Feed aggregator

Even though it has some compromises, I still love the Cherry XTRFY K5V2 keyboard.

• Proton has launched Lumo, a new AI assistant that's dedicated to your privacy
• There's a free version, and a paid-for Plus version with premium features
• You can use Lumo in a web browser or via apps on iOS and Android

Proton, the Swiss company behind apps including Proton Mail and Proton VPN, has launched its first AI product: Lumo.

Lumo is an open-source AI assistant that's designed with an emphasis on to privacy. You can use it for all the same things you would use ChatGPT for, like summarizing documents, helping with code or rewriting emails, but you'll be safe in the knowledge that everything you share with Lumo is completely confidential, and only readable on your device.

Proton guarantees that none of the information you give to Lumo will be used to train LLMs and can’t be shared with third parties.

I recently wrote about the dangers of unwittingly handing over sensitive information that's far more intimate than search or browsing history to AI companies, so Lumo's arrival is timely.

(Image credit: Proton)The dangers of Big Tech

Announcing Lumo, Andy Yen, Founder and CEO of Proton, said: “When we first launched Proton Mail a decade ago, our vision was to build a better alternative to Big Tech ecosystems for the benefit of all of society. Big Tech is using AI to supercharge the collection of sensitive user data to accelerate the world’s transition to surveillance capitalism.

"For this reason, we believe it is essential to provide an alternative that protects privacy and serves users as opposed to exploiting them. AI should not become the world’s most powerful surveillance tool, and our vision for Lumo is AI that puts people ahead of profits.”

So, if you’re looking for a European alternative to the big US and Chinese tech companies that are dominating the AI market right now, then Lumo could be a good idea.

(Image credit: Proton)

Lumo launches with key tools that we’d expect in an AI these days, including a web search, which is turned off by default for privacy but can be turned on. It has the ability to upload and analyze files, but unlike other AI assistants, no record is kept of any documents you upload.

Finally, Lumo has Proton Dive integration for adding files to chats. The files will stay end-to-end encrypted.

You can use Lumo for free, or upgrade to Lumo Plus for $12.99 a month (about £9 / AU$20). Lumo Plus gives you premium features including unlimited chats, extended chat history, unlimited chat favorites, and the ability to upload multiple and large files to Lumo.

You can sign up to Lumo now at lumo.proton.me, and there are apps for iOS and Android. Since it's only just launched we haven’t had a chance to compare Lumo to the more established chatbots like ChatGPT and Gemini yet, but you can be sure we’ll be putting it through its paces soon enough. Watch this space.

You might also like

• Spotify had to pull an AI-generated song that claimed to be from an artist who passed away 36 years ago
• This ChatGPT prompt will help you finally get started on the passion project you’ve put on hold for years
• Google should be worried – ChatGPT users now send 2.5 billion prompts a day, here’s how that compares

• A report suggests the foldable iPhone will have a 7.8-inch foldable screen and a 5.5-inch cover screen
• We've heard those sizes before, so they may well be accurate
• That though would make the foldable iPhone's screens significantly smaller than those of its main rival

There are still a lot more questions about the foldable iPhone than answers, and one of those questions is what size screens it will have. But we aren’t left wondering this due to a lack of answers – rather there have been many conflicting answers.

Now though, we’re starting to see some consensus, as a report from TrendForce (via MacRumors) claims that the foldable iPhone will have a 7.8-inch foldable display and a 5.5-inch cover screen – which are both dimensions we’ve heard before.

Ming-Chi Kuo (an analyst with a good track record for Apple information) said the same back in March, and we also heard almost identical sizes from tipster Digital Chat Station in February.

So while not all sources agree, there are now enough leaks pointing towards these sizes that they seem the most likely.

Smaller than the competition

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 has much bigger screens (Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

If these sizes are correct, then the foldable iPhone’s screen wouldn’t be especially large. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 for example has an 8.0-inch foldable screen and a 6.5-inch cover display. That means you essentially have a small tablet and a medium-sized smartphone all in one, whereas the foldable iPhone could end up with a foldable screen that’s still a fair bit smaller than a tablet’s, and a cover screen that’s quite compact.

We’d argue that might hold it back, since it probably wouldn’t fulfill either smartphone or tablet roles as well for most people, but then screen size is just one piece of the puzzle. If the remaining specs impress, the phone is suitably slim and light, and it’s not prohibitively expensive, then this could still be the device to make foldable phones mainstream.

We probably won’t find out for a while, as the foldable iPhone is unlikely to launch before late 2026 – and may arrive even later than that.

You might also like

• The foldable iPhone might be thicker than the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, but that's okay
• The iPhone 17 Air might come in these 4 colors – and there's an interesting claim about its chipset too
• The iPhone 17 Pro Max could have a much bigger battery than any previous model

Minecraft Hosting Pro is a well-established Minecraft server hosting provider with that rare thing -- a free plan to try out its services. It's one of the best Minecraft server hosting providers around with some great features and good reliability. I've taken a deeper look at what it provides and how well it works, so you know if it's the Minecraft hosting service for you.

I've looked at the price, the level of service, the features, and simply how comfortable it feels to use. In no time, you'll get an informed outlook on what to sign up for. Minecraft Hosting Pro offers servers scattered across the world so it should suit many people's needs. It has all the essentials like extensive support, DDoS protection, and much more.

What is Minecraft Hosting Pro?

Minecraft Hosting Pro is a hosting service designed specifically for Minecraft servers. It allows you to host your own Minecraft servers, providing you with the necessary infrastructure to run the game smoothly and efficiently. 

Minecraft Hosting Pro takes care of all the technical aspects of server hosting, including server setup, maintenance, and updates, so that you can focus on enjoying the game. With Minecraft Hosting Pro, you can create your own virtual worlds, invite friends to play, and customize your gaming experience to your liking. 

(Image credit: Minecraft Hosting Pro)Features

Minecraft Hosting Pro offers a wide range of features to ensure the best experience for gamers. The first of these is DDoS protection, which helps keep your server online even when it's under attack. Also, the instant setup feature ensures that your server will be up and running in a matter of seconds, although free game plans may be temporarily unavailable during peak weeks.

Minecraft Hosting Pro also boasts 24/7 ultra-low latency, which means that your server will have a 99.9% availability rate and will be monitored by server status. With free subdomains and domains available, it's easy to connect to your server without using any ports.

Another feature is the automatic backups that are available daily and manually for seven days, with the ability to create and restore your data to any backup point in your control panel. The dedicated support team is also available to answer all your requests, and you can contact them by opening a ticket via email.

Minecraft Hosting Pro also offers unmetered storage, which means that you can enjoy unrestricted access to disk space without worrying about your map or file size. The company also uses bare-metal hosting to ensure that resources are not lost and that high performance is maintained from hardware. All machines are always used under 60% charge, with enough available power for peak usage, and the company is fully transparent about its back office.

The one-click setup feature ensures that you can get direct access to all Minecraft server versions, plugins, mods, and modpacks. With web FTP and client options, file access, uploading, and editing of configuration files is fast and easy. The low latency server design, testing, and assembly using the latest AMD Ryzens CPU with high clock speed and NVMe hard drives ensure high TPS and lag-free servers. You can choose between 1 core to start your Minecraft server or up to 6 cores for highly populated or modded servers. 

(Image credit: Minecraft Hosting Pro)Server management 

Minecraft Hosting Pro offers server management to ensure that your Minecraft server runs smoothly. The company has data centers located in Europe, North America, and Australia, which ensures low latency for global locations. With an average uptime of 99.9%, you can be assured that your server will be online and accessible to players.

The company has servers located in Buffalo, New York (ny.mchost.pro), Los Angeles (la.mchost.pro), Dallas, Texas (da.mchost.pro), and Miami, Florida (ny.mchost.pro) in North America. In Europe, it has a server located in Paris, France (eu.mchost.pro), and in Australia, the company has a server located in Sydney (au.mchost.pro).

(Image credit: Minecraft Hosting Pro)Interface in-use 

The interface in use for Minecraft Hosting Pro is designed to be user-friendly and straightforward, allowing you to manage your server with ease. Upon logging into your control panel, you will be able to launch commands on your server and check the server activity in real-time through the console. The console allows you to interact directly with the server via specific commands for the version, plugins, and mods installed.

You can access the live console via the control panel and you can as well use the console with your mobile device. The control panel offers several other features, including the ability to monitor the server status, CPU, and memory usage. You can also manage, upload, and download server files through the web FTP without the need for an FTP client. The online file manager offers direct file access to edit your server settings, making it easy to customize your server.

Minecraft Hosting Pro offers a one-click installer that allows you to install multiple versions of Minecraft, including modpacks, with ease. You can also manage player whitelists, operators, and bans through the control panel, providing you with complete control over your server.

