TCL’s OLED+ 32X3A monitor sits at the head of three new efforts built around dual-mode 4K/240Hz and Full HD/480Hz refresh switching.

TCL is showing the range at IFA 2026 inside its Inspiration Habitat, alongside the 32X3A’s new 27-inch sibling, the 27C2A gaming display and the performance-led 27P2A Pro gaming monitor for competitive play.

“Modern screens need to move effortlessly between work and play, and users shouldn’t have to choose between eye comfort, rapid speed, sleek design or immersive audio,” said Stefan Streit, chief marketing officer at TCL Europe.

The flagship

The flagship 32X3A pairs a self-lit OLED+ panel with TCL’s Matrix-Pure Pixel arrangement, which reduces colour fringing that can appear around small text and fine edges. A low-reflection treatment keeps the picture visible in brighter rooms.

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Users can switch between 4K at up to 240Hz for detailed work and entertainment or Full HD at up to 480Hz when faster motion takes priority, with a 0.03ms GtG response time keeping rapid action immediate.

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Sound processing tuned with Bang & Olufsen powers the monitor’s integrated front-firing speakers, while a 6.4mm-thin panel and four-sided frameless Stargate design earned it a 2026 iF Design Award and a Red Dot Design Award. The range now also spans a new 27-inch model, the 27X3B.

QD-Mini LED and gaming-focused monitors

The 27-inch 27C2A brings QD-Mini LED technology with 1,196 precise dimming zones and up to 1200 nits of peak brightness, a combination that delivers the bright, vivid contrast QLED panels are known for across games, films and everyday content.

Gamers can choose 4K UHD at up to 160Hz for cinematic detail or switch to Full HD at up to 320Hz for competitive speed, while TCL’s Motion Clarity Technology combines backlight and response-time adjustments to keep fast movement sharp and easy to follow.

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The 27P2A Pro takes a similar approach for competitive players, with a QHD display, refresh rates up to 320Hz, a 1ms GtG response time and 180 individually controlled dimming zones through its Mini LED backlight for more precise highlights (the brightest parts of the image) and shadows.

Comfort features such as hardware low blue light, DC dimming and flicker-free control support longer gaming sessions, and a height- and rotation-adjustable stand now sits alongside a new 25-inch model, the 25P2A Pro, aimed at reducing neck and eye strain.

Availability, pricing and retail partners will vary by market, with no confirmed exact release dates for yet.

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DATABASES

Baked-in SQL syntax arrives through multi-vendor collaboration, although indexing still needs to catch up

PostgreSQL 19 is set to add standardized SQL syntax for querying property graphs.

The open source database has steadily grown in popularity over the last five years, becoming the most popular among developers for the first time in 2023.

Speaking to The Register, Alastair Turner, PostgreSQL evangelist at open source consultancy Percona, said the property graph query support in PostgreSQL 19 – due later this month or early October – resulted from collaboration among several of the database’s largest contributors.

Graph databases store data as nodes, relationships, and properties rather than tables or documents. They have advantages for certain workloads, but adopting one can mean adding another DBMS to the technology stack.

The relational database has been acquiring graph query capabilities for some time, but PostgreSQL 19 is set to go further, Turner explained. “All the rest of it has sort of been done through Object Relational Mapping over the top. This is actually baked-in graph syntax. It comes from the SQL 2023 standard.”

Turner said the implementation was “very heavily influenced” by some of the engineers behind OpenCypher, the open source query language for graph databases. The work also involved PostgreSQL committers who sit on the SQL standards committee.

“This is one of the most interesting developments because it’s one of the big multi-vendor collaborations. There was lots of coding and review work across quite a few of the big contributors,” he said.

The new capability implements SQL/PGQ, which became part of the SQL standard in 2023.

“It’s on the right path,” Turner said. “The SQL community and the PostgreSQL community are going to try to optimize everything.”

However, he added that the implementation “still needs one or two additional syntax features” before it can displace dedicated graph databases for a significant number of workloads.

