Category: Technologies

The embargo on Valve’s Steam Machine reviews has finally lifted, and after scanning the impressions from the major outlets, one thing is obvious: the feedback isn’t as divided as social media suggests. In fact, there’s a notable consensus about what Valve nailed and where it may have slipped.

How the big reviewers scored the Steam Machine

• Digital Foundry: Described it as “beautifully designed” and “virtually silent,” while pointing out that the premium cost is hard to ignore.
• Rock Paper Shotgun: Called it a “quiet triumph of hardware design” and lauded its distinct appeal despite the steep price tag.
• IGN: Highlighted the compact form factor and capable internals, but labeled the $1,049 starting price a “hard pill to swallow.”
• Gizmodo: Praised it as an excellent couch‑gaming device, arguing that inflated component costs push it into uncomfortable territory.
• Aftermath: Said it’s intuitive and a joy to use, yet ultimately blamed current PC component pricing for making recommendation difficult.
• PC Gamer: Noted the console is “the biggest victim of the RAMpocalypse to date,” leaving it feeling like “an expensive curio rather than a mass‑market gaming device.”
• Linus Tech Tips: bluntly titled the review “Even Valve is Disappointed,” summarising how the poor price‑to‑performance ratio spoils an otherwise brilliant machine.
• The Verge: Commended the polished SteamOS experience and premium build, while questioning whether the overall package justifies its price.

After parsing those critiques, the amusing part is that almost nobody dislikes the Steam Machine itself. Quite the opposite.

SteamOS shines, hardware holds its own

Reviewers consistently applaud the industrial design, whisper‑quiet acoustics, and—perhaps most importantly—SteamOS. Valve’s operating system has matured into arguably the smoothest console‑style interface on a PC today, offering effortless controller navigation, seamless UI transitions, and a level of polish that makes Windows‑based rigs feel clunky by comparison. It delivers console convenience while preserving the openness of the PC ecosystem, and several critics cite it as the hardware’s biggest strength.

The praise isn’t limited to software. The compact chassis, premium build quality, and near‑silent cooling receive high marks, with many reviewers noting how the unit practically vanishes into a living‑room setup. The revamped Steam Controller also garners positive remarks for improved ergonomics and tight integration with SteamOS, helping the whole package feel less like a mini‑PC and more like a purpose‑built console.

Performance, contrary to expectations, isn’t a major sore spot. Most outlets agree the Steam Machine delivers exactly what its specs promise and offers a solid gaming experience for its target audience. To Valve’s credit, the eye‑watering price isn’t solely its fault; the ongoing AI boom has driven up memory and component costs across the industry, making compact PCs considerably pricier than they were a few years ago.

The real debate: the price tag

At $1,049, reviewers stop comparing the Steam Machine to a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X and start measuring it against gaming laptops and compact desktops. Yes, new PC hardware has become more expensive due to soaring component prices and the AI‑driven memory crunch, but that’s only half the story. For shoppers today, many previous‑generation gaming laptops and pre‑built PCs are available at deep discounts, often outperforming the Steam Machine while costing the same or less. Suddenly, the competition looks a lot tougher.

In the end, most critics agree Valve has crafted a beautifully engineered gaming machine with a fantastic software experience and arguably the best couch‑friendly PC interface around. That said, the Steam Machine makes more sense when viewed as a premium, luxury gaming appliance rather than a mainstream console replacement. The hardware isn’t dividing reviewers—the four‑figure price tag is.

I’ve spent years messing with in-game brightness sliders, GPU filters, HDR modes, and monitor presets to tinker with my experience on my favorite games. Of course, I’d always go with the original artists’ intent first, but replaying these titles with new filters does freshen up the atmosphere.

This is why I was particularly impressed by BenQ’s new MOBIUZ gaming monitors. During a recent visit to BenQ’s Taiwan HQ, I got a hands-on look at the company’s latest AI-powered game filter tech, and it immediately made more sense than I expected. The company isn’t just slapping on the “AI” sticker onto a gaming display. What you are getting here is custom touches to change up your experience by pulling from BenQ’s game art database that automatically tunes brightness, contrast, and color balance to match the game’s visual style. The fun part is that your performance doesn’t take a hit.

