## Hisense XR10 Smart Projector Review: A Bold RGB Contender for Home Cinema Enthusiasts

The Hisense XR10 is not a projector you can ignore. With its cutting-edge RGB backlighting technology, a color gamut that surpasses industry standards, and a price hovering near $6,000, this machine is gunning for the top tier of the home cinema market. After extensive real-world testing, here is what you need to know.

---

## Design and Build Quality

First things first — the XR10 is heavy. Tipping the scales at 23.4 pounds, moving this projector around is a genuine physical effort. Pulling it out of its included carrying case made that abundantly clear. By comparison, the Xgimi Titan Noir Max weighs in at 18 pounds, making it noticeably easier to handle.

That said, the XR10 looks the part. It presents itself as a sleek, dark metallic cube with an attractive bronze faceplate up front — understated yet premium in appearance. Four adjustable feet on the base allow for precise angle corrections, a small but genuinely useful feature. Many projectors only offer front foot adjustments, so having all four corners adjustable adds flexibility during setup. It is worth noting, however, that projectors like the Titan Noir Max — equipped with taller feet — allow for more dramatic side-angle positioning, giving them a slight edge in placement versatility.

---

## Remote Control Experience

The included remote is functional but somewhat overwhelming. It is packed with buttons, including three dedicated solely to settings navigation, which can create a confusing user experience — particularly for newcomers. On the positive side, dedicated brightness controls sit conveniently opposite the volume buttons, and the centrally placed Home button is easy to locate by feel. The backlit design is a welcome touch, ensuring you can operate the remote comfortably in a completely darkened room.

---

## Picture Quality and Color Performance

This is where the XR10 truly earns its keep. The projector covers an impressive 118 percent of the BT.2020 color gamut, outpacing even the well-regarded Xgimi Titan Noir Max, which reaches 110 percent of the same specification. For viewers who prioritize vivid, true-to-life color reproduction, that distinction matters.

### Real-World Movie Testing

To evaluate contrast and brightness, the Netflix film *Awake* — a deliberately dark production — served as an ideal test subject. In a controlled, windowless environment, the XR10 rendered a dimly lit cycling scene with impressive color depth and tonal accuracy. Budget projectors and lower-tier televisions typically reduce such scenes to flat gray — the XR10 had no such problem.

Two films specifically mastered to the BT.2020 standard — *Inside Out* and *Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2* — looked exceptional. The opening sequence of *Guardians* flooded the screen with rich alien colors, while *Inside Out* reproduced a difficult deep rusty red with surprising accuracy. These are shades that commonly give displays trouble, making the XR10's handling of them all the more impressive.

Testing *The Creator* via the Fandango at Home app further reinforced the projector's strengths. Pre-dawn beach scenes that appear muddy and detail-less on mid-range projectors came through with visible texture on rocky cliffs, a natural blue sky tint, and readable shadow detail on soldiers' wetsuits.

### Technical Benchmark Results

Using Spears & Munsil calibration discs for more technical evaluation, the results were solid but not flawless. Skin tone reproduction showed good variation overall, though it fell slightly short of the benchmark set by the LG Micro RGB TV and the Titan Noir Max. A scene featuring white mist against a white mountain background appeared marginally softer compared to the LG Micro RGB Evo and the Leica Cine Play 1. Similarly, a yellow flower scene and dark trees against a dark backdrop did not achieve the same level of realism seen on competing flagship displays.

Nevertheless, green grass, sunset gradients, a red cactus, and steam rising from a hot spring all rendered with vivid, convincing color — impressive results for any projector at this price point.

---

## Iris Control and Light Management

A meaningful difference between the XR10 and the Titan Noir Max lies in iris behavior. The Titan dynamically adjusts its iris in real time as content plays, automatically optimizing light levels scene by scene. The XR10 does not offer this automatic adjustment — instead, it provides seven manual iris settings, allowing users to dial in their preferred light control level. For dark, atmospheric scenes in particular, exploring these settings makes a noticeable difference. The relevant controls are buried a few menus deep, but the payoff for finding them is worthwhile.

---

## Bright Room Performance

This is where the XR10 stumbles. Despite some marketing language suggesting usability with open blinds, real-world daytime viewing in a brightly lit room exposes a significant limitation. Content viewed under ambient light conditions can appear dim and washed out. Several episodes of *Blue Lights* on the Britbox app, for example, took on a pale, grayish quality with room lighting present. It is worth acknowledging that this is a common weakness across premium projectors — the Leica Cine Play 1 faces a similar challenge — but prospective buyers should plan for a dedicated, light-controlled viewing environment to get the most from the XR10.

---

## Gaming Performance

For gamers, the XR10 delivers a compelling experience. Playing *Senua's Saga: Hellblade II* on an Xbox Series X, the contrast rendering was exceptional — water on surfaces and rocks appeared convincingly real without any bloom or washout. In *Forza Horizon 6*, both on Xbox and PC, nighttime winter racing scenes were stunning, with falling snow and wet road surfaces rendered with impressive realism. A white BMW M4 appeared crisp and natural — bright without being artificially glaring.

The role-playing game *Crimson Desert* benefited not just from the XR10's vivid color output, but from its 240Hz refresh rate at 1080p resolution, which delivered immediate and precise controller response. The projector automatically activates a low-latency gaming mode, a seamless and appreciated feature for competitive or immersive gameplay.

---

## Sports and News Broadcasts

Sports content looked sharp and natural on the XR10. A World Cup match showcased a bright, clean green pitch without any distracting oversaturation. News broadcasts, interestingly, benefited from a slight mid-range iris adjustment — toning down color vibrancy produced a more grounded, realistic presentation. Anchors appeared natural rather than overly cinematic, which is precisely what broadcast content calls for.

---

## Voice Control and Smart Features

The XR10 runs on Hisense's VIDAA operating system, and the voice control experience leaves room for improvement. Requesting a brightness adjustment produced movie recommendations instead of the intended result. Asking which platform was streaming the film *Carrie* returned only a text description of the movie. Compared to the polished implementations of Alexa+ or Google Gemini found on competing projectors, VIDAA's AI assistant feels underdeveloped and inconsistent.

---

## Final Verdict

The Hisense XR10 is a serious home cinema projector that earns its place among the best in its class. Its RGB-powered color performance is genuinely outstanding, its gaming capabilities are excellent, and its setup flexibility is better than average. It does not quite reach the overall benchmark performance of the Xgimi Titan Noir Max — particularly in dynamic iris behavior and technical color accuracy — but for the vast majority of movies, shows, and games tested, the two projectors compete in the same league.

If you have a dedicated, light-controlled viewing space and are willing to invest time in dialing in the settings, the XR10 is a rewarding and visually spectacular purchase. Just be prepared for its weight, its learning curve, and its limitations in bright environments.

**Price:** $5,998 at Amazon | $6,000 at B&H Photo

The Hisense XR10 projector delivers vivid RGB-powered color beyond the BT.2020 spec. Read our full review covering picture quality, gaming, and more.

Hisense XR10 Smart Projector Review: RGB Color Powerhouse

large_Review--Hisense-XR10-Smart-Projector.jpg

medium_Review--Hisense-XR10-Smart-Projector.jpg

small_Review--Hisense-XR10-Smart-Projector.jpg

thumbnail_Review--Hisense-XR10-Smart-Projector.jpg

Review--Hisense-XR10-Smart-Projector.jpg

Hisense XR10 Smart Projector Review: A Bold RGB Contender for Home Cinema Enthusiasts

## The 4 Best Air Conditioners You Can Buy Right Now

Shopping for an air conditioner can feel overwhelming with so many options on the market. Whether you need a window unit for your bedroom, a portable solution you can move between rooms, or even personal cooling gear for when you step outside, we have narrowed it down to four standout picks that deliver real performance.

