ARCAM is pushing the Radia Series beyond two-channel and straight into serious home theater territory. At ISE 2026 in Barcelona, the brand will debut its new Radia AV lineup—AVA15, AVA25, AVA35, and the AVP45 sixteen-channel AV processor, along with PA4 and PA9 power amplifiers.
The three new AVA models are essentially A/V receivers. However, because they do not include traditional AM/FM radio tuners, ARCAM has chosen to label them AVA (Audio/Video Amplifiers) rather than AVR (Audio/Video Receivers). AVP, meanwhile, stands for Audio/Video Preamp or Processor, a term commonly used to describe surround processors that require external power amplification.
The new lineup replaces the AVR11, AVR21, AVR31, and AV41 models introduced in 2022, delivering a full design refresh that brings ARCAM’s home theater components into visual alignment with the existing Radia Series hi-fi models. More importantly, the new AVA and AVP models add support for Dirac Live Active Room Treatment (Dirac ART), a notable step forward over the previous generation, which was limited to Dirac Live and Dirac Bass Control room correction upgrades.
The move positions ARCAM’s new AV components as fully modern cinema hubs, combining Dirac Live room correction with optional Dirac Live Bass Control and Dirac Live Active Room Treatment (ART) upgrades to actively manage low-frequency resonances and reflections. The result is tighter, more controlled bass, improved dialogue clarity, and a wider, more consistent sweet spot—even in asymmetrical or acoustically challenging rooms where traditional correction methods start to show their limits.
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ARCAM Radia AVA15 (front panel identical across the line).
What the ARCAM AVA & AVP Models Share
Dirac: Dirac Live Room Correction is standard, with optional upgrades for Dirac Live Bass Control and Dirac Live Active Room Treatment (ART).
DTS:X: Immersive surround format offering more flexible speaker layout options than Dolby Atmos.
Remote Control: Included Bluetooth remote operates without line-of-sight requirements.
App Control: AVA and AVP models work with the ARCAM Radia app for setup, control, Internet Radio, podcasts, and UPnP playback on iOS, Android, and Windows PCs.
Streaming Support: Apple AirPlay, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Qobuz Connect, and Roon support are all included, enabling direct streaming from lossless music services on Apple and Android devices.
Bluetooth Support: Built-in Bluetooth with Snapdragon Sound and Auracast support.
Front Panel Display: Large, high-resolution front-panel display provides clear system status and metadata visibility from the listening position.
Form Factor: The AVA15, AVA25, AVA35, and AVP45 all share the same chassis dimensions.
What’s New?
The biggest changes over the previous generation of ARCAM AVRs are the new Radia Series design, added support for Dirac Live Active Room Treatment (ART), and an increase from seven to nine built-in amplified channels. These upgrades, however, come with a notable price increase, and both Dirac Live Bass Control and Dirac Live Active Room Treatment remain paid upgrades rather than standard features.
AVA15
AVA15
This AVA15 sits in the entry-level position within ARCAM’s lineup, but the feature set is anything but basic. It delivers nine channels of built-in Class D amplification, with the ability to expand to twelve channels through the use of external power amplifiers. This enables 7.1.2 or 5.1.4 speaker configurations using onboard amplification alone, while adding external amplification opens the door to 9.1.2 layouts. Additional system flexibility is available through configurable speaker assignments for extra subwoofers, height, or surround channels. For users seeking flexible Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support without jumping to a full separates setup, the AVA15 covers a lot of ground.
AVA15
AVA25
AVA25
The AVA25 steps things up with more robust amplification and enhanced audio decoding and processing, featuring nine channels of built-in Class A/B amplification rated at 100 watts per channel for greater control in larger rooms or with more demanding loudspeakers. In addition to Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support, it adds Auro-3D surround sound, includes a Zone 2 output for multi-room configurations, and employs a toroidal linear power supply to deliver stable, consistent power under load.
AVA25
AVA35
AVR35
The top-of-the-line AVA35 also delivers nine channels of built-in amplification but moves to Class G topology, which ARCAM claims offers roughly twice the efficiency of the AVA25’s Class A/B design. According to ARCAM, this results in more controlled, precise performance with greater consistency across the full dynamic range. The AVA35 also benefits from an upgraded DAC architecture borrowed from the Radia Series hi-fi lineup, positioning it as the strongest option of the three for two-channel music listening as well as home cinema duties.
