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2026, Amazon, Cloud, Cloud Storage, Middle East

AWS, Middle East Escalation and a Very Real Reminder That the Internet Is Physical

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Over the weekend something unusual happened.

The AWS Health Dashboard lit up with warnings across the Middle East regions, while at the very same time global news outlets were reporting escalating military action across the Gulf.

If you run infrastructure in the cloud, or even if you just assume “the cloud” is always there, this was a sobering moment.

Let’s unpack what actually happened.

What Amazon Web Services Said

According to the official AWS Service Health Dashboard:

“Objects struck the data centre, creating sparks and fire.”

That is not typical outage language.

AWS reported that two Availability Zones in the ME-CENTRAL-1 region were impaired due to a localized power issue. Power was shut off while emergency services responded, and recovery would require:

  • Repair of facilities
  • Restoration of cooling systems
  • Restoration of power systems
  • Coordination with local authorities
  • Safety assessments before re-energising the site

Customers were strongly advised to fail over to alternate regions, ideally in Europe.

This was not a minor API hiccup. EC2, S3, DynamoDB, the AWS Management Console and dozens of other services experienced elevated error rates.

The cloud, quite literally, caught fire.

Source: AWS Service Health Dashboard

At The Same Time… The World Was On Edge

Simultaneously, live coverage from BBC News reported dramatic escalation in the region:

  • Iranian strikes on a major gas plant in Qatar
  • A refinery fire in Saudi Arabia
  • Drones intercepted over Cyprus heading towards a UK base
  • Escalating conflict involving Israel, Lebanon and Iran
  • Reports that Iran’s Supreme Leader had been killed in US and Israeli strikes

Gas prices reportedly spiked sharply on international markets.

Source: BBC Live Coverage

AWS has not explicitly linked its data centre incident to military activity.

But when you read phrases like “objects struck the data centre” in the same time window as confirmed missile and drone activity across the Gulf, the coincidence is difficult to ignore.

The Myth of the Abstract Cloud

We talk about:

  • Serverless
  • Containers
  • Regions
  • Availability Zones
  • Multi-AZ architecture

All wonderfully abstract.

But this weekend was a reminder that the cloud is:

  • Concrete buildings
  • Power substations
  • Cooling plants
  • Diesel generators
  • Fibre routes
  • Security perimeters

Remove electricity and you remove the cloud.

Damage cooling systems and you shut down racks.

If local authorities tell you to keep power off, your “infinite scalability” suddenly looks rather finite.

Why This Matters To You

If you deploy only in one region, you are accepting regional geopolitical risk whether you realise it or not.

AWS always recommends multi-AZ design. Many organisations stop there.

But this incident affected more than one Availability Zone in the same region. That is the critical detail.

Multi-region redundancy is no longer theoretical resilience planning. It is operational reality.

If your backups sit in the same geography as your primary systems, that is not true disaster recovery.

The Bigger Lesson

We spend huge amounts of time worrying about:

  • Cyber attacks
  • Zero day exploits
  • Ransomware
  • Misconfigured S3 buckets

Yet physical risk is often treated as someone else’s problem.

This event shows that geopolitical instability can ripple directly into cloud availability.

Cloud providers are extraordinary at redundancy. But they are not immune to real world events.

When missiles fly and power grids are shut down, even hyperscale infrastructure feels it.

Final Thoughts From The Server Rack

I have long argued that we live in a world where digital and physical are inseparable.

This weekend was a perfect example.

A regional conflict.
Energy infrastructure under threat.
Data centres hit.
Gas markets spike.
APIs fail.

The internet is not floating in the ether. It is bolted to the floor.

If you are running production workloads, ask yourself one simple question:

If my region goes dark for 24 hours, what happens next?

If the answer is panic, then this weekend was your warning shot.

As ever, the smartest architecture is not the cleverest. It is the most resilient.

And resilience, increasingly, means geography.

