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Apple is reportedly in discussion with Google to add Gemini to Private Cloud Compute, ready to power Siri with Apple Intelligence.

The news came from top insider Mark Gurman, who said, "A few weeks ago, Apple approached the search giant about making a version of its Gemini AI models."

Gurman even said Google was developing this custom model right now with Apple's involvement, pointing towards the potential for a Google Gemini-powered, Apple Intelligence-branded Siri.

As TechRadar's Senior AI Writer, I test out all of the best AI models, and Google Gemini is up there with my favorite chatbots on the market.

Apple's AI strategy has been underwhelming, to say the least, but reports of the Cupertino-based firm bringing in Google to superpower Apple Intelligence could be the best thing to happen to the iPhone in years.

Here are five reasons why I really hope Apple adds Google Gemini to Siri.

1. Gemini Live is best in class

(Image credit: Future)

AI voice assistants are everywhere these days, yet we're still waiting for Apple to truly supercharge Siri with Apple Intelligence.

While OpenAI's ChatGPT Advanced Voice Mode is good, it falls short of Google's Gemini Live, which I believe is the best AI-powered voice assistant on smartphones at the moment.

I like Gemini Live so much, in fact, that I've assigned the voice assistant to my iPhone 16 Pro Max's Action button, using it frequently instead of activating Siri on my device.

If Apple is looking to power Siri through an AI model from another tech giant, then Gemini Live is proof that Google is the perfect partner to do so.

Apple has a ready-made Siri replacement staring it in the face, and all it needs is some swanky branding and compliance with Apple's strict privacy vision.

2. Gemini reads your email and calendar already

(Image credit: Getty Images)

One of the best ways to use Gemini at the moment is by asking it questions based on your other Google services, such as Gmail and Google Calendar.

Adding Gemini into Siri would allow iPhone users to ask questions about these incredibly popular services, taking us one step closer towards the AI personal assistant everyone hopes for.

Considering the AI model is already able to tap into Google services, you'd expect it to be relatively easy for Apple and Google to offer similar abilities with Apple's most popular apps, such as Mail, Notes, and Calendar.

When Apple revealed Apple Intelligence last year, Siri was able to listen to your requests and implement them across iOS. Gemini basically does that on Android already, so why not allow it to do the same on iPhone?

3. A smooth transition

The AI options available are endless, so having some parity between iPhone and Android would actually be a great thing for smartphone users.

Think about it, Gemini powers the AI in the best flagship Android devices like the Samsung S25 and the Google Pixel 10. But what if a similar experience was bundled into every iPhone, just with a little bit more Apple polish?

I'd love to use Gemini as my go-to AI assistant on my iPhone, and quite frankly, I already do. However, having it built into Siri would make it feel even more at home on iPhone, and best yet, for consumers, it means the switch to Android or vice versa, from an AI perspective, would be incredibly smooth.

4. It's ready to go

I don't know about you, but I'm bored of waiting for a new version of Siri that's capable of what I want from a voice assistant.

And quite frankly, the thought of purchasing an iPhone 17 without any Siri improvements makes me feel a bit sour towards the upcoming iPhone.

Gemini works, and it's already good to go, so adding implementation into Siri and powering Apple's voice assistant with Google's hard work would mean an intelligent Siri sooner rather than later.

Currently, I have no hope for an AI-powered Siri by the end of the year, and quite honestly, that's a real disappointment, considering I bought the iPhone 16 Pro Max with the promise of "AI for the rest of us."

If Apple opted to use Gemini, we could get the AI Siri we've wanted for what feels like an eternity very soon, and that's only a good thing for Apple users who are getting impatient waiting for a voice assistant that knows what year it is.

5. There's already a fruitful partnership

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Google and Apple have been working together for a very long time, with Google Search as the default search engine on Safari.

That relationship could be in jeopardy with a multi-billion-dollar antitrust case soon to be decided in the US. Following that lawsuit, there could be a big shift in iPhone's moving forward, and it might require new agreements between the two companies.

Could AI and Gemini be at the forefront of the discussions? Gurman says the companies haven't discussed this matter yet, but he believes that "if Apple and Google come to an agreement, it would be the basis of a new arrangement around search as well."

Apple might choose to steer clear of using a Gemini AI model to power Apple Intelligence, but considering what we've seen so far, I hope Tim Cook and co are at least contemplating it.

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• Exabeam report claims AI is driving insider threats, that are now outpacing external cyberattacks
• Most firms have insider programs, but lack advanced behavioral analytics needed for early detection
• Generative AI agents create faster, stealthier risks that traditional defenses cannot easily catch

How organizations view insider risk is changing, according to a new report from Exabeam which claims insider threats have overtaken external attacks to become the number one security concern, and it’s mostly down to AI.

Nearly two thirds (64%) of respondents said they now see insiders, whether malicious or compromised, as a bigger danger than outside actors - and Generative AI is behind a rise in faster and stealthier attacks that are far harder to detect.

“Insiders aren’t just people anymore," warned Exabeam Chief AI and Product Officer, Steve Wilson. "They’re AI agents logging in with valid credentials, spoofing trusted voices, and making moves at machine speed. The question isn’t just who has access - it’s whether you can spot when that access is being abused.”

AI-enhanced phishing and social engineering

Over half of organizations reported an increase in insider incidents in the past year, with most expecting that growth to continue.

Government, manufacturing, and healthcare are among the sectors bracing for sharper rises, while Asia-Pacific and Japan are anticipating the biggest regional increases.

The Middle East region is the outlier here, with nearly one-third of organizations expecting a decline, something Exabeam suggests could be down to either stronger defenses or an underestimation of new AI risks.

AI-enhanced phishing and social engineering are now among the top insider tactics, able to adapt in real time and mimic trusted communications at scale.

Unauthorized use of generative AI makes the challenge facing firms even harder, with three-quarters of organizations reporting unapproved activity.

Technology, government, and financial services show the highest levels of concern.

Despite widespread adoption of AI in security tooling, insider threat programs remain a mixed bag, as Exabeam found while 88% of organizations have such programs in place, only 44% actually make use of user and entity behavior analytics.

“AI has added a layer of speed and subtlety to insider activity that traditional defenses weren’t built to detect,” said Kevin Kirkwood, CISO, Exabeam. “Security teams are deploying AI to detect these evolving threats, but without strong governance or clear oversight, it’s a race they’re struggling to win. This paradigm shift requires a fundamentally new approach to insider threat defense.”