(Image credit: Minecraft Hosting Pro)Pricing  

Minecraft Hosting Pro offers a range of pricing plans to suit the needs of different users, from those looking for a basic free plan to those running large communities with extensive mods/plugins. The seven different plans provide varying levels of features, resources, and pricing, ensuring that users can find a plan that fits their specific requirements.

The free plan is a great option if you want to test the service without any charges. It comes with 1 core of the CPU Ryzen 3900X, 3072 MB RAM, unlimited SSD NVMe storage, 1 GBit/s network, and is suitable for up to 4 players. This plan is ideal for small private servers or those who want to try the service before committing to a paid plan.

The Iron plan starts at $6.75/month and is perfect for those who want a more advanced plan with additional resources. It comes with all the features in the free plan, 2 cores of the CPU Ryzen 3900X, and unlimited players. This plan is a good fit for small to medium-sized servers.

The Prime plan, which starts at $9/month, is suitable for medium-sized servers with additional resources. It includes all the features of the iron plan plus 4096 MB RAM, 3 cores of the CPU Ryzen 3900X, and unlimited players.

The Ultron plan is perfect for anyone looking for high performance and power. It starts at $13.5/month and includes all the features in the prime plan plus 6144 MB RAM, 3 cores of the CPU Ryzen 3900X, and unlimited players. This plan is suitable for larger servers with heavy usage and lots of plugins/mods.

The Lara plan is designed for medium-sized servers and starts at $18/month. It comes with all the features in the ultron plan, plus 4 cores of the CPU Ryzen 3900X, 8192 MB RAM, and unlimited players. This plan provides users with additional resources to run their server smoothly.

The Orion plan, which starts at $22/month, is suitable for large servers running vanilla PaperMC/Spigot. It includes all the features in the lara plan plus unlimited players and 14336 MB RAM. This plan is designed for heavy usage and can handle a large number of plugins/mods.

The Thanos plan is the most advanced plan and starts at $36/month. It comes with all the features in the orion plan plus 20480MB RAM, and unlimited players. This plan is recommended for larger community servers that require a lot of resources to run smoothly.

(Image credit: Minecraft Hosting Pro)Support

Minecraft Hosting Pro offers email support as the primary mode of communication with its support team. However, the lack of a live chat or phone support system can be a concern for users who require immediate assistance or those who prefer a more convenient mode of communication.

The email support offered by Minecraft Hosting Pro is available 24/7, and its support team is responsive and knowledgeable. When you send an email on issues related to server setup, installation, and configuration, the support team will respond within 48 hours. During our test, we sent an email regarding the cancellation of our subscription plan and we got a response within a few hours after submitting our inquiry.

While email support can be sufficient for anyone who is not in a hurry to get their issues resolved, it may not be ideal for those who need immediate assistance. The lack of phone support or live chat feature can also be a disadvantage for users who prefer to have a more personal touch when it comes to customer support.

It's worth noting that Minecraft Hosting Pro does not have a knowledge base or a FAQ section on its website. This means that you may have to rely solely on the support team for any questions or issues you may encounter. While this may not be a big concern for experienced users, it can be a challenge for beginners who need more guidance and support.

Overall, while Minecraft Hosting Pro's email support is said to be helpful and responsive, the lack of other modes of communication and a knowledge base can be a disadvantage for users who require immediate assistance or more comprehensive support.

Alternatives to Minecraft Hosting Pro 

Apex Minecraft Hosting is a popular alternative to Minecraft Hosting Pro. It offers reliable and high-performance servers with a variety of hosting plans to choose from. Its customer support team is available 24/7 to assist you with any issues you may have. Apex Minecraft Hosting also provides a user-friendly control panel that allows you to manage your server settings and files easily.

Shockbyte is another alternative to Minecraft Hosting Pro that is well-known for providing affordable Minecraft hosting services. It offers multiple data centers located across the globe, which means that players from all over the world can enjoy low latency and fast server speeds. Shockbyte also provides you with a control panel that enables you to easily manage your Minecraft server settings and files.

BisectHosting is a popular Minecraft hosting provider that offers reliable servers at affordable prices. BisectHosting offers a variety of hosting plans that are suitable for both small and large Minecraft servers. Its offers 24/7 customer support to its subscribers.

Nodecraft is another alternative to Minecraft Hosting Pro offering a wide range of hosting plans to choose from, including modded Minecraft servers. It provides you with a powerful control panel that enables you to easily manage your server settings and files. Nodecraft also offers 24/7 customer support via live chat, phone, and email with servers located in multiple data centers across the globe, ensuring fast server speeds and low latency for players.

Is Minecraft Hosting Pro right for you? 

If you are someone who is looking for a reliable and cost-effective Minecraft server hosting service, then Minecraft Hosting Pro may be a good option for you. The service provides a free plan that allows you to test the service before committing to a paid plan, which is a great way to ensure that the service meets your requirements.

However, if you require real-time support through live chat or phone, then Minecraft Hosting Pro may not be the best option for you, as the service only offers support via email. This can be a challenge for users who need urgent help or have technical issues that need immediate attention.

• Apple could add a sleep score in a future Apple Watch update
• It could measure your sleep stages, temperature, and more
• We don’t know when – or if – this feature will be added to watchOS

The best Apple Watches can track many things, including several different aspects of your nighttime slumber. But one thing they can’t do right now is provide you with a score that indicates the quality of your sleep. Yet according to a leaked graphic, that’s something that might soon be coming to Apple’s wearable.

That information was discovered by writer Steve Moser, who dredged up a graphic named “Watch Focus Score” from deep within the code of Apple’s Health app (via MacRumors). The combination of the image’s name and its contents might imply that Apple is working on a new sleep score feature for watchOS.

The picture depicts an Apple Watch with the number 84 in the center of its display. This number is surrounded by three bars that curve to form a circle. Interestingly, the bars are colored red, light blue and purple, and these tones correspond to the sleep stages shown in the Health app (there, red indicates time awake, light blue means REM sleep, and purple means deep sleep. The app also uses dark blue for core sleep, which could be what the graphic is showing).

The number and colored bars might hint at an overall score that takes into account the different sleep stages and how much of each you got at night. That would provide an extra level of data that you don’t currently find in watchOS.

More than just sleep stages?

(Image credit: Future / Britta O'Boyle)

But there are indications that other factors could be considered for this score. In Apple’s graphic, the Apple Watch is flanked on both sides by various icons, including a moon at stars, a “zzz,” a bed, and an alarm clock. Right now, Apple uses the bed icon for the sleep focus mode, while the alarm clock may signify when your alarm went off or when you got out of bed.

Moser also spotted a thermometer icon, which could be a hint that Apple will take more than just sleep stages into account when calculating a sleep score. It might incorporate wrist temperature as an indicator of your health, for example, and there may be other as-yet-unknown metrics that are also included as part of the overall score.

If this sleep score feature becomes a reality, Apple will be far from the first smartwatch maker to include it in their products: both Fitbit and Garmin have included sleep scores in their devices for years.

But Apple fans won’t mind that if they do indeed get this functionality in a future update – you never know, it might come to watchOS 26 later this year.

You might also like

• The Apple Watch is getting a sleep alarm upgrade it probably should have had 10 years ago
• The watchOS 26 public beta is imminent – here are 5 great free upgrades every Apple Watch will get, plus 4 you could miss out on
• Apple watchOS 26: Everything you need to know after WWDC

You can feel it in the silence, after the announcement, “We’re rolling out AI. It’s going to change everything.” No excitement. Just a quiet recalibration. More meetings. More tools. More disruption. Again.

For many organizations, AI isn’t landing as a breakthrough; it’s landing as a burden. Not because the technology doesn’t have potential, but because the way it’s being implemented is exhausting people. And exhausted people don’t drive transformation. This is what transformation fatigue looks like, and in the age of AI, it’s more common than ever.

AI’s problem isn’t the tech. It’s trust.

Across industries, teams are buckling under the weight of initiatives that arrive fast and land flat. With big promises, buzzwords and a new “strategic pivot” every quarter, under the surface, something deeper is breaking, having trust in the process.

Fatigue isn’t just exhaustion from doing too much, it’s frustration from doing too much that doesn’t matter. And AI, for all its promise, is becoming the latest culprit. When AI tools are introduced before teams are prepared, and when outcomes are measured in jargon, not value, enthusiasm evaporates.

Why product thinking cuts through the noise

This isn’t just a change problem, it’s a design problem. Today, too many organizations still treat transformation as a project. But AI doesn’t work that way, rather it evolves and iterates, it needs to be adopted in the flow of work, not bolted on.

This is where a product-led mindset makes the difference. In a product-centric operating model, change is continuous, and teams are cross-functional and close to the customer with value being delivered incrementally. And outcomes, not activities, guide decisions.

For IT management teams in particular, this shift is critical, they are often the first to feel the friction, implementing systems without full buy-in, training people on tools that weren’t designed with them in mind. These functions carry the weight of cultural change, yet are frequently excluded from strategic planning until rollout is already under way.

