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Canon EOS R50 V: two-minute review

The Canon EOS R50 V is the company’s latest mirrorless camera. Put simply, it’s an affordable video-centric model aimed at content creators and vloggers, offering 4K video recording at up to 30fps, four-channel 24-bit audio from its built-in microphone and decent wired and wireless connectivity.

I’ve reviewed a lot of vlogger-focussed cameras recently, including Canon’s own PowerShot V1, a fixed-lens compact that launched alongside the EOS R50 V and costs a similar amount, so I was interested to see how this interchangeable lens camera performed in comparison. In some ways, the PowerShot V1 has more appeal: it’s more compact and its lens is faster and wider than the 14-30mm kit lens that can be purchased bundled with the EOS R50 V. It comes with a built-in ND filter too.

What the R50 V has on its side is future versatility, thanks to an RF lens mount. With the ability to use other lenses in the RF system, upgrading image quality or gaining a new field of view is easily achievable here. With the PowerShot V1, you’ve only got that one lens.

The EOS R50 V’s 24.2MP APS-C sensor is also physically bigger than the 1.4-inch sensor on the PowerShot V1. Not by much, mind you – and image quality isn’t too different on the two cameras.

The EOS R50 V can capture video at 4K at up to 30fps, or a cropped 4K at up to 60fps. The latter isn’t really ideal for vlogging, as it greatly reduces the field of view and I found it difficult to get myself comfortably in frame while holding the camera. The uncropped 4K delivers a much more expansive field of view, albeit at the expense of frame rate – but I don’t think many will require 60fps for vlogging. The other resolution on offer is 1080p, which can capture at up to 120fps – ideal for slow-motion playback.

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

Videos and JPEGs look great straight out of the camera, as I’ve come to expect from the best Canon cameras and their color science. For those who want to edit or grade in post, however, RAW photos and a flat C Log color profile are also available.

There’s a lot to like about the EOS R50 V’s all-round performance. Its autofocus system is fast and accurate, and able to recognize and track human, animal and vehicle subjects. Its optical image stabilization is decent (if unremarkable, thanks to no in-body IS) and its on-board microphones perform well indoors in quiet conditions. Testing outside on a blustery day, I found the wind reduction mode to be almost completely ineffective, so a decent external mic is required; the PowerShot V1 includes a fluffy windshield that works quite well, and it’s odd Canon didn’t supply one here.

Connectivity is what you’d expect from a video-centric camera, while the LP-E17 battery supplies around 480 photos according to Canon. I did find it drains quite quickly while shooting 4K video, as you might expect – but thankfully the USB-C port can be used for on-the-go recharging or even constant power supply.

I’m quite impressed with the EOS R50 V. There’s nothing particularly fancy about it, and in many ways its sister camera the PowerShot V1 is a much more interesting device – being more of an all-in-one vlogging machine. But the R50 V’s lens mount means it might be a better choice for vloggers who plan on gradually upgrading their setup over the years.

The EOS R50 V (left) alongside the EOS R50 (right). They share much of the same tech, but the R50 V id designed more specifically for video. (Image credit: Tim Coleman) Canon EOS R50 V: Price and availability

• $649 / £729 / AU$1,169 body only
• $849 / £959 / AU$1,499 with Canon 14-30mm lens

The EOS R50 V is available to order, priced at around $649 / £729 / AU$1,169 body only or $849 / £959 / AU$1,499 in a kit with Canon’s new 14-30mm f4-6.3 IS STM PZ power zoom lens.

That strikes me as a competitive and affordable price, particularly with the lens – and especially for US-based consumers. I think the kit is the one to go for, unless you already own a few RF lenses, of course – but do bear in mind that you may need to buy an external microphone too.

• Price score: 4/5

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen) Canon EOS R50 V: specs Quick Specs

Camera type:

Mirrorless

Lens mount:

Canon RF

Sensor:

APS-C, 24.2MP

Video:

4K 30fps / Cropped 4K 60fps / 4:2:2 10-bit

Battery (CIPA rating):

480 shots (LCD)

Dimensions:

119.3 x 73.7 x 45.2 (body only)

Weight:

370g (body only)

Canon EOS R50 V: Design and handling

• 3-inch, 1.04m-dot vari-angle LCD touchscreen
• Front tally lamp and record button
• Camera weighs just 370g without a lens

The EOS R50 V is a small and mostly plastic-bodied camera designed primarily for video. There’s no built-in flash and no viewfinder like you get with the EOS R50, which photographers might miss. For video users, the vari-angle screen handles composition more than adequately and the 21-pin multi-function hot shoe and extra, side-mounted tripod thread are very useful additions.

The side mounting point is ideal for recording 9:16 portrait ratio videos. (Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

I found the control layout to be user-friendly, particularly the second video recording button on the front. There’s also a front-facing tally lamp, to let you know when you’re recording video. On the back and up top you’ll find the usual well-labelled dials and buttons, and with the help of the touchscreen I never struggled to change a setting or switch between shooting modes.

The camera isn’t weatherproofed, and the plastic body feels lightweight. In fact, at just 370g without a lens, it’s one of the lightest mirrorless cameras I’ve used in a long time. Adding the 14-30mm kit lens doesn’t tip the scales by much either: it’s just 181g, keeping the complete weight for camera and lens well under 600g.

• Design score: 4/5

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen) Canon EOS R50 V: Performance and features

• No in-body image stabilization
• 12fps continuous shooting with mechanical shutter
• 24-bit or 16-bit stereo audio via internal mic

Image stabilization is very important for a vlogging camera, but with no in-body stabilization here, it all has to come from the lens. The kit lens, for example, comes with optical stabilization and I think that’s just about enough for vloggers who want to walk around with the camera. You can see some real-world examples of the stabilization in action in my sample video in the next section of this review. Just be aware that you won’t get assistance if you fit a non-stabilized lens.

The Dual Pixel CMOS AF II autofocus system is excellent: fast, accurate and able to recognize and track humans (eyes, face, head or body), animals (dogs, cats, birds and horses) or vehicles (cars, motorcycles, trains and aircraft). I encountered no problems with it at all during my time using the camera, during which I was mostly filming myself in a mock vlog style. It kept me in focus no matter how I moved around the frame.

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

Despite the EOS R50 V’s video-first design, it does have a mechanical shutter. It’s a pretty adept stills camera, actually, thanks both to the aforementioned autofocus setup and its ability to shoot at a respectable continuous speed of 12fps (with mechanical shutter) and 15fps (with electronic shutter).

