Mini PCs are great when you’re on a budget and need the best price-performance ratio you can get, but you can also pay up a little bit more for a mini PC that packs excellent power—like this Minisforum UM890 Pro model with beastly specs that’s now 20% off on Amazon. That brings its price down from $910 to $730, its all-time best price.
What makes this mini PC such a monster in its class? Start with the AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS processor on board and 64GB of DDR5 RAM. Yes, you read that right! This tiny thing is loaded with tons of memory, way more than you need to smoothly run Windows 11 Pro (included) along with all your apps, browser tabs, games, and more.
The UM890 Pro is essentially a compact desktop rocket that’ll help you complete just about any task you need, from your daily workload to image editing to other demanding activities. It doesn’t hurt that there’s a 1TB SSD on board for storing all your apps, games, videos, and more, while fast enough to boot up the system in a blink.
If there’s a downside here, it’s the lack of a dedicated graphics card. However, the integrated AMD Radeon 780M is one of the most powerful integrated GPUs for desktops, and it’s good enough to run modern 3D games on decent settings at playable frame rates. If you aren’t a hardcore gamer and if you keep your expectations in check, this config will serve you well—and it’s a fantastic value for the price.
And even if you don’t game at all, that graphical power will come in handy for multitasking productivity because the UM890 Pro can support up to quadruple 4K@60Hz displays or double 8K@60Hz via its ports: 2x USB4, 1x DisplayPort, and 1x full-sized HDMI. Other ports include 4x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2, 1x 2.5Gbps Ethernet, 1x headphone/mic, and 1x OCuLink for connecting external PCIe devices.
That’s a ton of power for the price, so if you’ve been looking to upgrade your home office PC setup, save space with this tiny-yet-performant Minisforum UM890 Pro for under $740 on Amazon.
Save 20% on this jacked-up mini PC with high-performance specs
Apple fans are still discovering the new upgrades found in the latest iOS 18.4 software update since it came out last week – and now we’ve had more time to experiment with it, we think it’s safe to say that Apple’s mid-year update is bigger than you might think.
We’ve already drawn your attention to the more obvious iOS 18.4 changes such as the new Apple Intelligence Priority Notifications feature, and are patiently waiting for bigger upgrades like the delayed next-gen Siri. But iOS 18.4 is still a glimmer of hope that hints at better things to come from Apple Intelligence, and the update contains five other handy little features that’ll help tide us over for now.
While these new tricks haven’t gone unnoticed, they’re still small enough to easily fly under-the-radar. So in case you missed them, here are five other new features in iOS 18.4 that could help change the way you use your iPhone…
1. New Shortcuts actions
(Image credit: Future)
The new upgrades to Shortcuts are small but effective, pointing to the possibility that changes to Siri could be next on Apple’s agenda, since Shortcuts could serve as the foundation for Siri’s upcoming upgrades.
When you go to the Shortcuts app, there’s a new action that allows you to change settings for a number of different Apple apps, including Safari, Apple Maps and Apple News, with each one packing another layer of actions you can perform.
2. Lots of new emojis
(Image credit: Unicode / Emojipedia)
Everyone uses Apple’s extensive keyboard of emojis and iOS 18.4 introduces eight new emojis to brighten up your texts and social media captions. It’s a very minor upgrade, but new emojis are always exciting.
Out of all of the newest additions to Apple’s emoji gallery, which includes a new fingerprint, harp, and funky splatter emoji, one has already proven itself to be the next most-used emoji – the new smiley with sinking, under-eye bags. Relatable? I think so.
3. Ambient Music
(Image credit: Future)
One of the more well-known, but easily missed, additions to iOS 18.4 is the expansion of Apple’s existing Background Sounds function.
The Ambient Sounds feature packs four different playlists – Chill, Sleep, Productivity, and Wellbeing. Perfect if you rely on instrumental music for studying, working, or relaxing.
To use it, just add the Ambient Music icon to your Control Center during customization, then choose your relaxing playlist.
