The first look at Football Manager 2026’s matchplay has fans buzzing, and for good reason. For a series that has often been accused of evolving at a snail’s pace, this year’s reveal feels like a genuine leap forward. The video has sparked plenty of conversation, with the consensus being that FM26 could be the most exciting update in years.
A Visual Revolution
The core reason for the ultimate cancellation of Football Manager 2025 and long wait for Football Manager 2026 was the game’s shift to the Unity Engine. This opens a world of graphical overhaul for the developers, which is why I’ve been eagerly awaiting this gameplay video.
Alongside the official Premier League partnership, match day immersion has been improved from what I’ve seen so far. Animations are another area where FM26 seems to have levelled up. The days of stiff, robotic running or ping-pong passing appear to be fading. First touches, goalkeeper dives, and passing sequences look much closer to real football. Even the ball itself behaves more like it should, with movement and spin that finally feel believable.
The pace of the game does seem a little unnatural, but that’s always been a trait of the FM series animation. The player faces also look pretty awful and are a whiplash inducing snap back to reality.
But from what I’ve seen, that’s the last of the negatives. The immersion will be improved overall and I feel like I’ll be better able to understand tactical evolutions in matches because the watching experience is more enjoyable.
I get why there’s no management dashboard video in an FM gameplay teaser, but given that’s where most of the game is played – I’d like to see how this evolves too.
It remains a mystery whether or not Peter Drury will appear as commentator, or whether the game has commentary at all. I will say that when the whistle blows on the opening game in the teaser video, no written commentary appears on screen. So I am leaning towards some sort of voice’d matchday commentary, and I would be surprised if it’s not Drury if there is a commentator.
Matchday Atmosphere
It’s not just the football itself that looks improved. The matchday experience has been given new life with animated fans, banners, and better bench behaviour. Pre-match cutscenes, like trophy reveals, add a stronger sense of occasion. There is some caution about whether these moments might wear thin after a full season, but at first glance, they do a lot to make matches feel special.
Cleaner Match Interface
Another detail that emerged from the gameplay teaser is refreshed in-game interface. Tactics and instructions are now tucked neatly in the top left, while substitutions and player ratings sit along the bottom. It’s a cleaner, more modern look that should make it easier to make quick decisions without breaking immersion.
Early Praise with a Dash of Caution
I’m going to say the developers obviously made immersion a priority with this move to Unity. I’m quietly confident that this is going to be a great edition of Football Manager. However, I’m cautious in getting overly excited that it will be a generational leap forward while remaining hopeful that it will be.
I’m also extremely hopeful that Football Manager 2026 will have some new features in the management side of things and that all dev time hasn’t been totally locked up in matchday gameplay.
The really good news is that I’m more confident than ever that we are now on track for a playable demo next month ahead of a November launch date for Football Manager 2026. I’d also continue to be wary of hardware requirements if you are gaming on an older machine, because FM 2026 is going to be more graphically and processor heavy than previous games.
If you frequent TikTok on the regular, you’ll have no doubt noticed the influx of people selling and reviewing tech products (and non-tech products). Now, I’m not here to gate keep the idea of reviewing consumer products. I started doing this one day after a day working in a phone shop. It’s not something to be gate kept. But I am against people saying crud is good. More and more videos are appearing from people with decent followings trying to promote products that are a waste of money. I wanted to steer clear, but that just creates a review quality vacuum.
That’s what I’ve started a series called “Commission Not Paid”. The idea is completely true reviews where I don’t really care if you buy anything or not. I’ve been doing free reviews for years. There’s very little money in this, let me tell you, so I can happily review a pair of headphones without caring where you buy them or not.
And on that note, here’s a review of the Q2-ANC Headphones, available on TikTok Shop from CarPlayOle Ireland.
First Impressions
The packaging is as basic as you’d expect at this price point. That price point varies from €20 to €50 depending on offers. Straight out of the box, the headphones feel plasticky and a bit cheap, though there’s a surprisingly decent metal headband wrapped in faux leather that’s elevating the overall quality feel of the headphones.
They swivel but don’t fold, despite the box suggesting otherwise. The box also says ANC, which I was sceptical about. ANC means active noise-cancelling. Normally, active noise cancellation requires over-ear cups with enough space for microphones and internal trickery to block sound. These don’t have proper cups, just pads, and for the price, I’m not expecting any ANC whatsoever.
Back to the box, there is some vague wording suggesting these headphones are Bluetooth 5.4 and that they will last for 45 hours. In the box you also get a USB-A to USB-C charger, which is actually pretty cool. It’s heralding the official end of micro-USB products randomly appearing for me.
Switching the Headphones On
They are charged out of the box which is a pleasant surprise. Straight away, I wanted to test the ANC claims. I just didn’t believe there would be any.
I test ANC at home with background fans or kitchen extractor fans. These simulate similar background noise to jet engines. A great use case for noise-cancelling.
Switching them on, they did cancel a little background noise. I’d even go so far as to say considerably more than I expected for €20, but nowhere near the level of proper ANC headphones. If you’ve ever used Sony’s WH-1000XM5, you’ll know the difference is night and day. There is no grading system for ANC, but I wouldn’t want to be depending on these for a long haul flight.
If you gave these to me 5 years ago and said they cost €20, my mind would have been blown. Today, I’d be looking to stretch my budget to something better.
