A “massive cyberattack” took Russian web hosting company Beget’s entire operation offline, with abnormal activity recorded immediately ahead of the incident. All levels of its infrastructure were affected, with websites, cloud storage facilities, VPS hosting, and even hosting for Kubernetes containers knocked offline.

The impact of the attack took several days for the company’s experts to assess, with estimates that over 1,000 servers need to be physically checked. This indicates either lasting damage from the attack or infrastructure that was already weakened, perhaps by unpatched exploits.

Beget has been the subject of EU sanctions due to it providing hosting services to authorities in the Russian-occupied Ukraine regions of Crimea, Donetsk, and Luhansk.

Recovering data

Responding to news of the attack, Beget issued a defiant statement, boldly stating “We are not giving up and are continuing to look for ways to recover this data.”

"Restoring all services will take a considerable amount of time, as more than 1,000 servers must be manually inspected.”

The organization told Kommersant (translated from Russian) that most data should be recoverable from backups for the majority of its virtual hosting and cloud infrastructure, adding “We continue to work on data recovery, but due to significant volumes, this process will require a long time.”

However, Beget’s response to the attack is hampered by how it organizes and prioritises data, with many customers not using disaster recovery plans.

Anatoly Sazonov, Head of the Department of Compliance with the requirements of the Softline Group of Companies, told Kommersant, “Beget’s mass failure is an example of a systemic risk that arises from a high business dependency on a single provider. If a website, corporate mail, databases and other services are posted on one site, the provider’s problems can paralyze several areas of business work at once.”

EU sanctions

Beget was founded in 2007 and has become the second largest domain registrar in Russia for .ru domains, overseeing 14.7% of the market alongside providing web hosting, cloud computing, and other services.

As is standard, Beget has encouraged customers to change their passwords and remove and update and access keys, credentials, or other sensitive information that may have been uploaded to its cloud servers.

Beget has already had a difficult year, having been targeted by EU sanctions for providing hosting services in Russian-occupied territories in Ukraine. Whether the domain registrar and web hosting company was targeted because of this, or as a more general piece of cybercrime, remains to be seen.

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Google is moving forward with a $17 billion investment in Wyoming, despite growing political opposition to large-scale data center developments across America.

There has been intense resistance from local communities, which seem to be concerned about electricity use, water consumption, noise, and other effects.

Recent midterm election results have intensified those concerns, with several outcomes suggesting that opposition to data center expansion is gaining political traction.

Political resistance has not slowed Google's Wyoming investment

Alphabet's Google announced plans on Thursday to establish its first Wyoming data center, working alongside four energy and infrastructure partners.

The development involves Tallgrass Energy, Black Hills Energy, American Electric Power and Related Digital, with construction expected to bring substantial investment into Laramie County.

Wyoming offers a politically favorable environment for the project, having given Donald Trump more than 70% of its presidential votes during the 2024 election.

However, political support at the state level does not necessarily eliminate concerns emerging from communities experiencing the consequences of expanding computing infrastructure.

During this week's midterm elections, candidates opposing data center developments secured victories in important contests across Texas and Georgia.

Only one of 41 data center-related ballot measures decided during the week produced an outcome favorable to the industry's interests.

The developments come as investors reconsider the financial and political risks associated with increasingly expensive AI infrastructure projects across the U.S.

According to recent reports, Microsoft has declined to extend a multibillion-dollar arrangement involving AI infrastructure provider Nscale in Texas.

Energy strategy and community commitments underpin the development

Google's proposed facility will incorporate a planned 702MW fuel-cell installation, supplied by American manufacturer Bloom Energy and contracted through AEP.

The system will generate electricity from natural gas through electrochemical processes, with carbon capture and storage technology intended to limit associated emissions.

Captured carbon dioxide will be transported for permanent underground storage at Tallgrass Energy's nearby Eastern Wyoming Sequestration Hub.

Google said the development would increase its contracted carbon capture capacity to almost 1 gigawatt, building upon an earlier American project announced last fall.

The company also plans to obtain electricity from gas-fired generators operated by Tallgrass Energy and Black Hills Energy.

“We’re committed to partnering with communities to build data centers the right way. We will pay for 100% of the power we use, and when we build data centers, we’ll cover the infrastructure needs directly driven by our growth,” Google said in a blog post.

Water consumption is another important consideration, particularly because large computing facilities can place additional pressure on supplies available to surrounding communities.

Google intends to operate the Wyoming installation using air-cooling systems, avoiding the substantial water requirements associated with conventional evaporative cooling arrangements.

The company has also promised investments in local water replenishment programs, although community engagement has just started and Google has received feedback from over 200 residents.

Local participants want clear information about employment opportunities, economic contributions, educational support, and the cumulative consequences of the data center.

Google expects the development to generate hundreds of millions of dollars in property tax payments for Laramie County and School District 1.

Its community programs will support science and technology education, professional training, entrepreneurship and skilled trades development across Wyoming.

Most rugged phones chase bigger and bigger batteries, often to the point where they become a viable replacement for a sea anchor.

The oddly named KingKong Dura takes a different route: it comes with a modest 5000mAh battery you can remove, and CUBOT includes a second one in the box.

That is a rare feature in rugged phones, and a useful one. Run one battery flat, swap in the other, and carry on. No power bank is needed, and in this context charging the battery doesn’t involve putting it in the phone.

The replaceable battery enables a design slimmer than the usual rugged brick. It measures 13mm thick and weighs 299.5g. The screen is 6.88 inches, with a 120Hz refresh rate. The phone carries IP68, IP69K and MIL STD 810H protection.

Phones that have replaceable batteries are often expensive, and this one isn’t, so how does that work?

In short, CUBOT pared the specs down to the bare minimum to run Android 16. The Unisoc T620 is an old 12nm chip, with a screen resolution of only 720 x 1640. There is no 5G, and WiFi is only WiFi 5, to mention just a couple of shortcomings.

You get what you pay for, but thankfully you don't pay much.

So this is a working phone for people who need power on tap, or only occasionally need a rugged phone. It isn't for people who want speed, and it isn’t the best rugged phone I’ve seen. This pitch by CUBOT is decidedly niche.

However, it’s easy to be snobbish about the lack of performance in devices like this, and CUBOT clearly see a market for these devices, and a customer who won’t be phased by its lack of grunt.

CUBOT KingKong Dura: price and availability

• How much does it cost? From $190/€210/£143
• When is it out? Available now
• Where can you get it? CUBOT's European store and online retailers

Direct from CUBOT, two SKUs of the KingKong Dura are available. One has 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, and another, my review hardware, has 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. Both options are available in black or green.

For EU customers, the lower-spec model is €209.99, and the higher one is €259.99, making 50% more RAM and 100% more storage only a 50 Euro bump.

For whatever reason, I couldn’t get the CUBOT website to map these prices into US Dollars or UK Pounds, but American customers might want to consider buying it via an online retailer like Amazon.com. In the USA via Amazon, I found only $189.99 for the 8GB+128GB model.

It’s not available on Amazon UK yet, so you can buy it directly from CUBOT or use AliExpress. On that site, I found it for £142.01 and £206.15 with free shipping to the UK, but delivery from China was about 10 days.

That is a low price for a rugged phone running Android 16, and it undercuts every replaceable-battery design I’ve seen by some margin.

With both batteries included, the Dura is a bargain for its niche.

• Value score: 4/5

CUBOT KingKong Dura: Specs

CUBOT KingKong Dura: Design

• Slim by rugged standards
• Removable battery
• By-the-numbers layout

The Dura looks like a rugged phone that has been given slimming injections. It is plainer than most. There are no excessive sci-fi flourishes, and the lines are utilitarian.

At 13mm and 299.5g, it is slimmer and lighter than most rivals. It is thicker than the 11.9mm WP68 Air, but only just. It should sit in an average pocket without an issue.

The removable battery is the feature that shapes everything. Rugged phones with swappable batteries were common years ago, and they have mostly vanished.

The battery uses a simple Lock/Unlock slider on the rear of the phone, though it's worth noting that there is no capacitor in this phone, so before the battery is swapped, you need to shut down the Dura.

Somewhat confusingly, the battery has a circular depression and the CUBOT logo, which looks like it hints at wireless charging. But it turns out this is misplaced styling, and neither the battery nor the phone has this feature.

As I’ve already mentioned, you get a second battery, and it comes with a holder that has a USB-C port, so you can charge it without the phone. I don’t think it charges as quickly as in the phone, but that’s an incredibly useful feature that doesn’t cost extra.

The only downside to that charging shoe is that, other than a red power light, there is no feedback on the battery's charging status. Even four LEDs showing the state of charge would have been fine.

