Black outdoor clothing may look roughly the same, but making it is far less standardised than you might think.

Haglöfs and Polartec are trying to change that with Standard Issue Black, a single shared shade of black designed to reduce unnecessary resource use in producing enormous quantities of almost-identical dark outdoor clothing.

As a proof of concept, Haglöfs has launched the Buteo Mid II Jacket, its first commercially available product made using fabric dyed in Standard Issue Black, alongside a couple of accessories, including scarves and hats.

Outdoor companies produce tens of thousands of black fleece garments every year, but each slightly different shade can require a separate dye batch, chemical mix and minimum order quantity.

Standard Issue Black is pre-dyed at scale and, importantly, Haglöfs and Polartec aren't keeping it to themselves.

It's intended to be openly available to the wider industry, potentially allowing multiple manufacturers to draw from the same standardised material rather than commissioning their own marginally different blacks.

According to an internal production assessment cited by Haglöfs, the approach reduces water use by more than 50% and cuts energy consumption by at least 20% compared with traditional piece-dyed black fabrics.

Those figures are company-supplied rather than independently verified, but they illustrate why something as mundane as agreeing on a shade could have a meaningful impact at scale.

One black to rule them all

Haglöfs introduced the concept earlier this year with its Black Capsule, which combined three shades of leftover black fleece into individual garments to highlight just how similar these supposedly different fabrics can be.

With the Buteo Mid II, Haglöfs says it deliberately chose one of its higher-volume designs for the first Standard Issue Black product.

It has also upgraded the fleece jacket itself, with the new Buteo using lightweight Polartec microfleece made from 100% recycled polyester.

The full-zip jacket is designed to work either as an outer layer or as an insulating midlayer, so aesthetically there isn't anything particularly radical going on here.

By choosing one of its normal, high-volume outdoor garments, the brand made it clear it's not an eco concept piece for a museum display.

Of course, the effort is commendable, but a looming design question hangs over the project: would every outdoor company using exactly the same black make everything look even more alike?

Haglöfs' Head of Design and R&D, Eva Weiss, argues that standardisation doesn't need to restrict creativity, with brands still able to differentiate products through their cuts, other colours and design details while simplifying one particularly resource-heavy part of the process.

Whether other outdoor brands actually adopt Standard Issue Black is the bigger question.

But given how much black fleece the industry produces, this seemingly tiny change could become far more important if enough companies agree to use it.

The Haglöfs Buteo Mid II Jacket in Standard Issue Black is available now at Haglöfs UK and Haglöfs EU for a remarkably low price of £70 / €70 (~$81 / AU$113).

Hypershell took to the Innovation Stage at IFA Berlin to unveil its latest exoskeleton, the Flagship Hypershell Halo, which introduces a four-motor system that covers the movement of your knees in addition to your hips.

Instead of bolting powered knees onto the Hypershell X-series, they went back to the drawing board and built Halo from the ground up. “We didn’t simply add powered knees to an existing hip exoskeleton,” said Hypershell CEO Kelvin Sun. “We redesigned the architecture, power system, and the intelligence around the entire lower body, so four powered joints can move as one with the user.”

The addition of the knee motors allows power to flow through almost the full range of motion as you walk, run, climb and jump. Hypershell is calling this new approach its “Unified Architecture” and it promises to provide active knee support which helps to relieve load on the knee joints through effort reduction, which is promised to reduce muscle fatigue in the knees by up to 40% during squatting motion. One area where I can see this being especially helpful is during long descents and climbing, where load bearing on the knees is a particular challenge.

“Technology shouldn’t replace human potential. It should unleash it,” said Hypershell’s Toby Knisely in his keynote presentation. And to demonstrate, he brought out three models to walk (and jump) through a staged scenario where a photographer conducted a content shoot with all of them wearing the Hypershell Halo while on an outdoor trip.

The point was that in a scenario like this, not only do the models who are hiking get to save energy for their poses, the photographer who’s carrying heavy kit and continuously crouching to get good angles is also able to endure for longer and get that extra shot. That’s the concept at least.

What really piqued my interest, though, was the motion capture reel that they played afterwards. Hypershell has worked with a motion capture studio to put the new Hypershell Halo through over 10,000 hours of testing. In the video, two mocap actors perform some basic stunts, including fight choreography, jumping onto and off large blocks and doing a range of flips.

I was impressed by the range of motion that the Halo was capable of. The actors didn't visibly hold back and appeared very comfortable using its full 198° of lateral movement and up to 167° of front-to-back motion, enabled by its “Fish-Spine Adaptive Joint” at each hip.

More than just a power upgrade

The introduction of the Hypershell Halo represents more than just a power upgrade, it comes with some extra benefits that move Hypershell further ahead of the competition. But in terms of power, its four motors output a combined 1,490W, with each knee unit weighing just 170g.

Knisely revealed that Halo can hit a maximum 17km/h, the equivalent of a 2.5h marathon pace. The improvement in power is thanks to a re-engineered electromagnetic system and magnesium alloy housing. The whole Halo tips the scales at 2.6kg, folds down to fit into a medium-sized 8L briefcase and is rated to IP54 standard for dust and water resistance.

Halo is compatible with large backpacks, so it can be worn on a proper hike. It also sees the introduction of HyperIntuition 2.0, Hypershell’s updated AI motion control brain. This is a specialised system of neural networks trained on 10,000 hours of motion data that work together utilising signals from the Halo’s sensor array.

HyperIntuition 2.0 claims to predict your next move roughly 200 milliseconds in advance and provide adjusted assistance up to 2,500 times a second. But it’s not just predictive, it’s designed to learn from the user and, if it works as intended, will learn how you move and provide bespoke support for your movement.

Power in your pocket

Alongside the Halo, the company also showed off the all-new PocketVolt battery, a compact boost unit that packs 72Wh into a pocketable 370g unit, which should be good for up to a stated 20km of range. It features a display to let you check your assistance level and remaining power, and it can be charged separately from the Halo, making it easy for hikers to carry multiple batteries for extended trips without adding any additional bulk to the exoskeleton itself.

Hypershell also introduced Shelly, its AI-powered app that you can download and use for free, allowing you to talk to the exoskeleton directly. This means users can make adjustments, plan routes through natural conversation without having to occupy hands or remove gloves. It claims it's the world’s first dedicated consumer exoskeleton assistant, and it seems like yet another great point of difference within the rapidly growing exoskeleton segment.

Quick set up

To cap off his presentation, Knisely dared to put on the Hypershell Halo live on stage, after revealing that despite its additional straps and more complex construction, the Halo is still easy to put on and take off. Without breaking a sweat, he locked in the Hypershell Halo’s five straps from a cold start in exactly 16.14 seconds, just under four seconds shy of the time he said he’d achieved during rehearsals. It was one of the better product demos and keynotes I’ve seen this year, well rehearsed, quick and confident.

Lastly, Knisley revealed that existing X-series users will soon get updates including “Low Speed Enhance” for shorter strides and “Descent Assist”, which provides active knee damping for descents. He also shared details of its growing service centre network and 24/7 call support, which is now available in English, Arabic, French, Italian, German, and Spanish, with language support expected to continue expanding to more languages in the near future.

Founded in 2021, Hypershell is currently the leading consumer exoskeleton brand, representing 60% of the market. It’s present in 70+ countries with roughly 200 real-world experience and rental locations. These extra benefits announced alongside the Halo go some way to build on its market dominance as a brand by going beyond sales with a proper plan for after-market support for its customers.

Price and availability

The Hypershell Halo is available for pre-order now for £2,199 in the UK, $2,299 in the US and €2,299 in Europe and comes with a battery and the AeroFlex shoulder strap accessory. Halo also comes in a highly limited Origin Edition, numbered from 1-200, coming with extra power and an additional year of warranty.

Well, if this doesn't have all the ingredients to be a banger, what does? Netflix has finally given us a proper trailer for Ink, its upcoming Danny Boyle film based on an award-winning play, and it looks absolutely terrific. Telling the story of The Sun, one of the UK's most popular and controversial newspapers, it promises a whole heap of interesting moments.

Netflix is giving broadly equal billing to three stars for the movie – Jack O’Connell as Larry Lamb (the editor who changed everything for the paper), Guy Pearce as Rupert Murdoch (the world-famous magnate who bought it) and Claire Foy as Jules Davies (a more complicated character, as I'll explain). They all look to be in pretty magnetic form, too.

If it follows the play quite closely (and James Graham is adapting his own work, so you'd think it probably will), the movie will open in late 1969, as Australian Ruper Murdoch looks to buy The Sun and revamp is as part of his big plans to become a global media magnate. He approaches Larry Lamb to be the paper's new editor-in-chief and gives him a mandate to tear up the rules.

The third major player here is Jules Davies, but she's complicated; rather than a single real-life professional from the true story, she's instead an amalgamation of a few different female reporters from the paper's tumultuous history, showing that it wasn't quite as much of a boys' club as the famous Page 3 might make one think.

Of course, there's no point pretending that The Sun isn't without its controversies, with some observers over the years blaming it for bringing down the tone and standards of mainstream reporting, among other things, and the film is sure to touch on that sort of area quite heavily. In fact, from the trailer it remarkably even looks like it paints the Rupert Murdoch of the time as being concerned about its reputation.

Most interesting is the verve and style that Boyle's used to film the story, which makes it look like his zippiest and most interesting work in a good while (as a certified 28 Years Later hater, here). It's a big release for Netflix, as a result of all this – heading to cinemas on 11 December this year before only hitting streaming on 8 January 2027.

You probably won't be surprised to hear that Lamborghini has never actually made a stroller capable of doing 180mph. That hasn't stopped it from putting its name on one, though.

The Reef AL Giallo is the latest collaboration between Lamborghini and British pram maker Silver Cross, and it's about as far removed from a sensible family purchase as you'd expect.

It's based on Silver Cross's Reef 2 stroller, but gets an exotic makeover. The carrycot is made from high-gloss polycarbonate with integrated airflow and is lined with automotive-grade suede, while the seat combines suede with bamboo fibre.

There's also a genuine leather bumper bar with Lamborghini badging, hand-finished handlebar casting and a brake pedal designed to avoid scuffing your shoes.

Even the storage basket has had the luxury treatment, with an origami-style folding design intended to hold its shape against the frame.

The Lamborghini influence is particularly obvious in the detailing. The brand's familiar Y-shaped pattern is debossed into the stroller rather than simply printed on, while Giallo yellow appears around the piping, stitching, harness liner and wheel hubs.

And this is very much a collector's item rather than a mass-market pram. Only 500 Reef AL Giallo strollers are being produced worldwide, with each one receiving its own numbered plaque.

It's also rather hefty. At 13.6kg, the stroller weighs around 30lb before you've added your child, which could make getting it in and out of the boot rather less glamorous than the Lamborghini badge suggests.

The folded dimensions are 71 x 61 x 30.5cm, so you'll need a reasonably accommodating boot, too.

There's a hefty price premium for all that Italian styling. A standard Silver Cross Reef 2 costs between $999.99 and $1,299.99, while the Lamborghini edition is priced at $3,995.

That makes this a very expensive way of transporting a baby from A to B. But if you've got the money, the car to match and an unhealthy appreciation for limited-edition Italian supercars, at least you can now complete the set.

If you've been using Xbox Cloud Gaming as an easy way to play without downloading games or owning an Xbox, there's some bad news coming.

Microsoft has announced that Game Pass subscribers will soon have a monthly limit on how much time they can spend gaming in the cloud. The change is due to arrive in November and applies to both existing and new subscribers.

The amount of cloud gaming you get will depend on your Game Pass plan. Ultimate subscribers get 15 hours a month, while Premium subscribers get 10 hours and Essential subscribers just five.

That's a significant change from the current system, where cloud gaming doesn't impose a monthly playtime allowance.

Microsoft says the change is necessary because the cost of providing cloud gaming increases as more people use the service and spend longer playing. It also says that the new limits will affect around 4% of Game Pass subscribers, suggesting the majority won't regularly hit their allowance.

For those who do burn through their allowance, there's another option: buy more cloud gaming time through the Xbox Store. Microsoft hasn't announced how much those additional hours will cost yet, with pricing expected to be revealed closer to the November launch.

That could make sense for occasional players who don't want another monthly subscription. But for existing Game Pass subscribers, particularly Ultimate members who use cloud gaming regularly, it means a service that was previously bundled without an explicit time limit is about to become another metered part of the subscription.

And with Xbox continuing to push cloud gaming onto TVs, phones and other devices, the timing is curious. Microsoft is expanding access to the service at the same time as it puts a ceiling on how much subscribers can use it.

The good news is that this doesn't limit the amount of Game Pass gaming you can do on an Xbox or PC. The restriction is specifically on games streamed through Xbox Cloud Gaming.

Still, if cloud gaming is one of the main reasons you're paying for Game Pass, it's worth keeping an eye on how much you actually use it. From November, 15 hours might sound generous, until you realise that's only around 30 minutes of cloud gaming a day.

Caravanning isn't normally associated with luxury. It's more about getting away from it all, squeezing your belongings into a box and hoping the campsite shower isn't too grim.

The Lume Ranger, built in the Netherlands, is a compact caravan designed to give you the freedom of towing a relatively small trailer without making you feel like you've sacrificed all the comforts of home.

