Technology

FICO has figured out what to do with Buy Now, Pay Later plans.

While the Nintendo Switch 2 and Steam Deck are the obvious choices for best handheld game consoles, we test out everything the portable game device market has to offer.

• Get free Google AI Pro tools with select Acer Chromebook Plus models
• AI, storage, and video creation tools are completely free for one full year
• Offer includes 2TB storage and premium Gemini model access

If you're considering buying a new Chromebook, Acer has just come up with a compelling reason to look at its Plus range.

For a limited time (between now and February 1, 2026), select Acer Chromebook Plus models come bundled with $240 worth of Google AI services.

The eligible models are the Acer Chromebook Plus 514, 516, and Spin 714. The Google AI Pro plan unlocks access to Gemini 2.5 Pro, 2TB of cloud storage, and AI features inside Gmail, Docs, and other Google services.

Making AI tools more accessible

While you get a full free year of the Google AI Pro plan, it's worth mentioning that a $19.99 monthly subscription kicks in after the promotional period, so you’ll need to remember to cancel it if you don’t want to face ongoing charges.

Users also get NotebookLM, which helps with organizing and synthesizing research, and Flow, a video tool built to help with cinematic story creation. Flow is powered by Google’s Veo 3 Fast model, included as part of the same plan.

NotebookLM allows more depth in user sessions, offering five times the number of notebooks, queries, and source references compared to its free version. It’s aimed at making research and writing more manageable for students, professionals, or content creators.

The Chromebook Plus Spin 714 sports Intel Core Ultra processors and up to 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM. It includes a convertible form factor and stylus support.

The 514 (CB514-5H) offers up to an Intel Core 7 chip, paired with up to 16GB of LPDDR5X memory and 512GB of storage. The 514 (CB514-6H) runs on an Intel Core 3 N-series processor and also supports up to 16GB of RAM and 512GB NVMe SSD.

For those who need more screen space and power, the Chromebook Plus 516 includes up to an Intel Core 7 processor, 16GB of LPDDR5X memory, and 512GB of internal storage. All models support either Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7 and come equipped with high-resolution QHD displays.

All of the Chromebook Plus devices also come with Google’s built-in AI tools, like Magic Eraser and AI-enhanced video calls.

You might also like

• These are the best business laptops you can buy right now
• And these are the best laptops for students on the market
• What is Google AI Studio? Everything we know about Google's AI builder

Microsoft's multiplatform game service offers hundreds of games for everyone -- even if you don't have an Xbox -- for a monthly fee.

Both Microsoft and Sony have confirmed they’re working on next-generation games consoles, with 2027 even tipped to be the potential launch date for a potential PlayStation 6 or new Xbox. But I’m here to squash that hype.

While 2027 makes sense for the usual new console cycle, which tends to be around every seven years - the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X (and S) both launched in November 2020, so that amount of time will have elapsed come 2027 - I think it’s way too early to start thinking about next-gen consoles (unless you’re looking at snagging a Nintendo Switch 2 restock).

I was lucky enough to put both current-gen PlayStation and Xbox flagship consoles through their paces when they launched. And both are excellent bits of hardware; the Series X is the ultimate expression of Xbox, while the PS5 offered a neat suite of innovations and the immersion-heightening DualSense controller.

But the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic not only made it hard to get either of the consoles close to launch, but also saw huge delays to games. This had the knock-on effect of more games being cross-generation than I’d have usually expected.

While that’s no bad thing, especially as I rather enjoyed playing games like God of War and The Last of Us Part 2 at 60 frames per second (fps), I felt it didn’t really give the proper next-generation console vibe I’d hoped for.

And now, five years into the generation and Microsoft has already started talking about next-generation hardware, with Xbox president Sarah Bond announcing the gaming division has formed a partnership with AMD for future hardware. And Sony confirmed it’s working on new next-generation PlayStation hardware, but stopped short of calling it the PS6.

Too soon?

(Image credit: Shutterstock/Hopix Art)

None of this is surprising, as of course there’ll be a new console generation; that’s unless Microsoft really does eschew hardware and go fully into Xbox Cloud Gaming, but that’s another topic of discussion. However, I think it's way too early for even the most hardcore of gamers to be thinking too much about what’s next for Xbox and PlayStation hardware.

The crux of this is, I reckon, we only really started to get proper ‘next-gen’ games in 2022, perhaps even 2023 - when the term ‘next-gen’ started to feel irrelevant. Perhaps ‘current-gen’ was more appropriate by then.

