I've been testing the $330 OnePlus Watch 3 for 48 hours and have found it to be, so far, a powerhouse smartwatch wrapped in a sleek, understated design. OnePlus aims to compete with its Android rivals by offering a robust set of health and fitness features, and the promise to blow them all away with a five-day battery life under normal use.Having heard similar promises about smartwatch batteries before, I was skeptical. Companies often hype up battery life, only to bury in the fine print that it requires power-saving mode -- stripping away "smart" features and turning the watch into nothing more than a glorified digital clock. I was pleasantly surprised that the default settings on the Watch 3 include full use of all its features, minus the always-on display, which I would normally activate.The only change I made was swapping the analogue-style watch face for one that displayed battery life at a glance, along with workout shortcuts, weather and fitness tracking. Big mistake. Turns out, I had unknowingly picked one of the worst offenders -- a level three out of three on the Wear OS battery drain scale.During my first two days with the Watch 3, I used it to receive text and email notifications, track an hour-long outdoor run with GPS, log an indoor strength workout andtrack two nights of sleep. As a result, the Watch 3's battery dropped to 50% within the first 48 hours.While it doesn't quite hit the promised five days, I should still get four full days of battery life from the Watch 3 on a single charge -- impressive, considering mostAndroid smartwatchesstruggle to last three. For my full review, I'll switch to a lower-power watch face to see if I can push it to OnePlus' five-day claim.There's a lot more to unpack with the Watch 3, and so far, I'm pleasantly surprised.Battery life takes center stage The Watch 3's best feature, after two days of testing, is its battery life. Vanessa Hand Orellana/CNETOnePlus' claim to fame initially was delivering quality devices at more affordable prices than high-end competitors like Samsung and Google. And the Watch 3, the fourth from the Chinese company, aims to shake up some of that tradition.Unlike the original $160 OnePlus Watch and last year's $180 Watch 2R, whose low prices were the main appeal, the Watch 3 prioritizes its more premium appeal over a low price. OnePlus wants the Watch 3 to be a premium flagship device, putting it in direct competition with other Watch OS devices like the Google Pixel Watch 3 and Samsung Galaxy Watch 7. What could set it apart, if it delivers, is its battery life.OnePlus claims the Watch 3 can last five days on its default settings. That's thanks to a large 631mAh battery and a dual-chipset system that uses its Snapdragon W5 processor to focus on powering app usage, while its BES2800 MCU Efficiency chip handles low-powered background tasks.In my first two days, I was impressed with the Watch 3's battery life, despite my choice of using a battery thirsty watch face. It's worth noting that the Watch 3 has an ultra power-saving mode, which OnePlus claims can last up to 16 days on a full charge.Design upgrades and interface This is what the OnePlus Watch 3 looks like right out of the box. Vanessa Hand Orellana/CNETThe OnePlus Watch 3 keeps the sleek stainless steel design of its predecessor, with some notable upgrades. It has a rotating crown with an easy-to-grip texture and a titanium bezel surrounding the screen -- reminiscent of the rotating bezels on the early Samsung watches that I loved. This one is thinner and stays in place, but I like how it elevates the design, making it look less like a giant circular 1.5-inch AMOLED display strapped to my wrist. The screen is bright and easy to see even in direct sunlight. The watch comes in silver or black, with rubber straps that are comfortable to wear all day and night.The Watch 3 runs on Wear OS 5, with additional OnePlus design and features, like the OHealth app that you'll need to download on your phone to access the watch's full range of health tracking features.The interface of Watch 3 feels a bit sluggish, with a slight lag in response time. It's hard to tell whether this is a Wear OS issue or if it's the actual watch but navigation isn't entirely seamless -- though it did improve as I got more familiar with the buttons and gestures.The interface isn't particularly intuitive either -- some settings, like workout views, require digging through menus (a known Wear OS issue). I also had trouble setting up my account in the OHealth app and syncing it with my Google health data. This may be due to using a developer version of the app, but it's cumbersome nonetheless.Accessing all my health data through the OHealth app hasn't been too bad, thanks to its visual, user-friendly interface.Health and fitness features Here's the OnePlus Watch 3 next to a OnePlus 13 with the OHealth app open. Vanessa Hand Orellana/CNETOnePlus' investment in health and wellness is evident in this watch. In addition to basics like heart rate and calories, it measures more nuanced health metrics, like cardiovascular health, SPO2, wrist temperature and general well-being (which includes emotional and stress levels), though not without some caveats. None of these features are FDA-approved, meaning they aren't meant to be used as medical-grade data. Additionally, the