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AI, genetic engineering, quantum computing, clean energy and humanoid robotics signal a bright future. (Image source: ChatGPT)

5 trailblazing technologies primed to supercharge humankind by 2035

CheckMag Over the next decade, these five transformative tech fields are poised to reshape human society and AI is at the center of all. The possibilities are staggering and humankind could solve pressing issues related to climate change and an array of diseases, including aging itself.
Bogdan Solca, 04 Aug 2025 21:56
A game controler that's falling apart and a bewildered man (image source: Stop Killing Games YouTube channel)

One man vs the games industry: Stop Killing Games pushes governments to act, then burns out

Ross Scott’s Stop Killing Games initiative, credited with catalyzing global action against the deletion of paid digital games, is winding down its direct activism. With key legislative and regulatory efforts now in motion across the EU and beyond, Scott reflects on the movement’s progress, personal toll, and future direction — including calls for preserving virtual game worlds through AI and community action.
Sebastian Jankowski, 04 Aug 2025 19:52
Squid game TV series season 3 (Image source: AI-generated image)

Squid Game season 3 review: When the stakes are human

Squid Game Season 3 doesn’t just continue the story; it flips it inside out. The violence remains—but it’s the emotion underneath that cuts deepest. The show no longer relies on shock to land its punches. Now, it aims lower. Somewhere you don’t expect.
Jonathan Bester, 04 Aug 2025 18:13
PC game releases  this August (Image Source: Respective game studios)

PC game releases I'm most excited about this August

CheckMag August 2025 is shaping up to be one of the busiest months for PC gaming in recent memory. From big-name remakes like Gears of War: Reloaded and Metal Gear Solid Delta to indie standouts like Sword of the Sea and Discounty, this month’s release calendar offers a nice mix of nostalgia, creativity, and smart design choices.
Antony Muchiri, 03 Aug 2025 10:55
From left to right: The rag & bone × Casio Vintage Premium, the A$AP Ferg GA-110FRG-7AER, and Supreme × The North Face DW-6900SNF-1A. (Image source: Casio. G-Central)

14 iconic Casio collab watches that became instant collectibles upon launch

CheckMag Casio has maintained its relevance over the years due to many reasons - one of them being collaborations with other brands and pop-culture icons. There have been countless collabs since the first one in 1997 - this list covers 14 of the most iconic partnerships with Casio till date.
Anubhav Sharma, 31 Jul 2025 22:03
OpenAI, led by CEO Sam Altman, is backing Helion Energy’s efforts to bring commercial nuclear fusion to life—linking AI innovation with sustainable energy infrastructure. (Image Source: OpenAI)

Helion begins work on world’s first fusion power plant backed by Microsoft and Sam Altman

Sam Altman-backed Helion begins construction work on a commercial fusion plant in Washington, USA, aiming to provide clean power to Microsoft by 2028. Here is why this is a big deal.
Darryl Linington, 31 Jul 2025 14:57
Turning screen time into learning time: 7 educational apps that actually teach, not just entertain. A kid holding a tablet pictured. (Image source: charlesdeluvio - Unsplash)

Top 7 educational apps that actually teach your children

CheckMag Many educational apps claim to foster development and engagement, yet few deliver genuine learning value. The search for tools that support cognitive growth—rather than simply entertain—can be time-consuming for parents and educators alike. The following selection highlights apps that stand out for their ability to adapt to individual learning pace, uphold user privacy, and promote meaningful educational outcomes.
Darryl Linington, 29 Jul 2025 17:18
One-Eyed Likho is considered to be an embodiment of evil fate and misfortune in Slavic mythology. The game represents that very well. Pictured - cover thumbnail of the game. (Image source: Steam - Edited)

A haunting, mesmeric folk horror experience with minor caveats: One-Eyed Likho - First impressions

This first look at Morteshka’s new game, One-Eyed Likho, sheds light on how its monochrome visuals, folk-horror themes, and atmospheric setting shape a unique story-driven horror experience. Apart from some minor issues, the game delivers on multiple fronts.
Anubhav Sharma, 28 Jul 2025 08:00
Five fun and engaging titles with 90%+ positive reviews are heavily discounted for a limited as of this weekend. (Image source: Steam, edited)

