Chris Davies
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Articles by Chris Davies
iPhone 18 Pro review: Apple's flagship is no longer its most expensive phone
With the iPhone Duo, Apple's first foldable smartphone, stealing most of the oxygen in the room, you could forgive the iPhone 18 Pro for feeling overshadowed. The "Pro" phone has, until this year, sat at the top of Apple's tree, both in capabilities and price. Only now there's a foldable to make even the sizable screen on the iPhone 18 Pro Max start look a little small. Apple's tick-tock approach to iPhone updates — revolution one year, evolution the next — dovetails neatly with the Duo's arrival.
iPhone 18 Pro Review: Apple's Flagship Is No Longer Its Most Expensive Phone
With the iPhone Duo, Apple's first foldable smartphone, stealing most of the oxygen in the room, you could forgive the iPhone 18 Pro for feeling overshadowed. The "Pro" phone has, until this year, sat at the top of Apple's tree, both in capabilities and price. Only now there's a foldable to make even the sizable screen on the iPhone 18 Pro Max start look a little small. Apple's tick-tock approach to iPhone updates — revolution one year, evolution the next — dovetails neatly with the Duo's arrival.
Sonos Beam Ultra Review: Atmos Soundbar Sits In The Price/Sound Sweet Spot
Strange to think it's actually been five years since Sonos launched Beam (Gen 2). The intervening period has not only seen expectations for soundbars get more intense, but options for spatial audio — in music and video — more commonplace. With 5.1.2 support, the second-generation Beam could only pretend to deliver full Dolby Atmos, however; 2026's Sonos Beam Ultra has true 7.1.2 complete with upward-firing drivers. At $699 it's positioned above the $499 Beam (Gen 2), but below the $1,099 Arc Ultra.
Sonos Beam Ultra Review: Dolby Atmos Soundbar Sits In The Price/Sound Sweet Spot
Strange to think it's actually been five years since Sonos launched Beam (Gen 2). The intervening period has not only seen expectations for soundbars get more intense, but options for spatial audio — in music and video — more commonplace. With 5.1.2 support, the second-generation Beam could only pretend to deliver full Dolby Atmos, however; 2026's Sonos Beam Ultra has true 7.1.2 complete with upward-firing drivers. At $699 it's positioned above the $499 Beam (Gen 2), but below the $1,099 Arc Ultra.
Sonos Ace Ultra Review: Headphone Link And Improved ANC Seal The Deal
Sonos first headphones were not quite what fans of the home audio company expected: less a Sonos speaker you happened to wear, rather a set of smarter headphones that flirted at the edges of a home entertainment ecosystem. The new Sonos Ace Ultra headphones build on that foundation, expanding the smart transfer of audio to now support music.
Sonos Ace Ultra Review: Headphone Link And Improved ANC Seal The Deal
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. Sonos first headphones were not quite what fans of the home audio company expected: less a Sonos speaker you happened to wear, rather a set of smarter headphones that flirted at the edges of a home entertainment ecosystem. The new Sonos Ace Ultra headphones build on that foundation, expanding the smart transfer of audio to now support music.
2028 Volvo XC90 T8 PHEV Is Still Secretly Sporty, But Now Gets Double The Electric Range Original
The XC90 hit reboot on Volvo's fortunes back in 2015, and now its most green — and secretly most fun to drive — version of the SUV is getting a signifiant update in the shape of an extended-range plug-in hybrid. The 2028 XC90, revealed today, aims to continue offering a fairly subtle Scandinavian taste on luxury, but with a PHEV version that has more than double the range of before. Volvo hasn't done much to the XC90's exterior for the 2028 model year, and frankly it didn't need to.
2028 Volvo XC60 Fixes The Biggest Problem With Plug-In Hybrids Original
It's always risky, messing with a working formula, but it's tough to see how Volvo more than doubling the electric range of its best-selling plug-in hybrid SUV could doom the 2028 XC60 T8. Freshly renamed (and rebadged), the 2028 Volvo XC60 T8 AWD Long Range Plug-In Hybrid, when it arrives in the U.S. in early 2027 it should have the longest electric range — at up to 78 miles — of any PHEV on the market.
2028 Volvo XC90 T8 PHEV Is Still Secretly Sporty, But Now Gets Double The Electric Range
The XC90 hit reboot on Volvo's fortunes back in 2015, and now its most green — and secretly most fun to drive — version of the SUV is getting a signifiant update in the shape of an extended-range plug-in hybrid. The 2028 XC90, revealed today, aims to continue offering a fairly subtle Scandinavian taste on luxury, but with a PHEV version that has more than double the range of before. Volvo hasn't done much to the XC90's exterior for the 2028 model year, and frankly it didn't need to.
