If you were in any doubt that Sonos is looked at by the rest of the audio industry with some envy, all you really have to do is watch what other brands launch. I've seen a fair few home speaker announcements in my day, and JBL's new Cove speakers are just about as direct in competing with Sonos as any I can remember.

JBL says that Cove is a new "whole-home Wi‑Fi audio system" and, to be fair, I'm a huge fan of Wi-Fi speakers in general. Their convenience is hard to match when you're at home, and their connectivity is superior to Bluetooth-only models in my experience.

Cove launches with three models – M1, P1 and X1. To start with M1, it's a fixed-in-place speaker that needs mains power and is very much the entry option to the range. That doesn't mean it's all that cheap, though, at $219.95 in the US, £199.99 in the UK and €229.99 in the EU. Think of it as JBL's equivalent to the Sonos Era 100 SL.

The most interesting speaker in the lineup is the JBL Cove P1, which is the competition for the five-star Sonos Play. Like the Play, the P1 is portable with a charging dock that you can put where you want. It's a bit more powerful than the M1, too, and has Dolby Atmos support thanks to an upfiring tweeter. It gets 14 hours of use on a charge, and has water and dust resistance at an IP56 rating.

That bump in specs and options also makes it quite pricey – at $399.95 in the US, £399.99 in the UK and €449.99 in the EU. That's significantly more than even Sonos' equivalent, which is punchy.

Finally, there's the biggest speaker of the lot, the Cove X1, which reverts to powered use and looks more like the Sonos Era 300 equivalent. It offers 3D sound, apparently, and therefore also has Dolby Atmos support, and comes in at $379.95, £429.99 or €499.99 depending on your region.

All of the speakers can be grouped in multi-room setups and controlled through JBL's app, and the two smaller speakers can also be used as surrounds with the JBL Bar Mk2 soundbar, which is welcome. They'll all be available from JBL in October this year, with a precise launch date likely to follow fairly soon.

They'll also all become smart speakers later this year with Alexa+ integration, which might be of interest to plenty of people. They actually launch with a wide range of connectivity options, too, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Roon Ready, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, and Qobuz Connect.

To be clear, too, it's probably a good thing that Sonos' reputation for multi-room audio is prompting this competition. While I use its speakers happily, I've thought for a long while that more Wi-Fi speakers need to flood the market to make it easier to get multi-room setups without breaking the bank.

For now, JBL's route isn't one that seems to prioritise affordability, but give it a couple of years, and it'll be fascinating to see where the Cove lineup ends up sitting in the market.

Garmin has released another sizeable software update for some of its most popular smartwatches.

Public Beta Version 18.27 is rolling out to the Garmin Forerunner 570, Forerunner 970, Venu 4, Venu X1 and Vivoactive 6, with Garmin now listing the update as available to members of its Public Beta programme.

The company says the update addresses a potential issue that could cause unexpected display behaviour and inconsistent gesture response.

Garmin has also fixed an issue that could prevent the always-on display setting from taking effect, along with a problem that could stop button tones from sounding.

Version 18.27 addresses a bug that could cause alert tones to fail to play when Garmin's Incident Detection feature is triggered.

The sound of software problems

Audio accounts for a surprisingly large chunk of the latest update.

Garmin says it has fixed problems with music failing to pause properly when the selected music provider is set to control your phone, as well as an issue where volume adjustments in the music app might not work correctly.

The company's Phone Assistant functionality also gets some attention.

One fix addresses voice commands failing to be recognised, while another tackles a problem where the assistant could stop working after being interrupted by an incoming call.

Garmin's Spectator Messaging feature gets two fixes. Audio messages should no longer be cut off before they finish playing, and Garmin has also tried to make them easier to hear when music is playing at the same time.

Golfers haven't been forgotten either, with Beta 18.27 fixing a delay that could occur before the score prompt appeared.

The release also includes a handful of other minor fixes and updated translations, but no new features this time around.

In other words, this is very much a housekeeping update, albeit one that addresses quite a few irritating problems.

As this is Public Beta software, you'll need to be enrolled in Garmin's Beta Software Programme to get it. Once enrolled, you can check manually from Settings > System > Software Update > Check For Updates.

One important caveat for Venu 4 owners: Garmin says the ECG app is disabled in the current beta software and recommends staying on the stable software if you want to keep access to ECG.

The feature is expected to return towards the end of the quarterly beta cycle, before the software becomes a full public release.

[via NotebookCheck, Garmin Forums]

Dyson has officially entered the oral care industry with the Dyson CameraJet, its first-ever toothbrush and, unsurprisingly for Dyson, it takes a very different approach to cleaning your teeth.

The headline feature is a built-in 100,000-pixel macro camera, which works alongside Dyson’s Gap Optical Targeting machine-learning technology to identify the gaps between your teeth as you brush. It scans 28 images every second and, when it detects a gap, can trigger a precision jet of mouthrinse within just 100 milliseconds. According to Dyson, it’s the only toothbrush to combine a camera with this kind of precision flossing technology, making it a very unique addition to the best electric toothbrush market.

The CameraJet is available from today for £419.99 (around $570) via Dyson's website, in-store and selected retailers. That gets you the toothbrush itself, along with a charging dock, travel case, Dyson Toothpaste and Dyson Mouthrinse. There are also two colours to choose from – Ceramic Ultra Blue and Ceramic Pink

Instead of the needle-like stream found on many traditional water flossers, Dyson has developed a broader conical spray that's designed to sweep plaque away while using a lower pressure to be gentler on your gums and enamel. The mouthrinse comes from a 12.5ml anti-gravity tank built into the toothbrush, which uses a diaphragm pump and pressure chamber to keep the flow consistent even when you're holding the brush at an angle or horizontally.

The CameraJet itself uses a dual-bristle design, with firmer inner bristles to tackle surface stains and softer outer bristles to clean along the gumline. It also uses variable sonic oscillation, which Dyson says helps keep the bristles moving instead of allowing them to stall against your teeth.

As you'd probably expect from a £420 toothbrush, the CameraJet connects to the MyDyson app over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, giving you access to guided cleaning, coverage maps and personalised feedback. You can even use the camera to get a live view inside your mouth, although Dyson says images aren't recorded or stored on the toothbrush or in the cloud.

Dyson has even developed its own toothpaste and mouthrinse specifically for the system. The toothpaste is non-foaming so it doesn't get in the way of the camera, whilst the mouthrinse has been formulated to work with the precision jet. Both come in Ginger Mint and Spearmint flavours, with a Peppermint Sensitive toothpaste also available.

Once you're finished brushing, the CameraJet slots into its docking station, which charges the toothbrush and can refill its mouthrinse tank at the touch of a button. Dyson says the whole refill process takes just three seconds.

I'll be reviewing the new Dyson CameraJet very soon, so stay tuned for my full thoughts in the coming weeks.

TAG Heuer is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its Monza watch and bringing it into the modern day with its new limited edition Monza Flyback Chronograph. Presented ahead of the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Monza which is taking place on 6th September, the TAG Heuer Monza Flyback Chronograph features a black and red dial, and a dramatic forged carbon case.

TAG Heuer is well known for its motorsport-inspired watches, and its original Monza is one of its most celebrated racing chronographs. The first-ever Monza was introduced in 1976, and was designed to celebrate Niki Lauda’s Formula 1 World Championship win for Ferrari.

Aside from this huge accomplishment, the 1976 Monza was TAG Heuer’s first watch to have a black-coated brass/steel case, an element that TAG Heuer has kept and reimagined with the new TAG Heuer Monza Flyback Chronograph.

Measuring 42mm, the TAG Heuer Monza Flyback Chronograph has a forged carbon case which is durable, lightweight and recognised in motorsports for its credentials. It has a marbled pattern which almost looks like camouflage. The case has a cushion shape, and an oversized crown flanked by two chronograph pushers on the right side.

A black flange frames the dial, and offers a tachymeter and pulsometer scale. The dial has a black base as taken by the original 1976 Monza model, and features two matte black chronograph counters – a minutes subdial at three o’clock and a permanent seconds display at six o’clock.

Another detail inspired by the 1976 Monza is the date window. It sits at nine o’clock and has an angled shape which looks bigger on the outer edge of the square window. The hour markers, and hour and minute hands are rhodium-plated and have white Super-LumiNova for enhanced visibility. Red makes an appearance on the flange, as well as on the minutes chronograph hand, and seconds hand.

Powered by the Calibre TH20-12, the movement has a flyback function which offers measured timing intervals that don’t interrupt the chronograph. The timing sequence sets and restarts with a single press on the pushers. The movement is COSC certified and can be viewed via the caseback.

The TAG Heuer Monza Flyback Chronograph is finished with a black calfskin strap with red stitching. Launching in September 2026, the TAG Heuer Monza Flyback Chronograph is available to buy for £11,300 / $13,400 / €13,350. It’s limited to 500 pieces.

Nike ACG has unveiled the Picklejus, a new long-distance trail running shoe designed for big mountain efforts.

While its unusual name might be the first thing that catches your attention, there is considerably more going on underneath.

Developed around the demands of the long, technical mountain routes found around Mont Blanc, Nike describes the Picklejus as ACG’s “pinnacle expression” of mountain running performance.

Nike has combined two versions of ZoomX in what it says is its first co-moulded, dual-density supercritical foam platform designed specifically for trail running.

(Not sure where this leaves all other 'super' trail running shoes from Nike/Nike ACG, including the ACG Kigerfly and the ACG Zegama).

A softer ZoomX core handles cushioning and impact protection, while a firmer foam ring around the perimeter provides added stability and support.

Interestingly, Nike says the latter creates a plate-like effect without a traditional plate, allowing the two foams to work together as a single platform.

Up top is a trail-specific Flyknit construction with integrated containment cables designed to adapt to the foot as runners move across uneven terrain.

Hydrophobic yarns help repel water and reduce the extra weight the upper picks up in wet conditions, while a gaiter-inspired cuff is intended to keep stones and other debris out.

The goat underneath

The shoe introduces GOATEK, ACG’s new proprietary traction technology, developed for everything from wet rock and loose dirt to steep climbs and technical descents.

Nike claims GOATEK delivers 45% more wet traction and 25% better abrasion resistance than its previous all-terrain outsoles – those are substantial numbers (and a serious challenge to Vibram).

The company says the technology has been through five rounds of long-term wear testing covering more than 18,000 miles of rugged mountain terrain.

Nike says ACG is effectively acting as a proving ground for the technology, with the traction platform potentially informing other performance footwear across the company in the future.

Picklejus is the first ACG footwear innovation developed through the Nike Sport Research Lab and the result of three years of athlete conversations, 10 research studies, and 20 prototypes tested by more than 100 athletes, the company claims.

The name is, of course, a reference to pickle juice, the salty drink that has become something of a cult remedy among endurance athletes for dealing with muscle cramps.

There will be quite a wait before you can try any of this for yourself, though.

Nike is scheduled to launch the ACG Picklejus in late 2027 through Nike ACG and select retailers, with pricing yet to be announced.

Seiko has just expanded its Prospex watch family with a capsule collection called the Grand Touring Mechanical Chronograph.

Drawing inspiration from vintage motorsport, the watches include a tachymeter on their dial, which with the chronograph movement and pushers can be used to calculate the average speed of an object – like a race car – traveling a known distance – like a road race, a circuit, or a standing quarter-mile.

Also distinctive is the vertical pattern on the dial, which Seiko says was inspired by a highway. Other details include a date window at the half-past-four position, a dual-curved sapphire crystal, 100 metres of water resistance and a steel case back. Behind that is Seiko’s in-house 8R48 mechanical chronograph movement with vertical clutch and column wheel.

