Monday, June 30, 2025

This worrying Bluetooth security flaw could let hackers spy on your device via microphone

  • Security researchers found three medium-severity flaws in Bluetooth SoCs
  • When chained, they can be used to eavesdrop on conversations, and more
  • Patches are being developed, so be on your guard

Security researchers have uncovered three vulnerabilities in a Bluetooth chipset present in dozens of devices from multiple manufacturers.

The vulnerabilities, they say, can be exploited to eavesdrop on people’s conversations, steal call history and contacts information, and possibly even deploy malware on vulnerable devices.

However, exploiting the flaws for these purposes is quite difficult, so practical implementation of the bugs remains rather debatable.

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Difficult to pull off

Security researchers ERNW recently found three flaws in the Airoha system on a chip (SoC), apparently “widely used” in True Wireless Stereo (TWS) earbuds.

The SoC is allegedly present in 29 devices from different manufacturers, including a couple of high-profile names: Beyerdynamic, Bose, Sony, Marshall, Jabra, JBL, Jlab, EarisMax, MoerLabs, and Teufel. Speakers, earbuds, headphones, and wireless microphones all seem to be affected.

The bugs are now tracked under these CVEs:

CVE-2025-20700 (6.7/10) - missing authentication for GATT services
CVE-2025-20701 (6.7/10) - missing authentication for Bluetooth BR/EDR
CVE-2025-20702 (7.5/10) - critical capabilities of a custom protocol

The researchers said that a threat actor with a rather high technical skill set could, if they are within Bluetooth range, pull off an attack and hijack the connection between the phone and the Bluetooth device.

They could then issue different commands to the phone, including initiating or receiving calls, or retrieving the phone’s call history and contacts.

They could also “successfully eavesdrop on conversations or sounds within earshot of the phone," they said. Ultimately, they said it was possible to rewrite the device’s firmware and thus deploy different malware variants.

But the attacks are difficult to pull off, which could mean that only advanced adversaries, such as state-sponsored threat actors, might try to abuse the flaws. In any case, Airoha released an updated SDK with a set of mitigations, which the manufacturers now started turning into patches.

Via BleepingComputer

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Insider risk on the rise as survey finds 50% of employees have too much privileged access - and AI will make it far worse

  • Half of employees hold excessive rights across AI and SaaS estates, CloudEagle report finds
  • Invisible IT hides 60% of apps undermining traditional identity controls
  • Study recommends AI governance plus just in time access and reviews

Half of enterprise staff now hold excessive privileges to critical applications, new research has claimed.

CloudEagle.ai’s latest identity governance report surveyed 1,000 CIOs and CISOs and found 60% of SaaS and AI tools sit outside IT’s oversight.

Invisible IT is expanding insider risk, driving breaches, audit failures, and compliance headaches, the report says.

Privilege creep

It found 70% of leaders listed unsanctioned AI tools as a leading data worry, while 48% admitted former staff still hold access, even months after leaving.

Privilege creep is common, yet only five percent of organizations actively enforce least privilege settings, and just fifteen percent use just in time access company wide, despite mounting proof that temporary credentials cut risk and audit scope.

“Traditional IAM [Identity and Access Management] tools can’t keep up with today’s SaaS and AI-driven environments because not all apps are managed by IT, and not everything sits behind a centralized IAM system. IGA [Identity Governance and Administration] is at a tipping point, and enterprises must shift to AI-driven access management to stay secure and compliant,” says Nidhi Jain, CEO and Founder, CloudEagle.ai.

CloudEagle.ai’s platform positions itself as an AI-centric answer, yet the report stresses that technology alone is not enough.

It recommends appointing a Chief Identity Officer to coordinate policies across business units and automate provisioning, reviews, and removals. Zero trust, context-aware controls should replace broad standing access, while behavioral analytics help flag anomalies before they become incidents.

The study also suggests continuous access reviews powered by machine learning can shrink privilege windows without slowing work.

With shadow SaaS use rising and insider-led events now dominating breach reports, the era of annual checklists appears to be over.

Analysts say boards pay closer attention as regulators fine organizations for permission sprawl that exposes customer records and intellectual property. Without time view of every identity, leaders concede they cannot meet zero trust goals or prove compliance under cyber insurance questionnaires.

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Sunday, June 29, 2025

iQOO 13 to Be Available in a New Green Colour Option in India on July 4

iQOO 13 will be sold in India in a new green colourway starting July 4, an Amazon microsite confirmed. The specifications of the upcoming option will be the same as the existing model. It will offer a Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC, a Q2 gaming chip, an LTPO AMOLED display with up to 144Hz refresh rate, and a 6,000mAh battery with 120W fast charging and a 50-megapixel Sony IM...

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Best Gaming Phones Under Rs 30,000: Infinix GT 30 Pro 5G, iQOO Neo 10R, Poco X7 Pro, More

Gaming smartphones are in a niche category of devices which are built for delivering the maximum fun, helped by dedicated performance modes, great haptics, efficient thermals, and snazzy designs. To help you make an informed buying decision, we have curated a list of the best gaming phones under Rs. 30,000 in India.

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I tried to make an immersive smart lighting gaming desk setup and failed horribly – here's why

I wouldn't call myself a flashy person, but when it comes to smart lighting, I'm prepared to go all-out. In my home, I'm using everything from standing lamps like Philips Hue's Signe gradient lamp and TV backlight to the Govee Table Lamp 2 to give my home lighting some pizzazz.

Until recently, my setup included my beloved Nanoleaf black hexagon wall panels, which served both as traditional and immersive smart lighting when hooked up to my PC via the Nanoleaf Desktop app, in addition to the remote controls afforded by the mobile app. Unfortunately, my new digs don't afford me the wallspace for these, so I was excited to see if Nanoleaf's latest gaming release, the Pegboard Desk Dock, would suitably fill the RGB-shaped void in my life.

Would that it were so simple.

I didn't peg you as a quitter

I'm in the throes of reviewing Nanoleaf's Pegboard Desk Dock, so this is far from a final verdict, but my early impressions tell a cautionary tale for all immersive lighting enthusiasts. This 3-in-1 smart light and desktop combo is an awesome concept; smartly designed, arriving with four hooks each, which can be arranged on the Pegboard to hold your gaming controllers, handheld PCs, and headsets. If you'd rather just have the Pegboard as a display piece, you can easily pull it out of the base and turn it around to show the rear light panel.

For me, this was a dream product. I'm always looking for ways to optimize my desk space, especially since I downsized when moving home, and I love Nanoleaf's wider range of smart lights.

