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The Garmin Forerunner 70 is a Garmin watch that we’ve waited a long time for. This is the natural successor to the Forerunner 55, the watch that was pitched at beginner runners or runners who like to stick to the basics (and can even run a marathon in under two hours, as it was worn by record-breaker Sebastian Sawe).
With such a large time gap between the two watches, it’s hardly surprising to see Garmin make some big changes, not only with the hardware but the software too.
It’s clearly been a task of bringing the 70 in line with other new Forerunner watches, which includes adding an AMOLED display and touchscreen while keeping the full array of physical buttons to give it that traditional running watch feel. While keeping the AMOLED on at all times does dent the battery much quicker, it elevates the software and what it’s like to use the 70 as a smartwatch.
There’s some upgrades to the sensors, and while you don’t get Garmin’s latest multi-band GPS or Gen 5 Elevate optical sensor, the improved GNSS sensor and move from Gen 3 to Gen 4 sensors does deliver strong GPS and heart rate tracking performance still.
The additions made in the training and smartwatch departments also make this feel like a more advanced watch than the Forerunner 55. You now have a watch that has full access to Garmin’s Connect IQ store and brings in some of Garmin’s nicest smartwatch features like morning and evening reports. No you don’t get payments, Bluetooth calls or a music player, but if you’re looking for the basics that go beyond what the 55 offered, the 70’s got you well covered.
It’s also great to see some of Garmin’s best training features. Training Readiness now features on a cheaper Garmin to help you decide when to train and rest. You can now use the 70 to navigate your way. You don’t get full maps, but the breadcrumb navigation still makes it useful to have on your wrist when exploring new surroundings or struggling to get back home after a run.
Those added features do, unsurprisingly, come at an added cost. A cost that does push the Forerunner 70 out of that entry level category into more of a mid-range one. That does mean you can find cheaper alternatives like the Suunto Run or can pay a bit more for the Coros Pace 4 and get newer sensors including dual-band GPS. If you’re sold on Garmin’s software, still want that strong tracking performance and like the idea of having an AMOLED screen and the best smartwatch experience you’ll find on a running watch at this price, those are going to be the biggest reasons to grab the Forerunner 70.
Garmin Forerunner 70: SpecificationsComponent
Garmin Forerunner 70
Price
$249.99 USD / £219.99 UK / $399 AUS
Dimensions
42.6mm wide, 11.9mm thick
Weight
40g
Case/bezel
polymer case, polymer bezel
Display
1.2-inch AMOLED Screen, 390 x 390 px resolution
GPS
GNSS, 6 satellite systems
Battery life
Up to 5 days of heavy use, or 13 days typical
Connection
Bluetooth, ANT+
Water resistance
5 ATM
Garmin Forerunner 70: Price and availability(Image credit: Future / Mike Sawh)- $249.99 / £219.99 / AU$399
- More expensive than the Forerunner 55
- Cheaper than the Forerunner 170
The Garmin Forerunner 70 has a launch price of $249.99 USD / £219.99 UK / $399 AUS, which puts it firmly in the mid-range running smartwatch category. That’s in contrast to its predecessor the Forerunner 55, which launched with a sub-$200 price tag when it landed back in 2021.
Given there’s been some pretty sizable upgrades with the hardware and software, including adding an AMOLED display and richer smartwatch features, it’s not surprising that the price has leapt up a bit. It does feel like it’s lost a bit of the beginner-friendly appeal of the Forerunner 55 in the process.
The Forerunner 70 was launched alongside the Forerunner 170, which at $299 / £259.99 / AU$479 gives you additional features like contactless payments and a music player, longer battery life and additional sensors like an altimeter.
- Value score: 4/5
- One case size option
- Added AMOLED screen
- Combination of touchscreen and physical buttons
Like the Garmin Forerunner 55, the Forerunner 70 remains a watch that sits pretty small on your wrist. That might be an issue for fans of bigger watches like a Fenix. For runners, typically smaller and lighter is better and that is what you get here.
Garmin has moved up slightly from a 42mm sized-polymer case to a 42.6mm one. It’s just the one case size that’s light to hold and comes in four different colors. Whether you want something plain or like a splash of color, you’re catered for here. The strap attached to the case is pretty typical of the ones you find partnered up to most Garmin Forerunners. It’s a 20mm silicone one that uses a pin mechanism, so you can remove it when the strap included gets sweaty or dirty or you just fancy switching to another color.
Garmin sticks to including five physical buttons for that classic running watch navigation experience. That’s now matched up with a 1.2-inch, 390 x 390 resolution AMOLED touchscreen. That sees Garmin move away from the memory pixel display on another watch line, sacrificing the longer battery life and more impressive viewing angles in brighter outdoor light for that added colour, vibrancy and to be more in keeping with other smartwatches. It’s still going to be a screen you can view comfortably outside when it’s really sunny. You just might need to crank up the brightness to do that, which will have an impact on battery life.
Like the Forerunner 50 and most other more affordable Garmin watches, the Forerunner 70 carries a 5ATM waterproof rating. That makes it safe for swimming and showering with it. There’s only a pool swimming tracking mode as Garmin leaves out open water and triathlon modes. That’ll be disappointing for anyone hoping they could pick this up as an affordable triathlon watch.