For starters, you’ll have the freedom to enable and disable your ‘Recently Viewed’ and ‘Recently Shared’ galleries, as well as two new filtering options, ‘Shared With You’ and ‘Not in an Album’, saving you having to scroll for ages trying to find a specific photo.
The new Photos functions also include a new album-sorting category ‘Sort by Date Modified’ and the ability to delete or recover photos all at once. It’s a helpful software improvement for iPhone photographers everywhere.
5. Visual Intelligence for iPhone 15 Pro
(Image credit: Apple)
The new Apple Intelligence Priority Notifications are one of iOS 18.4’s most handy new features, but you may have missed that Apple has also added a new Action Button that opens Visual Intelligence. Also, while this feature was previously exclusive to the iPhone 16 range, Apple has now brought it to the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max model, too.
In a nutshell, it’s an Apple Intelligence feature that’s similar to Google Lens and allows you to take a photo of something in front of you, before finding out more about it. You can get more information using ChatGPT, Google Search or by highlighting any text within the snap.
Although the iPhone 15 Pro doesn’t pack the same Camera Control button like its superior iPhone 16, Visual Intelligence can be accessed through the Control Center or Action Button.
If you live somewhere that has poor broadband connectivity, Amazon could soon have the answer: the company is launching a constellation of satellites with the goal of making low-cost internet available worldwide. The initiative is called Project Kuiper and it’s coming sooner than you think – with the first batch of satellites being blasted into space tomorrow on Wednesday April 9.
A competitor to SpaceX’s Starlink, the aim of Project Kuiper is to bring the world online, by offering high-speed connectivity in remote regions. Amazon says it plans to make the service accessible by offering affordable plans and outdoor antennae.
With the first full-scale satellite deployment taking off this week (weather permitting), Amazon is planning to make the service available to customers “later this year”. As the race for satellite internet supremacy heats up, here’s everything you need to know about Project Kuiper.
What is Project Kuiper?
Project Kuiper is a planned satellite internet service from Amazon
It will use a constellation of thousands of low Earth orbit satellites
It aims to provide data coverage in remote regions
Project Kuiper is the name for Amazon’s planned satellite internet service. The company intends to offer fast, affordable broadband by launching its own network of thousands of low Earth orbit satellites.
One of the aims of Project Kuiper is to provide internet service in areas of the world which are beyond the reach of “traditional, ground-based fiber and wireless connectivity solutions”. Amazon plans to address these “coverage gaps” by investing heavily in satellite technology.
Amazon began working on Project Kuiper in 2018. It received a license from the FCC in July 2020 to launch and operate satellites. In 2023, two major developments were announced: a processing facility at Kennedy Space Center and a dedicated satellite production facility in Washington (where Project Kuiper is based).
(Image credit: Amazon)
How does Project Kuiper work?
Amazon will initially launch a constellation of 3,232 satellites
These will orbit lower than traditional geostationary satellites
Customers connect using terminals installed at home
Project Kuper will use a constellation of low Earth orbit satellites to deliver high-speed internet to users on the ground. Like SpaceX’s rival Starlink system, customers will need to install a small outdoor antenna to connect to the service and communicate with the satellites passing overhead.
Amazon initially plans to launch 3,232 satellites. At around 375 miles above the ground, these orbit much closer to the Earth than traditional geostationary satellites. This results in lower latency and faster data transmission. The constellation is designed to provide global coverage by seamlessly handing off connections between satellites as they orbit.
(Image credit: Amazon)
Both the satellites and antennae rely on a single custom chip developed by Amazon, codenamed “Prometheus”, which handles processing, traffic and point-to-point connectivity.
Amazon will also operate a network of stations on the ground to manage data coverage and traffic, communicate with the satellites and keep them operating correctly.
When will Project Kuiper be available?
Two prototype satellites launched in 2023
First full-scale deployment planned for April 2025
Service rollout scheduled for later in the year
To get its satellites into space, Amazon is working with commercial launch providers such as SpaceX and Blue Origin. It has already secured more than 80 heavy-lift launches, enough to put most of its constellation into orbit.
