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There has been increasing attention on open and closed technologies in relation to the development of AI and large language models (LLMs) in the past few years. Meta released Llama as open source, XAI released GROK-1 and, of course, the open source release of China’s DeepSeek model in recent months has been widely publicized.

It’s evident that open source technology benefits from community adoption and development, enabling faster iteration, greater security testing and the contributions of many more active minds, experiences and skill sets.

Whether the recent LLM releases are driven by such beliefs or by commercial instincts (likely both), it certainly helps in preventing a single player from dominating the market. This perspective was highlighted by the ironically named OpenAI trying to stifle DeepSeek adoption in recent weeks.

A shifting state of play

The tensions of open versus closed technologies have long existed in less sensitive, yet still important, areas. Closed technologies tend to be much more widely adopted as they are more easily packaged and deployed and require less depth of expertise. This can lead to monopolies of the type exemplified by Microsoft or Adobe, whose dominance stifles any real competition; the sheer weight of users and finances might preclude serious challenges. In other areas there might not be monopolies, but still a general market domination by a handful of vendors.

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) is a good example, where VMware and Citrix have shared the spoils for many years. And if their dominance has been challenged in recent years, this has been due to the growth of cloud hyperscalers which, for the most part, were extensions of existing global, powerful big tech such as Microsoft, Google and Amazon.

This state of play is starting to shift somewhat, driven in part by dissatisfaction and distrust of the cloud giants (almost certainly concentrated further by their involvement in AI). This is causing many organizations to ‘reshore’ on-premises or cloud hosted in their own private data center. This dissatisfaction has been fueled by the slow collapse of VMware - perhaps the most well known and widely used of the legacy VDI vendors.

The fall of VMware

VMware was purchased by Broadcom in November 2023, who almost immediately announced several changes including the divestment of their end user computing (EUC) which included Horizon VDI services. The EUC business was subsequently purchased by KKR, a global investment firm, that now offers VDI services under the ‘Omnissa’ brand.

The lack of interest shown by Broadcom in the EUC service is a huge knock in confidence for the continued viability of this model, which is not profitable enough for them. It’s uncertain whether the software can be revived under new ownership and there have been worrying indications.

Last year, Gartner warned of uncertainty regarding Omnissa’s roadmap and continued semi-dependence for many users on other VMware products. Concerns are currently compounded by recent large-scale layoffs which in one sense should be expected as a post-sale reconstruction, but of course could easily result in the loss of critical internal expertise and a drop in service levels. The recent upheaval has also caused issues concerning price increases and significantly lengthy waits for renewal quotations.

New VDI opportunities

Such concerns are driving customers towards other options and, with Citrix remaining complex and expensive and certainly out of the reach of many SMEs, we are seeing a rise of open source related solutions starting to emerge. Many organizations are now offering KVM-based solutions which both avoid the increasing risks and expense associated with the legacy vendors to offer more accessible, flexible and cost-efficient VDI services.

Changes in Microsoft virtualization access licensing in recent years helped open possibilities in the space, which has allowed for more efficient use of hardware and more bespoke options. There are industry specific services arising to serve architecture, engineering and construction (AEC), media production and other compute heavy sectors as well as more generalist, knowledge worker options for finance, law and similar businesses.

As VDI offers the potential for higher levels of security, more efficient estate management and greater flexibility in our continuing challenging economic climate, this is to be welcomed.

Challenging big tech dominance

Innovation is critical for a healthy technical ecosystem and the ability to address specific industry requirements, whilst also continuing to focus on lowering carbon impacts and creating greater resilience. Businesses and channel operators should be open to such possibilities and actively engage with potential future partners to support development and mitigate the likelihood of monopolies and big tech dominance.

We can see the overreach of some of these players in the news every day; supporting independent innovators is a proactive means of preventing an overgeneralization of power and its associated risks. An open world, rather than a closed one.

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Looking for a different day?

A new Quordle puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Tuesday's puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Tuesday, April 15 (game #1177).

Quordle was one of the original Wordle alternatives and is still going strong now more than 1,100 games later. It offers a genuine challenge, though, so read on if you need some Quordle hints today – or scroll down further for the answers.

Enjoy playing word games? You can also check out my NYT Connections today and NYT Strands today pages for hints and answers for those puzzles, while Marc's Wordle today column covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about Quordle today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

Quordle today (game #1178) - hint #1 - Vowels How many different vowels are in Quordle today?

• The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 4*.

* Note that by vowel we mean the five standard vowels (A, E, I, O, U), not Y (which is sometimes counted as a vowel too).

Quordle today (game #1178) - hint #2 - repeated letters Do any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?

• The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 0.

Quordle today (game #1178) - hint #3 - uncommon letters Do the letters Q, Z, X or J appear in Quordle today?

• No. None of Q, Z, X or J appear among today's Quordle answers.

Quordle today (game #1178) - hint #4 - starting letters (1) Do any of today's Quordle puzzles start with the same letter?

• The number of today's Quordle answers starting with the same letter is 0.

If you just want to know the answers at this stage, simply scroll down. If you're not ready yet then here's one more clue to make things a lot easier:

Quordle today (game #1178) - hint #5 - starting letters (2) What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• S

• G

• C

• I

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

Quordle today (game #1178) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1178, are…

• STUMP
• GRAFT
• CHORD
• INPUT

A nice clear run for me today, without any major bumps.

With the letters I had available there were no alternatives for any of the four answers, it was just up to me to work out what they were.

Thankfully, this was one of Quordle’s more straightforward days, without any obscure words.

How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Daily Sequence today (game #1178) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1178, are…

• CHART
• PIVOT
• STOKE
• MUMMY

Quordle answers: The past 20

• Quordle #1177, Tuesday 15 April: SLEET, MERIT, HARSH, FORAY
• Quordle #1176, Monday 14 April: DRAWL, CROOK, ACTOR, LANCE
• Quordle #1175, Sunday 13 April: SHALE, KINKY, SHORN, WHOOP
• Quordle #1174, Saturday 12 April: BLIND, OVOID, CACHE, THING
• Quordle #1173, Friday 11 April: FOLLY, PITHY, SCOWL, CURLY
• Quordle #1172, Thursday 10 April: LEAST, SEWER, UNTIE, NOOSE
• Quordle #1171, Wednesday 9 April: LITHE, LEFTY, KNOLL, MULCH
• Quordle #1170, Tuesday 8 April: WIDTH, VISOR, MEDAL, BROOK
• Quordle #1169, Monday 7 April: BROTH, SHOUT, BRUTE, CABIN
• Quordle #1168, Sunday 6 April: AMBER, GAUZE, STORE, SLICK
• Quordle #1167, Saturday 5 April: GUSTY, VAULT, WHINE, BEGAT
• Quordle #1166, Friday 4 April: OAKEN, LOOPY, CURIO, BUTTE
• Quordle #1165, Thursday 3 April: ASCOT, JETTY, DRUNK, JOLLY
• Quordle #1164, Wednesday 2 April: INDEX, QUEEN, INCUR, STOLE
• Quordle #1163, Tuesday 1 April: HUMUS, BALMY, WORRY, ERECT
• Quordle #1162, Monday 31 March: RECUT, MOODY, WHERE, BRACE
• Quordle #1161, Sunday 30 March: CRIME, DRINK, CLOVE, TRUER
• Quordle #1160, Saturday 29 March: LATER, ODDLY, CUMIN, AGREE
• Quordle #1159, Friday 28 March: TERSE, MUSHY, PROVE, FROND
• Quordle #1158, Thursday 27 March: CRONE, APNEA, LIGHT, AWOKE

Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Strands puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Tuesday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Tuesday, April 15 (game #408).