- Design score: 4/5
- Upgraded Gen 4 Elevate sensor from Forerunner 55
- Includes latest training insights like Training Readiness
- Offers breadcrumb-style navigation
Garmin is pitching the Forerunner 70 as an entry-level running smartwatch, so it’s giving you some running features, but not all that it has to offer.
Like the GPS support, where the Forerunner 70 uses multi-GNSS, as opposed to the latest multi-band GPS included on the Forerunner 570 and above watches. This means you miss out on having improved tracking accuracy when running or moving near tall buildings or locations with a lot of tall trees.
Other hardware improvements include upgrading from the Gen 3 Elevate optical heart rate sensor to the Gen 4 version. That’s actually not the latest version of Garmin’s in-house sensor technology. That’s Gen 5, which gives you added features like ECG heart rate measurements. This will cover continuous monitoring and tracking heart rate during exercise. You can also pair external heart rate monitors to it as well.
In terms of software features, there’s a lot that’s been added to the Forerunner 70 over the Forerunner 55. Along with bringing the UI up to date with other AMOLED-toting Garmins, you’re now getting more smartwatch features. You can set up smart alarms, view morning and evening reports for a summary of your day and recommendations for the following day.
There’s improved notification support for Android users, so now you can view more information being shared in notifications. A big one is the added Connect IQ support: previously, this was restricted to only downloading watch faces. Now you have full access to the storefront to download apps, watch faces and data fields.
There’s plenty that’s been upgraded on the tracking and training front too. You can now follow routes using breadcrumb-style navigation as opposed to the full maps you’ll find on pricier Garmin watches. Garmin has brought in a raft of its latest training metrics and features including Training Readiness, wrist-based running power, more strength-focused training support and this is a watch that’s compatible with Garmin’s Coach. That’s free access to Garmin’s training platform that now comprises running, cycling and strength training plans that can be synced over to the watch.
- Features score: 4/5
- Good GPS despite lack of dual-band
- Smartwatch features work well across Android and iOS
- Heart rate tracking solid with support for external sensors
In terms of tracking your runs, the Forerunner 70 does a sterling job like most other Garmins and not just for running. When I’ve used it for pool swims, indoor rows, treadmill runs and bike sessions, the tracking has been as solid as other Garmins I’ve tested.
Some will be disappointed that Garmin doesn’t include its latest multi-band GPS technology. As I’ve found when using Garmin’s watches with multi-GNSS setups, they still perform better than a lot of dual-band watches. I’d say it’s the same story for the Forerunner 70. It might get a bit more shaky in places with a lot of tall buildings for the GPS technology to deal with, but I’ve been using it alongside the Forerunner 170 and Garmin’s markedly more expensive Garmin Forerunner 970, and the 70 has more than held its own.
It’s a similar story with heart rate tracking. While you’re getting the older Gen 4 version of Garmin’s Elevate optical heart rate sensor technology, that doesn’t equal a bad performance. For steady paced runs and runs in some significantly hotter running conditions, the 70 held up well against Garmin and MyZone heart rate monitor chest straps. It can take a bit longer to match up when you’re easing off during interval work. Overall though, the 70’s older sensor gets the job done, with the option to pair a Bluetooth heart rate sensor to improve performance.
Where Garmin has really bolstered things on the 70 compared to the 55 is the influx of training insights and bringing it more up to speed in terms of smartwatch features. It’s great to see Training Readiness make the cut where previously Garmin had left this useful insight into your preparedness to tackle a tough session off from its more affordable watches. It’s also about the presentation of these features, which is something Garmin does better than the competition. Like the well integrated daily suggested workouts or helping you keep an eye on your recovery time.
While you’re not getting the best that Garmin has to offer in smartwatch features, the added AMOLED touchscreen and general changes made to the user interface does mean it operates better as a smartwatch than most other running-focused smartwatches. The stream of Glances (widgets) offer a nice snapshot of your data, morning and evening report summaries are great additions, while the music playback controls work well with third party music services like Spotify. Unlike the Forerunner 55, you do now have full access to the Garmin Connect IQ store and that means increasing your ability to personalise the watch software with the features, apps and data fields you care most about.
Sleep tracking has been a bit of a weakness for Garmin. Particularly when overreporting sleep duration and the time it’s taken to recognise when you’d fallen asleep. Things thankfully have gotten better and I count the Forerunner 70 in the 'good' camp of sleep trackers. I’ve been wearing it to bed with an Oura Ring 5 and core sleep stats have largely told a similar story about my night’s sleep. The now added sleep coach and recommendation features brings sleep more into the training equation as well as helping you think more about your recovery time between runs and other workouts.
In terms of battery life, you’re unsurprisingly not getting the best Garmin has to offer on that front. What you are getting is a watch that should hold for a week’s worth of training. If you’re using it with the always-on display mode while tracking outdoor runs, you’re going to get less than a week.
GPS battery numbers give you a good amount to play with as well. I found that an hour's worth of running in the best available GPS mode hit the battery by just shy of 10%. That doesn’t add up to the 16 hours promised.
