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• Google launches Python ADK v.1.0.0 and Java ADK v.0.1.0
• Its agent-to-agent communication protocol has also been improved
• Python SDK for A2A makes it even easier to manage inter-agent communications

Google has announced a series of updates to its AI agents in the hope that they become more streamlined as efficient colleagues, rather than tools that colleagues use.

"We envision a future where intelligent agents are not just tools, but collaborative partners in solving complex challenges, streamlining workflows, and unlocking new possibilities," Product Manager Polong Lin and Developer Advocate for Cloud AI Holt Skinner said in a blog post.

The latest updates focus on enhanced agent management and improved agent-to-agent communication – a sign of AI becoming even more autonomous.

Google wants to make AI agents more autonomous

The tech giant has enhanced its Agent Development Kit (ADK) to include a new production-ready and stable v.1.0.0 release of its Python ADK, which it says is already used by Renault Group, Box and Revionics. To coincide with this stable release, Google has also confirmed its first release of the Java ADK v0.1.0.

In terms of management, acknowledging that the Vertex AI Agent Engine already helps developers deploy, manage and scale agents in production, Google has also launched its Agent Engine UI for better agent lifecycle management.

Key features of the new Google Cloud console UI include a dashboard for managing deployed agents, metrics such as requests and CPU usage, session management and tracing, and deployment details with debugging tools.

Further improvements to the Agent2Agent (A2A) protocol have also been confirmed, including v0.2 which brings stateless interaction support for lightweight communications and standardized authentication using OpenAPI-like schema. A Python SDK for A2A has also been released to make it easier for developers to integration agent-to-agent communication within Python-based agents.

Keen to show off the power of A2A, Google boasted of support from Auth0, Box AI, Microsoft, SAP and Zoom.

"These advancements in our ADK, Agent Engine, and A2A protocol are designed to provide you with a comprehensive and flexible platform to bring your most ambitious agent-driven projects to life," Lin and Skinner commented.

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New York Times reporter Kashmir Hill explains how AI is being integrated into our lives, impacting education and daily decisions, and how this could define the future of privacy and human connection.

A federal judge in Massachusetts had earlier ordered the Department of Homeland Security to keep custody of migrants sent to South Sudan, or any third country, until he can verify they received proper due process.

(Image credit: Jorge Salvador Cabrera)

Nexar Beam2 mini Dash Cam: two-minute review

I tried the original Nexar Beam dash cam around three years ago, but I seem to recall that it did everything I wanted it to do at the time. Things have moved on since then, though, and for the Beam2 mini Nexar has tweaked the design and features in a bid to stay up there with the best dash cams.

In fact, none of the latest crop of Beam models bear much resemblance to the original incarnation. The Nexar Beam2 Mini is my pick of these products – there are also Beam2 (road only) and Beam2 road and cabin model variants, plus an optional rear view camera.

The others are chunkier, and might suit folks with space on their windshields and the willingness to spend more for a beefier array of features. The Nexar Beam2 mini is right up my street though, especially when I need to fix it to the small screen of my sports car. I’m looking for compact, which was a key part of the appeal with the first edition.

However, the Nexar Beam2 mini isn’t quite as dinky as I’d anticipated, at 6.86 x 6.49 x 3.83 inches / 17.4 x 16.5 x 9.7cm. It feels quite hefty too, weighing in at 1.74lbs / 0.8kg, but that’s no bad thing, as it helps make the package feel like a quality purchase. Perhaps some of the additional weight comes from the internal storage, as there's no microSD media card slot available on this model.

This model features a landscape-oriented body design, with a 160-degree field of view lens that can be swiveled to get the view of the road suited to any type of vehicle. It attaches to the windshield in standard fashion, using a self-adhesive pad that sticks the base of the camera unit to the glass.

(Image credit: Future)

The Nexar Beam2 mini is available with 4G LTE connectivity, which means that it can deliver ‘always on’ performance including remote video live streaming. There’s 1080p resolution and internal storage of up to 256GB, though as mentioned there's no external microSD storage. It features GPS tracking, a parking mode with real-time alerts plus 2.4/5GHz Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and comes with an ODBII pass through connector cable, rather than a 12V plug for power.

Nexar offers the Beam2 mini with three different storage options: 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB, which offer recording storage times of 30 hours, 62 hours and 130 hours respectively. The internal storage can work harmoniously with Nexar’s unlimited cloud storage option, plus there’s the option to invest in an ongoing LTE Protection Plan that boosts this model’s appeal for just $9.99 (about £8) per month.

