Dan D’Agostino Master Audio Systems has added a new flagship control component to its Momentum lineup with the Momentum C2Z Preamplifier, a two chassis design derived from the earlier Momentum C2 and optimized for use with the company’s Momentum Z Monoblock Power Amplifiers. The visual differences are minimal, limited to the front panel, but the engineering focus is clear: improve system performance within the Momentum ecosystem rather than reinvent the product from scratch.
It also needs to be said plainly that this is ultra high end audio with pricing to match. The Momentum C2Z sits firmly in luxury purchase territory on its own, and building the full matching system with two Momentum Z monoblocks pushes the investment into a range that will make even affluent buyers stop and do the math twice. That does not make it unreasonable in the context of cost no object audio, but it certainly puts the C2Z far outside the reach of anyone shopping for value.
Engineered to take full advantage of the Z circuitry introduced in the Momentum Z monoblock amplifier, the C2Z builds on the established Momentum C2 preamplifier platform with targeted refinements rather than a complete redesign.
It does not replace the original Momentum C2, but instead serves as the more suitable match for the Momentum Z monoblocks. The updated circuitry focuses on improving the electrical interface between preamplifier and power amplifier, with the goal of delivering better system integration, control, and overall sonic accuracy.
“With the C2Z upgrade,” said Dan D’Agostino, Founder of Dan D’Agostino Master Audio Systems, “we set out to do more than refine an already exceptional platform—we wanted to fully exploit the performance of the Momentum Z Monoblock circuitry. We have created a more direct and optimized connection between the preamplifier and the amplifier.”
At the core of the C2Z is a revised output stage for the Momentum preamplifier, built around a current capable Field Effect Transistor architecture. The goal is straightforward: increase current delivery and improve stability, allowing the preamplifier to drive the Momentum Z amplifier’s input stage more effectively and make full use of the Z circuitry across the system.
This implementation integrates FETs directly into the output stage, enabling higher current delivery where it matters most. The result is a more controlled electrical interface between preamplifier and amplifier, with the C2Z providing current with greater precision and the Momentum Z monoblocks designed to receive and respond to it without bottlenecks.
FETs are well suited to high performance audio applications. Their high input impedance reduces loading on source components, helping preserve signal integrity, tonal balance, and dynamic detail. They also offer low noise and strong linearity, which is critical when handling low level signals at the front end of the amplification chain.
Unlike bipolar devices, FETs operate as voltage controlled components and require minimal input current. That behavior contributes to smoother, more linear transfer characteristics, lower distortion, and a more stable connection between components.
In the Momentum Z amplifier, the Z circuitry takes a different approach by lowering the input impedance typically associated with FET-based designs. This change allows the amplifier to draw more current from the Momentum C2Z preamplifier, strengthening the electrical interface between the two components.
The result is improved transient response, greater dynamic contrast, and more precise retrieval of musical detail. Rather than treating the preamplifier and amplifier as separate stages, the design focuses on how they interact as a system.
One of the more audible benefits is in low-frequency performance. Bass reproduction shows better control, texture, and definition, particularly at lower listening levels where detail can often be lost. With the full Z circuitry signal path in place, low-frequency information remains more consistent and better resolved without relying on higher volume levels.
Taken together, the Momentum C2Z preamplifier and Momentum Z monoblock amplifiers are designed to function as a tightly integrated system, with an emphasis on dynamic control, low-level resolution, and stable performance across a wide range of listening conditions.
Control: The Momentum C2 and C2Z preamplifiers include a bi-directional remote housed in precision-machined aluminum and Delrin, with full access to unit functions and settings. The remote features an ergonomic layout and an integrated LCD screen that mirrors the information shown on the preamplifier’s front panel display, allowing for straightforward operation from the listening position. An iOS control app is also available for system management, although there is no Android support.
Optional Digital Streaming Module: The optional Digital Streaming Module adds optical, coaxial, and USB digital inputs, along with network connectivity via Ethernet (RJ45) or Wi-Fi 8 using an external antenna. An active internet connection is required to access streaming services such as TIDAL, Qobuz, and Spotify. The module is also Roon Ready, allowing integration into a Roon-based playback system.
