Few companies are pushing back against the black, oblong smartphone design hegemony in 2026, but RugOne is one of them. It’s part of Ulefon, which has been pumping out ruggedized phones for a few years, and its newest phone, the Xsnap 7 Pro, is very rugged but has a magnetic removable camera unit that can work like an action cam.

Yeah, it made me go “ooh” when I heard about it. (Unfortunately, my sample landed while we report on IFA 2026 here in Berlin. I’ll update this story when I get to see the device in person later this week. The almost cube-shaped camera weighs 39 grams and can record video up to 2.7K resolution at 30fps — it’s not coming for the latest GoPro quite yet. 

RugOne says the module can run for up to 40 minutes on a full charge, with 64GB of built-in storage. It’ll broadcast a preview feed to RugOne’s companion app, up to 50 meters away. It also includes a handful of software features, including distortion correction, horizon lock and a Freeframe shooting mode that captures the full sensor area, so you can crop to vertical or horizontal footage as needed.

The camera is waterproof up to five meters (without any additional protective cases), and the company will also include a companion magnet pendant so you can wear it on your body for capture; it will also work with third-party accessories that support a universal mount.

The Xsnap 7 Pro also has a 50-megapixel “AI main camera” with optical image stabilization, plus a 64MP infrared night-vision camera with IR LEDs for “crisp black-and-white detail” during nighttime wildlife shooting — RugOne’s suggestion, not mine.

And let’s not forget: still a phone. The Xsnap 7 Pro has a 6.67-inch display with 1,700-nit peak brightness and up to 120Hz refresh rates. It packs a MediaTek Dimensity 8400 processor, and the device has strong durability credentials. It’s rated IP68 and IP69K and can handle water submersion up to two meters deep for 30 minutes as well as 1.5-meter drops onto concrete.

While a prototype was teased at MWC 2026 a few months ago, the Xsnap 7 Pro is officially debuting at IFA, with early-bird sales opening on Kickstarter on September 7 at a discounted preorder price of 799 euros (roughly $930). The phone will then go on sale globally sometime next month on Amazon and RugOne’s online store, priced at $999, in Sand Dune and Classic Black.

Walsh stated it is a privilege to represent Ireland’s businesses during a time of considerable change for the economy.

Ireland’s representative body for business and employers yesterday (3 September), announced the appointment of Maureen Walsh to the position of Ibec president for the period 2026 – 2027. 

She was elected by the organisation’s National Council and will succeed Dr Colin Hunt. 

Walsh is the managing director of DeCare Dental Insurance, which she has led from the start-up stage. She also previously served as a member of the Governing Body of GMIT, before the transition to ATU, is a former chair of the Mayo Cancer Support Association and serves on the Local Enterprise Evaluations and Appeals Committee.

Commenting on her appointment, Walsh said, “It is a privilege to lead Ibec and represent Irish business at a time of considerable change for our economy. 

“The resilience that has been synonymous with the Irish economy over the last number of years in the face of considerable global disruption is both a source of pride and a reminder that complacency is the enemy of our future success. 

“Operating from the West of Ireland, I know that the Irish economic success story is not just confined to our major cities, but one that touches towns and villages throughout the country.”

She added, “When it comes to regional development, we must keep Ireland’s momentum up by expanding our infrastructure- from housing and energy to transport and digital connectivity, all of which will be key to enabling our continued growth in all parts of the country.

“Individually, businesses of all sizes are also navigating this generation’s major technological disruption, but by supporting businesses to embrace artificial intelligence and develop future-focused skills, Ireland can be a real net beneficiary here.”

Ibec CEO Danny McCoy said the group is delighted to have Walsh onboard and he commended her track record as an entrepreneur and business leader, alongside her deep commitment to regional enterprise and digital innovation, which he explained gives her an exceptional perspective on the opportunities and challenges facing Irish businesses today.

He said, “Through her leadership of Ibec’s Digital and AI Policy group, and her former role as Regional President of Ibec West, Maureen has already demonstrated a clear commitment to shaping policy that serves businesses of all sizes and locations. We look forward to working closely with Maureen during her term and wish her every success.”

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Power banks are going through a quiet revolution of their own. Just when solid-state power banks started to find a spot, Ugreen has unveiled what could be the next evolution of power banks at its Smart Living Launch Event, far away from the glitz of IFA 2026. The latest from the brand is the Ugreen MagFlow Pro Magnetic Power Bank 10000mAh 25W, which is said to be the world’s first liquid-cooled power bank that combines the convenience of wired charging with wireless top up.

So how does the liquid cooling actually work?

