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You can use sous vide to help iPhone repairs, but please don't

It turns out that you can unglue an iPhone using sous vide to start screen repairs. While interesting, repairing an iPhone using a water bath is fraught with peril.

Close-up of a plastic bag suspended in solid ice, creating a frozen pattern.
An iPhone in a sous vide bath - Image credit: u/Ziztur/Reddit

Repairing an iPhone means having to tackle Apple's famous use of adhesives. Apple is known for being extremely... generous... when applying glue to its products to hold components together and keep water out.

It turns out that you can use a very hot water bath to soften that adhesive, assuming you take proper protections and are a little bit lucky.


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Third tvOS 26 developer beta arrives one day late

Apple has seeded the third tvOS 26 developer beta, with the new build arriving one day after the rest of the 26-generation operating systems.

Apple TV device with a glowing indicator light, placed on a wooden surface, alongside a remote control.
An Apple TV set-top box

Apple tends to bunch together its operating system build releases, both for the final public versions and while they are still being tested. For the "26" generation being tested out, tvOS 26 has lagged behind the rest of the pack.

Apple seeded the third developer betas of iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe 26, watchOS 26, and visionOS 26 on July 7, with tvOS 26 being the only absent build. That was corrected on July 8, with the issuing of the third developer beta build of tvOS 26.


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Doorbuster deals live: up to 65% off this Prime Day -- and Bluetti's 1kWh star steals the show

The Bluetti Elite 100 V2 has arrived as an excellent portable power station for summertime outdoor activities or short-term home backup, and it's 50% off during Prime Day.

Portable power station with display and multiple outlets sits on the back of a vehicle, with stacked firewood in the background.
Bluetti Elite 100 V2. Image source: Bluetti

If you're familiar with the Bluetti AC180, its successor is here with optimized power in a more grab-and-go design. With the similar 1,024Wh capacity as the AC180, the Elite 100 V2 is 35% smaller in volume and 30% lighter at just 25 pounds.

This cooler-sized cube has four AC outlets, a 100W USB-C port, two USB-A ports, a car socket, a new 140W USB-C port, and two DC5521 ports. It packs a lot of versatility into a tiny package that's still capable of 1,800W of AC output.


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Amazon's iPad Prime Day sale drops prices to as low as $279 & saves you up to $300

Apple's new iPad 11 is just $279 on Amazon for Prime Day, making it the easiest way to get a modern, all-screen Apple tablet for less.

iPad with colorful app display on a wooden surface, Prime Day logo, and 'iPads as low as $279' text on a light blue background above.
iPad Prime Day deals start at just $279 - Image credit: Amazon

The 11-inch iPad that was released in 2025 delivers a crisp Retina display, A16 Bionic chip, Apple Pencil (USB-C) support, and all-day battery life — perfect for students, families, and everyday use. It's now available for $279, marked down from typical pricing around $299 to $349.

Buy an iPad from $279


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Future Apple Pencil could write on iPhone, MacBook Pro, or even Apple Watch

New research from Apple shows it is considering an Apple Pencil that does not require a touch-sensitive iPad screen, and instead can write or draw using any surface.

Two diagrams illustrate a pencil-shaped device with a rotating tip or trackball and an optical sensor interacting with a surface. Various labels identify parts.
Detail from the patent showing one Apple Pencil using light and another using a trackball-like device — image credit: Apple

Apple applies for many hundreds of patents every year, but even when one is granted, it's no guarantee we'll ever see the technology used in a product. But it is often a sign that Apple is pursuing a particular idea, such as how it's previously investigated adding Apple Pencil support to the iPhone.

Now a newly-granted patent called "Input device with optical sensors," proposes a system that would let a future Apple Pencil be used on — or above — any surface at all. It's about moving all of the sensors into the Apple Pencil, rather than relying on it interacting with ones in an iPad.


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Details on AirPods with cameras revealed by new research

Newly-revealed Apple research details just how AirPods could have cameras added to them — and exactly what benefits that would bring.

Technical diagram showing a cylindrical device with multiple labeled parts.
It could be a complicated saucepan instead of AirPods, but this detail from the patent shows it's got cameras — image credit: Apple

Back in June 2024, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claimed that infra-red cameras would come to AirPods, specifically to help enhance Spatial Audio in the Apple Vision Pro. He then doubled down on this a year later, saying that camera-equipped AirPods will be launched in 2026.

Now a newly-granted patent called "Wavelength mixing for optical systems," proves that Apple has at least been investigating the idea. As ever with a patent, it seeks to describe technology without particularly giving examples of its practical use, but for once, it gives a little list of devices such cameras could be fitted to.


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'Play-Doh World,' 'Worms Across Worlds,' and more land on Apple Arcade in August

Four new games are heading to Apple Arcade in August, including a new tower-defense title, a turn-based strategy title, an open-ended creativity game for kids, and a new take on a classic Japanese board game.

Smartphone screen displaying Apple Arcade logo on a red gradient background, with a purple and blue gradient in the surrounding area.
New games coming to Apple Arcade in August

Just as it did in July, Apple has announced that it will be bringing a few new games to its pay-once, play-all-you-want service. This time, the four games are set to go live on August 7.


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Brilliant: How the smart home company navigated a tumultuous bankruptcy

It's been a bumpy road, but smart home control panel company Brilliant is back and ready to usher the smart home forward with a freshly updated product line and a new go-to-market strategy. Here's how they survived bankrupcy.

