US Mobile is kicking off June with an aggressive promotion aimed squarely at value-seekers: customers who port in their number and purchase one of the carrier’s flagship annual plans on its “Dark Star” network will receive a second line free.
Two Lines, One Price
The limited-time offer, which runs through June 7, is structured as a “buy one, get one” deal across US Mobile’s three most popular annual plans:
Buy Unlimited Premium ($348/year) → Get Unlimited Starter free
Buy Unlimited Starter ($228/year) → Get Unlimited Flex free
That brings the monthly cost down to just $14.50 per line for Premium/Starter or $9.50 per line for Starter/Flex when split across two users, and without contracts, hidden fees, or fine-print surprises.
Both lines must be new activations with ported-in numbers, and the offer is exclusive to US Mobile’s “Dark Star” network. Customers can activate both lines simultaneously or stagger them as needed.
High-Speed Plans, Feature-Rich Perks
US Mobile’s Unlimited Premium plan includes:
Priority high-speed data with no throttling
Unlimited talk, text, and hotspot usage
A free smartwatch line
International roaming in over 90 countries
Free network transfers
Optional multi-network access for $7.50/month
The entry-level Flex and Starter plans share many of the same benefits, though with adjusted data allocations and fewer international perks.
For those ready to switch or upgrade, a promo code (OVERDRIVE) can be applied to lock in the Unlimited Premium plan at $29/month when paid annually.
No Contracts, More Flexibility
This promotion is part of US Mobile’s broader strategy to win over prepaid and postpaid users frustrated by price hikes and contract lock-ins. The carrier offers multiple network options, the ability to switch between them, and transparent pricing with taxes and fees included.
T-Mobile is rolling out the magenta carpet once again for its customers, marking nine years of T-Mobile Tuesdays with what it calls a “Thankiversary” celebration. Starting June 3, the Un-carrier is dishing out a full lineup of rewards, giveaways, and one very generous pile of cash.
Since 2016, T-Mobile Tuesdays has been the brand’s weekly way of showing appreciation to its customers—no gimmicks, just perks. And this year’s celebration is doubling down with free food, discounted fuel, cheap movie nights, and a slate of sweepstakes prizes that range from indulgent to over-the-top.
Free Slurpees, BOGO Wings, and $5 Movie Tickets
Here’s what T-Mobile, Metro by T-Mobile, and small business customers can look forward to starting Tuesday, June 3:
Free treats: A free large Slurpee at 7-Eleven, a Whopper Jr. with a $1 Burger King purchase, buy-one-get-one 10-piece wings at Wingstop, and a BOGO baked good at Cinnabon.
Fuel discounts: Save $0.25 per gallon at Shell (up to 20 gallons) via the Fuel Rewards program.
Discounted movie tickets: $5 tickets through Atom Tickets to see Ballerina, the John Wick spinoff, and F1 The Movie later in the month.
According to T-Mobile, customers have already cashed in on over 500 million dining deals and 56 million movie tickets since the program’s launch.
Big Giveaways — Including $90,000 and a Dream Vacation
Beyond the usual weekly deals, T-Mobile is offering the chance to win one of nine high-value prizes:
$90,000 in cash
A dream vacation worth up to $100,000 for four
An all-electric 2025 Honda Prologue SUV
Four Google Pixel 9a phones with a year of T-Mobile service
$1,000 Amazon spending spree
A year’s worth of Shell gas
A year of Whopper Sandwiches from Burger King
Weekly Wingstop meals for a year
A full year of concert tickets
And the giveaways don’t stop there. On June 10, T-Mobile kicks off entries for VIP tickets to the Austin City Limits Music Festival. Then starting June 24, customers can enter to win a trip to the 2025 FORMULA 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix.
One App, All the Extras
Customers can access all current rewards and sweepstakes through the T-Life app (or the Metro app for Metro by T-Mobile users) on Android and iOS. T-Mobile pitches the app as the central hub for managing plans, perks, and benefits.
The “Thankiversary” promo is just part of the broader member benefits T-Mobile touts under its Magenta Status and Experience Beyond plans. That includes a loaded entertainment bundle (Apple TV+, Hulu, Netflix, and more), free MLB.TV and MLS Season Pass, global data coverage in 215+ destinations, and in-flight Wi-Fi.
For more on T-Mobile’s ongoing perks and Thankiversary details, head to t-mobile.com/membership.
When I lugged the massive TCL 85QM6K into my living room, I had two immediate thoughts. First: “Wow, this thing is truly huge.” Second: “Can something this big and this seemingly feature-packed really live up to the “Affordable Premium” branding TCL’s been pushing lately? After spending a good chunk of time with it, I’ve come away impressed by just how much value TCL manages to squeeze into this panel… though it’s not without a few quirks along the way.
If you’re looking to make a big splash (literally and visually) in your home theater setup, this 85-inch TV offers a pretty compelling mix of tech-forward specs, gaming chops, and size-to-cost ratio.
Let me walk you through what stood out, what fell a bit short, and why this might just be the right upgrade for a whole lot of people.
It’s the kind of TV that makes you rethink your living room, and your expectations. TCL’s QM6K delivers flagship-level size and contrast with Mini-LED tech, gamer-ready performance, and a price that still feels grounded.
Size That Redefines “Big TV Energy”
The QM6K’s 85-inch screen (technically 84.6 inches) is the kind of size that makes you reconsider your entire living room layout. It’s not just big, it’s cinematic.
The last few years saw me upgrading from a 55-inch to a 65-inch TV, placing them on the same hutch/cabinet. My wife and I like to move furniture around on our main floor about twice a year for the different seasons. As part of that we tend to have two places we’ve kept our TV sets.
