News
- Amazon has made Alexa+ free to use on Fire TV devices
- You can ask it to find movie recommendations and also integrate it with other smart home devices
- The best part is that you don't need an Amazon Prime membership to make the most of it
Access to Amazon’s AI voice assistant, Alexa+, has always required a Prime membership — but now the company is upgrading it as a free-to-use tool on eligible Fire TV devices.
Rolling out to Fire TV owners in the US now, users will be able to make use of Alexa+ on the big screen at no additional fee. This includes current-generation Fire TV Sticks, the Fire TV Cube, and Amazon Ember smart TVs, as well as third-party smart TVs with Alexa built-in such as Hisense and Panasonic.
While the upgrade is limited to US users for now, Amazon shared that it will consider expanding to additional regions over time, so there’s light at the end of the tunnel for users outside of the US at least. It’s also great news for those who have a Fire TV device, but aren’t Amazon Prime members.
When Amazon launched Alexa+ back in February 2025, the tech giant threw Alexa+ access into its pool of Prime membership perks at no additional cost. For those without a Prime membership, a standalone Alexa+ subscription costs $19.99 a month.
Having a Fire TV device without a Prime membership is more than doable, as you can still watch titles from the best streaming services given that you’re subscribed to each of them separately. The only platform you won’t be able to access is Prime Video, as that’s one of the perks of being an Amazon Prime member.
As expected, Alexa+ on Fire TV devices is there to make your browsing experience more enjoyable and put an end to your indecisiveness when trying to find a Friday night movie or a new TV show to binge. Not only can you search for titles, but Alexa+ is also designed to better understand requests and follow-up questions.
(Image credit: Amazon)For example, if you like a particular actor, you can ask Alexa+ to compile a selection of their movies, or if you want to dive deeper into a specific genre, you can ask something like ‘recommend me a top-rated thriller’. From there, you can narrow down your search by asking for a recently released title, or be even more precise and ask for one with a female lead.
Outside of its entertainment assistance, Alexa+ on Fire TV also helps integrate your smart home ecosystem. If you have a Ring Video Doorbell, you can launch live camera feeds on your TV with a simple voice request — and these functionalities extend to other smart home devices, too.
Want to set the ambience in your home for a dinner party or movie night? You can ask Alexa+ on your Fire TV to dim the lights on compatible devices. Need to secure your home? You can also ask Alexa+ to lock the doors when paired with your smart lock, making your Fire TV the central hub of your setup.
It’s not every day Amazon rolls out an upgrade without costly catches, as Alexa+ access on Echo devices still requires a Prime or standalone Alexa+ membership — but hey, we’re not complaining; a freebie is a freebie. With this in mind, it’s likely that Amazon is giving users a taste of Alexa’s upgraded capabilities with the hope that prospective customers will sign up for Prime.
Since Alexa+ was launched, Amazon says its popularity with users has grown exponentially. "Alexa+ customers have nearly twice as many conversations on Fire TV as they did with the original Alexa because Alexa+ understands what they're asking — and gives them useful answers back," Amazon claims.
Given this growth, it makes sense that Amazon wants to put Alexa+ at the forefront of its smart home devices and give as many users as possible a taste of Alexa’s new capabilities. Keeping Alexa+ locked behind a paywall limits exposure to those without an Amazon Prime membership, so granting some kind of free access is a no-brainer.
- Another next-gen battery upgrade has been reported
- Zinc-iodine batteries are now more stable
- The tech promises a more sustainable lithium-ion replacement
Lithium-ion batteries had a good run, but the next generation of battery technologies are rapidly approaching for consumer devices and large-scale industry use. One of the leading candidates to become the new default are aqueous zinc-iodine batteries (AZIBs).
Researchers from Flinders University in Australia have published details of the latest steps forward in zinc-iodine technology. Prototype battery elements based on these materials can now manage more than 60,000 recharge and discharge cycles, with recharges in just three minutes — though that's for a small battery compartment, in a lab, not a full battery.
As they're aqueous (water-based), the batteries don't come with the same risk of explosion and fire as standard lithium-ion batteries do. However, there are challenges to overcome: these batteries tend to deteriorate as they're used because of the chemical reactions happening inside, which isn't ideal for something powering your next tablet.
In their latest paper, the researchers outline a molecular cage that's strong enough to prevent the battery's iodine from escaping, but not too restrictive that it prevents the necessary chemical reactions from working. It means batteries that are more stable in operation and which last longer.
