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A newly discovered Linux malware, which has evaded detection for over a year, allows attackers to gain persistent SSH access and bypass authentication on compromised systems. Nextron Systems security researchers, who identified the malware and dubbed it “Plague,” describe it as a malicious Pluggable Authentication Module (PAM) that uses layered obfuscation techniques and environment tampering to avoid detection by traditional security tools. This malware features anti-debugging capabilities to thwart analysis and reverse engineering attempts, string obfuscation to make detection more difficult, hardcoded passwords for covert access, as well as the ability to hide session artifacts that would normally reveal the attacker’s activity on infected devices. Once loaded, it will also scrub the runtime environment of any traces of malicious activity by unsetting SSH-related environment variables and redirecting command history to /dev/null to prevent logging, eliminating audit trails and login metadata, and erasing the attacker’s digital footprint from system history logs and interactive sessions. “Plague integrates deeply into the authentication stack, survives system updates, and leaves almost no forensic traces. Combined with layered obfuscation and environment tampering, this makes it exceptionally hard to detect using traditional tools,” threat researcher Pierre-Henri Pezier said. “The malware actively sanitizes the runtime environment to eliminate evidence of an SSH session. Environment variables such as SSH_CONNECTION and SSH_CLIENT are unset using unsetenv, while HISTFILE is redirected to /dev/null to prevent shell command logging.” While analyzing the malware, the researchers also discovered compilation artifacts indicating active development over an extended period, with samples compiled using various GCC versions across different Linux distributions. Additionally, although multiple variants of the backdoor have been uploaded to VirusTotal over the past year, none of the antivirus engines have flagged them as malicious, suggesting that the creators of the malware have been operating undetected. “The Plague backdoor represents a sophisticated and evolving threat to Linux infrastructure, exploiting core authentication mechanisms to maintain stealth and persistence,” Pezier added. “Its use of advanced obfuscation, static credentials, and environment tampering makes it particularly difficult to detect using conventional methods.” In May, Nextron Systems discovered another malware exploiting the flexibility of the PAM (Pluggable Authentication Modules) Linux authentication infrastructure, which enables its creators to steal credentials, bypass authentication, and gain stealthy persistence on compromised devices. Read More

Ziff Davis-owned IGN Entertainment has laid off staff, including eight members of the IGN Creators Guild. Those cuts represent 12 percent of the bargaining unit. The layoffs are the latest shift in the turbulent gaming media landscape. Earlier this year, Verge parent company Vox Media sold Polygon to GameRant owner Valnet, Giant Bomb went independent, and Game Informer returned after being shut down by GameStop. Last week, Ziff Davis also laid off staff at CNET. Laid off IGN staffers include former senior features editor Matt Kim and video editor Chelsea Miller, but no single department was primarily targeted by the cuts, Rebekah Valentine, IGN senior reporter and co-chair of the guild, tells The Verge. “It was largely single individuals from different departments.” “The company has told us that the reason for this layoff stems from a Ziff Davis-mandate to cut costs despite several quarters in a row of year-over-year revenue increases, to which IGN Entertainment responded by coming for our members’ jobs,” the guild says. “This is perplexing to us, as we are told again and again that IGN Entertainment has had a tremendously successful year thus far thanks to their hard work.” An employee in the engineering department was also laid off, Hunter Paniagua, a representative of the Pacific Media Workers Guild, which represents the IGN Creators Guild, tells The Verge. Ziff Davis didn’t immediately reply to a request for comment. Last year, across all of Ziff Davis, the company employed approximately 3,800 people, according to an SEC filing. Last year, IGN acquired the website portfolio of Gamer Network, which includes publications like Eurogamer, Gamesindustry.biz, and Rock Paper Shotgun. Terms of that deal weren’t disclosed at the time. “The company has not responded to the union’s questions about whether its budget for future acquisitions is being reconsidered as a cost-saving measure alongside these other apparently necessary personnel cuts,” the IGN Creators Guild says. Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates. Jay Peters Read More

