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• Nvidia could be releasing a gaming laptop APU soon, according to rumors
• It's slated to release at either Q4 2025 or Q1 2026
• It could be a chance for Nvidia to use its hardware for a handheld gaming PC

AMD and Intel are continuously competing with each other within the SoC market for laptops and handheld gaming PCs – and one of their fierce rivals looks poised to join the party.

According to a reputable leaker, Moore's Law Is Dead, Nvidia has a new gaming laptop processor slated for release between Q4 2025 and Q1 2026. This would be akin to AMD's Ryzen Strix Halo APUs, with an iGPU as the driving force for gaming performance. It's also expected to have a TDP (power consumption) between 80 and 120W.

It's best to take leaks and rumors as such with a grain of salt; Nvidia's recent heavy focus on AI suggests that gaming would be an afterthought, so a gaming laptop SoC would be a surprise, to say the least. However, if this is legitimate, it may be a starting point for Nvidia SoCs coming to handheld gaming PCs.

As it stands, the Nintendo Switch 2 is the only handheld gaming device in this generation that will have access to Team Green's DLSS upscaling method, using the Tegra T239 processor – and it's worth noting that DLSS is a significant advantage the Switch 2 holds over current handheld gaming PCs.

We've seen both Intel and AMD's laptop processors used in handhelds, notably the former's Core Ultra 7 258V in the MSI Claw 8 AI+. Essentially, the same could apply to Nvidia's rumored SoC and could be a strong challenge to its competitors by providing great gaming performance.

Analysis: A high-tier Nvidia SoC would take the handheld gaming market by storm

(Image credit: Siberian Art / Shutterstock)

While Nvidia's Tegra T239 processor will be used in the Switch 2, with DLSS also available, I yearn for an Nvidia mobile processor of a higher tier, and this sounds like it could be it.

Gamers using the likes of an Asus ROG Ally X or MSI Claw 8 AI+, only have access to FSR 3 and XeSS, respectively. I'm not saying those upscaling methods are any slouch, but they would have a hard time competing against DLSS (at least DLSS 3), as they do on the desktop GPU end.

It may not be the same with handhelds, but DLSS on desktop gaming PCs has been the game-changing tool for a while, providing smooth performance through upscaling a lower internal resolution. I admit, I'm not a fan of game devs relying on the technology for steady performance in games (because they're so poorly optimized), but it's hard to deny the benefits of DLSS.

If this were available for handhelds, I could easily see it outshining both Team Red and Team Blue's efforts, especially on a smaller display. Let's just hope this purported SoC isn't only coming to gaming laptops...

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• Anker Soundcore P41i has USB-C cable and 3,000mAh battery
• 10-12 hours of playtime, rising to 192 hours with the case
• £79.99 (about $100 / AU$160), available now

If you're fed up lugging one of the best power banks around to stop your phone running out of juice, Anker's Soundcore brand may have just the thing. The charging case for its new P41i earbuds doesn't just charge the earbuds, it can charge your other devices too.

The earbuds themselves are mid-range models, but the case is something more unusual. Don't expect to recharge a MacBook Pro with it, but it's got a 3,000mAh battery that's good for delivering a 50% top-up to an iPhone 16 Pro and 45% to a Samsung Galaxy S24 via its integral USB-C cable. And the case even doubles as a smartphone stand.

(Image credit: Soundcore)Soundcore P41i: key features and pricing

At 10W, you're not going to get the fastest charge, but Anker says you can expect to charge up to 30% in about 40 minutes for the iPhone 16 Pro, Galaxy S24 and Pixel 8, and 30 minutes for an iPhone 14 Pro.

I think the power bank capability is useful: I'm just back from a very long day of travel where once again my iPhone 16 Pro's all-day battery didn't live up to that promise.

50% extra would have been more than enough to make it past midnight without looking for a charge point or having to carry my heavy power bank around.

The earbuds' own batteries are pretty big too: Soundcore says you'll get 12 hours with ANC off and 10 with ANC on, which is above average for the best earbuds of today. And with that charging case, the figure increases to a whopping 192 hours of total listening time.

The buds have 11mm drivers, six mics, and five levels of ANC with three different noise-cancelling modes. There's Bluetooth 5.3 with multi-point and fast pairing, and they're IPX5 certified. UK pricing is £79.99, which converts to around $100 / AU$160.