Due to its core 'always on' functionality, the Nexar Beam2 mini is ideally suited to folks who want to be sure they can keep tabs on their vehicle from anywhere, and at any time. The Nexar app helps here, enabling you to check in on your vehicle, as long as connectivity is retained. There are quirks, though, such as the need for a permanent connection, which can present power implications and add extra hassle during setup.

Performance is solid enough, and the features and functions do what they’re supposed to do. Nexar has tried to make purchasing the Beam2 mini as easy as possible too, with an array of plans to suit all budgets. There are cheap and cheerful models out there though, that offer greater plug-and-play simplicity, which might make the Nexar Beam2 mini seem a little too quirky for some needs.

Nexar Beam2 Mini Dash Cam: price and availability

• Price starts at $149.95 / £113
• There are three storage capacity variants: 64GB, 128GB and 256GB

The Nexar Beam2 mini is available in three storage variants. The base-level edition currently costs $149.95 / £113 (down from $199.95) and features 64GB of capacity. The 128GB model is $169.95 / £128, while the range tops out in terms of storage at 256GB, which costs $199.95 / £151.

An optional LTE Protection Plan is also available, and costs $9.99 per month or $71.90 annually, which at the time of writing represents a 40% discount. The latter delivers live streaming capability, unlimited cloud storage, a 24/7 Live Parking mode, real-time GPS tracking, and real-time emergency alerts too.

Nexar Beam2 Mini Dash Cam: specsNexar Beam2 Mini Dash Cam specs

Video

Front 1080p FHD

Field of view (FOV)

135 degrees front

Storage

Internal 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, Cloud

GPS

Yes

Parking mode

Yes, with constant ODBII power cable

App support

Nexar app

Dimensions

6.86 x 6.49 x 3.83 inches / 17.4 x 16.5 x 9.7cm

Weight

1.74lbs / 0.8kg

Battery

Yes

Nexar Beam2 Mini Dash Cam: Design

• Slimline letterbox design and no screen
• ODBII connector supplied for always-on power
• Internal storage, with 64, 128 and 256GB versions

Anyone who needs something fairly compact will find the design of the Nexar Beam2 mini one of its most appealing aspects. This is a landscape-oriented box of tricks, with very little on its exterior to either fiddle with or go wrong. The design might not work for everyone, though, firstly because there’s no rear screen, so everything has to be done via the Nexar app. Second, until you have the app installed it’s quite tricky to get the angle of the lens correct.

The lens itself is housed in the front of the unit, and can be swiveled up or down, depending on the angle of the windshield in your vehicle. The power cable port is up on top of the unit though, which means it's easy to get this out of the way during installation. The dash cam can be fitted to the windshield in the usual way, either using an anti-static film sheet first and sticking the adhesive mount to that, or directly to the glass itself. There's no suction-cup arrangement though, and no removable option in the mount design either. Again, not for everyone.

(Image credit: Future)

There’s a small blue/green indicator light that flashes during setup and stays on when the camera is doing its thing. Power to the unit comes from a supplied ODBII connector setup, which is why this model is good if an ‘always on’ setup is required. However, the Nexar Beam2 Mini Dash Cam will also work if it’s plugged in via a sufficiently high-powered USB port, which widens its appeal somewhat, especially if a user doesn’t require constant surveillance. Don’t bother looking for a card slot though, because there isn’t one. My review unit came with a 64GB internal storage drive instead.

(Image credit: Future)Nexar Beam2 Mini Dash Cam: Performance

• Fiddly setup
• Decent image and audio quality

I have to admit that initial setup and installation wasn’t as seamless as I’d hoped for. Sure, the power cable procedure is simple enough, just as long as you know where your ODBII connector is under the dash – these can be quite tricky to find in some vehicles. The Beam2 mini can be powered by a cable running into the 12V socket if preferred, although this isn’t supplied with the package, which only contains a ODBII adapter. Hard-wiring it is also an option, but you’ll need to pay for this additional accessory.

The main problem I had was connecting and verifying the app. Downloading it was easy enough, but the country code listings for inputting my number weren’t listed alphabetically. I then twigged Nexars lists by country codes on the right-hand side of the menu. Even then, with my country code and phone number entered, I couldn’t get a verification text to come through. Curiously, right after I’d tried this, I also got a couple of spam calls, so I’m hoping this was coincidental rather than anything to do with the Nexar setup process.

