News
- Three-year contract won't be renewed, police officials claim
- Data and privacy concerns have been cited
- Flock cameras have faced a backlash from a privacy-concerned public
Officials from the Los Angeles Police Department have told the Los Angeles Times that its contract with surveillance camera company Flock will not be renewed due to "serious concerns" around privacy and the data they gather.
The cameras, which are owned by Flock and used by more than 5,000 law enforcement agencies across the US, scan and track billions of vehicle license plates every month, with the resulting data used by police departments to help make arrests and build cases.
However, there has been widespread public backlash due to privacy concerns, with some residents taking matters into their own hands. Recently, an Air Force engineer from Virginia has been accused of cutting down 13 Flock cameras over a six-month period.
According to Military.com, privacy advocates across the country have donated more than $15,000 (about £11,220 / AU$21,660) to the accused's legal defense.
What's more, developers have created a free online mapping tool that allows US drivers to plot routes that actively avoid areas with a dense population of Flock cameras.
The LAPD's chief information officer, Dean Gialamas, told reporters that the contract was not being renewed due to "serious concerns around civil liberties and civil rights issues, particularly around privacy and the data that is being collected from these cameras."
Gialamas added that he hoped the data, privacy, security, and sharing concerns would eventually be "ironed out through a contractual relationship." There is currently no word on whether Flock's cameras will continue to record and distribute data in the meantime.
Analysis: The public fights back(Image credit: Getty Images / Leonardo)Flock's network of some 80,000 cameras in the US has been chastised by data privacy advocates, with the likes of 404 Media carrying out numerous investigations that highlight how easy it is for this surveillance data to fall into the wrong hands.
According to TechCrunch, researchers have also identified an increase in the number of documented cases where motorists have been pulled over, detained, and even jailed due to false positives and errors with license plate readers.
We also recently reported that an investigation by the Electronic Frontier Foundation found that more than 50 federal, state, and local agencies ran hundreds of searches through Flock's national network of surveillance data in connection with protest activity.
One motoring journalist in the US was even tracked for days and eventually 'boxed in' by police over a Flock-based mix-up with the license plates attached to the press loan vehicle he was driving.
As public distrust in Flock's safety cameras mounts, we could see more agencies follow LAPD's lead in pushing back on the technology.
- The PlayStation and Xbox One versions of Dying Light: The Beast have been cancelled
- Techland says the game "was built from the ground up to take full advantage of current-generation hardware"
- The decision "reflected the technical realities of development and our commitment to delivering the best possible experience"
Techland has announced that Dying Light: The Beast will no longer be released for last-generation consoles.
The latest entry in the survival horror series launched in September last year for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and Series S, and PC, and it was Techland's plan to eventually bring the game to PlayStation 4 and Xbox One at a later date.
Now, in a statement shared on X today, the studio confirmed that it has "made the difficult decision" to cancel the ports "after careful consideration."
"Dying Light: The Beast was built from the ground up to take full advantage of current-generation hardware. Its open world, advanced visuals, and fluid combat and traversal all depend on processing power and memory that previous-generation consoles simply cannot provide," Techland said.
"As development progressed, it became clear that bringing the game to those platforms would require compromises that would prevent us from delivering the experience we set out to create."
It continued, saying the decision wasn't a "matter of choosing to leave those platforms behind" but rather one that "reflected the technical realities of development and our commitment to delivering the best possible experience."
"We know many of you were looking forward to playing on PS4 or Xbox One, and we are truly sorry for the disappointment this causes. Anyone who was expecting to play on either platform will be eligible for a refund. Thank you for your understanding and continued support."
In TechRadar Gaming's Dying Light: The Beast review, reviewer Christian Guyton said the game "went from potential expansion to a fully-fledged sequel, and although its origins are on full display in its narrative and protagonist, it never feels constrained by them."
"It’s not reinventing the wheel," Guyton wrote. "Techland has a solid formula that mixes traditional open-world action sandbox elements with a solid parkour-based movement system and high enemy density, so it’s understandable that The Beast wouldn’t be too much of a deviation from the norm. Still, the new setting is a breath of fresh air, and it still feels fantastic to dropkick a zombie off a roof."
A new edition of the game, Dying Light: The Beast Restored Land, was released earlier this year and included the base game, all post-launch content, and the 'Restored Land' survival mode.
