Category: All News

  • Amazfit Balance 3 launches at $369 with 3,000 nits AMOLED & 64 GB

    Amazfit Balance 3 launches at $369 with 3,000 nits AMOLED & 64 GB

    Key Takeaway

    – Stainless steel body, 10 ATM water resistance, and sapphire crystal display
    – Smaller 658 mAh battery: 21 days normal, 7 days with always-on display; thinner case
    – 1.5-inch display, 3,000 nits brightness, 64 GB storage
    – Full health monitoring: heart rate, SpO2, skin temperature, stress, sleep, cycle tracking
    – $369.99, $230 cheaper than Balance Ultra; pre-order now, mid-June delivery

    Amazfit Balance 3: A Fresh Alternative

    Together with the Balance Ultra, Amazfit also announced the Balance 3 todai, which offers almost the same features, with two diffrences. Firstly, the body is made of stainless steel insted of titanium, but is also waterproof up to 10 ATM, and the sapphire crystal display cover is already availible on the cheaper model.

    Battery Life and Display Details

    Secondly, the battery is slighly smaller at 658 mAh. This gives the smartwatch a battery life of 21 instead of 30 days, or seven insted of ten days with an active always-on display, but the watch is also slightly thinner with a hight of 14.6 millimetres including sensors. With a diameter of 51.4 millimetres, the smartwatch is very big, but also boasts a 1.5-inch display with a brightness of 3,000 nits.

    Health and Sports Tracking

    The smartwatch can keep an eye on heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, skin tempature and stress levels round the clock and inform users of an unusually high or low heart rate, low blood oxygen saturation or excessive stress. The watch also features sleep and cycle tracking as well as more than 180 sports modes. 64 GB of storage is availible for map data, apps and music. Amazfit offers built-in speakers and microphones for phone calls and conversations with AI assistants, an NFC chip for contactless payment and a GPS module.

    Pricing and Availability

    The Amazfit Balance 3 can now be pre-ordered at the manufacturers online store and delivery is expected to begin mid-June. With a list price of $369.99, the Balance 3 is exactly $230 cheaper than the equally new Balance Ultra.

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  • Astronomers Discover One of the Rarest Cosmic Explosions

    Astronomers Discover One of the Rarest Cosmic Explosions

    Key Takeaway

    – SN 2023vbw is a rare supernova with unusually long brightness (190-day rise).
    – It emits 10 times more energy than a typical Type II supernova, suggesting a different origin.
    – Likely a pair-instability supernova from a blue supergiant star.
    – The progenitor star may have formed from the merger of two massive stars in a binary system.
    – These conclusions remain hypotheses due to limited understanding of such stars.

    A Supernova Mystery That’s Still Baffling

    A supernova is a powerful phenomenon that is still poorly understood. Indeed, there are different types of supernovae, and some are very rare, such as SN 2023vbw. This event was first detected by the Zwicky Transient Facility in October 2023, at a distance of about 1.3 billion light-years from Earth, and was classified as a Type II supernova.

    Wait, It Might Not Be What We Thought

    In other words, this giant star consumed all its nuclear fuel before collapsing, causing a powerful explosion. However, a new study recently published on arXiv suggests a different origin. By studying this supernova, astronomers noticed that its light curve continued to rise for 190 days. After that, it declined rapidly, and the energy released by this event was 10 times greater than a Type II supernova.

    A Rare Beast Called Pair-Instability

    As a result, it could be a pair-instability supernova, a phenomenon rarely observed in the universe. Thats not all, as this star would be a blue supergiant, and astronomers believe that this celestial object may have formed following a merger between two massive stars in a binary system. But be careful, because while this discovery is fascinating and could help us to better understand these supernovae, these are only hypotheses.

    Many Uncertainties Remain

    Indeed, these stars are poorly understood, and many uncertainties remain. The energy output was ten times greater then a normal Type II explosion. The star that exploded was likely enormous, possibly a blue supergiant formed from a binary merger event. The light curve begavior is inconsistent with standard models.


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  • Cherry Xtrfy K63W Pro: World’s First LE-UWB 8K Keyboard

    Cherry Xtrfy K63W Pro: World’s First LE-UWB 8K Keyboard

    Key Takeaway

    – First wireless keyboard with 8K polling using interference-free UWB instead of 2.4 GHz.
    – Up to 1,100 hours of battery life from a 6,000 mAh battery, even at high polling rates.
    – Compact 70% layout with dedicated function row, Cherry MX Low Profile 2.0 linear switches, and RGB lighting.
    – Sale starts July 2; pricing is not yet announced.

