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Just when I thought I was out, Apple pulls me back in… in this case I’m talking specifically about how I’ve stuck with using an iPhone Pro model since making the switch from Android back in 2021.

But each year since then the iPhone updates have been essentially iterative, with very little in the way of upgrades to tingle my tech synapse. Meanwhile, the Google Pixel phones have evolved rather nicely, and the Pixel 9 Pro on my desk is sitting there siren-like, calling me back to Android.

It hasn’t quite succeeded, mainly due to the annoyance of trying to work out how to neatly transfer the WhatsApp messages I want to keep, and some Apple services that I’m still signed up for. But if Apple keeps going the way it has with its next generation of iPhones, then I really could see myself switching back to Android.

With that in mind, here are the upgrades I’d like to see arrive with the iPhone 17, and which would keep me whiling away the hours and conferring with the flowers in Cupertino’s walled garden.

Improved camera color and contrast

(Image credit: Future / Roland Moore-Colyer)

While this isn't a problem that's exclusive to iPhones, I feel that the past two generations of Apple smartphones have produced photos in which the shadows are lifted and the highlights lowered in scenes that have both light and dark elements.

This picks out more details in a shot, but it also has the effect of making a photo look flat in terms of contrast and vibrancy. I’ve often praised Apple for keeping colors natural and being good at capturing what my eyes are seeing, but it appears to have lost its touch a little.

So I’m really keen for Apple to go back a step with the iPhone 17 and let its image processing allow for deep, dark shadows and punchy flares of light, all with colors that might look a tad boosted given the lighting situation. Otherwise, I can see myself being drawn towards the dynamic, if oversaturated, photography of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra.

A real gaming-grade boost in performance

(Image credit: Alex Walker-Todd / Dashiell Wood / Future)

The A17 Pro and A18 Pro chips both promise serious gaming power for a smartphone. And they deliver… but only so far.

While iOS now has access to some true console-quality games like Death Stranding and Sniper Elite 4, they still don’t run at the most desirable frame rates; I particularly struggled with the latter game.

So rather than tout percentage boosts in processing and graphics power with whatever chip comes in the iPhone 17 Pro, I’d like Apple to talk increases in framerates, aiming for a smooth 60 frames per second in the aforementioned games.

I’d also like to see some Apple Arcade games that tap into the power of these Pro chips, although that could be asking for a lot.

A proper Siri and Apple Intelligence experience

(Image credit: Apple)

When the iPhone 16 family arrived, it was championed as a phone with Apple Intelligence.

But that wasn't really the case, and we’ve had to wait some time for AI-powered tools to come to the new phones; so much so that I’ve forgotten a lot of the features Apple showcased at the launch event, and I probably need Apple to talk me through them again.

So with the iPhone 17, I want Apple Intelligence better baked into iOS and the phones themselves, and Siri to be consistently smart and useful in handling my queries.

I also want handy features like being able to ask Siri to read web pages, digital magazines and so on, in a natural fashion and to do so intelligently, without needing me to dig into accessibility settings or try and find a workaround to coax it into reading newspapers in Apple News+.

Cameras flush with the body

(Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)

I know there’s chatter of an iPhone 17 Air, which looks to be somewhat legit, and that phone could slim down the current iPhone design and have cameras flush with the phone’s body, much like the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge.

But that's a design feature I want to see for the whole iPhone 17 family, especially the Pro models.

I still like the overall design of the iPhone 16 Pro Max, but the square panel housing its trio of rear cameras is starting to feel a little long in the tooth. So finding a way to make them more compact to fit in flush with the phone’s glass rear would be an upgrade I'd appreciate. Plus, it would mark a notable evolution in flagship iPhone design.

Something actually surprising

(Image credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

The Action Button is okay. Camera Control is a whole button of meh. These are two features Apple introduced with the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 respectively, and they're hardly mind-blowing upgrades. In fact, I’d argue that the Camera Control almost gets in the way of my personal iPhone experience.

What I really want is a feature that actually makes me sit up and pay attention. I’m not sure what that could be, but it could be as simple as having a dedicated video editing app for the iPhone 17 Pro that lets one easily capture and create videos for YouTube, TikTok, and so on.

