Champurrado is a thick and creamy hot beverage whose major flavor and thickening ingredient is masa harina, nixtamalized corn flour. This Mexican staple is sweet, comforting, completely satisfying, and relatively simple to make with just a few ingredients and a whisk. If you havent come across it yet, allow me to introduce you to this winter beverage that drinks like a meal.What is champurrado?Champurrado is also called an atole, which is any masa-based beveragebut champurrado specifically is enjoyed sweetened with sugar, and flavored with chocolate, cinnamon, or other seasonings. You might think, like other hot chocolates out there, that the cocoa would be the flavor diva in this drink, but masa harina is the unexpected star here. It's rather well known as a special kind of finely ground corn flour used to make the dough for recipes like tortillas, pupusas, or tamales, but perhaps less often touted for its role in a satisfying hot drink. Before mixing in the rest of the liquid I wait until the chocolate melts and the mixture to thicken. Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann Unlike wheat flour, masa harina doesnt contain gluten, so mixing it into water or milk doesnt cause rubbery strands or clumps of gluten to develop. The corn flour disperses easilynot to say that you cant get lumps, but more tips on preventing that below. The starches absorb the available liquid and create a thick, spoonable, almost pudding-like consistency when heated (which you can control with more or less water). The drink boasts the nutty, earthy flavors of corn, and once you add sugar and chocolate to that, you have yourself an undeniable morning treat.How to make champurradoThis Mexican staple requires only four ingredients, but you can get a bit fancy with the flavors if youd like to add a pinch of salt, a dash of cinnamon, or a star anise pod. I truly recommend using chopped panela, also called piloncillo (unrefined cane sugar), as your sweetener because the flavor is so lovely, but you can use brown sugar if thats what you have access to. Likewise, Mexican chocolate has its own subtly spiced flavor profile, but if you cant find it then you can substitute a broken up semi-sweet chocolate bar, or omit it and simply make a cinnamon atole. Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann To ensure the smoothest possible consistency, be sure to whisk frequently, especially in the beginning when it thickens quickly. You can also run an immersion blender through the mixture at the end which has two benefits: aeration and smoothing out any lumps.Take a second and taste your champurrado before serving. I use Abuelita chocolate here which includes sugar, so depending on the chocolate you use, you may end up adding more or less panela than I have. Ditto that with adjusting the thickness to your own personal preference. I prefer drinking it thin, but if its a good day and I have cookies on hand (like today) then I enjoy dipping them in a thicker champurrado. Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann Champurrado RecipeIngredients: cup masa harina2 cups water (or substitute milk) Abuelita Mexican hot chocolate tablet, chopped1 tablespoon chopped panela sugar1 cinnamon stick (optional)1. Put the masa harina into a medium sized pot and slowly pour in 1 cup of water as you whisk thoroughly. Toss in the cinnamon stick (if using), chocolate, and sugar, and turn the heat on medium-low. Continue whisking. The mixture will start to thicken within a minute or two.2. Keep whisking and pour in the rest of the water. The mixture will continue to thicken as it cooks over the next five to eight minutes. Taste the champurrado and adjust the thickness with more water if necessary, and the sweetness with sugar.3. Run an immersion blender through the mixture to aerate it slightly (or give it a vigorous whisking) and serve immediately.

