Technology

The Asus Zenbook A14 is the lightest 14-inch laptop with an OLED screen and 24-hour+ battery life -- and it's on sale for Memorial Day.

• Lynx founder described Valve Deckard as "quite amazing"
• They didn't share any specific details, but said they share Valve's suppliers
• Other leaks have teased an impressive but pricey Quest 3 rival

While Google makes a fuss about Android XR, Meta continues its Meta Quest 3 supremacy, and Apple apparently leaks its Vision Pro affordability plans to Bono, Valve has been quietly working away in the background on its next headset – and it’s already being described as “quite amazing.”

That’s according to Stan Larroque – the founder of Lynx which created the inventive Lynx R1 headset I demoed back in 2023 – who said on social media that “The design of Valve next HMD is quite amazing!”

He didn't elaborate on what makes Deckard particularly neat, saying that he’d be “pissed” if someone leaked details about Lynx’s next XR device, but he did at least hint at why he knows the Valve device.

In a follow-up post, he said, “The HMD-making world is so small, we all share the same suppliers for some components.”

I would be equally pissed if Lynx nextgen ID got leaked so I won't share more. I'm just excited for good new XR HMDs. The HMD-making world is so small, we all share the same suppliers for some components.May 17, 2025

Valve's VR headset 2.0

While leaks should be taken with a pinch of salt, if Valve is sharing design details with suppliers and sourcing parts for Deckard, this does suggest the device could be nearing (or already in) production, and that an official reveal could be approaching.

This is supported by claims from April that Valve has been receiving VR headset parts and machinery to potentially start producing some kind of headset in the US – likely to dodge some of the ongoing tariffs imposed on imports. Again, a sign that Deckard is almost ready to drop.

When it does, other leaks have given us some details Larroque wasn’t keen to reveal.

For example, a Valve Deckard proof of concept was a standalone design (rather than tethered) and reportedly offered 2K LCD panels for its display setup, and was powered by a SnapDragon 8 Gen 3 – the same chipset as the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (via Upload VR).

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (Image credit: Future)

This chipset would be newer than the Snapdragon XR 2 Gen 2 in other modern headsets like the Meta Quest 3, though it isn’t a dedicated XR chipset, so it feels likely that a different processor will feature in the final Deckard design (maybe an XR2 Gen 3).

The headset also looks to rely on controllers (codenamed Roy), which closely resemble the Meta Quest 3’s handsets (via UploadVR).

Just expect it to be pricey. One rumored bundle for the new Valve Deckard VR headset will supposedly cost $1,200, which includes some games as well as two controllers.

Hopefully, Valve won’t be keeping us in the dark about Deckard for much longer – perhaps it’s waiting for the Android XR hype surrounding Google I/O to die down before stealing the spotlight – but we’ll have to wait and see.

You might also like

• Meta Quest 4: 5 things I want to see from Meta's next VR headset
• Apple Vision Pro 2 tipped to fix two of its biggest flaws
• Apple will reportedly take on Ray-Ban Meta glasses in 2027

• Samsung S95F, S90F and S85F are certified G-Sync Compatible
• Firmware updates will enable certified compatible mode
• 2025 OLEDs only, not Neo QLED TVs

When it comes to the best gaming TVs, the TV we recommend for most gamers is the LG C4. Samsung doesn't make it into our top three, but that may change: Samsung's 2025 OLED TVs are now officially Nvidia G-Sync Compatible.

I'm saying "officially" because the hardware was already inside them; what's new is the official testing and certification by Nvidia. But it's still notable because it brings Samsung's OLEDs much closer to LG's ones in terms of gaming support – although there's still one thing that LG does and Samsung doesn't.

It's important to note that the certification applies to OLED TVs only, not Neo QLED TVs (which is Samsung's term for mini-LED TVs). And for now it's only for Samsung's 2025 models, such as the Samsung S95F and Samsung S90F.

What gaming features do Samsung's OLED TVs have?

For 2025, Samsung's OLED TVs have HDMI 2.1, VRR, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and G-Sync. VRR and FreeSync/G-Sync are important because they match the TV's refresh rate to the GPU's frame rate, and that synchronization reduces stutter and screen tearing.

As FlatpanelsHD reports, Samsung's 2025 OLED TVs support VRR including G-Sync up to 165Hz, but that's only for PC gamers. The PS5 and Xbox Series X only output at up to 120Hz, and don't have G-Sync anyway.

Samsung's 2025 TVs also have cloud gaming apps, although they don't currently take advantage of variable refresh rates.

Despite Samsung getting this key PC gaming certification, there is still one key difference between LG and Samsung TVs for gaming: Dolby Vision Gaming. LG does it at up to 4K 120Hz, and Samsung doesn't do it at all.

This will mainly be used by Xbox gamers, since it's available in the Xbox Series X – if you want to take advantage of it, LG's sets remain the better bet for you among the best OLED TVs.

The officially G-Sync Compatible TVs are the Samsung S95F, S90F and S85F. The flagship S95F will be the first to get the firmware update enabling certified G-Sync Compatible mode, with the other two following shortly afterwards.

You might also like

• The best gaming TV of 2025: TVs for PS5 and Xbox Series X
• Best 120Hz 4K TVs 2025: TVs for PS5 and Xbox Series X
• LG and Samsung's gaming TV supremacy may be under threat

• A security researcher built a program that the OS sees as an antivirus
• Since two AV programs can't run at the same time, Windows Defender turns itself off
• Previous iteration was taken down for copyright infringment

Hackers can now easily turn off your Windows Defender program by registering a fake antivirus on your computer. To do that, they use a new tool called Defendnot, recently released by a security researcher with the alias es3n1n.

As they explained, Defendnot leverages a previously undocumented Windows Security Center (WSC) API, which third-party antivirus programs use to tell the operating system if they're running on the device or not.

Usually, two or more antivirus programs cannot run on a single device at the same time due to various conflicts. As a result, Windows Defender disables itself automatically, when it learns that another antivirus has been installed.

60% off for Techradar readers

With Aura's parental control software, you can filter, block, and monitor websites and apps, set screen time limits. Parents will also receive breach alerts, Dark Web monitoring, VPN protection, and antivirus.

Preferred partner (What does this mean?)View Deal

Spotted by Defender

According to BleepingComputer, this is the researcher’s second attempt at building this type of solution. The original program, which “blew up” and went viral soon after its release, was taken down after a Digital Millennium Copyright Act request. As it turns out, es3n1n used code from a third-party antivirus product to spoof registration with WSC for a program they named no-defender.

This apparently did not sit well with the developers of that third-party solution, which subsequently demanded that es3n1n take the program down.

