News
- Dots will decide how to work autonomously toward a goal you set
- They have their own cloud computer and browser for safety
- Only Pro and Business Premium users are getting access for now
OpenAI has launched a new type of always-on AI agent within ChatGPT designed to take ongoing actions for work rather than waiting for individual prompts.
The new GPT-6-powered feature, Dots, means ChatGPT can keep working on tasks between conversations, only bringing things back to the user when they require specific attention or permission.
Designed to be more of an autonomous agent, the company explains that users only need to set goals and boundaries, and the Dots should be able to go about working out what happens next.
ChatGPT's Dots ramp up the 'autonomous' in agentic AIThe fundamental difference for ChatGPT's Dots is that they each have their own cloud computer and browser, giving them an environment within which they can interact with the broader web, use apps, run code and work with other plugins, keeping users' computers totally separate and free of any potential damage an autonomous agent could otherwise take.
A Dot's activity is shown as either being in progress, scheduled or completed, with some example use cases spanning checking a user's calendar to provide them with a morning report, or reviewing information from connected services and apps.
And to make Dots even more like proactive colleagues, the company has already added them into Slack and Teams, with text support also coming soon.
Built-in safeguards also promise to pause or stop a Dot's work if their system detects malicious instructions or behavior.
They're coming first to Pro and Business Premium users at no additional cost, and only work towards a set goal will consume usage limits – conversations with dots are totally free. Dots need to be set up on the desktop app or a browser first, but from there, they'll also be available to interact with on the mobile app.
OpenAI didn't share plans for a broader rollout, but given its previous deployment phases, it's possible that Dots could extend to other subscription types in the future once early users get to grips with real-world use cases and costs.
Today Samsung debuted a pair of new Tablets: the Samsung Galaxy Tab S12+ and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra. I’ve been taking the Ultra for a spin ahead of its October 7 launch and have been loving the massive display.
But the price hike, and minimal upgrades leave me questioning if it really needed it launch.
There’s a lot that’ll be familiar here for owners of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra when it comes to the S12 series. The AMOLED screen is still 14.6-inches with a 120Hz refresh rate and 1,600 nits peak brightness, the battery is still 11,600mAh with 45W charging (and boasts the same promised 23 hours of video playback as the S11 Ultra), and the S12 Ultra tablet is still IP68 rated meaning it could spend 30 minutes underwater at a depth of 1m and survive the experience.
The tablet is as thin (5.1mm) as it was before, with the same Silver and Gray color options to choose between as before. The only notable change is the chipset — the new 3nm processor boasts an up to 19% faster CPU, 17% better GPU performance, and a 51% improvement to its NPU processing for your AI needs — though there is also a new heat chamber for better heat dissipation, plus a new four-channel speaker setup for more immersive audio than last generation’s dual-speaker build.
I’ve been trying the Ultra model out and enjoying it so far — relying on it as a solid laptop alternative with the book keyboard cover attachment (sold separately), and also as a great mobile gaming and TV-watching device while I travel (a full review will be coming soon) — but considering how similar it is to the last generation, I am left wondering if Samsung should take a leaf out of Apple’s book and abandon its annual refresh approach to Galaxy Tab launches.
(Image credit: Future)The Tab S12+ is an interesting beast. There was no S11+, so it’s a replacement for the S10+ from 2024, but there’s also no regular S12 launching alongside these models, so it's kind of the successor to the S11 too.
Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S12+ boasts a 12.6-inch AMOLED screen with the same 1,600 nits peak brightness as the Ultra. It also has the same chipset as the Ultra model, but there's a smaller 10,600mAh battery (unsurprising, since it's physically smaller).
Besides the lower battery capcaity and screen size it also lacks the Ultra’s 8MP ultra-wide rear camera — but otherwise has the same 13MP main on its back, and 12MP ultra-wide on its front.
Because the S12+ is billed as a step-up model, despite there not being a base S12 to step up from, it does mean Samsung’s cheapest 2026 model is a lot more pricey than its cheapest 2025 tablet (more on that in a second).
For someone on a budget thinking of upgrading, it’s a real shame the best option from Samsung might be a tablet that’s a year old, but unless we get a regular Tab S12 (I’m not holding my breath) that’s the position we find ourselves in.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra (Image credit: Future | Nico Arboleda)Coming for the iPad Pro?As we’ve come to expect in 2026 — though it still stings to see every single time — the tablets will cost more than what has come before. The Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra will set you back $1,399 / £1,399 / AU$2,299 — up from $1,299 / £1,269 / AU$2,099 – meanwhile the S12+ costs $1,199 / £1,199 / AU$1,999 for its cheapest model.
For both tablets the cheapest configuration comes with 256GB of storage and 12GB of RAM, with both also having a 512GB model, and the Ultra boasting a 1TB model that also ups the RAM to 16GB, though these configurations will cost more.
At these prices, Samsung is pitching its S12 lineup against Apple’s iPad Pro lines, but thankfully the prices are a little cheaper. Compared with the 2025 iPad Pro launch prices, Samsung’s tablets would be pricier — however Apple hiked its prices by up to $200 / £200 / AU$400, putting its 11-inch iPad Pro on-par with the S12+, and making its the 13-inch iPad Pro $100 / £100 pricier.
Should Apple be worried? (Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)There are factors to consider beyond price, of course. The Samsung tablets have larger screens than their respective rivals and a longer quoted battery life, and come with the S Pen stylus in the box, while the Apple Pencil is sold separately.
But Apple’s tech is lighter — 444g and 579g compared with 553g and 692g — and while we need to do some more testing, Apple silicon tends to outperform its rivals.
All that aside, there’s plenty to still love about the S12-series Galaxy Tabs. I’ve been using the Ultra for a couple of weeks now and it’s genuinely a very useful machine. I’m currently writing this story using the tablet and its keyboard attachment (multitasking across documents, web pages, and my photos app with ease).
But again I’m left wondering if it really needed to exist considering the lackluster hardware upgrades and price increase. Right now I’m not sure, but let’s see how I feel when my review is ready
- Singapore police charge a man over a deepfake AI image
- The picture shows a crocodile in a public recreation area
- A total of 10 years of jail time could be attached to the charges
We know that AI apps can produce images that are often indistinguishable from real photos, and these pictures may get you into trouble with the law too: a man in Singapore faces a jail term of up to 10 years after allegedly sharing an AI-generated image of a crocodile in a popular public recreational area.
The man is Ye Lin, a 30-year-old from Myanmar (via PetaPixel), and the area is Pandan Reservoir. After the picture was shared on August 20, Singapore's national water agency shut down rowing and canoeing activities on the water while trying to find the semiaquatic reptile.
After determining the image was fake, the agency reported Ye Lin to the police, and the man could now be looking at a serious stretch inside when he turns up to court in November. On the charge of sending a false message, Ye Lin could face up to three years in prison, a fine of up to S$10,000 (about $7,835 / £5,895 / AU$11,235), or both.
Then there's the charge of obstructing justice, which can put you inside for up to seven years, lead to a fine (though it's not clear how much), or both. The accused man is reportedly planning to plead guilty and will be hoping the judicial system takes a lenient view on his AI deepfakery.
Communicating falsehoodsPandan Reservoir (Image credit: Adhirk/CC BY-SA 3.0)"The Police will not hesitate to take action against anyone who communicates falsehoods," said the Singapore Police Force in a statement. "Apart from causing fear and inconvenience to members of the public, such falsehoods also result in public resources being unnecessarily deployed to deal with these incidents."
It's not immediately clear how the image came to be widely circulated: according to the police, Ye Lin only shared the image with one of his colleagues rather than posting it online. He then deleted the image and the Gemini app he used to make it "in an attempt to conceal his actions" the police said.
