• Pet Shop Boys' A Man from the Future will be broadcast on BBC Radio 6 Music and BBC Radio 3 on October 4 and you can catch it on BBC Sounds afterwards
• Use NordVPN to unlock BBC Sounds from abroad (75% off right now)

Dive into this wonderful music experience as the iconic Pet Shop Boys re-record their composition known as A Man from the Future. The concept album – first performed for the BBC Proms in 2014 – tells the story of legendary codebreaker Alan Turing, and it's now being revised to give it all a more electric vibe, with the help of original orchestrator, Sven Helbig.

Synth-pop duo Chris Lowe and Neil Tennant are releasing the reworked album on October 9, but before that they'll reveal to everyone what they've been working on. Stuart Maconie’s Freak Zone on BBC Radio 6 Music (Sunday, October 4, 8-10pm BST) will broadcast the new album in its entirety, with the presenter joined by Lowe, Tennant and Turing biographer Professor Andrew Hodges to talk through their creative process of bringing the Enigma story to life through electronic and orchestral song.

Later that evening, the Unclassified show on BBC Radio 3 (11.30pm-12.30am) will also feature the recording, with presenter Elizabeth Alker interviewing the same trio on the 2014 original and its rousing update 12 years later.

Across eight tracks, the Pet Shop Boys dissect Turing's brilliance, his impact on the world, and the way in which he was persecuted due to his sexuality. Lowe and Tennant are the men behind the album, but they'll be supported by the Manchester Camerata Octet, Manchester Grammar School Choir, BAFTA nominee Juliet Stevenson as narrator and plenty of other incredible backing vocalists.

If you want to hear the magic being made, here's how to stream Pet Shop Boys’ A Man from the Future online and on the radio – from anywhere.

Can I access Pet Shop Boys’ A Man from the Future for free?

Yes. BBC Sounds will make Pet Shop Boys’ A Man from the Future available for free and on-demand for 30 days after its initial broadcast on the radio.

You can also listen on the free radio stations BBC Radio 6 Music (8-10pm BST) and BBC Radio 3 (11.30pm-12.30am BST) on Sunday, October 4.

Can't access the free stream because you're away on vacation? You need a VPN – more on that below.

How to stream Pet Shop Boys’ A Man from the Future from anywhere

If you're keen to listen to Pet Shop Boys’ A Man from the Future but you're away from the UK and access to the broadcast is geo-blocked, then you could use a VPN to access it (assuming you're not breaching any broadcaster T&Cs, of course). You may be surprised by how simple it is to do. Plus, we have a great 75% discount on our #1 VPN...

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Get NordVPN and stream Pet Shop Boys’ A Man from the Future online now – from wherever you are.VIEW DEAL ON

How to stream Pet Shop Boys’ A Man from the Future in the UK

In the UK, Pet Shop Boys’ A Man from the Future is available on BBC Sounds for free.

You can also listen along on BBC Radio 6. The recording plays on Sunday, October 4 at 8pm BST. It will then play at 11:30 pm on BBC Radio 3.

Outside the UK? If you're currently traveling outside the UK, you can use this VPN (try risk-free) to access UK content from abroad. We recommend NordVPN.

Can you stream Pet Shop Boys’ A Man from the Future in the US?

Pet Shop Boys’ A Man from the Future will be confined to British radio and BBC Sounds, so you won't find a broadcast or stream in the States.

There is a crude work around to listen to the BBC Radio 6 Music and BBC Radio 3 live broadcasts, though, via the BBC.com website. Functionality is limited. Our handy guide tells you how.

If you're traveling around, you can use this VPN (try risk-free) to catch the show from anywhere. We recommend NordVPN.

Can you stream Pet Shop Boys’ A Man from the Future in Canada?

Similar to the US, Pet Shop Boys’ A Man from the Future is not available to stream in Canada on BBC Sounds.

The same crude workaround on the BBC.com website applies, though.

The solution? Use a VPN to gain access to all the content you'd normally stream at home.

Can you stream Pet Shop Boys’ A Man from the Future in Australia?

(Image credit: free)

Like in the US and Canada, Pet Shop Boys’ A Man from the Future will not be available to stream or listen to on any stations or services Down Under on BBC Sounds.

Try our handy guide that explains a work around.

Away from the UK? Use NordVPN to access your usual shows from anywhere in the world.

Pet Shop Boys' A Man from the Future need to know

Who is involved?

• Chris Lowe – original programming, keyboards
• Neil Tennant – original programming, keyboards, vocals
• Juliet Stevenson – narration
• Manchester Camerata Octet
• Manchester Grammar School Choir
• Robert Carey – choir conductor
• Abimbola Amoako-Gyampah – backing vocals
• Senab Adekunle – backing vocals
• Dawn Joseph – backing vocals
• Joell Fender – backing vocals
• Sven Helbig – production, string arrangement
• Pet Shop Boys – production
• Maarten Vos – additional production, programming, synthesisers
• Brendan Williams – strings and choir recording
• Pete Gleadall – vocals recording
• Olsen Involtini – mixing
• Zino Mikorey – mastering
• Mark Farrow – album design

What have the Pet Shop Boys said?