Or it could be a modular system that allows for camera lens accessories to be added. Or a simple way to connect an iPhone 17 to a monitor in a Samsung DeX-like fashion to act as a pseudo desktop when one doesn't have a MacBook handy.

I just want to be surprised by an iPhone for once, as that’s something that hasn't happened in years. So fingers crossed.

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• A new leak says that Philips Hue is working on a video doorbell
• It would represent the next big expansion for the Philips Hue Secure lineup
• Philips Hue already makes lights, contact sensors, and security cameras

While Philips Hue makes a treasure trove of lights, from simple bulbs to sophisticated fixtures, it also makes security cameras and connected wall plugs that are part of the smart home.

We just received our best look yet at what could be next from Philips Hue. As spotted by Hue Blog, Philips Hue has been working on a doorbell, and now the outlet has found images of the ‘Philips Hue Secure Doorbell’ in the latest app update.

That’s right, the competitive world of smart video doorbells might be getting a new entry, and for those already invested in the Philips Hue ecosystem, the plug-and-play aspect that the name alone teases, might be exciting enough.

(Image credit: Signify)

Further, it would help to build out the current Philips Hue Secure lineup that currently consists of security cameras and contact sensors. All of which can be customized to work alongside Philips Hue smartlights.

As revealed in the images shared in this new report, Philips Hue doesn’t seem to be veering from the working formula for a video doorbell. The purported video doorbell from the brand will be a vertically tall rectangle with the physical camera lens and sensors up top and a large, circular ring button on the bottom.

If this turns out to be the case, Philips Hue’s video doorbell will fit right alongside the many other competing options, including the Ring video doorbell lineup. Additionally, the report notes it’ll have Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, likely with the former for setup and the latter for connecting to the internet.

Hue Blog also notes that a QR code will be required for set-up, hinting that “the camera will probably transmit the video signals in encrypted form.” That’s good news for security, especially as this will provide a view from your front door looking outwards.

Like other video doorbells, Philips Hue’s Secure Doorbell will likely require a wired installation, meaning that it will not be able to run solely on batteries. This makes it a bit more limiting option for renters or folks without the necessary power wiring.

Considering the wired requirement, this doorbell could likely cause a chime on a pre-existing ring box that you might have installed in your home.

A look at a Philips Hue Secure Contact Sensor on a door. (Image credit: Signify)

Either route, the latest specs, name, and first image – well, a digitally sketched depiction – of the Philips Hue first doorbell certainly build up the hype and tease a likely more premium option that is purpose-built to work well in the existing ecosystem. Considering that many Philips Hue products work with other smart home systems with a bridge, the doorbell should also play nicely with Amazon, Google, or Apple Home.

Of course, nothing is official until Philips Hue confirms it, and so far, the brand has not even teased that the doorbell is coming. Hue Blog has been reporting on the possibility of a doorbell from the brand for a good bit, but this most recent leak, courtesy of the Philips Hue app, is our best look yet. The report also notes a launch isn’t expected until later in 2025, likely in the Fall (August to October), so it might be several months before we hear anything official.

In the meantime, check out TechRadar’s list of the best video doorbells here.

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Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor of The Atlantic, said he was mistakenly added to a group chat with U.S. national security leaders about imminent military strikes on Yemen.

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NPR has learned that Israel is considering a major ground invasion of Gaza to fully occupy the territory and establish a military rule over Palestinians there. We learn about this plan and hear about the influential minister who has repeatedly called for Israel to resettle the Gaza Strip. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has threated to collapse Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government if the Gaza war ends. Our reporter talked to Smotrich and tells us about his rise to power.

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• SDUNITED AX835-025FF mini PC packs a Ryzen AI Max+ 395 with 128GB LPDDR5X-8000 storage
• Strix Halo’s potential shines despite early optimization challenges
• Big brands lag behind while Chinese manufacturers drive Strix Halo adoption

Lesser-known Chinese brand SDUNITED has launched the AX835-025FF, a portable mini PC powered by AMD’s Ryzen AI Max+ 395 with 128GB of LPDDR5X-8000 memory.

