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Current Model P Smart Pizza Oven review: smart tech, crispy crusts
Gaming Gear

Current Model P Smart Pizza Oven review: smart tech, crispy crusts

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I am an excellent home cook, if I do say so myself. I regularly produce restaurant-quality dishes from my smart kitchen. But I have two favorite dishes I’ve never mastered at home: pizza and burgers. Yes, I can make them, but do they taste as good as my local burger or pizza joint? Nope. Naturally, I was intrigued when I heard about the new smart pizza oven from Current, which launched at CES earlier this year.

Yes, I know pizza ovens have been a thing for a while with their enticing promise of making pizzeria-quality pizza at home. But they’re eye-wateringly expensive, and I’ve always been put off by the prospect of putting a wood or gas-burning appliance in my backyard for the sole purpose of making pizza. Current’s Model P Smart Pizza Oven is electric, so there’s no need to mess with fuel, plus it can be used outdoors and inside (in theory — but my initial attempts produced far too much smoke for indoor use to be viable).

$559

The Good

  • Cooks a pizza in two minutes
  • App’s pizza-building tool is helpful
  • Makes multiple pizzas in quick succession
  • No need to rotate the pie
  • Easy to read display with a proper knob

The Bad

  • Takes a while to preheat
  • Large and hefty
  • Pizza peel sold separately
  • Too smoky to use indoors
  • Cleaning the stone is tricky

The Model P costs $699, which is a lot, but significantly less than other options; the electric version of the popular Ooni oven is $899 without any connected features. Current is a startup based in Columbus, Georgia, that’s trying to electrify outdoor cooking (its first product was a smart electric outdoor grill). Its smart pizza oven is one of the first to feature an app for controlling the oven, with the choice of a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connection. The app has several tools that promise to help me make the perfect pizza. Challenge accepted.

The Model P can reach a blistering 850 degrees Fahrenheit. It cycles power between graphite tubes at the top and standard calrod heating elements on the bottom, and it uses proprietary algorithms to cook three different styles: Neapolitan, New York, and thin crust. There’s also a frozen pizza setting and a broil function, which you can use for any food that could benefit from a broil (such as searing a steak or browning some veggies), giving you a bit more functionality.

It comes with a 12-inch cordierite cooking stone, but you have to buy the pizza peel separately, which is required to pop the dough into the oven without burning your fingers. Current sent me a wooden one, which it says will be available soon; there’s a $89 steel version that you can buy bundled with the oven and a pizza cutter for $847.

The Current pizza oven is compact and easy to use. It can be used indoors or outdoors. However, its exterior gets very hot, so you need to position it away from walls or anything flammable.

The Current Backyard app (iOS and Android) allows for mobile control of the oven, sends notifications for preheating and cooking timers, and has a pizza build calculator that adjusts the cooking time based on how thin your crust is and how high you pile your pizza.

Making pizza is an art, and it’s not one I am close to having mastered, even with all this tech

As the pizza cooks in around two minutes, the alerts for preheating (which takes a while) and the pizza calculator were the most useful, as my past attempts at homemade pizzas often resulted in soggy toppings and undercooked crusts.

To put the Model P through its paces, I invited a few friends over for a pizza party and set it up on a wooden table on my porch, a few inches away from a brick wall. You have to consider placement carefully because it gets very hot. It’s elevated by four metal legs, so it’s safe to use on most surfaces. (There’s an outdoor pizza cart available for $499 if you want something more tailored.)

Current recommends making your own pizza dough, and there’s a recipe in the app you can follow. Current also recommends store-bought dough from Trader Joe’s and Publix; I went for the easy option.

I set up an indoor pizza-making station, with a large wooden cutting board, lots of flour, several portions of Trader Joe’s pizza dough and premade pizza sauce, and some standard toppings: mozzarella, pepperoni, olives, and basil. We then proceeded to go crazy twirling dough and topping pizzas.

Prepping the dough and preheating the oven is the most time-intensive step. Photo: Jennifer Pattison Tuohy / The Verge

The oven can cook a Neopolitan-style pizza in as little as 2 minutes. Photo by Jennifer Pattison Tuohy / The Verge

The pizza calculator lets you adjust based on factors like crust thickness and topping density. Photo: Jennifer Pattison Tuohy / The Verge

You can control the entire cooking process from the app or on the oven. Photo: Jennifer Pattison Tuohy / The Verge

Our first few pizzas were a bit of a disaster. We made a plain mozzarella pizza on New York-style (635F) and followed the suggested six minutes of oven time, but it came out overcooked. The next attempt had too many toppings, and the dough got stuck to the pizza peel mid-flick, launching cheese and pepperoni onto the molten stone, resulting in a smoky mess.

I did like the option to make concurrent pizzas with a button press — no need to start the preheat over. And not having to rotate the pizza, combined with getting alerts on my phone when the pie was ready, meant I didn’t have to hover over it.

But by our third pizza, the stone had a thick layer of burnt cheese on it, so I had to stop the party and go back to the cutting board.

Obligatory pizza glamor shot.

I realized I had been too eager, assuming the oven would magically deliver perfect pizzas. It turns out that there was quite a bit more prep I needed to do, the most important being buying a bag of semolina flour. Apparently, this is a magic pizza-making ingredient.

I went back to Current for more tips — especially about cleaning the stone, which needs to be done carefully. It can’t be soaked or scrubbed with anything more abrasive than a nylon brush. I bought some new dough and followed Current’s detailed YouTube video on how to properly roll it out (sadly, no twirling required). I then fired up the app to use the neat pizza builder tool that customizes the cook time based on style, dough type, and thickness, as well as how much sauce, cheese, and toppings you have.

Armed with semolina and a tad more patience, my next attempt was with the Neapolitan style, which yields a crispier pizza and uses the oven’s top temperature of 850F to get those signature burnt leopard spots. This is the type of pizza you eat at a sidewalk cafe in Italy. The downside was that it took a while to heat up, but the pizza only took two minutes to cook.

PreviousNext

1/2Our first attempt at cheesy bread, New York-style pizza.

I was more successful, producing an almost perfect Neapolitan-style buffalo mozzarella and pepperoni pizza with a delightfully puffy (if slightly misshapen) crust. There was still a fair amount of smoke, though, and my husband (who’s a firefighter) is still not keen on me using the oven indoors.

My only other complaint is that the cheese wasn’t hot all the way through; next time, I’ll opt for thinner slices. I then popped in a more traditional shredded mozzarella pizza for my daughter, going with New York-style as she likes the softer crust. After two bites, she declared it was as good as her favorite cheese pizza from Pisanos, our favorite local spot.

The Model P comes in two colors, sand or slate.

Hardware-wise, the oven’s sleek, domed design and glass door would look great on a kitchen counter — if you have the space. At just over 40 pounds, it’s not that portable, but it feels solid and well built. The on-device controls include a large LCD display with touch controls for turning the power on and off and setting a timer. This is paired with a physical dial to adjust time and temperature and select different pizza styles.