The Anker Soundcore P41i earbuds are available now in the UK at Amazon, and will launch elsewhere soon.

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• Scotland's rail service has replaced the human train announcement voice with an AI one on some routes
• The voice technology is powered by Swedish company ReadSpeaker
• A voice actor claims the company is using her voice without permission, but ReadSpeaker says it has "comprehensively addressed" these complaints

If you live in Scotland, or have ever visited our beautiful country and travelled on a train, you'll have probably heard the homely lilt of the female voice announcing station stops and other information.

However, train company Scotrail has now replaced the iconic voice with AI, sparking uproar among commuters – and claims from a voice actor that Scotrail has stolen her voice.

The new AI announcer is called Iona, and the robotic voice has replaced the human one that the majority of Scots have grown up with. Iona is currently rolling out on routes across Scotland, but so far has been met with hostility.

HATE the new ScotRail AI announcer voice. It sounds like a Scottish version of HAL from Space Odyssey!May 17, 2025

The AI voices uses text-to-speech technology that allows train conductors to input announcements that are then spoken across the public address system by Iona.

That's my voice!

Following the initial backlash against the AI voice rollout, Scotrail responded on X, saying, "Give it time and it may grow on you."

One person the voice isn't growing on is voice actor Gayanne Potter, who's accused the Scottish Government-owned train company of stealing her voice. Potter is a voice actor who did some work for the Swedish company ReadSpeaker in 2021.

ReadSpeaker is the company behind Iona, and at the time, Ms Potter was told her voice work would only be used for accessibility and e-learning software.

After a friend sent her a link to ReadSpeaker's website, Potter recognized the voice, noticing similarities between her own tone and that of Iona, a persona that Scotrail is marketing as a red-haired Scottish woman, with an image that's also – of course – AI-generated.

Ms Potter told the BBC, "It is my voice – I'm absolutely certain it's my voice.” Potter has been in a dispute with ReadSpeaker over the use her voice for two years.

In response to the complaints, ReadSpeaker told the BBC, "ReadSpeaker is aware of Ms Potter's concerns, and has comprehensively addressed these with Ms Potter's legal representative several times in the past."

In the BBC report you can listen to a comparison between Ms Potter and Iona. There's no denying the voices are very similar, although the real issue here is the protection of workers in the creative industry, and awareness of how they sign over their rights when producing work.

Potter said, "It's hard enough for people in the creative industry to sustain careers, but to be competing with a robotic version of yourself just adds insult to injury."

This is just the latest controversy in the debate over who owns what in the rapidly evolving world of AI. Potter says she didn't know at the time that her voice would be used to train a robotic one heard across Scotland. Now, she can't escape her 'own' AI voice.

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• Study reveals continuing resistance to RTO mandates
• Many workers say they would look for a new job, or just quit, if forced to go back full-time
• Women more resistant than men, but BME workers also affected

A new study has revealed attitudes towards a full-time return to office (RTO) are still incredibly resistant, as workers look for more flexibility and productivity in their roles.

Over a one million observations from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) and some 50,000 responses from the Survey of Working Arrangements and Attitudes (SWAA) UK from between early 2022 and 2024 were analyzed by researchers from King’s College London (KCL) and King’s Business School to see if worker opinions on RTO mandates had changed.

Unsurprisingly, the report found many workers were still opposed to the policies, with less than half (42%) saying they would agree to go back to the office full-time - and the overall figures showing there is "no clear trend of a mass return to the office in the UK".

RTO resistance

"Despite the growing public announcement of CEOs and reports of mass return-to-office mandate of companies, based on two large scale representative surveys of the UK labour market we see no evidence of this," authors Professor Heejung Chung and Research Fellow Shiya Yuan stated in their report.

"We do not see any clear signs of workers returning to the office, nor do we see evidence of employers restricting workers’ homeworking possibilities in their policies. In fact, we see a growing number of workers who can work from home."

Overall, the figures showed working-from-home (WFH) rates remained stable since 2022, with over a quarter of all workers saying home is their main place of work, and about 40% of workers work remotely at least once per week, with over 25% work three or more days from home.

The report appears to indicate that RTO mandates are a potential deal-breaker for many workers, as half of those surveyed said they would rather look for a new job than return to full time at their current employer - an increase from 40% in the earlier survey.

Women were more likely to look for a new job (55%) or quit entirely (9%) than men (43% and 8%), with young mothers much more unlikely to comply.

