We’ve professionally sat in a lot of office chairs, and the Branch Ergonomic Chair Pro has held the top spot in our office chair buying guide ever since we first tested it. It’s easy to spend a lot on an office chair, but this one packs in plenty of features for a relatively modest price. We like it at full price, and we’ve shared deal stories when it has gone on sale for $450 in the past.

Right now, though, it’s down to $400 thanks to the Amazon Spring Sale. That’s $50 cheaper than we’ve seen it before, and so of course, we had to tell you.

Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

Branch

Ergonomic Chair Pro

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Many of the products and gadgets that we recommend are nice to have, but not necessary. Headphones are cool, but you might not need an upgrade. A fancy smart bird feeder is neat, but not crucial. But working from an inefficient, ergonomically poor office setup can wreak havoc on your body. It’s actually bad for you. If you’re sitting at a desk working from a computer, you genuinely, truly need a good office chair.

We recommend this chair for most people because it’s easy to adjust and offers several customizable features. Its armrests, seat, and back can be tilted and maneuvered to dial in the perfect fit for your sit, and there are several different upholstery options available, including leather, vegan leather, and mesh. (Although the Amazon sale only features the mesh option; you’ll have to go to Branch’s website for the other materials.) All of the finishes offer a nice mix of softness, durability, and breathability. You could spend a lot more money for a little more customization, some higher-end materials, or even more adjustments, but we think this mesh version does a darn good job for what you’ll pay and what most people need. Snagging it for $100 less is a no-brainer if you’re in the market.

Laser Welding is apparently the new hotness, in part because these sci-fi rayguns masquerading as tools are really cool. They cut! They weld! They Julienne Fry! Well, maybe not that last one. In any case, perhaps feeling the need to cancel out that coolness as quickly as he possibly could, YouTuber [Wesley Treat] decided to make a giant version of his own head.

[Wesely] had previously been 3D scanned as part of the maker scans project, which you can find over on Printables. Those of you who really hate YouTubers, take note: finally you have something  to take your frustrations out on. [Wesely] takes that model into Blender to decimate and decapitate– fans of the band Tyr may wonder if the model questioned his sword–before feeding that head through an online papercraft tool called PaperMaker to generate cut files for his CNC. There are also a lot of welding montages interspersed there as he practices with the new tool. [Wesely] did first try out his new raygun on steel in a previous video, but even knowing that, he makes the learning curve on these lasers look quite scalable.

While we’re not likely to follow in [Wesely]’s footsteps and create our own low-poly Zardoz– Zardozes? Zardii?– using a papercraft toolchain and CNC equipment with sheet aluminum is absolutely a great idea worth stealing. It’s very similar to what another hacker did with PCBs— though that project was perhaps more reasonable in scale and ego.

We are no strangers to papercrafts that use actual paper here, either, having featured everything from model retrocomputers to fully-mobile strandbeasts. 

Company establishes dominant position on world’s largest retail platform while building multi-channel distribution strategy

Innovative Eyewear, Inc. (NASDAQ: LUCY) has emerged as the clear category leader in the rapidly growing smart safety glasses segment, capturing approximately 44% market share on Amazon.com according to recent market analysis. This dominant position on the world’s most popular retail platform validates the company’s product strategy and provides a powerful foundation for broader retail expansion in 2026.
The achievement is particularly significant given that Lucyd Armor represents the only smart safety glass available on the platform with full safety certification in the United States, according to company research. This combination of regulatory compliance, smart features, and consumer accessibility creates a defensible competitive position that would be difficult for new entrants to
replicate quickly.

Market Leadership Built on Product Innovation

Lucyd Armor has distinguished itself in the market by offering a unique combination of features that address real workplace needs. The product line delivers ANSI Z87.1+ certified protection alongside high-fidelity audio, hands-free walkie communication features, photochromic lenses, and prescription adaptability, all within a single frame design.This comprehensive feature set addresses a significant gap in the industrial and commercial safety eyewear market, where workers have historically been forced to choose between safety compliance and connectivity. Lucyd Armor eliminates this tradeoff, allowing professionals across construction, manufacturing, logistics, and other industries to maintain communication and access to information while meeting safety requirements.
The product’s appeal extends beyond traditional industrial applications. Recent enterprise adoption includes a top-five global logistics company that placed an initial order to utilize Lucyd Armor with the Lucyd app’s Walkie feature, enabling secure, hands-free team communication through private encrypted channels.