I would like to see a physical on / off button, as I worry about the longevity of a touchscreen on a device that can be used outdoors. (It isn’t waterproof, so you shouldn’t leave it uncovered.) Although I could control all the functions in the app, including turning it off. But, as with most high-heat smart appliances, you have to confirm on the device to turn it on for obvious safety reasons.

I enjoyed using the oven, and it is a great piece of kit for a backyard party, but I don’t see adding it to my regular cooking routine. Making pizza is an art that I’m far from mastering, even with the Model P’s advanced tech. While it brought me closer to being a pizza apprentice, it also reinforced that, for me, pizza night means not cooking. Pisanos can rest easy — pizza delivery night isn’t going anywhere.

Photos by Jennifer Pattison Tuohy / The Verge





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OpenAI adds the o3-pro model to ChatGPT today
Product Reviews

OpenAI adds the o3-pro model to ChatGPT today

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OpenAI is keeping up its rapid-fire pace of new AI releases. The company introduced the o3 and o4-mini models to its ChatGPT platform in April. At the time, the business promised that a pro model of the o3 was on the way, and that version became available today.

Both the o3 and o4-mini models are meant to use and combine all the tools under ChatGPT’s umbrella. When OpenAI adds the “pro” designation to a model, it’s a version that has been built to spend longer answering queries to provide better and more accurate responses. “We recommend using it for challenging questions where reliability matters more than speed, and waiting a few minutes is worth the tradeoff,” the company said in the release notes for the o3-pro. In the testing assessments shared, the o3-pro delivered better benchmarks than the o3 and the o1-pro options.

There are some restrictions on the other ChatGPT services the o3-pro can use. Image generation and Canvas are not supported, so users will need to turn to different models for those features. The o3-pro is available today for ChatGPT Pro and Team users, while Enterprise and Edu customers will have access to this option next week.



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Amazon Offers the Newest Model of Echo Pop at Its Lowest Price of the Year as Stock Runs Low
Gaming Gear

Amazon Offers the Newest Model of Echo Pop at Its Lowest Price of the Year as Stock Runs Low

by admin


When it comes to smart speakers, they’ve quickly transformed from pricier “nice to haves” into affordable options that are available to just about anyone. Amazon has been leading the charge in this respect, releasing a wide variety of models and options that don’t break the bank while offering lots of different features and options for consumers. Famously, the Echo series is part of this rollout, and there are a few form factors you can choose from for this smart speaker. And if you’re curious about trying one out, now’s the best time to do so thanks to this Amazon deal.

See at Amazon

Right now, you can head to Amazon to get an Amazon Echo Pop for $25, down from its usual price of $40. That’s $15 off and a discount of 38%.

A colorful, multifaceted smart speaker

The newest model of the Echo Pop is one of Amazon’s most refined versions of its compact smart speaker. Despite its small size, it delivers surprisingly clear and full sound. It’s loud enough to fill a room without distortion or that hollow, tinny sound you get from older or cheaper models. Whether you’re streaming a playlist, asking for the forecast, or setting a kitchen timer, it’s quick and responsive, and the voice controls work great.

But while you might primarily use it for music, you’d be surprised at how many other things it can do in addition. The built-in temperature sensor can automate other smart devices like thermostats or fans. Alexa Routines allow you to string together multiple actions like dimming the lights and turning on ambient music just by saying a few words. You can even use it as an intercom to communicate between rooms if you have multiple Echo devices. So if you want to get one for one area of the house and another, like maybe your room and the kids’ rooms, there’s your justification.

It’s also worth noting that Amazon has taken steps to address privacy concerns. If you’re worried about that kind of thing, it has a microphone mute button and privacy settings to give you more control.

With its discounted price, the diminutive Echo Pop makes a good case for anyone looking to bring more convenience and control into their home, especially for just $25. Whether you’re just getting started with smart tech or want to expand your existing setup, this is one of the most affordable and practical ways to do it. And it comes in such a pretty color, too!

See at Amazon



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TCL C6K (left) and TCL C7K (right) showing butterfly on screen
Gaming Gear

I compared a new cheap mini-LED TV to a mid-range model, and here’s why upgrading is more than worth a small price increase

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Some TV manufacturers are now offering more models within their full TV lineup, with smaller gaps between them when it comes to features and price, and this can make things confusing for potential TV buyers. Naturally, if an entry-level TV has a similar feature list to a step-up model, it’s the better deal, right? Well, that’s not always the case.

I recently tested two 2025 UK mini-LED TVs from TCL, makers of some of the best TVs. The models are the entry-level C6K and the mid-range C7K, which earned 4 out of 5 stars in my TCL C7K review. When I first saw the 2025 C-series mini-LEDs, the C7K looked to be the sweet spot in terms of value, delivering the best picture quality and features for the price.

As I had both these TVs available, I decided to compare them side-by-side just to see whether the extra cost of the C7K was worth it.


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For a price reference, the 55-inch C6K costs £599, and the 55-inch C7K costs £849. I compared the 55-inch C6K with the 65-inch C7K for my testing, however. If you’re in the US, the closest direct models are the TCL QM6K vs the TCL QM7K.

Brightness and color

The C7K (right) exhibited significantly bolder and more vibrant colors than the C6K (left), as shown here on the Wizard & I scene from Wicked (Image credit: Future)

Both of these TVs use mini-LED backlights, meaning you’re getting higher brightness than with a standard LED TV. But, crucially, there are often brightness differences between entry-level and mid-range mini-LED models.

When I measured the peak brightness of both TVs (on a 10% white HDR window in Filmmaker Mode), the C6K hit 705 nits, while the C7K hit 1,790 nits – a significant difference. But how did this translate into real-world viewing?

The first area of note was color, where the best mini-LED TVs often excel. Watching a 4K Blu-ray of Wicked, with both TVs set to Dolby Vision Dark (which I found to be a more accurate picture preset than Dolby Vision IQ), the benefit of the C7K’s extra brightness hit was apparent.

In the Wizard & I scene, the green of Elphaba’s skin, pink flowers, blue wall inlays and even the beige walls looked much punchier and more vibrant on the C7K. The C6K didn’t look bad, but it also didn’t have the same level of definition I expect to see in a movie like Wicked, with the C7K adding more color depth.

Even in the climax of the scene where Elphaba runs across a wheat field, the yellow of the field and the sun were more impactful on the C7K. This showed that peak brightness, which is typically higher in more premium mini-LED TVs compared to entry-level models, is a crucial factor for delivering more vivid colors.

Contrast and black levels

Both the TCL C6K (left) and TCL C7K (right) displayed surprisingly deep black levels, but the C7K’s higher brightness allowed for better contrast (Image credit: Future)

TVs with a backlight, such as mini-LED models, use local dimming to enhance the contrast between light and dark areas on screen. The more local dimming zones a TV has, the more precisely it can dim and brighten sections of the screen based on what’s being shown.

The 55-inch C6K has 180 local dimming zones compared to the 65-inch C7K’s 1,008 local dimming zones. Screen size does have an impact on the number of local dimming zones in a TV, but the C7K’s 55-inch model still has 720 zones, so there can be a significant difference even in same-sized models.