After the takedown, the researcher built Defendnot with a dummy antivirus DLL from scratch. It also comes with an autorun feature, allowing it to start automatically as soon as the user logs into Windows.

Obviously, the tool was not designed to be used in a malicious way, but it’s safe to assume it will be abused (or threat actors could simply create their own versions). In the past, threat actors were seen deploying various tactics to turn off people’s antivirus programs, such as abusing admin rights, tampering with the registry, blocking updates, installing fake antivirus software, or exploiting various flaws in third-party solutions.

Luckily, Microsoft Defender can now detect and quarantine Defendnot as a 'Win32/Sabsik.FL.!ml;.

Via BleepingComputer

You might also like

• Privacy of millions worldwide compromised as huge data location broker got hacked
• Take a look at our guide to the best authenticator app
• We've rounded up the best password managers

• Steam could soon appear in the Microsoft Store, a rumor claims
• A leaker says the apps’ compatibility is being tested internally
• It backs up the idea that future Xboxes will be more like PCs than consoles

For years, gamers have suffered from the problem of platform fragmentation: with so many competing digital stores, from Steam to Epic to GOG and more, it’s not uncommon for users to have to maintain a huge slate of launchers and libraries in order to keep track of all their titles.

But things could be about to get better in a small way, according to a recent leak from @eXtas1stv on X. The poster claimed (via a machine translation) that “Xbox has confirmed the internal tests to add Steam to the Microsoft Store.”

In a linked video on YouTube, @eXtas1stv claimed that “Microsoft has just officially added the Steam application within the support software for its devices, appearing under the name of ‘Steam Developer Beta’.”

The leaker added that “This, logically, is currently only available to certain employees and people who collaborate with Microsoft,” although they said it would be added to Microsoft’s Insider programs over time.

They also said, “This integration will allow users to run Steam more smoothly and directly from Windows environments.”

Interestingly, @eXtas1stv believes that future Xbox hardware will be more like a PC than a console, and that “everything is going to be developed around PC environments” – an idea we’ve seen before.

These environments will need Steam integration, @eXtas1stv believes, and Steam will be available in the Microsoft Store in these upcoming devices. The Epic Games Store could also make an appearance in the Microsoft Store, according to @eXtas1stv’s video.

That syncing feeling

(Image credit: Steam)

However, we only really have @eXtas1stv’s word that Steam is being tested in the Microsoft Store, and we haven’t been able to get any direct proof that could confirm the claims made on X and YouTube. So, if Steam really is going to be integrated into the Microsoft Store, how would this work?

One possibility has been floated by Notebookcheck, which is through backend linking. This would basically involve connecting your Steam account to the Microsoft Store, without the two platforms merging in any way. This is currently already used to link Steam with things like the EA app and Sony’s PlayStation platform, and this helps sync achievements and game progress.

If there is any weight to @eXtas1stv’s claims, and Microsoft really is testing this with its Insider program, then we could see some evidence come to light over the coming weeks and months. Stay tuned for updates.

You might also like

• The next Xbox could simply be a PC in a 'TV-friendly shell' per latest rumor
• Finally! Windows 11’s Microsoft Store will soon let you update non-Microsoft apps
• The Epic Games store gained 25 million new users in 2024, with $2,229 of free games up for grabs throughout the year

Both iPhone models offer a lot of features while saving money over more-expensive options.

• The foldable iPhone is again rumored to have an under-display camera
• We're also hearing that it won't have Face ID
• Its screens could also be smaller than previously rumored

While the world learned to live with the iPhone’s notch, and matters improved when Apple switched to a Dynamic Island, ultimately, we’d wager that most people would prefer a smaller cut-out in the screen. Well, with the iPhone Fold – also known as the foldable iPhone – we might finally get that, and in fact, there might be no camera cut-out at all in one of the displays.

This is according to leaker yeux1122, posting on South Korean site Naver (via GSMArena). According to them, Apple’s current foldable iPhone prototype has a punch-hole camera on the cover screen and an under-display camera for the foldable screen.

Being under the display means it shouldn’t cause a visible interruption to the screen, and it’s something we’ve already seen on some phones, such as the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6, but never on an iPhone.

This isn’t the first time we’ve heard talk of the foldable iPhone having an under-display camera, but hearing it again increases the likelihood that it will happen, and that could bode well for other iPhones too, as it might mean the days of a massive screen cut-out are numbered.

No Face ID to be found

The iPhone 16 Pro Max (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

That said, Face ID apparently won’t be under the display. In fact, according to this source, Face ID won’t be present at all, with the foldable iPhone instead said to have a Touch ID sensor on the side. This, too, is something we’ve heard before.

Beyond that, yeux1122 claims that the screen size on this prototype is slightly smaller than on the previous prototype. They don’t specify what size it is here, but a fairly recent leak pointed to a 7.74-inch foldable display and a 5.49-inch cover screen.

Apparently, though, the resolutions haven’t changed, despite a decrease in size, and yeux1122 adds that the foldable screen’s aspect ratio for this prototype is 14.6:1, while the cover screen’s is 14.1:1.

Of course, even if these details are correct, it’s possible that things will change again in future prototypes, as with Apple not expected to launch the foldable iPhone until late 2026 at the earliest, the company quite possibly hasn’t yet finalized the design.

You might also like

• iPhone Fold tipped to be an annual release and take flagship baton from Pro Max – with a price tag to match
• The iPhone 17 series could cost more than the iPhone 16 – and not just because of Trump's tariffs
• Apple’s foldable iPhone tipped to have world-first display that eclipses the Galaxy Z Fold

• The triple-lens Nubia Z70S Ultra features a 35mm main camera
• The optional Z70 Series Retro Kit effectively transforms the phone into a Leica-like compact camera
• The kit features a grip, physical controls, and lens filters

Camera kits for smartphones are becoming a thing. They're designed to transform your phone into a compact camera-like device that's easier to use for photography – to see what I'm talking about, check out my long-term Xiaomi 15 Ultra review, in which I unpack Xiaomi's Photography Kit.

Now Nubia has created its own take on the concept, with its Z70 Series Retro Kit. The kit is compatible with Nubia's flagship Z70 Ultra and Z70S Ultra phones, and of all the camera kits I've seen for phones I think it looks the part, even if it's cashing in on the Leica aesthetic.

The new Z70S Ultra is already a retro-styled smartphone (see below, without the kit), with a silver-effect top and faux leather finish, available in Classic Black or Antique Brown. The Retro Kit takes things up a notch.

I haven't used the Retro Kit yet, but adding it should transform the phone's handling into something akin to some of the best compact cameras like the Ricoh GR III, with the looks of a D-Lux 8.