When this one arrived I had to go all-in on a location. That is to say I mounted it on the wall as it was just a bit too wide to place the feet on the hutch. And to be fair, that was fine with us as the panel would look completely out of place in one of the two spots. So, now we’re married to the wall.
With a panel this size, even the small details feel like they’ve been magnified in a good way, and you really get the sense that TCL wanted to make this a flagship experience for those of us who aren’t dropping four grand on a television.
Right away I started to soak in just how big and beautiful of a unit this was, and at a really nice price. I’m old enough to remember selling 32-inch TVs that were at least $3,000 back in the day. Now we’re almost triple the size, and a fraction of the weight and cost.
The panel uses QD-Mini LED tech, which is essentially TCL’s way of bringing quantum dot color with the precision of mini-LED backlighting. Paired with full-array local dimming across around 500 zones, it delivers excellent contrast and deep, satisfying black levels. TCL’s “Halo Control System” is also doing some heavy lifting here, helping to cut down on blooming around bright objects in dark scenes. It’s not OLED-level perfection, but it’s surprisingly close for the price.
Keep in mind as we move forward that reviewing TVs isn’t my strong suit, but I do know a good thing when I see it. Moreover, I’ve come to appreciate certain things in the different models that I have had the privilege to test over the last few years.
Picture Quality: Better Than You Might Expect
I’ve reviewed a handful of TVs over the years, and this one genuinely surprised me in a few key areas. Let’s start with brightness. In real-world use, the HDR performance is solid. It hits somewhere between 700 and 900 nits depending on your picture mode, which is plenty bright for most living rooms, even with some daylight spilling in from the sides.
Black levels are impressive too. Watching moody content like Blade Runner 2049, Mad Max: Fury Road, or dark-as-night shows (Game of Thrones), I noticed how well the QM6K preserved detail without lifting the blacks. That’s a tough balance to strike, especially on an LED panel.
Color performance was another pleasant surprise. Out of the box, skin tones looked natural, and vibrant content (like animated movies or sports) really popped. TCL’s Quantum Dot layer is clearly pulling its weight, and color gamut coverage comes in at an impressive 94–98% of DCI-P3, depending on the measurement.
This TV’s 120Hz native refresh rate (with support for up to 144Hz VRR) is a big plus if you watch sports or play video games. Fast action stays clear and smooth, and the motion interpolation options are there if you like that soap opera effect. Me, personally? I keep it dialed down.
Upscaling is generally decent, though it’s not the TV’s strongest suit. Broadcast TV or lower-quality streams can look a little soft or fuzzy at times, which is likely where TCL’s AiPQ Pro Processor hits its limits. Most people won’t notice, but if you’re used to watching 4K-native content, you may pick up on it with older shows or lower-res streams.
I don’t really own much physical media anymore so I don’t always have the best 4K content or source material. Some YouTube channels and broadcasts on YouTube TV are in 4K, but there’s always a touch of artifacting and less-than-perfect look to the picture. Video games and Blu-ray movies, though? Man, that’s chef’s kiss stuff.
via TCL
Design & Setup: Clean, Modern, and a Bit of a Workout
Design-wise, TCL leans into a minimal, modern look here. The bezels are thin on three sides, with a slightly thicker bottom chin. The build has a metal feel that’s more premium than you’d expect at this price point, and it doesn’t scream “budget TV” the way some TV’s do.
The adjustable-width stand is a nice touch, especially if your TV console isn’t oversized. But let me be honest—this is not a one-person setup. The TV weighs over 70 pounds with the stand, and wrestling the legs into place would be somewhat of a chore for those opting for that setup. Definitely enlist some setup help whether you’re wall-mounting or not.
Connectivity is solid, with four HDMI ports (two of them full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1), USB 2.0 and 3.0 ports, Ethernet, optical audio out, and side-facing port layout that makes things easier to reach if you’re wall-mounting. eARC is supported too, so audio passthrough to your soundbar or receiver is seamless.
Google TV Experience: Snappy, Familiar, Occasionally Cluttered
Like most of TCL’s 2025 lineup, this TV runs on Google TV, and for the most part, it’s a great experience. It’s my preferred way of interacting with a smart TV even if it has evolved to be a little more “in your face” with ads and recommended content.
Setup is smooth, especially if you’ve already got a Google account. The interface is fast, easy to navigate, and still less ad-heavy than some other platforms.
That said, it can get a little cluttered. Google TV tries to surface recommended content across apps, but sometimes it feels like too much is going on. Deep settings menus aren’t always intuitive either, but once you learn where things live, it’s not hard to tweak things to your liking. It takes just a little bit of time and playing around to figure out what’s Google’s doing and what’s TCL’s.
Voice control via Google Assistant works as expected, and there’s compatibility with Alexa and Apple HomeKit too, which gives it decent smart home flexibility. The included remote is a win: nicely backlit, responsive, and well-sized. It even lights up automatically when you pick it up in the dark. It’s an underrated convenience that I’ve come to appreciate much in the same way I do on a laptop keyboard. Once you have, you tend to want it going forward.
Gaming: This Thing Is Ready to Play
This is where the TCL 85QM6K really punches above its weight. Gamers will find a lot to love here. And really, the TV sort of fanned a tiny little flame for me, giving me the urge to play different games, if not just spending more time with them.
With a 144Hz panel, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, support for Dolby Vision Gaming, and input lag around 13ms at 4K 120Hz, this TV is well-equipped to handle just about anything you throw at it. A few games I tested on the PS5 looked and played beautifully, with sharp detail, punchy colors, and no noticeable ghosting or tearing.