And yeah, you can see the coolant liquid moving across the channel through a transparent window at the front. It’s similar to how Red Magic has implemented liquid cooling in its Red Magic 11S Pro smartphone and the new Red Magic Astra gaming tablet. The rear glass shell on both devices lets you see the coolant liquid flowing through the visible channels.

Coming back to the in-house CryoPulse tech, as Ugreen calls it, the company claims it can reduce heat buildup by half, keeping the power bank up to 18 degrees Fahrenheit cooler. Accompanying the liquid-cooled micro-pump assembly, there’s a copper foil sitting right below the Qi2 magnetic ring for further heat dissipation. I really like the built-in charging cable, which folds and buckle-locks neatly so that you can use it as a strap.

How fast does it actually charge your phone?

Talking about specifications, the wireless pad on the Ugreen MagFlow Pro 10,000 mAh power bank supports 25W Qi2 magnetic charging, letting you fill an iPhone 17 Pro Max from empty to the halfway mark in just 40 minutes. For wired charging, the power bank can output 45W through its built-in USB-C cable, promising a 0% to 65% top-up for Apple’s flagship in just 30 minutes. Charging the power bank, on the other hand, takes 2 hours for a full juice-up.

What about pricing and availability?

There’s also a dedicated USB-C inlet on the power bank, letting you charge three devices simultaneously. Supported charging standards include PD 3.0, Qi2, QC 4.0, and PPS, among others. The asking price of the Ugreen MagFlow Pro Magnetic Power Bank 10000mAh 25W is set at $149.99, which is twice as expensive as a regular 10,000 mAh power bank by the brand with wireless charging support. It’s already up for grabs on Ugreen’s website with a 20% discount, and you can also get it from Amazon’s storefront in the US.

Belkin picked IFA 2026 to give its SoundForm audio lineup a proper glow-up, and this time the focus is squarely on your wallet. The company just announced three new additions, SoundForm Isolate, SoundForm Dot, and SoundForm Play, and together they push ANC and other premium features down to affordable prices. All three will be on display at IFA and start shipping this September.

What do the new earbuds actually offer?

Leading the pack is SoundForm Isolate, Belkin’s most powerful noise-cancelling earbuds yet. They pack up to 45dB of ANC along with three ear tip and wing tip sizes for a snug fit, so they should stay put whether you are commuting or grinding through deep work. Battery life tops out at 32 hours, and a 10-minute fast charge gets you 90 minutes of playback when you are in a rush. All this comes in at just $59.99.

If that is still more than you want to spend, SoundForm Dot might be the better fit. It comes in two flavors, one with ANC and one without, so you only pay for what you actually need. The ANC version offers 30 hours of battery life and costs $39.99, while the non-ANC model drops to $34.99 for an even easier entry into true wireless audio. Both models support Bluetooth Multipoint, so you can jump between your laptop and phone without pairing again.

There’s also something for the kids

SoundForm Play is a pair of over-ear ANC headphones built for kids five and up, complete with an optional 85dB volume limiter to protect young ears. There is also a new Focus Boost feature that plays soundscapes like Seashore and Pink Noise to help kids concentrate during homework or study sessions. 

Battery life is rated at up to 62 hours with ANC off and 45 hours with it on, so it should easily survive a school week. It is priced at $49.99. All three products go on sale this September at belkin.com, Amazon, and select retailers worldwide.

The cuts come despite a 13.9% rise in first-half profit

Real estate manager CapitaLand Investment (CLI) has axed 90 jobs, or about 4% of its Singapore workforce in 2026, The Straits Times reported on Sep 3.

The firm “periodically reviews its organisational structure” to ensure it remains aligned with strategic priorities and long-term business needs, the CLI and the Singapore Industrial and Services Employees’ Union in a joint statement on Sep 3.

Currently, CLI, a unionised company, has 2,200 employees in Singapore, and most of them are based at its office in Capital Tower.

The union said it had been informed of the restructuring exercise in advance and has been engaging with the firm throughout the process, including representing workers’ interests and ensuring that affected employees are treated fairly, with severance packages in accordance with the Collective Agreement.

“Supporting employees is a key priority. Where appropriate, the company will also consider redeployment opportunities within the group,” said CLI and the union.

According to figures released in the firm’s 17th Global Sustainability Report in May 2026, the company had 9,542 staff worldwide in 2025, with 24%—or about 2,290—based in Singapore.

Local employees made up approximately 77% of its Singapore workforce in 2025, with more than 48% of these local employees holding managerial and senior management positions.

Based on a global workforce of over 9,500 employees, the report stated that CLI has maintained a turnover rate of 24% “with no major layoffs.”

CapitaLand Investment is a global real asset manager headquartered where it was listed in 2021. The firm has a strong presence in Asia and operates in over 40 countries, including China and India.

