News
- GPT-4o is coming back for ChatGPT Plus users
- There have been plenty of complaints about GPT-5
- OpenAI is looking at ways to improve the new model
When OpenAI rolled out its shiny new GPT-5 model for ChatGPT earlier this week, the plan was to have it replace all of the older models for both free and paying users – but now GPT-4o is being brought back in response to a significant number of user complaints.
"We for sure underestimated how much some of the things that people like in GPT-4o matter to them, even if GPT-5 performs better in most ways," OpenAI CEO Sam Altman posted on social media, after announcing GPT-4o would be sticking around.
However, it's not clear just how long the GPT-4o reprieve will be for, and it's only going to remain available for those on the $20-per-month ChatGPT Plus plan. "We will watch usage as we think about how long to offer legacy models for," Altman said.
There were other updates from Altman as well: GPT-5 rate limits are being doubled for ChatGPT Plus users, and some behind-the-scenes upgrades are making GPT-5 "smarter" too, as the latest model continues to roll out to everyone.
'An overworked secretary'GPT-5 rollout updates:*We are going to double GPT-5 rate limits for ChatGPT Plus users as we finish rollout.*We will let Plus users choose to continue to use 4o. We will watch usage as we think about how long to offer legacy models for.*GPT-5 will seem smarter starting…August 8, 2025
As we reported yesterday, the response to GPT-5 from a lot of users has been pretty brutal. It's been labeled "horrible", "insufficient", "obnoxious", "atrocious", like "an overworked secretary", and worse than GPT-4o – with tighter restrictions on how much it can be used.
People aren't happy about GPT-5 either giving shorter responses than previous models, or throwing up multiple responses that the user then has to choose between. If you're using AI to try and save time, it's not ideal.
At least OpenAI is listening to its userbase, with the reintroduction of GPT-4o, though you may not see it immediately in the model picker if you've been upgraded to GPT-5. "Users have very different opinions on the relative strength of GPT-4o vs GPT-5," admits Altman.
The OpenAI CEO also says his team are looking at more ways to provide different personalities and customizations within the same model for users. Watch this space for further tweaks to GPT-5 going forward.
You might also like- HoverAir Aqua is the world’s first waterproof self-flying camera
- Records video at 4K 100fps from a 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor
- Weighs less than 249g
I think the camera drone market is about to undergo a sea change (pun very much intended), thanks to the upcoming HoverAir Aqua from Zero Zero Robotics. Teased on the company’s website, this small, life jacket-orange quadcopter is the first truly surprising flyer I’ve seen in ages.
As a product reviewer, I’ve tested dozens of drones over the past decade or so, and while they’ve got better and better in terms of flying ability, battery life and camera performance, it’s not often that a new announcement introduces me to something completely unforeseen.
The Aqua does that, by being the first water-native drone for the masses. Most drones need to be flown very carefully around bodies of water, as the reflective surface can fox their safety sensors and result in a dunk into the drink. And none of the previous drones I’ve reviewed are even built for flying on a rainy day, let alone landing in a lake.
Not so the HoverAir Aqua. Built to be fully waterproof, it launches from and lands on the water. In fact, it appears to be designed specifically for capturing water sports like kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding and wind surfing, following its subject automatically much like Zero Zero’s previous drones, the self-flying HoverAir X1 and HoverAir X1 Pro.
To aid it in that goal, it comes with level 7 wind resistance and a top speed of 55kmph / 34mph, which should give it the capabilities to keep pace with some pretty rapid forms of water-borne transport. The rest of the Aqua’s specifications and features remain under wraps for now, but with the drone now officially confirmed more details should be emerging soon.
Wave of the futureThe HoverAir Aqua is built to capture water-based activities, but we don't yet know how suitable it will be for "standard" land-based use (Image credit: ZeroZero Robotics)While the HoverAir Aqua sounds like a more niche, specialist product than the HoverAir X1 or, say, the DJI Mini 4 Pro, we don’t yet know how useful it might be for land-based launching.
The fact that it’s shaking things up and taking camera drones in a new direction makes it, for me, one of the most exciting drones I’ve seen in recent years. As someone who lives on the coast, the idea of flying a drone right down on the water rather than keeping it a safe distance away is very appealing.
