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Six years on from its initial reveal, System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster is finally releasing for consoles and PC later this year, following the first System Shock's remaster in 2023.

After a name change (it was originally called System Shock 2: Enhanced Edition) and six years of careful but challenging development, the highly-anticipated remaster is finally coming to PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, and PC on June 26, 2025.

A lengthy PlayStation Blog, written by Nightdive Studios communications manager Morgan Shaver, goes into detail on why the remaster has taken so long to develop. In summary, it's a combination of incomplete source code and developer Nightdive's penchant for attention to detail.

Nightdive's Alex Lima chimes in here, saying that "extensive reverse engineering" was required to have System Shock 2 playable on modern hardware.

“The game engine that System Shock 2 uses is large and complicated,” adds Nightdive's Lexi Mayfield. “It was originally designed for PCs from the late 1990s with a mouse and keyboard and was only used for three games. As a result, porting the game to PlayStation was a long and arduous process, from both a coding and interface perspective.”

(Image credit: Nightdive Studios)

For System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster, players can expect improved visuals as well as support for advanced shaders and much higher refresh rates, leading to much better presentation and performance overall.

Originally a PC exclusive, the game has also received controller support for the first time ever now that it's coming to consoles. Actions like leaning around corners, quick-swapping items, weapons, and psi powers have been "streamlined" for controllers. A new quickbar and context menu should also mean players will spend less time fiddling around their busy inventories.

Personally, I'm a huge fan of the original System Shock 2. I love almost everything about it, from its terrifying mutated human enemies, horrific atmosphere, and an incredible soundtrack that bounces between moody horror and fast-paced, pulse-pounding techno.

The star of the show is undoubtedly SHODAN, a rogue AI that serves as System Shock 2's primary villain. SHODAN is delightfully evil, her warped speech patterns constantly flitting between creepy and silly without ever going overboard in either department. She's so good at both taunting and mocking the player, making for a constantly entertaining and intimidating threat.

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• Oppo has teased its new Watch X2 Mini
• The larger version is just a rebadged OnePlus Watch 3
• So this could be our first glimpse at the smaller version of the Watch 3 OnePlus promised earlier this year

Oppo has just teased a first look at its new Watch X2 Mini, and I'm hopeful that it could be our first glimpse of the new smaller version of the OnePlus Watch 3.

Just a few days ago, Oppo CEO Qiao Jiadong took to the Chinese social media platform Weibo to confirm that the company has three new products on the way, including a "small-size full smartwatch" (translated).

Now, Oppo has officially teased the Oppo Watch X2 Mini from the same account. It reveals a gold colorway, possibly a re-designed digital crown, and chamfered edges.

While you might not be interested in the new Oppo Watch X2 Mini, you might be curious to hear that the Oppo Watch X2 is actually just a rebadge of the OnePlus Watch 3. The two smartwatch makers are owned by the same parent company.

As such, this could be our first glimpse of the new smaller version of the OnePlus Watch 3, which is the best Android smartwatch for battery life in 2025.

OnePlus Watch 3's smaller version: What we know

(Image credit: Future)

This could well, then, be our first look at the new smaller version of the OnePlus Watch 3, which might well share the same design. But it doesn't tell us much else about the watch.

As reported by NotebookCheck, the smaller X2 mini is likely to feature a 42mm case, which would suggest that the OnePlus Watch 3 will be the same size. That would make perfect sense given that the larger model is 46mm, making the 42mm the likely complimentary size.

Naturally, both watches will have a smaller display and less battery life than the larger X2/OnePlus Watch 3. However, Oppo and OnePlus have cracked an excellent dual-processor system that gives that watch industry-leading battery life in this category, and this should still feature – and a smaller touchscreen will also draw less power.

Size aside, OnePlus also says it's working on LTE support beyond China for the OnePlus Watch 3, so stay tuned for that too before the end of the year.

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In an era where images are widely shared and the origins of visual content are often unclear, TinEye stands out as a crucial tool for reverse image searching.

Unlike traditional search engines that depend on keywords, TinEye uses image recognition technology to track where an image appears online, allowing users to discover its history and any potential copyright infringements.

This review examines TinEye’s features, highlighting its strengths and weaknesses while evaluating its effectiveness for different users, such as photographers and designers looking to protect their work and researchers and journalists verifying image authenticity. We will explore how this powerful tool navigates the vast internet, uncovering the stories behind the pixels and revealing the hidden connections within the visual web.

Plans and pricing

TinEye primarily offers its reverse image search technology through a free, public website. Users can upload an image or provide an image URL to find where that image has appeared online. This free service has certain usage limitations to prevent abuse.