---

### Midea U-Shaped Air Conditioner — Best Overall Window Unit

Most traditional window air conditioners force you to sacrifice your window entirely once installed. Midea's cleverly engineered U-shaped design changes that. An external support bracket carries the unit's weight from outside, freeing the window sash to slide down into the gap between the unit's front and rear sections. The result is a tighter seal around the frame, which translates to better insulation, reduced noise, and more efficient cooling.

This model earns the top spot for 2026, and it is easy to see why. Operating at just 42 decibels on its highest setting, it ranks among the quietest window ACs available — largely because the bulk of its mechanical components sit outside the home. Smart home users will appreciate built-in compatibility with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, along with app and remote control support. The app even sends filter-change reminders so maintenance never slips your mind. Available in 8,000, 10,000, and 12,000 BTU configurations, the 8,000 BTU version handles a large bedroom or living room comfortably. (BTU, or British Thermal Unit, measures how much heat a unit can extract from a space per hour.)

It is also worth noting that Midea offers the PWHP, a window-mounted heat pump that goes well beyond a standard AC with a tacked-on heat mode. It is a fully reversible heat pump — meaning it moves heat rather than generating it — and can draw warmth into a room even when outdoor temperatures drop well below freezing. With a 9,000 BTU output and significantly lower operating costs than conventional heating devices, the specs are genuinely impressive. The catch is that this technology is still emerging in the consumer space, making units both expensive and difficult to source.

---

### Zafro Lullaby Duo Portable AC — Best Portable Air Conditioner

For renters, frequent movers, or anyone who wants cooling flexibility throughout the home, the Zafro Lullaby Duo is the portable AC to beat. This freestanding dual-hose unit requires no permanent window installation — instead, an adjustable panel slides into your chosen window opening, and the whole unit rolls on wheels to wherever you need it most.

Control options are comprehensive: onboard buttons, a remote, and a Wi-Fi-enabled app that includes eco mode, humidity reduction, fan-only mode, and a high-power mode designed to rapidly bring room temperatures down to 61°F (16°C). The dual-hose design is a significant engineering advantage over cheaper single-hose competitors. Single-hose portables create negative air pressure inside the room, which pulls warm air back in through cracks and gaps elsewhere — effectively working against themselves. The Zafro eliminates this problem entirely.

That said, no portable unit is perfect. Although sealing foam is included, achieving a fully airtight window fit proved trickier than expected during testing. Noise levels on the highest setting reach 60 decibels, which is noticeably louder than the Midea U-Shaped unit. Still, the convenience of rolling it from room to room and setting it up in a different window makes it an excellent choice for flexible cooling needs.

---

### Windmill With WhisperTech — Best for Easy Installation and Design

Windmill set out to prove that a window air conditioner does not have to be an eyesore, a headache to install, or an unwanted source of background noise. The WhisperTech model delivers on all three fronts. It arrives fully preassembled, cutting installation time to roughly 15 minutes, and its design aesthetic is a genuine step above most units in this category.

Audio performance ranges from a barely perceptible hum at low settings to 50 decibels on high — quieter than the average window unit, though still not as hushed as the Midea. A magnetic front panel makes filter access refreshingly straightforward, providing easy reach to both the primary filter and a secondary activated carbon filter. Smart home integration is solid, with Google Home compatibility, app-based remote control, scheduling features, and an auto-dimming LED display for those who prefer a less intrusive look at night.

---

### Sony Reon Pocket Pro Plus — Best Wearable Cooling Device

Window and portable units are great at home, but what happens when you step outside into the heat? That is where Sony's Reon Pocket Pro Plus enters the picture. This wearable cooling device rests against the back of your neck on a rubberized band, using a stainless-steel plate paired with a small internal fan to either heat or cool the skin through the collar.

Now in its fourth generation, Sony has addressed the two most persistent criticisms of earlier Reon Pocket models: the neckband's tendency to slip out of position, and inadequate heat venting when worn under higher collars. The redesigned band reportedly improves stability by approximately 40 percent, while a companion accessory — the Reon Pocket Tag 2 sensor — monitors outdoor temperature and humidity in real time, feeding that data to the app so the device adjusts its output automatically.

Battery life is rated at 15 hours in Smart Cool mode, though real-world use lands closer to 10 hours. Charging to 90 percent takes just over two hours, which is reasonable for a device of this type. If you spend long hours outdoors during summer and want a personal cooling solution that goes wherever you do, the Reon Pocket Pro Plus is in a category of its own.

Discover the best air conditioners of 2026, from Midea's ultra-quiet window unit to Sony's wearable cooling tech. Find the right AC for your home.

4 Best Air Conditioners to Buy in 2026

large_BestAirCon_TopArt.jpg

medium_BestAirCon_TopArt.jpg

small_BestAirCon_TopArt.jpg

thumbnail_BestAirCon_TopArt.jpg

BestAirCon_TopArt.jpg

The 4 Best Air Conditioners You Can Buy Right Now

## David Thomson Reflects on Cinema, Culture, and What Comes Next

Few voices carry as much weight in the world of film writing as David Thomson. A celebrated critic, historian, and the author of more than 40 books, Thomson has spent decades dissecting the art, politics, and psychology of cinema with remarkable depth and clarity. Now, with the release of his latest work — *A Sudden Flicker of Light: A Revisionist History of Movies* — the revered writer is once again challenging the way we think about film and its far-reaching influence on society.

Published this week, the new book arrives at a moment when questions about storytelling, morality, and cultural identity feel more urgent than ever. Thomson sat down with The Hollywood Reporter to discuss the ideas driving his latest project — and the unexpected connections he sees between Hollywood's most complex characters and the current state of American politics.

## The Dark Side of the Screen: Antiheroes and Their Real-World Consequences

One of the most striking arguments Thomson makes involves the rise of the screen antihero and the cultural conditions that figure may have helped create. Over the past few decades, audiences have been drawn to morally ambiguous, often ruthless protagonists — characters who bend or break the rules while commanding our attention and even our admiration.

Thomson suggests this cultural fascination with powerful, boundary-pushing figures on screen did not exist in a vacuum. In his view, the glorification of antiheroes in film and television helped normalize a certain kind of aggressive, self-serving leadership — one that arguably paved the way for the political rise of Donald Trump. It is a bold claim, but one rooted in Thomson's long-standing belief that movies do not simply reflect society; they actively shape it.

## A Dictionary That Will Not Be Rewritten

Thomson is perhaps best known for *The New Biographical Dictionary of Film*, a monumental reference work that has gone through multiple editions over the decades and remains one of the most widely read and debated books ever written about cinema. However, Thomson has made it clear that the dictionary will not be receiving another update.

For a work so closely tied to a constantly evolving industry, this decision speaks volumes. Thomson appears to view the dictionary as a completed statement — a document of a particular era in film history rather than an endlessly expanding catalog. It is a deliberate choice that reflects his broader philosophy: that some works are best left to stand on their own terms.

## What Comes After Movies? Mickey Mouse

Perhaps the most unexpected revelation from Thomson's recent interview is the subject of his next book: Mickey Mouse. The iconic Disney character, now nearly a century old, represents far more than childhood nostalgia. As a global symbol of American entertainment, corporate power, and cultural export, Mickey Mouse offers a fascinating lens through which to examine the entertainment industry — and the world it helped build.

Thomson has always been drawn to subjects that sit at the intersection of pop culture and deeper meaning, and Mickey Mouse fits that profile perfectly. Whether the book will serve as biography, cultural analysis, or something else entirely remains to be seen — but coming from Thomson, it promises to be anything but conventional.

