Saturday, June 27, 2026

I spent a week watching and playing these 3 intriguing horror titles — here's my verdict on which ones are worth your time

I've got quite the varied selection for our first instalment of Scream or Skip, which features a mix of new releases and an indie horror movie I had never heard of until a few days ago.

Scream or Skip

Scream or Skip, that is the question. With so much horror out there to watch and play, our senior entertainment writer, Lucy Buglass, is here to help you decide what's worth your time (or worth a Scream) and what's not (and so worth a Skip). Her goal is to help you beat the endless scrolling and spend more time enjoying some great TV shows, movies, and games. Read the full series here.

Thanks to my social media algorithms being full of horror content, it's never hard for me to discover new things. This month, we have a bit of a water-based theme going on, as two out of my three picks are set there, and the third comes from nautical beginnings.

But they couldn't be more different, ranging from a disturbing coming-of-age story at a lake to a Lovecraftian-style nightmare. There's been a lot of discussion about all three of these, but what did I think of them?

Read on to find out more about my three horror picks across streaming and gaming in June.

TV - The Terror: Devil in Silver

Where to watch: AMC+ (US only for now)
Lucy's verdict: Skip

The Terror: Devil in Silver is the newest installment in the AMC+ horror anthology series, and unfortunately, it has taken a nosedive in quality after the first two seasons. If you take anything away from this, it would be that I recommend you check out 2019's The Terror because it is still the best out of the three stories and is widely available to stream, unlike Devil in Silver, which is currently US-only.

For Devil in Silver, we're in an entirely new setting, moving from a cursed ship at sea to a psychiatric hospital. Here, Downton Abbey's Dan Stevens plays Pepper, who has wrongly been committed there, and begins to experience supernatural events whilst trying to prove he should be freed.

There's no denying the performances are great, both from Stevens and Judith Light, who plays Dorry, a fellow hospital resident. But the series does unfortunately suffer from pacing issues and a lack of genuine scares, meaning it pales in comparison to the original The Terror series. It might be a good pick for those who like a slow burn, but it seems to stand out when compared to the others in the anthology for the wrong reasons.

Movie - Mean Creek

Where to watch: Paramount+ (US); rent or buy (UK, AU)
Lucy's verdict: Scream

Mean Creek is a 2004 movie that completely fell under the radar for me. I'd never heard of it until I stumbled across this TikTok video. I was immediately intrigued by the premise, and I must say, I'm glad I watched it. It's billed as a "dark coming of age story" and is very psychological in its approach to horror, so expect a lot of dread and harrowing scenes rather than jumpy moments.

Josh Peck has comfortably moved away from comedy in recent years, and here he plays school bully George, who has terrorized his peers for too long. They decide enough is enough, so they invite George to a fake birthday party at a lake, where they decide to play a prank on him, which involves throwing him overboard during a boating trip.

Inevitably, things go wrong, and this movie examines the consequences of that. It is bleak, realistic, and will linger for a while, and it has been widely praised by horror fans as a result. What goes down is truly horrific, and I'm glad I gave this a go. It is worth the rental price in the UK and Australia, too.

Game - The Sinking City

Where to play: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC
Lucy's verdict: Scream

There are a lot of Lovecraftian horror games out there; it can be hard to know where to start. The Sinking City 2 releases in August this year, so I wanted to take a look at the first game to see how it holds up.

The Sinking City was released in 2019 and is a survival horror RPG. Here, a half-submerged city is gripped by supernatural forces. You play a private investigator, and you have to uncover the truth of what has possessed the city and the minds of its inhabitants.

I had a great time playing this, and I'm now keen to check out the sequel. You can explore The Sinking City by boat, on foot, and in a diving suit if you're brave enough to swim down into the depths. There's plenty to uncover and lots of fun creature design, and there are multiple endings to explore based on your decisions. This game is also widely available across platforms, which is just another bonus.



from Latest from TechRadar https://ift.tt/yscOprM
at No comments:
Labels: ,

Is your World Cup stream buffering or dropping out? Use your VPN’s IP rotation tool to jump servers without breaking your connection

VPNs offer features and tools to boost your video streaming performance, and some of those are particularly handy for the World Cup.

Anyone using a VPN to get around local broadcast restrictions might still encounter problems if the free World Cup streaming service they're trying to use is blocking access from the IP address that their VPN server has issued.

That can happen before you try to stream or even part way through the match itself. Either way, that's a pain and, with some VPNs, that means disconnecting from the server and then trying out a bunch of others until you identify one that works, but some VPN providers can save you the hassle.