This 16-core, 32-thread Zen 5 processor runs at 5.1GHz and is paired with a 40 CU Radeon 8060S GPU, which is expected to perform similarly to an RTX 4060, making it a decent PC for photo editing.

Small brands, especially those from China, are leading in the adoption of Strix Halo chip in compact devices. While larger companies like Asus, Framework, and HP have integrated the APU into workstations, they have yet to explore compact, high-performance mini PCs.

Supports a staggering 14 ports, but no OCuLink

The AX835-025FF boasts an impressive 14 ports, offering flexibility for professional workloads, and reinforcing its potential as one of the most powerful computers in its class.

However, it lacks OCuLink, which would have allowed for external GPU expansion.

Unlike traditional ultra-compact PCs modelled after Intel’s NUC 4x4, this system is slightly larger but remains significantly smaller than most desktops.

It also includes a built-in power supply and a dual-fan cooling system designed to manage its 120W power consumption.

The current Ryzen AI Max+ 395 engineering sample experiences occasional instability and power fluctuations, ranging from 140W to 10W under load.

Nevertheless, it showcases the potential of Strix Halo and the final retail version is expected to improve optimization, stability, and power efficiency.

Via Videocardz

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• Disney+ is finally letting you remove items from your 'Continue Watching' list
• The streaming service says it's a “much-anticipated global update'
• It's rolling out first for the Apple TV and iOS, with more platforms arriving in the coming weeks

I stream a lot of content on Disney+, whether it’s a DCOM original movie rewatch, one of the original shows like Dream Productions, or to watch a classic film – but I also sometimes just walk away in the middle of a TV episode or a movie. And that leads to a pretty packed list under ‘Continue Watching’ that isn’t in any particular order.

It also means that when I start a new show – maybe the latest from Marvel – and end up hating it, it unfortunately sticks around. But that won't be the case for long – Disney+ is answering our collective prayers and will let us edit the list to remove that show.

That regrettable stream will soon be nothing but a bad memory, and won't haunt your new streaming content efforts.

The streaming giant said it was a “much-anticipated global update,” and it’s beginning to roll out now on a whole host of platforms, including TV and mobile. Simply put, it’s one of the best changes in recent history from one of the best streaming services around.

It’s rolling out on Apple TV and iOS at first, with other platforms following in the coming weeks. And here’s the best news: It’s super easy to get started with removing content from your continue-watching list. This means you won’t be stuck for much longer with that movie you wound up hating after five minutes.

There are four ways to remove content from your ‘Continue Watchlist’

Removing content from your Disney+ Continue Watching row on an iPhone or the Web. (Image credit: Disney)

Disney+ has devised two ways to remove content from this auto-populated watchlist, so let’s break down the first.

When you’re on the streamer's mobile app homepage and see your ‘Continue Watching’ bar, you can simply navigate to and select the show or movie and select the three dots next to the name. From there, you’ll tap “Remove” to see it vanish. This goes for your entire profile within your Disney+ account.

If you’re on the web, you’ll hover over the title and see the option to remove – a circle with a line in the middle, like the equator – appear – just tap that, and it will be removed.

On the TV, since you can’t just touch it, you’ll navigate to the title in the bar and long-press on it to reveal the remove function. It’ll ask you to confirm if you want to remove the title from the list, and you can approve the action.

Alternatively, if you happen to be on the details page for the TV show or movie and it’s in your ‘Continue Watchlist,’ you’ll see the remove icon next to play/start, resume, or save at the end. You can simply select that icon to remove it from the list.

Disney+ certainly made it easy and rolled out several ways to accomplish it. The only hope is that folks without an iOS device or Apple TV 4K will soon receive updates on their various platforms.

(Image credit: Disney+)

In the release announcing the change, Disney+ also explains that if you see content on your watchlist that you don’t recall playing, it might appear if you share your account with someone else using the same profile. Remember, with a single Disney+ account, you can create up to seven profiles. Of course, it might also be a reminder of the people who shared your account before Disney+ and other streaming services started cracking down on account sharing.

