Kiro looks to help solve typically issues seen in "vibe coding"
Kiro is in preview now, with three tiers set to be available
Amazon Web Services (AWS) has unveiled Kiro, an IDE which uses AI agents to streamline the development process.
Available now in preview, Kiro looks to cut down on potential issues with "vibe coding", the process where agents are being asked to create and build software with minimal human interaction.
As well as helping with coding, Kiro can also automatically create and update project plans and technical blueprints, solving one of the most troublesome issues for developers who are still getting to grips with the potential AI brings.
AWS Kiro
Announcing the launch, AWS said Kiro is looking to help transition from “vibe coding to viable code.”
It works by breaking down prompts into structured components, which can then be used to guide implementation and testing, as well as tracking any changes as the code evolves, ensuring no inconsistencies break through.
There's also Model Context Protocol (MCP) support for connecting specialized tools, steering rules to guide AI behavior across your project, and agentic chat for ad-hoc coding tasks.
Finally, it can also automatically check through code to make sure nothing is amiss, making sure developers can submit or launch code without fear of any problems.
Kiro looks, “to solve the fundamental challenges that make building software products so difficult — from ensuring design alignment across teams and resolving conflicting requirements, to eliminating tech debt, bringing rigor to code reviews, and preserving institutional knowledge when senior engineers leave," Nikhil Swaminathan, Kiro’s product lead, and Deepak Singh, Amazon’s vice president of developer experience and agents, said.
"Kiro is great at ‘vibe coding’ but goes way beyond that—Kiro’s strength is getting those prototypes into production systems with features such as specs and hooks."
For now, Kiro is free to use during the preview period, but it seems AWS is looking at introducing three pricing tiers: a free version with 50 agent interactions per month; a Pro tier at $19 per user per month with 1,000 interactions; and a Pro+ tier at $39 per user per month with 3,000 interactions.
"Kiro is really good at "vibe coding" but goes well beyond that," Amazon CEO Andy Jassy wrote in a post on X.
"While other AI coding assistants might help you prototype quickly, Kiro helps you take those prototypes all the way to production by following a mature, structured development process out of the box. This means developers can spend less time on boilerplate code and more time where it matters most – innovating and building solutions that customers will love.
Hackers only need cheap hardware and basic skills to stop a moving freight train remotely
The American Association of Railways dismissed the threat until federal pressure forced a response
The system still isn’t fixed, and full updates won’t arrive until at least 2027
A critical flaw in the wireless systems used across US rail networks has remained unresolved for more than a decade, exposing trains to remote interference.
The vulnerability affects End-of-Train (EoT) devices, which relay data from the last carriage to the front of the train, forming a link with the Head-of-Train (HoT) module.
Although the issue was flagged in 2012, it was largely dismissed until federal intervention forced a response.
Ignored warnings and delayed responses
Hardware security researcher Neils first identified the flaw in 2012, when software-defined radios (SDRs) began to proliferate.
The discovery revealed that these radios could easily mimic signals sent between the HoT and EoT units.
Since the system relies on a basic BCH checksum and lacks encryption, any device transmitting on the same frequency could inject false packets.
In a concerning twist, the HoT is capable of sending brake commands to the EoT, which means an attacker could stop a train remotely.
“This vulnerability is still not patched,” Neils stated on social media, revealing it took over a decade and a public advisory from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) before meaningful action was taken.
The issue, now catalogued as CVE-2025-1727, allows for the disruption of U.S. trains with hardware costing under $500.
Neils's findings were met with skepticism by the American Association of Railways (AAR), which dismissed the vulnerability as merely “theoretical” back in 2012.
Attempts to demonstrate the flaw were thwarted due to the Federal Railway Authority's lack of a dedicated test track and the AAR denying access to operational sites.
Even after the Boston Review published the findings, the AAR publicly refuted them via a piece in Fortune.
By 2024, the AAR’s Director of Information Security continued to downplay the threat, arguing that the devices in question were approaching end-of-life and didn’t warrant urgent replacement.
It wasn’t until CISA issued a formal advisory that the AAR began outlining a fix. In April 2025, an update was announced, but full deployment is not expected until 2027.
The vulnerability stems from technology developed in the 1980s, when frequency restrictions reduced the risk of interference, but today’s widespread access to SDRs has altered the risk landscape dramatically.
“Turns out you can just hack any train in the USA and take control over the brakes,” Neils said, encapsulating the broader concern.
The ongoing delay and denial mean US trains are probably sitting on a keg of gunpowder that could lead to serious risks at any time.
Only 2% of enterprises are highly ready for AI, report claims
Fewer than one-third have deployed AI firewalls to date
Another one in three could do with diversifying their AI models
Although more and more applications are getting AI overhauls, new F5 research had claimed only 2% of enterprises are highly ready for AI.
