Today is the first day of fall — and whether you're looking to enjoy crisp nights on the patio, refresh your kitchen appliances or spruce up your space with seasonal decor, Walmart is a great place to find big savings.

The retailer is currently hosting a fall sale with up to 50% off everything you need for the new season ahead. Looking get a head start on Halloween decorating? You can take advantage of festive and spooky decor deals from $1. If you're hoping to snag a new TV for football season, you can currently shop smart TVs starting from just $59.

Not sure where to begin? I've done the heavy lifting and rounded up tons of Walmart must-haves for fall. Here are all the affordable finds you need to celebrate the new season.

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• shop all Walmart deals
• Fall home decor: deals from $9 @ Walmart
• Halloween decor: deals from $2
• Patio and garden event: up to 50% off
• 4K TVs: deals from $59
• Grill sale: deals under $100
• Shark and Ninja appliances: up to 40% off

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There’s something deeply ironic about getting fired from an AI company for using AI, but that’s reportedly exactly what happened to multiple contractors helping train OpenAI’s models.

Contractors hired to review and improve the responses generated by OpenAI’s AI models have been fired or removed from projects after using AI to do their own work, according to a new report from 404 Media.

The rule makes more sense than it might sound. These workers are being hired specifically for their human judgment — something that becomes considerably less useful if ChatGPT or another AI chatbot is doing the judging for them.

One contractor told 404 Media that they see people using AI “all the time” and that workers are regularly removed for doing it. Another contractor shared what they said was a termination letter citing problems with the “authenticity” of their work.

Keeping humans in the loop

AI models don't simply learn everything from scraping enormous amounts of text from books or the internet.

OpenAI says information provided or generated by human trainers and researchers is one of the sources used to develop its foundation models. Human feedback has also long played a role in teaching models which responses people prefer and how those models should behave.

That makes the quality of the human feedback truly important. OpenAI has previously acknowledged in its research that models trained using human feedback can be influenced by the people labeling that data.

The contractors described by 404 Media work across various OpenAI projects, some of which can involve thousands of workers. Their jobs can include reading AI responses, rating them and deciding which answers are better.

But according to internal documents obtained by 404 Media, reviewers aren't allowed to outsource that judgment back to an AI. One set of instructions reportedly prohibits workers from using AI to write feedback or comments and specifically names tools including Grammarly and AI translation.

Mercor, an AI-training company that employs contractors working on OpenAI projects, confirmed to 404 Media that its contracts prohibit workers from using large language models to complete projects.

AI detectors didn't catch the cheating

You might assume an AI company would catch workers using AI with an AI detector. Apparently not.

404 Media doesn't reveal exactly how the contractors who were fired were caught. But internal instructions obtained by the publication offer a fascinating look at how reviewers are told to spot suspected AI use.

And AI detectors aren't part of the process.

The instructions reportedly tell reviewers not to use tools such as GPTZero because they aren't considered reliable. Instead, reviewers are told to judge the overall pattern of a worker's submissions and look for clues including repetitive wording, unusually fast completion times and writing patterns associated with AI. Even excessive use of em dashes can raise suspicion.

Reviewers are also reportedly instructed not to tell workers exactly what made them suspect AI use, because doing so could make it easier to hide in the future.

This is surprisingly revealing about the process: the people checking whether humans are secretly using AI to help train ChatGPT are explicitly told not to trust AI-detection software to do it for them.

Bottom line: humans are irreplaceable

OpenAI uses a lot of synthetic data — information generated with the help of AI models — as part of some training processes. The company says synthetic data can improve model performance and fill gaps where other training data is scarce.

But that's different from secretly substituting an AI model for a person who has specifically been hired to provide human feedback. If an evaluator is supposed to tell OpenAI which response a human prefers, asking another AI to make that decision defeats much of the point of hiring the evaluator.

It doesn't mean these incidents have made ChatGPT worse, and there's no evidence in 404 Media's reporting that AI-generated contractor work caused measurable damage to an OpenAI model.

But the situation does expose one of the stranger realities of the AI boom: even the companies building the AI systems still need humans to tell those systems when they've gotten something right.

More from Tom's Guide

• Nvidia says 'local AI is here' — and it could change how you use AI at home
• I replaced ChatGPT with Siri AI for a day — here's what surprised me
• AI could be costing you money: new study finds chatbots get most financial questions wrong

Well, cut me an extra-big slice of cake for elevenses; it's International Hobbit Day! I confess I ignored my mother's recommendation to read J.R.R. Tolkien's original masterpiece for far too many years, only finally starting "The Hobbit" when I was about 15 — and promptly devouring the book and the whole lore around it! When "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" movie was released in 2012, I wasted no time in booking those theater tickets.

Hobbit Day falls on 22 September as it's the date of both Bilbo and Frodo Baggins' birthdays, when converted from the Middle-earth calendar to our own (apparently). It's also the day after "The Hobbit" book was first published, 89 years ago. But come on now, do we really need an excuse to celebrate the intrepid resident of Bag End, his friend Gandalf the Grey, and their quest? I've put together this 10-question multiple-choice quiz to celebrate this truly unique story, in honor of the big day.

How did you find the quiz? Too hard? Too easy? Not enough Gandalf? Let us know what you think in the comments. And if you scored 10/10, I owe you a magic ring!

I hope you enjoyed remembering some of our favorite details from "The Hobbit", and perhaps feel inspired to re-read the book or settle down for a movie marathon (with breaks for afternoon tea, dinner and supper of course).

Don't forget to register on our quizzes, games and polls platform, Kwizly, to save your score, reveal hints, secure your spot on the competitive Tom's Guide leaderboard, and see the results of all our polls in real-time.

If you enjoyed this quiz, then please bookmark our Quiz section and visit our Polls page to have your say on all manner of topics, from workout kits to the latest Apple releases. Your answers may even be featured in a Readers Say article.

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Fall is officially here! If outdoor adventures are topping your agenda this season, now is the perfect time to give your gear a bit of a refresh. Fortunately, retailers like Amazon and REI are knocking up to 50% off camping gear from brands like Coleman, Patagonia, Columbia, YETI and more.

Whether you're in the market for a new sleeping bag, some outdoor cooking essentials, tents or hiking apparel, I've rounded up my favorite camping finds starting at just $16. I recommend happy campers and outdoor enthusiasts hop on these deals ASAP.

Quick Links

• Coleman camping deals: up to 40% off @ Amazon
• Camping deals: up to 30% off @ REI
• Patagonia: up to 50% off @ REI
• Coleman LED Flashlight: was $19 now $17
• YETI Yonder Water Bottle: was $22 now $17
• Vuori Long Sleeve Strato Graphic Tee (Men's): was $69 now $53
• Coleman 316 Series Insulated Portable Cooler: was $109 now $67
• Coleman Sundome Camping Tent: was $117 now $78
• The North Face Alta Vista Rain Jacket (Women's): was $160 now $79
• Coleman 3-Burner Propane Camping Stove: was $220 now $156
• Coleman Camping Cot (Twin): was $229 now $171

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Paging Dr. Drama: "Doc" season 3 is available now, and Westside Hospital is in for a shake-up as Molly Parker returns as Dr. Amy Larsen, the high-flying doc rebuilding her life after suffering a brain injury.

Below is our guide to how to watch "Doc" season 3 from anywhere with a VPN.

The third season puts Doc Parker in fresh territory: Amy and Sonya Maitra (Anya Banerjee) are now co-chief residents, charged with wrangling a new class of interns.

The bigger jolt is Blair Underwood’s Dr. Ben Grant, the brilliant trauma and cardiothoracic surgeon introduced in the season 2 finale – a man with a past with Amy that she can’t remember (due to the car crash that scrambled eight years of memories).

Other fan favorites return, including Ben, who has plans to reshape surgery, while Jake and TJ settle into new hospital roles. Season 3 runs 22 episodes on Fox so settle in.

Read on for everything you need to know about where to watch "Doc" season 3 online – including any free streams.

How to watch 'Doc' season 3 for FREE

Residents in the U.S. are in luck as they will be able to catch "Doc" season 3 via numerous free trials:

We recommend Fubo (5-day free trial) and Hulu+Live TV.

Season 3 will also be 100% free on 7Plus in Australia, although the release is typically delayed.

If you're abroad right now, use NordVPN to access your home services - more on that below.

How to watch 'Doc' season 3 from abroad

Away from home at the moment and blocked from watching "Doc" season 3 on your usual streaming subscription?

You can still watch your favorite TV shows from anywhere thanks to the wonders of a VPN (Virtual Private Network). The software allows your devices to appear to be back in your home country regardless of where in the world you are. So ideal for TV fans away on vacation or on business. Our favorite is NordVPN. It's the best on the market.

How to watch 'Doc' season 3 in the U.S.

"Doc" season 3 premiered in the U.S. on FOX on Tuesday, September 22 at 9pm ET/PT. Episodes are available to stream the next day on Hulu.

FOX is a broadcast network that can be accessed with one of the best TV antennas, a cable TV package or a live TV streaming platform like Sling TV, Fubo or Hulu with Live TV.

Away from home? Don't panic. You can still watch your favorite TV shows from anywhere thanks to the wonders of a VPN (Virtual Private Network). We recommend NordVPN.

How to watch 'Doc' season 2 in Canada

"Doc" season 2 premieres on Global TV in Canada on Tuesday, September 22 and is available to stream the following day on the Global TV App (you'll need a cable login).

The show is also available to stream on StackTV.

Outside the Great White North? Use a VPN to watch your usual streaming service from anywhere on the planet.

Can I watch 'Doc' season 3 in the U.K.?

"Doc" season 3 is expected to premiere in November or December in the U.K. – but there''s no official release date. It'll likely land on Sky Witness.

Can I watch 'Doc' S2 for free in Australia?

"Doc" seasons 1 and 2 are available to stream for free on 7plus – with season 3 expected to join the free streamer at a later date.

Traveling abroad? With NordVPN, U.S. and Canadian nationals Down Under can access their usual streaming domestic streaming services from anywhere.

'Doc' season 3 - Need to Know

'Doc' season 3 - Episode Guide

Episode 1: “Wherefore Art Thou”
Air date: Sept. 22, 2026

On Amy and Sonya’s first day as co-chief residents, they’re tasked with coaching a new crop of interns through a baffling case that appears to defy medical logic. Jake and TJ settle into new roles at Westside, while Dr. Ben Grant returns with a secret plan to reshape the surgical department.

Episode 2: “Ready or Not”
Air date: Sept. 29, 2026

A horrific accident sends three members of the same family to Westside in critical condition, forcing the hospital staff to work together to save them. Amid the chaos, Amy experiences a flood of emotional memories while going head-to-head with Dr. Ben Grant.

Episode 3: “In Thyself”
Air date: Oct. 6, 2026

Synopsis not yet released.

Episode 4: “Great Expectations”
Air date: Oct. 13, 2026

Synopsis not yet released.

Episode 5: “S.O.S.”
Air date: Oct. 20, 2026

Synopsis not yet released.

'Doc' season 3  - Cast

• Molly Parker — Dr. Amy Larsen
• Omar Metwally — Dr. Michael Hamda
• Amirah Vann — Dr. Gina Walker
• Jon-Michael Ecker — Dr. Jake Heller
• Anya Banerjee — Dr. Sonya Maitra
• Patrick Walker — Dr. Theodore “TJ” Coleman
• Blair Underwood — Dr. Ben Grant

'Doc' season 2 - Trailer

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• How to watch "Traitors Ireland" season 2
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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.

There's finally a pair of Apple headphones that solve a problem I've been preaching about for years: people wearing delicate, $550 over-ear headphones like the AirPods Max to the gym. Sweat ruins sensitive electronics, and standard warranties will not cover liquid damage when a device isn't explicitly rated for protection.

