGap," but other than cute nicknames, seeing her use AI has been a good reminder that the technology doesn't have to be complicated to be useful. In fact, the features she uses most are the ones that save her time or give her confidence before making a decision.

Here are the five ways AI has become part of her daily routine.

1. She checks suspicious messages before clicking anything

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Whether it's a text message, an email or even a suspicious invite, my mom has learned that you really can't trust everything on the internet. Besides, as a woman in her 70s, she's exactly the kind of person scammers target. Fake delivery notifications, phishing emails, fraudulent text messages and convincing Facebook posts seem to arrive every week.

Instead of guessing whether something is legitimate, she opens ChatGPT and uses Norton's scam detection capabilities within the app to analyze the message before she clicks a link or responds.

Sometimes she'll paste the text into the chat. Other times she'll upload a screenshot. The extra layer of verification gives her peace of mind, which honestly, gives me some peace of mind, too.

2. She uses photos to find quilting fabric

(Image credit: Future)

This might be my favorite use case because I never would have thought of it myself. My mom is an avid quilter. Anyone who sews knows how frustrating it can be when you run out of a particular fabric. Sometimes all that's left is a small scrap with no label or manufacturer.

Instead of spending hours searching online, she simply takes a picture of the fabric and uploads it to ChatGP or Gemini (she clearly has a preference).

The AI identifies colors, patterns and sometimes even the fabric collection or manufacturer. It can also suggest online retailers that might still carry it or recommend similar alternatives if the original has been discontinued. She used to call me to do the ChatGPT detection for her, now, she does it herself. It's like having a fabric expert available whenever she needs one.

3. She asks the kinds of questions people used to Google

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Her AI conversations aren't complicated. But she likes to use ChatGPT Voice and ask things like:

Can I eat these leftovers after three days?

How long can cooked chicken stay in the refrigerator?

Can I freeze this before it goes bad?

What's the best way to clean this pan?

Why is my cat staring at me like that?

These aren't life-or-death medical questions, but they're the kinds of everyday decisions that used to send people to a search engine. Now she simply asks in plain English and gets a straightforward answer without digging through multiple websites.

4. She relies on Google Maps — and that's AI, too

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

I taught my mom how to use Google Maps to find the cheapest gas prices, but she also uses it to help predict traffic, estimate arrival times, suggest faster routes and reroute drivers around accidents or road closures.

It's a reminder that many of us use AI every day without even thinking about it.

5. She uses it for fitness

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

My mom regularly goes to the gym — much more than me! And she'll often turn to ChatGPT or Gemini for new fitness routines. With a simple prompt like:

I only have 30 minutes today, what workout would be best for me?

I am looking for new walking shoes? I like Brooks, should I stick with those?

She even uses the Apple Music app within ChatGPT to create playlists for her workouts. Impressive, for sure.

Bottom line

(Image credit: Future)

My mom also uses ChatGPT just to chat. Sometimes the questions are practical and other times they are more like Beatles trivia or trying to remember the name of the actress she likes in a particular movie.

She'll ask about gardening, recipes, household problems, products she's considering buying or random facts she wonders about during the day. Most importantly, she doesn't worry about writing the "perfect prompt." She simply asks the question the way she'd ask another person.

Ironically, that's probably why my mom gets such useful answers. The point is, AI doesn't have to be complicated despite the perception that it's only for programmers or people who work in technology.

Watching my mom use it every day tells a different story. She isn't trying to automate her life or replace her favorite hobbies. She's using AI to solve small problems that come up throughout the day.

If you're wondering whether AI has a place in your own daily routine — or you're trying to help a parent or grandparent get started — start with one real problem they already have. They might end up using it every day.

I drove the BMW XM Label and Audi RS Q8 for a week — here’s the only one I'd recommend

john.velasco@futurenet.com (John Velasco) — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0000

When I think of luxury performance vehicles, the first two brands that come to mind are German. While Audi and BMW have a slew of sedans that might pique your interest, they also build massive SUVs that effortlessly blend track-level performance with executive luxury.

The BMW XM Label and Audi RS Q8 fit this bill perfectly. Both models combine cutting-edge tech suites with thrilling performance to justify their eye-watering price tags. At well over $100K, these SUVs certainly don’t come cheap, but if your budget is accommodating, they deliver the ultimate dual-purpose machine.

I put them to the test by driving each for a week. Along the way, I looked at how fun they are to drive, uncovered cool features you won’t find in ordinary cars, and measured their real-world usability. At the end of the day, there’s only one I would actually recommend.

BMW XM Label vs. Audi RS Q8: Specifications

	2026 BMW XM Label	2026 Audi RS Q8 performance
Price Tested	$162,275	$160,790
Engine	4.4L TwinPower Turbo V-8 32-Valve Engine	4.0L TFSI biturbo V8 engine
All-Electric Battery	19 kWh	N/A
All-Electric Range	30 miles	N/A
Fuel Economy	14 mpg combined / 47 mpge	14 mpg city / 20 mpg highway / 16 mpg combined
0 to 60 mph	3.4 seconds	3.4 seconds
Fuel Tank Capacity	18.2 gallons	22.5 gallons
Horsepower	738 hp	631 hp
Wheels	22-inches	22-inches
MSRP	$159,600	$138,300

BMW XM Label vs. Audi RS Q8: Design

2026 BMW XM Label.John Velasco / Tom's Guide

2026 Audi RS Q8.John Velasco / Tom's Guide

2026 BMW XM Label.John Velasco / Tom's Guide

2026 Audi RS Q8.John Velasco / Tom's Guide

Both designs lean heavily into aggressive, road-dominating stances, but I have a clear favorite.

Sure, the BMW XM Label feels like I’m steering a yacht due to its long hood and massive overall size, but it looks like a stealth fighter on wheels.

Without a doubt, it’s the BMW XM Label. Sure, it feels like I’m steering a yacht due to its long hood and massive overall size, but it looks like a stealth fighter on wheels. The XM’s slab-sided design language and geometric angles give it an imposing presence that stands out in a sea of generic crossovers..

In addition to the matte paint job, I especially love the illuminated hexagonal kidney grilles and stacked quad exhaust tips — together, they deliver a futuristic, almost cyberpunk design that commands immediate attention on the highway.

By comparison, the Audi RS Q8 feels a bit too safe and conventional. It’s much easier to drive because it’s slightly more compact. While its sloped, sportback roofline and massive wide-body arches give it a sporty stance, the overall shape blends too easily into Audi's standard SUV design language. It’s a handsome luxury cruiser, but side-by-side with the XM’s dramatic look, the Audi lacks that head-turning drama.

Winner: BMW XM Label

BMW XM Label vs. Audi RS Q8: Fuel economy

	2026 BMW XM Label	2026 Audi RS Q8 performance
Total Miles Driven	262.9 miles	116.7 miles
Average Fuel Economy	23.5 mpge	16.1 mpg
Best short distance fuel economy	24.3 mpge	14.1 mpg
Best long distance fuel economy	19.7 mpg	21 mpg

High-performance V8 luxury cruisers aren’t bought to save money at the pump, but I still know very well how every bit of efficiency helps — especially with the ongoing volatility in gas prices. Since the 2026 BMW XM Label is technically a PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle), it’s no surprise it’s the more efficient of the two. More importantly, it packs a dedicated battery that provides roughly 30 miles of all-electric range. That alone gives the BMW superior long-term savings.

I drove a total of 262.9 miles in the BMW XM Label and 116.7 miles in the Audi RS Q8 performance to see how their distinct powertrains hold up. Over my week of testing, the BMW achieved an average fuel economy of 23.5 MPGe, heavily assisted by its electric motor. On shorter trips around town where the battery did the heavy lifting, it yielded its best short-distance fuel economy of 24.3 MPGe.

The Audi RS Q8 performance relies on a more traditional gas setup, which naturally yields lower efficiency numbers. In my week’s worth of testing, it achieved an average of 16.1 mpg. I’m not surprised that this performance SUV struggled with short-distance drives, with 14.1 mpg being my best average. However, I was pleasantly surprised that I averaged 21 mpg on one of my long-distance tests driving mostly on highways.

Winner: BMW XM Label

BMW XM Label vs. Audi RS Q8: Driving performance

2026 BMW XM Label.John Velasco / Tom's Guide

2026 Audi RS Q8.John Velasco / Tom's Guide

2026 BMW XM Label.John Velasco / Tom's Guide

2026 Audi RS Q8.John Velasco / Tom's Guide

2026 BMW XM Label.John Velasco / Tom's Guide

2026 Audi RS Q8.John Velasco / Tom's Guide

Besides the luxury features that accompany the BMW XM Label and Audi RS Q8, you’re paying a premium for their performance.

Despite delivering 738 horsepower out of its 4.4L TwinPower Turbo V-8 engine, the BMW's long body and immense weight make it more challenging to drive. As much as I like how the transition between electric and gasoline power is seamless, I don't find it very nimble. Don’t get me wrong, it’s lightning-fast off the starting line, but carving through tight curves isn't exactly effortless. I'm definitely more cognizant in busy parking lots.

The Audi RS Q8 is down on power compared to the BMW, generating 631 horsepower out of its 4.0L TFSI biturbo V8 engine, but its smaller footprint gives it a massive advantage. Because it's also significantly lighter, it feels way more athletic. Thanks to its standard all-wheel steering and sport-tuned adaptive air suspension, the RS Q8 is much more composed when carving through corners and handling tight turns.

Winner: Audi RS Q8

BMW XM Label vs. Audi RS Q8: Comfort

2026 BMW XM Label.John Velasco / Tom's Guide

2026 Audi RS Q8.John Velasco / Tom's Guide

2026 BMW XM Label.John Velasco / Tom's Guide

2026 Audi RS Q8.John Velasco / Tom's Guide

2026 BMW XM Label.John Velasco / Tom's Guide

2026 Audi RS Q8.John Velasco / Tom's Guide

Although their respective cabins envelop you in top-tier premium materials, it’s the tech and ambiance that set them apart.

Just like the BMW 550e, the XM Label is designed to be an absolute sanctuary of high-tech luxury. It features a stunning, LED-lined roof that creates an atmosphere that makes the inside come to life at night. Another unique feature is the heating and cooling cup holders, something you rarely find in any vehicle.

On the road, the driving experience is bolstered by BMW’s Drive Assist system that lets me confirm turns using head gestures, along with an intelligent backup assistant that makes getting out of a tight parking space a breeze.

The Audi RS Q8 offers a more grounded, traditional luxury experience. Its interior is impeccably built, blending a hint of sportiness into the aesthetics, but it’s the surround sound system that delivers concert-hall clarity. For those who prioritize safety tech, it’s one of the few vehicles equipped with a night vision camera that detects specific heat signatures — like people on the road or large animals — to ensure I'm always aware of them.

While the RS Q8 is undeniably refined, it just lacks the sheer wow factor and the futuristic, driver-focused automation found in the BMW XM Label.

Winner: BMW XM Label

BMW XM Label vs. Audi RS Q8: Value

2026 BMW XM Label.John Velasco / Tom's Guide

2026 Audi RS Q8.John Velasco / Tom's Guide

2026 BMW XM Label.John Velasco / Tom's Guide

2026 Audi RS Q8.John Velasco / Tom's Guide

2026 BMW XM Label.John Velasco / Tom's Guide

2026 Audi RS Q8.John Velasco / Tom's Guide

Looking at the initial price tags, it’s easy to assume the value proposition automatically leans toward the less expensive option. The Audi RS Q8 performance starts at $138,300, and even when configured with optional carbon-ceramic brakes and premium tech packages with the trim I tested, it still manages to come at about $2,000 less. However, I think you’re getting more value out of the XM Label when it boils down to it.

That’s because it earns every penny by packing in a level of luxury and utility that the Audi simply can’t match. First and foremost, the XM Label is a plug-in hybrid and inherently has substantial long-term savings by running short commutes running entirely off cheaper, electric power. When you factor in the sheer volume of advanced, exclusive features I’ve already mentioned, the XM Label delivers a genuinely next-generation experience.

The Audi is a fantastic, fast SUV, but the BMW XM Label is the one that actually feels like a true, boundary-pushing splurge.

Winner: BMW XM Label

BMW XM Label vs. Audi RS Q8: Verdict

2026 BMW XM Label.John Velasco / Tom's Guide

John Velasco / Tom's Guide

2026 BMW XM Label.John Velasco / Tom's Guide

John Velasco / Tom's Guide

2026 BMW XM Label.John Velasco / Tom's Guide

John Velasco / Tom's Guide

2026 BMW XM Label.John Velasco / Tom's Guide

2026 Audi RS Q8.John Velasco / Tom's Guide

There’s no denying that both of these luxury SUVs offer an incredible blend of performance and presence. Over-the-top is one way of describing them, but the premium you’ll pay is exactly what makes them special. I can’t deny that the Audi RS Q8 is an exceptional machine — it’s fast, handles beautifully, and delivers that traditional luxury experience for a slightly lower price tag.

	2026 BMW XM Label	2026 Audi RS Q8 performance
Design	X
Fuel Economy	X
Driving Performance		X
Comfort	X
Value	X
Total	4	1

However, the BMW XM Label is the luxury cruiser actually worth splurging on. While it demands a premium, it justifies that cost by delivering a complete, next-generation package. There’s no shortage of premium features, from the way it commands presence with its stealth-fighter styling to the incredible long-term fuel savings of its plug-in hybrid powertrain, which truly seals the deal.

If you’re preparing to spend six figures on a high-end performance SUV, you want something that feels truly special every single time you get behind the wheel. That's exactly what the BMW XM Label delivers, making it the definitive winner of this matchup.

I expected another indie rom-com. What I got was one of my favorite movies of the year

Josh Bell — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 05:45:00 +0000

When I was 22, I was a music critic for an alternative weekly newspaper, and I recognized my own past experience from the first moments of “Mile End Kicks,” when 22-year-old alt-weekly music critic Grace Pine (Barbie Ferreira) is at a concert, writing on her little notepad, and a pair of strangers ask her what she’s doing. I, too, have experienced the self-satisfaction of telling random people that you’re reviewing a concert, feeling a tiny bit of importance and admiration from others while scribbling down a set list.

I’m not Canadian, and my time as a music critic in my early 20s came about a decade before Grace’s in “Mile End Kicks,” which is set mostly in Montreal in 2011. I’m also not a woman, so I never experienced the pervasive sexism that Grace has to deal with as a female writer in a male-dominated field. But the way that writer-director Chandler Levack personalizes her story is what makes “Mile End Kicks” so effective.

It’s a distinctive, honest coming-of-age romantic comedy that feels genuine regardless of whether or not you can directly relate to the protagonist. It’s one of my favorite movies of the year so far, and it deserves to find a bigger audience now that it’s on Netflix, alongside Levack’s other 2026 release, the Netflix original teen comedy “Roommates.”

‘Mile End Kicks’ captures the vibe of a specific music scene

Grace doesn’t stay at her alt-weekly job for long after the movie begins. Instead, after a year of working in Toronto, she decides to move to Montreal, home of a burgeoning indie rock scene that includes acts like Arcade Fire and Mac DeMarco. Although she’s excited by the prospect of immersing herself in this scene, Grace’s main goal is to write an entry in the influential “33 1/3” series of books about major albums, covering Alanis Morissette’s “Jagged Little Pill.”

Grace is clearly talented, and she’s clearly a hard worker, having churned out 400 articles in a single year in her alt-weekly job. But she’s easily distracted by the temptations of living in the hipster haven of Montreal, where she moves in with fashionable DJ Madeleine (Juliette Gariépy). Madeleine’s boyfriend Hugo (Robert Naylor) is the drummer in indie-rock band Bone Patrol, which soon becomes Grace’s new obsession, especially as she crushes hard on lead singer Chevy (Stanley Simons).

Bone Patrol’s music is believably mediocre, sounding exactly like a midlevel indie-rock band that might get some regional press but never breaks through nationally. Grace is smitten anyway, and in classic rom-com fashion, she doesn’t see that Chevy — whom Madeleine calls “the worst guy in Montreal” — is a complete douchebag, and that sensitive and funny Bone Patrol guitarist Archie (Devon Bostick) is obviously the guy for her.

‘Mile End Kicks’ showcases relatable personal and professional struggles

(Image credit: Elevation Pictures)

It may take a little too long for Grace to realize how terrible Chevy is, but that’s because she’s still figuring out pretty much everything about her life. The protagonist of Levack’s 2022 debut feature, “I Like Movies,” was so obliviously self-centered that it made him hard to endure at times, and there are moments when “Mile End Kicks” could be “I Like Music.” But Grace is a more nuanced, self-aware character, and she’s not hard to root for even when she makes serious mistakes.

A lot of that comes down to Ferreira’s excellent performance, showing so much of Grace’s emotional turmoil and aspirations just in her facial expressions. It’s easy to see how blinded she is by Chevy’s artsy aloofness and disheveled handsomeness, and how overwhelmed she can be by the challenges of taking her career to the next level.

“I think that writing is hard and no one should do it,” she says to Archie when he asks how her book is going, and that hyperbole certainly speaks to me in my moments of deadline pressure. Grace’s cheery self-deprecation never comes off as whiny, though.

Part of what makes “Mile End Kicks” satisfying is witnessing Grace’s journey toward confidence in her abilities and finding her voice as a writer. “I just feel like society hates it when women talk about themselves,” she tells her book editor. She’s referring to Alanis Morissette in that moment, but the same sentiment applies to her own life, and even while she fumbles in her attempt to write about Alanis, she finds a way to follow her idol’s creative lead.

“Mile End Kicks” follows in the tradition of music journalist movies like Cameron Crowe’s “Almost Famous” and 2019’s underrated Beanie Feldstein comedy “How to Build a Girl,” but Levack brings personal and cultural specificity to every familiar development. Like Grace, “Mile End Kicks” is funny, smart and endearingly messy. I may be able to relate to Grace, but even in my 20s, I was never as cool as this.

Stream “Mile End Kicks” on Netflix now

How to protect your smart home gadgets in a heatwave — 3 expert tips to do right now

Cynthia Lawrence — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 05:30:00 +0000

As summer temperatures soar, we aren’t the only ones suffering — your best smart home devices are feeling the heat, too.

This is especially the case when they are exposed to extreme temperatures for long periods of time. While many assume it’s just our door/security cameras affected, you’d be mistaken.

According to a tech expert, many of our common smart home gadgets are prone to overheating in the summer.

From smart hubs, plugs, and indoor cameras, these can all affect their overall performance, and you might even notice things are running significantly slower or not at all!

Luckily, there are a few simple things we can do to minimize the risk of overheating and get the most out of our smart home gadgets this summer.

1. Keep smart devices out of direct sunlight

A picture of a man installing smart home items (Image credit: Getty Images)

If any of your devices are placed near windows, be sure to move them out of direct sunlight.

“Devices placed near windows or in direct sunlight are most at risk, as glass can intensify heat significantly indoors,” advises Michael Fernandes, tech expert at Tapo.

“Similarly, hubs and plugs positioned in warm spots, like near radiators or in the kitchen, can struggle in the summer months even without direct sun.”

In addition, use window treatments such as blinds/curtains during peak sunlight to reduce excessive heat and maintain a cooler space.

Worried about your home security camera batteries dying while you're away? It may be time to consider a solar-powered option. This bundle from Tapo TP-Link comes with one camera and a solar panel, which will keep your cam charged for up to 180 days.

Even better, though, you can place your camera anywhere post-sun-charging, and it'll work seamlessly, whether it's indoors or outside. What a win. View Deal

2. Make sure you have adequate ventilation

Best Nest compatible products: Google Nest Hub Max (Image credit: Future)

Another top tip is to avoid tucking your tech into cramped or small spaces — without proper airflow, heat builds up quickly as it has nowhere to ventilate and spread.

What’s more, this will likely cause your smart device to overheat quickly and start to malfunction.

“When a device overheats, you might notice reduced performance like running slower, disconnecting from Wi-Fi, or restarting unexpectedly,” adds Fernandes. “As well as affecting performance, heat can also accelerate battery degradation and can shorten their overall lifespan.”

For more top tips, be sure to check out these 6 easy ways to create a smart home.

3. Always switch off and unplug when not in use

Eco4life Smart Wi-Fi Plug google home smart home devices (Image credit: Eco4life)

While it’s quite common for us to leave our electronic devices on Standby, you should always switch them off and unplug during a heatwave.

Not only will this prevent overheating, but it can also preserve battery life as it puts less strain on the device.