Strands is the NYT's latest word game after the likes of Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections – and it's great fun. It can be difficult, though, so read on for my Strands hints.

Want more word-based fun? Then check out my NYT Connections today and Quordle today pages for hints and answers for those games, and Marc's Wordle today page for the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Strands today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Strands today (game #409) - hint #1 - today's theme What is the theme of today's NYT Strands?

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Fore!

NYT Strands today (game #409) - hint #2 - clue words

Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.

• LIPPY
• CHIP
• GLUTE
• PITY
• CLUE
• DOOR

NYT Strands today (game #409) - hint #3 - spangram letters How many letters are in today's spangram?

• Spangram has 9 letters

NYT Strands today (game #409) - hint #4 - spangram position What are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First side: bottom, 4th column

Last side: top, 3rd column

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Strands today (game #409) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #409, are…

• DRIVER
• WEDGE
• IRON
• PUTTER
• WOOD
• CHIPPER
• UTILITY
• SPANGRAM: GOLF CLUBS

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

A belated tribute to the Masters, perhaps. Although, like happy hours, there’s always a major golf tournament going on somewhere in the world, so maybe Strands is bigging up the Chinese Open, which begins in Shanghai tomorrow (thanks, Google).

Not being much of a golf person, I had never heard of a UTILITY club before, but it makes sense to have one club that’s a hybrid of different clubs that you can use if you don’t know what to select.

Despite my lack of real-world experience, I completed today’s round without the need for a hint. Amazing what you can learn from watching the final hour of a four-day event.

How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Tuesday, 15 April, game #408)

• SOUR
• NITRO
• LAGER
• BOCK
• STOUT
• PORTER
• PILSNER
• SPANGRAM: MICRO BREWERY

What is NYT Strands?

Strands is the NYT's not-so-new-any-more word game, following Wordle and Connections. It's now a fully fledged member of the NYT's games stable that has been running for a year and which can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

I've got a full guide to how to play NYT Strands, complete with tips for solving it, so check that out if you're struggling to beat it each day.

Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Connections puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Tuesday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Tuesday, April 15 (game #674).

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #675) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• CROWD
• SCORE
• MAMBA
• ENGINE
• BOA
• SIMBA
• KATY PERRY
• SCAR
• LION
• GARTER
• SCRATCH
• MERINGUE
• CORSET
• SCRAPE
• TANGY
• STOCKINGS

NYT Connections today (game #675) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: Cabaret garms
• GREEN: Deface with a nail
• BLUE: A sound in common 
• PURPLE: Cut a rug

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #675) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: BURLESQUE WEAR 
• GREEN: MESS UP THE SURFACE OF 
• BLUE: THEY ROAR 
• PURPLE: LATIN DANCES WITH A VOWEL CHANGED 

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #675) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #675, are…

• YELLOW: BURLESQUE WEAR BOA, CORSET, GARTER, STOCKINGS
• GREEN: MESS UP THE SURFACE OF SCAR, SCORE, SCRAPE, SCRATCH
• BLUE: THEY ROAR CROWD, ENGINE, KATY PERRY, LION
• PURPLE: LATIN DANCES WITH A VOWEL CHANGED MAMBA, MERINGUE, SIMBA, TANGY

• My rating: Moderate
• My score: 1 mistake

After two losses in a row I am just relieved to have completed Connections today.

Not that it was easy, with the multiple traps (SCAR and SIMBA from The Lion King being the most obvious).

I knew that the inclusion of the first pop star in space, KATY PERRY, had to do with one of her songs – but all I could think of was Fireworks and Hot and Cold and neither of those helped. I’m annoyed I missed it.

It’s funny how you get groups sometimes. I was trying to think of all the things that MAMBA could possibly be (snakes, candy, sports, it wasn’t a long list) and added “number five” even though I knew that was relevant to mambo not mamba – and then it clicked.

I am super-pleased to get a purple group, even if it was in a very roundabout kind of way.

How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Tuesday, 15 April, game #674)

• YELLOW: DESIST ABSTAIN, AVOID, CEASE, REFRAIN
• GREEN: CARD GAMES BRIDGE, HEARTS, SPEED, SPOONS
• BLUE: ELEMENTS OF GREEK DRAMA CHORUS, HERO, HUBRIS, TRAGEDY
• PURPLE: SECOND WORDS OF "PETER PAN" CHARACTERS BELL, DARLING, HOOK, PAN

What is NYT Connections?

NYT Connections is one of several increasingly popular word games made by the New York Times. It challenges you to find groups of four items that share something in common, and each group has a different difficulty level: green is easy, yellow a little harder, blue often quite tough and purple usually very difficult.

On the plus side, you don't technically need to solve the final one, as you'll be able to answer that one by a process of elimination. What's more, you can make up to four mistakes, which gives you a little bit of breathing room.

It's a little more involved than something like Wordle, however, and there are plenty of opportunities for the game to trip you up with tricks. For instance, watch out for homophones and other word games that could disguise the answers.

It's playable for free via the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

• As well as making room for more Gemini, Google has been updating its photo and video sharing service
• One of the new features includes Google Photos integration in the Gemini app
• While one of the features is still a rumor, we hope that it will be rolled out soon

It’s a busy and certainly an interesting time for Google at the moment, and it’s not just because Gemini is slowly taking over. While the company is doubling down on Gemini’s integration across the board of its services, it’s taking the time to seriously upgrade other platforms under its broad umbrella - Google Photos being one of them.

Just as Google Messages has been testing some useful upgrades, the company hasn’t forgotten about its photo sharing and storage software, which has also received its fair share of updates and new features, big and small. Two of them are very recent rollouts for Google, and though the third is only a speculation as of now, we’re hoping to see it come to fruition in the near future.

Google Photos gets Gemini integration on Android

(Image credit: 9to5Google)

In October 2024, Google Photos rolled out ‘Ask Photos,’ an AI search tool powered by Gemini that allows you to use natural language questions to filter through your gallery in the Photos app. With this new integration, Android users will be able to connect it to Google Photos and find photos inside the Gemini app itself.

According to 9to5Google, there are two sides to this new integration, the first allowing you to find images and videos based on the following:

• Your saved faces and relationships in Google Photos
• The location / date a photo / video was taken on
• A description of what’s in a photo
• Conversation with the Gemini app

For example, you can use prompts such as ‘Find my photos of Alex’, ‘Show me recent selfies’, and ‘Show my photos from my most recent trip’. The second part allows you to ask about specific details in your photos and videos, such as ‘What are the top 10 things we saw on our last trip?’ - similar to the Ask Photos function in the Google Photos app.

Dark mode for Google Photos’ web version

Whether you use Google Photos or not, you probably use dark mode settings on other platforms - for me, it’s always turned on when I'm using YouTube or TikTok. For a while, dark mode was exclusive to the Google Photos mobile app, but just a few weeks ago, Google finally brought it to the web version.

It’s a small upgrade for Google Photos, but one that will be very popular with users for sure. You can activate dark mode for Google Photos on the web very easily:

• Head to photos.google.com in your web browser
• Click Settings, and then go into the Appearance section
• From there, you can select your choice from different options, including Light, Dark, or Use Device Default

Google Photos tipped for a big redesign

(Image credit: Future)

While this is still speculated, it could be a great design overhaul and one that could make managing your photo library a little smoother.

We first spotted this a few weeks back following a leak shared by Android Authority, which pointed to possible changes we could see in the future, one of which shows the ‘Today’ heading no longer having a checkmark next to it but with what looks like a filter icon instead. Additionally, the leak shows a floating search bar in place of the usual Photos Collections and Search tabs.

