An anonymous reader quotes a report from Reuters: Microsoft is considering legal action against its partner OpenAI and Amazon over a $50 billion deal that could violate its exclusive cloud agreement with the ChatGPT maker, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday. Last month, Amazon and OpenAI signed several agreements, including one that makes Amazon Web Services the exclusive third-party cloud provider for Frontier, OpenAI’s enterprise platform for building and running AI agents. The dispute centers on whether OpenAI can offer Frontier via AWS without violating the Microsoft partnership, which requires the startup’s models to be accessed through the Windows maker’s Azure cloud platform, the FT report said, citing sources.
OpenAI and Microsoft recently stated together that “Azure remains the exclusive cloud provider of stateless OpenAI APIs,” a Microsoft spokesperson said in an emailed statement, referring to software interfaces used to access OpenAI’s models. “We are confident that OpenAI understands and respects the importance of living up to this legal obligation,” the spokesperson added. FT said Microsoft executives believed the approach was not feasible and would violate the spirit, if not the letter, of their agreement, and added that the companies were in talks to resolve the dispute without litigation ahead of Frontier’s launch. “We know our contract,” a person familiar with Microsoft’s position told the newspaper. “We will sue them if they breach it. If Amazon and OpenAI want to take a bet on the creativity of their contractual lawyers, I would back us, not them.”
A 7-ton asteroid roughly the size of a storage shed was spotted streaking across the Northeast Ohio sky at 45,000 mph, detonating over Medina County with the force of 250 tons of TNT. This event didn’t just rattle windows from Cleveland to Pittsburgh; it sent dozens of residents scouring their properties for the charred remains of a 4.5-billion-year-old
Felix Stehli rode a 32in-wheel bike to the top of the podium on Stage 3 at the Cape Epic, alongside his teammate Marc Pritzen on a 29in bike. To our knowledge, this is the first time a 32in-wheel bike has taken an elite-level UCI race.
The Cape Epic, which takes place in South Africa’s Western Cape, is widely regarded as one of the most difficult stage races in the mountain bike calendar, with the men’s race seeing teams of two taking on seven stages across 707km.
An interesting detail is that Stage 3 is the longest in the race, perhaps showing the 32in wheels’ ability to cover ground faster.
Honeycomb 226ers is a mixed-wheel size team at the Cape Epic. Absa Cape Epic
Stehli and Pritzen are on Team Honeycomb 226ers and were both riding Stoll bikes, although they chose two different platforms for the race, with Stehli opting for the 32in P32 and Pritzen picking the M3 SR.
Stehli’s P32 features an Intend 32 fork up front, which gives between 100mm and 120mm of travel, and was seen using 32in Maxxis tyres.
Stoll released the P32 last year. Stoll Bikes
It’s hard to see what wheels he was using, but looking at Stoll’s spec list for the bike, they’re likely to be the Pi Rope Duke Lucky Jack 32.
The frame itself is said to weigh in at 1,880g, with Stoll saying this is competitive with 29in bikes of the same ilk.
The P32 has an unusual top tube. Stoll Bikes
The suspension linkage is one we’ve come to expect in mountain biking, although the frame features an oddly dissected top tube, perhaps to minimise weight.
Version
1.7.0 (“Daffodil”) of the Radicle peer-to-peer, local-first code
collaboration stack has been released. Some of the changes in this
release include improved I/O usage, the ability to block nodes at the
connection level, and clearer errors for rad id
updates. See the release notes for a full list of changes and bug
fixes.
The kernel project has a unique approach to tooling that avoids many
commonly used development systems that do not fit the community’s scale and
ways of working. Another way of looking at the situation is that the kernel
project has often under-invested in tooling, and sometimes seems bent on
doing things the hard way. In recent times, though, the amount of effort
that has gone into development tools for the kernel has increased, with
some interesting results. Recent developments in this area include the
Sashiko code-review system, a patch-review manager built into b4, and a new
attempt at a framework for the specification and verification of kernel
APIs.