Five critically acclaimed Steam games now available for heavily discounted prices

Weekend Loot Games are fun, no doubt about it. Games with serious discounts, for obvious reasons, are even more fun. Among the plethora of games that happen to be on sale, we have picked five highly rated, critically acclaimed games that are available with discounts as high as 80% for a limited time.
Sambit Saha, 26 Jul 2025 08:29
The Casio Edifice line was born in the year 2000, and it's become one of the top 3 monikers under the Japanese watch manufacturer. Pictured - A Casio Edifice model. (Image source: Samer Daboul on Pexels)

8 great Casio Edifice watches under $200 that can challenge Seiko and Citizen's models

CheckMag Casio’s Edifice series is well-known for sports-inspired designs, reliable quartz movements, and solid specs, alongside sapphire crystals, solar tech, and strong water resistance around the $200 mark - making them top value choices over pricier rivals. Here are our 8 top picks in this price segment.
Anubhav Sharma, 25 Jul 2025 21:14
If you're serious about reading, a Kindle isn't a luxury... it's the obvious next step (Image Source: felipepelaquim on Unsplash)

The best eReader for 2025's biggest books: A reader's guide to the Kindle line up

This one’s for every book lover thinking, “Which Kindle should I actually get in 2025?” I break down the current Kindle lineup while also spotlighting the hottest books blowing up right now (Onyx Storm, anyone?) and giving you a few no-brainer picks if you’re into fantasy, romance, or spicy hockey drama.
Darryl Linington, 25 Jul 2025 10:38
Lucifer and Dream face off in a moment of divine tension; one of many visually striking confrontations in The Sandman Season 2. (Image source: Netflix)

The Sandman’s swan song: A quiet grief and a final farewell

Discussing the emotional impact of Netflix's The Sandman Season 2 Part 1, its impending conclusion, and the parallel loss of Good Omens. Exploring the narrative depth, thematic resonance, and fading magic of modern fantasy television.
Jonathan Bester, 23 Jul 2025 20:36
Abiotic Factor had a peak 24h player count of 22,304 at the time of writing. Pictured - an official screenshot from the game. (Image source: Steam - Edited)

Steam launch: All about this new Half-Life x Lethal Company-style co-op survival game that hit 1K "Overwhelmingly Positive" reviews in 24 hours

CheckMag Abiotic Factor has officially launched into its full 1.0 "Cold Fusion" update, earning nearly 1,000 new Overwhelmingly Positive Steam reviews in 24 hours. Here's a deep-dive into this survival-crafting co-op game with Half-Life vibes, hitting 96% approval across 32,000+ reviews.
Anubhav Sharma, 23 Jul 2025 19:14
The Sidephone (pictured) is an upcoming dumb phone, scheduled to launch this year. (Image source: u/chrisristovski on Reddit)

9 dumb phones that are actually smart purchases in this day and age

CheckMag As dumb phones gain popularity, here are 9 great models you can invest in if you're in the market for one right now. Some of these are merely functional, while others are more design-focused - and one specific model is poised to launch later this year.
Anubhav Sharma, 22 Jul 2025 23:57
Disney live action remake flubs (Image source: AI-generated image)

Lilo & Stitch live-action remake isn’t perfect, but it might be the first one that matters

Lilo & Stitch (2025) avoids remake fatigue with a tighter story as box office results look solid and audience support seems strong without leaning too hard on nostalgia.
Jonathan Bester, 22 Jul 2025 00:55
You're training AI for free with every prompt. Generic humanoid robot pictured. (Image source: Vjulien Tromeur - Unsplash)

You’re training AI for free - And it’s not even saying thanks

You're training AI for free with every prompt, click, and CAPTCHA. Here's how human feedback is fuelling billion-dollar models... without a thank you.
Darryl Linington, 21 Jul 2025 22:13
A generic humanoid robot and a question sign. (Image source: Valeria Nikitina - Unsplash)