More than one in five (21%) fall into the low-readiness category, and while three-quarters (77%) are considered moderately ready, they continue to face security and governance hurdles.
This comes as one in four applications use AI, with many organizations splitting their AI usage across multiple models including paid models like GPT-4 and open-source models like Llama, Mistral and Gemma.
Enterprises aren't benefitting from the AI they have access to
Although 71% of the State of AI Application Strategy Report respondents said they use AI to enhance security, F5 highlighted ongoing challenges with security and governance. Fewer than one in three (31%) have deployed AI firewalls, and only 24% perform continuous data labelling, potentially increasing risks.
Looking ahead, one in two (47%) say they plan on deploying AI firewalls in the next year. F5 also recommends that enterprises diversify AI models across paid and open-source opens, scale AI usage to operations, analytics and security, and deploy AI-specific protections like firewalls and data governance strategies.
At the moment, it's estimated that two-thirds (65%) use two or more paid models and at least one open-source model, demonstrating considerable room for improvement.
"As AI becomes core to business strategy, readiness requires more than experimentation—it demands security, scalability, and alignment," F5 CPO and CMO John Maddison explained.
The report highlights how enterprises that lack of maturity can stifle growth, introduce operational bottlenecks and present compliance challenges.
"AI is already transforming security operations, but without mature governance and purpose-built protections, enterprises risk amplifying threats," Maddison added.
Startup’s ribbon-based holographic tape promises 200TB per LTO cartridge
The tech uses polymer film and $5 laser to write optical voxels
Integrates into LTO systems with no upstream software or hardware changes
UK startup HoloMem is developing a holographic storage system aimed at replacing or supplementing LTO tape.
The company, founded by former Dyson engineer Charlie Gale, uses polymer ribbon cartridges written with $5 laser diodes. Each 100-meter cartridge could store up to 200TB in a write-once, read-many format.
The cartridges match LTO dimensions and work in existing tape libraries without changes to upstream software. Drives function as drop-in shelves, allowing libraries to operate in a hybrid LTO and HoloMem setup.
HO1O
The idea began at Dyson, where Gale helped create a holographic label system called HO1O. It embedded multiple QR codes in a single hologram, readable from different angles or light sources.
“What we originally did at HO1O for prototypes was to use a light-sensitive polymer material that you just exposed to laser light… it locks polymer change and retains that image,” Gale told Blocks & Files.
This concept evolved into multi-layer data storage using similar materials.
Unlike other optical approaches that use glass or ceramics, HoloMem writes data as holographic voxels into polymer film. The film uses a 16-micron thick polymer sheet laminated between PET layers, forming a 120-micron ribbon.
The prototype HoloDrive writes and reads holograms using a 3D-printed lens and a digital micromirror device.
“We are writing data pages of thousands of bits,” Gale said. Throughput hasn’t been disclosed, although it reportedly operates at LTO-9 speeds. The drive uses £30 circuit boards and modified LTO mechanics.
HoloMem has received £900,000 in UK innovation grants and is partnering with TechRe and QStar for field trials and integration testing. It holds patents for the optical engine, media design and volumetric storage method.
Blocks & Files reports: “We understand TechRe will deploy prototype Holodrives inside LTO libraries in its UK data centers to test out the product’s performance, reliability and robustness. HoloMem has written device firmware so that, we understand, it presents itself as a kind of LTO drive.”
Future capacity increases may come through multi-channel recording, using multiple light wavelengths to layer data. Each added channel could multiply storage with no hardware change.
Beats headphone deals are far more commonplace these days. The previously premium cups have taken some serious price cuts over the years, which means cheap Beats headphones are often lining the shelves if you're browsing at the right time. We often see these headphones taking heavier discounts during holiday sales but if you're browsing outside of an event, there are still likely to be some solid offers on the table.
For you Beats deals hunters, that means some fantastic cheap Beats Headphones sales on the older models, although the new ones are often for sale as well. Thankfully, there are Beats Headphones prices for everyone as well, as prices range from just $69/£69 to $249/£249.
We're helping you find all the latest Beats headphone deals right here, with our price comparison software running through all the biggest offers on the web every half hour. Whether you're after one of the more luxurious models or a budget pick, you'll find all the lowest prices right here.
Beats headphones are something of an institution when it comes to consumer audio tech and are absolutely up there with the very best brands when it comes to popularity. Acquired by Apple back in the heady days of 2014, the Beats brand has gone from strength to strength and now encompasses a wide range of over-ear headphones and in-ear earphones, including some of the best wireless headphones.
Released in 2024, the Beats Solo Buds are the company's smallest, cheapest, and longest-lasting earbuds, retailing for only $79.99 / £79.99 / AU$129.95.
The most impressive feature of the Solo Buds is its exceptional battery life, with an incredible 18 hours of listening time. The Beats earbuds also feature a compact case and comfortable fit with four ear tip sizes included. While The Solo Buds lack audio features such as active noise cancellation and spatial audio, they still provide quality sound at an affordable price.
