TechRadar News

Welcome to our live coverage of Nvidia GTC 2025!

Today sees the opening keynote from Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, who is set to unveil a host of new hardware and AI tools - along with a few surprises, no doubt.

The keynote is set to start shortly - so stay tuned for all the updates as they happen.

Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the Nvidia GTC 2025 keynote!

We're super excited to see what Nvidia has in store for us today, with company CEO and founder Jensen Huang set to take to the stage in a few hours time.

We're not far off the opening keynote at Nvidia GTC 2025 now, so what can we expect?

Last year's keynote saw the reveal of Blackwell, the company's new generation of GPUs, and we're expecting another major hardware update today.

(Image credit: Future / Mike Moore)

The company also unveiled a host of new data center hardware, and we're expecting more data center, server and workstation news today for sure.

But there was also a big focus on robotics, particularly in factories, and the role AI can play there, so it may well be we see more of the same today.

If you want to watch along with the keynote, you'll need to head to the Nvidia GTC 2025 website, where you can sign up.

You've not got long though - Jensen Huang will be on stage in just a few hours time!

(Image credit: Nvidia)

Less than half an hour to go! Get some snacks and energy drinks ready, this could be a long one...

Also, make sure to keep an eye out for Jensen Huang's leather jacket - the Nvidia CEO is always snappily-dressed, and jacket-watch has become a popular trend for us media types - it's important to look good when you're presenting the future of AI, you know...

(Image credit: Nvidia)

Here we go! The lights go down and it's time for the keynote to begin...

"This is how intelligence is made - this is a whole new factory," an intro video outlining "endless possibilities" notes.

We're shown a number of possible use cases for the future of AI, from weather forecasting to space exploration to curing disease - all powered by tokens.

(Image credit: Nvidia)

"Together, we take the next great leap," the video ends, showing a view of Nvidia's futuristic San Jose HQ.

The video ends, and we welcome Jensen Huang, CEO and co-founder of Nvidia, to the stage.

"What an amazing year...we have a lot of amazing things to talk about" he declares, ushering us in to the virtual Nvidia HQ via virtual reality.

Huang admits he's doing this keynote without a script - brave!

(Image credit: Nvidia)

Huang starts by commemorating 25 years of GeForce - a huge lifespan for any technology - holding up one of the newest Blackwell GPUs.

"AI has now come back to revolutionize computer graPhics," he declares, showing us a stunning real-time generated AI video backdrop.

(Image credit: Nvidia)

• Nintendo could be developing a new GameCube controller for the Switch 2
• New evidence has appeared in the form of a new FCC filing with new details related to the GameCube
• The "game controller" will feature wireless Bluetooth

Fresh evidence that a new GameCube controller is in development for the Nintendo Switch 2 has been spotted online.

It comes from a recently published FCC filing by Nintendo (spotted by NintendoLife) which shows that a new "game controller" is in the works.

This piece of hardware has a model number prefix of "BEE" which matches the Switch 2 and will be a "wireless Bluetooth controller", meaning it won't require a cable slot in the console, unlike the original GameCube pad.

Thanks to some Nintendo fans on Famiboards, it also appears that one of the attached images on the filing shows an etched label that matches the back of the GameCube controller.

However, it doesn't have NFC support, a feature included on the original Switch Pro Controller and Joy-Cons, meaning it likely won't be a Switch 2 Pro Controller.

It's unclear at this stage if this potential GameCube controller will be a re-release or a completely new model, but since it has Bluetooth capabilities, it's speculated that it could have a link to Nintendo Switch Online.

Rumors of a new wave of GameCube controllers started last year after a dataminer shared component shipment details for what they believed to be for the Switch 2.

The Nintendo Switch successor doesn't have a release date yet, but it's expected to launch in 2025. A Nintendo Direct Showcase is scheduled for April 2, which should hopefully provide us with a launch date and a new look at the hardware.

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• Jason Blundell has announced that he is leading a new PlayStation studio
• It's called Dark Outlaw Games and is currently working on an unannounced project
• It follows his time and Treyarch and the defunct Deviation Games

Jason Blundell, who worked at Call of Duty studio Treyarch for over a decade, has announced that he's helming a new first-party PlayStation studio.

The new studio, called Dark Outlaw Games, is something of a successor to Deviation Games - which he co-founded with Sony in 2021 after leaving Treyarch the previous year.

As explained by Eurogamer, Deviation Games ran into trouble in 2023 which led to significant layoffs and its eventual closure in March last year. Dark Outlaw Games is reportedly comprised of many former Deviation Games staff.

Speaking in a new interview with presenter Jeff Gerstmann, Blundell said that he's "had the amazing opportunity to create a new studio within PlayStation Studios for Sony." He revealed that it is called "Dark Outlaw Games" and stated that it has "been working away in the shadows for a while" on an unannounced project.

He also said that "when we've got something to talk about, we'll step out into the light."

I wouldn't expect any major news any time soon, however, as Blundell went on to characterize the studio's current activities as "staffing up" and "keeping it kind of lowkey" - which would suggest that it is still in its very early stages.

Given Blundell's history at Treyarch, where he mainly led the Zombies component of Call of Duty games, it might seem reasonably to expect this mysterious project to be some kind of supernatural co-op shooter, but it's still far too early to say. We'll be keeping an eye out for further updates.

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If you live in the US, you can now measure your online data exposure for free.

ExpressVPN, one of the best VPN providers on the market, recently launched a data scanner tool – completely free of charge.

Knowing which personal details have been exposed and, most importantly, who holds them is the first step to regaining control over your digital privacy. Even better, you won't even need to spend a penny to find out. Keep reading as I walk you through everything you need to know.

The dark side of data exposure

Every time you sign up for a new online service, use a mobile app, or access a website, you leave behind a trail of personal data.

Service providers collect this data and often sell it online to third parties without your consent. Recent research conducted by Surfshark, for example, found that 80% of the most popular fitness apps are selling your privacy by sharing users' tracked data with third parties.

Data brokers mostly collect this data – such as your date of birth, gender, home address, and phone number – to create a detailed profile about your digital persona that they can use to serve you with targeted ads.

(Image credit: ExpressVPN)

Cybercriminals can also get hold of these sensitive details, leaving you vulnerable to spam, online scams, and even identity theft.

The data broker industry is pretty unregulated in the US due to a lack of federal data protection laws like those in place in Europe or some US States like California, Virginia, and Colorado.

People-search sites are common in the US, too, allowing virtually anyone to look up information about individuals, including names, email addresses, social media profiles, and sometimes even financial or employment information.

