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jeudi 25 juin 2026

I beat the summer heatwave with this wearable AC, and it just went on sale

As someone who lives in India, I know a thing (or ten) about intense heat. This summer is proving to be particularly hot, going up to 107 degrees F (42 degrees Celsius) in my city. Other parts of the world are also experiencing heatwaves, and if you're going out on vacation or just need a way to stay cool while outdoors, there's a product for you.

Accessory brand Torras makes wearable air conditioners, and the Coolify Cyber Fold does a great job controlling your microclimate — the immediate vicinity around you. It's designed to cool up to 50 degrees F and provides cool airflow of 3m/s, and you know what? It actually works. I tested it for the last two months, and even on days when it was 104 degrees out (40 deg C), it made a legitimate difference. The Cyber Fold is the costliest model in the Coolify range, and it's now down to $226. If you need an affordable alternative, the Coolify 2S Pro is a good option at $161, and the Coolify Air is just $89 right now.

The Cyber Fold is the best product in the Coolify range, and it is the one I used the most. If you just need a wearable AC that's a little more affordable, you should consider the 2S Pro. View Deal

✅Recommended if: You need an easy way to stay cool outdoors. The Cyber Fold uses innovative cooling tech that immediately makes a difference, and it's effective even in extreme heat.

❌Skip this deal if: You want something that isn't conspicuous. You will get plenty of attention while wearing this.

The Coolify Cyber Fold has much better build quality than other wearable ACs, and it uses Peltier cooling tech in conjunction with fans to ensure you stay cool outdoors. There are eight vents around the product that blow air, and you get decent coverage around your face and neck.

Obviously, the design means it will stand out when you're wearing it in public — there's no getting around that. But I will admit that it isn't as bulky or unwieldy as it looks, and I didn't notice the heft after a day or two of regular use. The best part about the Cyber Fold is that it's effective even on days where it's over 100 degrees F, and the cooling pads around your neck make a huge difference.

The built-in battery doesn't quite last all day, but it's good enough for a few hours of use on full blast. You can eke out better battery life by switching to efficient cooling, and unless it's over 100 degrees outside, you won't need to crank up the cooling all the way.

It is a niche product, but it's one that made a decent amount of difference in the summer months, and if you're interested in trying out a wearable AC, the Cyber Fold is the one I'd recommend — get it while it's still down to $226.



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No way! The best 4K TV streaming stick is somehow just $17 for Prime Day

If you're using an older TV or have a model where the built-in interface is being laggy, you'll want to use a dedicated streaming stick. There are plenty of great models in this category, and Amazon's Fire TV Stick 4K Select continues to dominate for two reasons: it's reliable, and much more affordable than other models. That affordability is getting even better for Prime Day, as the Fire TV Stick 4K Select is now down to just $17, a huge 55% discount.

The Fire TV Stick 4K Plus is an even better choice if you want HDR and Dolby Vision, and that model is discounted by 50% and is now selling for $24. Also, the Fire TV Stick 4K Max has better connectivity and storage, and if that's something you need, it is now down to $34. As someone who uses the Shield TV Pro regularly — which still costs $199 — it's ridiculous that Amazon is discounting its best-selling streamers to this extent, and if you need to use one of these, the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus is the best choice.

There's do doubt that the Fire TV Stick 4K Select is the device to buy if you need a reliable 4K TV streaming stick. View Deal

The Fire TV Stick 4K Plus is the HDR and Dolby Vision upgrade, and if you have a newer TV, this is the model to buy. View Deal

The Fire TV Stick 4K Max is the ideal upgrade if you want double the amount of storage and better connectivity. View Deal

✅Recommended if: You need a reliable way to stream your TV shows and movies. All Fire TV Stick 4K models have a fluid interface with no lag, and if you're getting the Plus or Max, you get Dolby Vision.

❌Skip this deal if: You need much more power. The Fire TV Stick 4K should be good enough for most users, but if you need additional power, look at the Shield TV or Shield TV Pro.