I should add that the Aqua is not the only innovative drone coming this year, with Antigravity’s 360 camera-equipped debut model also due for launch. But it’s quickly risen to the top of the list of upcoming (or rumored to be upcoming) drones I’m most exciting to take for a test flight.
If nothing else, it’ll give me the perfect excuse to finally get out on that stand-up paddle board that’s been gathering dust in my spare bedroom. And maybe it’s time to finally pull the trigger on buying that wetsuit?
Just when the drone market was in danger of getting a little stale, Zero Zero Robotics has given things a bright orange shot in the arm. I’ll be eagerly scanning the horizon for the next round of details on the HoverAir Aqua, so make sure to check back for more news soon.
You might also like- Hackers installed a 4G Raspberry Pi inside a bank’s ATM switch to gain network access
- The device was disguised and communicated every 600 seconds, avoiding typical detection systems
- Malware used fake Linux names and obscure directories to blend into legitimate system activity
A criminal group recently attempted an unusual, and sophisticated intrusion, into a bank’s ATM infrastructure by deploying a 4G-enabled Raspberry Pi.
A report from Group-IB revealed the device was covertly installed on a network switch used by the ATM system, placing it inside the internal banking environment.
The group behind the operation, UNC2891, exploited this physical access point to circumvent digital perimeter defenses entirely, illustrating how physical compromise can still outpace software-based protection.
Exploiting physical access to bypass digital defensesThe Raspberry Pi served as a covert entry point with remote connectivity capabilities via its 4G modem, which allowed persistent command-and-control access from outside the institution’s network, without triggering typical firewall or endpoint protection alerts.
“One of the most unusual elements of this case was the attacker’s use of physical access to install a Raspberry Pi device,” Group-IB Senior Digital Forensics and Incident Response Specialist Nam Le Phuong wrote.
“This device was connected directly to the same network switch as the ATM, effectively placing it inside the bank’s internal network."
Using mobile data, the attackers maintained a low-profile presence while deploying custom malware and initiating lateral movements within the bank’s infrastructure.
A particular tool, known as TinyShell, was used to control network communications, enabling data to pass invisibly across multiple internal systems.
Forensics later revealed UNC2891 used a layered approach to obfuscation.
The malware processes were named “lightdm,” imitating legitimate Linux system processes.
These backdoors ran from atypical directories such as /tmp, making them blend in with benign system functions.
Also, the group used a technique known as Linux bind mounts to hide process metadata from forensic tools, a method not typically seen in active attacks until now.
This technique has since been cataloged in the MITRE ATT&CK framework due to its potential to elude conventional detection.
The investigators discovered that the bank's monitoring server was silently communicating with the Raspberry Pi every 600 seconds, network behavior which was subtle and thus didn’t immediately stand out as malicious.
However, deeper memory analysis revealed the deceptive nature of the processes and that these communications extended to an internal mail server with persistent internet access.
Even after the physical implant was removed, the attackers had maintained access via this secondary vector, showing a calculated strategy to ensure continuity.
Ultimately, the aim was to compromise the ATM switching server and deploy the custom rootkit CAKETAP, which can manipulate hardware security modules to authorize illegitimate transactions.
Such a tactic would allow fraudulent cash withdrawals while appearing legitimate to the bank’s systems.
Fortunately, the intrusion was halted before this phase could be executed.
This incident shows the risks associated with the growing convergence of physical access tactics and advanced anti-forensic techniques.
It also reveals that beyond remote hacking, insider threats or physical tampering can facilitate identity theft and financial fraud.
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- Alien: Earth won't reference what happened in movies that take place before it
- One of its producers says that gave its creator more freedom to tell his own story
- Fans want to know why events from prior films aren't mentioned in the FX TV series
One of Alien: Earth's producers has confirmed whether events in films set before the franchise's maiden TV show were taken into account for its story. In short: no.
