Self-driving cars are slowly becoming less sci-fi and more real-world as companies like Waymo, the autonomous arm of Google’s parent, Alphabet, expand into more areas. On Thursday, Waymo said it’s beginning fully autonomous operations with its latest, sixth-generation self-driving technology, which is built to handle extreme winter weather while scaling back costs.
The sixth-generation Waymo Driver builds on the company’s current autonomous technology by further tapping into AI advancements, Waymo said in a blog post. For instance, the updated vision system can find details in deep shadows or while being hit with high beams, and requires fewer cameras, thanks to higher-resolution image sensors. Waymo’s lidar sensors have gotten better at painting a 3D picture of the car’s surroundings in various weather conditions, and the company’s latest radar sensors use new algorithms to better track the distance, velocity and size of objects in rain or snow.
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These capabilities can come in handy as Waymo expands to more cities with a variety of climates, such as Minneapolis, Detroit and London. The sixth-generation Waymo Driver will first be deployed on the Ojai, a modified Zeekr vehicle, before making its way to the Hyundai Ioniq 5. Fully autonomous trips using the sixth-generation driver will kick off with employees in the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles before eventually opening up to the public.
Waymo currently offers fully autonomous rides to the general public in the all-electric Jaguar I-Pace in Phoenix, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Austin, Texas. The vehicles can be summoned either via the Waymo app or Uber, depending on the city. In November, Waymo began driving passengers on freeways in San Francisco, Phoenix and LA. And in January, it opened up to its first public riders in Miami as it gradually expands access.
The self-driving company has added several new cities to its roster in recent months. In an Aug. 29 blog post, Waymo noted it’s “entering a new chapter and accelerating our commercial expansion.” You can find a full list of where Waymo currently operates and plans to expand below.
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Waymo’s newest vehicle, dubbed Ojai, is a modified Zeekr equipped with the company’s latest sixth-generation self-driving technology.
Abrar Al-Heeti/CNET
Waymo expands and grows
Waymo’s growth extends to its manufacturing facilities. In May, the company said it’s opening a new, 239,000-square-foot autonomous vehicle factory in the Phoenix area. The plan is to add 2,000 more fully autonomous Jaguar I-Pace vehicles to its existing 1,500-vehicle fleet. Notably, Waymo indicated it received its “final delivery from Jaguar” earlier this year, as it plans for future iterations of its driverless rides.
Waymo added that the “facility’s flexible design” will allow it to integrate its upcoming sixth-generation self-driving technology into new vehicles, starting with the all-electric Zeekr RT, which Waymo has dubbed Ojai. In February 2026, Waymo said it was beginning fully autonomous operations with the sixth-generation driver aboard the Ojai, starting with employees before eventually expanding to more passengers.
In October 2024, Waymo also announced it’s partnering with Hyundai to bring the next generation of its technology into Ioniq 5 SUVs. In the years to come, riders will be able to summon those all-electric, autonomous vehicles using the Waymo app. Testing with these vehicles began in 2025 and they’ll become available “in the years to follow.”
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And in April 2025, Waymo said it reached a preliminary agreement with Toyota to “explore a collaboration” geared toward developing autonomous driving tech, which could someday be factored into personally owned vehicles.
Waymo is working to expand its autonomous driving tech into trucking as well, but it said in 2023 that it’s scaling back those efforts for the time being, to focus on ride-hailing with Waymo One. It noted, “Our ongoing investment in advancing Waymo Driver capabilities, especially on freeways, will directly translate to trucking and benefit its development efforts.”
Waymo safety and pushback
The self-driving company says it’s driven nearly 200 million miles on public roads, and completes over 400,000 fully autonomous rides each week in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Austin, Atlanta and Miami. I’ve hailed several rides myself in San Francisco, and as off-putting as it can seem at first (especially to see a steering wheel turn by itself), I quickly adjusted, and it soon felt like an ordinary ride.
Waymo’s Safety Impact report notes that over the course of 71 million autonomous miles driven through March 2025, its Waymo Driver technology had 88% fewer crashes leading to serious injuries or worse and 78% fewer injury-causing crashes, compared with “an average human driver over the same distance in our operating cities.” It also reported significantly fewer crashes with injuries to pedestrians (93%), cyclists (81%) and motorcyclists (86%).
In some cities, Waymo is available on the Uber app.
Uber/Waymo
How to hail a Waymo ride
As Waymo continues to expand and develop its self-driving tech, here’s how and where to summon a robotaxi if you’re in one of the few cities where the company currently operates its fleet.
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Watch this: Testing Waymo’s Safe Exit Feature in a Self-Driving Taxi
Phoenix
Phoenix was the first city to open up fully autonomous Waymo rides to the public in 2020. To hail a ride, download the Waymo app on iOS or Android. The service operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
You can also use the Uber app to summon one of Waymo’s vehicles in Phoenix. When you request an UberX, Uber Green, Uber Comfort or Uber Comfort Electric ride, you’ll have the choice to confirm a Waymo ride if you’re matched.
In addition to hailing a ride, you may also have your Uber Eats meal delivered by an autonomous car. When placing an order in the Phoenix area, you might get a note that “autonomous vehicles may deliver your order.” When the Waymo car arrives, take your phone with you to pop open the trunk and grab your delivery. You can opt out of this during checkout if you’d rather have a human deliver your food.
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Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport became the first major airport to offer fully autonomous Waymo rides to its terminals. Waymo said in September 2025 that it had “served hundreds of thousands of trips to/from Sky Harbor, and it remains the single most popular Waymo destination in Phoenix.”
San Francisco followed suit after Phoenix, rolling out fully autonomous rides in late 2022. It scrapped the waiting list in June 2024, so now anyone can download the Waymo app to ride anytime. The service also operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There’s currently no Uber partnership in San Francisco.
In November 2024, Waymo scrapped its waitlist for Los Angeles and began welcoming all public riders via the Waymo app. Now any interested passengers can hop in the robotaxis 24/7 and ride across nearly 120 square miles of LA County, including Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Inglewood, Silver Lake, Playa del Rey, Ladera Heights, Echo Park and Downtown LA, and along all of Sunset Boulevard.
There’s currently no Uber partnership in Los Angeles.
In November, Waymo began rolling out freeway access to LA riders.
Austin
Riders can hail a Waymo across 90 square miles of Austin, including neighborhoods like Crestview, Windsor Park and Franklin Park and locations like The Domain and McKinney Falls State Park. There are more than 100 Waymo vehicles in the city, with plans for further expansion.
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In Austin, the only way to hail a Waymo ride is through Uber — no Waymo app here. By requesting an UberX, Uber Green, Uber Comfort or Uber Comfort Electric, you could be matched with a Waymo vehicle — and you won’t be upcharged. If you’d rather not take a driverless ride, you can switch to a standard one. On the other hand, if you want to boost your chances of being matched to a self-driving car, you can go to Account > Settings > Autonomous vehicles, then hit the toggle next to Get more Waymo rides.
Unlock the door, pop open the trunk and start the ride from the Uber app. You’ll still be asked to rate your ride at the end, but you won’t be asked to tip.