What’s clever about the battery design is that it has an integrated seal to keep out water and dust. That’s been achieved without making the battery difficult to remove. Once unlocked, two slots at the bottom let you hook a fingernail and pop it out.

Above the battery area is the camera cluster with the sensors on the left and a small-ish camping light on the right. What’s mildly confusing is that this area is the highest point on the back, but CUBOT chose glass as the surface, which seems like a poor choice.

The rest of this phone is rather boring, as it goes with the predictable side-mounted fingerprint scanner/power button and volume rocker on the right, and PTT button and SIM tray on the left.

The only other external feature of note is that there is a hole on the bottom right for a lanyard/strap, but one isn’t included.

Overall, there is little here to get excited about, but also not much to dislike either.

Design score: 3.5/5

CUBOT KingKong Dura: Hardware

• Unisoc T620
• 720 x 1640 display
• 2x 5000mAh battery

The Unisoc T620 is an entry-level chip that was first released in mid 2024. It uses an older 12nm process, not one of the newer 6nm, 4nm, or even 2nm processes flagship SoCs use today. It pairs two Cortex-A75 cores with six A55 cores, which has been a popular configuration for Octo-core SoCs since it first appeared with the MediaTek Helio P65 back in 2019.

To put that in perspective, this is older technology than the Dimensity 7025 in the Oukitel WP68 Air, which is itself a 6nm design from 2022. The Dura is a step behind that in the chronology of its technology. Even if it looks only2.5 years old to the casual observer.

The RAM is 8GB or 12GB, depending on the model. CUBOT adds virtual memory on top, quoting totals of 20GB and 32GB. As ever, that is storage borrowing the name of memory. Ignore it, since most people will run fine without the need to activate that feature.

Storage is 128GB or 256GB. A TF card slot is available, but it shares space with the second SIM. You can have dual SIMs or a card, not both, and there is no eSIM to fix that limitation.

The screen is the same 6.88-inch, 720 x 1640 panel as the WP68 Air. It runs at 120Hz. At this resolution, text looks soft in some situations, and it's difficult to read a document without zooming in. It’s reasonably bright, but the glossy coating makes outdoor viewing a challenge.

What makes this design interesting is the two batteries, each rated at 5000mAh, giving a total potential battery of 10000mAh. To be totally accurate, the rated capacity is 4850mAh or 17.945Wh, but the typical capacity is 50000mAh and 18.50Wh for each.

With 33W charging, these can be brought back to full capacity quickly, and both can be recharged at the same time. The only caveat is that the phone only comes with a single 18W charger, but I think this was a mistake at the factory. Why? Because it also came with an old-style MicroUSB cable, which would destroy the USB-C port if you forced it in there.

Therefore, if you buy this phone, I’d check that you have the right power supply and cable before hooking things up.

From a hardware perspective, you should also know there is no 5G comms available. For a phone aimed at workers and outdoor use, 4G is usually enough. But it limits future value.

• Hardware score: 3/5

CUBOT KingKong Dura: Cameras

• 64MP and 2MP on the rear
• 16MP on the front
• Three cameras in total

CUBOT KingKong Dura has three cameras:

Rear cameras: 64.2MP main camera (OmniVision OV64B40 or Samsung S5KGW1SP03), f/1.8, with phase-detection autofocus +2MP macro camera.
Front cameras: 16MP.

This is a basic arrangement that matches the price. The 64.2MP sensor is either an OmniVision OV64B40 or a Samsung S5KGW1SP03, but CUBOT doesn’t say which it is.

Based on the slightly flattened colour profile, I'd bet on the OV64B40, but I could be wrong.

Either captures decent daylight pictures, but isn’t especially remarkable when the light level drops.

The 2MP macro is, once again, the weakest link. Fixed-focus lenses of this type rarely deliver. Cropping the main camera works better, making the 2MP sensor, probably by GalaxyCore, superfluous.

The 16MP selfie camera is a fixed-focus unit and should be adequate for video calls, but again the actual sensor isn’t declared. It might be Samsung, Sony or OmniVision, since these all make 16MP sensors for phones.

The primary camera becomes exceptionally disappointing in video mode, since a 64MP sensor still only offers 1080p. What is completely inexplicable about this is that there are only three resolutions available in the camera app: 1080p, 720p and 480p, but when you choose the FPS, there is only 30fps available. I assumed that as the resolution lowered, I’d get 60fps, and maybe 90 and 120fps. So having an FPS selection feature where the only option is 30fps seems incredibly dumb.

Interestingly, the forward-facing sensor has the same resolution and FPS limitations, showing how underutilised the rear sensor is for video. The only thing that the rear sensor has that’s better is stabilisation.

As with all phones, I tested what video encryption it supports, specifically Widevine, and was surprised to find that this phone supports Widevine L1. With the limited resolution of the screen, that only bumps streamed video capability up from 480p to 720p, but it's better than L3.

• Camera score: 3/5

CUBOT KingKong Dura: Performance

The table compares the Dura with the WP68 Air, which I tested in an earlier review. It is only 14.5g heavier, but it has enough internal space for an 8000 mAh battery instead of the Dura's 5000 mAh battery.

And that should be the focus of this section, because the performance of both SoCs is dire compared with more modern designs, and the one in the Dura is especially lacklustre.

If you combine the two 5000 mAh batteries on the Dura, you would get over 21 hours of operation, an hour more than the WP68 Air. However, the WP68 had more unused capacity at the end of the test, and that phone had only 80% of the combined Dura battery.

This all comes down to power efficiency, and the MediaTek Dimensity 7025 appears to use its power much more effectively than the Unisoc T620.

Given that the Unisoc T620 is 12nm, and the MediaTek Dimensity 7025 is 6nm, this shouldn’t be shocking. And the GPU on the T620 has 32 shaders, a quarter of that in the IMG BXM-8-256.

Neither is a performance platform, but the Dura has one advantage: you could carry more than two batteries if CUBOT starts selling them separately.

But even with three or four batteries, there are rugged designs out there that could run for longer with their internal capacities.

• Performance score: 2.5/5

CUBOT KingKong Dura: Final verdict

The KingKong Dura has a self-evident personality. It is a cheap, tough phone with a battery you can swap, and its pitch is not any more complicated than that.

That could be a real advantage on a long job, a camping trip or a remote site, if you bring the extra battery along and you’ve remembered to charge it.

Its weaknesses are equally clear. The chip is slow, the screen is soft, and there is no 5G comms. These are budget compromises, and they are honest ones at this price, if you can accept them.

If you only need a phone that lasts, and you don't want to carry a power bank, it makes some sense. However, if you want a fast daily driver, the WP68 Air or something newer is a better bet. As the power equation is tied to efficiency and performance, not having either of these things can only save you so much battery capacity.

Should I buy a CUBOT KingKong Dura?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

For more ruggedized devices, we've reviewed the best rugged tablets, the best rugged laptops, and the best rugged hard drives

For more than a decade – ever since to contents of a hotly disputed spar in 2010 – the Gypsy King and AJ have danced around each other. With their long-awaited fight finally sealed, the British heavyweights are the subject of Episode 2 of the BBC's Rivals... series, which explores their vastly different routes to world title glory.

Fury is the self-styled overweight outsider who fought his way through the amateurs, while Joshua is the London 2012 golden boy with the physique of a bodybuilder. To find the truth, John Fury, Eddie Hearn, Frank Warren, Natasha Jonas, Tony Bellew and Steve Bunce among others are interviewed to find out what makes each fighter tick and how they've changed boxing.

If you're interested in Episode 1 of Rivals..., that's also on iPlayer and focuses on Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi's beef.

Here's how to watch Rivals: Fury v Joshua online and on TV from anywhere for free.

How to watch Rivals: Fury v Joshua from anywhere

If you're keen to watch Rivals: Fury v Joshua but you're away from the UK and access to the show is geo-blocked, then you could use a VPN to access it (assuming you're not breaching any broadcaster T&Cs, of course). You may be surprised by how simple it is to do. Plus, we have a great 77% discount on our #1 VPN with this Black Friday deal...

How to watch Rivals: Fury v Joshua in the UK

In the UK, Rivals: Fury v Joshua is available on BBC iPlayer for free. It will be on the platform from November 10.

You can also listen to the accompanying podcast on BBC Sounds from the same date.

Outside the UK? Unblock your BBC iPlayer stream or BBC Sounds podcast with NordVPN.

Can you watch Rivals: Fury v Joshua in the US?

Rivals: Fury v Joshua is only available in the UK – on BBC iPlayer or BBC Sounds – so you can't find a broadcast or stream of the show in the States.

Visiting the US from the UK? You can use our most-trusted VPN (try risk-free) to unlock your usual streaming platforms and watch the documentary from anywhere.

Can you watch Rivals: Fury v Joshua in Canada?