Chatting to TechRadar ahead the sci-fi horror series' debut in mid-August, David W Zucker admitted Alien: Earth isn't actively ignoring what was outlined in past movies that predate the show from a timeline perspective. However, Zucker argued that there wasn't "much mythology to contend with" from those films prior to Alien: Earth's development – a comment that's surely to pique the interest of long-time fans, and either confuse and/or infuriate Alien devotees.
Events depicted in Promethus, as well as the Engineers, aren't referenced in Alien's first TV series (Image credit: 20th Century Fox)Before I get into the nitty-gritty of what Zucker actually said, let's look at the facts: in-universe, Alien: Earth is set in the year 2120. That places it two years before Alien and subsequent Sigourney Weaver-led films that follow.
The only movies that sit earlier on the Alien timeline, then, are Prometheus, whose main story takes place in 2093 (though the film begins in 2089), and Alien: Covenant, which takes place in 2104. You can see what we made of these films, plus their siblings, in our best Alien movies ranked piece.
But I digress. Considering what happens in Prometheus and Alien: Covenant – I won't spoil what goes down for anyone who hasn't seen one or both flicks – fans have wondered if Alien: Earth will address the franchise mythology that was detailed in that pair. They are part of the Alien timeline, so that makes their stories canon and therefore open to being referenced in the FX TV Original, right?
Alien: Covenant is set 16 years before Alien: Earth, but the former's story and lore doesn't impact the latter (Image credit: 20th Century Fox)Not so, Zucker indicated when I asked him to clarify things for the property's puzzled fanbase.
"Fortunately, as [series creator] Noah [Hawley] has said before, there wasn't much mythology for him to actually contend with, so it left him a great deal of latitude," Zucker replied. "But, this was something that came whole cloth out of Noah's mind, and something that through the historic relationship he's had with FX.
"As soon as [FX Chairman] John Landgraf was able to seize the opportunity to explore a series in this space, there was honestly no one better that he could have tapped.
"So, the relationship that he [Noah] and Ridley really became one," Zucker added. "Noah used the original film as his departure point to set off on his own fresh take and story in a series environment. It became one that we really benefited from through all of the originality, creativity, and freshness of thinking in the story he opted to tell."
The Sigourney Weaver-starring Alien films take place after Alien: Earth (Image credit: 20th Century Fox)Zucker's comments further muddy the waters of what's been said by other individuals involved in the Hulu and Disney+ show's production.
Speaking to Variety in late July, FX Entertainment President Gina Balian did little to clarify things, saying: "Everything doesn’t have to fit together the way you expect from Marvel. Fans don’t expect that in this universe. It doesn’t have the same pressure."
Elsewhere, Hawley told Empire Magazine (per PopVerse): "That first movie came out in 1979 and Prometheus came out in 2012... so you're talking about close to 40 years in which there was no black goo, no David, no Engineers. Alien, for me, is baked in as these creatures that have existed for millions of years. They're the perfectly evolved species. What you have to do is tell these stories from an organically fan-place within yourself."
Not exactly clearing things up, are they – but what do you think? Does it matter if Alien: Earth addresses what went down in Prometheus and Alien: Covenant? Let me know in the comments.
While we wait for the series to arrive on August 12 (US) and August 13 (internationally), check out my Alien: Earth review for my verdict on the vast majority of Hawley's latest TV production. Then, read our definitive Alien: Earth guide for the full lowdown on the forthcoming show.
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- New Wyoming facility could consume twice as much electricity as the entire state currently produces annually
- Data center developers will build custom natural gas and renewable plants to feed massive energy needs
- Crusoe refused to confirm any involvement of OpenAI despite growing speculation and prior partnerships
Plans for a new AI data center in Cheyenne, Wyoming, have raised serious questions about energy use and infrastructure demands.
The proposed facility, a collaboration between energy company Tallgrass and data center developer Crusoe, is expected to start at 1.8 gigawatts and could scale to an immense 10 gigawatts.
For context, this is over five times more electricity than what all households in Wyoming currently use.
A dedicated power supply for a silent tenantGiven the extraordinary energy demands, drawing power from the public grid is not an option - instead, the developers intend to power the site using a combination of natural gas and renewables, built specifically for the facility.
However, the mystery around the project continues to deepen because the future occupant of the data center has not been named.