There’s also an Auto Game Mode (ALLM), a Game Master menu for quick adjustments, and what TCL calls “Game Accelerator,” which theoretically hits 240Hz or 288Hz by reducing resolution. Personally, I stuck to native 4K at 144Hz, which looked incredible and felt ultra-responsive. Unless you’re chasing competitive frame rates, this setup will be more than enough.
I’m reminded of that space between a nice office monitor and one that’s designed specifically for gaming. Given the chance to use a more powerful and feature-rich unit, you can come to appreciate finer tuning — but you don’t have to go all-in with a high-end model. That’s kind of how I feel with this TV; it’s a step up from other panels in the spots I notice, with more cool stuff available should I get the urge to dial things up.
Audio: Better Than Expected, But Still Not Theater-Grade
The built-in 2.1-channel Onkyo speaker system includes a dedicated subwoofer, which gives it a bit more punch than most TVs in this price range. Dialogue is crisp, and there’s enough volume to fill a room, but you’re still dealing with the limitations of a slim speaker enclosure.
Bass is there, to be sure, but it doesn’t rumble the floorboards. Dolby Atmos and DTS Virtual:X support are onboard, but their impact is modest unless you add an external sound system. I’d recommend a soundbar if you want a more immersive experience. The TV does support eARC, so sending lossless audio to a capable soundbar or receiver is easy.
I am actively weighing whether or not I’m going to put a soundbar on the hutch for a more robust audio experience. It’s just my wife and I and we tend to keep things pretty low-key as it is, but when we stream music or want a full “date night, no phones” movie we cannot help but feel like opening things up.
via TCL
Viewing Angles: Surprisingly Good for a VA Panel
I was ready to dock this TV points for off-angle viewing, especially since it uses an HVA-type panel. But TCL has done something interesting here. Maybe it’s the matte finish or a new optical layer, but off-axis performance is better than I expected. Thankfully, we can see this TV from all angles of a wide, rectangular room. And that’s helpful when the room fills up with guests.
There’s still a bit of vignetting and contrast falloff when you get to extreme angles, but from most seating positions in a standard living room, it holds up quite well. This is a nice bonus for families or setups where people aren’t always parked directly in front of the screen.
Price and Value: Here’s Where It All Comes Together
At the time of writing, I’ve seen the 85QM6K selling for about $1,250, (Amazon)depending on sales. That’s incredibly competitive for a Mini-LED TV of this size, especially one with a solid feature set and gaming chops.
Compared to other brands and models I used for reference, the TCL often comes out ahead on either price or specs (and sometimes both). TCL’s move here is clear: bring flagship-adjacent features to a price point that undercuts the competition. And in many ways, it works.
If you want the absolute best brightness or color accuracy, you’ll still want to move up to something like TCL’s QM8 or a pricier OLED. But the QM6K delivers an excellent sweet spot for people who want a huge screen and impressive performance without maxing out their credit card. Seriously, a few years ago you would have never convinced me that I’d be able to get a screen this big at this price by 2025.
Warranty: Standard, But Consider Extended Options
The standard one-year warranty is pretty typical for TVs in this class. TCL’s support seems straightforward but you’ll want to keep your proof of purchase handy, and know that replacements might be refurbished. If you’re spending north of a grand on a TV, it’s not a bad idea to look into an extended warranty, especially if you’re not keen on rolling the dice after that first year.
Final Thoughts: A Big Win for Big Screens on a Budget
Pinnacle Selection represents our highest honor, one reserved for products that stand out in design, performance, and overall value.
Products earning this distinction exemplify excellence across the board, delivering an experience that truly rises above the rest.
When you see the badge, you’re looking at the best of what’s available in its category.
So, who is the TCL 85QM6K for? I’d say it’s perfect for anyone who wants that theater-like experience at home, especially if you’ve got a little gaming habit on the side. It handles fast content like a champ, puts out rich colors and deep contrast, and has a user-friendly Google TV interface that makes switching between Netflix, YouTube, and your Xbox a breeze.
It’s not perfect. The audio, while decent, could benefit from a soundbar. The upscaling isn’t top-tier. And there are a few small quirks here and there with software or universal remote compatibility. None of those dealbreakers overshadow just how much TV you’re getting for the money, though.
The phrase “Affordable Premium” gets thrown around a lot, but TCL earns it here. This is a TV that plays in the big leagues, both literally and figuratively, without commanding a flagship price. If you’ve been eyeing an 85-inch upgrade and don’t want to sacrifice modern features for cost savings, the QM6K deserves a serious look.
AWOL Vision has announced a strategic move that deepens its footprint in the premium projection space: Valerion, known for its high-performance long-throw projectors, will now operate as a sub-brand under the AWOL Vision umbrella. The integration positions the combined portfolio to cater to a full range of home entertainment scenarios—from compact living rooms to dedicated home cinemas and backyard setups.
One Vision for Every Scene
The merger falls under a guiding philosophy the company calls “One Vision. All Scenes.” On one side, AWOL Vision continues to focus on ultra-short-throw (UST) projectors, like its LTV-3500 Pro Brightview Theater, designed for space-saving installs and straightforward setup. These models target users looking for immersive, TV-replacing experiences without the wiring or ceiling mounts.
Valerion, now stepping into its role as the premium tier within AWOL Vision’s ecosystem, brings long-throw projectors built for home theater purists. Flagship units like the VisionMaster Max and VisionMaster Pro 2 aim to deliver reference-level visuals with RGB laser light engines and carefully tuned optics.
The result is a complementary product lineup spanning four key entertainment zones: home theater, living room theater, man cave, and backyard cinema.
Breaking the Projector Stereotype
Andy Zhao, founder and CEO of AWOL Vision, shared his motivation for the move: “It’s time to erase the outdated perceptions people have about projectors. This alignment helps us showcase just how far the technology has come and makes it easier for customers to find the right setup for their space.”
