MSI’s MEG Prospect 700R PC case isn’t meant for users on a budget. Its price tag of $379.99 puts it well outside of what most users are willing to spend to house their PC parts. That said, I found a lot to like, and if its features are what you’re looking for – you might just be willing to spend the extra money necessary to acquire it.
Will MSI’s Prospect 700R make our list of best PC cases? Let’s take a look at the specifications and features of the case, then we’ll go over the features and wrap up our review with thermal testing.
Product Specifications
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Motherboard Support
EATX, ATX, Micro ATX, ITX
Color
Black
Type
Mid-Tower
Case Dimensions (D x W x H)
585x 257 x 537 mm / 23.03 x 10.12 x 21.14 inches
2.5-inch Drive Support
Up to 4x 2.5” drives supported
3.5-inch Drive Support
Up to 2x 3.5” drives supported
PCI-E Expansion Slots
7 (3 in vertical configuration)
Fan Support
Up to 10
Pre-Installed fans
140mm rear fan 3x 120mm intake fans
CPU Cooler Clearance
185mm / 7.28 inches
GPU Clearance
400mm / 15.75 inches
Vertical GPU Support
Yes
PSU Length
Up to 220mm
Radiator Support
Up to 3x 360mm supported
MSRP
$379.99 USD
Other features
EK Distribution Plate Support Hinged doors on both sides 4.3-inch LCD Touchscreen
Features of MSI’s MEG Prospect 700R PC case
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
▶️ Build quality
The build quality is strong and sturdy, with no readily apparent major weaknesses. With this product’s high price, I would expect nothing else.
▶️ Side view and customization options
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
Looking inside the case in its default configuration, things look fairly typical. But there are a few things I’d like to point out: The raised plate next to the cable routing holes can be removed and replaced with one of the three shown below.
The first optional plate appears to be intended for cable routing, and seems kind of pointless to me. The middle plate is designed to reduce air leakage, increasing the efficiency of the pre-installed fans – I would imagine that this option will be the most useful option for most users. Lastly, the plate on the right will allow you to add a side-mounted 360mm radiator or three individual 120mm fans – useful for those who want the strongest potential thermal and cooling power.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
The bottom is split into two parts. The part on the right mostly covers the built-in HDD dock, which supports up to two 3.5- or 2.5-inch drives. The left section covers the PSU, but features a cut-out for modern PSUs that display useful metrics.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
▶️ Radiator and fan support
This case can be equipped with up to 10 fans. There’s support for one exhaust fan and up to 9 fans from the top, side, or bottom of the unit. 360mm radiators can be installed at the top, front, or side of the case.
▶️ EK distribution plate support
For water cooling enthusiasts, MSI’s Prospect 700R was designed in partnership with EKWB – ensuring that EK distribution plates are supported.
▶️ Dust filters
The primary dust filters – on the top and bottom of the case – are extremely simple to remove, as pictured below.
Image 1 of 2
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
Removing the front dust filter is slightly more complicated, because the front is secured by two screws on the bottom of the case, shown in the next section.
▶️ Bottom view
Looking at the bottom of the case, you’ll see 4 angled feet and the bottom dust filter. Near the front of the Prospect 700R, you’ll see two parts secured by two screws. You’ll need to remove themtake off the front panel and access the dust filter located there.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
▶️ Rear side view: PSU support, PWM/ARGB hub, storage, and cable management features
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
Starting with storage options, MSI’s Prospect 700R has support for up to four SATA drives, in the areas highlighted in blue in the picture above. On the left is a traditional drive bay, which supports up to two drives in either 2.5-inch or 3.5-inch size. On the right is a simple SSD plate, which supports up to two 2.5-inch drives.
There are plenty of cable routing paths, and MSI includes seven Velcro straps to assist with tidiness. If you need more than that, they also include multiple traditional plastic ties.
There’s plenty of room for a large PSU, and space behind it to stash any extra cabling. However, MSI states that you may need to remove the 3.5-inch drive bay to support the very largest power supplies.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
At the top of the case lives a pre-installed PWM and ARGB hub, which can be controlled via the front touchscreen display panel. While I appreciate the inclusion of this feature, I feel it could have been implemented better – it only has extra connectors for two additional fans. That said, MSI does include a 3-way PWM splitter cable which, in theory, should resolve most complications caused by the limited number of free ports.
▶️ Front view
The front of the case shows off the three 120mm ARGB intake fans, protected with a dust filter and a mesh cover.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
▶️ Front view – LCD Control Panel
Above the fans sits a 4.3-inch touchpad display that lets you control various functions. Some of these features require MSI Center to be installed, but the most important ones can be used without installing additional software.
▶️ Fan Control
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
MSI’s Prospect 700R limits the default speed to 60% PWM, ensuring a relatively quiet experience.
If you want to control the system fans through your motherboard, you’ll need to change the settings by selecting the “Sync Mode” button. You can choose to grant control to your motherboard, the panel, or the MSI Center software suite.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
ARGB settings can be changed through the touch panel, and there are a variety of customization options.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
There’s also a screen saver option, to help protect and extend the lifespan of the touchscreen display. I would highly recommend users enable this feature because by default, the screen doesn’t always turn off when you turn off your computer. Sometimes it will turn off, other times it will stay at a “Loading” screen.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
The temperature function shows the internal case temperature. This is useful to me, as one of the reasons I test CPU coolers inside of a case is because the internal temperature of a case is often higher than the ambient temperature of a room.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
I test CPU coolers and cases with an ambient temperature of 23C, but MSI’s panel reported an internal temperature of 31C after running tests – which significantly impacts the ability of a cooler to do its job. As an example of how temperature scaling can impact a CPU cooler’s performance, here is a test I performed in another case.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
The other features of the touch panel: Weather, Clock, and Hardware Monitor – require the installation of the MSI Center software suite to function. The features they provide should be self-explanatory.
▶️ IO Panel
The IO panel is located at the front of the top of the case, next to the touchscreen display. fairly standard. It includes – starting from left to right – a power button, a reset button, a USB-C port, microphone and audio jacks, and 2x USB-A ports. This is pretty standard.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
▶️ Rear view
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
The rear view is fairly standard, nothing much out of the ordinary. It’s important to note the case supports horizontal and vertical configurations. The PSU is installed from the backside, and is secured with a backplate.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
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Our thermal tests are presented to give you more information about the product’s performance, but aren’t intended as the sole judgment of the chassis. The style, price, features, and noise levels of a case should also be considered – and we all have different preferences. What I might like in a case, you might not, and that’s OK. My goal with these reviews is to give everyone, no matter their preferences, enough information to decide whether or not a product is right for them.
Today’s case can be configured in multiple configurations – but I have only tested it in the default configuration. Using the included but optional solid side plate may result in improved thermal performance due to lower amounts of air leakage. Using the included radiator side plate and installing additional fans will definitely improve this case’s thermal performance. I generally test products in their default “out of the box” configuration, because I expect that most users won’t bother with further customization. The one exception here is that for the worst-case scenario tests, I’ve tested this case at both its default configuration (60% PWM for system fans) and after manually setting the fans to full speed.
The measurements I’ve benchmarked this case against focus on:
Maximum cooling performance on the CPU when fans are normalized to a moderately low noise level; the GPU is idle for this test. This primarily shows the efficiency of the fans included with a computer case.
System fan noise levels
Maximum cooling and thermal performance in a worst-case-scenario test that fully stresses both the GPU and CPU. We’ll cover the temperature of the motherboard VRMs, CPU, and GPU in separate charts.
Comparing CPU and GPU temperatures in a workload that’s similar to the worst-case power consumption in Far Cry V. This stresses both the CPU (approximately 150W) and GPU (275W).
Long admired for its progressive policies and open economy, the Netherlands is making an aggressive play to become Europe’s next tech powerhouse. By blending AI with sustainability and a strong ethical framework, the country attracted $2.5bn in tech investments in 2024 alone — a 39% surge from the previous year. With a government-backed push for responsible innovation, the Netherlands is positioning itself as the epicentre of Europe’s next tech renaissance.
According to VC firm Atomico, the country has become one of Europe’s fastest-growing tech ecosystems. Europe’s leading stock exchange by market cap, Euronext Amsterdam, has become a cornerstone of the country’s digital ecosystem. Tech now accounts for 23% of Euronext Amsterdam’s total market — exceeding the New York Stock Exchange’s 14%.
Ethical AI is a pivotal aspect of the Netherlands’ tech ambitions. Dutch leaders in the space include Kickstart AI, a collaboration among five major Dutch companies — Ahold Delhaize, ING, KLM, NS, and Philips — that focuses on driving ethical AI innovations that align with societal values and can tackle real-world challenges. Another key initiative, GPT-NL, spearheaded by non-profits TNO, NFI, and SURF, aims to ensure transparent and fair AI usage, adhering to Dutch and European principles of data ownership and ethical standards.
The Dutch government has been a key player in these developments. It’s implemented policies that nurture tech growth at every stage — from grants for early-stage startups to tax incentives for R&D activities. Meanwhile, programs like the Dutch Good Growth Fund and the Innovation Box tax scheme encourage businesses to invest in sustainable, high-tech solutions. Last year, the Dutch government unveiled its vision for generative AI, outlining a framework to develop and use this technology responsibly while maintaining control over its societal impacts. The vision is structured around six key action lines: fostering collaboration among stakeholders; closely monitoring AI advancements; developing appropriate legislation and regulations; expanding AI knowledge and skills (particularly through education); experimenting with generative AI within government in a safe and controlled manner; and ensuring strict supervision with enforcement measures when necessary.
The 💜 of EU tech
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“It is essential that the Netherlands does not remain stuck on the sidelines when it comes to artificial intelligence,” said Micky Adriaansens, Netherlands’ Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy, during a briefing last year. “In particular, generative AI is increasingly developing into one of the most defining technologies of our time, both in everyday life, and for example for application in machines and in more efficient industrial systems. Asia and the US have taken the lead and Europe will have to catch up.”
The plans aligns with significant investments — amounting to millions of euros — already made by research institutions, private enterprises, and the government, all focused on keeping pace with the rapid evolution of AI.
“The Dutch approach to ethical AI development embodies a distinctly European balance between innovation and privacy rights,” said Krik Gunning, co-founder and CEO of Amsterdam-based digital identity startup Fourthline. “By establishing clear guidelines for data protection and algorithmic transparency through frameworks like the GDPR, Europe has built a foundation of trust crucial for the adoption of AI-driven solutions in the digital identity space.”
A sustainable technology plan
The government has provided further support by investing heavily in smart cities. Amsterdam and Eindhoven lead the way in deploying IoT technologies, 5G networks, and AI-driven solutions to improve urban living. Another pillar is emerging in the Hague, where a spin-off from the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO) recently unveiled plans to build digital twins of smart cities.
Gunning added that the partnership between the Dutch government and leading universities in Delft and Eindhoven has also been instrumental in fostering innovation. TU Delft works with the Dutch government, industry partners, and other technical universities to develop materials for sustainable energy sources. TU Eindhoven, meanwhile, is at the heart of the Brainport Eindhoven innovation ecosystem, one of Europe’s leading high-tech regions.
“What makes this model particularly effective is its focus on practical innovation — ensuring research translates into real solutions,” Gunning said. “One cool success story of a Dutch university working in partnership with the private sector and the government is ASML.” Moreover, ethical AI development Initiatives like the Dutch AI Coalition aim to create a collaborative environment where industry, academia, and government work together to harness AI responsibly.
Another promising sector is sustainability. Collectively, Dutch green tech startups attracted a record $700mn in funding in 2024. Companies such as Voltfang, which focuses on renewable energy storage, and Vind, a pioneer in wind energy optimisation, are emerging leaders in the sector. The country is also experimenting with circular economy models, where waste is minimised and resources are reused.
Anders Indset, chairman of Njordis Group, a VC firm investing in technology companies, says the sustainability advances can boost AI progress.
“The Netherlands has a strong focus on renewable energy, which ensures a sustainable energy supply for the development and training of AI models,” Indset told me. “The availability of eco-friendly energy reduces both costs and environmental impact when training energy-intensive AI systems.”
Retaining AI talent is the Netherlands’ biggest tech hurdle
The Netherlands’ pursuit of becoming an innovation leader in Europe is not without its challenges. While the country has become a magnet for investment — with VC funds like Peak Capital and Speedinvest funding high-impact startups, and institutional investors including pension funds increasingly investing in Dutch tech — its ability to retain skilled talent could impede its growth.
Global tech hubs like Silicon Valley and Shenzhen offer highly lucrative opportunities. To compete with them, the Dutch ecosystem must keep innovating and provide compelling incentives to retain top talent.
“One of our key competitive advantages in attracting global tech talent has been the tax benefits, which enable us to compete effectively with tech hubs like London, Berlin, and Singapore for top specialists in AI, cybersecurity, and fintech,” Gunning explained. “Most international tech professionals tend to only stay in the Netherlands during their peak working years, typically from their late twenties to early forties.”
While Atomico reported that the European ecosystem is home to some 35,000 early-stage companies, growth-stage funding across the ecosystem continues to be a bottleneck, with European startups often turning to the US for large-scale investments.
The Netherlands’ ability to scale its companies locally could serve as a model for addressing this challenge. For instance, Dutch fintech Adyen built a strong local foundation before expanding globally. By 2015, it surpassed a $2bn valuation. Likewise, Catawiki evolved from a collector’s platform into a premier auction house for rare finds. After refining its business model in the Netherlands, it scaled internationally, raising €150mn ($155mn) in 2020 to fuel further growth.