AVA35
AVP45
AVP45
For those who prefer a separates-based approach, the ARCAM AVP45 is designed to serve as the central hub of a home cinema system, offering sixteen unamplified channels of decoding with support for Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, Auro-3D, and IMAX Enhanced. Balanced outputs ensure a clean signal path, while Matrix Channel Assignment enables flexible speaker configurations and includes Zone 2 output for multi-room integration.
As a preamp/processor, the AVP45 requires external power amplification to deliver sound, but that flexibility allows users to choose amplification that best matches their speakers and listening priorities.
AVP45
PA4
Housed in a slimline 1U chassis, the PA4 power amplifier provides four channels of Class D amplification. It can be paired with any multi-channel preamp/processor but is specifically designed to expand ARCAM Radia AV systems. The PA4 can be used to add additional channels to the AVA15, AVA25, and AVA35, or to offload the most demanding power requirements to the front main channels in a home theater setup.
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PA9
Designed to partner with the AVP45 processor, the PA9 provides nine channels of Class D amplification, delivering controlled, effortless power across all channels. Built for high-channel-count immersive systems, the PA9 allows Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and Auro-3D setups to perform at their best when paired with a dedicated processor-based configuration.
Dolby Atmos Dolby TrueHD Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization Dolby Surround DTS:X DTS HD Master Audio DTS Neural:X DTS Virtual:X MPEG H IMAX Enhanced Auro 3D
Dolby Atmos Dolby TrueHD Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization Dolby Surround DTS:X DTS HD Master Audio MPEG H DTS Neural:X DTS Virtual:X Auro 3D
Dolby Atmos Dolby TrueHD Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization Dolby Surround DTS:X DTS HD Master Audio DTS Neural:X DTS Virtual:X MPEG H Auro 3D
App Support
ARCAM Radia Control
ARCAM Radia Control
ARCAM Radia Control
ARCAM Radia Control
Bluetooth Version
5.4
5.4
5.4
5.4
The Competition
There’s no avoiding the fact that the new Radia Home Theater lineup is expensive, with pricing ranging from $4,500 to $7,000. That said, it’s largely in line with competing high-end options, including Denon’s $5,200 AVR-A10H and $7,200 AVR-A1H, as well as the $4,700 Marantz Cinema 30. On the AV preamp/processor side, the AVP45 faces direct competition from Marantz’s $8,000 AV10, $6,000 AV20, and $4,000 AV30.
The Bottom Line
ARCAM’s decision to bring Dirac Live Active Room Treatment to the Radia AV lineup is the defining upgrade. This is not a checkbox feature or marketing noise—it’s a real performance tool that elevates the AVA15, AVA25, AVA35, and AVP45 into serious home cinema territory for listeners who understand that the room is part of the system. What’s new is substantial: the Radia design language, higher channel counts, optional Dirac ART, Bluetooth with Snapdragon Sound and Auracast, HDR10+ Gaming support, and streamlined setup and control via the Radia Control app. What’s missing is equally clear: there’s no AM/FM radio tuner, and Dirac’s advanced processing options remain paid upgrades.
This lineup is aimed at buyers moving beyond mass-market AVRs—people building modern, immersive systems who care about bass control, timing, and consistency across multiple seats, not just a single sweet spot. With the simultaneous launch of the new ARCAM Radia Series loudspeakers at ISE 2026, ARCAM is making a coordinated push into high-performance home theater, offering a complete ecosystem designed for listeners who expect precision, not compromises.
Pricing & Availability
The ARCAM Radia AVA and AVP models will be available from authorized ARCAM dealers from Q3 2026. The PA amplifiers are scheduled for Q4 2026.
Blackmagic Camera is one of the more powerful third-party smartphone camera apps available and it’s now even more useful for solo creators. Blackmagic Design just announced that the latest iOS version 3.3 now supports Apple Watch, letting you control the app and monitor video remotely from your wrist. It also includes ATEM camera control so you can use your iPhone as a live studio camera.
With the new Camera Apple Watch companion app, you can remotely control and monitor your iPhone from anywhere within Wi-Fi range. It lets you start and stop recording, control zoom and adjust settings like frame rate, shutter speed (angle), white balance and ISO with a tap. You can also see a view of your video for framing control, though a Watch screen is probably a bit too small to accurately check focus.