Exabeam's report noted its findings "point to a clear and consistent challenge” in which “organizations are aware of insider threats, but most lack the visibility and cross-functional alignment needed to address them effectively.”

“As AI becomes more embedded in enterprise workflows, the emergence of AI agents adds a new layer of complexity. These agents are not inherently malicious, but their ability to act independently introduces risks that traditional controls may miss. To keep pace, organizations must evolve their insider threat strategies”, the report concludes.

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• The iFi's Go Blu Air is a small battery-powered Bluetooth DAC
• Three-stage processing for optimal audio
• $129 / £129 / AU$229, available now

iFi has announced a new super-portable Bluetooth DAC, the iFi Go Blu Air. It's extremely small even by iFi's usual standards: if the firm's portable DACs get much smaller, they'll be able to sell them to ants.

The Go Blu Air may be small – it's only 5cm tall – but its specification isn't. It packs iFi's signature three-stage audio system and both 3.5mm and balanced 4.4mm headphone outs, with iFi's anti-crosstalk system on the 3.5mm output. And it puts out a very respectable 256mW of power, to connect to a range of the best wired headphones and best wired earbuds.

There's also an integrated microphone for your calls and your phone's digital assistant, and for wireless connectivity to your phone or other device, there's LDAC and aptX Adaptive as well as regular Bluetooth.

(Image credit: iFi Audio)iFi Go Blu Air: key features and pricing

iFi likes to keep the Bluetooth processing and the audio processing separate to deliver the best possible audio, and to achieve that the Qualcomm QCC5144 Bluetooth 5.2 chipset handles Bluetooth reception and nothing else.

The audio data is processed by a hi-res Cirrus Logic MasterHiFi DAC, which in turn passes the signal onto a dual-mono amplifier.

According to iFi the amp circuitry features "discrete, high-grade components to maximize sonic purity – from TDK C0G and muRata multilayer capacitors, to custom OV Series operational amplifiers with ultra-low distortion (0.0001%)."

In addition to the DAC, iFi has added its own analog XBass and XSpace systems and given them hardware controls so you don't have to reach for your phone. There's also a combined volume control and navigation dial for the same reason.

At just 30g in weight this is a real go-anywhere DAC, and in a nice touch it comes with a magnetic clip that you can use to attach it to your jacket, bag or belt. And according to iFi you can expect a decent 10 hours between charges.

The iFi Go Blu Air is available now with a recommended price of $129 / £129 / AU$229.

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• Vacancy rates plummet as data centers struggle to match unprecedented demand
• Northern Virginia dominates capacity while emerging markets grow at an explosive pace
• Developers rush projects, yet 73% of new capacity is already preleased

Data centers are becoming the backbone of digital infrastructure, with vacancy rates in North America now at an all-time low of 2.3%, new JLL research has claimed.

Despite inventory reaching 15.5GW in mid-2025, the pace of absorption continues to outstrip available capacity.

This mismatch is fueled by surging reliance on AI, digital transformation, and cloud storage services, which have created a supply crunch across both established and emerging markets.

Demand rising faster than supply

JLL claims North America could see as much as $1 trillion in new data center development by 2030.

"There was a significant increase in the amount of capital deployed into data center projects under construction or reaching stabilization in the first half of 2025 compared to the previous year,” said Carl Beardsley, Senior Managing Director, Data Center Leader, JLL Capital Markets.

“We’re seeing developments with long-term leases achieving up to 85% loan-to-cost from senior lenders at competitive spreads... North America could see $1 trillion of data center development between 2025 and 2030.”

Also, more than 100GW of colocation and hyperscale capacity is expected to break ground or come online within the next five years.

Though construction is rushed to meet rising demand, 73% of these projects are preleased, leaving limited flexibility for enterprises seeking new space.

Northern Virginia leads with a planned 5.9GW, followed by Phoenix at 4.2GW, Dallas-Fort Worth at 3.9GW, and Las Vegas/Reno at 3.5GW.

Secondary markets are also experiencing striking growth. Columbus has expanded 1,800% since 2020, while Austin/San Antonio has grown 500% from a smaller base over the same period.

This spread reflects developers seeking new opportunities as established hubs struggle with power constraints and rising costs.

“The days of build-it-and-they-will-come are long gone. What we’re seeing now is ‘commit-before-it’s-built-or-you-won’t-get-in,’” said Matt Landek, Division President, U.S. Data Center Work Dynamics and the lead of JLL’s Data Center Project Development and Services.

Power availability has become the defining challenge for data center development, as the average commercial electricity rates have risen nearly 30% since 2020, reaching 9.7 cents per kilowatt-hour.

Developers are increasingly targeting areas such as Salt Lake City and Denver, where rates remain below the national average.

Even so, the wait time for grid connections is now roughly four years, delaying projects and slowing the pace at which supply can meet demand.

Industry analysts argue power is now “the new real estate,” with access to affordable and reliable energy dictating where capacity can expand.

“Power has become the new real estate. With vacancy effectively at 0%, virtually all absorption is the result of preleasing with delivery times extending beyond 12 months,” said Andrew Batson, Head of U.S. Data Center Research at JLL.

“The market has been growing at a remarkable 20% CAGR since 2017, and our development pipeline data suggests this pace will continue through 2030, with the colocation market potentially expanding to 42GW of capacity.”

This bottleneck may prevent speculative overbuilding but also ensures that shortages will persist for years.

Via HPC Wire

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• Neurophos develops photonic AI chips replacing electrons with light for efficiency
• Pilot with Terakraft aims to demonstrate sustainable ultra-efficient optical computing
• Single chip promises 100 GPUs performance using 1% energy consumption

An American startup is preparing to test an experimental processor which could deliver performance at a scale never before achieved on a single chip.

Neurophos, which was spun out of Duke University with backing from incubator Metacept, is partnering with Norwegian data center operator Terakraft to run a pilot of its optical AI inference platform in 2027.

Combining photonics with metamaterials to shrink optical modulators by a factor of 10,000x, the company’s technology uses optical systolic arrays that replace electrons with light, removing latency bottlenecks while running at clock speeds above 100GHz.

Overcoming energy walls

By combining this with compute-in-memory architectures, Neurophos believes its chips could overcome the energy walls that limit conventional GPUs and TPUs.

Neurophos, which raised $7.2 million in late 2023, claims its technology will allow a single chip to deliver the compute power of 100 GPUs while using only 1% of the energy.