Speaking to the BBC, the band said: "Our motive in creating this work was to make a musical memorial to Alan Turing who gave so much to his country and the world and was rewarded for it by being prosecuted for his sexuality.

"Alan made a massive contribution to the defeat of Germany in World War Two and was a pioneer of computing, imagining a world with intelligent computers. He also looked forward to a time when being gay would be accepted as normal. In both his professional and private lives, he was ahead of his time."

You may also like to read...

• How to watch BBC iPlayer from abroad
• The best BBC iPlayer VPNs
• How to access BBC Sounds outside the UK – stream BBC radio abroad

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

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Belkin Travel Bag for Nintendo Switch 2: review

Belkin’s Switch 2 travel bag is designed to carry your console and its various accessories in comfort, while providing protection from the elements and more.

As Switch 2 cases go, it's a somewhat plain affair. While the slight ruching of the outer material lends it a rugged appearance, and the green and lilac colorways are more lively than the black variant, there’s little in the way of branding or fanfare. This may disappoint those looking to make more of a statement, but those looking to stay discreet will no doubt be pleased with Belkin’s utilitarian approach.

(Image credit: Future)

Its materials, though, should appeal to everyone and rank among the best Nintendo Switch 2 accessories on this front. The outer fabric is soft and smooth, which, along with its ergonomic form and minimal weight, makes it very comfortable against your back. It’s not unlike something you might find lining a piece of outdoor kit — although it’s worth noting that Belkin doesn’t mention anything about the bag being water- or even splashproof.

The shoulder strap is also well made. It too feels smooth and comfortable; it didn’t dig into my collarbone, as such straps often do, despite lacking a padded covering. There’s more than enough adjustability to accommodate a broad range of user heights and preferences. Admittedly, actually adjusting the buckle can be a little hard sometimes, but this is a price I’m willing to pay in return for a secure fit.

What’s more, you can easily wear the bag over any shoulder, thanks to two fastening points at the bottom. You can attach it to either of these via the plastic carabiner at the end of the strap, which is strong enough to be secure, yet still easy to unhook when needed, thanks to the angling of the mechanism that makes it easier to push in.

(Image credit: Future)

In addition to the shoulder strap, there’s also a carrying handle at the top. This is slightly padded and soft in the hand, making it comfortable to hold.

The main compartment has a fair amount of space inside, with enough room to fit multiple accessories, including the Nintendo Switch 2 dock, controllers, power cables, and more. Its wide opening makes for easy access, too, thanks to the zips that run almost the entire length of both sides. They operate very smoothly, and I rarely experienced any snagging.

Within the main compartment are three others. One is designed for the console itself, and is lined with an exquisitely soft felt that prevents your screen from scuffs and scratches. A hook-and-loop strap goes over the top, which is quite slack, even with your Joy-Cons attached. However, the snug fit of the pouch itself is sufficient to keep your console in place.

(Image credit: Future)

What’s more, this slackness is actually a positive, since it allows you to store your console with bulkier, third-party controllers attached. For instance, I managed to fit the console in with CRKD’s Nitro Deck 2 attached.

Attached to the outside of the console compartment is another compartment that contains the game card sleeve, which is easily removable. The sleeve fits a reasonable 10 cards, but there are other Switch 2 cases that hold more, such as Turtle Beach’s PlayTrek 2-in-1 case (14) and PlayTrek travel case (12).

The compartment itself isn’t felt-lined, but it still has a soft material. You’ll struggle to fit much in the pouch inside, and anything bulky will compromise the space needed for the adjacent console compartment.

(Image credit: Future)

For such items, the netting opposite is more appropriate. It’s big enough to fit cables, power adapters, and both Joy-Con 2 controllers, although probably not all at the same time. And while the netting expands a fair amount, it has a tendency to sag when it’s fully loaded, even if the items in question aren’t particularly heavy. I also noticed that pointed items, such as paper manuals and the like, can stick right through its holes — a minor gripe, but one worth pointing out nevertheless.

On the outside of the bag, there’s a simple zip pocket on the front, which covers almost the entire length of the bag and is roomy enough to fit a few larger items, but you won’t fit items such as the dock, for instance.

(Image credit: Future)

On the matter of protection, the bag has a fair amount of cushioning on the bottom — which Belkin describes as an “impact-resistant base” — and around the sides. However, there’s less on the front and back, and since this isn’t a hard shell case, I wouldn’t be confident piling heavy items on top of it.

But if you don’t need this level of sturdiness, Belkin’s travel bag offers a lot more besides, and for a reasonable price at that. If you’re in the market for a light and comfortable over-the-shoulder bag for your Switch 2 and its accessories, it’s a fine choice that’s hard to beat.

Belkin Travel Bag for Nintendo Switch 2 review: Price & Specs

Price	$49.99 / £29.99 (about AU$54.95)
Dimensions	12.7 x 5.9 x 3.1in / 322 x 150 x 80mm
Weight	12.7oz / 360g
Game card slots	10
Compartments	7
Handle	Yes
Color	Black, Lilac, Olive

Should I buy the Belkin Travel Bag for Nintendo Switch 2?

