Author: Richard

Fans of Charlie Hunnam might most recognize the British actor for his role as Jax Teller in the FX series “Sons of Anarchy,” but two years prior to Hunnam dominating the streets as a motorcycle outlaw, he featured in the 2006 sci-fi film “Children of Men.” If you have watched both the film and Sons of Anarchy, and were unaware of Hunnam’s appearance in the latter, we wouldn’t hold it against you: He’s hardly identifiable.

Helmed by Alfonso Cuarón, “Children of Men” is based on the 1992 novel by P.D. James of the same title. The narrative unfolds in a dystopian reality on the brink of downfall following two decades of universal infertility. Conflict and starvation are rampant, and the UK has devolved into a nightmarish police state. The film begins when Theo Faron (Clive Owen), an activist turned politician, is abducted by a refugee faction known as the Fishes. Charlie Hunnam plays Patric, a soldier of the Fishes with a menacing presence.

Though Hunnam doesn’t have much screen presence in the movie, the actor is said to have declined Zack Snyder’s “300” for this part — as he aspired to collaborate with the Mexican filmmaker Cuarón, who later directed “Gravity”. If you’re interested in other remarkable sci-fi masterpieces to enjoy, check out our compilation of the finest ’70s sci-fi films.

From dystopian warrior to cable television icon

Since the release of “Children of Men,” Charlie Hunnam’s acting career has soared. He appears to relish taking on roles that are both physically and emotionally demanding, particularly highlighted by his leading role in “The Ed Gein Story,” the controversial serial killer success on Netflix. Additional significant roles encompass Lin Ford in “Shantaram,” a significant release on Apple TV+, and Percival Fawcett in “The Lost City of Z.”

“Children of Men” was well received by critics, attaining a 92% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and an 84 out of 100 on Metacritic. Film critic Roger Ebert awarded the film four out of four stars, stating, “Here is certainly a world ending not with a bang but a whimper, and the film serves as a cautionary warning.” Currently, “Children of Men” is accessible on the Criterion Channel, Amazon Prime, and Fandango at Home.

Sony PlayStation 5 (PS5) stands out as one of the leading gaming consoles available since its introduction in late 2020, featuring several thrilling attributes, such as the ability to support 4K 120Hz gaming. To maximize your PS5 experience, Sony includes a compatible HDMI 2.1 cable within the package, facilitating the connection of the console to your 4K television. Although the included cable accommodates all the capabilities of the PS5, this may not hold true for every third-party HDMI cable, as not all HDMI cables possess the same specifications or performance levels.

If you’ve been utilizing an HDMI cable other than the one provided by the renowned Japanese technology company, it’s possible you’re using an unsuitable cable. This issue arises because older HDMI cables, including Premium High Speed Cables (sometimes known as HDMI 2.0) or High Speed HDMI Cables, lack the necessary bandwidth to fully support the extensive features contained within the PS5. Consequently, you could be missing out on essential PS5 functionalities. Therefore, here’s everything you must know about choosing the appropriate HDMI cable for your PS5.

**Honor Magic8 Pro Evaluation: Hardware Leader**

High-end Honor Magic smartphones have consistently delivered some of the finest Android experiences, and now Honor presents its latest ultra-flagship, the Honor Magic8 Pro. The Magic8 Pro adheres to the same strategy as prior Honor flagship devices, boasting hardware crafted to be the very best. It aims to compete with the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, with a corresponding price tag.

As in preceding years, Honor has invested significant effort into the camera hardware — a feature likely to differentiate this device from others within its price range. Additionally, unlike the Magic7 Pro, the Honor Magic8 Pro will be available in global markets. However, software has always posed a challenge for the Magic series — can the Magic8 Pro provide a comprehensive package?

**Design**

Honor continues to align with the design trends of the industry, and the Magic8 Pro presents a sleek, stylish, and premium appearance. Similar to its recent models, it features a large circular camera module on the back housing the camera sensor. It would be interesting for Honor to explore alternative designs for the camera bump in the future, but this is not a dealbreaker. It simply means the camera protrudes noticeably from the back.

When you hold the Magic8 Pro, it feels upscale. The front employs what Honor refers to as a NanoCrystal Shield, while the back showcases frosted glass that effectively resists fingerprints. The device is also remarkably resilient regarding dust and water, boasting IP68, IP69, and IP69K ratings — ensuring it can withstand most water or dust environments, including exposure to high-pressure water jets. Few smartphones can claim all three ratings — OnePlus is among the limited few doing so.

Color options include Sunrise Gold, Sky Cyan, Black, and White. I’ve been utilizing the Black version, which looks appealing but isn’t particularly thrilling. This “Black” variant leans closer to gray, adding a touch of intrigue without being overly flashy.