Enter the Beats 360, an over-ear pair of headphones built specifically to bridge the gap between workout durability and modern everyday features. They feature an official IPX4 sweat rating, swappable modular cushions that automatically adjust sound settings and equal-treatment connectivity across both Apple and Android ecosystems.

But at $349, they face competition like the equally-priced Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) and Sony WH-1000XM5, which are regularly discounted to $299. While the noise cancellation on the 360 is easily the best Beats has ever produced, Bose is still noticeably better at silencing plane engines, and Sony has some added convenience for commuters such as wear detection.

All things considered, are these the best headphones for you? Find out more in my full Beats 360 review.

Beats 360 review: Price & availability

• $349 MSRP
• New cushion sets = $49
• Beats Studio Pro drop to $299

The Beats 360 are available for $349 directly through Apple, Beats and major third-party retailers. That price places them directly above the Beats Studio Pro, which have been permanently dropped to $299 MSRP (and will probably see further discounts during major deals events.)

Staying within the Apple ecosystem, the Beats 360 sit well below the $550 AirPods Max 2. Given their athletic feature set, they target a different type of user than Apple's premium noise-cancelling headphones, specifically those with active lifestyles.

Beats 360 review: Design

• Official IPX4 rating built for workouts
• Modular twist-and-click cushion system
• Gym bag-ready, low-profile carrying bag

Aesthetically, Beats pulled design cues straight from athletic sneakers, constructing an ultra-thin headband around a flexible steel spring. Almost all the weight is shifted directly into the earcups, which feature 50% more cushion mass than the Studio Pro to distribute pressure evenly across your head without painful clamping.

Each earcup functions as its own self-contained hardware module with its own battery, antenna, and processing chip. This design allowed Beats to install a custom acoustic firewall behind the drivers, giving these an official IPX4 sweat and water rating. In other words, sensitive electronics remain sealed off from liquid damage.

Comfort

Right out of the box, you get breathable Performance Knit cushions woven from 36 micro-threads. If you prefer a traditional leatherette fit, you can purchase UltraPlush pads separately. Because each pad twists off with a quick mechanical snap, swapping dirty cushions after a heavy gym session takes less than five seconds. If being able to ditch sweaty earcups isn't a testament to wearability and comfort, I don't know what is.

That said, at 294.5 grams, they are slightly heavier than the 260-gram Beats Studio Pro, but the ergonomic weight distribution keeps them feeling light during extended wear. Also keep in mind that the AirPods Max 2 are still significantly heavier at 386.2 grams (only adding more confusion as to why people choose to wear them to the gym.)

Controls

Instead of touch gestures that misfire when your hands get sweaty, Beats placed physical thumb buttons on the back of both earcups. Your right thumb handles volume and play/pause, while your left thumb toggles power and noise control modes.

But I have a major issue here: the Beats 360 lack wear detection. Just like I called out on the Bose QuietComfort (2nd Gen), $350 headphones in 2026 should automatically pause your music and enter low-power mode when taken off your head. Having to manually power them down every time you take a break is an annoying omission especially if you're someone who's moving between a workout, work, commuting or other activities.

Carrying bag

While some might call the included travel pouch skimpy compared to heavy clamshell cases, I actually prefer it. It feels sporty, lies completely flat when empty and provides just enough scratch-resistant protection without taking up unnecessary volume in a gym bag. It’s protective, low-profile and workout-ready.

Beats 360 review: Connectivity & compatibility

• Equal feature parity for iOS and Android users
• USB-C audio input supported

Compatibility is where Beats consistently beats out Apple-branded audio products. On iOS, you get native ecosystem perks like One-Touch Pairing, Find My, hands-free "Hey Siri," and Spatial Audio with head tracking.

Unlike AirPods Max, Android users aren't left out in the cold. The Beats 360 support Google Fast Pair, Android Find Hub, automatic audio switching and full custom button mapping via the native Beats Android app.

For wired listening, you can stream lossless audio over USB-C, though you won't be able to plug into older 3.5mm airplane entertainment jacks without an adapter.

Beats 360 review: Sound quality

• Punchy bass with 12dB higher maximum output
• Built-in sensors auto-tune sound to cushion material
• Driving rhythm profile tuned for modern music

The Beats 360 use a custom transducer equipped with dual neodymium ring magnets and a triple-layer diaphragm, pushing 12dB higher maximum output than the Studio Pro with zero distortion at high volumes.

And if you're wondering whether swapping out between the different earcup materials impacts sound, hardware sensors inside the earcups detect which cushion material you’ve attached and auto-tune the acoustic output accordingly.

Beats's signature sound profile remains dynamic and fun. In Kendrick Lamar's "Not Like Us," the low-end kick hits with force, while sub-bass frequencies remain tight and punchy without overwhelming Kendrick's vocals or muddying the mid-range.

For pop music, Dua Lipa's "Houdini" presented a snappy driving bassline and distinct vocal layering even with all those synth details. With modern rock, heavy electric guitar transients in Rage Against the Machine's "Guerrilla Radio" sounded crisp and aggressive.

If you are an audiophile looking for a flat, reference-grade sound, I'd say the Beats 360 are not right for you. Although Beats headphones have progressively neutralized, Sony’s WH-1000XM6 or XM5 offer a more neutral soundstage.

Beats 360 review: ANC

• 1.75x stronger noise cancellation than Studio Pro
• Great for gym hums and loud ambient environments
• Bose QuietComfort remains superior for flight isolation

I never thought I’d put "great ANC" and "Beats" in the same sentence, but these are easily the best noise-canceling headphones Beats has ever made. Packing 1.75x stronger ANC than the Studio Pro, they do an impressive job deadening ambient gym chatter, clanging weights and questionable overhead playlists.

To be perfectly clear, these are not dethroning flagship travel heavyweights — Bose still holds the crown when it comes to canceling low-frequency jet engine roar on long-haul flights for me. But for workouts, daily commutes and general noise isolation, Beats is finally legitimately in the conversation.

Beats 360 review: Call quality

• 9-microphone array with AI speech modeling
• Dynamic beamforming for wind rejection

For voice calls, Beats packed in a 9-microphone array supported by AI speech modeling. When stepping outdoors or into windy conditions, the system dynamically pulls in extra beamforming mics to isolate your voice.

In practice, these are not the best headphones for calling. While I sounded clear in my testing, my voice sounded slightly over-processed. Sure, if I need to answer a call quickly at the gym if only to tell the other person I'll call them back, they're passable. But these would not be my pick for video conferencing or important calls.

Beats 360 review: Battery life

• 32 hours continuous playback with ANC enabled
• Fast Fuel: 5 minutes charge = 1 hour playback
• No included cable

Battery life on the Beats 360 is a high point. You get 32 continuous hours of playback with both ANC and Spatial Audio turned on. That easily outlasts the AirPods Max (20 hours), the Bose QuietComfort 2nd Gen (24 hours), and the Beats Studio Pro (24 hours).

If you get caught on empty before a workout, a quick 5-minute Fast Fuel charge via USB-C grants a full hour of listening time. Just remember to power them off manually when you throw them in your bag, as the lack of wear detection will drain the battery if left on idle. Oh, and they also don't come with a charger, but if you're like me, you'll have plenty of USB-C cables available around your house you can use instead.

Beats 360 review: Verdict

The Beats 360 are a triumph for athletic audio, delivering a feature-packed package that finally makes wearing over-ear headphones to the gym a worry-free experience. With an official IPX4 sweat rating, modular swappable cushions, tactile physical controls,and generous 32-hour battery life, they solve practical daily problems that competitor flagships ignore.

While Bose still holds the crown for world-class flight noise cancellation, Beats' upgraded ANC performance is more than strong enough to mute gym chatter and environmental hums. The lack of wear detection is a frustrating oversight at $350, and travelers who rely on 3.5mm wired connections will need to pack an adapter.

If your primary goal is finding durable, great-sounding headphones that look stylish, support both iOS and Android natively and won't succumb to workout sweat, the Beats 360 are easily the most complete pair Beats has ever produced.

Did you know that today is National Hobbit Day? For Middle-earth fans, September 22 has long been a day to celebrate the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, as it's the birthday of both Bilbo and Frodo Baggins.

For this article I've rounded up 12 Tolkien-themed items that are available to buy right now. There are lavish editions of the books (including a gorgeous collection of the History of Middle-earth series) as well as a plush Gollum, some cool bookends, and even a Lord of the Rings-themed Monopoly set.

If you're in a Middle-earth mood, or have a fan in your family, there's bound to be something for you here. Why not check out our picks below before you have your second breakfast?

Raccoon City is open for business again, but when can you survive a night of terrifying zombies from your own couch? "Resident Evil" officially tore into theaters on Sept. 18, and it's already the biggest opening of both director Zach Cregger's career and the long-running film franchise, pulling in around $60 million domestically right out of the gate. TG's Malcolm McMillan called it the "best video game movie of all time."

The "Barbarian" and "Weapons" filmmaker takes the series back to its survival horror roots, with "Euphoria" star Austin Abrams playing Bryan, a medical courier who stumbles into a very bad night after his first stop at Raccoon City General Hospital. Zach Cherry, Kali Reis, and Paul Walter Hauser co-star in the 95-minute nightmare, which is playing in theaters right now.

But how long will it be before you can watch it from the comfort of your own couch? We'd like to wager a guess. Keep reading to find out.

When can we expect 'Resident Evil' to arrive on streaming?

Sony tends to move a little slower to digital than some studios do. Judging by recent releases like "Venom: The Last Dance," "Kraven the Hunter" and "It Ends With Us," the studio usually sends its films to premium video-on-demand (PVOD) about 45 to 60 days after they open, at which point you can rent or buy them on platforms like Amazon and Apple TV.

Counting from the September 18 release, that puts "Resident Evil" on digital somewhere in early-to-mid November 2026. Expect the usual PVOD pricing when it lands, around $19.99 to rent or $24.99 to own.

But of course, that's not set in stone. Sony has a habit of keeping its bigger hits in theaters longer to squeeze out every last ticket sale, and given how well this horror entry is performing, the studio may lean toward the back end of that window.

Physical media usually isn't far behind. Sony typically puts its films on 4K UHD, Blu-ray, and DVD within a couple of months of the theatrical debut, often around the same time as the digital release, so a disc release in November or December seems likely, though nothing has been confirmed yet. Since the film was shot for IMAX, a 4K disc will be the closest most people get to that presentation at home —that, and maybe a huge projector screen or XR/AR glasses.

As for streaming with a subscription, this's where "Resident Evil" will differ from many other new releases. Sony doesn't have its own streaming service, so its theatrical films instead head to Netflix, which holds the exclusive first-run streaming rights to Sony's movies in the U.S.

Lately, Sony titles have taken around 90 to 120 days after their theatrical debut to reach Netflix, which would put "Resident Evil" on the platform sometime in January 2027. As with the digital release, a long theatrical run could push that later, so a debut stretching into February 2027 wouldn't be a shock.

Once it arrives, "Resident Evil" could likely stay on Netflix for about 18 months before moving over to Disney's platforms down the line. For now, though, the only way to survive Raccoon City is to head to the theater. That should at least give you plenty of time to get some survival training in, though.

Over the last few months, smart glasses have taken their lumps — and rightfully so — as reports of people using the devices to harass women and post videos on social media have proliferated, as have reports of others doctoring their glasses to hide the fact that they were recording video.

Vonder, a company launching a new collection of smart glasses, thinks that its eyewear not only addresses the creepiness factor, but also delivers a set of smart specs that are more useful than anything from Meta or Google.

That’s because, rather than focusing on helping you with discrete tasks — playing music, looking up recipes, translations, getting directions — they’re designed to work quietly in the background, observing everything you do during the day, in order to provide more holistic advice and guidance based on your past decisions and preferences — and, do it more stylishly than anyone else.

I had a chance to check out Vonder's glasses, and while I'll need to test them out more throughly, they do offer a unique angle that could help distinguish them from better known competitors.