Two models are available. The first has a sky blue dial with a white 60-second track and a black tachymeter scale around the outer edge, matching the sub dials. The other carries a silver-grey colour scheme across all elements of the dial, and swaps out the sky blue model’s steel bracelet – which is itself inspired by Seiko’s original 1972 ‘Panda’ chronograph – for a grey leather strap.

I think these both look fantastic, but for me the silver-grey model is the one to go for. I really like how the dial and strap manage to include a handful of different shades of the same colour palette, but while retaining a simple, restrained aesthetic. The tachymeter and its markings add some motorsport vibes, of course, but also give the watch a vintage feel without doing anything as overt as resorting to faux patina.

Available for pre-order now, the Seiko Prospex Grand Touring in sky blue and silver grey is priced from £2,250 to £2,340 – or around $3,050-$3,170. Deliveries are due to start this month.

Casio makes plenty of watches that look tough. In fact, for most of G-SHOCK’s history, looking almost indestructible has been an important part of the appeal.

However, G-SHOCK watches come in many flavours, and the G-STEEL GST-B1000-2A proves this.

It still has the shock resistance, 200-metre water resistance and Carbon Core Guard construction associated with the brand, but you could almost mistake it for a considerably more conventional luxury sports watch.

That is partly because the GST-B1000 is one of G-SHOCK’s more restrained designs, featuring a clean, stainless steel bezel with no oversized G-SHOCK lettering around the outside.

Casio uses a mixture of brushed and polished finishes on the metalwork to give it a slightly more premium appearance.

I particularly like the GST-B1000-2A, which pairs the silver bezel with a black bio-based resin strap and a metallic blue dial, creating a watch that looks subtly elegant while still being very much G-SHOCK in terms of durability.

Casio uses vapour deposition for the blue finish, so its appearance changes slightly as light moves across the surface.

Plus, the subtle brick pattern is inspired by the DW-5000C, the original G-SHOCK from 1983. And we all know retro/reissued watches are all the rage!

Same G-STEEL, half the weight

Casio introduced the bracelet-equipped GST-B1000D series in October 2025, including a similar blue-dial GST-B1000D-2A.

The big change for August 2026 is the switch from a stainless steel bracelet to a lightweight resin band.

The steel GST-B1000D weighs 118g, whereas the new GST-B1000-2A comes in at only 58g.

That's just over a 50% reduction, without changing the 46.9 x 44.2 x 11.6mm dimensions of the watch itself.

You still get a stainless steel bezel protecting a carbon-reinforced resin case, 200-metre water resistance, a screw-lock crown and mineral glass.

Tough Solar handles charging, while Bluetooth connects the watch to the Casio Watches app for automatic time adjustment and easier settings.

It also has a stopwatch, 30-minute countdown timer, daily alarm, and Super Illuminator LED.

The Casio G-SHOCK G-STEEL GST-B1000-2A is available now in the UK for £330 (~$447 / €389 / AU$624), with a black-dial GST-B1000-1A also available for the same price.

Flower Mountain has unveiled its Fall/Winter 2026 collection, and while the brand’s mix of Japanese design, outdoor influences and colourful sneakers is nothing new, a capsule within the range is definitely exciting.

Harmony of Traditions applies three Japanese textile techniques and materials to two of Flower Mountain’s most recognisable models, the Yamano 3 and Iwano 2.

These include Mikawa cotton, a durable woven fabric traditionally produced in Japan’s Aichi Prefecture, alongside Kurashiki canvas, which draws on more than a century of textile-making expertise.

The third element is Sashiko, a social media darling with a distinctive geometric stitching technique originally developed as a practical way to reinforce and repair clothing.

Here, all three are used as functional design details, giving Flower Mountain’s already busy sneakers another layer of texture and character.

Old techniques, new shoes

Flower Mountain has always blurred the line between hiking footwear and everyday sneakers, with suede overlays, chunky soles, unusual lacing systems and bright colour combinations.

Harmony of Traditions simply makes the Japanese side of that equation more... explicit.

The wider FW26 collection continues in a similar direction, albeit with more emphasis on lighter, easier-to-wear footwear.

The Back Country 2 reworks the traditional outdoor shoe with a lighter and more breathable construction.

Meanwhile, two new models, the Sanchia and Ranya, introduce softer and more streamlined shapes designed primarily for everyday urban wear.

Flower Mountain has also revisited several existing trainers, including the Kazana Fall, which turns the woven construction of the summer Kazana into an all-season sneaker.

The Asuka 3 updates the brand’s vintage-inspired design with greater flexibility and a revised internal structure.

Materials across the collection include wool, faux fur and tartan alongside Flower Mountain’s familiar mix of suede, technical fabrics and outdoor-derived detailing.

The Fall/Winter 2026 collection is available now from Flower Mountain UK, Flower Mountain US and Flower Mountain EU. AU availability TBC.

Steve Jobs famously said "nobody wants a stylus" when revealing the original iPhone in 2027, making a swipe at business-focused devices like the Palm Pilot and Windows-powered PDAs that all came with a stylus.

But it seems that Apple has been testing a Pencil that would work with the iPhone Ultra, its first folding phone, expected to be unveiled at an event next week.

The Apple Pencil is said to be "stubbier" than the version already available for the iPad, and able to magnetically attach to the side of the phone for storage and charging.

However, according to Mark Gurman at Bloomberg - who says he has "zero doubt" that this has been prototyped and tested - doesn't think Apple will release it.

There's a couple of reasons for that, starting with design. Having a Pencil attached to the side of the device is awkward - especially if you're going to be opening and closing and putting it in your pocket, where it will almost certainly detach.

The display surface also has to be considered: folding screens are softer and more prone to marking than traditional glass displays and a stylus could make that worse. Then, of course, we have Steve Jobs saying that nobody wants a stylus, making the point that the interface should be optimised for touch.

Apple won't find itself at a disadvantage here either: Samsung dropped support for the S Pen on the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and it wasn't restored for the Galaxy Z Fold 8. That's thought to be because Samsung wanted the device to be thinner and removing the supporting digitising layer made this possible.

So it seems that an Apple Pencil for the iPhone Ultra was considered and then, probably, abandoned. Gurman says that it's "unlikely that Apple will actually launch this accessory".

Apple's September launch looks like it will give us the iPhone 18 Pro alongside the new folding iPhone. Rumours have suggested that Apple will save the regular iPhone 18 for early 2027. What we're really going to be looking for is some exemplary use cases for the new iPhone to make best use of the big display.

The new iPhone will probably be joined by new Apple Watch models, while new AirPods could also make an appearance.

Timex has been spending plenty of time in its archives lately, and its latest reissue might be one of the strangest watches it has brought back yet.

The aptly named Timex 1976 Rotary Phone Dial Reissue takes inspiration from a watch first produced 50 years ago and, as the name suggests, gives the face the look of an old rotary telephone.

To achieve the ultimate throwback look, each hour marker sits inside its own small circular surround.

The slightly warped typeface adds to the effect, making the watch look as though someone took the number wheel from a 1970s telephone and squeezed it onto your wrist.

Even the day-date complication at 3 o'clock gets in on the act, sitting inside an elongated version of the same gold-edged circular design.

It sounds like the recipe for a novelty watch, but somehow, Timex has made the whole thing look rather smart.

Weird, but surprisingly wearable

A lot of that comes down to everything surrounding the dial.

The stainless-steel case measures a relatively restrained 37mm across and 43mm lug-to-lug, while its brushed, polished gold-tone finish pairs well with the brown-black dial and gold-coloured hands.

At 12mm thick and 51g, it isn't especially tiny despite that modest diameter, but the proportions are suitably retro.

Timex has also opted for an acrylic crystal, a period-appropriate touch that gives the watch the warmer look of vintage acrylic while also allowing minor scratches and scuffs to be polished out.

Inside is a battery-powered quartz analogue movement, so the 1970s styling thankfully doesn't mean dealing with the maintenance that can come with an actual 50-year-old watch.

It's paired with a 20mm brown leather strap, with Timex highlighting the lower environmental impact of its Leather Working Group-associated leather supply chain.

Water resistance is rated to 50 metres, making it suitable for everyday splashes and light swimming.

The unusual dial is certainly the main event, but the cushion-shaped case, acrylic crystal, and restrained dimensions make the rest of the watch feel authentically retro.

The Timex 1976 Rotary Phone Dial Reissue is available now from Timex US, Timex UK and Timex EU for $219 / £180 / €209 (~AU$340).

There are certain pieces of outdoor equipment that, in 2026, have long since escaped their original purpose.

Hiking shoes are everyday footwear, climbing trousers are worn nowhere near a crag, and waterproof shells have become a familiar sight in fashion.

That makes Norwegian travel-gear specialist Db’s latest collaboration with British outdoor label Purple Mountain Observatory rather well timed.

Gone Fishing was created after the two brands approached fly fishing as relative outsiders, questioning some of the sport’s established equipment along the way.

The result brings together apparel and luggage, with Db describing the collection as a modular system designed to move between different environments.

And while there’s plenty here for people who actually own fishing equipment, the Db x PMO Modular Vest is easily my favourite piece.

Fishing optional

The Modular Vest is essentially a highly technical reinterpretation of traditional fly-fishing gear.

It's made of ALUULA composite fabric, a material Db previously used across its ultra-light Weigh Lighter collection, which focused on combining low weight with high strength and durability.

In fact, ALUULA Graflyte, an ultra-light, high-strength composite originally developed for technical packs, is one of the collection’s key technologies.

It combines a UHMWPE core with fused protective films for improved abrasion, water and puncture resistance.

It has seven flapped pockets with quick-pull tabs, integrated tool loops, and Velcro fly patches, plus a removable high-capacity compartment around the back.

A second zipped rear pocket keeps valuables secure, while a D-ring lets anglers attach a landing net.

All very practical, admittedly, but I think it works just as well as an oversized technical layer.

The translucent white ALUULA pockets against the black body give it an almost experimental look, and paired with loose trousers, a simple long-sleeve top and the right trainers, I could easily see it working nowhere near water.

The rest of Gone Fishing follows a similar theme, with a £300 oversized Sling Bag (my other favourite), a £250 25-litre Backpack and a £70 Tech Cap, alongside a special £549 Ramverk Pro Carry-on.

The latter largely retains Db’s familiar aluminium-framed polycarbonate construction but adds exclusive purple compression straps and collaborative branding – a subtle detail that looks particularly good against the silver shell. Db

Gone Fishing officially launched on 27 August through Db and PMO’s online stores and selected retailers globally.

FiiO has been making portable audio gear for years, but the EA13 is about as far removed from a pocket-sized DAC as you can get. This is a big, heavy analogue amplifier designed to put the tubes firmly on display, right down to the glowing valves and mechanical VU meters.

There are six tubes inside the EA13: two Sylvania PCF80 tubes handle the preamp stage, while four JJ Electronic EL34 tubes provide the power amplification. They're arranged in a Class A push-pull configuration based on amplifier designs from the 1950s.

The EA13 produces 28W per channel into 8-ohm speakers, although that figure comes at 5% distortion. At 1% distortion, the output is 18W per channel. FiiO provides separate outputs for 4-ohm and 8-ohm speakers, so you can match the amplifier to your setup.

It's also a decidedly analogue affair. There are four RCA inputs, a 6.35mm headphone output and a 12V trigger, but no DAC, Bluetooth, network streaming or phono stage. If you want to connect a turntable, you'll need a separate phono stage.

The design is clearly part of the appeal. The EA13 has a CNC-machined aluminium chassis, two illuminated VU meters and backlit controls, while the tubes sit prominently behind a protective cover. At 17.7kg, it's also not something you'll want to move around very often.

The FiiO EA13 costs $769 (around £610), putting it well below many traditional EL34 tube amplifiers. It's also the first full-size tube amplifier from a company better known for portable players, DACs and headphone amps, making it a fairly clear sign that FiiO wants a bigger presence in conventional hi-fi.