For more extensive and professional use, TinEye also provides paid API plans designed for businesses and developers. These plans allow for higher search volumes, batch processing capabilities, and integration options for various applications. The pricing for these API plans is based on the number of image searches required each month and includes tiered options to accommodate different usage levels. Specific pricing details are available on TinEye's website, and they often offer customized plans for enterprise clients with unique needs.

How it works

TinEye creates a unique digital fingerprint for each image it indexes rather than relying on keywords or metadata. When a user uploads an image or provides a URL, TinEye compares that image’s fingerprint to its extensive indexed image database. If a match is found, it displays a list of websites where the image appears, details about its size, and any modifications made. This process enables users to trace the origins of an image, find higher-resolution versions, or identify potential copyright infringements.

Importantly, TinEye does not conduct traditional image searches based on visual similarity; instead, it searches for exact or nearly exact matches based on the image’s unique fingerprint. This approach makes it particularly effective for locating duplicate photos, even if they have been resized, cropped, or altered.

Features

TinEye's primary feature is its reverse image search capability, enabling users to find where an image appears online. This includes locating exact or nearly identical matches, even if the image has been resized, cropped, or slightly edited.

In addition to basic searches, TinEye provides features that allow users to find higher-resolution versions of an image, trace its origin to identify the source and detect potentially infringing uses of copyrighted material. Users can sort search results by criteria such as best match, largest image, newest, or oldest.

TinEye also offers an API that allows developers to integrate reverse image search functionality into their applications, facilitating automated image tracking and analysis. Furthermore, browser extensions are available for quick and easy image searches directly from web pages.

The platform maintains a continuously growing indexed image database, enhancing the accuracy and range of search results. Lastly, their MatchEngine API allows users to compare any two images to determine their similarity, even if they are not exact copies.

Interface

TinEye's interface is designed for simplicity and functionality, making it user-friendly. The main website features a clean and uncluttered layout, highlighted by a prominent upload button and a URL input field for starting searches. This straightforward design lets users conduct reverse image searches quickly without navigating through complex menus or options.

Search results are displayed clearly and organized, showcasing thumbnails of matching images and links to the corresponding web pages. Users can quickly sort and filter results based on various criteria, such as image size and date, which enhances the search experience. Additionally, TinEye offers browser extensions that integrate seamlessly with popular web browsers, allowing users to perform reverse image searches with just one click.

While the interface prioritizes functionality over elaborate aesthetics, it ensures a smooth and intuitive user experience for novice and experienced users.

The competition

TinEye faces competition from various players in the image recognition and reverse image search market. Notably, major tech companies like Google offer powerful image analysis capabilities with its Google Lens and Google Cloud Vision AI. These platforms utilize advanced machine learning to provide comprehensive image understanding, including object detection, text recognition, and similar image searches.

Additionally, specialized companies such as Lenso.ai are emerging, focusing on AI-driven reverse image search with enhanced accuracy and efficiency. Further competition comes from companies prioritizing image protection and watermarking, like Imatag, which provides services for tracking online visual content.

General search engines also contribute to the competition, offering reverse image search capabilities through tools available on platforms like Yandex and Bing. Furthermore, several other companies provide APIs for image recognition that can deliver results similar to those of TinEye.

Final verdict

TinEye specializes in reverse image search, which makes it highly effective at finding exact or modified matches of images online. This tool is helpful for verifying authenticity, tracking image usage, and identifying original sources.

One of TinEye's significant advantages is its extensive image database. However, it does not offer general visual searches or object recognition like Google Lens. Additionally, TinEye may struggle with highly modified or low-resolution images.

Typical users of TinEye include copyright holders, journalists, researchers, e-commerce sellers, and artists who want to track the online usage of their work.

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• The UK Government has released new guidelines for post-quantum migration
• The timeline outlines a target of full migration by 2031
• SMEs should find this more simple due to updated guidance

The UK Government has released its guidelines on protecting technical systems from future quantum computers.

The National Cyber Security Centre set a timeline for the UK industry and government agencies to follow with key dates, firstly, by 2028 all organizations should have a defined set of migration goals, and an initial plan, and should have carried out a ‘full discovery exercise’ to assess infrastructure and determine what must be updated to post-quantum computing.

By 2031, organizations should carry out the highest priority migration activities, and have a refined plan for a thorough roadmap to completing the change. Finally, by 2035, migration should be completed for all systems, services, and products.

Large-scale threats

The UK Government labelled the move a ‘mass technology change that will take a number of years’ - but why is the migration needed?

The Government outlines that the threat to cryptography from future ‘large-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computers’ is now well understood, and that technical systems will need to evolve to reflect this.

“Quantum computers will be able to efficiently solve the hard mathematical problems that asymmetric public key cryptography (PKC) relies on to protect our networks today,“ the guidelines confirm.