After repeatedly leaving customers without smart control of their lights, Sengled has been booted from Amazon’s Works With Alexa program. As first reported by TechHive, beginning August 1st, Sengled’s Alexa skill for controlling its line of LED lights, plugs, switches, and sensors with your voice and routines is no longer available. In a statement to The Verge explaining the decision, Amazon spokesperson Lauren Raemhild said, “We hold a high bar for the Alexa experience. Sengled has experienced a series of prolonged outages over the past few months that have not been resolved, preventing customers from being able to use Sengled’s Alexa skill to control their light bulbs.” The future doesn’t look bright for Sengled, which has been silent since the problems started appearing earlier this summer. There appears to have been no communication to customers from the company (Amazon did reach out to its customers about the outages), and no indication of these issues on its website. Repeated attempts by The Verge to contact Sengled have been met with no response. If your Sengled bulbs were Wi-Fi, you’re out of luck. There is some good news. If you own Sengled bulbs that use Zigbee, BLE Mesh, or Matter, rather than Wi-Fi, they can still work with Alexa by bypassing Sengled’s spotty servers and connecting to a compatible Echo speaker or Eero Wi-Fi router (this may require setting them up again). Another option is to connect Zigbee bulbs to third-party platform hubs that support the protocol, such as Home Assistant, Hubitat, or the Aeotec SmartThings hub. But if your bulbs were Sengled’s Wi-Fi ones, you’re out of luck. These won’t connect to Alexa, although they will still work with Sengled’s app, for as long as Sengled’s servers are still running. Users have started reporting problems there, too. All of which goes to show that relying on cloud services to turn your lights on is a fragile solution. This is a story we’ve seen too often in the smart home. Just last month, Belkin shuttered its WeMo smart home business, and the smart home graveyard is littered with other examples: iHome, Revolv, Staples Connect, Lowes’ Iris, Best Buy’s Insignia, and more. A common thread with these shutdowns is that the products relied on cloud servers. At one time, it was easier and less expensive for a company to develop a cloud-based controller than a local system, as they don’t require a hub or bridge and can be simpler to set up and use. However, companies have to maintain those servers, as well as API connections to smart home platforms and voice assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant, which can be costly and resource-intensive. When the business model no longer pans out, history shows us that if they can’t sell it, companies just shut it down. This brings me to my best piece of advice to anyone buying a smart home device today, especially something as integral as lighting: make sure it has the option of local control. That way, if the company goes under or stops providing the service you signed up for, then your device will still keep working (in some fashion). Plus, locally controlled devices tend to be faster, as they don’t have to wait for a response from a server. Relying on cloud services to turn your lights on is a fragile solution. As noted, some Sengled bulbs don’t rely on a cloud connection and instead can work locally in your home. Thanks to a connection via local protocols like Apple’s HomeKit or Zigbee, some products from those companies listed above also still work, even though their servers are gone. That’s one of the reasons why the new Matter standard is so crucial to the smart home. While it has had its problems, Matter is built on the foundations of HomeKit, Zigbee, and other technologies. It’s an entirely local protocol, communicating to a Matter controller (hub) in your home, not to a company’s cloud. While Matter ecosystems such as Apple Home, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and Home Assistant can connect to the cloud to give control when you’re away from home and enable other features like voice assistants, that’s a layer on top of Matter. If a device like a smart bulb supports Matter, either over Wi-Fi or Thread, you don’t need the internet to turn on the lights. And, if the manufacturer’s server dies, your device won’t. Matter isn’t the only option here. Devices that work over Zigbee, Z-Wave, BLE and BLE Mesh, and local Wi-Fi, also offer local control. But the standardization of Matter, its wide industry support, and its use of non-proprietary IP-based protocols Matter and Thread all broaden its overall compatibility and should make it more futureproof. The situation with Sengled is just the latest reminder that for a truly reliable smart home, look for local control. While the cloud offers benefits, it should be part of your solution for a smarter home, not the only one. Matter Developed by Apple, Amazon, Google, Samsung, and others, Matter is an open-sourced, IP-based connectivity software layer for smart home devices. It works over Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and Thread. Thread is a low-power, wireless mesh protocol. It operates on the same 2.4GHz spectrum as Zigbee and is designed for low-power devices, such as sensors, light bulbs, plugs, and shades. IP-based, Thread devices can communicate directly with each other, the internet, and with other networks using a Thread Border Router. Today, Matter supports most of the main device types in the home, including lighting, thermostats, locks, robot vacuums, refrigerators, dishwashers, dryers, ovens, smoke alarms, air quality monitors, EV chargers, and more. A smart home gadget with the Matter logo can be set up and used with any Matter-compatible ecosystem via a Matter controller and controlled by more than one ecosystem with a feature called multi-admin. Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Samsung SmartThings, Apple Home, Home Assistant, Ikea, and Aqara are among the well-known smart home companies supporting Matter, along with hundreds of device manufacturers. Follow topics and authors from this