Similar to the US, Rivals: Fury v Joshua is not available to stream in Canada and is not on any television channels there.

The solution? Use a VPN to gain access to all the content you'd normally stream at home.

Can you watch Rivals: Fury v Joshua in Australia?

Like in the US and Canada, Rivals: Fury v Joshua is not available to stream or watch on any TV channels yet.

Away from the UK? Use NordVPN to access your usual shows from anywhere in the world.

Rivals: Fury v Joshua need to know

Rivals: Fury v Joshua - interviewees

• John Fury – Fury's father
• Eddie Hearn – Joshua's promoter
• Frank Warren – Fury's promoter
• Natasha Jonas – former world champion
• Tony Bellew – former world champion
• Steve Bunce – boxing journalist

Rivals: Fury v Joshua - who are the presenters?

Two of the most recognizable faces in British boxing broadcasting will present Rivals: Fury v Joshua — Anna Woolhouse and Steve Bunce.

Woolhouse has anchored Sky Sports and DAZN boxing coverage for much of the past decade, during which time she has interviewed all the biggest names in the sport.

Bunce began life as a boxing journalist – and still writes for UK site The Independent – and has worked on the BBC's boxing output for over two decades. A well-known face and voice of the sport in the UK, he is a radio pundit and hosts the 5 Live Boxing with Steve Bunce podcast.

A short trailer can be found here.

Read More from TechRadar

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

IT workers might be among the best paid, with UK employees earning an average of £60,600 - but one in two actually take on extra work alongside their full-time roles, new research has claimed.

This compares with barely a third (30%) of all full-time workers, making IT workers among the most likely to have side hustles – 23% freelancing and 7% having a more traditional second job, according to a Careerminds study.

But the reasons aren't so clear, because three in five (58%) earn at least £50,000 annually and IT is the least likely sector to experience payday-to-payday financial pressure – so if it's not money struggles that's causing them to get side hustles, what is it?

Tech workers earn good salaries but are still more likely to have side hustles

The report implies workers may just want to increase their disposable income or save more, but tech workers are also in an unfairly unique position because virtually half (49%) of them follow hybrid working routines, compared with just 4% in hospitality. This extra flexibility could allow them to sell their sought-after skills on a freelance basis.

"Some jobs naturally lend themselves to freelance work," certified professional career coach Amanda Augustine wrote. "If you're a developer, for example, you might be able to take on a project in the evening or over the weekend."

But while IT workers typically earn healthy wages, nearly half (47%) of UK adults in full-time employment say they run out of money before payday, doing so on average 7.9 days early.

To that tune, one in five have cancelled subscriptions (21%), declined social plans (21%) or even skipped a meal (20%) just to help them keep that money for living expenses.

"The people who need additional income the most aren't necessarily the ones who have the flexibility, time or energy to take on more work," Augustine warned, noting that struggling workers from the least flexible sectors may be at an unfair disadvantage.

Careerminds implies we're at the beginning of a challenging period, where certain workers and individuals may not be in such a good position to earn an extra income.

Sony's latest DualSense and console cover limited-edition design is here, and it's a bit of a throwback. Channeling some early 2000s aesthetics, the Prism Collection sports three colorways and translucent designs — and pre-orders open tomorrow.

Three colorways or designs make for six different products across DualSense controllers and PS5 Slim console covers. Those colorways are Flare Orange, Emerald Green, and Graphite Gray. All three offer a distinct look and will surely be of interest to older PlayStation fans in particular, who fondly remember the translucent designs on earlier PlayStation console controllers. I know I do, and I'm already eyeing these up!

Pre-orders for the Prism Collection go live at 10am ET in the US, and 10am local time everywhere else, and we're getting ahead of the madness and putting our flag in the ground early, gathering up all the best info and best retailer links to bookmark now ahead of stock dropping.

I expect demand to be high on these items, but the controllers should at least be available at multiple retailers — the console exclusives will be PlayStation Direct or PlayStation storefront exclusives.

US PS5 Prism collection DualSense pre-orders

Check stock at:

• 🅿️PS Direct: Flare Orange | Emerald Green | Graphite Gray🅿️
• 🔆Walmart: Flare Orange | Emerald Green | Graphite Gray🔆
• 🏷️Best Buy: Flare Orange | Emerald Green | Graphite Gray🏷️
• 📦Amazon: Flare Orange | Emerald Green | Graphite Gray📦
• 🎯Target: Flare Orange | Emerald Green | Graphite Gray🎯
• 🎮GameStop: Flare Orange | Emerald Green | Graphite Gray🎮

UK PS5 Prism collection DualSense pre-orders

Check stock at:

• 🅿️PS Direct: Flare Orange | Emerald Green | Graphite Gray🅿️
• 📦Amazon: Flare Orange | Emerald Green | Graphite Gray📦
• 🧸Smyths Toys: Flare Orange | Emerald Green | Graphite Gray🧸
• ©️Currys: Flare Orange | Emerald Green | Graphite Gray©️
• 🟥Argos: Flare Orange | Emerald Green | Graphite Gray🟥
• 𝓥 Very: Flare Orange | Emerald Green | Graphite Gray 𝓥
• 📦EE: Flare Orange | Emerald Green | Graphite Gray📱
• 🟡ShopTo: Flare Orange | Emerald Green | Graphite Gray🟡
• 🎮The Game Collection: Flare Orange | Emerald Green | Graphite Gray🎮
• 🛍️John Lewis: Flare Orange | Emerald Green | Graphite Gray🛍️

US PS5 Prism Collection console cover pre-orders

• 🅿️Check stock at PS Direct: Flare Orange | Emerald Green | Graphite Gray🅿️

UK PS5 Prism Collection console cover pre-orders

• 🅿️Check stock at PS Direct: Flare Orange | Emerald Green | Graphite Gray🅿️

PS5 Prism Collection controllers and console covers: cut to the chase

• Price: Dualsense controllers: $84.99 / £74.99; PS5 Slim console covers: $74.99/£64.99
• Pre-order date: November 10, 2026
• Release date: February 4, 2027
• Design: Three designs featuring translucent colorways and aesthetics (Flare Orange, Emerald Green, and Graphite Gray) that combine beautifully with a solid-coloured middle panel and give "players a closer look into the design and craftsmanship behind our DualSense controllers and PlayStation 5 consoles."

Should you pre-order a Prism DualSense or console cover?

Even though stock levels of recent limited-edition DualSense controllers have held steady, and the last collection — the Hyperpop products — are still available, I'd still recommend aiming for a pre-order on the Prims collection if you're willing and able.

That is because it's always safer to do so if you can, as I often say, but there's wider appeal with the Prism collection given the products' nod back to earlier PlayStation hardware designs and thus a powerful nostalgia sense may increase demand somewhat.

With the console covers being exclusive to PlayStation's own storefronts, too, I think they might sell like hotcakes. The controllers being more widely available at different retailers should give everyone more options, however.

As a result, if you're interested in placing a pre-order, definitely do so if you can.

Half (52%) of workers admit to having used AI despite believing they could complete the same task faster without it.

This comes as two in three (63%) workers say their employers now actively encourage or expect AI use for at least some tasks, with as many as 39% even highlighting their AI use to managers despite believing it didn't help their outcome.

The data from JobAssist ultimately points toward workers seeing AI use as a box-ticking exercise and something that's beneficial to their professional reputation and potentially career prospects – even though they don't see it as something that can always help.

Workers are boasting about their AI use to keep managers happy

Furthermore, nearly a third (31%) admitted to continuing using AI even after deciding it had not improved speed or quality, implying that workers might be worried that something could happen if they don't demonstrate a use of it.

A similar number (34%) also held their hands up to avoiding negative feedback around AI given that leadership encourages its adoption.

"If employees hesitate to report disappointing results, managers may receive an overly favorable account of how well their AI initiatives are working," the report summarizes, urging workers to be more open and honest about when they find AI to be most effective.

For businesses, false adoption figures could mean that AI ROI might be overstates. But with employers relying on these statistics to guide their AI strategies, it could mean that they end up wasting money investing in the wrong areas.

"Companies can measure whether employees are using AI, but those measurements cannot establish whether the technology is improving their work," JobAssist concludes.

Last week we discovered that your videos can give away your location thanks to airplane noises in the background that you can't even hear, and we've known for some years that Wi-Fi routers can be used to spot where people are in a room. So it's not a huge surprise to discover yet another way our tech is betraying us — and this time the culprit is the humble HDMI cable.

A post on X by Psalter shows TempestSDR, which can capture the signal from your HDMI cable and almost recreate the image on another screen, because the cable creates an electromagnetic field that can be read. The quality isn't great, but if you bring AI into the mix you can enhance it to make text readable and images clearer. An AI system especially for the task, called DeepTempest, reduces errors by over 60%.

