Articles by Rael Hornby, Content Editor

Rael Hornby, potentially influenced by far too many LucasArts titles at an early age, once thought he’d grow up to be a mighty pirate. However, after several interventions with close friends and family members, you’re now much more likely to see his name attached to the bylines of tech articles. While not maintaining a double life as an aspiring writer by day and indie game dev by night, you’ll find him sat in a corner somewhere muttering to himself about microtransactions or hunting down promising indie games on Twitter.

Articles by: Rael Hornby

Meta's neural wristband prototype, a purple glow indicates nerve signals that the device registers using Electromyography

This Meta Connect reveal could change AR and gaming forever — and it's not a VR headset or smart glasses

By Rael Hornby published 12 September 24

The Meta Quest 3S and Orion AR smart glasses could be highlights of Meta Connect 2024, but one potential reveal could change everything about how we use our devices.

Nova H1 Audio Earrings being worn with lines drawn onto the image indicating the direction of the built-in speaker's audio.

Did Kamala Harris wear these Nova H1 Audio Earrings during the presidential debate?

By Rael Hornby last updated 11 September 24

These Bluetooth audio earrings we saw at CES 2023 are returning to the news cycle for all the wrong reasons.

Laptop Mag's IFA Berlin 2024 Issue

By Laptop Mag Staff last updated 10 September 24

Catch all things IFA Berlin 2024 and browse through our inaugural Laptop Laurels winners for best-in-show products right here throughout the week.

iPhone 4 SE render based on leaked information and rumors

Apple's iPhone 16 event left out the one device I'd ditch my Android phone for

By Rael Hornby published 10 September 24

Apple's Glowtime event saw the iPhone 16's grand unveiling and, while impressive, I'll be holding out on one remaining iPhone that's yet to be announced.

Apple Watch Ultra showing a passive-aggressive notification saying "Struggling to close a ring? Try closing TikTok first." with a button below suggesting to "Active Goblin Mode." Image is set on a blue backdrop.

I love my smartwatch, it's the only tech brave enough to call me fat and lazy

By Rael Hornby published 8 September 24

Unlike the rest of our tech repertoire, smartwatches judge us, and we should thank them for that.

Samsung's mixed-reality smart glasses could bring Google's Project Astra to life

By Rael Hornby published 6 September 24

Qualcomm's CEO has announced that the company is working with Google and Samsung to develop mixed-reality smart glasses. Here's everything we know so far.

Mark Zuckerberg presenting an AR smart glasses concept on stage at Facebook F8 software conference

What will the future of Meta Quest headsets look like?

By Rael Hornby published 5 September 24

Meta Connect 2024 will give us a glimpse of the road ahead for Quest headsets and Meta's smart glasses ambitions, but what does the future of the Meta Quest really look like?

Blue iPhone 16 renders based on leaked schematics and rumors.

iPhone 16 rumors: release date and price predictions, design leaks, and more

By Rael Hornby last updated 4 September 24

The iPhone 16 launch is less than a week away. Here's everything we know about it so far, including release date, price, design, specs, and more.

3D rendering of an iPhone showing the Siri "Go ahead, I'm listening" message on an orange surface

Your phone actually is listening to you, or so one marketing company has claimed

By Rael Hornby published 4 September 24

It's an age-old conspiracy theory that your phone is listening to you for ad data, but one company has claimed there's more to it.

Photo illustration showing Messe Berlin building acting as a lectern or podium with a press microphone cluster on top. The image is style in half-tone print with muted colors and there is a Laptop special issue badge in the bottom right corner indicating coverage of IFA Berlin 2024.

Laptop Mag's IFA Berlin 2024 Issue — A letter from the editor

By Rael Hornby published 3 September 24

Spare a moment as we introduce Laptop Mag's IFA Berlin 2024 Issue, a week of exciting reveals and awards brought to you straight from the showroom floor of the Messe Berlin.