Emma Roth is a news writer who covers the streaming wars, consumer tech, crypto, social media, and much more. Previously, she was a writer and editor at MUO. Valve founder Gabe Newell is setting out on a new adventure — and it doesn’t involve Half-Life 3. Instead, Newell is acquiring Oceanco, the yacht-building company that’s creating his $400 million super ship, as reported earlier by Boat International. In a post about the change, Oceanco says Newell’s interest in the brand comes from a “lifelong fascination with the sea” and “a deep respect for the people who live and work on it.” Oceanco is based in the Netherlands, and it has changed leadership a few times since its founding in 1987, with private investor Mohammed Al Barwani helming the company for the past 15 years before Newell came along. Along with Newell’s 364-foot-long superyacht, Oceanco developed Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’ $500 million sailing yacht, Koru, which stretches 417 feet long. It’s also behind the Kaos sailing superyacht owned by Walmart heir Nancy Walton Laurie, as well as the Bravo Eugenia, owned by Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. Newell has a growing fleet of yachts as well, including the Oceanco-built Draak (formerly called the Tranquility) and the Rocinante superyacht, built by German yacht-maker Lürssen. As for what Newell plans to do now that he’s the head of a big superyacht builder, Oceanco puts it pretty simply: “His first decision? Leave the team alone. Seriously. Oceanco has vision and integrity, and a culture that actually works. Gabe doesn’t want to fix it, he wants to fuel it.” Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates. Emma Roth Read More

You might find it kind of sad to put a hard-earned gadget into a protective case. To me, it’s freeing. Using a case relieves me of the worry that it will accumulate tons of little scratches. So, I wasted no time testing cases on the new Nintendo Switch 2, and it didn’t take long for me to find one that I think is the best. I tried several types of cases on the Switch 2. I tested flimsy shells that snap or slide onto the Switch 2 to provide a simple, aesthetically pleasing barrier from scratches to the console and its Joy-Cons. I also tried slim cases that have one job: to protect the console when it isn’t in use. What I look for in a Switch 2 case We use each Switch 2 case as it was designed to be used. We follow the instructions included to get the best fit and protection, noting along the way when a feature works better than expected, or worse. We don’t perform drop tests (I’m using my personal, and thus treasured, Switch 2 unit), but we try our best to find weak points in each case. Installing a case should be easy, not cumbersome. Given the Switch 2’s hybrid design, a multi-step process for attaching a case is expected, but it should be easy to achieve a successful installation every time with little effort. Since a lot of tech cases are made before said technology is even publicly available, I’m watching like a hawk to make sure the cases that I try actually fit the Switch 2. Even a millimeter’s difference isn’t good enough for me or you. Some cases come with compromises, such as not allowing the Switch 2’s Joy-Con 2 controllers to be detached. Others block the kickstand, and/or prevent the console from fitting into its original dock for playing on a TV. Compromises are fine as long as you know what they are beforehand. I think most people want to access the Switch 2’s unique features, so I’ve focused mostly on picks that retain them, although I may include some picks that limit them. I just listed my high standards for form-fitting cases made to fit the Switch 2 while it’s in use. However, the bar for slim zip-up/clasp cases is lower. They just need to protect the console and, ideally, provide some extra value, like a pocket for cables, cartridge storage, or both, ideally. In this article The best Switch 2 case for both handheld and docked play The best slim, protective Switch 2 cases The best form-fitting shells for the Switch 2 in handheld mode What’s coming next? As for my favorite case, I didn’t want to make any major compromises; I wanted one that’s just as good for handheld mode as when docked, which is why I think the Dbrand Killswitch is the best model overall. I published a full review of the Killswitch, but the skinny is that while it’s perhaps more expensive than some may hope to pay, the level of protection and versatility it offers is worth the cost. The best Switch 2 case for both handheld and docked play $60 The Good Very secure fit Makes the Switch 2 feel more like a Steam Deck (in the best ways) Clever dock adapter The Bad Chunky dock adapter Not the most affordable case Front protection only comes in the $80 tier The least expensive Killswitch tier costs $59.95 and includes a rear cover for the console and a small piece to adhere to its kickstand for a matching style, plus Joy-Con 2 grips, all of which securely latch onto each component. It also includes a skin for your hardware. There’s no piece of the Killswitch that feels like it’ll incidentally wiggle off. Unfortunately, the Switch 2 console case makes it impossible to fit into the dock. However, Dbrand includes its workaround adapter that fits into it, essentially acting as a USB-C extender. It’s a fairly elegant solution that works as intended. The only downside is that it leaves your Switch 2’s screen exposed instead of concealed by the dock’s plastic wall. It’s a little clunky, but I’m willing to forgive it because it allows the Switch 2 to retain its docking functionality. 