“The primary mitigation to the risk this poses is to migrate to post-quantum cryptography (PQC); cryptography based on mathematical problems that quantum computers cannot solve efficiently.”

The report warns that the total financial cost of PQC migration could be ‘significant’, so organizations should budget accordingly, including for “preparatory activities” as well as the migration itself.

For SMEs, the PQC should be more straightforward and seamless, as services will typically be updated by vendors, but in the case of specialised software, PQC-compatable replacements or upgrades should be identified and deployed in line with the above timetable.

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(Image credit: Kayla Bartkowski)

• Google's Pixel Watch 3 now features Loss of Pulse Detection in the US
• The company has revealed how it created the feature
• It's all about opportunistic detection, and preventing unwitnessed cardiac events

Google's Loss of Pulse Detection recently began rolling out to the United States after receiving clearance from health authorities in February. Now, Google has revealed how exactly it created the life-saving feature, and just what makes it so important.

The Google Pixel Watch 3 is the best Android smartwatch on the market owing to its excellent performance, stylish design, and decent battery life. At launch, it was unveiled with Loss of Pulse Detection, which can alert emergency services and bystanders if the wearer suffers a cardiac arrest.

Now, Google has revealed some of the behind-the-scenes work that went into the feature in pursuit of solving "a seemingly intractable public health challenge."

As Google notes, out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) events cause millions of deaths worldwide, with one-half to three-quarters of events going unwitnessed.

Per Google, "About half of unwitnessed OHCA victims receive no resuscitation because they are found too late and attempted resuscitation is determined to be futile."

OHCA and successful resuscitation is all about time. The chain of survival, which ends with advanced care, starts with access to emergency services or bystanders who can deliver CPR or administer treatment with a defibrillator. However, timely awareness that someone is experiencing OHCA is crucial.

Witnessed events have a 7.7x higher survival rate than unwitnessed events, which is why Loss of Pulse Detection is so vital.

How Google made Loss of Pulse Detection

(Image credit: Google)

Google says that its Loss of Pulse Detection relies on a multimodal algorithm using photoplethysmography (PPG), a process that uses light to measure the changes in blood volume, along with accelerometer data from onboard sensors.

There are multiple "gates" that must be passed because the events are so rare, and false positives are less than ideal.

Before an alert goes out, there's data from the PPG sensor (normally used to monitor your heart rate), a machine learning algorithm to check the transition from pulsatile (having a pulse) to pulseless, and further sensor checks to confirm the absence of a weak pulse using further LEDs and photodiodes.

It's all a very technical way of saying your Pixel Watch needs to be absolutely sure your heart has stopped beating before triggering an alert, rather than alerting because a user has taken off their watch, for instance.

Google says that during development it partnered with cardiac electrophysiologists and their patients, including patients with scheduled testing of implanted cardiac defibrillators, where Google measured planned temporary heart stoppages.

Google says that the other vital aspect of developing the feature, aside from accuracy, is responsibility. It detailed further the efforts it has made to minimize false positives, and also notes that skin tone is not a barrier to the efficacy of the feature.

Google also says the design accounts for maximizing battery life, using data from sensors that would already be activated to trigger subsequent further checks, rather than running a background monitoring system all the time.

The full blog is a fascinating insight and well worth the read. As noted, Loss of Pulse Detection is now available in the US, along with all the other territories it is already live in, including the UK and 14 other European countries.

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• Gmail reveals new way of displaying search results
• Users can choose between "Most relevant" and "Most recent" results
• Gemini AI looks at details such as favorite contacts to determine what is relevant

Finding the email you need in a crowded Gmail inbox should finally be a lot easier thanks to another AI-powered new update.

The email provider is rolling out a new, smarter search function that will list results in terms of relevance, rather than just in chronological order.

Factoring in details such as recency, most-clicked emails, and frequent contacts, the company says this means the emails you’re actually looking for should be far more likely to be at the top of your search results.

Gmail "Most relevant"

(Image credit: Google)

“With this update, the emails you’re looking for are far more likely to be at the top of your search results — saving you valuable time and helping you find important information more easily,” the company wrote in a blog post announcing the news.

Users will still be able to search for the most recent results, with Gmail adding a toggle to switch between "Most relevant" and "Most recent" results, based on how they like to search.

Google says the move can help reduce search time, pinpointing the information people are looking for more quickly and accurately.

The feature is rolling out now to personal Google accounts across the world, and will be available on the Gmail app for Android and iOS, with business users also set to receive the feature soon.

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• Another Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge benchmark has appeared
• It suggests performance on a par with the Galaxy S25 Ultra
• The phone is likely to be launching sometime in April

Super-slim phones are great from an aesthetic standpoint, but the shrunken form factor can lead to performance constraints – so its reassuring to see a new Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge benchmark leak that suggests it's going to be up to speed with the rest of the series.