Whether you want that classic tube setup is another matter. Modern amplifiers can give you considerably more connectivity for the money, but they don't tend to look quite as good sitting on a shelf with six glowing valves and bouncing VU meters.

Nespresso has brought back its autumn coffee pod collection for 2026, and this year there’s a brand new flavour joining the lineup. Cinnamon Apple Crisp combines cooked apple and cinnamon flavours with spicy notes, made using 100% Arabica beans from Brazil.

Nespresso recommends enjoying Cinnamon Apple Crisp as a Reverso, which involves adding hot or cold milk to your glass first before brewing the coffee over the top. However, you can also drink it hot or over ice depending on what the increasingly unpredictable autumn weather is doing.

The new flavour is available exclusively for Vertuo machines as a 230ml Mug pod, priced at £8.50 (around $10) for a sleeve of 10.

As mentioned, two familiar autumn favourites are also making a comeback, starting with Pumpkin Spice Cake, which also appeared last year. As you’d expect, it combines sweet pumpkin with warming notes of cinnamon, clove and cardamom, all layered over a lightly roasted South American Arabica coffee base.

There's also Maple Pecan, which combines the sweetness of maple with nutty pecan notes. Nespresso says it works particularly well as a creamy cappuccino or served over ice, so there's a little more flexibility if you're not quite ready to embrace hot drinks again.

Unlike Cinnamon Apple Crisp, both returning flavours are available for Vertuo and Original machines. Vertuo sleeves cost £8.50 ($10) for 10 pods, whilst Original sleeves are priced at £5.50 (around $7.50) for 10.

If you own a compatible Vertuo machine, you can also use its Coffee Creations mode with the seasonal pods. This shortens the extraction to produce a smaller, more concentrated coffee, which should help bring out more of those autumnal flavours.

The Cinnamon Apple Crisp, Pumpkin Spice Cake and Maple Pecan pods are available now for a limited time from Nespresso boutiques and via Nespresso's website, whilst stocks last.

Piaget has released its newest Polo sports watch, and it’s continuing its impressive legacy of creating ultra-thin chiming watches. The new Piaget Polo Minute Repeater has a dramatic openworked dial that exposes its movement, and with almost 200 hours put into making it, there are only five watches available.

Piaget has become well known for its ultra-thin timepieces. In 2013, the watch manufacturer introduced the world’s thinnest minute repeater, and it’s this slim complication that has found its way into the new Piaget Polo Minute Repeater.

The dial of the Piaget Polo Minute Repeater is a true masterpiece, with a sunray blue finish and an opaline outer track. What really makes it stand out is its openworked style which almost looks like it’s been peeled back on the bottom left to show the watch’s movement.

Powered by the calibre 1290P movement which is developed and assembled at Piaget’s Manufacture in La Côte-aux-Fées, it’s made up of 430 components, including hand-beveled brides, a guilloche mainplate and minute-repeated hammers. It also has a platinum micro-rotor which has a blue PVD coating to match the base of the dial.

The movement is cleverly and cheekily displayed with a gold fillet that ‘moves’ across the dial. An inertia wheel or the minute repeater regulator sits at four o’clock, and has a blue sapphire ring wrapped around it. All of this sits in a 48mm 18-karat white gold case and finished with a blue calfskin strap or leather bracelet.

The design of the movement isn’t the only impressive thing about the watch. The calibre 1290P emits three intense sounds at 64 decibels. In the fifth octave, the hours sound in G sharp while the minutes ring at A sharp, and a chiming slide sits at nine o’clock.

It took over 150 hours to develop the dial of the Piaget Polo Minute Repeater, and an extra 50 hours to hand finish each timepiece. Due to this extensive work, only five pieces have been made for 2026. The watch isn’t necessarily classed as a limited edition as Piaget could make more, but it does take a lot of time to manufacture.

But that’s not all – Piaget has also introduced a High Jewellery version of the Piaget Polo Minute Repeater. The dial is fully openworked so you can see the entire movement, and the case and bezel is set with baguette cut blue sapphires and brilliant-cut diamonds.

Prices for both Piaget Polo Minute Repeater watches are available on request.

Microsoft is making the shift towards digital Xbox games a little easier for people who still have a shelf full of discs. The new Disc-to-Digital feature lets you insert an eligible game disc into your Xbox One or Xbox Series X and claim a digital version without buying the game again.

The feature is due to start testing with Xbox Insiders on 31 August, with thousands of Xbox One and Series X titles expected to be supported. Publishers can decide whether their games are included, so this won't work with every disc in your collection.

There's an important catch to how the system works. The digital entitlement remains tied to the physical disc, so you can't simply turn a game into a permanent digital copy and then sell the disc while keeping the game.

That does mean you can still lend or sell the disc, with the digital entitlement moving with it. It's a fairly smart way of dealing with physical games as Xbox moves towards a more digital future.

The bigger benefit comes if you eventually move to hardware without a disc drive. A supported game you've converted can be played digitally on Xbox, and some titles can also take advantage of Xbox Play Anywhere and cloud gaming, giving you more ways to play without having the disc in the console.

Microsoft hasn't confirmed whether its next-generation Project Helix console will include a disc drive. Xbox president Asha Sharma has said the company is thinking about affordability and efficiency, while Microsoft continues to push towards an ecosystem where Xbox games can work across consoles, PCs and other devices.

So this isn't really Microsoft saving physical games. It's more practical. If you've already spent years building a physical Xbox library, Disc-to-Digital gives you a way to carry at least some of it into what's increasingly looking like a disc-free future.

The GripNGo Vault is a multitool that keep things simple to make sure you get compact as well as functional. It's only around two inches long and weighs 45g, but its compact body has room for a useful selection of tools.

The main feature is a rotating holder that stores six standard 4mm screwdriver bits. They sit inside the titanium body like the chambers of a revolver, with magnets and a push-slide lock keeping everything in place.

You can also swap two of those bits for a miniature utility blade and an inkless 'eternal' pen. That makes the Vault useful for more than tightening the occasional screw, the blade can handle jobs such as opening packages, while the pen can mark paper without needing ink.

The whole thing is CNC-machined from grade-5 titanium and has a textured exterior for grip. There are also eight slots for tritium vials, designed to make the tool easier to find in low light, although those aren't included as standard.

There's an obvious trade-off with making a screwdriver this small. You won't get the same reach or leverage as a conventional screwdriver, so the Vault is better suited to small repairs and everyday jobs than anything particularly demanding.

TiMate launched the GripNGo Vault on Kickstarter with a $45 (around £34) early price, and the campaign has already exceeded its funding target by more than 1,600%. Worldwide shipping is currently planned for December 2026.

For a tool that can disappear onto your keyring or into a pocket, that's a decent amount of functionality. The real question is whether you actually need six screwdriver bits with you at all times.

Due to the intense heatwaves, summer 2026 has been a very long season. Personally, I’ve loved the hot weather, but after seeing Le Creuset’s new Autumn collection, the new cookware and dining essentials have got me excited for the colder months of the year – something I never thought possible!

The Le Creuset Autumn collection has always been popular, due to its cute and whimsical pumpkin designs. Last year, the brand introduced new colours for its Fall Into Autumn range, including volcanic, garnet, thyme and chambray colours, but this year, I’ve spotted a few new designs that I can’t wait to get my hands on.

I’m a huge Le Creuset fan, so I’d like to say I’m fairly familiar with its collections. But in the new Autumn collection, I noticed that it has some products that have been available in the US for years, and they’re now finally here in the UK.

Starting with the iconic pumpkin cast iron casserole dishes, the Le Creuset Autumn collection now has them in a full 24cm / 3.7-litre size, as well as a shallow version. The full sized dishes come in volcanic, black, white and sea salt, and I recently spotted it in nectar, its bright yellow colourway which makes it look more autumnal.

For me, the lids of the pumpkin dishes are always the star of the show. They now have an updated curly gold stem handle on the lid, and there’s also a stainless steel option.

Straight from the US, the Autumn range now has leaf serving dishes and bowls available. Previously, Le Creuset had – and still has – Halloween-inspired serving dishes, including a ghost, cat, mummy and pumpkin – but the new leaf sets feel much more autumnal. I spotted them on the US site a year ago, so I’m very excited to get these in my kitchen.

Completing the Le Creuset Autumn collection is pumpkin-shaped serving bowls, butter dishes and gravy boats. Once again, the mugs are my favourite from the new line-up, especially the mini pumpkins with lids. There are also black and orange mugs with bat decorations on them, perfect for Halloween.

Prices on the Le Creuset Autumn collection range from £26 - £315.

The SylvanSport VIRE isn't particularly glamorous from the outside but this fairly boxy 19.5-foot trailer has managed to squeeze in so much living space inside.

There's a U-shaped lounge at the front which converts into a 72 x 80-inch bed, that's the same dimensions as a king-size mattress. During the day, it gives you somewhere to eat or sit, while at night it becomes a useful sleeping area rather than the usual tiny RV bed.

The kitchen is compact but doesn't feel like an afterthought. There's a two-burner propane stove, sink with a fold-down tap and cutting-board cover, plenty of storage and a 12V fridge/freezer.

There's even a microwave/convection oven with air-fryer functions, although that's reserved for the more expensive VIRE Ultimate.

Next to it is something you don't always get in a trailer this size: a full-height wet bathroom. It has a shower, fold-down sink and cassette toilet, so you don't have to rely on campsite facilities every time nature calls.

The VIRE weighs 3,670lb (1,665kg) dry, which is another reason its relatively compact dimensions matter. It has a 40-gallon fresh-water tank, 44-gallon grey-water tank and enough payload capacity for 1,330lb of gear.

There are two versions. The standard VIRE starts at $59,995 (around £45,000), while the VIRE Ultimate costs $69,995 (around £52,500). The latter gets a much larger 833Ah battery system, 600W of solar, plus the microwave and TV.

Production slots are currently being offered for autumn 2026 and spring 2027, with a $1,000 deposit required to reserve one.

For something that looks fairly ordinary parked on a driveway, there's an impressive amount going on inside. The VIRE show that when it comes to camper design, sometimes the best way to create more space is to stop making things so streamlined.

The Otherlab Lightfoot bike looks like a tiny delivery vehicle from a futuristic city, and its bodywork is designed to actually help power it.

Designed by California-based Otherlab, the two-seat electric cargo scooter has two 120W solar panels built into its sides. Leave it parked in decent sunlight and those panels can add up to 18 miles of range per day, according to the company, potentially reducing how often you need to plug it in.

That's a useful trick for an electric vehicle designed around short urban journeys. Lightfoot has a claimed 37-mile range from its 1.1kWh battery, while each hour of good sunlight can apparently add around three miles.

So if you're mainly using it for shopping, commuting or school runs, leaving it outside could put some of that range back into the battery while you're doing something else.

The chunky design isn't just about squeezing in solar panels. Open the two clamshell-style panels and you'll find a 45.2-litre, weather-resistant storage compartment underneath, with enough capacity for up to 20kg of cargo according to the latest specs.

That means there's room for groceries, work gear or a helmet without having to strap everything to your back. There's also a long bench seat for two, making Lightfoot more practical for everyday transport than the average scooter.

Two 750W hub motors provide the shove, with a top speed of 19.9mph, while hydraulic disc brakes, regenerative braking and motorcycle-style suspension are designed to make it more capable on urban roads. A full charge can reach 80% in around 90 minutes using its onboard charger.

The catch? At $4,995, this isn't exactly a cheap alternative to an e-bike.

But Lightfoot is an interesting take on electric transport because the solar panels aren't an afterthought bolted onto the roof. They're part of the vehicle itself and the result is a scooter that can carry two people, swallow your shopping and top itself up whenever the sun comes out.