Turner said: “The current implementation creates queries across node-edge graphs to satisfy those requests. So some of them perform very well. What’s going to have to happen in the next iteration or two is that indexing add-ons catch up to improve the performance.” ®

Campfire Audio (aka CFA) is a boutique hi-fi brand based in Portland, Oregon. The company specializes in building in-ear monitors, most notably the renowned Campfire Audio Andromeda. The CFA IEM lineup is wide and varied, offering high-performance staples like the Supermoon, all the way to pricey exotics like the Chimera.

Today, we’re taking a look at Campfire Audio’s dynamic-driver flagship IEM, the Trifecta: an enduring model first released in 2022. Initially offered at an eye-watering price of $3,375, its price has recently dropped to $2,699. But a roughly $600 price drop, while significant, doesn’t free the Trifecta from the understandably high expectations placed on it as an ultra-luxury product.

Does this venerable IEM have what it takes to compete in the cutthroat 2026 IEM market? Well, let’s get into it.

About My Preferences: This review is a subjective assessment and is therefore influenced by my personal preferences. While I try to mitigate this as much as possible during the review process, I’d be lying if I said my biases were completely erased. So, for you, my readers, keep the following in mind:

• My ideal sound signature includes competent sub-bass, textured mid-bass, a slightly warm midrange, and extended treble.
• I have mild treble sensitivity.

Testing equipment and standards can be found here.

Related Reviews:

Key Specs:

• Drivers: 3 x 10mm full-range ADLC dynamic drivers
• Driver Configuration: All three drivers reproduce the full frequency range; no crossover network
• Acoustic Design: Triangular additive acoustic chamber with individually vented drivers
• Frequency Response: 5 Hz – 20 kHz
• Sensitivity: 94 dB SPL @ 1 kHz (16.9 mVrms)
• Impedance: 6.3 ohms @ 1 kHz
• THD: Less than 1%
• Connectors: Custom-matrix MMCX
• Included Cables: 3 x Time Stream Metal cables
• Cable Terminations: 3.5mm single-ended, 2.5mm balanced, and 4.4mm balanced
• Hardware: Stainless steel

Build

You’ve probably never seen an IEM that looks like the Trifecta before, and that’s because it has a truly unique structure. Embedded within its hand-dyed shells are three mutually opposing dynamic drivers, each independently vented. While not technically isobaric, the Trifecta’s drivers operate cooperatively to move massive quantities of air without distortion.

The Trifecta features firm, high-quality MMCX connectors and precisely cut metal nozzles. The entire IEM feels sturdy and genuinely flagship-grade. There are plenty of IEMs that cost more than the Trifecta yet feel considerably worse in the hand, and that’s not surprising. Campfire Audio’s commitment to luxury construction and sound engineering is real, backed by an excellent two-year warranty and extended-support repair policy.

The Trifecta includes three Timestream Metal cables, each with a different termination: 2.5mm, 3.5mm, and 4.4mm. These are among Campfire Audio’s staple premium cables, and they’re excellent. They feature a two-wire flat braid and are soft, lightweight, and visually striking.

The MMCX housings, termination housings, and Y-splitters are all constructed from silver-finished metal with impeccable fit and finish. You’ll be hard-pressed to find stock cables from another brand that are this ergonomically sound.

Comfort

Comfort is a metric that relies heavily on factors influenced by your individual ear anatomy. Mileage will vary.

For as large as the Trifecta looks, it is actually quite comfortable. Its shells are reasonably light, and the included Time stream cables pair nicely with it. I was able to complete long, multi-hour listening sessions with the Trifecta without discomfort or irritation.

For me, the Trifecta is more comfortable than several other popular Campfire Audio IEMs, including the Alien Brain, Astrolith, and Andromeda 10.

Accessories

Inside the box, you’ll get:

• 3x Time stream Metal cables (2.5mm, 3.5mm, and 4.4mm)
• 1x leather “Dimensional” folding wallet
• 1x RipStop cable bag
• 1x Breezy Bag Micro IEM bag
• 3x pairs of “Marshmallow” foam eartips
• 3x pairs of standard silicone eartips
• 1x IEM cleaning tool
• 1x microfiber cleaning cloth

I’ve been on Campfire Audio’s case about standardizing the accessory packages for its IEMs, as they’ve become a bit fragmented. Unlike many modern hi-fi brands, Campfire Audio actually keeps its models on sale for more than a year, so updates to staple accessories like cases and eartips that appear with newer models don’t always make their way back to older products like the Trifecta.

