Micron quadrupled its revenue to more than $41bn this quarter, around $6bn more than analyst expectations.
A surge in business from AI companies and high projected earnings have sent chipmakers Micron and Qualcomm’s shares soaring.
Leading chipmakers have become some of the main benefactors of the AI race as competing tech giants spend billions to build and tap into AI data centres.
Micron witnessed a stellar quarter, quadrupling its revenue to more than $41bn – up from $9.3bn a year earlier, and around $6bn more than analysts’ set expectation of roughly $35bn.
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The company expects revenue of around $50bn for the current quarter, up from $11.3bn the year before. Analysts expected this to range around $43bn.
Micron’s shares jumped by a double digit percentage following the news yesterday (24 June), before easing marginally. They had already more than tripled this year and outpaced all other major chip stocks in the US.
Alongside the glowing quarterly report, the chipmaker announced yesterday that it signed 16 long-term agreements with data centre operators and automakers. It expects financial commitments of $22bn from the deals.
Nvidia has also tapped Micron for its HBM4 memory chips for use in its next-generation Vera Rubin platform.
Similarly, Qualcomm said it expects to create $15bn in sales from its data centre business by 2029. The company also expects $40bn in non-handset revenue by then – around double a previous fiscal target.
Company chief financial officer Akash Palkhiwala told investors that the data centre business will bring in $5bn for the fiscal year 2027 – with $1bn alone from the custom chips it will sell customers. Shares went up 15pc following the news.
Microsoft and Meta have tapped Qualcomm for its new AI chips that rely on cheap memory chips used in smartphones and laptops, while two unnamed hyperscalers will purchase custom chips, the company said.
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Qualcomm’s move to AI chips comes as the smartphone market is negatively affected in a chip shortage driven by the continuously growing demand for AI infrastructure.
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China now has the world’s fastest supercomputer, overtaking the United States. The system, known as LineShine and installed at the National Supercomputing Center in Shenzhen, displaced the US system El Capitan from the top spot in the TOP500 ranking in terms of computing power.
The breakthrough comes amid an intense competition between Beijing and Washington for technological supremacy, marked by high tariffs and restrictions on a wide range of hardware components and software.
Since 1993, the TOP500 ranking has identified the world’s most powerful supercomputers every six months through a series of standardized benchmarks that evaluate each system’s performance, taking into account both its theoretical speed and its real-world performance, as well as its energy efficiency.
Historically, the ranking has been dominated by US-developed systems. However, LineShine has returned China to the top after nearly a decade out of first place.
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El Capitan, located in Livermore, California, had held the top position since 2024. Now, benchmark results have confirmed that LineShine exceeds the US system’s processing capacity by more than 20 percent.
With a power consumption of approximately 42.2 megawatts, the Chinese supercomputer delivers 2,198 exaflops, meaning it can perform more than 2 quintillion operations per second.
One of LineShine’s most striking features is that, unlike most next-generation supercomputers, it does not use graphics processing units (GPUs). Instead, it relies exclusively on central processing units (CPUs), components widely used in smartphones, desktop computers, and laptops but rarely found in large-scale scientific computing systems.
Another notable feature is that its entire infrastructure is built with hardware and software developed in China. LineShine’s architecture is based on the LingKun platform and consists of roughly 45,000 LX2 processors. Each processor has 304 cores and operates at a clock speed of 1.55 GHz.
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The nodes are connected through a high-speed network called LingQi, designed to minimize latency and accelerate data exchange. The entire system runs on Kylin OS, a Linux-based operating system widely used in China’s scientific and government computing infrastructure.
A Clear Message From China to the US
China’s return to the top of the TOP500 ranking has been interpreted as an achievement that goes beyond simply possessing the world’s fastest supercomputer, as the country is eager to show the world its tech industry can thrive despite lacking access to key US technologies.
During Donald Trump’s first administration and throughout Joe Biden’s presidency, the United States imposed strict export controls on components, software, and platforms related to advanced computing in an effort to slow China’s technological progress. In response, Beijing adopted similar measures.
Those restrictions have intensified during Trump’s current administration, particularly through tariffs and limits on imports of GPUs, advanced chips, and other components related to artificial intelligence (AI), a technology that now underpins a significant share of the world’s most powerful supercomputers.
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These restrictions have forced China to invest in developing new architectures and technologies capable of building supercomputers that can compete with the highest-performing US systems despite lacking access to certain state-of-the-art resources.
This story originally appeared in WIRED en Español and has been translated from Spanish.
The best Apple Watch overall has every feature you could want in a smartwatch (aside from satellite messaging, but I presume that isn’t a dealbreaker for most of you). There’s blood oxygen sensing, sleep tracking, electrocardiogram reading capabilities, and high blood pressure notifications. Best of all, the battery lasts for a full 24 hours, and it’ll get watchOS 27. And at $279, it’s the cheapest it’s been sold out for the past few months.