Owlchemy Labs, a noted champion for accessibility in VR games, has added a pinch-based artificial turning system for hand tracking to Dimensional Double Shift.
Until now, if you wanted to turn in Dimensional Double Shift, the only way to do it was to actually turn your body. That all changes with DDS’s 1.9 update, available now, that adds a pinch-to-turn feature to the game.
Double Shift’s menu input system is built around the common thumb and forefinger ‘pinch’ gesture. The new turning method is no different. When bringing up the hand menu, as shown in the image below, left and right arrows now appear at the bottom. Pinching either arrow turns the player in that direction, eliminating the need to physically turn in real life and allowing seated players to comfortably turn in game. Along with the new feature, players can also configure the spacing, height, depth, and distance under HUD controls.
I had the chance to test this new feature prior to its release and found it natural and responsive to use.
Dimensional Double Shift is currently available free to play on Meta Quest. Since release, two DLCs, Joysey and Hexas have been released for $4.99 each.
Amazon’s next-generation smart assistant has entered its Early Access program in the UK, marking Alexa+’s European debut following rollouts in the US, Canada and Mexico. Starting March 19, invitations to start using the smarter, more conversational Alexa will be sent out to “hundreds of thousands” of willing participants, Amazon said in a press release, adding that Alexa is the most popular voice assistant in the UK.
As well as its more natural communication, agentic capabilities, contextual awareness and ability to remember previous conversations across devices, Amazon that users across the pond are getting an “authentically British” AI-powered assistant. It understands slang terms like “cuppa” and might even accuse you of taking the mick in the middle of a conversation. Can we rule out some cringe-inducing cockney impersonations? Absolutely not. It also distinguishes between, for example, how people in the UK say the date — “the 1st of April” — versus how it’s said in the US.
Amazon said that engineers, linguists and speech scientists have worked together at the company’s Cambridge-based Tech Hub to ensure the voice assistant understands British users, with naturally flowing conversations being a crucial part of the Alexa+ experience.
On the agentic side of things, the current lineup of UK partners will include OpenTable and, soon, JustEat, alongside existing partnerships with services like Spotify, Philips and Apple Music. Amazon also sources news from the likes of The Guardian and Future Publishing.
UK-based customers who purchase a new supported Echo device will automatically qualify for Early Access, and if you already own one you can register here to receive an invite. You can also try Alexa+ on select Fire TV devices and in a web browser.
During the Early Access period, which ran for nearly a year in the US before its nationwide rollout last month, Alexa+ will be free, and will remain free for Prime members. On its own it will cost £20 per month. As a reminder, Prime costs £9 per month in the UK (£95 annually) so it makes no sense whatsoever to pay more for Alexa+ exclusively when it’s included in the main membership anyway.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/alexa-launches-in-the-uk-141058988.html?src=rss
Backtracking on what it announced earlier this week, Meta now says it will keep Horizon Worlds VR support “for existing games”.
If you somehow missed it, on Tuesday Meta officially announced that its Horizon Worlds “metaverse” platform would drop VR support in June, meaning it would only be available as a flatscreen experience for the web and smartphones.
But now, in an “ask me anything” session on his Instagram page, Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth says the company has decided to “keep Horizon Worlds working in VR for existing games to support the fans who’ve reached out”.
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“I have a little bit of good news here for you then. We have decided, just today in fact, that we will keep Horizon Worlds working in VR for existing games, to support the fans who’ve reached out like yourself who really care about that.
The Horizon Unity runtime games, they’re not going to work on mobile, they’ll just be working in VR. We’re not bringing new games – most of our energy is going towards mobile and the Meta Horizon Engine there. The reason for that is because that’s where most of the consumer and creator energy already was, and so we’re leaning into that. But for people who already have games that they like that they’re using in Horizon Worlds, will be able to download the Horizon Worlds app and use it in VR for the foreseeable future.”
Bosworth says this specifically applies to worlds developed with the Horizon Unity runtime, suggesting it applies to those built inside VR or with the Horizon Desktop Editor, but not those built for the new Horizon Engine with Horizon Studio.