Indset argues that “stock market processes should be simplified further, and incentives created for top talent to ensure a long-term commitment to the location.” He suggests using the advantage to build a “scale-up ecosystem for capital to hold tech companies in Europe once they reach later-stage financing.”
What’s next for the Dutch blueprint?
By 2030, startups founded in the Netherlands could potentially contribute an estimated €250bn ($259bn) to €400bn ($414bn) in market capitalisation over the next five years. The Netherlands’ commitment to ethical innovation will also likely shape EU-wide policies, setting benchmarks for responsible tech development.
Indset praised the country’s practical priorities. “While European countries have focused on political correctness and ideologies and are more in a reactive mode, the Netherlands seems to understand that uniting ecology and economy, by putting capitalism and growth at the front, does not contradict a value-driven technological future,” he said.
Victor Dey is a tech analyst and writer who covers AI, data science, metaverse, startups, and cybersecurity. A former AI editor at VentureBeat, his work also appears in New York Observer, Fast Company, Entrepreneur Magazine, HackerNoon, and more. He is a contributing writer for Espacio Media Incubator, which has reporters across the US, Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Victor has mentored student founders at accelerator programs at leading universities including the University of Oxford and the University of Southern California, and holds a Master’s degree in data science and analytics.
There are lots of excellent TVs out there that are just fine for watching cable or streaming Netflix. But if your screen needs are a bit more video-game-inspired, it’s in your best interest to invest in a TV that’s tailor-made for gaming. While this doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll need to spend an arm and a leg for a TV that plays nicely with your Xbox or PlayStation, there are a few essentials you should be on the lookout for, especially when it comes to HDR performance, input lag, and response times.
While noteworthy TV brands like Samsung, Sony, and LG all produce TVs that are designed to handle all your console and PC gaming needs, brands like Hisense and TCL offer a couple of more budget-friendly offerings, too. Our TV experts spent more than 200 hours testing TVs this year, giving us the expertise we need to put together this roundup of all the best gaming TVs you can buy. Here are some of our recommendations.
Zeke Jones / Digital Trends
The best TV for gaming
LG G4 Evo OLED
Pros
Outstanding brightness
Astounding accuracy
Unprecedented flexibility
Awesome gaming performance
Five-year warranty
Cons
Hit-or-miss sound
Frustrating remote
Specification:
Screen sizes available
55, 65, 77, 83, and 97 inches
Display type
OLED
HDR support
Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG
Operating system
webOS 24
Connectivity
4 x HDMI 2.1, Ethernet, optical, 3 x USB-A
What is there to say about the magnificent LG G4 Series OLED that hasn’t been said? For starters, there’s what our editor-at-large and TV expert, Caleb Denison, had to say: “The LG G4 is a triumph of modern television engineering.” Those are big words, but Caleb couldn’t be any more astute. The LG G4 delivers some of the best brightness levels we’ve ever seen from an OLED TV. We clocked 1,500 nits at one point, which is the kind of illumination generally reserved for a QLED set.
That’s thanks in part to LG’s decision to use Micro Lens Array (MLA). When combined with the TV’s class-leading HDR support, it’s hard to beat the vibrant colors and fantastic contrast the LG G4 is capable of. LG’s Alpha 11 AI Processor with AI Picture Pro and 4K upscaling are working hard behind the scenes, too. And with its HDMI 2.1 connectivity, low input lag, and LG’s Game Optimizer picture mode, your PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S gameplay is going to blow your mind.
There’s a small risk of burn-in with the LG G4, but as long as you keep your TV turned off when it’s not in use (or have an auto-timer set up), you shouldn’t have any issues. The LG G4 Series OLED is available in 55-, 65-, 77-, 83-, and 97-inch sizes, and the three largest models come with LG’s Slim Wall Mount (the 55- and 65-inch versions come with a stand).
LG G4 Evo OLED
The best TV for gaming
Zeke Jones / Digital Trends
Best budget gaming TV
Hisense U7N ULED Series
Pros
High brightness
Great contrast
Vivid color
Surprising accuracy
Great for gaming
Cons
Poor off-angle viewing
Risk of dirty screen effect
Specification:
Screen sizes available
55, 65, 75, and 85 inches
Display type
mini-LED
HDR support
Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, and HLG
Operating system
Google TV
Connectivity
2 x HDMI 2.1, 4 x HDMI 2.0, Ethernet, optical, 3.5mm analog audio out, 2 x USB-A
Sitting one rung below Hisense’s U8N ULED and a step above its U6N ULED, the Hisense U7N is a bright and colorful QLED (Hisense just likes to say ULED) that continues to showcase Hisense’s takeover of the budget-friendly TV market. With its full-array mini-LED backlighting and Hisense’s Hi-View Engine PRO chipset, the U7N does a fantastic job at optimizing every frame. We’re very impressed by the contrast levels this mini-LED is capable of, too, but you may experience the occasional bit of light bloom during darker scenes in movies, shows, and games.
Speaking of gaming, the Hisense U7N is tailor-made for console and PC hookups. On top of HDMI 2.1 connectivity (on inputs 3 and 4), a 144Hz refresh rate, and VRR support, the TV’s Auto Low Latency Mode kicks in when a PlayStation or Xbox is detected and automatically switches over to Game Mode.
The U7N ULED isn’t half bad when it comes to sound quality either. A built-in subwoofer helps to drive extra low end into the soundstage but doesn’t trump dialogue and vocals. You’ll also be able to stream Netflix, control smart home devices, cast content, and more with the U7N’s Google TV OS.
Available in 55-, 65-, 75-, and 85-inch sizes, the Hisense U7N ULED doesn’t have the best off-angle viewing, but this shouldn’t be a problem if you’re working with a smaller to medium-sized viewing space.
Hisense U7N ULED Series
Best budget gaming TV
Zeke Jones / Digital Trends
Best runner-up gaming TV
Sony Bravia 9
Pros
Super-clean picture
Deep blacks, minimal blooming
Excellent contrast
Searing HDR highlights
Excellent motion handling
Cons
Backlight fluctuations visible in dark rooms
Very expensive
Specification:
Screen sizes available
65, 75, and 85 inches
Display type
mini-LED
HDR support
Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, and HLG
Operating system
Google TV
Connectivity
2 x HDMI 2.1, 4 x HDMI 2.0, Ethernet, optical, 2 x USB-A
New in 2024, the Sony Bravia 9 Series was not only the company’s flagship set of the year but it’s also one of the best TVs you can play video games on, bar none. According to Sony, microcosmic LED controllers allow the Bravia 9 to achieve the kind of contrast accuracy and inky black levels usually associated with the best OLED TVs. We loved what we saw (and heard) in our hands-on review of this mini-LED set, but how exactly does the Bravia 9 fare against input lag and demanding online gameplay? Quite nicely, though there is a slight caveat. We’ll let our editor-at-large Caleb Denison, shine some light on the matter:
“[The Sony Bravia 9 Series] doesn’t do 144Hz refresh rate, so it isn’t perhaps going to unlock that one feature for those using high-end gaming PCs. But it does support VRR (variable refresh rate), ALLM (auto low latency mode), and source-based tone mapping, so it’s a great companion to both of the Xbox and PlayStation 5 consoles.”
Beyond that 144Hz limitation, though, each of the Bravia 9’s four HDMI ports is HDMI 2.1 certified, ensuring you’ll get the absolute best motion and lag performance when connecting a modern console. And thanks to the chart-topping illumination this mini-LED monolith can achieve and the set’s excellent reflection handling, you should have zero issues gaming in a brightly lit room.
Oh, and the Bravia 9 is an absolute champ when it comes to support for class-leading codecs like Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos sound. We’re also glad to report that the sound on this TV isn’t half-bad either, though home theater diehards and gaming enthusiasts may prefer a soundbar, surround system, or gaming headset.
Sony Bravia 9
Best runner-up gaming TV
TCL QM7
Phil Nickinson / Digital Trends
Best budget TCL for gaming
TCL QM7 Series (2024)
Pros
Excellent brightness, colors, and contrast
Solid gaming optimizations
Phenomenal HDR performance
Google TV runs smoothly
Cons
Issues with VRR at 65Hz
Not the greatest off-angle viewing
Specification:
Screen sizes available
55, 65, 75, 85, and 98 inches
Display type
mini-LED
HDR support
Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, and HLG
Operating system
Google TV
Connectivity
2 x HDMI 2.1, 4 x HDMI 2.0, Ethernet, optical, 3.5mm analog audio out, 2 x USB-A
TCL is another excellent brand that produces exceptional, budget-friendly TVs that look and feel like higher-priced QLEDs and OLEDs. The TCL QM7 Series is a 2024 model that sits between the TCL Q6 Series and the QM8 Series. Equipped with TCL’s AIPQ PRO processor, TCL claims the QM7 is able to hit 2,400 nits at peak brightness. We’re assuming this is relegated to HDR. Still, the TV’s full-array LED backlighting, quantum dots, and numerous local dimming zones allow the QM7 to remain vibrant and colorful even when viewing SDR content.
As for gaming, the TCL QM7 has very low input lag and ALLM support, which allows you to game with a PlayStation, Xbox, or PC at up to 4K at 144Hz (limited to HDMI 1). And thanks to ALLM, the TV will automatically switch over to Game Mode when compatible gaming hardware is detected. This ensures you’ll get the best response times possible both online and offline.
While most gaming titles max out at 60 fps, do keep in mind that the QM7 Series has some trouble when the frame rate is between 60 fps and 70 fps. You’ll also want to make sure you’re sitting as centered with your TCL QM7 as possible, as the TV doesn’t have the best off-angle viewing.
When it comes time to stream some Disney+, the QM7 Series uses Google TV to get you access to apps, free live TV stations, smart home controls, and more. It’s not a perfect TV by any means, but if you’re looking for a 55-, 65-, 75-, 85-, or 98-inch QLED that you’ll love playing video games on, the TCL QM7 Series is well worth your consideration.
TCL QM7 Series (2024)
Best budget TCL for gaming
Zeke Jones / Digital Trends
Best midrange OLED for gaming
LG C4 OLED Evo
Pros
Excellent contrast
Rich color
Very good upscaling
Great for gaming
Accurate out-of-the-box settings
Cons
Weak audio system
Slight green tinge off-angle
Specification:
Screen sizes available
42, 48, 55, 65, 77, and 83 inches
Display type
OLED
HDR support
Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG
Operating system
webOS 24
Connectivity
4 x HDMI 2.1, Ethernet, optical, 3 x USB-A
What is there to say about the excellent LG C4 OLED Evo that hasn’t already been said? Brought to us by the folks who know OLED TVs better than any manufacturer, the C4 Series sits just one rung below LG’s flagship G4 model. Like any good LG TV, the C4 is available in numerous sizes and delivers the kind of rich colors and impressive contrast levels that only an OLED can achieve. And thanks to LG’s Evo panel tech and features like Brightness Booster Max, the C4 is actually able to go toe to toe with a handful of LED-LCDs over illumination numbers.
But why is this TV so good for gaming? Not only will you be able to game at up to 4K/144Hz but each of the C4’s four HDMI ports is 2.1 certified. Whether you’re connecting a PS5 or desktop PC, HDMI 2.1 ensures you’ll get the best response time and reduced input lag. This is also thanks to features like VRR and class-leading HDR support, both of which can be found on the C4 Series.
The C4 even has a built-in Game Optimizer, though this preset is noticeably less bright than other picture settings. Should you decide to go with the C4, you’ll also want to make sure your seating is as close to the screen center as possible. In our tests, we noticed a slight green tinge when viewing the C4 off-center.
LG C4 OLED Evo
Best midrange OLED for gaming
Sony
One of the best screens in the business
Sony XR A95L QD-OLED
Pros
Outstanding color accuracy and brightness
Excellent contrast and luminance
Great sound
Gorgeous game mode picture quality
Incredibly good upscaling
Cons
Some deep features not available at launch
Specification:
Screen sizes available
55, 65, and 77 inches
Display type
QD-OLED
HDR support
Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, and HLG
Operating system
Google TV
Connectivity
2 x HDMI 2.1, 4 x HDMI 2.0, Ethernet, optical, 2 x USB-A
OK, we know it’s a 2023 TV, but the Sony XR A95L is still one of the best TVs we’ve ever tested, and if you can find one on sale it will make a fantastic gaming TV. Available in 55, 65, and 77-inch sizes, this is another QD-OLED set that employs quantum dots and self-emissive pixels, with a healthy dash of Sony’s Cognitive Processor XR thrown in for some of the best picture processing and upscaling in town.
As you can guess from our writeup on the Samsung S95C, the QD-OLED results are simply amazing. We’re talking incredible peak brightness levels, rich colors, unbelievable contrast, and lightning-fast motion handling for the A95L. But beyond the flagship features that we most certainly expect from a TV that starts pricing at around $2,800 for the 65-inch, what impeccable gaming tech can we anticipate from this bad boy?
Well for starters, like the midrange Sony XR X93L, the A95L model is optimized for Playstation 5 gameplay. Two of the TV’s four HDMI inputs are 2.1 certified, with support for 4K at up to 120Hz. To further buttress the motion handling, the A95L also includes support for VRR and ALLM, ensuring you’ll experience as little lag as possible when playing online or offline.