Now I get that even on the PS5 Pro, players may still need to make some form of choice between the fastest frame rates or the crispest graphics, rather than just having 4K 60 fps (I should add that the PS5 Pro does offer some excellent middle-ground options like a 40 fps high quality graphics mode in Horizon Forbidden West, and PSSR offer some smart upsampling for games).

So there’s potentially an argument for new hardware to finally deliver the ultra-high-definition and fast frame rate combo that has always felt like an undelivered promise.

A powerful PC like this Starforge System is arguably a step towards next-gen gaming right now. (Image credit: Starforge Systems)

Of course, PC gamers with deep pockets can already get this with a high-end machine, or are making the most out of Nvidia’s DLSS tech to get fast frame rates at cleverly up-mixed resolutions.

As someone with a very powerful gaming PC, I do love the ease of being able to boot up basically any game, crank everything up, and enjoy fast frame rates on a monitor with a high refresh rate. But that’s a bit of a niche proposition, and I don’t think it’s yet a catalyst for new console hardware.

My overarching feeling is that the current Xbox and PlayStation generation is only really three-ish years old in a gaming sense. I'd like to see more pumped out of the current hardware before diving headfirst into the next, as I reckon developers have more to extract from these machines.

I’ve partially made this argument before in regards to the PS5 Pro, which I think is great but perhaps a tad underwhelming. What I find more impressive is seeing consoles work to deliver impressive performance or visuals as developers really learn to optimize for their silicon innards.

Take The Last of Us on the PS3 - that was a seriously impressive-looking game that got so much out of very mature hardware. I’d say the same was true of Halo 4 on the Xbox 360.

While those consoles had different chip architecture to their predecessors, I think that the technical know-how of getting the most out of aging hardware may have had a positive knock-on effect on developing games for the PS4 and Xbox One.

Given that last-generation and this generation’s consoles run on AMD chip architecture, and that’s sure to continue with the next-generation, I think learning to push current hardware as hard as possible will have a positive knock on effect for the next-gen consoles in terms of extracting more performance from the offset, but also potentially opening up new gaming experiences with an understanding of what can be done with extra performance headroom.

Beyond frame rates

(Image credit: Sony/PlayStation)

While we’ve had some very graphically impressive games, like Horizon Forbidden West and Gran Turismo 7 on PS5, and Forza Horizon 5 on Xbox Series X, I don’t feel they were enormously different from their predecessors. So I’m still waiting on a game to truly wow me - Fable 4 and GTA 6 have both caught my eye, but they’re delayed until next year.

Going by the recent Witcher 4 tech demo, which looked amazing yet was running at 60 fps on PS5 hardware, there’s seemingly a lot of untapped promise in the current console hardware, especially with what Unreal Engine 5 has to offer.

Equally, I still think The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt looks fantastic, especially after its upgraded release on the current-gen consoles. And while I love fast frame rate gaming with all the bells and whistles on my PC, I do wonder if we’ve sort of hit 'peak graphics’. Sure, things can get crisper, sharper, and smoother, but will we ever see the big generational leap like I used to see in the early 2000s? Probably not.

So I worry that with a new console generation now arguably on the horizon, we’ll see even the best games consoles go the way of smartphones and become almost incremental generation-to-generation. I do not want that.

Rather, I want new consoles to offer proper step changes in gaming. Where once graphical fidelity represented that, how about seeing something new?

The world and its technological dog are harping on about AI, so how about we see games consoles that can truly support advanced character AI that offer unique player experiences with each new playthrough, or expand the scope of games.

(Image credit: Stock-Asso / Shutterstock)

Or perhaps we see new control schemes that really make gaming accessible to all; as much as the Nintendo Switch 2 might be a cool piece of hardware, my colleague Rob Dwiar can’t use it, and that seems rather limiting in the year 2025.

As games have evolved, they open up more interesting experiences and interactions - if we break away from the established molds of Call of Duty, Assassin’s Creed, and so on - and I feel hardware could and perhaps should follow suit.

So it’s my hope that we don’t let hype push a new console generation too soon, and instead, current hardware is pushed to the max while smarter people than me come up with new tech that takes gaming to a new level.