Even so, this is excellent news. It will finally let you clean up your ‘Continue Watchlist’ without having to watch through all the content or just start other shows and movies in the hopes of pushing other pieces of content further back.

It should save us from a whole lot of headaches, and let’s hope we see other highly-requested features arrive that let us get even more out of Disney+.

More of this, please, Disney!

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HP OmniStudio X 31.5: One-minute review

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

With Apple stepping away from larger 27-inch-screen all-in-one iMacs, HP seized the opportunity with the OmniStudio X 31.5—a sleek, powerhouse Windows PC that’s far more than just a pretty display. At its heart is a 32-inch 4K IPS screen (or 27-inch FHD option), but under the hood lies serious performance muscle: an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor, 32GB of DDR5 RAM, an Nvidia RTX 4050 GPU and a 1TB SSD.

This makes the OmniStudio X more than capable of juggling everything from dozens of Chrome tabs to high-resolution creative workflows in Photoshop and Premiere Pro.

Its setup is refreshingly straightforward, while the design is both thoughtful and practical.

Multiple ports are neatly placed along the rear panel and adjustable neck, and a cleverly integrated pop-up webcam delivers solid performance for video calls and meetings.

The overall aesthetic and functionality make it a perfect fit for offices, libraries, and creative studios alike.

One disappointing aspect of the design is the included keyboard and mouse combo. The keyboard style does a great job of matching the overall desktop but lacks a lift for better positioning beyond its flimsy feel. On the other hand, the mouse isn’t any better as it's simply not very comfortable; especially during long typing sessions.

Priced at $1,660, the OmniStudio X 31.5 offers impressive value. From its high-end audiovisual features to its streamlined yet sophisticated design, this all-in-one desktop balances everyday productivity with creative performance—making it a compelling purchase. That doesn’t mean this all-in-one isn’t without some problems.

Even though the desktop has an Nvidia RTX 4050, it’s not enough for serious gaming experiences. In the modern AAA space, the 6GB of V-RAM just isn’t enough for most games going as low as 1080p.

You can forget about playing games in native 4K, though DLSS upscaling can help at least match the display’s resolution. Add a 60Hz refresh rate limit to the display itself and it’s only so much it can do in that department.

However, if you're looking more for casual gaming sessions between writing a review like this or editing social media content, you'll likely be satisfied with what the OmniStudio X 31.5 has to offer.

For professionals and creatives seeking a capable, visually striking desktop that handles demanding tasks with ease, this all-in-one makes a strong case.

While it falls short in areas like gaming and peripheral comfort, its overall performance and design still deliver a premium experience. It’s not built to be everything, but it nails what it sets out to do—serve as a stylish, high-powered productivity hub.

For those willing to overlook its minor setbacks, the OmniStudio X 31.5 offers a solid, future-forward option in today’s all-in-one desktop market.

HP OmniStudio X 31.5: Price and availability

• Where can you get it? Available now in the US, UK, and Australian territories
• When can you get it? Available now
• How much does it cost? $830 - $1,715 / £1,599.00 - £2,249.99 / AU$3,399 - AU$4,199

Available now in the United States, United Kingdom and Australian territories, the HP OmniStudio X 31.5 can be purchased in various customization options through HP’s online store.

Potential buyers in the United States have the most options available with choices of a 27.5-inch 1080p or flagship 4K 31.5-inch screen. On the lowest $830 tier, users can get the FHD 27.5-inch display with the Intel Core Ultra 5 processor with integrated Arc Graphics, 16GB DDR5 RAM and 256GB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD.

For more money, there are options for giving the display touch capabilities alongside a more powerful CPU, RAM and SSD storage.

Even more flexibility is offered on the 31.5-inch UHD model. Our review model with the specs mentioned above comes out at the price of $1,660. There are a few options to push the storage to 2TB SSD alongside Intel Wi-Fi 7 BE200 (2x2) and Bluetooth5.4 wireless card outside of the standard Realtek Wi-Fi 6E RTL8852CE (2x2) and Bluetooth 5.3 wireless card for $1,715.