Nearly every TV on the market today is a smart TV, but not every operating system is a winner. A media streaming device lets you pair whichever user interface you prefer with just about any screen that has an HDMI port. In some cases, such as with older or less expensive smart TVs, a streaming stick or dongle could even be speedier and less glitchy than your TVs built-in system.At home, these handy gadgets make it easier for cord cutters to watch the millions of hours of content streaming services provide without cable. And while traveling, a streaming player lets you watch your preferred content on hotel sets (without painstakingly typing in a bunch of passwords or activation codes). We tested out streaming players from Roku, Google, Apple, Amazon and more, gauging the usability and the performance of each to come up with our list of the best streaming devices you can buy. What to look for in a TV streaming device Operating system and interface Googles TV Streamer, the Apple TV 4K, Amazons Fire TV Sticks and Roku devices are the most popular players in the space. Three of those brands also come built into TVs, such as Fire, Google and Roku TVs, but the Apple TV 4K doesn't come pre-loaded on any set. Each one has a unique operating system and interface. This may be the biggest deciding factor for many people, as it determines how the content you want to watch is arranged and presented. We go into detail for each platform below, but all of them come with home screens that, to varying degrees, gather your apps in one place, present the movies and TV shows youre currently watching and give you suggestions of other media streaming options. Nearly all streaming devices come with a remote that lets you search and do other operations using your voice, eliminating the need to hunt and peck at on-screen keyboards. They all offer universal search, in which searching for a title takes you to whichever app has it available. If you want to watch Barbie but dont know where its playing, just push the voice button on the remote and say "Barbie. (We found simply saying the title or the genre you want sometimes works better than saying Show me or Search for) From the search results, hit the play button and the correct app will open and start playing assuming youve previously logged into that app and, in most cases, have an active subscription. Connectivity Most streaming sticks connect to the internet via Wi-Fi, with the majority of them supporting Wi-Fi 5 or 6 protocols. Set-top boxes can also have Ethernet ports, so you can hardwire your internet connection to the device, which is always faster than wireless. Streaming media players connect to your TV through an HDMI port, and most sticks hide behind the screen, while set-top boxes sit on a surface nearby. Nearly all units also plug into an AC outlet for power. Some sticks used to work by pulling power from a USB port on the TV, but increasingly, these devices are designed to plug into the wall. Video and audio features If you have a screen that can display 4K content with Dolby Vision and HDR10, youll want a streaming device that supports those high-end formats. Of course, even the most top-shelf streamer cant make a 1080p TV display content in 4K. The series or movie also has to be transmitted in 4K and, increasingly, companies restrict higher-quality streaming to more expensive subscription plans. In short, every element needs to support the video or audio feature, otherwise the highest quality youll get will be the lowest of any component in the chain. Voice control In addition to helping you find stuff to watch, streaming devices from Apple, Google and Amazon can answer questions about the weather, sports scores and general facts using built-in voice assistants. They can also act as smart home controllers to turn off connected smart bulbs or plugs and show feeds from smart cameras. Just remember, as with all smart home devices, compatibility is key. Fire TV devices work with Alexa-enabled smart home equipment; the Google TV Streamer lets you control Google Home devices; Apple TV 4Ks play nice with HomeKit; and Rokus grant power over Rokus smart home products. Below are some recommendations for the best streaming sticks and other budget-friendly options. We also included suggestions for set-top boxes and devices geared toward gamers. Best streaming devices This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/best-streaming-devices-media-players-123021395.html?src=rss

Netflix announced an instant price hike for all of its plans in the US, Canada, Portugal and Argentina.

Netflix has unveiled the first few minutes from The Night Agent season 2 just two days before it's released.