Scorecard

Attributes	Notes	Rating
Design	Very comfortable to wear, and every material feels high quality. It won’t provide as much protection as a hard shell, though.	4.5 / 5
Storage	Plenty of space and compartments, and the removable game card pouch is a smart addition, even if it doesn’t hold as many cards as some others.	4 / 5
Value	Considering the quality and features, it’s hard to do better at this price.	5 / 5

Buy it if…

You want to carry your Switch 2 over your shoulder
This is a very comfortable bag to wear, and can be adjusted to better fit whatever shoulder you choose to sling it over.

You want plenty of compartments
Despite its compact dimensions, there are plenty of compartments to keep your console and various accessories neat and separated.

Don't buy it if…

You want the ultimate protection
Given the soft materials, this isn’t a bag you’d want to chuck around or pile luggage onto.

You want the most game card slots
10 game card slots is pretty good, but there are Switch 2 cases out there featuring more.

Belkin Travel Bag for Nintendo Switch 2 review: Also consider

Turtle Beach PlayTrek 2-in-1 Case
As its name suggests, this PlayTrek product integrates a small case with a large one, featuring molds for your console, dock, power adapter, Joy-Cons, and a full-size controller. It has more game card slots than Belkin’s bag, too, and although the small case is soft, the large one is more of a hard shell. Read our full Turtle Beach PlayTrek 2-in-1 Case review.

How I tested the Belkin Travel Bag for Nintendo Switch 2

(Image credit: Future)

I tested Belkin’s travel bag for a couple of days, making sure to fill every compartment, fasten every zip, and adjust the strap length across its full range, as well as attaching it to both hook points. I carried it around on my commutes, fully loaded with the Switch 2 and numerous accessories.

I filled the bag with cables, manuals, and the Joy-Con 2s. I also stored the console with the CRKD Nitro Deck 2 attached to test the capacity of the console storage compartment.

• Read more about how we test
• First reviewed: October 2026

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The wait is almost over, horror fans, because Mike Flanagan's anticipated Carrie adaptation arrives on Prime Video this month. I've been excitedly counting down the days, as a long time fan of Flanagan's work.

His take on Carrie is set in the modern era, meaning social media plays an important part in the bullying that our protagonist faces, eventually leading up to the iconic and deadly prom scene we all know and love.

Summer H Howell is stepping into the shoes of Stephen King's Carrie White for this adaptation, which arrives on our screens in early October. She's joined by a great cast including Scream's Matthew Lillard and Samantha Sloyan, who starred in Flanagan's Netflix series Midnight Mass.

Here's everything you need to know about when and where you can watch Carrie.

What time can I watch Carrie on Prime Video?

Carrie arrives on Prime Video on Wednesday, October 7, just in time for your Halloween celebrations, alongside this month's new horror movies.

Usually new releases hit the platform at midnight Pacific Time, so based on that, here's when Carrie is expected to release around the world.

US – Wednesday, October 7 at 12am PT / 9pm ET

Canada – Wednesday, October 7 at 12am PT / 9pm ET

UK – Wednesday, October 7 at 8am BST

India – Wednesday, October 7 at 12:30pm IST

Singapore – Wednesday, October 7 at 3pm SGT

Australia – Wednesday, October 7 at 5pm AEDT

New Zealand – Wednesday, October 7at 8pm NZDT

When do new episodes of Carrie come out?

(Image credit: Prime Video)

I have good news for binge watchers, because all eight episodes of Carrie will drop at the same time on October 7. You can also check out the episode titles for the upcoming series below.

Here's what to expect from Prime Video's Carrie.

Episode 1: First Period – October 7, 2026

Episode 2: Foreign Language – October 7, 2026

Episode 3: Social Studies – October 7, 2026

Episode 4: Dramatic Arts – October 7, 2026

Episode 5: Physical Education – October 7, 2026

Episode 6: Home Economics – October 7, 2026

Episode 7: Romantic Literature – October 7, 2026

Episode 8: AP Physics – October 7, 2026

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• The Thrustmaster T-GT III Steering Wheel has been announced for PS4 and PS5
• The new hardware is designed for Gran Turismo 7 and offered in a Direct Axial Drive bundle for the first time
• The T-GT III will cost $749.99 / £649.99 / €699.99

Thrustmaster has unveiled the T-GT III Steering Wheel for PS4 and PS5, the latest addition to its ongoing 16-year-long partnership with Gran Turismo.

The Thrustmaster T-GT III is designed for Gran Turismo 7, the newest entry in Polyphony Digital's long-running racing series, and will launch on December 3 for $749.99 / £649.99 / €699.99.

The package includes the iconic T-GT steering wheel, featuring a leather finish and four rotary encoders mapped for Gran Turismo.

"Engineered without compromise for the most demanding sim racers, the T-GT III represents the ultimate expression of Thrustmaster's expertise and delivers an authentic and immersive Gran Turismo experience in a turnkey bundle," Thrustmaster said.

The T-GT series "enters a new era" with the T-GT III and is "the very first Direct Axial Drive bundle designed for Gran Turismo and "the first to natively integrate a load-cell pedal set."