How to use ExpressVPN's data exposure scan

Using ExpressVPN's data exposure scan couldn't be simpler. All you need to do is head to the ExpressVPN website and enter your personal information.

On its side, the VPN provider promises to keep your data safe per its privacy policy.

As mentioned earlier, there's no need for you to open an account or enter any payment details. Living in the US is the only requirement for using it.

(Image credit: Future)

Once you have estimated your online data exposure level, you have a few options to take back control over your privacy.

You could ask for your personal information to be taken down from these sites yourself. Beware, though, this may be a very time-consuming and complex process.

Another option is signing up for a data removal service that will handle this for you by automating data removal requests.

If that's something you'd like to explore, I recommend subscribing to ExpressVPN's two-year plan, as it now includes an Identity Defender Suite alongside its tried and tested virtual private network (VPN) tool, starting from the equivalent of $4.99 a month. Beyond the data removal service, you'll also benefit from the ID Theft and ID Alerts monitoring tools.

• The ESRB has published a content summary for Silent Hill f
• The horror game will unsurprisingly have a 'Mature 17+' rating in the US
• The summary details gruesome imagery and acts of violence

Silent Hill f has received an ESRB rating, and while that alone won't shock you, its lengthy and graphic content warnings might.

As reported by IGN, the Entertainment Software Rating Board - which handles game age rating and content warnings in the US - has assigned Silent Hill f a 'Mature 17+' age rating.

By itself that's not too surprising, but a glance at the rating summary reveals more. Fair warning, if you're particularly squeamish (or eating your lunch) you'll probably want to click away now.

"This is a survival-horror action game in which players assume the role of a student confronting supernatural entities in a 1960s Japanese mountain town," the summary begins. "From a third-person perspective, players explore the town, solve puzzles, interact with characters, and battle enemy creatures (e.g., humanoid monsters, mutants, mythical creatures)." Yep, that all checks out so far.

"Players use axes, crowbars, knives, and spears to defend against and kill enemy creatures in melee-style combat. Blood-splatter effects occur frequently as characters are attacked; several areas depict large bloodstains in the environment and near corpses." Again, all sounding distinctly Silent Hill up to this point.

"Some enemy attacks can result in players' character getting impaled in the neck and/or getting their faces ripped apart.

"Cutscenes sometimes depict gore and more intense acts of violence: a character burned alive inside a cage; a woman branded by a hot iron; entrails and sinew displayed on serving platters in fantastical celebration/ceremony; a character sawing off her own arm; a character slicing off portions of a character's face during a ritual.

"Concept art depicts a nude mannequin-like character, with exposed buttocks and partially exposed breasts; the character appears in a creature-like form throughout the game."

Other than sounding like your average night out in Torquay, it's certainly pretty gruesome even by Mature 17+ standards. In fact, Japan's Computer Entertainment Rating Organization has given Silent Hill f a 'CERO Z' rating. That's for players aged 18 and over, a first for the series, and is the highest possible age rating a game can receive in the country.

We don't yet have a release date for Silent Hill f, but you can wishlist the game now on PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store. You can also catch up on the Silent Hill f Transmission broadcast from last week to learn more about the game.

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• Users who factory-reset can now get back up and running
• A new Google Home update enables affected devices to be restored
• This bug was first widely reported last week

It seems as though the saga of the Chromecast untrusted device bug is finally drawing to a close: Google has now pushed out an additional fix for those users who factory-reset their devices as a way of troubleshooting the problem.

As per a forum post and an email seen by 9to5Google, the solution is to update the Google Home app on Android or iOS. That should then allow you to set up affected Chromecasts from scratch again – something which hadn't previously been possible.

This all started last week, when owners of the 2nd-gen Chromecast and Chromecast Audio devices – both launched in 2015 – started seeing 'untrusted device' messages. The issue was, apparently, something to do with expired security certification.

While it investigated, Google advised users against factory-resetting broken devices, as they wouldn't be able to set them up again – though by that time, plenty of people had done exactly that in an attempt to get everything working again.

Find your fix

The Chromecast Audio has also been hit (Image credit: Future)

As far as Google is concerned, the problem is now resolved. If you didn't factory-reset your Chromecast device then it should be working again, thanks to an update that was rolled out a few days ago. If not, try updating the device firmware.

If you did run a factory reset and have since been unable to get your Chromecast up and running, check for the latest version of Google Home on your phone – the version you're looking for is 3.30.1.6 for Android or 3.30.106 for iOS.

Once you've got the app update (it may take a few days to reach everyone), start the setup process from the beginning: Open the Devices tab, tap the Add button, then follow the instructions on screen for your Chromecast.

You should then be up and running again. "We sincerely apologize for this disruption and any inconvenience it may have caused, and we are committed to ensuring all users are back up and running as quickly as possible," says Google.

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The Samsung S95D was not only one of the best TVs of last year – we named it our TV of the year for 2024 as part of the TechRadar Choice Awards. So following in its footsteps was never going to be an easy task.

In my Samsung S95D review, I was blown away by its picture quality, gaming features, gorgeous design and solid built-in sound. But one of the most impressive parts to it was its OLED Glare Free screen, which effectively eliminated distracting mirror-like reflections even in the brightest decisions. This not only made it one of the best OLED TVs I’d seen, but I labelled it “the standard bearer for OLED in 2024".

So, when I was offered the chance to see and get a hands-on with its successor, the Samsung S95F, I jumped at the chance. My colleagues had the chance to see the S95F in action at CES 2025, but it was now my turn – and given my experience with the S95D, I was naturally very curious about it.

Reflection-beating screen gets better

One thing worth noting; the Samsung S95F model I got to test was the 83-inch model, which is unique from the rest of the lineup. This model actually uses LG’s new W-OLED four-stack Tandem RGB panel that can be found in the LG G5, rather than the QD-OLED panel used in the other sized models (55, 65 and 77 inches).

My first port of call in my short test was to see if the S95F improved in one area that I felt the S95D struggled – namely its deep shadow detail in Filmmaker Mode. I heavily use Filmmaker Mode when reviewing TVs as I find it to be the most accurate picture mode in almost all cases.

While black levels, contrast and shadow detail were overall excellent on the S95D, I noticed in darker scenes that black crush occurred, which resulted in a loss in shadow detail. This mostly happened in well-lit conditions, which was a shame because it was a novelty getting to watch dark scenes in a bright environment with only haze reflections to deal with.

So, I naturally wanted to see how the S95F’s new OLED Glare Free 2.0 screen fared; and what an improvement it was. Using the same opening crime scene investigation sequence from The Batman that showed me the weakness in the S95D, the S95F demonstrated significantly improved shadow detail, with textures in Batman’s armor and other character’s clothing maintained far better while in Filmmaker Mode.

