Since the launch of its Polestar 2 sedan in 2021, Swedish EV company Polestar has launched two additional models: the spacious 3 compact crossover SUV, and now the 4, a sporty, even more compact crossover SUV. The 4 slotting in between the 2 and 3 in size may confound some consumers, but one of its features — or lack thereof — may confound them even more. It has no rear windshield.
Technology
The Polestar 4 takes EV minimalism to the next level
Starting at $57,800, the 2026 Polestar 4 may have some mildly brain-twisting attributes, but I found it to be one of the most compelling and fun-to-drive EVs this year. It just took a little getting used to.
It just took a little getting used to.
Its core trait is its minimalistic and very Swedish exterior design. The 4’s muscular figure, unique headlights, and interesting body lines give it solid presence. But the real elephant in the room is no glass on the rear hatch, which no doubt makes it stick out on the road. The reasoning, though, is fairly straightforward: it’s the only way that Polestar could give a compact crossover SUV such a sleek figure without sacrificing rear-seat passenger head or legroom.
Mission accomplished; my lanky stature fit surprisingly well with the seat just slightly reclined, and cargo volume is a respectable 19 cubic feet,with a high floor for easy loading and unloading that expands to 54 with the rear seats down. Up front, head, leg, and shoulder room were excellent.
When it comes to tech and materials, there’s a 15.4-inch center touchscreen laid horizontally, a 10.2-inch digital gauge display, and a single physical knob in the center console for hitting play / pause and volume control. It may sound contradictory, but its Swedish minimalism is truly on full blast. Additionally, materials quality is solid, with substantial-feeling hard surfaces, negligible use of metal, and two types of opulent, synthetic woven materials comprising a large percentage of surface area. Finally, the infotainment software was logically laid out and easy to get used to, and sports custom lighting themes based on our solar system — this might be a subtle strategy for converting Tesla Model Y owners.
The Polestar 4 comes in two drivetrain configurations: single-motor rear-wheel drive and dual-motor all-wheel drive (tack on an additional $6,500 for this setup), with the former putting out 272 horsepower and 253 pound-feet of torque, whereas the latter produces 544 and 506, respectively, and 0–60s clock in at 6.9 and 3.7 seconds. The sole battery available is a 400-volt lithium ion pack with 100kWh of usable capacity, and will DC fast charge up to 200kW. Range reaches 310 miles for the single-motor, whereas the dual-motor tops out at 280.
In standard dual-motor form, the 4’s ride quality was comfortable and steering was well weighted, though chassis response felt too sluggish for something marketed as a performance-oriented crossover. However, with Polestar’s $4,500 Performance Pack thrown in, adding performance-focused chassis tuning, Pirelli summer tires, and massive Brembo brake calipers, every input sharpened up nicely and with no sacrifice to ride quality.
Finally, the head-scratcher of the Polestar 4’s driving experience: the lack of a rear window. Normally, I’m not a fan of having a rear-facing camera fed into a screen in the rearview mirror, but the 4’s wasn’t too bad. The camera shifts slightly left or right with a corresponding turn signal swipe, and the side-view mirrors do a good job at minimizing blind spots.
Still, it felt odd to look over my right shoulder before changing lanes and, well, not see anything. And while Polestar personnel were particularly proud of the rear camera’s low-light resolution and performance in wet / wintry conditions, consumers’ mileage may vary depending on how icy and snow-laden their climates get.
Overall, the 2026 Polestar 4 is a unique and compelling luxury EV compact crossover with enough fun-to-drive panache to make a spirited driving enthusiast out of anyone. But in light of the federal government ending EV tax credits, is this the best time to debut a more niche, sporty EV crossover?
I asked Dean Shaw, PR and communications director for Polestar North America, what the company’s plan is. “We equate it to the December sales push. Sales slow down afterward in January, but then they start to slowly pick back up again,” he said. “We expect this month to be a complete reset, but then we expect sales to start building.”