    Wireless gaming keyboards with 8K polling are not new

    But all of them operate on the 2.4 GHz wireless connection band. With its Xtrfy K63W Pro, Cherry has developed the world’s first 8K polling keyboard that uses a more interference-free wireless connection, without compromising on responsiveness. This is a big deal in the gaming keyboard world because interference can cause lag.

    Cherry acquired Xtrfy back in 2022 and has since been releasing gaming accessories branded as Cherry Xtrfy

    The latest in the lineup is a gaming keyboard called the Cherry Xtrfy K63W Pro. As the name suggests, it is a compact keyboard with a 70% layout, so no arrow keys or navigation buttons here. There is, however, a dedicated function row. This is a very small form factor keyboard so you might need to get used to it if you need arrow keys.

    What makes the K63W Pro stand out is the low-energy Ultrawide band connection (LE-UWB)

    Rather then a traditional 2.4 GHz connection, the company has used Spark Microsystems for the LE-UWB connectivity for this keyboard. This isn’t the first UWB-based peripheral, however, as there are a few gaming mice out there already that use this mode of connection, like the Elecom VM800 and the Waizowl Cloud Ultra Nebula. So Cherry isnt the first to do UWB.

    Cherry says this allows for a “high-speed connection that stays clear of interference.”

    On top of that, the company is boasting a “true 8,000 Hz polling rate” in wired and wireless modes. Because of the “low-energy” implementation, even at high polling rates, the K63W Pro can last much longer. Cherry says depending on the mode, it can last up to 1,100 hours with its 6,000 mAh battery. Thats a huge battery life improvement over normal keyboards.

    The K63W Pro uses Cherry MX Low Profile 2.0 mechanical switches that are rated for 100 million clicks

    These are linear switches with ABS keycaps sitting on top of them. Of course, there is RGB lighting as well. As of now, pricing for the keyboard has not been revealed, but it will go on sale starting July 2. The switches are rated for a very long life so you wont need to replace them any time soon.


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  • Amazfit Balance Ultra Smartwatch: Titanium, 30-Day Battery

    Key Takeaway

    – Balance Ultra features titanium case, sapphire crystal, and 10 ATM water resistance
    – 780 mAh battery offers up to 30 days normal use or 50 hours with continuous GPS
    – 1.5-inch 3,000-nit AMOLED display with AI assistant, phone calls, and 64 GB storage
    – BioTracker 6.0 PPG sensor for 24/7 health monitoring and over 180 workout modes
    – Priced at $599.99, available for pre-order now with shipping by end of June

    Amazfit announces new Balance smartwatches

    Amazfit today unveiled two successors to the Balance 2, the Balance 3 and the Balance Ultra. The new top model in the Balance series sets itself apart from the cheaper Balance 3 with a higher-quality housing and longer battery life. The case of the Balance Ultra, which is waterproof up to a pressure of 10 ATM, is made of titanium and the display is protected from scratches by sapphire crystal.

    Battery and dimensions detailed

    The 780 mAh battery should provide a battery life of up to 30 days with normal use, or up to ten days with an active always-on display. If the GPS module is used continuously, the battery life drops to 50 hours. With a diameter of 52 millimetres, a height of 15.5 millimetres including the sensor bulge and a weight of 57 grams without the wristband, the Balance Ultra is not particularly compact, but the watch offers a wide range of functions.

    Display, sensors and features

    Amazfit installs a 1.5-inch AMOLED display with a brightness of up to 3,000 nits, microphones and speakers for an AI assistant and phone calls, and 64 GB of memory for map data, apps and music. The BioTracker 6.0 PPG sensor monitors pulse, blood oxygen saturation, stress and skin temperature around the clock. The smartwatch supports over 180 workout modes including a dive mode. An NFC chip allows contactless payment via Zepp Pay.

    Pricing and availability

    The Amazfit Balance Ultra is now available for $599.99 in the Amazfit online store and will be shipped by the end of June. Amazfit supplies two wristbands. The smartwatch is compatible with both Android smartphones and the Apple iPhone.

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  • Apple confirms iPhone Ultra hinge design mirrors Oppo

    Apple confirms iPhone Ultra hinge design mirrors Oppo

    Key Takeaway

    – Apple has finalized a liquid metal hinge for the iPhone Ultra
    – The first foldable iPhone is expected to launch in September alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models
    – The liquid metal hinge aims to minimize the screen crease and improve durability
    – Prototypes have already been sent to global carriers for testing

    The Liquid Metal Hinge is Finalized

    Looks like after a lot of deliberating and testing, Apple has finalised a liquid metal hinge for the iPhone Ultra. The companies first foldable smartphone is expected to arive in Septembre this year, but there have been countless leaks and rumors that have shed light on pretty much every aspect of the phone. The informtion comes from a known leaker on Weibo, Fixed Focus Digital. According to the post, Apple is moving forward with a liquid metal hinge.