ECG feature isn't available in the US or Canada. The Watch 3 also lacks menstrual health tracking -- an oversight, in my opinion -- especially since wrist temperature monitoring, now standard on its main rivals, could be extremely useful for ovulation tracking.The Watch 3 also debuts a 60-second health check-in, a feature that checks all your vitals in one spot by pressing your finger on the watch's bottom button. My first health check-in was concerning and displayed a red exclamation mark with the word "abnormal" next to it. Upon further inspection, it turns out all my vitals were in range, but it was my sleep score that was skewing the results. I'll admit, my sleep habits aren't great, partly due to my one-year-old daughter, but I'd argue that I at least deserve a passing grade.In terms of fitness, the OnePlus Watch 3 covers all the basics, with more than 100 different sports modes, six of which it detects automatically: running, walking, rowing, elliptical machine, cycling and swimming. It also offers a "professional" mode for 11 sports that keeps tabs of more nuanced metrics related to that sport. For runners, it tracks form and foot balance, while for tennis players, it measures swing speed and stroke. While it may be overkill for most, as a runner who recently learned how to leverage heart rate zones to intensify workouts, I'm excited to nerd out on these additional metrics.Another key feature for outdoor sports enthusiasts is its dual-frequency GPS tracking system, which OnePlus claims can position you accurately even in challenging environments, such as crowded cities surrounded by high rises. I live in an entirely different environment, more sheep than skyscrapers, so I haven't been able to fully test this claim. It did position me perfectly on my usual trail run through oak trees and vineyards.With an IP69 rating, the OnePlus Watch 3 is also water-resistant up to 50 meters.Everything ElseI plan to dive deeper over the next few days and test some of the Watch 3's other features for my full review. But for now, if battery life is at the top of your wishlist for a smartwatch, as it is mine, this is one Android smartwatch that's definitely worth considering.The OnePlus Watch 3 is now available for presale through OnePlus's website, with an official release date set for February 25.

February 18, 20252 min readWhich Knot Is Stronger? Humans Arent Great JudgesPeople are surprisingly bad at guessing knot strength, a study found Jen ChristiansenHumans are pretty good at guessing whether a towering stack of dishes in the sink will topple over or where a pool ball will go when a cue hits it. We evolved this kind of physical reasoning to navigate our changing and sometimes dangerous environments. But a new study highlights one area of intuitive physics thats deceptively difficult: judging how strong a knot is.Take a look at these four knots, which may look similar but are all distinct. Which knot would be hardest to undo if you pulled on the two long ends of its ropes? Rank them in order from weakest to strongest.Jen Christiansen; Source: Tangled Physics: Knots Strain Intuitive Physical Reasoning, by Sholei Croom and Chaz Firestone, in Open Mind, Vol. 8; September 2024 (reference)On supporting science journalismIf you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.These four knots can be grouped into two pairs of similar configurations: the thief (A) and reef (B) knots, and the granny (C) and grief (D) knots. In both pairs, one knot is vastly stronger than the other. The correct weak-to-strong ranking is grief, thief, granny and reef (D, A, C, B).If youre surprised, youre in good company. Researchers recently asked volunteers to look at photographs of these knots and decide which would take more force to undo. The participants consistently misjudged the strength of the ties by wide margins, Johns Hopkins University brain science researchers Chaz Firestone and Sholei Croom report in the journal Open Mind.Reef and thief knots were rated as similarly strong because theyre visually similar, but the position of the bitter endsthe shorter, cut-off ends in each knotis really significant, Croom says. A knot with two bitter ends on opposite sides is a lot weaker than if the two sides are the same. The grief knot, aptly named, is so weak you could sneeze on it and it would fall apart.KNOT BASICSThe fact that people are bad at evaluating knot strength is surprising because we encounter them in many situationsfrom tangled electronic cords to hair braids, knitting stitches to medical suture ties, rock climbing to sailing. Tying a knot properly can spell the difference between safety and peril, Croom says. The four shown here are among the simplest knots that can be tied with two lengths of string, and they are prevalent in daily life.PHYSICAL REASONINGStudying areas where our physical intuition fails helps scientists better understand how our brains perceive the world around us. Knots might be an interesting case study on constraints around our physical reasoning, Croom says. Is it something to do with elasticity? Is it the fact that its a soft-body object rather than a rigid-body object? Figuring out why tangles are so tricky could help scientists predict when peoples snap judgments about a physical situation are likely to be wrong, leading to unsafe reactions.