Smart home control panel showing time, date, and a photo of a smiling person carrying another in a wheat field, with people in the background at a table.
Brilliant's portfolio of Apple Home-compatible products

Brilliant has been on the scene for nearly a decade after being established in 2016. It was led by CEO and co-founder Aaron Emigh.

The design of its hardware is simple. Its panel would replace your in-wall switch with a far more capable alternative. This wall-mounted screen could control all your smart home accessories, show you who was at your door, and could adjust music playback.


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Atomic macOS Stealer malware is now more dangerous

The Atomic macOS Stealer malware has a new backdoor persistent installation feature, making it even more of a security risk for Mac users.

Atomic Stealer infects macOS via illegitimate software, and now it has a backdoor
Atomic Stealer infects macOS via illegitimate software, and now it has a backdoor

Atomic macOS Stealer, also known as AMOS, has been around since 2023, and was immediately a hit for cyber criminals wanting to steal data from infected Macs. While it was popular enough amongst bad actors to warrant the creation of a new variant in 2024, its 2025 update is a potential nightmare for victims.

According to MacPaw cybersecurity division Moonlock, a version of AMOS has been found with a major update, adding an embedded backdoor for the first time.


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Intel Arrow Lake Refresh reportedly features clock speed bump and new NPU

Intel isn't quite done with the Arrow Lake platform, even though it has released 22 SKUs since its debut. An update to the Arrow Lake-S desktop lineup is reportedly planned for release in the second half of 2025. 

The Arrow Lake Refresh has been mentioned a few times in the past, but ZDNet Korea (via Tom's Hardware) has now expanded on it with some extra details. Importantly, this refresh will still use chipsets from the 800-series and keeps the LGA 1851 socket. This guarantees that existing motherboards will continue to be compatible.

The anticipated NPU4 is the biggest improvement coming with the Arrow Lake-S update. Like last year's Lunar Lake mobile chips, this next-generation NPU should offer 48 TOPS of performance, meeting Microsoft's Copilot+ AI PC requirements (+40 TOPS). Considering the current NPU used on Arrow Lake chips only delivers about 13 TOPS, that's a significant bump.

Intel's branding strategy for this update is still unclear; it may stay under the Core Ultra 200 series umbrella or move into a different tier. As the company gets ready for the more architecturally significant Nova Lake, which is still reportedly set for a 2026 release on the Intel 18A node, this move is probably a calculated attempt to prolong Arrow Lake's market lifespan.

KitGuru says: Nothing is official yet, but it sounds like we'll be getting some slightly faster Arrow Lake CPUs later in the year. 

The post Intel Arrow Lake Refresh reportedly features clock speed bump and new NPU first appeared on KitGuru.
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Romero Games ‘in talks’ with publishers to save project after Xbox cuts

One of the more surprising casualties from last week's Xbox layoffs was Romero Games. Founded by DOOM creator, John Romero, the studio was not owned by Microsoft, but its new game was being funded by them and when that funding was pulled, a number of employees made the claim that the entire studio had closed down. As it turns out, Romero Games is still ‘open', but it needs to find a new publisher to continue work on its game. 

While Romero Games has not named Microsoft or Xbox in any of its official statements, the company did confirm last week that it had lost publisher funding for the new First-Person Shooter it was developing. After reports that the studio was closing, Romero Games issued a correction, saying the studio is not closed, at least not just yet.

 

“We want to address recent reports regarding the status of Romero Games. These reports have contained inaccuracies, and we feel it's important to set the record straight. Romero Games is not closed, and we are doing everything in our power to ensure that it does not come to that. Any suggestion otherwise is factually incorrect. Indeed, we were in the studio today to discuss next steps with the team.”

While the company remains ‘in business', the lack of publisher for its new game means that the Romeros need to “reassess the entire staffing”. The studio also makes the claim that several publishers have been in touch to express interest in saving the project. However, there has been no pen to paper yet, so the situation is still evolving.

KitGuru Says: Hopefully Romero Games is able to recover funding from a new source and keep all of its staff. For now though, the future of this mystery game is still up in the air. 

The post Romero Games ‘in talks’ with publishers to save project after Xbox cuts first appeared on KitGuru.
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Amazon is giving away four more surprise games in July

Last week, Amazon announced the next round of free games for Prime Gaming. Now, with the annual Prime week sale kicking off, Amazon has announced a few bonus games that are free to claim for a limited time. 

Amazon Prime subscribers can currently claim free copies of Boxes: Lost Fragments (Epic Games Store) and Paquerette Down the Bunburrows (Epic Games Store). On July 17th, two more games will be available to claim – Endless Space 2: Definitive Edition and Beseige: The Splintered Sea.

On July 24th, you can claim a GOG code for Venba, and you can get a free copy of I Love Finding Wild Friends Collector's Edition. The final game of the month arrives on July 31st – Heroes of Loot (GOG).

Those were all of the games announced last week but what about the surprise bonus games? Well Amazon has now added free copies of Football Manager 2024 (Epic Games Store), Amnesia: The Dark Descent (Epic Games Store), Marvel's Midnight Suns (Epic Games Store) and Star Wars Jedi Knight: Dark Forces 2 (GOG).

All of these games will be available to claim for free until the end of July, just as long as you are an Amazon Prime subscriber. The only exception to this is Football Manager 2024, which is only available to claim until July 11th.

KitGuru Says: Will you be claiming any of this month's free Prime games?  

The post Amazon is giving away four more surprise games in July first appeared on KitGuru.
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Solo Leveling: Karma announced for PC

Solo Levelling: Karma, a new action RPG for PC and mobile platforms based on the hugely popular Korean webcomic and anime series, was unveiled by developer Netmarble. Similar to Netmarble's Solo Levelling: Arise (Overdrive), Karma looks to be a fast-paced, isometric dungeon crawler that is reminiscent of Hades.