The retro-styled Nubia Z70S Ultra phone, without the Retro Kit. (Image credit: Nubia) Looking the part

The Nubia Z70S Ultra features a triple-camera unit, with the main camera being a slightly tighter-than-normal 35mm lens, which is complemented by a 2x telephoto lens and an ultra-wide macro optic.

The phone is powered by a Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, features a large 6.85-inch AMOLED display, and packs a hefty 6,600mAh battery. Those are solid specs; but it's the phone's looks that set it apart.

As I mentioned, the Z70S Ultra version is already a retro-styled handset, but by adding the optional Retro Kit you get a compact camera-style control layout too.

There's the leather-style case with grip that should make even one-handed holding comfortable for photography, plus a tactile physical shutter that I would expect to give a lovely response for picture taking (see below).

Image 1 of 2

The physical shutter should provide tactile feedback, while the control dial will likely put manual control at your fingertips. (Image credit: Nubia)Image 2 of 2

Lens filters will come in the Retro Kit. (Image credit: Nubia)

Alongside the shutter button is a control dial that looks like it will offer various manual controls at your fingertips – the equivalent dial in the Xiaomi 15 Ultra photography kit can be used for manual exposure compensation.

Finally, it looks like the case accepts lens filters over the camera unit. It's not clear what filters will be available, but further creative control options might be possible depending on what filters you can buy.

The idea with these kits is that they can be added for times when you're taking a lot of pictures and videos, and then removed when you're using the phone for other things.

The Nubia Z70 Series Retro Kit looks like it could be one of the best examples yet – I hope to get my hands on it for a proper test soon.

You might also like

• I swapped my $3,000 camera for the Xiaomi 15 Ultra for a month – here's what I learned
• Leica's new iPhone camera grip could have been great, but has 3 frustrating drawbacks
• The best camera phone 2025: we've tested all the top smartphones for photos and video

• A new report claims we won't see any AI Siri improvements at WWDC 2025
• One source claims Apple's AI strategy "is a crisis" while Bloomberg has seen internal data that shows Apple "remains years behind its competition"
• Apple is working internally on LLM Siri, which could bring the voice assistant up to speed with competitors

If you were excited about seeing Apple's AI-powered Siri at WWDC in June, think again. A new report claims we won't get a glimpse of any Apple Intelligence voice assistant improvements next month.

According to Mark Gurman at Bloomberg, Apple's new Siri, which was previously expected to launch at the beginning of 2025, and instead was indefinitely delayed, will not be part of next month's WWDC keynote.

Instead, Apple is expected to focus on new Apple Intelligence features, such as a rumored Battery Intelligence, which will help extend your device's battery life through the power of AI.

It's claimed one senior member of Apple's AI team told Bloomberg, "This is a crisis," while another said Apple's AI strategy has been "sinking for a long time." Bloomberg says it has seen internal data which shows Apple "remains years behind its competition," despite an internal shakeup and a new approach to its Siri strategy.

While we're unlikely to see anything related to Siri, it could be the case of "good things come to those who wait," as this in-depth report from Gurman gives a deeper insight into Apple's new AI strategy and the powerful tool the company is working on.

A new AI model incoming?

According to Bloomberg, "Employees say Apple now has its AI offices in Zurich creating a new software architecture to replace the problematic Siri hybrid—a so-called monolithic model, entirely built on an LLM-based engine, that would eventually make Siri more believably conversational and better at synthesizing information."

That project is codenamed LLM Siri, and would be a major upgrade to the voice assistant compared to not only what we currently have on the best iPhones, but even in comparison to the initial promise Apple showcased at WWDC 2024.

It's claimed Apple is training this LLM with synthetic data that allows the company to train the AI "without feeding actual user information into the models."

At WWDC 2025, we can expect Apple to show improvements to Apple Intelligence, while "sources say the company, despite its hopes for LLM Siri, is also preparing to separate the Apple Intelligence brand from Siri in its marketing."

Personally, I'm still optimistic Apple will turn its recent AI shortcomings around. If that means waiting longer for LLM Siri and functionality that allows me to truly harness the power of AI on my iPhone, then I'm willing to wait. Apple, don't let me down.

You may also like

• Apple’s ‘AI crisis’ could mean EU users will have the option to swap Siri for another default voice assistant
• You only need to see this screenshot once to realize why Gemini needs to follow ChatGPT in making its AI products less confusing
• I believed in Apple Intelligence, but Apple let me down

• Nintendo Switch 2 will only support VRR using its built-in display
• This was confirmed in a recent statement from Nintendo
• It follows confusion about VRR support in docked mode

Nintendo has confirmed that the Nintendo Switch 2 will only feature variable refresh rate (VRR) support on its built-in display.

This comes after the company quietly removed mentions of VRR support in docked mode from its US and Canada support websites. It was subsequently removed from the equivalent European support websites.

"The system also supports HDR, VRR, and frame rates up to 120 fps on compatible TVs," the website previously stated. This was updated to read: "The system also supports HDR, VRR, and frame rates up to 120 fps on compatible TVs."

We already know that VRR is supported on the console's built-in screen, but this change left some potential purchasers wondering whether the system would in fact support VRR when it's in the dock.

Nintendo has finally clarified the situation in a statement provided to NintendoLife. "Nintendo Switch 2 supports VRR in handheld mode only," the statement begins. "The incorrect information was initially published on the Nintendo Switch 2 website, and we apologise for the error."

This could be bad news if you've already got your hands on one of the best gaming TVs or monitors, many of which offer VRR support. The technology dynamically adjusts the screen's refresh rate to match the frame rate of your games, reducing tearing and giving an overall impression of smoothness.

It's supported by both the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and Series S and has become a popular option for gamers with supported displays. In a title like Assassin's Creed Shadows, for example, we've found that enabling VRR leads to a much more pleasant experience.

The Nintendo Switch 2 is set to launch on June 5, 2025. Both UK pre-orders and US pre-orders are live now.

You might also like...

• Heading to Best Buy at midnight could be the fastest way to get your hands on a Nintendo Switch 2 come launch day
• Nintendo president says the Switch 2's lower than expected sales forecast is due to its high price, not US tariffs
• Why is Nintendo Switch 2 so expensive? Analysts think the price of the console isn't the problem as software becomes a 'much harder sell'

• Business Systems House was breached in September
• It is a business partner of ADP, which serviced Broadcom at one point
• Now, sensitive Broadcom files seem to have emerged on the dark web

Customers of the global semiconductor giant Broadcom have had their sensitive data leaked on the dark web after a two-step supply chain attack. Apparently, a company called Business Systems House (BSH), a human capital management (HCM) services provider from the Middle East, suffered a ransomware attack in September 2024, in which a group known as El Dorado (later rebranded as BlackLock), stole its files.