We particularly like the technology that Norton VPN has introduced in time for the 2026 World Cup. It's called Manual IP Rotation and it allows you to ‘rotate’ your VPN’s IP address to another location within the same country, without interrupting the encrypted tunnel you’re streaming through.

Put simply, it’s a one-button solution to streaming services blocking your VPN’s IP. The idea is that you connect once and then never have your World Cup stream interrupted again.

Norton has a 60-day money-back guarantee, so even if you still find that it doesn't work for your needs, you can just get a refund. But do try it out before kick-off just in case, please.

▶︎ World Cup Deal – save $25.89 on Norton VPN Plus
Was: $5.49/month
Now: $3.33/month

Watch your World Cup stream uninterrupted. Norton VPN delivers fast, secure connections, thanks to Manual IP rotation, with servers available around the world, so you can stream from anywhere.

Thanks to its World Cup deal, you can now get Norton VPN Plus for the same price as the Standard plan. That means you get AI-powered scam detection and a password manager effectively for free.

Additional features include:

🛡️ Cover up to 5 devices
🔓 Unlock World Cup streams
⚡ 1010 Mbps download speeds

Norton VPN also offers a 60-day money-back guarantee — double the industry standard.View Deal

In terms of the competition, Surfshark is our pick for the best cheap VPN service and comes with its own IP rotation system thanks its Nexus technology, which connects all of its VPN servers together in one network.

And if your streaming service has a specific server on lockdown, NordVPN’s massive network of servers could offer a working alternative.



from Latest from TechRadar https://ift.tt/pDbPCdS
at No comments:
Labels: ,

Friday, June 26, 2026

I’ve tested more than 20 chargers that can juice up your phone and laptop, and these are the 4 I still choose to use in my real life, including a portable power bank and a wireless charger

I've tested more than 20 chargers here at TechRadar, including everything from small-sized power banks through to gigantic 500W towers, and while many have impressed me greatly with their strong performance and ingenious designs, some have been...less easy to recommend.

There are a lot of underwhelming models out there that won't give you fast charging, have a poor line-up of ports, or break much faster than you'd hope. And so, I want to make sure you can get yourself a charger that's speedy, reliable, well-made — and most importantly, great value for money.

Of all the chargers I've tested, there are 4 that I've come to rely on above all others. I've collected them all together and placed them into this list, so you can copy my charging loadout and wave goodbye to poor performance. Spoiler alert: these are all Anker and UGreen models, which will be of little surprise to many — these two brands are building chargers with an unbelievable power-to-scale ratio, impressive temperature-regulating tech, and flashy looks.

But anyway, you must be curious what models made the cut by now, so let's dive right into my top picks!

1. UGreen Uno Charger 100W

UGreen Uno Charger 100W plugged in with blushing emoji on display

(Image credit: Future)

You saw the robot in that lead image, didn't you. And I bet it sparked your interest, right? Of course it did. And it should, because the UGreen Uno Charger 100W isn't just my favorite charger I've ever tested, it's also the one I've used the most.

In my five-star review, I raved about this charger's quirky robo-shaped design, its incredible performance, high power, and practical build. 100W is enough for me to charge my MacBook Air M4 or high-speed charge my Xiaomi 17 phone. It even shows quirky emotions while I charge, which makes something typically monotonous feel kinda fun.

Despite putting this model through the wringer for over a year and a half, it hasn't shown any signs of slowing down, any wear or tear, or given me any reason to want an upgrade. It's genuinely exceptional, and if you're going to buy one charger on this list, I'd suggest making it this one.

2. Anker Prime Charger (200W, 6 ports, GaN)

Anker Prime Charger (200W, 6 ports, GaN) on stone surface against pink background

(Image credit: Future)

The Anker Prime Charger 200W has been a stalwart of my desk for quite some time now, and I think I'd struggle to keep my workspace organized without it.

This desktop charger really does have it all. It's got a mega 200W maximum power output, four USB-C and two USB-A ports, and tech that protects against overheating and other nasty malfunctions. It's easily mighty enough to recharge a power-starved laptop and phone simultaneously, and you can probably throw in a few small devices, like an Apple Watch or wireless earbuds for good measure, as well.

What I really love about this device, though, is that it keeps everything in order. I don't need to plug loads of chargers in to keep my (many) devices — I can just plug this into the mains, connect everything I need up, and get seamless and clutter-free results. Another thing to highlight is this device's premium look and durable build — mine still looks like new after almost two years. Not bad for a model you can sometimes find on sale for less than $60 / £55.