The planned collaboration will see Neurophos’ optical processing units deployed at Terakraft's green data center in Norway. Previously part of the Sauda I hydropower plant (decommissioned in 2008), the facility ranks as one of the most efficient in the world.

“By hosting Neurophos’ ultra-efficient optical chips in our green data center for select enterprise clients, we not only reduce our carbon footprint but also raise the bar for energy-efficient AI infrastructure,” said Giorgio Sbriglia, chairman of the board of Terakraft. “Our mission has always been to power the future responsibly, and this collaboration brings that vision to life.”

Patrick Bowen, Neurophos founder and CEO added, “Terakraft’s commitment to renewable energy and innovative technologies aligns perfectly with our mission to democratize high-performance AI. By deploying our 100x more efficient inference chips in Terakraft’s green data center, we’re proving that AI’s exponential growth can be achieved sustainably, together.”

If everything goes as planned, the pilot in Norway could mark an early step toward sustainable ultra-efficient AI hardware designed to handle future workloads at scale.

Neurophos claims that end-to-end simulations validate its technology’s performance, with a roadmap targeting exaflop-class computing on a single chip.

Via eeNews Europe

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• A $199 hacking device is reportedly being used to steal cars
• Specially-developed patches allow thieves to exploit security vulnerabilities
• Widespread attacks have affected Kia and Hyundai models in the past

A diminutive orange-and-white device, which costs just $199 in the US (around £150 / AU$310), is reportedly being used to remotely unlock modern vehicles.

An in-depth report by 404 Media found that underground hackers have developed and are now selling software patches that can be loaded onto the device to unlock all manner of cars, including those from major brands like Ford, Audi Volkswagen, Kia and many more.

The Flipper Zero is marketed as a "multi-tool device for geeks" and can be programmed to "explore any kind of access control system, RFID, radio protocols and debug hardware using GPIO (general-purpose input/output) pins", according to the company’s website. It's previously been used for everything from flipping TV channels in public places to confusing iPhones.

Much like the widely-reported 'Kia Boys' – a band of teenage hackers that gained notoriety for stealing Kias using just USB cables – the Flipper hack works by intercepting and cloning a vehicle’s key fob’s radio signal.

According to 404 Media, underground hackers have developed firmware that can be purchased for a fee of between $600 and $1000, uploaded to the device and then used to unlock a variety of vehicles.

The patches are currently limited to merely opening the vehicle, which presents its own risks, but individuals quoted in the report warn that it won’t be long before they can be developed to override any sort of security system to start and drive the modern cars away.

This Flipper is not so fabulous

(Image credit: Flipper Zero)

This isn’t the first time the Flipper Zero has hit the headlines, as there is an entire Reddit thread dedicated to pranksters remotely opening Tesla charge ports with their devices.

The Drive also reported on a YouTuber that managed to hack his Flipper to change traffic lights from red to green. Overall, they are very good at highlighting security vulnerabilities in many modern systems, but are so often used for nefarious means.

A worrying example is exploiting a flaw in today’s vehicles that increasingly eschew the relatively reliable key-and-lock for fancy remote fobs.

Relay attacks have plagued the likes of Jaguar Land Rover in the past, with older Range Rovers particularly vulnerable to the attacks, forcing owner’s insurance premiums through the roof.

In the US, local police forces have warned Kia and Hyundai owners to install kill switches or resort to steering locks after a 2022 Tik-Tok video revealed just how easy it is to steal a number of the brand’s vehicles.

As a result, groups like The Kia Boys emerged online, filming themselves stealing cars for internet views. A host of copycats have since followed suit and continue to cause problems.

Today’s automakers have been busy instating security patches to try and improve customer confidence, but it seems it is very difficult to stay ahead of the hackers.

Currently, the Flipper Zero patches have only been sold to a small number of users, but 404 Media warns that this could become a more widespread problem should they become open source or free to download.

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Spoilers for The Summer I Turned Pretty season 3 episode 8 ahead.

This week, it's wedding bells: successfully for Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's real life engagement (yay), and not-so-successfully for Belly (Lola Tung) and Jeremiah's (Gavin Casalegno) called-off wedding in The Summer I Turned Pretty season 3 episode 8.

It's the move we all saw coming, with Jeremiah admitting he's known about Belly's attraction to brother Conrad (Christopher Briney) from the very beginning. He's been waiting for her to bring it up, stating Belly cannot marry him if it's merely to cover up feelings she doesn't want to have. Belly immediately begs him to understand the classic chestnut 'but what we have is real!' – but her bachelorette party and, well, every other scene in the Prime Video show tells us otherwise.

Obviously, that's not been the only major news this week, though Swift and Kelce's engagement comes with a much better ring. The news was announced via a shared post on the pair's Instagram accounts, with the caption: "Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married." If you've managed to avoid it, the internet has gone absolutely nuts with various teacher memes, ring dupes and where to get them, and much agreement that this will be America's version of a Royal wedding.

A post shared by Taylor Swift (@taylorswift)

A photo posted by on

So, what do I-do's have to do with one another? Thanks to The Summer I Turned Pretty's soundtrack history, coupled with season 3 episode 8 specifically, quite a lot. It was inevitable that the show was going to use more Taylor Swift songs in future scenes, but the choices for Belly and Jeremiah's wedding week were devastatingly perfect.

'Us' and 'Cardigan' are the Taylor Swift songs that headline The Summer I Turned Pretty season 3's wedding week

Yes, there is an engagement ring somewhere on Belly's finger. (Image credit: Amazon Prime Video)

Get ready to weep tears or sadness and joy simultaneously, people. It's incredible (and overdue) news that Jeremiah and Belly won't be getting hitched after all, but Amazon has opted to use Swift's ultimate tearjerker 'Cardigan' to soundtrack Jeremiah leaving Belly crying in her dressing room pre-ceremony, with only her mom on hand to comfort her.

But that's not the only dose of Swift we guess! 'Us', her collaboration with Gracie Abrams, is used earlier on in the episode (basically, when it was assumed there would still be a wedding). It's the perfect choice, and one I could certainly seeing playing in the background of Swift's own magical moment, though she chose 'High School' to go with her announcement.

Taylor Swift songs have a long history of being featured on The Summer I Turned Pretty episodes, including the week of the TS12 announcement, so the fact some have been chosen for season 3 episode 8 isn't a surprise. However, it's the choice of exact songs that have had me taken aback. Showrunner Jenny Han and her team not only vividly understand what the show's fans and scenes need, but their comprehension of exactly which song to pick from Swift's bulging back catalog never fails to miss. There's the right level of poignancy in every choice, and that's no mean feat.