U.S. President Donald Trumps rollback of electric vehicle targets may temporarily slow demand for lithium and other critical minerals, but is unlikely to hamper the mining industry amid surging global EV demand, analysts and industry leaders said.Trump on Tuesday revoked predecessor Joe Bidens 2021 executive order that sought to ensure half of all new vehicles sold in the U.S. by 2030 are electric. Automakers had been positioning for a jump in EV demand due largely to that Biden move.Trumps order caused shares of Japanese automakers, South Korean battery makers and Australian, U.S. and Chinese lithium miners to slip. But even if EV demand cools in the worlds second-biggest auto market, analysts and industry experts expect traction elsewhere to more than compensate.Trump has planned other regulatory changes to cut off support for EVs and charging stations. He also aims to strengthen measures blocking imports of automobiles and battery materials from China.Every time people take away subsidies or benefits its a dent to the demand scenario, said analyst Glyn Lawcock at Barrenjoey, an Australian investment bank. (But) ultimately demand will still grow even if the U.S. is a bit slower under Trump.Australian lithium producer Liontown Resources said the global transition to EVs was underway, with or without the United States.Longer term, I just dont think it will be an issue on demand, Antonino Ottaviano, Liontowns CEO, said on a Tuesday analyst call.Much of the EV industrys growth happens in China, accounting for 11 million sales or 65% of the market compared with North America, which accounts for 20% of the market, Liontown executives said on the call.Meanwhile, the rest of the world already accounts for 1.3 million EV sales and is growing at 27% year on year, a trajectory that will see it become more meaningful than the entire North American market in less than two years, the Liontown executives added.That growth potential is something Chinese EV manufacturers are chasing given they are locked out of the U.S. market due to 100% EV tariffs imposed by Biden.Grid-scale batteries that store days worth of electricity are rising in popularity across the world, for example. Critical metals are also used to build many consumer electronics as well as computer servers needed to power the artificial intelligence industry.Albemarle, the worlds largest lithium company, declined to comment on Trumps order.Arcadium, a lithium producer about to be bought by Rio Tinto and the International Lithium Association trade group, was not immediately available for comment.Rio Tinto also declined to comment on Trumps order, but its CEO Jakob Stausholm told the World Economic Forum on Tuesday that he is bullish on the white metal.Lithium demand will probably go up another five times over the next 15 years, so a lot more lithium projects will have to be built, Stausholm told the forum in Davos, Switzerland, adding that he has owned an EV for more than nine years.Its just a better car than an internal combustion engine, Stausholm added.David Klanecky, CEO of privately held battery recycler Cirba Solutions, expects U.S. demand for critical minerals to jump by 2030 due to the demand not just for EVs, but for myriad electronics.Beyond any target rollbacks, miners said they believe measures to wean Western manufacturers off Chinese supplies will underpin support for their metals.We expect measures taken to build supply chain independence from China to have a much greater impact than the rollback of a formal target for EV sales, said Darryl Cuzzubbo, CEO of Australian rare earths developer Arafura.There is a tipping point looming for electric vehicles at which targets and incentives wont be required to encourage take-up.Melanie Burton, Ernest Scheyder, and Alexander Smith, ReutersAdditional reporting by Violet Li and Stefanno Sulaiman.

On the campaign trail, Donald Trump promised to take actions that would reverse the countrys climate progress, like pulling the U.S. out of the Paris Agreement, rolling back electric vehicle incentives, and incentivizing more fossil fuels. Hours into his first day in office, he has already made some of those promises come true.Trump issued a flurry of executive orders and memoranda within the first full day of his inauguration, on topics from immigration to health to TikTokand more than a few concerned the environment and climate change. Heres every executive action he announced on his first day thats related to the environment.They cover a variety of initiatives, from expanding oil and gas to rolling back environmental protectionsand experts say many of them may actually be beyond the reach of presidential power. Just as he was inundated with lawsuits over his actions in his first term, many of these orders are likely to face legal pushback as well. Withdrawing from international climate agreementsIn an executive order titled Putting America First in International Environmental Agreements, Trump withdrew the U.S. from the landmark Paris Agreementand all other international climate commitments. The order calls for the United Nations to immediately revoke any financial commitments from the U.S. made under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. It also immediately rescinds the U.S. International Climate Finance Plan, which President Joe Biden launched in 2021 and which was meant to help finance climate programs in other countries.Trump withdrew the U.S. from the Paris Agreement in his first term, as well. The United States is one of the top climate-polluting countries in the world, so stepping back from this commitment hurts global efforts to address climate change and means the U.S. might not adopt the policies needed to limit the worst effects