iOS 27 beta code hints that Lucid and Xiaomi vehicles could gain Apple Car Key support, though compatible models and launch timing remain unconfirmed.
The post Apple Wallet Car Key Support Could Expand to Lucid, Xiaomi Vehicles appeared first on TechRepublic.
Google’s July 2026 Pixel update fixes Android 17 boot loops, app crashes, display issues, and navigation problems across supported devices.
The post Google’s July Pixel Update Targets Android 17 Boot Problems appeared first on TechRepublic.
The iPhone Air 2 could gain a larger battery, an A20 chip, and a second camera as Apple reportedly works to improve endurance without adding bulk.
The post Apple’s iPhone Air 2 Could Get a Major Battery Upgrade appeared first on TechRepublic.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide rumors cover its design, specs, cameras, price, and possible release date ahead of Galaxy Unpacked on July 22 in London, UK.
The post Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide: Everything We Know So Far appeared first on TechRepublic.
The iPhone 18 Pro Max could become thicker and heavier as Apple reportedly plans a larger battery and upgraded cooling system.
The post iPhone 18 Pro Max: New Battery May Make It Apple’s Heaviest in Years appeared first on TechRepublic.
A Pixel 11 pricing leak suggests Google may drop 128GB storage and start all models at 256GB, potentially raising entry prices.
The post Google Pixel 11: Pricing Leak Reveals Bigger Storage, Higher Costs appeared first on TechRepublic.
Apple reportedly cleared Samsung Display to make OLED panels for its first foldable iPhone, with hinge issues still shaping launch timing.
The post Samsung Reportedly Starts OLED Panel Production for Apple’s First Foldable iPhone appeared first on TechRepublic.
The Razer Seiren V3 Pro arrives as a pro‑level streaming microphone that finally feels like the centerpiece of Razer’s recent run of impressive peripherals. It pairs studio‑grade hardware — a large 30 mm dynamic capsule, USB‑C and XLR outputs, and tactile controls — with deep Synapse software and Chroma RGB flair, aiming to satisfy both serious creators and RGB enthusiasts.
This review cuts through the marketing: I’ll show what the mic actually sounds like, how its software and features stack up against rivals, and whether it’s worth swapping in for your current setup.
Razer had no input, nor did it see the contents of this review, prior to publication.
The Razer Seiren V3 Pro ($249.99 / €289.99) is a hybrid dynamic microphone tailored specifically for streamers, podcasters, and music producers.
At its heart sits a custom 30 mm dynamic capsule purpose-built to capture broadcast-style depth and natural warmth.
Structurally, it features a robust, resonance-resistant zinc unibody frame paired with an integrated, vibration-dampened adjustable arm mount.
To round out its premium aesthetic, it includes a gorgeous Razer Chroma RGB lighting ring that doubles as a real-time status and live mute indicator, which can be enabled by the mic button.
Unboxing the Razer Seiren V3 Pro is refreshingly simple. Unlike many high-end microphones that leave you scrambling to buy external accessories, this mic is entirely ready to rock right out of the box.
It features an included desktop stand, a built-in shock absorber, and a removable pop filter. Just plug it in via the included USB Type-C cable, complete a quick configuration, and you are up and running.
If you want to jump into the pro tier immediately, you can just as easily route an XLR cable (not included) straight from the base into an audio interface or mixer.
It’s a frictionless setup that gives you studio-grade enhancements with zero technical expertise required.
The Seiren V3 Pro separates itself from the pack by flawlessly bridging mainstream USB convenience and professional XLR performance.
Its primary direct competitor in this hybrid category is the HyperX Flipcast, which we've also reviewed. However, the Seiren V3 Pro secures a massive hardware victory right away: it includes a high-quality desktop stand and integrated shock mount in the box, whereas the Flipcast notoriously ships without a stand or boom arm, forcing an immediate extra purchase.
Furthermore, the software support here is on an entirely different level. While HyperX’s NGENUITY app offers rudimentary controls, Razer Synapse unlocks deep, granular audio customization:
The biggest hardware triumph here is the dual-connectivity workflow. Having both USB-C and XLR connections on one microphone offers massive advantages, though it comes with standard hybrid trade-offs:
During testing, there wasn't a noticeable difference in tonal warmth when swapping between the two connections, but the USB interface emerged as the clear favorite for me purely because it unlocks Synapse's superior sound features and DSP suite.