The Beats Studio Buds Plus were launched in 2023 with a starting price of $169 / £179 / AU$269, only $10 more than the original Beats Studio Buds cost. The earbuds feature improved Active Noise Cancelling and Transparency Mode and better microphone quality that filter background noise for crisp and clear calls. The most glaring new feature of the Studio Buds Plus, is the transparent design option, which allows you to see the inner workings of your earbuds, including circuits, power supplies and components. The Beats Studio Buds provide up to 36-hours of battery life and feature enhanced compatibility with both Apple and Android devices.
The Beats Fit Pro were released in 2021 as workout-friendly earbuds that are an alternative to Apple's pricey AirPods Pro 2, costing $199 / £199 / AU$299.95 at launch.
The wireless earbuds feature active noise cancellation and deliver impressive sound quality thanks to Apple's powerful H1 chip that gets you access to hands-free Siri. You're also getting a comfortable and secure fit thanks to the wing tip design, plus an impressive six hours of battery life, on-device controls, and new fun color options like Stone Purple and Sage Green.
(Image credit: Beats)
4. Beats Studio Buds (2021)
Budget earbuds with active noise cancellation
Design: In-ear | Noise cancelling: Yes | Wireless: Bluetooth | Battery life: 8h | NFC: No | Controls: Touch | Weight: 10g | Colors available: Black, Red, White, Gray, Blue | Year released: 2021 | Launch price: $149/£159.99
Active noise cancellation
Cheaper than the AirPods Pro
Quality sound
Comfortable fit
Lacks H1 Wireless Chip
The Beats Studio Buds were released in 2021 as a cheaper option to Apple's AirPods Pro, with a starting price of $149.99 / £129.99 / AU$199.95, which is considerably less than Apple's earbuds.
The Beats Studio Buds deliver a powerful, balanced sound with dynamic range and active noise cancellation, a feature the below Powerbeats Pro lack. You're also getting a comfortable fit with three soft eartip sizes included and full volume and track controls on the earbuds, so you don't need your device to adjust your music. The Beats Studio Buds also provide an impressive 8 hours of battery life and are compatible with Apple and Android devices.
5. Beats Flex (2020)
Beats cheapest earbuds
Design: In-ear | Noise cancelling: No | Wireless: Bluetooth | Battery life: 12h | NFC: No | Controls: Touch | Weight: 18.6g | Colors available: Black, Blue, Gray, Yellow | Year released: 2020 | Launch price: $69.95/£69.99
Affordable
Fast charging
Long-lasting battery life
Not true wireless earbuds
The Beats Flex wireless earbuds are the brand's cheapest earbuds, retailing for just $69.99 / £59.99 / AU$99.95, which is significantly less compared to other premium earbuds. You're getting many of the same features of the Powerbeats Pro, including the Apple W1 Wireless Chip for seamless connectivity and a built-in sensor that automatically plays music when they're in your ears and pauses when attached around your neck. The Beats Flex also offer an impressive 12 hours of battery life, and a 10-minute Fast Fuel charge will give you 1.5 hours of playback time when the battery is low
6. Powerbeats Pro (2019)
Workout-focused earbuds
Design: In-ear | Noise cancelling: No | Wireless: Bluetooth | Battery life: 9h | NFC: No | Controls: Touch | Weight: 22g | Colors available: Black, Ivory, Navy, Moss | Year released: 2019 | Launch price: $249/£219
Excellent battery life
Snug fit while exercising
The best in-ear Beats sound
Still expensive
Released in 2019, the Powerbeats Pro were the most exercise-friendly Beats headphones at the time, thanks to the hook that reaches behind the ear that ensures your Beats stay in place during any activity.
In addition to that signature bass-heavy sound, you're getting surprisingly adept quality in mid-range clarity as well as superior noise-isolation to the AirPods. Make no mistake, though, Beats are at their best with high-energy, big tunes. So, if you're hitting the gym, these are the Beats you want. They're not waterproof, mind, so be careful if you go running in the rain.
We're loving the 9-hour battery, and that can be boosted to around 24 hours thanks to the charging case that comes with the new Powerbeats Pro headphones. Running late? A five-minute quick charge gives you 90 minutes of playback. Nice.
Even better, the Powerbeats Pro see regular inclusion in cheap Beats headphones sales, making them a fantastic option for deal hunters in particular.
