TechRadar News

• Antigravity's Insta360-powered first drone is focussed on simplicity
• 360 drone with 'immersive flight' is set for August launch
• It will shoot 8K video and weigh under 250g

There’s a new player entering the drone game, and I couldn’t be more excited. This week’s announcement (or should that be “pre-announcement”?) from Antigravity teasing its forthcoming 360 drone means that market leader DJI is about to get a major rival.

The Antigravity drone, developed by Insta360 and some unspecified third parties, isn’t a straight-up competitor to DJI’s range; it’s instead taking things in a different direction. By offering 8K 360-degree capture of everything around it – like a flying version of the superb Insta360 X5 camera – this is the first ever drone to offer immersive all-around capture out of the box.

Details are scant at the moment, but Antigravity’s press release promises to “replace the technical complexity inherent in both drone flying and 360-degree videography with expressive, story-first experiences that are easy to master yet exceptionally powerful.”

Ease of use is clearly going to be a major marketing point of this first Antigravity drone, with the release going on to mention intuitive, family-friendly operation aimed at people who don’t have time to learn “complex flight controls and aerial content creation”. And that focus on simplicity and ease of use is hugely exciting to me.

The upcoming Antigravity drone will be unveiled in August (Image credit: Antigravity, Insta360)Simply does it

Don’t get me wrong – I love the power and advanced capabilities of DJI’s premium drones like the Mavic 4 Pro, and learning how best to use them to create impactful aerial photographs and videos. As someone who has been reviewing drones ever since the original DJI Phantoms were released over a decade ago, I’ve had plenty of time to master quadcopter flight. And, let’s face it, it’s not like DJI’s drones are particularly difficult to fly, thanks to their plethora of built-in safety features, wind resistance and automated flight modes.

But the idea of an ultra-focussed, low-complexity drone designed purely for 360 video is also compelling – even if it’s, for now, all just marketing talk with few concrete details. Antigravity is making some bold claims – and it has to, if it wants to attract attention in a market absolutely dominated by DJI.

However, I can already spot two key areas in which the Antigravity drone keeps things simple. The first is its weight, which we know will be under 250g. That means it’s free from many of the restrictions and rules governing drones. In the US, drones under 250g are exempt from FAA registration for recreational use, while in the UK they don’t require a Flyer ID, can be flown closer than 50m to uninvolved people and can be flown at residential, recreational, commercial and industrial sites. Less paperwork and more scope for flying are always welcome.

The DJI Mini 4 Pro's sub-250g weight is a key part of its appeal – and one that Antigravity's debut drone will also possess. (Image credit: DJI)

You might be thinking, “but DJI makes sub-250g drones too” – and you’d be right. The DJI Flip, DJI Neo and the DJI Mini range of drones all fall into the ultra-lightweight category, so this isn’t an area where Antigravity can differentiate itself. Where it can, however, is with 360 video.

Because the Antigravity drone’s camera design captures everything around it, all the time, the user doesn’t need to point the camera at a particularly subject when flying. The user just flies, lets the 360 camera do its thing and then, later on, can reframe the video to ensure that it’s pointing in the right direction. You’ll never miss a shot. This isn’t something we’ve ever seen integrated into a drone before, and truly sets the Antigravity apart from its competitors.

If I can forget about restrictions and forget about camera control, then all I need to worry about is putting the Antigravity drone in the right places. That’s a huge win in my book – and I can’t wait to take this new drone for a test flight.

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Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Strands puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Tuesday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Tuesday, July 29 (game #513).

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

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

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

NYT Strands today (game #514) - hint #1 - today's themeWhat is the theme of today's NYT Strands?

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… You've got that right

NYT Strands today (game #514) - hint #2 - clue words

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

• CHEESE
• MESS
• BRIEF
• BLESS
• LISTEN
• TILE

NYT Strands today (game #514) - hint #3 - spangram lettersHow many letters are in today's spangram?

• Spangram has 12 letters

NYT Strands today (game #514) - hint #4 - spangram positionWhat are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First side: top, 3rd column

Last side: bottom, 3rd column

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

NYT Strands today (game #514) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #514, are…

• LIFE
• VOTE
• SPEECH
• LIBERTY
• ASSEMBLY
• COUNSEL
• SPANGRAM: CONSTITUTION

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

I think today's Strands concerns words found in the United States Constitution, but I will admit that I'm not an expert in this regard, given that I'm based in the UK. What I do know is that the words here represent a selection of human rights that we often take for granted, but that are constantly worth reminding ourselves of – especially if we feel they are under threat.

As far as my gameplay went I saw the two shortest words first before the spangram confirmed the theme and opened up the board.

Unlike most days I barely had to cock my head sideways to work out the game words and unusually had to go hunting for non-game hints after completing the board.

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Tuesday, July 29, game #513)

• EXACT
• STRICT
• PRECISE
• ACCURATE
• PERSNICKETY
• SPANGRAM: TAKING PAINS

What is NYT Strands?

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

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

Looking for a different day?

A new Quordle puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Tuesday's puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Tuesday, July 29 (game #1282).

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

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

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

Quordle today (game #1283) - hint #1 - VowelsHow many different vowels are in Quordle today?

• The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 5*.

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

Quordle today (game #1283) - hint #2 - repeated lettersDo any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?

• The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 1.

Quordle today (game #1283) - hint #3 - uncommon lettersDo the letters Q, Z, X or J appear in Quordle today?

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

Quordle today (game #1283) - hint #4 - starting letters (1)Do any of today's Quordle puzzles start with the same letter?

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

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

Quordle today (game #1283) - hint #5 - starting letters (2)What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• D

• A

• F

• U

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

Quordle today (game #1283) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1283, are…

• DEBAR
• ADMIN
• FOLIO
• USAGE

After getting ADMIN and USAGE pretty quickly I stalled over the final two words.

Needing to think of a word containing R, A, E and D I struggled to conjure anything that didn’t end with a D (dread, bread…) before taking a chance with DEBAR.

Meanwhile, guessing polio instead of FOLIO was a 50/50 situation that thankfully wasn’t on my last go.