From data to delusion: How AI hallucinations actually happen

AI hallucinations happen when chatbots make stuff up... confidently. Learn why it happens, how it’s being fixed, and how it can impact you.
Darryl Linington, 19 Jul 2025 17:18
Brands like Casio, Seiko, and Citizen are well-known for designing functional watches well below $150. Pictured - multiple watches from the aforementioned brands. (Image source: Casio, Seiko, Timex, Orient - Edited)

8 bang-for-buck watches under $150 that punch well above their weight

CheckMag Explore the best quirky, feature-packed watches under $150 from brands like Casio, Seiko, Timex, Orient, and Citizen. We have made a list of some standout models that deliver versatile functionality, exceptional value and a whole lot of character without breaking the bank.
Anubhav Sharma, 19 Jul 2025 01:12
Laptops imported from Asia seem to dominate the heavily sanctioned Russian market. Symbolic image. (Image source: Notebookcheck, Francesco Ungaro - Pexels, Khyta - Unsplash)

3 years without Dell: Asian laptop makers now dominate in Russia

Virtually all major US companies ceased official operations in Russia in H1 2022, making key day-to-day electronics such as laptops harder to get a hold of - and more expensive. Three years later, products from brands like Apple and HP are still purchasable in the heavily sanctioned country but Taiwan and China-based brands reign supreme.
Sergey Tarasov, 16 Jul 2025 14:24
Resident Evil 6 will give you many hours of gameplay on a single charge, but you probably won't want to (Image Source: Notebookcheck)

Resident Evil 6 would make a great battery sipping handheld experience, except it's unplayable

CheckMag After reading reviews saying it was a good action game, just not a good Resident Evil game, I decided to give Resident Evil 6 a go. The low system requirements would make a great battery sipping handheld game, except it's unplayable.
David Devey, 13 Jul 2025 12:53
Vivo X200 Ultra: The dream of many smartphone fans is now cheaper to import than to buy directly in China (Image source: Notebookcheck)

Vivo X200 Ultra now cheaper via import: Why I haven't bought the Zeiss 35mm camera flagship phone in China

After the initial hype surrounding the 35mm Zeiss camera flagship with three roughly equally sized sensors has somewhat subsided, prices are now dropping at import retailers. In fact, importing the Vivo X200 Ultra is now roughly the same price as buying one locally in China. My original plan to pick one up here in Shanghai is proving to be more difficult and, more importantly, less cost-effective than initially thought.
Alexander Fagot, 12 Jul 2025 06:47
Fujifilm X-T30 II compact APS-C camera next to a cup of coffee

Fujifilm leaks reveal replacement for fan-favourite affordable compact APS-C camera: What we expect from the X-T30 II successor

CheckMag Fujifilm leaks have revealed that Fujifilm is releasing yet another successor to the X-T30 II as early as 2025. While little is known about the new camera, it is expected to be an affordable compact interchangeable-lens camera with updated internals and stripped back features compared to the recent Fujifilm X-T50.
Julian van der Merwe, 11 Jul 2025 17:08
Booklore allows you to host your own e-book library, but the difficulty of obtaining DRM free ebooks makes this a self-hosted app only for those happy to operate in grey legal areas (Image Source: Notebookcheck)

Booklore is the Plex of self hosted e-book libraries, but is sadly irrelevant when DRM free e-books are so hard to obtain legally

CheckMag Booklore is the Plex or Immich of e-books. A beautiful, self-hosted way to manage and read your own e-book library. But while movies are easy to rip from physical media we own, it's a lot harder to do the same for a book, making Booklore a pipe dream rather than a reality for those wanting to operate on the right side of the law.
David Devey, 11 Jul 2025 06:59
Death Stranding 2 is an easy Game of the Year contender (image source: Anil Ganti, Notebookcheck)

