News
- Apple Fitness+ could be getting Peloton-style live workouts
- The fitness platform has been 'under review' since earlier this year
- Spotify recently expanded into fitness, so Apple might one-up its rival with live workouts
Something is going on at Apple Fitness+, the tech giant’s flagship fitness service, and it could be hinting at a new Peloton-style live workout hub.
A job listing posted by Apple advertises a Studio Producer role for Fitness+, implying there’s about to be a new upgrade coming to the health service, which is asking for a candidate with a "strong foundation in live or live-to-tape multi-camera production and a genuine curiosity about where live content is headed next."
Apple Fitness+ was introduced back in 2020, offering subscribers a one-stop shop of on-demand workout videos run by in-house fitness experts, integrating real-time workout metrics from your Apple Watch. Apple Fitness+ doesn’t host live workouts with live leaderboards in the way that Peloton does, so an upgrade could give the service the new lease of life it needs.
Despite its rich library of pre-recorded workout videos and guided meditations, Apple Fitness+ has been declining over the years. Earlier this year, we reported that Apple Fitness+ was ‘under review’, with the possibility of the firm merging with the existing Apple Health app to offer a combined subscription, but as it stands, the future of Apple Fitness+ is still undecided.
Bloomberg’s ($/£) Mark Gurman said that "there’s no telling what will end up happening," so not even seasoned leakers are able to predict where it’s going. A direct partnership with a fitness giant like Peloton hasn’t been hinted at, but since Spotify recently ventured into the fitness world, Apple Fitness+ might have some fresh competition.
Spotify's Fitness hub packs on-demand workout videos from Peloton, but it has yet to jump on the live workout streaming opportunity (Image credit: Future)A few weeks ago, Spotify expanded its services into fitness and I sat down with its developer, Austin Lamon, who described it as a “natural extension of how people already use Spotify today”. The new Fitness hub packs curated Running Mode playlists, as well as a section packed with pre-recorded workout guides from Peloton’s flagship personal trainers — and it’s all included in the Premium plan on top of access to music, audiobooks, and podcasts.
Though Apple Fitness+ got there first with its own roster of on-demand workout videos, Spotify has combined its Fitness hub with services that subscribers are already paying for, whereas Apple’s music and fitness platforms are separate entities. And yes, Spotify is prone to a price hike every now and then, but its new fitness content doesn’t come with any add-on costs.
The only thing that Spotify Fitness hasn’t jumped on yet is the idea of hosting its own live workouts, which opens a door for Apple Fitness+ to snatch an opportunity. If Apple started pumping out its own Peloton-style live workouts, it could give the service an edge over rivals and give iOS fans a new reason to stay put. Perhaps we'll find out more during Apple's upcoming product launch in September?
Businesses of all shapes and sizes are adopting AI to improve productivity and efficiency, but where they should be seeing improvements from this strategy, instead they’re seeing rising token costs, struggles with integrating tools, and more security risks.
As with all new technologies, adoption comes first and the procedures and governance are a few steps behind. Experiments are taking place in almost every industry, and the lessons learned will help guide other businesses into successful adoption and AI maturity.
But employees fear replacement and sometimes spend more time questioning the results of their AI assisted work. In the worst circumstances more work is created in trying to ensure employees trust the technology, and solving the new, unseen challenges that come with adapting an AI strategy.
AI costs and challenges in the road aheadRising token costs are one of the biggest challenges businesses face. Without clear ways to measure how token costs reflect performance, it’s very difficult to assess if AI spend is actually offering any performance benefits. This is especially true when new, more powerful models are being released - and staying ahead of the competition means the accompanying, ever-increasing costs is the price of doing business.
But while employees may have just finished their training, or setting up a new workflow for one AI model, introducing the next can increase complexity and harm any new productivity gains. There is therefore a balance to be struck between AI integration, its associated costs, and the productivity gains employees see.
Rampant spending and reckless adoption can turn an AI strategy from a business-boosting asset into a stress-inducing, trust-eroding liability.
Ruth Patterson, Managing Director, HP, UK & Ireland says that the businesses seeing the most success during this technological revolution aren’t necessarily integrating it at every turn. Instead, they’re “applying it to practical workflows in a way that protects data and delivers real results.”
I spoke to Patterson to understand the challenges businesses face in delivering an AI strategy that shows real results, and how organisations can tackle the challenges that come with adoption AI.
- How are enterprise attitudes towards AI token use changing in 2026?
Businesses are waking up to a simple but overlooked truth about AI: the more they use, the more it costs. As AI has become part of everyday work, the financial cost of millions of interactions, charged at a token level, has become much more visible – and not just to the IT department.