The reactions online show some sympathy for Ye Lin, with many arguing that the original offense wasn't particularly egregious, especially as he didn't share the image widely. However, questions are being asked about why the man didn't step in and tell the authorities the picture was faked after the reservoir was closed off.
If the image was indeed made by Gemini, as the Straits Times reports, then it should've come with an invisible, embedded watermark identifying it as being generated by AI. It's not clear whether this watermark was removed somehow, or whether no one thought to check once the picture started circulating.
Celebrity Traitors Season 2 arrives tomorrow, but if you're travelling and at risk of missing out, you needn't worry.
BBC iPlayer is the free home of the popular UK series, meaning if you're a UK resident on holiday, you'll be stuck without due to the BBC limiting access to only those on home soil. Thankfully, a VPN can fix this, and I've found the cheapest way to ensure you don't miss out on the chaos: PrivadoVPN.
PrivadoVPN ranks among the fastest VPNs we've tested and offers the best free VPN alternative too. But, more importantly, it's also a top streaming VPN for BBC iPlayer.
When I tried using PrivadoVPN to watch the last series of Celebrity Traitors, it was flawless. I connected to a UK server quickly, and never experienced any buffering or dropouts.
What's more, unlike alternatives such as NordVPN, PrivadoVPN costs only $1.11 per month. This means you can get two years of stress-free streaming access for only $30. That's over $60 less than an equivalent NordVPN plan.
PrivadoVPN: Only $1.11 per month for 27 months of protection
PrivadoVPN is the cheapest way to access the new season of Celebrity Traitors without compromising your stream quality. It's by far the fastest VPN available right now. Plus, it's got all the essential security features you need from a VPN, and servers in 66 cities worldwide so you can be secure anywhere. Interested? PrivadoVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can try it risk-free. View Deal
PrivadoVPN's streaming performance excels beyond iPlayer too. We put it through rigorous testing with global Netflix libraries, Prime Video, Disney+, and more, and, compared to far more expensive alternatives, it proved effective.
Its biggest hurdle was Prime Video which, like many VPNs, it failed with altogether. Aside from that, it worked with all the global and local streaming services we tested it with, despite its budget price. This is helped by its servers in 49 countries being regularly optimized for streaming.
- New Spectre variant exploits processor prediction behavior in just-in-time compilers
- Researchers demonstrated practical attacks against Intel-based Linux systems
- Vendors released mitigations as security teams assess performance tradeoffs
The dreaded Spectre vulnerability which had chip manufacturers scrambling for a fix a few years ago, has returned, experts have claimed.
Security researchers from the Vrije Universiteit in the Netherlands and Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna in Italy published a new report, detailing a type of attack they call Branch Target Reuse (BTR).
They labeled it the first practical in-place Spectre v2 attack that targets just-in-time (JIT) compilers - and it's a lot to decompile (pun intended), so let’s break it all down.
Spectre and MeltdownModern microprocessors come with a feature called “speculative execution” - they speculate what a program’s next moves might be, and load them in advance, so that when one scenario actually happens, it can be executed rather quickly.
They also monitor recurring patterns and try to remember them, but this also opens the doors to so-called “side-channel attacks”, which allow threat actors to steal information by observing indirect clues from a system (timing, power consumption, etc.), rather than accessing them directly.
Back in 2017, security researchers discovered that speculative execution can be abused via side-channel attacks, giving birth to two vulnerabilities: Spectre and Meltdown. Given how widespread the flaws were (practically all chips were affected), and their potential severity, the entire industry rushed to fix the flaws with software patches. Some succeeded, but the overall effort was more of a fiasco than a success. Many chips were throttled significantly, and some computers were entirely bricked.
Spectre and Meltdown were eventually fixed, but since then, there have been countless copycats and variants. We now have a new variant, called Branch Target Reuse (BTR).
BTRWhen a processor wants to “remember” a recurring theme, it stores it in something called the Branch Target Buffer (BTB). At the same time, there is an element called “JIT”. Short for just-in-time, it is a compiler that translates code into native machine instructions during program execution, rather than before it runs. In practice, JIT creates code at memory address X, later running it numerous times. The CPU learns the pattern and tries to repeat it.
So when JIT deletes the code and puts something else at the same address X, that’s where the problems begin, since the CPU still tries to jump to X first. That is called Branch Target Reuse. The CPU will eventually realize that the old habits no longer work, but it’s the moment in between that the researchers managed to exploit.
What makes BTR particularly dangerous is the fact that there is no need for a new malware to exploit it. Threat actors can simply use the fact that machine-code bytes can mean different things when execution begins at a different byte offset.
In the paper, the researchers detail two proof-of-concept (PoC) exploits that can target Intel-based Linux kernels, revealing the root password hash even with the constant binding defense provided by cBPF. The expected leakage rate is 5.7 KB/sec for Intel Raptor Cove chips and 5.4 KB/sec for Lion Cove which, according to The Register, is “slow but enough for an unprivileged user to coax a sensitive password hash out of a vulnerable system.”
Linux kernel developers and Oracle responded with mitigations. The bugs have now gotten two CVEs: CVE-2026-64507 and CVE-2026-64508. Mozilla decided to focus more on site isolation, and while IBPB is most likely effective, it will slow the machine down. “Update your OS and software as soon as vendor patches are available,” the researchers said. “Both the Linux kernel and Oracle have released patches.”
The Branch Target Reuse paper, which can be read on this link, was peer-reviewed and accepted by ACM CCS 2026, a major academic cybersecurity conference, due to take place in mid-November this year in The Hague, Netherlands.
Via The Register
Thinking of buying an Amazon Echo Show? The best time to do it is during an Amazon Prime Day sale. It's a safe bet that the vast majority of Amazon devices — including Echo Shows — will be heavily discounted during these events, and it's very rare to see these kinds of price-drops at any other time of year.
Nowadays, we have two Prime Days every year: one around July and one around October. And of course they don't just last a day. That would be silly. You can expect at least two days of deals, and maybe more. The next Amazon Prime Day is imminent: it's scheduled to run on 6 and 7 October.
Traditionally, you had to be a Prime subscriber to take advantage of the Prime Day deals. That's still sort-of the case, but increasingly we're seeing 'Prime Day' pricing appearing ahead of the official events, and the deals are open to everyone. That's the case this year with the Echo Show range (as well as a bunch of other Amazon devices, actually).
• Shop Amazon's full US early Prime Day sale / UK early Prime Day sale
There are significant discounts live already across almost the entire Echo Show range in both the US and the UK. I've rounded up all the current pricing directly below, or you can scroll down further for more information on the deals — including how they compare to previous offers — and my advice on how to choose.
US links Amazon Echo Show 5 (newest gen) Amazon Echo Show 8 (newest gen) Amazon Echo Show 11 (newest gen) Amazon Echo Show 15 (newest gen) Amazon Echo Show 21 (newest gen) UK links Amazon Echo Show 5 (newest gen) Amazon Echo Show 8 (newest Gen) Amazon Echo Show 11 (newest Gen) Amazon Echo Show 15 (newest gen) Amazon Echo Show 21 (newest Gen) Amazon Echo show: buying adviceNormal bargain-hunting rules dictate you should wait for a product to return to the cheapest price it has ever dropped to, before now. However, in the case of Prime Day, Amazon does like to switch things up. For instance, the most recent Prime Day was in June 2026; the deals appearing now aren't exactly the same, and in some cases prices are slightly higher than we saw in June.