2028 Volvo XC60 Fixes The Biggest Problem With Plug-In Hybrids
It's always risky, messing with a working formula, but it's tough to see how Volvo more than doubling the electric range of its best-selling plug-in hybrid SUV could doom the 2028 XC60 T8. Freshly renamed (and rebadged), the 2028 Volvo XC60 T8 AWD Long Range Plug-In Hybrid, when it arrives in the U.S. in early 2027 it should have the longest electric range — at up to 78 miles — of any PHEV on the market.
These 7 three-row SUVs each have a different family in mind
No two families are alike, and the same goes for family SUVs. While we're spoiled for choice when it comes to three-row transportation these days, what works for one driver may not fit the bill for another. The good news is, whether you're looking for a little luxury, some off-roading talent, or a zero-emissions ride, I've got strong suggestions across the board.
These 7 Three-Row SUVs Each Have A Different Family In Mind
No two families are alike, and the same goes for family SUVs. While we're spoiled for choice when it comes to three-row transportation these days, what works for one driver may not fit the bill for another. The good news is, whether you're looking for a little luxury, some off-roading talent, or a zero-emissions ride, I've got strong suggestions across the board.
These 7 Three-Row SUVs Each Have A Different Family In Mind
No two families are alike, and the same goes for family SUVs. While we're spoiled for choice when it comes to three-row transportation these days, what works for one driver may not fit the bill for another. The good news is, whether you're looking for a little luxury, some off-roading talent, or a zero-emissions ride, I've got strong suggestions across the board.
These 7 Three-Row SUVs Each Have A Different Family In Mind
No two families are alike, and the same goes for family SUVs. While we're spoiled for choice when it comes to three-row transportation these days, what works for one driver may not fit the bill for another. The good news is, whether you're looking for a little luxury, some off-roading talent, or a zero-emissions ride, I've got strong suggestions across the board.
The Big 2028 Volvo XC40 Refresh Looks Great, But The Major Change Is Inside
Volvo's smallest gas SUV in the U.S. is getting an update, though while the 2028 XC40 may officially be a mid-cycle refresh, it gives the crossover a welcome polish in style and technology. Set to hit roads in early 2027, the new XC40 also sees Volvo trim back the number of choices buyers will have, with a single drivetrain on offer this time around. Notably, that drivetrain isn't fully electric.
The Big 2028 Volvo XC40 Refresh Looks Great, But The Major Change Is Inside
Volvo's smallest gas SUV in the U.S. is getting an update, though while the 2028 XC40 may officially be a mid-cycle refresh, it gives the crossover a welcome polish in style and technology. Set to hit roads in early 2027, the new XC40 also sees Volvo trim back the number of choices buyers will have, with a single drivetrain on offer this time around. Notably, that drivetrain isn't fully electric.
The Big 2028 Volvo XC40 Refresh Looks Great, But The Major Change Is Inside
Volvo's smallest gas SUV in the U.S. is getting an update, though while the 2028 XC40 may officially be a mid-cycle refresh, it gives the crossover a welcome polish in style and technology. Set to hit roads in early 2027, the new XC40 also sees Volvo trim back the number of choices buyers will have, with a single drivetrain on offer this time around. Notably, that drivetrain isn't fully electric.
It's Goodbye To Toyota's GR Supra, But Should You Care?
Seven years after its debut, the Toyota GR Supra is still controversial. Such is the risk you take, resurrecting a beloved badge for a new era of sports cars. Toyota's decision to partner with BMW made perfect sense, economically speaking, but even today — with this fifth-generation Supra about to bow out for good — loyalists still haven't forgiven the Japanese automaker for diluting the heritage.
It's Goodbye To Toyota's GR Supra, But Should You Care?
Seven years after its debut, the Toyota GR Supra is still controversial. Such is the risk you take, resurrecting a beloved badge for a new era of sports cars. Toyota's decision to partner with BMW made perfect sense, economically speaking, but even today — with this fifth-generation Supra about to bow out for good — loyalists still haven't forgiven the Japanese automaker for diluting the heritage.
2026 Porsche Macan Electric Review: Neither Cheap Nor Flawless, But That Doesn't Matter Original
Rationality rules the roost when it comes to the Porsche Macan. The automaker's entry model shoulders plenty of responsibilities: the first taste of Porsche ownership for many; a more practical option than a 911 (or outgoing 718) for those with growing families; and the downsizing from a bigger Cayenne for when those families get rides of their own. You could forgive the Germans for hedging their bets.
