We special in laptop battery ,laptop adapters for most of top brands, such as apple,acer, asus, dell, fujitsu,hp, compaq, ibm, lenovo, toshiba, samsung, sony on UK,all the ac power adapters, laptop batteries are high quality and low price.
“This version of the program” is dead as a doornail, but Sony’s considering other ideas
(Image credit: Sony)
PlayStation Stars, the loyalty program thatSonyrolled out in 2022 largely as a way to reward regular players with digital collectibles andveryoccasional game redemptions, is “winding down.”
Here are some key things to know as these changes take place:
Starting today, PlayStation Stars will no longer accept new members for this version of the program.
If members choose to cancel their PlayStation Stars membership starting today, it will not be possible to rejoin this version of the program, and members will lose all earned Points.
Current PlayStation Stars members can still earn Digital Collectibles, Points and level up their status until July 23, 2025 at 7:59AM PDT | 3:59PM BST | 11:59PM JST. After this date, there will be no new PlayStation Stars Campaigns available, or any additional rewards or status benefits to earn.
This version of the PlayStation Stars program will fully end on November 2, 2026 and current PlayStation Stars members can continue to redeem Points as long as their Points don’t expire before then.
In a new post on the PlayStation Blog, Grace Chen, vice president of network advertising, loyalty, and licensed merchandise, says “we’ve learned a lot from evaluating the types of activities our players respond best to, and as a company, we are always evolving with player and industry trends.”
Chen specifies that “the current version” of PlayStation Stars is coming to an end, but when or how it or a similar program may return is unclear, so it’s a de facto shuttering. “Starting today, PlayStation Stars will no longer accept new members for this version of the program,” the post adds.
Just to make it clearer, if you cancel your PlayStation Stars membership from today onward, you’ll lose any points you’ve earned, as “it will not be possible to rejoin this version.” PlayStation Stars as we know it is dead.
Current members “can still earn Digital Collectibles, Points and level up their status” until July 23, 2025, but your account will seemingly be timelocked after that. The whole program will “fully end” on November 2, 2026, so you have until then to spend your points.
As demonstrated by its impending shutdown, PlayStation Stars was sometimes seen as a bit underwhelming. Digital collectibles like avatars and trophies did little to wow some fans, perhaps because – and don’t tell the gacha players I said this – digital collections are inherently impermanent and lack tangible satisfaction. The rewards were just kind of… there.
Some people also balked at the ideathat high-level users, who would have leveled up by spending more cash on “full” games and earning rare trophies, could get priority in customer support. I can understand catering to your biggest fans, but I also understand why the sentiment wrinkled some noses. ThePlayStation Stars FAQstill notes that “Level 4 Members in select countries will have the added benefit of Priority routing to our chat support team.”
On the rewards side, PlayStation Stars could be an extremely slow burn. It sounds good on paper, and you could genuinely get some decent stuff out of it, but a meaningful freebie requireda lotof points.
Several high-profile PlayStation games,like the rock-solid action RPG Stellar Bladeandyear-defining hit Helldivers 2, were up for grabs as redeemable rewards, but would require roughly $1,750 worth of accrued points.
Because points expired after two years, which was later changed to one year, you also had to spend that much money in a fairly short window. PlayStation has always been my first-pick console, and I don’t spend anywhere near that much in Sony’s ecosystem.
Even on the lower end, newer games could easily require over $1,000 spent. A free game is a free game if you were gonna spend that money anyway, but free games felt like a pretty small part of the program, and I think some folks expected a little somethingmore.
“As we explore new ways to evolve our loyalty program efforts for the future, we’ll continue to celebrate all of our players through the various community activities we have planned,” Chen concludes. “The programs we create are all inspired by you, and we look forward to bringing you compelling new experiences for many generations to come.”
Panther Lake comes screaming to market in early 2026.
Intel demoed working Panther Lake Core Ultra 300 silicon for laptops, its first chips based on its crucial18A process node, here atComputex 2025in Taipei, Taiwan. Unlike thefirst public demoes at CES 2025that merely showed the chips powered on, Intel put Panther Lake its paces in real-time rendering and AI applications, showing that the silicon is healthy and on-track for retail availability in early 2026. Intel also shared more information about its performance and power consumtpion expectations for the new chips.
As you can see in the image above, Intel also had a Panther Lake chip on display, enabling us to see how the CPU, GPU, I/O tile, and SoC tile are arranged on the package. These chips are thought to come with Cougar Cove P-cores and Darkmont E-cores (you can see theunconfirmed leaked specifications of some of the chip models here).