3. UGreen MagFlow Magnetic Wireless Power Bank 10000mAh Qi2 25W

UGreen MagFlow Magnetic Wireless Power Bank 10000mAh Qi2 25W with integrated cable exposed

(Image credit: Future)

I recently got to review the UGreen MagFlow Magnetic Wireless Power Bank 10000mAh Qi2 25W — yes, its name really is that long. And I found it works like an absolute charm.

In a way, this device is a lot more versatile than I first thought. On the face of it, you think: wireless charger with retractable cable to recharge the power bank, simple. But I've been using it a little differently. See, the charger is capable of recharging while juicing up other devices, which actually makes it a surprisingly effective multi-device charger when you're on the go.

If I'm on the move, I plug the power bank's retractable cable in, charge my wireless earbuds on the wireless pad, and use the charger's additional USB-C port to give my phone or Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones a bit of extra life. Of course, it works great as a basic wireless charger too, especially with its 25W Qi2 compatibility and handy display, but it really feels like the Swiss Army Knife of the charging world.

4. Anker Nano Power Bank 10K 45W

Anker Nano Power Bank 10K 45W Built-In Retractable USB-C Cable against pink background

(Image credit: Future)

If I'm out and about, then this Anker power bank is my go-to every time. It's a small yet mighty power bank that's ideal for juicing up your phone on flights or roadtrips, and thanks to its 45W power, it's perfectly capable of fast-charging a lot of modern handsets.

In my Anker Nano 10K 45W Power Bank review, I described the model as a "highly practical" and "well-designed" option, highlighting its durable and handy built-in charging cord, as well as its neat display and versatile ports. And I enjoyed using it so much that I even added it to my personal charging arsenal.

The 10,000mAh capacity means that this model isn't as well optimized for charging laptops or the most demanding devices, but if you just need something for your phone, wireless earbuds, or other small devices, then it's a top-tier option.

Bonus: UGreen 240W USB-C Cable

I've used the UGreen 240W USB-C Cable for almost every one of my phone and laptop charger reviews, and it's never let me down. I regularly pair it with my UGreen Uno Charger 100W to juice up my laptop or Xiaomi phone, and it's a top performer. And even after almost two years of use, I've not noticed any wear or reduction in charging speeds.

The cable is well over 6ft long, which is really useful for me when I want to charge my phone, but also scroll while at my desk...or in bed. It's made of a pleasingly flexible yet durable material, too, so you won't have to worry much about breakage.

Although I've not done a standalone review of the cable, it gets my full recommendation, and you can purchase it at Amazon US or over on Amazon UK if you live on my side of the pond.



from Latest from TechRadar https://ift.tt/x0gmfST
at No comments:
Labels: ,

Thursday, June 25, 2026

I’ve used these headphones every single day for 11 months because of their stunningly detailed sound — and this Prime Day they’ve been slashed to their lowest ever price

Given that I review audio gadgets for a living, I tend to hoard headphones the way most people collect loose change. But there's only one pair I rely on literally every day: the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3, which is why I was pleased to see they've gotten an awesome discount this Prime Day.

You can currently buy the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 for £255 (was £399) at Amazon UK. Not only does it make them much more affordable, but it actually brings them down to their lowest price ever. And don't feel left out if you're based in the US — you can still get a decent discount on them where you are, for $409.99 (was $479.99) at Amazon.

As reviews editor at TechRadar, I've used a ludicrous number of headphones over the years, from the absurdly premium Focal Clear MG to budget bangers like the Cambridge Audio Melomania P100. But there's only one pair that I come back to again and again, that have earned their place as my trusty workhorse when other headphones can't quite fit the bill: the Px7 S3.

So if you're looking to get superb audio without having to pay a premium for it, I definitely think you should check out this deal.

The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 are a drop-dead gorgeous pair of ANC headphones that sound better than just about every rival in their price class. With impeccable design, a fleshed-out feature set, and aptX Adaptive higher-res Bluetooth streaming, they're a wonderful premium pick.View Deal

Part of what makes the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 such a fantastic-sounding pair of headphones is their staggering precision. Not only does their soundstage feel crisp and detailed, but their instrument separation particularly makes them stand out, especially at this price.View Deal

Honestly, this discount makes these headphones a valid contender for some of the best headphones out there. There's a reason we gave them 5 stars in our Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 review after all.

The main reason I love the Px7 S3 for everyday use is that I can count on them to punch way above their weight in terms of sonic quality. Thanks to their aptX Lossless connectivity, they're able to stream music at what is essentially CD quality, while the soundstage they offer up feels precise yet spacious. Without spending a significant chunk more, you won't get more deft sound than this.