Thrustmaster

Thrustmaster

Thrustmaster

The steering wheel delivers a constant torque of 5 Nm with an overshoot capacity of up to 10 Nm, preventing saturation and guaranteeing ultra-low latency and instant responsiveness.

Combined with Thrustmaster’s Harmony technology and the high-frequency torque, the steering wheel also offers purpose-built haptic effects for the game with "Gear Jolt," which lets players feel gear shifts, while "Engine Roar" makes the chassis resonate in time with the engine’s RPM.

"We have a long-standing partnership with Thrustmaster, who, over the years, have remained faithful to Gran Turismo by offering solutions that enhance the driving experience," said Kazunori Yamauchi, producer of the Gran Turismo series. "The journey we’ve taken together has allowed us to extend the desired sensations through a steering wheel as technology and the game have evolved. We are delighted to welcome them as partners of Gran Turismo World Series."

Thrustmaster will continue to evolve the T-GT III through software and firmware updates to keep pace with Gran Turismo's Spec updates (Spec IV is the next free update releasing in two parts, with the first arriving this month and the second in December), ensuring long-term support for players.

"Meeting Gran Turismo’s exacting standards is no small feat. In the 16 years we’ve been working together, Yamauchi-san’s motto has remained a commitment to the game in every sense of the word; this has allowed us to take on projects that we believe no one else would have accepted in order to achieve that level of fidelity," said Gilles Raulet, director of development and licensing at Thrustmaster.

"This collaboration continues to inspire our teams year after year because passion remains at the heart of our discussions."

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• UK orgs are failing to deliver projects or losing clients and contracts due to a lack of skills
• 97% have adopted AI to some degree, but only 6% report workforce-wide AI literacy
• The solution is a combination of recruitment and training opportunities

More than one in three (35%) UK tech execs believe that the ongoing skills gap could be costing them at least £380,000 per year – a figure that's even more pronounced when Pluralsight asked cybersecurity professionals, 41% of whom agreed with that estimate.

One of the most commonly cited factors leading to higher costs is that 40% have had to unexpectedly outsource work because they lacked the necessary skills within the organization, leading to budget overruns for 30% of the survey's respondents.

Many have even failed to deliver key projects (39%) or lost clients or contracts altogether (27%) as a result of not having enough skills internally.

UK businesses are struggling to operate without outside help

Pluralsight also revealed that many UK organizations have likely rushed into AI without an appropriate strategy, causing spend to skyrocket without the tangible benefits. Nearly all (94%) have invested in at least some AI tools, but only 6% report AI literacy across the entire workforce.

Still, it's good news for job applicants because recruitment doesn't seem to have gone anywhere. More than four in five (85%) say they hired the same number (or more) junior tech professionals this year as before, and 10% have even significantly increased hiring. The biggest concern, shared by 88% of the survey's respondents, is that there's simply not enough junior talent entering the workforce.

"This means that businesses cannot rely on recruitment alone, but must invest in clear development pathways that prepare new talent and help existing employees continually build relevant skills," Pluralsight Author Fellow Faye Ellis explained.

However, more than half (53%) of senior leaders are still unsure how to solve their skills gaps. Looking forward, the research paints a picture of the need to not overlook training existing workers for future skills, the importance of AI literacy as the way we work undergoes an evolution, and a continued investment in junior recruitment.

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Every time there’s an Amazon Prime Day sale, the first product category I check for discounts is TV and home cinema. I’m my own worst enemy, really, because rarely does Amazon Australia actually deliver any worthwhile discounts. Part of the reason is the fact that the retail giant isn’t exactly overflowing with TVs, soundbars or other home theatre systems.

And that’s the case once again during the current Prime Big Deal Days. Yes, there are the usual discounts on a couple of Bose soundbars and even a 48-inch LG B6 OLED, otherwise, it’s pretty much products from unrecognisable brands or accessories — I do love an HDMI cable upgrade though.

Thankfully, many of Australia’s biggest retailers have stepped up to the plate with a number of tempting deals on soundbars that all promise huge boosts to your TV’s audio, and that will bring the cinema experience into your living room.

The Good Guys and JB Hi-Fi have even revived an offer that nabs you a 20% saving on the total price of a TV and soundbar package when you buy the same brand. For example, you can get a 65-inch LG G6 OLED, add the budget-friendly S60T soundbar for a total of AU$3,551.20 — that’s a total saving of over AU$820.

I’m mainly here to talk about soundbars, though, so if your home setup could use a sonic boost, the models below all promise major improvements. Whether it’s a single-bar model or a complete surround-sound package with Dolby Atmos support, each soundbar I’ve picked gets my expert seal of approval.

• Follow our dedicated live coverage of the Amazon Prime Big Deal Days 2026 sale for more deals and discounts

The Sonos Arc Ultra is one of the best one-box Dolby Atmos soundbars you can buy. It offers a raft of improvements over its predecessor, including some clever speaker driver technology, resulting in spectacular sound. We do wish for more HDMI inputs and DTS:X support, but otherwise, it's fantastic.