Both brands now offer tailored solutions with a clear value proposition: plug-and-play ease for everyday users and performance-driven precision for enthusiasts.
More Than Visuals: A Full AV Experience
The unified brand isn’t stopping at visuals. AWOL’s ThunderBeat audio system rounds out the offering, giving users a cohesive home theater experience that blends sound, clarity, and usability. Whether it’s movie night indoors or an outdoor sports party, the company’s approach is to cover all the bases with minimal friction.
AWOL Day Coming This June
To mark the announcement, AWOL Vision will host “AWOL Day” in late June. The celebration will feature promotions across both AWOL and Valerion product lines, along with early access sign-ups for those looking to upgrade their setup.
With each new Android app that appears in the high-performance sector, we can see an increase in the complexity of system processes. Of course this requires webmasters to have a much more stable base. That’s why bare metal servers are attracting more and more attention from both development companies and enterprises that use resource-intensive technologies.
Many providers provide more and more bare metal server solutions, giving the necessary infrastructure for complex mobile applications, while guaranteeing optimal productivity and stability.
About Bare Metal Servers
If you are trying to understand how Bare Metal technology works, it is quite simple. These are the exact physical servers that are available for rent without any digital virtualization.
Along with the complex system, the user has access to all the hardware of the server directly. This gives full control over the operating system, applications and configuration. They differ from virtualized technologies in that they do not share resources and power between multiple virtual machines. This is the reason why the efficiency and performance of your company’s processes cannot be affected by anything outside.
Why Bare Metal Servers?
Bare metal servers have several key advantages for Android applications.
High Data Processing Speed
One of the main advantages of bare metal technologies is their high performance. When an application requires intensive data processing, such as handling large volumes of information or performing complex calculations, bare metal servers provide maximum speed and efficiency.
Without virtualization constraints, you get the full power of the processor, memory, and other server resources. This is critically important for Android applications that work with large database server types, process images or videos, and also use resource-intensive features such as artificial intelligence or machine learning.
Full Control Over Resources
Bare metal servers allow the user to have complete control over all system resources. For Android app developers, this means they can optimize the server for the specific needs of their project by configuring resource allocation in a way that best suits their applications. This is especially important when scaling applications or when there is a need to process large volumes of data in real-time.
Reliability and Stability
Since bare metal solutions do not use virtualization, they are less prone to overload issues that can occur on virtual servers. For high-performance applications, this ensures stable operation without failures. Android app developers who want to ensure the best performance for users can be confident that their servers will operate at full capacity even under heavy load.
How Bare Metal Servers Work
At the heart of bare metal systems lies physical hardware provided directly, without intermediaries. Since there is no virtualization, each application or service has access to the full range of server resources. This results in superior performance, especially when working with mobile applications that require significant processing power or need to perform complex operations.
Bare metal servers offer several key advantages for mobile applications:
maximum resource availability;
improved performance;
optimized response speed;
enhanced system reliability.
In particular, for Android applications that must interact with large numbers of users or handle high volumes of server requests (such as social networks or e-commerce platforms), bare metal solutions provide the ability to optimize response speed and system reliability. Each request is processed without the overhead of virtualization or resource allocation, ensuring exceptional performance and stability.
Bare Metal Servers for Large Projects
Technologies with physically stable computer capacity are actively used in many industries, particularly for mobile applications. One of the striking examples is large companies in the mobile gaming industry. Games that have millions of users worldwide require a stable and fast infrastructure for real-time data processing. Companies that develop such games often use bare metal servers to maintain really high server performance, with the lowest possible latency and greatest possible stability under load.
Another important example is mobile applications for e-commerce, where every user request, every transaction must be processed instantly, while also maintaining data confidentiality and security. Bare metal servers allow for quick processing of requests and maintain maximum security, which is critically important for such applications.
In Conclusion
For Android apps that require great speed, bare metal servers are the best option. They offer reliable operation even under large loads, complete control over resources, fast data processing speed, and dependability. Bare metal servers are the absolute ideal infrastructure for Android app developers who want to provide their users with the best possible experience. They have become the best option to guarantee the success of your application if your project requires a lot of power, scalability and performance.
EDITOR NOTE: This is a promoted post and should not be considered an editorial endorsement
ESR, a leading name in MagSafe accessories, is doubling down on smarter everyday carry items by weaving Apple’s Find My technology directly into products like wallets and styluses. The company’s latest lineup is all about helping users stop misplacing the essentials, no AirTag juggling required.
From Bulky to Brilliant: Smart Wallets, No Add-Ons Needed
Instead of creating cases or inserts for Apple’s AirTag, ESR took a different route, embedding certified Find My tech directly into the accessories themselves. This began with the Geo Wallet Stand, which launched on Kickstarter in 2023. It combined MagSafe compatibility, card storage, and Apple’s tracking system into one slim, stylish package. It quickly climbed to Amazon’s top spot for cardholder wallets and snagged multiple design awards, including the 2024 Red Dot and iF Design Awards.
The wallet does more than look good; it includes an adjustable stand, a finger grip loop, space for three cards, and tracking built right in. No bulge, no bouncing between accessories.
Slimmed Down, Amped Up: The ESR Geo Wallet
Following that success, ESR rolled out the Geo Wallet, a sleeker follow-up that’s just 7.8mm thick. Unlike traditional options that sandwich a bulky tracker between cards, the Geo Wallet’s tracking is fully integrated. It also includes RFID-blocking tech for added privacy.
For those who carry a little more plastic, there’s the Geo Card Holder which stores up to 10 cards, one ID, and a few bills. It too has built-in Find My support and recently picked up a French Design Award for its functional design.