My experience otherwise with the mic has been great. You can hear it in action in the short review video accompanying this article, as well as on our recent Windows Central Podcast, Episode #396.
For now, I plan to keep using this mic over my HyperX ProCast. While the ProCast is an excellent, gold-sputtered large-diaphragm XLR condenser, it is strictly analog, requires 48V phantom power, and entirely lacks the modern digital conveniences, RGB integration, and software agility that make the Seiren V3 Pro so effortless to use daily.
Plus, while the ProCast had an original MSRP of $199.99 and dropped as low as $99.99 on sale, it now appears to be discontinued and increasingly hard to find, completely out of stock at both Best Buy and HyperX.
The Razer Synapse software features offer brilliant audio tuning, particularly the automatic environment noise test and AI noise remover. They do a spectacular job of silencing background hums and room reflections.
The Razer Synapse setup here was awesome: Hit a button and record yourself talking for 10 seconds. Hit another button and say nothing for 10 seconds. Then answer a few questions, e.g., what is your goal here (streamer, podcast, general, etc.) and what do you have fans running, environmental noise, etc. From that data, the system suggests your tuning, which you can then accept, and you're done. You can re-run the process anytime in Synapse should anything change.
The only minor catch is that the aggressive noise cancellation can occasionally cut your voice out a bit during quieter moments. Because of this, some manual tweaking of the noise gate threshold may still be needed to get it dialed in perfectly.
Finally, if you are already invested in Razer’s ecosystem—sporting a Razer keyboard, mouse, or monitor—adding this mic beautifully completes the package. The Chroma RGB ring integrates flawlessly into your existing lighting profiles, satisfying RGB enthusiasts while giving clear visual feedback on your live mute status via the tap-to-mute sensor.
This microphone is built for the forward-thinking content creator. It is perfect for game streamers, podcasters, and hybrid musicians who want beautiful aesthetic flair and USB simplicity today, but demand the studio-grade security of an XLR output as their production setup grows.
✅ You want USB‑C now, XLR later.
✅ You use Razer Synapse/Chroma and want full integration.
✅ You need onboard DSP (32‑bit float, AI noise removal) to cut post‑work.
❌ You prefer a pure XLR, software‑free workflow.
❌ You’re on a tight budget and don’t need RGB or Synapse.
❌You need full feature parity on macOS without Windows Synapse.
Admittedly, my "you should not buy ifs" here are nitpicky. You can just use this as an XLR mic with a software-free workflow if you want and not worry about USB or software. But there are also more affordable XLR-only mics, hence the con.
At $249.99, Razer positions the Seiren V3 Pro firmly in the higher-end premium tier compared to the HyperX Flipcast (which currently sits at $179.99 against a $229.99 MSRP) and the now-evaporated ProCast.
However, for me, the incredible Razer Synapse DSP more than makes up for that higher cost. The sheer quality of the out-of-the-box hardware processing saves massive time in post-production. I didn't expect that to be the big selling point, but it's clever software and the kind of "don't think about it" setups I prefer.
While you could look at other heavy hitters at this price point like the Shure MV7+ or SteelSeries Alias Pro, Razer brings an unmatched physical build quality, out-of-the-box completeness, and ecosystem synergy to your desk. It delivers studio sound, simply and effortlessly.
Razer's new studio‑grade mic with 32‑bit float clarity, USB/XLR flexibility, built‑in DSP and pop filter, RGB status ring, and durable zinc design for clean, professional sound in streaming or recording setups.
Low-angle shot of the Razer Seiren V3 Pro mic plugged into a USB-C cable next to its box, illuminated by a vivid blue and cyan background.
Low-angle shot of the Razer Seiren V3 Pro mic plugged into a USB-C cable next to its box, illuminated by a vivid blue and cyan background.
Apple’s next iPhone Air could arrive in spring 2027 with camera and battery upgrades as the company shifts toward staggered iPhone launches.
The post Apple Reportedly Preparing Second-Generation iPhone Air for Spring 2027 appeared first on TechRepublic.
Android 17 is rolling out to supported Pixel devices first, while non-Pixel users and IT teams face separate OEM timelines, beta programs, and app-testing considerations.