February 18, 20255 min readReaders Respond to the November 2024 IssueLetters to the editors for the November 2024 issue of Scientific AmericanBy Aaron Shattuck Scientific American, November 2024VACCINES AND IMMUNITYNo More Needles, by Stephani Sutherland, describes new nasal spray vaccines. It was very helpful to learn about mucosal immunity, an aspect of the immune system about which there has been very little press. But the article did not discuss the effect of nasal vaccines on immunocompromised or immunosuppressed individuals.My wife is a heart-transplant recipient and is on a lifelong regimen of immunosuppressants. Recently we received an alert from her transplant team that transplant patients should not take FluMist, a spray vaccine against influenza that received U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval last September. It also said such patients shouldnt be in the same room as another person receiving an inhaled dose of FluMist or have any contact with a person who has taken the vaccine for seven days. Why is this?On supporting science journalismIf you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.ANDREW WRIGHT BASKING RIDGE, N.J.THE EDITORS REPLY: FluMist is made with a weakened (attenuated) flu virus to stimulate immunity. A normally functioning immune system can keep that virus in check. A suppressed immune system, however, may not be able to stop the weakened virus from creating a real infection. People who have received an organ transplant usually have a suppressed immune system, so live, attenuated vaccines are not recommended for such individuals.We shouldnt abandon the leap second out of a misguided quest for simplicity! Agatha Mallett, Via E-mailSECOND OPINIONShould We Abandon the Leap Second?, by Mark Fischetti and Matthew Twombly, questions whether the leap seconds we add or subtract to time kept by our atomic clocks are worth the effort.We should maintain the leap second. It is the basic link between UT1 (essentially mean solar time) and atomic clock time, also called international atomic time (TAI). Their combination, coordinated universal time (UTC), gives the advantages of both: accurately ticking seconds, as defined by the International System of Units, but still respecting the day-night cycle that is foundational to everyday human life.Jumps in UTC turn out to be the only reasonable way to make this elegant and useful correspondence. Every alternative involves sacrifice: reduced accuracy, reduced human relevance or long-term failure. Moreover, removing the leap second would actually make computerized timekeeping much harder, not easier, so there is simply no reason to do it.UTC is the sole time standard that is ideal for the needs of both humans and machines, and leap seconds are crucial to implement it. We shouldnt abandon the leap second out of a misguided quest for simplicity!AGATHA MALLETT VIA E-MAILBABY TALKThe Evolution of Music, by Allison Parshall, Duncan Geere and Miriam Quick [Graphic Science], notes three worldwide trends in song: they tend to be slower than speech and to have a higher and more stable pitch. It occurs to me that this pattern is the same one we see when adults speak to infants (at least in the Western world). If this is correct, is there a connection between song and the most basic infantile communication? And further, is this link the basis for the evolution of adult speech?DENNIS MONASEBIAN ARMONK, N.Y.PARSHALL REPLIES: Recent research does support the idea of infant-directed speech, or baby talk, sharing characteristics such as higher pitch and slower tempo across cultures. One could hypothesize that the same features that make baby talk attention-grabbing and appealing to infants also make adult song attention grabbing and appealing to adults, although its also possible that they evolved separately for different reasons.FINDING HELP FOR ADDICTIONAs someone who has struggled with addiction, I was very interested in Maia Szalavitzs article on The Traumatic Roots of Addiction [October]. But I was dismayed by her portrayal of 12-step programs, particularly Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). To classify them as social support groups is not correct. AAs meetings may provide social support, but that is not the basis of the program.Further, Szalavitz comments on the rigidity of 12-step programs and people telling newcomers to shut up and listen, but this is not the case in AA. It is simply a suggested program of recovery. Some groups did decide to veer away from the established program and basically create their own. As noted in the article, AA has no opinion on outside matters, including therapy. Therapy in conjunction with AA has helped many peopleand has made a difference in my life. One without the other would mean incomplete