The MelGeek Made68 Ultra V2 is a wired analog keyboard with a retro design that belies its advanced analog adjustability.
It certainly harks back to a time when the ‘gamer aesthetic’ was in full swing, with its translucent keycaps and faux-industrial body. The rear and side lighting are interesting touches, though.
It’s also a veritable slab of a keyboard. It’s very thick, although it gets thinner towards the front, which means the keys angle towards the user slightly. This is just as well, since the Made68 Ultra V2 doesn’t have any pop-out feet, as many of the best gaming keyboards do.
The materials feel premium enough and solidly put together. It’s heavy, which helps the board to stay planted, but this could be an issue if you frequently move your board around.
Although the Made68 Ultra V2 has bright RGB backlighting, it’s a misstep that it doesn’t shine through the keycap characters. In fact, it actively obscures them, so you’d best get familiar with touchtyping if you aren’t already.
(Image credit: Future)There are plenty of useful FN shortcuts, but unfortunately none of them is labelled on the relevant keycap, so you’ll have to refer to the manual and learn them by heart.
If you want to customize bindings, you can use MelGeek’s web app for this purpose. There are plenty of options here, but it’s the precise and copious analog adjustments that are even more impressive.This app is easily accessible via two taps of the Mode button on the rear, which is a thoughtful touch and one I wish more gaming keyboards featured. For a web app, it’s also very fast and stable.
In a word, the best way to describe the performance of the Made68 Ultra V2 is solid. The keys don’t wobble at all, and presses are firm with a satisfying thunk once they reach the end of their travel. This provides plenty of feedback, while the dampening is sufficient enough to prevent harshness. At the same time, they’re also very snappy and responsive, thanks to their quick rebound.
I also found the WASD position comfortable, and all peripheral keys were easy and comfortable to hit. I did find myself hitting its edge on occasion, but its springiness and dampening still make it better than many others I’ve encountered.
All of this performance and adjustability doesn’t come cheap, though. The Made68 Ultra V2 is more expensive than many of its rivals — even those with bigger names, which makes the Made68 Ultra V2’s price harder to swallow. But if you prize a sturdy construction and a solid feel above all else, there aren’t many that can beat it on these fronts.
MelGeek Made68 Ultra V2 review: Price & availability(Image credit: Future)- $219 (about £160 / AU$300)
- Available now in multiple colorways
- Top-of-the-sector pricing
The MelGeek Made68 Ultra V2 costs $219 (about £160 / AU$300) and is available now in multiple colorways from the brand’s website. International shipping is offered, with region-dependent charges.
This is expensive for any wired gaming keyboard, even analog models. It’s costlier than some offerings from the big hitters in the space, such as Razer and SteelSeries. For instance, the former’s Huntsman V3 Tenkeyless 8KHz costs $169.99, yet it has similar analog tweakability and even includes controller emulation, which the Made68 Ultra V2 misses out on.
As for SteelSeries, its Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 is also cheaper than the Made68 Ultra V2, and what’s more it’s one of the best analog gaming keyboards I’ve ever used in terms of build and performance. Its keys feel great and offer superb control. It might miss out on controller emulation, but it shines in virtually every other area.
MelGeek Made68 Ultra V2 review: SpecsLayout
TKL
Switch
KOM Lite Magnetic / Flip King Magnetic
Programmable keys
Yes
Dimensions
12.6 x 4.6 x 1.6 inches / 319 x 117 x 40mm
RGB or backlighting
Yes (customizable)
MelGeek Made68 Ultra V2 review: Design(Image credit: Future)- Retro looks
- Very thick and heavy
- Advanced customization options
I think it’s fair to say that the appearance of the Made68 Ultra V2 will prove divisive. Some may view it as charmingly retro, while others will think it dated. The translucent keycaps allow the switches underneath to be seen and let the RGB shine through. The effect is nice, but it does look like something we might have seen 20 years ago.
The frame is also a throwback to a time when gaming peripherals had an industrial bent, with its metallic side plates and sharp corners. However, the large rectangular lightbar adds some interest, and I haven’t seen anything like this before on a keyboard. The same is true of the side light bars, so the Made68 Ultra V2 at least has something to distinguish it from others in the space.