“Smart home devices are built to handle a reasonable range of temperatures, but a little extra care during a heatwave, like keeping devices shaded and in well-ventilated spaces, can help reduce the risk of performance issues and support their long-term reliability,” adds Fernandez.

“We also recommend checking the specified operating-temperature range for your particular device.”

So if you want to ensure your smart gadgets are on top form during the summer heatwave, follow these 3 expert steps right now.

I asked ChatGPT how to avoid explosive diarrhea this summer — here's the advice I'm actually following

amanda.caswell@futurenet.com (Amanda Caswell) — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 05:00:00 +0000

As someone who eats a lot of salads and fresh vegetables, I've kept an eye on the news reports of a growing Cyclospora outbreak linked to fresh produce. I began wondering: Should I be changing anything about my routine?

From what I've read on the internet and the official CDC website, Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that can cause severe watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea and fatigue. Health officials are still investigating the current outbreak, and while no single food source has been confirmed, fresh produce — including my favorite leafy greens — has been a focus of the investigation.

Instead of scrolling through social media, I decided to ask ChatGPT a simple question: "What can I do to reduce my risk of getting Cyclospora this summer?"

I know ChatGPT is no substitute for a real doctor, but it was very helpful for quick support. And, when compared to the advice with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), I'm feeling much better about how to handle the risks this summer. Here's what I'm actually doing.

1. Washing all produce

(Image credit: Louis Hansel via Unsplash)

I've always washed my produce, but I wasn't sure if I was doing it right. I was only using running water. To my suprise, both ChatGPT and the CDC say that water is enough and even suggest not using soaps or commercial products as there is no evidence those are more effective than cool running water.

And while that's good advice, it did come with an important caveat. According to the CDC, washing produce is recommended as part of safe food handling, but it may not completely remove Cyclospora. The parasite can be difficult to eliminate once produce is contaminated.

You can read the CDC's food safety recommendations here: CDC: Preventing Cyclosporiasis

I'm still rinsing every salad ingredient, but I'm no longer assuming that washing alone makes everything risk-free. It's a good start.

2. I'm paying much closer attention to outbreak updates

Normally, I don't think twice about grabbing a bagged salad. But now, I do and I check whether health officials have identified specific products or recalls before filling my cart.

The investigation is still ongoing, and officials have not confirmed a single supplier or produce item responsible for the outbreak. But for the time being, I'm going to ask ChatGPT for cooked veggie recipes as I meal plan with AI.

3. I'm peeling produce whenever it makes sense

ChatGPT suggested peeling fruits and vegetables whenever possible. The CDC also recommends peeling produce when practical because it removes the outer surface where contamination could be present. Of course, that's not an option for lettuce or cabbage, but it is for foods like cucumbers and carrots. I've also been peeling apples when I slice them up for my kids.

It's a little extra work, but it's worth it to keep everyone safe from a nasty outbreak.

4. I'm cooking more vegetables than usual

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

As mentioned, despite it being the "dog days of summer" with 100 degree heat here in the states, I'm not taking any chances and cooking veggies. That means switching up my lunch which is almost always a salad.

While health officials haven't told people to stop eating produce altogether, I've been swapping some raw vegetables for cooked ones when possible. Heating food to at least 158°F (70°C) kills Cyclospora.

I'm not giving up salads completely — but I'm definitely mixing in more cooked vegetables this summer. ChatGPT even gave me a recipe for a really delicious summer salad that is big enough to last several days.

5. I'm not trying viral 'food hacks'

(Image credit: Future)

There are so many food hacks on TikTok and Instgram because of the outbreak. From soaking produce in vinegar to using bleach, social-media is full of cleaning tricks. I tried the vinegar hack on mushrooms and instantly regretted it. I'm not doing any of those hacks anymore and am sticking close to ChatGPT and the news for the best advice.

The CDC and ChatGPT say vinegar, freezing and many popular internet hacks don't reliably kill Cyclospora.

Instead, I'm sticking with basic food safety practices and eating at home instead of eating meals out.

My takeaway

I was pleasantly surprised by ChatGPT's answers. Most of its recommendations lined up with current CDC guidance. And since it's available 24/7, I know I can always ask it to fact-check viral hacks and news reports.

For me, the biggest takeaway wasn't to stop eating salads but rather to be a little more cautious while health officials continue investigating the outbreak. Doing my due diligence to wash produce, keep an eye on recalls and outbreak updates, cook vegetables when it makes sense and skip internet "miracle" cleaning hacks will hopefully keep me healthy and out of the bathroom.

As someone who eats salad almost every day, that's advice I'm comfortable following until investigators know exactly what's behind this summer's outbrea

Every Christopher Nolan movie ranked ahead of ‘The Odyssey’: Which cinematic masterpiece takes the top spot?

alix.blackburn@futurenet.com (Alix Blackburn) — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 04:01:00 +0000

Christopher Nolan has built one of the most impressive filmographies in modern cinema. Since his 1998 debut, he has evolved from an independent filmmaker into one of Hollywood’s most recognizable directors, known for his ambitious storytelling and large-scale blockbusters. His films have grossed billions, completely redefined the superhero genre, and finally earned him his long-deserved Best Director Oscar.

But how do his films stack up when standing side-by-side? From the mind-bending mazes of “Inception” to the atomic dread of “Oppenheimer,” I’ve taken on the impossible task of ranking his entire filmography.

Just a quick heads-up: With his highly anticipated mythological epic “The Odyssey” releasing in theaters this Friday, I will be heading to the biggest IMAX screen I can find this weekend. Expect this list to be updated almost immediately afterward. For now, let’s rank all 12 movies.

12. ‘Following’ (1998)

I know it might be surprising to see Nolan’s first feature-length film at the bottom of this list, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a great movie. When a director has a filmography this strong, something has to take last place. “Following” is an impressive movie because it was shot for roughly $6,000, which Nolan funded himself out of his own pocket. Plus, in a bizarre twist of fate, there is a scene where a character walks up to an apartment door with a "Batman" sticker.

“Following” centers around a struggling young writer (Jeremy Theobald) in London who begins following strangers through the city to gather inspiration for his work. His habit leads him to Cobb (Alex Haw), a mysterious man who reveals himself to be a skilled burglar and invites the writer into his world of break-ins and stolen identities. As the pair explores the homes of unsuspecting victims, the writer becomes drawn into a complicated situation involving a woman with a troubled past.

Watch on Philo

11. ‘Tenet’ (2020)

“Tenet” is perhaps the most “Christopher Nolan” film he’s ever made. This mind-bending blockbuster takes the classic James Bond-style espionage thriller and injects it with a heavy dose of theoretical physics. Unlike typical time travel films, where characters jump back and forth in time via a portal or machine, “Tenet” introduces time inversion, meaning people move backward through time in real-time while the rest of the world moves forward. As the movie states: “Don't try to understand it. Feel it.”

CIA operative known only as the Protagonist (John David Washington) is recruited by a mysterious organization called Tenet after a dangerous mission goes wrong. Tasked with preventing a global catastrophe, he teams up with Neil (Robert Pattinson), a skilled operative, to track down Russian oligarch Andrei Sator, whose plans could threaten the world. Their investigation takes them across multiple countries as they uncover a secret technology that changes how events unfold.

Buy/rent on Amazon

10. ‘The Prestige’ (2006)

“The Prestige” is a dark psychological thriller set in the competitive world of late-Victorian stage magic, and the brilliant hook is that the movie itself is structured exactly like a classic three-part stage illusion. This is definitely one of the most rewatchable movies ever made, since once you know how the “trick” works, watching it a second time reveals a completely different film as Nolan hides clues in plain sight in almost every single scene. It’s clever, to say the least.

In 19th-century London, rival magicians Robert Angier (Hugh Jackman) and Alfred Borden (Christian Bale) see their professional competition turn into a bitter personal feud. After a tragic accident during one of their performances, the two men dedicate themselves to creating increasingly impressive illusions and uncovering each other’s secrets. Their rivalry worsens as they attempt to perfect the ultimate stage trick, leading them into a dangerous battle of deception and discovery.

Watch on Hulu

9. ‘Insomnia’ (2002)

Next up is another great Nolan thriller: the brilliantly bleak psychological drama “Insomnia.” A remake of the acclaimed 1997 Norwegian film of the same name, it's a gritty, tense, and morally complex detective story. The film follows a detective whose overwhelming guilt begins to consume him as insomnia leaves him unable to escape his thoughts. It may be more straightforward than Nolan's later puzzle box movies like “Inception,” but it's no less compelling.

Los Angeles detective Will Dormer (Al Pacino) travels to a remote Alaskan town with his partner to investigate the murder of a teenage girl. During the investigation, Dormer becomes locked in a dangerous pursuit with Walter Finch (Robin Williams), the prime suspect in the case. Local detective Ellie Burr (Hilary Swank) assists with the investigation as Dormer attempts to uncover the truth while dealing with increasingly complicated circumstances.

Buy/rent on Amazon

8. ‘Batman Begins’ (2005)

Most film fans know that “Batman Begins” changed the superhero genre. Before its release, comic book movies were often defined by either the gothic style of Tim Burton's “Batman” or more colorful, lighthearted adventures. Nolan took a different approach, creating a darker, more grounded version of the character. Rather than rushing into the action, the film takes its time exploring Bruce Wayne's journey to becoming Batman, making it just as engaging as the superhero moments themselves.

Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) is a wealthy heir who leaves Gotham after witnessing the murder of his parents as a child. Years later, he travels the world, learning combat skills and studying criminal organizations before returning home. With help from his butler Alfred Pennyworth (Michael Caine) and Wayne Enterprises’ Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman), Bruce creates a new identity as Batman to confront the criminals threatening Gotham City. However, his plans are challenged when the mysterious League of Shadows reveals its own intentions for the city.

Watch on HBO Max

7. ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ (2012)

“The Dark Knight Rises” brings Nolan’s “Batman” trilogy to a satisfying close. While “Batman Begins” focused on Bruce Wayne becoming Batman and “The Dark Knight” explored the rise of crime in Gotham, this final chapter follows Bruce as he returns to face his toughest challenge yet. Nolan filmed more than an hour of the movie with 70mm IMAX cameras, giving many of its biggest sequences an impressive sense of scale. From large action scenes to a city under siege, it feels like the biggest film in the trilogy.

“The Dark Knight Rises” takes place eight years after the events of “The Dark Knight,” with Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) living in isolation and Batman no longer active. However, the arrival of the ruthless mercenary Bane (Tom Hardy) forces Bruce to return to Gotham and confront a dangerous new threat. As Bane takes control of the city, Batman must reunite with old allies while working alongside the mysterious Selina Kyle (Anne Hathaway), a skilled cat burglar with her own agenda.

Watch on HBO Max

6. ‘Memento’ (2000)

Released in 2000, “Memento” was the film that put Nolan on the map. It showed how he could tell a story in a completely different way, using an unusual structure to put the audience in the protagonist’s shoes. The film follows two timelines that gradually come together, reflecting the experience of a man with anterograde amnesia, a condition that prevents him from forming new short-term memories. It’s incredibly interesting (and mind-bending).

Leonard Shelby (Guy Pearce) is a former insurance investigator who is searching for the person responsible for his wife’s murder. After suffering a head injury during the attack, Leonard is unable to form new memories and relies on photographs, handwritten notes, and tattoos to track down clues. As he follows leads connected to the mysterious “John G,” he encounters strangers who may be helping him or manipulating him. Alongside his investigation, Leonard attempts to piece together what happened on the night of the attack.

Watch on Netflix

5. ‘Dunkirk’ (2017)

Now we’re into the top five, where Nolan’s filmmaking reaches another level. “Dunkirk” is a tense and unique take on the World War II genre. Instead of focusing on traditional war movie elements like strategy, politics, or battlefield heroics, it tells a more personal story about survival. Nolan keeps the exposition to a minimum, avoiding long explanations and letting the visuals, sound, and action tell the story. The result is an immersive experience that puts the audience right in the middle of it.

“Dunkirk” follows the evacuation of Allied soldiers trapped on the beaches of Dunkirk, France, during World War II. The story is told through three interconnected perspectives: a young soldier named Tommy (Fionn Whitehead) stranded on the shore, a group of civilians sailing across the English Channel to assist the rescue effort, and Royal Air Force pilots defending the evacuation from above. As enemy forces close in and the situation becomes increasingly desperate, soldiers and civilians race against time to escape across the sea.

Buy/rent on Amazon

4. ‘Inception’ (2010)

“Inception” is one of Nolan’s most ambitious blockbusters. At its core, it follows the structure of a classic heist movie, but instead of breaking into a bank, the characters enter the human mind to steal and plant ideas. The film includes plenty of big action sequences and a complex story about dreams, memory, and reality. It’s a visually impressive thriller that challenges the audience while still delivering plenty of excitement. Plus, the film operates as a perfect ensemble piece, led by Leonardo DiCaprio.

Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a skilled extractor who enters people’s dreams to steal valuable information. After becoming a fugitive and losing the ability to return home, Cobb is offered a chance to clear his name through one final job. Instead of stealing information, he and his team must enter the mind of a powerful businessman and plant an idea. As the group goes through increasingly complex dream worlds, Cobb must confront obstacles from his own past while trying to complete the mission

Watch on MGM+

3. ‘The Dark Knight’ (2008)

It wouldn’t be right to rank Nolan’s films without putting “The Dark Knight” in the top three. Often considered one of the greatest superhero movies ever made, it helped redefine what comic book films could be. Heath Ledger’s performance as the Joker is a major reason why, with his unpredictable and memorable take on the character becoming one of the film’s biggest highlights. “The Dark Knight” is an absolute adrenaline rush from the very first frame, and still remains a gripping ride.

Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) continues his efforts to reduce crime in Gotham City alongside Lieutenant James Gordon (Gary Oldman) and district attorney Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart). Their progress is disrupted when a criminal mastermind known as the Joker (Heath Ledger) emerges and launches a series of increasingly dangerous attacks across the city. As Batman attempts to stop the Joker’s plans, he is forced to confront several challenges involving Gotham’s criminals and the limits of his own methods.

Watch on HBO Max

2. ‘Interstellar’ (2014)

“Interstellar” is one of the best movies of all time. This emotionally sweeping sci-fi epic combines a large-scale space adventure with a personal story about family and human connection. To help make the science as accurate as possible, Nolan and his brother Jonathan worked with Dr. Kip Thorne, a Nobel Prize-winning theoretical physicist from Caltech (pretty insane). The result is a visually stunning journey through space that balances its huge ideas with an emotional story at its core.

Former NASA pilot Cooper (Matthew McConaughey) is recruited to join a mission through a newly discovered wormhole near Saturn. Leaving his family behind, he travels with a team of scientists across distant galaxies to search for a potential new home for humanity as Earth becomes increasingly difficult to survive on. Alongside Dr. Amelia Brand (Anne Hathaway) and a group of advanced robots, Cooper explores several unknown planets while racing against limited resources and time.

Watch on Hulu

1. ‘Oppenheimer’ (2023)

Of course, there had to be a winner, and that’s the incredible “Oppenheimer.” It swept the 96th Academy Awards, taking home seven Oscars (including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor) for good reason. “Oppenheimer” is a powerful historical drama that builds tension like a psychological thriller. Instead of a traditional villain, the film focuses on the destructive power of the atomic bomb and the consequences of human ambition. Not to mention, its three-hour score is built around the incredible sound of a violin, which gives me goosebumps every time.

“Oppenheimer” follows the life of American physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer (Cillian Murphy), tracing his early academic years, rise through the scientific community, and leadership of the Manhattan Project during World War II. Working alongside a team of scientists at Los Alamos, Oppenheimer oversees the development of the first atomic bomb. The film also explores his relationships with his wife Kitty (Emily Blunt), colleagues, and government officials, including Lewis Strauss (Robert Downey Jr.), whose actions shape Oppenheimer’s later career.

Buy/rent on Amazon

How to watch The Open 2026: live stream major golf online, TV channels, schedule, tee times

Adrian Back — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 04:00:00 +0000

The fourth and final major of the year sees the world’s best golfers descend on Royal Birkdale Golf Club for the 154th running of the Open Championship. Scottie Scheffler is the defending champion but he arrives having missed his first cut in four years.

You can watch The Open 2026 live streams from anywhere with a VPN.

The Open 2026: Live Streams, TV channel

The Open 2026 takes place from Thursday, July 16 to Sunday, June 19
► Thursday start time: 6:35 a.m. BST / 1:35 a.m. ET / 3:35 p.m. AEST
• Free Stream — R&A TV (featured groups only)
• U.S. — NBC, USA, Peacock
• U.K. — Sky Sports
• AUS — Kayo Sports (7-day FREE trial)
• Watch anywhere — try NordVPN 100% risk free

Over the last few seasons, it has been Scheffler and Rory McIlroy who have headed into every major as the pre-tournament favorites. However, this year the world’s top two both arrive in Southport with some concerns over the shape of their game.

Defending champion Scheffler missed his first cut in 78 tournaments at the Scottish Open last week, while McIlroy struggled in the third round and could be heard describing himself as 'so bad at golf' despite a final round of 64 that saw him finish tied for fifth.

Should they not be at their best, then there are a host of contenders who will hope to take advantage. South Korea’s Tom Kim was back to his very best as he claimed victory at the Scottish Open; American Chris Gotterup arrives having won three PGA Tour titles this year; and Wyndham Clark tied fourth last year and has since won the U.S. Open.

Brian Harman is also in stellar form and previously won The Open when it was last held on Merseyside in 2023. Then there’s hometown hero Tommy Fleetwood who has finished no worse than 14th in his last five tournaments, while fellow Englishman Matt Fitzpatrick has won three times on the PGA Tour this year and finished tied third at The Renaissance Club last weekend.

Below is a complete guide on where to watch 2026 The Open live streams, together with U.S. broadcast schedules and international TV channels.

Can I watch The Open 2026 for free?

R&A TV have limited free coverage with four featured groups a day to stream at no cost.

Alternatively, free trials from Fubo, YouTube TV and DirecTV Stream can provide access for the full tournament to NBC and USA Network.

There's also Kayo Sports' 7-day free trial for access in Australia.

Overseas? Use a VPN to access your usual service from anywhere in the world, with full instructions how to do so below.

Watch The Open 2026 from anywhere

Away from home at the moment and blocked from watching the golf on your usual subscription?

You can still watch The Open live thanks to the wonders of a VPN (Virtual Private Network). The software can make your devices appear to be back in your home country regardless of where you are, making it ideal for viewers away on vacation or on business. Our favorite is NordVPN — we explain why in our NordVPN review.

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Using a VPN is incredibly simple.

1. Download and install a VPN — as we say, our top choice is NordVPN.

2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance, if you're in the U.S. and want to view an Aussie service, you'd select Australia from the list.

3. Sit back and enjoy the action. Head to your usual streaming service and watch The Open 2026 golf.

How to watch The Open 2026 in the U.S.

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

U.S. TV coverage of the U.S. Open is split between NBC and the USA Network, with the Peacock streaming service showing every minute of NBC coverage online. The TV splits are as follows (times in ET):

Thursday-Friday: 1:30-4 a.m. (NBC Sports Network/Peacock); 4 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (USA)
Saturday: 5-7 a.m. (USA), 7 a.m.-3 p.m. (NBC/Peacock)
Sunday: 4-7 a.m. (USA), 7 a.m.-2 p.m. (NBC/Peacock)

If you already have these channels as part of your cable TV package, then you're all set.

If not, try a cord-cutting TV service such as our favorite Sling TV. Its Blue plan starts from $45.99/month and includes both channels (with NBC available in select markets). And there's a half-price discount for new users, too.

Fubo (5-day free trial) is another cord-cutting streaming service through which you'll be able to watch the US Open. Subscriptions start at $73.99/month though so if you're looking for a bargain head to Sling TV. YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV are other alternatives.

Anyone outside of the States who wants to watch their home golf coverage can try NordVPN and follow the instructions above to live stream all the US Open action safely.

How to watch The Open 2026 in Canada

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

The Open is being broadcast on TSN channels in Canada, which means you can also watch golf live streams on the TSN Plus streaming platform costing C$29.99/month for their Direct package.

If you're outside Canada but have a subscription, you can watch The Open live streams using a VPN, such as NordVPN.

How to watch The Open 2026 in the U.K.

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Sky Sports' Main Event and Golf channels are the exclusive place to watch golf including The Open 2026 in the U.K. Prices start from £20/month.