However black and minority ethnic workers were found to be slightly more compliant with returning to the office, which the study hypothesised could be due to possible "job insecurity and workplace discrimination".

"For HR leaders and policymakers, the message is clear: well-designed hybrid working models offer significant benefits for both employers and employees that supports equality, talent retention, collaboration, and business resilience," the authors concluded.

"Rigid RTO mandates not only risk reversing these gains but may also create serious recruitment and retention challenges in a labour market where flexibility has become a baseline expectation."

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There are safer and better ways to reheat leftovers than in the boxes they arrived in.

The federal government's latest guidance for COVID-19 vaccines is raising concerns among some independent experts. And, dozens of Palestinians hurt during first day of new Gaza aid distribution plan.

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• Images appear to confirm tiltable EVF and 33MP full-frame sensor
• 4K 60fps video will require a crop to Super 35 format
• $3,500 rumored price tag and 32-bit float audio still TBC

Sony is launching a new Cinema Line mirrorless camera later today – but a set of leaked photographs appears to have spilled the beans and spoiled the surprise a few hours early.

Posted over at Sony Alpha Rumors, the four images show the purported Sony FX2, a full-frame video-focussed E-mount camera. Three of the photos are promotional lifestyle shots showing the camera in action, while the fourth and most interesting is packed with top-line information about features and specs.

As rumored already, the Sony FX2 looks set to sport the same 33MP full-frame Exmor R CMOS sensor as previously seen in the company’s A7 IV and A7C II cameras. It will apparently support dual native ISO (800 and 4000) and video capture up to 4K 60fps in 10-bit 4:2:2 quality with over 15 stops of dynamic range.

Although that 4K 60fps recording will only be supported in Super 35 format, meaning it’ll be forcibly cropped rather than utilizing the entire surface of that huge sensor. That’s likely to disappoint some videographers.

First Leaked images of the new Sony FX2! - https://t.co/1X1yTLBFt2 pic.twitter.com/ervRZHw6FuMay 28, 2025

What about 32-bit float recording?

The image also appears to confirm the previously mentioned tiltable electronic viewfinder (EVF); it’s shown in one of the lifestyle shots too.

The FX2 will also support 16-bit RAW output via its HDMI, have an active cooling system to combat overheating issues and a Venice user interface that’s pitched towards videography rather than still photos. There’s no mention of 32-bit float audio recording here, which is another feature we’ve heard will be included.

So, while the cropped 4K 60fps isn’t what many users would have been hoping for, the FX2 is shaping up to be a very well-equipped camera for content creators and YouTubers. Much will depend on the price, of course. $3,500 is the rumored RRP (which converts to around £2,600 / AU$5400), which seems quite steep for a cinema camera that tops out at 4K.

For now, all of the above remains unconfirmed by Sony, but there isn’t long to wait for the official launch. It’s happening later on today, May 28 2025, at 3pm BST / 4pm CET. You can watch the unveiling live on YouTube (above).

We’ll report back on the Sony FX2 once it’s all official and we have the full details on spec, features and pricing.

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• Adidas confirms suffering major cyberattack
• Customer data was included in the breach
• This is the latest in a number of retail incidents, so customers should be on their guard

Adidas has confirmed it is the latest retail giant to fall victim to a cyberattack, with customer data at risk following an ‘unauthorized’ party stealing information from a third-party customer service provider.

The affected data primarily consists of contact information of customers who contacted the Adidas help desk - with passwords, credit card information, or any other type of payment data not involved.

“Adidas is in the process of informing potentially affected consumers as well as appropriate data protection and law enforcement authorities consistent with applicable law. We remain fully committed to protecting the privacy and security of our consumers, and sincerely regret any inconvenience or concern caused by this incident,” the company confirmed.

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A string of attacks

2025 has seen a number of high-profile cyberattacks on retailers, with three massive UK retailers targeted. Luxury department store Harrods became the latest victim following attacks on Marks and Spencer and supermarket Co-op - some of which had to take systems offline in order to protect the organisation - although there is no official link between the incidents.

British retailers aren’t the only ones at risk either, with fashion brand Dior also suffering an attack that led to customer data being leaked. Any customer who is concerned about their data being accessed by cybercriminals or unauthorised parties should make sure to be vigilant and monitor their accounts. In particular, customers are at risk of identity theft or fraud.