The filter lives in the monitor

When you use GPU-side filters, such as Nvidia’s Game Filters, your graphics card is still involved in the post-processing pipeline. Those tools can make a game look sharper, moodier, or more vivid, but they can also come with a performance cost depending on the setup. BenQ takes a different route by moving this job to the display itself. Its Smart Color system works through the Color Shuttle software and uses an AI chipset with BenQ’s MOBIUZ Game Color Database.

So rather than applying a GPU-level filter to the rendered frame, it adjusts the monitor’s own output using game-specific visual profiles. In practice, you can make a game look richer or more balanced without worrying that the filter itself is quietly eating into your frame rate. Considering how precious those extra fps can be for a lot of PC gamers, the visual filter makes sure you don’t lose any of it.

More than just a bunch of presets

The part I liked during the demo was that BenQ is not treating this like an old-school FPS/RPG/Racing preset menu. Those have existed forever, and most of them are either too aggressive or too generic. Color Shuttle is built around a game art database with more than 120 profiles. BenQ says it uses deep learning to understand color grading, lighting, and artistic direction across different game styles. Once Smart Color is enabled, it can detect what you are playing and switch to a suitable profile automatically.

You can also tweak those settings yourself, including familiar BenQ tools like Color Vibrance and Light Tuner that let you shift the image toward your preference. Again, “better colors” has always been a subjective thing. One player may want a horror game to look darker and moodier, while another may prefer better shadow visibility. Someone else may want open-world games to look more cinematic. BenQ’s system gives you a starting point, then lets you tune from there.

Backed by a community

One of the best parts of Color Shuttle is cloud sharing. You can save custom presets, upload them, and share them with other players. Other users can then download those setups for their own compatible monitors. This gives the feature a social side. Imagine downloading a profile for a specific game because another player has already found a better balance for night scenes or other scenes.

But that also explains why the internet connection is part of the story. Color Shuttle connects to BenQ’s Game Color Database, and the cloud side is used for saving and sharing profiles. The AI tuning is not the same thing as cloud gaming or streaming, but the ecosystem still depends on BenQ’s online database and community layer.

Still, there are some limitations. Color Shuttle is currently a Windows 10/11 app, and console users need to save presets to the monitor’s Gamer modes through a PC before using them elsewhere. Regardless, I like where BenQ is going here. A lot of AI gaming features feel too heavy or too tied to expensive GPU upgrades. Smart Color is smaller, but also more practical.

Epic Games has spent years trying to make the Epic Games Store a serious rival to Steam. It has given away free games, signed exclusivity deals, and kept major PC releases such as Borderlands 3, Assassin’s Creed Mirage, and The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria away from Valve’s storefront at launch. Those moves have helped Epic build an audience, but they have not been enough to seriously threaten Steam’s position as the default PC gaming platform.

One problem has been the launcher itself. Earlier this year, an Epic executive admitted to Eurogamer that the launcher “sucks,” and the company now appears to be working on a much bigger fix. According to slides from an Unreal Fest presentation shared by LuKaOnIndeed on X, Epic is developing Launcher V2, a ground-up rebuild of the Epic Games Store launcher that is supposed to be much faster and easier to use.

The company reportedly told developers that Launcher V2 will be five times faster during an average cold start and 6.5 times faster when restored from the system tray. That would be a major improvement for software that has long been criticized for feeling slow, clunky, and far behind Steam in everyday use.

BIG EPIC GAMES STORE UPDATE REVEALED

PLAYER PROFILES THAT SHOW:

• Banner, Level, Bio & Achievements

• Games, Fav Games & Top Played

• Playing now, Last played & MORE…

Thanks @LuKaOnIndeed for sending me this! pic.twitter.com/du6mEVxsCm

— HYPEX (@HYPEX) June 18, 2026

A faster launcher is the main fix

The Epic Games Store launcher has built a reputation for feeling slow, heavy, and awkward compared with Steam, so the promised performance jump goes directly at one of its most obvious weaknesses. LuKaOnIndeed also said in the X thread that Epic has confirmed faster game download speeds are coming in the future, which would address another common complaint from PC players.

