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Updated: 10 hours 4 min ago

AI in Marketing isn’t a leap anymore – it’s the new baseline

Fri, 05/09/2025 - 03:52

When I get asked the inevitable question of what keeps me up at night, my answer is always the same: the pace of business. That’s especially true today. The speed of AI innovation and its impact on how we work, create and operate is breakneck. We’re not just moving faster. We’re moving differently. And that’s what makes this moment such a big deal.

We’re shifting how decisions get made, how creative gets produced, and who gets to contribute. AI is flattening workflows, compressing timelines and changing expectations in real time. That’s exciting, but it’s also a lot to manage. If we don’t stay intentional, we risk moving so fast we lose sight of what actually matters.

We saw this play out recently with OpenAI’s rollout of image generation inside ChatGPT. It wasn’t just another product update—it lowered the barrier in a way that changes who gets to create, and how fast. This wasn’t just a tech update—it was a major shift in accessibility.

Half a billion people now have the power to create visuals on demand without opening a new app, setting up an account or learning new software. Sure, AI image tools have been around for a while. But now they’re right there, baked into a tool people are already using multiple times every day. That’s the difference.

This isn’t just innovation. It's normalization. And it signals something bigger.

Speed now defines the way we work. AI isn’t just for engineers and data scientists anymore. It’s become a standard part of the marketing toolkit. And for marketers and agencies, underestimating this shift isn’t just a missed opportunity—it could be a liability.

Use AI to accelerate thinking, not replace it

With a few lines of text, you can produce everything from a rough concept to a surprisingly polished ad visual. In seconds. This collapses the early stages of the creative process—brainstorming, moodboarding, mocking up—into a real-time, iterative flow. It’s no longer a linear process gated by resources or expertise. It’s conversational, collaborative, immediate.

But when speed becomes universal, it stops being a competitive advantage. Strategy becomes the differentiator. The question isn’t “How fast can we make something?” but “Are we making the right thing, in the right voice, for the right moment?”

AI can help you generate content, but it can’t define your brand narrative or understand the emotional nuance of your audience. That still takes human insight. The marketers who win in this new landscape will be the ones who use AI to accelerate their thinking, not replace it.

AI is changing everything, including how you protect your brand

One of the most immediate challenges we’re hearing from marketing leaders is brand consistency. When anyone on the team can spin up an image in seconds, the risk of going off-brand—visually or tonally—increases dramatically.

This doesn’t mean locking down creativity. It means evolving brand governance for the AI era. Clear design systems, approved prompt libraries and integrated review workflows will become essential. Companies that get this right will turn brand consistency into a true advantage, creating more content without sacrificing cohesion or quality.

We’re already seeing forward-thinking teams explore how to integrate these tools into their sales pipeline without losing control. Expect to see more CMOs investing in systems that combine flexibility with oversight.

Measuring creativity is the next frontier

If AI speeds up content creation, it also raises the stakes for performance data. We can now test dozens of creative variations in a single campaign sprint—but without timely, actionable insights, that velocity goes to waste.

The traditional launch-wait-analyse-iterate cycle is too slow for this new pace. Instead, marketers need tighter, real-time feedback loops that connect content creation with audience response. Tools that integrate creation, publishing and performance tracking into a single workflow will become critical.

In other words, creative iteration doesn’t just need to be faster. It needs to be smarter. The best teams will treat every piece of content as a hypothesis, and every campaign as a learning engine.

What’s next?

The launch may have happened weeks ago, but we’re just beginning to see the real impact unfold. The ad industry is waking up to a new reality: the tools are changing fast, and with them, the expectations of what marketers can deliver—and how fast.

Here are three things I’d suggest every brand and agency leader do now:

Give your team room to test, learn and move fast: Give your team room. See where AI tools spark creativity, and where they cause confusion. Use that intel to guide smart adoption.

It’s time to future-proof your brand playbook: Include AI-specific guidance: prompt templates, review steps, examples of what “on-brand” means in this new context.

Close the loop between content and performance: Don’t let AI outpace your measurement. If you’re producing faster, you need to learn faster too.

The tools will keep evolving. That much is certain. But this moment—the one we’re in right now—is about adaptation. Not to the tools themselves, but to the new cadence of creative work they’re enabling.

We've featured the best online marketing services.

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

Categories: Technology

Apple’s foldable iPhone tipped to have world-first display that eclipses the Galaxy Z Fold

Fri, 05/09/2025 - 03:49
  • The foldable iPhone will reportedly use a different type of screen to Samsung's foldables
  • It will supposedly have an integrated touch sensor, making it thinner and lighter
  • It's also said to offer higher brightness and better color reproduction

The long-rumored foldable iPhone will reportedly have a display made by Samsung, yet despite that its screen could actually have Samsung’s own foldable phones beat according to a new report.

Leaker yeux1122 posting on South Korean blog Naver (via MacRumors), claims that the foldable iPhone will have a new type of screen that we haven’t seen on any Samsung Galaxy Z Fold or Samsung Galaxy Z Flip models.

Supposedly, this screen will have a touch sensor integrated directly into the display, whereas with Samsung’s current foldables the touch sensor is a separate layer placed on top of the foldable screen.

Having it integrated into the screen is common on non-foldable phones but is harder to achieve with a foldable. It comes with advantages though, including apparently making this screen around 19% thinner than Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold displays, as well as being lighter.

That in turn could help Apple keep the foldable iPhone thin, with previous reports suggesting it could be just 4.5mm thick when unfolded and between 9mm and 9.5mm thick when folded.

Samsung could also benefit

The successor to the Z Fold 6 could benefit from Apple's requirements (Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

That won’t necessarily make it any slimmer than the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, which is also rumored to be slimming down a lot compared to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6. But interestingly, according to this report Samsung is only making its own upcoming phone thinner because of the work it’s doing to meet Apple’s display requirements.

So, in other words the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 may have a similar screen, but Samsung might not have pursued this if Apple hadn’t reportedly required it.

The foldable iPhone’s display probably won’t be identical to whatever the Galaxy Z Fold 7 has though, as Apple will apparently hold branding trademarks for the foldable iPhone’s screen, so it may well be even thinner than the Z Fold 7’s display.

And this new screen isn’t just said to be thinner and lighter than Samsung’s existing foldable displays, it also apparently has improved peak brightness, normal brightness, and color reproduction. So, this screen could be a real upgrade on the foldable displays we’ve seen to date.

Sadly, we probably won’t see it for a while yet, with the foldable iPhone not likely to launch before late 2026. But we may at least see some of these improvements in the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, which is likely to land this July.

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Harnessing Generative AI: five essential steps for responsible integration

Fri, 05/09/2025 - 01:40

As Gen AI adoption grows, organizations seek ways to scale the technology responsibly. The real challenge isn’t the technology itself. It’s how organizations integrate it into their workflows and operations.