The picture painted here is of a clean technical break, with the legacy Unity version of Horizon Worlds continuing to support VR, and the new Horizon Engine focusing fully on flatscreen.
This VR support will continue through the Horizon Worlds VR app, which Bosworth says will stay on Quest’s store “for the foreseeable future”.
Specific worlds will not be recommended by the operating system, though, and nor will they be seen in the storefront. Horizon Worlds will be just another app on the store.
As for the reason behind not supporting VR in Horizon Engine, Bosworth repeated the explanation he’s been giving for two months now – “because that’s where most of the consumer and creator energy already was, and so we’re leaning into that”.
Back in January, Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth claimed that Meta has seen “really, really positive pickup” in Horizon Worlds on smartphones, and said that the company planned to double down on this.
“You’ve got a team that actually has product market fit in a huge market on mobile phones, and they’re having to build everything twice. They’re building it once for mobile phones, and building again for VR. There’s a pretty easy way to increase their velocity: just let them build for mobile. So Horizon is very focused now on mobile — not exclusively, but almost exclusively,” Bosworth was quoted as saying.
When an apparent Medusa Point APU based on AMD’s next-generation Zen 6 architecture found its way to Geekbench earlier this week, the big news was the amount of reported L3 cache. Well, whoever is uploading benchmark runs of the mystery chip to Geekbench has done so again, and this time the highlight is on the performance and what looks like
Icelandic brand Lauf, best known for its gravel race bikes, has joined the eMTB market with the eElja – an electrified trail version of its Elja XC bike – and a keep-it-simple philosophy.
The eElja is a ‘true’ SL eMTB, with a lightweight 130mm-travel frame, 140mm fork, compact 360Wh battery and TQ’s latest lightweight HPR60 motor contributing to a claimed weight of less than 17kg.
Lauf wanted to build an eMTB for those who are happy to put a bit more effort into their assisted rides, who value the bike’s handling and motor feel over all-out power.
As per the non-powered Elja XC bike, Lauf employs a simple single-pivot design, while a bit of digging through TQ’s catalogue revealed a simpler solution to motor and battery displays.
In doing so, Lauf has built an electric mountain bike that blends on-trail capability with a bit of subtle assistance in a package that’s as fuss-free as they come.
I travelled to Lauf’s home in Iceland to see the new eElja and get in a first ride in its natural habitat.
As eMTBs go, the eElja might be the most subtle-looking one around. Lauf
The relationship to the non-assisted Elja is clear, with the two bikes sharing an almost identical silhouette.
The front triangle has a deep head tube, which is slightly bulkier than the XC bike to cope with weight and the additional travel on offer, while the tubes’ form is a little more angular than on the XC bike.
The down tube’s svelte cross-section holds the 360Wh battery, with the charging port at the top of the tube.
The motor is non-structural to the frame, so it shouldn’t impact ride quality. Given its prominent position at the base of the bike, there’s a guard to protect its leading edge from damage.
Keeping it simple – one single swingarm, no fancy linkages. Lauf
Above and forward of the motor is the main pivot, from which the asymmetrical rear triangle emerges.
In a nod to durability and serviceability, the main pivot consists of a SRAM DUB bottom bracket – no proprietary or difficult-to-source bearings here, and as long as you have a DUB BB tool to hand, no bearing presses are needed when the bearings wear out.
This system, says Lauf, is durable and stiff, while simplicity is a definite side benefit.
Towards the back
2.6in tyres are broad, but they still squeeze in the rear swingarm. Lauf
The main pivot is a touch lower than on the non-assisted Elja.
This reduces the anti-squat value of the frame, providing a smoother ride, because there’s less interaction between the chain and the suspension.
With a motor adding some extra oomph, there’s less requirement for the suspension to be as pedal-efficient as the XC-focused Elja.
Lauf’s LSP wings help isolate the shock from side-loading. Lauf
The swingarm has two thin arms driving the shock, dubbed LSP. The Lauf Single Pivot system’s arms are laterally flexible, designed to isolate the shock from lateral loads, which cause stiction and wear.