2026, Cameras, Photography

How to Better Indulge in Your Photography Hobby

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Photography feels like one of those hobbies that starts out innocently. You take a few nice sunset shots, maybe a Moody coffee cup or two, and suddenly you’re researching lenses and printers and the wee hours of the morning. If you’re going to indulge, you may as well do it properly, right? Here’s how to lean into your photography hobby without losing your mind or your savings.

Slow down and actually see.

Before you buy anything new, work on your eye. Great photography isn’t about having the fanciest gear, but about noticing light, shadow, colour and moment and how they all work together. Start by paying attention to how sunlight hits buildings at different times of the day and watch how people move in a crowd. Observe reflections in puddles. A simple exercise for this one is to pick a subject and photograph it 10 different ways. Change your angle, distance and framing and you’ll be surprised how creative you can get without spending anything.

Experiment with different formats.

If you’ve only ever shot on your phone, try a dedicated camera. If you’ve only shot digital, consider experimenting with film. There’s something magical about loading a roll of 35mm colour film and not knowing exactly how each shot will turn out. It forces you to slow down and think before you press the shutter, but don’t make it a personality trait. Film, digital, mirrorless, DSLR. Each has its strengths and the point is to explore, not to start debates on the Internet.

Learn the basics.

It sounds obvious, but indulging in photography gets way more fun when you understand the core trio Aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. They’re not scary. Aperture controls the depth of the field, shutter speed controls the motion, and ISO controls the light sensitivity. That’s all you need to know. When you understand how they work together, you stop guessing and start creating intentionally. If you want creamy, blurry backgrounds, widen that aperture. If you want to freeze the action, crank up the shutter speed. Suddenly you’re not just taking pictures, you’re making them.

Set mini projects.

Instead of wandering aimlessly with your camera, give yourself themes, A red objects project, a stranger’s hand series, a rainy day reflections collection projects Give your hobby direction and purpose. They also make editing much easier because you’re curating with a goal in mind. Plus, it feels incredibly satisfying to complete something, even if it’s just a 12 photo mini series.

Upgrade smart, not impulsively. 

Gear is fun. New lenses are shiny, but upgrades should solve a problem, not just scratch and itch. Ask yourself whether you’re limited by your current equipment or whether you’re just bored. Often improving your skills will do more for your photos than buying a new lens. Invest in education before equipment, because a good course or workshop can level you up faster than new things.

This is supposed to be a fun hobby. It’s part art, part technology, part treasure hunt. So dive in and experiment boldly. 

2026, Audio, Bluetooth, Gadget Man, Streaming

Noble Sceptre Review – Unlocking Proper Bluetooth Without Replacing the Kit You Love

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There’s a quiet frustration that many of us never quite articulate.

You buy excellent headphones. You invest in something genuinely special. Then you discover that the weakest link in the entire chain isn’t the drivers, the tuning or the comfort… it’s the Bluetooth chip inside your phone or laptop.

The Noble Sceptre arrives as a rather elegant solution to that problem.

Noble Sceptre Review - Unlocking Proper Bluetooth Without Replacing the Kit You Love
Noble Sceptre Review – Unlocking Proper Bluetooth Without Replacing the Kit You Love

Launching at £64.99, this compact Bluetooth transmitter promises to bypass the limitations of built-in wireless hardware and deliver high-resolution codecs like LDAC and aptX Adaptive to virtually any compatible device .

And in typical Noble fashion, it does so without fuss.

What Exactly Is It?

At first glance, the Sceptre looks like a small, understated USB-C dongle. No flashing lights. No oversized branding. Just a compact metal unit designed to disappear into your setup.

But internally, it’s built around Qualcomm’s QCC5181 chipset with Bluetooth 5.4 support . That’s the important bit.

Rather than relying on whatever Bluetooth radio your phone, tablet or laptop happens to include, Sceptre handles the transmission itself. It becomes the brains of your wireless link.

The result? Access to advanced codecs including:

  • LDAC
  • aptX Adaptive
  • AAC
  • SBC

In practical terms, that means cleaner transmission, better detail retrieval and more consistent audio quality.