Watching a 4K Blu-ray of Nosferatu, again in Dolby Vision Dark, scenes with extreme contrast, such as a blackened room lit only by a torch, fireplace, or the Moon, looked richer and more accurate on the C7K. Light areas were brighter and the black tones were deeper, creating a much more dynamic and textured image.

With Nosferatu (2024), both TVs did a good job with black levels, although the C6K (left) was subject to black crush in places (Image credit: Future)

The same was true in The Batman, with the flashbulbs of cameras and wall-lamps better contrasting with the dark surroundings on the C7K. Even smaller details, such as light reflected off Batman’s cape, showed stronger contrast, with a greater difference between the light and dark tones.

The C7K’s higher number of local dimming zones also allowed it to show better shadow detail. In Nosferatu, as Hutler walks towards the carriage to Count Orlock’s at night, the C7K showed more of his face in the darkness, whereas the C6K crushed that level of detail.

Black and white – and shades of gray

Although the C7K (right) has the better contrast and overall picture quality, the C6K’s screen uniformity was better with black and white pictures such as this one from Oppenheimer. (Image credit: Future)

Things got even more interesting when viewing black and white movies. Watching the black and white scenes from Oppenheimer, the C7K still showed greater contrast between deep blacks and white highlights, and had a wider range of gray tones in between.

However, I noted that the C6K had better screen uniformity (the ability to evenly display the same color across larger areas of the screen) compared to the C7K. This was an issue I’d noted as an issue in my C7K review, and it made me prefer the C6K when watching black and white content.

Conclusion

The C6K (left) is a good TV for its price, but the jump in picture quality provided by the C7K (right) justifies paying more (Image credit: Future)

To sum up, comparing these two TVs side-by-side proved that it does pay to pay more. Yes, the C6K may have had the upper hand with black and white images, but the C7K outmatched it in color, contrast, black levels and also detail, with the C6K taking on a softer look in a side-by-side test.

That’s not to say the C6K is a bad TV. For its price, it did a solid job with every movie I threw at it, and it was a perfectly fine TV for casual viewing. But this is one example where, given the small £250 gap in price of the respective 55-inch models, it’s worth investing in the more premium option.

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Google Reveals Gemini 2.5 Pro As Its Most Intelligent Model
Crypto Trends

Google Reveals Gemini 2.5 Pro As Its Most Intelligent Model

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The US tech giant Google has announced a preview of its enhanced Gemini 2.5 Pro, labeling it the company’s “most intelligent” model. This upgraded version is an improvement over the Gemini 2.5 Pro introduced at the I/O developer conference in May. It delivers superior performance across key benchmarks, according to Tulsee Doshi, Google’s senior director of product management.

Google’s new and improved Gemini 2.5 Pro model did well in tests. It jumped 24 points to a score of 1470 on LMArena, a test for all kinds of tasks, making it the best. It also climbed 35 points to 1443 on WebDevArena, which checks web development skills, taking the top spot. 

As per Google’s blog post, its latest and most advanced AI model, Gemini 2.5 Pro, has led the Aider Polyglot test too, proving it’s excellent at coding in many languages. Plus, it’s among the top performers on tough tests like GPQA and Humanity’s Last Exam, which look at reasoning, math, science, and general knowledge. Developers can start using this upgraded model through Google AI Studio and Vertex AI, and it’s available in the Gemini app. 

It’ll be fully ready for everyone in a few weeks. The firm has made these changes based on feedback from developers. The release shows that the firm is working hard to make its AI better. This release is part of Google’s effort to keep up in the fast-changing AI world, where OpenAI’s ChatGPT is super popular. Google is focusing on being outstanding at coding and scientific thinking. 

Last month, they gave a sneak peek of Gemini 2.5 Pro, which was much better at coding and came out early because developers were so excited.

Gemini is Google’s main AI family, built to handle text, images, code, and video. When Gemini 2.5 was first shown in March, it was called a “thinking” The model is effective because it can reason, rather than merely guessing or sorting data. This upgrade is another move by Google to be a leader in AI.

Also Read: OpenAI Seeks Indian Partnership Under ‘OpenAI for Countries’ Plan



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The best Apple Watch for 2025: which model is right for you?
Gaming Gear

The best Apple Watch for 2025: which model is right for you?

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It used to be easy to pick an Apple Watch. All you had to do was choose whether you wanted the larger model or the smaller one. Then Apple added optional cellular connectivity. Then, a more affordable Watch SE (now in its second generation) and, in 2022, the rugged Apple Watch Ultra (also now in its second generation). Suddenly, there are lots of options.

Now that the Series 10 has been out for nearly a year, perfectly good older versions of the Apple Watch are regularly getting discounted as retailers try to empty their inventory. You may also see more refurbished versions of these older models pop up. If you’re interested in more premium materials, like stainless steel, this is a great way to get a fancier version of last year’s watch. You won’t be missing out on too much, either. The past few years have seen iterative updates in terms of hardware — and the bulk of new features come from software updates. With that said, keep in mind that the latest version of watchOS, watchOS 11, doesn’t support the Series 4, 5, and first-gen SE.

What we’re looking for

How we test Apple Watches

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Apple Watches do a lot of things, from tracking your health and fitness to fielding notifications. As with other wearables, we do a mix of year-round experiential testing and benchmarks. So while we may not take a tumble down a flight of stairs, we’ll note if organically tripping during a walk triggers Fall Detection. (Or doesn’t.) We also check to see how accurate sleep tracking, heart rate, and GPS is versus long-term control devices, like the Oura Ring or a Garmin. We’ll also note how the various Apple Watch models compare to each other on factors like durability, performance, and battery life.

Who is it for?

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We’re not going to recommend an Apple Watch Ultra for a couch potato — unless you want the best battery life possible. The idea is to guide you to the right Apple Watch for your needs.

Price

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Should you buy new? You can often save on an Apple Watch by buying refurbished, especially since there generally aren’t a ton of changes year to year.

Feature set

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Do you want to shell out extra for LTE? Which models have what sensors, and how does that apply to you?

LTE or GPS

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Some scenarios call for you to buy cellular models, others you can get away with just having GPS.

Buying refurbished is one way that you may be able to upgrade from an older model without sacrificing blood oxygen. Due to a patent battle with Masimo, new Series 9 and Ultra 2 models sold in the US after January 18th, 2024, no longer have this feature. This is not a big deal for most people, but if it’s important to you, older watches and Series 9 and Ultra 2 units sold by Apple before January 18th, 2024, still retain the feature. (As do watches overseas. The ban only impacts US units.)

What about the newer Series 10? In a nutshell, it’s got a bigger screen, it’s about 10 percent thinner, and it’s lighter than previous models. It’s also got a new FDA-cleared sleep apnea detection feature. There are a ton of new colors and finishes, with titanium replacing stainless steel. All in all, it’s an iterative update but one we find meaningful in terms of readability and wearability.

So much choice can lead to analysis paralysis. But don’t worry. I’ve tested every single version of the Apple Watch you can buy right now — in addition to basically every other fitness watch and smartwatch on the market — and can steer you in the right direction.

Should you get an Apple Watch?