Speculation has focused on OpenAI, as the AI giant recently partnered with Crusoe on a separate facility in Texas, described as the “largest data center” in the world.
That project reportedly draws about a gigawatt of energy and is seen as part of OpenAI’s broader “Stargate” initiative.
OpenAI has made commitments to develop several gigawatts of data center capacity, though the company has not publicly confirmed any presence in Wyoming.
When asked, Crusoe declined to confirm or deny whether this new site is tied to Stargate, fueling further uncertainty.
At the core of such AI-focused data centers lies the demand for extremely high-performance hardware.
Industry experts expect it to house the fastest CPUs available, possibly in dense, rack-mounted workstation configurations optimized for deep learning and model training.
These systems are power-hungry by design, with each server node capable of handling massive workloads that demand sustained cooling and uninterrupted energy.
Wyoming state officials have embraced the project as a boost to local industries, particularly natural gas; however, some experts warn of broader implications.
Even with a self-sufficient power model, a data center of this scale alters regional power dynamics.
There are concerns that residents of Wyoming and its environs could face higher utility costs, particularly if local supply chains or pricing models are indirectly affected.
Also, Wyoming’s identity as a major energy exporter could be tested if more such facilities emerge.
Via Arstechnica
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A new NYT Strands puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Saturday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Saturday, August 9 (game #524).
Strands is the NYT's latest word game after the likes of Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections – and it's great fun. It can be difficult, though, so read on for my Strands hints.
Want more word-based fun? Then check out my NYT Connections today and Quordle today pages for hints and answers for those games, and Marc's Wordle today page for the original viral word game.
SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Strands today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.
NYT Strands today (game #525) - hint #1 - today's themeWhat is the theme of today's NYT Strands?• Today's NYT Strands theme is… A rip-roaring good time
NYT Strands today (game #525) - hint #2 - clue wordsPlay any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.
- TOWER
- WIRE
- TRAIL
- SALE
- RUST
- GAIN
• Spangram has 7 letters
NYT Strands today (game #525) - hint #4 - spangram positionWhat are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?First side: left, 5th row
Last side: right, 6th row
Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.
NYT Strands today (game #525) - the answers(Image credit: New York Times)The answers to today's Strands, game #525, are…
- LUAU
- BLOWOUT
- SHINDIG
- HOEDOWN
- JAMBOREE
- WINGDING
- SPANGRAM: PARTIES
- My rating: Hard
- My score: 1 hint
A tricky game today, thanks to some unusual words and interesting twists.
I took a hint to get started, after finding half a dozen non-game words without hitting anything that might relate to a “rip-roaring good time”.
The hint gave me LUAU, which is a good thing as this would have been the last thing I would have spotted amongst these old fashioned descriptions of a knees up.
I think it speaks of our appetite for pleasure that there are so many different words for PARTIES – I’d never heard of WINGDING before, but I’m certain some killer punch and a game that will involve everyone hiding in a cupboard will be involved.
Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Saturday, August 9, game #524)- CORKSCREW
- SPATULA
- MIXER
- ZESTER
- SIEVE
- WHISK
- SPANGRAM: KITCHEN TOOL
Strands is the NYT's not-so-new-any-more word game, following Wordle and Connections. It's now a fully fledged member of the NYT's games stable that has been running for a year and which can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.
I've got a full guide to how to play NYT Strands, complete with tips for solving it, so check that out if you're struggling to beat it each day.
A new NYT Connections puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Saturday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Saturday, August 9 (game #790).
Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.
What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.
SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.
NYT Connections today (game #791) - today's words(Image credit: New York Times)Today's NYT Connections words are…
- PULP
- BIOPIC
- FAN
- CALCIUM
- PULL
- CONCENTRATE
- SCIENCE
- GROUP
- HISTORICAL
- JUICE
- COLLECT
- CHEMISE
- SWAY
- TRIGLYCERIDE
- WEIGHT
- CLUSTER
What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?
- YELLOW: Clout
- GREEN: Gather
- BLUE: Reading matter
- PURPLE: Words begin with school abbreviations
Need more clues?
We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…
NYT Connections today (game #791) - hint #2 - group answersWhat are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?