The Batman maintains strong shadow detail, despite the two reflections at the top trying to muscle in. (Image credit: Future / Warner Bros Discovery)

The room I was in had dimming lights, so I turned them up to the maximum and even then, black levels were still incredibly accurate and shadow detail was refined. Admittedly, with the lights on maximum, there was now a minor amount of black crush, but that's a small price to pay to avoid the annoyance of direct reflections.

A better handling of reflections

There are three types of reflections that TVs can suffer from; mirror-like, where objects clearly appear in the screen; haze, where objects are obscured by matte screens (like the ones found on the S95D and S95F) but there is still a hint of the object (such as a cloud-like look from a lamp) and Lambertian, which is reminiscent of haze but this evenly distributes across the reflected light across the screen and it can give blacks a faded look.

The S95D was extremely effective at dealing with mirror-like reflections, which is why I rated it so highly – it's possible to watch in spaces where other OLED TVs would've been overwhelmed by the light – but there were undeniably haze reflections for light sources and a sign of Lambertian reflection which resulted in the dulled, crushed blacks. The S95F’s screen showed a marked improvement in this.

Using footage from the Spears & Munsil Benchmark UHD 4K Blu-ray, scenes with pitch-black backgrounds, such as a ferris wheel at night and studio shots of animals and objects, showed deeper black levels more in line with OLED with glossy screens, even with strong lights in the room.

Note the two small reflection haze 'pools' of light – one near the top to the left of center, one in the top-right corner. Instead of hard lights being reflected, they're barely noticeable – and they don't raise the black levels around them. (Image credit: Future)

Even angling myself to purposely catch the overhead lights, the haze reflections were dramatically reduced and textures and details of objects appear clearer and more lifelike.

I loved that the S95D's anti-reflective screen made it a more flexible TV, and the downsides felt worth it, because they only occurred in conditions where reflections would have wiped out the TV's quality anyway. But now the downsides have been massively reduced too – it's very impressive.

Brighter and bolder

As I continued to watch the S95F, I also noticed a marked increase in brightness in Filmmaker Mode, and even a better handling of brightness. Viewing a black and white scene in Oppenheimer where the foyer in the university is brightly lit compared to the rest of the room, I noticed that the bright whites were punchy but without any loss in detail or any sign of oversaturation.

Turning on HDR Tone Mapping from Static to Active gave an even bolder brightness boost, yet the contrast between the black and white tones remained superb.

The contrast of Oppenheimer is really well-handled, and the extra Active Tone Mapping option boosts it even further. (Image credit: Future)

When I measured the brightness of the Samsung S95F it hit 2,388 nits in a 10% HDR window pattern – a huge increase over the 1,868 I measured for the Samsung S95D. Fullscreen brightness, measured on a 100% white window HDR pattern, was also a giant improvement, rising from 318 nits measured on the S95D to 465 nits measured on the S95F.

Again, it’s worth noting that the S95D I tested was the 65-inch model using the QD-OLED panel, whereas this 83-inch S95F uses the new-gen W-OLED panel – I'll be very curious to see how closely the smaller QD-OLED sizes match these figures.

The fullscreen brightness on the S95F looks stunning, and a major leap forward for OLEDs. (Image credit: Future)

I was glad to see that elsewhere the S95F maintained everything that made the S95D’s picture great. Colors were bold, vibrant and dynamic; textures were true-to-life; and contrast was excellent and well balanced. And of course, black levels and shadow detail was improved over the S95D.

After my brief time, I can’t wait to get my hands on the Samsung S95F for a full test. We’ll probably test one of the QD-OLED models for a fairer full comparison to the S95D, and to provide a counterpoint to these 83-inch measurements. But whatever size, it’s only excited me to try out the S95F in full. Will it be a TV of the year award repeat? There's tough competition, but we'll have reviews of all this year's hottest OLEDs in the next few months.

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• Stardew Valley is an iconic, relaxing RPG
• Someone has created a perfect Wear OS theme that mimics the game's aesthetic
• It means fans can take the relaxing vibes of the game everywhere they go

Stardew Vally is an iconic indie RPG with a quiet, calming aesthetic that's so good we dubbed it one of the Games of the Generation in 2020. Now, fans of the title with a Wear OS smartwatch can take the game everywhere they go with this incredible homemade watch face.

"I made a Stardew Valley themed Wear OS Watch face," u/brueqqe shared in the Stardew Valley subreddit in a post (spotted by ScreenRant) that now has more than 17,000 upvotes.

The custom watch face embraces the stylistic Stardew aesthetic, turning it into a functional watch face that can show you the battery life for your phone and watch, and featuring the Stardew Valley interface for date, time, and day progress. There's also a step counter and a temperature gauge, as well as a small exclamation notification for calendar events.

Get Stardew Valley on Wear OS I made a Stardew Valley themed WearOS watch face from r/StardewValley

The Wear OS Stardew Valley watch face comes with a low-power alternative, too.

As for compatibility, the creator says this watch face will work with "all Wear OS Samsung watches" apart from the new Galaxy Watch 7 and the Galaxy Watch Ultra – so unfortunately, if you've got two of the best Android smartwatches, you can't use this face (for now at least).

This face is also uniquely built around Wear OS, so there's no chance of this popping up on the Apple Watch or Garmin devices anytime soon.

Since posting, the creator has flagged that some people are having problems installing the watch face because they're struggling to download the Kustom Watchface Creator (KWCH) app. If you've already got the app (you'll need the Pro version), you should be able to download and import the face.

Otherwise, u/brueqqe says they're working to rebuild the watch face in Samsung Watch Face Studio so more people can download it.

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• Ofcom will now issue sanctions for tech platforms for harmful content
• Fines of up to £18 million could be given
• Social media and messaging apps are in the scope of the Online Safety Bill

The UK’s communications regulator Ofcom has announced it will now issue sanctions against tech platforms that fail to remove illegal or harmful content on their sites.

From today, updates to the Online Safety Act mean new ‘illegal harm duties’ have come into force, meaning platforms must implement appropriate measures to “remove illegal material quickly when they become aware of it, and to reduce the risk of ‘priority’ criminal content from appearing in the first place.”

This means platforms will be assessed on compliance with ‘illegal harm obligations’, and law enforcement will be “ launching targeted enforcement action” when concerns are uncovered. Priority offences targeted include harassment, terrorism, abuse material, and fraud.