The video below is quite alarming.

Intercepting or playing with electronic leakage isn't new: 2001's Tempest for Eliza broadcast music to your radio by sending RF signals via your monitor, displaying images that generated specific radio frequencies. What's new is the AI element.

Is it time to don the tinfoil hat?

Not yet. DeepTempest does dramatically enhance images and reduce text errors, but as you can see from the video things are still pretty indistinct — and that's when the cable you're intercepting is right next to you, so you're close enough to see the display that you're intercepting.

You're not going to see much if you're in a van across the street, even if the cable being used is really poorly shielded, unless you've got a seriously powerful scanner.

DeepTempest was developed by Federico Larroca at the University of the Republic in Montevideo, Uruguay, and it does represent a major step forward: using text capture software DeepTempest was able to reconstruct text with roughly 30% of characters being misinterpreted.

That sounds like a lot but it's not enough to render text incomprehensible to human readers. And that error rate is a whopping 60% lower than the previous state-of-the-art attack.

The word Tempest is used in these systems because it's a US National Security Agency (NSA) codename that refers to spying via electromagnetic leakage, and measures to prevent it.

Those measures are distance, shielding, filtering and masking, and they consider more than just leakage: they also include sounds and vibrations, so for example it's possible to log keystrokes via a phone's motion sensor.

The history of this is fascinating and goes back to the Second World War, where the US military's teleprinters were found to be generating detectable electromagnetic spikes that could be intercepted to capture the text. The recommendation for shielding, filtering and masking comes from the machines' supplier, Bell System, and while technology has advanced somewhat since then the advice is still sound: if you're the kind of person that security services or other shadowy organizations might be interested in, don't buy crappy cables.

Pricier cables have electromagnetic shielding, and while high-end companies used to tell us that was essential because otherwise the audio and video fidelity wouldn't be as pristine as you want… but maybe it's signal leaking out rather than in that people will be more worried about in the modern world.

Watch WTA Finals 2026 live streams, as the eight best women in tennis over the past 12 months descend on Indian Wells, California, for the prestigious end-of-year championships. In arguably the unofficial fifth major, there will be two groups of four, with the top two progressing to the semi-finals. World No.1 and defending champion Elena Rybakina has, though, pulled out with a virus to be replaced by Marta Kostyuk.

A late call-up, alternate Kostyuk was always fighting a losing battle and so it proved on the opening day as the Ukrainian fell 6-2, 6-4 to reigning Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova.

The second match on Day 1 was an all-American classic as Coco Gauff came out on top 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-2 against Jessica Pegula. In a match that lasted two hours, 39 minutes, the 2024 champion Gauff had a match point in the second set only to lose it, before eventually proving too strong in the decider.

On Day 2 (Monday), Aryna Sabalenka faces Karolina Muchova first up. Sabalenka is the pre-tournament favorite in Rybakina's injury-enforced absence. That is followed by third seed Mirra Andreeva, who faces Elina Svitolina. Andreeva, the reigning French Open champion, will start as favorite in that one but Svitolina has had a very consistent year and will fancy an upset.

Here's how to watch the WTA Finals 2026 tennis from anywhere, including worldwide TV channels, broadcasters and any free live streams below.

WTA Finals 2026 Order of Play – Day 2, Monday November 9

Group 2

From 3pm ET / 12pm PT / 8pm GMT / 7am AEDT (Tue)

Aryna Sablenka (2) vs Karolina Muchova (7)

Followed by

Mirra Andreeva (3) vs Elina Svitolina (6)

How to watch WTA Finals 2026 for FREE

For tennis fans who live in the US or Australia, you're in luck – there are some FREE options to live stream the WTA Finals 2026.

In the United States, the Tennis Channel is the exclusive home of the WTA Finals 2026, which can be accessed directly or via 'over the top' streaming providers that offer free trials, our favorites are:

• YouTube TV (21 days free) - US
• Fubo (5 days) - US

Australians can also get a free trial thanks to beIN Sports (7-days).

Traveling outside your home country for the tournament? Use NordVPN to get past geo-blockers and tune in to your regular tennis live streams.

Use a VPN to watch any WTA Finals 2026 stream

Away from home at the moment and blocked from watching the WTA Finals 2026 on your usual subscription?

You can still watch the WTA Finals 2026 live thanks to the wonders of a VPN (Virtual Private Network). The software allows your devices to appear to be back in your home country, regardless of where in the world you are, making it ideal for viewers away on vacation or on business.

Our favorite is NordVPN. It's the best on the market:

It's really straightforward to use a VPN to watch the WTA Finals 2026.

1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we've said, NordVPN is one of our favorites.

2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For example, if you want to watch the Tennis Channel stream, select 'United States' from the listed countries.

3. Sit back and enjoy the action. Head to Tennis Channel's website or YouTube TV and tune into WTA Finals 2026.

How to watch WTA Finals 2026 live streams in the US

In the US, WTA Finals 2026 is being shown on the Tennis Channel.

A Tennis Channel subscription then costs $109.99 per year or $11.99 per month.

Looking for an 'over the top' streaming option that carries hundreds of other channels? The Tennis Channel is also available on YouTube TV and Fubo. As we've mentioned above, both YouTube TV and Fubo come with free-trial options.

The Tennis Channel is also available on Sling TV (with its Sport Extra add-on).

Outside the US for this tournament? Use NordVPN to unlock your stream of WTA Finals 2026.

How to watch WTA Finals 2026 live streams in the UK

Sky Sports is broadcasting the WTA Finals 2026 in the UK. Specifically on the Sky Sports Tennis, Sky Sports Action and Sky Sports Main Event channels.

Prices start at £22/month at present. However, fans can also watch using a NOW Sports 24-hour pass, which costs £14.99.

Not in the UK right now? Use NordVPN to access your usual tennis streams.

How to watch WTA Finals 2026 live streams in Australia

In Australia, the WTA Finals 2026 is exclusive to beIN Sports, which offers new users a 7-day FREE trial.

You can add beIN Sports to most pre-existing TV packages, or you can sign up as a separate subscription. It costs AU$16.99 month or AU$169 if you pay for a year up front, once that week-long trial ends.

In addition to the WTA Finals 2026 and other tennis tournaments, beIN Sports has the rights to loads of soccer and other sports, including La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga, Carabao Cup and EFL Championship football and rugby.

As part of a sub-licensing agreement with beIN, the tournament is also available on Stan Sport. You'll need a Stan Sport add-on for AU$20 in addition to a Basic subscription that costs AU$12.

Not in Australia right now? You can simply use a VPN like NordVPN to watch all the action on beIN Sports as if you were back home.

How to watch WTA Finals 2026 live streams in Canada

Tennis fans in Canada can live stream the WTA Finals 2026 on the TSN network of channels.

If you don't have cable, the TSN Plus streaming service costs CA$24.99 a month.

Outside Canada while the WTA Finals tennis is on? Simply use a VPN to watch from abroad.

How to watch WTA Finals 2026 live streams in New Zealand

DAZN are the WTA Finals 2026 TV rights holder in New Zealand.

A DAZN subscription costs $14.99 per month for an annual contract or $23.99 for a flexible monthly pass.

Missing a game due to work commitments abroad? NordVPN will give you access to your home streaming service.

How to watch WTA Finals 2026 live streams anywhere else

In the Middle East, DAZN has the tennis live streams. In Africa beIN Sport, New World Sport and SuperSport are the places to go, depending on your country.

In India it's the Tennis Channel, while the rest of the subcontinent, it's DAZN, while Youku in China and UNEXT in Japan are the most prominent broadcasters in Asia.

A handy list of broadcasters from all around the world is provided by tournament organizers here.

Away from home at the moment? Don't forget NordVPN will give you access to your regular streaming service.

WTA Finals 2026 Q&A

What are the WTA Finals 2026 groups?

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

The Tank 5 Pro has but one purpose - it adds thermal imaging to the Tank 5 and changes almost nothing else from the prior design. 8849 admits as much on its own website - the only difference between the two phones, it states, is the thermal camera.

This design was already the most complete rugged projector phone on the market. It had a flagship chip, a gorgeous screen and a battery that recharges in about 90 minutes. The Pro keeps all those strengths and adds one more: thermal imaging.

You get a FLIR Lepton 3.1R sensor with a 95-degree field of view. 8849 claims that is a world first for a phone. Most thermal phones manage 50 or 57 degrees. A wider view means you see more of a room, a wall or a fuse board without having to move the device around.

The price of that view is resolution. The sensor delivers 160 x 120 native pixels. Software upscaling takes it to 480 x 360, and visible light edges are overlaid to help you read the image. It is useful, but it will not rival a dedicated high-end imager.