Two notable omissions from the Trifecta’s accessory package are a proper carrying case and Campfire Audio’s excellent “High and Clear” liquid silicone eartips. I actually stole a set of those from one of my other CFA IEMs to use with the Trifecta, with great results.

Aside from those two omissions, the Trifecta’s accessory package is fairly well-rounded. You get some nice foam eartips, high-quality standard silicone eartips, and a beautiful leather folding wallet. The wallet is fine for static storage but isn’t suited to protecting the IEMs from crushing forces. A semi-hard carrying case, or even a proper clamshell like the Pelican 1010, would be my choice for storing the Trifecta while traveling or commuting.

Listening

The Trifecta’s sound signature is Harman-inspired, offering a hybrid between L-shaped and V-shaped tuning with a focus on mid-bass. Its lower midrange is warm and full, contrasting nicely with its moderately lifted upper mids. There’s a small shelf of emphasis blending the upper mids and treble, followed by a few small peaks in the upper treble before a roll-off in the 12 kHz region. The Trifecta may as well have a single driver inside, as its sound is so incredibly cohesive that you’d never guess there are multiple drivers at play.

Overperformant DD Treble

The Trifecta’s treble is moderately bright, rendering high-pitched elements with clarity and distinction but not sharpness. The Trifecta’s upper treble, while not airy in the way that EST-based TOTL IEMs are, still captures a nice sense of space when the track demands it. As much as it would be cool, I can’t say that the Trifecta matches the incredible treble performance of other similarly priced IEMs, even within the Campfire Audio lineup. Models like the Andromeda 10 and Astrolith render micro-details with more nuance and increased clarity during busy passages. Even the less expensive Alien Brain undercuts the Trifecta in terms of transparency and subtlety in the upper register.

The strength of the Trifecta’s treble, however, is its natural and organic presentation. Hi-hats and cymbals are placed toward the rear of rock and alternative tracks, rendered with plenty of precise decay. You’ll need to listen for them, however, as the Trifecta does not do much to draw your attention to them. Listening to “Bulletproof Heart” by My Chemical Romance demonstrates this behavior, as the Trifecta has absolutely no problem capturing the clashing, crashing slams of metallic percussion, but it does so at its own pace.

The Lazyboy of Midranges

The Trifecta’s midrange is warm and welcoming, striking a nice balance between weight and articulation. Vocals are set toward the middle of the mix but don’t sound particularly recessed. Vocal and instrumental separation is excellent, with the Trifecta rendering lyrics with a level of clarity not often heard on dynamic-driver IEMs. Harmonic fullness is on another level with the Trifecta’s midrange, and there’s no track I’ve played that did not sound rich and complete.

The Trifecta layers complex instrumentation nicely but lacks a bit of the separation you can get from modern hybrid setups. Layered instruments are distinct but feel a little close together, a behavior likely linked to the Trifecta’s more relaxed upper register. Hectic tracks like “Born Too Late” by Middle Class Rut demonstrate both sides of the Trifecta’s midrange: incredibly lush and lifelike tonality, plus a denser and decidedly intimate staging habit.

You Better Love Bass

For as much praise as the Trifecta gets for its bass, you’d think it was an absolute bass cannon. While it definitely possesses a strong emphasis on bass, it is actually fairly controlled, distinctly avoiding the bloated presentation common to other mega-bassy IEMs. The Trifecta’s lower register is concentrated around a punchy, weighty mid-bass and capped by a well-extended, very tight sub-bass. Few IEMs carry down below the 50 Hz region as well as the Trifecta, and its incredible bass capabilities allow it to generate a level of visceral immersion that rivals even the best-implemented bone-conduction drivers.

The Trifecta’s bass is prominent but balances its tonal expression very well. It sits right between being truly juicy and tonally neutral, occupying a line between control and fun that feels explicitly unique. There are many IEMs that might sound “faster” in the lower register than the Trifecta, but none communicate the amount of texture and tactility that the Trifecta does. It truly operates on another axis of experience, and it’s one that needs to be felt to be fully understood.