As per the benchmark (via SamMobile), the Galaxy S25 Edge looks set to come with the 8-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite inside. That's the variant set to a higher clock speed that we've seen in other Samsung devices, including the Samsung Galaxy S25.

What's more, the single-core score of 2,969 and the multi-core score of 9,486 suggest that performance is going to be on a par with the Galaxy S25 Ultra – the phone we described as "the ultimate Android" in our Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra review.

There are some caveats here: this could well be a Galaxy S25 Edge running unfinished software, for example. But it's good to see these early results pointing in the right direction, ahead of the phone's expected launch in April.

Staying cool

The other phones in the series, including the Galaxy S25, are already available to buy (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

The chipset fitted inside a phone doesn't always tell the whole story of its performance potential: to prevent that chipset from overheating and crashing the phone, it'll be accompanied by various safety measures and cooling features.

How effective that cooling is – and thus how fast the chipset can run – depends on multiple factors, but generally speaking, the more space available, the better the cooling (which is why desktop PCs can be much more powerful than laptops).

While the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge is rumored to be a mere 5.84mm thick, front to back, it's also expected to be taller and wider than the standard Galaxy S25. That could well mean Samsung can fit in a more advanced cooling system.

All should be revealed within the next few weeks, when Samsung unveils the phone in full – after giving us brief glimpses of what it looks like. It seems very likely Apple will follow with its own super-slim phone later in the year, the iPhone 17 Air.

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• Pixel models from the Pixel 6 onwards are achieving improved benchmark results
• This is likely down do newer GPU drivers being added in recent software updates
• In less positive news, the Pixel 6a lacks satellite communication features

There’s both good and bad Pixel news today, but the good news will affect more people than the bad, so let’s start there.

Reddit users are finding that Pixel phones with Tensor chipsets (meaning everything from the Google Pixel 6 onwards) are achieving much higher GPU scores on Geekbench 6 than they did at launch. This is widely being attributed to the Android 16 beta, but Android Authority reports seeing similarly upgraded performance on Android 15.

So chances are you don’t need to grab a beta version of Android to see improvements, but rather that recent stable software updates have massively boosted GPU performance.

The exact boost varies depending on model, but Android Authority claims its Pixel 6a unit saw a nearly 23% GPU performance increase, while elsewhere there are reports of a 62% improvement for the Pixel 7a, a 31% improvement for the Pixel 8, and even a 32% improvement for the recent Google Pixel 9.

Android Authority speculates that Google achieved this through including newer GPU drivers in recent Android updates, as while all recent Pixels use an Arm Mali GPU, they don’t always ship with the latest available GPU driver version.

How much impact these performance improvements will have in the real world remains to be seen, but they’re nice to see, and could help extend the lifespan of older Pixel models.

No Satellite SOS for the Pixel 9a

The Google Pixel 9a (Image credit: Google)

Now for the bad news, and this relates specifically to the new Google Pixel 9a, which we’ve learned doesn’t support Satellite SOS. Google confirmed as much to Android Authority, and this is a feature found on other Google Pixel 9 models which allows you to contact emergency services in areas without Wi-Fi or cell signal.

So it’s a potentially life-saving tool, and while Google didn’t say why it’s absent here, it’s likely because the Pixel 9a uses an older Exynos Modem 5300, rather than the 5400 used by the rest of the Pixel 9 series.

While this is a feature that you’ll hopefully never need to use, it would be reassuring to have, and this isn’t the only omission in the Pixel 9a, as we also recently learned that it lacks several AI tools offered by the rest of the Pixel 9 line.

In fact, this phone has had a slightly troubled launch, with not just these omissions emerging, but also a delay in sales of the phone while Google investigates a “component quality issue”.

Still, the silver lining there is that this delay allowed time for these omissions to be uncovered, so you might think twice about buying the Google Pixel 9a. Certainly, we’d wait until we’ve had a chance to put it through a full review before purchasing one.

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That's Them is a people search engine that compiles publicly available data, creating detailed profiles of individuals.

However, its operations raise significant privacy concerns, so this article will explore how That's Them works, the types of information it collects, the sources of its data, and the potential implications for users.

We will analyze the platform's ability to aggregate personal details, including addresses, phone numbers, relatives, and other sensitive information.

Additionally, the article will assess the accuracy of the data provided and the challenges individuals face when trying to remove their information from the site.

Lastly, we will address the ethical considerations surrounding such services and discuss steps individuals can take to safeguard their online privacy amid the growing accessibility of personal data.

Plans and pricing

That’s Them primarily focuses on providing free access to aggregated data, distinguishing it from many other people search engines.