As it turned out, and after I got in touch with Nexar directly, I was told that there is currently an issue with UK cell phone companies blocking the verification codes. This appears to be a country-specific issue, so for US users this should hopefully not be an issue. A note on the Nexar website to explain this would have stopped me wasting a lot of time though.

(Image credit: Future)

One other thing that appears to be a potential issue, especially for anyone wanting to use the Nexar Beam2 mini in the UK, is that a strong mobile signal is needed for it to function correctly. As I drove off on my first journey, while the camera was doing its initial setup procedure, I kept on getting an audible alert suggesting I find a stronger cell phone signal. However, after a reboot, things seemed to settle down somewhat and the message stopped.

(Image credit: Future)

Maybe I was just unlucky, but the various teething troubles tainted my experience of the Nexar Beam2 Dash Cam somewhat. Nevertheless, this is a very decent dash camera, with results that left a positive impression. It’s great at capturing video in a wide variety of scenarios, and the audio quality seems really good too. Things look slightly less impressive on finer details, such as license plates, but this model is affordable, so some element of compromise is inevitable.

Should you buy the Nexar Beam2 mini Dash Cam?

(Image credit: Future)Buy it if...

You want 'always on' recording
A big bonus of this model is its ability to stay on using a permanent power connection, which unlocks extra features and functions.

Remote viewing using an app is essential
This dash cam also benefits from having an app that allows connected monitoring of your vehicle, which can be useful in less secure neighborhoods.

You need a compact design
The Nexar Beam2 mini Dash Cam is smaller and more compact than the other Beam2 models, but offers much of the same functionality.

Don't buy it if...

You want simplicity and ease of use
This model purports to offer plug and play functionality, but in some cases there can be some hiccups during setup due to verification texts not coming through.

You’d like a rear screen
If a rear screen is a must then the Nexar Beam2 mini Dash Cam should be avoided as everything has to be done via the app, even when it comes to getting the lens angle right.

A removable media card is an essential
While this model does offer lots of storage, this is all done using internal memory and the cloud. There'ss no removable microSD card option across the Beam2 range.

How I tested the Nexar Beam2 Mini Dash Cam

• I installed the dash cam in one test car for an initial period of two weeks
• I used it for a wide range of journeys during the day and at night
• I connected it to my phone and downloaded recordings to assess their quality

I was sent a loan package of the Beam2 mini Dash Cam by Nexar, which also provided me with the LTE Protection Plan for good measure. The camera was installed in a car I was testing at the time, and powered using the setup described in the review above. I also installed the Nexar app on an iPhone, which required me to follow a verification process that required the phone to receive a text in order to proceed.

I then tested the Beam2 mini over several days and in a variety of driving conditions, including local roads as well as larger highways. I was able to explore its capabilities in various weather conditions, including rainy days and in low-light as well as after dark.

• First reviewed May 2025

It's an all-Premier League showdown in Bilbao.

• 'Motors' allowed threat actors to take over admin accounts
• This enabled full website takeover
• The developers released a fix

Motors, a premium theme for WordPress, was carrying a critical-severity vulnerability that allowed malicious actors to fully take over compromised websites.

The privilege escalation flaw, due to the theme improperly validating user identities before updating passwords, is now tracked as CVE-2025-4322, and has a severity score of 9.8/10 (critical).

Security researchers Wordfence, who first spotted this bug, explained how threat actors could use it to “change arbitrary user passwords, including those of administrators, and leverage that to gain access to their account."

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Obviously, having access to an admin account grants the malicious actors all kinds of privileges, including complete website takeover. All versions up to 5.6.68 are affected. The update that addresses the flaw was released on May 14, 2025. Since themes are not as simple to suspend, or swap, as plugins, users are advised to update their Motors as soon as possible.

Motors is a car dealer WordPress theme, designed for auto dealers, classified listing, auto rental, boats, repair services, and motorcycle dealers. It is developed by a company called StylemixThemes and, according to BleepingComputer, is one of the top-selling themes of its kind. On the Envato market, it is selling for $79 and has been sold more than 22,300 times.

WordPress is the world’s number one website builder platform, powering more than half of all websites on the internet. This also makes it a major target for cybercriminals but, since it’s mostly secure, hackers are looking for exploits in themes and add-ons, which are used as stepping stones for further compromise.

For example, in early March this year, news broke that malicious JavaScript code was deployed into more than 1,000 WordPress websites, following compromised extras. Users are advised to only keep the add-ons they are actually using, and to keep them updated at all times.

Via BleepingComputer

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The effort to ban the play has faced pushback from teams that regularly employ it, perhaps none more successfully than the Philadelphia Eagles.