“The surge of attacks is driven by a perfect storm of factors: the rapid digitisation of industries, increased reliance on third-party systems, and the rise of financially motivated, highly organised cybercriminal groups,” warns Spencer Starkey, Executive VP of EMEA at SonicWall.

"In sectors like retail, sprawling digital ecosystems, outdated infrastructure, and fragmented cyber defences create easy entry points. Threat actors are also leveraging increasingly sophisticated social engineering and exploiting identity-based vulnerabilities, as we saw in the recent attacks on Marks & Spencer and the Legal Aid Agency."

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• Windows 11 has a new feature hidden in testing
• It’s the ‘Windows Health and Optimized Experiences’ service
• Judging from clues in the code, this could be about getting Copilot to help achieve better battery longevity with laptops

Windows 11 could be getting a new feature which possibly taps Copilot in order to provide better battery life for laptops, although it should be noted that this is a very wispy, early-stage rumor.

The rumor was uncovered in a recent Windows 11 preview, but it’s just the initial groundwork for a potential feature, and it’s far from clear what this capability will be – except that it’s about optimizing Windows 11.

Windows Latest picked up on a post on X from regular leaker Albacore, which observed that the Windows 11 preview build that debuted in the Canary (earliest testing) channel this week introduces a new service.

The new "Windows Health and Optimized Experiences" (whesvc) service introduced in this week's Windows 11 Canary build is LUA drivenWhy does it feel like every new system component is some sort of awkward glue that wouldn't need to exist if the dev understood existing frameworks? pic.twitter.com/LJvzfbAiBaMay 25, 2025

This is the ‘Windows Health and Optimized Experiences’ service, and as Windows Latest pointed out, it contains references that suggest it examines battery-related telemetry.

In other words, it looks like this is a feature that could collect data on the power usage of a laptop, and how various factors are putting a strain on the battery (CPU usage, screen brightness and so forth).

Now, here’s where the interesting bit comes in – or the jump to a conclusion, depending on which way you look at it. Namely that the code references ‘efficiency Copilot’ which suggests that the AI assistant will somehow be wrapped up in this service.

Put two and two together, and what we could be witnessing here is the inception of a new feature that lets Copilot monitor the power efficiency of your laptop, and perhaps adjust settings to achieve the best battery life possible.

Analysis: A seemingly good use of Copilot

(Image credit: Future)

As noted, this is a considerable leap to a conclusion which may be way off the mark, and the service could be for something entirely different. Whatever it is, it will likely be related to battery optimization, mind you – if anything ever comes of it at all (Microsoft could simply scrap the idea before, or during, testing).

However, it makes sense to me that this is a useful way in which the intelligence of Copilot could be utilized. Either to get the AI to automatically fine-tune parts of Windows 11 in the background to maintain battery longevity, or to offer the user recommendations of changes to implement to provide better efficiency (possibly based on their type of usage of the notebook).

This could extend to power-efficiency on desktop PCs, too, as well as laptops, because it doesn’t hurt to keep a desktop running on as little wattage as necessary. Every bit of saved power adds up, after all, probably to an appreciable amount when it comes to a yearly utility bill.

If this feature is indeed inbound, it probably won’t arrive for some time yet. Letting Copilot loose in this way opens up the possibility for mistakes to be made by the AI, so that’d be something Microsoft would need to guard closely against. It’d also point to the safer way of simply delivering suggestions as being the model for this functionality, rather than having Copilot automatically tinkering with Windows 11 in the background.

A final thought here: if this does happen, what’s the betting it’ll be for Copilot+ PCs only, and not all Windows 11 laptops? Okay, so we’re getting ahead of ourselves with the speculation here, but Microsoft definitely wants to make a more convincing case for Copilot+ devices, and this could be part of that recipe.

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• Some US retailers have reportedly cancelled Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders
• This allegedly includes Walmart, Target, and GameStop
• Consider double checking the status of your pre-order if you have placed one

If you managed to secure a Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order recently, then you might want to check your email inbox as it seems as though some retailers have started cancelling them.

As reported by Vice, would-be Nintendo Switch 2 owners have been flooding the r/switch subreddit to complain that their pre-orders of the upcoming Nintendo console have been inexplicably cancelled.

The majority of those reporting cancellations seem to have shopped at Walmart. "We're sorry, we had to cancel these items," reads a message in the Walmart app on one posted screenshot.