Power Supply: The power supply is housed in a separate chassis that connects to the C2 or C2Z preamplifier. It incorporates dedicated custom toroidal transformers for the analog and digital sections, helping to isolate critical circuits. Internal filtering is designed to reduce RF noise and address power line irregularities, supporting more stable overall operation.
| Dan D’Agostino Momentum Model | C2Z (2026) | C2 (2024) |
| Product Type | Preamplifier | Preamplifier |
| Price | TBD | $55,000 to $65,000 |
| Frequency Response | 0.1 Hz to 1 MHz, -1 dB
20 Hz to 20 kHz, ±0 dB |
0.1 Hz to 1 MHz, -1 dB
20 Hz to 20 kHz, ±0 dB |
| Signal-to-Noise Ratio | >110 dB, A-weighted
>120 dB, unweighted |
>110 dB, A-weighted
>120 dB, unweighted |
| Gain | 11.5 dB | +10 dB |
| Input Impedance | 1 MΩ | 1 MΩ |
| Output Impedance | 0.01 Ω | 0.05 Ω |
| Distortion (full output) | <0.00066% | <0.002% |
| Analog Input | 3 pr balanced XLR stereo
1 pr unbalanced RCA stereo |
3 pr balanced XLR stereo
1 pr unbalanced RCA stereo |
| Digital Inputs with Optional Digital Streaming Module (DSM) | 1 ea SPDIF coaxial
RJ45 Ethernet Optical USB-B Wi-Fi |
1 ea SPDIF coaxial
RJ45 Ethernet Optical USB-B Wi-Fi |
| Outputs | 2 pr balanced XLR stereo 1⁄4-inch headphone |
2 pr balanced XLR stereo 1⁄4-inch headphone |
| Dimensions (WHD) | 17.0 x 8.9 x 15.2 in
43.2 x 22.6 x 38.6 cm |
17.0 x 8.9 x 15.2 in
43.2 x 22.6 x 38.6 cm |
| Weight | 73.0 lb / 33.1 kg | 73.0 lb / 33.1 kg |
The Momentum C2Z is not a ground-up redesign, but it does introduce meaningful changes where they matter. The revised output stage with FET-based current delivery is specifically engineered to work with the lower input impedance of the Momentum Z monoblocks, creating a more tightly coupled interface between preamplifier and amplifier. That system-level thinking is the real story here. This is not about adding features for the sake of it, but refining how the components interact to improve control, stability, and low-level detail.
What also stands out is the execution. At 73 pounds and built as a dual-chassis design with a dedicated power supply, the C2Z reflects the same emphasis on materials, isolation, and power management that defines the rest of the Momentum line. It is a physically and electrically substantial preamplifier, designed to anchor a reference-level system.
The reality, however, is the cost. While final pricing has not been confirmed, expectations in the $50,000 to $60,000 range place the C2Z firmly in cost-no-object territory. Building the intended system with two Momentum Z monoblocks at $125,000 each pushes the total investment into a level that requires serious financial commitment, even before speakers and source components enter the equation.
At this level engineering, everything comes separate. An optional Digital Streaming Module leaves nothing to chance, but adds to total cost of ownership. Same deal for adding a phono stage. If you need to ask the price, you can’t afford it.
The official price of the Dan D’Agostino Momentum C2Z Preamplifier is still forthcoming, but its predecessor, the C2, is priced between $55,000 and $65,000.
Dan D’Agostino Audio components can be purchased through Authorized Dealers in the US, Canada, Mexico, and internationally.
For more information: dandagostino.com
If WIRED doesn’t write about Brooks running shoes more often, it’s because they’re so good and so reliable that it simply doesn’t occur to us. We just buy the next edition of the Brooks Ghost and carry on with our day. Several WIRED writers and editors wear Brooks running shoes as their everyday trainers, and these Brooks Running promo codes are some of the best that we’ve seen all season. As the days get shorter and colder, this is also the perfect time of year to upgrade your winter running gear for waterproof, warmer, brighter, or more compressive clothing to tackle the colder winter months. Winter miles bring spring smiles.
If you’ve never ordered anything off Brooks’ website before, new customers get 20% off their first order after subscribing to emails. You can apply the one-time Brooks coupon code for top-selling shoes, like the Caldera 7 and Adrenaline shoes, along with other gear and apparel. It’s an easy way to save on some of their top products to take your road and trail running game to the next level.