Connectivity-wise, I wasn’t disappointed. There are dedicated 3.5mm jacks for a mic and headphones, a micro HDMI output (while I’d prefer full-size, the compact body always made this unlikely) and a USB-C 3.2 port that works for data transfer, battery charging and power supply. It’ll also support live streaming when connected to a computer and allows users to set up the EOS R50 V as a webcam. There’s Wi-Fi and Bluetooth too, supporting wireless image transfer, printing and upload to Canon’s cloud services.

The built-in microphone can record in four-channel 24-bit or two-channel 16-bit modes, and comes with a wind noise reduction mode that is supposed to kick in automatically if needed. I tested in indoors and found it excellent quality, but outside on a windy day the noise reduction feature was next to useless. I’d have liked at least a furry windshield included to help mitigate interference, but I think vloggers using the EOS R50 V outside in anything but the calmest of conditions will need an external microphone of some kind.

• Performance and features: 4.5/5

The 14-30mm kit lens is compact, but its maximum f/4 aperture is quite limiting especially in low light. (Image credit: Tim Coleman) Canon EOS R50 V: Image and video quality

• APS-C sensor delivers 4K video and 24.2MP photos
• Full HD slow-motion capture at 100fps or 120fps
• Canon Log 3 color mode supported

Canon’s much lauded color science makes the EOS R50 V almost too easy to use. Whatever you point it at, it’ll produce great-looking JPEGs and videos right out of the camera, with no need for intervention on your part. I’ve made some very minor tweaks to the photos you see below in Adobe Lightroom to draw a bit more detail out of shadows, but overall I could have left them be and been more than happy to use them.

The kit lens is pretty poor in terms of brightness, having only a maximum f/4 aperture. Coupled with the smallish APS-C sensor, it makes this camera quite unsuited to low light photography out of the box. Slap a faster lens on here and you might get good results, however.

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For the 4K sample video (I apologize for the lack of camera audio on the outdoor shots – but the wind noise was just too intrusive to keep it in), I made no adjustments at all. All these clips are presented here exactly how they came out of the camera.

I recorded these at 4K 24fps quality, to make the most of the full sensor size. You can also capture cropped 4K video at up to 60fps, but for vlogging I felt that crop was a bridge too far, reducing the frame too much to comfortably get my head in. It’d be fine for capturing b-roll, however. I’ve not included any here, but the camera can also shoot in Full HD, and in up to 120fps for some smooth slow-motion playback if desired.

The EOS R50 V shoots RAW photos and can capture video in Canon’s flat C Log 3 color profile, should you want to perform more editing and grading yourself. So, there’s plenty of support here for imaging enthusiasts who want to achieve their own look.

• Image quality score: 4/5

Canon EOS R50 V: testing scorecard Canon EOS R50 V

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Price

Decent price, especially in the US.

4/5

Design

Compact and video focused by design.

4/5

Performance and features

Shame not to have in-body IS, but that's understandable given the price.

4/5

Image and video quality

Canon knows how to do gorgeous colors, but the EOS R50V's kit lens is so-so.

4.5/5

Should I buy the Canon EOS R50 V? Buy it if...

You want an expandable cheap video camera
The RF mount and connectivity make the R50 V a great starting point for a content creator. You can always add more lenses to widen your creative capabilities as you gain popularity.

You love Canon’s color science
It’s hard to fault the look of the images and videos that come straight out of the R50 V. Canon knows how to produce punchy, pleasing pictures with minimal user effort.

Don't buy it if...

You want an all-in-one vlogging camera
You’ll still need a decent external mic if you plan on vlogging outdoors with the R50 V, as wind noise is an issue.

You’re a stills photographer first
With no flash and no viewfinder, photographers get a bit of a raw deal here. That’s fine – it’s a video camera first – but it’s something to be aware of.

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen) Canon EOS R50 V: Also consider Canon PowerShot V1

With similar performance and color science, plus a superb, bright built-in lens, this sister camera to the EOS R50 V makes for a great one-stop-shop video compact camera. True, you can’t upgrade the lens, but it’s a great pick if you want a single small camera to handle all your video needs.

Read our in-depth Canon PowerShot V1 review

DJI Osmo Pocket 3

With its 1-inch sensor, a gimbal-stablized 4K camera, a pocketable and compact stick-like form factor, the Pocket 3 is brilliant focused vlog camera. It’s cheap too. While the R50 V has the bigger sensor and interchangeable lenses, if you’re looking for a great affordable vlogging option, don’t discount this.

Read our in-depth DJI Osmo Pocket 3 review

How I tested the Canon EOS R50 V

• Tested a full production model for three days
• Shot clips handheld and on vlogging handle
• Used a range of video resolutions and frame rates

Owing to a short loan time, I didn't have as long as I would have liked to review the EOS R50 V – just a few days. Even so, I was able to get outside multiple times to test its photo and video capabilities in real-world conditions, which I did in generally favorable weather conditions (wind aside). I mounted the camera on a Joby GorillaPod for vlogging purposes.

• First reviewed May 2025

JVC DLA-NZ700 projector: two-minute review

The JVC DLA-NZ700 is a new mid-range projector from the brand, combining its existing BLU-Escent laser light source and redesigned D-ILA 4K chipset into a more compact and lighter body.

The result with the JVC DLA-NZ700 is a highly capable beamer that builds on JVC’s success with the previously released DLA-NZ800 and DLA-NZ900, while allowing its lineup to more effectively compete with the best projectors in terms of price.

The new lens may combine plastic with glass, but it still delivers a crisply detailed image, and the picture accuracy is superb with both SDR and HDR. The latter really impresses thanks to JVC's proprietary dynamic tone mapping, along with support for HDR10, HLG and HDR10+. The laser power setting also offers more precise control for dialling in brighter HDR without fan noise.

What is most remarkable about the NZ700 is that, despite its lower price, it delivers a brightness and contrast performance that matches the earlier, and more expensive, NZ8. It even includes a colour filter to cover the DCI-P3 colour space, along with the Deep Black function and Balanced dynamic laser mode. There’s also an effective remote, redesigned menus, and flexible installation.

Of course, JVC has dropped some features to shave off costs, although most probably won’t miss the lack of 8K or 3D support. On the other hand gamers will bemoan the lack of 4K 120Hz, along with a rather high input lag. Otherwise, this affordable and feature-packed native 4K HDR projector will give any other high-end beamer a run for its money.

JVC DLA-NZ700 projector review: price and release date

A new optical unit and 80mm hybrid lens in the NZ700 contribute to its compact size (Image credit: Future)

• Price: £9,499 / $8,999 / AU$14,999
• Release date: May 2024
  

The JVC DLA-NZ700 (DLA-RS2200) is the mid-range model in the brand’s revised line-up of 4K laser-powered projectors. It’s available now and retails for £9,499 / $8,999. The NZ700 replaces the outgoing DLA-NZ7 (DLA-RS2100), and sits between the equally new DLA-NZ500 (DLA-RS1200) at £6,499 / $5,999, and the higher range DLA-NZ800 (DLA-RS3200), which costs £15,999 / $15,999.