Daily Sequence today (game #1283) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1283, are…

• MERGE
• TIMER
• DROLL
• OLIVE

Quordle answers: The past 20

• Quordle #1282, Tuesday, 29 July: BATCH, TOPIC, MURKY, BUNCH
• Quordle #1281, Monday, 28 July: CANDY, TRYST, SHIRT, FORGO
• Quordle #1280, Sunday, 27 July: TRAWL, BALER, PIANO, MINCE
• Quordle #1279, Saturday, 26 July: MUDDY, SAINT, KINKY, POLAR
• Quordle #1278, Friday, 25 July: BONUS, RESIN, CEDAR, MADAM
• Quordle #1277, Thursday, 24 July: AGONY, VERVE, GLEAN, MINUS
• Quordle #1276, Wednesday, 23 July: OZONE, PENCE, ROOMY, WIDER
• Quordle #1275, Tuesday, 22 July: OPTIC, GIDDY, VOCAL, ADULT
• Quordle #1274, Monday, 21 July: KNEED, SNAIL, PINTO, FEAST
• Quordle #1273, Sunday, 20 July: GRACE, COUNT, EGRET, GIANT
• Quordle #1272, Saturday, 19 July: EARLY, CLICK, TRITE, SPREE
• Quordle #1271, Friday, 18 July: CINCH, FOYER, FUDGE, TAFFY
• Quordle #1270, Thursday, 17 July: CRESS, TABOO, POWER, HATER
• Quordle #1269, Wednesday, 16 July: UNCLE, NADIR, REMIT, BROOM
• Quordle #1268, Tuesday, 15 July: VILLA, FLECK, TIGER, CRANE
• Quordle #1267, Monday, 14 July: SURGE, PIZZA, PAPER, POPPY
• Quordle #1266, Sunday, 13 July: KAYAK, DECRY, RUDDY, HATER
• Quordle #1265, Saturday, 12 July: WREAK, NANNY, CLASP, STAIN
• Quordle #1264, Friday, 11 July: LAPEL, DRAIN, FROND, GROSS

Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Connections puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Tuesday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Tuesday, July 29 (game #779).

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

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

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

NYT Connections today (game #780) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• MONORAIL
• VOILA
• ORGAN
• TRIANGLE
• GROAN
• TRAIN
• ABUT
• VEHICLE
• MEDIUM
• BULGE
• COACH
• TETRACYCLINE
• DIRECT
• DIOXIDE
• INSTRUMENT
• GUIDE

NYT Connections today (game #780) - hint #1 - group hints

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

• YELLOW: Show them the way 
• GREEN: You’ve got a platform
• BLUE: Begin with an ancient language 
• PURPLE: Jumbled orchestra 

Need more clues?

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

NYT Connections today (game #780) - hint #2 - group answers

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

• YELLOW: INSTRUCT 
• GREEN: MEANS
• BLUE: STARTING WITH GREEK NUMERICAL PREFIXES 
• PURPLE: ANAGRAMS OF MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS 

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

NYT Connections today (game #780) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #780, are…

• YELLOW: INSTRUCT COACH, DIRECT, GUIDE, TRAIN
• GREEN: MEANS INSTRUMENT, MEDIUM, ORGAN, VEHICLE
• BLUE: STARTING WITH GREEK NUMERICAL PREFIXES DIOXIDE, MONORAIL, TETRACYCLINE, TRIANGLE
• PURPLE: ANAGRAMS OF MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS ABUT, BULGE, GROAN, VOILA

• My rating: Hard
• My score: 2 mistakes

Some days every group could be yellow, today they could all have been purple.

I felt very smug for getting STARTING WITH GREEK NUMERICAL PREFIXES – the trigger was seeing nothing else medicinal to connect with TETRACYCLINE, so I figured it had to do with the start of the word.

INSTRUCT came next – although initially I did think the connection was transportation, but then I hit the buffers and was left with eight random words and no discernible link between any of them.

All I had was that GROAN was an anagram of ORGAN. Then after a couple of mistakes I saw the others. Quite the struggle.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Tuesday, July 29, game #779)

• YELLOW: DISCOUNT DEAL, PROMOTION, SALE, SPECIAL
• GREEN: IRRITATE BUG, NETTLE, RUFFLE, STEAM
• BLUE: POKER ACTIONS CALL, CHECK, FOLD, RAISE
• PURPLE: THINGS YOU CAN PUMP BRAKES, FIST, GAS, IRON

What is NYT Connections?

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

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

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

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

• Microsoft finds macOS security bug which could allow threat actors to pull sensitive data from Apple Intelligence
• "Sploitlight" revolves around Spotlight plugins
• It was fixed in macOS Sequoia 15.4, so users should upgrade now

Microsoft has revealed details of a security vulnerability in macOS which allowed threat actors to steal sensitive information from the Apple Intelligence AI tool.

In a blog post, Microsoft said it found a bug that bypasses Transparency, Consent, and Control (TCC) mechanisms found on macOS devices. TCC is a security and privacy framework that restricts access to sensitive user data and system features.

The bug, tracked as CVE-2025-31199, could allow hackers to access files in the Downloads folder, as well as caches utilized by Apple Intelligence. Microsoft dubbed the vulnerability “Sploitlight” since it abuses Spotlight plugins, but says it is more dangerous than previous TCC bypasses such as HM-Surf, or powerdir.

"Severe implications"

“The implications of this vulnerability are more severe due to its ability to extract and leak sensitive information cached by Apple Intelligence, such as precise geolocation data, photo and video metadata, face and person recognition data, search history and user preferences, and more,” Microsoft explained.

“These risks are further complicated and heightened by the remote linking capability between iCloud accounts, meaning an attacker with access to a user’s macOS device could also exploit the vulnerability to determine remote information of other devices linked to the same iCloud account.”

Spotlight plugins are used to index files for macOS search. Despite these plugins running in a sandboxed environment, they still have privileged access to scanned files, meaning attackers can modify plugin metadata to target specific file types.

By logging file contents during indexing, attackers can exfiltrate data without needing TCC permissions.

Apple says fixed the flaw in March 2025, through patches for macOS Sequoia 15.4. On NVD, the patch is described as providing “improved data redaction”. Microsoft said that Defender for Endpoint now detects “suspicious” .mdimporter installations, and unusual indexing of sensitive directories.

Via BleepingComputer

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If you’re a Mac gamer, you can’t have missed the recent news that Cyberpunk 2077 developer CD Projekt Red (CDPR) had brought its futuristic dystopia to Apple’s macOS. It’s been the biggest Mac gaming news in an already productive few years, and signals that Apple’s platforms are an increasingly attractive destination for game developers.

Since CDPR’s announcement, I’ve been testing Cyberpunk 2077 on my MacBook Pro with M1 Pro chip, and I’ve been pleasantly surprised at the results. The game’s default “For this Mac” custom settings opt for medium texture quality and a 1800x1125 resolution, with a locked 30fps frame rate. But once I turn on AMD’s FSR frame generation tech in the settings, my frame rate hits the mid-70s in the in-game benchmark.

Night City has looked better than it does on a 2021 MacBook, but it still runs shockingly well. (Image credit: CD Projekt Red)

That feels remarkably smooth for an integrated GPU on a chip from 2021, and it’s certainly better than most Mac gamers would expect from a game like Cyberpunk. It’s clear that Apple has worked hard with CDPR to give Mac gamers a tailored experience, and that’s paying dividends.

Sure, we’re not talking ultra settings and 100 fps or more, but the results are satisfactory enough for people on older Mac hardware. For Macs with more powerful components, the results will be even better – as my colleague Jacob recently learned when he tested the game on an M4 Max MacBook Pro.

This got me thinking about what’s coming next for the best MacBooks. While beefier chips would of course be very welcome, the results from my testing suggest they’re not the most vital upgrade that Apple’s laptops need when it comes to gaming. No, there’s something else that’s crying out for a change: the Magic Mouse.

