The Anthbot R7 Series includes an 'EdgeEase' string trimmer
Its mounted on an arm and comes with its own camera for safety
There's also infrared animal detection
Effective edge trimming has long been the bane of a lawnbot-maker's life. After all, what good is a robot mower if you then have to go in with a side-trimmer to clean up all the lawn edges afterwards? Anthbot's newest robo-mower — the R7 Series, on show at IFA 2026 — has an innovative solution.
The brand has tacked a string trimmer onto the side of the lawnbot. Or, more accurately, onto a "robot arm", mounted to the side of the lawnbot. This arm is designed to adjust to follow winding lawn boundaries, ensuring "zero-gap edge cutting without manual touch-ups". Anthbot dubs the system 'EdgeEase'.
(Image credit: Future)
I saw it being demoed — albeit on an AstroTurf lawn, without any actual cutting. The arm movement is smooth and functions well, tucking neatly away when not required. (It's a little less visually impressive than Segway Navimow's own mechanical side-trimming system, but which system functions better remains to be seen.)
I've seen side-mounted blade trimmers before, but this string version feels like a slightly safer option to be protruding out into the open... at least when not in use. Of course, when spinning, those strings will be able to slice just as effectively as a blade.
On that point, I'm surprised Anthbot hasn't added any kind of protective casing. There is a camera specifically dedicated to keeping an eye on the trimming arm, but it's still putting a lot of trust in those obstacle-spotting skills.
(Image credit: Future)
Hedgehog spotting
The EdgeEase string trimmer is the headline addition, but I was also interested to see Anthbot has included an infrared sensor for animal detection. This is designed to pick up thermal signals from critters like hedgehogs that might be hidden in the grass, so the mower can avoid them.
(Image credit: Future)
These are two standout features in what looks like an altogether extremely capable lawnbot. For the main mowing, it uses two floating cutting discs, designed to adjust to uneven ground for a clean finish. There's also all-wheel drive — precisely powered by four drive motors and two independent steering motors. That's designed to help with traction and maneuverability.
The navigation suite includes LiDAR, RTK, and three AI-backed cameras (including that trimmer cam) to provide "robust, all-scenario positioning" that won't drop out if, for example, the satellite signal is blocked. Anthbot emphasizes the R7 Series is "designed to handle the complexity of real gardens rather than idealized, flat lawns".
(Image credit: Future)
The ANTHBOT R7 Series comprises two lawnbots: the R730 and R720. The R730 is designed for lawns up to 3,000㎡ and has the string trimmer included as standard. The R720 has a smaller battery and is meant for yards up to 2,000㎡, and the string trimmer is an optional extra.
Ever wondered what life would be like if your earbuds had a touchscreen case? OK, you probably haven’t, but stick with me here. The JBL Live Buds 4 are the new generation of the audio specialist’s in-ears that pair with a smart charging case, enabling you to adjust sound settings, adapt ANC, and more — all without having to download a companion app.
They’re a standout model in a congested market. The Live Buds 4 also sit within JBL's wider Live range, which is itself fairly congested in that it also includes the stemmed JBL Live Beam, plus the open-fit JBL Live Flex. This specific model, though — the Live Buds 4 — comes with a number of claimed upgrades over its predecessor, including enhanced ANC, new “fidelity drivers,” and boosted call quality. But are they worth the money and can they compete with options in our best earbuds roundup? Here’s what I think after three weeks of testing.
We’ve got to start with the smart charging case, which has a revamped UI for a smoother, more complete user experience. The touchscreen is undoubtedly small, but it's highly responsive, and there are clear menus to access EQ tweaking, ANC modes, appearance options, and even tools like a flashlight and timer. I sometimes preferred using the JBL Headphones app for the ease of a larger screen, and the ability to set a custom wallpaper from my photo gallery, but for on-the-go tweaks, the charging case is a neat option — even if it is arguably a little bit gimmicky. But hey, I like a good gimmick now and then.
