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JBL Live Flex 4 review: excellent open-fit earbuds that rival Apple’s AirPods

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JBL Live Flex 4 review The JBL Live Flex 4 might be the perfect option for you if you want earbuds that put comfort first. Their lightweight, relaxed fit is perfect for listening on the go, meaning that, unlike some earbuds with a tight in-ear seal, they won't get tiresome or irritating after a while. And yet you can use them with ANC or transparency modes, giving you the option to shut the outside world out, or stay aware of your surroundings to impressive effect. But perhaps the real draw of the JBL Live Flex 4 is their smart charging case. It has a touchscreen equipped, enabling you to adjust ANC, EQ, playback and more, all without having to whip out your source device. If your phone or music streamer is in your bag or if you don’t want to go to the hassle of opening up the JBL Headphones app, this is pretty convenient. Is the smart case gimmicky? Maybe a bit, but I like a good gimmick fro...

The Aosu R1 Ultra is a great subscription-free video, albeit with some minor flaws

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Aosu Video Doorbell R1 Ultra: two-minute review Doorbell brands usually sell you the hardware cheap and charge you monthly for the privilege of seeing the footage. Aosu has gone the other way, and for that alone the R1 Ultra is worth your attention. Video clips go to the AosuBase Mini, a small plug-in box that lives inside your house and does three jobs at once — Wi-Fi bridge, indoor chime, and storage. It holds 8GB and keeps a rolling 60 days of footage. There is an optional cloud subscription, AosuProtect+, but unlike Ring's arrangement, the doorbell isn't hobbled without it. You get alerts, live view, two-way talk, custom detection zones, and full playback for nothing other than the purchase price. (Image credit: Future) Detection is another strength. Rather than relying on a passive infrared sensor and hoping, Aosu layers radar and AI human recognition on top, which lets it judge dis...

Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve review: soaring combat, snoreworthy story

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Ace Combat 8 , the latest installment in Project Aces' long-running arcade flight sim series, is here. Packed inside this game's cargo hold is a medley of melodrama, mission types, and a beautiful new look, but it's somewhat over capacity when it comes to cutscenes. Review info Platform reviewed: PC Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC Release date: October 2, 2026 You'll discover this right from the off: Ace Combat 8 is the first game in the series where its cutscenes are entirely from a first-person perspective. You step into the shoes of Rex, a pilot in service with the navy of the Federation of Central Usea (FCU). Sotoa, a nation of former nomads, has decided to emulate the Mongols of our reality and has conquest in mind, with the FCU already almost completely subjugated at the start of the game. Said shoes are likely very damp, with events kicking off on a life raft after t...

Samsung Galaxy S26 FE review: false economy

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Samsung Galaxy S26 FE: Two-minute review Picking the Samsung Galaxy S26 FE to be your next phone would be a good decision. But whether it’s the best decision is the chewier question. As has been the case for the past several years, Samsung has launched one final version of its Galaxy S flagship phones just before summer is out (in the US and UK, at least). This “Fan Edition” device aims to provide a more streamlined experience, focused on camera capabilities and AI, at a more approachable price. However, Samsung has this all backwards. The Galaxy S26 FE’s cameras range from OK to weak, and the AI tools will soon be available on older models. Plus, the price hike this year makes the phone a little less of a bargain. Arguably, the real reasons you’ll want a Galaxy S26 FE are its big screen, fast charging, strong battery life, and surprisingly good gaming performance. But then, if those are your pri...

The Huawei Watch D3 is an improvement on the D2, but I’m still left wanting more

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Huawei Watch D3: One minute review It’s been two years since the release of the Huawei Watch D2, and the Chinese brand has decided it’s time to offer an upgraded model, aptly named the D3. With the D range, Huawei was the first to introduce blood pressure monitoring capabilities in a smartwatch, providing a simple way to track the important health metric without needing a dedicated monitor. In my Huawei Watch D2 review I gave the smartwatch an impressive 4.5 stars. I had high praise for the blood pressure monitoring and clever strap but was left underwhelmed by the bulky design, high price tag, and lack of smartwatch features. Huawei has gone some way to address these concerns, but not universally and in some ways not enough. As a result, the D3 isn’t yet one of the best smartwatches around, but as a medical-first device, it approaches and blends the lifestyle and medical aspects well. The D3 i...