The Apple Watch Ultra was introduced in 2022 as the new rugged kid on the block. Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge

The Apple Watch is the best overall smartwatch for iPhone users. Many smartwatches are better than the Apple Watch for hardcore athletes, even with the Ultra models in the mix. But other watches fall short when it comes to productivity, safety features, controlling your smart home, and interacting with other Apple devices and services. And the Apple Watch has the most robust third-party app ecosystem of any smartwatch on the market.

By their nature, wearables are incredibly personal devices — and you won’t get the benefits of an Apple Watch if you don’t wear it regularly. The last thing you want is to spend hundreds of dollars on a thing that ends up collecting dust in a drawer. The best way to avoid this is to stack the deck in your favor and prioritize comfort. Before you try to start mulling over which Apple Watch model you should get, take a second to figure out which size and strap material will best fit your wrist.

The SE and Series watches come in two sizes each. The SE comes in 40mm and 44mm, while the Series 7, 8, and 9 are 41mm and 45mm. The new Series 10 ups the size again to 42mm and 46mm. The larger models are better for readability, while the smaller ones are more comfortable for those with petite wrists. Both the SE and the Series watches have aluminum cases, but the Series 10 now comes in titanium, too. (Older models come in stainless steel.) Most people will be fine with aluminum, but if you’re clumsy or very active, you’ll benefit from the extra durability offered by stainless steel or titanium. You might also just like the look better — and that’s valid since watches are a personal piece of tech. Just be prepared to pay a few hundred bucks more for that.

Polished titanium replaces stainless steel with the new Series 10. It’s quite fetching. Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge

As for straps, we recommend the nylon sport loop, as it’s the most breathable option, has the easiest clasp, and is less irritating than the silicone options, which is great for sensitive skin. If you’re looking for more fashionable options, we recommend checking out Amazon or Etsy for a wider variety of styles and more affordable pricing. You’ll want to check third parties for leather accessories, too, as Apple announced in 2023 that it would no longer make leather accessories in a bid to achieve carbon neutrality.

The Ultra and Ultra 2 both come in one size — 49mm — and with titanium cases. They come with their own special straps, too: the Trail Loop, Alpine Loop, and Ocean Band. As their names suggest, they’re geared toward runners, hikers, and divers, but you can pick whichever one suits your fancy. We recommend the Trail Loop, as it’s the lightest and most versatile of the three. All the Ultra straps work with any 44mm or 45mm Series watch, and the Ultra is compatible with any 44mm or 45mm Apple Watch strap.

And while the Apple Watch is the best smartwatch you can get as an iPhone user, you can also always check out our fitness tracker buying guide.

Apple Watch Series, SE, or Ultra?

$299

The Good

  • Bigger display but not bulky
  • Wide-angle OLED is neat
  • Much faster charging
  • Sleep apnea detection has potential

The Bad

  • Lack of blood oxygen (in US) may impact your upgrade plans
  • Another year of minor updates

The latest Apple Watch, the Series 10, is a more modest update. It primarily focuses on making the watches more comfortable while adding a larger, wide-angle OLED display. If you’re upgrading from an older model, you’ll definitely notice that you can see more from the wrist. The speakers now play music and podcasts, and voice isolation on calls has been improved. There’s an added depth and water temperature sensor, which makes it a better companion for water sports as well. Fast charging has also been meaningfully improved. On the health front, Apple has brought FDA-cleared sleep apnea detection to the watch, along with the Series 9 and Ultra 2.

We recommend the second-gen Apple Watch SE for younger people and first-time smartwatch buyers. If you’re upgrading from an earlier Apple Watch, you want an always-on display, or you want more advanced health tracking, you should consider the Series 10. And if you want the brightest screen, the best durability and battery life, and even more advanced fitness features, we recommend the Ultra 2.

The Series 10 focuses on making the watch more readable and comfortable to wear. photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge

The Series 10 is Apple’s flagship smartwatch. Compared to earlier models, it’s going to get you the fastest processor, quick charging, a larger display, and all the latest sensors. Prices start at $399 for the 42mm version and $429 for the 46mm. Adding LTE connectivity will add $100 to the price, plus whatever your carrier charges for the service. Prices start at $699 for the polished titanium models.

The second-gen SE has a nylon composite back, which helps shave $30 off the original’s price. You can get a cellular version, and it supports many of the same advanced features as the last-last-gen Series 8, like fall detection, emergency calling, Fitness Plus, Apple Pay, and Apple Watch For Your Kids. The biggest difference is that it lacks an always-on display, an EKG sensor, temperature sensors, and a SpO2 sensor. The display is also slightly smaller on both sizes of the SE. It starts at $249 for the 40mm and $279 for the 44mm. Adding LTE will tack on an extra $50 in addition to your carrier’s fees.

$169

The Good

  • S8 chip is still speedy enough
  • Offers the bulk of watchOS 11 features
  • Excellent entry-level watch

The Bad

  • The bezels are thick
  • Smaller display isn’t good for elderly relatives
  • No always-on display
  • Fewer sensors

To be perfectly honest, if you’re young and healthy, you’re not really missing out on EKG or SpO2. (Also, newer watches sold in the US currently have the SpO2 feature disabled anyway.) The SE’s heart rate sensor is still capable of providing abnormal heart rate alerts. Right now, Apple’s SpO2 features are limited to spot checks. There’s not much you can do with that information, and unlike the EKGs, this is only cleared for general wellness purposes. It will not be able to replace a fingertip pulse oximeter, and you should never use it in this way.

The main purpose of the EKG sensor is to enable atrial fibrillation detection — and if your doctor’s given you a clean bill of health, you will likely only use this feature once or twice. According to the American Heart Association, the biggest risk factors for AFib are advanced age, underlying heart conditions, high blood pressure, family history, and sleep apnea, among other lifestyle choices. If this doesn’t apply to you, the SE is still going to give you an excellent health tracking experience and all the same smart features. Young, first-time buyers may as well save the extra cash — so long as the lack of an always-on display isn’t a deal-breaker.

You can’t really see much of a difference between the Ultra on the left and the Ultra 2 on the right.

There are some situations where opting for the Series 10 is the better choice, however, like if you want an always-on display or need to have the latest and greatest. The larger, wide-angle OLED display also provides much better readability for anyone with bad eyesight. It’s also the better choice if you have a heart condition or are at a higher risk of developing AFib. If you suspect you may have sleep apnea, you’ll also need a Series 9, 10, or Ultra 2 to access that feature.

$735

The Good

  • The Modular Ultra face is a data nerd’s dream
  • Precision Finding
  • Minor Siri and screen brightness improvements
  • Double-tap gesture is great

The Bad

  • No pink
  • The minor changes feel even more minor with the Ultra
  • Need iPhone 15 or 16 for Precision Finding

The Ultra 2 currently sits atop the lineup as Apple’s premium smartwatch. It’s visually distinct from both the Series and SE — and at 49mm, it’s the biggest of them all. Not only that, it has increased durability, water resistance, and a raised lip to protect the flat display. It also has an additional water temperature and depth sensor for divers, three microphones, and two speakers, which enable the Siren. It’s also got the Action button, which can be programmed for various activities, pause workouts, and trigger the Siren.