Also available in black for the same price.View Deal

The Sonos Beam Gen 2 is a fantastic, compact soundbar that delivers a sound that belies its size. It produces convincing virtual Dolby Atmos surround effects, and, being a Sonos product, works wonderfully with music. View Deal

HW-Q990H: was $1999 now $1486
This Samsung soundbar package is the real bee’s knees. The company has been at the top of its game for the last few years, and this latest iteration produces stunningly effective Atmos height and surround effects, married with crystal-clear dialogue. You’ll be wanting to rewatch all your favourites all over again. Enter code SAVENOW for the full saving.View Deal

HW-Q930H: was $1699 now $699
We’ve not reviewed this Samsung soundbar, but it’s essentially a slight step-down compared to the Q990H above, but it gets a huge discount. By that, I mean the channel count drops from 11.1.4 to 9.1.4 — so you’re still getting genuine Dolby Atmos channels — and it loses out on full 4K/120Hz passthrough. Otherwise, this is a similar speaker package that’s sure to have your living room rumbling. Enter code SAVENOW for the best price.View Deal

Bar 1300MK2: was $2299.95 now $1998
Yes, this one is on Amazon, but it’s not technically a Prime Day deal, so I’m allowed to include it. This uber-powerful JBL Dolby Atmos soundbar can be set up as a single bar and subwoofer, or you can remove the speakers on either end and position them as rear surrounds. It’s rather genius, and it works incredibly well. Plus, they can also be used independently as Bluetooth speakers. Also available from JBL AU for AU$1,999.95.View Deal

Bravia Theatre System 6: was $1199 now $885
This Sony soundbar package also features dedicated rear surrounds. It’s a little different in its design, in that all connections are found on the subwoofer. You do need to connect the soundbar to the sub, but the rear surrounds only need power and will receive audio information wirelessly. Our colleagues at What Hi-Fi? loved it in their review, claiming it to be “a huge, deep, room-filling performer” that “combines that scale with control and nuance”. Hit the Price Beat button for the best deal. Also available at Amazon for AU$899.View Deal

This budget-friendly 2.1 soundbar is ideal for anyone looking to upgrade their TV or computer audio without spending much money. We were pleasantly surprised by how it performed in our Creative Stage Pro review, finding it delivered impressive bass and excellent volume. Given its size and price, expectations should be tempered, but for a cost-effective audio upgrade, it's ace.View Deal

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With video streaming services seemingly on a constant mission to increase monthly prices in the name of ‘better content’, it’s perhaps no surprise that the idea of collecting physical media is becoming more popular.

We’ve seen it with the post-Covid resurgence of vinyl records, and more recently, CDs have been slowly but surely coming back. It’s not just music where physical media can offer a better experience though – the same can be said of movies. Naturally, we here at TechRadar value the best-possible picture and sound when watching films, so we’d consider a 4K Blu-ray player an essential part of any true movie buff’s setup.

If you’re keen on going physical and don’t yet own a player (or need an upgrade), the five-star Panasonic UB820 has had AU$230 shaved off its price at PB Tech, making it a very easy recommendation.

DP-UB820: was $929 now $699.86
This Panasonic 4K Blu-ray player delivers on multiple fronts. It includes support for all major HDR formats, and serves up a hugely immersive and impactful picture, backed up with a strong audio performance.View Deal

While it is possible to spend less on a 4K Blu-ray player, doing so often can potentially involve some compromises, such as missing out on what many could consider essential features — support for all the major HDR formats, for example.

That’s not the case with the Panasonic DP-UB820. In our review of the 4K Blu-ray player, we said it “offers fantastic 4K image reproduction with vivid colours, deep black levels and stunning contrast, particularly when it comes to Dolby Vision”, and even its 4K upscaling is effective.

It’s a similar story for audio, which we said is “superb, with Dolby Atmos effects coming through clear and adding that extra layer of immersion to any movie”.

So while its price may seem like quite the investment, if you’re a serious film lover you’ll be well rewarded with a cinema-like experience from the comfort of your home.

I did notice this player is also discounted in the Amazon Prime Big Deal Days sale, where it’s dropped to AU$745. It’s the same price at The Good Guys, too.

However, it’s PB Tech that has the best price by some margin at AU$699.86.

Still, it’s worth mentioning that the DP-UB820 is significantly more expensive than Panasonic’s next model down, even at its discounted price — especially as some users may have little use for features such as analogue audio outputs for older receivers and slightly more advanced upscaling.

If the high-end model is still a bit too rich for you, the Panasonic DP-UB450 is the mid-range option, and is available at its (more affordable) regular price of AU$449 at Amazon, while the entry-level DP-UB150, which lacks a dedicated HDMI output for audio, is available for AU$337 at Appliances Online or Appliance Central.

The UB150 supports basic HDR10 and HLG, but lacks Dolby Vision and HDR10+, and misses out on Wi-Fi connectivity. The UB450 adds Dolby Vision and HDR10+ support, along with Dolby Atmos audio. It also misses out on Wi-Fi connectivity.