The Watch app will benefit solo creators who want to mount their iPhone on a tripod to record standup or vlogging activities. To set it up, you install the Watch app through your iPhone and it will automatically connect and sync to your device.
Use your iPhone as a broadcast camera? Sure, why not (Blackmagic Design)
The other key feature is iPhone control from Blackmagic’s ATEM Mini switcher used by streamers and broadcasters. To use it, you need the $420 Blackmagic Camera ProDock that gives your iPhone 17 Pro or iPhone 17 Pro Max an HDMI output, timecode, USB-C and other ports. Blackmagic Camera now lets you connect a single HDMI cable from the ProDock to an ATEM Mini switcher, then adjust settings, trigger recording, focus and zoom. It also offers a DaVinci primary color corrector so you can match and create digital film looks during live production.
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Finally, Camera now supports Blackmagic’s “Focus and Zoom Demand” controls (a knob and handle) designed for broadcast cameras. When those controls and an iPhone 17 Pro/Pro Max are connected via USB-C to a ProDock as shown above, you can zoom and focus Camera app video without taking your hands off the tripod handles. Together with the ATEM feature, it lets you use an iPhone as a full broadcast camera, which looks slightly weird but is pretty cool.
On top of those features, Blackmagic Design also added ProRes RAW stabilization and general bug fixes and improvements. Blackmagic Camera for iOS 3.3 is available now as a free download from the Apple App Store.
When a need arises, many people instinctively turn to someone they know. A quick message to a friend or a brief conversation often brings clarity, shaped by shared experiences and personal understanding. According to Stanley Fulton, founder of Trusti, this pattern has long guided everyday decisions, offering a sense of familiarity that extends beyond simple information. He notes that over time, digital platforms introduced new ways to explore options, creating access to vast amounts of feedback within seconds.
The scale of online reviews reflects their growing role in decision-making. Data shows that the majority of consumers read reviews before making a purchase, and 93% say those reviews influence their decisions. “Even with how widely reviews are used today, the experience can still feel a bit scattered. People often find themselves checking multiple platforms just to feel confident, paying close attention to how recent, genuine, and thoughtfully written those reviews seem,” Fulton says. A survey highlights that consumers increasingly expect recent, high-quality reviews and timely responses from businesses, signaling a desire for engagement that feels active and personal.
Trusti was developed with this insight in mind, offering a platform where recommendations flow through micro-communities built on common experiences. These communities may include coworkers, parents, educators, or local groups, each contributing perspectives that feel relevant to their members. Fulton emphasizes that within this environment, reviews may take on a more conversational quality, echoing the way people exchange advice in daily life. The platform’s new four-click review process further supports this dynamic, allowing users to share their experiences with ease while maintaining clarity and simplicity.
To encourage engagement, Trusti incorporates a coin-based system that rewards participation across the platform. Users earn coins by sharing recommendations, contributing reviews, and engaging with their communities. These coins can be used within the Surf Shop, a marketplace where businesses introduce offerings and connect with interested audiences. This system creates a cycle of contribution and discovery, where participation supports visibility and interaction fosters connection.
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The Surf Shop itself reflects an effort to make exploration feel dynamic and community-oriented. Members can browse recommendations, follow discussions, and encounter businesses highlighted by their networks. This environment encourages ongoing interaction, allowing users to remain connected to evolving conversations while discovering new opportunities within familiar circles.
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Another layer of insight emerges through the “Where the Pros Go” feature, which draws on professional networks to highlight trusted expertise. “Recommendations from experienced professionals tend to carry a certain level of credibility, since they come from real, hands-on knowledge. Bringing that perspective into the experience gives people a broader way to explore their options, with input from both personal connections and professional insight,” Fulton explains.
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For businesses, particularly smaller enterprises, Trusti’s model may offer meaningful visibility. “Bigger organizations tend to gather a lot of reviews across different platforms, which makes them easier to find when people search. For smaller businesses, so much of their reputation lives in personal referrals and community connections, and that doesn’t always show up the same way online,” Fulton explains. Trusti provides a bridge by helping amplify those existing relationships in an online setting.
Fulton regards this aspect with a sense of purpose shaped by experience. “Small businesses represent effort you can feel and stories you can follow,” he remarks. “Helping them connect with people who appreciate that journey adds a different kind of value.” His view highlights the importance of creating pathways where local enterprises can be discovered through meaningful interactions, aligning digital presence with the trust they cultivate offline.