However, most organizations aren’t ready. A Harvard Business Review study found that 59 percent of product managers lack the skills to manage AI-driven products. To close the gap, 73 percent of companies are launching internal training, and those who do report a 28 percent increase in product success rates. It’s not the tech that makes AI work, it’s the capability around it.

What transformation fatigue actually looks like

The signs of fatigue aren’t always obvious, but they are almost always cultural.

One of the main causes of transformation fatigue is the long wait for value. AI initiatives often take too long to show impact, and belief in the cause drops off – teams disengage before results arrive. Then there’s the sense that new change looks suspiciously like the old change, leaders rebrand and employees begin to roll their eyes. In the end, it feels like version five of the same plan.

On top of this, methodologies start replacing thinking. Progress is measured in process, not outcomes. Buzzwords like “agile”, “transformation”, and “AI” lose meaning. And when capability gaps appear, the burden of change falls on people least equipped to carry it.

This is especially visible among frontline managers. They’re asked to adopt new systems, support new processes, and keep performance on track – all without enough context, training or time to adapt. The result isn’t just inefficiency, it’s disillusionment, which causes talent to walk out the door.

These are not just operational challenges, they are trust issues, and the longer they go unaddressed, the deeper the fatigue sets in.

So how do we fix it?

The importance of ownership

Companies should start with ownership, not just of tools, but of the transformation itself.

What this means is capability before rollout, organizing teams around delivering value, not around hierarchy, governing through experimentation, not perfection. It also means creating room for small failures, fast learning and constant adjustment.

Above all, it requires clarity. This means saying what’s changing, saying why it matters and making sure to say it again and again. Repetition isn’t the problem, confusion is.

This also means involving teams earlier in the process. Let them test, question and shape how change is applied in their context. Ownership doesn’t happen by decree. It happens through participation.

Transformation that actually transforms

Transformation fatigue isn’t inevitable. It’s a signal that the way we’re leading change isn’t working. The good news is that we don’t have to keep doing it this way.

Product-led thinking gives teams a different path forward, one that doesn’t rely on perfect plans, but instead builds momentum through visible progress. It builds capability, creating feedback loops and gets people involved.

It also builds trust. Not through slogans, but through small wins that actually matter. When teams see impact, they stay engaged and when leaders follow through, people follow back. In the end, when experiments are welcomed, better ideas emerge.

When you design change to work for people, not just around them, AI becomes a tool for focus, not friction. It becomes something worth investing in and believing in again.

That’s when transformation stops being exhausting and starts being real.

We've listed the best product management software.

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

Are you seeking cheap internet options to help keep your budget down? Here are our top internet recommendations for older adults, seniors and retirees.

• View or buy at Dreame US / Dreame UK

Dreame AirStyle Pro: two-minute review

The Dreame AirStyle Pro is a multistyler that can operate as a dryer, or to create smooth, curly or bouncy styles using the various attachments supplied in the box. On paper, it looks like one for TechRadar's best hair styler roundup, but when I actually put it through its paces, a couple of design flaws quickly revealed themselves – and they're annoying enough to make this styler difficult to recommend.

The first is that the maximum temperature just isn't hot enough. I have collarbone-length, wavy hair that isn't overly thick, yet I wasn't able to use the Dreame AirStyle to dry it – it just took far too long. I also found that the styles created using the Dreame (in particular, the curls) lacked staying power. I'm as concerned about heat damage as the next person, but you do need some heat for these kinds of tools to be useful.

The second issue is that the attachments don't clip on securely enough. They twist on, but there's no 'click' at the end of that motion, which means they have a tendency to twist off again as you're using them to style.

It's a shame because, as I've said, the Dreame AirStyle Pro shows plenty of promise. The attachments are varied and well designed, and include those all-important auto-wrap curl barrels that position this styler as an Airwrap alternative. It's also stylishly designed and comfortable to use, with controls that are well positioned.

Price-wise, it isn't cheap, but it's far more affordable than Dyson's Airwrap i.d., and in line with rival products. While the Dreame AirStyle Pro's issues might not be insurmountable – you could rope in one of the best hair dryers for the start of the styling process, and take extra care not to dislodge the attachments when styling – there's no real reason to choose it over a tool such as the Shark FlexStyle, which comes in at a similar price and doesn't suffer the Dreame AirStyle Pro's issues.

That's the short version; read on for my full Dreame AirStyle Pro review.

Dreame AirStyle Pro review: price & availability

• List price: $399.99 / £299 / AU$599
• Available: US / UK / Australia
• Launched: May 2025

The Dreame AirStyle Pro is available worldwide, with a list price of $399.99 / £299 / AU$599. However, at time of writing, it was reduced in all territories to $279.99 / £269 / AU$399. Such widespread discounts suggest you won't often find it at full price.

By comparison, the Dyson Airwrap i.d. costs $599.99 / £479.99, while the Shark FlexStyle comes in at $279.99 / £269.99. While Dyson's styler delivers a step up in quality and features, it looks like Dreame is looking to position itself more directly as a competitor to Shark. (There are cheaper Dyson Airwrap dupes, but if you want one with the auto-wrap curl barrels, it will typically fall into a similar price bracket.)

While the AirStyle Pro looks good, feels high quality, and comes with a solid range of accessories, there are a couple of flaws at a functional level (a top temperature that's far too cool, and attachments that don't clip on securely) that make it difficult to recommend over the similarly priced Shark version.

There's a clear jump up in quality and functionality with the Dyson i.d., but I appreciate that not everyone is looking to splash that amount of cash on a styling tool (I compare all three in a bit more depth in this article, if you're interested).

• Value for money score: 3 out of 5

Dreame AirStyle Pro specs

Weight (styler only, no cord):

0.6lbs / 0.3kg

Dimensions (styler only):

1.8 x 1.8 x 10.2in / 4.5 x 4.5 x 26cm

Cord:

9.2ft / 2.8m

Temperatures: 

2 (50C and 80C) + cool shot (room temperature)

Speeds:

3 (50m/s, 55m/s, 60m/s)

Wattage:

1,300W

Attachments:

Fast dryer, flyaway attachment, 32mm auto-wrap barrels (L+R), hard smoothing brush, soft smoothing brush, round volumizing brush

Dreame AirStyle Pro review: design

• Tubular dryer with six styling attachments and storage box
• Attachments twist on, but aren't secure enough
• Stylish, premium design with leather-look finish

The Dreame AirStyle Pro has a similar look to most modern multistylers: it comprises a tube-shaped dryer onto which different attachments are clipped.

At the end of the barrel that you hold it are the controls. Two press buttons (with indicator lights) let you toggle though two temperatures and three windspeeds. Slightly unusually, the "cool shot" isn't a separate button, but included as an extension of the on/off slider.

(Image credit: Future)

At the base is a removable filter cage, covering a stainless steel mesh filter that traps any fine hair and particles and keeps them out of the motor. Dreame provides a cleaner brush to help with maintenance. The cable is 9.2ft / 2.8m.

(Image credit: Future)

If you want to use the AirStyle Pro as just a dryer, you clip on the fast dryer attachment. This widens the airflow to 90-degrees to the dryer.

Aside from that, the key attachments are the 32mm auto-wrap curl barrels. Used on slightly damp hair, they attract the strands around the barrel, shaping them into curls as they dry. The idea being that this damp to dry styling is far better for your hair than using traditional hot tongs.

If you want to switch from clockwise to anticlockwise curls then you'll need to swap over the barrels. Currently, the only styler of this kind that can achieve two directions of curl on one barrel is the Dyson Airwrap; all the cheaper alternatives require a manual swap-over.

(Image credit: Future)

Elsewhere, there's an impressive range of attachments. Alongside the fast dryer and auto-wrap barrels (L+R), you get a flyaway attachment, hard smoothing brush, soft smoothing brush, and round volumizing brush.

To attach a tool to the dryer section, you line up spots on the base of the attachments, then twist to clip them on. Most examples of this kind of styler have a release switch around the back, but there isn't one here – you simply twist in terms of opposite direction to take off the attachment. Unfortunately, this setup isn't that secure, and in my time with the tool I often experienced attachments becoming loose mid-styling.

• Design score: 3.5 out of 5

Dreame AirStyle Pro review: performance

• Not hot enough to be used as a hair dryer
• Controls are well positioned and easy to use
• Attachments work well, but lack of heat limits performance

I started by using the Dreame AirStyle Pro with the fast dryer attachment – and I immediately ran into problems. While the windspeed felt decent, it just wasn't getting hot enough to dry hair, even on the higher of the two temperatures. (For context, I have collarbone-length hair that I'd towel-dried from wet, so it wasn't soaking.) After several long minutes of ineffectually waving the AirStyle over my head, I gave up and switched to a dedicated hair dryer.