Apple’s gaming weakness

Even M1 Macs are now capable gaming machines - but there's a hole in Apple's hardware approach. (Image credit: Future / CD Projekt RED)

Apple’s mouse has remained all but unchanged for the past 16 years. The latest revision, the Magic Mouse 2, is ten years old now and is really starting to show its age. Apple’s decision to bring USB-C to the device last year is nowhere close to what’s needed.

Indeed, people have been complaining about the Magic Mouse almost since the day it launched. Its low profile and smooth top surface can lead to hand and wrist discomfort, and I know at least one person who has had to switch to an ergonomic mouse, such was the pain of using the Magic Mouse. Don't even get me started on the fact that you have to flip the whole thing over to charge it.

But the situation is especially bad for gamers. The mouse’s slimline shape and slippery surface make it hard to grip in tense moments. Its lack of clearly defined left and right buttons can lead to misclicks. And there are no additional buttons for macros and extra functionality. It’s not a good choice for all but the most basic of Mac games, and it trails far behind all of the best gaming mice by virtually every metric.

It strikes me that improving the Magic Mouse could make far more of a difference to Mac gamers (and Mac users more generally) than an even better chip. Apple’s signature Mac chips are already some of the best in the industry. Its signature mouse, though? That lags far behind.

Yet if Apple fixed up its wayward features and gave it the treatment it deserves, Mac gaming could finally step up to the next level. Sure, you could still buy a third-party alternative, but you might not want to if Apple’s offering can actually do the job, particularly if it came bundled with your Mac. It feels like a glaring omission from Apple, but it’s not too late for the company to correct course if it truly is serious about making macOS a legitimate gaming platform.

A new mouse for a new era

Look at this thing. I don't like it, and I'm certainly not the only one. (Image credit: Majed Khan / Unsplash)

The good news is that Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman has previously said that Apple is working on a “full overhaul” of the mouse with improved ergonomics, but we don’t know much beyond that. I’m not asking for a Razer-esque decked-out gaming mouse with blinding RGB lights and seven hundred buttons, but something that’s more ergonomically shaped would benefit gamers and non-gamers alike.

I’m also aware that this is probably a fairly low priority for Apple. After all, gamers can use their own third-party mice instead – that’s what I do already. The Magic Mouse is currently only bundled with the iMac and the Mac Pro, and while you can buy Apple’s mouse separately, I suspect that not everyone does that. It’s likely that relatively few Mac users actually experience the Magic Mouse, making a serious overhaul less of a pressing need for Apple.

Still, it remains an awkward dud for Apple, and improvements in this area would bring benefits to many of the company’s customers, regardless of whether they play games or not. Apple wouldn’t even have to mention its gaming benefits if that didn’t fit the company’s narrative, but gamers would certainly feel the difference.

When – and if – any of this happens is another matter. But I’m hopeful that Apple is at least considering it, given the Magic Mouse’s age and the lukewarm reception it continues to receive. In the new age of Mac gaming, this is the company’s chance to put things right.

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Hollow Knight: Silksong does not currently have a release date, after being delayed out of its last window. Thankfully, we did get a short update during the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal event which let us know that it'll come out sometime in 2025.

So far, Team Cherry has revealed a fair bit of gameplay, a couple of trailers, and provided an update on the development of Hollow Knight Silksong nearly two years ago. In terms of upcoming games, Silksong is easily one of the most highly anticipated, so hopefully we see more of it sooner rather than later.

There's still plenty to learn about Hollow Knight Silksong, namely whether or not it can measure up to the lofty legacy of its predecessor. Here's what we know about the upcoming sequel so far, including a look at gameplay, all of the latest news, and what's been said about when Hollow Knight Silksong is coming out, and on what platforms.

Hollow Knight Silksong - Cut to the chase

• What is it? The sequel to Hollow Knight, a modern-classic metroidvania game
• When does it come out? TBC 2025
• What can I play it on? PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch
• Who is making it? Team Cherry

Hollow Knight Silksong platforms

(Image credit: Team Cherry)

Hollow Knight Silksong is currently being developed for PS5, PS4, XSX|S, XBO, PC and Nintendo Switch 2 / Nintendo Switch. Given that it's been quite a while since we had an update about the game, this is subject to change. If platforms for Silksong do change, we'll update this page.

What we do know is that it'll arrive sometime in 2025, according to a short glimpse during the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal event.

Hollow Knight Silksong trailers

The most recent trailer we've seen from Hollow Knight Silksong arrived as part of the Xbox and Bethesda Games Showcase event in late 2022. This trailer, which you can view below, shows off gameplay, as well as a look at the new protagonist and setting.

There have been a few more trailers released for Hollow Knight Silksong over the last four years or so. We've included some of them throughout this article, but to see all of them you can head over to the game's official YouTube channel.

Hollow Knight Silksong story and setting

Hollow Knight Silksong is set in the haunted kingdom of Pharloom. Visually, it is a gilded, gloomy sort of area, not dissimilar to the deepnest setting of the first game. Hornet will start at the very bottom, having been brought there after being captured. From there, she must climb higher and higher, hunting down foes and ultimately determining the fate of the world around her.

Much like in the first game, Silksong looks likely to convey most of its story via NPC dialogue and lore found in the environment. A story is definitely there if you want to and it, but perhaps takes less of a spotlight when compared to other facets of the game. What we do know is that there will once again be a variety of bosses to take down, friends to meet, and subtle choices to decide on while you play. There's still a lot to learn about the story in Silksong, but we're betting most of it will be kept a mystery, right up until the game is in the hands of players.

Hollow Knight Silksong gameplay

(Image credit: Team Cherry)

Players will play as Hornet in Hollow Knight Silksong, who is a pretty stark contrast when compared to the Knight from the first game. She is much more agile, able to dart and grapple around the world, with her needle weapon in hand. Once again, players will be able to find new abilities as they progress, giving them options for customizing Hornet.

So far, we've yet to see too much gameplay for Silksong, but what's been shown looks to be a continuation of the platforming/boss fighting of its predecessor. You'll explore different zones, slowly unlocking the map. It's a Metroidvania game once again, meaning that certain areas are locked behind ability upgrades, with lots of backtracking involved. Boss fights look to be a big part of Silksong, with the gameplay trailer released last year having shown off a couple of the main foes we'll be taking on.

Generally, if you played Hollow Knight, it seems as though you'll be right at home with the gameplay in Silksong. We'll have to wait and see just how many new bells and whistles are included this time around, but, for now, the action is looking like more Hollow Knight - which is certainly not a bad thing.

Hollow Knight Silksong latest news

Hollow Knight: Silksong will actually be playable at Gamescom 2025
Xbox has unveiled its plans for Gamescom 2025, which will include the opportunity to play a Hollow Knight: Silksong demo. The game will be playable on the upcoming Asus ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X handhelds at the Xbox booth.

Hollow Knight: Silksong will be out 'before' the holidays
One of the most surprising parts of the recent Xbox Games Showcase was the reveal of new Xbox handheld PCs, the Xbox Asus ROG Ally and Xbox Asus ROG Ally X, and the confirmation that Hollow Knight: Silksong will be available on them at launch. This means it'll be out before the holiday period.