- Performance score: 4/5
Category
Comment
Score
Value
It’s lost the budget status still attached to the ageing 55, but it offers features in keeping with the closest competition
4/5
Design
A no surprises, sporty-looking Forerunner watch that offers a good AMOLED screen and a full array of physical buttons.
4/5
Features
A running watch capable of tracking more and offering richer training insights than the Forerunner 55
4/5
Performance
Delivers that great Garmin sports tracking with watch software that’s cleaner and more polished than the competition
4/5
Garmin Forerunner 70: Should I buy?Buy it if...You like a small watch
If you like your smartwatches compact and lightweight, the 70 absolutely fits the bill.
You want a Garmin at a good price
It might not have all the bells and whistles of a Forerunner 570 or 970, but if you want a good-performing running watch and sports watch, that’s what you get with the 70.
Don't buy it if...You want the best Garmin for smartwatch features
You will have to pay more if you want Garmin smartwatch features like contactless payments, LTE and a built-in music player.
You want an affordable triathlon watch
The Forerunner 70 doesn’t include an open water swimming or dedicated triathlon mode for those interested in using it to train across all three multisport disciplines.
Also considerSuunto Run
Suunto’s entry-level running watch is cheaper than the Forerunner 70 and while software and smartwatch support isn’t as slick, the core run and sports tracking is very good.
Read our full Suunto Run review
Coros Pace 4
The Pace 4 isn’t that much more expensive than the Forerunner 70 and gives you richer training insights, a triathlon mode and features like dual-band GPS in a similarly compact and lightweight design.
Read our full Coros Pace 4 review
How I testedI’ve been wearing the Garmin Forerunner 70 for three weeks, tracking my outdoor and treadmill runs. I’ve also used it for pool swimming and indoor cycling, wearing it alongside other running watches to compare GPS performance. I’ve also been using it alongside a heart rate monitor chest strap to compare heart rate tracking during exercise.
First reviewed: June 2026
- New blue, oat and green colors for the Ninja AutoBarista Pro
- It is an automatic espresso machine with separate user profiles
- Its list price is $949.99 / £899.99 (about AU$1,735)
The Ninja AutoBarista Pro Fully Automatic Espresso Machine is a new, multi-talented coffee maker that delivers excellent espresso, drip coffee and a kind of rapid cold brew for making cold drinks — and now it's available in three new colors.
The original black and stainless steel finish has been joined by versions in Midnight Blue, Oat Milk and Vista Green. They're all fairly sober colors, so for example the Vista Green is a dark, slightly metallic jade green, and that means they look subtle and classy rather than garish — which is fitting as these are premium products.
The big benefit of the new shades is that they don't have stainless steel's fingerprint magnetism: I've had many stainless steel appliances and they've all been a bit of a pain to keep shiny and pristine.
Other than the colors, the new models are identical to the original, and that's no bad thing. This is a clever coffee maker that solves a particular pain point for couples and shared kitchens.
A machine of many talents(Image credit: SharkNinja)As my caffeinated colleague Karen Freeman wrote when about the Ninja AutoBarista Pro, it's ideal for people who have completely different tastes in coffee. You can easily switch between beans and ground coffee, and you can create two different user profiles to store your brewing preferences. And setting up profiles is really simple.
We like this coffee machine a lot. In our Ninja AutoBarista Pro review we praised its "one-touch simplicity", good looks and of course, its coffee. "The espresso is the real deal," we wrote. "A true 9-bar espresso brew with crema."
The only real downside is its size: it's a pretty hefty appliance, coming in at just under 18 x 11 x 16 inches and weighing nearly 40lbs / 18kg. It's very solidly built, however, so it's likely to last a very long time.
I don't have this particular model but I do have a similarly multi-talented coffee maker from Philips, the LatteGo 5500. I think with machines like these there's an initial novelty period where you want to make all the coffees, but after that you tend to settle for a couple of favorites unless you're entertaining. And that's why we're so focused on the quality of the Ninja's espresso, because of course that's the core of all your coffee creations. In our tests the AutoBarista Pro delivered excellent espresso every time, and now it does it while matching your kitchen decor too.
The Ninja AutoBarista Pro currently retails at $949.99 / £899.99 / about AU$1,735.
Cloud storage is convenient, sure, but monthly subscriptions can mount up exceptionally quickly, especially when your photo library, video collection, and backups continue growing relentlessly year after year.
For many users, building a private cloud has become a practical alternative that provides greater control over data while eliminating recurring storage fees. That's where NAS comes in. Network-attached storage connects directly to your network, creating a centralized location for files, backups, media streaming, and remote access.
Whether you're storing family photos, sharing documents across a small business, or managing large creative projects, a NAS can provide a secure and flexible storage platform.
Top individual NAS dealUgreen NASync DXP4800 PlusThis four-bay NAS combines a five-core processor, 8GB DDR5 memory, dual high-speed network connections, and NVMe expansion support. With capacity reaching 144TB, it offers fast transfers, private cloud storage, automated backups, and broad cross-platform compatibility.