If there are any issues, riders can access human support 24/7 via the Uber app and from inside the Waymo vehicle (there are screens in the front and back that let you quickly summon customer support).
As part of the Uber partnership, Uber will manage tasks like vehicle cleaning and repair, while “Waymo will continue to be responsible for the testing and operation of the Waymo Driver, including roadside assistance and certain rider support functions,” the companies said. The collaboration should make autonomous rides accessible to more people, so they won’t have to download a separate app to ride a robotaxi.
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Atlanta
Waymo operates across 65 square miles of Atlanta, with plans for future expansions. As in Austin, you can only climb aboard a Waymo robotaxi via the Uber app. When you book a ride through UberX, Uber Comfort or Uber Comfort Electric, you might be paired with a Waymo vehicle at no additional cost. You’ll have the option to accept or decline the driverless ride each time.
You can unlock the vehicle, pop the trunk, and start the trip all from the Uber app, and you can access human support 24/7 via the app and touchscreens inside the vehicle.
If you want to boost your chances of being paired with a Waymo vehicle, you can opt in by going to the Uber app, tapping Account > Settings > Autonomous vehicles (under Ride Preferences), and then hitting the toggle next to Get more Waymo rides.
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Waymo vehicles can now drive passengers on freeways in Phoenix, San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Waymo
Upcoming expansions
Sacramento
Adding to the list of Californian cities in which it operates, Waymo said in February that it’s heading to Sacramento. The company will start by manually driving its Jaguar I-Pace vehicles around the city to better understand its layout, before scaling to autonomous driving.
It’s not clear when riders will be able to hail a ride in Sacramento. Waymo says it has the necessary DMV permit to operate autonomously in the city, but it hasn’t yet obtained a commercial deployment permit from the California Public Utilities Commission, which is required for driverless operations.
Boston
Waymo is bringing its vehicles to Boston, but there’s no clear timeline yet for when rides will be available to the public there. In a blog post, Waymo said it’s working with officials to get Massachusetts to legalize fully autonomous vehicles.
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Baltimore
In December, Waymo said it was beginning manual driving in Baltimore. It’ll gradually work toward autonomous rides.
St. Louis
Waymo also launched manual driving operations in St. Louis in December, as it builds toward autonomous driving.
New Orleans
In November, Waymo said it would begin manual driving in New Orleans as it builds toward a robotaxi service there. It’s not clear when exactly the public will be able to ride in the city; it could be in 2026, depending on when the company validates its technology. Waymo is using its fifth-generation driving technology “as we lay the groundwork for our services,” the company said, with the option to add future vehicles equipped with its newer sixth-generation tech as it expands.
Minneapolis
Like New Orleans, Waymo began manual driving in Minneapolis in November. Once the company has validated its tech there, riders will be able to climb aboard.
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Las Vegas
In January, Waymo said it would begin testing with manually driven vehicles in 10 new cities, starting with Las Vegas and San Diego. And in November, it announced that its robotaxi service will officially expand to those cities in 2026.
As part of the rollout, the company is deploying both its Jaguar I-Pace fleet, which already operates in a handful of other cities, and the newer Zeeker RT vehicles equipped with Waymo’s latest, sixth-generation self-driving technology.
“We’ve regularly visited Las Vegas over the years and found the Waymo Driver easily adapts to the city,” Waymo said in a blog post. “While Las Vegas is unique, its driving dynamics are familiar-similar to cities where we already operate. This familiarity positions us well to help serve Las Vegas’s 40-plus million annual visitors.”
Waymo said it plans to make its ride-hailing service available in Vegas in the summer of 2026. It began autonomous testing with a driver behind the wheel just before this year’s CES.
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San Diego
San Diego is one of many cities Waymo is expanding to in its home state of California.
“As we work to expand our deployment permits, we’re partnering with local teams, training first responders, and deepening community relationships so we can best serve the community and its visitors when we open our doors,” the company said in a blog post.
It’ll deploy both its Jaguar I-Pace fleet and the newer Zeeker RT vehicles equipped with Waymo’s latest self-driving technology.
Waymo says it plans to open up its autonomous service in San Diego in 2026.
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Detroit
Unlike many of the other cities Waymo is expanding to, Detroit presents the challenge of harsh winter weather. Similar to Las Vegas and San Diego, Waymo will deploy both its current Jaguar I-Pace fleet and Zeeker RT vehicles equipped with its latest autonomous technology.
In a blog post, Waymo said it has “regularly tested in Detroit during winter weather to develop our capabilities in snow and ice. We’ve made great strides in our efforts to operate in heavier snow – including testing in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula – and look forward to the 6th-generation Waymo Driver navigating Detroit streets this winter.”
London
In mid-October, Waymo said its vehicles are headed to London, making the city its first European location. It’ll start driving on the city’s roads with humans behind the wheel “while we lay the groundwork for fully autonomous operations,” the company said in a statement. “We will scale up based on guidelines established by the UK Department for Transport and Transport for London, and work closely with local and national leaders to secure the necessary permissions to offer fully autonomous rides in 2026.”
London is Waymo’s second international city, after it announced in 2024 that it’s expanding to Tokyo, though passengers can’t hail a ride there just yet either.
As part of the collaboration, Lyft will manage the robotaxi fleet, which includes vehicle maintenance and cleaning, while Waymo will be responsible for the self-driving technology.
Denver
Waymo arrived in Denver in the fall “to lay the groundwork for a fully autonomous service in the future,” the company said in an early September 2025 blog post. It’ll deploy a mixed fleet consisting of Jaguar I-Pace vehicles with its fifth-generation Waymo Driver as well as Zeekr RT vehicles with the sixth-generation Waymo Driver. That newer technology “is informed by years of winter weather experience across Michigan, upstate New York, and the Sierra Nevada and engineered to autonomously sustain operations in harsher climates,” Waymo said.
Seattle
In early September, Waymo shared that it’s heading to the Seattle metropolitan area, noting in a blog post that it “spent years getting to know the area — from communities around the Lake to its notoriously wet weather.” It’s not yet clear when exactly that service will launch.
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Dallas, Houston and San Antonio
Waymo is currently conducting early testing in Dallas, with plans to launch public rides via the Waymo app next year. The company is teaming up with Avis Budget Group, which will manage the fleet, including vehicle cleaning and maintenance.
“Our partnership with Waymo marks a pivotal milestone in our evolution, from a rental car company to a leading provider of fleet management, infrastructure and operations to the broader mobility ecosystem,” Avis Budget Group CEO Brian Choi said in a statement. “Together, we’re committed to making scaled autonomous mobility a reality for the people of Dallas, with plans to expand to additional cities in the near future.”
Waymo is also planning to launch in Houston and San Antonio next year. In November, Waymo said it would begin rolling out fully autonomous rides in the three Texas cities for employees, before launching for the public in 2026.
In January, Waymo shared it was beginning employee testing at Dallas Love Field Airport and San Antonio International Airport.