So, after eagerly unboxing and setting up my new lights, I was eager to see my new setup in all its glory. Just watching the lights cycle through the colors of the rainbow before I'd even paired them with Nanoleaf's software was exciting enough.

Unlike many of Nanoleaf's other products, however, the Pegboard can't be added to the Nanoleaf mobile app; it works exclusively within the Nanoleaf Desktop app, and that's where my first problem came in.

While the lights' basic settings worked just fine when unpaired, as soon as I connected them to the app and tried to change their color output, they ceased to function, flashing on and off sporadically, rejecting any peripherals I plugged into the base and intermittently appearing as "Unreachable" within the Nanoleaf app.

I'd thought it was perhaps because they needed more power, so I plugged in my power supply; no joy. The software also offers little troubleshooting for the problem, and with everything running smoothly until the point I tried to pair them, I've come up short trying to fix them myself. I've yet to contact Nanoleaf about the issue, which I'll surely do before I give my final verdict, and I'm more than certain that a resolution exists; however, my experience paints a broader picture of immersive smart home lighting challenges.

It was at this moment I knew it was all going very wrong

(Image credit: Future)

Bigger fish to fry

I don't relish bemoaning the woeful state of smart home interoperability once again. The simple fact is, it's everyone's biggest problem, and that's not exclusive to smart lighting for the home; any smart home brand taking the walled garden approach, of which there are many, earns my ire in the age of Matter compatibility.

Gaming lights, in particular, suffer. On my gaming laptop, I've got a plethora of RGB and smart light controlling apps; Logitech G Hub, HyperX NGENUITY, Corsair iCUE, Razer Chroma, and Nanoleaf being the ones I used for this setup.

Now, some of these play nice with each other; namely, Nanoleaf links up to both Corsair iCUE and Razer Chroma, but that still leaves half of my peripherals setup disconnected. You're also at the mercy of software updates, which, especially if you use a hub app with multiple platforms connected to it, can make or break your setup.

There's also the non-small issue of the software itself. Running these background apps, especially if you aren't able to whittle them down by integrating different platforms, can use a fair bit of CPU and RAM. Especially if you're playing on a more lightweight machine, that can end up being pretty detrimental for high-stakes gaming.

Not all hope is lost when it comes to immersive smart lighting, though. Software like SignalRGB and OpenRGB goes a long way to mitigate compatibility problems, even if these are far from perfect. Still, things are heading in the right direction, just at a glacial pace – and if smart light makers want to light up the lives of gamers the world over, that will need to change to keep up with the sophisticated interfaces and experiences we're used to from our tech.

Even when it comes to immersive lighting for the TV, you can bet things are never simple. Screen extending lighting is increasingly popular, yet your options these days are limited; splurge on a pricey Philips Ambilight TV, opt for the still-pricey Hue light strip and sync box (which requires HDMI input and thus won't work with cable TV or built-in Smart TV software) or opt for a product like Nanoleaf 4D or Govee Ambient TV backlight, which points a camera at your screen to detect the action, will invariably have some small input lag.

My best advice? Stick with as many products from one light maker as possible, and for PC gaming, that will, in all likelihood, be a peripherals manufacturer with more focus on the RGB than the smart lighting of it all.

Want to start your own smart lighting setup? Shop my favorites below!

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Saturday, June 28, 2025

Jake Paul vs Chavez Jr LIVE: fight stream, cheapest PPV deals, watch the boxing online

Jake Paul vs Chavez Jr is here – which means it's time to figure out the best (and possibly cheapest) way to watch the big fight live on Saturday, June 28 from anywhere with a VPN.

The hotly-anticipated cruiserweight clash between social media boxer Jake Paul and the former WBC middleweight tile holder is tipped to sell more than 250,000 pay-per-views around the world.

Boxing fans can watch live thanks to major sports network DAZN Boxing, as well as online via DAZN's streaming apps.

Ready to see the huge box office showdown in California? Stick with us for all the latest on Jake Paul vs Chavez Jr including highlights, replays and round-by-round updates...

Watching Jake Paul vs Chavez Jr: the essentials

What is the venue for Jake Paul fight?

Jake Paul vs Chavez Jr (2025) takes place at Honda Center, Anaheim, California.

Honda Center cost $123 million to build and is one of the largest indoor stadiums in the USA with a capacity of stands 18,336 spectators.

Nakisa Bidarian, who co-founded Most Valuable Promotions with Paul said: "In just his 13th pro fight with no amateur background, Jake is not only headlining but generating three to four times the ticket revenue of past marquee events. He’s not just breaking records, he’s changing the business of boxing."

Jake Paul vs Chavez Jr on DAZN

(Image credit: DAZN)

When does Jake Paul vs Chavez Jr take place?

Jake Paul vs Chavez Jr – as it is officially known – takes place in California on Saturday, June 28. The main card will begin at 8pm GMT / 3 pm ET.

The Jake Paul fight comes just weeks before the big Usyk vs Dubois 2 rematch on July 19.

How much has Jake Paul earned from boxing?

Jake Paul's total net worth is "estimated to be between $100 million and $120 million in 2025" per Marca (June, 2025).

However, it's not all from boxing matches, Although he co-owns Most Valuable Promotions his empire encompasses sports drinks, crypto currency, YouTube revenue, clothing and sponsorship deals.

Where can I watch the Jake Paul prelims live?

Fight fans can watch the Paul vs Chavez prelims for free on the DAZN YouTube channel. It's in action now so tune in ahead of tonight's big cruiserweight showdown.



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After years of using Things 3, iOS 26 could move me to Reminders

WWDC 2025 is in the rear-view mirror, and it’d be fair to say there was plenty to get excited about, even with Apple (wisely) sidestepping its wider Apple Intelligence upgrades.

iPad getting true window management was a great addition, while the new design language across all platforms is sure to be a big focus come September. But relatively tucked away, almost as a footnote, was the promise of more features to come to Reminders - and seeing those features arrive might actually get me to move away from Things 3.

Let me explain.

Here’s the Thing

Cultured Code’s 'Things' app is, as anyone who uses it will tell you, the holy grail of UI design. It’s a task manager that looks so good, even Apple itself couldn’t have done a better job, and it’s been my go-to organizational tool for the best part of a decade. It's a powerful tool for anyone using one of the best MacBooks and Macs - or any Apple device, for that matter.