In the UK: now £480 (was £620)View Deal
IronWolf driveWith 12TB of capacity, a 7200RPM spindle speed, and CMR technology, this NAS-focused hard drive is built for always-on storage environments. RAID compatibility, a 256MB cache, and dependable multi-user performance make it a popular choice for network storage. This drive pairs perfectly with the DXP4800 Plus 4-Bay Desktop NAS and comes in a range of capacities (of different prices) from 4TB right up to 32TB.
Top NAS deal for SMBTerraMaster F4-424 ProBuilt for small and medium-sized businesses, this four-bay NAS combines an eight-core processor, 32GB DDR5 memory, dual 2.5GbE networking, and NVMe caching support. Extensive backup tools, RAID options, and high-speed connectivity help streamline shared storage workloads.
In the UK: now £593 (was £790)View Deal
IronWolf Pro driveThis 12TB drive combines CMR recording, a 7200RPM spindle speed, and a 256MB cache. Enterprise-focused reliability, RAID support, and consistent performance make it well suited to business and professional storage environments. Available in 8TB-32TB capacities.
Top NAS deal for EnterpriseUgreen DXP4800 ProBuilt for demanding workloads, this four-bay NAS combines a six-core Intel processor, 8GB DDR5 memory, dual high-speed networking, and NVMe expansion. Support for virtualization, Docker, RAID, and up to 144TB of storage makes it ideal for professionals and growing teams.
In the UK: now £620 (was £690)View Deal
Exos driveThis 12TB SAS hard drive features a helium-sealed design, hot-plug support, and PowerBalance technology for efficient operation. FastFormat support and advanced data protection features make it suitable for demanding, always-on workloads.
The good news is that setting up a private cloud no longer requires enterprise-level hardware or crazy, advanced knowledge. Modern NAS devices are easier to configure than ever, with intuitive software, mobile apps, and automated backup tools that handle much of the heavy lifting.
For individuals looking to replace or supplement cloud services, the Ugreen NASync DXP4800 Plus offers a great starting point.
It delivers plenty of performance for media libraries, personal backups, and home office use, while leaving room for future expansion.
In his hands-on coverage of the product, our expert Mark said the "new NAS brand comes with serious intent" and that it was "exceptionally well-considered and powerful."
Small businesses often require a little more flexibility, especially when multiple employees need access to shared files and backups.
The TerraMaster F4-424 Pro is one of the most capable options in this category, combining fast hardware with business-friendly features that can support growing storage requirements.
In his glowing review, Mark called it the "new powerhouse of the TerraMaster F4 series." He went on to say it was, "probably the most powerful 4-bay NAS available, the F4-424 Pro is ideal for those needing a development tool with plenty of processor performance."
Professionals and demanding users managing larger workloads could benefit from stepping up to the Ugreen DXP4800 Pro.
Mark's review called the model's arrive "timely" and said it provided a "subtle upgrade from the Plus model, yet these changes have significant implications for this network-attached storage device."
With more processing power, higher memory limits, and support for advanced workloads, it can handle everything from virtualization to large-scale content storage.
Of course, choosing the NAS itself is only part of the equation. Pairing the right enclosure with reliable drives can make a huge difference in performance, capacity, and long-term reliability.
In this guide, we'll walk through the best NAS options for individuals, small businesses, and professional users, along with the storage drives we recommend to go with them for building a private cloud that fits your needs and budget.
For more picks, check out our guides to the best NAS devices, best NAS hard drives and best NAS and media server distros.
FAQQ: What is a NAS?
A NAS, or Network Attached Storage, is a dedicated storage device connected to a network that allows multiple users and devices to access files from a central location. It provides shared storage for documents, photos, videos, backups, and business data without requiring a full server setup.
Q: Why would an individual user need a NAS?
Anyone with a growing collection of files can benefit from a NAS. It provides a private location for photos, videos, documents, and backups while making content available across computers, smartphones, and tablets. Many home users also use NAS systems for media streaming, remote access, and automatic backups.
Q: What features are important for personal NAS systems?
Most personal users should focus on storage capacity, ease of setup, backup tools, and support for multiple drives. Features such as RAID protection, mobile apps, and cloud synchronization can provide additional convenience and data protection.
Q: How does NAS benefit small and medium-sized businesses?
SMBs often need centralized file storage that employees can access from different locations. A NAS can simplify collaboration, automate backups, manage permissions, and reduce dependence on external storage devices. It also offers a more affordable alternative to dedicated servers for many organizations.
Q: What should SMBs look for when choosing a NAS?
Businesses should consider scalability, user management, backup options, security features, and network performance. Support for virtualization, file versioning, and integration with business applications can also be valuable as storage requirements increase.
Q: How does enterprise NAS differ from consumer and SMB solutions?
Enterprise NAS platforms are built for much larger workloads, higher performance requirements, and larger user counts. They often include advanced redundancy, failover protection, high-speed networking, and support for petabytes of storage.
These systems are commonly deployed in data centers, large organizations, and environments where downtime isn't acceptable.
Q: Is NAS secure?
Modern NAS systems offer encryption, user permissions, multi-factor authentication, and backup tools to help protect data. Security still depends on proper configuration, software updates, and strong access controls.
Q: Can a NAS grow with changing storage needs?