Finance leaders are watching token usage fill a sizeable chunk of their balance sheets, rightly prompting much closer scrutiny of where workloads are processed and whether every task needs to be sent to the cloud.
As the conversation moves from AI experimentation to value, leaders must now focus on building an AI strategy that's both commercially sustainable and operationally efficient. That means moving away from AI for AI’s sake to a more tailored approach that balances cost, security and performance.
- What are businesses prioritising as they move beyond initial AI experimentation? Where have businesses seen the greatest gains?
The biggest gains so far have come from AI taking repetitive tasks off people's desks. You will have heard this said a lot, but the benefits are real. Whether it's summarising meetings, drafting documents, searching internal knowledge or helping employees find information more quickly, AI really is giving people back time to focus on work that requires judgement and creativity. Employees increasingly recognise that the future of the workplace is AI-enabled, whereby their own skills augmented by digital solutions. To succeed, organisations must offer access to the right technology and create environments where people feel empowered to experiment with AI.
However, as more organisations begin to move beyond this experimentation phase, they are starting to become much more disciplined. They're asking whether AI is secure, whether employees are using approved tools and whether the technology is genuinely improving productivity rather than simply adding another application to the estate.
The businesses making the fastest progress in this environment aren't necessarily using the most AI. They’re the ones applying it to practical workflows in a way that protects data and delivers real results.
- What are the biggest challenges organisations face when deploying AI at scale?
Organisations must juggle several competing priorities as they scale deployment: how to protect sensitive data, manage operational costs, maintain performance and ensure employees trust the technology they're using.
The trust question is particularly important as AI moves further into everyday use. Employees need confidence that the tools are reliable and approved, while organisations need confidence that data is protected and whether the cost model is right.
Getting IT infrastructure tuned correctly is key to making this work at scale. One of the most important decisions that organisations need to make is which AI workloads belong in the cloud, and which make more sense running on the device. That is ultimately a business decision – as opposed to purely a technology or IT decision – because it affects performance, cost and security.
- How does on-device AI slot into an organisation's overall AI strategy?
I don't see cloud AI and on-device AI as competing approaches - I see them as complementary. Cloud services will remain essential for large-scale models and complex reasoning. But not every AI task needs to leave the device.
For everyday activities like summarisation, transcription or content creation, running AI locally can reduce dependence on cloud infrastructure and give organisations greater control over sensitive information. AI only creates value when it becomes part of everyday workflows. By adopting on-device AI-solutions, employees can reduce latency and increase productivity with the peace of mind that their data is secure. This offers an easy route-in for employees beginning to implement AI into their day-to-day workflows.
The right approach to enterprise AI strategy is pretty simple: place workloads where they make the most sense. Because once the right balance between cloud and local AI is found, organisations will find the sweet spot between cost, performance and security.
- How are business leaders evaluating the success of AI investments around productivity?
The conversation has moved beyond adoption metrics. Now leaders want to understand whether AI is creating measurable improvements in business performance. They're looking at time saved, faster decision-making, improvements to workflow efficiency and whether employees can spend more time on higher-value work.
Technology leaders are also beginning to examine the broader economics of AI. Productivity gains need to be considered alongside operational expenditure, infrastructure requirements and long-term scalability.
Ultimately, AI should reduce friction. If employees can complete work more efficiently while organisations maintain control over cost and governance, that's where the real return on investment begins to emerge.
AI-enabled digital solutions now offer benefits such as persona-based device optimisation or integrated sentiment analysis to measure employee satisfaction with digital tools. These innovations truly redefine experience management and facilitate higher employee satisfaction and productivity. It also enables leaders to stay closer to their employees and gauge whether AI is improving their experience or simply adding another layer of complexity.
- How do you expect enterprise AI infrastructure to evolve over the next few years?
We will continue to see significant investment in AI infrastructure. But the conversation needs to go beyond capacity, because capacity doesn’t create business value alone.
The next phase will be about ensuring infrastructure enables AI workloads to run where they are most effective. That means treating the endpoint as part of the AI infrastructure and using it to process selected tasks locally, alongside cloud services and edge computing. At the same time, we can expect to see greater emphasis put on AI infrastructure that supports governance, security and efficiency alongside raw compute capacity.
Together, these infrastructure shifts will start to deliver the practical value that employees and businesses expect from AI but aren’t currently seeing.
- What trends are you watching most closely in enterprise AI right now?
Three stand out for me:
First, the move towards hybrid AI architectures. Organisations are becoming much more deliberate about deciding which workloads should run in the cloud and which belong on the device.
Second, the growing focus on the economics of AI. As adoption scales, businesses are paying much closer attention to operational expenditure, infrastructure efficiency and the total cost of AI deployment.