However, I'd still recommend buying the model you want now, as I don't expect prices to drop any further during this event. Unless, of course, you wanted to gamble and wait until the next Prime Day to see if your desired model gets a bigger discount. (Risky tactics because in general, prices are trending up.)
(Image credit: Future)What's slightly sneaky is that Amazon has increased the list price alongside those discounts, to make the deal appear better than it is. For instance, in the US the Echo Show 11 has fallen to the same price it was in June: $149.99. However, because Amazon has raised the 'original' price, it's showing as a 40% discount now, whereas in June it was only 32% off.
For reference, here are all the discounts and list prices for the June 2026 Prime Day. I'll start with the US:
- Show 5: $59.99 (list price $89.99) — 33% off
- Show 8: $124.99 (list price $179.99) — 31% off
- Show 11: $149.99 (list price $219.99) — 32% off
- Show 15: $249.99 (list price $299.99) — 17% off
- Show 21: $319.99 (list price $399.99) — 20% off
And here were the deals in the UK:
- Show 5: £49.99 (list price £89.99) — 44% off
- Show 8: £114.99 (list price £179.99) — 36% off
- Show 11: £139.99 (list price £219.99) — 36% off
- Show 15: £239.99 (list price £299.99) — 20% off
- Show 21: List price £399.99 — no discount
I assume if you've got this far, you know what an Amazon Echo Show is and what it's for. But just in case: these are speakers / displays that act as hubs from which you can control your smart home. The different options range in capabilities and screen size — the number at the end of the product name indicates the size of screen.
If you want the biggest and best screen, you should buy the Show 21, which has a 21-inch, full HD display. The Show 15 and Show 11 also have full HD screens, but they're smaller.
If price is your main consideration, it's the littlest option that comes in cheapest. The Echo Show 5 is very compact, and less than half the price of the next model up. However, there are concessions you're making for that low price: the display isn't HD, there's one basic speaker and the camera is only 2MP.
You might get better value for money by opting for an Echo Show 8 or 11, which both offer a jump up in specs compared to the Show 5. Both have two full-range drivers and a 2.8-inch woofer, plus a 13MP camera with auto-framing. The 8 has a HD display and the 11 has full HD. You can see exactly how all the specs compare in the table below.
Model:
Show 5
Show 8
Show 11
Show 15
Show 21
Current gen:
3rd gen, 2023
4th gen, 2025
1st gen, 2025
2nd gen, 2024
1st gen, 2024
Screen size:
5.5 inch
8.7 inch
11 inch
15.5 inch
21 inch
Screen specs:
Touchscreen
HD touchscreen
Full HD touchscreen
Full HD touchscreen
Full HD touchscreen
Audio:
1.75-in speaker
2x full-range drivers and 1x 2.8-inch woofer
2x full-range drivers and 1x 2.8-inch woofer
2x 2in woofers, 2x 0.6in tweeters
2x 2in woofers, 2x 0.6in tweeters
Camera:
2MP
13MP with auto-framing
13MP with auto-framing
13MP wide angle with auto-framing
13MP wide angle with auto-framing
Video support:
Prime Video app
Prime Video and Netflix app
Prime Video and Netflix app
Full selection via Fire TV app store
Full selection via Fire TV app store
Fire TV built in:
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
Smart home hub built in:
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Dimensions (W x D x H):
5.8 x 3.6 x 3.2in / 14.7 x 9.1 x 8.2cm
8.2 x 5 x 5.9in / 21 x 13 x 15cm
10 x 5 x 7.2in / 26 x 13 x 18cm
16.1 x 10.1 x 1.4in / 41 x 3.6 x 26cm
21.4 x 13.2 x 1.5in / 54 x 3.8 x 34cm
Thin. Light. And a big screen. Say less. Add in a surprising amount of power for this form factor, and you have the LG Gram Pro 16. There’s a lot to like with this laptop, including some interesting LG-specific software and a very impressive battery life. The only thing that might give me pause in recommending it as one of the best laptops out there is its very high price.
Now, I should clarify that there is a version of the LG Gram Pro 16 that skips the Aerominum material of the pricier version (more on that later) and has the most basic integrated graphics instead of the Intel Arc B390 Graphics included on the configuration reviewed here. Even though the Intel Arc B390 Graphics in the review unit are also integrated, it’s surprisingly on par with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050.
So that version might be one of the best Ultrabooks out there for someone who wants that thin and light package with a big screen but doesn’t need all the bells and whistles. But that version pales in performance. Of course, the LG Gram Pro 16 reviewed here is much more expensive. I don’t want to tell you to wait for a sale, but its price is its biggest drawback.
The LG Gram Pro 16 is very portable thanks ot its light weight, thin design, and powerful battery. (Image credit: Future / James Holland)LG Gram Pro 16 review: Price & Availability- How much does it cost? Starting at $2,699.99 (about £2,010/ AU$3,830)
- When is it available? Available now
- Where can you get it? Available in the US
While the LG Gram Pro 16 is available in US, UK, and Australia, the 2026 configuration, which has the model designation of 16Z90U (or 16Z95U for the AMD powered ones), is mostly just available in the US at the time of writing. It most certainly will make it to the UK, and one configuration is sold in Australia with an MSRP of AU$4,199, though it’s already discounted to AU$2,899. This configuration comes with a Intel Core Ultra 7 355 CPU, 32GB RAM, Intel Arc graphics, and 1TB of storage. It also features a 2560x1600 touchscreen.
For the US, there are seven configurations. The cheapest one, not accounting for any slashed prices, goes for $2,699.99, which has an Intel Core Ultra 7 CPU and its integrated graphics, 32GB RAM, 512GB storage, and that same 2560x1600 touch screen. The price starts to creep up with more storage (though some models have a 1TB SSD but 16GB of RAM and are maybe fifty bucks more).
The most expensive model doesn’t have a touchscreen, but does have slightly higher resolution with a 2560x1800 screen. More importantly, it comes with an Intel Core Ultra X7 CPU, integrated Intel Arc graphics B390 Graphics which have the power of an Nvidia Geforce RTX 4050, 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage.
The Samsung Galaxy Book6 Ultra is a good laptop to compare the LG Gram Pro 16 to. Its price tag of $2,449.99 / £2,999 (around AU$6,000) for a laptop with an Nvidia RTX 5060 GPU and 1TB of storage, similar CPU, and similar screen is also expensive, though less expensive than the LG Gram Pro 16 at its maxed out configuration. Or, if you look at the Dell 2026 XPS 16, you’ll find a very similarly priced and specced laptop that also comes with an OLED screen (again comparing to the max configuration).
I think there are a few reasons that LG costs more. The first is that they’re using a new material called Aerominum for the chassis, and semi-relatedly, weighs under three pounds, unlike either of the other mentioned laptops. Hopefully as LG keeps using Aerominum, the price will come down.
- Value score: 4 / 5
The LG Gram Pro 16 has about seven different configurations at the time of writing, all with slightly different combinations of CPU (Intel Core Ultra 7, AMD Ryzen AI 7 450, Intel Core Ultra X7), RAM (16 or 32GB), storage space (512GB, 1TB, or 2TB), and graphics, with the cheapest configuration utilizing the basic integrated Intel Graphics and more substantial configurations using the Ryzen AI 7 450’s integrated AMD Radeon 860M graphics or at the top of the price range, Intel’s integrated but powerful Arc B390 GPU.