A wide scope

These enforcements won’t come just for social media platforms, but also for search engines, and ‘user-to-user’ services with “a significant number of UK users, or targeting the UK market”, where people may encounter content, including message, videos, and images that have been generated, uploaded, or shared by users.

Ofcom will use the ‘strong enforcement powers’ at its disposal, including applying to courts to block platforms in serious cases, and issuing fines of up to 10% of turnover, or £18 million for non-compliance.

“From our experience in advising clients with their Online Safety Act experience and assisting with their risk assessments, it is important for service providers to get it right and conduct the risk assessments properly,” comments Terry Green, Social Media Partner at Katten Muchin Rosenman UK LLP.

“This means service providers must fully take into account Ofcom’s risk profiles, various factors attributing to the risks and meet robust record keeping requirements. The amount of guidance released by Ofcom indicates it has high expectations in terms of how service providers are complying with its statutory duty.”

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• A German retailer and a UAE classifieds site have listed the Pixel 9a for sale
• Specs and images were also included
• These listings suggest the phone will be launching imminently

The Google Pixel 9a must be one of the most heavily leaked phones in recent memory, as along with leaked specs and images we recently saw detailed hands-on Pixel 9a videos – and now the phone has popped up for sale in two different places.

As spotted by GSMArena, the phone was listed on a now-removed page on the website of German retailer Technomarkt. The listing included pictures, a starting price of 549 euros (roughly $600 / £460 / AU$940), and a fairly detailed specs list.

According to the listing, the Google Pixel 9a will come in Gray, Rose, Black, and Violet shades, will have Gorilla Glass 3 protection, and will have either 128GB or 256GB of storage.

(Image credit: Technomarkt.de) Solid specs we've heard before

It apparently has a 6.3-inch FHD+ OLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 2,700 nits, and it’s said to have a Tensor G4 chipset like the rest of the Pixel 9 line, 8GB of RAM, a 5,100mAh battery, a 48MP main camera, and a 13MP ultra-wide camera, all of which are details we've heard before.

(Image credit: Dubizzle)

The other listing is less revealing, and takes the form of a classifieds post in the UAE. This then isn’t an official store; rather it’s an individual who's selling a Pixel 9a for AED 2,350 (around $640 / £490 / AU$1,000), but the listing does include pictures of the box.

The fact that both of these listings exist suggests the Google Pixel 9a will launch very soon. Indeed, the German listing stated that the phone would be delivered in around 10-14 days.

We don’t know for sure when the Pixel 9a will be announced, but leaks suggest we could see it as soon as tomorrow (March 19), in which case we should know all the official details soon – although with the Pixel 9a having been so extensively leaked, we don’t expect to learn much that we haven’t already heard.

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• Subsea cables can detect disturbances in the light pulses they carry
• These can be used to locate potential sources of sabotage or damage
• Acoustic sabotage detection will become more common for subsea cables

Following several recent incidents of sabotage against undersea internet cables, many European countries, the European Union, and NATO, are looking for ways to detect attacks as and when they happen.

AP Sensing has now developed a way to ‘listen’ for irregular light pulses travelling through undersea fiber optic cables caused by acoustic energy, such as a diver touching a cable, or a ship dragging its anchor towards one.

Over 95% of the world's internet traffic travels using undersea cables, with damage to these cables being the leading cause of internet disruptions in early 2024.

Detecting sabotage

During a diver detection demonstration shown to the BBC, Daniel Gerwig, global sales manager at AP Sensing, said, “He stops and just touches the cable lightly, you clearly see the signal. The acoustic energy which travels through the fiber is basically disturbing our signal. We can measure this disturbance.”

In addition to the disturbances created by the acoustic energy of a diver touching the cable or a ship passing by, the light signals travelling through fiber optic cables can also be disturbed by changes in temperature, potentially indicating that a section has become unburied.

The technology developed by AP Sensing can also provide some approximate insight into a vessel’s size, location, and even direction of travel. The technology does not require brand new cables to be installed, as the system can use ‘dark’ or unused fibers, or live fibers with free channels.

The system is not perfect however, and requires listening stations to be installed on the cables around every 100km or so, with Gerwig noting that its systems can pick up vibrations up to hundreds of meters away, but “usually not several kilometers away.” The detection distance also varies on how much acoustic energy is transmitted into the cables.

Many other telecommunications and subsea cable companies are developing novel ways of detecting potential damage or sabotage of undersea cables following damage to a number of cables in the Baltic Sea that evidence suggests was deliberately caused by Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’.

Russia’s shadow fleet is made up of incognito commercial shipping vessels that appear to be engaged in maritime trade, but in reality often conduct reconnaissance, espionage, and, in this case, subsea cable sabotage. The vessels often have complex ownership structures and obscured or unknown insurance.

In 2024, the International Advisory Body for Submarine Cable Resilience was launched by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC) in response to increasing geopolitical tensions and the targeting of subsea cables by groups in the Red Sea area.

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The Paris AI Summit brought global leaders together to discuss pressing topics such as AI safety and governance. However, one key takeaway from the summit was the ongoing divide between policy makers and their goals versus the everyday challenges businesses face when it comes to integrating AI and maximizing its results.

While global discussions on AI tools often focus on increasing compute power, the real question for businesses is not just about capacity, but how effectively AI is utilized.

Speed Over Scale: The True Competitive Advantage

In the race to leverage AI, businesses often focus on scaling up their technology—purchasing more powerful software, adopting advanced algorithms, and increasing computational resources. While these efforts provide short-term improvements, the true competitive advantage lies in how quickly AI can deliver actionable insights. As opposed to simply aiming to expand AI’s capabilities, businesses should focus on how AI can help drive faster, data-driven decision-making.

The real differentiator is speed. In an AI-driven landscape, latency can substantially impact the agility of a company. Organizations that optimize their AI systems to deliver faster results will have the ability to respond more quickly to market changes, customer demands, and emerging opportunities, which all impact upon business successes. The faster a business can act on data insights, the more likely it is for the business to stay ahead of the competition.

Optimizing AI for Workforce Productivity

Treating AI as a supplementary tool or a “nice-to-have” often results in missed opportunities. The most successful AI deployments are those that embed the technology into the core of the organization, where it can seamlessly integrate with business workflows across teams and drive real value.

The key to unlocking productivity gains is ensuring that AI works in tandem with other systems within the organization. It’s not enough to simply apply AI to individual tasks; companies need to focus on integrating it into key areas like customer service, supply chain management, and fraud detection, where its impact can be maximized. By aligning AI with core business processes, organizations can drive efficiency, reduce costs, and improve the speed at which they make decisions.