You might also like

• I ditched my premium gaming headset for audiophile headphones – here's why I might not go back
• Best PS5 games 2025 - the top 25 PlayStation 5 titles to play right now
• You don’t have to chase numbers on console - playing at 4K and 30 frames per second is a superb experience

• AI use is exploding, but most European companies are still operating without clear rules or policies
• Organizations celebrate productivity gains while ignoring rising security threats from deepfakes and AI misuse
• Employees use generative AI daily, but few know when, where, or how they should

As generative AI gains traction across Europe’s workplaces, many organizations are embracing its capabilities without establishing formal policies to guide its use.

According to ISACA, 83% of IT and business professionals believe AI is already being used by staff within their organizations, but only 31% report the presence of a comprehensive internal AI policy.

The use of AI in the workplace comes with some benefits. Fifty-six percent of respondents say AI has already improved productivity, 71% cite efficiency gains and time savings, while 62% are optimistic that AI will further enhance their organizations over the next year.

Productivity gains without structure is a ticking bomb

However, AI applications are not universally positive, and whatever perceived gains they bring come with caveats.

“The UK Government has made it clear through its AI Opportunities Action Plan that responsible AI adoption is a national priority,” says Chris Dimitriadis, ISACA’s Chief Global Strategy Officer.

“AI threats are evolving fast, from deepfakes to phishing, and without adequate training, investment and internal policy, businesses will struggle to keep up. Bridging this risk-action gap is essential if the UK is to lead with innovation and digital trust.”

This dissonance between enthusiasm and regulation poses notable challenges.

Concerns about AI misuse are high, and 64% of respondents are extremely or very concerned about generative AI being turned against them.

However, only 18% of organizations are investing in tools to detect deepfakes, despite 71% anticipating their proliferation in the near future.

These figures reflect a clear risk-action gap, where awareness of threats is not translating into meaningful protective measures.

The situation is further complicated by a lack of role-specific guidance. Without it, employees are left to determine when and how to use AI, which increases the risk of unsafe or inappropriate applications.

“Without guidance, rules or training in place on the extent to which AI can be used at work, employees might continue to use it in the wrong context or in an unsafe way. Equally, they might not be able to spot misinformation or deepfakes as easily as they might if they were equipped with the right knowledge and tools.”

This absence of structure is not only a security risk but also a missed opportunity for proper professional development.

Nearly half of the respondents, 42%, believe they need to improve their AI knowledge within six months to remain competitive in their roles.

This marks an 8% increase from the previous year and reflects a growing realization that skills development is critical.

Within two years, 89% expect to need upskilling in AI, underscoring the urgency of formal training.

That said, companies that want the best AI tools, including the best LLM for coding and the best AI writers, must also account for the responsibilities that come with them.

You might also like

• Here's our roundup of the best AI phones
• We've also listed the best business laptops for all budgets
• Half of social media marketers can't imagine doing their jobs without AI

• Security-focused Apple browser Psylo isolates tabs into silos with private proxies per tab
• Each silo blocks trackers and fingerprinting for deeper privacy
• No data or identity gets stored, only bandwidth tied to random ID

Browser fingerprinting tracks users by collecting device details to build a unique profile, allowing cross-site tracking without cookies or static IPs.

Apple users looking for privacy-first web browsing now have a new option for blocking this kind of tracking in Psylo, a browser developed by Canadian security researchers Talal Haj Bakry and Tommy Mysk.

Available on Apple’s App Store it offers a fresh approach to online privacy via isolated browser tabs and built-in proxy protections.

True tab isolation

Psylo is built around the idea of isolating every browser tab as its own “silo,” with separate storage, cookies, and even unique IP addresses.

This approach not only adds privacy but makes tracking users far more difficult. “Psylo stands out as it is the only WebKit-based iOS browser that truly isolates tabs,” Tommy Mysk told The Register.

Each silo connects through Psylo’s private proxy network, offering more than 40 high-speed servers in locations like Canada, Germany, and Brazil.

Unlike traditional VPNs, which mask only IP addresses, Psylo adjusts browser fingerprints per silo. It aligns timezone and system language to the chosen proxy location, a feature aimed at preventing fingerprinting techniques that can bypass VPNs.

The app is fully self-contained. It doesn't modify system VPN settings or require any setup.

Protections such as DNS-level tracker blocking and automatic HTTPS upgrades are built-in. There are no ads, no crypto incentives, and no AI agents running in the background.

Psylo also allows multiple account usage through web versions of social platforms like Instagram or X.