- YELLOW: INFLUENCE
- GREEN: AMASS
- BLUE: KINDS OF FICTION
- PURPLE: STARTING WITH MATH AND SCIENCE CLASSES, FOR SHORT
Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.
NYT Connections today (game #791) - the answers(Image credit: New York Times)The answers to today's Connections, game #791, are…
- YELLOW: INFLUENCE JUICE, PULL, SWAY, WEIGHT
- GREEN: AMASS CLUSTER, COLLECT, CONCENTRATE, GROUP
- BLUE: KINDS OF FICTION FAN, HISTORICAL, PULP, SCIENCE
- PURPLE: STARTING WITH MATH AND SCIENCE CLASSES, FOR SHORT BIOPIC, CALCIUM, CHEMISE, TRIGLYCERIDE
- My rating: Hard
- My score: 2 mistakes
While it was very tempting to find a group that could contain PULP, CONCENTRATE, and JUICE I couldn’t find a fourth word, so resisted the temptation of throwing in a random word. This is my most common type of Connections error, so I’m pleased I checked myself.
This did, however, leave me in a situation where I couldn’t see a single group – another common Connections feeling these days.
Thankfully, I remembered another meaning for JUICE and put together the INFLUENCE group.
Somehow, I managed to get the green group after seeing the link between SCIENCE and PULP – but this is where the good times ended.
I thought that TRIGLYCERIDE and CHEMISE belonged together, but after two attempts at trying to fluke my way to the finish line I switched tracks and saw the far more obvious green group. Phew!
Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Saturday, August 9, game #790)- YELLOW: RESULT FRUIT, PRODUCT, RETURN, YIELD
- GREEN: KINDS OF JOKES DAD, INSIDE, KNOCK-KNOCK, PRACTICAL
- BLUE: MOVIES FEATURING SUPERNATURAL ROMANCE CASPER, GHOST, LET ME IN, TWILIGHT
- PURPLE: CORN-Y THINGS MAZE, MUFFIN, SILK, SYRUP
NYT Connections is one of several increasingly popular word games made by the New York Times. It challenges you to find groups of four items that share something in common, and each group has a different difficulty level: green is easy, yellow a little harder, blue often quite tough and purple usually very difficult.
On the plus side, you don't technically need to solve the final one, as you'll be able to answer that one by a process of elimination. What's more, you can make up to four mistakes, which gives you a little bit of breathing room.
It's a little more involved than something like Wordle, however, and there are plenty of opportunities for the game to trip you up with tricks. For instance, watch out for homophones and other word games that could disguise the answers.
It's playable for free via the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.
A new Quordle puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Saturday's puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Saturday, August 9 (game #1293).
Quordle was one of the original Wordle alternatives and is still going strong now more than 1,100 games later. It offers a genuine challenge, though, so read on if you need some Quordle hints today – or scroll down further for the answers.
Enjoy playing word games? You can also check out my NYT Connections today and NYT Strands today pages for hints and answers for those puzzles, while Marc's Wordle today column covers the original viral word game.
SPOILER WARNING: Information about Quordle today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.
Quordle today (game #1294) - hint #1 - VowelsHow many different vowels are in Quordle today?• The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 4*.
* Note that by vowel we mean the five standard vowels (A, E, I, O, U), not Y (which is sometimes counted as a vowel too).
Quordle today (game #1294) - hint #2 - repeated lettersDo any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?• The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 2.
Quordle today (game #1294) - hint #3 - uncommon lettersDo the letters Q, Z, X or J appear in Quordle today?• No. None of Q, Z, X or J appear among today's Quordle answers.
Quordle today (game #1294) - hint #4 - starting letters (1)Do any of today's Quordle puzzles start with the same letter?• The number of today's Quordle answers starting with the same letter is 2.
If you just want to know the answers at this stage, simply scroll down. If you're not ready yet then here's one more clue to make things a lot easier:
Quordle today (game #1294) - hint #5 - starting letters (2)What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?• S
• P
• T
• S
Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.
Quordle today (game #1294) - the answers(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)The answers to today's Quordle, game #1294, are…
- SCRUM
- PIPER
- TROLL
- SPORE
Sometimes it pays not to overthink things when playing Quordle.