Beyond what I’ve already mentioned, the case features a lot of fun features, like a smart-talk option, which picks up voices if you want to have a conversation while keeping your buds in. There are also customizable touch controls for the buds themselves (which I found to be reactive and convenient), and settings for how your voice sounds on a call, including a bright, natural, and powerful option.
Speaking of calls, JBL has included 6 mics in these earbuds, as well as its new Perfect Calls 2.0 tech, which makes use of AI to keep your voice clear, even in noisier environments. As I mentioned in my JBL Live Beam 4 review (I know, it's easy to get confused with names), I did find my voice to be relatively clear on calls and when taking a recording, but unfortunately I didn’t get the premium clarity I was expecting. There was some noticeable sibilance in my recording, and I also found that some background noises remained more prominent than anticipated.
I also want to talk about active noise cancellation, which has been improved for the Live 4 series. Overall, ANC is decent, but it’s still not up to the standards offered by buds from Apple and Bose. When out and about or on public transport, I could still make out background chatter, and in the office, typing sounds and doors closing were still audible. Sounds are still dulled effectively, and ANC is by no means bad — but if you’re expecting a curtain of silence when using the Live Buds 4, you may be left wanting more.
(Image credit: Future)
One area that the Buds 4 totally excel in, though, is sound quality. For earbuds in this price-range, the Buds 4 are excellent, dishing out impactful bass, clean mids, and expressive highs, impressive handling of dynamics, and good attention to detail.
When tuning into Labor of Love by Ned Doheny, I was struck by the beautifully textured and weighted acoustic guitars, which were well separated from clear, tonally accurate vocals. Subtle percussive details also came through beautifully, and funky bass sounded impactful without drowning out other sounds across the frequency range. What’s more, by activating the higher-res Bluetooth codec, LDAC, I could make out some more intricacies in the mid-range, with almost life-like guitars taking the listening experience to the next level.
The Live Buds 4 proved to cope brilliantly with any genre, though. With a deeper, more energetic track, such as Don’t Compare Yourself by Kolter, the pumping deep bass hit phenomenally hard, and reached down to tremendous depths for this level. Bassy synths sounded textured and controlled, lively drums sounded articulate and precise, and emotive vocals, while impactful, never overwhelmed the mix.
I have very few complaints about the sound, and it’s super-simple to customize it to your liking with the EQ settings on the charging case or JBL headphones app. But one thing that could’ve been better was the spatial audio setting, which just lacked the clarity and openness of the standard tuning. I’d also argue that the soundstage is relatively broad on the Live Buds 4 anyway, so you should just keep this mode off if you ask me.
(Image credit: Future)
Let’s also talk design, as this is the main area where the Live Buds 4 differentiate themselves from the Beam and Flex. They take up a small, snug in-ear feel, which is ideal for those who prefer earbuds without the stems. I found the buds to be incredibly comfortable, and had no issue keeping them in for multiple hours at a time. They’re also highly secure, never feeling as if they’ll fall out of your ears.
The buds also have a good standard of build, the case has an attractive, textured finish, and the model can be purchased in a wide range of colors. The buds are also IP55-rated, making them splashproof. Some rivals offer superior IP57 protection, but IP55 is enough to keep your buds safe on a rainy day.
One more difference the Buds 4 have, is that they offer the least amount of battery life in the Live 4 lineup, with 8 hours of playtime with the buds when ANC is on, and up to 40 hours with the case. That’s still a good amount of playtime, and competes well with major rivals.
So, are the JBL Live Buds 4 worth their £179.99 / AU$269.95 (about $240) asking price? For me, it’s an emphatic yes. Of course, they’re not the cheapest buds on the market, but they’re also a fair bit cheaper than big-name rivals like the AirPods Pro 3 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Gen 2. They also sound fantastic for the money, with the nifty charging case only adding more value. Sure, they could do better in the call quality and ANC department, but ultimately, they still offer decent enough quality in those areas.
(Image credit: Future)
JBL Live Buds 4 review: price & release date
List price of £179.99 / AU$269.95 (about $240)
Revealed in May 2026
The JBL Live Buds 4 were revealed in May 2026, alongside their siblings, the JBL Live Beam 4 and the JBL Live Flex 4. They released about two years after their predecessor, the JBL Live Buds 3.