At 5.19m long and 2.04m wide, the Ranger is small enough to be towed by a broad range of cars, while its 1,150kg unladen weight keeps things relatively manageable. It's also the smallest and lightest model in Lume Traveler's range.

The exterior is made from hand-riveted anodised aluminium, giving it a slightly retro, Airstream-like appearance. But the real surprise is inside.

There's a fixed queen-size bed, a dinette and a separate toilet area, while the interior gets proper teak flooring, felt-covered walls, linen curtains and leather detailing.

Then there's the roof. In its travelling configuration, the Ranger is just 2.19m tall, but the pop-up section raises the interior headroom to around 2.6m when you're parked up.

Lume has also taken an unusual approach to the kitchen. Rather than sacrificing precious interior space, the entire cooking area slides out from underneath the bed to create an outdoor kitchen, complete with a PITT gas burner, sink, fridge drawer and storage.

It's a clever use of the Ranger's limited footprint and makes considerably more sense if you're going to be spending most of your time outdoors anyway.

The Ranger is built to order and starts at €59,950, which works out at roughly $70,000 / £51,500. It's certainly not cheap for a caravan this size, but then this isn't really trying to compete with a conventional caravan.

The Lume Ranger looks like what you want if you need to go caravanning, but don't actually want to feel like you're caravanning.

Roborock has taken the covers off a crop of new products at IFA 2026, including the dazzling Saros 20 robot vacuum range. Top of the pile has to be the Roborock Saros Rover, which has already been showcased at CES in Las Vegas and features independently adjustable legs that make it one of the most agile robovacs out there.

However, for the team here at T3 Towers, the Roborock Saros 20 Flow Complete offers less in the way of party tricks, but delivers oodles more practicality. The appliance boasts a formidable 36,000 Pa HyperForce suction motor system, which looked really impressive when it was in action on the huge Roborock show floor.

This model has also got an upgraded AdaptiLift Chassis 3.0, which means it’s more than capable of getting over obstacles around the home, including thresholds of up to 8.8cm. The Roborock Saros 20 Flow Complete also packs a roller mop, for tackling hard floor surfaces, spillages and stains.

The Roborock Saros 20 Flow Complete behaves smartly too, thanks to its RetractSense LiDAR Navigation system, which helps it get under low furniture. The 3D obstacle recognition was similarly impressive during demonstrations, underlining how Roborock seems to have got it just about right with its latest crop of machines.

Roborock Saros 20 Neo

Another highlight of the imposing Roborock booth was the Roborock Saros 20 Neo. Roborock has tailored this machine towards homes with more complex floor layouts, which combined with its beefy specification makes it a great all-rounder.

The Roborock Saros 20 Neo sports a similarly beefy arsenal of cleaning tools, including the AdaptiLift Chassis 3.0 setup, advanced navigation and obstacle recognition (over 300 different items no less) as well as a 36,000 Pa HyperForce suction motor. It’s also great at getting into low-slung environments, right on down to space of 7.95cm.

Adding extra appeal to the specification is a dual anti-tangle system, which makes it useful for shaggy dog owners and other pet hair scenarios. Meanwhile, the warm-water mopping system can apply up to 14N of downward pressure when needed, making the Saros 20 Neo a good option for folks who face stubborn floor stains on a regular basis.

The docking station also washes the mop with 100°C hot water, which should keep the roller in tip top condition. It’ll also cover nearly 350 m² on a single charge.

Both the Roborock Saros 20 Flow Complete and the Roborock Saros 20 Neo also benefit from European Centre for Allergy Research Foundation (ECARF) certification, which means they’re officially ‘Allergy Friendly’.

Roborock RockAqua P1

However, Roborock also continues to diversify its innovative product portfolio, adding the RockAqua P1, its first robotic pool cleaner to the collection. It looks very cool, with a design that appears almost too good to put under water.

Much like its dry land Roborock counterparts, the robotic pool cleaner features an enviable ability to tackle complex pool shapes covering floors and walls as it goes, right up to a minimum depth of 15cm. It features 6,800 GPH of suction, packs a 4-litre debris basket into the body shape and the 180 μm + 70 μm dual filtration system means it’s easily able to collect dirt and debris effectively.

There’s a runtime of up to 3.5 hours, recharging takes about the same amount of time and a built-in monocular camera ensures obstacle avoidance. Meanwhile, dynamic dirt detection assists the machine in adapting to ever-changing pool conditions. Fishing it out of the pool is also not needed thanks to the Auto Waterline Parking, which automatically brings the robot to the surface.

Roborock F25 Ultra Steam Gen2 and more

Roborock also revealed a slew of other goodies, including its so-called intelligent cleaning solutions that consisted of the Roborock F25 Ultra Steam Gen2 and the Roborock F25 Pro Turbo Combo. The former had a nifty high-temperature steam and hot-water cleaning design that was easily able to tackle stubborn and dried-on stains during the brand’s keynote event.

Meanwhile, the Roborock F25 Pro Turbo Combo had a clever 5-in-1 system that makes it a brilliant multi-tasking machine, transforming it from a wet/dry vacuum into a cordless machine that can be used on standalone items of furniture or for forays into those hard-to-reach areas around the home.

Elsewhere, the Roborock RockNeo Q2 LiDAR robotic mower was just as impressive. This cool-looking creation can cover areas of lawn up to 800 m². It comes packed with top tech too, including Sentisphere LiDAR environmental perception and ReactiVision Fusion features that offer the latest in cable and antenna-free navigation.

There’s also a floating cutting deck and a PreciEdge cutting module that delivers precision trimming of borders. Owners can expect it to cut within 3 cm of lawn edges, which is impressive.

Pricing and availability

The Saros 20 Neo is set to be released in the UK starting from today, and can be purchased via Amazon UK as well as the Roborock UK store. It has an RRP of £999. However, UK consumers also can purchase the Saros 20 Neo for just £799 from the 7^th to the 20^th of September and by doing so will receive an additional 480ml of cleaning solution.

Ireland will get the Saros 20 Neo a little later, from October, with pricing details yet to be confirmed. Similarly, pricing for the Saros 20 Flow Complete, the Saros Rover, RockAqua P1 and other products will be confirmed later down the line.

There has never been a better time to love gaming and Lego, with the brick building company continuing to partner with the great and good in the field. We've seen a Lego NES, Atari 2600, Sega Mega Drive and Game Boy over the last few years, and now there's something special to add to that list.

The Lego PlayStation is a faithful recreation of Sony's original machine – the console that effectively changed the whole industry. Having reviewed the original on its release in the 90s, I am of the firm belief that it marked the time when gaming grew up.

Games like WipEout, with its hardcore dance soundtrack, saw consoles find their way into clubs for young adults. It widened the audience and gaming has never looked back since.

Its shape and styling is also iconic, and thus the new Lego set is as great to look at as it undoubtedly will be to build.

Hidden under the disc tray and around the sides of the finished build are dioramas and Easter eggs that nod back to the console's glorious games (such as Ape Escape and Gran Turismo).

There are other nices touches too, such as controllers that use similar connectivity shapes to the original DualShocks. And a reassuringly clicky power button.

The set is also reasonably priced in comparison with some of the other retro console builds we've seen. It'll be available from Lego's own website from 4 October 2026 for just £139.99 / $179.99.

Lego Insiders will be able to order it a touch earlier, on 1 October, while it'll be available on the official PlayStation store around that time too.

All you need to do in the meantime is figure out where you'll display it. At 1,911 pieces, it should fit in a compact area. But just you wait until the Lego PlayStation 5 arrives somewhere down the line.

The next time you book a ride from Uber in London, a self-driving Ford Mustang Mach-E might turn up and take you to your destination.

That’s because Uber has just announced the start of an autonomous taxi ride service in the UK capital, and it’ll be available to customers at no extra cost. Just book an UberX, Uber Comfort or Uber Electric ride, and a self-driving car could be dispatched to pick you up.

These cars haven’t been developed by Uber itself. Instead, the ride-sharing company has entered a partnership with a British firm called Wayve – and that same partnership already offers autonomous rides in Zagreb, the capital of Croatia.

The specially modified Ford Mustang Mach-E cars used by Uber are fitted with Wayve’s AV 2.0 self-driving technology, which employs artificial intelligence to help it make decisions in real-time, instead of simply following a pre-programmed route. It’s claimed this approach reduces the hardware costs usually associated with driverless cars, like those used by Waymo, the Alphabet-owned autonomous taxi company that operates in the US and is currently running trials in London.

Wayve’s technology means the Uber cars aren’t restricted to a geofenced area, and can theoretically operate right across London. For now though, Uber says the service will let riders “travel to destinations across select boroughs.”

But there’s a bit of a catch, at least for now. Since the service is still in development – and the UK's regulatory framework doesn’t actually allow truly self-driving cars on public roads yet – each of the Ford Mach-Es has a taxi driver licensed by Transport for London behind the wheel.

You’re also quite unlikely to be picked up by one of these cars in the first place, since initially there are just 15 roaming London’s streets. That said, you can join an “interest list” to improve your chances of being matched with one of the autonomous cars.

The new Tado Smart Thermostat X (2nd gen) has been unveiled at IFA 2026. It’s a follow up to the Tado X, which in itself was a hugely popular smart thermostat. However, the Tado Smart Thermostat X (2nd gen) packs even more appeal with a leaner design, super intuitive controls plus a simpler installation and setup process.

It’s certainly eye-catching with a matte Snow White exterior, which features cool rounded off edges that will look much more elegant once it’s been fitted. Better still, the slimline design, which at 17.8mm is really thin, means it can be fitted just about anywhere without being obtrusive. In fact, Tado reckons it is currently the thinnest best smart thermostat on the market.

Even better on the eye is the circular touch interface of the unit. The illuminated LCD display is crisp, clear and instantly easy to read delivering crucial updates on the likes of temperature and humidity. There’s also a new Quick Action button mounted on the top, which can be customised to suit different homes and personal preferences including the option to pump up the heating when it’s needed.

More compatible than ever

The Tado Smart Thermostat X 2nd gen is compatible with boilers, heat pumps and underfloor heating systems and benefits from the popular Tado supporting app. This allows full remote management of the settings while also working seamlessly with the likes of Google Home, Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings and Matter.

Another bonus with the Tado Smart Thermostat X (2nd gen) is the way it comes fitted with a rechargeable battery, which is a unique feature up against Tado’s other models. It can be charged up in around three hours using a USB-C cable connection and should be good for a year or more of use.

Easier to use too

Tado promises the new thermostat is simpler to install too and will also work in harmony with existing Tado X products, meaning upgrades should be straightforward. As an bonus, the Tado Smart Thermostat X (2nd gen) benefits from AI Assist, available as an optional upgrade for £3.99 per month or £29.99 per year.

AI Assist uses artificial intelligence to optimise heating depending on weather conditions and tweaks settings to match the type of home its being used in. A range of new AI-focused features like Geofencing, Open Window Detection, Adaptive Heating and Pre-heat Before Arrival lets users get the best from their purchase.

Homes fitted with their own boilers or heat pumps also have the potential to benefit from Hydronic Balancing, which helps make the system more efficient than ever.

Competitive pricing options

The Tado Smart Thermostat X (2nd gen) is available from today. UK pricing is as follows:

Smart Thermostat X (2nd generation) Wired Starter Kit – £ 159.99

Smart Thermostat X (2nd generation) Wireless Starter Kit – £ 169.99

Wired Smart Thermostat X (2nd generation) – £ 109.99

Wireless Temperature Sensor X (2nd generation) – £ 89.99

AWOL Vision has unveiled a new flagship ultra-short-throw projector at IFA 2026, and it's packing some serious home-cinema credentials.

The LuxVision delivers 4K resolution at 120Hz, with a claimed 6000 ISO lumens of brightness and a maximum image size of 200 inches. Its 0.18:1 throw ratio means you don't need to sit the projector particularly far from the wall or screen.

Most ultra-short-throw projectors rely heavily on digital keystone correction to get the picture properly aligned. LuxVision instead offers one-touch vertical optical lens shift, allowing you to reposition the image while retaining native 4K detail.

For gamers, the 4K/120Hz performance is backed by 1ms input lag, VRR and ALLM, plus Dolby Vision Gaming. There are three HDMI 2.1 ports, a DisplayPort and four-channel HDMI Multiview for multiple sources.

AWOL is also promising impressive picture quality from its RGB triple-laser system, with 110% Rec. 2020 coverage, Dynamic Tone Mapping and a seven-level dynamic iris. Dolby Vision, IMAX Enhanced, Filmmaker Mode and 3D are supported too.

The company says its second-generation Anti-RBE technology is designed to reduce the rainbow artefacts that can affect some laser projectors, particularly during fast-moving, high-contrast scenes.

There's plenty of flexibility beyond the picture, too. A motorised lens cover helps protect the optics when the projector isn't being used, while AWOL says its zero-light-leakage lens is designed to minimise unwanted light.

The LuxVision is due to launch around October, priced at $6,499 / €5,999 / £4,999.

That's premium territory, but if you're after a huge home-cinema picture without installing a conventional long-throw projector, the combination of 4K/120Hz and optical lens shift could make this one worth keeping an eye on.

Gold isn't usually the first finish that comes to mind when you think of G-Shock's hardcore Master of G watches, but Casio's latest collection makes a convincing case for it.

The new Master of G Horizon Gold collection takes three familiar models from the Gravitymaster, Mudman and Mudmaster families and dresses them in a shared combination of light yellow-gold ion plating, brown metal details and dark brown resin straps.