Trusti’s broader vision also connects to a nonprofit Fulton founded, The Each Child Foundation (ECF), which reflects his longstanding interest in supporting communities beyond commerce. The foundation focuses on early childhood development and family well-being, emphasizing the importance of creating environments where individuals can thrive. This connection adds another dimension to the platform’s purpose, linking everyday interactions with a wider commitment to social impact.
Overall, Trusti builds systems that align with how people naturally seek guidance, allowing digital tools to extend the reach of trusted relationships. “I like to call it HI or human intelligence, using human ingenuity to solve human pain points,” Fulton shares. This approach values both innovation and familiarity, bringing them together intuitively.
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As digital environments continue to evolve, approaches that listen closely to human behavior offer meaningful direction. Trusti illustrates how platforms can reflect everyday patterns of trust, creating connected experiences. In doing so, it contributes to a broader conversation about how technology can support relationships, helping individuals and businesses engage with one another naturally.
A recall notice is one of those things that no vehicle owner wants to read about in the news. Alas, in the age of mass-produced cars, trucks, and SUVs, they are often unavoidable, and can sometimes even affect the overall safety of your vehicle. That may well be the case for a mass automotive recall recently initiated by Japanese automaker Toyota.
For the record, that recall does not include any Toyota-branded vehicles. Instead, it is focused on various models from Toyota’s luxury shingle, Lexus, and includes vehicles that were manufactured between the 2015 and 2022 model years. That time span reportedly covers more than 9,100 vehicles, including Lexus RCs made between 2015 and 2022, Lexus GSs manufactured between 2016 and 2020 and IS models from the 2022 class.
According to statements from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the issue with the recalled vehicles is a faulty fuel pump impeller. The NHTSA statement confirms the problematic pumps — which are located in the fuel tank and are designed to pump fuel into the vehicle’s fuel injection system — contain an impeller manufactured from “a certain material” that may be prone to swelling. It may even swell to the point that it interferes with surrounding components, which could eventually cause the fuel pump to fail. Such a failure would likely cause the vehicle to stall, and as that could happen while the car is in motion, the risk for drivers being involved in a dangerous on-road crash is significantly elevated.
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What to do if your Lexus is included in the recall
Steve Lagreca/Shutterstock
Just to re-iterate, there are no Toyota models included in the recall, so that brand’s reputation for reliability should not be affected. Likewise, for the time being, no other Lexus models are included either, with reports showing that the fuel pump issue originated from a single supplier and production facility. Per Lexus, engine failure may not be the ultimate result of the fuel pump issue, which could only produce an illuminated Check Engine light or an engine that won’t start, so you’ll want to pay attention to such issues.
Per reports, Lexus will be sending an official recall notice to the owners of any vehicles affected by the fuel pump recall. It would seem, however, that those notices are not slated to be mailed out to owners until June 8 of 2026. The question then becomes what owners of affected Lexus vehicles who don’t want to wait until June can do about the recall?
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If your vehicle is included in the Lexus recall, your first point of order should be to reach out to Toyota’s customer service division at 1-800-331-4331 for guidance. You will likely need the recall numbers when you make that call, by the way, which are 26LB05 and 26LA05. You can, reportedly, also skip that step entirely, with outlets noting drivers can simply take their recalled Lexus directly to a local dealer. Said dealer should replace the faulty fuel pump assembly free of charge. You will, however, be without your vehicle while that repair is being made. So, be sure to plan accordingly.
Looking for the most recent Mini Crossword answer? Click here for today’s Mini Crossword hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Wordle, Strands, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.
Need some help with today’s Mini Crossword? It’s kind of a fun one, and the clue for 2-Down is simply a familiar shape. Read on for all the answers. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.
If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.
SNK and Plaion introduced an all-new NEOGEO AES+ console, allowing aficionados of the original hardware to play their old favorites in spectacular high definition on current screens. This console hits stores on November 12 and is available for preorder right now through the official website.
The console is based around re-engineered chips that copy that exact behavior of the original 1990 model rather than faking it with software, so every game operates exactly as it did in the arcades. You get access to every original NEOGEO AES cartridge ever manufactured, which is a terrific place to start; however, there are several brand-new titles designed particularly for your system. The console supports enormous games that even earlier systems can’t handle, like hundreds of megabytes, and then sends a crisp clear 1080p HDMI output to your television almost instantaneously. If you still want to use a CRT, there is an AV connector that you can plug into.