So who is it for? Electricians, builders, surveyors, solar installers and rescue teams spring to mind. Anyone who has ever wondered where the draught is coming from might also apply. If you will never point it at a hot pipe, save your money.

Would I consider this one of the best rugged smartphones? That depends on how much functionality you want in a single handset, but it deserves some recognition for its unique feature set.

8849 TANK 5 Pro: price and availability

• How much does it cost? From $1150/£885/€809
• When is it out? Available by November 20 2026
• Where can you get it? Direct from the maker or via an online retailer

8849 has announced that this phone will be available from November 15, 2026 in the USA, with other regions from November 20, 2026, directly from the maker.

There are three SKUs: 16GB+512GB, 18GB+512GB and 18GB+1TB - US pricing for the three is $1149/ $1,199/$1,299, respectively. In the UK, that’s £885/£924/£1001, and in the EU those prices are €1.045,95/€1.091,95/€1.182,95.

Where is it cheapest? America obviously. It’s more than $20 per SKU in the EU and $45 more in the UK, making that location the most expensive place to buy.

Not sure why the UK gets the thin end of that wedge, but that’s the price 8849 decided.

I’ve noticed that 8849 has ditched the 16GB model of the original Tank 5, and it now only comes in the 18GB+512GB option for $999.99, £770 or €910,95 depending on your region.

That makes the inclusion of a Thermal camera an extra $200, £154 or €181 for each area.

But if it were my money, I’d buy the 16GB+512GB Tank 5 Pro model, as most people would never notice the difference, and it’s only $150 more than the 18GB+512GB Tank 5, and it has the thermal camera.

Competition is thin. Rugged phones with thermal cameras exist, but none that I know of also pack a projector that I’m aware of. The Oukitel WP70 Ultra offers thermal imaging and a 16,000mAh battery, but it’s not released, and no price has been confirmed.

The real comparison is with a standalone thermal imager, like those by ThermalMaster, but these typically start at around $250 for a USB-connected camera.

What these add-on cameras lack is the ability to merge the thermal data with conventional light camera data for image fusion, which makes for much better readability.

Obviously, this isn’t a cheap phone, but in terms of specifications and features, it seems like good value, especially if you live in America.

Unfortunately, the flip side of being in the USA is that the service providers are notoriously anti-consumer, and you will need to be on AT&T to use the Tank 5 or Tank 5 Pro. Curiously, other 8849 phones and tablets support Verizon and T-Mobile only.

In Canada, you can use Bell, Rogers, Videotron, Freedom, and Telus. In the UK, most will work, including EE, H3G, Sky, Telefonica(O2), Virgin, Vodafone and Gamma. Australians can use Optus, Telstra and VHA. Major carriers in other countries are supported, so you should be good if you check the supported frequencies before buying.

• Value score: 4/5

8849 TANK 5 Pro: Specs

8849 TANK 5 Pro: Design

• Thick and heavy
• Vents for the projector on both sides
• Now with a thermal camera

Hold the Tank 5 Pro, and it feels exactly like the Tank 5, which is good if you want something that feels built to double as a sledgehammer. The chassis blends brushed metal plates, rubberised corner armour and polycarbonate panels. It’s built for abuse, and if you drop it on your foot, you'll be the one giving, not the Tank 5 Pro.

The dimensions are identical to the Tank 5 at 177.1 x 87 x 33.8mm. So is the weight at 715g. That is surprising. A thermal module with its own shutter and optics has to go somewhere, and it must weigh something. Well, when I weighed it, the scales said 733g, so the thermal electronics don’t snub the laws of physics.

The thermal lens sits top right in the centrally positioned camera cluster, with the IR emitter below it. The visible light sensors are on the left. What’s great about this arrangement is that the primary sensor is physically close to the thermal camera, so when the two images are overlaid, there is almost no difference in the viewing angle between them, producing a good alignment when the data is merged.

The camping light bar, night vision lens, and four infrared LEDs remain in a V-shape in the middle of the back, which prevents this phone from offering wireless charging. Given the battery size, that wasn’t a practical option, so it's not a real loss.

The projector vents still split the left frame in two, and the right frame still has its second grille and fingerprint power key.

My verdict about this phone design remains unchanged, because the form factor is almost identical, and it's slightly heavier.

To be precise, this isn't a pocket phone, but one better suited to a belt holster or vehicle mount. Those travelling on foot wouldn’t take long to conclude this wasn’t the best phone to carry any distance.

One new note on the Tank 5 I made related to the thermal camera. 8849 recommends an operating range of 0°C to 35°C for the phone. That is fine for a summer survey, but not being able to handle below-zero temperatures might be an issue. It is less helpful for a winter loft inspection, which is exactly when thermal imaging earns its keep. However, if you want to warm up the Tank 5 Pro, running the projector for a couple of minutes will noticeably raise the device's temperature. And the thermal sensor has a range of -10°C to 400°C.

Design score: 4/5

8849 TANK 5 Pro: Hardware

• MediaTek Dimensity 9400e
• AMOLED display
• 17600 mAh fast charge battery

The Dimensity 9400e remains the star of this show, as it was on the Tank 5. It is a 4nm flagship chip, and it sits far above the mid-range silicon found in most rugged phones. The Immortalis G720 MC12 GPU keeps games and sustained workloads moving.

As I’ve already mentioned, this phone comes in three flavours, matching 16GB or 18GB of RAM with 512GB or 1TB of storage. My review hardware has 18GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. And I noticed that the only Tank 5 SKU now comes with this much memory.

The 6.73-inch AMOLED display is also unchanged. It runs at 3200 x 1440 with a 120Hz refresh rate and 3000 nits peak. My only complaint about this screen is that it needs a reflection-reducing coating or screen protector, but it can still be seen outdoors, thankfully.

Thermal work often means bright roofs and sunlit walls, and this screen copes most of the time. Protection is still Panda Glass rather than Gorilla Glass Victus, which remains a disappointment, if you like the latter.

The battery is 17,600mAh, built as two 8800mAh cells. That is how 120W charging works. A full charge takes about 90 minutes, and reverse charging at 25W turns the Pro into a field power bank.

There is a small caveat, and I only noticed it with this phone, not its predecessor. After charging at 120W for 90 minutes, the charger gets hot to the touch. I suspect this also happened with the Tank 5, but for whatever reason I didn’t notice.

In my experience, electronics that get hot eventually fail, so keep your receipt.

Another area worth mentioning is connectivity, since this platform supports WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 6.0, dual-frequency GPS, and eSIMs.

When I covered the Tank 5, the specs said Bluetooth 5.4, and now, magically, it's become version 6.0. Not sure what, if anything, changed there, but now both phones say the same BT 6.0 capability.

The eSIM shares the second SIM interface, so you can pair it with a Nano SIM and a microSD card, making a microSD less of a deal.

Overall, this is a terrific spec for a rugged phone.

• Hardware score: 4.5/5

8849 TANK 5 Pro: Cameras

• 50MP main + 50MP telephoto + 50MP night vision + Thermal camera
• 32MP on the front
• Five cameras in total

The 8849 Tank 5 has four cameras:

Rear camera: 50MP Samsung ISOCELL S5KGN1SP, 50MP OmniVision OV50C40, 50MP OmniVision OV50D40, FLIR Lepton 3.1R Thermal camera
Front camera: 32MP OV32B40

Here I’m going to focus exclusively on the Thermal sensor, because you can read my opinion of the other sensors in my Tank 5 review.

The Pro uses a FLIR Lepton 3.1R, which captures 160 x 120 native pixels, 19,200 calibrated temperature points. VividIR fuses frames in real time and upscales the image to 480 x 360. MSX overlays edges from the visible camera, making pipes, wires, and structures easier to read.

Those numbers sound modest, because they are. This is a compact sensor, not a professional handheld imager. Treat it as a very capable tool for finding problems, not for documenting them to survey grade.

Where it diverges from many phones that include a thermal sensor is the field of view, as 95 degrees is exceptionally wide. Typical thermal phones offer a 50 to 57-degree view, according to 8849, and that wider field is super-useful when you are working in a confined space. In a small room or a loft, that could be a big gain. You see more per frame, so you can scan faster and miss less, hopefully.

There is a trade-off, and it is simple maths. Spread 160 pixels across 95 degrees, and each pixel covers about 0.6 degrees. At 10 metres, one pixel spans roughly 10cm. That is my calculation from the stated field of view, not an 8849 figure. A small target at distance will be a handful of pixels, so that’s less of an issue.

I estimated that the nearest that this sensor will focus is about 15cm, which probably isn’t near enough to easily track problematic components on a circuit board unless they’re big.

Thermal sensitivity is under 50mK, or 0.05°C. That lets the Tank 5 Pro pick out subtle differences, such as damp patches or a warm pipe behind plaster.