This is the best-value Apple Watch. It’s compatible with the latest watchOS and has several basic fitness features, though it lacks the extended battery life and some of the more high-tech tracking capabilities of the more-expensive Watch 11. But if you don’t need blood oxygen or ECG readings, and you don’t need a super-bright display, this affordable smartwatch is a smart buy. And now’s a good time to buy, as it’s $20 cheaper than it’s typically sold out, even when on sale.
Best MagSafe and Accessory Deals
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Not everyone needs a stylus to work with the iPad, but for artists or avid notetakers, there’s no better option than the Apple Pencil Pro. It supports all sorts of gestures and magnetically attaches, pairs and charges.
Jack Nekhala had a business selling on Amazon — and in December he received an unusual offer, reports Bloomberg. A woman said she could bribe an Amazon employee “to help him retrieve $90,000 in funds that the e-commerce giant had frozen after suspending him over an alleged violation of review policy.”
Hoping to ingratiate himself with the company and restart his business, Nekhala offered to provide evidence, including recorded conversations and screen shots, that he said proved Amazon personnel were peddling inside information and influence. The smoking gun, Nekhala told the representative: information about his seller account. Only certain Amazon employees are supposed to have access to such details, but Nekhala had received them from the woman on WeChat, the Chinese messaging app. Nekhala’s experience, which he documented and shared with Bloomberg, provides a rare glimpse into an international black market that has been a persistent scourge of Amazon’s online store. On one side are sellers looking for a variety of favors: a competitive edge over their rivals, information on how to boost sales, a way to get themselves unsuspended. On the other are middlemen who lurk on message apps like Telegram, WeChat and WhatsApp offering access to people inside Amazon who can get things done for a price…
It’s impossible to determine the scope of the illicit activity, but it’s an open secret among Amazon sellers and consultants, who are frequently approached on social-media platforms and messaging apps. “The message is always the same: ‘I’m going to show you screenshots to prove I have inside access,’” said Chris McCabe, a former Amazon employee who runs a seller consulting firm… In 2020, federal prosecutors exposed an international bribery scheme involving Amazon sellers and employees. The ring allegedly extracted about $100 million in unfair advantages by bribing Amazon employees in Asia to help them sell more products and sabotage their competitors. Five people in the US were convicted and received jail terms or probation. Last year, law enforcement officials in India began investigating more than 20 former Amazon employees suspected of accepting bribes from trucking companies in exchange for routes, according to The Times of India.
After Nekhala reported his own experience to Amazon, the representative committed to “do some digging” and to email him instructions on how his evidence could be shared, according to a recording of the conversation. But Nekhala said he never heard back. The employee who leaked his personal information had already been fired for unrelated misconduct, according to Amazon.
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Amazon told Bloomberg employee involvement was “very rare,” and that “We invest heavily in this area and have dedicated teams and systems in place to prevent all types of fraud, including by our own employees.”
OpenAI hired former Uber India president Prabhjeet Singh as its first India managing director, starting September.
OpenAI has appointed Prabhjeet Singh, the outgoing president of Uber India and South Asia, as its first managing director for India. Singh will join in September and report to Kiran Mani, the company’s managing director for Asia Pacific, OpenAI told TechCrunch. He will oversee consumer growth, enterprise adoption, partnerships, regulatory engagement, and operations in what OpenAI has called its second-largest market after the United States.
Singh spent nearly 11 years at Uber, joining in August 2015 as head of strategy before becoming president in June 2020. Before Uber he was an associate partner at McKinsey, where he advised clients across financial services, telecom, and consumer technology. He is an alumnus of IIT Kharagpur and IIM Ahmedabad.
The hire is the latest in a string of investments OpenAI has made in India over the past year. The company opened its first office in New Delhi last August and said earlier this year it would establish additional offices in Mumbai and Bengaluru. In 2024 it hired former Truecaller and Meta executive Pragya Misra to lead public policy and partnerships, a role later expanded to head of strategy and global affairs.
OpenAI had also brought on former Twitter India head Rishi Jaitly as a senior adviser to help shape its engagement with the Indian government on AI policy. Mani himself, a former JioStar CEO who previously spent 13 years at Google, was appointed to lead the Asia Pacific region in March.
The appointment also arrives as India’s AI landscape grows more contested. Rival Anthropic opened its Bengaluru office in late 2025 and in January named former Microsoft India managing director Irina Ghose to lead the country. Google, Amazon, and domestic contenders like Sarvam, which reached unicorn status with a $234 million round last month, are all competing for developers and enterprise customers in a market with more than a billion internet users.
The competitive pressure has a geopolitical edge. The US government’s order in June to suspend Anthropic’s most powerful models for non-US users triggered a sovereignty debate in India and concrete proposals for a $5 billion annual fund to build domestic AI capabilities. For OpenAI, putting a seasoned local operator in charge signals that it takes the risk of being seen as a foreign dependency seriously.
