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Both Microsoft and Sony have confirmed they’re working on next-generation games consoles, with 2027 even tipped to be the potential launch date for a potential PlayStation 6 or new Xbox. But I’m here to squash that hype.While 2027 makes sense for the usual new console cycle, which tends to be around every seven years - the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X (and S) both launched in November 2020, so that amount of time will have elapsed come 2027 - I think it’s way too early to start thinking about next-gen consoles (unless you’re looking at snagging a Nintendo Switch 2 restock).I was lucky enough to put both current-gen PlayStation and Xbox flagship consoles through their paces when they launched. And both are excellent bits of hardware; the Series X is the ultimate expression of Xbox, while the PS5 offered a neat suite of innovations and the immersion-heightening DualSense controller.But the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic not only made it hard to get either of the consoles close to launch, but also saw huge delays to games. This had the knock-on effect of more games being cross-generation than I’d have usually expected.While that’s no bad thing, especially as I rather enjoyed playing games like God of War and The Last of Us Part 2 at 60 frames per second (fps), I felt it didn’t really give the proper next-generation console vibe I’d hoped for.And now, five years into the generation and Microsoft has already started talking about next-generation hardware, with Xbox president Sarah Bond announcing the gaming division has formed a partnership with AMD for future hardware. And Sony confirmed it’s working on new next-generation PlayStation hardware, but stopped short of calling it the PS6.Too soon? (Image credit: Shutterstock/Hopix Art)None of this is surprising, as of course there’ll be a new console generation; that’s unless Microsoft really does eschew hardware and go fully into Xbox Cloud Gaming, but that’s another topic of discussion. However, I think it's way too early for even the most hardcore of gamers to be thinking too much about what’s next for Xbox and PlayStation hardware.The crux of this is, I reckon, we only really started to get proper ‘next-gen’ games in 2022, perhaps even 2023 - when the term ‘next-gen’ started to feel irrelevant. Perhaps ‘current-gen’ was more appropriate by then.Now I get that even on the PS5 Pro, players may still need to make some form of choice between the fastest frame rates or the crispest graphics, rather than just having 4K 60 fps (I should add that the PS5 Pro does offer some excellent middle-ground options like a 40 fps high quality graphics mode in Horizon Forbidden West, and PSSR offer some smart upsampling for games).So there’s potentially an argument for new hardware to finally deliver the ultra-high-definition and fast frame rate combo that has always felt like an undelivered promise.A powerful PC like this Starforge System is arguably a step towards next-gen gaming right now. (Image credit: Starforge Systems)Of course, PC gamers with deep pockets can already get this with a high-end machine, or are making the most out of Nvidia’s DLSS tech to get fast frame rates at cleverly up-mixed resolutions.As someone with a very powerful gaming PC, I do love the ease of being able to boot up basically any game, crank everything up, and enjoy fast frame rates on a monitor with a high refresh rate. But that’s a bit of a niche proposition, and I don’t think it’s yet a catalyst for new console hardware.My overarching feeling is that the current Xbox and PlayStation generation is only really three-ish years old in a gaming sense. I'd like to see more pumped out of the current hardware before diving headfirst into the next, as I reckon developers have more to extract from these machines.I’ve partially made this argument before in regards to the PS5 Pro, which I think is great but perhaps a tad underwhelming. What I find more impressive is seeing consoles work to deliver impressive performance or visuals as developers really learn to optimize for their silicon innards.Take The Last of Us on the PS3 - that was a seriously impressive-looking game that got so much out of very mature hardware. I’d say the same was true of Halo 4 on the Xbox 360.While those consoles had different chip architecture to their predecessors, I think that the technical know-how of getting the most out of aging hardware may have had a positive knock-on effect on developing games for the PS4 and Xbox One.Given that last-generation and this generation’s consoles run on AMD chip architecture, and that’s sure to continue with the next-generation, I think learning to push current hardware as hard as possible will have a positive knock on effect for the next-gen consoles in terms of extracting more performance from the offset, but also potentially opening up new gaming experiences with an understanding of what can be done with extra performance headroom.Beyond frame rates (Image credit: Sony/PlayStation)While we’ve had some very graphically impressive games, like Horizon Forbidden West and Gran Turismo 7 on PS5, and Forza Horizon 5 on Xbox Series X, I don’t feel they were enormously different from their predecessors. So I’m still waiting on a game to truly wow me - Fable 4 and GTA 6 have both caught my eye, but they’re delayed until next year.Going by the recent Witcher 4 tech demo, which looked amazing yet was running at 60 fps on PS5 hardware, there’s seemingly a lot of untapped promise in the current console hardware, especially with what Unreal Engine 5 has to offer.Equally, I still think The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt looks fantastic, especially after its upgraded release on the current-gen consoles. And while I love fast frame rate gaming with all the bells and whistles on my PC, I do wonder if we’ve sort of hit 'peak graphics’. Sure, things can get crisper, sharper, and smoother, but will we ever see the big generational leap like I used to see in the early 2000s? Probably not.So I worry that with a new console generation now arguably on the horizon, we’ll see even the best games consoles go the way of smartphones and become almost incremental generation-to-generation. I do not want that.Rather, I want new consoles to offer proper step changes in gaming. Where once graphical fidelity represented that, how about seeing something new?The world and its technological dog are harping on about AI, so how about we see games consoles that can truly support advanced character AI that offer unique player experiences with each new playthrough, or expand the scope of games.(Image credit: Stock-Asso / Shutterstock)Or perhaps we see new control schemes that really make gaming accessible to all; as much as the Nintendo Switch 2 might be a cool piece of hardware, my colleague Rob Dwiar can’t use it, and that seems rather limiting in the year 2025.As games have evolved, they open up more interesting experiences and interactions - if we break away from the established molds of Call of Duty, Assassin’s Creed, and so on - and I feel hardware could and perhaps should follow suit.So it’s my hope that we don’t let hype push a new console generation too soon, and instead, current hardware is pushed to the max while smarter people than me come up with new tech that takes gaming to a new level.You might also likeI ditched my premium gaming headset for audiophile headphones – here's why I might not go backBest PS5 games 2025 - the top 25 PlayStation 5 titles to play right nowYou don’t have to chase numbers on console - playing at 4K and 30 frames per second is a superb experience