Cheap Beats deals on headphone models
(Image credit: Beats)
1. Beats Solo 4 (2024)
Beats latest over-ear headphones
Design: : On-ear | *Active Noise canceling: No | Wireless: Bluetooth | Battery life: 50h (22 with NC) | NFC: No | Controls: Touch and voice | Weight: 217g | Colors available: Black, Slate Blue, Cloud Pink | Year released: 2024 | Launch price: $199 / £199
Affordable
Impressive battery life
Lightweight design
Lacks active noise cancellation
Released in 2024, the Beats Solo 4 are the company's latest over-hear headphones with a starting retail price of $199 / £199 / AU$329. The Beats Solo 4 are the successor to the 2016 Solo 3 and feature updates such as improved audio and a longer battery life.
The Solo 4 also includes an ultra-lightweight design, with comfortable earbuds and a secure fit, which make them great headphones for working out. You're also getting smart features for both Android and iOS – including Personalized Spatial Audio for Apple fans, which works great. While the Solo 4 headphones lack active noise cancellation, the price reflects that compared to similar over-ear headphones with ANC.
(Image credit: Beats)
1. Beats Studio Pro (2023)
Beats best noise canceling over-ear headphones
Design: : On-ear | *Active Noise canceling: Yes | Wireless: Bluetooth | Battery life: 40h (22 with NC) | NFC: No | Controls: Touch and voice | Weight: 260g | Colors available: Black, Deep Brown, Navy, Sandstone | Year released: 2023 | Launch price: $349 / £349
Active noise cancellation
Impressive battery life
Sleek design
Expensive
The Beats Studio Pro are the company's latest over-ear headphones, and their retail starting price is $349 / £349 / AU$530. The 2023 Studio Pro features a beautiful design that Beats is known for and come in a sleek fabric case with four different colors available: black, deep brown, navy, and sandstone. You're getting impressive sound, deep bass, and active noise cancellation with personalized spatial audio. The wireless headphones feature 40 hours of battery life, and a 10-minute fast charge will give you four more hours of playback.
2. Beats Solo 3 (2018)
Still a fantastic pair of headphones
Design: On-ear | Noise cancelling: No | Wireless: Bluetooth | Battery life: 40h | NFC: No | Controls: touch+wired | Weight: 215g | Colors available: Matt Black, Satin Gold, Satin Silver, Gloss Black, Gloss White, Rose Gold, Gold, Silver, Red, Black/Red | Year released: 2018 | Launch price: $299/£250
Punchy sound
Excellent wireless connection
Often available at a discounted price
If you have a modern iPhone and want a pair of the best Beats headphones made specifically for Apple's latest range, you really should take a look at the Beats Solo 3 Wireless headphones. In addition to a fantastic wireless connection and punchy sound, you're getting a huge battery run-time. A single charge can last for up to 40 hours which could last you for an entire week's worth of commuting between charges.
The Solo 3 Wireless are the most popular over/on-ear headphones in the Beats range and are regularly featured in cheap Beats headphones sales. They're also available in a whole range of different color designs so there's plenty of scope to choose a color scheme that best represents your personality - whether that's jet black or blingy gold!
They fold neatly away in a bag and don't look massive on your head - although there are no noise cancelling options with this model - for that you'd need either the Beats Studio 3 Wireless or the newer Beats Solo Pro. If you're looking for cheap Beats headphones prices on a set of over-ear cans that don't feel outdated in their spec, the 2018 Solo 3 model is for you.
(Image credit: Beats)
3. Beats Solo Pro (2019)
Difficult to find in stock
Design: : On-ear | *Noise canceling: Yes | Wireless: Bluetooth | Battery life: 40h (22 with NC) | NFC: No | Controls: Touch and voice | Weight: 267g | Colors available: Black, Ivory, Dark Blue, Light BLue, Red, Gray | Year released: 2019 | Launch price: $299 / £269
Great noise-cancelation
40-hour battery life
Useful transparency mode
Studier than the Solo 3 line and sporting a cool matte finish in each color, the Beats Solo Pro feels like the biggest step up in quality the series has seen in some time for its larger line of headphones. Beats work best with iPhones and pairs fast thanks to modern chipsets, and we love the hands-free Siri integration, too, which is a first on the Beats Solo Pro.
The active noise cancellation brings Apple's Beats somewhat closer to the best offerings from Sony and Bose, although those two are still ahead by some distance. We do like the simple one-button access to the transparency mode here, though. This optional feature allows some outside noise to come through, which can be handy in an office if you want to be aware of someone calling your name or make sure you're aware of traffic around you when walking or cycling.
You'll see one of the higher Beats headphones prices attached to this particular set of cans, but for a 2019 model with such power as these, it's easily worth it.
The Beats Studio 3 were first launched in 2017 with a starting price of $349 / £299, but since then, you can find frequent discounts on the wireless headphones. Using an over-ear, closed-back design, the Studio 3 is one of the best noise-cancelling sets of headphones Beats has ever made. The battery has massively improved, too, so that you can enjoy music for up to 22 hours, or 40, with the active noise cancellation turned off.