Singh inherits a mandate that is as much political as commercial. India’s government has embraced AI as a national priority, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosting OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google chiefs at the AI Impact Summit in February. But the Anthropic suspension showed how quickly access can be revoked, and Indian policymakers are now weighing how much to rely on American providers.
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OpenAI has simultaneously ramped up hiring in India, with open roles including AI deployment engineers, developer experience engineers, a developer marketing lead, a partner director, and solutions engineers. Uber has not yet announced a successor for Singh but is expected to outline its leadership transition plans in the coming weeks.
Algeria vs Austria is shaping up to be one of the more exciting World Cup 2026 matches – it’s a winner-takes-all contest to finish Group J runners-up. Both sides are on three points, but Austria’s superior goal difference means a draw is enough for them to finish second.
There’s narrative here, too. As Group J wraps up last, the teams will know before kick-off whether the side that finishes runners-up or third have the easier last-32 opponent. Algeria may even choose to play for a draw, and third spot, and that’s irony at its best.
In 1982, the North Africans were eliminated after West Germany beat Austria 1-0 in the only result that could send both European sides through at their expense. The match became known as the “Disgrace of Gijon”, with Algeria feeling cheated at the alleged collusion. Forty-four years later, will Algeria settle for a self-serving draw? Or do they play to win and get revenge over Austria in the teams’ first meeting since Gijon?
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Vladimir Petkovic will be without star striker Mohamed Amoura, who picked up a hamstring injury against Argentina. Austria, meanwhile, are expected to reshuffle their attack, with Marko Arnautovic likely to return to the starting XI.
So, read on as we show you exactly how to watch Algeria vs Austria for free from anywhere in the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Algeria vs Austria is available to watch for free in multiple countries, including the UK, Australia, Brazil, Belgium, Ireland, Netherlands, Switzerland and Turkey.
Abroad? Can’t access your free stream? Unblock your free World Cup stream with Norton VPN – more on that below.
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Use a VPN to watch Algeria vs Austria live streams
It’s the World Cup, and if you’re traveling, you might discover your usual Algeria vs Austria stream is suddenly unavailable due to geo-restrictions.
Don’t worry, that’s exactly where a VPN can help. A virtual private network lets you connect to servers around the world so you can securely access your usual World Cup coverage as if you were back home.
Goalkeepers: Alexander Schlager (Red Bull Salzburg), Florian Wiegele (Viktoria Plzen), Patrick Pentz (Brondby)
Defenders: David Affengruber (Elche), Kevin Danso (Tottenham Hotspur), Stefan Posch (Mainz 05), David Alaba (Real Madrid), Philipp Leinhart (SC Freiburg), Phillipp Mwene (Mainz 05), Alexander Prass (TSG Hoffenheim), Marco Friedl (Werder Bremen), Michael Svoboda (Venezia)
Midfielders: Xaver Schlager (RB Leipzig), Nicolas Seiwald (RB Leipzig), Marcel Sabitzer (Borussia Dortmund), Florian Grillitsch (Braga), Carney Chukwuemeka (Borussia Dortmund), Romano Schmid (Werder Bremen), Christoph Baumgartner (RB Leipzig), Konrad Laimer (Bayern Munich), Patrick Wimmer (VfL Wolfsburg), Paul Wanner (PSV Eindhoven), Alessandro Schopf (Wolfsberger AC)
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Forwards: Marko Arnautovic (Red Star Belgrade), Michael Gregoritsch (FC Augsburg), Sasa Kalajdzic (LASK)
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Group J Table
Position
Team
GD
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Points
1
Argentina
5
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6
2
Austria
0
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3
3
Algeria
-2
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3
4
Jordan
-3
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0
Can I watch Algeria vs Austria on my mobile?
Of course, most broadcasters have streaming services that you can access through mobile apps or via your phone’s browser.
You can also stay up-to-date with all of the key World Cup moments on the official social media channels on X/Twitter (@FIFAWorldCup), Instagram (@FIFAWorldCup), TikTok (@FIFAWorldCup) and YouTube (@FIFA).
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.
Let me confirm that I haven’t actually worn anything from outer space: this is a workout layer from premium activewear company Walero, which also makes professional-grade motorsport gear. The Walero Active temperature-regulating baselayer incorporates Outlast technology, which is a fabric system originally developed for NASA to clothe its astronauts.
The Outlast website says “the most important part of fabrics and materials with this NASA technology is the microencapsulated wax, which is usually won from rapeseed oil.
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“When the temperature rises, it causes the wax in the capsules to melt. During this phase shift, the temperature cannot increase any further. Heat peaks are reduced or even prevented and as a result, sweat production decreases by up to 48%.”
So the wax hardens and softens inside the fabric based on the wearer’s temperature, capping it. Clever.