I use the app on my Mac, my iPad, my iPhone, and my Apple Watch, even jotting down tasks with an Action Button shortcut on my phone. And yet, I find myself straying from the path. It’s not that Things 3 is any less magical than it was when I started using it; it’s just that so many rivals have closed the gap.

Things 3 remains an easy place to dump tasks, file them away into sections, and enjoy that serotonin hit when you tick them off. There’s nothing wrong with that, but it’s missing some key features that its rivals now offer.

There’s no shared reminder list, so my wife can add things for me to do, and there’s no web version, either. It’s also lacking in ‘true’ Siri integration, meaning I essentially have to file my tasks in Reminders and have them sync across to Things 3 if I want them to be dictated.

So - what if I didn’t sync them across? What if I just, you know, used Apple Reminders to run my life?

Rejigging the system

I use Notion as a database to run my working life from, but Things is where my day-to-day stuff gets done. Every night, I load it up with tasks for the morning, and every morning, I start checking them off.

But what if my wife needs me to grab something from the shop? What if I want to ask Siri via CarPlay to add something to my daily list? These are the kinds of things where Reminders would work great, but that’s nothing new. In fact, Apple has been putting a ton of work into Reminders over the last few years, so what’s got me thinking of switching now?

As a writer, I’m wary of AI. Models trained on content I’ve worked hard for are always worth keeping a wary eye on, but I acknowledge that machine learning has plenty to offer (and no, I don’t mean those awful notification summaries).

This year, with iOS 26 and macOS Tahoe (and the assorted other Apple OS releases), Apple Intelligence will be integrated into Reminders, so that it can automatically assess what the next action item should be. Receive confirmation that one of my freelance articles has been published? It would be great to have a task pop up to invoice it. Make a note from a meeting? Having the place to send the details afterwards would be super helpful.

The app will even be able to intelligently work out which list your tasks should go into, meaning less time is spent funnelling them into the correct places.

I might be getting ahead of myself (and I’m not even sure if any AI functionality is in the current beta to test at present), but even if it’s not Reminders I move to (I still don’t love that UI), I feel like Things 3 (or surely a fourth version) could do with more forward thinking on the update front.

What could Things 4 add?

Okay then: Cultured Code, are you listening? There are a handful of things a longtime user like myself would love to see in a potential 'Things 4'.

For one, I’d love to have Morning/Afternoon/Evening as different timeslots (at present it’s just day and evening), which could then allow for more granularity with ordering tasks.

A web app is also a must (some of us use Windows, y’know?) while a collaborative list option could make Things 3 even better for small business owners like myself. And hey, a Kanban view would mean I don’t have to take tasks from Notion and throw them into Things, too.

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Mr Hamza, Mysterious Team Bangladesh, and Keynous+ led a massive surge in DDoS on US businesses following an attack on Iran

  • Mr. Hamza claimed over half the strikes in a coordinated wave of digital retaliation
  • Hacktivists redirected fury from Israel to America in a stunning 48-hour escalation
  • U.S. military-linked manufacturers became primary targets in a pointed cyber warning shot

An abrupt and massive rise in Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks against U.S. businesses has coincided with Washington’s involvement in the Israel-Iran conflict.

According to Radware’s Director of Threat Intelligence, Pascal Geenens, between June 21 and 22, 2025, hacktivist-led DDoS claims surged by 800%.

This dramatic increase was paralleled by a 900% drop in attacks against Israel, suggesting a deliberate redirection of focus away from Israel and toward its most prominent ally.

Key groups behind the DDoS escalation

The spike in cyber hostility has been attributed largely to the actions of a few specific threat groups.

Mr. Hamza, a hacktivist group known for its cyberattacks, was responsible for more than half of the claimed attacks in the U.S., while Mysterious Team Bangladesh and Keynous+ each claimed responsibility for over 17%.

The presence of other smaller groups, such as Team Fearless (PS), further indicates a broad, if loosely organized, coalition acting on a shared political motivation.

Radware’s data suggests this alignment stems more from anti-U.S. sentiment over its stance in the Middle Eastern conflict than from any centralized coordination.

Crucially, the sectors targeted during the June 22 escalation included manufacturing, finance, and government.

Manufacturing stood out not only in terms of volume but also in its specificity, with many of the victims tied to military and aerospace production.

This pattern points to more than random disruption, it reflects a calculated effort to destabilize core defense and economic infrastructures.

“Notably, many of the manufacturing-related targets were linked to military and defense production, particularly companies involved in air defense and aerospace systems,” Geenens emphasized.

The nature of DDoS attacks makes it difficult to determine long-term strategic intentions, but their use as a disruptive tool is clear.

Hacktivist-driven campaigns have historically served as early warnings of more sustained or damaging attacks.

These assaults are therefore more than digital noise, they may well foreshadow deeper incursions.

Companies that rely on online operations, from government contractors to sellers using ecommerce platforms, must strengthen their cyber resilience.

For those building new online storefronts using ecommerce website builders, security protocols now require as much attention as usability or design.

As a result, choosing providers that offer the best DDoS protection is no longer a matter of precaution but a necessity.

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Friday, June 27, 2025

JCB debuts trio of Android rugged smartphones with midrange features - but I fear it won't be affordable enough to bother rivals

  • JCB’s rugged phone trio enters a saturated market with a price that raises eyebrows
  • JCB Toughphone P20's thermal camera is unique, but won’t matter much to everyday users
  • Midrange specs and premium pricing put the JCB M20 and E10 in a tight spot

JCB has introduced three Android rugged smartphones, targeting field professionals in industries such as construction and logistics.

The most advanced of the trio, the Toughphone P20, arrives with Android 14, a 6.6-inch 120Hz Full HD+ display, and a MediaTek MT6877 chipset coupled with 12GB RAM and 512GB of internal storage, expandable up to 1TB.

But with a launch price of £649 (€649), it lands in a territory already contested by better-known and, in some cases, more affordable rivals.

Niche features may not justify a premium price

On paper, the Toughphone P20 appears to be built to last. Its 10,000mAh battery supports up to 40 hours of talk time and 50 days of standby, while also offering powerbank functionality.

JCB claims it “combines robust hardware with advanced features,” and the device meets IP69K and MIL-STD 810H durability standards.

The drop resistance of up to 1.8 metres and water resistance make it a credible option, but it must contend with phones like the Ulefone Armor 28 Ultra, which boasts similar ruggedness, an even larger battery, and support for Android 15 at a slightly higher cost.

JCB's inclusion of a thermal imaging camera is a niche but welcome feature, using an “uncooled VOx microbolometer” capable of capturing temperatures from -15°C to 550°C with a resolution of 256 x 192 pixels.