There may also be a major technical change under the hood. LuKaOnIndeed said the new Epic Games Store “won’t be built on Unreal Engine anymore,” adding that Epic “realized how bad of an idea it was.” If accurate, that would help explain why Epic is describing this as a deeper rebuild rather than a simple visual refresh.

Epic has not announced a public release date yet. The roadmap shown during the presentation points to a private beta first, followed by a wider release later.

The store is getting long-requested features

Epic is not only working on speed. The roadmap also mentions in-store patch notes, player reviews, quick-access categories, and a personalized home page. LuKaOnIndeed’s post also pointed to player profiles with banners, bios, achievements, favorite games, recently played games, and activity status.

Universal controller support also appears to be on the list, along with deeper ties to Fortnite. These additions may not close the gap with Steam overnight, but they could help the Epic Games Store feel more like a polished gaming hub instead of a basic storefront.

Two decades ago, the idea of a “borderless Cloud” for data storage seemed like a thrilling breakthrough – and it truly was. Companies eagerly embraced the chance to create, store, and manage their data in the Cloud, accessing it from any location. The promise of scale, speed, and cost‑effectiveness was compelling.

This model clearly boosted efficiency, often outperforming on‑premises storage in terms of speed and accessibility, thereby driving productivity.

However, as the Cloud matured, several weaknesses in its rapidly evolving infrastructure have emerged. The initial magic is wearing off. Users now recognize that, although data can be reached from anywhere, it still resides in a physical building subject to the laws of the country where that building stands.

While this has always been true, the growing awareness has forced enterprises to revisit their Cloud strategies. More leaders are evaluating data management through lenses such as geography, jurisdiction, and control—not just speed, scale, and cost.

This shift has given rise to sovereign file architectures, a fresh approach to organizing file storage and collaboration that puts data residency and sovereignty at the forefront. This piece explores those core concepts of modern data management and examines how sovereign file architecture is reshaping enterprise IT.

The Myth of a Borderless Cloud

Early Cloud adopters treated storage regions as interchangeable checkboxes. The physical location of data—known as “data residency”—was blurred and often ignored as companies prioritized convenience.

Multi‑tenant SaaS file‑serving providers went along with this narrative, frequently downplaying regulatory and jurisdictional concerns. They abstracted storage locations, making it difficult to identify who truly governs the data on physical sites.

This disconnect between perception and reality created what can be called a “sovereignty gap.” Enterprises discovered that, while their teams enjoyed seamless Cloud access, they lacked visibility into who else might access that data.

In many cases, they couldn’t even tell whether their data lived in a nearby data center or half a world away. What was once a minor inconvenience has now become a serious strategic issue.

Escalating Risks in Modern Data Environments

A major change since the dawn of Cloud storage is the evolving backdrop of physical data locations. Shifting international dynamics and new global policies have repeatedly put data sovereignty—the legal authority over stored data—into question.

As a leading data‑management firm noted, data residency is a geographic classification, whereas data sovereignty is a legal concept. Local statutes and cross‑border transfer rules reveal how multinational companies’ data can fall under a patchwork of regulations.

Beyond compliance, the physical infrastructure required for local residency can be disrupted at any time—regional power outages, policy shifts, or even territorial changes introduce new data risks.

This elevates data governance to a board‑level concern. Leaders can no longer rely on a one‑size‑fits‑all Cloud file‑sharing model or trust third‑party providers to silently safeguard control. Many are turning to hybrid solutions that keep sensitive data close to home while allowing less critical data to flow across borders.

The Dawn of the Sovereign File Architecture Era and the Move to Hybrid Storage

A viable alternative to the risk‑laden traditional Cloud SaaS model is the sovereign file architecture. This design separates the application layer from the actual data, enabling organizations to decide where files reside and which jurisdictions apply.

It also enhances operational control, allowing enterprises to recover data efficiently and relocate it across legal boundaries when needed—essentially putting companies back in the driver’s seat.