At $799, the Ultra 2 is the most expensive Apple Watch, but every model comes equipped with LTE capability. If you have an Ultra and are wondering if you should upgrade to the second-gen model, the answer is no. If you have an Ultra 2 and are wondering if you should upgrade to the new black color, the answer is also no. (Admittedly, it does look quite nice.) It’s too soon, and there’s not enough of a difference. We recommend the Ultra 2 for new buyers only.

As of January 18th, 2024, Apple no longer sells new Apple Watch Series 9, 10, or Ultra 2 models with the blood oxygen feature in the US. That’s because Apple is currently undergoing a patent dispute with medical device maker Masimo. The International Trade Commission has ruled that Apple Watches with the blood oxygen feature infringe on two of Masimo’s patents — and are therefore subject to an import ban.

This doesn’t affect watches sold outside of the US, or the Apple Watch SE, which doesn’t have the blood oxygen sensor in question. Watches sold by third-party retailers like Best Buy or Amazon may be unaffected if they’re selling refurbished models or happen to have pre-ban Series 9 or Ultra 2 inventory. You can tell if a model doesn’t have the blood oxygen feature if the part numbers end in LW/A. It also does not affect the newer sleep apnea detection feature, which utilizes the accelerometer.

That said, the blood oxygen feature is not that vital a feature on any wearable just yet. Many either have spot check features only or passively track your SpO2 overnight and give you an average in the morning. They cannot and should not replace fingertip pulse oximeters. But if the feature is important to you, you may want to look into alternatives from Garmin, the Fitbit Charge 6, the Withings ScanWatch 2, or the Oura Ring.

If battery life is your highest priority, getting either Ultra is the best choice. In testing, we got up to 60 hours without Low Power Mode enabled. However, if you use about one hour of GPS tracking a day or take calls, you’re more likely to get around two days. It’s also the better choice if you frequently hike, dive, or run trails. While marketed as a hardcore watch for explorers, in our opinion, it’s more of an aspirational watch for weekend warriors and intermediate athletes — or anyone who wants to be at that level.

You’re not going to beat either Ultra on battery life, but you can stretch out the battery life on the Series 4 or later with Low Power Mode. You can even sleep track with Low Power Mode on, though it’ll turn off background health sensors. With the Series 10, Apple has improved fast charging as well. Official estimates are that you can get 0 to 80 percent in 30 minutes, which roughly matches our real-world testing. Just be sure you’re using the correct charging accessories.

If you have smaller wrists, you may want to opt for the Series 10 as it has fast charging and is more comfortable to wear long-term. Faster charging comes in clutch when you’re about to head to bed and you’ve only got 15 percent battery. Also, if you’re the type that values futureproofing, the Series 10’s hardware will be able to support newer features for a longer period of time thanks to its newer processor. This is why folks who love their watch and are looking to upgrade from a Series 4 or older should also pick the Series 10. If you’re already in the habit of wearing the watch daily, you’ll get more mileage out of it as the SE is more of a gateway device, and the Ultra is overkill for the average Joe.

The best Apple Watch if you’re on a budget

$169

The Good

  • S8 chip is still speedy enough
  • Offers the bulk of watchOS 11 features
  • Excellent entry-level watch

The Bad

  • The bezels are thick
  • Smaller display isn’t good for elderly relatives
  • No always-on display
  • Fewer sensors

The latest Watch SE is the way to go for people who want to futureproof their hardware without breaking the bank (so long as you’re okay forgoing a larger display). You’re getting the same processor as the Series 8 and original Ultra, plus Crash Detection.

While the second-gen SE is an excellent watch, it’s not always the right choice. It’s meant to be a gateway watch, so it’s best suited to folks who are completely new to the Apple Watch and want to spend as little as possible. If you’re looking to upgrade from an older watch but don’t want to pony up for the Series 10, there’s another option: buying a used or refurbished Apple Watch.

Buying secondhand devices is also better for the environment and a more affordable way to get more expensive materials. Materials like sapphire glass, stainless steel, or titanium can add hundreds to the price of a new watch. It’s also a good way to save money if you’re just not excited by the Series 10’s features but want more than what the SE offers.

Opting for a Series 9 now means you may be able to score stainless steel for a discounted price. Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge

The second-gen SE is excellent for folks on a budget or those who want a smaller case size. Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge

It’ll take some patience to find the best price and the model you want. After all, you’re limited by what’s available. However, there are several sites that offer older models. Sometimes, you can also find deals and sales as well. If you’re worried about getting scammed, look for deals recommended by sources you trust (cough, cough, Verge Deals). Apple also sells its own refurbished models, which come with a full Apple warranty and are generally in a “like new” condition, though the selection can be limited, and you likely won’t pay less than a new SE. Sites like Back Market will also allow you to sort by condition and obtain a 12-month warranty.

If you’re considering a used or refurbished model, we recommend the Series 7 or Series 8, as they offer a larger screen for improved readability. We also recommend that you use $250 as a benchmark since that’s the price of a base model Watch SE. With that said, if you’re getting premium materials, going a little higher is fine. Do not get a refurbished Series 5 or older. Although you can find them for $100 (sometimes less!), they can’t run the latest software and even struggle to update the newest software they do support.

The best Apple Watch for kids

$219

The Good

  • S8 chip is still speedy enough
  • Offers the bulk of watchOS 11 features
  • Excellent entry-level watch

The Bad

  • The bezels are thick
  • Smaller display isn’t good for elderly relatives
  • No always-on display
  • Fewer sensors

If you want your child to have an Apple Watch, we recommend picking a cellular Apple Watch SE or, if you can find one, a refurbished Series 4, 5, or 6 with cellular. All of these watches come in smaller sizes than the Series 7, 8, or 9, which will likely better fit their wrist. Also, the lower price will give you better peace of mind if you have a rambunctious kid. They likely won’t need many of the marquee features found in watchOS 11, either. That being said, if you want the most futureproof options, the second-gen SE and Series 6 are the best choices.

Since you’re buying for children, you’ll likely want to use Apple Watch For Your Kids — formerly known as Family Setup — as it will give you greater parental controls. However, there are technical specifications that you’ll need to match in order to use it. You’ll need a cellular version of the device, and it must at least support watchOS 7. Apple’s support page also states that you need a Series 4 or later or an Apple Watch SE to use it.

The second-gen SE is a good option to give to your kids. Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge

If you opt for the family route, not every feature will be available. While you can get Apple Pay and certain health features, you will not get the following: health data sharing, respiratory rate, irregular heart rhythm notifications, EKG, Cycle Tracking, Sleep, Blood Oxygen, Podcasts, Remote, News, Home, and Shortcuts.

The best Apple Watch for older relatives

$399

The Good

  • Bigger display but not bulky
  • Wide-angle OLED is neat
  • Much faster charging
  • Sleep apnea detection has potential

The Bad

  • Lack of blood oxygen (in US) may impact your upgrade plans
  • Another year of minor updates

This can be a tricky one, but we recommend a cellular Series 9 or 10.