The Fire TV Stick 4K Select is a great option to consider, and it doesn't really miss out on much. Other than Dolby Atmos audio and Dolby Vision, you get all the same features as the other models, and as the name suggests, you get 4K resolution.

As good as it is, the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus hits the sweet spot, and this model has both Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision in addition to HDR10+ and all the features of the Select. Honestly, this is the one to buy if you just need a reliable TV streamer with all the extras — you even get GeForce Now integration, which is missing on the Select.

Regardless of whichever model you buy, you're getting a reliable streamer, and with prices starting as low as $17, now is the best time to do so.



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You deserve a chill summer staycation, and this Kindle Prime Day deal is just what you need

Some of us like ot travel and explore during the summer, while others just prefer to relax and take it easy. I've already highlighted some enticing Prime Day deals for essential travel accessories, but what about for those of you staying home? Well, Amazon has just the thing for readers with this deal on the 16GB Kindle.

This model launched in 2024, but it's currently the latest base Kindle model available. Originally $110, this 23% discount brings it down to $85 and includes three months of Kindle Unlimited. However, keep in mind that this price still comes with lock-screen ads, which will set you back $104 (down from $129) to get rid of.

This Kindle deal is more than meets the eye, because not only are you getting $25 off an excellent e-reader, but you can also get three months of free Kindle Unlimited. All you have to do is select the option on the product page and be sure to remember when it will auto-renew. Otherwise, skip the subscription and just start growing your library!View Deal

✅Recommended if: You love to read but don't own a lot of physical books or want an easy way to take your favorite books with you on the go.

❌Skip this deal if: You want a larger e-reader with more than 16GB of storage and with support for color.

I reviewed the 2022 Kindle model, and it turned me into a believer in e-readers, thanks to its compact size, very readable display, and long battery life. However, a few things annoyed me, such as the choppiness of the animations, and Amazon says the 2024 model has faster page turns, which hopefully addresses my complaint.

Otherwise, the 16GB of storage can hold thousands of books, which you can download from the Kindle store or upload to the device. And the display is plenty bright and easy on the eyes, making it a great alternative to a physical book.

The Kindle also lasts for up to six weeks per charge, so you don't have to worry about the battery dying while you're on your little staycation. But if it does, be ready to sit around while it charges, as it can take up to 2 hours at 9W. Honestly, it's a small price to pay when the battery lasts that long.



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mercredi 24 juin 2026

Make like Team Norway and RO to this Prime Day NAS deal

There's a lot to like about how Team Norway are going about their World Cup, and with Haaland and Odegaard, there's a decent chance that they'll last long in the tournament.

You know what else lasts long? SSDs. Regular NAS servers use mechanical HDDs, but if you want to make the switch to flash storage, there are a few decent choices available. The benefit of using an all-flash NAS is that you get significantly higher bandwidth; most traditional HDDs can hit 250MB/s at a maximum, but with an SSD, you easily get ten times that bandwidth.

I tested all the SSD NAS servers available today, and TerraMaster's F8 SSD Plus is the best of the lot. It holds eight SSDs, comes with thermal pads that ensure the drives don't overheat, and you get active cooling.

The best part is that the NAS is now selling at just $719, and I think that is a good value. While it debuted at $899, the F8 SSD Plus usually sells at around the $765 to $799 figure, so even in that context, you're getting a good overall deal this time.

The F8 SSD Plus is a great all-flash NAS, and this is easily the best time to get your hands on the model. View Deal

✅Recommended if: You're ready to move to SSD storage. The F8 SSD Plus has 10GbE connectivity, holds eight drives, and doesn't take up much room at all.

❌Skip this deal if: You just want a media server. There are plenty of other choices if you just need a NAS server to house your media collection, and going with a regular HDD is still a better choice.

While I use the F8 SSD Plus regularly, most of my media is in another NAS with regular HDDs. That's because you don't get nearly as much storage when buying SSDs as you do mechanical drives. I have four 2TB SSDs totaling 8TB in the F8 SSD Plus, and they cumulatively cost as much as a 24TB HDD.