In these instances there seems to be no real explanation as to why the Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order was cancelled, though I suspect that it may be due to stock issues. Some retailers likely banked on having access to much more stock than they do, leading to the need to cancel certain pre-orders.

In the comments to these posts, others are reporting cancellations from Target and GameStop. Bear in mind that these cancellations are currently unverified, though it definitely wouldn't hurt to double check your order just in case.

If you're unlucky enough to be affected, visit our how to pre-order the Nintendo Switch 2 guide for recommendations on how to get your hands on one.

The Nintendo Switch 2 is set to launch on June 5 and demand is likely to be high. According to industry analysts, it could sell 100 million units by the end of 2029 and become the "fast-selling console ever".

It costs $449.99 / £395.99 or $499.99 / £429.99 for a bundle that includes a digital copy of Mario Kart World.

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• Sophos spots DragonForce ransomware attack leveraging three bugs
• The flaws were found in SimpleHelp SMM platform
• The victim was a major managed service provider (MSP)

The DragonForce ransomware group is chaining multiple SimpleHelp vulnerabilities to breach systems, steal sensitive files, and deploy an encryptor, experts have warned.

In a blog post, Sophos MDR researchers noted they were alerted to the incident when a “suspicious installation” of a SimpleHelp installer file was spotted on the system of a Managed Service Provider (MSP).

That provider ended up suffering a ransomware infection, but one of its clients was enrolled with the company’s MDR and had XDR endpoint protection deployed, alerting the researchers.

White label model

SimpleHelp is a self-hosted remote support and remote access software. In January 2025, it was found to be carrying three vulnerabilities: a multiple path traversal flaw (CVE-2024-57727), an arbitrary file upload vulnerability (CVE-2024-57728), and a privilege escalation flaw (CVE-2024-57726).

Now, Sophos says DragonForce hackers are chaining these three to deploy the ransomware.

“The installer was pushed via a legitimate SimpleHelp RMM instance, hosted and operated by the MSP for their clients,” the researchers explained.

“The attacker also used their access through the MSP’s RMM instance to gather information on multiple customer estates managed by the MSP, including collecting device names and configuration, users, and network connections.”

Sophos did not name the victim, or the third party that successfully thwarted the attack.

DragonForce has been rather active in recent times. In late April 2025, it was reported the group had introduced a new business model to the ransomware scene, one which involves cooperating with other gangs.

Apparently, the group was seen offering a white-label affiliate model, allowing others to use their infrastructure and malware while branding attacks under their own name.

With this model, affiliates won't need to manage the infrastructure and DragonForce will take care of negotiation sites, malware development and data leak sites.

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Salesforce has finally completed its $8bn deal to purchase Informatica as it looks to take the next step forward on its AI journey.

The purchase of the cloud data management firm will give Salesforce a major AI technology boost, particular as it continues to produce and roll out the next generation of AI agents.

“Together, Salesforce and Informatica will create the most complete, agent-ready data platform in the industry,” said Marc Benioff, Chair and CEO of Salesforce.

Salesforce Informatica takeover

"Joining forces with Salesforce represents a significant leap forward in our journey to bring ​​data and AI to life by empowering businesses with the transformative power of their most critical asset — their data," said Amit Walia, CEO of Informatica.

“We have a shared vision for how we can help organizations harness the full value of their data in the AI era.”

The CRM giant had been forced to drop plans for an Informatica takeover in April 2024 due to investor pressure, but just over a year later, has got the deal done.

Salesforce says that upon closing the deal, it plans to "rapidly integrate Informatica's technology stack" to its existing services and systems, including adding data integration, quality, governance, and unified metadata for Agentforce, and a single data pipeline with MDM on Data Cloud.

Much like it has done with previous acquisitions, the company said it will support Informatica's plans to build it's own products, which will then become part of the wider Salesforce ecosystem.

“By uniting the power of Data Cloud, MuleSoft, and Tableau with Informatica’s industry-leading, advanced data management capabilities, we will enable autonomous agents to deliver smarter, safer, and more scalable outcomes for every company, and significantly strengthen our position in the $150 billion-plus enterprise data market," Benioff added.

Salesforce noted combining Informatica’s rich data catalog, data integration, governance, quality and privacy, metadata management, and Master Data Management (MDM) services with the Salesforce platform will, "establish a unified architecture for agentic AI — enabling AI agents to operate safely, responsibly, and at scale across the modern enterprise".