Adopting Gen AI tools in isolation delivers limited results. It also leads to higher risks and security exposures by leaving users to use gen AI as they see fit. Businesses need to provide a private and safe AI framework for users. Then embed it in business processes and operations to unlock AI’s value.

Here are five key steps to do this successfully while ensuring data privacy and security.

1. Emphasize transparency

One of the challenges with Gen AI models is that it is often unclear how they make their decisions. Organizations must prioritize transparency by monitoring AI actions and creating comprehensive audit trails. Adopting a process platform allows businesses to establish clear rules for human oversight.

It's also vital to ensure AI cites its sources. This enables users to verify output accuracy. For instance, the University of South Florida uses AI chatbots. They provide tailored academic information to advisers. The system gathers data from student records. It creates meeting agendas and drafts follow-up messages. It also provides links for easy verification.

2. Embrace private AI for enhanced data security

AI policies must focus on privacy risk mitigation and regulatory compliance. Public AI models rely on vast public datasets. This creates safety risks for sensitive information and intellectual property data.

By choosing private AI, organizations can maintain data control within their systems. This allows them to train AI models in compliance with relevant regulations. It also helps ensure that sensitive information is secure. This approach safeguards intellectual property and enhances trust.

3. Address AI bias responsibly

AI bias arises from data or algorithms that create unfair results. To address this, organizations should remove sensitive details such as race and gender from their datasets. It's also important to use diverse data and check AI outputs often to help spot and fix bias early on.

Integrating AI into existing processes also helps manage outside factors that could lead to bias. Training AI models on their data allows organizations to make fairer AI decisions.

4. Implement appropriate AIs for different use cases

Emerging regulations provide guidelines on the responsible deployment of AI in various contexts. The EU AI Act, for example, outlines rigorous rules for high-risk areas such as employment and healthcare. In lower-risk applications, transparency is vital to inform users when they are interacting with AI. Identifying risk levels and using proper protocols are key for safety and security.

To maximize AI’s benefits, it should be integrated into high-value processes. However, human oversight remains critical for high-stakes decisions. For example, AI shouldn't approve mortgage applications. This could lead to unfair denials. However, it can help collect data and offer recommendations. The final decision should be made by a human to mitigate the risk of mistakes and algorithmic biases.

5. Embed AI into business processes

AI works best with clear goals and when it works with people in set workflows. To leverage AI effectively, it should be integrated into well-defined processes. This allows the organization to access AI’s capabilities seamlessly, enhancing overall efficiency.

A robust process platform provides the necessary infrastructure to manage AI deployment. It introduces safety measures such as human approvals for high-risk activities. It also ensures detailed activity logs for better auditing and compliance. Importantly, it enables organizations to measure AI performance, identify bottlenecks, and optimize outcomes.

Final thought: The transformative power of AI in processes

Responsible AI adoption is not just about ethics; it offers a competitive advantage. When organization's see AI as a core part of their business operations, they can build customer trust, reduce risks, and drive growth.

Companies looking to make the most of AI will significantly benefit from a process platform. This will enable them to integrate AI into their operations, making it central to their success.

We list the best no-code platforms.

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

Categories: Technology

Just days from its official announcement, a new Galaxy S25 Edge leak has given us our best look at Samsung's super-slim flagship

Thu, 05/08/2025 - 22:57
  • Leaked promotional images give a detailed look at its slim design
  • Images of its silicone case and leather-like Kindsuit case also leaked
  • Adds legitimacy to previous spec leaks like a 200MP camera and IP68 rating

Samsung will officially reveal the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge in San Jose next week during a virtual Unpacked event on Monday, May 12 at 8PM ET / 5PM PT (Tuesday, May 13 at 1:00 AM UK time or 10AM AEST).

We've had a steady stream of leaks since the device was first rumored during a January Unpacked event, and just last week a major leak revealed the details of almost every spec and feature.

However, we've never really gotten a clear look at the device. Now, that's no longer the case. This massive leak includes polished marketing images in three colorways that show off the S25 Edge’s screen, titanium build and super-slim side profile, alongside its glass screen protector, dual rear cameras, the USB-C charging cord and SIM-removal tools that come in the box.

You can see the images below:

Image 1 of 3

A clear image of the S25 Edge's side, back cover, camera array and three colors (Image credit: Samsung / Android Headlines)Image 2 of 3

Camera, processor and battery details, as well as a clear look at the face of the device (Image credit: Samsung / Android Headlines)Image 3 of 3

What's in the box and another view of it's slim profile (Image credit: Samsung / Android Headlines)
  • Leaked promotional images for the Galaxy S25 Edge give a detailed look at its design
  • Images of its silicone case and leather-like Kindsuit case also leaked
  • Seemingly confirms previously leaked specs like a 200MP main camera and IP68 rating

While Samsung’s not confirmed the legitimacy of these images, it's hard to deny that they display the professional finish and variety we’ve come to expect when the brand launches a new phone. We can see the S25 Edge's incredibly thin 5.8mm thick side, and three colors that will reportedly be titled Titanium Icyblue, Titanium Silver and Titanium Jetblack.

We’d already seen many specs leak, including the details that it’ll feature a screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, an ultrasonic under-display fingerprint sensor, a 3,900mAh battery, wireless charging, and have an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance.

However, these new images further confirm that its dual rear camera setup will consist of a 200MP and a 12MP ultrawide lens, and add that the main camera sports a 2x "optical quality zoom". We also again see that IP68 rating, "all-day battery", "the most powerful processor optimized for Galaxy" – rumored to be the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset – and while there’s a USB-C cable in the box, as with pretty much all Samsung handsets, there’s no charger included.

And, if you look especially closely, you can see the images state that the device is "made to last" with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the back.

And that's just half of what this leak provides. We're also getting a better look at the official cases for the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge in various colors, and how they'll help showcase the thinness of the device.

Image 1 of 4

The Galaxy Edge's silicone case in three colors (Image credit: Samsung / Android Headlines)Image 2 of 4

(Image credit: Samsung / Android Headlines)Image 3 of 4

(Image credit: Samsung / Android Headlines)Image 4 of 4

(Image credit: Samsung / Android Headlines)

According to the leaker, the images above are of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge silicone case in black, blue and gray. There is also reportedly a translucent silicone option. Below, however, is what is being called the 'Kindsuit case' for the S25 Edge. Already being used with the Samsung Galaxy S25, it's a leather-like synthetic material available in the same three colors.

Image 1 of 2

The Galaxy S25 Edge's 'Kindsuit case' in three colors (Image credit: Samsung / Android Headlines)Image 2 of 2

(Image credit: Samsung / Android Headlines) Old news, new detail

While this new report and photo set hasn’t really taught us anything new – there's definitely something exciting about this new phone, and given our incredible experiences with the Samsung Galaxy S25, S25 Ultra, S24 FE and Galaxy A56, we’re especially keen to see if the South Korean tech giant can keep up its winning streak in what looks set to be a widely adopted new form factor – even Apple’s getting on board, if rumors of the iPhone 17 Air are accurate.