14 pre-loaded NEOGEO games including: Metal Slug X, Fatal Fury Special, Samurai Shodown II, Alpha Mission II, Blazing Star, King of the Monsters…
Works with all Evercade cartridges – this includes over 60 cartridges and 500+ games.
USB-C charging for fast charging.
At the bottom of the console, there are small dip switches that let you to change the language settings or mess around with the display modes if that’s your thing. If you have a memory card accessible, your high scores will be preserved for good. Furthermore, the power consumption is low, allowing the console to remain cool even after extended gaming sessions. There are two versions launching at the same time: the standard black one costs $250 / £180 / €200, and the 35th Anniversary Edition, which comes in a rather fetching white finish, costs $270 / £270 / €300, and includes a very nice looking white Metal Slug cartridge that cannot be purchased separately.
Each shipment will include the console, a power supply, an HDMI cable, and one of the old wired arcade sticks, constructed to match the originals, to get you started. At launch, you can also add other peripherals, such as a wireless version of the stick, a gamepad with the conventional layout, and a memory card that does not require a battery. To give you a head start, ten games will be released alongside the hardware, including Metal Slug, The King of Fighters 2002, Garou: Mark of the Wolves, Big Tournament Golf, Shock Troopers, Samurai Shodown V Special, Pulstar, Twinkle Star Sprites, Magician Lord, and Over Top. Each one will cost roughly £70 / €80, by the way.
If you’re a collector looking for the full package, you should be able to get the Ultimate bundle, which includes the console, every single accessory in both wired and wireless form, all ten launch games, a rather nice-looking game rack, and a slew of extra cables, all wrapped up in some limited-edition packaging.
A Microsoft Surface tablet at Lumen Field in Seattle on Wednesday running Copilot as it’s seen by Seahawks and other NFL personnel who use the devices and technology during games. (GeekWire Photo / Kurt Schlosser)
When Bill Belichick famously spiked a Microsoft Surface tablet as the New England Patriots head coach in 2016, the moment was a symbol of frustration with technology on the sidelines.
But inside the company, it actually became a point of pride. Thomas Labuzienski, a senior partnerships manager at Microsoft, shared the rest of the story with us this week: the Belichick device made it back to the company — where testing showed, amazingly, that it still worked.
That rugged (and apparently indestructible) hardware remains the tech giant’s most visible presence on NFL game days. But these days, the action is inside: Copilot, AI agents, and live data tools that are changing how coaches, players, and scouts prepare and compete.
That was one of the takeaways from an event Wednesday at Seattle’s Lumen Field, where Microsoft walked content creators and this reporter through some of its latest NFL technology. High above the field, social media and YouTube influencers posed for photos and selfies with a Microsoft Surface Copilot+ PC much like NFL fans would with their favorite players.
It was an off-season glimpse into the evolution of Microsoft’s partnership with the league, which started in 2013 and was extended last summer to go deeper on AI and cloud tools.
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Just as with business workflows, these tools are changing how teams operate on and off the field. One big benefit of AI, Microsoft says, is speed: getting the right information to the right person fast enough to shape the next play call or adjustment. But the coaches, players, and staff are ultimately still calling the plays, both literally and figuratively.
“We’re not using AI and technology to make decisions for them,” Labuzienski said. “They’re the experts. They know what they’re trying to do.”
Even with baseball and soccer well under way, Microsoft seems as excited as ever about football, especially with its hometown Seahawks coming off a Super Bowl championship.
Here’s what we saw and learned during the event:
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In a suite at Lumen Field, Thomas Labuzienski, a senior partnerships manager at Microsoft, shows off Copilot functionality on a Surface tablet like those used by NFL players and coaches. (GeekWire Photo / Kurt Schlosser)
Copilot filtering: The NFL’s Sideline Viewing System now features Copilot-powered filters that let coaches and players instantly sort plays by down, distance, quarter, and gain type.
Labuzienski demonstrated how a play that took a minute to find manually could be located in seconds using the filters. “That five seconds can mean giving my coach the right information so they can make the right adjustment or the right play call,” he said.
Excel on the sidelines: One analyst per team has access to a real-time Excel dashboard in the coaches booth that pulls live play-by-play and player usage data from the NFL.
Coaches can load custom templates before the game and use Copilot to run analyses on the fly — tracking formation tendencies, snap counts, and player load without having to manually write formulas mid-game.