Fabrizio Bocca: The 1992 Champion Still Running the Show at Viverone
Fabrizio Bocca is organising his twelfth edition of powerboat racing at Lake Viverone this weekend, more than three decades after winning the world title that still defines his career. Fabrizio Bocca in Pattaya, Thailand, 1992. Photo: Chris Davies / Powerboat Pix The Italian clinched the 1992 UIM Formula 1 Powerboat World Championship at the season finale in Singapore, recovering from a nightmare Friday practice to take the title from 16th on the grid.
People Keep Taking My Toyota RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid Advice Original
Write about cars for a little while, and you get used to people asking you for your opinion on what vehicle they should buy. Write about them for a lot longer, and you'll realize nobody usually takes that advice: what they're really hoping for is validation of whatever they've already decided to buy. So, imagine my surprise when several of my friends actually went out and bought a RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid, citing — at least in part — my thoughts on the matter.
2027 Audi Q9 And SQ9 Revealed: What Makes Them The New Flagships Original
Audi has a new flagship model line and — given the sales success of SUVs — it comes as little surprise that it's the 2027 Q9 and SQ9 that are the fresh flag-bearers for Ingolstadt. Bigger and more luxurious than the Q7, and with more seating than the Q8, the Q9 and SQ9 are actually Audi's first full-size SUVs. They're also priced to suit, kicking off at $89,095 (including $1,395 destination).
Not All Plug-In Hybrids Feel Luxurious: These 4 SUVs (And One Wagon) Do
Once seen purely as a transitional technology, plug-in hybrids have earned a reprieve as the shift to full electrification has stumbled. It's not difficult to understand why: by combining a gas engine with at least one electric motor, drivers get the convenience of some electric-only range but the flexibility of filling up at regular gas stations on road-trips, and with a smaller (and thus much cheaper) battery than in a full EV. They're not perfect, mind.
Not All Plug-In Hybrids Feel Luxurious: These 4 SUVs (And One Wagon) Do
Once seen purely as a transitional technology, plug-in hybrids have earned a reprieve as the shift to full electrification has stumbled. It's not difficult to understand why: by combining a gas engine with at least one electric motor, drivers get the convenience of some electric-only range but the flexibility of filling up at regular gas stations on road-trips, and with a smaller (and thus much cheaper) battery than in a full EV. They're not perfect, mind.
Modin on Double Trouble: “Cowes-Torquay Is the Biggest Thing You Can Win”
Anton Modin races in Class 1 for the first time on Saturday, sharing Double Trouble with Gary Aldington at UKOPRA Round 4, the MDL Marinas Mercury Offshore Grand Prix at Mercury Yacht Harbour, Hamble. The reigning UIM Class 3A World Champion has never raced anything larger than a 23-foot monohull. Double Trouble is a 42-foot Fountain running Express power, around 1,720hp.
5 Of The Most Fun Drivers' Cars That Don't Cost A Fortune, Ranked
It's all too easy to get caught up in the horsepower wars, and assume the average driver has been priced out of four-wheeled fun. Once the preserve of supercars, now the arms race of More Power Better has spread to everyday vehicles, while average selling prices lurch higher. Reset your expectations — or right-size them, I'd argue — though, and you can find plenty of charm for considerably less than the $50,000 or so that Americans are currently spending on a new car.
5 Of The Most Fun Drivers' Cars That Don't Cost A Fortune, Ranked
It's all too easy to get caught up in the horsepower wars, and assume the average driver has been priced out of four-wheeled fun. Once the preserve of supercars, now the arms race of More Power Better has spread to everyday vehicles, while average selling prices lurch higher. Reset your expectations — or right-size them, I'd argue — though, and you can find plenty of charm for considerably less than the $50,000 or so that Americans are currently spending on a new car.
5 Of The Most Fun Drivers' Cars That Don't Cost A Fortune, Ranked
Hyundai 1 hour ago Hyundai's electric SUVs are winning over buyers, and it's easy to see why Electrek - Peter Johnson • 1h The IONIQ 5 is one of the most popular EVs right now outside of Tesla, and now Hyundai’s three-row electric SUV is finding its niche. Hyundai drives growth as demand for EVs rises If you’re seeing more Hyundai vehicles on the road, it’s not by chance.
Mazda's New Infotainment Finally Fixes Years Of Complaints (But I Can't Say It's Perfect)
The 2026 Mazda CX-5 is bigger, looks more striking, and yet still starts under $30,000 — albeit before destination fees and taxes — but it's the dashboard where arguably the most important changes are to be found. For years, now, the Japanese automaker has found itself at odds with drivers used to reaching out and touching their infotainment screens. Mazda's staunch opposition to such things has felt increasingly obstinate.