"Effective, enterprise-grade AI requires more than just data — it demands data transparency, deep contextual understanding, and rigorous governance," the company added.

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The word pride has shifted over the millennia, from being first used to describe one of the seven deadly sins in Roman Catholic theology to becoming a global symbol for LGBTQ strength and empowerment.

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(Image credit: Ross D. Franklin)

Data sovereignty has rapidly become a critical consideration for organizations evaluating and selecting data center solutions.

At its core, data sovereignty is the principle that data is subject to the laws and governance structures of the country in which it is physically stored or collected. This principle is embedded deeply into two foundational legislative instruments: the Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA 2018) and the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR).

While organizations have always been concerned about the safety and security of their information, the concept of sovereignty introduces an added layer of complexity. It is not just about protecting data from breaches, but also about always ensuring the correct jurisdictional authority over it.

Mandatory standards

Both the DPA 2018 and the UK GDPR establish mandatory standards for how personal data must be handled, but they go beyond that. These laws define the standard of sovereignty and shape the processes surrounding the collection, storage, access, and processing of personal data. Consequently, the selection of a data center provider is no longer just a matter of performance metrics or operational efficiency.

Instead, it’s a decision heavily influenced by regulatory compliance and the ability of the provider to support the broader digital transformation goals of a business. Choosing the wrong partner could mean costly delays in projects, added legal scrutiny, and potential breaches of customer trust, making the decision-making process far more strategic than it has been in the past.

This consideration becomes especially important when organizations seek to harness the potential of emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). These technologies are data-intensive and require vast amounts of computing power. They demand a digital infrastructure that can handle complex processing workloads in real time. UK-based high-performance data centers are emerging as essential to this transformation.

These facilities offer powerful computing capabilities combined with localized data handling, resulting in significantly reduced latency and faster processing speeds. For AI and ML, where split-second decision-making and continuous data training are essential, any delay or disruption can severely impact the effectiveness of models and applications.

Being able to process information securely and locally gives businesses a critical edge in fields that are becoming increasingly competitive and innovation-driven. By ensuring that data remains close to its point of origin, these centers support more agile, secure, and compliant technological innovation.

Cloud platforms

In parallel with this trend, UK-based private cloud computing platforms are gaining traction as a strategic enabler for organizations looking to maintain data sovereignty while remaining agile in a competitive digital environment. These platforms are built on networks of data centers that are not only physically located within the UK but also owned and operated by domestic entities.

This domestic control provides peace of mind, particularly when combined with access to secure partner ecosystems and direct, high-speed interconnections to public cloud providers. For organizations, this translates into more control, better predictability around data transfer costs, and simpler compliance with increasingly complex data protection regulations.

It also eliminates the uncertainties associated with cross-border legal disputes, particularly in a climate where international data transfer rules are under constant review and renegotiation. Businesses no longer must wonder whether a change in global politics will suddenly make their infrastructure non-compliant or expose them to new liabilities.

Put simply, the ‘stick’ element of data sovereignty lies in the serious consequences for non-compliance. The UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has made it clear that failing to properly manage the transfer of personal data, particularly to jurisdictions outside the UK that do not have adequate data protection frameworks, can result in heavy penalties. These fines can reach up to £17.5 million or 4% of a company’s global annual turnover, whichever is greater.

These are not hypothetical threats; they are actively enforced, and they highlight the very real financial and reputational risks associated with poor data governance. The reputational damage alone can be devastating, especially in sectors where customer trust is fundamental. Companies that suffer breaches or compliance failures often see long-term declines in customer confidence, partner relationships, and market value, compounding the original financial penalties.

Data in transit

What many businesses may not fully realize is that these risks don’t just apply to where data is stored, but also to how it moves. Data in transit, when data migration between servers, centers, or even across international boundaries, falls under the same stringent scrutiny. And with the UK’s upcoming Data Protection Bill set to introduce even tighter restrictions on data flows and increased responsibilities for data controllers and processors, the pressure to adopt robust sovereignty practices is only going to intensify.

This means that simply having strong cybersecurity policies is no longer enough. Organizations must now monitor and manage the full lifecycle of their data with far greater precision, including every transfer, replication, and access point.