This firm is a business partner of payroll company ADP which, in turn, worked with Broadcom. In fact, the chip giant was in the process of switching payroll providers when the incident happened, meaning it almost dodged that bullet.

However, in December 2024, the two firms discovered the stolen data on the internet. “Because the data taken by the criminal actor was in an unstructured format, definitively determining which employees were impacted and, for each employee, which data fields were disclosed, was a lengthy process for BSH/ADP, and this information was not made available to Broadcom until May 12, 2025,” it was explained.

60% off for Techradar readers

With Aura's parental control software, you can filter, block, and monitor websites and apps, set screen time limits. Parents will also receive breach alerts, Dark Web monitoring, VPN protection, and antivirus.

Preferred partner (What does this mean?)View Deal

El Dorado or BlackLock

According to The Register, who first broke the story, the attackers made away with the following data:

• National ID numbers
• National health insurance ID numbers
• Health insurance policy/ID numbers
• Financial account numbers
• Dates of birth
• Salary details
• Employment termination date
• Personal email addresses
• Personal phone numbers
• Home addresses

Broadcom urged everyone to turn on MFA and any other security settings that their financial institutions provide. Furthermore, it warned users to monitor their financial records.

You’ll be forgiven for not knowing who El Dorado is. It is a relatively new ransomware operation, emerging in March 2024, and already rebranded to BlackLock. The files stolen from Broadcom were posted on the BlackLock leak site, as well. Allegedly, the group consists of Russian-speaking individuals.

Broadcom serves a diverse range of customers across various industries, including technology, finance, healthcare, and telecommunications. Some of the biggest names include Apple, Samsung, Cisco, British Airways, and many others. ADP, The Register claims, is no worse, but so far, no one reported losing data.

Via The Register

You might also like

• Broadcom releases fixes for multiple VMware security flaws
• Take a look at our guide to the best authenticator app
• We've rounded up the best password managers

Everything you need to know about copyright and AI, including existing protections, fair use and the 30-plus lawsuits between AI companies and content creators.

• The Samsung Galaxy S25 FE could have the same rear cameras as its predecessor
• Reportedly only the selfie camera is getting an upgrade
• Previous leaks suggest the chipset won't be much better either

It almost seems like Samsung might have a cap on how many interesting phones it can launch in a year, because having added a new and intriguing model to the mix in the form of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge, we’re now hearing that the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE might be a lot less desirable.

According to GalaxyClub (via GSMArena), the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE will have almost identical cameras to its predecessor, with the phone said to once again have a 50MP main camera, a 12MP ultra-wide, and an 8MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom.

The only camera that will apparently be improved is the front-facing one, with this said to be 12MP – up from 10MP on the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE.

So it sounds like the cameras will barely be an upgrade at all, and while a 50MP main sensor isn’t bad, an 8MP telephoto has no business being on an upper mid-range phone in 2025. Though as the article notes, the Galaxy S25 FE will at least have the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge beat there, as that latter phone has no telephoto camera at all.

The chipset could disappoint too

The Samsung Galaxy S24 FE (Image credit: Future)

This isn’t the only disappointing rumored aspect of the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE though, as earlier reports point to it having either exactly the same Exynos 2400e chipset as the S24 FE, or more likely a slightly upgraded Exynos 2400 (without the ‘e’).

Either way, that would be a step down from what you’ll find in the rest of the Samsung Galaxy S25 series, and even with the latter it wouldn’t be much of an upgrade on last year’s phone.

So it seems like there might not be much reason to buy the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE if you already have a Galaxy S24 FE, and even if you’re coming from something much lower end, it could be hard to justify this over the standard Samsung Galaxy S25 unless this new FE is substantially cheaper.

Whether it will be remains to be seen, but we’ll hopefully find out soon, as references to Samsung Galaxy S25 FE firmware have been spotted, suggesting that it might launch before too long. That said, the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE didn’t land until September of last year, so if the S25 FE follows a similar pattern it could still be quite a few months away.

You might also like

• Best Samsung phones: top Galaxy handsets ranked
• Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge: price, design, cameras, and everything you need to know
• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7: latest news, rumors, and everything we’ve heard so far

• Evidence of a StandBy Mode for Android has been spotted
• It would be enabled on locked, charging phones
• The iPhone equivalent was introduced with iOS 17 in 2023

Android 16 could start to be pushed out to the masses within the next month, and signs of another imminent new feature have been spotted hidden in the platform code: a version of the iOS StandBy Mode for Google-powered phones.

This has been spotted by Android Authority, and concerns code hidden in the Android 16 beta and Google Play Services. The key reference is to casting content from "standby-friendly" devices, which strongly suggests phones and tablets in standby mode.

If you're not familiar with StandBy Mode on iOS, it shows a clock and other widgets on the iPhone screen when it's placed horizontally and being charged. Combine it with a MagSafe charger, and it essentially turns a locked iPhone into a smart display.

While the evidence for Google doing something similar with Android 16 is pretty slight right now, it would make sense for something like this to be introduced: it's a handy feature to have, as has been shown by third-party StandBy Mode options for Android.

Chargers and hubs

The Pixel 9 will be one of the first phones in line for Android 16 (Image credit: Future)

Another piece of the puzzle is the Qi2 charging standard, which will bring a MagSafe-like wireless charging experience to Android phones. Support for this is limited right now, but more Qi2-ready Android phones are expected within the next year.

It also looks as though Google is preparing to add a standby button to the Android interface, again as indicated by hidden code, and it looks as though the display setting will build on top of the existing Hub Mode available on the Google Pixel Tablet.

Plenty more features are expected in Android 16, based on what Google has already told us, what's now available in the beta software, and what's been spotted in leaks. We know the software will come with an updated look, and new security and battery features.

We're almost certainly going to hear more about Android 16 at the Google I/O 2025 event, which gets underway tomorrow, and will feature updates on AI, Android, Chrome, and more. You can get all the news from I/O right here on TechRadar, and watch along live.

You might also like

• How Android 16 could install your apps faster
• Everything we're expecting from Google I/O 2025
• Google teases an always-on display update

• Arcane fans might not have seen the last of Caitlyn and Vi on Netflix
• One of the show's co-creators has teased the possibility of their return in a sequel project
• The series' head writer also dropped some hints at where she'd like their story to go next

The creators of Arcane haven't ruled out the possibility of continuing Vi and Caitlyn's individual and/or collective stories in another Netflix project.

In comments made during an Arcane season 2 post-mortem panel that took place on May 10, but which was only published by Variety on Saturday (May 17), Christian Linke wouldn't be drawn on the future of the fan-favorite pair.