As at Sept 3, job openings on its website showed over 60 Singapore-based roles and internships available in areas such as operations, property management and marketing.

At the real estate manager’s results briefing on Aug 13, chief executive Lee Chee Koon said the firm is weighing a partial divestment of its stake in hospitality arm The Ascott Limited to accelerate growth.

The firm also posted a 13.9% rise in net profit to S$327 million for the first half of the financial year ended Jun 30, up from S$287 million a year earlier.

• Read other articles we’ve written on Singaporean businesses here.

Featured Image Credit: EdgeProp

For anyone who has come to rely on AI chatbots, especially for work, Thursday morning was rough.

According to online reports, including from staffers at the companies that make them, outages shut down some of the most popular AI services: OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Anthropic’s Claude AI, Google’s Gemini and xAI’s Grok.

The widespread outages appear to have started around 9:30 a.m. ET, according to user-submitted reports on Downdetector.

CJ Avilla, an Anthropic developer, said in an X post that infrastructure issues were causing outages across Claude services. A few hours later, he reported that things were back to normal.

Representatives from Anthropic, OpenAI, Google and xAI did not immediately return requests for comment.

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As of this writing, ChatGPT and Claude AI were back to normal, according to their respective status pages. That appears to be the case for xAI’s Grok and Google’s cloud services as well.

AI services often rely on the same cloud computing services, and, as TradingKey points out, this can lead to infrastructure outages across multiple services when things go wrong. Still, it’s unusual for multiple AI services to experience problems at the same time. Avilla’s comment about infrastructure issues could point to problems with cloud service providers such as Amazon or Microsoft.

Though none of the companies involved has yet to confirm a common denominator for the morning outages, Quartz reports that Microsoft Azure problems, which coincided with the outages, may have been a contributing factor.

Omar Gallaga has covered technology, digital culture and other topics for outlets including CNET, NPR, WIRED, Texas Monthly, MSNBC, Consumer Reports, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, The Atlantic and the Austin American-Statesman, where he was a longtime tech reporter, editor and podcaster. He lives in the Texas Hill Country.

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Code discovered in audioOS 27, the HomePod operating system, shows references to a four-speaker setup, new calibrations, and a “Party Mode.”

HomePod owners have been clamoring for a more robust sound system since the original model debuted in 2017. Stereo pairs are phenomenal, but lack the robust audio capabilities of full surround sound systems.

According to a post on the MacRumors forums from user pdfu, the code is available in audioOS 27. It can be found in beta 8 for the second-generation HomePod.

First, there are direct references to tuning files that reference front and rear left and right positions. Front HomePods will handle the audio as usual, while rear HomePods will attempt to fill the space with omnidirectional audio.

These settings only apply to second-generation HomePods but do reference an unreleased model, which may be the new HomePod mini expected later in 2026. The rear channels would also be used for system sounds and Siri.

Depending on what is being played, the HomePods would work together to sync audio for the best effects. Movies and multi-channel audio get dialogue processing, bass management, and dynamic range control.

Spatial audio is also at play, syncing audio differently based on if it is on or off.

Party Mode appears to be a new setting for stereo-paired HomePods. It would focus on spreading the audio around more ambiently rather than focusing on centering the mix on a single perfect listening point.

There is no indication of these features arriving with the OS 27 release cycle. Given the references to unreleased hardware, the features could be waiting on the new HomePod mini, at the least.

The user updf is known for sharing code discovered in betas and has shared things like the Siri AI waitlist being present in the release version of iOS 27. They’ve also shared the file path for finding the code for yourself if you’d like to verify it exists on your own.

Search for file strings like:

• /Library/Audio/Tunings/AID12001/VAD/SoundAutoConfigStrips.plist
• /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/SoundAutoConfig.framework/XPCServices/soundautoconfigservice.internal.xpc/soundautoconfigservice.internal
• /Library/Audio/Tunings/AID12001/VAD/speaker_multichannel_movie_surround.austrip
• /Library/Audio/Tunings/AID12001/VAD/speaker_stereo_party_mode_on.austrip

A good night’s sleep is worth every penny. But it sure is nice to get more for that penny, especially when you’re leveling up for a new mattress and bedding. Investing in a new mattress, pillow, or even just a quilt and sheets isn’t cheap—at least, not for the stuff you want to be buying. The good news? Tuft & Needle, a maker of mattresses, pillows, sheets and more, has coupon codes ready for you to snag so that you can get new bedding without paying top dollar for it. In this economy, that’s a relief to hear. Here’s what you can score with these Tuft & Needle discount codes right now.