With SSD prices inflated right now because of high demand, you'll end up shelling a lot of cash to get a decent amount of storage. The plus side is that as SSDs don't contain any moving parts, they generally last longer than a HDD. An all-flash NAS is better-suited for office tasks, and it's generally overkill if you just want a media server.

TerraMaster F8 SSD Plus next to power cable

(Image credit: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)

Coming to the F8 SSD Plus, you get eight NVMe slots in total, so you can add eight drives, with each slot able to hold 8TB, giving you 64TB of total addressable storage. The NAS is powered by Intel's N305 platform, and it's designed to be fast; I didn't see any issues whatsoever after close to a year of use.

With connectivity, the F8 SSD Plus has 10GbE as standard, and you can easily saturate the bandwidth of the connection with the available bandwidth. While the initial costs are higher, the F8 SSD Plus is a great all-round choice if you want an all-flash NAS with standout features.



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GameSir's best mobile gaming controller is somehow down to just $63 during Prime Day

I used a lot of mobile gaming controllers over the last three years, and GameSir's products stood out consistently for the build quality, performance, and reliability. The GameSir G8+ is the best of the lot, and it's just a delight to use.

I played dozens of hours of games on the G8+, and GameSir rolled out a new model dubbed the G8 Plus MFi. The key difference between the two is that G8 Plus relies on Bluetooth, while the G8 Plus MFi has USB-C connectivity. GameSir really should have done a better job naming these controllers, because to anyone else just looking at the models, it looks like the G8+ MFi also has Bluetooth.

Having said that, the G8 Plus MFi is terrific, and I like that it works with iPhones and the iPad mini along with Android phones. The controller usually costs $79, but it is now down to $63 on Amazon, which is a decent 20% discount on one of the best products in this category.

The G8 Plus MFi works with Android alongside iPhones and iPads, and it is the best mobile gaming controller I used yet.View Deal

✅Recommended if: You need a great mobile controller with hall effect joysticks and analog triggers. The G8 Plus MFi has excellent feedback, anti-stick drift, and USB-C connectivity.

❌Skip this deal if: You absolutely need Bluetooth connectivity, or want to use it with a Nintendo Switch/Switch 2. Just get the regular G8+ in that case — it's the same controller otherwise.

GameSir didn't change the basics with the G8 Plus MFi, and that's a good thing. This is a mobile controller that's extremely comfortable to hold and use, and it feels just like a regular Xbox controller. The full-size joysticks, buttons, and triggers make a difference in that area, and you get a satisfying rumble from the built-in motors.

The hall effect joysticks ensure there's no stick drift whatsoever, and this hasn't been a problem on any GameSir controller I used in the last three years. The analog triggers also use hall effect switches, and they have excellent feedback.

GameSir G8 Plus MFi mobile gaming controller review
Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central
GameSir G8 Plus MFi mobile gaming controller review
Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central
GameSir G8 Plus MFi mobile gaming controller review
Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central
GameSir G8 Plus MFi mobile gaming controller review
Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central
GameSir G8 Plus MFi mobile gaming controller review
Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central
GameSir G8 Plus MFi mobile gaming controller review
Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central
GameSir G8 Plus MFi mobile gaming controller review
Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central
GameSir G8 Plus MFi mobile gaming controller review
Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central
GameSir G8 Plus MFi mobile gaming controller review
Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central

The G8 Plus MFi does two things better than the traditional G8+: it accommodates phones with huge camera islands — like the Find X9 Ultra and Vivo X300 Ultra — and the bridge extends a little wider, so you can easily slot in tablets like the iPad mini without any issues.

It doesn't have Bluetooth, so you can only connect USB-C devices, like Android phones, recent iPhones, and iPads that use USB-C. If you need a controller to use with your Switch or any other Bluetooth device, get the G8+.

On the whole, if you just need a reliable controller to play your favorite mobile games, the G8 Plus MFi is my recommendation in 2026. And coming in at $63, now is the best time to get your hands on this controller.