Many NAS platforms support additional drives, expansion units, and capacity upgrades, allowing storage resources to increase as requirements change.
Getting startedGetting started with a NAS device is easier than many first-time buyers expect and is essentially a dedicated storage system that connects to your home or office network, allowing multiple users and devices to access files from a central location.
Before you begin, think about how you'll use it. Simple file storage and backups require less processing power than tasks such as media streaming, virtualization or surveillance recording.
The next step is choosing the right hardware. Select a NAS enclosure with enough drive bays to accommodate both your current storage needs and future expansion.
When selecting hard drives, look for models specifically designed for NAS environments, as these are built to handle continuous operation and multi-drive workloads.
Consider using RAID for redundancy, which can help protect your data if a drive fails, although RAID should never be treated as a substitute for proper backups.
Once your hardware is assembled, connect the NAS to your router and follow the manufacturer's setup wizard.
Most modern NAS platforms provide straightforward web-based interfaces that guide you through creating storage pools, shared folders and user accounts. Be sure to enable automatic updates and configure backup jobs early in the process.
With a little planning, a NAS can become the central hub for file storage, backups, media libraries and collaboration across your network.
- Xbox is reportedly working on a disc-to-digital feature for existing consoles called 'Positron'
- The feature will allow Xbox users to insert a disc and convert their game to a digital format
- A separate report also claims that Project Helix won't have a disc drive
Like PlayStation, it seems that Xbox is moving away from physical games as new reports claim that Microsoft is testing a disc-to-digital feature for existing consoles and could release a next-gen Project Helix console without a disc drive.
According to The Verge, sources familiar with Microsoft’s plans claim that the company is currently working on a way for Xbox users to digitize their existing physical game library following a reference to "enable Disc2Digital" found in the Xbox PC app code in May.
The new feature, reportedly called 'Positron', will supposedly only work with Xbox One and Xbox Series X discs, not with Xbox 360 or original Xbox consoles. However, some Xbox One discs might not work with this new feature.
"It all depends on how and when the disc was manufactured and it may not have the features we need for this program," Microsoft told its internal Xbox testers.
To convert a physical game to digital, it's said that users would only need to insert a compatible disc, install, and play the game. A Microsoft account on an Xbox console will grant a digital entitlement for physical games, which are tied to a specific disc and can be moved between accounts if users swap the physical game with a friend or log in to a different profile and try to play a disc-based game.
The feature will also work for physical games bundled with a console and multi-disc titles. Players can still use the discs after converting them, but they'll lose their digital entitlement if they loan or sell the disc to someone else.
More information will arrive in the coming months, so it appears to be a feature that could be planned for before the next-gen Xbox console, Project Helix.
Speaking of which, it seems Microsoft is going all in on the digital market by releasing Project Helix without a disc drive, according to Windows Central sources.
No additional details were provided, but it's said that new details about the console will be revealed later this year.
The Xbox reports came after Sony announced that no new PlayStation games will be released on physical disc from January 2028 onwards.
The company shared a post, saying that the decision is "a natural direction for Sony Interactive Entertainment to adapt to consumer trends as the general preference for digital media significantly outpaces physical discs," and will "enable us to align more closely with how most of our community prefers to access and play games today."
- Microsoft Teams reveals more on new Facilitator AI tol
- Facilitator will monitor your Teams meetings and act as a manager and assistant
- It can help fill in knowledge gaps, but raises concern over privacy
Microsoft Teams is set to roll out Facilitator, a new AI-powered tool which will look to help better manage your calls, and fill in any potential knowledge gaps which pop up during a meeting.
However, in order to do so, the tool will need to be activated to listen and watch all of your meetings, so it knows when to interfere and chip in.
This has already led some observers to worry about the tool's privacy and security limits, but Microsoft says the tool will be turned off by default, meaning users will actively have to switch it on.
Bots in Teams“We are introducing a new Microsoft Teams Facilitator capability that proactively detects and resolves knowledge gaps during meetings,” an update on the company's admin portal noted.
“Facilitator can identify when participants ask questions or express uncertainty and retrieve and share relevant answers using web search in the meeting chat.”
The company laid out a host of possible use cases where Facilitator may come in handy - such as monitoring an agenda in a meeting invite to help keep everyone on track, displaying the information in a sidebar.
(Image credit: Microsoft)Facilitator can also start a timer to make sure everyone stays focused on the key points of an agenda, which can be lengthened, paused or reset depending on the need. Anyone joining the call late can ask the tool for a quick summary of what has already been discussed, and quickly search for relevant information.
It can also create a document based on a particular topic discussed during a call, helping kick-start a new project or brainstorm ideas, as helping you manage any action items assigned by capturing details in the Notes app.
For those on the move, Facilitator can also instantly capture, transcribe, and organize in-person meeting notes, complete with speaker distinction and actionable recaps, directly from your mobile device.
Once a call is done, Facilitator can also review any content it generated during the meeting, which can be accessed in a separate recap menu, and shared among participants.
Facilitator is in public preview for selected customers now - the company added that a Microsoft 365 Copilot license will be required to add Facilitator to a meeting or turn it on during a meeting. However, any meeting participant (excluding external participants) can see all real-time updates in Chat and Notes.