To be clear, Vonder’s glasses can play music, provide turn-by-turn navigation (using audio routed from a phone mapping app), make calls, and set calendar appointments using nothing but your voice. But using the glasses for just those activities would be missing the point.

Vonder takes everything it knows about you and creates a map of your mind, which it calls a Personal Memory Graph, and attempts to draw connections between everything. The founders showed me a visualization of his Memory Graph, which looked like a constellation of stars with lines interlinking everything. Some of the points, which represented ideas or things more central to his life, had far more lines extending from them.

That way, when you do ask the glasses for something, it will look through everything it knows about you, and then route it through what it thinks is the most appropriate LLM (at the moment, Claude, ChatGPT, and Gemini) to make a more personalized recommendation.

For example, if you ask for a coffee shop nearby, it may filter your request through Gemini, but provide Google’s AI with personalized information on the type of coffee you prefer, so that the results are more tailored.

Vonder is being launched by the folks behind Viture, which has to this point been focused on making XR and AR glasses, such as the Viture Beast and Viture Pro. However, the Vonder take a much different tack.

The Vonder glasses use bone-conducting microphones to filter out other voices, and capture only what you’re saying throughout the day. If you want to record a conversation with someone else, you can press a button on the side of the glasses; a small white LED on the left temple will light up to let them know.

Similar to what Apple is doing with Siri on the Apple Watch, Vonder’s glasses don’t record transcripts; rather, it summarizes what you and others say.

Because the glasses are relatively tech-lite — there’s no display or camera — they’re also quite light when compared to other smart glasses. All of the gadgetry is housed in the temples, so that it’s a lot easier for the company to develop different styles for the face of the glasses.

I briefly tried on a pair of the Vonder glasses, and was impressed at how light they were. At 30 grams, they’re about 40% lighter than the Ray-Ban Metas. However, the battery life of both pairs of specs are about the same — 8 hours.

At launch, the Vonder glasses will come in six frame styles (chicly named Antwerp, Paris, Basel, Oslo, Palermo, and Tribeca) and can also be outfitted with a variety of lenses, including prescription, transition, and other tints.

Pricing starts at $299 for the Basel model in basic black. All six styles are available with acetate frames in Smoke and Whiskey for $399. Transitions lenses and other lens options may add to the price. You’ll be able to order the glasses from Vonder’s site, as well as Bestbuy.com.

However, to get the most out of Vonder’s glasses, you’ll need to pay for a subscription, which starts at $9.99 per month. With that, you get all-day memory capture, the ability to connect to multiple apps, up to five insights per day, and Vonder’s “Medium” level AI. A $99/month subscription gets you its highest-tier AI and unlimited voice requests.

Vonder’s cofounder, David Jiang, told me that the company would like to eventually include a waveguide display, but the technology isn’t miniaturized enough yet. Also coming, but in the nearer future, is a beta feature that will let you use Vonder’s voice control alongside Claude Code and Codex, so that you can collaborate with the coding agent by speaking to it.

Every company that makes smart glasses — or any wearable AI assistant — is having to grapple anew with the balance between an always-on, always-listening device and the importance of respecting other people’s privacy. Vonder’s approach of only recording what you say by deafult could be a possible path forward.

But beyond privacy issues, Vonder’s approach to AI in its smart glasses is one where other companies, like Meta with its Muse AI, are headed. They’re no longer about helping you with individual asks, but rather, getting to know you better. Is that creepy or ingenious?

More from Tom's Guide

• I swapped my Ray-Ban Metas for these $20 smart glasses just to mock them — then they actually impressed me
• I just went hands-on with the new Samsung smart glasses — here’s why I’d pick them over Meta
• I’ve traveled over 50,000 miles testing smart glasses in 2026 — here are my 3 favorites that have launched this year so far

I’ve had a soft spot for the original Sonos Ace ever since they launched. In fact, they quickly became one of my default commuting picks. Whenever I catch someone sporting a pair at an airport terminal, it feels like an unspoken "if you know, you know" nod between us frequent flyers.

With the new Sonos Ace Ultra ($449), Sonos took what worked on the original and focused heavily on performance and ecosystem polish. The headlining upgrade is easily the active noise cancellation: thanks to a new 10-microphone array and updated Adaptive ANC, these cans are legitimately giving Bose a run for its money.

Add in redesigned 40mm custom drivers, subtle design tweaks like a more flexible swivel, and direct Wi-Fi system linking via Headphone Engine 2, and you have an exceptionally polished pair of premium headphones. But one big question remains: are these worth buying if you don't already own a house full of Sonos gear?

I'll answer that for you in my full Sonos Ace Ultra review below.

Sonos Ace Ultra review: Price & availability

The Sonos Ace Ultra land at $449 (£399 / €449), positioning them squarely in the luxury over-ear bracket. They're still comfortably below the $550 Apple AirPods Max 2, but align pretty evenly with the $449 Sony WH-1000XM6 at full price.

General availability opens September 29, 2026, directly through Sonos and major audio retailers.

Sonos Ace Ultra review: Design

• Subtle ergonomic refinements and slimmer earcup profile
• Intuitive physical Content Key slider
• Travel case features an internal magnetic cable pouc

Compared to the Sonos Ace, the Sonos Ace Ultra's design has been refined in meaningful ways. You get a slimmer earcup profile, a more flexible headband swivel, slightly enlarged control buttons and a repositioned USB-C port for easier charging while resting on a stand.

They come in classic Black and Soft White, as well as two stunning new matte finishes: Agave and Sand.

Comfort

Weighing 322 grams (0.71 lbs), the Ace Ultra balance their premium metal and high-grade materials with exceptional weight distribution. The soft memory foam ear cushions create a gentle acoustic seal that doesn't pinch over earrings or my sunglasses. I had no comfort concerns even when wearing the Ace Ultra for hours at a time.

Controls

Sonos kept the tactile Content Key on the right earcup, which slides up and down for smooth volume adjustments, presses in to handle play/pause/skip, and holds down to swap audio with your nearest Sonos speaker.

A separate dedicated Noise Control button handles ANC/Aware mode toggles.

Carrying case

The included travel case retains its familiar, felted aesthetic, but Sonos added a clever touch inside: a magnetic interior pouch that cleanly secures your charging and audio cables.

Inside the case, you'll find both a USB-C to USB-C cable and a USB-C to 3.5mm audio cable. My only minor nitpick here is that the cables are standard black or white. I would have loved to see color-matched cables for the new Agave and Sand options, but the magnetic storage pouch is so convenient it's easy to forgive.

Sonos Ace Ultra review: Connectivity & Sonos Ecosystem

• Headphone Engine 2 enables direct WiFi linking to Sonos speakers
• Bluetooth 6.0 with aptX Adaptive Lossless support

While these operate as stellar Bluetooth 6.0-compatible headphones on the go, their best performance inside the home. Powered by Sonos' new Headphone Engine 2, the Ace Ultra can join your home Wi-Fi network directly to participate in the broader Sonos audio operating system.

If you are watching TV with a compatible soundbar like the new Beam Ultra or Sonos Arc Ultra, pressing the Content Key instantly pulls the TV audio off the soundbar and hands it off to your headphones in full spatial audio with Dolby Atmos and TrueCinema head tracking. Pressing it again sends the soundtrack right back to the room.

If you're already embedded in the Sonos ecosystem, as I am at home, this feature alone elevates the Ace Ultra above standard Bluetooth noise-cancelers. I actually wanted to keep wearing them even when I got home from my evening work commute, enjoying my standard fix of reality TV to decompress through the privacy of my Ace Ultra headphones.

Sonos Ace Ultra review: Sound quality

• Redesigned 40mm custom drivers with Adaptive EQ
• Support for Spatial Audio
• 3-band and 8-band EQ tuning in the Sonos app

Acoustically, the redesigned 40mm drivers deliver a wide, detailed soundstage with zero distortion even when pushed to high volume levels. Adaptive EQ continually measures the seal around your ears to compensate for hair or glasses, keeping the overall response balanced and natural.

That said, the iconic bassline in Gorillaz "Feel Good Inc." lands with thick, resonant depth. The driver handles heavy sub-bass decay effortlessly without masking the acoustic guitar plucks or vocal textures in the mid-range.

Stevie Nicks’ vocals sound hauntingly intimate and centered in Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams." Instrumental separation between the clean rimshots and background harmonies is crisp, demonstrating impressive warmth and acoustic layering.

And of course, I had to test the audio performance in blockbuster soundtracks. Hans Zimmer's "Paul's Dream" from "Dune" excelled with spatial rendering and high-frequency control. Dynamic brass swells and intricate percussion sparkled across a wide soundstage without ever becoming shrill or fatiguing at higher volumes.

Sonos Ace Ultra review: ANC

• 10-microphone array
• 2x stronger ANC performance vs. original Ace
• Bose-rivaling in travel scenarios

ANC is where the Ace Ultra make their biggest leap forward from the first-generation Sonos Ace. Jumping from eight to ten microphones allows the Adaptive ANC to adjust much faster to changing environmental sounds.

In real-world testing, these give Bose’s flagship noise-cancelers a serious run for their money. Lower-frequency drones (think: air conditioning HVAC hums and jet engine rumble) are muted with shocking efficiency.

Meanwhile, the Aware Mode uses the 10-mic array to blend ambient surroundings back into your ears. I will say it's not the most natural-sounding awareness setting on the premium headphone market, but it certainly suffices.

Sonos Ace Ultra review: Call quality

• Beamforming mics with background noise suppression
• Sidetone feature prevents shouting on calls

With 10 microphones and upgraded background noise suppression, call performance is noticeably improved over the original Ace. Voice isolation remains clean even when taking calls near busy street traffic.

Sonos also added a dedicated Sidetone feature, which feed a natural mix of your own voice back into your ears while on calls so you don't end up shouting over the Active Noise Cancellation. I'm guilty as charged, so I consider this a clever quality-of-life feature.

Sonos Ace Ultra review: Battery life

• Up to 35 hours of listening time with ANC enabled
• Low Power Mode extends battery life by up to 30%
• 3-minute rapid charge gives 3 hours of playback

Battery life gets a welcome boost up to 35 hours from 30 hours on the OG Ace with ANC turned on. At 35 hours, it outperforms both the Bose QuietComfort 2nd Gen (24 hours) and AirPods Max (20 hours.)

If you toggle Low Power Mode within the Sonos app, battery life can extend by up to an additional 30%. And if you ever get caught at 0%, a lightning-fast 3-minute quick charge over USB-C yields 3 full hours of listening time.

Sonos Ace Ultra review: Verdict

The Sonos Ace Ultra are an exceptional, luxury pair of noise-canceling headphones. The upgraded 10-microphone ANC array places them squarely in the top tier of noise isolation. Combine that with refined wearability and 35-hour battery life, and I found no shortage of reasons to love these headphones.

That said, the $449 price tag is a significant hurdle. If you don't own any Sonos home gear, you are paying a premium for ecosystem features like Headphone Engine 2 and TV audio swapping that you simply won't use. In that case, standalone alternatives from Sony or Bose offer similar everyday performance for less. Not to mention, Sonos devices go on sale less frequently than those from the aforementioned competitors.

But if you do already happen to have some Sonos speakers at home and want impressive ANC that transitions seamlessly from your living room soundbar to your morning flight, the Ace Ultra are a match made in audio heaven.

The Coros Pace 4 is one of the best sports watches on the market, packing all the features runners and triathletes need into its small, lightweight design. I used it for six months to train for the London Marathon, and found very little to fault about it.

One area where the Pace 4 did leave room for an upgrade was its design, and that’s where the Coros Pace 4 Pro steps in. It’s a more attractive watch with a larger, brighter display and longer battery life than the Pace 4, and the best Coros watch yet in my opinion.

I’ve been using the Pace 4 Pro for the past week and a half ahead of its launch, and I’ve loved it. It’s proved accurate during my workouts so far, and crucially the design retains the slim, lightweight feel you expect from a Coros Pace watch.