Base
Review / Max
Price
$1,399.99 (about £1,040 / AU$1,980)
$3,499.99 (about £2,600 / AU$9,000)
CPU
Intel Core Ultra 7
Intel Core Ultra X7
GPU
Intel graphics
Intel Arc B390 Graphics
RAM
32GB LPDDR5X
32GB LPDDR5X (Dual Channel, 8533MHz)
Storage
512GB M.2 SSD
1TB M.2 SSD
Display
16-inch diagonal, WQXGA (2560x1600) touch IPS @120Hz
16-inch diagonal, WQXGA+ (2560x1800) non-touch IPS @120Hz
Ports and Connectivity
USB 3.2 Gen1 (x2), USB 4 Gen3x2 Type C (x2, with Power Delivery, Display Port, Thunderbolt 4), HDMI, Aux out
USB 3.2 Gen1 (x2), USB 4 Gen3x2 Type C (x2, with Power Delivery, Display Port, Thunderbolt 4), HDMI, Aux out
Wireless
Intel Wi-Fi 7 (WiFi7, 2x2, BT Combo) and Bluetooth 6
Intel Wi-Fi 7 (WiFi7, 2x2, BT Combo) and Bluetooth 6
Camera
FHD IR Webcam with Dual Mic (Face recognition)
FHD IR Webcam with Dual Mic (Face recognition)
Dimensions
2.97 lbs (1.35 kg)
2.64 lbs (1.2 kg)
Weight
14.1 x 9.9 x 0.49~0.5 inches / 358.1 x 251.5 x 12.4~12.7 mm
14.1 x 9.9 x 0.49~0.5 inches / 358.1 x 251.5 x 12.4~12.7 mm
On the exterior, there are two different screen options. The less powerful models come with a 2560x1600 resolution, some of which have touchscreens including the cheapest configuration. The more powerful ones with either the Ryzen or Intel Arc graphics have a slightly sharper 2560x1800 resolution – none of them touchscreen.
LG Gram Pro 16 review: Design- Light, thin, but with a big screen!
- Keyboard doesn’t have much travel
- Good ports, but not ideal port placement
First things first, the LG Gram Pro 16 reviewed here is like all the other LG Grams, as it manages to be light and portable while still providing a pretty large screen. Those things are typically mutually exclusive. Yet here, you get a 16-inch screen in a package that weighs under three pounds. And since the bezels are pretty thin, it’s only fourteen inches wide. Plus, it’s half an inch thick.
It’s taken me a while to figure out why the LG Gram Pro 16 comes with such a high price tag. Part of it is the robust components. Part of it is the engineering to get it so light and thin. But part of it is, in my opinion, the use of a proprietary material called Aerominum instead of the usual aluminum alloy or plastic. It feels like plastic but is a little tougher, and the LG Gram Pro 16's chassis is made from it. There is, however, a little bit of give in the bottom shell where the venting is.
The LG Gram Pro 16 has both USB-C ports on the same side. (Image credit: Future / James Holland)Since the LG Gram Pro 16 is so thin, the keyboard doesn’t have much travel. Because of this, I don’t really enjoy typing on it for long periods of time. It’s fine. It’s accurate. And it doesn’t bother me when browsing or more casual use, but it just doesn’t have much cushion. I can feel the keys bottom out on every press. At least, it’s a full size keyboard.
The trackpad, on the other hand, is nice to use. It’s also big, though I have to be careful to not accidentally touch it when typing as it is sensitive, and I’m somewhat lazy with my hand placement. And if you use all the different gestures Windows is capable of, the trackpad will register them.
Lastly, I’m appreciative of the port selection, but less so the port placement. A laptop like this doesn’t need anything beyond the two USB-4 type C, two USB, headphone jack, and an HDMI port that it comes with, but the LG Gram Pro 16 makes the same mistake that many laptops do. If you have two USB-C ports and that’s the only way to power the laptop, put one on each side and not on the same side. The power cable it comes with is not that long, and I’ve created a few tripping hazards trying to charge just because of the port placement.
- Design score: 4.5 / 5
- Plenty of power for demanding tasks, though with some adjustments
- Mostly great suite of additional software
- Good audio, camera, and mic performance
3DMark: Solar Bay: 25,811; Steel Nomad: 1,607
Geekbench 7.0: (Single Core) 2,254; (Multi Core) 17,471
Crossmark: Overall: 1,981; Productivity: 1,763; Creativity: 2,334; Responsiveness: 1,716
HandBrake 1.11.1: 4:01
Total War: Warhammer III: Mirrors of Madness (1080p): 61.7fps; (2880x1800) 29.7fps
Cyberpunk 2077: (1080p, Ray Tracing): 18.29fps; (1080p, Ray Tracing off) 50.07fps
Battery Life (PCMark 10): 15:34:02
Between the Intel Core Ultra X7, Intel Arc B390 Graphics, and 32GB or RAM the LG Gram Pro 16 I’m reviewing has, it’s a fairly powerful computer. Despite the fact that the Intel Arc graphics are integrated and not actually a discrete GPU, it compares favorably to an Nvidia Geforce RTX 4050 (which is admittedly entry level for discrete graphics).
That means that I can take this somewhere to do a little work – maybe write this review, for instance – and then switch to a demanding video game like Starfield, South of Midnight or Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 for a bit of fun. While the computer struggles a little at the highest settings for these games, it’s also running at a 120Hz refresh rate.
Now, I assume that many people wanting to read about the LG Gram Pro 16 care about its gaming capabilities, but those are among the more demanding tasks you can ask from a computer. If it can run one of those games, it can handle photo and video editing (we also have benchmarks to show how they would handle those tasks). It can handle recording audio. This is a powerful computer, though, as a gaming computer, it just barely clears the bar of running those more demanding titles.
The keyboard is full size, but a little shallow. (Image credit: Future / James Holland)Now, since LG proudly advertises the AI capabilities of this laptop – if you look on the website, the thumbnail puts “AI” next to the computer’s name as if it’s part of it – it makes sense that AI is all over this thing.
When I open LG’s My Gram app, which is the LG Gram Pro 16’s software interface for fine-tuning its performance, I see things like AI microphone and speaker optimization settings (you can also register your voice so that the laptop only hears / recognizes it), AI cooling for the fan settings, and an AI mode for the battery settings where it adjusts battery usage based on what it’s learned about how one uses their computer and how to allocate battery based on that. The My Gram software can also turn off the screen automatically when you walk away from the laptop.
LG also includes its own LLM tool for interacting with the laptop: AI Gram Chat. Instead of letting you write prompts to generate an image or a short story, it is made as almost an interactive interface for the computer. I can ask it to summarize a document, change settings, or troubleshoot, to name just a few things it's capable of.
The unique software suite on the LG Gram Pro 16 isn’t limited to AI-focused apps. LG Gram Link is an interesting one that’s included, and lets you quickly share files with other compatible devices, like other LG Grams from 2021 and on, LG TVs and smart monitors, and mobile devices. You can download the LG Gram Link for both Android and iOS, so you’re not limited to an LG device.
The last thing worth mentioning on the software front is that, as interesting as those other apps are and as expensive as this computer can be, you’ll still be subjected to dealing with a free McAfee trial. Since I don’t use or like McAfee, it’s an annoyance with its constant pop-ups. And it’s a piece of software that makes you jump through hoops to uninstall. I don’t like it. Minus five points to LG.
For a laptop, the audio here is pretty good. There’s almost no low end to speak of, but that’s the case for most laptops. Content, whether it’s a movie or music, sounds clear without sounding harsh. If you want excellent audio, get some wireless headphones, but if you don’t have any, the speakers on this laptop are good enough.
Those who are stuck on video calls all day will be happy to know that the webcam looks pretty good. There’s some graininess in low light situations, which is to be expected, but the image is clear and smooth. Plus, you can do the auto framing where the camera zooms in on your face like a 70’s Western. The eye contact feature and background effects are also here. Just be aware that there’s no physical shutter to block the camera. And the built-in mic is similarly capable for Zoom and voice calls.