You might also like

• Google Gemini update for Wear OS spotted – here’s what the AI voice assistant will do
• The Wizard of Oz is coming to the Las Vegas sphere in 16K thanks to the power of Google DeepMind AI
• Adding Google Gemini to Samsung's Ballie AI robot sounds impressive, but I'm not sure it matters

Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition: Two-minute review

(Image credit: Future / Ural Garrett)

Lenovo’s Yoga series has long stood out in the ultra-portable laptop space, thanks to its sleek design and lightweight build—and the new Slim 7i Aura Edition continues that tradition. Weighing just 3.33 lbs (1.53kg) and measuring under an inch thick when closed, it’s designed for those who value portability without sacrificing style.

Under the hood, the Slim 7i Aura Edition features an Intel Ultra 7 256V processor, Intel Arc 140V GPU with 8GB of VRAM, 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM, and a 1TB SSD. While this setup isn’t geared for heavy-duty tasks like high-end gaming or intensive creative work, it’s more than capable for everyday use. Whether you’re writing papers, doing light photo or video editing, streaming content, playing some less visually intensive games or multitasking across browser tabs, it gets the job done smoothly.

One of the standout features is the vibrant 2K IPS touchscreen, which offers a buttery-smooth 120Hz refresh rate. While the hardware won’t always take full advantage of that refresh rate in more demanding scenarios, it still delivers a fluid and visually engaging experience. Adding to the entertainment value are the quad 2W speakers with Dolby Atmos support, providing surprisingly rich and immersive sound. Topping those impressive specs is a 4-cell 70Wh battery that lasts a pretty long time and doesn’t take long to charge.

There are some design features that may turn away potential buyers. Despite the serviceable portability, other aspects of the Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition don't work well. This starts with the design that’s lacking in several places from the protruding webcam lip to missing some ports alongside a power button placement that is just weird.

Speaking of the webcam, it’s not the best compared to other laptops and isn’t really good in most lighting conditions outside of broad daylight. There aren’t even any sort of AI tools or anything to make image quality better either which is disappointing. Then there’s the reality that the laptop doesn’t have a fingerprint reader for log-in which means that the only biometric measure is the camera which can be inconsistent.

Priced between $1,049 and $1,399, the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition is an attractive buy if users can get past some caveats. This laptop should definitely work for students or casual users in need of a stylish, capable machine with just enough power for office work, light creative work and entertainment.

Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition: Price and availability

• How much does it cost? The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition starts at $1,049 and can reach as high as $1,399
• When is it available? Available now
• Where can you get it? It is available now in the United States, United Kingdom and Australia

Available now, the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition can be purchased in the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia. Though the ultra-portable laptop can be bought through Lenovo’s online store, there are other ways to get it depending on the territory you live in.

When it comes to cost, be prepared to pay somewhere between $1,049 and $1,399 within the United States on the Lenovo online store. Our review configuration featuring the specs mentioned above comes out to $1,049.

Right now, the users who want an option with less RAM at 16GB, base-level Intel integrated graphics and 512GB SSD storage are going to pay around $1,280 at the moment. Potential buyers looking for 32GB of RAM to review configuration are currently going to pay $1,399. Regardless of the choices, this is definitely an affordable lightweight laptop for general computing tasks.

There are a few options for the UK buyers through Lenovo’s online retailer. Both feature 32GB of RAM, integrated Intel graphics, 1TB SSD and 14.5-inch 3000 X 1872 OLED display with touch capabilities. Setting them apart starts with the £1,300 configuration that has an Intel Core Ultra 7 255 Processor with Windows 11 Home 64. Meanwhile, at £1,690, purchasers can get an Intel Core Ultra 7 285H Processor and Windows 11 Pro 64.

Citizens of Australia on the Lenovo store have one option available at the moment. At $2,999, potential buyers can get an Intel Core Ultra 7 258V, Arc 140 V, 32GB RAM 1TB SSD and the lovely 15.3-inch 2.8K IPS display with touch capabilities.

Value: 4.5 / 5

Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition: Specs

Here are the specs for the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition at a glance.

Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition: Design

(Image credit: Future / Ural Garrett)

• Light, thin and made up of premium feeling aluminum
• Lacks SD Card and only has one USB-A
• Webcam lip and power button placement buttons problematic

The Luna Grey colorway of the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition sets the right tones against the Lenovo logo top panel when closed. It’s a great way to appreciate all of the rounded lines that accentuate the sleekness and light weight. Made up of a mix of raw and recycled aluminum, the laptop has a special coating that prevents smudging and fingerprints. That includes the chassis, keyboard and touchpad as well. From the looks alongside feel, the Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition comes off as a premium product that has a bit of environmental consciousness to it.

There aren’t a lot of ports on the laptop but enough for someone who relies on simpler computing tasks for sure. On the right side includes a single USB-A and USB-C sitting above the power button and webcam shutter switch. The opposite side will provide users a HDMI port, USB-C port and 3.5 combo audio/microphone headphone jack.

Compared to others within its tier of ultra portable laptops, the lack of additional USB-A ports or even a SD Card slot could bring issues for the creative sect of users that Lenovo is trying to court with this laptop. Even the power button placement comes with its own set of problems as picking up the laptop in the wrong way can put the laptop to sleep. Adding to that is the lack of a fingerprint scanner which makes the webcam the only biometric option for unlocking the laptop.

(Image credit: Future / Ural Garrett)

Before opening the display, half of the laptop protrudes out a bit thanks to the webcam which looks a bit awkward. Once opened, the top half reveals the lovely 2880x1800 IPS touch screen surrounded by bezels that can be laid flat at a 90 degree angle. The bottom half features a nice feeling keyboard that’s pretty quiet alongside a pretty smooth touchpad. Between the keyboard are two speakers with the remaining ones on the bottom panel.

Overall, the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition strikes a balance between elegant design and functional performance, though a few layout quirks and limited port options may leave many users wanting more.

Design: 3.5 / 5

Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition: Performance

(Image credit: Future / Ural Garrett)

• General computing tasks run briskly
• The 15-inch 2K IPS touch screen is wonderful in motion
• Intel Arc 140V GPU doesn’t help much when it comes to gaming and heavy creative work

During my week and some change with the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition, most of my time was split between using Google Chrome and Adobe Suite. This was the best way to get an understanding of how general computing tasks work on the laptop.

The Intel Ultra 7 256V and 16GB LPDD5X RAM do a great job of ensuring applications run smoothly and open quickly regardless of how many Google Chrome tabs I had open. Despite having five browser windows open with dozens of tabs open, there wasn’t a hint of slowdown. Meanwhile, fan noise remained quiet and the bottom became slightly warm on the lap.

Keeping expectations in check, creative tasks worked pretty fine as well. Using Photoshop, editing 1080p images wasn't a problem regardless of how many layers were in a file. Rendering times were a bit on the slow side for the same resolution when attempting to add video content to the Photoshop file with a two minute video taking around three or so minutes to do so.

The time on encoding on Premiere Pro was a lot quicker though at around 30 seconds for a minute of HD video. Attempting to go higher in the resolution does lead to a less performance especially when rendering which can stretch pretty long.

Intel may be the king of CPUs but the same can’t be said in terms of their more recent ambitions into discrete GPUs. The included Intel Arc 140V GPU has 8GB of VRAM but it seems to help more in creative tasks than gaming.