Beyond operational efficiency, AI is also transforming workforce productivity. Businesses are now using AI-driven automation to enhance employee workflows, reducing time spent on repetitive tasks and allowing staff to focus on higher-value work. AI-powered tools can streamline project management, improve collaboration, and enhance decision-making across departments.

The future of AI in business lies with organizations that leverage AI to empower their workforce both horizontally and vertically to ensure all levels and all teams are using the technology to their advantage. This will see gains in efficiency and improvements in employee satisfaction and innovation.

Achieving AI Maturity: Strategy, Implementation, and Growth

To fully realize AI’s potential, businesses must approach its adoption as a long-term strategy rather than a quick technological fix. A structured AI roadmap—focused on clear business objectives, continuous optimization, and workforce enablement—can help organizations unlock sustained value.

The companies that succeed with AI will be those that not only integrate it into their operations but also cultivate an AI-first mindset. By embedding AI-driven insights into everyday decision-making, businesses can build resilience, accelerate growth, and remain competitive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

As AI continues to evolve, businesses that prioritize strategic integration, real-time insights, and measurable impact will be best positioned for long-term success. The key is not just adopting AI, but using it intelligently to drive agility, efficiency, and innovation. Now is the time for organizations to move beyond theoretical discussions and take actionable steps toward AI-driven transformation.

We list the best IT infrastructure management service.

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

It's hard to believe we're already a third of the way through Daredevil: Born Again season 1. But, even though we're three episodes down on the latest Marvel TV show, there are still six more to go. We won't be bidding farewell to Matt Murdock and company just yet, then.

So, when will Born Again's fourth episode be available to stream on Disney+? In this article, I'll reveal when it'll launch in the US, UK, and Australia. I've also included a full episode release schedule at the bottom of this guide, so you can commit it to memory and work out when new episodes will be released.

When can I watch Daredevil: Born Again episode 4 on Disney+ in the US?

"What do you mean we have to wait until Tuesday night to watch episode 4?" (Image credit: Marvel Studios/Disney+)

Just like its three predecessors, Daredevil: Born Again's fourth chapter will be available to watch at 6PM PT and 9PM ET. It'll air on Tuesday, March 18 on Disney+, aka one of the world's best streaming services, too, for those wondering.

What is Daredevil: Born Again episode 4 going to come out in the UK?

"Vanessa, the wait for episode 4 is even longer for our UK fans" (Image credit: Marvel Studios/Disney+)

UK viewers will be reunited with Matt Murdock and his superhero alias Daredevil (well, if the latter shows up this week) on Wednesday, March 19 at 1AM GMT.

New episodes of the Marvel Phase 5 TV series will drop at that time next week as well. After that, though, the clocks will go forward in the UK, so the Disney+ UK release time will change from April 2 onwards. But, those of us who live on British shores will worry about that closer to the time.

When will Daredevil: Born Again episode 4 get released in Australia?

Looking through the Disney+ Australia schedule to find out when episode 4 will air like... (Image credit: Marvel Studios/Disney+)

Born Again's fourth entry is set to make its Disney+ debut in Australia on Wednesday, March 19 at 12PM AEDT.

Like the UK, the episodic release time will change Down Under soon. The clocks will go back on Sunday, April 6, so you'll need to take that into account once it happens. I'll let you know when new episodes of this Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) will launch on Disney+ in Australia once that takes effect.

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When will new episodes of Daredevil: Born Again be released where I live?

Will Muse finally show his face – I mean, mask – in episode 4? (Image credit: Marvel Studios/Disney+)

New chapters of Daredevil: Born Again, which is one of the best Disney+ shows around, will arrive every week. There is one exception to that rule, though. In February, it was revealed that Born Again will have an unusual Disney+ launch schedule.

The reason? The forthcoming release of Andor season 2. The highly-anticipated Star Wars show's second and final season will be released on April 22. To stave off a clash between it and Born Again, the latter's first season needs to end before the first three episodes of Andor's sophomore outing are with us.

In short: Daredevil: Born Again has to wrap up by April 15. Here, then, is when new entries will air on Disney+:

• Episode 1 – out now
• Episode 2 – out now
• Episode 3 – out now
• Episode 4 – March 18 (US); March 19 (UK and Australia)
• Episode 5 – March 25 (US); March 26 (UK and Australia)
• Episode 6 – March 25 (US); March 26 (UK and Australia)
• Episode 7 – April 1 (US); April 2 (UK and Australia)
• Episode 8 – April 8 (US); April 9 (UK and Australia)
• Episode 9 – April 15 (US); April 16 (UK and Australia)

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Across Europe the role of the CISO has become increasingly demanding in recent years, as the scope of the role has expanded to include more C-level interactions, more direct alignment with broader business strategy, and as cybersecurity threats and technical environments have become bigger and more complex. CISOs oversee teams that are on the front lines of a constant battle against evolving attack vectors, and the CISO themselves often have quite a high seat at the business table.

The pressure to maintain airtight security while navigating complex regulations and internal business priorities is taking a toll. According to a recent survey 35% of UK CISOs experience regular stress and overwork, highlighting a growing crisis that threatens not only individual well-being, but also the security posture of businesses. Can businesses effectively protect themselves from cyber threats when the leaders responsible for their security are stressed out?

Business Impact of Burnout

The challenge security teams face is compounded by an increasingly complex threat landscape. Beyond traditional (but still incredibly prevalent and effective) threats such as phishing and malware; teams are facing sophisticated ransomware attacks that can cripple entire organizations, extortion, supply chain attacks that exploit vulnerabilities in third-party software, and possibly (in the coming years) AI-powered attacks (though the jury’s still out on that one).

This isn't just an issue of retention: burnout on the security team can translate into increased vulnerability to cyberattacks. Exhausted security professionals can be more prone to make mistakes, miss critical alerts, and struggle to implement effective security strategies. In fact, companies with burned-out security teams are more likely to experience a data breach, with the average cost of such breaches now exceeding millions.

Additionally, high CISO turnover due to burnout exacerbates the existing cybersecurity skills shortage, making it even harder for organizations to build and maintain strong security teams. Replacing a CISO represents a significant investment, not to mention the prospect of disruption and loss of in-house knowledge.

A Reactive vs. Proactive Approach

CISO burnout threatens to prevent security leaders from focusing on strategic initiatives, such as building a robust security culture or implementing proactive threat-detecting programs. When CISOs are constantly putting out fires, they don't have time to develop a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy that aligns with business goals. This inability to strategically plan and implement can hinder innovation and growth, as businesses become hesitant to adopt new technologies or expand into new markets due to security concerns.