(Image credit: Andy Lewis)

There's a new airline safety rule for everyone's favorite travel tech because of the risk of fire.

• Wednesday season 2’s latest sneak peek teases more family-based lore
• This news comes after a big casting announcement, confirming additions including Joanna Lumley and Steve Buscemi
• The series arrives on Netflix in two parts in August and September

The first season of Wednesday was a huge success for Netflix, and as it returns for a second outing, the creators have teased that we should expect a lot more Addams Family lore.

Recently, I raved about the Netflix show's confirmed all-star cast, many of whom will be joining the family. Season one put a lot of focus on Wednesday Addams' time at Nevermore Academy, and while we will be returning there, we're also going to see more of Wednesday’s family and the dynamics between its various oddball members.

This is excellent news if, like me, you’ve been dying to see more from Morticia and Gomez especially, as their relationship is one of the most iconic on-screen partnerships out there.

Take a look at Netflix's latest teaser below for a fun, behind-the-scenes look at what's coming up in Wednesday season 2.

What do we know about Wednesday season 2?

Wednesday season 2 is the highly anticipated follow-up to one of the best Netflix shows, and the second installment will be split into two parts – an approach Netflix has taken with other shows recently, including Cobra Kai season 6, which was split into three parts.

The first four episodes will be released on August 6, followed by part two on September 3, when the remaining four will premier. That means there isn't too much of a wait between each edition, thankfully, but this won’t be a series you can binge-watch in a whole weekend unless you wait patiently until September.

Plenty of familiar faces will be returning for Wednesday season 2 including Tim Burton as creator, Jenna Ortega as the titular protagonist, and Catherine Zeta-Jones as Morticia.

Big-name newcomers include Steve Buscemi as the new Nevermore Academy principal, and Joanna Lumley as Wednesday's grandmother. The cast really does look excellent this season, and we should be in for a wild ride.

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• Fujifilm X-E5 rumored to be launching in June
• News comes four years after the release of the X-E4
• X-E4 received mixed reviews for its minimalist approach

With retro looks and tactile controls, Fujifilm’s early X-E cameras gained an enthusiastic following. But when the X-E4 launched in 2021, it split opinion. Praised for its compact style, fans of the series felt that Fujifilm had stripped away too many features. Now, fresh rumors suggest its successor is set to land next month. Many will be hoping it rights those minimalist wrongs.

According to Fuji Rumors – a reliable industry source – the Fujifilm X-E5 is due to make its debut in June. While Fujifilm hasn’t officially confirmed the model’s existence, news of a summer launch doesn’t come as a huge surprise. Talk of the new model’s imminent arrival has been circulating since late last year.

The big question is what approach Fujifilm will take with the X-E5. Back in December, we touted it as one of the most exciting cameras of 2025. Since then, we’ve learnt nothing substantive about its specs. There have been no major online leaks, which is unusual for a camera that’s deep into development.

In the absence of anything concrete, we can only speculate about what the X-E5 will look like – and what we want to see from Fujifilm’s comeback camera.

What the X-E5 needs to get right

On paper, the X-E4 had the makings of a winner: it inherited the 26MP X-Trans sensor and X-Processor 4 from Fujifilm’s more expensive X-mount cameras. It also retained the compact proportions and attractive rangefinder styling of previous versions. But the physical execution proved divisive. In pursuit of minimalism, Fujifilm removed a lot of the physical controls found on the X-E3.

Gone were the rear control dial, AF lever and flash, plus a few buttons. Fujifilm ditched the grip, too. With no in-body image stabilization or weather-sealing either, many felt that the X-E4 prioritized style over substance. Critics pointed to the lack of dual SD card slots as evidence that the X-E4 wasn’t a tool for serious photographers. All of which was harder to justify with a body-only launch price of $850 / £799 / AU$1,399.

When the X-T30 II launched in November 2021, it looked like much better value. In a telling indictment of the X-E4’s shortcomings, Fujifilm stopped X-E4 production after just a couple of years. Ironically, the resulting rarity of the model actually drove its price up.

Against that background, the X-E5 has two jobs to do: win back favor among Fujifilm enthusiasts and re-establish the position of X-E series in the maker’s mirrorless line-up.

The former doesn’t have to be difficult. Looking at online comments, the formula for success needs to include the reintroduction of certain physical controls, including the rear dial and a built-in grip. Other common wishlist items are a high-res EVF, a bigger battery and a 40MP APS-C sensor. In-body image stabilization would really sweeten the deal.