Finally, we’re seeing the role of the endpoint evolve. For years, the PC has been framed as an access device only. Today, it has become an intelligent computing platform, capable of running AI workloads securely and efficiently.
Businesses don’t need a big AI budget to get all three right. They just need to spend time working out, task by task, where intelligence really belongs.
Best Buy has chosen to celebrate its 60th anniversary by launching a week-long mega sale filled with offers on laptops, TVs, Apple products, appliances, headphones, and more. Unlike traditional birthday parties, where you bring a gift to the celebrant, the retailer is sharing a gift with us. Namely, there are big savings available on a whole host of top tech products — and I've found the 31 best deals.
• Browse the full Best Buy 60th Anniversary sale
Knowing that we're currently in full back-to-school sales season, it's no surprise that laptops make up a huge part of this week's event. Although there are devices available from as low as $189, the standout offer to me is this HP OmniBook X Flip for $749.99 (was $1,199.99). It's an older machine, but it's a great price for a powerful, flexible device that will excel at school and college or for general use at home.
The Apple deals are surprisingly strong, too, with the AirPods Pro 3 available for $189.99 (was $249.99). I've only seen them cheaper once before this year, during Prime Day, so this is likely the best offer we'll see until Black Friday in November. If you don't want to wait until then, I'd snap up this deal while it's available.
I've found dozens more standout deals in the Best Buy 60th Anniversary sale below, so do have a browse through my full list of recommendations. I'll keep an eye on the event over the next few days and will add any more top deals as I find them before it ends on Sunday.
Best Buy 60th Anniversary sale — quick links- Apple: MacBooks & AirPods from $99
- Appliances: up to 30% off
- Cameras: up to $1,000 off Sony, DJI & Canon
- Gaming: up to 60% off PS5 & Switch games
- Headphones: Apple, Sony & Beats from $15
- Kitchen: up to 50% off Ninja & Bella
- Laptops: from $189.99
- Phones: up to $1,200 off iPhone & Samsung
- Smart home: up to 30% off Ring & Eufy
- Smartwatches: up to $250 off Apple & Garmin
- Speakers: up to 50% off Samsung, Bose & JBL
- Tablets: up to $350 off iPad & Samsung
- Toys: up to 30% off
- TVs: from $69.99
- Vacuums: up to $450 off Dyson & Shark
AirPods Pro 3: was $249 now $189.99
Apple's newest premium buds feature improved Active Noise Cancellation, outstanding audio, a comfortable in-ear design, and new features such as live translation and heart-rate tracking. These do-it-all buds really are 100% flagship audio and the noise-cancelling quality is outstanding. Today's deal is the best price you can find on Apple's newest AirPods, and the best price this year outside of Prime Day.View Deal
OmniBook X Flip: was $1199.99 now $749.99
Display - 16 inches
Processor - Intel Core Ultra 7
RAM - 16GB
Storage - 1TB
This powerful and versatile HP OmniBook Flip offers impressive performance for the price, with powerful components such as a modern Intel Core Ultra 7 processor, a healthy 16GB of RAM to boost performance, and a decent 1TB SSD for storage. You can comfortably handle everyday tasks, demanding work, video calls, media streaming and more with this laptop, all with the option to flip it around to a 16-inch touchscreen tablet when needed, too.View Deal
QD50 58-inch Hi-QLED 4K TV: was $399.99 now $149.99
I can't speak too much about the overall quality of this TV given we haven't had extensive testing time, but I can't deny that it's a super low price for a TV of this size. It also sports the budget version of Hisense's QLED tech, which offers superior brightness and more vivid colors, although it's not as powerful as the premium displays. Still, this is a big and cheap TV that will be ideal for general everyday viewing and streaming for someone who isn't too bothered about getting the very best picture possible.View Deal
The newest Ring Battery Doorbell Plus model drops to under $60 in the latest Best Buy sale. Its camera features 1536p resolution, night vision with color, and an improved motion sensor. It also includes an increased head-to-toe field of view of 150 by 150 degrees, so you can get a fuller picture of who's at your door.View Deal
The Shark Clean & Empty Cordless Vacuum offers convenient automation features and versatile cleaning technology, including a special brushroll that works on both hardwood and carpeted surfaces. Its self-emptying dock doubles as a charging station, which makes it easy to keep fully charged, even though it runs for up to 60 minutes at full battery. For under $300, it's hard to pass up such a high-tech and highly rated vacuum.View Deal
B5 77-inch OLED TV: was $2999.99 now $1399.99
Best Buy has slashed a whopping $1,600 off LG's 77-inch B5 OLED TV. Released as the successor to the popular B4 OLED, the LG B5 is easily one of the best budget OLED TVs on the market. This 77-inch version is one of the largest available for the entry-level OLED that delivers an exceptional picture with brilliant colors and sharp contrast. You also get excellent gaming features, thanks to the four HDMI 2.1 ports, which ensure smooth and responsive gaming on current-gen consoles.View Deal
Display - 14 inches
Processor - MediaTek Kompanio 540
RAM - 8GB
Storage - 128GB