Casio says the colour scheme is inspired by the point where the earth meets the sky at the golden horizon, but the end result feels less flashy than that description might suggest (in a good way).

More importantly, these aren't fashion-first G-Shocks with the rugged bits stripped out.

All three retain the brand's shock-resistant construction and 200-metre water resistance, while each offers a slightly different collection of outdoor and connected features.

Three different flavours of tough

The Gravitymaster GR-B300H-5A is perhaps the most aviation-inspired of the trio, with a carbon fibre-reinforced resin case, Carbon Core Guard construction and a bezel design "inspired by next-generation aircraft" (whatever that might mean).

It also gets Tough Solar charging, Bluetooth connectivity and dual-time functionality, plus a rotary disc indicator that can display alarm status, stopwatch operation and battery level.

The GW-9500MH-5 Mudman goes in a more traditional expedition-watch direction.

Its dust-, mud- and shock-resistant construction is joined by radio-controlled solar timekeeping and Casio's Triple Sensor setup, giving you compass, altimeter, barometer and thermometer readings.

There's also a duplex LCD designed to make the display easier to read outdoors.

Finally, the GG-B100XMH-5A Mudmaster – a watch I'm very familiar with – mixes a stainless-steel bezel with a carbon fibre-reinforced resin case and adds Quad Sensor technology, including a step counter alongside the compass, altimeter, barometer and thermometer.

It also connects to the Casio Watches app over Bluetooth and supports Mission Log, which can record altitude information from the watch alongside route data from your phone.

G-Shock has produced plenty of gold watches before, but pairing the metal with earthy brown cases and straps gives these oversized outdoor models a warmer, almost vintage-tool-watch quality without disguising what they are.

The G-Shock Master of G Horizon Gold collection is available now at Casio US, with prices ranging from $330 to $460.

Only the Mudmaster GG-B100XMH-5A seems to be available in the UK for now, priced at £365. EU and AU prices and availability TBC.

At IFA 2026, EZVIZ has announced a whole new generation of smart home products. Amongst the new launches is the EZVIZ H90f Triple Pan & Tilt Wi-Fi Camera which – as you may have guessed from the name – has not one, not two but three lenses so you won’t miss a thing.

Dual lens security cameras have been all the rage lately, but EZVIZ is offering one step better with its new H90f camera. With a triple-lens system, the EZVIZ H90f has a wide single camera at the top and a smaller rounder camera at the bottom which has its two other lenses.

With full coverage in mind, the EZVIZ H90f uses a triple-motor system to offer flexible viewing angles, and reduce blind spots. The cameras have 3K resolution, and 12x hybrid zoom so you can see all your footage and live view in crystal-clear detail. It also comes with local AI-powered familiar facial recognition to accurately notify you of what's happening at your property.

Another debut from EZVIZ, the CB60 Dual 4G Battery Camera might be my favourite of the new releases, mainly because it looks like a mini robot. Available in black or white, the EZVIZ CB60 has dual 3K lenses, and 8x hybrid zoom.

The EZVIZ CB60 comes with Always On Vision (AOV) technology, meaning it continuously records when motion is detected, and switches to lower frame rates when the area is empty. As an outdoor camera, it’s easy to install with its magnetic base, has 4G connectivity and is compatible with solar panels.

For fans of the EZVIZ C6c 4K Indoor Pan-Tilt Camera, it’s been upgraded with better image quality and detection features. It now has 4K resolution, 340° pan and 130° tilt coverage, and AI detection which can recognise over 130 items. As an indoor camera, it still comes with two-way talk, video calling and a physical privacy shutter.

At IFA, EZVIZ has also debuted its latest smart lock, the DL50FVX Dual-Cam Face Recognition and Palm Vein Smart Lock. It offers multiple unlocking options, including palm vein and fingerprint recognition, face ID, app, temporary codes and passwords, as well as a back-up key if needed.

Pricing and availability for the new EZVIZ launches has yet to be confirmed, but they look undeniably impressive – I can’t wait to get my hands on them.

Nanoleaf has expanded its wellness range with two new devices, taking its red light therapy and recovery tech beyond the face. The new launches include the Nanoleaf LED Light Therapy Neck & Décolletage Mask and the Nanoleaf Lymphatic Body Sculpting Massager, both designed to be integrated into an at-home wellness routine.

The LED Light Therapy Neck & Décolletage Mask uses Nanoleaf's Triple NIR Technology, combining three Near-Infrared wavelengths to target areas where deeper neck lines tend to appear. The Lymphatic Body Sculpting Massager, meanwhile, is a handheld device designed to support lymphatic flow, reduce puffiness and help create a more sculpted appearance.

The Nanoleaf LED Light Therapy Neck & Décolletage Mask is priced at £149.99/$149.99/€149.99, whilst the Lymphatic Body Sculpting Massager costs £45.99/$59.99/€69.99. Both will be available through Nanoleaf's website and Amazon.

The two launches follow several wellness products we've already seen from Nanoleaf, including its LED Face Mask, Light Therapy Panel and Light Therapy Wand. This time, the LED Light Therapy Neck & Décolletage Mask takes things further than the face, wrapping around the neck and extending across the chest. It has seven treatment modes – Red, Green, Blue, Cyan, Yellow, Purple and White – along with five intensity levels.

The Lymphatic Body Sculpting Massager takes a different approach, combining four treatments in one device – microcurrent, red light therapy, heat and vibration. Vibration is designed to encourage lymphatic flow, whilst heat helps relax muscles and ease tension. There's also 640nm red light and 850nm Near-Infrared light, which Nanoleaf says can support healthier-looking skin. It has a cordless design too, offering up to 2.5 hours of battery life.

After rumours began last month, Reolink has officially unveiled a selection of new smart security cameras at IFA 2026. Leading the announcement is the OMVI 2i Ultra, which joins Reolink's OMVI Series and brings its dual-view setup to a completely wire-free camera.

Reolink is also expanding its TrackFlex range with the new TrackFlex WiFi, a 4K dual-lens security camera designed to keep a much wider eye on your home. Rounding out the trio is the flagship OMVI X16 PoE, which is coming later this year with an impressive 24MP resolution and 16x optical zoom.

Both the TrackFlex WiFi and OMVI 2i Ultra are expected to launch in the coming weeks. The TrackFlex WiFi will be priced at £169.99 (around $230), whilst the OMVI 2i Ultra is expected to cost £170-£220 (around $230-$300). Pricing for the OMVI X16 PoE is yet to be announced.

The new OMVI 2i Ultra combines an 8MP wide-view camera with a 5MP pan-and-tilt camera, meaning you can keep an eye on the wider scene whilst simultaneously tracking movement elsewhere. Reolink's SyncTrack technology also allows the lower camera to continue following a detected person or object even after they move beyond the wide-angle camera's view.

It's completely wire-free too, with a detachable 10,000mAh battery that Reolink claims can last up to six months, based on five minutes of recording each day. There's also a built-in 6W solar panel to keep it topped up, with Reolink claiming just 30 minutes of sunlight per day is enough to keep the camera running.

The TrackFlex WiFi follows the Reolink TrackFlex Floodlight WiFi, which we recently awarded five stars, and uses a similar dual-lens setup to offer 270-degree Out-of-View detection. It also features 355-degree panning, 50-degree tilting and automatic tracking and zooming. Its AI can distinguish between people, vehicles and animals to cut down on unnecessary alerts, whilst dual-band Wi-Fi 6 should help keep the connection stable.

Finally, the OMVI X16 PoE sits at the top of Reolink's OMVI range, featuring an impressive 24MP resolution and 16x optical zoom. Reolink hasn't revealed too much more about its new flagship just yet, but we should hear more as its launch gets closer.

Salomon has given its XT line a fairly dramatic rethink for 2026 with the launch of the new XT-Evo.

The new sneakers feature an entirely new silhouette, and although they keep plenty of familiar technology underneath, they look considerably more futuristic than the XT-4 and XT-6.

The XT-Evo first appeared in early August as part of a collaboration with New York fashion and sneaker retailer/brand Kith.

At the time, Kith described the two limited-edition colourways, which launched alongside its &Kin Fall 2026 collection, as an “all-new” Salomon silhouette.

Those were followed on 2 September by Salomon's own launch, comprising three considerably easier-to-find versions priced at £175 in the UK and $200 in the US.

Same bones, sharper edges

If you've spent any time looking at Salomon's Sportstyle shoes, you'll probably recognise what's underneath all that new bodywork.

The XT-Evo takes the tooling from the hugely popular XT-6 and places an entirely new racing-inspired upper on top.

It combines breathable mesh and liquid rubber, creating a layered, almost skeletal cage that gives the new shoe its distinctive look.

There's still a surprising amount of proper trail-shoe hardware underneath it.

Salomon has equipped the XT-Evo with its Agile Chassis System, which works with an EnergyCell midsole to provide cushioning and stability, plus a deeply lugged Mud Contagrip outsole designed to find purchase on loose and uneven surfaces.

There's also the brand's familiar Quicklace system, SensiFit construction, an internal EndoFit sleeve and a moulded OrthoLite sockliner.

Although Salomon categorises it as a Sportstyle sneaker rather than a current trail-running shoe, those ingredients give the XT-Evo far more outdoor DNA than your average lifestyle trainer.

It weighs 365g per shoe and has a 10mm heel-to-toe drop, so it's not particularly dainty either.

The launch range includes three unisex colourways: Black / Fiery Red / White, which leans into the shoe's racing aesthetic; a quieter Alloy / Castlerock / FTW Silver version; and a stealthy Black / Black / Asphalt option.

All three are available now directly from Salomon UK, Salomon US and Salomon EU for £175 / $200 / €190 (~AU$278).

Barrel jeans are nothing new for Uniqlo, but this latest Uniqlo:C version has a noticeably more tailored look, and it might seem particularly familiar if you’ve been browsing Levi’s more expensive Blue Tab collection.

The new-season Uniqlo:C Barrel Jeans cost just £39.90, yet there are some striking similarities between them and Levi’s £230 Blue Tab Wide Pleat Crop Jeans.

Designed under Clare Waight Keller's Uniqlo:C label, the Uniqlo jeans abandon the conventional straight or slim denim silhouette for a more sculptural look.

They're cut loose with a wide barrel shape, creating plenty of volume through the leg before curving back towards the hem.

Up top, you get a tailored-looking front treatment and L-shaped pockets instead of standard curved pockets you'd associate with an everyday pair of jeans.

As a result, the Uniqlo:C Barrel Jeans look much like oversized tailored trousers, particularly in the black and olive colourways.

Blue jeans with tailoring ambitions

Levi’s describes its Blue Tab range as an elevated, design-led take on its denim heritage, and the Wide Pleat Crop Jeans combine a loose fit with a wide leg and prominent pleating across the front.

They're made from 100% cotton Japanese denim and have a mid-rise waist, zip fly and traditional five-pocket construction. Levi's

As you can imagine, the Uniqlo:C jeans aren't an exact copy.

Their barrel leg curves more noticeably, the pockets are different, and the standard £39.90 version uses dyed coloured denim rather than the premium Japanese fabric found on the Levi’s.

Uniqlo also offers a separate indigo version with a more traditional faded denim finish.

Still, the overall proposition is remarkably similar: 100% cotton denim, oversized proportions and a tailored trouser-like silhouette, only at a dramatically lower price.

The Uniqlo:C Barrel Jeans are available now in waist sizes 28 to 40 inches for £39.90.

The regular dyed-denim version comes in black, olive and navy, while the indigo model is available separately in blue.

The Philips Fidelio name has been around for years, generally attached to more premium audio kit. The new L5 headphones take some of that high-end heritage and put it into a much more affordable pair of wireless cans.

The L5 use custom 36mm ceramic-coated dome drivers with woven silk suspension, designed to deliver detailed sound with controlled bass and natural mids. There’s also support for LDAC, Bluetooth 6.0 and Auracast, while USB-C lets you listen to lossless hi-res audio at up to 24-bit/96kHz.

The L5 also get Philips’ most advanced active noise cancelling system yet. Adaptive Noise-Cancelling responds to changes in your surroundings, while a new leakage-detection system monitors the seal between the earcups and your ears and adjusts the ANC accordingly.

There’s also an Adaptive Awareness Mode, which can automatically switch on in quieter environments when you need to hear more of what’s going on around you.

The headphones use memory-foam ear cushions and a soft protein-leather headband, with touch controls and wear detection that automatically pauses playback when you take them off.

Battery life is another strong point, with up to 60 hours of playback or 50 hours with ANC enabled. A five-minute quick charge adds up to eight hours of listening.

The L5 support multipoint connectivity, allowing two devices to remain connected at once, while Spatial Audio modes are available through the Philips Headphones app. The app also includes AI Neural EQ, which gives you a simple way to adjust the headphones’ tonal balance, alongside Adaptive EQ.

Philips has also made the ear cushions and rechargeable battery replaceable by the owner, which should help extend the life of the headphones.

The Philips Fidelio L5 launch in October 2026 for €199.99 / £179.99.

CDs might not be enjoying quite the comeback they were promised, but there’s still something appealing about a proper stereo system, especially when it doesn’t require a rack of separates to house it.

Philips’ new Fidelio FA7 takes that approach, squeezing a serious hi-fi setup into a compact system. As such, this should appeal to those who still have a CD collection but spend plenty of time streaming too.