Intel says the Panther Lake chips blend the power efficiency of Lunar Lake with the performance of Arrow Lake-H, noting that while the chips will be in production in the second half of 2025, presumably launched at CES, full retail availability will not come until early 2026. Intel did tease that the chips will come with the next-gen integrated graphics with XMX graphics, but aside from saying the iGPU performance will be closer to Lunar Lake than Arrow Lake, the company didn’t elaborate. These iGPUs are thought to be based on the Xe3 architecture.
Intel ran its Panther Lakebenchmarkson two Reference Validation Platforms (RVP) that you can see in the above album. These platforms are used to validate the design and emulate real-world conditions. Both RVPs were equipped with a heatsink and fan, so they were presumably operating without thermal constraints.
Intel demoed one system running the newly-resurrected Clippy as a large language model to demonstrate that the chips are running AI workloads. The presenter used the system to write game code in Python code. Intel didn’t share performance metrics from the benchmark.
Intel also demoed a system running Da Vinci to edit and manipulate video using local AI processing to process the video, enabling fast manipulation of the video clip, such as changing backgrounds, clothing colors, and adding flying text to the clip.
Intel also displayed a running developer kit that 300+ developers with ISVs are using to enable software support for the coming chips. Intel demoed the system being used for image editing with auto-coloring and upscaling features, powered, of course, by AI. As you can see in the album, the developer system is quite compact. Intel also had a host of laptops on display from its OEM partners.
Intel’s Panther Lake appears to be on track for its launch schedule, which bodes well for the company’s immensely important 18A process node. Intel teased that the next steps are to release concrete speeds and feeds along with more information about the various chip models. We expect those to come trickling our over the next several months.
For people who prefer Google Translate, this is big news
If you use an iPhone or iPad and prefer to useGoogle Translateinstead ofApple’s built-in translate tool, then you’re in luck, because OS-level support is here. Users with the Google Translate app installed on their iOS device can change the default translator just like they would any other default app.
Anyone with the app should head to theApp Store to updateto the latest version. Additionally, be sure you haveiOS or iPadOS 18.4or later installed, as changing the default translation app will only work with that version of iOS.
The feature was added with the release of iOS 18.4, and it seems Google is the first to take advantage of it.
If you don’t already have the app, head to the App Store to download it. If you have it, follow the procedure to update an iOS app to ensure you have the latest version.
Once in the default apps section, tap Translation to open the screen with your installed translation apps. If you have the latest version of Google Translate installed, it’ll appear on this screen with Apple’s built-in translator. Tap Google Translate and you’re done.
It’ll be interesting to see if other translation apps make their way to iOS in the future. Having them integrated at the OS level makes them much more useful, so hopefully, we will see a bunch take advantage of iOS 18.4’s new level of flexibility.
After years of feedback, Microsoft is finally open-sourcing the Windows Subsystem for Linux, allowing developers to easily modify the feature.
The Windows Subsystem for Linux makes running Linux code on Windows a breeze.
Microsoft has announced that it’s open sourcing theWindows Subsystem for Linux, and is inviting developers in the community to contribute and help make Windows the best OS for cross-platform app development.
“We are opening up the code that creates and powers the virtual machine backing WSL distributions and integrates it with Windows features and resources for community contributions,”says Pavan Davuluri, CVP of Windows & Devices at Microsoft.
The company says it has done a lot of work to decouple the Windows Subsystem for Linux from the Windows core so that it can be open-sourced. It’s now a standalone application, making it easier to open-source.
Developers will be able to access the source code for the Windows Subsystem for Linux on Github, and make enhancements and changes based on their needs by contributing pull requests to the WSL repository.
Microsoft has announced a number of new features and experiences as part of itsBuild 2025developer keynote, includingModel Context Protocolsupport that will make it easier to build AI agentic experiences in Windows 11 apps. The company is also making it free for individuals to submit and publish apps on the Microsoft Store for the first time.
Great-looking videos and simple operation make Canon’s entry-level mirrorless a great choice for beginners
Verdict
For beginner vloggers on a budget, but with aspirations towards upgrading their setup with additional lenses in the future, this video-centric mirrorless camera might be the ideal choice. Video quality and options are impressive, while the EOS R50 V itself is compact, lightweight and easy to use – and even has a useful extra mounting point on the side. The included kit lens is a mixed bag, though, and photographers will lament the lack of a viewfinder.