A Multi-Pronged Approach

So, what can businesses do to address the issue of CISO stress (and, for that matter, stress within the wider security team)? There's no silver bullet, but a multi-pronged approach is key. I would recommend:

1. Cultivating a culture of cybersecurity awareness: Cybersecurity needs to be recognized as a core business imperative, not just an IT issue. CISOs need direct and meaningful engagement with boards to ensure security priorities align with business objectives. This requires a cultural shift that empowers CISOs to effectively communicate the risks and needs of their teams.

2. Realistic resource allocation: Boards need to provide adequate funding and resources for cybersecurity teams. This includes not only financial investment in technology and personnel but also realistic expectations regarding workload and responsibilities. CISOs cannot be expected to be on-call 24/7. Organizations should create structured downtime policies and distribute security responsibilities more effectively.

3. Prioritizing work-life balance: Promoting work-life balance for CISOs and their teams is crucial. This includes encouraging mandatory vacation time, offering flexible work arrangements where possible, and providing access to mental health resources and support programs. A healthy and rested security team is a more effective security team.

4. Technology that enables, rather than overloads: AI and automation have the potential to ease the workload, but they should be implemented strategically. The focus should be on tools that reduce noise and improve efficiency, not add to the existing overload. Adopting the right technology can free up CISOs and their teams to focus on strategic initiatives.

5. Investing in wellbeing programs: Investing in mental health, exercise, and broader wellness initiatives, including peer support networks, and leadership coaching for cybersecurity professionals is not just about retention - it's about ensuring that cybersecurity teams can function at their best. These programs demonstrate a commitment to employee well-being, helping CISOs and their teams manage stress and burnout.

The Future of Cybersecurity Leadership

If businesses continue to push CISOs while offering insufficient support, they risk not only losing key talent but also compromising their own security resilience. Without a concerted effort to create a sustainable working environment, businesses will continue to face high turnover rates, increased security risks, and ultimately, a weakened ability to protect their assets. Now is the time for corporate leaders to take meaningful action before more CISOs succumb to the pressures of an already demanding profession.

Checkout our list of the best identity management software.

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

• ViewSonic VP2788-5K enters the growing 5K space, but does it justify its premium price tag?
• ASUS ProArt PA27JCV offers pro-level color accuracy without breaking the bank
• Samsung ViewFinity S9 redefines what a 5K monitor can be with built-in smart TV capabilities

The growing market for 5K and 8K monitors has seen more brands introducing high-resolution monitors for photo editing and video editing, with ViewSonic becoming the 10th vendor to enter this space by unveiling its VP2788-5K at the Pepcom Digital Experience in January 2025.

ViewSonic had announced the VP2788-5K would launch in Q1 2025, but scepticism arose due to the fate of its previous 8K monitor, the VP3286-8K, which was announced but never reached the market, raising concerns about potential delays.

However, the VP2788-5K has broken this trend, and it's now officially available on Amazon.

ViewSonic VP2788-5K: A professional-grade 5K monitor

(Image credit: ViewSonic)

The ViewSonic VP2788-5K is a 27-inch monitor with a 5120 x 2880 resolution, making it one of the smallest 5K displays available, and specifically designed for Mac users and creative professionals, offering 100% sRGB and 99% DCI-P3 color coverage to ensure precise and accurate visuals.

It has Thunderbolt 4 connectivity, which supports data transfer speeds up to 40 Gbps, 100W power delivery, and daisy-chaining for dual-monitor setups, while HDMI, DisplayPort, USB-C, and USB-A ports enhance compatibility with a variety of devices.

With Pantone validation and HDR400 certification, the VP2788-5K delivers vibrant colors and deep contrast, while its matte screen minimizes glare, and the ergonomic stand allows users to adjust height, tilt, and swivel for greater comfort.

At $1,041.66 on Amazon, the ViewSonic VP2788-5K is positioned as a premium option, but with alternatives offering similar features at lower prices, it remains to be seen whether it can still make an impact in the growing 5K monitor market.

Here are some other popular options that we spotted on Amazon, which sell for almost half the price of the Apple Studio Display.

ASUS ProArt PA27JCV: A budget-friendly 5K option

(Image credit: Amazon Product Review)

The ASUS ProArt PA27JCV is another 27-inch 5K monitor, priced at $799 on Amazon. Like the ViewSonic VP2788-5K, it offers 99% DCI-P3 and 100% sRGB color accuracy, making it ideal for design and editing work.

It's Calman Verified, meaning it has been factory-calibrated for high color accuracy. The USB-C port provides 96W power delivery, supporting MacBooks and other USB-C devices.

The standout feature is Auto KVM, which enables seamless switching between multiple devices using a single keyboard and mouse, while LuxPixel technology reduces glare for better visibility in bright environments.

Samsung ViewFinity S9: A smart 5K alternative

(Image credit: Amazon Product Review)

Samsung’s ViewFinity S9 (LS27C900PANXZA) is another contender in the 5K monitor market, priced at $848 on Amazon. Unlike the other two monitors, it includes smart features, making it a hybrid between a monitor and a TV.

It has 99% DCI-P3 color coverage and a matte display to reduce reflections. Thunderbolt 4 connectivity supports up to 90W charging, making it a convenient choice for Mac users.

It includes a detachable business webcam, a remote control, and a two-year warranty, setting it apart from traditional monitors. However, it lacks Pantone validation and Calman certification, which may be important for professional designers.

The increasing availability of affordable 5K monitors suggests that they're now a practical choice for professionals who need more detail than 4K but don’t require an 8K monitor — which remain rare and expensive.

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• Amazon's devices chief, Panos Panay, chatted Alexa+ hardware with Bloomberg
• Panos teased new hardware across its entry, core, and signature categories
• We'll likely see new speakers and smart displays, but also new device types, including wearables like smart glasses and 'wrist-worn devices'

Since October 2023, we’ve seen Panos Panay's arrival usher in changes within Amazon Devices group – think Echo, Fire TV, Kindle, and Alexa – at the broader shopping giant. Most recently, though, we saw Panos and his team at Amazon introduce a new Alexa, Alexa+, which reinvigorates the classic assistant with a ton of AI.

In a new interview with Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Panay teases the next part of evolution and that he wants “perfection in every single product that we ship.”

He teased that he plans to re-engineer hardware across the lineup for more affordable, mid-range, and premium devices – dubbed ‘entry, core or signature.’

Better yet, Panos says battery life will be longer for portables, that the speakers will sound better – maybe even setting a standard higher than the first generation Echo Studio with a squeal – and, potentially taking a page from his time as Surface’s lead, promises ‘the best security available.’