My head is still spinning from the double dose of Taylor Swift-themed engagements this week, but while things likely won't involve vows of a ring in The Summer I Turned Pretty, we're not shot of the dastardly duo. There are three episodes of season 3 left to go, and I'll eat my hat if we won't be working through more of her albums. Especially given Belly has just spotted Conrad at the airport before boarding her flight to Paris... personally, I'd be queuing up something from 'Fearless'.

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• Reflective LCD reduces energy use while raising doubts about mainstream adoption
• Eazeye Monitor 2.0 consumes only 7 watts during operation under normal use
• Outdoor performance improves with ambient light instead of artificial backlight

The Eazeye Monitor 2.0 is a 24-inch reflective LCD screen designed to function as an energy-efficient alternative to traditional LCDs and expensive e-ink monitors.

Unlike standard panels which depend on backlighting, this unit reflects ambient light to create its image.

The manufacturer promotes this approach as more comfortable for extended viewing and as a way to reduce strain. It also lowers energy usage, with reported consumption averaging 4W and peaking at 7W.

Full HD resolution and 60Hz refresh rate capability

The main appeal of the Eazeye Monitor 2.0 reflective LCD technology lies in visibility in bright environments.

Conventional laptop panels often wash out under direct sunlight, even when brightness is maximized.

In contrast, reflective LCD designs are meant to gain clarity from ambient light.

The manufacturer provides demonstration images suggesting that the Eazeye 2.0 maintains legibility outdoors where a standard display appears dim.

While this could make it practical as a business monitor for travel or fieldwork, actual performance may depend heavily on lighting conditions and user expectations.

From the perspective of installation, the device behaves much like a portable monitor, and its power is supplied through a separate USB-C connection.

The Eazeye Monitor 2.0 ships with HDMI and USB-C cables, a stand, and a power adapter. Users open the kickstand, adjust the tilt, and connect through either HDMI or USB-C for video input.

At 2.2kg and measuring just over 54cm in width, it remains light enough to move between desks or to pair with a laptop outdoors. There is also an audio jack that supports external speakers if needed.

The company positions the Eazeye 2.0 as an alternative to costly e-ink products.

Alternative models, such as the 23.5-inch DASUNG and BIGME color monitors, exceed $1,650, whereas this reflective LCD is listed at $999.

However, it only delivers a 1920x1080 resolution with a 60Hz refresh rate, which is lower than some premium e-ink options but higher in responsiveness.

For certain tasks like office work or casual use, that may be sufficient. But whether it can serve as a reliable monitor for video editing or as a primary business monitor is less certain, given its color reproduction limits and modest resolution.

The Eazeye Monitor 2.0 combines paper-like readability with reduced power draw, qualities that might suit users who work outdoors or require an energy-saving secondary screen.

Yet at nearly $1,000, it sits in an uncertain space between affordable portable displays and specialized e-ink panels. It may attract professionals seeking a niche tool, but broad adoption remains questionable.

Via CNX-Software

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• Researchers discover new PromptLock ransomware
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• AI is already shaking up the cyber landscape

Security researchers from ESET have identified the first known AI-powered ransomware, which serves as a warning for security teams as generative AI has, and will, continue to make cyberattacks much more accessible for criminals.

Researchers Peter Strycek and Anton Cherepanov discovered the proof of concept, which they dubbed ‘PromptLock’, which, ‘leverages Lua scripts generated from hard-coded prompts to enumerate the local filesystem, inspect target files, exfiltrate selected data, and perform encryption.’

"Although multiple indicators suggest the sample is a proof-of-concept (PoC) or work-in-progress rather than fully operational malware deployed in the wild, we believe it is our responsibility to inform the cybersecurity community about such developments," the researchers wrote.

Use in the wild

The PromptLock malware uses OpenAI’s gpt-oss:20b model - an open weight model released in August 2025, and this is run locally through the Ollama API to generate malicious Lua scripts ‘on the fly’.

Lua scripts are cross-platform compatible, the researchers point out, meaning they function on macOS, Linux, and Windows. The malware can then exfiltrate, encrypt, and potentially destroy any data it chooses after scanning user files, presumably to determine which would be most valuable.

Security teams have been warning for months that the AI-powered future of ransomware is coming soon, and although PromptLock has not yet been observed targeting victims in the wild, it’s clear it's only a matter of time before this happens.

Not only does GenAI make life a lot easier for wannabe hackers by lowering the barrier of entry, but LLM’s also spit out different results even when given the same prompt. This makes them unpredictable and particularly difficult for defenders to detect, as the pattern of behavior is more erratic and hard to spot.

Via:The Register

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As a veteran of covering Apple’s iPhone launches, I can rather confidently say that the iPhone 16 will drop in price when the so-called iPhone 17 is launched and subsequently released.

Judging by previous iPhone launches, my educated prediction is that the iPhone 16 will stick around as Apple’s cheaper alternative to the new phones, with its price likely to be some $100 / £100/ AU$150 cheaper than at launch.

Such a price drop isn’t huge, but it’s not bad either, given the rumors aren’t pointing towards a significant generational upgrade for the iPhone 17. The much-rumored iPhone 17 Air could shake things up if it replaces the standard iPhone and its Plus stablemate, but I’m not so sure that’ll happen.

While I bemoan the lack of a 120Hz display, the current iPhone 16 is still a great phone for most people and has the performance needed for Apple Intelligence and most phone-centric tasks, all slotted neatly into Apple’s ecosystem.

So presuming Apple keeps it in its line-up, it’ll be a good potential purchase if you’re after one of the best phones for a lower price. Expect prices to go from $799 / £799 / AU$1,399 to $699 / £699 / AU$1,249.

Up in the air

Equally, there’s the wrinkle of the iPhone 16e. This is already a cheaper take on the iPhone 16, so if it drops in price, it could become a more compelling ‘affordable’ iPhone than it was at launch; see our iPhone 16e review for Lance Ulanoff’s critique.

As such, there’s scope for Apple to discontinue all the iPhone 16 and keep the ‘e’ variant at its mid-range phone.

Speaking of discontinuation, the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will very likely be retired; Apple has done this in the past and will surely want to push people who want to go pro to opt for the iPhone 17 Pro.

However, that doesn’t mean it’s game over for finding a cheaper iPhone 16 Pro model, as third-party retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and Currys will very likely have such iPhones in stock and will want to clear their shelves of the phones to make space for newer models.