The HP OmniStudio X 31.5 only comes in one screen size featuring the Intel Core Ultra 7 with RAM, Storage and GPU options ranging between £1,599 and £2,249. Though more options will be available in the future, there is currently only one version right now in Australia for $3,399. That’ll get users the 31.5 UHD display, Intel Ultra 7, RTX 4050, 32 GB DDR5-5600 RAM and 1 TB SSD.

Value: 4 / 5

HP OmniStudio X 31.5: Specs

The HP OmniStudio X 31.5 currently comes in several configurations based around CPU, GPU, RAM and storage options.

HP OmniStudio X 31.5: Design

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

• Set-up is a breeze
• Ports are well-placed and the pop-up webcam is nice
• Keyboard and mouse could use some work

Design-wise, there’s so much to love about the HP OmniStudio X 31.5. Starting with the relatively easy installation process. All users have to do is connect the base to the neck via a pre-installed screw and snap both parts into the back panel of the desktop via USB-C.

The Meteor Silver colorway blends an aluminum material for the base and neck with hard plastic on the actual all-in-one itself. For the display itself, thin bezels on the right, top and left of the display with a bigger one to showcase the HP logo provide enough screen real-estate.

The all-in-one isn’t just sleek looks but also offers serious functionality through port placement alone.

Image 1 of 2

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)Image 2 of 2

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

The right side of the neck features a singular USB-C and two USB-A slots. On the rear panel is a singular USB-C, two USB-A, HDMI-in, HDMI-out, ethernet and power ports besides a 3.5 headphone/mic combo jack. On the right side of that same panel is a power button and clickable thumbstick for in-display menu options.

Popping the top of the OmniStudio X 31.5 reveals a 5MP webcam which feels good to push back in once done with it. Posability is respectable with tilt and height adjustment as well.

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

As mentioned previously, the sore spot of the design is the included mouse and keyboard. The mouse tries to be something for all sorts of hand sizes and shapes but ends up being uncomfortable for my medium-sized hand. After long-typing sessions, I definitely noticed a bit of hand cramping.

The keyboard works well enough but holding that back is the lack of a level raiser. Both keyboard and mouse unfortunately also require AAA batteries to work which is a shame considering its biggest competitor in the space features rechargeable batteries.

The OmniStudio X 31.5 nails the essentials of modern all-in-one design with a clean aesthetic, intuitive assembly and thoughtful hardware placement. For users prioritizing performance and style in a streamlined package, this all-in-one desktop makes a confident impression right out of the box.

Design: 4.5 / 5

HP OmniStudio X 31.5: Performance

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

• General tasks and creative software performance is top tier
• Gaming performance is a bit wonky
• Audio/visual and webcam capabilities are great

Over the course of a week with the HP OmniStudio X 31.5, I put the all-in-one through a mix of hybrid work tasks, creative projects, and light gaming. The bulk of my day job involved running Google Chrome with multiple tabs open—everything from Docs, Gmail, and Sheets to Asana, Hootsuite, and Wix—without a single hiccup in performance.

Even while managing those apps, I was able to jump into Adobe Photoshop and Premiere Pro to create high-resolution social media graphics and short-form video content, all without any lag or slowdown. That real-world performance aligns well with its PugetBench scores of 7102 for Premiere Pro and 6085 for Photoshop, making it a solid option for content creators who need reliability and speed.

HP OmniStudio X 31.5: Benchmarks

Here's how the HP OmniStudio X 31.5 performed in our suite of benchmark tests:

Blackmagic Disk Speed Test: Write - 2455.8, Read - 2759.9

GeekBench: Single Core - 2133, Multi-Core - 12128

HandBreak: 1.8.2 - 4:50

PugetBench for Adobe CC: Premiere Pro - 7102 , Photoshop - 6085

3DMark: Fire Strike - 17292, Time Spy - 7582, Speed Way - 1827

Assassin’s Creed Mirage: 1080p - 65fps , 3840x2160 - 26

Borderlands 3: 1080p - 60.69fps , 3840x2160 - 16

DiRT 5: 1080p - 65fps , 3840x2160 - 26

One would think having the Intel Core Ultra 7 and Nvidia RTX 4050 would mean some low-to-mid-range gaming experiences. Because the mobile GPU is throttled to a total graphics power of 60 watts, it can barely handle most modern games even with the 6GB of VRAM.