Sound Quality
Once I fired up some music, the verdict came quickly. The treble is woeful, mids are thin, bass is passable. I’m not an audio snob, believe it or not. There are some reviewers that will rip something like this apart. For me, the headphones just aren’t enjoyable once you turn them on.
They are light. They sit nice on your head. All of that is ok. But the ANC is not good, and now the sound quality is kinda bad.
Controls are basic but functional, and pairing over Bluetooth 5.x worked fine.
Value for Money
At €15 to €20, maybe picked up at a market stall, you could argue they’re worth a punt. There’s a little bit of ANC to make you realise something happened, but headphones with pads, not cups, pushing ANC as a major feature is just bizarre. It’s one of those things that makes a tech reviewer say “huh?”.
At €30+ with delivery, they’re hard to recommend. These headphones go up and down in price regularly, with free delivery only on higher spends with the seller. I just can’t recommend you spending anythings more than €20 on these. Even at that, I wouldn’t spend it myself.
At €49, it’s a hard no from me. Absolutely not. These headphones look and feel like the €20 product they are. The headband is surprisingly comfortable, the ANC technically works (just barely), and the sound is “meh” at best.
How Does TikTok Shop Work?
What blows my mind about TikTok shop is that I’ve seen creators full on saying these are the best headphones in the world. They are selling out their followers for a whopping €2.37 in commission if you buy them through TikTok Shop.
Some products are sent to reviewers for free, but others are purchased and only refunded after a set number of sales. As you can imagine, this encourages people to “sell” the product in their videos. Again, undermining how impressed some people may be with products.
This is why I started “Commission Not Paid”. I don’t care if you buy through my link because a lot of products on TikTok shop just aren’t that good.
If you buy these, buyer beware.
Shop around, and get your opinions from outside where people are being paid to promote a product. Check AliExpress and TEMU too because a lot of products are just coming from there anyway and adding some extra cost. I’m going to be spinning our TikTok Shop reviews into written articles too in the hope that people are Googling and researching.
They’re not great. If you do, buy through my link, I guess!
The irony isn’t lost on me. The first episode of #CommissionNotPaid is a product I got sent for free so it actually will pay me commission if you buy it. Watch my full, warts and all, review. Of these sometimes €20 sometimes €50 but always “meh” headphones from #TikTokShop#fyp#techreview#headphones
An unfortunate truth of smartphone testing is that phones have become dull. I ended up with an iPhone because my Mac, iPad and iPhone ecosystem at least meant everything ran smoothly. Hardly the measure of an exciting tech life. But little over a month ago, HONOR got in touch with a HONOR Magic V5 to test out. Last year I had bought my own iPhone 16 Pro, but for the first time in years I said I’d daily drive Android. I love this phone.
HONOR Magic V5: Design and Build
HONOR’s marketing spiel pushes the 8.8mm device thickness as a headline feature, but really it’s just a way to try and find differentiation between themselves and Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7. Conveniently, as I was daily driving the HONOR Magic V5, the Z Fold 7 landed on my desk too, giving me and excellent opportunity to compare the two phones. Whether one is 8.8mm and thinner – doesn’t really matter if I’m honest. Both are beautiful phones. For today, HONOR takes centre stage and there’s plenty more to celebrate aside from that title of “thinnest foldable”.
Size comparison of HONOR and Samsung foldables. Image: Marty Meany
As I’ve mentioned the phone is 8.8mm folded, and 4.1mm unfolded – if you get the white Magic V5. If you get the black or (as I’ve reviewed) the gold, it’s slightly thicker at 9mm folded and 4.2mm unfolded.
It’s tidy in the pocket but also really nice to use in your hand. Folded, the external screen is 6.43-inches capable of 120Hz and perfect for everyday smartphone usage. But the real joy of this form factor is when you open the phone up to reveal the internal 7.95-inch display. Both displays are lovely to look at, which is important given the form factor lends itself to streaming movies, TV shows or YouTube.
There are some quirks to getting this form factor to work for you. You need to pay attention to app layouts for example and sometimes the opened screen full of apps can be a little overwhelming when it comes to finding the app you need next. Some apps don’t play nicely with different screens and the phone can get confused as to whether its best to show desktop mode or a regular mobile tab. This is a quirk of foldables and one I’ll feel a little more because I use Firefox for web browsing which isn’t optimised for folding phones; Chrome worked much better.
But my first month with a folding phone as been absolutely fantastic. Just earlier today, I headed out in Dublin to do some camera testing and popped into Lee’s Charming Noodles for some lunch. I was able to prop up the phone opened, and watch some YouTube while eating my lunch. Sure, folding phones are expensive, but this is one of the most exciting phones I’ve ever had. It’s changed my tech touch points on a daily basis.
I got an article written on my phone on the train to a football match. Image: Colm Mulligan.
Similarly, on flights I’ve been able to watch movies on a bigger screen and even get more work done when travelling too. The opened screen makes productivity much easier and natural than a regularly sized phone.
The keyboard, and just how easy it makes typing on a touch screen, surprised me quite a bit. It’s a nicely weighted phone coming in at 217g in white with black and gold devices weighing 222g. Impressive considering you get all that screen space for less weight than a Pixel 10 Pro XL. I can’t say it’s fantastically balanced, though, and that’s down to the camera setup.