While scale, speed, and cost remain important, sovereign file architecture reorders priorities around:

• Data residency: Where is the data stored?
• Data sovereignty: Who holds legal authority over the data?
• Legal considerations: Which laws and jurisdictions govern the data?

This shift has spurred a wave of hybrid enterprise storage solutions. For example, FileCloud offers a highly secure content platform that explicitly focuses on data sovereignty and governance, delivering collaboration and accessibility while giving organizations clear insight into data location, governance, and jurisdiction.

Governments are also pursuing sovereignty‑focused initiatives at scale. Reports from recent years highlight national Cloud strategies such as the EU’s Gaia‑X project, which aims to federate data infrastructure within European borders under strict protection rules. Similar efforts are underway in China, and India’s Personal Data Protection Bill seeks stringent data‑localization requirements for sensitive information.

Data Control as a Design Imperative

Whether through private solutions like FileCloud or large‑scale government programs, the push for data sovereignty is undeniable. Sovereign file architectures prioritize residency and grant users greater say over where their data lives, which laws apply, and how it can be moved.

The new reality is that convenience is no longer the sole driver. Enterprises are awakening to the hazards of careless data storage in a fragmented world. Consequently, they are gravitating toward file‑sharing and collaboration platforms that go beyond features and price, demanding clear control over data residency, legal compliance, and ultimate access permissions.

Apple’s vision for wearables is finally taking shape, and cameras seem to be the linchpin. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman says that camera‑enabled AirPods and Apple’s inaugural smart glasses are slated for a 2027 launch. Though they may appear as ordinary accessories at first glance, both devices could become essential for feeding real‑time environmental data to Apple Intelligence.

AirPods that listen to more than sound

When people hear “AirPods,” they usually think of music, podcasts, and calls – not cameras. Apple, however, imagines a different use. The lenses wouldn’t capture video for you; they would collect contextual information about your surroundings and pass it to Siri and Apple’s AI engines.

Picture asking Siri to identify a building you’re looking at, recognize an object in front of you, or provide on‑the‑spot details without ever unlocking your phone. In that scenario, your AirPods become an extra pair of eyes for Apple’s AI, a stark departure from the current role of earbuds.

Smart glasses that do more than display

Apple’s smart glasses, likely one of its most eagerly awaited products, could bring AI to a truly everyday form factor, unlike the bulkier Vision Pro headset. While specifics are still under wraps, cameras are expected to be crucial, allowing the glasses to map their environment and serve up useful, real‑time insights.

What makes these gadgets notable is how they fit into Apple’s larger AI game plan. While most rivals focus on AI‑driven apps and chatbots, Apple seems to be pursuing an ambient AI that continuously observes the world and reacts when needed. Whether consumers are prepared for camera‑filled wearables remains to be seen, but if Gurman’s scoop holds true, 2027 may be remembered as the year Apple shifted AI from pure software to something you literally wear.

Getting AI to draft emails or debug code is one thing; getting it to persuade people to part with their money is another. A new report cited by The Washington Post describes a study by researchers at the University of Oxford and other institutions that found Anthropic’s Claude Opus 4.6 beat professional human fundraisers in convincing donors, prompting fresh questions about AI’s expanding sway.

Claude outperformed human fundraisers, but there’s a crucial caveat

The team compared commercial AI models with seasoned fundraisers working for Save the Children. Across more than 1,000 interactions, Claude Opus 4.6 was almost three times as effective at getting participants to donate a portion of their study bonus and secured contributions that were, on average, 13% larger than those obtained by human experts. These results come from a preprint that has not yet been peer‑reviewed.

The study also examined debate performance, where Claude and other cutting‑edge models surpassed elite competitive debaters by 4.6 percentage points. However, the edge largely vanished when researchers limited the AI to roughly the same word count as the humans, suggesting that verbosity and the ability to quickly present large amounts of information drove the AI’s success more than any fundamentally superior reasoning.

Researchers observed that the chatbots often generated messages several times longer than those written by professionals, packed with factual claims and expert references. They warned that persuasiveness did not necessarily align with accuracy, noting that some models produced convincing yet unsupported or fabricated statements.