So, I predict that you’ll be able to find a cheaper iPhone 16 Pro come the end of September and going into the Black Friday period, which now lasts weeks rather than a day. And I’d say the same applies to all iPhone 16 models sold outside of Apple, with deals likely to pop up on them as the Holiday season draws closer.

All of this is why I suggest you don’t by an iPhone until the next Apple event, scheduled for September 9 has come and gone, as even if the new iPhones don’t appeal to you, you’re sure to find a cheaper older iPhone as a result.

As it happens, I head up TechRadar's Deals team along with the phones and tablets division, so my crack crew of bargain-seekers will be keeping an eye out for impressive iPhone deals, among other stuff, to flag to you. So keep a weather eye on TechRadar in the coming weeks.

If you have any questions about the upcoming iPhones, feel free to drop me a line or comment below if you have some burning thoughts on what Apple could do next with its smartphones. So that’s that right? Well, not entirely.

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• Nvidia’s H20 chip became collateral in a heated geopolitical clash
• Nvidia’s revenue stream risks serious disruption with the Chinese market tightening
• Chinese tech giants hesitate to abandon Nvidia hardware for weaker alternatives

China’s recent decision to tighten restrictions on Nvidia’s H20 chip sales has drawn attention not only because of the technology involved, but also because of the circumstances which triggered it.

Reports indicate comments made by U. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick in mid-July 2025 were viewed as both “insulting” and brash by China's government.

In a televised interview, Lutnick stated Washington’s strategy was to ensure Chinese developers became “addicted” to the American technology stack.

Rising tensions after controversial remarks

“We don’t sell them our best stuff, not our second-best stuff, not even our third-best,” Lutnick had told CNBC.

“You want to sell the Chinese enough that their developers get addicted to the American technology stack, that’s the thinking,” he added.

The Chinese considered this remark unnecessarily arrogant, and it is now engineering a move that presents sustained sales headwinds for Nvidia, a company that has long viewed the country as a major market.

The H20 chip, developed specifically for China after export controls restricted access to more advanced models, had become a key product for local AI firms.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang visited Beijing recently, and stressed the firm’s commitment to staying competitive in the region.

Still, with China accounting for at least 15% of Nvidia’s total revenue, any disruption to H20 orders represents a serious challenge.

Washington and Beijing had previously struck a framework agreement earlier in 2025 allowing H20 sales to resume in China while Beijing restored some rare earth exports.

That deal was interpreted as a step toward stabilizing relations. Yet by late July 2025, Chinese regulators such as the Cyberspace Administration of China and the Ministry of Industry and Technology began advising firms to halt new H20 orders.

This guidance, framed as a response to Lutnick’s remarks, highlights the fragility of recent progress.

Alongside the restrictions, Beijing has promoted the use of domestic chips, including those from Huawei.

However, doubts remain about their effectiveness, and DeepSeek had to delay the launch of its new R2 model after difficulties training with Huawei Ascend processors.

Chinese tech giants like Alibaba, Baidu, and ByteDance have also been reluctant to fully switch, citing stronger performance from Nvidia hardware compared with local alternatives.

The episode illustrates how political statements can rapidly alter corporate fortunes, especially when national security and technology leadership are at stake.

While Nvidia has disputed claims of security risks tied to its products, Beijing’s regulators appear determined to limit reliance on US-made chips.

Whether Chinese firms can scale up to fill the gap remains uncertain, but what is clear is that Lutnick’s words have accelerated a process of decoupling that may unfold far quicker than industry analysts initially expected.

Via Financial Times

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Ask anyone in the luxury business about what well-heeled Chinese customers demand and the answer is almost unanimously pointed towards technology. But Bentley’s CEO, Dr. Frank-Steffen Walliser, has just claimed that digital will never be luxurious.

"It will be maybe expensive, but not luxury," Walliser told Newsweek, going on to state that there will be always be a need for good craftsmanship.

While many modern luxury brands will agree, there has been a huge shift in what the next generation of wealthy individuals want, with Istituto Marangoni, a leading private school of fashion, art and design, claiming that China will account for 25% of the global personal luxury goods market by 2030.

Gen Z and Millennials, who account 70% of luxury spending, are looking more towards advanced AI assistants, immersive virtual reality and the latest innovations in technology, rather than overt displays of wealth.

Walliser doesn’t deny the need to embrace new and emerging technologies, seeing as the company is slated to launch its first dedicated EV next year. But he does go on to say in his Newsweek interview that luxury is linked to material and craftsmanship, like art.

"Digital art is not so successful. I will not say that it does not exist, but is it the breakthrough? No, it's not," he goes on to explain.

Bentley has recently been doubling-down on its efforts to deliver hand-crafted and highly bespoke vehicles to those willing to pay for it.

A recent ‘Ombre by Mulliner’ gradient paint finish, for example, is said to take 56 hours of handcraft to deliver and costs around £50,000 / $67,000 / AU$105,000, according to one CarWow configurator.

Similarly, its One plus One Batur convertible features an interior hand-finished by Bentley's Mulliner division with contrasting driver and front passenger seats, complete with a bespoke, two-piece luggage set at the customer’s request.

As a result, three in four Bentleys are leaving Bentley’s Crewe HQ with bespoke Mulliner content. More than ever, according to Newsweek.

Analysis: Ignoring digital is dangerous

(Image credit: Bentley)

While the luxury automakers continue to lean heavily on their brand history and traditional production methods, the market has seen a significant downturn in China, which was once considered a major source of sales for the likes of Rolls-Royce, Bentley and more.

There have been changes in luxury taxes and financial uncertainty that will have impacted trade, but the boom in the EV industry has also opened up a sizable technological chasm between the east and the west.

What’s more, younger generations across the globe are increasingly looking for the latest digital features, advances in AI and automated driving technology as key reasons to make a purchase.

Xiaomi, for example, sold more than 135,000 SU7 models in China last year, despite being its debut EV, while Porsche managed to shift just 56,887 units of all of its models during the same timeframe.

In fact, most of the major German luxury brands are struggling in China for this very reason. Although it is still to be seen whether the likes of Xiaomi, Yangwang and more will make an impact beyond their domestic market.

Despite the fact that ultra-luxury brands tend to feel the economic impacts to a lesser extent, navigating the digital world remains a tricky task, as they don’t want to lose their identity but also want to avoid alienating new buyers thanks to a lack of technology.