They come in at £179.99 / AU$269.95 (about $240), which is the same as their predecessors cost at the point of launch (in the UK). We’re yet to catch wind of a release date and pricing for the US, but we’ll update this review accordingly if and when further details emerge.
Our top pick for wireless earbuds whatever your budget is the Technics EAH-AZ100, at $299 / £259 (around AU$478). So at quite a bit less than those figures, the JBL Live Buds 4 can be yours for a shade under flagship money — and that's a very good thing in terms of value.
That said, the Huawei Freebuds Pro 5 are our current 'best mid-range' pick in that detailed guide, and those excellent buds retail for the same £179.99 fee as the JBL option. They don't have a smart charging case, but still, food for thought…
JBL Live Buds 4 review: specs
Drivers
10mm dynamic
Active noise cancellation
Yes
Battery life
8 hours (buds, with ANC on); 10 hours (buds, with ANC off); 40 hours (with charging case)
Weight
4.8g (per bud)
Connectivity
Bluetooth 6.0
Frequency range
20Hz-40kHz
Waterproofing
IP55
(Image credit: Future)
Should I buy the JBL Live Buds 4?
Attribute
Notes
Score
Features
Massive suite of features and neat smart case, but ANC and call quality could be better.
4/5
Sound quality
Detailed, impactful, and rich audio, but spatial sound option in need of improvement.
4.5/5
Design
Small and secure fit, strong standard of build, IP55-rated.
4.5/5
Value
Great price for the sound and feature-rich case.
4.5/5
Buy them if…
You want a more discreet in-ear look and feel Unlike the stemmed JBL Live Beam 4 and Flex 4, the Buds 4 have a low-key, ultra-compact in-ear look and feel. They’re more akin to models like the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 in terms of build, and if you want compact and comfortable buds then they’re a top option.
You’re digging the smart case There’s no doubt in my mind that a lot of people buy the Live series of earbuds for one reason, and one reason only: the smart charging case. Can I blame them? No. Is it a bit gimmicky? Sure. But do I like it? Yes, I genuinely do. You get quick access to all of the important features on the smart case, as well as tools like a torch and stopwatch, and it adds a bit of a fun factor to these great-sounding in-ears.
Don’t buy them if…
You want silence-inducing ANC Although JBL has improved the ANC in its latest batch of Live earbuds, the quality is still a bit middling in my view. You can get much better noise-cancelling from rivals like the AirPods Pro 3.
You’re looking for amazing spatial audio I didn’t find the spatial audio mode on the Live Buds 4 to be particularly effective, and preferred using them with this setting turned off. My go-to most days, the LG Tone Free T90S, have a great immersive listening mode, and even support Dolby Atmos.
JBL Live Buds 4 review: also consider
JBL Live Buds 4
Apple AirPods Pro 3
Huawei Freebuds Pro 5
Price
£179.99 / AU$269.95 (about $240)
$249 / £219 / AU$429
£179.99 (around $240; AU$270)
Drivers
10mm dynamic
Custom high excursion
11mm dynamic woofer and micro-planar tweeter
Active noise cancellation
Yes
Yes
Yes
Battery life
8 hours (buds, with ANC on); 10 hours (buds, with ANC off); 40 hours (with charging case)
Apple AirPods Pro 3 If you want earbuds that are stylish, sound fantastic, supply stellar ANC and an iPhone will be your source device, look no further than the AirPods Pro 3 — if your budget will stretch to them We loved their comfortable, secure fit, new heart-rate monitor option, hearing health software and impressive waterproof rating, but they are still a little weak in the battery life department. Read our full Apple AirPods Pro 3 review for more.
Huawei Freebuds Pro 5 Five-star svelte earbuds for the same money as the JBL set you came here to read about? Worth a look, surely — they're the model we recommend as the best mid-range buy in our dedicated earbuds buying guide. They might not be available if you happen to reside in the US, however, they're still worth shouting about to anyone else; the drivers are huge, the battery life is exceptional, the IP rating is a step up on most rivals, they're stuffed full of perks and the ANC is, as we said in our review, "excellent". Read all about them in our Huawei Freebuds Pro 5 review.