You don't always find a laptop with 8GB of memory for under $300, so this Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook really stands out in Best Buy's latest sale. Other components are good for light use, but that bump to 8GB of RAM will really help with everyday performance and load times. It's still a fairly basic laptop, but with enough extra power to avoid dramatic slowdown when multitasking.View Deal
Switch 2: Choose Your Game Bundle: $499.99
Nintendo Switch 2 bundles have been a rare sight in recent months, so it's good to see this customisable option available at Best Buy. As well as a console, you can also choose between a downloadable copy of either Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong Bananza, or Pokémon Pokopia, for a saving of up to $29.99.View Deal
AirTag (4 Pack): was $99 now $89
The newest version of the best-selling Apple AirTag is on sale for $89.99 in the latest Best Buy sale. This four-pack of trackers is a great way to keep an eye on a child's backpack or luggage. Simply attach it to anything you don't want to lose, and your iPhone will locate it.View Deal
Hero 13 Black: was $479.99 now $354.99
Here's a super-tempting record-low price for one of the best action camera bundles in the world right now. The camera offers an impressive 5.3K video resolution inside a rugged and completely waterproof body. A sweet deal for your remaining summer adventures.View Deal
IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook: was $419 now $189
Display: 14 inches
Processor: MediaTek Kompanio 540
RAM: 4GB
Storage: 64GB
This super-cheap Lenovo Chromebook is a very basic device that's best suited to light use and schoolwork, but it's a bargain at this low price from Best Buy. The lean ChromeOS operating system gets more from low-end components, but it relies on you using more web-based applications such as Google Docs. And while it will struggle with anything beyond basic tasks, this also ensures exceptional all-day battery life, making it a strong portable option at a very affordable price.View Deal
Display - 14 inches
Processor - MediaTek Kompanio 540
RAM - 8GB
Storage - 128GB
You don't always find a laptop with 8GB of memory for under $300, so this Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook really stands out in Best Buy's latest sale. Other components are good for light use, but that bump to 8GB of RAM will really help with everyday performance and load times. It's still a fairly basic laptop, but with enough extra power to avoid dramatic slowdown when multitasking.View Deal
Chromebook Plus 516: was $479 now $349
Display - 16 inches
Processor - Intel i3
RAM - 8GB
Storage - 128GB
This version of the Acer Chromebook Plus offers a solid amount of power for the price. It includes 8GB of RAM and an Intel i3 processor, boosting performance, boot times and load times. Storage of 128GB is a bit underwhelming, but you do get a large and bright IPS display, and decent battery life of around 12 hours — that's more than enough to last a full working day. At a little under $350, it's a smart buy for school or college, or just as a home laptop for light use and everyday tasks.View Deal
OmniBook X Flip: was $1199.99 now $749.99
Display - 16 inches
Processor - Intel Core Ultra 7
RAM - 16GB
Storage - 1TB
This powerful and versatile HP OmniBook Flip offers impressive performance for the price, with powerful components such as a modern Intel Core Ultra 7 processor, a healthy 16GB of RAM to boost performance, and a decent 1TB SSD for storage. You can comfortably handle everyday tasks, demanding work, video calls, media streaming and more with this laptop, all with the option to flip it around to a 16-inch touchscreen tablet when needed, too.View Deal
MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5, 2025): was $1999 now $1849
Display - 14 inches
Processor - Apple M5
RAM - 16GB
Storage - 1TB
Apple's powerful MacBook Pro with the latest M5 chip and a chunky 1TB of storage is on sale at Best Buy. Boasting that powerful M5 chip, a gorgeous Liquid Retina display and an impressive 18 hours of battery life, this is a complete creative workstation. We awarded this model a solid four stars out of five in our MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5) review, praising the overall performance, elegant design, and long-lasting battery, but we were disappointed by the lack of a larger redesign and the overemphasis on AI features rather than other useful upgrades.View Deal
Best Buy 60th Anniversary sale — TelevisionsF20 32-inch HD Fire TV: was $129.99 now $69.99
It's one of the smallest and cheapest TVs you can buy, but if that's all you need, then this Insignia F20 is very hard to beat. Definitely don't expect the best picture quality or the fastest performance, but if you just need a display for infrequent streaming in a kid's room, the bedroom, or kitchen, then it's up to the job — and it doesn't cost very much at all.View Deal
QD50 58-inch Hi-QLED 4K TV: was $399.99 now $149.99
I can't speak too much about the overall quality of this TV given we haven't had extensive testing time, but I can't deny that it's a super low price for a TV of this size. It also sports the budget version of Hisense's QLED tech, which offers superior brightness and more vivid colors, although it's not as powerful as the premium displays. Still, this is a big and cheap TV that will be ideal for general everyday viewing and streaming for someone who isn't too bothered about getting the very best picture possible.View Deal
