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Despite controversy over Afrikaners' refugee status, a Baptist ministry says they have a religious duty to help settle them in the U.S.

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• 512GB DRAM sounds huge, but don’t hold your breath for consumer availability
• NEO’s 3D X-DRAM stacks layers sky-high, but price and practicality remain unclear
• AI and enterprise systems will get the speed, regular users probably won’t

NEO Semiconductor’s push into 3D X-DRAM memory marks an ambitious attempt to rethink DRAM design for the AI and high-performance computing era.

While the promises - stacked layers, enhanced bandwidth, and reduced power consumption - are impressive, the practicality and consumer accessibility of these technologies remain open to scrutiny.

With the company projecting that its most advanced modules could reach densities of up to 512GB, it’s hard not to ask: who is this memory really for?

Complex architectures with limited consumer impact

At the core of NEO’s approach is a vertically stacked architecture that mimics the structure of 3D NAND.

In NEO’s own words, the array is “segmented into multiple sectors by vertical slits,” with “word line layers connected through staircase structures.”

The company compares its 3D X-DRAM density to the current 0a-node planar DRAM’s 48GB and claims to reach 512GB, but the implication that such capacities will trickle down into mainstream consumer products seems tenuous at best.

The proof-of-concept chips are still in the early stages. NEO is currently developing a test version of the simpler 1T0C architecture, with the more complex, and more promising, 1T1C version planned for 2026.

The 1T1C variant utilizes IGZO transistors paired with a cylindrical high-k dielectric capacitor. It promises improved retention time, reportedly beyond 450 seconds, and supports stacking up to 128 layers.

With further refinements, including the addition of 5nm-thick spacers to reduce parasitic capacitance, NEO claims stacking could exceed 512 layers.

The 3T0C design, which incorporates dual IGZO layers, is geared toward in-memory computing and AI applications.

Still, NEO’s statements about eliminating the need for TSV and enabling up to 32K-bit bus widths raise eyebrows.

Such bandwidth sounds transformative, especially compared to the projected 2K-bit bus width of HBM4, but scaling this level of performance in real-world systems is a non-trivial task.

From a broader perspective, the DRAM market hasn’t shifted significantly in terms of cost-per-GB over the past decade. Despite some fluctuations, the downward trend slowed considerably after 2012.

One might expect the MacBook Pro, for instance, to ship with far more RAM by default today than it did a decade ago, but that hasn’t happened.

Even with some price drops - DDR3 vs. DDR5 comparisons show modest improvement - the advances haven’t been revolutionary.

Commodity pricing may fluctuate, but the overall curve has flattened. Forecasts suggest we may be near a low point before another upswing.

So while 3D X-DRAM may indeed deliver bigger, faster memory by 2026, it’s unlikely these 512GB modules will be available to consumers anytime soon.

More likely, such capacity and speed will be reserved for AI servers and enterprise systems, rather than everyday desktops or laptops.

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• Linus Tech Tips and Kioxia have smashed the Pi calculation world record
• 300 trillion digits of Pi were calculated using Kioxia NVMe SSD cluster
• The seven-month compute effort ended with Guinness recognition

After StorageReview previously claimed the Pi calculation world record with over 202 Trillion Digits, now Linus Media Group, the creators of the Linus Tech Tips YouTube channel, has taken it even further.

Working with Kioxia, LMG officially set a new Guinness World Record for the "Most Accurate Value of Pi", reaching an incredible 300 trillion digits.

This milestone was achieved using a high-performance storage setup featuring 2.2PB of Kioxia’s CM Series 30.72TB and CD Series 15.36TB PCIe NVMe SSDs.

(Image credit: Kioxia)Seven months and no SSD failures

The drives were organized in a NAS system connected to a dual-CPU compute server. The entire operation ran continuously for nearly seven and a half months.

“We knew breaking the Pi record with distributed network storage was going to be difficult - no one had really done it before due to the performance challenges associated with remote storage," said Jake Tivy, Writer & Host, Linus Media Group.

"Fortunately for us, the reliability and performance of Kioxia's NVMe SSDs enabled us to run continuous, intensive compute operations at speeds up to 100+ GB/s for nearly seven months straight, without a single SSD failure."

The project not only broke the previous record but did so by a wide margin. StorageReview’s 202 trillion digit milestone was huge, but it wasn’t officially verified by Guinness World Records.

The last recognized benchmark from Guinness was 62 trillion digits, so this new effort pushed that number nearly five times higher.

"Attaining a Guinness World Records title for the most accurate value of Pi is a tremendous achievement, emphasizing the courage of taking on a challenge and the power of great cooperation and teamwork," said Axel Stoermann, Vice President and CTO for Embedded Memory and SSD at Kioxia Europe.

"Kioxia America's successful collaboration with Linus Media Group enabled the demonstration of the robust capabilities of our NVMe SSDs under the most demanding of workloads. We will continue to advance the capabilities of our flash memory and SSD technology to support supercomputing applications," he added.

The Linus Tech Tips channel released a video documenting the effort which you can watch below. It also revealed the final digit of the record-breaking result. (Spoiler alert, the 300 trillionth digit of Pi is 5.)