JVC DLA-NZ700 projector review: Specs

Screen sizes supported:

30-150 inches

Brightness (specified):

2,300 lumens

HDR support:

HDR10+, HDR10, HLG

Display technology:

Laser, D-ILA

Resolution:

Native 4K (4,096 x 2,160)

Connections:

2x HDMI 2.0

Dimensions:

450 x 180 x 479mm (18 x 7 x 19 inches)

Weight:

15.2kg (33.5lb)

JVC DLA-NZ700 projector review: design and features

The NZ700 uses the same third-generation D-ILA 4K chipset found in JVC's step-up NZ800 and NZ900 projectors (Image credit: Future)

• World's smallest native 4K projector
• New 80mm hybrid lens
• Gen2 Frame Adapt HDR

The JVC DLA-NZ700 sports a completely new design inside and out, resulting in a more compact chassis that, along with the NZ500, makes it the world’s smallest native 4K projector. The NZ700 is noticeably smaller and lighter than its predecessor, especially when they’re placed side by side.

The NZ700’s size and weight have been reduced by utilising a new optical unit and 80mm hybrid lens. However, the build quality remains excellent, and the NZ700 is still finished in matte black, making it ideal for dedicated home theatre installations. It measures 450 x 180 x 479mm (18 x 7 x 19 inches) and weighs in at 15.2kg (33.5lb).

At the rear are a pair of HDMI 2.0 inputs that support bandwidths up to 32Gbps and are limited to 4K 60Hz (which isn’t great news for console or PC gamers). The HDMI ports can also handle HDCP 2.3, and high dynamic range – specifically HDR10, hybrid log-gamma (HLG), and HDR10+.

The provided remote is the same slightly tweaked version included with the NZ800 and NZ900, with its more luminescent light button, and small bumps on the on/off and enter buttons – all of which make this well-designed controller very easy to use in a fully blacked-out home cinema.

The JVC DLA-NZ700 incorporates the same third-generation D-ILA 4K chipset introduced on the NZ800 and NZ900. The new design is more efficient, allowing for brighter images, deeper blacks, and improved uniformity. As a result, despite using the same laser light source as earlier models, the NZ700 has a claimed peak brightness of 2,300 lumens and a native contrast ratio of 80,000:1.

In addition to the improved black levels offered by the upgraded D-ILA chipset, the NZ700 has the new Deep Black function with its revised algorithm to further enhance contrast without crushing shadows. In addition, the dynamic laser control includes the new Balanced setting for pictures that appear punchier without introducing the brightness fluctuations seen on earlier models.

The NZ700 has the improved sliding scale control in the laser power sub-menu, allowing for more granular adjustments as you gradually boost brightness without a sudden increase in fan noise, thus enabling the creation of more useful settings for HDR. There’s also the new “Vivid” mode that JVC added previously for watching SDR sports or gaming in a room with some ambient light.

The NZ700 retains the BLU-Escent laser diode light source with its claimed minimum 20,000-hour lifespan and greater consistency. Other features include motorised focus, zoom and shift controls, which makes installation easier, plus there are lens memories for different aspect ratios on a 2.35:1 screen. There’s also a Filmmaker Mode, along with ISF-certified calibration controls.

JVC’s tone mapping remains state-of-the-art, with the latest proprietary Gen3 Frame Adapt HDR dynamically analysing HDR10 content on a frame-by-frame basis to optimise the image, while 18-bit gamma processing results in smoother and finer gradations. However, JVC has dropped the Theatre Optimiser, which enhances tone mapping based on your screen’s size, shape and gain.

In addition to the existing analysis of an incoming HDR signal, the NZ700 now reads the Display Mastering Luminance (DML) metadata that tells the tone mapping the peak brightness of the display on which the content was originally mastered. This is useful because the more metadata the tone mapping has to work with, the better the results in terms of the displayed HDR images.

The NZ700 has a revised menu system compared to the NZ800 and NZ900, with a new main Setting Menu Select page. Here you choose between Picture Settings, HDMI Settings and Installation Settings. Once you’ve selected the Settings you want to adjust, you’ll find all the related sub-menus for those particular settings available, and you can move between them.

• Design and features score: 4.5/5

JVC DLA-NZ700 projector review: picture quality

Rear-panel ports include two HDMI 2.0 connections (Image credit: Future)

• Detailed and cinematic 4K delivery
• Impressive HDR tone mapping
• Wide colour gamut filter

The JVC DLA-NZ700 is nothing short of a revelation, and delivers a performance that I could immediately see was comparable to the NZ800 I reviewed previously. There are similar components, such as the D-ILA chipset and laser light source, but I hadn’t anticipated the new lens producing such a sharp image, nor did I expect the black levels to be quite so impressive.

My first impressions were confirmed during testing, with the NZ700 delivering a contrast ratio of nearly 50,000:1, which is better than the earlier and more expensive NZ8. The laser brightness approaches the claimed 2,300 lumens, although you only hit these peaks in the Vivid mode, and in the preferable Filmmaker or calibrated Natural mode, this is closer to around 1,700 lumens.

The out-of-the-box SDR accuracy is excellent with the white point close to the industry standard of D65, an even greyscale, and colours hitting their saturation targets for BT.709, but this can be improved through calibration. I was able to get reference accuracy using the built-in controls, and anyone spending nearly nine grand should really get their new NZ700 professionally calibrated.

This accuracy also extends to HDR, with the NZ700 covering 97% of DCI-P3 with its colour filter in place. What’s even better is the filter only reduces the brightness by about 15%, although if you’d rather not use the filter (and with HDR10+ you don’t have a choice), then the brightness increases, but the gamut coverage now drops to around 83% of DCI-P3 instead.

The NZ700 may be more affordable, but it still includes JVC’s class-leading HDR tone mapping with the beamer not only accurately tracking the PQ curve standard, but also using dynamic tone mapping to get the best out of content based on the available metadata and real-time analysis of the HDR signal. The ability to read the Display Mastering Luminance also helps in this regard.

The Deep Black feature remains a useful addition, bringing slightly more detail out of shadows while keeping the blacks suitably inky. The Balanced dynamic laser setting is also useful, adding greater depth at the low end while also boosting the brightness at the other end without any ‘pumping’ in the image itself. The superior tone mapping ensures the highlights are also free of clipping.