The worrying part isn’t fundraising. It’s what comes next

The authors caution against overreacting. The experiments relied entirely on written conversations, with participants willing to engage in lengthy 15‑ to 20‑minute exchanges that may not reflect real‑world behavior. They also did not test scenarios where humans and AI collaborate, which is arguably the more probable future workplace model.

Nonetheless, the findings underscore a growing reality: AI models are becoming remarkably adept at persuasion. If they can coax people into donating more than trained professionals today, tomorrow they could be equally effective at shaping purchasing decisions, political opinions, or public discourse. That prospect is exciting for productivity, but it also highlights why transparency and safeguards around AI‑generated communication are more important than ever.

If you’re running iOS 27 beta on an iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, or iPhone Air, you already have a noticeably better dictation experience on your device. However, Apple leaves it disabled by default, and most users aren’t even aware it exists.

### What is Advanced Dictation Preview?

iOS 27 includes two distinct dictation engines. Which one you receive depends on your hardware. While every iPhone gets a modest upgrade over the standard version, owners of the iPhone 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air can access a separate offering called **Advanced Dictation Preview**.

The advanced engine runs on Apple’s AFM Core Advanced model—the same model that powers the new expressive Siri voices—and operates entirely on‑device, requiring no internet connection. It even inserts punctuation and capitalization automatically as you speak, so you no longer need to say “comma” or “period”.

### Why isn’t it on every iPhone?

Advanced Dictation delivers a substantial jump in accuracy, but it’s still in beta, so Apple keeps it turned off by default while it gathers opt‑in feedback. If you’re on the iOS 27 beta and rely on voice dictation, you can enable it by going to **Settings > General > Keyboards** and scrolling down to **Advanced Dictation Preview** (listed under *Tech Between the Lines*).

The limitation isn’t a software rollout—it’s hardware. AFM Core Advanced requires at least 12 GB of RAM to run locally. The standard iPhone 17 ships with 8 GB of RAM, as does the iPhone 16 Pro, which is why those models are excluded.

If your device meets the RAM requirement, simply flip the toggle in Settings to enjoy the enhanced dictation experience.

AI has made online scams harder to spot by making deepfakes, voice cloning, and fake messages more realistic. Even so, the old tech support scam is still catching victims. For years, fraudsters often posed as Microsoft support workers. Now, reports suggest many are shifting their attention to Apple users.

Consumers are reporting a rise in fake “Apple High Alert” messages that claim an iPhone, iCloud account, or Apple ID has been compromised. These messages are designed to make people panic and react quickly before they can stop to check whether the warning is real.

The alerts can appear as browser pop‑ups, text messages, emails, or even phone calls from someone pretending to be Apple Support. They often warn of suspicious activity, an account lock, an unauthorized purchase, or a security breach.

**How does the Apple High Alert scam work?**

The fake warnings often urge users to click a link, call a number, or download software to secure their device. Once someone responds, scammers may try to steal Apple ID passwords, verification codes, banking details, or credit card information. In more serious cases, they may convince victims to install remote‑access software, giving criminals control over the device.

The scam works because Apple accounts are tied to a lot of personal data, including photos, contacts, payments, passwords, and device backups. A convincing warning about losing access to that account can make people panic.

Gift cards are often part of these scams because they are difficult to trace once redeemed. Valve recently said it will stop selling physical Steam gift cards after scammers repeatedly used them to extract money from victims. Apple‑themed scams can follow the same pattern, with criminals asking for gift cards or other hard‑to‑reverse payments.

**How can Apple users stay safe?**

Apple says users should be wary of unsolicited messages, calls, or pop‑ups claiming urgent account problems. The company does not ask users to share passwords, verification codes, or gift card numbers to fix security issues.

The safest response is to avoid clicking links or calling numbers in unexpected messages. Instead, users should check their Apple account through Settings on their device or by visiting Apple’s official website directly. Two‑factor authentication can also help protect an Apple ID if a password is exposed.

Robots are already capable of lifting boxes, sorting parcels and tightening bolts with ease, and some even manage to walk or run like people. Hand them a slippery piece of raw salmon, however, and the task quickly becomes chaotic.