## A Career Built on Challenging Assumptions

At its core, Thomson's work has always been about asking uncomfortable questions. He does not simply celebrate cinema — he interrogates it, holding it accountable for its influence and examining the stories it chooses to tell. His revisionist approach, evident in the very title of his new book, invites readers to reconsider what they thought they knew about film history.

*A Sudden Flicker of Light* is available now, and for anyone serious about understanding how movies became one of the most powerful forces in modern culture, it is essential reading.

Film writer David Thomson discusses his new revisionist movie history, the cultural impact of screen antiheroes, and his upcoming book about Mickey Mouse.

David Thomson on Antiheroes, Trump, and Mickey Mouse Book

large_David-Thomson-Awards-Chatter-Getty-H-2026.jpg

medium_David-Thomson-Awards-Chatter-Getty-H-2026.jpg

small_David-Thomson-Awards-Chatter-Getty-H-2026.jpg

thumbnail_David-Thomson-Awards-Chatter-Getty-H-2026.jpg

David-Thomson-Awards-Chatter-Getty-H-2026.jpg

David Thomson on Screen Antiheroes, Trump, and Why Mickey Mouse Is His Next Big Subject

## Sony Bravia 7 Mark II: Is It Worth the Premium Price?

Sony's Bravia lineup has long been a trusted name in home entertainment, but the latest Bravia 7 Mark II raises a serious question: does a midrange television deserve a flagship price? Starting at $1,600 for the 50-inch model and climbing to $2,600 for the 65-inch version, this TV sits in an awkward position — too expensive to be considered a value buy, yet not powerful enough to compete with true high-end alternatives.

## Design and Build Quality

At first glance, the Bravia 7 Mark II cuts a sleek figure. Its all-black chassis with a slim 2.25-inch bezel gives it a clean, modern look that closely resembles Sony's own Bravia 5. The most notable design departure is the new **Mirage Stand** — a single central foot designed to give the TV a floating appearance above your entertainment surface. Unlike traditional dual-foot designs, this stand works well for smaller tables and tight spaces.

Unfortunately, the floating illusion doesn't quite land. The transparent plastic component meant to create the effect appears noticeably foggy, making it clearly visible rather than invisible as intended. It's a creative concept that falls short in execution.

Assembling the stand is another mild frustration. The multi-part leg system requires attaching prongs to a base before mounting the whole assembly onto the TV — a process that feels unnecessarily complex compared to the tool-free snap-on feet found on some Samsung models.

## Setup and Software Experience

On the software side, things are largely smooth. The Bravia 7 Mark II runs **Google TV** as its operating system, which delivers a polished and intuitive interface. However, initial setup hit a small snag — the Google Home app's QR code login method didn't function properly during testing, requiring a manual Gmail sign-in instead. Once past that hurdle, the rest of the onboarding process was quick and painless, taking roughly 10 minutes to complete with apps installed and settings configured.

The included remote is compact and well-organized, with clearly labeled volume and channel controls alongside dedicated shortcut buttons for Sony Pictures Core, Amazon Prime, and Netflix. One layout oddity worth noting: the Home button is positioned on the right side of the remote rather than in the center, breaking from the industry standard that most users will be accustomed to.

## Ports and Connectivity

Flipping to the back panel reveals four HDMI ports — but only two of them support the faster **HDMI 2.1** standard. There is no DisplayPort connection, which limits the maximum PC refresh rate to **120 Hz**. Competitors like the Hisense UR9 offer DisplayPort support with refresh rates up to 180 Hz and a variable 330 Hz mode for smoother, low-latency gaming. The Bravia 7 Mark II also includes a coaxial port for antenna or cable input and two USB ports for storage devices or powering an HD antenna.

## Picture Quality and Sony's Enhancements

This is where the Bravia 7 Mark II struggles to justify its cost. Sony's proprietary picture processing tools, including **XR Contrast Booster** and **Reality Creation**, promised to elevate the viewing experience but delivered underwhelming results in practice. XR Contrast Booster produced minimal visible improvement, while Reality Creation — designed to sharpen and smooth older standard-definition content — failed to make a meaningful difference on standard YouTube videos.

Color reproduction in high-resolution 4K content is genuinely impressive, particularly in vibrant, well-lit scenes. However, contrast and brightness levels are merely average for a television in this price bracket, which is a significant drawback for a $2,600 purchase.

## Gaming Performance

Gaming results were similarly mixed. Testing with the Vietnam level in *007 First Light* on PC highlighted the TV's core inconsistency: brilliantly lit outdoor scenes looked sharp and vivid, while darker environments caused contrast to appear washed out and flat. The 120 Hz refresh rate performed adequately but lacked the responsiveness and clarity offered by competing panels like the **Hisense UR9 Mini RGB**.

## Final Verdict

The Sony Bravia 7 Mark II is not a bad television — it offers a clean design, an easy-to-use smart TV platform, and strong color performance in ideal conditions. But at its current price point, it faces stiff competition from displays that deliver superior contrast, brighter panels, and more advanced gaming features. If you're investing $2,600 in a living room centerpiece, there are better options available that deliver more for your money.

The Sony Bravia 7 Mark II costs up to $2,600 but delivers only average contrast and brightness. Read our full review before you buy.

Sony Bravia 7 Mark II Review: Midrange TV, High-End Price

large_Review--Sony-Bravia-7-Mark-II.jpg

medium_Review--Sony-Bravia-7-Mark-II.jpg

small_Review--Sony-Bravia-7-Mark-II.jpg

thumbnail_Review--Sony-Bravia-7-Mark-II.jpg

Review--Sony-Bravia-7-Mark-II.jpg

Sony Bravia 7 Mark II Review: Premium Price Tag, Midrange Performance

## The Hydroponic Garden Experts Actually Recommend Is at Its Lowest Price Yet

If you've ever asked a hydroponic gardening enthusiast where to begin, chances are they pointed you straight toward an Aerogarden. These countertop growing systems have built a rock-solid reputation over the years for being incredibly beginner-friendly — no complicated pH testing, no fussing with dissolved solids, no tangled networks of pipes and hoses. You simply top off the water and add nutrients once every couple of weeks, and the garden does the rest.

## Why the Aerogarden Bounty Stands Out

Most budget hydroponic gardens under $100 tend to be stripped-down, no-frills units — think the six-pod Harvest Lite, which offers little more than a single button to toggle the lights and set a basic schedule. The Aerogarden Bounty is a meaningful step up from that entry-level tier.

With nine pods and a maximum plant height of 24 inches, the Bounty is built to handle more ambitious crops like tomatoes and peppers, not just herbs and lettuce. Its grow lights are noticeably more powerful, giving your plants the intensity they need to truly thrive.

### Smart Features That Make Growing Effortless

The Bounty's front panel features a digital display and intuitive controls that alert you when it's time to add water or liquid plant food — both of which are included in the box. You can program a custom light schedule, and a dedicated vacation mode ensures your garden stays healthy even when you're away from home, a feature you simply won't find on cheaper models.

For the tech-savvy grower, the Bounty is also Wi-Fi enabled and fully compatible with Amazon Alexa, so you can monitor and manage your garden hands-free.

## Freedom to Use Your Own Seeds

While the Aerogarden Bounty ships with a set of proprietary seed pods to get you started right away, you're never locked into the brand's ecosystem. Affordable third-party sponges and planting baskets — currently available in packs of 50 for around $13 — let you grow from your own seed selection, whether you plan to harvest indoors or eventually transplant your seedlings outside.

## A Deal Worth Acting On

At its regular price, the Aerogarden Bounty is already a compelling purchase for anyone serious about growing fresh herbs, salad greens, or vegetables at home. At 63% off and just $83, it's one of the strongest gardening deals of the year. Whether you're a curious first-timer or someone ready to upgrade from a basic unit, this compact, capable system delivers exceptional value without the learning curve.

