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Tech

‘Uncanny Valley’: Iran’s Threats on US Tech, Trump’s Plans for Midterms, and Polymarket’s Pop-up Flop

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Kate Knibbs: So, you went twice?

Makena Kelly: Yes, Kate. I went twice.

Kate Knibbs: I missed that.

Zoë Schiffer: Wait, is the Pentagon Pizza thing a joke about the pizza predicting the war?

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Makena Kelly: Yeah.

Zoë Schiffer: Oh, my God.

Makena Kelly: Because they had these Pentagon pizza trackers up. When I returned the second night, yes, I came back the second night. Everything was working for the most part. There were still some screens that were turned off, but I never saw any actual Bloomberg terminals. There were some monitory Bloomberg type terminal things that it looked like Polymarket had developed themselves, but the real $50,000 Bloomberg terminal was nowhere to be found. And yeah, the second night, again, it was mostly people looking to gawk at the event, except I did find a couple of people who placed some bets on platforms like Polymarket and Kalshi. One was named William, and he said he was a member of the military, wouldn’t give me his full name. And he last year got involved in this for the first time by putting in, I think, all of his tax return into Oklahoma City sports betting.

Makena Kelly, archival audio: So, you used Kalshi?

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William, archival audio: Yes.

Makena Kelly, archival audio: When did you first start using the service?

William, archival audio: Probably when I got my tax return back.

Makena Kelly, archival audio: OK.

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William, archival audio: So, I filed my taxes pretty early and I was like, “Oh, sweet. I got my tax return. What am I going to do with it?” So, I was like, “I’m going to just put it on Kalshi.”

Makena Kelly: He said that he goes up and down 100 dollars, but he hasn’t made any major winnings. Some of the stuff that we’ve heard. Some people making crazy insider bets making millions and millions of dollars. This is just a guy who was interested in this and just plays it for fun, it sounds like.

Brian Barrett: Kate, what do you see when you see a pop-up like this and Polymarket trying to—is it an attempt to legitimize itself to just a marketing stunt? And how does it tie into what you’re seeing with these companies anyway, that there’s the explosive growth that they’ve got trying to reach out to so many people and getting so many people hooked on what they’re offering?

Kate Knibbs: I mean, this particular event definitely seems like a very bald effort to woo DC-based journalists, if nothing else. One thing that Makena said sort of encapsulates what’s going on right now, the thing about the guys in the Palantir hoodies. So, I think it was the same week that this bar opened. Polymarket announced a partnership with Palantir and Palantir is helping them protect the integrity of their sports market. So, Palantir is going to be basically attempting to help Polymarket catch insider traders and market manipulators in all the sports games, which is kind of wild. I actually asked Polymarket last week whether they had any other deals with Palantir when I was trying to get them to say anything about whether they were investigating the Iran bets that have been raising a lot of eyebrows. And they said that Palantir was only helping them with sports, which I thought was freaking weird. And it speaks to how they’re rapidly expanding, but doing so in this really messy ad hoc way that doesn’t really make a lot of sense. Because I was like, “If you’re going to get Palantir involved, why wouldn’t you have them do this geopolitical stuff instead of March Madness?” Yeah, wild, wild times.

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Best Smart Home Gyms for 2026

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If you have the space in a spare room, having your own fitness equipment at home can help. Smart home gym equipment can replace dumbbells and other machines because they’re meant to be an all-in-one machine. I’ve tested many popular smart home gyms on the market, so I know what the experience is like and what to consider when buying one.

Why we like it: The NordicTrack X24 is one of NordicTrack’s newest treadmills, and it offers a max 40% incline. This high incline lets you enjoy a variety of workouts, including hiking. If you want to walk or run at a decline, it also has a minus 6% max option.

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Jump to details


Pros

  • Versatile for walking, hiking and running
  • Connects to third-party apps
  • Compatible heart rate monitors and Bluetooth headphones


Cons

  • Costs extra to access iFIT Pro membership ($40 per month)
  • Requires ample room because of its size
  • May not be in everyone’s budget at more than $3,000

Why we like it: The Cross Training Bike Plus is the newest version of the Peloton Bike. Peloton made some upgrades, such as an extra-cushioned seat and an HD touchscreen that now rotates 360 degrees, so you can work out from anywhere on the floor. The 23.8-inch full HD touchscreen also includes a camera, which gives you access to Peloton’s AI-powered feature, Peloton IQ. 