C350 65-inch 4K Fire TV: was $529.99 now $279.99
The Toshiba C350 is getting older now, but finding a 65-inch 4K smart TV for under $300 is still an amazing deal. Toshiba's C350 is a 4K TV with HDR support, delivering solid picture quality for everyday viewing. Access to streaming apps is easy with the Fire TV OS, which has Netflix, Disney Plus, Prime Video, and more at your fingertips. It's not as powerful as many premium options, but if you're on a tight budget and want a large display, this is an excellent option.View Deal
QM6K 55-inch 4K mini-LED TV: was $799.99 now $549.99
A truly great, budget mini-LED TV, the TCL QM6K delivers vibrant picture quality along with solid gaming features for a price that won't break the bank. Upgrades here include support for 120Hz refresh rates at 4K resolution, which is perfect for gamers. This deal knocks a decent $250 off the 55-inch model, making it a truly appealing option for those who want a premium display at a mid-range price. View Deal
U7900 65-inch 4K TV: was $469.99 now $299.99
If you're looking for a big-screen budget display, Best Buy has this 65-inch 4K TV on sale for $299.99. It won't rival the premium QLED and OLED displays, but this entry-level TV from Samsung still packs a solid 'Crystal' UHD 4K processor, the easy-to-use Tizen operating system, and full HDR support. That's good value for money if you need a straightforward but capable display for your everyday viewing and media streaming.View Deal
B5 77-inch OLED TV: was $2999.99 now $1399.99
Best Buy has slashed a whopping $1,600 off LG's 77-inch B5 OLED TV. Released as the successor to the popular B4 OLED, the LG B5 is easily one of the best budget OLED TVs on the market. This 77-inch version is one of the largest available for the entry-level OLED that delivers an exceptional picture with brilliant colors and sharp contrast. You also get excellent gaming features, thanks to the four HDMI 2.1 ports, which ensure smooth and responsive gaming on current-gen consoles.View Deal
R85H 85-inch Micro RGB TV: was $3999.99 now $2799.99
The 85-inch version of Samsung's latest R85H just got its largest discount ever at Best Buy. This TV stands out for its excellent color and image quality, thanks to the array of micro RGB LEDs. That means it also boasts superior brightness and fantastic contrast, ensuring you get a smooth, sharp and vibrant image. It's an ideal all-rounder for films, movies, sports, and gaming, as it also supports 144Hz and a variable refresh rate to give you a smooth and responsive picture. It's easily one of the best premium TV deals I've seen right now.View Deal
This isn't the lowest price we've seen for Apple's newest AirPods 4, as they've been as low as $79.99 in the past. Nevertheless, the AirPods 4 feature a new design for all-day comfort and pack Apple's H2 chip, which supports personalized spatial audio and voice isolation. You're also getting a redesigned case with 30 hours of battery life and support for USB-C for wireless charging. Just be aware that this cheaper version does not support active noise cancellation.View Deal
Best Buy's latest sale has the AirPods 4 with active noise cancellation available for $149.99. This isn't the best offer, given that they were down to $99.99 in previous events. Still, if you must buy now, these AirPods 4 feature a new comfortable design, handy controls, and Apple's H2 chip, which supports personalized spatial audio and voice isolation – alongside that all-important ANC.View Deal
AirPods Pro 3: was $249 now $189.99
Apple's newest premium buds feature improved Active Noise Cancellation, outstanding audio, a comfortable in-ear design, and new features such as live translation and heart-rate tracking. These do-it-all buds really are 100% flagship audio and the noise-cancelling quality is outstanding. Today's deal is the best price you can find on Apple's newest AirPods, and the best price this year outside of Prime Day.View Deal
If you want more affordable over-ears that don't compromise on quality, then consider these Bose QuietComfort Headphones while they are down to their lowest price this year at Best Buy. As with the Ultra version, you get impressive noise cancellation, top-tier audio quality and 24 hours of battery life, but in a much more affordable package.View Deal
The Beats Solo 4 are getting old now, but this is a great price for a pair of solid headphones. This model supports lossless audio that you can listen to via USB-C or 3.5mm audio cable and Spatial Audio that uses head tracking to enhance your listening experience. These headphones also last up to 50 hours on a single charge and can regain five hours of playback time in just 10 minutes of charging.View Deal
Right now, you can grab the incredible Sony WH-1000XM6 for $60 less in the Best Buy anniversary sale, bringing them back down to the cheapest they've ever been. These headphones offer beautifully balanced audio output, top-tier touch controls, a comfortable fit, and noise-crushing ANC to block out unwanted sounds.View Deal
Best Buy 60th Anniversary sale — AppliancesPro Coffee Maker: was $59.99 now $29.99
This will never be one of the best coffee makers you can buy, but there's no denying that it is dirt cheap. It's a basic and no-frills drip filter coffee maker that can brew up to 12 cups at once, has a programmable timer so you can wake up to a fresh pot, and dishwasher-safe components that make it easy to clean.View Deal