(Image credit: Future)Complementing that sharp and angular appearance is its thickness. This tapers off somewhat towards the front, which has the effect of tilting the keys towards you. This is a good thing, since the Made68 Ultra V2 has no folding feet, although I still would’ve welcomed some to create even more of an angle.
Perhaps the sheer weight of the unit is the reason for this absence. Whether this is a flaw or a feature will likely depend on personal preferences. If you want a solid, planted feel, then you may well appreciate its heft; however, if you move your board around frequently, or take it with you on your travels, you won’t.
There are numerous Fn shortcuts on the Made68 Ultra V2, although it’s a shame that none of them is marked on the keycaps themselves, which means you’ll have to commit them to memory.
But even if they were marked, you’d be hard pressed to see them, since the RGB backlighting fails to shine through the keycap characters. In fact, it actively obscures them; turning off the backlighting actually makes the keycap symbols easier to read, which defeats the point of the feature in the first place. This is perhaps the biggest design flaw of the Made68 Ultra V2.
(Image credit: Future)If you want to customize these shortcuts, and rebind all the other keys, you’ll need to use MelGeek’s web app. This is easily accessed by double-tapping the Mode button on the rear of the board, which is a thoughtful touch and one I wish every keyboard featured. There are plenty of system and media commands available for mapping, but it's the analog features and adjustments that really stand out here.
Take the multi-binding features. There’s a counter-strafing mode that triggers a second input when releasing a key; so if you’re holding A to strafe left, you can set this same key to trigger a D input when released to stop you quicker. There’s also a Rappy Snappy mode that gives priority to a single input when two keys are pressed depending on which is pressed further down.
There are a pleasing amount of actuation adjustments, too. You can set the actuation point between 0.1mm and 3.3mm, and even alter the deadzone at the bottom of a key’s travel between 0mm and 0.07mm, which is something I haven’t seen before in other keyboards.
(Image credit: Future)The Rapid Trigger mode also offers plenty of scope for meeting the demands of pro gamers. There’s an adaptive mode with three presets to choose from: Stable, Balanced, or Agile. But if you’re a tinkerer, there’s a manual mode with sliders for adjusting up- and downstrokes independently. These have a large range of 0.01mm to 2.4mm and increments of one hundredth of a millimeter. There’s also a Continuous Rapid Trigger mode, where a key only deactivates when you fully release the key, rather than merely releasing above your predefined actuation point.
This level of analog adjustability is very welcome. It’s a small shame, however, that there’s no controller emulation feature, as some other analog gaming keyboards have. But given the inconsistent effectiveness of such modes, I’m not too disappointed about its absence here.
I often find web apps less effective than standalone software, but I’m pleased to report that MelGeek’s is a fine example of the former. It’s fast, stable, and easy to use, thanks to its uncluttered layout and explanations of its various features. The only real drawback is the lack of visualization; I find this helps to inform all my actuation-related adjustments by letting me see their effects in real time.
MelGeek Made68 Ultra V2 review: Performance(Image credit: Future)- Solid yet snappy keys
- Reasonably comfortable WASD position
- Great for typing
Perhaps the most striking aspect of the Made68 Ultra V2 is its key feel. The keys have no play to them and fire straight as an arrow. This makes them very secure, a feeling that’s bolstered by their mild but noticeable indentations. Their surface is pleasantly smooth without compromising traction.
Equally gratifying is the solid thud when the keys hit the end of their travel. There’s just enough dampening here to avoid them feeling harsh, and they still only require a light touch. They also rebound with impressive alacrity, which makes them feel snappy and responsive.
This combination of solid and springy means the Made68 Ultra V2 offers speed and control in equal parts, and makes it just as suitable for typing as it does for gaming. I made far fewer typos than I usually do with keycaps this tall and narrow, which is testament to the keyboard’s precise action.
Thanks to the forward tilt of the keys, the WASD position was comfortable, and reaching the outer keys was easy. I found myself hitting the edge of the space bar on occasion, but its lightness, feedback, and springiness made up for this. It’s a joy to use and one of the best I’ve experienced. I still wished the angle of the keys was a little steeper, though, and I would’ve welcomed a wrist rest for longer sessions to compensate for the thickness of the unit.
Should I buy the MelGeek Made68 Ultra V2?ScorecardAttributes
Notes
Rating
Value
Very expensive, even for an analog gaming keyboard. Equally capable boards from bigger names are sometimes cheaper.