Jump to details


Pros

  • Peloton stays true to its brand design and function
  • Peloton IQ could benefit some members who want more guidance
  • The screen swivels 360 degrees, making it ideal to workout anywhere on the floor


Cons

  • Expensive and trade-in discount if you own a Peloton bike and want to upgrade it
  • Some members may expect more from Peloton IQ and be let down by the experience
  • All-Access Membership increased from $45 to $50

What we like about it: The Tonal 2 is the second version of Tonal, a strength training smart home gym that became popular in the fitness community, along with endorsements by athletes such as LeBron James and Serena Williams. It resembles a cable machine combined with a touchscreen TV and is intended to replace your dumbbells, barbells and weight plates while saving space in your home. It has 13 sensors to track your form and technique, while the smart handles and bar accessories (an optional, additional $495) have a gyroscope motion sensor that keeps track of your reps. 


Jump to details

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Pros

  • It is a space-saving, wall-installed machine
  • It’s quiet, which works well if you don’t want to disrupt the neighbors
  • It functions like a personal trainer
  • You aren’t limited to just using it for the classes and you can do your own customized workout


Cons

  • Your walls have to meet the requirements to install Tonal
  • The price is high for a machine ($4,295) that doesn’t include the cost of its own custom accessories or required professional installation

FITNESS DEALS OF THE WEEK

Deals are selected by the CNET Group commerce team, and may be unrelated to this article.

With years of experience testing fitness equipment, I’ve narrowed down the best machines based on cost and size and included memberships and overall performance. Below are the best smart home gyms to install in your home this year.

Latest updates

Aug. 1, 2025: We updated this list to reflect equipment that is still available and removed discontinued products. We updated Tonal to Tonal 2 and removed the NordicTrack Commercial 14.9 elliptical because it has been discontinued.

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April 2, 2026: We updated the list to replace the NordicTrack Commercial 2450 with the NordicTrack X24. We added the Cross Training Peloton Bike Plus. The Tempo Studio has been discontinued and removed from the list.

What is the best overall smart home gym?

Our roundup includes the best pieces of equipment across various categories: mirrors, bikes, rowing machines, treadmills and the like. These aren’t comparable and there is no winner, but every product listed is the best in its category based on my expertise and rigorous testing.

Buying advice for smart home gyms

A lot of people set improving their overall health as a New Year’s resolution, and building a home gym is a smart way to approach this goal. It makes it easier to fit training into your schedule and stick to your commitment, because consistency will get you the best results. And if you choose to buy smart home gym equipment, you can make this process a lot of fun by accessing different training routines and virtual classes.

With that said, it’s never a bad idea to also compare and see whether an actual gym membership would make more sense. If you’ve found yourself to be self-motivated, have the extra space and don’t mind the added effort of buying and selling equipment, buying smart home gym equipment for your setup will make sense and should see some good use. But if you’ve found yourself feeling better training amongst people and don’t have the space to spare, joining an actual gym will have a more meaningful impact on your goals. Take these factors into account as you shop to improve your health.

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Best smart home gyms for 2026

Pros

  • Versatile for walking, hiking and running
  • Connects to third-party apps
  • Compatible heart rate monitors and Bluetooth headphones

Cons

  • Costs extra to access iFIT Pro membership ($40 per month)
  • Requires ample room because of its size
  • May not be in everyone’s budget at more than $3,000

Why we like it: The NordicTrack X24 is one of NordicTrack’s newest treadmills, and it offers a max 40% incline. This high incline lets you enjoy a variety of workouts, including hiking. If you want to walk or run at a decline, it also has a minus 6% max option.

NordicTrack’s trademark SmartAdjust feature automatically adjusts your incline and speed. This function activates during an iFIT workout since the speed and incline are adjusted automatically based on the instructor’s cues. Considering the commercial size of this treadmill, you can enjoy it whether you walk, run or jog.

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The 24-inch touchscreen is big enough that you can view an iFIT class (through NordicTrack’s workout app) clearly or your favorite Netflix show, as long as you have the iFIT Pro membership ($40 per month). If you’re an iFIT member, you also have access to iFIT’s AI Coach, which functions as a personal assistant and schedules your workouts.  