Its anime adaptation has an average rating of 4.9/5 from over 826,000 user reviews on Crunchyroll, surpassing even critically acclaimed hits like One Piece and Demon Slayer. Solo Levelling: Karma is the most recent adaptation, and although its sleek, fashionable combat appears ready to compete for a place among the top action games, its most alluring hook is the opening line within the trailer. The trailer opens with, “As all battles come to a close, Sung Jinwoo's endless war begins anew”. Without giving away too much, this phrase is believed to refer to Solo Leveling's “Monarch War” arc, where there's a 27-year time skip.

 

Fans have mixed opinions over the ending of Solo Levelling, but this game presents an exciting opportunity to tell stories from that massive 27-year gap in the main narrative.

As of right now, Netmarble has not specified a specific release date for this title, only that it is “coming soon”. The game will be available on PC and mobile devices through Google Play and the App Store.

KitGuru says: Are you a fan of Solo Leveling? Do you think Karma will be better than Arise (Overdrive)?

The post Solo Leveling: Karma announced for PC first appeared on KitGuru.
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Capcom cancels conference talk as Monster Hunter Wilds frustration boils over

Monster Hunter Wilds has been one of the biggest disappointments of 2025, in large part due to the game running poorly on both PC and consoles like the PS5. In fact, the performance issues are so prolific that shareholders are asking executives about it at meetings. With that in mind, I was quite shocked to hear this week that Capcom had been planning a conference talk this week titled “Monster Hunter Wilds runs smoothly! Everything you need to know about optimisation”. 

As reported by Automaton and VGC, Japan's largest game developer conference, CEDEC, is due to take place this week. Capcom developers had planned to host a talk at this conference, one titled “Monster Hunter Wilds runs smoothly! Everything you need to know about optimisation”.

It is honestly quite baffling to see that headline and it makes me very curious to see what was going to be said at this talk. However, we won't get that opportunity, as Capcom cancelled their conference talk.

Capcom says that it has had instances of “slander, libel, denigration, intimidation and threats to harm or disrupt business” in recent weeks, as backlash over the lack of game improvements continues on social media. This is all going on amid Monster Hunter Wilds dropping to an Overwhelmingly Negative user score on Steam.

KitGuru Says: Have you tried Monster Hunter Wilds since launch? Have you had issues with performance or has the game met your expectations? 

The post Capcom cancels conference talk as Monster Hunter Wilds frustration boils over first appeared on KitGuru.
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T-Force XTREEM CKD 48 GB DDR5-8800 CL42 Memory Review – Fast CUDIMM With 10,200 MT/s OC Capability

The DDR5 memory segment has been seeing a lot of action as it gets standardized across all PC platforms. With memory prices dropping and the latest platforms becoming affordable, memory makers are offering new solutions constantly. Some focus on high-end specifications, while others focus on strengthening their gaming product portfolios. Since the arrival of DDR4 memory in the mainstream market, TeamGroup started a separate line of DIMM kits under their new T-Force brand. The T-Force brand is the more enthusiast and gamer-aimed memory series with a sheer focus on quality and performance. More recently, the company started rolling out its […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/review/t-force-xtreem-ckd-48-gb-ddr5-8800-cl42-memory-review-fast-cudimm-with-10200-mt-s-oc-capability/

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Square Enix-backed ARPG ‘Vaultbreakers’ revealed in new trailer

To expedite the development of the top-down action-RPG, Vaultbreakers, Square Enix has made an undisclosed “major investment” in BetaDwarf, a Danish game development company. Square Enix will acquire a minority stake in BetaDwarf as part of this agreement.

For BetaDwarf, the studio behind games like Forced and Minion Masters, this investment is regarded as a significant step. A visit to BetaDwarf's studio led to the decision to invest, according to Hideaki Uehara, General Manager of Business Development at Square Enix Holdings. BetaDwarf CEO and Game Director Steffen Kabbelgaard was excited about the collaboration, saying that Square Enix's involvement offers “amazing access to a combination of knowledge, talent, and resources”.

Additionally, Kabbelgaard stated that Vaultbreakers' development is already well advanced. With a “huge amazing community” and “15+ tests with more than 50,000 players”, the game has been continuously improved throughout production. In particular, the new funding will help BetaDwarf expand its community-driven development strategy and improve its production capabilities. The PvE mode and solo queue are results of that strategy. BetaDwarf recently released the first gameplay trailer for Vaultbreakers, and a week-long public playtest is being held from July 3rd to the 9th.

Copenhagen-based BetaDwarf had previously raised $6.6 million in 2019 to create social gaming experiences that promote friendships. Minion Masters, the company's most recent game, has amassed “millions of players”, and Forced, their 2013 debut game, has sold more than 500,000 copies.

KitGuru says: Have you already tried Vaultbreakers? What's your opinion on it?

The post Square Enix-backed ARPG ‘Vaultbreakers’ revealed in new trailer first appeared on KitGuru.
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Runescape: Dragonwilds, Brickadia and more get DLSS 4 upgrades this week

This week, DLSS 4 with Multi Frame Generation is multiplying performance in Mortal Online 2 and RuneScape: Dragonwilds. Additionally, Brickadia will enter Early Access on July 11th with day-one support for DLSS 4.