For starters, the larger screen is much easier on the eyes. You can also increase the text size to be larger than on the SE or older Apple Watches. The always-on display aids accessibility, especially if arm mobility is a consideration. You’ll also get the full suite of health features, including irregular heartbeat alerts, walking steadiness, EKGs, fall detection, sleep apnea detection, and emergency calling. These models also have the double tap feature and improved Siri functionality, which may be helpful for elderly relatives with dexterity issues.

You can use the Ultra, but you should keep its size and weight in mind. Depending on your loved one’s wrist size and health, it may not make sense. Both sizes of the Series 10 have comparable screen sizes but are much lighter and more comfortable to wear.

The larger screen size but lighter weight of the Series 10 may benefit older relatives. Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge

If your older relative has an iPhone and you’re hoping to use this for health reasons, we also don’t recommend using Apple’s family setup. That’s because you cannot use features like irregular heart rhythm notifications, EKG, and health data sharing. If your relative doesn’t have an iPhone, however, it’s a fine option. You’ll still get high and low heart rate notifications, walking steadiness, and fall detection.

Update, June 6th: Adjusted pricing / availability and added several new links.





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Cypherock X1
GameFi Guides

Cypherock X1 Review: A Crypto Hardware Wallet With a Slick Card-Based Security Model

by admin



In brief

  • The Cypherock X1 employs a shard-based recovery model in which the private key is split across multiple cards with secure elements.
  • The cards and the X1 Vault hardware wallet employ secure elements with EAL6+ certification.
  • Any two components in the system can be used to recover the private key.

The Cypherock X1 is something of a newcomer in the crypto hardware wallet space, with an open beta in 2022 ahead of its full launch in 2023.

With an unusual joystick-based control setup, and promises of super-secure self-custody thanks to its NFC based cards and shard-based security model, the X1 has a lot to live up to as it tries to muscle in on a market dominated by wallets like the Ledger Nano X and the Trezor Safe 5. In this review, we’ll find out whether it can do exactly that.

What is the Cypherock X1?

The Cypherock X1 is a cryptocurrency wallet that’s designed with security in mind, aiming to free the user from the vulnerabilities associated with crypto seed phrases.

The problem, according to Cypherock, is that conventional hardware wallets store your private keys in a single location, with a paper backup—creating a single point of failure.

Cypherock X1. Image: Decrypt

The X1 aims to address this by splitting the private key into five parts using Shamir’s Secret Sharing (SSS), and storing them on the X1 Vault device and across four X1 Cards kitted out with secure elements and NFC connectivity.

Any two of the cards and the Vault can be used to restore the private key, which can be further secured with a PIN number.

It’s a bit like Voldemort’s Horcruxes—but without the evil intent.

Cypherock X1: Design and build

The X1 is a compact and portable crypto wallet that can not only fit in a pocket but is designed to attach a loop, allowing you to hook it onto a keychain, your belt, or your wrist.

The device itself is ultrasonically welded together, making it challenging for any attackers to access without leaving visible signs of tampering. Inside is a dual-chip architecture for offline computation and secure verification.

Cypherock X1. Image: Decrypt

The X1 Vault sports a 0.96-inch OLED display, which is able to display text clearly so you can interact with the wallet alone, without the need for the app all the time. It is a little dim, though—so if you want to use it in sunlight, you may struggle. That said, for indoor use it was plenty clear enough.

The joystick is one of the stand-out design features as it’s quite unique, especially at this small scale. It’s similar to that featured on the Nintendo Switch, and appears to be of high quality too, with five-axis sensitivity. It all makes for an effortless and very intuitive way to control the device using your thumb alone.

The X1 comes with a USB cable and an adapter so you can use USB-A or USB-C, making it ideal for both Windows and Apple machines.

The X1 Cards are made from plastic and feature NFC technology. They’re identical in size and appearance to a credit card, making for easy storage and secure distribution. They can be stored in the supplied hard case, which also acts as a Faraday cage to protect against remote electromagnetic signals.

It’s all built to last, with the company claiming that the setup is good for at least 500,000 taps using NFC and that your data is secure for at least 20 years.

You can also buy replacement X1 cards and Vaults should the originals be lost or destroyed—and if you lose a single card it’s recommended that you buy a complete set of new X1 cards, and replace the originals if you want to add new wallets to the system.

Cypherock X1: What’s in the box?

The box has a card outer that you tear to open, inside which is a container case with a zipper that’s been cable tied shut to keep things securely sealed.

Cypherock X1. Image: Decrypt

Unzip the case and you’re met with instructions on getting started, a USB-C- to USB-A shielded cable and that USB-A to USB-C adapter.

There are also four X1 Cards pouched together next to the X1 itself. You also get a lanyard to attach to the X1, a user manual and warranty documentation.

Cypherock X1: Getting started

Once you’ve opened everything and plugged the X1 into a power source, it immediately turns on and the display shows the website you need to visit to download and install the app. Once this is on your machine you are taken through the process of setting up your wallet.

Most of the interactions happen on the X1 device itself, with minimal app input. An extra step in the setup process is validating the four X1 cards, one at a time, which involves holding the device on them for a few seconds each.

Cypherock X1. Image: Decrypt

You can set up multiple wallets on the X1, and implement a pin code if desired, before setting them up in the app. Once set up in the app you have deeper levels of control.

You also have the option to view and export the BIP39 seed phrase, should you want to record it as a paper backup (or in case Cypherock goes out of business).



Cypherock X1: Cypherock CySync app

The Cypherock CySync app is available to download on Mac, Windows and Linux, with a mobile version for iOS and Android.

Primarily it serves as a point of contact for you to access your wallet from with a big screen view. The app is pretty minimal, making it easy to use, without overcomplicated menus that can put off the newcomer. It also enables you to buy and sell crypto securely, using a fiat on-ramp powered by Binance Connect.

Cypherock X1. Image: Decrypt

This app goes beyond the X1’s own wallet, though you can also import other wallets using their seed phrases to view and track them. The app also lets you connect to dapps via WalletConnect so you can swap over 1,000 cryptos across more than 15 networks.

It’s worth keeping in mind that if you want to buy and swap using the CySync app, you will be subject to its transaction fees, which can vary. That said, you can always buy and swap elsewhere, using CySync and the X1 as a base point to extract.

Cypherock X1: Features and assets

The X1’s standout feature has to be the four X1 Cards used to secure your wallet.

The use of Shamir’s Secret Sharing (SSS) private key storage adds an extra layer of security. The X1 Cards can be used to distribute shards of the private key across a range of locations, making physical access more difficult. Any two of the five shards are needed, lowering the risk of single point failure and meaning that if any one component is compromised, it should still not be possible to get access to the complete private key.

The fact that it only requires the vault and one card to access the private key is a limiting factor, though—many SSS schemes opt for a three-of-five threshold for additional security. With $5 wrench attacks on the rise, it’s something to consider as many users will likely keep the X1 vault and a single card close at hand for ease of use.