On desktops, the GPU has compatibility issues compared to rivals Nvidia and AMD so expect similar situations here. During our benchmark test for games this was more than obvious as Borderlands 3 could only hit 25 frames per second at 1080p resolution while Shadows of The Tomb Raider couldn’t even run at all at the same resolution. This means that more CPU intensive games that require a lot of visual processing like Sid Meier’s Civilization VI: Gathering Storm and Total War: Warhammer III fared fairly better.

Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition: Benchmarks

Here's how the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition performed in our suite of benchmark tests:

25GB File Copy: 1,613.44 Transfer Rate (in MBps)

Blackmagic Disk Speed Test: Write - 3297.3, Read - 3825.2

Geekbench 6.3: Single-Core - 2531, Multicore - 10711

HandBrake: 6:23

CrossMark: Overall - 1652

PugetBench for Adobe CC: Photoshop - 5935, Premiere Pro - 3276

3DMark: Fire Strike - 8214, Time Spy - 3982

Borderlands 3: 1080p 25.20fps, 2880x1800 13.30

Sid Meier's Civilization VI: Gathering Storm: 1080p 52.284fps, 2880x1800 37.345

Web Surfing (Battery Informant): 14:10:07

Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition: Battery life

4-cell (70Wh) battery

If drained, can get 3 hours of battery life with a 15-minute charge

A shame considering that more casual or serious PC gamers won’t be able to make the most of the beautiful 15-inch 2K IPS touch screen that also has a 120Hz refresh rate. Delta E<1 helps maintain color accuracy while also supporting 100% P3 and 100% sRGB color gamuts.

During general computing tasks, text is crisp and easily readable while images are bold and lush. The 500 nits of brightness are used to great effect as well alongside watching video content means lush colors and blacks are deep regardless of settings. For more sensitive eyes, the display is also TÜV Low Blue Light and Eyesafe certified.

The same can be said for the 4 2W speakers that come with Dolby Atmos compatibility. From watching or creating videos to listening to music on Tidal, audio quality is fine regardless of loudness levels which can get pretty high. Bass can get really deep without any distortion and mid-tones are identifiable which is surprising considering how small they are.

Performance: 4 / 5

Battery life on the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition is on par with some of the best ultra light laptops in its class thanks to the 4-cell 70Wh battery. During our Web Surfing Battery Informant test, I was able to get 14 hours and some change out of the device. This allowed me to make it throughout an entire day through a single charge of moderate usage.

I realized this while working my hybrid Digital Editor position as I worked in an office three times a week. During those times on a full charge, the end of the day would leave me at around half of battery life.

Charging is through one of the USB-C ports and the adapter supports Rapid Charge Express which gives around three hours of runtime with just a 15-minute charge. I was able to get around full in close to an hour.

Battery life: 4 / 5

Should you buy the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition? Buy it if...

You want an affordable, lightweight laptop with reputable performance for everyday computing and light creative tasks

Weighing in the ballpark of three pounds while being less than an inch thick when closed makes this a great laptop to throw in an average-sized backpack despite having some good components that make running various general computing and easier creative tasks a breeze.

You need a beautiful screen and audio experience

The lovely 15-inch 2880x1800 IPS touch screen is elevated with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. Add four 2W speakers into the mix and this laptop provides a serious audio/visual experience.

Don't buy it if... 

You require a long-lasting battery

We squeezed around 14 hours of juice during benchmark testing but daily use gave us somewhere between 8 to 10 hours on one charge. That doesn’t even count the quick charging capabilities as well.

Don't buy it if...

You need an industry leading design that matches functionality

The overall shape and size is wonderfully portable but there are some flaws in the design. This includes a webcam lip that pokes out when closed, lack of SD card slot, only one USB-A port and the sensitive power placement on the right side is problematic.

You want something that provides better gaming and creative performance

A shame that users won’t be able to make the most out of the 120Hz display, considering the specs don’t allow for much high end gaming or hyper intensive creative work.

You require a good webcam

The FHD webcam doesn’t work well in low light and there isn’t any type of software to improve functionality in that sense.

Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition: Also consider

If our Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition review has you considering other options, here are two laptops to consider...

Macbook Air 15-inch (M4)

Creatives looking for a lightweight and affordable laptop may find the Macbook Air 15-inch a great option if fine with losing an inch in display real estate and lack of Wi-Fi 7.

Read the full review here

MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo B1MG

Though the MSI Prestige may be a bit more expensive, it performs nearly similarly while having a better webcam, power button layout and SD Card slot.

How I tested the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition

• Tested this laptop over the span of a week and some days
• Used for Google Chrome, Tidal and Adobe Creative Suite

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition was tested over a one-week period. General computing tasks were conducted using Google Chrome, including the use of Google Docs and YouTube. Creative software such as Adobe Premiere Pro and Photoshop was used to assess performance in content creation. Instagram was used to evaluate webcam and microphone functionality.

The 15-inch IPS touchscreen display was assessed by streaming multiple 4K YouTube videos to examine visual output and speaker function. Additional audio performance was tested using music playback on Tidal.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed April 2025

• OnePlus has confirmed that it will launch a smaller model of its Watch 3
• New leaks suggest that it could be a rebadged Oppo Watch X2 Mini
• That would mean a 43mm chassis, with a cheaper price to match

Two new leaks appear to indicate that the promised smaller version of the OnePlus Watch 3 will be a OnePlus Watch 3 Mini that's essentially a rebadged Oppo Watch X2 Mini.

The OnePlus Watch 3 is one of the best Android smartwatches of 2025 so far, but it lacks appeal for some because of its hefty size. That large chassis packs 120 hours of battery life, but is simply too large for some customers to wear.

Earlier this year OnePlus promised us a smaller version, and we've now got a good idea of what we can expect it to look like.

As we reported a few weeks ago, the Oppo Watch X2 Mini is very likely to offer us a glimpse at the OnePlus Watch 3. Oppo and OnePlus share the same parent company, and thus a lot of hardware.

Now, two further new leaks seem to confirm that the OnePlus Watch 3 'Mini' is on the way, and that it'll essentially be a re-branded 43mm Oppo Watch X2 Mini.

On April 10, X leaker Abhishek Yadav claimed that the new Oppo Watch X2 Mini launched in China would "launch as a rebadged OnePlus Watch 3 Mini in India and globally."

The Oppo Watch X2 Mini is a 43mm smartwatch with a 60Hz LTPO AMOLED display, a dual-chip design that aids battery life, and Wear OS 5.

Now, new US Federal Communications Commission listings for a new OnePlus smartwatch point to a 43mm smartwatch that's likely to launch any day now. As spotted by 91Mobiles, not only is the chassis identical to the Oppo Watch X2 Mini, its battery capacity of 345mAh is also identical.

A cheaper, more enticing OnePlus Watch 3?

The OnePlus Watch 3 has endured a torrid start to life since it was unveiled earlier this year. While it's a fantastic watch on paper, the launch was delayed for two months because of a typo in the design – the back read 'Meda In China'.

Then, in the weeks between the initial launch and the new release date of April 10, the US started to impose sweeping tariffs on imported goods from many countries, notably China. As a result, OnePlus has raised the price of the larger 46mm model from $329 to $499, an increase of more than 50%.

The OnePlus Watch 3 Mini will certainly be cheaper than the existing model, which could slightly soften the blow. However, US customers are likely to face a similarly massive price hike on the smaller model. As such, the OnePlus Watch 3 Mini could well cost 50% more than we were expecting, just like the larger model.

The expected price hike would be a devastating blow to an otherwise excellent smartwatch with great health chops, Google's suite of Wear OS technology, and segment-leading battery life. It can't match the best Garmins, but it is leaps ahead of Apple Watch and Pixel Watch alternatives for longevity.