Brooks Return Policy and 90 Day Wear Test
Brooks knows how important gear is for the athlete. So, you can take your Brooks gear for a 90-day trial run, and if you aren’t satisfied, return them for free. If you’re at all unsatisfied with your Brooks purchase, you can return it for free, with no shipping or re‐stocking fees.
Are you already a member of Brooks Run Club? If you sign up, you get member perks, like early access to sales, standard free shipping with no order minimum, and free express shipping on orders from Brooks. Membership also includes more runner-specific perks, like a free birthday gift, an opportunity to earn prizes by syncing your fitness tracker and contributing research to the Brooks team. You can also win a chance to visit the Seattle flagship store and have your gait analyzed by Brooks’ team. To join, visit Brooks Run Club and register for the Brooks promo code.
If you shop and buy a complete outfit in one transaction from one of Brooks’ recommended buying guides—like Warm Weather Running Outfits or Fall Weather Running Outfits—you can get 15% off automatically applied during checkout. This is a fantastic deal if you only just realized in the past 10 days that you’ve been running in hail in your tiny shorts and cropped sports bra.
Does Brooks Running Offer Free Shipping?
For Brooks Run Club members, shipping is free! Free shipping applies to standard shipping and shipping to PO Box and US Territories, which takes about 5 to 8 business days. For members, express and next-day delivery is discounted at $25, or $15, unless the total is over $160, then express is free. Non-members have to pay $5 extra for all shipping options.
Brooks makes so many iconic running shoes that it’s hard to list them all. I’m currently running in the Brooks Glycerin Max, which is one of the cushiest shoes that I’ve ever tried. I don’t feel particularly stable on uneven terrain, but the padding is noticeably springy and cushy if you’ve been putting in some serious miles. WIRED director Michael Calore is a fan of the Brooks Ghost line, and if you’re planning on hitting the trails in the cold, wet Pacific Northwest, I would suggest the Brooks Cascadia Gore-Tex. The Adrenaline is the company’s most popular shoe.
Preorder Your Favorite Glycerin Now
One of the most anticipated Brooks drops is the Glycerin line. These shoes are made to be durable, while allowing freedom of movement and flexibility. The cushioned shoes are comfortable for running and movement on many types of terrain. Tons of shoes in the Glycerin line are available to preorder, including the Glycerin Flex, Glycerin 23, and Glycerin GTS 23. Be sure to check out the Glycerin line to see which is best for you.
The Cascadia Elite Available Now
Brooks is constantly dropping new shoe styles, ensuring there’s a type of shoe for every runner. The new Could we get a short paragraph about this new Cascadia Elite Brooks Running shoe is unisex and great for trail running: with PEBA cushioning, a Vibram Megagrip Elite outsole, and a MATRYX engineered woven upper with Kevlar fibers to help secure your feet firmly, no matter what terrain you’re traversing. This shoe has a light, springy cushioning that helps to propel you forward, whether that be from competitive trail racing, to Sub-ultras to VKs to ultras.
Get Limited runDisney Brooks Shoes
When you become a Brooks Run Club member (for free!), you’ll get access to limited-edition collabs, new drops, and limited release sneakers. This includes the much-anticipated Brooks x runDisney Collection, which features a collab fit for Disney-gym adults everywhere, with styles inspired by Mickey Mouse, Moana, Lilo & Stitch, and more. Be sure to sign up to become a Brooks Run Club member for exclusive info on this collab, plus lots of other great perks.
Do you have a runner in your life? The odds are, they’re taking stock of their winter apparel and shoes and trying to decide if these leggings are going to make it through another winter season. The best time to save is during seasonal sales, with discounts on footwear and apparel, including discounts on popular items like the Ghost 16 running shoes.
Do you have running military, nurses, or first responders in your life? Brooks Running also offers 25% off Brooks promo code full-priced items for verified community heroes. Sign up here.
If you’re looking for a new pair of shoes, but don’t have the cash to invest in a brand new, high-end pair, look no further than Brook’s restart page, where gently-used Brooks shoes are on sale for deeply discounted prices. They have both men’s and women’s sections, recently added shoes, and a breakdown of bestselling styles, including the Adrenaline, Ghost, Glycerin, and Hyperion.