The forward portion of the swingarm is built to be stiff, while flex is allowed further rearward in the arms, to ensure the rear wheel can track off-cambers and roots effectively.
The shock sits lower in the frame, helping boost travel to 130mm over the 120mm offered with the Elja XC bike.
To give the extra 10mm of suspension travel the eElja has over the Elja, Lauf has mounted the shock lower in the frame and lengthened the chainstays by 13mm.
How it’s powered
TQ’s small HPR60 motor nestles behind carbon cranks on the top-end model. Lauf
The Lauf team wanted to use TQ’s new HPR 60 motor because of its “elegant and fascinating” harmonic drive system.
The brand was originally founded by a pair of prosthetic engineers, whose experience with glass fibre springs in prosthetic blades gave rise to Lauf’s unique Trail Racer and Grit leaf-sprung suspension forks.
Prosthetic knees, which founder Benedikt Skulason also worked on, use harmonic drive system motors, similar to those found in the HPR60.
From the driveside, it’s almost impossible to see the motor. Lauf
The recently updated motor is IP67-rated against water and dust ingress – something useful in Iceland, where rides frequently involve river crossings, and the wind can whip up rolling clouds of lava-based dust.
The motor has up to 350W of assistance, with 60Nm of torque, placing it squarely in the lighter-weight and lower-assistance bracket.
The three modes are pre-programmed to give 50%, 100% and 150% assistance up to 350W, although the modes can be tuned via the TQ app.
While the 360Wh battery is small in comparison to most other eMTBs, this works with Lauf’s intention of building a true SL eMTB. The battery capacity and motor strength are subtle rather than punchy, with an aim of giving a more natural ride feel.
A range extender can be used to boost your hill-climbing ability – and it doesn’t stop you from carrying a bottle, either. Lauf
Should you want a little more juice, a 160Wh range extender can be fitted into the frame triangle, while still leaving room for a 500ml bottle, even on a small-sized bike.
I measured a size-medium bike at 16.7kg, although it had lighter Goodyear Peak tyres fitted, rather than the more aggressive 2.6in Goodyear Escape Trail Max that will come fitted to the bike.
Should you want the faster-rolling Peaks, they can be specced when ordering the bike.
Keeping it simple
Perhaps the neatest integration of a motor display we’ve seen. Lauf
It feels like simplicity has been a key consideration during the construction of the eElja.
Rather than fit a large screen into the top tube, which increases weight and price, Lauf noticed the TQ catalogue included a small road bike bar-end display.
This simple five-LED display shows basic battery and mode selection data.
Lauf has used this as the only on-bike display for the system, placed on the top of the top tube.
Its argument goes that if you need more data on the motor, its modes and other information, you’re able to get this via your computer.
The lineage from Elja to eElja is easy to see. Lauf
With bikes designed for riders looking to go further, many will double up on displays, adding a bike computer to the bar for ride data and navigation.
Likewise, with the frame being wireless-only – gears and dropper – the spare button on the SRAM AXS left-hand pod can be used to toggle through the motor’s three modes, thus removing an item of hardware from the bar.
In practice, it’s an incredibly elegant solution.
Well kitted out
SRAM’s Transmission groupsets feature on both builds. Lauf
As hinted at, both models are fully wireless to keep the bike as fuss-free as possible. SRAM’s AXS Transmission groupsets and AXS Reverb dropper keep the battery count high and cables non-existent.
To keep handling calm, FSA’s damped ‘Honey’ stabilising headset bearings are fitted. These help filter out trail chatter through the bar.
The Weekend Warrior build, priced at $6,990, comes with a GX Transmission, RockShox Pike Select fork and a Deluxe Select shock.
If wireless brakes existed… you know Lauf would spec them. Lauf
The Race build ($8,490) comes with Select+ level Pike and Deluxe suspension, an X0 Transmission, carbon rims and cranks, and, in a nod to keeping the ride as smooth as possible, e*thirteen Sidekick hub.