Hollow Knight Silksong confirmed for 2025
During a sizzle reel that was shown during the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal event, Hollow Knight Silksong is planned for 2025.

Hollow Knight Silksong delayed out of 'first half of 2023'
In a Tweet, Team Cherry's Marketing Director announced that the game will no longer hit its release window of the 'first half of 2023'.

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• Data continues to go back to Chinese servers even with telemetry off
• Hardware and OS specs, mouse/keyboard activity and more
• Trae memory usage is 3x higher than Cursor

A developer has taken to GitHub to warn that ByteDance's Trae AI-powered IDE has been collecting data from users and sending it to the Chinese company's servers.

A report found extensive network activity continues despite users disabling telemetry in settings, with around 500 network calls observed in seven minutes, equating to around 26MB of data being transferred.

The data was being routed to ByteDance servers on the byteoversea[.]com domain, with a broad range of system and project information potentially at risk of being collected by the company.

ByteDance's Trae IDE could be collecting data

According to the report, ByteDance was collecting system information like hardware specs and OS details, usage patterns, performance metrics, project and file path information, unique persistent identifiers and mouse/keyboard activity, among some other elements.

The developer also found ByteDance has the potential to enable/disable feature or modify functionality remotely without pushing updates.

Marketed as a free alternative to the likes of Cursor, Trae uses GPT-4o and Claude-3.5-Sonnet to help users boost productivity, but the app was found to use around three times as much memory as Cursor (and 6.3x VS Code).

The biggest privacy and security concerns center and data sovereignty, with major alarm bells ringing about ByteDance's persistent collection of information even after users change their preferences. The developer was also concerned about the amount of unnecessary system information collected in those logs, and the fact that it was all being sent to Chinese infrastructure.

ByteDance customers also share transparency concerns, with the IDE failing to properly disclose the data collected and the telemetry toggle appearing to be non-functional.

TechRadar Pro has asked ByteDance to respond to these allegations, but we did not receive an immediate response.

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• Windows 11 has a useful change for multiple monitors in a new preview
• You'll be able to access notifications and the calendar flyout on the secondary monitor
• Previously that wasn't possible, even though it is in Windows 10

If you use multiple monitors with Windows 11, there's a change in the pipeline with the taskbar that you're really going to appreciate.

Windows Central noticed that Microsoft has brought in the ability to access the notification center and calendar flyout in the taskbar on a secondary display. This has happened with the latest preview release of Windows 11 in the Dev channel (build 26200.5722).

It's currently the case that if you're running two monitors with Windows 11 you can only access these details on the main display. With the secondary display, the active elements of the system tray – on the far right-hand side of the taskbar – don't work, meaning all you can do is look at the time and date.

If you want to access the calendar panel (by clicking on the date), you need to mouse across to the primary monitor to do so (and the same is true for checking on notifications).

However, with the new preview build, it's possible to click on those parts of the taskbar and access the mentioned panels on the secondary monitor.

(Image credit: Hellooodesign / Unsplash)Analysis: the return of another Windows 10 feature that was ditched

This is another tweak for Windows 11 which sounds like a relatively small move, but it'll actually be a major convenience for those whose PC setup includes two monitors (or perhaps more). That might be a niche set of people, granted, but it'll be quite a boon for them – the move has already been welcomed with open arms by some (Windows Central included).

Indeed, you might be wondering why this wasn't possible in the first place – especially because in Windows 10 you've always been able to access these parts of the taskbar on a secondary monitor.

Well, that's a good question, and it's not the only piece of functionality that fell by the wayside when Windows 11 arrived. There were quite a few key pieces of the interface and options therein that were mysteriously dropped from Windows 10 in the shift to Windows 11.

They included the ability to move the taskbar away from the bottom of the screen to pick an obvious example (or to 'never combine' apps on the taskbar, though that functionality has since been added back).

The reason these decisions were made was apparently down to some of the complexity involved in the changes under the hood with Windows 11 – or at least those were the vague noises Microsoft made some time ago now, by way of a rather unsatisfying explanation.

At any rate, Microsoft acknowledged in the blog post for the new preview build that this change is being made to "address your feedback", so clearly there have been a fair few complaints about the missing functionality in question.

Note though that this change is only rolling out in testing for now, so not all Windows Insiders will see it (though it is possible to force an enablement, as leaker PhantomOfEarth explains on X).

It'll probably be a while before this arrives in the finished version of Windows 11, and the feature seems a likely pick for inclusion in the big Windows 11 25H2 update arriving later this year.

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• Russian airline Aeroflot confirms suffering an IT incident
• More than 40 flights were allegedly grounded following attack
• Silent Crow and Cyberpartisans both claimed responsibility

Aeroflot, Russia’s largest airline, has suffered a cyberattack which disrupted its operations and grounded dozens of flights.

The news was confirmed by the airline, as well as by the Kremlin itself - and also by two cybercriminal groups who claimed responsibility for the attack - Silent Crow, and Cyberpartisans.

The former is a Ukrainian group, while the latter - Belarusian.

"War on all fronts"

In a Telegram group, Silent Crow apparently said its “prolonged and large-scale operation” - “completely destroyed” the airline’s IT system. As a result, more than 40 flights were canceled, the BBC reported, mostly domestic flights inside Russia, but also a few routes to Belarus and Armenia.

Cyberpartisans also confirmed taking part in the hack, noting, "We are helping Ukrainians in their fight with the occupier, carrying out a cyber strike on Aeroflot and paralysing the largest airline in Russia."

Reliable information from Russia is hard to come by, but some media are reporting that the airline confirmed having issues with its information system.

"We must not forget that the war against our country is being waged on all fronts, including the digital one,” the BBC cited Anton Gorelkin, a Russian MP.

Since the war between Russia and Ukraine started in 2022, cybercriminals, hacktivists, and state-sponsored hacking groups have been active more than usual, trading blows across the internet, disrupting critical infrastructure organizations, spying on military, defense, government, and IT organizations, and stealing sensitive data.

Conti, which was a major ransomware operator at the time, publicly sided with Russia, stating they would retaliate against any attacks on Russia in cyberspace. This angered its affiliates, many of which were Ukrainian. Soon after, an unidentified hacker leaked Conti’s chat logs which, although indirectly, resulted in the group’s disbanding.

In June 2024, one person was arrested in Ukraine, under suspicion that they developed encryptors for Conti.

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Apple TV+ has announced a new series from Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan, yet we know almost nothing about it. We first heard about the new series through a social media post of a smiley face in a petri-dish, we then got our (very vague) first look at what was revealed to be called Pluribus after a fake countdown was posted online. While we do know that the show will star Rhea Seehorn, who I can now assume will play a woman called Carol (more on that later), what Pluribus is actually about is open to interpretation.