However, the ‘carrot’ on offer is equally compelling and far more constructive. Organizations that invest in sovereignty-conscious infrastructure and best practices aren’t just ticking a compliance box, they are unlocking the ability to innovate more quickly and confidently. Keeping data processing geographically close to its source not only meets regulatory requirements, but it also reduces the reliance on distant infrastructure that may be slower or less secure.

The result is improved performance, lower latency, reduced operational risk, and stronger overall resilience. These gains can be transformational for businesses, particularly those operating in sectors where agility, speed, and security are essential to competitiveness.

Additional assurance

In addition to these benefits, privacy-preserving computing (PPC) models are providing organizations with additional assurance. These models ensure that data remains within UK borders and is handled in environments specifically designed for high security, maximum uptime, and seamless interconnectivity.

The IT infrastructure behind these models is increasingly being viewed not just as a support system, but as a vital part of a company’s core value proposition. In sectors like finance, retail, and public services, where milliseconds can matter, localized and resilient infrastructure is no longer a luxury but a necessity for delivering outstanding user experiences and meeting rising customer expectations.

In this evolving landscape, data sovereignty is no longer just a compliance requirement or a legal consideration. It is becoming a strategic differentiator, an asset that enables businesses to manage risk more effectively, embrace innovation with confidence, and build a more robust, future-ready digital foundation.

As such, those making data center purchasing decisions must consider sovereignty not merely as a legal obligation, but as a pathway to enhanced performance, better control, and sustained competitive advantage.

We've compiled a list of the best data recovery 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

• Opera Neon is a new fully agentic browser capable of performing tasks
• The new premium browser is subscription-only and coming soon
• You can join the waitlist today

Opera Neon is a new premium subscription web browser that can understand your commands in natural language thanks to AI while also performing a variety of tasks for you.

For instance you could ask Opera Neon to produce a detailed report, make a website or even code projects like games, all in the browser.

“We’re at a point where AI can fundamentally change the way we use the internet and perform all sorts of tasks in the browser. Opera Neon brings this to our users’ fingertips,” said Henrik Lexow, Senior AI Product Director at Opera.

“We see it as a collaborative platform to shape the next chapter of agentic browsing together with our community.”

Opera Neon keeps its complexity hidden by offering you a simple choice between Chat, Do and Make. (Image credit: Opera)Fully agentic on the web

Of course, you can currently chat with AI in the standard Opera browser, which has access to Aria AI and ChatGPT in the sidebar, but Opera Neon is a fully agentic browser, which means you can ask it to perform tasks for you as well as chat or search with AI.

That could include filling out a form that appears in the website you’re viewing, making a hotel reservation, or even going shopping. Best of all, it does all this locally in the browser, without risking your privacy or security.

The AI agent inside Opera Neon has previously been showcased by Opera as Browser Operator and you can give it tasks with simple prompts like “Keep me updated on the latest breakthroughs in artificial intelligence,” and it would regularly collect and summarize the most relevant articles.

So, instead of wading through an endless news feed, you’d get just what matters to you the most, neatly packaged.

You can also chat with Opera Neon as if it were an AI chatbot, just like ChatGPT, and it can also search the web for you to find answers.

(Image credit: Opera)Chat, Do and Make

Opera Neon boils its core functionality down to three main options: Chat, Do and Make.

Chat is the chatbot function. Here you can ask the AI contextual questions about the web page you are viewing and search the web.

Do is where Opera Neon can interact with the website you are viewing. We're talking about things like filling in forms, booking reservations and shopping. This is the technology we've previous known as Bowser Operator.

Make is the truly new part of Opera Neon. Here you can ask the browser to make you something, and it will interpret what you mean, then go away and do it for you. Once you've tasked it with making something you're free to go off and do something else.

Opera Neon looks like being one of the most exciting uses of AI I’ve seen in a while. The prospect of being able to ask the AI questions about the website you’re currently viewing in the browser and getting reliable answers back isn’t new, but the agentic qualities of the browser sound incredibly valuable.

Opera Neon isn’t out yet, but Opera says you can join the waitlist today. In the meantime, Opera has made this video to explain what an AI agent is:

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If you and your compliance team are jumping between separate systems just to track Slack messages, email threads, mobile chats and collaboration tools, you're not alone. The digital-first workplace has made communication faster, but supervision more fragmented, and riskier than ever.

Regulators like the SEC, FINRA, and the CFTC have made it clear that all business-related communications must be captured, supervised, and auditable, no matter the channel. Yet, many organizations struggle with siloed monitoring approaches that slow down compliance efforts and leave vulnerabilities unchecked.