Find My… Pencil? Meet the Geo Digital Stylus
ESR’s push into smarter accessories doesn’t stop at wallets. The company found that two-thirds of stylus users have lost one at least once, so they built a solution: the Geo Digital Pencil, the world’s first third-party stylus with native Find My support. Compatible with iPads from 2018 and newer, the stylus offers palm rejection, tilt sensitivity, and up to 12 hours of use from just a 30-minute charge. It’s priced at $29.99 (currently $25.99), and has already earned a 4.8-star rating on Amazon.
Geo Wallet Stand ($35.99–$39.99): Find My support, RFID blocking (coming August 2025), adjustable stand, finger loop, and magnetic strength up to 3,200g
Aura Wallet Stand ($21.99, now $19.79): RFID blocking, 5-card capacity, vibrant colors like Bubblegum Pink and Taupe
Classic Wallet Stand ($19.99, now $17.99): Multi-view stand, RFID blocking, compact build
Geo Wallet ($32.99): Ultra-slim, RFID-blocking, integrated Find My (RFID support coming June 2025)
Classic Wallet ($19.99, now $11.69): Lightweight, basic RFID-blocking, MagSafe-friendly
From travel to tech accessories, ESR is gradually building a smarter ecosystem within the Apple universe. More information on ESR’s Find My-enabled lineup can be found on the official ESR website.
Walmart Family Mobile, the prepaid wireless brand powered by Verizon and available exclusively at Walmart, has introduced a series of low-cost plans and community support initiatives aimed at helping families stay connected amid rising economic pressures.
As U.S. consumer sentiment hits new lows, the brand is positioning itself not just as a mobile carrier, but as a partner for families navigating financial uncertainty. With pricing that starts under $6 for eligible users and family plan rates dipping below $20 per line, Walmart Family Mobile is rolling out its most affordable offerings to date, along with its first major corporate social responsibility (CSR) effort.
New Plans Built for Tight Budgets
Walmart Family Mobile’s latest plans are structured to serve a range of needs, without straining wallets:
New $19.88 Plan: Includes 4GB of high-speed data at an accessible entry point.
New $34.88 Plan: Offers 20GB of high-speed data for those who rely more heavily on mobile connectivity.
Enhanced $24.88 Plan: Now includes 8GB of data, offering better value for mid-tier users.
Family Pricing Update: Customers can now add lines for just $19.88 (previously $24.88), making shared plans more affordable.
Employees at Walmart stores also benefit, with plan discounts of up to 33%, bringing prices as low as $13.32/month per line.
Peace of Mind for Unpredictable Times
The new Family Mobile Peace of Mind feature allows customers to activate unlimited talk and incoming texts for just $1/month, up to six times per year. Available after 90 days of service, it offers a low-cost safety net for those navigating job changes, emergencies, or other unexpected challenges.
Lifeline Program Expanded
For low-income households, Walmart Family Mobile now supports the federal Lifeline program, which can bring monthly plan prices down to $5.88 in California and $9.88 in other states. The company is also awarding grants to community organizations to assist with Lifeline enrollment, ensuring that more families can access critical mobile services.
CSR Partnerships with United Way and Goodwill
Beyond pricing changes, Walmart Family Mobile is launching new partnerships with United Way Worldwide and Goodwill Industries International to deepen community impact.
United Way: Through support of the 211 helpline, the brand will help expand access to essential services via a 24/7 multilingual support network.
Goodwill: As a sponsor of the Mission Optimization Learning Event, Walmart Family Mobile is helping train over 2,500 Career Navigators and providing resources to local Goodwill chapters in Atlanta and Los Angeles. Two families identified through the network will receive free mobile devices and one year of service.
A Broader Commitment to Affordability
“Connectivity is not just a convenience—it’s a necessity,” said Nancy Clark, President of Verizon Value Brands. “These plans and partnerships reflect our ongoing focus on affordability, access, and support for the communities we serve.”
More details, including eligibility for Lifeline discounts and plan information, can be found at www.myfamilymobile.com.
I’ve spent the past few weeks living with Roborock’s new Saros 10R robot vacuum and mop, and I do mean living with it. Roborock’s units tend to occupy a space in my home nearly all year around as I’ve become quite fond of the brand. When it came time to check out one of the latest from them, I was only too excited to do so.
As those of you who own a robot vacuum cleaner can attest, these aren’t gadgets you set up once and forget about. Nor are they the kind you only use every so often. It becomes part of your home, quietly working (sometimes not so quietly) in the background, dealing with dust, pet hair, and all the little messes of daily life.
The Saros 10R isn’t just another “premium robot vacuum.” It aims to fix a problem that bugs a lot of homeowners: cleaning under furniture. And it’s trying to do that while still packing top-tier suction, smart navigation, serious mopping power, and a self-maintaining dock that does most of the dirty work for you.
So, how well does it deliver? Well, here’s a spoiler for you:
Roborock’s Saros 10R glides under furniture most bots can’t reach, scrubs with hot water for a deeper clean, and returns to a dock that empties, washes, and dries. No daily babysitting required.
Design & Build: The Slimmest Heavyweight in the Room
At first glance, the Saros 10R looks like a sleek, understated robot vacuum. But then you notice how low it sits. This thing is only 3.14 inches tall. For context, most robot vacs with LiDAR sit closer to four inches, sometimes more. That difference might sound small, but in practice, it means the Saros can get under sofas, beds, and cabinets that are completely off-limits to the competition.
Sure, many robot vacuums can get underneath a lot of furniture. But the profile here is so thin I realized immediately that it was going to get into places others haven’t. Given these spots are obviously not high-traffic areas, they aren’t going to be all that dirty. Nevertheless, dust and dander, and stuffing from my dog’s toys inevitably find their way under the coffee table. A table, as it turns out, is one that other robots don’t even bother with.