The triple rear camera system, 64MP main, 8MP wide-angle, and 20MP night vision, adds versatility, and the 20MP front camera is well above the standard for rugged phones.

However, in the area of software assurance and update longevity, mainstream rivals like the Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 still offer more confidence, especially for enterprise users who value a mature ecosystem.

The Toughphone M20 and E10, which come in at £449 and £249 respectively, cater to mid- and entry-level rugged users, but again, they're priced within reach of alternative options.

The Doogee S200 provides similar specs to the M20 with a huge battery and 5G support, but may come in cheaper, especially from resellers.

Meanwhile, for buyers interested in large screens and aggressive aesthetics, the 8849 Shark 3 competes with its striking design and gaming-inspired rugged build.

JCB markets the P20 as a field-ready tool but it faces stiff competition even among lesser-known brands. The Oukitel WP200 Pro, for instance, blends durability, strong specs, and an average price point, challenging JCB’s efforts to stand out.

Unless JCB can negotiate volume deals to bring the price down significantly, its debut trio may struggle to attract attention beyond niche buyers who already know exactly what they're looking for.

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The best TV show on Prime Video? I can’t stop coming back to this comfortingly cringey comedy series from the 2000s

Some TV shows are like comfort food, and for me, there’s no show more comforting than Peep Show. The British sitcom from the early 2000s has been my go-to whenever I don’t know what to watch for quite some time now, and for good reasons.

For the uninitiated, Peep Show follows the miseries of self-doubting, uptight loan manager called Mark Corrigan (David Mitchell), who rents a room in his South London flat to Jeremy Usbourne (Robert Webb), aka Jez, an overconfident and impulsive musician.

Together, they stumble, blindly through day-to-day life, usually ending up in a desperate situation of their own making. There’s something weirdly cozy about watching two awkward flatmates spiral through life’s small humiliations, especially when their internal monologues are so brutally honest – and endlessly quotable.

I’m not ashamed to admit that I often find myself referencing memorable lines from the series. Don’t believe me? Given that I’m writing about a TV show, I can’t help but think about a fitting scene from one of my favorite episodes of the entire series, ‘Seasonal Beatings’ (episode 5 of season 7), where Mark is discussing what to watch next:

"We watched all the Losts and they were… somewhat okay, and Heroes had some interesting themes, but also quite a lot of… not so interesting themes. And Prison Break, by the end I very much wanted to break out of the prison that Prison Break had become for us."

Unlike many other shows, Peep Show isn’t just "somewhat okay". It does have interesting themes and I never want to break out of my habit of streaming it on repeat. Whether you’re discovering it for the first time on one of the best streaming services or rewatching it for the umpteenth time like me, Peep Show remains one of the most unique and rewarding comedies out there.

Why you should (still) watch Peep Show

David Mitchell and Robert eb stand in a flat looking unimpressed

Peep Show is one of the best Prime Video shows in the US and Australia.

The series features some of the best side characters you'll ever meet. From Jez's ‘moreish’ bandmate Super Hans (Matt King) and Mark's ruthless boss Alan Johnson (Paterson Joseph) to Mark's love interests Sophie (Olivia Coleman) and Dobby (Isy Suttie), the supporting cast are every bit as quirky and engaging as the two leads.

Peep Show’s cringe humor often sees the show get compared to another well-loved sitcom you might have heard of: The Office. But while both shows are filled with awkward silences and cringe-inducing lead characters, Peep Show is in a class of its own.

Its humor is more polished (yes, there are moments of chaos but it doesn't turn slapstick), its underlining themes are much darker (in one episode it goes to the “heart of darkness”) and its characters are far more deluded (the show really doesn't hold back on just how much so at times). But at the same time, it’s not doing any of this in a pretentious way.

Indeed, there’s no gloss here. The flats are grim, the jobs are soul-crushing (although one character does get close to the ‘big three’: “museum, lunch and a snooze”), and the dreams are small. But that’s what makes the show so easy to watch, because it doesn’t pretend to be anything grand.

Mark and Jex stare down directly into the camera in an episode of Peep Show

In the UK, Peep Show is one of the best Netflix shows you can stream. (Image credit: Channel 4)

The secondhand embarrassment you feel from the comedy is all amplified by the shaky point-of-view (POV) filming that the show is known for. There's nowhere for the viewer to hide. You see everything up close, making you feel like you're inside the lead characters' heads.

While the filming style is unique, it can also take some getting used to. The first season was very much still finding its (rainbow) rhythm with the POV camerawork, and mounted head cameras to the actors to produce the effect – the quality of the footage these cameras produced was quite low, which is why they're used less later in the series.

Basically, don't skip the first season because you're put off by the video quality; stick with it, because you'll be rewarded with some of the best gags in the series, including one that makes a reappearance in season 5, which you wouldn't otherwise get if you skipped it.

What also makes it such a comforting TV show to stream is that the episodes are short, usually just under 30 minutes, but a lot still happens throughout. Peep Show is the perfect series for short sittings when you need something light to watch because you can easily tune in and out of it.

So what are you waiting for? Pour yourself a massive drink. Turn on the TV and crack open this exceptionally funny show that deserves your attention immediately. Merry Peep Show watching everyone!

Peep Show is available to watch on Prime Video, Hulu and BritBox in the US, as well as some of the best free streaming services, including Pluto TV, Plex and The Roku Channel. Meanwhile, those in the UK can find it on Netflix, while Australians can stream it on Prime Video, BritBox and Stan.

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Microsoft's rekindling of Three Mile Island nuclear plant is ahead of schedule

  • Three Mile Island nuclear plant looks to be ahead of scheduling, opening in 2027 (not 2028)
  • Microsoft has a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement on the site
  • Other AI companies are investing in nuclear, too

The Three Mile Island nuclear power plant could restart as soon as 2027 – a year ahead of its original reopening date of 2028 – but with a key difference compared to its former life.

Only Unit 1 will be restarted, because it was not involved in the 1979 meltdown, which affected Unit 2. Although Unit 1 remained open following the incident, it was shut down in 2019 due to economic reasons (not safety concerns).

This time around, it's set to be operated by Microsoft, following the company's deal on a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA), signed in September 2024, in conjunction with Constellation Energy.

Microsoft is reviving the Three Mile Island nuclear plant

Microsoft is specifically interested in this nuclear plant because of its rising energy consumption and surging demands, caused by its power-hungry AI data centers. As a result, Redmond and other hyperscalers including Meta, AWS and Oracle have all invested heavily in nuclear energy to meet demand.