However, while Linke played down suggestions that Vi and Caitlyn would show up in one of Arcane's sequel projects, it teased the prospect that, while this chapter of their Runeterra-based journey was over, we may not have permanently waved them goodbye.

"Well, that’s a tough one [to answer]," Linke said in response to a fan query about Vi and Caitlyn's future. "I have to say no comment, because... you never know. That’s a s****y answer, but it’s in your favor."

Full spoilers immediately follow for Arcane season 2 episode 9.

Fans had long wondered if Caitlyn and Vi would get together in the Emmy-winning animated series (Image credit: Netflix/Riot Games/Fortiche)

Arcane only ended six months ago, and you can remind yourself what happened to Caitlyn in Vi by reading my Arcane season 2 ending explained piece.

If you don't have time to peruse that article, though, the short answer is Vi and Caitlyn – the gay couple dubbed 'CaitVi' by fans – got something of a happy ending in one of the best Netflix shows' final episode.

Okay, Vi's sister Jinx is presumed dead after she sacrificed herself to save her older sibling. And, for what it's worth, Link exclusively told me he could "neither confirm or deny" if Jinx actually survived events depicted in the show's last-ever chapter.

That moment aside, though, not only did Caitlyn and Vi live to fight another day following season 2 episode 9's life-threatening events, but also officially became a couple after originally expressing their love for each other in an earlier episode of the Netflix show's second and final season.

If season 2 episode 9 is the last time we see 'CaitVi', it would be a fitting end to their time in Netflix's adaptation of League of Legends (LoL), i.e., the incredibly popular video game that Arcane and its forthcoming follow-ups are based on. With so many other LoL champions expected to appear in other projects that Netflix is developing with animation studio Fortiche and LoL creator Riot Games, the chances of us being reunited with Vi and Caitlyn are currently slim.

Caitlyn and Vi's first kiss is the most captured scene in the history of Netflix's Moments feature (Image credit: Netflix)

Nonetheless, Amanda Overton, Arcane's head writer, expressed her wish to see the Piltover Enforcers' journeys continue on the world's best streaming service. And, while we shouldn't read anything into Overton's quotes, which you can read below, about their future post-Arcane, they're sure to excite fans who want to see more of their individual and shared history play out on the small screen.

"These characters are very young in the show," Overton remarked. "They’re like 20 or whatever. We haven’t seen Vi or Caitlyn become adults yet. The show was them becoming adults

I want Vi to get to see more of the world

Arcane writer Amanda Overton

"Now, they get to ask themselves, ‘Who am I when I don’t have anyone to protect? Because all they did [in] the entire show was try to protect someone besides themselves.

"Figuring out who Vi is and what she wants, and how she fits into being a cop, and who she decides to fight for and why –those are stories we have not yet explored at length," Overton added about one of Arcane's lead characters. "Is she a gumshoe investigator? Are they [Caitlyn and Vi] a crime-fighting duo? Do they go out to the wider world and encounter other champions? That would be dope and fun. I want Vi to get to see more of the world."

You might also like

• Arcane creators say it'll be a long time before the next League of Legends adaptation lands on Netflix: 'We're not in production on those yet'
• New League of Legends video might have set up Arcane's sequel series, and now I'm even more desperate to see the hit Netflix show's first follow-up
• Arcane co-creator vows 'we will learn from it' after fan frustrations of the Netflix show's 'rushed' final season

AI is undoubtedly one of the biggest developments to hit technology and business operations over the years. Tie that together with IT automation and everything suddenly appears a lot more complicated for business owners.

‘Agentic AI’ is one of the latest innovations to emerge recently. Otherwise known as AI Testing Agents, they use tools to help software programs run smoothly for companies. They can both monitor and test application performances to help identify any issues and optimize them for better performance. Early stage examples of AI agents minus the testing element include Siri, Alexa and Google Assistant.

In the past couple of years, I've observed firsthand how Artificial Intelligence is transforming entire industries, enhancing customer interactions, and refining operational efficiencies. It is these experiences that have led me to appreciate the nuanced benefits and challenges that come with integrating AI into business processes. Here, I share my perspectives on several key areas where I believe AI is making a significant impact.

The Pros and Cons of Using Test AI Agents in Business

From my point of view, the introduction of test AI agents in businesses heralds a new era of efficiency and capability. These agents excel in managing the inherent variability of AI responses, ensuring consistent performance monitoring amidst changing outputs. Their ability to handle large volumes of data through automated processes is particularly beneficial in environments where manual testing proves impractical.

Moreover, their role in facilitating continuous improvement is undeniable, as they provide the necessary feedback for iterative enhancements. However, these benefits are not without their challenges. The complexity of testing probabilistic AI systems requires sophisticated, statistical approaches that can be resource-intensive. Additionally, the rapid pace of AI evolution sometimes outstrips the development of standardized testing protocols, leading to potential inconsistencies.

Despite these hurdles, I believe that the strategic implementation of test AI agents is crucial for businesses in aiming to leverage AI effectively.

Implementing Agentic AI into the Workplace

For businesses, introducing Agentic AI into the workplace is a transformative process that I've seen yield enormous benefits when it comes to both efficiency and decision-making. In my experience, the key to successful integration is to start with clear objectives and thoughtful planning. This ensures AI agents are seamlessly incorporated into existing workflows, augmenting rather than disrupting established processes. Technical setup, including robust data pipelines and system integration, is what forms the backbone of this implementation.

Pilot testing is also crucial as it allows for real-world evaluation and adjustments. Moreover, ongoing training and support are essential to help employees adapt to and effectively interact with new AI tools. Continuous performance monitoring and iterative improvements based on feedback also play a critical role in realizing the full potential of AI agents in the workplace.

Industries Benefitting Most from Agentic AI Technology

In my view, several industries are currently reaping significant benefits from Agentic AI technology. Customer service has been transformed by AI agents capable of handling large volumes of inquiries in real time, significantly enhancing consumer satisfaction. Healthcare is another sector where AI has made a profound impact, assisting with diagnostics and patient management to streamline operations.

In finance, AI agents contribute to high-frequency trading, risk assessment, and fraud detection, improving accuracy and operational speed. E-commerce platforms utilize AI to personalize shopping experiences and optimize logistics, which enhances efficiency and customer engagement. These advancements underscore the versatile applications of AI across different sectors, driving improvements that are both transformative and beneficial for companies globally.

The Difference Between Conversational and Functional AI Agents

From my many years of experience in software, the distinction between conversational and functional AI agents is pivotal in tailoring AI applications to meet specific organizational needs. Conversational AI agents are designed for natural language interaction, making them ideal for roles that require engaging with customers or users, such as in service bots or virtual assistants.