If these images are legitimate, and whether or not you think a thinner phone is necessary, it's certainly an attractive device – and they go a long way to clearing up any doubts we had that the super thin titanium frame will be a drawcard. In combination with what looks like a great camera, a durable frame and a beautifully fast display, it's clear it has the makings of one of 2025’s best phones.

The biggest unanswered question is, of course, how much that slim profile will set us back. Last week's leak stated it would sit around $1,415 / £1,065 / AU$2,205, but thankfully, we won’t have to wait long to find out.

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Categories: Technology

Security researchers develop automated malware removal that works like a vaccine

Thu, 05/08/2025 - 22:02
  • ECHO flips malware's own systems to attack itself - like fighting fire with fire, but smarter
  • ECHO uses malware’s update channel to push out a digital self-destruct
  • Georgia Tech’s tool makes botnet cleanup almost automatic

Malware infections, especially those linked to botnets, continue to cause major damage to enterprise systems, often going undetected until it's too late.

Techxplore reports researchers at Georgia Tech have developed a tool called ECHO that turns the tables by using malware’s own infrastructure to remove it.

ECHO exploits a key feature in many malware strains: built-in remote update mechanisms. By identifying and repurposing these mechanisms, ECHO can deploy a custom payload that disables the malware from within.

A self-spreading remedy for botnets

Botnets - a network of infected computers controlled by malicious actors - have long posed a serious cybersecurity threat. They can lock down workflows, expose sensitive data, and inflict financial losses.

Ordinarily, removing botnets is a tedious, manual process that can take days or even weeks. ECHO aims to change that. In testing, it successfully neutralized 523 out of 702 Android malware samples, achieving a 75% success rate.

The idea of hijacking malware’s communication channels isn’t entirely new. In 2019, Avast and French authorities collaborated to dismantle the Retadup botnet in Latin America. While successful, the effort was difficult to reproduce.

“This is a really good approach, but it was extremely labor-intensive,” said Brendan Saltaformaggio, associate professor at Georgia Tech. “So, my group got together and realized we have the research to make this a scientific, systematic, reproducible technique, rather than a one-off, human-driven, miserable effort.”

ECHO works by first mapping how the malware deploys code. It then analyzes whether these deployment channels can be reused to carry a new, benign payload that disables the original infection.

Once validated, this remediation code is tested and deployed. The process significantly reduces botnet response time and limits potential damage.

The tool, now open sourced on GitHub, isn’t meant to replace traditional security solutions but to complement them.

“We can never achieve a perfect solution, but we can raise the bar high enough for an attacker that it wouldn’t be worth it for them to use malware this way,” Saltaformaggio explained.

Organizations using antivirus, EPP, and other malware protection tools can turn to ECHO to streamline remediation once a breach is detected.

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Apple will reportedly take on Ray-Ban Meta glasses in 2027

Thu, 05/08/2025 - 18:00
  • Apple's reportedly working on a new chip to power smart glasses, which should be ready in 2027
  • These first smart glasses from Apple will likely take on the Ray-Ban Meta glasses
  • The company is also reportedly still working on a more advanced pair

Apple’s been rumored to be working on smart glasses for what feels like forever, and it makes sense considering that this wearable gadget would be lighter than the Apple Vision Pro with a slimmer all-around design and, hopefully, lighter on the wallet as well.

A new report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman details that the Cupertino-based tech giant is making progress on a chip that will power “its first smart glasses.”

The report notes that ‘progress has been made’ on the chip, which means that internal work on the smart glasses is ramping up and that production on the processor is set to start by the end of 2027.

Now, dates can move and change, but that would put these smart glasses on the road for release in about two years.

These aren’t the full-fledged AR glasses that have long been rumored, though; rather, the report says these smart glasses “would compete with the popular Ray-Ban spectacles” from Meta. The Meta Ray-Bans are a hit for the company, landing in a similar build to classic glasses. They allow one to take photos or videos without taking a phone out and offer easy access to the Meta AI assistant.

Apple’s exact feature set for these smart glasses that wouldn’t overlay the world around you isn’t set as of yet, though. According to the report, “Apple is currently exploring non-AR glasses that use cameras to scan the surrounding environment and rely on AI to assist users.”

This sounds pretty similar to what Meta Ray-Ban offers and also to Visual Intelligence on the iPhone 16 lineup – and iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max – which uses Google or ChatGPT to identify what’s in the scene. Hopefully, by 2027, though, Apple Intelligence will be more widely rolled out, with AI-powered Siri in the hands of plenty of consumers on the iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

Seeing that this reported chip is modeled after the Apple Watch’s SoC, it’s likely that these smart glasses would pair with another device like an iPhone, probably in a process similar to setting up an Apple Watch or AirPods.

(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)

However, Apple isn’t just switching to focusing on building smart glasses without AR. The report notes that this new model and the previously rumored one are in development, and that Tim Cook really wants to beat Meta in the world of smart glasses.

Offering more than one model when the time comes for a release would be an easy way to attract more consumers, especially if it lowers the entry price.

Even so, we’re far out on Apple’s rumored smart glasses, as two years puts them at the earliest of 2027, but I’d bet we'll see plenty more rumors and reports in the lead up to that.

In the more immediate future, though, Apple’s World Wide Developers Conference will kick off on June 9, 2025, and the company should share more about its next-generation platforms and Apple Intelligence at large. Who knows, we might even get a more substantial update for the Vision Pro, which could hint at future glasses.

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OpenAI set to splurge $3 billion on AI coding tool Windsurf as ChatGPT inventor looks to make programmers a bit more nervous

Thu, 05/08/2025 - 17:28
  • OpenAI’s Windsurf move puts its rivals under pressure
  • OpenAI targets automating programming beyond the junior developer level
  • Developers may soon pick AI over IDEs if Windsurf integration hits full speed

OpenAI is set to acquire Windsurf, a top artificial intelligence-powered coding assistant, in a deal reportedly worth $3 billion.

At the time of writing, the deal has not yet been finalized, however, if it goes through, it would mark OpenAI’s largest acquisition to date and signal an aggressive push to dominate the rapidly evolving field of AI-assisted software development.

Windsurf, previously known as Codeium, is a product of Exafunction Inc., a startup that has attracted significant investor attention over the past year, as one of several emerging tools that translate plain language prompts into working code, reducing the need for manual development and, in some cases, automating tasks typically handled by junior engineers.

Raising the bar for AI coding tools

This acquisition would put OpenAI in more direct competition with Microsoft’s GitHub Copilot and Anthropic’s AI developer tools, two of the best coding platforms in this space.