AI use is exploding, but most European companies are still operating without clear rules or policiesOrganizations celebrate productivity gains while ignoring rising security threats from deepfakes and AI misuseEmployees use generative AI daily, but few know when, where, or how they shouldAs generative AI gains traction across Europe’s workplaces, many organizations are embracing its capabilities without establishing formal policies to guide its use.According to ISACA, 83% of IT and business professionals believe AI is already being used by staff within their organizations, but only 31% report the presence of a comprehensive internal AI policy.The use of AI in the workplace comes with some benefits. Fifty-six percent of respondents say AI has already improved productivity, 71% cite efficiency gains and time savings, while 62% are optimistic that AI will further enhance their organizations over the next year.Productivity gains without structure is a ticking bombHowever, AI applications are not universally positive, and whatever perceived gains they bring come with caveats.“The UK Government has made it clear through its AI Opportunities Action Plan that responsible AI adoption is a national priority,” says Chris Dimitriadis, ISACA’s Chief Global Strategy Officer.“AI threats are evolving fast, from deepfakes to phishing, and without adequate training, investment and internal policy, businesses will struggle to keep up. Bridging this risk-action gap is essential if the UK is to lead with innovation and digital trust.”This dissonance between enthusiasm and regulation poses notable challenges.Concerns about AI misuse are high, and 64% of respondents are extremely or very concerned about generative AI being turned against them.However, only 18% of organizations are investing in tools to detect deepfakes, despite 71% anticipating their proliferation in the near future.These figures reflect a clear risk-action gap, where awareness of threats is not translating into meaningful protective measures.The situation is further complicated by a lack of role-specific guidance. Without it, employees are left to determine when and how to use AI, which increases the risk of unsafe or inappropriate applications.“Without guidance, rules or training in place on the extent to which AI can be used at work, employees might continue to use it in the wrong context or in an unsafe way. Equally, they might not be able to spot misinformation or deepfakes as easily as they might if they were equipped with the right knowledge and tools.”This absence of structure is not only a security risk but also a missed opportunity for proper professional development.Nearly half of the respondents, 42%, believe they need to improve their AI knowledge within six months to remain competitive in their roles.This marks an 8% increase from the previous year and reflects a growing realization that skills development is critical.Within two years, 89% expect to need upskilling in AI, underscoring the urgency of formal training.That said, companies that want the best AI tools, including the best LLM for coding and the best AI writers, must also account for the responsibilities that come with them.You might also likeHere's our roundup of the best AI phonesWe've also listed the best business laptops for all budgetsHalf of social media marketers can't imagine doing their jobs without AI