(Image credit: Future)

I wondered if my review model was faulty, but a closer look at the specs revealed this wasn't the case. The AirStyle's two heat options are 122ºF / 50ºC and 176ºF / 80ºC. In comparison, the Airwrap has a low heat setting of 140ºF / 60ºC and a high heat setting of 194ºF / 90ºC.

That cooler temperature might be better for your hair, but for anyone other than those with super-fine hair, the AirStyle Pro will prove ineffective and you'll need to have a separate hair dryer on hand for this part of the styling process.

(Image credit: Future)

I then tried out the auto-wrap curlers. They worked well, effectively pulling around the barrels and holding it there as it finished drying. In this part, they were similar to the Airwrap (although the Airwrap has some extra features to make the process more straightforward). As a general rule, auto-wrapped curls don't last as long as those created using hot tongs, but I found the curls created with the AirStyle Pro dropped especially quickly – again, I think this is something to do with the lower temperatures used.

(Image credit: Future)

On the plus side, the styler is comfortable to hold and balanced in weight. The buttons are well positioned, making them easy to find mid-styling and difficult to press accidentally.

I especially like the way the cool shot is activated. It's at the top of the on/off slider, so you can easily locate the raised button by feel alone, and since it's spring-loaded, it pings back when you let go.

(Image credit: Future)

Over the course of my review period, I tested out all the other attachments. Broadly, I felt they were well designed and did what they were meant to do. However, as mentioned, they don't attach securely – they simply twist on and off, with no clipping involved.

This proved an issue when doing anything that involved twisting the tool, and when creating curls using the round volumizing brush, I found it became loose and fell off on more than one occasion.

The hard smoothing brush and soft smoothing brush both feature prongs that can pivot slightly – I'm not sure of their purpose – and they worked well in practice. In fact, the two are virtually identical, except the latter has bobbles on the end of the prongs, so I'm not sure I needed both.

• Performance score: 2.5 out of 5

Should you buy the Dreame AirStyle Pro?

Attribute

Notes

Rating

Value

Not cheap but relatively affordable. In line with other similarly designed tools that perform better.

3 / 5

Design

Looks stylish and is comfortable to use. Attachments are varied and well designed, except for the fact they don't clip on securely.

3.5 / 5

Performance

Maximum temperature too cool for effective drying, and means curls drop quickly. Attachments can also fall off in use.

2.5 / 5

Buy it if...

You have very fine hair
Those with fine or short hair may find the AirStyle Pro's cooler temperatures in hair dryer mode perfect for their hair type.

You want an stylish tool
With its tasteful tan, faux-leather finish, this is one of the most stylish hair tools I've tested.

You're worried about heat damage
The Dreame AirStyle Pro gets far less hot than rival stylers I've tested, so if you have heat-damaged hair and don't trust yourself to stick to lower temperatures, it might be a good pick.

Don't buy it if...

You have thicker or longer hair
The AirStyle Pro's lower temperatures likely won't cut it to dry and style thicker or longer hair.

You have tangle-prone hair
I found the attachments here didn't clip on very securely, so those with denser or more tangle-prone hair might find themselves losing tools while they try to style.

Dreame Airstyle Pro (reviewed)

Dyson Airwrap i.d.

Shark FlexStyle

Weight (styler only, no cord):

0.6lbs / 0.3kg

1.4lbs / 0.6kg XXCHECK

1.5 lbs / 0.7kg

Styler dimensions (L x W):

10.2 x 1.8in / 26 x 4.5cm

10.7 x 1.9in / 27.2 x 4.8cm

11.3 x 1.7in / 28.7 x 4.4cm

Cord:

9.2ft / 2.8m

8.5 ft / 2.7m

8ft / 2.4m

Temperatures: 

2 + cool shot

2 + cool shot

3 + cool shot

Speeds:

3

3

3

Wattage:

1,300W

1,300W

1,400W (US), 1,600W (UK)

List price:

$399.99 / £299 / AU$599

$599.99 / £479.99 / AU$849

$279.99 / £269.99 / AU$499.99

Dyson Airwrap i.d.

The Airwrap i.d. is king in this category, both in terms of price and features. This multistyler comes with a switch that launches an automated wrap > curl > cool shot sequence, for maximum ease. It can also do clockwise and anticlockwise curls on the same barrel.

Read my full Dyson Airwrap i.d. review

Shark FlexStyle

The FlexStyle is a very similar proposition to the AirStyle in that it isn't as good as the original AirWrap, but it's a solid alternative if you don't want to spend megabucks. It looks slightly less stylish than the AirStyle but is all-round a more effective tool in my opinion.

Read my full Shark FlexStyle review

How I tested the Dreame Airstyle Pro

I used the AirStyle Pro as my main styling tool for a week. During this time I used it to dry my hair, and tested all the different attachments, paying particular attention to the auto-wrap curlers. I compared the styling results to what I managed to achieve with other similar stylers I've tested – including the Dyson Airwrap i.d. and Shark FlexStyle. I also assessed how easy the styler was to use and the effectiveness of its design and features.

Read more about how we test

• First reviewed July 2025

The AI hype felt relentless in 2023/24. While the initial frenzy has subsided somewhat, executives and professionals now grapple with the reality of deploying Artificial Intelligence (AI), specifically Generative AI (GenAI), within their organization.

LLMs (Large Language Models), the technology behind popular GenAI chatbots, are powerful, but there remains a significant disconnect between the perception of what they can do and their practical application for business writing.

Easy to use interfaces like ChatGPT make GenAI seem like it "can literally do anything".

This is a dangerous misconception. While incredibly useful for certain tasks, GenAI chatbots can be totally useless, and even harmful when not used appropriately.

Fundamental differences

The fundamental difference lies in how GenAI works compared to traditional software.

1. Traditional software is deterministic

It follows fixed logic and algorithms, producing the exact same, 100% accurate, and therefore repeatable result every time you give it the same input. Think of hitting CTRL+F in Word – you get a precise, repeatable count of a term.

2. Generative AI is non-deterministic

LLMs predict the next word based on probabilities from their training data. This means asking the same question twice will often give you different answers. They are designed to be variable.

Critical characteristics to understand

This core difference results in two critical characteristics businesses must understand:

1. Hallucinations: GenAI can confidently generate incorrect information or make things up. This isn't a bug; it's how the technology works. It's guessing based on patterns, not verifying facts. Copilot, for example, can wildly miscalculate readability scores or miss most instances of a search term.

2. Lack of Repeatability: You simply cannot guarantee the same output from the same prompt.

Here is the absolute critical takeaway: if your writing or document review task requires 100% accuracy or 100% repeatability, you must use deterministic software, not GenAI. Using GenAI for tasks demanding precision is a classic case of wielding a "GenAI hammer" and seeing every problem as a nail.

Flaws and errors in practise

Consider the disastrous consequences. I’ve used MS Copilot to search for every instance of "cybersecurity" in a contract for compliance purposes, only for the GenAI tool to miss 23 out of 27 occurrences. Trying to "shred" a document line-by-line into an Excel matrix for compliance, a task requiring perfect repeatability, is another inappropriate use case where GenAI will fail.

For businesses, especially in regulated sectors, using GenAI for tasks where factual accuracy is paramount is dangerous. Users may trust outputs due to brand credibility, not realizing the risks of inaccuracy.

Real-world failures like Air Canada's chatbot providing false information resulting in a lawsuit underscore the significant brand and trust damage inaccurate GenAI can cause.

So, where IS GenAI useful for business writing?

GenAI thrives for tasks where variability, creativity, or a "good enough" answer is acceptable or desired.

Appropriate use cases include:

• First Draft Creation: Generating initial versions of documents like management plans, executive summaries, or proposal sections based on context. This can save significant time.
• Creative Assistance: Rewriting content in a different tone or style.
• Summarization: Condensing lengthy documents.
• Simplification/Rephrasing: Making complex text more accessible or refining paragraphs.
• Research & Analysis: Using public data for competitive analysis or sales research where perfect accuracy on every detail isn't required for generating insights. Using NLP (another type of AI) for thematic analysis across communications to check message consistency.

Beyond simple chatbots, the real value often lies in specialized applications. These layer GenAI into workflows for specific jobs, intelligently combining GenAI for creative/drafting tasks with deterministic software for accuracy-critical functions like readability scoring or compliance checks.

They understand the "job to be done" and apply the right technology. NotebookLM, which generates audio summaries of documents, is a great example of a focused application.

Garbage In, Garbage Out: The Unsexy Truth of Knowledge Management

Generative AI, even when combined with techniques like Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) to access proprietary data, is not a magic wand that can overcome poor data quality. The old adage "garbage in, garbage out" is more relevant than ever. If your internal knowledge bases are a mess of outdated content, multiple revisions, and poorly tagged documents, the AI's output will reflect that chaos.