There are two gain modes. High gain covers minus 10°C to 140°C, with finer detail for building work. Low gain stretches to 400°C for engines, machinery and flames.

Despite the resolution limitations of this sensor, what makes it exceptionally easy to use is the MyFLIR Pro app, which comes pre-loaded onto the phone.

As you might expect, it offers spot and area temperature readings, alarms, nine colour palettes, photo, video and time-lapse capture and picture-in-picture. Images are compatible with FLIR devices and FLIR Thermal Studio Suite for desktop analysis. That is a proper workflow, and it sets the Pro apart from cheaper thermal add-ons.

For those who need thermal accuracy, it’s a mixed bag. In high-gain mode, accuracy is ±5 °C or 5%, whereas in low-gain it's double that. To put that in simpler terms, low-gain isn’t suitable for soufflé baking if your oven isn’t reliable.

In terms of Emissivity, there are four choices: matte (recommended, semi-matte, semi-gloss and glossy (not recommended. These settings allow you to match the texture of the object you are scanning, avoiding wildly inaccurate readings.

In video capture, the rate is only 7.9 fps, but with these devices, less than 9 fps is normal.

The team behind MyFLIR has focused on making it easy to use, and it certainly ticks those boxes. It still won’t compete with a dedicated camera for flexibility and accuracy, but for jobs like plumbing and working on engines, it's more than adequate.

8849 TANK 5 Pro Camera samples

• Camera score: 4/5

8849 Tank 5: Performance

• 4nm SoC
• Premium performance

Not sure if there is much value in comparing the Tank 5 Pro and the Tank 5, since under the hood it’s the same hardware. But if only to prove that, I cycled the benchmarks, and they’re within 1% of each other in most tests.

The Tank 5 Pro is a high-performance phone, as was its father before it, but what these numbers can’t show is the impact of running the thermal camera, as they don’t show the impact of using the conventional sensors or the projector.

Those tests are beyond the remit of this review, but undoubtedly the projector is a major drain on power, based purely on how warm the phone becomes when running it. The thermal sensor is much less demanding, and with 17600 mAh to play with, most users are unlikely to notice much impact.

The Tank 5 Pro is a powerful phone, so there is no change from its predecessor.

• Performance score: 4.5/5

8849 Tank 5: Final verdict

The Tank 5 Pro is the most capable rugged projector phone yet made, and it puts the cherry on that cake by being able to see heat.

Without question, the thermal camera is the reason to buy, as it makes the Tank 5 Pro the complete package. It isn’t the highest-resolution thermal solution around, but the 95-degree view makes it quick to use, and the FLIR software makes it credible.

Nothing else has changed, including the drawbacks. The phone is very heavy. The projector still needs darkness. And an update policy that 8849 now says covers five years needs to be proven. But given how competitive the rugged phone market has become, launching phones on a two-year life cycle probably isn’t enough for more savvy purchasers.

The choice is straightforward. Need thermal imaging? Buy the Pro. Do not need it? Buy the Tank 5 and pocket the extra cash. Well, not pocket it, since the phone definitely won't fit then, if it does now.

Should I buy a 8849 Tank 5?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Also Consider

For more ruggedized devices, we've reviewed the best rugged tablets, the best rugged laptops, and the best rugged hard drives

Record-breaker Sebastian Sawe, who finished first at London earlier this year, used Garmin's cheapest watch, the now-outdated Garmin Forerunner 55. Almgren also opted for a budget-friendly, light running watch to help cross the finish line, rather than an expensive powerhouse like an Apple Watch Ultra 4 or Garmin Fenix 9 Pro.

It just goes to show that you can spend under $250 / £230 and still get a fantastic running watch worthy of the best runners in the world.

Coros Pace 4

We reviewed the Coros Pace 4 in February this year and awarded it 4/5 stars. Our reviewer praised its performance compared to its price, calling it 'a specialized, budget-friendly watch that balances high-end display technology and dedicated functionality for athletes'.

It's less a smartwatch and more a dedicated training tool, made entirely of lightweight plastic rather than any stylish (but heavier) metal elements. It packs up to 19 days of battery life, a huge improvement over smartwatches from Apple, Samsung, or Google, and even most Garmins, making it ideal for athletes who are doing a lot of GPS-powered, battery-sucking long runs and want to track their sleep on top, all without charging.

Speaking of GPS, that dual-frequency GNSS chipset ensures that the watch will be able to find you better amongst tall buildings — a perfect choice for, for example, the New York City Marathon. As our review put it, 'the ability to connect across two frequencies is designed to improve positional accuracy in challenging environments such as cities and forests'.

However, it's not as smartwatchy as other watches; it has limited notifications and call management functionality, and no third-party apps to speak of. Samsung and Google have the Play Store, Apple has the App Store, and even Garmin has the ConnectIQ store, but Coros is strictly a self-contained training ecosystem.

You can link it to other apps like Strava or control media through the watch, but you don't get custom-built applications on the watch the way you do with other devices.

However, elite runners don't want those things: they want a lightweight, long-lasting training tool that works, with virtual pacing, accurate positional GPS, and heart rate tracking. In all of these aspects, the Coros Pace 4 delivers — and at $249 USD / £229 UK / AU$479.95, it's surprisingly well-priced.

A Black Friday bargain?

We're currently reviewing the Coros Pace 4 Pro, the Pace 4's successor. It's shaping up to be every bit as good as the standard 4, but even more exciting is what this means for the Pace 4 — when a new watch comes out, the older one is likely to drop in price, especially during big sales events.

With Black Friday on the horizon (November 27), if you're shopping for a new running watch, I'd keep an eye out for the Coros Pace 4. With the Pace 4 Pro out, the Pace 4 could drop from an already excellent value price down to an absolute steal. Check TechRadar during the Black Friday deals period — if the Coros Pace 4 drops, we'll tell you about it.

Somehow, it seems to start earlier every year. Yes, many of this year's Black Friday sales are already underway in the UK this month. So, with more expected to go live soon and new offers dropping all the time, I'm here to ask if any of these early deals are good.

That's what I'm here to help with: hunting down only the very best offers that are worth spending your cash on if you're planning to do some early shopping. And with price promises or guarantees in place at many stores, it can make sense to take advantage of current deals if anything catches your eye or if you want to spread out your spending.

Big names such as Argos, Currys, AO, Dyson, EE, and Shark/Ninja have all kicked off sales now. I've looked through all of these and more to pick out several standout deals on TVs, appliances, games consoles, laptops, phones, and more.

You can use the quick list below to browse the sales for yourself, or head further down for my top picks from all the deals currently available. I've chosen these based on price history and our own testing here at TechRadar, so you can feel confident that these are some of the best tech products at genuinely good prices. Plus, I've chucked in a few bargain gift ideas if you're looking for some inspiration.

Stick with us, as I'll be back to bring you more updates as the rest of the team and I find more highlights.

The best Black Friday sales — quick links

• Amazon: up to 60% off tech & essentials
• AO: up to 30% off appliances, laptops & TVs
• Argos: up to 50% off appliances, tech & toys
• Boots: half-price beauty & gift sets
• Currys: save £1,000s on TVs, laptops & tech
• Dell: up to 25% off laptops
• Dyson: up to £150 off vacuums & hair care
• EE: up to £400 off phones & consoles
• John Lewis: gifts from under £20
• Nintendo: save on Switch 2 bundles
• O2: up to £1,000+ off iPhone
• Samsung: up to £300 off TVs & phones
• Shark/Ninja: up to 30% off
• Sky: TV & broadband packages from £22/m
• Tesco: SIM-only deals from £9.50/m
• Very: up to 50% off toys, tech & fashion
• Virgin Media: broadband & TV from £21.99

My top 33 early Black Friday deals

Around 1,500 malicious instances of ARTEX were found on the internet, available to anyone who knew where to look, experts have warned.

Security researchers Censys said they identified 1,465 hosts running exposed ARTEX consoles. Of those, 155 (roughly 10%) were also running at least one tool commonly used in cyberattacks, including Cobalt Strike, Vshell, or Adaptix C2. They also found 32 publicly accessible directories on ARTEX hosts, some of which exposed exploit binaries, post-exploitation tools, and other sensitive files.

Usually, the ARTEX console does not require public-facing access, the researchers said, stressing that overall global deployment is “likely higher”.

Hijacking ARTEX

ARTEX is a legitimate penetration testing tool hijacked for malicious purposes, meaning at least some of these instances were set up by threat actors.

The story of ARTEX is similar to that of the now infamous Cobalt Strike. It was released by a developer called Autumn-27, who also authored ScopeSentry - a tool Censys describes as a “widely used Chinese asset-discovery and vulnerability-scanning platform”.