One helpful additional feature is the ability to use the X1 as a seed phrase vault, meaning you can back up seed phrases from any BIP39-supported wallet, with up to four available slots.

Thanks to a partnership with blockchain platform Near Protocol, users can manage existing wallets and create a registered account, and securely store account data on their devices, all via the CySync app. That means developers can create decentralized apps, or dapps, for use within the CySync app.

At time of publishing the Cypherock X1 and accompanying app offers support for over 9,000 digital assets ranging from big names like Bitcoin and Etherium to less known options including Starknet, Frax and more. A full list of supported assets can be found here.

Cypherock X1: Security

Cypherock is building its brand on security, so it’s worth taking some time to go over the hardware.

The X1 Vault uses an EAL6+ certified secure element with bank-grade hardware components, placing it on par with rivals like Ledger and Trezor. The X1 Cards likewise use EAL6+ certified secure elements.

The X1 uses open-source firmware, while audits have been conducted by firms including WalletScrutiny and Keylabs. The company also runs an ongoing bug bounty program as a way to spot potential weaknesses and address them before they become an issue.

Cypherock X1. Image: Decrypt

It’s worth noting that the Cypherock employs the older ATECC608A secure memory circuit, which Ledger Donjon claims to have penetrated on the Coldcard Mk3 hardware wallet using a Multiple Laser Fault Injection attack. The Coldcard Mk4 subsequently upgraded to the newer ATECC608B circuit, as recommended by Ledger Donjon.

In a response to Keylabs’ audit, which flags the X1’s use of an older circuit, Cypherock noted that, “ATECC608B is fully compatible with ATECC608A interfacing but wasn’t available when we procured it. We plan on using the latest versions based on the part’s availability.”

Decrypt has contacted Cypherock and will update the review should they respond.

There is a nice touch with the PIN where lockout times are progressively increased after each incorrect attempt—a feature the company calls CyLock. This should help to prevent any brute force attacks.

When it comes to recovery options there is that SSS algorithm, with the private key split across five points, where any two can be used to recover the assets. It’s worth noting that hardware wallets from rivals such as Ledger and Trezor provide the option to create Shamir backups, albeit in seed phrase form rather than leveraging the X1’s more user-friendly card-based interface.

Cypherock X1: Verdict

The Cypherock X1 is a relative newcomer to the digital wallet market, but the firm has aimed to spin that into a positive, by building its system from the ground up to address the shortcomings of traditional hardware wallet security.

And while its solution does introduce some additional elements of trust—in the manufacture and auditing of the secure bank-grade components in its X1 Cards—that’s mitigated against by the use of Shamir’s Secret Sharing to decentralize the wallet’s private key. In theory, even if one component in the system was compromised, the user could gather two of the others, reassemble the wallet, and extract their funds.

It’s a slickly-designed system, and one which does away with one of the more archaic features of the crypto user experience, namely recording your vitally important seed phrase on a bit of paper.

That, coupled with its suite of features such as CySync, make the CypherRock X1 a worthy contender in the hardware wallet space.

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Sell Bitcoin or Hold? Sobering Economic Model by Investor Fred Krueger
NFT Gaming

Sell Bitcoin or Hold? Sobering Economic Model by Investor Fred Krueger

by admin


  • It’s better to sell your BTC step by step, Fred Krueger says
  • Better alternatives? MicroStrategy, lending, cycles

Prominent investor and entrepreneur Fred Krueger, author of The Big Bitcoin Book and enthusiast of Bitcoin (BTC), Solana (SOL) and AI, explains a very interesting pattern of using BTC as a yield-generating asset or finding another “safe haven.” It looks like selling BTC in some situations might be smarter than seeking alternatives.

It’s better to sell your BTC step by step, Fred Krueger says

Between gradually selling BTC for income and investing in the yield-producing asset “on the side,” the first strategy looks more prudent to Bitcoiner Fred Krueger PhD, seasoned investor and entrepreneur with 10 exits. Dr. Krueger shared a 10-year model with his 163,400 followers on X.

Should you sell your Bitcoin for income or should you “get an income producing asset” on the side?

I would argue you should 100% sell your Bitcoin. Here’s the analysis.

Let’s start with a 2MM USD portfolio, and assume you need 100K per year for living expenses. Here’s a… pic.twitter.com/X5Dt9L9ddr

— Fred Krueger (@dotkrueger) May 30, 2025

To demonstrate the hypothetical pros and cons of the two instruments, Dr. Krueger reconstructs the dynamics of a $2 million portfolio in 10 years. The first strategy assumes that Bitcoin (BTC) surges with 40% CAGR, the investor only takes $100,000 per year to pay the bills, and pays 20% in income taxes.

After 10 years, the strategy (thanks to cautious selling and stable solid CAGR for Bitcoin) leaves the investor with over $49.7 million in cash.

The second strategy offers the investor to spend 80% of the portfolio on some traditional asset that is considered to be good at yield generating:

Now assume instead you spent 1.59MM of the 2MM on a high yielding asset like Texas real estate at 10% (if you can even find one).

After that, the user can still invest $410,000 in Bitcoin (BTC). Ten years of following the second strategy leaves the investors with $11 million, Fred Krueger opines.

Better alternatives? MicroStrategy, lending, cycles

The commentators to his thread, in general, agreed with the benefits of the strategy. Meanwhile, they added a number of caveats to evaluate it.

First, every time the first investor takes $100,000, it is equivalent to various amounts of BTC due to its cyclic price dynamics. No one can be sure when exactly it is the most profitable to sell.

Also, some followers highlight that the most profitable strategy might imply borrowing USD against Bitcoin (BTC). The borrower doesn’t need to pay capital gain tax and always keeps their BTC allocation safe instead of only paying 12% as interest.

Stocks of Strategy (MSTR) and MSTY, an Option Income Strategy ETF based on the MSTR performance, were also numbered amid potential alternatives.

Bitcoin (BTC), the largest cryptocurrency, is down by 1.5% in the last 24 hours. Bitcoin (BTC) is changing hands at $104.500 as of press time.





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Coinbase to Open New San Francisco Office After Dropping HQ Model

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Crypto exchange Coinbase has signed a lease for office space in San Francisco’s Mission Rock development, marking the crypto exchange’s return to the city after abandoning its headquarters model roughly three years ago.

The move is based on a deal Coinbase secured for a 150,000 square foot spot at 1090 Dr. Maya Angelou Lane, and represents more than half of Building B at the waterfront development built by Tishman Speyer and the San Francisco Giants.

San Francisco “is the place to build and grow,” Mayor Daniel Lurie wrote Thursday afternoon on X, welcoming Coinbase.

The space will serve as Coinbase’s largest single office, according to a report by The San Francisco Standard, cited by Mayor Lurie.



Responding to Mayor Lurie, Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong said that there was “still lots of work to do to improve the city,” saying that it was “badly run for many years,” later adding that Mayor Lurie’s work “has not gone unnoticed.”

Two weeks earlier, Coinbase was listed in the S&P 500, cementing its stature among publicly listed companies in the U.S.