For my last word I had a choice between wiper and my hunch of PIPER. There was no real logic, just a feeling – and I guessed right.
Then again, I had the luxury of knowing that even if it had been wrong I still would have had enough moves left to complete the puzzle, which is always a nice feeling.
Daily Sequence today (game #1294) - the answers(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1294, are…
- EDICT
- GRANT
- BIRCH
- COLOR
- Quordle #1293, Saturday, 9 August: NOOSE, INLET, ELEGY, VIRUS
- Quordle #1292, Friday, 8 August: KNEEL, KINKY, RALPH, BOOZY
- Quordle #1291, Thursday, 7 August: PLUNK, PROXY, CURVY, PEARL
- Quordle #1290, Wednesday, 6 August: RISKY, APART, FAUNA, HANDY
- Quordle #1289, Tuesday, 5 August: ROAST, SLICK, AUDIT, BILLY
- Quordle #1288, Monday, 4 August: MACAW, SINCE, COLON, CHIRP
- Quordle #1287, Sunday, 3 August: MOTIF, LEERY, LOFTY, BURST
- Quordle #1286, Saturday, 2 August: WARTY, PUPAL, CLEAR, SLICE
- Quordle #1285, Friday, 1 August: ACTOR, MEALY, WIDTH, ADOBE
- Quordle #1284, Thursday, 31 July: STYLE, VALET, AGONY, ALLOY
- Quordle #1283, Wednesday, 30 July: DEBAR, ADMIN, FOLIO, USAGE
- Quordle #1282, Tuesday, 29 July: BATCH, TOPIC, MURKY, BUNCH
- Quordle #1281, Monday, 28 July: CANDY, TRYST, SHIRT, FORGO
- Quordle #1280, Sunday, 27 July: TRAWL, BALER, PIANO, MINCE
- Quordle #1279, Saturday, 26 July: MUDDY, SAINT, KINKY, POLAR
- Quordle #1278, Friday, 25 July: BONUS, RESIN, CEDAR, MADAM
- Quordle #1277, Thursday, 24 July: AGONY, VERVE, GLEAN, MINUS
- Quordle #1276, Wednesday, 23 July: OZONE, PENCE, ROOMY, WIDER
- Quordle #1275, Tuesday, 22 July: OPTIC, GIDDY, VOCAL, ADULT
Big news from TechRadar's best robot vacuum ranking: there's a new top bot in town – the Roborock Qrevo Curv. We absolutely loved this model when we tested it for our Roborock Qrevo Curv review, but at that point it was just a little too pricey to go in the #1 spot.
Now, prices have tumbled, value for money has risen, and I've decided it's time to shift it into pole position. It's not even that old – it came out in October 2024. It's just that Roborock is releasing new bots at such a rate that anything that's not a 2025 launch is ripe for discount.
At list price, the Curv costs $1,599.99 / £1,299.99, but recently I've seen it drop as low as $899.99 / £850. It's still not cheap (and I'll include some great alternatives below for those on a tighter budget) but if you can afford it it's well worth the investment. This is a seriously good robot vacuum.
Roborock is probably my favorite robovac brand. Its bots consistently deliver high build quality, strong cleaning performance and reliable navigation. The experienced reviewer who tested the Curv (alongside many other robovacs) calls it his "go-to brand for reliable, fuss-free vacuuming with smarts galore".
(Image credit: Future)Roborock is also known for blazing a trail when it comes to innovation in this market, and the Curv is powered by very nearly the newest tech. It recognizes the tall thresholds in your home and figures out the best way to climb over each one, the onboard camera can be used to make two-way voice calls for security or pet-reassurance purposes, and there's automatic suction adjustment for different floor types.
(Image credit: Future)It nails the basics, too: mapping is speedy and accurate, navigation and obstacle avoidance reliable, there's a very powerful 18,500Pa of suction, dual spinning mop pads (one of which can kick out to the side to get up close to the edges of rooms), and an extending side brush for sweeping into corners.
On test it aced every cleaning task we put to it, and it proved itself to be not just a capable cleaner, but a low-effort, easy to use one too.