I also love how faithful their sound is. While I'll admit they don't offer the same driving bass as headphones like the much spendier AirPods Max 2, they also don't neglect some frequencies just to emphasize others, a shortcut many mid-range and budget cans take advantage of. They're faithful enough that I happily trust them for everyday music production, which is not something I can say about a lot of Bluetooth headphones.

And with this massive discount, I'd honestly say you can't lose with the Px7 S3.

More Prime Day deals in the US

More Prime Day deals in the UK



from Latest from TechRadar https://ift.tt/C6Vvfbz
at No comments:
Labels: ,

Wednesday, June 24, 2026

EcoFlow literally just dropped the price of this portable power station for Prime Day — our 5-star Delta 3 Plus is the perfect summer companion

Finally! EcoFlow has dropped the Prime Day price on our top-rated portable power station. It's not often that I refresh a page watch the price change before my eyes. But that's what just happened with the EcoFlow Delta 3 Plus, now $570 (was $899) at Amazon.

Seconds before then, it was sitting at a not unreasonable $700. One refresh later, and it's dropped even further in the Amazon sale. It's also discounted in the UK, where the Delta 3 Plus is now £549 (was £699).

The Delta 3 Plus is a 1024Wh power station that scored the full 5 stars in our review, where we praised it as offering "a balanced combination of power, portability, and versatility."

Top Prime Day portable power station deal

1024Wh | 1800W

➡️ UK price: now £549 (was £699)

Earning top marks in our tests, we awarded this portable power station an Editor's Choice badge thanks to its compact design, versatile charging options, and robust performance. ★★★★★View Deal

Also consider: More Prime Day portable power station deals

1070Wh | 1500W

➡️ UK price: now £379 (was £419)

I recommend this one for camping this summer - it's practically built for it. In our review, it also earned top marks, making it one of the best of its class. ★★★★★View Deal

288Wh | 600W

➡️ UK price: now £188 (was £228)

My top budget power station overall. In our review, we the Bluetti Elite 30 V2 was a "spectacular option" when you need to quickly top up your devices. View Deal

2042Wh | 2200W

➡️ UK price: now £799 (was £869)

The Jackery Explorer 2000 V2 is a high-capacity unit with a versatile output for devices and appliances. In our review, we found it "excellent for most home uses." ★★★★☆View Deal

288Wh | 300W

➡️ UK price: now £151 (was £189)

This Anker power station is the definition of portable, straddling the line like an oversized power bank. Good for when you need to power devices on the move or when camping.View Deal



from Latest from TechRadar https://ift.tt/7itk3DC
at No comments:
Labels: ,

Tuesday, June 23, 2026

I've always owned physical books, but Amazon's standard Kindle takes away the inconvenience of traveling with multiple novels — and it's a great way to pass the time while soaking in the sun

They say you need to own at least 1,000 to constitute a home library, and while I love a compelling novel as much as the next bookworm, finding the space is tricky — but that's why we have the Amazon Kindle, a budget-friendly e-reader that just got even cheaper this Amazon Prime Day.

• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale

I've always enjoyed physical books, simply because nothing quite beats the feeling of achievement you feel at the close of the final page. I have a summer getaway coming up, and reading by the poolside or at the beach is one of the best forms of relaxation.

However, squeezing multiple novels into my luggage isn't realistic, so with that in mind, this could be the year I decide to go digital — for a reasonable price that is. Right now, Amazon's most recent standard version Kindle is now down to $84.99 in the US (was $109.99), and it's even cheaper in the UK at £75.99 (was £94.99).

Today's best Kindle deals

Prime Day discounts on the 2024 Kindle don't come as generous as they do during Black Friday, but you won't come across a better deal at any other time of year. For Amazon's most recent standard version Kindle, $85 isn't the worst price for an e-reader that covers the basics, but it has been cheaper in the past. View Deal

Likewise with Amazon UK, the 2024 Kindle generally gets a better deal at Black Friday, but Prime Day is a very close second. Given it's £55 cheaper than the Paperwhite, this is clearly a better pick for the infrequent reader who's after a more budget-friendly option.View Deal

Amazon has some of the best e-readers out there, and they range from basic models to more advanced ones like the Kindle Scribe which are designed for note-taking and productivity. But they're often very pricey, even after a Prime Day discount is applied.

The 2024 Kindle is our best budget e-reader even when it's not Prime Day, and it's an ideal model if you're only after reading tools and not the bells and whistles of its Scribe sibling. This model is also not a bulky device that's going to take up loads of room when on the move (it has an easy-to-read 6-inch screen).