Pros
+Compact, lightweight build
+Good autofocus
+Great-looking image quality
Cons
-No in-body image stabilization
-Really needs an external mic
-Slow kit lens
Canon EOS R50 V: two-minute review
TheCanonEOS R50 V is the company’s latest mirrorless camera. Put simply, it’s an affordable video-centric model aimed at content creators and vloggers, offering4Kvideo recording at up to 30fps, four-channel 24-bit audio from its built-in microphone and decent wired and wireless connectivity.
I’ve reviewed a lot of vlogger-focussed cameras recently, including Canon’s ownPowerShot V1, a fixed-lens compact that launched alongside the EOS R50 V and costs a similar amount, so I was interested to see how this interchangeable lens camera performed in comparison. In some ways, the PowerShot V1 has more appeal: it’s more compact and its lens is faster and wider than the 14-30mm kit lens that can be purchased bundled with the EOS R50 V. It comes with a built-in ND filter too.
What the R50 V has on its side is future versatility, thanks to an RF lens mount. With the ability to use other lenses in the RF system, upgrading image quality or gaining a new field of view is easily achievable here. With the PowerShot V1, you’ve only got that one lens.
The EOS R50 V’s 24.2MP APS-C sensor is also physically bigger than the 1.4-inch sensor on the PowerShot V1. Not by much, mind you – and image quality isn’t too different on the two cameras.
The EOS R50 V can capture video at 4K at up to 30fps, or a cropped 4K at up to 60fps. The latter isn’t really ideal for vlogging, as it greatly reduces the field of view and I found it difficult to get myself comfortably in frame while holding the camera. The uncropped 4K delivers a much more expansive field of view, albeit at the expense of frame rate – but I don’t think many will require 60fps for vlogging. The other resolution on offer is 1080p, which can capture at up to 120fps – ideal for slow-motion playback.
Videos and JPEGs look great straight out of the camera, as I’ve come to expect from thebest Canon camerasand their color science. For those who want to edit or grade in post, however, RAW photos and a flat C Log color profile are also available.
There’s a lot to like about the EOS R50 V’s all-round performance. Its autofocus system is fast and accurate, and able to recognize and track human, animal and vehicle subjects. Its optical image stabilization is decent (if unremarkable, thanks to no in-body IS) and its on-board microphones perform well indoors in quiet conditions. Testing outside on a blustery day, I found the wind reduction mode to be almost completely ineffective, so a decent external mic is required; the PowerShot V1 includes a fluffy windshield that works quite well, and it’s odd Canon didn’t supply one here.
Connectivity is what you’d expect from a video-centric camera, while the LP-E17 battery supplies around 480 photos according to Canon. I did find it drains quite quickly while shooting 4K video, as you might expect – but thankfully the USB-C port can be used for on-the-go recharging or even constant power supply.
I’m quite impressed with the EOS R50 V. There’s nothing particularly fancy about it, and in many ways its sister camera the PowerShot V1 is a much more interesting device – being more of an all-in-one vlogging machine. But the R50 V’s lens mount means it might be a better choice for vloggers who plan on gradually upgrading their setup over the years.
The EOS R50 V (left) alongside the EOS R50 (right). They share much of the same tech, but the R50 V id designed more specifically for video.
Canon EOS R50 V: Price and availability
$649 / £729 / AU$1,169 body only
$849 / £959 / AU$1,499 with Canon 14-30mm lens
The EOS R50 V is available to order, priced at around $649 / £729 / AU$1,169 body only or $849 / £959 / AU$1,499 in a kit with Canon’s new 14-30mm f4-6.3 IS STM PZ power zoom lens.
That strikes me as a competitive and affordable price, particularly with the lens – and especially for US-based consumers. I think the kit is the one to go for, unless you already own a few RF lenses, of course – but do bear in mind that you may need to buy an external microphone too.
The EOS R50 V is a small and mostly plastic-bodied camera designed primarily for video. There’s no built-in flash and no viewfinder like you get with theEOS R50, which photographers might miss. For video users, the vari-angle screen handles composition more than adequately and the 21-pin multi-function hot shoe and extra, side-mounted tripod thread are very useful additions.
The side mounting point is ideal for recording 9:16 portrait ratio videos.
I found the control layout to be user-friendly, particularly the second video recording button on the front. There’s also a front-facing tally lamp, to let you know when you’re recording video. On the back and up top you’ll find the usual well-labelled dials and buttons, and with the help of the touchscreen I never struggled to change a setting or switch between shooting modes.
The camera isn’t weatherproofed, and the plastic body feels lightweight. In fact, at just 370g without a lens, it’s one of the lightest mirrorless cameras I’ve used in a long time. Adding the 14-30mm kit lens doesn’t tip the scales by much either: it’s just 181g, keeping the complete weight for camera and lens well under 600g.