Roborock pulls this off by ditching the traditional LiDAR turret that sticks up like a periscope on most bots. Instead, they’ve gone with a fully integrated StarSight 2.0 system that combines solid-state LiDAR, a 3D ToF sensor, and an RGB camera into a flat housing. It’s a clever design choice that solves a real-world problem without sacrificing navigation.
Build quality feels rock solid. The robot itself is weighty at 9 pounds, with a premium finish that doesn’t scream “plastic appliance.” It’s got all the hallmarks of a Roborock unit and I can pretty much point their stuff out of a lineup at this point. The dock, on the other hand, is a beast at nearly 20 inches tall, with a mirrored glass surface that’s more living room furniture than tech gadget. It’s big, but it’s trying hard to look good or at least unobtrusive.
One minor nitpick: cord management at the dock could be better. For a device that feels so premium, the way the power cord snakes out of the back feels like an afterthought. These cords are thick but there has to be a better way to route things that still feels universal.
The 10-in-1 Dock: Automation, Elevated
The dock is a charging base, sure, but it’s a full-service cleaning assistant. Roborock calls it the “10-in-1 Multifunctional Dock 4.0,” and honestly, that’s not hyperbole. Here’s what it does:
Auto empties the robot’s dustbin
Auto washes mop pads with hot water (up to 176°F)
Auto dries mop pads with warm air
Auto refills the robot’s water tank
Auto drains dirty water into a separate tank
Dispenses detergent automatically
Detects when mops are still dirty and rewashes them
Self-cleans the mop washing tray
Supports fast charging (full in 2.5 hours)
Comes in a plumbing-ready variant for direct water connection
It’s designed to minimize your involvement. You’re not emptying dustbins every other day or washing filthy mop pads by hand. In my experience, it mostly succeeds. The mop washing is especially satisfying because it actually uses hot water, which feels like a step up from the lukewarm rinses some competitors offer.
That said, you’re trading daily robot maintenance for periodic dock maintenance. You’ll need to refill detergent, empty the dirty water tank, and occasionally clean the dock’s tray. It’s a good trade, but maybe worth reminding some that there is some hands-on stuff that comes with the experience.
Navigation & Obstacle Avoidance: Great Vision, Room for Smarter Reactions
The Saros 10R’s StarSight 2.0 system is doing a lot of heavy lifting. It combines:
Dual solid-state LiDAR transmitters
3D ToF sensors for depth perception
An RGB camera for object recognition
Side-mounted VertiBeam sensors for lateral obstacle detection
A front-mounted LED headlight for dark areas
In controlled tests, and on paper, it’s really quite impressive. It recognizes over a hundred object types, navigates complex layouts, and even has a pet-friendly mode that pauses the main brush near your furry friends.
But in my real-world home, it’s not quite perfect. Dangling cords still trip it up occasionally. It sees them, but its avoidance strategy sometimes involves bumping into them anyway. For furniture legs, shoes, and random clutter, it does great. But power cords? Still a work in progress.
That said, it never fully tangled itself, and it has yet to chew up or mangle a cable; it just needs a little software refinement to be truly flawless. I’ve got some weird pockets in my home that tend to trip up most robots like this so I cannot say it’s exclusive to this model or Roborock in general. Between furniture legs, corners, and cords, things are admittedly tricky. Having said that, I wish I didn’t have to babysit things in the first runs.
We’ve come an incredibly long way over the years so I am optimistic that this sort of thing is figured out in a generation or two. I’d love to shrink the size of one particular “no-go” zone.
Cleaning Performance: Where the Hardware Shines
Vacuuming Power & Hair Management
The headline figure here is 20,000 Pa of suction. That’s intense. In practical terms, it means the Saros 10R doesn’t flinch at dust, debris, or pet hair. It picks up what lesser robots leave behind, especially on carpets. It is rather surprising at how things have advanced in terms of suction over the years.
A decade ago I was of the opinion that there’s no way these types of things could be worth their price. Then I used a few of them and saw how effective they were. And it’s only gotten better.
The DuoDivide anti-tangle brush system is a welcome design choice for pet owners. Two parallel rollers with spiral blades direct hair toward the dustbin while avoiding tangles. I haven’t had to clean the brush manually once. To be fair, my dog doesn’t shed but its toys have strings and stuffing that might get backed up on other vacuums.
Edge cleaning is also strong thanks to the extendable FlexiArm side brush, which physically reaches out to clean corners most bots miss. It’s a small feature, but that extra inch or so under the counter is where some of the most problematic dust hides.
Mopping with Purpose
Mopping isn’t an afterthought here. It really feels like a true 2-in-1 device instead of a robot vacuum cleaner that also happens to wet and wipe floors. The Saros 10R uses dual spinning mop pads with enough pressure to scrub away dried stains. The FlexiArm Riser Mop extends to get right up to edges and corners, and seemingly lives up to Roborock’s claim of 0mm clearance along walls.
A huge plus is the hot water mop washing at the dock. Not only does it improve hygiene, but the bot also uses warm water for mopping the floors themselves, which genuinely lifts grime better than cold water.
A word of caution: if you set the robot to vacuum carpets first, it might start mopping hard floors without washing the pads in between. That’s a mess waiting to happen.
Adaptability & Day-to-Day Usage
What really makes or breaks a robot vacuum (or any device) for me isn’t just the spec sheet but how well it blends into my daily routine without needing constant monitoring. The Saros 10R gets a lot of this right. Its design feels purpose-built for the kinds of homes that give most robot vacuums a hard time: places with a mix of hardwood, rugs, thresholds, and way too much furniture with low clearance.