Noble Sceptre Review - Unlocking Proper Bluetooth Without Replacing the Kit You Love
Noble Sceptre Review – Unlocking Proper Bluetooth Without Replacing the Kit You Love

Why This Matters

Modern smartphones, particularly some iOS devices, are notoriously restrictive with codec support. Even on Android, implementation can be inconsistent.

Sceptre effectively levels the playing field.

Plug it into a USB-C device and suddenly you’re no longer at the mercy of whatever the manufacturer decided to include. It supports iOS, Android and Windows platforms , and it’s compatible with a wide range of Bluetooth headphones, true wireless buds and even powered speakers.

For anyone running premium wireless IEMs or high-end Bluetooth headphones, that’s a significant upgrade path without replacing your existing gear.

Noble Sceptre Review - Unlocking Proper Bluetooth Without Replacing the Kit You Love
Noble Sceptre Review – Unlocking Proper Bluetooth Without Replacing the Kit You Love

Real-World Use

What impressed me most is how practical it feels.

There’s a charge-through USB-C port, meaning you can power your phone or laptop while using Sceptre . That makes it viable for long commutes, flights or desk use. No battery anxiety.

Bluetooth profiles supported include HFP, A2DP and AVRCP , so calls and media control work as expected. Transmission range is rated at up to 20 metres , which in everyday terms means stable connection across a room, through a couple of interior walls, or around a typical office.

Setup is handled via the Noble app for the initial pairing, after which it behaves like a proper plug-and-play device .

Design and Build

The design language is classic Noble.

Minimal. Purposeful. Compact.

It doesn’t scream “audiophile accessory”. Instead, it feels like a professional tool. Something you carry because you know what it does, not because you want attention.

It’s lightweight enough to live permanently on a laptop. Small enough to disappear into a pocket alongside your phone. And crucially, it doesn’t add clutter.

Noble Sceptre Review - Unlocking Proper Bluetooth Without Replacing the Kit You Love
Noble Sceptre Review – Unlocking Proper Bluetooth Without Replacing the Kit You Love

Who Is It For?

This isn’t aimed at casual listeners.

It’s for:

  • People who own serious wireless headphones
  • Commuters who stream lossless or high-quality audio
  • Gamers who want more consistent wireless performance
  • Anyone frustrated by codec limitations on their device

If you’re perfectly happy with standard SBC streaming, this probably isn’t essential.

But if you’ve invested in quality audio and feel your source is holding you back, Sceptre makes a compelling case.

Noble Sceptre Review - Unlocking Proper Bluetooth Without Replacing the Kit You Love
Noble Sceptre Review – Unlocking Proper Bluetooth Without Replacing the Kit You Love

The Bigger Picture

Noble built its reputation on handcrafted in-ear monitors and distinctive true wireless designs. With Sceptre, they’ve moved upstream into the signal chain itself .

That’s clever.

Rather than asking customers to buy new headphones, they’re enhancing what people already own.

At £64.99 / $69.99 / €69.99 , it’s positioned accessibly for a performance upgrade that could genuinely transform a wireless setup.

Gadget Man Verdict

The Noble Sceptre is one of those devices that solves a problem many people don’t realise they have.

It doesn’t try to be flashy. It doesn’t attempt to reinvent wireless audio. Instead, it quietly improves the weakest link in the chain.

And in audio, the chain matters.

If you’ve invested in quality Bluetooth headphones and want to hear what they’re truly capable of, this small dongle may well be the missing piece.

Compact. Practical. Sensible. And surprisingly impactful.

Exactly the sort of understated gadget I rather enjoy discovering.

2026, Audio, Final, Gadget Man, Gaming

Final expands its gaming line-up with VR3000 Recable and VR3000 +Condenser Mic

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Tokyo, Japan – 19 February 2026: Japanese audio specialist Final has announced two new additions to its popular VR3000 for Gaming series: the VR3000 Recable for Gaming and the VR3000 +Condenser Mic for Gaming.

With sales of the original VR3000 exceeding 160,000 units worldwide, the series has become a popular choice for gamers seeking immersive, spatially accurate sound. The two new models introduce detachable cable support and enhanced communication options, giving players greater flexibility to tailor their setup to their gaming style and environment.