Who it’s best for: This treadmill is best for the serious runner or those who enjoy hiking. The steep 40% incline and other treadmill features are beneficial whether you’re training for a race with various inclines or you enjoy a challenge when walking. You can also connect to third-party streaming apps, such as Netflix and Prime Video, to keep you entertained during your workout.

Who shouldn’t get it: This treadmill is large because it’s commercial-sized. Therefore, if you opt to buy it, make sure you have plenty of room to keep it. I had just enough space to test it in my home, but I would still recommend making sure you have more than enough space around it. This is important if you plan to do the iFIT classes and need to pivot the screen for your floor workouts.

I didn’t love the design on the speed and incline buttons because they’re flush with the treadmill and sometimes required me to press them multiple times to adjust these features. This isn’t helpful when you’re sweaty mid-workout and trying to adjust your speed quickly. 

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Pros

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  • Peloton stays true to its brand design and function
  • Peloton IQ could benefit some members who want more guidance
  • The screen swivels 360 degrees, making it ideal to workout anywhere on the floor

Cons

  • Expensive and trade-in discount if you own a Peloton bike and want to upgrade it
  • Some members may expect more from Peloton IQ and be let down by the experience
  • All-Access Membership increased from $45 to $50

Why we like it: The Cross Training Bike Plus is the newest version of the Peloton Bike. Peloton made some upgrades, such as an extra-cushioned seat and an HD touchscreen that now rotates 360 degrees, so you can work out from anywhere on the floor. The 23.8-inch full HD touchscreen also includes a camera, which gives you access to Peloton’s AI-powered feature, Peloton IQ. 

Peloton IQ is Peloton’s personal trainer experience during strength training sessions, counting reps, identifying the weights you’re lifting and checking your exercise form. The camera captures your body in frame during your workout, allowing you to use this feature.

Who it’s best for: The Cross Training Peloton Bike Plus is best for new Peloton fans who enjoy cycling and group fitness classes. If you like the idea of having an AI coach, you’ll like the Peloton IQ feature. Plus, having the bike makes it multi-functional for other workouts besides cycling.

Who should not get it: If you already own the original version of the Peloton Bike or Bike Plus, you won’t get a trade-in deal for the upgraded version. That means you’ll spend $2,695 to upgrade a bike you already own just to get the camera function. I also thought Peloton IQ could use some improvements. Until some changes are made, it may not be worth replacing your old bike for a new one.

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If you purchase the Cross Training Peloton Bike, you can still take advantage of some of the Peloton IQ features without the camera. The all-access membership also went up in price (originally $45, now $50) — regardless of whether you own one of the new machines.

Pros

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  • It is a space-saving, wall-installed machine
  • It’s quiet, which works well if you don’t want to disrupt the neighbors
  • It functions like a personal trainer
  • You aren’t limited to just using it for the classes and you can do your own customized workout

Cons

  • Your walls have to meet the requirements to install Tonal
  • The price is high for a machine ($4,295) that doesn’t include the cost of its own custom accessories or required professional installation

What we like about it: The Tonal 2 is the second version of Tonal, a strength training smart home gym that became popular in the fitness community, along with endorsements by athletes such as LeBron James and Serena Williams. It resembles a cable machine combined with a touchscreen TV and is intended to replace your dumbbells, barbells and weight plates while saving space in your home. It has 13 sensors to track your form and technique, while the smart handles and bar accessories (an optional, additional $495) have a gyroscope motion sensor that keeps track of your reps. 

The latest version of Tonal also includes a smart view, which allows you to view yourself as you do your workout and has an Aero feature, which allows you to use it for cardio or HIIT classes. Tonal 2 uses up to 250 pounds of total resistance and calibrates your weights for different exercises based on your initial fitness assessment. Before you start a workout, Tonal can also tell which muscle groups are fatigued on the day of your workout and make sure to work around them. 

Tonal offers thousands of on-demand and live workouts for beginners to advanced athletes. It even has five dynamic weight modes that make your workout harder and function like a personal trainer. If you don’t want to take a class, you can use the Tonal on its own and customize your own workout while still receiving the same feedback you would in class. You can also connect your Amazon Music or Apple Music account and listen to your own music during your workout.  

Who it’s best for: Tonal 2 is best for the serious weightlifter or someone who is into strength training, but wants more guidance during their workouts. They’ll appreciate the 250 pounds of total resistance and especially being able to view themselves as they do their workout. It is a big investment at $4,295, so it’s best for the exerciser who plans on being committed to using it. 