Drum slams in tracks like “Better Strangers” by Royal Blood are communicated with a sense of spatial realism and convincing body. Electronic tracks are a slam dunk, as the Trifecta is more than willing to fill out rumble-heavy passages with texture and precision. Frank Ocean’s “Ivy (Noobody Remix)” is a great showcase of the Trifecta’s capabilities, generating substantial body across both the mid- and sub-bass.

Comparisons

Comparisons are selected solely based on what I think is interesting. If you’d like me to add more, feel free to make a request in the comments below.

Volk x Astell&Kern Stella

The Stella is a much pricier IEM than the Trifecta, costing nearly twice as much at $3,900. It uses high-end luxury materials akin to those found in an expensive watch, as opposed to the Trifecta’s lighter, hand-dyed resin shells. The Stella also has a larger, more complex driver configuration featuring four EST drivers per side, along with a thick, luxurious cable. The Trifecta’s Timestream Metal cables, while more ergonomic, are admittedly less premium-feeling.

Sonically, the Stella has a brighter, more forward upper treble and a similar level of emphasis in the lower treble. Its midrange is cooler, with a more prominent upper midrange and a less linear lower midrange. The Stella’s mid-bass sits further back than the Trifecta’s, but its sub-bass actually has a little more emphasis, giving it a more “casual” sense of depth with certain styles of electronic music.

The Trifecta has much more texture and intensity overall, rendering bass notes with greater precision and realism. The Stella’s midrange is cleaner and feels better composed on very busy tracks, but it lacks some of the organic timbre expressed by the Trifecta. The Stella’s upper register is also more detailed and lacks some of the subtle grain present in the Trifecta, although it can occasionally exhibit sibilance.

Between the two IEMs, I’m going with the Trifecta. There are certainly technical improvements to be found in the Stella’s midrange and treble, but the Trifecta’s impressive bass response and more organic overall presentation make for a much easier listening experience. Once you consider the Trifecta’s substantially lower price, it’s pretty clear which way I’m leaning.

Meze Astru

The Meze Astru is an all-titanium IEM with a single dynamic driver per side. It runs $900, costing roughly one-third as much as the Trifecta. It comes with a nice, premium cable that feels weightier in the hand. The Trifecta comes with multiple cables, but your preference between ergonomics and premium hand-feel will ultimately determine which approach you prefer.

Sonically, the Astru is much closer to a “normal” sound signature than the Trifecta. It has a gentle V-shaped tuning with a lifted upper register, a mildly warm midrange, and a forward bass region. The Astru’s bass is more concentrated toward the sub-bass than the mid-bass, unlike the Trifecta. The Trifecta’s insistence on broad, commanding mid-bass and lower mids makes it tonally weightier, and this can make it sound denser on busy tracks.

The Astru is a class act when it comes to dynamic-driver performance, and it appears to capture a greater degree of detail retrieval in the upper register than the Trifecta. That said, the Trifecta absolutely dominates the Astru when it comes to rendering the spirit of excitement. The Trifecta’s ability to so precisely emulate the intensity and tactility of live music is something the Astru, as competent as it is, simply cannot do.

The Astru is cheaper, more ergonomic, and features a more mainstream tuning than the Trifecta. It would not surprise me if there’s a sizable crowd that therefore prefers the Astru. But lovers of bass, and those who truly crave an exotic listening experience, will almost certainly still prefer the Trifecta. As good as IEMs like the Astru are, there’s a level of charisma that simple competence cannot recreate.

Campfire Audio Grand Luna

The Grand Luna is another experimental IEM from Campfire Audio, featuring one full-size planar driver and one balanced-armature driver per side. It has metal nozzles, resin shells, and a metal faceplate and costs $1,399, about $1,300 less than the Trifecta.

The Grand Luna is a much less dramatic IEM, featuring a more linear, warmer presentation. It has a more forward upper treble that pulls out detail more easily than the Trifecta, but it also has a comparatively relaxed lower treble and upper midrange. The Trifecta’s vocal range is more forward and therefore more intelligible during busy passages, but it lacks some of the smoothness presented by the Grand Luna.

