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Curved wooden JBL Paragon loudspeaker cabinet in the Seoul gallery's recreated 1950s room, with a plant, lamp and furniture.

JBL's Seoul gallery puts the living room back into audio design

A short exhibition pairs historic loudspeakers with recreated rooms and Seoul street scenes. It offers a useful way to look beyond a specification sheet, while keeping the brand's claims in view.

2 Nov 2026
Ini Archibong holding a microphone during a lecture, wearing a black sleeveless top, necklaces and brown shoulder straps.

The Nue Black Aesthetic asks how inherited forms become contemporary

Opening in London on 6 November, the exhibition connects 16 designers through individual methods. A source-based preview follows a balafon, hair furniture and a glass commission.

2 Nov 2026

Innovation →

Solar panels mounted on balconies of a residential building photographed in Germany in February 2023.

Plug-in solar is here in Great Britain. Check the flat before buying the panel

A compliant panel is only one part of the decision: building permission, electrical suitability and honest savings matter. Batteries are a separate question.

2 Nov 2026
A partly illuminated Earth appears beyond the cratered lunar horizon in an Artemis II crew photograph.

Artemis II's lunar archive: how to explore NASA's images, audio and observation notes

NASA's April lunar flyby has a public science archive released on 7 October 2026. Start with one observation and its context, rather than an enormous download, and keep the still-delayed navigation data separate.

2 Nov 2026

Networks →

Ofcom diagram connecting a smartphone to a satellite on mobile frequencies, then to a ground gateway, mobile network and the internet or recipient's network.

Satellite on your phone: check the service, not just the signal

A practical checklist for satellite-to-mobile: compatible device, country, supported features and the emergency limitations to understand before a trip.

2 Nov 2026
Android Credential Manager offering stored passkeys in Google Password Manager and Bitwarden, a QR-code option and a password-manager link.

Passkeys protect the login. Check your recovery route before losing your phone

A stronger sign-in method still needs a practical recovery plan. Know where your passkeys are kept, protect the account behind them and check each service's fallback before changing devices.

2 Nov 2026

Gadgets →

The official gradient Smart Window star, white Smart Window lettering and BETA badge, centered with clear space on a plain black background.

Firefox's new form and page tools start in US and Canada

The English-language desktop Smart Window beta can fill forms from chosen tabs and watch pages for changes. UK and African readers should treat the launch as a preview, with local availability still unannounced.

2 Nov 2026
The official multicolour Gmail envelope icon on a transparent background.

Gmail access: check signed-in devices and linked apps separately

Google's latest reminder is a reason to inspect existing permissions. Understand device sessions, app access and data retained by other services before changing the account.

2 Nov 2026

People, ideas & the things they make

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An ornate decorated grand piano in a red-walled museum gallery.

From the People desk

Kate Faulkner and the names behind Morris & Co.'s designs

A Cambridge exhibition running until 3 May 2027 puts collaboration in view. Kate Faulkner's varied roles offer a useful way to read the people, processes and dates behind a familiar design name.

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