The thing is massive. And at times it can be a little awkward, largely down to what way the screen spins. Sometimes “full screen mode” still lets me rotate the phone as much as I like until it’s comfortable. Other times, the phone decides what way is a right way up. I found this a little unintuitive at times, but it topped out at extremely mild annoyance – perhaps peaking at the internal pinhole camera getting stuck on a video that I couldn’t rotate away from.
One thing to note, as is a change for me is that the device is IP59 water and dust resistance rating. A little less than most regular smartphones, but also making it one of only a few folding devices with that rating.
The hinge is good but unfortunately for HONOR the Samsung landed in in time for me to feel how satisfying their hinge is. Unfortunately for Samsung, I can say the HONOR hinge goes fully flat, while the Samsung doesn’t. The crease is visible if you go looking for it, but is barely noticeable when the screen is on and viewed straight on.
I have to mention the fingerprint sensor too, which is located in the power button. Since Sony did this back in the day, I’ve said this is the peak fingerprint sensor location – all in-screen solutions. You can set up several fingers to match a couple of different grips (important given the form factor!). I’m even going to say it’s better than Face ID – but only just. And I really like Face ID.
Overall, the design is great. As many people have seen this and said “oh my, a folding phone” and been blown away playing with it. As soon as people see it, they have to have a play – and I miss this from testing smartphones a few years ago. Plenty have also said “that camera is massive”. But I can live with that, given it takes nice pictures too.
HONOR Magic V5: Camera
I had a fair idea what to expect from the HONOR Magic V5 given the specs are similar to that of the HONOR Magic 7 Pro, even though the Magic 7 Pro does have slightly different specs on paper. Indeed, the Magic V5 does deliver exactly what I expected – and that’s a very good thing.
The HONOR Magic V5’s massive camera system is a triple-camera system with a 50 MP main sensor with OIS, a 50 MP ultra-wide with autofocus, and a 64 MP 3× telephoto lens (which is actually a step up on the Magic 7 Pro), plus dual 20 MP selfie cameras on the cover and inner screens.
While some spec here is sacrificed in exchange for, what I assume is engineering demands, the camera is still stunning.
Doom Slice, captured on the HONOR Magic V5. Image: Marty Meany.
Now the above image has been optimised as soon as it hits the site, but it remains my favourite one I’ve taken with the phone so far. I see a lot of reviews get caught up in the details of photos, getting a bit anal about the finer photography points – that I don’t really enjoy getting lost in.
What I did notice about this phone was I had a family wedding and took lots of pictures. After sharing them around, countless people asked what camera I was using because the pictures were stunning. Several were shocked to hear it was a smartphone at all.
If there’s a fantastic result for any smartphone camera review, it’s that the public believe the camera takes stunning photographs. Let’s keep this one simple and class that as a win.
I nearly forgot to mention the absolute gem of a feature you get with this form factor. Beyond for conference calls on Teams, the front facing cameras are a bit pointless. Because you can use the external screen as a preview for your primary camera. That means you can take selfies with your primary camera and get full high quality shots in both directions. HONOR has also added the ability to play cute characters on the external camera when taking pictures of infants or kids who refuse to look at the camera. Neat feature for parents that.
What I’m really looking forward to is getting in deeper with the Samsung Z Fold 7 camera to see how the two companies have addressed compromised from flagship to fold.
HONOR Magic V5: Power, Performance and Software
The HONOR Magic V5 launch in London. Image: Marty Meany
This was my first time testing a folding phone, but I’ve heard plenty of complaints from other reviewers saying battery is a massive weak point for this form factor. The issue is and engineering one. Battery’s take up space, cause weight and make devices thicker. But if you skimp on them, particularly in a phone with more screens than most, you’re going to have a problem.
AI-advancements means power management has greatly improved, and I’m largely left scratching my head as to how HONOR has got a phone this slim and relatively light to operate for as long as it does. I easily clear a day using the phone, and could easily get into a second day for a good few hours without charging.
Perhaps it’s because I’m coming from iPhone (which is something I will touch on later) and that Apple products have really curved my expectations for battery power. But this was an area of concern when switching over to a folding phone, a concern that HONOR has tackled head on.
Even if you do find yourself a little short on battery, HONOR has an amazing charging setup. You can charge this phone with a 66w charger. It’s not included, so I recommend getting into the shops or onto Amazon to find an Anker charger that supports that power. Because a little over 15 minutes will get you close to 50% charge.
Because the Magic V5 is sporting a Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, it has virtually the same power as the aforementioned HONOR flagship and Samsung flagship too. This makes for some great on-board AI-abilities, but also great power management.
Gaming on the HONOR Magic V5 with my Gamesir G8. Image: Marty Meany
I don’t think for one second that many people are buying this to game on, but you can. In fact the screen makes for a nice gaming experience. I usually use my Gamesir G8, but would probably recommend something more like a
HONOR’s Magic OS has improved significantly over the years and is intuitive to use with some quirks that need getting used to. A lot of this could be a simple hangover for me coming back from Apple too. When it comes to phone UI impressions, everyone gets used to the one they have in my experience, and I’ve gotten used to Magic OS. I quite like the
I quite like the idea of Parallel Space. Pinch out on your Home Screen and the phone goes into a whole secondary space locked away behind your pin or biometrics. It’s a nice private space for secure storage or files and browsing where apps can also be locked away. I could see this being really useful for keeping work files secure and if I was flying to the USA in the morning, I would be storing all of my JD Vance memes in there for sure.