The hub disengages itself while freewheeling, so the chain can’t tug on the rear wheel when the suspension compresses – as such, there’s little to no pedal feedback.
Lauf eElja initial ride impressions
Scurrying down a rock-laden ridge line in northern Iceland. Lauf
So, how does the eElja ride?
From the off, as per any lightweight eMTB, the eElja rides trails much like a non-powered mountain bike, but with a hint of additional smoothness and stability.
The suspension system may be simple, but it’s effective, offering decent control over hits – large and small.
With the pivot placement designed to give less intersection between chain and suspension, as well as the Sidekick hub in the rear, it’s incredibly smooth over trail ripples. On bigger hits, the bike eases into its mid-to-late stroke without any harshness.
Wider tyres mean lower pressures – I was running these well below 20psi even in rocky terrain. Lauf
I didn’t spend enough time on the bike with the more aggressive Goodyear Escape tyres, but my experience of the Peaks is that, even with minimal tread, in all but muddy conditions, there is far more grip on tap than the tread pattern might suggest.
The Escapes have much chunkier tread blocks, so I should imagine grip levels will be high.
While the travel figures aren’t huge, the suspension is well-controlled, and those broad tyres do a good job, too. Lauf
While Lauf hasn’t gone wild with the geometry, the bike’s shape is definitely modern.
The head angle sits at 65 degrees, while reach figures across the four sizes range from 416mm to 502mm. Chainstays are moderately long at 448mm across all sizes, boosting the wheelbase for increased stability.
The eElja proved confident on swooping woodland trails, wide-open rocky tracks and through the bike park – at least in the context of it being a shorter-travel, lightweight trail bike.
I was certainly happy giving it as much of a hammering as I was able to on blind tracks.
The lightweight motor and battery don’t offer the same punchy uphill performance as a full-power ebike motor does, and so if you were moving from a full-fat eMTB to a bike such as this, you will be putting more effort into your ascents.
The HPR 60 motor isn’t as punchy as full-fat motors – see it more as a gentle push on your back, rather than a shove. Lauf
But if you’re coming from a non-assisted ride and are looking for a little extra help, the TQ HPR60 motor is one of the best out there.
It’s quiet, with minimal whirring or buzzing, adding to the very natural ride feel the motor provides.
There’s no jerk as you set off from standing, instead a nice feed-in of power. Likewise, on rolling terrain, the motor doesn’t give you a boot up the backside when you put in a few pedal strokes; it massages your efforts into something just a little more impressive.
Push past the assistance level and the motor’s resistance is almost zero, meaning the bike doesn’t lose any zip when you’re hauling. Lauf
Lauf’s simple integration of the motor and battery is a nice counterpoint to the jungle of wires, displays and controllers that some eMTBs can suffer from. The system is integrated very neatly and not in your face.
If you want a simple but effective assisted ride, where the motor’s performance isn’t front and centre of your experience, Lauf’s eElja might be right up your street.
Four colours will be offered – Sóley Yellow, Basalt Black, Geysir Gray & Borealis – with bikes available directly from Lauf.
It’s been nearly 20 years since Sony released the PlayStation 3, which at the time ran $499.99 for the 20GB model and $599.99 for the 60GB model. If you’ve held onto one for that long, your splurge continues to pay off, as Sony is still releasing updates two decades later. The latest one isn’t overly fancy, but it is required if you plan to
Nothing takes a different tack with its phone series. For the second time in a row, its midrange entry-level A-series smartphones debuted ahead of its next flagship device. The company has even warned that we won’t be getting the Nothing Phone 4 until next year. Until then, the Phone 4a Pro is here to make an impact, with a more restrained design, a less obtrusive camera bump and specs that beat out last year’s Nothing Phone 3 — all for $499. In 2026, Nothing is truly aiming to dethrone the Pixel 10a.
Hardware
Mat Smith for Engadget
It’s a new look. That’s often the case with Nothing’s smartphones as the company typically reimagines or rejigs what you can see through the clear back panel. This year, however, Nothing is making bigger changes: this is its first metal (aluminum) unibody phone.