1/5Photo: Cameron Faulkner / The Verge The tier I recommend for most Switch 2 players (especially those who will often throw their console into a bag) is the $79.85 “Travel” tier, which includes a semi-transparent travel cover that protects the front of your console during transit, or just for safekeeping when you aren’t using it. The cover fits around the front of your Killswitch-equipped console, securing around the back with a tough bungee cord latch. This tier also includes a pair of analog stick grips and a tray that holds 10 Switch cartridges and fits neatly within the travel cover. When this post originally went live, Dbrand was in the midst of updating its Killswitch so that it wouldn’t allow the Joy-Con 2s’ magnets to break away without pressing their release buttons. Basically, if you held your Killswitch-equipped Switch 2 parallel to the ground solely by either of the Joy-Con 2 controllers and give it a shake, the entire console portion was likely to detach, potentially causing serious damage to the console. Dbrand redesigned the Joy-Con 2 grips to fix the issue, and previous buyers can request a replacement free of charge. Future buyers will receive the Killswitch with the updated, improved grips. Runner-up Genki’s Attack Vector case is similar in some ways to the Killswitch, as it consists of three pieces: one that goes around the console, and two pieces that wrap around each of the Joy-Con 2 controllers. The $49.99 kit improves on the Killswitch with swappable modular grips that come in three sizes to let you customize how the Joy-Con 2 fits in your hand. It follows a small, medium, and large model, with the smallest adding some minor ergonomic benefits, and the largest being what large-handed

Sheena Vasani writes about tech news, reviews gadgets, and helps readers save money by highlighting deals and product recommendations for The Verge. A Kindle lets you carry an entire bookshelf while on the go, which is why almost every year we recommend the e-reader in our guides to the best back to school essentials. With a new semester just around the corner, it’s no surprise Best Buy is currently offering the latest versions of some of our favorite models at record low prices. You can, for example, pick up the ad-supported Kindle Paperwhite starting at $124.99 ($35 off) from Best Buy and Target, while Best Buy is selling the Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition for $179.99 ($100 off). Best Buy is even discounting the Kindle Scribe, selling the note-taking e-reader with 32GB of storage starting at $259.99 ($140 off). Of all the e-readers out there, the Kindle Paperwhite is my top pick for those who mainly own Kindle books. As somebody who loves reading in the bath, my favorite feature is its IPX8 waterproof rating, which lets me relax without worrying. It’s also the fastest and easiest Paperwhite to read yet, thanks to a bigger and brighter 7-inch display that retains its predecessor’s sharp 300ppi resolution. $125 Amazon’s latest Kindle Paperwhite — aka our favorite ebook reader — is perfect for the valentine who likes to relax by the pool or pretty much anywhere. It’s designed to last for weeks at a time, not days, while a larger seven-inch display and adjustable color temperature allow for more natural lighting in any environment. Amazon’s other discounted Kindles are also worth considering depending on your needs. If you read a lot of textbooks with visuals or enjoy graphic novels, I’d recommend buying the Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition instead. It is largely similar to the Paperwhite but steps things up with a 150ppi color mode that’s impressively vibrant for an E ink screen. You’ll also get double the storage (32GB), no annoying lockscreen ads, and the added convenience of wireless charging. $180 The Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition is Amazon’s first e-reader with a color display. It also boasts 32GB of storage, waterproofing, and support for wireless charging. Then there’s the Kindle Scribe, which is designed for readers who like to take notes while reading. Its larger 10.2-inch display features a paper-like screen and comes bundled with a stylus. Recent software updates now allow you to finally write directly on the page of what you’re reading, while its built-in digital notebook means you won’t need to carry a separate one to class. The Kindle Scribe even features AI-powered tools that can clean up your handwriting and keep everything organized, making it an excellent all-in-one study companion. $260 The latest Kindle Scribe is a 10.2-inch e-reader with a stylus for taking notes. It’s faster than its predecessor and offers a host of new features, including one that lets you jot notes directly in your book. Verge Deals Sign up for Verge Deals to get deals on products we’ve tested sent to your inbox weekly. Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates. Sheena Vasani Read More