Of course, with any 4K Blu-ray player, you’ll need to consider the cost of building your physical disc collection. The upside is you’ll get better quality compared to streaming via a video-on-demand service, and that you’ll actually own your movies and shows — something which sounds increasingly appealing on the back of the news that Sony recently remotely deleted over 500 ‘purchased’ movies from their owners’ digital libraries.

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Today, October 1, is International Coffee Day, arguably the most important day of the year for many of us. And while that may just mean you have a little extra pep in your step as you head to your local cafe, if you do have a takeaway-coffee habit, we think it can also serve as a healthy reminder that adding a quality coffee machine to your kitchen doesn't need to be expensive – and even can save you money in the long run.

If you're looking for a new espresso machine, De’Longhi is a brand that should be on your list. It lives and breathes coffee via an extensive range of fully automatic and manual espresso machines — and better yet, right now TechRadar readers can save 15% on the purchase of any machine with our exclusive De’Longhi coupon code.

Just head to our dedicated De'Longhi coupon code page, click on the very first green 'Get Code' button and copy the resulting code to your clipboard. Then, head to the De'Longhi website, shop for what you'd like, and paste the code into the field at checkout.

Now, we have one quick word of advice before you pull the trigger on your purchase: De’Longhi also has a specific code of its own — SPRING20 — which can be used to save 20% on three specific machines that are exclusive to its online store: the Eletta Explore (ECAM450.65.S), Magnifica Start (ECAM22061W) and Magnifica Evo (ECAM29083TB).

Also note that right now, every De'Longhi coffee machine purchase comes with a free essentials pack valued up to AU$140, depending on which specific the machine you buy.

With such a huge range of bean-to-cup coffee machines available to shop, you'd be forgiven if you didn't know where to start. As the resident coffee expert for TechRadar Australia, I’ve picked out a selection of my favourites that have my stamp of approval.

Fully automatic coffee machines

Rivelia (EXAM44055W): was $1144 now $972.40
This compact bean-to-cup coffee machine is nothing short of outstanding. Not only does it look the part, but it serves up consistently delicious coffee. There's plenty of customisation on offer, so you can tweak the various preset recipes and it uses De'Longhi's LatteCrema technology for expertly frothed milk.View Deal

Magnifica Evo Next (ECAM31080TB): was $1399 now $1189.15
Excellent espresso and a variety of coffee- and milk-based drinks is what you'll get from this automatic bean-to-cup machine. It is a little fiddly to use for the first time, but once you've got your preferred settings saved, you'll be churning them out like a true barista.View Deal

Eletta Explore (ECAM45065S): was $1599 now $1279.20
This flagship coffee machine can, quite literally, do it all. It can make over 50 coffee-based drink recipes across hot, cold and even takeaway. Two LatteCrema carafes are supplied to take care of hot and cold milk foam, while Wi-Fi connectivity allows for fine-tuning drinks via an app. And with Bean Adapt technology automatically adjusting the grind, dose and temperature, you’ll have a perfect cuppa each time. Note that this machine is eligible for a 20% discount with code SPRING20.View Deal

Manual coffee machines

Dedica Duo (EC890WI): was $279 now $237.15
The Dedica Duo is a stunning espresso machine that earned five stars in our review. A perfect model for novices, the Duo delivers a consistently well-extracted espresso, and it even has an effective cold brew mode — a feature not often found on more expensive machines. There’s no built-in grinder, so you’ll need to add your own ground coffee, but otherwise this is a machine you’ll be proud to display in your kitchen. View Deal

La Specialista Touch (EC9455MEX2): was $1099 now $934.15
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• The next basic Amazon Kindle has seemingly leaked
• It looks to have some small design changes from the previous model
• But it's a shame there's no sign of a new smaller size

It looks like Amazon is gearing up to launch a new Kindle, as images of a new model — which you can see above and below — have been leaked by WinFuture. This is the Amazon Kindle 12th Gen, so it’s the basic model — not a Kindle Paperwhite or Kindle Colorsoft.

From the shared images, it seems this new device will have more rounded corners than the Amazon Kindle (2024), and the power button will be moved from the bottom to the top. The site has also shared that we can expect this Kindle to come in black, green, light blue, and purple shades, and that, interestingly, there might be two versions — one with a recessed screen and one where the display is flush.

Alongside this, Amazon is apparently planning a new Kindle for Kids, though no major changes are expected here, with it apparently being essentially the same as the current device, just shipping with a different cover included.

A leaked image of the Amazon Kindle 2026 (Image credit: WinFuture)

A smaller device could be a big hit

It remains to be seen whether the new 12th-generation Kindle will bring many spec upgrades, but regardless, it’s not the device I want. Lately I’ve fallen in love with compact ereaders like the ViWoods AiPaper Reader and the even smaller Xteink X4 Pro, and I'm spending more time reading on them than my Kindle Colorsoft — but Amazon doesn’t offer anything in these sizes.

So, that’s what I really want to see — especially something truly tiny like the Xteink devices, since one of their main issues is the difficulty in getting books onto them, which presumably isn’t a problem you’d have with a tiny Kindle.