The NZ700's dynamic tone mapping feature is very adept at optimising its performance (Image credit: Future)

This NZ700 is equally impressive with motion handling, producing smooth pictures that are free of blurring and unwanted artefacts. The projector may be limited to 60Hz, but the motion with games remains excellent, although the responsiveness suffers due to the lack of a low-latency mode. As a result, this projector’s input lag measures 51ms, which is probably too high for serious gamers.

When it comes to SDR content, the NZ700 is a fantastic performer, producing detailed and natural images that enjoy added depth thanks to the impressive contrast ratios. Watching Samsara on Blu-ray reveals a remarkably detailed image, and any concerns I had about the new 80mm lens using a combination of plastic and glass were dispelled by the finely rendered images on display.

Moving on to HDR, the NZ700 continues to dazzle with a spectacular delivery that retains all the fine details in the snowy landscapes of The Revenant. The colours of The Greatest Showman burst off the screen during the musical numbers, and the rain-soaked neon-lit streets of Gotham are bathed with beautifully rendered blacks, deep shadows and nuanced colours in The Batman.

The dynamic tone mapping is very adept at optimising the performance of the NZ700, and the resulting HDR is often comparable to high-end video processors that cost more than the projector itself. When able to use the dynamic metadata of HDR10+, the results are equally impressive, and the kinetic and colourful Motorball sequences in Alita: Battle Angel are brought vividly to life.

• Picture quality score: 5/5

JVC DLA-NZ700 projector review: value

The JVC NZ700's fully backlit remote control (Image credit: Future)

• Exceptional value for money
• Has no direct competitor
• The sweet spot in JVC's projector line-up

The JVC DLA-NZ700 represents remarkable value, especially when you consider it offers much of the same image quality and feature set as the more expensive DLA-NZ800. Yes, you lose support for 8K 60Hz, 4K 120Hz and 3D, plus there’s no low latency mode, but in terms of overall picture performance there isn’t a significant difference between the two, making the NZ700 a great choice for film fans looking to save a few bucks without compromising on contrast and HDR tone mapping.

The NZ800 has a direct competitor in the form of the Sony Projector 8 (VPL-XW6100ES), which is priced at £15,999 / $15,999, while the flagship DLA-NZ900 goes up against the Sony Projector 9 (VPL-XW8100ES), which costs £25,999 / $31,999. However, the NZ700 currently has no direct competitor, and while it’s more expensive than the NZ500, Sony VPL-XW5000ES and Epson EH-QB1000, when you consider its performance and features, it may well be the sweet spot in the JVC projector line-up.

• Value score: 5/5

JVC DLA-NZ700 projector

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Design and features

Compact chassis, and backlit remote; motorised lens controls with memories, class-leading HDR tone mapping, and HDR10+ support, but no 4K 120Hz input or low-latency mode

4.5/5

Picture quality

Excellent black levels and accurate 4K images combine with a bright and cinematic delivery with SDR and HDR

5/5

Value

Remarkable value given the feature set and performance

5/5

Should I buy the JVC DLA-NZ700 projector?

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

You want detailed 4K images with that all-important film-like quality: The new 4K chipset and hybrid 80mm lens deliver crystal-clear images, with superior black levels and excellent contrast that result in wonderfully cinematic images that elude the competition.

You want class-leading HDR tone mapping: JVC’s proprietary dynamic tone mapping reads the available metadata and analyses the incoming HDR signal to produce remarkable HDR images that rival ultra-high-end video processors.

You want HDR10+ support: The inclusion of HDR10+ allows the NZ700 to take advantage of the format’s dynamic metadata, ensuring tone mapping that’s optimised for the lower brightness of a projector compared to a TV.

Don’t buy it if… 

You want support for 4K 120Hz high frame rate gaming: The NZ700 lacks HDMI 2.1 inputs, so it doesn’t accept 4K images with a frame rate higher than 60Hz, and that means those with the latest consoles or high-end PC rigs can’t game at 4K 120Hz.

You want a projector with a low input lag: There’s no low-latency mode, and as a result the input lag is 51ms. This is far too high for serious gamers, who should probably consider the cheaper Epson or Sony projectors.

You want support for 3D: JVC has dropped 3D support on both the NZ500 and NZ700, bringing them in line with Epson and Sony. Unfortunately for 3D fans, you’ll have to buy the more expensive NZ800.

Also consider... Comparison: 4K projectors

JVC DLA-NZ700

JVC DLA-NZ800

Epson Pro Cinema LS1200

Price:

£9,499 / $8,999 / AU$14,999

 $15,999 / £15,999 / AU$24,999

$4,999 (£4,399 / about AU$7,090)

Screen sizes supported:

60 to 200 inches

60 to 200 inches

50 to 130 inches

Brightness (specified):

2,300 lumens

2,700 lumens

2,700 lumens

HDR support

HDR10, HDR10+,HLG

HDR10, HDR10+,HLG

HDR10, HLG

Display technology:

Laser, D-ILA

Laser, D-ILA

Laser, 3LCD

Resolution:

Native 4K (4,096 x 2,160)

Native 4K (4,096 x 2,160)

4K (3,840 x 2,160)

Connections:

2x HDMI 2.0

2x HDMI 2.1

2xHDMI 2.1

JVC DLA-NZ800
JVC's NZ800 costs quite a bit more than the NZ700, but adds 8K, 4K 120Hz, and 3D support. For most buyers, choosing the NZ800 over the NZ700 will come down to this projector's gaming features, since it has a low-latency mode plus 4K 120Hz support for console gaming.

Here's our full JVC DLA-NZ800 review

Epson Pro Cinema LS1200
The Epson LS1200 is our pick for the best projector for most people due to its powerful contrast, HDM1 2.1 ports, and reasonable price given the performance and features it delivers. It's a great alternative option if the JVC NZ700 exceeds your budget.

Here's our full Epson Pro Cinema LS1200 review.

How I tested the JVC DLA-NZ700 projector

(Image credit: Future)

• Measured with Calman calibration software
• Evaluated using SDR and HDR content
• Reviewed in a dedicated home cinema

As with all my TV and projector reviews, I use a combination of subjective viewing and objective measurements against the industry standards. For projectors, I also do all my testing in a dedicated home cinema with a completely blacked-out environment and high-quality screen.

The subjective testing is based around watching a variety of familiar scenes, primarily sourced from 4K and 1080p Blu-rays, plus the Spears & Munsil UHD Benchmark 4K disc. Any test scenes have been specifically chosen to evaluate a display’s black levels, contrast performance, colour accuracy, upscaling, image processing, motion handling, and HDR tone mapping.

For the objective testing, I measured the NZ700’s brightness, greyscale and colour gamut in SDR, before doing the same in HDR. I also evaluated the accuracy of the HDR tone mapping, along with the colour gamut coverage for DCI-P3. To do this, I used a pattern generator and colour meter combined with Portrait Display’s Calman calibration software. I measured the NZ700’s input lag in milliseconds using a specialised Leo Bodnar tester.