Sadly, a price hike would put it into the territory of the oft-discounted and excellent Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra. The OnePlus Watch 3 might be one of the first casualties of tariff-fueled tech price hikes, but it probably won't be the last.

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• Nintendo is 'losing their identity' according to former PlayStation boss Shuhei Yoshida
• Yoshida suggested that Nintendo is more focused on hardware than innovation
• He says the Switch 2 offering third-party titles for new players is "exciting" but less so for those who already play the same games on multiple platforms

Former PlayStation executive Shuhei Yoshida thinks "Nintendo is losing their identity" by focusing more on the Switch 2's hardware instead of innovation.

In a recent interview with Easy Allies following the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, where we finally received an in-depth look at the upcoming console, Yoshida shared his thoughts on the reveal, calling it a "mixed message from Nintendo".

"In a sense, I think Nintendo is losing their identity, in my opinion," Yoshida said. "For me, they are always about creating some new experience, like designing hardware and games together to create something, [an] amazing new experience. But Switch 2, as we all anticipated, is a better Switch, right?"

Yoshida explained that Nintendo has always done things differently when it comes to its reveals, but now compares it to what other companies, like Sony and Microsoft, usually do by focusing on hardware details.

"It's a larger screen, more powerful processor, higher resolution, 4K 120fps. They even had their hardware person starting the stream as other platforms do.

"And because it's a better Switch, the core premise of the whole Switch 2 is, 'We made things better', and that's something other companies have been doing all the time."

Special guest Shuhei Yoshida gets real about the Switch 2 pic.twitter.com/CzZYPnTtueApril 14, 2025

Yoshida then praised the Switch 2's ability to offer third-party games like Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition for the first time for new players but suggested it was less tempting for those who already play games on multiple consoles.

"Of course it's a more powerful Switch, so it's great if your gaming was only on Nintendo hardware," Yoshida said. "It's the first time for you to play amazing games like Elden Ring. But for us, like, the core gamers, who own multiple hardware and play games on PlayStation, Xbox, PC, the games they showed off - especially from third parties... In theory, it's amazing to have all these all-stars of industry games on Nintendo hardware, however, what they showed were like... oh."

The Nintendo Switch 2 officially launches on June 5, 2025, and will cost $449.99 / £395.99 or $499.99 / £429.99 for a Mario Kart World bundle.

Although pre-orders are now live in the UK, Nintendo has announced that US pre-orders and Canada pre-orders have been delayed to "assess the potential impact of tariffs and evolving market conditions."

The company confirmed that the launch date is unchanged and will provide a new pre-order date soon.

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• After launching iPhone cases in 2024, Beats is now ushering in cables
• It's a further expansion into mobile accessories with a focus on affordability and fun colors
• Beats is making three cable types in two sizes and four colors

Beats has already had a packed 2025 with the much-anticipated release of the Powerbeats Pro 2, but for the tech brand’s second act it’s striking a slightly different tone. No, it’s not a follow-up to the return of the iconic Pill speaker or a new shade of Solo Buds; instead, it’s a new mobile accessory and one that I couldn’t be more excited about.

Alongside the iPhone 16 lineup in September of 2024, Beats introduced its iPhone case – a sleek, ergonomic plastic one that had a microfiber lining to protect the hardware, support for MagSafe, and maybe most importantly, a sapphire layer for Camera Control.

And now Beats is making cables. No, not for audio but for charging devices and even accomplishing data transfers. Best of all, like the Solo Buds, these are platform agnostic and look to use the same high-end braided materials of the Apple-made ones, but with fresh, vibrant, and plain fun shades.

(Image credit: Jacob Krol/Future)

Beats Cables will come in three models for this launch: USB-C to USB-C, USB-A to USB-C, and USB-C to Lightning. You can pick between a shorter 20cm size or a longer 1.5m one, and Beats is offering four colors: Bolt Black, Surge Stone, Nitro Navy, and Rapid Red.

The best part, though, might be the price. In either size for just one cable, it’s $18.99 / £18.99 / AU$28.95, or Beats is selling two 1.5m cable packs for $34.99 / £34.99 / AU$54.95. That price just includes the cable, or two, with Beats being quick to note that no power adapter is included. In the new advertisement spot, and in shared images, Beats Cables are shown being plugged into Apple 20-Watt bricks, so for now, Beats isn’t entering the power market.

Though, I wouldn’t be shocked to see this mobile accessory division of Beats expanded again. First we got cases, now cables and I wouldn’t mind the return of a MagSafe battery pack in some fun colors.

As far as the specs are concerned, Beats Cables are designed to plug and play with both Apple-made devices and Android ones. The USB-C to USB-C cable are designed for charging at up to 60-watts, provided the power source and device it's plugged into support this. These cables also support USB 2.0 data transfer speeds. You can use these for syncing, charging, and CarPlay with an iPhone, or even for Android Auto with an Android device.

USB-A to USB-C does work with both Apple and non-Apple devices, but the spec is a bit lower for charging at up to 15-watts. Data transfer speeds are the same up to USB 2.0. You can also use either USB-A to USB-C or USB-C to USB-C cables to power other Beats devices like the Pill or to recharge headphones.

Beats USB-C to Lightning cables support fast charging with select Apple devices – think the iPhone, iPad, or even AirPods. You can also data sync or use these for CarPlay.

(Image credit: Jacob Krol/Future)

All of these boast a braided, colorful design with color-matched ends and Beats says these are reinforced to prevent fraying and go through thousands of hours in testing to ensure durability. While it isn’t specified if recycled materials are used in the cable itself, the packaging is made from 100% plant-based material.

TechRadar will be putting these cables through some tests in short order, and if it’s anything like the Beats cases for the iPhone 16 lineup, I have a feeling these will be a hit. Especially for those who have ever wished Apple’s USB-C to USB-C cables were a bit more affordable or came in some fun colors – this is the solution.

Beats will begin selling its USB-C to USB-C, USB-A to USB-C, and USB-C to Lighting cables in Bolt Black, Surge Stone, Nitro Navy, and Rapid Red in 1.5m or 20cm sizes direct from Apple – and likely on Amazon – right now, and will arrive in Apple Stores on April 17, 2025.

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• Conduent has filed a new 8-K form with the SEC
• It noted a January 2025 breach and said some customer data was taken
• So far, no groups assumed responsibility for the attack

Conduent Incorporated, an American business process services company, has confirmed suffering a cyberattack and a data breach in a new filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

In a new 8-K form, Conduent said that in mid-January 2025, it experienced an “operational disruption” caused by unauthorized access from a threat actor. The attackers allegedly accessed a “limited portion” of the company’s environment, and remained there for days (in some cases, for hours, Conduent said)

Earlier reports said the attack happened after a “third-party system compromise on an operating system”.

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Supply chain attack

While the attack did not have a material impact on the company’s operations, it did result in the theft of sensitive data.

Conduent offers a range of services, including transaction processing, automation, and analytics, across various sectors such as healthcare, transportation, and government.

Some of its biggest clients include the US Secret Service, District of Columbia Medicaid, and others. It serves hundreds of government and transportation organizations.

In the attack, the threat actors stole data generated by Conduent’s clients: “As part of its ongoing investigation, the company determined that the threat actor exfiltrated a set of files associated with a limited number of the company’s clients,” the filing reads.

“Due to the complexity of the files, the Company engaged cybersecurity data mining experts to evaluate the exfiltrated data and was recently informed of its nature, scope and validity, confirming that the data sets contained a significant number of individuals’ personal information associated with our clients' end-users.”