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Who should avoid it: I would avoid buying the Tonal 2 if you know you aren’t going to be consistent with your strength training workouts. I also wouldn’t recommend it if you don’t have the space for it or the budget. The original Tonal was cheaper, and I didn’t find the upgrades to be worth the big price jump this time around. It also requires 7 feet of wall space and floor space. If the next iteration has more unique features and functions, then I might say the price point is worth it.

How we test smart home gym equipment Each smart home gym is tested differently based on its category since no two are alike. We narrowed down the best smart home gyms based on each of their respective categories. These include treadmills, ellipticals and mirror gyms, all of which have been tested by various CNET editors over the years.

Budget: Smart home gyms tend to be expensive and can easily cost a minimum of $1,000. Therefore it’s an investment you want to make sure is going to be worth it for your home and exercise preferences. Consider how much you’re willing to spend and what’s included in that price.

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Space: Many smart home gyms are relatively large pieces of equipment. Before purchasing one, make sure you have enough room to set it up and move around it. For example, if you’re purchasing a machine such as a treadmill, it’s ideal to look for one that folds for easier storage. Whereas if you are purchasing a smart fitness mirror you’ll want to make sure that wherever you mount it there’s still room to exercise in front of it.

Versatility: Smart home gyms usually offer more than one function. If you’re buying a smart home gym, make sure it also offers a variety of classes so you can build a well-rounded workout. If you want personal training, make sure the smart home gym offers it as an option.

Membership: Since smart home gyms typically replace a gym membership, you’ll want to make sure that the membership provided will allow multiple user profiles so your whole family can use it.

Tempo Studio: We previously named the Tempo Studio the best smart home gym for strength training with free weight, but it has since been discontinued. Instead, you can opt for the Tempo Move or Core (the smaller version of the Studio).

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Since the types of smart home gyms that exist vary across the board, there aren’t best practices that apply to all of the ones on this list. Instead, there are some key things to keep in mind–particularly for treadmills, ellipticals and rowing machines.

Best treadmill practices: Make sure to get clearance from your doctor first if you are pregnant, have been sick or recovering from an injury or surgery. Your treadmill workout should consist of a five to 10-minute warm-up, pace yourself and don’t run too fast too soon, avoid holding on to the handrails and keep your arms by your side, but use them so you’re a more efficient runner. Focus on running tall and light and relaxed to avoid any unnecessary tension.

Best rowing machine practices: Learn the importance of the setup which is broken up into four parts known as the catch, drive, finish and recovery. If you’re really interested in getting into rowing, it’s recommended to learn the right technique from an expert.

Best elliptical practices: Make sure to stand tall, keep your core engaged, and avoid slouching. Hold onto the handles and keep your feet flat and sturdy on the pedals when you pedal forward.

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This depends on what you’re looking for in a smart fitness mirror. Most offer a variety of classes that are updated regularly but have a different purpose. Some focus on perfecting the artificial intelligence aspect of it to give you form feedback, while others prefer to concentrate on personal training or high-quality group fitness classes. The smart fitness mirror you choose will also depend on your preference, budget and space availability.

Owning a smart home gym can make it easier for you to stay active because you have a full gym at home. You can also share the experience with other family members looking to get fit.

Your smart home gym or smart fitness mirror will come with instructions on how to maintain and care for it. Some recommend only using microfiber or cleaning cloths to keep it clean and dust-free. Never use cleaning products that have not been approved by the manufacturer.

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Neat Vito Classic Loudspeakers Head to HIGH END Vienna 2026 With Big British Ambition

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Neat Acoustics will preview its new Vito Classic loudspeaker at HIGH END Vienna 2026, giving the British brand’s latest and most ambitious Classic range model its first public outing. For a company that has been building compact, musically focused loudspeakers in northern England for more than three decades, the Vito Classic feels like a reminder that Neat has flown under the radar in North America for far too long. Much like Cyrus Audio, Graham Slee, and the late Glenn Croft’s wonderfully stubborn corner of British hi-fi, Neat has never needed flashing lights or luxury pricing to make its point.

I still remember hearing a pair of Neat loudspeakers years ago at a Toronto dealer, paired with a mix of Naim and Exposure gear. They were quick, spacious, and far bigger sounding than their footprint suggested. For anyone living with real-world space limits, especially in an apartment where refrigerator-sized loudspeakers are a non-starter unless eviction is the goal, Neat made a lot of sense. I should have bought them. File that one under “audio regrets, British division.”