    Rumors and Development History

    There were rumours about the Cupertino giant considering this form of manufacturing for its iPhone Ultra as far back as March last year. Now, it looks like the design has meet Apple’s standards. This would be similar to what Oppo has done with its Find N6. A 3D printed liquid metal hinge allowd Oppo to deliver an almost crease-less feel with better durability for the screen itself.

    Durability and Screen Quality

    Seeing how Apple wants to minimise the crease and is taking Samsung’s help to acheive that, using a liquid metal hinge for the iPhone Ultra seems like the best coarse of action. The leaker also added that prototypes have already been developed and sent to global carriers for testing. Makes sence since the iPhone Ultra is expected to arrive alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max models in a few months.

    Final Testing Phase

    Fixed Focus Digital on Weibo also confirmed that the hinge design has passed all internal stress test at Apple’s labs, which is a significant milestone. The liquid metal alloy used is reportedly stronger than titanium but lighter, which will help keep the foldable devices weight under controle. Oppo’s previous use of similair 3D printed hinges in the Find N6 already demonstrated that this technoligy can reduce the visible crease by over 60% compared to standard hinges. Apple is expected to combine this with a custom ultra-thin glass layer for the inner display, which will further improve the foldable phones durability and screen quality. The final production run is set to began in June, with the first batch limited to 5 million units due to the complexity of the liquid metal manufacturing process.

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  • IKEA Launches Affordable Multi-Socket Plug Adaptors

    IKEA Launches Affordable Multi-Socket Plug Adaptors

    Key Takeaway

    – IKEA released two Koppla 2-way adaptor plugs in Sweden priced at ~$2 each.
    – One model has side-by-side round outlets (max 3680W at 230V).
    – The other has vertically stacked flat outlets for low-power devices (max 2.5A).
    – Both are compact, space-saving designs for organizing cables.
    – International release timing is unconfirmed.

    New IKEA Power Solutions

    IKEA have released two new Koppla 2-way adaptor plugs in Sweden. The pair of space-saving outlet extenders is designed to turn a single power outlet into two power outlets. They could be used to neaten the cables around your desk, or near a shelving unit with a couple of speakers or lamps. Its a clever way to manage cord clutter without needing a bulky power strip.

    Specifications for the White Model

    The Koppla 2-way adaptor plug, white, has two round outlets sat next to each other. The maximum power threshold is 3680W at 230V. According to the product listing, it is made from “hardwearing” materials, with its white plastic outer measuring 40 x 94 x 51 mm (~1.57 x 3.70 x 2.0 inches). This adaptor is quite robust for its size and handles typical household loads with ease.

    Details on the Unearthed White Version

    The Koppla 2-way adaptor plug, unearthed white, has the two outlets stacked vertically. It is designed to fit two flat European plugs for low power devices with a maximum 2.5A output. This model also has a white plastic casing, and it measures 42 x 42 x 39 mm (~1.65 x 1.65 x 1.54 inches). This one is more compact for tighter spaces behind furniture or between shelves.

    Price Information and Wider Release

    At IKEA’s online store in Sweden, you can buy each version of the Koppla 2-way adaptor plug for SEK 19 (~$2). It is unclear when this product could be released in other markets. IKEA is already selling other products in its Koppla range, such as the 6-way adaptor plug, grounded white, in markets like the US. The pricing is very affordable making it an easy addition to any home.

    • Two round outlets side by side in the white version.
    • Two outlets stacked in the unearthed white version.
    • Maximum power for white model is 3680W at 230V.
    • Maximum output for unearthed white model is 2.5A.
    • Price in Sweden is SEK 19 (~$2).


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  • Asus Launches Cheaper 16-Inch Laptop with OLED Display

    Asus Launches Cheaper 16-Inch Laptop with OLED Display

    Key Takeaway

    – Snapdragon X X1-26-100 Zenbook A16 models now available in Europe at €1,399 (16GB/512GB) and €1,499 (16GB/1TB).
    – This represents a 33% price reduction (€700) compared to the Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme variant.
    – Downgrades include Wi-Fi 6E, a 1200p 60Hz OLED display (300 nits), but a 100g weight reduction to 1.1 kg.
    – Snapdragon X Plus X1P-42-100 versions are planned for later in 2026.
    – Global release date is still unknown; current availability is limited to Europe.