Amazon as Strategic Foundation

Amazon’s role as both a consumer discovery platform and a business purchasing channel makes the company’s 44% market share particularly valuable. The platform serves as a primary research and purchasing venue for both individual consumers and business buyers, providing Innovative Eyewear with exposure to diverse customer segments. The Amazon channel also provides valuable market intelligence. Real-time sales data, customer reviews, and competitive positioning insights allow the company to rapidly iterate on product development and marketing approaches. This feedback loop has informed product expansions including the introduction of multiple Lucyd Armor variants to address specific use cases and preferences.
Customer reviews on Amazon have consistently highlighted the product’s audio quality, comfort for all-day wear, and successful integration of safety certification with smart features. This organic customer validation reinforces the company’s product-market fit and provides social proof for prospective buyers researching the category.

Multi-Channel Expansion Strategy

While Amazon market leadership provides an important foundation, Innovative Eyewear has been systematically building distribution across complementary channels to maximize market reach and reduce platform concentration risk. The company’s products are now available through major national retailers including Walmart.com, Target.com, BestBuy.com, and DicksSportingGoods.com. This expansion into established retail ecosystems provides access to millions of additional customers who prefer shopping through these familiar platforms. Simultaneously, the company has been developing its optical industry presence through participation in major trade shows including Vision Expo West, MIDO Milan, and SILMO Paris. These efforts have resulted in approximately 40 new optical industry accounts and initial orders from key European markets including the UK, Romania, Greece, Spain, and France. The B2B channel development extends to specialized industrial and safety equipment distributors. By making Lucyd Armor available through channels where businesses already purchase personal protective equipment, Innovative Eyewear can accelerate adoption among commercial customers who may not discover the product through consumer retail channels.

Certification Advantage Creates Market Barriers

The company’s investment in obtaining comprehensive safety certifications across multiple jurisdictions creates meaningful barriers to competitive entry. Lucyd Armor now carries ANSIZ87.1+ certification for U.S. markets, CSA Z94.3 for Canada, and EN 16639:2018 for European markets.

These certifications require significant time and investment to obtain, involving rigorous testing protocols and compliance documentation. For competitors seeking to enter the smart safety eyewear category, this regulatory burden creates delays and costs that protect InnovativeEyewear’s first-mover advantage.The certification strategy also enables geographic expansion. With compliance already secured for North American and European markets, the company can rapidly scale distribution in these
regions without additional product development or testing delays.

Looking Ahead to 2026

Management has indicated that the company’s product mix and global fulfilment network position it to scale distribution across hardware, retail, and optical chains throughout 2026. This suggests upcoming partnership announcements and channel expansion that could significantly amplify the company’s market presence. The combination of Amazon market leadership, expanding multi-channel distribution, regulatory certifications, and demonstrated product-market fit creates a compelling growth narrative for
investors. As smart safety glasses transition from niche product to standard workplace equipment, Innovative Eyewear’s established position and distribution infrastructure should enable it to capture disproportionate value from category expansion. For investors evaluating the wearable technology sector, Innovative Eyewear’s clear market leadership in an emerging category with significant growth potential represents a differentiated opportunity. The company’s success in establishing dominant Amazon share while
simultaneously building diversified distribution demonstrates execution capability that reduces commercial risk.

About Innovative Eyewear

Innovative Eyewear develops and manufactures ChatGPT-enabled smart eyewear under the Lucyd®, Lucyd Armor®, Reebok®, Eddie Bauer®, and Nautica® brands. The company’s mission is to Upgrade Your Eyewear® by offering Bluetooth audio glasses that allow users to stay safely and ergonomically connected to their digital lives through hundreds of frame and lens combinations.