Unlike services that require subscriptions or payments for detailed reports, That’s Them allows users to access basic personal information at no cost. This includes details such as names, addresses, and phone numbers.

While they do offer some premium services aimed at businesses - typically involving bulk data access or API integration - the core individual search functionality remains largely free.

This service is supported by advertising and possibly the sale of aggregated data to third parties.

This free model contributes to its widespread use and concerns regarding the accessibility of personal information.

Therefore, although enterprise-level paid options are available, the primary purpose of That’s Them is to provide free access to publicly available information.

How it works

That's Them operates by gathering publicly available data from various online sources. It acts as a data broker, collecting information from public records, social media platforms, online directories, and other accessible databases.

The data it collects includes names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, details about relatives, and even past and present business affiliations.

The service compiles this varied information into individual profiles, making it searchable for anyone who visits the site.

When a user searches for a person on That's Them, the platform queries its database and displays the aggregated information it has collected.

Instead of creating original content, it organizes and presents existing data in one central location.

This process relies heavily on automated data scraping and indexing, enabling the service to gather and organize information quickly.

While this ease of access and aggregation makes the service powerful, it raises concerns about privacy and data use.

Features

That's Them's core feature: its ability to aggregate and present publicly available information about individuals in a centralized and easily searchable format.

Users can search for people using various criteria, such as names, phone numbers, and addresses, making it a versatile tool for casual users and professionals.

The platform compiles available data and displays information, including current and past addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, known relatives, and associated businesses.

This comprehensive approach allows users to build a more detailed profile of an individual, which can be beneficial for various purposes, such as reconnecting with old friends, conducting background checks, or gathering insights for business leads.

A notable aspect of That's Them is the free access to essential information, which sets it apart from many competitors that often require subscription fees or payment for detailed reports.

This accessibility makes it easier for a broader audience to utilize the service without financial barriers. Users can obtain essential details without incurring costs, fostering a more open environment for information gathering.

In addition to individual searches, That's Them offers bulk data access and API integration, making it suitable for businesses that require large-scale data analysis.

This functionality allows users to integrate the collected data into other systems, enhancing their operational capabilities.

For example, marketing professionals can tap into this data for lead generation, while private investigators can utilize it for more thorough investigations.

The user interface is straightforward and designed for ease of use. However, the platform's strength lies in its comprehensive data collection and organization.

It aggregates information from myriad public records, including court filings, property records, and social media accounts, creating a vast repository of information.

However, it’s important to note that the accuracy of the displayed information can vary as it is sourced from diverse public records.

The lack of robust verification processes means that errors may occur, so users should approach the data critically and consider verifying details through other means when necessary. This caveat is essential for ensuring responsible platform usage, especially in sensitive contexts such as background checks or legal inquiries.

The competition

When analyzing the competitive landscape of That's Them, it's important to note that it operates in the people search engine sector.

This means it competes directly with well-established companies that provide similar information retrieval services. Key competitors include:

WhitePages.com: A long-standing leader in offering contact information, addresses, and background details.

AnyWho.com: A prominent platform that provides people search and reverse phone lookup capabilities.

SearchPeopleFree.com: A site that focuses on free people search services.

Additional competitors include sites like Truecaller, and other people search websites.

These competitors share similar functionalities, such as retrieving contact information, addresses, and background details.

The competition in this sector is intense, with companies striving to deliver accurate and comprehensive data while addressing privacy concerns.

The factors that differentiate these services include the depth and accuracy of their databases, user interface, and the availability of free versus paid features.

Final verdict

Whether to use That's Them or any similar people finder service depends on your specific needs and ethical considerations.

These services can be helpful for locating lost contacts, verifying information, or reconnecting with others.

However, it is essential to recognize the significant privacy risks involved, as the information on these sites is often aggregated from public records, which means your own data could be accessible without your explicit consent.

Before using That's Them or a competitor, carefully weigh the potential benefits against the ethical implications and possible misuse of the information.

If you have legitimate reasons for needing to find someone, and you are comfortable with the associated privacy trade-offs, these services may be useful tools.

Always use the information responsibly and respect the privacy of others. If you are concerned about your own information appearing on these sites, consider looking into the opt-out procedures that are typically available.

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A partial solar eclipse on March 29 will be visible from parts of North America. Here's how to safely view the cosmic event, even if you can't be there in person.

Your outie is splendid and can swim gracefully and well.

While the Hitman: World of Assassination trilogy has been a stand-out success across PlayStation, Xbox, and PC its transition from flat gaming to VR has been a tough ride. Exploring IO Interactive’s sandbox levels in virtual reality has its charm, graphics woes, lacking motion controls, and general bugginess have negatively impacted prior releases across PSVR, Steam, and recently the Meta Quest 3.