A research group at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology tackled this challenge, creating the Sashimi‑Bot – a three‑armed machine that can carve sashimi from a salmon loin completely autonomously.

How does the Sashimi‑Bot achieve this?

It allocates the work among its three limbs: the first arm steadies and positions the fish on a cutting board, the second wields a chef’s knife to make the cuts, and the third uses chopsticks to pick up each slice and place it on a serving tray.

What sets this system apart is the way the robot learned the skill. Lead researcher Sverre Herland and his team employed deep reinforcement learning inside a virtual simulator, allowing the robot to rehearse thousands of motions and improve through trial and error without ever touching a real fish.

During real‑world testing, the knife‑holding arm was equipped with a GelSight tactile sensor – a soft gel surface with an embedded camera that signals the exact moment the blade contacts the board. The robot produced 34 salmon slices, successfully grasping 26 of the 28 pieces that landed on the board with chopsticks, and retrieving an extra six slices that clung to the blade.

Each cutting cycle took an average of 27.9 seconds. The findings, published in *npj Robotics* (via TechXplore), demonstrate that while most robots excel with rigid, predictable objects, the Sashimi‑Bot showcases how machines can handle delicate, irregular materials by making real‑time adjustments.

Pool cleaning robots have made huge strides in recent years. What began as basic devices for clearing debris from pool bottoms has transformed into sophisticated systems that can map entire pools, respond to shifting conditions, and perform several upkeep tasks simultaneously. As the demand for smart‑home solutions climbs, pool owners are seeking the same blend of automation, ease, and dependability from their pool‑care gear.

Few manufacturers have embraced this evolution as aggressively as Beatbot. Sold through the Beatbot website and Amazon store, the company has positioned itself as a premium leader in robotic pool care by merging cutting‑edge robotics, AI‑powered vision, and smart navigation into devices that cut down the time and effort needed to keep a pool spotless. This Prime Day, Beatbot’s catalog showcases just how far automated pool maintenance has come, from top‑tier units with real‑time decision‑making to versatile robots that tackle multiple chores in a single cleaning run.

Instead of concentrating on a single product line, Beatbot has spent recent years constructing a wider pool‑care ecosystem driven by advanced robotics, intelligent navigation, and AI‑based automation. From flagship cleaners capable of on‑the‑fly decisions to surface skimmers and more budget‑friendly options, the mission stays consistent: shrink the time, labor, and guesswork traditionally tied to pool upkeep.

Inside Beatbot’s most advanced pool‑care system

The clearest expression of Beatbot’s AI‑centric vision appears in the AquaSense X. This unit merges an autonomous self‑cleaning dock with HybridSense™ AI Vision, CleverNav™ AI Path Planning, AI debris detection, smart obstacle avoidance, auto‑recovery, and night‑time cleaning, delivering a heightened level of awareness and flexibility during cleaning.

The system constantly scans its environment, spots obstacles and debris, and reshapes its cleaning routes in real time to boost coverage across the whole pool. Rather than depending on static cleaning patterns, it adjusts as conditions evolve, yielding a more thorough and efficient clean while cutting down on user involvement.

The autonomous dock reinforces this hands‑free approach. By limiting routine upkeep after each cycle, it lets owners spend less time tending the robot and more time enjoying the water. For those after the most sophisticated option in Beatbot’s lineup, the AquaSense X fuses intelligent navigation, adaptive cleaning, and automated maintenance into a single platform.

Prime Day price: $3,999 (regularly $4,250).

AquaSense 2 Ultra expands intelligent pool maintenance

While many robotic cleaners concentrate on debris removal, the AquaSense 2 Ultra adopts a broader maintenance perspective. Marketed as the world’s first AI‑powered 5‑in‑1 pool robot, it handles floor scrubbing, wall cleaning, waterline polishing, surface skimming, and water clarification all within one system.