In my full Coros Pace 4 Pro review I’ll cover why it’s impressed me so much, and why I think it’s a serious rival to what has been my go-to sports watch, the Garmin Forerunner 970.

Coros Pace 4 Pro review: price and availability

The Coros Pace 4 Pro launched on 22 September 2026 and costs $449 in the U.S. and £389 in the U.K. It’s a big step up in price from the Coros Pace 4, which is $249/£229 for the standard watch and $279/£249 for the aluminum model.

It does come in cheaper than its main rivals from Garmin: the Forerunner 570 ($549/£459) and the Forerunner 970 ($749.99/£629.99), and though both of those watches are often now in sales, the 970 is still usually $200 more, while the Forerunner 570 only drops to the same price as the Pace 4 Pro.

Coros Pace 4 Pro review: specs compared

Coros Pace 4 Pro review: design and display

The Coros Pace line has always been focused on road runners who want a lightweight, slim watch, and the Pace 4 Pro sticks to those ideals even with its large, 1.47in display.

It’s exceptionally thin and sits snugly on even my slim wrists, and while it’s not as small and light as the Pace 4, I still found it a comfortable watch to wear 24/7, and it doesn’t snag on jackets.

The new display is notably brighter than on past Coros watches and I found it easy to read the time and other stats off my watch face even when the display wasn’t fully on.

During runs and other activities, you can see your data clearly in all conditions, even with the wild Multi-Data screen that shows 13 stats at once (this is too many stats, but still fun).

Other upgrades on other Pace models include a titanium bezel and sapphire crystal display, and the processor is also faster with 64GB of RAM — I found it’s a very snappy watch when navigating through menus or panning around maps.

Like other Coros watches, the Pace 4 Pro has a three-button design, one of which is a digital dial. I find it’s a little easier to accidentally set off dials in general than fixed buttons, but it’s not a major problem.

The Pace 4 Pro has a 5ATM water resistance rating, Coros’ latest optical heart rate sensor, and offers multi-band GPS tracking. You can connect external sensors via Bluetooth, and it has 32GB of storage, which you can use for music and maps.

It has a mic and speaker, and you can use the latter to take voice notes and drop pins during activities if you spot something useful like a water fountain or restroom. I use the voice note feature after runs as a quick way to record feedback on my training and any shoes or tech I’m testing, and my notes are automatically-transcribed in the Coros app.

Overall the design of the Pace 4 Pro is a significant upgrade on what we’ve seen from the brand in the past. It’s a great-looking watch and as a slender-wristed gentleman I also appreciate the focus Coros puts on keeping its watches slim and light.

Coros Pace 4 Pro review: sports tracking and training analysis

The Pace 4 Pro doesn’t bring any new sports features to the table compared with other Coros watches, but does have customizable modes for pretty much every activity, and useful training analysis including VO2 max estimates, training load analysis and race time predictions.

This training analysis data is presented well on the watch and in the partner app, and there are training plans for a wide variety of running events and time goals in the app, along with some cycling and triathlon training plans. If you set one of these up, it will send the workouts to the watch to follow.

The training analysis is not as extensive as that of Garmin’s top watches, and the Pace 4 Pro doesn’t offer a readiness score — though it does measure overnight heart rate variability which you can use to a similar end — but it does a good job of providing all the data you really need in a clear and engaging way.

Coros Pace 4 Pro review: GPS and heart rate accuracy

The Coros Pace 4 Pro uses multi-band GPS in its most accurate mode, which I had on throughout testing, and has Coros’ latest optical heart rate sensor. I checked the HR readings on the watch against a chest strap during testing, and looked at the GPS tracks to see if any errors cropped up.

On both fronts, I saw very few errors. The GPS performance was right in line with top Garmin watches like the Forerunner 970 and Fenix 9 Pro, and aside from the occasional short, erroneous spike in HR, the readings from the Pace 4 Pro were right in line with the chest strap, especially during runs and bike rides.

Strength workouts provide more of a challenge to optical heart rate sensors and I did see more errors during those while wearing the Coros Pace 4 Pro, but it was never too far from the chest strap's readings.

I’ll continue to test the accuracy on the watch but having run every day with it for 11 days, along with doing bike rides and strength workouts, I’ve not noticed any concerning errors from the Pace 4 Pro.

Coros Pace 4 Pro review: battery life

The Pace 4 Pro sports the largest, brightest display Coros has ever put on a watch, but it still maintains the long battery life that has become a hallmark of the brand’s devices.

It’s listed as lasting up to 21 days in watch mode, or seven days with the screen always-on, and offers 30 hours of GPS tracking in its most accurate mode.

Normally the watch mode stats given by brands are a best-case scenario, but the Pace 4 Pro actually lasted me over seven days on its first charge, even though I had the screen always-on and ran outside each day using the most power-intensive battery mode.

I also had the heart rate tracking outside workouts set to real-time, rather than taking readings every 10 minutes, which is the default setting.

For comparison, the Garmin Forerunner 970 lasts me four to five days on a charge with the same use, as does the Coros Pace 4. Some AMOLED watches do last longer, like the 51mm Garmin Fenix 9 Pro, but they’re a lot bulkier than the Pace 4 Pro, which punches above its lightweight when it comes to battery life.

Coros Pace 4 Pro review: maps and navigation

Coros recently added maps to the Pace 4 via a software update, which means that all of its current line-up have the feature, and the maps look particularly good on the Pace 4 Pro’s big display.

They aren’t routable maps, which you get on Garmin watches, but still suffice in keeping you on track when following routes or trying to find your way back to your starting point, and when following routes you also get an elevation plot and Hill Alerts, which notify you of upcoming climbs and descents.

You can create routes easily in the Coros app and sync them to the watch, and get turn-by-turn notifications.

Garmin still leads the way with its routable maps, which allow you to create routes on the fly, but the navigation tools on the Pace 4 Pro are very handy and easy to use, and the maps load rapidly when panning and zooming.

During activities, you can also share a live tracking link so others can follow your progress on a map, and you can also send SOS alerts if you get into trouble. You can also create scheduled live tracking events so a link goes live automatically at the set time.

Coros Pace 4 Pro review: smart features

Smarts is one area where Coros watches are lacking, and while I don’t think that’s necessarily a dealbreaker in a sports watch, you do get better smart features if you opt for one of the best Garmins, let alone a true smartwatch like the Apple Watch Ultra 4.

You can store music on the Pace 4 Pro, but it only supports MP3 files and can’t link up with streaming services like Spotify. It also doesn’t offer NFC payments, there’s no app store and while there are a lot of watch faces available in the Coros app, they’re not as customizable as on other sports watches.

If smart features are a must for you on a watch, then the Pace 4 Pro isn’t the best pick, and a Garmin device or a smartwatch would suit you better.

Should you buy the Coros Pace 4 Pro?

The Coros Pace 4 Pro ticks all the boxes I’m looking for as a keen runner, and the upgraded design makes it the best option in the Coros line-up, with the bonus that if you’re not that fussed about the looks, the Pace 4 is a great cheaper alternative with the same software features.

It’s the strongest competitor to the Garmin Forerunner 970, which I do rate as the best sports watch on the market, unless you want the connectivity features of the Fenix 9 Pro.

The Pace 4 Pro is cheaper than the Forerunner 970, outperforms it on battery life, matches it for accuracy based on my testing, and I prefer its design — it’s thinner and lighter and has a bigger screen.

It's also actually cheaper than the previous-gen Garmin Forerunner 965 tends to drop to in sales, which is important as often Garmin's older models are the best option for those seeking value.

There are certainly reasons to upgrade to the Forerunner 970, though, which has more smart features, better maps, more extensive training analysis including readiness, and a built-in flashlight, to name some of the biggest ones.

The Coros Pace 4 Pro nails the essentials for less, though, and does it while looking great. It’s a watch that’ll stay on my wrist to track my marathon training.

While 'stale' is one of the harshest criticisms that could be directed at baking enthusiasts, "The Great British Bake Off" itself is attempting to avoid that tag by bringing a special new ingredient to the plate for its 2026 run.

Here's how to watch "The Great British Bake Off" 2026 episodes from anywhere with a VPN, and potentially for FREE!

There's going to be a different flavor to savor in the tent this year. While the leftfield Noel Fielding, National Treasure-in-waiting Alison Hammond, and purveyor of TV's most famous handshake Paul Hollywood remain, they're joined by U.K. television's queen of comfort food, Nigella Lawson.

After Dame Prue Leith bowed out following the last series won by Jasmine Mitchell, the oft-mononymous Nigella was named as her replacement. That should bring in a whole tribe of new viewers to a show that's reached its 17th season, with fans of the presenter's luxuriant, sensual style waiting to see whether she'll reprimand the contestants for using the "mee-cro-wah-vay"...

This year's (not quite a baker's) dozen of wannabe Star Bakers include doctors, students and a drag king, but they'll be reduced to 11 after Week 1 — the cream always rises to the top, but that also means somebody has to be at the (soggy) bottom.

Named the "The Great British Baking Show" for North American audiences, read on for details on where to watch "The Great British Bake Off" 2026 online and from anywhere, including U.S. and U.K dates and where you can watch weekly episodes absolutely FREE.

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Watch 'The Great British Bake Off' 2026 free online

In the U.K. "The Great British Bake Off" goes out on the free-to-air Channel 4 and its dedicated streaming service.

You can watch episodes as they go out at 8 p.m. in the U.K. (3 p.m. ET) on Tuesdays or catch up with them on demand — all of which you can stream for FREE on Channel 4.

But what if you are a Brit abroad and want to catch up on "Bake Off" 2026? Don't worry — you can watch "GBBO" with a VPN. We'll show you how to do that below...

Watch 'The Great British Bake Off' 2026 from abroad

If you are a Brit abroad and want to watch "The Great British Bake Off" 2026, a VPN (Virtual Private Network) might be the answer to your prayers.

The software allows your devices to appear to be back in your home country regardless of where in the world you are. So ideal for viewers away on vacation or on business. Our favorite is NordVPN. It's the best on the market:

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 a U.K. service, you'd select a U.K. server from the list.

3. Sit back and watch. Head to Channel 4 to watch "The Great British Bake Off" 2026 online.

How to watch 'The Great British Baking Show' around the world

How to watch 'The Great British Baking Show' 2026 in the U.S.

Known as the "The Great British Baking Show" in America, 'Collection 14' — as Netflix will dub the 2026 season — will be available on Netflix in the U.S., with new episodes expected to land every Friday from September 25.

Previous seasons are also available to binge there. Netflix plans start from $8.99/month.

But don't panic, if you're a Brit in the States for work or on vacation and prefer the show with its proper name — you can watch "Bake Off" via your usual domestic streaming services using a VPN such as NordVPN.

Watch 'The Great British Baking Show' 2026 in Canada

"The Great British Baking Show" (as it's called in Canada, too) goes out on CBC Gem, but not for a while after it shows across the Atlantic or south of the border. The 2025 season, for example, didn't land in Canada until the following March.

In the meantime, if you are a Brit or American on holiday in Canada, you can still catch the show on Channel 4 or Netflix by using a VPN such as NordVPN.

How to watch 'The Great British Bake Off' 2026 online in Australia

With season 9 of "The Great Australian Bake Off" continuing Down Under, the latest British series will go out a little later in Australia. Last year, it didn't start airing on Foxtel or the Binge streaming service until November.

If you are a Brit Down Under, don't forget that you can use a VPN to watch the show on the Channel 4 website or app as if you were back at home.