Mazda's New Infotainment Finally Fixes Years Of Complaints (But I Can't Say It's Perfect)
Kia Motors 1 day ago Modern Family: 2026–27 Three-Row SUVs Compared Car and Driver • 1d We compare eight three-row SUVs in search of the best vehicle for shuttling the hope for our species. From the July/August 2026 issue of Car and Driver. At some point, hopefully not too recently, you were probably eating a lot of dirt and regularly filling a diaper.
Where (nearly) Everybody Knows Your Name
Kia ora and welcome to your online edition of the northern Waikato community news. As the new owners of the Chatter News we look forward to continuing the great work of Jim and Karen but also adding to the publication through our 20 years experience with another community newspaper in the Waikato. raglanchronicle.co.nz We feel the responsibility to keep delivering you a publication that you can be proud of.
15 Best Shows Set in Texas, Ranked
6 Texas has always occupied a special place in American television. Its vast landscapes, larger-than-life personalities, distinctive culture, and complex history provide fertile ground for compelling storytelling. From high school football fields and dusty ranches to bustling cities and crime-ridden border towns, Texas has served as the backdrop for some of television’s most memorable series.
Before Driving Honda's New Prelude Even One Mile, I Knew How I Was Meant To Feel Original
Honda's 2026 Prelude is no friend to nostalgia. The long-anticipated return of the beloved nameplate was quickly branded a shameless cash-grab; a craven pretender not worthy of the Prelude legacy; a jumped-up Civic with aspirations well above its station. True fans should sneer at the new Prelude's hybrid drivetrain, or so the true fans told me. It is a glorious, galling fact of life — and product planning specifically — that heritage is a double-edged sword.
Before Driving Honda's New Prelude Even One Mile, I Knew How I Was Meant To Feel
4 hours ago Is this Jared Leto's best performance ever? I think so. My expectations for Masters of the Universe were low for several reasons. Chief among them, 2026 has been absolutely bleak in terms of movies based on intellectual property geared toward male audiences. The Super Mario Brothers Galaxy Movie was …
6 Things Every EV Owner Needs To Know Before Installing A Home Charger
Electric vehicles may have beguiling speed and luxuriously quiet motors, but arguably the biggest advantage of ditching internal combustion is never having to stop by a gas station again. For many EV owners, an overnight charge means they start each day with a full battery. It's one of the electric perks you have to live with to truly appreciate, but it also means figuring out home charging, too. Just about every new electric car comes with a portable charger.
4 Things I Couldn't Ignore While Driving Cadillac's Escalade (Which Is Very, Very Large)
The week after I returned Cadillac's Escalade, a woman in a lifted Chevy drove straight over a Lamborghini in Texas. The wedge-shaped Huracán squeezed neatly beneath the towering Silverado's outsized wheels. I'm sure, once the sting of insurance settlements has dimmed, all involved will chuckle at the irony of it happening in a Crunch Fitness parking lot. Crunch, get it? Thankfully, I didn't need a reminder to check this behemoth's blindspots and thus avoid a collision with some Italian exotica.
4 Things I Couldn't Ignore While Driving Cadillac's Escalade (Which Is Very, Very Large)
The week after I returned Cadillac's Escalade, a woman in a lifted Chevy drove straight over a Lamborghini in Texas. The wedge-shaped Huracán squeezed neatly beneath the towering Silverado's outsized wheels. I'm sure, once the sting of insurance settlements has dimmed, all involved will chuckle at the irony of it happening in a Crunch Fitness parking lot. Crunch, get it? Thankfully, I didn't need a reminder to check this behemoth's blindspots and thus avoid a collision with some Italian exotica.
What Is Lexus' Steer-By-Wire And How Does It Work?
Lexus turned some heads when it announced that the Lexus RZ, its first all-electric SUV, would be offered with a yoke steering wheel instead of the traditional circular one, but it's what's behind that oddly-shaped control that's actually the big change here. Lexus steer-by-wire — branded One Motion Grip in some regions — replaces the mechanical link you'd usually find connecting the steering wheel and the wheels. In doing so, Lexus says, it can offer a number of benefits.
What Is Lexus' Steer-By-Wire And How Does It Work?