HONOR has also bugged up AI with the Magic V5, highlighting the company’s partnership with Google and Gemini. This is a very similar quite to what I’ve talked about at length with the HONOR Magic 7 Pro. I’ve used this AI for meeting notes, live translation of conversations and more and have always had my mind blown with how HONOR has absolutely nailed it. What I don’t fully understand is how has HONOR nailed it, when Google hasn’t. The Pixel 10 Pro XL impressed, but I was left frustrated with Google’s own implementation of AI, where HONOR has excelled.
HONOR has also promised 7 years of Android updates for the Magic V5 showing the company has a fair bit of confidence in the device’s longevity.
Moving from iPhone to the HONOR Magic V5
And onto the big thing for me. I was using an iPhone 16 Pro until HONOR handed over the Magic V5. I have an entire Apple ecosystem spanning MacBook, iPad and iPhone. It works so well for my content creation and general day to day usage, that I struggled to consider ever changing back to Android.
But I did.
I’m going to write up a full experience, but it was better than I expected while also not being amazing. But I can’t leave any of the negatives at HONOR’s door. For example, changing WhatsApp or Signal over hasn’t been straight forward, with me having to accept losing chats is just going to happen. I was playing Subnautica on my Gamesir and iPhone, so now I have to carry my iPhone because I don’t want to have to buy the game again on Android.
You’ll find a lot of the old “I bought the app on iOS, and have to buy again on Android” has been overcome by cloud access. Instead of buying the app, you pay for your access inside the app itself (think MyFitnessPal).
Sending files is easy too. HONOR Share works across Android, iOS, macOS and Windows, allowing the transfer of files at speeds up to 60MB/s. It worked pretty well, but I still found myself falling back to LocalSend – an open source alternative that is also cross platform. Whether HONOR’s solution was perfect or a 3rd party does the job, doesn’t really bother me. What matter is the overall experience and how much do I miss my iPhone.
Frankly, I don’t. The Magic V5 camera is better, the battery about as good and the overall software experience has been fine. The main pain of changing is the day you change. Logging back into everything, moving my password manager across and making sure I have everything before heading out – like controlling my smart home. After the first 48 hours, you’re back using your Android phone, just like you were your iPhone.
What surprised me was how quickly I started leaving my iPhone at home. It really was after that 48 hours.
HONOR Magic V5: The Verdict
Pricey, but brilliant. Image: Marty Meany
I absolutely adore this phone. And that’s a big deal. I’ve had a wild number of phones landing on my desk this year to test and the standard has been really high. Ironically, the only phone I didn’t get sent to test, was the iPhone 16 Pro which I bought myself. I liked it, but I sit here writing this review realising how much I want to stick with the HONOR Magic V5.
The form factor suits my lifestyle. The regular phone for quick messaging or scanning mails, flipping to full “phablet” when I need to type a mail, deep-scroll Reddit, read news articles or binge Netflix or YouTube.
Now I hear you. I’m praising the form factor more than the phone. Well, not really. I’ve enjoyed moving to the Magic V5 because the camera is lucious, the build is nice, battery life good and my “tech day” better because of how this phone fits my life.
As I opened with, I adore this phone and I’m not sure I can say much more about it. 30 minutes after taking the Samsung Z Fold 7 out of its box, there was a scratch on the screen too – so if I had to pick between the two to keep, it would absolutely be the HONOR Magic V5.
One major downside that I haven’t touched on is that all phones in this category don’t come cheap. The HONOR Magic V5 will be available in Ireland through Harvey Norman, but pricing has yet to be confirmed. UK pricing gives an indication, that at £1,699, it’s likely going to be close to €1900 – €2000. A considered purchase to say the least. It does come with a free case (I know – least they could do) and that case is actually quite useful, including a stand which is great for streaming).
I look forward to the day where the price of these foldables comes down, but if you are in the market for a foldable today the HONOR Magic V5 would be my first choice.
Be sure to follow Goosed on TikTok where I’ll be giving a bigger update on swapping to the HONOR Magic V5 from my iPhone soon.
The Google Pixel 10 series has launched in Ireland. The phone marks Google’s biggest push of an AI-powered device yet, arguably the biggest push of AI in a phone by any company.
Google is lagging behind in the AI battlefield right now. For general usage, ChatGPT is still dominant, and it is for me too. When it comes to specialising, professionals have preferred platforms. For example coders like Cursor.
Yet, there’s a real place for Google’s Gemini AI offering. It’s an accessible all-rounder, packed with powerful features that link into your Google eco-system (Gmail, Google Maps etc). And the Google Pixel 10 Series embodies that AI-powered ecosystem incredibly well showing Google’s AI strategy that could really start to bear fruit.
I put the newest Pixel (specifically the Pixel 10 Pro XL) through its paces to see if the hype holds up, whether you’re a loyal Android fan or just iPhone-curious.
Design and Build
I’ve spent the past few years using iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro. I’ve always loved the solid and extremely premium feel of the phone’s body. Until recently, Pixel phones didn’t meet this same level of premium feel, but the new Pixel 10 Pro XL that I’ve been testing is absolutely stunning.
The phone weight 232g spread across a 6.8-inch frame. This isn’t a phone for people with small hands. Picking the Pixel 10 Pro XL is a deliberate choice to choose a beefy handset – so fortunately, Google gives you two other options if needs be!