The researchers described ARTEX as an “AI agent layer on top of that recon foundation”. In other words - it is an LLM-powered version of Scope Sentry that syncs assets found by the tool’s domains, subdomains, IPs, ports, and endpoints.

ARTEX was released in late July 2026 and quickly gained popularity. On October 7, security researchers CrowdStrike reported seeing it used in malicious attacks and a day later, the developer distanced themselves from the illicit activity and stressed the tool was built for testing within authorized asset scopes. They then turned it into a closed-source tool with no further releases. However, despite the repository being taken down, Censys claims archived copies, translations, and different rebrands are still circulating.

Since then, numerous researchers observed it being used in different attacks. The CrowdStrike report described an unidentified threat actor using ARTEX to target South Korean financial institutions. The attacker, believed to be a financially-motivated Chinese actor (as opposed to being a state-sponsored one), compromised a broker-facing loan inquiry service at one bank and an employee mobile system at another. In both instances, they walked away with sensitive data.

They used ARTEX with DeepSeek v4.1-flash as their primary AI model, while also running Claude Code and Grok. The researchers found the operation in part because the attackers left publicly accessible directories where they exposed prompts, session histories, and ARTEX configuration files.

Censys later said the directories had been left exposed in mid-August, roughly seven weeks before CrowdStrike published its findings. File names also suggested they were targeting payment and gaming services, as well.

At one point Microsoft linked it to Storm-0940, a China-aligned threat actor responsible for compromising ConnectWise Cloud Backup customer environments. Apparently, the threat actors used ARTEX to automate scanning, password spraying, and OAuth application abuse, peaking at 2,900 sign-in attempts per minute at one point. Some Microsoft’s customers were allegedly seeing privileged cloud access granted in less than three hours.

Exposing their own infrastructure

Now, Censys says ARTEX is being paired with other offensive tools. At least 70 hosts were seen running both ARTEX and CyberStrikeAI, and others were seen deploying PentAGI, HexStrike AI, and RedAmon. Ironically enough, the researchers also found some actors had inadvertently exposed sensitive information through poorly secured directories. One installation exposed the operator’s entire home directory, including SSH configuration files and shellac command history, while others contained Windows lateral movement tools, malware implants, reverse-shell scripts, and exploit code.

Censys also stressed that not all of the exposed instances are malicious. They also said that roughly 650 of the detected hosts belonged to two groups of identically configured hosting infrastructure, leaving approximately 815 unique installations.

Best For: Home office workers, professionals spending long hours at a desk, and anyone wanting extensive ergonomic adjustments.

The Deal: The Hinomi X2 Pro Ergonomic Office Chair is reduced from $899 to $699 for Black Friday, saving $200 (22%). The promotion runs from November 1 through November 30.

Why we recommend it

Finding an office chair that fits properly can be difficult, particularly if you're taller, shorter, or regularly change how you sit. The Hinomi X2 Pro addresses this with a height range of 5'1" to 6'6" and 15 adjustable elements.

Its four-panel backrest supports different areas of your back, adapting to changes in posture. The 3D lumbar system offers additional adjustment for your lower back, and the 6D armrests can be repositioned to suit different tasks, including typing, reading, and leaning back.

The wear-resistant mesh upholstery will help with ventilation, and the aluminum alloy frame and base promise a sturdy foundation. The chair supports up to 330 lbs and has been tested to BIFMA standards, with verification by TÜV. Hinomi also offers a warranty of up to 10 years.

In his four-star review of the Hinomi X1, our expert Collin said: "This chair has fantastic adjustability, allowing it to be customized to your liking and even your specific use case." He summed up his review saying: "All around, this is a fantastic chair. If you are looking for a great ergonomic chair, this one is a great one to consider."

For more of our favorites, see our guide to the best office chairs we've tested.

Price context & historical value

The Hinomi X2 Pro normally sells for $899, but the Black Friday promotion brings it down to $699, a huge $200 saving. This is the lowest price of 2026, and the deal runs until November 30.

British buyers can snap up the chair for £699, down from £899, from here.

Should you buy it?

✅ Buy the Hinomi X2 Pro if...

If you spend a lot of your working day sitting and want a chair with extensive adjustments. The four-panel backrest, 3D lumbar support, and 6D armrests offer plenty of ways to tailor the fit, and the mesh upholstery and substantial warranty add to its appeal.

❌ Skip the Hinomi X2 Pro if...

You don't spend a lot of time sitting at your desk or prefer a traditional padded office chair. Even with $200 off, the X2 Pro is a considerable investment, and its extensive adjustment options may be unnecessary for some users.

• Shop all the office chairs on sale at Hinomi

The big day here. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time has launched on Nintendo Switch 2, which means there's a good chance we'll see a restock of the beautiful Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition of the console. If you're still on the hunt for one yourself, we'll be bringing you all the latest stock updates right here, as we hope to see more consoles at retailers over the next few days.

The unfortunate news is that there is very little info on any confirmed stock drops this week. After some brief activity at Amazon, Walmart, Target, and the official Nintendo Store, things have been very quiet lately.

We have seen that more stock should be on the way, more specifically at the Nintendo Store, so we're hopeful that more consoles will arrive at some point. It's just difficult to pin down an exact time frame.

Whatever happens, we're poised and ready to bring you all the latest on restocks and availability. Below, you'll find all the key retailer links to bookmark and follow, as well as live updates from me as I track every restock as and when it happens.

Zelda Nintendo Switch 2 — US restock quick links

• 📦Amazon: check stock📦
• 🧑‍🔧Nintendo Store: more stock coming soon🧑‍🔧
• 🏷️Best Buy: check for in-store restock🏷️
• 🎮GameStop: restock coming soon🎮
• 🎯Target: check stock🎯
• 🔆Walmart: sold out🔆

Zelda Nintendo Switch 2 — UK restock quick links

• 📦Amazon: check here and here📦
• 🧑‍🔧Nintendo Store: check stock🧑‍🔧
• 🟥Argos: check stock🟥
• 𝓥 Very: check stock 𝓥
• 🟡ShopTo: check stock🟡
• 🧸Smyths Toys: sold out🧸
• 📱EE: sold out📱
• ©️Currys: sold out©️
• 🛍️John Lewis: sold out🛍️

That said, there are loads of microphones on the market right now that all offer their own unique sets of features. That's why I've put together this definitive microphone guide, based on my own hands-on testing and the work of the wider TechRadar team. I've considered all the most important factors here, including price, performance, compatibility, and, perhaps most significantly, whether they actually offer good value for money.

I've also kept the appearance of each model in mind, as how a microphone looks on camera is incredibly important if you want to look professional while using a face cam. I have even included a couple more premium options specifically geared towards those interested in other types of content creation, like podcasting or voice acting.

Best microphones for streaming in 2026

The best overall microphone for streaming

The Blue Yeti is a microphone that should need no introduction; it's a legendary mic that to this day is the mainstay of many a streamer's desktop setup. Now, more than a decade and a half later, it finally has a successor in the Logitech Yeti 2. And what a step-up it is.

The Logitech Yeti 2, according to reviewer Alex Blake, is "one of the best consumer desktop mics on the market," and it's difficult to disagree. The Yeti sequel delivers enhanced sound quality, yes, but also a bevy of handy features like an on-device display showing you your settings at an immediate glance.

Build quality is similarly exceptional, which is certainly something we've come to expect from the Logitech brand. It looks sleek and unintrusive on a desk, without robbing it of the original Blue Yeti's iconic design sensibilities.

It is a touch pricier than its predecessor. However, that's to be expected after 17 years. Thankfully, it's priced very fairly at $159.99 / £139.99, making the Logitech Yeti 2 a very competitive mid-range mic. We can't recommend it enough.

• Read more: Logitech Yeti 2 review

The best budget microphone for streaming

Yes, the Blue Snowball is almost old enough to vote, but it remains an incredibly popular budget choice that's still in production. Why? Well, its timeless aesthetics are one thing, but it's also just an incredibly performant product that punches well above its price point.

The Blue Snowball is the perfect fit for a new streamer or someone looking to upgrade their current setup without breaking the bank. It is incredibly easy to set up as far as microphones go thanks to its plug-and-play design, which means that it is good to go straight out of the box without having to worry about any additional software. The Snowball mic costs $69.99 / £74.99 / AU$195.25, which isn’t a lot when you consider the unique design and the level of quality on offer.

The Blue Snowball also comes equipped with three distinct audio pickup patterns, which provide a good degree of flexibility and should ensure that you stay heard in a range of different positions The Cardioid mode focuses on capturing a single voice from the front, making it perfect for a solo stream. The Omnidirectional mode, on the other hand, picks up noise in a roughly spherical pattern making it also ideal for group streams or podcasts. Few other microphones at this price point offer a similar level of versatility.