At press time, no groups assumed responsibility for the attack, and the data has not yet leaked on the dark web.

According to BleepingComputer, this is not Conduent’s first incident, as the company also suffered a data breach in 2020, when the Maze ransomware group managed to encrypt the company’s devices and steal corporate data.

Via BleepingComputer

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• Windows 10 recently got a patch tinkering with the Recovery Environment
• Some users are seeing an error message saying the patch failed to install
• In fact, the update installed just fine, and the error message is the error

Some Windows 10 users are encountering an error message after applying a fresh patch for the operating system, informing them that the update failed – when in fact it didn’t.

Neowin spotted the update in question (known as KB5057589) which was released last week (separately from the main cumulative update for April) and tinkers with the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) on some Windows 10 PCs (versions 21H2 and 22H2).

Far from all Windows 10 users will get this, then, but those who do might be confronted by an error message after it has installed (which is visible in the Windows Update settings page).

It reads: “0x80070643 – ERROR_INSTALL_FAILURE.”

That looks alarming, of course, and seeing this, you’re going to make the fair assumption that the update has failed. However, as mentioned, the error isn’t with the update, but the actual error message itself.

Microsoft explains: “This error message is not accurate and does not impact the update or device functionality. Although the error message suggests the update did not complete, the WinRE update is typically applied successfully after the device restarts.”

Microsoft further notes that the update may continue to display as ‘failed’ (when it hasn’t) until the next check for updates, after which the error message should be cleared from your system.

(Image credit: Lipik Stock Media / Shutterstock) Analysis: Bugs in the bugs

There’s nothing wrong here, in short, except the error itself, but that’s going to confuse folks, and maybe send them down some unnecessary – and potentially lengthy – rabbit holes in order to find further information, or a solution to a problem that doesn’t exist.

The trouble is what’s compounding this is that the whole WinRE debacle has been a long-running affair. A patch for this was previously released in January 2025 most recently, and there were others before that, with some folks witnessing repeated installations of this WinRE fix, which is confusing in itself.

That’s why those rabbit holes that you might get lost down could end up seeming so deep if you don’t manage to catch Microsoft’s clarification on this matter.

Microsoft says it’s working to resolve this errant error and will let us know when that happens. At least you’re now armed with the knowledge that the update should be fine despite what the error – in block capitals plastered across your screen – tells you (and it should be cleared from your PC in a short time).

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When former leader Bashar al-Assad fell, new Syria war crimes investigations began. But U.S. budget cuts have halted some work. For families of the disappeared, it means justice delayed or denied.

(Image credit: Lauren Frayer/NPR)

• The city of Harbin says three NSA agents and two universities were involved in attacks on the country's critical infrastructure
• The attacks allegedly took place during the Asian Winter Games
• They included running "pre-installed" Windows malware

Chinese authorities have accused the US National Security Agency (NSA), and a pair of American universities, of conducting cyberattacks on the country’s critical infrastructure.

A report by the city of Harbin public security bureau said three NSA agents were involved, as well as the University of California and Virginia Tech, in the attacks, which took place during the Asian Winter Games in February 2025

"The US National Security Agency (NSA) launched cyber attacks against important industries such as energy, transportation, water conservancy, communications, and national defence research institutions in Heilongjiang province," the report claimed.

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Social disorder

Harbin is located in northeastern China, in Heilongjiang Province, which borders Russia. It sits on the south bank of the Songhua River, making it an important regional hub near the Russian Far East and part of China's coldest region.

The goal of the attacks were to sabotage China’s critical information infrastructure, it was further explained, “causing social disorder, and stealing important confidential information”.

There were no details on the agents, or how the universities were involved in the attacks.

Allegedly, they “repeatedly carried out cyber attacks on China’s critical information infrastructure and participated in cyber attacks on Huawei and other enterprises.”

The report does state that the campaign included the activation of “specific pre-installed backdoors” in Microsoft Windows installed on some devices in Heilongjiang.

Cybersecurity researchers often warn about Chinese state-sponsored threat actors running cyber-espionage campaigns, malware attacks, and other forms of cybercrime against critical infrastructure in the West. However, China always denies any involvement in these activities and instead accuses the US of being the world’s biggest cyber-bully.

In fact, on one occasion it said that Volt Typhoon, a known Chinese state-sponsored group was, in fact, a CIA asset.

Via MSN

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• James Cameron sat down with Meta's CTO Andrew Bosworth on Bosworth's podcast to talk VR cinema
• Cameron says VR allows him to finally show his films the way they should be seen
• He teased the Quest 4, but Bosworth stopped Cameron revealing too much

James Cameron, the Hollywood director behind Titanic, The Terminator and Avatar – believes VR headsets are the future of cinema, based on his experience with next-gen Meta Quest headsets that he isn’t allowed to talk about.

And, Meta Quest 4 teasers aside, I think he’s got a point – but Meta needs to make some big changes before Cameron's vision can become a reality (and I’m not talking about its hardware).

In a sit-down interview with Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth on Bosworth’s Boz to the Future podcast, Cameron was keen to serve as VR cinema’s hype-man.

Cameron explained that VR headsets allow you to get all the benefits of a movie theatre – the curated, 3D, immersive experience – without the downsides – such as a “dim and dull” picture – resulting in an end product that much more closely matches the creator’s vision for the film.

“It was like the heavens parted, light shone down,” Cameron told Bosworth. “There was an angel choir singing. It's like, 'Ah'! This is how people can see the movie the way I created it to be seen!”

It seems that Cameron isn’t simply using a Meta Quest 3 or Quest 3S to enjoy his 3D movies either; instead he’s using some Quest prototypes that Andrew Bosworth wasn’t keen for him to talk more about.

While he couldn’t reveal much beyond the prototypes’ existence – which isn’t much considering that Meta very openly develops VR headset prototypes to inspire future designs (and even lets people try them from time to time at tech events) – we do know that the experience is apparently “at least as good as Dolby Laser Vision Cinema” according to Cameron.

It’s the “ne plus ultra” (read: ultimate) theater option according to the director, suggesting that Meta is focusing on visual performance with its prototypes, and therefore possibly making that the main upgrade for the Meta Quest 4 or Meta Quest Pro 2.

As with all leaks and rumors we can’t read too much into Cameron’s comments. Even with these prototypes Meta could focus on other upgrades instead of the display, or it could be designing for the Quest 5 or Quest Pro 3, but given that previous leaks have teased that upcoming Meta headsets will pack an OLED screen it feels safe to assume that visual upgrades are inbound.

That will certainly be no bad thing – in fact it would be a fantastic improvement to Meta’s headsets – but if Meta wants to capture the home cinema experience it shouldn’t just focus on its screens, it needs to focus on content too.

VR's 3D film problem

Apple Vision Pro has the easy 3D film access Meta Quest needs (Image credit: Walt Disney Company/Apple Inc.)

I’ve previously discussed how it’s an open secret that the simplest (and really the only) way to watch blockbuster 3D movies on a Quest headset involves some level of digital piracy.

3D movie files are difficult to acquire, and 3D movie rental services from the likes of Bigscreen aren’t currently available. And I’ve also complained how absurd this is because, as James Cameron points out, using your VR headset for cinema is superb, because it immerses you in your own portable, private theater.

So while the prospect of the Meta Quest 4 boasting high-end displays for visual excellency is enticing, I’m more concerned about how Meta will tackle its digital content library issue.