Aston Martin’s recent pairing with Apple CarPlay Ultra is an excellent example of this, as the software proved excellent and arguably what CarPlay users have been demanding for years, but the masses of Apple-controlled screens also made the vehicle feel less special.

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• NeoLogic raises $10 million to advance CMOS+ CPUs, reducing circuit complexity
• CMOS+ enables 6-32 input gates, reducing power use and die size
• First processors expected in 2026, targeting energy efficient AI data center workloads

NeoLogic has raised $10 million in in Series A funding as it works to change how processors are designed.

Founded in 2021, the Israel-based company (with a US presence planned for the future) is not focusing on transistor scaling, the traditional path of the semiconductor industry, but rather on reducing the complexity of circuits.

Its CMOS+ technology integrates standard CMOS gates with reduced complexity gates, cutting transistor counts by as much as three times at any process node.

Up to 50% lower energy use

Conventional CMOS is limited by fan-in, with gates typically handling no more than four inputs.

Designers rely on tree structures to handle higher inputs, which increases both chip area and power use.

NeoLogic’s CMOS+ enables single stage gates that handle between 6 and 32 inputs, shortening the critical path while reducing area and energy consumption.

The company says processors built with CMOS+ can lower power use by up to 50 percent and reduce chip area by up to 40 percent while keeping latency on par with current designs.

These improvements are compatible with existing CMOS manufacturing processes, from 130nm down to 2nm, as well as standard EDA tools, so adoption won’t require new infrastructure.

By cutting die size and improving yield, CMOS+ provides cost advantages at advanced nodes, where wafer costs and development expenses rise sharply.

It’s more than just gates, however, as CMOS+ also offers power efficient registers, buffers, and arithmetic blocks. Together, NeoLogic says, these elements give chip designers a new infrastructure that simplifies processor design while achieving better power and area tradeoffs.

“We are backing NeoLogic as they push the boundaries of computing with their breakthrough approach to energy-efficient processors," said Talia Rafaeli, Partner at KOMPAS VC, which led the latest funding round. "The team’s deep technical expertise and innovative CMOS+ technology position them to impact the AI data center space significantly.”

NeoLogic sees CMOS+ as a way to deliver more efficient computing without departing from established tools and processes. It has begun demonstrating its first processors to customers and expects deployment in data centers starting in 2026.

Via eeNews Embedded

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• Improvements are heading to the Google Home app
• Camera feeds should be more reliable and quicker
• The updates are rolling out for Android and iOS devices

It's not been the best of times for the Google Home ecosystem, what with a crescendo of user complaints rising about buggy devices and apps in recent weeks. Google is now at least bringing some improvements to the Google Home app for Android and iOS, connected to Nest cameras and doorbells.

In a somewhat apologetic post on the Google Nest Community message boards, a member of the Nest team outlines the improvements. While the reported bugs with Google smart home kit aren't addressed directly, they are alluded to.

"We also wanted to take a moment to thank you all," the post reads. "While we may not always hit the mark, we remain committed to listening to our users and building intuitive, reliable, and high-performing camera features for your home."

If you do own a Nest camera of some description, here are five of the most notable upgrades heading your way.

1. Faster previews

Camera previews will now show a cached image from a previous live view: while it means the view might be slightly out of date until it's fully loaded, it does mean you'll be able to identify which camera is which more quickly if you've got several set up in the app.

2. Improved gestures

Gestures have been simplified, so you can now switch between the timeline and events views with a single swipe. Expanding and collapsing live views, and dismissing camera feeds, are also now controlled with one swipe, making it easier to get around the app.

Swipe gestures now work more intuitively (Image credit: Google)3. Better notifications

Notification previews have been improved as well, so on both Android and iOS you'll see a static thumbnail together with a large animated preview – the intention is that you get a better idea of what the alert is about without having to open up the Google Home app.

4. Accurate reporting

Google says that the Google Home app is now better at reporting whether your cameras are online or offline, so you know the status of every camera at all times. The same under-the-hood optimizations should mean live streaming performance is better too.

5. Smoother performance

Speaking of performance, further tweaks made by the Google Home team are going to reduce latency, reduce the likelihood of "no video available" errors, and ensure camera streams can be recovered more quickly when they're switched off and then back on.

These improvements come on top of previous upgrades added by the Google team, which they also mention in the same post: they include increased clarity for videos, a more seamless timeline experience, and a quick seek feature for jumping through video clips.

As well as these software enhancements, it looks very much like new hardware is on the way, as four new Nest devices have recently leaked. Despite lots of evidence to the contrary, it seems that perhaps Google hasn't forgotten about the smart home after all.

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• Google warns of ongoing captive portal hijack attacks
• Captive portals were being abused to redirect people to fake Adobe update sites
• The "updates" deployed different malware and backdoors

Google has issued a warning about a Chinese state-sponsored hacking attack targeting users in real-time.

The company’s cybersecurity arm, the Google Threat Intelligence Group (GTIG), published a new blog outlining how it saw “evidence of a captive portal hijack being used to deliver malware disguised as an Adobe Plugin update to targeted entities.”

Apparently, this campaign is the work of a group known as UNC6384, a Chinese state-sponsored actor, possibly tied to Silk Typhoon, a group known for cyber-espionage campaigns against government, critical infrastructure, and telco organizations in the West. The campaign, according to Google, targeted diplomats in Southeast Asia, as well as other entities around the world.

Fake security updates

A captive portal is essentially a login page. It usually pops up on public networks, such as on airports, or in coffee shops - right after connecting to the network, but before gaining access to the public internet. Sometimes it asks users to register an account, and sometimes viewing an ad and clicking “connect” is enough to be granted access.

Now, Google claims the Chinese compromised edge devices on those target networks (routers, firewalls, VPN gateways, and the such), and then used the instances to hijack the portals and redirect visitors to a malicious landing page.

Visitors are then prompted to download a “security update” for Adobe which is, in fact, malware. The initial payload, an MSI package, installs stage-two malware including CANONSTAGER and SOGU.SEC. The latter is a backdoor that connects to the attacker-controlled C2 server and grants unabated access to the target computer.

Google first observed this attack in March this year and sent out alerts to Gmail and Workspace users.

Whenever China is accused of engaging in cyber-warfare against its adversaries in the West, it denies any involvement and repeats its stance that the US is the biggest cyber-bully right now.