of global warming.Before leaving office, Biden did set 2035 climate targets for the country which, though they may not be enforced, do help set a benchmark for what the U.S. should be striving for. They may also be guides for states that vow to continue climate efforts, despite Trumps actionsjust as many did after he withdrew from the agreement the first time. Revoking EV support and IRA funding, expediting energy permits, and unleashing energy dominanceTrumps Unleashing American Energy executive order is a broad, far-reaching directive around energy development. It also rolls back various clean energy and climate initiatives, on everything from the Inflation Reduction Act to EVs to appliance efficiency standards.It begins by encouraging the exploration and production of energy developments on federal lands and waters. Then it calls for the elimination of what it dubs the EV mandate by terminating state emissions waivers that are meant to limit sales of gas-powered cars and considering the elimination of EV subsidies. This section also calls out appliance regulations and efficiency standards, saying it will safeguard the American peoples freedom to choose from a variety of goods and appliances, for everything from light bulbs to gas stoves to showerheads.Theres no additional information yet on what these actions mean for consumers, but theyre addressing regulations that have, at large, been helpful to the public. In 2024, 87% of EV buyers took advantage of the federal tax credit of up to $7,500, even saying the credit influenced their decision, one study found. Appliance efficiency standards have been a source of contention for Republicans, who have twisted those regulations to accuse the federal government of banning gas stoves. But efficiency standardswhether for stoves or washing machines or light bulbsarent only beneficial to the climate; they also translate to lower energy bills for customers. Experts say new, efficient models also perform better than older models.The order then calls for a review of any agency actions that potentially burden domestic energy developmentprimarily, it notes, oil, natural gas, and coaland to have a plan to remove those burdens. While theres no details on what exactly these burdens are, it broadly speaks to Trumps promises to expand fossil fuels, like his pledges on the campaign trail to drill, baby, drill.This executive order also focuses on energy permits andcalls for unleashing energy dominance by simplifying the permitting process. It revokes a 1977 executive order by President Jimmy Carter around environmental impact statements and calls for a working group to expedite permitting approvals. It also calls for the permitting and construction of interstate energy infrastructure, including pipelines, particularly in regions of the nation that have lacked such development in recent years.One section of this order is titled Terminating the Green New Deal, though the Green New Deal was its own legislation, separate from other climate bills, and never ultimately passed. This section does, however, call for an immediate pause of distributing funds from both the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. (Within two years of the IRAs passing, the bill created more than 334,000 clean energy jobs and brought $286 billion specifically to Republican-led districts.) This includes federal funds for EV-charging stations.Just last week, the EPA released a report saying it has already earmarked 93% of its IRA fundingmore than $38 billion of the total $41.5 billion allocated to the department. In October 2024, Climate Program Portal estimated that Biden had awarded $61 billion from the IRA, leaving a little more than $33 billion in funding.A section on protecting national security directs the Energy Secretary to begin reviewing applications to approve liquified natural gas export projects as expeditiously as possible. It says the economic and employment impacts from such projects should be considered, though activists have noted that LNG exports can actually increase domestic energy prices and cost taxpayers millions of dollars per person they employ.Declaring a national energy emergencyAnother executive order called out a purported energy emergency in the U.S. and cited a need to boost oil and gas production in order to address the active threat of high energy prices. (Oil and gas production actually hit a record high under President Biden, even as he took actions to foster clean energy.)This order allows for emergency approvals for energy production and refining on federal lands and calls for the expedited completion of energy infrastructure. It also calls for a review of any obstacles to domestic energy infrastructurespecifically from the Marine Mammal Protection Act or the Endangered Species Act.Again, this is another example of Trumps efforts to ramp up fossil fuel productionthough increased drilling doesnt necessarily translate to lower gas prices for consumers.Removing environmental protections for the Sacramento-San Joaquin DeltaTrump issued a memorandum titled Putting People Over Fish: Stopping Radical Environmentalism to Provide Water to Southern California, revoking environmental protections