Tax concerns, lease obligations

Coinbase’s return to the city comes after it paid $25 million for the “early termination of an office lease,” its 2023 shareholder letter shows, following its transition to operating without a traditional headquarters in February 2021.

Coinbase announced on May 5, 2021, that it would close its San Francisco office—its former headquarters—in 2022 as part of its transition to a remote-first model. The company emphasized that this move was intended to ensure no single location would be considered its headquarters, aligning with its decentralized workforce strategy.

While the exact closure date in 2022 was not publicly specified, the office at 430 California Street was fully decommissioned that year.

In 2022, a similar move out of the city was made by Kraken, a rival U.S. exchange, with its former CEO Jesse Powell saying the city had “fallen quite far,” recounting how he has seen it “deteriorate” since he moved in 2013.

“We never left California. Lots of our employees live there. We go to where the talent is,” Armstrong said in response to concerns pointing out that San Francisco was a “tax-heavy state.”

Data compiled by the tax consulting and advisory firm Ryan indicates that businesses in San Francisco pay taxes based on their annual revenue, with two central taxes that become more expensive as companies grow their earnings.

Small businesses that earn less than $5 million annually are exempt from the main business tax, but larger companies can pay up to approximately 4% of their total revenue when both taxes are combined, according to changes in business tax for the city approved in November of last year.

Coinbase’s 10-K SEC filing for late 2024 describes the company as a “remote-first company” that does not “maintain a headquarters” for its roughly 3,800 employees.

The report indicates $132.3 million in global total operating lease obligations for corporate offices, with $9.9 million due in the next 12 months.

Edited by Sebastian Sinclair

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CFP 5+11 model gaining traction as leaders eye next steps
Esports

CFP 5+11 model gaining traction as leaders eye next steps

by admin


DESTIN, Fla. — A 16-team College Football Playoff model featuring the top five conference champions and 11 at-large teams is gaining traction following SEC spring meetings this week, but the next step in playoff expansion for 2026 and beyond will depend on how quickly the sport’s leaders can make a flurry of decisions.

A critical component is the SEC’s choice between staying at eight league games or moving to nine, a topic ACC sources say could be revisited in their league after years of being dormant if prompted by playoff expansion. The linchpin to those scheduling decisions is one thing every conference seems to agree on: the need for clarity about how the CFP selection committee ranks its teams, starting with how strength of schedule is determined and applied.

“I do think there’s a need for change,” SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said of the ranking protocol Thursday at the conclusion of his league’s spring meetings. “… How do you make those decisions? It’s hard, and we trust the committee to do that, and I respect the people in there, so this isn’t a criticism of the people. This is wanting to understand the decisions. We have to have better clarity on the criteria that inform those decisions.”

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Currently, strength of schedule is one of several factors not weighed in the committee’s ambiguous protocol — language the FBS commissioners wrote at the inception of the four-team playoff in 2014. There’s a sense among some athletic directors in the SEC and ACC that moving to nine conference games is feasible — if the committee doesn’t penalize teams for losing two or three games against strong opponents.

Some SEC athletic directors stressed this week that they would only favor a nine-game league schedule if the conference is guaranteed four playoff spots — also the Big Ten’s preferred model.

“If we’re not confident that the decision-making about who gets in and why and what are the metrics around it, it’s going to be really hard for some of my colleagues to get to the nine games,” Texas A&M athletic director Trev Alberts said. “We’ve got a timeline that’s getting tight, and we recognize that. It seems like everything is coming to a head. In a way it’s a little bit frustrating, in another way it feels good because eventually, it feels like we’re actually going to get some of this dealt with.”

CFP leaders have set Dec. 1 as a deadline to determine the future format, and Sankey said he wants to make a scheduling decision in 2026, but didn’t specify when. The FBS commissioners and Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua are scheduled to meet in person June 18 in Asheville, North Carolina.

Sankey was asked if his conference will be unified on a format by then.

“We’ll see,” Sankey said.

Multiple ACC sources said the conference would prefer a 5+11 model, and Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark has publicly supported it at his league’s spring meetings this week.

“It has always been our first choice,” Yormark told ESPN. “It’s fair and rewards on-field performance. I’m not surprised SEC coaches like it.”

The Big 12’s administrators agree.

“The construct of the CFP wasn’t to give one or two conferences more value. It was supposed to be the best way to conduct a real national championship,” UCF athletic director Terry Mohajir said. “I think a 5+11 is the best way to do that, and it gets the best teams in.”

If Sankey can get his athletic directors on the same page as his coaches, who this week voiced strong support for a 5+11 model (but with eight conference games), the Big Ten would likely be the lone league in the room pushing automatic qualifiers.

“[We’re] kind of important,” Sankey said, “a bit important in that decision.”

The Big Ten and SEC have the bulk of control over the playoff’s format in 2026 and beyond, something the other FBS commissioners and Bevacqua agreed to when they signed a memorandum of understanding for the new six-year deal.

“If we do want to have a national tournament, we do have to get everyone on the same page and everyone has to work together,” Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin said.

The ACC’s considerations of a nine-game league schedule had been tabled for a few years for multiple reasons. Several schools already have existing rivalries with SEC schools, plus there is a built-in agreement with Notre Dame. The ACC doesn’t necessarily have to decide that for the 2026 season. It’s something that could be phased in, according to a source.

Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne said two of his main priorities as the playoff discussions move forward are access and having “a pretty clear understanding of what gets you in, what doesn’t.”

“I know last year I talked about a lot of what I read was two versus three losses, and that was concerning,” Byrne said. “Granted, ultimately, it’s up to you and the play you have on the field, and you have to recognize that, but I also do believe that when you looked at the bullet points for the CFP, strength of schedule was the first bullet point listed. Trying to get some clear understanding of how is that weighed in the room is important. Our conference because of the play on the field has deserved the benefit of the doubt at times to be strongly considered for the CFP.”

On Thursday afternoon, the SEC provided members of the media with a six-page packet that included color-coded charts using multiple metrics to illustrate the league’s dominant schedule strength. Sankey said the task for determining the CFP’s strength of schedule component is striking a balance “between human and machine,” referring to the old BCS computer formula.

“Whether you agree or not, that’s what we’re looking at,” Sankey said of the packet, which included ESPN’s Strength of Record, Bill Connelly’s SP+, Kenneth Massey’s metric, ESPN’s Football Power Index and ESPN’s Strength of Schedule metric. “That doesn’t mean every one of these should be inserted into the CFP, but I think you have to consider what it means, because there’s other ratings and evaluation tools we’ve looked at that are much like these results.”

While the issues are on the table, the CFP’s management committee is notorious for missing its own deadlines. Sankey this week didn’t rule out the possibility of the 12-team CFP remaining in place in 2026.

“Can I see a scenario? Sure, I can see a scenario,” Sankey said. “But is that the most likely scenario? Come back for more. I said — genuinely — we’re interested in a model. We’re not committed to that model, and you’ve seen that play out this week, where people have different ideas.”

The question is if the Power 4 leagues can put their differences aside — quickly.

“We need to work well together,” Sankey said. “The emotional maturity needed right now is higher than ever.”

ESPN’s Andrea Adelson contributed to this report.



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