2.5 / 5
Design and features
Very heavy and sturdy with a retro appeal. Plenty of customizations are available thanks to the web app.
3.5 / 5
Performance
The solid yet snappy keys are excellent for gaming and typing. The angle of the board is a bit too shallow, though.
4 / 5
Overall rating
The Made68 Ultra V2 is a high-performing and highly adjustable analog keyboard. But its faults are hard to excuse at this price point.
3.5 / 5
Buy it if…You want solid keys
The thud of the keys is always satisfying, while their lightness and snappy rebound makes them easy to use.
You want plenty of customizations
Aside from controller emulation, the Made68 Ultra V2 has all the analog features you could wish for.
You’re on a budget
Despite MelGeek being a relatively unknown brand, the Made68 Ultra V2 commands a premium price tag that would make even the big names blush.
You can’t touchtype
You’ll struggle to see the key markings when the RGB backlighting is on, which defeats the point.
SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3
In terms of sheer performance, the Apex Pro is one of the best analog gaming keyboards I’ve ever used. The feedback of the keys allows for precise control of inputs, while the myriad adjustments and customizations allow you to get the perfect setup. It’s also built very well, and is slightly cheaper than the Made68 Ultra V2. Read our full SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 review.
Razer Huntsman V3 Tenkeyless 8KHz
Another analog keyboard with a smorgasbord of adjustments and features, the Huntsman is a very competent performer. It perhaps doesn’t have the same satisfying feel as the Made68 Ultra V2, but it’s considerably cheaper. Read our full Razer Huntsman V3 Tenkeyless 8KHz review.
- Tested for several days
- Used for gaming and working
- Plentiful gaming keyboard experience
I tested the Made68 Ultra V2 for several days, during which time I used it for gaming, working, and general browsing.
I played games such as Counter-Strike 2, which is a stern test for peripherals, given the demands it places on speed and precision.
I’ve been using gaming keyboards for years, and have reviewed a large number of them, across all manner of price points, switch types, and form factors.
- Read TechRadar’s reviews guarantee
- First reviewed: July 2026
The Nintendo Switch 2 has been out for just over a year now, and it’s had a fascinating start to life.
It’s undoubtedly been a commercial success, becoming the second-fastest selling console in recorded US history, and it’s already seen its fair share of hits, whether that be the phenomenon that is Pokémon Pokopia or the 2025 Game of the Year nominee, Donkey Kong Bananza. But some are still unconvinced.
It’s not a stretch to say that, in spite of its high sales, the console has been highly contentious among gamers. While many speak with positivity about the Switch 2, there have been criticisms around the consoles battery life and performance, for instance.
Some gamers have also noted concerns around the lack of big first party hitters, such as a brand new 3D Mario, a new entry in the Legend of Zelda series (rather than a remake), and the system’s slightly patchy release schedule for 2026. Bundle that with some high-priced software and incoming console price rises, and I can see why some fans are yet to be won over.
My thoughts: a brief summary(Image credit: Future / Nintendo)In my personal opinion, though, the Switch 2 has had a pretty strong start. Growing up, I saw the messy launch of consoles such as the PlayStation 3, and the simply woeful launch titles for its successor, the PlayStation 4 and its counterpart, the Xbox One. Meanwhile, the Switch 2 has some great multiplayer fun in titles like Mario Kart World and Kirby Air Riders, some exceptional single player experiences like the aforementioned Donkey Kong and Pokémon games, and a healthy dosage of third-party support to boot.
What’s more, I’d argue that performance is pretty strong, and with a 1080p 120fps display for handheld mode, it no longer feels like I’m sacrificing too much quality just to play without my TV. Throw in 4K visuals in docked mode, far comfier Joy Con 2 controllers, and surprisingly good virtual surround sound, and I for one am happy with the hardware upgrade brought to the table by Nintendo’s new hybrid console.
I do wish that some games were a little more affordable — $79.99 / £74.99 / AU$119.95 for a physical copy of Mario Kart World definitely feels excessive, even with modern pricing standards. And I really wish the console’s battery life was a bit better too, even if I have found a workaround of sorts.
All in all, though, I’ve had a great first year with the Switch 2, and its prolific sales are there for all to see. But I’m not just here to share my view — there’s something else I’m far more interested in.