For example, Meta recently signed a similar 20-year deal for Illinois' Clinton nuclear plant, and AWS invested $650 million in nuclear-powered data centers near the Susquehanna plant in Pennsylvania.

Water systems have now been restored to the site and infrastructure inspections completed, according to Reuters reporting. The site is now awaiting grid connection approval from the regional grid operator, with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission set to inspect the site as soon as next month.

More broadly, Microsoft's decision to reopen a closed nuclear site is the first of its kind and a reflection of the industry-wide scramble to produce more energy. Record-high US electricity demand is also causing a surge in nuclear plants specifically, thanks to their relatively high output.

Constellation CEO Joe Dominguez admitted: "We made a mistake in shutting down this plant, but we’re not here to dwell on the past." Looking ahead, as Microsoft and its Big Tech rivals gear up to integrate AI into more aspects of work and personal life, it's clear that more needs to be done not only to generate enough electricity, but also to address the growing environmental concerns.

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Thursday, June 26, 2025

Good tech doesn’t have to be boring – from headphones to smart lights, here are my top 6 recommendations for colorful tech that'll stand out from the crowd

They say fortune favors the bold, so why not rebel from cookie-cutter colorways and mix things up with some eye-catching tech instead? As a self-confessed color addict, I often find myself drawn to products rocking vibrant hues. But, experience has taught me that looks aren't everything, and no matter how pretty something may be, I'll soon tire of it if it proves inefficient.

To save others the trial and error, I've collated a list of six of our favorite products across a range of categories that not only performed well, but boast aesthetically pleasing colorways that'll satisfy those color cravings too.

Gamakay TK75 V2

Gamakay TK75 V2 on desk with pink wall and plant in background

(Image credit: Future)

The Gamakay TK75 V2 keyboard is a well-built and well-performing mechanical keyboard that offers multiple wireless connectivity modes and a good level of customization for the $89.99 / £75 / $AU148 price tag.

Our reviewer was impressed by the performance of the Pegasus switches, describing them as ultra-quiet and smooth, while still providing a good level of feedback. He also appreciated the silky-smooth feel of the PBT keycaps, which range in color from white, like the rest of the body, to pale blue, teal, and black.

If I could have things my way, all of the best keyboards would have RGB lighting, so I appreciate the vivid RGB backlighting on the TK75 V2, and I’m loving that the extra vibrancy from the independently adjustable RGB light bar that lives toward the right-hand end of the keyboard.

The Gamakay TK75 V2 also has a novel little feature similar to others I’ve seen appearing on the market, namely a teeny little screen that’s nestled between the up and right arrow buttons, which is capable of showing colorful little images or GIFs.

For the down-low on this bright and beautiful keyboard, check out our Gamakay TK75 review.

Bose QuietComfort headphones

A collection of Bose QuietComfort headphones in black, blue, sandstone, and lilac.

(Image credit: Future / Bose)

The Bose QuietComfort headphones are a personal favorite of mine, and I wear my black pair almost every day. I was almost tempted away by a pale pink pair of Edifiers, but I quickly learned that the difference in fit and performance just wasn’t going to be enough for me to make the switch.

Bose's QuietComfort Headphones have a list price of $349 / £349.95 / AU$549.95 and come in a wide range of colors, including black, white, sandstone, lilac, and three different blues, although the paler Moonstone Blue looks to only be available from Amazon US. There’s also a pretty Petal Pink model, but sadly for those of us in the UK, this color seems to only be available in the US and Australia.

The button controls on the QuietComforts are simple but satisfying, so I’ve not encountered any issues when skipping tracks or switching between noise-cancelling modes when on the move. Speaking of the ANC, it was rated excellent by our reviewer, and I agree completely, as it serves me well whenever I need to focus in a busy office, and it effectively filters out ambient sounds from noisy public transport.

Bose states that the QuietComforts have a battery life of 24 hours, though our reviewer managed to get closer to 26 hours during testing, and I’ve personally not needed to charge my pair up that often, considering the amount I use them.

If you’re looking for a pair of headphones that are as well-performing as they are pretty, I strongly suggest you give these a try. I recommend checking out our full Bose QuietComfort headphones review for a more in-depth analysis.

Govee Neon Rope Light 2

The rope light is in the shape of a woman's face.

(Image credit: Future)

I review a lot of smart lights, and I have lots of them in my home. Some are set to white for practical use, but most are programmed to brighten my space as a colorful dopamine boost.

The Govee Neon Rope Light 2 brings something a little different to the table, however. It isn’t a smart light one would buy just to add a bit of ambient color; it’s designed to make a statement, and it succeeds. It comes in white or black, and has a list price of $69.99 / £79.99 for the 9.8ft / 3m model, and $99.99 /£99.99 for the 16.4ft / 5m model.

This isn’t the only smart light of this kind, but the incredible level of customization that’s on offer within the intuitive Govee Home app makes it a very good example. You can customize the Neon Rope Light 2 by picking your own color palette and applying it over the entire rope light or curating it in segments. Alternatively, you can make the most of the many pre-existing color palettes or explore the many colors and lighting effects on offer from the wide range of scenes.

Though it’s perfect for creating a vibrant and eye-catching neon sign, the variable temperature and brightness levels mean it can also be used more subtly to highlight a particular feature or artwork.

If you’d like to learn more about all the fun features on offer, why not have a read of my full Govee Neon Rope Light 2 review?

Dyson Supersonic Nural

Dyson Supersonic Nural hair dryer

(Image credit: Future)

If someone had pitched the idea of a turquoise and orange hairdryer in the past, I’m fairly certain I would have raised an eyebrow, but I really can’t get enough of the Ceramic patina and topaz colorway, and the darker Vinca blue patina and topaz is pretty blimmin’ lovely too.

The price tag may be hefty at $499.99 / £399.99 / AU$750, but we were blown away by the performance of the Dyson Supersonic Nural.

It boasts several features, including an auto-pause mode, setting preference memory for each of its five attachments, and the innovative Scalp Protect mode. Our reviewer found this mode worked well, as it automatically adjusted the Dyson Supersonic Nural’s temperature based on how far it was away from her head, without noticeably lengthening the drying time compared to her usual just-blast-it-with-hot-air approach.

Obviously, this is a big investment to make just for a colorful hairdryer, but if you have the cash to spare, then you won’t be disappointed by the performance the Dyson Supersonic Nural delivers.