The Grand Luna’s lower register is slightly warmer than the Trifecta’s but is far less weighty. You might enjoy this more relaxed presentation, but the Trifecta’s intensity makes for a far more engaging listening experience for me. The lifelike and visceral reverberation of the drum beats in “Sleep” by My Chemical Romance exemplifies the root of my preference for the Trifecta. It is the more organic and dynamic IEM, and the Trifecta’s uniquely inspiring bass response is consistently more entertaining for me.

If you’re looking to stay within the $1,500 range, the Grand Luna might be the better choice, but only if you’re looking for a linear, warm IEM. If you want something with greater energy or prefer traditional V-shaped tuning, the Grand Luna’s laid-back nature likely won’t work for you either.

The Bottom Line

IEMs are often described as “exotic” simply because they use uncommon drivers or unusual crossover arrangements, but many of those designs employ novel techniques to achieve fairly conventional tuning goals. The Trifecta is different. From its three full-range dynamic drivers and distinctive physical design to its unconventional acoustics, it genuinely wants to be exotic.

The tradeoff is broad appeal. The Trifecta’s visceral bass response, lifelike imaging, and rich tonal character can deliver a profound listening experience if bass, texture, and musicality sit high on your list of priorities. At the same time, there are plenty of similarly priced IEMs that offer greater technical refinement, stronger upper-treble extension, and cleaner separation, including models within Campfire Audio’s own lineup.

But that isn’t really what the Trifecta is about. It’s about drama. It’s about charisma. It’s about bass.

The Trifecta doesn’t apologize for what it is, and it doesn’t need to. If you want a neutral, analytical reference tool, look elsewhere. If you want an IEM that makes music feel physical, exciting, and unapologetically alive, the Trifecta remains one of the most distinctive high-end IEMs you can buy.

Pros:

• Uniquely tactile and visceral bass response
• Bold, expansive sound signature
• Wide and deep soundstage
• Excellent sub-bass extension and control
• Rich, natural vocal timbre
• Cohesive presentation despite its three-driver design
• Excellent Time stream Metal stock cables
• Distinctive design and premium build quality

Cons:

• No proper carrying case
• Does not include Campfire Audio’s “High and Clear” eartips
• Limited upper-treble extension compared with some high-end rivals
• Vocals can lose definition during especially busy passages
• Some similarly priced IEMs offer greater technical refinement and detail retrieval
• Highly distinctive tuning will not appeal to listeners seeking a neutral or analytical presentation

Our Ratings:

★★★★★★★★★★ Sound Quality

★★★★★★★★★★ Build Quality

★★★★★★★★★★ Comfort

★★★★★★★★★★ Value

Where to buy:

Related Reading:

At IFA 2026, TCL announced a flagship soundbar for the UK in the Q85-UK, featuring tuning by Bang & Olufsen and at the head of a four-strong soundbar line-up built to give TVs sound that matches their picture.

Slim television designs often struggle to match picture quality with equally scaled sound, a gap TCL’s new Q Series aims to close through support for immersive audio and automatic room calibration.

The Q85K-UK pairs a soundbar with a wireless subwoofer in one package, featuring a 7.1.2-channel configuration with 16 drivers to place sound in front of, beside and above the viewer.

That placement helps films, sport and games come across as more immersive, with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X content extending sound further into the room, backed by up to 1,180W of maximum audio power for added scale.

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Its wireless subwoofer uses two 7-inch drivers in a Push-Push configuration to produce deep, controlled bass while reducing unwanted cabinet vibration during louder, bass-heavy film and music moments across the room.

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Audio by Bang & Olufsen provides custom tuning, while B&O’s beamforming technology directs sound to improve dialogue clarity and separate voices, music and effects during complex scenes.

Because every room sounds different, AI Sonic-Adaptation analyses the listening environment and adjusts the audio automatically, a process that helps users reach more balanced sound without navigating complex settings manually.

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HDMI 2.1 with eARC simplifies setup through a single compatible cable, while ALLM support keeps gaming responsive and compatible Dolby Vision signals can pass through the soundbar on their way to the screen.

Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect and Google Cast add wireless playback options, and Tutti Choral lets the Q85K work together with a compatible TCL television’s own speakers as one coordinated system.