treatment. Whenever a given group tells me what I must do in a rigid way, I simply find another meeting. The program can work for anyone who wants it to.MIKE H. VIA E-MAILSZALAVITZ REPLIES: It is not possible to write about 12-step programs without encountering pushback from members who claim misinterpretation. Research shows that participation in 12-step groups is most likely to be beneficial for people who attend them voluntarily and find them helpful. But because both the social support aspect and the steps themselves can be harmful to some (as I discuss), they should not be mandated. Still, 12-step participation is the foundation of most American addiction treatments. To help the majority of people with addiction who have suffered from childhood trauma get evidence-based care, this must change.MOTIVATED DELAYI have some responses to Javier Granados Samayoa and Russell Fazios fine article on procrastination [How to Beat Procrastination; Mind Matters], but I just havent been able to find time to jot them down. Perhaps Ill do so next month.TIM JOHNSON SARASOTA, FLA.ULTRASOUND LESSONS FOR ADHDI was intrigued by Lucy Tus Advances article on a study that enhanced mindfulness with ultrasound stimulation of the brains default mode network (DMN) [Ultrasound Meditation; October]. I recall a video by YouTube personality Jessica McCabe in which she talked to psychiatrist Edward Hallowell about how the DMN can act up and lead to rumination in people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). They also discussed strategies for how to get the DMN to relax. I wonder if ultrasound stimulation would be a viable treatment for those of us whose brain wants to go full speed all the time or if lessons from studying ADHD could become useful in determining how ultrasound stimulation could be helpful.VIVIANA H. VIA E-MAILERRATABetter Measures, by Cassandra Willyard [Innovations in Solutions for Health Equity], should have described creatinine as a molecule, not a protein.Defogging Data, by Jyoti Madhusoodanan [Innovations in Solutions for Health Equity], should have said that the Office of Management and Budget defined the single Asian or Pacific Islander category in 1977 and that a 1997 revision to the standard required that group to be split into two categories. In addition, the article should have given Joseph Keaweaimoku Kaholokulas full name and described him as a health disparities researcher.

Xbox Game Pass latest February titles announcedWatch Dogs! F1! Warhammer!Image credit: Xbox / Eurogamer News by Tom Phillips Editor-in-Chief Published on Feb. 18, 2025 Microsoft has announced its line-up of Xbox Game Pass titles for the latter half of February. This begins with Avowed, which Microsoft also noted down in its list for the first half of the month too. Hmm! Otherwise, there's a thin selection of other titles on offer. Well, you're probably still playing with your fungus hero anyway.Here's the full line-up of Xbox Game Pass titles for the rest of February:Avowed - 18th February (Ultimate, PC)EA Sports F1 24 - 20th February (Ultimate, PC)Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader - 20th February (Standard, Ultimate, PC)Watch Dogs: Legion - 20th February (Standard, Ultimate, PC)To see this content please enable targeting cookies. Is this an Xbox? Probably yes.Watch on YouTubeAll Game Pass subscribers, including those on the service's Standard tier, get post-Brexit London simulator Watch Dogs: Legion to play around with on 20th February. Enjoy its sunnier version of Britain's future, complete with crime-loving grannies and even more drones. Tactical turn-based isometric RPG Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader is available then, too.Other than Avowed, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and Game Pass PC subscribers this month also get EA Sports F1 24, should you prefer cars to magical combat.As ever, whenever Microsoft giveth, it also taketh away. Nine games are set to leave Xbox Game Pass on 28th February, including several Yakuza titles and PAW Patrol World. Hopefully there's no tears:F1 22 (Console and PC) - EA PlayGris (Cloud, Console, and PC)Maneater (Cloud, Console, and PC)PAW Patrol World (Cloud, Console, and PC)Space Engineers (Cloud, Console, and PC)Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun (Cloud, Console, and PC)Wo Long Fallen Dynasty (Cloud, Console, and PC)Yakuza 3 Remastered (Cloud, Console, and PC)Yakuza 4 Remastered (Cloud, Console, and PC)If you want to keep playing these games after they leave Game Pass, you'll need to purchase them. On the plus side, Game Pass subscribers get a 20 percent discount.For everything else in Microsoft's subscription service, you can check out Eurogamer's handy Xbox Game Pass guide detailing the many titles available.