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New York City
In June, Waymo shared plans to bring its autonomous tech back to New York, after having first manually operated its vehicles there in 2021. It once again began driving manually in the Big Apple in early July, specifically in Manhattan and parts of downtown Brooklyn, as well as in nearby Jersey City and Hoboken. Waymo submitted a permit application with the New York City Department of Transportation to operate autonomously with a human behind the wheel, which was granted in late August.
As part of the New York City permit, Waymo can test up to eight autonomous vehicles in Manhattan and downtown Brooklyn until September. After that, it can apply for an extension to the pilot testing period.
Existing laws in the state of New York don’t permit the same fully autonomous ride-hailing service that companies like Waymo offer in other parts of the country, so Waymo is still unable to charge for rides. In June, Waymo said it was “advocating for a change in state law that would allow for operating a vehicle with no human behind the wheel,” adding, “we have every intention of bringing our fully autonomous ride-hailing service to the city in the future.”
Philadelphia and Pittsburgh
Waymo said in July that it’s bringing a limited fleet of its vehicles to “the most complex parts” of Philadelphia,”including downtown and freeways.” And in December, the company said it’s now operating autonomously with a trained human specialist behind the wheel.
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It’s also kicking off manual driving in Pittsburgh before eventually building up to autonomous driving.
Washington, DC
Waymo plans to start offering rides through its Waymo app in Washington, DC, in 2026. The company returned to the nation’s capital in January last year to test its autonomous driving tech. In late March, it said it was bringing more vehicles to the city and working to scale its service throughout the year. In a blog post, Waymo said it’ll “continue to work closely with policymakers to formalize the regulations needed to operate without a human behind the wheel in the District.”
Miami, Orlando and Tampa
In January, Waymo began offering fully autonomous rides to the public in Miami. “With nearly 10,000 residents already signed up, we will be inviting new riders on a rolling basis to ensure a seamless experience across our initial 60-square-mile service area,” the company said in a blog post. The initial service area includes the Design District and Wynwood, as well as Brickell and Coral Gables. Waymo plans to expand to Miami International Airport “soon.”
The company conducted weather testing in the lead-up to Miami’s rollout, noting in a blog post, “Our previous road trips to the Sunshine State’s challenging rainy conditions have been invaluable in advancing our autonomous driving capabilities.”
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Waymo is collaborating with Moove, a fintech company that offers vehicle financing, first in Phoenix, where Moove will manage the robotaxi’s fleet operations, facilities and charging infrastructure. In Phoenix and then Miami, “Waymo will continue to offer our service through the Waymo app, and remain responsible for validation and operation of the Waymo Driver,” the company said in a blog post.
Waymo is also rolling out driverless rides in Orlando for employees as it prepares to launch its service there this year.
Waymo is also starting manual driving in Tampa, though it’s not clear when people will be able to hail a robotaxi ride there. It could be in 2026, if the company has validated its self-driving tech in the city.
Tokyo
In December 2024, Waymo announced it’s expanding to Tokyo, making it the company’s first international location. Waymo is partnering with Japanese taxi service Nihon Kotsu and taxi app Go.
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Waymo says trained Nihon Kotsu drivers will manually drive its vehicles across seven Tokyo wards, including Minato, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Chiyoda, Chūō, Shinagawa and Kōtō. This will allow engineers to test and adapt Waymo’s autonomous driving tech to local road features and traffic.
“In Tokyo, we are abiding by the same steadfast principles that guide us in the US — commitment to safety, dedication to earning trust in communities where we operate, and collaboration with local officials and community groups here in Tokyo,” Nicole Gavel, Waymo’s head of business development and strategic partnerships, said in a statement.
It’s not clear when riders will be able to hitch a self-driving ride with Waymo in Tokyo.
Gaming has quietly become one of the most lucrative frontiers in personal audio, and at CanJam NYC 2026, Fosi Audio is stepping directly into the fight. Best known for its compact DACs, headphone amplifiers, power amplifiers, and affordable desktop gear, the company is debuting two new products aimed squarely at gamers and portable audio enthusiasts: the C3 AI Gaming Sound Card and the MD3 Magnetic DAC/Amp.
The move makes a great deal of sense. Gaming is now a multi-billion-dollar category where sound quality can make the difference between immersion and frustration, yet only a handful of established audio brands have truly taken advantage of the opportunity.
Companies like Audeze, beyerdynamic, and Sennheiser have leaned into the gaming category with some of the most respected audiophile-grade gaming headsets on the market. Meanwhile, Schiit Audio has taken a different approach, focusing on compact DAC/amp solutions such as the Schiit Gunnr and Fulla, which are designed to improve headphone audio across smartphones, tablets, PCs, and modern gaming consoles.
Fosi’s new C3 AI Gaming Sound Card feels like a logical next step for the category. By blending compact desktop audio design with gaming-focused processing and AI-assisted features, the company appears to be pushing beyond the traditional DAC/amp playbook. The big question now is whether Fosi can deliver something genuinely different from the established players—or simply prove that the next evolution of gaming audio doesn’t have to come with a high-end price tag.
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Fosi Audio C3 AI Gaming Sound Card
The C3 AI Gaming Sound Card marks Fosi Audio’s first AI trained gaming audio processor and is designed specifically with competitive FPS (First Person Shooter) players in mind. Built on the company’s Spider S AI model, the C3 analyzes in game audio in real time to enhance critical cues such as footsteps and directional movement.
Unlike traditional EQ based “footstep boost” modes commonly found in gaming headsets, the C3 focuses on isolating movement and positional information without simply increasing overall volume or exaggerating certain frequencies. The goal is greater positional accuracy and spatial awareness while preserving the natural ambience of the game environment, rather than turning the entire soundscape into an over amplified mess.
The C3 AI Gaming Sound Card is compatible with PCs and major gaming consoles and is designed for simple plug and play operation via USB C with no drivers required. An XMOS XU316 processor works alongside a premium CS43131 DAC and a dedicated headphone amplifier to provide the computational headroom required for real time AI processing while maintaining clean, high resolution audio playback.
Hardware level 7.1 spatial audio support, AI powered microphone noise reduction, and a web based EQ control interface further expand the C3’s flexibility for both competitive and immersive gaming setups.
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The C3 AI Gaming Sound Card is expected to launch soon via Kickstarter.
MD3 Magnetic DAC Amp Snaps Onto Your Smartphone
Fosi Audio MD3 Magnetic DAC Amp
Also making its CanJam NYC 2026 debut is the MD3 Magnetic DAC/Amp from Fosi Audio. The compact DAC/amp incorporates an ESS ES9039Q2M DAC, paired with four dedicated headphone amplifier chips designed to deliver clean headroom and strong dynamic range across a wide range of headphones and in-ear monitors.
The MD3 also includes dual USB C ports that allow simultaneous playback and device charging, along with a MagSafe style magnetic back plate for secure attachment to compatible smartphones. A 1.28 inch LCD display provides direct on device control, supported by a 100 step digital volume control with memory. Internal aluminum shielding helps reduce interference, while the CNC machined aluminum chassis reinforces the unit’s durability and premium construction.