• Read more: Blue Snowball review

The best premium microphone for streaming

No other microphone on this list delivers the same level of polish and presence as the Razer Seiren V3 Pro. The first thing I noticed was its weighty metal body and robust, angled stand—a visual statement that looks undeniably premium as part of a streaming setup.

Naturally it doesn't just win out in the looks department; it produced crisp, broadcast-ready audio the moment I plugged it in, with no tweaks or adjustments required. Though as we'll get to, options and tweaks certainly are there if you're looking for them.

What really sets the Seiren V3 Pro apart are its professional-grade features under the hood. Built-in digital signal processing brings tools like an expander, compressor, noise gate, and reverb, while the AI noise suppression tech did an impressive job of cutting out background distractions during testing. If you're chasing the ultimate in headroom and audio safety, 32-bit float capture is available—but only if you use Razer’s companion app, which adds some setup complexity compared to true plug-and-play options.

As a Razer product, it typically impresses on build quality and feature set albeit at a pretty high price tag: here you’re paying for both presentation and substance, especially if you care about on-stream polish and granular control.

Though, for streamers and content creators who want their voice (and their setup) to look and sound as professional as possible—and who are willing to invest in top-tier kit—the Seiren V3 Pro more than justifies its premium price.

• Read more: Razer Seiren V3 Pro review

Best RGB

The HyperX DuoCast is one of the most eye-catching microphones on the market, thanks in no small part to the highly customizable RGB ring around the base of the microphone.

In addition to looking the part thanks to the colorful lighting ring, it sounds great and delivers clear high-quality audio alongside a host of convenient features like a speedy tap-to-mute button - which can be a real life saver in the middle of a stream. There is also a useful gain control dial to help you tweak your settings while streaming.

Packed in alongside a tabletop shock mount (to help prevent unwanted noise) and boom arm attachment, you’re buying an entire setup rather than just a microphone, which should substantially cut down your need to spend on other accessories.

Whether all of this justifies the $99.99 / £99.98 / AU$179 price is going to depend on your budget and preferences but, if you're shopping solely for a microphone with good RGB lighting, this is one of your best options right now.

• Read more: HyperX DuoCast review

The best mid-range microphone for streaming

No other models on this list offer the same level of flair as the SteelSeries Alias, a seriously premium gaming microphone from the well-regarded peripheral manufacturer SteelSeries. Its attractive design is extremely appealing and sure to enhance the look of your streaming setup.

The microphone features an incredibly useful LED display that indicates your current gain level. It flashes red when it exceeds your desired level, making it easy to stay within range and deliver the best possible audio experience to your viewers. It also provides a useful visual indicator to show when the microphone is muted, controlled via a convenient touch sensitive button on the front of the capsule, offering additional peace of mind. Elsewhere, you’re getting a small ring of RGB lighting and an easily accessible gain dial.

All of this comes in materials that feel extremely high-end and the audio quality offers good performance to match. While the clear and clean sound of the Alias is comparable to some of the cheaper models on this list (like the Blue Yeti after some software tweaking) it is able to deliver it out of the box with such fantastic presentation that we think more than justifies the additional cost. If you have the cash to invest in a premium option, this is one of the best around.

• Read more: SteelSeries Alias review

Best compact

The Rode X XCM-50 is part of Rode's gaming range and therefore specifically tailored mic for streamers and gamers. It delivers clear, detailed audio to both your audience and your teammates and, when paired with the accompanying Unify software, grants an additional degree of control over your overall audio levels. Its compact design is also seriously small, letting you save space on your desk and helping create a cleaner looking setup than most.

The microphone's sensitivity also means you don’t need to get super close in order to guarantee rich and clear audio. The desktop tripod the microphone ships with is incredibly easy to set up and will likely suit any streamer if you don’t have access to a boom arm.

Despite the small size of the microphone itself, however, the tripod is quite large so it is worth factoring in if you are only considering the Rode X XCM-50 because of its low profile design. The Rode X XCM-50 is also more expensive than many alternative USB microphones and, with a $249 / £170 / AU$239 asking price, this is one that we recommend to professional content creators rather than those just starting out.

• Read more: Rode X XCM-50 review

Best microphones for streaming: FAQs

With three temperature settings, a waterproof surface, and a built-in digital display, it's designed to make long sessions at your desk far more comfortable.

Best For: Home workers, students, gamers, and anyone who spends hours at a computer in a chilly room.

The Deal: The Afenau 80 x 33cm heated mouse pad costs £17.59 at Amazon. It offers three heat settings, a waterproof PU leather surface, and automatic shut-off.

Best Heated Mouse Pad deal

Why we recommend it

With heating bills remaining a concern during the cost of living crisis, the Afenau heated mouse pad offers a way to keep your hands toasty warm without turning up the heating. Measuring 80 x 33cm, it provides enough space for a keyboard and mouse, with heating elements that cover 95% of its surface.

There are three selectable temperatures: 40°C, 45°C, and 50°C and the digital display in the upper-left corner shows the selected temperature, which the heating system can reach in 10 seconds.

The polyurethane surface is waterproof and resistant to everyday spills and scratches, with a non-slip underside to keep everything in place. At 550g, the mat can be rolled up for storage when you're not using it.

There's a visual reminder designed to encourage you to take a break after an hour of sitting and automatic shut-off offers another safeguard.

Price context & historical value

At £17.59, the Afenau heated mouse pad is an inexpensive way to add warmth to your desk without investing in a heater. Its combo of adjustable temperatures, waterproof construction, and digital controls provide several features beyond those of a conventional desk mat.

This is the cheapest price we've seen it at, so if you want to stay warm while working this winter, I'd definitely recommend it.

Should you buy it?

✅ Buy the Afenau heated mouse pad if...

If you work in a chilly room or suffer from cold hands, this is a great solution. The large dimensions, three heat settings, and wipe-clean finish make it a practical desk accessory.

❌ Skip the Afenau heated mouse pad if...

If your workspace is already warm or you need something that heats the entire room. No manufacturer warranty is specified either.

• Shop all desk pads at Amazon

NymVPN has rolled out version 2026.15 of its apps, headlined by anti-censorship bridges designed to keep the service working on networks that try to block VPNs outright.

The update lands on every platform — Android/F-Droid (v2026.15.1), iOS, macOS, Windows and Linux —and is the decentralized VPN’s latest push to stay usable wherever VPNs are unwelcome.

From hotel and airport Wi-Fi to corporate networks, university campuses, and even national firewalls, VPN connections are routinely blocked at the ports and protocols they depend on.

This is the kind of problem the best VPN services are increasingly looking to solve. Version 2026.15 of NymVPN takes that problem head-on, arriving alongside longer battery life, tighter account controls, and a series of reliability fixes.

Getting past the block

Leading the latest update is the new anti-censorship bridges feature.

Bridges are adaptive tools: when a network attempts to shut down VPN traffic, an ordinary connection simply fails, leaving users stranded on an unprotected network — or offline entirely. The new bridges detect the interference and re-establish the connection through whatever route is still open.

Users have three options:

• Auto: the sensible default for most, starts every connection on standard WireGuard and switches to a bridge if the network interferes;
• On: forces a bridged connection everywhere, useful for anyone traveling through heavily censored regions;
• Off: disables bridging entirely.

Nym pitches the feature for restrictive Wi-Fi and censored countries — anywhere a straightforward VPN connection stands little chance of surviving.

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Practical improvements across the board

Away from censorship work, the update tackles the annoyance of battery drain. NymVPN previously checked a user’s remaining fair usage data over the network frequently enough to take a noticeable toll on battery life. That accounting now happens locally, and the app checks in with the network sparingly as a result.

Connection statuses have been made more trustworthy as well. Notifications now track the true state of the tunnel, putting an end to false "connected" flashes and ensuring error states persist only for as long as the underlying problem does.

On Android, the server list now opens instantly from cache and updates quietly in the background, while SOCKS5 connections shut down cleanly on disconnect.

Account control gets a boost as well.

Android users can now delete their account from inside the app. Across all platforms, the pre-expiry notice for plans and free passes has been upgraded from a passive heads-up to a full dialog with the option to renew directly.

The momentum continues

The pace of development is telling. Earlier this year, version 2026.12 brought one-click connections, reworked WireGuard handshakes for steadier mobile use, expanded split tunneling, and added a new six-month pricing tier — while retiring the two-year plan.

More is close behind. The next release promises QR code support for faster account setup, auto-connect, and country exclusion for finer control over where traffic travels. Further out, an optional lockdown mode will block every connection whenever the VPN isn’t active.

Nym is also letting users steer the NymVPN roadmap directly: feature proposals and votes on nym.com determine what rises to the top of the development queue. For a young, decentralized VPN finding its feet, that open-door approach may prove just as important as any single update.