The simplest solution would be to form streaming deals like Apple did with Disney Plus. Disney’s service on the Vision Pro allows users to watch Disney’s 3D content library at no additional charge – though it frustratingly appears to be some kind of exclusivity deal, based on the fact the same benefits are yet to roll out to other headsets or the best AR smart glasses for entertainment.

Another option – which Cameron points to – is for Meta to make exclusive deals with creatives directly, so they create new 3D films just for Quest, although worthwhile films take time (and a lot of money) to produce, meaning that Meta’s 3D catalog can’t rely on fresh exclusives alone.

Offline films would be perfect for in-flight entertainment (Image credit: Meta / Lufthansa)

Hopefully this podcast is a sign that Meta is looking to tackle the 3D movies in VR problem from all sides – both hardware and software – as VR entertainment can be superb.

While it is more isolated than the usual home theater experience, the immersive quality or VR, combined with its ability to display your show or film of choice on a giant virtual screen, is a blast.

At the moment the big drawback is the lack of content – but here’s hoping that’s about to change.

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Polaroid Flip: Two-minute review

Like many tech journalists and photographers of a certain vintage (aka born in the early 90s), I always remember there being a Polaroid at family parties when growing up. Later in my teenage years, when studying photography at university and trying my hardest to be cool, I bought a secondhand Polaroid Sun 600 on eBay, but finding decent film then was harder than it is now. Eventually, the cost superceded the cool, and I gave up.

Polaroid has come a long way since then, and has been revisiting its heritage with the aesthetic of newer releases. We had the Polaroid Go 2 in late 2023, similar in looks to the Polaroid 1000 Land Camera. In March this year, the brand refreshed its Now instant series with the Now 3 and Now 3+, cameras that I think share the character of the original OneStep SX-70.

I'm a Polaroid nerd, so I was excited to test the new Polaroid Flip before its official release. But given that the last camera I used was the flagship Polaroid I-2, in all its sharp lens, manual control glory, I was apprehensive about how a more affordable model could compete with the best instant camera for pros.

Polaroid's tagline for the Flip is that it's the camera for an analog life. For "instant photography over instant gratification." Presumably it means for people who appreciate physical prints over looking back through their phone camera roll. The Flip keeps things simple and easy-to-use; there are no filters or effects, and the main talking points include common instant camera features like double exposures and self-timers.

Despite lacking manual controls like the Polaroid I-2, the Flip feels like a camera that more advanced instant shooters can still appreciate and enjoy. A clever four-lens system is brilliantly effective at adapting to varying subject distances, meaning you get mostly sharp shots, even at dark parties.

And there are subtle but clever ways the camera uses 'scene analysis' to guide your images. A red viewfinder warning light alerts you to a shot being over- or underexposed, and an alert appears on the lid display when you get too close to a subject. Selfies are a tad tricky, though, and macro isn't a viable option given the camera's restricted minimum focusing distance.

Polaroid's signature tones shine with the Flip, though colors in my experience sometimes leaned unexpectedly toward green. Also, while the B&W i-Type film showed strong contrast on occasion, I found that highlights could easily blow out with Polaroid's most powerful adaptive flash yet.

It's always difficult to review Polaroid performance, because the expectations are so different from most other cameras. Part of the joy of analog lies in experimentation, and yet with Polaroid film being so expensive, you want to know that most of your shots will at least come out intended. Despite minor disappointments with the Flip, I loved the results overall. I think those willing to practice, learn and refine their shooting approach over time will too.

Polaroid Flip: price and availability

• Costs $199.99 / £199.99 (Australia pricing TBC)
• Early purchase for Polaroid members starts April 15
• On sale at Polaroid.com from April 29, retailers May 13

The Polaroid Flip is available from a few different dates depending on who you are. Polaroid members can purchase the camera on the official website starting April 15, and general access follows from April 29. It's destined for general camera retailers from May 13.

The Flip's price at release is $199.99 / £199.99. A year ago I would have thought this quite steep, but recent US tariffs and spiralling tech costs have made me reassess. Still, the Flip is at the serious end of instant cameras, at more than twice the price of the entry-level Instax Mini 12. It's more expensive than the Fujifilm Instax Wide 400 model ($149.99 / £129.99 / AU$229.99) and the older, square-format Instax SQ40.

But then it sits below the Polaroid I-2 ($599 / £599 / AU$1,099) with its super-sharp lens and the hybrid Instax Wide Evo ($349.95.99 / £319.99 / AU$599) which has 20 film and lens effects and allows you to select what you print to save on film.

You're tied into using either Polaroid 600 or I-Type film with the Flip, and realistically this is more expensive per exposure than Instax. Prices vary a lot depending on what country you're in, and bundle packs can help to bring the cost down, but an 8-pack of I-Type costs roughly the same amount as 20 photos of Instax (Wide or Mini).

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(Image credit: Lauren Scott)Image 2 of 3

(Image credit: Lauren Scott)Image 3 of 3

(Image credit: Lauren Scott) Polaroid Flip: specs Polaroid Flip: design

• Heavier than the Polaroid I-2
• Flippable lid for lens protection
• Viewfinder LED and ‘lid’ display

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(Image credit: Lauren Scott)Image 2 of 2

(Image credit: Lauren Scott)

The Polaroid Flip is a boxy, chunky camera. That much is obvious when you get it out of the box. It weighs 200g more than the Polaroid Now+ and 85g more than the Polaroid I-2, as well as being deeper and taller. But that’s because the design is so different from anything else in the current lineup.

Rather than having a lens cap to cover a protruding lens or the front face exposed, Flip has a (you guessed it) flip-up lid. This lid pulls up smoothly and clicks into position at the top when you want to take a photo. When the lid is down, the camera automatically turns off, and the most important parts of the camera are well-protected.

I really like the design, which gives the camera a clean, modern silhouette and means you can pop it in a bag without fretting about dust getting in the lens grooves. And I still felt it was distinctly Polaroid. The Flip comes in a subtle matte black colorway or white with a pop of orange for more daring users.

I found the exterior of the white model prone to marks, but the plastic casing is easily wipable. And twice when I was out shooting, two people stopped to tell me that I had “a really cool-looking camera”. Street credibility points to me.

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(Image credit: Lauren Scott)

According to the specs sheet, the Flip is made from four types of plastic, including acrylic and polycarbonate. These have all been chosen for properties that would make sense in a take-anywhere camera, and they keep the body as lightweight as possible but also strong and impact-resistant.

The build quality doesn’t feel brittle or cheap, the buttons are solid to press and flipping up the lid is super satisfying. That said, the handling is a bit awkward and I had to turn the camera around to get a good hold of the lid every time. It’s a two-hand job. You also get a strong rope strap in the box so you can wear the camera – comfortably, I might add – around your neck.

Controls are pared back, as is usual with Polaroid and most instant cameras. Two buttons at the back right let you toggle through settings such as flash, double exposure, self-timer, and exposure compensation. These show up as icons on the nifty LCD screen on top of the camera, and they’re easy to see even in bright sunshine. It took me a while to work out what button combo activated each mode, but the fold-out paper guide in the box – in itself another well-thought-out analog nod – gives you pointers.

There’s a USB-C power input on the right side of the camera for recharging, and an eject button on the left to open up the film door and pop in a pack. The big orange shutter button on the front is easy to find with your fingers and can be depressed slightly to focus and pressed fully to fire. The viewfinder itself is basic but easy to use, and I found that what you see through it matches closely with what’s printed, helping with composition.