Don't fancy being locked into a long, expensive contract? You could consider a more flexible Now Sports Membership. Day passes cost £14.99, or a rolling monthly subscription is £34.99.

Alternatively, wait until the evening when BBC Two and BBC iPlayer will broadcast an hour-long highlights package of the day's play.

To access your usual streaming service from outside the U.K, you'll need to download a good VPN, as detailed above.

How to watch The Open 2026 live streams in Australia

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

The live action from The Open 2026 is being shown on Fox Sports 503 on TV in Australia.

Don't have Foxtel and don't want to subscribe? Specialist streaming service Kayo Sports will also be showing The Open 2026 golf live streams with its affordable, commitment-free plans starting from $30/month. There's also a 7-day FREE trial (or your first month for $1) for anybody who hasn't used the service before.

Not in Australia right now? You can simply use a VPN like NordVPN to watch all the action on your Foxtel or Kayo account as if you were back home.

How to watch The Open 2026 live streams in New Zealand

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Kiwis can access The Open 2026 live streams via Sky Sport Now. This costs from $59.99/month or $549.99/year, with a daily price of $29.99 also available.

Those looking to watch the golf major on TV, this tournament will be shown on Sky Sport 1.

If you're traveling outside New Zealand right now, you can still follow every shot by using a reputable VPN service, such as NordVPN.

U.S. Open Round 1 and 2 tee times

All times in ET and R1/R2

1:35 a.m. / 6:41 a.m.: Matthew Baldwin, Thomas Detry, James Nicholas

1:46 a.m. / 6:52 a.m.: Michael Kim, Daniel Hillier, Andy Sullivan

1:57 a.m. / 7:03 a.m.: Ryan Fox, Andrew Novak, Matthew Jordan

2:08 a.m. / 7:14 a.m.: Henrik Stenson, Max Homa, Joe Dean

2:19 a.m. / 7:25 a.m.: Robert MacIntyre, Rickie Fowler, Alex Fitzpatrick

2:30 a.m. / 7:36 a.m.: David Duval, Martin Couvra, Matthew Southgate

2:41 a.m. / 7:47 a.m.: Sungjae Im, Dan Brown, Fifa Laopakdee (a)

2:52 a.m. / 7:58 a.m.: Gary Woodland, Jake Knapp, Jordan Smith

3:03 a.m. / 8:09 a.m.: Francesco Molinari, Tom McKibbin, Lev Grinberg (a)

3:14 a.m. / 8:20 a.m.: Hennie du Plessis, Jose Luis Ballester Barrio, Dan Bradbury

3:25 a.m. / 8:31 a.m.: Angel Ayora, Victor Perez, Mateo Pulcini (a)

3:36 a.m. / 8:42 a.m.: Stewart Cink, Scott Vincent, Joakim Lagergren

3:47 a.m. / 8:53 a.m.: Michael Thorbjornsen, Kota Kaneko, Travis Smyth

4:03 a.m. / 9:09 a.m.: Alex Smalley, Sam Stevens, Ryo Hisatsune

4:14 a.m. / 9:20 a.m.: Akshay Bhatia, Harris English, Rasmus Højgaard

4:25 a.m. / 9:31 a.m.: Ben Griffin, Hideki Matsuyama, Min Woo Lee

4:36 a.m. / 9:42 a.m.: Russell Henley, Justin Rose, Viktor Hovland

4:47 a.m. / 9:53 a.m.: Justin Thomas, Alex Noren, Jason Day

4:58 a.m. / 10:04 a.m.: Scottie Scheffler, Tyrrell Hatton, Bryson DeChambeau

5:09 a.m. / 10:15 a.m.: Jordan Spieth, Tommy Fleetwood, Jon Rahm

5:20 a.m. / 10:26 a.m.: Brian Harman, Si Woo Kim, Nick Taylor

5:31 a.m. / 10:37 a.m.: Ryan Gerard, Maverick McNealy, David Puig

5:42 a.m. / 10:48 a.m.: Kazuma Kobori, Tom Sloman, David Howard (a)

5:53 a.m. / 10:59 a.m.: Antoine Rozner, Ren Yonezawa, Caleb Surratt

6:04 a.m. / 11:10 a.m.: MJ Daffue, Frederic Lacroix, Jack McDonald

6:15 a.m. / 11:21 a.m.: Jeongwoo Ham, Ryutaro Nagano, Alejandro de Castro Piera (a)

6:41 a.m. / 1:35 a.m.: John Parry, Eric Cole, Tiger Christensen

6:52 a.m. / 1:46 a.m.: Eugenio Chacarra, Matt Wallace, Max Greyserman

7:03 a.m. / 1:57 a.m.: Michael Brennan, Sahith Theegala, Laurie Canter

7:14 a.m. / 2:08 a.m.: Cameron Smith, Keith Mitchell, Stuart Grehan (a)

7:25 a.m. / 2:19 a.m.: Sepp Straka, Joaquin Niemann, Kurt Kitayama

7:36 a.m. / 2:30 a.m.: Sami Valimaki, Shaun Norris, Jackson Suber

7:47 a.m. / 2:41 a.m.: Darren Clarke, Adrien Saddier, Bernd Wiesberger

7:58 a.m. / 2:52 a.m.: Keegan Bradley, Corey Conners, Casey Jarvis

8:09 a.m. / 3:03 a.m.: Matt McCarty, Harry Hall, Haotong Li

8:20 a.m. / 3:14 a.m.: Padraig Harrington, Marco Penge, Michael Hollick

8:31 a.m. / 3:25 a.m.: Tom Kim, Billy Horschel, Mason Howell (a)

8:42 a.m. / 3:36 a.m.: Johnny Keefer, Pierceson Coody, Keita Nakajima

8:53 a.m. / 3:47 a.m.: Louis Oosthuizen, Jesper Svensson, Jack Buchanan (a)

9:09 a.m. / 4:03 a.m.: Bud Cauley, Jayden Schaper, Lucas Herbert

9:20 a.m. / 4:14 a.m.: Kristoffer Reitan, Patrick Reed, JT Poston

9:31 a.m. / 4:25 a.m.: Chris Gotterup, Sam Burns, Adam Scott

9:42 a.m. / 4:36 a.m.: Collin Morikawa, J.J. Spaun, Nicolai Højgaard

9:53 a.m. / 4:47 a.m.: Shane Lowry, Aaron Rai, Brooks Koepka

10:04 a.m. / 4:58 a.m.: Cameron Young, Wyndham Clark, Ludvig Åberg

10:15 a.m. / 5:09 a.m.: Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele, Matt Fitzpatrick

10:26 a.m. / 5:20 a.m.: Jacob Bridgeman, Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen, Tim Wiedemeyer (a)

10:37 a.m. / 5:31 a.m.: Patrick Cantlay, Daniel Berger, Nicolas Echavarria

10:48 a.m. / 5:42 a.m.: Peter Uihlein, Alistair Docherty, Francesco Laporta

10:59 a.m. / 5:53 a.m.: Cameron John, Austen Truslow, Samuel Bairstow

11:10 a.m. / 6:04 a.m.: Naoyuki Kataoka, Marcus Plunkett, Baard Bjoernevik Skogen

11:21 a.m. / 6:15 a.m.: Kazuki Higa, Jiho Yang, Nevill Ruiter (a)

More from Tom's Guide

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.

Dangerous new CrashStealer Mac impersonates Apple's own tools — and bypasses Gatekeeper — to steal your passwords and more

anthony.spadafora@futurenet.com (Anthony Spadafora) — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 19:35:38 +0000

Even with one of the best MacBooks, you can never be too careful when downloading new apps. Case in point: a new malicious Mac app is posing as a legitimate Apple tool to steal passwords, keychain data and more from vulnerable systems.

As reported by BleepingComputer, the app in question serves as a means to infect vulnerable Apple computers with a new Mac info-stealer. While security researchers at Jamf first observed it back in May when it was still in development, this malware is now being actively used by cybercriminals in their attacks.

Dubbed CrashStealer, what makes this Mac malware strain so dangerous is the way in which it perfectly mimics Apple’s own macOS crash reports. Although something might seem off to more discerning users, others could easily fall for this attack given how much care and attention has gone into impersonating this legitimate tool.

Here’s everything you need to know about this new Mac malware and how you can keep your own MacBook and all the sensitive data it contains safe from hackers.

Impersonating a legitimate Apple utility

In their report, Jamf’s security researchers explain how the malware hides in plain sight by posing as a meeting platform called Werkbit. While they don’t go into details about the malware’s initial distribution method, a malicious app like this could be distributed via fake ads or on a developer-focused site like GitHub.

After downloading the app, it’s mounted on your desktop just like with any new software you download for your Mac. Surprisingly, though, the hackers behind this campaign are using a signed and Apple-notarized installer to distribute their fake app. Not only does this add a sense of legitimacy to the app but it also allows it to bypass Apple’s built-in Gatekeeper security feature without any warnings whatsoever.

When launched for the first time, the app displays a fake macOS password prompt that looks strikingly similar to what you’d see when downloading new software manually as opposed to through the Mac App Store. Once a victim puts in the password for their Mac, the hackers then have everything they need to unlock their Apple Keychain which acts as macOS’ encrypted password vault and contains all sorts of sensitive info like saved credentials in Safari, app passwords, Wi-Fi passwords and more.

The CrashStealer malware isn’t just limited to stealing from your Keychain though. It can also steal browser credentials and cookies from Chrome and other Chromium-based browsers as well as Firefox. Likewise, it can steal data from 80 different crypto wallet extensions and 14 of the best password managers including 1Password, LastPass, Dashlane and more.

To get all of this stolen data off your Mac, the malware encrypts it before packaging it into hidden ZIP archives and uploading it to a hacker-controlled C&C server.

By using a signed and notarized dropper and a re-signed payload, CrashStealer is a sophisticated Mac malware that’s especially good at avoiding detection.

How to stay safe from Mac malware

(Image credit: robert coolen/Shutterstock)

If you’re worried about CrashStealer and other Mac malware, the first thing you should do is to avoid sideloading apps, or in this case, installing new apps from anywhere besides the Mac App Store.

Just like on one of the best Android smartphones, when you download new apps from websites instead of an official app store, you’re putting your devices and the data they contain at risk. Apps submitted to the Mac App Store go through rigorous security checks while those you download from a random website don’t.

Normally when you download an unverified app from the web, macOS’s built-in Gatekeeper security feature will block it or warn you before you install it. In this case, though, that doesn’t happen since the installer used in this campaign is signed and appears to be legitimate. Well, at least in Gatekeeper’s eyes.

While Gatekeeper can keep you safe from most threats, there are ones like this that manage to bypass its defenses. For this reason, you might want to consider using one of the best Mac antivirus software solutions alongside Apple’s built-in ones. That way, if something slips past Apple, your third-party antivirus software will be able to stop the threat before it can do serious damage.

Since CrashStealer is still a relatively new Mac malware, this likely won’t be the last time we see it. This is why you always need to be extra careful when downloading and installing new software onto your Apple computer.

There's a simple way to watch England vs Argentina for FREE

Greg Lea — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 18:15:00 +0000

Harry Kane's England face Argentina in a fascinating 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final clash at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium today, July 15. Here's a simple way to watch England vs Argentina for free – in the U.S., Canada and beyond.

Kick-off is at 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. BST, with fans around the world tuning in to see whether England can reach their first World Cup final since 1966.

England vs Argentina: Free stream, TV channel

Free stream: BBC (U.K.)
Watch from anywhere: Norton VPN (Up to 63% Off)

Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane will be the key men for England, who include Reece James and Morgan Rogers in their starting XI. The stadium's retractable roof means kick off won't be delayed.

Talisman Lionel Messi starts up front alongside Julian Alvarez once more, with Giuliano Simeone coming into the Argentina midfield in place of Rodrigo De Paul.

If you're searching for how to watch the England game free online, we've got everything a 'soccer' fan needs, including kick-off times, TV channels, and where to find a World Cup live stream of every goal, header and blistering free-kick.

Read on as we show you how to watch England vs Argentina from anywhere in the world for free with Norton VPN.

Watch England vs Argentina live streams for free

In the U.K., England vs Argentina will be broadcast for free on BBC. The build-up is live from 7 p.m. ahead of kick-off at 8 p.m. BST.

Get BBC – no messy sign up, email and a UK postcode (e.g. HA9 0WS). TV licence holders only.

Traveling abroad? Use Norton VPN to watch BBC as if you were back home in the U.K..

How to watch England vs Argentina live streams from anywhere

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Quick guide: watch World Cup for free

Using a VPN is incredibly simple.

1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we've said, Norton VPN is our No.1 streaming VPN.

2. Choose the location. For instance if you're in the U.S. and want to watch England vs Argentina free, you'd select 'United Kingdom' from the list.

3. Watch the World Cup. Head to BBCand watch the game live.

What devices is BBC iPlayer available on?

Amazon Fire TV Stick (including Fire TV Cube)
Android devices (phones, tablets)
Apple iOS (iPhone, iPad)
Chromecast (casting from Android/iOS devices)
Chromecast with Google TV (supported/certified devices)
EE TV
Freely, Freeview Play, Freesat, YouView
Google TV devices (with BBC certification)
Hisense Smart TVs
LG Smart TVs (webOS)
Linux PCs (via supported browsers)
Macs (via Safari or other supported browsers)
Panasonic Smart TVs
Philips Smart TVs (Google TV models)
PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
Roku streaming players and Roku TVs
Samsung Smart TVs (supported models)
Sky boxes (Glass, Stream, Q)
Sony Android TV (Google TV models)
TCL Android TV (Google TV models)
Toshiba Smart TVs (supported models)
Virgin Media (Stream, TV 360)
Windows PCs (via supported web browsers)
Xbox One, Xbox Series S and X

Elon Musk's latest $1 billion purchase isn't AI chips — it’s gas turbines

amanda.caswell@futurenet.com (Amanda Caswell) — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 17:22:21 +0000

When most AI companies need more computing power, they buy more Nvidia chips. But according to federal regulatory filings, Musk has acquired mobile power plant specialist APR Energy in a deal valued at roughly $1 billion.

On the surface, purchasing a fleet of gas and diesel turbines seems like an unusual move for an AI pioneer. But it highlights a growing reality of the AI race: finding enough electricity is becoming just as important as finding enough GPUs.

As companies build larger AI models and serve millions of users, the biggest bottleneck has become securing the power needed to keep them running.

Why an AI company needs an energy company

(Image credit: Guille B fron Unsplash)

Training and running popular AI models like Grok requires astronomical amounts of electricity. Every prompt you type into an AI chatbot is processed by thousands of GPUs humming inside massive data centers. Those chips consume massive amounts of power and generate enough heat that they require extensive, energy-intensive cooling systems.

For years, the conversation has centered on Nvidia's GPUs because they are the engines that perform AI calculations. Increasingly, however, the bottleneck is the grid itself.

That is where APR Energy comes in. The company promises rapidly deployable, modular power plants built around mobile gas and diesel turbines. For Musk, that means two important things:

Speed factor: Instead of waiting years for local utilities to build new grid infrastructure, organizations can bring in APR's trailer-mounted turbines to get generating capacity online in weeks rather than years.
Strategic leverage: For an AI company racing to expand its data center footprint, bypassing grid delays can save months, if not years, of valuable time.

Why waiting for the grid isn't an option

Building a physical data center is only half the battle. In many parts of the United States, obtaining enough electrical capacity from local utilities can take years because regional grids are already straining under existing industrial and consumer demands.

This bottleneck has forced major technology companies to look for alternatives:

Some are investing in nuclear energy to secure long-term, carbon-free baseload power. Others are signing massive renewable energy power purchase agreements (PPAs). Some, like Musk, are taking matters into their own hands by building dedicated natural gas generation to keep new supercomputing clusters online.

xAI has already relied on natural gas turbines to help power its rapidly expanding Colossus AI supercomputer campus in Memphis. Purchasing APR Energy outright suggests Musk wants total, vertical control over his energy supply chain to fuel rapid scaling.

The ultimate irony: 'King of Electric' turns to gas

This massive energy play highlights a fascinating, head-scratching contradiction in Musk's empire. For nearly two decades, Musk’s entire brand has been built on accelerating the world’s transition to sustainable energy. He wrote "Master Plans" about a global solar electric economy, built massive Tesla Gigafactories, and promoted heavy-duty battery storage as the ultimate grid solution.

Yet, when the AI arms race demanded immediate, immense power to train Grok, the timeline for building solar farms and battery storage was simply too slow. To keep pace, Musk bypassed the clean grid entirely, turning instead to heavy fossil-fuel infrastructure.

Escalating public scrutiny

This acquisition comes as Musk's energy strategy is already drawing intense public and regulatory blowback.

The Colossus data center in Memphis has faced complaints from environmental groups and local residents over its heavy use of natural gas turbines. Critics, represented by groups like the Southern Environmental Law Center, argue the turbines contribute to local air pollution and initially bypassed standard municipal permitting.

While xAI has worked to navigate these regulatory challenges, the environmental impact of powering AI with fossil fuels remains a major point of contention. Buying APR Energy doesn't erase these concerns; rather, it underscores that xAI views dedicated, on-site power generation as a permanent strategic pillar rather than a temporary stopgap.

What this means for Grok users

If you use Grok today, this acquisition won't change the chatbot's immediate interface or features. Instead, this is about fueling the future. As AI models transition from simple chat assistants to advanced "reasoning" models, they spend longer thinking through complex multi-step tasks. This increased processing time translates directly to exponential surges in power demand.

By securing a captive supply of rapid-deployment generators, Musk ensures that xAI can bring more GPUs online and scale its infrastructure without being held back by the pace of local utility companies.

Google Search will let you create AI images for free soon — here's how it works

Elton Jones — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 16:59:30 +0000

You might be shocked to hear this, but Google Images has been around for 25 years.

Ever since it debuted on July 12, 2001, everyone has used the free online service to look up and download all manner of images. It’s funny when you think about why it came into existence in the first place: Google Images was created in response to the viral demand for the iconic green Versace dress that Jennifer Lopez wore at the 2000 Grammy Awards. The online service started with an offering of about 250 million images—that number has now reached into the billions.

In celebration of Google Images’ 25th anniversary, the service is getting two major upgrades. One of them will revamp its signature user interface and the other will allow users to create their own images for free with a simple Google Search prompt.

Here’s how that second upcoming feature will work.

Easy AI image generation with Google Search

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

In an official blog post released by Google, the tech giant noted that its upcoming AI image generation feature comes from them recognizing that sometimes the perfect image for its users may not exist. With that sentiment in mind, it wanted to give those same users the ability to produce the type of image they're looking for with the assistance of Google Search.

Simply typing in a prompt in the search bar will result in your AI image getting generated directly in the AI Overviews section. This upcoming feature will be powered by the latest Nana Banana model, Nano Banana 2 Lite. AI image generation in AI Overviews will begin rolling out in the coming weeks in English across all the regions that currently support image generation in AI Mode.

In anticipation of that Google Search update, I came up with 10 creative prompts that could be fun to use to see if its AI image generator works as well as it’s advertised:

Create a thriller movie poster about a human detective who knows tomorrow's headlines.
Create a visual of Egyptian pyramids being built with futuristic machinery.
Create a visual of the ultimate breakfast sandwich.
Create a visual of a LEGO-designed luxury apartment.
Create a visual of an abandoned mall that has been transformed into a luxury destination.
Create a visual of what the iPhone 25 design could look like.
Create a minimalist cyberpunk wallpaper in shades of blue with glowing geometric shapes.
Create a visual of a city where every building represents a different emotion.
Create a visual of a realistic travel destination that doesn't actually exist.
Create a visual of retro synthwave mountains at sunset.

The future makeover coming to Google Images will make the page look more dynamic by having all its displayed images get updated in real time according to your interests. And after saving any of those images within your collections, those collections will now appear as tabs above the main gallery.

Now you’ll have a much easier way to switch between your ongoing image search and your personal batch of saved images. You can look forward to seeing this Google Images user interface makeover for yourself once it rolls out over the coming weeks for desktop users in the US in English.

The takeaway

I’ll be excited to see how good the AI image generator housed within Google Search really is once it finally releases. Playing around with prompts aimed at producing the most eye-popping images possible sounds like a fun experiment I can’t wait to sink a few hours into. And just to celebrate its arrival the right way, I’ll be sure to generate an image of Jennifer Lopez wearing her famous Versace dress in an assortment of different colors. It’s only right, considering Google Images owes its creation to the overwhelming need to see the superstar in her signature dress all those years ago.