The curvy dock will take care of a whole list of maintenance tasks for you. It will charge the bot and empty its dustbin, but also refill its water tanks and wash and dry its mop pads so they don't get stinky. And it looks pretty cool too, in a kind of space-age way.
My favorite alternativesNot sure the Qrevo Curv is right for you? Let's take a look at the best alternatives, starting with more affordable options and then – just for fun – looking at what you can get if you blow the budget entirely.
If you have less to spend, the Dreame L40 Ultra and Eufy X10 Pro Omni are both excellent all-rounders, and depending on deals can be in the region of $200 / £200 less than the Curv. Or in the budget bracket, I loved both the Roborock Q7 M5 and Dreame D9 Gen 2, but be aware that you'll need to get a little more hands-on than you would with a pricier option.
If money is no object, there are even more functions available if you stump up for one of the very newest models. My new top premium robot vacuum is the Dreame X50 Ultra Complete, which has little feet that enable it to scale even taller thresholds than the Qrevo Curv can manage. The LiDAR tower can retract into the body of the robot too, enabling it to clean in particularly low-height spaces.
The crowning option in the Roborock lineup is the Roborock Saros Z70, which has a big robotic arm that'll clear away your socks for you. Slightly less flashy 2025 additions to the range are the Saros 10, which has a retractable LiDAR puck similar to the X50 Ultra's, and Saros 10R, which doesn't have a raised puck at all but instead uses a different approach to navigation.
However, if you're looking for powerful cleaning and reliable all-round performance with no unnecessary bells and whistles, the Robrock Qrevo Curv is first on my recommendations list.
You might also like...- Modos uses open hardware to fix everything wrong with sluggish commercial e-paper displays
- E-paper finally reaches 75Hz refresh rates, enough to handle modern productivity tasks
- USB Type-C and HDMI connectivity offer simple setup across Windows, macOS, and Linux
E-paper has is recent years often been relegated to niche applications, largely due to its sluggish refresh rates and limited interactivity.
However, Modos Tech is attempting to upend this perception with a new set of developer kits featuring e-paper displays capable of reaching 75Hz refresh rates, which are now crowdfunding.
Though this figure might not turn heads in the consumer monitor space, this productivity tool introduces a different kind of performance that caters to focused, distraction-free work.
A different approach to responsive e-paperModos attributes its performance improvements to an open-hardware design built around the Xilinx Spartan-6 FPGA.
This controller, combined with a DDR3 framebuffer and STM32H750 microcontroller, eliminates the proprietary bottlenecks typical in commercial e-paper displays.
The company suggests traditional systems are constrained by outdated hardware decisions that limit response time and usability, as it claims its open design lifts those barriers and introduces real-time responsiveness to what has historically been a static technology.
“From writers and engineers to accessibility advocates and digital minimalists, people are tired of the distraction, eye strain, and fatigue of mainstream displays,” said Alexander Soto, CEO of Modos Tech.
“E-paper offers a better path, and we’ve built tools that make it fast, flexible, and accessible to all.”
With support for multiple grayscale levels and a hybrid rendering mode, the screens attempt to offer flexibility without relying on full color.
While the architecture supports color displays, none are being offered at this stage - instead, the current implementation is aimed at users who prioritize simplicity and legibility over visual richness.
The kits include USB Type-C and HDMI ports, making them compatible with major desktop platforms including Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Its USB Type-C can handle both data and power, but those opting to connect via HDMI will need an additional power source for operation.
This device is available in 6-inch and 13.3-inch which are selling for $199 and $599 respectively.
But make no mistake about this device, it will not replace business tablets or traditional business laptops.
Nevertheless, for users with specific visual or cognitive requirements, they offer an alternative that minimizes eye fatigue and digital noise.
As always with crowdfunded hardware, the pitch comes with caveats.
Modos is working through Crowd Supply, a platform with a decent track record for delivery; the usual warnings apply.
However, delays, supply issues, and unforeseen design revisions remain real possibilities.
Modos’ e-paper kits are still in pre-order status, with expected delivery in the fourth quarter of 2025.
Via Toms Hardware
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