That spec sheet would signal a clear shift back towards the enthusiast roots of the X-E series. In reality, it’s unlikely that we’ll see all of those features on the new camera, but it’s not a fools bet to suggest that Fujifilm will pitch the X-E5 as a proper photographer’s camera. Especially with the X-M5 now catering for videographers.

If Fujiiflm can inject the X-E5 with enough substance while keeping its analog charisma intact, it could be one of the sleeper hits of the year. Then it simply needs to make enough units to meet the inevitable demand. Rest assured, we’ll be keeping a close eye on Fujifilm announcements and rumors over the next few weeks.

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The decision reverses course on the use of consent decrees to ensure accountability of law enforcement agencies. It comes days before the anniversary of George Floyd's murder by a police officer.

(Image credit: Stephen Maturen)

Microsoft filed a brief in support of Epic Games and says Apple is in the way of it offering a full Xbox storefront on iOS.

Subscribers can access classic Activision games -- like Commando and Pitfall! -- on all four tiers.

• Lies of P is set to receive a huge free update
• It features two new difficulty modes in addition to the current standard
• Battle Memories and Death March modes will let players replay boss fights

If you thought Lies of P: Overture was the only piece of substantial content coming to one of the best soulslike games this year... well, you thought wrong. That's because Lies of P is also set to receive a free update that will be made available to all players - irrespective of whether you're buying the Overture expansion or not.

The update is bringing two new difficulty modes to the game. These are Butterfly's Guidance and Awakened Puppet, both of which provide a more story-focused, easier difficulty for those not used to the intensity of soulslikes. The default difficulty that's in the game right now is being renamed 'Legendary Stalker.'

There's no word yet on exactly what effects these difficulty modes will have on Lies of P. But it's easy to imagine reduced damage scaling for enemies and perhaps a decrease in enemy density depending on which difficulty you select.

The update is also bringing a dedicated boss rush mode to the game. Named Battle Memories, you'll be able to access this mode at the Hotel Krat Stargazer after clearing the game at least once.

Battle Memories will let you challenge previously defeated bosses from both the base game and the Overture DLC (downloadable content). Each boss has five difficulty tiers, with the harder Tiers 4 and 5 locked until you've cleared the previous ones (you'll get access to Tier 4 after beating Tier 3, for example).

Publisher Neowiz has also teased additional unlockables for those willing to brave the harder tiers: "Who knows what rewards await those who overcome these hardening challenges?"

But that's not all, as Battle Memories is being paired with another mode called Death March. This mode challenges players to defeat a minimum of three bosses consecutively with a limited pool of items and healing Pulse Cells. You're also able to set custom scenarios here, selecting the bosses you wish to face. The difficulty tiers of Battle Memories can also be applied here.

It's sounding like a very substantial update to go alongside the upcoming Overture expansion. With multiple difficulty options, boss rush modes, and the potential for unique rewards, there's really something for everyone here.

Finally, this Lies of P update will arrive the same day that the Overture DLC releases, sometime in the Summer of 2025.

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• Adobe is increasing the price of its Creative Cloud All Apps plan
• The new plan will include AI tools and credits
• The plan’s name is also changing to Creative Cloud Pro

Adobe’s Creative Cloud suite contains some fantastic apps for creatives, with Photoshop, Illustrator and more among its contents. But if you currently subscribe to Creative Cloud’s top tier, you might want to look away now, as Adobe says its price is about to jump to a pricey $770 a year.

As it is, Adobe’s All Apps plan for Creative Cloud will send you back $659.88 if you pay annually, meaning the changed pricing will cost you over $140 more than before. And that’s not the only change to the All Apps plan’s pricing – if you pay monthly, you’ll be asked for fork out $104.99 instead of the current $89.99 fee.

Corporate per-seat plans are going up to $99.99 per month (up from $89.99), while student and teacher pricing will increase from $34.99 to $39.99. And Adobe is also changing the name of the Creative Cloud All Apps plan to Creative Cloud Pro.

At a time of ongoing economic uncertainty, this will be an unwelcome change indeed for many of Adobe’s users. You’ll need to work out if the price rises are worth paying for if you should start looking for an alternative.

What else is changing?

(Image credit: Future)

In return for the increased cost, Adobe is putting a big focus on artificial intelligence (AI) tools. The company says that customers will get unlimited access to AI features like Photoshop’s Generative Fill and Generative Remove in Lightroom, as well as unlimited access to Firefly Boards, which are used for planning and brainstorming.