Here’s a rundown of what we see in the seconds-long Pluribus teaser. It opens with a wide shot of what appears to be a prison with a guard standing in the frame, then zooms in for an up-close look at the guard licking doughnuts and then placing them in a box. Linking back to the original teaser image shared on social beforehand, which featured the tagline 'Happiness is contagious' accompanied by a Petri dish containing a smiley face, we see a sign that reads 'Help Yourself' with the same smiley face.

And that’s literally all we know… until now. Apple TV+ has released a phone number without explanation, showing Carol being asked to call it under “no pressure”. It’s not even a message meant for me, but I couldn’t help calling it to find out more. What I found, amazingly, was even more shocking and baffling than what I’d already seen.

I still don’t understand what Apple TV+’s new show from Breaking Bad is about after calling its ominous phone number

I’ve taken on the burden so you don’t have to. If you were to call the phone number from the above advert, here’s exactly what you’d hear:

It begins: "Hi Carol. We're so glad you called. We can't wait for you to join us. Dial 0 and we'll get back to you via text message." Obviously, I’m not Carol, but I did dial “0” to get the next part of the message.

"Please know your life is your own, Carol. You have agency!" (Again, my name is not Carol.) "That being said, Reply YES to sign up for updates from AppleTV+ and agree to our terms of use and Privacy Policy. Freq varies, consent not a condition of purchase, msg & data rates apply. Reply STOP to cancel, HELP for help."

Slightly more boring, but even for a fictitious marketing stunt, Apple has to get its boilerplate T&Cs for SMS marketing in there somehow. I replied “Yes” and got this response:

"You must have so many questions for us! Understand, we only want to make you happy. We'll be in touch soon. Text STOP to stop, HELP for help.”

So logic tells me I’m going to be hearing from the mysterious Pluribus voice at some point in the future. What it will say, I do not know. When it will arrive, I cannot say. Who is Carol? Maybe I’ll never find out. Maybe she never called the number back. Maybe I’m Carol and my parents read my birth certificate wrong.

Currently, the only clue for what on earth is going on is the title itself. ‘Pluribus’ is a Latin word meaning ‘many’ or ‘more’. It's most famously used in the phrase ‘E pluribus unum’, which translates to ‘Out of many, one’. If we apply this to what we’ve seen, Carol is our one… but one of what, we’ve got no idea.

I’d bet any money that Apple TV+ and Gilligan are going to eke this marketing campaign out as much as they can. Clearly, I’ll be getting part of it sent directly to me, and I’m not sure whether to laugh or cry in anticipation.

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• Tencent is being sued by Sony for its Horizon Zero Dawn-like survival game Light of Motiram
• Sony alleges that the game is a "slavish clone" of the Horizon IP
• It's also claimed that Tencent reached out to Sony to collaborate on a new Horizon game, which Sony declined

Sony is suing Tencent over Light of Motiram, the publisher's open-world survival game that looks an awful lot like Horizon Zero Dawn.

Initially reported by Reuters, Sony has filed a lawsuit against Tencent for copyright and trademark infringement, claiming the Chinese tech company has created a knock-off game of its Horizon intellectual property.

Sony alleges that the company's upcoming game Light of Motiram, developed by Polaris Quest, is a "slavish clone" of Guerrilla Games' 2017 title and copies several Horizon elements, like gameplay, art style, post-apocalyptic themes, the game's playable protagonist Aloy, and other details.

The suit also cites the public's comparisons, including headlines from Kotaku, GameRant, and comments made on IMDB.

"Tencent’s copying of Horizon is so blatant that the public has described it as 'crazy,' 'insane,' and 'shameless,'" the lawsuit reads.

(Image credit: Tencent / Polaris Quest)

"Tencent also used its rip-off of the iconic Horizon main character 'Aloy' as the centerpiece of its pre-release marketing and promotional strategy, deliberately causing numerous game lovers to confuse Light of Motiram as the next game in the Horizon series when encountering Tencent’s promotional game play videos and social media accounts."

Sony also alleges that the game's promotional art and screenshots have "misappropriated protectable elements of SIE’s copyrights in the Horizon Franchise to a significant degree", including music and vocals, which are similar thematically.

The PlayStation company says this was deliberate, as Tencent hired a composer from the Horizon Forbidden West soundtrack "to replicate the unique sound for Light of Motiram."

(Image credit: Guerrilla Games)

The suit also alleges that Tencent asked Sony to collaborate on a new Horizon game, which Sony declined. Sony claims that the company began development on Light of Motiram afterward, despite the rejected offer.

"Upon information and belief, sometime in 2023 (and unbeknownst to Sony) Tencent started developing a video game called Light of Motiram which – just like Horizon – features a young, red-headed female protagonist and tribal groups fighting for survival among large robotic animals in a post-apocalyptic world," the suit reads.

"In March 2024, at a gaming conference in San Francisco, California, Tencent executives approached Sony with a pitch: to develop its own Horizon game in collaboration with SIE. Sony rejected the idea and considered the matter closed.

"Apparently, Tencent was undeterred by SIE’s refusal to license its Horizon intellectual property. Tencent continued secretly developing Light of Motiram, eventually announcing a forthcoming game. Tencent’s promotional material bore a strong similarity to SIE’s own Horizon promotional material."

Sony is seeking unspecified monetary damages and an order blocking Tencent from violating its IP rights.

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• Twitter founder Jack Dorsey has launched Bitchat Mesh
• The private messaging app uses Bluetooth to send texts
• It comes with plenty of privacy features

Tired of Messages and WhatsApp and ready to try something new? Twitter founder Jack Dorsey’s new Bitchat Mesh app has landed on the iOS App Store, while an Android version is available on GitHub.

Download the app and you’ll find that it offers a novel way to contact friends and loved ones.

Dorsey announced Bitchat Mesh in early July. Unlike traditional messaging apps, Bitchat Mesh doesn’t rely on the internet to link up users and devices. Instead, it uses Bluetooth to relay messages from one person to another, so it should theoretically work in places where you lack internet connectivity – provided there are enough nearby Bluetooth devices to pass on your texts.

As well as this unusual distinction, Bitchat Mesh puts an emphasis on user privacy. You don’t need to register your phone number or email address with the app, nor even create an account to get started. That allows you to keep your identifying information private without being hindered.

Bitchat Mesh is also end-to-end encrypted, meaning all of your messages remain private and no one – not even Bitchat’s developer – can intercept or read them. There’s even a 'panic mode' that lets you erase all your data by triple-tapping the app’s logo.

A different way to text

(Image credit: Pixabay)

Bitchat Mesh is a specialized app for people who care deeply about their privacy, and its unusual nature might prevent it from achieving the kind of mass-market saturation that rivals like WhatsApp have managed. But it could still have plenty of appeal for people who need its distinct features.

By not relying on the internet, for example, the app is more resistant to both network outages and censorship attempts than rival products might be. That could come in handy in nations run by oppressive governments or locations where you might not trust the security of more popular alternatives.

In our brief testing, Bitchat Mesh told us that there were zero other users in our vicinity, presumably because the app has only just launched. But that's likely to be an issue for many potential uses – if there’s no one around you, you might struggle to send your messages, given that the app relies on Bluetooth connections to relay texts.