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mardi 23 juin 2026

iPhone user? This Prime Day Pixel deal will convince you to switch to Android

If you're an iPhone user and are willing to switch to Android, now is the best time to do so. The Pixel 10 Pro XL is the best Android flagship you can buy in the U.S., and while I prefer the Find X9 Ultra and Vivo X300 Ultra, you don't get those devices Stateside, so if I have to choose between the Galaxy S26 Ultra, Motorola Signature, the iPhone 17 Pro Max, and the Pixel 10 Pro XL, Google's phone wins out.

There's just one issue: the pricing. The Pixel 10 Pro XL debuted at $1,199, and that's way too much. Thankfully, the phone is down to $884 during Prime Day, a huge $315 discount that makes this the ideal time to get your hands on the Pixel 10 Pro XL. Google's phones always sell well during these sale, and it's no different this time. And what about the iPhone, you ask? There aren't any deals around this year, so you'll need to shell out the full $1,199 to get your hands on the 17 Pro Max.

The Pixel 10 Pro XL has the best software, standout cameras, and all the extras you need in a flagship. There isn't anything better in the U.S., and the $315 discount makes it the ideal time to switch if you're using an iPhone. View Deal

✅Recommended if: You want the best phone in the U.S. The Pixel 10 Pro XL has better cameras than the Galaxy S26 Ultra and iPhone 17 Pro Max, the software is cleaner, and you get an extensive set of AI features if that's what you want in a phone.

❌Skip this deal if: You're used to the iPhone. I get that it's hard to change, and with the iPhone, you get an interface that's essentially unchanged over the last decade.

Google sorted out a lot of the lingering issues this time, and the result is that the Pixel 10 Pro XL is noticeably better than its predecessors. The fundamentals haven't changed; you still get great cameras, clean software with plenty of meaningful features, good battery life, and a bright OLED panel.

It's the software where the Pixel 10 Pro XL truly comes into its own. The phone just got the Android 17 update, and alongside a slate of new features and a new floating windows mode called bubbles, the update made the phone a little faster, making it even better to use.

Google has a dominant lead when it comes to phone-based AI features, so much so that Apple is using Google's models on the iPhone now. But if you're not a fan of generative AI or don't need these features, you don't have to use any on the Pixel 10 Pro XL — I don't. Outside of the software, the Pixel 10 Pro XL cameras continue to stand out, and you consistently get great photos and videos.

The OLED panel is among the brightest of any phone around, and I like its color vibrancy. Battery life is decent, and while it doesn't measure up to Chinese rivals, I still get a day's worth of use consistently.

Google has been making phones for the better part of a decade now, and with the Pixel 10 Pro XL, it's clear that the brand has a phone that's among the best around. If you're not satisfied with your iPhone and want to try something new, the Pixel 10 Pro XL would be my recommendation — get the phone while it's still down to $884.



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Conquer the chaos: save 20% on the best smart family calendar this Prime Day

After three years of trying (and failing) to build any semblance of a schedule, we wanted to get a smart calendar to see if it made things any easier. And with our toddler set to start pre-school soon, we needed a way to plan the family schedule, add and change meal plans, have a shared to-do list, and just bring some level of organization to the daily routine.

There's a decent amount of choice if you're looking to get a smart calendar these days. Cozyla, Skylight, Hearth, and Amazon all make dedicated devices aimed at this category, and while I liked the look of the Skylight Frame, I wasn't keen on yet another subscription just to use a shared calendar, and the coincidentally, I got a review unit of the Cozyla Calendar+ 2, so that's what we ended up using.

I tested the 15.6-inch variant of the Cozyla Calendar+ 2, and it costs $349 on Amazon as of writing. There's also a 24-inch model that retails for $699, a 32-inch model that costs $899, and a 32-inch 4K option that is available for $1,099. The larger 24-inch and 32-inch models are good to consider if you're mounting the calendar on a wall, but if you want to just position it on the kitchen island (like we have), the 15.6-inch model is arguably the better choice — and it costs a lot less.