But fourth time’s the charm, so to speak, as with the latest Hitman: World of Assassination release on PSVR 2, IOI has seemingly cracked the VR formula – at least based on my experience in a roughly hour-and-a-half-long demo.

I’ve been looking for an excuse to get back into Hitman, this is it - it really could be the next best PSVR 2 game.

Getting to grips

My day started off smoothly. I was whisked away to Sapienza – a fictional Italian coastal town introduced in Hitman (2016) – with the goal of eliminating Silvio Caruso, Francesca De Santis, and the biological weapon they’ve created, with me taking out the human targets with an exploding golf ball and sniper rifle respectively.

One shot, one kill (Image credit: iOi)

Here I got to grips with developer IO Interactive’s ultimate take on what a VR Hitman should be. As expected you’re thrust into a first-person view, with this PSVR 2 interpretation featuring a suite of motion controls to replace the usual button prompts. Reloading a firearm is an involved process – you have to manually eject the empty cartridge, grab and insert a new one, then cock the pistol to be able to fire again – and to break into areas you aren’t allowed to enter you’ll need to pull out your lockpick, the stolen key card you swiped, or your trusty crowbar to physically crack open the barrier in your way.

The only time you don't have to manually do Agent 47’s job for him is when you’re blending in or climbing.

IO Interactive told me that while some players say they want to stay in first-person the whole time and perform 47’s blending-in techniques for themselves, that doesn’t work for the gameplay as a whole.

Blending in is a time for players to catch their breath, take stock of their situation, and watch out for people hunting them or those who could rumble their disguise – a third-person view facilitates this in a way a first-person one can’t, and from playing the game I can see what they mean. Climbing in third-person also has the added benefit that it’s less nauseating for many than the first-person alternative.

However the team has found ways to use VR in other ways to make this PSVR 2 version more than a simple port, such as with dual-wielding. Obvious applications are that you can go into a mission with dual-wielded guns blazing and forgo Agent 47’s ‘Silent Assassin’ reputation, but others include new takedown techniques.

With a blunt object in each hand, you can knock out two guards simultaneously, making it easier to sneak around undetected and complete a mission with that important Silent Assassin, Suit Only rating.

Much better than Hitman's PSVR and Steam attempts (Image credit: I/O) A whole world to explore

Speaking of Hitman: World of Assassination as 'just' a PSVR 2 port, this is the (almost) full-on World of Assination package but in VR.

Some missions have been cut (at least for now) such as the bonus Patient Zero campaign (I say for now, as the IOI team gave me the impression it wanted to bring these levels to VR eventually), Hitman 2’s sniper missions, and some of the more elaborate Elusive Targets – like the recent The Splitter mission featuring Jean-Claude Van Damme.

Otherwise, everything’s there. In Sapienza, I was delighted to see the Kraken easter egg was still present – even if I didn’t quite have the time or aim to solve it – and in Berlin, I took on The Drop Elusive Target mission starring real-world DJ Dimitri Vegas.

I also noticed that everything ran fairly smoothly. Even on Berlin’s crowded dance floor and at Miami’s packed car race event I didn’t experience any noticeable stuttering. Graphics-wise it's a step down from what you’ll be used to on the PS5’s flat game, however, it didn’t look bad by any stretch – though I’ll want to test the game out further before passing a final judgment on the performance.

And returning to the Hitman PSVR 2 experience is something I can’t wait for. I love the Hitman trilogy and this PSVR 2 version has truly done it justice in a way I’m sure many players feel the other VR attempts haven’t quite managed to.

The full VR game releases on March 27 as a $9.99 / £8.99 add-on to the original PS5 game (which you’ll also need to own), and I’ll be one of the first in line.

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AI continues to spark debate and demonstrate remarkable value for businesses and consumers. As with many emerging technologies, the spotlight often falls on large-scale, infrastructure-heavy, and power-hungry applications. However, as the use of AI grows, there is a mounting pressure on the grid from large data centers, with intensive applications becoming much less sustainable and affordable.

As a result, there is a soaring demand for nimbler, product-centric AI tools. Edge AI is leading this new trend, by bringing data processing closer to (or embedded within) devices, on the tiny edge, meaning that basic inference tasks can be performed locally. By not sending raw data off to the cloud via data centers, we are seeing significant security improvements in industrial and consumer applications of AI, which also enhances the performance and efficiency of devices at a fraction of the cost compared to cloud.

But, as with any new opportunity, there are fresh challenges. Product developers must now consider how to build the right infrastructure and the required expertise to capitalize on the potential of edge.

The importance of local inference

Taking a step back, we can see that AI largely encompasses two fields: machine learning, where systems learn from data, and neural network computation, a specific model designed to think like a human brain. These are supplementary ways to program machines, training them to do a task by feeding it with relevant data to ensure outputs are accurate and reliable. These workloads are typically carried out at a huge scale, with comprehensive data center installations to make them function.