in the state. In October 2024, officials curtailed the flow of water in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta in order to protect endangered fish (environmentalists, however, had issues with this plan). This memorandum removes that protection and orders that water be redirected to other parts of the state.Trump specifically calls out the historically destructive wildfires across southern California as a reason that the state needs a reliable water supply. (Climate experts and state officials have disputed that, saying sending more water would have done nothing to prevent the fireswhich were fueled by extreme drought and severe windsor extinguish them.)He also references a plan from his first term to pump more water from the Bay-Delta in order to supply farms, writing that it would have allowed enormous amounts of water to flow from Northern California snow melts and rivers, for use in Southern California and the Central Valley, if not for Californias lawsuit against it. Environmentalists, however, also objected to the plan. And since California sued the Trump administration over that plan once, the state is likely to contest it again.Pausing wind energy projectsAnother memorandum addresses wind energy, by temporary withdrawing all areas of the Outer Continental Shelfall the submerged lands surrounding the U.S.from offshore wind leasing. This also puts a temporary moratorium on the Lava Ridge Wind Projecta proposed plant in Idaho that planned to have up to 400 wind turbines, by Magic Valley Energy. (The Lava Ridge project would be on public lands.) There arent any details on how long the withdrawal will last; the memorandum just notes that it goes into effect January 21 and stays in effect until it is revoked.Trump has rallied against wind power many times in the past, even calling for the U.K. to scrap wind turbines in the North Sea.Repealing Alaska environmental protections around oil and gasAn executive order titled Unleashing Alaskas Extraordinary Resource Potentialrepeals a handful of Biden-era restrictions on oil and gas drilling and extraction in Alaska. It calls for developing Alaskas natural resourcesincluding oil and gas energy, timber, seafood, and mineralsto the fullest extent possible by expediting energy permits and leases, developing LNG projects and pipelines in the state, and removing protections that halted oil and gas actions in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. It also denies a pending request from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to establish an [I]ndigenous sacred site in the Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

UK studio Zaha Hadid Architects is developing its plans to transform a former diesel depot in southwest England and create a mix of housing and workspaces called Bristol Temple Island.Bristol Temple Island is being designed for property investor Legal and General, which has submitted a planning application for the project as part of a wider regeneration masterplan in Bristol called Bristol Temple Quarter.If approved, it will contain two office buildings, retail space, a hotel and 520 homes 40 per cent of which will be designed for social and affordable rent.The Bristol Temple Island masterplan will contain 520 homesDesigned with landscape architecture studio LDA Design, Zaha Hadid Architects' proposal prioritises space for pedestrian and cycle paths, while minimising infrastructure for cars.Legal and General hopes the project will meet Bristol's housing needs and provide employment opportunities to the local community.The property investor's planning application for Bristol Temple Island comes seven years after a Zaha Hadid Architects-designed proposal to redevelop the site was first unveiled in 2018.Read: Zaha Hadid Architects draws up plans for housing on Bristol Arena siteAt the time, the Bristol Arena designed by architecture studio Populous had also been earmarked for construction on the site.The arena was later confirmed to be designed by Grimshaw Architects and Manica Architecture and set to be built at Bristol's former Filton Airfield. Legal and General secured the site for the Bristol Temple Island project in 2021.Bristol Temple Island to provide "much-needed housing""Legal and General seeks to deliver precisely targeted investment through a place-based approach to creating transformative mixed-use communities," said Legal and General head of regeneration Ben Rodgers."We are excited by the opportunity to regenerate Temple Island, revitalising the urban landscape and providing the key infrastructure that businesses, universities, and the public sector need to thrive alongside much-needed housing for the local population in Bristol."Other projects recently unveiled by Zaha Hadid Architects include a Serbian paper mill set to be transformed into the Nikola Tesla Museum and an arts centre in China topped with a sweeping roof.Earlier this month, Dezeen named the studio's Bergisel Ski Jump in Austria as the most significant building to be completed in 2002, as part of our 21st-Century Architecture: 25 Years 25 Buildings series.The post Zaha Hadid Architects designs 520 homes for former diesel depot in Bristol appeared first on Dezeen.