The FA7 is a genuinely stereo-focused system, with two separate amplifiers delivering a total of 120W RMS through an active crossover.

Each speaker gets a 5.25-inch woven glass-fibre mid/woofer and 1-inch titanium dome tweeter, with dedicated amplification for the two driver types. Philips says the result is a wider soundstage, controlled bass and more precise treble.

The speakers also get a tapered bass port and can be used with or without their magnetic grilles, while the main unit has a brushed-aluminium finish designed to echo traditional hi-fi separates.

The FA7 isn't stuck in the past, either. Alongside CD playback, there’s DAB+ and FM radio, internet radio and podcast support.

For streaming, it supports AirPlay 2 and Google Cast over Wi-Fi, alongside Spotify Lossless, Tidal Connect and Qobuz Connect. Bluetooth 6.0 adds multipoint connectivity, LDAC and LC3 support, while Auracast lets compatible devices share audio with multiple speakers.

There’s also optical, RCA, USB-A and 3.5mm connectivity, plus a headphone output, giving you plenty of options for hooking up a TV, turntable or other kit.

The Philips Fidelio FA7 launches in October 2026 for €599.99 / £509.99.

While attending the IFA technology show in Berlin, Germany, I visited Lenovo at a behind-closed-doors event to see what the tech brand has got cooking.

Amid the myriad laptop reveals from the company, however, it was one of the prototype concepts that really caught my eye – but rather for what you can't see.

The Lenovo AeroBlade Concept laptop showcases a fanless design. It also showcases a world-first design: debuting Lenovo's Active Flow solid-state cooling, no fans required.

So just what is this new system and how does it work? Using technology from Frore Systems, based out of California, this prototype laptop makes use of the brand's AirJet technology – which was first revealed last year.

The AeroBlade Concept, however, makes it a reality, positioning an AirJet module – which measures just 2.65mm thin – over the processor within the device.

This module has ultrasonic membranes that vibrate – and to such a frequency that it's beyond human hearing – to pull air through it, channelling the heat away from the processor and onto a copper base.

The result is warm air, which is ejected from the laptop, but which doesn't require any large vents as part of the design. All of which makes for a neat and tidy design.

The system functions in both passive and active modes, as and when it's required, and in the AeroBlade Concept can sustain 20W+ workloads. It's quiet, too, with a 31dBa maximum output equating to a library environment.

As the module is so thin, the AeroBlade Concept benefits from a trim design and weight as a result – at just 10mm thick and weighing around 830g in this 14-inch format.

So what does this all mean? I think we're potentially looking at the future of portable computing here. A fanless design that can cater for powerful workloads in ultra-portable designs is a dream.

And in Lenovo's product it's a dream that looks ever so close to reality. It's a fully functional working product, after all. And one that I wouldn't be surprised if we see in a shelf-ready updated form in 2027 or the year after.

Motorola has a new Watch model, looking to challenge some of the biggest in the game with the Moto Watch Ultra.

The Moto Watch Ultra builds on the Moto Watch that was announced earlier in the year, with a stainless steel body and advanced tracking metrics developed with Polar.

There's IP68 protection as well as 5ATM waterproofing - boosting the 1ATM of the previous model - so this watch is perfectly happy to get submerged in water during the 50 hours of activity tracking that the battery supports.

This model is powered by the Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 chip, designed specifically for wearables, while it has a 1.5-inch OLED display which supports up to 2700 nits, remaining visible in the brightest of outdoor conditions.

The screen is protected with Gorilla Glass 3 to keep scratches at bay, but while this is an "ultra" watch, it doesn't have the same chunky action watch aesthetic that Apple and Samsung used for their own devices.

Instead, there's a thick but elegant 46mm stainless steel case, which supports 22mm straps and of particular excitement is that you get two straps in the box - a premium leather strap and a silicon sports strap.

Naturally, there's Pantone colour coordination with the silicone band available in Black Beauty and Mountain View (green), while the leather options are Black Beauty and Nuthatch.

Running WearOS, there's a button and crown arrangement, as well as touch support on the screen to help you navigate the user interface, with all the goodness that Google has poured into its smartwatch platform.

That means access to the Play Store for apps, as well as access to Gemini for when you need that AI answer in quick time. On top of Google's AI offering, the Moto Watch Ultra will also work with Lenovo's AI assistant Qira, the first wearable device to do so.

Back to the Polar collaboration, and the Watch Ultra will track your activity, sleep and stress, to help optimise your training, leaning on Polar's long experience in this area.

There's advanced sleep tracking, giving the wearer a sleep score derived from time spent in different sleep stages, while the full suite of activity tracking will ensure that your training is on point.

There's also a running coach, while the integration of LTE will ensure that you remain connected on the move, able to get messages and answer calls even without your phone.

The Moto Watch Ultra will retail at £369, available from Motorola.com.

Circular has never been short of ambition when it comes to smart rings, and at IFA 2026 in Berlin, the French wearable brand is having another go with what looks like its most convincing hardware yet.

The new Circular Ring 3 Series comes in two versions, the Circular Ring 3 Pro and Circular Ring 3 Slim, and it's not just about different looks, either.

Both are smaller than the outgoing Circular Ring 2, bring back the company’s distinctive haptic vibration system, and both add NFC for contactless payments.

Circular says the new rings are the first to combine comprehensive health monitoring with secure contactless payments in a single wearable.

Supported Visa and Mastercard cards can be used by tapping the ring against a compatible payment terminal without a smartwatch or phone in sight.

Circular experimented with vibrations on its original smart ring, but the feature disappeared from later models.

It now returns with support for silent wake-up alarms, medication reminders, health alerts and guided breathing exercises.

Two rings, two very different priorities

The Circular Ring 3 Pro is the flagship and packs in a broader selection of health features.

These include single-lead ECG with AFib detection, blood pressure trends, glucose trend estimates, advanced sleep analysis and the usual assortment of heart rate, HRV, SpO2, temperature and activity data. Circular claims up to 12 days of battery life.

The Ring 3 Slim lacks ECG and blood pressure tracking, but offers sleep, heart rate, HRV, SpO2, skin temperature, and activity monitoring, plus NFC payments and haptics. Battery life is quoted at up to 10 days.

The Slim measures just 5.9mm wide and 2.35mm thick, with weight starting at approximately 1.9g depending on size.

The Ring 3 Pro is 6.8mm wide and weighs roughly 3–4g, while the previous Ring 2 measured 7.8mm across.

Both new rings are available in sizes 6–14, offer 50-metre water resistance and support wireless charging.

Circular is also updating its Kira app, which uses AI to analyse ring data and provide personalised wellness insights and recommendations.

The big unanswered questions are price and when you'll actually be able to buy one.

Circular is showing both Ring 3 models at IFA Berlin, but says it won't announce pricing, availability, or pre-order details until the coming months.

Head over to Circular for more info.

Lenovo is a dab hand at creating concept prototypes – which is exactly what the PC-maker was showcasing at its Innovation World event, set in tandem with the IFA technology show in Berlin.

Having already seen the future of laptops in its fanless solid-state cooling concept, the AeroBlade, the brand's other laptop concept was a familiar idea – but impressive nonetheless.

Under the Project Swan Concept moniker, this latest laptop prototype is able to transform from a 14-inch 4:3 aspect ratio into a 17-inch 16:9 panel at the press of a button. Quite literally.

That's down to Lenovo's ongoing work with rollable display types, which use the benefit of OLED's flexible potential to its fullest extent.

Here, the laptop is a little thicker than normal, but even so that expansive screen scale made my 13-inch MacBook Air's1 16:10 aspect screen just seem inferior.

A simple press of the Insert key along the device's F-keys row activates the display's expansion, no other prompting required. It forms the new widescreen format in mere moments (complete, for this demo, with an animated swan ).

I can see why this is still a concept, however, as close-up you can see the flex in the rollable display. And there's always the risk of dust and grime causing damage across the rollers and the display itself.

It's not the first time that Lenovo has shown off expanding displays, of course, with the CES show in Las Vegas earlier this year showcasing the brand's Legion Pro concept – which expands into 16-inch gaming laptop.

Project Swan, however, just seems more feasible. It's better balanced than the Legion Pro concept was, for starters, and while the thickness is more than your average to cater for that roll-back display, it's still portable overall – at 17.9mm total.

With each new step in its rollable concepts, Lenovo is clearly working towards a conclusive, shelf-worthy product that you can actually buy. This one isn't that, but it shows yet more progress towards that goal.

So, who knows, maybe come 2028 we'll be living in a world where you needn't pick the 13-inch or 16-inch model – you might be able to buy a single device that caters for both. And all at the touch of a button.

This year, perhaps more than prior, we've seen the trendy-yet-affordable laptops market really pick up. Apple's MacBook Neo was a major catalyst in that movement, but now there are other viable Windows alternatives incoming.

Case in point: Lenovo's just-revealed IdeaPad Vibe line, which comes in seven largely vibrant colours, each with an affordable $699 starting price attached for the Windows 11 powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon option.

While there's no broader pricing options for the UK and Europe at this time – which you can expect will be higher than the US equivalent – that goes head to head against Apple's proposition, giving Lenovo a viable Windows option for a broad market.

Lenovo isn't pitching the IdeaPad Vibe as a 'just for students' kind of option, though, stating this new release "wasn’t created for one type of user". The base Qualcomm Snapdragon X processors will be joined by step-up AMD Ryzen 400 and, at a later date, Intel chip options.

Choice is a clear factor in the IdeaPad Vibe. With 14- and 15-inch sizes available, you can spec up to 24GB of memory, while an OLED display (with optional touch control for the 15-inch) is available for the 'Lowkey Grey' and 'Moody Blue' colourways.

Style is a major component of this line-up, though, as those Pantone-marketed colours tell you. Joining the above pair is 'Dreamy Violet', 'Spicy Gold', Zen Green', 'Chill Blue', and Radiant Coral – providing an eye-catching something for everyone.

Lenovo and its Motorola mobile division have been working with Pantone for years to deliver defined and different colour options to your norm. Beyond just the chassis colour, the option to purchase customisable keycaps can further hyper-colourise and customise your purchase.

Such configurability could, of course, see the IdeaPad Vibe's entry price swell. But as a starting point there's clear appeal in what Lenovo is delivering here. Especially during a time where supply and demand for memory is at an all-time high, which has created pricing complexity in the market.

Motorola has expanded the options when it comes to choosing your next folding phone with the introduction of a new special edition handset. This falls into Motorola's "Collections", with the liberal application of Swarovski crystals.

If bling is your thing, then the pairing of Pantone Meteorite colour (that's black to me and you), with the sparkle of Swarovski's crystals, gives this phone a luscious finish.

It's not just flat black either, the back cover has a quilted effect, lending a sort of luxury boudoir vibe to this practical folding phone.

While the lavish look screams "high-end", it's perhaps surprising that this isn't Motorola's top phone. Instead of using the Razr 70 Ultra for this special edition, Motorola has used the slightly more approachable Razr 70.

Let's not discount the impact that Razr has had either: when IDC reported on folding phone dominance in the US earlier in the year, it revealed that Motorola, with its Razr family, had over 50% of the market in the US. In many ways, this is the US's hottest folding phone, beating Samsung at it's own game.

The Razr 70 sits on the MediaTek Dimensity 7450X platform, with a 4800mAh battery, a 6.9-inch folding screen and 3.63-inch cover screen, both offering high brightness. There's an IP48 protection rating, too, in case you get caught in a shower with your sparkly phone.

You might think that this bespoke treatment would leave the Swarovski version inhibitively expensive, but it's only £100 more than normal. That means it will cost you £899.99 from Motorola.com.

If this really isn't your vibe, then Motorola also announced a new Edge model at IFA 2026, the Edge 70 Plus. This is a competitive mid-range device, powered by Snapdragon 7s Gen 3, but offering some attractive features for gamers on a budget.

Firstly, there's an advanced vapour chamber to keep this chip cool and sustain the performance under pressure. Secondly, it supports bypass charging, meaning you can power the phone directly by cable leaving the battery out of the loop.

There's a big 6500mAh battery anyway, but if you don't want to drain it, just plug in your phone when gaming and you won't stress the battery, you'll just have the power to keep that gaming going - and avoid additional thermal issues too.

Doing what Motorola does best, there are four luscious colours, a 6.78-inch display with 144Hz support and 5200 nits, Dolby Atmos speakers, and a 200-megapixel main camera.

That's a lot of phone for £499.99 with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage. The new Edge 70 Plus will be available from a range of retailers and will sit alongside the Edge 70 (the thin one), the Signature (Moto's flagship), the Edge 70 Fusion (huge battery), the Edge 70 Max (sub-flagship) and Edge 70 Pro (cheaper sub flagship).

Dyson has unveiled an entirely new range of robot vacuums, combining its Neural Intelligence technology with its latest vision system. The lineup consists of three models – the R3 Nurovi Spot+Scrub UV, R2 Nurovi Wash+Dry and R1 Nurovi Dry – each offering a different level of cleaning.

The news comes just two days after Dyson launched its long-awaited CameraJet toothbrush, taking the brand into an entirely new category. This latest launch brings the focus back to floorcare, but it's still a significant move, especially given Dyson's limited history with robot vacuums.

The Dyson R1 Nurovi Dry and R2 Nurovi Wash+Dry are available from today, priced at £499.99 and £749.99 respectively. The more advanced R3 Nurovi Spot+Scrub UV will follow in early 2027, with pricing still to be confirmed.