For smaller industrial use-cases and consumer industrial applications – whether this is a smart toaster in your kitchen or an autonomous robot on a factory floor – it is not economically (or environmentally) feasible to push the required data and analysis for AI inference to the cloud.

Instead, with edge AI presenting the opportunity of local inference, ultra-low latency, and smaller transmission loads, we can realize massive improvements to cost and power efficiency, while building new AI applications. We are already seeing edge AI contribute towards significant productivity improvements for smart buildings, asset tracking, and industrial applications. For example, industrial sensors can be accelerated with edge AI hardware for quicker fault detection, as well as predictive maintenance capabilities, to know when a device’s condition will change before a fault occurs.

Taking this further, the next generation of hardware products designed for edge AI will introduce specific adaptations for AI sub-systems to be part of the security architecture from the start. This is one area in which embedding the edge AI capability within systems comes to the fore.

Embedding intelligence into the product

The next stage in the evolution of embedded systems is introducing edge AI into the device architecture, and from there its “tiny edge”. This refers to tiny, resource-constrained devices that process AI and ML models directly on the edge, including microcontrollers, low-power processors and embedded sensors, enabling real-time data processing with minimal power consumption and low latency.

A new class of software and hardware is now emerging on the tiny edge, giving the possibility to execute AI operations in the device. By embedding this capability within the architecture from the start, we are making the ‘signal’ itself become the data’, rather than wasting resources transforming it. For example, tiny edge sensors can gather data from the environment that a device is in, leveraging an in-chip engine to produce a result. In the case of solar farms, sensors within a solar panel can specifically detect nearby arc faults across power management systems. When extreme voltages occur, it can automatically trigger a shutdown failsafe and avoid an electrical fire.

With applications like arc fault detection as well as battery management or on-device face or object recognition driving growth in this space, we will see the market for microcontrollers capable of supporting AI on the tiny edge grow at a CAGR of over 100% (according to ABI Research). To realize this potential, more work is needed to bridge the gap between the processing capabilities of cloud-based AI and targeted applications from devices that are capable of working on, or being, the edge.

However, like with any new technology: where there is a demand, there is a way.

We are already seeing meaningful R&D results focused on this challenge, and tiny AI is starting to become embedded in all types of different systems – in some cases, consumers are already taking this technology for granted, literally talking to devices without thinking ‘this is AI’.

Building edge AI infrastructure

To capitalize on this emerging opportunity, product developers must first consider the quality and type of data that goes into edge devices, as this determines the level of processing, and the software and hardware required to deal with the workload. This is the key difference between typical edge AI, operating on more powerful hardware, capable of handling complex algorithms and datasets, and tiny AI, which focuses on running lightweight models that can perform basic inference tasks.

For example, audio and visual information - especially visual - are extremely complex and need a deep neural architecture to analyze the data. On the other hand, it is less demanding to process data from vibrations or electric current measurements recorded over time, so developers can utilize tiny AI algorithms to do this within a resource-constrained or ultra-low power, low latency device.

It is important to consider the class of device and microcontroller unit needed in the development stage, based on the specific computational power requirements. In many cases, less is more, and running a lighter, tiny AI model improves the power efficiency and battery life of a device. With that said, whether dealing with text or audio-visual information, developers must still undertake pre-processing, feeding large quantities of sample data into learning algorithms to train the AI using them.

What’s on the horizon?

The development of devices that embed AI into the tiny edge is still in its infancy, meaning there’s scope for businesses to experiment, be creative, and figure out exactly what their success factors are. We are at the beginning of a massive wave, which will accelerate digitalization in every aspect of our life.

The use-cases are vast, from intelligent public infrastructure, such as the sensors required for smart, connected cities, to remote patient monitoring through non-invasive wearables in healthcare. Users are able to improve their lives, and ease daily tasks, without even realizing that AI is the key factor.

The demand is there, with edge AI and tiny AI already transforming product development, redefining what’s classified as a great piece of technology, enabling more personalized predictive features, security, and contextual awareness. In just a few years, this type of AI is going to become vital to the everyday utility of most technologies – without it, developers will quickly see their innovations become obsolete.

This is an important step forward, but it doesn’t come without challenges. Overcoming these challenges can only happen through a broader ecosystem of development tools, and software resources. It’s just a matter of time. The tiny edge is the lynchpin through which society will unlock far greater control and usefulness of its data and environment, leading to a smarter AI-driven future.