Final expands its gaming line-up with VR3000 Recable and VR3000 +Condenser Mic
Final expands its gaming line-up with VR3000 Recable and VR3000 +Condenser Mic

Both models will be available from selected retailers worldwide from 19 February 2026.

  • VR3000 +Condenser Mic: $99.99 / £79.99 / €99.99
  • VR3000 Recable: $84.99 / £69.98 / €84.99

Designed for immersive gaming

The VR3000 for Gaming series was developed through Final’s research into immersive binaural sound reproduction. Rather than artificially boosting certain frequencies, the earphones are tuned to accurately recreate spatial information and deliver a realistic sense of presence within the game world.

This approach allows players to experience clear front, back, left, right and vertical positioning, along with a convincing sense of distance and space. In fast-paced FPS titles or narrative-driven adventures, the natural spatial presentation is designed to enhance immersion and support instinctive reactions.

Final expands its gaming line-up with VR3000 Recable and VR3000 +Condenser Mic
Final expands its gaming line-up with VR3000 Recable and VR3000 +Condenser Mic

VR3000 Recable for Gaming

The VR3000 Recable introduces a detachable cable design, offering improved flexibility and longevity. Gamers can replace or upgrade the cable independently, helping to extend the product’s lifespan.

It features a high-precision in-house 0.78mm 2-pin connector and includes a soft black OFC cable designed to minimise touch noise while remaining flexible and comfortable during extended gaming sessions.

Specifications

  • Housing: ABS
  • Driver: Dynamic
  • Connector: 0.78mm 2-pin
  • Cable: Black OFC cable with in-line controller mic
  • Sensitivity: 101 dB
  • Impedance: 18 Ω
  • Weight: 20 g
  • Cable length: 1.2 m

Included accessories:

  • Eartips (TYPE E, 5 sizes)
  • Ear hooks (TYPE B)
  • Dedicated pouch
Final expands its gaming line-up with VR3000 Recable and VR3000 +Condenser Mic
Final expands its gaming line-up with VR3000 Recable and VR3000 +Condenser Mic

VR3000 +Condenser Mic for Gaming

The VR3000 +Condenser Mic model supports recabling and adds a lightweight dedicated condenser microphone for clear in-game communication.

The microphone is designed to deliver natural voice reproduction without interfering with gameplay. It includes a windscreen sponge to reduce pop noise and maintain clarity, while the cable features integrated controller buttons for convenient volume adjustment during play.

Specifications

  • Housing: ABS
  • Driver: Dynamic
  • Connector: 0.78mm 2-pin
  • Cable: Black OFC cable with condenser mic
  • Sensitivity: 101 dB
  • Impedance: 18 Ω
  • Weight: 23 g
  • Cable length: 1.2 m

Included accessories:

  • Eartips (TYPE E, 5 sizes)
  • Ear hooks (TYPE B)
  • Two windscreen sponges
Audio, Earbuds, Final

Final Launches A2000 Wired In-Ear Monitors with Exceptional Clarity and Energetic Bass

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Tokyo, Japan – 19 February 2026: Japanese audio specialist Final has announced the Final A2000, a new wired in-ear monitor designed to deliver exceptional clarity and punchy, energetic bass at an accessible price point.

The A2000 will be available from selected retailers worldwide from 19 February 2026, priced at £79.99 / $79.99 / €74.99.

Final Launches A2000 Wired In-Ear Monitors with Exceptional Clarity and Energetic Bass
Final Launches A2000 Wired In-Ear Monitors with Exceptional Clarity and Energetic Bass

Clear sound with lively, bouncy bass

Final says the A2000 delivers precisely imaged notes with strong definition, combining extreme clarity with tight, energetic low-end impact. The aim is a balanced and engaging signature that works well across a wide range of genres.

A new approach to sound evaluation

According to Final, the A2000 is the result of a newly established sound-quality evaluation methodology, first developed during the creation of the company’s flagship A10000.

Rather than relying solely on fixed sound-pressure testing, Final analysed how music is experienced in real-world listening conditions across varying volumes and recording qualities. The goal is to keep the A2000 sounding natural, controlled, and musical in everyday use.