The bodies of the entire Pixel range is aluminium and protected, featuring Gorilla Glass. Which, while I haven’t drop-tested this phone, gives me a fair bit of confidence in the phone’s robustness.
At a glance, the phone is unique. The “camera bar” across the back is different to other phones which tend to gravitate towards everything on one side. Naturally, this leads to a phone that rocks around the table, so the Pixel 10 camera bar design negates this.
What else can I say except that I really like the look, feel and handling of the Pixel 10 Pro XL. Personally, I’d just get the Pixel 10 Pro because I like the smaller form factor. I did always pick iPhone Pro, not iPhone Pro Max. But you’ll be the better judge of what you want and need.
I’ve reviewed quite a few Google Pixel phones at this stage, and I always have to include one point. This is Android the way the creators of Android envisioned it. It truly is, in my opinion, the best version of Android. It just works well, looks well and is one of the most intuitive skins out there for Android. But that’s not the headline here.
The headline feature of the Pixel 10 series for me is Pixel Snap – so let’s give that it’s own section.
Pixel Snap
Google’s Pixel 10 series is the first non-Apple device to feature magnetic snap-on charging. While Apple calls this MagSafe, Google calls it Pixel Snap.
Pixel Snap works like Apple’s MagSafe, letting you snap chargers, stands, grips, wallets and other accessories directly to the back of your phone.
Pixel Snap adopts the Qi2 wireless charging standard, meaning your Pixel 10 can charge at up to 15W on the standard and up to 25W on the Pro XL when paired with the official Pixelsnap Charger Stand.
You can dock your phone in portrait or landscape orientation, detach the charger for travel, or use the Pixelsnap Ring Stand for hands-free viewing. When docked you can also choose what is shown on your phone, whether that be pictures from Google Photos or live weather updates.
I liked that feature on iPhone, but Google has gone a little further by including portrait too.
The Pixel 10 Pro XL is a big phone with a fair bit of weight in it. It still worked with the Anker MagSafe accessories that I have on my desk and in the car, including when using the Pixel 10 Pro XL case (which ensures Pixel Snap retains snap strength).
I’m almost certain that the weight of the phone will be an issue for some lighter MagSafe accessories that struggled with it. Those other accessories are designed for a phone weighing a maximum 227g, not 232g without a case.
Pixel Snap is honestly one of the standout features of the new Pixel range for me. I’ve wanted this standard to emerge beyond the iPhone ecosystem for so long and am delighted it now is. I fully expect the next flagship device for most major manufacturers to feature it too – obviously with their own spin on the name.
Pixel 10 Pro Camera
Shot in Dublin on Pixel 10 Pro XL. Image: Marty Meany
The new Pixel is strong on its own when it comes to hardware. A triple rear camera system featuring a 50 MP wide lens, a 48 MP ultrawide with Macro Focus, and a 48 MP 5x telephoto lens. Combined with Pro Res Zoom, you can push that telephoto all the way up to 100x with optical-quality results at multiple steps in between. Being real though, as with most phones, once you go past 30x oom your mileage will vary significantly.
Around the front, a 42 MP autofocus selfie camera with a 103° wide field of view makes it one of the best phones for group selfies.
Unsurprisingly, the Pixel 10 Pro XL leans heavily into AI software to supplement the phone’s photography experience. Pixel has always been right at the top of my favourite cameras, and the Pixel 10 Pro XL is really no different.
The new Camera Coach, powered by Gemini models running directly on the Tensor G5, gives real-time suggestions for framing, lighting, and mode selection. Features like Auto Best Take ensure everyone looks their best by combining multiple shots, while Add Me can drop the photographer into group photos without feeling like a clunky Photoshop job.
Video gets a significant lift too. With Video Boost, Night Sight Video, and 8K capture, the Pro XL delivers its richest and most stable footage yet. Optical stabilisation has been doubled in range compared to the previous generation, which means smoother handheld video even at high zoom.
Of course, Pixel staples like Night Sight, Portrait Mode, Real Tone, and Magic Eraser are still here, but with Tensor G5 and Gemini, they work faster and produce more natural results. The AI-first approach also powers editing features such as Reimagine, which can intelligently reposition or relight subjects, and Zoom Enhance, which sharpens digital zoom shots.
I’m in the privileged position of having tested every main smartphone camera on the market this year, having used the iPhone 16 Pro, Honor Magic 7 Pro, Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, Xiaomi 15 along with a very close look at the Xiaomi 15 Ultra and finally the Pixel 10 Pro XL.
The top spot for cameras is retained by either Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (particularly on availability) or the Xiaomi 15 Ultra (probably the very best if you get the full camera kit).
But the Pixel is highly capable and produces photos that leave you wanting to post them. The editing suite, again largely powered by AI, is also user-friendly and removes many of the barriers when it comes to editing.
Pixel 10 Pro Performance and AI Power
At the heart of the Pixel 10 Pro is the all-new Tensor G5 processor, Google’s biggest silicon leap since the first Tensor chip launched in 2021. Google is always interesting because, like Apple, they are bringing another chip into the smartphone space.
Built on a 3nm process and co-designed with Google DeepMind, the Tensor G5 promised double-digit performance gains across CPU and GPU, with a TPU that’s up to 60% more powerful for AI workloads. Obviously this is some important hardware when you’ve built such an AI-forward smartphone.