(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

It’s said that the first devices featuring Alexa+ that Panos has touched, beyond the Kindles and even the Echo Show 15 or 21, will arrive in the fall – think August to October of 2025.

Indeed, Panos is setting a high level for future Echo smart speakers and smart displays, as well as its lineup of Fire TV sticks and televisions, Fire HD tablets, and various other devices. We already saw the next generation of Kindle debuted in the last quarter of 2024, and in this wide-ranging interview, Panay stated: “There won’t be a corner cut. It won’t matter if we tried it before. It won’t matter what you thought it used to be.”

This could lead to a sharper focus for Amazon’s entire devices team, which is still starting at the customer and working backwards but also putting out future devices with more polish. It could also be a device type that Amazon has tried. However, this does not mean Amazon is bringing back the short-lived Fire Phone – Panos made it clear he doesn’t have plans to do that, though it’s not entirely off the table.

More likely, it could mean reinvestment in robots for the home, like the Ring Always Home Cam – a flying security drone – and Amazon Astro. The latter is still an invite-only Day One product, but Panos summed up a big part of the vision as giving folks a reason or a better one to use Alexa.

On Astro and robots as a whole, Panos said, “if a robot is part of that, then I’ll make sure we have a great robot.” He also hinted that augmented reality glasses and new wrist-worn devices could be part of a future lineup. This might mean future versions of Echo Frames could feature cameras, much like Ray-Ban Metas, but also be more full-featured devices with access to Alexa+. Panos confirmed that hardware upgrades are coming to Amazon’s current wearables, Echo Frames and Echo Buds.

It also makes more sense why Alexa+ had to be unveiled first. It will be the central feature of these future devices, essentially serving as the new platform on which they can hopefully excel. I still bet Amazon wants a screen in everyone’s house.

(Image credit: Future)

Like Panos’ strategy at Microsoft for Surface, Amazon’s forthcoming devices will likely have the utmost attention to detail and not just offer speeds for the sake of going fast but rather be there to provide some sort of functionality and genuine helpfulness for whoever is using it.

Panos stated, “We’re envisioning what’s the next thing for a customer when it comes to AI devices and we have some incredible ones.” It’s doubling down on Amazon’s devices lineup, and I’m just keen to see if Amazon will flood the market with new devices in the fall like its previous events or if it will be a more tempered approach. At the minimum, I hope for a few new Echo speakers across the entry, core, and signature lineup.

You can read the full interview with Panos Panay at Bloomberg here.

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• The folding iPhone is again tipped to launch in 2026
• A starting price of $2,300 has been predicted
• It's unlikely that it will be unveiled this year

While rumors of a foldable iPhone have been circulating for years, there's a growing pile of evidence that Apple is finally about to put a folding phone out into the world. Two fresh leaks give us a better idea of when it'll arrive and the high price tag that will accompany it.

First, analyst Jeff Pu from GF Securities (via 9to5Mac) has suggested that 2026 will be when the folding iPhone breaks cover. It matches previous predictions from other sources and means a launch this year is now very unlikely.

Then there's an entirely separate report from analyst Tim Long from Barclays (via MacRumors), estimating that the foldable iPhone will set you back $2,300 or higher, depending on storage. That's almost twice the $1,199 starting price of the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

Assuming the same percentage price jump in other countries, we'd be looking at £2,300 in the UK and AU$4,120 in Australia. If the launch is indeed happening within the next 18 months or so, you might want to start saving up.

The foldable cost

Oppo has also beaten Apple to a foldable (Image credit: Jamie Richards / Future)

One useful comparison point to that folding iPhone price rumor would be the cost of a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6: the book-style foldable launched last July and is available at a starting price of $1,899 / £1,799 / AU$2,749.

It's quite a jump from there to the rumored price of Apple's foldable, but we've seen in the past that some consumers are prepared to pay premium prices for premium devices – and for devices with the Apple badge on them.

This high price rumor isn't necessarily a surprise either: previous predictions have hinted that the foldable iPhone will cost significantly more than $2,000. For that kind of money, we're hoping for an invisible crease and a self-healing screen.

Of course, none of this is official: analysts like Pu and Long make predictions based on sources working in the industry and supply chain, but it's only when Apple makes its announcement that we can be sure about what's coming.

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• The Maxtang SXRL-20 mini PC's aluminum chassis doubles as a heatsink for stable operation
• Five HDMI ports enable multi-display, digital signage, and surveillance setups
• Fanless design ensures silent, efficient operation in industrial settings

The Maxtang SXRL-20 is a passively cooled mini PC powered by Intel’s 12th Gen Core processors, featuring an Intel Core i5-1235U with a thermal envelope of 12W to 55W TDP, while more powerful configurations with the Core i7-1255U and Core i3-1355U offer flexibility for high-performance computing in industrial and commercial settings.

Per Androidpc (originally in Spanish), this device offers dual NVMe/SATA 2280 slots, supporting up to 8TB of high-speed storage and memory configurations of up to 32GB of DDR4 RAM.

One of its standout features of this business computer is the inclusion of five HDMI ports, with four HDMI 2.0 outputs supporting 4K at 60Hz for digital signage, surveillance, or multi-display setups, while select models add an HDMI input for video capture.

No, it's not a giant heatsink

The Maxtang SXRL-20 features an array of aluminum fins designed to dissipate heat efficiently without the need for fans as its extra-flat aluminum chassis doubles as a large heatsink, eliminating the need for active cooling.

This passive cooling system ensures reliable operation in industrial and commercial environments where dust, vibration, or temperature fluctuations could impact conventional PCs.

The SXRL-20 also comes with a range of connectivity options, including two USB 3.2 ports, two USB 2.0 ports, a USB-C port, dual Ethernet ports (one 2.5G), and a COM port for legacy systems, giving it the potential to be one of the best workstations available for industrial and commercial needs.

For wireless connectivity, an M.2 slot supports Wi-Fi or modem expansion and can accommodate up to six external antennas for enhanced network performance. This level of expandability makes it suitable for networking applications, remote monitoring, and IoT solutions.

The SXRL-20 supports Windows 11 Pro and is compatible with Linux distributions while features such as RTC-based scheduled power-on and automatic boot enhance its application in industrial automation and embedded computing.

The Maxtang SXRL-20 mini PC is available on AliExpress starting at €544, with free shipping to some regions.