Death Stranding 2 review: Perfect sequel to an already stellar game

As one of the few (timed) PlayStation 5 exclusives to launch this year, Death Stranding 2 had a lot riding on it. But, is it really worth the hype? Let's find out in our in-depth review.
Anil Ganti, 09 Jul 2025 10:53
Water leak monitors, smoke detectors, and thermostats all have smart home potential. A generic house, a leaking pipe and a fire pictured. (Image Source: Canva -edits)

3 smart home gadgets with insurance savings potential

CheckMag Smart doorbells, thermostats, and IoT sensors have made it exponentially easier for homeowners to reduce the risk of damage to their properties. As such, some insurance companies have started offering discounts to owners who utilize these smart home gadgets.
Stephen Pereyra, 09 Jul 2025 06:10
AI-generated image of a man in a neon-lit cyberpunk jacket sitting on a couch in a stylish club. A TV behind him reads: “GENERATE IMAGES ON YOUR PC FOR FREE.” (Image Source: AI Generated)

Guide: Here's how to generate images on your PC for free

CheckMag Want to generate images on your PC without relying on cloud services? This guide walks you through setting up free, open-source tools for complete creative control without any subscriptions.
Rohith Bhaskar, 08 Jul 2025 23:33
Connectivity Labs

Your Samsung phone has a secret Wi-Fi menu you should start using

CheckMag Connectivity Labs is a handy tool that offers a surprising level of control and diagnostic information for your wireless networking needs.
Antony Muchiri, 06 Jul 2025 17:03
The Casio GW-5000HS-1 (left), the Seiko Prospex SRPL53K1 (top right), and the Citizen Promaster Mechanical GMT watch (bottom right). (Image source: Casio, Seiko, Citizen)

Casio vs Seiko vs Citizen: Which Japanese timepiece is right for you, and why?

CheckMag Casio, Seiko, and Citizen define Japan’s watch scene. Casio gives you rugged value, Seiko blends heritage with mechanical craft, and Citizen delivers solar-powered precision. Learn what sets each apart and which brand fits your needs.
Anubhav Sharma, 02 Jul 2025 17:03
Control centers: Helping users control their laptop or manfuacturers control their customers?

Lenovo and other laptop makers abuse their control centers by placing ads, as seen on the Legion Pro 5

The control center of laptops is a central hub for users. These are developed by manufacturers themselves and increasingly abused in order to place ads or even collect user data. Lenovo is just one example.
Christian Hintze, 02 Jul 2025 01:31
Praise the Fool. One of the anime's key characters pictured. (Image Source: Crunchyroll)

Polarising 'Lord of Mysteries' anime debut raises questions over popularity potential

Lord of Mysteries, a Chinese web novel, is widely regarded as one of the best of its kind. An animated adaptation finally premiered yesterday after months of hype by an overly excited fanbase, but how much of a success is it going to be exactly, particularly in comparison to a hit show like Solo Leveling?
Ricci Rox, 29 Jun 2025 16:19
Windows 7 Home Premium desktop. A screenshot taken in June 2025. (Image source: Sergey Tarasov / Notebookcheck)

Windows 7 still supported by major anti-virus solution makers as ESU program persists

CheckMag Avast and AVG run smoothly despite the lack of post-2020 patches as Avira and Panda struggle, a brief test shows. Several up-to-date alternative Web browsers are available for Windows users to choose from, too, enabling the 2009 OS to handle 2025 tasks.
Sergey Tarasov, 29 Jun 2025 09:18
Samsung is only expected to offer the Galaxy Z Flip FE in two launch colours. (Image source: via Evan Blass - edited)

Rumoured Galaxy Z Flip FE pricing calls into question Samsung's foldable strategy days before release

The launch of the Galaxy Z Flip FE is expected to occur in a few days. In the meantime, a well-regarded leaker has revealed that Samsung's cheaper Galaxy Z Flip option may retail for just 10% less than the Galaxy Z Flip7 despite a raft of hardware downgrades.
Alex Alderson, 29 Jun 2025 02:14
Keychron K4 HE, Epomaker Galaxy100, NuPhy Kick75, Wobkey Rainy75 mechanical keyboards from above