First reviewed: May 2025

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Hollywood's plummeting film and TV production levels have studio executives and grassroots groups pushing for better incentives to keep business in California.

(Image credit: Eilish M. Nobes)

The drone hit a bus evacuating civilians from a front-line area in Ukraine's northeastern Sumy region Saturday, hours after Moscow and Kyiv had held their first direct peace talks in years.

(Image credit: AP)

• Netflix has announced that AI-generated mid-roll ads are coming in 2026
• YouTube this week also revealed its new Gemini-powered ad tech
• Both have also tested 'pause ads' that appear when you pause a video

It already felt like the golden age of streaming was well behind us, but Netflix and YouTube have just confirmed it with new kinds of AI-powered ads that will seriously test your patience in the near future.

Netflix was the first to talk glowingly about its ad tech this week – during its Upfront showcase, the streaming giant said it will be launching AI-generated, interactive mid-roll ads, alongside pause ads, in 2026.

What does 'AI-generated' mean? Unfortunately, it's as bad as you feared. Netflix explained during Upfront that these new types of ads will use "generative AI to instantly marry advertisers’ ads with the worlds of our shows".

In other words, mid-roll ads will soon harmoniously blend in with the show you're watching, bathing your eyeballs with subtle messaging.

Wait, these don't sound like fun follow-ups to The Four Seasons (Image credit: Netflix)

Netflix is supremely confident that its ad-supported tier subscribers will stomach these new commercials because, according to Amy Reinhard (its President of advertising), "members pay as much attention to mid-roll ads as they do to the shows and movies themselves". Perhaps subscribers hurling remotes at their TV also counts toward 'engagement'.

Unfortunately, turning up the ad dial makes sense for Netflix's bottom line – its ad-supported tier recently hit 94 million monthly users, which is more than twice the number from the same time last year. And Netflix is far from the only streaming service dabbling with the dark arts of new, AI-powered ad techniques.

The decisive moment

(Image credit: YouTube / Google)

During its Brandcast event this week (via 9to5Google), YouTube also revealed an ad technique with a different twist – one that uses Gemini to work out how to place ads in the most important parts of the video you're watching.

YouTube calls this 'Peak Points', because it uses AI to work out the most meaningful, or "peak", moments to yank you away from an important moment and dunk your head into an ad message.

In the example that YouTube shared, the ad was actually served just after the 'targeted moment' (a marriage proposal) rather than during it, but it still looks like a pretty cynical way to hit you with advertising right when your emotional guard is down.

YouTube didn't say exactly when this new 'feature' will be rolling out. But it seems likely to arrive before Netflix's interactive mid-rolls and pause ads. Talking of pause ads, that's another trick that YouTube has already tested in its bid to break your resolve and push you to YouTube Premium (or, in many cases, uBlock Origin).

Analysis: The streaming giants remove their masks

(Image credit: Netflix)

There was an age when Netflix was the scrappy, ad-free upstart that we all flocked to from cable and its endless commercials, but those days are long gone.

In fact, if you're already tiring of insidious ad creep, there were some chilling remarks from Amy Reinhard (Netflix's President of advertising) at Upfront. "If you take away anything from today, I hope it’s this: the foundation of our ads business is in place," she said during Upfront. "And going forward, the pace of progress is going to be even faster".

Pass me some smart glasses with AI-powered ad blockers, then, because this doesn't sound like a fun ride. I have no issue with ads at all – it'd be hypocritical to say otherwise, writing for a website that's partly supported by them – but making them a central part of a paid service seems a bit greedy, and I worry about the melding of AI-powered ads with entertainment.

As TechRadar contributor Carrie Marshall also recently argued, Prime Video's 'Shop the Show' feature – which lets you instantly buy products featured in its shows – represents a troubling trend that's only going to get worse as we head into 2026. Prime Video is, like Netflix, very much an ad company in disguise.

With AI unlocking new opportunities, the temptation to saturate shows with marketing opportunities is going to be stronger than ever, and we may increasingly feel like Truman Burbank in The Truman Show, wondering why we have the sudden urge to go and buy a Chef's Pal. I just hope escaping these next-gen ads doesn't exclusively become the preserve of the wealthy who can afford to shell out for 14 different ad-free monthly subscriptions.

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Pride and Prejudice TV show: key information

- Six-part series coming to Netflix
- Written by author Dolly Alderton
- Will be a "period-faithful" adaptation
- Production will commence in the UK later this year
- No official release date yet
- Three cast members announced, including Olivia Colman

A Pride and Prejudice TV show is on its way to Netflix and production is scheduled to begin in the UK later this year. Another adaptation of the iconic novel by Jane Austen is a more-than-pleasing revelation. For me, Matthew Macfadyen as Mr. Darcy was (and probably still is) my Roman Empire. And now it's time for someone new to step into the role and win over the hearts of many.

Directed by Heartstopper's Euros Lyn and written by Dolly Alderton, no doubt the romantic drama will be making a bid to become one of the best Netflix shows. But there's a lot to live up to. Fortunately, as one of the best streaming services it feels in safe hands. As we await the show's arrival, here's everything we know about the Pride and Prejudice TV show from release date, to cast, to plot and more.

Pride and Prejudice TV show: is there a release date?

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A photo posted by on

The Pride and Prejudice TV show does not have a release date yet. In fact, we imagine it won't have one for a while, given that the show was only announced on April 10.

But, it has been at least been revealed that the Pride and Prejudice TV show will start production in the UK this year (as per Tudum).

In an Instagram post, featured above, influencer Jack Ben Edwards can be seen reading a copy of the book by Jane Austen whilst on the phone reciting information about the new TV show adaptation for Netflix, which we'll jump into more below.

Pride and Prejudice TV show: has a trailer been released?

Considering the cast and crew are yet to start filming the Pride and Prejudice TV show, we don't have an official trailer to share just yet.

Pride and Prejudice TV show: confirmed cast

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A photo posted by on

While news is fairly thin on the ground for when we can expect the Pride and Prejudice TV show, what we do have is three very important casting announcements:

• Emma Corrin as Elizabeth Bennet
• Jack Lowden as Mr. Darcy
• Olivia Colman as Mrs. Bennet

Of course, the roles of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy are the most important casting choices of this entire adaptation.

And speaking to Tudum about taking on the iconic titular role, Emma Corrin said: "Playing Elizabeth Bennet is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. To be able to bring this iconic character to life, alongside Olivia and Jack, with Dolly's phenomenal scripts, is truly the greatest honor. I can't wait for a new generation to fall in love with this story all over again."