As the Harvard Business Review noted, "Companies need to address data integration and mastering before attempting to access data with generative AI". Good data hygiene – clear folder structures, naming conventions, and processes for maintaining content – is crucial but is fundamentally a human behavior problem, not just a tech one. Investing in proper knowledge management now will pay dividends when you roll out any GenAI solution.

Data Security: The Enterprise Achilles' Heel

Many popular AI chatbots rely on public cloud-based LLMs. For businesses, especially those in regulated industries like defense, finance, and healthcare, feeding proprietary or sensitive or PII (Personally Identifiable Information) data into these public models poses a significant security risk. CISOs (Chief Information Security Officers) are rightly wary, often blocking interactions with such models entirely.

The safer path for enterprises involves hosting LLMs in a private cloud or on-premise, fully locked down behind the firewall. The rise of powerful open-source models like Llama 4 or Mistral Nemo which can be deployed securely in-house, is a welcome trend. This shift is so significant that a Barclays CIO survey last year indicated 83% plan to repatriate some workloads from the public cloud, largely driven by AI considerations.

The Real Driver: People and Process

Most AI projects fail not due to the technology, but because of people, process, security, and data issues. Lack of buy-in, poor strategy, inadequate data, and insufficient change management and user education are common pitfalls.

Deploying AI chatbots without teaching users about:

• Hallucinations
• The need to verify outputs
• Effective prompting
• Crucially, what tasks not to use GenAI for

...will lead to frustration and project failure.

Start with the business problem you need to solve, then map the appropriate technology to that job. Don't just chase the "shiny new tech". Define your goals, measure success (both quantitative and qualitative), and involve end-users early.

When evaluating vendors, look beyond captivating demos. Ask pointed questions about accuracy, repeatability, data handling, security posture, and their understanding of your specific use cases and industry needs. Always try before you buy and vet vendors carefully. Be wary of vendors who overpromise or claim GenAI can do everything.

In summary, popular AI chatbots offer exciting capabilities, but they are not magic. They are powerful tools with significant limitations. Successful businesses will adopt a pragmatic, thoughtful approach: understanding GenAI's non-deterministic nature, applying it strategically to appropriate tasks (like creative drafting), leveraging hybrid applications, investing in data quality and security, and crucially, focusing on the people and processes required for effective adoption and change management.

This is the path to truly unlocking AI's value.

I tried 70+ best AI tools.

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

GG Servers promises to provide a reliable and high-performing game server. As is customary, I've focused on its Minecraft offerings to see if it can compete with the best Minecraft server hosting but it also supports other games.

The service provides a user-friendly control panel, robust infrastructure, and its near essential list of supported games.

I tested GG Servers, exploring its key features, pricing options, performance, and overall value. Whether you are a seasoned gamer or just getting started in the world of online gaming, my GG Servers review will provide you with all the information you need to make an informed decision about your game server hosting needs. 

What is GG Servers? 

GG Servers is a web hosting service that specializes in providing high-quality and reliable game servers for online gamers. It offers a wide variety of hosting plans that are tailored to meet the specific needs of different games and gamers. GG Servers' servers are optimized for performance and reliability, ensuring that gamers have a smooth and uninterrupted gaming experience. 

(Image credit: GG Servers)Features

GG Servers offers a comprehensive set of features that make it a good choice if you're looking for one of the best Minecraft server hosting services on the market. One of the standout features is the free DDoS protection that comes with all services, ensuring that your server remains online and accessible at all times. This is a crucial feature for any online service, as DDoS attacks can be extremely disruptive and damaging.

Another key feature of GG Servers is the use of NVMe SSD storage, which is standard across all services. Premium services take this a step further with unmetered usage of NVMe SSD storage, providing lightning-fast access to your server files and data. The powerful processors used by GG Servers are also notable, with CPUs that excel in single-core performance. Standard services offer up to 4 GHz, while premium services go up to 5 GHz, ensuring that your server can handle even the most demanding workloads.

GG Servers also offers a global network of server locations, allowing you to choose the one that provides the best ping and performance for your needs. The ping.ggs.gg tool makes it easy to test your ping in all locations, and the Minecraft server itself includes a compass in the lobby server where you can choose your preferred location and test your ping on it.

In addition to these core features, GG Servers also provides a free subdomain, 1-click modpack and plugin installs, and a powerful and easy-to-use Multicraft panel. This panel allows you to manage all of your Minecraft servers with ease, providing full FTP file access and access to your console and chat. Also, the unmetered SSD and NVMe storage, as well as full FTP and MySQL database access, make GG Servers an ideal choice for anyone looking for a reliable and feature-rich Minecraft server hosting solution.

(Image credit: GG Servers)Server management 

Server management is a crucial aspect of any online service, including Minecraft servers. With so many different options available, it can be difficult to know where to start when it comes to managing your server. Thankfully, GG Servers offers a range of powerful tools and features that make server management easy and efficient.

One of the key considerations when it comes to server management is uptime. After all, if your server is down, your players won't be able to access it. GG Servers boasts an impressive overall uptime of 99.9121%, which is well above the industry average. This high level of uptime is achieved through a combination of automated DDoS protection, powerful processors, and reliable SSD and NVMe storage.

Another important factor to consider when managing your server is location. GG Servers has a global network of server locations, with servers located in North America, Europe, Asia, and Oceania. This ensures that you can choose a location that provides the best possible ping and performance for your players, no matter where they are located.

In North America, GG Servers has servers located in Virginia, Canada, and Oregon. These servers are all equipped with the latest hardware and software, providing lightning-fast access to your Minecraft world. In Europe, GG Servers has servers located in Frankfurt, London, Roubaix, and Finland. These servers are ideal for players located in Europe and nearby regions, with low latency and high performance. Also, in Asia, GG Servers has servers located in Singapore, which are ideal for players in Southeast Asia and nearby regions. And in Oceania, GG Servers has servers located in Australia, providing fast and reliable access to your Minecraft world for players in Australia and New Zealand.

(Image credit: GG Servers)Interface in-use 

The interface of GG Servers is highly intuitive and user-friendly, making it easy for even beginners to manage their Minecraft servers. The highly customized version of the Multicraft control panel is accessible from the server panel, which is the main landing page for your account. From here, you can easily navigate to your servers, profiles, open tickets, and log out.

The server panel is designed to give you easy access to all of the features and tools you need to manage your server. This includes full FTP file access, which allows you to easily upload and manage files on your server. You can also access your console and chat directly from the control panel, giving you complete control over your Minecraft world.

One of the best things about the interface on GG Servers is that it is highly customizable. You can change the appearance of your panel, choosing from a range of different themes and colors. You can also customize your files, console, installers, and tools, making it easy to create a panel that is tailored to your specific needs.

In addition to the highly customizable interface, GG Servers also offers a range of 1-click modpack and plugin installs. This makes it easy to add new features and functionality to your Minecraft server with just a few clicks. 

(Image credit: GG Servers)Pricing 

GG Servers offers a wide range of hosting plans to suit every need and budget. All of its plans come with a range of features, including unmetered SSD storage, anti-DDoS protection, and powerful processors.

Its pricing starts with the Stone plan, which offers 1024 MB of RAM, 12 player slots, and unmetered SSD storage, starting at $3.00/month. The Coal plan comes with all the features in the Stone plan, with the addition of 2048 MB of RAM, 24 player slots, and starts at $6.00/month.

The Iron plan offers 3072 MB of RAM, 36 player slots, and all the features in the Stone and Coal plans, starting at $9.00/month. The Gold plan comes with 4096 MB of RAM, 48 player slots, and all the features in the Stone, Coal, and Iron plans, starting at $12.00/month.

If you need even more power, the Lapis plan offers 5120 MB of RAM, 60 player slots, and all the features in the Stone, Coal, Iron, and Gold plans, starting at $15.00/month. The Redstone plan offers 6144 MB of RAM, 72 player slots, and starts at $18.00/month.

The Diamond plan comes with 8192 MB of RAM, 96 player slots, and starts at $24.00/month. The Emerald plan offers 12288 MB of RAM, 144 player slots, and starts at $36.00/month. If you need the ultimate in server power, the Amethyst plan offers 16384 MB of RAM, unlimited player slots, and starts at $48.00/month.

GG Servers also offers the Beacon plan, which comes with 32768 MB of RAM, unlimited player slots, and starts at $96.00/month. This plan is designed for those who need the highest levels of performance and reliability for their Minecraft servers.

Support

GG Servers provides 24/7 customer support to ensure that its users receive the necessary assistance whenever they need it. The company offers live chat, ticket, and email support for its customers to reach out and ask for help. 

Additionally, GG Servers has a vast collection of over 200 articles in its database that cover a wide range of topics related to game server hosting, making it a valuable resource for users who need more information. For security purposes, GG Servers offers pin support to its users for verification.  