If you’re looking to shop at Brooks, it’s a great idea to join the Brooks Run Club for additional perks and discounts. Some of the best things Run Club offers are discounts of 20% off apparel when you join and an annual birthday gift. You’ll just need to log in or join the club for the discount code.
Discarded laptops gather dust in homes everywhere yet many still carry excellent displays worth saving. One maker pulled panels from three different machines to test a straightforward conversion into standalone monitors anyone can tackle at home. Results prove the idea works best with newer screens and delivers a custom display for a fraction of store prices.
When you open the laptop lid, the model number on the rear allows you to quickly go to panelook.com and find out everything you need to know about the backlight type, resolution, and connection standard. LED lights combined with LVDS or eDP will be your go-tos because they require only one cable and produce a nice image. Older panels with cold cathode tubes, on the other hand, will be dark and lose viewing angles quickly, since they require a separate inverter, which is inconvenient, so you can simply leave those on the shelf.
Driver boards that are matched to the specific model of your panel can be purchased online for around $20. The ones with an HDMI input and a barrel connector are suitable for desktop use, whilst the USB-C variants can handle power and video simultaneously and are ideal for travel. Inserting the board into the screen edge connector takes no time at all. Then power on, then connect your video source, and presto, your display will come to life right immediately, with sharp colors and consistent performance if you have a nice panel.
The most difficult part is housing the item because the bare displays are delicate and thin. Using a 3D printed casing is the answer since it generates slotted channels that allow the panel to simply fit in. One design includes a back enclosure for the driver board, as well as cutouts for input selection buttons. A few short screws keep the board in place, while the outer shell covers the edges without adding too much weight. Minor glue repairs were required on the older prints since the support material kept coming away, but the current copies print perfectly and close up neatly around the screens.
When testing is completed, the results are almost immediate. Simply plug in an HDMI connection from your laptop or camera, and your monitor will display all of the content without lag. It also remains bright even in brighter settings, and the small form allows you to place it beneath a larger screen or in a bag for work on the road. One person placed one of these units next to his camera for live feed monitoring, while another utilized the USB-C variant as a quick second screen for chat and music apps.
[Source]
The Pwn2Own Berlin 2026 hacking contest has concluded, with security researchers collecting $1,298,250 in rewards after exploiting 47 zero-day flaws.
The competition took place at the OffensiveCon conference from May 14 to May 16 and focused on enterprise technologies and artificial intelligence.
Throughout the contest, the hackers targeted fully patched products across web browsers, enterprise applications, local privilege escalation, servers, local inference, cloud-native/container environments, virtualization, and LLM categories.
Competitors collected $523,000 in cash awards on the first day for 24 unique zero-days, and another $385,750 on the second day for exploiting 15 zero-days. On the third day of Pwn2Own, they earned another $389,500 for eight more zero-days.
DEVCORE won this year’s edition of Pwn2Own Berlin with 50.5 Master of Pwn points and $505,000 in rewards throughout the three-day contest after hacking Microsoft SharePoint, Microsoft Exchange, Microsoft Edge, and Windows 11, followed by STARLabs SG with $242,500 (25 points) and Out Of Bounds with $95,750 (12.75 points).
The competition’s highest reward was $200,000, awarded to Cheng-Da Tsai (also known as Orange Tsai) of the DEVCORE Research Team after chaining three bugs to gain remote code execution with SYSTEM privileges on Microsoft Exchange.
On the first day, Orange Tsai earned another $175,000 for a Microsoft Edge sandbox escape chaining 4 logic bugs, Windows 11 was hacked 3 times, and Valentina Palmiotti (chompie) of IBM X-Force Offensive Research collected $70,000 for rooting Red Hat Linux for Workstations and an NVIDIA Container Toolkit zero-day.
On the second day, the hackers demonstrated another Windows 11 local privilege escalation vulnerability, a root-privilege escalation vulnerability in Red Hat Enterprise Linux for Workstations, and zero-days in multiple AI coding agents.
On the third and final day of the contest, the competitors hacked Windows 11 and Red Hat Enterprise Linux for Workstations again, and used a memory corruption bug to exploit VMware ESXi.
After Pwn2Own ends, vendors have 90 days to release security patches before TrendMicro’s Zero Day Initiative (ZDI) publicly discloses them.