Runescape: Dragonwilds launched with day-one support for DLSS 3 with Frame Generation, Nvidia Reflex and DLAA. Now, a new update brings DLSS 4 to the game with Multi-Frame Generation, so RTX 50 graphics card users can obtain an even bigger performance boost.

Mortal Online 2 is getting its first major expansion this month, titled ‘Reckoning' and one of the big tech upgrades coming with this update is the inclusion of DLSS 4. After the update, the game will support DLSS Frame Generation, Super Resolution and Reflex.

The final game on this week's list of new DLSS titles is Brickadia, which enters Early Access on July 11th. The game will release with DLSS 4 in place from day-one, and it features UE5's Lumen ray-traced lighting technology, which RTX graphics cards are adept at handling thanks to hardware RT acceleration. 

KitGuru Says: Are you installing any of this week's new DLSS titles? 

The post Runescape: Dragonwilds, Brickadia and more get DLSS 4 upgrades this week first appeared on KitGuru.
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Corsair Frame 5000D Review (with $300 Elite Tray)

James was impressed by the Corsair Frame 4000D so we have high hopes for this Frame 5000D which is larger in all three dimensions and supports more cooling hardware. The key difference between 50000D and 4000D is support for a 420mm liquid cooler in the roof. Push it to the limits and Frame 5000D can accommodate 12x 140mm fans, which sounds mega.

Time stamps

00:00 Start
01:02 A quick catch up
02:35 Some configs and options
03:26 Billet aluminium motherboard tray
04:06 Prototype case from Computex
04:35 The Elite Motherboard Tray – fitting
08:08 5000D pricing and cooling support
09:21 Removing panels
11:12 Inside the 5000D
12:23 Stealth motherboard support
13:20 PSU
14:18 Installing hardware
17:00 Testing Noise and Temps
18:45 Leo’s Closing Thoughts

Main features

  • Supports Reverse Connection Motherboards –Asus BTF, MSI Project Zero, and Gigabyte Project Stealth validated with plenty of connector and cable cutouts and tie-downs to keep things tidy even where you can’t see them.
  • Versatile Connectivity –The FRAME 5000D offers four USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports and a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C front I/O panel. The I/O ports have also been relocated to the bottom of the case to make it easy for folks with their PC on their desk to connect devices.
  • Drives, Drives, Drives –Included drive trays for dual 3.5” hard drives or four 2.5” SSDs, or they can be removed entirely to make room for custom liquid cooling components and cables.
  • Solid GPU Support (Literally) –Modern graphics cards are bigger and heavier than ever, which is why every 5000D comes with an included GPU Anti-sag stabilization arm.
  • Just a Bit Bigger –GPUs are getting bigger and hotter, which is why the Frame 5000D was designed slightly longer and wider than most other mid-tower cases.
  • Built for iCUELink –Designed from the ground up for easy iCUELINK integration, the FRAME 5000D has cable hooks, increased tie downs, and a dedicated mounting pocket for an iCUELINK System Hub (sold separately).
  • Touches of Elegance –The Frame 5000D includes a number of features displaying CORSAIR's attention to detail. They include external cable management points, captive screws that won’t get lost, fully colour-matched rivets, screws, and plastic components, an attractive Frost White option, and built-in rotatable PCI slots for vertical GPU mounting fans.
  • RapidRoute2.0-FRAME 5000D features the next generation of CORSAIR's cable-routing hardware, with a pegboard-style motherboard tray that allows for custom mounting points for tie-downs and buckles. It also comes with several types of cable clips, or you can 3D print your own. It includes six cinching straps and two wire loom pairs to secure extra cable lengths for a tidy interior.

Specification:

  • Motherboard support: E-ATX (up to 305mm), ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX.
  • Power supply support: ATX.
  • Expansion slots: 8+3.
  • Included fans: 3x 140mm RS140 front intake, 1x 140mm RS140 rear exhaust.
  • Fan mounts: 3x 120mm/140mm or 2x 200mm front, 3x 120mm/140mm roof, 1x 120mm/140mm rear, 2x 120mm PSU shroud, 2x 120mm/140mm floor.
  • Radiator mounts: 360mm/280mm front, 360mm/420mm roof, 120mm/140mm rear, 360mm/280mm side.
  • 5.25-inch optical drive bays: None.
  • Internal drive bays: 2x 3.5-inch, 6x 2.5-inch.
  • Front I/O ports: 4x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, audio.
  • Dimensions: 542mm H x 556mm D x 250mm W.

Testing

To put this case through its cooling paces we will be using a test system consisting of an Intel core Ultra 9 285K, Palit RTX 5080 and an SSD. This system allows us to produce a substantial amount of heat and effectively test the Corsair Frame 5000D’s cooling capabilities.

Test System:

  • Processor: Intel core Ultra 9 285K
  • CPU Cooler: Corsair iCUE Link Titan 420 RX RGB
  • Motherboard: Gigabyte Z890 Aorus Pro Ice
  • Memory: 48GB Corsair Vengeance RGB DDR5 8400
  • Graphics card: Palit RTX 5080 Gamerock OC 16GB
  • Power supply: Corsair RM1000x Shift 1000W Gold
  • SSD: Corsair 2TB MP600 Elite M.2 NVMe
  • OS: Windows 11 Pro

Cooling Performance

Cooling Performance Overview

You can gauge by eye that the Frame 5000D is likely to flow air well, and of course we have the knowledge that Frame 4000D works well in the cooling department. Added to that we are using the four supplied 140mm case fans and the three 140mm fans on the Corsair iCUE Link Titan 420 RX RGB, so we are working with a total of seven 140mm fans. The result is exactly as expected, which is that the Frame 5000D cools well and can be run with the fans low and slow. Ramping up fan speeds is both noisy and entirely unnecessary.