He also pointed out that there are very few EV-only car brands; in light of other automakers backing off on their EV plans, he sees it as an opportunity for Polestar to really secure its place in the market. With the 4 sporting fun-to-drive personality, a heavy focus on design, and intuitive features throughout, he may be on to something. Even if there’s no glass behind the rear seats.
Photography by Peter Nelson
Technology
Soundcore new Space 2 promise improved ANC and sound
We finally have an update to the Soundcore Space One that launched two and a half years ago. At MWC 2026, Soundcore has announced the Space 2, which will be available in the US on April 21st in three colors — linen white, jet black, and seafoam green — for $129.99. That’s $30 more than the Space One’s original price.
According to Soundcore, the Space 2 have had a full-band noise cancellation upgrade with the focus of those improvements on the low-frequency sounds we all generally use ANC headphones to block — things like airplane, train, and bus engine sounds while traveling. The Space 2 use the same number of microphones as the Space One for noise canceling, instead relying on optimized mic placement and structure and materials improvements for the boost in performance.
Redesigned 40mm drivers incorporate dual layers in their design. There’s a silk diaphragm with metal ceramic that supposedly results in faster transient response — the driver’s ability to respond to sudden sound quickly and accurately — with better balanced sound reproduction. The Space One had great sound performance for the price, but I’m all for any improvement to sound performance accuracy. Like the Space One, the Space 2 will support LDAC high-res audio.
The headphones connect wirelessly over Bluetooth 6.1, although they do not support Auracast transmissions — an unfortunate exclusion. There’s also a 3.5mm jack for a wired connection.
Battery life has been increased to up to 50 hours with ANC and 70 hours with ANC off. This is up from 40 hours with ANC and 55 hours without ANC with the Space One headphones. With a five-minute charge the Space 2 get an additional four hours of listening.
The Space 2 will include many of the features found on the Space One. You can use HearID 3.0 to go through a series of sound samples to tune the headphones’ sound to your preferences. It worked well for me on the Space One to get them closer to a sound I liked, with a bit of the edge taken off the higher frequencies. There’s also a sensor that detects when you remove the headphones and stops playback so you don’t miss any of your music or podcast. They once again come with a cloth bag that matches the color of the headphones instead of a case, which is one change I wish Soundcore had made, as the cloth bag doesn’t offer as much protection if you tend to throw your headphones into your backpack or bag.
The Soundcore Space One were among the best budget ANC headphones when they came out, and still hold up to more recent releases. But with the bump in price to over $100 for the Space 2, there’s a bit more expectation on them. ANC performance continues to improve — and products get cheaper — across manufacturers, so the Soundcore Space 2 has some competition from companies like Sony, EarFun, and JLab. If the ANC on the Space 2 stands up to current budget headphones and they still sound as good and are as comfortable as the Space One, you can expect to see the new Soundcore Space 2 on many recommendation lists.
Technology
Tired of websites blocking your VPN? A dedicated IP fixes that
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
If you have ever turned on your VPN and suddenly could not log in to your bank, email, streaming service or work portal, you are not imagining things. In fact, this is one of the most common frustrations VPN users face today.
However, the issue is not that VPNs stopped working. Instead, websites have become far more aggressive about blocking traffic that looks suspicious.
As a result, the way your VPN is built now matters just as much as whether you use one at all.
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Shared VPN IPs often trigger red flags, which is why banks, email providers and streaming sites sometimes block access. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Why websites block many VPN connections
Most VPNs give you a shared IP address. As a result, hundreds or even thousands of people can appear online from the same address at the same time. From a website’s perspective, that traffic pattern raises red flags. When platforms detect too many logins, rapid location changes or unusual activity tied to one IP, they step in quickly. In many cases, they respond by:
- Blocking access
- Triggering captchas
- Requiring extra verification codes
- Temporarily locking accounts
Meanwhile, you did nothing wrong. Instead, you end up dealing with restrictions caused by other users sharing that same IP address.
What a dedicated IP does differently
With a dedicated IP, you get an address that belongs only to you. Unlike shared VPN connections, no one else uses it.
Each time you connect, you use the same IP address. As a result, you avoid sharing traffic, rotating locations or competing with random users whose activity could trigger blocks.