Wizards of the Coast has unveiled the first four of its forthcoming Magic: The Gathering Final Fantasy cards, and confirmed legendary artist Yoshitaka Amano is involved.The Final Fantasy crossover will launch on 13th June and consists of four decks based on Final Fantasies 6, 7, 10, and 14. It's the lead card from each of these decks that's now been revealed: Terra, Cloud, Tidus, and Y'shtola.Each deck will consist of 100 cards, including both reprints of existing cards with new Final Fantasy art and brand new cards, and will tell the story of that particular Final Fantasy game.Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Review - FF7 Rebirth Spoiler free review new gameplayWatch on YouTube"Final Fantasy games are so rich with flavor, beloved characters, and unique settings that choosing a single game as the theme provided more than enough material to design a full deck of cards around," Magic's senior game designer Daniel Holt told IGN. "Approaching each deck as a single game also provided the opportunity to dive deep into the lore of each, capturing even more beloved moments from across the game's storyline that we may not have been able to achieve otherwise."Holt said the development team has "so many passionate Final Fantasy fans", with the four games partially chosen because they're favourites among the team. However, each brought its own unique challenges in adaptation. For instance, how will the Final Fantasy 7 deck balance the original game with its Remake trilogy?"Our core approach to Final Fantasy 7 was to capture the original PS1 game's narrative, while using Final Fantasy 7 Remake and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth's modern aesthetics to push the fidelity of each character design, story moment, and memorable location to the next level," said principal narrative game designer Dillon Deveney. "With that in mind, if a scene existed in both games, we had our choice of showing it as the original game did, how the modern version interpreted it, or a unique fusion of both. Hopefully, this deck feels familiar and nostalgic to players of both the original game and the modern series!" The four cards unveiled so far | Image credit: Wizards of the Coast / IGNAnd while each deck has the lead character from each game as its Commander, Final Fantasy 14 is an MMORPG without an equivalent lead."For Y'shtola, it came down to a mix of popularity of the character as well as being a spellcaster, her story and character development offered a wide range of abilities and moments to pull from to lead the deck," said Holt, adding the deck specifically reflects her story arc in expansion Shadowbringers.Meanwhile, the official Magic: The Gathering account stated the crossover has "brought together esteemed artists from around the world" - and confirmed legendary Final Fantasy artist Yoshitaka Amano is involved.To see this content please enable targeting cookies.More details on the crossover are expected later today, with a reveal on the Magic: The Gathering Twitch channel at 10am PT (that's 6pm UK time).All four decks will be available individually as a regular version (MSRP $69.99) or as a collector's edition (MSRP $149.99).This isn't the first time a video game has been adapted into Magic cards, following the likes of Fallout, Tomb Raider, and Assassin's Creed in recent years.Earlier this month, Hasbro announced a Magic: The Gathering film and TV series, which it aims to be a "multimedia universe that thrills longstanding fans and creates a broad wave of new ones".

You can trust VideoGamer. Our team of gaming experts spend hours testing and reviewing the latest games, to ensure you're reading the most comprehensive guide possible. Rest assured, all imagery and advice is unique and original. Check out how we test and review games here Contents hide Cheating is never a winning strategy, Fortnite declared, right after delivering one of the most humiliating bans to a cheater. Epic Games maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy against cheating, yet many players still attempt it. While the developer has taken legal action against cheaters and cheat creators multiple times, this latest ban might be the most embarrassing yet.Besides a lifetime ban in Fortnite, Epic made the cheater post an apology video on YouTube. Furthermore, the player had to return the money he won from the tournament.Fortnite cheater had to record an apology video after receiving lifetime banOn Monday, Epic Games handed out the most memorable Fortnite ban. We took legal action against a player who shared their account to unfairly qualify for FNCS. Now theyre banned from Fortnite tournaments forever and their undeserved prize money was donated to charity, the game creator wrote on X (formerly Twitter). In addition to this, the post included an apology video made by a Fortnite cheater. Save Up to $1,200 on the Samsung Galaxy S25! Pre-order now and save big with trade-in and Samsung credit. Limited time only! *Includes trade-in value + $300 Samsung credit. The video explains that Repulse, the cheater, shared his account with another player, which is against the rules. This sharing resulted in the player qualifying for the 2023 FNCS Grand Finals. Interestingly, Repulse finished first in his region, winning $20,000. Despite receiving this money, Repulse will not keep it, and it will be donated to charity instead.This is definitely a positive move for Epic, as cheaters shouldnt be allowed to keep tournament winnings. Additionally, permanently banning them ensures a fair competition where other players have a genuine chance to win valuable prizes. Must-Listen: Publishing Manor Lords w/ Joe Robinson VideoGamer Podcast Listen Now Prior to the release of Fortnite Chapter 6, Epic introduced stricter penalties for cheaters. However, many players still think they can get away with unfair play, which simply isnt true. Its only a matter of time before the Fortnite developer cracks down further, so another ban wave is likely coming soon. FortnitePlatform(s):Android, iOS, macOS, Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/XGenre(s):Action, Massively Multiplayer, Shooter9VideoGamerRelated TopicsFortnite Subscribe to our newsletters!By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy and may receive occasional deal communications; you can unsubscribe anytime.Share