How to watch 'ESPY Awards' 2026 online — stream the sports awards show from anywhere

Jakob Barnes — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 16:00:00 +0000

The 34th annual "ESPY Awards" ceremony is here, with the biggest names in sport set to be celebrated on the night.

Here's how to watch "ESPY Awards" 2026 online and from anywhere with a VPN and potentially for FREE.

"ESPY Awards" 2026 - Date, start time, TV channel, streaming info

You can watch "ESPY Awards" 2026 on ABC in the U.S. with the ceremony airing on Wednesday, July 15. You can also catch the show on ESPN+.
• FREE — Watch on ABC via YouTube TV
• U.S. — ABC via YouTube TV / ESPN+
• Australia — ESPN / Kayo Sports
• Watch anywhere — with NordVPN

Since 1993, the "ESPY Awards" have become one of the most prestigious awards in the sporting world. Known as the Oscars for sports, the Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly Awards are largely driven by what the fans want rather than journalists or official judges.

This year, comedian and "Saturday Night Live" star Marcello Hernández will host the ceremony. In a change of pace, the show has returned to New York for the first time in four years, too, with the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center the venue for this year's event.

Read on for everything you need to know about how to watch "ESPY Awards" 2026 online from anywhere and potentially for free.

How to watch 'ESPY Awards' 2026 for FREE

Viewers in America can catch the "ESPY Awards" 2026 for free by signing up to a free-trial of YouTube TV and accessing ABC that way.

The only catch is you'll have to pay for the service once your free trial ends. That costs $67.99/month for the first five months, and $82.99/month thereafter.

How to watch 'ESPY Awards' 2026 from anywhere

Away from home at the moment and blocked from watching "ESPY Awards" 2026 on your usual subscription or streaming service?

You can still watch the show thanks to the wonders of a VPN (Virtual Private Network which makes your device appear to be in another country. Our favorite is NordVPN. It's the best on the market:

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How to watch 'ESPY Awards' 2026 in the U.S.

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

American viewers can watch the "ESPY Awards" on ABC on Wednesday, July 15 at 8 p.m. ET. It is also available to stream on ESPN+.

Don't have cable? ABC is available to stream via YouTube TV and you can get a free trial of that service. Sling TVand Fubo are other options.

Abroad? NordVPN can unlock your stream of "ESPY Awards" 2026.

Can you watch 'ESPY Awards' 2026 in Canada?

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

In Canada, there is no official broadcast or streaming service plan for the "ESPY Awards" this year.

The best solution is to get NordVPN and unlock your stream of "ESPY Awards" 2026.

Can you watch 'ESPY Awards' 2026 in the U.K.?

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

The "ESPY Awards" 2026 will not be broadcast in the U.K. on any linear TV channel or streaming platform.

The solution? Use NordVPN to change your location and watch "ESPY Awards" 2026 from anywhere.

How to watch 'ESPY Awards' 2026 in Australia

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

If you're in Australia, you can watch the "ESPY Awards" 2026 on ESPN via Disney+ or tune in to Kayo Sports for a live broadcast.

If you're just visiting Oz, you can can gain access to your usual streaming services with NordVPN.

'ESPY Awards' - Need to Know

Who has hosted the ceremony in the past?

Shane Gillis (2025)
Serena Williams (2024)
Steph Curry (2022)
Anthony Mackie (2021)
Russell Wilson, Megan Rapinoe, Sue Bird (2020)
Tracy Morgan (2019)
Danica Patrick (2018)
Peyton Manning (2017)
John Cena (2016)
Joel McHale (2015)
Drake (2014)
Jon Hamm (2013)
Rob Riggle (2012)
Seth Meyers (2011 and 2010)
Samuel L. Jackson (2009)
Justin Timberlake (2008)
LeBron James and Jimmy Kimmel (2007)
Lance Armstrong (2006)
Matthew Perry (2005)
Jamie Foxx (2004 and 2003)
Samuel L. Jackson (2002 and 2001)
Jimmy Smits (2000)
Samuel L. Jackson (1999)
Norm Macdonald (1998)
Jeff Foxworthy (1997)
Tony Danza (1996)
John Goodman (1995)
Dennis Miller (1994 and 1993)

How to watch 'MasterChef US' season 16 online — stream the 'Global Gauntlet' episodes from anywhere

Jakob Barnes — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 16:00:00 +0000

Gordon Ramsay and co. are back after a brief hiatus and they're ready to find the crème de la crème in "MasterChef US" season 16.

Below is our guide to how to watch "MasterChef US" season 16 from anywhere — live or on demand — including how to tune in with a VPN.

'MasterChef US' S16 release date and time

"MasterChef US" season 16 resumes on Wednesday, July 15, 2026 at 8 p.m. ET.
• WATCH LIVE — FOX live via YouTube TV
• U.S. — Stream on Hulu from July 16
• CAN — Watch on CTV for FREE
• Watch anywhere — try NordVPN 100% risk free

While season 16 of "MasterChef US" (subtitled "Global Gauntlet") actually started on April 15, we've not seen the cooks and the judges for the past six weeks due to them taking a break while the World Cup 2026 is dominating our screens.

Before the break, the judges reduced the competition to just 16 contestants, and we're now back on track to find the ultimate winner of the latest season. There's $250,000 on the line, and with each chef representing their continent, there's also pride at stake.

If you're keen to get back in the kitchen, check out the following information regarding how to watch "MasterChef US" season 16 with live viewing and streaming options available.

How to watch 'MasterChef US' season 16 for FREE without cable

"MasterChef US" season 16 is available to watch live and free thanks to FOX One's 3-day free trial.

You could also watch the series via YouTube TV (or services like Sling and Fubo) which give you access to linear TV and cable channels like Fox. You can get a free trial of YouTube TV.

Remember, you'll need a VPN to watch if you're not in the U.S. right now. We recommend NordVPN.

Watch 'MasterChef US' season 16 from anywhere

Traveling when "MasterChef US" airs? A VPN, or virtual private network, can make your device appear to be back in your home country so you can log in to the streaming services you already pay for while you’re away.

We’ve tested all the major options, and NordVPN remains one of the best VPN services right now. It’s fast, easy to use, and works across phones, laptops, tablets, streaming sticks, and smart TVs. There’s also a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it with very little risk.

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Using a VPN is incredibly simple.

1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we've said, NordVPN is our favourite.

2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance, if you're outside the U.S. but want to watch the show as usual, you'd select a U.S. server from the list.

3. Sit back and enjoy the action. Head over to Hulu and watch "MasterChef US" as normal.

Watch 'MasterChef US' season 16 in the U.S.

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

In the U.S., "MasterChef US" season 16 is playing on FOX on Wednesday, July 15 — from 8 p.m. ET.

Streaming service, FOX One is the most simple way to watch FOX. You can also stream FOX live through services such as Fubo, Hulu + Live TV and YouTube TV, with Sling Blue carrying FOX in select markets.

But, what if you miss the live broadcast? The episodes land on Hulu the next day, starting Thursday, July 16.

If you're outside the U.S. when the show airs, you can use a VPN such as NordVPN to access your usual services while traveling.

Watch 'MasterChef US' season 16 in Canada

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

In Canada, you can watch "MasterChef US" season 16 on CTV from Thursday, July 16.

Travelers from the U.S. can also use a VPN to access their home subscriptions.

Can you watch 'MasterChef US' season 16 in the U.K.?

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

You can catch new episodes of "MasterChef US" season 16 via the free-to-air service U in the U.K. as well as Channel 4.

However, there is no word as to when the latest episodes will actually air.

If you're a U.S. subscriber traveling in the U.K., a VPN such as NordVPN can help you sign in to FOX or Hulu as you normally would.

Can you watch 'MasterChef US' seson 16 in Australia?

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

It's fairly similar in Australia, with the latest episodes of "MasterChef US" season 16 set to arrive on the free service 10Play, but with no firm release date just yet.

If you're traveling and already subscribe to a service carrying the show in your home region, a VPN like NordVPN is the easiest way to keep watching without changing accounts or waiting for a local release.

Who are the 'MasterChef US' judges?

Gordon Ramsay leads the "MasterChef US" judges. Most of you will know plenty about Ramsay, be it from his other shows like "Hell's Kitchen" or "Kitchen Nightmares", or from his global reputation as a top quality chef. He's renowned for his short temper and expletives, but he keeps that in check for this show.

He's joined by Joe Bastianich, who is a highly respected restaurateur. He's also a published author, a winemaker, and has appeared on television plenty in other shows like "Top Gear Italia" and "Restaurant Startup".

Rounding out the judges panel is Tiffany Derry who, like Bastianich, is an American celebrity chef, restaurateur, and television personality. She's previously been involved in shows "Top Chef" and "Chopped."

'The Odyssey’ is the best movie of 2026 so far — and maybe topples my favorite Christopher Nolan film

malcolm.mcmillan@futurenet.com (Malcolm McMillan) — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 16:00:00 +0000

Tom's Guide Verdict: 'The Odyssey'

Rating: 5/5 stars
Verdict: "The Odyssey" is a masterpiece of filmmaking. The production design, the use of practical effects and the roster of incredible actors produce an epic movie worthy of its source material. It's an instant classic, reminiscent of Hollywood epics like "Ben-Hur." If I had to criticize the movie for anything, it's that there's not much that stands out, because everything is so well done.
Where to watch: See "The Odyssey" in theaters now

Tell me, Muse, of Christopher Nolan. The man who, after conquering the father of the atom, attempted to conquer the father of the epic. But while "Oppenheimer" was almost a pleasant surprise in how well it did, "The Odyssey" always had the weight of the world on its shoulders.

This was not just destined to be one of the biggest summer movies to watch this year. This was destined to be one of the biggest summer movies of all time. Not just in scope; adapting Homer's legendary epic was always going to be a massive undertaking. But the IMAX presales for "The Odyssey" sold out instantly, and with every ticket sold, the hype skyrocketed.

I'll freely admit that I had hardened my heart to this movie. I really liked "Oppenheimer," but, for me, Nolan's peak was in 2017 with the release of "Dunkirk." I wasn't sure that "The Odyssey" would even surpass Nolan's 2023 Oscar winner in quality, let alone approach his mid-2010s masterpiece. I didn't want to go into this movie expecting the greatest movie ever made.

But nearly three hours later, my gut reaction was, "Have I just watched the greatest movie ever made?" With some time to reflect and digest, I don't think it overtakes my top two ("Lawrence of Arabia" and "The Empire Strikes Back"), but it's in the conversation for the top five.

This is a true masterpiece of filmmaking, reminiscent of old Hollywood epics like "Ben-Hur," "The Ten Commandments" and the aforementioned T.E. Lawrence biopic. There is a combination of storytelling, acting and technical craft that you rarely see in a film. In fact, if I had to knock this movie for anything, it's that it does so many things well, it's tough to single out one thing as the best.

Nolan makes a three-hour movie feel like a thrill ride

For those who, somehow, aren't familiar, "The Odyssey" is a myth. There's a historical basis for some characters and locations, but it's the ancient equivalent of an Arthurian legend. It's also not really about the Trojan War, which is the focus of Homer's other famous epic, "The Iliad." Instead, it's about the return journey of the King of Ithaca, and legendary general, Odysseus (Matt Damon).

Nolan's version of the tale deviates from this in a major way. The Homeric epic is a tale much more about the whims of the gods and their interventions in human lives. Nolan's epic is instead about how man defies the gods when he goes to war. It's a surprisingly contemporary theme, and it's clear that Nolan is commenting on the state of our current political climate.

But it takes us nearly 20 years from the moment Odysseus leaves for Troy until he finally returns home with this wisdom. Nolan, mercifully, condenses this into a mere two hours and 52 minutes.

You wouldn't know it, though. The entire time, you're completely enthralled by what's on the screen. Whether it's Odysseus and his men fighting monsters, running from the dead, or contending with the gods themselves, you can't look away. If it's his son Telemachus (Tom Holland), wife Penelope (Anne Hathaway) and servant Eumaeus (John Leguizamo fending off the advances of suitors for Odysseus' vacant throne and marital bed, led by Antinous (Robert Pattinson), all thoughts of a possible bathroom break are evicted from your head. There's not a single moment worth missing.

In large part, this comes down to the quality of the performances. While Odysseus is nominally the main character, this film is an ensemble performance. We spend time with Odysseus and his men trying to get home, but then cut to Jon Bernthal getting to chew scenery as King Menelaus while Lupita Nyong'o tries to inform not just Telemachus, but us, the audience, about the horrors committed in her name. We see Odysseus's men transformed by the witch Circe (Samantha Morton), only to then be treated to Pattinson's Antinous being truly sleazy in his attempt to woo Penelope and kill her son.

This doesn't even account for Leguizamo's performance, which I can tell you was a fan-favorite in my screening. He delivers a line that earned one of the two moments of thunderous applause. Nor does it account for Benny Safdie and Elliott Page as Agamemnon and Sinon, respectively, both of whom are given memorable monologues to rock you to your core. As I already mentioned, it's tough to pick one standout performance because they're all standout performances.

Verdict: 'The Odyssey' is worth every penny to see on the biggest screen possible

It's not just the performances that make "The Odyssey" incredible. This is truly a technical marvel. While there's perhaps no moment as awe-inspiring as the Trinity test sequence in "Oppenheimer," the quality of the production design and costuming is apparent in every scene.

I've seen many horror movies in recent years. I don't know that anything was quite so horrifying as the first appearance of the Cyclops (Bill Irwin) in this film. The moment when Scylla strikes Odysseus' ship's crew is thrilling, and while clearly CGI, it harkens back to the Ray Harryhausen stop-motion-animated monsters of old.

Truly, I can't remember a movie that's made me think of old Hollywood so much. I couldn't help but think of "The Odyssey" as the "Ben-Hur" for this generation — except I'm not sure this generation remembers "Ben-Hur." But they'll definitely remember "The Odyssey." It's an instant classic from day one, and might just be the crowning achievement of Nolan's career.

"The Odyssey" is in theaters now

Pound for pound, these Sennheiser open-back headphones are the best I’ve ever tested, and only cost $199 on sale

peter.wolinski@futurenet.com (Peter Wolinski) — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 15:25:25 +0000

The Sennheiser HD 550 are a set of mid-range open-back headphones, designed for critical listening. For a reasonable price (relatively speaking), they offer exceptional, high-end audio. Get them on sale, though, and they’re an absolute bargain.

They’re not totally perfect, with a cheap-looking design that doesn’t fold, and only a thin fabric bag supplied for storage, which feels a little stingy at this price. Those issues are minor, though, and matter very little when the HD 550 are actually on your head.

Performance-wise, there’s virtually nothing to complain about, as long as you want a neutral, rather than warm sound profile. So, could these be the best headphones for you? Probably. Read my full Sennheiser HD 550 review to find out.

Sennheiser HD 550 review: Specs

Price	$349 / £179
Headphone style	Open back
Drivers	Dynamic
Frequency response	6Hz - 39,500Hz
Impedance	150Ω
Sensitivity	98.5dB/mW
Durability	No IP rating
Connectivity	Wired-only, 3.5mm cable + 6.3mm adapter included
Weight	8.3 ounces / 237 grams
Colors	Black

Sennheiser HD 550 review: Price & availability

(Image credit: Future)

The Sennheiser HD 550 cost $349 at Amazon, although we’ve seen them drop to $199 at Amazon during sales events, so it’s worth holding out for a deal. Even at their full MSRP, though, I think they’re extremely good value for money (as you’ll see later). In the U.K., they’re a veritable bargain, costing just £179 at Richer Sounds.

The HD 550 compete with the likes of the Philips Fidelio X3 ($349 MSRP, but can also be found for under $200), Grado SR325X ($349) and Meze Audio 105 AER ($399). Personally, I prefer the Meze cans, which feel a little more premium and special with Meze’s typically striking aesthetic, and have a warmer (slightly bassier) profile. If you want that neutral tuning, though, which I understand, it’s Sennheiser all the way.

Likewise, if you simply can’t stretch the balance to the $399 105 AER, the HD 550 are a fantastic budget alternative if you can pick them up for that sub-$200 sale price. I've no qualms recommending that course of action.

Sennheiser HD 550 review: Design

My only major gripe about the HD 550 isn’t actually that major. I personally think they’re kinda ugly. I find the long oval earcup design rather dated, and, dare I say it, uncannily ‘anatomical’ in appearance — the way they drop down from the headband resembles a particular diagram from biology class.

... I'll say no more. (Image credit: Future)

Meanwhile, the plain finish reminds me of the ultra-cheap Sennheiser cans we used in music class. But, realistically, when they’re on your head, looks don’t matter. I guess I’m just spoiled by having the Meze 105 AER at home.

I’ve also been testing the retro (and U.S.-made) Grado SR325 recently, whose mid-20th-century styling is absolutely stunning in my opinion. The HD 550 comfort and sound quality are both in a different league, though, so my advice is still to go German if you’re torn between the two.

While they're not pretty, the HD 550 are built like all Sennheisers I've tested: extremely well. They're light, but this hasn't come at the sacrifice of sturdiness. There’s no rattling or shaking, as I’ve experienced with some “premium” headphones (looking at you, Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2). The plastics might look a little tacky but they're of high quality, and the metal grate on the back of the earcups feels premium, too.

With Sennheiser, whether it’s the $40 CX 80U or $399 Momentum 5, it doesn’t make a difference — everything the brand makes is built to an exacting standard, and I love that.

(Image credit: Future)

The HD 550 don’t fold, which isn’t a huge issue as they’re intended for home use — because they’re open backs, you’ll damage the drivers by exposing them to the elements. There’s no proper case for them, though, just a soft pouch, so be careful when storing that nothing else crushes them. At $349, a thin pouch feels more than a little stingy to me. The Meze 105 AER, by contrast, come with a hard-shell case and cable pouch, although the Grado SR325 come with literally nothing but a cable, so I suppose it could be worse.

Comfort

Comfort-wise, I didn’t have high hopes for the HD 550 — that plasticky finish rekindled memories of the Sennheiser HD 400U and their super-thin headband. Thankfully, I was proven wrong, and the HD 550 are really comfortable to wear.

(Image credit: Future)

There are no frills — no suspended headband design, as on the 105 AER — just a spongey, padded leatherette headband and some soft synthetic velour earcup pads. Depending on the shape of your head, I can see the two metal brackets either side of the headband padding might dig in, although I didn’t have this issue. The velour ear pads are squishy, comfy and breathable, and I had no issues with them getting hot or sweaty after a few hours use, although admittedly I was in an air-conditioned room. A huge step up over the (frankly unacceptable) raw foam pads on the Grado SR80 ($175) and SR325.

Sennheiser makes a big deal about how light the HD 550 are, and about how much attention has been paid to clamp force — specifically, the reduction thereof. Guilty on both counts but, y’know, in a good way. After several hours I had no neck ache from weight, and no pressure on my temples from clamping.

Connectivity

(Image credit: Future)

There’s really very little to the HD 550, connectivity-wise. These headphones are designed for critical wired music listening at home, and for gaming, so there’s no wireless, no onboard controls, and nothing fancy. They plug in via a cable, with a 3.5mm jack and 6.3mm adapter included.

Drive

The HD 550 are easy headphones to drive, with a sensitivity of 106.7dB/V, which equates to 98.5dB/mW given their 150Ω impedance. In layman’s terms, that means with 1mW of power fed in, the HD 550 will output 98.5 decibels of sound, which is nice and loud.

(Image credit: Future)

1mW isn’t a lot of power, so you can run these cans from your laptop, or even your smartphone, and get loud enough sound. Ideally, though, you’ll want to use a DAC/Amp, which can deliver more power and better digital audio conversion, for a tighter overall sound than running straight from a phone or laptop.

Initially during testing, the only DAC/Amp I had at hand was the iFi GR2, which was monumentally overpowered. Even at volume level 1 (0 is mute, 100 is full), the sound was painfully loud. I just stepped down in power to the FiiO K11 R2R, which was perfect, and delivered slightly richer bass than running straight from my MacBook Pro.

Sennheiser HD 550 review: Sound quality

(Image credit: Future)

The HD 550 use a 150Ω dynamic driver, which Sennheiser proudly claims is built by the manufacturer itself in Ireland (as opposed to being built by a third party in China, I guess). According to Sennheiser, these drivers deliver supreme fidelity across the frequency range, precise channel matching and a wide soundstage. And yeah, that’s about right.