The Dyson R3 Nurovi Spot+Scrub UV sits at the top of the range, featuring an AI-powered stain detection system that combines UV light, AI vision and green laser-like illumination to identify nearly 200 different household substances and objects. Once it spots a stain, the R3 can then repeatedly clean the area until it's gone.

A self-cleaning wet roller uses a 12-point hydration system to continuously apply fresh water heated to 70°C, helping tackle stubborn stains whilst cleaning the roller on every rotation. The full-width microfibre roller can also extend by 40mm to get closer to edges, whilst 30,000Pa of suction takes care of dry cleaning across hard floors and carpets.

The Dyson R2 Nurovi Wash+Dry takes a slightly different approach, swapping the circular mopping pads found on many robot vacuums for Reuleaux triangle-shaped pads. The pads are designed to maintain a constant width as they move, helping the robot reach further into corners and along edges where circular pads can struggle.

For vacuuming, there's a new Twin-capture system that separates fine and coarse debris. Bristles mechanically sweep larger debris into the robot, leaving the vacuum motor to focus its suction on finer dust and smaller particles.

There's also an acoustic piezo sensor that detects dust levels and different floor types in real time, automatically adjusting suction and cleaning behaviour as the robot moves around your home.

Finally, the Dyson R1 Nurovi Dry is the dedicated dry-cleaning model, designed for both carpets and hard floors. It uses the same Twin-capture technology as the R2, paired with 21,000Pa of suction. Dyson has also redesigned the side sweepers to better control the direction of dust and debris.

Those sweepers can extend towards walls and into corners for better coverage too, whilst the new design is intended to reduce hair wrapping and tangling around the bristles.

Dyson has also unveiled the W1 PencilWash, an upgraded version of the original PencilWash that launched earlier in 2026. We awarded the original model three stars in our full review, so it's good to see an upgraded version arrive so quickly.

The new W1 has a more absorbent roller, redesigned hygienic waste system and self-cleaning technology built into the dock, whilst retaining the slim design from before. The Dyson W1 PencilWash is also available from today for £299.99, which is around £90 cheaper then the original's current price.

At IFA 2026, SwitchBot has announced a new retrofit smart lock system, and it might have convinced me to make the switch to a smart lock over my normal door handle. The SwitchBot Lock Ultra Max Vision Pro Combo is designed for European locks, and offers 19 ways to unlock your front door, making your traditional set of keys look old fashioned.

The SwitchBot Lock Ultra Max Vision Pro Combo consists of the SwitchBot Lock Ultra Max, the SwitchBot Keypad Vision Pro and the SwitchBot Hub Mini. These three products work together to make a faster, securer and more connected experience, thanks to its upgraded technology and Matter connectivity.

Starting with the lock, the SwitchBot Lock Ultra Max mounts on the inside of your door in its existing lock cylinder, so you don’t have to modify your door. It’s powered by an UltraDrive brushless motor which gives it a speed of 160 rpm, so it can unlock your door in just 1.1 seconds – very speedy for a smart lock.

Speaking of unlocking, the SwitchBot Lock Ultra Max has 19 unlocking methods to play with, including 3D facial recognition, fingerprints, palm vein recognition, voice control, passcodes, NFC cards, the SwitchBot app and more. The keypad is needed for most of these features which can be easily installed on the outside of your home.

The SwitchBot Lock Ultra Max comes with multiple modes, including Max Mode and Quiet Mode. The former allows the lock to unlock your door quicker, while the latter makes little to no noise for discreet unlocking during the night or early morning. It also has an Auto-Lock function which automatically secures your door after entry and exit.

For hands-free entry, the SwitchBot Keypad Vision Pro projects more than 30,000 infrared points which it uses to create a 3D facial map. It also uses near-infrared sending for fingerprint and palm vein recognition to read the unique pattern of your hand. This recognition system still works in low-light conditions, and whether your hands are old or dry, plus it can resist spoofing attempts using photos or videos.

With security as its top priority, SwitchBot has given its locking combo six layers of security, including AES-128 encryption, local biometric data storage, and more. With the SwitchBot app, you can check the lock’s status, notifications, history and battery life, and you’ll receive alerts and warnings about extreme weather, low battery or if your door has been left open.

For battery – which is often a top concern with smart locks – the SwitchBot Lock Ultra Max has a 4,200 mAh rechargeable battery with up to nine months of battery life. To back this up, an independent CR123A back-up battery is in place to keep the lock working when the main battery is removed for recharging. The back-up battery can support up to 500 locking or unlocking operations.

If that’s not enough, the SwitchBot Lock Ultra Max has Micro-Power Unlock that collects energy for 30 seconds before it will offer emergency locking. The SwitchBot Keypad Vision Pro also has an impressive 5,000 mAh rechargeable battery which can last up to 12 months.

Available for European locks, including profile, knob, UK oval and Swiss round cylinders, the SwitchBot Lock Ultra Max Vision Pro Combo is easy to install and shouldn’t require you to make many changes to your door.

Easily SwitchBot’s smartest lock option yet, the SwitchBot Lock Ultra Max Vision Pro Combo will be available to pre-order from 3rd September, with prices starting from £339.99 / €339.99. As of writing, UK pricing and availability has yet to be announced.

There's no doubt about, darts is undergoing a period of resurgence, thanks in no small part to the young generation of pro players sweeping the world with their talent. Luke Littler (19) and Gian van Veen (24) are ranked first and second in the world respectively, and their success is prompting new junior players to seek their local clubs and organisations.

Meanwhile, the sport is also gaining in popularity thanks to its gamification. Interactive darts centres and venues, like Flight Club, are springing up around the UK, Europe and the US at a rapid rate, bringing a fun, tech-fuelled side to the sport for families and friends to explore.

But what if you don't have a darts club or interactive experience nearby, or there's a dearth of players in your area to coax into a leg or two? What then?

Well, Winmau believes it has found an answer – a solution that combines the passion and skill of the new wave of pro players with the fun, interactive elements of a Boom Battle Bar. It has Autodarts.

The democratisation of darts

Having bought Autodarts from its developers around a year ago, Winmau has further developed the app and service for a wider, grander launch during IFA 2026.

It essentially automates the nuts and bolts of darts for you, like scoring, assessing checkouts, and keeping stats, while also adding different games and activities. The app can even match you with players around the world of a similar skill level, to play against remotely. But the best part is it does this from a smartphone pointed at a normal, regular dartboard, old or new – no other equipment is necessary.

Oh, and the app is free.

"So many people have dartboards, but they're not playing," explained Winmau's CEO, Tom Brown, to T3.

"I think that this is a really exciting step for them because they, at one point, were interested enough in darts to go and buy a dartboard. They may or may not follow darts. So they'll probably come across the app and they'll think, okay, that's pretty fun."

And once they see how much it has to offer, it might have them dig out their board once more. That's the idea.

"We just want people to play. If you've already got a dartboard, download the app and let's get going," added Brown.

"If you don't, you can get one from Amazon, Argos, John Lewis."

The app itself doesn't distinguish: " We use the Blade X that on the stage, and that is our more premium board, but you can use a board that you can buy for under £50.

"So you get that, a surround, and download the app, you're ready to go – for around 60 quid.

"I was also adamant that I don't want to use the app to push people to buy more things. It's just about building a community, getting people to play, getting people excited about about playing the game again."

Autodarts X

The one thing that breaks from that a touch is Autodarts X – a step-up system that takes auto scoring and data collection to a whole new level.

Where Autodarts is an app that runs on just about any Android phone or iPhone with a camera, Autodarts X is hardware in itself. It is a camera system that physically clips onto any dartboard and provides an even more accurate experience.

It's also built in such a way that it can be fitted and removed in minutes.

"There's just two pieces in the box. First piece, you take it out, you click it onto the board and it clicks into place. Really satisfying," revealed Brown.

"Then you take the second piece out, you unfold the four legs, and you click that on. No drilling, no screwdriver, that's it. That's done.

"To connect it, you plug in a USB-C cable. That pairs with your phone and the app. You then disconnect the cables, and that's paired forever. You're ready to play."

It's this simplicity that Winmau believes is key, and a real advantage over rivals. After all, Autodarts is meant to lesson the barriers to play, not create new ones.

The price

Of course, to go the whole Autodarts X route, you'll probably take your darts a bit more seriously. The camera system will cost around £450 when it arrives for pre-order in October.

But then there's still the app for everyone else, which starts at zero cost.

You can unlock more features and additional games (such as fan favourite, Killer) with a £5.99 monthly subscription, but you'll still get five matches to play using the LENS capture function each month for free, plus many of the other capabilities.

And the app is available to download and use right now.

So will Winmau succeed in democratising darts – to bring it to a new and disenfranchised audience. Time will obviously tell. One thing's for certain though, everyone will have plenty of fun while we find out.

If you thought Leica's lenses couldn't get any more exclusive, think again. The company has just revived one of the rarest lenses in its history, and given it an unusual 66mm focal length.

The new Leica Summicron-M 66 f/2 is a modern interpretation of the Elcan 66mm f/2, a lens designed by legendary optical engineer Dr Walter Mandler for the US Navy in the late 1960s.

Only around 200 examples of the original were produced, making it one of the rarest lenses ever made for the Leica M-System. Its military origins only add to the appeal.

From spy lens to collector's dream

The original Elcan was designed for covert reconnaissance, with the US Navy looking for a compact lens capable of delivering exceptionally high resolution.

The 66mm focal length was deliberately chosen to balance resolution, contrast and size. Some of the resulting camera-and-lens sets were reportedly used alongside the military Leica KE-7A, a special version of the Leica M4.

The new Summicron-M 66 f/2 retains the original optical concept but has been updated for modern standards. Leica says it delivers the combination of soft bokeh and high contrast associated with its Classic Line, while stopping down reveals the lens's original obsession with fine detail.

At 66mm, it also sits neatly between the traditional 50mm perspective and longer portrait lenses, offering a natural viewpoint with some subtle compression.

Even the mechanics pay tribute to its military predecessor. The aperture ring rotates in the opposite direction to standard Leica M lenses, while the distance scale and engravings have been adapted from the original.

And, naturally, this isn't going to be a mass-market Leica. Only 660 examples of the Summicron-M 66 f/2 will be produced, with each individually numbered.

It costs £8,410 and is available from 3 September through Leica Stores, the Leica Online Store and authorised dealers.

The first example, serial number 001, will be auctioned in Wetzlar in November.

For most photographers, that's an eye-watering price. For Leica collectors, however, this could be one of the most desirable new lenses the company has made in years.

After announcing them a good long while ago and having sold them in Taiwan since late 2025, HTC is finally bringing its Vive Eagle smart glasses to a wider range of territories this month, and it's just been confirmed that the smart specs will be on sale from 21 September in the UK.

We also now know their final pricing at last, and they come in from £429, confirming that they will indeed launch at a slight premium over Meta's Ray-Ban glasses, by far the dominant model in the field.

It's not just the UK getting the specs, though – they're also coming to the US (for $499) and the EU (for €469). For an added dose of complexity, they'll ship immediately starting today in the US, while that late September date applies to the UK and EU, where pre-orders will nonetheless open today.

That means that anyone who's been waiting for an alternative to Meta's specs can get in on the action from today, if they so desire. Of course, that question is complicated by the pricing, which sees them come in at a premium.

HTC's going hard on the privacy angle in terms of differentiating the glasses, which is hardly a surprise – we're in the middle of probably the biggest storm of controversy that the world of AR has yet seen. Whether Meta's glasses are "pervert glasses" is a hot topic, and it's no wonder HTC is trying to stay clear of that.

It says the Vive Eagle has that all-important notification light for filming or capturing of any sort, but crucially adds that a "multi-sensor" approach will disable any capture if the light is damaged or obscured. Given that most of the nefarious use of Meta's glasses depends on aftermarket adjustments, the important question will end up being how well HTC's glasses detect tampering.

The Vive Eagle's 12MP camera can capture 3K video, and there's 4GB of RAM on board to help with complex interactions including AI voice assistant usage. The whole package is IP54 rated, too, so it should be safe in most weather conditions.

HTC says the Vive Eagle will last around 4-6 hours in "constant active use", like if you played music without any pauses, while the glasses have 36 hours of standby time. This can all be extended by buying Power Boost, a little battery puck that can snap onto your frames while you keep wearing them to offer an 80% battery life recharge. It'll cost $49 / £45 / €49 as an extra.

So, this all means we're a little closer to finding out whether people are interested in smart glasses under their own steam, or whether the Ray-Ban brand has been doing all the heavy lifting for Meta. Can the Vive Eagle become a hit in a market as complex and conflicted as this right now?

Earlier this year, Shokz, the well-known open-ear earbuds brand, revealed its 5-star OpenDots 2 product.

Now the brand is elevating its partnership to premier levels, with a newly announced limited-edition version and collaboration with England star Chloe Kelly.

The England forward – whose famous Euro Championships-winning goal broke the internet in 2022 – is now breaking the mould of what Shokz has delivered before.

Modelling the limited-edition OpenDots 2 in signature pink, this new addition to the product line – under the 'Always More' campaign banner – will be a big hit for footie fans.

The tie-in makes sense: the OpenDots 2 are ideal for running and training without blocking out the outside world, so you can remain aware of your surroundings – while listening to your favourite tunes.