California company Spout has launched a countertop kitchen gadget that transforms humidity from the air into drinking water, drawing on technology used by NASA.The atmospheric water generator is around the size of a large coffee machine and can produce 7.5 litres of water per day.This is achieved using a rotating desiccant wheel, also used in dehumidifiers, which removes water molecules from the air as it flows through the wheel's honeycomb structure.Spout was designed for at-home use"The ceramic honeycomb is a marvel of molecular engineering," SpoutCEO and co-founder Reuben Vollmer told Dezeen."Utilizing zeolites, a material with microscopic pores, it acts like a sponge, attracting and trapping water molecules from the air.""As it rotates, the honeycomb moves into a heated section, where the bonds holding the water are gently released, turning the captured vapor into liquid water through condensation."The machine traps water molecules from the airThe device is 38 centimetres tall and was designed to be placed on kitchen countertops. In average conditions, it can fill a 500-millilitre bottle in about an hour and a half, and produce up to 7.5 litres of water per day enough to meet the daily needs of a family of three.Spout's Los Angeles-based parent company hopes that the appliance will reduce the use of plastic bottles. Americans buy about 50 billion water bottles per year and plastic waste generation in the US is projected to surpass 140 million metric tons by 2060."At its core, it provides water independence, ensuring families always have access to a safe, endless supply of pure water without relying on plastic bottles or inconsistent municipal sources," Vollmer said.It produces 7.5 litres of water per daySpout works best if the humidity of the air is above 20 per cent, but it can still make water below that level. Ideally, the air humidity should be 40 per cent or more, the company said."We've designed Spout to work in as wide a range of temperatures and humidity as possible thanks to our patented process and our ceramic honeycomb wheel that absorbs water from air efficiently," Vollmer said.According to the company, the water produced by the Spout device is free from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), lead and microplastics, with the device generating "99 per cent pure drinking water directly from the air".Read: Laero develops at-home system for turning wastewater into drinking waterOnce the condensation has been turned into water, this is then re-mineralized with the help of a filter that draws on NASA technology."The filtration technologies in Spout are inspired by NASA's advancements in nanoceramic filtration," Vollmer said. "Originally developed for space missions, these filters use electropositive adsorption to capture particles, viruses, and contaminants at a nanoscale.""The filter's high surface area, precise pore structure, and molecular-level efficiency parallel NASA's innovations in creating lightweight, high-capacity systems for water purification in space."The device also filters airAs well as creating water, Spout also purifies the air around it using a two-layer filtration system, Vollmer said."First, a carbon felt layer absorbs volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and eliminates odors, ensuring cleaner, fresher air," he claimed."Then, a high-performance MERV air filter steps in to capture a wide range of airborne particles, including dust, smoke, bacteria and even viruses."Data compiled by SimpleLab, a third-party company specializing in water quality testing, shows that the water from Spout is purer than US tap water, according to Vollmer.The water is re-mineralised before it can be drunk"SimpleLab developed a comprehensive scoring system, ranging from 1 to 99, to evaluate water purity based on thousands of water quality tests conducted across the US," he explained."The average score for US tap water was determined to be 42 out of 99. In contrast, Spout's water achieved an impressive 98 out of 99 on the same scale," he added."By comparing these scores, Spout's water was calculated to be approximately 230 per cent purer than the average tap water."As cities are at risk of running out of drinking water and global demand for fresh water is set to exceed supply by 2030, a number of designers and architects are focusing on projects that can preserve and create water.US startup Laero has designed a water treatment system that can turn wastewater into drinking water, while the Rain Harvest Home in Mexico includes a system for capturing and reusing stormwater.The post Spout home appliance transforms air into "pure drinking water" appeared first on Dezeen.