And I’m not alone in this desire — a Reddit thread about this new Kindle leak included comments like “I was kind of hoping for a mini Kindle announcement,” and “I thought I would want a bigger size… until I got a smaller one and practically never touched my Paperwhite again.”

And while these tiny ereaders seem like they should be niche devices, they’re presumably selling well, given that an increasing number of brands like Onyx Boox and Honor have started getting in on them too.

So, hopefully we’ll see a tiny Kindle eventually, but for now, it seems you’ll have to make do with the standard sizes.

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• You can now order the first Wi-Fi 8 router
• TP-Link's Archer 8 Ultra is available to buy in the UK and Australia, along with some other countries
• In the UK it's priced at £899.99 (around AU$1,700), but you can get the router for £669.99 (around AU$1,200) currently if you pre-order

TP-Link is now selling the first Wi-Fi 8 router to come onto the market, although the very latest wireless tech won't come cheap as you might expect.

The TP-Link Archer 8 Ultra is available to buy in the UK and Australia, as well as Germany and some other countries (not yet specified by the router manufacturer).

Pricing will naturally vary by region, but the cost in the UK is £669.99 (around AU$1,200) if you place a pre-order now, although that price tag will be bumped up to £899.99 (around AU$1,700) later on.

With the Archer 8 Ultra you get Wi-Fi 8 coverage of up to 3,600 square feet (or 3,000 square feet in Europe). In case you weren't aware, this new wireless standard is about improving performance in different ways other than raw speed.

The key advantages for Wi-Fi 8 over Wi-Fi 7 are that it deals more capably with interference in crowded signal-dense environments, and it's more reliable with a greater number of client devices connected. Wi-Fi 8 also ensures that there's a better signal at the extremities of the network.

TP-Link has told us a bit more about what its Wi-Fi 8 StabilityEngine tech achieves in the Archer 8 Ultra, noting the presence of features such as UEQM, MCS, and 2×LDPC. These are designed to "hold throughput steady in a noisy home, delivering up to 33% more consistent throughput at mid-to-long ranges and up to 24% more consistent throughput than Wi-Fi 7 under interference."

You don't really need to know the ins-and-outs of the various acronyms involved, save to say that they help the Wi-Fi signal drop off less sharply as you move further away from the router, and they cut down on dropped network packets (helping to keep a more stable connection).

TP-Link also boasts about its Multi-Floor Mode feature, which reshapes the Wi-Fi signal to take into account where devices are actually present. The firm says that this directs coverage to multiple floors when devices are spread over different levels, but it flattens to a "wide single-floor pattern" when they're not.

(Image credit: TP-Link)

TP-Link further observes that as the Wi-Fi 8 standard matures – it's still in its draft form right now – firmware updates will be applied to the Archer 8 Ultra to keep it up to speed.

The Archer 8 Ultra also comes with the Aireal AI Assistant which allows less technically inclined users to employ natural language queries to understand and tweak their Wi-Fi coverage. This AI also keeps a constant eye on how the router is performing and continuously optimizes and prioritizes wireless traffic, with other benefits such as an Eco mode to bring power usage right down at night when everyone's asleep.

(Image credit: TP-Link)

On the security front, this router has an integrated VPN at the hardware level encrypting the traffic of selected devices (it works with third-party VPNs too, if you already have one). Smart gadgets (Internet of Things devices), with their greater levels of potential security risks, are kept on their own network away from the main network (and the guest network is separate too, as you'd imagine).

There's also an optional TP-Link HomeShield service which offers real-time protection for your devices as well as parental controls.

Analysis: is it worth getting on board with the future of Wi-Fi today?

(Image credit: TP-Link)

With the Archer 8 Ultra now on pre-order, it's likely that the mesh Wi-Fi system TP-Link also revealed at IFA 2026 – the Deco 8 Ultra – won't be that far behind.

The price tag is predictably high with the Archer 8 Ultra, though, albeit pre-ordering does get you a pretty chunky discount. (The same will doubtless be true of the Deco 8 Ultra when it pitches up – the price of that will also depend on how many units you need based on the size of your home).

At any rate, now the Archer 8 Ultra can be yours, should you rush to pre-order to benefit from all the mentioned Wi-Fi 8 goodies? Well, no, because there isn't any consumer hardware (phones, tablets, laptops) that supports Wi-Fi 8 yet, and you need those client devices as well as the actual router. They won't arrive until next year, and they'll be thin on the ground even then.

So buying this TP-Link router right now is more about being future-proofed than anything else (though you will get some slight benefits from the Archer 8 Ultra with current Wi-Fi 7 or earlier devices). The thing is that if you're prepared to wait, the hefty early adopter premium on the Archer 8 Ultra (or other Wi-Fi 8 routers) will lessen, and really, that's your best bet as I've previously discussed at length.

If you do fancy grabbing the Archer 8 Ultra, though, definitely make sure you get that cheaper pre-order price.

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For the past several years, the enterprise AI conversation has been dominated by models. Every week has seemed to bring a new benchmark, a new leader board, or a new debate about which model is smartest. Organizations often made technology decisions based on incremental improvements in model performance, assuming that the model itself was the primary source of competitive advantage, but that assumption is rapidly becoming outdated.