4 qt Touchscreen Slim Air Fryer: was $69.99 now $59.99
The Bella Pro is exclusive to Best Buy, and we have seen this four-quart model a little cheaper in previous sales. However, for under $60, this is excellent value for money this weekend if you just need a compact air fryer for a small household or kitchen.View Deal
The Shark Clean & Empty Cordless Vacuum offers convenient automation features and versatile cleaning technology, including a special brushroll that works on both hardwood and carpeted surfaces. Its self-emptying dock doubles as a charging station, which makes it easy to keep fully charged, even though it runs for up to 60 minutes at full battery. For under $300, it's hard to pass up such a high-tech and highly rated vacuum.View Deal
You can get $250 off Dyson's best-selling V11 vacuum during Best Buy's latest sale. This vac nails the basics, offering strong suction and excellent manoeuvrability. Information is displayed on an LCD screen that shows exactly how long you have left before the battery runs out in the current power mode, too.View Deal
Best Buy 60th Anniversary sale — AppleThis isn't the lowest price we've seen for Apple's newest AirPods 4, as they've been as low as $79.99 in the past. Nevertheless, the AirPods 4 feature a new design for all-day comfort and pack Apple's H2 chip, which supports personalized spatial audio and voice isolation. You're also getting a redesigned case with 30 hours of battery life and support for USB-C for wireless charging. Just be aware that this cheaper version does not support active noise cancellation.View Deal
Willing to spend a bit more? Best Buy's latest Apple sale also has the AirPods 4 with active noise cancellation available for $149.99. This isn't the best offer, given that they were down to $99.99 in previous events. Still, if you must buy now, these AirPods 4 feature a new comfortable design, handy controls, and Apple's H2 chip, which supports personalized spatial audio and voice isolation – alongside that all-important ANC.View Deal
AirPods Pro 3: was $249 now $189.99
Apple's newest premium buds feature improved Active Noise Cancellation, outstanding audio, a comfortable in-ear design, and new features such as live translation and heart-rate tracking. These do-it-all buds really are 100% flagship audio and the noise-cancelling quality is outstanding. Today's deal is the best price you can find on Apple's newest AirPods, and the best price this year outside of Prime Day.View Deal
Watch Series 11: was $399 now $299
The latest Apple Watch 11 back to its lowest-ever price in the latest Best Buy sale. The thinnest Apple Watch yet, with a wraparound LTP3 OLED display, it's a great-looking watch with Apple Intelligence-powered smarts and a boosted battery compared to previous Apple Watches, clocking in at 24 hours of average use. View Deal
This is only $20 more than the record-low price for the Apple Watch SE 3, so it's still a solid bargain. The Apple Watch SE 3 is currently our pick for the best Apple Watch to buy if you're on a budget, as it delivers a full experience and all the style you need, but at a fraction of the price.View Deal
iPad A16 (2025): was $449 now $399
The brand-new Apple iPad A16 is down to its lowest-ever price in the Best Buy Memorial Day sale, so it's worth taking advantage of if you have an eye on the latest Apple slate. The biggest upgrade compared to the previous generation model is the latest A16 chip for faster performance. You also get double the storage of 128GB as standard, a sharp 11-inch Liquid Retina display, and solid 12MP front and back cameras.View Deal
iPad Pro 11-inch (M5): was $1199 now $1149
There's a decent $100 saving on the latest iPad Pro 11-inch at Best Buy, matching the record-low of $899 we saw on Black Friday. This is still a pricey tablet, but you do get the brand-new M5 chip, high-quality tandem OLED display and 256GB as standard. Expect this to be one of the better offers we see on the tablet until later in the year.View Deal
Hero 13 Black: was $479.99 now $354.99
Here's a super-tempting record-low price for one of the best action camera bundles in the world right now. The camera offers an impressive 5.3K video resolution inside a rugged and completely waterproof body. A sweet deal for your remaining summer adventures.View Deal
The Google Pixel 10a is a top bargain phone for its balance between affordability and functionality. It features a Tensor G4 processor and a display with a 120Hz refresh rate, which offers solid performance at this price point. You also get a Gorilla Glass 7i screen for better drop protection and scratch resistance. For almost $100 off, you can get this smooth and affordable smartphone for a little more than its lowest price ever.View Deal
The newest Ring Battery Doorbell Plus model drops to under $60 in the latest Best Buy sale. Its camera features 1536p resolution, night vision with color, and an improved motion sensor. It also includes an increased head-to-toe field of view of 150 by 150 degrees, so you can get a fuller picture of who's at your door.View Deal
Ted Lasso season 4 has finally found its footing. Indeed, after its premiere drew out the titular soccer coach's return to AFC Richmond, its follow-up entry delivered more of the cosy, soccer-based comfort viewing we've come to expect from the Apple TV Original.