The Beats Studio3 Wireless headphones are a great match for users of modern iPhones missing 3.5mm jacks - you can pair them with any smartphone, though, thanks to the Bluetooth technology. The Studio 3 is available in multiple colors, including red, matte black, white, porcelain rose, blue, and shadow grey. They are more expensive compared with the Solo 3 Wireless, and they're bulkier and heavier, too - so do make sure you're aware of this before you buy.
5. Beats EP headphones (2016)
The cheapest big Beats headphones currently available
Design: On-ear | Noise cancelling: No | Wireless: No | Battery life: N/A | NFC: No | Controls: Wired | Weight: 204g | Colors available: Black, White, Blue, Red | Year released: 2016 | Launch price: $99/£89
Budget-friendly Beats
Great color options
Balanced and rounded sound
The Beats EP headphones are the cheapest on-ear headphones in the Beats by Dre lineup and are a fine place to start if you've had your eye on the colorful stylings for a while. They're wired via a 3.5mm jack, but at least you'll never have to worry about them running out of battery juice.
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Which cheap Beats headphones should you buy?
On the over-ear and on-ear side of the Beats headphones range you'll find the Beats Solo Pro and Beats Studio 3 Wireless leading the charge with the best sound and highest price. The Beats Solo 3 Wireless is the most popular option, and also one of the more recent, with an on-ear slightly more compact design. Meanwhile, the Beats EP is a cheap Beats headphone option that goes for under $100. You can also still pick up a pair of Beats Pro headphones, made for DJs - though they're no longer listed on the Beats website.
Meanwhile, the Powerbeats Pro are the latest true wireless earbuds in the Beats in-ear headphone range, offering totally wireless listening with a sporty finish – think Apple Airpods but with better noise isolation and better sound.
They're backed up by the Powerbeats3 Wireless, the previous wireless option that connects the earphones behind your neck. The Powerbeats3 and the slightly newer Beats X, a more traditional style of wireless earbuds, are your best bet for cheap Beats headphone sales right now. However, at the bottom end, you also have the wired urBeats3 earphones, available with either 3.5mm or Lightning connector for an iPhone. This is where you'll find the best Beats headphones prices, but not necessarily the quality to back them up.
Whether building a surround sound setup or simply investing in a quality home speaker, Sonos deals are essential to keeping costs low while securing excellent audio. It's easy to get carried away syncing multiple speakers for a full surround sound experience, but such a luxury audio system is well within reach if you play your cards right. After all, we're seeing more and more Sonos sales offering significant discounts across the range, so whether you're after premium or budget models, prices are looking pretty good these days.
Sonos speaker systems offer a wide range of wireless connectivity options to get your music pumping throughout your home. They can tap into your personal collection of MP3s as well as streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music. From soundbars to subwoofers, there are Sonos speakers for all occasions—though if you don't pick them up during sales seasons, be prepared for premium pricing.
We have hot deals for the whole line-up, including the Sonos Era 100, Sonos Roam 2, Sonos Beam (Gen 2), and the Sonos Arc. Don't forget to check for Sonos promo codes, too.
Today's best Sonos sales and deals
(Image credit: Sonos)
Sonos Era 100 deals
A fantastic upgrade to the Sonos One
Dimensions: 7.2" x 4.7" x 5.1" | Weight: 4.45 lbs | Power supply: 100-240V 50/60Hz internal power supply | Wireless: WiFi | Voice control ?: Yes
Impressive Bass
Compact design
3.5mm line-in option and Bluetooth
Expensive
The Sonos Era 100 was released in 2023 with a launch price of $249 / £249 / AU$399, which is more expensive than the popular Sonos One speaker. The Sonos Era 100 is an upgrade to the Sonos 100 with the addition of Bluetooth and more connection possibilities, including an adapter that can add a 3.5mm line-in. You're getting room-filling sound with more bass, excellent detail and clarity, and stereo playback, thanks to the two side-firing tweets.
The Sonos Era 100 also features hands-free control with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, a beautiful compact design, and Trueplay technology, which analyzes the acoustics of your space to optimize your speaker's EQ.
(Image credit: Sonos)
Sonos Roam 2
Dimensions: 6.6" x 2.4" x 2.3" | Weight: .95 lbs | Power supply: 5V/1.5A (7.5W) USB power adapter | Wireless: WiFi | Voice control ?: Yes
Impressive audio
Lightweight, portable design
Expensive
Only 10 hours of battery life
The Sonos Roam 2 was released in 2024 and is our pick for the best Sonos portable speaker. The Roam 2 features a rugged design with an IP67 dustproof and waterproof rating and weighs just under a pound, making it highly lightweight if you're in the market for an ultra-portable speaker. You're also getting impressive audio with powerful, rich sound and a balanced experience that Sonos speakers are known for, as well as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.
The Sonos Roam 2 retails for $179 / £179 / AU$299 and is available in Black, White, Olive, Sunset, or Wave. While this is pricey for a portable speaker, you can frequently find deals at third-party retailers like Amazon.