OPPO India has announced a major expansion of its service network across the country. The company is rolling out its Service Center 3.0 Pro to over 150 locations in India, going beyond its earlier plan of 110 centers. OPPO aims to launch more than 50 new service centers by June 2026 as part of this growth.

As smartphones continue to play a major role in everyday activities, the importance of strong after-sales support has increased. OPPO India is working to improve its service quality while making support easier to access for users across India. The brand is clearly focusing on delivering a smoother and more reliable customer experience.

To improve the service experience, the Service Center 3.0 Pro model brings several user-friendly features. OPPO India includes digital check-ins, real-time updates, and clear communication throughout the visit. Customers can see the repair process directly, making it more transparent. The centers also offer a cleaner layout, product display zones, and relaxing waiting spaces.

OPPO is strengthening its service quality by training staff and offering multilingual support, making interactions smoother for users. Customers are often attended to within minutes of arrival. As per Counterpoint Research, the brand is among the top performers in repair transparency, which builds greater trust among users.

Furthermore, the company provides assistance in 19 languages, making it easy for users across regions to interact without difficulty. Additionally, the company provides free pick-up and drop-off services for any repairs. This adds another layer of convenience for customers, especially if they are unable to reach the service center.

The company provides service for most repairs within a day, so customers do not have to wait long to start using their devices. This expansion by OPPO reinforces its dominance by ensuring customers receive reliable, convenient service.

• Systemd now includes a user date-of-birth field for age verification purposes
• Garuda Linux refuses to enforce age checks, citing no legal obligation
• TBOTE Project claims Meta contributes significant funding to push age laws

Recent changes within the Linux ecosystem suggest that age verification could move closer to the operating system level.

An update to systemd introduces a new field for storing a user’s date of birth, designed to support compliance with laws in regions including California, Colorado, and Brazil.

The Meadow slips into a pocket without a second thought. Measuring just 1.3 by 2 by 0.4 inches and weighing four ounces, it feels closer to a good luck charm than a conventional smartphone. The recycled polycarbonate shell has a smooth, understated feel that should hold up well to everyday use, and the three inch square display sits centered in that compact body, clear enough for a quick glance but small enough that lingering on it for too long simply isn’t that appealing. That last part is rather the point.

Setup takes under five minutes and works with your existing phone number, no new SIM required. Calls go to your main phone first, and if that is unavailable Meadow picks up automatically. Messaging works on a similar principle, with one deliberate restriction: only 12 contacts you have approved can reach you by text. Anything from outside that list simply does not come through, which cuts spam and unwanted pings entirely. Leave your main phone behind and an auto-reply lets people know you are unreachable for the time being.

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The app selection is deliberately minimal but covers what most people actually need day to day. You get calls, messaging, a camera, a clock, maps, notes, and weather. Spotify and Apple Music handle music streaming, with local playback and a dedicated app available for podcasts and audiobooks. Strava covers fitness tracking and Uber handles rides. That is the full list, and there is no app store to tempt you into adding more. For anyone who has grown tired of their attention being pulled in a dozen directions at once, that simplicity feels less like a limitation and more like a breath of fresh air.

The hardware is more than capable of handling the lean app selection without any lag, with 6GB of memory and 128GB of storage on board. A single 13 megapixel rear camera is there when you need it, and the absence of a front facing lens is a deliberate trade-off rather than an oversight. Battery life stretches to a day or two of mixed use depending on how you are using it, and USB-C fast charging keeps top-ups quick. Bluetooth handles headphones and speakers without issue, though there is no headphone jack. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, and 4G are all supported, with connectivity managed through a monthly service that costs $10 after the first nine months of free service included with purchase.

Pre-orders are open now at $399, with the price rising to $449 once stock arrives. US customers can expect delivery around June 2026, with each unit coming bundled with a beach pouch, an activity case, and a charging cable.
[Source]

Riders in one European capital will soon be able to summon a self-driving car and pay for it using a familiar app. Uber is collaborating with Pony.ai, a Chinese autonomous car technology startup, and Verne, a Croatian company familiar with the local scene. On March 26, 2026, the three firms revealed their plans, and they’ve decided to kick things off in Zagreb.