On the other hand, functional AI agents are focused on executing specific tasks efficiently—whether it's data processing, automated testing, or controlling machinery. It is this specialization in functionality that allows businesses to deploy AI solutions that enhance productivity and accuracy in targeted operations.

Each of these facets of AI implementation and utilization reflects the broad spectrum of AI's capabilities and the diverse ways in which it can be harnessed to improve business processes and customer experiences. As we continue to explore and expand the boundaries of what AI can achieve, I remain optimistic about AI Testing Agents and their potential to drive further innovation and efficiency for businesses across the globe.

We feature the best AI chatbot for business.

This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

• 'Significant amount' of data stolen from Legal Aid Agency
• Up to 2.1 million records accessed, hacking group says
• Legal Aid online systems taken offline

The UK’s Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has revealed that a cyberattack on the Legal Aid system has led to the theft of a "significant amount" of data, including criminal records.

The MoJ was alerted to the attack on April 23 when data dating back as far as 2010 was accessed by the attackers.

Earlier this month, the MoJ said it was investigating a “security incident” and that payment information had potentially been accessed. The group responsible for the attack said they accessed 2.1 million pieces of data, but the MoJ has not confirmed this number.

‘Significant amount’ of data stolen

The MoJ said that the data accessed by the attackers “may have included contact details and addresses of applicants, their dates of birth, national ID numbers, criminal history, employment status and financial data such as contribution amounts, debts and payments.”

Legal Aid Agency chief executive Jane Harbottle issued an apology for the breach, adding that the breach “will be shocking and upsetting for people”. The MoJ is working with the UK’s National Crime Agency and the National Cyber Security Centre to secure systems, and the Information Commissioner has been notified.

The Legal Aid Agency is responsible for providing legal aid funding to over 2,000 providers. The amount administered in 2023/24 amounted to around £2.3 billion. The Agency’s online digital services have been taken offline as a result of the attack.

The MoJ has recommended that anyone who has applied for legal aid since 2010 to take steps to protect themselves, including increased vigilance against unknown phone calls and text messages, as well as updating or replacing weak or reused passwords.

"If you are in doubt about anyone you are communicating with online or over the phone you should verify their identity independently before providing any information to them," the ministry said.

Outside of personal data, it is likely that information relating to the barristers, solicitors, and other organizations, including not-for-profit organizations, was accessed by the hackers during the attack.

“The recent cyber attack on the Legal Aid Agency is yet another example of the real-world impact from digital vulnerabilities. When criminal records and other sensitive personal data are exposed, it is not just a matter of IT failure, it’s a breach of trust, privacy and even safety in this case. Many of the individuals affected may already be in vulnerable situations and could now face the added stress of not knowing where their data will end up or how it might be used," said Jake Moore, Global Cybersecurity Advisor, ESET.

“It highlights just how critical it is for public bodies and government agencies to invest in stronger cyber defences, quicker update times and better training as well as being transparent immediately when things go wrong. Delays in notifying victims or vague reassurances can often worsen the damage whether it’s a government agency or private company.”

Via BBC

You might also like

• Customer data stolen in M&S cyberattack
• Protect yourself with the best password managers
• Protect your family from online threats with the best parental control apps

• "In response to EU regulatory pressure" Apple could be working to let users in Europe switch to third-party voice assistants over Siri
• The move comes amid indefinite delays to AI-powered Siri upgrades originally planned for March 31
• Executives are showing concern for the future of the company, as Apple falls behind competitors in the AI race

Apple is reportedly working on tweaking its iPhone operating system to allow European users to choose a third-party voice assistant as their default option over Siri.

The news comes via a bombshell Bloomberg Apple AI report by Mark Gurman and Drake Bennet, citing "a person with knowledge of the matter" and follows in the wake of Apple's public struggle to provide Siri with AI upgrades that were first revealed in June 2024.

It’s a situation that has already resulted in Apple pulling a range of AI-focused ads and "available now" claims from the Apple Intelligence webpage. These upgrades were originally supposed to launch in iOS 18.4 on March 31, but now appear to have been delayed with no firm release date.

This report also claims that Google Gemini is on track to be added in iOS 19 as a ChatGPT alternative, according to people with knowledge of the plan.

Alongside struggling to make Siri smarter, Apple is also now seemingly facing regulatory sanctions in the EU after already being fined for forcing users to use its own App Store.

Right now, if you ask Siri on an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone (iPhone 15 Pro or newer) something like "How does CRISPR DNA editing work?" the virtual assistant currently has no answer – except to ask users if they'd like ChatGPT to answer.

According to an Apple exec cited by Bloomberg, Apple's usual methodology is "we’re late, we have over a billion users, we’re going to grind it out, and we’re going to beat everyone", but that's not working this time around.

(Image credit: Apple) Where to now for Siri?

To back up its claims, Bloomberg’s report notes that Eddy Cue – Apple’s Senior Vice President for Services – is worried that "AI could do to Apple what the iPhone did to Nokia". Cue has recently been quoted during court testimony as saying it's possible the iPhone could be irrelevant 10 years from now, "as crazy as it sounds".

While it ultimately might not have a choice when it comes to changes in the EU, Apple would obviously prefer Siri to be able to compete with Gemini and ChatGPT head on, but at this point, it does not appear to have a clear path when it comes to closing the gap, with a senior member of Apple's AI team stating, “This is a crisis… It’s been sinking for a long time.”

While allowing users to ditch Siri for a third-party alternative would deal with the problem in the short term and could be a good thing for iPhone and Mac users, from Apple’s perspective it would also be an undesirable admittance of that current state of affairs.

(Image credit: Photo by PHILIPPE LOPEZ/AFP via Getty Images)

In his court testimony, Cue stated that for the first time in 22 years, Google searches on Apple devices fell last month. The provided reason was that users were turning away from search engines and towards AI tools for gathering information.

While Apple has a dedicated customer base that is going to continue to buy Apple devices almost no matter what, as AI becomes more integrated into people’s work and personal lives, it may be the deciding factor for less loyal users.

By comparison, Android devices have long allowed owners to switch to a different virtual assistant, something that’s continuing into the age of AI.

Apple has undeniably fallen behind when it comes to AI integration, but perhaps not disastrously so – and when it comes to such a world-changing technology, maybe that's not such a bad thing. Given how unreliable Google AI Overviews can be, it's certainly not an exact science.

Acknowledging that they need time to get Siri to a point where it can rival the others, and giving users further functionality in the meantime, seems like a win/win for Apple and its customers – if the iPhone maker can swallow its pride.

You might also like...