Because of that consistency, your connection looks much more like a typical home or office internet setup. And that simple difference can dramatically reduce website suspicion and login headaches.
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A dedicated IP gives you a consistent address that looks more like a normal home connection, reducing captchas and login alerts. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
What a dedicated IP can do that shared VPN IPs usually can’t
That consistency does more than reduce suspicion; it improves how smoothly you access the sites and services you use every day.
Access more websites without blocks
Banks, government portals, healthcare sites, and streaming services are far less likely to block a dedicated IP because it does not show heavy or erratic traffic patterns.
Reduce captchas and security challenges
Those endless “prove you’re human” messages are usually triggered by shared IP abuse. A dedicated IP dramatically reduces them.
Make banking and email logins smoother
Financial institutions and email providers often flag constantly changing IP addresses as suspicious. A dedicated IP stays consistent, so login alerts and lockouts happen far less often.
Support remote work and secure systems
Some employers only allow access from approved IP addresses. Shared VPN IPs cannot be approved. Dedicated IPs can.
Improve streaming reliability
Shared VPN IPs are often the first to get blocked when streaming services crack down. Dedicated IPs are less likely to be flagged because traffic looks normal and predictable.
What a dedicated IP does not do
A dedicated IP:
- Does not remove encryption
- Does not expose your identity
- Does not weaken your privacy
Your traffic remains encrypted, and your real location stays hidden. You simply get a connection that websites trust more.
Who benefits most from a dedicated IP
A dedicated IP is especially helpful if you:
- Use online banking regularly
- Travel and access sites from different locations
- Work remotely
- Stream often
- Get tired of captchas and blocked pages
- Want a VPN that feels normal to use
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With fewer blocks and smoother logins, a dedicated IP helps your VPN work quietly in the background instead of getting in your way. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
How to choose a VPN that offers a dedicated IP
If you want these benefits, look for a VPN provider that offers a dedicated IP option built directly into its service. Some providers include it in premium plans, while others offer it as an add-on. Either way, the process should be simple. You should be able to select your dedicated IP inside the app without advanced setup or manual configuration. Before signing up, check that the provider also offers strong speeds, reliable uptime and clear privacy policies. A dedicated IP improves access, but overall performance still matters.
What to look for beyond a dedicated IP
A dedicated IP reduces blocks. However, a quality VPN should also deliver strong security and smooth performance.
Fast, stable connections: Speed matters for streaming, video calls and everyday browsing. Look for providers known for consistent performance.
Wide server coverage: More server locations give you flexibility when traveling and help reduce location errors.
Clear privacy practices: Choose a VPN with a strict no-logs policy and independent audits when possible.
Secure server technology: Modern VPNs often use RAM-based servers that automatically wipe data on reboot.
Easy-to-use apps: Protection should feel simple, not technical. Clean apps across major devices make daily use effortless.
For the best VPN software, see my expert review of the best VPNs for browsing the web privately on your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com
Kurt’s key takeaway
If your VPN keeps getting blocked, the problem may not be the VPN itself. It may be the shared IP address behind it. Websites are increasingly aggressive about suspicious traffic. When hundreds of users share the same IP, banks, email providers and streaming platforms take notice. That is when the captchas, verification codes and account lockouts start. A dedicated IP changes that experience. You still get encryption. You still protect your real location. But your connection looks stable and predictable, which helps you avoid constant interruptions.
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Should protecting your privacy really mean fighting with your bank, email, and streaming apps? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com
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Technology
Polymarket defends its decision to allow betting on war as ‘invaluable’
Polymarket has been allowing people to bet on when the US would strike Iran next. Obviously, now that it’s actually happened and people have died, the prediction betting market is feeling some pressure. The site has been at the center of controversy before, including suspicions of insider trading on the Super Bowl halftime show and the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
In a statement posted on its site, Polymarket defended its decision to allow betting on the potential start of a war, saying that it was an “invaluable” source of news and answers, before taking shots at traditional media and Elon Musk’s X. The statement reads:
…
Read the full story at The Verge.
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