The answer is a single, unified view of employee communications in one system that captures everything - what I like to call a Single Pane of Glass approach.

What is a Single Pane of Glass?

A Single Pane of Glass approach consolidates communications data from multiple channels into a single, real-time dashboard. The term doesn’t just refer to all the information being visible in one place, but also its transparency, as nothing is hidden or obscured. Instead of managing different supervision separately across email, chat, social media and mobile, compliance teams can monitor through one interface. This means a holistic view of all employee interactions, ensuring greater efficiency, clarity, and regulatory adherence.

This unified approach helps compliance teams:

1. Provide real-time monitoring across multiple channels.

2. Automatically flag noncompliant language and behavior across all sources.

3. Streamline audits and reporting for regulatory examinations.

4. Align compliance, IT, and risk teams to work together with a shared source of truth.

With a centralized system, teams can spot issues faster, reduce false positives and strengthen their response to potential violations.

It’s also important to distinguish what a true Single Pane of Glass is not, and that’s a dashboard packed with sub-modules. Everything might be technically accessible, but if you’re forced to click around to find what matters, it's missing the point. Key insights get buried, messages get missed, and the whole value of a unified view falls apart.

Why Fragmented Monitoring Falls Short

Regulators have made it clear: failing to supervise digital communications properly will lead to fines. In recent years, financial institutions have faced millions in fines due to gaps in their monitoring capabilities, particularly around unauthorized messaging apps and personal devices.

Here’s what’s at stake:

Regulatory non-compliance: Disconnected systems make it harder to capture, search, and audit all relevant communications.

Operational inefficiencies: It’s not uncommon for compliance teams to spend up to 12 hours a week navigating between different monitoring systems, as reported by Smarsh. That kind of manual effort adds up—and pulls focus away from higher-value tasks.

Exposures to fines and reputational damage: Missed violations due to fragmented oversight can lead to financial penalties and unwanted attention.

Without a unified system, firms are left reacting to issues after they occur, often under intense scrutiny.

What to Look for in an Effective Unified Supervision Platform

Not all Single Pane of Glass solutions are created equal. To be effective, a platform needs to deliver more than just aggregation. It should be purpose-built for capturing complex communications channels, flexible enough to adapt, and easy to use across teams.

Key features to prioritize:

1. Comprehensive Channel Coverage – Email, instant messaging, social media, collaboration tools (Teams, Slack, Zoom), SMS, and more.

2. Automated Surveillance – Automate keyword tracking, sentiment analysis, and anomaly detection to proactively flag risks and regulatory violations.

3. Audit & Reporting Tools – Easy access to communication history in the event of regulatory requests and internal reviews.

4. Scalability & Integration – A solution that integrates with the existing compliance infrastructure and evolves with regulatory developments.

Choosing a platform where you can leverage these capabilities can improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance risk mitigation.

How to Start Implementing a Single Pane of Glass Strategy

Transitioning to a unified supervision approach requires careful planning, but it’s worthwhile. With the right planning, this move will deliver long-term value across compliance, risk, IT and overall business performance.

Here’s how firms can get started:

Assess Current Gaps – Identify where compliance monitoring is fragmented, incomplete and where risks exist.

Define Key Compliance Goals – Ensure alignment with relevant requirements, from the SEC to FINRA, the FCA, ASIC etc, depending on your location.

Select the Right Technology Partner – Look for platforms that integrate easily, offer strong customer support, and specialize in regulated industries.

Secure Cross-Functional Buy-In – Engage IT, compliance, and risk teams to ensure a smooth rollout and long-term adoption.

Monitor & Adapt – Continuously refine supervision policies as regulations and communications trends evolve.

A successful Single Pane of Glass strategy not only enhances compliance but also improves operational efficiency and agility in an increasingly complex regulatory environment.

The Future of Communications Supervision is Unified

With regulators tightening oversight on digital communications, compliance leaders must adopt a proactive approach. Now is the time to evaluate your current compliance framework and explore unified supervision solutions. A Single Pane of Glass approach gives compliance leaders a more efficient and scalable way to manage risk.

By consolidating communications oversight, compliance leaders can focus on strategic risk management rather than reactive firefighting, future-proofing their communications compliance programs and ensuring they’re always one step ahead of evolving regulations.

We've compiled a list of the best call center 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