'The Great British Bake Off' 2026 trailer

'The Great British Bake Off' 2026 air dates

'The Great British Bake Off' cast 2026

Clara, 24, Marketing graduate (Hertfordshire)
Connie, 63, NHS hospital discharge lead (London)
Danni, 25, HGV service centre administrator (Dorset)
Gabe, 32, Artist and drag king (West Midlands)
Gary, 67, Retired garment technologist (Nottinghamshire)
Molly, 31, Accessibility coordinator (London)
Moyin, 22, Political economy student (Essex)
Mo, 21, Law student (West Midlands)
Nikki, 50, Advertising post-producer (London)
Shannon, 29, Project planner and scheduler (Gloucestershire)
Tom, 25, Hairdresser (West Yorkshire)
Yannis, 28, Paediatric doctor (London)

More from Tom's Guide

• How to watch 'Big Brother USA' season 28 online
• The best streaming VPN
• How to watch UK TV abroad: BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4 and more

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.

The iPhone Duo is the most expensive phone Apple has ever made, and for good reason.

You get a compact 5.4-inch phone and tablet in one device with a huge 7.6-inch nano-texture display. And Apple promises unparalleled durability in the Duo’s design along with a new software experience that takes multitasking to the next level — and makes the most of all the positions you can put this foldable in.

But it’s only fair to call out the compromises for this foldable phone versus other flagship phones, including Apple’s own iPhone 18 Pro Max that I just reviewed.

What annoys me is that people are already lumping all of the missing features and trade-offs into a list of “dealbreakers” as if they’re all of equal value. Spoiler: they’re not.

As we get closer to the Oct. 16 iPhone Duo pre-order date, I think it’s worth sense checking these trade-offs. I’m scoring each trade-off on a scale of 1-10 to tell you what’s an annoyance versus an actual dealbreaker.

No telephoto zoom: ‘Dealbreaker’ score 8/10

There’s no getting around it. The iPhone Duo’s 2x optical quality zoom is not the same thing as having a dedicated telephoto lens. You’re getting that zoom via cropping on the 48MP main sensor. If you want to get closer to the action, you’ll max out at just 10x digital zoom.

Meanwhile, the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max both have 4x telephoto lenses with 8x optical quality zooms. And you get a 40x digital zoom. If you like to zoom in a lot when shooting pics, don’t get the Duo.

No Face ID: ‘Dealbreaker’ score 7/10

It’s understandable why the iPhone Duo doesn’t have Face ID given that there’s less space for all of the sensors that are required for it, but it’s still a bummer because it’s such an easy way to unlock your phone. And Face ID is better than any face unlock solution on any Android phone.

Instead, you get a Touch ID sensor built into the power button on the right side. At least I’m fairly confident it will work well based on how reliable Touch ID is on the MacBook, iPad and previous iPhones.

Weight: ‘Dealbreaker’ score 6/10

The iPhone Duo is certainly compact enough to slip into your front pocket, but it’s definitely heftier than the iPhone 18 Pro Max and Apple’s main foldable rival.

Weighing 8.96 ounces, the Duo is the heaviest iPhone yet and slightly heavier than the iPhone 18 Pro Max’s 8.78 ounces.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is the portability champ, weighing just 7.09 ounces. You really notice it in the hand.

But it’s worth keeping in mind that the iPhone Duo packs in some features that to many will be worth the extra weight, including IP68 durability, a vapor chamber and a digitizer layer on the display to support Apple Pencil input.

Price: ‘Dealbreaker’ score 5/10

You might have thought I would have ranked the high $2,000 price of the Duo higher on this list of dealbreakers. But it’s really more of a dealbreaker for the category as opposed to this particular phone.

After all, most foldable phones like this are in the same range. The Galaxy Fold 8 and Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold are $100 less. Still, the price certainly skyrockets as you add more storage. We’re talking $2,200 for 512GB, $2,599 for 1TB and a whopping $3,200 for 2TB. Though the competition makes out at 1TB.

Less battery life than iPhone 18 Pro Max: ‘Dealbreaker’ score 4/10

Based on Apple’s own estimates, the iPhone Duo is going to last less than the iPhone 18 Pro Max in a charge. And that makes sense because the Duo’s dual battery system has to power a larger display.

Apple claims the iPhone Duo will last 24 hours with regular use versus 30 hours for the 18 Pro Max. But that gap grows with video playback, with the Duo rated for 31 hours and the Pro Max 45 hours. You can get up to 44 hours on the Duo’s small display.

Under-display camera: ‘Dealbreaker’ score 3.5/10

Apple decided to give the iPhone Duo an under display FaceTime camera while other companies have ditched them due to quality issues. Based on what I’ve seen so far, I’d say it looks good enough for video calls but you'll want to use the front 12MP camera or even the main 48MP camera for selfies.

Lacks variable aperture and Pro Controls: ‘Dealbreaker’ score 3/10

It’s a bummer that the variable aperture main camera is limited to the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. It does give you more flexibility when shooting.

But the bigger annoyance for me is that Apple didn’t grace the Duo with Pro controls. Why not make it easier to control shutter speed, white balance and more?

Bottom line

When you add it all up the only real iPhone Duo dealbreaker for me is the lack of a telephoto zoom. And while I really wish it had Face ID, I can live with Touch ID.

But what about you? Are there any iPhone Duo dealbreakers high on your list or do you plan to buy despite any trade-offs? Let us know in the comments.

October Prime Day might still be two weeks away, but Amazon's Asics running shoe sale is already heating up! I've found a bunch of great discounts on some of Asics' most popular shoes — so if you're ready to boost your sneaker game for fall, you've come to the right place.

The most affordable of the bunch are the Asics Gel-Venture 10, which you can grab for just $53. One of the best deals you can score is on the Glideride Max that are currently sporting a 48% discount.

The deals don't end there! Keep scrolling to check out the best fall styles for miles, marathons and more.

Note: Prices can vary depending on the size and color you choose — check out any different color options in your size to find the best deals.

Quick Links

• shop all Asics deals on Amazon
• Asics Gel-Venture 10 (Women's): was $80 now $53
• Asics Gel-Contend 9 (Men's): was $75 now $54
• Asics Versablast 4 Running Shoes (Women's): was $80 now from $69
• Asics Dynablast 5 (Men's): was $99 now from $69
• Asics Glideride Max (Men's): was $170 now from $89
• Asics Sonicblast (Men's): was $180 now from $94
• Asics Noosa TRI 16 Running Shoes (Women's): was $135 now from $99
• Asics Gel-Kayano 32 (Men's): was $165 now from $124
• Asics Novablast 5 (Men's): was $160 now from $129

Asics Deals

A lot of iPhone users are still getting to grips with the recent release of iOS 27, but that doesn't mean Apple gets to take a break. It's just released iOS 27.2 beta, which comes with a bunch more changes and upgrades for beta testers to try out.

Some of you may be wondering what happened to iOS 27.1 beta, and that's a fair question. Apparently Apple has skipped over that bit of software, and it's speculated that the iPhone Duo is the reason. The foldable will apparently arrive running iOS 27.1 out of the box, complete with all the extra software needed to run a foldable phone. Whether other devices will get iOS 27.1, or if they'll jump straight to iOS 27.2, isn't clear.

In the meantime, here are all the newest features and changes coming as part of the iOS 27.2 beta release.

Revamped Health app

Back during its September iPhone launch event, Apple confirmed that it would be revamping the Health app — and iOS 27.2 beta is our first chance to see it in action. This new version of the app is laid out with three tabs: Insight, Longevity and Browse.

Insights includes general health information, such as vitals, sleep score, heart rate and your activity rings. Longevity takes that information and applies it over time, offering a Health Age score calculated from various health metrics — including VO2 max, sleep time and activity levels. Browse is the same as it always was, offering health-based resources to help you with your fitness, or general healthy-living goals.

Call context

iOS 27.2 beta will now surface relevant information during phone calls, specifically warning you about birthdays or anniversaries. The caveat being that you need to have entered that information into the Contacts app first. You also need to call those people to get the reminder, which means you actively need to be calling them for a totally different reason.

It might be worth making sure your calendar reminders are set up properly instead. But this could be the start of even more contextual information in calls, some of which may not be quite as difficult to to forget.

CarPlay Ultra

Apple's advanced version of CarPlay isn't that widespread, but if you do have a compatible car the iOS 27.2 beta will let you select new options for the wallpaper, gauge style and overall color of your interfaces. Code references also suggest that ambient light may be supported in select vehicles, matching the overall theme.

Apple TV

The Apple TV app now includes extended profiles in iOS 27.2 beta, letting users create specific profiles for different users. All they require is a name, profile rating and whether the user is a child. Child accounts are limited to PG rated content by default, but in line with Apple's new parental controls, those settings can be adjusted based on your wishes.

Sign language interpretation is also available and can be turned on in the Apple TV app settings.

Siri

Siri AI is also now available in French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese and Spanish, letting those speakers use AI without having to revert to English. Meanwhile ,the Siri app has renamed "App Access" to "Excluded Apps", and tapping it lets you exclude multiple apps from Siri features in one go — rather than one at a time.

Other iOS 27.2 beta upgrades

The Clock app now features A.M. and P.M. readouts that are slightly smaller than the actual time of your alarms. The Music app has also removed some of the red accents, with shuffle and play buttons in the library now appearing black. Podcasts has also swapped the "Up Next" feature for a "New Episodes" option, and has added a "Continue Playing" option.

Apple's release notes also include an expanded App Tracking Transparency prompt for EU users, specifically those in France, Germany, Poland, Italy and Romania. This will need to be re-accepted every year.

Hidden features for the future

Deep dives into iOS 27.2 beta's code have also revealed some details on possible future features, which Apple is working on but isn't ready to roll out just yet. The first is a new release countdown timer that may be coming to Apple Music, showing you how long you have to wait before the next big album is available to listen to.

It was also discovered that the Shortcuts app may be opened to third-party developers, letting you create your own Shortcuts for apps and services that weren't made by Apple. Plus, references to an "AutoLock" feature have been uncovered, suggesting that Apple really is working on a feature to automatically detect when an iPhone has been snatched, and lock the phone down in response.

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If, like me, you have a compact bathroom, storage space can often be a huge problem. And cramming too many items such as toiletries, towels, and my shower essentials into a tight space quickly made the area feel cluttered and untidy.

On top of that, having a tiny bathroom often means dealing with a lack of natural light, which is why mirrors are a great hack to make a small bathroom look bigger.

And just when I thought I’d have to spend a fortune on an expensive renovation, I came across this smart multi-purpose IKEA cabinet that solved my compact space dilemmas in seconds.

IKEA’s TREASJÖN Mirror cabinet is a two-door storage solution that also doubles up as a bathroom light.

Not only does this instantly hide unsightly clutter, but it’s perfect for small spaces without looking like an eyesore. Plus, its warm bathroom light gives the room a luxe, cozy ambience.

So if you want a great 2-in-1 bathroom cabinet, here’s why I’ll be picking one up right now.

Why I love the TREASJÖN Mirror cabinet

I have a weakness for multi-purpose storage solutions, but they also have to be aesthetically appealing. And for me, this mirror cabinet ticks all the boxes.

First, its compact size is ideal for mounting in small bathrooms, and the flush mirror does well to enlarge the space. I also like that it comes with two doors (cleverly disguised), making it easier to see and access your bathroom essentials.

Additionally, the three glass shelves inside offer ample storage space to hide and organize your clutter.

Another thing I love is the cabinet's versatility — it comes with an integrated LED light on the top ridge. This is ideal if you lack natural light or even a window, and need extra illumination.

Plus, it saves you the trouble of buying additional bathroom lighting, so it's a win-win.

Perhaps the eye-catching appeal is that its bathroom light makes it look much more expensive than its reasonable $200 price tag — which is a bargain.

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Peloton today announced a new trio of treadmills, the most interesting (and affordable) of the bunch being the Tread Flex, the company's first folding treadmill that costs $2,195 — which also happens to be the company's least expensive treadmill to date.

However, the company's refreshed Tread Vision and Tread+ Vision models also have some interesting new features, including gait analysis and a Sled Mode, which should appeal to Hyrox enthusiasts.