Pride and Prejudice TV show: story synopsis and rumors

A tale of romance that's stood the test of time (Image credit: Netflix)

Full spoilers for Pride and Prejudice to follow.

Pride and Prejudice was first published in 1813 and is one of the most iconic novels from author, Jane Austen. Unsurprisingly, it's had its fair share of adaptations across film, TV and theatre in the last 200 years with actors like Keira Knightley and Jennifer Ehle playing the Elizabeth Bennet's to Matthew Macfadyen and Colin Firth's Mr. Darcy.

And it's also one of the most iconic love stories in the history of fiction. So, if you don't know the plot already, then you're in for a real treat. We won't ruin it here though aside from saying that it follows the complicated and bewildering relationship between Elizabeth, the daughter of a country gentleman, and the rich and complex Mr. Darcy, a rich estate owner.

Fortunately, for fans of the timeless tale, this six-part limited series for Netflix will be a classic retelling rather than a modernisation.

Speaking to Tudum, Alderton expanded on the news that her adaptation will hew closely to the original text: "Once in a generation, a group of people get to retell this wonderful story and I feel very lucky I get to be a part of it."

Adding: "Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice is the blueprint for romantic comedy – it has been a joy to delve back into its pages to find both familiar and fresh ways of bringing this beloved book to life.

"The book is a gift to adapt – packed with drama and depth as well as comedy and charm. In it lies the opportunity to examine the complexities of love, family, friendship and society, while aspiring to Austen's delightfully observational voice."

Describe as a "period-faithful" adaptation, if like Mary Bennet you find yourself saying: "I should infinitely enjoy a book" then Netflix are set to turn your head from the pages and up to the small screen.

Will there be more seasons of Pride and Prejudice?

The Pride and Prejudice TV show is a limited series (Image credit: BBC)

The Pride and Prejudice TV show has been described as a "limited series", which generally means that it will encapsulate the story into the six episodes it has been announced will be released on Netflix. As such, as can't imagine there will be more seasons of the show past this point.

For more Netflix-based coverage, read our guides on 3 Body Problem season 2, Stranger Things season 5, Arcane season 2, and One Piece season 2.

Google I/O is starting next week to usher in a new era of Android (get ready for some major AI, XR, and Android 16 news), but before then, we still have plenty of tech news stories to cover from the past seven days.

Samsung launched an ultra-thin phone, DJI gave us a best-in-class drone, and the boombox returned. To catch up on all that and more, scroll down to see the week's seven biggest tech stories.

Once you're all caught up, be sure to check out our picks for the seven new movies and TV shows to watch this weekend (May 16).

We touched the Galaxy’s Edge

After months of teasers, we finally went hands-on with the Galaxy S25 Edge, and as our hands-on review calls it, the Samsung phone for people who love to hate Samsung phones.

As US mobile editor Philip Berne wrote, “The Galaxy S25 Edge is the solution to a very simple formula. Take a Galaxy S25 Plus. Shave 1.5mm off the thickness by removing the zoom camera and shrinking the battery. Add a 200MP camera sensor. Wrap it in titanium. Voila: Galaxy S25 Edge!”

The thinness and lightness are something you have to experience for yourself. The design has already won over several of our writers and our social media editor, who believes it not only looks fantastic but feels great in your hand.

• Read more: I'll say it: the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge is the best-looking phone of the year so far

The DJI Mavic 4 Pro took flight

(Image credit: DJI)

We’ve tested the latest DJI drone, and it has certainly impressed with fantastic flight performance, speed, and power, making it hands-down the best Mavic drone to date.

That’s why our DJI Mavic 4 Pro review awarded it a full 5 stars.

The camera can be tilted in almost any direction, making it super versatile, it boasts a fantastic triple lens setup, and the bigger battery means you can fly it for longer between charges, meaning it offers an unparalleled degree of creative options for your next film.

It’s not just a great DJI drone, it might simply be the best drone you can buy right now.

• Read more: The DJI Mavic 4 Pro drone is something special

Garmin unveils a pair of new Forerunner watches

We were expecting one new Garmin Forerunner to drop very soon, but Garmin has gone and surprised us with two new specialist running watches. The Garmin Forerunner 570 and Garmin Forerunner 970 offer some new tools, such as a speaker and microphone (all the better to take quick calls on-wrist while working out), a new Evening Report, and Garmin's brightest AMOLED displays yet. The 970 packs extra features like a titanium bezel, some unique new metrics like Running Tolerance and an ECG function. If that's not enough, we also got a new heart rate monitor, the HRM 600, which can work with the 970 to generate those advanced running metrics.

It's all flashy, cool-looking stuff, but these devices aren't cheap: the 570 costs $549.99 / £459.99 / AU$999 while the 970 clocks in at $749.99 / £629.99 / AU$1,399. We're looking forward to testing, but our first instinct is that either would be a great performance boost for serious runners and owners of, say, the much older Forerunner 945 – however, those who own more recent Garmin watches probably won't be tempted to upgrade.

• Read more: Garmin surprise launches two new Forerunner watches

The boombox is back

Don’t call it a comeback.

The new We Are Rewind GB-001 is a bona fide cassette boombox complete with modern upgrades like Bluetooth 5.4, a 3,000mAh battery perfect for 10 hours of speaker playback, and 104W of power – more than our classic boombox ever had.

It looks like everything you could ask for, frankly, perfectly combining 2020s and 1980s tech into a package that we’re very excited to try out when we can. We know it’ll launch at the very reasonable £379 / €449 (about $505 / AU$781), but for now, there’s no confirmed release date.

• Read more: We Are Rewind's GB-001 is a real cassette boombox, but it's got Bluetooth too

Streaming had a big week

It’s been another busy week in the world of entertainment. Indeed, not only have we been treated to a new Superman trailer and the first official teaser for Marvel’s Ironheart TV show, but also a wealth of big announcements at this year’s Upfront ad-based trade show.

And when we say big, we mean it. From the news that Max will be rechristened HBO Max once more in mid-2025, and a whole host of TV show renewals by Netflix, there’s been plenty to read about over the past week.

Huge as those reveals are, though, we were most impressed with Disney’s Upfront 2025 presentation. If you missed them, you can catch up on the seven biggest Disney+ and Hulu announcements here. Believe us when we say you’ll want to do so, too!

• Read more: 7 of the biggest Disney+ and Hulu TV show announcements from Disney Upfront 2025

Google gave Android a makeover

Ahead of Google I/O next week Google hosted the Android Show, offering us a glimpse at the interface changes coming with Android 16.

We didn’t see any new devices running the software (urgh!) but the new Material 3 Expressive guidelines call for an extensive use of color, motion effects and a whole host of visual cues that feels like they’re directly targeting 18-24 year olds – read: the most stalwart iPhone fans.