That ultra-thin profile is not a gimmick. I’ve watched it confidently slide under my living room sofa, a spot no other robot has dared to venture, and come back out without getting stuck or confused. That alone feels like a victory, if not at least a step above others.
But it’s not just about slipping under furniture and going whether others can’t. It does a better job of getting from one place to another, especially when the surface changes. The robot’s AdaptiLift chassis is constantly working in the background, adjusting its height as it transitions from hardwood to rugs, then onto thicker carpets.
You can tell the sensors are dialed in because it never drags its mopping pads across carpets by mistake (assuming the software is behaving), and it can lift itself up to tackle thresholds up to 1.57 inches. For most homes, that means it moves freely without you having to intervene, though I did notice it hesitates a bit more with older, taller transitions between rooms.
My home has gone through a number of flooring changes over the years and things are not flush across the entire first floor. This sometimes leads to vacuums that struggle to get from one area to another in the first pass. And while the 10R might have to give it a second attempt, it’s still one of the better performers I’ve seen in this category.
Day-to-day interaction is refreshingly low-maintenance. Thanks to the 10-in-1 dock, I’m not emptying dustbins or scrubbing mop pads manually. The robot leaves its base ready to go, does its thing, and returns to clean itself up.
The hot water mop washing feels like overkill in the best way but it’s reassuring to know it’s not just smearing yesterday’s dirt around. That said, you do still have to keep an eye on consumables like detergent and make sure to empty the dirty water tank once in a while. The tradeoff is clear: less daily effort, more periodic upkeep. The occasional interaction is nothing compared to the time and effort it would be to break out the bucket and mop… and cleaner and water.
One thing I appreciate is how quietly it integrates into daily life. Its low noise level means I can run a full cleaning cycle while working from home without getting distracted. And because of the decent runtime and fast charging, it handles my entire first floor in one go without drama. The only minor friction point is the app which is generally solid; however, there are times when it feels like it’s missing some quality-of-life touches, like task completion notifications or the ability to more easily dictate a cleaning sequence.
Roborock’s app is generally excellent. Map clarity, room editing, no-go zones, cleaning schedules all work as you’d expect. The in-app SmartPlan adapts cleaning routines over time, learning your home’s quirks.
As someone who moves furniture around with seasons or new purchases, it’s nice to know that my vacuum doesn’t have to tiptoe around things, trying to establish a new map each time a box shows up. Living room table is now in the dining room? That’s fine, it will figure it out and revise the map over time.
The native “Hello Rocky” voice assistant is surprisingly responsive, with a 15-meter range. Third-party integrations (Alexa, Google Home, Siri Shortcuts) are present, and Matter support is promised via OTA updates.
My home relies on Google Assistant quite a bit so it would be more convenient if I could ask it to mop the kitchen instead of going into the app and picking the room manually. While I can make the switch to using Rocky, my wife doesn’t love it, and would prefer to be met where she already spends her time.
Some QoL changes I might suggest looking into:
You can’t set a specific cleaning order for rooms.
No notifications for task completion or mop pad removal.
Occasional visual glitches (like a strobe effect in live view).
It’s clear the hardware is ahead of the software right now. These ideas aren’t dealbreakers, but they do hold back the “premium” experience a bit. I still prefer the Roborock UI and settings to most brands but there are occasions where I think, “I am surprised this hasn’t been addressed yet.” But, in reality, I largely don’t even think about these things unless I am actively trying to provide critical feedback. Nearly 100% of the time we just ask Google to run the vacuum and go about other chores, or just head to bed for the night.
Noise Levels & Daily Impact
One of my favorite surprises? How quiet this thing is. Officially rated at 65dB, it’s more of a soft whoosh than a whine, making it easy to live with during daily operation. Factor in the quiet hours for when emptying the dirt and dust, and this thing barely registers in the background.
Battery Life & Efficiency
The Saros 10R packs a 6400mAh battery, good for up to three hours of runtime. It can clean up to 4,198 square feet on a single charge. More importantly, it recharges in just 2.5 hours which is far quicker than most rivals.
In daily use, it easily handled my 900-square-foot downstairs without needing a recharge. The fast “charge and resume” feature is the cherry on top. I never have to wonder if there’s going to be enough juice to get the job done, even if I am tasking it twice in the same day.
Value & Who Should Buy It
At $1,599.99, this is a serious investment. But if your home presents the challenges the Saros 10R is designed to tackle, like lots of furniture, heavy pet shedding, a mix of carpets and hard floors, it absolutely earns its keep.
If you live in a simple, open space with no pets and no hard-to-reach areas, you’re maybe paying for features you won’t use. Roborock’s cheaper models would suit you fine.
The 1-year warranty feels a little skimpy for the price, though extended coverage is available. Given the complexity of this system, I’d recommend it. Maybe it’s just me, but whenever a brand is willing to stand behind its products a little longer, I find that to be worth some of the cost. I’d love to see two years for select models in the Roborock lineup, perhaps offer that to a specific series or two.
Awarded to products with an average rating of 3.75 stars or higher, the AndroidGuys Smart Pick recognizes a balance of quality, performance, and value.
Products with this distinction deserve to be on your short list of purchase candidates.
Final Thoughts: A Near-Miss Masterpiece
At the end of the day, the Roborock Saros 10R feels like the kind of product that’s inching us closer to what these robot vacuums have always promised: a hands-off cleaning experience that actually works.
It’s not just a spec sheet flex or a flashy dock; it’s thoughtfully designed hardware that solves real-world problems, like getting under almost all of your furniture and keeping your mop pads genuinely clean. Paired with software that, while not flawless, is well ahead of most of the competition, and you’ve a winner.