Final Launches A2000 Wired In-Ear Monitors with Exceptional Clarity and Energetic Bass
Final Launches A2000 Wired In-Ear Monitors with Exceptional Clarity and Energetic Bass

In-house 6mm “f-Core DU” dynamic driver

At the heart of the A2000 is Final’s in-house 6mm f-Core DU dynamic driver. Final states that every component, from diaphragm and voice coil to magnet and production equipment, has been engineered internally.

  • A brass front housing is used to reduce magnetic interference.
  • An ultra-fine 30μm CCAW voice coil is designed to improve transient response.
  • Each diaphragm is pressed in small batches for uniform, low-distortion performance.

Refined fit and distinctive finish

Building on the design philosophy of Final’s B Series, the A2000 uses a stable three-point support fit at the ear pocket, eartip, and tragus. Final says this reduces pressure while maintaining security, delivering a natural, almost custom-like feel across a wide range of ear shapes.

The housing features a two-tone design, pairing classic black with vivid blue accents, finished with Final’s textured “shibo” coating to resist fingerprints and help maintain a clean appearance.

A high-precision 0.78mm 2-pin connector and soft black OFC cable are intended to minimise microphonics and maintain flexibility. The A2000 also includes five sizes of dual-hardness silicone eartips: SS / S / M / L / LL.

Final Launches A2000 Wired In-Ear Monitors with Exceptional Clarity and Energetic Bass
Final Launches A2000 Wired In-Ear Monitors with Exceptional Clarity and Energetic Bass

Specifications

  • Housing: ABS resin
  • Driver: Dynamic (f-Core DU)
  • Connector: 0.78mm 2-pin
  • Cable: Black OFC cable (1.2m)
  • Sensitivity: 99 dB/mW
  • Impedance: 19 Ω
  • Weight: 20 g

About Final

Established in 2007, Final began as a subsidiary of a major American connector brand. In 2014, the company became independent through a management buyout, which Final describes as its “second formation”.

Final says it aims to create earphones and headphones that people develop an affinity for and continue to use for years, supported by product design decisions and a repair system. The company’s brand concept is “the comprehensive pursuit of things that are fundamentally right”, and it notes that it actively adopts cutting-edge technologies such as 3D printing in support of that goal.

2026, Audio, Bluetooth, Streaming

Noble Launches Sceptre, a Tiny Bluetooth Dongle with a Big Impact on Wireless Audio

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Noble Audio has spent the last decade quietly earning a serious reputation among audiophiles, not by chasing trends, but by obsessing over sound quality. From handcrafted in-ear monitors to some of the most refined true wireless earphones on the market, Noble has always focused on performance first.

Now the company is turning its attention to something many people overlook entirely: the Bluetooth source itself.

Meet Sceptre, a compact USB-C Bluetooth dongle designed to dramatically improve wireless audio quality from phones, tablets and laptops, without forcing you to replace the headphones you already love.

Noble Launches Sceptre, a Tiny Bluetooth Dongle with a Big Impact on Wireless Audio
Noble Launches Sceptre, a Tiny Bluetooth Dongle with a Big Impact on Wireless Audio

Fixing the Weakest Link in Bluetooth Audio

Most devices today rely on built-in Bluetooth hardware that prioritises power efficiency and compatibility over outright audio quality. Even with excellent headphones, that internal Bluetooth chip can be the bottleneck.

Sceptre sidesteps that problem entirely. By acting as an external high-performance Bluetooth transmitter, it bypasses your device’s internal Bluetooth hardware and unlocks support for advanced codecs such as LDAC and aptX Adaptive. The result is cleaner, more consistent and noticeably more detailed wireless sound.

For anyone who has ever wondered why Bluetooth audio still feels like a compromise, this is a refreshingly direct solution.