Where Tensor G5 really earns its keep is AI. The chip is the first capable of running Gemini Nano entirely on-device, which means many of Pixel’s newest AI features – from Magic Cue’s proactive suggestions to live translations during calls – happen locally, without sending your data to the cloud. This has two big advantages: responses are faster because they don’t depend on network speed, and your information stays private because it never has to leave your phone.
Realistically, what this gives most of us on a day-to-day basis is snappier AI-powered jobs like image editing and I’d hoped translation – which has fast become how I measure phone makers.
Unfortunately, despite having arguably the best known translation app in the world, I’m still not won over by Google Translate. Google is perpetually underestimating the starting position they had with this app and how much ground they’ve lost to apps like DeepL and other manufacturers like HONOR.
I’m extremely frustrated to see Google speak so much of “on device” services because of their processor advancements, yet when I’ve downloaded a German language pack for translate, features are still not available when not connected to the internet.
This might seem like a silly annoyance, but for me this stems from the confusing language around phones these days. Phone makers are weaving a web of features, AI and promises that don’t always meet expectations.
Regardless of that frustration, overall the phone is powerful, you’ll probably be connected to the internet more often than not when you need translation anyway, and there are lots of other performance features to be excited about.
Battery life remains a strong suit. The Pixel 10 Pro features a 5200mAh battery that was comfortably getting me through a day of regular usage. Fast charging gets you to 55% in about 30 minutes using a 30W charger.
A nice feature, I guess, is that Pixel 10 series phones include a 1 year subscription to Google AI Pro. This gives you access to cloud-based tools Gemini Pro and Veo 3 video generation. It is, however, another subscription to worry about. I already pay substantially for YouTube Premium, ChatGPT and Cursor, leaving me wondering why I would pay for Google’s AI services. Indeed, it leaves me seeing that AI is really the route phone makers want to take in order to turn phones into subscription.
Verdict: Google Pixel 10 Pro XL
I’ve just switched from iPhone to Android with another phone, and I’m reminded how clean Google’s take on Android is with Pixel. Elsewhere, I have to admit Google has been coughing and spluttering its way through the past few years with an uncharacteristic amount of L’s. Google’s AI Overviews and losing ground to other AI platforms shows that Google isn’t invincible nor infallible.
But the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL is a stunning phone. The build quality is impeccable, the software fantastic and the AI integrations largely helpful.
There is a little part of me, after moving back from iPhone, a little concerned that Google is going to start locking down Android more and more. Recent reports indicate stricter rules around sideloading apps – which would be disappointing to see.
If photography with no compromise is your preference, one of the other two phones I mention above might be better. If you’re interested in all the other bells and whistles, this is a better priced, all rounder powerful smartphone.
The Google Pixel 10 series is on sale now, including from Google direct, starting from €919.
Google has announced a major change to how Android apps will work in the future, and it could have a big impact on consumers. Starting in 2026, every app installed on a certified Android device will need to come from a verified developer. That means whether you download from the Google Play Store, a third-party store, or sideload directly, the developer must have officially verified their identity with Google.
Why Google Is Doing This?
Google says this is all about security. According to its own analysis, sideloaded apps are responsible for 50 times more malware than apps downloaded from the Play Store. By verifying developer identities, Google hopes to make it harder for malicious actors to release scam apps or sneak back onto devices after being banned.
On paper, this sounds like a win for safety. But for consumers, the reality is more complicated.
What It Means for Android Users
For years, one of Android’s biggest selling points has been its openness. Unlike Apple’s iPhone, Android lets you install apps from just about anywhere. That freedom has supported alternative app stores, projects like F-Droid, and niche apps that don’t make it onto the Play Store.
With the new rules, all of that could be under threat:
Fewer choices
If developers refuse to verify with Google, their apps won’t work on most Android devices. This could shrink the ecosystem of independent apps.
Privacy concerns
Developers will need to hand over sensitive information, including government ID and company details. Some may decide it’s not worth it, especially if they value anonymity.
Less innovation
Hobbyist and student developers who ho often create experimental or niche apps might be discouraged by the bureaucracy of verification.
In short, while Google says sideloading will still exist, it will now come with Google’s stamp of approval, or not at all.
The Bigger Picture
Android has always been marketed as the open alternative to iOS. If Google locks down who can and can’t publish apps, that openness starts to look more like Apple’s walled garden. And while security is important, many in the Android community argue this could harm the very thing that makes Android unique: freedom of choice.
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has signed a new data-sharing agreement with the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), aimed at strengthening regulatory oversight of social media advertising in Ireland.
The agreement will allow the ASA to share information it receives through its online reporting portal with the CCPC, in line with data protection law. This will give the statutory body greater access to public reports of potential breaches of consumer protection law.
Under Irish consumer protection law, social media influencers must not mislead consumers through unfair practices such as hidden or mislabelled advertising. Posts of a commercial nature must be clearly labelled as advertising. However, even properly labelled content can still breach the law if it is false or misleading.
The new arrangement means that where the ASA receives reports of suspected breaches, it can now pass these to the CCPC for further investigation. The CCPC has a range of enforcement powers at its disposal, including compliance notices, fixed payment notices, undertakings, prohibition orders, and prosecution.