It’s not cheap, and it’s definitely not for everyone. But if you’ve been burned by clunky bots in the past or you’ve just resigned yourself to vacuuming under the couch by hand, this one might change your mind. If you can find it on sale, or with a limited-time promotion, I’d hop all over it.
For homes that need a little more help and homeowners who value a little less hassle, the Saros 10R hits a very sweet spot. And while I’d love to see Roborock double down on a longer warranty and refine a few software quirks, there’s no question this thing earns its place in my home.
Timekettle has officially launched the New T1 AI Translator, a pocket-sized device designed to make real-time multilingual communication smoother, faster, and untethered from Wi-Fi. The upgraded model stands out for delivering the world’s fastest offline translation experience, with no internet required.
Real-Time Translation Without the Wait
At the heart of the T1 is an edge-based AI engine, which processes translations locally on the device rather than relying on cloud services. This allows for near-instantaneous results with a response time as low as 0.2 seconds. Translation speed is reportedly three times faster than the industry average, even in poor network conditions.
With support for 39 languages and 31 offline language pairs (more than double the number offered by the original T1) users can confidently navigate international travel or cross-cultural conversations without worrying about signal strength or roaming fees.
Designed for Travel, Built for Convenience
Weighing just 115 grams and outfitted with a 4-inch HD display (540×1080 resolution), the T1 is built to go wherever the user does. Whether tucked into a carry-on, daypack, or jacket pocket, the slim form factor and 2:1 screen ratio make it ideal for one-handed use.
Battery life is travel-friendly too: up to 3–4 hours of continuous use or 7 days on standby. And with two years of complimentary global network coverage in over 150 countries, the T1 avoids SIM-swapping hassles by automatically connecting to more than 200 local carriers.
Smarter Features for Smoother Journeys
Beyond standard voice translation, the New T1 includes several modes and smart functions tailored for travelers and frequent communicators:
Photo Translation: An 8MP camera with OCR support translates signage, menus, and printed materials in 39 languages.
Listen Mode: Captures and translates ambient speech, perfect for lectures, announcements, or guided tours.
Chat Mode: Enables smooth back-and-forth conversations with automatic real-time transcription.
Landscape View: Offers an easier-to-read horizontal layout for longer dialogues or shared screen use.
Timekettle has also included a few thoughtful touches, such as auto-updating local time zones and currency exchange rates, handy when stepping off a long-haul flight or shopping in unfamiliar markets.
Pricing and Availability
The Timekettle New T1 AI Translator is available starting May 28, 2025, for $299. Interested buyers can find it on Timekettle’s official site or on Amazon. For those looking to stay connected, and understood, no matter where the road leads, the T1 aims to be a reliable travel companion with brains, speed, and global reach packed into a palm-sized device.
Lymow is officially opening pre-orders for its boundary-wire-free robot mower, the Lymow One, with discounted pricing ahead of its U.S. and Canada launch in June.
Following a $6 million Kickstarter campaign and a CES 2025 debut, the mower now heads into peak lawn care season with a spec sheet that reads more like a sports car than a garden tool.
Built for Big Yards and Bigger Expectations
The Lymow One is designed to handle large lawns (up to 15 acres) without the need for physical boundary wires. Thanks to its LySee Multi-Fusion Navigation system, which fuses RTK (Real-Time Kinematic) satellite precision with VSLAM (Visual Simultaneous Localization and Mapping), the mower can intelligently map and remember complex yard layouts, even during brief GPS interruptions. Homeowners can create up to 80 customizable zones or designate restricted areas through the Lymow app.
Its onboard stereo camera enables real-time object detection and response. Whether dodging sprinklers, pinecones, or a snoozing dog, the Lymow One recognizes its surroundings and adjusts its mowing behavior accordingly.
A Mulching Deck That Doesn’t Mess Around
At the front of the mower is Lymow’s new LyCut Dual Blade Mowing Deck, a 16-inch wide, terrain-following system equipped with pro-grade blades powered by a 1200W brushless motor spinning at 6000 RPM. The deck includes a high-speed fan to finely mulch clippings and offers side or rear discharge with an optional ClipFlex accessory. Cutting height is adjustable from 1.2 to 4 inches, and the floating design with omniwheels maintains consistent results even on uneven ground.
This isn’t just a clean cut; it’s designed to handle wet grass, small branches, fruit, and debris without hesitation. In fact, we were so impressed with what’s on offer here that we named it one of the Best of CES 2025.
Smart Path Planning and Safety
Beyond obstacle detection and smart mapping, the Lymow One brings precision mowing to the next level with its pattern planning tool. Users can fine-tune stripe angles, overlap width, and even opt for checkerboard patterns across their lawn. It’s more golf course groundskeeper than backyard gadget.
The mower also features a suite of safety measures: five ultrasonic sensors, impact-detecting front bumpers, and off-ground blade detection. Its blades stop in under a second when needed.
Tracked for Tough Terrain
Rather than traditional wheels, the Lymow One uses a tracked tread system, giving it impressive speed and traction. It can climb 45° slopes, handle rough or muddy terrain, and even navigate small stairs. It covers up to 1.73 acres per day, mowing 0.23 acres per hour, and has a range of 0.57 acres per charge.
Durability is built in, with a one-piece die-cast aluminum frame, IPX6 waterproofing, and a long-lasting LiFePO4 battery that outperforms standard lithium-ion models in cycle life.
Pre-Sale Now Open
Lymow One is available now for pre-order in the U.S. and Canada, with shipping scheduled for June. The pre-sale includes discounted pricing ahead of the official MSRP of $2,999. Final discount details will be confirmed based on tariff updates.