Tabs can run side by side without sharing data or tracking information between them. Users can choose between persistent silos for daily browsing or ephemeral ones that delete data after closing.

Mysk says that no browsing history, IP addresses, or personally identifiable information is stored. Bandwidth data is the only thing recorded, and it is tied only to a random identifier created at signup. Apple handles all payment data.

Psylo is available now on iOS and iPadOS. Users can try it free for seven days without creating an account. Monthly and yearly subscriptions are available, starting at $9.99 per month.

You might also like

• This dangerous new malware is hitting iOS and Android phones alike
• Security & data protection: when two become one
• Browser fingerprinting: what it is and how to protect yourself

Want to catch up on the biggest tech news stories you might have missed from the past seven days?

You're in luck, as we've rounded up the biggest events from Tesla launching its robotaxis (in a way) in Austin to reports of PS5s failing as an old debunked issue resurfaces.

Once you're up to speed on all that, be sure to check out the 7 new movies and TV shows to stream this weekend (June 27).

8. We hosted Smart Home week

(Image credit: Getty Images / Kemal Yildirim)

Ever wanted to get started with smart lighting, set up a home security system, or automate everyday chores? This week, we've brought you a heap of expert advice and tutorials to help you get started with smart home tech. Whether you're getting connected for the first time or want to get more out of the devices you already have, we're here to help.

Smart home tech is all about making your life easier, so we’ll show you the devices that will do the most for you and show you how to connect them all together in a seamless system. It’s a lot simpler and more affordable than you might expect, and you’ll be amazed at just how much it can do for you!

• Read more: Welcome to TechRadar's Smart Home Week

7. Windows 10 fans got a new lifeline

(Image credit: Shutterstock - Wachiwit)

Microsoft is officially cutting the cord on Windows 10 on October 14, but this week it threw a buoy to anyone who needs a bit more time to switch to Windows 11.

The Extended Security Updates (ESU) program brings important security patches to Windows 10 for a year after official support ends. And there’s now a new wizard to help you get your PC enrolled – it’ll be available in the Windows Insider Program in July, before rolling out more widely in August.

The wizard can’t, unfortunately, wave its wand to make Windows 11 go away, but it will help you kick that can down the road for another year if you aren’t quite ready to make the leap.

• Read more: Windows 10 users who don’t want to upgrade to Windows 11 get new lifeline from Microsoft

6. Cambridge Audio made us even crazier about music

(Image credit: Future)

Until now, Cambridge Audio’s wireless earbuds have been ‘pretty good’, but in a market so chock full of plucky contenders, ‘pretty good’ is usually not good enough. And so the company is back with a very concerted effort, in the shape of the new Melomania A100.

Look, it’s not every week that such a gifted set of earbuds arrives. Here is a product priced to compete squarely in the mainstream, but with so few apparent compromises – yes, they sound great; yes, the ANC is very effective – it makes the price tag seem unfathomable.

In every respect (build quality, specification and, especially, performance) these earbuds outperform their asking price by a wide margin. Highly recommended.

• Read more: I tested Cambridge Audio's all-new Melomania A100 earbuds

5. Multiple users reported PS5 failures

(Image credit: Sony)

Panic stations, folks; reports of PS5 failures due to liquid metal leaking issues are resurfacing, despite previously being debunked. This comes from the founder of indie developer Alderon Games, who claims that developers and multiple players reported constant abrupt shutdowns while playing its Rise of Titans game.

It’s perhaps the worst possible time for issues to occur, as arguably the most anticipated game of all time, GTA 6, is almost upon us; therefore, it’s advised to place consoles horizontally to avoid any potential complications.

• Read more: I sure hope my PS5 doesn't die before GTA 6 - reports suggest hardware issues could damage consoles over time

4. Bond found its next movie director

(Image credit: MGM)

The first James Bond movie of the Amazon MGM Studios era is starting to take shape with a new director set to take over the reins that you might have heard of: Denis Villeneuve.

Known for big blockbusters like Dune, Arrival, Sicario, and Blade Runner 2049, the filmmaker has been trusted with taking over established franchises before, and so understands that the Bond movies are “sacred territory”.

A self-proclaimed “die-hard Bond fan”, the announcement of Villeneuve’s appointment has been largely welcomed by fans, with many taking to social media to say how excited they are. Although some have raised concerns that Villeneuve’s other upcoming projects, like Dune ,3 might mean there’ll be a longer wait.