Best Tuft & Needle Promo Codes and Coupons

If you’re looking for bedding deals rather than a full-on mattress, Tuft & Needle’s bundle offer has you covered. You can get 15% off Tuft & Needle’s cotton and linen blend quilt ($220) that comes in a couple lovely colors (I’m partial to the earth red cayenne color) when you pair it with a white noise machine ($60) in your cart. Tuft & Needle has the Snooz sound machine available on its site, which is one of the many sound machines we like.

Snooz

Smart White Noise Sound Machine

Top Tuft & Needle Pillow Discounts for Better Sleep

One of the most subtle ways to get a more restful sleep is often a great pillow, and we love the supportive pillow options from Tuft & Needle. The Tuft & Needle Zip Comfort Pillow is an adjustable pillow that allows you to choose between soft, medium, and firm feels by zipping or unzipping the two zippers along the side to adjust to your comfort level. If you’re looking for something more traditional, the Original Foam Pillow stays cool throughout the night and conforms to your head and neck for a better night’s sleep.And my favorite, the Body Pillow, which is ideal for side sleepers with cradling support throughout the body.

Upgrade Your Sleep With Tuft & Needle Sleep Technology

Here at WIRED, we know how technology can help sleep. And Tuft & needle know that too, which has a whole sleep technology section, with tools to help you wind down faster and wake up more refreshed. These include devices and gadgets specifically designed to make the transition between sleep and waking up easier, with white noise machines , a Loftie smart alarm clock, and a Loftie lamp.

The Sunrise Alarms That Actually Woke Me Up

I’ve never been a morning person. This bedside gadget is the only thing that’s ever changed that.

Deals on Our Favorite Tuft & Needle Mattresses

If you’re looking for mattress deals, Tuft & Needle is offering those, too. You can get up to 20% off Tuft & Needle’s range of mattresses, including the T&N Original Mattress, the T&N Mint Mattress, and the T&N Original Hybrid Mattress. I’m personally a big fan of hybrid mattresses since they provide more support (especially since I struggle with back pain while I sleep), but the Original and Mint mattresses are great if you’re more of a foam mattress person.

Unlock a 15% Off Tuft & Needle Coupon

You can get a special 15% off coupon if you’re a veteran, first responder, or a healthcare professional. To claim it, you will have to call Tuft & Needle directly at their customer support line—call the number (877) 842-2586—and they’ll process your order right there over the phone, so be ready to purchase.

Courtesy of Tuft & Needle

Tuft & Needle

Original Hybrid Mattress

More Reasons to Love Tuft & Needle

If you’re unfamiliar with Tuft & Needle, some of its best benefits are the 100-day warranty policy, along with the free shipping and returns (very handy when you’re working with something as large as a mattress!) everywhere in the U.S. except for Alaska and Hawaii. There’s also a 10-year limited warranty for its mattresses. And of course, great sale events, and coupons you can score like the ones listed here.

New Jersey has legalised plug-in balcony solar up to 1,200W, barring local governments from requiring approvals and stopping landlords from blocking installation. Germany wrote the same right into its civil code in October 2024 and now has 1.31 million registered systems at 1.34GW.

New Jersey has legalised plug-in balcony solar. A new law bars municipalities and landlords from blocking portable panels that plug into a household socket, InsideEVs reported.

Governor Mikie Sherrill signed it this week. It takes effect in six months and caps systems at 1,200W. The panels run through an inverter that stops feeding the grid during an outage, which keeps line workers safe.

Local governments can no longer require licensing or approvals, the governor’s office said. Landlords must be notified 14 days ahead and may still restrict placement and size.

The pitch is bills. Sherrill said the units cost a fraction of rooftop solar and can shave up to $50 off a typical monthly bill. Electricity prices have been climbing across the state.

It passed unanimously in both chambers in June. Around 40% of New Jerseyans rent or live in apartments, a group that has never had a way to lower its own power bill, according to advocacy group Permit Power.

Germany settled this two years ago, after its market had already started without one.

Tenants and condominium owners have had a legal right to install since October 2024, written into the civil code and the condominium act. A landlord must give documented reasons to refuse.

German landlords also cannot demand professional installation. New Jersey’s keep control of placement and size, and both regimes require written notice.

The scale is the difference. Germany had 1.31 million systems registered in April at 1.34GW, and the register is thought to capture a minority of what is actually installed.

The power limits differ too. Germany caps inverter output at 800W against 2,000W of modules, and between 85% and 89% of new systems run at the 800W ceiling. The module allowance is more than twice the feed-in cap.

New Jersey’s 1,200W limit is half as much again. Berlin companies have been building solar for renters on the tighter number for years.

The German market being copied is already cooling. Installations fell 14% year on year in the first quarter, to 64,633 from 88,948.

Britain got there a week earlier anyway. Plug-in kits became legal on 27 August, at around £400 for £70 to £110 of annual saving.