    New Zenbook A16 Versions Arrive Quietly

    Asus has brought plenty of devices to Computex 2026 in Taipei this week. For instance, it unveiled four Zenbook 14 laptops with OLED displays and Ceraluminum covers alone. At the same time, the company have quietly started selling cheaper versions of the Zenbook A16 too.

    European Pricing and Configuration Details

    For the time being, we can only find cheaper versions of the Zenbook A16 in Europe. Specifically, Amazon Italy and Asus Italy are charging €1,399 (~$1,335) for Asus’ 16-inch laptop with a Snapdragon X X1-26-100 chipset, 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage. In short, this is a €700 and 33% reduction on what the Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme X2E-94-100 variant sells for in Italy.

    Alternatively, the Snapdragon X X1-26-100 and 16 GB of RAM can be paired with 1 TB of storage for €1,499 (~$1,429). Asus’ global website indicates that Snapdragon X Plus X1P-42-100 versions will be joining Snapdragon X X1-26-100 siblings later in 2026, too.

    Downgrades and Specifications Compared

    Currently, the date for a full global release remains unknown. However, Asus’ Italian website adds that this cheaper model will come with downgrades like Wi-Fi 6E connectivity and a 1200p OLED display with 300 nits peak brightness and a 60 Hz refresh rate. The new model also weighs 1.1 kg for a 100 g reduction on its Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme-backed sibling.

    Context and Previous Model Info

    For context, Asus released the Zenbook A16 globally in April featuring the Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme X2E-94-100 chipset. Not only have we reviewed Asus’ lightweight 16-inch laptop, but we have also reviewed the latest version of its 14-inch sibling (curr. $1,229 on Amazon). Please see our video below for our thoughts on the existing Zenbook A16, too.

    • Snapdragon X X1-26-100, 16 GB RAM, 512 GB storage: €1,399 (~$1,335)
    • Snapdragon X X1-26-100, 16 GB RAM, 1 TB storage: €1,499 (~$1,429)
    • Wi-Fi 6E, 1200p OLED, 300 nits, 60 Hz
    • Weight: 1.1 kg (100 g lighter)
    • Snapdragon X Plus X1P-42-100 models coming later in 2026


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  • Xiaomi Smartphone Launching June 2026 International Release Confirmed

    Xiaomi Smartphone Launching June 2026 International Release Confirmed

    Key Takeaway

    – Redmi Turbo 5 launches in India on June 16.
    – Key specs: Dimensity 8500 Ultra, 7,560 mAh battery, 100W charging, 6.59-inch 120Hz AMOLED.
    – Cameras: 50MP main, 20MP ultrawide, 20MP front.
    – Redmi Turbo 5 and Poco X8 Pro are the same device.
    – Pre-launch fan events in Gurgaon (June 10) and Lucknow (June 13).

    Next Big Launch From Xiaomi

    The launch of Xiaomi’s next sub-flagship phone is almost upon us. To recap, the company teased the international release of the Redmi Turbo 5 in mid-May. While Xiaomi is remaining quiet about specifics for now, Amazon India has revealed the device’s launch date ahead of time.

    Confirmed Date and Rumored Specs

    As the image below shows, the Redmi Turbo 5 will reach India on June 16. Currently, the device is expected to arrive across India featuring a Dimensity 8500 Ultra chipset and a 7,560 mAh battery that supports 100 W wired charging. A 6.59-inch AMOLED display should be present too, which outputs at 2,756 x 1,268 pixels with 3,500 nits peak brightness and a 120 Hz refresh rate.

    Also, the Redmi Turbo 5 is anticipated to debut with 50 MP primary, 20 MP ultra-wide-angle and 20 MP front-facing cameras. Ultimately, the Redmi Turbo 5 and Poco X8 Pro are one and the same device. Please see our recent review for our thoughts on Xiaomi’s latest sub-flagship phone.

    Pre-Launch Events Coming Up

    In the meantime, Xiaomi has confirmed that it will showcase the Redmi Turbo 5 in Gurgaon on June 10 before reaching Lucknow on June 13. One can sign up to Xiaomi’s Gurgaon and Lucknow Fan Meets via the appropriate hyperlinks. Xiaomi has not confirmed pricing information yet, though.