How I tested the JBL Live Buds 4
(Image credit: Future)
Tested over the course of three weeks
Used in the office, on walks, and on public transport
Mainly streamed tunes over Tidal, but tapped into Spotify too
I spent three weeks putting the JBL Live Buds 4 through their paces. During this time, I listened to countless hours of music, messed around with everything the smart charging case had to offer, and exhausted their various features.
As always, I made sure to use these buds in a range of environments — including at home or at the office, but also when out on walks near busy roads, and when on public transport like buses and trains. When listening to tunes, I predominantly streamed music over Tidal on my Xiaomi 17 phone, but I also jumped into Spotify now and then. I made sure to soft through the multi-genre TechRadar reference playlist, but also bumped a bunch of tunes from my personal library.
More generally, I’ve spent years testing audio gear here at TechRadar, where I serve as a Senior Reviews Writer. I’ve reviewed everything from premium wireless headphones like the Sony 1000X The Collexion to hulking party speakers like the Marshall Bromley 750. Of course, I’ve also tested many pairs of wireless earbuds, so I know exactly what it takes for a model to stand out in a highly competitive market.
Google released Chrome 152.0.7977.82/.83 for Windows, Mac, and Linux
Patch fixes 12 flaws, including zero‑day CVE‑2026‑85046 (type confusion in V8)
Sixth Chrome zero‑day this year; Chromium browsers also affected, update urged immediately
Google has released a new version of its Chrome browser for Windows, Mac, and Linux, fixing a dozen of vulnerabilities. Among them is a high-severity flaw that is being actively exploited in the wild.
In a security advisory published on the Google blog on September 3, the search engine company said Chrome’s newest version is now 152.0.7977.82/.83 for Windows and Mac, and 152.0.7977.82 for Linux.
Rollout is expected to be gradual, so make sure to check if you already received it. Most of the time the update is automatic and instant and if you’re not certain, tap the three vertical dots in the top-right corner of the browser and choose Help. Navigate to About Google Chrome and there you will find the version number.
Running malicious code remotely
This patch fixes a total of 12 vulnerabilities, most of which are graded as high severity. Among them is a “type confusion in V8” bug, discovered by security researcher Salvatore Gulizia.
For his effort, Gulizia was awarded $1,000. Apparently, this bug is being actively leveraged in real-life attacks, although Google (as usual) decided not to share the juicy details until the majority of browsers are protected.
The vulnerability is tracked as CVE-2026-85046. On the National Vulnerability Database (NVD), it is described as a “type confusion in V8 in Google Chrome [that allows] a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code inside the sandbox via a crafted HTML page.”
V8 is Chrome’s JavaScript engine which allows web apps and interactive websites to run in the browser. Those interested in the technical breakdown of the vulnerability can find it on Guzlia’s blog.
You can find the full list of fixed vulnerabilities on this link.
This is the sixth zero-day Google fixed in Chrome since the start of the year. It also affects other browsers built on Chromium, so if you’re running Edge, Brave, Opera, or Vivaldi, make sure to update to the latest version as soon as possible.
An established name in the storage arena, Kingston built the NV3 as the successor to its popular NV2 line, and the jump to a Gen 4x4 controller brings a meaningful speed increase - it can hit read speeds up to 6,000MB/s.
But it keeps the single-sided, compact M.2 2280 form factor that fits easily into laptops and small-form-factor builds.
The headline number is up to 6,000MB/s of sequential read performance, and independent testing has generally found the NV3 hits close to its rated speeds, putting it in the same territory as several established TLC-based drives despite using cheaper QLC NAND.
Kingston keeps costs down with a DRAM-less design that relies on Host Memory Buffer, borrowing a slice of system RAM instead of including a dedicated cache chip. For typical use, booting, loading applications, and gaming, that trade-off is barely noticeable, and it's part of how Kingston is able to price the NV3 competitively.