The post Android 17 Is Live on Pixel, but Samsung and Other Android Users Still Have to Wait appeared first on TechRepublic.
Commodore est de retour les amis ! Et pas avec une énième réédition miniaturisé avec IA du C64. Non, la marque, rachetée l'an dernier par le YouTubeur Peri Fractic devenu maintenant son PDG, sort un téléphone à clapet !
Un vrai de vrai de boomer qui se ferme d'un coup sec quand vous en avez marre d'écouter les conneries de votre correspondant. Il s'appelle le Callback 8020 et sa promesse c'est de faire tout ce dont vous avez besoin, et rien de ce qui vous bouffe la vie.
Sous le clapet, pas d'Android classique donc mais un Sailfish OS , le système Linux développé par Jolla, l'équipe d'ex-ingénieurs Nokia dont je vous ai déjà causé. Le navigateur web et les réseaux sociaux sont bloqués au niveau du système, et il est parfaitement impossible de les réactiver (normalement...mais bon, j'imagine qu'un bidouilleur y arrivera).
Mais peu importe, c'est le but et en échange, ce bidule fait tourner 99% des apps Android sans passer par Google : WhatsApp, Signal, Maps, Spotify, Ubert...etc, tout ça répond présent. Mais par contre, pas d'email, pas de Slack ni de Teams.
Quand vous n'êtes pas au boulot, vous n'êtes pas au boulot !
Le reste ensuite, c'est du concentré de nostalgie bien pensée.
On y retrouve donc un écran interne de 3,25 pouces, un petit écran externe de 1,77 pouce qui n'affiche que l'heure, la batterie et le signal du réseau, un clavier T9 à l'ancienne, et surtout pas de tactile pour vous couper l'envie de scroller.
La caméra arrière est une 48MP de Sony, il y a également une prise jack 3,5mm et une radio FM. Le son passe par un DAC audiophile signé ESS et Cirrus Logic, et ça tombe bien puisque c'est justement ESS qui avait fait la synthèse vocale de Ghostbusters et Mission Impossible sur C64. Du coup le téléphone est bourré de sonneries basées sur la puce SID, et il peut même piloter le Commodore 64 Ultimate quand les deux sont sur le même réseau WiFi.
L'idée d'avoir un téléphone qui vous force à lâcher l'écran n'est pas neuve... Je pense par exemple au Light Phone III fait déjà ça, mais à 799 dollars et sans WhatsApp ni applis utiles, bof. Alors que ce Commodore est bien moins cher et garde tout l'aspect pratique du téléphone. Le projet s'appuie aussi sur des études sérieuses, notamment une de PNAS Nexus en 2025 qui montre que couper l'accès en ligne améliore l'attention et le bien-être, et également un sondage Pew la même année où 45% des ados disent passer trop de temps sur les réseaux.
Même Leonard Tramiel, le fils de Jack Tramiel le fondateur de Commodore, valide le truc en parlant d'un vrai break sans option pour ceux qui en ont besoin.
Et pour les bidouilleurs, tout n'est pas verrouillé puisque vous pouvez sideloader vos propres APK, sauf les applis de réseaux sociaux et les navigateurs qui resteront bloqués quoi qu'il arrive. Il y a même un app store maison, le Commostore, où vous pourrez demander qu'une appli soit whitelistée via un formulaire. Ensuite, si c'est validé, ça peut aller vite (environ 24 heures).
Je vous avoue que ça me chauffe bien... J'ai commencé ma carrière sur un Commodore 64 et chaque jour qui passe, quand je vois ce qu'est devenu Internet, j'ai envie de tout arrêter et de me débrancher... Alors ce dumb-smartphone c'est peut un signe pour moi que la boucle est bouclée. En plus je le trouve magnifique surtout la version beige très début des années 80 !
J'avoue, je me tâte... C'est en pré-commande et la livraison est promise pour fin 2026. Après ouiiii, je sais, je connais le destin chaotique des reboots de Commodore (la marque a déjà essayé de renaître plus d'une fois) donc pas sûr que ce soit un bon investissement.
Surtout que c'est vendu une coucouille à partir de 499 dollars pour l'entrée de gamme, 549 pour la version translucide Starlight et 639 pour la "Founders" avec son bouton C= plaqué or pour ceux qui se prennent pour Elon Musk. Je suis donc extrêmement halluciné de voir un dumbphone à ce prix-là .