Elon Musk’s Optimus demo at Tesla’s We Robot event made one thing clear: when it comes to humanoids, the spotlight still belongs to the United States. Then there is Asia — with China’s rapid developments and Japan and South Korea’s deep legacy in robotics. Headlines still gravitate toward billion-dollar budgets, rapid hardware iterations, and slick simulation reels.  Behind the noise, though, another development is unfolding in Europe — quieter, but potentially far more consequential. The next chapter of humanoid robotics may be defined not by who moves first or builds the flashiest prototypes, but by who moves with the discipline and consistency required. And Europe has the potential to lead this new era.  Regulation as strategy In most conversations about innovation, regulation is framed as a brake. In Silicon Valley, it’s often seen as a hurdle to scale or a signal of bureaucratic overreach. But Europe — particularly in AI and robotics — is rewriting that narrative. With the AI Act now adopted, the EU is the first region to offer comprehensive legal clarity around the deployment of high-risk AI systems, including humanoid robots.  We must also consider that, eventually, other countries will likely adopt regulatory frameworks that align broadly with the EU’s, even if they’re less stringent. By designing with European standards from the outset, we’ll be well-positioned to adapt quickly as new regulations emerge elsewhere. The 💜 of EU tech The latest rumblings from the EU tech scene, a story from our wise ol’ founder Boris, and some questionable AI art. It’s free, every week, in your inbox. Sign up now! This clarity matters. When investors and industrial partners can reliably assess compliance risks, they’re most likely to commit resources. In a field as complex and potentially disruptive as robotics, clear rules don’t slow down progress — they de-risk it. Europe has also introduced or updated several other regulations that directly impact robotics: The Product Liability Directive now includes software and AI, reducing ambiguity and incentivising safer design practices. The General Product Safety Regulation streamlines cross-border market entry with harmonised safety standards.  The Machinery Regulation defines clearer certification routes for robotic systems.  Together, these frameworks give the EU a coherent and predictable regulatory environment. Yes, it’s tough, but given the implications, this provides exactly what the humanoid sector needs: clarity. Deployment, not demos While the US often relies on innovation funded by Big Tech monopolies and China leans on state-driven manufacturing strategies, Europe’s robotics sector is built on modular collaboration. Startups and research labs spin out into well-funded clusters, often supported by EU-backed initiatives like RI4EU and EIC Accelerator. These programs offer access to testbeds, pilot funding, and collaborative R&D networks.  Furthermore, Europe’s geographic and industrial structure gives it a special advantage: close proximity to real-world use cases. Having neighbouring logistics hubs, manufacturing zones, and retail chains in contiguity helps speed iteration and aligns development with the continent’s actual operational pain points. McKinsey estimates that in some of Europe’s critical sectors — including retail and logistics — payroll alone amounts to $1.7 trillion (€1.55 trillion). This makes automation highly profitable and ripe for disruption.  These factors have played a key role in the strategy of Humanoid, the robotics company I founded in the UK last year. Our goal isn’t just to impress on stage; it’s far more important that we seamlessly integrate innovations into real workflows. For this, we’ve adopted a simple, modular design philosophy: a wheeled base that suits logistics environments, accelerated by simulation plus feedback from real industry trials. We believe that hype must be based on reality — a mindset that’s drawing US investors to European robotics. This shift is already reflected in funding dynamics. Neura Robotics’ €120mn funding round in January 2025 was one of the largest in European robotics to date. And investors are now betting on full-stack teams with credible deployment strategies — instead of merely speculative tech. Humanoid’s latest robot, HMND 01, was introduced in a video earlier this year. Credit: Humanoid A better fit for the future of work Beyond reducing uncertainty, European regulation also helps encode values that shape how humanoid robots are developed and deployed. The AI Act requires high-risk systems — including those used in workplaces, public spaces, and healthcare settings — to meet strict safety, transparency, and human oversight standards. Such a framework fosters trust, which is essential for robots operating in sensitive environments like factories, hospitals, or elderly care facilities. Europe’s emphasis on traceability and ethical co-development goes beyond mitigating risk — it creates the conditions for adoption at scale, where safety and dignity are non-negotiable. Additionally, this approach helps position robots as partners. By designing for augmentation rather than displacement — as often seen in the US — European startups are modelling a more human-centred approach to automation. They’re also offering an alternative to the dominant narrative that robots will replace humans in critical roles.  