Windsurf was recently valued at $1.25 billion and had been in talks with investors to raise new funding at a $3 billion valuation before OpenAI stepped in with an acquisition offer.

The deal follows OpenAI’s recent $40 billion investment round led by SoftBank, which pushed the company’s valuation to $300 billion.

With such financial backing, OpenAI has the resources to expand its coding solutions and integrate Windsurf’s capabilities into its broader ecosystem.

There has been no official public comment from either OpenAI or Windsurf, but sources suggest the acquisition could give OpenAI an edge in building AI assistants that better understand and execute complex programming tasks.

The company is likely targeting a unified platform that not only generates functional code but also adapts to individual developers’ habits and project needs.

Via Bloomberg

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I've used a Samsung The Frame TV for years, and here's why The Frame Pro is a huge upgrade

Thu, 05/08/2025 - 16:00

Samsung’s The Frame has long stood out from the list of the best TVs available for you to spend your hard-earned money on, basically since its inception. Not necessarily for its picture quality or the tech onboard, but more so due to the fact that it’s extremely aesthetically pleasing.

When it’s off, it’s not a big, black rectangle on your wall or propped up on a cabinet – instead, it displays artwork or photos, and rather than a thick bezel around the screen, it’s wrapped in a bezel that makes it look like a picture frame.

It’s been a winning combo, and with the screen gaining the same matte finish as the flagship Samsung S95D OLED TV in recent generations, works of art now look even more realistic as screen reflections are blocked.

And that’s what makes The Frame Pro such an interesting addition to Samsung’s lineup – it replaces the larger-screen sizes of the standard Frame with much of the same feature set, plus offers two key upgrades.

The standard QLED screen is replaced with NeoQLED, which features Mini-LED backlighting, and there's now a Wireless One Connect box for wirelessly connecting sources. It’s an especially appealing upgrade for folks who already have a standard Frame TV and are after a better quality picture or those who have always been interested, but were waiting for the image quality to be kicked into a higher gear.

It also keeps a premium price tag. Here’s how the Frame Pro breaks down by size:

  • 65-inch The Frame Pro for $2,599.98 / £2,099 / AU$3,499
  • 75-inch The Frame Pro for $3,599.98 / £2,999 / AU$4,499
  • 85-inch The Frame Pro for $4,699.98 / £3,999 / AU$5,999

Even so, in typical Samsung fashion, it’s already discounted. The 65-inch is $2,199, the 75-inch is $3,199.99, and the 85-inch is $4,299.99.

I’ve been using a 55-inch The Frame with the matte finish and a Disney metallic silver frame bezel for a few years as my bedroom TV, and after spending some time with the Frame Pro, here’s why I think it’s a significant upgrade over the original.

Disconnecting the One Connect Box is a bigger deal than it sounds

(Image credit: Jacob Krol/Future)

Part of the appeal of the Frame TV was that one cable connected to the TV itself, and it came from the external One Connect Box, which serves as a central hub for the HDMI, optical, and other ports, allowing you to more effortlessly, and effectively, cable manage your home entertainment setup.

While the Frame Pro still requires a power cable, albeit a thinner one, that’s the only connection you’ll make anywhere near the TV. The One Connect Box is wireless, and a good bit slimmer, and can be placed up to 30 feet away from the TV itself. This infinitely frees up placement options for the Frame Pro – either on the included stand or mounted using the included bracket – and it doesn’t mean any shortcoming for picture quality. It can stream up to a 4K resolution picture at up to 120Hz refresh rate as long as it’s within 30 feet of the Frame Pro.

(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)

The new box itself takes up considerably less space than the previous One Connect Box, as well, meaning it should be easier to find a spot, and you get the freedom of placement. I have a feeling many folks with a current Frame TV will be jealous of the wireless box, though Samsung has made it clear that it is exclusive to the Pro.

The jump to NeoQLED should be a big one, and it looked sharp in early testing

(Image credit: Jacob Krol/Future)

Now, I only spent about an hour with the Frame Pro, and unfortunately, it wasn’t alongside the standard Frame but instead a competing model – likely Hisense’s Art TV. Even though I couldn’t do any side-by-side comparisons, the NeoQLED upgrade is noticeable on its own, just as it was when I saw it at CES 2025.

The Frame Pro delivered excellent picture quality with high brightness and popping colors in some tests. Future Labs also conducted some early benchmarking and found that it reached 1,000 nits of brightness at its peak, which is 400 nits over the standard Frame’s brightness.

Samsung’s testing room was pretty dim, and the Frame Pro got quite bright. It was great for some test content, ranging from YouTube videos of varying quality levels to Netflix shows.

It’s a much more solid TV overall, with better hardware to deliver stronger contrast and more vivid color. I really look forward to spending more time with the Frame Pro, which also provides a bit more value within the Frame lineup.

The Frame, now Frame Pro, has always cost more than Samsung’s core QLED TVs and was priced at the same level or more than some NeoQLED models, so having a much-improved display type is a delight here.

It’s still a great-looking TV that does the not-a-TV trick

(Image credit: Jacob Krol/Future)

The Frame has always been the most aesthetically pleasing TV, and the Frame Pro takes this up a notch. It still displays art very well with great detail and realism. Especially if you pay extra to wrap the Frame Pro in the frame bezel, which completes the look.

I ran through more than a dozen pieces of artwork, all available from Samsung’s Art Store, which is built into the TV and costs extra ($4.99 a month or $49.99 a year in the United States). All looked particularly sharp and vivid… well, at least if that’s how the artist intended it.

And to keep the realistic approach, so you might do a double-take, Samsung switches off local dimming and 120Hz display so as not to up the brightness too much when in Art Mode. This can also help with energy consumption.

All in all, the Samsung Frame Pro is still one to watch. If you’ve been waiting for a substantial upgrade to the Frame, this is the tech giant’s answer. It’s more than the equivalent leapfrog of when Samsung added the matte, anti-reflection coating.

Plus, that Wireless One Connect Box will make finding a home for the Frame Pro a little less challenging. The only downside would be the limited sizing for the Frame Pro – anything smaller than a 65-inch, and to get the Frame effect, you'll need to be alright with the standard QLED picture and a hardwired One Connect Box, but at least you'll get a boosted refresh rate as well.

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Naughty, naughty! More than a third of IT workers are using unauthorized AI, despite risks of shadow tech looming large

Thu, 05/08/2025 - 15:27
  • Nearly 40% of IT workers admit to secretly using unauthorized generative AI tools
  • Shadow AI is growing as training gaps and fear of layoffs fuel covert use
  • AI tools used without oversight can leak sensitive data and bypass existing security protocols

As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly embedded in the workplace, organizations are struggling to manage its adoption responsibly, new research has said.

A report by Ivanti has claimed the growing use of unauthorized AI tools in workplaces is raising concerns about deepening skill gaps and increasing security risks.