Noble Launches Sceptre, a Tiny Bluetooth Dongle with a Big Impact on Wireless Audio
Noble Launches Sceptre, a Tiny Bluetooth Dongle with a Big Impact on Wireless Audio

Serious Hardware in a Tiny Package

At the heart of Sceptre is Qualcomm’s latest QCC5181 chipset, delivering Bluetooth 5.4 with improved efficiency and stability. By handling Bluetooth transmission externally, Sceptre enables advanced codecs including LDAC, aptX Adaptive, AAC and SBC, even on devices that would normally be limited to basic Bluetooth audio.

Paired with Noble’s own true wireless earphones or any high-quality Bluetooth headphones, the improvement is immediately obvious. Music sounds more open, dialogue is clearer and wireless audio finally starts to feel worthy of good headphones.

Noble Launches Sceptre, a Tiny Bluetooth Dongle with a Big Impact on Wireless Audio
Noble Launches Sceptre, a Tiny Bluetooth Dongle with a Big Impact on Wireless Audio

Designed for Real-World Use

Noble has clearly thought about how Sceptre will actually be used day to day. A charge-through USB-C port allows your phone or tablet to charge while you listen, which is ideal for long journeys, desk use or extended gaming sessions.

Support for HFP, A2DP and AVRCP means calls, media playback and controls all work exactly as they should. With a Bluetooth range of up to 20 metres, Sceptre remains stable in typical home and office environments, and it works happily with true wireless earphones, over-ear headphones and even powered Bluetooth speakers.

Initial setup is handled via the Noble app, after which Sceptre can be plugged into any compatible USB-C device and just gets on with the job.

A Small Device That Expands the Noble Ecosystem

What makes Sceptre particularly interesting is what it represents for Noble Audio. This is not just another accessory. It is an expansion into the wider wireless signal chain, improving sound quality at the source rather than only at the headphones.

It also feels very on brand. Instead of forcing users into a closed ecosystem, Noble has created a compact, portable tool that improves wireless audio across a wide range of existing gear.

Pricing and Availability

Sceptre launches on 6 February 2026 with a UK price of £64.99, alongside pricing of $69.99 and €69.99 internationally. It will be available directly from nobleaudio.com and selected retailers worldwide.

For anyone serious about wireless audio, Sceptre is one of those rare products that solves a real problem in a simple, elegant way. Sometimes, better sound is not about new headphones at all, but about fixing what feeds them.

2026, Creators, Gift Guides, Technology

Why This Minimalist Magnetic Toy Is Taking Over Creative Play

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There is a quiet shift happening in the world of toys. Away from noisy plastics and fixed instructions, and towards objects that invite imagination, patience and pride of place. The TRIDO Laguna range sits firmly in that space, and it is easy to see why it is gaining so much attention.

Created by TRIDO, Laguna is a premium magnetic construction set designed not around winning or finishing, but around thinking, building and displaying. It is less about knock-it-down play and more about creating something worth keeping on the shelf.

Why This Minimalist Magnetic Toy Is Taking Over Creative Play
Why This Minimalist Magnetic Toy Is Taking Over Creative Play

Built for Expression, Not Instructions

At the heart of every Laguna set are TRIDO’s distinctive geometric forms. Octahedrons, tetrahedrons and half-tetrahedrons, each engineered to connect on every side. Strong internal magnets mean pieces snap together effortlessly, giving complete freedom to explore form, balance and symmetry without frustration.

There are no instructions to follow and no final model to replicate. Instead, children are encouraged to experiment, rebuild and refine. It turns play into a creative process rather than a task, which is a refreshing change from many construction toys that funnel children towards a single outcome.

Why This Minimalist Magnetic Toy Is Taking Over Creative Play
Why This Minimalist Magnetic Toy Is Taking Over Creative Play

A Toy That Feels at Home in Grown-Up Spaces

One of the standout aspects of the Laguna range is its visual design. The calm, modern colourway feels deliberate and considered, making it something that happily lives in a family space rather than being hidden away in a toy box.

This is a magnetic construction toy that invites display. Finished builds feel sculptural, and with the included magnetic eyes, creations can become expressive characters as well as abstract forms. It blurs the line between toy, art object and learning tool in a way that feels genuinely thoughtful.