But perhaps our favorite A95L gaming feature is the set’s Auto HDR Tone Mapping. This is a feature you’ll enable during the initial setup of your PS5 with the A95L. Once activated, all of your gameplay visuals will receive full HDR treatment (as long as the actual game is available in HDR), giving you the best brightness, colors, and contrast, regardless of the genre.
The Sony XR A95L also supports Multi-View, which lets you game on one part of the TV screen, while the second half of the screen can be used to stream a movie or show from apps like YouTube, Netflix, and Prime Video. And like many of the models in this roundup, the A95L comes with a gaming dashboard that lets you adjust things like motion clarity and picture presets without having to go into the TV’s main settings menu.
Sony XR A95L QD-OLED
One of the best screens in the business
Zeke Jones / Digital Trends
Best gaming TV for bright rooms
Samsung S95D QD-OLED
Pros
Exellent brightness
Eye-popping color
Snappy operation
Great gaming features
Awesome for bright rooms
Cons
Anti-glare treatment is polarizing
Blacks may appear lifted in bright rooms
Specification:
Screen sizes available
55, 65, and 77 inches
Display type
QD-OLED
HDR support
HDR10+, HDR10, and HLG
Operating system
Tizen OS
Connectivity
4 x HDMI 2.1, Ethernet, optical, 3 x USB-A
In our review, we called the 2024 Samsung S95D “one hell of a TV, one of the brightest — and definitely one of the best of the year.” We also explained the uproar the TV caused when it was revealed at this year’s CES, which centered on it’s anti-glare feature.
The technology reduces ambient light reflecting off the screen by spreading it across its surface. This helps create a more comfortable viewing experience, especially in bright rooms where traditional OLEDs often struggle. However, some people prefer a more localized effect, as the dispersion affects the entire screen, unlike on most other TVs.
But whether you care about the S95D’s anti-glare tech or not, it’s included on this list because of its excellent performance in brightly lit rooms, as well as its excellent gaming specs. Gamers will love the S95D’s lag-free and smooth gameplay thanks to the QD-OLED’s 144Hz refresh rate. It also features AMD’s FreeSync Premium Pro and Auto Low Latency (ALLM) gaming mode that automatically switches the TV to this setting when a game console is detected. And if you don’t have a console, that’s OK, too — because it’s a Samsung, it features Sammy’s Gaming Hub that allows you to play a ton of games from Xbox and other online cloud streaming game services.
Of course, when you’re done laying waste to your enemies, you’re also getting one of the best TVs of the year to watch movies and TV shows on. The flagship S95D benefits from Samsung’s latest NQ4 AI Gen2 Processor, and supports HDR10+, as well as Dolby Atmos sound for immersive audio.
Samsung S95D QD-OLED
Best gaming TV for bright rooms
Samsung
Best midrange Samsung TV for gaming
Samsung S90D QD-OLED
Pros
Unbelievable colors and contrast
Solid brightness levels
Top-notch HDR performance
Great motion handling
Cons
No Dolby Vision or DTS support
QD-OLED is only on 55-, 65-, and 75-inch sizes
Specification:
Screen sizes available
42, 48, 55, 65, 77, and 83 inches
Display type
QD-OLED (55-, 65-, and 77-inch), WOLED (42-, 48-, and 83-inch)
HDR support
HDR10+, HDR10, and HLG
Operating system
Tizen OS
Connectivity
4 x HDMI 2.1, Ethernet, optical, 3.5mm analog audio out, 2 x USB-A
For those unaware, Samsung actually took a stab at OLED TVs well over a decade ago, and the results were… good. Then, the Big S quickly switched to only LED-LCD production for many years. And guess what? Now they’re making OLEDs again, only this time Samsung is back with a quantum dot-inspired vengeance.
The Samsung S90D is one of the brand’s 2024 OLEDs, and Samsung decided to do something rather polarizing with this premium TV: selling it with two different panel types. The 55-, 65-, and 75-inch versions of the S90D come with the superior QD-OLED panel, which was standard for all sizes on last year’s Samsung S90C. The more traditional WOLED display is used for the S90D’s 43-, 48-, and 83-inch sizes.
Equipped with Samsung’s Neo Quantum 4K AI Gen 2 processor, the S90D is able to leverage AI to continuously optimize picture quality from one frame to the next, regardless of the source. You can also expect bright HDR performance, vibrant colors, and inky black levels, courtesy of the TV’s amazing contrast. Gamers will be glad to learn that HDMI 2.1 connectivity is spread across all four HDMI ports, and the S90D is able to output 4K at up to 144Hz. And thanks to VRR and ALLM support, auto-switching to Game Mode happens as soon as you turn your PS5 or Xbox on.
As for apps, games, and mobile device casting, the S90D is powered by Tizen OS, which does a nice job of loading content quickly. Navigation from one screen to the next is smooth and intuitive, too.
Samsung S90D QD-OLED
Best midrange Samsung TV for gaming
Frequently Asked Questions
How we choose the best gaming TVs
Before we sign off, we thought we’d go over how we’ve come up with these entries, and what’s important to us when selecting a gaming TV.
The first thing we look for is low input lag. Because if there’s too much delay between the action of your thumbs and the action on screen, well, that’s just a frustration nobody needs. Plus, it can be a huge disadvantage in competitive gameplay, where a few milliseconds literally can be the difference between a win or a loss.
Next, we look for solid picture quality in the TV’s “game mode” preset, which is what you’ll want to use for the lowest input lag. The picture quality doesn’t have to be videophile-grade awesome, but it can’t be trash, either. Today’s game graphics are gorgeous, and you deserve all that gorgeousness, so we seek to find the best balance between low input lag and awesome picture.
Then we need to see great motion resolution. We don’t have to have 120Hz native panels for good motion resolution. A 60Hz TV can look good, but, not all of them do, so we want to make sure we see as little blurring and stutter as possible for the best clarity during fast-moving gameplay.
But since we mentioned 120Hz, that definitely is nice to have, along with some other advanced gaming features like variable refresh rate (VRR), auto-game mode, Dolby Vision gaming, and maybe even up to a 144Hz refresh rate in some cases. We also want to make sure that these TVs do a nice job at displaying both HDR and SDR gaming content.
What are important things to look for with a gaming TV?
While you could most likely get away with using any of the best TVs on the market for your gaming needs, there are a few boxes to tick off when deciding. First, you’re going to want to look for a TV with a low input lag — this is the time it takes for that gameplay video signal to run from your game console to your TV’s HDMI port. Measured in milliseconds (ms), you want this to be as low as you can afford (some of the best TVs clock in around the 5ms range).
Of course, you want the TVs color, resolution, and brightness to be on point no matter what you’re using your TV for, but another important element for gaming is making sure it has HDMI 2.1 inputs to ensure the best experience. This latest HDMI technology will make sure you can take advantage of the latest gaming features such as variable refresh rate (VRR) — this includes AMD’s FreeSync and Nvidia’s G-Sync — as well as the latest refresh rates such as 144Hz and 120Hz.
The latest edition of our weekly deal roundup includes a range of discounts on Apple’s AirPods. The standard AirPods 4 are down to $100, which ties their lowest price to date, while ANC version of those earbuds and the higher-end AirPods Pro 2 are cheaper than usual at $149 and $169, respectively. If you don’t need new headphones, we’re also seeing discounts on Peacock and Apple Music subscriptions, our favorite robot vacuum and microSD card for those on a budget, Sonos speakers and more. Here are the best tech deals from this week that you can still get today.
Spotlight deal
The rest of the best tech deals this week
Apple AirPods Pro 2 for $169 at Amazon ($80 off MSRP): If you’re willing to pay extra and don’t mind a traditional in-ear design, the AirPods Pro 2 are still the best wireless earphones Apple makes and our favorite pair for iPhone owners overall. They have the same set of Apple-friendly features noted above, but add stronger ANC, a more secure fit, fuller sound (thanks to that in-ear design), an hour or two of extra battery life and onboard volume controls. As of last fall, they can also function as an FDA-approved hearing aid. That said, if you aren’t tethered to the Apple ecosystem, there are other pairs with superior noise cancellation, battery life and audio quality out there. This discount is $15 more than the all-time low we saw around Black Friday, but it’s a good $20 to $30 below the pair’s typical street price and $80 less than buying from Apple directly. Also at Walmart, Target and Best Buy.
Peacock Premium (1-year) for $30 at Peacock ($50 off, new and returning users only): New and returning subscribers can grab a year of Peacock’s ad-supported plan for $30 through Feburary 18. (Yes, it’s called “Premium” even though it has ads.) If you’re not a current subscriber and don’t see the discount, use the code WINTERSAVINGS at checkout. NBCUniversal ran a similar offer around Black Friday that dropped the subscription to $20, but this is still $50 off the annual plan’s usual price. While we wouldn’t call Peacock essential, it should be worth checking out if you’re big into Premier League soccer, WWE live events or most shows from NBC and Bravo — The Office and Law and Order included.
The Samsung Evo Select. (The 1TB model is on sale today, not the 512GB model pictured here.)
Jeff Dunn / Engadget
Samsung Evo Select (1TB) microSD card for $70 at Amazon ($10 off): The Evo Select is the budget pick in our guide to the best microSD cards: It’s certainly not the fastest model we’ve tested, but it’s quick enough if you just want to boost the storage of a Nintendo Switch or Android tablet on the cheap without feeling totally bogged down. Just don’t expect it to be all that great for large file transfers. This deal matches the all-time low for the extra-spacious 1TB model. Also at Samsung and B&H.
Sonos Era 100 for $199 at Sonos ($50 off): To address the elephant in the room, no, Sonos is not doing well right now. A redesign of the company’s control app last May has been a colossal failure, eventually leading to the departure of the audio brand’s CEO and chief product officer last month and sizable layoffs just this week. It’s hard to get jazzed about discounts with all of that in mind, but this is a deal roundup, and we still do recommend much of firm’s audio gear in our various buying guides, so we’re obligated to mention that the company is still running a sale on its soundbars and home speakers through February 9. One highlight is the Sonos Era 100 for $199, a $50 discount that ties the lowest price we’ve seen. This is the top midrange pick in our guide to the best smart speakers: While the software situation is still iffy, the hardware still delivers impressively clean and balanced sound for its size. If you just want a single speaker for enjoying music at home, it remains a decent value at less than $200. Also at Amazon, Walmart, B&H and others.
The Sonos Era 100.
Photo by Nathan Ingraham / Engadget
$100 Apple Gift Card + $10 Best Buy Gift Card for $100 at Best Buy ($10 off): If you buy a $100 Apple gift card at Best Buy, the retailer will throw in a bonus $10 gift card to its own store for no extra cost. Both cards will be emailed to you digitally. For the unfamiliar, you can apply an Apple gift card to just about anything Apple makes, be it a new iPhone, an Apple TV+ subscription or purchases on the App Store. If you’re looking to grab something along those lines and know you’ll shop at Best Buy again anyway, it’s hard to complain about a bit of bonus money.
Apple Music (6-month) for $3 at Apple ($52 off, new subscribers and select devices only): Speaking of Apple services, the company is running a promotion that doles out six months of Apple Music for $3 total. Normally, a solo subscription costs $11 per month after a 30-day free trial, or a three-month trial if you’ve recently bought an Apple device. This newest promo comes with a few caveats, though: You must be new to Apple Music, not eligible for the aforementioned three-month trial and able to redeem the offer through an iPhone, iPad or Mac. If you meet all of that criteria, however, this is a nice way to get a half-year of music streaming for cheap. We praise Apple Music in our guide to the best music streaming services for its lossless streaming quality, ease of use with Apple devices and emphasis on letting actual people introduce you to new music. Apple says this deal will run through February 27. Just be aware that your subscription will be set to auto-renew until you cancel.
The iRobot Roomba Vac Essential.
iRobot
iRobot Roomba Vac Essential (Q0120) for $130 at Amazon ($120 off): The Roomba Vac Essential is the top pick in our guide to the best budget robot vacuums. It’s a basic entry-level model, as it navigates semi-randomly instead of mapping set paths and will still bonk into furniture every now and then. But it cleans well enough, especially on hard floors, and we’ve found it easy to set up and control through Roomba’s mobile app. If you’re on a budget and live in a smaller place that isn’t inundated with pet hair, you could do much worse. This discount is the lowest price we’ve tracked and a $20 drop from the robovac’s typical going rate in recent months. Also at Best Buy, Target and others.
Anker 713 USB-C Charger for $20 at Amazon ($20 off): The Anker 713 Charger is a compact wall charger with one USB-C port that can deliver up to 45W of power. It’s not the newest or fastest model out there, but it’s easy to tuck in a bag and powerful enough to charge many modern smartphones and tablets at full speed. This discount matches the lowest price we’ve seen and takes about $8 off the device’s common street price. Also at Anker. If you need something faster with a couple more ports, the 67W Anker Prime charger is also on sale for a low of $36.
The Razer Viper V3 Pro.
Photo by Jeff Dunn / Engadget
Razer Viper V3 Pro for $145 at Amazon ($15 off): It’s not a massive discount, but this $15 drop marks the lowest price we’ve seen for the Viper V3 Pro, which tops our guide to the best gaming mice. This is very much a niche device, aimed squarely at those who take competitive PC games seriously, but its 54-gram design is super lightweight, consistently responsive and comfortable for a wide range of grip types and hand sizes. Just don’t expect it to keep you from getting owned in Counter-Strike 2 or Marvel Rivals on its own. Also at Best Buy.