Among IT workers, over a third (38%) admit to using unauthorized generative AI tools, while nearly half of office workers (46%) say some or all of the AI tools they rely on were not provided by their employers.

Some companies allow the use of AI

Interestingly, 44% of companies have integrated AI across departments, yet a large portion of employees are secretly using unauthorized tools due to insufficient training.

One in three workers say they conceal their AI usage from management, often citing the “secret advantage” it provides.

Some employees avoid disclosing their use of AI because they don’t want to be perceived as incompetent.

With 27% reporting AI-fueled impostor syndrome and 30% worried their roles may be replaced, the disconnect is also contributing to anxiety and burnout.

These behaviors point to a lack of trust and transparency, emphasizing the need for organizations to establish clear and inclusive AI usage policies.

“Organizations should consider building a sustainable AI governance model, prioritizing transparency and tackling the complex challenge of AI-fueled imposter syndrome through reinvention,” said Ivanti’s Chief Legal Counsel, Brooke Johnson.

The covert use of AI also poses a serious risk. Without proper oversight, unauthorized tools can leak data, bypass security protocols, and expose systems to attack, especially when used by administrators with elevated access.

Organizations must respond not by cracking down, but by modernizing. This includes establishing inclusive AI policies and deploying secure infrastructure - starting with strong endpoint protection to detect rogue applications and ZTNA solutions to enforce strict access controls in distributed environments.

Ivanti notes AI isn’t the problem; the real issues are unclear policies, weak security, and a lack of trust. If left unchecked, shadow AI could widen the skills gap, strain mental health, and compromise critical systems.

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Pinterest's new AI tools help you shop by visuals and vibes

Thu, 05/08/2025 - 15:00
  • Pinterest has debuted a set of new AI-powered visual search tools
  • The AI tools enable users to explore fashion by vibe, mood, or aesthetic
  • The results are aimed at helping produce personalized shopping ideas

Pinterest has always been about visuals over text. Now, with the help of AI, you can figure out how to describe those visual inspirations and even get a chance to buy your favorite items, starting with women’s fashion.

A growing number of Pins on Pinterest will have specific pieces of an outfit or aesthetic highlighted with a shimmering animated glow. Click on, say, the plaid skirt or the blue jacket, and Pinterest will show you some of the words to describe the item and help you find more like it without you needing a fashion dictionary.

Pinterest is using generative AI and Visual Language Models (VLMs) for the new features. The VLMs essentially translate images into searchable terms, decoding your taste from an image and helping you shop for it. It's like a more nuanced reverse image search tool, one that can converse with you about your interest in vivid tones and stereopunk plaid.

You’re not expected to describe your dream outfit with perfect vocabulary. You’re not expected to know what kind of tailoring makes a jacket “structured casual.” You just have to know that you liked that one look for its vibe. Pinterest takes it from there.

“Our visual search technology represents a shift in how users interact with and discover inspiration,” Pinterest vice president of design Dana Cho said in a statement. “We're not simply delivering search results – we're curating a personalized journey of discovery that empowers individuals to find their unique style, and shop it too."

Pin AI

There are other new AI features as well, including a new refinement bar that lets you tweak results on the fly. For instance, if you like a look but want to change its color or styling, you can use the refinement bar to filter for them or other elements like fabric.

And if you spot something you want to use to start a visual search from within the app, you just need to long-press on it. Pinterest says it plans to expand the AI tools beyond women’s fashion eventually, but it makes sense that it would start there when it's such a major facet of the platform.

Pinterest's new tools don't mean it's entirely trusting of AI. The company has also begun adding new labels for AI-modified or AI-generated images and giving users the option to see fewer of them via topic filters. It’s a small but smart nod to the fact that inspiration is great, but that reality still matters when you're shopping for actual clothing.

Still, it's an interesting approach to online shopping, and one that fits the way people shop in person by looking at clothes, not just describing them. The AI is like a personal shopper who understands most people rely on visual impressions and gut feelings to decide what to buy, rather than knowing stitch patterns and trend terms.

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This is the weirdest Windows tablet you'll see today: a tiny battery, but also Windows 11 Pro and eight - yes 8, ports

Thu, 05/08/2025 - 14:42
  • SZBOX S9 tablet handles 4K video and runs Windows 11 like a pro
  • It looks small but packs some serious heat for work and multitasking
  • With eight ports, this rugged tablet might outconnect your office desktop setup

A device with a tiny screen, small battery, and eight ports isn’t what you’d typically expect from a Windows 11 Pro machine, but here is the SZBOX S9, a rugged tablet that doubles as a fully functional mini PC.

With its 7-inch touchscreen and modest 1280x800 resolution, the SZBOX S9 clearly isn’t aiming to be a media powerhouse.

Instead, this business tablet finds its niche in utility, industrial, and mobile computing scenarios where space is limited but versatility is essential.

SZBOX offers both tablet and mini PC features

The internal specs are as surprising as the layout. It runs on an Intel N200 processor, built on a 10nm process, with four cores and a 3.7GHz boost clock.

It comes with 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM and up to 1TB of SSD storage via M.2 2242 SATA or NVMe, impressive for such a small footprint.

Integrated Intel UHD Graphics allow 4K video playback at up to 60fps, making it capable of media streaming and light editing tasks, and a rear kickstand makes tabletop use convenient.

The 3400mAh battery doesn’t promise all-day life, rather the Windows tablet is designed for short bursts of productivity or continuous operation while plugged in.

For connectivity, the SZBOX S9 offers a surprisingly rich selection: three USB-A 3.2 ports, one USB-A 2.0, two USB-C (one for charging and one full-function), HDMI 2.0, Gigabit Ethernet, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

This puts it in a unique category, rivaling some of the best AIO PC units in terms of I/O, despite being handheld. With Bluetooth 5.2 and Wi-Fi 6, it also meets modern wireless expectations.

Although it ships with Windows 11 Pro out of the box, users are free to switch to Linux if needed.

This peculiar but intriguing device is now available for $341 on Amazon.

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Amazon's slightly terrifying new warehouse robot comes with "a sense of touch"

Thu, 05/08/2025 - 13:27
  • Amazon's latest warehouse robot can feel items that it handles
  • Vulcan has already processed 500,000 orders in pilots
  • It'll work alongside workers to boot efficiency and safety

Amazon has unveiled a brand-new warehouse robot that it's calling Vulcan, and it's a step closer to being human than many humans might feel comfortable with, but for good reason.

Vulcan has the ability to 'feel' the objects it interacts with using force sensors and tactile feedback, which means Amazon can improve precision and reduce errors in its warehouses.

The (thankfully not humanoid) robot uses two separate arms, one for rearranging items in compartments and another, equipped with a camera and suction cup, to be used for item retrieval.