Eufy has launched a new 2-in-1 outdoor wall light and security camera, called the Eufy Wall Light Cam S4. It arrives at an interesting time, just days ahead of IFA 2026, where we're expecting to see plenty more from the brand.

With 4K resolution and a 120-degree ultra-wide view, alongside what Eufy calls Adaptive Smart Lighting, the S4 essentially combines features you'd expect from some of the best security cameras and best smart lights into one unit. The camera itself is also fairly discreet, so at first glance it looks much more like a regular outdoor wall light than alternative options.

The Eufy Wall Light Cam S4 is available now in both the UK and US, priced at £229/$249.99 through Eufy's online store and Amazon. Eufy is currently warning of high demand, however, with orders expected to be dispatched within a week.

The S4 can be wired into your home or mounted using a hook, and there's also a detachable 2W solar panel that can be positioned separately to keep it powered throughout the year.

The lighting side includes up to 500 lumens of brightness, with different settings depending on what's happening outside. You could have a warm light come on when you arrive home, whilst radar-activated detection can trigger flashing blue and red warning lights alongside a siren if an intruder is detected.

With IFA kicking off next week, there's a good chance this won't be the last we hear from Eufy over the next few days. We'll keep you updated with everything else the brand announces at the show.

Prime Video has made it pretty clear over the last couple of years that it has every intention of being the steamiest streamer on the market – at least in mainstream terms. From My Fault to Off Campus, it's already delivered multiple heaping servings of romance, but there seems to be no end to either the demand or its ability to supply it.

The latest in that long lineup looks like it could be a hit even by the inflated standards of Prime Video and Netflix. The Love Hypothesis has a classic, inventive twist at its heart, and looks like a potentially excellent rom-com that errs on the steamier side. That positions it to be quite a hit for Prime Video when it arrives on 23 September.

Lili Reinhart stars in the movie as Olive Smith, a gifted PhD student who finds herself in some complicated territory in an attempt to help her friend find the right partner. Convinced that she needs a fake boyfriend of her own to reassure her bestie that it's okay to shack up with someone, Olive kisses the first man she sees – not realising until too late that it's her boss: Tom Bateman as Dr. Adam Carlsen.

He's a character so stiff and formal that Olive and the other PhD students have seemingly nicknamed him "Dr. Evil", but that doesn't stop him from agreeing to her furtive proposal. He needs an apparent partner to make his department realise that he's committed to the university, so it's possibly a win-win for both their aims.

If that all sounds like a fairly classic setup for a rom-com, you'd be right – it's a meet-cute of classic proportions, and a textbook way to set up some funny situations. The two of them will have to mug their way through various performances for their friends and colleagues, all while they inevitably start to fall for each other despite themselves.

The movie probably ends in a way that you can predict, but that's the fun of a rom-com – it's all about the journey, as well as the destination. The Love Hypothesis is also based on a best-selling novel, so it's likely to be impressively well-plotted. You'll be able to find out for yourself in a few weeks, though.

Photoshop has been the professional tool of choice for image editors for many years and has been progressively integrating AI features to aid those working on images.

The latest additions to Photoshop feel like a bigger step, taking the AI tools and adding a more seamless feel. There's a big control change in the AI options available, making them work with markup rather than relying on text prompts, which will add a degree of certainty when working with generative results.

Adobe highlights that the Instruct Edit with Masks feature will allow creators greater precision with generative edits. With Adobe Firefly providing the generative elements, the whole image can be understood, including the areas that AI isn't allowed to touch, like branding elements or the people in the image.

While the Pro Editor gets enhancements, the AI Assisted Editor (in beta) gives access to generative tools using prompts without the requiring the manual editing that Photoshop is traditionally known for.

This might help fend off the threat from lightweight Gen AI image tools that are quick and simple, with Photoshop appealing to a wider range of users. The AI Assisted Editor includes a full range of functions including natural language editing prompts, background removal, generative expand, object removal, generative fill, generative upscale and the AI markup mentioned above.

In the Pro Editor, generative AI changes sit in a dedicated layer, so nothing is destructive and you can easily remove or hide those layers so it should be really easy to create, edit and change your mind or switch image content, something that Photoshop has always been known for.

That's not the only thing that Photoshop is adding however, with a new Light Adjustment Layer. This will give you exposure, contrast, highlights, shadows, whites and blacks, all adjusted in a layer. Adobe describes this as RAW-level control from within the Photoshop workflow.

That might mean that you don't have to jump back the RAW editor to tweak the image before moving it into Photoshop and it looks like it will conveniently group those light controls so they can be easily adjusted from a jpeg image.

While many tools offer these sorts of changes in Photoshop already, being able to easily adjust an image as though tweaking in RAW could be a really smooth process.

Just last month at Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked summer 2026 event, the Korean giant revealed its latest foldables – including the Z Fold 8, heralding an all-new format for the market.

Those new devices brought with them Samsung's One UI 9 software, adding new features such as My FanCam – used for fixing focus to one individual during video capture.

The feature is ideal for TikTok, Instagram and other social media users who love to upload their videos – as My FanCam can also auto-crop to the social format's preferred aspect ratio.

Now, in a beta software update, the earlier Samsung Galaxy S26 series also gains the My FanCam feature. So if you have a Galaxy S26, S26 Plus or S26 Ultra, then get looking for this latest update.

The One UI 9 beta rollout began today, Friday 28 August, and will introduce further updates beyond the My FanCam addition.

One UI 9 beta will also bring an updated Now Brief experience, condensing useful information into a personal quick-read card on your home screen.

The update is also said to enhance how Now Nudge functions, the service that suggests actions, with smarter and greater contextualised suggestions.

As Samsung has just revealed the Galaxy S26 FE (that's 'Fan Edition'), which also carries One UI 9 and therefore these features, it's only logical that it's bringing the update to its higher-spec flagship S26 models.

It's been a massive year for Samsung so far, with its latest foldables really catching the limelight just last month. Customer interest and pre-orders are well up, year on year, suggesting the Z Fold 8 has got a whole lot right.

And while your S26 model can't fold, its update to One UI 9 beta will bring a little social media bonus for creators that will be appreciated by many.

Pikachu has made a surprise visit to Apple Park, shared by Tim Cook having a great time around some of the iconic locations at Apple's headquarters. But within that, a subtle hint could have been dropped about the greater importances of Pikachu's visit.

Cook neatly outlines the three agenda points for the day: "Introduce the Pokémon team to John, talk gaming, and politely ask Pikachu to stay out of the pond."

Through 30 seconds of fun video, we see that what Tim Cook, John Ternus, Tsunekazu Ishihara and Pikachu get up to, yet Cook says that only two of the three agenda points where accomplished. That suggests that one agenda point is still be addressed.

So let's take a more forensic look at the video. We clearly see Pikachu meeting John Ternus with Pokemon Company CEO Tsunekazu Ishihara, so that's a check. The two obviously bonded quickly, as Ternus throws an affectionate arm around Pikachu as the video comes to a close.

We also distinctly see that Pikachu isn't in the pond. We have a pond-adjacent Pikachu, dancing a little, but there's no evidence of contact with the water - so it's clear that Pikachu didn't enter the pond, so that's also a check.

The rest of the video is mostly Pikachu frolicking around: trying to get an Apple off the tree and failing, with Tim Cook symbolically handing Pikachu the fruit at a later juncture; Pikachu running around the Jony Ive-designed rainbow; Pikachu interrupting a working lunch.

At no point do we witness any conversation about gaming, which is ominously absent from the video, yet clearly outlined as an agenda item. That lapse could point gaming remaining on the agenda and perhaps something that will be carried over to the next meeting, perhaps on 9 September.

Sure, it's a bit of a leap, but it does raise the question of why Apple has publicly shared that it has been visited by the Pokémon Company. There are probably a huge number of visitors of equal stature to Apple Park (no disrespect to the indominable Pikachu) so why this visit, and why now?

It could be a bit of whimsical fun, but Apple isn't a whimsical company. Everything happens with calculated precision and there's no reason why this should be any different. As outlined by 9to5Mac, Apple saw a 4.5% decline in mobile gaming revenue in Q2 2026, while Apple itself has cited "headwinds in mobile gaming" as a factor affecting App Store performance.

So gaming is clearly on the agenda for Apple, but exactly what it is doing with Pokémon is unclear. There's a brief moment of Pokémon Go fun in this video and what if that's something that's still on the agenda for Apple's next big launch?

After all, the biggest problem facing folding phones is what to do with them. Perhaps Apple is lining up some exclusive experiences to support the launch of the iPhone Ultra...

Vacheron Constantin has just launched its new series inspired by the Animal Kingdom. Featuring six concept watches that use six different disciplines, the Métiers d’Art Tribute to the Animal Kingdom features an embroidered tiger, glass octopus, paper crocodile, and more – and I can’t decide which one I like the most.

For this new collection, Vacheron Constantin launched its “One of Not Many Crafts Programme”. The project invited six artisans to introduce their craft onto a watch dial, and let me tell you, the results don’t disappoint.

All six concept watches have a 42mm case with a thickness of 12.9mm. There’s about 4mm of height between the dial’s sapphire and the sapphire crystal that covers it to allow the dial designs to have a three-dimensional effect. The case is available in either 18kt white gold or 18kt 5N pink gold, depending on which watch you choose.

The Calibre 2460 G4 automatic movement powers the watch, and it can be seen through the sapphire caseback. It has a 22kt gold oscillating weight and if you look closely, you can see small tool decorations hand engraved on it, as inspired by the tools used by the artisans on the project.

Aside from the bold animal designs, the dial of the Animal Kingdom watches have four windows on each ‘corner’ which shows the hours, minutes, day and date. Each watch is finished with a calfskin strap which has subtle decorations as inspired by the animals on the dial.

Onto the most exciting part of the watches – the animals. As mentioned, six concept watches have been made: Feather snake, Glass octopus, Tiger embroidery, Paper croc, Wooden falcon and origami.

Starting with Feather snake, the dial showcases a blue, green and gold snake that sits atop grass. It’s made from featherwork and a specially developed metal appliqué, and it took around 250 hours to make.

Glass octopus is – you guessed it – made from glass. The miniature glass octopus looks like it’s swimming on top of a dark blue background, and is made of shaped glass rods that showcase its tentacles.

Tiger embroidery is the most colourful design, and it features a tiger head made from 9kt yellow and white gold embroidery wires. The black stripes are made from ceramic-coated black wires over a copper base. The entire design is stitched directly onto the watch’s bespoke perforated titanium dial plate.

No guesses here, the Paper croc is made from microscopic cotton paper. The crocodile and dial is all white, and is surrounded by snow-covered vegetation. The design sits high above the dial and even overlaps the four windows.

The Wooden falcon is made from 12 different types of wood which has been carved into an intricate bird. Its wings are incredibly detailed, and you can see the different feathers and plumage on the body of the falcon. Origami features six manta rays on top of a deep blue background. Each manta ray is made from dyed Japanese hand-folded paper which is then mounted on a fine brass stem.

After much consideration, I think my favourite from the series is the Paper croc. From a distance, the watch looks unassuming but once you get closer, you can see the intricacies and expertise of the 3D crocodile that almost swims across the dial.

Prices on the Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art Tribute to the Animal Kingdom are available on request.

It'll come as no surprise to anyone who knows me that one of my favourite booths at this year's Gamescom belonged to the resurrected Commodore brand. One of my first jobs was as editor of Your Commodore back in the day, so it's part of my heritage.

But even with my intrinsic, long-standing link to Commodore hardware, the company is still capable of pulling out a surprise or two. And announcing a Cyberpunk 2077 edition of the C64 Ultimate on the eve of the show was certainly one of them.