Slim Cabinet, Big Neat Energy

neat-vito-classic-ruby

The new Vito Classic sits at the top of the Classic range and follows that same thinking: a slim 2.5-way floorstanding loudspeaker built around an AMT tweeter, dual bass drivers, a claimed 22Hz to 22kHz frequency response, 6-ohm nominal impedance, and a recommended amplifier range of 25 to 200 watts. At 90 x 19 x 30 cm, it is not trying to dominate the room. It is trying to disappear into one, which has always been part of Neat’s appeal.

That matters because Neat has built much of its reputation on speakers that sound bigger, faster, and more alive than their dimensions suggest. The original Iota, Iota Alpha, Iota II, and Momentum models all leaned into compact cabinets, strong timing, surprising bass output, and an energetic presentation without turning the treble into dental work.

I really enjoyed the Iota Alpha for its open treble and tight bass from a tiny floorstanding cabinet, while the Iota II came across as agile, punchy, energetic, and capable of surprising scale from a very small enclosure. The newer Momentum J-S continued that pattern with an AMT tweeter, deep bass for a standmount, and a clean, articulate presentation.

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A lively top end has long been part of the Neat recipe. Not bright. Not etched. Not the kind of thing that makes cymbals sound like someone dropped cutlery down a stairwell. But dull? That word rarely gets anywhere near a Neat loudspeaker, and the Vito Classic does not appear eager to change that. The Vito Classic appears to follow that same path: compact footprint, real bass ambition, and enough top-end life to keep things moving along with some presence.

neat-vito-classic-pre-production-loudspeakers

The Bottom Line

The Neat Vito Classic looks like the company’s most ambitious Classic range loudspeaker yet, but the appeal is not just that it sits at the top of the lineup. What makes it interesting is the combination of a slim 90 cm floorstanding cabinet, AMT tweeter, dual bass drivers, claimed 22Hz bass extension, and Neat’s familiar preference for tuning by ear first and measurement second. That approach has defined the brand for decades, and the Vito Classic appears to be aimed at listeners who want scale, speed, and energy without surrendering half the room.

First customer deliveries are expected in September 2026, but official U.S. pricing has not been announced. It will not be cheap. Based on its position above the Classic Mystique and the reported U.K. pricing around £4,995 per pair, it is hard to imagine the Vito Classic landing under $5,000 USD once import costs, distribution, and dealer margins enter the chat. Nobody should pretend otherwise until Neat or its U.S. distributor confirms the number.

Amplifier matching should be part of the conversation. Based on personal experience with Neat speakers and direct conversations around what works well with them, the usual British suspects make a lot of sense: Naim Uniti models, Exposure integrated amplifiers and power amps, Cyrus Audio, Rega, Roksan, and Quad’s new 3 integrated amplifier. The WiiM Ultra also belongs in the discussion as a flexible streaming front end, especially for systems where budget needs to stay attached to reality.

The Vito Classic is not for someone chasing giant cabinets, luxury jewelry finishes, or audio furniture that announces itself from across the street. It is for listeners who want a compact British floorstander with real bass ambition, a lively but not bright top end, and enough musical momentum to make smaller and medium-sized rooms feel far larger than they are. Neat has been quietly doing this for a long time. The Vito Classic looks like the company finally asking more people to notice.

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For more information: neatacoustics.com

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Here’s What Comes In The C8 Corvette Z51 Package

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The C8 Corvette is an incredible machine. The Z06 model is one of the fastest production cars from the United States to take on the Nürburgring, currently sitting in 39th place with a time of 7:07.30. Even the base model shouldn’t be glossed over thanks to its mid-engine V8 powertrain and exceptional handling. If you’re looking to take your C8 Corvette Stingray to the track, you should be considering the Z51 performance package. 

The Z51 package is $5,000, so it doesn’t come cheap. Especially when the C8 Corvette Stingray is already over $72,000 to start (plus a $2,495 destination fee). But if you’re looking for the best track performance from your Stingray, the Z51 could be a must-have, offering better handling and higher speeds while keeping the car cool and efficient.