In its official blog post, Google says, “It's time to move beyond 'clean' and 'boring' designs to create interfaces that connect with people on an emotional level.”

We’ll have to see how this approach plays out when Android 16 starts rolling out later this year.

• Read more: Google just showed us the new look of Android 16

Apple CarPlay Ultra finally hit the road

Apple’s next-gen CarPlay system was supposed to land back in 2024, but after an extended software pitstop, it’s finally arrived – well, if you own a new Aston Martin SUV, at least.

CarPlay Ultra is currently only available on the new Aston Martin DBX, but its debut has given us a taste of what’s coming to other cars (including those from Hyundai, Kia, and more). And that is a slick, iPhone-style software experience that takes over your car’s whole infotainment system.

As with iOS, you can tailor CarPlay’s color schemes and wallpapers, but you can also tweak the climate control, radio stations, and heated seats, all from the same place. It’s about time, but hopefully we won’t have to wait another year for it to get a wider rollout.

• Read more: Apple Carplay Ultra finally rolls out – here are 4 things you need to know about its Aston Martin debut

The storms were part of a severe weather system Friday that caused damage in Missouri, left hundreds of thousands without power in the Great Lakes region and brought a heat wave to Texas.

(Image credit: Michael Phillis)

Branch is a professional ergonomic furniture company that I have grown to appreciate over the last few years. I've reviewed a pretty wide range of the company's desks and chairs - so I was pretty excited to try out the Branch Aire.

As the name suggests, this chair is light. It has a very breathable design, with a single piece of material running from the seat to the back, creating a cohesive, all-in-one look. All around, this chair is solid. It's lightweight and a bit skimpy, but it's solid, comfortable for most, and out of all the best office chairs I've tested, it's the easiest one I have ever assembled (other than chairs that come fully assembled).

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) Branch Aire: Price and Availability

The Branch Aire is available on the Branch website right here, where it retails for just under $500 in three different colorways - Vapor (reviewed here), Graphene, and a brand new Hunter color.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) Branch Aire: Unboxing & first impressions

The Aire arrived in a compact yet well-packaged box. Each component is labelled and protected with packing material to ensure no rips or punctures in the mesh material during transit.

The chair took only about 7 minutes to assemble as I did not have to screw a backrest into a base or armrests into a base/backrest like I usually have to with the chairs that I test. All I had to do was take the base, add the wheels, add the piston, and then put the chair on top of the piston/base combo. All around, it's it's pretty simple.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

Before I saw this chair in person, I looked it up online. It appeared sleek, sharp, and futuristic. However, experiencing it in person was a completely different story. The mesh material feels both durable and comfortable.

Sitting in it for the first time confirmed my expectations; it conformed to my body so perfectly that it felt like I was sitting in a custom-molded chair. It was significantly lighter than I expected it to be, but that's not a bad thing in the slightest. I've had a lot of cumbersome chairs, so having one that is super lightweight is a nice change of pace.

Branch Aire: Design & Build Quality Specs

Dimensions: 27.4" x 24"
Height: 45.9" to 48.4"
Seat Height: Adjustable from 17.9" to 20.5"
Weight Capacity: 275 lbs
Materials: Polyester and polyelastomer mesh, plastic, and nylon frame
Warranty: 5 years

As I have said, the Branch Aire is an all-mesh chair with one cohesive section of mesh running from the shoulders down to the thigh. The entire back and seat is one piece of mesh, making it minimalist and simple while allowing maximum airflow and comfort.

The frame is sturdy, and the wheels roll nicely on my low-pill carpet, glass pad, and hardwood floor. The waterfall edge makes for a super comfortable thigh portion of the chair, allowing no circulation to cut off from my thigh, hitting a bar or something else uncomfortable.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) Branch Aire: In use

Due to the nature of my role, I have a few desk setups. I have one to test new gear, so I can always leave a primary workstation set up to be operational to get work done quickly and easily. For the last 100 days, the Branch Aire has been one of the chairs I have rotated in and out of my secondary workspace, and I have gotten a pretty good feel for it. While it's not the most ergonomic option I've had, it is comfortable even for extended work hours.

I weigh around 205 pounds and stand at 6'2". This chair feels like it was made for people up to about 6', maybe 6'1". Even though I am noticeably too tall for this chair, it's still comfortable. The armrests can raise and lower and move forward and backward while sitting in the chair. However, they cannot get closer to your body.
The chair's design does not allow adjusting seat depth or include any form of lumbar support. So, although the chair does fit snugly against the body of most users, taller or larger users might find that the fit of this particular chair is less adjustable than other chairs manufactured by Branch.

I've done full 8-10 hour days in this chair, occasionally swapping to standing at my Flexispot E7 Plus standing desk. While a part of me misses the heavier-duty chairs that feel more robust, there is something fantastic about the minimalism of this chair. I could see enjoying this chair if I had a simpler workspace, a basic desk and laptop, or even a clean, simple desk in a more visible space like a living room. Since then, this chair has looked more like a statement piece than a comfortable, ergonomic office chair.

Another situation that would be great for this chair would be a conference room or co-working space. I would probably avoid having this in a highly-traffic space like a conference room that's open to the public or has a lot of new people in and out.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Design

Beautiful and sleek

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Ease of use

Easy to use

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Practicality

Restrictive for larger users

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Price

Mid range price

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Branch Aire: Final verdict

Branch Aire Chair undoubtedly tops the list due to its innovative design and excellent breathability, collectively making it a highly worthy contender for an office chair that is both comfortable and good-looking.

However, if you're considering this chair, you'll want to note the non-adjustable seat size and the headrest height to ensure a good fit according to your needs.

I recommend this chair for anyone looking for a minimalistic chair to match a minimalistic workspace or someone looking for a modern yet comfortable chair.

For more office essentials, we've rounded up all the best standing desks.

Massachusetts Judge Shelley Joseph was accused of helping an undocumented immigrant evade authorities more than seven years ago. Her case is still unresolved.

(Image credit: Steven Senne)

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for May 17.

On Friday, Sean Combs' defense lawyers questioned Cassie Ventura about how much of the former couple's activities she willingly participated in. "I had to fight my way out," she said.

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Have you Googled something recently only to be met with a cute little diamond logo above some magically-appearing words? Google's AI Overview combines Google Gemini's language models (which generate the responses) with Retrieval-Augmented Generation, which pulls the relevant information.

In theory, it's made an incredible product, Google's search engine, even easier and faster to use.

However, because the creation of these summaries is a two-step process, issues can arise when there is a disconnect between the retrieval and the language generation.

While the retrieved information might be accurate, the AI can make erroneous leaps and draw strange conclusions when generating the summary.