Closing Thoughts

The easiest way to compare and contrast the Corsair Frame 5000D and the Frame 4000D (review HERE) is to look at every surface where the 4000D supports 2x 140mm fans and you can be confident the 5000D supports 3x 140mm fans. The snag is that while you may assume the 5000D will support a 420mm liquid cooler in the front and side positions  this is not actually the case; 3x 140mm fans – Yes, 420mm cooler – No. You can see the result where we struggle to install a 420mm Corsair AIO in the roof where it is supported in theory but not really in practice.

The solution, in our view, is to ignore 420mm AIO coolers and radiators and to stick to tried and true 280mm and 360mm which work brilliantly well. This might make you wonder why you need a Frame 5000D in the first place and our answer is that you do not. The Frame 4000D will do everything you want and the Frame 5000D is just for lazy people who like the extra space to make life easy when they build their PC.

You can buy the Corsair Frame 5000D RS ARGB for £149.99

Pros:

  • Easy to build in with good access to everything, inc EPS cables.
  • Good airflow.
  • The promised accessories look interesting.

Cons:

  • We need slightly more space in the roof to properly support 420mm.
  • The promised accessories are not available and will likely be expensive.
  • Our early sample had some teething problems.
  • Turn up the fan speeds and the case gets noisy.

KitGuru says: The Frame 5000D isn’t quite large enough to deliver on its promises. But it is a very good case.

The post Corsair Frame 5000D Review (with $300 Elite Tray) first appeared on KitGuru.
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Corsair FRAME 5000D RS Review

The Corsair Frame 5000D series may at first seem to just be a bigger variant of the Frame 4000D. But it is also an evolution. The updated design fixes most issues we found with the Frame 4000D, while also iterating on some unique features. This has compelling results, even considering the much higher price tag.

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Live Prime Day deals: Best Apple Watch, iPad, AirPods, Mac discounts up to 51% off

Prime Day 2025 is here and Apple deals are plentiful, with the year's lowest prices on AirPods, iPads, Apple Watch, and more.

Apple products and Amazon boxes against a blue-purple gradient background with 'Prime Day Apple Deals Live Coverage' text and logos.
Apple Prime Day deals are live on popular products - Image credit: Apple

Save up to 51%: Amazon's Prime Day sale delivers up to $405 off Apple products.


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
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iPhone 17e rumored to launch in Spring 2026, iPhone 18e in 2027

A new report repeats previous rumors that Apple will launch an iPhone 17e in early 2026, but also makes the dubious claim that the company will limit production to protect flagship sales.

Hands holding a smartphone horizontally, focusing on side buttons. Person wearing a yellow wristband and a ring.
The current iPhone 16e

Even before the iPhone 16e shipped in February 2025, there were already rumors of an iPhone 17e following exactly a year later. Then in April 2025, it was claimed that an iPhone 17e might be in testing ahead of its 2026 launch.

Now The Elec claims that Apple will definitely launch an iPhone 17e in Spring 2026. But it also claims that the company will intentionally constrain supplies for fear of cannibalizing sales of other models.


Rumor Score: 🤔 Possible


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New sky blue color rumored to arrive with iPhone 17 Air

The iPhone 17 Air is rumored to come in a light blue color option as a choice that could play upon the name of the ultra-thin model.

A sleek, light blue smartphone with a single camera and logo on the back, displayed on a gradient blue background.
A render of what the iPhone 17 Air could look like, in light blue - Image credit: AppleInsider

Each generation of iPhone brings with it a new color option that underlines the collection for that year. For Apple's inbound iPhone 17 models, that color could be a sky blue.

According to serial leaker Fixed Focus Digital on Weibo, Blue will be the "most likely" main color for the iPhone 17 Air. The leaker adds that it will be a very light blue, allegedly different from other blue shades it has previously used.


Rumor Score: 🤔 Possible


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Apple A19, C2, M5 chip identifiers all leaked in early iOS 18 code

Several unreleased Apple Silicon chips recently surfaced in an internal build of iOS 18, including A19, M5, and C2, according to exclusive information provided to AppleInsider.

Laptop displaying macOS desktop with terminal open, connected to a disassembled smartphone on the left. Wires are visible connecting both devices.
An early build of iOS 18 revealed Apple's next-gen chip identifiers. Image Credit: Aaron (researcher) / YouTube printscreen

On July 3, AppleInsider exclusively shared a list of device identifiers that correspond to more than a dozen unreleased Mac configurations, many of which are set to feature variants of Apple's soon-to-be-announced M5 chip. Following our report, we were made aware of an internal build of iOS 18 with references to multiple unannounced Apple Silicon chips for a variety of hardware platforms.

The operating system, which bears the build number 22A91871y, is a NonUI variant of iOS 18. As such, it lacks the standard consumer-oriented iOS user interface, instead featuring only rudimentary applications designed primarily for hardware testing.


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iPad mini 7 with A17 chip and Apple Intelligence is $120 off for Prime Day

Apple's tiniest tablet just got a big discount for Prime Day, with the iPad mini 7 starting at $379.

Colorful iPad mini models fanned out on a blue background with text promoting Prime Day iPad mini deals for $379.
Save $120 on iPad mini for Prime Day - Image credit: Apple

It's Prime Day again, with a host of deals on all your favorite Apple gear. In fact, we've spotted a great deal on Apple's iPad mini 7, and prices have fallen as low as $379.