• 4 Gemini announcements I can't wait to hear at Google I/O this year
• The iPhone will soon turn 20, but the last thing it needs is an all-glass makeover
• Apple wants to connect thoughts to iPhone control – and there's a very good reason for it

The way security professionals and their businesses approach artificial intelligence is one of contrasts and contentions. We’re still in a state of flux as to whether AI will lead to true cyber safety, or leave us more vulnerable to increasingly sophisticated attacks.

Optimists view AI as a gleaming opportunity to improve cybersecurity tools at a rate that helps us stay ahead of attackers. AI can strengthen defenses at unprecedented speeds and deliver automated threat intelligence that guides both immediate and long-term decision-making.

A more pessimistic view however presents AI as a weapon for adversaries to launch increasingly sophisticated new and dangerous threats on unprepared individuals and organizations.

In my view, our reality sits somewhere in between.

What it means to be AI-secure

There are always two sides to a coin. Where AI is considered, risks can arise both internally and externally. For instance, hackers use AI’s speed and scalability to launch widespread cyber attacks from outside the business, while any mishandling of AI technology within can hand valuable assets directly over to them.

A sound AI security strategy considers both sides.

AI’s efficacy in helping businesses automate the data collection process is a well known advantage. However, organizations must not forget that speed and efficiency do not surpass security as a priority. For example, automating data collection with AI still requires anonymization when sensitive information is included, and it must be controlled so only approved individuals can access it.

Here, zero-trust and multi-factor authentication can help ensure only the correct individuals within an organization can access it. This practice stems from the tide of mishandling, improper storage and data leaks - purposeful or otherwise.

Like with any new software, businesses must also consider the security of third-party AI services. Are you certain that the AI model you are using is truly secure? Here, diligence must come before investment - organizations can have the strongest internal defenses only to be let down by poor third-party security.

We saw a recent example of third-party security failure by UnitedHealth, when an attacker gained server access through Change Healthcare, a third-party affiliate. Breaching this side door meant UnitedHealth’s highly protected customer data could be accessed in a matter of days.

There’s also the need to continually train AI models with the latest information. Making decisions on out-of-date data opens the door for misguided defense strategies. Before businesses make any AI-based decisions, they must remember to account for the recency and relevancy of the data they are processing.

What features to look for in AI-secure security platforms

While the global battle for AI superiority rages, businesses must carefully consider which AI tools will bring them the most security. The best providers of AI-ready security tools and services have preempted the concerns laid out above, and innovated their services to limit errors in managing an AI-ready world. Microsoft Security Copilot is a great example approach to AI-security and a cyber safe outlook.

Here are four features to look out for:

1. Real-time monitoring

When it comes to identifying vulnerabilities, monitoring threats and repelling attacks, cyber teams rely on powerful platforms to do the heavy lifting; there simply isn’t enough time or resources to do this on a case-by-case basis. Through proprietary AI, businesses gain transparent, comprehensive views of internal and external activity, network traffic, user journeys and data access.

From here, intuitive machine learning can recognize anomalies from within and outside the organization, harnessing historical data to analyze minute-by-minute threat environments and predict when attacks might occur and in what form.

2. Immediate action

Even the hardest working security professional can’t be in two places at once. Microsoft Security Copilot, among other systems, accounts for this, leveraging AI to monitor the constant stream of business activity while also intelligently flagging real-time threats.

Naturally, as incident response becomes more automated - although human oversight remains crucial - security teams can receive threat data almost instantly, with less manually intensive requirements, freeing up resources to immediately respond.

For the past two decades, we have been one step behind cyber attackers; with real-time response, we level the playing field.

3. Automation to reduce time and error

While there is something to be said for automated processes reducing human error, especially from time and resource-poor cyber specialists, it’s my opinion that this risk will always exist. At least with this mindset, we’re not falling into the old adage of ‘fail to plan, plan to fail’. Microsoft Security Copilot and other systems, for all of their advantages, are only as robust and foolproof as the security specialist using them.

Does automation decrease the chance of human error? Definitely. Does it cure it altogether? Definitely not. We must enable powerful new systems to remove manual task intensity, but they must remain directed by boots-on-the-ground specialists.

4. System cohesion

Businesses use many different systems for vital day-to-day operations. Data migration between separate systems, failing to train and educate employees, and poor security integrity across the tech stack, all increase the attack surface and therefore the organization's vulnerability.

The tech giants hold a significant advantage here. Take Microsoft Security Copilot, which has been built to integrate into Microsoft’s existing suite of tools, such as Azure Cloud, Defender, and Office products. This level of ‘baked-in’ security reduces the attack surface. It’s a strategic advantage that cannot be underestimated, offering a greater degree of monitoring, control and transparency.

Becoming AI-secure is the first step

The best piece of advice I and many of my colleagues can provide is to adopt a constant, deliberate and thorough analysis of AI opportunities and challenges.

Is there a new capability from your chosen provider that can help plug a long-known vulnerability to a greater extent? Invest and move quickly.

Have attackers launched a new AI-based threat that challenges existing defenses? It’s time to quickly analyze current strategies and find ways to innovate in turn, relying on your network to formulate the best industry-wide approach.

An AI-secure organization is one that commits itself to proactive cyber safety. AI can be our greatest tool in the fight to come, but we must not forget that attackers are thinking the same.

We've compiled a list of the best endpoint protection software.

This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

Sony recently launched one of its most-anticipated products of 2025 in the WH-1000XM6 headphones. The company’s previous efforts, namely the XM4 and XM5, have proven incredibly successful, so it’s unsurprising that Sony felt the need to continue the lineage.

Those previous models have actually proven to be so popular that both will remain on sale alongside their newly upgraded sibling.

I’ve been using the XM6 for about a week now to find out if they could dethrone my trusted Sonos Ace as my go-to over-ear cans. But, as you would have already guessed from the headline of this piece, they’ve fallen a bit short in that challenge for the top.

It’s got nothing to do with sound quality or noise cancellation, although I’ll touch on those features further down. Instead, it has everything to do with how they fit.

I’ve made no secret of the fact that I’m a fan of Sonos’ first attempt at producing a pair of headphones, predominantly because I find the Ace so darn comfortable, and that’s still true nearly a year after they launched in June 2024.

I’ve never worn the previous XM4 or the XM5 for prolonged periods, but having read my colleague Gerald Lynch's Sony WH-1000XM5 review, which praised the overall comfort level, I was expecting glorious things from the XM6.

According our new Sony WH-1000XM6 review, those expectations should have been met. For me, however, they've unfortunately missed the mark.