You can trust VideoGamer. Our team of gaming experts spend hours testing and reviewing the latest games, to ensure you're reading the most comprehensive guide possible. Rest assured, all imagery and advice is unique and original. Check out how we test and review games here Contents hide SPONSORED POSTAs anyone whos spent long enough in an office job will attest, getting an ergonomic chair does wonders for your posture and general well-being (its hard to do anything strenuous with a trapped nerve), and this goes for gamers as well. If you want to avoid a bad case of gamer neck, getting a chair that supports your lumber, wider back, and head/neck is very important. The Sihoo Doro C300 Pro is a high-end office chair that you can currently pick up on offer at a fairly mid-range price, and it does everything youd need it to for a comfortable sitting experience.Whilst you can opt for more gamer focused chairs, this is mostly just about branding and aesthetics theres nothing else they offer that a non-gaming chair wont. Indeed the mesh design that you get on more office looking chairs provides additional cooling for underneath your legs and on your back, making for a more comfortable experience if youre working in warmer conditions. Lets take a closer look at what the Doro C300 Pro offers and see whether its right for your setup.Sihoo Doro C300 ProMaximum load300lbs/136kgSeat width51.5cm/20.28Seat depth2.5cm/0.98Seat height adjustment46-56.7cm/18.11-22.32Recline angle105-120-135Tilt Lock?YesHow We Review SihooCheckprice Putting the chair togetherPreviousNext1 of 6PreviousNextWhen unboxing the Sihoo Doro C300 Pro, we found that each component was securely packaged, with ample padding to safeguard the parts during transportation. The individual pieces were either wrapped or boxed to minimize the risk of damage, with tough cardboard in between the main sections of the chair. While most of the packaging can be removed by hand, having a pair of scissors on hand will make the process quicker and easier. Save Up to $1,200 on the Samsung Galaxy S25! Pre-order now and save big with trade-in and Samsung credit. Limited time only! *Includes trade-in value + $300 Samsung credit. Most chairs of a similar type arrive partially assembled, whereas the Sihoo Doro C300 Pro requires a little more work to put together, but were talking an additional 20mins+ of work maximum, which is well worth it for the value this chair brings the consumer. The individual spokes for the wheelbase require attaching and screwing on manually, as do the separate sections for the armrests. However, the instruction manual provided is straightforward and well-organized and theres also a handy YouTube video you can watch to assist you in the construction. Must-Listen: Publishing Manor Lords w/ Joe Robinson VideoGamer Podcast Listen Now The screws, washers, and other small components are neatly arranged in a labeled blister pack, making it easy to identify each piece. This pack also includes two hex keys (Allen wrenches) for assembly, meaning theres no need to source your own tools.PreviousNext1 of 24PreviousNextWe began assembly by focusing on the base of the chair. First, we attached the silver spokes to the core of the wheelbase after removing the protective plastic sleeves. These were secured using the washers and screws provided. Next, the casters were firmly pushed into place by hand: this step requires some effort but doesnt involve any additional tools. After this, we inserted the hydraulic piston and covered it with the accompanying sleeve.Moving on to the seat section, we assembled it separately and attached it to the wheelbase. Constructing the armrests was the next step, which involved using multiple screws and washers. Once the armrests were complete, we connected them to the backrest and secured everything firmly. The headrest was the final component to be attached, with a decorative cover bearing the Sihoo logo added to conceal the screws where the headrest is mounted.PreviousNext1 of 7PreviousNextIn total, assembling the chair took approximately one hour. If youre new to assembling office chairs or similar furniture, the process may take a little longer, but with the clear instructions and tools provided, the task is relatively straightforward.Ergonomics & AdjustabilityErgonomics and adjustability are at the core of the Sihoo Doro C300 Pro design. The following features let you tweak the chair to your needs to a high degree of fidelity:3D Adjustable Headrest: The chairs headrest allows for movement in three directions: you can adjust by height (4.5cm of vertical adjustment), modify the depth (6.5cm of forward/backward movement), and also adjust by angle, delivering targeted neck and head support for maximum comfort.Depth-Adjustable Seat: The seat cushion, inspired by a waterfall-edge design, can be adjusted in depth (forwards and backwards) between 16.81 -17.76 inches (thats 42.7.cm and 45.11cm for the metric crew).Height-Adjustable Backrest: Designed for versatility, the backrest adapts to a variety of postures, providing complete support whatever your position for the entire back. It offers height adjustability ranging from 18.11-21.65 inches (46cm-55cm), making it suitable for users of different body shapes and sizes.6D Adjustable Armrests: The armrests are highly versatile, offering adjustments in six directions. They can move upward and downward by 6.8cm (2.68), forward and back by 4.8 cm (1.89), in and out by 8cm (3.15), rotate inward/outward by 70 and flip upwards by 35 to provide customized arm support. Additionally, the tilt linkage design ensures the armrests move in tandem with the backrest for enhanced ergonomics.Seat-back Tilt: The synchronized tilt function offers three recline angles 105, 120, and 135 which can be securely