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• The Google Pixel 10 comes with battery performance limits that can't be disabled
• Battery Health Assistance gradually decreases voltage and capacity after 200 cycles and up to 1000 cycles
• Online reactions suggest frustration

The Pixel 10 has been official for one week, and yet it seems that Google’s latest flagship smartphone has already found itself caught up in controversy over a new battery health setting that can’t be switched off.

As Android Central reports, the Google Pixel 10 series comes with an obligatory battery health feature called Battery Health Assistance, which limits the phone’s voltage and charging speed over time. The limits begin at 200 cycles and continue until 1,000 cycles. A report from Android Authority corroborates that the feature can’t be disabled.

For those not familiar, ‘cycle’ simply refers to the process of emptying and recharging the battery. Assuming the phone is charged daily, this could mean battery limits kick in after less than a year of ownership, with performance getting worse over the next few years.

However, here at TechRadar we’re confident that the Pixel 10’s battery limiting feature shouldn’t be a dealbreaker if you’re considering buying one – keep reading for our breakdown.

The claim

The Google Pixel 6a was recently pulled from Google's online refurbished store (Image credit: Future)

Unlike some tech controversies, there’s not really an element of suggestion or conspiracy theorizing – as far as we can tell, this is a real feature that will affect battery life on the Google Pixel 10 series. The issue is more about how users react to this information.

Naturally, a ‘feature’ that outright worsens your phone's performance isn’t guaranteed to be popular, and Pixel fans have reacted in kind. In one Reddit thread, user Toni_Segui wrote: “Regarding this imposition from Google, if they don't back down, for my part next year I'm going to Samsung or even Apple”.

User gosangst was less diplomatic, commenting: “Google really hates its customers”.

It seems that some online commenters are taking this battery limit feature as a reason to avoid the Google Pixel 10. We've contacted Google for comment, but haven't heard back yet.

It’s also true that Google Pixel phones have a checkered history when it comes to batteries. Recently, Google pulled the Pixel 6a from its refurbished store following reports of some units catching fire (though there was no official reason given). Some users may be wary of trusting Google when it comes to battery tech.

The reality

The Google Pixel 10 is still a valid choice, despite its strict battery limits (Image credit: Blue Pixl Media)

Most tech users know by now that batteries – even rechargeable ones – are ultimately consumable components, or at least that they degrade over time. Even the best Google Pixel phones have previously had issues with battery life and even battery safety, so it’s perhaps unsurprising that Google has taken such a hard line.

The likely intention behind Battery Health Assistance is to make the degradation of your phone’s battery feel more gradual and less noticeable, while avoiding putting too much stress on the battery.

If all goes to plan, this should make for a smoother and more sustainable experience in the long term. Remember, there’s no avoiding battery degradation with use – this is something that will happen anyway.

However, Google does have some catching up to do when it comes to phone users trusting its battery tech, so perhaps the option to disable Battery Health Assistance would’ve been a smart inclusion.

Still, there’s no need to panic over this sort of technology. The best phones now get years of post-launch support, so limiting hardware for the sake of longevity does make some sense. Whether you find that a reasonable tradeoff is, of course, up to you; let us know in the comments.

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• Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 will no longer have carry forward
• The feature would have allowed you to use some Black Ops 6 unlocks in the game
• The change was confirmed in a developer blog post

Activision has confirmed that you will not be able to access operators, skins, and weapons from Black Ops 6 in Call of Duty: Black Ops 7.

The feature, known as carry forward, was previously going to give players the ability to use select content from Black Ops 6 in the upcoming entry. Although some fans appreciated the option to bring forward their favorite unlocks, many were concerned that this would undermine the identity of the new game.

I was personally pretty disappointed with the news that carry forward would be present given the disparate settings of the two titles. While Black Ops 6 is set in the 1990s, Black Ops 7 takes place in 2035 - so running around with Gulf War era gear wouldn't make a lot of sense.

The news of the decision was announced in a community update blog post, where the developers discuss the top frankly.

"We know there’s been a lot of conversation recently about the identity of Call of Duty. Some of you have said we’ve drifted from what made Call of Duty unique in the first place: immersive, intense, visceral and in many ways grounded," it read. "That feedback hits home, and we take it seriously."

"Black Ops 7 needs to feel authentic to Call of Duty and its setting. That is why Black Ops 6 Operator and Weapon content will not carry forward to Black Ops 7," it continued.

Importantly your current stock of Double XP tokens and GobbleGums will still carry over into Black Ops 7, which is good news for those aiming to progress as quickly as possible on day one.

Warzone and Black Ops 6 is also not affected, so you don't need to worry about losing access to any of your current content.

The post also explained that the developers had heard feedback on in-game bundles, which some players found a little too outlandish in Black Ops 6.

"In Black Ops 7, bundles and items will be crafted to fit the Black Ops identity," the post stated. "We hear the feedback. We need to deliver a better balance toward the immersive, core Call of Duty experience."

Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 is set to release is set to release on November 14, 2025 for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Series S, and PC.

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Monster: The Ed Gein Story hits Netflix on October 3, 2025, and the streamer has just given us our first look at the new season of Ryan Murphy's true crime anthology. As the name suggests, the third season will follow the fictionalized life of notorious murderer Ed Gein (played by Charlie Hunnam), who confessed to killing two women between 1954-1957. Worse than that, his nickname 'the Butcher of Plainfield' came from authorities discovering Gein exhumed corpses from local graveyards to make... keepsakes... for himself.

It's pretty clear that the new season Monster will probably be the most grim and gory, following on from Murphy's takes on Jeffrey Dahmer and Lyle and Erik Menendez. As Netflix itself tells us: "Monster: The Ed Gein Story tells the story of how one simple man in Plainfield, Wisconsin, became history’s most singular ghoul. He revealed to the world the most horrific truth of all – that monsters aren’t born, they’re made... by us."

But the streamer also tells us that Gein "became the blueprint for modern horror," with it being widely reported that he served as inspiration for some of the best horror movies, including Psycho, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and The Silence of the Lambs. However, it's worth pointing out that these movies weren't actually his real life, meaning one of our first-look posters has a factual inaccuracy that's really bugging me.

Monster: The Ed Gein Story shows the killer as the Texas Chainsaw murderer he apparently wasn't

Before The Texas Chainsaw Massacre... there was Ed. Charlie Hunnam stars in Monster: The Ed Gein Story. Arriving October 3. pic.twitter.com/TRKpybCiVnAugust 27, 2025

Newsflash, people: Ed Gein didn't knowingly kill anybody using a chainsaw. At least, not as far as we know. According to EBSCO research, Gein's first confirmed murder victim Mary Hogan was shot, while second victim Bernice Worden was decapitated and disemboweled beyond the point of establishing a cause of death. While a number of other missing people were linked to Gein, none of them were proved beyond suspicion (and as they were never found, their cause of death cannot be proved).