Via WindowsLatest
We’ve covered the MSI Katana 15 across multiple generations, and our verdict on the line has been consistent: it’s a laptop that “delivers where it counts” for buyers who want genuine performance without paying flagship prices.
Right now, the 2025 MSI Katana 15 with the RTX 5050 is $999 at Walmart, and it makes a strong case for itself as one of the most accessible entry points into Nvidia’s latest Blackwell GPU generation.
The RTX 5050 is Nvidia’s entry-level Blackwell laptop GPU, and it’s the part of this machine’s spec sheet that needs the most honest explanation. It’s not in the same class as the RTX 5070 or 5080 in laptops that cost significantly more — but it does bring DLSS 4 support including Multi Frame Generation to the 'under $1000' category.
Today's fastest laptop dealIn our testing, the MSI Katana 15 always strikes the right balance of design, performance, and price - with some good specs including the high-performance Intel Core i7-14650HX. That's coupled with the fast 16GB DDR5, 512GB SSD, and Nvidia's GeForce RTX 5050 GPU with 8GB GDDR7. View Deal
The high-performance Intel Core i7-14650HX is a 16-core, 24-thread Raptor Lake Refresh chip with a 5.2GHz boost clock. It's a meaningfully more capable processor than the U-series or P-series chips found in consumer laptops at this price.
The 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD are the other two specs worth noting.
It's the fast 16GB DDR5, which is the right baseline — it comfortably handles multi-tasking, gaming, and general content creation tasks.
The 512GB SSD is fair at this price-point, although I'd recommend pairing it with an external drive or upgrading the internal SSD at some point.
The 144Hz FHD display is well-matched to the RTX 5050’s capabilities — the GPU can deliver 144 fps for scrubbing through editing timelines and less demanding gaming titles. And the panel will actually show those frames.
It's not the brightest, and it doesn't boast absolute color accuracy. So, it's not one for creative professionals, but if you're starting your content creator journey or just want a cheaper but snappy laptop, there's plenty to like here.
Right now, the MSI Katana 15 is the fastest laptop under $1000 you can get.
- The Blood Message trailer shown in the Summer Game Fest 2026 live show was a surprising highlight
- It demonstrated impressive visual fidelity and cinematic combat, which many fans praised in the comments
- Director of global publishing Jeff Hu says the team is "very excited" by the warm reception
For many, Blood Message was a surprising highlight of the Summer Game Fest 2026 live show. Its latest story trailer was extremely visually impressive, showing off a high level of visual fidelity and glimpses of incredibly cinematic combat.
The footage has now racked up more than three million views on the official Blood Message YouTube channel, with an extremely warm reception from fans.
There are hundreds of comments from viewers, with many praising everything from the realistic graphics to the Ancient China setting. "This looks incredible!" wrote one commenter. "Also, love the attention to detail on historical clothing, arms, and armor."
Another added that "If the gameplay graphics and combat are similar to this, it's going to be the game of the generation, period."
One simply put: "This is how I imagined next gen".
The trailer was soon followed by the release of 19 minutes of pure gameplay footage, which is now sitting at over 10 million views on YouTube.
It seems to have left some viewers in awe, with one writing: "The way the camera dynamically adapts to the environment and the flow of combat is unreal! The transitions are so seamless I can't even comprehend how they pulled it off. I’ve literally never seen anything like this before."
In an exclusive interview with TechRadar Gaming, senior director of global publishing Jeff Hu said that the team has been basking in the praise.
"We saw some YouTube reactions," he revealed. "We are very excited to see that they love this story, love our game, and love the combat itself. It gives us a very big confidence [boost]."
We'll have to wait and see whether this confidence is well placed when Blood Message launches on consoles and PC at a later date.
If you've been planning a new PC build or finally looking to upgrade your existing rig, you'll be happy to know Newegg is holding a 4th of July sale which includes discounted DDR5 memory kits from major brands like Corsair, G.Skill, and TeamGroup.
Whether you're after an affordable 16GB kit or stepping up to 32GB or 64GB for demanding workloads, there are plenty of options to choose from. I've spotted high-speed DDR5 modules available for creators, professionals, and everyday users alike, including the Corsair Vengeance RGB 64GB for $770 (was $920) with code JSF563.
Extra memory can make a noticeable difference when you're editing high-resolution video, working on large creative projects, running virtual machines, or juggling multiple applications at once.
• Shop the full 4th of July sale at Newegg
Today's top DDR5 dealsUpgrade your desktop with 64GB of DDR5 memory, delivering fast 6000MT/s speeds, dual-channel performance, and customizable RGB lighting for smoother multitasking, demanding creative workloads, and high-performance PC builds.
You can save $150 off the usual $919.99 price using coupon code JSF563.View Deal
Boost your desktop with 32GB of DDR5 memory running at 6000MHz, featuring low CL30 latency, customizable RGB lighting, and AMD EXPO support for responsive gaming, multitasking, and demanding creative workloads.
Save $30 off the price with coupon code JSF532.View Deal
Upgrade your PC with 32GB of DDR5 memory running at 6000MHz, featuring low CL30 latency, customizable RGB lighting, Intel XMP 3.0, AMD EXPO support, and SK Hynix memory chips for reliable performance.