This means many games released over the past five years are going to struggle on 4K settings without DLSS upscaling which doesn’t help much in this case. This is why it’s imperative for users who want to game stick to around 1080p resolution as many of our benchmarks would suggest.

For example, trying to play Ninja Gaiden Black II or Forza Motorsport at 4K even on lower settings turned the games into slide shows while other titles known for their visual prowess like Cyberpunk 2077 and Far Cry 6 wouldn’t run at all. In fact some games like Black Myth: Wukong wouldn’t run at all on low settings at 1080p because of VRAM limitations.

It’s unfortunate because the 4K display truly stands out, especially for work tasks and streaming ultra-high-definition content. The IPS panel delivers vibrant, true-to-life colors, sharp text, and solid brightness levels that make everyday use a pleasure.

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

For creatives, the color accuracy is especially impressive, with coverage of 100% sRGB, 93% P3, and 85% Adobe RGB—ideal for design and visual work. It’s a display that thoroughly caters to both productivity and creative precision. The dual 5W speakers featuring DTS:X Ultra provide some nice audio too. Though volume levels aren’t necessarily high and even lose audio quality at their highest setting, mid-levels sound pretty great.

Sometimes while testing, I had a meeting with my therapist and nutritionist through various video conferencing software like Zoom. During those times, video quality was excellent in mid-day lighting conditions and I was told by both individuals that they could hear me just fine.

Users can also utilize the webcam as a bio-metric security for log-in but response time may differ depending on lighting conditions as well.

Performance: 4/5

Should I buy the HP OmniStudio X 31.5 ? Buy it if…

You need an all-in-one desktop with fine performance for general and creative tasks

The HP OmniStudio X 31.5 can handle multiple Google Chrome tabs without breaking a sweat while handling large files for creative software like Adobe Premiere Pro and Photoshop.

You want a superb visual/audio experience

A lovely 4K display that’s crispy yet vivid in colors and dual 5W speakers with DTS:X Ultra capabilities sound amazing.

You require a solid design that looks great and has plenty of ports

Putting the all-in-one together is pretty easy allowing set-up to happen in seconds. There are also plenty of ports behind the display and on the side as well. Using the pop-up webcam feels good as well.

Don’t buy it if…

You need better gaming performance in your all-in-one

More serious gamers are going to be a bit disappointed despite the included mobile Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU. There are some AAA games that work well at low-to-mid settings where some are going to have issues on even the lowest graphical settings.

You want a better packed in keyboard and mouse

The keyboard is above average but lacks any lifts but the mouse isn’t the most comfortable for long sessions.

Also Consider

If our HP OmniStudio X 31.5 review has you considering other options, here are two all-in-one desktops to consider...

Apple iMac 24-inch M4 (2024)

If gaming isn’t a priority and you’re comfortable with a compact 24-inch display, the 2024 iMac delivers exceptional performance for everyday tasks and creative work.

Read our full Apple iMac 24-inch M4 (2024) review

The HP Envy 34

While the HP Envy 34 shares similar GPU limitations for gaming as the OmniStudio, it offers a larger 34-inch ultrawide display and slightly more power at its highest configuration, even with older components.

Read our full HP Envy 34 review

How I tested the HP OmniStudio X 31.5

• Tested over the span of a week
• Used for general computing tasks including Chrome and Zoom
• Played a handful of games including Ninja Gaiden Black II, Forza Motorsport and Red Dead Redemption 2 among others

For the review of the HP OmniStudio X 31.5, we tested various features of the all-in-one desktop over the span of a week. For general computing tasks, Google Chrome served as the base to use services like Docs, YouTube, Asana, Hootsuite and Wix. Creative app capability was split between Adobe Suite software including Premiere Pro alongside Photoshop. Zoom conferencing software was also utilized to test the webcam and microphone combo.