Testing methodology: Sennheiser HD 550

(Image credit: Future)

I tested the Sennheiser HD 550 using Qobuz, streaming in CD-quality or hi-res wherever possible. I use the same testing playlist for all my audio testing, with tracks I know like the back of my hand. You can find and listen along to my testing playlist at the bottom of this section.

The HD 550 boast Sennheiser’s famously neutral sound. Personally, I prefer the warmer tune of the Meze 105 AER. But there’s still a nice amount of bass on the HD 550. They have no problems with the easy stuff down to about 60Hz or so, in electronic songs like Burn Water’s bassy-as-hell Ikigai, for instance. The bass that’s there sounds textured and well-controlled, too, with no distortion, bleeding or muddying on heavy rock tracks like Melvins’ Honey Bucket.

However, there’s not much extension into tricker subby stuff, despite the response range bottoming out at a low 6Hz on paper. The closing 20 seconds of SOHN’s Antigravity is composed primarily of the deepest sub bass known to mankind, which the HD 550 weren’t able to replicate very well. In fairness, the only headphones I’ve used that even come close to relaying what that song is supposed to sound like (i.e. on a large hi-fi speaker system) are the SLAM-plate-fitted Audeze LDC5-S, which vibrate my skull during the song’s close… but cost $4,500. In short, it’s a tough track, and I’m not marking the HD 550 down here — they’re just not designed to be subby.

The Sennheiser HD 550 frequency profile versus the HD 559, courtesy of Sennheiser. (Image credit: Sennheiser)

My favorite thing about the HD 550 is the spotlessly clean mid-range. Guitars in particular sound absolutely great, with so much presence, precision and dynamism audible in the riffs of Honey Bucket and of QOTSA’s Medication. They’re not just suited to guitary business either: the oscillating opening synths of Dadi Freyr’s electropop Hot Damn had bags of punch and texture. It was like being in da club.

Then there’s the treble, which is gloriously detailed. I was picking out the softest of ethereal backing vocals in Ikigai, and even the trailing reverb of Chris Stapleton’s vocals bouncing off the recording studio’s walls in Death Row. It’s not too bright, though, so I never found myself fatigued or suffering ear-ache from cymbals.

(Image credit: Future)

The soundstage is likewise fantastic. Imaging is solid for the money, and I could pinpoint the plethora of production elements in The Who’s Eminence Front. And as open backs, there’s plenty of width and openness to the sound, too, with Antigravity’s almost disorientingly spatial intro pinging inwards and outwards in distinct layers from/to my ears. Lovely.

Listen along to my audio testing playlist on Qobuz, the best music streaming service for audiophiles.

Sennheiser HD 550 review: Verdict

(Image credit: Future)

If you’re after highly detailed sound on a modest budget, I can’t think of any better headphones to buy. Okay, they don’t look as premium as rivals at the same MSRP, and I feel a bit shortchanged by the pouch, but those are minor issues. Bass isn’t the punchiest, either, so if you’re after a slightly warmer profile I’d recommend the Meze 105 AER instead. But if it’s the neutral profile you like — which many do, it simply comes down to preference — then the HD 550 are it.

I’ll end on an anecdote: after I finished testing, I passed the HD 550 to my colleague, Erin, who took a listen and summed things up just about perfectly, saying “this is how music is supposed to be listened to.”

When is 'Moana' coming to streaming? Here's our best guess

Brittany Vincent — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 13:35:14 +0000

Moana's back, and this time she's bringing her infectious energy into the real world. "Hamilton" director Thomas Kail makes his feature debut with a live-action remake of Disney's 2016 animated hit.

Starring Catherine Laga'aia in her first film role, Dwayne Johnson, John Tui, Frankie Adams, Rena Owen and Jemaine Clement, this island-hopping musical is playing in theaters right now. But how long will it be before you can watch it from the comfort of your own couch?

Since it just hit theaters, "Moana" isn't available on any of the best streaming services just yet. Here's the good news, though: Based on Disney's recent release patterns, we can make a solid guess about when you'll be able to rent, buy and stream it at home. If you're curious about when you should start planning for a movie night, we've got the answers right here. Keep reading to find out.

When can we expect 'Moana' to arrive on streaming?

(Image credit: Walt Disney StudiosMotion Pictures)

As of right now, "Moana" is still in theaters after opening nationwide on July 10. If you'd rather hold out for a home release, though, you probably won't wait as long as you might think.

Disney doesn't rush to get its movies on digital, but it's settled into a rhythm you can nearly set a watch by. For a live-action adaptation like this one, the studio usually keeps films in theaters for about eight weeks before sending them to premium video-on-demand (PVOD), and it almost always makes the drop on a Tuesday. "Snow White" got 53 days. "Lilo & Stitch" got 60.

That puts "Moana" on track to reach digital rental and purchase platforms like Amazon and Apple TV in early September 2026, with September 1 and September 8 as two dates to mark on your calendar as potential debut dates.

Physical media follows an even tighter schedule. Both "Snow White" and "Lilo & Stitch" arrived on 4K UHD, Blu-ray and DVD exactly 95 days after opening, which would land "Moana" around October 13. Disney tends to announce the digital date only a week or two ahead.

As for streaming by subscription, "Moana" has a guaranteed home on Disney+, because Disney owns it. It's important to note that Disney's recent release windows have moved with the box office. "Lilo & Stitch," which crossed $1 billion worldwide, took 103 days. "Snow White," which flopped, went to Disney+ after just 82 days.

The live-action "Moana" opened with a disappointing box office haul, roughly $45 million domestically against projections closer to $65 million, which argues for the shorter runway. Expect it on Disney+ somewhere between late September and late October 2026.

For now, renting or buying digitally will be the fastest way to watch at home once that window opens. If you need to see it before then, you're making a trip to the theater. But you can always stream the original on Disney+ right now.

What is 'Moana' about?

"Moana" follows the teenage daughter of a Polynesian chief (Catherine Laga'aia), who's next in line to lead the island of Motunui. She's spent her whole life being told by her father (John Tui), never to sail past the reef.

When the fish vanish from the lagoon and the coconut groves start to rot, her grandmother Tala (Rena Owen) hands her the heart of the goddess Te Fiti and tells her the truth: their people were voyagers, and the island is dying because a demigod stole the heart a thousand years ago.

That demigod is Maui (Dwayne Johnson), stranded on a rock and missing the magical fishhook that gave him his powers. Moana drags him back out onto the water to put the heart back where it belongs, which means getting past a treasure-hoarding crab named Tamatoa (Jemaine Clement) and the lava demon who marooned Maui there in the first place.

Exclusive: I’m an AI skeptic — I spoke to the AI Appreciation Day founder to settle the beef, and even he thinks people will ‘genuinely hate’ AI in ‘the coming years’

Jason England — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 12:09:22 +0000

I’ll be honest from the get-go: I think the idea of an AI Appreciation Day is ridiculous. As a skeptic who has watched public opinion rapidly curdle on this tech, dedicating a day to it feels like one of those made-up corporate marketing stunts — right up there with National Underwear Day.

But while I have heavy opinions on the AI hype train, I am always willing to step into the ring with the other side. And who better to hash out my biggest criticisms with than Nathan Ricks, the literal founder of the holiday?

If you’ve read my recent reporting, you know exactly where I stand. We are watching a massive AI bubble obliterate sensible gadget prices, drain local power grids, and threaten jobs, all while giving us a firehose of internet "slop" in return.

I wanted to know if it is actually possible to appreciate AI right now, so I sat down with Ricks to find out. Let’s get into it.

Editor's note: This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.

We have days like National Pizza Day and National Talk Like a Pirate Day, which are fun. But AI is already the most aggressively hyped, over-discussed topic on the planet right now. Why does it need its own official holiday?

(Image credit: Meta AI)

“I think it's very easy for it to just get caught up in the day-to-day. AI just is infused in so many aspects of our lives. It is becoming for many people just increasingly normalized. And I think it's important to take a step back and really reflect about our relationship to artificial intelligence as humans.

If I was to rename the day, I don't even know if I would call it AI appreciation day. I’d call it AI reflection day.
Nathan Ricks

If I was to rename the day, I don't even know if I would call it AI appreciation day. I’d call it AI reflection day. I think it's time to really step back and ask ourselves critical questions, analyze our relationship to AI, how we're using it in our lives, and I think that's just going to be an increasingly important thing that us humans need to do as we develop our relationships with AI.”

The phrase of the year is 'AI slop.' Finding a real, human answer online right now feels like digging through a landfill of AI generated garbage. How do you ask people to appreciate a technology that in the eyes of many people is actively degrading the the internet?

(Image credit: Future)

"I don't know if I have a good answer for that, honestly. That's not the area that I would hope personally for AI to be used in terms of the creation of thoughts and words and important pieces of information on the internet and and including art and images.

I get for most people, how they interact with AI is they see slop articles, slop images, slop videos, and we're just going to have to figure out where we actually want [AI] to be.
Nathan Ricks

I think overall, I haven't seen that much of a net benefit to society and probably maybe a net negative in that regard. I would say that is not the way that AI, especially in enterprises and businesses, is primarily getting used. But I get for most people, how they interact with AI is they see slop articles, slop images, slop videos, and we're just going to have to figure out where we actually want [AI] to be.

I think people will turn against those things, we'll show our preferences and the people who are putting it out there will adjust, to hopefully create stuff that is much more human. [Companies] will figure it out, but I think most consumers only see one side of AI and that slop side of AI, when in reality there's a lot of different ways AI is getting used for benefit.”

You are asking people to celebrate something that half the workforce is terrified will replace them. How do you pitch 'AI Appreciation Day' to a freelance illustrator or a junior coder without them getting anxious?

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

“So my original goal with AI appreciation day and the domain was to promote this idea of humans treating AI humanely, because they could very well soon be having conscious experiences like you and me. And if we aren't careful, we could be causing potential suffering at a large scale by not treating these things humanely.

The more I've gone over time and being a practitioner of AI myself — I have my own startup today that is building in the AI space — I'm less of the opinion that AI is going to become conscious as I've interacted with these systems.

It's possible that it will, but I think the majority of systems won't be in that camp. Um, so for me it's shifted more towards just AI reflection — going introspective and analyzing how we use AI, how humans relate to AI, and what it means for society and asking the bigger questions.”

You say you’re unsure whether AI is going to become conscious. Do you think that’s a change of business goals, or a reaction to humans not wanting consciousness?

(Image credit: 1X)

“If I go back to when I bought the domain in 2023, I would have assumed that the majority of people's concerns would be that AI is going to become conscious. It's going to become super intelligent, it's going to form goals and intentions of its own that will be nefarious, malicious, and bad for society.

That would be my personal sentiment and that's what I would guess the majority of society's sentiment was maybe in 2023 when this stuff was coming up. I think the majority of people aren't really thinking about AI becoming conscious.

I think some people are still concerned about the malicious potential malicious nature of artificial intelligence. But I think more people are concerned about their employment and what it means to be human in an age of AI, and how we find meaning as humans in this new paradigm.”

The sheer volume of money being pumped into AI feels very detached from the reality of the revenue they make. How does an average person see AI as this foundational shift in human history, and not just some giant Silicon Valley casino?

(Image credit: Amazon)

“I think there is a bit of a casino aspect going on, but I think it is a real fundamental technology shift that is going to have a positive impact on the world. I think in the short term a lot of people will genuinely hate and resent AI, and I think that's going to increase in the coming years. I think the skepticism and the hate is okay, and probably well justified in many instances.

I think in the short term a lot of people will genuinely hate and resent AI, and I think that's going to increase in the coming years.
Nathan Ricks

I could go all day about where maybe there's too much investment in the space where there's too many dollars pouring in, where we're maybe moving too fast and where we should be slowing down.

But I do feel in general that this is a fundamental technology that will hopefully really shift humans into their prime form — in the sense that I really do see at least the way that we're applying AI today uh in my startup is taking away the mundane aspects of people works that they genuinely do not enjoy.

And I think over time that's just going to continue to accelerate, and humans are just going to feel more humanly. I do plenty of things and I've throughout my career done plenty of things where I felt like a boss. I felt like a cog in the wheel or cog in the machine.

(Image credit: Google)

I'm hoping that our artificial intelligence will put humans in a position where they will not feel like bots, that they will feel more and more human by doing more and more human related work where that is the thing that they are valued for.

And I think there's a really big opportunity for the whole economy to expand because of how much mundane work can be taken over by artificial intelligence. I think the next 10 years will be pretty painful, and it’ll stress society in a lot of important and painful ways.

But I think humans will reflect back and I don't know exactly how long, but we'll really be like, "Wow, okay, this really did help get us into our best forms." Similar to how I think the industrial revolution did in a lot of ways.”

We are seeing a massive rise in ‘AI brain fog’ — my Mom uses Gemini to rewrite emails and I’m using Conversate to listen to my wife talking late at night on the phone. Are we actually reflecting on AI, or are we just reflecting on our own intellectual decline?

(Image credit: Future / Tom's Guide)

“Personally, my reflection is “is AI enhancing my life?” Is it making me more human or less human? And if it's taking away your cognitive abilities and your executive function of your prefrontal cortex, then yes — I think that's an instance where it's like making you less human. And that's a time to reflect, recognize and adjust.

That's why I think it's important to have a day. I feel people should do this every month, maybe even every week soon enough — to really reflect where am I using it, am I using it well and is it making me more human or not?

(Image credit: Google/Gemini)

Personally, I have tried to make a policy for myself where I want to create as much as I am consuming. So if I'm consuming knowledge or social media, I want to spend as much time creating.

For me, that includes playing chess, reading a little bit more and writing down thoughts. I'm not just having AI do work for me, so I really am trying to have an equal amount of time spent on consumption versus production — looking at the balance of how much I'm using my brain in the mix of all those things.”

So with this interesting backdrop to AI right now (as well as the rising cost of consumer tech and the environmental impact), shoot me your best shot. What is the single most undeniable inherently good thing AI has achieved in 2026 that would prove mine and anybody else's skepticism wrong and justifies giving it a holiday?

(Image credit: Viture)

“I know I can think of things in 2025 and 2024. But 2026? I should actually go and find some. I personally think the work that Google Deepmind is doing in applying it towards medicine and life sciences is undeniably good and will accelerate the treatment of rare diseases and the things that really afflict society.

I hope there's just more and more attention given to those types of things that will benefit all of humanity versus the AI slop. Most people in society see the AI slop, but on the other side of the spectrum, there is some really valuable work that is being done in life sciences.”

The final word: do we actually need a parade?

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

By the end of our talk together, Ricks had deployed a lot of the standard Silicon Valley gospel that I hear. He argued that AI is freeing us from mundane back-office work, that we need to build empathy with these systems, and that treating AI well now will dictate the future of our species.

That being said, there was a lot more shared ground than I expected. Especially hearing him talking about what we're seeing being a "net negative," and that the next 10 years will be "painful" is alarming.

If AI actually functioned the way people claim it does, I’d be the first one in line to buy the greeting cards. But a utopian vision doesn’t pay for the $100+ “AI tax” currently baked into my next smartphone or laptop. This philosophical argument about the future of the species doesn’t filter the generative slop out of my search results, and it certainly doesn’t refill the local reservoirs being drained to cool down servers.

This day is one for us to pause and reflect on the most consequential technology in human history. And you know what? I do appreciate it. I appreciate the medical breakthroughs, the accessibility features, and the sheer computation of it all.

But I also appreciate my wallet. I appreciate being able to read an article written by a human. I appreciate not having to pay a $20-a-month subscription just to stop a pair of smart glasses from wiretapping my living room.

So, will I be celebrating AI Appreciation Day? Probably not, and after quick a challenging year for this tech, it doesn’t sound like Nathan’s putting up the bunting either. We don't need to throw a parade for the algorithms; we just need them to start working as promised, without breaking the internet (and our bank accounts) in the process.

Apple Watch Ultra 4 — these are the upgrades Apple needs to make to remain the smartwatch king

dan.bracaglia@futurenet.com (Dan Bracaglia) — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 11:30:00 +0000

The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is one of the best smartwatches you can buy. And even though it’s less than a year old, Apple Watch Ultra 4 rumors are plentiful; some even hint at a fall 2026 release.

I test a lot of wearables here at Tom’s Guide, and the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is easily my favorite rugged, full-featured smartwatch; I’d also argue that it’s the most advanced smartwatch on the market today. However, that doesn’t mean it’s perfect.

From physical upgrades to battery life improvements to new AI features, here are the five biggest Apple Watch Ultra 4 upgrades I’m hoping for.

1. A brighter display

(Image credit: Dan Bracaglia/Tom's Guide)

Without an increase in screen brightness, Apple risks falling behind the competition, namely, Samsung, Google, and Garmin. The Apple Watch Ultra 3 maxes out at 3,000 nits, the same brightness as the Apple Watch Ultra 2. This is bright enough to see in direct sunlight, in most cases, but not nearly as bright as the Garmin Fenix 8 Pro LED, which goes up to 4,500 nits.

The Google Pixel Watch 4 and Samsung Galaxy Watch 8, both significantly cheaper than the Apple Watch Ultra 3, also boast 3,000-nit max brightness, and there’s a good shot that the Galaxy Watch 9 and/or Pixel Watch 5 will push that spec another 1,000 nits.

So, without an equal or greater bump in display output, the Apple Watch Ultra 4 risks feeling dated on arrival.

2. A thinner, lighter case

(Image credit: Future)

The Apple Watch Ultra 3 case is reasonably lightweight and thin, but I think Apple can go even slimmer. The Apple Watch Ultra 3 already wears way more comfortably than the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra, its Android-friendly equivalent, but Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 rumors hint that a slimmer case might be in the cards.

To keep the competitive advantage of a comfier design, I’d love to see the Apple Watch Ultra 3 boast a thickness under 10 mm (a reduction of ~2 mm). Given that the Apple Watch Series 11 is 9.7 mm, I have no doubt that the fine folks in Cupertino can get this done.

3. Three days of battery (or more)

(Image credit: Future)

Battery life is arguably Apple’s Achilles heel when it comes to wearables, and even though the Ultra 3 is Apple’s longest-lasting smartwatch, battery life is only good for about 42 hours per charge without power-saving options enabled.

By comparison, the Galaxy Watch Ultra lasts for closer to 48 hours. Meanwhile, the Google Pixel Watch 4 in 45mm, though not a “rugged-style” smartwatch, is good for about two days per charge. Moreover, I suspect the successors to both models will see a battery life bump.

This is all to say, Apple has its work cut out when it comes to power consumption in the Watch Ultra 4.

4. An easier way to unlock the screen

(Image credit: Future)

Passcodes never seemed like a great way to unlock an Apple Watch, which is why two separate Apple Watch 12/Ultra 4 rumors have me excited. One suggests that Apple's next-gen smartwatches will get forward-facing cameras for Face ID. The other hints that an under-the-display fingerprint scanner could make an appearance.

Either of these methods would be a welcome change to punching in a code every time you want to use your Apple Watch, though I ultimately think that Face ID is the better option of the two.

5. Siri AI assistant

(Image credit: Future)

Last but not least, the Apple Watch Ultra 4 needs to debut with a ready-to-use, no-excuses version of Siri AI that’s on par with or better than Google’s implementation of Gemini AI as a virtual assistant on the latest Pixel Watch and Galaxy Watch models.

This not only means a Siri AI capable of answering complex, context-specific questions with ease, but also one that can be unlocked with a simple gesture control, similar to the Pixel Watch 4’s ‘raise wrist” gesture.

What upgrades or new features do you want to see come to the Apple Watch Ultra 4? Let me know below.

I tested the ultra-affordable Amazon Ember 4-Series TV and I wasn’t disappointed — here’s how it stacks up

erin.bashford@futurenet.com (Erin Bashford) — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 11:26:05 +0000

The Amazon Ember 4-Series (2025) is an admirable entry-level TV. The 43-inch and 55-inch models launched at $329 and $459, respectively, and they can now be found for as little as $269 and $379 when they’re on sale. So could the 4-Series be one of the best TVs under $500 we’ve ever tested? If you value affordability above all, it could be a contender.

The general performance of the Ember 4-Series is around what I’d expect given its budget sticker price. However, due to the lack of full-array local dimming, black levels weren’t as dark as I’d have liked, and the TV’s lower brightness threshold hurt the overall contrast.

It’s not going to make our list of the best TVs and I wouldn’t recommend the Ember 4-Series for serious home cinema lovers, but for people on a budget, it could be one to watch. To find out why, keep reading my Amazon Ember 4-Series review.