Amazon Vulcan robot can "feel" objects

The company noted Vulcan was trained using physical data, including force and touch feedback, and it's already capable of picking about three-quarters of the ecommerce giant's inventory, having already processed over 500,000 orders in pilot deployments across Spokane, Washington and Hamburg, Germany.

Vulcan is also capable of self-improvement, learning from experiences much like a human child would do.

Because of this ability to learn combined with touch sensors and tactility, Amazon says Vulcan mimics human dexterity, allowing it to manipulate tightly packed compartments without damaging items.

It's also able to identify when it cannot currently handle an item, calling on a human for assistance.

Notably, in highly-stacked shelves and taller warehouses, Vulcan is able to access items more quickly than humans because it doesn't need to use a ladder, improving safety and efficiency. It's also said to work at speeds comparable to humans.

"Vulcan works alongside our employees, and the combination is better than either on their own," Amazon Robotics Director of Applied Science Aaron Parness explained.

Amazon now has more than 750,000 robots already in use across its warehouses, which it stresses are there to support and collaborate with human workers rather than replace them. Other projects include Sparrow, Robin, Cardinal and Proteus – the company's first autonomous robot.

"Our vision is to scale this technology across our network, enhancing operational efficiency, improving workplace safety, and supporting our employees by reducing physically demanding tasks," Parness concluded.

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Death Stranding 2: On the Beach will offer players 'more choice and freedom'

Thu, 05/08/2025 - 13:00
  • New details about Death Stranding 2: On the Beach have been revealed ahead of the game's release next month
  • The story, which is set 11 months after the first game, finds Sam in Mexico and Australia and "unfolds at a faster pace"
  • New features like a day and night cycle, an aerial view camera, and environmental hazards that affect gameplay have also been added

New details about Death Stranding 2: On the Beach have been revealed ahead of the game's release next month.

The latest comes from PlayStation Blog's hands-on impressions, which offers fresh insight into Death Stranding 2, including information about the game's story, gameplay, and newly added features.

In terms of narrative, the sequel is set 11 months after Death Stranding and finds Sam Bridges living in Mexico in a quiet life with his BB Lou, until he gets caught up in an incident that brings him to Australia where he is once again tasked with traveling across the map to "re-connect a fractured society".

Compared to the first game, Death Stranding 2's story "unfolds at a faster pace" and will give players access to new equipment and structures earlier on.

The story will start in Mexico, but new footage of the Australia map showcases the expansive terrain. During travel, players will be able to switch to an "aerial camera" that will show Sam from a bird's-eye view, allowing a further look at the environment surrounding them.

It's also said that the game will offer "more choice and freedom in terms of strategy and decision-making", which applies to the new equipment, as well as transportation, infrastructure, weapons, smoke grenades to avoid combat altogether, and more.

Alongside new enemy types, like a new BT called "the Watcher" that detects and attacks through sight, gameplay appears to be much more reactive this time around, with the addition of a new day and night cycle.

For instance, terrain and enemies are more visible during the day, but threats can locate the player more easily. Meanwhile, night-time offers more opportunities for stealth at the cost of visibility.

Environmental hazards, like earthquakes, flash floods, and heavy rain, will also impact the world around Sam, meaning players will need to find alternate routes from time to time.

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is set to launch on June 26, 2025, for PlayStation 5. Sony has also revealed a new limited edition DualSense Wireless Controller inspired by Death Stranding 2, which will release alongside the game.

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Meta's next smart glasses might have an always-on AI – I don't care how useful it is, I'm never turning it on

Thu, 05/08/2025 - 13:00
  • Meta is apparently working on glasses with always-on AI
  • It can recognize people's faces and remind you of things you forget
  • Existing glasses apparently have all the same sensors, but too small a battery for the feature to be worthwhile

Meta’s next smart glasses might always be watching with a new AI that can track everything you do.

That’s according to a leak from The Information (behind a paywall), which details two pairs of specs the company is working on, according to insiders.

Internally codenamed Aperol and Bellini, the two pairs of specs would feature a new live AI. You start it with a command phrase, like “Hey Meta, start live AI,” and the glasses would start recording your every move.

This includes being able to recognize people with facial recognition, and to remind you of things like your house keys if the glasses saw you forgot them.

(Image credit: Meta)

The current Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses models are apparently already packed with the sensors they’d need to pull off this same feat of AI.

Unfortunately, those familiar with Meta’s tests with the existing glasses have said the feature cuts their battery life to only 30 minutes, which isn’t ideal.

Meta’s current focus is reportedly to have its in-development glasses – and a pair of Meta earbuds that will supposedly also boast cameras and super sensing software – run for hours on a single charge with this feature switched on.

(Image credit: Ray-Ban / Meta) Always watching

In many ways, I can see the advantage of this always-live AI assistant. Anyone who has locked themselves out wishes they’d had a little software assistant reminding them to pick up their keys before they leave home.

At the same time, it sounds like a privacy nightmare.

People who point somewhat nervously at my Meta Ray-Ban glasses and ask, “Are those recording us right now?” always seem to relax when I show them they’re switched off or explain they only record when instructed, like if I say, “Hey Meta, take a picture.”

Now, imagine I instead say, “Yeah, they’ve been recording you the whole time.” I imagine I’d lose a few teeth.

The Information's report also suggests Meta has reworked its privacy and safety policy to speed up innovation, which, in conjunction with the huge amounts of data this live AI will collect, isn’t something that fills me with joy. Personally, this seems like the time to tighten your privacy policies to ensure sensitive data isn’t shared in a way it shouldn’t be.

I love my Ray-Ban smart glasses, but I'm not keen on an always-on AI (Image credit: Future)

I expect this AI would come with some of Meta’s existing safety features, such as the light on the glasses being on while you’re recording, and it is at least a feature you have to manually activate, but (call me old fashioned) I can’t imagine ever wanting a camera to record my every move.

Others will probably feel similarly about these potential new always-on AI glasses. Just look at the backlash against Microsoft’s always-on AI feature, Recall – and that was an app that just took computer screenshots.

As with all rumors, we’ll have to wait and see what Meta announces officially, but I’m hoping the final product isn’t anything as scary as it sounds right now.

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Far Cry 4 and Assassin's Creed 3 director 'hates' the Nintendo Switch 2 Game Key Card system, 'We’re losing some of what made the business special'

Thu, 05/08/2025 - 12:57
  • Far Cry 4 and Revenge of the Savage Planet director Alex Hutchinson thinks Nintendo's Game Key Cards are "sort of lame"
  • The director thinks Nintendo will "get away with it" because of "the power of nostalgia in our business"
  • He believes "we’re losing some of what made the business special"

Alex Hutchinson, the director of Far Cry 4 and Assassin's Creed 3, has said that the Nintendo Switch 2's controversial Game Key Cards are "sort of lame".

Speaking in an interview with VideoGamer following the release of his new game, Revenge of the Savage Planet, Hutchinson said he sees the appeal of digital downloads as someone who has released both physical and digital games, but that he isn't a fan of Nintendo's new system.