“CanJam NYC allows us to connect directly with the headphone and audiophile community in one of the world’s most influential HiFi markets,” said Ryan Huang, Founder and CEO of Fosi Audio. “With C3 and MD3, we’re showing how advanced processing, balanced design, and user focused engineering can elevate both competitive gaming and portable high fidelity listening.”
More from Fosi Audio: Full Product Lineup on Display at CanJam NYC 2026
IM4 In Ear Monitors (IEMs) – The IM4 IEMs are precision tuned to deliver accurate and engaging sound for portable listening setups, offering a balanced presentation aimed at listeners who want detail without sacrificing musicality.
i5 Planar Magnetic Headphones – The i5 is an open back planar magnetic headphone designed to deliver a wide soundstage and strong detail retrieval, bringing a more spacious and immersive presentation to desktop listening.
ZH3 Balanced DAC Headphone Amp Preamp – The ZH3 combines DAC, headphone amplifier, and preamp functionality in a balanced design built to drive demanding headphones while serving as the control hub of a compact desktop system.
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K7 HiFi Gaming DAC Headphone Amplifier – The K7 is positioned as a versatile DAC/amp for both hi-fi listening and gaming, pairing immersive audio performance with features such as independent microphone control for competitive play.
DS3 Portable DAC Headphone Amplifier – The DS3 is an XMOS powered DAC/amp housed in a compact battery free dongle, designed to deliver improved audio performance for smartphones, tablets, and laptops without the need for an internal battery.
BT20A MAX Amplifier – The BT20A MAX is a compact 2.1 channel Class D integrated amplifier with Bluetooth connectivity, built to deliver substantial output and wireless flexibility for small hi fi or desktop systems.
ZA3 Balanced Amplifier – The ZA3 is a balanced dual mode Class D power amplifier that supports both stereo and mono operation, allowing it to function either as a traditional stereo amplifier or as part of a higher power mono block setup.
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The lineup on display at CanJam NYC 2026 reflects Fosi Audio’s continued expansion across both portable and desktop hi fi categories, along with a growing focus on performance driven gaming audio.
Fosi Audio C3 AI Gaming Sound Card
The Bottom Line
With the Fosi Audio C3 AI Gaming Sound Card, Fosi Audio is stepping into the rapidly expanding gaming audio category with a product aimed squarely at competitive players who want clearer positional cues without the usual gimmicky “footstep boost” tricks. If the AI processing works as promised, the C3 could appeal to gamers looking for a more precise and natural sounding alternative to the typical headset DSP modes.
Meanwhile, the Fosi Audio MD3 Magnetic DAC Amp targets the portable hi-fi crowd, offering a magnetically attached DAC/amp designed to clean up smartphone audio without the bulk of a traditional portable stack. Between the gaming focused C3 and the smartphone friendly MD3, Fosi appears to be expanding into two fast growing segments of personal audio.
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Both products will be making waves at CanJam NYC 2026, and with several other products in tow, the Fosi booth is shaping up to be a busy stop on the show floor. Check back this weekend for our full coverage and listening impressions from the event.
The report identified an increase in the number of women entrepreneurs raising investments to expand their businesses.
Ahead of International Women’s Day on Sunday (8 March), AxisBIC, a non-profit based in Ireland’s south and mid-west region that supports innovative start-ups, has released data highlighting the progress being made among women founders.
AxisBIC’s figures for 2025 show that 35pc of High Potential Start-Up approvals in this region were organisations either founded or co-founded by women, while 57pc of Pre-Seed Start Fund approvals were given to companies being led by women.
The platform’s research shows that over the course of the last five years at AxisBIC’s flagship event, the Entrepreneur Experience, more than 50pc of the participating businesses were founded or co-founded by women – outpacing the national average of 25pc to 30pc. Figures also show that these women-led businesses raised a total investment of €42m.
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AxisBIC works with entrepreneurs to develop their business plans, raise investment, manage business propositions and arrange agreements between shareholders and investors. The organisation also provides access to a network that includes partners, local authorities, universities, investors, business bodies and seasoned entrepreneurs across Ireland and internationally.
Some of the women-led start-ups that have worked with AxisBIC include Rosanne Longmore’s femtech Coroflo – which recently made history at CES 2026 – Peigín Crowley’s health and wellness brand Ground Wellbeing, and Rena Maycock’s mobile phone child protection company Chirp.
The CEO of AxisBIC Larry O’Donoghue said: “At AxisBIC, our commitment of supporting and advancing women-led start-ups is underpinned by a strong ‘Give to Gain’ ethos. The organisation draws on an extensive network of experienced entrepreneurs, investors and partners who mentor, coach and advise emerging founders.
“In addition, AxisBIC, together with the four Irish Business Innovation Centres, has recently organised and supported Enterprise Ireland’s newly established accelerator programme, NextWave. NextWave is the new national women’s founder accelerator designed to empower women founders to validate, build and scale with confidence.”
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In line with International Women’s Day, AxisBIC will co-host a webinar called ‘Forging Collaboration and Sharing Entrepreneurial Success Stories to Balance the Scales’ with partner incubators in the EU and the Caribbean.
The discussion will take place 10 March and will include women entrepreneurs from Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Ireland and Slovenia. Anyone interested can register to attend on the AxisBIC website.
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Campfire Audio has spent the past decade building a reputation as one of the most innovative brands in the high-end in-ear monitor market. The Portland-based manufacturer has become a global force in portable Hi-Fi with cult-favorite releases like the Andromeda, Clara, and Astrolith, each pushing design and tuning in directions that most competitors avoid. That willingness to experiment has produced some of the most recognizable IEMs in the audiophile space, often at premium prices that climb well past $3,000. The new Campfire Audio Andromeda 10 continues that legacy as the latest evolution of the company’s flagship Andromeda series.
Priced at $1,799 and available directly from Campfire Audio, the Andromeda 10 promises improved driver integration, refined tuning, and an ergonomic shell designed for long listening sessions. But the high-end IEM market has never been more competitive. With strong offerings from brands like 64 Audio, Noble Audio, and Astell&Kern crowding the field, the question is simple: can the Andromeda 10 still stand out in a category it once helped define?
Listening Preferences and Review Context
This review is ultimately a subjective evaluation shaped by my own listening priorities. I aim to remain consistent and fair in my comparisons, but no amount of methodology can fully remove personal bias. Transparency matters, so it’s worth understanding the lens through which this review is written.
My reference sound signature leans toward controlled, authoritative sub bass with textured and articulate mid bass, a slightly warm and natural midrange, and treble that is extended and detailed without crossing into glare. I’m also mildly sensitive to elevated treble energy, which inevitably affects how I judge brightness, listening fatigue, and long term comfort.
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Full details on my testing equipment, methodology, and evaluation standards can be found here.
For testing, I used a mix of dedicated DAPs and portable dongles, including the HiFiMAN SuperMini, Hidizs AP80 Pro MAX, and Astell&Kern PD10, alongside the Astell&Kern HCL, Audioengine HXL, Meze Alba dongle, and Apple’s USB-C dongle. This range covers everything from dedicated audiophile sources to more typical everyday mobile listening setups.