During last year’s Pwn2Own Berlin contest, won by the STAR Labs SG team, ZDI awarded 1,078,750 for 29 zero-day flaws and some bug collisions.
Automated pentesting tools deliver real value, but they were built to answer one question: can an attacker move through the network? They were not built to test whether your controls block threats, your detection rules fire, or your cloud configs hold.
This guide covers the 6 surfaces you actually need to validate.
The Sony Xperia 1 VIII is designed to “support the joy of everyday photography”, and promises healthy upgrades over its predecessor.
While we’ve noted everything that’s new with Sony’s flagship in our Sony Xperia 1 VIII vs Xperia 1 VII guide, we’re also interested to see how it measures up to the five-star Oppo Find X9 Ultra. Considering we hailed Oppo’s camera flagship as a “massive achievement and an absolute powerhouse”, the Sony Xperia 1 VIII has a lot to live up to.
We’ve compared the Xperia 1 VIII to the Oppo Find X9 Ultra and noted the main differences – plus any noteworthy similarities – between the two Android phones below.
Read on to see how the Xperia 1 VIII looks set to compare to the Find X9 Ultra. Once you’re done here, make sure you visit our round-ups of the best Android phones and best camera phones too.
| Sony Xperia 1 VIII | Oppo Find X9 Ultra | |
| Battery | 5000mAh | 7050mAh |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 |
| Colours | Graphite Black, Garet Red, Iolite Silver (256GB only) Native Gold (1TB only) | Tundra Umber, Canyon Orange |
| Front camera | 12MP | 50MP |
| Operating System | Android 16 | Android 16 |
| Rear Camera | 200MP + 200MP + 50MP + 50MP | 48MP + 48MP + 48MP |
| Size (Dimensions) | 162 x 74 x 8.3 mm | 163.2 x 77 x 9.1 mm |
| Storage Capacity | 256GB or 1TB | 512GB or 1TB |
| UK RRP | £1399 | £1449 |
The Sony Xperia 1 VIII is currently available for pre-order and will officially launch in mid-June. It comes in two size options, 256GB or 1TB, and has a starting RRP of £1399/€1499.
In comparison, the Oppo Find X9 Ultra is ready to buy now and has a slightly higher starting price of £1449.
With a capacity of 7050mAh, the Oppo Find X9 Ultra boasts one of the largest batteries around, but what does that really mean in real-world terms? We found that on less demanding days without too much scrolling, the Find X9 Ultra ended days with around 60-70% battery remaining. Even on busy days with plenty of photography, playing demanding games and other general use, the phone rarely dipped beneath the 40% mark.
This means the handset can easily see you through a second day without needing a top-up, although this will depend on your personal usage.
In comparison, the Sony Xperia 1 VIII is fitted with a smaller 5000mAh battery – the same size as the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra. Despite the average size, Sony promises the phone should see two days of battery. We’ll have to wait until we review the handset to verify those claims, however it’s worth noting that Sony promised the same for the Xperia 1 VII and we found that, although it was possible, it wasn’t easy to reach day two.
Both the Xperia 1 VIII and Find X9 Ultra’s headline feature is undoubtedly their camera set-up. As mentioned earlier, Sony promises that the Xperia 1 VIII is designed to help users capture “better photos” and “support the joy of everyday photography”.
The Xperia 1 VIII is fitted with three rear 48MP lenses, including a main, ultrawide and a new telephoto that’s four times larger than its predecessor’s own. All three lenses, according to Sony, should deliver low-light performance that’s comparable to a full-frame sensor, allowing for clear imaging even in dark environments.
Otherwise, the Find X9 Ultra is fitted with four brilliant rear lenses, alongside a fifth “true colour” camera that keeps the white balance and tones aligned across the line-up. The four lenses include a 200MP main which boasts a massive f/1.5 aperture that takes in plenty of light, a 200MP 3x telephoto, a 50MP 10x periscope and a 50MP ultrawide.
We really didn’t have a bad word to say about the Find X9 Ultra’s cameras, with all lenses performing brilliantly. In fact, the 200MP 3x telephoto was an especially great performer, and one we expect you will use more than you might expect.
Overall, the Find X9 Ultra takes brilliantly detailed images across most lighting conditions, and easily challenges Apple and Google’s own flagships.