Elsewhere, users will be able to use the new Adobe Firefly generative AI app and integrate their own AI models into it. Adobe is offering 4,000 monthly credits for premium AI video, audio and image generation, in addition to the unlimited credits for standard tools.

If you’re not feeling enthusiastic about these new AI features – and the price tags that come with them – you don’t need to stay with Adobe. There are plenty of excellent replacements out there, from the best Photoshop alternatives to the best InDesign alternatives.

And if you do want to stick around, Adobe says the changes will come into effect on your first renewal after June 17, 2025.

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• Peter Green Chilled told its clients it suffered a ransomware attack
• It temporarily stopped delivering goods
• Markets are feeling the sting of the attack

Peter Green Chilled, a UK logistics company that distributes chilled and frozen food to UK supermarkets, suffered a ransomware attack recently that caused serious problems throughout the supply chain.

According to multiple media reports, the company mailed its customers on May 15, to notify them of the cybersecurity incident that occurred the day before. The BBC, citing the company’s managing director, Tom Binks, said the transport activities were operational, but new orders were not being processed.

No further details about the attack itself were given. Therefore, we don’t know who the attackers are, how they managed to infiltrate Peter Green Chilled’s IT infrastructure, or how much they’re demanding in ransom.

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How the attack affects supermarkets

We also don’t know if the attackers stole any sensitive files, as is usual in ransomware attacks. The company is not responding to media inquiries at the moment, it seems.

Peter Green Chilled is not the largest organization in its industry, but it still plays an important role, as it supplies major UK supermarkets, including Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Aldi. It also services Co-op and M&S, who are currently addressing cyberattacks of their own.

The attack at Peter Green Chilled sent ripples throughout the industry. Speaking at a morning radio show, the founder of The Black Farmer food brand explained how Peter Green not delivering the goods will probably cost the business around $133,000 a week. And that’s just one business, for one week’s work.

Cybercriminals love targeting critical infrastructure providers, since the pressure is enormous and forces the organizations to pay the ransom demand to keep the business going. For Jamie Moles, Senior Technical Manager at NDR provider ExtraHop, cybersecurity in retail and logistics needs to be treated with the same severity as it’s being treated in critical infrastructure.

“Cybersecurity in retail and supply chain logistics must be treated with the same severity as critical infrastructure,” he told TechRadar Pro in an emailed statement. “Protecting digital systems is no longer optional, and modernising how organisations can see into their networks will improve resilience against threats like ransomware, ensuring continuity and trust in the systems we all rely on every day."

Via The Register

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Sergey Brin, the man most responsible for Google Glass, is out of retirement and back at the company he cofounded, helping make AI happen. He's also touting a new kind of "Glass" or, more accurately, Android XR smart glasses while admitting to some big Google Glass missteps.

Brin unexpectedly took the stage at Google I/O 2025 for a sitdown with Big Technology Podcast’s Alex Kantrowitz and DeepMind's CEO Demis Hassabis on Tuesday. While the discussion mostly revolved around Gemini, Google's generative AI platform, Kantrowitz asked Brin what he learned from the Google Glass experience and how he might apply that to the modern Android XR Glasses project.

With bracing candor, Brin told Kantrowitz, "I definitely feel like I made a lot of mistakes with Google Glass, I'll be honest."

It's quite an admission from Brin, who more than a decade ago was Google Glass' biggest champion and memorably hosted a launch featuring wing-suit skydivers jumping from a plane while wearing Google Glass. It was a spectacular moment, but even there, Brin now sees a flaw and how he might avoid a similar misstep.

Talking about how much he missed that big launch moment, Brin turned his attention to the new XR glasses' own launch. "Maybe...we should probably polish the product this time, when it's ready and available, and then we'll do a really cool demo. So, that's probably a smart move."

Brin may see the blemishes and ultimate failure of Google Glass, the first wearable smart glasses that let you use gestures, head tilts, and even blinks to take a picture, but there was a moment between 2012 to 2014, when Google Glass was everywhere.

I wore my pair to a fashion show and CES, and on numerous network TV shows. Brin was spotted on the subway wearing his. They were, for a time, a cultural phenomenon, but also ridiculous, almost as quickly spawing the meme "Glassholes".

Would be cool if this guy showed up again at #GoogleIO. This is from a decade ago (at a different event) when Sergey showed me how to take a selfie with Google Glass pic.twitter.com/y0zlrMyR5cMay 14, 2024

Still, I appreciated Brin's enthusiasm, and when I ran into him more than a decade ago, while wearing Google Glass, naturally, he graciously took the time to show me how you could take a selfie with Google Glass (yes, it involved removing them from your face).