Dimensions: 2.68" x 25.6" x 3.9" | Weight: 6.35 lbs | Power supply: Auto-switching 100-240V, 50/60Hz AC universal input | Wireless: WiFi | Voice control ?: Yes
Room-filling sound
Virtual Dolby Atmos support
Compact design
Expensive
Released in 2021, the 2nd generation Sonos Beam remains one of the best mid-range soundbars from the company. The Sonos Beam Gen 2 features a compact, sleek design, allowing you to easily situate it beneath your TV and seamlessly blend in. Despite its size, the Sonos Beam can still fill your home with sound, delivering impressive audio with Atmost and HDMI eARC compatibility.
The Sonos Beam Gen 2 is also a great choice if you're looking for a Sonos soundbar under $500 / £500. It had a starting price of $449 / £449 / $699 at launch, and because it's been on the shelves for a couple of years now, you can find frequent discounts on the soundbar.
Dimensions: 5.1" x 2" x 5" | Weight: 24.6 lbs | Power supply: Auto-switching 100-240 V, 50-60 Hz AC universal input | Wireless: WiFi | Voice control ?: Yes
Fantastic sound quality
Sleek, discreet design
Dolby Atmos, TrueHD, and Dolby Digital Plus
Expensive
Only one HDMI port
Launched in 2020, the Sonoc Arc is still the company's best soundbar, thanks to the immersive Dolby Atmos experience. Whether listening to music, watching a movie, or playing a video game, you'll feel like you're in the center of the action - no other speakers needed. The Sonos Arc is also easy to set up and features a sleek, discreet design mounted to a wall or beneath a TV.
At launch, the Sonos Arc cost $799 / £799 / AU$1,399, but after a price hike, it now retails for $899 / £899 / AU$1,499. Discounts are few and far between, so if you see the Sonos speaker on sale, you should take advantage.
Sonos and Amazon's Alexa is a match made in heaven
Dimensions: 4.8" x 4.8" x 6.4" | Weight: 3.92 lbs | Power supply: Auto-switching 100-240 V, 50-60 Hz AC universal input | Wireless: WiFi | Voice control ?: Yes
Full-bodied, rich sound
Combines best of Alexa and Sonos
Plays music while Alexa is muted
Sonos and Alexa, Amazon's smart personal assistant, are a perfect match for one another - it's almost a wonder it's taken this long for the two of them to meet. Regardless, the Sonos One is here now, and it combines the best of both worlds. The One is able to call upon Alexa to answer basic inquiries, adjust appointments on your calendar, and, for Amazon Prime members, voice access to Amazon's expansive Music Unlimited library.
Sonos Beam makes the soundbar integral to your music listening routine
Dimensions: 25.6" x 2.7" x 3.9" | Weight: 6.35 lbs | HDMI ARC?: Yes | Wireless: WiFi | Voice control ?: No
Great compact design
HDMI ARC compatible
Superb sound
App isn't home theater friendly
No Dolby Atmos
Difficult non-HDMI ARC set-up
It was a long time coming, but the Sonos Beam was finally a Sonos soundbar worth waiting for. With a design small enough to match most TVs, it's equipped with smart features, innovation and exquisite sound that impresses. There are a few issues worth pointing out (the lack of Dolby Atmos at the price disappoints), but the way the speaker fits in with the rest of the Sonos eco-system makes it a must-have for those that have invested in other Sonos devices.
Providing you've got a HDMI-ARC compatible TV (which most modern ones are) it's easy to set-up and, if you've got other compatible Sonos speakers, it's a simple way to get wireless surround sound for your movies, too.
Love bass-heavy music genres? You're going to need this
Dimensions: 15.3" x 6.2" x 15.8" | Weight: 36.3 lbs | Speakers: 2 | Power supply: Auto-switching 100-240 V, 50-60 Hz 2A AC universal input | Wireless: WiFi | Voice control ?: Yes
Adds hefty amount of bass
Super easy set up
Strange design
Costly addition
Sonos systems are great. Like seriously great. We want to call them perfect, and yet without some sort of low-end support they just aren't. For that you need the Sonos Sub, the additional audio piece that adds a hefty amount of bass to your favorite music genres. The design here is a bit funky, we'll admit, but hey, if you were looking for a conversation starter (and ender) at your next house party, this is it. That said, it's 15.3 x 15.8 x 6.2 inches (389 x 402 x 158 mm) and weighs 36.3 lbs (16 kg). It's available in two colors – premium white gloss and premium black gloss – that can match either your Playbar or Play:5 speaker. Inside you'll find two Class-D amplifiers, two force-cancelling speaker drivers and dual acoustic ports that help the Sub reach a low frequency of about 25Hz.