Patrick Kenny, commission member at the CCPC, said the agreement would strengthen consumer protection in online spaces:
“Consumer law protects consumers when engaging with the commercial content posted by online influencers. Commercial content from influencers must be clearly labelled as such and must also not be misleading. With the ASA, we have produced guidance for influencers to help them follow the law. This year we issued our first compliance notices against two prominent influencers. We continue to monitor this sector closely and will act where we see breaches here.
“The new data-sharing agreement allows the ASA to share reports from the public and will support us in protecting consumers when it comes to social media advertising.”
ASA chief executive Orla Twomey welcomed the move, describing it as “a significant step towards enhancing regulatory outcomes for consumers in Ireland, ensuring a strong, responsive and resilient framework for the future.”
The agreement follows the publication of new guidelines for influencers and social media advertisers by both bodies in October 2023.
Consumers who are concerned about suspected false or misleading advertising can continue to report issues directly to the CCPC.
HONOR will launch it’s latest foldable phone this Thursday, 28th August, the HONOR Magic V5. HONOR will focus heavily on AI AI-powered productivity, developed in collaboration with Google and powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform. It features similar hardware and tech that impressed earlier this year in the HONOR Magic 7 Pro, with the added benefit of folding form factor.
The world’s thinnest foldable phone is here and it’s seriously impressive. 📱🔥 Meet the HONORMagicV5: just 8.8mm folded, packed with flagship specs, and built to last. From its Snapdragon 8 Elite chip to the 64MP periscope camera and 5,820mAh battery, this might be the best foldable of 2025. 👀 Watch my first impressions and drop any questions for the full tech review coming soon! Honor has loaned me this phone to test. #HONOR#MagicV5#PhoneReview#TechReview#FoldablePhone#HONORMagic#SmartphoneReview#GadgetGoals#MobileTech#AndroidPhones @HONORUK
A central feature of the Magic V5 is the integration of Google Gemini, Google’s AI assistant. Gemini will be accessible via a long press of the power button or through a new “Tap Tap” gesture that activates it by double-tapping the back of the device. The assistant can generate text, simplify information, and interact with on-screen content in real time. HONOR says the system is designed to allow users to work across multiple apps simultaneously, with support for running up to three windows side by side in its Multi-flex mode.
I’ve been testing these features at length and look forward to telling you all about it in the full review on Friday.
The launch also highlights HONOR’s extended software support policy. The Magic V5 will ship with Android 16 and is set to receive seven years of both Android updates and security patches in the UK and EU. This commitment positions the device alongside a small group of manufacturers offering long-term update guarantees.
The announcement marks a continuation of HONOR’s strategy to build an AI-focused ecosystem. “Our collaboration with Google reflects HONOR’s long-term commitment to bring the latest AI-powered experiences to our devices” said Bond Zhang, CEO of HONOR for UK and Ireland.
The HONOR Magic V5 will be available in European markets from 28 August 2025.
Whether you’re a gamer, streamer or even a podcaster – you have likely weighted up the value of Elgato’s Stream Deck. Starting at a little over €60, these accessories are handy, but not exactly cheap. But not many realise that there is a completely free Stream Deck alternative app, and it’s made by Elgato too.
What is Stream Deck?
The Stream Deck is a popular computer accessory, often compared with other macro pad alternatives, with programmable buttons that are popular amongst streamers, gamers and content creators. The Stream Deck is popular because it can help streamers cut to different cameras or load different visuals without getting bogged down in deep, complex menus.
You set the Stream Deck up to suit your needs and can upload images which then appear on the buttons – making it clear what each on does. Because they are tiny screens, they can also be dynamic, making them intuitive but also immersive if being used in game – and you can indeed use them in games.
I fell in love with the idea of Stream Deck when playing Helldivers 2. Helldivers has a function in the game called Stratagems, which are basically ability or weapon boosts. To acquire a Stratagem, you have to initiate the sequence and then complete a “Nintendo cheat code style” combination of up, down, left and right.
It didn’t take me long to dislike how much I died while being slowed down by launching a Stratagem, so I turned to Elgato. But I didn’t turn to the €60+ piece of hardware that many know the company for. No, I instead turned to the Stream Deck App.
Stream Deck App: The Best Stream Deck Alternative
The Stream Deck app lets you replace the physical hardware that Elgato produces with an app on your phone. For me this is easily the best Stream Deck alternative for OBS and streaming because it’s accessible, and it’s free.There are plenty of other Stream Deck competitors, but at the end of the day, Elgato has more or less boxed off this part of the gaming world and there are lots of image and icon packs for Elgato products. All of which work with the Stream Deck App.
With the Stream Deck software installed on your PC or Mac, and the Stream Deck App installed on your phone – both connected to the same network – you’ll be able to trigger hotkeys and shortcuts without any additional hardware. The only tricky part might be getting your phone into a good position on a stand. I was testing this out with iPhone and had a MagSafe stand on my desk – making it perfect.
The Stream Deck App is “freemium”. That means it is completely free to use, but with one small limit. For free, you get access to just 6 buttons on your phone. If you want, you can pay to unlock the full app which costs about €2.99 per month or €29.99 per year.
For many, either 6 buttons will be plenty, or either subscription model will pose great value. But if you’re not into that, I have another option.
Touch Portal: The Best Free Stream Deck Alternative
Touch Portal is another, more indie, Stream Deck alternative that operates in a very similar vein to the Stream Deck App. There is a PC or Mac Host application that runs locally, which you can connect to with an app on your smartphone.