Grab iPad mini for $379


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Aqara Prime Day deals get you up to 38% off Apple Home cameras, locks, sensors

Amazon Prime Day is here, and Aqara has big discounts on essential products that'll upgrade your Apple Home with more security, automation, and convenience.

Tropical beach scene with Aqara smart home products floating from an Amazon box. Prime Day sale announcement, up to 38% off.
Save up to 38% on Aqara Apple Home gear for Prime Day.

Most users start building their smart home with lights and a smart thermostat, but the next logical step is sensors, cameras, and a smart door lock. Luckily, Aqara has an excellent selection of products discounted for Prime Day that'll work with your smart home ecosystem.

Get Aqara Prime Day deals


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Amazon slashes Apple Watch Series 10 to $279 for Prime Day

Certain to sell out long before the end of Amazon's marathon Prime Day, the two sizes of the latest Apple Watch are on sale for $120 off.

Prime Day Apple Watch Series 10 deals are live.
Prime Day Apple Watch Series 10 deals are live.

Apple's current Apple Watch Series 10 is on offer for Prime Day, as long as stocks last, for up to 30% off each. This is for the Wi-Fi only Apple Watch Series 10 in its two sizes, and the best deals are:

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Acer slashes gaming laptop and monitor prices for Amazon Prime Week

Amazon Prime Week has arrived. We've had a look through some of the big tech deals on offer this week. Here, we break down some of the best gaming laptop and monitor deals from Acer.

On the monitor front, there is an excellent deal available to those looking to make the jump to a 21:9 ultra-wide display. The Acer Nitro XZ342CU 34-inch Gaming Monitor boasts 3440×1440 resolution, combined with a fast 180Hz refresh rate. On sale, the price is down to £199. If you want a 16:9 option, the Acer Nitro XV27 is down to £149 and offers a 27-inch 1440p display with 180Hz refresh rate.

If you want a 4K option, the Acer Predator XB27KV3 is down to £299 and offers a 160Hz refresh rate and HDR, making for a satisfying gaming upgrade. For 1080p gamers, the Acer Nitro KG241Y S3 offers a 180Hz refresh rate and HDR for less than £80.

If you are after a pre-built gaming desktop to go with your monitor, then the Acer Nitro N50-650 gaming desktop is down to £749 and features a 13th Gen Core i5 CPU, 16GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD and an RTX 4060 GPU.

There's a long list of Acer gaming laptop deals on the go this week too. Starting off with previous-gen RTX 40-equipped models, we have the Nitro V, with an RTX 4050, a FHD 15.6″ 165Hz display and a 13th Gen Core i5 CPU down to £749.99. If you want an RTX 4060 instead, you can find the Nitro V 16 with a 14th Gen Core i6 and a 16″ 165Hz WUXGA display down to £829.99.

If you want to make the jump to RTX 50, then there are entry-level RTX 5050 and RTX 5060 laptop models on sale this week. For £849.99 you can get an Acer Nitro V 15 with an RTX 5050, a 512GB SSD and a 165Hz FHD display. For £899, you can make the jump to the RTX 5060-equipped Acer Nitro V 15 instead, which has a larger 1TB SSD as well.

The new Acer Predator Helios 18 laptop is on sale this week too. The RTX 4070 version is down to £1299.99, the RTX 5080 version is down to £2999.99 and the RTX 5090 model is down to £3699.99.

You can find all of Acer's Prime Day deals HERE.

KitGuru Says:  Are you planning on picking up anything during this week's sales?

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Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 reviews reveal a solid remake

Following months of leaks and rumours, the long awaited follow-up to Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2 was officially announced in the form of THPS 3+4. With the game finally set to launch in just a couple days, early reviews for the title have gone live – revealing what looks to be a solid remake (with some caveats).

Though subject to change as more reviews are published, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 currently sits at an 83 on Metacritic, with an OpenCritic rating of 85 – just slightly behind its predecessor THPS 1+2 (89).

That said, unlike the first three titles, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4 in particular shook the formula up a bit upon its original release back in 2002, adding more of a campaign mode when compared to prior entries.

Pro Skater 3+4

Unfortunately, THPS 3+4 axed said campaign mode, instead replacing it with a challenge system more similar to that of the first 3 games – a change which according to reviews will be “disappointing” to those who enjoyed the 4th Pro Skater’s format.

All in all however, it appears as though Iron Galaxy successfully took over the reins from Vicarious Visions (who worked on THPS 1+2) for this remake.

It will be interesting to see what fans think of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 when it officially launches for everyone on the 11th of July.

KitGuru says: Have you been looking forward to THPS 3+4? What do you think of the changes to the 4th game’s campaign? Is it a dealbreaker? Let us know down below.

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LC-Power unveils new DIGI and AERA CPU coolers

LC-Power is debuting some very attractive options for the budget CPU cooler market. The latest DIGI cooler embraces new technologies, such as integrated displays in the heatsink and modern heat distribution methods, while keeping the price tag fairly low. LC-Power also has new black and white air coolers joining the line-up too.

There are a few models in this series, including the DIGI LC-CC-120-DB6, which is the most expensive model, followed by the AERA LC-CC-120-B4 and W4. These two are the same cooler, but one is black and the other is white.

Focusing on the LC-CC-120-DB6 to start. This cooler is equipped with six copper heat popes, paired with aluminium cooling fins and a copper-aluminium base. The 120mm fan has a fluid dynamic bearing to ensure long-lasting and quiet operation, better yet – the fan comes preinstalled, so you won't have to waste any time while setting the cooler up. At the top of the heatsink you'll find a digital display, which can show system stats taken from BIOS readings, or it can be paired with the LC-Power companion software for further customisation.