Still, Bitchat Mesh can be used entirely for free, with no paywalls, subscriptions or in-app purchases yet in place, so you might want to try it out to see if it suits your needs.

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Fortnite is running the Super Showdown event later this week (August 2), and so far we know that it'll involve Superman in a big way. This is the latest in a string of live events that've been airing in Fortnite this year, and I'm expecting it to lead nicely into Season 4.

What's new in Fortnite?

(Image credit: Epic Games)

Epic Games just launched the collab for The Fantastic Four: The First Steps, with movie-inspired skins available as rewards as part of a new Tournament. Soon, we'll see a brand new Season of Fortnite, launching Chapter 6 Season 4 for players to dive into. At present, we don't have much info on what to expect, though we'll get news as launch day approaches.

We're currently in Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 3, a superhero-themed affair that adds super-powered items and a completely new ranking system. The next season of Fortnite is just around the corner, however, so the game will be getting a big refresh very soon indeed. It's regular updates like these that have kept Fortnite firmly ranked in our best free games to play in 2025 list.

Here's what you need to know about Fortnite Super Showdown, including the start time and how to watch it on the day. It's a live Story Event, and it's set to be a Superman-led battle against a gigantic foe. Let's dive in.

Fortnite Super Showdown - cut to the chase

• Start time: August 2 at 2:30pm ET / 11:30am PT (August 1) / 7:30pm BST
• Doors open: August 2 at 2pm ET / 11:00am PT (August 1) / 7pm BST
• Summary: Superman Story Event in Battle Royale

Fortnite Super Showdown event start time

(Image credit: Epic Games)

Fortnite Super Showdown will start on August 2 at 2:30pm ET / 11:30am PT (August 1) / 7:30m BST. Doors will open half an hour prior, and it's recommended that you jump in at the following times to secure your place:

• East Coast US: 2pm ET (August 2)
• West Coast US: 11am PT (August 1)
• UK time: 7pm BST (August 2)

Fortnite Super Showdown - how to watch it live

(Image credit: Epic Games)

Fortnite Super Showdown is a live event that'll begin at the times specified earlier in this article. If you want to watch it live, you can jump in yourself, and there will likely be a safe zone around Demon's Domain where players won't be able to eliminate each other.

If you can't log in yourself, TechRadar Gaming will be covering the event as part of a live blog (as we did recently with the Fortnite OG rocket launch). I'll be giving my impressions as they happen, and providing up-to-date info on how the event is unfolding. You can also join your Twitch or YouTube streamer of choice, as there'll no doubt be many streaming the event. Note that Epic Games doesn't broadcast these events live on its official channels.

Fortnite Super Showdown teaser trailer

Superman returns to help save the island August 2 in this season’s Super Showdown Story Event! pic.twitter.com/Vcr2QmSBQoJuly 27, 2025

The Fortnite X channel tweeted out a teaser trailer for the upcoming Super Showdown event (embedded above). In it, we see the eye of a giant creature, which many believe to be a kraken. Then, the current map is shown with Demon's Domain highlighted as the main location for the event.

Fortnite Super Showdown Story Event - what to expect

(Image credit: Epic Games)

Fortnite Super Showdown will feature a giant battle between Superman and an as-yet unrevealed foe. We know that it's a huge enemy with a big white eye, and many fans are predicting it to be a kraken. Other than that, we know that it'll all take place in Demon's Domain and will likely give some teases as to what's coming next in Chapter 6.

Epic Games will probably reveal more closer to launch, and once it does, I'll be sure to update this page.

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• Rumors suggest Nvidia's RTX 5000 series Super GPU models are on track for launch later in 2025
• The RTX 5080 Super is speculated to have 24GB of VRAM, matching the RTX 4090's
• It appears to be the ideal opportunity for Nvidia to improve upon its Blackwell launch mishaps

It's been a long time since Nvidia launched its RTX 5000 series GPUs in late January, followed by other configurations in later months, after a CES 2025 keynote that showcased the Blackwell GPUs. However, it seems Nvidia might not be done with new GPU launches in 2025 just yet.

According to TweakTown, Nvidia is set to launch RTX 5000 series Super models later this holiday season, which typically means November or December. The RTX 5080, RTX 5070 Ti, and RTX 5070 are the GPUs reported to receive Super upgrades, with the new 5080 and 5070 Ti reportedly set to use 24GB of VRAM.

Pricing isn't finalized, and there aren't any figures to work from at this point. But considering Team Green's previous move was reducing the RTX 4080 Super price (as a slightly more powerful GPU) compared to the standard model, we could see a similar pattern again.

There's no sugarcoating the level of controversy that shrouded the Blackwell GPUs, with missing specs (ROPs), a lack of availability, and most importantly, inflated prices across multiple online retailers. With the RTX 5000 series Super models, Nvidia and, notably, its board partners, have a chance to right those wrongs.

A combination of improved performance across the board and adjusted price points may work wonders – and that mostly applies to the RTX 5080 potentially closing the gap on the RTX 4090 (supposedly using 24GB of VRAM). It may be even more interesting to see an RTX 5060 Super using more VRAM, but we'll have to wait and see.

Analysis: If prices for these Super GPUs are out of whack, then forget I even mentioned this...

(Image credit: Future)

Above all, if these Super GPU model rumors are legitimate, prices will once again determine their success. While I'm aware that Nvidia may have good intentions with more reasonable pricing, all of that work could be undone by board partners and retailers marking up prices significantly.

It's the same issue that botched AMD's Radeon RX 9000 series launch for many; the Radeon RX 9070 XT was seen as the inexpensive and powerful alternative to Blackwell mid to high-tier GPUs, at $599 / £569 (around AU$944), but the market told a different story with prices soaring far above that.

Fortunately, prices have recently fallen back down to original retail pricing, which I'm seeing with more stock and availability for both Team Green and Team Red GPUs than ever before.

I'm hoping that prices can stabilize and stay within reasonable ranges leading up to the eventual launch of Nvidia's new Super GPU models, as it could decrease the chances of ludicrous pricing. Let's just watch this space...

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Today, our world relies on maps – think about how many apps and services you use daily, both personally and professionally, that use a location-based component.

Given how much of the world relies on maps, you’d think there are lots of maps designed to allow businesses and their developers to solve specific problems. Surprisingly, there are few maps for businesses to build with and integrate into their own applications and use cases.

While proprietary maps do come with much-needed quality and reliability, they also come with the huge sacrifice of not being able to combine useful data from other map ecosystems, providers and open sources. They’re not interoperable. As a result, most maps will never be as rich as they could be for their specific use case.

So, what challenges does this pose for organizations and developers innovating with digital maps and location data? And how can they find the right commercial mapping solution to enable new services and products to flourish?

Today’s map data integration challenge

In most cases, the digital maps we have today resulted from a single use case. However, when digital maps are built with a single end use, they lose their dynamism, they become static and rigid — more akin to paper maps of old than the powerful, data-rich tools they can be.