With a new periscope telephoto camera design, the jarringly thick camera bump of last year’s Phone 3a Pro is thankfully gone, resulting in a slice of smartphone that feels — and to some, looks — more premium and more refined than Nothing’s “flagship” Phone 3.
However, compared to the Nothing phones that came before, it also feels muted, and a little safe. The playfulness of Nothing has been hemmed in a little. You might prefer it, but I’m not sure I do.
Those identifiable Nothing design flourishes — red details, visible screens, lots and lots of circles — are now squeezed into a camera panel. This oblong area with curved corners houses a trio of cameras, a “Now Recording” red light and a tweaked Glyph Matrix, which we last saw on the Nothing Phone 3.
This new Glyph Matrix is bigger and brighter, but at a lower “resolution,” that’s made of 137 mini-LEDs. That’s fewer than the Nothing Phone 3’s 489-strong dot-matrix, but the LEDs here are 100 percent brighter. So bright, in fact, that I had to turn them down to their lowest brightness when I was using them.The 4a Pro, however, lacks the rear button on the Phone 3 that lets you cycle through Glyph functions. Does this mean the company has made it easy to switch between Glyph toys and notifications in the phone’s UI? Sadly not.
You can dip into the Glyph options through the main settings menu, but to change what the Glyph displays is hidden in a sub-tab. I also noticed that the offering of “toys” was limited, with fewer items than even the Nothing Phone 3 had at launch. Hopefully, this will expand once the phone officially launches.
The 4a Pro packs a bigger screen than the company’s flagship, with a 6.83-inch AMOLED screen running at 1.5K resolution. It also has a higher refresh rate than the 6.67-inch Phone 3. And on top of that, the Phone 4a Pro’s display has a peak brightness of 5,000 nits, making it Nothing’s brightest smartphone yet.
I’ve handled so many phones over the last four weeks that it’s often hard to discern the difference between brighter displays. Fortunately, I have the Nothing Phone 3 (and 3a Pro) to compare against the Phone 4a Pro. It’s noticeably brighter, and as we slowly get into sunnier weather, a smartphone that’s easier to read outdoors is always very welcome.
The Phone 4a Pro also has improved IP65 water and dust resistance, while Nothing says it’s 42 percent more bend-resistant than the Phone 3a Pro as well. It’s also almost 0.5mm thinner, if you ignore the camera bump for those measurements. Factor that in and the Phone 4a Pro is almost 1.5mm thinner than its predecessor. This design change also makes Nothing’s newest phone feel far less top-heavy than the 3a Pro. Regardless of the aesthetic changes, this is unmistakably refined hardware.
Cameras
Mat Smith for Engadget
Besides the streamlined camera unit, with a new tetraprism periscopic lens that takes up less space, the Phone 4a Pro has improved imaging capabilities (almost) across the board. The new 50-megapixel periscope telephoto lens (which Nothing says also uses less power) has a 3.5x optical zoom, plus computational photography magic that can now crank it up to a (mostly unusable) 140x hybrid zoom.
The main 50MP sensor also features a bigger sensor for improved low-light performance. With an f/1.88 lens though, it doesn’t quite match the Phone 3’s main camera (f/1.68), both on paper and in practice. The array is rounded out with an 8MP ultrawide camera, which sounds like the weakest link, but I rarely use the ultrawide cameras on any phone aside from review testing. Oddly, the selfie camera is a technical downgrade in resolution, with a 32MP sensor on the 4a Pro, down from 50MP on the 3a Pro.
Mat Smith for Engadget
One new addition was co-developed by Google. Ultra XDR blends Android’s native HDR processing with Nothing’s own approach, capturing 13 RAW frames at different exposures and combining them to deliver greater dynamic range and detail. However, as proof of how new they are, your Ultra XDR images can’t be shared as easily. They do work with Google Photos and Instagram, at least. If it’s any consolation, Ultra XDR so far doesn’t seem hugely far away from typical HDR capture. I’ll keep testing the cameras and if I figure out where it really shines, I’ll update this review.