This cooler is rated to handle up to 230W TDP and supports Intel LGA 1851, 1700, 1200 and 115x sockets, as well as AMD's AM4 and AM5 sockets, enabling broad compatibility across multiple generations of processors. The cooler will cost £39.99 in the UK.

Next up we have the new AERA LC-CC-120-B4 and LC-CC-120-W4 coolers. The B4 is the black version and the W4 is the white version. In both cases, the entire heatsink is coated, creating a cohesive look that will pair well with other system components.

The AERA coolers are designed for modern Intel and AMD systems. They use four copper heat pipes, combined with aluminium cooling fins and a copport heat spreader. The 120mm fan has a fluid dynamic bearing, ensuring long-lasting operation with minimal wear over time.

These coolers are rated to handle up to 190W of TDP and support the Intel LGA 1851, 1700, 1200 and 115x sockets, as well as AMD's AM4 and AM5 sockets. Both coolers will be priced at £29.99 in the UK.

KitGuru Says: All three coolers here are very competitively priced and would certainly be a huge upgrade over a stock cooler. 

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The Finals will continue to work on Steam Deck despite new anti-cheat

While the Steam Deck and SteamOS have been taking the PC gaming space by storm over the past few years, there remains a subset of titles which struggle to run on the platform – those being games which user kernel level anti-cheat. Fortunately, it appears as though some developers are working to try and keep their multiplayer games supported on the platform, with The Finals committing to continued functionality on Steam Deck despite their newly-added anti-cheat.

As part of the latest update to The Finals, the team at Embark Studios officially detailed the game’s new anti-cheat, writing: “In the coming months, we will also begin an incremental rollout of a new kernel-based anti-cheat solution, intended to significantly raise the bar for cheat makers.”

As mentioned, most games which utilise kernel-level anti-cheat are unable to run on SteamOS due to its use of Linux. That said, Embark took to their Discord to reaffirm their commitment to the Steam Deck / SteamOS, stating:

“Hey guys! There are no plans to drop support for SteamOS/Proton/Wine and/or SteamDeck, despite us not officially supporting the platform, we will do our upmost best to maintain your ability to play.”

The Finals Steam Deck

Adding to this, the team claimed to be “working pretty closely with CodeWeavers to QA every release we put out there since about Season 5, and I don't see a reason to stop that. It's not exactly a collaboration, but we do catch issues with SteamDeck early because at the very least they do a pass on the game before we release a patch.”

So, while it appears as though issues may arise as a result of this new implementation, the team at Embark seem to be committed to ensuring The Finals continues to run on the Steam Deck and SteamOS as a whole.

KitGuru says: What do you think of anti-cheat? How many games can’t you play on Steam Deck because of it? Let us know down below.

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Game Pass isn’t as profitable as it’s claimed, according to insider

There’s been a great deal of discussion surrounding Xbox Game Pass and its viability, with some developers expressing concerns with the subscription service’s long-term sustainability. That said, Microsoft has for quite some time claimed it to be a profitable service. While this may be true in some regard, it seems as though the console maker might have been stretching the meaning of the word somewhat.

In a post discussing the viability of Xbox Game Pass in the wake of the latest mass lay-offs at Xbox, known industry insider Christopher Dring took to Twitter to offer some clarity on the common claim that the service is profitable and has been for a while, writing:

“So costs associated with the Game Pass business is fees paid to third-parties, marketing, service costs… and by that measure, it’s profitable.”

profitable Game Pass

Dring continued, “What they don’t count is the lost revenue that Xbox’s first-party studios are seeing as a result of the service. I have to imagine if first-party studios received similar compensation, that profitability might not be correct.”

Considering that Game Pass’ whole USP is the fact that all first-party games are added day-one to the service, not counting these costs feels somewhat disingenuous – and perhaps offers greater insight into how Microsoft is currently perceiving Xbox and Game Pass.

It will be interesting to see whether Microsoft will have anything to say on the matter in future.

KitGuru says: Did you believe the ‘Game Pass is profitable’ claims? Does this recent addendum make more sense? Should Microsoft stop offering first-party titles day-one? Let us know down below.

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How to change the background in Messages for iOS 26 and iPadOS 26

Bring more life and personalization to your group chats, by adding backgrounds to your conversations in Messages in iOS 26 and iPadOS 26. Here's how to change yours for the better.

Three smartphones display a messaging app with colorful backgrounds: a cat, abstract green and yellow, and a tree. Messages are in blue and gray bubbles.
You can now change the backgrounds of conversations in Messages for iOS 26 and iPadOS 26

Messages is an essential app for iPhone users, with it used to communicate with your closest relations. However, people may be getting a bit bored of seeing the usual grey and blue (and sometimes green) speech bubbles floating up a plain white page.

During WWDC, Apple finally made a change to Messages, allowing users to select the background for conversations. A work chat could be jazzed up with corporate-approved branding, while speaking to parents can be done to a background of favorite pets, for example.


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Kingston IronKey Vault Privacy 80 Encrypted SSD review: Ultra-secure SSD with hard drive speed

The Kingston IronKey Vault Privacy 80 Encrypted External SSD won't win awards for speed, but it will certainly keep your portable data safe.

Hand holding a blue electronic device with a screen, labeled IronKey, on a light background.
Kingston IronKey Vault Privacy 80 Encrypted External SSD review: It's a pocketable secure drive

Transferring data between devices can be done in a few ways, but it's hard to do it securely via offline means. Shifting important documents to a flash drive is convenient, especially for travel, but less so if someone else gains access to it.