Save $25 off the standard price with coupon code JSF535.View Deal
Give your desktop a performance boost with 16GB of DDR5 memory running at 6000MT/s, offering dual-channel responsiveness for smoother multitasking, faster application loading, and reliable everyday computing and gaming.
Save $15 off the standard price with coupon code JSF566.View Deal
Upgrade your desktop with 16GB of DDR5 memory running at 6000MT/s, delivering faster responsiveness, improved multitasking, and dependable performance for gaming, content creation, and everyday computing.View Deal
Newegg's 4th of July Independence Day sale is live now and includes everything from TeamGroup and G.Skill 16GB kits for budget-conscious builders to 32GB options from V-color with low CL30 latency, RGB lighting, and support for both AMD EXPO and Intel XMP 3.0.
If you need even more memory, Corsair's Vengeance RGB 64GB kit delivers plenty of capacity for video editing, AI workloads, content creation, software development, and heavy multitasking.
Many of the featured kits run at 6000MT/s, giving modern Intel and AMD processors the bandwidth they need to perform at their best, while selected models also use premium SK Hynix memory chips for dependable performance.
Whether you're upgrading an older PC or putting together a brand-new system, these memory deals cover every budget without compromising on speed or features.
With DDR5 prices still much higher than many PC builders would like them to be, Newegg's 4th of July sale is a great opportunity to buy high-end memory at a much more affordable price.
Palantir CEO Alex Karp has hit out at the state of the AI industry, saying it was "effing insane" that the technology is being used in areas such as military and national security.
In a heated interview with CNBC Squawk Box, the controversial billionaire also hit out at top AI firms such as OpenAI, claiming he had spoken to major CEOs outside of the industry who were "livid" at how some companies are doing business.
Karp also accused some major AI companies of imposing a “wealth tax” on businesses by charging high fees for their services, all while collecting data which may be used to improve their own AI models and tools.
"Completely wrong"Karp's ire was particularly focused on the token model being used by the likes of Anthropic and OpenAI, especially as costs continue to rise, but companies look for a better return on their investment.
“I’m not throwing shade at them, but something has gone completely wrong,” he said. “The basic view among enterprises in this country is I’m going to chillax and waste my time with tokens.”
This includes a range of Chinese firms, with Karp warning the US not to underestimate the speed of progress being seen at its great rival.
Rising AI prices have led many businesses to pivot towards building and training their own models, rather than relying on outside providers, with so-called "open weight" models able to perform at a fraction of the cost.
Karp's frustration was clearly visible, with one CNBC host commenting, “You sound pretty angry,” with the CEO responding, “This is the voice of American business that is being channeled through me.”
To shore up its own support, Palantir recently announced a major partnership with Nvidia which will see the latter's AI services used to create custom models for US government agencies.
“What aligns me with Nvidia, and I think is what the technical customers want, which is control over their compute, their models, their data stack and their alpha,” Karp told CNBC. “They want to know they own the means of production. It’s not being transferred to someone else.”
This follows recent criticism by the US government of firms such as Anthropic, whose Mythos 5 and Fable 5 AI models were deemed a national security risk and shut down shortly after release.
Karp went on to criticize the US government for its reliance on AI companies in creating new technology for the military and national security.
“Are we really going to outsource the battlefield of this country to the consensus view in Silicon Valley? That is effing insane," he noted.
- Some Windows 11 users have found their drive space has been mysteriously dwindling
- In some reported cases, this is down to a database file for a Windows component that grows massively due to an apparent bug
- The optional update for June fixes this, albeit that patch is still in testing
If you use Windows 11 and have been wondering why your drive space seems to have been mysteriously dwindling of late, the culprit could be a background process called Capability Access Manager.
Capability Access Manager (CAM) is a rather obscure Windows component which, as the name suggests, manages the apps on your PC in terms of permissions to access the camera, mic and so forth.
CAM keeps a database that logs app requests and this is stored as a file called CapabilityAccessManager.db-wal – and it's that file which is growing hugely on the drives of some unlucky Windows 11 users.
Neowin reports that Microsoft just implemented the fix for this aggravating issue in the latest update for Windows 11. This is patch KB5095093 which is the optional update for June (so it's still in preview, or testing, at this point).
In the changelog for this release, Microsoft tells us: "This update improves disk space usage for the CapabilityAccessManager.db-wal file."
So, with any luck, this will be an end to the gremlin, and those who install the June preview will find this database file has been changed so it doesn't spiral out of control and eat their storage like some kind of log-based black hole.
Analysis: a baffling case of bloat(Image credit: Stokkete / Shutterstock)This is a nasty little problem, especially for those who've got a modest main drive for Windows 11, such as a 256GB SSD (or maybe even smaller). With reports of the database file expanding to a size of 60GB to 100GB, or even larger (200GB according to this Redditor), you can see how problematic this could be when you're already short on space with your SSD.
Microsoft doesn't explicitly say that this is a bug, but surely it must have been? Albeit a situational one that only occurred on certain systems by all accounts (Dell PCs are mentioned in a few reports, I should note). It's clear, however, that there are a lot of reports of CAM woes on Reddit and Microsoft's own help site, with some folks left scratching their heads as to what on earth was going on – and why their drive space was disappearing into some apparent void.