Tread Flex

While I wouldn't exactly call the Tread Flex small, the fact that it folds does cut down on the floorspace when you're not using it. Peloton says that when folded, the Flex actually takes up less space than the company's bike.

However, it's not nearly as compact as something like the Echelon Stride 6S, which folds completely flat. By comparison, the Tread Flex's deck merely angles upwards, but the arms and display remain as they are.

After releasing the lock, the Tread Flex's base lowers slooooooowly to the floor. Peloton said that it takes about 20 seconds by design, to give you plenty of time to get out of the way.

When folded, the Flex can be rolled around the room using built-in casters; you need to remember to lock them in place before using the treadmill.

Like Peloton's other treadmills, the Flex has a swiveling display, but lacks a camera, so you won't have access to some features of the pricier models.

All three models have a feature called ReRun; if you sync the treadmill with your Garmin watch, you can upload your runs to the treadmill, and then run that course again from the comfort of your home, replicating changes in incline.

In addition to Garmin, Apple Watches and Fitbit, Peloton's devices are being upgraded to support Whoop devices. With all of them, you'll now also be able to perform workouts based on your heart rate zone; on-screen guidance will adapt automatically to keep you in your preferred zone.

The two camera-equipped treadmills can use their cameras to analyze your running cadence, vertical oscillation, and stride length to generate an efficiency score, and suggest workouts and tips to improve upon it.

In addition, the two higher-priced models have a larger tray on top, with larger cupholders to fit your large Yeti and Stanley water bottles.

The top-end Tread+ Vision, which has a slat-belt deck like the older Tread+, also has a new feature called Sled Mode; this builds upon the existing Free Mode — where your movement alone moves the belt — and adds resistance. Now, you can select resistance of up to 300 pounds to replicate the Hyrox sled push.

Of course, regardless of the Peloton treadmill you get, you'll need to get a subscription, which costs $50 per month. However, the lower price of the Tread Flex may help open the company's products to folks who are intrigued by Peloton's trainers but were put off by the premium on its treadmills.

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If you’re in the mood for some thrilling movies this week, I can help. Every week, I comb through the latest arrivals on Prime Video and pick out the best thrillers recently added to the popular streaming service’s library.

We’re in the final full week of September, so now is a great time to get caught up on some of the month’s thriller highlights. These include a tense flick that sees a serial killer try to evade the police during a pop concert. Or you can enjoy “The Purge” movies from the very start. Or perhaps a crime mystery with two A-list stars will catch your eye. There’s plenty to watch.

These are the top Prime Video thriller movies you need to stream this week.

3 best new to Prime Video thriller movies this week

‘Trap’ (2024)

“Trap” is one of the most frustrating movies I’ve ever watched. That’s because the first half is so darn good, but it can’t retain its initial momentum. This latest M. Night Shyamalan movie totally falls apart in its second half thanks to a weak script, shoddy performances, and poor plotting. But still, it’s worth watching just for the excellent first 45 minutes alone and its unique perspective. In “Trap,” the killer is the lead character rather than a mystery figure.

Josh Hartnett plays Cooper Abbott, an everyday dad taking his young daughter to a concert for her idol, Lady Raven (Saleka Night). However, it’s soon revealed that Cooper is actually a wanted killer, known as “the Butcher,” and unbeknownst to him, the concert has become a police sting operation after they received a tip-off that he would be in attendance. Among the crowds, Cooper must find an escape route without his identity being revealed to his family.

Watch "Trap" on Prime Video now

‘The Purge’ (2013)

Prime Video added the first three “The Purge” movies this month, and if you want to get caught up on this horror-thriller series, naturally, you’ll want to start at the beginning. “The Purge” has always been a series with a strong core idea, but flawed execution (even the “best” “Purge” movie, 2014’s “The Purge: Anarchy,” has clear problems), but the novelty of its setup goes some way to keeping you invested even when the narrative cliches arise.

Set in a dystopian America where a new political party has risen to power and instituted an annual “Purge,” a 12-hour period where all crime, including murder, is legal, “The Purge” sees a wealth security system salesman (Ethan Hawke) and his family bunkered down in their home on the eve of the next Purge. However, when masked men arrive at the door, the family is forced to fight for their lives as purgers invade their tightly locked-down home.

Watch "The Purge" on Prime Video now

‘The Bone Collector’ (1999)

“The Bone Collector” was a clear attempt to capitalize on the success of gritty crime thrillers like “Seven” and “The Silence of the Lambs” early in the decade. Based on Jeffery Deaver’s novel of the same name, the movie failed to reach the heights of its two most obvious inspirations. However, this psychological mystery is compelling enough that you’ll want to reach its conclusion, and that it stars Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie helps.

In New York City, a ruthless serial killer is on the loose. Their chilling calling card is leaving a small shard of bone taken at the scene of the crime. Newly recruited police officer Amelia Donaghy (Jolie) investigates with the help of a brilliant forensic expert, Lincoln Rhyme (Washington), who is bed-bound after an accident leaves him quadriplegic. With Donaghy acting on the ground, Rhyme attempts to solve the twisting case before it’s too late.

Watch "The Bone Collector" on Prime Video now

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The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI, on paper, sounds like one of the best budget laptops for gaming and work. Boasting a 240Hz refresh rate and packing up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50-series graphics cards (depending on configuration), the Neo 16 AI delivers buttery smooth gaming performance. It’s great for work, too, thanks to strong performance across the board… almost.

While color rendition and raw gaming performance are the Neo 16 AI’s strong suits, its glaring flaws can’t be ignored. The laptop tends to get very hot, and the battery life isn’t anything to write home about. The machine itself is bulky to travel with, and don’t get me started on the amount of bloatware that comes pre-installed (and negatively affects SSD speeds).

For the complete breakdown, read my full Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI review.

Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI review: Specs

Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI review: Cheat sheet

• What is it? A 16-inch gaming laptop with a 180Hz or 240Hz refresh rate
• Who is it for? Gamers on a budget
• How much does it cost? The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI starts at $1,699 / £1,399
• What do we like? The bright screen, excellent color rendition, gaming and strong everyday performance
• What don’t we like? Where do I start… The ineffective cooling system, slow SSD, bloatware, short battery life, and bulky design

Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI review: The ups

The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI features a beautiful, bright display with accurate color rendition, and a 240Hz refresh rate that delivers strong gaming performance.

Beautiful, bright display

One of the most impressive things about the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI is its beautiful, bright display. The starting (cheapest) model comes fitted with a 16-inch WQXGA non-touchscreen. Unlike the MSI Katana 15 HX B14W ($1,284) which features a 2560 x 1440 16:9 QHD panel, the Neo 16 AI has a resolution of 2560 x 1600, and you get 160 extra vertical pixels to create a taller 16:10 aspect ratio. You can also splurge on the topline configuration which features an OLED panel. Mine didn’t have an OLED screen, but even so, it felt lovely to look at.

In my lab testing, the Neo 16 AI achieved a peak brightness of 520.8 nits, which is phenomenal and much brighter than the competition. The MSI Katana 15 HX B14W has a measly brightness of 262.2, while the HyperX Omen 15 ($1,099) falls just short with its 460.2 nits. The MacBook Neo ($699) and the MacBook Air M5 ($1,099) perform well, with 480 and 454 nits respectively, but they’re more productivity-focused laptops.

Having such a bright screen meant that I was able to properly view what was on it regardless of the lighting conditions. Even under bright office lights, and with sunlight coming through the windows right behind me, I didn’t struggle to see the panel.

Excellent color rendition

The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI’s 16-inch screen comes with either 180Hz or 240Hz refresh rates, and both deliver smooth motion while watching. But what good is that if the color rendition doesn’t match up? Thankfully, the Neo 16 AI’s color coverage and accuracy are awesome, and its screen displays vivid, detailed shades and textures.

My lab tests showed that the Neo 16 AI covers 155.2% of the sRGB color space and 109.9% of the wider DCI P3 gamut. This is wider coverage than the MSI Katana 15 HX B14W, the MacBook Air M5 and the Alienware 16X Aurora ($2,499). The HyperX Omen 15 performs better, but a score about 100% across both color spaces is what we’re always looking for, and the Neo 16 AI doesn’t let you down in that regard.

One of our concerns when coverage is over 150% is that colors can often look oversaturated and artificial. I didn’t think that was the case with the Neo 16 AI’s color rendition. Bright shades didn’t have a neon tinge to them. Neon signs in games like Forza Horizon 5 didn’t appear blown out, and there was plenty of detail to be found in the darker areas. And because the Neo 16 AI covers over 100% of the DCI P3 gamut, the laptop’s great for photo and video editing, too.

Colors appear accurate, too, as the Neo 16 AI achieved a Delta-E score of 0.09 in my lab tests. Delta-E is a numerical representation of how much two colors differ. The closer the score to zero, the better. As you can see from the table above, the Neo 16 AI upstages pricier laptops, like the Alienware 16X Aurora and the Alienware 16 Area-51 ($2,529). Seeing the 0.09 Delta-E score reassured me that the colors I was seeing on the Neo 16 AI were extremely accurate, and this helped me confidently color-grade photos for my photography account on Instagram.

240Hz delivers solid gaming performance

Even though it’s a budget laptop, the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI goes toe to toe with mid-range beasts, like the Alienware 16X Aurora. Thanks to its 240Hz refresh rate, the latest graphics card (up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080), up to 24 cores, and DLSS 4, gaming performance is formidable. Visuals are beautiful and colorful, while motion is smooth with no input lag or unresponsiveness.

To gauge the Neo 16 AI’s performance, I played Counter-Strike 2, Forza Horizon 5 and F1 25 — all at the highest graphics possible and at the laptop’s native resolution of 1600P. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and after I’d spent some hours playing them, I ran in-game benchmarks. As expected, Counter-Strike 2 ran at a silky smooth 228fps. It isn’t a very demanding game which is why I said “as expected.”

The Neo 16 AI handled Forza Horizon 5 in Extreme graphics mode well, too, running at a maximum of 112fps. F1 25, on the other hand, peaked at 60fps in Ultra High graphics mode, which isn’t bad at all. The game features lifelike graphics and the Neo 16 AI managed to keep up. The Alienware 16X Aurora performs better here, though, reaching 109fps in F1 25 — but it’s also pricier than the Neo 16 AI. Swings and roundabouts. You can always drop the resolution down to 1080P for better framerates, of course.

Strong everyday performance, too

Not only is the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI an excellent gaming laptop, it boasts strong performance for everyday tasks, too, like web surfing, photo editing, and other productivity-related tasks. Of course, all of this will depend on your chosen configuration. For context, my review unit came with an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor, 32GB RAM, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti graphics card, and 1TB of storage.

It didn’t give me much to complain about when gaming and navigating work-related apps… except for the overheating (which I’ll discuss in the ‘Downs’ section below).

I benchmarked the Neo 16 AI, and you can see the results in the table above, as well as comparisons to its closest rivals. On Geekbench 7, which measures overall CPU performance, the Neo 16 AI pulled an impressive multi-core score of 23,100, outclassing all of its competitors, including the pricier Alienware 16X Aurora.

Using Handbrake, I transcoded a 4K video to 1080P, and the Neo 16 AI took just two minutes and 26 seconds to do so. That’s speedy, especially when compared to the likes of the MacBook Air M5 and the HyperX Omen 15, which did the same in 04:34 and 03:44 respectively.

Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI review: The downs

Alas, the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI is far from perfect, with glaring issues when it comes to its battery life, SSD speeds (hampered by bloatware), cooling system, and its hefty weight.

Short battery life

As I’ve noted in previous gaming laptop reviews, it isn’t rare for these notebooks to have poor battery life. Chances are you’ll be using the laptop plugged in while gaming anyway. But it’s still worth noting that the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI doesn’t boast the longest battery life, even when doing simple tasks like browsing the internet.