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What makes the Z51 performance package $5,000

The Z51 package may be expensive, but it comes with plenty of performance-boosting upgrades that could very well pay off if you love pushing yourself on the track. If you want to keep up with the Miatas and 911s on those turns, the Z51 offers firmer suspension and passive dampers for more body control on tough corners. The Z51 has a shorter final-drive ratio for better acceleration, bringing the base model’s 4.89:1 ratio to 5.17. A new front and rear splitter offer improved aerodynamics. For better grip, you’ll also get Michelin Pilot Sport 4S ZP summer tires in place of the base model’s all-seasons.

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Since you’ll be driving faster on the track, the engine will be working harder — and getting hotter. The Z51 package adds a third radiator in the driver’s-side air intake for increased cooling capacity. In addition, you’ll get a transmission cooler and additional built-in air funneling to the front and rear brakes. Speaking of, the Z51 has larger rotors than the base model, with the front increasing to 13.6 inches and the back to 13.8 inches. This will ensure you can stop efficiently while driving at higher speeds. 



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We Tested 30+ Grills So You Don’t Have to. Here Are the 9 Best Grills of 2026

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How we test grills dataloger

We use thermocouples linked to computer software to measure internal grill temperatures.

Brian Bennett/CNET

Our testing process varies by grill type, but most models go through three core challenges: a high-heat test like searing steaks or grilling burgers, a medium indirect-heat cook like a whole chicken over an hour, and a low-and-slow session with a full rack of ribs. Across more than 30 grills tested, we’ve refined this into a reliable routine.

Throughout each cook, we track total cooking time, internal grill temperatures, and the temperature inside multiple cuts of meat simultaneously. That data tells us what a grill’s own thermometer might not — where hot spots hide, how evenly heat actually distributes, and whether the readings you’re seeing on the dial match what’s happening on the grates

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  • High heat test: Cooking 5.3-ounce burger patties until they reach 145 F internally.
  • Indirect heat test: Cooking a 5.5-pound chicken off the flames to 160 F.
  • Low and slow: Cooking a rack of pork ribs at 225 for 3 hours and taste testing.

Temperature consistency

A thermal image of a grill

James Bricknell/CNET

We use the InfiRay P2 Pro to test how fast the grills heat up and if the heat is even. It only works as the grills heat up because the top temperature is too high, but it gives us a good idea of how well each grill spreads the needed heat. The InfiRay P@ allows us to take temperature readings at multiple points across the heating area to obtain a more accurate average. We also use it to see if there is any major heat loss from other areas of the grill that may indicate poor-quality construction.

We also use a stopwatch to determine how quickly the temperature drops over a one-minute interval when opening the lid. It’s an especially helpful test for smokers, where you may need to check the meat but don’t want to compromise the cooking time. We always suggest using a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of any food you are smoking, rather than opening the lid, as they almost all lose around 100 degrees per minute.

Taste testing

Chicken legs cooking over a grill with chicken breast cooking below it

Delicious food is delicious

James Bricknell / CNET

There’s also a fair amount of (read: so much) taste testing, lively debate, and voting among our editors and families, in addition to the data we gather about grilling temperatures and cooking times. You might think it would be more fun than work to eat delicious food while discussing the merits of a grill, and you’d be right.

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We don’t just taste test the three specific products in our temperature tests, as that wouldn’t give us a good spread. We choose products that people love to grill, including vegetables like corn, asparagus, and mushrooms, and meats like chicken legs, wings and steaks. When we can, we cook on multiple grills at once and keep a note on which products come from where. Then ask our (lucky) testers which they like the most. This is the least objective of the tests, but it is helpful in a real-world way. If the food just doesn’t taste good, then that grill likely isn’t doing a good job.

person flipping fish on griddle side of grill

You can grill flaky fish or make a diner-style breakfast on Ninja’s FlexFlame gas grill and griddle.

David Watsky/CNET

If you’re interested in any particular method of testing, we have a dedicated how we test page, plus our recommendations for cooking with kamado grills, portable grills and charcoal grills ready for your perusal. Happy grilling.

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Millions of Bees Have Thrived Under a New York Cemetery for More Than a Century

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A morning walk through East Lawn Cemetery in Ithaca, New York uncovered an immense colony of some 5.5 million subterranean bees. The discovery, which a Cornell University research team published in April in the journal Apidologie, documents one of the largest aggregations of these insects ever recorded in the world. The population, belonging to the species Andrena regularis, occupies an area of about 1.25 acres and is crucial for pollination of the region’s orchards, demonstrating that historic cemeteries can prove unsuspected refuges for urban biodiversity.