Amazon Ember 4-Series review: Specs

Price	$329 (43”) - $459 (55”) / £439 (43”) - £549 (55”)
Screen size	43”, 50”, 55”
Model	Amazon Ember 4-Series 2025
Resolution	3840 x 2160
HDR	HDR 10+, HLG
Refresh rate	60Hz
Ports	3 HDMI 2.0 + 1 HDMI eARC 2.1, 1 x UBC-A, 1 x Optical
Audio	2.0 channel
Smart TV software	Amazon Fire
Size (without stand)	43: 37.7 in x 22.2 in x 3.2 in 50: 43.7 in x 25.6 in x 3.2 in 55: 48.3 in x 28.2 in x 3.2 in
Weight (without stand)	43: 14.1 lbs 50: 18.3 lbs 55: 21.6 lbs

Amazon Ember 4-Series review: Price & availability

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

The Amazon Ember 4-Series is the second-cheapest TV under Amazon’s belt. The 4-Series (2025) launched at $329 for the 43-inch model and $459 for the 55-inch. Unlike the Ember QLED, the 4-Series’ biggest size is 55 inches. (Amazon Ember QLED is $479 for 50” and provides a brighter screen — but it’s still not perfect.)

In the U.K., the Ember 4-Series is £439 for the 43-incher and £549 for 55 inches, but is often on sale for around £300-£400 depending on the model.

If you’re wondering why your searches for “Amazon Fire TV” only seem to bring up old models, that’s because Amazon recently updated its naming conventions. Amazon TVs are now called “Ember”, not “Fire”. The OS is still called “Fire TV”, though.

Keep in mind that the Ember 4-Series is a traditional LED-LCD rather than a newer Mini-LED or a QLED. There’s no Mini-LED lighting for higher brightness and better contrast, nor is there a quantum dot filter for more vibrant colors in HDR. If those features sound appealing, you might want to check out the Hisense QD7 ($339 for the 50” QLED) or the Samsung Q7F ($379 for 43” QLED).

Amazon Ember 4-Series review: Design and ports

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Like the Amazon Ember QLED, the 4-Series looks pretty great from an aesthetic perspective for such a cheap TV. It’s just 3 inches deep, has two dual-pronged feet — much closer together than the Ember QLED, so better for smaller TV stands — and an attractive black bezel.

The ports are hidden on the back of the TV. Here you’ll find four HDMI ports, only one of which is a 2.1 with eARC, so if you’ve got a soundbar and a game console, you’ll need to choose which one gets the 2.1 connection. There’s also an optical port and a USB-A port if you have devices that require those connectivity types.

Although its limited port selection won’t win any design awards, the Ember 4-Series’ utilitarian functionality does the trick.

Amazon Ember 4-Series review: How we test TVs

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

We follow a standard testing protocol for every TV we review at Tom’s Guide. Our benchmarks include a series of technical and subject tests designed to rate the set’s performance.

For technical benchmarking tests, we use a Jeti SpectraVal 1501-HiRes spectroradiometer, a Klein K10-A colorimeter, a Murideo 8K-SIX-G Metal pattern generator. We measure using Portrait Displays’ Calman TV calibration software.

We use a Leo Bodnar 4K Input Lag Tester to determine whether it’s one of the best gaming TVs. For a more detailed look at what we do and how we do it, check out our “How we test TVs” page.

Amazon Ember 4-Series review: Test results

	Amazon Ember 4-Series	Amazon Ember QLED	Roku Select Series	Hisense QD7	Vizio VQM65-C
SDR Brightness (10%, in nits)	304	439	335	402	789
Delta-E (lower is better)	7.1	4.62	2.45	1.75	4.99
Rec. 709 Gamut Coverage	99.3%	99.8%	93.85%	99.56%	97.87%
HDR Brightness (10%, in nits)	287	251	335	659	779
UHDA-P3 Gamut Coverage	94.10%	96.19%	91.59%	94.33%	92.89%
Rec. 2020 Gamut Coverage	70.13%	72.31%	72.36%	74.73%	71.34%
Input latency (in milliseconds)	13	13	9.6	9.4	9.9

The Ember 4-Series outputs only 304 nits in SDR and a measly 287 nits in HDR. The Delta-E score (color accuracy) was 7.1, which is pretty poor.

Compared to the more advanced Amazon Ember QLED, the 4-Series is going to be dimmer in SDR and will have noticeably skewed colors. This demonstrates exactly why QLED TVs have become so popular in the last few years — they offer better brightness and color.

If you’re willing to spend a bit more on the Hisense QD7, you’ll see a significant improvement across the board. Shows and movies recorded in HDR will look much punchier on the Hisense thanks to its higher peak brightness (659 nits vs 287 on the 4-Series) and better contrast.

If you’re a home cinema enthusiast, I don’t think you’d be overly impressed with the Amazon Ember 4-Series — but for the most casual of viewers, it’s not the worst TV we’ve ever tested.

Amazon Ember 4-Series review: Performance

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

I expected to dislike the Ember 4-Series based on the test results, but I actually enjoyed using this TV during my subjective tests.

When watching “Top Gun: Maverick” on 4K Blu-ray, colors were bright in outdoor scenes, but a little dim in indoor scenes. Blues look particularly vibrant on the 4-Series, so images of clear skies were standouts.

Scenes with a lot of warm colors — like the beach football scene — appeared a little washed out, especially when compared to the blue ocean. The TV has much better saturation for cooler colors.

I noticed a lot of motion smoothing and ghosting during dogfighting scenes in “Top Gun: Maverick” — it made me feel a little motion sick in some long sequences — but this wasn’t noticeable while watching TV on Netflix.

Speaking of TV, I also watched “Yellowjackets.” The snow scenes looked great, and I didn’t notice any white blooming. The colors looked striking in a dark room, but in daylight, warm tones especially had a tendency to undersaturate.

Gaming might be an issue if you play demanding games; the max refresh rate is 60Hz, so you might want to spend more on a 120Hz TV if that’s the most important area to you.

Amazon Ember 4-Series review: Audio

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

The Ember 4-Series has two 10W speakers. I would best describe this sound as “thin” and possibly also “tinny”. As someone who’s been using a soundbar for years now, I don’t think I could ever go back to standard TV speakers.

You don’t have to spend a lot to get a great-sounding soundbar. One of the best soundbars we’ve tested, the Sony HT-S100F is $99 (often on sale) and has fantastic clarity and a rich sound profile.

Amazon Ember 4-Series review: Interface and apps

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

As we all know, Amazon Fire TV interface is incredibly easy to use. However, I did notice it took longer to respond on the Ember QLED compared to a dedicated streaming stick.,

Sometimes, title cards didn’t load for a few seconds and when apps loaded, they could be a little jerky. This is something I’ve found with a variety of Fire-powered TVs — my old Toshiba and my parents’ old Panasonic also suffer from this.

One of the biggest upgrades from previous Fire TV models is the updated Alexa+ functionality. With the purchase of the TV, you get a year of free Alexa+. When I asked, “Show me a high school drama”, it obeyed. Easy commands like “sci-fi movie” and “thriller TV series” bring up a range of suggestions.

Better still, if you have more Amazon devices like the Amazon Echo Studio or Amazon Echo Dot, you can link the TV up with them and they will behave as an external speaker.

Amazon Ember 4-Series review: Remote

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

As with every other Amazon TV, you get the classic ‘Fire TV’ remote. It’s easy to hold and is long and slender. There are four buttons on the bottom: Disney+, Netflix, Freely, and Prime Video. I wish one of these could be programmable, however. On other platforms, this is a common feature, and I usually configure the remote to quick-start YouTube.

The remote uses two AAA batteries, so not as innovative as Samsung’s solar-powered remotes, but it’s not a deal-breaker at this price point.

Amazon Ember 4-Series review: Verdict

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Even though the Amazon Ember 4-Series didn’t perform well in our benchmarking tests, I actually think it’s a decent budget option. In 4K Blu-rays, I noticed a few issues with motion handling and color accuracy; however, when I was watching TV on Netflix and YouTube, the performance was great.

If you’re on a serious budget and want a 55-inch screen for well under $500, there are some other options like the Hisense QD7. It’s more expensive, but it offers both quantum dot colors and better overall brightness.

Still, if price is the ultimate factor in your buying decision, I still recommend the Ember 4-Series. Those looking for an entry-level, easy-to-use model with a huge variety of downloadable apps and built-in Alexa will find it here.

Every Samsung device from this month's Unpacked just leaked — here's your full look at the entire lineup

tom.pritchard@futurenet.com (Tom Pritchard) — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 11:11:24 +0000

The next Samsung Galaxy Unpacked is less than a week away, with Samsung expected to unveil a new wave of foldables and smartwatches. We're all pretty sure we know what to expect, and what those devices should look like. But if anyone had doubts, a smorgasbord of leaked renders just landed at Android Headlines, giving us an in-depth look at everything Samsung plans to reveal.

These renders show off the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8, Galaxy Z Fold 8, Galaxy Z Fold Ultra, Galaxy Watch 9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2. We've seen renders for some of these devices before, particularly the foldables, but this time we're seeing imagery that looks official. As well as showing the devices, they also reveal some of the colors that are on the way.

Needless to say there are no real surprises where the design is concerned. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra looks almost identical to the Galaxy Z Fold 7, though there do appear to be some design tweaks such as more rounded corners.

Android Headline

The images also offer a closer look at the Z Fold 8 and Z Fold 8 Ultra together, showcasing just how small the Fold 8 actually is. From these angles, it looks as though it's around 75% the height of the Ultra model, and somewhere in the region of 25% wider. However, I'll admit it's harder to gauge the width of these devices from just the images on offer.

Color-wise, there are a few things to digest. Standard color options appear to be navy blue and a lavender-like shade, though it's unclear whether these colors will be available for both Z Fold devices. Android Headlines also claims that the Z Fold 8 will be available in a "pistachio" color, which will be exclusive to Samsung's online store.

Considering pistachio flavoring is everywhere right now, this isn't a huge surprise. That said, the color itself looks less like the green we associate with the nuts, and more like an unappetizing blue/gray. Hopefully the real thing is a little more vivid.

Android Headline

As for the Galaxy Z Flip 8, that's... basically the same as the Z Flip 7. It's no real surprise that Samsung hasn't changed the design, because it's rare to see a meaningful design change that doesn't involve increasing the size of the cover display. But since the cover display has taken up about as much space as it can, things have obviously become a little stagnant.

Colors include a shade of pink and the online-exclusive "Mint," which is that same washed-out-looking green we've seen on a bunch of phones.

(Image credit: Android Headline)

It's a similar story with the Galaxy Watch 9 and Watch Ultra 2. Both devices are very similar-looking to their predecessors, to the point where we can't see any meaningful differences.

Hopefully, the upgrades are a little more substantial than what we're expecting from the Z Flip 8. Colors shown include a white Watch 9 and a gunmetal gray Ultra 2 with a dark green band.

SK Hynix warns 2027 will be 'worst year' for RAM prices — right as a damning report reveals something that will add fuel to the price-fixing lawsuit

Jason England — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 11:00:00 +0000

The big three memory makers told us RAMpocalypse was the unavoidable side effect of the AI revolution. But with one massive report from the Bank of America, that main alibi may have just gone up in flames.

So context, the AI Tax on tech has been insane recently with prices going up by an astronomical 700%, and the big three memory makers (Samsung, SK Hynix and Micron) have made serious cash off as the oligopoly that controls around 90% of the global DRAM market.

They claim that the reason prices are skyrocketing is because the demand for high-bandwidth memory (HBM) for AI data centers is so massive, that consumer RAM supplies are naturally drying up. In response, a massive class-action lawsuit in California is calling their bluff and accusing them of price fixing.

For these memory makers, the defense should be a simple one: “we aren’t fixing prices, and we’re building new fabs as fast as we can!” You’ve heard a lot of this over the past few months about plans to open new plants to make more memory. BUT, a bombshell new report has potentially demolished that defense.

How this alibi collapses

(Image credit: Amazon)

According to a South Korean news outlet, a Bank of America report just dismantled the promises of doubled memory production capacity by 2030 — with SK Hynix only likely to bring about one-sixth of its planned new memory capacity online by 2028. Here’s why:

Timeline: Setting up the advanced infrastructure needed for these plants is going to take upwards of a decade.
Process upgrades: At the same time as it's building new plants, the manufacturing technology needs to be updated in older ones, which impacts output.

In late June, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung made the claim that production capacity will be doubled by 2030, which sounds great on paper. However, Bank of America's estimates claim this figure misses out the closure of older plants, and that doubling claim is way too optimistic.

For the plaintiffs in the lawsuit, this is going to be a juicy piece of circumstantial evidence. If it can be proven that SK Hynix is moving in slow-motion and severely under-delivering on its capacity promises, that narrative of “doing everything they can” to meet consumer demand is dismantled.

Instead, it strongly supports the core allegation: they’re happy to keep supply choked and prices inflated permanently.

They’re not reading the room

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Adding insult to injury, the CEO of SK Hynix recently warned that 2027 will be the "worst year" for the memory shortage, and predicted the crunch will last until 2030. But if one thing is clear, consumers are not buying this spin anymore. “That CEO was probably struggling so hard not to look too happy as he gave this “grim outlook”,” one user posted on the PC Master Race Subreddit.

Across Reddit, the reaction has shifted from passive frustration to absolute cynicism, with calls to “prosecute the memory cartel again” ringing out across r/technology. The overarching sentiment? I knew we weren’t crazy.

The playbook is painfully familiar. Samsung and SK Hynix previously pleaded guilty to a massive DRAM price-fixing operation in 2005. Now, facing a historic lawsuit over the exact same behavior, it feels like they’re trying to hide behind the AI boom.

But with this latest report saying their shiny new fabs won’t save us anytime soon, the curtain has been pulled back. The AI memory shortage isn’t a tragic tech accident; it’s looking more and more like a highly profitable, coordinated choice. And we are all footing the bill.

How to watch 'Alone Australia' season 4 online and for free

Jakob Barnes — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 10:19:13 +0000

More daring contestants are dropping into the wilderness in pursuit of a huge cash prize in "Alone Australia" season 4.

Here's how to watch "Alone Australia" online from anywhere with a VPN — and potentially for free.

'Alone Australia' S4 — Dates, time and TV channel

"Alone Australia" premieres on at 7.30pm AEST on Wednesday, July 15 in Australia (that's 5:30 am ET on the same day in the U.S.)
• WATCH FREE — SBS on Demand (Australia)
• Watch anywhere — try NordVPN 100% risk free

"Alone Australia" season 4 will see ten Aussie natives head for the Arctic Circle to prove their survival skills in a unique contest. With no camera crew or production team, the contestants are entirely on their own in the Sápmi region of Finland.

Freezing conditions, unexpected predators, and internal rivalries stand in the way, but with $250,000 up for grabs, we're sure every contestant will be giving it their all to be crowned champion.

Read on as we explain how to watch "Alone Australia" season 4 online from anywhere, including free options.

How to watch 'Alone Australia' for free in Australia

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

The latest season of "Alone Australia" will be available to watch on SBS on Demand in Australia.

The season premieres at 5:30 am ET / 7:30pm AEST on Wednesday, July 15 with two episodes.

S04E01 1 is available to watch now on SBS.

Leaving Australia when it's on? Use a VPN to get around the geo-restrictions that will prevent SBS on Demand from working. Scroll down for more information and instructions.

How to watch 'Alone Australia' season 4 from anywhere

Thanks to the wonders of a VPN (Virtual Private Network), "Alone Australia" season 4 should be available to Aussies no matter where they are. The software allows your devices to appear as if they're back in your home country regardless of where in the world you are. Our favorite is NordVPN – and you can find out why in our NordVPN review.

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Use Nord to unblock SBS on Demand and watch "Alone Australia" online with our exclusive deal.View Deal

Using a VPN is incredibly simple.

1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we've said, NordVPN is our favorite.

2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance, if you're in the U.S. and want to view an Aussie service, you'd select Australia from the list.

3. Sit back and watch the show. Head to SBS on Demand to watch "Alone Australia" season 4 for free.

Can I watch 'Alone Australia' season 4 in the U.S.?

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Past seasons of "Alone Australia" have found a home on History Channel in the U.S. There is no set date for the fourth season to land there right now, but that is the most likely destination.

If you're an Australian currently in the U.S., you can catch the show for free by using a VPN, such as NordVPN.

Can I watch 'Alone Australia' season 4 in Canada?

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

There's no word on whether or not "Alone Australia" season 4 will air in Canada either. However, past seasons are available on Paramount+ so that's the most likely home for it in the long run.

If you're in the Great White North for work or on vacation from Australia, you can catch the TV series for free by using a VPN such as NordVPN.

Can I watch 'Alone Australia' season 4 in the U.K.?

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

"Alone Australia" season 4 hasn't been picked up for broadcast in the U.K. yet.

The solution? If you're outside Australia when the show airs, one of the best VPN services will help tap into your free stream on SBS. We recommend NordVPN.

'Alone Australia' season 4 - Need to Know

'Alone Australia' season 4 - Cast

Alyce (36) - Aboriginal Community Engagement Senior Advisor
Arash (32) - Wrecking Yard Manager
Clint (57) - Sheep and Cattle Farmer
Dougy (43) - Electrician
Dylan (35) - DFV High Risk Team Specialist
Jasper (24) - Permaculture Practitioner & Educator
Lillian (25) - International Outdoor Guide
Misty (29) - Adventure Tour Guide
Sia (44) - Design Project Consultant / Ultramarathon Runner
Trent (39) - Ex Navy Chef

You can learn more about all the contestants here on the official website.

'The hardest and most unfair I've done in all my years': Why July 15's brutal Wordle answer could be your streak-killer

jeff.parsons@futurenet.com (Jeff Parsons) — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 10:11:20 +0000

If you've taken an attempt at Wordle today, you'll know there's absolutely nothing wrong with using a Wordle hint to help get you across the line. Why? Because July 15's answer may just be one of the toughest that's ever been served up.

In fact, it's so difficult I received an email from our in-house Wordle expert this morning. He said that puzzle #1,852 "may be the hardest and most unfair that I've done in all my years of doing the column."

According to the New York Times' WordleBot, he's not alone — the average player completes today's Wordle in 4.7 moves in easy mode, or 4.6 if playing by hard rules. That's likely enough to be a streak-killer for many players. The last time we saw a puzzle this difficult was back in May.

If you need a helping hand, you can find our article on today's Wordle hint right here, as well as some of the best start words to try. I'm going to dive into exactly why today's answer is such a doozy below, and I'll also reveal the full answer (with a spoiler warning) to put you out of your misery.

If you haven't played yet, good luck!

What makes today's Wordle answer difficult?

(Image credit: Wordle)

I'll be straight up honest with you: I've made a living as a writer for almost two decades and I've never heard of — let alone used — the answer to today's Wordle puzzle.

So let's break it down a bit and explore the reasons why you'll find today's puzzle so hard to overcome. Firstly, the two starting letters are very rarely ever paired together. It occurs in a couple of medical terms that are derived from ancient Greek — so you'll understand why we're calling it archaic.

Secondly, today's answer contains only one vowel. If you're used to using vowel-heavy starting words (like our Wordle expert's favorite: ORATE) you're going to get a single yellow and not much of an instinct about where to go next. What's more, the consonants used in today's word aren't among the most common letters in the game. Think of popular letters you might try, like R, N or T and you'll be left guessing.

Finally, the actual word itself isn't a standard noun, verb or adjective; it's a historical exclamation. Unless you're a fan of medieval literature, it's unlikely you'd ever even come across this word in the modern world.

Ready to find out what it is? Scroll past the spoiler alert below to see.

June 15's Wordle answer

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

So, what's the answer to today's challenging Wordle #1,789?

Ok, the answer to today's Wordle is "Pshaw".

Have you ever heard of that word? I'll admit that I hadn't — and several of my colleagues (despite being writers themselves) also had to bid farewell to their streaks today.

Pshaw, according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, is used to express irritation, disapproval, contempt, or disbelief. Its first recorded usage was all the way back in 1607.

One member of my team, Reviews writer Nikita Achanta, managed to get it, though it was close. "Got it in five with all yellow letters leading up to the answer, and it was a random guess in the end. I didn't even realise that was a legit word," she told me.

If you've taken a look at our daily Wordle hints page, you'll know how tough our seasoned player, Alan Martin, found today's answer:

"Wordlers, I am not exaggerating when I say I must have spent ten minutes trying every possible combination of the remaining letters I could. Eventually, I dimly remembered seeing PSHAW in my list of WordleBot-approved answers from a past column and tried it," he wrote.