LG B4 OLED TV (48″) for $600 at Best Buy ($200 off): This ties the lowest price we’ve seen for the 48-inch LG B4, which is the entry-level model in LG’s 2024 OLED lineup. While it’s not as bright or color-rich as some higher-end alternatives, it still offers the essential perks of any good OLED TV: superb contrast with deep black tones, clear motion, wide viewing angles and the like. It’s also a nice value for gaming, as it has four HDMI 2.1 ports that support refresh rates up to 120Hz. It’s just better off in a darker room, and this particular model is relatively small. If you’re curious about what other TV deals are available ahead of the Super Bowl, note that we have a separate roundup just for those.
Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-apple-airpods-4-hit-an-all-time-low-of-100-plus-the-rest-of-the-weeks-best-tech-deals-170248131.html?src=rss
It’s a first-vs.-third clash in Paris on Friday as Ligue 1 leader PSG host Monaco in a match that’s likely to have a big impact on the title race.
PSG currently have a comfortable 10-point cushion at the top of the table over second-place Marseille, and remain unbeaten domestically so far this season.
They now come up against a familiar foe, having already played Monaco in Ligue 1 just before Christmas followed by a meeting in the Trophee des Champions last month, with Luis Enrique’s Parisians winning both of those recent encounters.
PSG host Monaco on Friday, Feb. 7, at the Parc des Princes, with kickoff set for 9:05p.m. CET local time, making it a 8:05 p.m. GMT start in the UK, a 3:05 p.m. ET or 12:05 p.m. PT start in the US and Canada, and a 7:15 a.m. AEDT kickoff in Australia early on Saturday morning.
Below, we’ll outline the best live TV streaming services to use to watch game lives wherever you are in the world.
Bradley Barcola scored the winner in PSG’s 0-2 French Cup victory over Le Mans on Tuesday.
Franco Arland/Getty Images
How to watch PSG vs. Monaco in the US without cable
Saturday’s game is live on BeIN Sports, which holds broadcast rights for Ligue 1 matches in the US.
There are several options for watching BeIN. Several cable and satellite TV providers in the US offer the network as part of their channel lineups, including Dish Network, Optimum and Spectrum (the latter requiring a $7-a-month premium for the Sports View add-on).
If you’re a cord-cutter, there’s a whole host of streaming platforms that carry BeIN Sports.
Sarah Tew/CNET
With an excellent channel selection, easy-to-use interface and best-in-class cloud DVR, the $73 per month YouTube TV is one of the best cable TV replacements. In order to watch BeIN Sports on the platform you’ll need its Sports Plus add-on, which costs an additional $11 per month. Read our YouTube TV review.
Sarah Tew/CNET
BeIN is available on Sling TV as part of its Sports Extra add-on for either Sling Orange or Sling Blue.
Its Orange and Blue packages start at $40 per month, and you can combine them for a monthly rate of $55 ($60 in some regions), with Sports Extra costing an extra $11 a month. The Orange option nets you one stream, while Blue gives you three. It’s not as comprehensive or as easy to navigate as YouTube, but with a bit of work, including adding an antenna or an AirTV 2 DVR, it’s unbeatable value. We’ll also add that the service offers local channels such as ABC and CBS in some regions where the monthly rate is $45. Read our Sling TV review.
Ty Pendlebury/CNET
There’s a lot to like about Fubo. In addition to BeIN Sports, it offers a wide selection of channels, plus its sports focus makes it especially attractive to soccer fans, as well as NBA, NHL and MLB fans who live in an area served by one of Fubo’s RSNs. It’s also a great choice for NFL fans, since it’s one of three services, alongside YouTube TV and Hulu, that offer NFL Network and optional RedZone. The biggest hole in Fubo’s lineup is the lack of Warner Bros. Discovery networks, including HGTV, Food Network, Cartoon Network, CNN, TNT and TBS — especially since the latter two carry a lot of sports content, in particular NBA, NHL and MLB. Those missing channels, and the $80 price tag, make it less attractive than YouTube TV for most viewers. Read our Fubo review.
On top of this, BeIN Sports Connect is the network’s standalone streaming platform. You can log in with your cable or streaming service credentials if your provider has BeIN in the package. This allows you to stream live matches and other programming on various devices (smartphones, tablets, laptops and so on).
Make sure to check if BeIN Sports is included in the specific package or plan you are considering, as it might be part of a sports bundle or require an additional subscription.
How to watch Ligue 1 from anywhere with a VPN
If you find yourself unable to view Ligue 1 matches locally, you may need a different way to watch the games — that’s where using a VPN can come in handy. A VPN is also the best way to stop your ISP from throttling your speeds on game day by encrypting your traffic, and it’s also a great idea if you’re traveling and find yourself connected to a Wi-Fi network, and you want to add an extra layer of privacy for your devices and logins.
With a VPN, you’re able to virtually change your location on your phone, tablet or laptop to get access to the game. Most VPNs, like our Editors’ Choice, ExpressVPN, make it really easy to do this.
Using a VPN to watch or stream sports is legal in any country where VPNs are legal, including the US, UK and Canada, as long as you have a legitimate subscription to the service you’re streaming. You should be sure your VPN is set up correctly to prevent leaks: Even where VPNs are legal, the streaming service may terminate the account of anyone it deems to be circumventing correctly applied blackout restrictions.
James Martin/CNET
Price $13 per month, $100 for the first 15 months (then $117 per year) or $140 for the first 28 months (then $150 per year)Latest Tests DNS leaks detected, 35% speed loss in 2025 testsNetwork 3,000 plus servers in 105 countriesJurisdiction British Virgin Islands
ExpressVPN is our current best VPN pick for people who want a reliable and safe VPN, and it works on a variety of devices. It’s normally $13 a month, but if you sign up for an annual subscription for $100 you’ll get three months free and save 49%. That’s the equivalent of $6.67 a month.
Note that ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
61% off with 2yr plan (+4 free months)
Livestream PSG vs. Monaco in Canada
As with the US, BeIN Sports is where it’s at for fans of French soccer looking to watch this match in Canada, with the network holding the rights to broadcast Ligue 1 matches in the region this season.
BeIN Sports is available on select Canadian cable and satellite providers including Bell TV, Rogers and Shaw Direct, while cord-cutters can access BeIN through the streaming service Fubo Canada.
Fubo
Fubo is the go-to destination for Canadians looking to watch the Ligue 1 season, with exclusive streaming rights to every match on Sunday. It costs CA$30 a month, though you can save some cash by paying quarterly or annually.
Can I livestream PSG vs. Monaco in the UK?
French football fans in the UK were left up in the air at the start of the season, following TNT Sport’s decision not to renew broadcast rights for Ligue 1. There is now an option for watching games live, with the dedicated streaming platform Ligue 1 Pass up and running and showing today’s game live.
Ligue 1 Pass
French football fans can now watch every Ligue 1 game live on subscription streaming service Ligue 1 Pass.
The service is priced at £10 a month, and can be accessed via the Ligue 1 Pass website. Dedicated apps for Apple and Android devices are set to become available for the service in the coming weeks.
Can I livestream PSG vs. Monaco in Australia?
No mainstream broadcaster currently owns the rights to show Ligue 1 football this season Down Under.
If you subscribe to an overseas streaming service that’s showing the game, such as Fubo, a VPN service will allow you to change your online location, allowing you to watch your domestic coverage.
Quick tips for streaming Ligue 1 soccer using a VPN
With four variables at play — your ISP, browser, video streaming provider and VPN — your experience and success when streaming EPL matches may vary.
If you don’t see your desired location as a default option for ExpressVPN, try using the “search for city or country” option.
If you’re having trouble getting the game after you’ve turned on your VPN and set it to the correct viewing area, there are two things you can try for a quick fix. First, log into your streaming service subscription account and make sure the address registered for the account is an address in the correct viewing area. If not, you may need to change the physical address on file with your account. Second, some smart TVs — like Roku — don’t have VPN apps you can install directly on the device itself. Instead, you’ll have to install the VPN on your router or the mobile hotspot you’re using (like your phone) so that any device on its Wi-Fi network now appears in the correct viewing location.
All of the VPN providers we recommend have helpful instructions on their main site for quickly installing the VPN on your router. In some cases with smart TV services, after you install a cable network’s sports app, you’ll be asked to verify a numeric code or click a link sent to your email address on file for your smart TV. This is where having a VPN on your router will also help since both devices will appear to be in the correct location.
Remember, browsers can often give away a location despite using a VPN, so be sure you’re using a privacy-first browser to log into your services. We normally recommend Brave.
Since late January, Elon Musk and the staff of his Department of Government Efficiency task force, or DOGE, have systematically accessed the digital networks and information databases that power the federal government.
Among their first targets were the Treasury’s payment system and the government’s human resources department, known as the Office of Personnel Management, which maintains information on millions of federal employees. DOGE staff have also reportedly accessed payment and contracting systems for Medicare and Medicaid, as well as similar databases for the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Musk is the CEO of companies with billion-dollar government contracts as well as a political operative. Last year, he spent more than $290 million to help elect President Trump and other Republicans. He claims that DOGE’s activities are purely aimed at identifying waste and fraud.
SEE ALSO:
‘The Daily Show’ gets real about Elon Musk’s White House takeover
But political experts say that the systems and data potentially available to Musk also give him unprecedented power over his allies, enemies, business competitors, and the American people. One expert on authoritarianism, historian Ruth Ben-Ghiat, called his actions a “new kind of coup.” Many of Musk’s actions appear to violate federal law, according to The Washington Post.
Georgetown University Prof. Abraham L. Newman told Mashable that the information Musk and DOGE have reportedly accessed “basically tells you everything about our society.”
When this data is maintained by neutral civil servants to execute core government functions, like issuing Social Security payments to beneficiaries, that digital infrastructure is simply part of making “the trains run on time.”
And yet “when they start to be used for other purposes, for political purposes, then they can be extremely extremely dangerous,” and used to “achieve political objectives,” says Newman, author of Underground Empire: How America Weaponized the World Economy.
What data do Musk and DOGE have?
The information Musk has access to now, even if in a read-only format as one Treasury official insisted, may include Social Security numbers, federal employee health and personnel records, as well as federal student loan data.
Speaking anonymously to The Atlantic, one federal contractor with experience working on classified government information-security systems called the situation “The largest data breach and the largest IT security breach in our country’s history — at least that’s publicly known.”
Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren said this week that Musk may be able to view Americans’ payment history and bank account numbers, among other types of personal data.
“Elon now has the power to suck out all of that information for his own use,” she said.
Musk may also be able to view federal contracts held by companies that may or may not be competitors to Musk’s own businesses, which include Tesla, SpaceX, and the social media platform X.
Musk has yet to publicly produce an ethics waiver for his work with DOGE, as required by government employees who have conflicts of interest, nor has he publicly divested himself from his companies.
An attempt by Congressional Democrats to subpoena Musk over DOGE’s recent actions failed.
What could Musk do with the digital power he now possesses?
1) Stop government payments.
Though the Treasury Department says DOGE has read-only access to its payment system, WIRED reported that one engineer linked to Musk had gained administrative privileges over the software that controls Social Security payments and tax returns, among other critical payments made by the federal government.
That DOGE employee resigned Thursday, after the Wall Street Journal identified his previous social media posts that promoted racism and eugenics. By Friday, Musk was lobbying for him to return via a poll on X.
While the Justice Department has limited DOGE’s access to the payment system for now, any renewed administrative privileges could be used by Musk to stop payments he deemed fraudulent or wasteful, Newman says.
Indeed, CNN has reported that Musk’s associates at the Treasury Department asked its acting secretary to cease all U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) payments via the department’s own processing system.
Mashable Light Speed
The agency, which Musk succeeded in gutting this week, provides food, disaster relief, and medical assistance to some of poorest people in the world.
SEE ALSO:
Elon Musk killing USAID would hurt America’s future. Here’s why.
University of Michigan professor Elizabeth Popp Berman, in a recent Liberal Currents essay called “Personal Discretion Over the Treasury’s Payments System Means the End of Democracy,” outlined the stakes of Musk’s control over the government’s payment systems, particularly if courts do not restrain him.
“Having a president — or, even more so, an unelected billionaire — hold direct, granular control of nearly seven trillion dollars is power beyond the Founders’ wildest dreams,” Berman wrote.
2) Reward allies and punish enemies.
Newman says that Musk could use administrative power over payments systems to divert resources to allies and target people or entities that he, or President Trump, doesn’t like.
Both men are known to attack their enemies on social media and in public. Trump, for example, said those involved with the House committee that investigated the January 6 attack “should go to jail.” On his social media platform X, Musk recently accused Treasury officials of “breaking the law,” without providing evidence.
3) Gain a massive competitive advantage over other business leaders.
Since there seems to be no firewall between Musk’s activity as a special government employee and his role as a CEO, Newman says people in business should be particularly alarmed by his access to federal data.
A rival company could never outcompete a Musk enterprise that understood the government’s inner workings, contracts and payment systems, Newman says. He adds that such a dynamic has the potential to undermine fair and free markets in the U.S.
In the midst of DOGE’s digital government takeover, Musk’s social media company X announced that it was partnering with Visa to let users connect their checking and debit accounts in order to transfer funds to their X account.