It’s also worth noting that some jobs aren’t meant for people, as they hinder individuals from reaching their full potential. For instance, a humanoid could take over the task of moving boxes around a warehouse all day. This is not simply a replacement; it is an augmentation of existing automation capabilities, which empowers people to find more purpose-driven work. That distinction comes into sharper focus when we look at the places where humanoids are most needed, such as logistics hubs, clinics, and care homes. These environments have real spatial and regulatory constraints and little room for error. The tasks there are repetitive but require precision, and people are extremely busy. In these settings, robots need to quietly support the flow of work, not interrupt it. That requires thoughtful integration, which means responding at the right pace, handling objects predictably, and, yes, staying out of the way when needed. These are practical challenges shaped by day-to-day routines, not only engineering feats. And, from our vantage point, Europe’s cautious, user-informed development model is well-suited to meet them.  Supply chains and strategic independence There are still concerns in European robotics that need to

All products featured on WIRED are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links. Samsung makes everything from smartphones and gaming monitors, to smart TVs and dishwashers. I’m always looking for a sale (I’m assuming you are, too), and I’ve found the best Samsung promo codes and special offers to help you save big on your most important tech purchases. At WIRED, we often review the South Korean company’s products, especially Samsung’s vast lineup of Galaxy smartphones, and I’ve rounded up a bunch of Samsung coupons for (virtually) every type of shopper. Get 10% Off With Samsung Promo Code + up to $2,100 Off Top Tech Right now, Samsung has some of the best deals I’ve ever seen on their best-selling tech, and they’re about to get even better with limited-time trade-in credits, a special offer program, and bundle deals. Right now, you can get a Samsung promo code for 10% off TVs—all you have to do is register for their email newsletter. The offer is sent to your inbox and is valid through September 30. Shop Samsung’s best coupons and offers to score major discounts (sometimes up to $2,100) on smartphones, laptops, tablets, TVs, and their latest releases. And when you buy products together that you already need, you can save a ton. This includes up to 54% select Galaxy Buds, watches and tablets when you order select products, like the Galaxy S25 Ultra. If you’re in the market for a new Samsung phone, you can get $100 off when you buy a new Galaxy Z Fold7, plus up to an extra $1,000 off with a trade-in. Feeling nostalgic? The new spin on an old classic, the Galaxy Z Flip7 is $50 off with up to a $600 trade-in with purchase. Or maybe you want one of the Galaxy S25 Ultra models. Get $200 off a Galaxy S25 Ultra, even if you don’t trade-in your old phone, or $100 off the Galaxy S25 Edge, if you buy before August 11. You’ll also get 1-day shipping, up to a $580 in instant trade-in credits, and a free upgrade to double the storage at no cost. Unlock 30% Off Samsung Promo Codes With These Offer Programs One of the hottest Samsung promo codes is a whopping 30% discount for government employees, first responders, military personnel, and educators. Samsung also has offer programs, meaning you can combine your promo code discount with most other offers to increase discounts. Get a pal involved for more savings—when a friend uses your referral code to make a purchase at Samsung.com, they’ll get 5% off their purchase (up to $250 off) and you’ll get up to $100 off per order (with the potential to save $1,000 per calendar year). My insider tip is to sign up for a Samsung Rewards account for even more perks, including exclusive Samsung coupons, flash sales, and updates on the newest Samsung products, like the QLED 8K, select refrigerators, and other home appliances. Save up to 35% on These Trending Samsung TVs Deals Along with other great tech, Samsung has some seriously nice TVs. The Samsung Frame TV has been trending this year for its stylish ability to blend into your home’s decor. Plus it just feels more elevated than a regular ol’ TV and mount. Some other trending TVs this Summer have been the Q60D, S90C, and the S95D models–not only do they have instant discounts of over up to 35% ($2,100 off), save up to $150 based current trade-in offers. Plus, there are tons of TV and home theater deals at Samsung, including a bundle offer for $1,300 off when you buy a Neo QLED 4K TV with a Dolby ATMOS soundbar. If you’re in the market for a new TV, it’s worth checking out the 98” QLED Q80C while it’s $600 off and includes mounting for free. Samsung is also running a bunch of offers on discounted TVs and accessories right now. When you buy an EA SPORTS FC, you can get 2 months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for free on the Samsung app, through August 12. First, you’ll need to purchase and activate a qualified TV before August 12, go to ‘Apps’ within your TV and open the Samsung Promotion app, and click on ‘Get it now’ to view the offer code and follow the instructions on screen to redeem. You can also take advantage of their Trade-In Recycling Program for up to $200 off when you trade in your old TV—any brand, any size. When your new one is delivered, Samsung will handle recycling the old one, so you can enjoy your upgrade. Bespoke Savings Event: Up to 40% Off Samsung Fridges and Ovens Although here at WIRED we mostly cover