Unboxing
Build
Campfire Audio products are well known for their abstract, angular designs. Most of the company’s IEMs feature strong lines, sharp edges, and bold contours that make them instantly recognizable. The Andromeda 10 follows that same visual language, building on the aesthetic established by earlier Andromeda models.
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I’m still a big fan of the designs used for the Andromeda 2019 and 2020, though realistically there’s probably no way to physically fit ten drivers into those smaller shells.
Die-hard Campfire Audio fans will notice immediately that the Andromeda 10 features something unique to their lineup on the top of the shell: a 0.78mm 2-pin socket. This break from tradition (using MMCX sockets), while a personal disappointment, makes sense given the buying power wielded by Eastern audiences; they’re major proponents of cable-swapping and almost exclusively use 2-pin cables.
The Andromeda 10 is the second Campfire Audio product to come with their new TimeLink modular cable, following the Grand Luna. This cable uses a friction-based mechanism to permit the user to swap between 3.5mm, 4.4mm, and USB-C terminations. Swapping terminations is easy, and they fit snugly onto the cable–but friction-based modular cables, no matter how-well manufactured, almost always suffer early failure when swapped often. I’d like to see Campfire Audio revise this cable to include a mechanical lock, such as a threaded nut. DUNU, Melody Wings, and many other brands have adopted this more-secure style.
The included USB-C termination works well and provides far more power than the Andromeda 10 actually needs. In fact, it delivers so much output that using it with my Pixel 10 Pro can be a challenge. I have to set the volume to around 1 out of 20, and even then it’s still a bit louder than I’d prefer.
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Some form of built-in level control would be welcome, because the only real solutions are rooting the phone or applying a negative preamp in the music player—neither of which is exactly convenient for everyday listening.
Comfort
Comfort is a metric that relies heavily on factors influenced by your individual ear anatomy. Mileage will vary. The Andromeda 10, in spite of its unusual dimensions, is quite comfortable. It is light-enough to not tire the backs of my ears and the TimeLink cable, while not as ergonomic as Campfire’s Timestream cables, is still viable for long listening sessions. The Andromeda 10 makes use of venting, so there’s no pressure-build up, even after two or three hours of listening.
Accessories
Inside the box, you’ll find:
1x 2-pin TimeLink modular cable
1x 4.4mm termination
1x 3.5mm termination
1x USB-C termination
3x Pairs “High and Clear” liquid-silicone eartips
3x Pairs foam eartips
3x Pairs standard silicone eartips
1x CFA 10th Anniversary pin
1x CFA microfiber cleaning cloth
1x cleaning tool
1x Semi-hard carrying case
The Andromeda 10 introduces a new large zippered case. It offers plenty of room for the IEMs, extra terminations, spare eartips, and even a small USB-C dongle. However, there’s no real way to secure additional gear inside.
The top flap includes a small elastic pouch similar to the mesh compartments found in many zipper cases, but it doesn’t stretch much. Larger DACs like the Campfire Audio Relay or Astell&Kern HC5 won’t fit there and end up sitting loose in the main compartment. It’s not a dealbreaker, but a Velcro divider or modular insert system would make better use of the space.
Tech Specs
The Andromeda 10 uses ten balanced armature drivers per side, arranged in a three way crossover: four for bass, four for the midrange, and two for treble. Campfire implements the crossover using what it calls a “hybrid vintage” ceramic capacitor design.
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Despite the large driver count, the Andromeda 10 is very easy to drive. With an 8.5Ω impedance and a sensitivity of 94 dB @ 1 kHz (12.10 mVrms), it works comfortably with modest sources, including low power dongles like Apple’s USB-C adapter. The bigger consideration is output impedance. These IEMs perform best with sources that have a near zero output impedance.
Listening
Graph for the sniffers. Source: Campfire Audio
The Andromeda 10’s sonic signature is warm and comfortable, with a dash of upper-treble sparkle. Its sub-bass is well-extended, rolling into a slightly elevated mid-bass. The Andromeda 10’s lower-mids are blended nicely into its sub-bass, carrying a healthy dose of warmth. The upper-mids sit above the lower-mids, but don’t ever over-step, ensuring a cohesive, though distinct, vocal and instrumental space. Above the Andromeda 10’s upper-mids sits its expressive and precise treble. The Andromeda 10 expertly-balances a medium-serving of brightness with comfort while preserving the carefully-curated “vibe” of its predecessors. Its upper-treble features a few key lifts and peaks to bring out a sense of sparkle and air. Simply put, the Andromeda 10 sounds like a good pair of Hi-Fi speakers: rich, quick, and detailed.
Enigmatic Treble
The Andromeda lineup has long been known for its signature “sparkly” treble. A quick scan of forum threads or YouTube comments makes that reputation clear. But sparkle alone isn’t rare: many IEMs achieve it simply by boosting the upper treble. What sets the Andromeda apart is finesse. Its upper register isn’t just elevated for effect; it’s carefully shaped to deliver air, detail, and shimmer without turning harsh or fatiguing.
The OG Andromeda, Andromeda 2019, and Andromeda 2020 all share the same core tuning that contrasts carefully placed upper-treble emphasis against a warm and smooth midrange. The Andromeda 10 iterates on this approach, eking out subtle increases in treble presence without creating treble bloom. The Andromeda 10 captures a wealth of upper-register texture and detail, staging them with clarity.
The Andromeda 10 is thusly an excellent partner for critical-listening, but also reveals the flaws in rougher masters. For example, the original recording of “Parallel Universe” by Red Hot Chili Peppers can be a tough listen. The Andromeda exposes the grain and harshness in the track that less resolving IEMs tend to smooth over.
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Absolute Transparency
One of my few reservations with the previous Andromeda models were their propensity to over-warm the midrange. The Andromeda 10 handily addresses this concern, expertly balancing convincing tonal weight with transparency. Rock tracks with contrasting elements like gritty electric guitars and somber vocals, like those on Middle Class Rut’s outstanding album, No Name No Color, place believably across a wide soundstage. Tracks with modern production values, like “Die For Me” by A Day to Remember, pair well with the Andromeda’s balanced and cohesive presentation.
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Male vocals, deep or otherwise, sound well-weighted and organic. The Andromeda 10’s responsible upper-midrange lift gives lyrics separation and intelligibility without compromising overall timbre, allowing the Andromeda 10 to achieve excellent levels of immersion and imaging.
The Pursuit of Bass Balance
The most common complaint with the older Andromeda models were their inability to generate proper bass response. The Andromeda 10 goes above-and beyond simply meeting the standards of neutrality and actually produces stable, controlled dealings of punch. The Andromeda 10’s mid-bass is fast and technical, but isn’t above getting down-and-dirty on electronic tracks like “Motion” by Uppermost.