In order to test the visuals of the UHD display, I watched several YouTube videos in 4K which also gave insight into the audio quality of the speakers. Meanwhile, to further test the speakers, I played various music on Tidal. Finally, we played various AAA games to test performance. Games included Cyberpunk 2077, Ninja Gaiden Black II, Forza Motorsport, Assassin’s Creed Mirage, Grand Theft Auto V and more.

First reviewed March 2025

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I was talking to an old friend about AI – as one often does whenever engaging in causal conversation with anyone these days – and he was describing how he'd been using AI to help him analyze insurance documents. Basically, he was feeding almost a dozen documents into the system to summarize or maybe a pair of lengthy policies to compare changes. This was work that could take him hours, but in the hands of AI (perhaps ChatGPT or Gemini, though he didn't specify), just minutes.

What fascinated me is that my friend has no illusions about generative AI's accuracy. He fully expected one out of 10 facts to be inaccurate or perhaps hallucinated and made it clear that his very human hands are still part of the quality-control process. For now.

The next thing he said surprised me – not because it isn't true, but because he acknowledged it. Eventually, AI won't hallucinate, it won't make a mistake. That's the trajectory and we should prepare for it.

The future is perfect

I agreed with him because this has long been my thinking. The speed of development essentially guarantees it.

While I grew up with Moore's Law, which posits a doubling of transistor capacity on a microchip roughly every two years, AI's Law is, putting it roughly, a doubling of intelligence every three-to-six months. That pace is why everyone is so convinced we'll achieve Artificial General Intelligence (AGI or human-like intelligence) sooner than originally thought.

I believe that, too, but I want to circle back to hallucinations because even as consumers and non-techies like my friend embrace AI for everyday work, hallucinations remain a very real part of the AI, Large Language Model (LLM) corpus.

In a recent anecdotal test of multiple AI chatbots, I was chagrinned to find that most of them could not accurately recount my work history, even though it is spelled out in exquisite detail on Linkedin and Wikipedia.

ChatGPT had me working at a place I've never worked (left). DeepSeek couldn't get the dates right (center), and ClaudeAI (right) also had timeline issues. (Image credit: Future)

These were minor errors and not of any real importance because who cares about my background except me? Still, ChatGPT's 03-mini model, which uses deeper reasoning and can therefore take longer to formulate an answer, said I worked at TechRepublic. That's close to "TechRadar," but no cigar.

DeepSeek, the Chinese AI chatbot wunderkund, had me working at Mashable years after I left. It also confused my PCMag history.

Google Gemini smartly kept the details scant, but it got all of them right. ChatGPT's 4o model took a similar pared-down approach and achieved 100% accuracy.

Claude AI lost the thread of my timeline and still had me working at Mashable. It warns that its data is out of date, but I did not think it was 8 years out of date.

What percentage of AI answers do you think are hallucinations?March 24, 2025

I ran some polls on social media about the level of hallucination most people expect to see on today's AI platforms. On Threads, 25% think AI hallucinates 25% of the time. On X, 40% think it's 30% of the time.

However, I also received comments reminding me that accuracy depends on the quality of the prompt and topic areas. Information that doesn't have much of an online footprint is sure to lead to hallucinations, one person warned me.

However, research is showing that models are not only getting larger, they're getting smarter, too. A year ago, one study found ChatGPT hallucinating 40% of the time in some tests.

According to the Hughes Hallucination Evaluation Model (HHEM) leaderboard, some of the leading models' hallucinations are down to under 2%. Older models like Meta Llama 3.2 are where you can head back into double-digit hallucination rates.

Cleaning up the mess

What this shows us, though, is that these models are quickly heading in the direction my friend predicts and that at some point in the not-too-distant future, they will have large enough models with real-time training data that put the hallucination rate well below 1%.

My concern is that in the meantime, people without technical expertise or even an understanding of how to compose a useful prompt are relying on large language models for real work.

Hallucination-driven errors are likely creeping into all sectors of home life and industry and infecting our systems with misinformation. They may not be big errors, but they will accumulate. I don't have a solution for this, but it's worth thinking about and maybe even worrying about a little bit.

Perhaps, future LLMs will also include error sweeping, where you send them out into the web and through your files and have them cull all the AI-hallucination-generated mistakes.