Kelly says: "'Always More' really resonates with me because football is a huge part of who I am, but there’s of course more to me than simply the player you see on the pitch.

"I’m always pushing myself to perform at my best, while also enjoying everything that matters to me away from the game.

That’s what I like about Shokz: it’s made for performance, but fits naturally into everyday life too.”

You can buy the limited edition pink colourway right now from uk.shokz.com, with the Shokz x Chloe Kelly Limited Edition Clutch Gift Box priced at £179 in the UK.

Be quick, though, as when that Gift Box version sells out, that's the end of availability – although the pink colourway will continue to sell thereafter, joining the current pearly white, grey and black options.

Every piece of smart tech you own could one day be Xiaomi. The gigantic booth at the IFA show in Berlin is showing off its expansive range of products from air fryers to smart TVs and EVs.

It's all part of Xiaomi's Human x Car x Home smart ecosystem, and while most of this has been available in China for some time, we're going to be seeing much more of it in Europe soon.

There's very little that the collection doesn't touch these days. The kitchen options alone range from fridges and ovens to coffee machines, washing machines, mops and vacuums. It's the same in the living room with top-spec TVs, surround sound speakers, air purifiers and air conditioning units.

The automotive arm is the last piece of the puzzle, with two main models now established – the SU7 and the YU7. But there's also a high-performance version of the SU7, the SU7 Ultra, and a Gran Turismo Vision car created for the game but shown here in physical form.

Mijia smart home expands

The majority of Xiaomi's smart home products come under the Mijia brand. This is described as 'The Art of Smart Living' and combines the latest smart tech with classic minimalist design and often highly competitive pricing.

We first heard that Mijia products would be coming to Europe last year but in today's press conference, Xiaomi confirmed that it will 'expand at scale across Europe'.

It's not clear which products will be available in the UK as yet, but there's plenty I'd love to see. The three-drum washer dryer is very clever, while its double-stack air fryer looks like it could be a popular option.

On the stand, I saw an extractor fan that automatically activated when the gas hob was lit, and a robot vacuum that burst into action as soon as the dishwasher was started. It's this kind of connectivity where Xiaomi sees an advantage, especially connecting the home and car.

Xiaomi EVs coming in 2027

It's been three years since Xiaomi announced its first EV, the SU7, and since then we have seen numerous additions to the range, including an SU7 Ultra performance model that's broken Nurburgring records and a YU7 SUV that has now set its own autonomous track driving.

It's in the Vision Gran Turismo where we see the potential of Xiaomi's automotive progress. The car is developed purely for the game, but the model on the stand shows this could form the basis of a real hypercar in the future.

The big news for Europe, though, is that we will finally see the EVs on the road next year. A big signing ceremony at IFA marked the start of the process that should see at least one of the models on sale. I'd love to see the YU7 come to the UK, as it's perhaps the more interesting of the two designs, though the SU7 Ultra is definitely the poster child.

Folding in

The IFA stand also gave us a preview of Xiaomi's folding phone, the Fold 18. This is the first to use the Xiaomi XRING 03 processor and looks to be a real competitor to the Samsung Z Fold 8 and the rumoured Apple Fold device.

Unfortunately, this is currently only scheduled for launch in China, so we might not actually see this model in Europe anytime soon.

Mammotion has unveiled its new LUBA 4 AWD series robot lawn mower at IFA 2026, following the success of the LUBA 2 AWD and the LUBA 3 AWD, which only launched at CES at the beginning of this year. The new model is designed to offer more precise navigation, gentler turf handling and more complete edge coverage.

The LUBA 4 AWD also features an upgraded version of Mammotion's centimetre-level Tri-Fusion navigation system, allowing the mower to navigate more complex outdoor environments, respond to obstacles in real time and plan suitable routes in low-light conditions.

The LUBA 4 AWD is available in three models for different lawn sizes – the 3000F for 3,000 m², the 6000F for 6,000 m² and the 12000F for 12,000 m². Regional availability and specifications will vary by market, with pricing and availability expected to be announced later this year.

The LUBA 4 AWD is also designed to be gentler on grass, using bidirectional driving and independent front-wheel steering. Guided by front and rear cameras alongside 360° LiDAR, it can change direction without relying on forced U-turns. Instead, each wheel follows a cleaner arc, helping reduce the pivoting that can lead to grass tearing, brown rings and visible tracks.

There's also a dedicated edge-cutting accessory, designed to tackle one of the more persistent problems with even the best robot lawn mowers. It allows the LUBA 4 AWD to trim flush against walls, fences and garden edges, potentially reducing the amount of manual trimming needed afterwards.

Other announcements from Mammotion at the show include Maston, its new commercial robotic mowing solution designed to bring greater automation to large-scale grounds maintenance.

This follows brands such as Husqvarna and Navimow, which have increasingly pushed their commercial robot mowers into larger spaces including sports grounds and estates. Mammotion is now joining them, combining its robotic mowing hardware with fleet management capabilities, allowing operators to manage several machines rather than treating each mower as a separate system.

The Maston series is now available for pre-order via authorised distributors in Europe and Australia, with further purchasing and dealership information available through Mammotion's website.

The Brompton G Line was already the folding bike in its range most likely to tempt riders off the beaten path, but its latest collaboration pushes the adventure angle much further.

The British bike maker has teamed up with cult Japanese outdoor label and wander for a limited-edition collection built around a specially finished G Line, accompanied by matching luggage, technical outerwear and accessories.

Founded by designers Keita Ikeuchi and Mihoko Mori in 2011, and wander has developed a sizeable following for clothing that sits somewhere between hiking equipment and contemporary Japanese fashion.

For the collaboration, the G Line gets a textured metallic grey finish alongside flashes of bright yellow anodised hardware, reflective detailing and exclusive co-branding.

Cream-coloured contact points provide contrast against the darker frame, while and wander’s triangular branding appears across the bike, including on the frame and saddle.

A Brompton built for disappearing for the weekend

Brompton and and wander have developed a matching backpack that attaches directly to the front of the bike.

It's made from water-resistant ECOPAK fabric and features the Japanese brand’s familiar reflective detailing.

The collection also includes a smaller 3-litre roll-top pouch made from abrasion-resistant ECOPAK EPLX400.

You can attach it to the handlebars or saddle loops with Velcro straps and convert it into a cross-body bag with a removable shoulder strap.

The accompanying clothing is arguably what makes the collaboration feel like what you would call a "complete outdoor system."

A lightweight windbreaker uses water-repellent ripstop material and features an extended rear for coverage while riding, and the matching relaxed-fit wind trousers add reflective fabric, adjustable hems and a packable construction.

A collaborative cotton T-shirt, meanwhile, combines reflective ripstop chest pockets with Brompton x and wander graphics.

Speaking about the partnership, and wander founder Keita Ikeuchi said Brompton stood apart from bicycle companies focused primarily on going “faster” or “further”, pointing instead to the flexibility created by its folding design.

The Brompton x and wander G Line bike, backpack, pouch and cap will be available from 10 September through Brompton and selected retailers worldwide.

The wider apparel collection will be sold separately through selected and wander stores and stockists.

Athom has introduced the Homey Portal, a new physical smart home controller that gives anyone in the room easy access to lights, music, heating and other connected devices without reaching for a phone.

The Homey Portal combines a 2.8-inch circular touchscreen with a stainless steel rotary ring, and can either sit on a desk or be mounted to a wall. Each Portal is linked to a particular room or zone, meaning the one in your kitchen can control a completely different set of devices to the one in your living room.

It's available to pre-order now for £249/€249/$249 as an introductory price for the first production batch, before rising to £299/€299/$299. It's compatible with Homey Cloud, Homey Pro (2023-2026), Homey Pro mini and Homey Self-Hosted Server, with orders expected to start shipping before the end of 2026.

The Portal can display notifications, questions that need a simple yes-or-no response and even live camera feeds. For example, someone ringing one of the best video doorbells could automatically bring up the live feed and ask whether you'd like to open the smart lock. It can also display live weather and a short forecast.

Multiple Homey Portals can be placed around the house, and each comes with both a desk stand and wall mount. They can even be set up in shared spaces such as rental properties and offices, with owners choosing exactly which controls guests can access.

For lighting, you can tap the screen to switch lights on and off or choose a Mood, then twist the ring to dial the brightness up or down. You can also adjust colour and warmth directly on the display, with support for lights connected through Homey, including the best Philips Hue lights and IKEA products.

When it comes to music, you can connect a system such as Sonos or Denon HEOS and the Portal can show what's playing, complete with album artwork. A tap skips the track, whilst a twist of the ring handles the volume.

Compatible thermostats from Nest, Tado and Honeywell can be adjusted directly from the Portal, with current and target temperatures shown on screen. It can also surface real-time and historical energy use from devices such as the Homey Energy Dongle, Shelly and HomeWizard energy meters, giving you another reason to check the Portal instead of opening yet another app.

Peak Performance has been making its distinctive Helium insulation for 15 years, and it’s celebrating the occasion by taking the idea to its logical conclusion.

The new Helium Nova Down Jacket is, according to Peak Performance, the lightest jacket the Swedish brand has ever made, weighing just 390g in the men’s version.

Despite the ultralight construction, it still packs proper down insulation and enough weather protection for more than just strolling around the city.

The Nova takes the familiar Helium formula and gives it a slightly more contemporary silhouette.

The instantly recognisable quilted construction remains, although the baffles now sweep across the jacket in broad waves rather than following the more conventional horizontal pattern found on most down layers.

And while ultralight insulation can sometimes look overtly technical, the relaxed, hip-length fit, raglan sleeves and subtle embroidery make the Nova look pretty relaxed.

That said, the more fashion-friendly exterior hides a fairly serious technical jacket.

Peak Performance uses 700-fill-power duck down with a 90/10 down-to-feather ratio, wrapped inside lightweight 42gsm 20D ripstop fabric.

The outer is windproof and designed to repel light rain and snow, while tougher fabric sections have been added around the shoulders and pockets where wear is likely to be greatest.

Wave after wave

Peak Performance positions the Helium Nova for everything from everyday wear and trail hiking to ski touring, freeride and resort skiing.

It has an adjustable drawcord hidden inside the hem, elasticated cuffs to keep draughts out, a reversed YKK front zip with a chin guard, and two zipped hand pockets.

The relaxed cut should also leave enough room underneath for layering without turning the Nova into an oversized puffer.

There is, however, an interesting difference between the men’s and women’s versions.

The men’s Helium Nova features a hood you can stash away, leaving a simple insulated collar when you don’t need it.

The women’s Helium Nova Hooded Jacket, meanwhile, gets a permanently attached down-insulated hood.

It’s an unusual distinction between the two models, particularly when the rest of the design language is so similar.

As far as I can tell, the Nova isn’t part of Peak Performance’s more experimental Helium Loop circularity project, which uses heat-dissolvable stitching so a jacket can eventually be taken apart and its individual materials recycled.

It does, however, use RDS-certified down and GRS-certified recycled materials, and is made without intentionally added PFAS.

The Helium Nova Down Jacket is available now at Peak Performance UK, Peak Performance US, and Peak Performance EU for £300 / $350 / €350 (~AU$566).

Google could be about to make one of the biggest changes yet to its Pixel Fold line, and it's one you should be able to see every time you open the phone.

The upcoming Pixel 12 Pro Fold is reportedly being lined up for a crease-less folding display, potentially bringing Google's foldable in line with some of the best new foldable phones on the market.

According to a report from The Elec, Google is among the companies working with Samsung Display on next-generation foldable panels using dual ultra-thin glass (UTG) technology. Oppo and Vivo are also reportedly adopting the technology, while it is expected to feature on Apple's first foldable iPhone.

Goodbye, crease?

The visible crease running down the middle of a folding phone's internal display has become one of the biggest compromises of the form factor.

It doesn't necessarily stop a foldable being enjoyable to use, but it's difficult to ignore when light catches it, and you can often feel it when running your finger across the screen.

The Pixel 11 Pro Fold still has that compromise, while rivals have been increasingly aggressive about hiding it. Oppo, Honor and Samsung have all moved towards displays where the crease is considerably less noticeable.

Samsung Display's reported solution uses one UTG layer above the OLED panel and another underneath it, with the latter helping support the display. Samsung itself has previously used a titanium plate beneath the OLED to help achieve a flatter surface, while Oppo has taken a different approach involving liquid 3D printing.

Pixel 12 Pro Fold could be a big upgrade

The Pixel 12 Pro Fold isn't expected until the second half of 2027, with August reportedly a likely launch window given Google's usual Pixel schedule.

That gives Google plenty of time to refine the technology before it reaches us.

And the timing could be important. With Apple's first foldable expected imminently, a genuinely crease-less screen is rapidly becoming a feature we can expect from an expensive folding phone.

For Google, that means the Pixel 12 Pro Fold won't just need to fold. It could finally look like it doesn't.

Professional dart board maker Winmau has announced a tech product and service that could make playing darts easier and more fun for thousands.

Winmau Autodarts is a system that uses a smartphone or tablet app to help score games of darts, suggest checkouts needed to win, and even matchmake players with similarly skilled peers to play against around the world.

It even includes an AI referee to help during your match, or an AI bot to play against when you're on your own.

Launched during IFA in Germany this week, with the support of Winmau ambassador and World number two, Gian van Veen, Autodarts can be used through an iOS or Android device, or over the web on another device.