A viable alternativeScientists have figured out how to restrict the iodine to stop battery degradation (Image credit: (Jiang et al., Angewandte Chemie, 2026))The tech specs shared by the researchers indicate the fast-charging, long-life potential of AZIBs. In addition to those benefits and the reduced fire risk, they could also be easier to resource and manufacture — reducing the pressure on lithium-ion materials.
There are a couple of caveats to bear in mind. The researchers acknowledge that this technology is best suited to "large-scale energy storage", at least to begin with, so we're talking more about storing the electricity generated by a solar plant than something you can slot into the back of a smartphone
The technology still has a long way to go before you'll see it appear, as encouraging as these recent steps forward are. The researchers aren't yet at the stage of building fully working, full-size prototype batteries yet — although each of these upgrades to the battery science gets us closer to that point.
"Rechargeable aqueous zinc-iodine batteries are shaping up as a viable alternative to lithium-ion batteries for large-scale energy storage and our group is now working with industry to establish a prototyping platform for this battery system," said chemistry professor Zhongfan Jia, from Flinders University.
AI chatbots like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini are all keen to encourage you to use their service over their rivals, and often have ways to import your history and profile from one to another to some degree. That's great if you are planning a serious relocation, but sometimes you just want to take a single chat and bring it from one platform to another.
This can be especially useful if you're using the free version of Claude, for example, and you're about to reach your usage limit. By transferring the chat to another AI chatbot you can keep it going without waiting for your limits to refresh.
ThreadPort is a new browser extension for Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge designed to shorten that trip. It transfers a conversation currently open in ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini to either of the other two services, carrying over the text of the discussion and some basic context setup as a single prompt plus transcript so the new AI chatbot can continue the conversation.
That makes ThreadPort fundamentally different from the built-in import tools offered by all three platforms. Instead of needing to learn everything about you and your conversational history. ThreadPort simply tells another AI what you have been discussing for the past few minutes.
ThreadPort in action. (Image credit: ThreadPort )You just need to install the extension in your browser and allow it access to ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini websites. The access lets ThreadPort read the messages on one service and insert them into another, while browser storage is used for settings, temporary transfers, and the monthly usage count. The developer plans to make unlimited transfers a premium service with only 10 transfers a month for free, though at the moment the extension doesn't run out of transfers.
All you need to do then is have your chat on one of the platforms open, click on the extension, and pick another platform to send it to. The new platform will open automatically, and a transcript of the conversation, headed by an explanation from ThreadPort, will appear. You can set the extension to automatically submit the combined prompt, or leave it in draft form for your own editing first.
Vacation planningTo test ThreadPort, I opened ChatGPT and asked for help planning a three-day vacation. ChatGPT did its usual work of creating an itinerary with plenty of detail. I then clicked on ThreadPort and sent the conversation to Gemini.
A new Gemini tab opened with the entire conversation already formatted inside the prompt box, with my messages and ChatGPT’s responses clearly labeled. ThreadPort also stripped away interface debris such as buttons, citation controls, and widgets that would otherwise make a manual copy and paste messier.
Gemini received the trip plan exactly as I wanted, with a complete conversation rather than a crude summary. I then asked Gemini to assess the plan, without changing the underlying conversation before the transfer.
The process worked the same when sending to Claude from ChatGPT. ThreadPort supports all six directions among ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini. But, as an additional test, I took the extended conversation from Gemini and asked ThreadPort to send it to Claude. The new Claude tab was basically the same, but it also mentioned in the opening prompt that it was a conversation "started on ChatGPT (via ChatGPT → Gemini)," and tagged which chatbot was responding in the transcript.
(Image credit: ThreadPort )This is where ThreadPort might be at its best. Moving a live discussion preserves all the little decisions accumulated through follow-up questions. Those decisions often matter more than the initial prompt because they explain why the obvious suggestions are no longer useful.
It's also very fast, taking only seconds. Gemini's importer can take a lot longer as it requires an exported archive. Though it can absorb a much larger historical record, using it for a single vacation plan would be excessive.
Plus, Google’s tool is restricted to those with adult personal Google accounts, and you can't import your history if you're in the European Economic Area, Switzerland, or the United Kingdom. ThreadPort's creator, Juan Carlos Rampoldi, lives in Valencia, Spain, so a way around that restriction has obvious appeal.