Unsurprisingly for flagship Androids, both the Xperia 1 VIII and Find X9 Ultra are fitted with Qualcomm’s top-end Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor. While we’re yet to review the Xperia 1 VIII, we’ve reviewed plenty of phones sporting Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and have rarely been left disappointed. With this in mind, we expect the Xperia 1 VIII to perform well.
Specifically within the Find X9 Ultra, we had very little complaints about the handset’s performance. Everything from scrolling to intensive gaming ran as smoothly as we’d like, with everything feeling slick and responsive.
Unlike the Find X9 Ultra, the Sony Xperia 1 VIII is fitted with a 3.5mm headphone jack which Sony explains enables high-quality audio support using wired headphones, thanks to sound quality inherited from Walkman.
In addition, the Xperia 1 VIII boasts newly developed left and right speaker units which are promised to deliver “further advances in stereo performance”. Sony promises that the speakers reproduce voices and instruments with greater clarity and richness than before.
With a 6.8-inch display, the Find X9 Ultra isn’t quite as small as the 6.5-inch Xperia 1 VIII but it falls slightly shy of Galaxy S26 Ultra. Size aside, we hailed the Find X9 Ultra’s panel as a “treat”, thanks to its QHD+ resolution, LTPO-enabled 120Hz refresh rate and impressively thin surrounding bezel too.
Sony has more or less kept things the same with this year’s Xperia 1 VIII, with the phone sporting the same FHD+ panel as its predecessor. This certainly is no bad thing, as we concluded the Xperia 1 VII’s screen to be “difficult to fault.”
It’s difficult to provide a conclusive verdict as we haven’t reviewed the Sony Xperia 1 VIII just yet. However, with Sony promising a larger telephoto lens, better sound quality and two-days of battery, the Xperia 1 VIII is undoubtedly an appealing option.
Even so, the Oppo Find X9 Ultra really impressed us. Not only does it boast one of the most complete camera set-ups around, but its mighty battery easily offers two days of battery while its 6.8-inch panel is a delight to use. Easily one of the best camera phones around, keen photographers and power users will struggle to find a better option than the Find X9 Ultra.
We’ll be sure to update this versus once we review the Xperia 1 VIII.
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 a pretty fun and easy one today. 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.
Read more: Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini Crossword
Let’s get to those Mini Crossword clues and answers.
The completed NYT Mini Crossword puzzle for May 18, 2026.
1A clue: Questionable
Answer: IFFY
5A clue: Country that’s about 25 times longer than it is wide
Answer: CHILE
6A clue: iPhone setting that reduces distractions
Answer: FOCUS
7A clue: Magnum ___ (masterpiece)
Answer: OPUS
8A clue: Get-together, slangily
Answer: SESH
1D clue: “Fingers crossed!”
Answer: IHOPE
2D clue: Indoor plant whose name is one vowel off from 6-Across
Answer: FICUS
3D clue: A❤️ 9❤️ 6❤️ 4❤️ 2❤️, e.g.
Answer: FLUSH
4D clue: What “aye” means
Answer: YES
5D clue: Corp. money managers
Answer: CFOS
Apple is reportedly preparing one of the biggest Siri redesigns in years with iOS 27, but even after multiple delays, the company may still label the upgraded assistant as a beta product. According to reports from Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, internal test versions of iOS 27 already refer to the revamped Siri as a beta experience and include an option allowing users to leave the Siri beta entirely.
The move would be unusually familiar for longtime Apple users. When Apple originally introduced Siri in 2011, the assistant itself launched under a beta label before Apple quietly removed the branding in 2013. Despite that, Siri has continued to face criticism for lagging behind competitors in reliability, conversational abilities, and overall intelligence.
The revamped Siri was originally expected to arrive in 2024 as part of Apple’s broader AI push. However, multiple reports now suggest the project has faced delays of nearly two years.
According to Gurman’s reporting, Apple is rebuilding Siri into a more advanced chatbot-style assistant capable of handling ongoing conversations, contextual memory, and deeper app integration. The redesign could also introduce a standalone Siri app, chat-style interactions similar to messaging apps, and integration with the Dynamic Island interface on supported iPhones.
The issue for Apple is timing. While Apple continues refining Siri, rivals like Google Gemini, ChatGPT, and other Android-based AI systems have already rolled out advanced conversational assistants with broader real-world capabilities.