Alternatives to GG Servers 

Hostinger is a web hosting company that also offers game server hosting services. It provides servers for popular games such as Minecraft, Counter-Strike, and Team Fortress 2, with features like DDoS protection, automatic backups, and easy server management through a custom control panel. Another option for game server hosting is Apex Hosting, a company that focuses on Minecraft server hosting. Apex offers a range of plans to fit different needs and budgets, including modpacks and custom server setups. Apex Hosting also has a user-friendly control panel, 24/7 support, and a community forum for customers to share knowledge and resources.

GameServers.com is a veteran in the game server hosting industry, having provided services since 2004. It offers servers for over 200 games, including popular titles like Rust, ARK: Survival Evolved, and DayZ. GameServers.com provides features such as DDoS protection, custom control panels, and global server locations to cater to different player bases. If you're looking for a more niche game server hosting provider, Nitrous Networks might be a good fit. It specializes in hosting servers for games like Garry's Mod, Team Fortress 2, and Conan Exiles, with plans that include easy setup, automatic mod installation, and custom configuration options. Nitrous Networks also has a ticket-based support system and an extensive knowledge base for troubleshooting.

Shockbyte is a game server hosting provider that offers servers for Minecraft, Terraria, and Valheim. Its plans come with features like unlimited slots, DDoS protection, and a free subdomain. Shockbyte also has a user-friendly control panel, live chat support, and a 100% uptime guarantee to ensure that players have a smooth gaming experience.

Is GG Servers right for you? 

Whether GG Servers is the right choice for you depends on your specific needs and preferences. One of the advantages of the service is that it provides powerful and secure game server hosting, with features such as DDoS protection and a variety of server locations. Additionally, GG Servers use powerful server hardware, which can improve the performance and stability of your server.

Another advantage of GG Servers is their good server availability, which ensures that your game server is accessible and online for your players. However, it is worth noting that its unlimited databases feature is only available in premium packages, which may be a disadvantage for users who require more databases.

Furthermore, its unlimited slots feature is only included in the unlimited plans, which may limit the scalability of your server if you choose a lower-tier plan. However, you should weigh the advantages and disadvantages of GG Servers against your specific requirements to determine whether they are the right game server hosting provider for you.

The U.S. once controlled the market on rare earth elements, sought after for a range of technologies. But in the last few decades, China has cornered that market and surpassed the U.S.

(Image credit: DigitalGlobe)

• PayPal World will enable users to pay using their domestic wallets
• PayPal/Venmo, NPCI, Tenpin and Mercado Pago join forces
• The system works with open source APIs, so should be easily expandable

PayPal has launched a new platform in the hope of simplifying cross-border commerce by connecting major digital wallets and payment system to facilitate multi-currency transactions.

With PayPal World, users will be able to pay internationally using their domestic wallets and payment methods.

With over two billion users targeted globally, the new platform is expected to land in Fall 2025, but only select countries will be able to benefit from easier cross-border payments at launch.

PayPal World

From launch, PayPal World will work with Mercado Pago (Mexico), NPCI International Payments (India), PayPal (US), Tenpin Global (China) and Venmo (US).

"For much of the world’s population, international shopping and money transfers are not just difficult, at times they are impossible," the company noted in a press release.

The platform uses open source APIs to make it easy for more wallets to get onboard and boost interoperability in the future, but PayPal didn't mention any companies that could be joining its World platform beyond the initial launch partners.

"The challenge of moving money across borders is incredibly complex, and yet this platform will make it so simple for nearly two billion consumers and businesses," PayPal CEO Alex Chriss noted.

PayPal gave some examples of how global customers could use its new platform, including international visitors in China being able to scan their PayPal app with a merchant that accepts Weixin Pay, and UPI users in India being able to pay with their local wallet on an American ecommerce site.

NPCI International Payments CEO Ritesh Shukla welcomed the new platform, adding that it "aligns with [NPCI's] vision to make cross-border payments more seamless, secure, and inclusive."

"In addition to payments, Tenpay Global will deepen its collaboration with PayPal World in remittances," Tenpin Global CEO Wenhui Yang added.

You might also like

• This PayPal scam exploits new address feature to send out phishing scam emails
• These are the best payment gateways to support your shop
• We've listed all of the best money transfer apps

The hosts look to wrap up a series win at Old Trafford Cricket Ground.

Commentary: This series walked so The Boys could fly.

Nodecraft is a relatively new company which focuses on providing a friendly gamer aesthetic to all your hosting needs. It's already one of the best Minecraft server hosting providers thanks to offering some unique features compared to the competition.

I've focused on Minecraft here but Nodecraft also provides support for many other games like Rust, Valheim, and Enshrouded. Nodecraft has quickly gained a reputation for providing reliable and user-friendly server hosting solutions. 

Here's a deeper look at what makes Nodecraft stand out among a growing crowd of game server hosting. It's not perfect but it's worth checking out.

(Image credit: Nodecraft)Nodecraft features 

One of the standout features of Nodecraft is its backup system. With this system, you can create an exact copy of your server's files, including player data, configurations, and maps. This allows you to test new configurations without risking your current setup. In addition, Nodecraft's backup system allows you to instantly load a previous backup if something goes wrong with your server. This can be a real lifesaver for gamers and developers who want to ensure that their game server is always running smoothly.

Nodecraft's real-time console is another standout feature. The console provides direct access to logs, admin commands, and other useful utilities. Kicking players, assigning admins, and monitoring performance can all be accomplished right in your browser. What sets Nodecraft's console apart is that it is directly streamed from the server to your browser within milliseconds. Behind the scenes, NodePanel scans this output for events such as player joins, server crashes, and other useful information to provide you with a real-time glance at what is going on in your server.

Security is a top priority for Nodecraft, and the company has created a system that allows you to generate a new login for each FTP session. This information is easily hidden from the overview for added security and privacy. This feature ensures that your files are as safe as possible while still allowing you to manage them efficiently.

Nodecraft's web-based file manager streams files from your server directly to your browser. You can edit, upload, and manage files without the need for downloading or using confusing software. This feature makes it easy for you to manage your files.

With NodePanel, all of your services exist with one singular login. Access everything under one account, directly at Nodecraft. No separate logins, no additional subdomains, and no hassle. This feature makes it easy for you to manage your accounts and services without having to remember multiple logins and passwords.

Nodecraft's servers are built with game server performance in mind. The company uses an Intel Xeon E-2174G or equivalent processor with a speed of 3.8+ GHz. Additionally, each server has 64GB ECC RAM for high-speed performance and stability. 

Nodecraft uses enterprise-grade solid-state drives (SSDs) to power all customer game servers, ensuring lightning-fast performance. Also, Nodecraft's DDoS protection and high-performance network are built to withstand attacks and ensure that your game server is always up and running. Nodecraft's entire infrastructure is built on top of a Linux ecosystem which ensures that your game server runs smoothly and efficiently.

(Image credit: Nodecraft)Server management 

Server management is a crucial aspect of game server hosting, as it directly impacts the player experience. Nodecraft offers a wide range of server locations, spread across North America, South America, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region. This ensures that players can enjoy low-latency, high-performance gaming experiences, regardless of where they're located in the world. In North America, Nodecraft has server locations in Washington, California, Colorado, Texas, Chicago, Atlanta, Florida, Canada, and Washington, D.C. 

This extensive coverage ensures that players on the continent can find a server location that's closest to them, thereby reducing latency with improved game performance. Moving to South America, Nodecraft has a server location in São Paulo, Brazil. This location offers gamers in the region access to a low-latency server that is optimized for high-performance gaming. In Europe, Nodecraft has server locations in Spain, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Romania. This coverage ensures that players in the region can access servers that are closest to their location and as such, minimize latency and offer improved game performance.

Also, in the Asia-Pacific region, Nodecraft has server locations in Israel, Singapore, Australia, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. With server locations spread across the region, players can expect low-latency gaming experiences. Having server locations in multiple regions is a critical feature for any game server hosting provider, as it ensures that players can enjoy optimal gaming experiences. 

(Image credit: Nodecraft)Interface in-use 

The Nodecraft control panel provides a user-friendly interface for managing your game servers. The Interactive GUI has been designed to make it easy for anyone, regardless of their technical knowledge, to modify server settings with ease. The panel is intuitive and visually appealing, with a clean and simple layout that allows you to quickly navigate through the different sections. This interface can be accessed from any device with an internet connection, making it convenient for you to manage your servers on the go.

The Nodecraft Interactive GUI provides a wide range of options that allow you to customize your game server to your liking. For instance, you can use the interface to change the server's game settings, such as difficulty level, game mode, and more. You can also upload mods, maps, and plugins with ease through the built-in file manager. Additionally, the panel allows you to monitor server performance metrics like CPU and memory usage, so you can optimize your server for better performance.

If you prefer to modify server settings manually, Nodecraft also offers access to all of the server's game files. This means you can use an FTP client to connect to your server and edit configuration files directly. Advanced users who prefer to use command line tools like SSH can do so as well. Nodecraft provides a wide range of tools to cater to different user preferences and technical abilities. Overall, the Nodecraft control panel is user-friendly for managing game servers, however, it may be overwhelming for beginners.  