You can already witness test vehicles driving around Zagreb as part of the real-world testing procedure. They’re all powered by Pony.ai’s latest autonomous system, Gen-7 technology, which provides them with more than enough intelligence to navigate from A to B without the need for a human driver. They are all Arcfox Alpha T5s, and after the final checks are completed, fare collection will be only a few weeks or months away.

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It all works relatively simply: Pony.ai provides the self-driving technology and software that allows the cars to traverse routes on their own. Given their local experience and presence in Zagreb, Verne owns the cars and manages the day-to-day operations, while Uber integrates the rides into their worldwide network, allowing anybody with the app to order one alongside a regular ride or bike, all from the same app.

Pony.ai has already launched commercial robotaxis in a number of Chinese cities, and the data show that they are covering costs and turning a profit. That track record gives the partners great confidence that they can replicate this success in Europe as well. Verne understands the local roads and rules, as well as client expectations across Europe. Together, they want to avoid the lengthy delays that have hindered other autonomous initiatives throughout the continent.

Next, the partners discuss expanding their fleet to thousands of vehicles and several cities in the coming years. For the time being, Zagreb serves as a proving ground. Success there will be the key to expanding into other European markets, and even beyond. Meanwhile, Verne is working with regulators to ensure that their safety standards remain similar no matter where the service ends up.

Dara Khosrowshahi, Uber’s CEO, says the goal is to make autonomous rides more accessible by combining great technology with a thorough grasp of the local market. James Peng who founded Pony.ai pointed to the same idea noting that proven systems work best when paired with operators who understand each market. Marko Pejkovic who leads Verne put it simply that Europe has waited long enough for real autonomous service instead of endless tests.
[Source]

The first day of the BGIS final has just curtailed. Today, we saw some amazing battle action not just from the top teams but from almost everyone. Still, we had winners and also losers. The biggest winner of today was Soul, which topped the rankings, followed closely by Godlike and VS. At the bottom was Nebula, who had a horrible run of matches. Here’s what the standings look like after day one of BGIS Grand Finals.

BGIS 2026 Grand Finals Standings After Day 1

Day 2 awaits us tomorrow, and it’s historically a day of comebacks in BGMI. We hope to see similar top-tier action. If you missed today’s games, check out our highlights of day 1.

The DJI Mini 3, priced at $299 (was $419), is the type of drone that keeps people coming back for more, and the reasons why are undeniable. With a weight of just under 249 grams, it falls under the FAA registration radar in the United States, allowing you to pull it from your backpack and fly in no time, with no paperwork or licensing to come in the way. That kind of spontaneity transforms a last-minute trip to the park into a legitimate aerial photography opportunity.

Its camera is a true show stopper, especially for an entry-level drone. It has a 1.3-inch sensor that captures 4K footage at 30 frames per second and has enough range to handle both brilliant sky and dark shadows in the same shot – all while maintaining a three-axis gimbal that keeps everything smooth and stable whether you’re banking, ascending, or making fast bends. With just one swipe to switch to vertical mode on your phone, you’re ready to go without having to fool around with cropping.

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The battery life is quite impressive for a drone this small. Standard packs will last 38 minutes in calm conditions, but in the actual world, you’ll get about 25-30 minutes, which is no small feat. Even when the wind comes up, the Mini 3 can withstand gusts of up to 24 mph, which is a huge advantage when you have smaller drones that are prone to getting blown off course. If you lose signal or sight of it, the Mini 3’s built-in hover hold and return to home functions will safely return it to you.

Getting off the ground is easy. Simply switch it on, connect your phone or tablet to the controller, and it will be linked within seconds. The software walks you through the basics in a matter of minutes, and then you can experiment with the automated flight modes; circles, spirals, and all that jazz are just one tap away, making it an excellent choice for beginners who are still learning the controls. The capacity to simply replace parts when necessary alleviates the burden of long-term ownership.