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TCL has designed the Q85K-UK for televisions measuring 65-inches and above, with the soundbar reaching UK retailers from the end of September 2026 at a recommended retail price of £749.

TCL also lists the ultra-slim A65K soundbar, a 50mm-deep 3.1.2-channel model with Dolby Atmos and Bang & Olufsen tuning available now for £249. The Dolby Atmos FlexConnect wireless Z100-UK speaker system rounds out the range and supports up to four units plus an optional subwoofer at £199 each.

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Alogic has announced six new monitors, including new 5K and 6K additions to its Aspekt Touch line that work with the Mac mini docking stand, as well as a new 5K ultrawide model with touchscreen support.

The new monitors also include models aimed squarely at the professional and business markets, including a 34-inch ultrawide curved option.

Availability of the newly announced monitors varies. Some will be available soon, others will not go on sale until November 2026.

Alogic Aspekt Touch

Alogic is a company we’re familiar with here at AppleInsider, having reviewed the Clarity Touch 6K earlier this year. We also took a look at the company’s monitor + Mac mini dock combo.

The Alogic Aspekt 34-inch ultrawide 5K monitor

Now, the company has announced three new additions to its Aspekt Touch lineup. These touchscreen monitors have built-in docks for laptops and Mac minis, and now have new 27-, 32-, and 34-inch options.

The Aspekt Touch 27-inch 5K monitor features a 5120 x 2880 IPS display with a 600-nit brightness and 100% sRGB, 99% DCI-P3, and 99% Adobe RGB support. The 10-point touchscreen also includes stylus support.

Those who need extra screen real estate can choose the Aspekt Touch 32-inch 6K with its 6016 x 3384 resolution. It achieves 100% sRGB, 100% DCI-P3, and 93% Adobe RGB coverage with the same 10-point touch support.

A new 5K ultrawide joins Alogic’s stable

Larger still, the Aspekt Touch 5K ultrawide comes in at 34 inches with a 21:9 aspect ratio and a 5120 x 2160 resolution. It also offers a 100Hz refresh rate with the same 10-point touch technology.

The Aspekt Touch 27-inch 5K will cost $1,899.99, with the larger 32-inch 6K model coming in at $2,999.99. Both will ship by the end of October. Buyers of the 34-inch ultrawide will have to wait until the end of November.

All three appear to be compatible with the stand that incorporates a slot for a Mac mini.

Vision lineup

For those in the business and professional worlds, Alogic also has three new monitors to choose from, ranging from 24 inches to 34 inches.

Alogic’s new monitors include three aimed at business users

The smallest option is the 24-inch Vision FHD Docking Monitor, which has a 1920 x 1080p resolution given its small stature. The panel offers 100% sRGB coverage at a 100Hz refresh rate and a 250-nit brightness. Laptop charging and an array of port options via the built-in dock make it a potential option for MacBook owners.

The Vision 27-inch QHD Docking Monitor offers a 100Hz refresh rate from its 2560 x 1440 IPS panel. Its 300-nit brightness is joined by 100% sRGB coverage. An integrated USB-C dock offers laptop charging and a raft of ports.

The larger Vision 34-inch Ultrawide QHD curved Docking Monitor provides a 3440 x 1440 21:9 display. The panel includes a 100Hz refresh rate and 300-nit brightness with 100%sRGB coverage. A USB-C dock with laptop charging and built-in KVM functionality is also present.

The Vision 24- and 27-inch monitors will be available by month’s end, priced at $199.99 and $299.99 respectively. However, the 34-inch ultrawide will make buyers wait. Expect a shipping date towards the end of November and a $399.99 price point.

Dig out that dusty phone from your junk drawer.

How to turn your old phone into a security camera

First, download the AlfredCamera app on your main phone and the old phone. There are other apps that can do this, but we’re using AlfredCamera because it’s free, cross-platform and easy to set up.

On your main phone: Open the app, sign up, then in the “Prepare another device as your camera screen,” select Mobile Device. 