If you’d like to read more about how this eye-catching hairdryer performed, take a look at our full Dyson Supersonic Nural review.

SanDisk Creator Phone SSD

SanDisk Creator Phone SSD

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

Most external hard drives are bland, black rectangles, but not this boisterously blue SanDisk Creator Phone SSD, which has a list price of $99 / £99 for 1TB of storage, or $156 / £156 for 2TB.

With USB-C connectivity and a handy lanyard loop, this MagSafe-compatible SSD makes a great portable hard drive for iPhone and Android users alike. Its slimline design makes it easy to pack away, and our reviewer found that this made it one of the few portable SSDs he’d tried that actually felt comfortable when on the back of his phone.

Despite weighing just 2oz / 54g, the build quality felt solid and robust. This, combined with the rubberized edges and IP65 dust and water-proof rating, provides some added reassurance when taking it out and about, though it’s important to remember that this rating means it doesn’t qualify as fully waterproof.

According to our reviewer, the performance of the USB 3.4 Gen 2 interface was spot-on, either exceeding or coming very close to the scores we wanted to see in the benchmarking tests. The Creator Phone SSD also had no problem keeping up with the demands of capturing over 12 minutes of ProRes video footage.

While the color wasn’t to his taste, our reviewer was a fan of the Creator Phone SSD overall, and considers it to be one of the best portable SSDs, whether you’re capturing ProRes video footage or simply using it for extended storage. If you’d like to learn about this portable SSD’s performance in more detail, I recommend checking out our full SanDisk Creator Phone SSD review.

Motorola Edge 50 Neo

Reverse side of Motorola Edge 50 Neo

(Image credit: Future)

If you’re looking for a smartphone that makes a statement, then I think you’ll like the Motorola Edge 50 Neo. It has a list price of £399 / AU$699 (about $500), and is currently only available in the UK; however, Motorola has other colorful models in their Razr, Edge 60, and Moto G Stylus ranges.

All models of the Edge 50 feature a Pantone-curated colored case comprising pleasingly soft-to-the-touch vegan leather and a mixture of brushed and shiny-finished metallic edging. The model we reviewed was called Poinciana, which is a very eye-catching red-orange color.

When it was reviewed, the Motorola Edge 50 Neo came with the Android 14 OS installed, with the option to upgrade to Android 15. Motorola promised five Android OS upgrades and five years of security upgrades, which is good going for a phone of this price.

The 6.4-inch AMOLED display was satisfyingly bright for the price, and the colors on-screen were just as vibrant and eye-catching as its Pantone-colored casing. The Hello UI offered some useful security features and allowed for plenty of customization, too.

The cameras on offer include a 32MP front camera, a 50MP main and a 13MP ultra-wide camera, as well as a 10MP telephoto sensor, which delivered a solid performance for a mid-range phone.

If you’re looking for a lightweight mid-range phone with solid battery life that stands out from the crowd, I’d recommend taking a look at our full Motorola Edge 50 Neo review.

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Intel set to transfer marketing jobs to an AI which could ironically be running on Intel processors

  • Intel will outsource marketing roles to Accenture and artificial intelligence
  • Company CEO Lip-Bu Tan pushes structural cuts to speed up operations
  • Marketing staff may help train replacements as layoffs are planned

Intel has begun informing its marketing staff that many of their roles will be outsourced to Accenture, which will use artificial intelligence to manage parts of Intel’s marketing efforts, potentially powered by Intel’s own processors.

This move is part of CEO Lip-Bu Tan’s broader plan to overhaul operations, cut costs, and speed up decision-making.

Intel revealed its plans with a statement describing Accenture as “a longtime partner and trusted leader,” and said it is expanding that relationship, with affected employees notified by July 11.

Significant changes to team structures

“The transition of our marketing and operations functions will result in significant changes to team structures, including potential headcount reductions, with only lean teams remaining,” Intel wrote in a staff notice. The company did not reveal how many employees could be affected by the cuts.

Intel added, “We are focused on modernizing our digital capabilities to serve our customers better and strengthen our brand.”

Intel describes the shift to Accenture as a way to streamline marketing work.

“We need to change our ‘go to market’ model to be more responsive to what customers want,” the company reportedly told its marketing team. “We have received feedback that our decision-making is too slow, our programs are too complex, and our competitors are moving faster.”

Intel is struggling to regain ground after losing market share in PCs, data centers, and AI chips. Its sales have dropped by about one-third in recent years.

“We are partnering with Accenture to leverage AI-driven technologies with the goals of moving faster, simplifying processes and reflecting best practices, while also managing our spending,” Intel told employees, adding that some staff may be asked to train their replacements during the handoff period.

A few days previously, manufacturing employees were warned that up to 20% of their jobs could be cut in July 2025.

Via Oregon Live

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Wednesday, June 25, 2025

This Intel Core i7 motherboard is probably the world's most powerful SBC - and yet it is as small as the Raspberry Pi 5


  • de next-RAP8 SBC may be tiny in size, but pushes boundaries in robotics and industrial hardware design
  • Not your average single-board computer, this one runs Intel Core i7 and LPDDR5x memory
  • Add-on modules unlock AI and storage power, but complexity holds it back for offices

AAEON has introduced the de next-RAP8, a single-board computer that combines 13th Gen Intel Core processors with a compact footprint of just 84mm x 55mm.

This makes it similar in size to the Raspberry Pi 5, yet it includes components typically reserved for much larger systems.

The board is available with the Intel Core i3-1315UE, i5-1335UE, or i7-1365UE, each running at 15W.

Designed for robotics and industrial systems

The biggest model delivers up to 10 cores and 12 threads, paired with up to 16GB of LPDDR5x memory and integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics.

These specifications suggest the board could handle lightweight multitasking and media processing, although performance would still be constrained by thermal limits and the lack of a discrete GPU.

While it delivers more performance than typical embedded systems, its layout and expansion capabilities do not match the flexibility expected from workstation PCs.

Its connectivity includes dual Intel RJ-45 Ethernet ports supporting 2.5GbE and 1GbE, two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, HDMI 1.2a output, and a 12V DC jack.

Additional features are accessible through a 40-pin header, which supports 8-bit GPIO, USB 2.0, and RS-232/422/485 interfaces. There is also optional support for SMBus/I2C.

These features suggest the board is intended for integration into custom hardware systems, including drones and robotics platforms.

Further expansion is available via an M.2 2280 M-Key slot for Wi-Fi, 4G, or storage modules, and an FPC connector offering PCIe x4 Gen 3.