I conducted our in-house battery test to see how the Neo 16 AI fared. This test continuously surfs the web and streams videos, with the laptop’s brightness calibrated to 150 nits. In my testing, the Neo 16 AI lasted four hours and 11 minutes before dying. That’s pretty short, and it gets worse when you’re gaming on battery — just over 45 minutes.

Though not the worst (the Alienware 16X Aurora takes the cake there), it’s not great news. The HyperX Omen 15 lasted eight and a half hours in our in-house battery test, while the MSI Katana 15 HX B14W had a runtime of just over five hours. Of course, both laptops’ batteries took major hits when gaming only.

Gets very hot, and those fans are jarring

I’m no stranger to my gadgets sounding like they’re going to take off. I’ve had that issue with my PlayStation 4 before I traded it in for my PS5 Slim, and I’ve also seen it with laptops I’ve tested, like the Alienware 16X Aurora. The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI is the latest to join those ranks, as its fans kick up a storm to try and stop the laptop from overheating.

The Neo 16 AI is equipped with Acer’s 5th Gen AeroBlade 3D Fan Technology and vector heat pipes which, according to the brand, “keep performance steady under pressure, combining advanced airflow design with intelligent thermal regulation.” Alongside sounding really loud and jarring (I recommend investing in a pair of the best active noise canceling headphones too), I don’t think the heat management is all that great. I found the keyboard and the area surrounding the laptop’s vents quite hot to touch, and it made for an uncomfortable experience.

Bulky for travel

The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI isn’t a compact laptop. As it packs a 16-inch screen, it measures 14.05 x 10.85 x 1.05 inches and weighs 5.95lbs. That’s quite a bit! It feels heavy to lug around in a day bag.

If you decide to get the 18-inch Neo 18 AI instead, you’re looking at a hefty weight of 7.3lbs. You could probably skip working out your back and shoulders at the gym — all you have to do is carry around this bad boy for 15 minutes.

So. Much. Bloatware.

The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI isn’t without its faults, and the pre-installed bloatware that accompanies the laptop (and eats into your SSD) is another pain point. There are so many Acer apps on the Neo 16 AI, like ProShield and LiveArt, and I doubt they’ll be useful for everyone.

Annoyingly, when I first booted up the laptop to start testing it, I was inundated with pop-ups and notifications from McAfee, because Acer thought it would be helpful to have a free version of the antivirus software installed. ExpressVPN didn’t hesitate to ask me to activate my VPN subscription either.

I took 30 minutes out of my day to delete all unnecessary apps, and I recommend you do the same if you buy the Neo 16 AI. It sucks, though, because no one should have to do that. And all that bloatware has a detrimental impact on the laptop’s performance, which brings me to my next point…

Not the fastest SSD

Straight out of the box, the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI doesn’t pack the fastest SSD — and that’s the price you pay for not taking the time to uninstall the aforementioned bloatware. As we do with other laptops we test on site, I ran the SSD BlackMagic Disk Speed test to measure the Neo 16 AI’s read and write speeds… and the results weren’t great at first.

Straight out of the box, the Neo 16 AI performed very poorly, with 1,092 write and 934 read speeds (measured in MBps). Needless to say, I was shocked, and I ran the test multiple times to ensure the speeds were correct. Every time, the speeds would be in the ballpark. I then uninstalled all the bloatware and ran the test again. This time around, the Neo 16 AI showed 3,128 write and 3,786 read speeds — that’s more like it!

But do you see the negative impact all that bloatware and spam software has on the Neo 16 AI’s performance? In comparison, the MSI Katana 15 HX B14W and the Alienware 16X Aurora boast better write and read speeds straight out of the box, as you can see in the table above. Even though the Neo 16 AI is a budget gaming laptop, the initial result is still disappointing.

Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI review: Verdict

The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI is an ambitious laptop, and I so badly wish it didn’t have so many things wrong with it. Its 240Hz refresh rate, excellent and accurate color rendition, and bright display are its saving grace. Performance is fairly strong across the board, too, making it a decent choice for work and gaming alike.

But as I’ve said a few times already, the Neo 16 AI’s flaws are difficult to overlook, and they cast a tall shadow over the things the laptop does right. Straight out of the box, the Neo 16 AI is full of pre-installed bloatware which has a massive impact on SSD performance. Battery life is short, too, and the laptop tends to get quite hot when playing intensive games. Oh, and the laptop itself is bulky for travel.

If you’re looking for a budget gaming laptop, you’re spoiled for choice, really, and it’s worth considering a notebook from Alienware, MSI or HyperX. Ultimately, the Neo 16 AI is a good laptop that’s, sadly, bested by others in its weight class.

EarFun makes some of our favorite cheap wireless earbuds, and a couple years ago, the Chinese brand ventured into the over-ear headphones space. While its previous flagship cans weren’t the greatest, EarFun has made improvements to the Wave Pro X and the results are good… mostly.

The Wave Pro X boasts excellent ANC, both indoors and outdoors, and they’re supremely comfortable for all-day wear. Vocal clarity is fantastic, and the headphones pack up to 90 hours of battery life. Their user-friendly app enables extensive customization, too. Unfortunately, the bass is muddy and the harsh treble can wear on you.

Despite their imperfections, could these still be the best cheap headphones for you? Read my full EarFun Wave Pro X review to find out.

EarFun Wave Pro X review: Specs

EarFun Wave Pro X review: Price & availability

The EarFun Wave Pro X are the brand’s latest flagship over-ear headphones, and they succeed the two-year-old EarFun Wave Pro.

They’re currently EarFun’s most expensive cans, carrying a retail price of $129 / £119 at Amazon. The Wave Pro X are $50 / £50 more than their predecessors, the Wave Pro, as they pack advanced Qualcomm silicon, dual drivers, and Bluetooth 6.0.

The budget and mid-range headphones market is extremely competitive and crowded with some fantastic cans, like the Soundcore Space 2 ($129) and the JBL Live 670NC ($129). The JLab JBuds Lux ANC ($79) and the CMF by Nothing Headphone Pro ($99) are also exceptional headphones, and they cost even less than the Wave Pro X.

EarFun Wave Pro X review: Design

Aesthetically, the EarFun Wave Pro X are designed and built better than the Wave Pro. Instead of relying heavily on standard plastic construction, the Wave Pro X feature upgraded metal yokes and anodized aluminum elements. Not only do these make the headphones look more premium and sleek, they add to their durability, too. Color choice is limited to just one option — black — but I think the Wave Pro X look great.

Weighing 9.13oz, the Wave Pro X feel substantial to hold, but they aren’t too heavy that you feel uncomfortable after a few hours of wear. They’re a hair lighter than the Soundcore Space 2 (9.3oz), and heavier than the JBL Live 670NC (7.7oz) but the difference isn’t that noticeable.

Just like their predecessor, the Wave Pro X come with a hardshell carry case to protect them from scratches when they’re in your backpack. The headphones are foldable, too, for easy transport.

Weatherproofing

Similar to the Wave Pro, EarFun doesn’t say that the Wave Pro X are waterproof, and as such, they don’t have an official IP rating.

It’s normal for over-ear headphones to not have IP ratings, though: The Soundcore Space 2 and the JBL Live 670NC aren’t waterproof either.

If you want headphones for working out, I recommend checking out the best running headphones.

Comfort

One of the things I loved most about the original Wave Pro were the cans’ soft ear cushions — and they’re back on the Wave Pro X. Made of soft breathable protein leather and memory foam, the cushions make your ears feel like they’re resting on clouds.

As soon as I put the Wave Pro X on for the first time, I was impressed with how comfortable they felt — and even after wearing them for six straight hours, that didn’t change. My ears didn’t feel sweaty or too hot, either. I’d say the Wave Pro X are as comfortable (if not more) as the pricier Beyerdynamic Aventho Y ($149).

The Wave Pro X’s headband uses the same material for added cushioning, and it helps relieve the pressure you’d otherwise feel on the top of your head.

Controls

The Wave Pro X feature tactile physical buttons located on the right earcup, instead of touch controls that we found finicky on the OG Wave Pro. Controls on the Wave Pro X are easy to understand, and they give good tactile feedback when pressed. You can use these to adjust the volume, enable/disable ANC, and turn the headphones on and off.

The EarFun Audio app lets you customize these, too (more on that shortly).

Connectivity

The Wave Pro X utilize Bluetooth 6.0 (the latest version at the time of writing) with support for SBC, aptX, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, LC3 and LDAC codecs. It’s nice to see the inclusion of more advanced codecs, like aptX and LDAC, as they enable streaming CD-like quality and higher sampling rates over Bluetooth. That’s something that’s missing from more expensive models, like the Beyerdynamic Aventho Y, which earns the Wave Pro X brownie points.

Like most other headphones, the Wave Pro X feature multipoint connectivity so you can pair them with up to two devices simultaneously. This allowed me to seamless switch between my MacBook Air M2 and Google Pixel 10 Pro XL. There’s Google Fast Pair, too, and my Pixel immediately picked up the Wave Pro X when I put the cans into pairing mode.

The Wave Pro X are Hi-Res Audio and Hi-Res Wireless certified, which confirms that they can stream high-resolution sound over both wired and wireless connections. Speaking of, you’ll find a USB-C port on the left earcup and a 3.5mm port on the right, and these can be used for wired playback. Hybrid active noise cancelation (ANC) remains active during wireless and wired playback.

EarFun Wave Pro X review: Sound quality

On paper, the EarFun Wave Pro X feature an excellent acoustic architecture. Their predecessor packed a single driver but the Wave Pro X themselves utilize a dual-driver setup. Under the hood, you’ll find a 40mm DLC composite driver as well as a 10mm LCP driver. Together, they deliver “powerful bass, extended highs and rich musical detail,” according to EarFun.

Unfortunately, that's in theory only. It’s a different story when it comes to real-world use. But I’ll kick off with the good news first.

To test the headphones, I listened to an array of songs and genres on Qobuz, the best music streaming service for audiophiles.

Without any EQ adjustments and LDAC enabled, Hayley Williams’ vocals in ‘Parachute’ sounded rich, clear and textured. Her lower/mid vocal tone came through naturally and with good body, while the quieter parts felt more intimate. When she pushed her voice in the second verse, her voice didn’t dissolve into the rest of the soundstage, and they landed with the emotional roughness she intended.

But the headphones struggle with nearly every other aspect of the soundstage, which is disappointing. If I had a nickel for every time I tested a pair of headphones that boasted strong vocal clarity but muddy bass, I’d have two nickels, which isn’t a lot, but it’s weird that it happened twice. First the Beyerdynamic Aventho Y, and now the Wave Pro X.

Straight out of the box, the bass in ‘Knights of Cydonia’ by Muse sounded muddy and muffled. While the bass was full-bodied, it sounded boomy rather than meaty. Sub-bass is the Wave Pro X’s biggest weakness as the lowest notes in the track didn’t rumble through my head as they do through the Soundcore Space 2, for instance. The rumbling bassline in the chorus wasn’t given enough room to shine, and instead of feeling like the song’s backbone, it felt like a pulsating mess.

Treble isn’t anything to write home about either. ‘Open Arms’ by Little Simz ft. DEELA showed the Wave Pro X’s limitations. The Afro-tech infused track features fast-moving percussion layers, and the sharp snares and claps were fatiguing. The various instruments and atmospheric beats didn’t sound very clean. This is a track I adore, and even I didn’t feel like listening to it through the Wave Pro X.

You can salvage some of that sound quality via preset EQs or customizing your own using the EarFun Audio app. (I was able to use the Treble Boost 3 preset to make the treble in ‘Open Arms’ sound less fatiguing, so the Wave Pro X wins a point over the Beyerdynamic Aventho Y there.) But I believe that a pair of headphones — or earbuds — should sound great straight out of the box, and you shouldn’t have to make EQ adjustments.

Listen along to my review with the EarFun Wave Pro X testing playlist:

EarFun Wave Pro X review: App

To customize the EarFun Wave Pro X, you’ll need to download the EarFun Audio app, available for free on iOS and Android. It’s easy to use and everything is well-signposted.