Amazon launched a pair of prototype satellites in 2023. It’s now ready to begin full deployment of its constellation, with the first batch of 27 satellites set to launch from Cape Canaveral on Wednesday 9 April, aboard a ULA Atlas V rocket.
Amazon hasn’t confirmed when the service will roll out commercially, but confirmed on April 2 that it expects it to be available “later this year”.
How fast will Project Kuiper be?
Standard antenna will support 400Mbps connectivity
Low-cost, compact terminal will offer speeds up to 100Mbps
Largest antenna gives enterprise users 1Gbps speeds
To begin with, Amazon has developed three “customer terminals”, each of which offers different connectivity speeds.
The standard antenna measures less than 11 inches square and is designed for domestic roof-mounting. Amazon claims it will deliver speeds of up to 400Mbps and cost less than $400 (around £320 / AU$633) to produce.
Amazon has also engineered a cheaper, more compact antenna which measures 7 inches square and weighs just 1lb. Designed as a low-cost, portable option, this will be the most affordable way for customers to access the service. It will offer internet speeds of up to 100Mbps.
For enterprise and power users, as well as telecoms and government use, Amazon has created a larger antenna that can deliver connectivity at up to 1Gbps.
(Image credit: Amazon)
How much will Project Kuiper cost?
There’s no confirmed pricing yet
Amazon says it’s targeting “affordability”
Production cost of standard terminal is less than $400
Amazon hasn’t confirmed pricing for Project Kuiper yet. However, the company has made clear that “affordability is a key principle”. The company is taking a similar approach to satellite internet as it did with “low-cost devices like Echo Dot and Fire TV Stick”, with the aim of connecting as many customers as possible around the world.
That’s why it has developed a compact, low-cost antenna, as well as keeping the production cost of its standard terminal below $400.
It’s likely that the service will be accessible as part of a monthly subscription. Amazon has confirmed that the offering and its pricing “may vary from country to country”, just as its Prime membership does currently.
To give you an idea, Starlink’s residential plan (with unlimited data) currently starts at $120 / £75 / AU$139 per month, with its on-the-go Roam plan (capped at 50GB data) setting you back $50 / £50 / AU$80 per month, with the unlimited Roam plan costing $165 / £96 / AU$195 per month.
Project Kuiper vs Starlink: how do they compare?
Both services use low Earth orbit satellites
Starlink is already operational with more than 7,000 satellites
Project Kuiper is likely to be more affordable once it’s launched
Both Project Kuiper and Starlink, operated by SpaceX, aim to use satellites to provide high-speed internet connectivity to remote corners of the world. Each system relies on low Earth orbit satellites to achieve low-latency data transmission, with users able to connect the services using a range of terminals.
One key difference is that Starlink is several steps ahead of Project Kuiper. It already has more than 7,000 functioning satellites in orbit. Customers can access its services in countless locations right now by purchasing a Starlink antenna and paying for a subscription. Starlink is also trialling smartphone to satellite connectivity with T-Mobile (below).
(Image credit: Starlink / T-Mobile)
Because it owns its own rockets, SpaceX has more flexibility to deploy Starlink satellites. Amazon has to rely on third-party launch partners, including SpaceX. On the other hand, Amazon is able to rely on its established cloud service network, AWS, to support the backend infrastructure of its satellite network.
While Project Kuiper is still several months away from offering comparable coverage to consumers, it’s likely to be the less expensive option once it’s up and running. Amazon has made clear that it wants its satellite internet service to be affordable, including both antenna hardware and connectivity packages.
We’ll only know how the performance and value of each service compares once we’ve carried out an in-depth review of Project Kuiper. But competition is certainly no bad thing, even if it is between companies run by two of the world’s richest men.
So what is Gemini Astra? Well, you can now launch Gemini Live and grant it access to your camera, and it can then chat about what you see as well as what’s on your smartphone’s screen.
Gemini Astra has been hinted at for a long time, and it’s immensely exciting to get access to it via a free update.