Unless there's encryption or something else in the way, a stolen drive will leak its secrets with relative ease.


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Fifth Circuit agrees with Apple over NLRB in World Trade Center store union busting case

Apple's appeal against the NLRB ruling suggesting Apple engaged in union-busting actions at the World Trade Center store in May 2022 has succeeded on both counts.

National Labor Relations Board seal featuring an eagle with a shield, surrounded by a blue circle with white text on a gradient blue background.
National Labor Relations Board. Image source: NLRB

There has been a years-long battle between Apple and unions that has quieted recently, but that doesn't mean everything has settled. A ruling Apple appealed in 2023 over union-busting accusations has finally been decided.

According to the ruling, shared by Courthouse News, the Fifth Circuit court has ruled that Apple didn't violate labor laws at the World Trade Center store.


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Prime Day deals: AirPods 4 plunge to $89, AirPods Pro 2 hit record low $149

Amazon has sweetened its AirPods Prime Day deals, delivering the lowest price ever on AirPods Pro 2 at $149 and AirPods 4 at just $89.

Open AirPods Pro MagSafe case with earbuds on pink and yellow gradient background. Text promotes Prime Day deals starting at $89, described as lowest prices ever.
Grab Prime Day deals on AirPods - Image credit: Apple

Save $100: Pick up AirPods Pro 2 for $149 and AirPods 4 for $89 while supplies last.

AirPods prices have hit record-low levels, with AirPods 4 falling to $89 and AirPods Pro 2 dropping to $149 — but supply may be limited.


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Meta poaches Apple Intelligence executive amid larger leadership restructure

Apple's internal leadership restructuring around AI and ML continues after Meta's industry-wide poaching program snipes a top executive from the Apple Intelligence team.

A white apple logo centered within a colorful, looping structure on a black background.
Apple Intelligence team sees leadership departure

Meta has been struggling to do anything impactful with its AI platform. It's another significant dud after the dramatic name change in pursuit of the still-fictional metaverse, and now the company is throwing money at the problem in hopes of catching up with the AI industry.

Apple is the latest company affected by industry-wide poaching efforts from Meta. According to Bloomberg, the head of Apple's foundation models team, Ruoming Pang, has been poached by Meta with a significant pay package.


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Team Group T-Force GC PRO Gen5 2 TB NVMe SSD Review – Solid Performance Under $200

Back in 2023, T-Force by TeamGroup, introduced its first Gen5 SSD solution, the CARDEA Z540. Based on the Phison E26 controller, this SSD offered up to 12.4 GB/s speeds, making it a solid option back then. At the moment, there are plenty of Gen5 SSD controllers in the market, Phison has its new E28 and E31T, the SMI SM2508 is doing great, and InnoGrit along with Samsung has their own solutions offering really fast storage capabilities on NVMe products. TeamGroup has also streamlined its product family over the years, now leveraging The G-series branding in "GE", "GC", "GA". The "GE" […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/review/team-group-t-force-gc-pro-gen5-2-tb-nvme-ssd-review-solid-performance-under-200/

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Get Apple's M4 Mac mini for less with Prime Day deals starting at $499

Apple's new M4 Mac mini is available for as low as $499.99, making it one of the best values in desktop computing for creative work, coding, and everyday use.

Apple Mac mini on a tiled surface, displaying ports on top, with large text reading 'M4 $499' overlaying.
M4 Mac mini drops to $499 for Amazon Prime Day.

Save $100: Apple's M4 Mac mini has plunged to $499.99 leading up to Prime Day.

The current Mac mini, equipped with Apple's M4 chip, delivers impressive performance in a compact package. It pairs a 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU with Apple's 16-core Neural Engine for advanced AI features.


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What Apple products will get hit the hardest by Trump's new tariff orders

President Donald Trump has started to dictate new tariff rates for countries without a U.S. trade deal, with the Apple Watch, Mac Pro, and Mac Studio all poised to get hit by extra import charges on August 1.

Two men in suits sit at a table engaged in a serious conversation, one gesturing while the other listens. A fireplace with ornate detailing is in the background.
Tim Cook [left], President Donald Trump [right]

In April, President Donald Trump introduced a 90-day pause on tariffs, so that his administration could work out new trade deals with countries around the world. While that original pause was originally due to end on July 8, Trump is preparing to instigate new tariff rates for countries that failed to make a deal.

Letters published to social mediaon Monday by the President now outline new tariffs that will be applied to select countries, with each sent to their respective leaders. The letters follow the same format, explaining that there will be new tariffs applied to each country from August 1.


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What's new in iOS 26 beta 3: Wallpaper color options, stronger blur effects, and more

The third developer betas of iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 have arrived right on time, and sport a way to find the cursor on the iPad, an all-new set of wallpaper color options, along with a few visual tweaks and enhancements. Here's what's new.

Smartphone screen displaying software update options, featuring iOS 26 Beta 3, 2.19GB. Automatic updates are off. Blue background.
Apple has released the third developer beta of iOS 26.

On Monday, two weeks after the debut of the second developer beta, Apple released iOS 26 developer beta 3. The update increases the build number to 23A5287g, up from the previous 23A5276f.

While the preceding iOS 18 update focused largely on Apple Intelligence features, iOS 26 launched with Apple's "Liquid Glass" design language, which is used across all of the company's platforms. The software features dynamic user interface elements that mimic the look of real-world glass, replacing the flat aesthetic used from iOS 7 through iOS 18.


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