This season's third episode, titled 'Richmond's Got Talent', will build upon its forebear, too, by introducing us to even more newcomers when Ted and company hold open trials for a spot on the Richmond Women's team's roster. So, when will we meet the final few players who'll aim to take Richmond to the top?
What is the launch time for Ted Lasso season 4 episode 3?Faye Marsay's Lizzie is one of many new faces you'll meet next episode... (Image credit: Apple TV)Ted Lasso's next episode will drop in the US and Canada at 6pm PT / 9pm ET on Tuesday, August 18.
Sure, Apple has publicly stated that new episodes will air every Wednesday worldwide. However, this season's first two installments have actually been released on Tuesday evenings in the Americas, so there's no reason to suspect that next week's entry won't do likewise.
As for the rest of the world, here's when season 4 episode 3 will arrive on one of the best streaming services:
- US — Tuesday, August 18 at 6pm PT / 9pm ET
- Canada — Tuesday, August 18 at 6pm PT / 9pm ET
- UK — Wednesday, August 19 at 2am BST
- India — Wednesday, August 19 at 6:30am IST
- Singapore — Wednesday, August 19 at 9am SGT
- Australia — Wednesday, August 19 at 11am AEST
- New Zealand — Wednesday, August 19 at 1pm NZST
There'll be 10 episodes to enjoy in Ted Lasso 4 — and, as I alluded to above, new chapters will come out every Tuesday in North and South America, and every Wednesday in other territories. That'll be the case until this season's finale launches in early October, too.
But, I digress. Here are the all-important release dates you need to know about:
- Ted Lasso season 4 episode 1 — out now
- Ted Lasso season 4 episode 2 — out now
- Ted Lasso season 4 episode 3 — August 18/19
- Ted Lasso season 4 episode 4 — August 25/26
- Ted Lasso season 4 episode 5 — September 1/2
- Ted Lasso season 4 episode 6 — September 8/9
- Ted Lasso season 4 episode 7 — September 15/16
- Ted Lasso season 4 episode 8 — September 22/23
- Ted Lasso season 4 episode 9 — September 29/30
- Ted Lasso season 4 episode 10 — October 6/7
- Akira ransomware tried Safe Mode boot to disable defenses but broke its own encryptor
- Defender later flagged and quarantined payload, leaving attackers with only stolen data
- Huntress advises VPN brute‑force alerts, MFA, SIEM logging, and Safe Mode monitoring
A recent ransomware attack saw the operators Akira (figuratively) shoot themselves in the foot - and they still walked away with sensitive data, albeit limping.
Akira is a well-known ransomware group, considered one of the most active cybercriminal organizations on the internet. Its modus operandi is simple in theory: they look for an exposed VPN instance (for example, one with a default or weak password), access the domain controller, enumerate Active Directory, steal sensitive data, and deploy an encryptor.
With the encryptor they leave a ransom note, instructing the victim to reach out and negotiate a payment in exchange for the decryption key and for deleting the stolen documents and information.
However, in a recent attack, they tried to first disable the device’s antivirus and endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions. The process backfired, resulting in the security solutions successfully spotting and quarantining the encryptor.
The good and the bad of Safe Mode with NetworkingA new report published by security researchers Huntress said that after establishing persistence on a device, Akira rebooted it into Safe Mode with Networking. This Windows startup mode boots the OS with only the essential drivers and services, excluding important components such as antivirus programs or EDR agents. At the same time, it grants internet access which, for Akira, is the perfect combination.
“This means Defender real-time protection was down too,” Akira explained. “For the entire Safe Mode window, the host had no working EDR, and AV was blinded. This is MITRE ATT&CK T1688: Impair Defenses: Safe Mode Boot, a technique that ransomware families like Snatch and AvosLocker have used for years. However, this is the first time we have seen Akira use it.”
What Akira didn’t bank on was Safe Mode with Networking also preventing its encryptor from running. “Safe Mode boots with a stripped-down environment and constrained virtual memory, and the Akira process tree appears to have starved it, getting the "Out of Virtual Memory" pop-up and the cascade of PowerShell hard errors line up exactly with the moment the payload tried to kick things off.”