(Image credit: Nodecraft)Pricing 

Nodecraft offers four different pricing plans to fit a variety of needs and budgets. The first plan is the most basic plan, which starts at $9.98 per month. This plan includes 3 save and swap servers, 2GB of RAM, 10GB of SSD storage, 20GB of cloud backups, unlimited player slots, automation and tasks, one-click installer, free subdomain and dedicated IP, and DDoS Guard protection. The most popular plan is the second pricing option, starting at $19.98 per month. This plan offers 3 save and swap servers, 4GB of RAM, 20GB of SSD storage, 40GB of cloud backups, and all the other features included in the Nano plan.

The third pricing plan starts at $29.98 per month. This plan offers 5 save and swap servers, 6GB of RAM, 30GB of SSD storage, 60GB of cloud backups, and all the other features included in the first two plans. From there, you can create your own server if you need more. All of these plans come with the option to add additional resources for an additional fee, including more RAM, SSD storage, and cloud backups. Nodecraft also offers a 7-day money-back guarantee, so if you're not satisfied with the service within the first week, you can cancel and receive a full refund.

(Image credit: Nodecraft)Customer support

Nodecraft offers a variety of support options to assist its customers with issues or questions they may have. One of the easiest and most convenient options is their live chat feature, which is available on their website 24/7. While testing this out, I was connected with a support representative and receive real-time assistance with a question I had about setup. If you prefer to speak with someone directly, Nodecraft offers phone support during its support hours of 12:30 AM - 09:00 AM. For less urgent matters, customers can also send an email to support@nodecraft.com. Nodecraft's support team aims to respond to all emails within 24 hours, although response times may vary depending on the volume of inquiries.

In addition to these support options, Nodecraft also offers an extensive knowledge base that contains helpful articles and guides on a variety of topics, such as server setup, game configuration, and troubleshooting common issues. You can browse the knowledge base to find answers to your questions or learn more about the features and capabilities of Nodecraft's platform.

Alternatives to Nodecraft 

Shockbyte offers affordable Minecraft server hosting with instant setup, a user-friendly control panel, and 24/7 customer support. It has servers in the US, Canada, Europe, Australia, and Singapore. Shockbyte offers plans starting at $15/month for a server with 1GB of RAM.

Apex Hosting is a Minecraft server hosting provider that offers a wide range of plans to fit different needs and budgets. Apex has servers located in North America, Europe, and Asia and offers features such as DDoS protection, and automatic backups.

GameServers is a Minecraft server hosting company that provides reliable and affordable game server hosting for a variety of games, including popular titles like Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Team Fortress 2, and Garry's Mod. GameServers offer a range of plans with various features and benefits to suit different needs and budgets.

GTXGaming offers Minecraft server hosting services for a range of popular games, such as Garry's Mod, ARK: Survival Evolved, and Conan Exiles. It has servers located in multiple regions for low-latency gameplay, and its control panel allows for easy server customization and management. It also offers 24/7 customer support.

BisectHosting is a popular Minecraft server hosting provider that offers affordable and reliable hosting for a variety of games, including Minecraft, Ark: Survival Evolved, and Rust. BisectHosting offers a user-friendly control panel and 24/7 customer support. Pricing starts at $7.99/month for a server with 1GB of RAM.

Is Nodecraft right for you? 

Nodecraft may be right for you if you prioritize DDoS protection, low latency, 99.9% uptime, and data centers around the world. Its excellent support through calls, emails, and live chat, as well as a free trial and money-back guarantee, can also be appealing. However, if you prefer a user-friendly control panel, note that Nodecraft's built-in control panel may be difficult to understand at first.

• Running an old OS like Windows 10 could soon pose cybersecurity issues
• Upgrading could reveal software compatibility issues, report notes
• The clock is now ticking to avoid a rushed Windows 11 migration

New research has uncovered some of the finer details around why many businesses are still being cautious with their approach to Windows 11 migration, with security threats and financial impacts proving to be major hurdles.

The report from Panasonic found nearly two-thirds (62%) of devices need replacing or upgrading for Windows 11 compatibility, highlighting the scale of the problem – a figure that rises to 76% among larger organizations with 5,000+ employees.

However, despite migration-related concerns, the study claims many organizations still recognize the benefits of upgrading from Windows 10 and older operating systems.

Businesses still have some concerns about upgrading Windows

Panasonic found 94% fear increased ransomware and malware risks if they don't upgrade, with 93% also concerned about data breaches. But two in three noted overall higher costs associated with migrating to Windows 11, with 55% stating that it could add to cybersecurity expenses.

Nearly half also noted software compatibility issues (47%) and productivity loss during downtime (45%), and for many (25%), hardware upgrades come with software upgrades, compounding the financial impact of OS upgrades.

However, with Microsoft estimating that ESU could cost around £320,000 over three years for 1,000 devices, the need to upgrade is clear.

Around a third each acknowledge that upgrading will give them better performance and processing power (36%), a more future proof ecosystem (36%) and access to AI features like Microsoft Copilot (34%).

Panasonic TOUGHBOOK Europe Head of Go-to-Market Chris Turner commented: "The window is closing for organisations to make a well-planned, measured and cost-effective transition to Windows 11 and start unlocking its benefits."

"Organisations that are still to undertake Windows 11 migration need support to ensure their deployment is not rushed and risky," Turner added.

You might also like

• Windows 10 users who don’t want to upgrade to Windows 11 get new lifeline from Microsoft
• We've listed the best business laptops and best mobile workstations for the best portable upgrades
• Check out our roundup of the best productivity software

California-based Lucid Motors completes its transition to the NACS charging standard via a $220 adapter.

• Leaked renders have shown the Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL in four shades
• These include Obsidian, Porcelain, Moonstone, and Jade
• Two of these are far more interesting than the other two

It’s looking likely that you’ll be able to buy the Google Pixel 10 Pro and the Pixel 10 Pro XL in a choice of Obsidian (black), Porcelain (white), Moonstone (slate blue-gray), and Jade (a soft pistachio green with gold accents), as not only have some of these Pixel 10 colors been mentioned before, but now all four have been shown off in leaked renders.

Android Headlines has shared what it claims are official renders of the Pixel 10 Pro and the Pixel 10 Pro XL in these four shades, and while we’d take this leak with a pinch of salt, these certainly look to be high-quality images, so they may well be official.

If these renders are accurate, then the Pro models will be available in two fairly plain, ordinary shades, in the case of Obsidian and Porcelain, since they’re basically just black and white. But the other two options are a bit more interesting.

Image 1 of 2

Leaked renders of the Pixel 10 Pro in four colors (Image credit: Android Headlines)Image 2 of 2

Leaked renders of the Pixel 10 Pro XL in four colors (Image credit: Android Headlines)A bit more color

There’s Moonstone, which we’ve actually seen the Pixel 10 Pro in already via an official teaser. This is rather understated, but the hint of blue in it makes this more interesting than a pure gray option.

The highlight, though, is arguably Jade – it’s a soft, delicate shade that still somewhat fits with the rest of the color options, but is a bit brighter and more unusual. Really, we’d like to see more of this sort of thing, rather than top-end phones defaulting to plain shades, but at least there’s one option here for those who want a splash of color.

We’ll find out how accurate this color leak is soon, as Google is set to unveil the Pixel 10 series on August 20. We’re expecting to see the Pixel 10 itself along with the Pixel 10 Pro, the Pixel 10 Pro XL, and the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, so there should be a lot to look forward to.

You might also like

• Google just teased the Pixel 10 Pro – and a fresh new Pixel color
• The Google Pixel 10 series just appeared on multiple official databases, suggesting an imminent arrival
• The Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold could beat the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 in two significant ways

• Microsoft names three Chinese hacking groups it claims were abusing recently discovered flaws in SharePoint
• Hackers were apparently able to access sensitive data
• The company is confident the attacks will keep coming until the systems are patched

At least three major Chinese hacking groups were abusing recently discovered vulnerabilities to target businesses using Microsoft SharePoint, the company has said.

Microsoft recently released an urgent patch to fix two zero-day vulnerabilities affecting on-premises SharePoint servers, tracked as CVE-2025-49704 (a remote code execution bug), and CVE-2025-49706 (a spoofing vulnerability), which were being abused in the wild.

Now, Microsoft is saying that the groups targeting the flaws are Chinese state-sponsored groups - namely Linen Typhoon, Violet Typhoon, and Storm-2603.

Get Keeper's Personal Password Manager plan for just $1.67/month

Keeper is a password manager with top-notch security. It's fast, full-featured, and offers a robust web interface. The Personal Plan gets you unlimited password storage across all your devices, auto-login & autofill to save time, secure password sharing with trusted contacts, biometric login & 2FA for added security.View Deal

Two typhoons and a storm

The first two are part of the larger “typhoon” operation, counting at least half a dozen organizations, including Brass Typhoon, Salt Typhoon, Volt Typhoon, and Silk Typhoon.