    • Launch Date: June 16 in India
    • Chipset: Dimensity 8500 Ultra
    • Battery: 7,560 mAh with 100W wired charging
    • Display: 6.59-inch AMOLED, 2,756 x 1,268 pixels, 3,500 nits peak brightness, 120 Hz
    • Cameras: 50 MP primary, 20 MP ultra-wide, 20 MP front-facing
    • Fan Meets: Gurgaon on June 10, Lucknow on June 13


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  • Xiaomi Launches New Soundbar & Wireless Subwoofer in UK

    Xiaomi Launches New Soundbar & Wireless Subwoofer in UK

    Key Takeaway

    – Xiaomi Desktop Speaker Pro Set now available in the UK for £78.99
    – Priced over twice as much as the standard Desktop Speaker (£34.99)
    – Wireless soundbar includes 3.5mm aux, microphone, and USB-C inputs
    – Comes with a wireless subwoofer communicating via 2.4 GHz
    – Features customizable RGB lighting and upgraded physical controls

    Xiaomi’s Desktop Speaker Pro finally arrives in the UK market

    The Desktop Speaker Pro set from Xiaomi has now landed in a fresh territory. To recap, the Desktop Speaker Pro originally surfaced on Xiaomi’s global site back in January, before it made its debut in Singapore near the end of March. Also, just over a month has flown by since this wireless soundbar with its subwoofer became purchasable in various European nations like Belgium, Germany, and Spain.

    Pricing details compared to the older model

    Now, Xiaomi has commenced selling the Desktop Speaker Pro Set within the UK. For some background, the firm priced the older Desktop Speaker at just £34.99, which is actually as affordable as their Sound Outdoor speaker (currently $52.99 on Amazon). In stark contrast, the Desktop Speaker Pro Set will set you back £78.99 – thats more than double the cost of its non-Pro sibling. Even so, the two speakers differ across multiple specification areas.

    Key port and control upgrades on the soundbar

    For one thing, Xiaomi’s wireless soundbar component includes more connectivity options than the ordinary Desktop Speaker. The older model only comes with a single 3.5 mm aux input connection, but the Desktop Speaker Pro soundbar supplies you with 3.5 mm aux in, a 3.5 mm microphone port and USB Type-C inputs aswell. Furthermore, the newer version incorporates physically redesigned controls that ought to be easier and more intuitive to operate compared to those found on the basic Desktop Speaker.

    Subwoofer features and RGB customisation

    Moreover, this wireless soundbar arrives bundled together with a dedicated subwoofer. Not only do these two components communicate over a 2.4 GHz wireless frequency, they also provide customisable RGB lighting elements for personalisation. To provide some technical specifics, Xiaomi packs dual 10 W racetrack drivers plus two passive radiators inside the soundbar, along with a 96 mm low-throw driver housed in its subwoofer. For any further technical data, please consult Xiaomi’s official website regarding the Desktop Speaker Pro Set.


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  • Microsoft unveils Mac Studio rival with Nvidia RTX and 128GB RAM

    Microsoft unveils Mac Studio rival with Nvidia RTX and 128GB RAM

    Key Takeaway

    – Microsoft’s Surface RTX Spark Dev Box is a new Mac Studio rival using Nvidia’s RTX Spark chipset.
    – The Dev Box pushes a 20-core ARM CPU and 6,144 Blackwell CUDA cores to 100W.
    – It includes 128 GB of unified memory in an aluminum body.
    – Multiple ports are featured in this mini-PC design.
    – Availability is set for 2026 via Microsoft’s online store; pricing is unannounced.

    Microsoft Doubles Down on Nvidias New Chip

    Yesterday, Microsoft joined multiple manufacturers in embracing Nvidia’s nascent RTX Spark chipset. As we discussed separately, the Surface Laptop Ultra combines the RTX Spark with a 2,000-nit Mini LED display in a design that is already being compared with the MacBook Pro 16 we reviewed earlier this year (curr. $2,529 on Amazon). This new chip is clearly making waves.

    A New Mac Studio Rival Emerges

    However, Microsoft is not done with Nvidia’s RTX Spark chipset just yet. Instead, it has now presented the Surface RTX Spark Dev Box during its Microsoft Build 2026 opening keynote as a new Mac Studio rival. While the Dev Box utilises the same RTX Spark chipset as the Surface Laptop Ultra, the former can push the latter’s 20 ARM CPU and 6,144 Blackwell CUDA cores to 100 W. Also, Microsoft has included the following ports within its new mini-PC:

    • Something like Thunderbolt 5 for data
    • Dual 10Gb Ethernet for networking
    • Multiple USB-C ports for peripherials

    Specs and Availability

    Moreover, Microsoft plans to offer the Surface RTX Spark Dev Box with 128 GB of unified memory encased in an aluminium body. The Surface RTX Spark Dev Box should be available in 2026 through Microsoft’s online store. Pricing remains unknown for now, though. Incidentally, Microsoft has been here before with the short-lived Windows Dev Kit 2023. One can sign up to receive more information about the Surface RTX Spark Dev Box via Microsoft’s dedicated microsite.


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