Image stabilization is very important for a vlogging camera, but with no in-body stabilization here, it all has to come from the lens. The kit lens, for example, comes with optical stabilization and I think that’s just about enough for vloggers who want to walk around with the camera. You can see some real-world examples of the stabilization in action in my sample video in the next section of this review. Just be aware that you won’t get assistance if you fit a non-stabilized lens.
The Dual Pixel CMOS AF II autofocus system is excellent: fast, accurate and able to recognize and track humans (eyes, face, head or body), animals (dogs, cats, birds and horses) or vehicles (cars, motorcycles, trains and aircraft). I encountered no problems with it at all during my time using the camera, during which I was mostly filming myself in a mock vlog style. It kept me in focus no matter how I moved around the frame.
Despite the EOS R50 V’s video-first design, it does have a mechanical shutter. It’s a pretty adept stills camera, actually, thanks both to the aforementioned autofocus setup and its ability to shoot at a respectable continuous speed of 12fps (with mechanical shutter) and 15fps (with electronic shutter).
Connectivity-wise, I wasn’t disappointed. There are dedicated 3.5mm jacks for a mic and headphones, a micro HDMI output (while I’d prefer full-size, the compact body always made this unlikely) and a USB-C 3.2 port that works for data transfer, battery charging and power supply. It’ll also support live streaming when connected to a computer and allows users to set up the EOS R50 V as a webcam. There’s Wi-Fi and Bluetooth too, supporting wireless image transfer, printing and upload to Canon’s cloud services.
The built-in microphone can record in four-channel 24-bit or two-channel 16-bit modes, and comes with a wind noise reduction mode that is supposed to kick in automatically if needed. I tested in indoors and found it excellent quality, but outside on a windy day the noise reduction feature was next to useless. I’d have liked at least a furry windshield included to help mitigate interference, but I think vloggers using the EOS R50 V outside in anything but the calmest of conditions will need an external microphone of some kind.
Performance and features: 4.5/5
The 14-30mm kit lens is compact, but its maximum f/4 aperture is quite limiting especially in low light.
Canon EOS R50 V: Image and video quality
APS-C sensor delivers 4K video and 24.2MP photos
Full HD slow-motion capture at 100fps or 120fps
Canon Log 3 color mode supported
Canon’s much lauded color science makes the EOS R50 V almost too easy to use. Whatever you point it at, it’ll produce great-looking JPEGs and videos right out of the camera, with no need for intervention on your part. I’ve made some very minor tweaks to the photos you see below inAdobeLightroom to draw a bit more detail out of shadows, but overall I could have left them be and been more than happy to use them.
The kit lens is pretty poor in terms of brightness, having only a maximum f/4 aperture. Coupled with the smallish APS-C sensor, it makes this camera quite unsuited to low light photography out of the box. Slap a faster lens on here and you might get good results, however.
For the 4K sample video (I apologize for the lack of camera audio on the outdoor shots – but the wind noise was just too intrusive to keep it in), I made no adjustments at all. All these clips are presented here exactly how they came out of the camera.
I recorded these at 4K 24fps quality, to make the most of the full sensor size. You can also capture cropped 4K video at up to 60fps, but for vlogging I felt that crop was a bridge too far, reducing the frame too much to comfortably get my head in. It’d be fine for capturing b-roll, however. I’ve not included any here, but the camera can also shoot in Full HD, and in up to 120fps for some smooth slow-motion playback if desired.
The EOS R50 V shoots RAW photos and can capture video in Canon’s flat C Log 3 color profile, should you want to perform more editing and grading yourself. So, there’s plenty of support here for imaging enthusiasts who want to achieve their own look.
Image quality score: 4/5
Should I buy the Canon EOS R50 V?
Buy it if…
You want an expandable cheap video camera The RF mount and connectivity make the R50 V a great starting point for a content creator. You can always add more lenses to widen your creative capabilities as you gain popularity.
You love Canon’s color science It’s hard to fault the look of the images and videos that come straight out of the R50 V. Canon knows how to produce punchy, pleasing pictures with minimal user effort.
Don’t buy it if…
You want an all-in-one vlogging camera You’ll still need a decent external mic if you plan on vlogging outdoors with the R50 V, as wind noise is an issue.
You’re a stills photographer first With no flash and no viewfinder, photographers get a bit of a raw deal here. That’s fine – it’s a video camera first – but it’s something to be aware of.