Touch Portal is also “freemium”, with higher limits and better value offerings. For free, you get 8 programmable buttons. If you want to unlock a full 110 buttons and some other features, you will have to pay. The good news is that Touch Portal costs just €14.99 for a lifetime “Pro Upgrade”. There are some additional option upgrades too including multiple devices for €7.99 and a €3.99 icon editor – buy these are just optional.
It’s worth noting that for many games, anti-cheat software can and may flag all of these hotkey controllers and stop them from working. But they should always work for OBS and other scenarios where desktop editors simply need shortcuts.
In a perfect world, you’ll load one of these two apps up on and old phone you’re not using any more and never have to spend a penny to achieve everything you need.
Recent attacks on Indian citizens have rightly sparked outrage and soul-searching across Ireland. As Garda Commissioner Drew Harris confirmed, racism is a real and active factor in these crimes, alongside criminality and the targeting of vulnerable people. But to fight racism effectively, we must also acknowledge a newer, insidious force: the manipulation of public consciousness by networks of fake and bot accounts on social media.
Social Media’s Amplification Machine
When someone targets someone for hate or attacks them based on their race, sexuality or something similar, it’s powered by hate. In the recent attacks on Indians in Ireland, it’s absolutely undeniable that these have been hate crimes driven by racism.
The point I want to make is the dangers of oversimplifying the issue to racists being racist. I spend far too much time on social media, and I see racism, sexism, homophobia, body shaming and much much more on a daily basis. Earlier this year, I carried out an investigation into how TikTok handles this kind of content, resulting in the platform removing multiple examples of inappropriate content moderation teams missed.
Since then, TikTok has moved towards AI-powered moderation and through spot checks, I can see that casual racism and general hate is going unchecked, ignoring many policies that TikTok itself has laid out.
A recente RTÉ investigation found that bot-like accounts, often based outside Ireland, were behind hundreds of thousands of posts promoting xenophobic hashtags like #IrelandBelongsToTheIrish.
These weren’t just echoing hate, they were systematically encouraging protests, boosting conspiracy theories, and creating a climate where racism feels more “normal” and visible than it likely is in real life.
Fakery Breeds the Zeitgeist
Here’s why this matters. The manipulative effect of these bots isn’t just quantity. It’s psychological. When people see racist or hateful content appearing everywhere, shared, commented on, and apparently endorsed by “many”, it starts to feel like public consensus, or the zeitgeist. This manufactured normality emboldens those who might otherwise hide their prejudice, making overt racism seem more permissible and common. It then becomes a sort of pyramid scheme, where new racists are born where previously they wouldn’t have been exposed to an engineered “acceptable racist ideology”.
This misinformation and racism is often spread by bot accounts aren’t even from within Irelan, they’re seeded and amplified by actors abroad, with polarising political motives. When protests, largely driven by far right minorities posing as “concerned citizens”, many of the same faces appear, regardless of where the protest is. This gives the feeling that every corner of Ireland has growing numbers of the population concerned with immigration, when the reality is it’s a traveling bandwagon of people drumming up hate.
Numerous studies have found that while racism absolutely exists, its perceived prevalence, intensity, and everydayness are being drastically amplified by social media. Internationally and in Ireland, far-right and hate-driven networks, many not even based locally, are using automated bot accounts to flood platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook with divisive, racist narratives.
The Algorithmic Trap
Why are bots so powerful? Because social media is built on algorithms that reward outrage and engagement. Racist posts and misinformation drive clicks, shares, and heated replies. They travel faster and appear more frequently in our feeds. The result is a distorted mirror, where fringe views appear mainstream, and hate seems everywhere.
None of this is new. This is the same style of fast moving information and misinformation that led to the Cambridge Analytica scandal.
But I feel it’s important to draw attention to this wider issue of social media instead of just saying “there are racists amongst us”. I’ve witnessed first hand how quickly a social media post, powered by bot engagement and boosted reach, can make someone believe something untrue before having to correct them. Amazingly, they are less likely to believe the person right in front of them, than the content they’ve seen online.
Racism is real and absolutely present in Ireland, alongside lots of other hate directly and minority and vulnerable groups. And our heads needs to come out of the sand on how much social media is playing a massive role is platforming that hate.
Speaking to Goosed.ie, a Google spokesperson said “Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL phones in the U.S. will be eSIM only. As a result, these phones have our cleanest Pixel designs yet with no SIM tray, no visible mmWave antenna cutout and the new elegant speaker mesh found on the bottom of our two pro models”.
There will be little impact on customers in Ireland purchasing a Pixel 10 series phone here. But it’s an important note for anyone traveling to the U.S. and considering making a purchase when there. If you return home with your new Pixel 10 and your network doesn’t support eSIM, you’re scuppered.
Google has stated to other outlets that 70% of US-based Pixel owners are already using eSIM only.
The Pixel 10 Pro Fold is the exception from the series, as this is set to retain a physical SIM slot even in the U.S.
This is good news for companies like SIM Local that are making it easier for American tourists to have a data plan ready for their arrival in Ireland. eSIM-ready and eSIM-only phones allow customers to download a plan for activation when they land. CEO, Sarah McGarr says this “is a huge win for convenience” but also highlights the pitfalls, stating “not every mobile network is ready yet”.