"It’s funny that Nintendo is going to get away with it," Hutchinson said. "It just shows you the power of nostalgia in our business that the way they will beat up Microsoft versus Nintendo is just not the same, especially in Europe. It’s like, 'oh, Nintendo’s doing it, alright we’re not gonna say much.'

"I hate it," he continued. "I think it’s sort of lame. I don’t know, I just feel like it’s getting away… we’re losing some of what made the business special. Trading Game Boy cartridges at school, or, you know, DS for the modern audience. There’s something nice about that."

Game key Cards are physical Switch 2 games that will contain a download "key" on the cartridge, but don't include the full game data.

While new Switch 2 titles like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza will offer standard physical game cards like the original Switch, some third-party titles like Star Wars Outlaws, Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster, and more will be Game Key Card only releases.

There are also rumors that Elden Ring Tarnished Edition will be a Game Key Card, as well as The Duskbloods, but we'll have to wait and see.

In case you missed it, the Nintendo Switch 2 launches on June 5, 2025, for $449.99 / £395.99 or $499.99 / £429.99 for the Mario Kart World bundle. UK pre-orders and US pre-orders are now live.

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Like King Arthur and Excalibur, here's yet another AI startup trying its luck at dislodging Nvidia from the AI stone

Thu, 05/08/2025 - 12:33
  • VSORA raises $46 million to build Europe's alternative to AI giants
  • Jotunn8 chip targets inference with lower power and higher throughput
  • French startup challenges Nvidia’s lead in a training-focused chip market

French chip designer VSORA has raised $46 million in new funding as it aims to offer Europe’s main alternative to AI processors from the likes of Nvidia, AMD, Intel, and Google.

The Paris-based startup is betting big on a custom-built inference processor called Jotunn8, which it plans to bring to silicon in the second half of 2025 using 5nm production at TSMC.

While Nvidia’s GPUs dominate training workloads, VSORA is targeting inference with its chip which it says is faster and more efficient where it matters.

Ensuring Europe’s technological AI sovereignty

The funding round was led by Otium and a French family office, with additional backing from Omnes Capital, Adélie Capital, and the European Innovation Council Fund.

The investors are backing VSORA’s goal to carve out a space in a crowded and mostly non-European market.

“In a market dominated by global giants like Nvidia, VSORA is a unique opportunity for France and Europe, home to world-class engineering talent,” said Gaspard de Veyrac, Principal at Otium.

"With this funding, VSORA has the necessary tools to reshape the future of AI computation and secure a significant position in the global AI chip market.”

VSORA’s chip isn’t trying to be everything for everyone. Unlike GPUs, which are built mainly for training models, Jotunn8 is designed just for inference so focuses on performance per watt, latency, and cost per query.

The company claims Jotunn8 delivers more than three times the performance of current solutions while using less than half the power.

It’s aiming for 3,200 teraflops of compute power and will target workloads like ChatGPT-style generative AI, autonomous driving, and edge devices.

“This funding marks a pivotal moment for VSORA as we accelerate our mission to revolutionize AI chips and ensure Europe’s technological sovereignty in AI computing,” said VSORA founder and CEO Khaled Maalej.

“It will drive the finalization of our technology and the launch of our production, enabling VSORA to play a crucial role as the sole alternative to non-European chip designers. We are grateful for our investors’ trust and look forward to continuing our collaboration with industry leaders to bring our chip to market.”

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Honor takes a swipe at Samsung in teaser for its upcoming Galaxy A56 rival

Thu, 05/08/2025 - 12:21
  • Honor has referenced Samsung in a new promotional image for the Honor 400 series
  • The Honor 400 Pro is expected to rival the Samsung Galaxy A56
  • The Honor 400 series will be announced on May 22

It’s always fun to see smartphone manufacturers taking playful jabs at one another, and the latest put-down from Honor targets its longtime rival Samsung.

In a promotional image announcing the May 22 release date for the Honor 400 series, Honor has included a suite of clues to excite fans about the phones’ most exciting features. Among these hidden pointers is a message reading “Not the same,” with ‘sam’ appearing in bold blue letters – clearly a reference to Honor’s competitor.

This is the same typeface Honor used to poke fun at Samsung for the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s supposed lack of innovation back in January, so the brand clearly has a bee in its bonnet with Samsung, specifically. The Honor 400 is expected to rival the midrange Samsung Galaxy A56, so “not the same” could be a reference to the uniqueness of Honor’s phone, or indeed an outright jab at the perceived recent sameness of Samsung’s affordable smartphone lineup.

Spark Daily Wonder with HONOR 400 Series | Coming 05.22We've hidden some clues about our upcoming new device in this poster. Quote-rt this post - using the hashtag #HONOR400 - with what you think they are for a chance to WIN a new HONOR 400 device.#SparkDailyWonder… pic.twitter.com/0KcycsqaJAMay 7, 2025

Sure, that’s big talk for a company of Honor’s size, but the brand’s confidence in its own product could be well-founded. In a separate teaser image (below), Honor has confirmed that both the Honor 400 and Honor 400 Pro will boast a 200MP “ultra-clear AI camera”, which sounds like more than a match for the 50MP main camera on the Galaxy A56.

Both the Honor 400 and Honor 400 Pro will have a 200MP main camera (Image credit: Honor)

The Honor 400 Pro could also have a dedicated telephoto lens, with rumors hinting at a 50MP sensor paired with the zoom – the Galaxy A56, meanwhile, has a 12MP ultra-wide lens and a 5MP macro lens.

We haven’t heard much else about Honor’s next mid-rangers, but the aforementioned teaser image does strongly suggest that one or both phones will feature some unique AI software and impressive water resistance.

The May 22 release date for the Honor 400 and Honor 400 Pro will come a month after the Honor 400 Lite hit shelves. We described that budget-friendly model as a “solid handset with some appealing features” in our Honor 400 Lite review, but Honor’s upcoming phones will have their work cut out if they hope to compete with Galaxy A56, which we praised for being an “impressive jack-of-all-trades” and one of the best cheap phones around.

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Samsung can make the Galaxy Z Fold 7 as thin as it likes, I'm not buying a phone with a 22:9 screen

Thu, 05/08/2025 - 12:19

As we recently reported here at TechRadar, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 could become the world’s thinnest booklet-style folding phone at launch – the latest rumors suggest an unfolded thickness of just 3.9mm.

The previous record-holder, the Oppo Find N5, boasted an impressive unfolded thickness of 4.2mm – and as I noted in my full Oppo Find N5 review, this formed a massive part of the phone’s wow factor.

And across all phone makers, the progress of folding phone designs has been a pretty marvelous thing to witness. Samsung certainly deserves due credit for taking the first step way back in 2019 with the original Samsung Galaxy Fold – the difference between that early model and modern folding phones is simply night and day.