Claude’s native option doesn't even allow for importing conversations. Claude can import memory, including preferences and personal details, but not actual history. But Claude and Gemini at least have some form of importing from rival AI chatbots. ChatGPT has a way of sending conversations between ChatGPT accounts, but nothing like the native importers for Gemini or Claude. ThreadPort at least opens up one possible avenue for doing so without having to craft and iterate on specialized prompts.
Rampoldi cited his own habit of moving among ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini as the inspiration for ThreadPort after getting frustrated with manually copying conversations and losing formatting or context along the way. Notably, he built it with Claude Code, so it may have other flaws, but he made its source code publicly viewable on GitHub.
Smooth moves(Image credit: ThreadPort )I did appreciate how easy ThreadPort made comparing the models and their responses by making them all part of one larger conversation. Of course, the simplicity means there are limits. ThreadPort transfers text, but it cannot bring attached images or files. If I had uploaded hotel screenshots or a PDF itinerary into ChatGPT, I would have needed to upload those again manually in Claude and Gemini.
And if it was a very long conversation, ThreadPort might have needed to shorten it using what it calls "smart truncation," keeping the original task and the most recent exchanges while marking a section that might be removed.
The developer says ThreadPort has no servers and briefly holds the transcript in Chrome’s local extension storage before inserting it into the destination prompt box, after which it deletes the temporary copy.
That does not mean the conversation becomes private once you send it elsewhere. A ChatGPT transcript submitted to Claude is now being shared with Anthropic, and Gemini transcripts are still sent to Google.
Despite its limits, ThreadPort does come across as a very useful tool for those who like to employ multiple AI chatbots. Even as just a ferry for individual conversations, compared to a whole moving van importing your whole history, the extension is efficient and easy. It cuts down on a small but persistent bit of AI chatbot friction without trying to solve AI portability on a grand scale.
AI companies tend to build their products as though everyone will eventually choose one assistant and stay there. But if you want to be 'disloyal' and play the field, ThreadPort smooths the path nicely.
There's no question about it, the Logitech MX Master 3S is our number one choice for anyone who wants a serious office upgrade. Built specifically for productivity, during our testing, the features on this wireless mouse really impressed us
And right now the Bluetooth version of the Logitech MX Master 3S is down to $80 (was $100) at Amazon. It combines an ergonomic shape with a useful collection of programmable controls and an excellent scroll wheel. Plus Logitech Flow can even move text, images and files between multiple operating systems. In the UK, the MX Master 3S is down to £69 (was £78) at Amazon.
MX Master 3S Bluetooth Wireless Mouse: was $99.99 now $79.99
This mouse has an adjustable 8,000 DPI optical sensor capable of tracking on glass and other surfaces and its MagSpeed wheel can rapidly scroll through long documents before switching back to precise line-by-line movement.
In the UK: now £69 (was £78)View Deal
Why we recommend itThe MX Master 3S includes genuinely useful features. MagSpeed scrolling is particularly handy when you're regularly moving through long webpages, spreadsheets and documents, and thumb controls put additional functions within easy reach.
Logi Options+ lets you customize the buttons and create application-specific profiles, so the same controls can perform different jobs depending on what you're doing.
In his glowing 4.5-star review, our expert Ilyas said: "Logitech MX Master 3S can easily be considered the best wireless mouse geared specifically towards enhancing the average user’s workplace productivity."
He went on to say, "With seven silent tactile button inputs that can be customized through Logitech’s own software, the MX Master 3S can be a great tool for office workers who are looking to streamline their productivity. Its 70-day battery life is solid selling point too, as is the inclusion of a USB Type-C charging port located at the front of the device."
Price context & historical valueAmazon's $79.99 price knocks $20 off the usual $99.99 cost, bringing the MX Master 3S down by 20%.
That's actually a very good saving, because it's only $5-$6 dollars above the cheapest it's been on Amazon in a year. The picture is similar in the UK, where the cheapest I've seen it was £65, not much more than the current sale price.
If you're after a quality productivity mouse, this is a good chance to snap up one of the very best at an affordable price.
Should you buy it?✅ Buy the Logitech MX Master 3S if...
You spend much of your day working at a computer and want more control than a basic mouse offers. The programmable buttons, horizontal thumb wheel and fast scrolling can be particularly useful for spreadsheets, creative applications and navigating large documents.