• Read more: ‘I can’t believe I’m excited for a Bond movie again’: Amazon’s bold new direction for 007 has fans talking

3. Tesla’s self-driving robotaxis hit the road

(Image credit: Tesla)

After quite the wait, the Tesla robotaxi service has ‘launched’ in Austin, Texas, so now you can be ferried around in a Tesla vehicle with no human driver behind the wheel.

However, it’s a very limited thing. Not only does it only cover a very specific part of Austin – a region that's been thoroughly mapped by Tesla's software – but you also have to receive an invite to even try the service.

You won’t be alone on your ride for now either, as each robo taxi comes with its own robo taxi employee who can shut the car down if it gets into trouble, which bodes well for how Tesla thinks this test will go.

• Read more: Tesla has launched its robotaxi service for a handful of super-fans

2. Chromecast with Google TV finally got its update

(Image credit: Google)

The Android 14 update, which we first reported that Chromecasts would be getting back in March, is at last available for everyone.

Some people did initially manage to start installing the update, so this new rollout is for two versions – a smaller package for anyone who downloaded the initial Android 14 update before it was pulled, and a larger one for anyone who didn't and whose device is still running Android 12.

According to Google, the update should lead to "a snappier, more responsive TV experience".

• Read more: Chromecast with Google TV's long Android 14 nightmare is over

1. Samsung set the date for Galaxy Unpacked

(Image credit: Samsung)

After numerous hints from Samsung and many rumors about the next Galaxy Z Fold, Galaxy Z Flip, and Galaxy Watches, you can now officially mark your calendars for July 9, 2025.

The Galaxy Unpacked festivities will kick off at 10am ET / 7am PT / 3pm BST on July 9, 2025, and the event will be live-streamed. TechRadar will be on the scene in Brooklyn, New York, reporting live, so we’ll be breaking down err... Unpacking everything that Samsung unveils.

The teaser says 'Ultra Unfolds' suggesting we might also see the rumored Samsung Galaxy Z Fold Ultra.

• Read more: Is the Galaxy Z Fold ready to go Ultra?

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for June 28.

• TCL’s 57-inch 57R94 offers wide dual 4K view in a single curved monitor
• Promises strong color performance with 2304 dimming zones and HDR support
• Includes full connectivity with 90W USB-C and multiple display ports

If you’ve ever dreamed of replacing your dual-monitor setup with a seamless ultra-wide beast, TCL’s new curved monitor might be exactly what you’ve been waiting for.

The 57R94 is a 57-inch, 32:9 ratio, dual 4K display that looks more like a command center than a typical desktop monitor and may require the purchase of a new office desk to accommodate it.

It delivers a resolution of 7680 x 2160, giving users the space of two 4K screens on a single curved panel. That curvature, rated at 1000R, keeps every inch of the screen more consistent in viewing distance. It refreshes at 120Hz and supports a 1ms response time, which should help with fast visuals in creative tasks like video editing or gaming.

A solid selection of ports

With 2304 dimming zones, the panel can finely adjust light output across its surface. This means deeper contrast, with black areas that stay dark while highlights pop up to 1200nits.

Its HDR performance is certified to meet VESA DisplayHDR 1400 standards, and the display also scores high marks for color, covering 98% of the DCI-P3 gamut.

Color accuracy is a big plus, with a Delta E under 1. It also has Pantone certification, so colors should stay true to the original.

The display also limits blue light exposure, meeting Rhine's low blue light standard to help reduce eye fatigue.

The 57R94 has dual HDMI 2.1 ports, DisplayPort 1.4, and a 90W USB-C that can deliver power and handle video at the same time. There’s also a USB-B upstream, four USB-A ports for peripherals, and a headphone jack. Built-in dual speakers provide basic sound capabilities.

No word on pricing or availability as of yet, but we wouldn’t expect to see much (if any) change from $1500 when it does arrive.

You might also like

• These are the best 5K and 8K monitors around today
• This is the first 8K 120Hz monitor ever produced - is the market ready for it?
• LG has a new 5K monitor with a Thunderbolt 5 port, and I love that it is curved

Some folks already caught a sci-fi-level glimpse of it on Thursday, when a blazing meteor put a hole in a Georgia house.

You still have a month and change to get in on this settlement.