PROS: Fun, eye-catching design for sci-fi buffs Vibrant AMOLED screen Ample internal storageCONS: Single camera setup Underwhelming build qualityRATINGS:AESTHETICSERGONOMICSPERFORMANCESUSTAINABILITY / REPAIRABILITYVALUE FOR MONEYEDITOR'S QUOTE:The Tecno Spark 30 Pro Optimus Prime Edition is a truly one-of-a-kind design thats sure to spark joy for any Transformers fan.Tecno is a smartphone brand that has steadily built a strong presence in emerging markets, particularly in Africa and Southeast Asia, thanks to its budget-friendly yet feature-packed devices. The brands Spark series has always been a hit with younger users, offering a stylish design and solid performance at an accessible price. With the launch of the Tecno Spark 30 series, the company has taken things up a notch, introducing something truly unique: a collaboration with the iconic Transformers franchise.This collaboration brings two special editions to the Spark 30 lineup: the Bumblebee-themed Spark 30 and the Optimus Prime-themed Spark 30 Pro. We were fortunate enough to get our hands on the Optimus Prime-themed Spark 30 Pro, a device that combines budget-friendly specs with a design that will surely excite Transformers fans. But does this phone live up to the hype? In this review, well dive into the features, performance, and overall value of the Optimus Prime Spark 30 Pro, and see if its worth adding to your collectionor if its just another gimmicky release.Designer: TecnoAestheticsBefore you even pick up the phone, its clear that Tecno didnt just slap the Transformer name on the back of the Spark 30 Pro. Theyve carefully crafted every detail, going far beyond simple branding. It starts right at the packaging, making the unboxing experience a true delight.The phone arrives in a special box with an outer sleeve that unfolds to reveal Optimus Prime or, in the case of the other edition, Bumblebee. The double-door box, adorned with the Autobot logo, opens from the center to reveal the phone, wrapped in a Transformers-themed material. Beneath the compartment that houses the phone is a hidden drawer where the 33W charger brick, a USB-A to USB-C cable, wired earbuds, and warranty paperwork all reside. Unfortunately, these accessories come in plain white without any Transformer-themed details.The phone itself boasts a visually striking design inspired by Optimus Prime. The back cover features a sleek, metallic finish that mirrors the Autobot leaders signature color scheme: deep reds and blues with chrome accents. The design incorporates etched details that add visual depth, though these details are buried beneath a clear plastic panel, making the texture purely visual rather than tactile.The circular camera island, positioned in the top right, houses the camera and LED flash, featuring additional Optimus Prime references with the red and blue color rings and text reading Optimus Prime Altruistic Protective. A silver Autobot symbol sits at the bottom right corner of the phone, while the Tecno Spark and Transformer names are stacked vertically on the opposite side.Overall, the design of the device is a fun and tasteful tribute to the Transformers universe, sure to delight any fan of the franchise. At the same time, the design isnt in your face that only Transformers fans will appreciate it, though few outside that fandom will immediately associate it with the heroic robot. In fact, any fan of sci-fi or metallic aesthetics, with an inclination towards blue, red, and white colors, might also find it quite appealing.ErgonomicsThe Tecno Spark 30 Pro Optimus Prime Edition features a slim profile, measuring just 7.4mm in thickness, making it lightweight and comfortable to hold. While it offers comfort, the phones plastic construction feels somewhat less durable compared to higher-end models. Ive used plenty of phones with plastic backs, but this one feels, well, very plasticky.The other notable downside is that the back panel is highly prone to fingerprints and smudges. The glossy surface requires frequent cleaning to maintain its pristine look, as even the slightest touch leaves visible marks. While the smooth finish gives the device a sleek appearance, its tendency to attract grime can can definitely take away from its appeal.The side frame is also made of glossy plastic, which, like the back panel, is a fingerprint and smudge magnet. In terms of physical layout, the right side houses the volume rocker and power button, while the left side features a dual-SIM + micro SD card tray. On the bottom edge, youll find the 3.5mm headphone jack, USB-C port, and primary speaker, with the secondary speaker positioned at the top.One odd thing is the placement of the headphone jack which is not centered and sits very close to the bottom edge. The SIM tray is also a little off-center, which gives the phone a slightly cheap vibe. These minor design quirks, but they do make the phone feel a little less polished.PerformanceAs a special Transformers edition, the Tecno Spark 30 Pro comes loaded with exclusive wallpapers and icon designs, bringing the world of Autobots and Decepticons right to your fingertips. You can choose from two Optimus Prime wallpapers or two Bumblebee wallpapers, along with other non-Transformers-themed options to further personalize your device. If youre feeling creative, theres also an AI Wallpaper Generator that lets you design unique, custom wallpapers to match your style.Under the hood, the phone comes with MediaTek Helio G100 paired with either 128 GB or 256 GB of storage and 8 GB of RAM (expandable to 16 GB), offering solid performance for daily tasks including gaming. While it might not compete with flagship devices in sheer power, it gets the job done smoothly, and it comes with a 5-year lag-free performance warranty for peace