The single-sided M.2 2280 layout keeps the drive slim enough for thin laptops and small-form-factor desktops, and Kingston's reputation for reliable, mainstream storage gives some reassurance on a component you don't want to think about after installing it.
Price Context & Historical Value
A $59 drop from $215.99 to $156.99 is a substantial discount, around 27 percent off, on a capacity and speed class that typically runs cheaper than this. It's worth double-checking Newegg's price at checkout since SSD pricing shifts often, but this discount looks like a genuine markdown rather than an inflated list price.
Should you buy it?
✅ Buy the Kingston NV3 1TB if... you want a fast, affordable PCIe 4.0 boot drive for a new build or upgrade, you need a compact single-sided M.2 2280 drive with low power draw, or you're a mainstream user whose workloads are mostly reads rather than sustained large writes.
❌ Skip the Kingston NV3 1TB if... you regularly write very large files such as video footage and need consistent sustained write speeds, you want a drive with a dedicated DRAM cache rather than Host Memory Buffer, or you need more than 1TB in a single drive.
The Catch: What to know before you buy
This is a QLC, DRAM-less drive, so sustained write performance drops noticeably once its SLC cache fills, which matters most for large, continuous file transfers rather than everyday use.
The upcoming fall season is the perfect excuse to buy a new pair of running shoes as the weather cools down and we can enjoy the outdoors again. Amazon's Labor Day sale surprisingly has excellent deals on top-rated running shoes from brands like Nike, Skechers, Hoka, Brooks, and more.
I've rounded up the best running shoe deals for women and men below, with savings of up to 48% and prices starting at just $39. You'll find a wide range of walking and running shoes on sale, including extra support for runners and stylish sneakers for casual, everyday wear.
Keep in mind that today's limited-time offers are part of Amazon's official Labor Day sale, so you won't find better prices if you wait for Labor Day proper (Monday, September 7). Today's discounts let you pick up a new pair of running shoes for fall while saving some cash.
Several fatal accidents have involved Tesla’s self-driving tech
Two separate cases saw vehicles suddenly stop on major routes
Electrek’s reporting has matched crash information with redacted Tesla reports
A recent series of reports by the website Electrek has linked a number of Tesla crashes to redacted reports that suggest a Level 2 driver-assist system was engaged within 30 seconds of impact.
In two separate incidents, a Tesla has stopped in the middle of a busy freeway, only to be hit by another vehicle, killing the drivers in both cases.
The first, which took place at 3am on October 31, 2025, in Mesa, Arizona, saw a Tesla sedan struck by a Ford F-350 pickup after it stopped in the middle of the freeway.
The second case, which took place at around 9:25pm, on October 6, 2025, in Seminole County, Florida, saw a 2020 Tesla Model 3 stop in the center eastbound lane of I-4, only for a semi to clip its rear and push it into the side of a second semi-truck, according to Electrek.
While the initial coverage of both crashes didn’t divulge the reasons behind them, reporting by Electrek has matched Tesla’s redacted accident reports to the incidents and, in both cases, Tesla’s automated driving technology was active.
Under a Standing General Order, automakers are now required to report crashes where a Level 2 driver-assist system was engaged within 30 seconds of impact. Tesla has to adhere to this.
In the Florida crash report, seen by Electrek, it listed the automated driving technology “Engagement Status” as “Verified Engaged” and stated the pre-crash movement as “Stopped,” with a speed of 0mph.
However, Tesla then redacts key information that could get to the bottom of why these vehicles suddenly stopped on extremely busy freeways.
In the documents, the crash narrative, the software version, and the field for whether the road was within the system’s approved operating area are all blacked out as “confidential business information”.
Due to this redaction of key information, it is impossible to tell whether the vehicles were using Autopilot or Tesla’s more advanced Full Self-Driving, as well as details leading up to the catastrophic events.
Analysis: Overconfidence in an imperfect technology
(Image credit: Tesla)
Electrek’s reporting understandably stops short of apportioning blame to Tesla’s autonomous driving systems, but the site suggests that previously-documented phantom-braking, which sees Autopilot brake hard for nonexistent obstacles, could be part of the issue.