Musk has long wanted to transform X into a payment system for “everything.” It’s possible that DOGE’s scouring of the federal government’s own payment system could also benefit Musk’s business aspirations, and would create conflicts of interest for any business leader in that position.
4) Use AI to analyze federal spending and contracts.
Musk plans to use some form of artificial intelligence to analyze federal spending and contracts, according to the New York Times. It’s unclear whether this would be an AI system that Musk owns, or AI programs that the federal government already uses.
The Washington Post reported on new DOGE efforts to analyze spending at the Department of Education, using AI software accessible via Microsoft’s cloud computing service Azure. That service offers access to a number of AI tools. DOGE and Microsoft declined to comment on the details to the Post. Azure did recently add the Chinese AI platform DeepSeek to its suite of tools, according to Reuters.
At this moment, there’s no clarity on the risks of the AI software DOGE is using — or the safeguards in place to prevent it from making mistakes or committing hallucinations.
5) Consolidate and centralize power over the government’s basic functions.
Up until a few weeks ago, America’s basic but vital bureaucratic functions were managed by career civil servants with background clearances, all of whom took an oath to serve the United States Constitution. Those civil servants didn’t have access to a centralized system they could command on their own.
As Musk gains entry to multiple vital systems across the government, it may be possible for him to consolidate and centralize those powers so that only a handful of Trump loyalists can control them.
Potential consequences of Musk’s new digital power for you
1) The government’s digital infrastructure breaks.
As DOGE engineers work, at apparent breakneck speed, to access and analyze key systems, Newman says that there’s a very real chance they may unintentionally break them.
For example, unapproved software changes could hobble systems that distribute Social Security and Medicare payments, Newman says.
“Mucking about with systems that are built on sixty-year-old code could be deeply disruptive to vital government functions, shutting down the Social Security payments many rely on or cutting off payments to small businesses that depend on government contracts for survival,” Berman wrote in her essay.
2) Bad actors breach Americans’ data.
The fact that Musk and DOGE have collected vast amounts of Americans’ data in ways that may not comply with the government’s security practices is likely of interest to foreign governments and bad actors, says Newman. That information is highly valuable to anyone who can steal it.
The Atlantic reported that some of the government’s databases requiring a security clearance — including those for the Department of Justice and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives — can include sensitive personal information, such as sexual history or mental health records.
For many of us, data breaches have become a mundane fact of life. But as Newman notes, the scale and scope of this case make it unique. One person — Musk — has the potential to know something about everybody in the U.S., and that person works for the government.
As the situation unfolds, Newman encourages Americans to consider the fate of the country’s digital bureaucracy as key to democracy.
“I think we should be very cognizant of the fact that these things that seem boring, and often have boring names, are often the place where power lies,” he says.
In 2017, Hulu made television history by becoming the first streaming network to win the Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series, thanks to the phenomenon that was The Handmaid’s Tale.
While Netflix has largely cornered the streaming market on original movies—and even managed to persuade A-listers like Guillermo del Toro, Alfonso Cuarón, and Martin Scorsese to come aboard—Hulu is starting to find its footing in features too. Below are some of our top picks for the best movies (original and otherwise) streaming on Hulu right now.
Still looking for more great titles to add to your queue? Check out WIRED’s guides to the best TV shows on Hulu, best movies on Netflix, the best movies on Disney+, and the best movies on Amazon Prime. Don’t like our picks, or want to offer suggestions of your own? Head to the comments below.
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A Real Pain
Kieran Culkin continues his run as Hollywood’s most lovable scene-stealer—with an Oscar nomination to boot—in this buddy-ish road trip comedy written, directed, produced by, and costarring Jesse Eisenberg (who earned an Oscar nod for the screenplay). David (Eisenberg) and Benji (Culkin) travel to Poland in honor of their late grandmother, a Holocaust survivor. Despite going down two very different paths in life and their opposing personalities, the two find a way to reconnect and prove that blood is thicker than water.
Arcadian
Nicolas Cage does what Nicolas Cage does best (read: chew quite a bit of scenery) in this postapocalyptic thriller in which a father, Paul (Cage), and his twin sons Thomas (Jaeden Martell) and Joseph (Maxwell Jenkins) are three of the only people remaining on earth. Making this scenario even more challenging is the fact that they are terrorized at night by homicidal creatures dead-set on ridding the planet of all humans. When Thomas goes missing, Paul must venture out into the night to find him—an ill-advised adventure that ultimately leaves Paul wounded, fighting for his life, and relying on his sons to keep them all alive.
Nightbitch
Marielle Heller writes and directs this adaptation of Rachel Yoder’s 2018 novel—a bitingly dark horror-comedy about the challenges of motherhood. Amy Adams reveals a ferocity rarely seen in the six-time Oscar nominee’s previous performances. Here, she’s a stay-at-home mom simply known as Mother who begins to resent her husband (Scoot McNairy) and even her young son for stripping her of her previous identity as an artist. And at the same time, she begins to think that maybe she’s turning into a dog. Which all makes a lot more sense in the context of the movie.
John Wick
It’s been more than a decade since Keanu Reeves introduced audiences to one of cinema’s most enigmatic vigilantes: John Wick, a very talented hit man who is forced out of retirement after a couple of low-level Russian gangsters decide to steal his beloved 1969 Mustang and kill his puppy Daisy in the process. What the men fail to realize is that John isn’t just your average mark. The film has since spawned three sequels, a prequel TV series (The Continental), and the upcoming spinoff film Ballerina, starring Ana de Armas.
American Psycho
Nearly a decade before he revved up the Batmobile, Christian Bale was famously warned by many of the people in his circle that taking on the role of Patrick Bateman, the yuppie murderer at the center of Bret Easton Ellis’ controversial novel, would be “career suicide.” In some ways, it only strengthened Bale’s resolve. Director Mary Harron does a fabulous job in adapting the source material—something many people couldn’t figure out, in part because of its unlikable lead and graphic depictions of violence and murder. But in Harron’s hands, it becomes a jet-black comedy and a social commentary on 1980s greed.
Thelma
June Squibb is the action hero you didn’t know you needed. In the decade since her Oscar-nominated turn in Alexander Payne’s Nebraska, the 95-year-old actress has become one of Hollywood’s most in-demand actors. Here, she plays the eponymous grandma who is swindled out of $10,000 by a phone scammer targeting elderly citizens. When the authorities seem reluctant to take any real action, Thelma grabs a gun and her motorized scooter and takes the law into her own hands. Best of all? This vigilante comedy is based on writer-director Josh Margolin’s own grandmother.
Ad Astra
At an unspecified date in the near future, US Space Command Major Roy McBride (Brad Pitt) learns that mysterious power surges originating from an old space station are posing a threat to Earth. When he finds out that the activity can be traced back to the Lima Project—a search for extraterrestrial life led by his father, H. Clifford McBride (Tommy Lee Jones), who has been lost in space for 30 years—Roy journeys into the unknown. When cowriter/director James Gray announced the project, he very boldly stated that he was hoping to create “the most realistic depiction of space travel that’s been put in a movie.” Did he succeed? Watch and make your own determination.
Late Night With the Devil
In the 1970s, Jack Delroy (David Dastmalchian) is a late-night talk show host who is constantly chasing Johnny Carson’s ratings but simply cannot compete. He scores the highest ratings of his career when he sits down for an interview with his beloved wife, Madeleine (Georgina Haig), who is dying of cancer. When she passes away shortly afterward, Jack halts production on his show entirely. When he’s eventually ready to come back to work he’s even more determined to compete with Carson, so he decides to throw an occult-themed Halloween show for the ages, complete with a psychic (Fayssal Bazzi), a parapsychologist (Laura Gordon), and a possessed teen (Ingrid Torelli) who seems to know more about Jack and Madeleine’s relationship than he bargained for. Many critics have deemed Late Night With the Devil the best horror movie of 2024—and with good reason.
Babes
Pamela Adlon’s directorial debut does for motherhood what Bridesmaids did for marriage. New Yorkers Eden (Ilana Glazer) and Dawn (Michelle Buteau) are lifelong best friends with decades of history and traditions but now find themselves facing very different chapters in their lives. Dawn, who is struggling with postpartum depression, is trying hard to balance the demands of being a working mom and partner to her husband, while Eden has never been burdened by such demands. But when she discovers she’s pregnant after a one-night stand and determines that she is ready to be a single mom, their friendship begins to fracture in ways they never would have imagined. Glazer and Buteau’s chemistry as BFFs is undeniable in this brash comedy that isn’t always pretty, in part because of its brutal honesty.
The First Omen
True to its title, the sixth film in The Omen franchise is a prequel to the 1976 horror classic that birthed it. If you weren’t aware that there were half a dozen films in this series, there’s a reason for that: Aside from the Richard Donner–directed original, they’re just not very good. But nearly 50 years later, The First Omen has breathed new life into this seemingly tired premise. It’s 1971, and Margaret (Nell Tiger Free), a young American novitiate, travels to Rome to work at an orphanage. She quickly forms a bond with Carlita (Nicole Sorace), one of the older wards, who is plagued by terrible visions. Despite warnings from the head priest (Ralph Ineson) that “evil things” will happen if she engages with Carlita, Margaret is convinced she can help the young girl. If you know anything about The Omen movies, you probably know where this is headed: Satanic kids bearing the mark of the devil (666) abound. Despite it being somewhat predictable, the film is well acted and well made—and could very likely spawn more entries.
Kinds of Kindness
Just three months after Poor Things scored four Oscar wins, Yorgos Lanthimos got much of the gang back together—including Emma Stone, Willem Dafoe, and Margaret Qualley—for Kinds of Kindness, which debuted at Cannes. Unlike his previous works, this one is an anthology film, or what came to be marketed as a “triptych fable.” Just like the writer-director’s other movies, it is born from a place of absurdist comedy and over-the-top performances from its stars. Sex cults, reanimation, sandwiches, murder-happy bosses, and John McEnroe’s smashed tennis racket all play a part in the wildly fun festivities.
Little Women
Greta Gerwig is far (far) from the first writer-director to adapt Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women for the big screen. And she’s certainly not the first person to do an admirable job of it. (Gillian Armstrong’s 1994 version starring Winona Ryder and Christian Bale is still a much beloved interpretation.) Yet Gerwig made the 19th century tale seem practically modern-day, and different from all the rest, with seemingly small decisions like playing with the novel’s timelines. It also doesn’t hurt that it just happens to star some of the most impressive actors working today, including Saoirse Ronan, Timothée Chalamet, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, Eliza Scanlen, James Norton, Laura Dern, Chris Cooper, Tracy Letts, Meryl Streep, and Bob Odenkirk.
Immaculate
Sydney Sweeney produced this religious horror flick and also stars as Cecilia, a young nun (yep, you read that right) whose traumatic brush with death has convinced her that God saved her for a higher purpose. When she is invited to join a convent in the remote Italian countryside that assists older nuns at the end of their life, she happily accepts—then quickly comes to realize that all may not be what it seems.
Ferrari
Enzo Ferrari (Adam Driver) is a man who should have it all: the one-time race car driver and founder of the Ferrari car company oozes charm, wealth, and excitement. But behind the scenes, the walls are closing in on him. Set during the summer of 1957, Michael Mann’s biopic finds Ferrari (the man) on the verge of bankruptcy, mourning the death of his son, and desperately trying to hide his past indiscretions from his estranged wife—who helped build the car company and who holds the key to his financial future. Though the film earned mixed reviews, it does a solid job of telling the complex story of a complicated man. But its biggest selling point is Penélope Cruz’s bravura performance.
Perfect Days
Nearly 60 years into his career as a filmmaker, Wim Wenders managed to make one of his best films yet with Perfect Days—which is saying a lot when you consider that this is the same director who made Paris, Texas (1984) and Wings of Desire (1987). Hirayama (Kōji Yakusho) is a toilet cleaner in Tokyo who is blissfully content with the simplicity of his life, as it allows him the time to indulge his more personal passions: music (he’s an avid collector of cassette tapes and allows his favorite music to set the soundtrack to his life), books, and nature. The movie is not punctuated by any overly dramatic storylines; just the quiet interactions that Hirayama has with those around him—family, coworkers, total strangers—and the way those interludes impact him. It’s that poetic simplicity, and Yakusho’s wonderful performance, that gives the film its heart.
Origin
Writer-director Ava DuVernay finds a way to yet again change the language of cinema with what is both a biopic and a historical document. The movie is based on the life of Isabel Wilkerson (Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor), the first Black woman to win the Pulitzer Prize in journalism for her work at The New York Times. It follows Wilkerson’s journey to write her 2020 book Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents—a project that took her from the US to Germany to India to research the troubling history of each country’s caste system and the parallels that exist between them.
The Contestant
On January 11, 1998, 22-year-old comedian Tomoaki Hamatsu entered an apartment in Japan where he lived, nude and with no human contact, for 15 months as part of an understandably controversial game show titled Susunu! Denpa Shōnen. Hamatsu had no idea his life was being broadcast. This riveting documentary delves into not just how anyone ever allowed this experiment to happen, but the real-world effects—cultural, psychological, and beyond—it had on both Hamatsu and the tens of millions of viewers who were somehow drawn into witnessing his on-camera abuse.