Tell us what you think about the Switch 2(Image credit: Future / Nintendo)That’s right: TechRadar Gaming wants to hear from you.
I’ve briefly spoken about some contentious points, but I want to gauge the thoughts and feelings of all of you out there. Do you think the Nintendo Switch 2 has been a hit or a flop?
Below, you’ll find a poll, where you can tell us what you think.
However, I’m also really keen to draw some specifics from our readers. If you’d like, you can comment below and make your voice heard — has the Switch 2 been a disappointment for you? Is it already among the console elite? We want to hear it all — and your comments may even feature in an upcoming article!
We reviewed the Bambu Lab P2S and found it "about as refined as they come" for anyone upgrading from an entry-level 3D printer.
So, I was pleased to see the Bambu Lab P2S Combo with AMS 2 Pro is $699 (was $799) at Bambu Lab — a $100 saving on a fully enclosed CoreXY printer built for multi-color, engineering-grade work. In the UK, the Bambu Lab P2S Combo also got a discount down to £619 (was £699) at Bambu Lab.
In our testing, we ran the machine constantly for weeks with very little in the way of failures or misprints, and it was clear that many of the features — the touchscreen, the AI error detection, the general polish — had trickled down from Bambu's pricier X1 Carbon and H2D machines.
Today's top Bambu Lab 3D printer dealEnclosed CoreXY 3D printer with a 256 x 256 x 256mm build volume, 600mm/s peak print speed, PMSM servo extruder (8.5kg extrusion force), AI-powered error detection, and a 5-inch touchscreen. The Combo adds the AMS 2 Pro, a four-color multi-material system with active filament drying.
In the UK: now £619 (was £699)View Deal
Scoring 4.5 stars in our review with a Highly Recommended award, we called the P2S "absolutely superb" and "about as refined as they come". It's a follow-up to the best-selling P1S, and we found the upgrades meaningful rather than just cosmetic.
The PMSM servo extruder is the standout hardware change. It delivers up to 8.5kg of maximum extrusion force — 70% more than the outgoing stepper-driven design — and samples resistance and position at 20kHz, so it can catch filament grinding or clogs in real time rather than letting a print fail silently. Combined with a high-frequency eddy current sensor for flow calibration, this printer is built to handle tricky or higher-flow materials with greater consistency than its predecessor.
The AMS 2 Pro included in this Combo bundle is worth the extra cost on its own. It's a four-spool multi-material system with active air-vent drying, sealed storage, and RFID filament sync with Bambu's own spools — useful if you print with moisture-sensitive materials like nylon or want to avoid the usual dry-box shuffle. It can double as a filament dryer even when you're not actively printing multi-color jobs.
Build quality elsewhere follows the same pattern of small, sensible refinements: hardened steel rods in place of the P1S's carbon rods, a metal build plate base, a quick-swap nozzle system that releases with a single clip, and a full enclosure with an Active Airflow system that draws in cool air for low-temp filaments like PLA, then switches to internal circulation to keep the chamber warm for higher-temp materials like ABS or ASA.
Worth considering: the P2S doesn't have an actively heated chamber, so while the enclosure holds heat reasonably well (around 50°C with a 100°C bed in our testing), it's not built for demanding high-temperature engineering filaments like PA-CF or PEEK the way Bambu's H-series machines are. Multi-color printing with the AMS still produces some filament waste from purging between color changes, and full remote-monitoring features depend on staying connected to Bambu's cloud — LAN-only mode works for printing but drops those extras.
For more top-performers, see our guide to the best 3D printers we've tested.
Also consider: More Bambu Lab 3D printer dealsThe A1 Mini scored top marks in our 5-star review, earning an Editor's Choice award. We called it "nothing more than groundbreaking."
In the UK: now £239 (was £259)
Read our Bambu Lab A1 Mini reviewView Deal
This is what the P2S replaces, but it's still a solid pick at a superb price. While we haven't reviewed the Bambu Lab P1S, we gave its open enclosure counterpart the P1P 5 stars in our review.
In the UK: was £319 (now £339)View Deal
Our top-rated 3D printer overall. It's a particularly good choice for small businesses and crafters, as one of the bundles includes a laser engraver, plotter, and cutter for crafting.
In the UK: now £1399 (was £1649)
Read our Bambu Lab H2D reviewView Deal