Good deals are subjective, obviously. But if we were in your shoes, we’d wait for at least a $50/£35/AU$75-off sale. These happen around the holidays, mostly, but do happen sporadically throughout the year as well.
If you’re looking for a recommendation, your best bet is to start your Sonos system with a Play:5, the big brother of the bunch, and work your way down. We also have a soft spot in our heart for the Playbar (it’s on our best soundbar list, after all) and a Play One is a great pick for kitchens, bedrooms and studies.
If you want the latest and greatest from Sonos, check out the brand-new Sonos Playbase – it's a speaker and TV stand all in one package. OK, without further ado, here are the best Sonos deals we’ve found today.
Teamgroup P250Q SSD self-destruct flash circuits promise instant sanitization for high-risk data in classified deployments
Hardware-level erasure targets the Flash IC directly, ensuring total data elimination without software
Built-in AES-256 encryption aligns with military-grade standards for data-at-rest protection
Teamgroup has launched the P250Q Self-Destruct SSD, a drive built for high-security environments where there may be a need for sensitive data to be erased swiftly and irreversibly.
Combining hardware and software-based erasure, it aims to address growing concerns around industrial and military data protection.
But while the technology appears advanced, the usefulness of such a feature outside tightly controlled environments remains uncertain.
Inside the self-destruct feature: promise and practicality
At the core of the P250Q is a patented destruction circuit engineered to wipe data at the hardware level by targeting the Flash IC.
The drive also features an auto-resume function to continue destruction after a power cut, which Teamgroup says ensures, “data destruction continues seamlessly after an unexpected power outage,” eliminating the risk of partial erasure or incomplete sanitization.
Just like the Teamgroup P35S SSD, the P250Q’s one-click trigger and multi-stage LED indicators present a simplified control mechanism, but questions remain about real-world deployment.
Would a user be expected to physically hold the SSD while passing through security checkpoints? And if so, wouldn’t that make the device more conspicuous and likely to attract attention?
This highlights the uncertainty of using self-destruct features in actual threat scenarios, a concept Ovrdrive dropped due to the challenges of mass production.
Despite the concerns, the P250Q’s specs are competitive, with storage options ranging from 256GB to 2TB, built on 3D TLC NAND Flash.
It runs on a PCIe Gen4x4 interface and supports NVMe 1.4, reaching up to 7,000MB/s read and 5,500MB/s write speeds.
The drive also includes S.M.A.R.T. health monitoring, which improves reliability over time.
The P250Q may struggle to prove its relevance beyond specialized use cases - it may appeal to organizations governed by strict data handling rules, but for most users, even those seeking the best secure drives or best rugged hard drives, its practical value may remain limited.
The ONE Monitor eliminates clutter, but also eliminates most of what makes a monitor flexible
A sleek, zero-clutter display that’s perfect for minimalist desks and clean, modern workspaces
No HDMI, no buttons, no fallback - just hope your laptop supports the right USB-C mode
The ONE Monitor presents itself as a sleek, sustainable response to modern display needs - but while its aesthetic and environmentally conscious features are drawing praise, a closer look raises important questions, especially around how it’s being positioned.
At first glance, the ONE Monitor stands out for its minimalist industrial form and lightweight build, but its real departure from convention lies in how it functions.
This device ditches the usual circuit boards and power bricks, relying entirely on a single USB-C connection to draw both power and display signal from a connected device.
Stripping down for sustainability
This reduction in components allows the display to enter a zero-consumption state when idle, an appealing trait in a world grappling with energy efficiency.
However, if your laptop lacks USB-C PD and DisplayPort Alt Mode support, this monitor won’t function at all.
More than 90% of its construction comes from recyclable materials, and its production process favors lower-impact methods.
These sustainability claims are commendable, especially in a product category where e-waste and power draw remain major concerns.
Yet, the design choices behind this display aren’t merely about the environment, they reflect a specific vision for how monitors will be used in shared and possibly transient workspaces.
Although lightweight and cable-efficient, this device isn't a portable monitor and appears to be a full-sized desktop monitor with a solid stand, which is designed for stationary use on a desk.
The minimalist aesthetic and build of this device seem to be optimized for a clean office environment, not mobility.
Unlike conventional displays, there are no onboard settings, no HDMI fallback, and no real way to customize performance.
The ONE Monitor clearly isn’t chasing feature parity, it carves out a niche where minimal energy use and clean design outweigh technical flexibility.
For programmers and minimalists alike, this might be a compelling monitor for programming setups, especially in shared workspaces where plug-and-play simplicity is a benefit.
But even then, expectations should be managed because this is not a high-refresh, color-accurate tool aimed at developers working in GPU-heavy environments or doing visual work on the side.
That said, while the ONE Monitor does achieve a rare fusion of design purity and eco-consciousness, its minimalist philosophy brings trade-offs.