Cyberpunk is tricky to run on a moderate, modern PC, let alone a Commodore 64. And when you think of the classic titles to have released for the machine over the years, there's nothing really comparable. But hey, these are new days for the reimagined and renewed firm, and a bright yellow C64 certainly turns head.

I managed to see it in the flesh on the booth, in fact, and it looks resplendent in its new colourway. And while I didn't get to play on it or even turn it on (it was in a glass case, in fact), I had an instant desire to buy one for my collection.

That's furthered by the spec sheet and what you'll get for your money.

The Commodore 77, as it's cheekily renamed, actually comes with an improved processor that runs up to 77MHz (a nice nod), and while the full Cyberpunk 2077 will never run on it, an exclusive 8-bit Cyberpunk game will come with the computer in demo form.

You also get a themed box, enamel pin badges and some BASIC Cyberpunk-centric programmes to type in and enjoy.

That's about it, but I'd imagine it'll appeal to both CD Projekt Red fans and retro gaming enthusiasts alike. It's certainly a collectable in every sense of the word – only 500 pre-order models are being made.

You'll just have to splash out $377 / £276.79 to secure yours.

Also available to pre-order now is the slimline version of the Commodore 64 Ultimate, in Beige, Starlight, and Founders Edition variants.

Based on the C64C released in 1986, and even using the original case mouldings, the new version has a flatter profile – rather than the breadbin shape.

It feels as authentic as these things get, and instantly took me back to my origins in the games industry. I'd like to spend a bit more time with one to really deliver my full impressions, but you can see from my pictures just how convincing it all looks.

I also got to see the Commodore Callback 8020 phone – albeit without being able to use any of the functions or features, due to unfinished software. But the brand seems in great hands under the stewardship of Christian "Perifrantic" Simpson.

Long may it continue to surprise.

Samsung's future phones are spewing out of the internet for all to see. Following an original set of schematic leaks, we now have renders for Samsung's 2027 flagship phones that make up the Galaxy S27 family.

This started with the Galaxy S27 Ultra. The schematics from that leak showed a markedly different approach for Samsung, abandoning the design language first established with the Galaxy S22 Ultra and moving to something that looks more like the iPhone 17 Pro.

Now with renders from Android Headlines, we have a more substantial set of visuals to digest. That reinforces the copycat design and the camera island - which Samsung had mostly moved away form after S21 Ultra - returns in force across the entire top section of the phone.

We have a set of measurements to add to the picture at 163.76 x 78.25 x 7.97mm, which is barely distinguishable from the current device. One result of the redesign on the rear is that the camera looks diminished.

We'd already heard that Samsung planned to drop one of its telephoto cameras, which accounts for having fewer lenses, but when most "ultra" phones attempt to make the camera look as big as possible, Samsung looks more discreet.

This design isn't limited to the Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra either. Thanks to a second set of renders from Android Headlines, we have images for the Samsung Galaxy S27 Pro. This is a new addition to the line-up of Samsung devices and could allow Samsung to offer the Ultra experience but in a slightly cheaper device, which will be welcomed in the current phone-pricing crisis.

The Samsung Galaxy S27 Pro is thought to differentiate itself from the Ultra by dropping support for the S Pen. Samsung's stylus is a hangover from the Galaxy Note series and while loved by some vocal users, it's been taking up space for many people who never use it - and the Pro could solve that problem.

However, the Pro is thought to be smaller, measuring 154.06 x 73.77 x 7.95mm. That sees it equipped with a 6.6-inch display, rather than the 6.9-inch of the Ultra. The camera is expected to be the same - it could be hugely popular.

Finally, there's the regular Galaxy S27. Now this is a phone that feels unloved. According to the images from Android Headlines, it's going to look exactly the same as the Galaxy S26. It's said to keep the 6.3-inch display and basically be exactly the same size.

Why might Samsung keep it the same? For the same reasons Apple does: if the phone is the same, there are minimal development costs and minimal costs involved in changing the machining.

But there's another good reason for keeping the base model the same - for those looking for something new and exciting, they'll be drawn to the more expensive Samsung Galaxy S27 Pro, which could help attract users to a phone at a higher price point.

The design of the UItra (and Pro) is proving controversial and comments on forums like Reddit is generally negative, so this could be a really interesting set of phones for Samsung if these designs are accurate.

We're not expecting the launch of the Galaxy S27 family until February 2027.

Shark Beauty has launched its new Strawberry Matcha collection, bringing a café-inspired colour pairing to some of its most popular beauty products. The new look appears across most of the brand’s beauty range, including the very recently launched Shark Silki Pro Straight.

The new colourway combines a soft matcha green with bubblegum pink, contributing to the ongoing pastel trend and, of course, matcha. Whilst it's limited to beauty products for now, SharkNinja has also put together a list of its kitchen and floorcare products that are available in either green or pink, so you can technically coordinate the rest of your home as well.

The Strawberry Matcha collection is available to browse on Shark’s website now, with different products also available from retailers including John Lewis, Sephora and Boots.

As mentioned, the Shark Silki Pro Straight has had a Strawberry Matcha makeover, which is particularly exciting considering it picked up our Best Hair Styling Tool award at the T3 Awards 2026. It’s joined by several other products we’ve reviewed and loved, including the Shark CryoGlow, FacialPro Glow & DePuffi and SpeedStyle Pro Flex. The Shark Glam has also been included in the US, but not the UK.

There’s also a Strawberry Matcha CryoGlow and FacialPro Glow & DePuffi bundle available directly from Shark, priced at just under £500 instead of £600 in the UK. In the US, the same bundle is available for $675, down from $750.

A lot has been made about the death of physical media in gaming recently, with Sony announcing that it is to stop releasing PlayStation games on disc, and Xbox hinting that it will follow suit. But the Hyperkin SupaBoy is proof positive that physical media will never truly die.

Retro gaming enthusiasts will already be very familiar with the handheld – it's actually been around so long, it's arguably a retro classic itself. However, I'm not one of those who imported one originally and it's only now being officially released in the UK and Europe.

That's why it was all new to me when I finally got to play with one (two, in fact) at Gamescom in Germany this week.

We're getting the Hyperkin SupaBoy Prime model in the UK, which comes in a colourway that pays homage to the PAL Super Nintendo, so I focused on that. There was also the Crimson version at the show, but that is sadly destined for other regions only.

Where the SupaBoy differs from most other retro gaming handhelds is that you don't load it with countless, legally-questionable rom files. Instead, it is more like the Analogue Pocket or ModRetro Chromatic in that it takes original games cartridges.

However, while they are essentially modern versions of the Game Boy – a handheld itself – the SupaBoy has a slot for SNES cartridges (PAL or NTSC). This makes for a wacky-looking, chunky device, but also something fun and unique.

Owners of original Super Nintendo hardware will also appreciate that there are joypad connectors on the front, so you can hook up the SupaBoy to a TV and use it with the original gamepads for up to two-player action.

But it also works well as a handheld, save for the sheer size of the unit. It's a beefy boy, that's for sure.

I'm be reviewing one of them fully in the coming weeks, but from my 10 minutes or so with it at Gamescom, I soon got used to the girth. And the 4.3-inch, 800 x 480 screen is a highlight. It's nice a bright and has a physical button to switch the display from 4:3 to 16:9 – the latter for those who don't want black bars and don't mind stretching the pixels a touch.

It's 4:3 all the way for me (well, a slightly stretched 8:7) and I particularly liked the shader being used on the demo unit – it looked resolutely CRT-like. I was instantly taken back to the early 90s, and to when I loaded Super Mario World for the first time.

The controls are the same ones used since 2015, I understand, so have a slightly spongy feel to them but are accurate and authentic. And we even had an issue with one of the cartridges initially, having to blow on its pins to get it to work. Anyone around back then will know exactly what that means.

And that's why, even with such a little amount of time with it, the Hyperkin SupaBoy already stands apart as one to watch – especially if you have access to a decent library of Super Nintendo games.

I'm looking forward to reviewing it in full, with several of my own classic carts. At the very least, it puts the switch to a digital-only future to shame.

It'll be available in the UK and Europe this autumn, priced at £119.99 / €129.99 per console. You'll also be able to get the new version(s) in the US for $129.99.

Jaeger-LeCoultre has introduced four limited edition versions of its Reverso Tribute watch, and if you’re an Italiophile, you’re going to want to get your hands on one – if you can. The new Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Enamel ‘Turner Series’ pays tribute to Venice with a ‘hidden’ miniature painting of the city on its caseback.

In September, Jaeger-LeCoultre will be participating in the Homo Faber Biennale, an international event that celebrates art and craftsmanship. To coincide with the event, Jaeger-LeCoultre is paying homage to the city of Venice with its new Reverso Tribute Enamel collection.

Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Reverso watch is most recognisable by its square case which swivels to reveal a decorative caseback. The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Enamel ‘Turner Series’ is no different, as it showcases an 18kt white gold case which measures 45.6mm x 27.4mm and a thickness of 8.51mm.

What makes the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Enamel ‘Turner Series’ standout amongst its predecessors is its caseback which has been turned into a miniature work of art. Crafted in enamel, the caseback of the new watches feature four miniature reproductions of Venice as originally painted by J.M.W Turner.

The dials of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Enamel ‘Turner Series’ are made from guillochage and enamel. There are four colour options that range from blue to green that match their caseback paintings, and each is decorated with a hand guilloche pattern to give the dial more shape and texture.

While the dials are not simple by any means, they’re much more minimalist compared to the elaborate casebacks. The dials are finished with Dauphine hands and hour markers.

Each caseback painting features 14 layers of paillonné enamelling, with each version taking over 80 hours to make. The painting options are Venice, the Dogana and San Giorgio Maggiore, Venice from the Porch of Madonna della Salute, Venice, Bridge of Sighs, Ducal Palace & Custom House, and finally, Venice, Bridge of Sighs.

The paintings are extremely intricate, and showcase different parts of the city. If you look closely, a secret gold leaf paillon signature is discreetly hidden on each painting. Depending on the painting you choose, there are enamel colours of green, blue, lavender and more, to capture the sky, sea and buildings of Venice.

Powered by the Calibre 822 movement, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Enamel ‘Turner Series’ has a power reserve of 42 hours and a frequency of 21,600 vibrations per hour. Each watch is finished with a green or blue alligator strap to coincide with its painting and dial colours.

Each version of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Enamel ‘Turner Series’ is limited to just 10 pieces each, so you’ll need to be quick if you want one. Pricing is available on request.

I hate to say it, but you’ve probably been living under a rock if you haven’t heard that plug-in solar is now officially legal in Great Britain. We’ve already covered the 10 things you need to know before buying and the savings you can expect, so if you’ve checked both of those out and you’re keen to give it a try, there are already a couple of systems you can order.

UKSOL has launched its new Plug-In Solar Pro range following the introduction of the new plug-in solar framework. Whilst seven of its systems have now been formally marked as compliant on the ENA Connect Direct register, only two configurations are available from launch, and you can find out more about both below.

As you can see, both are ground-mounted systems rather than the balcony setups that have become particularly popular elsewhere in Europe. UKSOL says it’s taking a ground-mount-first approach in Britain whilst questions around balcony mounting, including wind loading, building height, planning and landlord permissions, become clearer.

Prices for the Plug-In Solar Pro range start at £699, although exactly how much you’ll pay depends on the model and where you buy it. Each kit brings together the solar panel, compliant microinverter, mounting hardware, cabling and monitoring, so you’re getting everything together as part of one system.

UKSOL has also confirmed there are more options on the way. The brand already has five additional configurations marked as compliant, ranging from a 515W single-panel system to a 1,260W two-panel model, although these aren’t listed as available at launch.

That means the choice is still fairly limited if you want to buy a compliant plug-in solar system today, but this is only the beginning of a completely new category in Great Britain. With more manufacturers expected to enter the market, it probably won’t be long before there are considerably more systems to choose from.