As foundation models continue to improve, they are also converging in capability. At the same time, the cost of deploying AI at scale is becoming a more pressing concern for enterprises than squeezing out marginal gains in benchmark performance.

As a result, the focus is shifting from the model itself to everything surrounding it: the systems that make AI useful, governable, and economically viable in real-world business environments.

The question enterprises are increasingly asking is not, "Which model should we use?" Instead, they are asking, "How do we turn AI into reliable work?"

The rise of the AI harness

The answer begins with what can be described as the harness. An AI model on its own is powerful, but incomplete. To deliver business value, it needs context, access to enterprise tools and data, memory, controls, and guardrails. Together, these elements form the scaffolding that transforms a general-purpose model into a system capable of performing useful work, determining how effective an AI system becomes.

Two organizations might deploy the same underlying model yet achieve dramatically different results. One may struggle with inconsistency, high costs, and poor outcomes. The other may produce reliable, measurable business value. The difference often lies in the quality of the harness surrounding the model rather than the model itself.

That reality becomes more significant as models continue to commoditize. In many cases, organizations will have access to the same leading AI capabilities. What will differentiate them will be their ability to operationalize those capabilities efficiently and safely, and move from intelligence creation to intelligence application.

Why loops matter more than prompts

A related concept is what might be called the loop. Many organizations still approach AI interactions as isolated prompts and responses. But enterprise work rarely operates that way. Real business processes involve objectives, verification, correction, and completion criteria. A loop defines a governed unit of work.

Rather than simply generating an answer, the system performs a task, validates progress against the objective, corrects mistakes when necessary, and stops when the outcome is achieved. This seemingly subtle distinction has enormous implications.

When AI systems operate through loops instead of one-off prompts, they generate operational traces and performance records. Those traces can be used to evaluate outcomes, improve workflows, and refine future execution. Over time, this creates a learning system that grows more effective through use rather than requiring constant manual intervention.

In practice, this means enterprises are no longer deploying isolated AI tools. They are building repeatable learning systems — ones that improve the more they do the work.

The orchestration challenge

As AI adoption expands, organizations encounter another reality: there is rarely a single harness. Most enterprises operate across multiple functions, business units, and regulatory environments. Each domain may require different tools, data sources, workflows, and governance requirements.

A harness optimized for software development is unlikely to be the same one used for finance, healthcare, customer service, or compliance. This creates a new challenge: orchestration.

The orchestration layer acts as the traffic controller for enterprise AI. It routes tasks to the right harness, determines when human oversight is required, and coordinates work across multiple systems. Rather than treating AI as a standalone capability, orchestration allows organizations to manage AI as an enterprise-wide operational platform.

This capability becomes particularly important in regulated industries, where workflows often cross organizational boundaries and require strong accountability. As AI moves deeper into critical operations, orchestration will become a defining architectural requirement rather than a technical afterthought.

Governance and assurance as strategic differentiator

If orchestration determines where work goes, governance determines whether that work can happen safely and assurance determines whether we can trust it was done as intended. Many organizations initially viewed AI governance and assurance as a compliance exercise rather than a core operational requirement.

Effective governance and assurance encompasses policy enforcement, authorization controls, asset management, cost monitoring, evaluation and audit services, observability, guardrails, and risk management. These capabilities must function consistently whether work occurs within a single AI system or across multiple interconnected workflows.

The need is especially acute as enterprises deploy autonomous and semi-autonomous systems. A model generating an inaccurate answer may be inconvenient. An AI agent taking action in a regulated business process without adequate oversight can be more problematic. Organizations that treat governance and assurance as an integral component of their AI architecture rather than a bolt-on feature will be better positioned to scale adoption while maintaining trust.

Thinking in ecosystems, not products

Collectively, the harness, orchestration capabilities, and governance and assurance layers form what can be viewed as a governed operating environment for AI. Combined with models, data, and compute infrastructure, they become an ecosystem that functions as a single accountable system.

This shift in perspective is important because no single vendor currently delivers every component of that ecosystem. The future of enterprise AI is therefore unlikely to be dominated by one model provider or one platform vendor. Instead, success will depend on how effectively organizations integrate and operate a diverse collection of technologies.

For enterprises, particularly those operating under regulatory, security, or sovereignty requirements, this integration challenge is not optional. AI must operate within boundaries defined by business policy and organizational control. The ability to combine frontier models with protected enterprise data while maintaining accountability will become a critical capability.

The next AI battleground

The model layer will continue to improve. It will also become increasingly interchangeable, but that does not diminish the importance of AI innovation. Instead, it changes where value is created.

The next battleground is the layer surrounding the model: the harnesses that make work reliable, the loops that make systems learn, the orchestration platforms that coordinate activity, and the governance and assurance frameworks that make scale enterprise ready. Together, they will determine whether AI remains an impressive technology demonstration or becomes a sustainable enterprise capability.

In the years ahead, the organizations that gain lasting advantage are likely to be those that stop asking which model is best and start focusing on how to integrate, govern, and operate AI as an accountable business system. The future of enterprise AI belongs not just to the model alone, but to everything around it.

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