You should see the option to access Gemini’s Astra capabilities from the Gemini Live interface. If you don’t have access yet, be patient, as it should be available to all Pixel 9 users in the coming days.
While I don’t personally have access to a Google Pixel 9 to test Gemini Live’s Astra prowess, my colleague and TechRadar’s Senior AI Editor, Graham Barlow, does.
I asked him to test out Gemini Astra and give me his first impressions of the new Pixel 9 AI capabilities, and you can see what he made of it below.
Hands-on impressions with Pixel 9’s new Gemini Astra capabilities
Once you’re in Gemini Live you’ll notice two new icons at the bottom of the screen – a camera icon and a screen share icon.
Tap the camera icon and Gemini switches to a camera mode, showing you video of what your phone is looking at, but the Gemini Live icons remain at the bottom of the screen.
There’s also a camera reverse button, so you can get Gemini to look directly at you. I tapped that, and asked Gemini what it thought of my hair, to which it replied that my hair was “a lovely natural brown color”. Gee, thanks Gemini!
I tested Gemini Live with a few objects on my desk – a water bottle, a magazine, and a laptop, all of which it identified correctly and could tell me about. I pointed the phone at the window towards a fairly nondescript car park and asked Gemini which city I was in, and it instantly, and correctly, told me it was Bath, UK, because the architecture was quite distinctive, and there was a lot of greenery.
(Image credit: Future)
Gemini can’t use Google search while going live, so for now it’s great for brainstorming, chatting, coming up with ideas, or simply identifying what you’re looking at.
For example, it could chat with me about Metallica, and successfully identified the Kirk Hammett Funko Pop I’ve got on my desk, but it couldn’t go online and find out how much it would cost to buy.
The screen share icon comes up with a message prompting you to share the screen with Google, then when you say “Share screen” it puts a little Gemini window at the top of the screen that looks like the phone call window you get when you start to use your phone while you’re on a call.
As you start to interact with your phone the window minimizes even further into a tiny red time counter that counts how long you’ve been live for.
You can keep using your phone and talking to Gemini at the same time, so you could ask it, “What am I looking at?”, and it will describe what’s on your phone screen, or “Where are my Bluetooth settings?”, and it will tell you which parts of the Settings app to look in.
It’s pretty impressive. One thing it can’t do, though, is interact with your phone in any way, so if you ask it to take you to the Bluetooth settings it can’t do it, but it will tell you what to tap to get you there.
Overall I’m impressed by how well Gemini Live works in both of these new modes. We’ve had features like Google Lens that can use your camera like this for a while now, but having it all inside the Gemini app is way more convenient. It’s fast, it bug-free, and it just works.
Meta is expanding Teen Accounts – what it considers its age-appropriate experience for under 18s – to Facebook and Messenger.
The system involves putting younger teens on the platforms into more restricted settings by default, with parental permission required in order to live stream or turn off image protections for messages.
It was first introduced last September on Instagram, which Meta says “fundamentally changed the experience for teens” on the platform.
But campaigners say it’s unclear what difference Teen Accounts has actually made.
“Eight months after Meta rolled out Teen Accounts on Instagram, we’ve had silence from Mark Zuckerberg about whether this has actually been effective and even what sensitive content it actually tackles,” said Andy Burrows, chief executive of the Molly Rose Foundation.
He added it was “appalling” that parents still did not know whether the settings prevented their children being “algorithmically recommended” inappropriate or harmful content.
But Drew Benvie, chief executive of social media consultancy Battenhall, said it was a step in the right direction.
“For once, big social are fighting for the leadership position not for the most highly engaged teen user base, but for the safest,” he said.
However he also pointed out there was a risk, as with all platforms, that teens could “find a way around safety settings.”
The expanded use of Teen Accounts is beginning in the UK, US, Australia and Canada from Tuesday.
Companies that provide services popular with children have faced pressure to introduce parental controls or safety mechanisms to safeguard their experiences.
In the UK, they also face legal requirements to prevent children from encountering harmful and illegal content on their platforms, under the Online Safety Act.