Get free Google AI Pro tools with select Acer Chromebook Plus modelsAI, storage, and video creation tools are completely free for one full yearOffer includes 2TB storage and premium Gemini model accessIf you're considering buying a new Chromebook, Acer has just come up with a compelling reason to look at its Plus range.For a limited time (between now and February 1, 2026), select Acer Chromebook Plus models come bundled with $240 worth of Google AI services.The eligible models are the Acer Chromebook Plus 514, 516, and Spin 714. The Google AI Pro plan unlocks access to Gemini 2.5 Pro, 2TB of cloud storage, and AI features inside Gmail, Docs, and other Google services.Making AI tools more accessibleWhile you get a full free year of the Google AI Pro plan, it's worth mentioning that a $19.99 monthly subscription kicks in after the promotional period, so you’ll need to remember to cancel it if you don’t want to face ongoing charges.Users also get NotebookLM, which helps with organizing and synthesizing research, and Flow, a video tool built to help with cinematic story creation. Flow is powered by Google’s Veo 3 Fast model, included as part of the same plan.NotebookLM allows more depth in user sessions, offering five times the number of notebooks, queries, and source references compared to its free version. It’s aimed at making research and writing more manageable for students, professionals, or content creators.The Chromebook Plus Spin 714 sports Intel Core Ultra processors and up to 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM. It includes a convertible form factor and stylus support.The 514 (CB514-5H) offers up to an Intel Core 7 chip, paired with up to 16GB of LPDDR5X memory and 512GB of storage. The 514 (CB514-6H) runs on an Intel Core 3 N-series processor and also supports up to 16GB of RAM and 512GB NVMe SSD.For those who need more screen space and power, the Chromebook Plus 516 includes up to an Intel Core 7 processor, 16GB of LPDDR5X memory, and 512GB of internal storage. All models support either Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7 and come equipped with high-resolution QHD displays.All of the Chromebook Plus devices also come with Google’s built-in AI tools, like Magic Eraser and AI-enhanced video calls.You might also likeThese are the best business laptops you can buy right nowAnd these are the best laptops for students on the marketWhat is Google AI Studio? Everything we know about Google's AI builder

Welcome to the latest edition of our indie game roundup. We’ve got quite a bit on deck this week, starting with a few nuggets of news.

In case you missed it, the Steam Summer Sale is upon us, which means there are bargains galore on the storefront (we’ve rounded up some of the tastier deals). If you're anything like me, you'll end up buying a bunch of games that you'll never end up playing but hope to get to some day. In any case, good luck with your deal hunting!

I read an interesting story on Game Developer this week about Peak, a co-op climbing game from Aggro Crab (Another Crab's Treasure, which I absolutely loved) and Landfall (Content Warning). A team of seven developers made the bulk of the game during a month-long retreat earlier this year. The two studios relied largely on their community managers — who'd done a fantastic job drumming up interest for their previous games — to hype up Peak.

A combination of factors such as smart marketing (that title is peak), the game's ability to deliver funny moments that could go viral and a low price helped Peak to sell more than 2 million copies in 9 days. This is a cool success story for a game that cost about $200,000 to make. Here’s hoping more small studios find ways to collaborate like this. As a comparison, Remedy says FBC: Firebreak hit 1 million players after eight days, and that game is on PlayStation and Xbox subscription services.

Meanwhile, Microsoft has rubber-stamped a free, fan-made Halo-themed game in the vein of Vampire Survivors. Spartan Survivors, from JuanGGZ, is out on Itch.io and it’s coming to Steam and Xbox later this year.

New releases

After debuting on PC last year and making its way to iOS in February, I Am Your Beast landed on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S this week. From the remarkably prolific Strange Scaffold (Clickolding, TMNT: Tactical Takedown and El Paso, Elsewhere), this stylish, stealthy first-person shooter has been widely acclaimed and now console players can check out what the fuss is all about. In addition, the studio this week updated the iOS version of I Am Your Beast with all of the game's DLC.

Ruffy and the Riverside is a 3D puzzle platformer with charming, hand-drawn art from Zockrates Laboratories and publisher Phiphen Games. The perspective switches to 2D in some sections, in a similar fashion to Super Mario Odyssey.

What might help this game stand out is that it has a feature called SWAP, which enables you to copy the texture from one item and paste it onto another. So you might turn a waterfall into foliage so you can climb it or convert ice into lava. Ruffy and the Riverside is out now on Steam, Epic Games Store, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch.

Quantum Witch is an adventure platformer in which the plot is shaped by your decisions. Even the side quests have multiple endings, so it seems like there's a lot going on here. Solo developer NikkiJay has described this as a "queer emancipation story" in which main character Ren takes back agency over her life.

I'm interested in checking this one out, not least because the pretty pixel art and droll humor remind me of the Monkey Island games I loved so much as a kid. Quantum Witch is out now on Steam.

Antro looks like it's cut from a similar cloth as Playdead's Limbo and Inside. However, this rhythm-based puzzle platformer (from Gatera Studio and publishers Selecta Play and Astrolabe Games) is set to the beats of hip-hop, drill, R&B and electronic music.