Pointing your phone or tablet at a standard dart board using a tripod, for example, allows the app to utilise proprietary LENS technology to read throws as they land. Autodarts will then automatically keep score, and offer insights and guidance.

This can include score calling from iconic darts referee Huw Ware, who is on board as your AI ref. An Autodarts X setup will also be available with four dedicated cameras that attach to a standard board. This includes pinpoint detection and 360° Plasma-class lighting, so is more accurate for those who want to take their play a step up or two.

There are free elements to the app, to get you playing immediately, but you can also expand the feature base and add extra games and capabilities through an Autodarts Plus subscription from £5.99 per month.

The Autodarts app and LENS functionality is available to download in English, German or Dutch now. The Autodarts X camera system coming later. It will be available to pre-order from October.

More information can be found on Winmau's website.

Anker has unveiled its full IFA lineup, and there’s an impressive amount to get through, particularly if you’re into smart home tech. The launches also arrive alongside the news that Anker’s five brands will be unified under a single Anker name going forwards.

The headline announcement is Anker MindBase, a new smart home hub designed to connect devices around your home and keep household data stored locally. It’ll bring together Anker devices and Matter-compatible products from other brands, with support for Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Home Assistant. There are also dedicated AI agents for different areas of the home, whilst up to 48TB of expandable local storage can keep everything closer to home.

The first product to make use of it will be the Anker MindBase Security Kit, which is due to launch later this year. It’ll work with new products including the Eufy TrackLight Cam S1 and Eufy Video Doorbell S4, as well as many existing Eufy security devices. HomeBase S380 users will also be able to transfer their existing footage across to MindBase.

Elsewhere, there’s the new Eufy Robot Vacuum Omni E35, which delivers an impressive 35,000Pa of suction power alongside the HydroJet 2.0 Self Cleaning Roller Mop. We’ve luckily already managed to put the E35 Omni to the test, and our full review will be available to read tomorrow.

Interestingly, it’s also been developed to what Anker describes as “baby-grade” standards. The E35 has received TÜV certification as a “Maternal and Infant Cleaning Robot”, covering bacterial elimination, cleaning performance, noise levels and self-cleaning capabilities.

Anker has also unveiled the Eufy Robot Lawn Mower S2 Max, its first robot mower to be developed entirely in-house. Following the C15, E15 and E18, the new model doesn't require boundary wires or RTK, and uses an automatically extendable cutting arm to deliver what Anker describes as true edge-to-edge cutting.

The S2 Max also has all-wheel drive, can tackle slopes of up to 80% (38 degrees) and can map and mow areas of up to 15,000 square metres. It’s expected to launch in Europe in May 2027.

Finally, Anker has expanded its Solix energy range with the new Solarbank Max, which the company describes as the world’s first plug-in energy storage system to match home battery specifications. It offers 10kW of solar input, 7kWh of storage and up to 3,500W of AC output, with storage expandable all the way up to 42kWh.

It follows the recently launched Anker Solix Solarbank 4 Pro, which also features the brand's Plug-in Power 2.0 system, but the Solarbank Max takes things considerably further with more solar input, storage and AC output.

There’s also an energy management system capable of tracking more than 870 dynamic electricity tariffs, helping determine when it makes sense to store energy and when it could be better to sell solar power back to the grid.

Signify has officially unveiled its full lineup of Philips Hue launches at IFA 2026, ranging from a bunch of new lights to some interesting partnerships. I’m happy to say plenty of the rumours turned out to be true, including the new 4K HDMI sync box. A few were wide of the mark, though – no giant LED lounge table this time, folks.

There's also a big software update on the way called Custom AI Behaviours, which will be exclusive to the Hue Bridge Pro. Instead of manually building complicated automations, you'll be able to simply describe what you want your lights to do in everyday language, and the Hue AI assistant will create the automation for you.

There's a lot more hardware to get through, so below you'll find the biggest new launches, along with pricing and availability.

1. Philips Hue Liane 360° rope light

One of the more unusual launches is the Philips Hue Liane 360° rope light, which produces light around its entire circumference. Its flexible design means it can wrap around walls, furniture and other features, rather than being limited to the usual straight strip light setup.

It uses Philips Hue's OmniGlow technology to create a continuous diffused gradient and is available from today in the UK, Europe and North America, starting at £379.99/€429.99.

2. Philips Hue Signe and Festavia

The Signe collection is getting bigger too, with new Signe pendant, pendulum and pole designs. The pendant and pendulum are available in Europe from today, starting at £309.99/€349.99, with North American availability following in November. The Signe pole will arrive at a later date.

Festavia is also expanding with new Curtain, Net and Icicle lights, starting at £189.99/€229.99. There are new, more affordable outdoor wall lights and spots too, alongside an OmniGlow outdoor strip light starting at £259.99/€299.99.

3. Philips Hue Play Screen Sync

One rumour that turned out to be true is the new Philips Hue Play Screen Sync, which offers a completely different way to match your Hue lights with what's happening on your TV.

Instead of relying on an HDMI connection, it uses a fisheye lens and automatic calibration to capture what's happening on the screen and extend those colours into the room using the best Philips Hue lights. Crucially, that means it can work with native smart TV apps and broadcast television as well as HDMI-connected devices.

The Philips Hue Play Screen Sync is available from today, starting at £109.99/€119.99.

4. Philips Hue Play HDMI sync box 4K

We were also right about the new Philips Hue Play HDMI sync box 4K. It's a slimmer and simpler alternative to Hue's existing sync box setup, with a single HDMI connection for synchronising your lights with 4K content.

It's available from today, starting at £134.99/€149.99.

5. Philips Hue Play gradient strip lights

Philips Hue is refreshing its Play gradient strip light range as well, and this time the strips are cuttable, making it easier to get a better fit around different TV sizes and setups.

For the first time, there's also an option designed for TVs up to a huge 100 inches. Prices start at £89.88/€99.99, with availability from 15th September.

6. Two new collaborations

Finally, there are two big collaborations to talk about, starting with Sonos.

From November, selected Hue switches, including the Hue Tap Dial Switch, will be able to control Sonos speakers without you needing to open an app. You'll be able to assign Sonos Favorites to buttons, play and pause music, skip tracks and adjust the volume directly from your Hue controls.

However, the more surprising partnership is with Nanoleaf, which will bring compatible Nanoleaf Shapes into the Philips Hue ecosystem. Nanoleaf Hexagons, Triangles and Mini Triangles will be able to join Hue scenes, automations and entertainment setups, meaning products from the two brands can finally work together within the same lighting setup.

You'll need the new Philips Hue Wall Light Module, which is available from today for £34.99/€39.99. Starter kits featuring compatible Nanoleaf panels will also be available in selected markets, starting at £179.99/€199.99.

The Ford Fathom, which is due in 2027, will be the first car to debut a new Apple Maps experience – the result of the previous pairing to make Apple's mapping software native to Ford's future EV.

While we're not going to see that car for a while, Ford has actively started talking about the forthcoming electric car, including in an interview with GreenCars (via 9to5Mac).

In that interview, Ford talks about the process of selecting the mapping software, saying: "We thought that Apple was best for this vehicle in order to get the customer the best solution."

To be clear, this isn't Ford using Apple CarPlay Ultra, it's using Apple Maps in its integrated form, something that's previously been dominated by Google. The company said it spoke to Google too, but ultimately, decided that Apple offered the better experience.

"Apple Maps looks beautiful, and having a large display to be able to put it on we think will be a really big wow factor for our customers when they get to see it," said Alan Clarke, Ford's VP of advanced vehicle projects.

But this version of Apple Maps isn't going to be like the Apple Maps that runs as an overlay in your car, it has been properly integrated: "You need a great maps provider that has the capability to get elevation, weather, and the maps data to have accurate, updated information about chargers."

Mapping has long been an argument used by EV manufacturers against third-party solutions. While a third-party map might be familiar, it won't necessarily know the condition of your car, it might not get integrated into your HUD, and it can't always do things like smart route planning to incorporate charging when you need it.

Take the Tesla experience for example: when planning a route, the map knows what range you have and advises where you should stop to charge. Beyond that, it can precondition the car's battery to get optimal charging rates, while also knowing that there are available chargers at the station you're heading to.

Third-party navigation doesn't always offer this experience: it typically can't talk to the car to get all that information, because car manufacturers like to stay in control of their own data.

It looks like the Ford Fathom is going to offer a unique experience: as Alan Clarks says: "It's amazing to be first as well". That goes a long way – the Ford Fathom will likely draw in a number of Apple fans interested in what that in-car experience looks like.

It will also support Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but if the mapping is great, when why connect your phone?

Govee has announced its IFA 2026 launches, and one of the highlights is a smart ceiling light that creates lighting based on your mood and what you're doing. The Govee Sky Ceiling Light is described by the brand as the industry's first AI-powered, mood-responsive ceiling light.

It joins several other new launches, including the COB Strip Light 2 Pro, COB Strip Light 2 and Permanent Outdoor Lights 2 Pro. AI is a big theme across the range, with Govee AI Lighting allowing users to create and personalise lighting using text, voice and image inputs. Govee says you can even have multi-turn conversations with the system, so you can describe the lighting you want and then keep refining it.

I've rounded up each of the new launches below, along with pricing, availability and when you can expect to get your hands on them.

As mentioned, the Govee Sky Ceiling Light uses AI Lighting Bot 2.0 to create lighting based on your mood. For example, if you want to feel more alert or focused, it can prioritise a specially tuned 478nm sky-blue spectrum, which Govee says is designed to support the body's natural rhythm and help maintain alertness when daylight is limited.

It arrives not long after Philips introduced its own range of skylights designed to mimic sunlight. However, Philips' models don't include smart connectivity, instead relying on an included remote control and five preset lighting scenes. Govee's model keeps the smart features, making it much easier to integrate into a wider smart home setup.

There's a huge 1,000K-10,000K colour temperature range, up to 7,000 lumens of white light and a CRI of 95. Govee's DaySync feature can also automatically adjust the lighting based on the time and weather, whilst Matter support lets it work with other compatible smart home platforms.

The Govee Sky Ceiling Light launches tomorrow for $399.99/€399.

Govee is also expanding its strip light range with the COB Strip Light 2 Pro, another new product powered by AI Lighting Bot 2.0.

You can describe the atmosphere you're after using voice or text prompts, and the strip will create a corresponding lighting scene. It features 1,344 LEDs and 16 ICs per metre, alongside Govee's RGBWWIC technology and LuminBlend+ colour engine, which are designed to produce smooth lighting across single and multiple colours. It also offers the same wide 1,000K-10,000K colour temperature range.

The 5-metre COB Strip Light 2 Pro launches tomorrow for $169.99/€179.99, and there's a more affordable COB Strip Light 2, arriving the same day for $99.99/€119.99.

Finally, Govee has launched its new Permanent Outdoor Lights 2 Pro, featuring a dual-layer lighting design with two independently controlled chips inside each light head. This allows the upper and lower sections to display different colours and effects at the same time, giving you more freedom to create colourful displays around the outside of your home.

The Govee Permanent Outdoor Lights 2 Pro launches in the US on 7th September, priced at $499.99 for 100ft or $799.99 for 200ft. UK and European availability is yet to be confirmed.

Klättermusen has built its reputation on technical mountain clothing that looks unlike anything else on the trail, and its new Fall/Winter 2026 collection continues that tradition with an interesting material choice.

Wool plays a starring role this season, with two new technical mid-layers designed for the sort of unpredictable conditions Klättermusen encounters on its home turf in Scandinavia.

One of the key models in the FW26 collection is the Balderus Jacket, a hiking-layer made from recycled Italian wool with added wind protection.

The Balderus pairs a natural grey wool body with contrasting dark panels across the chest and shoulders, giving it a distinctly more technical appearance than your average wool midlayer.

Wool remains one of those materials that makes a lot of sense outdoors, particularly as an insulating layer.

However, traditional wool garments are often not the most eye-catching (apart from The North Face's Casentino Collection, but that's a different story).

Klättermusen's approach to adding distinctive panelling and mountain-ready detailing helps the Balderus feel thoroughly modern.

Joining it is the new Embla Hood Jacket, a technical wool-blend mid-layer offering adaptable warmth for changing Scandinavian mountain conditions.

The darker, more understated design looks closer to a conventional technical hoodie, albeit one that should provide an interesting alternative to the synthetic fleeces that dominate most outdoor layering systems.

The long way round

Balderus and Embla are part of a wider collection that Klättermusen says was designed for multi-day trekking across changing terrain and unpredictable weather, with durability, insulation, and freedom of movement as its main priorities.

There are some familiar names elsewhere in the line-up. The Allgrön 2.0 is the latest version of Klättermusen’s four-season waterproof shell, designed to provide prolonged weather protection without restricting movement.

Meanwhile, the Gondul 2.0 Hood Jacket provides lightweight active insulation, balancing warmth with breathability while you’re moving.

Klättermusen has also updated its Gere 3.0 trekking trousers with a lighter construction designed to increase freedom of movement while retaining durability.

The collection arrives alongside The Call, a four-part campaign following three people who abandon their everyday routines after receiving little more than a set of coordinates leading into the mountains.

Both the campaign and Klättermusen’s new FW26 hiking and trekking collection launch on 3 September 2026, with the clothing available at Klättermusen.