(Image credit: Lauren Scott) Polaroid Flip: performance

• 4-lens system for different distances
• Sonar autofocus detects subject distance
• Adaptive flash for up to 4.5 meters away

(Image credit: Lauren Scott)

Despite there being no option to focus manually as with the Polaroid I-2, I found almost all of my shots with the Flip were critically sharp. The camera uses sonar waves to detect your subject distance, then selects the best lens from its four-lens system (0.65m, 0.85m, 1.2m, 2.5m). It’s very clever, and even in a party marquee, portraits came out crisp.

When half-pressing the shutter button to focus, you hear a noise when one of the four lenses has been selected. What’s clever is that an alert on the lid display will flash if you’re trying to shoot a subject that’s too close and out of the camera range.

Still, it’s worth noting that the Flip’s minimum focusing distance is around 0.4m, which isn’t quite far enough to get a sharp, frame-filling selfie. I could just about hold the camera far enough away at arm’s length to trial it but ended up with unwanted empty space around my head and shoulders. If you’re into your flora and fauna, there isn’t yet a macro filter or attachment for Polaroid to make true close-ups work.

Exposure was a mixed bag. Polaroids like light, and it's recommended that you keep the flash on for all shots except bright sunshine. This is meant to be the brightest flash of any Polaroid, and the strength adapts based on the subject distance for anything up to 4.5m away. I experienced this power, but not always in a good way, and often my outdoor shots were overexposed to the point of losing details, even on a cloudy day. As with the Polaroid Go 2, the flash gets activated by default when you flip up the lid, and a few times I forgot this.

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The tones you get from Polaroids have always felt distinctive, yet anecdotally the hues from my Flip shots felt a little richer and bolder than those from the I-2. On a warm spring day in the UK, the exposure of a pink blossom tree felt warm and well-saturated, while the vibe of a cooler sunset party was also captured effectively, if not tending towards more of a green hue than I’d have liked.

Of course, there’s no way to change the white balance in-camera. What you get is dictated by the film and the shooting environment. The B&W i-Type film I used showed great contrast, and I loved the amount of depth I could capture down a long, narrow street in my home city of Bath, UK. But again, it was easy to overexpose the bright Cotswold stone and lose that detail with the flash.

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You can’t control the Flip’s exposure settings manually. For inexperienced users or people who just want to point and shoot, this is probably a good thing. The Flip does the hard work of choosing the aperture and shutter for you, meaning fewer wasted shots if someone decides to grab the camera at a party. But if you’re a more advanced photographer, as I am, you may find Flip’s setting choices creatively limiting.

As far as battery duration and charging times go, I couldn’t find any official specs from Polaroid. When I first got the camera I left it plugged in overnight to ensure it was full of juice for the start of testing, and it still hadn’t passed the halfway mark when I’d finished three packs. I tended to shut the lid after every shot, though, so each user’s mileage may vary.

During testing, I loaded up my second pack of color I-Type film only to find it wasn’t ejecting from the camera after each exposure. Polaroid makes loading film into the Flip so quick and simple, and it's something I've done with other Polaroids hundreds of times. I want to suggest it was a camera and not a user error, but either way, it does highlight how much film and money you can waste should things not quite go to plan. That’s the same with many instant and film cameras and not a unique flaw to the Flip, of course.

The prints aren't quite as instant as Instax, and need a while (I found at least ten minutes) to settle away from the light to develop properly. For me, this is a great metaphor for Polaroid in general. Despite being designed for ease of use in terms of operation, the Flip still requires a bit of time to learn its ways, exposure tendencies and to hone your craft. Do that, and you'll be rewarded with sharp retro results more times than the Polaroids of the past.

Should I buy the Polaroid Flip? Buy it if...

You're after a cool-looking throwback
The Flip is reminiscent of popular vintage Polaroid cameras, including the One Step Flash. I'm not suggesting that you should pick style over substance, but I found this bright and chunky camera a great conversation starter.

You want to point and shoot, and that's it
In a busy world, it's nice not to have to think for a while. I found the Polaroid Flip enjoyable because of its ease of use. There are no gimmicks or filters, and I like that all you really have to decide is whether the flash is on or off.

Don't buy it if...

You want a small and subtle camera
Polaroid Flip's design is decidedly retro and bulky. Although it's not heavy to wear around your neck, it's equally not a camera that you can slip into a small bag or clutch. I'd look at the Polaroid Go or the Instax Mini if you're after proper portability.

You don't like square prints
You'll be limited by the roughly 8 x 8cm exposed area that Polaroid film gives you. If you want more options for composition with landscape and portrait framing, you might be better off with an option like the Instax Wide or Evo.

Also consider

Polaroid I-2
When I tested the I-2 I was so impressed with the image and build quality that I saved and bought my own. It costs more than double the Flip but offers an advanced experience with manual exposure control and sharper autofocus. Taking the same square, I-Type film, it gives instant photography for connoisseurs.

Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo
If you're not fussed about the Polaroid brand or square prints but still want a retro vibe, I'd recommend the gorgeous-looking Mini Evo. It's a hybrid model, meaning it snaps digital prints and lets you choose whether to print them on instant film. That means less waste and cost, and the Mini Evo is more pocketable, too.

How I tested the Polaroid Flip

(Image credit: Lauren Scott)

• Over a week, I took photos indoors and outdoors, day and night
• I tested based on decades of Polaroid experience
• I shot a double pack of colour I-Type and 8 exposures of B&W film

I tried my first Polaroid camera back in the nineties, and since then I've reviewed many instant cameras including the Polaroid I-2 in 2023. I had one of the first review samples of the Polaroid Flip and tested it for over a week before its official launch date. Needless to say, it was always in my bag or around my neck during that time.

I took it out on countryside dog walks in the sunny British springtime, on day trips in the Cotswolds, to an evening festival for my company's 40th anniversary and to brunch in the city. The idea was to try it in as many lighting conditions and real-life scenarios as possible.

I went through a double pack of Polaroid I-Type color film (16 exposures) and a pack of B&W Film, taking shots with and without the flash, using the self-timer and the exposure compensation option. The Polaroid app wasn't available for use with the Flip for most of my testing period (as the camera was under embargo) but I had a day to try the functionality and add notes to this review once it was.

First reviewed April 2025

The National Center for Environmental Health was hollowed out in the cuts of 10,000 federal health workers on April 1. That's the same day an assessment of people hurt in floods was set to begin.

(Image credit: Sean Rayford)

A Simple Favor introduced us to Emily (Blake Lively) in a deliciously dark comedy thriller. And now she's coming back for Another Simple Favor, and from the newly released trailer it looks like Prime Video may have another campy hit on its hands.

How many trailers will you see where a character proclaims that "I'd rather cut my balls off with a rusty knife than go to this wedding"?

I do hope he isn't the groom.

Another Simple Favor looks like it'll be tons of fun

Another Simple Favor reunites the team: Lively as Emily Nelson, Anna Kendrick as Stephanie Smothers, and Paul Feig in the director's chair. But this new Prime Video movie is going straight to streaming; the first film was also shown in theaters.

This time the action takes place in the beautiful Italian island of Capri, where Smothers is going to be maid of honor at Emily's extravagant wedding to a rich Italian businessman.

If you’re thinking that being asked to be maid of honor by someone you put in jail is a bit odd, Stephanie is thinking much the same. "I've got to figure out what she's up to," she says in the trailer. And if there's one thing we know about Emily, it's that where she goes, trouble tends to follow.

The original film attracted very mixed reviews, it has become something of a camp classic since it debuted on Prime Video, making it one of the best Prime Video movies. This new movie attracted similar reviews when it was shown at SXSW, which suggests that if you loved the first movie you're likely to love this one too.

Another Simple Favor will be streaming on Prime Video from May 1, 2025.

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