Unfortunately, these problems have been around for some time, with those reports going back to March 2026, and some dating from almost a year ago. As one Redditor explained in a post some 10 months ago: "Turns out it's the 'CapabilityAccessManager.db-wal' file which ate up 25GB. Looked through some forums and seems like it's a notorious culprit for system bloat. That file is supposed to slowly build up then be emptied each month, but mine bugged and never emptied itself."
There are workarounds to delete the CAM database file and effectively empty it out, but they're somewhat fiddly, and the log will rebuild itself if buggy conditions still abound on your PC. As one Redditor observed: "I spent hours trying to delete that file. Like in a horror movie, it just wouldn't die, even when I thought I had killed it. Your procedure [workaround] worked perfectly. Thanks!"
So, the whole thing has been a bit of a headache really, and while it's good to see an apparent cure now, it's taken Microsoft long enough. And frankly, I'm not impressed with the communication on this issue from the software giant.
To be clear, the fix right now is to download and install the June optional update for Windows 11, but bear in mind that as noted, it's a preview, so there's no guarantee it'll work as it should. The resolution will be provided with the full July update, mind, in tested form, and that's just around the corner – so you might just want to wait for that. Assuming your drive isn't chock-full and causing you a whole load of grief, anyway.
The best streaming services have added plenty of new movies to their library in July and, as always, there are some horror gems among them.
Many of these horror movies were released at the beginning of July, meaning you can stream them immediately. Others require a bit of a wait, but based on their trailers alone, I'm sure they'll be worth it.
Here are the horror movies I recommend checking out in July 2026.
Talk to MeWhen: July 1
Where: Netflix (US); rent or buy (UK, AU)
Talk to Me was a hugely successful debut from filmmaking brothers Danny and Michael Philippou. After starting out on YouTube, they released this feature film and scared people all over the world.
It follows a group of teenagers as they discover they can contact spirits via a mysterious embalmed hand. They become hooked on the thrill of it until a seemingly innocent party game gets out of control and someone unleashes terrifying supernatural forces. Their second movie, Bring Her Back, is just as good, and you can find it on HBO Max.
World War ZWhen: July 1
Where: Prime Video (US); Paramount+ (UK); rent or buy (AU)
Brad Pitt's zombie movie World War Z is a perfect choice if you want a blend of action and horror. The movie is based on the novel of the same name by Max Brooks, and follows Pitt's character Gerry — a former United Nations investigator who travels the world seeking a solution for a zombie apocalypse.
It was a huge box office success at the time of its release, and now you can watch it across the best streaming services. This is one of the zombie movies I go back to, as it's a shot of pure adrenaline.
The WitchWhen: July 1
Where: Netflix (US); rent or buy (UK, AU)
Robert Eggers' The Witch is streaming on Netflix, and considering the trailer for his new movie Werewulf dropped recently, now is the perfect time to watch his first folk horror movie.
Eggers is a huge name in the horror genre now, where he has become known for his love of period settings and mythology. This brilliant horror was also the feature film debut for lead star Anya Taylor-Joy, where she plays a woman who lives in a Puritan family and is accused of being a witch. Keep an eye out for Black Philip too, my favorite character of the bunch.
The RingWhen: July 1
Where: Paramount+ (US, UK); rent or buy (AU)
Gore Verbinski's The Ring is a remake of the iconic Japanese horror, but it's no less brilliant. The English-language version has become a staple among many horror fans, and now you can relive the terrifying moments on Paramount+.
The well loved (and feared) movie follows a journalist who discovers a cursed VHS tape that causes its viewers to die seven days later. It's a classic for a reason and if you haven't seen it yet, I strongly recommend it.
Exit 8When: July 17
Where: Shudder (worldwide)
Exit 8 is one of the great liminal-focused horrors that was released this year, and you can now relive the nightmare on Shudder. I loved this adaptation of the classic horror game, as we follow a man trapped in a never-ending subway tunnel.
Despite taking place in one location, it will leave you on the edge of your seat as you try to figure out if escape is possible for our poor protagonist, known only as The Lost Man. In my interview with director Genki Kawamura he described it as being "like purgatory", and I couldn't agree more.
SaccharineWhen: July 24
Where: Shudder (worldwide)
Saccharine taps into the dangerous world of extreme weight-loss trends, and this one is especially disturbing. We follow Hana, a medical student who begins eating human ashes in an effort to lose weight quickly.
If that wasn't strange enough, it gets even stranger. Hana soon finds herself terrorized by the ghost of the person she's eating, making this a unique and truly frightening supernatural horror movie.
NightbornWhen: July 31
Where: Shudder (worldwide)
Finally, Nightborn arrives on Shudder at the end of the month. Here, Seidi Haarla and Rupert Grint star as new parents living in the Finnish forest. We follow them over the course of one year as they discover that there's something wrong with their baby.
Nightborn explores well-known horror themes like anxieties around motherhood. Director Hanna Bergholm has done this before with the brilliant movie Hatching, and I'm excited to see where her latest story goes.