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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

• The Golden Ticket is a new reality competition series coming to Netflix
• It's inspired by Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory novel
• US residents can apply to be one of Wonka's guests and compete

There’s a magic in the very name of Wonka! And now Netflix has given a green light to The Golden Ticket, a reality competition series inspired by Willy Wonka, that legendary candy maker initially appearing in Roald Dahl’s 1964 children’s classic, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

As a precocious California child of the ‘70s back when the last Ice Age melted, celebrated author Roald Dahl’s imaginative kids’ book centered around an eccentric confectioner and a poor European lad who finds a Golden Ticket to tour Willy Wonka’s mysterious headquarters was always the first title I grabbed off my bedroom bookshelf whenever staying home from school.

Years later, I was enthralled to see my all-time favorite book adapted into a Hollywood feature film, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, starring Gene Wilder as the kooky cacao wizard. I even enjoyed (to a lessor degree) director Tim Burton’s Johnny Depp-led version from 2005 and Wonka, the most recent musical iteration by filmmaker Paul King starring Timothée Chalamet.

Netflix’s next appetizing new TV series based on Roald Dahl's story, aptly called The Golden Ticket, is best described as mixing the ingredients of logistical tactics and fun interactive gameplay, all while sugar-crazed contestants seek to achieve entry to a “retro-futuristic” candy-making factory using their Golden Ticket and negotiating through a number of chocolatey challenges to complete the various objectives.

“We are thrilled to bring the magic of The Chocolate Factory to life like never before,” said Jeff Gaspin, vp of unscripted material at Netflix. “This one-of-a-kind reality competition blends adventure, strategy and social dynamics, creating an experience that is as captivating as it is unpredictable. For the first time, a lucky few won’t just have to imagine the experience — they’ll get to step inside the factory and live it.”

With the profusion of popular cooking shows, obstacle challenges, and food-based reality programs scattered across the streaming landscape these days, a chocolate-coated project centered on Roald Dahl’s masterpiece seems destined for instant success. Eureka Productions (The Mole, Dating Around, TwentySomethings Austin) will serve as the series producers.

Netflix purchased the rights to Roald Dahl’s entire catalog of intellectual property back in 2021, which includes books such as The Fantastic Mr. Fox, Matilda, James and the Giant Peach, The BFG, The Witches, and the sequel to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory titled Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator. This endeavor will be Netflix’s first dip into the world of Willy Wonka.

Although there’s no official release date yet for Netflix’s The Golden Ticket, we’ll be sure to deliver the full scoop on any upcoming details and developments for what is sure to be one of the best Netflix shows.

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In an unpredictable economy, CDs offer peace of mind

• Mind Maps are rolling out to NotebookLM
• The new feature works in both the paid-for and free versions
• NotebookLM is shaping up to be one of our favorite learning tools

Hot on the heels of its announcement that NotebookLM's Audio Overviews are now available in Gemini, Google has revealed that a new feature, Mind Maps, will now be available as an option in NotebookLM.

Mind maps are great at helping you understand the big picture of a subject in an easy-to-understand visual way. They consist of a series of nodes, usually representing ideas, with lines that represent connections between them.

The beauty of mind maps is that they show you the connections between ideas in a way that helps make those connections more obvious.

Another string to its bow

NotebookLM is Google’s AI research helper. You feed it articles, documents, even YouTube videos and it produces a notebook summarizing the main points of the subject and you can chat to it and ask questions, as you would a normal AI chatbot.

Its best feature is that you can also generate an Audio Overview in NotebookLM, which is an AI-generated podcast between two AI hosts that discusses the subject, so you can listen to it and absorb the key points while doing something else at the same time. The Audio Overview can sound so natural it’s hard to believe you’re not listening to two humans talking!

Now Mind Maps have been added as another string to NotebookLM’s bow for helping you absorb information. They work in either the standard free version of NotebookLM or the paid-for Plus version.

(Image credit: Google/Apple) Better understanding

To generate a Mind Map you simply open one of your notebooks in NotebookLM, or create a new one, then click on the new Mind Map chip in the Chat window (the central panel).

Once you’re viewing your Mind Map (it appears in the Studio panel once it has been generated) you can zoom in or out, expand and collapse branches, and click on nodes to ask questions about specific topics.

NotebookLM is shaping up to be an essential tool for students who have a lot of information to digest, and don’t necessarily read very quickly. Using the power of AI you can get AI to do a lot of the leg work for you, then present you with the key bits of information, and Mind Maps is just another way for NotebookLM to help you on your path to better understanding.

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NPR talked to the families of four men believed to be in El Salvador. None of them had a serious criminal record in the U.S. Only some had been charged with illegal entry. Three had signed their voluntary departure.

(Image credit: Tamir Kalifa)

Friday's hearing over the merits of the judge's temporary restraining order comes as the case has become a flashpoint between the judiciary and executive branches.

(Image credit: El Salvador Presidency)