In terms of layout, it is fairly conventional. A USB-C port is located at the bottom, with volume and power buttons on the right side. Honor has also included a dedicated AI button on the right edge, positioned similarly to Apple’s Camera Control on newer iPhones. The placement can feel slightly awkward during regular use. A higher position, or the location of the iPhone’s Action Button, would have been more intuitive. I’ll elaborate on the functionality of this button in the software section. Overall, the Magic8 Pro looks and feels impressive. It exudes sophistication, feels luxurious, and can manage virtually anything you subject it to.

**Display**

The Magic8 Pro features a 6.71-inch LTPO OLED display with a 1256 x 2808 pixel resolution, which is exceptionally sharp. The refresh rate adapts from 1Hz to 120Hz based on the content displayed, enhancing a balance between smoothness and battery longevity. Honor has also integrated 4320Hz PWM dimming, making it easier on the eyes for those sensitive to lower dimming frequencies.

It boasts a high brightness level as well. Honor claims a peak brightness of 6,000 nits with HDR, and I had no trouble viewing content on the display even under direct sunlight. There is truly nothing lacking here. This display fulfills all the requirements expected from a flagship screen in 2025, matching or surpassing the offerings of competitors at the same price point. It is sharp, fluid, bright, and vivid.

**Performance**

At the core of this device is Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 — the latest flagship Qualcomm processor. Constructed on a 3nm process, Honor asserts a 20% improvement in single-core CPU performance, a 23% enhancement on the GPU front, and a 37% increase for the NPU compared to the last generation. Regardless of the actual gains, the phone undoubtedly performed admirably.

I did not experience any stuttering or lag, maintaining smoothness and responsiveness regardless of my activities. Games loaded swiftly and functioned seamlessly, while switching between applications felt effortless.

Benchmarks validated the exceptional performance. Single-core performance positioned the Magic8 Pro at the forefront of its class. Multi-core results were also commendable, though slightly trailing some competitors with greater RAM. This minor difference is unlikely to impact real-world usage — this remains one of the fastest smartphones available today.

**Battery and Charging**

Housing the Magic8 Pro is a 7,100mAh silicon-carbon battery for international versions, although European models come with a smaller 6,270mAh cell due to regional regulations. In either case, battery life is outstanding. It easily lasts a full day, and lighter users might even manage to extend into a second day without much

Android tablets). While each app listed below is available for free, they also offer a premium paid version if you prefer to upgrade, which may provide additional features. Make sure to include these apps in your essentials list, along with other free Android applications to have on your device. These are the top seven free Android apps that can help streamline your daily routine.

gadgets that can assist in enhancing your home’s security, as well as essential smart home security devices, like motion sensors, that nearly everyone should think about investing in. However, if you have been considering purchasing a DIY security camera system in particular, you have likely encountered Wyze. The products offered by the company are generally a more budget-friendly choice compared to some of the pricier home security systems available, such as Ring and Arlo. Given that certain brands like Ring can cost over $100 depending on the model, similar Wyze products may only set you back around $40 to $50 while providing comparable resolution and features. So what is Wyze’s strategy? How does the company maintain such low prices?

To adequately address this question, we need to examine several different factors. Initially, Wyze has placed many of its more advanced features — such as package detection, pet detection, and others — behind its monthly subscription service. While this has sparked some dissatisfaction among customers, it does help reduce the upfront cost. Nonetheless, since you are paying for those enhanced features over time, the total expense could accumulate in the long term. Nevertheless, if you are seeking budget-friendly cameras, Wyze Cam Plus can be an excellent bargain at just $2.99 per month per camera, which is very reasonable compared to some competitors like Ring, which can exceed $49.99 a year for merely one camera. Wyze additionally provides an unlimited camera license for $9.99 per month, enabling you to configure your home security as you wish.

AI functionality in Google Search and Gemini is operational in Android Auto. It operates across various platforms and is capable of aiding in coding, resolving intricate issues, or even creating astonishing visuals through the Nano Banana generator.

Nonetheless, Gemini is not without its flaws, and akin to some unsettling realities associated with ChatGPT, Google’s AI assistant and chatbot possess their unique limitations that every Gemini user should be aware of. It can lack accuracy and may produce hallucinations, much like many other generative AI systems. Furthermore, there are privacy considerations as human evaluators review some conversations users have with Gemini to refine the model. Additionally, Gemini has faced allegations of bias and the tendency for overcorrection. Therefore, if you intend to use Google Gemini seriously, it is crucial to recognize and comprehend its compromises and unspoken truths.