HybridSense™ AI Vision and CleverNav™ AI Path Planning enable the AquaSense 2 Ultra to traverse multiple cleaning zones while adapting to shifting pool conditions. Coupled with AI debris detection and smart obstacle avoidance, the robot embodies Beatbot’s “full‑pool intelligence,” allowing it to address diverse tasks from a single platform.

Water clarification sets the AquaSense 2 Ultra apart from conventional robots. Beyond gathering debris, it actively improves water clarity, reducing reliance on extra maintenance tools. For owners seeking a holistic pool‑care solution, it merges cleaning, water treatment, and intelligent automation in one package.

Prime Day price: $1,999 (regularly $3,150).

AquaSense 2 Pro delivers all‑in‑one care

The AquaSense 2 Pro aims to simplify pool upkeep without compromising performance. It combines floor cleaning, wall scrubbing, waterline polishing, surface skimming, and water clarification into a single unit, ideal for owners who want a comprehensive solution without juggling multiple devices.

Features such as the ClearWater™ Clarification System, Smart Water Surface Parking, and one‑tap app retrieval streamline daily ownership, while Full Coverage Path Optimization powered by 22 sensors ensures efficient navigation and consistent cleaning across the pool. By continuously evaluating its surroundings and tweaking routes as needed, the AquaSense 2 Pro provides thorough coverage with minimal user input.

The outcome is a system that unites smart navigation, water care, and multi‑zone cleaning in a practical, user‑friendly way. For those looking for a balance between high‑tech automation and everyday usability, the AquaSense 2 Pro sits comfortably in the middle of Beatbot’s expanding ecosystem.

Prime Day price: $1,699 (regularly $2,299).

The Sora Series brings smarter cleaning to a wider audience

Not every pool owner needs a flagship‑level device, and that’s where Beatbot’s Sora Series steps in.

The Sora 70 is the top model of the line, offering 4‑in‑1 cleaning of the floor, walls, waterline, and surface. By adding dedicated surface cleaning to traditional robotic functions, it achieves broader coverage than many mid‑range competitors. Features like Smart Surface Parking, shallow‑area reach, SonicSense™ AI Ultrasonic Obstacle Avoidance, and intelligent path planning boost cleaning consistency and make retrieval easier after a cycle.

SonicSense™ AI Ultrasonic Obstacle Avoidance and smart path planning help the Sora 70 move more efficiently while enhancing cleaning uniformity throughout the pool. Combined with its 4‑in‑1 capability, these technologies make it one of the strongest choices in Beatbot’s mid‑range catalog.

Prime Day price: $999 (regularly $1,499).

The Sora 30 focuses on delivering solid everyday performance without the premium price tag of flagship models. Its upgraded 3‑in‑1 cleaning handles floors, walls, and waterlines, offering wider coverage and more versatility than many entry‑level cordless cleaners. For newcomers to Beatbot’s ecosystem, it presents an attractive mix of performance, convenience, and value.

While positioned as a more accessible option, the Sora 30 still benefits from Beatbot’s overarching design philosophy: expanded coverage, smarter operation, and reduced manual effort. For owners seeking reliable day‑to‑day maintenance, it serves as a practical gateway into Beatbot’s intelligent pool‑care world.

Prime Day price: $649 (regularly $999).

Prime Day is the perfect moment to upgrade

Beatbot’s Prime Day discounts extend well beyond the flagship units. In addition to offers on the AquaSense X, AquaSense 2 Ultra, AquaSense 2 Pro, Sora 70, and Sora 30, shoppers can save across the broader ecosystem. The Sora 10 drops from $699 to $449, while the AquaSense 2 is available for $799, down from $1,298. Surface‑cleaning tools also see deep cuts, with the iSkim priced at $299 (normally $499) and the iSkim Ultra reduced from $999 to $549.

Running from July 8 through July 11, these promotions represent one of the year’s best chances to upgrade to Beatbot’s AI‑driven pool‑care suite. Whether you need a top‑tier robotic cleaner, an all‑in‑one maintenance system, or a dedicated surface‑cleaning device, the lineup covers a range of pool sizes, care requirements, and budgets.

For pool owners eager to spend less time scrubbing and more time swimming, Prime Day could be the ideal opportunity to make the switch.