You can use it to customize the 10-band equalizer — and as I noted in the previous section, you’ll need it to salvage the sound quality. There are a few EQ presets to choose from, too, like Bass Boost and Vocal Enhancer.

You can also customize the headphones’ controls within the app.

EarFun Wave Pro X review: ANC

My favorite thing about the EarFun Wave Pro X is the highly effective ANC. EarFun says that the headphones utilize an eight-microphone array that works in conjunction with real-time AI processing to deliver continuous, adaptive ANC. They apparently scan your surroundings “800 times per second” — I can’t measure that, of course, but I can confirm that the ANC works very well.

Indoors, I couldn’t hear the loud clicking of mechanical keyboards in the office. I couldn’t hear my coworkers either, and they had to wave to get my attention. When I was traveling on a bus and train, the Wave Pro X managed to drown out the sound of people chattering and the vehicles rattling, and I almost missed my bus stop because I couldn’t hear the announcement. (That's a good thing in this case.)

EarFun Wave Pro X review: Call quality

The call quality on the EarFun Wave Pro X is decent. When I spoke with my partner on the phone, indoors, she said I sounded fairly clear, and that my words didn’t bleed into one another.

Outdoors, she said the wind didn’t have a detrimental effect on the sound of my voice. She did note that there were a few instances where I sounded distant and slightly echoey — but nowhere near as bad as I've sounded while using other headphones.

EarFun Wave Pro X review: Battery life

Battery life is the EarFun Wave Pro X’s strong suit, as these headphones are rated for 90 hours with ANC off and 50 hours with ANC on. That’s almost the same as the pricier Beyerdynamic Aventho Y (90 hours with ANC off, 60 hours with ANC on), and just a touch shorter than my trusty Marshall Monitor III (100 hours with ANC off, 70 hours with ANC on).

I wasn’t able to drain the Wave Pro X’s entire battery during my testing period, but after about 20 hours of listening with ANC enabled, I was left with 55% battery. If you extrapolate that, you should get just about 50 hours of playtime. If you’re in a hurry, you can plug the Wave Pro X in for 15 minutes to get 10 hours of battery life.

EarFun Wave Pro X review: Verdict

There are a few things I love about the EarFun Wave Pro X. For a pair of budget cans, they’re some of the most comfortable headphones I’ve tried. The ANC is ridiculously good for the price you pay, and the 90-hour battery life is most welcome. Vocal clarity is great, too, making the headphones decent for acoustic tracks.

But I’m not convinced by the rest of the sound spectrum. The Wave Pro X deliver bass that sounds muddy and muffled, and treble that’s harsh. While these can be somewhat fixed through EQ adjustments, I really wish the headphones sounded fantastic straight out of the box.

Given that EarFun has made improvements since the OG Wave Pro, perhaps the next flagship pair will be a homerun. Third time's the charm?

Netflix’s top 10 shows list is looking particularly tempting this week, with several new releases making their way up the rankings. If you’re staring at the list wondering what’s actually worth adding to your watchlist, I’ve picked out three shows that deserve your attention. Whether you’re after something new to binge or simply want to know which titles are worth prioritizing, these are the shows that caught my eye this week.

That includes a sports drama following a teenage girl who takes on the challenge of competing alongside an elite boys’ rowing team, a thriller about a new mother whose seemingly perfect family life starts to unravel after hiring a mysterious nanny, and the latest season of the “Monster” anthology, this time revisiting the infamous Lizzie Borden case. So, here are the three Netflix shows worth streaming this week.

Note: This list is based on the Netflix U.S. top 10 shows as of Tuesday, September 22, 2026.

Best shows in the Netflix top 10

‘Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story’

“Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story” is the eight-episode fourth installment of Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan’s true-crime anthology franchise on Netflix. Following previous entries centered on Jeffrey Dahmer, the Menendez brothers and Ed Gein, this season marks the franchise’s first focus on an alleged female perpetrator, exploring one of late-19th-century America’s most infamous murder trials. Leading the series this time is Ella Beatty, who portrays the complex and repressed 32-year-old at the center of the media circus.

Set in 1890s Massachusetts, the new season follows Lizzie Borden (Beatty), a young woman living with her wealthy but troubled family. Her difficult relationship with her stepmother Abby (Rebecca Hall) and father Andrew (Charlie Hunnam) becomes increasingly strained, while the arrival of their new maid, Bridget “Maggie” Sullivan (Vicky Krieps), gives Lizzie an unexpected confidante. Soon, Lizzie and Maggie become increasingly close and begin plotting against those who have mistreated them.

Stream "Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story" on Netflix

‘Crew Girl’

If you want something a little lighter to watch this week, “Crew Girl” should be on your watchlist. This Canadian coming-of-age sports drama leans into classic YA romance territory, complete with a central love triangle and plenty of yearning, which feels very much like the kind of romance we’re seeing everywhere right now. The story plays with two very different romantic dynamics: one is a slow-burn connection built on mutual respect, while the other is much more chaotic and intense. The series is basically perfect for fans of Prime Video’s “Off Campus” and Netflix’s “Finding Her Edge.”

After a family scandal upends her life, 16-year-old rower Teagan Tao (Miku Martineau) moves across the country and starts over at the prestigious Easton Prep. Determined to get back on the water, she discovers the school has no girls’ rowing team, leaving her with one option: joining the struggling boys’ varsity crew as their coxswain. Teagan quickly finds herself trying to earn the team’s trust while dealing with the pressures of her new school. Away from the boat, she also grows closer to two very different teammates, Josh Regis (Samuel Braun) and Cam Dillinger (Kyle Clark).

Stream "Crew Girl" on Netflix

‘Not a Stranger’

Thriller fans will be pleased to see “Not a Stranger” climbing Netflix’s top 10. This Turkish series has a compelling mystery at its core, following a new mother whose life starts to unravel after she hires a nanny to help around the house. Created and written by Tuğba Doğan, the series takes its time building the story and gradually reveals more about its characters and their relationships. I’m always happy to see more non-English-language shows getting the attention they deserve on Netflix, and this one looks like a particularly intriguing addition to the top 10.

After giving birth to her daughter, painter Funda (Elçin Sangu) is eager to return to her career but struggles to balance work, motherhood and her marriage. Her situation changes when she meets Nazlı (Melis Sezen), a seemingly ideal nanny who quickly becomes an important part of the family’s life. However, Funda soon discovers that Nazlı has a connection to her husband, İlker (Ozan Dolunay), from years earlier. As Nazlı settles into their home, Funda begins to question why she has appeared in their lives and what her husband may be hiding.

Stream "Not a Stranger" on Netflix

Netflix top 10 shows right now

1. "Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story" (2026)
2. "Jo Koy: Blue in the Face" (2026)
3. "Crew Girl" (2026)
4. "Not a Stranger" (2026)
5. "I Survived A Serial Killer" (2021)
6. "The Perfect Lie" (2026)
7. "Death of the Pastor’s Wife" (2026)
8. "The Gentlemen" (2024)
9. "Mark Rober's CrunchLabs" (2025)
10. "The Doll" (2026)

More from Tom's Guide

• Everything new on Netflix in September 2026
• 3 true-crime dramas to stream after 'The Lizzie Borden Story'
• 5 best new Netflix movies and shows to stream this week

Most movies don't need sequels, but two I was genuinely excited to see get confirmed release dates were "Heart Eyes 2" from Dropout's resident seagull impersonator Josh Ruben and "Crawl 2," a follow-up to one of the best survival thrillers I've seen in decades. Now that it's streaming free on Kanopy, I'm shouting from the rooftops about why "Crawl" deserves a spot on your watchlist.

The premise is simple but terrifying: During a Category 5 hurricane, a pro swimmer goes back to her childhood home in Florida and finds her father injured, trapped, and surrounded by gators as the floodwaters rise. Like "The Bay" before it, this movie's setting is what really had me hooked. I grew up in Hurricane Alley, and I've seen first-hand how devastating a Category 5 storm can be. Throw a few apex predators into the mix, and I know I'd be gator giblets.

Kaya Scodelario, who you may know for her razor-sharp turn as Susie Glass in Guy Ritchie’s "The Gentlemen" on Netflix, brings a stoic determination to the lead role, and her strained relationship with her dad (Barry Pepper) adds some interesting wrinkles. Their one-on-ones are so heartfelt it almost makes you forget about the monsters lurking below.

With a highly anticipated sequel slated for next year, now is the perfect time to catch the original — especially with it streaming free on Kanopy. All you need is a library card or university log-in to access over 30,000 movies and shows for free. Still not convinced? Here is why this claustrophobic thriller deserves a spot at the top of your watchlist tonight.

What is 'Crawl' about?

When a Category 5 hurricane hits her hometown and calls to her estranged dad go unanswered, Haley (Scodelario) heads back to his condo to check on him, but the only one there is their dog Sugar. Against the advice of state troopers, she sets out deeper into the storm to search for him at her childhood home, where she finds him mauled but alive in the crawl space under the house.

Alligators skulk the rising floodwaters, turning the confined space into a deadly trap where Haley will need to rely on her swimming skills to have any hope of getting them out alive. The alligators are a constant threat, hidden beneath the surface, but the real tension comes from never knowing when they'll strike. And even if they managed to escape the crawlspace, the flooded streets outside are just as dangerous. She risks everything to save her family, even with threats closing in on all sides.

Stream 'Crawl' for free on Kanopy

Just because a movie is good enough to get a sequel isn't a sure sign of quality, but "Crawl" boasts an impressive 84% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes. Decider's John Serba called it "ridiculous but effective," "just tense and plausible enough to invoke the demon of claustrophobia and our primordial fear of being munched and digested to death." "Strap in for Jaws-meets-Twister-meets-Snakes on a Plane," wrote Roe McDermott of Hot Press, which I think captures its schlocky horror vibes perfectly.

It's not a perfect movie by any means. The CGI alligators look a little rough on close-up shots, but the producers were smart to set it in a dark crawlspace, where it's easier to sell the illusion. I was seriously impressed by the mix of practical and special effects in some of the wider shots of the outside of the home, where the rain and wind beating down look uncannily realistic and add a frenetic sense of terror to the film's third act.

It also helps that the father-daughter story at the center of "Crawl" is genuinely moving, hitting all the big emotional beats even when an alligator looking for a bite occasionally interrupts their heart-to-hearts. "Crawl" will keep you on the edge of your seat from the moment the action kicks off, and I can't wait for the sequel — which will bring gator-infested waters to a storm-ravaged New York City.

Watch "Crawl" on Kanopy now

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• You don’t have to spend a dime to stream this Oscar Best Picture winner: 3 iconic movies free on Kanopy right now
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• 3 free movies on Prime Video you probably haven't seen and can stream without a subscription

One of the most prominent fears connected to the rapid evolution of AI is workers recognizing it as the biggest threat to job security.

All one has to do for proof of that growing sentiment is look at the data posted by Gallup’s 2026 “More U.S. Workers Fear Losing Their Jobs to Technology” report. 27% of the workers that were polled feel scared that technology could make their jobs obsolete, the rate of concern among college graduates has seen an upswing since 2021 and tech displacement has now emerged as the top job worry among workers under 45.

Tech futurist Armando Pantoja (aka “The Tall Guy Tycoon”) has a different perspective on the issue of AI’s evolution resulting in more job losses. His main argument notes that the biggest concern about AI job automation isn’t actually unemployment—it’s actually “structural unimportance.” Alongside that belief, Pantoja also points out that workers fear losing their job status and identity because technology is evolving at a faster rate than our schools, laws and institutions can adapt to.

On the heels of his book, The Future of Wealth: The Next 50 Years of Money, Power, and Intelligence, launching soon, Armando answered a few of my questions regarding how workers can make themselves more valuable in a society field with AI also came up with a 30-day plan for workers who want to ready themselves for an AI-dominated workplace.