This has meant that all kinds of organizations across the private and public sector have had to make do with limitations imposed upon them. Companies that build with map data have had to develop and maintain their own map stacks, balancing data from disparate sources that all reference different base maps and somehow, make it all work.

They’ve had to invest significant time, money and resources into adapting their maps, fitting their data to its structure and making it work for their use case. Over the years, these maps have been modified and adapted to work for other use cases and have become large and unwieldy.

Ultimately, something that’s adapted to solve a single problem is never going to be as good as something bespoke and purpose built to solve many problems – but what is the solution?

Striving for a standardized, interoperable, open future

Now, organizations and their developers must select from the available mapping providers to determine which solution will meet their unique requirements. What has been missing from the market, however, is a solution in which all companies and devices can collaborate and communicate through a single digital representation of the physical world.

In a fast-paced and competitive landscape, companies shouldn’t be restricted on how to build for their customers, rather they should be empowered to utilize maps in the best way possible. They need a geospatial standardized map; one they can add their own data to and innovate on top of.

Think of it like the Internet – if every tech company created its own Internet and data couldn’t be moved between these systems; there would be a huge cost in moving that data around and the Internet wouldn’t have developed into what it is today.

This layered approach, built on an open standard, will ensure that all parts of the digital stack work together, without the need to resolve or conflate data from one platform to another. This level of interoperability saves time, effort and a lot of headaches later down the line when the businesses try to meld data from another source or add additional functionalities.

Most importantly, this will free up resources so developers can focus on creating new services and products that are specific to customers’ needs and wants. With everyone working from the same standard, data becomes much easier to share and work with, acting as a catalyst for innovation.

Putting this into practice – and elevating it with AI

AI and machine learning is turning that traditional approach to maps on its head – allowing businesses to create new services faster, more accurately and with fewer developer and operator hours. With AI and machine learning, developers are better equipped to process data and turn observations into edits, updates and features as quickly and accurately as possible.

Humans are still required to check for errors, continually improve algorithms and ensure the AI is doing what it’s supposed to do. However, machines can now do the heavy, laborious lifting. It’s increasing the accuracy and freshness of maps and making developers far more effective and productive.

What does this look like in practice? For the automotive industry, a standardized AI-enabled base map will allow carmakers to integrate real-time traffic data, vehicle-to-infrastructure communication and even electric vehicle charging stations into a cohesive system that supports the future of mobility.

In the public sector, those developing smart cities will benefit from the privacy, precision and flexibility offered by a standardized, AI-driven base map. With real-time data at their disposal, city planners can create more efficient transport networks, improve infrastructure, and develop smart systems that respond to the changing needs of their citizens. Furthermore, with the ability to add their own data into a private layer, it’s incredibly valuable to applications where data protection is paramount.

Meanwhile, in logistics, the ability to quickly adapt to changes in road conditions, optimize delivery routes, and integrate external data – from fuel consumption to environmental impact – into a map is a game-changer for companies seeking to streamline operations and reduce costs.

In the future, maps will continue to be a core tool in the functioning of global business, navigation and our daily lives. However, maps – specifically, the way they are made – need to adapt to give organizations the flexibility and scalability needed to make everything work well together.

When an orchestra is all playing from the same sheet music, guided by an expert conductor, symphonies are created. In the context of maps, standardization brings enhanced accuracy, freshness and interoperability. Only through this unified, collaborative approach will innovation and end user satisfaction skyrocket.

We've featured the best small business app.

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

• Report finds 73% are aware of Copilot+ PCs, but only 33% see AI as important purchasing factors
• Many business buyers are more interested in Windows 11 support
• Price, lack of use cases and interoperability are also concerns

Although AI PCs are becoming increasingly available to both consumers and businesses, it seems firms are still not rushing to buy them.

New data from Canalys found around three-quarters (73%) of B2B partners are aware of Copilot+ PCs between March and April 2025, yet only one in three considered AI capabilities important in purchasing decisions.

Despite the huge performance updates, businesses still look to be prioritizing Windows 11 refreshes and battery life over Copilot+ exclusive features, particularly with the Windows 10 end of life on the horizon.

Copilot+ PCs don't seem to be taking off

Initially launched with Qualcomm Snapdragon X chips and later available with Intel Core Ultra 200V and AMD Risen AI 300 series chips, Copilot+ PCs are seen as high-end devices with 40+ TOPS NPUs for local AI processing.

Canalys' data shows nearly one in four (23%) PCs sold globally in the final three months of 2024 was an AI PC, however this is a generalized term that means different things across the industry. For Canalys, it means that the devices include a "chipset or block for dedicated AI workloads such as an NPU."

However, Context Senior Analyst Marie-Christine Pygott explained (via The Register) only 9% of the 1.2 million AI-capable PCs shipped by European distributors in Q2 2025 classified as Copilot+ PCs, meeting the 40 TOPS requirement.

Pygott blamed the slow uptake on high pricing, a lack of use cases and low perception of what a Copilot+ PC is and what it can do. Some enterprise customers have also been reluctant to moving to Arm-based Snapdragon chips due to software compatibility issues.

However, things could be on the verge of changing, with a recent Dell survey revealing that around three in five (62%) IT decision-makers would prefer a Copilot+ PC over a regular PC.

Looking ahead, Canalys expects 60% of the PCs shipped in 2027 to be AI-capable, with 2025 potentially seeing them hold a 40% market share.

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• PayPal now comes as a built-in part of Wix Payments
• Merchants can now manage all transactions in a single dashboard
• The new feature is currently only available in the US

Top online payments system, Paypal, and one of the best website builders, Wix, have strengthened their partnership with new integrations, making operations simpler for ecommerce website owners, and checkouts easier for customers.

PayPal now comes as a built-in part of Wix Payments, meaning merchants will be able to connect their PayPal Business accounts, and manage all transactions in a single dashboard, alongside other Wix Payments activity. Previously, if merchants running Wix websites wanted to offer PayPal as a payment gateway, they had to switch between two platforms for all operations, including reports, chargeback alerts, and payouts.

Furthermore, the money from PayPal purchases will now flow directly into the Wix Payments account, giving merchants clearer visibility over their income, and reducing the need to reconcile between two systems.

Wix PayPal

Merchants will also be able to benefit from PayPal’s broader suite of features, such as PayPal Pay Later (BNPL) and Venmo, it was said. Finally, PayPal will also now serve as a Payment Service Provider (PSP), processing card purchases within Wix Payments.

“We’re always looking for ways to create more seamless experiences for our users and provide them with the best way to accept payments and manage funds online, in person, and on the go,” said Amit Sagiv and Volodymyr Tsukur, Co-Heads of Wix Payments.

“By bringing PayPal under the Wix Payments umbrella, we gain significantly more control over the user experience and how PayPal’s products are delivered to our merchants. This deeper integration allows us to improve conversion, offer more value, and drive stronger profitability, while giving our users a faster, more unified checkout flow.”

At press time, the new integration is only available to Wix Payments users in the US - however, the company said there are plans to make this feature available in more regions "over time".