NFL Combine: Microsoft built a custom AI agent trained on 10 years of NFL Combine data, allowing scouts to query prospects using natural language. This helps teams assess players faster than ever during one of the most time-sensitive periods of the NFL calendar.
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For example, Labuzienski said, “If I really love this defensive lineman, I can pull his data compared to other prospects over the last 10 years.”
Tablets on game days: Hardware is still a key part of the equation, of course. Labuzienski said there are 2,500 Copilot Plus PCs throughout the league on game day, with 20 on each sideline, and 10 in each coach’s booth.
Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald. (GeekWire File Photo)
Tech as a coaching advantage: Back when Belichick got his start, NFL sidelines relied on thermal printers hardwired to stadium cameras. It was a process that took minutes, with runners ferrying photos into binders for coaches and players on the sidelines.
Technology has transformed all of that, and a new generation of coaches has grown up never knowing anything different.
Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald, who has openly embraced his reputation as a “football nerd,” is a prime example. Labuzienski said he represents exactly the kind of coach Microsoft has built its NFL partnership around. Macdonald views technology as a differentiator across the league and has said it’s an advantage for the Seahawks to embrace it.
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Even coaches less enthusiastic about AI are coming around, Labuzienski said, if only to avoid falling behind. “They do, sometimes begrudgingly, study up and make sure they get the most out of the technology,” he said.
A view of the new Hawks Nest seating area at the north end of Lumen Field, with a real grass playjng surface installed for the FIFA World Cup this summer. (GeekWire Photo / Kurt Schlosser)
Digital-first players: Labuzienski said he’s seen players become some of the most engaged users of sideline technology — sometimes more so than the staff around them.
“I was at the preseason game with the Bills against the Bears, and after every single drive, Josh Allen picked up this device,” Labuzienski said of the Bills QB. “He was talking with the other quarterbacks, and they were using it to go through the plays from that previous series.”
The system is designed to make that kind of real-time collaboration easy. The 20 devices on each sideline are all connected, with coaches in the booth able to write notes directly to individual player profiles — so a quarterback picking up a tablet can instantly see what his position coach upstairs is flagging, without having to radio up or wait for a break in the action.
That dynamic is likely to only deepen as younger players enter the league.
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Microsoft was at last year’s Rookie Premier — an event where roughly 40 top draft picks gather for brand activations ahead of their first NFL season — and showed the incoming class the Sideline Viewing System for the first time. The reaction was telling.
“A lot of them really quickly picked it up and were able to click around,” Labuzienski said. “They’re very digital-first — very savvy.”
The app works with passports or ID cards, is built to be “completely anonymous” for the people who use it, works on any device (smartphones, tablets, and PCs), and is open source. “Best of all, online platforms can easily rely on our age verification app, so there are no more excuses,” said European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen at a press conference on Wednesday. “Europe offers a free and easy-to-use solution that can protect our children from harmful and illegal content.”
High Expectations
“It is our duty to protect our children in the online world just as we do in the offline world. And to do that effectively, we need a harmonized European approach,” von der Leyen said at Wednesday’s press conference. “And one of the central issues is the question, how can we ensure a technical solution for age verification that is valid throughout Europe? Today, I can announce that we have the answer.”
This answer takes the form of an open source app that any private company can repurpose, as long as it complies with European privacy standards and offers the same technical solution throughout the European Union. The user downloads the app, agrees to the terms and conditions, sets up a pin or biometric access, and proves their age through an electronic identification system, or by showing a passport or ID card (in which case biometric verification is also provided). The app does not store your name, date of birth, ID number, or any other personal information, according to the European Commission—only the fact that you are over a certain age.
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After that, when a person using the app wants to access a social network (minimum age: 13), pornographic site (minimum age: 18), or any other age-protected content, if they are logged in from a computer, they need only scan the QR code shown on the site they want to visit. If, on the other hand, the person logs in from a smartphone, the app sends the proof of age directly. The platform does not access the document with which the user proved it in the first place.
Adoption Event
The need to introduce a common system for the entire European Union has been discussed for some time, and according to commission technicians, the technical work is now complete. Of course, it will still be possible to circumvent the system—all it takes is for an adult to lend their phone to a younger friend—but the technological architecture exists, and it will be up to EU member states to decide whether to integrate it into national digital wallets or develop independent apps.