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The Andromeda 10 performs impressively on tracks with demanding bass hits and complex sub bass passages. Listening to “Turbulence” by Neddie highlights the IEM’s control over texture and intensity, showing how far all balanced armature designs have come since the original Andromeda debuted. The Andromeda 10 moves a surprising amount of air for an all BA design, reproducing the track’s deep and layered bass textures with confidence.
While the Andromeda 10 handles highly technical electronic music very well, it doesn’t fully deliver the level of bass intensity demanded by some R&B and hip hop tracks. “Baby Got Brap” by T Pain, a playful ode to rotary engines, calls for a massive wall of sub bass.
The Andromeda 10 produces more rumble than I expected, but it still falls short of what you get from dynamic driver based IEMs like the Clara or Cascara. Whether that matters depends on your taste. Bassheads may see it as a compromise, while audiophiles will likely appreciate the balance between articulation and bass presence.
Comparisons
Campfire Audio Andromeda 2019
When someone says Campfire Audio Andromeda, they’re usually referring to the models released between 2018 and 2020. Aside from the lineup’s brief departure from form with the Emerald Sea, the core Andromeda sound and identity have remained consistent and wildly popular. For the Andromeda 10 to truly qualify as an evolution of the series, it needs to deliver a clear and meaningful improvement over those earlier models.
To my ears, it does. The Andromeda 2019 is a warmer, thicker sounding IEM with less extension at both frequency extremes. The Andromeda 10, by comparison, delivers a more pronounced mid bass lift and a broader, deeper reaching sub bass shelf. That shift makes it far more capable with bass heavy genres like EDM, an area where earlier Andromeda models were not strong performers.
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The Andromeda 2019 also presents vocals with less presence and leans into a smoother upper register. While it was an excellent IEM in its time, driver design and tuning have clearly progressed. The Andromeda 10 reveals a noticeable technical gap between the two. Sub bass textures that the 2019 often glosses over are clearly articulated and properly staged on the Andromeda 10, which also resolves more vocal nuance while introducing less coloration in the midrange.
In my view, the choice between the two is fairly clear. The Andromeda 10 is a different beast. It trades the overtly stylized tuning of earlier models for a more refined interpretation of what made the series special while delivering noticeably stronger technical performance.
Older Andromeda models may still be worth considering if you find a great deal on the used market, but otherwise the Andromeda 10 stands as the most capable and advanced Andro to date.
Campfire Audio Astrolith
Campfire Audio Astrolith
The Astrolith is Campfire Audio’s flagship planar IEM. It uses two planar drivers per side, detachable MMCX cables, and stainless steel faceplates. At $2,200, it costs about $400 more than the Andromeda 10.
The Andromeda 10 includes the modular TimeLink cable with 3.5mm, 4.4mm, and USB-C terminations, while the Astrolith ships with separate 3.5mm and 4.4mm Timestream Metal cables. I personally prefer the Timestream Metal cables, which feel more compact and ergonomically friendly than the TimeLink system.
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Both IEMs include the same excellent selection of eartips, though the Andromeda 10 fits my ears better without requiring aftermarket options. It also ships with a proper storage case, while Astrolith owners will likely need to supply their own solution, such as a Pelican 1010.
Sonically, both IEMs are serious performers, but they approach presentation very differently. The Astrolith is all about intensity, while the Andromeda 10 takes a more relaxed and balanced approach. The Astrolith’s midrange carries a bit more thickness, flowing into a fuller and more present mid bass region. Both extend well at the frequency extremes, though the Astrolith maintains stronger presence below about 200Hz, delivering punch and rumble with a convincing sense of note weight across the soundstage.
The Andromeda 10, despite its lighter bass emphasis, seems to reach slightly deeper into the lowest sub bass registers. In the treble, the Astrolith leans bright and energetic, fully exploiting the speed and openness of its dual planar drivers. The Andromeda 10 counters with a more measured top end, offering smoother and richer doses of air. If the Andromeda 10 feels like a refreshing breeze, the Astrolith is closer to an industrial fan—the better choice simply depends on how much intensity you want.
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It’s a tall task to chose between these two IEMs. The Astrolith has excellent bass and incredibly-precise timbre, while the Andromeda 10 delivers a maximally smooth and organic tone without dropping an ounce of resolution. Both IEMs are well-equipped with accessories, but vary on the specifics, so your specific needs will influence which one is more practical OOTB. That said, my specific music library meshes a little better with the Andromeda 10. Its less-intense upper-treble is more-comfortable for me, and the lighter lower-mids synergize better with my commonly-listened artists.
ClearTune Monitors DaVinci X
ClearTune Monitors DaVinci X
The DaVinci X is the flagship offering from ClearTune Monitors, featuring 10 balanced armature drivers per side. It has remained unchanged since its 2018 debut and in that time has dropped from $2,500 to a comparatively-affordable $1200. At its adjusted price, the DaVinci X can be had for $600 less than then Andromeda 10. Both IEMs feature metal shells and detachable cables, though the DaVinci X has a comparatively utilitarian suite of accessories.
In terms of sound, the DaVinci X is a more-linear sounding IEM with a brighter lower-treble than the Andromeda 10. Its vocal range is a little more forward than the Andromeda 10, while the Andromeda 10 packs a warmer lower-midrange with greater bass presence. The DaVinci X narrowly avoids roll-off down below the 50Hz range, but lacks any real oomph in spite of its technical competence.
Comparatively, the Andromeda 10 is able to deliver light doses of punch and rumble — enough to be enjoyable in electronic genres. The DaVinci X possesses a special sense of air and space in its upper-register than is hard to reproduce, though the Andromeda 10 comes close. Both IEMs have substantial soundstage width and depth, though the DaVinci X has a bit more believable positioning. The DaVinci X’s roots as a stage-monitor are evident here, as crucial audio cues transparently pop up front when listening, while the Andromeda 10 presents a more cohesive, organic sonic environment.
Between the two, I’m choosing the Andromeda 10 for daily-listening. Greater genre flexibility, increased bass response, and improved ergonomics make it the better choice, even accounting for the difference in price. Of course, if you’re interested in maximizing your IEM’s utility as a technical tool, be it engineering or stage monitoring, the DaVinci X may still be the more-appealing option, but that’s not how I consume audio as a casual listener.
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EarAcoustic Audio VSA-PM Crown
EarAcoustic Audio VSA-PM Crown
The VSA-PM is the flagship (and only) planar IEM from EAA, featuring one large planar driver per side. It runs $850, making it about half the price of the Andromeda 10. Both IEMs feature detachable 0.78mm 2-pin cables, though the Andromeda 10 has a modular cable versus the VSA-PM’s fixed 4.4mm.
Both IEMs have decent cases, though the Andromeda 10’s is larger and more accommodating to accessories like USB-C DACs. The Andromeda 10 has vastly superior stock eartips, though I should hope so given its substantial price tag. Both IEMs are built from high-quality aluminum shells and are fairly ergonomic, though the Andromeda 10 is easier for me to wear for extended sessions.