While the Walero baselayers only consist of 20% Outlast technology, I was intrigued enough to try it when I was offered to test one. Given that I also test the best running shoes in addition to fitness gadgets, I’m always intrigued when I hear about performance-enhancing technical fabrics and materials in addition to smartwatches and other gadgets on my usual beat.
So, without further ado, I laced up my Saucony Ride 19s and hit the road, wearing it on as many runs as I could (in between washes) over a month.
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Beat the heat
(Image credit: Future)
I tested the Ben Nevis long sleeve half-zip Walero Active top, but I found it difficult to judge its results in an objective, numerical fashion. Walero claims its kit is scientifically proven to lower heart rates by 8%, and sweat production by 30%.
However, one person’s sweat production and heart rate can change dramatically for all sorts of reasons, ranging from what they’ve eaten that day, to the weather, to their previous night’s sleep. I normally test the best smartwatches against a Polar H10 heart rate monitor to obtain numerical data, but I found it difficult to deliver any meaningful comparison data on a regular workout vs. one in the top. An 8% decrease in heart rate isn’t a massive change for the average runner to measure, although it could mean everything for an elite athlete. How does a mediocre but enthusiastic runner quantify this sort of thing?
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Nevertheless, after running 10 kilometers in a UK heatwave, during which I would have normally worn as little clothing as possible (and certainly not a long-sleeved top) I must admit I was partially convinced. I wore a sleeveless t-shirt underneath, and hadn’t needed to remove the long-sleeved top at all during the run.
Other runs in the top, some shorter, some similar distance, were done in cooler conditions, including one in the rain. At all times, the layer stayed on, apart from one exceptionally hot day. I didn’t see any historic achievements or plateau-breaking as a result of wearing it, but my runs felt strong and the top was comfortable. I didn’t need to shed the layer in most hot conditions to avoid overheating, or feel like it was insufficient in cold.
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Will it really increase performance?
(Image credit: Future)
At the end of the day, it’s a very premium-priced (a hefty £195, around $250 / AU$370) baselayer with a nice feel. Will it increase performance? Perhaps. It’s definitely going to be a go-to when exercising in the cold, as the ‘layering problem’ rears its ugly head most often in transitional seasons. You start out cold, and end up baking due to over-layering. I see this piece as an answer to this issue.
One independent study testing the thermo-regulation property of Outlast fiber by means of thermal analysis found that the ‘smart fiber’ as its called, has “been certified [for] its obvious capability of temperature regulation”. So the Walero top will reduce sweat and keep your body regulated with its 20% Outlast fibers woven into its construction, in theory.
In practice, for most of us, it’s a fun novelty that seems ideal to wear in most conditions, and most suited to cooler changeable weather. You’ll get a lot of wear out of it as it’s very adaptable, but it’s certainly more expensive than most baselayers. It’s a cool gimmick to chat about as you queue up at the startline of your local parkrun, but whether it represents good value will depend on your budget. An amateur athlete looking to save money (most of us) won’t get enough mileage out of this top to justify the expense, while a high performer with deep pockets will likely live in it due to its thermo-regulating qualities.
And of course, you can also follow TechRadar on YouTube and TikTok for news, reviews, unboxings in video form, and get regular updates from us on WhatsApp too
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EarthRoamer builds expedition vehicles that blend heavy-duty truck toughness with the kind of self-contained living spaces most people only find in high-end homes. This 2023 XV-SX stands as a pre-roamed example with just 8,228 miles on the odometer and a full complement of factory options already installed. At $1.1 million it sits at the top of the price range for anything on four wheels that can still tackle serious trails while keeping occupants comfortable for weeks at a time.
Builders start with a standard Chevrolet Silverado 6500HD crew cab chassis driven by a 6.6-liter Duramax turbo-diesel V8 that generates 350 horsepower and 700 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed automatic Allison transmission powers a four-wheel drive system. It boasts manual front lockers and low-range gearing to assist you maneuver through challenging terrain. The air suspension system consists of heavy-duty remote reservoir shocks and stabilizer bars, which do an excellent job of combining consistent highway performance with the ability to level the car on rough terrain.
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You’ll be driving on 43-inch Goodyear tires that fit snugly into military-grade beadlock wheels at each corner. The ground clearance is a decent 12 inches, with approach and departure angles of 34 and 22 degrees, respectively. A front Warn winch capable of 16,500 pounds and a matched rear unit provide numerous rescue options when needed. The electric running boards will fold down for convenient access and then tuck away on the route. A full-size spare even has its own electric hoist, enabling for rapid replacements as needed.
Being self-sufficient begins with a 1600-watt solar array installed on the roof, which generates enough power to charge an 18-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery bank. You’ll then have a 7000watt inverter and charger setup that can power most household items without a problem. When the battery levels drop too low, the engine can automatically start to replenish them via the alternator. You have 100 gallons of diesel split between the front and rear tanks, giving you about 1000 miles of range depending on how harsh the terrain is and what you’re carrying.