That said, both of the incidents could simply be down to the fact that the drivers experienced a medical emergency or fell asleep behind the wheel, causing Tesla’s driver-assistance systems to bring the car to a stop.
But there have been a number of reported crashes that have occurred when Tesla’s driver-assist technology has been activated and the vehicle has sped up, such as a fatal incident that saw a Model 3 crash at 104mph and kill its driver in Clute, Texas, in May of this year.
Again, Tesla has redacted key information in its crash reporting that could help authorities piece the puzzle together and come to a concrete conclusion about the root cause.
Currently, Tesla is under investigation by the NHTSA over how it reports crashes involving its Level 2 driver-assistance systems, which it has been criticized for in the past after overhyping its capabilities.
But these recent incidents also point toward a worrying trend of overconfidence from drivers in the technology, expecting it to handle every conceivable situation on the road. Alas, the reality is that fully autonomous driving systems are still a long way from perfection.
Lexar PexarBolt Ultra TBT5 Dock connects to a laptop through a single Thunderbolt 5 cable
Bandwidth defaults to 80Gbps and boosts up to 120Gbps when needed
Runs two 8K displays or three 4K panels simultaneously
Lexar has introduced a new docking station for Mac and Windows computers, called the PexarBolt Ultra TBT5 Dock, built around Thunderbolt 5 connectivity.
The dock combines 22 ports with a 5-inch touchscreen and a rotating metal dial to control connected displays and check system status.
The dock's Thunderbolt 5 connection is rated at up to 80 Gbps by default, with a boost mode that pushes that bandwidth to 120 Gbps in one direction.
A desk hub built around high-speed links
According to Lexar, the dock can handle two 8K displays at 60Hz or three 4K panels running at 144Hz, depending on host hardware.
Video output comes through Thunderbolt connections alongside DisplayPort 2.1 or HDMI 2.1, although those latter outputs share the same video path.
The unit also accepts Type B CFexpress, SD 4.0 and microSD 4.0 cards, giving camera users several ways to move footage.
An internal M.2 storage slot supports PCIe Gen 4 x2, with advertised transfer rates reaching 3,600 MB/s when suitable hardware is installed.
The storage drive is not included, so buyers would need to supply their own compatible SSD for that internal bay.
Network transfers can use 10GbE, while multiple USB ports provide connections for accessories, drives, phones, tablets and other desk equipment.
On the rear, this device has two slower USB-A ports, two faster USB-A ports, five USB-C sockets, audio, Ethernet, display outputs, and charging.
The front carries the camera card readers, a headphone socket, and two USB-C connections that share their 45W power allocation, though the power delivery reaches 140W for a connected laptop.
Its compatibility covers macOS and Windows, while the dock also works with Thunderbolt and USB4 devices when their supported features allow it.
A screen and cooling add more hardware
The 5-inch display is intended to show information about connected equipment, power use, temperatures, transfer rates, and other operating details.
A rotary control beside the screen lets users move through interface options, while taps on the display provide access to additional information.
The company says full dashboard functions require its desktop application, making the screen less independent than a simple hardware status panel.
Active cooling combines a fan, metal heat transfer parts and directed airflow, with thermal information also shown through the display.
The package includes the dock, power supply, three regional AC leads, an SSD fitting kit, a Thunderbolt 5 cable and manual.
Lexar has not listed the NVMe drive as part of the package, despite making internal storage expansion one of the dock's main features.
The company is preparing the product for Kickstarter, where the advertised early price is $479 against a regular $649 MSRP.
Disclaimer: We do not recommend or endorse any crowdfunding project. All crowdfunding campaigns carry inherent risks, including the possibility of delays, changes, or non-delivery of products. Potential backers should carefully evaluate the details and proceed at their own discretion.
NASA and SpaceX successfully launched the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope from the historic Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Orbiting Observatory was named after NASA’s first chief astronomer, Nancy Grace Roman, and can produce images from deep space 100 times larger than NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope.