That doesn't mean Gein didn't engage in some gnarly behavior, and that's putting it mildly. The preserved remains of 15 other women were found on his property, creating 'masks' out of human faces and even a full 'woman suit', which was thought to be made after his mother died. It's references from the case like this that make the Psycho and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre comparisons clear, but here's where the lines cross.

Netflix's marketing for Monster: The Ed Gein Story is obviously being inspired by his influence on said horror movies, but that moves away from how seasons 1 and 2 were structured. Essentially, each season is a dramatization of real life, and in order to do that effectively, scenes need to be accurate. We can suspend belief enough to admit his probably laid his head in his mother's lap, and he clearly made fleshy masks, but murdering with a chainsaw even though there's no proof? Gein's life becomes a parody, not serious drama.

Before The Silence of the Lambs... there was Ed. Charlie Hunnam stars in Monster: The Ed Gein Story. Arriving October 3. pic.twitter.com/BDUKlMiDqcAugust 27, 2025

Of course, I'm not sure how much anybody else is going to care about the semantics. The images are striking and chilling in their own right, moulding Hunnam's version of Gein into the (pun intended) monster we all believed he was. I have no doubt that Murphy will create a visual spectacle so shocking, we'll feel like the glory days of American Horror Story's early seasons are well and truly back.

Even so, it leaves a sour note. While The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story won me back over after The Jeffrey Dahmer Story went too far in my eyes, I fear The Ed Gein Story has already lost me with its theatrics.

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• The US Government is set to acquire 10% of Intel in exchange for 433 million shares
• But Intel is worried about Trump’s “substantial additional powers” on foreign business
• Trump praised the deal for making the US “richer”, and for creating more jobs

The upcoming US Government ownership deal could have knock-on effects on how Intel deals with foreign customers and governments in the future, which could be further amplified by Trump’s unpredictable trade and tariff policies, the company has admitted.

The US Government is set to acquire a 10% stake in Intel through a mix of unpaid CHIPS Act grants and funding in a deal valued at around $8.9 billion in total.

In exchange, Intel will hand over 433 million shares to the government, worth between $10-11 billion.

Intel could be affected by its US ownership

The tricky part comes in the form of foreign business, because around 76% of Intel’s fiscal 2024 revenue came from abroad, with popular markets including China, Singapore and Taiwan.

Being part-owned by the US Government means Intel could be exposed to foreign subsidy laws, extra regulations, lawsuits, political scrutiny and competitor pushback that could seriously hamper its foreign sales.

“Having the US Government as a significant stockholder of the Company could subject the Company to additional regulations, obligations or restrictions, such as foreign subsidy laws or otherwise, in other countries,” Intel wrote in a SEC filing.

Intel also noted that the US Government’s interests may not reflect those of its existing shareholders, and that its “substantial additional powers” could prevent it from pursuing “potential future strategic transactions” at the benefit of shareholders.

President Trump welcomed the deal, claiming it made the US $11 billion at zero cost. “I PAID ZERO FOR INTEL, IT IS WORTH APPROXIMATELY 11 BILLION DOLLARS. All goes to the USA,” he wrote on Truth social media.

The post goes on to explain how Intel’s stock price could go up while the US would become “RICHER, AND RICHER.” Trump also noted that the deal would generate “more jobs for America!!!”

“It is difficult to foresee all the potential consequences,” Intel concluded.

Intel’s latest quarterly revenue remained flat year-over-year at $12.9 billion, under the leadership of new CEO Lip-Bu Tan.

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• Details of AirPods Pro 3 case design supposedly leak
• Accessory makers say it will have a touch button for pairing/reset
• I think that's a shame, but likely, since AirPods 4 made that switch

We're expecting the much-anticipated AirPods Pro 3 to be unveiled soon – probably at the Apple event on September 9th 2025, which will surely also be the debut of the iPhone 17 – so what's been surprising is how few leaks there have been about the new earbuds.

Despite Apple's famous secrecy, pretty much all of its products leak out one way or another – but AirPods Pro 3 have largely stayed in the shadows, outside of multiple claims that they'll have built-in heart-rate sensors.

However, we may finally have a leak relating to the design of the earbuds, courtesy of Majinbu Official. The publication spoke to accessory makers, who provided images and said that the case for the new AirPods may be slightly smaller than the case for AirPods Pro 2 (though the dimensions given for the case in the image below suggests a very similar size to the current case).

They said the case will still include the lanyard loop you find on the current AirPods Pro 2 case, as well.

(Image credit: Majinbu Official)

But they also highlighted another change they expect: the removal of the button from the back of the case in favor of a touch panel on the front, and I'm not a fan of this idea.

It seems inevitable – last year's AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation both made this switch, so it's no surprise that Apple would do it here – but I think the physical button is important.

The button on AirPods is used to put them in pairing mode with non-Apple devices, or to reset them if they're having major problems – and it's that second point that means I wish Apple would keep a physical button instead of an invisible touch panel.

If your AirPods aren't responding for some reason, you can push the physical button on the back until they reset, and know that there's a good chance this will fix them. Most importantly, you know you're doing the process correctly because you can tell that you've depressed the button – you feel the movement.

If you need to reset unresponsive AirPods using a touch panel, and nothing seems to be happening, you're left with uncertainty. Have you pressed the wrong spot, or are they just failing to reset?

In user experience design, there's a concept called 'affordances'. These are the ways that a product or piece of software indicates to you that something can be done, or that something is happening.

A physical button is a natural affordance; you know it can be pressed when you see it, and you can feel when you've pressed it. The touch button on AirPods can use light or sounds as an affordance to say you've pressed it, but that depends on the electronics all responding as expected – and if you've got to the point where you need to reset them, that may not be the case. I think something as important as a reset should have physical controls, but I'm old fashioned that way.

In any case, it still doesn't tell us very about the AirPods Pro 3 overall. I'm expecting improved sound quality, improved active noise cancellation, a new H3 chip powering them, some kind of fancy smart features tied to that chip, and probably a higher price, given the broader prices in the industry over the last few years. They'll probably also be the best AirPods released to date.

We'll probably find out in just a couple of weeks either way. I'm sure that looking for a button won't be top of your priority list, but hey – at least it's more confirmation that they're probably coming soon.

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