Gamescom is Europe's biggest annual video games show and it often plays host the latest games and launches. However, it can also throw the odd curveball your way, with a device or product a little more unusual.

Such is the case with the Zestum Scentbar. Having undergone a successful crowd funding phase on Kickstarter earlier this year, it's a gaming accessory that is quite unique. I've certainly never experienced anything quite like it before.

Imagine a small soundbar-shaped device that sits under your gaming monitor, but instead of blasting you with audio it coughs out relevant smells instead. So if you're riding through a forest, you might be treated to the whiff of green grass and tree bark.

Or you're walking through a village that's burning around you, and the aroma of smoke wafts towards your sitting position. That's the Scentbar in a nutshell.

In technical terms, it plugs into a PC through USB-C – or a console using an adapter – and you load it with up to 10 different scents provided by Zestum. Each comes in the form of a cartridge filled with scent pellets – a bit like an elaborate Glade air freshener – and then, once the bar's software thinks an appropriate aroma should be released, it fires up the relevant miniature fan(s).

The specific scent (or scents) hit your nose, enhancing the immersive experience. And it really works.

I got to try it myself in a hidden corner of Gamescom and while the show has its own unique honk, the Scentbar genuinely impressed. Its software uses AI algorithms to assess what's being displayed on the screen at any one point, and if you have a matching scent loaded, it'll release it.

This can be a combination of different smells to really set the mood, or just the one. And throughout my demonstration, it seemed to get it spot on every time. For example, when I was watching some gameplay of a farming simulator, the smell of cut grass was distinctive.

The same was true when digging a cave in Minecraft. First I got a grassy odour, and what smelled like wood, but then a musty, wet rock kind of aroma. It wasn't as unpleasant as that sounds, and did help place me in that environment.

There was also a sea water scent during a snippet of Grand Theft Auto V (when at Vespucci Beach), and the unmistakable and pungent blast of gunpowder during a gunfight scene. It wasn't completely game-changing, I'd say, but has the potential to enhance play.

Zestum supplies all the different scents itself, which you can get in bundles and packs, such as a collection for racing games – fuel, asphalt, rubber tyres, that sort of thing. And I was told that there's potential to do deals with games developers and publishers in future to supply bespoke collections to match their titles.

The software can also be tweaked, including the strength of each scent, plus profiles to better match your favourite games. But I also found the algorithm did a fine job of figuring out what I was looking at and blasting out the right combinations to suit.

I left impressed for sure. The Scentbar won't change the world, but is a lot more effective that I originally expected. And it's fun, which is important, I feel.

It will be available in Europe later this year, I was told by Zestum, for €299 and can be pre-ordered on the dedicated website. Scentpacks containing multiple modules are €40 apiece, and there's a Scentbar Pro model with even more slots for your scents for an even more rounded experience.

I was also told that it will be coming to the UK in Q1 2027, so keep an eye (or nose) out for that.

I'm sorry, but there are some rules that just shouldn't be broken. Whether it's the order you put your jam and cream on a scone, or whether you put your loo roll on so it falls over or under the holder, there are things you just know are right, and when Apple unveiled a new series called 12 12 12 I had a similar type of certainty.

The moment I saw that numerical title, and the fact that its first teaser trailer was nothing more than a "date announcement", I just knew in my soul that this would be a fun one – with the series premiering on 12 December, to make it 12 12 12 on 12/12. Then Apple went ahead and decided to ruin my day by launching it on 13 November.

Now, I'm obviously not saying that Apple is obliged to follow my personal instructions to the letter when it comes to the release schedule of a show that it doubtless spent millions to make. Still, I can't quite believe it's ignored the potential for one of the most satisfying release dates of all time, especially to get the show out just a month before that point.

Regardless, you might be curious about what 12 12 12 is actually about. The title of the show refers to a theory that a great heist takes 12 months of planning and 12 hours to execute. That third 12 refers to the idea that any robber who hasn't been caught inside 12 days is unlikely to ever be apprehended for their crime. It's all explained by Anthony Mackie's character in the very brief trailer.

He seems to be explaining the theory to Jamie Dornan, the other lead in the show, although at this stage we're in the dark about which one of them will play the criminal and which one will be law enforcement. Apple says the show will play out across three timelines, suggesting it'll be a zippy and fun watch that jumps around in time to keep audiences guessing about how it'll end.

Still, I'm going to remain hung up on that release date fumble for quite some time – we really could have been celebrating one of the best release day timings ever. We'll doubtless see more of 12 12 12 in the next month, though, as Apple builds the hype.

The IDC has published a stark report on the state of the smartphone market that is now facing the full impact of the memory crisis. "The cheap smartphone era is not pausing. It is over," the report states.

The smartphone market faces unprecedented pressures as a result of the memory shortage which is coming to bear with full force. That's seen the prices of handsets rising, while lower margin devices - the cheap phones - are no longer viable for manufacturers.

The result is that all phones are getting more expensive, but the volume of sales is dropping, especially at the affordable end of the spectrum and that's particularly affecting those in developing countries. The sub-$100 smartphones, essentially, will cease to exist.

The brunt of the impact, globally, lands on Android, which has dominated the affordable end of the market. Apple fares better, because its more affluent customers can and will absorb the increased costs and continue to buy.

The same is true for premium devices as customers are less affected by the increases in price, so markets like US and UK - with more buying options like long term credit options - should hold up. But the average selling price of a smartphone is expected to increase 27.6% in 2026, with the memory crisis expected to continue into 2028.

There's a small ray of light, which is the bump that Apple's entry into the folding phone segment is expected to cause. The IDC says that folding phones were "about to decline," but now emerge as "the fastest-growing part of the industry".

The advantage that folding phones have is the increased price they come with, so customers are paying more than they would for a traditional phone. It's predicted that we'll see 18% growth in folding phone shipments in 2027.

So what does all this mean? We've already seen devices launching that are more expensive than the models they replace, generally bucking the technology trend where devices get cheaper over time. We've seen the loss of entry-level devices with lower storage (allowing the manufacturer to benefit from an increased selling price), while some brands - like CMF - have openly withdrawn from new phone launches.

Brands that have thrived on cheap devices with frequent replacement - and limited support - will find they are priced out of the market. The "flagship killer" devices might no longer be affordable.

The two largest players in the smartphone market have all the advantages. Samsung and Apple both offer long support for devices (with 7 years of security and software updates) and the inevitability will be that people hold on to phones for longer. It's also expected that more will turn to used devices when they want to upgrade.

"Smaller Android brands anchored in the entry tiers face the hardest stretch in the industry’s history, and some will not clear it," says the IDC report.

Plaud has revolutionised the voice recording market over the last few years with its range of AI note takers. The Plaud AI Note Pro is one of the best devices on the market right now, while the Plaud Note Pin S is an equally impressive wearable recorder.

With the Plaud One, however, the company have pushed the limits of wearable AI one step further. The new device looks like a fairly standard pair of earbuds with a charging case, giving you the ability to record in two different ways: either from the earbuds or the case.

There are microphones in both the earbuds and the case, so whichever method you choose, you can record. The earbuds give you hands-free access to the AI assistant as well as the ability to easily record online meetings or phone calls, while the case can record from up to 5 metres away, thanks to the four microphones on board.

Perhaps the most interesting part to these earbuds though, is that the case has a built-in eSIM, for 4G LTE connectivity across more than 80 countries. This means that the device can connect to the Plaud Agent to upload recordings for transcription and make them available for your follow-up questions, even if your phone is offline.

The Plaud Agent platform enables you to take your transcriptions and summaries to the next level by putting the findings into tasks, drafting emails, scheduling follow-up meetings and posting in Slack. It can then output the highlighted parts in email, decks, briefs or PDF form.

Use of the Plaud Agent will now be available in the form of credits, which are included in the monthly Plaud subscription plans in addition to the minutes of transcription. The exact amounts per plan are still to be confirmed.

The Plaud One is available to preorder now from the Plaud website. The Explorer Edition is priced £229 and includes £150 in Plaud Credits.

In celebration of the 160th anniversary of its first-ever chronograph, Tiffany & Co has unveiled a new limited edition Tiffany Timer. The latest version of the Tiffany Timer is crafted from titanium and platinum materials, but its most exciting feature is actually ‘hidden’ on the caseback.

Tiffany & Co’s first chronograph was launched in 1866, and to pay tribute to this feat, the luxury fashion house has launched two limited edition Tiffany Timer watches this year. The first debuted at LVMH Watch Week in January 2026 which showcased a full Tiffany Blue dial, a custom chronograph movement, and a limited run of just 60 pieces.

Now, Tiffany & Co has introduced a second edition Tiffany Timer, and I think this one is my favourite. Measuring 40mm, the Tiffany Timer has a satin-brushed titanium case, with a bold crown that’s flanked by two chronograph pushers which control the subdials, and protect the crown. The case is completed with a platinum bezel.

The dial of the Tiffany Timer is more subtle than the first edition watch which was entirely coloured in Tiffany Blue. The base of the second edition’s dial is dark blue and has a light sunray pattern. Its minute track, outer chronograph seconds track, and date window at six o’clock are displayed in Tiffany Blue.

The Tiffany Timer has three chronograph counters – a minutes subdial at three o’clock, an hours subdial at six o’clock and a running seconds subdial at nine o’clock. Its hour markers, hours, minutes and seconds hands are in steel.

Powered by the El Primero 400 chronograph movement, the Tiffany Timer has a 50 hour power reserve. It can be seen via the sapphire crystal caseback which hides a ‘hidden’ Bird on a Rock motif.

Inspired by Jean Schlumberger’s original Bird on a Rock brooch design, an 18kt yellow gold bird sits on the movement’s openworked winding rotor. It measures 1.4cm in width, and has been polished by hand so you can see it shine from all angles. The caseback is also engraved with ‘Limited Edition of 100’, and the watch is finished with a navy alligator strap.

The new limited edition Tiffany Timer is expected to launch in September 2026, and is limited to 100 pieces. Pricing is available on request. I imagine it’s very out of my price range but I’d love to get my hands – or wrist – on it.

How much refresh rate is too much? Well, it increasingly looks like there's basically no limit to how much companies will try to eke out of their displays at this point. LG just struck quite a big blow, at least in marketing terms, by producing the world's first 1,000Hz 24.5-inch display.

That's right, 1,000Hz – so many Hz you're unlikely to realistically be able to tell the difference between it and, say, 360Hz. Still, the LG UltraGear G5 25G590B will give you the peace of mind of knowing that you'll get perfect smoothness in-game, almost literally regardless of the frame rates that you're pushing.

At 24.5 inches and limited to 1080p, though, it's safe to say that this monitor, which is now on sale but is seeing stock roll out extremely quickly, is pretty clearly aimed at the competitive crowd.

If you're aiming to be the absolute best version of yourself possible on Counter-Strike 2, for instance, you're unlikely to give much of a hoot about visual fidelity. That means 1080p on minimum settings for most people, and at that spec, you might get some eye-melting frame rates on a powerful rig.

LG says that keeping the monitor at 1080p the whole time, rather than letting it swap between different resolutions with lower or higher refresh rates attached to them, means more consistency for training and gameplay. That's one way of looking at it, I guess!

It also says that it's included its Motion Blur Reduction Pro tech in the monitor, which does pretty much exactly what it says on the tin and helps to make objects clearer in motion. I've seen it demonstrated in person, and it really is quite effective.

The monitor's panel is an IPS one, meanwhile, so there's no OLED wizardry at play here, and it perhaps won't surprise you to learn that the world's first 1,000Hz monitor of this type doesn't come cheap. It's priced at £899.98 here in the UK, and $999 in the US, so you're paying quite a premium for a 1080p monitor.

If you want the best of the best for 1080p competitive play, though, this really looks like a new contender.