After all, why should we have to clean up AI's messes?

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Apple Sport Band review

The Apple Sport Band is a basic, albeit high-quality Apple Watch strap that’s ready for all activity, whether that be a stroll in the park or a run around the block. At $49 / £49, it’s not the cheapest Apple Watch band in the world, but its price is very much in-line with other official first-party accessories, like the Sport Loop, for instance.

This band is made of fluoroelastomer – ideal for sports due to its inherently sweat and waterproof nature. When I went on walks and did a home workout, I never found that the band was irritating on my skin or accrued any kind of damage.

On top of that, it’s super comfortable for everyday use. Even fastening the band on is quick and easy – just poke the aluminum pin through one of the strap’s holes and you’re good to go. That combination of comfort and convenience is a must-have for all of the best Apple Watch bands.

Something I would have liked to see, though, is a few more holes in the strap for fitness activity. That’s something that I loved about the Apple Nike Sport Band, for example, because it offers added breathability when you’re working up a sweat. Another aspect of the Nike Sport Band I appreciated was that it is composed of 30% recycled fluoroelastomer, but the Apple Sport Band doesn’t come with this sustainability pledge.

But enough moaning – I want to get back to the positives again. This band is available in a wide array of colorways – seven to be precise. I tested out the Plum variant, but this strap also comes in: Black; Denim; Lake Green; Light Blush; Starlight; and Stone Gray. All of these look fairly understated, making for a more discreet look, if that’s what you’re after.

In addition, this strap is compatible with three different case sizes: 40, 42 and 46mm. You can grab it either in small-to-medium (130-180mm) or medium-to-large (150-200mm).

Even if this band comes in at $49 / £49, you’re still getting value for money. Sure, you could opt for a third-party alternative – like the Yoohoo Adjustable Metal Strap – for less than $15 / £15, but this will be more prone to scuffs and won’t be so easy on the eye. Meanwhile, the Apple Sport Band has a satisfying material, reliable fastening method and classy looks. That makes it well worth the extra spend as far as I’m concerned.

All in all, I think the identically priced Apple Nike Sport Band beats this one out thanks to its more airy design and vibrant looks. But for anyone that likes a more reserved aesthetic, I’d say the Apple Sport Band is a great option for you. It has that real quality feel and it's super simple to slip on if you’re on-the-go. That alone earns it a recommendation in my book.

(Image credit: Future) Apple Sport Band review: Price & specs

(Image credit: Future) Should I buy the Apple Sport Band? Buy it if…

You want an understated look
The Apple Sport Band comes in seven color options. None of these are dazzling and vibrant, but all of them play into a smooth, discreet look very nicely. When testing out the plum band, for example, I never felt that it stuck out like a sore thumb against my clothing.

You want to get fastened up quickly and easily
Just poke the aluminum pin through one of the Apple Sport Band’s holes and bam! It will lock into place straight away. There’s no frustrating buckle or unorthodox contraption to wrestle with here, just pop and go. Simple, yet effective.

Don't buy it if…

You want a cheap replacement strap
If you’re on the hunt for the ultimate bargain option, this ain’t it, I’m afraid. The Apple Sport Band will set you back $49 / £49 – by no means cheap for an Apple Watch accessory. Sure, that’s in line with the Nike Sport Loop, for example, but there are some really cheap third-party alternatives, like the CeMiKa Silicone Sport Straps if you’re looking for savings.

You want a super-classy band
If you want a super swanky band, then you’re in luck – there are plenty of premium alternatives to be discovered on the Apple Store. Options like the Milanese Loop or Hermès En Mer, for instance, carry that air of high class that some of you may be craving – but these options will set you back by at least $100 / £100.

Apple Sport Band review: Also consider

Apple Nike Sport Band
This one’s extremely similar – it even comes in at the same price. But if you want a bit more flair in your watch band’s design, the Apple Nike Sport Band is the perfect option. It has more vibrant, loud color options, eye-catching fluoroelastomer flakes throughout and breathable holes when you need to sweat it out. It’s been my go-to band since I started using the Apple Watch SE, so why not give it a try? Read our full Apple Nike Sport Band review.