The operators had no other choice but to boot the device back up normally, at which point a scheduled Defender scan detected the encryptor, flagged it, and ultimately quarantined it.
“The takeaway is a little uncomfortable. While Safe Mode blinded our controls, it may also have prevented the encryption it was meant to enable. That's a lucky side effect of the attacker's own mistake in these circumstances, not a defense you can plan around,” Huntress warned, stressing that not every victim might get such a lucky break.
“Ultimately, this could be a case of winning the battle, but not the war. It's possible that a host with more physical memory or a larger page file might give akira.exe enough virtual memory to encrypt the endpoint in Safe Mode. Akira's developers or affiliates could retool the encryptor to reduce its memory demands or make its Safe Mode launch sequence more reliable, meaning that the same failure may not occur in a future intrusion.”
How to defend against Akira ransomwareTo defend against Akira, Huntress recommends users set up alerts on bursts of failed VPN logins against multiple usernames from one source. It works well because Akira starts its breach with a brute-force attack against the VPN. It also says users should correlate those failures with a successful login from the same IP or ASN within a short window.
The second step is to turn on multi-factor authentication (MFA) on every VPN account. Users should also disable or IP-allowlist the SSL VPN during active attacks and, if compromised, rotate all AD and VPN credentials. “Treat everything in that Get-ADUser dump as exposed,” the researchers warn.
EDR should be deployed to every host, as well as SIEM and ingest VPN + Windows Event Logs. “The first VPN logons were visible hours before any detonation—this time advantage is only possible if the logs are on SIEM.”
Finally, users can set up alerts on boot-configuration changes and Safe Mode boots, to catch Akira red handed.
Epson's EcoTank line has been the refillable-ink standard-bearer we've measured other cartridge-free printers against for years. In our tests, they excel at both document and photo printing, with the bottled ink offering more value for money compared to inkjet cartridges. But if you want to save even more, right now the Epson EcoTank ET-4800 is down to $200 (was $300) at Amazon.
This 4-in-1 printer combines print, scan, copy, and fax with Ethernet connectivity. It ships with up to two years of ink included, an automatic document feeder for multi-page scans and copies, and both wireless and Ethernet connectivity for home or small-office setups.
EcoTank ET-4800 Wireless All-in-One: was $299.99 now $199.99
Refillable EcoTank ink system with up to 2 years of ink included in the box, automatic document feeder (ADF) for multi-page scans and copies, fax capability, and both wireless and Ethernet connectivity. Print, scan, and copy handled through the Epson Smart Panel app.View Deal
We've tested a range of EcoTank printers from Epson, and they've all delivered great performance for home and office use. And while we haven't gone hands-on with the entry level ET-4800, we loved the older ET-3850 and the upgraded ET-4850.
For our money, this is a great place to start if you're trying an ink tank printer for the first time, and at this price it's especially good for students preparing for back-to-school.
The EcoTank system remains the strongest case against traditional cartridge printers: Epson estimates savings of up to 90% on ink versus cartridges over the life of the printer, and the ET-4800 ships with enough ink to cover up to two years of typical use before you need to refill anything.
The ADF and fax support round it out as a genuine small-office machine rather than just a home printer, and having both wireless and Ethernet on board means you're not stuck troubleshooting Wi-Fi if your router setup is unreliable.
For more picks, including other EcoTank models, see our guides to the best home printers and the best all-in-one printers we've tested.
Price Context & Historical ValueA $100 drop from $299.99 to $199.99 is roughly 33 percent off, and it's just 99 cents more than its lowest ever price from back in August 2024. Based on that, we wouldn't expect it to drop any lower.
What we especially like here is that you get a generous amount of free ink in the box - four in total - so, the effective savings here run higher than the discount alone suggests.
Should you buy it?✅ Buy the Epson EcoTank ET-4800 if... you print often enough that cartridge costs add up, you want fax and Ethernet alongside the usual scan and copy functions, or you're setting up a small home office and want a wired connection as a Wi-Fi backup.
❌ Skip the Epson EcoTank ET-4800 if...
You print double-sided documents constantly and want automatic duplexing (this model only supports manual duplexing), you want a unit we've already reviewed hands-on, or you don't need fax or Ethernet and would rather save money on a simpler EcoTank model.
The Catch: What to know before you buyWe haven't tested this unit ourselves, so this recommendation leans on Epson's general track record with the EcoTank line rather than hands-on verification. It's also worth knowing the ET-4800 only supports manual duplex printing, not automatic — a detail some buyers have found easy to miss, since duplexing is standard on other printers in this price range.