The Aerogarden Bounty is 63% off at just $83. Discover why this 9-pod hydroponic system is the top pick for beginner and experienced indoor gardeners alike.

Aerogarden Bounty Review: 63% Off Hydroponic Garden Deal

large_Flash-Deal--This-Fancy-Aerogarden-Model-Is-Now-63-Percent-Off.jpg

medium_Flash-Deal--This-Fancy-Aerogarden-Model-Is-Now-63-Percent-Off.jpg

small_Flash-Deal--This-Fancy-Aerogarden-Model-Is-Now-63-Percent-Off.jpg

thumbnail_Flash-Deal--This-Fancy-Aerogarden-Model-Is-Now-63-Percent-Off.jpg

Flash-Deal--This-Fancy-Aerogarden-Model-Is-Now-63-Percent-Off.jpg

The Best Beginner Hydroponic Garden Is 63% Off — Here's Why It's Worth Every Penny

## A Role That Hits Closer to Home Than Ever

Samuel Beckett's 1958 masterpiece *Krapp's Last Tape* has never felt more relevant. Stephen Rea recently toured the world with it, Gary Oldman made a long-awaited return to the stage to perform the tragicomic solo piece, and this summer Stockard Channing is set to direct a new production at the Edinburgh Fringe with David Westhead in the lead role. Beckett's lonely, aging protagonist — a man who retreats into his dimly lit study to replay recordings of his younger self — is experiencing a remarkable cultural resurgence.

Now, veteran actor Peter Marinker is stepping back into that same role, bringing with him something no other performer has carried to this particular stage: a real-life diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease.

## Returning to Krapp After Four Decades

Marinker first took on the role of Krapp more than 40 years ago, and for this new production, he will reuse the original audio recordings he made back in 1983. When asked whether he considered re-recording them, he admitted he thought about it. "It could have been better," he said with characteristic self-reflection during a meeting at London's intimate Cockpit Theatre. That kind of honest, unflinching self-appraisal fits perfectly with the spirit of Beckett's character, who revisits his past with equal measures of bitterness and grief. Marinker referenced the late writer Dennis Potter's philosophy that we should view our own histories with what Potter called "tender contempt" — a phrase that clearly resonated with the actor.

At 84, Marinker is notably older than Beckett originally envisioned Krapp to be. The playwright set the character's age at 69. Yet Marinker's added years — and the cognitive challenges he now faces daily — lend his portrayal an authenticity that is both remarkable and deeply moving.

## When Memory Begins to Slip

Marinker received his Alzheimer's diagnosis two years ago, though he recalls noticing the early signs while performing as Gandalf in a musical adaptation of *The Lord of the Rings* at the Watermill Theatre. "I would have these little dropouts on stage," he explained. "I'd just pause and then carry on." As the memory lapses became more frequent, an understudy eventually stepped in to take over the role. Ever the optimist, Marinker reflected on one silver lining: "At least I got to take my wife and see the play."

He later took on a role in the Netflix series *Death by Lightning*, managing to learn his lines despite finding the process considerably more demanding than before. For *Krapp's Last Tape*, he will have access to in-ear prompts whenever he needs them — a practical solution that the production team has embraced without hesitation.

## A Director Who Sees the Deeper Connection

The production was brought to life at the suggestion of the Cockpit Theatre's director, Dave Wybrow, who previously collaborated with Marinker on *Waiting for Godot*. Wybrow sees a profound thematic thread connecting Beckett's body of work to the experience of living with Alzheimer's. "All the way through Godot, there's the misremembered and half-remembered," Wybrow noted. "Godot means something completely different if you've known people with Alzheimer's."

Marinker's own introduction to Beckett came in 1976 when he attended the playwright's German-language production of *Godot* at the Royal Court. By his own admission, he didn't fully grasp it at first — but it sparked a lifelong obsession. "I started finding any bits of Beckett that I could," he recalled.

## From the Canadian Prairies to Beckett's World

Growing up in the Canadian Prairies, Marinker's earliest theatrical memory is a charmingly absurd one. At a boys' boarding school, guided by an English teacher who had once been an actor, he made his stage debut playing a grandmother — knitting in a rocking chair as the curtain rose and his classmates erupted in laughter. It was, perhaps unknowingly, a moment not entirely unlike the darkly comedic world Beckett would later draw him into.

In the early 2000s, Marinker co-founded the Godot Company alongside Beckett's publisher John Calder, with the mission of staging the playwright's works. The company operates with the blessing of Edward Beckett, the playwright's nephew and estate executor, who holds Marinker's interpretations in high regard. That goodwill has extended to some creative liberties in this new production — including a significant departure from Krapp's traditional costume of short trousers, waistcoat, and distinctively unusual boots. For this version, Marinker will perform in his wife's dressing gown and is even considering going barefoot — provided he can still manage to slip convincingly on Krapp's iconic banana skin.

## The Banana, the Spool, and the Child Within

That banana is no minor prop. Krapp's relationship with the fruit — peeling, stroking, and devouring it with almost ceremonial delight — is one of the play's most enduring images. Beckett's detailed stage directions treat it as a ritualistic act, and the way Krapp savors the word "spooool" with the same sensory pleasure reveals a childlike wonder lurking beneath his aged exterior. Wybrow describes these moments as reflecting "a childish level of engagement with the world" — a quality that makes the play both heartbreaking and strangely joyful.

## Voice, Memory, and a Life in Sound

For Marinker, the Irish accent he adopts on stage is deeply personal — it belongs, he says, to his mother, who read aloud to him throughout his childhood. His performance will draw on decades of accumulated experience, including a study at home that he describes as filled with "chaos and recordings of all the things I've done" — a space not unlike Krapp's own den of memories.

Beyond the stage, Marinker has built a rich career in voice acting, contributing to major video game franchises such as *Dark Souls*, where he voiced the serpent Darkstalker Kaathe. His vocal work extends to BBC Radio — including programmes like *Poetry Please* and *Words and Music* — as well as audiobooks for the Royal National Institute of Blind People. He even lent his voice to the recent film *Paddington in Peru*, though not as the beloved bear himself. "I was an old bear," he said with a mischievous smile.

He has, by design, remained largely invisible throughout much of his career. While working alongside Pierce Brosnan on *The Tailor of Panama*, he watched the former James Bond actor get swarmed by fans and quietly concluded that anonymity suited him just fine.

## Finding Words When Words Begin to Fade

Throughout their conversation, Marinker returned repeatedly to Beckett's lines — as if the playwright's language provided both a map and a refuge. When his own memory faltered, he drew on Beckett's late poem *What Is the Word*, written after the playwright himself experienced aphasia and struggled to find language.

But perhaps most powerfully, Marinker shared a poem of his own — a recent piece titled *A Foggy Brain in London Town* — and read it aloud with quiet curiosity and grace. Its closing lines capture something both deeply personal and universally human:

> *Well it's the lost memories*
> *Where? When? Who? What?*
> *I can't tell you*
> *I fish without a bait*
> *there's nothing on the hook*
> *What have I forgotten this time?*
> *I just can't tell you*
> *But I am telling you, NOW.*

In those words — and in his willingness to walk back onto the stage — Peter Marinker offers something rare: a reminder that art, memory, and identity can endure even as the mind begins its long, uncertain journey inward.