Screenshot by Isaac Egbon (AlfredCamera: Home Security)

Here, you’ll be given two options on how you want to connect your old phone: Log into the same account on your old phone or scan a QR code to pair both devices. Now, grab your old phone, open the app, then pair both devices using your preferred method. And just like that, your old phone is now a security camera. Lastly, make sure your main phone is set to Viewer in the top left corner while your old phone is set to Camera.

Screenshot by Isaac Egbon (AlfredCamera: Home Security)

AlfredCamera doesn’t stop at live video; the free plan includes a full-volume siren alarm, a low-light mode for nighttime viewing, two-way talk and the ability to switch cameras or rotate orientation, all from your main phone. Premium unlocks more: The Standard plan starts at $5.99/month and allows you to add up to four cameras (up from two in the free plan), HD streaming, an eight-hour recording loop, 14-day cloud storage and person/vehicle/pet detection. Premium Plus ($7.99/month) removes the camera limit and adds full HD, unlimited recording and 30-day cloud storage.

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Getting the most out of your DIY security camera

Hsyncoban/Getty Images

What just happened? Lexar has just announced what it claims to be the world’s thinnest portable SSD. Measuring just 3.8 mm (0.15 inches) and tapering to 1 mm (0.04 inches) at the edge, the Muse is so thin that it uses a proprietary snap-on cable to connect to the device instead of a USB-C port.

The new Lexar Muse Ultra-Slim Portable SSD, to give it its full name, has almost credit-card-like dimensions of 80 × 48 × 3.8 mm (3.15 x 1.89 x 0.15 inches).

Achieving those measurements meant that a regular USB-C port in the SSD wasn’t an option. Lexar’s solution is called SnapLink, a proprietary pogo-pin magnetic data connection. This uses a spring-loaded pin interface and N52-grade neodymium magnets.

The connector pairs with the SnapLink Magnetic Cable, which has a USB type-C connector on the other end (it also comes with a Type-A adapter).

Having a proprietary cable does come with drawbacks, of course. The main one is that if you lose it, you’re unlikely to have another one just lying in a drawer somewhere. Moreover, not everyone is a fan of magnetic connections that can be easily detached with a small knock.

The drive also comes with a magnetic mounting sleeve that Lexar says can secure it to compatible MagSafe iPhones, although promotional images show the Muse attached to iPads and MacBooks as well. Lexar’s existing SL500 Magnetic Set uses a separate magnetic ring to attach the SSD to non-MagSafe devices, suggesting the Muse could use a similar system, though the company has yet to explain exactly how those other attachments work.

As for the SSD’s specs, Lexar says it offers read speeds up to 1,050 MB/s and write speeds up to 1,000 MB/s. How much that tiny enclosure affects sustained performance remains to be seen.

Storage-wise, the Muse will be available in 512 GB and 1 TB capacities when it arrives sometime in the final quarter of this year.

The big question is how much the drive will cost. The memory crisis has pushed up the price of SSDs considerably, as we all know, so we expect a portable variant claiming to be the thinnest in the world to come at quite the premium.

The Muse could appeal to creators who record high-resolution video directly to external storage. Its slim profile should make a phone-and-SSD setup less cumbersome, while the quoted speeds are more than adequate for most mobile workflows. We’ll reserve judgment until real-world tests arrive.

Apple’s CEO transition is complete, OpenAI may have been caught red-handed, and Apple Maps had a controversial update on the AppleInsider Podcast.

It’s been a busy week for Apple fans and the iPhone 18 event hasn’t even happened yet. Tim Cook is now Executive Chairman while John Ternus is the new CEO.

His new era has begun with a lot of controversial things that aren’t exactly in John Ternus’s control. From new social media accounts to Apple Maps updates, Controversy Corner had to make a return for this episode.

The trade secret lawsuit against OpenAI is ongoing and heating up as more evidence is gathered. Apple believes it has a smoking gun, while OpenAI claims ease of access to secret information renders it not-so-secret.

It’s almost time for Apple’s iPhone Event and that means last-minute rumors. It’s anyone’s guess how pre-orders might go, but you better bet iPhone Fold will be hard to find.

BONUS: Subscribe via Patreon or Apple Podcasts to hear AppleInsider+, the extended edition. This time, your hosts discuss the rise and .

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