Glass suffered early on from availability and pricing issues ($1,500 / £1,000, or around AU$2,000) and Brin points to his naivete as the cause: "I just didn't know anything about consumer electronics supply chains really, and how hard it would be to build that and have it be at a reasonable price point....This time, we have great partners that are helping us build this."

The point here is that instead of Google trying to figure any of this out, it now has companies like Samsung, Gentle Monster, and Warby Parker, all experts in building consumer products, supply chains, and retail pricing, building the Android XR Glasses for them.

AI will make the clear difference

Google Glass faded into ignominy, but Brin sees Google's return to smart glasses in a fresh light, and it's mostly because of his new pet project at Google: AI and Gemini.

Aside from the form factor, which did not look like normal glasses, Google Glass might have been ahead of its time. They were "smart" without really having any true smarts of their own.

"Now, in the AI World," said Brin, "the things these glasses can do to help you out without constantly distracting you, that capability is much higher." And it potentially makes interacting with Android XR Glasses much more natural. It's also why Google and its partners are putting Gemini at the center of these Android XR wearables.

A Google presenter wearing Google Android XR Glasses at Google I/O 2025. (Image credit: Future)

Finally, Hassabis, who'd been watching the whole exchange, chimed in, "I feel like the universal assistant is the killer app for smart glasses, and I think that's what's gonna make it work."

This all makes sense; a powerful AI sitting resident on your face in a familiar form factor that asks for nothing more than voice commands to do your bidding, but can also watch and act on your behalf. That's the future of smart glasses, and one that Google Glass aspired to but never achieved.

Android XR Glasses will be Brin's second smart glasses act and, perhaps, the one he'll ultimately be best remembered for.

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• Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 officially confirmed to be coming to PS5 this summer
• The game was originally released as an Xbox Series X|S and PC exclusive
• PS5 Pro enhancements confirmed, along with other new features

Developer Ninja Theory has today, on the game's first anniversary, confirmed that Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 will be coming to PlayStation 5 "this summer".

In an official announcement in a post on the developer's website, as well as a video that you can see below, Studio Head Dom Matthews confirmed the news and will also include some "new features" that will also be coming to PC and Xbox versions of the game via an update. No firm date has been given for the release right now, however.

The post goes on to say that Ninja Theory has been "working hard to fully optimise Hellblade 2 for PS5 and PS5 Pro, to give you the very best experience we can," which I'm hoping means some excellent enhanced visuals or graphics features - especially for PS5 Pro and to make use of PSSR. However, no specifics are mentioned, and it looks like we'll have to wait to hear more.

I really enjoyed Hellblade 2 and was longing for a reason to replay it, so this is music to my ears. The game is rather bleak and almost miserable, but it's technically brilliant, has an intensely gripping story, and some of the most richly atmospheric settings and locations I've experienced that make it absolutely mesmerizing and something that has long lived in my memory since I finished it for my review.

Ninja Theory games have long been on PlayStation, and it was somewhat strange to see the studio release a game and not have it launch on PlayStation, too. This is down to the studio being acquired by Xbox Game Studios back in 2018 and thus releasing the game exclusively on PC, Xbox Series X and Series S, and Xbox Game Pass last year when it launched on May 21, 2024.

But now, Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 can join the ranks of Ninja Theory PlayStation games that include its predecessor, as well as Heavenly Sword, Enslaved: Odyssey to the West, and DmC: Devil May Cry when it arrives this summer.

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The Department of Justice has launched a probe into the city of Chicago's hiring practices in what Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson has quickly labeled the latest hostile attack on diversity by the Trump administration.

(Image credit: Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is taking its place as an active force reshaping industries, driving scientific discovery, and addressing some of humanity’s most urgent problems. While much of the conversation in recent years has revolved around AI’s potential, 2025 has already seen the conversation shift from promise to impact. This is being fueled by the fact that the need for scalable, intelligent solutions has never been greater - as the world grapples with climate risks, healthcare pressures, food security concerns, and widening social disparities.

What sets AI apart is its ability to process vast amounts of data, identify patterns, and optimize decision-making in ways that were previously unimaginable. Over the past year, AI-driven advancements have made significant strides across sectors, from improving extreme weather forecasting to enabling earlier and more affordable cancer detection. The focus now is on refining these innovations, ensuring they are not just flash-in-a-pan breakthroughs but lasting solutions that contribute to a more sustainable and equitable world.