Sonically, the Andromeda 10 is warmer and bassier than the VSA-PM. Both IEMs feature excellent extension in the upper and lower-registers, though the VSA-PM seems to carry its upper-register emphasis a little further out than the Andromeda 10. The Andromeda 10 delivers a fuller, richer soundstage with its increased mid-bass presence. The VSA-PM has a comparatively cool lower register, allowing it to more easily stage a sense of “emptiness”, but at the cost of harmonic weight.
The Andromeda 10 delivers similarly-forward vocal presence, but manages to avoid to occasional sharpness generated by the VSA-PM. Both IEMs are extremely technically-capable, though the VSA-PM seems to more-easily surface micro-textures in the lower-treble. The Andromeda 10, by contrast, has much better control over its mid and sub-bass.
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I was the very first purchaser of the VSA-PM, so suffice it to say, I like the IEM — a lot. It offers an excellent TOTL experience for under $1000, which is becoming increasingly rare these days. That said, its presentation is sometimes non-optimal for busier, dryer tracks in my collection. The Andromeda’s effortless richness and smoothness makes it an easier listen for long days in the office or during plane rides.
The Bottom Line
The Andromeda lineup has never been about neutrality. It’s never been about cost-efficiency. It’s never been about stage monitoring. The Andromeda has always represented the apex of Campfire Audio’s philosophy: that audio should be warm, welcoming, and something worth remembering. As such, I think the Andromeda 10 earns its keep as the new Campfire Audio brand ambassador. Combining quintessential Campfire Audio house-sound, truly impressive performance, and luxurious materials, the Andromeda 10 is set to deliver a special experience. And at these prices, that’s what you’re paying for: the experience.
The Andromeda 10 is best suited for audiophiles and enthusiasts who value balance, detail, and long term listening comfort over sheer bass quantity. Listeners chasing maximum low end impact may still gravitate toward dynamic or hybrid designs, and a bit more bass authority would make genres like hip hop and modern R&B more convincing. But for those who appreciate a refined, articulate, and unmistakably Campfire presentation, the Andromeda 10 stands as one of the most compelling entries in the lineup to date.
Pros:
Speaker-like immersion
Balanced sound signature with rich and clear bass
Expressive treble with zero sharpness
Excellent passive isolation
Phenomenal vocal intelligibility
TOTL layering abilities
Cons:
Modular cable lacks affirmative locking mechanism
USB-C termination is too loud on Android devices
USB-C termination block microphone during phone calls on Android
The new 2026 Apple Studio Display is here, boasting minor upgrades over the previous generation that leave existing owners with little reason to upgrade.
2022 Studio Display vs 2026 Studio Display: Minor upgrades make for a difficult recommendation
Apple announced the second-generation Studio Display on March 3, 2026, with the monitor going on sale a week later. But its thunder was stolen by the arrival of the all-new Studio Display XDR, with its mini-LED backlight and 120Hz refresh rate. Predictably, the Studio Display XDR is an expensive beast, starting at $3,299. That leaves the refreshed Studio Display as the more affordable option — it matches the same $1,599 starting price of its predecessor. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
A commercial Delrama prism-based anamorphic lens for large cameras. (Source: Mathieu Stern, YouTube)
Although to the average person a camera lens is just that bit of glass you stick on the front of the camera to make stuff appear in focus, there’s a whole wide world out there of lens designs and modifications with enough variety to make your head spin. Some of these designs make a big impact, while others fade away again, sometimes at the whims of film makers and photographers. Prism-based anamorphic lenses are an oddity that recently [Mathieu Stern] got his hands on. (Video, embedded below.)
During the 1950s and 1960s there was a bit of a competition between anamorphic formats, which use special lenses that ‘squeeze’ a larger image so that widescreen movies could be recorded on standard 35 mm film. By using the same lens for recording and playback, the result was a mostly distortion-free image. Here the Technirama format by Technicolor who teamed up with Dutch company De Oude Delft (‘Old Delft’) to produce the prism-based Delrama lenses that fit on existing lenses for cameras and projectors.
The last gasp of the Delrama anamorphic lenses. (Credit: Mathieu Stern, YouTube)a
Despite having a clearly superior, distortion-free image than the cylindrical lenses of the competition, Technirama got pushed out of the commercial market, leaving De Oude Delft to try and interest the consumer market for Delrama with 8 and 16 mm adapters. These latter are the ones that [Mathieu] got his hands on and tried out with a DSLR camera.
Troublesome with these Delrama adapters is that their silver mirrors tend to degrade over time, and they also turned out to be rather fragile, which are both things that made consumers sour on them. Another challenge was the fixed four meter focus that’s great when you’re using it with a projector, but terrible for up-close shots. All of these issues resulted in Delrama fading from the market by the 1970s until all that remains are these remnants of a format that once was used to film some of the biggest Hollywood movies.
Heading to Barcelona for this year’s Mobile World Congress, I had a feeling there might be some early discussions on the potential for 6G. Boy, was I wrong. Instead of 6G being a sideline topic, it was the center of attention for many of the vendors there. Read Entire Article Source link
Here comes another disappointment for ChatGPT users. As first reported by Sources‘ Alex Heath, OpenAI is yet again delaying its “adult mode” for ChatGPT. A company spokesperson told Heath that “we’re pushing out the launch of adult mode so we can focus on work that is a higher priority for more users right now.”
More specifically, OpenAI’s spokesperson said that things like “gains in intelligence, personality improvements, personalization, and making the experience more proactive” were being prioritized instead. However, the company still wants to release an adult mode, but it would “take more time,” according to the company spokesperson.
The reveal of ChatGPT’s adult mode dates back to October, when OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, posted on X that the company would roll out more age-gating as part of its “treat adults like adults” principle, adding that this would include “erotica for verified adults.” Altman originally said this adult mode would be available in December, but an OpenAI exec later said during a December briefing that it would instead debut in the first quarter of 2026.
With Q1 almost coming to a close, we no longer have a timeframe for when ChatGPT’s adult mode will release. However, OpenAI began rolling out its age prediction tool in January, which may go hand-in-hand with the upcoming adult mode.
The UFC 326 live stream features Max Holloway vs Charles Oliveira 2 for the BMF belt, a one-off symbolic title that has taken on a life of its own over the past six years and this could be the best contest yet.
Holloway is the only fighter to have successfully defended the crown, and he’s putting it on the line again on Saturday, in a rematch against former lightweight kingpin Oliveira. Holloway won the original bout 11 years ago after Do Bronxs had to retire in the opening round with a self-inflicted neck issue.
And here’s the knockout blow: Walmart+ members get Paramount+ free, and new subscribers to Walmart+ get 30 days’ access for just $1, which means you can watch the UFC 326 full fight live for next to nothing in the United States.
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It’s a deal worthy of the BMF title. Details below…
How to watch UFC 326 for $1
Use a VPN to access UFC 326 from anywhere
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The sign-up process only takes a minute – and NordVPN costs less than $3/£2.50 a month with our mega-deal below.
If you’re determined to watch UFC 326 for next to nothing but you’re away from the US when it’s on, combine the Walmart/Paramount free trial with the Surfshark free trial below! Don’t forget to cancel before the free trials end.