"I was relieved when PSHAW was correct, but also felt a bit cheated. It's such an archaic word that it doesn't really feel fair putting it as the daily answer. I expect a lot of streaks will be broken today."

As you'd expect, a number of players took to social media to blast today's Wordle answer and lament the loss of their hard-earned streaks.

Play fair, @NYTGames. Today's Wordle has got my whole family threatening to give it up. This word is not funny and it's not clever. I've only ever heard it once in my life, in a 1970 film when Eleanor Summerfield said it to Michael Hordern to set up a laboured punchline.July 15, 2026

Hmmph!!! Is today's Wordle really a word? #wordle1852July 14, 2026

Lads. Today's wordle is a stupid onomatopoeia. Never seen it before. Looked it up and still don't know what it sounds like nor when it'd be used. Good luckJuly 15, 2026

there is no way today's wordle is real !!!!!July 15, 2026

How did you do? Did today's Wordle end your streak or did you guess it in time? Let me know in the comments below.

And if today's answer has ended your love affair with Wordle, check out our own Tom's Guide games to get your fix there instead.

There's a better cable for TVs than HDMI — but here's why we'll probably never use it

michael.desjardin@futurenet.com (Michael Desjardin) — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 10:00:00 +0000

HDMI 2.2 has arrived. And, even though its features can't be fully supported by the best TVs and gaming consoles just yet, it already has a rival.

There are ongoing efforts by organizations in the tech sector to replace HDMI with something called GPMI. It does everything HDMI does with some added tricks up its sleeve. For its supporters, GPMI represents a simplified future of fewer cables and faster speeds.

It's a rosy outlook, for sure, and one that requires some squinting in order to see it. As promising as GPMI is, I fear that our living rooms will be firmly entwined with HDMI for the long haul.

What is GPMI?

Short for General Purpose Media Interface, GPMI is a new connectivity standard developed by an alliance of over 50 Chinese companies, including Hisense and TCL. It’s an alternative to HDMI that merges high-bandwidth audio, video, data and power-delivery in a single cable.

Like HDMI 2.1 and 2.2, GPMI’s benefits are primarily due to its added bandwidth compared to older standards. It supports higher-resolution, higher-framerate content than what’s available via the garden-variety HDMI 2.0 cables most folks still use in their living room. Similar to Thunderbolt cables, GPMI cables also offer power delivery.

GPMI’s benefits are primarily due to its added bandwidth compared to older standards.

There are two types of GPMI cables: USB-C and a proprietary Type-B cable. The USB-C version supports a bandwidth of 96 Gbps and 240 watts of power-delivery while the Type-B cable offers speeds of 192 Gbps and a total of 480 watts.

GPMI’s flexibility makes it an attractive option for the future of home entertainment. But with a new, higher-bandwidth version of good ol’ fashioned HDMI on our doorstep, which of these cables will earn a place in our living room?

GPMI vs HDMI 2.2: Which will win?

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

HDMI 2.2 is available in three bandwidth tiers: 64, 80 and 96 Gbps. This means that its highest tier is on par with the slowest version of GPMI (the type that uses a USB Type-C cable). Bandwidth levels of 80-96 Gbps allows for 4K content at up to 480Hz with color compression and up to 8K/60Hz for uncompressed content.

Want to learn more?

(Image credit: HDMI Forum)

Here's how to prepare for HDMI 2.2 if you're shopping for a TV.

With 192 Gbps speeds, the proprietary Type-B GPMI cable can reach A/V heights far beyond HDMI 2.2. Its power-delivery functionality is just the cherry on top.

But despite its built-in benefits, GPMI’s ascension is far from assured. For one thing, HDMI 2.2 is already here. You can buy HDMI 2.2 cables right now — just look for the “Ultra96” label and the proper certification.

No TV supports HDMI 2.2 yet, but we’re likely to see high-end sets arrive with at least one HDMI 2.2 input within a few years. From where I’m sitting, HDMI 2.2’s arrival on TV sets seems like a certainty. GPMI’s arrival doesn’t.

TCL and Hisense might stand behind GPMI, but LG, Samsung and Sony are noticeably absent. These brands’ TVs represent a huge portion of the market share, and this is before you even take into account the devices we plug into those TVs.

It would take a massive group effort on behalf of TV-makers, game developers and brands of all types to standardize GPMI, and HDMI 2.2 already has a head start.

Prime Video top 10 shows — here’s the 3 worth binge-watching this week (July 15-21)

alix.blackburn@futurenet.com (Alix Blackburn) — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 09:44:33 +0000

With 2026 more than half over, the peak summer days of July are calling people outside to enjoy the long, warm evenings instead of staying glued to their screens. But when you finally head indoors to unwind (or just prefer to stay out of the heat), Prime Video’s top 10 list is an incredibly useful place to start when you need to find your next watch. It serves up an instant snapshot of the most popular titles trending on the service right now.

Prime Video's trending chart is looking pretty strong this week. It includes a new prequel series set in the world of “Legally Blonde,” the first season of a sci-fi dystopian drama, and a unique true crime docuseries. So, here are three standout shows from this week’s Prime Video top 10 that are well worth watching.

This list is based on the Prime Video U.S. top 10 shows as of Wednesday, July 15, 2026.

Best shows in the Prime Video top 10

‘Elle’

Prime Video’s No. 1 show right now is “Elle,” the official high school prequel to the iconic “Legally Blonde” franchise. Set roughly six years before the events of the 2001 movie, the series follows Elle Woods during her teenage years. According to Reese Witherspoon, who famously originated the role, the show was inspired by the success of Netflix’s “Wednesday.” She wanted to explore who Elle was as a teenager, showing how she developed her signature personality, style, and ingenuity before ever setting foot at Harvard.

16-year-old Elle Woods (Lexi Minetree) begins her junior year of high school in 1995. Just as she expects another perfect year in Bel Air, her family unexpectedly relocates to Seattle, forcing her to leave behind her friends and familiar life. Starting over at a new school, Elle forms new friendships, rivalries and romance as she learns to adjust to her new surroundings. Soon, she develops the confidence and determination that will eventually define the iconic future lawyer audiences already know.

Watch "Elle" on Prime Video now

‘Silo’

If you’re a sci-fi fan, you’ll want to add “Silo” to your watchlist now that the first season is available on Prime Video. Set in a toxic future, the series follows the last 10,000 people on Earth as they live inside a gargantuan 144-story underground bunker. It has the feel of a classic 1970s political conspiracy thriller with retro-futuristic visuals and a constant sense of creeping paranoia. The series is planned as a four-season adaptation of Hugh Howey’s book trilogy, with season 3 currently airing weekly on Apple TV.

Juliette Nichols (Rebecca Ferguson) is a skilled engineer living deep within a massive underground structure that houses the last 10,000 survivors after Earth's surface is deemed uninhabitable. When the silo’s sheriff begins investigating a series of unexplained events before leaving the community, Juliette is drawn into the case. As more people die under suspicious circumstances, she pieces together hidden information about the strict rules governing daily life and the people enforcing them.

Watch "Silo" season 1 on Prime Video and seasons 2-3 on Apple TV

‘Murder 101’

Prime Video is clearly looking to compete with Netflix when it comes to true crime documentaries. “Murder 101” is a unique entry in the genre, following a real-life rural Tennessee high school sociology teacher who investigates a case alongside his students. Because the three-part documentary focuses on high school students, it has the energy of a coming-of-age story while being anchored by a gripping investigation. The series explores how confirmation bias can shape the way people see the world and the emotional impact of uncovering disturbing truths.

“Murder 101” follows a high school sociology class as they reopen the decades-old Redhead Murders cold case. Guided by their teacher, Alex Campbell, the students examine evidence, study case files, interview witnesses and survivors, submit public records requests, and work alongside investigators in search of new leads. During their research, they uncover connections suggesting the victims may have been linked to a wider series of killings across multiple states.

Watch "Murder 101" on Prime Video now

Prime Video top 10 shows right now

1. "Elle" (2026)
2. "Off Campus" (2026)
3. "Murder 101" (2026)
4. "Every Year After" (2026)
5. "Spider-Noir" (2026)
6. "Silo" (2023)
7. "See You at Work Tomorrow" (2026)
8. "The Boys" (2019)
9. "The Summer I Turned Pretty" (2022)
10. "The Ghost in the Shell" (2026)

I used these 5 ChatGPT prompts to plan my summer vacation — one of them even built a stress-free getaway for me

Elton Jones — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 09:30:00 +0000

Hopping on a plane, getting whisked off to a place other than home and enjoying a weeks-long stay somewhere nice & sunny is my ideal vacation. You’ll never convince me to pack my warmest coat for a trip to Antarctica—shivering to just death isn’t my idea of fun.

Now that the summer is starting to wind down, I’ve made a few attempts at preparing myself for an ideal getaway. ChatGPT, Gemini and Claude have played a huge role in setting up my summer vacation and even a staycation that will take me to the hidden corners and underrated hangouts I never knew about in New York City. Thanks to the combined efforts of those chatbots, I’ve created the best itineraries and mapped out the top hotspots for my future trips.

Now that August is approaching (a little too fast for my taste, I might add), I’ve been having dreams of screaming my head off while sitting in the front of a roller coaster and proceeding to stuff my face with overpriced cotton candy. I’m a simple man, which is why theme park thrills please me greatly.

Not only did I discover five ChatGPT prompts that helped me schedule the perfect vacation with those activities in mind, but I also found four other prompts that work equally well in planning my vacays.

The prompt that built a theme park excursion for me

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

With my sights set on setting foot in a warm state for a five-day escape from NYC, I used this ChatGPT prompt to set me up for the best trip possible:

Act as a professional travel advisor, airline pricing analyst, and local guide.

Help me plan the best possible summer trip in Orlando, Florida, based on my budget, interests, available vacation days, and departure airport. Recommend destinations, the best time to visit, how to avoid crowds, estimated costs, hidden gems, common tourist mistakes, and a realistic day-by-day itinerary.

Prioritize value over luxury and explain why each recommendation is worth considering.

Here's my budget, interests, available vacation days, and departure airport:

Budget: $2000

Interests: Theme parks, arcades, and museums

Available vacation days: August 17 to August 21

Departure airport: John F. Kennedy International Airport

ChatGPT then went into full “fun summer getaway planner” mode and laid out everything for me to follow with ease. First, it generated a budget breakdown that came out to a total of $1660 to $1950 and mentioned how my budget leaves a small amount for a few souvenir pickups or unexpected expenses.

Then the chatbot went on to detail the best departure days from both NY and Florida, plus the airlines I should consider when planning my flight in and out of Orlando. As for where I should stay, ChatGPT landed on International Drive (I-Drive) as the perfect sweet spot since it’s close to Universal Studios, has plenty of restaurants in the area, is close to a few arcades, has plenty of transportation options to consider and has lower hotel prices than the ones featured on Disney resorts.

Since I mentioned theme parks being a love of mine, my digital vacay planner set aside whole days for visits to Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and Epic Universe. With ChatGPT’s recommendation of getting a 3-day ticket for all three parks and a few mentions of each park’s best attractions, I had the right idea for how to bask in my theme park hobby in Orlando.

From that point forward, the chatbot gave me the heads up about nearby arcades (Arcade Monsters and the Player 1 Video Game Bar piqued my interest), museums (looks like I have to spend the day at the Orlando Science Center) and hidden gems (Lake Eola Park sounds like a cool destination for me to check out).

With ChatGPT’s added counsel, such as common Orlando tourist mistakes I should avoid, the best times to beat large crowds at the theme parks, a working itinerary, money-saving tips and an overall recommendation for what I should do, I left my latest ChatGPT session with a solid plan in mind for my stay in Orlando.

Four other prompts that are perfect for setting up summer getaways

(Image credit: Future / Shutterstock)

With these four other ChatGPT-generated prompts, I’ll have no issue planning future trips for my domestic and international stays. I’m sure that’ll apply to you if you end up testing them out for yourself:

The "Travel Like a Local" Prompt: Act as a resident who's lived in my destination for 20 years. Ignore the obvious tourist attractions unless they're genuinely worth it. Instead, recommend restaurants, neighborhoods, beaches, parks, viewpoints, coffee shops, events, and experiences locals actually enjoy during the summer. Tell me what tourists usually waste time on and what they should do instead.
The Money-Saving Expert Prompt: Become my travel budget coach. Find every realistic way I can save money on a summer vacation without making the trip less enjoyable. Cover flights, hotels, vacation rentals, transportation, food, attractions, travel insurance, packing, airport tricks, loyalty programs, credit card rewards, and timing strategies. Rank each tip by how much money it could realistically save.
The Summer Vacation Optimizer Prompt: Help me maximize every day of my summer vacation. Build the ideal itinerary that balances sightseeing, relaxation, food, nightlife, outdoor activities, and downtime. Schedule activities around weather, crowds, opening hours, and local events. Include backup plans for rain, extreme heat, or unexpected closures.
The Family & Group Trip Planner Prompt: Help me plan a summer trip for multiple people with different interests, budgets, and energy levels. Create an itinerary everyone will enjoy, recommend activities for different age groups, identify potential conflicts before they happen, suggest ways to split costs fairly, and include contingency plans if the weather changes or someone wants to do something different.

Final thoughts

With ChatGPT’s roleplaying assistance and additional travel-planning plugins (Expedia, Road Trip Planner and Travel 101: Trip Itineraries are just a few of the many from that massive library), it’s so easy to get all the info you need for your next getaway.

Of course, doing some proper research outside of the chatbot to make sure your vacation plans come together nicely is key — some digital assistance and your own desired destination study sessions will set you on your way to someplace delightful before the summer season ends.

How to watch 'Ride or Die' online — stream the Hannah Waddingham action-comedy series from anywhere

Jakob Barnes — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000

If you enjoyed Hannah Waddingham's work in "Ted Lasso" then you'll love seeing a different side of her in action-comedy series "Ride or Die".

Here's how to watch "Ride or Die" from anywhere with a VPN.

'Ride or Die' release date and streaming options

All eight episodes of "Ride or Die" will drop on Prime Video globally on Wednesday, July 15, 2026.
• U.S. — Prime Video (30-day free trial)
• Global — Prime Video
• Watch anywhere — try NordVPN 100% risk free

Waddingham stars alongside Octavia Spencer in this story of secret identities, dangerous assassins, and jetsetting crime-fighting. The eight-episode series also has talent like Bill Nighy and Ed Skrein in front of the camera, while the likes of Peyton Reed and Andy Muschietti are involved behind the scenes.

"Ride or Die" is billed as a European road trip with a killer edge, as Waddingham's character is revealed to be leading a deadly double life. Corruption, corporate greed, shady characters and a healthy dose of humor will ensue, as action, comedy and adventure collide.

If you're ready to see Waddingham and Spencer kick some butt, read on and find out how to watch "Ride or Die" online from anywhere in the world.

Can I watch 'Ride or Die' for free?

As the global rollout for "Ride or Die" is on Prime Video, new users can get a 30-day free Prime trial. That means you can watch 'Ride or Die' for free.

Remember, if you're not in your home country now, you'll need a VPN, we recommend NordVPN, to watch your regular stream from abroad.

Watch 'Ride or Die' from anywhere with a VPN

Traveling and blocked from your usual streaming services? A VPN, or virtual private network, lets your device appear to be back in your home country so you can securely use your existing subscriptions while abroad.

Tom’s Guide recommends NordVPN for streaming because it offers fast speeds, works across loads of devices and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

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Use NordVPN to unblock your usual streaming service and watch "Ride or Die" from anywhere in the world.View Deal

Using a VPN is incredibly simple.

1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we've said, NordVPN is our favorite.

2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance, if you're outside the U.S. but want to watch the show as usual, you'd select a U.S. server from the list.

3. Sit back and enjoy. Head over to your streaming platform of choice (Prime Video in this case) and watch "Ride or Die".

How to watch 'Ride or Die' in the U.S.

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

In the U.S. you can catch all eight episodes of "Ride or Die" on Prime Video from Wednesday, July 15.

Prime Video in the U.S. costs $8.99/month as a standalone service with $14.99 for a full Amazon membership.

How to watch 'Ride or Die' on Prime Video globally

"Ride or Die" is rolling out globally on Amazon Prime Video and that'll be the only place to watch the show.

Whether you're in the U.K. or Australia, or even Canada, the series will drop in its entirety on Prime from Wednesday, July 15.

You'll need to be a Prime Video customer to stream the "Ride or Die" series. Prices are as follows in the U.K., Canada and Australia:

U.K. — £5.99/month
CAN — CA$9.99/month
AUS — AU$9.99/month

That is for the Prime Video access alone (no Prime delivery) and the basic packages, which will include adverts.

Those abroad can access their version of Prime Video using NordVPN (75% off).View Deal

'Ride or Die' trailer

'Ride or Die' cast

Octavia Spencer as Debbie Claybourne
Hannah Waddingham as Judith Burton
Bill Nighy as The Director
Ed Skrein as Billy Donovan
Sylvia Hoeks as Ana
Calam Lynch as Sam
Savannah Steyn as Queenie
Jamie Parker as David
Kathryn Drysdale as Amanda
Fernando Santos as Diego
Jackie Ido as Jacques

'Ride or Die' synopsis

Two best friends, Judith and Debbie, discover Judith is secretly an assassin. After a hit goes wrong, they go on the run while being targeted by a mysterious enemy, forcing them to confront the secrets between them.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 (Wide) vs Fold 8 Ultra — here's the foldable I'm most excited for

john.velasco@futurenet.com (John Velasco) — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000

Samsung’s new foldables are expected to debut next week at Galaxy Unpacked, which unofficially kicks off the second half of the year's flagship releases. Unlike in previous years, Samsung is rumored to introduce three new foldable phones: the Galaxy Z Flip 8, Galaxy Z Fold 8, and Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra.

What’s different this time is that there are going to be two notebook-style foldables, a move that doesn't exactly clarify things as Samsung changes its naming conventions. I’ll explain the differences in a bit, but what you need to know right now is that the standard Galaxy Z Fold 8 will sport a new, wider aspect ratio, whereas the Ultra will stick with the conventional design, but with some better specs.

I’m incredibly eager to see them because both will obviously be serious contenders for the best foldable phone crown. That’s why I’m going to break down a Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs. Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra comparison, so you know exactly what to expect based on the leaks and rumors — and I’ll tell you which one I’m pulling for in the process.

Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs. Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra: Rumored Specs

	Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 (rumored)	Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra (rumored)
Cover display	5.4-inch OLED (120Hz)	6.5-inch OLED (120Hz)
Main display	7.6-inch OLED (120Hz)	8-inch OLED (120Hz)
Chipset	Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5	Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
RAM	12GB or 16GB	12GB or 16GB
Storage	256GB, 512GB	256GB, 512GB
Battery	4,800mAh	5,000 mAh
Rear cameras	200MP main, 12MP ultrawide	200MP main, 50MP ultrawide, 10MP telephoto with 2x optical zoom
Front camera	10MP selfie (cover and main)	10MP selfie (cover and main)
Battery Size	5, 000 mAh	5, 000 mAh
Charging Speed	25W wired, 15W wireless	45W wired, 15W wireless
Price	TBA	TBA

Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs. Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra: Design and display

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Let me just say that while Samsung and everyone else has spent years trying to convince us what the ideal aspect ratio is for notebook-style foldables, I think the company is about to pull an about-face and prove it was wrong the entire time. The core difference between these two devices is that the Galaxy Z Fold 8 should sport a "wider" aspect ratio, similar to an iPad Mini. This makes it less square and more rectangular, which, in my opinion, is better for a number of reasons.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, on the other hand, is expected to recycle the same squarish aspect ratio as before, making it look taller and narrower.

In terms of display sizes, the Ultra will still have the larger overall screens with its rumored 8-inch main and 6.5-inch outer displays. However, I don’t think size is everything here because I’m after practicality and usability. That’s why I’m in favor of the standard Galaxy Z Fold 8, even if it has the smaller displays on paper.

(Image credit: Future)

Where the wider aspect ratio really counts is video playback. If you’ve tried watching videos on any current notebook-style foldable, like the Galaxy Z Fold 7 or Motorola Razr Fold, you'll understand my frustration with how much dead space there is. You can see it on the image above with the Z Fold 7 and the iPad Mini. Because most videos are shot in 16:9, they will look larger and more filled out on the Galaxy Z Fold 8's rectangular canvas.