That gap has increasingly made Siri feel outdated compared to competing AI products, especially as Apple continues marketing Apple Intelligence as a major part of the iPhone experience.
If Apple officially launches the new Siri as a beta feature in iOS 27, it could serve two purposes. First, it gives Apple flexibility to continue refining the assistant publicly after launch while lowering expectations around bugs, hallucinations, or missing features. Second, it allows the company to release AI features sooner rather than waiting for a more polished final version.
The beta branding would also reflect the broader challenge Apple currently faces in AI. Unlike competitors that prioritize rapid deployment, Apple has historically focused more heavily on stability, privacy, and controlled rollouts.
Reports also suggest Apple is introducing stronger privacy controls into Siri’s AI experience, including optional auto-delete settings for conversation history.
Apple is expected to reveal more about Siri’s redesign and its AI roadmap during WWDC next month. Developer beta versions of iOS 27 will likely be the first public look at the new Siri experience.
However, the larger question remains whether Apple’s slower, more cautious AI rollout can still compete in a market where rivals have spent the last two years aggressively pushing generative AI into mainstream consumer products.
For now, Siri’s overhaul appears less like a finished comeback and more like Apple finally arriving at the AI race – still mid-development.
If you’ve got a Bambu Labs printer, it’s usually pretty straightforward to keep an eye on it via the onboard display or the various apps the company has released. However, if you want a dedicated display somewhere remote from your printer, you might like this build from [Keralots].
The project is based on an ESP32-S3 Super Mini, paired with a 1.54″ TFT display with a 240 x 240 resolution. It’s set up to talk to Bambu Labs printers over MQTT with TLS. It harvests status data and uses it to display a real-time dashboard with critical printer parameters display on arc gauges. There’s also plenty of live stats to pore over, as well as buzzer notifications if you want auditory alerts about what is going on. It’s possible to use with just about any Bambu Labs printer with a Bambu Cloud access token; otherwise, you can tinker with LAN Direct connections on certain models, but you might need to enable Developer Mode depending on your rig.
If you want to monitor your printer’s vital statistics at a glance, this project is a great way to do it. It breaks out the fundamental numbers in a clear and obvious fashion that’s a little easier to parse quickly compared to the interface of the official software. We’ve featured similar builds before, too. If you’re also paranoid about prints and using that to motivate you towards creating useful hardware, don’t hesitate to let us know on the tipsline.
Altra Running’s distinctive wide toe box and zero drop heel-toe design don’t facilitate marathon PRs or punchy 5Ks. But there’s a reason why Leonardo DiCaprio chose to wear all-weather Lone Peaks when playing Bob Ferguson in One Battle After Another. They’re comfortable, rugged, and the zero-drop design keeps you from getting tendonitis. Altras are the perfect shoe for surviving in an off-grid dystopian war, even if they’re not at the top of the list when it comes to the best running shoes.
The Lone Peaks are iconic and instantly recognizable. But don’t worry, if you don’t want the exact model that Bob Ferguson has, the hiking version of the Lone Peaks is also on sale for $36 off. In fact, there are tons of different styles of men’s shoes right now, including up to 50% off select styles.
Maybe you’re investigating Altra running shoes because a more widely-known brand, like Brooks or Nike, has a toe box that’s just too small. In that case, Altra doesn’t exclusively make trail running shoes. The Fwd Via is Altra’s version of the Brooks Glycerin—the ultra-cushioned road running shoe. It’s also on sale, along with various running shoes at 20% off.
One of the easiest ways to save at Altra running is to sign up for text messages from them. Once you sign up, you’ll receive an Altra SMS welcome offer that’s good for 15% off your next purchase. Once you receive it and you’re ready to buy, you’ll just need to input the Altra promo code at checkout, and click “Apply A Promo Code.” just know that the Altra promo code is valid for only 30 days after you receive and is valid for a one-time use only. (Plus, it’s not valid at any third party retail store or website.)
I have run in a model of the Altra Lone Peaks for a decade. Where I live is the unofficial trail running capital of the United States, and everyone sports a pair of these shoes while hiking or at the bar. It’s totally worth it to sign up for the loyalty program and get the Altra Running promo code. (I also do this with my children, who exclusively wear Salomons.) When you sign up for the Altra loyalty program, you’ll get 10% off as a thank you.