Mat Smith for Engadget
If one thing disappoints on the 4a Pro, it’s recording video. Switching between zoom levels will often completely derail exposure settings. Even if you record on a single camera at the same focal length, exposure levels seem extremely sensitive and struggle to stay locked. Footage is often muddy and low-light performance isn’t great, even if using the Ultra XDR video mode. You aren’t forced to endure this with the Pixel 10a, but then again, there’s no zoom on Google’s mid-range phone — just a lossless crop. In more forgiving lighting, video is adequate, but quality drops off beyond the 3.5x optical zoom. Still, the versatility and quality of the still images from both the main camera and the telephoto lens put it above every other smartphone at this price.
Performance and software
The Phone 4a Pro is now powered by a more capable processor: Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 7 Gen 4. Nothing claims that, in addition to its own on-device optimizations, it improved CPU performance by 27 percent, GPU performance by 30 percent and AI performance by 65 percent compared to the Phone 3a series.
There’s certainly a big difference in performance while gaming. While the 3a series struggled with more complex games, the 4a Pro kept up with Red Dead Redemption and Diablo Immortal. It’s not the most polished interpretation of Decard Cain and the lands of Sanctuary, but it’s responsive and playable, even at 60 fps, with only a few frame drops.
The Phone 4a has a 5,080mAh battery, roughly equivalent to its predecessor. It supports up to 50W fast charging, a tad faster than the Pixel 10a, though it lacks wireless charging support, unlike Google’s midranger. It’s one of the few signs that this isn’t Nothing’s “true” flagship, even if it looks the part.
I was pleasantly surprised by the battery life, too. Typically, phones are getting increasingly bigger batteries, but as I mentioned, that’s not the case here.. However, the 4a Pro lasted 24 hours in our battery rundown test, five hours more than last year’s model.
The Phone 4a Pro has all the software features either present or teased in older Nothing Phones. Essential Search is a system-wide search that can find terms in messages, files and the rest of your phone. There’s also a new Breathing Break widget; we definitely need that in 2026.
Essential Memory is Nothing’s name for its background algorithms and analysis, scrutinizing your phone’s contents as well as whatever’s saved in Essential Space. Nothing has added cloud storage for Space, aimed at devoted upgraders, meaning everything you saved on older compatible Nothing phones can be transferred over. Sure, it’s a little niche, but it was an early frustration while testing the Phone 3 after the 3a series. If, for some reason, you have to reset your device, keeping everything in Space backed up elsewhere is a boon.
Mat Smith for Engadget
Also, while it’s technically a hardware tweak, Nothing has also moved the Essential Key to the left edge of the phone, making it far less likely to be triggered when you’re adjusting the volume and more in line with other phones and my own smartphone muscle memory.
One caveat from previous Nothing devices remains. The company says it will deliver three years of Android updates and an additional three years of security patches. Compare that to Samsung’s seven years of Android updates for this year’s S26 series (and Google’s Pixel 10a), and you can see how it falls short.
Wrap-up
The Phone 4a Pro punches well above its $499 price tag. Nothing has successfully refined its hardware into a more premium, all-metal unibody, losing the jarring camera bump of its predecessor in favor of a sleek design that houses a genuinely impressive camera. The improved camera versatility, coupled with its class-leading 24-hour battery life and a more capable processor, makes this a serious threat to the Pixel 10a.
However, some of Nothing’s signature playfulness has been dialed back. The Glyph Matrix, while brighter, is lower-resolution and its “toys” are disappointingly limited at launch. The lack of wireless charging is another nod to its midrange status.
Nothing’s Phone 4a Pro is a device with a clear identity, delivering on the essentials for half the price of many rivals.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/nothing-phone-4a-pro-review-glyph-matrix-130042005.html?src=rss
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The Razer Wolverine V3 Tournament Edition wired gaming controller is down to $54.99 on Woot right now, which is the lowest price it has ever hit. It usually goes for around $99.99 on Amazon, and even previous deals didn’t dip below about $59, according to price trackers. If you’re a Prime member, you get free shipping, while others pay an extra $6. This deal is live for 12 days or until stock runs out, and Woot only ships within the contiguous U.S.