The Genesis of the Discovery

It all began in the spring of 2022, when Rachel Fordyce, then a laboratory technician in Cornell University’s entomology department, noticed an anomalous presence of insects during her usual walk to work. After collecting some specimens, she showed them to Bryan Danforth, an entomologist at the same university. Analysis revealed that they were Andrena regularis, commonly called the mining or miner bee. Unlike honey bees, this wild species has a solitary lifestyle and nests by digging tunnels in the ground. Historical records indicate that the insect has been present in the cemetery, established in 1878, since at least the early 1900s.

The Census

To calculate the size of the colony, scientists placed 10 traps placed in the cemetery between late March and mid-May 2023. These small net curtains cover less than one square meter of soil and channel insects coming out of the ground to a glass container. In total, more than 3,000 insects belonging to 16 different species were sampled, including bees, beetles, and flies, with an overwhelming prevalence of Andrena regularis. Extrapolating from the average density found in the traps, the researchers estimated a total population of between 3 and 8 million, with an average value of 5.5 million—the equivalent of more than 200 domestic bee hives.

The research yielded previously unpublished data on the biology of this little-studied insect. The traps revealed that males emerge from the ground a few days earlier than females during the first warm days of April, a strategy that maximizes mating opportunities. Subsequently, females dig nests and lay eggs in cells filled with pollen and nectar. The species has the distinction of wintering at the adult stage underground, which allows it to become active very early in the spring, in perfect synchrony with the flowering of apple trees in the nearby Cornell University orchards. Monitoring also revealed the presence of complex ecological dynamics, such as parasitism by bees of the Nomada imbricata species, which lay their eggs in the nests of the host species at the expense of the original larvae.

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A Heritage to Conserve

The discovery highlights the need to protect the nesting sites of wild bees, 75 percent of which are solitary species living underground. Places such as old city cemeteries offer ideal conditions: sandy soils that are easy to dig, no pesticides, and an environment that is not subject to the profound alterations typical of intensive agriculture or housing development. To prevent populations of this magnitude from being accidentally destroyed by concrete pours or road work, the study’s authors have launched a global citizen science initiative. The project invites citizens to report the presence of underground bee aggregations in order to survey and protect these vital pollinators before habitat fragmentation jeopardizes their survival.

This story originally appeared on WIRED Italia and has been translated from Italian.

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Ozempic May Be Reshaping the Brain, Scientists Say

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A research team found “extensive changes” on brain scans of 13 young women taking
GLP-1 drugs, reports the Washington Post:


Within only a few months, the brain connections in the salience network, which helps target attention, had multiplied… [“We didn’t expect to see this effect, and we really don’t know what it means,” said an assistant professor assisting the research.] Ozempic and other GLP-1 drugs were initially understood as a metabolism breakthrough: medicines that act like hormones to control hunger, blood sugar and weight. But as researchers probe deeper into how the drugs work, early evidence suggests that GLP-1s may also be reshaping parts of the brain.

Tens of millions of people are now taking the medications worldwide, turning what began as an obesity and diabetes treatment into what could be modern medicine’s largest unplanned neuroscience experiments… Long before Oprah Winfrey and social media influencers helped popularize GLP-1 drugs, physician-scientist Lorenzo Leggio was studying them as a possible addiction treatment… Several major studies examining GLP-1 drugs on nicotine dependence, opioid- and cocaine-use disorders, gambling addiction and binge eating are also underway. “It’s very exciting times, but we don’t fully understand how it works,” Leggio said…

As evidence has grown that inflammation, metabolism and mental health may be far more connected than scientists once believed, researchers have become intrigued by patients who say GLP-1 drugs appear to ease anxiety, compulsive thinking and emotional distress. Daniel Drucker, a University of Toronto researcher and GLP-1 drug pioneer who receives funding from several drugmakers, said researchers are investigating the medications across a variety of psychiatric and neurological conditions, though none are approved for them. “We have so many anecdotal reports: They were treated for blood sugar and then they felt much happier. Or they took one dose of the drug and their brain fog cleared,” he said.
The article suggests social media complaints “raise deeper questions about what, exactly, these drugs are changing.

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“If GLP-1s alter the brain systems involved in reward, craving and motivation, researchers wonder, where is the line between quieting a person’s destructive impulses and reshaping personality itself?”