At 84, actor Peter Marinker stars in Krapp's Last Tape while living with Alzheimer's, bringing raw authenticity to Beckett's iconic meditation on memory and age

Peter Marinker Performs Krapp's Last Tape With Alzheimer's

large_3508.jpg

medium_3508.jpg

small_3508.jpg

thumbnail_3508.jpg

3508.jpg

Acting Through the Fog: How Peter Marinker Brings Alzheimer's to the Stage in Krapp's Last Tape

## Wooting 60HE v2: A New Benchmark for Gaming Keyboards

The Wooting 60HE v2 represents a significant leap forward in Hall Effect keyboard technology. With a refined build, deeply customizable software, and thoughtful engineering decisions throughout, this compact powerhouse makes a compelling case for being the finest gaming keyboard on the market today.

## Design Decisions Worth Understanding

Wooting made a couple of bold choices with the 60HE v2 that may raise eyebrows at first glance — but both are well-justified upon closer inspection.

### The Optional Split Spacebar

The split spacebar configuration gives each thumb its own dedicated function key, placing frequently used shortcuts within comfortable reach during gaming sessions and productivity work alike. Despite only about 20% of buyers opting for this layout, Wooting continues to offer it as an alternative to the traditional full-length spacebar, a decision that speaks to their commitment to user choice.

### The 60% Compact Layout

Admittedly, the 60% form factor means sacrificing a dedicated function row and arrow keys. However, Wooting has addressed this thoughtfully through software. Users can assign arrow key functionality to a function layer over WASD, IJKL, or the bottom-right key cluster. The "Mod Tap" feature further extends the utility of keys like Right Shift, Menu, Ctrl, and Fn, making the missing keys far less of a practical concern.

## Built on a Standardized Foundation

One of the 60HE v2's most underrated strengths is its use of the standard GH60/Tofu60 PCB layout. This makes it one of the rare Hall Effect keyboards that supports genuine mechanical-level customization, including aftermarket cases, third-party switches, and community modifications. For enthusiasts who love personalizing their setup, this is a major selling point.

## How Hall Effect Technology Works

Unlike traditional mechanical keyboards — which require a full keypress to complete an electrical circuit and register input — Hall Effect keyboards use magnets and sensors to detect changes in a magnetic field. This means keystrokes can register without any physical contact, enabling more nuanced and precise input control.

## Premium Build Quality Right Out of the Box

The v2 incorporates popular community-driven modifications as standard features. The keyboard ships with an aluminum case, integrated sound dampening, and a friction-fit mount. Wooting also overhauled the internal mounting system, replacing the conventional O-ring mount with a newly developed gummy mount. According to CEO Calder Limmen, this change enhances durability, reduces separation between the switches and PCB, and maintains the same satisfying sound and tactile feel.

### Sound Profile Options

The 60HE v2 offers three sound dampening configurations: foam, silicone, or open air. Silicone produces a higher-pitched tone, while the air configuration yields the deepest sound. All three options performed impressively well in testing. Combined with the closed-bottom switch design, the keyboard achieves a full, resonant acoustic profile that avoids the hollow sound commonly associated with Hall Effect boards.

## Performance That Sets a New Standard

At the heart of the 60HE v2 is an 8,000 Hz polling rate, paired with nearly unlimited software customization through Wooting's browser-based Wootility application. The app allows users to adjust actuation distances, configure Rapid Trigger for faster response times, and assign multiple actions to a single key. Advanced features include Mod Tap support and controller emulation, enabling WASD keys to simulate a joystick or map specific keys to vehicle controls like throttle, brake, and clutch.

### Gaming Applications

In movement-intensive games such as Destiny 2, the analog input capabilities shine. A half-press can be mapped to walking while a full press triggers sprinting, creating fluid and natural speed transitions. In titles that support hybrid input — such as GTA V — WASD can even function as an analog joystick, scaling movement speed based on how deeply a key is pressed.

Racing games including Forza Horizon 5, Art of Rally, and Assetto Corsa are also fully playable, even with manual transmission support. Mapping throttle, brake, and clutch to Z, X, and C respectively, with steering on J and L and gear shifts on Ctrl and Space, delivers a surprisingly effective and comfortable racing experience on a keyboard.

## Excellent Switch Compatibility

Switch support has historically been a weak spot for analog keyboards, but the 60HE v2 outperforms rivals from Keychron, Razer, and ROG — most of which support only two or three switch options. By adopting the widely compatible KS-20 design, the 60HE v2 supports switches from Gateron, Geon, and an expanding roster of other manufacturers, giving users a growing selection to choose from.

## Minor Drawbacks

The only notable criticism is the USB-C port placement. Following the standard GH60 layout, the port sits on the left side of the PCB rather than in a more convenient centered position on a separate daughterboard. While this could be seen as a minor inconvenience for repairability and cable management, the broader benefits of standardization for both consumers and manufacturers make it a reasonable trade-off.

The absence of wireless connectivity is the one feature gap that may disappoint some users. Outside of that, the 60HE v2 leaves very little to be desired.

## Final Verdict

The Wooting 60HE v2 is a genuinely exceptional gaming keyboard. Its build quality is robust, its switches are smooth and consistent, and virtually every element can be customized to suit individual preferences. Currently available at $240 — with a plastic case version at $180 — the keyboard is backordered, but patient buyers will find it well worth the wait. This is Hall Effect keyboard engineering at its finest.

The Wooting 60HE v2 offers 8000Hz polling, deep software customization, and premium build quality. Read our full review of this top-tier Hall Effect gaming keyb

Wooting 60HE v2 Review: Best Hall Effect Gaming Keyboard

large_Wooting-60HE-v2-.jpg

medium_Wooting-60HE-v2-.jpg

small_Wooting-60HE-v2-.jpg

thumbnail_Wooting-60HE-v2-.jpg

Wooting-60HE-v2-.jpg

Wooting 60HE v2 Review: The Ultimate Hall Effect Gaming Keyboard

## Partiful Takes Its First Step Toward Making Money

After six years of operating as a completely free service, Partiful — the wildly popular social events platform millions of people use to organize everything from backyard barbecues to neighborhood block parties — has unveiled its first significant monetization strategy. The company announced on Tuesday that it is introducing native ticket purchasing directly within its app, marking a notable shift in how the platform operates.

Previously, hosts who wanted to charge admission for their events had no choice but to direct guests to third-party payment platforms via external links. That workaround created unnecessary friction for both organizers and attendees. Now, the entire ticketing process lives inside Partiful itself.

## What the New Ticketing Feature Actually Does

The updated platform gives event hosts a comprehensive set of tools to manage paid events without ever leaving the app. These include:

- **Multiple ticket tiers** to accommodate different pricing levels
- **Capacity controls** so hosts can cap attendance
- **Integrated payment processing** handled seamlessly in-app
- **QR code verification** at the door when guests arrive

In exchange for providing these services, Partiful collects a percentage of each transaction. Hosts have the flexibility to absorb that fee into their ticket pricing or pass it along to buyers as a separate charge.

Partiful CEO Shreya Murthy was clear that the decision to build ticketing functionality was driven by user need rather than pure financial pressure. "We built this not because we felt the need to monetize; we really built it in response to a problem that hosts were facing," Murthy explained. She also confirmed that ticketing is just the beginning: "This is the first big monetization feature that we've had on the platform, and it won't be the last."

## A Brief History of Partiful

Partiful was launched in 2020 by Murthy and co-founder Joy Tao, both of whom previously worked at Palantir. The platform gained serious momentum in the post-pandemic era around 2021, as people eagerly returned to socializing. Its cultural moment truly arrived in 2024, when Partiful became the go-to hub for invitations to a viral Timothée Chalamet look-alike competition.

The company has operated on $27 million in venture capital funding from backers including Andreessen Horowitz, maintaining a free product for its growing base of millions of users. Those users have relied on Partiful to send invites for birthday gatherings, community events, trading meetups, and quirky local happenings.