- Performance score: 4.5 / 5
- Very long battery life
- Has some AI features to extend battery life even longer
LG claims that the Gram Pro 16’s 77Wh battery can last for 27 hours when playing back video when using its AI Battery Efficiency feature). And it might just be able to do that. But I like to test battery life without any special features or tricks. I want to get a good sense of what the battery itself is capable of.
During use, it did in fact last quite a while. I was able to actually play computer games unplugged without running the battery completely down in an hour or two, though it did take a hit. And I would use it unplugged multiple days at a time without charging. Running the PCMark 10 battery benchmark for office use with all the settings midway between performance and battery took almost 17 hours. A chore to sit through, but a great indicator of how good the battery life is.
Using the LG Gram Link app, you can share files between devices. (Image credit: Future / James Holland)- Battery Life score: 4.5 / 5
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Value
If you compare the LG Gram Pro 16 to similarly specced laptops trying to do the MacBook Pro 16 thing, they’re all at the same somewhat hard-to-stomach price.
4 / 5
Design
I might have some issue with a few choices on this laptop, but it’s thin and light while still offering a big screen. That’s hard to find.
4.5 / 5
Performance
In that thin and light chassis is a pretty powerful computer, able to handle pretty powerful tasks along with its own AI apps. Just beware the McAfee popups.
4.5 / 5
Battery Life
Even without LG’s battery efficiency, the battery on this laptop lasts a very long time.
5 / 5
Final Score
If price is no object, the LG Gram Pro 16 is a very impressive computer. It’s the full packet (but a light one).
4.5 / 5
Buy it if…You want thin, light, and powerful
This laptop comes in under three pounds and is half an inch thick, yet you can run a lot of demanding software on it.View Deal
You need long battery life
The LG Gram Pro 16 surprised me with its battery life, especially after experiencing its power. I think you’ll be surprised by it too.View Deal
You want to drag and drop files between devices
Using LG Gram Link, you can share files between devices. So, if you want to send a couple pictures from your phone to the laptop for editing, the app makes it simple.View Deal
You have any budget concerns
The LG Gram Pro 16 is just priced too high. While I hazard to guess that it’s the use of a new type of material, its price tag is just out of reach for most people.View Deal
You don’t like McAfee
This is bloatware. Yes, it can be removed, but you get an added inconvenience to counteract the laptop’s actual conveniences like LG Gram Link.View Deal
If our LG Gram Pro 16 review has you considering other options, here are two laptops to consider...
Samsung Galaxy Book6 Ultra
Thin. Light. With a 16-inch screen. Sound familiar? Well, the Samsung Galaxy Book6 Ultra checks those boxes too. Plus, it’s similarly expensive. However, it does come with more powerful graphics (and a bigger issue with heat).
Read our full Samsung Galaxy Book6 Ultra review
Dell XPS 16 (2026)
The Dell XPS 16 is a premium laptop that’s thin and light with a big screen like the LG Gram Pro 16. Plus, it comes with an OLED screen for about the same price. Its port selection is a bit more limited, however, and it’s a pound heavier.
Read our full Dell XPS 16 (2026) review
How I tested the LG Gram Pro 16- Tested for a couple weeks
- Used it for work, gaming, and streaming
- Messed with its AI capabilities
I used the LG Gram Pro 16 for a couple weeks. I used it for work, including typing up most of this review (along with the requisite online research). I used it to stream video. I even did some serious gaming. I also played around with the AI and first-party software.
After spending time with the LG Gram Pro 16, it’s clear that this is meant for those who want a large screen in a thin, light package without sacrificing power. That might be a big ask, but LG has done it for a price.
I’ve spent the last few years reviewing tech gear for gaming and otherwise, where I’ve gotten a feel for what to look for and how to put a piece of kit through its paces to see whether it’s worth the recommendation.
- First reviewed: August 2026
The ROG Zephyrus Duo is a mighty gaming laptop with an outstanding spec, which includes not one but two 3K OLED touchscreens.
It looks, though, bely its capabilities. There isn’t much branding or brashness here, and the dark colorway keeps things modest. It also lacks the sleekness of some models, with its various jutting edges and angles sullying its contours. The materials don’t seem all that premium, either. However, the ROG Zephyrus Duo is still a solidly made machine, and considering what lurks beneath, it’s surprisingly thin and compact.
The way the dual displays are set up is clever and well engineered, too. The keyboard can be detached to reveal the second screen, and there’s a sturdy stand underneath the unit to prop up both displays. These solutions provide plenty of scope for your preferred setup, and the various hinges operate smoothly while providing plenty of stability.
(Image credit: Future)What’s more, there’s a generous selection of ports on the ROG Zephyrus Duo, matching some of the best gaming laptops on this front. In addition to two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports and two USB-A ports, you also get an SD card reader and an HDMI output.
My review unit was the top-spec model with the RTX 5090 GPU, so naturally its gaming performance was superb. It ran Cyberpunk 2077 between 50-60fps on the highest preset and at full resolution. There was a lot of fan noise and heat, but the former isn’t too disruptive, and the latter is confined to the underside of the unit.
Both displays are as vivid and as sharp as you would expect given their OLED technology and 3K resolution. Their touchscreens are responsive and sufficiently smooth, although they can feel a little grabby at times. They’d be better served by a stylus, but unfortunately you’ll have to provide your own, since the ROG Zephyrus Duo doesn’t come with one.
The keyboard functions well, whether attached to the bottom screen or detached and connected via Bluetooth. The keys have a generous travel and a tactile feel, which makes them great for typing. However, they feel a little cramped when gaming in the WASD position, and it’s a shame the layout isn’t full size, given the space available. The integrated touchpad works well for cursor navigation, thanks to its large surface.
As with most gaming laptops, the battery life of the ROG Zephyrus Duo is a weak point. It didn’t even last four hours when I ran a movie on a continuous loop, a poor result even by the measly standards of your typical gaming laptop.
The ROG Zephyrus Duo certainly demands a large chunk of money, but it's an undeniably high-end device with just about the best performance you could wish for in a portable gaming machine. What’s more, there aren’t many dual-screen laptops built for gaming at this level, so the ROG Zephyrus Duo is a must if that’s a priority for you.
(Image credit: Future)Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo (2026) review: Price & availability- Starts from $4,499.99 / £3,999.99 / AU$8,999
- Available now
- Incredibly expensive
Given its almighty spec, it shouldn't come as a surprise that the ROG Zephyrus Duo has a price tag to match. Exact model specifications vary with region, but the starting price is $4,499.99 / £3,999.99 / AU$8,999. For this, you get an RTX 5070 Ti GPU, 32GB of RAM, and 1TB of storage.
If a dual-screen setup is a must for your laptop, you could also look at the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i. It too comes with Bluetooth keyboard, but also comes with a mouse and a stylus, both of which the ROG Zephyrus Duo omits. Additionally, it costs a lot less than ROG Zephyrus Duo, although the big drawback is that it doesn’t have a dedicated GPU, so it isn’t one for heavy gamers.
If you don’t need dual screens, but just want an all-conquering gaming laptop, then the Razer Blade 18 is about the best we’ve tried in this category. We were overawed by its performance, while we also loved its keyboard, display, and form factor. It too has a seriously daunting price, though.
Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo (2026) review: SpecsAsus ROG Zephyrus Duo (2026) base configuration
Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo (2026) mid configuration
Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo (2026) max configuration
Price
$4,499.99 / £3,999.99 / AU$8,999
$5,499.99
$(TBC) / £6,099.99 / AU$12,999
CPU
Intel Core Ultra 9 386H (up to 4.9 GHz, 16 cores)
Intel Core Ultra 9 386H (up to 4.9 GHz, 16 cores)
Intel Core Ultra 9 386H (up to 4.9 GHz, 16 cores)
Graphics
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti Laptop GPU (12GB GDDR7)
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU (24GB GDDR7)
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU (24GB GDDR7)
RAM
32GB LPDDR5X
32GB LPDDR5X
64GB LPDDR5X
Screen
2x 16-inch 3K (2880 x 1800) OLED, 16:10, 120Hz, HDR, Touchscreen, G-Sync
2x 16-inch 3K (2880 x 1800) OLED, 16:10, 120Hz, HDR, Touchscreen, G-Sync
2x 16-inch 3K (2880 x 1800) OLED, 16:10, 120Hz, HDR, Touchscreen, G-Sync
Storage
1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2
1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2
2TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2
Ports
1x power input (DC), 2x Thunderbolt 4 (DisplayPort / power delivery, 40Gbps), 2x USB-A (3.2 Gen 2, 10Gbps), 1x HDMI 2.1 FRL, 1x SD card reader, 1x 3.5mm combo audio
1x power input (DC), 2x Thunderbolt 4 (DisplayPort / power delivery, 40Gbps), 2x USB-A (3.2 Gen 2, 10Gbps), 1x HDMI 2.1 FRL, 1x SD card reader, 1x 3.5mm combo audio
1x power input (DC), 2x Thunderbolt 4 (DisplayPort / power delivery, 40Gbps), 2x USB-A (3.2 Gen 2, 10Gbps), 1x HDMI 2.1 FRL, 1x SD card reader, 1x 3.5mm combo audio
Wireless
Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0
Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0
Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0
Battery
90WHrs
90WHrs
90WHrs
Weight
2.82kg (6.22 lbs)
2.82kg (6.22 lbs)
2.82kg (6.22 lbs)
Dimensions
13.98 x 9.72 x 0.98 inches (355 x 247 x 24.9mm)
13.98 x 9.72 x 0.98 inches (355 x 247 x 24.9mm)
13.98 x 9.72 x 0.98 inches (355 x 247 x 24.9mm)
(Image credit: Future)Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo (2026) review: Design- Understated looks
- Smart and versatile dual-screen setup
- Generous port selection
The ROG Zephyrus Duo cuts a rather unassuming figure, with its dark gray colorway and lack of branding. On the lid, the diagonal strip that’s become the mark of the Zephyrus line doesn’t add much interest. But the matte finish on the lid is a nice touch.
However, the rest of the unit’s materials don’t look or feel particularly premium. Its form is quite utilitarian, too, lacking the totally flat and flush surfaces of more sleek laptops. Thankfully, though, it feels very solid, and although the top display enclosure is quite thin and has some flex to it, it’s sturdy enough.
The ROG Zephyrus Duo is actually quite a discreet device. There’s no denying its thickness, but when you consider it hides a second screen and a detachable wireless keyboard, as well as featuring up to an RTX 5090 GPU, it’s quite impressive Asus has managed to make it this compact. It’s still expectedly heavy, though.
Two 3K OLED touchscreen displays are the standout feature of the ROG Zephyrus Duo. You can set them up in various ways: by reclining the main display back past 180 degrees so you can prop the unit like a tent, or leave the laptop in the standard position and simply remove the keyboard to use the display underneath. This would be perfect for drawing or handwriting while you keep your eyes on the main display. It’s a shame, though, that the ROG Zephyrus Duo doesn’t come with a stylus despite supporting them, although if you’re an enthusiastic creative you may already have one you can use.
(Image credit: Future)The hinge offers a smooth pivot and provides plenty of stability, no matter what angle you have the main display at. However, it doesn’t allow for a full 360-degree rotation, so the ROG Zephyrus Duo can’t be used like a tablet — although this wouldn’t exactly be practical, given its size and weight.
Perhaps the best way to make use of the ROG Zephyrus Duo’s dual displays is to unfold the integrated kickstand underneath the unit so that both displays are stacked on top of each other. This stand provides a reassuring stability and, despite how thin it is, it doesn’t feel flimsy.
Switching between dual- and single-screen use is made easy thanks to the removable keyboard. It’s magnetically attached to the bottom screen, so it simply requires a light pry to detach it. At the same time, it’s also very stable when in place; I didn’t experience any wobbling or displacement when using it.
When detached, it connects to the ROG Zephyrus Duo via Bluetooth, which you enable by flicking a switch on the side of the keyboard. It charges when attached to the bottom screen, but you can also charge it using the USB-C port on its side when it’s not.
Its build quality is less impressive than the rest of the ROG Zephyrus Duo, though. The soft outer material feels cheap and is prone to scuff marks and the like, while the board itself is quite flimsy. However, this is a price worth paying for its lightness, and it remains stable while typing.
Given its real estate, the layout is disappointingly compromised. It seems like there’s space to include a number pad or at least more navigation keys. The arrow keys are inconveniently small, too, although the integrated touchpad is a good size at least.
I was also glad to see a number of ports on board the ROG Zephyrus Duo. In addition to two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports and two USB-A ports, there’s also a full-sized SD card reader, an HDMI port, and a 3.5mm headset jack. These ports are spread quite evenly across both sides of the unit and are sensibly positioned.
(Image credit: Future)Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo (2026) review: Performance- Phenomenal performance
- Consistent fan noise
- Keyboard not great for gaming
3DMark: Night Raid: 63,017; Fire Strike: 34,724; Steel Nomad: 4,818; Solar Bay: 88,856; Solar Bay Unlimited: 86,289; Solar Bay Extreme: 17,498; Solar Bay Extreme Unlimited: 16,958
Geekbench 6.5: Multicore: 17,119; Single-core: 2,857
Cinebench R23: Multi Core: 20,933; Cinebench R24: Single Core: 124; Multi Core: 1,252
Crossmark: Overall: 2,177; Productivity: 1,975; Creativity: 2,532; Responsiveness: 1,852
Passmark Overall: 15,847.2; CPU: 39,981.9; 2D Graphics: 1,462.5; 3D Graphics: 30,730.9; Memory: 40,56.3; Disk: 82,992.7
BlackMagicDisk: Read: 9,501MB/s; Write: 8,190MB/s
HandBrake 4K to 1080p: 104.26fps
Civilization VII: (Max resolution, High, XeSS Balanced): 149fps; (1080p, High): 183fps
Shadow of the Tomb Raider: (Max resolution, Highest, DLSS Balanced): 173fps; (1080p, Highest, SMAA x4): 162fps
Total War: Warhammer III: Mirrors of Madness: (Max Resolution, Ultra): 48fps; (1080p, Ultra): 53fps
Cyberpunk 2077: (1600p, Ray Tracing: Ultra, DLSS Balanced): 66fps; (Max resolution, Ultra, DLSS Balanced): 94fps; (1080p, Ultra): 124fps
Marvel Rivals: (Max resolution, DLSS Balanced, Ultra): 75fps; (1200p, Low): 149fps
Battery Life (TechRadar movie test): 3 hours and 37 minutes
My review unit was equipped with the top-tier RTX 5090, which, combined with the Intel Core Ultra 9 and 64GB of RAM, made for blistering performance. I was getting around 30fps on Cyberpunk 2077 with the maximum Ray Tracing: Overdrive preset and the maximum 2880 x 1800 resolution selected, with DLSS set to Balanced. This jumped to between 50-60fps when I enabled Frame Generation on top.