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Testing Various Ways To Waterproof FDM Printed Parts

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Along with layer lines, FDM printers are notorious for being neither air- nor water-tight due to the countless very small gaps between the layers. This is very unfortunate if you are trying to FDM print something that should keep water either inside or outside. Although a variety of potential solutions exist, it’s hard to easily compare them. Correspondingly [Half-Baked-Research] decided that the best approach here was to just try everything and pit them against each other.

These solutions include various coatings either in- or outside the part, as well as the foam solution that he tried previously joined by a number of community-suggested alternatives that should not get waterlogged. To properly test them, the water pressure at a depth of about 10 meters would be good enough, but rather than find a really deep swimming pool or try his luck at nearby bodies of water, compressed air was used to ramp up the pressure of a what is basically a big bucket of water.

For the pressure chamber a Vevor vacuum chamber was modified to contain the 1 bar (103 kPa) of pressure, which was a fair bit of work and required a CNCed metal top plate. Among the printed and treated samples were also a couple of wild cards: a PETG cube with a TPU printed cover, a PU molded part and PETG with thicker walls.

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Along with the long soak, percussive testing was also performed to see how it’d affect the water intrusion resistance. After all that, there were three winners: internal epoxy coating and two types of internal PU coating, though epoxy held up the best after repeated abuse. PU rubber also got a thumbs-up if you don’t need as high a pressure resistance but are more concerned with resisting physical abuse.

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Out of the blue, Acer just dropped two smart glasses that look pretty stylish

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In 2026, the smart glasses conversation is mostly dominated by a handful of names: Meta, Samsung, and Google. There are other companies that already have products in the market, but they might not have thought about competition from this PC and laptop brand that has suddenly entered the market.

I’m talking about Acer. The company has quietly dropped two pairs of glasses ahead of Computex 2026, and neither of them looks like an experiment.

What can Acer’s wired AR headset do?

Out of the two smart glasses, the AR Vision GR0 is the more immersive one. 

It connects to your phone, laptop, or tablet via a wired connection, and then projects dual micro OLED displays (one per eye) at 1920 x 1080 resolution in 2D or 3840 x 1080 in 3D, simulating a 172-inch screen viewed from roughly 20 feet away.

At just 69 grams, it is quite light for a wired AR device. You can also get it with the optional detachable light shield and myopia magnetic lens support, which make it more practical than most glasses in this category.  

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The device is compatible with Android, iOS, and Windows and doesn’t come with a platform lock-in. You can purchase the AR Vision GR0 in North America at $499.99.

The company also has a Meta Ray-Ban competitor 

The Acer GI0 AI Glasses are slightly different. They’re closer to Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses than to an AR headset. 

They offer wireless connectivity, connect with your phone via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, and feature Google Gemini as the AI assistant of choice. 

Features include a 12MP camera for first-person photo and video capture, real-time AI translation, live captions, and voice recording, which, yet again, makes them similar to the Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses.

All the data is stored on the device’s 32GB onboard storage. These glasses are compatible with Android and iOS via the Acer AspireSync companion app. At 46 grams for the frames alone, these are light enough for daily usage. You can get the smart glasses for $299.99 in North America. 

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Sandisk is launching new SATA SSDs in 2026 because NVMe prices are out of control

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Spotted by hardware leaker momomo_us on Amazon UK, both drives use the familiar 2.5-inch, 7mm-thick format, making them suitable for a wider range of PCs and laptops. The Sandisk 320 is the mainstream model, with capacities from 250GB to 2TB and sequential speeds of up to 545 MB/s read and…
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I wasn’t convinced that the Logitech G Pro X2 Superstrike would be that special, but I was wrong: this is a revolution for gaming mice

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We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

Logitech G Pro X2 Superstrike: Two-minute review

The Logitech G Pro X2 Superstrike pictured on a black marble surface, in the box, with wireless dongle, adapter, and USB cable.

(Image credit: Future)

I should probably preface this review by saying that I’ve long been a fan of Logitech‘s mice, having used a G502 Lightspeed Wireless as my daily driver for more than five years. In fact, I love it so much that when mine finally gave up the ghost back in 2024, I literally just bought another identical model.

If you’re familiar with my work, you might suspect a slight degree of bias in this review – and I’m sure that the coveted five-star rating above won’t assuage those suspicions.

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