Reste à voir si le Callback sortira vraiment et tiendra ses promesses, mais l'idée d'un téléphone Commodore qui vous aide à décrocher, en 2026, j'avoue que ça me parle foooort ! Pré-commandes le 30 juin.
Google is testing a change that gives some new accounts 5GB by default, with the full 15GB unlocked only after phone verification.
The post Google’s Default 15GB Free Storage Is Ending for Some New Accounts appeared first on TechRepublic.
Google previewed Android 17 with Gemini AI tools, AirDrop-style sharing, privacy upgrades, multitasking changes, and stronger security controls.
The post Top New Features in Android 17 You’ll Notice This Year appeared first on TechRepublic.
Apple expanded Limit Precise Location in iOS 26.5, but the carrier privacy feature still requires select iPhones and iPads.
The post Apple’s iPhone Privacy Feature Expands to More Users Worldwide appeared first on TechRepublic.
Lumia 950
Lumia 950
Samsung’s One UI 8.5 rollout began in Korea on May 6, bringing Galaxy AI upgrades to select flagship phones and tablets in phased markets.
The post Samsung One UI 8.5 Rollout Begins: Eligible Galaxy Devices and How to Check appeared first on TechRepublic.
Phone cases have largely settled into two camps: the ones that protect your phone without anyone noticing they exist, and the ones that make a statement with printed graphics, colors, or textures. Neither approach has found a way to make the back of a phone genuinely interesting rather than just decorated. Designer Daniel Idle found a third option that neither camp seems to have considered.
The Terrarium Phone Case is a clear resin case for the iPhone 16 Pro Max with an actual planted environment sealed inside the back cavity. Moss, small-leafed plants, and a stabilized soil substrate are embedded within the transparent shell, creating a thin cross-section of living terrain that you carry around with you wherever the phone goes. It’s a working phone case, a functional terrarium, and an oddly calming thing to have in your pocket all at once.
Designer: Daniel Idle
The construction involved 3D modeling and fabrication in clear resin, producing a case with enough depth in the back wall to house soil, roots, and plant matter. The plants are packed using a stabilized substrate that keeps the arrangement intact when the phone is picked up, rotated, tilted, or slipped into a bag. The camera cutout is fully preserved; the charging port at the bottom remains accessible; the phone continues to work exactly as it always did.
What keeps everything alive inside the sealed cavity is a closed-loop moisture system. The plants and soil generate humidity, which evaporates toward the inner surface of the resin, condenses back into droplets, and cycles down again. Light passing through the clear shell feeds the plants from outside, while the substrate provides gradual nutrient release. The whole thing is, in a fairly literal sense, a miniature ecosystem that sustains itself without any intervention from the person carrying it.
The condensation that forms on the inside of the shell during high-humidity moments is part of the visual appeal rather than a flaw to be engineered away. Seeing that vapor cycle through the case is a reminder that something in there is alive, actively breathing and responding to its environment, in the same pocket or bag as a device specifically engineered to minimize all biological interference.
There’s a running thread through design culture about bringing nature back into objects and spaces that have drifted too far from it. Biophilic design has become a recognizable term for everything from moss walls in offices to plant-filled shelving in apartments. Most of those applications treat plants as decoration layered on top of an existing design. Idle’s approach is different because the plant system isn’t decoration; it’s structural, sealed directly into the object’s body as a core component rather than an afterthought.
Of course, there will be some reservations about putting moisture and soil so close to your phone, which might be resistant to water and dust, but only from brief encounters. Good thing, then, that it’s still a concept project right now. But as a thought experiment about what a phone case could reasonably contain, it lands somewhere between genuinely novel and gently absurd, which is probably the most honest place for a good idea to start.
The post Phone Cases Are Boring, This One Puts a Living Terrarium Inside first appeared on Yanko Design.
Microsoft Edge Vertical Tabs
All eyes were on Microsoft Edge this week after it was revealed the browser stores and loads passwords in plaintext upon startup.
Close-up of a Microsoft smartphone displaying colorful app tiles like Word, Facebook, and Messenger. A Surface tablet is partially visible beside it.
Microsoft abandoned Windows Phone years ago, but that hasn't stopped developers from trying to keep the platform alive.
Connexion