Ring has announced a new video encryption standard called TAKE – or Throw Away the Key Encryption – which will eventually become the default for all Ring customers worldwide. It's designed to give you more control over your best security camera footage without taking away the brand's cloud-based features.

It's worth pointing out that Ring videos are already encrypted after being sent to the cloud and whilst they're stored there. However, TAKE adds another layer by protecting videos with unique encryption keys, with a copy temporarily held inside a secure cloud enclave. Ring can access the key under limited conditions to power features you've chosen to use, such as Smart Alerts, but once that's done, Ring says its copy of the key is deleted.

TAKE will begin rolling out in phases from September and will eventually become the default encryption method for Ring customers worldwide, so it's a change most users won't have to actively opt into.

Once Ring's copy of the key has been deleted, access remains with you and any trusted Shared Users you've chosen, using enrolled devices such as your phone, tablet or computer. Ring compares it to a house key – you might temporarily lend one to someone who needs access, but the company that made your lock doesn't keep a permanent copy for itself.

The main difference between TAKE and traditional end-to-end encryption (E2EE) is that TAKE doesn't require you to give up Ring's wider cloud-based features. With E2EE enabled, only your enrolled devices have access to the encryption keys, meaning Shared Users and cloud-based features aren't available, although core functions such as Live View, playback and video sharing still work.

Ring will continue offering E2EE as an optional setting for anyone who wants that additional level of control, whilst TAKE becomes the default for everyone else. You'll also be able to manage encryption on a device-by-device basis through the Ring app and switch between the available options.

While Samsung's new Galaxy Z Fold 8 is making waves, it appears that it's going to have two rivals very soon. The first, from Apple, has been long rumoured and seen plenty of speculation, but it appears that Xiaomi is also keen to get in on the wider folding phone act.

Xiaomi has traditionally used the Mix name for its folding phones, giving us the likes of the Mix Flip and the Mix Fold in the past. But the next phone is thought to be called the Xiaomi 18 Fold, making the name clearer and more comparable with the competition.

Images said to be of the Xiaomi 18 Fold have been shared on Weibo, giving us a good look at what's said to be an engineering prototype, but looking a lot like the Samsung and Apple alternatives.

The handset - described by the source as "ugly" - appears in a red colour that looks similar to the dark red iPhone 18 Pro colour that previously leaked. There are two views, one showing the rear of the phone with a triple camera and the other showing the top of the phone - including a case on the rear section.

There's little else that we can really draw from these images, but that's not the end of the story for this device. Firstly, the leak has the backing of a major online source UniverseIce, who shared the image on X, confirming that it's Xiaomi's device.

Xiaomi has confirmed that the Xiaomi 18 Fold will be launched in September and that it will be powered by the new Xring O3 chip, which is so far showing impressive performance specs.

That chip was introduced at an event in China recently and while the benchmark scores look higher than any previous smartphone chip, we know that inflated benchmark results are easy to come by and that real-world performance is often very different.

That's especially true in a folding phone where there's less space for cooling - which is true of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy in the Z Fold 8, which quickly gets warm and throttles under load.

The Xiaomi 18 Fold is expected to have a 6000mAh battery, a 200-megapixel main camera and a 7.6-inch internal display.

It's not known exactly when it will launch, but with Xiaomi appearing at IFA 2026 for the first time, there's a chance that it could use the event to give us more details on this new folding phone.

Apple has distributed invitations for its big September event, which is likely to see the announcement of the new iPhone 18 models, including a folding iPhone phone, potentially known as the iPhone Ultra.

Industry experts and influencers gather at Apple Park in Cupertino, California for the event but the whole thing is streamed live so anyone can watch it. That means you'll learn about the new tech at the same time as the experts do.

So, if you're dying to know more about these new phones as well as new versions of the Apple Watch, then make sure you tune in to one of the many streaming options available. We'll also be covering the event with our own live blog here in T3, so you can get the updates as well as expert opinion on the new products.

When is it happening?

The event is taking place on Wednesday 9 September at 6pm UK time (that's 10am PST, 1pm EST and 3am the next morning in Sydney). The event is streaming on the Apple website, as well as on the Apple YouTube page. If you have an Apple TV or an iPhone, you can also watch the event through the Apple Events app.

Under new leadership

The September event will be the first under the new leadership of John Ternus, so we might see a new approach to the proceedings compared to the way that Tim Cook has presented them in recent years.

The original Apple keynotes from Steve Jobs were live events, whereas recent events under Cook have been slick, prerecorded pieces designed to run through the huge amount of detail on the new products.

This year, there's likely to be a continued push around the new Siri AI coming to iOS 18 and all other Apple platforms. Powered by Google Gemini, the system is integrated across the whole OS, providing in-context support as well as advanced editing and generation, all using on-device or secure server processing.

What will be announced?

According to MacRumor, the announcement will feature three phones this year: the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and the folding iPhone 18 Ultra. There won't be a new iPhone 18 model, as this will follow in 2027.

On the wearable side, Apple is expected to announce a new Apple Watch Ultra 4 as well as an Apple Watch Series 12. There are also rumours to suggest that a new AirPods model could have cameras built in for visual intelligence functionality.

The iPhone Ultra - Apple's first folding phone - may have been leaked from a reliable source online, ahead of the expected launch on 9 September.

Shared by Evan Blass on X, we see the iPhone Ultra (the name of which is still unconfirmed) in three colours, including a predictable white and a dark grey. Then there's a third colour - red - that seems to have drawn a rebuttal from another huge source online.

So what are we looking at? We get to see a folding iPhone, with two cameras on the rear, and a design that seems to match expectations. What wasn't expected, was a red version.

Apple has a long history of red iPhones starting under the (PRODUCT)RED programme with the iPhone 7 and running up to the iPhone 14 in 2022. Red then vanished from the colour palette.

But it might also be the case that there is no red iPhone Ultra. No sooner had Evan Blass shared the images of the red folding iPhone, as Mark Gurman came forward to say it didn't exist, that the whole thing was fake and that the folding iPhone won't come in red or green.

I'm not sure how green snuck into the conversation, but at least we know.

Further, Mark Gurman (who often seems to be the closest to Apple's whispers) says that these images aren't from Apple and they come from Xiaomi instead. Hold on - what just happened here?

Xiaomi, if you haven't heard, is also planning to launch a folding phone, called the Xiaomi 18 Fold and powered by the Xring 03 chip. While the launch was confirmed for September, it could be that Xiaomi reveals this device at IFA in Berlin next week - just to beat Apple to the punch.

And yes, a red version of the Xiaomi 18 Fold (itself thought to be based on the leaked dark red iPhone 18 Pro rumour) has leaked, which might be behind Gurman's insistence that Evan Blass is wrong.

Putting all that to one side, there is a good reason why Apple might consider a red folding phone and that's to gain more traction in China. It has released red phones for China before (stripping off the (PRODUCT)RED branding) as red is a lucky colour in China.

We're deep into the folding phone wars, it seems, and the next couple of weeks will reveal a lot more about where the battlelines lie.

Vitamix is taking on Nutribullet with its first-ever personal blender. The new Vitamix Nano has a slim, streamlined design, and is packed with clever features, including a SmoothiePilot programme – although UK customers will have to wait a while to get it.

Personal blenders have become exceedingly popular over the past few years. Due to the size, personal blenders make single-serve smoothies rather than one that feeds a small village. Aside from cutting down food waste and saving time, being able to take your smoothie with you in the blending vessel instead of decanting it into another container is immensely helpful, and commuter friendly.

Brands like Nutribullet, Ninja and Beast have all created their own personal blenders, and now, it’s Vitamix’s turn. The new Vitamix Nano is a corded, personal blender that’s powered by a 1000W motor and stainless steel blades which cut through fresh and frozen ingredients, including ice.

While the base looks quite chunky, the Vitamix Nano measures 15.3 inches in height, 8.5 inches in length and 5.5 inches in width. Available in black or white, it’s designed to take up minimal countertop space in your kitchen. The controls of the Vitamix Nano are incredibly simple, with just a single-dial interface.

By twisting the dial, you can adjust your own speeds to personalise your blends, or you can use the SmoothiePilot programme which is my favourite Vitamix Nano feature. Dubbed Vitamix’s first adaptive smoothie programme, the Vitamix Nano senses the ingredients in your cup, and automatically selects the right blend.

When in action, SmoothiePilot adjusts the Nano’s speed and blend time to deliver the perfect consistency and texture of your smoothie. It can also be used to make frozen drinks, like cocktails, and it has a generous 20 ounce capacity.

The Vitamix Nano is available to buy for $199.95 at Vitamix. As of writing, UK pricing and availability has yet to be announced.

Samsung has announced the world’s first gaming monitor with a refresh rate of 1,100Hz.

The forthcoming Odyssey G6 display also promises 1ms response times, plus AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync compatibility.

But that's not all. The company also unveiled a couple of additional "world's first" monitors during Gamescom.

The new Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 is the first 49-inch ultrawide double QHD display with a 360Hz refresh rate, while the Odyssey OLED G7 debuts a 42-inch screen size – a first for a curved model.

The company took to the stage during Europe's biggest games show. Samsung's monitor lead, Pepe Dijkstra, detailed the new technologies on the brand's booth, where a the latter two displays were also shown for the first time.

Also announced was a further commitment to 3D technologies in the gaming sector. It will be working closely with developers to provide wider support in some of the biggest titles.

And Samsung Display revealed that it will begin to mass produce 24.5-inch QD-OLED panels for pro gaming and eSports, starting later this year.

However, you'll have to wait until next year for the "world's first" tech and the new monitor range.

It was revealed that the new Odyssey OLED G9, OLED G8 and OLED G6 will be joined by an OLED G7 in 2027.

It looks like OLED is very much the way to go for Samsung.

T3 is attending Gamescom for the next few days, so please come back often to hear all the latest gaming announcements and news from the likes of Samsung, Xbox and more.

Anker Solix has announced the Solarbank 4 Pro for the UK, a new home solar battery system that starts with 5kWh of storage and can be expanded up to 30kWh. The system first launched in Europe back in May and offers up to 5,000W of solar input and 2,500W AC output.

The timing makes sense as the UK's new plug-in solar rules have just come into effect, allowing compliant solar kits to connect to a standard household socket. I've already covered 10 expert-approved things to know before buying, but one of the important points is that plug-in batteries aren't legal yet. That means the Solarbank 4 Pro – along with other similar home batteries – currently needs to be hardwired into your home's consumer unit by a registered electrician.

The Anker Solix Solarbank 4 Pro is available to pre-order from today for £1,699 (around $2,308). Anyone ordering during the pre-sale period will also get an Anker Solix Smart Meter Gen 2 at no additional cost, which is used to monitor energy flowing around the home and help the system decide when to charge and discharge.

The battery itself has a modular, stackable design, so you can start with 5kWh and add more storage later, up to a maximum of 30kWh. Anker also says additional capacity can be added without requiring a second installation. There's also 5,000W MPPT solar input with support for up to 12 solar panels, depending on your setup.

Despite all that, the main unit is relatively compact, with the battery and inverter combined into a single system. Inside, it uses automotive-grade LFP battery cells rated for 10,000 charge cycles.

When paired with the Anker Solix Smart Meter Gen 2, the system can monitor energy flowing around your home in real time, adjusting how it uses solar, stored and grid electricity. Anker claims this could save a typical UK household up to £770 a year, with an estimated payback period of around 3.3 years. Of course, actual savings will vary considerably depending on your electricity tariff, energy usage and how much solar power you generate.

Interestingly, Anker has already designed the Solarbank 4 Pro with future plug-in battery storage in mind. If UK regulations eventually change to allow home batteries to connect directly to standard sockets, Anker says the hardware will be ready to support it. For now, though, you'll still need to have it professionally installed and hardwired into your home's consumer unit.