• Foxconn is preparing robots to perform manual tasks such as cable insertion and part assembly
• Nvidia may become the first to use humanoid robots in its AI server production line
• Foxconn’s Houston factory was selected for its larger space and adaptable new layout design

Foxconn and Nvidia are reportedly discussing plans to deploy humanoid robots at a new AI server production facility in Houston.

If implemented, this would be the first time humanoids are used in the assembly of Nvidia products and Foxconn’s first AI server line to incorporate them.

Sources familiar with the matter, who declined to be named, told Reuters the deployment could be finalized soon, with operations possibly beginning in the first quarter of 2026.

New factory layout makes robotics more feasible

Houston was considered a strategic choice due to its new facility design and greater available space compared to existing AI server manufacturing sites.

However, neither Nvidia nor Foxconn has officially confirmed the plan, but the reports align with both companies’ growing interest in automation and robotics, particularly in areas that demand speed and flexibility, like AI server production.

Foxconn has been developing its own humanoid robots through its subsidiary Foxconn Industrial Internet and is also training robots to do basic tasks like cable insertion, object placement, and light assembly work.

At a recent event in Taipei, Leo Guo, general manager of the company's robotics division, revealed that two types of robots will be showcased in November 2025.

One version has legs, while the other is mounted on a wheeled autonomous mobile base, which Guo said “would cost less than the version with legs,” though he declined to share specific figures.

Nvidia, for its part, has a strong stake in the humanoid robotics field, as it supplies the AI platforms used by many developers to create humanoid machines.

At its recent Nvidia GTC 2025 event, CEO Jensen Huang stated the widespread use of such robots in manufacturing was “less than five years away.”

Nvidia’s broader plans in Texas include a second partnership in Dallas with Wistron, and both sites are expected to begin production within 12 to 15 months.

Still, one unanswered question lingers: if Nvidia is pushing for humanoid robots in the US, where exactly will these robots be built?

Foxconn may turn to Taiwan, where its robotics unit is based, or to China, where it operates large-scale factories and has previously collaborated with UBTech.

Vietnam and India are also plausible choices, given Foxconn’s ongoing expansion in those countries to reduce production costs.

Alternatively, the company could outsource components to established robotics manufacturers in Japan or South Korea, where the technology is more advanced and well-established.

While the United States could be considered for localized production, this is likely part of a longer-term strategy.

This key detail will determine how scalable the approach is and whether the future of automated manufacturing will rely on global supply chains or more localized development.

You might also like

• Companies are becoming more accepting of robotics in the workplace, survey finds
• Gemini just got physical and you should prepare for a robot revolution
• The path to Agentic AI: overcoming complexity to embrace the autonomous enterprise

A last-minute rule change lets European iPhone owners download apps from rival stores and developer websites, while introducing new fees that Apple hopes will satisfy regulators in Brussels.

• A 'leaked' image shows a screen protector for the iPhone 17 family
• And the iPhone 17 Air has a standout change with a left-oriented selfie camera
• This dull tip could hint at more than meets the eye

The iPhone 17 Air has been tipped to have a front-facing camera on the left-hand side of the Dynamic Island that the rumored super-slim phone is expected to have.

This comes courtesy of tipster Majin Bu, who has a habit of surfacing claimed leaks taken from Chinese social media on X, often with a mixed track record of accuracy. Bu posted an image of screen protectors that are supposedly for the iPhone 17 lineup.

These images are hardly dynamic and don't hint at big design changes for the next-generation iPhones. But for an image labelled 'IP17Air', the front-facing camera has been shifted from the right-hand side of the Dynamic Island (as seen on the iPhone 16 models and expected for their next-gen counterparts) to the left.

(Image credit: Majin Bu/X)

Now, before you yawn yourself off this article, let me explain why it could be more interesting than you think.

Moving a camera isn't a big deal, especially as Apple would likely make sure iOS 26 takes this into account when using the likes of the reworked camera app to snap selfies and so on.

But Apple tends to rarely do things for the sake of it or just for a bit of design flair. Rather, I think this change could be a clue as to how Cupertino might have reworked the internal layout of its iPhones to produce a super-slim variant of a next-gen Apple phone.

Formula iPhone

(Image credit: Apple TV+)

If you happen to follow Formula One – which, as it happens, Apple has made a movie about – you'll know that how components in an F1 car are packaged is vital to getting the most performance out of a car; in terms of aerodynamics, weight distribution, weight, and so on. The rules of F1 mean that there are limitations to how much can be changed with each team's car to ensure that one doesn't have an unfair advantage over the others.