As expected, though, fan noise accompanied this performance. Thankfully, it’s not too disruptive, but more troubling is the fact that the fans can whir up sporadically, even when fairly lightweight tasks are being undertaken, such as browsing the web.
Scorching temperature can also afflict the ROG Zephyrus Duo, although mercifully the heat is confined to the underside of the base, with the commonly contactable surfaces, such as the keyboard and bottom screen, remaining perfectly comfortable to touch. Using the kickstand also helps to dissipate some of the heat.
As you would expect, the two 3K OLED displays are a visual treat, with plenty of sharpness, contrast, and vividness. They both have small bezels, which helps them to maximize their respective 16-inch canvases, and they do a reasonable job of keeping reflections at bay thanks to their high brightness levels.
Their touchscreen functionality is also quite good. Although they can be a little grabby at times, they’re smooth enough for the most part. They’re also quick to respond to inputs.
The keyboard is a tactile affair, with low-profile keys that offer more dampening and travel than you might expect, but they're still snappy, making for a fast and satisfying experience. They’re comfortably spaced for typing, although I found gaming in the WASD position a little cramped and awkward. The large touchpad makes general navigation practical, though.
(Image credit: Future)Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo (2026) review: Battery life- Short-lived, even by gaming laptop standards
- Quick to charge
For such a large and feature-packed gaming laptop, it’s no real surprise that the ROG Zephyrus Duo isn’t a particularly enduring machine. However, it drains faster than many other gaming laptops. It lasted just over three and a half hours in our movie playback test, and this was with just the main screen active.
To put this result into context, the Lenovo Legion 7i Gen 10, another 16-inch gaming laptop, lasted almost eight hours in the same test, while the Razer Blade 18, which is 18-inches, lasted closer to eight and a half hours.
Fortunately, the ROG Zephyrus Duo is quick to charge, taking between 60-90 minutes to fully replenish, which is more impressive.
Should I buy the Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo (2026)?ScorecardAttributes
Notes
Rating
Value
The ROG Zephyrus Duo is incredibly expensive, but that’s hardly a surprise considering its two displays and superlative spec.
3 / 5
Design
That dual-display setup is well thought-out, but while the construction is strong, it doesn’t look or feel especially premium.
4 / 5
Performance
My review unit had just about the highest spec a gaming laptop could have, so naturally outright performance was peerless. The fans frequently make themselves known, though, and the keyboard isn’t the best for gaming.
5 / 5
Battery life
Disappointing, even by gaming laptop standards. It’s at least quick to charge, though.
3 / 5
Overall Rating
The ROG Zephyrus Duo is a unique proposition in the gaming laptop market, and it's certainly an accomplished machine. The poor battery and awkward keyboard are drawbacks, but the real issue is the price. Still, if you need an incredibly powerful dual-screen laptop, nothing fits the bill better.
4 / 5
Buy it if…You want two displays
I don’t think I’ve seen a more powerful laptop with dual displays, and their clever versatility is an added bonus.
You want a high spec
With heaps of RAM and storage space, not to mention a top-tier CPU and GPU, there aren’t many portable devices more powerful.
You’re on a budget
With that godlike spec comes an unholy price tag.
You want a long battery life
Not many gaming laptops can keep going all day, but the ROG Zephyrus Duo is particularly short lived.
Razer Blade 18
The Razer Blade 18 is easily one of the best gaming laptops we’ve ever tested. It gets pretty much everything right: the performance is phenomenal, the keyboard is a dream to use, and even the form factor is reasonable for an 18-inch machine. More remarkable is that it has a superior battery life to many of its rivals. Read our full Razer Blade 18 review.
Lenovo Yoga Book 9i
If you want a powerful dual-screen laptop, but don’t need all that gaming prowess, the Yoga Book 9i is a fine choice. We loved this laptop’s everyday performance and interesting arrangements for its two displays. Its port selection is a little disappointing, but it’s a veritable bargain next to the ROG Zephyrus Duo. Read our full Lenovo Yoga Book 9i review.
- Tested for a few days
- Used for a variety of tasks
- Plenty of gaming laptop experience
I tested the ROG Zephyrus Duo for several days, during which time I used it for a variety of tasks besides gaming, such as general browsing and video streaming.
I also ran our comprehensive series of benchmark tests, designed to assess every facet of a gaming laptop. I tested the battery life by running a movie on a continuous loop.
I’ve been PC gaming for over a decade, and have used a variety of systems and components during that time. I’ve also reviewed many gaming laptops previous to the ROG Zephyrus Duo, including other Asus models.
- First reviewed: August 2026
- Read more about how we test
- New Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K unveiled for $59.99 / £69.99 (about AU$86)
- Main upgrade is speed, promises that you'll start watching up to 40% faster than rival 4K streaming sticks
- New-design Fire TV Remote is included, with a Plus version to follow in 2027 with built-in 'Find My Remote' function
Amazon has unveiled a new version of the Fire TV Stick 4K that it says is blazingly fast — and it's made a video to prove it. The video, embedded below, compares the new Fire TV Stick 4K with the average performance of "3 top brand" smart TVs, and "a similarly priced 4K stick from another leading brand".
According to Amazon, the new Fire TV Stick 4K gets you watching 20% to 40% more quickly than rival 4K streaming sticks, with apps launching 35% more quickly. It's also faster than the smart TVs Amazon tested. Amazon's video is embedded below so you can see for yourself.
We're always wary of manufacturers' own speed claims, because of course they're not independent tests and the manufacturer isn't going to test its products against anything that'll leave their device in the dust. The video is really just an animation that illustrates Amazon's test data, rather than showing the difference on real devices. But a faster version of the Fire TV Stick 4K is still a welcome addition to the Fire TV family.
There are changes to Alexa+ too. It's getting a dedicated hub on Fire TV with more intelligent movie and show recommendations, and the Fire TV app now uses Alexa+ to manage watchlists and discover shows on your phone. Updates to existing Alexa+ devices will begin rolling out in the US in November 2026 and to the rest of the world in 2027.
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K (2026): key featuresThe new Fire TV Stick 4K, like the Fire Stick HD that launched earlier this year, is slimmer than before, making it more convenient to put behind your TV or pack for traveling. It runs Amazon's own Vega operating system, meaning that you can't sideload apps on it, and Alexa+ is on board.
Amazon is streamlining its lineup of TV sticks to focus on three distinct tiers: HD, 4K and 4K Max. The most expensive option, the 4K Max, gets the premium features such as Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos and Alexa+ Home Theater.
The launch also delivers a new Fire TV remote, which Amazon says has been made more tactile and easy to hold. Its flat top and curved, weighted bottom are intended to help you get it the right way round first time, and the Home button gets its own special metal surface so you can find it by feel. The other buttons are shaped or indented for the same reason.
The new remote also gets the customizable star button that was previously reserved for the most expensive models. That can be assigned to a specific app or to a feature such as the Screen Magnifier.
The new remote is compatible with all Fire TV players since 2019 and all Amazon Ember TVs too. A new Fire TV Remote Plus is coming too, to replace the Alexa Voice Remote Pro, but that won't be out until early 2027. It's most useful feature will be a 'Find My Remote' feature, so you can just ask Alexa to locate the remote, and the remote will start making a sound so you can find which cushion it's behind.
The new Fire TV Stick 4K is available now for $59.99 / £69.99 (about AU$86), but Amazon has confirmed that the price will fall to $39.99 / £32.99 / AU$tbc during the Amazon Prime Big Deal Days sale, starting October 6th. Here's the link to the new 4K Stick, if you want to bookmark it for then. We assume it'll be discounted in other regions too, but we haven't had that confirmed.