I never cease to be amazed at the effectiveness of small habits. Standing up and moving every hour. Drinking small sips of water regularly. Leaving your phone downstairs when you go to bed. Flossing straight after brushing. Giving thanks for one thing as soon as your head hits the pillow.
They seem small and insignificant. Can habits like these really make a difference? In my experience, yes, and James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, agrees. The reality is that each habit may not seem like a big deal, but when combined and performed over time, they can lead to massive changes.
One app that has helped me build and cement new habits in the area of health and fitness is GO Club. This beautifully designed app is the epitome of simplicity. It may only perform a few simple functions, but what it does, it does incredibly well. Over the past few weeks, I’ve grown to love it and have come to rely on its phone widget to keep me moving towards my goals.
Homescreen heroes
This is part of a regular series of articles exploring the apps that we couldn't live without. Read them all here.
At the heart of GO Club is a tracker that measures steps and water intake. Beyond this, it offers reminders and rewards to help you prioritize these small but important habits. Since its launch just 18 months ago, the app has been downloaded by more than 150,000 people and was a finalist in the 2025 App Store Awards.
(Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton)
Hitting your step goal
Increasing the number of steps you take each day sounds simple. All you have to do is put one step in front of another, and the numbers will take care of themselves. I thought the same until I started tracking my progress. Despite setting a goal of 10,000 steps per day, I was regularly only taking between five and six thousand. That surprised me.
The GO Club app not only informed me of my subpar number of steps but also provided all the motivation I needed to do something about it, and it was simpler than I expected.
The simple, no-fuss readout of the number of steps I took that day proved sufficient motivation, and seeing it in the widget every time I unlocked my phone was an easy reminder. GO Club calls this “Steps, without the noise."
Underneath the step count are three other stats presented in small text. These are distance, calories burned, and floors climbed. I didn’t use these, but if you were training to walk a set distance or needed a crude summary of how many calories you were burning each day, I could imagine it proving useful. Beyond this is a chart that displays progress over time so you can make sure you’re moving in the right direction.
(Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton)
The importance of drinking enough water
Step count is recorded automatically, but you enter water intake manually. There’s no way around this because your smartphone or smartwatch simply can’t track how much water you’re drinking. Thankfully, entering the amount of water consumed each day is incredibly straightforward.
To enter an amount, you adjust the slider value and click 'Add.' The app then subtracts this from your goal, 2.5 liters by default, and updates the water bottle graphic for a visual representation of how much water you have left to drink within that day. It’s a strikingly simple graphic that genuinely makes me want to drink water every time I look at it.
(Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton)
Smartwatch integration and a GO Plus subscription
Not everyone will want to rely on a smartphone app or widget to change their step and drinking habits. That’s why GO Club developed a dedicated Apple Watch app so you can glance at your smartwatch to see your progress. The Apple Watch app follows the same design principles as the smartphone app with a strikingly simple and visually appealing layout.
GO Plus lets you get the most from the app. This includes home screen and lock screen widgets, focus mode themes, smart walking plans, Apple Watch widgets, golden hour time slots, and a health trends summary. All of this costs an annual sum of $19.99 / £17.99 or $3.99 / £2.99 per month if you’d prefer a rolling subscription.
We're still a few weeks out from the big day itself, but several retailers have already started their annual Labor Day sales this week. In fact, tons of excellent laptops are on sale right now if you're looking for a new machine.
I've been scanning through the various listings at my favorite retailers, and both HP and Best Buy have excellent deals on laptops of all shapes and sizes right now. You can check out my top picks just down below.
Highlights include the excellent Acer Aspire Go for just $549.99 (was $699) at Best Buy, which is an excellent mid-range laptop for covering the basics like working from home or streaming content. While not a super high-end machine, its combination of a Ryzen 7 chipset, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD is a real selling point at this budget range.
I also like the look of this HP Omnibook 5 at the official HP Store for $679 (was $1,149). Not only is this a great price for a machine with 16GB of RAM and a Snapdragon X chipset, but it also comes with a 2K OLED display. That's a high-end component you don't see anywhere near this price bracket usually.