Anatomy of a Fall
Between her starring roles in The Zone of Interest and Anatomy of a Fall, German actress Sandra Hüller made it clear that when it comes to scripts, she knows how to pick ’em. In this compelling courtroom drama, Hüller plays a successful writer turned murder suspect when her husband (Samuel Theis) is found dead outside their home on a snowy day. Ultimately, it might be her son (Milo Machado-Graner) and/or his guide dog (Messi, the movie’s real star) who ultimately seal Sandra’s fate. It’s a smart, twisty, and well-acted mystery that will keep you guessing.
Poor Things
Bella Baxter (Emma Stone) is a young woman with the brain of an infant who is brought back to life by the lovably mad scientist Dr. Godwin Baxter, aka God (Willem Dafoe). But Bella is a fast learner and is intrigued by the many adventures the world has to offer her—regardless of what polite society dictates. Mark Ruffalo, Ramy Youssef, and Christopher Abbott are among the men who are entranced by Bella’s frankness (“I must go punch that baby”) in what is undoubtedly the most over-the-top title in Yorgos Lanthimos’ filmography—which is saying a lot. One caveat: Those who are easily offended by nudity or graphic sex might want to give this a skip.
BlackBerry
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’s Glenn Howerton is practically unrecognizable in this immensely entertaining recounting of the rise and fall of BlackBerry—the must-have cell phone that had the world entranced before the iPhone came along. Howerton costars as Jim Balsillie, the very real negotiator who, alongside Mike Lazaridis (Jay Baruchel), gave the world its first smartphone. Which is a lot more dramatic (and darkly humorous) than it sounds.
The Royal Hotel
Ozark star Julia Garner reunites with director Kitty Green (The Assistant) for this taut psychological thriller in which BFFs Hanna (Garner) and Liv (Jessica Henwick) decide to backpack their way through the Australian outback. When they’re offered the chance to live and work at a remote hotel in order to replenish their dwindling bank accounts, they jump at the chance—despite Hanna feeling that something isn’t quite right with their place of employment or its clientele. She’s on to something. Garner has played one badass character after the next, and The Royal Hotel is no exception.
All of Us Strangers
Adam (the always superb Andrew Scott) is a television writer who largely keeps to himself, until an awkward encounter with his tipsy neighbor Harry (Paul Mescal) kickstarts a passionate new relationship. But when he’s not in London with Harry, Adam is returning to the suburban home where he grew up—and where he encounters and is able to interact with his parents (Claire Foy and Jamie Bell), despite their having died 30 years ago. In the hands of a lesser director, the fantastical elements could seem forced. But with Andrew Haigh (Weekend, 45 Years) behind the camera, the surreal setup only augments the emotion.
Self Reliance
New Girl’s Jake Johnson makes his feature directorial debut with this wonderfully weird and occasionally dark meta comedy, which he also wrote and stars in. Tommy Walcott (Johnson) is living a pretty ordinary existence until he’s approached by Andy Samberg (as Andy Samberg), who offers him the chance of a lifetime: the opportunity to win $1 million as part of a massive reality competition. The only thing Tommy needs to do is not get murdered for 30 days, despite being hunted by dozens of contract killers whose job is to ensure that no contestant walks away with the big prize. The catch? Contestants can only be killed when they’re entirely alone. So Tommy takes it upon himself to partner up with another contestant, which is where Maddy (Anna Kendrick) comes in. Since they both have a cool mil to gain and a lot to lose (aka their lives) if they don’t triumph, they make a pact to spend every waking moment of the next 30 days together. Just when you think you know where Self Reliance is headed, it goes ahead and surprises—and in the best ways possible.
No One Will Save You
Home invasion thrillers are never in short supply, but the really effective ones are hard to come by. Kaitlyn Dever shines—and proves yet again that she can shoulder the weight of an entire film—as Brynn Adams, a seamstress living a solitary existence in her childhood home and mourning the loss of her mother and closest friend. When she wakes up one night to discover that someone is in her house, that someone turns out to be something. A home invasion thriller with extraterrestrials might not have been on your must-watch Bingo card, but No One Will Save You is 93 minutes well spent.
Miguel Wants to Fight
Miguel (Tyler Dean Flores) is 17 years old and has never been in a fight. So when he learns that he’ll be moving away from the place and people he has known all his life, he enlists his pals to help him get into his first fistfight. It’s probably not the first coming-of-age ritual to spring to mind, but it’s certainly among them. A talented cast of young actors make this comedy—cowritten by Shea Serrano and Jason Concepcion—immensely watchable.
Sanctuary
Hal Porterfield (Christopher Abbott) has just been handed the keys to the castle following the death of his hotel magnate father. Rebecca Marin (Margaret Qualley) is a dominatrix who believes she deserves some of the credit—and half the cash—that comes with Hal’s new CEO position. Sexual politics have rarely played out as twisted, or darkly funny, as they do in this mesmerizing, and often claustrophobic, thriller from Zachary Wigon.
Corsage
Vicky Krieps delivers yet another top-notch performance as Empress Elisabeth of Austria, who—following her 40th birthday—longs to recapture the freedom of her youth. Marie Kreutzer writes and directs this fictional biopic (Empress Elisabeth is real, though the story told within takes plenty of creative liberties), which sees the royal rebelling against her lack of power to affect any real change, despite her title. Even more so, it’s about a woman who is desperate to hold on to the power that youth and beauty entitle her to—regardless of the consequences.
How to Blow Up a Pipeline
Environmentalism meets heist movie in director Daniel Goldhaber’s thriller about a group of young people who try to—as the title implies—expose the fragility of the oil industry. It’s not often that a movie examining the fight against the climate crisis is also an edge-of-your-seat adventure, but here those elements come together beautifully. (You can give cinematographer Tehillah de Castro a bit of credit for that.) Smart, prescient, and nearly unprecedented, How to Blow Up a Pipeline is more than worth the stream.
Rye Lane
Raine Allen-Miller made a splash at Sundance in 2023 with her directorial debut, which offers a playful twist on the typical rom-com. Yas (Vivian Oparah) and Dom (David Jonsson) are both twentysomethings reeling from recent break-ups. After a chance—and rather awkward—first meeting, the pair spend a day wandering around South London, bonding over their shared experience, finding cheeky ways to get over the mourning of their previous relationships, and maybe discovering that romance is not dead after all.
Triangle of Sadness
Think of it like Gilligan’s Island, but with more class commentary and vomit. When a bunch of rich people head out to sea on a luxury yacht, their plans are thwarted when a terrible storm leaves many of them stranded on a beach where none of their money or power can help them survive. That already gives away too much, but suffice to say, if you like The Menu-esque critiques of the excesses of wealth with just as many dark-comedy twists, this Oscar-nominated film is right for you.
Portrait of a Lady on Fire
OK, so this might be the movie that turned the idea of “lesbian period drama” into a trope, but it’s also one of the best modern queer romance films around, alongside Moonlight and Carol. Set on an isolated French coast in the late-1700s, writer-director Céline Sciamma’s film centers on a young aristocrat woman, Héloïse (Adèle Haenel), who is betrothed to a wealthy Milanese man. When Héloïse’s mother hires Marianne (Noémie Merlant) to paint a portrait of her daughter, the two women fall in love and have the kind of heartbreaking affair that made lesbian period dramas so undeniable in the first place. You’ll be transfixed.
Fresh
Noa (Daisy Edgar-Jones) is a single woman who is on the lookout for a partner but tired of the online dating scene. When she meets Steve (Sebastian Stan), a quirky, handsome stranger, she decides to give him her number. The two hit it off on the first date and eventually find themselves making plans to spend a weekend away—which is when Noa realizes that Steve has been hiding a few disturbing details about himself. Ultimately, Fresh stands as a lesson in the horrors of dating in the digital age (both real and imagined).
Palm Springs
Given the existence of Harold Ramis’ near-perfect Groundhog Day, it takes a whole lot of chutzpah for a filmmaker to add another picture to the infinite-time-loop rom-com canon. But writer-director Max Barbakow did it anyway with Palm Springs, and audiences are thankful he did. Building upon the rules originally established in Groundhog Day, Palm Springs offers its own unique twist on the story. Instead of showing one person (Bill Murray’s Phil Conners) slowly being pushed to the brink of insanity because he’s the only one who seems to be experiencing the phenomenon, Palm Springs has three wedding guests—Nyles (Andy Samberg), Sarah (Cristin Milioti), and Roy (J. K. Simmons)—living the same day again and again and working together to find a way out of it.
Operatives working for Elon Musk have gained unprecedented access to a swath of U.S. government departments — including agencies responsible for managing data on millions of federal employees and a system that handles $6 trillion in payments to Americans.
During the first three weeks of Trump’s second administration, Musk’s group of representatives — a presidential advisory board known as the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE — have taken control of top federal departments and datasets, despite questions about their security clearances, their cybersecurity practices, and the legality of Musk’s activities.
Whether a feat or a coup (which depends entirely on your point of view), a small group of mostly young, private-sector employees from Musk’s businesses and associates — many with no prior government experience — can now view and, in some cases, control the federal government’s most sensitive data held on millions of Americans and the nation’s closest allies.
The access by Musk’s DOGE team represents the widest-known compromise of federal government-held data by a private group of individuals — and little has gotten in their way.
DOGE has acknowledged few details about its ongoing activities. That task has been left to the media, which has reported questionable cybersecurity practices and the breakdown in long-standing cybersecurity norms that risk sensitive government data from being accessed by nefarious actors.
Much of DOGE’s work is avoiding oversight and transparency, leaving open questions around whether cybersecurity and privacy practices are being followed. It’s unclear whether DOGE staffers are following the procedures to keep this data from being accessed by other people, or if any other steps are being taken to protect the sensitive data on Americans.
So far, the evidence suggests that security is not top of mind.
For example, a DOGE staffer reportedly used a personal Gmail account to access a government call, and a newly filed lawsuit by federal whistleblowers claims DOGE ordered an unauthorized email server to be connected to the government network, which violates federal privacy law. DOGE staffers are also said to be feeding sensitive data from at least one government department into AI software.
Whether DOGE staffers are bad actors misses part of the point. Acts of subterfuge, espionage, or ignorance could produce the same suboptimal outcome: exposure or loss of the nation’s sensitive datasets.
For now, it’s worth looking at how we got here.
Questionable security clearances
The ease in which DOGE took over the departments and their vast stores of Americans’ data took career officials and U.S. lawmakers by surprise, who continue to seek answers from the Trump administration.
Musk’s efforts to take control of the nation’s data stores also privately alarmed cybersecurity professionals, some of whom have spent their careers in government dedicated to securing Americans’ most sensitive systems and data.
Questions remain about what level of security clearance the DOGE staff have and whether their interim security clearance gives them the authority to demand access to restricted federal systems. On returning to office, Trump signed an executive order allowing administration officials to grant “top secret” and compartmentalized security clearance to individuals on an interim basis with little to no substantial vetting, a sharp departure from long-established protocols.
A security guard stands at the entrance to the headquarters of the U.S. Agency for International Development, or USAID, on February 3, 2025 in Washington, D.C.Image Credits:Kevin Dietsch / Getty Images
The confusion over DOGE staff clearances has led to brief standoffs between several career officials at federal departments in recent days. At the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), senior officials were put on leave after standing in the way of DOGE staff to protect classified information, according to the Associated Press. DOGE subsequently gained access to the classified facility at USAID, which reportedly contained intelligence reports.
Katie Miller, an adviser for DOGE, said in a post on X that no classified material was accessed by DOGE “without proper security clearances,” though details of the team’s clearance remains unspecified, including how many people were granted the interim secret clearances.
Several senior lawmakers of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence said Wednesday that they were still seeking answers about DOGE and what clearance its members have.
“No information has been provided to Congress or the public as to who has been formally hired under DOGE, under what authority or regulations DOGE is operating, or how DOGE is vetting and monitoring its staff and representatives before providing them seemingly unfettered access to classified materials and Americans’ personal information,” the senators wrote.
DOGE’s takeover of federal government
Within a week of President Trump’s inauguration — and his executive order establishing DOGE — Musk’s staffers began infiltrating a variety of federal agencies. The U.S. Treasury’s sensitive payments systems, which contain personal information of millions of Americans who receive payments from the government, from tax refunds to Social Security checks, was among the first.
DOGE has also gained access to the Office of Personnel Management, the government’s human resources department that includes databases on the personal information of all federal workers, and USAJOBS, which has data on applicants who applied for a federal job.
Officials at the OPM said they had no visibility or oversight into Musk’s team’s access to its systems. “It creates real cybersecurity and hacking implications,” they told Reuters.
DOGE’s activity has led to widespread opposition, including from some Republicans.
Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), who serves as the most senior Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, called Musk’s access to sensitive federal payments systems a national security risk, given the conflict of interest over his extensive business operations in China. A group of senior Democrats later said in a letter to the Treasury that DOGE’s access to sensitive government data “could irreparably damage national security.”
In a post on Bluesky, former Republican strategist Stuart Stevens called the takeover of the Treasury’s systems “the most significant data leak in cyber history,” adding: “Private individuals in the data business now have access to your Social Security information.”
Several Democratic senators and others outside the U.S. Treasury Department to protest Elon Musk.Image Credits:Anna Rose Layden / Getty Images
The Treasury defended its move to grant access to the department’s sensitive payments systems, confirming in an unattributed response to Democratic lawmakers that Musk’s DOGE team has access to the Treasury’s banks of personal information on Americans. Tom Krause, the chief executive of Cloud Software Group, which owns Citrix and several other technology companies, is now a senior Treasury employee serving as assistant secretary and has control over trillions of dollars in public funds.