Top 5 wireless mechanical keyboards that deliver a premium typing and gaming experience for reasonable prices

CheckMag Avoid the rattly stabilisers, scratchy switches, and clunky bloatware that come with gaming keyboards from giants like Razer, Logitech, and Corsair with these five excellent wireless mechanical keyboards that pack everything from Hall-effect gaming prowess to excellent browser-based customisation and flawless Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz performance.
Julian van der Merwe, 28 Jun 2025 22:15
You can't buy or sell one of these on Ebay, despite a range of other potentially damaging products being available for purchase (Image Source: Notebookcheck)

eBay won't let you buy or sell a Flipper Zero, but they are more than happy sell you a range of equally nefarious products

CheckMag The Flipper Zero is 5 years old this month, but despite failing to cause nuclear armageddon, Ebay still refuses to let you sell one. A policy that totally contradicts itself when they are more than happy to sell you these equally nefarious hacking tools.
David Devey, 27 Jun 2025 11:40
Funcom has heard players loud and clear. Massive changes and improvements coming to Dune: Awakening. Game screenshot. (Image Source: Steam - Edited)

Dune: Awakening update adding PvE zones and PvP rebalance

Dune: Awakening's Creative Director has delivered an in-depth message addressing concerns about the game's endgame, particularly the PvE vs PvP divide. In response to feedback about PvE players feeling excluded, Funcom is promising changes to ensure all playstyles have access to endgame content.
Santiago Nino, 23 Jun 2025 23:00
A new collector's item from the world of The Last of Us has been unveiled. (Image source: Official teaser for The Last of Us - PlayStation)

The Last of Us: A new collector's edition has been announced, and you're going to love it

A new collector's statue from The Last of Us has been unveiled. But be warned, as the number of items available for sale is limited.
Alexis Stegmann, 23 Jun 2025 11:19
Phone launches this summer (Image Source: Various - edited - Antony Muchiri)

This summer's smartphone lineup is one you don't want to miss

CheckMag The once-quiet summer is now a packed season for smartphone releases from brands like Google, Samsung, and Nothing.
Antony Muchiri, 21 Jun 2025 21:48
Arc has already defied rumours of its death once before, but there's only so long it can burn a hole in Intel's pocket until it has to show some returns. (Image source: Intel)

Big dies, small margins: A postmortem on Intel Arc Battlemage (so far)

CheckMag Intel's latest graphics cards are closer than ever to being ready for prime time - but with precious little margin, can Intel's balance sheet carry the hopes of budget gamers forever?
Matthew Lee, 18 Jun 2025 00:44
First review, lots of photos and first camera tests of the Huawei Pura 80 Ultra, including comparisons with the iPhone 16 Pro Max, Vivo X200 Ultra, and Oppo Find X8 Ultra. (Image source: Weibo)

Huawei Pura 80 Ultra: First camera photos and comparisons with iPhone 16 Pro, Vivo X200 Ultra and Oppo Find X8 Ultra

Huawei's new flagship camera was launched just a few days ago and is already drawing some criticism both in China and globally. Nevertheless, early camera testers are quite enthusiastic about the photos from the latest XImage camera. We examine a number of photos provided by early Pura 80 Ultra testers and draw comparisons with photos from competing flagship cameras.
Alexander Fagot, 15 Jun 2025 17:34
The Razer Kishi V3 Pro and Razer Kishi Ultra are similar in several ways but there are a handful of key differences. (Image source: Razer)

Razer Kishi V3 Pro vs Razer Kishi Ultra: Here's how Razer's $150 controllers differ

The new Razer Kishi V3 Pro costs $149.99 which is the same price as the Razer Kishi Ultra. Both mobile controllers are alike in many ways but also have differences that will determine the experience you will get from them.
Habeeb Onawole, 15 Jun 2025 15:08
Xiaomi Buds 3T Pro (Image Source: Amanz - Unsplash)