Finally, if you've got flush pockets, I'd also recommend checking out this Gigabyte Aero X16 gaming laptop for $1,339 (was $1,499) at Best Buy. Gaming laptop prices have suffered terribly in recent months, but this listing is a rare deal where you can score an RTX 5070 graphics card and 32GB of RAM for well under $1,500. A great deal.
You don't always find a laptop with 8GB of memory for under $300, so this Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook really stands out in Best Buy's latest sale. Other components are good for light use, but that bump to 8GB of RAM will really help with everyday performance and load times. It's still a fairly basic laptop, but with enough extra power to avoid dramatic slowdown when multitasking.View Deal
Looking for a decent Windows 11 laptop to handle the basics? This HP Laptop 15t is one of the better options in the HP Labor Day sale right now. Sure, it's not a high-end machine, but the combination of an Intel Core Ultra 5 chipset and 8GB of RAM will be sufficient for browser-based tasks like study, typing, or streaming videos. I'd recommend 16GB of RAM for more intensive applications, but this one is a good affordable option for the basics.View Deal
Dell's entry-level 15-inch laptops are always a good solid option if you're looking for a no-thrills value machine for everyday use. This particular configuration features a Core i5 chipset, 8GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD - more than enough for the basics like web browsing or shopping. While not a high-end machine by any stretch, this is a sensible buy with plenty of space on the storage drive. View Deal
The Acer Aspire Go is undoubtedly one of the best budget Windows 11 laptops you can buy right now, as attested in our review of this very model. This configuration in particular features a powerful chipset, 16GB of RAM, and a spacious storage drive for a really compelling price at Best Buy. If you just want a great value laptop that can handle working from home or basic tasks, then this is a great option. View Deal
Laptops with Snapdragon chipsets are great options if you prioritize battery life - and they tend to be pretty affordable, too. This HP Omnibook 3 is a great example of such a laptop, with its Snapdragon X chipset. That should get you great performance right out the box for the basics, although you'll want to make sure that all your required apps support Snapdragon chipsets specifically. Most applications are covered, but some more niche apps may still require an Intel or AMD processor specifically. View Deal
This OmniBook 5 is a great option if you're looking for battery life, performance, and some storage space too. Like the listing above, it's a model with a Snapdragon chipset, but you also get 16GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, and a stunning 2K OLED display. You'll have no issues zipping through even relatively demanding tasks with this OmniBook 5, and the display is also a really compelling feature at this price point.View Deal
This OmniBook X Flip 2-in-1 is my personal pick for an Intel-based mid to higher-end laptop in the HP Labor Day sale. Not only do you get 16GB of RAM and a decently sized 512GB SSD, but you also get one of the latest Intel Ultra 7 chipsets for plenty of power under the hood. This particular model also features a handy 2-in-1 form factor as well as a high-end 3K OLED display. View Deal
The best gaming laptop deal in the HP Labor Day sale in my opinion is this heavily discounted HyperX Omen 15. The combination of a powerful Ryzen 7 chipset and RTX 5060 graphics card means this one is well-suited to playing all the latest games pretty smoothly at 1080p resolution at least. I would have loved to have seen a full 32GB of RAM with this machine, but the insane prices of components right now means that this is still a good deal in context. View Deal
Genuine gaming laptop deals are rare these days with such high component prices. This Gigabyte Aero X16 at Best Buy, however, is a listing that's almost bucking that trend. Not only is it an RTX 5070 gaming laptop for under $1,500, but you're also getting 32GB of RAM right out of the box. In short, this is a really great bang for the buck option currently - even if it is still pretty pricey. View Deal
For a no-compromise option, I'd recommend this Acer Predator Helios, which is currently on sale at Best Buy. The savings aren't huge, but I think the price is right here considering you get an RTX 5070 Ti, Ultra 9, 32GB of RAM, and a high-end OLED display. You'll have no issues with all the latest titles with this machine - and everything will look fantastic thanks to the OLED display.