AAEON’s own adapter cards, such as the PER-T642 and PER-R41P, extend functionality to include AI acceleration and additional storage or graphics capture capabilities.

The de next-RAP8 is well suited for specialized devices built for robotics, drones, kiosks, and other industrial systems that require custom integration in space-constrained setups.

However, the need for add-on cards adds complexity that typical office setups don’t require, making it unsuitable as a business PC, which should offer built-in features and better scalability.

Via TechPowerUp

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I’ve been telling you AR glasses will be awesome, and this real-life ad blocker is yet another reason why I'm right

Ever wish your digital ad blocker could work offline too? This in-development AR glasses software could do just that, and it could be one of the first apps I download when I get a pair.

AR glasses – be they from Snap, Meta, Google and its Android XR partners, or one of the other brands pursuing this field – are increasingly looking like they’ll be the next big thing in tech, but one fear I’ve heard from some is they’ll give our tech a new avenue for blasting ads in front of our faces.

We’ll be bombarded by inescapable banners and pop-ups – a frustrating experience which sounds like prime material for a Futurama episode.

Thankfully, one AR software developer has created a tool that goes in the opposite direction by blocking adverts wherever they appear.

Stijn Spanhove took to social media to show off an “early and experimental” build of the app, but even at this early stage, it already offers some impressive features.

As you’d expect, when switched on, the app can obscure large sign ads, covering them up with a red blocker and a brief description of what’s underneath, such as “Bol. billboard” – but it can also hide adverts in newspapers, and logos on soda cans and cereal boxes.

For now, however, the blocker isn’t perfect.

I’d argue the big red blocker is more distracting than an advertisement, and it can take a moment to appear, though there is some great spatial awareness as the blocker does a good job of floating in place as the AR glasses wearer moves their head around.

That said, with AR glasses still some time away from their consumer debut, there’s plenty of time for these kinks to be worked out.

As Spanhove highlighted, AR glasses will enable us to control the content we see in both the digital and virtual world, and while it’s reasonable to be concerned about how this feature could be abused, it’s always nice to be reminded that plenty of app makers will be responsible with the power AR unlocks.

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I'm still waiting on the MSI Claw 8 AI+ – and in the meantime, handheld gaming with the Xreal One AR glasses should hold me over

If you've kept up to date with my articles recently, then you'll be aware that I've been on the lookout for acquiring the MSI Claw 8 AI+ or an equivalent handheld with an 8-inch screen.

This is simply because I want a handheld gaming PC that has a bigger screen, without going overboard like some of the unappealing devices that look like a tablet and controller super-glued together.

Unfortunately, that's not possible, since the Claw 8 AI+ is almost non-existent across retailers in the UK and the US, and opting for the Lenovo Legion Go S or the original (both using the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme) would seem a little nonsensical since I'd miss out on the processor upgrade. So, I guess you can say I've been a little out of luck... or have I?

I say this because acquiring the Xreal One AR glasses for testing on the Asus ROG Ally has left me amazed at just how much better handheld gaming can be. With a micro OLED display, an X1 chip, adjustable screen size, and distance, including an ultrawide mode (up to a 32:9 aspect ratio), it's one of the best solutions for those who want a bigger screen. However, that's not all.

Neck and hand strain is no longer an issue...

The Xreal One AR glasses massively contribute to a reduction of neck and hand strain. As much as I love handheld gaming PCs, I'll admit it's difficult to get the same experience as you would with a desktop gaming setup – and no, I'm not talking about performance.

One way or another, most will find issues with neck and hand aches (especially with heavier 8-inch devices) after prolonged periods of gaming – trust me, I can already see the "touch grass comments" – but the Xreal One glasses completely alleviate these problems.

With its follow and anchor modes, you can easily move the projected display and lock it wherever you prefer. Essentially, I could use my handheld while lying in bed and have the action projected onto the ceiling, adjusting the screen size up to 147 inches with an adjustable distance for visual clarity.

With a transparency mode, I could easily darken the surroundings of the projected display, producing a theater-like experience, built for immersion. This is best used in a dark room without any light intrusion. It's not going to reproduce what you'd get with a full VR headset, of course not, but it does a great job at placing you in the world of your content.

It's not just gaming either. The ultrawide mode is fantastic for 21:9 movies and games, but don't expect much with the latter on handhelds. On Bazzite (a SteamOS clone), I couldn't manage to get an ultrawide resolution working in Stellar Blade (the game I tested most) – so while you can use the ultrawide mode with the ROG Ally, you'll be left with black bars in-game.

In all honesty, you should never expect to be playing at an ultrawide resolution using a handheld gaming PC. That's the realm of a more powerful gaming PC instead – and this introduces the gripes I do have with the Xreal One AR glasses.

Xreal One AR glasses with Asus ROG Ally

Don't judge me... I'm in love with it (Image credit: Future / Isaiah Williams)

The Xreal One glasses are too expensive, especially for handheld-only usage

The biggest problem I have with the Xreal One glasses is their price. It retails at $499 / £499, which, if you're using it for a variety of devices, is still reasonable. However, if you're buying this strictly for your handheld (which is probably why you're even reading this) or desktop gaming PC, then it's hard for me to recommend.

This is because you'll most likely need to buy accessories like the Xreal Hub to simultaneously charge your handheld while also using a separate connection for display. For those that have handhelds like the Lenovo Legion Go or MSI Claw 8 AI+, you're in luck, as they have two USB-C ports, but the Asus ROG Ally doesn't.

It's no secret that the ROG Ally's battery life is pretty bad. So, without a dock that has Power Delivery with DisplayPort or the Xreal Hub, I couldn't use the Xreal One glasses to their full potential, as I had to keep charging my handheld after 30 to 45 minutes from full charge.

The same applied to my gaming PC, as you'll need an HDMI to USB-C or DP to USB-C cable (with USB-A power) to get the glasses working. What I'm trying to say is I don't like the fact that you have to spend more on accessories, as such to get the AR glasses working at their full potential, especially when it already costs a lot of money.

When you throw in the price of the handhelds themselves, it becomes a huge expense altogether, and overall, a tough recommendation. Don't get me wrong, these are a great set of AR glasses that I'd love to use for travel and the convenience of better multitasking, but just be ready to cough up a lot of cash for the best possible experience.