Additionally, many previous-generation Kindle owners may not be too thrilled with Amazon's recent decisions to axe support for older devices, even though you're still using them despite their declining functionality. If an upgrade is what you're looking for, we believe the performance alone will be worth your while.

More Prime Day deals in the US

More Prime Day deals in the UK



from Latest from TechRadar https://ift.tt/i9uGAkD
at No comments:
Labels: ,

Monday, June 22, 2026

This free tool is helping drivers avoid automatic license plate readers —as fears grow around 'intrusive' new devices that could track your phone, AirPod and smartwatch data

  • ALPR (Automated License Plate Recognition) camera tech is getting smarter
  • A new company is bridging the gap between cameras and connected tech
  • Tools to avoid ALPR cameras are rapidly gaining popularity

More than 5,000 law enforcement departments across the US use Flock Safety cameras to track billions of license plates every month, according to a report from NBC news, helping them build an enormous database of the movements of everyday people.

But Flock is just one company working on such tech, with hundreds of new automatic license plate reader (ALPR) cameras and devices springing up daily.

More recently, 404Media has highlighted a new tech firm that aims to add phone, AirPod and Smartwatch location data to license plate readers in order to build a clearer picture about who was driving what… and when. Understandably, rebellious drivers are now fighting back thanks to a new website called DeFlock.

Leonardo's SignalTrace system is designed to scan the airwaves for signals left by myriad Bluetooth and wireless connected devices in order to link these to a license plate as it passes, potentially placing an individual in a vehicle at a specific time and place.

Leonardo says its technology uses "non-intrusive intelligence gathering" to detect publicly broadcasted device identifiers, feeding this data into an advanced algorithm so that multiple devices traveling together could link an individual to a vehicle and vice versa.

The police and other law enforcement agencies are then able to access this data, but concerns have been raised about the potential for hacking or misuse by the authorities to track personal relations.

Analysis: Privacy advocates are pushing back

Deflock Screenshoot

(Image credit: Deflock.org)

In a move that aims to hand back some control to the individual, a website called DeFlock has surfaced that allows anyone to plan routes that actively avoid Flock’s ALPR cameras altogether and generally provide a more privacy-focussed alternative.

Just like most digital route-planners, users plug in a start and end point for their journey, changing how aggressively they want the software to avoid cameras, according to Carscoops.

The site will then compare a normal route to the more private alternative, suggesting how many miles and minutes a detour would take.

Website user numbers are on the increase, as organizations, such as the Electronic Frontier Foundation, have warned that Flock’s surveillance camera systems are designed to enable “mass surveillance” and are susceptible to “grave abuses”, according to its own investigations.

Last year, the EFF reported on how more than 50 federal, state, and local agencies ran hundreds of searches through Flock's national network of surveillance data in connection with protest activity over a ten-month period, for example.

With news that ALPR cameras could soon be linked to connected devices, some sectors of the general public are understandably concerned, with one Reddit user commenting: “the only hope for anything is a Digital Civil Rights movement”.



from Latest from TechRadar https://ift.tt/jG9CT1x
at No comments:
Labels: ,

Sunday, June 21, 2026

I wanted to recommend this Hori gamepad as a cheap Steam Controller alternative, but it's just not worth your money

The Horipad for Steam controller has its highlights, but it's let down massively by a cheap feel and underwhelming performance.

from Latest from TechRadar https://ift.tt/QBwJVpm
at No comments:
Labels: ,

Popular free VPN, streaming apps bombard business networks with 'laundered' traffic used by criminals to 'blend into normal consumer noise' — here's how to keep safe

Residential proxies are both a boon for threat actors and a detriment for their victims, and many of them exist due to a lack of awareness

from Latest from TechRadar https://ift.tt/JvtGnb3
at No comments:
Labels: ,

Samsung beats Prime Day to the punch with a massive TV sale — up to $1,500 off best-selling 4K, QLED and OLED TVs

Just ahead of Prime Day, Samsung has launched a massive TV sale, and I'm rounding up today's 18 best deals, which include record-low prices on 4K, QLED, and OLED TVs.

from Latest from TechRadar https://ift.tt/XKkHGoh
at No comments:
Labels: ,

Saturday, June 20, 2026

Already watched the Sugar season 2 premiere? Here are 3 more gritty Apple TV crime shows to satisfy your inner sleuth

Sugar season 2 is now streaming and there's more great crime shows where that came from.

from Latest from TechRadar https://ift.tt/svNqGJL
at No comments:
Labels: ,
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)