In the last couple of years, these groups were attributed with breaches into critical infrastructure organizations, government, defense, and military firms, telecom operators, and similar businesses, across the western world and NATO members.

Some researchers are saying that these groups were tasked with persisting in the target networks, in case the standoff between the US and China over Taiwan escalates into actual war. That way, they would be able to disrupt or destroy critical infrastructure, eavesdrop on important conversations, and thus gain the upper hand in the conflict.

At least seven major telecommunications operators in the United States have recently confirmed discovering Typhoon operatives on their networks and removing them from the virtual premises.

"Investigations into other actors also using these exploits are still ongoing," Microsoft said in a blog post, stressing that the attackers will definitely continue targeting unpatched systems.

SharePoint Server Subscription Edition, SharePoint Server 2019, and SharePoint Server 2016 were said to be affected. SharePoint Online (Microsoft 365) was secure.

Microsoft recommends customers to use supported versions of on-premises SharePoint servers with the latest security updates immediately, and says users should ensure their antivirus and endpoint protection tools are up to date.

You might also like

• Microsoft releases urgent SharePoint security flaw patches - here's what you need to know, and how to update
• Take a look at our guide to the best authenticator app
• We've rounded up the best password managers

BisectHosting has been around since 2011 as a child company of Venture Node LLC and was registered in Ohio. The company focuses on providing the best Minecraft server hosting but also covers several other games including Rust, Terraria, 7 Days to Die, Valheim, ARK: Survival Evolved and many more.

Relatively unusually for a game hosting provider, BisectHosting also provides other web hosting services such as shared hosting, VPSand dedicated server hostingto those who want to launch their own website.

BisectHosting’s main website is a good example of a user-friendly approach done right, where you’ll be able to find everything you need within a reach of a click or two. It has 20 server locations around the world with the majority in Europe and USA, but others scattered across the globe. Bear in mind that some of these are only accessible for those signing up to a Premium plan.

With strong claims of being the ultimate destination for seemingly everything, I dived into BisectHosting to see how well it works as a Minecraft server provider, looking at its pricing, how easy it is to use, and more.

There are many Minecraft pricing plans. (Image credit: BisectHosting)BisectHosting plans and pricing

For those interested in Minecraft server hosting only, BisectHosting offers forty packages in total (a half of which are “Budget” while the other half belongs to “Premium” ones), which is such a considerable amount of choices that we were struck with analysis paralysis straight away.

Even the budget-friendly ones are chock-full of features that are fundamental in Minecraft, including custom JAR support, full FTP access, free MySQL, a free subdomain, free DDoS protection and more. The most affordable “Budget” plan will cost you mere $5.98 per month and provide 2GB of RAM and support for up to 12 slots, in addition to everything mentioned above.  

Apart from Minecraft, there are fitting packages for other popular multiplayer games including: Terraria, Valheim, ARK: Survival Evolved, Left 4 Dead 2, Counter Strike: Global Offensive, 7 Days to Die, Rust, Counter Strike: Source, Arma 3, Garry's Mod and Team Fortress 2.

Besides gaming-focused hosting, BisectHosting offers a few options for those looking to host a website (or several of them) which include shared hosting (that start at $2.99 per month), VPS (from $4 a month) and dedicated server hosting solutions (from $109 a month).

All hosting packages (with the exception of dedicated ones) come with 3-day money-back guarantee. Although it is far below the industry’s standard, at least there is one being actually offered.

As for payment methods, BisectHosting currently accepts credit cards, PayPal, and Paysafecard.

You can manage your Minecraft server from BisectHosting's modified control panel (Image credit: BisectHosting)Ease of use

One thing BisectHosting provides all of its users with is an abundance of choice, with something being offered to suit most tastes. Whether you want hosting for a small multiplayer community or a large one, BisectHosting should get you covered with its unlimited slots.

Those who are on the lookout for Minecraft server hosting services can select from Bedrock (mobile) and Java (original) edition, with more pre-designed packages being provided for Java. Whichever you opt for, the following step is to select a plan and check all of its details, such as data center location, billing cycle and add-ons.

If you aren’t hell bent on saving a few bucks, you could go with the most pocket-friendly out of the “Premium” packages, since they come with all features you could wish for without the need to pay extra for each of them. The most noteworthy are: unlimited slots, NVMe SSD space, dedicated IP, daily backups, Sponge installation and modpack updates and installations. Of course, all of “Budget” server features are included in this one as well.  

Creating an account with BisectHosting will require you to provide a number of personal details (although nothing out of the ordinary) and since instant setup is one of their key features, your server will be ready to use in the blink of an eye.

All server hosting plans come with a highly modified version of MultiCraft as your control panel, and which variation you’ll get depends on whether you chose a plan from the “Budget” or “Premium” section. Both control panels share the same easy-to-use functionality and will enable fast navigation for Java and Bedrock users alike. Even if you haven't used any version of MultiCraft before, with its user-friendly interface you should be able to swiftly find ways to customize your server by installing modpacks, plugins, server JARs and much more.

We used GTmetrix to measure the uptime and response time of our BisectHosting server (Image credit: GTmetrix)Speed and experience

In order to fulfil its goal and become one of the best Minecraft server providers out there, BisectHosting should present us with close to perfect performance, even more so since they claim that NVMe or SSDs are used exclusively to run all of their game servers. After testing the speed of BisectHosting’s main website by utilizing GTmetrix as our tool we got somewhat expected and highly satisfactory results. All vital web metrics related to speed performance were well above the average, resulting in near-perfect an A (99%)

Although BisectHosting offers no uptime guarantee, according to the results we got after monitoring it for a month (via UptimeRobot) it should be close to 100%. No major oscillations were recorded in response time and not a single second of downtime on top of everything. Admittedly, one month of perfect performance doesn’t have to be indicative of a whole year, but it sure seems like a good start. 

Support

As reported by a large number of their users (and supported by our own first-hand experience) BisectHosting’s customer support team is one of their major selling points. Not only they are at your disposal around-the-clock, but the persons in charge are responsive, resourceful and very respectful in their approach to customers. This “dream team” can be reached via support ticket and live chat.

You can find answers to common problems in BisectHosting's knowledgebase (Image credit: BisectHosting)

If you want to be more self-sufficient, you’ll find a major source of information in BisectHosting’s knowledgebase. It currently contains 139 articles in total which are split into ten corresponding categories (Billing Panel, Domain Management, Game Servers, Minecraft Java/Bedrock Servers and so forth). As far as we can see, most of these articles are easy-to-follow and often supplemented with pictures or video tutorials from BisectHosting’s official YouTube channel.

We should give a special mention to their YouTube channel as well, since it is only less than a year old and, yet, it is overflowing with how-to videos which seem to be coming out on a weekly basis.

The competition

When placed side by side, Shockbyte and BisectHosting seem quite similar in terms of pricing, features and support, but there are small differences that might be decisive for some users. Shockbyte is more famous for its overall performance (which means high response time, low latency and lag improbabilities), while BisectHosting’s technical team is doing a better job with support for unlimited domains, SSL certificates and backups.

Both Apex Hosting and BisectHosting offer servers of all sizes with a myriad of additional options. However, the cheapest Minecraft server hosting option with Apex Hosting will cost you $4.49 per month (and for the first month only, after which it will rise to $5.99), while with BisectHosting it’s merely $2.99 per month. On the other hand, with Apex Hosting you’ll get a somewhat longer money-back guarantee.

Besides game server hosting, BisectHosting provides a shared web hosting option with a few attractive features and pricing that is a match for Bluehost’s. The cheapest plans with both hosts come at quite an attractive price, which is $2.95 per month with Bluehost and $2.99 with BisectHosting. However, with Bluehost’s plan you’ll get free domain registration, a free SSL certificate and CDN, which is hard to beat.

HostGator is a great alternative both to Bluehost and BisectHosting for all those looking for a simple-to-use yet feature-packed hosting service equally fit for individual users and small businesses. As expected, even with its cheapest plan, HostGator provides users with a wide array of beginner-friendly and useful features (free domain registration, one-click installs, a free SSL certificate, free domain and website transfer, free MySQL and script transfer, and a generous 45-day money back guarantee), so it might be a better choice.  

Final verdict

On the question if BisectHosting is likely to make your gaming dreams come alive, we would have to say “yes, probably”. It offers a great diversity with its Minecraft packages, a full set of favorable features, prompt and proficient customer support and all at a pocket-friendly price.

Its web hosting packages are, however, another matter and leave out some of the beginner-friendly bonuses we are accustomed to see with other providers. Newcomers who would like to get some of those benefits are better off with fan-favorites such as HostGator, Hostinger or Bluehost.