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• Tech publisher breaks Pi calculation world record, hitting over 202 trillion digits

More games are coming to Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta) soon, too.

Fast internet can be hard to come by in parts of Aurora, but our broadband experts found the fastest providers and the best values in town.

The FDA says 26 people, nine of whom were hospitalized, have gotten sick across 15 states. It is still figuring out where the cucumbers were distributed — and warning people to take extra precautions.

(Image credit: Richard Hamilton Smith)

Take a trip through the realm(s) with these previews.

If you're reaching for a chatbot instead of a search engine or a trusted source, think twice before acting on the information it gives you.

I've never owned another smartphone apart from an iPhone up until this year. However, as AI makes its way onto every tech product on the planet, I needed to try Android to understand the differences between artificial intelligence in the two ecosystems.

After using a Samsung Galaxy S25 for a few weeks, I returned to my iPhone 16 Pro Max. Not because it was better, but because the ecosystem you've built your life in equates to the deciding factor when it comes to choosing between flagship smartphones.

Once back on iOS, I found myself missing one specific AI feature more than others, and without access on iPhone, I quickly defaulted back to living with an Android device.

That AI feature I'm talking about is Gemini Live, and while you could access it on iOS, the experience was dumbed down. That was until yesterday, at Google I/O 2025, when Google announced that all of Gemini Live's capabilities are rolling out on iPhone, and at no cost.

Here's why Gemini Live is the best AI tool I've ever used, and how adding all of its capabilities to iPhone means I'm ready to jump back to Apple.

What Visual Intelligence wanted to be

(Image credit: Apple)

Gemini Live already existed in the Gemini app on iOS, but it lacked two crucial elements that make the Android version that much better. Firstly, Gemini Live on iOS was unable to access your iPhone's camera, and secondly, it couldn't see what you were doing on your screen. I/O 2025 changed all that.

Now, iPhone users can give Gemini Live access to their camera and screen, allowing for new ways to interact with AI that we've not really seen on iOS before.

Gemini's camera ability is single-handedly one of, if not the, best AI tool I've used to date, and I'm thrilled iPhone users can now experience it.

What is Gemini Live's camera feature? Well, imagine a better version of what Apple wanted Visual Intelligence to be. You can simply show Gemini whatever you're looking at and ask questions without needing to describe the subject.

I've found Gemini Live's camera functionality thrives in situations like cooking. I used it last week to make Birria Tacos, and not only was I given advice every step of the way, but it was also able to see everything I was doing and help direct me towards a delicious dinner.

Not only did propping my S25 on a stand give Gemini Live the perfect angle, but because it can connect to Google apps, I could ask it to get information on a recipe directly from the content creator's video. No need to constantly touch your phone with dirty hands in the kitchen, and no need to even check a recipe anymore. Gemini Live can do it all.

An AI companion every step of the way

Screen sharing allows Gemini Live to see what's on your display at any time, allowing you to ask questions related to imagery, something you're working on, or even how to complete a puzzle in a game. It's seriously cool, similar to Apple Intelligence-powered Siri we were promised but never received back at WWDC 2024.

Gemini Live's full free rollout has just started, so we're yet to see how this functionality will work on iOS. That said, if it works half as well as it does on Android, this will be a feature I could see a lot of people falling in love with.

Gemini Live and its multiple ways of interacting with the world completely unlock AI on a smartphone, and now that iPhone users can access it too, I have no reason not to return to the Apple ecosystem.

@techradar

♬ original sound - TechRadar You might also like

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

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

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

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

Google wants to make AI agents more autonomous

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Nexar Beam2 mini Dash Cam: two-minute review

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

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

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

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

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

(Image credit: Future)

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

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

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

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

Nexar Beam2 Mini Dash Cam: price and availability

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

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

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

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

Video

Front 1080p FHD

Field of view (FOV)

135 degrees front

Storage

Internal 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, Cloud

GPS

Yes

Parking mode

Yes, with constant ODBII power cable

App support

Nexar app

Dimensions

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

Weight

1.74lbs / 0.8kg

Battery

Yes

Nexar Beam2 Mini Dash Cam: Design

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

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

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

(Image credit: Future)

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

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

• Fiddly setup
• Decent image and audio quality

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

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

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

(Image credit: Future)

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

(Image credit: Future)

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

Should you buy the Nexar Beam2 mini Dash Cam?

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

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

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

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

Don't buy it if...

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

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

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

How I tested the Nexar Beam2 Mini Dash Cam

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

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

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

• First reviewed May 2025

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

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

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

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

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

TechRadar Pro readers can get 60% off Premium Plans at RoboForm now!

New users can take advantage of RoboForm’s exclusive deal and get 60% off the Premium Plan. With this deal, you can get unlimited password storage, one-click login & autofill, password sharing, two-factor authentication for added protection, cloud backup, and emergency access for trusted contacts. To claim this deal, visit this link and sign up for the Premium Plan to lock in this huge discount.

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Premium themes

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

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

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

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

Via BleepingComputer

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What do we know about Wednesday season 2?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What the X-E5 needs to get right

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(Image credit: Stephen Maturen)