## From "We Won't Make Money" to Monetization

The irony of this announcement is hard to miss. Back in 2023, Partiful posted a now-infamous tweet declaring: "Partiful will not make money. There is no pitch at scale. Investors gave us money to help u party, and that is what we are here to do. Enjoy it babes."

That post took on a life of its own, circulating widely and becoming something of a running joke — or, as many assumed, a genuine promise. Murthy clarified in a conversation with WIRED that the tweet was never meant to be taken seriously.

"It's kind of funny how many people took it literally, and now it's followed us around everywhere, and it's become a meme," she said. "But it is nice to say that Partiful is monetizing now."

Partiful's own website acknowledges the transition openly, stating that while its "core product is free, and always will be," the company plans to roll out optional paid features over time. Tickets represent the first chapter of that strategy.

## Can Partiful Monetize Without Losing Its Soul?

One of the biggest concerns users have when a beloved free platform starts charging for things is the dreaded "enshittification" effect — the gradual degradation of a product as it chases revenue at the expense of user experience. Murthy pushed back firmly on that characterization.

"I would contend that with the launch of ticketing, this is an act of unshittification," she said. "The experience today is janky for hosts, and it's janky for guests. That process that people were already going through is now streamlined directly in Partiful."

Partiful has always thrived on a sense of community charm and offbeat energy. A quick browse of events listed in the Bay Area reveals gatherings like "Open Paint Night," "Capture the Flag," and an event called "Bean-Up" — whose description simply asks, "Do you love beans?" — with dozens of confirmed attendees. That spirit is a big part of what has kept users loyal.

## Taking Aim at Community Events, Not Coachella

Murthy was careful to distinguish Partiful's ticketing ambitions from those of industry giants like Ticketmaster or AXS. The focus, she says, remains firmly on smaller, community-driven gatherings rather than massive stadium concerts or arena tours.

That said, when pressed on whether large-scale events could ever be in the picture, Murthy did not exactly close the door — especially when it comes to one very high-profile artist.

"Look, if Taylor Swift reads this article, please print that I would love for her to have her concert on Partiful," Murthy said with characteristic humor. "She can have her people contact my people."

With competitors like Facebook Events, Apple Invites, and the rising platform Luma all vying for the same audience, Partiful's move into ticketing is as much about survival as it is about growth. The question now is whether it can generate sustainable revenue while holding onto the irreverent, community-first identity that made it beloved in the first place.

Partiful launches native in-app ticketing after six years as a free platform. Here's what the new feature means for hosts, guests, and the company's future.

Partiful Adds In-App Ticketing in First Monetization Move

large_horizontal%20copy.jpg

medium_horizontal%20copy.jpg

small_horizontal%20copy.jpg

thumbnail_horizontal%20copy.jpg

horizontal%20copy.jpg

Partiful Launches In-App Ticketing as Its First Real Revenue Play

## Rosamund Pike Takes a Stand Against Phone Use in the Theatre

Oliver Award-winning actress Rosamund Pike made a bold statement about theatre etiquette last Saturday when she returned to the stage following her West End performance in *Inter Alia* to address a member of the audience who had been texting during one of the play's most emotionally intense moments.

Performing at the prestigious Wyndham's Theatre in London's West End, Pike — best known for her roles in *Gone Girl* and *Saltburn* — stepped back into the spotlight after the curtain fell to deliver an impromptu, heartfelt message that left the crowd both stunned and ultimately cheering.

## What Pike Said to the Audience

After asking the crowd not to film her remarks, Pike addressed a section of the front stalls — the seats closest to the stage — where a theatergoer had been visibly using their phone during a pivotal scene.

"I just wanted to say for anyone going to the theatre, it's a huge thing that we're trying to give you," Pike told the audience. "I am trying to tell you a story, and I'm feeling you, and I hope you're feeling me too."

She was careful not to directly identify the individual, saying, "You know who you are and I'm not going to single you out." However, she made her feelings clear, adding that she hoped the texter had been a doctor responding to a genuine emergency.

"Maybe it was very important, and maybe you're a doctor, and you're saving someone's life, and I hope you are — but we do see these, we do feel them," she said. "I've got you, I feel like I've got to hold you all, so when I feel that and see it, it's hard."

The audience initially gasped at the candid address before breaking into applause once Pike finished speaking.

## An Eyewitness Account

One audience member who was present during the incident spoke to BBC News, praising Pike for addressing the situation with grace and restraint. The witness, who chose to remain anonymous, said the moment Pike returned to the stage, she had expected a standard charity announcement — common practice at West End shows — rather than the frank speech that followed.

"We were stunned to hear her berate an audience member in the front of the stalls who had been texting throughout the final, most moving scene," the eyewitness said.

She noted that the disruption occurred during what she described as "the hardest bit of the play" — a moment involving a serious on-stage revelation. Ironically, she also observed that other audience members nearby had been equally disruptive, including a man with a constantly buzzing Apple Watch and a couple who talked through the entire performance.

While the witness strongly supported Pike's speech, she expressed doubt that the culprit would feel any genuine remorse. "Sadly, I doubt this person will feel any guilt as we live in such an entitled world now," she said.

Interestingly, the same eyewitness drew a distinction between phone use during a show and filming the curtain call at the end, suggesting the latter is a relatively harmless tradition — and one that may hold sentimental value for parents of child performers who want to preserve memories of their children on a West End stage.

## About Inter Alia

*Inter Alia*, written by acclaimed playwright Suzie Miller — the Olivier Award-winning mind behind *Prima Facie* — is a powerful drama centred on sexual assault and the systemic failings of the legal system. Pike plays Jessica Parks, a London Crown Court judge whose professional and personal worlds become dangerously intertwined.

Earlier this year, Pike took home the Olivier Award for Best Actress for her commanding portrayal in the role, cementing the production as one of the standout theatrical events of the season.

## A Growing Trend: Actors Pushing Back Against Phone Use

Pike is far from the first performer to publicly confront disruptive audience behaviour linked to mobile devices. Actress Cynthia Erivo recently paused her performance of *Dracula* after spotting someone filming from the audience, while Andrew Scott famously stopped mid-soliloquy during a production of *Hamlet* when he noticed an audience member using a laptop.

High-profile names including Daniel Craig, Hugh Jackman, and Patti LuPone have all voiced similar frustrations, and actress Lesley Manville recently told BBC Radio 4 that she finds phone use — even during curtain calls — to be outright "insulting."

"Come on, it's theatre — let's preserve it!" Manville urged. "We are all in this room, we are telling you a story, you're listening — clap or don't clap, but don't just stick your phone in our face."

### Juliet Stevenson Weighs In

Actress Juliet Stevenson also stepped into the conversation, speaking to BBC Radio 4's *World at One* on Monday to praise Pike's decision to speak up. Stevenson emphasised that both performers and audiences share a mutual responsibility in preserving the "imaginative world" created within the theatre walls.

"One person's phone going off shatters that for everybody," she argued, calling the act of disrupting a live performance "an act of extreme selfishness."

She also highlighted the double burden placed on actors in such moments: "You feel not only is your own concentration very disturbed and you're pulled out of the fiction, but then you also feel you've got to try and pull the audience back as well — so you've got two responsibilities."

As the debate around mobile phone etiquette in theatres continues to intensify, Pike's measured but firm response has reignited a conversation the theatrical community has been having for years — one that shows no signs of going quiet anytime soon.

Rosamund Pike publicly addressed an audience member for texting during her West End play Inter Alia, sparking a wider debate about phone use in theatres.