The Altra Olympus 275 for both men and women just may be the hottest trail running shoe of the season. The Altra Olympus 275 is best for technical trail and all-day trail running, with increased durability, protection, and lightweight construction to face the toughest trails. Plus, it has a custom-designed MATRYX one-piece woven upper that’s both lightweight and protective. A grippyVibram Megagrip outsole helps with traction on wet and dry surfaces to ensure that no matter what type of terrain or weather conditions you encounter on the trail, you’ll be set. Plus, when you sign up to be an Altra member, you’ll get 10% off your Altra Olympus 275 pair.
You can get free standard delivery in 5-7 business days (however, there’s no weekend delivery) for free when you order through Altra! If you need your shoes in a rush, there’s 2-day shipping (with no weekend delivery) for $16.95, and next-day delivery (Saturday and Sunday orders ship on Mondays) for $22.
B&H Photo is one of our favorite places to shop for camera gear. If you’re ever in New York, head to the store to check out the giant overhead conveyor belt system that brings your purchase from the upper floors to the registers downstairs (yes, seriously, here’s a video). Fortunately B&H Photo’s website is here for the rest of us with some good deals on photo gear we love.
B&H Photo has plenty of great deals, including Nikon’s brand-new Z6III full-frame mirrorless camera for $2,196.95 ($300 off). The Z6III (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is huge update for the Z6 line, and a great all-around camera for Nikon fans. There are also great deals like the Nikon Zf (8/10, WIRED Recommends) full frame mirrorless camera for $200 off, or the Nikon Z8 for $600 off.
Not in the market for the latest Nikon cameras? There are plenty of other deals, like our favorite action camera, the GoPro Hero 13 for $70 off (7/10, WIRED Recommends), and Sony’s a7R V full frame mirrorless camera for $400 off.
Not sure what to get the tech or photography lover in your life this holiday season? A B&H gift card is a gift people on your list will actually want. B&H has tech for every person in your life, with hundreds of models of cameras, computers, projectors, and more.
One of the many perks of B&H Photo is their generous free shipping policy. Most orders at B&H over $49 qualify for free expedited shipping to the lower 48 states. The savings just keep coming, as most items totaling under $49 also qualify for free standard shipping in the contiguous US. If for some reason your order doesn’t qualify for free shipping, you can review alternative shipping options during checkout—full shipping policy details can be found here.
Like most retailers, B&H Photo offers some of their best deals of the year during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t other ways to save outside of this sale period. There’s still time to jump on extended holiday sales, with up to $300 24-hour camera discounts, and featured price drops across all accessories. While there may not be any B&H promo codes available at the moment, there are plenty of other ways to save at B&H.
Exclusive B&H Student Discounts
If you’re a student with an EDU email, sign up for B&H Photo’s student discount program, which offers free shipping on most orders and exclusive discounts.
Score Deals on Used and Refurbished Gear
B&H Photo also deals in used and refurbished gear. Deals (and conditions) vary, and I have never purchased a used item this way, but if you’re looking to save some money, that’s another way to go.
Trade-in Your Old Gear at B&H
The flip side of B&H Photos used deals is that you can sell your old gear. I put in my old Sony a7 II and was offered $210, which is more than I would have thought. Your offer is contingent on it matching the condition you claim, but if you’ve got gear you aren’t using anymore, this is a way to turn it into some extra cash.
An old-style graphics system as found on many 8-bit computers and on early PC graphics cards drew its characters by retrieving their bitmaps from a ROM. With a little sideways thinking, [GloriousCow] has exploited this process to make a CGA card perform graphical tricks it was never designed to do.
The CGA card clocks its character ROM continuously across the whole screen, even at the edges where nothing would normally be displayed. By placing the ROM in tandem with a Raspberry Pi Pico 2 they were able to use this ROM clocking as a synchronization signal, and inject whatever pixel data they chose.
The result is a CGA card that can display 60 Hz high-res graphics in text mode, albeit with a very retro one bit color depth. It can overlay the text and the graphics too, because the ROM is still present. One fun result of this is a bouncing DVD logo screensaver, on a DOS PC.
There’s a PCB and a promise of more, meanwhile we suggest you take a look at an impossible feat using a similar technique: NES Doom.
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