Why This Minimalist Magnetic Toy Is Taking Over Creative Play
Why This Minimalist Magnetic Toy Is Taking Over Creative Play

Open-Ended Play With Real Benefits

Laguna is designed for children aged three and up, and the benefits go well beyond entertainment. Open-ended play supports imagination, confidence and problem-solving, while naturally introducing early STEM concepts such as geometry and spatial awareness.

Fine motor skills are developed through precise placement and balance, and the lack of rules makes it equally suitable for independent play or collaborative family sessions. It is also completely screen free, which feels increasingly important in modern homes.

All pieces are made from durable, non-toxic ABS plastic with smooth, rounded edges, designed to last through years of use without losing their appeal.

Three Sizes to Grow With Your Creativity

The Laguna range is available in three sizes, making it easy to choose a set that fits both budget and ambition.

Laguna Small
A compact introduction to TRIDO, ideal for younger children, travel or gift giving.
12 pieces. £44.90

Laguna Medium
More pieces allow for more complex designs, characters and storytelling.
24 pieces. £79.90

Laguna Large
The most expansive set, perfect for collaborative play, classrooms or long creative sessions.
34 pieces. £129.00

Each size builds on the same core idea, meaning sets can be combined as creativity grows.

More Than a Magnetic Construction Set

TRIDO Laguna shows that magnetic construction toys do not have to be about speed or destruction. By focusing on art, imagination and thoughtful design, it creates something that grows with the child and continues to feel relevant well beyond the early years.

Laguna Small, Medium and Large are available now from trido.uk. For families looking for a toy that encourages creativity without noise or screens, this minimalist magnetic set makes a very strong case for itself.

2026, Press Release, Smart Devices, Smart Home

This Compact Sensor Brings Real Intelligence to Plant Care

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Smart homes have become very good at managing lighting, heating and security, yet plant care has mostly been left to intuition, routines and crossed fingers. That gap is exactly what **Plant With Willow** is aiming to close with **Willow**, a compact sensor designed to take the guesswork out of keeping houseplants healthy.

Rather than relying on fixed watering schedules or vague advice, Willow monitors real conditions around each plant and turns that data into simple, timely guidance through a companion app. The result is plant care that responds to what is actually happening, not what we hope is happening.

This Compact Sensor Brings Real Intelligence to Plant Care
This Compact Sensor Brings Real Intelligence to Plant Care

How Willow Works

At the heart of the system is a slim sensor that sits discreetly in the soil. It continuously tracks the factors that matter most to plant health, including soil moisture, light intensity, temperature, humidity and nutrient levels.

Data is collected every few minutes and analysed in the Willow app. Instead of generic reminders, users receive clear alerts telling them when to water, move or feed a plant based on its real needs at that moment. It is a small shift in approach that makes a big difference, especially for anyone who has ever overwatered a perfectly healthy plant.

This Compact Sensor Brings Real Intelligence to Plant Care
This Compact Sensor Brings Real Intelligence to Plant Care

Smarter Feedback, Not Just Notifications

One of the more thoughtful touches is what happens after you water. The app confirms whether moisture levels have reached the optimal range, removing the usual uncertainty that comes with plant care. Over time, Willow also analyses longer-term soil trends, helping identify nutrient deficiencies or absorption problems before they become visible to the eye.

Light levels are measured every minute, making it easier to position plants correctly, while temperature and humidity monitoring ensures sudden environmental changes do not go unnoticed. Each plant is also given a simple happiness score, providing an at-a-glance snapshot of overall health that works equally well for beginners and seasoned plant owners.

This Compact Sensor Brings Real Intelligence to Plant Care
This Compact Sensor Brings Real Intelligence to Plant Care

Designed to Grow With Your Collection

Willow is clearly designed with scalability in mind. The Starter Pack includes one Sensor and one Hub, with the Hub capable of supporting up to 40 Sensors. That makes it just as suitable for a single prized houseplant as it is for a growing indoor jungle.

It is a sensible, modular approach that avoids locking users into buying multiple hubs as their collection expands.

Price and Availability

The Plant With Willow Starter Pack is priced at £34.99 and is available now from plantwithwillow.co.uk.