However, I’m not so sure that Samsung should make a priority of releasing the thinnest folding phone possible – in fact, I’d go so far to say that there’s another crucial aspect of the Galaxy Z Fold design that needs attending to first.

Cover screen compromises

The OnePlus Open sports an unusually wide cover screen for a folding phone (Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)

It goes without saying that a folding phone’s cover display will probably never look quite the same as the display found on a slab phone.

To achieve a roughly square inner display, folding phones sport narrower, taller-looking cover displays intended for answering messages quickly and taking calls.

With that said, phone makers have tended towards widening the cover display of folding phones as much as possible – apart from Samsung, which equips the current-gen Galaxy Z Fold 6 with a tall display that has a 22:9 aspect ratio. For comparison, the Galaxy S25 and most modern smartphones have a 19.5:9 aspect ratio.

Let me quickly add that I’ve never used the Galaxy Z Fold 6 for any substantial length of time – but I have briefly gotten hands-on with Samsung’s booklet-style foldable.

I’ve also used the aforementioned Oppo Find N5, which has a 20.7:9 cover screen, and its older cousin the OnePlus Open, which has a 20:9 cover screen. Having used these phones as daily drivers, I can confidently say that I wouldn’t want to use a phone with an even narrower cover display.

Though the key selling point and most technically impressive aspect of folding phones are their large inner displays, the experience of using the cover screen still matters.

After all, there are plenty of use cases where opening the inner display doesn’t quite make sense – on a cramped train, at the gym, or checking something quickly on Google.

I definitely noticed that articles, social media feeds, and games felt more cramped when using the aforementioned foldable phones, so I’m not convinced the experience would be much better on the Galaxy Z Fold 7’s expected 22:9 display.

However, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 has been tipped to get a larger cover display – a 6.5-inch panel, up from 6.2 inches on the current Galaxy Z Fold 6 – I’m certainly keen to see whether a larger panel at the same aspect ratio would be a satisfactory fix.

The thin phone revolution

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge could usher in a new era of thin phones (Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

As hopeful as I am for a wider cover screen on the Galaxy Z Fold 7, it’s far more likely that Samsung will push ahead and release a thinner, lighter version of its iconic folding phone with few other design updates.

And if the product strategy Samsung hinted at last year is anything to go by, we could be in for a few years focused on thin designs.

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge is set to release on May 12, and as I wrote in a previous feature, I think Samsung is likely to keep this new product line running for at least a few years as phone makers split their product offerings into heavier performance and camera-centric handsets and ergonomic thin phones.

I am a bit surprised that the Galaxy Z Fold 7 would land in the latter camp, given Samsung’s framing of the Z Fold line as focused on productivity, but if the Z Fold is to play a part in the thin phone revolution, I reckon we’ll see most of Samsung’s design prowess spent on ergonomics, ie. thinness, with the next few iterations.

So, that’s me sticking with OnePlus and Oppo when it comes to book-style folding phones – at least for now. Most of the above is based on rumors, and the Galaxy Z Fold 7 isn’t expected to release until later this year, so be sure to keep an eye on our Samsung Galaxy phones coverage for the latest updates.

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These are the worst web browsers for sucking up all your data, so you may want to stop using them

Thu, 05/08/2025 - 11:57
  • Google Chrome is the most data hungry mobile web browser, with 20 data types being collected
  • Most other mobile browsers collect an average of 6 data types
  • Chrome and Safari command a 90% mobile browser market share

The world’s most popular web browsers are also the most data hungry, new research from Surfshark has found.

Analyzing download statistics from AppMagic, Surfshark found Google's Chrome and Apple's Safari account for 90% of the world's mobile browser downloads.

However, Chrome sucks up 20 different types of data while being used, including contact info, location, browsing history, and user content, and is the only browser to collect payment methods, card numbers, or bank account details.

Chrome data collection

Surfshark does point out the reason some financial information may be stored by Chrome is because users can opt in to store their banking information for easier transactions, however.

Microsoft's Bing took second place for data collection, hoovering up 12 types of data, closely followed by Pi Browser in third place with nine data types, with Safari and Firefox collecting eight types and sharing fourth place.

At the other end of the scale, both Brave and Tor are the least data hungry browsers, with Brave requiring identifiers and usage data, and Tor collecting no data at all.

When it comes to the types of data collected, Pi Browser, Edge, and Bing all collected the most tracking data, usually sold to third parties to be used for targeted advertising.

Pi Browser collects browsing history, search history, device ID, product interaction, and advertisement data, while Edge collects customer support request data, and Bing collects user ID data.

In the US, Safari takes a 50% mobile browser usage share, with Chrome filling another 43% - and the UK follows a similar trend, with Chrome at 47% and Safari at 43%.

Luckily, there are ways to prevent data collection, and if you’re looking to keep your data safe while browsing, it may be worth taking a look at our guide to the best VPN.

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US government warns of "unsophisticated" hackers targeting oil and gas systems

Thu, 05/08/2025 - 11:07
  • CISA warns of 'unsophisticated' attacks targeting oil and gas industries
  • 'Basic and elementary' techniques are being used
  • Critical infrastructure is increasingly at risk from cyberattacks

The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has released a warning outlining an increase in ‘unsophisticated’ and ‘basic’ cyberattacks targeting Industrial Control Systems and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (ICS/SCADA) systems in critical infrastructure sectors - the oil and gas industries.

This isn’t entirely unexpected, as critical infrastructure has long been a top target for cybercriminals. The services that these industries provide are often key to the daily lives of many, so any downtime can be catastrophic and costly - meaning that attackers have serious leverage if they are able to gain systems access.

The attacks that have been observed, particularly against Energy and Transportation Systems, often include ‘basic and elementary intrusion techniques’, CISA confirms - but even basic attacks can harm an organization in the right conditions.

Cyber Hygiene

Poor cyber hygiene and exposed assets can escalate these threats, CISA warns, and can lead to “significant consequences such as defacement, configuration changes, operational disruptions and, in severe cases, physical damage.”

Guidance for critical infrastructure on threat protection often includes robust detection capabilities, frequent and up-to-date patching of known vulnerabilities, enforcing strict password policies mandating strong and unique passwords are used at all times, and training staff on all levels in the basics of cybersecurity.

“The authoring organizations urge critical infrastructure entities to review and act now to improve their cybersecurity posture against cyber threat activities specifically and intentionally targeting internet connected OT and ICS,” CISA’s guidance fact sheet outlines.

Critical infrastructure is facing a difficult set of challenges as rising geopolitical tensions see hackers increasingly target key industries, and developments in AI tools mean that the barriers of entry are now lower for cybercriminals, who are able to send out attacks at a much higher frequency and that require much less skill - perhaps explaining the increase in ‘‘basic and elementary” techniques.

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