“No More Excuses”
For the app to really be effective, platforms must be obligated to verify the age of their users—that’s where things get tricky. The Digital Services Act, which went into effect in 2024, requires “very large online platforms”—those with more than 45 million monthly users in the European Union—to take concrete steps to mitigate systemic risks related to child protection, with heavy penalties for noncompliance.
“And that’s why Europe has the DSA: to call online platforms to their responsibilities. Because Europe will not tolerate platforms making money at the expense of our children,” European Commission executive vice president Henna Virkkunen told a press conference. She added that after an investigation into TikTok, the European institutions plan to take similar action against Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat, as well as four porn sites. “Since the platforms do not have adequate age verification tools, we developed the solution ourselves,” he concluded. In short, as von der Leyen also remarked, “there are no more excuses.”
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Bare Minimum
So far, this is the European framework that sets the general rules. On this basis, member states can consider more restrictive measures. Italy was among the first to discuss how to regulate the use of social media by minors but has so far not landed on anything concrete. Elsewhere in the EU, France’s Emmanuel Macron has been a trailblazer on the issue, pushing France to discuss a rule to ban social networks for minors under the age of 15 entirely. So far, this measure has received broad political support—but the outcome depends largely on compatibility with the Digital Services Act and the availability of effective age verification systems like the app the European Commission just released.
This article originally appeared onWIRED Italiaand has been translated.
Chargers are often tucked into drawers and bags because most of us simply plug them in and forget about it, but Anker’s Nano 45W Smart Charger, priced at $27.99 (was $40), is different. Travelers are constantly looking for gear that does not take up too much room, and the Nano is a game changer. It’s small enough to put in a pocket or a carry-on, yet it delivers an impressive 45 watts of power via a single USB-C port. The prongs fold up in two directions.
When you plug it in, the charger comes to life and displays all of the information on its small screen right in front of you. The latest iPhone models, starting with the 15 series, provide instant ID and display the actual phone name, amount of electricity coming through, battery level, and even the device’s temperature. This is very cool since it transforms what was once just a wall socket into a helpful small gadget that keeps you updated. It charges in three stages so that the charger does not overheat and you do not risk burning out your battery.
Smart iPhone Recognition with Care Mode: Automatically recognizes supported iPhone models and adjusts charging for smarter, safer power delivery…
45W Max Fast Charging with Smart Power Adjustment: Delivers up to 45W of high-speed charging while adjusting output based on your battery level…
Smart Display Controls: Tap once to view real-time charging status, double-tap to switch between modes, and press for 2 seconds to rotate the screen…
As a result, if your phone is supported, it can charge to half capacity in about 20 minutes, and this is not limited to phones. This works with tablets and lighter laptops as well, but it’s mainly designed for Apple devices because they’re always going to be the most comfortable with them. Leave it on your desk or nightstand and you’ll be able to see the status of your phone without having to unlock it. There’s no need to worry about it getting too hot or taking too long because it’ll all come naturally.
Anker definitely got it perfect with the Nano. With compatibility across a wide range of USB-C devices, it’s the one adapter that can do it all, regardless of your phone’s brand. As a result, you can travel light while remaining charged. When you go home, the same charger continues to provide you with detailed information on each session. The charger adjusts its output based on what it has learnt about your device, so your batteries will eventually care after themselves.
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Once you’ve seen the light, or gotten used to using a smart charger, switching back to a standard charger feels sort of boring. Anker identified a genuine need for a quick, portable charger that tells you what’s happening on and simply nailed it with the Nano.
Tom Stanton has spent years fiddling with many strange flying machines. His current idea cleverly updates a traditional toy. Rubber band planes have been around forever, storing energy in twisted bands that then spin a propeller. The problem is that they must be wound up for several minutes merely to produce a short burst of flight. Stanton sought to create a flying machine that was faster, more practical, and could be built with easily accessible components.
Instead of relying on rubber bands, Stanton used supercapacitors to store energy. A hand crank generator charges the capacitors up to a 10-farad unit, which weighs just 3 grams and takes just a few seconds to charge. To keep an eye on things, an analog voltmeter is used to ensure that the voltage does not exceed 2.7 volts and destroy the capacitor. Once fully charged, the capacitor powers a small brushed motor repurposed from a toy drone, which propels a propeller engineered to work efficiently with the capacitor’s low voltages.