This is essentially the same controller as the Wolverine V3 Pro, minus the wireless battery. That means it’s wired only, using a long 10-foot cable. For PC setups, that’s rarely a problem—in fact, it’s part of the appeal. The controller supports a 1000Hz polling rate, which only works over a wired connection, and it’s built for players who care about responsiveness. Inputs feel sharp and clicky, more like a high-end gaming mouse than a standard controller. You also get six extra programmable buttons, which can make a real difference in games where reaction time matters. In something like a fast-paced shooter, mapping reload or weapon swap to a rear button can shave off just enough time to feel noticeable. The Hall Effect sticks are designed to avoid drift over time, and the textured grips help during longer sessions. All said, it feels solid in hand, though slightly heavier than you might expect.
Where it falls short depends on how you plan to use it. This is not a living-room controller. There’s no wireless option, no Bluetooth, and no flexibility if you like to game from the couch. The customization also leans on Razer’s software, which you’ll need to download to remap buttons or enable that 1000Hz mode. It works well and lets you create profiles for different games, but it does add an extra step. You also can’t tweak everything, like the main button layout or D-pad. Still, if you mostly play on PC and want something that feels closer to a competitive tool than a casual controller, this deal makes a strong case.
HBO Max launches in the UK next week and new ‘saver plans’ have been revealed for customers looking to stream TNT Sports.
After a series of changes to how you can watch cycling races in the UK – which saw GCN+ close, Eurosport UK axed and coverage move to TNT Sports – it was revealed last month that cycling streaming would be absorbed into HBO Max from Thursday 26 March.
The move is part of Warner Bros. Discovery’s continued plan to consolidate its global streaming service, but it saw TNT Sports remain as an add-on, costing viewers £30.99 per month.
But now HBO Max has announced ‘saver plans’ in the UK, which could save you between £60 and £131.88 per year.
“Fans who only wish to purchase TNT Sports, can subscribe via HBO Max for a minimum 12-month term, saving £5 per month or £60 a year, when compared to the monthly plan,” HBO Max said on Wednesday.
HBO Max is now offering a standalone TNT Sports subscription for £25.99 per month, with a 12-month minimum term, which is £5 less than the regular monthly plan.
If you opt for an HBO Max with TNT Sports saver plan, the price varies from £27.99 to £34.99 per month, depending on the package.
HBO Max and TNT Sports plan comparison
HBO Max Monthly Plans (price per month)
HBO Max with TNT Sports Monthly Plans (price per month)
HBO Max with TNT Sports Saver Plans (price per month, 12-month minimum term)
Basic with ads
£4.99
N/A
N/A
Standard with ads
£5.99
£36.98
£27.99
Standard
£9.99
£40.98
£30.99
Premium
£14.88
£45.98
£34.99
What does this mean for cycling in the UK?
Many of our UK readers will have fond memories of watching the Tour de France live on TV.
But after ITV’s long-standing coverage came to an end last year, you now need access to TNT Sports to watch the world’s biggest bike race – and others, such as the Tour de Flanders which is just weeks away on 5 April and Paris–Roubaix the following weekend.
While securing the broadcast rights to the Tour was described as “colossal” by TNT Sports, it could diminish road cycling’s profile in the UK. BikeRadar’s Ashley Quinlan has argued that easy access to the Tour helped the sport grow in the UK, and so that growth could slow.
Of course, anyone with access to TNT Sports on linear channels will still be able to tune in. But for a race with viewing figures that have been in slow decline since 2012, having it disappear behind a paywall doesn’t paint the rosiest picture.
That’s particularly pertinent considering the Tour de France returns to the UK next year and gets underway in Scotland. Scottish first minister, John Swinney, said having the Tour de France start in Edinburgh would be “a moment of real national significance”. But will that be true if it’s harder to watch?
The best place to catch the action might be on the roadside rather than the sofa, unless you’re willing to fork out for that subscription.
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