(Image credit: Google)

That’s led to some famous gaffs, such as when it became the laughing stock of the internet in mid-2024 for recommending glue as a way to make sure cheese wouldn't slide off your homemade pizza. And we loved the time it described running with scissors as "a cardio exercise that can improve your heart rate and require concentration and focus".

These prompted Liz Reid, Head of Google Search, to publish an article titled About Last Week, stating these examples "highlighted some specific areas that we needed to improve". More than that, she diplomatically blamed "nonsensical queries" and "satirical content".

She was at least partly right. Some of the problematic queries were purely highlighted in the interests of making AI look stupid. As you can see below, the query “How many rocks should I eat?” wasn't a common search before the introduction of AI Overviews, and it hasn't been since.

(Image credit: Google)

However, almost a year on from the pizza-glue fiasco, people are still tricking Google's AI Overviews into fabricating information or "hallucinating" – the euphemism for AI lies.

Many misleading queries seem to be ignored as of writing, but just last month it was reported by Engadget that the AI Overviews would make up explanations for pretend idioms like "you can't marry pizza" or "never rub a basset hound's laptop".

So, AI is often wrong when you intentionally trick it. Big deal. But, now that it's being used by billions and includes crowd-sourced medical advice, what happens when a genuine question causes it to hallucinate?

While AI works wonderfully if everyone who uses it examines where it sourced its information from, many people – if not most people – aren't going to do that.

And therein lies the key problem. As a writer, Overviews are already inherently a bit annoying because I want to read human-written content. But, even putting my pro-human bias aside, AI becomes seriously problematic if it's so easily untrustworthy. And it's become arguably downright dangerous now that it's basically ubiquitous when searching, and a certain portion of users are going to take its info at face value.

I mean, years of searching has trained us all to trust the results at the top of the page.

Wait... is that's true?

(Image credit: Future)

Like many people, I can sometimes struggle with change. I didn't like it when LeBron went to the Lakers and I stuck with an MP3 player over an iPod for way too long.

However, given it's now the first thing I see on Google most of the time, Google's AI Overviews are a little harder to ignore.

I’ve tried using it like Wikipedia – potentially unreliable, but good for reminding me of forgotten info or for learning about the basics of a topic that won't cause me any agita if it's not 100% accurate.

Yet, even on seemingly simple queries it can fail spectacularly. As an example, I was watching a movie the other week and this guy really looked like Lin-Manuel Miranda (creator of the musical Hamilton), so I Googled whether he had any brothers.

The AI overview informed me that "Yes, Lin-Manuel Miranda has two younger brothers named Sebastián and Francisco."

For a few minutes I thought I was a genius at recognising people… until a little bit of further research showed that Sebastián and Francisco are actually Miranda’s two children.

Wanting to give it the benefit of the doubt, I figured that it would have no issue listing quotes from Star Wars to help me think of a headline.

Fortunately, it gave me exactly what I needed. "Hello there!" and "It's a trap!", and it even quoted "No, I am your father" as opposed to the too-commonly-repeated "Luke, I am your father".

Along with these legitimate quotes, however, it claimed Anakin had said "If I go, I go with a bang" before his transformation into Darth Vader.

I was shocked at how it could be so wrong… and then I started second-guessing myself. I gaslit myself into thinking I must be mistaken. I was so unsure that I triple checked the quote's existence and shared it with the office – where it was quickly (and correctly) dismissed as another bout of AI lunacy.

This little piece of self-doubt, about something as silly as Star Wars scared me. What if I had no knowledge about a topic I was asking about?

This study by SE Ranking actually shows Google's AI Overviews avoids (or cautiously responds to) topics of finance, politics, health and law. This means Google knows that its AI isn't up to the task of more serious queries just yet.

But what happens when Google thinks it's improved to the point that it can?

It's the tech... but also how we use it

(Image credit: Google)

If everyone using Google could be trusted to double check the AI results, or click into the source links provided by the overview, its inaccuracies wouldn't be an issue.

But, as long as there is an easier option – a more frictionless path – people tend to take it.

Despite having more information at our fingertips than at any previous time in human history, in many countries our literacy and numeracy skills are declining. Case in point, a 2022 study found that just 48.5% of Americans report having read at least one book in the previous 12 months.

It's not the technology itself that's the issue. As is eloquently argued by Associate Professor Grant Blashki, how we use the technology (and indeed, how we’re steered towards using it) is where problems arise.

For example, an observational study by researchers at Canada’s McGill University found that regular use of GPS can result in worsened spatial memory – and an inability to navigate on your own. I can't be the only one that's used Google Maps to get somewhere and had no idea how to get back.

Neuroscience has clearly demonstrated that struggling is good for the brain. Cognitive Load Theory states that your brain needs to think about things to learn. It's hard to imagine struggling too much when you search a question, read the AI summary and then call it a day.

Make the choice to think

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

I'm not committing to never using GPS again, but given Google's AI Overviews are regularly untrustworthy, I would get rid of AI Overviews if I could. However, there's unfortunately no such method for now.

Even hacks like adding a cuss word to your query no longer work. (And while using the F-word still seems to work most of the time, it also makes for weirder and more, uh, ‘adult-oriented’ search results that you're probably not looking for.)

Of course, I'll still use Google – because it's Google. It's not going to reverse its AI ambitions anytime soon, and while I could wish for it to restore the option to opt-out of AI Overviews, maybe it's better the devil you know.

Right now, the only true defence against AI misinformation is to make a concerted effort not to use it. Let it take notes of your work meetings or think up some pick-up lines, but when it comes to using it as a source of information, I’ll be scrolling past it and seeking a quality human-authored (or at least checked) article from the top results – as I’ve done for nearly my entire existence.

I mentioned previously that one day these AI tools might genuinely become a reliable source of information. They might even be smart enough to take on politics. But today isn't that day.

In fact, as reported on May 5 by the New York Times, as Google and ChatGPT's AI tools become more powerful, they're also becoming increasingly unreliable – so I'm not sure I'll ever be trusting them to summarise any political candidate's policies.

When testing the hallucination rate of these 'reasoning systems', the highest recorded hallucination rate was a whopping 79%. Amr Awadalla, the chief executive of Vectara – an AI Agent and Assistant platform for enterprises – put it bluntly: “Despite our best efforts, they will always hallucinate."

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It has been a deadly week of Israeli airstrikes in Gaza.

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Boeing agreed last year to plead guilty to defrauding regulators after the crashes of two 737 Max jets, in 2018 and 2019, that killed 346 people. But a federal judge rejected that proposed plea deal.

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Facing allegations of sexual misconduct, Karim Khan has temporarily stepped aside as a U.N. investigation enters its final stage, the International Criminal Court announced Friday.

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