And I think the same logic can be applied from an F1 car to making super-slim phones, well, to an extent, so bear with me.

This is because consumers have certain expectations from phones – especially those from the biggest brands – such as decent performance, rear- and front-facing cameras, a solid battery life, and a decent display. And given phones have basically got somewhat iterative generation-to-generation, there are arguably limitations to what can be done to make a phone slim and light without too many compromises.

As such, this tipped camera reposition in the Dynamic Island is a potential hint that Apple is working to package the internal components and structures of the iPhone 17 Air in such a way as to make it seriously slim.

Given Samsung beat Apple to the punch with the Galaxy S25 Edge, I think Tim Cook's crew will need something special to stand out and avoid being slated for following in its rival's footsteps instead of leading.

Of course, the iPhone 17 Air could still be rumor and speculation, with screen protector makers reacting to the tips rather than any official design. But at this point, a form of iPhone 17 Air seems quite likely; we're sure to find out more come the expected September Apple event.

You might also like

• The iPhone 17 Air could lack a near-essential feature, but I'm not convinced
• The best iPhone 2025: which Apple smartphone reigns supreme?
• Will Apple never learn? I'm convinced that the iPhone 17 Air will repeat the mistake of the iPhone mini series – here's why

Here are some hints -- and the answers -- for the NYT Connections puzzle for June 28, #748.

Here are hints -- and the answers -- for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle, No. 278, for June 28.

Here are hints -- and answers -- for the NYT Strands puzzle No. 482 for June 28.

Here are hints -- and the answer -- for today's Wordle for June 28, No. 1,470.

• JCB’s rugged phone trio enters a saturated market with a price that raises eyebrows
• JCB Toughphone P20's thermal camera is unique, but won’t matter much to everyday users
• Midrange specs and premium pricing put the JCB M20 and E10 in a tight spot

JCB has introduced three Android rugged smartphones, targeting field professionals in industries such as construction and logistics.

The most advanced of the trio, the Toughphone P20, arrives with Android 14, a 6.6-inch 120Hz Full HD+ display, and a MediaTek MT6877 chipset coupled with 12GB RAM and 512GB of internal storage, expandable up to 1TB.

But with a launch price of £649 (€649), it lands in a territory already contested by better-known and, in some cases, more affordable rivals.

Niche features may not justify a premium price

On paper, the Toughphone P20 appears to be built to last. Its 10,000mAh battery supports up to 40 hours of talk time and 50 days of standby, while also offering powerbank functionality.

JCB claims it “combines robust hardware with advanced features,” and the device meets IP69K and MIL-STD 810H durability standards.

The drop resistance of up to 1.8 metres and water resistance make it a credible option, but it must contend with phones like the Ulefone Armor 28 Ultra, which boasts similar ruggedness, an even larger battery, and support for Android 15 at a slightly higher cost.

JCB's inclusion of a thermal imaging camera is a niche but welcome feature, using an “uncooled VOx microbolometer” capable of capturing temperatures from -15°C to 550°C with a resolution of 256 x 192 pixels.

The triple rear camera system, 64MP main, 8MP wide-angle, and 20MP night vision, adds versatility, and the 20MP front camera is well above the standard for rugged phones.

However, in the area of software assurance and update longevity, mainstream rivals like the Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 still offer more confidence, especially for enterprise users who value a mature ecosystem.

The Toughphone M20 and E10, which come in at £449 and £249 respectively, cater to mid- and entry-level rugged users, but again, they're priced within reach of alternative options.

The Doogee S200 provides similar specs to the M20 with a huge battery and 5G support, but may come in cheaper, especially from resellers.

Meanwhile, for buyers interested in large screens and aggressive aesthetics, the 8849 Shark 3 competes with its striking design and gaming-inspired rugged build.

JCB markets the P20 as a field-ready tool but it faces stiff competition even among lesser-known brands. The Oukitel WP200 Pro, for instance, blends durability, strong specs, and an average price point, challenging JCB’s efforts to stand out.

Unless JCB can negotiate volume deals to bring the price down significantly, its debut trio may struggle to attract attention beyond niche buyers who already know exactly what they're looking for.

You might also like

• These are the best rugged laptops around today
• And these are the best rugged tablets you can buy right now
• This $1,999 smartphone is the closest 'Made in USA' cellphone right now