Over the last 5 years, the number of S Pass and EP holders grew by just 400

In debates over foreign labour in Singapore, one claim often surfaces: that foreign professionals are stealing well‑paid, high-skilled jobs from Singaporeans.

But data from the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) figures paint a more nuanced picture that challenges the assumptions behind this narrative. According to provided stats, the number of foreign professionals barely budged between 2020 and mid-2025, and the best-paying sectors are still overwhelmingly held by locals.

Here’s what the numbers actually show.

There are at least 4 locals for every foreign professional

Among Singapore’s foreign workforce, not all passes are created equal.

The ones Singaporeans are particularly worried about are Employment Pass (EP) holders—high-earning professionals cleared to work here based on salary and qualifications—and S Pass holders, the mid-skilled technical workers one rung below.

Together, they’re the foreign hires competing directly with locals for PMET (Professionals, Managers, Executives, and Technicians) jobs, or positions that typically offer higher wages and career progression.

According to online outrage, you might expect this group to have grown significantly over the years, but surprisingly, MOM’s latest Local Employment Outcomes report, released last month, shows otherwise.

From 2020 to 2025, the total number of S Pass and EP holders increased by only 400. That’s not a typo.

From 378,500 in 2020, the total number of these pass holders had actually dipped to 331,200 in 2021, rose slightly to 338,000 in 2022, and then gradually climbed to 378,900 in 2025.

At the same time, the resident workforce, comprising Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents, is gaining ground. The proportion of PMETs (Professionals, Managers, Executives, and Technicians) among employed residents rose from 1.3 million in 2020 to 1.5 million in 2025.

This growth outpaced the combined increase in EP and S Pass holders, showing that locals are not being crowded out. They are, instead, expanding their presence in high-skill roles.

Moreover, there are at least four times more local PMETs employed than foreign S Pass and EP holders in comparable roles—a clear sign that Singaporeans still dominate professional and managerial positions across industries.

The best-paying sectors remain primarily held by locals…

Industry-level data reinforces this picture.

According to MOM’s Job Vacancy report released last year, across all major industries, there is no sector where foreign workers make up more than 25% of PMET roles.

The best-paying sectors still remain dominated by locals. In finance, foreign pass holders account for less than 15% of PMET roles, while Health & Social Services, which includes doctors and specialised healthcare technicians, shows a similar proportion.

Only three sectors—Food & Beverage Services, Construction, and Administrative Services—have the highest foreign employment shares, with foreigners accounting for 40–50% of PMET roles.

These are also the sectors that Singaporeans are typically the least interested in, even at managerial levels, and they offer the fewest quality job openings.

… and it will stay that way

The data makes it very clear: while foreigners do fill some PMET roles, locals remain firmly in control of Singapore’s high-paying, high-skilled jobs.

It is worth noting, though, that the data does not distinguish between Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents, which means some of these roles may be held by foreigners.

However, this distinction does little to change the broader picture. SCs and PRs are both part of the resident workforce, with similar access to opportunities and responsibilities, making them a meaningful measure of local participation.

Resident Singaporeans may only strengthen their hold on high-paying, high-skilled roles in the years ahead.

In Budget 2026, the Government announced further tightening of the foreign workforce criteria, including raising the minimum qualifying salary for Employment Pass holders to S$6,000 (and S$6,600 in finance), and increasing S Pass thresholds as well, to S$3,600 (and S$4,000 in finance).

These changes are not just technical adjustments. They are part of a broader strategy to ensure that foreign hires remain high-quality and complementary, rather than substitutes for local workers. As Prime Minister Lawrence Wong put it, Singapore will remain open to global talent, while ensuring that Singaporeans “remain firmly at the centre of our workforce and our policies.”

In other words, the data already shows that locals dominate the country’s most desirable jobs—and policy is moving in a direction that will prioritise them even further.

• Read other articles we’ve written on Singapore’s current affairs here.

Featured Image Credit: TK Kurikawa/ Shutterstock.com