How Teen Accounts work depend on the self-declared age of the user.
Those aged 16 to 18 will be able to toggle off default safety settings like having their account set to private.
But 13 to 15 year olds must obtain parental permission to turn off such settings – which can only be done by adding a parent or guardian to their account.
Meta says it has moved at least 54 million teens globally into teen accounts since they were introduced in September.
It says that 97% of 13 to 15 year olds have also kept its built-in restrictions.
In coming months, younger teens will also need parental consent to go live on Instagram or turn off nudity protection – which blurs suspected nude images in direct messages.
Concerns over children and teenagers receiving unwanted nude or sexual images, or feeling pressured to share them in potential sextortion scams, has prompted calls for Meta to take tougher action.
Prof Sonia Livingstone, director of the Digital Futures for Children centre, said Meta’s expansion of Teen Accounts may be a welcome move amid “a growing desire from parents and children for age-appropriate social media”.
But she said questions remained over the company’s overall protections for young people from online harms, “as well as from its own data-driven and highly commercialised practices”.
“Meta must be accountable for its effects on young people whether or not they use a teen account,” she added.
Short of joining the 5am club (I’m really not a morning person), I’ve been looking for ways to streamline my workflow, and I’m happy to say I’ve finally found one: side-mounting my phone to my laptop.
Before you use one of those dubious sideways glance emojis and click off onto the next story, please hear me out. It really does make a big difference to my workday, I swear.
First and foremost, side-mounting my phone helps boost my productivity. With my phone side-mounted to my PC I can receive and make phone calls hands-free, read my incoming texts and notifications with just a flick, and more easily keep an eye on apps like X (formerly twitter) for news stories as they’re breaking, without the cumbersome process of finding and picking up my phone off my desk, or alternatively finding the right tabs on my laptop.
Using my phone like this I can also more easily multi-task. For example, I can keep writing the stories I’m working on for PCWorld, while I’m simultaneously in a Teams call or product briefing where I’m not expected to contribute anything but just listen, so it’s a real time saver, too.
Side-mounting my phone to my laptop also helps keep me on point. Since my phone remains at eye-level, I’m less prone to losing my train of thought like I previously was when I had to scramble around for my phone, then regain my attention, reposition my hands on my keyboard, and find the place where I left off in my work — now I simply have to look to the right side of my laptop screen for whatever I need my phone for.
But the best thing about my new setup? I can now use my phone as a second screen. This comes in very handy when I need to compare and contrast hardware specs in stories. Plus, my second display isn’t limited to being with me just at my desk in the office — it can be used wherever I happen to be working from.
There are a range of different phone side mounts available, for which you can expect to pay about $13 to $15. Some of the best are universally compatible with all cellphone types and magnetic. That makes them so easy to set up, you simply have to mount your phone on the end of a magnetic arm that you then attach to the back of your laptop.
It’s worth noting, though, that with some iPhones older than iPhone 12 and all Android phones you will need a magnetic case, magnetic ring, or magnetic adapter if you want your phone to stick to the magnetic arm.
The holder’s arm usually comes adjustable so that you can position your phone exactly where you want it for maximum efficiency — yes, those accessory suppliers have thought of everything.
So, if you’re like me and don’t do early mornings well without at least a jug of coffee but you still want to kick-start your workflow, my advice is to ditch the 5am wakeups and get yourself a phone side-mount instead. Trust me, you won’t regret it.
Over the weekend, Meta took the opportunity to launch Llama 4, a new series of AI models trained on a large amount of text, images and videos.
According to Meta, Llama 4 is better than its competitors GPT-4o and Gemini 2.0 in a number of areas, including programming, reasoning and language translation.
The two variants Llama 4 Scout and Llama 4 Maverick are available on Llama.com and Hugging Face now, while the top-of-the-line Llama 4 Behemoth will take a little longer.
Techcrunch points out that Meta has chosen to limit the use of the Llama 4 multimodal models within the European Union, likely due to the EU’s AI and data protection rules.