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• The Aoostar G-flip 370 is going to be released in "mid-March" 2025
• It features an AMD Ryzen 9 HX 370 APU and a 5-inch 1080p flip-up display
• No pricing has been announced, but it's expected to retail for $700-800

Mini PC manufacturer Aoostar has announced its new G-Flip 370 model which features the powerful AMD Ryzen 9 HX 370 SoC with 12 cores (24 threads) and a boost clock of up to 5.1 GHz. It's billed as the "first AI370 mini PC with removable memory" and seeks to challenge what we typically expect from all-in-one machines. It launches in "mid-March".

Announced in a blog post, the Aoostar G-Flip 370 utilizes the HX 370 chip, featuring RDNA 3.5 architecture integrated graphics with the Radeon 890M baked onto the silicon. The company claims that this new mini PC will be able to play demanding games such as Black Myth: Wukong with a "frame rate of 70 to 80" whereas other titles, such as Naraka: Bladepoint and Genshin Impact should hit the 60fps mark in 1080p.

It claims that the Radeon 890M should be roughly in line with what the 45W RTX 2060M discrete graphics solution could do, even going as far as to promise 4K output in lesser-demanding releases like League of Legends (when hooked up to an external monitor). With some calling the Radeon 890M the "world's fastest iGPU", the claims are not entirely unfounded, but other sources have cited performance closer to a GTX 1070 instead (via Tom's Hardware). It can hold its own against an RTX 3050M, however, the performance is nowhere near as consistent (via Hubwood).

That's because the Aoostar G-Flip 370 features a 5-inch 1080p touchscreen display with a refresh rate of 60Hz that's billed as a "secondary screen". While the advertising suggests using it for system monitoring, it's fully functional as a small monitor that you could use for gaming or media playback - provided you're really close to it. This is similar to the old PS1 flip-up screens from the early 2000s as if you mounted one to a machine (roughly) the size of a Nintendo GameCube.

Arguably more interesting than the built-in display of the G-Flip 370 is the claim of being the "first AI370 mini PC with removable memory". There are two M.2 PCIe 4.0 slots you'll have access to for storage expansion, as well as DDR5 memory modules that can be swapped out. The company was clear in citing people who were "tired of LPDDR memory" can "look forward to it" so the machine will have dedicated DDR5 sticks instead of the traditional LPDDR5 of many mini PCs in this form factor.

More than just another mini PC with a neat gimmick?

The Aoostar G-Flip 370 is an interesting device with a pleasing small footprint and some powerful hardware underneath. While its namesake and USP may point to the screen, it may not be something you get all that much use out of unless you're wanting to have it as a kind of desktop replacement for the likes of a Steam Deck or Asus ROG Ally X. You won't necessarily be gaming on a machine like this, but the practicality of having a secondary screen could be useful for a few different things, such as reading stream chat or diagnostics information.

At a time where more mini PCs are hitting the market, many backed by Ryzen AI hardware, it's becoming harder to standout. The G-Flip 370 certainly does, however, arguably more so for its M.2 ports and DDR5 RAM than a bolted-on display. The price is going to dictate whether a machine like this will catch on with consumers, and while no MSRP has been provided, some market estimates position it around the $700-800 mark. This is consistent with some of the company's other products, such as the Aoostar Gem12 Pro (max configuration) and the Aoostar Aoostar GT37).

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• GMKtec's new prototype mini can run demanding games at 1440p above 60fps
• It features an AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 APU with a Radeon 8060S iGPU
• No pricing or release date has been announced at this time

A new prototype mini PC from GMKtec is boasting what's been called the "best iGPU performance" ever seen with hardware that appears to play demanding titles at 1440p and over 60fps across the board.

Spotted by Tweak Town, GMKtec's latest mini PC prototype features an AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 APU with 16 cores (32 threads) and a Radeon 8060S (with 40 RDNA 3.5 GPU CUs) baked onto the silicon. The result is a console-sized machine that boasts impressive figures all without the need for one of the best graphics cards inside.

YouTuber ETA Prime, featuring more than one million subscribers, had exclusive access to this prototype machine, being so locked down that the rig itself was pixelated throughout the video.

The results speak for themselves. The new mini PC was able to run Cyberpunk 2077 at 80fps average in the High preset at 1440p, with the recently released Grand Theft Auto V Enhanced Edition (featuring new ray tracing functionality and lighting) running at 90fps in the Very High preset. It's a similar story for Marvel Rivals at 65fps natively with High settings, and 77fps in God of War Ragnarök maxed out, too.

Where we start to see the limitations of the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 APU's graphics performance is in the cutting-edge PC ports, as can be seen with Marvel's Spider-Man 2. Insomniac Games' latest superhero open-world title runs at a staggering 90fps in High settings, but this is with FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) turned to Quality mode, meaning some upscaling had to be done to achieve ideal performance.

Well-optimized titles have no problem running to a high standard on the GMKtec machine, as can be observed with how it handles Doom Eternal in 1440p in Ultra Nightmare, with an average framerate of 140 without upscaling. This machine can handle some of the more demanding titles on the market without compromising on the performance or visuals despite lacking a desktop GPU.

It's a demonstration of what's possible from a higher-end APU when running at 140W compared to a lower wattage which could be seen from an all-in-one or laptop configuration. Ultimately, the price of a rig like this will make or break it for most people, as this could (hopefully) be an affordable way to bring PC gaming to the living room or as an out-an-out replacement for the Xbox Series S.

A step forward for integrated graphics

While an AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 APU isn't going to make the best processors and graphics cards sweat with what it can do, considering it's an SoC running at 140W, we're impressed by the claimed level of performance on display. We've seen several other manufacturers have a level of success with previous-generation mini PC configurations, such as the Misinforum AX A1 Pro and the Beelink SER9 AI PC, however, this "Strix Halo" rig goes to show that the hardware can stand up to discrete solutions in an otherwise impossible form factor.

The SoC itself is billed by AMD as facilitating the "ultimate next-gen AI PCs" as it's primarily used in some of the best ultrabooks on the market, such as the Asus ROG Flow Z13. We don't typically think of Ryzen AI chips as gaming hardware, given the lack of discrete graphics (whether that's in laptop or desktop form). However, the chip inside the laptop has a default TDP of 55W and not the 140W that's claimed in the prototype testing footage.

The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 supports a configurable TDP range of between 45 and 120W, meaning the prototype mini PC would have been overclocked slightly, benefitting from additional airflow of the chassis and cases inside. As such, we're seeing what can happen from the latest Ryzen AI pushed beyond its limit and not necessarily what the final consumer product (if it is released) could do from GMKtec. The result could likely feature a 120W TDP, and lose up to 16% of its performance potential at the cost of stability and longevity, but this is yet to be confirmed.

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