of mind.The Spark 30 Pro runs HiOS 14.5 based on Android 14. Tecno has brought plenty of AI features including thehese include the previously mentioned AI Wallpaper Generator, AI Artboard for turning sketches into artwork, AI Eraser for photo editing, and the AI voice assistant Ella.When it comes to the display, the 6.78-inch AMOLED screen is a huge step up from its predecessor, the Spark 20 Pro, which had an LCD. The new display offers a 1080 x 2436 resolution (Full HD+) and a 120Hz refresh rate, making scrolling and navigation feel smooth. It also gets plenty bright, with a peak brightness of 1700 nits, making it easy to view in direct sunlight.The screen looks vibrant and crisp, and for a more comfortable viewing experience, the phone comes with 2160Hz PWM dimming, which helps reduce screen flickerespecially useful in low light, so your eyes wont get as tired after long sessions. The stereo dual speakers with Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res Audio support deliver loud and immersive sound to complement this very capable display.Another neat addition is the under-display fingerprint sensor, which works reliably. And if youre the type who uses your phone around moisture (rain, sweat, or just damp fingers), the Wet Touch Control ensures the screen stays responsive even when its a little wet.A 5,000 mAh battery keeps you going through a full day of average use, and the 33W wired charging capability means you wont be waiting long to top it up. Its definitely not the fastest in the market, but a charging time of around an hour from zero to full is still a lot better than some leading brands.The device features a 108 MP rear camera with up to 10X zoom, capable of capturing decent photos in bright environments. On the front, theres a 32 MP selfie camera with a dual-color LED flash. The flash lets you adjust both the intensity and color temperature across three different levels, giving you more control over your lighting for the perfect selfie.1x3x1x3xCamera output is pretty decent, though it seems to lean more towards oversaturating colors to make a bigger impact. Its biggest flaw is, of course, the fact that theres only one camera doing the work of two or three. You can forget about ultra-wide shots, and zoomed in quality isnt as good as a dedicated telephoto lens. Then again, this is a case of getting what you pay for.1x, Portrait2x, PortraitSustainabilityThe Tecno Spark 30 Pro boasts an A rating for TV SDs 60-month fluency, meaning its designed to perform smoothly for up to 5 years. After 1,000 charge cycles, the battery retains over 80% of its original capacity, suggesting excellent long-term durability. Additionally, the phone features an IP54 rating, offering protection against water splashes and dust. This is a nice upgrade from its predecessors IP53 rating, making it more resilient to everyday wear and tear.That said, while these durability features are a step in the right direction, wed love to see more sustainability initiatives from the brand in the future, such as more eco-friendly materials in both the products and packaging. Given the limited edition design, it might be fine for low production numbers, but its also high time for Tecno to spark some interest in this aspect of its design philosophy.ValueThe Tecno Spark 30 Pro Optimus Prime Edition, priced around $200 USD (depending on the market), stands out as a unique contender in the budget smartphone space. While the Optimus Prime-themed design is the most obvious draw, its far from the only reason to consider this handset. Like most budget phones, there are a few compromises. Its not going to offer the absolute best processor or camera compared to some competitors. The camera situation, in particular, is a bit disappointing when even an 8MP ultra-wide shooter would do wonders for your dramatic panoramas.But what it does offer is a distinctive design and a well-rounded set of features, including a vivid screen, a large battery, and ample memory. If youre a Transformers fan looking for a budget-friendly device that still packs a punch, the Tecno Spark 30 Pro Optimus Prime Edition is definitely worth a look.VerdictThe Tecno Spark 30 Pro Optimus Prime Edition is a truly one-of-a-kind design thats sure to spark joy for any Transformers fan. With the bold Optimus Prime branding and thoughtful design details, this phone really brings the iconic character to life. Whether its the sleek, futuristic look or the nostalgic charm, the Spark 30 Pro Optimus Prime Edition stands out in a way thats hard to miss.Its a budget-friendly device that gets a lot of things right: a large AMOLED display, solid battery life, a 108 MP rear camera, and a 5-year lag-free performance guarantee. These are all impressive features at its price point, especially for users looking for a phone that offers good value without breaking the bank. If youre a fan of the franchise, this phone offers a unique way to carry a piece of the Transformers universe with you, all while adding a touch of flair to your everyday tech.The post Tecno Spark 30 Pro Optimus Prime Edition Review: Budget-Friendly Solid-Performer, Roll Out! first appeared on Yanko Design.

A good mid-range drawing display that makes dials useful.