MaxSun’s Mini Station fuses dual GPUs and mobile silicon into a compact desktop unit
With 48GB of VRAM, it’s clearly built for demanding creative and AI inference tasks
Dual Thunderbolt 5 ports and SlimSAS slots push bandwidth to a theoretical 192Gbps
MaxSun has introduced what it claims is the industry's first compact workstation built around Intel’s Core Ultra 9 285HX processor, a chip based on the Arrow Lake-HX architecture.
The MaxSun Mini Station is a compact system intended for professionals handling AI inference, model deployment, or resource-heavy creative work.
The system includes two Arc Pro B60 GPUs from MaxSun, specifically the Milestone 24G model, each equipped with 24GB of video memory - together, they provide a total of 48GB VRAM, designed to support demanding workloads like large language model interactions and long-context scenarios such as Qwen3-32B.
Dual Arc GPUs push VRAM to 48GB
There are some questions over its practical compatibility and whether such GPU arrangements can scale efficiently across different software stacks, especially those outside of AI labs.
On the CPU front, MaxSun opted for the Core Ultra 9 285HX, a 24-core processor with 8 performance cores and 16 efficient cores.
This mobile-class chip, recontextualized for desktop through the MoDT (Mobile on Desktop) strategy, forms the foundation of the Mini Station.
The processor is not removable or upgradable, which imposes a fixed ceiling on long-term flexibility.
Although the hardware choice makes sense from a manufacturing standpoint, it may raise doubts for buyers.
In terms of connectivity, the Mini Station supports one M.2 PCIe 5.0 x4, two M.2 PCIe 4.0 x4, and two SlimSAS SFF-8654 4i PCIe 4.0 x4 interfaces - combined with dual Thunderbolt 5 and dual Thunderbolt 4 ports, the system delivers a theoretical throughput of 192Gbps.
These specs suggest real potential for external GPU setups or ultra-fast local storage, important factors for those looking for the best PC for video editing or complex simulations.
The MaxSun GPUs incorporate dual fans, composite heat pipes, and a metal backplate, which should ensure thermal stability.
However, this does not eliminate concerns over performance throttling in such a compact case.
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GitHub repositories host malware disguised as tools that gamers, and privacy-seekers are likely to download
The fake VPN campaign drops malware straight into AppData and hides it from plain view
Process injection through MSBuild.exe allows this malware to operate without triggering obvious alarms
Security experts have warned of an emerging new cyber threat involving fake VPN software hosted on GitHub.
A report from Cyfirma outlines how malware disguises itself as a “Free VPN for PC” and lures users into downloading what is, in fact, a sophisticated dropper for the Lumma Stealer.
The same malware also appeared under the name “Minecraft Skin Changer,” targeting gamers and casual users in search of free tools.
Once executed, the dropper uses a multi-stage attack chain involving obfuscation, dynamic DLL loading, memory injection, and abuse of legitimate Windows tools like MSBuild.exe and aspnet_regiis.exe to maintain stealth and persistence.
The campaign's success hinges on its use of GitHub for distribution. The repository github[.]com/SAMAIOEC hosted password-protected ZIP files and detailed usage instructions, giving the malware an appearance of legitimacy.
Inside, the payload is obfuscated with French text and encoded in Base64.
“What begins with a deceptive free VPN download ends with a memory-injected Lumma Stealer operating through trusted system processes,” Cyfirma reports.
Upon execution, Launch.exe performs a sophisticated extraction process, decoding and altering a Base64-encoded string to drop a DLL file, msvcp110.dll, in the user’s AppData folder.
This particular DLL remains concealed. It is loaded dynamically during runtime and calls a function, GetGameData(), to invoke the last stage of the payload.
Reverse engineering the software is challenging because of anti-debugging strategies like IsDebuggerPresent() checks and control flow obfuscation.
This attack uses MITRE ATT&CK strategies like DLL side-loading, sandbox evasion, and in-memory execution.
How to stay safe
To stay protected from attacks like this, users should avoid unofficial software, especially anything promoted as a free VPN or game mod.
The risks increase when running unknown programs from repositories, even if they appear on reputable platforms.
Files downloaded from GitHub or similar platforms should never be trusted by default, particularly if they come as password-protected ZIP archives or include obscure installation steps.
Users should never run executables from unverified sources, no matter how useful the tool may seem.
Ensure that you activate extra protection by disabling the ability for executables to run from folders like AppData, which attackers often use to hide their payloads.
In addition, DLL files found in roaming or temporary folders should be flagged for further investigation.
Watch out for strange file activity on your computer, and monitor for MSBuild.exe and other tasks in the task manager or system tools that behave out of the ordinary to prevent early infections.
On a technical level, use best antivirus that offer behavior-based detection instead of relying solely on traditional scans, along with tools which provide DDoS protection and endpoint protection to cover a broader range of threats, including memory injection, stealthy process creation, and API abuse.