Calling all football fans! Hublot has launched its eight watch in collaboration with the UEFA Champions League. The new Hublot Big Bang Reloaded UEFA Champions League Titanium Ceramic has a skeletonised dial and ceramic bezel, featuring a bold blue colour, inspired by the colour of the championship.

As Official Timekeeper and watch partner of the UEFA Champions League since 2015, Hublot has a long-standing relationship with the competition. Hublot has launched many limited edition timepieces for this partnership, including a Classic Fusion Chronograph for the 2025 season, but this year’s might be my favourite yet.

For the 2026/27 season, Hublot has reimagined its Big Bang Reloaded design in the signature colour of the UEFA Champions League. Measuring 44mm, the Hublot Big Bang Reloaded UEFA Champions League Titanium Ceramic has a polished and satin-finished titanium case that’s overlapped with a blue ceramic bezel.

The blue of the bezel is inspired by the shade used in the UEFA Champions League logo and other parts of the competition. The blue ceramic bezel features large H-shaped bolts around it which is a common feature of Hublot’s Big Bang watches, as well as smaller bolts on the titanium case.

The right side of the case features an oversized crown with blue colouring. It’s flanked by two chronograph pushers which are powered by the HUB1280 Unico manufacture calibre movement.

Developed in-house, the HUB1280 Unico movement features an automatic column-wheel and is made of 354 components, all of which can be seen via the skeletonised dial. It gives the watch a 72 hours of power reserve, and is water resistant to 100 metres.

The dial of the Hublot Big Bang Reloaded UEFA Champions League Titanium Ceramic is extremely impressive, and has a lot of ‘hidden’ details of Hublot’s ongoing partnership. The skeletonised dial shows off the movement, and it has matte blue accents, including the minute track, numerals, hour markers and 60-seconds subdial.

My favourite feature of the Hublot Big Bang Reloaded UEFA Champions League Titanium Ceramic is a small football at nine o’clock. It has star shapes as inspired by the competition’s match ball which gives another subtle nod to the collaboration between Hublot and UEFA Champions League.

When you flip the watch over, this is where you can see the most ‘obvious’ part of the collaboration. The blue ceramic caseback has a sapphire crystal so you can see the movement at another angle, and the UEFA Champions League logo is printed over it.

The Hublot Big Bang Reloaded UEFA Champions League Titanium Ceramic is finished with a blue rubber and white calf leather strap which has stars printed on it. It’s presented in a box which comes with a miniature replace of the trophy,

Limited to 100 pieces, the Hublot Big Bang Reloaded UEFA Champions League Titanium Ceramic is available to buy for £19,700 / $25,200 / €24,700.

JBL has developed into a pretty big player in the world of gaming headsets in recent years, with its Quantum line having become way more compelling since it was first launched. Now, with Gamescom in full swing, it's a great time to refresh its lineup again.

In the new Quantum 850, it has a new premium offering, in fact, and it looks like it adds some features that the high-end competition for best headset has been making hay with for a little while. For one thing, it has adaptive noise-cancelling, which should ensure that you get more easily immersed in your sessions.

On top of that, it expands JBL's system of replaceable parts and will let you swap out any of the microphone, USB-C cable, ear cushions, earcaps, hammock, and battery pack. Any of those failing could be the end of a headset, so it's great to know they'll be replaceable.

That said, I was hoping this would mean the headset would come with a swappable battery to make for basically never-ending battery life, and that feature remains absent. It's something that SteelSeries and others now do impressively, so it's a bit of a miss given the price of the Quantum 850. That feature is on the more expensive Quantum 950, which remains the absolute flagship for JBL as a result.

Still, there are other interesting inclusions, including head-tracking and spatial sound, along with the option to use either 2.4GHz wireless or Bluetooth 5.3 as your connection of choice. JBL hasn't specified how much battery life the headset will offer on a charge, surprisingly, but I'd expect it to be over 40 hours based on its cheaper models.

The new Quantum 850 will be available from 1 October this year, starting at £249.99 in the UK and €279.99 in Europe, which puts it into the premium market pretty firmly.

To give more options, JBL's also launching the Quantum 520, Quantum 520X and Quantum 120. Each one goes down in price from the previous, and none of them has noise-cancelling, but they all have pretty similar aesthetics and use 50mm drivers, so hopefully even the cheapest of them still has good sound.

Those more affordable models are available now from JBL directly, so if you're in the market for a cheaper headset, they could be solid options. We hope to test the Quantum 850 in depth closer to its release, meanwhile.

Walking into one of the halls at Gamescom this year was like walking into the 1980s. Exhibiting alongside other retro gaming brands were Atari and Commodore, and I couldn't help but feel a little giddy.

One of my first jobs in journalism was editor of Your Commodore, a magazine dedicated to the Commodore 64, which I stewarded through a rebrand to the gaming title YC. The C64 has always been in my blood.

And so, when YouTuber Christian "Perifrantic" Simpson bought and resurrected the brand, resulting in the C64 Ultimate, I was instantly on board. I have the Starlight edition and am loving reacquainting myself with what made the 80s computer so special in the first place.

But the story doesn't end there. While the company has another edition up its sleeve, in the form of the Commodore 64C Ultimate, and a surprise Cyberpunk 2077 version of the C64 Ultimate, it's opted to do something that even the original brand never managed – it's designed its own phone.

Like the reimagined computers, the Commodore Callback 8020 is a touch of retro with a modern twist. And, as I got to handle all of the variants at Gamescom, I can safely say that there's nothing quite like it out there.

I couldn't really test any of the devices. The software is not final and there were no SIM cards inside that worked on German networks (at the time of my visit), but I did get a feel for the Callback and those on a nostalgia trip are going to be impressed.

For starters, the phone is light yet chunky in the hand and made from good quality plastics. It has a great and secure flip action, while the buttons are reassuringly tangible.

As mentioned, I can't really talk about the software and screens as yet. They are still work in progress, while one of the devices was very much a prototype that didn't turn on. But I suspect the colour options will be popular, from what I've seen so far. I particularly like the gold one myself.

In terms of functionality, the idea behind the Callback 8020 is that it can run "99% of Android apps" but helps you detox from social media networks by blocking them. It'll still work with chat apps, like WhatsApp, but discourages doomscrolling.

There's also a decent camera on board, plus Wi-Fi connectivity, so you'll get some modern features, but all wrapped up in an experience as retro as flares and deely-boppers (younger readers may need to look that one up).

Of course, for me the future of the Commodore brand very much lies in its past – with reissued hardware. And I very much approve of devices like the Commodore 77 with its Cyberpunk-inspired extra RAM and paintwork. But it's also great to see that, even 36+ years on from my stint on Your Commodore, the brand can still pull a surprise or two.

The Commodore Callback 8020 is available to pre-order on the dedicated website now. It's priced from $399 (around £293) during the early orders phase.

Commodore tells me that it'll start to ship "later this year".

The Philips 1000 Series Dual Basket Air Fryer has arrived in Lidl, and there's a pretty big saving to be had on this best air fryer. Despite carrying an RRP of £169.99, Lidl is selling it for just £79.99, knocking a huge £90 off the usual price.

It has a total capacity of 7.1 litres, with a removable divider that lets you switch between two 3.55-litre cooking zones and one larger MegaBasket. That makes it particularly handy for families, or anyone who uses their air fryer for more than one part of a meal.

As mentioned, it's available in Lidl stores from today. Given the size of the discount, I'd definitely check Lidl's stock checker before making a special journey, especially if previous middle-aisle deals are anything to go by.

We're seeing plenty of affordable home appliances appearing at Lidl and Aldi at the moment, including Lidl's recent £6.99 alternative to Philips' OneUp mop and a range of student-friendly kitchen buys from Aldi. However, this one stands out because it's actually a Philips product rather than a cheaper alternative or dupe, yet the price still feels very middle aisle.

The 1000 Series also comes with 10 cooking functions and six preset programmes, alongside a temperature range of 400-200°C and a 60-minute timer. We haven't reviewed this exact model at T3, but it's similar in concept to the larger Philips 5000 Series MegaBasket, which recently earned five stars in our review. That said, the 1000 Series is the more compact option, measuring 29.5 x 43.7 x 30.1cm.

Nothing has started the roll-out of its latest update, bringing Android 17 to its phones in the form of Nothing OS 5.0. Along with updates on the Google side, there are a full selection of features for Nothing phone owners to enjoy.

That starts with increased customisation, including the home screen and lock screen. That brings transparent details, while there are colour tints linked to your wallpaper, automatically changing when you pick a new background image.

There's an new clock for the lock screen, as well as micro graphics filled with your essential information, so you can catch-up at a glance. There are also better depth effects for wallpapers.

Editing the home screen is now easier, while there's the introduction of new widgets - Collector and Away Time - the latter tracking the time you're not actually using your phone. The new dedicated Glyph app will help you access all the related settings quickly and in one place.

There's a new font - Geist - while new icons and spacing in the settings should make things clearer, while the status bar gets a little love too with new animations and icons.

The notifications and quick settings have been split into separate panels, a common features of Chinese phones that's now more widely available in Android. If you don't like it, you can stick to the single pane that I've always found more convenient.

Nothing says that OS 5.0 makes its phones smoother and faster, while there are also updates to Essential Voice to make it faster and cleaner while Essential Space gets some tweaks too.

There are changes to the camera, Quick Share, Gallery and more, in what looks like a comprehensive update for Nothing Phone.

When will you get Nothing OS 5.0?

Nothing has confirmed that the open beta for the new software starts on 26 August 2026 with the Nothing Phone (3), its current flagship device. The roll-out is split into two phases, with the open beta slowly opening up for Nothing phone owners, followed by general release of the final software a couple of months later.

The update will start with the Nothing Phone (3) and be available for devices back to Nothing Phone (2a) from 2024. Older devices are no longer supported.

Here's the timeline for the deployment of Nothing OS 5.0:

I've seen a fair few launches in my decade or so of attending Gamescom in Germany, but never anything like the YXSTABY home furnishings collection from IKEA and Xbox.

Situated in a corner of the Xbox booth at the show, the mock living room was as popular as any game or gaming device. And, I'll admit, rightly so. The collaboration to celebrate Xbox's 25th anniversary could have turned out, well, a bit naff. But I actually came away wanting at least one of the items for my own gaming zone.

Funny enough, that was one of the cheapest items of the bunch – a green D-pad cushion at £12. But I was also impressed by many of the other items too.

The second D-pad is a mirrored platter that's designed around the equivalent on the Xbox Elite 2 controller. It looked equally at home on a table as it did hanging on the wall.

One of the priciest items in the range is a gaming lounge chair, on which the cushion was sat, but unfortunately I didn't get to try it myself. It seemed comfortable enough, but my attention was rather drawn to the gaming thumbstick stool instead.

Available in black or green (the version on the Xbox stand), it's actually quite small, and a bit plasticky. However, it also has a rocking bottom to emulate the way a real thumbstick swivels on a controller. This a neat addition, although I'm not entirely sure how long you'd want to sit on one.

It looks good though. And as it's compact it'd happily sit in the corner of a room, ready to be employed when a gaming guest comes round. And at £35, it's reasonably priced, too.

As for the rest of the collection – there are nine pieces in total – it's largely anonymous. The green accents run through most of them to continue the theme, but apart from that they are standard furniture fare. Yes, you do get the ability to hide cables, but you can do that with many alternatives, including other items from IKEA.

So, for me it's the cushion and platter – which cost a total of just £24. And on this evidence I'll be placing my order when I get back, that's for sure.

All of the YXSTABY collection will be available online and in stores from October "while stocks last". Just save a cushion or two for me.

Now I'd better go look at some games while at Gamescom, even though my trip might have been justified already.