Rosamund Pike Calls Out Texter During West End Show

5e7e4c50-5dc2-11f1-8b8c-6d33e1d5abb6.jpg

Rosamund Pike Confronts Phone-Addicted Theatergoer After West End Performance

## From Viral YouTube Clip to Hollywood Feature Film

Kane Parsons hasn't had a moment to breathe. "It's been go, go, go," he recently told WIRED, acknowledging that even a brief pause would help him process the whirlwind of the past few years. For now, though, he's embracing the spotlight — and expects it'll be at least another month before he can truly step back and take stock of how dramatically his life has changed.

His debut feature, *Backrooms*, is a brooding, cerebral horror film starring Chiwetel Ejiofor and Renate Reinsve. An ambitious expansion of his atmospheric YouTube web series of the same name, the movie marks Parsons' arrival as A24's youngest-ever director — a remarkable milestone for a filmmaker whose career began not in film school, but in the comment sections and creative communities of the internet. With its release perfectly timed for summer blockbuster season, the anticipation surrounding the film has been enormous.

Yet Parsons is remarkably modest about how it all came together. "I never went into making that first short or making the series with the intention of proving to Hollywood that this concept could carry a film," he says. "It wasn't a calculated move."

## The Creepy 4Chan Post That Started It All

The story behind *Backrooms* stretches back to 2019, when an anonymous user posted on 4chan's /x/ paranormal forum. Alongside a deeply unsettling photograph of a bare, fluorescent-lit hallway, the post described a place called "the Backrooms" — an infinite, disorienting maze characterized by "the stink of old, moist carpet, the madness of mono-yellow, the endless background noise of fluorescent lights at maximum hum-buzz, and approximately six hundred million square miles of randomly segmented empty rooms." The warning that closed the post was equally chilling: "God save you if you hear something wandering around nearby, because it sure as hell has heard you."

The concept quickly spread across social media platforms, spawning a wave of fan-created stories, artwork, and lore. It became part of a broader cultural fascination with liminal spaces — eerie, transitional environments that feel simultaneously familiar and deeply wrong. Parsons stumbled upon this growing mythology and felt an immediate pull toward it.

"It was clearly scratching something that I didn't really see much other media scratching," he explains. "I found myself wishing there was simply more of it to engage with."

## A Teenager With a Vision and the Right Software

Determined to fill that creative void, Parsons set to work using Blender 3D animation software and Adobe After Effects to craft his own interpretation of the Backrooms. The result — a nine-minute found-footage short titled *The Backrooms (Found Footage)*, uploaded in 2022 — depicted a lone figure being pursued through those endless, sickly corridors by something deeply threatening. The video exploded online, earning widespread praise for both its technical sophistication and its suffocating atmosphere. Fans immediately began dissecting the mythology, and within a month, Hollywood studios were calling.

Despite still being a teenager at the time, Parsons approached these overtures with a healthy dose of skepticism. "I was distrustful of pretty much everything that was happening," he admits. "It's a very common experience for that kind of buzz to turn into nothing — or something even worse than nothing."

His caution paid off. He eventually secured a deal that allowed him to preserve his creative vision, collaborating with screenwriter Will Soodik — known for his work on *Homeland* and *Westworld* — while being backed by producers Osgood Perkins and James Wan, two of horror's most respected names.

## What the Film Is Actually About

*Backrooms* is a visually rich, psychologically layered experience drenched in fluorescent unease. Ejiofor plays Clark, a hard-drinking divorcé barely keeping his San Jose furniture store afloat and carrying a deep-seated anger he struggles to acknowledge. In therapy sessions with Dr. Mary (Reinsve), he attempts to unravel the behavioral cycles that have derailed his life — the collapse of his marriage, the abandonment of his dream to become an architect. Mary, meanwhile, carries her own hidden wounds: as a child, her agoraphobic mother kept her confined indoors, windows sealed with yellowing newspaper.

The story shifts into supernatural territory one evening when Clark, investigating a malfunctioning circuit breaker in his darkened showroom, notices a faintly glowing seam in the wall. Inexplicably, the plaster gives way to reveal a passage into a vast, seemingly infinite labyrinth — an otherworldly maze of connected rooms filled with objects and architecture that feel almost recognizable, yet fundamentally wrong. Drawn back repeatedly, Clark attempts to map the sprawl and discover whether he is truly alone in there.

## Balancing Fan Expectations With Mainstream Appeal

One of Parsons' central challenges was crafting a narrative that would reward the Backrooms' devoted online fanbase without alienating newcomers. "You have to be careful not to lean too hard into the existing community," he says, noting that deeply invested fans — the "problem-solvers" and "puzzle-oriented people" — can develop such elaborate theories that they end up limiting rather than expanding a story's potential.

His solution was restraint. *Backrooms* deliberately withholds definitive answers, leaving viewers sitting with discomfort rather than resolution. The film is also set in the 1990s, a choice that adds an interesting layer of irony: a mythology born from internet culture is explored through a character who has no access to the internet, no search engine to consult, no platform to share his discovery. As Parsons wryly notes, "He can't even fly a drone down there."

The film's impossible spatial logic draws comparisons to the Overlook Hotel in *The Shining*, creating an architecture of dread that lingers in the mind long after the credits roll.

## A Landmark Moment for Horror and Hollywood

Industry trackers are projecting a massive opening weekend for *Backrooms* — one that could shatter A24's existing box office record. Beyond the numbers, many are viewing the film as a signal of a broader shift in how Hollywood identifies emerging talent, with YouTube increasingly serving as a proving ground for the next generation of horror directors.

But perhaps the most compelling aspect of the film's cultural moment is simpler than any industry trend: *Backrooms* is a genuinely original story. As I walked to my car after a screening — through a silent, underground parking garage — I caught myself glancing over my shoulder, half-expecting to hear footsteps that weren't there.

For Parsons, growing up immersed in overlapping online creative communities gave him a finely tuned sense of what audiences are hungry for but rarely receive. "What people are looking for, it feels like they're usually ignored or neglected," he says. "There's a real power in feeling tapped into that conversation — in actually having it with everyone else."

Director Kane Parsons turns a creepy 4chan myth into A24's boldest horror film yet, starring Chiwetel Ejiofor and Renate Reinsve. Here's the full story.

Backrooms: How a Viral Meme Became A24's Biggest Horror Film

large_Backrooms-Culture-A24.jpg

medium_Backrooms-Culture-A24.jpg

small_Backrooms-Culture-A24.jpg

thumbnail_Backrooms-Culture-A24.jpg

Backrooms-Culture-A24.jpg

How a Teenage Filmmaker Turned a Creepy Internet Myth Into A24's Next Big Horror Hit

## Samsung Movingstyle M7 Review: The Rolling TV That Goes Where You Go

Samsung's Movingstyle M7 has officially taken over my living room. And my kitchen. And my dining room. That pretty much tells you everything you need to know about how this rolling smart display fits into daily life.

### Design and Setup

Getting the Movingstyle up and running is refreshingly simple. The assembly process involves just a handful of screws and routing the power cable through the stand — nothing that should intimidate even the most reluctant do-it-yourselfer. Once assembled, the rolling stand itself is an impressively thoughtful piece of engineering, offering adjustments for tilt, height, and rotation.

That said, all those adjustments are controlled through a single handle, and the experience is a bit clunky. For a display designed to be repositioned constantly, the adjustment mechanism could stand to be more intuitive. The stand also does not offer vertical movement on its own — height changes are made by repositioning the monitor along the steel mounting bar. Fortunately, the eight inches of available height adjustment proved sufficient for finding a comfortable eye-level position whether sitting on the couch or standing in the kitchen.

### Mobility: The Good and the Not-So-Good

For anyone without a dedicated television setup, the Movingstyle's portability is genuinely exciting. Wheeling the display from one room to another feels like a small luxury, and the unit glides smoothly across hardwood floors. Even moderately thin rugs present little resistance, making room-to-room transitions genuinely hassle-free on a single floor.