DOGE has since gained access to multiple sensitive internal systems at the Department of Education, including datasets containing the personal information on millions of students enrolled in financial aid. The Washington Post reports that DOGE staffers fed sensitive employee and financial data from the department into an AI system to probe the agency’s spending. DOGE staff also demanded “access to all” systems at the Small Business Administration, including contracts, payments, and human resources information.
Musk’s team also reportedly has access to payment systems within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and access to data at the U.S. agency that administers Medicare and Medicaid.
DOGE is also accessing personnel systems at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and plans to access aviation systems at the Federal Aviation Administration after Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy granted DOGE access. Musk said in a post on X that DOGE plans to “make rapid safety upgrades to the air traffic control system,” without providing specifics.
Later, DOGE gained access to the Department of Energy’s IT systems, despite reported concerns by officials at the lack of a standard background check on a DOGE staffer. Musk’s staffers also reportedly have read-only access to data within the federal consumer watchdog, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Domestic and global ramifications
There are untold security risks that come from granting access to the inner data core of the U.S. government to a group of unelected and private individuals with spurious vetting.
To name just a couple of things that could go wrong: Accessing the government network from a non-approved computer harboring malware can compromise other devices on the federal network and allow the theft of sensitive government information, regardless of whether it is classified. And the mishandling of personal information on devices or cloud environments that have not met the standards of the government’s top security specifications, or use the strongest security controls, puts that data at risk of further compromise or leak.
These are not unlikely scenarios; these kinds of breaches happen all the time.
Last year alone saw some of the biggest data breaches in history caused by malicious access gained through the personal devices of company employees, who accidentally installed malware by downloading knock-off software onto their personal computers and not using proper security protections like multi-factor authentication. Any compromise of the team’s credentials or access, or any improper handling of sensitive databases could result in the irretrievable loss, theft, or misplacement of sensitive government data.
Perhaps most troubling is DOGE, and its activities, are operating outside of public scrutiny.
Officials and lawmakers tasked with government oversight reportedly have no insight into what data DOGE has access to within the government or what its cybersecurity controls or protections are — if any at all. The departmental professionals who have spent much of their careers protecting access to the data stored in these systems cannot do much but stand by and watch as private individuals with little to no prior government experience raid their most sensitive datasets.
Technology and privacy lawyer Cathy Gellis, writing in Techdirt, argues Musk and his DOGE team are likely “personally liable” under the U.S. federal hacking law, known as the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, which covers the accessing of federal systems without the proper authorization. A court would still ultimately have to determine DOGE’s activity as “unauthorized access” and therefore illegal, wrote Gellis.
There is also the question of how U.S. state governments will respond to the compromise of their residents’ data at the federal level. U.S. states have data breach laws requiring the protection of their citizens’ data, even if the federal government does not. A coalition of more than a dozen Democratic state attorneys general said they will file a lawsuit to block DOGE accessing sensitive federal government payment systems containing personal data on Americans, without providing a timeline.
The access also puts relationships with the United States and its diplomatic allies on shaky ground. Allied nations may not want to share intelligence with the U.S. government if they think the information could leak, spill into the public domain, or otherwise get lost as a result of the breakdown in cybersecurity practices aimed at protecting sensitive information.
In reality, the cybersecurity consequences of DOGE’s ongoing access to federal departments and datasets may not be known for some time.
Contact Zack Whittaker on Signal and WhatsApp at +1 646-755-8849. You can also share documents securely with TechCrunch via SecureDrop.
The big day has finally arrived for early Galaxy S25, S25 Plus, and S25 Ultra adopters, and it’s hard to think of something or someone that could possibly rain on Samsung’s parade this end of the week.
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Samsung Galaxy S24 FE
$150 off (23%)
5G, Unlocked, 128GB Storage, 8GB RAM, Exynos 2400e Processor, 6.7-Inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X Display with 2340 x 1080 Pixel Resolution, 120Hz Refresh Rate Technology, and 1900 Nits Peak Brightness, 50 + 8 + 12MP Triple Rear-Facing Camera System, 10MP Single Front-Facing Camera, Android 14, Galaxy AI, 4,700mAh Battery with 25W Charging Capabilities, Gray Color
Buy at Amazon
At least in the short term, I don’t expect Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra launch offer and Amazon’s Galaxy S25 introductory promotion to be eclipsed by any major US retailer. The same goes for the Galaxy S24 FE’s somewhat random new $150 Amazon discount, which is exclusively available on a gray colorway and currently unmatched by Samsung’s official e-store, strongly suggesting you don’t have a lot of time to pull the trigger and secure a potentially very nice Valentine’s Day gift for your better half without spending an arm and a leg.
The “vanilla” S25 and the state-of-the-art S25 Ultra are obviously way costlier than the S24 Fan Edition, justifying both their list prices and currently reduced prices by packing the most impressive mobile processor out there and supporting all of Samsung’s latest and most exciting Galaxy AI skills.
These other smartphone offers are also pretty phenomenal
Motorola Edge+ (2023)
$399 99
$799 99
$400 off (50%)
5G, Unlocked, 512GB Storage, 8GB RAM, Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Processor, 6.67-Inch OLED Display with 2400 x 1080 Pixel Resolution and 165Hz Refresh Rate Technology, 50 + 12 + 50MP Triple Rear-Facing Camera System, 60MP Selfie Shooter, 5,100mAh Battery with 68W Wired and 15W Wireless Charging Capabilities, Interstellar Black Color
Buy at Motorola
Google Pixel 8 Pro
$400 off (40%)
5G, Unlocked, 128GB Storage, 12GB RAM, Google Tensor G3 Processor, Android 14, 6.7-Inch LTPO OLED Screen with 2992 x 1344 Pixel Resolution and 120Hz Refresh Rate Technology, 50 + 48 + 48MP Triple Rear-Facing Camera System, 5,000mAh Battery with 30W Wired and 23W Wireless Charging Support, Temperature Sensor, Obsidian and Bay Color Options
Buy at Amazon
OnePlus 12
5G, Unlocked, 256GB Storage, 12GB RAM, Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Processor, 6.82-Inch LTPO AMOLED Display with 3168 x 1440 Pixel Resolution, 120Hz Refresh Rate Technology, and 4500 Nits Peak Brightness, 50 + 64 + 48MP Triple Rear-Facing Camera System, 32MP Selfie Shooter, 5,400mAh Battery with 80W Wired and 50W Wireless Charging Capabilities, Silky Black Color, Free OnePlus Nord N30 5G Included
Buy at OnePlus
Motorola razr Plus (2024)
$799 99
$999 99
$200 off (20%)
5G, Unlocked, 256GB Storage, 12GB RAM, Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 Processor, 6.9-Inch Main Foldable LTPO AMOLED Display with 2640 x 1080 Pixel Resolution and 165Hz Refresh Rate Technology, 4-Inch Secondary LTPO AMOLED Screen with 1272 x 1080 Pixel Resolution and 165Hz Refresh Rate Support, 50 + 50MP Dual Rear-Facing Camera System, 32MP Front-Facing Camera, Android 14, 4,000mAh Battery with 45W Charging Capabilities, Multiple Color Options, Free Strap Case Included
Buy at Motorola
OnePlus 13
$899 99
$999 99
$100 off (10%)
5G, Unlocked, 512GB Storage, 16GB RAM, Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Processor, 6.82-Inch AMOLED Display with 3168 x 1440 Pixel Resolution and 120Hz Refresh Rate Technology, IP69 Water and Dust Resistance, Ceramic Guard Glass, 50 + 50 + 50MP Triple Rear-Facing Camera System, 32MP Front-Facing Camera, 6,000mAh Battery with 80W Wired and 50W Wireless Charging Capabilities, Two Color Options, Free Magnetic Case Included
Buy at OnePlus
Samsung Galaxy S25+
5G, Unlocked, 256GB Storage, 12GB RAM, Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Processor, 6.7-Inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X Display with 3120 x 1440 Pixel Resolution and 120Hz Refresh Rate Technology, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 Protection, 50 + 10 + 12MP Triple Rear-Facing Camera System, 12MP Front-Facing Camera, 4,900mAh Battery with 45W Wired and 15W Wireless Charging Support, Galaxy AI, Multiple Color Options, $100 Samsung Credit Included
Buy at Samsung
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
$400 off (21%)
5G, Unlocked, 256GB Storage, 12GB RAM, Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Processor, 7.6-Inch Main Foldable Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X Display with 2160 x 1856 Pixel Resolution and 120Hz Refresh Rate Technology, 6.3-Inch Secondary Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X Screen with 2376 x 968 Pixel Resolution and 120Hz Refresh Rate Support, 50 + 10 + 12MP Triple Rear-Facing Camera System, 4MP Under-Display Camera, 10MP Cover Camera, 4,400mAh Battery, Android 14, Galaxy AI, Navy and Silver Color Options
Buy at Amazon
A half-off Motorola powerhouse from a couple of years ago with a gorgeous screen and excellent battery life? Now that’s what I call a truly unbeatable Valentine’s Day deal. Unless, of course, you or that special someone in your life happens to be a so-called Android purist or general hardcore Google fan, in which case it’s difficult to think of something more attractive than the 2023-released Pixel 8 Pro at a $400 discount of its own.
Then you have the OnePlus 12 bundled with a pretty unusual (and incredibly valuable) gift, as well as the new and improved OnePlus 13 super-flagship at a cool $100 launch discount in a 512GB storage variant. The top-of-the-line Motorola Razr Plus (2024) foldable is still marked down by the same $200 as last week (and the week before that), thus looking significantly more compelling than the Galaxy Z Flip 6, while the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is… not affordable, but slowly getting there.
Last but certainly not least in this category, the Galaxy S25 Plus is… obviously not the best phone in its family, but if you like big screens and you cannot lie afford the S25 Ultra, it will have to do.
So many amazingly discounted tablet options!
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE
$120 off (27%)
Wi-Fi Only, 128GB Storage, 6GB RAM, Exynos 1380 Processor, 10.9-Inch IPS LCD Screen with 2304 x 1440 Pixel Resolution and 90Hz Refresh Rate Technology, IP68 Water and Dust Resistance, AKG Tuned Dual Speakers with Dolby Atmos Support, 8MP Rear-Facing Camera, 12MP Front-Facing Camera, 8,000mAh Battery with 45W Charging Capabilities, Gray Color, S Pen Included
Buy at Amazon
Google Pixel Tablet
$120 off (24%)
Wi-Fi Only, 256GB Storage, 8GB RAM, Google Tensor G2 Processor, Android 13, 10.95-Inch IPS LCD Screen with 2560 x 1600 Pixel Resolution, 8MP Rear-Facing Camera, 8MP Front Camera, 7,020mAh Battery with 15W Charging Capabilities, Porcelain, No Speaker Dock Included
Buy at Amazon
OnePlus Pad 2
$499 99
$549 99
$50 off (9%)
256GB Storage, 12GB RAM, 12.1-Inch IPS LCD Screen with 144Hz Refresh Rate Technology and 3000 x 2120 Pixel Resolution, Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Processor, AI Toolbox, Android 14, 9,510mAh Battery with 67W Charging Support, 13MP Rear-Facing Camera, 8MP Front-Facing Camera, Nimbus Gray Color, Free Smart Keyboard Included
Buy at OnePlus
Lenovo Yoga Tab Plus
$599 99
$699 99
$100 off (14%)
256GB Storage, 16GB RAM, Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Processor, 12.7-Inch LTPS Display with 2944 x 1840 Pixel Resolution and 144Hz Refresh Rate Technology, Android 15, 10,200mAh Battery, 45W Charging, 6-Speaker Harman Kardon Sound System with Dolby Atmos Support, 13MP Rear-Facing Camera, 13MP Front-Facing Camera, Seashell Color, Lenovo Tab Pen Pro and Keyboard Stand Included
Buy at Lenovo
Apple iPad Air 13-inch (M2, 2024)
$110 off (14%)
128GB Storage, Wi-Fi Only, Apple M2 Processor, Liquid Retina IPS LCD Screen with 2732 x 2048 Pixel Resolution, 12MP Rear-Facing Camera, 12MP Front-Facing Camera, Top-Mounted Fingerprint Scanner, All-Day Battery Life, Landscape Stereo Speakers, Two Microphones, USB Type-C Port, Space Gray Color
Buy at Amazon
Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+
$849 99
$999 99
$150 off (15%)
Wi-Fi Only, 256GB Storage, 12GB RAM, MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ Processor, 12.4-Inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X Display with 2800 x 1752 Pixel Resolution and 120Hz Refresh Rate Technology, Android 14, Galaxy AI, 13 + 8MP Dual Rear-Facing Camera System, 12MP Single Front-Facing Camera, Quad Speaker System with AKG Sound, 10,090mAh Battery, 45W Charging Support, Moonstone Gray Color, S Pen Included
Buy at Samsung
Yes, we have something for (almost) everyone in this product category this week, starting with the mid-range S Pen-wielding Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE at an unusually low price and the mid-range non-speaker dock-including Google Pixel Tablet at a discount that’s kind of become the norm lately, which doesn’t make it any less appealing for budget-conscious Android tablet buyers.