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Tuesday, June 24, 2025

Forget Starlink – this Chinese satellite internet tech is capable of 1Gbps speeds that are five times faster


  • A team of Chinese researchers has achieved a 1Gbps data transmission from a satellite
  • The satellite operates 22,807 miles above Earth, while Starlink satellites are at around 341 miles
  • This kind of speed could be revolutionary for internet connections in remote areas on Earth, but also in space

It's no secret that getting a stable, reasonably fast internet connection in non-urban areas is still a challenge (and even those of us living in cities sometimes struggle). Elon Musk's satellite internet service, Starlink, goes a long way toward making internet more accessible all around the globe – but it just got majorly overshadowed by a small team of Chinese scientists.

This new breakthrough in satellite internet technology (via Interesting Engineering) was achieved by Liu Chao from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Professor Wu Jian of Peking University of Posts and Telecommunications. The scientists developed a new method of combating the biggest hurdle faced by satellite laser connections: atmospheric turbulence.

Combining two already established technologies and using them in synergy resulted in shockingly fast data transmission. But this isn't just about speed (although that's arguably the best part for us, internet users). It's also about the distance to the satellite and the laughably low wattage of the laser used by the Chinese researchers.

Super-fast satellite speeds with a surprisingly low error rate

A key benefit of this method lies in the relatively low error rate during data transmission, increasing the chance of achieving usable signals by nearly 20% (previously 72%, now 91.1%). As we all know, speeds are just one part of the equation when it comes to internet connections, and anyone who's ever had to deal with an unreliable ISP knows that stable is often better than faster.

Still, the Chinese researchers were reportedly able to achieve both through a mix of Adaptive Optics (AO) and Mode Diversity Reception (MDR). The former sharpens distorted light, and the latter captures scattered signals. Only when combined did these two separate methods achieve 1Gbps in data transmission, though, and the scientists praise this method for successfully avoiding drops in communication quality.

T-Mobile T-Satellite with Starlink

(Image credit: T-Mobile)

They carried out the test at the Lijiang observatory in China, using a 5.9-foot telescope that contains hundreds of tiny mirrors – that's the adaptive optics system in play. These mirrors reshape incoming laser light to account for atmospheric turbulence. Speaking of lasers: the team used a two-watt laser for this experiment, which can be compared to a nightlight. Of course, this refers to laser power and not the satellite’s total energy use.

Once processed and extracted, the light splits into eight base-mode channels, and finally, a special algorithm decides which of these channels is the most promising, in real-time. Choosing the top three signals out of eight gave the researchers a major boost in signal strength, all the while dramatically outpacing Starlink’s downlink speeds – especially impressive given the much greater orbital distance.

This could be good news for internet users worldwide (and beyond)

A Starlink terminal sat on a metal platform

(Image credit: Unsplash / Evgeny Opanasenko)

Comparing this new breakthrough to Starlink reveals a few key differences. First, data transmission speeds reaching up to 1Gbps are not something that Starlink can currently achieve; in our Starlink review, we found that the average for downloads sat at 71Mbps, and Starlink itself promises to deliver between 25 to 100 Mbps on the Standard plan. Second, signal strength and reduced errors in data transmission, despite the massive distance to the satellite, are both promising.

Cutting back on errors and snags in the connection is crucial for users who want to stream videos or send larger files. If this technology is ever made mainstream, we might be able to use the internet even in remote areas without having to compromise on what we can or cannot do. Goodbye, waiting for five minutes for that text to come through – we really wouldn't miss you.

But the implications here are huge, even if you think bigger than just having a reliable connection everywhere. Boosting signal speed, distance, and strength through this method of laser communication could spell great news for satellite navigation. It could even impact the ability to connect with space missions, such as with the ISS, more seamlessly and without delays.

Right now, this is just a proof of concept – an interesting achievement described in the Acta Optica Sinica journal. Let's hope that this picks up and gives Starlink a serious run for its money.

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This $1,999 smartphone is the closest 'Made in USA' cellphone right now, but it's no match for Android


  • Built in California, powered by Linux, the Liberty Phone says no to tech giants
  • With no Android or iOS, it’s the loneliest smartphone on the market today
  • It costs more, does less, and still claims to be the best smartphone for privacy

Despite rising political pressure to bring tech manufacturing back to the US, building a premium smartphone domestically remains a costly and technically difficult challenge.

The Liberty Phone by Purism, priced at $1,999, offers a rare example of how close a company can get to building an America-made device, but it comes with significant trade-offs in performance and practicality.

Unlike the widely promoted but questionable $499 Trump Phone, the Liberty Phone is at least verifiably assembled in the US, although it lacks flagship-level features.

Still not 100% "Made In USA!"

Todd Weaver, Purism’s founder, is upfront about the limitations, noting, “Someone who needs a wicked-strong camera is not our audience.”

Weaver estimates the Liberty Phone costs around $650 to produce, higher than the iPhone 16 Pro Max, which TechInsights says costs about $550 to build in China.

This discrepancy is driven largely by US labor costs, with savings made by using lower-spec components such as a basic camera and a low-resolution screen.

This may suit its core user base, including security geeks, older users, kids, and those who want to distance themselves from major tech brands, but it is nowhere near mainstream Android alternatives - for anyone expecting the best smartphone for business or multimedia tasks, the Liberty Phone is unlikely to compete.

Part of Purism’s appeal lies in its transparent and partially domestic supply chain - the motherboard is built at the company's California site, the chip is sourced from NXP’s Austin, Texas, facility, and the final assembly is local.

But some critical components, like the camera from South Korea and the display and battery from China, still depend on global sourcing.

“There are just some parts that don’t yet have a supply chain,” says Weaver. “We’re gonna keep incrementing there until we can get to that point.”

It runs PureOS, a Linux-based operating system that supports basic tasks like calling, texting, and web browsing, but without support for Android or iOS apps, it’s a hard sell for anyone needing a broad app ecosystem or high-end performance.

Nonetheless, Weaver believes a niche market exists and claims that about half of Purism’s customers are US government agencies.

Even though tariffs might someday narrow the cost gap, the continuity of this project is not certain.

“We don’t have factories here building application processors, high-end displays or most of the other things in your smartphone,” said Jeff Fieldhack of Counterpoint Research, showing his skepticism.

At the moment, the Liberty Phone is more of a philosophical gesture than a practical solution, and only Americans or those loyal to the US will give it a second look.

Via Wall Street Journal

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Self-destructing internal SSD goes live with a one-click unstoppable data destruction promise - even if the power supply is cut

Teamgroup P250Q SSD self-destruct flash circuits promise instant sanitization for high-risk data in classified deployments Hardware-level...