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While mainstream media channels were earlier considered the primary destination by brands for digital marketing of inspiration, consideration, and conversion, that is no longer true today.

With growing diversification of the media landscape, Retail Media Networks (RMN), a collection of digital channels owned by retailers, have emerged among the fastest growing digital media channels.

With a healthy annual double-digit growth, the global retail media market is expected to reach ($179.5 billion) by 2025. In the UK alone, retail media ad spending is expected to outdo TV ad spending in 2025 and exceed £7 billion in 2028.

Amazon leads the pack with the lion’s share of retail media revenue (~$60bn in 2024). Walmart is a distant second (~$4bn). This gap speaks of the market’s growth potential and intense competition for other RMNs.

Compared to the thin traditional retail margins, RMN revenues typically exceed 70%. Many retailers have entered the fray considering this additional revenue stream and margin contribution potential – over 200 RMNs – have been launched in the last few years.

The rise of RMNs:

The availability of various social media and online channels has ensured the path to purchase is not linear anymore and follows multiple channels. Post-pandemic, consumer behavior has changed significantly, as seen in the emergence of the Research Online Purchase Offline or ‘ROPO’ effect.

Both local and large brands are constantly seeking opportunities to create brand awareness across available channels. They want to reach consumers with the right messages, right content, and at the right moment on their path to purchase.

Today’s retailers offer a variety of ad units and ad formats with audience reach across an extended ecosystem. It includes their own onsite, in-store, and partner networks. Most importantly, retailers with right shopper loyalty programs have high quality first-party (1P) data that advertisers want to capitalize. Therefore, advertisers are more willing to invest in retail media which can deliver incrementality and ROI.

Well-established RMN can create a true fly-wheel effect for retailers in growing sales, consumer experience, and ad revenue.

Challenges to effectiveness of RMNs:

Despite the opportunity for retailers in the RMN business, they may not generate expected revenues from brands and their agencies due to various reasons like lack of relevant operating model and technology capabilities. The retail business requires a buyer mindset, while the media requires a seller mindset.

The absence of integrated joint business planning (JBP) hampers collaboration between retailers and brands organizations. Insufficient technology capabilities lead to poor 1P data, limited ad inventory and formats, without a self-service model or supplier insights to verify ROI and incrementality. Often organizations apply the wrong measurement metrics to measure success. RMNs also face intense competition from various retailers.

Ingredients of a successful RMN:

Currently, over 80% of the RMN spend by brands is for onsite (retailer’s .com and mobile app) channels in the form of sponsored products, brands, display ads, and videos - their primary focus is bottom-of-the-funnel marketing.

Retailers have a high-margin revenue stream in monetizing the 1P data in their omni channels by becoming full funnel player – ecommerce sites, mobile apps, in-store ad units, magazines, themed events.

With offsite channels like Meta, Google, Tik Tok, CTVs and in-store digital screens, RMNs can transform into full-funnel marketing channels. Many have already become omni-channel, media owners through strategic partnerships like Tesco Media & Insights + ITVX, Walmart + Tiktok.

The following steps will support the success of RMNs:

• The right organization structure, well-defined operating model and strategically aligned retail teams and RMN teams
• High-quality 1P data that can activate various audience segments
• Ad Units and Ad formats across onsite, offsite and in-store channels which can shape in-store themed experiences
• ML based audience activation and measurement across the channels
• Data clean rooms to combine 1P data with partner data, safely and securely
• Self-service and managed service options for an integrated campaign booking, activation and reporting
• Experimentation platform that can perform A/B testing
• Real-time insights - metrics like Return on Ad Spend (ROAS), Incremental Return on Ad Spend (iROAS), incrementality, brand lift, sales lift
• Standardization of metrics and definition of measurement

When it comes to instore, the ability to integrate ad servers and screens delivering ad content and including a feedback loop on aspects like the number of impressions shown, view time etc., is crucial. By mapping these metrics against in-store purchases, retailers help brands get an accurate view of sales incrementality, iROAS, and other key metrics to close the marketing loop.

RMNs that offer a 360-degree view of customer interactions across retailer touchpoints will help brands achieve micro-segmentation and hyper-personalization.

From media buyer to agency mindset:

To compete against the likes of Amazon, Google, and Meta, RMNs must demonstrate how they can provide superior ROI to the brand advertisers by leveraging AI and ML technologies, impacts consumer behavior. A consulting partner like Infosys can draw from their vast experience in implementing and integrating such technology platforms for global retailers.

Above all, retailers must begin to view RMN earnings as an additional revenue stream derived from a brand’s marketing spends. Those able to effectively don an agency’s hat in selling ad performance will encourage brands to entrust these precious marketing resources with them.

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• Google Cloud survey finds even cybersecurity experts are overwhelmed by too many threat notifications
• The security field is suffering from a skills shortage, putting firms at risk
• Perhaps unsurprisingly, researchers say the answer is AI

Security professionals have long been reporting high levels of stress and burnout, which is only compounded by a skills shortage in the industry, and new research claims the sheer volume of threats, as well as the data those threats produce, is putting firms at risk.

Research from Google Cloud found threat notifications aren’t the helpful tool they could be, and in fact can be overwhelming security teams, with nearly two-thirds (61%) of security practitioners saying they think there are, ‘too many threat intelligence data feeds’, and 60% believing there are too few threat analysts to sift through the data efficiently.

“Rather than aiding efficiency, myriad [threat intelligence] feeds inundate security teams with data, making it hard to extract useful insights or prioritize and respond to threats. Security teams need visibility into relevant threats, AI-powered correlation at scale, and skilled defenders to use actionable insights, enabling a shift from a reactive to a proactive security posture,” the study argued.

Needles in a haystack

Too much data leads to analysts stuck in ‘reactive mode’, with 86% of respondents saying their organisation has gaps in its understanding of the threat landscape, as well as 85% saying more focus could be put on emerging threats, and 72% are mostly reactive to threats, not able to get ahead of trends.

Adjacent research from SentinelOne shows that a large proportion of Cloud security alerts are false positives (not relevant to the organisation). The majority of respondents (53%) say that over half of the alerts they receive are a false positive, outlining just how real the ‘alert fatigue’ is.

This makes securing cloud environments difficult, say 92% of respondents, with too many point solutions leading to management and integration issues, creating more alerts, lower quality alerts, and therefore slower reactions to attacks thanks to the confusion.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, both sets of research have one suggestion to solve this issue - and it’s not investing in better training and support to address the skills shortage. Instead, you guessed it, it’s AI.

AI can help ease the pressure by improving an organisation’s ability to operationalise threat intelligence, generating ‘easy-to-read summaries’ and recommending next-steps to ‘uplevel junior analysts’, Google's research says.

"We believe the key is to embed threat intelligence directly into security workflows and tools, so it can be accessed and analyzed quickly and effectively," noted Jayce Nichols, Google Cloud Director, Intelligence Solutions.

"AI has a vital role in this integration, helping to synthesize the raw data, manage repetitive tasks, and reduce toil to free human analysts to focus their efforts on critical decision-making."

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