The different hinge designs of the Sony (left) and Sonos (right) headphones plays a big role in on-head comfort. (Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

Perhaps I have a fussy head (hopefully not) or abnormally large ears (the shame) but, for me, the XM6 feel like they’re clamping down a little too much, at least when compared against the Sonos Ace. Sony has said it’s increased the clamping force of the new model compared to the XM5 to help aid with passive noise isolation, and it does indeed work on that front.

For my noggin, though, it’s just a little too forceful for comfort. They feel more akin to on-ear headphones when I wear them because the padding presses onto my ears a little too much. The Sonos Ace earcups, meanwhile, completely envelop my ears and feel much softer, and as a result feel way more comfortable.

I should add the realization that the Ace earcups envelop my ears more is an interesting one, because the openings are physically smaller than the Sony pair. I think the fact that the space inside the earcups of the Ace is deeper than on the XM6 is the reason for this peculiar phenomenon.

Despite weighing roughly 50g more than the Sony, I think the Sonos engineers have done a better job of distributing the weight of the Ace too. Again, I’m probably just being fussy, but it’s something I noticed as soon as I wore the XM6 for the first time and haven’t been able to shake.

In my opinion, one of the biggest factors to support my claim that the Sonos Ace feels more comfortable for me is the hinge mechanism used.

Both pairs feature hinges that integrate into the earcups, but the one on the Sonos Ace appears to have a greater range of flexibility, so it’s able to better conform to the shape of my head.

The Sony XM6 hinge integrated a folding mechanism for easier travel, but which I think limits its flexibility. (Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

In contrast, the hinge on the Sony XM6 has a more limited range and so can’t adjust to the shape of my head as freely. That said, Sony's said the XM6 are inspired by an older hinge design, inherited from the XM4, that allow them to better fold for traveling. The Sonos mechanism, meanwhile, doesn’t fold away as compactly, so that could have something to do with it.

Don’t get me wrong, that extra compactness is absolutely a great feature to have – although one that’s admittedly a little lost on me, as I don’t travel that much – but my head is probably just a little too limiting. Perhaps the hinge will loosen up over time and the XM6 will fit me better? We’ll see.

Mind you, the carry case for the XM6 is, hands down, a winner over the Sonos design in my view. Sony has implemented a magnetic fastener this time around and it works a treat. The zip on the case of my Sonos Ace broke within a few months, rendering it next to useless – a trait I've noticed many other Sonos Ace owners have come across. I hope other headphone manufacturers follow Sony’s design choice with new pairs in the future.

The magnetic fastener on the Sony case (left) is a major design win in my book. (Image credit: Future / Max Langridge) One person’s music is another person’s sound

I’ve learned in my years writing about speakers, headphones and other hi-fi components, sound quality can be subjective and that, ultimately, if you like what you hear, then that’s the product for you.

There are instances where it’s impossible to say something sounds good. But more often than not, I’ve found that I don’t necessarily appreciate how a particular product sounds despite someone else thinking it’s great, or vice versa.

It’s a similar story here, because while our Sony WH-1000XM6 review heaps praise upon their sonic capabilities, I’m a little less enthusiastic. Or at least, I don’t think the Sonos Ace should be completely disregarded if your budget can afford either pair.

As I’ve said, though, sound is a personal preference and I actually prefer the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless to either of these competitors for outright sound quality. However, comfort is still at the top of my wishlist, which is why I keep returning to the Sonos Ace. If I could get the Sennheiser sound in the Sonos body, it could just be my dream set of headphones.

I will admit the Sony headphones sound objectively better than the Sonos Ace. They’re more energetic, unearth a bit more detail and have tighter control over particularly tricky songs such as The Darkness’ I Believe in a Thing Called Love, resulting in a more cohesive listen.

While the Sonos Ace don’t sound bad in any sense of the word, I find myself having fun and bopping my head with the Ace in place when listening to dance music, which is my go-to genre – far more than when I’m listening to the same tracks on the XM6.

This could boil down to the fact that my ears don’t feel as constrained when using the Ace, resulting in a more 3D-like soundstage.

The Sonos Ace look and feel like a premium pair of headphones and the integrated hinge is excellent. (Image credit: Future / Max Langridge) Silence is golden

Now, when it comes to ANC performance of headphones, I personally don’t notice much of a difference between many of the latest pairs from the top brands. That could be because I listen to music quite loudly (perhaps to my own future detriment) and can’t hear any ambient sounds over it, including colleagues sitting next to me in the office. So it’s hard for me to judge if the noise-canceling tech is working as promised or not.

However, going off the in-depth reviews on TechRadar and speaking with my colleagues, the consensus is the ANC performance of the Sonos Ace isn’t class-leading. The opposite is the case for the Sony XM6, which are “the real deal as far as ANC is concerned” according to our reviewer.

This, too, might well be a personal preference. The amount of external noise you want to be blocked out could be different to my preference. If I can hear a train announcer telling me what station is coming up next, it doesn’t particularly bother me. If anything, it’s proven to be helpful if I’m taking a journey for the first time and I’m not sure where I’m going.

If you do want total silence, however, then I have to give it the Sony XM6 – though you could also consider the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, which have long been considered the class leader. The Sonos Ace are great, but ANC performance isn’t an area I can confidently defend them for.

Sony has redesigned the speaker driver for the XM6 headphones (left), which you can view when you take off the ear cushion. (Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

With both the Sonos and Sony pairs costing a not-insignificant amount of money – Sonos Ace retails for $449 / £449 / AU$699 and Sony XM6 come in at $449 / £400 / AU$699 – neither should be an impulse buy. If you’re looking to spend this kind of money on a new set of headphones, then I'd strongly recommend auditioning both pairs first if you’re able to.

While you’re at it, you should probably give the recently released Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 a listen too, along with the aforementioned Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones. B&W’s premium over-ears have always been excellent where sound quality is concerned, but have often lacked in other areas such as ANC. That’s no longer the case with the Px7 S3, which have much-improved noise canceling capabilities. Combined with their gorgeous looks, they could be the ultimate pair in this price bracket.

The internal area of the ear cup of the Sonos Ace (right) is deeper compared to the XM6, which I find much more comfortable. (Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

Therein lies a positive to take away from all of this: we now have so many quality choices when choosing a pair of headphones, that it’s hard for even experts like me to give a definitive answer on which brand one-ups the other. And given just how personal our choices are (one of my colleagues prefers the XM6 to the Ace for fit, for example), deciding upon and choosing the right pair is something only you can do for yourself.

You might also like

• 3 reasons I'd buy the Sony WH-1000XM6 and 3 reasons I wouldn't, based on my real-world testing
• View more of the best noise cancelling headphones
• I’ve tried Apple Music’s new Sound Theory playlists, and they’ve solved my sleep troubles