locked when you find the one you like. A smart weight-sensing system automatically distributes support evenly, ensuring a stable reclining experience.Self-Adapting Lumbar Support System: The Domino Dynamic lumbar support mechanism follows the users movements, helping to maintain good posture even when the user switches position whilst seated.PreviousNext1 of 2PreviousNextComfortThe Sihoo Doro C300 Pro undoubtedly offers a pleasant experience for those lengthy sessions at your desk, striking an excellent balance between ergonomic support and overall comfort. This thoughtful design helps make extended hours at your desk far more manageable and less fatiguing.The chairs upholstery is composed of the aforementioned wave mesh, which is specifically engineered for optimal breathability. Additionally, it has a pleasant spring-like quality that adds to the overall comfort.The seat is designed to evenly distribute your weight, reducing pressure over time on your hips and thighs. This ensures a more comfortable sitting posture, even over prolonged periods. Meanwhile, the lumbar support, combined with the adaptive backrest, provides continuous, responsive support as you shift or adjust your position. This dynamic system helps maintain proper spinal alignment, from the base of your back to your neck, ensuring both comfort and posture are preserved throughout the day.The level of armrest adjustability is the most weve seen in a chair that weve had the chance to use, so whatever your personal posture or working/gaming setup, your arms are well supported.Finally, we found the action of the casters to be nice and smooth for wheeling yourself around with ease.Pricing & WarrantyWhen the Sihoo Doro C300 Pro was first launched, it was priced at $699.99 in the United States for the Black model, with the white version $709.99. In the United Kingdom, the chair was initially available for approximately 709.99. However, these prices have since decreased, making the chair a more affordable option for buyers.At the time of writing, you can find the Doro C300 Pro on Sihoos official website for a discounted price starting at $339.99 in the US or 496.15 in the UK a significant markdown that offers excellent value. Additionally, the chair is available on Amazon across multiple international markets, providing further purchasing options for customers worldwide.In a move thats very good news for the consumer, Sihoo provides a 30-day risk-free trial. This allows you to test the chair and return it within the trial period if it doesnt meet your expectations, provided it remains in good condition. On top of this, the Doro C300 Pro comes with a comprehensive three-year warranty, ensuring peace of mind in case of any defects or issues. This combination of affordability and customer support makes it a compelling choice for anyone in need of a reliable office chair.Related TopicsSubscribe to our newsletters!By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy and may receive occasional deal communications; you can unsubscribe anytime.Share

In brief: Mexico is not happy about Google changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America on Google Maps. The country is now threatening to sue the tech company if it doesn't restore the original name. Google Maps changed the body of water's name to the Gulf of America earlier this month. It followed President Trump's proclamation that decreed the renaming and the subsequent name change by the federal Board on Geographic Names.Mexico's president Claudia Sheinbaum said on Monday that Trump's order only applies to the part of continental shelf under US control, which extends 22 nautical miles from the US coast not the entire Gulf. But Google is changing the name of the portion of the Gulf that includes Mexico's and Cuba's continental shelves.Mexico argues that the policy violates Mexican sovereignty as the US has jurisdiction over around 46% of the Gulf, while Mexico controls 49% and Cuba controls 5%."We do not agree with this, and the Foreign Minister has sent a new letter addressing the issue," Sheinbaum said. The letter states that under no circumstances does Mexico accept the renaming of any geographic area that includes part of its national territory and that is under its jurisdiction.The letter to Google adds that "any reference to the 'Gulf of America' initiative on your Google Maps platform must be strictly limited to the marine area under U.S. jurisdiction." // Related Stories"Any extension beyond that zone exceeds the authority of any national government or private entity. Should that be the case, the Government of Mexico will take the appropriate legal actions as deemed necessary," it states.Although Google Maps users in the US now see the Gulf of America name, it appears as Gulf of Mexico to those in Mexico. The rest of the world sees both names on Google Maps.Sheinbaum said last week that a civil suit could be launched against Google if it did not correct what she called an "inaccurate designation."The Mexican government has been in talks with Google over the issue since January. It will wait for the company's response to the letter before proceeding with any legal action.Google says the name change on Maps is part of its long-standing policy of adhering to official government names for locations and other geographical features.Cris Turner, Google's vice president of government affairs and public policy, told Sheinbaum's government that Google was willing to meet in person but would not change its policy."While international treaties and conventions are not intended to regulate how private mapping providers represent geographic features, it is our consistent policy to consult multiple authoritative sources to provide the most up to date and accurate representation of the world," he said.When Trump first announced the renaming plans ahead of his inauguration, Sheinbaum remarked that Google should rename North America to "Amrica Mexicana," or "Mexican America," because an 1814 founding document that preceded Mexico's constitution referred to it that way.