2. Connect to a server based in USA (e.g. New York).
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3. Fire up Paramount Plus or Walmart+. Pro tip: try it in Chrome’s Incognito mode and it should be plain-sailing.
4. Sign up to to Paramount ($8.99) or Walmart ($1 trial) to catch UFC 326. Use a Paramount Plus gift card if you don’t have a credit card.
5. Watch UFC 326.
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🥊 UFC 326 card and start times
📍 Location: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada 📅 This Saturday
⏰ Start Times (ET / PT) Early Prelims: 5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT Prelims: 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT Main Card: 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT
📋 Main Card Max Holloway (c) vs Charles Oliveira – Lightweight BMF Title (Rematch) Caio Borralho vs Reinier de Ridder – Middleweight Rob Font vs Raul Rosas Jr. – Bantamweight Drew Dober vs Michael Johnson – Lightweight Gregory Rodrigues vs Brunno Ferreira – Middleweight
🔥 Prelims Cody Garbrandt vs Xiao Long – Bantamweight Donte Johnson vs Cody Brundage – Middleweight Ricky Turcios vs Alberto Montes – Featherweight Cody Durden vs Nyamjargal Tumendemberel – Flyweight
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🥋 Early Prelims Su Mudaerji vs Jesús Santos Aguilar – Flyweight Rafael Tobias vs Diyar Nurgozhay – Light Heavyweight Lee Jeong-yeong vs Gaston Bolaños – Featherweight Luke Fernandez vs Rodolfo Bellato – Light Heavyweight
All fights are streaming live on Paramount Plus in the US and through local providers internationally. Watch Paramount Plus for $1 with the Walmart+ 30-day trial.
Conclusion
UFC 326 is here, and thanks to Walmart+ including Paramount Plus with its $1 trial, you can stream every fight live in the US for next to nothing. Traveling outside the country? A strong VPN lets you access Paramount Plus and watch Holloway vs Oliveira 2 legally. Don’t miss this legal, low-cost way to watch UFC 326 live, from prelims to the main event.
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We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
Ransomware threat actors tracked as Velvet Tempest are using the ClickFix technique and legitimate Windows utilities to deploy the DonutLoader malware and the CastleRAT backdoor.
Researchers at cyber-deception threat intelligence firm MalBeacon observed the hackers’ actions in an emulated organization environment over a period of 12 days.
Velvet Tempest, also tracked as DEV-0504, is a threat group that has been involved in ransomware attacks as an affiliate for at least five years.
The attack was observed by MalBeacon between February 3 and 16 in a replica environment for a non-profit organization in the U.S. with more than 3,000 endpoints and over 2,500 users.
After obtaining access, Velvet Tempest operators performed hands-on keyboard activities, including Active Directory reconnaissance, host discovery, and environment profiling, as well as using a PowerShell script to harvest credentials stored in Chrome.
The script was hosted on an IP address that researchers linked to tool staging for Termite ransomware intrusions.
According to the researchers, Velvet Tempest gained initial access through a malvertising campaign that led to a ClickFix and CAPTCHA mix that instructed victims to paste an obfuscated command into the Windows Run dialog.
ClickFix lure used by Velvet Tempest Source: MalBeacon
The pasted command triggered nested cmd.exe chains and used finger.exe to fetch the first malware loaders. One of the payloads was an archive file disguised as a PDF file.
In subsequent stages, Velvet Tempest used PowerShell to download and execute commands that fetched additional payloads, compile .NET components via csc.exe in temporary directories, and deploy Python-based components for persistence in C:\ProgramData.
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The operation ultimately staged DonutLoader and retrieved CastleRAT backdoor, a remote access trojan associated with the CastleLoader malware loader known for distributing multiple families of RATs and information stealers, like LummaStealer.
Termite ransomware has previously claimed high-profile victims such as SaaS provider Blue Yonder and Australian IVF giant Genea.
While Velvet Tempest is typically associated with double-extortion attacks, where victim systems are encrypted after stealing company data, MalBeacon’s report notes that the threat actor did not deploy the Termite ransomware in the observed intrusion.
Multiple ransomware actors have adopted the CkickFix technique in attacks. Sekoia reported in April 2025 that the Interlock ransomware gang used the social engineering method to breach corporate networks.
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Malware is getting smarter. The Red Report 2026 reveals how new threats use math to detect sandboxes and hide in plain sight.
Download our analysis of 1.1 million malicious samples to uncover the top 10 techniques and see if your security stack is blinded.
Astronomers have spotted a galaxy they believe is made of 99.9% dark matter, reports CNN — and it’s so faint, it’s almost invisible:
CDG-2, which is about 300 million light-years from Earth, appears to be so rich in dark matter that it could belong to a hypothesized subset of low surface brightness galaxies called “dark galaxies,” which are believed to contain few or no stars…. [Post-doctoral astrophysics/statistics fellow Dayi Li at the University of Toronto was lead author on a study about the discovery, and tells CNN] There is no strict definition of dark galaxies… but their existence is predicted by dark matter theories and cosmological simulations. “Where exactly do we draw the line in terms of how many stars they should have is still ambiguous, because not everything in astronomy is as clear-cut as we like,” he said. “To be technically correct, CDG-2 is an almost-dark galaxy. But the importance of CDG-2 is that it nudges us much closer to getting to that truly dark regime, while previously we did not think a galaxy this faint could exist.”
To observe CDG-2, the researchers used data from three telescopes — Hubble, the European Space Agency’s Euclid space observatory and the Subaru Telescope in Hawaii — along with a novel approach that involved looking for objects called globular clusters. “These are very tight, spherical groupings of very olds stars, basically the relics of the first generation of star formation,” Li said. Globular clusters are bright even if the surrounding galaxy is not, and previous observations have shown a relationship between them and the presence of dark matter in a galaxy, Li added. Because CDG-2 appears to have very few stars, there must be something else providing the mass that the clusters need to hold themselves together. Li and his colleagues assume that the source of the mass is dark matter.
The researchers found a set of four globular clusters in the Perseus Cluster, a group of thousands of galaxies immersed in a cloud of gas and one of the most massive objects in the universe. Further observations revealed a glow or halo around the globular clusters, suggesting the presence of a galaxy… Astronomers believe, Li explained, that after the formation of the clusters early in the galaxy’s existence, larger surrounding galaxies stripped it of the hydrogen gas required to make more individual stars like our sun. “The material that this galaxy needed to continue to form stars was no longer there, so it was left with basically just a dark matter halo and the four globular clusters.” The process, he added, would leave behind a skeleton or ghost of “a galaxy that pretty much just failed.” As a result of this formation mechanism, the galaxy only has 0.005% of the brightness of our own galaxy, Li said…
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Studying potential dark galaxies is important because they provide nearly pristine views of the behavior of dark matter, according to Neal Dalal, a researcher at the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, who was not involved with the study. Robert Minchin, an astronomer at New Mexico’s National Radio Astronomy Observatory, told CNN that “it seems likely that other very dark galaxies will be found by this method in the future.”