Here, you play as a courier in a city that emerges below the ruins of Barcelona following a global catastrophe. Music and freedom (among other things) are banned here, but a rebellion is rising against the tech-dominated dictatorship that's in charge. Antro is out now on Steam, Xbox Series X/S and PS5.

Idle games that sit on your screen all day long are having a real moment. For instance, Bongo Cat is near the top of the Steam most-played charts with concurrent player numbers in the hundreds of thousands. Tiny Aquarium: Social Fishkeeping, from Lunheim Studios and publisher Future Friends Games, is one of the newest games in the genre.

This is billed as a cozy game in which you can hatch and sell fish, decorate your aquarium and (of course) go fishing. You can visit your friends' aquariums (and those of other players) too. It all seems cute and charming enough, and I don't think having it in the corner of my screen would distract me too much while I'm crafting the hottest of takes.

Upcoming

There are a lot of things I love about Flock Off! already. The name, the fact it's set in my homeland of Scotland and that it's an alternate history take on the story of Dolly the Sheep — the first mammal to be cloned from an adult cell.

In this first-person action title from Bunkhouse Games, you and up to three allies will have to use whatever's at your disposal to fend off zombie sheep. Just about anything can be used as a weapon, including a baguette, leek, traffic cone, your friends and a lawnmower that you wield in the fashion of Dead Alive. Flock Off! is coming to Steam later this year, but it's already alive in my heart.

Several years ago, we interviewed musician Sam Battle (aka Look Mum No Computer) about his wild DIY synth projects. Battle has since teamed up with developer The Bitfather and publisher Headup to make a twin-stick shooter in which you can make your own music.

In this game, also called Look Mum No Computer, you'll craft and upgrade synth modules. These also function as your weapons that you'll use to battle rogue components to fix electronics. It's such a cool concept and it now has a release date. Look Mum No Computer is bound for Steam, Epic Games Store and GOG on July 24.

I have to admit, though I've been aware of Firefighting Simulator: Ignite for a while, it wasn't really grabbing my attention. But the release date trailer included a very important piece of information. Those who pre-order this game — from Construction Simulator studio weltenbauer. Software Entwicklung GmbH and publisher astragon Entertainment GmbH — will get a pack that includes a cool vintage helmet and an absolutely adorable Dalmatian called Simi for their firehouse.

Firefighting Simulator: Ignite is a co-op firefighting game with more than 35 missions. It's coming to PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S on September 9.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/puzzle-platformers-desktop-aquariums-and-other-new-indie-games-worth-checking-out-110029438.html?src=rss

Google expands Gemini AI access to students under 18, but with safeguardsIncludes AI literacy tools, fact-checking, and stricter content moderation It nevertheless raises new questions about AI's long-term role in global education systemsWhen calculators first entered classrooms, many worried they would weaken students’ math skills. The arrival of the internet and smartphones, brought similar fears about plagiarism and distraction - and now, AI tools are taking their turn in the spotlight.With the rollout of Google’s Gemini app to all Google Workspace for Education users, including students under 18, those old concerns are resurfacing in a new form.Gemini promises to assist with everything from lesson planning to real-time feedback, but its expansion also raises tough questions about AI’s long-term role in education and how it may reshape learning itself.Stricter content policiesGoogle says the goal is to support creativity, learning, and responsible AI use, as Gemini includes LearnLM, a family of AI models tuned for education and developed with input from teaching experts.These models are built to handle tasks like helping students brainstorm ideas, check their understanding, or generate practice materials.For students under 18, Gemini has stricter content policies and AI literacy tools endorsed by groups like ConnectSafely and the Family Online Safety Institute.First-time users are guided through onboarding content that explains how to use AI responsibly.To reduce the risk of misinformation, Gemini includes a fact-checking feature. When a student asks a fact-based question, the tool runs a double-check response using Google Search.This happens automatically the first time and can be triggered later by the student if needed.Privacy and security have been stressed by Google in the rollout, saying Gemini for Education follows the same data protection terms as the rest of Workspace for Education.In a nutshell, that means student data is not used to train AI models or reviewed by humans.The app is also aligned with education and privacy regulations like FERPA, COPPA, HIPAA, and FedRAMP.That said, some educators and parents remain unsure how AI will affect student engagement and thinking, and is something we’ve covered a lot previously.Google Gemini may save time and boost productivity, but big questions remain about whether students could come to rely on it too heavily or whether it might shift how learning is assessed.You might also likeThese are the best AI writers around todayFancy an upgrade? These are the best student laptopsAI in education isn’t a crisis, it’s an indictment of the whole thing as a means to an end