That price includes the remote, but if you're happy with your current Fire TV and just want the nicer remote control, that'll be $14.99 / £13.99 / AU$tbc on its own. The new remote will ship in late October 2026.
If you're British, you're automatically a Maxine Peake superfan — regardless of your age or generation. From Silk to the hugely overlooked The Bisexual on Channel 4, she's starred in banger after banger.
Now, she stars as delusional wife Jenna in gripping Australian Apple TV thriller Last Seen, which follows emergency dispatcher Ian (Patrick Brammall) trying to find his missing daughter after a mysterious phone call suggests she's alive years after going missing.
It's a gripping watch from start to finish, but I can't help wishing that Peake had more screen time. Did that stop me blurting out "I love you" during a Zoom call about the series? Absolutely not.
What Stars WatchEveryone gets stuck on what to watch next — so let’s make that choice easier with the help of your favorite actors. What Stars Watch pairs the latest TV shows and movies with cinematic classics or underrated gems, based on A-List tastes. Read the full series here.
More than anything, I wanted to know what Peake recommended that fans should watch next, whether that was continuing the same vibe or finding something completely different to decompress.
She went with the latter not only by choosing my favorite British comedy series of 2026, but by picking something that isn't going to cost you a dime to watch on BBC iPlayer.
Maxine Peake is a huge fan of Ann Droid on BBC iPlayer — and I don't blame her"I would go to the BBC and I would watch Ann Droid with Diane Morgan," Peake tells me. "It's another side of some Boltonian joy."
I'd completely forgotten that this is where both Peake and Morgan come from, but even without the geographical link, it's an excellent shout. if you've not yet seen the hit comedy series, Morgan plays Linda, a secondhand AnnDroid Z58/100 Basic Eldercare Robot gifted to widow Sue (Sue Johnston) by her son Michael (Kevin Ready).
Basically, it's like Channel 4's Humans meets a Royale Family and Motherland reunion that we weren't expecting, and it's nothing short of glorious. Clearly, everybody else who's watched thinks the same thing, as season 2 was renewed shortly after all six episodes of season 1 were released.
Morgan is truly the most talented, authentic and unique voice in Western comedy at the moment, but even those, this is huge praise from Peake. Why? her first job out of drama school was snarky Twinkle in Dinnerladies, the classic Victoria Wood sitcom.
Despite only running for two seasons, it's a cornerstone of British sitcom culture, a baton that Morgan has picked up and run with. It's unexpected, but the more I think about it, I'm not sure a that a better TV pairing is possible.
- Meta adds new SMB plan for Muse always-on agents
- It works with Instagram/Facebook and third-party connections
- Most Muse use cases should be free, but there are paid plans for more tokens
Meta has expanded its agentic AI platform with the launch of Muse for Small Business.
In a similar vein to OpenAI's new Dots service, Muse users can give their agents a goal or objective and let the agent carry out work independently, palming off some of the more administrative workloads like running parts of the business or finding new customers.
Meta argues that small businesses are a key target for Muse because they wouldn't typically have dedicated resources across marketing, finance and other admin, hence the agentic boost.
Muse for Small BusinessImportantly, Muse is likely to be highly tailored toward Meta's own products, hence the company's examples spanning connections with "Instagram professional account analytics, Facebook Pages, and Meta ad accounts."
Crucially, Muse also works with other existing connectors, like Asana, Dropbox, Shopify, Slack and Zoom, making it much more than a Meta-only tool.
Just like its high-profile rival, Muse also continues to work in the background toward pre-defined objectives, surfacing relevant information or issues that require human intervention. Some use case examples include scanning emails and calendars for the most important actions, and drafting new ad campaigns based on current trends.
Meta argues that Muse is set to be free "for most of what people need," but two additional paid plans are also available for businesses who want to go all-in on agentic AI, including the $20/month Power plan (500M weekly tokens) and the $100/month Max plan (3B weekly tokens).
Interestingly, Meta's approach took a consumer product and reframed it for businesses. Muse launched earlier this month for US and Canadian customers before getting an SMB variant, but OpenAI's Dots landed with business users in mind, and there's currently no word on whether a consumer variant could launch.
- Spaces is replacing Library for Pro, Business and Enterprise users
- It puts your documents, colleagues, generative AI and agentic AI in one place
- Live Pages are a new document type that AI can automatically keep up-to-date
As AI continues to evolve from much more than just basic generative conversations to greater autonomy, OpenAI has launched a new ChatGPT Spaces interface to serve as the new environment for human-AI collaboration.
Within Spaces, multiple colleagues will be able to collaborate with each other alongside ChatGPT, but it's also a shared space for other OpenAI tools like Codex and the newly-announced, always-on Dots.
The introduction of Spaces largely replaces the now-outgoing Library tab for Pro, Business and Enterprise users across both desktop and mobile, as well as the web, but it also serves a much bigger purpose than Library ever did.
ChatGPT Spaces replaces LibraryThe company defines Spaces as a "home for the pages and files you create, upload, and share in ChatGPT, including spreadsheets and presentations."
But importantly, the change also sees the introduction of Pages – new documents that combine "text, images, charts and [other] interactive tools." Instead of ChatGPT generating a document and users having to manually edit or prompt changes, Pages are now live places where connections with apps like Slack, emails and calendars keep data current.
In a set of FAQs, the company also noted that each user has their own ChatGPT and, where applicable, Dot, to interact with, so they can call on AI to make changes or keep things up-to-date.
There's also a meeting plugin in the works, currently available in beta for Pro and Business users via the desktop app only. It "creates private, personalized notes and suggests follow-ups" within the shared Space that's accessible by colleagues.
While OpenAI hasn't set out to replace Google Workspace or Microsoft 365, Spaces does mark a major shift in how workers access their documents, putting documents (via plugins), humans and AI all in one place together.
- The Shark FlexStyle IonCurl is a hair styler for creating bouncy curls
- It uses the same Coanda airflow technology as the Dyson Airwrap
- Its ionic tech reduces static, and temperature control protects your scalp
Shark has launched a new multi-function hair styler as an affordable alternative to the Dyson Airwrap — with added ionic technology to help reduce frizz, which sounds perfect if your hair is as prone to flyaways as mine.
The Shark FlexStyle IonCurl uses the same Coanda airflow technology as the Dyson Airwrap to wrap hair around the barrel, plus negative ions to reduce static build-up. There's also an 'AirSet' button that allows you to pause the airflow during styling, or release a pulse of cold air to help set curls for bouncier results.
The original Shark FlexStyle impressed our three testers with its versatility, excellent drying power, and wide range of attachments. that make it suitable for a wide range of different hair types. "It's well-designed, packs a good amount of power, and is comfortable to use," we concluded. "The auto-wrap barrels work as advertised and make this an affordable alternative to the Airwrap."
The IonCurl is also an all-rounder, but as the name suggests, focuses more specifically on curling. There are two versions to choose from: the four-in-one model, which is supplied with two 32mm Coanda curlers, FrizzFighter high shine polisher, oval brush, and styling concentrator nozzle, and the five-in-one version with two smaller-diameter curlers included as well.
SharkNinjaSharkNinjaSharkNinjaThe IonCurl offers a stronger Coanda airflow than the original FlexStyle, to wrap hair around the barrel more firmly during styling.
Another new addition is the Scalp Shield mode, which activates automatically to control the temperature when drying hair near your scalp, helping to protect delicate new growth — similar to the Scalp Protect mode on the Dyson Supersonic Nural hair dryer.
We'll be testing the FlexStyle IonCurl very soon, and we'll bring you a full review so you can see how it compares with the best Dyson AirWrap dupes if you're shopping for a more affordable hair styler.