I'll admit up front that this isn't a compunction that applies to everyone out there, but the simple fact is that when a massive streaming service announces an adaptation of a classic novel I haven't read, I go into fight or flight mode. I'm a big reader, and I have a rule that I'll almost always read the source novel before I watch any adaptation, since the original is almost always the best.

Well, Netflix is putting me in quite a spot with its latest big-budget series, starring none other than Florence Pugh. It's an adaptation of East of Eden, a classic by John Steinbeck (he of Grapes of Wrath), and crucially I haven't read it. The series arrives on 1 October, which really doesn't give me long to get up to speed, given it's an objectively chunky novel.

Frankly, the start of October is way too soon for me to readjust my to-read pile, so I'm a sunk before I've even begun, which means I now have a secondary objective – showcase this series for you without accidentally spoiling a quite old novel for myself. Here's what I know for sure:

East of Eden is a massive story that spans the generations of an unhappy family, the Trask clan, in their relationships and fortunes. It famously has one of literatures great villains, if you're to believe at least some of those who've read it – Cathy. Now, though, writer and showrunner Zoe Kazan is reframing this long-established story and telling it moreso through Cathy's eyes.

That means that a story that might (perhaps) have previously served to demonise Cathy, not without some reason, might now instead serve to humanise her. We'll get more interiority from her, and you'd be hard pressed to argue with casting Pugh, who's already demonstrated a huge amount of range in her career.

Crucially, she's also something of a star, so Netflix will be hoping that she drawns in a crowd for what otherwise could be mistaken for a pretty traditional slice of programming. Honestly, if you want more details than that I'd recommend heading to Wikipedia or some other source to see plot information – that's a sacrifice I'm not willing to make right now!

Vodafone is finally offering its own TV streamer and service, to take on the likes of Sky, Virgin Media and EE/BT. However, it is really hitting the group running with a number of key inclusions that make it worth more than a second glance.

For starters, the new Vodafone TV runs Freely – the UK's fastest-growing free TV service with all the major channels and catch-up services. It also takes on Sky directly with included Netflix and HBO Max as part of the package.

That's something Sky has offered on Sky Glass and Sky Stream for a while, as part of its Sky Ultimate TV package. However, Vodafone is coming into the marketplace strong with a similar offer of Netflix Standard with Ads and HBO Max Standard with Ads subscriptions also thrown in.

On top of this, the Vodafone TV hub runs Android TV, so you can install just about every other streaming service you can imagine, plus games and other apps from the Google Play Store. And there will be more than 300 cloud streamed games available to play without a console at launch, using a smartphone as a controller or a Bluetooth gamepad linked to the box.

Additional streaming services available

Vodafone customers will also have the opportunity to add extra streaming memberships to their plan on a Vodafone Subscription+. That includes Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and YouTube Premium.

We're still awaiting full specs for the streaming box, but it has been revealed that it sports 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage for the apps and games. It supports 4K HDR, Dolby Vision and up to Dolby Atmos sound.

There's no word yet on pricing. but Vodafone TV will be available to both Vodafone mobile and broadband customers from October. We'll bring you further details as soon we have them.

Samsung has a new answer to Apple's MacBook Neo, and it's aimed at Windows users who don't fancy making the switch to macOS.

The new 14-inch Galaxy Book6 is the latest addition to Samsung's laptop range, but unlike the more premium models, this one is designed to be more accessible. It starts at £799 in the UK, with 8GB or 16GB of RAM and up to 512GB of storage.

It's also pretty portable, weighing 1.35kg and measuring 15.7mm thick. That makes it a potentially useful option for anyone who wants a laptop for work, study or travel without carrying around something bulky.

The Galaxy Book6 uses an Intel Core 5 processor and has a 14-inch 1920 x 1200 LCD display with a 16:10 aspect ratio. There's also an anti-reflective finish to help reduce glare, which should make it more comfortable to use in brighter surroundings.

Samsung claims up to 25 hours of video playback from a single charge, although as ever, real-world battery life will depend heavily on what you're doing with it.

There's plenty of connectivity, too, including two USB-C ports, USB-A, HDMI 1.4 and a headphone jack. Ideal if you regularly plug in accessories or an external display, and it means you shouldn't need a collection of dongles just to connect your existing kit.

The Galaxy Book6 also gets Samsung's Galaxy AI features, including AI Select, AI Cut Out and Note Assist.

AI Select lets you select things on screen to get information about them, while AI Cut Out can remove backgrounds from images. Note Assist can summarise notes and pull out key information.

If you're already using Galaxy phones or tablets, the laptop has some extra tricks. Quick Share makes it easier to move files between devices, while Multi Control lets you use one keyboard and mouse across compatible Galaxy products.

Samsung is pitching the Galaxy Book6 as an everyday laptop rather than a premium powerhouse.

At £799, it's positioned below many high-end Windows laptops while offering the portability, battery life and connected features you'd expect from a modern machine. And, importantly, you get to keep Windows.

Fancy a golf simulator at home, but don't want to sacrifice an entire room to one? BenQ's latest projectors might offer a rather more practical solution.

The company has announced the AK900ST and AK800ST, which it claims are the world's first AI golf projectors. They're designed primarily for indoor golf simulation, with BenQ's new AI Sim Sense technology automatically adjusting the picture to suit the simulated course, room lighting and projection screen.

But the clever bit is that they're not exclusively golf machines. Both projectors can switch between different picture modes for golf, movies, gaming and sports, meaning your expensive golf setup can potentially double as a home cinema or giant gaming screen when you're not working on your handicap.

The main feature is BenQ's AI Sim Sense, which is powered by a dedicated built-in AI processing unit.

Instead of a picture preset, BenQ says the system analyses the golf simulation content, ambient lighting and impact screen before automatically adjusting things such as colour, contrast, resolution and image clarity.

The idea is to make virtual fairways, greens and surrounding scenery look more natural and detailed. Important when you're projecting an image several feet wide onto a golf impact screen.

BenQ has also attempted to make setting up the projectors less of a faff. Auto Screen Fit 2.0 can detect curved or flat impact screens and automatically adjust the projected image, while motorised Auto Focus takes care of focus without requiring manual adjustment.

There's also an Ambient Visual Enhancer, which adjusts the image according to the room's lighting conditions. That could be useful if your simulator is in a garage, spare room or other space where lighting conditions aren't always consistent.

When you've finished your round, the AK900ST and AK800ST can be switched to other entertainment modes using Scene Memory, with settings optimised for movies, gaming and sports.

There's also dual-source Picture-in-Picture, allowing you to display a golf simulation alongside something like a YouTube tutorial. That could be particularly handy for beginners trying to copy a professional's technique while playing.

BenQ hasn't announced UK pricing in the supplied release, so we'll need to wait for that before knowing whether these are a realistic alternative to a conventional home-cinema projector plus dedicated golf hardware.

Apple is preparing to launch the iPhone 18 Pro next week and while the design is expected to be generally the same as the iPhone 17 Pro, there's one detail that hasn't yet been nailed down: the colour options.

The iPhone 18 Pro colours are still a topic for debate. We've already seen leaks for colours such as Dark Cherry (or Burgundy) and Sky Blue, but beyond that, it's not clear whether we're getting a black phone or a silver phone.

Currently, the iPhone 17 Pro comes in the hero Cosmic Orange, Deep Blue and Silver. It might suggest that for a complete change, Apple will offer the iPhone 18 Pro in Black.

As highlighted by 9to5Mac, online leakers do not agree on what the third colour will be. Fixed Focus Digital took to Weibo to share images and supporting the idea of moving to a black phone, although then goes on in the comments to call it "greyish".

But that's not the important part: Fixed Focus Digital distinctly says that "the second from the left is most likely not available" - which refers to the silver device.

But then Sonny Dickson has come forward on X, sharing an image of three SIM trays, including Dark Cherry, Sky Blue and, you guessed it, Silver. Now, bear in mind that Apple dropped the SIM card tray for US models with iPhone 14, so these could be from other global models – but there's no black in sight.

That leaves us not knowing the colour that the iPhone 18 Pro will be available in. The Dark Cherry and Sky Blue seem pretty certain at this point, but we're still debating whether the third phone will be black or silver and we're only 7 days from the launch.

The iPhone 18 Pro might be overshadowed by the folding iPhone that's expected at the event, but we're expecting to see Pro and Pro Max versions with the same design as previously, but powered by the new A20 Pro chip.

We're expecting more capacious batteries and changes to the camera. There could be new hardware in the camera, with rumours of a variable aperture, although whether this is limited to the Pro Max or both the Pro models remains to be seen.

The new phones will run iOS 27, come with Siri AI and likely some new features – although older models will benefit from many of the incoming software changes.

As for the prices, we're braced for an increase in sizes for the new models.

Timex has made plenty of unusual watches over the years, but few are as immediately charming as the Original Camper Ring Watch, a fully functional miniature designed to be worn on your finger.

The tiny timepiece first appeared earlier this year as part of Japanese retailer icon BEAMS’ 50th-anniversary celebrations, taking the familiar military styling of Timex’s Original Camper and shrinking it into something closer to jewellery.

Now, BEAMS BOY, a womenswear label within the Japanese retailer and fashion group BEAMS, has returned to the idea with a new version, and I think this one might look even better.

The Timex x BEAMS BOY Original Camper Ring Watch swaps the utilitarian colouring of the earlier model for a translucent tortoiseshell-style brown case and bracelet.

The design references a tortoiseshell Original Camper that BEAMS BOY previously commissioned from Timex, effectively shrinking that full-sized collaboration down for your finger.

The warm translucent resin gives the miniature Camper more of a vintage-accessory feel, while the familiar white dial, black Arabic numerals and 24-hour markings retain the military-watch character of the original.

Small watch with a surprisingly serious execution

The Original Camper Ring Watch is a genuinely functional quartz watch, complete with a Japanese movement, acrylic crystal and the Camper's recognisable field-watch dial.

Its expandable bracelet accommodates different finger sizes, while the crown protruding from the side makes the whole thing look almost comically like somebody used a shrink ray on a normal Timex.

BEAMS BOY has also retained one of the best details from the original release: the packaging.

The ring watch sits inside a TIGHT VAC container, and a transparent internal stand makes it look as though it's floating inside the cylindrical case.

The clever case gives the package the feel of a tiny museum exhibit or some forgotten piece of 1970s industrial design.

The new tortoiseshell Original Camper Ring Watch is priced at ¥22,000 (~£102 / $139 / €119 / AU$193) and is due to go on sale from 11 September, with reservations already open in Japan through BEAMS.

While the Original Camper Ring Watch itself isn't new, this tortoiseshell treatment makes an already strange little Timex considerably more desirable.

There’s no shortage of Apple Watch lookalikes, but Huawei’s latest square smartwatch has something rather unusual hiding inside its strap.

The new Huawei Watch D3 was unveiled today alongside the Watch GT 7 Series, flagship Watch 6 Series and FreeBuds Neo earbuds, but for me, it’s comfortably the most interesting product of the bunch.

That’s because the D3 can take actual blood pressure measurements using an inflatable airbag built into its strap.

It works much like a conventional cuff, compressing the wrist as an internal pump inflates and deflates the airbag to determine systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

That’s fundamentally different from what Apple currently does, which can identify patterns that may suggest hypertension using its optical heart-rate sensors.

However, they don’t directly measure your blood pressure or give you conventional blood-pressure readings.

Adding Huawei’s system to an Apple Watch would presumably require a substantial rethink of the strap and associated hardware, which is why this could remain one area where the D3 has a considerable advantage.

Huawei has also worked hard to make the technology look less... medical.

While previous iterations looked a bit clunky, the D3 deliberately borrows heavily from Huawei’s much more conventional Watch Fit family, almost fully disguising its special cuff design.

It's 11.3mm thick and weighs 40g, with Huawei shaving 8g and roughly 2mm from its predecessor.

The inflatable strap is narrower too, while the display measures over 1.9 inches and reaches a claimed 3,000 nits.

More than a clever cuff

The Watch D3 supports 24-hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring, taking automated readings during the day and while you sleep.

Its blood pressure function has CE marking under the EU Medical Device Regulation.

One of the most interesting additions in this generation is pre- and post-exercise blood pressure measurement.

The watch can now take readings immediately before and shortly after exercise so users can see how their blood pressure responds to exertion.

Huawei says the D3 still manages up to six days of battery life despite housing the pump, while Health Glance can gather up to 11 health indicators in around a minute.

The Watch GT 7 Series is probably the brand's biggest mainstream launch this September.

Huawei has given its sports watch a noticeably more outdoorsy look this year, but some of the cleverest changes are happening under the hood.

A new positioning system combines GPS with the watch’s accelerometer and gyroscope to estimate movement when satellite reception disappears.

Huawei says this can improve route recording through tunnels and tree cover, while also reducing GPS polling during ultra-long activities to save battery.

To boost its snow sport prowess, the GT 7 can now download maps for more than 3,000 ski resorts, track individual turns and even estimate the G-forces generated while carving.

It also adds an indoor skiing mode that relies on onboard motion sensors rather than GPS.

Cyclists gain climb planning, gradient information and warnings when approaching sharp turns too, while Huawei has finally added a Physical Readiness score that factors in metrics including sleep and HRV.

The Watch GT 7 starts at £280 (~$378 / €326 / AU$528), with the GT 7 Pro from £380 (~$512 / €443 / AU$717), and both are available to order from today. The Watch D3 costs £400 (~$540 / €466 / AU$755) and goes on sale on 23 September.