It's also a strong choice if you work across multiple computers. You can connect three devices over Bluetooth without repeatedly pairing the mouse each time you move between them.
❌ Skip the Logitech MX Master 3S if...
You want a mouse for a spot of gaming. The MX Master 3S is designed around productivity, comfort and control rather than the extremely low weight and high polling rates offered by gaming mice.
The Catch: What to know before you buyThe biggest catch is what's missing from the box. This particular MX Master 3S is sold without a Logi Bolt USB receiver or even a charging cable, so make sure Bluetooth-only connectivity suits your setup before buying.
It's also a substantial productivity mouse. Anyone who prefers a small, simple mouse may find it more hardware than they need. Also, this isn't a great mouse for left-handed users or people with smaller hands.
It’s been a rough week for Rockstar Games. It appears that a working build of Grand Theft Auto 6 is out in the wild, with a seemingly endless stream of gameplay footage being leaked.
Already everywhere across social media channels, the first I learned of all this was a deluge of clips showing up in my personal Instagram feed.
Leaks of this magnitude are the last thing any developer would want — let alone the team behind one of the most anticipated games of all time. We’re just a week or so away from the official extended look reveal video launching too, and I can’t help but feel that the leakers have stolen Rockstar’s thunder.
So what exactly can we learn from all of this new footage? Well, GTA 6 certainly looks like a GTA game. Key mechanics like the wanted level system return (albeit with an extra star level and the ability for the police to remember your outfit or vehicle), along with various open-world activities ranging from racing challenges to tossing basketballs into hoops.
Beating heart(Image credit: Rockstar Games)I’ve also seen speculation that some systems similar to those in Red Dead Redemption 2 will be featured. Namely, the idea that there’s a karma meter to measure the morality of your actions, as well as icons suggesting that the dual protagonists Lucia Caminos and Jason Duval’s abilities will level up as you play.
It all looks about what I would have expected from a new GTA in 2026. If you’d asked me to speculate on what GTA 6 would be like this time last year, I’d have said that it would look like an upgraded version of GTA 5 that incorporates some Red Dead Redemption 2 elements: in short, a classic sequel that builds on the previous release while also bringing in what worked from the developer’s other recent games.
I wasn’t truly blown away until I saw the latest clip.
(Image credit: Rockstar Games )The minute or so of footage shows the leaker flying a small plane into a city, presumably Vice City, though it is a little hard to tell. All of the other videos I’ve seen take place on the ground, which makes it hard to really tell the scale of the map. Here, it’s plain to see, and let me tell you, GTA 6 looks immense.
The first thing I noticed was the render distance. As the camera pans around, you can see the world stretching off into the horizon. Even the most distant roads are bustling with traffic. Of course, there’s no guarantee that the finished product will look this good (we don’t know how old this build is, or what kind of specs it’s running on), but if Rockstar can achieve anything like what’s shown here on consoles, then it’s going to be a stunner.
Our pilot then turns the view towards the city itself, which is simply breathtaking in its own right.
I’m a bit of a sicko for city design in games, and I pay close attention to how roads are laid out and districts are arranged. I think it’s probably the result of hundreds of hours playing SimCity and Cities: Skylines, not to mention consuming endless content about city design in those games. It’s given me a good eye for scale, particularly when things don’t make sense.
From what I’ve seen of GTA 6’s urban environments in these leaks, I’m beginning to think it could deliver some of the most authentic and grounded ever. There’s a believable level of urban sprawl on the approach, with patches of commercial and residential buildings stretching for miles.
(Image credit: Rockstar)They’re separated from the city center by a busy raised highway that realistically splits off into arteries to direct traffic towards large roads and eventually trickle down into smaller streets. The skyscrapers become denser and more modern as you home in on the city centre, and looking closely reveals countless smaller apartment blocks and department stores nestled in between them.
The city runs along a coast, and there are glimpses of seedier boroughs inland, with low-lying houses and parking lots. Out near the waterfront, in contrast, it is clearly prime real estate and dominated by leafy green streets and a smattering of holiday resorts.
It all just looks so real, and appears so much more intricate than the comparatively sparse Los Santos in GTA 5. It’s certainly taken my excitement up a level, and I now can’t wait to immerse myself in Vice City’s detailed streets. Hopefully the upcoming extended look video highlights the world design and reveals even more.
Grand Theft Auto 6 is set to launch for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and Series S on November 19, 2026.