Unlocking smarter, more resilient and fruitful agriculture

Food security remains a critical challenge, and AI is helping to shape the future of sustainable farming. In collaboration with leading research institutions, AI is being used to analyze complex genetic and environmental data to optimize crop breeding, ensuring that agricultural practices can keep pace with global demand and climate pressures.

One such initiative, involving parties including Zhejiang University and the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), has pioneered research that leverages AI to accelerate crop improvement. By analysing high-quality methylomes, transcriptomes, and genomes from crop fibres, the study uncovered over 287 million single methylation polymorphisms (SMPs), the largest dataset of its kind. Researchers also identified 43 genes linked to fiber development, offering invaluable resources for future breeding initiatives.

By enhancing breeding strategies with AI, farmers gain the tools to improve yield quality and sustainability, ensuring a more secure and efficient food supply for the future.

Strengthening weather predictions and energy management

Climate volatility is an increasing threat, with extreme weather events, from devastating floods to wildfires, becoming more frequent and unpredictable. For instance, in March 2025, Tropical Cyclone Alfred approached Australia's southeast coast, prompting authorities to issue warnings for destructive winds, severe flooding, and significant storm surges in areas including Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

Similarly, in late January 2025, Storm Éowyn struck the United Kingdom and Ireland, leading to widespread power outages and infrastructure damage. To mitigate risks and enhance preparedness, advanced AI-driven weather models are helping to improve forecasting accuracy.

Innovations like next-generation AI-powered forecasting systems that deliver highly detailed, kilometer-scale updates every hour, are already available. The level of precision they offer enables industries to anticipate weather conditions up to 10 days in advance, which is critical for sectors like renewable energy, where supply fluctuations directly impact grid stability. Additionally, with smarter forecasting tools, businesses and governments can improve disaster response, get to people quicker, optimize energy production, and reduce environmental impact.

Transforming cancer detection and diagnosis

Early diagnosis is key to improving survival rates, yet in many cases, cancer detection remains expensive, slow, and inaccessible to large populations. AI-driven medical technologies are changing that.

One AI tool that’s significantly enhancing the early detection of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) - one of the deadliest forms of cancer – is already in use. By analyzing medical imaging data with a higher degree of accuracy than human radiologists, it has been shown to increase detection rates by over 34%. Initially deployed in hospitals in China, the technology is now being expanded to screen for other types of cancer, reducing diagnostic costs and allowing more patients to receive timely treatment.

Personalized learning for children with autism

Beyond scientific and environmental advancements, AI is also fostering inclusivity in education. One of the more creative applications of AI is the development of personalized picture books for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

By leveraging the capabilities of large language models, an AI-driven tool transforms simple story summaries into engaging, multimedia-rich picture books. Featuring vivid illustrations, audio narration, and adaptive text, these books provide a tailored learning experience for children who struggle with traditional educational materials. Since its launch, the tool has been used nearly 200,000 times, offering families and educators a new way to support children with ASD.

Advancing RNA virus research for better public health

The ability to detect and track viruses is a cornerstone of modern public health, and AI is proving to be a game-changer in this field. One deep-learning AI system has been instrumental in uncovering over 160,000 potential RNA virus species, the most extensive dataset ever published.

RNA viruses, responsible for numerous infectious diseases, pose a significant challenge due to their rapid mutation rates and ability to jump between species. Traditional virus discovery methods are often slow and resource-intensive, limiting scientists’ ability to pre-empt emerging threats. Deep-learning AI systems change the game by analyzing protein sequences and structural features, allowing researchers to identify previously unknown viral species faster and more accurately.

Their AI-driven analysis also uncovered 180 RNA virus supergroups, providing deeper insights into viral evolution and transmission patterns. This research strengthens global disease surveillance and equips scientists with a powerful tool for early outbreak detection and pandemic preparedness. By improving our understanding of viral diversity, deep-learning AI systems help public health authorities anticipate risks, refine diagnostic methods, and develop more effective treatments.

The next phase: scaling AI for impact

As regulatory frameworks evolve to ensure ethical AI deployment, we are moving past the hype and into an era where AI matures into an indispensable tool across industries. Beyond healthcare, climate science, or education, AI’s capacity to analyze, predict, and optimize is helping to shape a more technologically advanced, sustainable and inclusive future.

The real measure of AI’s success will not be in its capabilities alone, but in the positive, lasting change it creates. As organizations, researchers, and policymakers collaborate to expand its applications, AI is set to become a critical ally in tackling social challenges and building a better world.

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