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Water systems contain 120 gallons of fresh water in insulated and heated tanks, as well as 55 gallons of grey water. Two 5-gallon cassettes hold black toilet water. UV and particle filtering will keep the drinking water safe and clean. You’ll have a diesel-hydronic heater as well as electric components to keep you and the cabin warm all year, and electric pumps and remote monitoring will make it easy to manage everything from the rig’s touchscreen displays.
The body is comprised of a single piece of vacuum-infused carbon fiber, providing greater strength without adding weight. The frameless windows are huge and provide a superb view of the living room from wherever inside. The electric awning even has LED lighting for a nicely covered outdoor environment. There are also several lockable pockets, a rear bumper storage system, a Pelican box, and a passenger-side slide-out rack to keep your belongings organized. You receive x-guard protection to keep the rig’s paint looking excellent while also protecting against rock chips and trail rash.
When you walk through the integrated entry door, you’ll find yourself in the Mount Princeton floor plan, which features a very sophisticated yet utilitarian arrangement finished in Woodland Timber Oak cabinetry. The galley is designed around a two-burner induction cooktop, a 6-cubic-foot stainless steel refrigerator with a separate freezer, and a 1.5-cubic-foot convection microwave. You have a deep stainless-steel sink with a retractable sprayer and high-quality fittings to make cleanup a snap. Custom quiet-ride organizers keep your cookware, plates, glasses, mugs, and flatware from rattling around, and the slide-out pantry and trash system keep the workplace neat and tidy.
A six-person group can assemble around a dining table that folds down to form a gigantic California-king-sized bed measuring 72 by 84 inches. Upstairs, a separate sleeping room includes its own California-king memory foam mattress, which is easily accessible via a robust ladder and assist handle. The two rear captain’s chairs provide an extremely versatile lounge seating choice that’s ideal for relaxing. You’ll also discover a cedar-lined closet with enough space for all of your belongings, complete with shelving, hanging rods, and a full-length mirror to double-check your appearance in the morning.
The dry bathroom is particularly impressive, with a real stand-up shower with a rain head and a height-adjustable handheld shower wand that allows you to get clean exactly as you want. There’s also a toilet and vanity with high-end fixtures, as well as a laundry combination unit to keep your clothes clean while traveling. The air circulation is decent, with variable speed exhaust fans and just the right amount of intelligent illumination to keep you comfortable.
A 43-inch drop-down ceiling-mounted television with Sonos surround sound and amplifier keeps you entertained in the main living space, while a 32-inch tilt-mount screen with a Sonos Beam sound bar is available in the upper bunk. If you’re off the grid, don’t worry; the 5G-ready cellular wi-fi has a rooftop antenna and integrated Starlink capability, so you can stay connected no matter where you go. A pair of touchscreen control panels provide a quick overview of the power, water, and climate status, which is really helpful for keeping things running smoothly.
The security specs on this thing are also pretty top-notch, with a GOST camera system, a FLIR infrared camera, front facing and rooftop cameras, and even a dash cam view displayed right on the rear view mirror screen. If you’re concerned about privacy, don’t be, because the window tint on the cab and some additional security measures will keep you safe. Carbon monoxide and smoke detectors, a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and other roadside safety features are included as standard.
This XV-SX includes every major factory option we could think of, including a washer/dryer combo, rear captain’s seats, an outside gas grill, more storage options, and a full camera suite. Low mileage, a complete build in Colorado, and a 3 year / 36,000 mile warranty on the conversion work itself, as well as the standard 3 year / 36,000 mile warranty on the underlying Chevrolet, mean this thing is ready to go right out of the box. If you ever need service, EarthRoamer has you covered with its global service network, as the base chassis is pretty much a standard heavy duty truck. [Source]
Shell built a working electric hatchback to prove that fast charging and strong efficiency can exist in the same vehicle without forcing buyers into painful compromises. The company calls the project the Triple 10 Challenge. Three targets sit at its center: 10 kilometers of range per kilowatt-hour of energy used, a lifetime carbon footprint of just 10 tonnes of CO2 equivalent, and a charge from 10 to 80 percent in less than 10 minutes.
This compact vehicle is powered by a 32-kwh battery pack, which is around the same size as those seen in many modern electric vehicles. Despite not having the largest battery pack available, it delivers on its efficiency promises because to the designers’ painstaking attention to keeping the weight low and the cooling system as simple as feasible. The overall design is clean and utilitarian, with no frills, and the front end is simple, with a single wide light bar that sets the tone. Forget the standard glass for side mirrors; this one has a computerized version, and the doors are flat against the body. The wheels are all beautifully covered in alloy-like materials to keep everything operating smoothly.