The OnePlus Pad 2 is a bit costlier, but also a lot better all in all, especially if you pair it with a productivity-maximizing keyboard. And then there’s the brand-new and already discounted Lenovo Yoga Tab Plus with not just a large, super-sharp, and super-smooth display in tow, but a keyboard and a stylus included as well.
The best smartwatch deals out there are about quality rather than quantity
Samsung Galaxy Watch FE
$40 off (20%)
40mm, GPS, Bluetooth, Wear OS, 1.2-Inch Super AMOLED Display with 396 x 396 Pixel Resolution, Sapphire Crystal Glass, 5 ATM Water Resistance, ECG, Heart Rate Monitor, Fall Detection, Sleep Coaching, Body Composition, Three Color Options, US Version, 1-Year Manufacturer Warranty Included
Buy at Amazon
OnePlus Watch 2
$249 99
$299 99
$50 off (17%)
Wear OS Smartwatch, GPS, Bluetooth, 1.43-Inch AMOLED Display with 466 x 466 Pixel Resolution, Sapphire Crystal, Stainless Steel Chassis, Up to 100 Hours of Battery Life, Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 Processor, 32GB Storage, 2GB RAM, Heart Rate Monitor, Blood Oxygen Sensor, Sleep Tracking, Stress Tracking, IP68 Water and Dust Resistance, Two Color Options, Free Strap Included
Buy at OnePlus
Apple Watch Series 10 (42mm)
$70 off (18%)
GPS, Bluetooth, LTPO3 OLED Always-On Retina Display with Up to 2000 Nits Brightness, ECG, High and Low Heart Rate Notifications, Sleep Tracking, Sleep Apnea Notifications, Temperature Sensing, Cycle Tracking, Emergency SOS, Fall Detection, Crash Detection, Water Resistant Up to 50 Meters, Swimproof, Depth Gauge, S10 Processor, Double Tap Gesture, Up to 18 Hours of Battery Life, Faster Charging, Aluminum Case, Multiple Colors and Band Options
Buy at Amazon
Who needs a dozen mediocre promotions when you can have three substantial discounts on some of the best smartwatches with some of the coolest designs and greatest value propositions around? The Apple Watch Series 10 is obviously ideal for iPhone users, while Android enthusiasts have a tough choice to make between a dirt-cheap Samsung Galaxy Watch FE with somewhat outdated hardware and a costlier OnePlus Watch 2 with an undeniably beautiful aesthetic and impressive specifications.
What a rich selection of deeply discounted earbuds!
Beats Solo Buds
$30 off (38%)
True Wireless Earbuds with Android and iOS Compatibility, Custom Acoustic Architecture for Powerful Sound with Full Range and Clarity, Dual-Layer Drivers for Minimal Distortion, Class 1 Bluetooth Connectivity, Up to 18 Hours of Battery Life, Fast Fuel Support, Carrying Case Included, Three Color Options
Buy at Amazon
Apple AirPods 4
$29 off (22%)
True Wireless Earbuds with USB-C Charging Case, Personalized Spatial Audio with Dynamic Head Tracking, Apple H2 Chip, Voice Isolation, Adaptive EQ, Bluetooth 5.3, Automatic Switching, IP54 Water and Dust Resistance, Up to 5 Hours of Listening Time, Up to 30 Hours of Total Battery Life
Buy at Amazon
Beats Studio Buds+
$50 off (29%)
True Wireless Earbuds with Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency Mode, Spatial Audio, IPX4 Water Resistance, Class 1 Bluetooth, Up to 9 Hours of Uninterrupted Music Listening, 36 Hours of Combined Battery Life, Pocket-Sized Charging Case with USB-C Connector, Four Color Options
Buy at Amazon
Apple AirPods Pro 2
$80 off (32%)
True Wireless Earbuds with Active Noise Cancellation, Apple H2 Chip, Adaptive Transparency, Personalized Spatial Audio, USB-C MagSafe Charging Case, Up to 30 Hours of Battery Life, IPX4 Water Resistance, White
Buy at Amazon
Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro
$199 99
$249 99
$50 off (20%)
True Wireless Earbuds with Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation, Galaxy AI, Sound Optimization, Adaptive Equalizer, Real-Time Interpreter, Intuitive Touch Control, 360 Audio, Bluetooth 5.4 Connectivity, IP57 Water and Dust Resistance, Up to 6 Hours of Uninterrupted Listening Time, 26 Hours of Battery Life with Case, Silver and White Color Options
Buy at Samsung
Each product on this list has its very own set of strengths and weaknesses, but regardless of your budget constraints, favorite brand, and design preferences, you (or your loved one) will undoubtedly be satisfied with your final choice.
Adrian, a mobile technology enthusiast since the Nokia 3310 era, has been a dynamic presence in the tech journalism field, contributing to Android Authority, Digital Trends, and Pocketnow before joining PhoneArena in 2018. His expertise spans across various platforms, with a particular fondness for the diversity of the Android ecosystem. Despite the challenges of balancing full-time parenthood with his work, Adrian’s passion for tech trends, running, and movies keeps him energized. His commitment to mid-range smartphones has led to an eclectic collection of devices, saved from personal bankruptcy by his preference for ‘adequate’ over ‘overpriced’.
The Raspberry Pi Pico might seem small and simple compared to the bigger Pi models, but it has some cool features that make it ideal for specific projects. Unlike the full single-board computer (SBC) form factor of the primary Raspberry Pi models, the Raspberry Pi Pico takes the form of a microcontroller.
This means it can be used more flexibly to power things, process inputs and outputs, and control hardware. This gives you more options when working with electronics or building systems that need to be quick and efficient. Here are seven scenarios where a Pico would be better-suited than the standard Raspberry Pi, and how you can use these advantages to improve your projects.
Related
Here’s how you can turn a Raspberry Pi Pico into a tiny portable console
It takes a lot of skill and components to make one, but it’s doable.
7
Explore the Pico’s low-power benefits
Learn why reduced energy consumption is great for longevity
The Pico is an excellent choice for battery-saving projects. It uses less power than a complete Raspberry Pi SBC and can last for days or weeks on a small battery. You can also save power by slowing down the clock or putting the Pico to sleep.
The Pico is perfect for projects with remote sensors. You don’t have to worry about running out of battery or dealing with complicated power systems. The Pico also doesn’t get too hot and works well in warm places.
A regular Raspberry Pi needs a more powerful power supply and can heat up. It has a complete operating system, which means it has many background tasks that use power even when you’re not using the main program. While you can make some power-saving changes on a Raspberry Pi SBC, putting the SBC to sleep isn’t as easy as it is with the Pico microcontroller.
The Pico’s ability to work with different voltages and its low active current makes it easy to use solar power and wearable technology as well.
6
Embrace the Pico’s real-time processing power
Why rapid response tasks are simpler on microcontrollers
The Pico microcontroller enables efficient handling of time-sensitive functions without the overhead of a comprehensive operating system. This allows for minimal latency in responding to sensor inputs or controlling outputs. In robotics and motion control applications, near real-time command issuance and sensor data reading are feasible.
In contrast, a complete Raspberry Pi runs Linux, a powerful operating system that introduces background processes that can disrupt time-critical code execution. Even with optimized software, the operating system’s inherent delays can complicate or even derail projects requiring precise timing.
The Pico offers a lean approach to software development, allowing code execution in bare-metal mode or with a lightweight runtime like MicroPython. This streamlined approach provides precise control over scheduling, enabling it to handle numerous tasks within microseconds or milliseconds. Thus, applications relying on strict timing, such as audio processing, servo control, or protocol handling, can be effectively implemented.
The Pico eliminates the operating system layer and ensures immediate attention to signals and interrupts. This is particularly advantageous for tasks like generating waveforms or reading rapidly changing sensor inputs. The project becomes predictable and consistent, allowing confident design around tight timing requirements.
5
Optimize hardware-level GPIO with Pico precision
Achieving deeper control of pins for robust performance
The Pico has direct control over its general-purpose input/output (GPIO) pins, which is useful when you need to precisely manage external hardware. This allows you to toggle and configure pins in different modes quickly. In real life, this means you can do things like bit-bang custom protocols without needing a lot of extra software.
On the other hand, a regular Raspberry Pi also has GPIO access, but you often have to use libraries and can’t control everything as easily. The operating system can also slow things down or cause interruptions, which isn’t great for real-time signals. While you can still interact with hardware, it might not be as consistent or fast as a dedicated microcontroller.
The Pico’s programmable I/O (PIO) blocks are a game-changer. These blocks can handle complex I/O tasks independently, freeing up the processor. This means you can offload tasks like encoding, decoding, or signal generation to dedicated hardware, which results in super reliable hardware performance that follows exactly what you programmed it to do. You don’t have to worry about scheduling processes or background operations.
4
Design embedded USB systems with ease
Building custom USB peripherals is straightforward on Pico
Source: Pimoroni
The Pico is a chameleon when it comes to USB devices. You can turn it into anything, from a custom keyboard to a game controller or data acquisition tool. Just plug it into your computer, tablet, or other device, and you’re good to go.
In contrast, with a standard RPi, managing USB devices can be a bit tricky. The operating system can be complex, and you might need to do a lot of extra work to set things up. But with the Pico, it’s all plug-and-play. You simply connect it, and you’re ready to go.
One of the best things about the Pico is its small operating system. This means you can control everything directly without worrying about complicated software. You can even create your own USB classes or handle raw data in a way that is impossible with a larger Pi. This makes developing and testing your projects more manageable, especially if you’re working on something special.
The Pico also has some excellent real-time capabilities. This means you can ensure that your inputs and outputs happen at the right time. This is especially important when working with timing-sensitive protocols because it can help avoid delays or conflicts.
3
Rely on the Pico for rugged creations
Exploring durability and cost advantages in challenging conditions
When building physical projects, especially those that might get bumped or shaken, choosing a board that’s easy to make and tough is a good idea. The Pico is a small board with only a few parts, so it’s easy to assemble and fit into custom cases. This makes it more stable than a bigger board with many connections and ports.
If you break a Pico, it’s much cheaper to fix or replace it than to buy a whole Raspberry Pi. This is especially important if you’re working on many different prototypes. This is also a big deal in schools or workshops, where money and durability are essential. Using the Pico can save money and allow teachers to focus on teaching or testing without worrying about expensive hardware issues.
The Pico has solderable pads, so you can easily attach it to a circuit board or mount it in a rugged enclosure. This makes it less likely that the connectors will loosen or that the cables will come unplugged during use. This is a simple and effective way to build a small and durable system that can handle a few bumps or drops.
By choosing the Pico, you can save time and money by focusing on other parts of your design. You can keep your final product the same size and stay within your budget. This makes it easier to build a reliable and affordable device.
The Pico has a cool feature called an integrated analog-to-digital converter (ADC). You can read analog signals directly from the Pico without extra hardware. This is especially handy when monitoring things like temperatures, voltages, or other analog readings from sensors. By not needing external ADC modules, you can save time and money.
On the other hand, a regular Raspberry Pi usually needs external ADC hardware or specialized HAT add-ons to get analog input. This means you must add extra wiring, spend more money, and deal with complicated code to talk to the ADC. The Pico makes everything easier, so you can easily monitor sensors in various projects.
The Pico can also take analog signals and turn them into digital data. This means you can make more precise and flexible measurements in environmental monitoring, robotics, and even basic DIY electronics. You can choose how often you want to sample the data, and you’ll get instant responses to changes. By putting all these tasks on a microcontroller, you can keep things running smoothly.
Whether you’re measuring a tiny sensor output or a changing voltage, the onboard ADC works well. This means you can focus on processing and analyzing the data, and you’ll end up with cleaner designs with fewer components and cables, especially if you’re working on prototypes or small devices with limited space.
1
Simplify with instant Pico startup times
How reduced complexity speeds deployment and lowers overhead
When you turn on a Pico, it starts working right away – no need to wait for an operating system to boot. This is helpful for projects that must be ready to go as soon as you plug it in. It saves you precious seconds, which can be crucial in safety systems or devices that need to be able to respond quickly.
On the other hand, a regular Raspberry Pi takes longer to boot because it loads the kernel and other things in the background. This may be okay in general, but it can be a problem if you need to start running code right away. By the time a regular Pi is fully up and running, the Pico might have already done something or gotten some data.
The Pico has fewer software layers, which makes it less likely to crash. It doesn’t have to worry about corrupted operating system files or messed-up services. This means you don’t have to spend as much time keeping the system running, and you can focus on the important stuff.
Working with the Pico makes building and monitoring simple and user-friendly programs easy. Once you’ve set it up, you can trust that your code will run flawlessly every time you plug it in. This is especially useful for devices that must be fast and reliable.
Final thoughts on maximizing your Pico’s unique advantages
These are just a few areas where a Raspberry Pi Pico can be better than a regular Raspberry Pi for specific tasks. The Pico’s tiny microcontroller makes it the clear winner when you need low power, real-time processing, easy GPIO control, toughness, analog input, or instant startup. By using its resources wisely and reducing power consumption, you can build projects that are super precise and responsive.
Raspberry Pi Pico
The Raspberry Pi Pico is an inexpensive microcontroller board with Raspberry’s in-house, ARM-based RP2040 chip. It’s programmable in C and MicroPython and features I/O options like I2C, SPI, and PIO.
Raspberry Pi Pico 2
The Raspberry Pi Pico 2 is a microcontroller featuring powerful Arm cores and optional RISC-V cores. It offers a great amount of capabilities for running DIY and industrial projects.