3D render of the iPhone SE 4 and iPad mini 7 based on information gathered from rumors and leaks. Two iPhone SE 4 smartphones sit on top of an iPad mini 7, one is facing up to show its display, the other is facing down to show its back and camera array.

New iPhone SE and iPad mini 7 could gatecrash next week's Apple 'Glowtime' event

By Rael Hornby published 3 September 24

Apple may have 'Two more things...' in mind for next week's 'Glowtime' event as speculation stirs over these long-awaited devices finally making their debut.

Steam statistics prove Windows users can't fight the future

By Rael Hornby published 2 September 24

Windows users aren't shy about their preferences in operating system versions, but a recent hardware survey from Valve's Steam gaming platform shows the inevitable.

The biggest threat to Meta Quest headsets isn't Apple — it's Meta

By Rael Hornby published 1 September 24

My biggest worry about Meta Quest headsets, is Meta's own smart glasses.

Windows Recall's best feature? You can remove it from your Copilot+ PC entirely

By Rael Hornby published 30 August 24

Windows Recall is a controversial AI-powered tool arriving on Copilot+ PCs in the future, but that doesn't mean it has to stay there.

Photograph of the Satechi Thunderbolt 4 Multimedia Pro Dock standing up next to a laptop

Satechi Thunderbolt 4 Multimedia Pro Dock review: Echoing excellence

By Rael Hornby published 29 August 24

Satechi’s Thunderbolt 4 Multimedia Pro Dock treads familiar ground with its design and port offerings, but maintains excellent build quality and top-tier performance.

Visual mockup of a man interacting with an AR model using XREAL Air 2 Ultra AR smart glasses

Rumored Meta Quest headset sounds like the Vision Pro that Apple wasn't ready to make

By Rael Hornby published 29 August 24

Meta will reportedly compact the technology of its Quest headsets and expand on its smart glasses success with a new headset in 2027.

Meta Quest 3 AR/VR headset's Touch Plus left and right wireless controllers

New Meta Quest headset said to have one major drawback

By Rael Hornby published 27 August 24

A new affordable Quest VR/AR headset is said to feature at next month's Meta Connect event, but what is the true cost of the Quest 3S?

Man sitting at a desk in font of a computer, an Anker power bank charges his laptop and other devices.

The best back-to-school laptop accessories for nontraditional students

By Rael Hornby published 23 August 24

Not everybody is seeking those dorm room essentials, and our list of laptop accessories for nontraditional college and university students will make back-to-school a breeze.

Razer Kiyo webcam on top of a computer monitor

Laptop webcams are terrible: This webcam will make you look your back-to-school best

By Rael Hornby published 23 August 24

Laptop webcams are an afterthought to many manufacturers, but this webcam will tip the scales in your favor when it comes to looking sharp online.

'It might be the most advanced thing we've ever produced as a species': Game-changing Meta AR glasses set to amaze at September Connect event

By Rael Hornby published 22 August 24

Meta looks set to reveal its long-rumored AR glasses next month but it won't be the only smart glasses reveal, and it comes with a major catch.

This year's IPPA winners double as the best Apple iPhone ads you'll see

By Rael Hornby published 21 August 24

The iPhone Photography Awards showcase the remarkable potential of Apple's high-class cameras, and things will only get better with the iPhone 16.

iPhone 16 lineup (including base model, Plus, Pro, and Pro Max) shown in reported colorways based on rumored designs and leaked information

Leaked iPhone 16 prices and specs reveal the one iPhone you don't want to buy

By Rael Hornby published 20 August 24

Specs and pricing surrounding Apple's iPhone 16 lineup have appeared online, but they may not please everyone.

iPhone 16 colors: Pro models may continue a disappointing trend for Apple

By Rael Hornby published 19 August 24

Apple's iPhone 16 will be a mix of good and bad news regarding colorways, with a bold return to brightness for some handsets, and only a minor touch of gold for others.