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The most striking feature is how they prevent the battery from overheating. Shell developed a natural gas-based liquid that does not conduct electricity, allowing them to simply submerge the cells in it and ensure that it remains in contact with the cell surfaces. This allows heat to escape much faster than it would in other systems with channels or plates.
This same fluid travels via a single radiator and simultaneously cools the electric motor and other power electronics, eliminating the need for separate cooling loops. The ultimate result is a 25% reduction in battery pack cost due to the possibility to employ simpler housings and fewer modules. Even while charging on a full-tilt 175kW charger, cell temperatures remain as stable as rock.
This little EV can charge from 0% to 80% in 9 minutes and 54 seconds using a typical 175kW fast charger. That’s an extra 25km of range each minute, and most EVs will slow down their charge rate when they reach 80% because they become too hot… but not this one, which continues to charge as if nothing is wrong. Many thanks to the partners that helped develop our idea into a road-legal vehicle. Empel Systems handled the motor and drive unit, and RML handled the battery integration and final assembly, allowing them to test it in real-world settings rather than simply a lab. [Source]
The Tundra Haul is our top-pick cooler. It’s expensive and big, but Yeti’s rotomolded cooler is the undisputed king for a simple reason—it keeps your stuff cold longer. The Tundra Haul is built like a tank, with 3-inch-thick insulated walls, a heavy aluminum arm, and puncture-proof, one-piece wheels. Fill this thing up and you’ll need a second person to lift it in and out of your trunk (or truck, in my case). I’ve managed to get five days of cold out of it in the insane humidity of Florida in the spring.
Deals on Rain Jackets and Outdoor Apparel
Courtesy of REI
The Rainier is our favorite budget rain jacket, especially when it’s on sale. This particular deal, while limited in color options, is the lowest price I’ve seen in 5 years of covering REI sales. Unlike most rain jackets in this price range, the Rainier uses high-quality three-layer, seam-taped, laminate waterproofing that’s non-fluorinated (meaning no PFAS). It has some other features rare in budget rain jackets, like pit zips or venting, a weatherproof center zip, and an adjustable, stowable hood.
I have the 2024 version of this jacket and it has served me well. The taped seams and welded construction keep wind and moisture at bay, and the side zip vents run all the way from the hem to the bicep, offering great ventilation when you’re moving (they’re also handy for getting at stuff in the pockets of your mid layers).
The best deal here is the women’s version of this classic rain jacket, which is nearly half off in some colors and sizes. The AR (for “all-round”) is the beefiest of Arc’teryx’s Beta jackets. The combination of 40-denier fabric (with 80D reinforced areas) and Gore-Tex Pro 3L membrane make this not just highly waterproof, but very durable as well. When I know it’s going to rain, this is the jacket I bring.
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Photograph: REI
One of my favorite bargain three-season puffer jackets, the REI 650 down jacket, is a cheap, packable option for cold summits or stargazing on chilly nights. The stitched-through baffles mean this one isn’t as warm as some jackets, and it is more susceptible to wind. But at this price, it’s worth buying. The vest is also on sale for $50 ($50 off).
This is a steal on REI’s warmest puffer jacket for kids. My son lived in this jacket all winter and despite getting plenty dirty (you can machine wash and tumble dry it), it’s never let us down. The 650 fill power down matches the adult jacket above, but feels more generously stuffed and therefore warmer (REI does not list a fill weight for the Snowballer).
The Ghost Whisperer Down Jacket is my top pick for a backpacking puffer jacket. It weighs just 6.7 ounces for a men’s medium (7.3 ounces for the men’s large I tested), packs down to a tiny little thing (stuffing into its own pocket), and the 1,000-fill-power goose down offers one of the best warmth-to-weight ratios on the market. Unfortunately, the men’s version is not on sale right now.
If you live in a cold climate, even if it’s not quite Canada, you need this shirt. It’s your classic, ultrawarm wool shirt. Sorry, shirt jacket. Whatever it is, it’s warm, cozy, and comfy. Don’t let the wool scare you, it’s not itchy.
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Courtesy of REI Co-op
The best value pick on our base layer guide, REI’s midweight base layer is pleasantly soft and quick drying. It’s comfortable with a tight, but not overly-tight, fit that makes it easy to layer over. I especially like the thumb loops on the sleeves, and the flatlock stitching keeps these from rubbing under load.
REI’s 100-percent merino base layers are some of the best deals around on merino wool, and that’s when they’re full price. On sale, they’re a true steal. The pants are also on sale for $60.
Looking to avoid the sun? REI’s Sahara Shade hoodie is a great alternative to sunscreen. I don’t often use a sun hoodie myself, but I have worn this one and it does do a good job of protecting you without feeling too stuffy on a hot day (it’s definitely better for protecting against high altitude sun rather than humid, Florida sun).