5 Bluetooth 6.0 features I think will improve your earbuds experience

CheckMag Bluetooth 6.0 is finally here, and in this article I break down five key features I think will noticeably improve your earbuds experience.
Antony Muchiri, 15 Jun 2025 14:46
Dune Awakening (Image Source: In-game screenshot - Rahim Noorali)

Dune Awakening: Early impressions from a risk-averse survivalist

Dune: Awakening is a challenging, but highly polished offering that should shape its core survival genre while bringing new players in contact with the harsh weather that Arrakis has to offer
Rahim Amir Noorali, 11 Jun 2025 15:46
PC games coming out in June 2025 that are worth checking out (Image source: Steam and respective games studios - edited)

PC games coming out in June 2025 that are worth checking out

CheckMag June 2025 brings a surprisingly strong lineup of PC games, from ambitious survival MMOs like Dune: Awakening to inventive indies and classic remasters. This roundup covers the standout titles, what they offer, and why they’re worth your time.
Antony Muchiri, 08 Jun 2025 13:08
Travel necessity: a modern eSIM in your smartphone. We tested a special solution from Yesim. (Image source: Alexander Fagot, Notebookcheck)

Affordable and flexible without data packages: This international eSIM impresses in our travel test

At this point countless eSIMs are available. While comparison portals are supposed to facilitate choosing a suitable data package for your next trip, the devil is in the details, for example in regional packages. Fortunately, there is also an easier solution. Particularly travelers who often cross countries or only need Internet access for a few days abroad are best served with a pay-as-you-go solution. I tested one of the most attractive options for several weeks myself.
Alexander Fagot, 07 Jun 2025 23:50
Atomic Heart 2 unveiled at Summer Game Fest. (Image source: Mundfish via Game Rant)

Atomic Heart 2 unveiled at Summer Game Fest, and fans will love it

Atomic Heart 2 was officially announced yesterday at Summer Game Fest, and players will be able to immerse themselves in a wacky retro-futuristic universe.
Alexis Stegmann, 07 Jun 2025 10:58
An eighth grand prix is available on Mario Kart World. (Image source: Nintendo)

How to unlock the eighth grand prix in Mario Kart World

An eighth cup is available in Mario Kart World, and if you don't know how to unlock it, here are all the details.
Alexis Stegmann, 06 Jun 2025 14:27
The NEXX is quite a beast, but freedom comes with a significant cost (Image Source: Liberux)

This flagship priced smartphone free from Android or iOS seems destined for failure despite noble intentions

CheckMag Full-fledged Linux on smartphones is far from mainstream, but there are plenty of options from Volla, Fairphone, or installing it on an older device. Asking customers to throw down on an Indiegogo campaign at a price that exceeds most flagships might be a step too far, despite the noble intention.
David Devey, 04 Jun 2025 16:29
PlayStation Stars logo. The reward program has been winding down for few months now (Image source: Sony)

PlayStation Stars shutting down: Here is how you can turn your points into games

Sony's PlayStation Stars bonus program is closing its doors, one move at a time, and you need to know how to put your points to use before they are gone for good.
Alexis Stegmann, 03 Jun 2025 21:50
Gemini results appear with every click of the search button and turning it off is different on every device assuming it's even possible (Image Source: Notebookcheck / Google)

The planet is on the brink of a climate crisis, while Google gives us unwanted AI search results with every click

CheckMag Google seems intent on delivering an AI response every time we click "search" whether it's wanted or not, and makes it almost impossible to opt out, highlighting how tech companies are more concerned with telling us what we want, instead of allowing us to choose.
David Devey, 02 Jun 2025 22:23
Follow our step-by-step redemption guide and claim your freebies. (Image Source: Roblox)

Roblox Basketball: Zero codes June 2025

Basketball: Zero’s June 2025 codes unlock free currency and spins to boost your play. Learn how to redeem active codes, where to find additional drops, and more to get that perfect slam dunk.
Nitisha Upadhye, 02 Jun 2025 18:47
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Notebookcheck, 2022-04-20 (Update: 2025-11-17)