However, mobility does come with real-world limitations. Living in a multi-story home means stairs immediately cut off access between floors, significantly reducing the device's range. The power cable, measuring just four feet and nine inches, is another constraint. While it edges out the length of a standard desktop monitor cord, users in larger homes will almost certainly need an extension cord or will find themselves hunting for conveniently placed outlets as they move the display around. Thick carpet or high-pile rugs may also slow the wheels down considerably.

### Smart TV Software

Where Samsung truly shines is in its smart TV ecosystem. The Movingstyle runs on Samsung's Tizen operating system — the same platform found across the brand's smart monitor lineup — meaning the display operates as a fully standalone smart TV without needing to be tethered to a computer or laptop. Access to a wide range of apps, streaming services, and a generous library of free content makes this one of the more compelling smart monitor experiences on the market today.

### Speaker Performance

Audio quality from a thin rolling display might seem like an afterthought, but the Movingstyle's speakers deliver a surprisingly capable performance. Volume levels and clarity are strong enough to fill a mid-sized room comfortably, adding real value to the overall package.

### Picture Quality

The 32-inch 4K panel delivers a competent picture, though it stops short of being exceptional. Colors and contrast are adequate for everyday viewing and streaming, but videophiles or those accustomed to premium OLED or QLED displays may notice the limitations. For casual TV watching and everyday use, however, the screen performs well enough.

### How It Compares to Other Models

Samsung does offer a higher-end Movingstyle variant that adds a touchscreen, a 120Hz refresh rate suited for gaming, and a built-in battery — a feature that eliminates the cord-length frustration entirely. The catch? It steps down to a 27-inch 1440p panel and jumps in price to $1,200. For many buyers, that trade-off simply won't make sense.

LG has entered this space with the Smart Monitor Swing, a 32-inch 4K model featuring touch input capability, priced at $1,000 — landing squarely between Samsung's two Movingstyle options. The LG offering raises the bar for what a rolling smart display can be.

One solution Samsung could explore is selling the adjustable rolling stand separately, allowing consumers to pair it with a monitor of their choosing — a move that would open up significant flexibility and appeal.

### Final Verdict

At $580 to $700, the Samsung Movingstyle M7 delivers strong value for anyone seeking a versatile, room-roaming smart display. The rolling stand is clever, the smart software is best-in-class, and the speakers punch above their weight. The shorter power cable, average picture quality, and single-floor limitations hold it back from perfection — but for a cord-cutter looking to put one screen to work across multiple rooms, this is a genuinely compelling option.

**Pros:**
- Smart, well-engineered rolling stand
- Highly adjustable display positioning
- Excellent Tizen smart TV platform with plenty of free content
- Stronger-than-expected audio
- Competitive pricing

**Cons:**
- Short power cable limits mobility
- Adjustment handle lacks intuitiveness
- 4K panel quality is merely average
- Rolling stand not sold separately
- Not practical for multi-story homes

Is Samsung's Movingstyle M7 the ultimate portable smart TV? Read our full review covering design, mobility, picture quality, and value at $580–$700.

Samsung Movingstyle M7 Review: A Smart TV on Wheels

large_Review%20samsung%20movingstyle%20m7%20052026%20SOURCE%20Amazon.jpg

medium_Review%20samsung%20movingstyle%20m7%20052026%20SOURCE%20Amazon.jpg

small_Review%20samsung%20movingstyle%20m7%20052026%20SOURCE%20Amazon.jpg

thumbnail_Review%20samsung%20movingstyle%20m7%20052026%20SOURCE%20Amazon.jpg

Review%20samsung%20movingstyle%20m7%20052026%20SOURCE%20Amazon.jpg

Samsung Movingstyle M7 Review: The Rolling TV That Goes Where You Go

## Valve Steam Controller Review (2026): A Promising Peripheral Waiting for Its Moment

Valve's latest Steam Controller arrives as a technically sophisticated piece of hardware — loaded with features, highly customizable, and built to a premium standard. Yet without the long-awaited Steam Machine to anchor its purpose, the controller feels like a headline act performing without a stage.

## Build Quality and Physical Design

At just 292 grams, the Steam Controller is surprisingly lightweight given everything packed inside. Extended gaming sessions rarely feel tiring, and the overall construction exudes quality. The standout physical elements include TMR thumbsticks that deliver exceptional accuracy, along with the same responsive trackpads found on the Steam Deck, positioned on the lower half of the controller to enable mouse-like precision during gameplay.

However, the layout does come with trade-offs. Because so much space is dedicated to housing those trackpads, the thumbsticks sit slightly higher than ideal, requiring players to subtly adjust their grip. The D-pad, meanwhile, is the one area where Valve appears to have cut corners — it functions adequately but lacks defined edges and features a glossy finish that reduces tactile grip. Outside of that shortcoming, the controller's physical construction is genuinely excellent.

## Features and Technology

The Steam Controller is loaded with impressive technology beneath its shell. It includes both an accelerometer and a gyroscope for motion-based input, alongside advanced rumble engines capable of nuanced haptic feedback. Much like the Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Con 2s, the controller can vibrate at frequencies high enough to effectively function as a small speaker — enabling clever audio Easter eggs, including a hidden Wilhelm Scream.

A bundled charging puck rounds out the package, serving dual purposes as both a power source and a connectivity hub. It's an elegant solution that feels genuinely well-considered.

## Software Integration and Customization

Connecting the controller and pressing the Steam button a second time launches Big Picture mode — Valve's console-style interface designed for comfortable couch navigation. The interface remains largely unchanged from previous iterations, presenting bold game tiles, clear library filters, and large text optimized for TV viewing distances.

Where the Steam Controller genuinely shines is in its deep customization options. Launching any game from Big Picture mode displays a real-time overlay showing which inputs are assigned by default. From there, players can remap virtually every button and function. Holding the Steam button grants quick access to settings such as rear grip button behavior, gyroscope functions, and trackpad configuration. Trackpad sensitivity can be tuned anywhere from 25 percent to 3,000 percent responsiveness, with built-in haptic feedback providing satisfying tactile confirmation as you navigate.

This level of flexibility is particularly valuable for strategy games, where switching a trackpad to mouse-cursor behavior can meaningfully improve precision.

## The Big Limitation: Steam's Walled Garden

Despite its versatility, the Steam Controller carries one significant drawback that potential buyers must understand before purchasing.

Most PC gaming controllers — from premium options like the Thrustmaster ESWAP X2 H.E to budget-friendly alternatives like Hyperkin's Competitor — connect to Windows via the XInput API, allowing virtually any game to recognize them regardless of where it was purchased. The Steam Controller, by contrast, operates through Valve's proprietary Steam Input system.

This means Windows does not automatically identify it as a standard controller. As a result, playing games sourced from outside Steam — whether from GOG, the Epic Games Store, or directly from independent developers — becomes extremely difficult or outright impossible in many cases.

## Verdict

The Valve Steam Controller is an ambitious and technically impressive peripheral that demonstrates clear engineering thoughtfulness. Its trackpads, customization depth, haptics, and build quality place it among the more capable controllers on the market. But its dependence on the Steam ecosystem and its inability to function as a universal PC controller limit its appeal considerably.

More critically, the controller feels incomplete without the Steam Machine hardware it was presumably designed to complement. Until that device materializes, the Steam Controller remains a fascinating but context-starved product — one that is difficult to fully recommend for everyone, despite being easy to admire.

Valve's 2026 Steam Controller impresses with TMR sticks, deep customization, and premium build quality — but Steam-only support limits its broader appeal.

#indoor