Samsung’s traditional AV tech, they also make top-of-the-line kitchen and home appliances. With this week’s Bespoke Savings Event offers, you can get discounts of up to 40% on hot, high-tech Samsung kitchen appliances and free 3-day rush shipping. Some of the many eyecatching deals include $2,482 off the Bespoke 4-Door Flex Refrigerator with AI Family Hub + AI Vision, $1,559 off the Bespoke 4-Door French Door Refrigerator with Beverage Center, and $1,000 off Bespoke Smart Ovens, with deals on gas, induction, and electric models. Special offers also include free installation service, plus Samsung will haul away your old appliances and recycle them, while you get a $50 energy rebate. This futuristic fridge is basically also an iPad, with an AI Family Hub with the large screen and changeable door panels. Plus, there’s AI Vision inside, so you always know what’s inside (and what you need to buy at the store). And the Beverage Center has an internal dispenser or a built-in AutoFill Water Pitcher to get cold, crisp water whenever you want it, whichever way you want. And right now, you can get $1,000 off a Bespoke Smart Slide-In Electric Range. This range is straight from a The Jetsons fantasy, with

Intel’s Core 5 120 rebrand arrives with eye-watering early pricing. An Intel facility in Oregon pictured. (Image source: Intel) Intel has quietly rebranded its six-core i5-12400 silicon as the new Core 5 120 and 120F—yet both chips carry provisional price tags well above faster, newer CPUs in Intel’s lineup. Intel has revived a familiar silicon design under a new badge, quietly turning the once-popular Core i5-12400 series into the freshly named Core 5 120 and Core 5 120F. Early retailer listings spotted by industry watcher momomo_us show provisional prices of $246.01 for the standard chip and $216.66 for the graphics-less F variant. Although these figures may merely be placeholders, they currently place the pair well above faster, newer processors in Intel’s own stack. At heart, little has changed. Both newcomers still rely on six performance cores with Hyper-Threading—no efficiency cores are present—and share an 18 MB L3 cache. The Core 5 120 reportedly lifts its maximum turbo to 4.5 GHz (from 4.4 GHz on 2022’s i5-12400) and carries a trimmed turbo TDP of 110 W. The “F” model drops integrated graphics altogether, obliging system builders to add a discrete GPU. The problem is price. At almost $250, the Core 5 120 costs roughly 40 percent more than Intel’s faster Core i5-14400 ($176) and even eclipses the unlocked Core i5-14600K ($199) on Amazon at the time of writing. The cut-down Core 5 120F fares no better: its preliminary tag is double that of the still-available i5-12400F, which can be found for just under $110. Such mark-ups are not unprecedented—AMD’s Ryzen 3000XT and 5000XT refreshes followed a similar trajectory—but history suggests steeper launch prices on recycled silicon rarely last. If the Core 5 120 family settles closer to the sub-$100 mark hinted at by some commentators, it could find a niche in budget gaming towers where six Raptor-Lake-class cores at 4.5 GHz remain perfectly adequate for esports titles. Until that correction occurs, however, Intel’s rebrand risks being overshadowed by its own newer—and cheaper—Core i5 alternatives as well as AMD’s value-oriented offerings. Builders eyeing a low-cost upgrade on the aging LGA 1700 platform may wish to watch retailer listings for more realistic street prices before committing to these chips. Related Articles Nathan Ali – Tech Writer – 288 articles published on Notebookcheck since 2024 I’m a tech geek at heart, and it all started back in middle school. I’ve always loved messing around with gadgets—rooting Android phones and jailbreaking iPhones was my thing. I’ve definitely bricked a few phones along the way, but that never stopped me from trying. For over a decade, I’ve been glued to tech news, always trying to keep up with the latest and greatest. But I’m not just about tech; I’m also really into cars and love following what’s new in the automotive world. Oh, and I should mention that I also worked as a freelance writer. I can’t name-drop the companies I wrote for (you know how it is), but it was a pretty cool experience. I switch between reading, gaming, and keeping up with all the tech and car stuff in my downtime. It’s a mix that keeps things interesting and fun for me. Nathan Ali, 2025-08- 3 (Update: 2025-08- 3) Read More

Processor: AMD Ryzen AI 7 350, AMD Strix Halo/Point (Zen 5/5c, Ryzen AI 300) Ryzen AI 9 HX 370Graphics Adapter: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 Laptop, NVIDIA NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPUDisplay: 14.00 inchWeight: 1.46kgPrice: 1500 euro Average Score: 86.9% – goodAverage of 7 scores (from 17 reviews) price: 95%, performance: 76%, features: 59%, display: 83%, mobility: 72%, workmanship: 84%, ergonomy: 83%, emissions: 79% Asus TUF Gaming A14 FA401WV-WB94 Specifications Notebook: Asus TUF Gaming A14 FA401WV-WB94Processor: AMD Strix Halo/Point (Zen 5/5c, Ryzen AI 300) Ryzen AI 9 HX 370Graphics Adapter: NVIDIA NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU 8192 MBDisplay: 14.00 inch, 16:10, 2560 x 1600 pixelsWeight: 1.46kgPrice: 1500 euroLinks: Asus homepage Asus notebook section Price comparison Average Score: 88% – very good Average of 6 scores (from 16 reviews) Reviews 80.3% Asus TUF Gaming A14 FA401WV review: Zen 5 Ryzen 9 continues to impress | NotebookcheckThe Asus TUF series is getting bigger with its new smallest member powered by the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370. It’s one of the fastest 14-inch gaming laptops available so long as you can tolerate the high temperatures and fan noise. 