Nemo’s Resolve is a great pack that incorporates a low-waste footprint into the design. It uses solution-dyed fabrics, and eschews straps and buckles in favor of bungees and pull-tabs. This does make adjusting it fussier, but once you’re used to it and have the fit dialed in, it’s not an issue. The Resolve is a comfortable pack. While technically frameless, it feels like it has some structure. and it sits nice and high on your back. At just over two pounds, it’s also pretty light.
I own a very dirty, somewhat sad looking older version of this Deuter day pack, and the suspension system is so comfortable that I still regularly load it down with way more than the recommended weight. I found the same to be true of this updated version when I tested it last year. It’s a comfortable, capable day pack and Deuter’s ventilation system is the best I’ve used, keeping your back from turning into a sweaty mess in summer heat.
This one has yet to be added to our daypack guide (I’ll be updating it soon), but I’ve been very impressed with the ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) ripstop body fabric, which manages to be durable, but not annoyingly crinkly the way some UHMWPE packs are. 22 liters is spacious enough for day hikes and the mesh rear pocket helps expand that capacity for things you want close at hand.
This humble lumbar pack, which Mountainsmith has been making seemingly forever, is my most used pack, thanks in part to its convertible nature. It can be worn as a lumbar pack (which I do when riding my bike), or as a a shoulder bag around town. I’ve also devised a way to strap it to the handle bars of my bike (it’s amazing what you can do with some voile straps), and to the outside of a Mystery Ranch backpack (to use as a daypack/outside storage). I have the 9L version, but if I were doing it over again I’d get the 13L to have a bit of extra space.
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A long time WIRED favorite, Peak Design’s everyday pack is a chic and understated, endlessly adaptable, and easy-to-use pack that can go everywhere you go—from the woods, to the office, to the bar. The greatness is in the thoughtful design details. For example, there are quick-release loops on the arm straps to swiftly loosen one just enough to swing the bag around and get your keys or wallet while standing or walking.
This is the pack I started my kids backpacking with. It’s one-size, so you might want to head to an REI store to make sure it fits, but it’s a comfortable, capable, reasonably-priced first backpack for kids. REI rates it for ages 8 to 12 years, but probably the more pertinent spec is that it fits best at between 4’9″ to about 5’3″.
Deals on Ebikes and Outdoor Tech
Photograph: Michael Venutolo-Mantovani
The Lectric XP is the most popular electric bike, and the third-most-popular electric vehicle of any kind. The only thing more popular than this is Tesla’s Model Y and Model 3 cars. Lectrics are notably the easiest bikes to assemble—reviewer Michael Venutolo-Mantovani only took 20 minutes to put it together—and it’s foldable, portable, and very attractive, especially in this forest green color. It has a powerful 750-watt motor, and even though it had to carry 225 pounds of human reviewer, the battery lasted well over 50 miles.
This Class 3 ebike tops out at 28 mph, but has some high-quality components for the price: a Shimano Deore 10-speed drivetrain, a 120-mm RockShox Judy Silver TK Air Fork, and Tektro Orion Quad Piston brakes. The TrailRush also has extras like a dropper seat post and huge 29-inch Maxxis Minion tubeless-ready tires for covering serious ground. Sure, who wouldn’t love to have the $11.5k Specialized S-Works Levo 4? But if that’s not in the budget, this is a great, less expensive option.
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We’ve tried several Aventon models and appreciate the high level of quality for a relatively low price point (the accessories are better than Lectric’s, too). This fat-tire ebike is affordable, versatile, and has built-in commuter essentials. We also like the Abound, which is on sale, too.
We’ve tested several GoTrax’s escooters, but we like the company’s folding, step-through ebike as well. It has the usual pitfalls of a cheap folding ebike (heavy, awkward), but it has a decent 20-mile range and all the commuter essentials for well under $1,000.
Photograph: Kieran Alger
I have yet to do a trip with a satellite communicator, but I do understand why people use them. If I were to bring one along, this is the one I’d get. It’s tiny, light (3.5 ounces), and easily stashable. It utilizes the super-fast Iridium satellite network, so you can send a rapid SOS from pretty much anywhere. There are extra features like waypoints and interval tracking, and it plays nice with compatible Garmin watches.
The Venu 4 was notable for introducing Sleep alignment, a new piece of information about sleep that aims to help you pick the right time to go to sleep in accordance with your natural circadian rhythm.
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Camping Deals
Before you head out to your local state park this summer, check out our guides to the Best Tents, Best Sleeping Pads, and Best Camp Stoves for all our camping gear recommendations.
Photograph: Scott Gilbertson
REI’s Base Camp tent is the best-designed, best-built six-person tent I’ve tested. It’s a traditional dome tent design, with two crossed poles and two side poles. The tent floor is high-quality 150-denier (150D) polyester, while the sides are a combination of mesh and 40D nylon. There’s loads of storage pockets, double doors, great vents, and huge windows, making it comfortable even in summer heat. It’s also one of the few family-size, three-season tents on the market with a nearly full-length rain fly (made of 75-denier polyester).