PILOTED FLIGHT – Grab a sheet of paper, fold it, and go! Instantly put yourself in the cockpit of an amazing smartphone controlled paper airplane that…
INCREDIBLE STABILITY – Loops, Barrel Rolls, & Hammerheads are achieved with the special Acro Mode! Your paper plane’s onboard computer automatically…
CONNECTED FLYING – Pair your plane with the POWERUP App to maneuver your plane, keep a robust flight log, compete with other flyers on the…
Stanton just printed the wings directly onto tissue paper. He used a textured construction plate secured with magnets so that the printer could lay down the structure without breaking the paper. After finishing the print, he simply clipped the edges, applied some adhesive, and used a heat gun to mold the paper so it could function as an airfoil. The initial effort at a wing was a disaster, as it flexed too much under load, sending the plane straight into the ground. However, later versions converted to shorter wings with a greater aspect ratio, which solved the problem by reducing flex and drag while adding minimal weight.
The plane’s fuselage is built of carbon fiber rods, which provide it strength without weighing a ton. Stanton built notches into the rod to prevent it from being drilled out of the holes, allowing the wings and tail to slip in and out with a simple friction fit, making changes easy when testing the plane. The tail is a 3D print that is glued to the back of the rod, and up front, a small steel bolt serves as the nose weight to keep everything balanced. Stanton adjusted the wing mount slightly to keep the propeller out of the line of the airflow, and a printed bracket connects the capacitor and motor and simply clips into the rod.
First, Stanton tested the basic glider on its own, as it was so light (weighing only 3.8 grams) that it flew through the air like a dream and outperformed a simple paper plane. Adding the power system increased the total weight to 15.6 grams, which isn’t terrible given it’s still lighter per square inch than most paper airplanes. When he tried it with the power system, it shot up high after launch and settled into a long, steady glide. Cranking the hand crank for 4 seconds gave him 45 seconds of flight time, but what about the charging time? It was a blazing 0.1 seconds. Stanton thought the charging-to-flight time ratio was impressive to say the least, especially since the charging process takes roughly the same amount of time as blinking.
Cold and damp air reveal one weakness: tissue paper absorbs moisture and loses rigidity quickly. The wings began to sag and the plane fought to stay aloft, as Stanton mentioned in his video, although other individuals have had success with minor repairs such as coatings on comparable planes. To be fair, the primary design of the product demonstrated that the concept works. In the end, the last plane popped right up off the ground, kept altitude far longer than I expected, and then glided down for a rather easy landing.
Stanton made the glider files accessible on Printables, allowing anyone to print their own version and try it out. The entire project is very simple, as it just requires some basic hardware: a 3D printer, a piece of tissue paper, a carbon rod, and the minimum essentials of some electronics. There are no sophisticated or high-tech materials or intricate machine work involved.
That boiling water is a contentious topic of discussion is clear, but what about hot air? When you take a 12 VDC, 280 Watt-rated air fryer and pit it against a bog-standard 240 VAC, 1400 Watt unit, which one would you want to use when you’re doing some camping or other exciting off-the-grid opportunities? Unlike with boiling water the physics aren’t as clear-cut here, so [Cahn] did some testing to figure out exactly what the efficiency numbers look like
Since air fryers rely on the transfer of thermal energy from the resistive heating element into the food, any thermal energy that’s not immediately transferred is effectively wasted. This, combined with the relatively low power rating and thus much higher time demand of the low-voltage air fryer is enough to set one’s expectations pretty low.
As scientific test samples chicken nuggets were used with the test, following a preheating period for the 12 VDC unit. Both units managed to hit a safe temperature inside the nuggets after 20 minutes, thus successfully staving off food poisoning, but the browning with the 240 VAC air fryer was much better.
As for the efficiency, the 12 VDC unit required 150 Wh for 20 minutes plus the 10 minutes of preheating, with 45 minutes total at 225 Watt to get proper browning. Meanwhile the 240 VAC unit burned through 250 Wh in 20 minutes, with no pre-heating, though only 230 Wh with no inverter losses included. As a final test, the 12 VDC unit was run at 400 Watt using 14.6 VDC input, which did indeed get it up to temperature much faster.
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Thus both are equivalent, just with the caveat that the low-voltage unit will take considerably more time to get the same result. This mirrors the results with boiling water, where most options mostly vary in how much time they require to get water up to a boiling temperature.
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