This advantage also extends to multitasking. While the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra’s tall screen is conducive to running two apps side-by-side, the wider screen of the standard Z Fold 8 could easily accommodate up to three apps at the same time. Either way, I’m digging the refreshing new aspect ratio of the Fold 8.

Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs. Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra: Cameras

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

On paper, the camera matchup looks incredibly one-sided. All the rumors hint that the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is the heavy-hitter here, keeping a full triple-camera system led by a massive 200MP main sensor, a 50MP ultrawide, and a dedicated 10MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom.

Meanwhile, the standard Galaxy Z Fold 8 is tipped to drop down to a simpler dual-camera setup consisting of a main shooter and a 12MP ultrawide. There’s no telephoto lens, which can be a dealbreaker for some. But this time around, it’s a compromise I’m willing to accept because of the AI tools that could help bridge the gap.

Yes, having a bit of optical hardware certainly helps to deliver better base results to work with, but I would argue that a dedicated telephoto only really matters if Samsung gives us a 5x or 6x optical zoom. The results of a modest 3x optical lens aren’t as substantial anymore, especially if you’re mainly planning to share your shots on social media.

Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs. Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra: Performance

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

If you’re trying to pick between these two based on raw power alone, don't sweat it. That’s because Samsung and Qualcomm have already teased the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy in a recent post. While the video it shared doesn’t specify which phone will feature it, the outline strongly suggests it’s the standard Galaxy Z Fold 8 — but I’m fairly certain the Ultra will get it, too.

Knowing this, neither phone is going to have an overwhelming advantage when it comes to raw processing performance. A previous rumor hints at a vapor cooling chamber for these devices, but it’s still unknown if one model's thermal design will be better at dissipating heat than the other.

Regardless, they should both deliver the snappy responsiveness the series is known for. What I’m genuinely curious to see, however, is how they’ll simultaneously handle multiple intensive apps. Both are rumored to come with up to 16GB of RAM, which should be more than enough to handle a three-app split screen. But if they end up getting enhanced multitasking features like the ones found on the Galaxy Z TriFold's DeX mode, it might really push that silicon to its limit.

Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs. Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra: Battery and charging

Historically, the Fold series has never been known for its battery endurance — but that could finally change.

According to the latest rumors, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is getting a major bump to a 5,000 mAh battery, while the standard Galaxy Z Fold 8 is expected to pack a slightly smaller 4,800 mAh battery. Even though it’s pretty clear which of the two will last longer on a single charge, it’s great news that both are larger than the 4,400 mAh cell found in the Galaxy Z Fold 7. That said, I’m not too hung up on the slight capacity difference, as I suspect it won't amount to hours of extra real-world usage for the Ultra.

There have been plenty of rumors hinting that both phones will get boosted 45W wired charging speeds, but conflicting reports suggest that upgrade might be exclusive to the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, leaving the standard model stuck at 25W.

Interestingly, though, they could both debut with Qi2 magnetic wireless charging, an upgrade I would be thrilled to see. This means a magnetic ring would be embedded directly into the back of the chassis, allowing them to snap securely onto wireless chargers much like Apple’s MagSafe or Google's PixelSnap accessories.

Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs. Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra: Software

(Image credit: Future)

Both foldables should launch with Samsung’s brand-new One UI 9, built on top of Android 17. Because they share the same foundational software footprint, I don’t see one getting any special treatment or tweaks over the other. The only real difference will be how they lay out apps on their respective main displays.

At the same time, I expect a few new Galaxy AI features to accompany the software, much like how Samsung has handled the last couple of releases. What I’m eager to know, though, is what version of Samsung DeX they’ll get. The Galaxy S26 launched with a slightly updated version, but I hope these foldables get special treatment that borrows a few tricks from the Galaxy Z TriFold.

Personally, I think the Galaxy Z Fold 8’s wider aspect ratio will really lend itself to making it the better candidate for productivity. If it’s able to somehow run up to three apps simultaneously, with each one taking up the exact same amount of screen real estate, it will have an inherent advantage.

Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs. Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra: Outlook

(Image credit: Android Headlines / OnLeaks)

When you add everything up, the ultimate deciding factor for most people is going to come down to the price tag. While Samsung hasn't officially confirmed the numbers yet, it’s highly likely the Ultra will demand a hefty premium.

Just for reference, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 launched with a $100 price bump that pushed its starting retail price to $1,999. If that baseline holds, the Ultra’s price tag is almost certain to blow past that mark — though by exactly how much remains a question.

Even if there ends up being a meager $100 price difference between the two, I would still likely spring for the standard Galaxy Z Fold 8, primarily for its unique, wider aspect ratio. Sure, opting for the standard model means living with a simpler dual-camera setup and a slightly smaller battery, but for a screen that actually fits my hands and my media, I think those are compromises worth making.

It's too hot to run outside, so I created a 20-minute HIIT workout you can do on a treadmill. Here's the routine

sam.hopes@futurenet.com (Sam Hopes) — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 08:30:00 +0000

There's yet another heatwave hitting the UK and US right now, and unlike my colleagues, I'm a fair-weather runner, so it's officially too hot for me to run outdoors.

But my once-a-week cardio sessions are non-negotiable, so I've turned to the gym and the best treadmills instead. I'm not really a commercial gym user, but if you do have access to a treadmill at home or a local gym, I recommend hopping on and giving this 20-minute running HIIT workout a try.

You'll move between paces, including walking, jogging, and running, and deal with inclines, flat roads, and some speedwork. It's helping me stay on top of cardio without sweltering in the sunshine, and I'm very grateful for it.

Don't worry, if you're not much of a runner, this whole routine is beginner-friendly. You get to set the pace of your walks, jogs, and runs, and I'll only ever give you guidelines or recommendations.

What is the workout?

You'll move between paces, including walking, jogging and running, and deal with inclines, flat roads and some speedwork.

Warm-up block, 5 mins: Spend 60 seconds at walking pace; this should be something you could comfortably maintain for 30 minutes uninterrupted. Next, spend 2 minutes at jogging pace; you should be able to hold a conversation. Increase incline to 6% and maintain jogging pace for 60 seconds, then drop the incline to flat road and hit your run pace for 60 seconds.
Incline block, 7 mins 30 sec: Walk for 30 seconds, jog 30 seconds, sprint 30 seconds. Next, jog 90 seconds at 6% incline. Drop to a walk for 90 seconds at 9% incline. Jog 60 seconds at 6% incline, then maintain jogging for 30 seconds at 9% incline. Finally, walk for 60 seconds on a flat road.
Speed play, 7 mins 30: Jog for 60 seconds, sprint for 30 seconds, then jog for 30 seconds, all on a flat road. Sprint again for 30 seconds, then jog for 30 seconds and drop down to a 30-second walk. Repeat from the top.

Let's take a look at a popular way of measuring effort, which will help you determine your pace without a coach: rate of perceived exertion, or RPE. This will help you work out where you sit for a walk, jog and run out of 10 (10 being your absolute maximum output).

For a walk, as briefly mentioned, it should be something you could maintain happily enough for 30 minutes or so — think a 3-4/10. Your jogging pace is around a 5-6/10; you can still have a conversation with someone next to you, but you're exerting a little more effort.

Your run pace is more like a sprint, think between 7-9/10. This should be a hard effort that you can only maintain for a short time.

The inclines are 6 and 9%, but these are only guidelines, so you can adapt these to your ability. If you're unable to hit the specified times at your given pace, it could be worth making some adjustments.

As you push through the inclines, slightly lean your weight forward without rounding your back, as this will help you engage your glutes. Generally, uphill climbs engage more of your back body, like the lower back and hamstrings, so just be sure to brace your core as you walk, jog, or run to protect your spine.

During the faster running efforts, use your arms to help with forward propulsion, and keep your strides even as you strike the treadmill. Try to avoid crossing your arms over the front of your body, as this reduces efficiency, and also avoid running too far back or forward on the running belt.

Pace yourself properly because fatigue will set in, so you need to think about keeping something back during the warm-up. This is about building speed, power and endurance, so try to keep some energy in the tank for those final rounds.

Follow Tom's Guide fitness on Instagram for more workouts, routines, tips, and tricks.

iPadOS 27 hands-on preview: Siri AI and all the big features

tony.polanco@futurenet.com (Tony Polanco) — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 08:00:00 +0000

Apple is expected to launch iPadOS 27 this Fall, but you can try the upcoming operating system right now via the public beta. While the OS is still a work in progress, it has most of the essential new features coming to the best iPads.

Like iOS 27 and macOS 27, iPadOS 27 is focused on overall system refinements and deeper AI integration. That last bit is especially noteworthy, as there is now a dedicated Siri AI app that functions like a standard chatbot. Beyond answering questions, Siri AI can also take actions on your behalf since it’s integrated into the operating system and works with Apple’s applications.

Though iPadOS 27 isn’t a monumental update, features like the overhauled Siri AI, the Liquid Glass slider, and other quality-of-life improvements make it worthwhile. Here are my impressions of the upcoming iPad operating system and its new features.

iPadOS 27 hands-on preview: Compatible iPads

Here are all the iPads that support iPadOS 27.

iPad Pro (M4 and later)
iPad Pro 12.9‑inch (4th generation and later)
iPad Pro 11‑inch (2nd generation and later)
iPad Air 13-inch (M2 and later)
iPad Air 11-inch (M2, M3, and M4)
iPad Air 11-inch (4th generation and later)
iPad (A16)
iPad (9th generation and later)
iPad mini (A17 Pro)
iPad mini (6th generation)

iPadOS 27 hands-on preview: New features

Siri AI

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Apple Intelligence is finally ready for prime time on the company’s devices. Thanks to the new Siri AI app, you can now interact with Apple’s virtual assistant the same way you would with a chatbot like ChatGPT or Google Gemini. Apple Intelligence runs on both servers and your device to offer better image understanding and more.

There is now a dedicated Siri AI app, which looks and functions like a regular chatbot app. In this window, you can ask Siri questions or have it perform tasks for you. For example, I used Siri to send a message to one of my iMessage group chats, and it did so after my approval. Sure, I could have just done this directly in the group chat, but it’s a good demonstration of what the new Siri can do.

Siri AI also understands what it sees on your screen. When I had the Tom’s Guide homepage open on Google Chrome, it correctly detailed what was on the screen, including all the articles. It couldn’t open the articles or read them out loud (despite saying it could), but given that I’m testing a beta version, I’ll give it an A for effort, even if it failed to complete the task.

Siri is most useful when you’re using Apple’s own apps and programs. It can create events on your calendar, set reminders, play music, and more. For example, when you’re looking at a schedule, you’ll see an “add to calendar” button pop up. When you right-click certain folders, files, or apps, you’ll see an “Ask Siri” option at the bottom. Selecting this will open a window where you can start texting or talking with Siri.

Though Siri can’t yet interact with most third-party applications (such as those from Google), it’s a huge improvement over the old Siri.

Liquid Glass improvements

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Liquid Glass hasn’t gone anywhere, as Apple is leaning more into the UI with its latest operating system updates. However, Apple is now giving you greater control over how it looks thanks to a new slider that adjusts the opacity. You can’t eliminate the Liquid Glass look, but you can severely minimize it.

There are other improvements, such as how complex background visuals now appear more diffuse so that text stands out more. You’ll also notice that the edges of icons are more pronounced to help further separate them from the background. The uniform corner radius of all app windows also helps them stand out more.

Even if Liquid Glass hasn’t gone anywhere, even detractors should find the updates tolerable since they do greatly improve overall readability and visibility. The Liquid Glass slider is a nice touch.

I've never had a problem with Liquid Glass because I think it’s an interesting visual effect. That said, I’m glad that folks can now fine-tune it to their liking. The slider is especially neat because it’s easy to use and makes it clear how much of a difference there is when you go from one extreme to the other.

Child safety features

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

If you’re a parent, you’ll be happy to know that Apple is expanding its parental control features with iPadOS 27. This way, you can let the kiddo use Apple’s tablet without worrying too much about the kind of content they’re watching and for how long they’re using the slate.

Some of these updates include a redesigned and more intuitive Screen Time Dashboard that offers one-tap controls and expanded safeguards. There is also Time Allowances for app categories, Ask to Browsw website approval, Communication Safety that blurs gore or violence, and one-tap access management. You can tailor these features to suit your child.

I don’t have kids but I did find the child safety features simple enough to use and customize. Given how much kids love iPads, it’s smart for Apple to continue making adjustments to these safety features.

iPadOS 27 hands-on preview: Other features

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Spatial Reframing: As the name suggests, you can now reframe a photo after it’s been taken thanks to this feature. You can also expand your shots with the Extend Tool and remove objects with the Clean Up tool.

Upgraded Image Playground: Image Playground can now generate higher quality images than before. You can also modify and transform existing images by describing what you want.

Siri in Notes: Siri AI can assist with your handwritten or typed notes in the Notes app by (for example) organizing bullet points into a formatted agenda or turning handwritten lectures into a detailed study guide.

Safari updates: In Safari, tabs can now be automatically grouped by topic to make related pages easier to find. With Safari Notify Me, you can receive an alert if there’s a price change or a restock for an item you’ve been eyeing.

Describe Shortcuts: Instead of manually building complex workflows, you can now describe what you need, and Shortcuts connects actions across multiple apps to make it happen. This is useful if you want to set specific routines, such as launching a specific app when you connect a peripheral.

iPadOS 27 hands-on preview: Outlook

iPadOS 27 won’t set the world on fire with revolutionary new features, but the upgraded Siri AI and deeper Apple Intelligence integrations help make iPads that support the update more useful. This is especially true if you frequently use Apple’s own apps.

Keeping in mind that iPadOS 27 is still a work in progress, I think it’s a smart update that finally sees Apple’s AI ambitions bear fruit. Things could change between now and when the expected Fall launch, but right now, Apple has delivered on its promises for a more helpful and intuitive iPad experience.

The Narwal Flow 2 looks slick, but its performance misses the mark for a $1,500 robot vacuum

James Bentley — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 07:30:00 +0000

Narwal Flow 2 robot vacuum: Specs

Wattage: 65W
Base capacity: 120 days per empty (2.5 litres)
Weight: 11 lbs (33 lb with base station)
Suction: 31,000 Pa
Battery: 7,000 mAh
Size: 351.2 mm x 363.5 mm x 95 mm (base 450mm x 360 mm x 530 mm
Smart home compatibility: Yes

From smarter tracking to habit observing, the notion of the best robot vacuum that can fit into your daily life is certainly an appealing one, and the Narwal Flow 2 promises a lot.

It offers "unlimited object recognition" alongside smart obstacle avoidance, and even throws in strong suction power and mop functionality with it. But, to get all those nifty little features, Narwal is asking for a lot of cash for its smart robot vacuum, so it has to outperform its cheaper competition.

I've now spent a few weeks with the Flow 2 making its way around my house (not consecutively, the battery isn't quite that good), and I can say I'm both a little impressed with it and yet paradoxically, underwhelmed. Like the AI you'll find on your phone every day, it is pretty clever, and clearly has the infrastructure to back it up, but I'm not fully convinced it's better than the traditional methods.

It's a little unproven in its features and too expensive to get the stamp of approval from me, even though I quite like it. Here's how my time with the Narwal Flow 2 went.

Narwal Flow 2 robot vacuum review: Price and availability

The standard Narwal Flow 2 is priced $1499.99 on Amazon.

What's more, there’s a smaller version with an autofill and drainage system that you connect to the water in your house that fetches $1599.99 on Amazon.

Narwal Flow 2 robot vacuum review: Setup

Tom's Guide

The Narwal Flow 2 is very easy to set up, even though it’s quite bulky and relatively heavy. Simply take the robot vacuum out of the box, plug the base in, take the extra bits that are stored in the base out, and get it on charge.

It does come with detergent in the box, so you can pop that in the base for the mop mode. From here, get the app downloaded and let the Flow 2 map your apartment. It managed to pretty much nail the mapping of my apartment on the first go, navigating around chairs, doors, and even human beings.

From the app, you can tell the Flow 2 to go around, with either the vacuum or mop function, and you can watch it go from room to room, monitoring its progress as it goes. The benefit of this is that you can catch any spots it missed or any locations that have been blocked off by items. The base station holds debris for up to 120 days and has a self-cleaning water tank.

Set up is pretty smart in a lot of ways. Once you've sent the mop around, the base station will dry it with internal heating to prevent any mould. It's relatively low maintenance, outside of keeping the detergent bin topped up.

Narwal Flow 2 robot vacuum review: Design

Tom's Guide

The Narwal Flow 2 has a lot going for it. The AI functionality helps it spot debris and map the home, but it's also used in voice controls, which means you rarely have to control it from the app if you don't want to. That AI functionality also makes the Flow 2 swap between a loud or light vacuum depending on the surface and the level of cleaning each surface needs.

Oddly, you can entirely control the robot vacuum from your phone, using its built-in webcam. This is a decent way of keeping track of the home while you're away, and its speakers mean you can actually talk to people through it. This mostly ended in me chatting to my partner from afar, but I can see some practical uses here, like chatting to pets, or even just checking if you've left the oven on.

It has a pet mode for finding your pets, and you can cycle through vacuum power intensities, should you feel a more thorough clean is needed. It's very neat, though very niche.

The Flow 2 sells itself on being effortless, and this is partially done in how it deals with waste, but also in some smart software. It has systems to reduce battery wear over time (which is certainly welcome with the 1-2 hours of battery life), and it can technically recognise an infinite number of obstacles, which is an infinite amount higher than the 200 the Flow can pick up.

Narwal Flow 2 robot vacuum review: Performance

Tom's Guide

This is the most important part of using a robot vacuum, and, unfortunately, performance is pretty mixed for me when considering the price.

In our testing suite, it entirely failed to pick up many Cheerios scattered around a confined space. It would regularly push them around the floor or crush them under its wheels. A few of them got stuck behind the wheels, and I’m not entirely convinced I’ve got them all out even now.

This means similarly sized debris simply won’t be picked up by the Flow 2. It’s not entirely uncommon that you would drop a piece of cereal while moving with a bowl or any other food, and the Flow 2 is more likely to squish it into the floor than pick it up.

I'm not entirely sure if this is a physical problem in how it picks up debris between its brush or with the AI tracking failing to register that it needs to give extra juice to the engine at the right point, but my money is on the latter.

When it comes to picking up hair, it does decently. On a low-pile carpet, it needs to go over the same patch multiple times to pick it up, and it won’t necessarily do so naturally, which means having to send it around again. I have managed to get it to pick up everything in a single go, but there's no magic touch here. Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't

On tile or otherwise flat floor, its 31,000 PA suction power is more than enough to get up any dirt that gets into its path. If you’re thinking of getting a Flow 2 for a very tile-heavy apartment, it will likely perform to your expectations, and its mop mode is solid too.

It's intuitive and looks after itself. I did find it a little better at getting specific stains than just generally mopping an area, though, which I think is partly what the vacuum is going for in the first place.

Kitty litter was picked up absolutely fine in a single go, and with no issues. For everyday dirt, the Flow 2 does just fine.

Using it week to week, the Flow 2 certainly cuts down on the amount of manual vacuuming I have to do, but it’s also significantly more expensive than equally viable performers, even at its discount price.

Results table
	Overall	Cheerios	Kitty Litter	Pet Hair
Hardwood floor	76	30	100	100
Carpet	66	20	100	80

I also found the mapping system to be good, but it struggled occasionally with finding its own base. When I moved it ever so slightly, the Flow 2 vacuum struggled to make adjustments to find its new home (just inches across).

One place the Flow 2 really does struggle is with corners and edges. The robot vacuum is pretty big and doesn't have edge-to-edge coverage, so you will likely have to go over these yourself. This is a tad disappointing for such a smart vacuum, though not entirely unheard of.

Narwal Flow 2 robot vacuum review: Verdict

I really like the Narwal Flow 2 - in concept. It is definitely smart, and it has tonnes of niche little features I think are just plain neat.

However, when you're approaching north of $1,000, neat doesn't quite cut it, especially when it struggles with some of the fundamentals.

As an additive tool to my regular hand vacuuming, the Flow 2 certainly fits in a good spot, and I didn't find my flooring to be very dirty after a few weeks of using it, but there are cheaper options that get similar results.

The Flow 2 is certainly a bit better than budget robot vacuums I've tried, but is it three times better? No, not nearly. That doesn't mean it doesn't do its job; it's just not offering a price-to-dollar ratio that is as smart or efficient as its software.