The Marmot Halo is my favorite all-weather 4-person family tent. It features a low-profile design, with steep sidewalls, and a reliable, nearly full-length rain fly, which, when combined, make this a livable haven in a storm. The name comes from the unusual pole design. There are two cross poles, like every square, domed tent, but the side poles connect halfway up the tent body instead of at the ground. This gives the Halo steeper sidewalls—and therefore more usable space—than any other tent I’ve tested. The downside is that you can’t stand up in it.
Courtesy of Coleman
REI sales are the time to grab this upgrade stove. Sure, the basic version below gets the job done, but the cast iron burners of the Cascade 3-in-1 are so much nicer and more durable. The griddle plate is also handy, perfect for cranking out pancakes. My only gripe is that I wish there were an option to get two griddles, as I find the grill not nearly as useful.
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Walk around any campground in America and you’ll likely see dozens of these, for good reason. They’re easy to use, last a long time, and aren’t all that expensive. The 10,000-BTU burners are plenty to cook on just about any pan you have (I use cast iron pans on mine), and the electronic ignition means you don’t have to keep track of a lighter.
You could argue this belongs below in the backpacking section, but I just can’t justify the weight of a chair when backpacking. I think of this and others like it as very compact camp chairs. Part of what I like about this chair is that it’s a good example of REI’s basic value proposition succeeding: it’s not the lightest chair you can buy, but it’s sturdy, well-made, and probably light enough. It’s also now outlasted the much more expensive Nemo Moonlight Elite, which ripped during a recent camping trip.
Photograph: Scott Gilbertson; Getty Images
It’s watersports season. If you don’t have a paddle board, it’s time to invest. My favorite paddle board for lazy days paddling at the lake, this Bote is large and stable, making it great for beginners. Despite it’s size, it’s surprisingly nimble and easy to steer, with very good tracking ability. I also love the two-in-one kayak/SUP hybrid design, which means you can turn it into a full fishing rig with Bote’s various add-ons.
Oru’s foldable kayaks are genius—all the boat, none of the size. The Lake is light, reasonably fast, and the cheapest way to get into the world of folding kayaks. As with all Oru’s offerings, the Lake folds origami-style into a roughly 30-inch square that’s just 15 inches deep—small enough to fit in a car trunk or hall closet.
This deal is a combo of our top-pick backpacking water filter and our top-pick water bladder. As the name suggests, the Sawyer is a squeeze filter, but paired with the Cnoc it turns into a gravity filter when you have the time. When I’m not testing something else, this is the filtration system I use, and it’s never let me down. If you don’t want the Cnoc bladder for some reason, the Sawyer is also on sale for $35 ($10 off).
The Katadyn BeFree Water Filter is one of the lightest filters on the market (2.3 ounces, or 65 grams, for the filter and bottle) and a great option for when you want to go as light as possible, like when you’re trail running or on a day hike. The filter is inside the collapsible container. Scoop up some water, screw on the lid, and drink. It doesn’t get any easier than that.
If you’re cooking for a group, this 3-liter pot is about as light as you’re going to find. It’s my go-to pot for family backpacking trips. The hard-anodized aluminum is sturdy and provides good heat transfer. The ceramic nonstick coating makes for easy cleanup (especially paired with the GSI scraper below). You can also nest the 2L version (also $47) inside this one for more cooking options on the trail. If you want to go nuts with it, I haven’t tried it, but you can theoretically also nest the 1.3L version ($39) inside the 2L.
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This is a backpacking must-have for me. It turns cleanup from a tedious chore to a couple of seconds’ work. I’ve even perfected cleaning burnt pans with it: Boil water in the pan to loosen the burnt bits and scrape them out. It’s not a massive savings, but you might as well grab one while it’s a couple bucks cheaper.
Photograph: Scott Gilbertson
If you want to cook in the backcountry, like legitimately cook with ingredients, not rehydrated food, the best stove I’ve tested is the Firebox Nano with the gas burner and diffusion plate. The Firebox Nano is a twig stove, so you have that option as well (I am fortunate to live somewhere I can use this feature), but with summer burn bans in many places, it’s really the gas burner and diffusion plate combo that is the centerpiece here. Together, they spread out the flame enough that cooking on a 10-inch pan is pretty much like cooking on my stove at home. This is a nearly miraculous achievement for a stove setup this small and light (8 ounces).
The Zenbivy sleep system is hands-down the best way I’ve slept in the backcountry, and the Light Bed is my favorite Zenbivy. It’s not the lightest (that’s the Ultralight Quilt), but it’s light enough for me at 1 pound, 12 ounces (or 793 grams) for the 25 degree Fahrenheit large version (and somewhat cheaper than the Ultralight). The Light Bed consists of either the Light Quilt or the Light Convertible Quilt (I like the latter for the option to open it up completely flat) paired with the Light Sheet.
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