For anyone who enjoys having plants at home but would like a bit more certainty and a lot less guesswork, Willow feels like a natural extension of the smart home. Sometimes, the smartest upgrade is simply knowing when to water.

2026, Dungeons & Dragons, Dungeons and Dragons

EXG Pro Launches Xanathar Cable Guy on Gamefound and It Is Gloriously On Brand for Dungeons & Dragons Fans

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EXG Pro Launches Xanathar Cable Guy on Gamefound and It Is Gloriously On Brand for Dungeons & Dragons Fans
If your desk already walks the line between practical workspace and shrine to pop culture, this one is very much for you.

EXG Pro, the team behind the globally recognised Cable Guys range, has confirmed the launch of its latest fan-driven project, and it is heading straight to crowdfunding. The new campaign goes live on Gamefound on 2 February and introduces the officially licensed Xanathar Cable Guy, complete with an integrated Dice Tower.

Yes, really.

EXG Pro Launches Xanathar Cable Guy on Gamefound and It Is Gloriously On Brand for Dungeons & Dragons Fans
EXG Pro Launches Xanathar Cable Guy on Gamefound and It Is Gloriously On Brand for Dungeons & Dragons Fans

Inspired by one of the most notorious villains in Dungeons & Dragons lore and created under licence from Wizards of the Coast, this is a product that knows exactly who it is for and leans into it unapologetically.

A Collectible That Actually Does Something
At first glance, the Xanathar Cable Guy is exactly what fans expect. A highly detailed sculpt capturing the beholder’s imposing presence, obsessive paranoia and unmistakable personality, right down to Sylgar the goldfish faithfully floating alongside his tyrannical master.

EXG Pro Launches Xanathar Cable Guy on Gamefound and It Is Gloriously On Brand for Dungeons & Dragons Fans

Look closer and things get even better.

Hidden within the sculpt is a fully integrated Dice Tower, allowing players to roll directly from Xanathar’s lair during tabletop sessions. It is a clever piece of design that turns a premium collectible into something genuinely useful, whether you are running a campaign or just rolling for fun between meetings.

As with the wider Cable Guys range, the figure is designed to hold phones, controllers, remotes and other desk essentials, making it just as at home in a gaming setup as it is on a home office desk.

Crowdfunding With the Fans, Not the Retailers
This campaign marks a deliberate change of direction for EXG Pro. Traditionally known for launching licensed collectibles through retail partners, the team has chosen to take this project directly to fans via Gamefound.

The reasoning makes sense. By removing retail constraints, EXG Pro can offer exclusive tiers and extras that simply would not be possible on a shop shelf. It also allows the company to work more closely with the community that actually wants this kind of product.

The result is three crowdfunding-only tiers, each designed specifically for backers.

The Crowdfunding Tiers
Tier 1: Guild Members | £80
Includes the Xanathar Cable Guy Device Holder, Certificate of Authenticity, Dungeons & Dragons Digiplate, and Digiplate Phone Stand.

Tier 2: Sylgar’s Favourite | £120
Everything from the Guild Members tier, plus Sylgar Sticker Pack, Beholder Sticker Pack, Beeholder Digiplate, Dice Set, and Dice Pouch.

Tier 3: Eleven Eyes of Xanathar | £150
Includes all items from Sylgar’s Favourite, plus an Exclusive Sylgar Digiplate, Xanathar Mini Cable Guy, and Wall Art Poster.

None of these tiers will be available through standard retail channels, which gives fans a genuine incentive to back early.

More Than a Product Launch

What stands out here is that this does not feel like a simple merch drop. The Xanathar campaign is positioned as a collaborative project, built around clear demand from a passionate community that cares deeply about the source material.

It is also a good example of how crowdfunding has matured. This is not about testing whether something might sell. It is about giving fans a direct way to support and shape high-quality collectibles that respect the world they come from.

The Xanathar Cable Guy crowdfunding campaign goes live on Gamefound on 2 February. If you are a Dungeons & Dragons fan with a desk in need of personality, this one is well worth a look.

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