Switching It UpAs the Switch 2 looms, Nintendo wants you to know Switch Game Vouchers won't net you the new console's exclusives and that it's ditching eShop Gold PointsDon't worry, though, you won't be cut off from your existing Gold Point horde right away.Image credit: Nintendo News by Mark Warren Senior Staff Writer Published on Feb. 18, 2025 While we're all now waiting for that Nintendo Switch 2 Direct that's coming up in April, having had ample time to watch the console spin about a bit in that official reveal, here's some stuff worth being aware of if you're a current or future Switcher.Nintendo has announced some updates to its Switch Game Vouchers and eShop Gold Points schemes, with the latter being something you'll be unable to earn once March 25 hits.To see this content please enable targeting cookies. I'll start off with what's happening to Gold Points, since you might be anxious about the stash of them you've amassed by buying a bunch of eShop games over the years. Basically, they're being discontinued."From March 25, 2025, customers will no longer earn Gold Points when making digital purchases from Nintendo eShop and the official Nintendo website, or by redeeming download codes," Nintendo wrote in a handy post that should go through all the main stuff you'll need to know. It outlined that: "Pre-orders for digital titles from Nintendo eShop or the official Nintendo website made up to and including March 24, 2025, will still earn Gold Points regardless of the games release date, even if the payment is processed after March 24." To see this content please enable targeting cookies.Meanwhile, it added: "Gold Points can still be earned by registering physical Game Cards from the HOME Menu of a Nintendo Switch console, as long as the title has been released by March 24, 2025. If a title is released after that date, Gold Points cannot be earned." The good news is that you'll still have the usual year to redeem any Gold Points you've not used before they expire, since they'll continue to be "valid for 12 months from the date of being earned" regardless of this winding down.Right, now on to the Switch Game Vouchers, which you've been able to use to buy a pair of Switch games at once for a cheaper price for a while now. This one's much snappier - Nintendo's just added a note to its website page about them which specifies that "Nintendo Switch Game Vouchers cannot be redeemed for Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive games".How do you feel about these changes/updates to the process of buying Switch or Switch 2 games? Let us know below!

Feeling The Impact"I wish there was a better word than overwhelming" Sarah Michelle Gellar on what it's like coming back to Buffy for a sequel after all these years"I think we have this team in place that is legendary."Image credit: 20 Century Studios News by Oisin Kuhnke Contributor Published on Feb. 18, 2025 A Buffy sequel is in the works 22 years after it finished airing, and the original star behind it Sarah Michelle Gellar is certainly feeling the weight of it.Earlier this month, a reboot/ revival/ sequel series to Buffy the Vampire Slayer was finally set into motion at Hulu with the order of a pilot episode, an obviously big deal considering just how massive the series was back in the day, and kind of still is. So, of course fans of it will have some pretty high expectations, and speaking to People, it's clear that Sarah Michelle Gellar is pretty aware of their response to the news. The actor did describe the reboot as "exciting," but said that she wished "there was a better word than overwhelming. It's heartwarming and exciting and also incredibly nerve-wracking at the same time."To see this content please enable targeting cookies. Gellar continued to explain that it's "nerve-wracking" because "you have to do it right." Luckily, in her eyes, the exact right team is in place to do just that. "I think we have this team in place that is legendary, from Chlo Zhao to the Zucks [Nora and Lilla Zuckerman], to Gail Berman. And I think people are going to be pretty impressed." Zhao certainly has some pedigree under her belt given that she directed that multiple Oscar winning 2020 film Nomadland (she also directed Eternals, which was naff, but I'll put that down to Marvel more than her).While we don't know what exact plot details for the new Buffy series are just yet, we do know that Gellar will be reprising her role, as well as serving as executive producer on the series. Funnily enough, Dolly Parton is back to produce it through her production company Sandollar Entertainment, because yes, that same company produced the original. Weird! But certainly fun. There's no release date for the show just yet, and it's just a pilot order, but it is expected to go to series, so it surely won't be too long until Buffy is back on our screens.