82% ASUS TUF Gaming A14 Review: A Solid 14-Inch Gaming LaptopSource: Think Digit Priced at around Rs 1,70,000, we could actually say that the TUF Gaming A14 is a great alternative to pricier 14-inch gaming laptop options on the market. As weird as that sounds, it’s true. While it may lack some premium features like a metal deck and RGB lighting, it compensates with a solid port selection, comfortable keyboard, lightweight design, and good performance. If you’re looking for a compact yet capable machine, the ASUS TUF Gaming A14 is certainly worth checking out. The landscape of 14-inch gaming laptops has changed significantly over the past few years, with more options emerging. One of the latest entrants is the Asus TUF Gaming A14 FA401WV, equipped with AMD’s Zen 5 CPUs. Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 11/05/2024Rating: Total score: 82% price: 95% performance: 72% workmanship: 79% 82% ASUS TUF Gaming A14 Review: A Solid 14-Inch Gaming LaptopSource: Think Digit Priced at around Rs 1,70,000, we could actually say that the TUF Gaming A14 is a great alternative to pricier 14-inch gaming laptop options on the market. As weird as that sounds, it’s true. While it may lack some premium features like a metal deck and RGB lighting, it compensates with a solid port selection, comfortable keyboard, lightweight design, and good performance. If you’re looking for a compact yet capable machine, the ASUS TUF Gaming A14 is certainly worth checking out. The landscape of 14-inch gaming laptops has changed significantly over the past few years, with more options emerging. One of the latest entrants is the Asus TUF Gaming A14 FA401WV, equipped with AMD’s Zen 5 CPUs. Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 11/05/2024Rating: Total score: 82% price: 95% performance: 72% workmanship: 79% ASUS TUF A14 (2024) – A Cheaper Zephyrus G14?Source: Jarrod’sTech Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 11/01/2024 ▶ load Youtube video ASUS TUF A14 (2024) – A Cheaper Zephyrus G14?Source: Jarrod’sTech Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 11/01/2024 ▶ load Youtube video How to open ASUS TUF Gaming A14 (FA401) – disassembly and upgrade optionsSource: Laptop Media Support, online available, Short, Date: 09/25/2024 ▶ load Youtube video ASUS TUF Gaming A14 (FA401) review – Gaming Power, Portable PackageSource: Laptop Media The ASUS TUF Gaming A14 (FA401) is a well-engineered machine. It has solid build quality and great input devices. The comfort under load depends on the applied power preset. In idle, when the “Silent” preset is activated, the fans are completely turned off during light tasks. While gaming, the WASD zone is pleasantly cool and the other sections feel warm to the touch, not hot as hell. The “Performance” mode is the way to go if you prefer tamed fans at the expense of lowered CPU and GPU clocks. Turning on the “Turbo” mode unleashed the full potential of the laptop – a 100W GPU TGP and impressively high processor clocks. In this case, the fans are noisy but not too much. Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 09/25/2024 How to open ASUS TUF Gaming A14 (FA401) – disassembly and upgrade optionsSource: Laptop Media Support, online available, Short, Date: 09/25/2024 ▶ load Youtube video ASUS TUF Gaming A14 (FA401) review – Gaming Power, Portable PackageSource: Laptop Media The ASUS TUF Gaming A14 (FA401) is a well-engineered machine. It has solid build quality and great input devices. The comfort under load depends on the applied power preset. In idle, when the “Silent” preset is activated, the fans are completely turned off during light tasks. While gaming, the WASD zone is pleasantly cool and the other sections feel warm to the touch, not hot as hell. The “Performance” mode is the way to go if you prefer tamed fans at the expense of lowered CPU and GPU clocks. Turning on the “Turbo” mode unleashed the full potential of the laptop – a 100W GPU TGP and impressively high processor clocks. In this case, the fans are noisy but not too much. Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 09/25/2024 ASUS TUF Gaming A14 Laptop – Choose Wisely!Source: Matthew Moniz Comparison, online available, Medium, Date: 08/10/2024 ▶ load Youtube video ASUS TUF Gaming A14 Laptop – Choose Wisely!Source: Matthew Moniz Comparison, online available, Medium, Date: 08/10/2024 ▶ load Youtube video Foreign Reviews 88% Asus TUF A14 reviewSource: PC Games DE→EN Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 10/23/2024Rating: Total score: 88% 88% Asus TUF A14 reviewSource: PC Games DE→EN Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 10/23/2024Rating: Total score: 88% 94% ASUS TUF Gaming A14 FA401, review completa en españolSource: Game IT ES→EN Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 09/30/2024Rating: Total score: 94% workmanship: 90% 94% ASUS TUF Gaming A14 FA401, review completa en españolSource: Game IT ES→EN Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 09/30/2024Rating: Total score: 94% workmanship: 90% Review ASUS TUF Gaming A14 | RAJA Laptop GAMING Compact!Source: Pemmzchannel ID→ENPositive: High gaming