The 15.6-inch Calendar Plus 2 usually costs $349, but it's down to $279 right now, and if you've been eyeing this calendar, now is the best time to get your hands on it. The 24-inch model is now available for $559, and the 4K 32-inch option costs $719 at the moment. View Deal

Cozyla Calendar Plus 2 review on Android Central
Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central
Cozyla Calendar Plus 2 review on Android Central
Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central
Cozyla Calendar Plus 2 review on Android Central
Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central
Cozyla Calendar Plus 2 review on Android Central
Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central
Cozyla Calendar Plus 2 review on Android Central
Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central

I'll get to the features in a little bit, but let's talk about the product itself. The Calendar+ 2 is sold in a white color option, and it houses a 15.6-inch 1080p panel with a standard 60Hz refresh and chunky bezels on the sides. The panel itself is decent enough; it doesn't come close to the clarity of most modern tablets like the Xiaomi Pad 8, but it gets the job done in this context. I would've preferred an anti-glare coating on the screen given the use case, but that's only available on the 24- and 32-inch models, which is annoying.

Coming to the hardware, the Calendar+ 2 is powered by a Rockchip RK3576, which has Arm's v7 Cortex A72 cores running at 2.11GHz and A53 cores at 1.91GHz. There's 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, with around 38GB available for use. You won't see something this old on a phone or tablet, but it is serviceable on a device that's ostensibly meant as a shared family calendar.

Cozyla Calendar Plus 2 review on Android Central

(Image credit: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)

On the software front, you get Android 14 out of the box, and while the Calendar+ 2 runs Cozyla's custom CalendarOS, you have the Play Store, so there's the ability to install custom apps. This is a big enough differentiator, and while the hardware is decidedly entry-level, you can install YouTube, to-do list apps, and just about any productivity app on this device without any issues.

The interface was laggy when we set up the calendar, but it has gotten much better thanks to recent updates. The home page pulls up the calendar view with widgets for tasks and meals, and there are dedicated tabs: Calendar, Tasks, Meals, Notes, and Settings. You get an App Library that serves as the app drawer, and you can add widgets, apps, or folders to the home page and customize it as needed.

Cozyla Calendar Plus 2 review on Android Central
Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central
Cozyla Calendar Plus 2 review on Android Central
Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central
Cozyla Calendar Plus 2 review on Android Central
Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central

In fact, the biggest advantage to the Calendar+ is the sheer amount of customizability. You can install any app you want and tweak the interface to highlight the information that matters to you. We used the Calendar+ 2 predominantly for two things: meal planning and managing to-do lists.

Adding a meal plan to the calendar was an exercise in frustration — when we set it up a few months ago. The interface on the Cozyla itself was slow, and while a desktop app would be ideal, Cozyla still doesn't have that, so we manually added everything via our phones.

Cozyla Calendar Plus 2 review on Android Central
Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central
Cozyla Calendar Plus 2 review on Android Central
Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central
Cozyla Calendar Plus 2 review on Android Central
Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central
Cozyla Calendar Plus 2 review on Android Central
Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central

Now, this was only a problem because we added an Indian meal plan. Cozyla has a recipe database, but that mostly includes western dishes, and even Indian dishes like rotis, dal, or chutneys weren't available, so we had to add all of these individually. Having said that, Cozyla rolled out updates in the last two months that made a big difference. There's a decent selection of global dishes now, and that's good to see — it made adding new dishes to the meal plan that much easier.

Cozyla Calendar Plus 2 review on Android Central

(Image credit: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)

Setting up calendars is as easy as logging in to your account and syncing to the device. You can use Google, Apple, Outlook, Yahoo, and CalDAV as the providers, and it was relatively straightforward to link my Google calendar to the device. The best part of the calendar is the Tasks feature; it lets you add to-do lists and assign chores, and it made a big difference in how regularly I do the laundry.

We've been using this calendar for just under six months now, and honestly, I'm glad I waited before writing the review — the updates to the app and calendar made it much more responsive, and Cozyla sorted out a lot of the lingering bugs, making the Calendar Plus 2 a better overall product now. And the fact that you can get it for 20% off means now is as good a time as any to buy the smart calendar.



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