Lexus turned some heads when it announced that the Lexus RZ, its first all-electric SUV, would be offered with a yoke steering wheel instead of the traditional circular one, but it's what's behind that oddly-shaped control that's actually the big change here. Lexus steer-by-wire — branded One Motion Grip in some regions — replaces the mechanical link you'd usually find connecting the steering wheel and the wheels. In doing so, Lexus says, it can offer a number of benefits.
International HR Day 2026: Celebrating HR’s transformative impact
To mark International HR Day, AHRI spoke with business and people leaders to reflect on the role HR plays in helping organisations navigate change, strengthen culture and support long-term performance. From restructuring teams and managing change to improving performance and shaping workplace culture, HR practitioners are often involved in some of their organisations’ most complex decisions.
If This Stunning Coupe Is The Future Of BMW ALPINA, The Purists Will Be Delighted Original
You can tell a lot from a concept car. No, these flights of automaker fancy — divorced as they are from factors so tedious as road safety, regulations, and "can we actually afford to build this?" — are unlikely to make it to dealership forecourts, or at least not in their original form. But as signposts to what a car company believes is important (and will eventually sell), they're rich seams for the digging.
2026 Subaru Solterra Vs Toyota bZ: The Right Choice Depends On One Thing Original
Much like many human twins, Toyota and Subaru's pair of all-electric crossovers waited until a few birthdays had passed before striking out in different directions. Little separated the original 2022 bZ4X and Solterra, bar badging. That's something a mid-cycle refresh offered the opportunity to address, along with a list of other shortcomings that left both EVs as also-rans in the segment. The 2026 revamp brought most conspicuously a greater distinction in style.
This Affordable New reMarkable E-Paper Tablet Made Me Wish I Was A Notetaker
The more we're told to trust AI, offload our note-taking to machine intelligence, and outsource creativity to agent prompts, the more appealing pen and paper sound. It's a compulsion that reMarkable has carved out its niche in, with a range of e-paper tablets that promise the familiarity of a pen but with the undeniable organizational boon that digital brings. Now, it's the turn of the company's cheapest model to get an update, in the shape of the reMarkable Paper Pure.
4 Things You Need To Know Before Buying A Cheap Electric Car
Affordable electric cars have the potential to change individual transportation, though there are a few important facts and caveats to bear in mind as you pick a cheap EV. It's no surprise that many drivers are considering going electric in the next few years. After all, the appeal of never pumping gas again, getting to use the ride-share lanes in certain U.S. states, and knowing that you're not emitting gases that contribute to climate change is considerable.
4 Things You Need To Know Before Buying A Cheap Electric Car
Affordable electric cars have the potential to change individual transportation, though there are a few important facts and caveats to bear in mind as you pick a cheap EV. It's no surprise that many drivers are considering going electric in the next few years. After all, the appeal of never pumping gas again, getting to use the ride-share lanes in certain U.S. states, and knowing that you're not emitting gases that contribute to climate change is considerable.
Tricks To Make Your Amazon Fire TV Stick Run Faster
There's nothing more frustrating than streaming video that skips, lags, or just won't play smoothly. You've dimmed the lights, made the popcorn, and negotiated what movie or series you're going to watch together, but jerky playback — or just videos that refuse to play altogether — turn date night into a disaster. There are plenty of reasons why an Amazon Fire TV might struggle to play streaming video smoothly, and diagnosing them can be a chore.
Tim Cook Is Stepping Down As Apple CEO, But He's Not Leaving
Apple's Tim Cook is stepping down as chief executive officer, and will be replaced by John Ternus, currently senior vice president of Hardware Engineering, the Cupertino company announced today. Cook will step into a new role as executive chairman of Apple's board of directors on September 1st, 2026. It'll bring to an end fifteen years of Cook as Apple CEO, a position he took after Steve Jobs' resignation. It proved to be a controversial — though lucrative — period.
Tim Cook Is Stepping Down As Apple CEO, But He's Not Leaving
Apple CEO Tim Cook - John Gress Media Inc/Shutterstock Apple's Tim Cook is stepping down as chief executive officer, and will be replaced by John Ternus, currently senior vice president of Hardware Engineering, the Cupertino company announced today. Cook will step into a new role as executive chairman of Apple's board of directors on September 1st, 2026. It'll bring to an end fifteen years of Cook as Apple CEO, a position he took after Steve Jobs' resignation.
Chris Davies: AR regime consultation signals stronger accountability ahead
The recent HMT consultation on reform of the Appointed Representative (AR) regime signals that the structure remains under close scrutiny. Chris Davies – Illustration by Dan Murrell While the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has already strengthened its supervisory framework through PS22/11, HMT is clearly testing whether further structural reform is required to address harm within principal–AR models.
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